by Colet Abedi
Before I make a scene, which I’m completely prepared to do, I turn around and walk straight back into my bedroom. I slam the door shut for good measure before searching for my iPhone.
I pull up Kerri’s number and begin to slam my thumbs down onto the appropriate letters. Before I’m done with what will be a save-worthy text to my new frenemy, the door to my bedroom pops open.
Jamie Donovan fills the frame in a mouth-watering, deliciously epic way. “You have no sense of humor.”
I gasp.
Like a fish.
“Rough childhood?” Jamie winks at me knowingly. “You have the classic symptoms written all over you.”
He. Did. Not.
“You’ll find that I’m addictively candid.”
“You need to leave my room.” I can barely get the words out. How dare he say that about my childhood? About me? About my overall behavior, leading him to believe—
Oh my God, am I that obvious?
I’m too busy obsessing about his words to really take notice of how Jamie’s entered my room and shut the door behind him, leaving me in a confined space with him. A confined space with a bed.
My bed.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I cross my arms and give him an unwelcoming glare.
He starts to walk around the small space. He looks at my plant kids. “Nice cactuses.”
“They have names.”
Why did I just say that?
Seriously. Like why?
“Do they?” Jamie doesn’t seem to think that’s crazy. “What are they?”
“Tom, Dick, and Harry.”
“Original” is all he says as he continues to walk around my room. From the sound of his voice, I can’t tell if he thinks I need to be committed.
He pauses to stare at the notecards I’ve put on a corkboard to flush out the script I’m currently writing. It’s about a woman disillusioned with life who flies to South America to find herself living among indigenous people. It’s based on my aunt’s own journey. It’s pretty crazy and heavy for sure, and not mainstream. It’s definitely more of an indie film.
“Interesting,” Jamie says after studying the cards for a long minute.
From the information I’ve put up there, I know he can ascertain the basic storyline.
“I’m sure you already know that maybe only four or five people will watch this,” he says matter-of-factly.
“You did not just say that,” I say in shock.
Jamie turns to face me, giving me a half smile. “Seven if you’re lucky.”
Honestly, for twenty full seconds I’m too shocked to even speak.
“I’m sorry if you can’t appreciate a film that explores the complex and highly emotional issues women face when they’re middle-aged,” I’m finally able to tell him scathingly. “And that you prefer films about ten-headed aliens bringing Armageddon to earth.”
“And I’m to assume that at twenty-two-about-to-turn-twenty-three you identify perfectly with middle-aged women.”
“I’m not going to engage.” I scoff. “It’s time for you to leave now.”
He faces me. “I don’t think so.”
“What?”
He studies my hardened nipples. “It’s time for you to take off your clothes, Wylder.”
I feel my heart leap out of my chest.
I stare at him wide-eyed, unable to move or speak.
“I’m going to fuck you now,” Jamie says calmly. His hand moves to the top of his jeans and pops one button open before pulling off his baseball cap.
My mouth waters.
His thick, black hair is messy and tossed like he just had crazy sex.
He takes note of my deer-in-headlights stance and gaze.
He moves toward me. I take a step back, my heart pounding like a loud bell in my eardrums. My panties are wet. The thrill of his words, of what can literally happen if I just say yes, makes my body hum with electric energy.
But I’m scared.
This isn’t some private sex club.
He’s no longer a stranger.
He’s one of the most famous directors in the world. A notorious playboy. A fucking, walking sex god. The man I gave my V up to.
And he’s followed me to my house.
Basically stalked me through my friend.
And he wants to fuck me… wild. How do I know he wants it wild? Because I can see it in those brilliant green eyes of his. And God do I want to let him give it to me wild, but it’s the after which I’m not sure about.
“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice sounds rough.
I’m slowly trying to make my way into the bathroom where I can lock myself inside.
“This can’t happen,” I tell him.
“It’s already happened.” His voice is primal, almost possessive. “And it’s going to happen again. And again.”
My legs almost give out from under me.
“And that’s just tonight.” He promises me this as he takes a step toward me.
I take another back and hold out my hand.
“Wait.”
He stops.
“If we do this… it’s my rules,” I tell him forcefully. “My way.”
Chapter Seven
“Take off your clothes, Wylder,” Jamie says again, giving me a sexy smile.
My breath hitches.
“Did you hear me?” I ask him, my voice unsure, my nerves frayed by the way he’s looking at me.
He curses silently, walks right up to me, encircles my waist, and pulls me into his arms. His hand snakes around, moves down my sweat pants, and cups my naked ass. My eyes close on their own accord, and I can’t stop myself from leaning into his embrace even though I want to do the opposite.
His touch feels so good.
“Why do you have to be so difficult?” Jamie mutters as his other hand slides through my wet hair to pull my lips up to his. His lips nip mine before pulling back to meet my gaze.
“Your eyes are like golden amber.” His voice is soft.
I melt into his arms. It’s the most romantic—
“They’re like alien eyes.”
I freeze and then a giggle escapes. “That is the worst compliment ever,” I tell him as I roll my eyes, laughing in mirth. “Alien eyes?”
