Extremely Famous

by Heather Leigh

  “Uh, ummm, I wanted to …” He can’t form a coherent sentence.

  “Want to join me?” I fondle my breasts and gently roll my nipples into hard buds.

  “I uh…” Drew shakes his head and blinks hard. He begins removing clothing, nearly tripping on his pants in his haste.

  He closes the shower door and presses me back against the tile wall, crushing his mouth to mine aggressively. I wrap my arms around his neck and lock my legs around his waist. As he thrusts into me and begins pounding me against the wall, all I can think is that for once I win.

  CHAPTER 7

  I’m attempting to get some work done from Drew’s home office, my laptop and design books spread out on his desk. Jane is at her own desk on the other side of the room, running the corporate empire that is Andrew Forrester.

  She was nice enough to swing by my loft this morning to get some clothes and my computer, since Drew doesn’t want me anywhere near my building. He has me on house arrest, which considering the swarm of reporters on the doorstep of Drew’s brownstone, is probably not a bad thing.

  Leah called last night during our shower and by the time I spoke with her an hour later she was freaking out over the death threat that was being reported by the media. I told her it was probably nothing and that I used to get them as a kid and so did my parents. That didn’t make her feel any better.

  My anger at the situation heightened to nuclear proportions when Leah told me about the embarrassing videos posted online of Drew storming into Allen Deconstruction yesterday, yelling at everyone, and the ones of him dragging me out of the office like a child.

  Since news of the threat was out there and people know about it, I had to call my mom and tell her that it was being handled by law enforcement and that Drew had increased our security. Mom’s been through this so many times before that she took the whole thing in stride.

  As usual, she offered her home in Belize as a hiding place, which, as usual, I declined. She’s been staying in New York but traveling to L.A. more than she normally would in order to network now that she’s back working as an actress.

  My dad called this morning, wanting to be sure that I was okay after hearing the news. His concern touched me. It felt great to have my dad back in my life looking out for me.

  “Jane,” Drew calls out as he steps into the doorway of the office. He looks mouth-wateringly gorgeous today. Since we’re staying in he’s wearing faded jeans and a tight gray T-shirt, his feet bare and his hair an adorable mess.

  Jane pushes back from her chair and takes her glasses off, waiting for him to continue. “Yes Drew?”

  “Can you contact Reid Tannen’s assistant?” At the mention of my dad’s name, I jerk upright in my seat and swivel to face him.

  “Yes, what for?” she asks, taking notes on a small pad.

  “Let him know that we can’t make it on Thursday night. I’m sure he’ll understand.”

  “Excuse me?” I say, jumping up from my seat.

  Drew and Jane whip their heads in my direction in perfect synchronization.

  “Syd, what’s wrong?” Drew asks.

  “I’m going to my Dad’s premiere,” I tell him, my voice letting him know that I’m not happy with his directive.

  Drew’s jaw clenches subtly under his day-old stubble. “You can’t be serious.” He steps into the office. I notice Jane quietly slip out the door.

  Smart woman.

  “I’m dead serious. I spoke to my dad already this morning and told him I was still coming.”

  “Like hell you are!” Drew’s volume is rising. He holds his hands out in front of him palms up, “And you’re not distracting me with sex this time.”

  I smile and arch an eyebrow at him. “I didn’t plan on it. I’m not arguing with you Drew, we discussed this in London. I’m not spending my life hiding out in fear. I’ll accept the bodyguards, I’ll use Bruce to drive me around, but I’m not going to avoid living my life.”

  “But this…”

  I interrupt him before he goes on an expletive laced rant. “No. I’m not changing my mind.” I cross the room and put my arms around his waist, hugging his warm body to mine. “You’ll be with me, the guys will be with me, hell I’ll bet the FBI will be there to see if they can catch whoever it is. I’ll be safe.” I kiss the tense muscles in his neck until he lowers his head far enough that I can reach his mouth.

  “I don’t like this Syd. It goes against everything I feel.” Drew puts his hands on my back and clutches me to him.

  “Well, you’ll have plenty of other things on your mind that night,” I whisper against his lips.

