Player

by T. N. King

  He tilted his head and took a closer look at her. Maybe she is a teen prom queen? He waved at her in a friendly way but clearly as if to dismiss her.

  She bit at her lip and backed away. “Oh, my god!” she squealed as she turned around and nearly ran over the waitress on her way through.

  The waitress came over and set his drink down. “What was her problem?”

  He froze at the sultry voice and raised his gaze.

  A pair of deep brown eyes met his. Dark hair, killer body. She did not seem to know who he was. Promising. “I’m not sure.” He laughed with a careless shrug.

  She stared at him. “Well, with the way you look, she probably had to…” Her voice halted then she laughed.

  He wondered what she’d almost said. “Had to...?” he asked with a smile.

  “Like go take a full on cold shower. Damn it, man you are smokin’!” She smiled.

  He never thought of having one of the cocktail waitresses at these places but this showed real promise. “Well, you seem not to need one.”

  She laughed. “I have more self control and a few years on that baby girl.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, I noticed that rather youthful look she had just before she ran away.”

  The woman stared at him. Then she leaned down to whisper, “Women should be running after you, not away.”

  Good one. She was quick too. He’d been handed lines before, but he certainly did not wish to come off as jaded or arrogant. “Oh, really?”

  She nodded and straightened up. “I get off in an hour, if you wanna be caught?”

  Bold. Yes. He gazed into her eyes. Yes, there was a certain glimmer there. Like she knew. Did she know? What he wanted?

  “Well, if you have to think it over?” she added.

  He shook his head and smiled. “It isn’t that.”

  “Well, I usually don’t hit on patrons, but damn it…you are fine.”

  “I will be right here.” Jacob raised his glass and tipped it at her. He just secretly hoped that in the meantime, no one made another spectacle at his table or told her who he really was.

  Her eyes roamed all over him. She gave him a wink and sashayed away.

  Yes, he did watch her sweet ass while she walked away in that little black skirt. He shook his head. Here he was one of the biggest stars in the world and he had to troll in a club for a piece of ass. Most men that looked like he did could get it anywhere and it even came to them. But he was Jacob fucking Cooper and he had to watch who he dated and what he did. Tabloid fodder, paparazzi bait.

  Ever since he’d hit it fairly big, he usually waited for sex. Waited until he took his semi annual trip to Europe. Places like Italy. He forced that memory back. The twins would dance in his mind and he would lose it right here. It was now dynamite to him. No tripping that light fancy. He needed to not get more edgy.

  The music got louder and the people in the club did too. He sat and nursed his drink.

  “Oh, it is you!” a female voice spoke from his left.

  Great, he’d almost gotten away with it. Now, someone else would ruin it. He swung his gaze over. His eyes first hit her middle as she was standing and he was sitting. Then his gaze rose up. Holy Fuck! He fought to keep surprise from showing in any way shape or fucking form on his face or in his body language. He slowly stood up. “Anna Halloway,” he stated calmly.

  She nodded and her red curls bounced a bit. “I was sort of surprised to...see you here.”

  He tilted his head at her. “And why is it a surprise?”

  She gave him a warm smile “I—well, I just thought you wouldn’t…”

  Jacob wondered what she really thought. In fact, he suddenly wanted to know everything she thought. His eyes took her in. Damn, she was nearly perfect. Her curves, her breasts. Those eyes and that sweet looking mouth. He’d known she was beautiful, she was a highly sought after actress. He’d seen images of her before. But up close? In person? Damn it…she was sexy as hell. This was one case where cameras hadn’t done someone any justice at all.

  Anna backed away a bit. “I-I am sorry to have disturbed you.”

  He reached out and grasped her hand. A shock went up along his arm. Fuck! It jolted him. It fucking…

  “I didn’t mean to bother you really…”

  Damn, those eyes of hers. As he gazed into her blue depths, he felt like he just fell into the rabbit hole. A warm place though, where pleasure would be front seat on a ride to somewhere he knew he’d never been. He stepped closer to her. “You didn’t. It is all right. I mean. We needed to actually meet. I was just sitting here—”

  “Are you ready to go?” the waitress asked from behind Anna.