He smiles at me. “I’ve never said that to another woman.”
“If you had, I’m sure you wouldn’t have the track record you do,” I reply tartly, trying my best not to laugh.
Jamie’s look becomes serious. His hand stops kneading my ass, then snakes around to slide up under my shirt and palm my breast. My head falls back as I moan. If his other arm wasn’t holding me up, I’d fall over from the pleasure. His fingers play with my hardened nipple.
I wish his mouth would follow.
“What do you know about my track record?”
I ignore his question and concentrate on the pleasure he’s giving me.
“Wylder.”
The way he says my name.
It makes me open my eyes. It’s not just warning. It’s commanding. Possessive.
Territorial.
My heart skips a beat.
“We’re doing this.” His voice is strong. “And we’re doing it my way. I’m not a mailroom boy, an assistant, or some slick agent. I’m just a man who wants what he wants. And right now, I want you.”
His gaze traps mine as he continues.
“And you can read into what I just said a thousand different ways tomorrow or you can take it for what it really means… exactly the truth,” he says. “I’m not promising anything. I don’t know what this is exactly or where we’ll go, but I don’t think you care.”
My hand moves up to rest over his heart. It feels like it’s pounding as hard as mine.
“There is a fire between us that needs to burn free, or it’ll consume us,” he says, his voice hypnotizing. “And you know it just as well as I do. This is happening again. It’s inevitable.”
Is it?
Yes, for sure. Who
am I kidding?
“Just sex?” I finally say, meeting his gaze.
“Right now,” he replies, his eyes shuttered.
It would only ever be sex between us because there is no way on God’s green earth I would ever enter into any other kind of relationship with this man.
I grew up with trouble.
I watched trouble break a woman’s heart time and time again. Trouble never changes, and Jamie Donovan is trouble with a capital T.
My hand slides down his jeans and runs over the length of his hard cock. I watch his eyes brighten in desire as I touch him.
“Just sex.” My words are strong.
He watches me for a moment, his look indecipherable before he slowly smiles. I forget how to breathe.
“We’re going to have fun, Wylder.” His hand lightly skims over my breasts. My head falls back on its own accord, and I moan in longing. “And fun comes in many different ways.”
Before I know it, his mouth is placing sensuous kisses along my neck, moving up its length. His lips find mine to steal the kind of kiss that makes you forget how to breathe. The kind of kiss you dream about and hope you’ll experience at least once in your life.
The kind of kiss that makes you believe in fairy fucking tales.
An electric jolt rushes through my body from the sweet contact, and my hands move through his thick hair and pull his mouth in for an even deeper kiss. Our tongues meld together as they mate. He picks me up gently and carries me to my bed. He crawls on top of me, not breaking contact, continuing to kiss me until I can’t think of anything else but getting him naked and inside me. But I never want the kiss to stop.
Ever.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers passionately as he pulls away from me. I try to move up with him to keep the sweet contact, but he doesn’t let me.
He leans on his elbows to stare down into my eyes, the look on his face intense. I feel like he’s looking right into my soul, like he can see me.
Really see Wylder.
I feel shy all of a sudden.
I’m uncomfortable and exposed in a way I don’t really appreciate. I try to avoid his gaze, but he doesn’t let me.
“Look at me,” he whispers softly. “Don’t be scared.”
Scared isn’t usually an adjective I use to describe my personality, but right now, that’s exactly how I feel, and I don’t know why. I fight the emotion.
I close my eyes for a brief second before opening them to stare right back.
“Who hurt you so bad?” Jamie asks as his soft gaze searches mine.
I won’t let him go there. I can’t.
“Just sex.” My voice is forceful.
He watches me for a moment, like he’s sizing me up, then gives me a tender smile before leaning back from my body and getting up off the bed. When he heads for my door, I lean up and stare at him in confusion, my body still pulsing with need but thoroughly confused about the direction we just took.
What was all of that about?
“What are you doing?” I call out to him unsure. “Wait, where are you going?”
He smiles at me. “I’m hungry.”
“Hungry?” I ask him in surprise. “I thought—” I thought we were going to have sex. Now he wants to eat? I know he’s as turned on as I am. I can see the impressive proof right now.
Why is he denying me that beautiful cock?
“I’m going to grab my phone and order us some food.” Jamie winks at me. “Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”
He leaves and shuts the door, leaving me huffing on my bed alone. What the hell? How did we go from him ordering me to take off my clothes to him wanting to order food?
I sigh in frustration and wait for him to return.
I plan on jumping him the second the door opens.
Except after a really long while, I realize it doesn’t seem like it’s going to open any time soon, and Jamie is nowhere to be found. I grab my cell phone from my nightstand and text him.
ME: Where are you?
A minute goes by, and there’s no answer.
WTF?
I get up and open my door. I hear Tony and Kerri arguing in the family room. A chilling thought comes to mind; I wonder if Tony’s starstruck and has cornered Jamie. I know he’s a huge sci-fi fan, so it wouldn’t really surprise me, but still…
When I reach the family room, the two are alone sitting on the couch, flipping through new releases on iTunes.
