Never Standing Still (The Never Duet #1)(14)
No, I could never be a Lexi or a Riot. I could, however, make sure that the wardrobe was on-point.
Hours later and after many cups of coffee, George finally called the shoot a wrap. I sighed deeply, knowing that even though the filming was finished, my job was far from over. I watched as the extras moved to exit the soundstage and I instructed them to head to the wardrobe trailer to leave their costumes with me. One of the girls came up to me with a broken cuff bracelet and before I could tell her to leave it in the trailer for me, George approached us and she scampered away.
“Kalli, great work today. Thank you again for coming on such short notice.”
“It was absolutely no problem, my pleasure in fact. Thanks for the opportunity.”
“Listen, it’s really late and you’ve already put in more than a day’s worth of work. I’m fine with you coming back tomorrow to finish up everything. I know you’ve still got a few hours’ worth of cleaning up and organizing.”
“Really? I mean, that would be great.”
“The lot is open tomorrow, so you shouldn’t have any problems getting to your trailer.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” And I did. I’d much rather grab my purse and hit my hotel than stay there until nearly sunup finishing everything. He smiled then walked away, shouting something to someone across the soundstage. I made my exit, heading for my trailer. I walked in to find chaos. People shedding their costumes left and right, shirts and pants being flung every which way. Being in the costume design business, I was used to seeing people sans clothing, but seeing mostly naked people never got any less uncomfortable for me.
Through all the moving limbs I caught sight of Riot’s torso, shirtless and tan. My eyes strained unconsciously to see more, but my mind shut them down, pulling my head downward to look at the floor.
I wove through the crowd, searching for my purse.
“Everyone!” I called out into the packed trailer. “Just leave your costume in the trailer when you’re done and I’ll be back tomorrow to sort it all out. Thank you!” That was my best effort at getting the message across. I was exhausted and just wanted to go to bed.
I found my purse and snatched it up, then turned back around to make my way out. I was nearly to the door, one hand on it, when I felt a hand wrap around my upper arm. I turned to see Riot’s smiling face just a foot away from mine, his strong hand sliding down my arm, coming to rest at my elbow. He urged me forward with a nod.
We made it outside into the very early morning air, and I stopped, turning to him.
“You’re coming back here tomorrow?” Riot asked, eyebrows up.
“Yeah, well, I’m exhausted and George said I could clean up tomorrow instead of tonight. So I’m going to sleep.” I turned slowly, pointing myself in the direction of the parking lot and Riot turned, then fell into step beside me, walking me to my car.
“Do you want some help?”
“Cleaning up?” I couldn’t hide the surprise from my voice.
He shrugged. “Yeah. I mean, I don’t have anything to do tomorrow and I was hoping if I helped you clean up, then maybe you’d spend the rest of the day showing me the city.”
My steps halted and so did my ability to speak. My mouth opened, urging words to come out, but none did at first. I looked down at the ground, trying to organize all my thoughts. Riot wanted to see me tomorrow? Did I want to see him? I’d just spent the day watching him rub himself all over Lexi. I looked back up only to be assaulted by the boyish smile across his face, hopeful, waiting for my answer.
“Riot,” I started, intending to give him some excuse as to why we couldn’t spend the day together.
“Aw, come on, Kalli. Don’t ‘Riot’ me.” He sounded almost like a child being told he couldn’t go outside to play with his friends. “You’re gonna be here anyway, and I don’t have any place to be, let me help you.” He widened his stance, spreading his feet to an unusual distance, bringing his face level with mine. He sounded as if he sincerely wanted to help me and if I was being honest with myself, I could use the help.
“Fine, you can help me. But I can’t stay very late, I have to get home eventually.”
“Can I at least keep you for dinner?”
My breath snagged in my lungs at his words, gulping at the thought of Riot keeping me. I knew he was flirting with me, he had been the day before as well, but I didn’t want to lead him on.
“I should probably leave before dinnertime.”
“Got a hot date back home?” he asked, his tone joking, but the intensity of his eyes said something else; that he was curious.
“No,” I said, trying not to blush. “I just have a life I have to get back to.”
“Well, tell you what,” he said, standing up straight again, but moving closer to me so that I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. “We’ll get you all sorted here, but then I get a tour of the city, and if you have to leave before dinner, so be it. But I’ll be spending the day trying to show you such a good time you won’t want to.”
He sounded very sure of himself, and his confidence was endearing. I narrowed my eyes at him, trying not to smile.
“Okay, you’ve got a deal, but I’m warning you: I don’t give in easily.”
His smile widened and I watched a dimple I hadn’t noticed before appear, and its effect on me was instantaneous. I inhaled as a wave of warmth rolled through me. Then he brought the back of his hand up and rubbed it on the underside of his chin again, just like he had the night before.