What the Heart Wants ; Sealed with a Kiss

by Donna Hill

  Tyson laughed. He’d obviously hit a nerve. “Yeah, I’m getting dragged through the media mud as we speak.”

  Kendall’s gaze was sympathetic. “I know.”

  “There’s more than you know.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry.” She put her hand on his arm again, and he felt something like an electrical current ripple from his arm straight to his core. Tyson cleared his throat and continued, grateful to have a listening ear. He hadn’t uttered a word about this to anyone since Tiffany’s call.

  “Most people don’t realize that Tiffany and I broke up almost a year ago. We were supposed to wait until after the release of the film to make the announcement. We...or I guess now I should say I didn’t want the media to run with stories about the breakup and water down the promotions we planned around the release. However, Tiffany took it upon herself to let the cat out of the bag because she thought it would increase exposure. And it did, in both good ways and bad.”

  “Oh.” Kendall frowned. “That’s...interesting.” Tyson felt like there was more to her expression and comment.

  “Yes. Like many, she believes no PR is bad PR, but I don’t feel the same. Not a day goes by without people contacting me for my side of the story. I refuse to be pulled down that path, so I’ve been trying to lie low as far as the media is concerned.”

  “Good luck with that.” Kendall playfully rolled her eyes.

  “It was going okay until...” Tyson paused, wondering how much more he should reveal. In his silence, Kendall leaned in. He was sure she hadn’t even realized how her body involuntarily responded to the suspense he’d apparently created. “Tiffany gave an exclusive last week that airs tonight, right after the awards.”

  Kendall looked at her cell phone. “That means it’s on now!” The realization made her eyes stretch wide.

  “Yeah.” Tyson felt the heat of anger rise again. A deep breath helped him suppress it, and one look in Kendall’s concerned eyes doused the sparks of whatever remained. “She allowed the media to insinuate that I’m this scoundrel who feeds on women’s desires to make it in Hollywood for my own pleasure.” Tyson shook his head. “She called me after she’d done the interview, and when I got upset, she asked me what was the big deal and insisted that no PR was bad PR.”

  “Oh, Tyson. That’s horrible.”

  “My family doesn’t know yet. I don’t want the world to think I’m one of the jerks who use, abuse and toss women away. That’s just not who I am, but after what I’ve seen the media do to me because I wouldn’t add to their crazy discourse about our breakup, I can only imagine what could happen after this interview airs. I’m just bracing myself for the questions, accusations and anything else that the media and the industry will throw at me.”

  Kendall sat back and sighed. “I’m so sorry, Tyson. I truly wish there was something I could do.”

  Tyson took in her thoughtful gaze. He noticed her caring brown eyes, slender face framed by high cheekbones, beautiful bright red lips and the soft sensual lines of her shoulders exposed by her strapless gown. Kendall was gorgeous and didn’t ever appear to be absorbed by her own beauty.

  Despite being an entertainer, Kendall seemed sincere and authentic. Something about her was different. He remembered her tears onstage as she received her award. Her excitement wasn’t an act, and her genuine nature seemed to compel her in everything she did.

  They continued to sit in silence for a few moments.

  “Hey! What did you have planned after this reception?” she asked suddenly.

  “Nothing really. I knew that interview would be airing, and I thought I might catch a bit of it, but I’m really not up to it.”

  “Deal with that later.” Kendall slid off her stool. “Let’s go have some fun.” She grabbed his hand.

  What did Tyson have to lose? He’d already toasted with the staff about his promotion. At this point of the reception, many had already started to go off to other parties or head home, including his parents and siblings. Hopefully his dad hadn’t been watching a lot of TV and had missed the previews for Tiffany’s interview tonight. Tyson hadn’t turned on his television since he’d spoken with Tiffany, just to avoid the teasers.

  Hanging with Kendall was much more enticing than going home and pondering the possible backlash of the exclusive.

  “Let’s go!” Tyson agreed and followed Kendall’s lead.

