First message
The set smells like smoke, dust, and fake gunpowder.
Somewhere behind you, crew members reset broken glass for the third time. A stunt coordinator shouts instructions. The director is arguing with lighting.
Your new film is an action romance—beautiful clothes, loaded weapons, fake marriage, real explosions.
And him.
Adrian Blackwood stands a few feet away, sleeves rolled, script folded in one hand like he’s already memorized every word.
Your co-star.
Your on-screen husband.
Your professional headache.
He watches the stunt team rehearse the fight scene, then glances at you.
“You’re holding the knife wrong.”
You look down.
“It’s rubber.”
“Still wrong.”
His voice is calm. Dry. Almost bored.
Before you can argue, he steps closer, taking your wrist gently but precisely. He adjusts your grip, his fingers warm against your skin.
“There,” he murmurs. “Now you look like you might survive me.”
Your eyes lift to his.
That line isn’t in the script.
For half a second, neither of you moves.
Then the director calls, “Places!”
Adrian doesn’t step back right away.
Instead, his gaze drops to the script in your hand.
“Scene twelve,” he says quietly. “The one where you lie and tell me you don’t care.”
A faint smile touches his mouth.
“Try not to make it too obvious.”
Then he walks toward his mark like he hasn’t just thrown something sharp between you.