It was with regret that they piled back onto the private jet that evening. Tim was chatting away to Sailor at first, but then he fell asleep, after moaning that Bodhi wouldn’t let him skip school in the morning.
“That was the deal, Buddy. Luxury for the weekend, but then it’s back to normal.”
Tim grumbled, but Bodhi could sense the change in their relationship. He put a blanket over his sleeping son and smiled at Sailor. “You tired too, baby?”
“A little, but for all the right reasons.”
He went to sit next to her and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m glad. Look, we both know we’re going to have to navigate this thing. The last thing I want is for us being together causing you any pain or misgivings. There’s something else too. The press. Sailor…they hound me when it comes to relationships, and if they even get a whiff of this, they’ll come after you. So, we need to figure out how this is going to work.”
Sailor’s eyes were wide. “I never even considered that…god. If they print my photo, Bart will know where I am.”
“Yes. That’s my biggest fear. So, we need to plan. I have an idea, but it may seem weird to you.”
Sailor drew in a long breath. “Hit me with it.”
“I enter into a ‘fake’ relationship for the press. Now, I know who to ask, and I’m pretty sure she’ll go along with it, but it would depend on you.”
“Who?”
“Soleil.”
Sailor nodded, trying not to be jealous, but she couldn’t help it. Soleil was gorgeous. Bodhi saw her reservations in her eyes.
“Sails…I’m not Soleil’s type, I swear. You might be, but I’m most definitely not.”
Sailor was surprised. “She’s gay?”
“Very. But she’s also very private and doesn’t broadcast her relationships. Luckily, art dealers aren’t great with gossip, unless you’re a Mallory or a Bartoli.”
“I have no idea who they are,” she grinned, truthfully and he laughed.
“Well, see? Anyway, the press is used to seeing me with Solly and Claudio, so the interest will be minimal, but at least they’ll think we’re together and not focus on you.”
Sailor sat up and nodded. “Well, if Soleil would go along with it…but I wouldn’t want to inconvenience her.”
“To keep you safe, I would,” Bodhi said fervently, but then he relaxed. “I was thinking, if anyone asks, we could say you’re the family’s assistant, Tim’s tutor?”
Bodhi was uncertain, but Sailor nodded. “That suits me. That’s what I am after all.”
Bodhi stroked her face. “You’re so much more than that, baby. Maybe you should move in. It’ll be safer as well as…I’m selfish, I want you near.”
Sailor chewed on her lip, and Bodhi nodded. “You have doubts.”
“It’s not that I can’t see the sense of it, but…I just got my own place after years of being…segregated. I do want to be close to you and Tim, I do…can I think about it?”
Bodhi nuzzled his nose to hers. “Of course. I understand, I do. Look, I have a suggestion for you to think about. You loved the guesthouse, right? As I said before, it’s yours, your own place. You want privacy, you just go off and lay in there. I know it’s not the same, but you’ll be within my compound and safe. Security won’t be intrusive, I swear. But only if you want to be there. Don’t let me sway you, either way, that’s not how we work.”
Sailor kissed him. “You are just the sweetest guy.”
“We’re going to make it, I swear, Sailor. I will do anything to make this work.” He kissed her until they were both panting for breath. “Stay tonight. It’ll be late when we get home anyway. You can sleep in the guesthouse if you want, but stay…”
She fell asleep in his arms and woke up as the plane landed. Sailor’s mind was whirling with the events of the past two days, and their plans for going forward. Could they make it work? She hoped so with all of her heart.
Tim was asleep when Bodhi carried him to his room, and Sailor went over to the guesthouse and dumped her bag in there. Switching on the lamps in the house, she looked at it. Yes, she could imagine living here, it’s comfortable with a slightly shabby beach-house feel as a reminder of their heavenly time on the island.
