by Nikki Steele
Copyright © 2016 Nikki Steele
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the Author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book uses the American spelling of most common words.
Edition 1.0.4
Contents
Contents
Please Read
Previously
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Epilogue
Further Reading
Please Read
This is book three in a four part series. To gain maximum enjoyment from this series, it is recommended that you read the books in order (but if you do want to skip the first two books, please read the ‘previously’ section on the next page, which will bring you up to speed). Just like a good TV series, there are cliffhangers that build a larger storyline in these books.
This is a short, Erotic Romance. It contains strong, explicit, smoking hot sex scenes. You’ve been warned!
Previously
Josie has just started a new job as a personal assistant to billionaire Hollywood producer Archer Williams. But what her handsome new boss doesn’t realize is that Josie has a secret—she’s being blackmailed into betraying him.
Janus Inc., a corrupt mega-corporation about to be exposed by Archer, is forcing Josie to steal a tape containing evidence that Archer has on them. If she doesn’t, they’ll make her entire world come crumbling down— they have compromising photos of Josie, and own the debt on her ailing mother’s house, too.
After two weeks of electrifying attraction, Josie and Archer make love one Friday night. She can’t bring herself to steal the tape afterward, and instead places it back in Archer’s pocket before he can find out what she’s doing.
She tries to avoid Archer for his own protection. But Archer won’t take no for an answer, and after a series of increasingly extravagant gestures, Josie finally succumbs to her heart’s desire. They make love on the set of the upcoming Alice in Wonderland movie.
Finally, Josie thinks she’s found her happily ever after. But Janus has different ideas. They’ve been secretly filming Archer and Josie’s encounters, and after hearing her say to Archer that she wants to fight back, they’ve decided it’s time to teach her a little lesson—Josie wakes up the next morning to find news of their first sexual encounter splashed all over the Newspapers…
The story continues in Hollywood Hype.
* * *
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Chapter 1
I picked up my phone. I put it down.
What the heck had just happened? I read the headline in front of me again.
DIRECTOR CAUGHT IN FILM SET SEX TAPE WITH MYSTERY WOMAN.
I skimmed the article, searching for answers. “On-set scandal… explicit video… close employee…” I murmured as I read, hoping to get to the part where it was all big joke. I had to be the girl the story referred to—there was last Friday’s date, and Archer was mentioned specifically by name.
Last Friday—the night Archer had tied me up and then made love to me on the jungle film stage. I stumbled, grabbing at a chair for support, my eyes blurry. How had this happened?
Had Archer secretly filmed us? I immediately pushed the thought from my mind. Not only did I not believe he could do such a thing, but he was mentioned specifically by name. If anyone could be suspected of releasing the sex tape, it would be-
I leapt for the phone; suddenly terribly afraid.
It rang before I had a chance to dial, and I hit the answer button frantically. “Archer? Whatever you’ve read, I swear I had nothing-”
“Josephine, good morning.”
My blood went cold. I would have recognized that grating voice anywhere. Richard McNamara; cigar smoking CEO of Janus.
“What do you want, Richard? Did you do this? What have you done?”
“So many questions. Here’s one for you.” His voice became hard—dangerous. “Do you have my tape, Josephine? Or shall I give the world yours?”
I closed my eyes, the thousand daggers in his voice piercing my flesh. “You’re lying. There’s no way you could have a tape of us.”
“Maybe, maybe not,” he said, suddenly whimsical. I heard him ash his cigar—a series of distant taps—and then draw a deep lungful of smoke with a sigh. “Though of course that does beg the question of how I know you slept with Archer in the first place.”
“A lucky guess.”
“Perhaps. And would it also be a lucky guess if I told you how much I enjoyed watching him tie you up, that first time? And that latest tape—the one you made last night... it didn’t make the papers, but it will if you don’t do what I want. I must say, watching you on film is so much more fun than looking at photos.”
He chuckled. “Josephine? You’ve gone all quiet.”
“You… monster. What do you want?” I croaked.
“The tape. I don’t appreciate the way you’ve been stalling.”
“I haven’t been stalling. I’m trying to get it.”
He tsked. “Now, now, I’ve seen the videos, remember? I know you have it in your dirty little hands right this minute.”
“I… I gave it back. I need more time.”
He sighed—a rough, harsh sound. “You know, it would be a real shame for a man like Archer, already so much in the public eye, to be caught with his pants down like this. Sex tapes can go one of either two ways—boost a career, or ruin it. Which way do you think it would go when Janus owns the media?”
“You… you sick…” I couldn’t finish my sentence, too overwhelmed to think clearly.
“Then there’s the reputation of the young lady involved. They haven’t released her name yet, have they?”
“Go to hell.”