  Chapter 13

  Kendall probably shouldn’t have invited Tyson to hang out with her, but she couldn’t leave him to stew in his feelings. She knew what it felt like to be dragged around by the media. Tiffany and her actions reminded her a lot of Storm and his careless disregard for how the things he did impacted others. Maybe she should arrange for an introduction between the two of them. They seemed to have a lot in common. It crossed her mind that Tyson could have been making his role in this ordeal seem light, but something in her believed otherwise. Tyson was telling the truth. She felt it.

  They found Jade, Nixon and Randi sitting on white sofas sectioned off by lush, white curtains.

  “You guys want to go over to Time Record’s after-party? I heard it’s one of the best in the industry. We have VIP tickets.” Randi waved the tickets back and forth.

  Kendall looked at Tyson. He shrugged. “Jade, Nixon. Are you up for it?”

  Jade looked at Nixon, who shrugged just like Tyson had moments before. “Let’s go,” he said.

  Tyson called for a car, and within fifteen minutes they were walking into a trendy nightclub and lounge owned by an A-list entertainer. Since its grand opening a year before, the unassuming warehouse had become the hottest go-to for exclusive events. To regular people, it was a legend, but to Hollywood insiders, it was a welcome respite from the public’s demand for selfies and autographs. In fact, cell phones had to be stored upon entering, and photos and videos were strictly prohibited.

  They just happened to step in while Kendall’s newest hit was playing. Kendall threw her head back and laughed. Hearing her music being played for everyone to listen to took her right back to her tiny little room where she’d grown up in Chicago and stood before her mirror singing into a hairbrush. Her life, despite her recent media debacle, was purely a dream come true. Up until the moment she passed, Kendall’s mother, Grace, had indulged her dreams, buying anything that would encourage her. Until her parents had bought her that karaoke machine when she was eleven, she and her mother would play music, dance and sing at the top of their lungs into anything with a handle—hairbrushes, utensils, whatever. The living room had been her stage.

  Kendall looked over at Jade, who flashed a proud smile and winked. She turned to Tyson, who was bobbing his head to the beat.

  “You dance?” Kendall leaned toward Tyson and yelled over the music.

  “Pft! Do I dance?” Tyson waved her off.

  Kendall twisted her lips and then smiled. “Are you telling me you’ve got skills?”

  “I’ve got more than skills.” Tyson did a two-step, stopped abruptly as if he didn’t want to give his audience too much and brushed his shoulder off before winking.

  Kendall gave him a raised-brow glance before laughter spilled from her amused lips. “Then show me what you’re working with.”

  Tyson took her by the hand. “Let me know if you need me to slow down for you.”

  Kendall shook her head. Surely Tyson didn’t think she was incapable of keeping up. He was present for her performance earlier at the awards. Those dance classes that Grace kept her in weren’t for naught. Kendall was no amateur, and her skill could only be matched by a few contemporary artists. Outside of work, Kendall simply enjoyed dancing. It was fun and often made her feel free.

  Tyson led her to the dance floor in time to catch the second half of her song. He sang the lyrics as he twirled her around on her toes and pulled her in to his torso. When her back connected with his chest, she felt a light surge shoot through her. K
endall swallowed. It’s all in good fun.

  Tyson wasn’t joking when he said he had moves. He was a great dancer and moved easily, as if he had elastic in his bones. His steps were smooth, rhythmic, masculine and incredibly sexy. Kendall didn’t even believe he was trying to be sexy. Somehow it simply exuded from him.

  They danced nonstop through the next four songs. Nixon and Jade were right by them. Randi had secured herself a partner and worked her way to the other side of the floor. The DJ spun a popular song that got the entire crowd worked up. Tyson and Kendall joined in with others as they pumped fists in the air and sang aloud. Sweat trickled down the center of Kendall’s back. Heat emanated from the crowded dance floor and enveloped them. Kendall kept dancing, not wanting to ever stop.

