What the Heart Wants ; Sealed with a Kiss

by Donna Hill

  Tyson moved out of the shadows and walked over to where they stood discussing the scene with the director.

  “Tyson! My man. How’s it going? I didn’t expect to see you down here,” the director said, pulling him into a masculine embrace.

  “I just stopped by to see how everything was going. Looking good.” He spoke to the director, but his eyes were on Kendall.

  “Tyson.” She nodded, released a small smile. He nodded back.

  In his periphery, he could see Storm look back and forth between him and Kendall.

  “Tyson Blackwell,” Storm interrupted, holding out his hand. Tyson shook it, even though something in him didn’t want to. “We’ve never actually met. I’m Storm Sanders.”

  “Good to meet you, Storm.” Tyson’s tone was neutral. Storm’s grip on his hand was tighter than necessary. Was he claiming territory? Even though Storm addressed Tyson, his eyes ping-ponged between Tyson and Kendall.

  “Great meeting you too.” Storm turned back toward the director and then Kendall.

  “Like I said, I just stopped in to see how things were going and to say hello.” He smiled at Kendall. She smiled back, but there was something unreadable in her expression. “I’d better get back.” Tyson looked at his watch. His conference call was due to start soon. “Looks like this is going to be a real blockbuster.” He nodded politely toward Kendall and said his goodbyes to the others. “Have a great day, everyone.” He gave a general wave, and as he turned away, he could feel Storm’s gaze boring into his back.

  “Tyson!” He turned to find Kendall walking toward him. “Can I have a word with you?”

  “Sure. I have a call I need to jump on in a bit, but I’m happy to talk until then. I’m sorry I don’t have more time.”

  “That’s fine.” Kendall glanced back before heading toward the exit.

  Tyson looked back as Kendall did and found Storm’s eyes still on them, only now his focus was more intense.

  Outside, they kept walking until they were a few feet from the entrance of the studio.

  Kendall’s expression turned serious. “Why didn’t you tell me they had cast Storm in this film?”

  Tyson held up his hands. “I knew the producers made changes when I left the project, but I didn’t know that was one of them.”

  “Well, is there anything you can do? I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to work together.”

  Tyson sighed. “That...” He paused. “That’s not normally how we do business in Hollywood, and my interference at this point would be frowned upon.”

  “But you’re the CEO of the entire company.” Kendall’s arms flailed. Her voice elevated a few pitches.

  Tyson shook his head. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. BCG is not the only company investing in this project. There are boundaries that we have to respect.”

  Kendall crossed her arms, closed her eyes for a moment and huffed out a breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that.”

  Kendall’s frustration was clear to Tyson. For his own benefit, he was happy to see that. It confirmed that she was no happier to see Storm on the set than he was. He understood. Had Tiffany showed up somewhere he hadn’t expected, that would have bothered him too.

  “Listen.” Tyson touched her arm. He opened his mouth to speak and saw movement from the corner of his eye. He turned slightly to find Storm standing in the entryway, not being at all discreet about watching them. “I’ll talk with a few people and see what I can do, but I can’t make any promises. It sucks, I know.”

  “Thanks!”

  “See you Saturday?”

  “Yes.” Kendall gave him a weak smile.

  Tyson wanted to kiss her right there in front of Storm, take her frustration away, but that would be out of line. They were only friends, and he wouldn’t allow his ego to reduce him to inappropriate behavior. He had nothing to prove to anyone, especially not Storm. He wanted Kendall and would be able to legitimately claim her as his lady soon enough. Tyson wasn’t about to engage in a match of flaring egos. He was too far above that and refused to cheapen their friendship with that kind of behavior.

  Despite the slight pangs of jealousy that crept up when he saw Storm on set, Tyson wasn’t concerned about losing Kendall to any man—except himself.

  Chapter 19

  “Tyson, this sounds like much more than an appreciative dinner.” Kendall wondered what he was up to.