“I have to say, Josephine, I knew you were photogenic but I had no idea you were such a screamer! To think you couldn’t find a career in Hollywood. I’m sure there’s an entire genre of film you’d be perfect for.”
I bit down on the knuckles of one hand to keep from hurling abuse down the phone. So this was how people felt before murdering someone. I could relate to the plea of temporary insanity—if he’d been in front of me I might have picked something heavy up and hit him with it, unable to help myself.
“This is all very simple,” he continued. “You give me the tape you were tasked with providing, and I give you the tape of your on-set sexcapades. Otherwise I’ll release your tape to the press. You have till the end of the week. In the meantime, your story won’t leave the media for a minute. Believe me, by the time I release that tape the entire world will be clamoring for a look. String the public along with enough hype and they’ll be cutting each other’s throats to be the first to see a bootleg copy. Like I said, it helps that Janus owns the newspapers, too—you’ll be helping us make money.”
It took a long time before I was able to respond. “And what if I say no? What if I tell you to take a walk in heavy traffic?”
“Then it will be a real shame to see your mother dying brokenhearted in a nursing home, watching her daughter fuck like an animal on a 20 inch CRT TV. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she gets a copy.” I heard his chair creak as he leaned in. “Josephine?”
I couldn’t answer.
“I see everyth
ing. I know everything. I’ll know if you talk to him, and I’ll know if you go to the police. And there are worse things that can happen than being caught on film. So be a good girl and bring me that tape.”
Chapter 2
It had to be a nightmare. Some awful nightmare, and soon I would wake up. It would be Saturday morning again, and we would be happy. There wouldn’t be any disgusting newspaper article. Archer’s reputation would be untainted. I would be full of hope again, and in love—happier than I’d ever been.
I opened my eyes. The newspaper was still there.
This time, when the phone rang, it was Archer. “Josie? Have you seen the papers?”
I burst into tears.
“Josie! I’m at the office. Hold on, I’ll come round.”
I’ll know if you talk to him. I wiped at my eyes. “No Archer, don’t.”
“What’s going on? How did this happen?”
“I… I can’t tell you.”
“As in, you don’t know, or you know but don’t want to say?”
There are worse things that can happen than being caught on film. “What does it matter Archer? What’s done is done.”
Though Archer fell silent, I knew exactly what he’d be thinking. He already knew I worked for Janus. I’d told him that, myself. He’d think I’d betrayed him, plain and simple. How could I possibly convince Archer now that none of this was intentional? After everything we’d been through, everything I’d confessed.
“I see,” he said finally. “I’ll be there in 10.”
“No Archer, don’t.” Janus was spying on us, somehow. And that meant I shouldn’t see Archer, though it was the only thing I wanted to do right now. Because as soon as I did see him, I’d have to ask for those tapes. If I didn’t, Janus would know, and they’d release that second video—and my name.
I took a deep breath, and then said something worse than anything I’d previously heard this morning. “I don’t think we should see each other for a while.”
* * *
The minute I got off the phone I walked straight to my bed and curled up in a ball, blankets over my head. My life might as well have been over. Now there was no way out of this mess that didn’t result in Janus winning.
I’d been so hopeful that we could triumph—that the good guys would crush the bad, just for once. How the tables had turned. We were only days away from having our names splashed across the front page, and both our lives ruined.
I shuddered at the thought. What would happen when Mom found out? There was no way she would miss it—I could see the headlines now: High-powered Hollywood director and billionaire Archer Williams caught in salacious acts on camera with failed actress Josie Bellefleur. They’d probably butcher my name while they were at it.
And oh, look! Nude photos! Miss Bellefleur was once photographed in the nude. She must be a sex-crazed maniac. I could see the interviews with friends, schoolmates and old teachers already. ‘Did you ever suspect Josie had this other side? Did she ever try to seduce you?’
I wrapped my arms around myself, rocking back and forth. I’d be a laughing stock, a joke on the late-night talk shows—like Monica Lewinsky, or Hugh Grant. Whenever a woman got caught sleeping with her boss, people would say she ‘Bellefleured.’ And I bet they would still pronounce it wrong, too.
‘How could such a plain-looking girl attract the attention of a gorgeous, wealthy man like Archer Williams?’ they’d say. ‘She must really be talented.’ They’d laugh and wink, nudging one another. I’d be picked apart the way buzzards pull apart roadkill.
I was shaken, too shocked to cry. Janus had done this. Janus was ruining my life. And the fact that their sleazy executive had watched the videos? I put my hands over my mouth, afraid I might be sick.
Gradually, the rocking abated. How had they even filmed us, anyway? I thought back to the scenes of our lovemaking, trying to cast emotion aside—trying to think logically. Neither of us had used our smartphones. Could it have been security footage? Or-
I leapt up. The film camera—of course! It had been pointing straight at us. And hadn’t I thought that the tally light—the red light that showed a camera was operating—was flashing, too? That meant there was more to this than meets the eye. I shivered. Could there be a second person close to Archer, working for Janus too?