  Tyson took her hand in his and spun her around. His sensual two-step enticed her. Kendall continued moving to the beat but closed her eyes. She had to. Getting pulled into Tyson’s gaze felt carnal and dangerous, made her body temperature rise even higher. She could lose control of herself in his eyes alone. She couldn’t glare upon the raw sexiness in those brown orbs without feeling like she could be taken over by some naughty version of herself.

  Tyson looked happier than he had earlier, but besides the sexiness, she could still see the heaviness of the issue he’d been facing. The music changed again and the DJ began playing popular clips of songs from the sixties through the new millennium. He allowed just enough of the record to play to elicit excitement from the crowd before switching to another popular sound, creating a joyous uproar.

  Tyson, Kendall, Nixon and Jade launched into dance moves matching each song and era, bending with laughter after many of their routines. They kept going until Kendall’s hair became slick and stuck to the sides of her face.

  “I need water!” she shouted over the music and grabbed Jade. “Let’s go get some water.”

  Tyson took her by the hand, led them all through the crowd to the bar. As they waited for their drinks, a gentleman in a black suit and white shirt with several undone buttons leaned in to say something in Tyson’s ear. Tyson turned to Kendall, gesturing for her to follow him. Together, Tyson and Kendall followed the guy with the stringy blond locks. He led them to a VIP area with bright-colored couches against a wall that was backlit with muted colored lights. Moments later, waiters showed up with their drink orders. Randi was still somewhere in the sea of dancing people, but Kendall had ordered a water for her and placed it on the cocktail table in front of them.

  “Whew!” Kendall fanned herself. “That was so much fun.”

  “Wasn’t it?” Jade said. “I know one thing...my feet are getting pretty angry with me. I’m ready to come out of these shoes. I haven’t danced that much since Chloe’s wedding!”

  Kendall tilted her head and smiled at Tyson. “How are you feeling, dude?”

  “Pretty good.”

  Kendall couldn’t help but feel a little proud for being responsible for the change in his mood. They locked eyes for several moments before Kendall looked away. His gaze could cast spells. Instead of focusing on his magnetism, she texted Randi and told her where they were. They hung out for a while longer, chatting, laughing, singing to popular songs and sipping an endless flow of cocktails.

  Kendall pulled herself from the chatter to take in the moment. Three short years before, she’d been in Chicago still helping to run the family’s financial services business, spending her nights and evenings as an underground artist trying to be discovered. Now she sat at a party filled with celebrities, many of whom were household names. She sat as one of them, as part of their tribe, as the winner of a BTV award after her first performance at a major awards show, and as a singer in an incredible tribute to one of the world’s most renowned veteran entertainers. Kendall closed her eyes and breathed in long and deep. Slowly she released that breath through slightly parted, smiling lips.

  Slander, betrayals and failed relationships hadn’t taken her down. She was here now, proud of all the hard work and sacrifice she’d put in and ready to work harder to get to the next level. Hollywood was her next conquest, and she was ready to take that world on. That’s why she’d moved to Los Angeles. She could be a singer from Chicago. But to become a true movie star, she had to travel to the movie mecca.

  She opened her eyes and found Tyson staring at her. Then the most interesting thought entered her mind: What would it be like to navigate this new world with a man like Tyson at her side?

  Chapter 14

  Tyson could feel the heat from his father’s rage through the phone. “Your mother was so upset. She sat there in total disbelief at the lies that came from that girl’s mouth. She couldn’t tear herself away from the TV. And you knew nothing about this?”

  Tyson patted the moisture from his body with a towel and tossed it across the marble vanity. White, plush carpet absorbed his steps with a light thud. Sunlight bathed the room through a tall wall of windows overlooking at least an acre of lush greenery beyond Tyson’s deck and infinity pool. Tyson stood in front of the window, enjoying the warmth of the sun’s rays on his exposed skin. In his usual fashion, he allowed the rest of the moisture covering his body to be licked dry by the air.

  “Not before she did the interview, Dad. I only found out a few days ago.”

  “This is not a good look.” Benjamin huffed, sounding exasperated. “Have you spoken to her since then?” Tyson could imagine him pacing back and forth, shaking his head.

