"Thank you for the heads up," he told her.
"You have wardrobe in half an hour." She handed him an electric razor. "Shall I do it?"
"No, thank you, sweetheart. I think I can manage. You should smile," he told her, flashing his own charmer. "You're a lovely woman."
She scoffed. "This is my happy face."
Sebastian laughed. "Fair enough." He clicked on the razor and set to freeing himself of facial hair.
She gelled his hair and slicked it back. It wasn't his favorite look for himself, but when he was brought the three piece suit, he understood the look they were going for - sleek, modern, and well put together.
His blue eyes stared back at him from the mirror, but before he had a chance to inspect further, there was a knock and the door pushed open.
Juliet shook her phone at him. "Mariss Red called back. Again. She said not to worry about rescheduling and they canceled the meeting for next weekend. She said she understands that you're busy and buying into her company probably isn't a good idea either."
"That's non-negotiable. Juliet."
"Yes, sir."
"In your opinion, is she mad?"
"Uh, she's furious. What did you do to her?"
Sebastian shook his head. "For another time. You and Hellena put your things in my room. I'll see you both later this evening. I will probably be here a while. Did you know I was working with Elba?"
Juliet shook her head, a wry grin on her face. "No, but I'm sorry you are. Good luck with that. I'm going to go have doughnuts." She winked and closed the door, knowing his weakness for sweets.
Sebastian met the crew in the hotel lobby, but Elba was nowhere to be seen.
"We're going to get a few shots of you here," the director said, "then we're going to take it to the outdoor location while we wait. She hasn't even caught her flight in yet."
Sebastian sighed. Elba was a beautiful woman. Her long, blonde hair always shone like gold and her clear, green eyes were bright and alert, but she was the biggest bitch he'd ever chanced to meet. She was known throughout the industry as being notoriously "hard to work with" and that was a gross understatement. By the time she sauntered onto the beach set, the sun was starting to set.
"Ah, you," Elba addressed him. "I see they were desperate." Sebastian's distaste for her was mirrored by hers for him.
He didn't bother to answer her or even acknowledge she'd spoken to him. There was nothing nice to say, and he wasn't going to be known for being like her. That pissed her off and she stomped away. He hoped she was going to wardrobe.
Sebastian hated to admit that there was some history between them. He'd fucked her once, a long time ago when they were both just getting started. He had no intentions of taking it beyond that one excursion and she couldn't separate a relationship from a one night stand. Sebastian had spent the next six months ignoring her calls and avoiding her when she popped up at his events claiming they were together. And heaven forbid he should have a woman with him. He shook his head remembering the one time she'd slapped his date in the face. It took a whole night of "convincing" to keep her from pressing charges.
The sun was sinking farther when Elba came out of wardrobe in nothing but a white bikini. Her platinum blonde hair flowed freely about her shoulders. Sebastian didn't have to look to know she kept her body at peek physical condition. She was more muscular than he liked his women and very thin. Her spray tan was evenly applied and her makeup was in natural shades. As far as beauty went, she was one of the more natural ones in the industry. It didn't take much makeup to accentuate her features.
Unlike Mariss who was more shapely through the hips and chest and didn't need any makeup to be lovely. As thoughts of Mariss surfaced, Sebastian turned back to the woman crossing the last few feet of sand to stand in front of him.
"I am sure you worked hard to get this job, yes?"
The disgust in her eyes implied he may have had to sleep with a few men and kill some women to do the impossible feat of working the same project. He allowed her to believe that they were on a different level, when in reality, he wanted nothing to do with her and would rather not work with her if at all possible.
"Of course. That's the only way we could possibly work together." His tone was sour and she noticed. He was above this. Sebastian took a slow, deep, calming breath and let a small smile play across his lips.
"What?" Elba wanted to know. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She shifted her weight and her eyes widened.
Sebastian pulled his lower lip between his teeth and watched Elba's pupils dilate as her arousal got the best of her.
