by Joy King
“Reasons like what?” Chrissie asked curiously.
“Just in case a scandal breaks, you’ll try extra hard to clean it up.”
“What type of scandal are you referring to? Because if you’re speaking of you and William, no one is going to dare touch that story; everyone knows that it is off limits.”
“Actually, I’m speaking of something else. Nothing has happened yet, but I’m afraid that I won’t be able to control my feelings much longer.”
“I’m confused. Explain to me exactly what you are talking about.”
“You have to first promise that this stays between the two of us.”
“That goes without saying,” Chrissie said, sounding offended.
“Promise, Chrissie.”
“Fine, I promise. Now what is this top secret information?”
“It’s been building up for a while, but I’m starting to develop strong feelings for Andre,” Tyler admitted, feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
“What! You can’t be serious. I thought you were head over heels for William.”
“I thought so, too, and now I feel awful for causing all that unnecessary strain on his marriage. But I can no longer deny the feelings I have for Andre. Every time I’m around him all I want to do is reach out and embrace him with a long, lingering kiss.”
“Tyler, dear, that sounds like lust to me. Maybe you should jump his bones and get him out of your system, but do it discreetly, of course. No, I take that back, don’t have sex with him.”
“This is more than about sex, Chrissie. I want to be with him.”
“Like a relationship?” she asked, surprised.
“Exactly, if he’ll have me. I think he’s incredible and I would love to see what could happen between us.”
“Besides William setting you both on fire.”
“Chrissie, that’s sick. William doesn’t have a violent bone in his body.”
“Everyone has a violent streak when pushed, and having a torrid affair with your costar right under William’s nose might be the one thing that completely sets him off. All I’m saying is that you need to really think about this before you just jump in head first.”
“I know you’re right, and honestly I wish I didn’t have all these feelings for Andre, but I can’t seem to fight them. The harder I try to forget about him the worse it becomes.”
“Well, working so closely with him every day isn’t exactly making it any easier.”
“Tell me about it. But I might be fantasizing over nothing. I believe he is in a relationship with his baby mother. I can’t quite get a read on the two of them. When I first met him he casually told me he was single, but the other day I saw her going into his trailer.”
“Tyler, let it go. You don’t need to be bothered with no baby mama drama. You’re a movie star now. You’re so beyond such petty relationships.”
“You don’t call being involved with the director of my movie, who just so happens to be married, petty?”
“First of all, William is crazy about you and I know he will leave his wife; it’s just a matter of time. Second of all, being in a relationship with him is a lot more respectable than the sloppy mess you will have with Andre Jackson and his baby mama. Trust me on that.”
“I hear everything you’re saying, but once again I’ve fucked up. Even if William did leave his wife, which I doubt, you go out how you came in. I should’ve never got involved with a married man. So if William did leave his wife he would probably eventually leave me, too, for somebody else. It’s called karma—you can’t escape it.”
“I don’t know what to tell you. All I can say is that whatever you decide to do, be careful. William will be out for blood if you leave him for another man, especially the actor he hired.” Tyler knew that Chrissie was right but she wasn’t thinking with her head right now. She was too focused on the tingles you get in your stomach when you first fall in love.
After Tyler finished her dinner with Chrissie, she checked her voice messages on her way home. To her surprise she had a message marked “urgent” from what sounded like William’s assistant. She said there was an emergency meeting on the studio lot at eight o’clock. Tyler thought that was odd and wondered why William didn’t call her himself. She figured he was probably hectic and when William got in business mode he had no time for anyone. It was pouring outside and Tyler did a quick U-turn in the middle of the street to head back toward the studio. When she arrived, the lot seemed damn near deserted. Tyler dreaded getting out of the car since it had been pouring rain for the last hour and she had no umbrella. Plus, she wore a negligee-style dress to dinner with Chrissie and knew she would get drenched in the almost-nothing fabric. As Tyler dashed across the parking lot in her five-inch Giuseppe Zanotti heels, her chiffon dress clung to her body as the rain saturated her. When Tyler reached the entry, it was locked and she banged for what seemed forever. Finally the door opened and Andre was standing in front of her.
