I laugh out loud.
Me: I’m sure your cock can manage one night without me, West.
Vaughn: Nope. I don’t think you realize the seriousness of this situation. I’ve had a boner all morning. I can’t stop thinking about those fucking boots you’re wearing and how good they’ll feel wrapped around my waist.
I look down at my boots. I didn’t even know they had an effect on him. Then, I smile, thinking that I’ll have to wear these boots more often.
Me: Tomorrow night? I’ll wear the boots and nothing else.
Vaughn: You’re killing me here. I’m gonna have to go jerk off in the bathroom.
Me: Aren’t you on set right now?
It’s a closed set today for some reason. I was told to take the clothes over and then leave. I don’t know what they’re filming, but they didn’t want many people there to watch.
My mind instantly goes to another sex scene, but they didn’t close the set for the one yesterday, and that was as explicit as I’ve ever seen, so it can’t be that. I’ll have to ask Vaughn when I see him. Tomorrow.
Sigh.
Vaughn: Yep. Just taking a break. In the bathroom. With my hand. Picturing you.
Me: Perv!
Vaughn: I don’t deny it. Then again, you could come here and give me a hand…
Me: Sounds like you’re doing just fine yourself.
Vaughn: I’m so hard, it hurts, baby.
Baby. What is it about a man calling you that, that makes you turn to jelly?
Me: I can get rid of your hard-on right now with a few words, if you want me to?
Vaughn: Not possible. But you can give it a try.
Me: I’m hemming a shirt. Using pins.
Vaughn: And it’s gone.
I laugh again and then send him a laughing emoji.
He pings back a text seconds later.
Vaughn: You’re fucking awesome.
Me: I know.
Vaughn: Babe…I have to go. I’m needed back on set.
A second later, I get another text from him.
Vaughn: Where are you going tonight anyway?
Me: Some new bar on Sunset Boulevard.
I don’t hear back from him again, and I’m guessing he turned off his phone to go back on set.
Ava turns back up a few minutes later with my sandwich and coffee. We sit and eat and talk about the night ahead of us. All the time, Vaughn is ever present in my thoughts.
Chapter 18
Charly
The music is pumping out, and I’m having a great night. Originally, I was disappointed about not getting to spend it with Vaughn—I might be a little bit addicted already—but it’s so good to come and let loose. Ava is, as always, so much fun, and Logan is really great.
We’ve snagged a table near the dance floor, and we’re drinking, talking, and people-watching. I’m having a great time. I’m also on my third drink of the night, and we’ve only been here for an hour, which is some quick drinking for me. I’m drinking a cocktail that looks as pretty as it tastes.
Calvin Harris and Rihanna’s “This Is What You Came For” starts to play. I love this song.
“Dance?” I say to them.
“Hell yeah!” Ava says.
“I’m not a dancer. I’ll watch the drinks,” Logan replies.
“You’re sure?” I check.
“Go dance, and have fun.”
I jump down from my stool and grab Ava’s hand. I lead her onto the dance floor and into the crowd. We start dancing.
It’s hot and crowded but amazing. I’m having so much fun.
The song eventually ends, and another comes on that’s not so good, so we head back to our table. Logan’s on his phone.
“Sexting?” Ava nudges him with her elbow.
“I wish. No, I’m checking Twitter to see what’s happening here.”
“Um, can’t you just look around,” I quip, “and see what’s happening?”
“There was a commotion upstairs, smart-ass, and I couldn’t see what was happening, hence checking Twitter for the deets.”
He points, and my eyes follow to look up at the upstairs balcony that circles the whole of the bar. But I can’t see much of anything.
“What kind of commotion?” Ava asks him.
“Just some screaming. And I saw some big, burly guys walking around.”
“Oh, maybe there was a fight.” Ava grins.
“Yeah, probably.” Logan puts his phone down on the table. “I can’t see anything on Twitter. I thought maybe a celeb had arrived.”
