by t. h. snyder
Cover Design by: Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs http://wwww.covertocoverdesigns.com
Cover Photography: Rich Roth http://www.richroth.net
Cover Model: James Turner (Yes, the man who put a ring on it!)
Editor: Mandy Schoen http://www.mandyschoenedits.com/
Formatting: BB eBooks Thailand/ Paul Salvette http://bbebooksthailand.com
Author Bio Photography: Rich Roth http://www.richroth.net
*Due to graphic sex scenes and strong language, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. This is an ADULT book and contains graphic sex scenes and explicit language. It also contains delicate topics that may be hard for sensitive readers to handle.
Prologue
James
Bright lights, big city… the perfect place to lose yourself.
That’s the impression I first obtained of Los Angeles, the day I arrived... almost twenty years ago. And it’s the impression I still have today. The city of Lost Angels. I fit right in here, though I’d call myself more of a devil on any given day.
This is where I started over. This is where the boy with nothing took on the world and became the man who has people at his beck and call for every little whim.
As I glance around my mansion, high in the hills of Hollywood, I laugh cockily at the way life has panned out.
Do I have love? No, but I have money. I have adoring fans and people follow me wherever I go. It works.
Is it a perfect life? Of course not. Being in the public eye, never having any privacy... But, it is what it is and it’s the life I’ve chosen. It’s the life for me.
The large clock chimes in the foyer and I glance at my bags near the door. The limo driver should be pulling up at any second.
Next stop… Louisiana. Not at all where I want to spend the next year and a half of my life, but it’s where we’re filming and blockbuster roles keep my bank account happy. All of them. This three movie deal should easily drop another chunk of change into them.
Not that money is something I really need more of.
Smiling at the thought and the irony of that logic, I open the door just as the bell rings.
“Mr. Black. Good morning, Sir. I’ll get your bags into the car and in just a few minutes, we’ll be off. Is there anything else you need before we head to the airport?”
I think about that…
“No, I think I’m good. I have everything I need… Everything I’ve ever wanted.”
He nods. “Very good, Sir. Let me take these.”
Chapter One
James
“Dammit, James! You have to have a driver! You have no idea where you’re going here. GPS is an option, but I know how you are, and I don’t want to have to pay for a device or vehicle when you break the dashboard. I also can’t be with you twenty-four hours a day. I’m not your keeper!
“I did some research and I found out which company almost everyone uses when they’re here. They can be trusted and I’ve spoken with the owner. He guarantees he’s sending you their best driver. They’re knowledgeable about the area and can get you where you need to go, as well as give you the history you crave to fill that head of yours with knowledge. Can you just stop fighting me on this?! You’re acting like a petulant child here!”
I hear what Hugo, my manager, is saying. I even understand the reasoning, but I don’t like it. I don’t want some backwoods Louisiana idiot driving me around and more than likely getting me kidnapped. But, I also don’t want to have to pay for repairs to yet another vehicle. I don’t like being frustrated.
Drumming my fingers on the table in my trailer, I roll my eyes at him and scowl. “I pay for it, not you…” He groans in frustration, but I cut him off. “I don’t like it, Hugo. How do you know this driver isn’t going to kidnap me and ask for ransom?”
Hugo glowers at me. “Because, James, they are a reputable company and come highly recommended. A lot of celebrities use them when they’re filming here.
“It’s not like I walked to the street corner, stopped the first car that came by, and asked them if they could drive you around! Work with me here, man!
“Besides, they’d bring you back! FAST! Hell, they’d pay me to take you back!”
I’m not going to win this one and in all honesty, I don’t even know why I’m being such a dick right now. Hugo has always had my best interests at heart. He’s been with me for a long time. He was my friend long before he was my manager. He’s one of the few people who know me inside out. If he says I can trust this “driver,” I know I can. I’m just feeling restless here and the truth is, I need to have someone who knows where the hell they’re going to get me around this place. Baton Rouge has a lot of streets that just make circles and randomly change names. The one time I attempted to drive here, I got so damn lost… It sucked ass and I had to stop and ask some teenagers for directions. I swear they were eying my jacket but they laughed as they sent me on my way.
Besides, if this driver knows the state as well as I’m hoping, they can take me to see some of the places I’ve been reading about while I sit in my apartment every night. The night-life here seems to leave something to be desired.
I nod. “Okay. Fine. If I don’t like them though… they’re fired. No questions and no hassling me. Got it?!”
He sighs before he mutters, “Fine. The driver’s name is AJ and they’ll be here when you’re done for the day to take you wherever you want to go.” He glares at me. “Be civil, James.”
Staring at him and making myself look bored, I mutter, “I’m always civil.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, sure you are. You’re a real gem.”
I glare at him, but hide a smirk. “I can fire you, you know?”
He chuckles harder. “Yeah, try it and see how that works out for you. Who else would put up with your high-maintenance ass? Besides, the owner laughed hysterically when I said that you don’t like people fawning all over you… in reference to the driver.”
That gets my attention. “Meaning what?”
He laughs as he grabs his briefcase and checks his phone as it buzzes on the table. Once he’s done, he leans back and smiles at me. “Meaning that according to the owner, you have nothing to worry about in that department. This driver doesn’t give a shit about who you are.”
What does that mean? They aren’t a fan of my movies? Oh well… everyone loves my movies. I fascinate people. They can’t read me, so they’re intrigued. I like it that way. I don’t care and that makes it easier on me if I don’t have to worry about some local yokel asking me for my autograph constantly.
He’s watching me almost as if he’s baiting me. I’m not playing his game. I’m restless and need to re-read over my lines for the next scene. Ignoring him, I grab my script. It’s one of the most important scenes in the movie, so I need to nail it. I hear him chuckle as he gets up.