After leaving New York, Chantal sat by the phone for a week straight hoping to hear some encouraging news from T-Roc. She figured that if anyone could put a halt to the possible pairing of Tyler and Andre it was him. It was an open secret in the music industry that T-Roc was as devious as they come. That’s why Chantal found it necessary to obtain some security, which she now had with the kiddie porn tape T-Roc had made, unbeknownst to him. If he behaved himself he would never have to know that the delectable underage twins he bedded could send him to Rikers Island for a few years. Chantal hoped she’d never have to use her arsenal but the protection was warranted given T-Roc’s reputation.
He was the same man that discreetly bought up the majority share of stock for a boutique label just so he could then turn around and terminate the newly appointed president who he felt had slighted him on a deal. To bring further insult to injury, T-Roc somehow managed to find a loophole in the president’s contract so he was unable to get any payoff or benefits. The fired executive had to put his brand-new house back on the market since he used a substantial part of his signing bonus for the purchase and would be unable to pay the mortgage, or buy furniture for that matter. It was revealed that T-Roc was the mastermind behind the scheme, when he personally came to give the president the boot. The guy was so angry he tried to physically attack T-Roc. That was the wrong move. T-Roc’s well-paid bodyguards beat him over the head with the champagne bottles he was popping to toast the signing of a much sought-after artist. Thus, Chantal assumed that keeping the star-crossed lovers apart would be a walk in the park for diabolical T-Roc.
“So, what’s the deal with you and Andre? From what you just told me about you all’s last encounter it ain’t looking too good,” Shari reasoned.
“That’s an understatement, but I have a secret weapon.”
“What’s that, are you pregnant?”
“I wish, but you can’t get pregnant if you’re not fucking. Andre hasn’t touched me in months. My pussy so thirsty right now I’m considering selling it on eBay to the highest bidder.” Chantal put on her game face hard because she didn’t even want her best friend to know she had did the nasty with the devil himself, T-Roc. She figured it was better for Shari to know that not only was she not getting any sex from Andre, but to think not from anybody else, either.
“You so damn silly. But what is this secret weapon you’re talking about?”
“Someone who hates Andre almost as much as I hate Tyler.”
“Not T-Roc,” Shari said with a deep huff.
“You know it. If anyone can make it happen, it’s him.”
“Why do you insist on dancing with the devil? T-Roc is bad news, Chantal. I’m surprised he’s still fucking with you after that Access Hollywood fiasco.”
“T-Roc respects the moves one makes to win the game. If anything, he probably admires the fact that I had the balls to implement my plan.”
“Or maybe he just likes to embarrass Andre and if using you can make it happen then why not?”
“H
onestly, Shari, I don’t care what the reasons are. I just want Tyler Blake away from Andre. Whatever T-Roc has to do to make that happen is okay with me.”
“I know you have all this confidence in T-Roc, but what if whatever plan he has doesn’t work, then what?”
“Why you think I’m spilling my guts out to you, dumb ass? You’re my backup plan. I’m hoping you can help me come up with some sort of scheme to get my man back just in case T-Roc comes up short.”
“Well, Miss Thang, I don’t know what to tell you. I ain’t never been good at that scheming shit. That was always your specialty. But you better come up with something quick because you ‘bout to be cut,” Shari said while using her two fingers as scissors to make a snipping motion.
Chantal sat on her living room couch, taking deep breaths. She felt so helpless and didn’t know what to do. Losing Andre wasn’t an option, but figuring out how to keep him seemed so far out of reach. She knew she couldn’t trust T-Roc as far as she could see him and Chantal always said she couldn’t see that well. So putting all her eggs in that basket seemed like a guaranteed letdown.
