Kiss Me There

by E. L. Todd

  Kiss Me There

  Book Fifty of the Forever and Ever Series

  E. L. Todd

  Chapter One

  Slade

  “This is what we’re thinking.” Johnny, the director, showed me the sketches he made. “We’ll show different scenes of you in the bed with Olivia, and then we’ll cut to you singing on the rooftop.”

  I was about to sip my coffee when I heard what he said. “Who’s Olivia?”

  “She’s a British model.” He slid a picture toward me. “We’ll have some tasteful sex scenes. You’ll be shirtless and she’ll be naked, but the sheets and camera angles will cover you both.”

  I eyed the picture and saw a thin brunette. She had bright green eyes and full lips. She had an exotic look to her, like she could be from Brazil. I’d never seen her before in my life. “Uh…”

  “With the right lightning it’ll look sexy and tasteful.”

  “So, we’re pretty much going to be naked together?” The thought gave me anxiety.

  “Yeah. But it’ll be a closed set.”

  What difference did that make? “I’m not doing this.” I tossed the sketches on the table. When I saw the irritated look on his face, I realized I needed to be more diplomatic—as my father told me. “I appreciate everything you’ve done and I admire your vision, but I’m not doing it.”

  “Doing what, exactly?”

  “I’m not rolling around with some chick in a bed—even if it’s just acting.”

  “Sex sells, Slade. And that’s what your song is about.”

  “My song is about making love to my wife—not some random chick.”

  He tried to hide the irritation on his face but struggled. “I can make it tamer.”

  “I don’t want it to be tamer.” Trinity would understand the requirements of this new gig. She probably wouldn’t even say anything. But I felt sick just thinking about it. “I don’t want to have some girl on screen with me. It makes me uncomfortable.”

  He leaned back in his chair as he sighed. “Slade, this is how things work. You’re going to have to trust your team to make the right decisions for you.”

  “Why don’t we have Trinity be in the video?”

  “Isn’t she seven months pregnant?” he argued.

  “Yeah. So?” What did that matter?

  “No one wants to see a pregnant woman. That’s not sexy.”

  I released a sarcastic laugh. “I disagree.”

  He clenched his hands together, trying not to lose his temper “Slade, this is how it has to be. I’ll go to Don Murray if I have to.”

  “Like I care.” I didn’t want to be one of those celebrities that were difficult to work with. And I certainly didn’t want people to think I was demanding and expected ludicrous things. But I couldn’t get on board with this. “I’m not doing it. I’m sorry.”

  He held my gaze, the anger starting to simmer.

  “Don’t you think it would be better publicity if Trinity was in the video? Come on, people would eat that up. My very own wife, who’s pregnant, being on screen with me? I think that would make people like me even more.”

  “Sex sells, Slade. Not happy marriages.”

  “Well, I’m not about sex. I was years ago but I’m not anymore. I don’t feel comfortable getting naked with some woman I don’t even know. I’m not trying to make your life more difficult but that’s how it has to be. You can either replace Olivia with Trinity or you can remove Olivia entirely. Those are the two options I’m giving you.”

  He clenched his jaw in irritation, clearly wanting to tell me to go to hell.

  I held his gaze and didn’t back down.

  He abruptly pushed the chair back and stormed out of the room, slamming the door as he went. He left all of his stuff on the table so I suspected he would be back. “I’ll speak to Don about this.”

  “Fine by me.” I watched the door close before I leaned back in my seat. I didn’t feel guilty for what I just did. If Don pulled my contract it wouldn’t affect me. I wanted his job more than anything, but I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my integrity and my marriage to make it happen. If I lost this gig I would be devastated. But if I lost Trinity I wouldn’t be able to go on.

  My phone rang and I hoped it was Trinity. Talking to her would lift my mood. I glanced at the screen and saw Cayson’s name, so I quickly answered. “Yo. Make me laugh.”

  “Uh…War Chief farted on Sean today.”

  I chuckled. “Actually, that is pretty funny.”

  “I guess he doesn’t like his grandpa much.”

  “Or maybe Skye made him some questionable dinner,” I teased.

  “Nah. My wife cooks pretty well. So, why do you need me to make you laugh?”

  I sighed into the phone. “I’m at the office right now and the label wants me to make a music video.”

  “And that’s bad because…?”

  “They want me to do all these sex scenes with some model. She’ll pretty much be naked.”

  “Oh…”

  “I just can’t do it. I can’t pretend to be excited for this woman I don’t even know. I’m married…it’s just weird.”

  “I can imagine. What are you going to do?”

  “I told them no.” I was playing with fire and I knew it. But that didn’t stop me.

  “You said no?” Cayson asked in surprise. “You can do that?”

  “I told them I want Trinity in the video instead.”

  “What did they say?”

  “Nothing yet. The director stormed off to tattle on me to Don.”

  “Sounds like kindergarten,” Cayson said with a laugh.

  “Pretty close,” I said. “So, why are you calling?”

  “Got off work early and wanted to get food. You down?”

