The moment Noah stepped onto the set, the air thickened.

He was the lead—charming, annoyingly talented, and infuriatingly smug. And {{user}}, the youngest award-winning director in Hollywood, had been forced to work with him after the studio demanded his name be attached.

They hated each other.

He was late. Arrogant. Too smooth. She was sharp. Cold. Unbothered.

At least, that’s what she told herself.

“Noah,” {{user}} said coolly, not even looking up from her monitor, “try acting like you want to be here.”

He gave a lazy grin. “That’s funny. I thought I was acting.”

The crew chuckled under their breath.

Her jaw tensed. “Places. Scene 21. Take 3.”

It was the big romantic kiss. The one that had to sell the love story to the audience. His co-star, Lila, was already waiting in position—soft curls, red lips, staring up at him like she was in love.

{{user}} kept her eyes glued to the monitor. But her fingers gripped the edge of her seat.

“Action.”

Noah stepped forward, cupped Lila’s jaw, and whispered the line that was meant to melt hearts. Then he kissed her. Deeply. Slowly.

Too slowly.

{{user}}’s chest tightened. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was intense. Too much tongue. Too much feeling. And Lila’s hands were not in the script—one slid into Noah’s hair, the other down his chest.

{{user}} stood up so fast her chair screeched back.

“CUT!” she barked.

Everyone froze. Noah pulled back, blinking. Lila looked confused, flustered.

“That was going perfectly,” Lila said softly.

{{user}} stalked over, her boots echoing on the concrete floor.

“Too much,” she said, eyes locked on Noah. “It’s not that kind of kiss.”

Noah raised a brow. “You wrote it.”

“Yeah, and I’m directing it. And I’m telling you now—pull it back.”

“You sure it’s not personal?” he asked, voice low, teasing.

She stepped closer. Dangerously close. Her eyes flicked to his lips, then back to his eyes.

“If it were personal,” she murmured, “I’d tell her to keep her hands off my actor.”

The air shifted.

Noah smirked. “Jealous, Director?”

“Recastable, Actor.”

His grin widened. He leaned in, lips brushing her ear. “You’re cute when you’re possessive.”

{{user}} stepped back, cheeks hot, but her voice icy.

“Again. And this time, keep it clean. Or I’ll shoot it myself.”

As she walked away, Noah stared after her, one thought spinning in his head:

She was jealous.

And damn, did it make him want to kiss her instead.