“Are you here to point and laugh at me in person?” she asked and I shook my head as my eyes landed on the empty wine glass at her side. I could tell it had been filled quite a few times this evening. This girl is a train wreck.
“No. Actually, I came to make sure you were okay.” I sank down on the cushion beside her, my elbows propped on my knees. “That... and for the hot sex.”
She laughed before scowling. “That was a mistake.”
“Ouch.” I put my hand on my chest. “Most women fuck me before they call me a mistake.”
“I’m not most women,” she shot back angrily as she picked up the remote and clicked on the television. I turned my head to look at the screen when the sound of my voice came through the speakers. “Jesus! No! No! No!” She mashed at the buttons angrily as I watched myself stripping off my clothes on screen.
“Well,” was all I could say as I tried to keep a straight face.
“This can’t be happening.”
I took the remote from her hand and clicked the channel button to change the movie before sitting it on the cushion beside me. We fell silent as a game show host called out a question and waited for a response from an audience member. Gabriela kept her eyes locked ahead and I was pretty certain she’d been holding her breath.
“You... ah... you want to talk about it?”
Her hands flew up to her face and she shook her head, groaning loudly against her palms. “No. No, I do not want to talk about my shitty life with you.”
“Just asking.” I relaxed, propping my feet on the small coffee table and grabbing the remote to click through the channels.
“Why are you still here?”
“I was offered hot sex.” I clicked again and she snatched the remote from my hand.
“Is there a hidden camera here or something? That’s got to be it. I’m on one of those cheesy shows where I get publicly humiliated for the entertainment of others.”
“I’m afraid it’s just the two of us, but if you’d like I can get a camera for your bedroom,” I cocked an eyebrow as her eyes narrowed.
“You are something else.”
“Sweet and sensitive?”
“You’re a self-centered douche.”
“Same thing,” I shrugged as I pushed from the couch and walked toward the kitchen.
“You’re leaving?” Her voice rose at the end of her question as if she was worried she’d be left alone.
“Relax, killer. I’m just grabbing a drink to catch up with you. You can go back to your verbal assault in a minute.” I rummaged through the refrigerator, pushing aside a nearly empty bottle of wine and pulling out a bud light. “You got anything stronger than this girl beer?”
“A frying pan to the head.”
I unscrewed the cap in my palm and placed it on the counter as I walked back into the living room. “I do love me some rough foreplay.” Sinking down on the couch next to her, she grumbled as my side pressed against hers, making a big deal of trying to move away.
“Please stop talking.”
“Give me something to do with my mouth and I’ll gladly stop.” I took a drink from my bottle, kicking off my shoes as I put my feet back on the stand.
“Why are you even here?” Her words slurring as she yawned, bowing her back off the couch and causing her shirt to ride up over her stomach. I tried not to stare, but she was so fucking hot it was impossible to look away.
“I told you. I wanted to make sure you were okay.” I took another drink, wondering if showing up at her house was going to end up all over the internet tomorrow. I didn’t know her well enough to trust her.
“That’s nice. You’re sweet... even if everyone thinks you’re a jerk.” She laid her head on my shoulder. I smiled as I lifted my arm and placed it over her shoulders, pulling her to my side.
“You really are bad at this journalist thing,” I whispered as her breathing evened out. I sat with her for a few more minutes before grabbing a brown faux fur throw blanket draped over the arm of the chair and covered her body with it. I shouldn’t have come here.
I clicked the recently viewed button on her remote and put back on the movie of mine before turning off the television. I wished I could be there when she clicked it on again and that scene lit up the screen.
I would just have to settle for hearing about it when we had our dinner. I slipped out into the warm night air and headed back to my hotel.
Chapter eleven
Gabriela
The next morning, I went to work, barely able to function even after two cups of coffee. I had drank so much while watching television, I dreamt that Drake was watching it with me. Even in my dreams he was just as obnoxious.
Tyler didn’t contact me at home and I hoped he’d make an effort sometime today while I was at work. Hours ticked by as I slowly plucked away at my keyboard, struggling to make my story seem appealing.
By the time the workday had ended, Ty still hadn’t attempted to reconcile and my sadness turned to anger. I drove to the drug store and spent thirty dollars on a cheap pre-paid phone. Even though I had paid my portion of the bill, my cell had been under Tyler’s plan. It was less expensive than having a plan of my own. At the time, it made sense to bundle a few of our bills, but now I wished I’d kept things separated.
When I arrived at my apartment, I kicked off my shoes and clicked play on my answering machine but there were no messages. Settling in on my couch, where I had slept the previous night, I turned on the television, startled when Drake’s face filled the screen. I must have paused it before I’d fallen asleep. Images of him on my couch awkwardly watching it with me flashed in my mind. I really needed to not drink wine before bed anymore.
Fiddling with my phone, I watched as Drake’s face splashed across the screen with a list of his movies. I clicked on the top title and began programming the few numbers I had memorized into my new device.
An hour passed and I was so engrossed in the film that I didn’t hear the front door open. I jumped, yelping out of fear when I noticed someone standing just outside of the living room. I placed my hand on my chest, begging my racing heart to slow.
