“Sorry ladies but Logan Sanders is all mine.” I say to myself as he jogs in my direction.
He greets me with a devilish smile, “Hey babe, you enjoying the view?”
“Why yes I am and it’s a mighty good view at that,” I say playfully. “Reagan and Brooklyn want to go shopping this afternoon for the gala, is it okay if we take a rain check on that lunch date?”
He stands his board beside him, “that’s fine, I have so much work to do as it is, it’s probably best I get home and try to tackle the stack I have on my desk.”
I stretch up onto tip toes and rest my hands on his warm, glistening stomach, landing quick peck on his lips, savoring the salty water that lingers on my skin.
“I’ll be sure to get something ravishing so you won’t be able to take your eyes off of me at the party, even with all those goddess- like models walking around.” I joke.
“I can’t wait to see what you end up getting, just please promise me you won’t get something that makes you too damn sexy, I don’t want to have to punch anyone out for trying to steal my girl,” he says, slapping me gently on my butt.
“I promise,” I murmur. Rolling my eyes I pick up my purse and towel and slide on my flip flops. When we get to Logan’s car I set our beach bags and towels into the back of his Lexus SUV LX 570 while he attaches the surfboards back onto the roof racks. His sparkling silver car is breathtaking. It’s filled with every gadget known to man and is so comfortable you never want to get out of it. I was in love with it.
I’ve tried to get Logan to “break in” the backseat, but he said he prefers sexual acts in a bedroom, not in a car. He can be such a prude sometimes.
Logan drops me off at my house about twenty minutes later and Brooklyn is already waiting impatiently by the door. She looks flawless, donned in high rise cut off shorts, a black tank and aviators with an arm full of bangle bracelets. It’s depressing to know this is her version of “dressing down”.
“Reagan sent me a text, said he’ll meet up with us at Dee’s Café so we can grab a quick lunch and I can finally get my coffee. Then it’s time to shop until we drop,” she says, pulling her cell phone out of her purse. “I’ll send him a quick text letting him know the queen has finally arrived, so we are on our way.” Grabbing my arm and yanking me out the door, we were at my car before I could protest.
“Brooklyn, I just got back from the beach, I haven’t even showered yet and you want to go NOW? Seriously?” She exasperates me sometimes. The world runs on ‘Brooklyn Time’ and she thinks I’m the queen? I shake my head and smile a little.
“You look amazing, you have that sun kissed glow to you. You wear the beach well Savannah! Now stop being a drama queen, get your little ass in the car and drive.”
We pull up to Dee’s Café around one o’clock to see Reagan sitting at one of the outdoor tables. It’s a beautiful; fall day in Los Angeles, eating outside would be wonderful.
Reagan is one of the most attractive men in Los Angeles and he knows it. He is about six foot tall with a runner’s muscular body. He has dark brown hair that he wears short, with a little faux hawk on top. This sits on top of a magnificent oval face with a sharp chin and nose. He has fantastically piercing blue eyes that look like they could cut through ice, probably the most striking I have ever seen. And to top off his sexy look, he always has a day old beard, making him scruffy, yet irresistible. Almost every woman who meets Reagan is instantly drawn to him, hell most men are drawn to him too. I think Brooklyn and I are the only two women on the entire planet who have been able to resist the “Reagan Charm”.
Lunch goes by quickly as Reagan chats incessantly about all the shoots he has scheduled over the next few weeks for our upcoming Most Influential Men of 2012 issue. He says Eloise has been on a rampage, practically decapitating anyone who causes a bump in her schedule. She wants this issue to be perfect and wants nothing to affect us meeting the deadline.
This issue is the most prestigious publication of the year. It goes to press in January and the deadline for everything is right after Thanksgiving, so Eloise has everyone on red alert, trying to make sure we stay on schedule with no hiccups getting in the way.
Only the ‘who’s who’ of Hollywood gets put in the magazine; top actors, singers, writers, philanthropists and billionaires. Anyone that America wants to read about is in this issue.
One of the reasons I love working alongside Eloise is that she lets me sit in on a lot of meetings, interviews and photo shoots, and I get to see first-hand the nitty-gritty work she has to do for these articles. I mean who wouldn’t love it? It’s not every day you get to sit a few feet away from America’s “Sexiest Men”.
We first stop at Tiffany’s & Co. so Reagan can pick up some new cufflinks to wear to the gala. He would be taking Brooklyn as his date and she was ecstatic that she got to go. It was invite only; mainly models and actors represented by Logan’s agency and anyone who works with them, such as photographers, get invites. The dinner costs five thousand dollars a plate, with all the proceeds going to homeless shelters in the Los Angeles area.
To spice things up and earn it the “party of the year” title, the event organizer put in place a masquerade ball theme. She thought it would be fun, seeing as everyone in Hollywood loves a bit of competition, to put on a contest where the person with the best costume will win court side seats to a Los Angeles Lakers game.
