by Anthology
I moved up beside her again. She was completely relaxed and let me mould her body to my own as I positioned her in the nook of my arm, her head tucked into my neck.
She spoke after a few minutes. “That was some way to wake up.” Her voice was still gravelly.
“Good. That was what I was aiming for.”
“You can wake me up like that anytime.” She giggled. I loved her laugh. It was so joyful and melodic sounding. I could easily sample it in one of my tracks. Actually, that idea wasn’t half bad…
“Mason?”
“Huh?”
“Where’d you go just now?”
“I was thinking about your laugh.”
“What about it?” I could hear the confusion in her voice.
“Just how much I love hearing it.”
She moved her head and kissed my neck then snuggled herself back into me. I know I sounded like a pussy but I swear my heart swelled in my chest. Knowing I said something that made her happy did that.
“Would you want to meet a couple of my friends? If not, I totally understand, it’s not a big deal. I was going to get together with them tonight and I thought you might want to come.”
I smiled thinking it was a good sign that she wanted me to meet her friends. “Sure. That sounds good.”
“You don’t need to worry about them telling anyone you’re in town. They’ve both been sworn to secrecy.”
“If you trust them, I’m not worried.”
“My friend Katie is a big fan of your music.”
“I like her already.” I laughed and Ellie smacked me in the gut playfully. “Apparently you’re not a fan though.”
“Why do you say that?” She sat up and turned to look at me. The sheet had fallen around her waist and she hadn’t seemed to notice. I sure had.
“The first night I drove you home…my song was playing on the radio and you made me change the station because you couldn’t stand it.”
Ellie’s hand came to cover her mouth and her cheeks turned bright pink. “That was your song? Oh my God. I’m so embarrassed. I had no idea.”
I laughed again. She was cute when she was embarrassed. “It’s not a big deal. My music’s not for everyone.”
“Don’t take it personally. I don’t know anything about hip-hop. I’ve never really listened to it before.”
“Well, we’ll have to rectify that, won’t we? I can think of few ways you could make it up to me if you wanted.” I reached for her and placed my hand behind her neck and pulled her to me. The minute our lips made contact my cell phone rang.
“Damn it,” I murmured against her lips.
“It’s okay. You answer it. I’m going to use the bathroom.” She gave me a quick peck and got off the bed, taking the sheet with her, and walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind her. I don’t know why she was being so modest when she had such a rockin’ body. I’d never understand women.
I picked up my phone and saw that it was Troy. “Hey, man.”
“Mason, I was able to get you a meeting with the E Network executives so we can plead your case as to why you’re the better choice than Little Mac for the reality show.”
“Good work. When’s the meeting?” I asked.
“Tonight. Six o’clock. Can you fly to L.A. by then?”
Damn it. I’d just promised Ellie I’d meet her friends. I couldn’t ditch this meeting with the executives though. It may be my only chance to schmooze them before a decision was made.
“Yeah, I’ll be there.”
“Great. Let me know when your plane is coming in and I’ll meet you at the airport so we can discuss our approach beforehand.”
“Will do. Listen, what happened with the story? You didn’t get back to me.” I heard the irritation in my tone.
“Relax. I was able to squash it. I told them there was a misunderstanding regarding your mother. As for that girl I gave them your story, said she was an addiction counselor for a rehab facility brought in to assist the guy your mom was with and that they needed to keep her identity private. They bought it for now but you’re going to have the give the Examiner an exclusive first interview the next time we have any big news to share. It’s the only way I could get them to agree not to pursue the story.”
“Whatever.”
“You sure this broad is worth the trouble?” My fists clenched at Troy’s use of the derogatory term in reference to Ellie.
“Don’t call her a broad.”
He laughed but there was a bitter edge to it. “I’m sure that’s probably what she is. I’ve seen enough of them float in and out of your life over the years. Always looking out for numero uno.”
“She’s not like that.”
“Oh shit,” he started laughing. “This girl has really got you pussy whipped. Don’t forget to bring your balls to L.A. with you. You’ll need them for this meeting.” As was his way, Troy hung up without saying goodbye.
Ellie emerged from the bathroom, sheet wrapped around herself and sat beside me on the bed. “Everything okay?”
“I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”
“Hmmm…good news.”
“That’s interesting.”
“What?”
“That you picked good news. Most people do the reverse.”
“I’d rather know the good news first. That way I can keep it in mind and be grateful for it when I hear the bad news.”
“Good news it is. Troy was able to stop the Examiner from printing the pictures of the two of us in Texas.”
“That is good news.” Her face lit up. She was sitting with her legs tucked underneath her and she bounced excitedly on the mattress. I tried especially hard not to notice the way her tits bounced up and down underneath the thin sheet as she did it.
“The bad news is that I have to fly to L.A. so I won’t be able to meet your friends tonight.”
“Oh, well, that’s okay.” She put up a good front but I saw a flash of disappointment cross her face. I felt like an asshole. I didn’t want to be the one to put that disappointed look on her face. Ever. “Troy’s managed to get me an interview with the producers of the reality series so we can try to sell them on using me for the show.”
