The Director's Cut by Js Taylor (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📕

but I’m guessing the staff behind them are zooming in.

“And… Action!”

Chapter 19

A crew member snaps a movie clapper in front of the camera, and we’re rolling.

Natalie switches instantly from poised to natural.

She stares into the middle distance and takes a sip from her coffee cup.

This is my cue, and I take a deep breath, trying to force my body into calmness.

I step away from my spot and into the range of the cameras.

Grace is supposed to be approaching Natalie for some last minute information. So I let myself swim into what her state of mind might be.

I stride purposely towards Natalie’s character, and I arrive at her table, setting my face to flustered.

“Lisa,” I say in a harried tone, “did you get the documents yet?”

Natalie looks up from her coffee and opens her mouth to reply. But suddenly, James’s voice booms out, cutting her off.

“And cut!”

What?

I turn in bemusement.

“Ok,” James strides onto set. “Just a few adjustments to make sure we’re getting things right for this first scene.”

Wow. He really is a perfectionist. Is it going to be like this every second of each take?

He moves towards me and moves a portion of hair away from my face.

The contact makes my skin tingle.

“We’re filming from this side, ok?” he says. “So we need to see your expression. Your hair is covering part of it.” He looks around.

“Scarlett?” he calls. “Can we get you on this?”

In a second, Scarlett is standing by my side.

“We need this side of the face open,” he explains. “I’d like the camera to catch her frowning.”

Scarlett dives straight in and begins adjusting my hair with her usual lack of respect for my personal space. Whilst she’s spraying and fixing, James takes a few steps over to Natalie.

“Can we try it with Lisa looking more shocked to see Grace?” he suggests. “Let’s try for some easy-going surprise.”

“Sure,” Natalie nods.

Scarlett releases my head and takes a step back. James turns to assess.

“Great, thanks Scarlett. You ok to go, Issy?”

I nod, but I’m still feeling knocked for six by the sudden cut.

Is this normal? If this is a regular occurrence, it’s going to be a long day.

“Ok.” James takes a sweep around the set. “I think we’re good.”

He turns to Scarlett, who gives him a tight nod, and steps away from my adjusted hair.

“Places, please. Plaza scene, take two. Action!”

Everything’s happened so quickly, that I’ve barely had time to get back to my place. I force my concentration back into character and stride towards Natalie for the second time.

This time, we manage to get our dialogue out and get to the end of the short scene.

“Good,” announces James, after calling cut. “Excellent. Go again please.”

And off we go again.

We shoot another twelve takes of the same scene, and James moves around extras, makes suggestions on how to deliver our lines, and brings in David to make prop adjustments.

It’s hard work, but I’m enjoying it. Each scene is another chance to deliver my best. And the tiny alterations in our set, and lines, make each take surprisingly different.

Natalie seems to be thriving, and for once she’s behaving almost professionally.

She takes direction perfectly, without the slightest complaint. Although she does start to huff and roll her eyes once the repeat takes start to stack up.

I’m getting into character, so I can only hope I’m delivering my lines the way James wants.

“Ok, take a quick break,” announces James. “It’s five past eleven. Back at a quarter past please. The catering van is open.”

Phew. This is some tough schedule. I can see why James is nicknamed ‘the hammer’.

“Isabella,” says James, “this next scene involves some stunts. You’ve not worked with that before. I’m going to brief you during the break.”

“Ok.” I look around to see the rest of the cast and crew and melting away, rapidly making for the catering van.

Lorna catches my eye and winks before following the other extras, and I poke my tongue out at her.

“Come with me.” James strides ahead of me, making for the edge of the café set. He steps neatly behind the scenery, then reaches out to help me.

We’re going behind the set?

“Be careful over these cables,” he murmurs, helping me over heavy lighting cables.

And then I’m out of view, and alone with James.

Behind the café frontage is completely different. It feels as though we’ve stepped into a theatre, with the huge wooden set panels all around.

Now there’s just the two of us, the atmosphere changes.

“I’m very pleased with you today, Isabella,” says James. “Your acting is every bit as good as I’d hoped.”

“Thanks,” I reply, not quite knowing what to say.

“But there is one matter, which we need to talk about.”

My pulse quicken.

“What?”

James’s voice drops low. “You’re not wearing panties.”

I feel my heart begin to pound.

It’s not a question, but I answer anyway.

“No,” I admit.

“Then surely, you must have known there would be consequences to your actions?”

I swallow, uncertain of how to reply.

“You know, you look irresistible to me on camera,” he growls. “Do you have any idea what it was like to watch you for the last two hours, knowing what was underneath that skirt?”

I shake my head.

“Turn around,” he says quietly. “I’m going to take you here, and it’s going to be fast and rough.”

I open my mouth to reply, but before I can get an answer out, he spins me around so his hips are pressing into my behind.

The bare wooden panel of the nearest set wall is inches from my face.

“Put your hands against the wall,” he commands, grabbing my wrists and setting my palms flat on the wood.

I’m speechless with sudden lust.

This is so hot.

James’s hands cup my breasts, and he grinds his hips into my behind.

“Don’t make a sound.” He slides one hand to begin hitching up my pencil skirt. “Or I’ll spank you later.”

I suppress a moan of desire, feeling hot waves of passion cascading though me.

James pinches a nipple hard between his thumb and forefinger, and I bite my lip to stop myself crying out.

“You’ll