A Monster and a Gentleman by Lila Dubois Page A

They’d filmed Henry’s scenes and the human half of the fight, but still had to film Seling skulking behind Henry and then the second part of the fight, when they were monsters.
    “Seling.” Cali studied his face, her blood heating with desire. He looked handsome. His dark hair had been styled to fall over his forehead and oiled so it was glossy even in the bad light of the trailer. His high cheekbones and slanted eyes made him look mysterious.  
    “I haven’t seen you,” he said, smiling.
    “You weren’t on the call sheet until today.” Seling frowned and Cali cursed herself. “I’m sorry, that came out wrong.”
    “I didn’t mean seeing you at work.”
    Cali blew out a breath. “I know, that was rude. Sorry.”
    “I meant this.” Seling took a few steps and drew her up. He bent his head to hers and kissed her slow and deep.  
    Cali stiffened in surprise and then relaxed into the kiss, felt her worry and stress melt away as desire pooled in her belly. This was certainly better than visualization exercises.
    Her hand slid from his leather-covered shoulder to his bare chest. That jerked her out of her sensual haze and she pulled back. “I don’t want to mess up your makeup.” She took her hand away, then inspected his chest for finger smudges in his fake wounds.
    Seling looked down and sighed, then gave her a sly look. “The part of me you need to touch doesn’t have any makeup on it.”
    Cali laughed. “You’re such a guy.”
    “Is that good?” Seling grabbed her by the hips and pulled her pelvis against his. Cali leaned back to keep from touching his chest, holding his shoulder to keep her balance.
    He wiggled his brows and she smiled, then said, “We’re not having sex again.” The words had popped out of her mouth before she had a chance to think them through.
    The smile faded from Seling’s face. He released her hips and took a step back. “What are you talking about?”
    Cali blinked in confusion. “Did you come here thinking we were going to have sex again?”
    “Well, yes.”
    “I thought you were just flirting.”
    “Don’t you want to have sex again?”
    Cali bristled. “I’m not about to become your on-demand sex buddy.”
    Seling looked nonplused for a moment, then smiled. “Don’t worry, beautiful woman, we are going to go out to dinner too. I know all about dating.”
    “Dating? Who said anything about dating?” Cali stared at Seling in shock. What was he talking about? They’d had some fun, and now they were going to have fun little flirt sessions, but there was nothing else between them.  
    “You…don’t want to date me?”
    “You’re gorgeous and lots of fun.” Cali smiled, though it was tight and uncomfortable. She hoped he could tell she was totally sincere. “But with the movie and everything going on, it’s just not a good idea.”
    “If you thought it wasn’t a good idea, why did you have sex with me before?”
    “Because you’re fun, and because you’re hot. I thought you wanted the same thing I did.”
    Seling turned away. “What do you think I want?”
    Cali opened her mouth, closed it again.  
    Seling walked to the trailer door, opened it and left.
    Cali sank down on the bench. What the hell had just happened?
     
     
    Cali grinned as she watched the monitor over Darryl’s shoulder. The fight scene between Henry and Seling was insane. Not only was the choreography Tokaki designed amazing on film, but Seling was legitimately pissed, and it showed.
    As confused as she was about what had happened between them and what he’d thought was going on, his anger was a gift. When she’d tried to talk to him before the takes, give him some emotional direction, he’d blown her off. Just seeing her had taken him to the angry place he needed to be for the scene. There was time to deal with the personal later—right now all she cared about was how great this was.  
    After the second take, she was sure they had it, but she asked them to go one more