“I understand.”
“Today’s the only time they could meet with me.”
“Mason, I said it’s fine. I get it.” She was saying the right words but I could tell it bothered her anyway.
I leaned in to kiss her. “I’ll only be gone the one night and then I’ll be back and we can do more of this.”
“Good because any more than one night and I might have to take matters into my own hands.”
I pushed her back onto the mattress. “You always know just what to say.”
As much as I wanted to rip the sheet away and bury myself inside her for the foreseeable future, I had travel arrangements to make and needed to get my ass in gear if I was going to be in L.A. by this afternoon.
I gave her a quick kiss and begrudgingly got into the shower.
I had a plane to catch.
CHAPTER TWENTY
It was stupid of me to assume the fact that Mason and I had slept together meant something for our relationship, or whatever the hell it was we were doing. We’d only been together for the first time last night and he was already leaving. I was so sick of people always leaving me.
This was exactly why I couldn’t allow myself to get in too deep with Mason. I knew he’d be gone in a few short weeks but it stung that immediately after sleeping with me he was taking off across the country.
Foolishly when he’d agreed to meet my friends I thought that meant something. That we were more than we were. What a chick thing to say. “I thought I meant more to him.” Freaking shoot me. I refuse to be that girl.
I wasn’t mad at Mason. It’s not like he’d misled me or anything. In fact, I should be glad that I knew where we stood now. I needed to get back to my own life, not this fantasy world I’d been living in since we’d met, thinking I coul
d have any type of future or real relationship with a celebrity like Mason.
I was hurt by his actions, but I liked spending time with him and the sex had been off the charts… I’d enjoy what our remaining weeks together had to offer and then get on with my life once he was gone.
I’d left when Mason got in the shower as I still had to go home and shower and change before I headed into work. My mom and Ralph were still sleeping, or doing whatever it is they do first thing in the morning, (I was still trying to get the image my mom had painted for me out of my head), so I didn’t have to deal with her asking where I’d been last night.
I’d have to face Katie at work though. She knew I had headed over to Mason’s last night and she’d want details but I wasn’t sure I wanted to share them. I still hadn’t decided how I felt about everything myself.
That afternoon I’d found myself with nothing to do but let my mind wander. I had the fleeting idea to Google Mason’s name.
I knew I shouldn’t, that it was self-sabotage. There’s nothing Google was going to show me that was going to make me feel better.
I knew this. I knew it but I still found myself typing his name into the search field multiple times, then bitch-slapping myself mentally and backspacing until it disappeared. After an hour I finally caved, typed Mason Nash into Google and hit enter.
I was in no way prepared for the images and headlines that assaulted me. There were pictures of him with pop stars, actresses and—come on….seriously?—actual Victoria’s Secret models. I thought he’d been joking. There were some candid shots of him kissing some of them…those ones made my stomach turn. It was stupid but jealousy seeped inside me through every pore. Logically I knew all these pictures of Mason with other women had happened before I even knew he existed. Apparently my brain didn’t feel like doing logical at the moment.
I realized that this was the price of fame. Every moment of your life lived out in the public sphere was immortalized forever. It could all be brought back with the click of a mouse and some tapping on the keys.
A few of the headlines claimed he was cheating on someone, others that a woman in question was cheating on him. Apparently he’d been a part of a wild party in the penthouse suite at the Roosevelt in Hollywood and some known adult film stars were seen leaving the hotel the following morning.
I closed the search page. I didn’t want to see any more. I already had the sight of Mason kissing other women now firmly embedded in my head. Besides, most of it was probably lies anyway. I knew better than anyone how good the media was at twisting things to suit their needs.
Still, I couldn’t help but compare myself to some of the women. What could Mason possibly see in me when he was used to dating women like that? I hated how insecure I was. It wasn’t a feeling I was used to but it seemed that being with Mason brought it out in me.
My phone vibrated in my purse so I pulled it out to see I had a new text from Mason.
Wish I was still there. I’m looking at the wrong ocean.
I smiled to myself thinking how sweet his words were, then reminded myself not to put too much stock in them.
Jeff’s voice came from down the hall and was getting closer so I turned my phone off and threw it back in my purse.
The rest of the day passed in a blur since the reason for Jeff’s visit to my desk had been to lay a shitload of work on my lap. I walked in my house after work and immediately went up to my room to lie down. I was bagged from my lack of sleep the night before. I expected to watch a half hour of TV or so to unwind. The next thing I knew I was wiping drool off my face and it was already dark outside.
I glanced at the clock. It was 9:30 p.m. I grabbed my purse from beside the bed to see if I’d missed any calls and realized I’d forgotten to turn my phone back on when I’d left work. I hit the power key and the text notifications started chiming.
There was one from Katie:
Don’t think I didn’t notice you avoided being alone with me at work today. That can only mean one thing…you hit it! I want details!!
I rolled my eyes. Typical Katie.