  “If you can wait half an hour.” I might not be able to get away even then.

  “Yeah. I’ll hit the gym first. Let’s make it an hour.”

  That was even better. “Sounds like a plan, my man.”

  “Mega Shake? The sports bar?”

  “I need alcohol.” A lot of it. “Let’s meet at the sports bar.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “It’s a date.” I was so used to saying that sort of thing to Trinity that I let it slip out now. “I mean…”

  “I really hope it’s not a date.”

  Instead of laughing it off I became offended. “What? I’m not good enough for you? You wouldn’t want a man with ink?”

  “I wouldn’t want any man.”

  “Whatever,” I said. “If I put the moves on you, you’d cave.”

  “I’m hanging up now.”

  “I’ll give you a kiss when I see you.”

  Click.

  ***

  Don walked into the office a moment later, that calm irritation in his eyes. He wore a black suit with a gray tie—his usual attire. He dropped into the chair and fixed his tie. “I just spoke with Johnny…”

  “Sorry about that.”

  “Actually, I got yelled at for fifteen minutes.”

  “Maybe you should fire him.”

  “Maybe I should fire you.”

  I suspected this might happen, but I kept my cool. I knew where my priorities lay, and I wasn’t going to become a sex symbol when I had a little girl on the way. “I don’t mean to be difficult—honestly.”

  “It’s just a music video, Slade. It doesn’t mean anything.”

  “It means something to me. If you want the video to be that sexual, then there can’t be any other woman besides Trinity. But if you change the content of the video, then she doesn’t need to come in at all.”

  “You know the lyrics to yours song. Everyone knows what it’s about.”

  “So?” I asked. “It’s about my wife. Wouldn’t it make sense to have her i
n it?”

  “Not when she’s that pregnant.”

  “You’ve seen her. She’s gorgeous. She could be a model if she wanted to be—we both know that.”

  “Even so, there’s no angle or clothing option we can give her to hide her stomach.”

  “Why hide it at all?” I demanded. “Why do we have to have an anorexic model with perfect features play a love interest? Why don’t we show the world that women can be beautiful even when they’re seven months pregnant? If you ask me, I think that makes me look a lot better than some sex addict playboy.”

  “But women like sex addict playboys.”

  “Then let’s give them something else to like.” I wasn’t going to budge on this. Sean made his name by being a family man. His reputation was founded on that idea. Why couldn’t I do the same thing?

  Don still had the same look of irritation on his face. “Slade—”

  `“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, truly. But I’m not going to budge on this. I’m willing to step away from my contract and my chance at fame for this. I believe in it that deeply.” I wasn’t playing a game or bluffing. Those words came directly from my heart.

  He rubbed his temple then pinched the bridge of his nose. “Fine.”

  “Fine what?”

  “We’ll give it a shot.”

  “You’ll have Trinity be in the video?”

  “Yes.”

  My lips automatically lifted in a smile. “I really think this is a good idea.”

  “Yeah? Well, that makes one of us.”

  ***

  “Are you serious right now?” Cayson was in his gym clothes, a gray t-shirt that showed his muscular arms. The tattoo I gave him was right on his shoulder. In black letters was the name War Chief. “Trinity is going to be in the music video?”

  “Yep.” I was actually excited about it. I didn’t have to pretend to be in love with some random girl. I could just be myself—because it was with the woman I was actually in love with.

  “And they just let you do that?” He didn’t hide his incredulity.

  “I told them I was willing to walk away if I didn’t get what I wanted.”

  “They must really believe in you.” He finished half his beer, a dark IPA. “They seem to let you get away with a lot.”

  “I guess.” They either thought I was extremely talented or I would sell a lot of records.

  “Trinity must be excited.”

  “Haven’t told her yet.”

  “Well, she will be. I think Skye would love an opportunity like that.”

  “I’m not sure how Trinity will feel about it, but I think she’ll be happy knowing she’s the woman I’m fooling around with instead of some supermodel.”

  “Any other guy would have killed for that.”

  “I’m already married to a supermodel so why do I care?”

  He winked. “Smart thing to say.”

  “What’s new with you?”

  “My life is pretty boring compared to yours.”

  “Well, everyone’s is,” I said with a shrug. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not interested.”

  He rolled his eyes. “You’re a dick but I’ll still be your friend.”

  “Hey. We’re on a date.”

  He cringed. “Hell no.”

  “Don’t act like you aren’t buying what I’m selling.” I pointed at my face.

  “I like boobies and vaginas.”

  “Until the lights go out.”

  Cayson rolled his eyes. “War Chief has been good. He’s grown so much. I can’t believe it.”

  “He’s getting buff.”

  “Skye and I just had to buy him new clothes the other day.”

  “Another one on the way?”

  “Not yet. But we’re working on it.”

  “You’re trying?” I asked in surprise.

  “I think we’re going to start trying. Skye was really shaken up over what happened to Cedric. She’s afraid that might happen again.”

  It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. “It’ll be fine.”

  “I keep telling her that but she’s still nervous. But she did decide to be a stay-at-home mom.”