She felt Bodhi’s arms snake around her waist and she turned to kiss him. He kissed her lips, then trailed his mouth down her neck and kissed her throat, her shoulders, pulling the straps of her dress down her arms. The dress fell to the floor, followed by her bra and then he drew her panties down her legs. She stepped out of them, utterly unembarrassed about being naked with him now. She pulled his t-shirt over his head and unbuttoned his jean. Soon, both naked, they were running their hands all over the other, wanting to be as close as possible. Sailor smiled up at him as she sank to her knees. “Tell me if I do this wrong,” she said softly, then took his cock into her mouth, sweeping her tongue over the wide crest of him, tasting the salty pre-cum. He tasted of salt and fresh air, and she ran her tongue up and down his length, as her hands massaged his balls gently.
“God…Sailor…” Bodhi groaned, and she felt his cock thickening and becoming taut and engorged as she pleasured him. She teased the sensitive end with the tip of her tongue, hearing him moan. His hands tangled in her long hair, the pads of his fingers massaging her scalp in a way that made tingles shoot down her body. Sailor could feel her own sex become wet and swollen, a steady pulse beating between her legs and when, before he came, Bodhi withdrew from her mouth, he was almost violent in his need for her, tumbling her to the floor, and pushing her legs wide apart so he could go down on her. She nearly shrieked as his mouth made contact with her too-sensitive clit and when he began to slide two fingers in and out of her sopping wet cunt, she writhed and moaned underneath him, trying not to cum too soon, to prolong this sweet, sweet torture.
“Bodhi…I want to watch you touch yourself….”
Bodhi grinned and began to move his free hand up and down his cock as his other hand fucked her, his thumb strumming a beat on her clit. “Anything for you, baby.”
Sailor moaned and gasped as Bodhi’s hands moved faster and faster. “I want to cum on your belly,” Bodhi said, his voice ragged with desire and she nodded, coming as he shot creamy white cum onto her soft abdomen. They panted for air together, kissing, then Sailor wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck and Bodhi plunged his cock deep into her, and they made love for the rest of the night.
In the morning, she awoke in the big double bed in the guesthouse, alone. On the other pillow, she found a note.
Making breakfast for us all. Take your time, come in when you’re ready, my darling.
He’d drawn a rough love-heart at the end, which made Sailor smile. She showered and dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. As she dried her hair, she gazed at her reflection. You are the luckiest girl in the world, Sailor King. She still couldn’t reconcile how much her life had changed.
When she walked into the kitchen, Bodhi was at the stove, breaking eggs into a skillet. He grinned at her and kissed her cheek. They’d agreed not to kiss on the mouth in front of Tim…yet. Let him get used to the idea of us first, Sailor had said, and Bodhi agreed.
Tim was scarfing down pancakes like they were going extinct. “You okay, buddy?” Sailor ruffled his hair. Tim grinned.
“Sailor, Dad said you’re going to live in the guesthouse if you want too.”
Sailor shot Bodhi a glance, and he winked at her. She snickered to herself, trust Bodhi to get Tim on his side, then smiled at Tim. “You okay with that?”
“Sure, I am,” he said, beaming. “I like having you here. So, does Dad.”
“He’s got that right,” Bodhi looked at Sailor with such a look of desire on his face that Sailor felt a flush creeping over her entire body.
“Dad?”
Bodhi dumped some eggs on two plates for him and Sailor. “Yeah, buddy?”
“Can Sailor take me to school today?”
Bodhi and Sailor exchanged a look, the Bodhi s
miled at his son. “Why don’t you ask Sailor?”
Tim looked at her, and she nodded. “Of course, I’d love to. But can we take your SUV? I’d feel too inconspicuous in the Thunderbird.”
Bodhi stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a set of car keys. “Go crazy. Actually, don’t go crazy, drive safely.”
They all laughed at him, and then Tim put down his fork. “I’ll go get my school bag.”
He hopped off the kitchen stool and disappeared into his bedroom. Bodhi immediately leaned over and kissed Sailor’s mouth. “Good morning, beautiful.”
She pressed her lips back to his. “Good morning, handsome.”
They kissed softly, enjoying the feel of the other’s lips. “God, I want you…when you get back from dropping Tim at school…”
Sailor grinned at him. “We do have work to do, Mr. Creed.”
He groaned in disappointment. “Screw work.”
“I’d rather screw you,” she said mischievously, and he laughed.
“Bad girl, now I have to deal with a hard-on until you get back.”