  “If you think sex or your hot body will keep me from worrying about your safety, then you’re delusional.”

  I laugh and kiss him again. “Not sex. I just found out, Adam Reynolds will be there.”

  Drew’s lips freeze against mine and he pulls back to look at me. “Nothing ever goes my way, does it?”

  Who are you kidding Forrester? I think to myself. You always get your way or at least I let him think he does.

  CHAPTER 8

  “Calm down,” I say to my poor, stressed out fiancé. We’re sitting in the back of a limo with Jane, Evan, and Steve. Sal is sitting up front with Bruce as we maneuver through the streets of New York City to my dad’s movie premiere.

  Drew stares out the window and clutches my left hand, fingering my diamond engagement ring, still spun backwards to keep the paparazzi in the dark. I wanted to leave it at home tonight but Drew threw a fit.

  “Have a drink babe.” I convinced Steve to open a bottle of champagne for me, hoping that it would ease my nerves, but right now I think Drew needs it more than me.

  “No,” he snaps, turning to look at me. “I need to be able to pay attention to everything.”

  “Drew, that’s their job.” I motion toward the two massive bodyguards that make the back of the limo seem much smaller than it is.

  “No.” He resumes fiddling with my ring.

  This is going to be fun.

  The limo turns onto W 54th Street and stops. Traffic is a mess. The premiere for my dad’s film, Anti-Hero, is being held at the historic Ziegfeld Theater. It’s massive, holding over a thousand people and from the looks of the crowd, they filled every last seat. It’s a big budget blockbuster starring another A-list actor along with my dad, so the studio is going all out with the marketing.

  Since it’s August, it’s still light out. That means no irritating spotlights lining the red carpet. The media presence, however, is daunting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a giant crowd outside a theater before. I knew this movie was supposed to be huge, but this is unlike anything I would have imagined. How they managed to squash bleachers onto the narrow sidewalk is beyond my comprehension. Next to that, hundreds of fans line the street, hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite celebrity, probably my dad.

  “Shit,” I mutter under my breath.

  Drew whips around to face me, a grimace on his beautiful face. “This is why I didn’t want to do this Sydney. I’ve been to premieres here before, it’s a giant clusterfuck every single time because the theater is so big.”

  “It will be fine.” I try to assure him, not quite believing the words as I say them. “We were assigned one of the last arrival times, so hardly anyone will be left on the carpet by the time we pull up.”

  Yeah right, it’s going to be so awful.

  My only comforting thought is that it’s so crowded there’s a chance we won’t see Adam at all tonight. As a result of finding out Adam will be here tonight, Drew spent half the day yesterday sparring with Damien at his gym. I went to watch since I was tired of being locked up in the brownstone with nothing to do. Drew was overly aggressive, holding back nothing as he pounded on his friend. As hot as it was to watch, I’m kind of worried that he’ll lose his shit tonight if Adam so much as breathes on me.

  “We’re next,” Jane says, sliding down the seat towards the door.

  I squeeze Drew’s hand and gi
ve him a quick kiss on the cheek. “We’ll be fine,” I whisper in his ear. He says nothing and clenches his jaw.

  “Okay, so Steve will get out first, then you,” Jane says to us. “Evan and Sal will follow. There’s a reporter with ET immediately to your left, stop there and do a quick three minute interview. By then your dad will be here Sydney,” she says to me.

  “Alright. We can walk with him, right?”

  “Yes. He’ll be expecting to meet up with you as soon as he gets here. Pose for whoever you want with him, then walk. Let him do his interviews, join him, don’t join him. It’s your choice. Then at the step-and-repeat, you’ll do photos with him and photos with just the two of you, okay?”

  “Yes.” The step-and-repeat is the big banner with the movie’s name on it that you have to walk past to get inside. The press is lined up opposite and they take thousands of photos as you stand in front of it. It’s literally blinding and by far the worst part of the red carpet.

  “Here we go,” Jane says as the limo glides to a stop. A burley man in a tuxedo steps up to open our door. I notice the small wire curling from behind his ear and down into his collar and wonder if this guy works for the FBI.

  “Ready?” I ask Drew as Steve gets out and waits for us.

