Tyler and Max both agreed and the three women were stationed just out of the audience’s view behind a curtain as the men filed onstage to the screams and applause of their fans. Carrie’s eyes widened and she placed her hands over her ears as the decibel level rose alarmingly.
Paige groaned and leaned close to the other two women so they could hear. “This is why our men strut around and think they’re God’s gift. Nate is going to be insufferable for a few days until I get his feet back on the ground.”
Indeed, the men were giving the fans their best Hollywood smiles, waving as camera flashes went off in the crowd until the boys had to be blind. If Tyler hadn’t been cock of the walk sure of himself before this moment, he certainly would be now. He was eating up the adulation with a giant spoon, although to be fair all the men were.
The panel began and the happy go lucky moderator named Steve opened with a question about the Thunder movie being their last – for most of them – and the interview was off and running. The hour was halfway over when the moderator asked Tyler about being engaged.
“It seems like the single men of Thunder are dropping like flies,” Steve laughed. “Was there something in the water during the last shoot? Since you wrapped filming, Nate and Max have both married and Tyler, you’re engaged. Of all of you, I have to say I never thought I’d be talking about you as a potential bridegroom. What happened?”
“That was a shitty question,” Carrie whispered, her nose wrinkled in disgust.
Yes, it was but Billie had been expecting it.
Tyler’s gaze swept the audience before turning back to Steve. “Billie is the most amazing woman in the world. It was that simple.”
A chorus of awws was almost drowned out by boos that were just as loud. The crowd was split as to whether Tyler’s engagement was a good thing. Now Billie understood why Nate didn’t want Paige in the audience.
However, Tyler’s declaration had been quite sweet and he was totally selling it to the crowd. He held up his hands, his smile wiped away, and shook his head.
“Hey, that’s not nice. Billie is a wonderful woman.”
“I love you, Tyler! Marry me!” yelled a fan from the back of the room. A cacophony of other women joined in exhorting all the men to dump their women and marry them. Soon Steve had to quiet the crowd again with a threat that he’d clear the hall if it continued.
“Feel the love,” Paige said sarcastically. “Jesus, I hope we don’t get shanked at this convention.”
“I think I’m going to stick to the bodyguard,” Billie replied, eyeing the restless crowd, over half of them female. They looked riled up about losing their men to marriage.
When the noise quieted down, Steve continued. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’ve known Billie Oliver for many years. When did you realize you were in love?”
Rubbing his chin, Tyler pretended to think about the answer. Or maybe he was thinking up a quick lie. Because he didn’t love her. Not that kind, anyway.
“I’m not sure when the exact moment was but it kind of just snuck up on me, and now she’s the most important thing in my life. I couldn’t survive a day without her.”
He was so convincing Billie almost believed it. And she knew what the deal truly was. But damn if he didn’t have a lovesick expression on his pretty face and his eyes had gone all puppy dog. He really should win an Oscar.
“That is so sweet,” Carrie said. “You and Tyler are such a cute couple.”
“Thank you, but Tyler’s the cute one.”
Paige chuckled. “I think that’s debatable.”
The panel went on for awhile longer, both Nate and Max getting to wax poetic about their own wives, much to the chagrin of the ladies in the audience. Some fantasies had clearly been shattered today. Eventually the discussion circled back around to the movie and some of the men saying goodbye to their characters. When the panel was complete the burly security guard magically appeared again and escorted them to the autograph signing area.
Paige immediately took charge. “I don’t know about you but I can’t imagine sitting here for the next three hours watching Nate sign his name over and over until his fingers are numb. How about we go get some lunch and then walk around a little bit? These costumes are incredible.”
“I could eat,” Billie piped up, her stomach growling its approval. Breakfast seemed a long time ago.
“Me too,” Carrie said, elbowing her brand-new husband. “We’re out of here, Hamlet. See you back in the room.”
“Wait,” Tyler said, catching Billie’s arm. “You’re just abandoning me here at the mercy of this crowd?”
He was smiling so he wasn’t really upset. Once he started interacting with his fans he would have forgotten she was there anyway.
“Absolutely,” Billie replied, keeping her features solemn. “I’m throwing you to the wolves. Curtis will protect you.”
The younger man who had been keeping a low profile this whole time smiled, his chest puffing up with importance.
“Heartless woman.” Tyler’s arm wrapped around her waist. “Then I want some sugar before you leave.”
He was laying it on a bit thick, but then after last night she wasn’t all that opposed to getting another kiss. After all, that was what she’d been thinking about all morning. How it had felt to be in Tyler’s arms. Dinah’s voice echoed in her head.
Enjoy it.
Bending his head, Tyler captured her lips with his own. The kiss was lingering and possessive but not overtly so in light of the audience they had – friends, security, volunteers, and a few hundred fans in line for an autograph. It was only when they broke the kiss that she heard the catcalls from the crowd who approved the display.
“This is definitely going to end up on Instagram or YouTube,” Billie said in a scolding tone.
“Let them be jealous.” Tyler’s blue eyes had deepened to almost black. “I’ll miss you.”
