by Sienna Hart
I laid down my head and closed my eyes. A few moments later I sat back up again.
“Where’s my stuff? What time is it?” It felt like someone stuffed my mouth full of cotton.
“It’s about ten thirty and your stuff is over on the sofa. Your phone was going off so much I shut it off so you could sleep. I took the liberty of snooping at a few of the notifications. You really need to change your number.” His smile was marvellous even the next morning.
“Are you really this amazing, or am I still dreaming?”
He leaned over and kissed my forehead.
“Uh, Donovan?” He looked up at the drummer who was watching television. “You might want to come see this.”
We both got up off the bed. I wrapped myself up in the sheet from the bed and we gathered around the television. He turned the sound on and we all watched the news portray Donovan and me as the newest and hottest power couple of the modeling world as pictures of last night showed us very close and personal.
“Rocker Donovan Jones and bombshell model Elise Shay have been seen out and about as a pretty hot and heavy couple, making the scene together—from holding hands to a more provocative scene behind the scenes at Donovan Jones’ own concert. Where will this lead, and how hot will Elise Shay make the modeling industry?”
I closed my eyes and lowered my head.
“Let’s ask Michael Chang.”
I snapped my head back up and watched, secretly praying it didn’t get worse. My prayers went unheard.
“Or shall we say ex-boyfriend Michael Chang. It doesn’t seem to matter to Miss Shay on how powerful Chang really is. She is ready to move on to bigger and better . . . rockers, leaving Michael to move on. This is Angie Jacks with the Inside Edition.”
I lowered my head from the image of Michael kissing the woman from earlier that night and I just shook my head in my hands.
“Oh god, oh god, oh god . . .”
“Elise, it’s really not as bad as they make it sound.”
“Are you kidding me? I look like a complete . . . idiot.”
“It’s publicity. Trust me, it’s not a bad thing. Controversy sells.”
“No, no, no, no. Masters is never going to sign me now.”
I cradled my head in my hands feeling completely embarrassed. Donovan stood and grabbed my hand.
“Come here.”
I stumbled along behind him. He stopped at my bag and opened it. He sifted around for a bit until he produced my phone in his hand. He handed it to me and stood there looking at me.
“Go ahead. Turn it on.” He crossed his arms and waited. I was confused but I did what he told me to do. After it powered up, the notifications just kept ringing in. Texts, emails, phone calls and notifications of people trying to get a hold of me.
“Jesus. There are hundreds.” I looked up at Donovan and looked back at my phone.
“Darlin’, Masters would be a complete fool if he doesn’t sign you. You just reached the top!” He grabbed me and picked me up twirling me around. I tried making him stop. My mind wasn’t fully functional yet and I could have done without the spinning.
“We need to go out and celebrate.”
“No, I’m good. I’m okay with never drinking again.”
“You’ll be fine.”
“I do have to get going though. I have an appointment with a lawyer today.” I got up, grabbed my things and dragged the sheet clutched together around me into the bathroom. Donovan leaned against the wall outside the half closed door.
“A lawyer? What’s up?”
“Oh, no. It’s fine. I want him to help me with the contract so I know just what I’m getting into. It’s a contract for two years, so I want to be sure I know what I’ll be doing for the next two years of my life.”
“You’ll call me and let me know how it goes?”
“I will.” I came out of the bathroom.” Better yet, meet me for lunch. I’m meeting a few friends at this little restaurant in Manhattan, say around two? I should be done by then.”
“You got it, babe.”
He hugged me, cradling my entire body into his and I inhaled letting him fill all of my senses.
“Talk soon,” I said as I left.
* * *
A few hours later, I met up with Donovan and the girls.
“Where’s Megan?”
“She couldn’t make it. She has a casting call today.”
“I hope she does well.”
“So? What happened? What did the lawyer say?” Donovan was like a child, his eyes wide with anticipation and his full attention awaiting my decision.
“I’m signing with them over dinner tomorrow night.”
“Heyyyyy! Yeaaaah!” They all jumped up and hugged me.
“That’s awesome, Elise. Will we ever see you again?”
“Lillian, of course you will. I’m taking on a new job, not moving out of state.”
“So tell us, what will you be doing?”
“Spending a lot of time at the gym with nutritionists, and taking classes to expand my horizons.” I splayed out my fingers and fanned the air in front of me. “My first shoot will be in two weeks, so I will need to detox and begin an extensive fitness routine. I won’t be around much during that time. But as soon as I’m through it we will all have to go out and raise some hell.”
“What?” Donovan chimed in. “I thought you swore off alcohol forever?” He grinned.
“Cute. I will do some traveling during the winter months but I don’t know the details on that yet.” I sat there and looked at them all. “My god, this is really happening, isn’t it?”
“It sure is.” Lillian was so happy for me.
“What about your acting career?” Isabel asked.
“That’s part of what made me decide to do this, besides the money.” I smiled. “One of the classes I’ll be taking is acting. They are going to try to tie some of my campaigns into the movie business.”
“Wow Elise. I’m so happy for you.” Donovan hugged me again, and I could feel his genuine adoration for me and what I was accomplishing.