“Like Ryan Gosling?” Ava asks.
“Now, that would be heaven. I swear, whose dick do I have to suck to get a job on one of his movie sets?” Logan chuckles, making us laugh.
“Probably his wife’s,” I joke.
Out of nowhere, I feel a tingle on the back of my neck. Then, voices around us seem to get louder. And I see a few people looking at the upper balcony. Others are pointing. A few are getting their cameras out.
“What is going on?” I ask.
“Celeb for sure,” Ava and Logan say at the same time. They laugh and fist-bump each other.
“Please be Gosling.” Logan presses his hands together, praying.
I swivel on my stool, looking around upstairs, and then I see him.
Vaughn.
He’s upstairs, leaning on the railing, bottle of beer in his hand, and he’s looking down…right at me.
His lips curve into a sexy smile.
It hits me right in the chest—and panties.
Then, he pushes off the railing and walks away.
He’s here. What’s he doing here? And why did he just smile at me and walk away?
“Was that Vaughn?” Ava asks in my ear.
Dragging my eyes from where he was, I turn back to her. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Makes sense with all the squealing that went on. Is it sad that I’m not excited he’s here?” She giggles. I think the drinks are going to her head. “I mean, I see him at work every day, so it’s not as exciting anymore.”
“No,” I say. “I get what you mean.”
But it’s a lie because I am excited that he’s here. I could never tire of seeing Vaughn.
“I wonder who he’s with,” Logan says.
“We should find out,” Ava says. “He could be with Julian Jacob and Gabriel Evans.” Her voice goes all dreamy while saying Gabriel’s name, making my ears perk up. “They’re who he parties with now since Cain shit all over him with Piper. We should go up there, see if we can get in. You should go first, Charly.”
“Me? Why?” I feel a whip of paranoia that she knows I slept with Vaughn last night, but I quickly scrub that off, knowing I’m being stupid.
“Because you’re his dresser. You know him better than we do.”
“Um, I know him exactly the same as you do. Less because I’ve been working on set less time than you guys.”
Liar, liar pants on fire.
“Ah, come on, Charly. You’re braver than we are. There’s no way I can go up there and ask to go in, but stuff like that doesn’t bother you.”
Doesn’t it?
No, she’s right. I’m not afraid to do stuff like that usually. I’m just feeling weird that he’s here, and I’m here.
Maybe he thinks I followed him here. I mean, surely, he doesn’t because I didn’t even know he would be out tonight. But he knew I would be, and…
Hang on, when he asked, I didn’t exactly tell him the name of which bar I was going to, but I did tell him I was going to the new bar on Sunset. This is the only new bar on Sunset.
Did he come here because he knew I’d be here?
Now, I want to go up there because I want to know the answer to that question.
“Fine. I’ll see if I can get us in.” I slip off my stool, grabbing my purse and drink. I tuck my purse under my arm.
I head for the stairway, which is unsurprisingly crowded, with Ava and Logan at my heels. I have to push my way through to get up to the top, w
hich is now roped off. It wasn’t earlier.
The power of celebrity.
There are two security men at the top, and nearby, I spot Aiden, but he’s just a little too far away for me to call to.
Reaching the top of the stairs, I smile at the security man. The huge guy makes me feel like I’m the size of a toddler.
I decide to just go with the direct approach. “Hey, I work for Vaughn West. Can you let us through?”
He stares down at me, his eyes hard. “Yeah, and I’m Barack Obama. Michelle will be along any minute now.”
I do laugh at that. “You’re a funny guy. But, seriously, I do work for Vaughn. Indirectly. On the set of his new movie. I’m his dresser.”
“She really is,” Ava pipes up behind me.
“I dress Natasha Warner,” Logan chimes in.
“Well, that’s real nice for you all. I dressed myself tonight.” He sweeps a hand down himself. “And this area is still closed off to the general public. I can’t let you through.”
