“Hey, Ike, one more word and that extra ten percent off you gave me will become fifteen percent, and I’ll start shopping around.” Once more, Giselle moved the guy out of the way, then kissed Wilson’s cheek. “You put your glass away, so you get your present.” She motioned to one of the wait staff to have her continue with the game and high fived a couple of his buddies. “Come here.” Like a kid at, well at a birthday party, she dragged him through the crowd.
He jumped back when a clown jumped up from behind the bar. “Giselle!” In order to protect his woman at all costs, he grabbed her and pulled her tight.
“This is Floopy!” She jumped and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Floopy, this is Wilson, the owner!”
The clown bowed and handed Giselle a balloon flower.
She took the gift and proceeded to put it to her nose as if it were real.
“Aww.” Several of his guests gathered around to take in the new entertainment. Surprises abounded for this gala.
The clown, complete with creepy hair, red nose and makeup smile held his hand up, then made a gigantic ordeal out of blowing up another few balloons. He proceeded to twist and weave the squeaky rubber into some sort of crown. Floopy gave the monstrosity to Giselle, and she proceeded to put it on top of his head.
After blowing a horn, the clown trundled out from behind his bar and tended to the other guests.
“Do I have to wear the balloon crown?” He wrinkled his nose. Letting loose was one thing, insane was another.
“You are the party king.” Again, she kissed him, and this time he got a little tongue. “If you wear the crown, I promise to use my tongue elsewhere later.”
“Do I still get to be the king later?” A little bargaining was in order.
She fluttered her eyelashes at him. “Anything you want.”
Out of the corner of his eye he spied two of his guests now wearing balloon hats, and Ike high-fived the clown when presented with his balloon tie. “Fine, I’ll wear the crown.”
“Why don’t you see your public, my liege, while I go check on the cake and ice cream and then you can blow out the candles?” She mock curtseyed. “And you don’t need to say the obvious about blowing, you are the king.”
The best words in the world out of her mouth, or at least some of the best words, she left, turning over her shoulder twice to wave at him.
As he went to go check on the bar, someone tapped him on the shoulder, and he turned to find Ivy standing there with a present.
“For you.” She held out the bright yellow wrapped box with a huge white bow. “Open it.”
“You really didn’t have to.” Like a little kid, he lightly shook the box then took the lid off revealing a vintage martini shaker, chrome and shiny with an art deco flair. “Giselle had everyone bring gifts, but this is the first non-alcoholic present I have received, and it’s beautiful, thank you.”
“You are welcome.” She leaned up and gave him a hug.
“Come with me while I find it an honored space.” He went behind the bar, squeezing in between it and his worker and placed the art piece among the more expensive bottles of liquor he stored back there. “What do you think?”
“I was about to ask you that same question.” She turned the item slightly and gave it a thumbs-up.
Though he knew what she was asking, he still needed to draw it out a little. He turned to the bar and watched the staff pour some drinks.
“Wilson, you are finally behind the bar where you belong. Are you finally going to make something?” Harvey the plumber put his elbow on the bar and lifted his eyebrows.
“You know what I found out since being with your best friend?” Taking the challenge, he slid over and began collecting some ingredients while continuing to talk with Ivy.
“Tell me.” Ivy watched him.
“Not unlike any drink, you have to have just the right balance.” He took two glasses and began his creation by pouring in some gin, and both dry and sweet vermouth. “Sometimes you want to add more, but you have to stop yourself, for fear of ruining the drink.”
“That is true.” She laughed.
“With Giselle, it’s important to add a little something sweet.” He added some orange juice. “And to pay attention to detail.” For a finale, he stirred the drinks and hung a piece of curled orange peel off the side of each one and handed one glass to his buddy, the other to Ivy.
“So, what do you get in return?” She tilted the glass in his direction and took a sip.
“I get to drink her in, and she makes me happy.” He stopped and considered his words. “I laugh all the time with her.” His voice came out sort of far away.
“This is good, what do you call it?” Harvey chugged his drink down.
“The Bronx, it’s from the 20’s.” Wilson took the empty glass and put it in the sink.
“That’s different, but good.” The man gave him a high five and turned away when Floopy came around with his balloons.
Yes, different, like his girl. At what point did he add more alcohol, up the proof of their relationship?
“With Giselle, you walk the tightrope between drinking enough to get tipsy or getting a hangover,” Ivy noted.
No sooner were the words out of Ivy’s mouth than the door to the kitchen burst open, and Giselle came out in a burst of candlelight holding a birthday cake. “Everybody sing!” As all their guests and well-wishers went into a round of the traditional Happy Birthday song, she made her way toward him.
At the scene, he had no choice but to smile. More than anyone in his entire life, she made him happy, glad to be around and glad to be alive.
She presented the cake to him before putting it on the bar and taking her place by his side. “Look at you, you’re a star.”
“A king and a star, what more could a guy want?” He knew the answer and put his arm around her.
While the crowd finished their song, she stood on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear. “You don’t need to make a wish. I’ll make sure you get whatever you want.”