“I wish I could hang out, but I have to get back. I have to actually start accomplishing some myself today.” Isabel hugged me again and looked at Lillian. “Are you ready?”
“You’re leaving too?” I asked.
“I am going to help Isabel. Call me later?”
“Of course.” I smiled.
“Looks like it’s just you and me, doll.”
“Looks like it.”
Donovan threw some cash on the table and grabbed my hand.
“Let’s blow this place.” He pulled me out the door and we ran down the street laughing and yelling. I felt like I was on top of the world.
Chapter 6
Donovan and I ran into the park and splashed around in the fountain, spending most the afternoon together. The sun was disappearing behind the skyline, and the air was cooling down quickly.
“Come on.” He grabbed my hand and we ran to the bridge.
“You want to cross the Brooklyn Bridge?”
He shook his head no and just looked at me.
“I want to make love to you on it.”
I lost my breath and just stared back at him. He pulled me along the walkway and I followed him. I hesitated but he pulled me along anyway.
“Donovan.” I whispered. “Donovan stop.” He didn’t stop. “We can’t do this, there are too many people! Donovan!”
He stopped and turned toward me, pressing my hands together between his. He brought them up to his mouth and kissed my fingertips.
“Will you trust me?”
I looked around nervously and let him lead me to a bench down the walkway. He sat down and patted the spot next to him. I sat down looking around.
“First of all, you have to stop looking around like you have ten pounds of cocaine under that dress of yours. Secondly, move slowly and stop when someone comes by.”
I started to shiver. I blamed it on the coolness of the air, but it was more tha
n likely from my nerves ready to go hay wire at any moment. I took a deep breath and looked at him. He leaned over and kissed me tenderly. I could fall hard for this guy.
“Take off your underwear.” I just looked at him and let the command soak in. I stood up slowly, pretending to adjust my dress, and after two joggers went by, I slid my hands up underneath and hooked my fingers around the waistband of my panties. I slid them down my legs and sat back down again. I bent down and slipped them off, putting them in my bag. I sat up and looked at him.
“My god, that was sexy.” He shook his head and kissed me again.
He grabbed my bag and propped it up on the side so it gave somewhat of a barrier to what he was going to do next. He slid the zipper of his pants down and reached inside, pulling himself out. He was hard as a rock. I couldn’t stop staring as he stroked himself slowly with his hands.
“Elise. Come here, baby.” I stood and turned toward him, straddling his legs with mine. I pulled my dress up enough to adjust and slowly sat down. I felt him slide inside me, and we both froze as a man and a woman walked by holding hands. They only stared for a few seconds before going on their way.
I lifted up a little, and Donovan moved slowly up and down with his pelvis. I could close my eyes and see us from another view, a young couple fucking on the Brooklyn Bridge, right out in public.
For those who just glanced our way and diverted their attention, they would be oblivious as to what we were doing, but to the woman who stopped to watch a cute couple so in love, she would know. To the man who loved to watch people have sex, he would know in a glance, only because he was experienced and knew what to look for. He’d know the signs and he’d know to keep watching, but only from a distance. He would know that if he got too close we would stop and he would miss his opportunity to watch ‘til the end.
I knew to watch out for those kinds of people. I was good at it at first, but when the arousal deep inside me started to burn like an uncontrolled fire, I stopped paying attention. The slow movements got faster, and the discreet sex turned into an obvious sexual encounter experienced by more than just Donovan and I.
When my orgasm took a hold of me, I buried my face into the crook of his neck and clenched my teeth. I muffled my groans, waiting for the wave to calm. I sat there and waited for the people around us to leave before getting up and pulling my panties from my bag.
“I can’t believe we just did that.” I buried my face in my hands and laughed.
“Pretty fucking awesome, wasn’t it?” I nodded and smiled at him.
“You . . . are pretty fucking awesome.”
“Awe . . . shucks. What can I say, I’m a spontaneous and free-loving guy. Come on, I’ll walk you home.”
We got up and walked back down the bridge. I slid my hand into his and hugged his arm, resting my head on his shoulder. I was so happy I couldn’t stop smiling. Everything was going so well for me.
“Donovan.”
“Hmm.”
“I really like you.”
“I really like you too.” He leaned over and whispered, “Cuz I don’t think I would have done what I did back there with you if I didn’t.”
I slapped him playfully. We rounded the corner to the block I lived on.
“Donovan? Spend the night with me. I want to really get to know you. I think . . . I am starting . . . to feel more for you.” He stopped walking. “Will you?”
“You see things between us as more than friends?”
“I’m beginning to.” I smiled. He put his head down sending mixed signals to me. “I mean, I don’t want to complicate things but what’s wrong with knowing that we are both there for each other? That there could be something more, later on that we could work toward?” I shrugged. “I think you are amazing, and I don’t want to hide how I feel.”
He stepped closer to me and kissed my forehead, lingering there, and I sensed that he didn’t feel the same way.
“I adore you Elise, but . . . I have to go.” He stepped back and looked at me with a sort of sympathy in his eyes. “I’ll call you soon.”