She leaned close to him. “I’ll deal with that, I promise.”
Bodhi grabbed her head and kissed her passionately. “I’m going to fuck you so hard, little girl.” He growled, and she gave a slightly shocked giggle.
“I can’t wait…”
As she drove up to the school, Tim grinned at her. “Want to come say hi to some of my friends?”
Sailor hesitated, but figured it couldn’t hurt. Tim was obviously keen on showing her off. Sailor was glad she had shoved her long dark hair into a baseball cap. She was reminded of the wigs she had stolen from the bridal boutique when she escaped from Monica, the wigs that had gotten her to California safe and unrecognized. It sent a thrill of fear through her, but she shook it off. That life is over. She parked the car and got out with Tim. He ran ahead and started to talking to some friends, who stood with their moms.
Tim introduced her to his best friend Harry, and Harry’s mom, Diane. Diane greeted her warmly. “Are you new to the area?”
Sailor shook her head. “Just to the job,” she lied smoothly. “I’m Tim’s child attendant.”
“She’s my friend, and my Daddy’s friend,” Tim said, nodding his head wisely.
Sailor touched his head. “Saying that, I need to get back to work. You okay, sport?”
Tim nodded, already running off with Harry as the school bell rang. “Thanks for the ride, Sailor, see you later.”
Sailor nodded to Diane and with some relief, got back in the car and drove back to the compound.
Bodhi was on the phone when she entered, putting his keys down on the kitchen counter. He grinned up at her. “Hey, she’s here, I’m going to put you on speaker phone.” He flicked a button and Sailor heard Soleil greeting her.
“Hey girl, I hear you’re off the market?”
Sailor blushed but laughed. “Apparently. How are you, Soleil?”
“Call me Solly and I’m good, thanks. I’m in Italy at the moment, but back in L.A. on the weekend to start our little ploy.”
“You sure you’re okay with this?” Sailor gave Bodhi a nervous glance.
“Hell, yes, I’m delighted. About time someone of quality tickled Bodhi’s pickle. I will obviously have to give you the ‘if you hurt him blah blah blah talk.’”
Sailor laughed. ‘Obviously, I would expect nothing less. Thank you, Solly, you’re the best.”
“Yes, yes, I am,” laughed the other woman. “I’ll see you two crazy kids on the weekend.”
She clicked off, and then Bodhi grinned at Sailor. “She’s in. This is happening.”
Suddenly Sailor started to tremble. This man, this gorgeous man, was hers. How could that be possible?
“Sailor.” Bodhi came to her, gently pulling her into his arms. “It’s me and you now, okay?”
She nodded, gazing up into his achingly beautiful face. His lips were against hers then.
“I’m going to take you to my bed now, Sailor King…work can wait…” and he led her into his bedroom.
“Are you sure?”
Diane nodded. “I mean, she had her hair up, but I’m pretty sure. Those doe-eyes are unmistakable.”
Bartholomew Foy was pleased. “Thank you, Diane, you have proved most helpful.”
Diane smiled at him and left the room, closing the door behind her. Bart looked at Salem, who was grinning nastily. They had flown to L.A. as soon as the call from Diane, one of the highest members of the Californian chapter of The Children of Love, had called in the sighting. “So, Sailor’s working for Bodhi Creed? Well, well, well.”
Salem chuckled. “Should be easy enough to find and kill her if she’s bringing the kid to school every day.”
“Indeed.” Bart was lost in thought. “But I have a better idea. Sailor betrayed us all, so it’s only right that we make her suffer before I kill her. This Creed asshole…what do we know?”
Salem sighed. Sometimes his boss truly was clueless about the world outside the sect. “He’s untouchable, boss. He has a compound up in the Hollywood Hills, security guards, the whole shebang. When Sailor’s there, she’ll be untouchable too.”
Bart tapped his chin with his finger. “Is she fucking him, I wonder?”
“Sailor?” Salem looked skeptical. “I doubt it.”
“We’ll soon find out if she is. Until then…maybe we should keep a low profile. Our contact at the passport office said her name is Sarah Halls now. See where ‘Sarah Halls’ uses her credit card, plot out a timetable of what she does, and when she does it. See if we can’t get a mole on Creed’s security team.”