  Yes, she would come back and just at this moment too. He dropped Anna’s hand.

  Anna stared at him then looked over her shoulder at the waitress. “Umm…yeah.” She quickly walked away.

  Jacob just stood there. Oh, yeah. He’d been caught. Then he shook his head. Caught doing what? It wasn’t any of her business He would just be working with the woman and his personal life had nothing to do with it. He shook away his initial reaction to the woman. Maybe even he could get star struck? And he sure as hell couldn’t have dated her in any case. She was in the business and he was about to do a movie with her.

  He now gazed at the hot brunette that stood there waiting for him. He would just have a hot night with a hot waitress and…

  “Oh, wow!” the waitress exclaimed.

  Oh shiiit… Jacob sighed.

  “Was that? It was!” she gushed as she stared in the direction Anna had just headed off in.

  Well, so what? She recognized his costar, he could still make this work. Maybe?

  The brown eyed catch of the night looked over at him.

  He shrugged.

  Her eyes rounded as she took a double take at him. “Oh. My. God!”

  Fuck it. Jacob tossed his hands up in the air as he simply gave up and walked away.

  Chapter Six

  Today, Jacob finally had his workout with his personal trainer Parker. He headed into the newest Fitness and Health Sports Club, which Parker owned and he owned several more as well. Funny about the man, he went by one name, Parker, no first or last. Egotistical if you asked Jacob, the man thought he was like Prince or something. He had to admit though, the trainer produced results. Tall and tattooed, muscled like an Olympian. With an ability to push people to new physical heights. Jacob needed the workout today that was for damn sure. He needed an outlet, as sex wasn’t going to happen it seemed.

  Jacob remembered something the man said once, “If I went easy on them, I wouldn’t be the man they want coaching them. There’s a reason people hire me.”

  And Jacob didn’t go for easy, he never did, not in anything he’d ever done. So, despite the ego, he felt the man was producing results.

  Parker greeted him as he came into the weight room. “Hey Jacob. Ready to sweat?”

  Jacob took his sunglasses off. He was already dressed in his workout clothes, so he didn’t need to change. He did bring a bag though as he would shower here afterwards. “Hell yes.”

  Parker raised a brow. “Work related stress? You look a little tense, there man.”

  Jacob laughed but it wasn’t an amused sound. “Frustrations from it, or maybe the lack of it, yes.”

  Parker grinned. “Well, it’s not good for blood pressure and a host of other—”

  “Fuck!” He knew this and it wasn’t good for his work either.

  Parker paused. “That bad, huh? Maybe that’s what you need.”

  Jacob paused and looked up at him.

  “A good fuck.” Parker chuckled.

  “It isn’t funny,” Jacob grumbled.

  Now Parker looked very curious as he motioned to the weight set. “First, do some stretching and warm up.”

  Setting his keys and cell phone over on the table, he did his stretches and warmed up.

  After about ten minutes, Parker came over. “Okay, let’s hit it.”

 
Jacob got up and headed to the weights. He laid down lifted the barbell, grunting a little with the weight of it, and straightened his arms. It was a familiar motion, as routine as any of the others from his workouts. He lowered the weight back to the bars that held it in place, and then lifted it again. Lowered it.

  “Good rep. Good,” Parker encouraged. “Ten more sets.”

  He did just that as Parker spotted him then helped to set the weights back on the bar. “So, about the umm…blood pressure.” He raised his brows. “It would seem to me that being you, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

  Jacob grabbed the towel from his hands and sat up. “You’d think, right?” Even he could hear the sarcasm in his voice.

  Parker shrugged. “Well yeah, you are Jacob Ko—”

  “Oh, shut the fuck up!” Jacob cut him off.

  Parker raised his brows. Then he shook his head as he chuckled. “Most men would love to be—”

  “ME?” Jacob spat out.

  “I don’t get it?” For a moment, Parker lost that confident, I know everything look, he sometimes wore.

  Jacob laughed. “I don’t get any is what you should say.”