  “No, sir.” The last thing Tyson wanted to hear was Tiffany’s excuses.

  “Maybe I should give her a call.”

  “No. Don’t waste your time, Dad.” Tyson didn’t want to subject his father to Tiffany’s malicious manner.

  “I don’t understand. Did you do something really bad to her, son?”

  “Dad!”

  “I’m sorry. Why does she do these things? I just don’t get it.”

  “What we need to worry about is how you want to respond to the media, if at all.”

  “Geesh!” Benjamin breathed. Tyson imagined him palming his forehead before parking one hand on his hip, his go-to gesture when he was frustrated beyond words. “Let’s see how this goes before we make any statements. I don’t like the way she put you out there as if you’re preying on young actresses, dangling opportunities in front of them in exchange for...who knows what!” Tyson knew his father would avoid saying anything that implied sex. “Maybe it will blow over. And in the end, if we need to take legal action, we will. I built this company with my own hands and I won’t stand for anyone trying to tear down the reputation we’ve built here. Right now, let’s see which way the tides roll. I’ve seen this before, and sometimes it’s better not to give the scandal any energy. But I’ll tell you one thing. She’ll never work on another BCG production as long as I’m alive. Trust is important, and she’s broken our trust for the last time. That girl has got to understand that she isn’t in this world alone.”

  Tyson nodded as if his father could see him agreeing with his words. Tiffany didn’t realize she was leaving a trail of friends behind who could have been in her corner for life.

  “You let me know if you hear anything else, okay?” His father continued. “And don’t talk to those paparazzi people.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that, Pop. I’ll call if something else comes up.”

  “Right away, son. I want to know immediately. No more keeping anything from us, worrying about how we’re going to deal with it. We’re in this together.”

  “Yes, sir.” Tyson would communicate as much as he could, but lately, he hadn’t been in control of what had hit the media at all. Getting in front of the story seemed impossible these days.

  Tyson had gotten so used to paparazzi that he blazed trails through their intrusive microphones, cameras and questions as if they were a gang of gnats. Since this started, their presence had multiplied. They were everywhere, at his home, outside
of his office, at his favorite eateries. It was like someone had posted his schedule on the paparazzi hotline. One even attempted to climb his iron gates but was swiftly apprehended by security. That one faced trespassing charges. Tyson didn’t want to ruin him, just teach him a lesson. Despite never being afraid of the spotlight, Tyson chose to move about more stealthily, sticking to his exclusive circles. That wasn’t his preferred choice, but it was what he needed to do at this time.

  Speaking of exclusive, he thought about how much he enjoyed Kendall and her friends’ company the night before at the awards festivities and after parties. He was glad he hadn’t refused Kendall’s offer to hang out. Most of his family had already dispersed, and he had planned on torturing himself by going home to watch Tiffany’s live interview with a great bottle of red wine or a good Scotch at his side. He was curious as to how much she’d actually said. Now it really didn’t matter. The media was on it. Articles and video clips had already made their way through the viral stratosphere, being shared and viewed faster than trolls could muddy the feed with their unscrupulous comments.

  As angry as the whole ordeal made him, he didn’t stay mad at Tiffany. He’d learned that this way of hers was all she knew. Despite the lifestyle she’d been able to acquire, her childhood had set her up that way, forcing her to fight for everything she could get her hands on, right down to the few pieces of bread her foster mom placed before her and her slew of foster siblings. She’d been fighting for position and attention ever since. The impact on others was never something she paid attention to. Survival didn’t allow that luxury.

  Tyson slipped into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Kendall and the stunning red grown she’d so elegantly worn during the tribute flashed across his mind. The funky thigh-high leather boots, sequin shorts and bustier from her performance flashed through his brain as well, followed by the sexy dress she arrived on the red carpet in. He picked up his phone to call her, to thank her for getting him out of his funk last night. Except Tyson personally didn’t have her number. His assistant had only communicated directly with Randi. He’d never asked for it.