“That’s for sure,” he nodded. “I owe an Oscar to you, for The Boy In The Woods.”
“Yes, you do,” she laughed.
Years before, the script had been one of dozens that had been piled up in his office. Intrigued by the title Kylie had taken it home and read it overnight. The next morning at breakfast she told him how much she liked it, and made him promise to give it a serious read. He had listened to her. Ultimately the film was made, it became a huge hit, and had won several Academy Awards.
“I still like the idea of working at Titan the best,” she remarked. “Did Sam Golden get back to you yet?”
“I’m sure he will,” her father frowned. “Zach Taylor is the Head of Development for features, but I don’t know who’s leading the television side of things. Cable television would be an excellent starting point for you. Don’t worry, we’ll get something from them. I expect a call from Sam any time now.”
The waiter placed the crystal flutes on the table, and raising and clinking, her father took a deep breath.
“To my beautiful, smart, opinionated, marvelous daughter, may your hard work and dedication bear the sweetest of fruit.”
“Thanks, dad,” she said softly, and lifting the spicy, bubbling wine she took a long sip. “Mmm, that is so good. Speaking of Zach Taylor, he lectured at my class a few times, did I tell you?”
“No, maybe, I don’t recall.”
“He talked about the changes that are coming in the industry because of the internet and the fast pace of technology. I was impressed.”
Kylie watched him tilt his head and study her. She knew what that meant. He had picked up on her attraction to Zach.
“You want to talk to your dear old dad about this guy? Maybe I was right, maybe, if you’re going to Titan you should start in their cable and television department.”
“How do you do that?” she said shaking her head.
“I know you, sweetheart,” he chuckled. “This Zach Taylor, he’s a good-looking guy. He’s single, one of the young dons of Hollywood. I can see why you’d be interested in him.”
“To be honest, I’m not sure I am. He’s, uh, different.”
“Different? That’s a dangerous word,” he chuckled. “What about Angelo? I like that young man. He’s solid.”
“Yeah, but we’ve had a few arguments lately,” she sighed.
“Every couple has arguments, but regardless, dating your boss isn’t a good idea, and with all the sexual harassment worries-”
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” she exclaimed, then burst into peals of laughter.
“What did I say?” her father asked shocked at her reaction.
“Dad, think about it. If people in this business took any of that sexual harassment stuff seriously, there’d be so many lawsuits no-one would get any work done, and there’d be no actresses left to star in the films.”
“You might have a point there, and don’t forget, they prefer to be called actors.”
“Please, I’m so tired of all that. Would you call a female waitress a waiter? Anyway, I don’t think it would be a problem working for someone I’m going out with, but I’m happy to look at the TV and Cable side of things. Some of the shows on HBO and Showtime, even FX, are fabulous.”
“I have to stop back up at the office before I return to the set. I’ll put another call into Sam when I do,” he promised. “In the meantime let’s talk about our birds in the hand, okay?”
“Yes, dad, okay,” she nodded, but as he began talking about the production company based at Fox and the position they had in mind for her, she couldn’t let go of the idea of working at Titan.
Running into Zach Taylor every day would be fine with me. More than fine, unless he talked about spanking me. Shoot, who am I kidding? I loved that whole thing with him this morning, but I sure as hell won’t let him know that.
CHAPTER THREE
Zach Taylor rolled his bronze Bentley Continental into his assigned parking space in the underground garage of the Titan Pictures building. The sleek, two-story, modern architectural wonder was on the famous Abbot Kinney Drive in Venice, the trendy beach community of Los Angeles. There were no windows facing the street, but once inside an abundance of light came from an open, plant-filled courtyard. The building was a unique design, an inspiration of Titan’s creator, Sam Golden, and he had worked closely with the architect to bring his vision to life.
