by Stacy-Deanne
“This isn’t about the film, it’s about you wimping out.”
Adeline neighed from the next stall.
“Why should I put myself on the line and you’re with another dude?”
“Oh, please.” Sierra put on her blouse. “I don’t love Hugh and never did. I was with him because I couldn’t be with you. I’ll call things off with Hugh today if you make a public statement that we love each other.”
“Oh, god.” He leaned back, touching his forehead. “Sierra, don’t do this.”
“To you? You’ve done nothing but sit back and not have to make any sacrifices, Dash.” She pulled her belt from hay. “Love doesn’t work that way. If I’m worth fighting for then you’ll do it.”
“What about the film? I mean, this would cause a lot of drama.”
“I don’t care about the goddamn film!” She fastened her belt. “You want me?”
“More than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life.” His balls jiggled when he moved. “I’m buck naked in a stable with you. What do you think?”
“Then make a move, Dash. You’re the only one standing in our way.” She pulled hay from her hair and opened the door to the stall.
“Where are you going?”
“I got errands to run.”
“Wait.” Dash followed her to the entrance of the stable. “I wanted to make you breakfast. You haven’t eaten all night.”
“I don’t want breakfast.” She marched through the grass. “I want action.”
“But, Sierra.” He galloped after her, hiding his junk under his hands. “Be reasonable.”
“I’m sick of being reasonable.” She glanced at his semi-erect dick, scoffing. “You’re naked in broad daylight.”
“Aw, shit.”
He trotted inside the stable.
****
Jamal skated into Hugh’s office, smiling as if he’d won the lottery. “You sly dog, you.”
Hugh took off his reading glasses and abandoned his notes. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t give me that.” Jamal gulped from the Coke can. “You dancing on air today. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.”
Hugh chuckled, rubbing his shirt. “Am I?”
“You happy as hell.” Jamal closed the door. “I want the details.” He relaxed on the couch, legs open. “You and Gabrielle did the nasty last night?”
Hugh twitched, looking away. “Is that your business?”
“Ha, hah!” Jamal pointed. “You did, didn’t you? You fucked Gabrielle Montane.”
“We didn’t ‘fuck’.” Hugh twirled his glasses. “We made love. All night long.”
“Awe.” Jamal guffawed. “She ain’t here so you can ditch the sensitive act.”
“I mean it, man.” Hugh sat back, rubbing his shoulder. “I love her.”
“You’re serious.” Jamal pulled the soda can from his lips. “I thought it was just bullshit to get the panties but you really love her.”
“I’m so in love I can’t see straight. I tried to work but all I’ve done is doodle her name. I feel like a sixteen-year-old kid again. Last night was magical. I’ve never felt so connected to a woman on every level.”
“What happens now?”
“I have to break things off with Sierra.” Hugh clasped his hands, sighing. “She’s fragile and this will be another thing not going right for her.”
“Look, Bruh.” Jamal stood. “I hear you on not wanting to send Sierra off to the bottle again but that’s not your responsibility. Shit, you ain’t her daddy.” He put his hand in his pocket. “She’s a grown woman, and she’s got to learn how to deal with life herself.”
“That’s the same thing Gabrielle said.”
“What you gonna do?” Jamal stuck his neck out. “Babysit Sierra for the rest of your life? Not to mention, it’s not fair to her to string her along. If you want Gabrielle then you have to let Sierra go. No ifs, ands, buts about it.”
“You’re right.” He slapped the desk. “I’ll tell her after work.”
Someone knocked on the door. “Hugh, can I come in?” Sierra asked.
Hugh gripped the desk. “Eh-oh.”
Jamal flinched. “Looks like you don’t have to wait.”
“Jeez.” Hugh sat up, straightening his shirt. “I wasn’t ready to tell her now.”
“It’s best to just do it.” Jamal answered the door, smiling. “Hey, Sierra.”