We find the perfect dress for Brooklyn and adorable matching stilettos at the third shop we visit. It’s a hot pink, strapless cocktail dress with rose effect fabric along the top and a layered chiffon skirt. It stops mid-thigh and fits her figure perfectly. The heels are to die for, hot pink again, this time suede with ruffled chiffon across the strap. The whole outfit screams Brooklyn and I easily persuade her to buy it.
Reagan met an amazing designer at fashion week last year who is going to make us bespoke masks to match our dresses.
“Damn Brooklyn, you are going to have every guy at the gala salivating, I’ll be the envy of the party showing up with you on my arm,” Reagan gushes at her. I’m sure tossing compliments her way is making tripling her ego.
He has been trying for two years to get into Brooklyn’s panties and she insists on keeping the relationship platonic. She’s worried that if they sleep together it would cause tension and cause a rift in my friendship with Reagan which tarnishes our work relationship.
“Well, when they say ‘dress to impress’, I take that very seriously,” she giggles, twirling so the dress swirls around her thighs.
“Now we need to find something just as mind blowing for Savannah,” Reagan said grabbing my hand and leading me down Rodeo Drive.
We visit five more boutiques before I finally spot the most gorgeous dress ever at Pomellato Boutique. It was a peacock theme cocktail dress with a similar shape to Brooklyn’s.
“Oh. My. Gawd! Look at that dress,” I squeal as I run over to the display at the back of the store. It has feather like details covering the entire top of the dress, arching towards the left side and trailing down towards the skirt. The colors were breathtaking with layers of gold and teal chiffon; I didn’t think it was possible to love it anymore, until I tried it on.
Reagan and Brooklyn let out a loud, synchronized whistle, “now that is a dress,” Brooklyn cries as she circles around me, admiring all its magnificent detail.
Reaching for my hands and twirling me around, Reagan gushes over me, “With your drop dead gorgeous body and that dress you are going to be causing cardiac arrests all over that ballroom. We better pray there is a doctor in the house next Saturday because, girl let me tell you, we are going to need one!”
“My heart is dancing in my chest just from looking at you in that dress,” Reagan says, eying me up and down.
The atmosphere in the room swiftly heats up as everyone flashes me smoldering looks and raves over my dress. I start to feel a little uncomfortable and Reagan chastises me as I blush red.
“Okay Savannah, go get that dress off,
we have to find you some shoes and accessories,” Brooklyn saves me, as she fingers the bracelets and necklaces hanging on the display case.
We finally make it to the parking garage at seven thirty to retrieve Brooklyn’s Jeep. I am exhausted and I suddenly don’t feel so guilty about skipping the gym the last two days. I guess that I’ve walked about ten miles and think how ready I am to pour a very large glass of wine and soak in the tub. That sounds heavenly right about now.
*****
Chapter 3
*****
The week passes in a blur and I cannot believe today is Friday already, tomorrow is the gala! Every day at work Eloise keeps us extremely busy, planning phone, Skype or face to face s interviews with the men from our Most Influential issue.
I sit in on all of them, witnessing first hand Eloise’s poise and professionalism. She keeps perfectly composed while schmoosing with some of the most famous and not to mention, gorgeous men in the world. This is a skill I have yet to acquire, turning into a clumsy, stuttering mess every time a young stud enters the room.
This week Envy finally revealed their Top 100 list to the employees at the magazine and today is the shoot with the #1 Influential Man, Kayden Knox. Eloise will be doing a face to face interview with him this afternoon. Reagan was beaming ear to ear when he found out we would be doing the cover shoot instead of using a photo from a publicist like many others chose to do. Only a handful of the men who made the list came to L.A. for professional photo shoot.
I sit at my desk and nervously pick at my lunch, worrying about my testing afternoon. Kayden Knox is a billionaire oil tycoon and business entrepreneur. He runs a chain of five star hotels owned by his father, and he himself a successful chain of night clubs in Houston, L.A., Las Vegas, Miami and NYC. He’s even guest starred on hit TV shows. I had even seen Youtube videos of Kayden singing, so not only is he completely gorgeous and filthy rich, but he can sing. I don’t think there is anything he can’t do.
I had spent the morning on Google, attempting to learn everything there was to know about him before the interview, however I didn’t get much done because I couldn’t tear myself away from admiring the gallery of photos, this man was beyond gorgeous. He has to be about six feet three and nothing but solid-muscle, I swear one of his biceps has to be as big as my head. He has the most intense emerald green eyes I have ever seen, with a very strong jaw line and narrow nose. There isn’t an inch on him that isn’t perfect. Everything about Kayden Knox screams sex.
I hear the click clack of stilettos on tile floor as Eloise approaches my desk. She was wearing solid, black dress slacks, a bright red, sleeveless button up blouse and leopard print heels. She always looked like she just stepped off the runway when she was at work.
