by Breena Wilde
“Alright. Give me one of those. I’ll be there to pick them up in twenty minutes. Does that give you enough time?”
“Not really, sir. Usually we need an order placed at least twenty-four hours in advance.”
I swallow down an angry retort. “Right. Well, is there any way you can do this as a favor for John Cruze?”
She snorts. “You trying to tell me you’re the John Cruze?”
“That’s right.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” She hangs up.
“Fuck.”
I quickly brush my teeth and hair, spray on some cologne, change into something more appropriate for a date, spray on more cologne, and walk to the elevator.
“Down, please, Steve.”
He presses the button but gives me the cold shoulder.
“Did you help out Cadence?”
He gives me a dirty look.
“If so, I really appreciate it.” I pat him on the arm. He jerks away. “Look, we had a misunderstanding. I’m going to make it up to her.”
He gives me another dirty look. “Really?”
“I swear.” I take out my wallet and hand him a couple hundred. “I don’t know how much you gave her. If this isn’t enough, let me know.”
He turns away like I’ve just done the most offensive thing in the world. “I don’t want your… What did she call you? A whiny movie star? Yeah, I don’t want your fucking whiny movie star money.”
The elevator stops and the doors open.
I step out, feeling a little out of my element. “Alright, well thanks for helping her.”
After a shower I blow my hair out straight, then apply a thick layer of eyeliner, shadow, and mascara. Once I’ve put on a light brush of blush, I remove the teeth whitening strips, brush my teeth, and put on red lipstick. I spray a healthy dose of perfume. For some reason men looking for a good time really seem to enjoy that shit.
Jessica said I could wear one of her dresses and, while she’s taller than me, the black dress is short and made of spandex, so it works.
I still have my shoes, and choose a red pair with black polka dots. My reflection verifies what I already know. I look hot.
“Easy money,” Jessica says, slapping me on the ass. She’s wearing a similar dress but hers is silver. She’s teased her hair up real big and put a black bow in it. On her face she applied heavy layer of makeup and she’s got on matching shoes. She looks like an eighties-era Madonna, back when her music was hot and her style was hotter.
“Backatcha, Jess.” I turn off the bathroom light and pick up a clutch, shove condoms in it as well as some lip-gloss. I'm phoneless since I left it at Cruze’s hotel, and that pisses me off.
“You gonna eat something? There’s bologna and cheese in the fridge.”
“Nah, I’m good.”
Jessica takes a huge swig of water and offers the glass to me. I drink, then gasp as the liquid burns. “That’s vodka.”
“Um, yeah. No fucking duh. Think I’m gonna go out there without liquid courage?”
I laugh. “Right. Just warn me next time,” I say with a smirk and finish off the glass.
Jessica huffs and grabs the glass from me. “Fucking bitch, you drank it all?”
“Got anymore?”
“Do Buddhists believe in reincarnation?”
I shrug. A sudden sadness rips through my body. Maybe my brother could come back as a bird, or a tiger, or something even better. “Yes,” I say, hopefully.
“Of course they do.” She reaches between her mattresses, pulls out a bottle, and stuffs it in her purse. “Let’s do this, bitch.”
I open the door and freeze. The largest bouquet of flowers I've ever seen blocks my way out. The fragrance is a mixture of sweet and sultry, roses and orchids.
“What the fuck?” Jess says when she reaches the door.
The flowers move and Cruze’s gorgeous eyes quickly take in Jess and land on me. “I’m so fucking sorry, Cade. I was the biggest dick on the planet. Can you forgive me?”
He presses the flowers toward me.
I stand there, unsure about what to do.
“Well for goodness sake, take the flowers. How many times have I told you to never leave a dick hanging?” She snickers at her joke.
I choke back an irritated retort.
“Let me get those.” Jessica takes them from Cruze’s hands and goes over to the kitchen counter. “These are fucking beautiful. Holy shit, Cade,” she says, along with other things. But I’m no longer listening to her.
“What— how did you— why are you here?” I finally get out.
He looks uncomfortable and I can’t blame him. This isn’t the kind of place most movie stars would find themselves, at least not the one’s who don’t have a drug habit.
“You mind if I come in?” He takes a tentative step toward me, but I step away.
“Let the man in. Damn. Where are your manners?” Jessica walks over and sticks out her hand. “Hi. I’m Jessica. The one with manners. Come on in.”
Cruze takes her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Jessica pulls him into our apartment and closes the door.
“I’m John Cruze.”
Jessica’s eyes grow to the size of saucers. “Like, the John Cruze?”
Cruze’s eyes twinkle. This is what he’s used to: fawning. “That’s me.”
“Holy fucking, motherfucking shit.” She glances at me and then pulls the V of her dress open to expose her perky tits. “If Cadence won’t take care of you, I will. Shit.” She runs her hand down his crotch.