  “Not even for one second am I anywhere near ready for this, Syd.” I can see the fear in his eyes and suddenly I feel very selfish for insisting on coming tonight. He truly is in extreme distress worrying about my safety. He thinks he’s hiding it, but I know him so well that I can see it as plain as day.

  Drew releases my hand and steps out, turning to help me exit gracefully. I take a deep breath and put my left hand in his, letting him feel my ring in the hopes that it will calm him down some., smooth down my black Grecian gown and look up.

  It’s like looking directly at the sun. There are so many flashes that I have no idea where to go first. Drew starts to walk, following Steve’s lead. He leans down to speak to me, barely audible over the roar of the crowd, all eager to see the couple that can’t seem to stay out of the tabloids. With us here, a potential confrontation with Adam, and a public reunion with my Dad tonight- it’s a feeding frenzy for the paparazzi.

  “Stay close to me, don’t let go of my hand for anything.” I nod and smile for the dozens upon dozens of cameras pointed at us. Drew tightens his grip on my hand and we somehow find our way to the ET reporter on the side of the red carpet.

  The lovely dark-haired reporter beams as we step up to the marked spot and smile for her.

  “Hi,” she says to us. Then to the camera, “We’re at the world premiere for Reid Tannen’s new action film, Anti-Hero, and have Andrew Forrester and Sydney Tannen with us tonight.” She turns back to us and starts her interview. “You both look stunning tonight…”

  Drew fiddles with my ring as I answer her questions, one after the other; who made my dress, is there increased security here because of the death threat, have I seen my dad recently?

  She turns to Drew every once in a while and asks him a question. Has he met my father before, does he admire his films, she even asks about Drew’s hit A Soldier’s Burden. She’s professional and charming and I decide that I like her a lot.

  I know the exact moment that my dad arrives because the low roar of the crowd becomes deafening. Steve ushers us back to the center of the red carpet to join my dad as he adjusts his jacket.

  “Hi baby,” Daddy says, giving me a peck on the cheek. The paparazzi go nuts when they see us together. Ignoring them, he shakes hands with Drew, forcing him to drop my hand for a minute. Drew reaches back and takes it as quickly as he can, afraid to lose me in the crowd.

  The three of us make our way up the line of reporters, stopping whenever my dad is told to give an interview. It takes forever. Drew spends the entire time scanning the huge crowd and messing with my diamond. I would think it would make me nuts that he won’t leave it alone, but knowing he’s touching it seems to make me feel better. Like we’re sharing something that belongs to us and no one else.

  After what feels like an eternity, we hit the step-and-repeat and I’m blinded again by the sheer number of flashes, my cheeks in pain from smiling so much.

  We finally make it inside the lobby, packed with party-goers and staff. Drew relaxes some, but not completely. The lobby is where I was attacked at his premiere, so he’s not going to unclench until we’re home.

  “I’m glad you both made it,” Daddy says. “I was afraid you’d let those threats keep you home.”

  “Actually, I wanted to stay home,” Drew says gruffly. “I don’t think it’s wise to be out with the threat hanging over our heads, especially in light of what happened last time.” His face is shadowed by stress, making him seem older.

  “Drew,” I warn, not wanting him to make Daddy feel bad.

  “I wouldn’t have blamed you,” my dad tells us. “You have to do what you feel is necessary.”

  “Well, I feel it’s necessary to live my life my way. Not according to the whims of crazy people,” I say stubbornly.

  “There she is,” my dad says proudly. “My Heartbreaker, always throwing caution to the wind.” He turns to Drew smiling. “She’s been like this her whole life. Can’t tell her what to do or when to do it.”

  “I’ve noticed,” Drew says dryly.

  A man comes over and pulls my dad away to do an interview. We greet the various people that stop by, many of whom Drew already knows or has worked with.

  “Sydney!” I hear a familiar voice call out.

  Oh shit! Don’t come over here.

  Drew stiffens next to me, pulling me closer to him in a territorial move.

  I attempt a smile but it comes out weak. “Adam,” I say to the tall, gorgeous man headed our way. I can’t believe he’s doing this in front of Drew, especially after those articles painted us as lovers. I’m starting to think he either has no common sense or enjoys antagonizing my fiancé.