He turned and quickly walked back the other way.
“Donovan. Wait . . . Donovan!” I stood there completely confused at what just happened. Watching him turn the corner out of sight I tried figuring out what I did wrong. The sex was great, he loved hanging out with me; I didn’t get it. I wasn’t asking him to commit. I went upstairs to the apartment as it ate at my brain.
Megan wasn’t there and even though it was late I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I walked to the television console and found an old movie, popped it in and plopped down on the floor.
* * *
As sexy as Clark Gabel was in Mogambo, he couldn’t quite replace all of my thoughts that troubled me. Half way through the movie I caught myself nodding off to sleep so I got up and turned the television off. Just after I switched the light off a loud knock at the door scared me. I quickly switched the light back on and stared at the door. The knock sounded again and I looked at the clock. It was twelve thirty. Maybe Megan forgot her key. I tip toed toward the door and peeped through the hole. The hallway was too dark and I couldn’t tell who it was. I pressed my ear to the door.
“Who is it?”
“Elise, we need to talk.”
“Donovan?” I unlocked the door, pulled the chain and opened the door with a smile. My smile soon faded when I saw him standing next to Michael. They were both looking at each other awkwardly, as if waiting and wondering who would be invited in first. It was obvious they didn’t show up together, but I was at a complete loss for words.
04 - Anything For Success
Chapter 1
I stood in the doorway of my apartment. Outside, two of the most influential men in my life were standing in the doorway, and I was at a complete loss for words. Obviously, so were they. A very awkward situation seemed to linger for too long as we each looked at each other, not knowing where to go from that moment.
Donovan leaned in toward me.
“Can we talk,” he whispered, “alone?”
“Um . . . sure . . . of course. Come in. I’ll be just a minute.” I smiled as he passed by me with his head down.
Michael still stood there with his hands behind his back, his legs parted in a powerful stance.
“I’m not sure if this is the proper time, but I need to talk to you.” He pulled a small bouquet of flowers out and handed them to me. My eyes widened, and I looked back at Donovan, closing the door some as I stepped out in the hallway. Michael pressed his lips together. I took the flowers and smelled them.
“They are beautiful.” I didn’t look at him.
“Elise. I wanted to apologize for the other night.”
“There’s no need to.” I looked up at him.
“But there is. I need to explain.”
“Michael. I should be angry as hell at you for ditching me, for kissing that woman, for leaving me there. But honestly, I was glad it happened.”
“I’m confused.”
“It brought me closer to Donovan.”
Michael tried looking past me into the crack of the door. He pointed to the door with a smirk.
“Donovan?”
“Yes, Donovan.” I reached behind me and closed the door. I didn’t like his I’m-better-than-thou attitude. “Can I help you, Mr. Chang?”
“Elise. Don’t.” His eyes darkened, and something inside me quivered. I tightened my lips together and crossed my arms defiantly. I wanted to tell him I hated his demeanor but something about him told me not to. “Your precious playboy in there . . . he isn’t your type, and he isn’t interested in any sort of a relationship with you.”
“And how do you know that?”
“You forget, I know a lot of people. I do my research on the things that interest me, and the things that could potentially get in the way of the things interest me.”
“I see. And what did you find out in this . . . research you did?”
“He isn’t your type, Elise. I know him
well enough.”
“And you are? A man who sucks face with another woman while taking me out?”
“You said yourself it wasn’t a date.”
I shook my head at him.
“Are you that clueless about women?” I turned toward my door and began to turn the knob.
“Elise.” He pulled me back and turned me around. “The woman was my ex.”
“Oh. Then it’s completely okay for you to kiss her like that then.” I stood there with a raised eyebrow.
“She wanted me back and was trying to convince me that I wanted her too. I turned her down. I was only kissing her one last time to say goodbye, and she latched on to me.”
“Looked pretty intimate to me.” I waved my hand in the air. “It’s not important. Anyway, thanks for setting the story straight. I really need to get inside now. Thank you for the flowers.”
“You’re choosing him over me?” He glowered. I could hear his voice thicken.
“Don’t judge him. You don’t know him like I do.”
“You fucked him a few times, Elise. You don’t know him either. Maybe if you did a little research, you would know him a little better than you do now. You’re just another notch on his very long bed post . . .”
The door whipped open, and Michael stopped. Donovan stood in the doorway, looking angry and hurt. I put my hand on his chest and glared back at Michael.
“I’m sorry you had to hear . . .”
He pushed past me and stormed down the hallway. I pushed past Michael and glared at him again. “You bastard.” I ran down the hallway. “Donovan. Donovan, wait!” I grabbed his arm and pulled at him. “Talk to me. Please.”
“You seem to have me all figured out. Go back to your boyfriend and leave me alone.” He pulled away from me and started walking off again.
“Donovan, it was all him.” He wouldn’t stop when I grabbed his shirt again. “I was defending you. Jesus, will you stop and fucking talk to me?”
He stopped and turned around to look at me. He had tears in his eyes. I felt a heavy guilt, but had no idea where it came from. I walked up to him and cupped his face.