“Hey.” She walked in, in a flimsy white summer dress, ponytail swinging.
Hugh quivered. “You look refreshed.”
She held her purse in front of her. “May I speak to you for a moment?”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Jamal hurried out, closing the door behind him.
“I’m glad you stopped by.”
“I was over this way because I had errands to run.” She licked her lips, making her rosy gloss shine even more.
“I called you last night.” Hugh swallowed, but the knot remained in his throat. “You didn’t answer.”
“My phone was off.” She switched her gaze to the window. “Did your location scouting go okay?”
“Sierra.” He twisted his watch. “I respect you so I don’t wanna beat around the bush—”
“Can I go first? I have something I need to say.”
“I’d rather I go first.” He smiled. “It’s kinda hard for me to get out—”
“Hugh, I don’t want to see you anymore.”
His shoulders dropped. “Excuse me?”
“No offense, but we aren’t together for the right reasons.”
He sat back in wonderment that someone had dumped him.
“We care about each other but we aren’t in love. You love Gabrielle and always have. You thought you had to keep an eye on me for my protection.”
“Sierra—”
“Let me finish.” Her purse dangled from her hooked hands. “I’m ready to take control of my life again. I’ve made some decisions. One is I’m not going to continue acting. It’s not healthy to deal with rejection and mistreatment anymore. I want out of it before it steals what little soul I have left.”
“You love acting. Don’t give up. Once everything blows over you’ll get opportunities again.”
“I’ve put too much emphasis on what people think of me and now I no longer care. I’m sick of crying and being stressed to the point of going insane. I wanna be happy again.”
“Dang.” Hugh touched his jaw. “No one’s ever dumped me.”
“I’m sure it’s a novel experience for you.” She snickered. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Hugh. You’ll always be a friend.” She held her hand out. “If you wanna be.”
He stood, knocked her hand out the way and hugged her. “I’m proud of you.” He kissed her cheek. “You’re going to be okay.”
She pinched his cheek. “Yes, I will.”
“I’ll always be here when you need me.”
“Same here.” She smiled, heading for the door. “What’s next for you?”
He sat on the desk. “I guess I get a chance to be with the love of my life. You?”
She avoided eye contact, but he caught the twinkle in them, anyway. “Hopefully the same.”
“How long you think it’ll take before our breakup takes over the Internet?”
She laughed. “It’ll be on TMZ before I hit the parking lot.” She blew a kiss. “Goodbye, Hugh. Thanks for everything.”
He dipped his head. “Take care, Sierra.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
That night, Hugh settled into his bubbling, heart-shaped Jacuzzi, dying to make love to Gabrielle again.
“Gabby?” He drummed his wet fingers on the side of the tub. “Get in here. I’ve been waiting all day.” The warm water caressed his stiff dick. “I’m about to die.”
Gabrielle sauntered into the dimly lit room, her knee peeking from the terrycloth robe. “Is this what you wanted?”
“Get over here.” Hugh lowered himself in the water until it reached his neck. “A
ll I could think about all day was being inside you again.”
She took the clamp out her hair and fluffed her waves over her shoulders.
“Now for the robe.” He stroked himself. “Take it off and there better not be anything on underneath.”
She tilted her shoulder toward him to tease then slid the robe off her fascinating body.
“How is it possible for a woman to be so beautiful? Seems so unfair.”
The soft, overhead light rested on her average-sized, bell-shaped breasts.
She got into the water, her black nipples hard and begging for his mouth’s attention.
“Come here, you.” He secured her between his legs and blew on her nipples, causing her to shriek.
“Oh.” She trembled, alerting him of her arousal. “Bastard. You’re teasing me.”
“Well, I wanna make sure you don’t get bored. I want this to last as long as possible.”
“Just fuck me.” She pushed his head to her cleavage, but he yanked free.
“Uh-uh.” He blew on her nipple again, and her knees knocked in the water. “Not yet.”