A whinny brought Sebastian's head up as a beautiful, pure white horse came into view.
"What is that for?" Elba asked. Her voice shook, her body rigid with fear.
"You'll be on the horse for the shoot. Come on. Hurry up! You wasted all of our light as it is."
The man leading the horse put the reins in Sebastian's hand and walked away. Sebastian turned to Elba.
"I guess you'd better climb on up." She was shaking like a leaf. Despite his dislike for her, Sebastian hated to see her so frightened. "It's not going to hurt you," he tried to assure her.
"You don't know that."
"I'll make sure of it," he promised. "I'll be leading it the whole time. Get on." Sebastian stroked the horse's neck. There was no saddle and no reins, so he had to give Elba a hand up. Her bare foot stepped tentatively into his hands. Sebastian lifted her and she swung her leg over the horse, settling awkwardly in the crook of its back.
"Get your balance," he said as he held the animal steady. "Hold on to the mane here."
"Won't that hurt it?" Elba asked.
"No. He'll be fine. Just hold tight, but don't squeeze your legs too tight or he'll take off."
"On your marks!" the director shouted. "For this shot, I just want you to walk down the beach slowly. Ready? Action!"
Sebastian walked Elba and the horse down the beach, careful to keep it on more sturdy ground so Elba wouldn't be jostled too much. It went well for a couple yards, but he didn't see the crab snapping at the horse's leg. The animal sidestepped into the crashing surf.
"Sebastian!" Elba cried. Her hands tangled in the horse's mane as she wobbled, her legs stretched straight out. She had no balance.
"Hold on with your legs," he told her. Elba squeezed her legs around the horse's ribs and tugged at its mane. It reared up, tossing her off before it charged down the beach.
There were several cries of alarm and the crew rushed over to help. Sebastian knelt beside the fallen woman as a wave crashed over her, drenching her body. He scooped her up quickly in case she was unconscious, but he needn't have worried. The water jostled her awake and she coughed, her hair stringy and wet across her face. Red bathed one side of her head and Sebastian pushed her hair aside to see a nasty gash.
"Are you alright?" he asked. "Perhaps you should see a doctor."
Elba nodded and started to cry.
***
By the time Sebastian made it back to his room, it was well after dark. He considered just going to bed, but images of Mariss' sleeping form crept in and he was reminded why this was so important for him right now.
Hellena lay across the bed in her new corset and some boy short panties that barely covered her ass. Juliet was propped on the floor with pillows watching something stupid on TV. When they saw him, they both moved, rolling to the side so they could see him.
"How was the shoot?" Hellena asked.
"I'm not going to answer that question. I'm going to let you two figure out what I want. You have thirty seconds."
Juliet blinked at him.
"Twenty-five seconds."
Juliet pushed herself up from the floor and pulled her blouse over her head. Leisurely, she got on the bed and started making out with Hellena.
"That's my girls." Sebastian unbuttoned his own shirt and laid it neatly across the back of a chair. His undershirt came next and then his shoes. He grabbed a free chair and set
it at the end of the bed where he could see them.
Hellena had scars across her ribs. She didn't like to talk about them and she didn't like anyone to see them. As far as Sebastian knew, he was the only one who knew they were there. The corsets always stayed on. Juliet ran her hand over the leather now, but she didn't try to get it off. She knew better. Her lips trailed across Hellena's collar bone and over her breasts where they spilled from the top of the corset. She shimmied the boy shorts down and her finger found Hellena's opening.
Hellena groaned as someone knocked on the door.
"Bloody hell," Sebastian hissed and went to the door. "Don't stop," he ordered.
Of course, Elba stood on the other side of the door, her hands folded in front of her. When she wanted to gain access to his room and body, she always wore something loose and flowing. Tonight was no exception. The bandage on her head stood out painfully, marring her beauty.
"Hello, Sebastian," she said sweetly, her Russian accent thick. "Good evening."
"Hello, Elba. Now isn't a good time."
She fluttered her eyelashes, but her voice was strained. "Do you have company?"
