I fidget some more. Taking a hefty breath, I look at him from under my lashes. “Um, yeah. Yeah, sure. Of course.”
Tyler tilts his head, looking at me as though he is not buying what I’m selling.
I exhale. “It’s just, I’m not trying to be ungrateful, but, well — ” I fidget again. “I feel a little strange with all of this,” I gesture with my hand over myself. “I just, I — I really don’t feel like myself.”
Tyler listens to me attentively till Eli calls him, motioning to his watch. Tyler shakes his head at Eli who doesn’t look so pleased.
“Ivi, listen to me, if it doesn’t work for you, go put on something you feel comfortable wearing. Never change. Not for me, not for anyone, you’re so perfect just the way you are. I’d never want you to feel out of place or uncomfortable for my sake.”
“You’re sure?” I look up at him. “We don’t have time, do we?”
Tyler ducks to give me a chaste kiss. “Go, we’ll wait for you here.”
Avoiding Eli’s not so sympathetic stare, I kick off my heels, bend to grab them and hurry up the stairs. Jeremy, calling my name, stops me from taking the last two stairs leading to the third floor.
Bending over the banister, I call, “What?”
“You missed your room.”
Oh. My eyes dart to Tyler’s.
“Ivi is staying in my room,” Tyler clarifies.
Jeremy’s head jerks back in surprise. His eyes, from behind the blue frame of his glasses look my way, then to Tyler. “Where are you staying then?”
Tyler points his finger up. “In my room.”
Jeremy does the looking at us thing again. His lips part a little. “Are you guys?” Another gaze bounces between Tyler and me. “Eww gross,” Jeremy says next, pretending to gag by shoving his finger into his mouth.
Nothing can stop my blush. Tyler chuckles. “Ivi’s my girlfriend.”
Jeremy pretends to retch again, then throws Tyler a mischievous grin. “Then, well played, old man.” A brighter smile light up his face as he looks up my way. “So that means you’re staying for good, right?”
I smile back and make myself scarce, letting Tyler deal with the “for good” part.
Less than ten minutes later, with my hair hanging loose over my back, half of the makeup I had before and a satin black dress with an exposed back that reaches just shy of my knees, I make my way back to the guys.
Tyler is talking to Jay who has his back to the stairs as I take the last steps. Noticing me, Tyler stops talking and gapes at me. He brings his hand to his heart and mouths, “Wow.”
Light warmness covers my cheeks.
“What you looking at, Boo-Boo?” Jay asks mid-turn.
“My future,” Tyler’s voice reaches me low and raspy, tugging at my inside in the best possible way. Eyes locked with mine, he walks over to me.
“Oh, now you look like yourself! Much better,” Jeremy says over a grin.
Reaching me, Tyler sends his arms to my waist. Looking at me for a still moment, he bends, his lips nearing my ear. “So incredibly beautiful. Nothing looks better on you than you.”
“No talking to the stars, no interacting with them. Don’t act out, don’t draw attention. Don’t do anything that makes you stand out to the camera.”
Seat-fillers and non-celebrity guest rules handed to Ivi by one of the ushers at the VMAs.
I get giddier as our limo driver veers the car into the queue of glitzy cars waiting to pour out VIPs into the parted sea of eager fans and no less eager photographers waiting by the red carpet. Not having Tyler next to me doesn’t help my pent-up anxiety. It’s not every day that a small-town girl gets to rub elbows with celebrities of greater existence, or be at such a glamorous event for that matter. I’m well aware that if Tyler were by my side it would have greatly diminished my apprehension, but it was my choice to not do that. My choice not to expose us to the world in such a public, heavily covered event.
“Hey,” Jay’s voice infiltrates my growing bubble of concern. “It’ll be fun, you’ll see.” I give him half a smile. “I know I’m no Tyler Lee Adams,” he says with an amused lilt, “but I’m here for you.” He winks.
I squeeze his hand, “You’re the bestest.”
Not long after, I feel like I’ve been swept into a parallel universe, standing with a glass of champagne in the grand foyer, absorbing the past twenty minutes or so. Luckily, the crowd gathered around the entrance to the building has realized we’re “no ones” and has concentrated their attention elsewhere. However, the entire experience was, to put it simply, overwhelming. It’s all so . . . glamorous and different. The attendees certainly brought their A-game in outstanding ensembles. Looking at them from the side, I have to admit, they do look like a superior breed. I now understand Zara’s insistence of me wearing something unique.
