At the question and answer session with the audience, I answered several young women’s questions about Dragon Kensington, the film’s sexy star. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there because he’d conveniently come down with the flu. After an hour of answering questions I’d answered a million times before, I promised the sequel was in the works. I then signed a few autographs and had a couple of conversations with aspiring filmmakers. I made it home in time to get ready for the hottest Halloween party of the season.
My brother Sage, who was in the music industry, was able to get us invites. It promised to be a fun time with women, gourmet food, and discretion for those looking for a bit more of a rollicking good time. I was up for some noncommittal sex on occasion and tonight seemed right for it. Unfortunately, my older brother Shelton had also been invited by his law firm. He was the Shady Lawyer to the stars, so I guess he was there to cover tracks for anyone wanting to keep their missteps that evening a secret. Whatever the reason, he was deplorable at best. I was sure to avoid him and stay with my younger, cooler brother. Everyone who was anyone was going to be there, so it was the perfect time to promote my production company.
Chapter 2
Reyna
I could’ve kissed my roommates Charlynn and Melody for agreeing to go with me to the Hollywood Haunted Mansion party. I was a temp working for the most notorious beast boss on the planet. There was no producer in Hollywood more lecherous or vile. A job was a job, though, and his company was the best indie production company in the industry. If I wanted an in to get my scripts read by people who could actually help me get them produced, I had to work for the best. Even if Regent Pictures didn’t pick up one of my films, an employee at the company would definitely know someone.
It took months before I was hired to work for Christopher Regent, even as a temp. I almost died when Chris told me I had to be his plus one for the evening. I assumed it was because we were going to be working. Several well-known actors, actresses, and writers were attending, and I knew he had a list of people he wanted to approach.
I refused to go. It shocked him, but he wasn’t surprised. He’d tried to invite me to dinner a few times, and I refused him then as well. He finally told me it was just a party, and I could bring some girlfriends along if I didn’t trust him.
“I don’t trust you,” I flirted, knowing this was the only way Christopher Regent would ever listen to a word I said.
“Why not? I’ve been nothing but a gentleman.” The lechy gleam in his eye said differently.
“Chris, I have a life,” I complained as he followed me out to my cube with the invitations in hand.
“You shouldn’t. You work for me. It’s well known that anyone who works for me doesn’t have a life outside of Regency Pictures. Besides, don’t you have a film you want to get made? Or are you an actress? I forgot.” He seriously was that heartless.
“I’m not going,” I turned around and told him flatly. “It’s Friday night, and I’ve already been at work for eleven hours. You’ve had enough of me for one day.” I stood my ground as I grabbed my coat and prepared to leave the office.
“Truce,” he cooed, blocking my exit. “My offer stands; I’ll let you bring a few girlfriends along. No men, though; this isn’t the kind of party that needs more men. Scantily dressed women are always welcome.” His eyes glazed over with sick carnal desire.
“My friends don’t work for you,” I teased, trying to keep this light or I’d lose my job.
While I mostly hated working for Chris, it did put me in contact with people who read my screenplays, and it was good for my resume. Anyone in the industry knew if you could survive a year under Christopher Regent, you were Hollywood gold.
“Yet…” was all he said as he angled in closer.
“Okay. I’ll go, but only if I can bring my friends and leave with them when we’re ready to go.” I couldn’t believe I was actually negotiating with him.
I bartered with him because I had to make a solid escape plan. I didn’t want to end up in his bed. He was an expert negotiator. Our banter was meant to define for him exactly what he wanted… and I countered with what he’d actually get.
“You’ll go with me and leave with me, or you might not come back to work on Monday.” His lightly veiled threat sent an icy shiver down my spine as his fingers caressed the cool metal frame of my cubicle.