"I do."
Of course, Juliet snuck up beside him then, her breasts bare. She draped one arm over his shoulder and pressed them to his side. He snaked his arms around her hips, leisurely.
"Who's this?" Juliet's voice was far too sweet and innocent to be standing there naked.
"This is Elba."
"Oh. For me?" Juliet stepped out of his embrace and Elba stepped away from her, the look on her face one of horror.
"What's going on?" Hellena said from behind him.
Sebastian sighed as she pressed her body to his the same way Juliet had. He let his hand rest against her bare ass.
Elba blinked at the three of them, then promptly turned on her heel and walked away at a fast clip.
"I thought I told you two not to stop. Back to the bed. Now."
Hellena nipped playfully at his neck before following his orders. Juliet wagged her hips and winked at him.
"She won't be calling you any time soon. I did you a favor."
Sebastian gave her a smack on the ass that sent her across the room and back onto the bed where Hellena waited. Juliet wasted no time in getting back to business, sliding her fingers back inside Hellena. There was another deeply satisfied moan.
"What do you want?" Juliet asked. "Anything special?" She finger fucked Hellena while she spoke.
"I just want to watch. Enjoy yourself." He closed his eyes against the image of Mariss laying naked in front of him while her husband said the same words.
Juliet flicked her tongue over Hellena's clit, but he couldn't hear her. All Sebastian heard was Mariss moaning when he touched her. He saw her face twisting with pleasure as he moved inside her and felt her around him as he came. When Hellena found release, all he heard was Mariss' low pitched moan that turned into a cry of pleasure.
Sebastian pushed Juliet out of the way. He didn't bother with a condom this time. Hellena couldn't conceive and he knew they were both clean. He was inside her, using her to clear his mind. The travesty was that his mind was anything but clear. He fucked her until she screamed his name.
All he could see was Mariss - her smooth honey-toned skin, her dark hair splayed around her, and her brown eyes beckoning, begging him to take her the way they both wanted.
Sebastian felt his release build. He pulled out and grunted as he came on her stomach.
"What the fuck was that?" Hellena asked when she could speak.
"Take care of Juliet, please."
He left the two women to finish and slunk off to the bathroom. Sebastian slammed the door harder than he needed to and set the lock so he wouldn't be bothered. He didn't feel like a shower, so he wet a wash cloth in the sink and cleaned himself up.
He hadn't apologized for anything since he was a child, but tonight he felt like he needed to. What he'd done wasn't fair. Hellena hadn't done anything to deserve that kind of treatment.
Sebastian took his time. He caught his reflection in the mirror. His slicked back hair was in shambles. He didn't like looking at his face all bare, but there was already the hint of a shadow coming in over his jaw. He needed a shower.
It was a quick one. Sebastian washed his hair and bathed and found the women laying on the bed. He sauntered over to his bag, trying to look calm, and ignored the looks he knew Hellena was giving him. Juliet's mobile rang and he handed it to her.
"Juliet, personal assistant to Mr. Sebastian Boa. How may I help you?" She was quiet for a long moment. "Thank you. I'll let him know." She hung up.
"Who was it?" he asked. Juliet looked up at him, her eyes a little lost.
"Mariss Red is in the hospital. She was hit by a car."
CHAPTER TWELVE
I Think I’ll Call You Bassy
The Bourbon coated his throat and Sebastian welcomed the burn. They'd been in the air for a few hours. Hellena sat toward the back, not at all interested in conversing with him or Juliet. She didn't like that they were rushing back to the states for Mariss and he was sure she knew something else was up with him after his display in the hotel.
Juliet sat next to him. "You alright? You need another drink?" she asked. Sebastian handed her the glass, but she ignored it and pulled the bottle out of her bag. "I'm always prepared."
Sebastian smiled at her and took the bottle. Juliet removed the stopper for him and he tossed back another large, burning gulp.
"How did you know she was in the hospital?"