“I didn’t mean to scare you,” Tyler’s face fell as he looked from me to the television. “Is that Drake Gibson?”
I nodded as I clicked pause on the remote just as Drake had arrived outside of a woman’s door, shirtless and dripping wet from the rain. Wow. “I saw your article about him. Congratulations on the exclusive.”
“I didn’t think you read my articles.” Clearing my throat, I clicked the off button on the television to keep from being distracted.
“Of course I do, Gabby. I’m proud of you. I know I don’t always show it like I should.”
This was an ongoing routine I had with Ty. We’d fight and he would apologize, completely oblivious to what had upset me. “What are you doing here, Ty? You can’t just break up with me and then let yourself in like nothing happened.”
“I wanted to apologize for the way I acted. I had no right to flip out like that. I brought you this.” He held up a small white cardboard box with a phone logo emblazoned down the side.
“I told you I could get my own phone.” I held up my small, cheap phone knowing what he had in the box probably set him back much more even with insurance.
“God damn it. I know that, Gabby. But you shouldn’t have to. I want to provide for you and take care of you.”
“You want to buy me,” I muttered. “Did you even listen to anything I’d said?”
His face fell and he turned like he was going to leave but stopped. “I only want what is best for us.”
“There is no us anymore, Ty.”
CHAPTER twelve
Drake
I focused on the script in my hand as I read over a few of the scenes. It had been six long days since the premiere and I was already throwing myself into the next project.
Concentration proved difficult as my mind went back to the horrible situation that still waited for me when I returned ho
me. Levi had let me know that Julia had still not left the house and I knew she was waiting to see me again.
I refused to go back. Instead, I studied my lines during the day and drank enough to help me forget the nights.
Only one more night and I would be face to face with Gabriela again. She hadn’t contacted me again after I’d come over to her apartment.
It was putting me on edge that she had somehow seen something in me no one had in years. I couldn’t tell you the last time anyone had called me a nice guy. It almost made me feel sorry for her that she was that bad a judge of character. There hadn’t been good inside of me for years. I shouldn’t have gone to her place in the middle of the night, and if I was honest, I expected us to end up in bed together. I wonder how nice she’d think I was if I told her that.
I shook the thought of her from my head and reread my line for the fifth time, still not letting it register.
Frustrated and in need of a clear head, I tossed the papers aside and slid my hand into my basketball shorts. My cock was already hard thinking about it. I was so sensitive to the touch I had to grip myself hard. Closing my eyes, it was her face that I saw. Her thick, full lips were first as she ran her tongue over them, causing them to glisten. My eyes scanned over my memory of her in the limo, covered in liquor. I wanted to lick every drop from her milky skin.
My hand slid up my cock, my thumb rolling over my head, spreading my pre-cum down my shaft. I imagined that pink tongue of hers that loved to curve around the word fuck, moving over me teasingly.
I could feel the silkiness of her hair as I gripped it tightly, pushing her mouth down over my length, not letting her have the control.
I moved roughly up and down my length, imagining all of the positions I would take her in, hard and without mercy. There was nothing sweet or kind about the things I wanted to do to her, would do to her.
I came at the thought of pinning her wrists behind her back, her face pressed against the bed as I took her from behind. But when I finally succumbed to sleep, it was her and I sitting side by side on her couch that plagued my dreams.
***
I walked the two flights of stairs to Gabriela’s apartment. The building was old and had the faint smell of mildew. I tried to hide the look of disgust from my face as I knocked on apartment 2C.
After a moment, the door opened and I had to suck in a ragged breath as I laid eyes on Gabriela. She looked stunning in a simple cream colored, knee-length dress. It clung to her subtle curves, leaving little to the imagination. I wanted to push her back so I could close the door, leaving the fabric in a puddle at her feet. But what locked my gaze was her red-rimmed eyes, puffy from a recent cry.
“You okay?” I glanced by her to see if someone else was there.
“Oh, I'm all right. It’s just allergies.” She waved her hand dismissing my concern, but her eyes were downcast as she lied. “I didn’t think you were actually coming,” she teased as she stepped back from the door, granting me access. I slipped inside, my eyes dancing over the small but clean space, focusing on the wilted flowers at the center of the island.
“You asked me out. It would have been rude not to show.”
Her eyes cut to me, slightly narrowed. “I didn’t...” She cleared her throat, fighting against her sarcastic nature. “I’ll just be a moment.” She disappeared down a narrow hallway as I wandered into her kitchen, eyeing the photographs hanging on the fridge that I hadn’t seen in the darkness the last time I’d been in here. I pulled one from under the magnet and eyed the taller blond man beside her. He definitely got his ass kicked in high school.
“That’s Tyler,” she called from behind me. I turned to watch as she balanced precariously on one high heel, slipping the other on her foot. “He definitely drinks chick beer.”
I glanced over my shoulder at her as her eyes narrowed before her gaze dropped to my bottle cap that still sat on her kitchen counter. She didn’t remember if I had been here?
“You make a lovely couple.”
She made a snorting sound and my eyebrow shot up.
