by Arell Rivers
“Cut!”
Despite our distance from the crew, I whisper, “I forgot we were filming.”
“Me, too,” she whispers back.
A strong wave pushes against us. Off balance, she holds on to my shoulders for an extra beat.
Hand-in-hand, we make our way back to the shore. Crew members provide us with towels, and I wrap mine around my waist to conceal the evidence of how much I enjoyed the scene.
Charles says, “That was perfect guys. Meghann, why don’t you go back in for a costume change and retouch.” He hands her a bathrobe. “Cole, I need to get some video of you coming out of the ocean. Go on out and swim back ashore. When you stand up from the waves, shake the water out of your hair.”
I watch Meghann walk up the beach toward the mansion. The director watches a bit too. “Keep the smirk,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder, “it’ll be great for the video.” I do as I’m told, and the scene is reshot from at least three different camera angles.
“Great. Let’s head back so you can change into dry clothes, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen for the next scene.”
Within twenty minutes, I’m dressed in a pair of jeans and a dark green T-shirt, my hair now dry and coiffed. I walk into the kitchen and stop dead. Meghann is leaning against the counter in a green teddy, black garters, stockings and fuck-me black pumps. This director is trying to kill me.
I stifle a groan.
Charles’s eyes swing to me. “Oh, great, you’re here, Cole. Let’s get started. Meghann, hop up on the counter. Cole, stand between her legs.” We get into position. “Lighting, highlight more of her face. Good. The colors really pop. This is going to work.”
As the director is making more adjustments and instructing the crew, I lean close to her ear and whisper, “Just when I thought you couldn’t look any hotter.”
Beaming at me, she responds, “Your shirt and my teddy match your eyes perfectly.”
Once the scene is completed, we break for lunch. Meghann and I sit down at a table on the patio, overlooking the ocean. The salt air envelopes us. “Do you have roommates, darlin’?”
“Yes. Three of us share. It’s rare that we’re in one place at the same time, considering all of our schedules.”
“Are they models, too?” In response, she nods. Geez, lucky apartment. “Are they in town?”
“Yes. One got in last night and another is coming home later today. I’m leaving next week for Paris to do a magazine shoot.”
“My roommate is gone for two weeks.” Her eyes get big. I let the statement hang.
“Wardrobe!”
She says, “Guess we’re up.” I smirk as we stand up. Soon.
We separate into our own dressing areas. The wardrobe chick hands me what appears to be a flesh-colored pouch. I hold it up and turn it around in confusion. “What’s this?”
“It’s known as a ‘sock.’”
“A sock?” This doesn’t look like any sock I’ve ever worn. Besides, I have two feet.
“Yes, you, uhm, use it to cover your, well, privates when you’re doing a nude scene.” She directs her explanation to the floor. Her neck is bright red.
“Nude scene?” What the hell is going on?
“Your next scene is in the shower.”
“Wait here.” Handing the sock back to her, I stalk off in search of Charles. Finding him by the food tables, I ask, “Looks like I missed something. I thought we were shooting a piano scene next?”
He dons a self-satisfied grin. “Jon and I took a look at the footage from yesterday, and we agreed adding a shower scene would put the video over the top. So, we’re ditching the piano scene and replacing it with one in the shower.”
“And that means that I have to wear a sock to cover my junk?”
“Unless you want to go commando.”
Seriously? “What’s Meghann wearing?”
“She’ll have pasties and a nude-colored thong bathing suit.”
“Fuck.”
“Oh, and you may want to do a few push-ups before you come back here. You know, pump up your muscles.”
I turn and walk back to wardrobe, ignoring his laughter. Now I know what Jon meant about the shower. He could’ve given me a real warning.
BEFORE I KNOW it, I’ve done a quick fifty push-ups and am making my way to the bathroom with a sock—a sock—over my dick. At least it’s covered by a bathrobe. For now.
Five guys with their equipment are crammed in there. At least the usual crew has been trimmed back, if only for expediency’s sake—twenty people wouldn’t fit in the bathroom.