He wasn’t an ugly man; in fact, he was quite handsome for someone in his fifties. It was just his abysmal reputation for having sex with starlets and wannabees that made him repugnant. He also was rumored to use force. He was a demanding man who cared little for others. Combine that with a near predatory sexual pursuit, and you had one vile little man. If enough women dared to stand up to him, he would fall like a deck of cards. But not enough did. So far.
“Really? You’re going to fire me? Just because I won’t have sex with you tonight? That doesn’t work anymore, or haven’t you been paying attention to the “Me Too” movement?” I had to just get it out there since this was what we were really discussing.
“I didn’t say anything about sex. You read too many tabloids. I want you to stay at the party until I leave, then I’ll take you home. I have to make sure we don’t let business slip through our fingers tonight. If you stray, you might blabber to the wrong people and lose us a deal. If the bidding war for Carmine’s Jungle goes up on the down-low tonight, say for example. You talking to someone about it will ruin my chance of getting the script at its rock bottom price.” His smile was smarmy and weak.
I pushed him aside as I made my way out of the cube. “I’m not an idiot. I know not to blabber about deals. Sheesh. It’s a surprise you even know my name; you’re so clueless sometimes.”
He grabbed my arm. “Even still. I’ll take you home.” His smile was genuine, but it sounded like a threat.
“You promise you’ll take me home and that’s it.” I could see there was no way out of it other than to agree and hope to escape him later. “And my friends can come along and rescue me if I need it.”
He laughed heartily. “I hardly think you’ll want or need rescuing tonight my dear. This is business.” Again, he gave me a warm smile, and I believed him as he released my arm and let me pass.
“Fine.” I threw my head back in surrender.
“I’ll pick you up at your apartment…” and before he could say more, I interrupted him.
“I’ll leave when you leave, but since I’m going with my roommates, they’ll take me.” I knew it was a long shot, but I took it.
“Nope,” he said, writing something on the invitation. “How many of them are you inviting?”
“Two.” I looked down at what he was writing.
Please add these two guests to my list… he wrote.
“Names?” He was suddenly very businesslike; short and gruff.
I much preferred this to the murky blurred line between business and pleasure he often liked to cross.
“Charlynn Reeves and Melody Chambers,” I answered.
“Sound like porn stars,” he said, not looking up from the invitation.
“Shut up,” I huffed as I punched him hard on the shoulder.
“Do that again, young lady and I’ll reconsider our terms.” His face smoldered, and his disgusting smirk was back.
“Just be nice. They have lovely names. You just watch too much porn,” I scolded as I crossed my arms over my breasts; a protective reflex.
He laughed. “I don’t have to,” he said as he handed me the invite. “Give this to your roommates, and I’ll pick you up in one hour. Look spectacular. The press will be there.” With that, he turned and walked into his office without saying another word.
Our conversations always left me feeling so scrambled. I hoped I’d held my own and didn’t unwittingly agree to something I’d regret.
I called the girls from the car as I drove home and told them about the party. They were pretty excited to go because it was going to be the A-list party of the year. If they wanted to meet someo
ne famous, tonight was going to be their chance.
I’d known Melody and Charlynn since we were roommates in college. We were all in our late twenties. Melody was a budding musician whose mother named her Melody because she wanted her to be a singer. Sure enough, that’s what Melody ended up being really good at. Charlynn was an architect working for a small firm. She was nuts for sustainable development and using recycled materials. Her designs were pretty cool. They were both the kind of people who would fit right into a high profile Hollywood party: gorgeous, smart, and captivating.
“It says here it’s a costume party. I hope I have something to wear,” Melody said, with a concerned tone in her voice.
“Wait, we have those Cosplay outfits from Comicon we can wear. Sailor Moon is still pretty in; we can make those work,” Charlynn said, jumping off the couch. “This is going to be off the chain!”
I was glad she was excited. I was battling butterflies in my stomach, which had turned into toddler-sized rodents with knives. I seriously thought I was going to throw up.
“You should wear yours too, Reyna,” Melody chirped with enthusiasm.