“Oh, you were serious. I thought... never mind.” With a wave of her hand, she disregarded my remark as kind. “I’m ready.” She smiled nervously as she smoothed her palms over the front of her dress.
“You look,” I let my eyes drift down her body and back up to her blushed cheeks. “Beautiful.” Good enough to eat.
“Okay. I get it. You’re not an asshole.” Grabbing her purse from the island she walked toward the front door as I dropped the picture of Tyler into the trash can.
“Is it really that difficult for you to take a compliment?” I asked as I slipped out into the hallway behind her, inhaling the faint scent of honey that lingered around her.
“I guess I’m just not that used to hearing them.”
“Tyler isn’t living up to the Prince Charming looks?”
She glanced back over her shoulder at me, fighting against a smirk. “Lawyers aren’t known for their kindness.”
“Actors aren’t known for their honesty,” I replied causing a giggle to escape her.
“Well, journalists are known for getting to the truth so you have a challenge on your hands.”
“I like a challenge, Gabriela.”
She pressed open the front door to the apartments and stopped as her eyes drifted over the limo parked outside.
“You always travel around in this thing?”
“No,” I laughed as I pressed my palm against her lower back, urging her forward. “I just thought it would be... nice.” But now it felt too much like I was trying too hard. I wasn’t sure why I tried at all.
“It is.” Her voice wavered as if she felt she had been rude again. But I liked the snarky side of her. Gabriela wasn’t a pushover nor a people pleaser.
The driver pulled open the door and she slid inside and I followed.
“Where are we going?” she asked as we pulled away from the curb.
“Holloway,” I replied as I grabbed the crystal decanter from the small bar and poured us each a drink.
“Holloway? I’ve never been. I can’t afford dinner there.” Her gaze fell and I knew that money must have been a sore spot for her. She was the polar opposite of Julia.
I laughed as I held out her glass for her to take. She did, sliding her fingers over mine, her eyes locked onto my gaze. I wanted to feel those fingers running over me again and again.
“I’m not going to make you pay for dinner. I was kidding.”
“Oh. I didn’t know you had a sense of humor,” she replied dryly as she took a drink from her glass.
“I’m full of surprises.”
Her eyebrow shot up. She was curious and it caused my dick to throb painfully against the zipper of my slacks.
“I appreciate the gesture, but I can’t let you do that. We can go Dutch.”
“Seriously?” I tried to hide the amusement from my voice, but it had been a long time since a woman had offered to pay her own way. It was refreshing, but I wasn’t sure Gabriela could afford it and I wouldn’t put her in debt just for a meal.
“You want to pick the place then? It’s only fair.”
She had thought it over before she smiled. “Genevieve’s on Holland.”
“Perfect.” I hit the button and let Levi know there had been a change of plans. He nodded and let me know he would call ahead. As much as I wanted this to be comfortable for Gabriela, I still had to take extra steps to ensure privacy.
“What is it you wanted to speak to me about?” I took another long pull from my drink leaving only a thin brown film of liquid coating the bottom of the glass. It was best to get the work conversation out of the way because I had different plans for the evening.
“Sex.”
“I’m going to need more of this then,” I joked as I grabbed the bottle and refilled my glass, not hesitating in drinking down the liquid fire. I held up the bottle to her, but she glanced down at her drink, still not empty, and shook her head.
“I have
to admit, I was kind of annoyed that you didn’t like my scenes.”
“It wasn’t bad writing, Gabby. I just wanted to feel that passion. I wanted to see inside of your head.”
“Did you just call me Gabby?” She smiled, tucking her dark hair behind her ear.
“Don’t change the subject,” I joked. “Now... let’s talk about sex.”
Clearing her throat I knew she was forcing back a sarcastic remark. “I reworked a few scenes, but now I’m not sure if they are... too much.”
“Too much for who? All they need to be is honest. Sex is messy, dirty but never something to be ashamed of.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re a man.”
“You’re right. Society makes it okay for men to be sexual creatures, but a woman is taught that is it is wrong, bad even. That’s why so many fantasize about being taken against their will or told what to do. They can let go and enjoy themselves without the guilt.”
“That doesn’t seem crazy to you?” She laughed nervously as she took another drink.
Leaning in, I couldn’t help but let my eyes close as I inhaled the sweet scent of her shampoo. “Not crazy. Freeing.”
The car pulled to a stop at the moment I was sure her heart had as well.
Chapter thirteen
Gabriela
The restaurant was dimly lit and with only a few tables it made the small area feel expansive. It was always my favorite place to eat in the city but tonight something was very off.
“Where is everyone?” I asked as I turned to Drake.
“I couldn’t have the place packed full of people with their camera phones.”
“How? I only told you we’d be coming here twenty minutes ago.”
“Gabriela, there are only five tables in this tiny place. It wasn’t that difficult.”
“I guess not when you have enough cash.”
“You’d be surprised what money can buy.” He held out his hand toward the tables, urging me to choose which one I’d like. To his surprise, I didn’t want to be in front of the bay window where we would be noticed, as most would have. Instead, I chose the table in the far back corner. It was darker and felt much more intimate. For the conversation, we’d yet to finish, it seemed much more appropriate.