“Please.” She stroked his thigh. “You can’t imagine how torturous this is.”
He chuckled. “I’ve walked around forever with a hard-on for you. You can’t tell me a damn thing about torture.”
She put her hands around his neck. “You want me to beg?”
“I wouldn’t mind if you did.” He pinched her nipple.
“Please.” She kissed him, inching his mouth open with her tongue. “Please, fuck me.”
He couldn’t believe Gabrielle Montane, his fantasy, sat in his hot tub begging for his dick.
“Again.” He grunted. “Beg me again.”
“Please, please.” She lay her nose against his. “Fuck me, Hugh. I’m gonna die.”
He took turns on each nipple, sucking them with a circular motion as Gabrielle gyrated.
“More.” Her wet fingertips dug into his shoulders. “Please.”
He gripped her hair and took her mouth in his. “Did you think of me today?”
“You kidding?” She straddled him.
He fought to keep his dick out of her to prolong the passion.
“Couldn’t concentrate on anything else.”
“Glad to hear that.” He sucked her breast again, lashing her nipple with his tongue.
“Ooh.”
“Tell me...” He let her breast go followed by loud smacking. “When did you realize you wanted me?”
She jerked her eyes open. “Huh?”
“You heard me.” He grabbed her buttocks, spreading them open. “When did you realize you wanted me too?”
“I...” She held onto his arms as he pushed inside her slick opening. “Oh.”
He maneuvered her waist, guiding her movements.
“Yes, Hugh. Oh, yes.”
“Answer...my question.” His cock sunk within her tight, soggy walls. “When did you realize that you...ooh.” He bounced her. “Wanted me too?”
“Does it matter?” She looked him in the eyes, flinching. “Don’t stop.”
“It matters to me.” He got that flutter in his stomach that reminded him how he felt when he had his first crush. “When?”
“I was always curious.” She lay her head on his shoulder, riding him with a gentle stride. “Guess it grew from there.”
“You guess?” He moved his dick in and out her swollen hole. “Or you know?”
“I’ve always been attracted to you.” She panted. “But, it wasn’t until we played basketball that I wanted you.”
He smiled between grunts.
“During the game, I kept getting close to you on purpose. The way you smelled and how the sweat glistened on your muscles...God. I was so wet. I’m hooked now.” She tickled his nipples. “Maybe you should be careful what you wish for.”
“Yeah?” He flung her into the water, forced her leg in the air and rammed himself deep in her pussy.
“Ah!” She hit his chest with her small fists. “Yes, Hugh. Yes.”
He thrust hard, pushing her over the tub. “You want me to fuck you, Gabrielle?”
“Yes.” Her gorgeous, brown breasts glistened under the light. “Fuck me.” She grabbed his ass, pushing him further inside her.
“You’re mine now, and I’m never letting you go.” He raised her leg higher. “Not for anything in this world.”
****
A Month Later
“You don’t need to apologize, Dash.” Sierra rested in front of the lit fire table on her back patio with a creamy root beer float. “It’s water under the bridge now.”
“It’s been a month.” Thick creases ran through the thighs of his jeans. “Have you thought more about us?”
She shoved soda-drenched ice cream into her mouth. “You know where I stand.”
“Sierra, come on.” He scratched the back of his neck, pacing by the table. “I don’t get why me broadcasting my feelings is so important to you.”
She licked ice cream from the spoon. “I don’t wanna be with someone who is ashamed of me.”
“I keep telling you...” He sat beside her on the ottoman. “I’m not ashamed of you.” He touched her blonde strands. “I love you.”
“When you called I was hoping you’d tell me what I wanted to hear.” She curled her legs in the seat. “But, it’s the same old song, and I’m done with it.”
“Sierra—”
“I’ve changed, Dash.” She combed her fingers through her hair. “I’m not letting people treat me like shit anymore. I need a man who will love me for who I am.”
“That’s me.” He made jerky movements as if unsure of himself. “We belong together, and I won’t give up on us.”