He smiles and gently moves her hand away, then pulls her dress back into place. “Thanks for the offer, but there’s only one woman I want.”
His eyes are on me—all of me. And I can’t help the tingle of lust that shoots into my pussy.
Jessica pouts and takes another swig of vodka. “Want some?” she asks, shoving the bottle in Cruze’s face.
“Maybe some other time, Jessica.” Then he moves over to me. “I was hoping I could take Cadence on a proper date.”
“What, like dinner and a movie?” Jessica laughs. “You don’t have to go to the trouble. Fifty bucks and you can fuck her right here.”
I gasp, and John’s eyes turn angry.
“I see.” His jaws clench and he looks at me. “Is that why you’re all dressed up?”
“Jessica, I need to speak to Mr. Cruze alone. I’ll meet you at Charlie’s in a while.” I shove her toward the door.
“Sure. Whatever,” she says. “But I’m leaving with or without you at nine.”
I pull her into a hug. “I’ll see ya.”
When she’s gone, I turn on Cruze. “What the fuck gives you the right to come into my home and—”
John’s lips smash onto mine. His incredible lips caress and torture, coercing me into loving every second of it. Until I push him away.
We’re both breathing heavily. A quick glance at the tent in his pants tells me he wants me.
“Did you really think you could bring me flowers and I’d turn into a pile of goo? I’m not that kind of girl. Flowers don’t do shit for me.”
“I. Want…” He moves toward me but I step away. “To. Take. Your. Gorgeous. Ass.” He takes another step. “On a goddamned date,” he finally gets out.
“Yeah, well, I’ve got to work. I need money or else I won’t eat tomorrow. Within a week I won’t have a place to stay. I do what I have to do to survive, you arrogant, cocky asshole.”
Cruze grinds his teeth together so hard I can hear it. “You don’t know the first thing about me. You’re the arrogant, cocky asshole. If you’d give me the chance I’d let you see just how alike we are.”
I take a deep breath. “We’re alike? Yeah, this is the hotel room that I’m living in while my fucking mansion is being fixed. And Jessica is my maid. She cleans and cooks for me. Oh, and—”
“Shut the fuck up. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He lunges for me and wraps his hands around my waist, pulls me agains
t his huge, fully hardened cock. “I’m from Tennessee. I grew up in a trailer park. I never met my father. He drove my mom home from the hospital, told her he was going out for diapers, and never came back. So don’t fucking pretend like you know what my life is like.”
The tension in my body deflates like a balloon with a hole in it. I’ve been a total bitch. He’s right. I don’t know the first thing about him. I glance up as his beautiful face. “I’m so sorry, Cruze. So fucking sorry. You’re right, I—”
Cruze’s lips are on mine. Demanding. His tongue claims my mouth and I let out a little moan as hot desire races through my body. He releases my lips and trails kisses down my neck to my collarbones. “God, Cadence. I’ll never get enough of you.”
I unzip his pants and kneel in front of him. His skin smells of clean and man and something else. I grab his cock in my hand and swirl my tongue around the tip. He sucks in a breath, places his hands on my head, and wraps his fingers in my hair. I take all of him in, sliding my hand and my mouth up and down his cock. It’s at that moment I realize he isn’t wearing a condom.
He seems to realize it too. “Cadence?” he says my name like a question.
Fuck it, I think and I move my mouth up and down.
“God damn, Cade, your mouth is like Heaven. God. Fuck. Ahhhh.” I feel his orgasm coming. His body is tensing and I’m prepared to swallow, but at the last second he pulls me off, kisses me, and then picks me up. “Which one is yours?” he asks, walking us over to the beds. My legs are wrapped around his hips. I’m kissing his chest, moving my fingers over every part of his hot body.
I pause and look back. “There,” I say, directing him. He kneels on the bed and bends over so my back touches the rumpled comforter.
Cruze moves so his cock is situated between my legs and gently presses my knees open. “So fucking beautiful,” he whispers, licks two of his fingers, and sticks them inside. “And so fucking wet.” He bends over and gently licks my clit. Suckles it, softly at first and then harder.
I moan. “Fuck, Cruze. Don’t stop.” He eases another finger inside and moves them in and out slowly, methodically, and he licks and suckles my clit.
“God, I’m going to come.” I shudder all over his fingers, but he doesn’t stop. He slows down a little, kisses around my clit and breathes on it, warming it. After a few seconds he starts up again, sucking harder, moving faster. My body immediately responds and I feel another orgasm building. “Fuck, Cruze. I want your cock inside me.”
“I don’t have a condom. Do you?”
“My purse,” I say between pants. Then, “Fuck it. I want you inside me now.”
Cruze doesn’t hesitate. He pulls his fingers out and rams his cock deep into my wet pussy, harder and harder. His fingers find my tits and grab and squeeze my nipples.