He turns his back on me, which pisses me off. I’m actually considering pulling my cell out and just calling Vaughn, but then I realize, to Ava and Logan, that might look like I’m a little too familiar with him.
And, anyway, Vaughn knows I’m here. If he wanted to see me, he would have come and gotten me.
It’s not like we’re dating. He just wants to fuck me.
God, he probably doesn’t even want me up here.
Not wanting to look like a stage five clinger, I turn, ready to tell Ava and Logan that we should go back downstairs, when I hear a voice that sends tingles running through me.
“Let them through.”
I spin back around, and I’m greeted by the sight of Vaughn. Then, immediately after, there’s the deafening sound of screaming behind me.
I smile at him. He doesn’t smile back. Just looks at me like he wants to devour me whole.
I have to stop myself from visibly shivering.
The security guy unclips the rope and lets the three of us through.
“Hi,” I say to Vaughn. “Thanks for letting us in.”
He finally smiles, but it’s a secret smile. One that says he’s seen me naked and he’s thinking about getting me naked again real soon.
My stomach starts flipping around like a fish out of water.
“Yeah, thanks, Vaughn,” Ava says, glancing around like she’s looking for someone.
“Thanks, man,” Logan says to him.
“No problem,” Vaughn says, eyes on me.
“Is that Gabriel Evans?” Ava asks in that weird voice again, making me stare at her.
“Yeah, it is. You want to meet him?”
“Really? He won’t mind?” she squeaks, her face brightening.
I laugh to myself. I’ve never seen her get all fangirl over a celebrity like this before. I think someone has herself a crush.
Vaughn starts walking toward Gabriel, and we follow behind.
It’s like stepping into a whole other world.
There are quite a few people up here, some cast members and some people I don’t recognize.
I find myself watching Vaughn’s ass as he walks. It looks good in the jeans he’s wearing.
I had my hands on that very ass last night while he pounded in and out of me.
Holy shivers.
His shirt is molded to his body, and I just want to rip it off. With my teeth.
Vaughn stops at a group of guys. One of them is Gabriel Evans, and I recognize the other as Julian Jacob. Both of them are actors. Gabriel does movies. Julian is in TV. He does this big show about this cop who dies and comes back to life to avenge his murder. Unsurprisingly, it’s called Dead Cop. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard it’s awesome.
The three of them are the golden boys of Hollywood. And it’s easy to see why. I know Gabriel is part Italian, and it shows in his dark looks and lean, muscular body. Julian is the all-American boy with blond hair and blue eyes. Both are tall.
And Vaughn is Vaughn.
He just shines the brightest. Something about him pulls your attention straight to him.
“Guys, this is Ava, Logan, and Pins.”
“Pins?” Gabriel chuckles.
I frown at Vaughn. “Charly. Nice to meet you, Gabriel.”
“Call me Gabe.”
I watch his eyes brush over Logan and Ava. Then, they stop on Ava, who’s looking like a deer in headlights right now.
“Seeing as though this jackass isn’t going to introduce me, I’m Julian.” He shoulders Vaughn.
“I know who you are.” I smile at him.
“Yeah, it’s good, really good, to meet you,” Logan says. “I love Dead Cop! Big fan! I have to ask, are you and Meredith ever going to get it on in the show?”
Julian winks and taps his nose.
“I knew it!” Logan cheers.
I think I need to watch this show if it has Logan that excited.
Vaughn introduces us to the rest of the group. A few are Gabriel’s friends, and others are what I like to call celeb hangers-on.
I somehow find myself standing next to Vaughn while Ava chats with Gabriel and Logan chews Julian’s ear off about his show.
“Thanks for coming over and letting us in. That security guy wasn’t budging.”
“I told him not to let any stalkers in, and you do look like a stalker.”
“Ha! Says the man who came to the bar he knew I was going to. The only new bar on Sunset.”
“Are you saying, I followed you here?” He gives me an affronted look.
Keeping my eyes on him, I tip my head to the side, a smile teasing my lips. “Well, didn’t you?”
