Chapter 1:The Makeup
The air in the luxury trailer was thick with the scent of expensive bourbon and silicon-based fake blood. Outside, the Hollywood sun was scorching, but inside, Ethan Cross was freezing everyone out with his icy stare.
"You're late," Ethan drawled, not even bothering to look away from his reflection in the vanity mirror. He was already shirtless, his toned chest and shoulders bronzed to perfection.
"And I don't like waiting. Especially when I'm supposed to be transformed into a nightmare for this scene."
Maya Thorne didn't say a word.
She kicked the door shut with her combat boot and dropped her professional FX kit onto the marble counter with a resounding thud.
She caught his gaze in the mirror-icy blue meeting defiant hazel.
"I'm not late, Mr. Cross. I was busy fixing the mess your previous artist left behind," Maya said, her voice smooth and cold. She pulled out a palette of deep reds and blacks. "
And if you want to look like a realistic victim of a slasher movie, I'd suggest you shut that pretty mouth and let me work. I have no problem making those scars look a little too real."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. He was used to girls stuttering in his presence, not threatening him with a palette of fake gore. He leaned back, crossing his arms.
"Do you even know who I am, sweetheart? One phone call to the producer, and you'll be doing makeup for kids' birthday parties by sunset."
Maya stepped into his personal space, her breath ghosting over his skin. She dipped a sponge into a dark, sticky crimson liquid.
"I know exactly who you are. You're Hollywood's Golden Boy. But right now? Under my lights? You're just a canvas."
She began to apply the 'blood' to his collarbone, her fingers intentionally firm. She could feel his heart beating faster under her touch.
The tension in the small trailer was electric-a silent war between his ego and her skill.
"You have a lot of nerve for someone whose name isn't even on the call sheet yet," Ethan whispered, his voice dropping an octave as she leaned in to apply a 'deep gash' across his cheekbone.
"Names don't matter when you're covered in fake blood and sweat, Ethan," Maya replied, her face inches from his. She picked up a fine brush to add the detail of a jagged scar. "In this room, I'm the one in control. If I want you to look like a hero, you will. If I want you to look like a monster... well, you're already halfway there with that attitude."
The silence between them became heavy, broken only by the rhythmic tap-tap of Maya's brushes. She worked with surgical precision, her face so close to his that she could see the golden flecks in his pupils. As she leaned in to darken the 'wound' on his neck, the trailer rocked slightly as someone walked past outside.
Maya stumbled, her hand landing flat against Ethan's bare, warm chest to steady herself. Her palm sizzled against his skin. She froze, her breath hitching in her throat.
Ethan didn't pull away. Instead, his hand shot up, his fingers locking around the back of her neck, pulling her just an inch closer. The smell of his cologne-something dark and woodsy-swirled around her, making her head spin.
"You talk a big game, Thorne," he whispered, his gaze dropping to her lips before snapping back to her defiant eyes. "But your heart is racing. Is that part of the 'professional' act, too?"
Maya's heart was indeed hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird, but she refused to let him win. She grabbed a smear of thick, black greasepaint with her free hand and wiped it slowly across his jawline, a mocking smile on her lips.
"That's not fear, Ethan," she breathed out, her eyes darkening. "That's just the adrenaline of knowing I'm about to turn Hollywood's favorite face into something truly hideous. Don't flatter yourself."
She pulled back abruptly, leaving him breathless and staring after her as she reached for the door handle.
"We're done for now," she said over her shoulder. "Try not to ruin my work before you get to the set. I'd hate to have to touch you again."
She stepped out into the blinding sun, slamming the door behind her. Only when she was ten feet away did she realize her hands were shaking.
Inside the trailer, Ethan Cross touched the black mark on his jaw, a slow, dangerous smirk spreading across his face. This movie was going to be much more interesting than he'd planned.