“I’m giving up.” She stared into the flames. “I need a real man.”
“Who are you kidding?” He got closer, his minty scent contrasted with the smell of the fire, but she loved it. “We can’t stay away from each other. Something keeps bringing us together and it will continue to.”
“Tomorrow’s the big day, huh?” She faked a smile. “You, Hugh, and Gabrielle are doing The Corey Show. That’s big.”
“Ugh. You know I can’t stand Corey Smith. All he does is twist things to start controversy so he can get ratings. I don’t know why Hugh booked us on that trashy ass show.”
“Because Corey Smith is one of the most popular talk show hosts in America and his show is great publicity for the film. When I was on there, it was one of his highest-rated shows.”
“I hate this promotional stuff. We haven’t even filmed yet. What sense does it make to do the show now?”
“Pre-promotional buzz in Hollywood is everything.” Sierra enjoyed more of her float. “I’d kill to still be invited to The Corey Show again. These days I’d get run out the parking lot.”
“How are things going with you?”
“I’m coping. It’s not losing my acting career that’s the problem. It’s being alone.”
“You heard from your dad?”
She shook her head.
“You don’t have to be alone.” He puckered his lips, moving toward her.
She lay her palm to his face and pushed him away. “Nice try.”
He straightened up, sighing.
“You’re right. I don’t have to be alone.” She shoved her spoon in and out of the melting float. “I’m sure a lot of men wouldn’t mind occupying my time.”
He clamped his lips together, moving them from left to right. “That’s the plan? To make me jealous so I do what you want?”
“I don’t care what you do anymore, Dash. I’m not sitting around waiting for you to grow balls. Is there anything else you want to discuss with me besides us?”
He touched her thigh. “Sierra—”
“If not then leave.” She slurped from her spoon, staring at the fire. “Don’t come back unless you have something different to say.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Gabrielle leaned against the tile in Hugh’s shower t
he next morning, staring into his aggressive eyes as he rubbed soap into his chest.
“What are you thinking about?” He washed under his arm. “Nervous about the show? I don’t know why. This isn’t new to you, Gabrielle.”
“I’m used to doing talk shows and things but it’s different this time. Then, it was about modeling, my realm. It’s now about the film and I don’t wanna screw anything up.”
“You won’t.” He gave her a wet peck on the lips. “Stop worrying. You got this.” He turned her around and squeezed the sponge against her back as soapsuds cascaded through the crack of her ass.
“Mm. This is the best shower I’ve ever had.”
He kissed her back. “Me too.”
“I wasn’t just thinking about the show.” She pressed her finger against the chestnut-brown tile. “I was wondering what makes me and Loya different from other women.”
He stopped kissing her. “What?”
She glanced over her shoulder, catching his annoyed expression.
“Why in the world are you bringing Loya up? No better way to kill the mood than mentioning my ex-wife.” He turned his back to her, washing. “Damn.”
“I didn’t mean to kill the mood, but you asked what was on my mind.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have.”
She touched his shoulder, and he faced her. “I want to know why you committed to us. What makes us different from the other women you’ve been with?”
“I never loved Loya the way I love you.”
“But, what made you marry Loya? You had to see something special in her.”
He washed his elbows. “She was one of my favorite actresses, and I was excited to work with her. During the film, we gravitated toward each other and spent a lot of long nights together, talking.”
“Talking?”
“She was more nervous during my film than she’d been with other projects, so she had concerns and we’d talk about them. That’s how we got close, but I have a rule I don’t get involved with people in my projects while we’re still working on things.”
“Hello.” She raised her hand, grinning. “That rule’s been broken big time, Hugh.”
He chuckled, nodding. “That proves you’re special.” He kissed her, rubbing his damp chin against hers. “Loya’s the past. Just like the guy who hurt you.” He lay his fingers on her stomach. “If I ever meet that bastard I don’t know what I’d do.”