Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 23701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 119(@200wpm)___ 95(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Piercing green eyes sweep down the length of my body, and I feel a blush spread across my skin. It’s not because I’m embarrassed by what I’m wearing; I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I was used to performing in less than this. The pink tinge is entirely due to how hot the guy staring at me is.
I’d spotted him talking to Jackie when I walked onto set. With his square jaw, full lips, high cheekbones, and tall, athletic build, he’s the kind of guy who’s impossible to miss. It had taken everything I had in me to force my attention away from him. I can’t afford to mess up the unexpected opportunity that’s dropped in my lap. The studio bought out my contract, so I don’t have another job to fall back on. Even if I did, I wouldn’t want to lose this one since they’re paying me about three times as much as I made performing in Cirque de Rêve. My agent pushed my unique skill set during the negotiations and got me a nice bump in pay since they wanted me mainly for my ability to do my own stunts.
I’m jerked out of my thoughts when Rem—of course he has a total hot-guy name—moves closer to me and snaps, “I’m not saying you should wear something less form-fitting, but the nude spandex isn’t necessary. Viewers will think it’s mostly skin that they’re seeing.”
Jackie tilts her head to the side and asks the question I’m thinking, “I’m still not seeing how that impacts the stunt, Rem.”
He swings a strong arm towards the laser maze. “They’ll be distracted by her body, which will lessen the visual impact of the stunt. The audience should be completely focused on the skill it takes to evade the lasers.”
It’s hard to argue with his logic, and some of my tension loosens. Jackie taps her finger against her bottom lip while she considers his point. She doesn’t look convinced, so he adds, “Thieves choose black because it blends into the darkness. They don’t want to be noticeable, and she’ll stand out too much in that costume.”
That clinches it for Jackie, and she nods in agreement before calling out, “We’ll need a costume change for Ainsley before we get this on film. Another catsuit, but make this one black from neck to toe. No nude material.”
Rem’s chest rises and falls as he heaves a deep sigh.
He seems way too relieved by the costume change, but I don’t know why else he’d be concerned about what I’m wearing. The reasons he gave make sense because they’re focused on the movie and not me. But when his intense green gaze lands back on me, I have the sneaking suspicion his true reason for objecting has nothing to do with the movie.
Jackie moves to Rem’s left side to introduce us. “Ainsley, this is Remington Vaughn. He’s our Stunt Coordinator and lead stunt man. He will be the one you go to with any concerns about the stunts we have you doing. Not that I expect you to have any issues”—she waves in the general direction of the set—"This should be a cakewalk compared to some of the tricks you did in Cirque de Rêve.”
I offer her what I hope is a humble smile. “Even if the stunts are easy for me, I’m sure I’ll be challenged by the acting part since I’ve never been in a movie before.”
“You’ll do great,” Jackie reassures me before turning to Rem. “This is Ainsley Carruthers. Our perfect Beatrice.”
Rem holds out a hand, and I’m even more aware of him when our palms slide together. “I think I’m starting to see why Jackie wanted to hire you so badly.” His fingers tighten around mine before he lets go. “She mentioned that you’re a trained acrobat and do a lot of aerial work?”
I have to clear my throat before I can answer. “Yes, I did gymnastics growing up, mostly acro routines. Then I discovered silks and never looked back. It’s just so exhilarating and beautiful.”
“I’d love to see you on silks sometime.” Rem’s eyes darken to a forest green, and I get the feeling that he’s imagining me on silk sheets instead. “I can amp up your stunts to better match your skill set.”
“Yes! I love that idea.” Jackie claps her hands together and grins. “It’ll help set us apart from all the other Vegas heist movies. How quickly can you pull together some ideas?”
“That depends on how soon Ainsley is available.” Rem takes another step in my direction. At this point, he’s close enough that I can feel his body heat coming off him in waves. “I’d like to work with her on these since she’s the expert on aerial moves.”
I’m not the kind of person who experiences stage fright, not even when I’m dangling from a ribbon thirty feet in the air without a net beneath me. I have a well-earned reputation for not letting nerves get to me, but the idea of spending time with the movie’s sexy Stunt Coordinator sets off a swarm of butterflies in my stomach. I don’t think I’ll be able to keep my cool around him, not when my reaction to him is anything but chilly. I’m lucky that the black material on my leotard is thicker than it appears, or else my pebbled nipples would be obvious to everyone on set.