Meghann’s not here yet. It occurs to me that she’s probably as weirded out by all of this as I am. Maybe I should pull her aside for a talk before she gets here. But before I can leave the room to search for her, my leading lady bounds into the bathroom, looking gorgeous as ever, now with her hair pinned up.
I pull her aside. “Are you all right with doing this shower scene, darlin’?”
“Of course, Cole. I’m happy they gave me these pasties,” she replies, opening her bathrobe to show me her costume, or what passes for it. Wow.
“Let’s get this on film,” the director says, joining us. “Cole, Meghann, come over here please. I’ve asked the remaining crew to wait outside so that this will be easier on you guys.” He gives me the once-over. “Cole, are you ready?” At least he doesn’t laugh, but his cheek twitches. Real funny.
It’s time for me to man up. “All good.”
Ignoring the reedy timbre of my voice, Charles nods and turns to Meghann. She smiles at him. “I’m ready.”
“Why don’t you jump in and show the rookie here how it’s done. I want to get some footage of each of you alone in the shower first. Let the water cascade over your body.” She hands me her bathrobe.
I stay in the background and watch while she allows the water to run over her body. The crew is extremely professional, never once ogling her. They make sure to capture all the various angles. Crap. Watching her in the shower—all alone—is hot. After about fifteen minutes, she’s finished.
My turn. Maybe I should make the water a bit on the colder side. Handing her back her robe, I wait for the crew to readjust their equipment. When I’m called in, I hand Meghann my robe and catch her checking me out. Smiling, I turn the shower on. I try to imitate the way she acted. Following the director’s instructions, I soon relax and enjoy the way the water is hitting my muscles. Sometime later, the shower is shut off and I’m back in my robe.
The crew regroups again. “Now, for the two of you together. I want you to use this sponge—”
“Loofa,” Meghann corrects him.
“Yeah, use this loofa sponge and lather each other up, while kissing.” He gives me a hard stare. “But be mindful of makeup and lighting.” The water is turned back on.
This will be the ultimate challenge. We step in. Taking the liquid soap, Meghann adds it to the sponge-thingy and starts washing my back. When I’m “clean,” I return the favor, crouching down to ensure both of her legs are well-tended. Standing back up, I tap her ass with the sponge while kissing her neck, and she turns around in my arms. This would be fun…except for the small matter that six other people are in here with us.
Taking the sponge from my hands, she adds more soap and runs it over my chest. She traces my six-pack. Imitating what I just did, she drops to her knees and washes my legs. When she stands up, she has a wicked glint in her eyes. I guess she’s seen the evidence of what she does to me. Shit. Every crew member in here has seen it too.
In an effort to hide my enthusiasm, I grab her around the waist and pull her to me. I kiss her while letting my hands run up and down her body. Quickly, I turn and position her against the shower wall, pinioning her hands above her head. I trail kisses down her neck. “And Cut!”
I reluctantly drop my arms and watch her step out of the shower. Donning my robe, I join her and the director in the hall. “That was perfect,” he says excitedly. “I want to go over the footage from toda
y quickly to make sure I have everything I need. Why don’t you both take a break?”
We walk over to craft services. “Nice job in there.”
She giggles. “You did a good job yourself.”
“We were nearly bare-ass naked in front of that group.” I play with a tendril of her hair. “Of course, if it were just you and me, darlin,’ there’d be nothing between us.”
“Didn’t you say that your roommate is away?”
“For two weeks. Why don’t you come over and we can redo all of these scenes the way they should have been done.”
She blinks once. “You can have me for a week. Then I’m off to Paris, remember?”
“I’m looking forward to the best week ever.”
WHEN I TURN the key in the ignition, the Maserati roars to life. My body is totally sated from this week’s fuckfest. Meghann left for Paris last night, and it’s time for me to resurface into reality. Starting with a team meeting at Platinum Records to go over the video for “Prowling.”
My phone rings over the car’s Bluetooth. Crap, I forgot to call her. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, Cole. I haven’t heard from you in over a week.”