“Will do. Boss, what’s your end game here?”
Bart laughed softly. “Haven’t I made it obvious? Sailor, my beautiful precious Sailor, doesn’t get to see her twenty-sixth birthday.”
Sailor sat in the cab with Bodhi as the vehicle moved through the crowded streets of San Francisco. They were on their way to Quartet’s SF office, and Sailor was so excited that she thought she might throw up any minute. Her good mood rubbed off on Bodhi, who held her hand as they traveled. “You do know that Bay won’t be there, today, right?”
Sailor grinned at him. “Spoilsport. But I would have met her by osmosis, been in the same room of some of her friends.”
“Groupie.”
“You know it.” She giggled as he kissed her.
At the airy and minimalistic offices, they were shown to the boardroom, and soon after, a smiling blonde woman came in, casually but expensively dressed in designer jeans and a gorgeous lilac top. She shook both their hands and introduced herself as Emily Moore to Sailor. “Bodhi has already raved about you,” she said, sitting down, “so this will be a piece of cake.”
Sailor smiled at her. “I hope so…I’ve already told him Quartet is the best home for his music…but what do I know?”
Bodhi chuckled. “She’s madly in love with Bay, so ignore her. She’s biased.”
Emily laughed. “Well, Bay has that effect…and actually, you’re in luck. She’s in town at the moment, so if you’re both free for dinner tonight?”
Sailor thought she might faint and Bodhi laughed. “We can be. Tim’s staying over at a friend’s tonight.”
“Then it’s settled. Now, Dash is unfortunately tied up with another artist today, but Roman will be along to sweeten the deal in a while. Shall we start?”
After a morning of discussing contracts and recording sessions, Sailor’s energy was high. Even though she knew so little, just listening to the passion with which Bodhi talked about music, and hearing the ways the company could benefit from Bodhi’s talent and input got her blood pumping. Music had been her saving grace in the cult, her only way of escape, until she actually did escape, and it would always be a guiding force, but until now, she never dreamed she would actually be involved in the industry, especially as Bodhi’s assistant.
Roman Ford joined them, eventually, and Sailor liked him immediately. He was a quiet, serious man, but
when he smiled, she could see into his personality. She knew he was in a relationship with Kym Clayton, another member of the 9th and Pine and listened with interest when he spoke about the band and the company to Bodhi.
“We absolutely are a family business here, Bodhi, we don’t take on anyone we don’t find to fit with our aesthetic. On the other hand, when we do spot that in an artist, we pursue them aggressively…as you’ve probably noticed from this one.” He nodded his head towards Emily who grinned, unrepentant. Bodhi laughed.
“I had an inkling. Listen, I’ve been with Sony since the beginning, and I’m nothing if not loyal, but both they and I know it’s the end of our story together. I’ve not felt so motivated by a company’s attitude toward my work as I have today. I’m in if you’ll take me.”
Roman smiled. “Good. Now, I hear you’re joining us for dinner tonight?”
Bodhi nodded, looking to Sailor who smiled broadly. “Absolutely. Hey, you know if we can get a hotel room around here on short notice?”
Emily nodded. “It’s no problem.” She hesitated. “One or two rooms?”
Sailor flushed bright red, and Bodhi smiled. “If the press asks…two. Between us, we’ll only need the one.”
Emily’s smile was soft. “Gotcha.” She squeezed Sailor’s hand and then got up. “We’ll get that arranged right now so you can go rest up before dinner.”
Sailor was suddenly panicked. “I don’t have any clothes or toiletries or spare under…” She trailed off, blushing furiously as Roman, trying to not grin, cleared his throat.
Bodhi put his arm around her. “Sweetheart, we can go shopping, don’t worry about it.”
Two hours later, in the penthouse suite of their hotel, Sailor groaned. “I looked like such a hillbilly.”
Bodhi was grinning as he dumped their shopping bags on the bed. “You did not…it was adorable.”
She groaned, and he pulled her into his arms. “Sailor…they loved you. I think they liked you better than they liked me. I know I do.”
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