Her entire body shook as if she’d touched a live wire. After last night, their relationship had experienced a tectonic shift and now he wasn’t bothering to mask the simmering desire in his gaze. If panties truly could turn into dust and disappear with just a look, her undies would have been history.
“I’ll miss you too.”
How she managed to casually walk away she didn’t know but she did, not allowing herself even a glance over her shoulder even though she could feel his eyes on her ass.
“Holy shit,” Paige marveled as they melded into the crowd, the bodyguard discreetly trailing behind them a few feet. “The air vibrates with sexual tension whenever you two are within a foot of each other. I think I need a cigarette and I don’t even smoke.”
“Chocolate,” Billie stated firmly. “We need chocolate and lots of it.”
She didn’t smoke or drink. She only had one vice left. Sugar.
* * *
Normally Tyler was all about work. He could lose himself in it with a single-mindedness that amazed his coworkers. Today, however, he found himself thinking about Billie when he should have been concentrating on the hundreds of fans that had lined up since early in the morning to get his autograph and a selfie. Anyone who went to that much trouble and aggravation to meet him deserved his wholehearted attention.
Buckling down, he worked through the line one by one. The volunteers kept it moving, making sure that each fan didn’t take more than their share of time. The encounter followed a simple routine. He gave them a big smile, said hello, and asked them their name. Then he’d sign whatever they put in front of him and finally he’d ask if they wanted a picture, all the while trying to chat with them. He would ask various questions such as which Thunder movie was their favorite or what other booths and panels they’d visited so far. Sometimes they’d have a great costume on and he’d compliment it. His goal was to make the meeting memorable for the fan. This was their time with him even though it was short.
In between people, he turned to Curtis who had been hovering in the background handing him fresh Sharpies in differ
ent colors like a well-trained pit crew at Daytona and asked him to grab some water bottles for the guys. The convention center was warm and Tyler was working up a sweat. When he turned back, he wasn’t expecting to see two ample breasts at eye level but there they were.
Their owner was leaning on the table, her hands braced on either side of him, and she was way too fucking close. She might be attractive but she was in his personal space. As surreptitiously as possible, he slid his chair back a few inches to put some distance between them.
“Hi, what’s your name?”
Her long honey blonde hair fell over her shoulder and she gave him a coy smile.
Ah, I’ve been here before.
“Amber.”
“Nice to meet you, Amber. What would you like me to sign today?”
She leaned forward a little farther, her breasts even more prominent, and then pulled a black Sharpie from her back pocket.
“Me.”
Shit.
I’ve been here before too.
There were always one or two female fans every year that wanted him to sign their breasts or their ass cheek. And he always did it much to the delight of everyone around him as they snapped pictures or took short videos. The women received the attention and admiration they were looking for and he made a fan happy. A win-win.
But that was all before he was an engaged man. Now it just seemed wrong to be that close to another woman’s boobs even if it was only business. He was beginning to panic when Max tapped him on the arm and pulled him aside.
“Just take the pen and hold it toward the end near you,” Max directed. “Keep your hand and arm away from her body and tell her to keep still. You can do this. It might be easier if you stand up.”
God bless Max. That was exactly what Tyler did, managing to sign his name across Amber’s ample bosom without touching her even once. Then they took a selfie with her tank top pulled down showing off the signature before a volunteer hustled her away and the next person took her place.
“Thanks, man,” Tyler whispered to Max. “I didn’t know what to do there for a minute. This married man stuff is more complicated than I thought.”
“Rule of thumb,” Max laughed. “If you even think for a moment you shouldn’t be doing it, then for the love of God, don’t do it.”
Billie had been right. As always. Things really had changed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Tyler’s cheeks hurt from all the smiling he’d done today. He needed a hot shower and a cold beer, plus a quiet evening with Billie. It was their celebration dinner and he had planned what he hoped would be a wonderful evening. Low key, and most of all, private. After last night, he wanted some quality time with Miss Billie Oliver.
To be bold and honest? He wanted to take her to bed.
They’d been dancing around it all day. This morning the tension had been thick enough to cut with a knife, and Billie had been sweetly blushing whenever he gave her more than a casual look. He hadn’t been able to hide his desire and he hadn’t even tried. It was there, real and strong, and it simply wouldn’t be denied any longer. The more he thought about it the more he was shocked that they hadn’t ended up in bed together before now. It was the logical progression of what was admittedly the best relationship he’d ever had with a woman.
“Tyler, did you get the message from Josh?” Curtis asked as the three of them entered the hotel elevator ready to get some rest. Billie had her nose in the evening paper getting her daily fix of current events. She had this thing about reading actual newspapers instead of on her phone. “The meeting is going to be in Weller’s suite at seven tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”
It was but even if it hadn’t been Tyler would have moved heaven and earth to be there. This was his shot at something more, at being taken seriously as an actor like Max, Nate, and Mike. They did plays on the stage and were heralded by the critics as great actors of their generation. Tyler, on the other hand, was lauded for his abs or his smile. Eventually he wasn’t going to be so pretty anymore and if he wanted any sort of career he had to take action. This movie was the perfect move.