My fingers tighten around the steering wheel. Shit. “Sorry about that. I’ve been tied up.” Visions of Meghann play in my mind, and I almost cut off another car as I switch lanes at the last moment.
“Who’s honking?”
“I’m in my car. Traffic in LA is nuts.” No need to tell her it was my fault.
“Well, drive carefully. What have you been up to?”
Her tone indicates she has some idea. Licking my lips, I reply, “I’ve been keeping my nose to the grindstone.” Not to mention my lips, my fingers…
“Cole Stewart Manchester, don’t be coy with me. One of my students showed me an article about you and that swimsuit model. Said she was in your video and that you two disappeared together for a couple of days after you finished shooting.”
Damn nosey paparazzi. At least they didn’t get all the details right. “Mom, you know how these tabloids make stuff up. Anything for a story.” I pause, hoping she doesn’t press me. Silence. I concentrate on the road and wait for her to say something. When I can’t take it any longer, I rush in to fill the empty beats. “It’s true, Meghann Styles played my co-star in the music video for ‘Prowling.’ It was an amazing experience, Mom. We were in a mansion overlooking the ocean.”
She sighs. “I am excited for you, Cole. I can’t wait to see the video. All my friends are excited, too.” She pauses. “So, where are you headed?”
Relieved to change the topic, I respond, “I’m on my way to a meeting at Platinum Records with Russell and Greta the Gruesome. We’re going to preview the video and go over the plans for the last leg of my tour.”
“Hmmm. Must you continue to call her Gruesome?”
“Yeah, I must. She’s a ballbuster. The only reason everyone puts up with her is because she’s a great publicist…oh, and she knows everyone in this town.”
“Well, don’t let her hear you call her that.”
I wait for an opening and switch lanes again. “Don’t worry. I don’t have a death wish.”
She laughs. We’re back on track. “How’s Dan doing, sweetheart?”
“He’s great. Actually, he met someone. Her name is Suzanne and they’re in Hawaii right now. She’s great—you’ll like her.”
“Oh, I’m so glad for him. He’s such a nice boy.”
I crank up the air conditioning before replying, “Mom, he’s my age. Twenty-eight is not a boy anymore.”
“You’ll always be my baby boy. You and your brother. And your roommate. Now, when are you going to settle down like Dan?” Her tone implies she’s teasing, but there’s always a hint of truth in jest.
I knew this was coming. “Dan and Suzanne have barely started dating, so I’m not sure we can assume he’s settling down just yet,” I say. “And you know that I’m on the road all the time.”
“You need a steady influence in your life. I’m not saying you need to settle down this minute, but wouldn’t it be nice to share your exciting touring life with someone?”
“I’m not sure I would call touring ‘exciting,’ Mom. I love what I do, but sleeping on the tour bus and being in a different city every day is grueling. I can’t think of any woman who’d want to live that way.”
She sighs. “Are you at least eating properly on the road? You know I worry about you.”
A green road sign indicates that my exit is two miles ahead. Nonetheless, it will probably take me a good ten minutes to get there in the heavy traffic. “I try my best. And I’m getting exercise in too, so don’t worry. How’s Dad?”
“Oh, he’s doing great. The local paper just published an article and dubbed him the ‘celebrity dad pharmacist.’ He loved it. I’ll send it to you.”
I chuckle. “That’s great. I’d love to read it. And how’s school going for you?” An opening forms in the next lane and I immediately grab it.
“It’s good. My students keep me on my toes, and our cheerleading squad is doing great in competitions.”
I tap on the steering wheel to the beat of “Prowling” while navigating the traffic and looking for my chance to switch lanes again. “Let me know when the team gets into the finals. I’ll try to be there.”
“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself, but hopefully we’ll make it there again. This year’s squad is pretty young, but they’re very dedicated. Frankly, I think a majority of them joined the team in the hopes that you’ll show up to a practice.”
“Oh, I learned my lesson about surprising your cheerleaders a while ago.” We both laugh, remembering the one time I had shown up unannounced. A girl literally fainted.