We’re breathing together in unison. Fast.
“Cade, you feel so good. Oh, God, I’m going to come.” He thrusts in one more time and I feel his orgasm deep inside. His finger assaults my clit as he slides in and out of my pussy slowly. I grab my tits and squeeze as another orgasm consumes my body.
There’s a little sweat on Cruze’s brow. He’s still fully dressed, except his pants are around his ankles.
I smile. “Can we do that again?”
He laughs. “Absolutely. After I take your divine ass to dinner.”
“Sure, let me get cleaned up real fast.”
She walks into the bathroom and I check out the room that she shares with the other girl, Jessica. The place is tiny, but homey.
My phone rings and I look at the number. It isn’t one I recognize, but I answer it anyway.
“This is John Cruze.”
“Don’t say a word. Just listen.”
“Who is this?” I ask.
“Good God, you fucking stink at taking direction.”
“Zane,” I breathe.
“Listen, there’s a couple of things you need to know and I’m going to say them quick. Cadence had a brother. He died. She’s dealing with that and can’t give him a funeral or truly mourn for him until she’s given a check I wrote her.”
“Shit.”
“Exactly. On top of that, she’s now the controlling partner in my production company. She’s smart and can catch on, but you need to help her. If you don’t, I’ll make good on my threat and make sure you never work in this town again, got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
Cadence comes out of the bathroom and I turn away.
“Take care of her. Treat her like the most exquisite gift you’ll ever receive because that’s what she is and if you don’t I’ll find out. The consequences won’t be good.”
“Alright, thanks for calling, Denise,” I say, hoping the asshole will understand that I’m with Cadence.
“She’s there. Fine. Remember what I said.” He hangs up and I turn around. Cadence has a strange look on her face.
“Who was that?” she asks as though she knows it was Zane, even though her knowing is absolutely impossible.
“Denise,” I say, my voice sounding lame.
“Oh.” She smiles and I really look into her eyes. I can see the sadness.
“Did you still want to go to dinner?” she asks.
I put on my acting face. “You better fucking believe it.”
The funeral services are sweet and simple. The gravestone Cadence picked out is tasteful. When they lower Travis’s body into the ground, only Cadence and John are there. Those who knew Travis are all addicts.
John has an arm around her waist. Protective. And a surge of jealousy rages through my body. That should be me, I think.
Cadence is wearing a knee length black dress. Her hair is pulled up in a chignon, and she has on minimal makeup. Even dressed so simply, she’s beautiful. Sad, yes. But beautiful.
I want to reach out and hug her. Kiss her wet cheeks and tell her everything will be okay. Hug her and tell her that I love her more than my own life, but I can’t.
The life I have to offer her isn’t a good one. Living on the run as a fugitive isn’t the way to show someone you love them. So I watch from a distance and hope she’s happy.
I know John Cruze has been kind to her. Over the last two weeks I’ve watched him be very attentive. I know he’s been helping her with the business side of things also. Filming has restarted and she seems to have quite a knack for it, like she was made to run my business.
“You have a plane to catch, Mr. Zane.”
“I know, Lincoln.”
“You think she’ll be okay?”
I know he’s referring to Cadence, and I appreciate that he cares about her like I do.
“She will. Today is hard, which is why I’m here, but she’ll be fine.” For some reason the knowledge that she will be fine without me makes my heart hurt. When did I come to need her so fucking much? Before I can stop myself I dial her number.
She pulls her phone from her bag and answers.
“Hello.”
“I’m sorry, sweet Cadence.”
I watch her turn slowly, searching the graveyard for a glimpse of me. I see Cruze turn as well. She won’t see me though. No one will, because there are others in the tree line. Cops hoping I’ll show up so they can catch me.
That won’t fucking happen.
“Zane,” she whispers once she’s moved away from Cruze.
“Hi,” I say simply, wishing I could say a whole lot more.
“You left me.” She says those three little words and my heart is torn to shreds. I hear so much more, the accusation.
“I had to, my little PFA. I didn’t want to, though.”
“You didn’t let me choose.” I see the tears streaming down her face and know most of her anger and grief is for her brother and has little to do with me.
“Was there ever a choice?”
She sucks in a breath.
“We’re meant to be together. Our bodies. Our hearts. Our souls. You know that.”
She sniffles.
I see Cruze walk up
behind her. Concern is etched on his face and though a part of me wants to kill him, another part of me is grateful that he’s there.
“Good-bye,” she says and hangs up.
“Good-bye for now,” I reply into the crisp autumn air. It won’t be forever though. I’m going to do whatever it takes to find my way back to her.
CAN’T WAIT FOR BREENA WILDE’S NEXT HOT, TOTALLY SMEXY BOOK?
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Table of Contents
Cover
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve