Limelight (Hollywood Stardust)

by Kim Carmichael

  A perfect red imprint of his hand appeared on her perfect white skin, the color deepening with each passing second, like a brand or mark. Visible proof she was his.

  He glanced at her.

  “Do it again.” Now she bit her lip.

  The time of her calling the shots was over. Twenty years ago he left in defeat. Today, he would take command. “Don’t tell me what to do again.” Without any warning he gave her another slap.

  “Ah.” She lowered her head.

  A matching handprint appeared on the opposite cheek. Two handprints marred her skin.

  His handprints.

  His call.

  His woman.

  “Drew?” Her tone rang with disbelief. Well, it was time she took him seriously.

  “I don’t remember giving you permission to speak.” He punctuated his sentence with his third spank.

  She let out a little squeak, but didn’t say a word.

  “We need to get a few things straight. You need to understand why you’re being punished.” Above all else, she needed to learn her actions had consequences. She always had done better with structure. Hence the fact she always made it to set, knew her lines, had perfect timing. The second she was let loose, she faltered. He couldn’t be free and easy, he needed to take command and both of them would flourish. “Do you agree?”

  At first, she made a noise as if to talk, but stopped and nodded.

  “Very good. You learn fast.” Along with punishment came reward. He leaned over and gave her a kiss on her shoulder.

  She let out a moan.

  “Now, Ms. Holland. You will not ever create a ruckus in front of my accounts again.” He sat up and doled out another sampling of discipline.

  “Oh, God.” Her bottom shook, but she didn’t attempt to move away.

  “No talking.” An additional spank told her he would follow through.

  Rather than responding, she panted.

  “You will not shove cameras in anyone’s face.” Another spank.

  “You will not make suggestive comments.” Another.

  “You will not make any more dramatic exits.” Another.

  She cried out and squirmed. Her writhing hit him in all the right places. His control and power coupled with her submission only edged him on.

  “Erin.” Once more he gave her a soothing rub over her skin, hot and red, and swollen.

  She clutched the couch cushion, but continued to grind against him. His erection grew.

  “Erin.” He called out her name again and slipped his hand between her thighs. Someone else was also aroused.

  A little noise escaped her throat, no words, but she spread her legs ever so slightly.

  Rather than give in and allow her a small amount of relief, he skimmed his fingers along her, light touches meant to torment, not satisfy.

  His attention only made her open her legs further, twist around to obtain relief. With none to be found, she hit her fist into the couch.

  “Is someone complaining?” He jerked his hand away. His erection now throbbed. The first and only time they were together everything happened fast, but he vowed tonight to take it slow, draw out all the pleasure. Above all else, he promised to take control down to every last detail.

  In a move of defeat, she covered her head with her hand and let out a whimper.

  Before releasing her, he needed to get something off his chest. “Lastly, after you went to such lengths to be with me, I demand you do not lie to me, and you will be as reliable as when you are on set.” He gave her one final slap. “Have you learned your lesson?”

  Like a good girl she nodded and raised her hand.

  “Speak.” He never wanted her as bad as this moment.

  “Don’t leave me again.” Her voice came out muffled by the couch, but her tone was absolutely serious.

  “Is that a demand?” Though he longed to pull her into his arms, he refused to lose the ground he’d gained.

  “No, it’s a wish.”

  Her statement hit him right in the chest. “Come here.”

  She moved, sucked in her breath and put her hand over her backside, but without complaint, she got into his lap and stared into his face.

  He took hold of her chin. Basically nude, with her makeup smeared and her hair a disaster, he had never seen her so raw or beautiful. “You’re mine.”

  Her lips parted, but rather than speak, she nodded.

  He curled one of his hands behind her neck and pulled her in, their lips almost touching.

  "Oh." A gasp escaped her throat.

  At last, he gave into a different one of her wishes and kissed her first. He chose when to connect their lips, he set the pace, he opened his mouth and he sought out her tongue with his own.

  She melted into him and let him take the lead.

  In a sudden move, he broke the kiss and pushed her back.

  "Drew?" Her eyes widened.

  He decided to test his newfound power, remembering to give her plenty of direction. "I want you to stand up, stand in front of me and take off your thong, then go to the bedroom and pull down the blankets on the bed and wait for me in there."

  As if she had to decipher his code, she tilted her head. "What are you going to be doing?"

  "What I’m doing doesn't matter." With his jaw squared, he kept his tone even, yet strong. "I want you to do what I told you to do, in the exact order I told you to do it."

  "What if I don't?" She hooked her fingers on the side of her thong.

  He caught her wrist. "There will be repercussions."

  With her mouth open, she stared into his eyes.

  "You have five things to do." He pointed in the direction he wanted her to take.

  For only a moment she paused, but finally she got off his lap. Never taking her focus off him, she stood in front of him and pulled her thong off. Between two fingers she lifted the flimsy piece of fabric.

  He rubbed his hand over the bulge in his pants. "Drop them."

  In less than a second, the thong fell to the floor, and she took slow steps to the bedroom, stopping at the entrance. "Where do you want me once I pull the covers back?"

  "Sit at the edge of the bed." Out of the corner of his eye he watched her disappear into the room.

  He waited a little longer than necessary, but at last he stood. For the first time he felt in control of both him and her.

  She needed to learn a lesson and needed guidance. Before joining her, he collected the wine and their glasses. He was already a professor, now he would become a director as well, and he would make sure she followed every one of his cues.

  * * * *

  HER STOMACH FLUTTERING, her heart speeding and her body in a state of want, Erin straightened the blankets and sat at the edge of the bed, her legs together, hands neatly folded on her naked lap.

  She would do whatever he wanted if he would just kiss her again exactly like he did before. The kiss that told her that he did indeed want her.

  He kissed her first.

  Not only did he kiss her, he took command of her and the situation, called her his, and for the first time in her whole life, she wanted to obey and give in. Truth be told, she wanted to relinquish control.

  Now she knew why she didn't allow him to kiss her all those years ago.

  Plain and simple, she wasn't ready. Wasn't ready for the passion that traveled through him into her body, wasn't ready to admit there wasn't anyone else for her. At eighteen years old she was terrified to admit he was the one and he would always be the one.

  Finally, he entered the room. His form filled the doorway and she sat up, straightened her spine and continued to wait. He set the wine on the side table and stepped in front of her.

  Her gaze traveled over him. Still in his suit, with his tie perfectly knotted, he appeared to be a strong, sexy businessman. His erection tented his pants and made her mouth water. She almost reached for him, but stopped, choosing to look up at him for his next instruction.

  "Do it." His tone came out forcefu
l, reminding her of being on set with a director who knew exactly what he wanted.

  When given the right direction, she knew how to perform. She reached for his belt, unfastening the buckle and then his pants. She allowed his pants to drop to the floor, pulled down his blue boxer briefs and revealed her prize.

  The one night he made love to her everything moved at such speed, she barely got the chance to notice anything except the fact she wanted him. Now she took him into her hands, slowed down and stroked him, studying his smooth length, rigid with the same need she possessed. Impressive wasn’t quite the word she would use for him, maybe magnificent would fit him better.

  At her attention, he let out a moan. She didn’t need a written script to know what he wanted next, and without any hesitation encompassed him with her mouth.

  “Like that.” He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt.

  Rather than acknowledging he spoke, she tended to her man, swirling her tongue over him, sucking and kissing his length, savoring his taste, especially after waiting twenty years.

  “Yes.” He practically hissed the word and grabbed her hair.

  For the first time with any man, she wanted to dole out pleasure and not simply as a means to an end. His reactions to her, from moving with her to caressing to the side of her face, had her pressing her thighs together and squirming in an effort to alleviate some of her need.

  His breathing increased, he twisted her hair in his hand. If he wanted, she would take him to the end. The image of him letting go aroused her further, and she took him deep, until he skimmed the back of her throat.

  “Erin.” He growled and grabbed her shoulders. “Stop.”

  Yes, she purposely ignored him, instead choosing to find out how far down she could take him.

  “Erin!” He pushed her back.

  His erection popped out of her mouth and stood straight out, tense, throbbing and wanting relief. “What do you want, Drew?” She reached up and twisted his tie around her fingers, pulling it out from under his collar and dropping it as she scooted back on the bed.

  “I want you to lie still.” He tore off his shirt, kicked away his pants and joined her on the bed. In an instant, his lips were on hers, and he cupped her breast in his palm. His fingertips teased her nipples, and she shut her eyes, relishing in the way Drew both took command of her body and worshiped it.

  With agonizing slowness, he trailed his lips down her body, kissing her breasts, her side and even her hips.

  Desire flowed through her. She had to have him soon. “Drew.”

  At last, he made his way between her legs.

  The anticipation building, she tensed, held her breath.

  Feather light, his fingertips grazed over her.

  “Drew.” She gasped out his name and twisted on the bed.

  “Stay still.” His voice vibrated through her, and he kissed the tops of her thighs.

  “Oh, God.” In an effort to give him a little encouragement in the right direction, she spread her legs.

  He lifted his head.

  “Drew?” Her sensitized body demanded attention. She balled her hands into fists and leaned up on her elbows.

  “Did you hear me before?” Once more, his fingertips made their way to her center where he traced a circle right where she needed it most. His light touch only served to tease and tempt, but nothing else.

  “About what?” She bit her lip.

  “I told you not to move.” He moved between her legs, but stared at her face. “Now I’m adding that you may not orgasm without my permission.”

  “What happens if I do?” The sheer fact he mentioned it made her body twinge.

  He answered by moving his hand.

  “How do I stop it?” Without even thinking, she bucked her hips up, but just as fast lowered them back to the bed. “Drew?”

  “I suppose you’ll have to figure that out. Now do as I say.” As if dismissing her, he spread her legs further apart. “Tell me you understand.”

  Were they doing some sort of kinky role play? She heard about this type of thing, but never thought Drew was the type, but hell, she was game. “I understand.” Like a good girl, she laid back down.

  Her compliance was rewarded when he lowered his mouth between her legs.