  To say someone looked stunned, that is what Parker reflected in his expression.

  Jacob sighed. “I am a public figure, well known. Paparazzi shark food.”

  Parker’s expression now looked like he finally got it. “Oh, so…”

  “So, if the woman recognizes me, it fucking blows it. Let’s just say she won’t act natural. Or say, she even does. She’s liable to go straight to the press the next damn morning. I can’t even pay for it. What the hell would the press do with that little fiasco?”

  “Oh, wow. I never thought of it like that. Shit.”

  “Yeah, shit. I take a trip to Europe twice a year. I am lesser known there.”

  “But waiting months…”

  “Exactly man!” He stood up. “Look, I use pent up emotion in my work. But this kind is building up.”

  “Yeah…” Parker looked thoughtful.

  “Anyway, never mind. I need this workout, so let’s get on with it.”

  Parker nodded and seemed wise enough to let the subject drop.

  Jacob didn’t know how the hell he even got into this particular conversation with the man. It was pretty personal. He was sure Parker never lacked for females. In fact, he was damn sure.

  Parker led him through his workout over the next hour. He then weighed him and looked over his stats. They talked about his diet and he’d said Jacob was doing great. Then he paused. “You know, I am your trainer and this BP problem…well—”

  “Look man. Just forget about it. It’s…I mean it’s sort of personal.”

  “Yeah, yeah it is. However, you just need to be in the right place at the right time.”

  Jacob felt confused. “Like the lottery? Or like getting hit by a fucking train?”

  Parker laughed. “No, like hang out with people who do NOT want any kind of publicity and people who are what is that old word?”

  “Discrete?”

  “Yeah, yeah. That.” Parker laughed. “Never applied to me, but…”

  “Yeah, well, we live in a world where internet gossip wins.”

  “Hmm…”

  “Hmmm?” Jacob stared at him.

  “There’s this party.”

  Jacob raised a brow. “No. I can’t do parties. Too close quarters and personal. I mean I would be recognized instantly.”

  “Yes, but at this particular one. Well, this is the kind where public figures go and be themselves and some are like from prominent families, politicians, CEOs. No reporters and everyone who attends have something to lose if…” He grinned. “If any of it got out.”

  Jacob sat forward. “And what happens at this party?”

  “Nothing…or everything. Just depends.”

  “How do I get in?”

  “Well, shit. You are Jacob Cooper!” Parker laughed.

  “Man, that isn’t even fucking funny anymore!” He grabbed his gear to head to the shower.

  “You will get a call. Just say yes, then they will send you the info. Lots of hot babes go to these.”

  Jacob stopped at the door and tuned to look at him.

  “Parker laughed. “Just call me the Doctor of Love,” he sang the title in a bad tune.

  For the first time today, or maybe all week, Jacob actually laughed. “Man, don’t ever quit your day job and take up singing.”

  Parker’s laughter followed him out the door.

  The next day…he did get a call. There was an event, the woman said over the phone happening this weekend. She did not seem to even react to him being Jacob Cooper. She got his email address and hung up.

  Jacob was still doubtful though. Get an invite, go to a party, get laid. 1, 2, 3? No, he very much doubted it. The timing was good though. Shooting would start on Monday, then he wouldn’t be able to even contemplate it. Not while filming. Fourteen hours a day, all week. Then he would also be seeing Anna and working with her. He almost shivered. Damn it, if he did not get release and a good amount of it, he would be lusting after his fucking costar. Shit, what if he messed up his lines too? He shook his head.

  No, never happened in a long while now.

  Speaking of that…He went and picked up the Shot list that had been messengered over this morning of the scenes and angles to be shot on Monday. And of course, almost all of them had him and Anna in close scenes. Up against her body…A kiss scene. Then even a hand holding scene as they walked through a park. That jolt he got when he’d grabbed her hand at the club. Fuck no.

  Yeah, this would be hard. He told himself it wouldn’t. Then he remembered the way he’d reacted to seeing her in person, close up. Damn it. Well, maybe it was because he needed to get laid. Maybe almost any woman would make him hard right about now. He sure hoped that was it. No dating the costar.