Chapter 3
I pulled up with a screech at the Guard Gate, flashing my ID and then accelerating into the parking lot. It was a Saturday, and whilst shooting schedules often dictated weekend activity, today it was almost empty.
Now I knew what had happened—for the most part, at least. I didn’t know exactly who the spy was, but I did know that if I could get Archer alone, somewhere off reservation, I would be able to tell him about it, and we could come up with a plan.
Because I knew, to the very core of my being, that there was no way that I was going to give Janus that tape. They deserved to burn for what they’d done, and I was going to be the one who lit the match.
Just the thought that Archer would be by my side gave me strength. Somehow, I felt safer when he was around. As though, when we were together, we could take anything the world threw at us and spit it right back. Alone, I couldn’t fight this. But with him? Janus didn’t stand a chance.
That slime McNamara must have foreseen the way I’d fall for Archer, or how I’d lose my nerve when the time came to deliver. I imagined him sitting in his office, like a spider in the middle of a web. Spinning and spinning, thinking of every possible outcome and the trap he could set against each one.
I’d fallen straight into one of those traps, and taken Archer with me. I had to get through to him. I had to make Archer understand I hadn’t set him up, that I was as much a victim as he was. It was the idea that he would think I’d betrayed him that hurt me the most.
I almost collided with Christian as I entered the building. “Josie, are you okay?”
“Christian, thank goodness.”
Christian took in my tight, drawn face. “Josie, what’s wrong?”
He was a good kid, but I didn’t want to drag him into this mess too. I pushed past him. “Something bad has happened. I need to fix it.”
“The newspaper article?”
My head whipped round. “How did you know that?” I asked, stopping short.
He looked at me strangely. “It was in the newspaper. I do read, you know. Everyone does. I wonder who the mystery woman is?”
I cleared my throat. “I’m sure whoever it is, she had good reason to do what she was doing.”
“Sure—and I can tell you the reason right now.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Several million reasons, if you know what I mean.”
I slumped. If this was what Christian thought, what must Archer be thinking? “I’ve got to see Archer. You’re… you’re right; I think someone is trying to blackmail him, Christian. I think I know who it is, too.”
Christian opened his mouth, but I held up my hand. “No, I can’t tell you. It’s not safe—better if you don’t know anything about it.”
“Do you think he’ll give them what they want?”
I shook my head. “Not if I can help it.” I drew a breath. “Look, I shouldn’t even be talking to you about this. Is Archer in his office?”
Christian hesitated. “No.”
“Do you know where he is?”
He looked down at his feet. “Josie… you’re not going to like this.”
That stopped me short. “What?”
“He… doesn’t want to speak to you right now.”
“What? Why!”
“I don’t know. All I know is, he flew out of his office this morning in a rage, saying he didn’t ever want to speak to you again. He… um, he said some really mean stuff, Josie.”
I looked down. “I can imagine. We… well, we had a misunderstanding. But I’m sure he’ll come round when I tell him the truth.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so. He told me, very specifically, to pass on a message when I next saw you. He sa
id…” Christian looked upwards, trying to remember. “He said, ‘tell her to take the tape and give it to them,’ whatever that means. Then he said ‘We’re over,’ and not to call or text. He said he just wanted to get on with the rest of his life.”
He looked at me, and spread his hands. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t want to be the one to tell you that. Do you think he was talking about the sex tapes, Josie? But why would you have them?”
I shook my head, the bottom falling out of my world. “I don’t Christian,” I said, fighting back tears. “Thank you for the message.” Then I turned round, and ran from the building before Christian could see the tears suddenly streaming down my face.
Chapter 4
I didn’t come in to work on Monday. As far as I knew, I didn’t have a job to go to. That didn’t mean I’d given up, though. Not without first seeing Archer. I needed to look him in the eyes, tell him it wasn’t me. After that, if he truly wanted me to give the tape over, I would. But not before. I wouldn’t let Janus win that easily.
At midday, I found myself in my car, driving toward the studio once more. Toward it, but not to it. I blew the bangs out of my eyes. I’d considered getting dolled up for the occasion—pulling my hair back, putting on more than just token lip gloss—but then decided against it. I was trying to convince Archer of my innocence, not seduce him. And though I knew for some guys there might not be much of a difference, the thing I liked about Archer was that there was.
I couldn’t call him—not when I didn’t know who was listening on the other end of the phone, or even if our phones were tapped. But I’d been his personal assistant. I knew Archer had a lunch appointment at 12:30 at a restaurant outside the studio. It was marked personal, which meant that no studio staff would be there, and I figured if I could catch him, I could tell him the truth.