“I don’t know how I’m going to get myself out of this bullshit.”
“Chantal, I know you don’t want to hear this, but maybe it’s time for you to bow out gracefully and let Andre go. Concentrate on being a good mother to Melanie and find yourself another bailer. Andre is not the only one.”
Chantal stared at Shari, not wanting to believe what she just heard. For Shari to tell Chantal to give up must have meant that she didn’t see a way for her to win. That was devastating for Chantal since Shari always thought she was untouchable. Now her biggest cheerleader was basically telling her to put a fork in it.
“I can’t do that. You’re asking me to give up on everything I’ve worked so hard for. If Andre and I broke up and I got another man, he would do the same bullshit to me. At least with Andre we have a daughter together and we have history. I’m not trying to make new history with someone else. Relationships are so much work and I just don’t have the patience.”
“I feel you, but you may not have a choice. Listen, Chris is waiting for me. I’m meeting him for dinner and then I’m going to spend the night at his place. I’ll call you tomorrow and, sweetie, try to get some rest. You have to stay strong no matter what happens.”
After Shari left, Chantal walked to her kitchen, pulled out two bottles of Dom Pérignon and decided she would drink her sorrows away. She knew there would come a time she would have to pull it together, but tonight she just wanted to cry a river.
“Tyler, you’re soaking wet. Come inside,” Andre said as he gently pulled her in from the rain. Andre couldn’t help but notice that he could see Tyler’s hardened nipples through the pink dress she was wearing. He instantly became aroused by the sight and turned his head, trying to ignore the seductive image.
“It’s pouring outside, that rain came from nowhere,” Tyler said as she squeezed the excess water from her hair and pulled it back in a bun. “So where is everybody?”
“I don’t know. I guess we’re the first people here.” Andre walked back toward the stage.
“Do you have any idea what this emergency meeting is all about?”
“I have none. I got a message from William’s assistant telling me to be here by eight. I’m sure everyone will be here soon. They probably got held up because of the bad weather.”
“I’m going to call William just to see where he is,” Tyler said, while dialing his number. “Damn, my phone isn’t getting any reception in this place. What time is it anyway?”
“Almost eight thirty,” Andre replied, looking down at his watch, still not wanting to make eye contact with her. Both were feeling uneasy partly due to the peculiar circumstances surrounding the meeting but primarily because they were alone and it was hard to deny their mutual attraction. Tyler walked toward the front of the stage and sat in the chair with her arms wrapped around her shoulders trying to keep herself warm, although she was wishing that Andre’s body would function as her blanket. As Tyler began daydreaming about the two of them lying naked by a fireplace, making love, she heard what sounded like a loud explosion but was actually thunder and lightning. In the next second the studio lights went out and Tyler could barely see a thing.
“Tyler, are you okay?” she heard Andre ask.
“Yeah, but I can’t see anything.”
“Just sit tight. I’m going to try and locate the toolbox they keep on the other side of the wall. There might be a flashlight inside.” Andre slowly walked toward the wall, trying not to trip, with only the glare from the sky coming through the window to guide him. He located the toolbox and found a flashlight. He also found some candles and matches on top of the piano that was used during rehearsals.
“I think we should get out of here,” Andre suggested, while walking back to her with the flashlight. He guided Tyler toward the front door but when he tried to open it, it was locked. Andre shook the doorknob back and forth trying to push open the door, but it wouldn’t budge.
“What’s wrong?” Tyler asked, confused because she couldn’t get a plain view as to what Andre was doing, but it was clear the door wasn’t opening.
“I don’t know what the hell is wrong with this fucking door but the shit won’t open,” Andre growled.
“Is there another exit?”
“Unfortunately not,” Andre revealed, not liking the idea of being trapped alone with Tyler.
“Andre, I’m so cold, what are we going to do?” The sweet sound of Tyler’s voice was driving Andre crazy. She sounded like a lost little girl turning to him for all the answers.