  Oh, she couldn't remember the last time a man tended to her in this intimate way, and definitely didn't have any memory of a man performing like Drew. No millimeter of her went without him kissing, tasting and fondling her. He used his fingers to delve inside her, heating her to the core.

  Throughout her entire body her arousal grew, her muscles tensed and she fought the urge to move with him for fear he would stop. "Drew. God." Her mind erased everything except how he lapped her up as if she were some great delicacy for the tasting.

  The second he turned his focus to the one bundle of nerves designed to produce the orgasm she was supposed to control, she couldn’t hold back. “Oh, I’m there.” She arched her back. Her body teetered at the edge, ready to fall.

  Then everything stopped.

  “Ah!” As her body pulsed on nothing with no relief, she was left empty and wanting. She twisted the sheets in her fist. “Drew!”

  Like a parent chastising a child, he shook his head.

  “Drew!” The game wasn’t fun anymore.

  “You only listen when you want to. That’s not acceptable anymore.” A sly smile grew over the mouth that should be on her.

  “Drew.” She slapped the bed. “What are you doing? Make love to me.”

  “When you listen.” He stood and walked over to the nightstand where he put the wine.

  In pure and utter disbelief, she watched while he stroked his own erection, then poured some of the drink and sipped it down.

  “Drew.” She hugged her knees to her chest.

  “Do you want some?” He held the glass up.

  “Not of that.” In an attempt to look sweet, she widened her eyes and gazed up at him.

  “The wine is ever more delicious when combined with the taste of you.” Barely giving her a glance, he continued to sample the beverage.

  No, this wasn’t a game. He wasn’t giving in, and she would have to work for what she wanted. “I’ll listen. Tell me what to do.”

  He took another sip of the wine and finally put the glass down. “Lie back.”

  In an instant, she did as he instructed.

  With measured steps he returned to the bed. “Do you remember what I told you before?”

  “Yes.”

  He positioned himself on top of her, giving her a deep kiss. “Then tell me.”

  His erection brushed against her and she swallowed. “Don’t move and don’t orgasm without your permission.”

  “You always did have an amazing talent for memorizing.” Only his tip entered her. “Do you think you can comply?”

  She whimpered. “I can.”

  “Good.” He thrust into her.

  At the sudden fullness, she cried out. Pleasure coupled with an insatiable craving consumed her, heightening with every stroke he gave her.

  Though she longed to move with him, wrap her legs around him and grind away to her orgasm, she willed her mind and body to do as he demanded and stay still.

  “Erin.” He took hold of her chin and melded his mouth to hers. Once more his fingers found her breasts where he tweaked and teased her nipples. Every one of his actions was designed to bring her closer.

  Needing to stave off the euphoria building inside her, she closed her eyes and used an old movie trick where she flipped her point of view. Rather than focusing on her end, she zeroed in on Drew using her body for his pleasure. After all, he told her not to move, not to come, and now he drove into her, his movements increasing, his breath hitching. Damn, this was worse. She wanted him to use her like this. “Oh, Drew. I can’t…”

  “Not yet.” His tone warned her not to cross him. He hooked his arm under her leg and lifted it over his shoulder, burrowing himself deep inside her.

  Her body took of
f on its own as his hard thrusts hit her in all the right places. “Drew, please.”

  “No.” He panted.

  “Help me.” She prayed she could keep her word and had to show him she could do it, yet the tension built, stretched thin, any second she would have to snap. Before she gave in, broke her word, disappointed him, she tried anything to stop the inevitable, taking long breaths, thinking of everything but the way the man she waited for made love to her, contracting her muscles, then trying to relax them.

  “I’m going to come.” He plunged into her, tormenting her further. “God, I’m there.”

  “Drew.” Did he forget about her? She would never make it once he came, she would have to join him. Still, she restrained herself. Her body broke out into a heated sweat as she held back and trembled. “Please.”

  “Now.” He kissed her.

  With his permission, she let go. At last, she reached the end she sought, her body caught up in those euphoric pulses that matched her mates. “Yes.” She relished in the ecstasy, and in the way the heat of his passion radiated inside her.

  The pulses slowed and turned into ripples, and her body went weak from the exertion.

  The way he panted and lowered himself on top of her told her he felt the same. “Baby.” He wiped her hair out of her face and kissed her once more.

  “Drew?” Her voice came out breathless, and she wanted to drift away.

  “Yes.” He kissed the back of her hand.

  “May I touch you?”

  “Absolutely.” He gently moved to one side, but gathered her up in his arms.

  At last, she opened her eyes, smiling at the way he looked down at her. She pressed her palm to his face. “Drew.”

  “Yes.” He covered them up and held her tighter.

  The bigger picture, everything that just happened, came into focus. “I’m going to listen, and I’m going to keep my promises.”

  “Erin.”

  She watched the way his lips moved when he said her name. “Yes.”

  “I’m going to be your man.”

  Tears surfaced in her eyes, but she didn’t try to stop them. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him, kissed him and then hid her face in his chest.

  “What’s wrong?”

  She looked up at him. “I just wish I learned twenty years ago.” Her chest ached every time she thought about all those years. “I wasn’t ready for what I felt for you.’