Zach’s office, along with the other company executives, was on the second floor, and riding the elevator he knew when he reached his office he’d walk into a boatload of messages. As he’d driven back he’d tried to shift his thoughts away from Kylie Hartman, but her explosive reaction to his offer had taken him by surprise and he was still trying to nail down exactly what it had meant. Either his proposal had totally tantalized her and she had panicked, or she’d been so mortified she couldn’t believe her ears. He couldn’t think of anything in-between.
He hadn’t intended to start their conversation with the words, ‘I’m here to offer you a spanking,’ and when they had tumbled out of his mouth he’d wished he could suck them back, but once the ball began to roll there was nothing he could do to stop it.
She was so defensive, so shocked. I’ve never had a woman respond to me with such…what? Anger? Righteous indignation?
A faint ding told him he’d arrived at his floor, and stepping out of the elevator he followed the passageway to his office.
“Hey, Martha,” he nodded as he stopped at his secretary’s desk. “Anything exciting happening?”
“Everyone in the world has been after you,” she said brusquely, “and here they all are.”
She was holding a stack of pink message slips in her hand, and as he took them he sent her a smile.
“Why do I think you haven’t had lunch yet?”
“Going now,” she replied standing up and grabbing her purse.
“You never have to wait for me, I’ve told you that a thousand times.”
“And I’ve told you, I don’t feel right leaving if you’re not here,” she quipped, “and because you kept me waiting I’m taking an extra fifteen minutes.”
“Okay,” he grinned. “I guess I’ll just tackle all these by myself.”
“I’m sure you’ll manage,” she retorted as she walked past him and down the hall.
He chuckled as he moved into his office and closed the door. Martha had been with him since he’d started in the business a decade before. She was in her fifties, a tough New Yorker, and as honest and loyal as any woman could be. Nobody could screen calls like Martha, she didn’t take crap from anyone, and her heart was as big as the Grand Canyon. In a town where sincerity and authenticity was rare, he treasured her. She knew his secrets, at least most of them, and he always welcomed her occasional nuggets of sage advice.
Spreading the message slips across his desk he placed them in order of priority, and the name at the top of the list was Anna Lee Pickford. He knew exactly what she wanted, and after his run-in with Kylie Hartman he was more than happy to oblige. Picking up his phone he punched in her number, and as he knew she would, she answered on the first ring.
“Thank, God,” she panted. “How soon can you be here?”
“Not until after the five o’clock whistle blows. Why didn’t you call me on my cell?”
“I don’t know, I’m just so all over the place. I should have.”
“Regardless, I can’t get there before five-thirty, depending on traffic.”
“I can’t wait that long,” she groaned, her husky voice breathy on the other end of the line.
“You have to, sorry.”
“Can I come there?”
“I’m not sure how that would work,” he replied.
“Your car, can’t you spank me in the back seat? Please? It’s that or I drink half a bottle of Jack Daniels.”
“Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” he suggested calmly.
“I can’t stand it, Zach. The love scene is this afternoon. It’s
been moved up. The thought of that grotesque, creepy guy touching me is spinning me out. How am I going to do this? If you can’t settle my nerves-”
“What time is the car picking you up?”
“Three,” she muttered.
“Ouch. Did you just find out about this?”
“Uh, no, I heard this morning,” she admitted.
“Let me understand this, not only didn’t you call me on my cell, which you know is the best way to reach me, you waited until almost lunch time?”
“Sorry,” she whimpered, “I thought I could handle it, but as the morning went on I started freaking out.”
“All, right, I’ll be there around two, maybe two-thirty,” he promised. “You know how I expect you to be waiting.”
“Ooh, Zach, thank you,” she sighed.
“I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
Hanging up the phone he shook his head. Anna Lee Pickford, whose real name was Elaine Richards, had been nominated for an Oscar the year before in the Best Supporting Actress category. She’d been a complete unknown until she’d been cast in the role of a neurotic waitress who worked in a country diner and witnessed a murder. The film, A Killer’s Smile, had been a home run for Titan, and overnight Anna Lee Pickford had become a star.