Again, he smiled. She brought happiness and laughter into his life and he never wanted it to end. “You’re the only one who can give me my wish.”
* * * *
“HOLD OUT YOUR HAND.” Giselle caught up to Logan right before he followed Ivy into the kitchen. Thus far, she didn’t really have much of a chance to talk to Wilson’s brother, AKA the movie star.
He turned, blinked and did as she requested.
With a huge smile that she got him to comply, she plopped her miniature goodie bag into his palm.
“What is this?” He glanced inside the bag.
“Your party favor. Thank you for attending Wilson’s soft opening.” She used her best game show host voice.
“You do know that I own part of this bar, right?” As he spoke, he used one finger to root around in the gift.
“Unless it’s your name on the door, you’re not the star, so you get a party favor.” Now was as good a time as any to set the record straight with him. Someone needed to be one hundred percent Wilson and then maybe Wilson could follow suit.
“Fair enough.” A smile grew across Logan’s face. There was no doubt why the man had the star power. He possessed that indefinable edge where Wilson had that bit of softness, the part that made him take care of his brother after their mother passed, the part that made sure Logan had the career he wanted, and the part where he let her be her.
“Let’s see what Wilson’s guests took home tonight, shall we?” Somehow, watching Logan dissect her favor bag held some fascination for her. “ A miniature fruity nut bar.” He held the little candy up.
“That’s mine and Wilson’s favorite candy.” She decided to offer subtitles.
Once more, he delved inside, this time taking out a little card. “The guide to Wilson’s secret menu, but remember only those in the know get to know.” He read off the card. “Order the G-spot and you are sure to get a sweet treat. I wish I knew before the party ended.”
A laugh
escaped her throat.
“Now that you let the secret out it’s not a secret anymore.” He raised his eyebrows.
“Well, those were some close friends, and we sort of want the secret menu to leak to be not so secret.” At her explanation, she pursed her lips in preparation to defend herself once more.
“That makes perfect marketing sense.” Again, he reached in, this time lifting a little net bag of nuts and glanced over at her. “These aren’t from the can in Wilson’s bedroom, right?”
Rather than answer, she winked at him. “I will have you know that each nut is represented in its proper proportion in those favors.”
“Thank heavens, I would hate to think that Ivy may eat a nut out of proportion.” With a laugh, he dropped the treats back in the bag.
“Well, from what I’ve heard…” She purposely let her voice trail off.
Logan leaned back on his heels and crossed his arms. “Yes…”
“You have nothing on your brother.” At her innuendo she bit her lower lip.
In an unexpected move, he held his hand out. “Touché. Thank you for an amazing party. Actually, thank you for everything.”
“You are quite welcome.” As if he’d knighted her, she shook his hand and bowed.
“I have the cake you wanted.” Plate in hand, Wilson came out and joined them.
“Is it the corner piece?” She let go of Logan and went to her own Alexander man.
“With extra frosting.” Wilson lowered the plate to show her.
“I have a bad craving.” She curled her arm around his.
“That is my cue to go take Ivy home and share our party favor.” Logan held up the bag, nodded at her and patted his brother on the back as he left.
For the first time that day, she and Wilson were finally alone. “Are you happy with how the soft opening turned out?” Waiting for an answer, she looked up at him through her lashes, reached over to the plate, scooped up a big helping of frosting and stuck her finger in her mouth.
Her action had the desired effect as he simply stared at her.
“Wilson, I want to know what you thought of the soft opening.” She backed up into the kitchen and toward the stairs.
Once Wilson caught up, she repeated her action of scooping up the frosting only this time twirling her tongue around her finger before placing it in her mouth.
“I couldn’t have asked for more.” His voice came out ragged and deep.
“Are you sure about that?” In a little game, she darted up the stairs.
With the cake still in his hand, he followed, meeting her in front of the door to his apartment above the bar.
She picked up another helping of the sugary treat, but this time dabbed it on Wilson’s lower lip. Her gaze firmly affixed on his, she stood on her tiptoes, braced herself on his shoulder and proceeded to suck the frosting off his mouth. “You are the king, after all.”
He put the plate down right on the floor and took hold of her shoulders. “How could I have forgotten?”
“I’m not sure, but in case you need a reminder…” She slid her leg between his, rubbing up and down. “Tonight, I am but your humble servant.”
“Now I remember.” As he kissed her, he fished his keys out of his pocket, reached behind her and somehow managed to unlock and open the door. He pulled her to him, went inside and, after kicking the door closed, brought her straight to the bed.
Her favorite part of making love to Wilson came in watching the man come unglued. No matter how many times they were together, he touched her and treated her as if he couldn’t believe she were really there. The way he looked at her, taking her all in, was the biggest turn on of everything, and she wanted to give him a bit of a show.
Before leaning back on the bed, she unzipped the back of her dress, then nestled down among the pillows and lifted one leg, allowing the skirt of her dress to ride up to her waist, but the tulle still hid everything. “Tell me what I can do for you.” As if offering him an empty canvas to work with, she spread her arms out and waited.
“Keep going.” His fingers worked to unbutton his shirt.