  “Oh, you’ll appreciate this. I’ll admit, it’s not average, but then again, I’m not an average kind of friend. Are you dressed comfortably like I asked?”

  Kendall looked down at her stylish ripped jeans and glittering sandals. Her fitted T-shirt had the word Dope scribbled in silver across her breast with a tilted crown. Any more comfort, and she’d be in sneakers or barefoot. “I guess.” She shrugged even though they were on the telephone. This wasn’t what Kendall had envisioned when Tyson offered to take her out. Even with their stance about being “friends,” she’d at least anticipated a romantic dinner or something close to that. She’d had the perfect dress in mind. Tyson’s request for her to wear something comfortable—he had also specifically told her not to wear heels—doused any speculations she’d had about what their first time out as friends would be like.

  “And this early hour? It’s seven o’clock in the morning. This is just ungodly for a Saturday.” Laughter bubbled from her before she could finish her sentence.

  “Ha!” Tyson said. “I’m not saying any more. This is supposed to be a surprise, remember?”

  “I thought I told you I don’t like surprises.” She was sure the smile in her voice was evident.

  “I’m still not telling. The car should be there to pick you up in fifteen minutes.”

  “So, there’s nothing I can do to get you to talk?”

  “Nothing. Don’t forget to bring a sweater just in case you get cool.”

  Now Kendall was really confused. California was experiencing a heat wave. Kendall assumed it would be her protection against the frigid temperatures inside some of the area’s restaurants that kept their air conditioners on full blast.

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Okay,” she said with a moan, and then pouted.

  Kendall went to her closet and grabbed a light sweater, folded and tucked it inside her tote. She ran her fingers through her hair, which was flat-ironed bone straight and cascaded down the sides of her face from a center part. A single coat of red lipstick popped against her fair complexion. Eyeliner and a little mascara were her only cosmetics. Kendall never felt the need to pile on a full face of makeup on a daily basis. She had enough of that during interviews and shows.

  Kendall checked her appearance in her bedroom mirror, and then checked it again. Excitement surged through her. Kendall knew this concept of friendship was a farce. Tyson was into her and she was into him. Her face had lit up when she saw him on set the other day. It wasn’t until he showed up that she realized how much she’d longed to see him again. Still, it was important for her to make it in Hollywood on her own merit, so she’d have to contain herself. And if anything were to really come of it, she’d demand they keep their interactions discreet. At the very least, she was willing to have some fun with Tyson whether something more blossomed from their friendship or not. She could tell by the way he had been handling his breakup with Tiffany that he wasn’t the kind to kiss and tell.

  Kiss. Kendall tilted her head and narrowed her eyes pensively. Would Tyson kiss her today? Was he a good kisser? A great kisser? She imagined his lush lips covering hers and the feel of being wrapped in his strong arms and she shuddered. “Stop it! We’re going out as friends,” she admonished herself and giggled.

  Kendall’s curiosities continued to venture off into wonderland. How was Tyson as a boyfriend? Was he considerate and kind? Did he spoil his women? She assumed yes, because she couldn’t imagine a
woman more spoiled than Tiffany. And from what she had seen of her in interviews, Tiffany seemed a bit of a brat. Kendall hated the fact that she had negative thoughts about Tyson’s ex. She wasn’t the kind to trash-talk other women. She let thoughts of Tiffany flutter away and shift back to Tyson—Kendall liked the qualities she’d seen in him so far. He was a gentleman; he seemed grateful and professional but knew how to turn on the fun and seemed to value his privacy, which was extremely important to her. And despite his incredibly good looks and the fact that he hailed from a famous and wealthy family, he didn’t seem the least bit arrogant.

  Just as she walked to the refrigerator to retrieve a bottle of water, her cell phone released a muffled rumble. Since she spent so much time in the recording studio and now filming the new movie, Kendall had come into the habit of keeping her phone on vibrate.