“I was thinking of the Fallen Angel costume I wore last year. It has a mask, so um… maybe Christopher will lose interest? The cosplay thing is too sexy.” I was hoping the mask would deter his attraction to me.
“Girl, that dark angel dress, though… your body is on fire in that thing,” Charlynn reminded me.
“Yeah, but the mask, the big awkward wings… weapons, you know.” I hoped.
“Go with the sexy dark angel. Your Sailor Moon shows too much of your boobs,” Melody added.
“Girl, that outfit, though… you sure?” Charlynn cautioned.
“I’m sure. I’ll wear a jacket over it.” I smiled at her. I knew what she was talking about. The outfit was a bit revealing in places.
“Like a jacket’s gonna do it, but okay,” she threw out as she walked into her room to get ready.
“What does she mean by that?” I looked at Melody, confused.
“She said your Fallen Angel outfit is hot as fuck. Be careful.” With that, Melody also retreated.
Within the hour, we were all ready to go. The girls were going to take Melody’s car, which was big enough to fit all three of us in case we had to make a fast escape. We’d made a pact—if Chris did anything weird, they’d whisk me away. If he didn’t, and I gave them the thumbs up or texted them I was okay to go; they’d let Chris take me home.
I felt better having them there. I could do this. I knew I could. At least that’s what I told myself when Chris showed up at our door.
“Holy fuck, Reyna. That’s one hell of a costume,” he immediately said as I opened the door.
Dammit, I should have gone with the Sailor Moon or a bedsheet and been a ghost.
“So’s that,” I said, trying to divert the attention away from me.
He was wearing a devil costume. He had on a black tuxedo with a blood-red tie, red patent-leather shoes, and red horns.
“It’s my go-to Halloween costume. Are you ready? Traffic’s a bitch. I need to make some calls on the way.” He was his usual gruff, demanding self.
I much preferred his horrible gruff demeanor to his lecherous one, so I felt uneasy but okay. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” I said, turning back and giving the girls a grimace.
Melody laughed, and Charlynn held up her phone as if to remind me I had a weapon. I nodded, and we were off.
Chapter 3
Sinclair
We arrived at the party, and as expected it was full of some of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. Sage looked a bit overwhelmed, but I was right in my element. The mansion was huge, and people were littered all over the voluminous space. Some were talking in groups; others sequestered in pairs. Most of the women were wearing such revealing costumes they left absolutely nothing to the imagination. The entire place had a sexual vibe to it. There were even people tucked in corners so close to doing it… they might as well have been putting on a show. Plenty of people stood by and watched, lying in wait. It was insane. Sex hung in the air like a heavy, heady musk.
“Let’s get drinks,” I suggested, pushing us through the clamor of bodies to the bar.
These things always had an open bar. We’d be getting a lot of top-shelf booze. I wasn’t a cheapskate by any means. I liked to buy the best and didn’t even mind the price, but I also liked getting something for nothing.
“Yeah, drinks are a must.” My brother definitely looked like he needed some liquid courage.
“Do you see Shelton anywhere?” I asked, leery of my older brother.
“Ugh, let’s hope he’s already found someone,” my younger brother said, rolling his eyes.
We get two Grey Goose martinis and head out into the throng.
“I can’t believe you raided the costume shop for that,” my brother commented with a note of disgust.
“It was our highest-grossing film. I’m a walking billboard,” I joked. Being blatant was the best way to avoid embarrassment, in my opinion.
The costume wasn’t much. It consisted of a pair of black leather pants, a massive set of black feathered wings I was having a hard time negotiating through the crowd, and nothing else. Thank God I hit the gym four days a week. My well-toned body was very much on display. I was grateful for the costume department’s suggestion that the Dark One, Fallen Angel Dante, wear a mask throughout most of the movie.
