by Sam Crescent
“Do you know those two?” Jason asked.
Mitch squinted toward the dance-floor, chuckling. “I know Dawn. She loves to come partying and picking up guys. I believe the girl with her is Sydney, her sister.”
“Does she come clubbing a lot?”
“No. This is the first time I’ve actually seen her in a dress. Sydney comes to pick Dawn up if she’s drunk too much. I’ve got her number in case of emergencies. I keep an eye on Dawn. She’s a great girl, lovely to the bone, but not always the best judge of character. I keep an eye on her whenever I can.” Mitch stopped to look down the bar. “I’ve got to go, guys.”
“Okay.” Jason couldn’t look away. He wanted to dance with Sydney and apologize for his very rude behavior. It wasn’t her fault he was used to being accosted.
“What’s happening?” Richard asked.
“Distract the sister. I want to dance with Sydney.”
Finishing his beer, he made his way toward the dance-floor.
Richard took his position behind Dawn, while Jason moved toward Sydney. She was swaying her hips from side to side, eyes closed with her arms in the air. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight. She took his breath away.
“Can I have this dance?” he asked, banding his arm around her waist.
She paused, turning around to look at him. “It seems you’ve already taken it,” she said. Sydney spun around in his arms, staring up at him. “Are you going to accuse me of trying to get your autograph?”
“No. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Are you a movie star?” she asked.
“No.”
“A television star?”
“No.” I’m a porn star, baby.
“Then why would you think I’d ask for your autograph?” She licked her lips, and he wanted to taste those beautiful lips. He wanted to know what she tasted like. Fuck, he’d spent most of the day fucking, and yet with Sydney in his arms, it was different.
“I’ve done a couple of commercials,” he said, not lying. He’d done some condom adverts, which had brought in a bit of an income.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I don’t watch a lot of television. I like movies.” She shrugged.
Where had this woman come from? It was like his wish had finally come true.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re not the first woman who hasn’t recognized me.” He wasn’t lying, not really.
“Well, I hope I’ve not damaged your ego too much. I’d hate to be responsible for that.”
“My ego is firmly in check. I’m Jason, by the way.”
“Hello, Jason. I’m Sydney.” She gave him a beaming smile, and he was smitten. This was what it was like to have a woman in his arms who wasn’t trying to discover Bone Harder.
Gripping her hips, he pulled her in close and began to sway to the music. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and they simply danced without talking. When the number changed to a slow one, he held her a little tighter, and looked over his shoulder to see Richard had done the same with Dawn. They looked lovely together.
“Would you like to get a drink?” he asked, wanting her all to himself.
“Yes, I’d love that.”
He took her hand, leading her back to the bar. Nodding at Mitch he turned to her.
“So, you’re an actor?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.
“Yes and no. I’m, erm, I’m a bit of both. I’m an assistant to that man over there,” Jason said, nodding his head toward Richard. He hated lying, but he didn’t want her to change who she was when she found out the truth.
“Is he a movie star?”
“Nah, he’s—” he looked around, leaning in close, “he’s a porn star, but you can’t say anything.”
“Oh my, Dawn would love that, screwing a porn star. Don’t worry. I won’t say anything. I promise.” She gave a little chuckle. “Wow, I bet you see a lot of action.”
He noticed her pulling away a little. “No, I don’t see a lot of action. It’s all work, you understand. Let’s talk about something else.”
“Sure.”
“What do you do?”
“I work in a deli shop. I help arrange hampers and bake cakes et cetera. I’ve been there for five years, and it’s a great job. I love it.” She gave him a beaming smile, and it took his breath away.
“I may have to stop by and try some of your cakes.”
“Well, we’re a shop along with a café. I don’t do all the cooking. We have a chef for that.”
He took her hand, loving the zing of electricity that worked up his fingers. “Do you want to get out of here?” he asked.
“Sure. Give me a moment.”
She walked toward the dance-floor, going to her sister. Jason nodded his head at Richard, pretty much asking him to keep Dawn busy.
Sydney came back with her cheeks flushed. “I’m ready to go.”
Taking her hand, he led her out of the club. He gave David a handshake before walking away. “Come on, I know a late night diner who serves the best burgers.”
“Oh, burgers, so romantic.”
“Unless you want something different?” he asked.
“No. I was joking around, Jason. Stop taking everything so personally.” She linked her arm through his. He made his way toward the diner, not wanting their time to end, which was a surprise to him.
“You know, this is the first time I’ve done this,” she said.
“What?”
“Walked out of a nightclub with a guy. My mom once said to me that where you meet a guy will determine what kind of relationship you have. If you meet in a club, you’re only interested in partying. The same goes for a library and so on.”
He chuckled. “So we’re going to be party animals?”
“I guess. So I’m going to tell you straight. I’m not a big party person. I was there tonight to help Dawn get over another guy.”
“I’m not a big party person myself. I was with Richard after a long day.” He didn’t add that he’d fucked two girls that day. It didn’t seem appropriate.