Skye had sent me a few messages, too:
How’d it go last night? How many screaming orgasms did you get? ;)
Hello? Why aren’t you answering me? Are you still unconscious from all the mind-blowing sex?
We’re here. Where R U?
If I don’t hear from you soon I’m driving over there…
Dealing with my friends was like dealing with a bunch of horny teenaged guys, I swear. I quickly texted Skye to let her know I’d fallen asleep when I got home and wouldn’t be making drinks with her and Katie tonight.
Bullshit. You’re staying in to bang that hottie again. No worries. I’d do the same. Call me tomorrow!!!!!
Didn’t I wish that was true.
I scrolled through my phone again. The last text I’d received had been from Mason. My breath hitched. I had equal parts excitement and trepidation running through my veins. I wanted to hear from him but my reaction made me remember that I needed to get a handle on my emotions before he had the ability to really hurt me.
Everything okay? Didn’t hear back from you earlier.
XOXO (The Guy Whose World You Rocked Last Night)
I laughed to myself and pondered what to write back when my phone vibrated in my hand. It was another text from Mason.
Ellie…you there?
I typed a reply back.
I’m here. Sorry, fell asleep after work. Just woke up.
Seconds after I hit Send my phone rang.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hey, babe. How are you?” Mason asked.
My heart fluttered at the term of endearment. He wasn’t making keeping my distance easy. “I’m good. I didn’t see your text earlier, sorry.”
“I’m glad that’s all it was. You were starting to give me a complex. I thought maybe I was the only one that enjoyed myself last night.”
“I thought it was pretty obvious that I enjoyed myself,” I said wryly.
“I would have thought that was true after a few orgasms…but you seemed to be in your head when you were leaving. Then when you didn’t text me back I thought maybe you were having second thoughts about us again.”
He couldn’t really be worrying that I was going to reject him could he? This rich, famous, piece of male perfection that any woman would be glad to get her hands on?
“No, nothing like that. I’ve made my decision and I’m sticking by it. I’m going to enjoy our next few weeks together.”
“The next few weeks. Right.” There was something different about his voice but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Looking for a change of subject I asked him how his meeting had gone. “It went well. I think we managed to convince the executives that I’m the right one for the show. They’re making the decision in the next week or two.”
“That’s great news,” I said, honestly happy for him. I may have been a little hurt that he’d left hours after we’d been together for the first time but the farther away I got from the situation, the sillier it seemed. He had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and it wasn’t like I could expect him to drop everything in his real life because he was spending his hiatus with me.
“I’m sorry I had to bail on meeting your friends tonight to come out here.”
“I told you, it’s no biggie.”
“I’m gonna have to spend another couple nights in L.A.”
My heart sunk which was further proof that I was letting my emotions get too involved. “Oh?”
“Have you heard of Amber Marshall?”
That was like asking if you’d ever heard of Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny. She was the hottest pop singer at the moment, at the top of the charts and the fodder of every gossip magazine. Not to mention beautiful. Even as a straight woman I knew she exuded sex; the barely there outfits she wore when she performed only helped.
“Of course I’ve heard of her.”
“She heard I was in town and asked me to hel
p her cut a single she’s been playing around with. She wants me to do a little something in the middle of the track.”
“What a great opportunity.” The thought of him spending an entire day with a sex kitten like that did little to restore my fledging self-confidence where Mason was concerned.
“Definitely. Too good to pass up.”
“When do you think you’ll be back in town?” I asked.
“Probably not until Sunday night sometime.”
“Oh, okay. Well, give me a call when you get back.”
“About that…” He trailed off and took a deep breath. I steeled myself for what he was about to say. “I was wondering if you might want to head out here and spend the weekend with me.”
“Really?”
“I’ll be spending a lot of time in the studio but you can hang there if you want. I thought you might want to see how a song gets made.”
I didn’t know what to say. My earlier feelings melted away as I realized that he wanted to spend time with me enough that he’d invite me out to L.A. Did I want to go to Los Angeles? Dumb question. Yes, I wanted to see Mason. The real question was whether it was worth potentially getting outed and ending up in some gossip rag; the subject of public ridicule once again. “Umm…”
“Before you answer there’s something you should know.”
That sounded ominous. “Okay…”
“It’s likely we’ll be photographed. L.A. is a hotbed for the fucking paparazzi. They’re like a swarm of killer bees almost anywhere you go in this town. We’ll do our best to avoid them but there’s no guarantees.”
“Oh.”
“I understand if you don’t want to risk it. But I’m really hoping you will.” The sincerity in his voice came through and I couldn’t imagine how I’d ever thought I’d be able to keep my heart out of the equation with this guy. He was one in a million. The ache to see him outweighed my need to protect myself. I’d do what I could while I was there to stay out of the press but an entire weekend away with Mason was too good to resist. What could people say about me that they hadn’t said already? It was time to just deal with the fallout, if there was any. I couldn’t let my fear prevent me from enjoying what little time I would have with him.