  After several hours of repeating lines, he heard his mail notify beeping. He sat down and pulled it up. As he read the odd private party mail, he felt mixed emotions. A masquerade party? He rolled his eyes. Like some old theater production or a Disney film…He halted. Wait, no one would see his face! This could work, even if it was tacky. He sat there wondering. Yeah, dress like a big, fucking cock. He actually laughed out loud. This would make his intentions clear. Then just find the chick who was dressed like…A huge pussy! His laughter grew. Then before he knew it, he was gasping for air.

  “Jacob san?” Airi asked.

  His laughter slowed as he swiped at his tears. He breathlessly tried to answer her, “Y-yes, Airi?” he could barely get the words out.

  “You OK?” She looked concerned.

  His laughter slowed. She would think something was up as he never sat and laughed like this. Alone, laughing like a madman. He let out a sigh. He truly didn’t think he was okay. He was spiraling into an abyss. Into the rabbit hole, diving after Alice. “No, Airi. I am not.”

  At the worried look on her sweet face, he regretted admitting this. “No. I am ok. Really.”

  She shook her head back and forth as if in sorrow. “You no have love.”

  His breath hitched at this statement and he looked a little closer at her face. What the hell was she talking about?

  Airi blushed and lowered her eyes.

  Oh, wow. “Airi. Did…Umm—have you found…” He chuckled at his own lack of words.

  Her head rose up. Her eyes looked bright as she nodded.

  Suddenly, panic set in. Did someone take advantage of her? He would kill the sonofabitch! “H-how, Airi?” He really wanted to ask who, but he didn’t want to scare her. He would get to the part where he got the asswipe’s name in a minute.

  She looked nervous now. “Is n-not sex. Is love.”

  He blinked his eyes. “You mean you and he haven’t…?” His head rose up. “And when did you suddenly speak such good English?”

  She smiled. “H-he teach me.”

  Oh, HE did, eh? What else has he taught her? Careful here Jacob, careful. �
��So, do I get to meet him?”

  She again, lowered her head.

  Oh, shit. She was afraid of this meeting. “I mean I would like to know. It is your life, but I—”

  Airi dropped to her knees on the marbled floor.

  Jacob’s gaze lowered and he stared at her bowed head. What the fu—

  “I sorry. You save me. You are not like o-other men. You take care of…” Her head rose up. “I not see him if you say…” Tears filled her eyes.

  Jacob’s throat closed up entirely. Damn it. He would not feel this. He could not allow himself to feel any of this. He took a deep breath and let it out. “Airi, please get up.”

  Swiping the tears from her cheeks, she slowly stood up.

  “I just do not wish for you to be…” He had to find the right words. This girl may have found happiness. She could finally live her own life. Or…Yeah, that was the thing here. She could have found misery if the man wasn’t a good one. Shit! What should he say? He cleared his throat. “I just want to make sure he treats you right.”

  Airi tilted her head at him.

  Yes, he could see she didn’t understand. “Umm, you have Yoshi waiting downstairs, right?”

  Her eyes widened. “Y-you make me leave now?”

  He shook his head. “NO!” Lower the tone Jacob, lower it. “I just wish to have him translate.”

  She shook her head.

  No, still not getting it. “To speak…to have him tell me—?”

  “Ohhh!” Airi whispered in fear as her hands covered her mouth.

  “No, no. I am not angry.” Shit, I am fucking this ten ways to Sunday!

  The door buzzer rang.

  Talk about fucking saved by the bell here. He nodded. “That is him now.”

  Her eyes rounded.

  Damn it, she hasn’t looked afraid like this since that first week. He smiled to make her feel assured that this wasn’t anger he was feeling. “It will be okay.”

  She seemed to gulp heavily and turned to go to the door.

  Jacob followed her. Yoshi could help to clear this up fast.

  She opened the door.

  Yoshi was a big guy, half Japanese Sumo wrestler half something else just a huge. He grew up in the States, impeccable background, and the perfect choice for the driver-bodyguard job.