by Ward, Alice
“I want the Jersey Boys role.” I confessed passionately. “I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything, Janette.”
“Then call Marion and tell her that. Who knows? Maybe Kaylin will offer Roxy to Serena after you pass… I doubt it, but stranger things have happened. The point is that Serena’s career isn’t your problem. You have to do what’s best for you. But you should talk to Max before you call Marion,” she added with a smile, “make him feel like you’re including him in the decision, even if you’ve already made up your mind.”
In my excitement about the job offers, I’d completely forgotten about my fairytale date the night before. I beamed and told Janette what an amazing night we’d had. The only detail I left out was what Max had told me about his family’s money. I knew it was something he considered private and I didn’t want to betray his trust.
“He didn’t spend the night, huh?” She chuckled. “That was a smart move on his part. Kate, I’m so happy that everything’s happening for you.” She said genuinely. She seemed calm, more content and low key than she’d been when we first met.
“I’m happy for you too,” I told her. “It seems like everything’s going well for both of us. How’s Paul?”
“He’s still asleep in my bed.” She smiled. “How he slept through your pounding is beyond me… we’re thinking about moving in together… it makes more sense than going back and forth down the hallway.”
“That makes sense,” I agreed. “Which apartment will you keep?”
“Mine… I’d thought about asking Serena if she wanted Paul’s, but maybe that’s not the best idea anymore.” She said thoughtfully.
“Janette, I know that you’ve known Serena for a really long time… I don’t want you to feel like you’re being put in the middle of our drama.” I told her.
“Kate, you’re not causing any drama.” She assured me. “And I don’t feel like I’m being put in the middle… I’m happy for you! Forget about Serena and be happy for yourself!”
***
I was sitting on my couch going over the songs for my Jersey Boys audition when my buzzer rang. I pushed the intercom and was pleasantly surprised to hear Max’s voice.
“Hey baby,” he greeted me, “can I come up?”
“Of course you can!” I replied. I hit the lock release to let him in the building and then rushed downstairs to greet him. We met on the second floor staircase and I jumped into his arms. “I’m so happy to see you.” I told him; something ice cold pushed against my back. Max set me back on my feet and released me, and I saw the tiny bottle of champagne in his hand.
“I thought we should celebrate,” he smiled, “but I know that you have to be at the theater early tomorrow. I got the tiny bottle so there’s no way you can over do it.”
“You’re so thoughtful baby.” I told him as I led him back to my apartment.
After talking to Janette, I’d taken her advice and called Max before I gave Marion a decision. I reached him while he was on his lunch break, and he encouraged me to follow my heart and take the audition for the role I really wanted over the guarantee of the role on Chicago.
“I’m so proud of you.” He gushed. “I can’t wait until opening night.”
“I’m kind of nervous,” I confessed as we stepped into my living room. “What if I made the wrong decision? What if Mitchell hates me the audition and I end up with no job at all?”
“Relax,” Max smiled. “The guy already told Marion that the audition is just a formality. Have some faith in yourself Kate, you’ve earned it.”
I wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t. I knew that Dylan Matthews was the only reason I’d been offered the Jersey Boys audition, and a nagging voice in the back of my head kept telling me that it wasn’t my acting ability he was interested in.
“Whatever happens, at least it will all be over tomorrow.” I smiled.
“But you’re wrong, Kate,” he argued with a grin, “tomorrow is when it all begins.”
“You’re in an awfully good mood.” I told him. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
He beamed. “I was going to wait… I wanted tonight to be all about you… but I have some news myself.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“I got an e-mail from The New Yorker this afternoon… they’re going to publish one of my articles.”
“Oh my god baby!” I flung my arms around him again. “I’m so proud of you! Which article was it? Can I read it? When will it be out?”
He laughed. “I don’t know all of the details yet. But if all goes well, my name will be in print around the same time yours goes up in lights.” He took a seat on the couch as he spoke and I settled into his lap. I took the champagne from his hand and popped the cork.