“Well, I guess we can break the rules this once.”
****
Sydney sat down in one of the booths while Jason sat opposite her. This was completely out of her character, but she didn’t want it to end. She really liked Jason. He was a nice guy, or at least, he came across as a really nice guy.
“I’m pleased we’re out of there,” he said, reaching over to take her hand.
The electricity from his touch took her breath away. He really was a good looking man, and she liked him. Jason was completely different from Thomas. She welcomed his touch more than she ever did Thomas’s.
“What do you fancy?”
“You said something about amazing burgers.” Her stomach rumbled, and her cheeks heated.
“I did. Here we go.” He grabbed a menu, pointing to a burger. “This is the best cheeseburger ever.”
“I can’t pass up the best burger ever.”
The waitress came to the table, taking down their orders. Crossing her arms, Sydney smiled over at him.
“I wanted to get you out of that club. I wanted you all to myself.”
“This is the strangest thing ever,” she said, chuckling. “I don’t know what to expect.”
“Don’t have any expectations. Just enjoy the night with me. I’m going to enjoy my time with you.”
She smiled. “You’re a charmer, aren’t you?”
“No, I wouldn’t call myself a charmer.”
Their burgers came, and Sydney dove in, loving the taste of the meat and the greasy cheese. “Oh my God, this is the best burger ever.”
He laughed. “I think you’re the first woman I’ve ever known who has appreciated a good burger.”
“I take it you’ve been around slender women who are always watching their weight?” She didn’t mind. Sydney was used to it. Dawn was the slender one and always seemed to be on a diet, even though she didn’t need to.
“Guilty as charged.”
; “I may convert you to the chubby chasers.”
“Chubby chasers?” he asked.
“Yeah, you know. Guys who like the chubby women.”
“You’re not chubby, Sydney. You’re beautiful.”
“Charmer.”
“You better believe it.”
He was the first guy who told her she was beautiful. With the way he looked at her, she really believed what he said.
Taking another bite out of her burger, she looked back over to him. He was watching her and eating at the same time. “Will you stop looking at me?”
“No. I like looking at you. You’re a beautiful woman, and I can’t believe my lucky stars that you’re sitting in a diner with me.”
“I’m easy.”
“I don’t think you are.”
They ate their burgers while also talking about everything. The movies they liked to watch, their favorite colors, and even their favorite food. She told him about the shop where she worked that was more of an artisan shop.
The time went by, and Sydney didn’t want it to end.
After their burgers they both shared a slice of lemon pie.
“Let me walk you home,” he said.
“Okay.”
They walked side by side. Sydney was still buzzing from the night they’d spent together.
“What happened to that blonde you were talking to?” she asked.
“The blonde? She was just trying to get into my pants.”
Sydney giggled. “And you didn’t want her to?”
“No, I wanted something else tonight. I was just waiting to spot the right woman.” He took her hand. The action was so smoothly done that Sydney didn’t know what to make of it.
They walked all the way to her house, and when she was outside, she turned toward him. “This is me. Do you want me to call you a cab?”
“No, I can walk.” He didn’t let go of her hand, and she kept smiling.
“Thank you for the dance, the food, and the walk home. Believe it or not but I had a lot of fun.” This was totally awkward. She’d never been walked home before. What the hell was she supposed to do? Ask for him for his number? Kiss him? Thank him? Crap, she really was out of her comfort zone.
“I want to see you again. Can I call on you?” he asked.
“I’d really like that. I’m working tomorrow until two. You could pick me up from my work?”
“Yes.”
She gave him the address, and glanced behind her. “I’d give you my cell number, but I don’t know it, and I don’t have it on me.”
“We’ll take care of the numbers tomorrow. It was a pleasure to have met you, Sydney.” He closed the distance between them. Her heart started to pound as he sank his fingers into her hair. She didn’t pull away, and stared up the length of his body. “I’ve been wanting to do this all night.”
In the next instance, his lips were on hers, claiming a kiss that she’d been thinking about since they met at the club. Closing her eyes, she ran her hands up his chest, breathless. The kiss wasn’t a nice kiss. It was a hard one, demanding, and punishing all at the same time. She loved how hard the kiss was, and had goosebumps erupting all over her body.
When he pulled away she was gasping for breath. “Wow,” she said.
“I know, baby. Go before I don’t walk away.”
“You don’t have to walk away.”
“Yeah, I do. You’re different, and I’m not going to ruin this moment. I want more than a morning after.” He pressed another kiss to her lips. “Fuck, you’re going to bring me to my knees.”
Finally, he pulled away, and waited for her to rush up to her home. At the door, she turned to look back at him. His hands were in his pockets, but he took one out to wave at her.
Unlocking her door, she gave him a final wave before making her way through to her sitting room. She chuckled when she saw Dawn sprawled on the sofa. By the time Sydney woke up, her sister would be gone. She didn’t mind.
The last thing she wanted to do was talk to her sister about her night.