His arms fold over his chest. “Technically, I didn’t follow you. But…yes, I did know that you might possibly be here.”
“Aha! I knew it! You little stalker!” I laugh, secretly feeling thrilled that he wanted to see me tonight.
“It was my cock,” Vaughn says. “He smelled your scent and followed you here. He’s a needy bastard like that.”
Laughter bursts from me.
He smiles, his eyes shining.
“You’re weird.” I laugh.
“It turns you on though. Admit it.”
I measure out an inch with my thumb and forefinger.
“I hope you’re not sizing up my cock there, Pins, ’cause I’m gonna be seriously offended if you are.”
“Stop it.” I laugh, playfully pushing my hand to his chest, feeling giddy from the drinks.
He moves a little closer to me. “Are you drunk?”
“No. I’m only on cocktail number three.”
“Good.” He leans in close. “Because I like my women to be alert when I’m fucking them.”
“Them?”
“You.”
My stomach clenches, and I feel my panties getting wet, making me press my thighs together.
His eyes skim down my body. “I like the dress and the heels, but I miss the boots.”
I press a hand to my dress. It’s one I made myself. A red lace body-con dress. Him saying he likes it makes me feel good even if he does know zero about women’s fashion.
“The boots needed a rest. I wore them all day.” I flash him a smile.
He leans in again, speaking into my ear, “I want you wearing the boots later. Them and nothing else.”
He tips his head back and stares into my eyes, taking a swig of his beer, and I nod my head in agreement, like an eager puppy.
Chapter 19
Vaughn
I swear to God, this night is never going to be over.
I’ve wanted to leave the bar since I saw Charly.
I knew she was down there. Of course I knew. But I wanted her to see me and come to me.
And she did.
We’ve all been drinking and talking and dancing for hours. Well, I’ve only had a few beers. I don’t like to get too tanked, and I need to be in good working order, as I plan on spending the rest of the night inside Charly.
I’ve noticed
that Charly has slowed her drinking down, too.
I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off her all night. I just want to be alone with her. I haven’t been alone with her since she first arrived and we spoke for a few minutes. After that, she was off dancing with Ava and chatting to people she knew from the cast.
I just want to pick her up and carry her off, so I can have her to myself.
And thank fuck we’re finally leaving.
I’m going to grab Charly, put her in my limo, strip her clothes off, and fuck her all the way to her hotel. Then, I’ll get her inside her hotel room and fuck her all over again.
My dick has never been so eager.
“So, we’re leaving then?” Gabe slaps me on the back. He’s drunk, of course.
“Yep.”
“Cool. Well, I told my driver to take the night off, so we’ll grab a lift back with you. Is that cool?”
No, it’s not fucking cool. It’s not fucking cool at all.
I know my expression has gone tight, so I school it. “Sure,” I say with a casual tone.
He stares at me for a beat and then laughs, his eyes sparkling. “Cool.” He pats me on the shoulder. “I’ll let Julian know we’re leaving. The others are heading off to a club.”
I watch him walk off, cursing the motherfucker to hell.
A hand touches my arm. “So, we’re gonna head off.” Charly’s voice comes close to my ear.
I turn to her. God, she’s fucking gorgeous.
“Ava’s drunk. I need to get her home.”
“Sure thing. I was planning on getting you in my limo and doing all kinds of dirty things to you in there, but fucking Gabe has just invited himself and Julian for a ride home.”
“It’s fine.” She smiles. “I’ll grab us a cab.”
“No. I’m in the limo. I’ll have Aiden drive you guys home.”
“You sure?”
“Course.” I move in closer, leaving a sliver of air between us. I love the sound of the breath she sucks in at my nearness. “But I’m dropping you off last. Then, you and I are going back to your hotel. Okay?”
“No.” She shakes her head.
“No?” I frown.
“Drop me off first. Well, I mean, drop Ava off first, then Logan, and then me, and—”
Keep This Promise Page 99