Tony gives me a thumbs-up sign and a winning smile. “Jamie fucking Donovan.”
I ignore him and cross my arms. I wonder if Jamie would appreciate the middle name everyone seems to want to give him. Probably.
I pin Kerri with my gaze.
“Did he leave?” I know my voice sounds unsure.
Kerri looks at me in surprise.
“I thought you knew?” she says curiously. “He placed an order and left for Dan Tana’s.”
“For dinner?” I practically shout.
He left me in a state of serious horny longing for dinner? Dinner? And he just… left? Without a goodbye or see you later? Or even a text message?
I’m kind of upset.
Lie.
I’m really upset. I feel a lump begin to grow in my throat.
“Are you sad he didn’t ask you to go with him?” Tony asks, taking in my sad look.
I must be so obvious!
“Jesus. He’ll be right back. Give the guy a break, Wyld.” Tony shakes his head in disgust. “I know he’s super famous and all, but don’t go turning single white female on him. He hasn’t been gone that long.”
“He went to pick it up?” I ask in shock, thinking he’d abandoned sex with me for dinner with friends.
“Yes,” Kerri says with a half smile. “He’ll be back to put a happy smile on your face again.”
I feel myself blush. Tony looks more than intrigued.
“As you can imagine, the conclusion I’ve come to is pretty fucking mind blowing. I mean, do famous actresses walk around the sex cult too?” Tony asks, completely intrigued.
“You’re such a pervert,” Kerri scowls at him. “Seriously.”
“What?” Tony holds up his hands.
“I need wine,” I say to Kerri, my voice dead serious.
“I can take care of that.” Kerri nods and gets up.
I know she’s going to her secret stash.
“A lot of it.”
Tony laughs and pats the seat next to him on the couch. “Can we talk?”
“No,” Kerri and I both say at the same time.
“Geeze,” Tony replies sullenly. “Give a guy a break.”
Kerri leaves the room and I take her place on the couch. I stare blindly at the television screen.
“I know you don’t want to talk about it, but you’re staring at the Apple homepage like it’s an Academy Award–winning film.” Tony’s voice is tinged with laughter. “And it’s not that riveting.”
I glance at him with narrowed eyes. “I’m clearly having a moment.”
“I’d really like to be part of it,” Tony says, wide-eyed.
I can’t help but laugh. He sounds so earnest, and it’s kind of sweet.
“I’m dead serious.”
“I know you are,” I tell him and sink back into the cozy couch in laughter.
“Jamie. Fucking. Donovan,” Tony says after a moment.
I turn to face him as I cuddle one of the large pillows. “I didn’t know who he was,” I say slowly. I know Tony would never think I was some type of star crazed fan, but I still feel the need to say the words out loud.
“I believe you.”
“And now…” My voice trails because I don’t even know how to finish the sentence.
“And now he’s standing right here in our house,” Tony says finishing for me.
“Well yeah,” I say. “But he’s so… Hollywood, you know? And I don’t really know if I want to have anything to do with Hollywood other than working in the machine.”
“No,”
Tony says, shaking his head as his eyes round in exaggeration. “I meant he’s literally standing right here in our house. Right now.”
Oh, shit.
I slowly sit up from my sunken position on the couch and turn to see Jamie standing at the entryway holding three giant bags of food. He heard every word of what I said. I feel myself blush under his intense scrutiny, but I’m honestly not that embarrassed. I’m glad he heard what I had to say. It’s the truth, and he should know it—even though I don’t think it would be too hard to want more with him.
“Anyone hungry?” Jamie asks with a smile.
“Starving,” Tony says as he stands up politely. “Let me help you with those, Mr. Donovan.”
“Jamie,” he replies quickly. “Coming from you, Mr. Donovan makes me sound old as fuck.” He glances over at me. “I’m thirty-six in case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t, but thanks for the info,” I tell him without batting an eye.
I already know his age, considering my intense internet research session the other night.
“Is she always such a pill?” Jamie asks Tony.
Tony moves his head from side to side, like he’s contemplating what his answer should be.
“Yes.” Kerri walks in the room, holding not one but four bottles of wine. “One for each of us,” she says with a wink.
I love her.
“I’ll get dishes,” I say. “We can put everything out on the coffee table and eat right here.”
I head into the kitchen and open the cabinets that store our plates and wine glasses. Before I can reach up and pull them out, I feel Jamie come up from behind me and bend his body into mine. His arm wraps around my waist, and his lips move into my neck. In 2.5 seconds, my body is ready for sex. I could care less about the food.
“Hungry?” he asks softly.
I turn around in his arms and move my hands up his wide chest. The move is bold, but hey, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. “Let’s go to my room.”
He cocks his head to the side and studies me, the look on his face giving nothing away. His raw beauty is almost too much to take in at one time.
He’s seriously hot.
“We eat first.”
“That’s not what you promised me when you came in my room.” I pout.
He shrugs. “It’s just a temporary change of plans,” Jamie says with a smile. “Haven’t you heard, Wyld? There are two ways to a man’s heart. One is through sex, which you’ve hit out of the ballpark, and the other is through his stomach.”