Jason, she didn’t know his last name, and she didn’t need to know. Pressing a hand to her lips, she giggled. Who would have thought she’d find exactly what she was looking for in a PA for a porn star?
“Strange.”
Chapter Three
Jason let himself into his studio apartment, throwing keys down in a tiny tray he kept on the cabinet on the door.
“How was your little date?” Richard asked, scaring Jason.
“You fucking prick. I could have hurt you.” Jason had his fists raised in the air.
“I figured seeing as I was the one to keep the sister off your back, I could crash at your place. I’m too drunk to walk home.”
“You don’t look drunk.”
“I dropped the sister off a couple of hours ago. I’ve had a couple of cups of coffee and wanted to see what’s going on.” Richard handed him a coffee, which Jason took gratefully. “Well, spill the beans.”
“There’s nothing to spill. I took her out for burgers.”
“Did she eat them, or did she complain about her weight?”
“She ate them without complaint,” he said, moving toward his sitting room.
“Did she know about you?”
“What is with the twenty questions?” Jason took a long drink, thinking about Sydney. She was such a beautiful woman and nothing like the women he’d come to know.
“What? It’s wrong for a guy to be curious?”
“She doesn’t know who I am.” He hated lying to her but he didn’t want to ruin something before it had even begun.
“What did you say?”
“That I was your PA and you were the porn star.”
“I guess that’s not a complete lie.”
“I panicked, and I didn’t want her to walk away. Fuck, my life is turning into a mess.” He ran a hand down his face.
“You’re going to have to tell the truth at some point,” Richard said.
“You were the one who told me not to tell her the truth!” He snapped the words out, angry with himself and with his friend.
Richard held his hands up. “Hey, I advised you tell a little white lie.”
“And I did that.”
“But you also took her to the diner. Your favorite place to eat. You don’t take anyone to that place. You rarely take me. You’ve only just known this woman, and yet, you’re taking her to places you wouldn’t anyone else.” Richard took the cup from Jason. “I’m simply being a realist. Something must have happened with this woman.”
“She didn’t know who I was. I dropped my bank card, and I thought she wanted an autograph. Later on, while I was dancing, she didn’t know who I was. I liked it. I wasn’t Bone Harder. I wasn’t a piece of meat she wanted to screw. I was just me, Jason.”
“And you wonder why I suggest you tell the truth. This woman is clearly different from everyone.”
“Sydney. Her name is Sydney, and I’m going to meet her tomorrow.”
“Shit, man, I don’t know how you’re going to date a woman who doesn’t know who you are.” Richard sat back, passing him a cup. “When’s your next scene?”
“Two weeks. I wanted a break.” He usually did a scene a day, but lately he’d been spreading them out.
“What are you going to do when you do a scene? Supposing you’re in a relationship, wouldn’t that be cheating?”
“No.”
“No?”
“How can it be cheating? It’s my job.”
Richard laughed. “If you really think a woman would be happy with you screwing other women, you’re mistaken, like really mistaken.”
“Look, fucking other women is my job. It’s not something I’m trying to do. It’s something I have to do.” He sounded like an asshole. “Shit, I’m about to make my life incredibly complicated.”
“A couple of weeks? That’s the gang bang one, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’m in that one.”
“It doesn’t
make me feel any better.”
“Look, I can help you out as much as I can, but you really need to think about your future. Sydney is new, and different. Make sure she’s what you want before you make a mistake.” Richard slapped him on the back. “I’m taking the spare room.”
Jason didn’t say anything. Once he was alone, he grabbed his laptop, and signed into his account. There were several emails for contracts with over a dozen movies. He clicked on the link from the final take from today. It was thirty minutes of him screwing Tiffany. He didn’t get aroused by what he did. Everything was as explicit as he remembered.
Payment had already gone into his account from that.
Once he’d gone through his emails, responding to calls and adverts, he clicked onto his website, seeing it was thriving like usual. He placed up little snippets of his movies, along with answering questions. This had been his world for ten years. It was all he knew. Remembering the name of the artisan shop, he typed in the name into his search engine.
It came up instantly, and outside of the shop he saw a picture of three women and three men. Sydney was on the picture, titled as the cake baker and hamper queen. She looked so happy.
Changing to his own web page, he stared at the women. All of them were pretty much the same in shape and size. Clicking back onto the page with Sydney, he sat and looked at her. She was a beautiful woman, even with her hair pulled into a ponytail and wearing an apron.
Could he walk away?
Shit, the very thought had his gut twisting. He didn’t want to leave her alone.
“What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?” he asked himself.
He couldn’t walk away, and yet he couldn’t tell her the truth. She’d walk away without giving him a chance, and he wanted a chance with her, even if it was a small one.
****
Sydney saw the note left by her sister on the coffee table thanking her for the place to crash. She wouldn’t hear back from Dawn for a couple of days or by the end of the week where she’d probably get a text making sure she was still alive.
“What are sisters for?” She muttered the words to herself before pouring herself a cup of coffee. She had two hours to get to work. She was already dressed so that only left breakfast.