  He pointedly ignores Drew. “I was hoping to introduce you to my mates,” he says as he reaches for my free hand.

  “Don’t touch her,” Drew says menacingly from my side.

  Adam turns his head, forced to acknowledge Drew. I see a hint of a smirk on his frustratingly handsome face. “Forrester, nice to see you again.” There isn’t even a suggestion of sincerity in his voice.

  Drew takes a small step toward Adam. “You have a lot of nerve coming over here Reynolds,” he snarls. I tug on his hand, hoping to pull him away from whatever confrontation he thinks he’s going to have in a lobby full of industry people.

  “What?” Adam says innocently. “I told Sydney I would introduce her to my band, so here I am.” He drops his gaze back to me. “Didn’t I, Sweetheart?”

  Drew’s expression is murderous. “What did you just call her?” He says each word slowly and clearly. Shit, he’s getting super pissed.

  “Adam, stop it.” I know he’s antagonizing Drew on purpose. I can see it all over his face. He thinks Drew can’t do anything about it here without making a giant scene. Unfortunately, giant, public scenes seem to be Drew’s specialty lately.

  Adam ignores me and looks back at Drew, smiling. “I always call beautiful women sweetheart. We’re just friends, right Sydney? Just like you and Kiera were just friends.” He focuses his penetrating hazel eyes on Drew.

  “What are you doing Adam?” My voice is pleading with him to leave it alone. He’s poking a sleeping bear with a very sharp stick.

  “You’re wrong,” Drew says calmly. “I was never friends with Kiera. She’s too much of an intolerable bitch to be near, let alone be friends with.”

  Adam’s eyes widen in surprise at Drew’s description of his co-star and Adam’s ex-girlfriend, then he grins. “She may be a bitch, but she sure knows how to shag, right Forrester?” He winks at Drew knowingly.

  Holy Fuck, Adam has a death wish!

  “Adam, what the hell has gotten into you?” I ask. I knew that these two hated each other but I didn’t think Adam would sink to taunting Drew o
utright.

  Before he can answer, Drew pushes me behind him and takes another step forward, almost touching chests with Adam. “Shut the fuck up and get out of my sight Reynolds. I don’t know what the fuck your problem is but I’m sick and Goddamn tired of your shit,” he says in a low, scary voice.

  “Like you don’t know what my problem is,” Adam spits back at Drew. “My girl up and dumps me so she can be with you while you make your pathetic little movie. Everywhere I go I hear your bloody sodding name and now you’re trying to keep me from my friend. I’m fucking fed up!”

  My heart drops into my stomach from Adam’s confirmation. Kiera’s flat out crazy. She had her sights on Drew from the beginning. “Adam, I thought Kiera was cheating and that’s why you broke up,” I say in a low voice.

  Adam focuses back on me, then down to my hand clutching Drew’s. “I was involved with Kiera when she was cast opposite this arsehole. So she shagged her current co-star and let me walk in on them so she wouldn’t have to tell me to my face.” He lets his sentence taper off when he realizes what he’s saying in front of Drew.

  “I’m sorry Adam, I didn’t know about any of that and it’s certainly not Drew’s fault that she did that.” God this is so awkward! I want to melt into the wall and disappear. People are starting to notice the hostility between the two men and it’s making me even more uncomfortable.

  Adam takes a step toward me but Drew moves between us. “Don’t,” he warns.

  “Why are you always such a giant wanker?” Adam says to Drew. “You’re always in my way. Sydney and I were friends before you even met her!” he growls, a sneer on his handsome face.

  “See, I don’t feel that I’m in your way,” Drew says calmly. “I feel like I’m way out in front of you, leaving you in my wake. Sydney is with me and she always will be. She doesn’t need friends like you. Back. The. Fuck. Off.”

  Adam’s eyes flicker over to me, then back to Drew. I just stand rooted in place, unsure what to do or say that won’t make this situation worse. “This isn’t over Forrester,” Adam says as he turns and walks away. Drew tries to follow but I cling to his hand, not letting him go after Adam unless he wants to drag me across the room.