I smile thinking about the fan’s reaction to Tyler as he walked in with Jeremy. Jeremy literally shined and that look he gave Tyler as they stepped on the red carpet expanded my heart to impossible proportions. So much admiration in those witty brown eyes. I hope someone had captured it for Tyler to see. I need to get my hands on that photo if it does exist out there.
“Your boyfriend is coming for you,” Jay tells me, tipping his chin toward Tyler and Jeremy walking our way.
My eyes get stuck on Tyler, keenly drinking him in. The way he moves, the aura surrounding him, so easily taking the attention of the room. With a custom fitted white button down, the tux embracing his wide figure and the bowtie with stylish contrast to the distressed jeans and worn army boots, he’s a sinful, erotic dream personified. I can’t take my eyes off him. Closing the distance between us, Tyler’s attention is homed in on me, looking like he’s about to haul me over his shoulder. A look of lust. A look of possession. A notion that just adds to my pulsing heart and the currents of thrill cruising through me.
A photographer urging Tyler to look his way sobers me up. For a moment there I forgot where we are. A place where I’d like to keep Tyler and me under wraps. Tyler nods at him, wraps his arm around a grinning Jeremy, letting the photographer take the sought for shot.
“Enjoying yourself, Kiisu?” Tyler asks moments later, standing by my side.
“Yeah, I am.” I try to shake off the dreamy glimmer my eyes take when I look at him.
Tyler gives me a soft smile, his voice lower as he tilts his head my way, “I can’t even handle how beautiful you look. Can’t wait to get home and have you all for myself.”
My lips tip up as I return his heated gaze. “Then hurry up with your being a star thing and take me home, Tyler.”
“Being a celebrity is exhausting!” Both Tyler’s and my eyes dart to Jeremy. Jay grins at him, as Jeremy huffs. “Having your photos taken all the time, and all these people wanting a piece of you.” He massages his jaw. “All this smiling. Jeez.” Jeremy tugs at his bowtie and shakes his head. “Exhausting!”
“Well, good thing it’ll all be over in an hour, ah bud?” Tyler says. “Ben will take you home soon.”
I add, “Maybe start with small doses, don’t wear yourself out.”
Jeremy frowns, his glasses sitting a bit crooked on the bridge of his nose. “But — ”
“School night,” Tyler says over a grin. “And anyhow, we don’t want your stardom to exhaust you, do we?”
I move over to adjust the kid’s glasses on his nose. “Leaving early will just make you more mysterious, will keep ‘em wanting more.”
Tyler and Jay chuckle when Jeremy rolls his eyes at me.
“I need to get ready.” Tyler throws back the rest of his drink, depositing the empty glass on one of the high tables peppering the place. “Jer, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Jeremy nods.
Tyler turns to Jay, “Take care of my woman for me, cuddle bug.”
Saluting, Jay grins. “Aye aye, smitten kitty.”
A bustle of people taking their places lasts until the lights blink, signaling for the last attendees to find their seats
before the ceremony begins. With Tyler being one of the most famous singers in the house tonight, his guests’ seats, aka, us — his entourage, are in the best location. Right in the middle of the first row behind the bulk of celerity seats.
Jeremy is beside himself with excitement every time some other famous being takes a seat near us. It’s kind of funny to see how Jeremy is starting to take notice of the opposite sex, to watch him blush and get all flustered, and goofy when another deep cleavage walks by. Deep, round and healthy, those can be found in abundance. He looks like one of those silly cartoons with their eyes popping out of their heads.
After a long silence, the curtains roll up, revealing the stage, illuminated with soft red hue and smoke fogging the center, giving it an intimate boudoir feel. The scene materialized before the audience feels illicit, exuding a strong provocative vibe. Tyler, with a white button-down, bowtie and suspenders, sleeves rolled up, showcasing his inked forearms, sits by a vast, dark piano. On the other side of the grand piano stands Dante in matching attire, his usually wavy blond hair is slicked back in a sixties fashion. Both men have their eyes trained on Brooklyn who’s lying on the piano in a blood red silk dress and matching lipstick. Tyler’s fingers caress the keys, bringing the first tunes to fill the grand venue with mystical melody.