“So we both have something to celebrate. You know, I can think of much more enjoyable things to do with this champagne than drink it.” I said suggestively. “Unless you still want to take things slow…”
“That depends,” he replied huskily, “what do you want to do with it?”
“I was thinking that you could take off all of my clothes, and then lick it off my bare skin.” I purred. I felt his cock stiffen against my leg.
“That does sound… enjoyable.” He whispered into my ear. I leaned into his lips and turned my face to meet his. I felt his hot breath against my skin as his mouth searched for mine; our lips met, and that now familiar fire spread through my body. We kissed passionately, our bodies moving instinctively against each other, the bottle of champagne balanced precariously in my hand. After a few intense minutes, Max pulled away and took the bottle from my hand. He pushed me to my feet and then rose to his.
“Follow me.” He said, taking my hand. I assumed that we were heading to the bedroom, but to my surprise Max walked me into the bathroom. He lit the candles that were arranged on the vanity and turned off the lights while I turned on the hot shower spray. I reached for the hem of my t-shirt; Max covered my hands with his and stopped me. He turned me to face him, looked down at me, and smiled.
“I believe I’m the one who’s supposed to do that.” He said as he lifted the shirt over my head. He tugged at my yoga pants next; they dropped to the floor and I stepped out of them, kicking them off to one side. Max shimmied out of his own clothes; he grabbed the tiny champagne bottle, lifted me into his arms, and stepped into the shower. He set me on my feet and backed me against the wall. He took a small sip of the champagne and kissed me passionately, the bubbly liquid still dancing in his mouth. I kissed him hungrily as the hot water sprayed over our bodies.
After a few minutes, Max pulled out of our embrace. He held the champagne bottle above me and trickled it into the shallow wells of my collar bone. He leaned over me and sipped the liquid off of my body; I melted beneath his touch. He took another sip of champagne and took my right nipple into his mouth. The sensation of the cool bubbles sent shivers through my body and I felt my knees weaken beneath me.
Max set the bottle on the side of the tub and then wrapped me in his arms. He gently laid me on the floor of the shower, careful to rest my head against the foam bath pillow. He retrieved the champagne bottle and slid on his knees to the other end of the tub. Max pushed my legs apart and poured a light stream of champagne over my throbbing love tunnel. He softly lapped it off of me, teasing me with his tongue until I cried out for more. Max tossed the champagne bottle onto the bathroom floor; I heard the glass shatter against the far wall, but I didn’t care. Max drove his tongue forcefully into my throbbing pussy; I wiggled beneath him, aching for release.
Max replaced his tongue with two fingers and came up for air. “The champagne tastes so good mixed with your sweet pussy juices,” he told me. He stroked his cock with his free hand while teasing my clit with the other. I slid up and struggled to my feet.
“Switch places with me.” I insisted. Max turned around and slid up to the top of the tub. He rested his head on the bath pillow and I climbed onto his lap. “I haven’t gotten a chance to taste you y
et.” I told him seductively. I straddled him and rocked my pelvis against his engorged cock as I traced a trail of kisses from his earlobe to his nipple. I slid my body down his, nibbling his abs as I took his stiff prick in one hand. I stroked him firmly as I took the first two inches in my mouth.
“Oh Kate,” he moaned, pushing my head down further. I pushed his hand away and took control of my movements. I bobbed up and down, swirling my tongue around his shaft as I teased his balls with my free hand. “You’re going to make me cum…” He warned as he struggled for breath. I eased my grip and raised my head.
“Do you want to cum together?” I asked him daringly as I lightly stroked his cock.
“Always,” he gasped as he bucked against his hand. I released his cock and crawled onto his lap. There were no condoms in the bathroom, and I didn’t care. Aching to be filled, I shoved myself on to his throbbing member.
“Oh god Kate,” he moaned. “You feel… so… good.” He gasped.