Juliet shook her phone at him. "I have contacts, Mr. Boa. I know quite a few things."
Sebastian gave her a crooked look, wondering if he needed to do more research on her.
"I have a friend at the tabloid," she continued, her blue eyes betraying the smile she worked to keep off her face. "It's how I keep your name out of it. He'd heard you were working with her and wanted to let me know, in case I was out of the country. Which I was."
"Thank you for telling me."
"Yeah, is Hellena alright?" Juliet motioned to the back of the plane.
"She's angry with me. She thinks it's unwise for me to be involved with Mrs. Red."
Juliet nodded. "Are you romantically involved? Or just sexually?"
Sebastian looked her face over carefully. "First, Juliet, that's none of your business. Second, when have you known me to be romantically involved with anyone?"
She shrugged. "First, Mr. Boa, if I don't know, I can't work with the tabloids when they bring accusations my way. Second, you haven't, but there's always a first. You act different when she's involved, no matter what it is. I know you pretty well, and I'd say you're smitten. Of course, that's just me rambling, but you don't jump on your private jet to go see someone in the hospital if you don't care for their well-being."
"That's enough, Jules."
"Ah. Hit a sore spot. I'll stop talking, but you know I'm right."
Of course she was, but Sebastian didn't want to think about that. He took another large gulp of his liquor.
"You look perplexed, Mr. Boa. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No." Sebastian stared out the window of the plane, looking down at the lights of the cities below.
"Does it have anything to do with what happened in the hotel room?" She'd lowered her voice to a whisper. Sebastian slowly turned to look at her. "Is it Mariss Red?"
He'd always thought Juliet was the quiet type with a wild side that she worked off on the weekends at dance clubs. Now, he saw that she was really quite observant and outspoken.
"Juliet…" he warned.
"Yes, I know. Just keep in mind that I already know the answers to the questions I'm asking you. And remember, I work for you because I enjoy it and because you couldn't live without me, now that you've had me."
"Is that what you say to the women you turn out?" he asked, trying to be mean and also let her know that he knew about her reputation.
"Every single one of them. It always works."
"Well, keep in mind that I keep you around because I need you, but I got along just fine before you came along."
"Things are so much smoother with me around, though. Don't you think?"
"Are you trying to get me to tell you that I can't live without you, Jules? Because it won't happen."
"No, I'm sure you could live without me. Mariss Red, though…" She grunted and left him there on his own.
Sebastian slammed back another huge gulp and made his way to the back of the plane where Hellena was huddled in the corner.
"You were fucking her, weren't you?"
He wasn't prepared for the tear-stained rasp of Hellena's voice. Sebastian sat down and tried to pull her to him, but she refused.
"Don't touch me, Sebastian. Answer the question."
"I thought leaving would get her out of my system, but I can't forget."
Hellena shook her head. "Of all the low-down, dirty shit you could pull, I think this is the worst thing you could have ever done."
He wanted to tell her he was sorry. Sebastian fought to get the words out, but in the end, pride won and he kept his true feelings to himself. He knew she was waiting to hear them and that she deserved them more than anything in that moment, but he wasn't a man who was used to change.
"I want to be alone."
Sebastian left her there when he knew he shouldn't have. He took his seat at the front of the plane and sipped his Bourbon until there was nothing left to drink.
***
"What do you mean, she's not taking visitors? I'm a close friend of the family." Sebastian took some liberties there, but he wasn't used to not getting his way. He knew he wouldn't be denied if Mariss or the husband knew he was here. The problem was letting them know he was. "Tell them I'm here. They'll let me in."
"I'm sorry, sir, but it's immediate family only."
He crossed his arms. "Why? What's happened to her?"
"I'm not at liberty to-"
"Sebastian."
He gave the young woman a dirty look and turned in the direction of the husband's voice.
"I'll take him back with me," he said.
Sebastian nodded his thanks and followed him into the ICU. The farther back they went, the more nervous he became, until he just knew that she was hooked up to machines and about to take her last breath.
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