Tilting her head up to look at Tyler, Brooklyn’s sultry voice seizures the audience, effortlessly collecting their rapt attention to the sensual performance taking place on the stage. Tyler joins her next, broodingly playing the piano, their voices, a collision of smoky and vixen-ish, crooning together seductively. Taking a step toward Tyler, Dante joins the duo, his bass-baritone timbre adds another layer to the song, bringing it to a melodious purity.
No wonder the three of them are considered stars, because what they just created on stage is beyond words. They brought to life a fantasy in a few words, incredible voices and no less persuading performance. They eat the stage up while leaving us all star struck.
As Tyler sings to the keys, his brows pinched, his luring voice making love to the song, Dante sends his hands to Brooklyn’s waist, sliding her down from the piano to stand between his thighs. Joining Tyler’s voice, Brooklyn lips part, hovering Dante’s stubble jaw as they take the duet to an epic climax. Pushing Dante’s chest with a sultry hinted smile, Brooklyn saunters seductively toward Tyler who watches her intently.
Halting behind Tyler, Brooklyn slides her hand over his chest while watching Dante who takes control over the sensual song. Brooklyn joins with a mic next to her mouth. She bows a little to reach Tyler’s cheek. Tyler cranes his neck to sing into the mic and the three of them take the song to an explosion of voices. Of velvet and smoke and rasp, to an orgy of mesmerizing musical harmony.
Long after the song is over, long after more than a few awards are presented, long after Tyler thanks the crowd for the Singer of the Year award, raising the silver award Jeremy’s way with a nod, I still feel like I just woke from an erotic dream. One that leaves me flustered and wanting more. Only a pocking sense of primal jealousy mars this one. What they did on stage was an act, that I’m fully aware of. But the way he looked at her, the way she looked at him . . . I wish maybe they were a little less gifted at acting. There is a powerful connection between them, one I can’t deny. The question is, what does this connection really mean to my man.
“Being part of social interactions, especially with adults, helps develop a child’s confidence.” Jeremy’s attempts to stay at the party doesn’t help him much.
“Great, then you can do that with Eric when he takes you home, he’s an adult.” I grin at Jeremy who frowns in return. Seeing how the wheels are still working in his head, I add, “Jer, spare it. It is a school night and we promised your mom you’d be home by ten.”
There are a couple more futile attempts to have me change my mind. I got to give it to him, the kid is persistent. Making sure Jeremy is safely buckled in the back seat, I stoop a little to look at him via the window. “Ping me when you get home, okay?”
Jeremy salutes reluctantly, “Yes commander.”
“Love you too!”
Eric nods at me from behind the steering wheel, his lips twitched at the side. I nod, mirroring him.
Getting back, I take a detour to freshen up before joining the rest of our gang at the after party taking place in the sky bar on the tenth floor. Glad to find the place vacant, I do a quick makeup check, swiping away a smear of mascara from under my eye. I fluff my hair a little, take a deep breath and try to muster my best acting skills, for pretending doesn’t come so natural to me. Some Kool-Aid and a whole lot of nonchalance is in order, otherwise how will I ever be able to appear indifferent to half of the women, and men, in the building lusting over Tyler when I’m the one who chose not to stake my claim, at least not in full display.
“Oh, look what my lucky gods has bestowed upon me.”
I roll my eyes. “How are you, Dante?” I direct him a no-nonsense look.
His leering eyes crawl down my body. “Appetizing as ever.”
“Great performance tonight.” I disregard his refined ways. “All good?”
“Still want to see you come for me.” He gives me a look that makes my skin crawl. “What’s with the face, doll? C’mon, Ivi, live a little. Be a bad girl . . . I can help with that.” He regards me with a sinful smile which I’m sure would make a lot of women throw themselves at him. This guy is the worst case of looks and ego combined. He has too much of both and he’s taking it to the dark side.
Taking the first step to put some distance between us, I say, “I rather be a good girl on the off chance of meeting you later in hell.”