“I saw some blankets and candles over by the piano; I’ll get them for you.” Tyler walked behind Andre craving to reach out to him. As they reached the top of the stage Andre handed the blankets to Tyler and then lit the candles. Tyler laid one blanket on the floor and sat down and then wrapped the other blanket around her body.
“How long do you think we’re going to be stuck here?”
“I don’t know. Why? Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“No, you’re actually making me feel safe,” Tyler said looking intensely into Andre’s eyes. For the first time Andre couldn’t resist and was unable to look away. Tyler was hypnotizing him with her passionate stare. He so badly wanted to take her in his arms right then but he still wasn’t certain if he was picking up on the correct body language. But then Tyler gave him the signal that welcomed him. She stood up and slowly slipped out of her chiffon dress. The light from the candles was highlighting the silhouette of her perfect body. Andre lusted for her as the dress slowly revealed her round, delicious breasts and then her smooth, toned stomach and her luscious curved legs. Once the dress was resting at her feet and she slowly stepped out of it, Andre still couldn’t move. He couldn’t believe that the woman he had been fantasizing about for the last few months was actually giving herself to him. The rain was pouring down so hard, Andre almost couldn’t hear the words that Tyler spoke so softly.
“Don’t you want me?” Tyler asked, not feeling sure about herself. Andre was amazed that this exquisite creature was second-guessing her sex appeal. It made him want her all the more. Before Tyler could say another word, Andre put his finger to her soft lips, gesturing for her not to speak.
“Baby, I’ve never wanted anybody as much as I want you,” Andre whispered in her ear as though the room was full of people and this was their little secret. Tyler felt chills going down her spine. Her inside was so wet, longing to feel his manhood. Wanting to savor every moment, Andre laid Tyler down on the blanket and followed every curve of her body. For the first time in his life he didn’t want to rush and pleasure himself, he wanted to pleasure her. He wanted her to remember every detail of this night, he wanted to make her fall in love. Andre unbuttoned his shirt and then slid out of his pants and briefs. He caressed his hands up her smooth legs and when he reached her buttocks he pulled her forward and opened the gates to heaven. As Andre’s tongue enter
ed her, Tyler shivered from pure pleasure. As he brought her to the first orgasm, Tyler wrapped her legs tighter around Andre’s neck, pulling him in even closer. She was hoping he would completely swallow her up. After pleasuring her to her second orgasm, he took the head of his well-endowed penis and stroked it up and down her clitoris. Andre felt so divine that Tyler would have bet her life that he sprinkled some magic potion on his penis to make her instantly fall in love. Because when Andre did finally enter her, Tyler knew there was no turning back. Her body now completely belonged to him.
Chantal was literally pulling out her hair. She had been trying to call Andre all night and his cell kept going straight to voice mail. He wasn’t answering his home phone and torrid thoughts filled her head of what he might be doing. But Chantal actually hoped he was somewhere having a ménage or fucking some hoochie, anybody but Tyler Blake. The thought of the two of them being together was enough to make Chantal slit her wrists. She was so stressed, she was once again smoking a pack of Newports a day. The tears were now pouring down Chantal’s face as she began embracing the truth; that with all her scheming, this time she had gone too far. Andre didn’t want her anymore. He probably hadn’t wanted her as his woman for a long time. For all these years she had been fooling herself to believe that if she stuck around long enough that Andre would marry her and they would live an ideal life as husband and wife. It seemed overnight all those dreams were crumbling right before her eyes. Right as Chantal was about to finish crying herself to sleep she heard a banging at her front door. She was about to call out to the nanny but quickly remembered that since Melanie had been with her parents for the last week the nanny hadn’t been over. Chantal slowly walked toward the door as the banging got louder and louder. “Who is it?” Chantal asked through her stream of tears.
“Chantal, open up. It’s me, Shari.” Chantal quickly unlocked the door and was alarmed to see her best friend standing before her in worse condition than her.