“It’s fine,” Tyler assured his slightly jumpy assistant. This was Curtis’s first convention and he’d run himself ragged worrying about the crowds, the temperature, the security, and a few more things that Tyler wasn’t even aware of. The poor kid was going to have a heart attack at an early age at this rate. Tyler had told him to relax and that all conventions were like this but he wasn’t sure Curtis believed him. “You’re off for the evening so go have some fun. Don’t worry about me and Billie until tomorrow morning.”
“What about–”
“Nothing you need to do,” Tyler interrupted smoothly, patting the younger man on the shoulder. “You’re officially off duty. Thanks, by the way, for taking care of that other thing for me. I appreciate it.”
Curtis gave Billie a sideways glance but she was immersed in the newspaper she was carrying. “Glad to help. I hope it was what you had in mind.”
“I’m sure it will be better than anything I could have done myself.”
The elevator stopped at Curtis’ floor and he exited, leaving Billie and Tyler alone. She was still engrossed in her paper and he didn’t want to disturb her. It would be more fun when she walked into the suite if she was taken completely by surprise. Despite his fatigue, Tyler was already almost bouncing up and down with excitement and he didn’t want her to notice.
Sighing heavily, Billie slapped the paper against her thigh. “What is wrong with people? Why can’t we all just respect each other and treat others as we’d like to be treated? What happened to the golden rule? When did people become so sick and twisted?”
With an almost silent whoosh, the elevator doors opened and he and Billie stepped out.
“Are you mad about a particular story in the paper or just all the news in general?”
“In general.”
“It’s usually something with an animal or a child that puts you in this mood. Why do you put yourself through that every day? Stop reading the paper.”
She gave him a scandalized look. “It’s important to be informed. What if something really important happened in the world?”
“If it’s that important someone would tell me about it.”
They reached the hotel room door but Tyler didn’t unlock it immediately.
“It’s not the same,” she argued. “I didn’t have the greatest education so I make sure that I know what’s going on in the world.”
“What is going on in the world?”
“Chaos.”
“That’s nothing new. I bet you Martha Washington said exactly the same thing in 1776. Now, I know you love your daily news fix but can you turn your attention to me, please? I have a surprise for you.”
Tucking the paper into her handbag, he was rewarded with one of Billie’s smiles.
“I guess I can do that. What kind of surprise? Is it a pony? I’ve always wanted a pony.”
That was a running joke between them, although he was pretty sure Billie had never wanted an actual fucking pony. If for one moment he thought she had he would have purchased one years ago.
“Yes, that’s exactly what it is. I had Curtis go out and buy a fucking Shetland pony and bring it up through the lobby of a five-star hotel and into the most expensive suite in the joint. I hope you like shoveling horse manure because it’s been up here alone with nothing but food all day long.”
Billie doubled over with laughter, holding her stomach as her cheeks went quite red. Damn, he loved making her laugh. Billie was beautiful all the time but like this…she was devastating. Watching her, something shifted in his gut and he had to stop himself from reaching out and pulling her body against his and covering every inch of her skin in kisses.
“I swear I would pay to see that,” she said, hiccupping and coughing through her gales of laughter. “A pony in Tyler Gaylord’s hotel suite. I bet if I put a bug in Sam’s ear–”
“That’s enough,” he
growled, knowing where she was going with this. Sam Collins loved to pull practical jokes and he was definitely not above putting a goddamn horse in Tyler’s hotel room. Shit, he was shocked that Sam hadn’t already done it. “Don’t give that asshole any ideas. He has plenty of his own.”
Pushing open the door he stepped aside so Billie could enter. Her eyes went wide and he thought he could see tears glistening there. Curtis had done a hell of a job. Tyler made a mental note to give the young man a bonus.
The dining area of the suite had been completely transformed. White tablecloth. Red roses in crystal vases. A chilling bottle of sparkling white grape juice – since Billie didn’t drink. Candles were lit everywhere and the air was filled with the soft sounds of some romantic song he couldn’t remember the name of.
But she hadn’t said anything or even moved from where she was standing. Did she hate it? Was it too obvious? He hadn’t had to romance a woman in years so he was rusty as fuck.
“It’s for our celebration,” he said softly. “I thought we would do it up right.”
Tentatively she stepped farther into the room, not saying a word until her gaze landed on the other surprise. A Monopoly game. Curtis had also made a trip to the nearest toy store.
“Where did you get this?” Billie asked, her lips turning up at the corners. “You know I love this game.”
“I do.” He made a big production of sighing and acting put upon. “I thought you might like to play and kick my ass.”
Wrinkling her nose, she ran her fingertips over the box and he desperately wished that was his own skin. “I don’t win all the time.”
“You win most of the time.”
“I do, don’t I? But it’s not because I’m some great Monopoly player. It’s because you have the attention span of a toddler and you get fidgety and start making mistakes.”
That was true. When they played as a team against his friends, the two of them always slaughtered the competition.
Then she did the one thing he hadn’t expected. She tapped the box twice. Their signal that all was okay. She liked what he’d done.
Wild on the Red Carpet (The Hollywood Showmance Chronicles Book 3) Page 16
