Before he crawled into bed with another woman, Kellan looked around the room. He spotted me instantly, and gave me a brief, troubled smile. This was hard for him. It made me feel better that it was. Griffin was right; Kellan didn’t want this.
I nodded my encouragement and forced myself to step closer, to show my support. Kellan sidled up to Sienna in the middle of the bed and she eagerly wrapped her arms around him. I wanted to tell her that she didn’t need to canoodle with him when the cameras weren’t rolling, but Nick was eyeing me warily, so I kept my mouth shut.
Another assistant adjusted the sheet so it just covered the couple’s hips. Lights were adjusted, and reflective panels were put into place, giving the pair of lovers mood lighting. Cameras whirred to life, red lights on the top of them indicating that they were ready. Large screens beside them showed just how the recording would look in the finished cut. My gaze flitted from the real couple to the couple on the screen. I found it easier to stomach if I watched the television. Somehow that seemed less real.
On the screen, Kellan seemed nervous as he lay on his back beside Sienna. She was propped up on her elbow, leaning over him, her dark hair brushing his shoulder. She didn’t seem nervous at all. She seemed . . . ecstatic. Before I was ready, the director yelled action and the room silenced.
Kellan didn’t do anything, he didn’t even move. Sienna did. Leaning over, she touched her lips to his. I bit my cheek so hard I tasted blood. Kellan tentatively kissed her back, but it was nothing that anyone would constitute as hot. Awkward would be a better description. Every move of his lips against hers was clearly forced. Looking a little frustrated, Sienna climbed onto his stomach, grinding her hips into him as she did. Again, Kellan didn’t react like someone in that situation actually would. All he did was lay there while she attacked him. Slightly frowning, Sienna tossed her hair over her shoulder, and dove in for his mouth. Thanks to the close-up on the screen I was watching, I could see her tongue dart between his lips. I could also tell from how little his jaw moved, that he wasn’t letting her in. He was resisting; it was clear as day that he wasn’t into this woman ravaging him.
“Cut!”
The sudden voice in the stillness made my heart skip a beat. I unfurled my hands and rubbed out the indents of my fingernails on my palms. I hadn’t noticed, but I’d almost drawn blood there too.
Sienna rolled off of Kellan while he sat up. “He’s not giving me anything to work with!” she yelled.
Kellan sighed and looked over at her. “I’m sorry. I’m trying.”
“No, you’re not, Kellan,” I muttered. Worrying my lip, I hated the fact that I may have to give my husband a pep talk so he could successfully make love to another woman on film. Which was doubly strange, considering the fact that Kellan had already filmed a love scene or two in his lifetime. In retrospect, filming fake sex should have been a walk in the park for him. But he was clearly struggling.
As Nick bellowed at Kellan to get with the program, Kellan searched for me. Standing near the monitors, I nodded at him and mouthed, “It’s okay.” He sighed again and looked away.
Nick was shooting bullets into me with his eyes, like Kellan’s tepid mood was entirely my fault. It made me think that maybe I should leave so this would be easier for Kellan. Just as I was considering going to watch the other D-Bags, Diedrich took a more proactive approach to his temperamental actor’s reluctance. “Remove the bra, sweetheart.” Much quieter, he added, “We’ll get his blood pumping one way or another.” Some of the men around him laughed. Staying put, I clenched my fists again.
Sienna shrugged and then removed her tiny black bra. She handed it to an assistant, not even bothering to cover herself up. How does a person get so much confidence that exposing their chest to a roomful of strangers didn’t even faze them? It boggled my mind. As did the perfection of her bountiful breasts.
Tearing my gaze from her, I looked down at Kellan. His eyes were averted and he shifted on the bed like it was the most uncomfortable place he’d ever laid down in. Even though he was in a spot that most men would willingly chop off their right arm to be, I couldn’t help but feel bad for him. He looked miserable.
Sienna either didn’t notice or was choosing to ignore it. Climbing on top of him again, she pressed her bare chest into his. Someone on the set made sure none of her unmentionable parts were showing while Kellan stared up at the ceiling and exhaled in a long, even breath. What I wouldn’t give to know what he was thinking right now.