“Like this?” With a lot of flourish, she reached under her skirt, pulled off her panties and tossed them off the edge of the bed.
His let his shirt join her panties and nodded.
She ran her hands down her leg until she stopped at her shoe and glanced over at him.
He shook his head.
“Oh, someone wants the stilettos on.” With a low laugh, she arched her back and rather than remove her shoes, slid her dress off.
“Don’t stop now.” Without ever taking his eyes off her, he rubbed his hand over the bulge in his pants and then unfastened his pants. He took them off along with his shoes and socks and kicked them aside.
“Is that a direct order?” Her voice feigning innocence, she glanced down at her bra.
“You heard me.” His voice came out much more forceful than normal.
“Then I must obey.” First, she leaned up on the bed, and then she slowly unhooked her bra. She rid herself of the constrictive garment and spread her arms again, giving him the full view. “What else can I do for you?”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” His erection sprang free when he rid himself of his now tight boxer briefs. In less than an instant, he joined her on the bed, took her into his arms, giving gave her a hard kiss, opening his mouth and tangling their tongues together.
If he truly wanted to leave it to her to figure out what he wanted, she knew what it was in no uncertain terms. She pushed him over to his back and got on top of him, first kissing his lips and then moving to his ear and his neck.
“Baby.” He rubbed her back as she skimmed her lips over his chest and down his stomach. “Yes.”
On her road toward what he really wanted, she moved between his legs.
He sucked in his breath.
Rather than simply going for it, she bent down and proceeded to plant a row of soft kisses up and down his erection.
He moaned his appreciation, and she rewarded him by circling her tongue around his tip, taking in his purely masculine taste.
“Ah.” Now he bucked his hips, telling her he needed more.
Well, he was the king and she would have to comply. There was one move sure way to make any man feel as if he truly was royalty and she encompassed him with her mouth.
“Giselle!” As she took him as deep as she could, he panted her name and tangled his hand in her hair. “Baby!”
She continued, sucking harder and bobbing her head up and down until he moved with her. Something about bringing him here, the whole act so primal, and simply being with Wilson made her hot with need as well.
“Stop!” With a gasp, he sat up and snatched up the vintage cigar tin on the nightstand he kept their condoms in.
Though she wanted to finish him off, she did as he asked. “Is that what you want?”
“I have to be inside you.” Desperation and rushing caused him to open the tin and their whole stash of condoms littered the bed.
The fact he practically shook from needing her only made her own want worse. She chose a condom, ripped the package open and put it on him. Unable to wait, she straddled him once more and lowered herself down on him. He filled her completely, and she closed her eyes, reveling in how her body stretched to accommodate him in just the right way.
“Come here.” His voice hitched and he held his arms out to her.
“No show tonight?” Again, she gave in and lowered her body down on his.
“I want to hold you.” He wrapped his arms around her and found her lips.
Their bodies gyrated together. After their time spent together, they knew how to tend to the other, make their partner go wild, let their desire build at the perfect pace. His kisses turned more passionate than ever, making her breathless and dizzy.
All too soon, she found herself panting as he thrust up into her. How the man always found the perfect spot still amazed her. Soon, she would have no choice but
to explode. “Wilson.”
“Let go. I’m there.” He cupped her bottom and drove into her, his strokes more erratic, his erection swelling.
“Oh.” Her body tensed, and she dug her nails into his shoulder. The build up was the best part and the worst part. “Oh.”
“I can’t hold back.” He embedded himself inside her.
The combination of him throbbing inside her and his deep kiss was her undoing, and in a rush she was pulsing in time with him. Her orgasm reverberating throughout her being gave her the most delightful shivers as her body clenched down on him, refusing to let go of the source of pleasure.
“Yes.” He held her close. As their bodies came down from the high, he kissed her lightly.
Ready to float away on a cloud, she went limp. Today was a triumph. The soft opening was a success, Wilson’s would be a success, and she was here and safe.
Carefully, he moved her to one side, gave her another kiss and dealt with the condom. Not wanting to fall asleep without him, she waited. Finally, he returned and as he did every night, he gathered her up into his embrace and covered them.
They lay together, his fingers playing with her hair, his heartbeat acting as a lullaby.
“Baby.” His voice came out deep and laced with sleepiness.
“Hmmm.” She hooked her leg over his and settled down.
“Thank you for everything today.”
“You’re welcome.” Sleep wanted to find her.
“You know what I was thinking?” He tickled his hand down her arm, causing her to shiver at the goose bumps he created.
Though her body protested, she managed to move her head enough to glance up at him. “Tell me.”
“We make an amazing team. I think we got what it takes.” The bit of light in the room illuminated his smile.
“That goes without saying.” She patted him and gave him a quick peck.
He pushed himself up a bit. “You know what else goes without saying, but needs to be said?”
She shook her head.
“I love you, and I always want to be with you. You make me happy, I can only pray I do the same for you.” Even in the darkness, she watched his eyes widen in anticipation.
Hollywood Stardust Supporting Roles - Wilson and Giselle Page 9