“So do you baby,” I told him. Max slid forward a bit and bent his knees. I leaned back against his legs and wrapped mine around his waist. I planted my feet on the back of the tub and pushed myself up and down in Max’s lap. He kept his hips motionless as he roughly took my breasts into his hands.
“I’m going to cum…” He warned again.
“Cum inside me baby… I’m on the pill… it’s okay… I need to feel it inside me.” I begged.
Max groaned as his hot love juice spilled into me and I exploded in my second orgasm of the night. It wasn’t until we’d caught our breath that we realized that the water had turned cold.
Max helped me out of the shower, wrapped me in a towel, and carried me to bed. He tucked me under the blankets before climbing in beside me.
“Is it alright if I stay here with you tonight?” He asked me sweetly as he rested his head on a pillow.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” I told him as I nuzzled into his chest. I drifted into a peaceful sleep, the anxiety over my audition gone from my mind.
***
On the morning of my Jersey Boy audition, I woke to the aromas of coffee and sizzling bacon. I smiled as I stretched in the bed, happy that I had Max to take care of me and keep me calm. I was still naked from our shower, so I pulled on my bathrobe and padded into the kitchen.
“It smells amazing in here.” I told Max with a smile. He stood behind the stove, spatula in hand.
He greeted me with a warm smile as he flipped the bacon. “Good morning sweetheart.” He said. He sat the spatula on the stove and wrapped me in a soft embrace. “Did you sleep well?”
“So good,” I told him. “I feel so safe in your arms…”
“That’s because you are, Kate.” He told me. He kissed the top of my head and returned his attention to the stove. “I thought that the smell of breakfast would be the best way to wake you,” he explained. “And I wanted to make sure that you had plenty of fuel for your day.”
“Thank you baby, this is perfect… bacon is my favorite.” I told him as I poured a cup of coffee.
“I know,” he laughed. “It was the only thing in your fridge. Breakfast will be ready in about ten minutes, why don’t you take a quick shower? Your hair is pretty… disheveled.” He grinned.
I checked the microwave clock and saw that I had an hour and a half before I had to be at the theater. I gave Max a quick kiss and then escaped back to the bedroom to choose my audition clothes. I wanted to make a good impression, but I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard. Jersey Girls is filled with dance numbers, so I decided on a fitted pair of yoga pants, a slimming tank top, and a light sweatshirt. The clothes were causal but expensive; more importantly, they were functional and wouldn’t distract from my performance.
I took a three minute shower, dressed, and blasted my hair with a dryer. I pulled it into a sleek, simple bun before dusting on light make-up and declaring myself ready. I returned to the kitchen; Max was sliding crisp bacon onto two plates.
“You look like a star… like you’ve been doing this for years.” He said when he spotted me in the doorway. “Hungry?”
“I’m starving.” I told him. I turned to the table and saw a stack of newspapers. “Where did those come from?”
“I ran down the street and picked them up.” Max explained. “I always start my mornings with the papers… I pulled the Stage section out for you.” He shuffled through the papers and handed me the theater section.
“Thank you, baby.” I told him as I took a seat. He placed a plate and a fresh cup of coffee in front of me and settled into the opposite chair. He started with the front section of The New York Times; we read and ate silently and I was amazed at how calm I felt.
I swallowed my last bite of bacon and glanced at the clock. “I better get going.” I announced happily. Max stood and moved our empty plates to the sink. “You’re welcome to stay here,” I told him, “you can relax and finish your papers.”
“If I go home now, I can ride into Manhattan with you.” He smiled. “I don’t have to be at work until five; you should come over after the audition and tell me all about it.”
“That sounds like a fantastic plan.” I said with a smile. I grabbed my bag and we set off for the subway station. We rode to Manhattan in silence; I needed the quiet to focus and psych myself up for the audition. Max seemed to sense that, and I felt comforted by his presence: when the audition was over, whatever the outcome, I’d have Max to hold me.
The train pulled into the station and we held hands as we stepped onto the platform. “Can I walk you to the theater?” He asked.