The real reason we had to write the mask into the film was that Dragon, the film’s star, had a bad bout of forehead acne we couldn’t clear up. So, we added a few lines about his hiding his identity from his father, God, who had thrown him down from heaven on a whim. He wore the mask, and when he was revealed, his father let him back into heaven for being a hero. Who knew a little adult acne would give us a golden plotline. For me, I was grateful because it concealed my face, so I could enjoy being exotic and alluring.
I figured I’d put on a jacket and take off the wings at some point. I wanted to make a grand entrance, though, and I did. My brother was very good looking. In fact, he was the one who looked most like my mom, which meant he had refined, slightly feminine features. His looks gave him a sort of fragility Shelton and I lacked. Sage was wearing a cowboy outfit that, minus the big hat, looked like clothes he would wear on any other day.
Most of the men in the crowd were wearing costumes like Sage’s; unassuming and subdued. I had a moment’s regret wearing such an outrageous outfit, but it garnered attention and recognition. Most knew I was the Dark One, and so when I doffed the costume to reveal I was the producer of the film, the conversation would come easily. This, at least, was my plan. That is, it was my plan until I saw her…
It was only a glimpse, but what I saw viciously gripped my heart. She was also dressed as a fallen angel. In the places where I’d bared my skin, she had on a silky black dress. Its soft material was so buttery it danced over her bra-less nipples and screamed: “sex siren” from across the room. She had medium sized pert breasts, small enough to go without a bra, but of enough size to be a nice full-handed grope. Her raven hair fell loosely down her back, and her body was so bangin’ it would probably make a man cum, just looking at it. God, her curves were everything. Her wings were almost as big as mine, poor thing. I hoped she hadn’t smacked into as many people as I had already. She was with Christopher Regent, dressed appropriately as a devil, but wasn’t draped on his arm; encouraging.
I saw her only for an instant before she was lost back into the throng. A man wearing a nice suit and carrying a tray approached Sage and me as we were making our way into the party from the bar.
“Sinclair and Sage Harris,” the man announced, his face was kind and welcoming. On his tray, he had a few dozen golden keys.
“Yes.” I looked down at the tray of keys. “Oh, we’re good. We took an Uber,” I said to the man apparently collecting car keys; weird they were all single gold ones.
He laughed in a somewhat condescending manner. “No, no. I
’m Gerald Raymond; this is my shindig.”
I was only a little embarrassed. “Right, Gerald, so sorry.” I lifted my mask. “I’ve only spoken to you on the phone.” I reached out my hand to shake his.
My brother, being slightly cooler, didn’t shake his hand. “What’s up brother?” he asked as he leaned in for a solid bro-hug.
“I’m good Sage… waiting for your new album. My wife is an obsessed fan,” Gerald confessed as my brother puffed up a bit with pride.
“I’ll send you guys our new album. I’ve got an mp4 on my computer.” Sage was casual and cool speaking about an album he and his band The Grind, had been working on day and night for nine months.
“She’ll die. Glad you got some drinks. The bar is open all night. Also, you’re welcome to take one of these keys. Try not to lose it, but if you do… well, we have our way of sorting things out. We’ve got the mansion until Sunday morning, so these keys are for rooms. The room number is on the key. Take one if you want to use it. The mansion has thirty bedrooms; it’s practically a hotel, so we have plenty. If you don’t need it, well … you should have brought a girlfriend along. You can crash there if you want, but we’ve completely stocked the rooms for gratifying nights of nocturnal play.” He smiled a lustful smile. “If you don’t find yourself needing a room, just drop the key in the glass dish on your way out. If you stay, cocktails and brunch will be served in the morning. Either in your room or the dining room.”
With that, he handed each of us a key.
“Seriously, Gerald, you throw the biggest ragers!” Sage had a hard time hiding his awe.
“All in good fun.” Gerald’s face was beaming with pride.
“This is awesome. Thanks,” I said as I took the key and put it in the pocket of my leather pants.
FAKE: An Enemies to Lovers Standalone Romance Page 22