Another green sign indicates my exit is now one mile away. “Mom, I’m getting close to Platinum’s office and the traffic is building up. Give my love to Dad, and let Jayson know I’ll call him soon.”
“Will do, sweetheart. I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.” I disconnect the call and concentrate on navigating the remaining congested LA roads to Platinum’s office.
After parking in the lot adjacent to the label’s office, I put my sunglasses on and adjust my baseball cap—not a great disguise, but it’ll do. Instead of going in the back way, I walk out to the front of the building. I have just enough time to calm my nerves with a quick cigarette before having to face Gruesome. I flick open the pack, grab a butt and fish out my lighter.
Two hot women dressed for work walk past me toward the revolving doors. My ears perk up when one of them says, “I heard that Cole Manchester is coming in today.”
The other responds, “I know, right. I want to be at my desk so I can see him walk in. He’s so hot.”
I tuck my head down to remain inconspicuous while a smile tugs at my lips.
“I want to get into that conference room. I’ll offer him coffee, tea or me.” The two laugh and enter the building.
Well, that’s something to look forward to—better than Gruesome. Someone bumps my shoulder. For a split second, I’m worried my thoughts have somehow summoned Gruesome, but it’s my manager. “Hi Russell.” He’s in his early fifties, taller than me by about two inches and dressed in a casual outfit of a button-down shirt and jeans. He might not look it, but he’s one of the most powerful men in the industry.
“Hey, Cole. How’d you enjoy working with Meghann?”
My smile gets much broader. “She was fantastic. Thanks again for lining her up for my first video.”
“I haven’t seen the full video yet, but what I’ve seen is pretty hot.”
I take a drag. “She’s beautiful. I’m not surprised.”
“Any truth to the rumors about you two?” I smirk but don’t say anything. “C’mon, Cole. Throw an old married man a bone, will ya?”
“Let’s just say Funnel Cake was a mighty tasty treat.”
“Funnel Cake?”
“One of my favorites growing up on the Jersey Shore.
You know, fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar. Mouth-watering and delicious, but at the end of the day, it’s not a diet you can keep up for very long.”
“Not much depth, huh?”
“Russell, she’s on her twelfth trip to Paris. When I asked her if she’s visited the Louvre, Notre Dame or any other landmark there, she told me that she’s not interested in sightseeing. She only does her modeling, goes shopping and clubbing. I like her, but there’s no getting around it.”
He shakes his head.
“I’ve been dying to get overseas to see all the places that I’ve only read about. Hell, I make sure to catch the sights in the cities I’m visiting on my tour across the States.”
“Well, are you ready to see the video you and Miss Funnel Cake made? Not to mention do a dance with Greta?” I can’t help but shudder, which was no doubt his intention. I take one last inhale, put the butt out in a nearby ashtray and follow him into Platinum Records.
Once we’re all assembled in the conference room decorated with the platinum albums of the label’s clients—one day, my album will be up there, too—Jon asks for the lights to be dimmed and the opening stains of “Prowling” start to play. A short time later, someone turns the lights back up.
My adrenaline is pumping. “Wow. That video’s smokin’.” It was surreal seeing myself up on the screen fooling around with Meghann, but I’m pumped. The video is seductive and sexy—a perfect accompaniment to the song. My cheeks hurt from the force of my smile.
Jon says, “The label is extremely pleased with how the video turned out. You’re a natural on screen, Cole, and Meghann is perfect in it. This video is going to keep the song at Number One for a long time.”
All business, Russell asks Gruesome, “What are your plans from a publicity standpoint?”
Greta is wispy, well-manicured, and blonde—and yet somehow the most fearsome person in the room. “The video is hot,” she replies. “I’d like to release some of the behind-the-scenes footage we have to spark public interest prior to its official debut. For the premiere, I’m creating a big event with a red carpet and the works. Since Meghann is out of the country on a shoot, I lined up another sexy woman for Cole to take out on publicity dates from now until the premiere.”