The truth was, the role had been typecasting. Anna Lee was a nervous, edgy, insecure young woman given to outbursts of foot-stamping rages. All she had to do was memorize the lines and deliver them to give what appeared to be an astonishing performance.
The film had been nominated for several awards, so on the night of the Oscars, Titan’s executives would be front and center. When Zach was asked to escort Anna Lee Pickford to the glamorous affair he agreed. It was what happened when he’d arrived to pick her up that started their unique relationship.
When he’d arrived at her house in Malibu there had been no answer to his knock on the door. Worried, he’d found a path over some rocks to the sand, then he’d walked along the beach and up the steps of her deck. The sliding glass door was open, and walking inside he’d been shocked to find her in the kitchen, banging pots and pans in an apparent temper tantrum.
“Anna, what’s the matter?” he’d asked, truly worried that a catastrophe had occurred.
“I can’t go, I’ve got nothing to wear!” she’d exclaimed. “That designer has put me in a dress that makes me look like a chocolate eclair. The whole thing is bullshit anyway. I can’t go! I won’t go!”
He’d hurried across to her, pulled the pans out of her hands and tried to reason with her, but she’d been impossible. After doing everything he could to calm her down, he had only one thing left in his arsenal. Pulling her into the living room he’d dropped down on the couch and yanked her over his knee.
“Stop acting like a ten-year old,” he’d scolded. “Get a grip and grow up. I’m going to spank your ass until you settle down.”
She’d screeched and howled, but he’d kept his promise, continuing to spank her until she’d stopped her yowling, then cradling her in his lap he’d hugged her tightly.
“You could wear a sack and look fabulous,” he’d tenderly assured her. “You’re going to put on that very expensive, gorgeous dress and come with me to the awards. I’ll be right beside you every step of the way, and trust me, you’ll wow everyone.”
“You think?” she’d whimpered.
“I don’t think, I know, and you’re going to behave yourself, because if you don’t I’ll put you over my knee in front of everyone there. Got it?”
“NO!”
“Yes!”
Though she didn’t win the Oscar, the critics raved about her elegant appearance. Her star had been born, and after that night, whenever she felt wrung out, or frightened, or simply lonely, she called Zach.
Zach had a genuine fondness for Anna Lee. She was exceptionally pretty and possessed a quirky vulnerability which reminded him of one of the greatest stars of the golden era of Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe. As the months slipped by they developed a unique friendship, and while he kept their relationship platonic, he no trouble smacking her naked backside.
She was now in her first starring role, and when he had time to swing by the small projection room and watch the dailies he had seen her talent glow back at him. He couldn’t blame her for being nervous about her upcoming love scene. It didn’t require nudity, but there was passionate kissing and heavy fondling, and the actor, Jackson Wardlow, was well-known for being crass and vulgar. He was also a huge star, and Anna Lee needed to keep him happy.
“I wish there was some way I could make that asshole behave,” Zach muttered as he picked up the phone to reschedule his afternoon appointments, “but he’s just too damn powerful, and he knows it.”
CHAPTER FOUR
When Martha returned from lunch and Zach handed her the changes in his schedule, she rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically.
“There are only a few you’ll have to follow-up with,” he remarked.
“I can see that, a few too many if you ask me.”
“Stop it,” he grinned. “You know I have to prioritize certain things.”
“Don’t you mean certain people?” she remarked staring up at him.
“Both, certain people and certain things.”
A little while later when he headed out she called him to her desk.
“Make sure you leave your phone on,” she said firmly, then lowering her voice she added, “and where do I say you are if Sam asks?”
“Out,” he replied.
“The last time I said that I thought the man was going to hang, draw and quarter me. I need something else.”
“Fine, then tell him the truth,” he replied. “I’m going to see Anna Lee Pickford to give her some support. Someone needs to prop her up to help her through her scenes with the boorish boob we have starring opposite her. She’s freaking out.”
