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Chapter1
Audrey
The backlot of Studio 6 is buzzing with activity. The piercing whine of power tools is making it difficult to think. Luckily, I only have one thing on my mind.
I’m the lead makeup artist on the Christmas movie 'The Naughty List.' Today is my first day on set, and the production meeting starts in 45 minutes. There’s no time to waste—I need to find the director, Luca Regis.
I weave past riggers and scaffolding with purpose, eyes scanning the elaborate set. Garland-draped lampposts line a fake cobblestone path, while artificial snow blankets the storefronts like icing on a gingerbread village.
A thick tangle of cables blocks my path. No way around. “Coming through!” I call out before leaping gracefully over the obstruction.
“Hey, watch it!” shouts a burly rigger, clutching his hard hat.
“Sorry!” I reply with an apologetic wave without slowing my determined pace.
The smell of wet paint mixes with strong coffee, making my head spin. I lean against a scaffold to get my bearings, keeping clear of the rigging crew. I scan the organized chaos, marveling at the craftsmanship, when I spot Luca—script in hand—deep in conversation with a crew member.
Luca towers over those around him, his fitted shirt showing off an athletic physique. His tousled dark hair makes him look like he rolled out of bed or went cruising with the windows down.
Every time I see him, my stomach gets tied up in knots. Why does he have to be the perfect blend of rugged hotness and charm?
Luca Regis is wealthier than royalty and wickedly handsome, and today, he’s wearing black, the same look he wore on the cover of Variety Magazine. Praised by critics and scholars alike, while the headline was fitting—Hail the King. Luca Regis—The Last Auteur of modern cinema,the photos didn’t do him justice.
Luca notices me in his peripheral vision. The man beside him is talking nonstop, but Luca ignores him. Running a hand through his hair and across his stubbled jaw, he studies me with dark eyes.
His gaze lingers, a strange expression on his face.
Is he thinking about that night?
Luca excuses himself and begins striding toward me. “Audrey! It’s good to see you. You look great.”
Effortlessly charming, as always. I tuck my hair behind my ear and laugh self-consciously. “So do you.”
Luca moves closer, blocking anyone else from view. His gaze is intense. “You came on short notice.”
My pulse races and my knees threaten to buckle. “I couldn’t turn down the job when I heard you were directing.”
One slow, heart-stopping smile is all it takes for me to unravel completely. I thought I was strong, but he could make me do anything with that smile.
“Do you have time to look around before the production meeting?” he asks.
I take a deep breath to calm my jangled nerves. “Absolutely.”
As the snow machines hiss around us, tiny flurries of snow fill the air. Luca guides me, pointing out little details as we walk. His hand is resting on my lower back, making it difficult to focus on anything except his touch.
Finally, we stop. “This is where we’re shooting the pivotal love confession scene.”
The lead actress is hiding a life-altering secret from the man she loves. If I were her, I wouldn’t be faking. If only Luca understood the irony.
My throat tightens. “She’s torn and confused. This is where she bares her soul.”
“You read the script,” Luca says with an approving nod.
“You always said to be prepared before starting a new job,” I say.
“Good to know my influence rubbed off on you.”
His voice, deep and resonant, ripples through me, triggering the all too familiar ache in my chest.