  “She’s not going back to PIXEL?”

  “Not for a long time—if ever.”

  “Wow…” Running PIXEL was all Skye ever talked about when we were growing up. In college all of her classes were focused toward running that massive empire. The fact she changed her mind instantly like that was astonishing. “Having a baby really does change everything.”

  “I’m thrilled about it. I’ve always wanted her to stay home.”

  “I’m still shocked you actually got your way.”

  “Me too. But that was all Cedric.”

  “Who knew you could use your kids to manipulate your wife?” I’ll keep that in mind.

  “I didn’t really manipulate her. It just worked out the way I wanted it to.”

  “You’re officially the breadwinner of the family.”

  “We’re taking a big salary cut but that’s fine. I make enough to pay for everything.”

  I couldn’t picture Trinity staying at home all day. She was too ambitious and driven to do that. Maybe when Olympia arrived she would feel differently, but right now I simply couldn’t picture it.

  Cayson hit the home button on his phone. “I should probably get going. Skye will have dinner ready soon.”

  I should get back too. I had to tell Trinity everything that went down at the office. “Me too.”

  We threw our cash on the table and stood up.

  “Well, I’ll see you later.” I caught him off guard and kissed him on the mouth.

  He staggered back and quickly wiped his lips on his forearm. “What the hell was that?”

  “Don’t act like you didn’t like it.”

  ***

  “Baby, I’m home.” I walked inside the apartment and set my wallet and keys on the entryway table.

  “Good. How was your day?” Trinity was in the kitchen making something on the stove. The scent of marinara sauce was in the air. We were probably having spaghetti—one of my favorites.

  “Pretty good. I got a beer with Cayson.”

  “How is he?”

  “Good.” I came around the kitchen island then wrapped my arms around my wife. Her bulging stomach was smaller than Skye’s had ever been, but it was still enormous for her size. She was thin everywhere else except her tummy. “How are you?”

  “Good. Just got home about an hour ago.”

  “And how’s Olympia?” I kneeled down and kissed her bulging stomach.

  “She’s pretty quiet.” Trinity eyed me on my knees, that usual joy in her eyes. “I hope you’re hungry. We’re having pasta-less spaghetti tonight.”

  “Whoa, what?” How can it be spaghetti without the spaghetti?

  “I’m using zucchini instead.”

  I tried not to cringe. “And what made you decide on this…?”

  “I found the recipe online and thought I’d give it a try.”

  Hopefully, we’d only give it one try. “Great.”

  She set the table then sat down, her body further away from the table than usual to accommodate her belly.

  I took a bite of my food and absolutely loathed it. But I wasn’t going to complain—not to her. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

  “What’s up?” Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, showing all the curves of her naturally beautiful face.

  “The guys at the studio want me to make a music video. They had the whole thing planned, and to make a long story short, I want you to be in the video.”

  She almost dropped her fork. “Wait…what?”

  “They are using one of the songs I wrote about you, so they want it to be sexy and romantic. What better person to have on screen than my own wife?” I ate a ton of the garlic bread because that was actually decent.

  “But I’m huge.”

  “You aren’t huge,” I argued. “You�
�re pregnant.”

  “That’s what I mean. I’d look terrible on camera.”

  “Would not.” She looked good in any circumstance.

  “I really don’t think I’m prepared for that…”

  “What?” I blurted. “They wanted to set me up with some supermodel but I told them no. I want it to be you.”

  “And they were okay with that?” she asked in surprise.

  “I told them that was how it had to be. I’m not having sex scenes with some chick I don’t even know. I want it to be you.”

  Now her dinner was completely forgotten because her gaze was solely focused on me. Her eyes softened noticeably as she looked at me across the table. “I don’t know what to say…”

  “Say you’ll do it.”

  “But I’m not sexy.”

  “Yes, you are.” I looked at her every day, and I knew what was sexy and what wasn’t. “Trinity, I want it to be you. That’s what the song is about anyway.”

  “Don’t you think that will hurt your career?”

  “If anything, it would help it.”

  She was still indecisive. I could see it in her eyes. “What exactly would I have to do?”

  “I’m not sure about that. But you never have to do something you’re uncomfortable with.”

  She moved her food around with her fork, her eyes downcast.

  “I thought this would make you happy.”

  “I’m touched you don’t want some hot woman in the video with you, but I’m a little insecure about my looks. I’m okay with the way I am, but I don’t know how comfortable I am putting myself on display.”

  “Just be yourself. I don’t know specifically what they want us to do but let’s just be ourselves.”

  The insecurity was still there.

  “Let’s give it a try. If you can’t do it then we’ll figure something out.”

  “That model will replace me…?”

  “No. I’ll do something solo.” I didn’t want to force Trinity to do something she wasn’t comfortable with just to avoid my interaction with a beautiful woman. She had all the control in this situation. Whatever she wanted, she would have.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Okay.” I grabbed my fork and forced myself to eat the pile of vegetables on my plate. I completely lost my appetite but I forced myself to keep going—for her.