  “Hello.”

  “Your car is waiting outside.” The deep sound of Tyson’s voice sent an electrical current up her spine.

  Geesh, that man’s voice is sexy. Kendall was recalling all the things she had to pretend not to notice: the succulent lips, pearly white teeth, muscular chest perfectly straining against his stylish shirts, his commanding height, strong hands and athletic build. “Whew.” Kendall shuddered as if she’d caught a chill. Tyson Blackwell was a masterpiece.

  “Coming down now.”

  Kendall grabbed her tote and headed out of her condo, past the paparazzi stationed outside of her complex ready to snap pictures of her and the few other celebrities who lived there. Now that the frenzy around her failed relationship with Storm had died down, there weren’t as many photographers camped out front as there used to be. She had Tyson to thank for that. As much as she loved her condo, she found herself wondering how much longer she’d keep it. Her other home was her respite, but it was a bit far for handling business in LA on a regular basis. The more private areas of LA came with a much higher price tag. She was doing very well and hadn’t come from humble means as a Chandler, but she was very smart with her money. Besides, she’d already splurged on her home in Temecula, and when she wasn’t working, she preferred to stay there.

  Kendall quickly closed the space from the gate outside of her complex to the car waiting for her at the curb. Inside she expected to see Tyson, but he wasn’t there. She dialed his number.

  “Hey. Where are you?”

  “You’re in the car?”

  “Yes.”

  “Great. Then I’ll see you soon.”

  Kendall pressed her lips into a smile. “Okay, Mr. Secretive.”

  “Yep. Bye for now.” Tyson ended the call.

  “Wha—” Kendall looked at the phone as if the device had offended her. “This guy.” She shook her head and laughed. She used her time in the car to scroll through her social media profiles. She wasn’t one to post much, but she liked seeing what other celebrities put out in the world. Some of her fellow entertainers posted constantly. If someone were looking for them, they’d know exactly where to find them.

  Within twenty minutes they’d arrived at LAX Airport. Kendall was greeted by an escort who led her through the remote entrances reserved for private air travel. What was she doing at the airport? Where was Tyson taking her? Several nearly empty corridors later, they came to a desk where security personnel asked for her ID. A few people sat around scrolling through their phones and sipping wine, coffee or tea in a small glassed-in waiting area. It looked less like a public airport and more like the lobby of a contemporary boutique hotel.

  Kendall knew what was to be expected. This wasn’t her first time flying privately, even though she or her family had never owned a plane. After clearing security, an attendant escorted her through the Jetway onto an airplane with BW Force One elegantly scripted over the door. The pilot and attendant offered a warm greeting and indicated with grand arm sweeps for her to walk down the aisle. The interior was outfitted with several large white-leather seats that were able to recline and black, plush carpet. The attendant led her beyond white curtains to another area with leather benches along the walls and bistro tables positioned equally apart in front of them. At the end of the benches stood a polished wood bar and another attendant with a warm, welcoming smile.

  Tyson, in all his masculine glory, leaned his elbow on the bar as he chatted with the bartender. He looked up at her, and she swore she saw a gleam in his eye.

  “There she is!” Tyson met her as she walked, gently grabbing her arm and planting a friendly peck on her cheek.

  “Hello, Tyson. We must be having dinner in Athens somewhere because I’ve never had to leave this early to get to a reservation on time.”

  “Ha!” Tyson tossed his head back and released a sharp bark of laughter. “I’ll reveal this much to you—we’re doing a little more than having dinner.”

  “Finally!” Kendall grunted. “Some details.”

  Tyson laughed again. “Make yourself comfortable. Can I get you a drink?”

  “It’s not even nine o’clock in the morning,” she chided.

  “Okay, then. Orange juice?”

  Kendall scrunched her nose. “How about a mimosa?” This time the attendant joined in on their laughter.