He calls out as he opens my trailer door, “Remember to be civil, J. I have some calls to make and interviews to set up. I’m going to head out and take care of this stuff while you’re on set. Everyone seems to want to talk to you.” He mutters, “Though damned if I know why… You’re positively unpleasant most of the time. I’ll be back later.”
Throwing my hand up, I make a rude gesture at him and he laughs as the door closes. I’m left in the quiet of my trailer.
<><><>
Avangeline
Charles, my boss, is giving me the details on my new client. I’m listening while I clean out the back of my already spotless Tahoe. It’s a dark onyx that seems to glow in the sun. The leather seats are also black and luxurious. She’s always meticulously cleaned and sparkling. I take pride in my job and since I own the vehicle I use to drive people around, I take extra care of it. It’s another reason I’m the top driver for Top Notch Transport. I have the most referrals and the highest number of repeat clients for a reason. I know my shit and I take pride in my job. It also helps that I don’t particularly care for famous people as most are self-centered and pompou
s. That doesn’t impress me. I’m professional and aloof but very informative and most of them seem to like that. It’s a win-win.
I look up as Charles’s last sentence catches my attention. “His manager asked that you not fawn all over him since he doesn’t like it.”
My brow arches and my lips purse as I try to see if he’s jerking my chain. “Are you messing with me, Charles?”
He laughs heartily. “No, AJ. I’m not. I told him he has nothing to worry about in that department.”
Great, the client is already asking me not to treat him like a celebrity which means he really wants me to worship him. Freaking asshat. I’m going to have to nip that in the bud quickly or I can find him another driver.
“Damn straight he has nothing to worry about. I don’t care. What was his name again?” I glance at him from under my bangs. He quirks his brow at me as I retort, “Sorry, I missed that part.”
Charles laughs with such glee he has to support himself on the hood of my Tahoe to stop from falling over. My brow furrows as I try not to think about the handprint he’s leaving on my beauty. Somehow, he manages to wheeze out between chortles, “Wow, AJ. I just told you James Black, the biggest name in movies, is your charge and you didn’t even catch it. You know Mitzi and the other girls would be falling over themselves for this one.”
I roll my eyes and scowl as my spine straightens, and I clench my hands so tightly my short nails cut into my palms. Taking a deep breath, I bite out, “I’m sure she would. That is her norm, now isn’t it?!” I ignore his frown and stop him before he can speak. It’s the same plea every time and I’m tired of hearing it. “I know who he is. I see his face everywhere. The tabloids love him. He’s supposed to be a real asshole.” I do know who he is. He’s gorgeous. I’ll give him that. His face is plastered over print and TV constantly since he’s a notorious playboy. I don’t think anyone on the planet doesn’t know who James Black is. And for the next twelve to eighteen months, he’s my charge. No problem. I can drive him where he wants to go and leave it at that. I’m so not even a little bit interested in the man behind the persona.
With another grimace, I challenge Charles. “If he pisses me off, she can have him. I’m not interested in him. At all. I’ve never even watched one of his movies.” With one last glance at him, I wipe down the last seat. He’s really quiet and I can feel his stare. I look up at him. He’s watching me closely with a strange look on his face. Straightening and walking over to the restroom to wash my hands, I ask, “What? Why the look?”
He follows me into the room and leans against the door-jamb. “Nothing.” He shakes his head and smiles at me. “I just worry about you, Cher’. You work so much now that I worry you’re letting life pass you by. I get the why, but you can’t just continue this way.
“You’re surrounded by rich, beautiful, famous people regularly, yet you drive them where they need to go, educate them on our history and culture, and go home every night to your books. Where’s the excitement? Where’s the romance? That’s not exactly living, Cher’.”
Walking over to him, I pat his grizzled cheek, before leaning up to press my lips to his stubble. “You need to shave. What would people think if they saw you now, Boss Man?!” I wink. “Besides, my life is perfect. Just the way I like it. I do what I want, when I want, and have no one to answer to. Can’t complain at all. I love my books. They have all the romance and excitement I need.” He shakes his head. “Besides, I can’t get hurt, pregnant, or catch a STD from books. The same can’t be said for the people who want to ‘get to know’ me.”
I laugh and grin at his pained look while I grab my motorcycle jacket from the front seat and slip it on. It complements my skinny jeans, white fitted Henley, and black knee boots. Charles looks me over and winks. “Looking good, AJ. Looking good. When are you going to let your hair grow out again?”
Shaking my head, I can’t help but grin as my short hair flares out. The question is an old joke between us. He knows I love my short hair. Fluffing my edgy style, I call over my shoulder as I hop into the SUV, “Probably never. I like it short. It’s easy, spunky, and suits me.”
He waves as I start the engine. “That it does, Cher’. That it does. Be careful. Good luck and remember… don’t fawn all over the movie star.”
I grimace and shudder. “No worries. No worries at all. See ya, Charles.”
He laughs as I shut the door then I see him shake his head as he heads back into his office.
He worries about me. I know he does. But there’s no need. My life suits me. It’s fine. It works for me and I love it just the way it is.
I flip on the radio and turn up the volume as I open the sun roof. Fall Out Boy blares from the speakers and I dance to the beat. Inhaling the rich, clean leather scent of my oasis, I pull onto the road to head to the studio.
Ok then, let’s do this. Time to go pick up the movie star…
Books by Skye Turner
BAYOU STIX SERIES
Alluring Turmoil, Book 1 Bayou Stix
Alluring Seduction, Book 2 Bayou Stix
Alluring Ties, A Bayou Stix Novella, Book 2.5 Bayou Stix
Alluring Temptation, Book 3 Bayou Stix
Alluring Infatuation, Book 4 Bayou Stix
Alluring Surrender, Book 5 Bayou Stix