I take a quick sip of my water to wash down my chicken salad and greet her with a smile, “Good afternoon Eloise.”
“Good, you’re finished with your lunch. Kayden Knox’s plane landed earlier than expected so he wants to move his interview up. I’ve already talked to Reagan, he has all of his gear ready over at the location for the shoot. He said that once we’re finished you should escort Kayden to Greystone Park and Mansion.” she declares, smiling back at me.
“Okay, I’ll freshen up and meet you in your office.” I throw my salad in the trash can under my desk, grab my purse and head straight for the ladies room. I could not meet Kayden Knox with salad breath.
I walk to Eloise’s office and take a seat by the window, gazing down on the busy street below. My stomach is churning with a mixture of excited nerves and I think about running out, I give myself a good talking to though, knowing this is great experience for when I’m editing my own magazine. A few moments later Eloise returns to the
office and, sitting at her desk, gets her laptop ready for the interview.
“They should be here any moment,” the front desk called my cell to let me know they were in the lobby. “Do you want to come over by my desk?” She asks, motioning to a chair near her.
“If you think I should, I don’t want to be in your way. I appreciate you letting me sit in on all of these interviews. They’re fascinating to watch, the way you fire off the questions so matter-of-factly, I don’t know how you don’t get nervous” I say as I walk over to sit next to her.
“Oh my dear, dear Savannah,” She says, shaking her head, “I get nervous…believe me I do” She laughed. “I just try to remember that this is a business and I’m here to do a job, not ask for autographs and become doe-eyed as soon as an attractive gentleman walks into my office, no matter how rich and famous he may be.”
“Well you’re doing a fantastic job being professional; I’d never have known you were nervous in a million years.” I’m smoothing my skirt across my lap, praying I’ll keep my lunch down, when I look up and lock eyes with Kayden Knox.
“Holy shit!” I mutter and slap my hand over my mouth. Oh my God, did I just say that out loud? I quickly glance over at Eloise and she doesn’t seem fazed, at least she didn’t hear my embarrassing slip of the tongue. I turn my head to look back at Kayden standing in the doorway. He smiles at me. Great, he heard me. Of course.
I quickly stand up beside Eloise as she extends her hand to Kayden. I hold my hands together in front of me and continue to smile goofily at him.
“Nice to meet you Kayden,” she greets him cheerfully, “We are so appreciative you were able to clear your schedule to come and do this interview face to face.”
Shaking her hand, he reveals his mega-watt smile. Now there was something I could look at all day.
“It was no trouble at all; I had a clear schedule almost all week. Flying in for a face to face interview is the least I can do. I’m honored to be named The Most Influential Man of 2012. If I’m gracing the cover of your wonderful magazine, the least I can do is come in to answer your questions and do a shoot with you Mrs. Fisher.”
“Please, call me Eloise, Mrs. Fisher is my mother-in-law.” This is my assistant editor, Savannah Livingston. I imagine you know her parents, I’ve heard you’re a huge fan.” Eloise says as she rests her hand on my forearm.
“Hi.” I manage to squeak out. This was going from bad to worse; I suck at this, suck very, very badly and I’m regretting my decision not to observe the interview from a safe haven at the back of the room.
I glance up at Kayden, and I do mean up. He seems even taller in person, and if possible, he’s even more attractive than his photos.
“Yes, I am a fan of Maverick and Paisley’s music. I had the honor of meeting them a few years ago at a charity event in Nashville. You’re very lucky to have such wonderful parents Savannah,” he reaches out to shake my hand.
The electricity that shoots through my hand and throughout my entire body was overwhelming and I’m convinced I’m going to pass out on
the spot. I need to get a grip, this interview is crucial to the magazine’s issue. I cannot screw this up, I just need to remember this is a normal person and, like Eloise said, we’re here to do a job.
Who was I kidding? He wasn’t just a normal person he was the sexiest man on the freakin’ planet, with enough money to buy the whole country if he wanted to. Thankfully I don’t have to speak to him during the interview. I only have to observe…that’s it.
“Thanks, my parents will be thrilled to learn you’re such a huge fan. They love your hotels, they stay at the one you have in Hawaii every time they vacation there.” I mentally congratulate myself on managing an entire sentence without embarrassing myself.
“That’s great to hear, next time they’ll be staying let me know and I’ll make sure they receive complimentary spa passes.”
He flashes me a quick smile again before sitting down in front of myself and Eloise. She shoots off a list of questions and he answers each with short, predictable answers. If I didn’t know better I would assume he anticipated each and every question and had an answer planned for each one. He’s probably been asked the same thing time thousands of times before this.
“
You’ve appeared in numerous movies and television shows, do you plan on making a career out of acting?” was her first question.
Irresistible Desire (A Savannah Novel) Page 3