  The voice of the pilot filtered through the speakers, announcing that they were preparing for takeoff. Tyson sat next to her on the thickly cushioned bench, strapped himself in and leaned over to help Kendall buckle her seatbelt.

  “How long is the flight?”

  Instead of answering, Tyson pressed his lips together, pretended to turn a key and then tossed the imaginary key away.

  Kendall jokingly rolled her eyes. “Okay, okay. No details. I’ll just stop asking questions.”

  “Now we’re talking,” Tyson said. “Or not,” he added.

  Kendall swatted him playfully.

  “Just relax, my friend. That’s what today is all about.”

  Kendall rolled her eyes at Tyson again, but couldn’t keep herself from smiling.

  Chapter 20

  Tyson loved seeing Kendall’s smile and thought about what he had in store for the day. There would be more smiles to come. He knew Kendall was used to luxury and he wanted to impress her. She had plenty of material things, and he was sure she had eaten at some of the finest restaurants around the world. Tyson wanted to give Kendall something more meaningful, something that showed he was more than his last name or just another rich bachelor. In his bones, he felt that Kendall would appreciate things that required thought and offered a little more substance than an expensive dinner. He wanted to give her an experience that would give her a much-needed reprieve from the busy life she lived.

  Filming could be exhausting for actors. They often started working early in the morning before the sun made its appearance and usually didn’t leave the set until well into the night. This could go on for five to seven days a week and several weeks at a time. Acting required stamina. Tyson also knew that the crew would soon be on the road to do some shoots on location. He’d miss her then. Stopping by the set on a production that he’d invested in already generated questions but showing up on set in a whole different country would cause curiosities to pique. He was trying his best to minimize attention on himself, and he didn’t think Kendall would be into that either.

  Tyson found her easy to talk to and appreciated her sense of humor. As they flew to his surprise destination, he listened intently as she expressed her frustration about having to work with Storm on the movie. Kendall didn’t want Storm getting any ideas, especially with all the love scenes they had to shoot. Tyson didn’t want to hear any more about Storm but let her vent anyway.

  Tyson had done his research to see how Storm ended up being in the movie. The new producers thought it would create great media buzz. They wanted to keep it quiet until it was time to begin promoting the release in theaters. He hadn’t liked the sound of that, knowing firsthand what it felt like to be used as a promotional
pawn. Kendall wouldn’t like it either.

  As an executive producer and head of one of the companies making a major investment in the film, he wanted to pull rank and tell them to find another costar. But he’d decided against it after a conversation with his father. Benjamin warned that interfering would not only be heavily frowned upon but would raise questions. Tyson couldn’t say he wanted Storm off the project because he was falling for Kendall. That would really make it appear as if Kendall had gotten the part because he was interested in her, which could sabotage her desire to be respected for making it on her own. Besides, with Tiffany allowing lies to fester, painting him as a womanizing opportunist, this could make both him and Kendall look bad—and neither of them were interested in any more negative press. He wanted to come to her rescue, but professionally his hands were tied.

  The entire ordeal made Tyson even happier about what he had in store for Kendall. Their day would be spent far away from paparazzi, media, bloggers and all things Hollywood. As much as he loved his work and the industry, that lifestyle could be extremely taxing.

  Halfway into their flight, they’d recapped the awards show and talked about the movie, other BCG projects, Kendall’s upcoming album and what was on the horizon professionally for both of them. Now Tyson was ready to shift the conversation. He wanted to know more about Kendall.

  “You stopped asking questions about our plans today,” he commented.

  “You’re not going to give me any answers. How about a hint?” She smiled. Something swirled in his chest. He cleared his throat.

  “Nope. And I think you lied when you said you didn’t like surprises.”

  “Whatever!” She swatted his arm. “Truth is, I love surprises. People put a lot of thought into them. I think that makes them special.”

  “So, you think I’m special?” Tyson fished for the compliment.

  Kendall pressed her lips together, holding in her smile. “I said surprises are special.”