I shook my head. “I need to get focused…” I explained. “I’ll come to you straight after.” We stepped out onto the sidewalk and he wrapped me in a tight hug. “I’d wish you luck, but you don’t need it.” He whispered into my ear. “Just be yourself… you’ve got this in the bag.” He planted a firm kiss on my lips and we parted ways.
***
I stepped into the Jersey Boys’ theater and my stomach twisted in knots. I’d expected to meet a handful of people: Hank, maybe a producer, and the actors I’d be running lines with. Instead, it seemed the entire cast of the show was seated in the front section. I took a deep breath and made my way down the aisle; halfway to the stage, Dylan Matthews spotted me. He smiled and rushed to greet me.
‘Great, this is exactly what I need.’ I thought as he approached. If the rest of the cast hadn’t been gossiping before, they would be now.
He sidled up next to me and draped an arm over my shoulder. “Kate, I’m so glad that you’re here.” He told me. “You made the right decision. Chicago is fantastic and all; I did a run as Billy Flint a few years ago. But you’re much better off here. Play your cards right and I’ll make you famous.”
I brushed his hand off of my shoulder and took two steps back. “Thank you, Mr. Matthews.” I told him. “I appreciate the opportunity.”
“You’re quite welcome, Ms. Harper.” He replied, amused by my formality. I resumed my walk towards the stage and Dylan followed. A short, portly man with long silver hair greeted us as we arrived at the stage.
“You must be Kate Harper,” he said, extending his hand. We shook, and he critically looked me up and down. “I hope that you’re half as good as I’ve heard you are. Excuse the crowd, but everyone wanted to see this new ingénue Dylan’s been raving about.”
I blushed. “I certainly hope that I live up to your expectations. I’m ready, whenever you’d like to begin.”
Hank nodded. “We’ll start with your vocals, and then we’ll cover some lines. You’ll be working with Dylan today, everyone else is just here as spectators.” He explained. “Feel free to take the stage, whenever you’re ready.”
I nodded and made my way up the stairs. I stopped at the edge of the stage and deposited my bag; I looked up and saw that Dylan had joined me.
“You’re singing with me too?” I whispered.
“Of course I am.” He replied with a wink. “We have to make sure
we have stage chemistry.”
I felt flustered and a bit intimidated to be auditioning alongside such a renowned Broadway star. ‘He’s just a man.’ I reminded myself. ‘I deserve to be here.’ I straightened my posture, took a deep breath, and broke into my best stage style.
“Alright,” Hank directed from the front row. “We’re going to run through Walk Like a Man, the entire reprisal version. Marco will play the first verse for you to warm up, and then you’ll get ninety seconds before the music starts again. Show me that you can move and we can save our time on the dance audition.”
The piano started; Dylan and I ran through the first verse of the song and I had to admit that our voices blended perfectly. We released the last note of the first verse; Dylan winked at me at took me by the hand.
“You’ve got this.” He whispered through the side of his mouth. He squeezed my hand and my confidence soared. The music began again and Dylan wrapped me into his arms, leading me through graceful but provocative dance moves as we belted out the lyrics. As we glided across the stage together, I felt strangely connected to Dylan. Our voices and bodies were completely in sync, almost like we were extensions of the same person. I hit every note perfectly; when the song was over, I knew that the role was mine.
“Fantastic,” Hank called out. “I’m out of coffee, let’s break for ten and then we’ll run through some lines.”
Hank darted down the aisle; Dylan turned to me and flashed a heart-fluttering smile. “You were fantastic, even better than your Chicago audition. Would you like to run through some scenes while we wait for Hank to get back?”
“No thank you,” I told him in my most professional tone. “I’m going to run to the ladies room and freshen up. I’ll be back in a flash.” I escaped the stage and rushed to the back of the theater. I stepped into the restroom; three of the four stalls were taken. I barricaded myself in the empty one, sat down on the toilet, and took a deep breath.