“You want me to use the words, boorish boob?” she asked raising her eyebrows.
“Feel free to edit as you wish, and yes, I’ll leave my phone on. If it goes to voicemail I’ll call you back in five minutes.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she warned. “You’ll be back by four?”
“Yes, Martha, I’ll be back by four.”
“Good, bring me back a Coffee Bean Latte.”
“Why am I the only executive in this place who takes orders from his secretary?”
“Because you’re the only executive in this place smart enough to have me,” she retorted.
“Right, I have to remember that,” he smiled, and strode off down the passageway.
He’d had a busy two hours, and as he waited for the elevator he found his mind wandering back to Kylie Hartman.
She’d been difficult in class, constantly interrupting him and questioning his methods for just about everything, from evaluating projects to how he dealt with writers. Regardless of her famous father, he knew if she carried her high-handed, know-it-all attitude into her career she’d have a tough time.
You might be quick, smart and articulate, but you’re also opinionated, critical and worst of all, you didn’t know how to listen. If anyone needs a damn good spanking it’s you, and the more I think about your reaction this morning, the more I think you know that just as much as I do.
The bell dinged, alerting him the elevator had arrived, but when the doors opened he found himself staring at the perpetually frowning face of Sam Golden.
“I was just coming to see you,” Sam declared. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, I am,” and why couldn’t I have left two minutes sooner? Because I had to discuss my life with Martha, that’s why.
“I’ll ride down with you. Where are you off to?”
“Anna Lee is having a meltdown,” Zach grimaced as he stepped inside and pushed the button for the basement garage.
“Another one?”
“Another one, but this one’s justified. She’ll have Jackson pawing her later today.”
“Ah, yes. I can understand why tha
t might make her a bit squeamish. Why are you always running to her rescue? What about that manager of hers, or her agent?”
“Apparently she trusts me more than them,” Zach replied. “What did you want to see me about?”
“I got a call from Justin Hartman. You know I want him to direct, Her Last Will and Testament.”
“I hope you get him,” Zach replied, and why do I think I’m not going to like where this is going?
“His daughter just graduated from Cinema Studies and wants to get into development. You did some lecturing there, didn’t you?”
“Uh, yeah, I did,” Zach said as the elevator announced their arrival in the garage.
“Did you run across her?”
“Yep, she was outspoken, too outspoken.”
“I want you to meet with her. Talk to her, see if there’s a place for her in your team, but I’m also going to have her interview with Curtis. I want some hot new shows and he’s not hitting any home runs. Maybe some fresh blood might be good.”
They had walked to Zach’s car, and Sam studied him carefully. Zach was a cool customer, not the highly strung emotional type. It was one of the many things Sam liked about him. He knew Zach could keep his head while others were losing theirs, but Sam was sensing an unusual edge to him.
“Zach, are you worried about Anna Lee?”
“No, not at all. I can get her through this thing with Wardlow,” he replied.
“That frown wasn’t there a minute ago. What is it?”
“I’m not sure Kylie Hartman is right for Titan.” There’s no way I want that girl on my team. She’d be a nightmare. She and Martha would be like oil and water for starters. Good grief, I can already imagine the drama.
“Hmm, well I want Justin for Last Will, and if it means giving his daughter a job…”
“I’m happy to talk to her,” Zach said quickly, “but if you want her in the company she’d probably be better suited to Curtis. His team is younger than mine. If I were to give her a job and she wasn’t happy, that wouldn’t be good for anybody.”
“Point taken,” Sam said. “I’ll have Kevin call Martha and set up a time for Kylie to stop in and get some advice from you, then you move her on to Curtis so he can evaluate her for a position. Go and take care of Anna Lee. Tell her she needs to start behaving like a professional. Use that word. It’s worked for me in the past.”
Disciplining the Director's Daughter (Hollywood After Dark Book 1) Page 2