He chuckles and it’s sexy and creepy at the same time. I shake my head and hurry my steps till I halt in my place. I shake my head. I hate when people do that to me, make me act uncharacteristically, make me say things I usually opt not to say. I exhale through my nose and turn around. Noticing me approach him, Dante’s smile turns even cockier.
“Changed your mind, doll?” He offers me his hand. “Bathroom?” Always the cavalier.
Facing him, I drop my hands to my waist. “No. Stop it, okay?” I glare at him. “Why do you do that? I don’t get you. You have all this talent, and you’re easy on the eyes. But you know what you really are.” My glare deepens. “An ass!” “Kurat,” I murmur under my breath. “Sad thing is I really believe that deep inside all the douchness you’re trying to pull off, there’s a cool, kind person. Too bad you’re not letting it out more. Maybe for just one night, let people see beyond the image you’re trying to portray. I’m not sure what you’re looking for, but if it’s portraying yourself like a royal prick, then congrats.” I clap twice. “You give a great performance, but I’m sure that if you dropped all this assholery you muster so well, people will actually like you even more. Try it out sometime. Being a nice person is actually cool. Give it a shot, you might like it.”
His smug smirk morphs into something new, a smile. A simple, normal smile and I must admit that it suits him.
I nod, pleased with myself. “You’re going to the party upstairs?”
He nods first, just before his lips tip up. “Maybe the altitude and a little alcohol will loosen you up. Come find me when it happens.” He gestures with his hand to the bank of elevators. “After you, Miss Prissy.”
I shake my head, pressing the button to call the elevator.
While we wait, Dante looks at me with a new look, as if he’s trying to figure me out. “You know, people can have a change of heart.”
Thinking he might be considering my little lecture, I give him an interested glance.
“The way she acts around your man,” he adds. He raises his eyebrows in tandem to the smirk forming on his lips. Entering the elevator, Dante leans on the wall, eyes never leaving mine. “If you ask me, I say Brooky is ready for some experimenting with Tyler. Reconsider everything, maybe she wants him after all.”
“Pardon?”
His smirk grows to my baffled express
ion. He never explains himself, his focus sidetracks to the cleavage that enters the confined space on the third floor. The bell dings, taking us to the last floor.
Leaving the elevator, I shake off the ninja mind tricking Sir Dante tried to cast on me. I trust Tyler, period. Am I being naïve? Will I regret it later? Time will tell. Tyler hasn’t done anything to betray my trust. All along he’s been nothing but open and honest with me. What kind of person would I be if I listened to words whispered at my ear with pure malicious intentions? What kind of person would I be if I didn’t trust the one person I should?
Abruptly, like magic, the whirlwind of thoughts in my head evaporates. I don’t see him first, I feel him. It’s enough to have Tyler in the same room making me feel all warm and fuzzy; it’s as if he transfers that special feeling by symbiosis. I lift my eyes and he’s there, watching me. Waiting for me. I walk over to where Tyler and Jay stand with a small group of people, each with a drink in their hand. I don’t know anyone besides Jay, which makes me a bit hesitant at first. Jay introduces me to the group as I join them.
His smile turns wicked when he tips his head at Tyler, “You’ve met Tyler Lee, right?”
The music in the background is replaced by a calmer tune when Tyler asks if I want to dance. He takes my hand in his, prompting some curious looks from the group and onlookers in our wider radius.
We keep an appropriate distance between our close bodies as we sway to the music. But his warmth, the incredible weight of his hand on my lower back, his scent, being in his orbit just makes me want more. I feel like I can’t be close enough to this man. I need to touch him, to feel him, to breathe him in.
“You keep on looking at me like this and I won’t be able to hold myself much longer.” His words have the opposite effect on me, I should be taking a step back, but instead I lightly caress the nape of his neck where my fingers had crept into his shirt’s collar, needing to touch his skin.
“Your performance was mesmerizing,” I whisper. Tyler drops his eyes in a humble gesture, only for them to slowly return to my lips, slowly climbing back to my eyes. There are moments when logic disappears. When you’re so consumed by your connection to someone that all you see and want is this person in front of you. The need to connect, to get closer, to be lost in him is greater than any other notion. Much more powerful than you. “Tyler,” his name funnels through my lips sultry and raspy. “There’s nothing I want more than to kiss you right now. What do you say?”
Unplugged II: Unplugged, #2 Page 7
