by Chloe Plume
“Great to see you Zayde!”
“Yeah, sure. So what do I have to do?” I murmured quietly.
“Let’s get Zayde a guitar and have him sing something acoustic!” she announced into the microphone.
“Zayde! Zayde! Zayde!”
People were excited, so I had to do it. But honestly I was in a pissy mood. There was only one song that came to mind, and I didn’t care if it was appropriate or not.
Chapter 33
Madison
Shit, Zayde’s here!
I guess it made sense that the “dumb event” he mentioned earlier was KR’s Starla thing.
Oh crap!
He was standing in the crowd watching David hit on me. I pushed David back and grabbed Nicole’s hand, moving over to the other side of the room.
Zayde started strumming on a guitar and I recognized one of his more reflective songs about a woman doing him wrong.
“Oh, I love this song!” Nicole said, swaying to the flowing rhythm.
I hope Zayde didn’t get the wrong idea…
“Wait. This is new.” Nicole’s ears perked up. “Yeah, this is definitely not in the song.”
Zayde continued singing:
Love, not for me
I won’t be ruled,
Innocent schoolgirl,
I won’t be fooled.
‘Cause even the proper girl from a proper school,
Spreads her sandy legs in Malibu.
What the fuck?!
I turned red from anger and embarrassment at the same time. I prayed no one would make some easy connections and draw conclusions.
What the hell is he doing, that asshole?
I was furious. I stared right up into his eyes as he finished the song and stepped off stage.
“Eh…well, that was different,” said Nicole. “I kind of liked the other version. This one was so angry.”
“Yeah. Listen, I’m going home.” I headed back towards the door.
“You want me to tell your family?” Nicole asked.
“No.” I stormed off.
The bastard. What was I thinking ever getting involved with that douche?
Chapter 34
Zayde
I realized, in that moment when she looked up at me with a mix of anger, sadness, and regret, not only that I’d overreacted, but also that I’d stepped over the line and things were over as quickly as they started.
I always sabotage myself.
I’d left her more than upset. I’d betrayed her trust. She was always a quiet, guarded person. She’d opened to me in more ways than one. She’d shared new experiences and the most vulnerable of moments. She’d taken enormous risks with me. And in that one moment, when her intense green eyes looked at me with disappointment instead of desire, I knew I couldn’t just say “sorry” and move on. Our relationship would end with the same abruptness that marked its beginning.
Which is really the way these things go. It’s a good lesson.
“Um…well, okay. Thank you so much Zayde…” Starla took the microphone and announced the beginning of the reception party. “Thanks again to KR Group, Pierce Media, and of course, the wonderful hotel staff. Please make use of the open bar, not like I need to remind you.”
Haha. Fuck, it was back to this shit for me.
“And thank you all so much for coming.” Starla stepped off stage and grabbed me by the shirt. “What the hell was that last part. Damn it Zayde!”
I didn’t care. I was zoning out, starting to hurt from the loss of something I’d never had before I met Madison. Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Yeah, but it would have ended anyway. This is for the best.
It was true. What the hell were we thinking anyway. She was my step-sister. She was heading to Stanford next year. And I was—well, I’d always be me.
“There you are,” my mom exclaimed. “Zayde, we really all could have done without that improvisation at the end.”
“Yeah, got it.”
“Oh, Starla!” My mom and Starla pseudo hugged and did that air kiss thing. “Oh, I can remember when you two were this big”—she lay her palm down towards the floor dramatically—“and well, yes, come here just so we can have some privacy.” We all moved to the back of the stage area, out of immediate earshot. “I was thinking. Well, I always thought you two would make such an adorable couple. And, let’s be honest, it could really help you, Zayde, with your image, and of course, you, Starla, could use ever bit of publicity to stay of-the-moment as they say…”
She droned on. Starla was excited. I was just my usual jaded self.
Back to reality. Or, rather, the made up reality of my life.
“Yeah, sure.” I said, somewhere in the middle of another conversation about my future that could go on just as well without me.
Chapter 35
Madison
A couple days after Zayde’s douchey stunt on stage, things had already gone back to normal. By normal, I mean I was getting ready for Stanford, avoiding him at all costs, and he was back to his glamorous life of fame and endless partying. And of course, he was dating Starla.
Obviously. Only a matter of time.
In fact, I had gone against my better judgment and bought an issue of THE STAR GAZER, which featured—how could it not—a picture of Zayde and Starla holding hands while exiting a wild club scene in West Hollywood. He looked perfect as always, the sharp angles of his chiseled face dusted with devil-may-care stubble. An expensive looking textured leather jacket was draped over his shoulder and his bicep swelled noticeably where he held the front in place by his chest. His other hand held Starla’s as they both rushed past the paparazzi and into the waiting Escalade.
And, of course, she looks gorgeous as well.
My heart sank, scanning her perfect body and glamorous pin-straight platinum blonde hair. It wasn’t even fair. You could see just how damn blue her eyes were even in the paparazzi photo. They practically jumped out at me.
Figures.
And her skin… Where most people’s would wash out in crappy paparazzi photos, her’s actually glowed—gleamed even—it was so exceptionally well tanned.
They’re meant for each other. That’s how these things go.
I knew I shouldn’t feel so bad. I’d let my guard down at a time when anyone would be vulnerable. I was about to start college, and like most people in my situation, I’d started to questions things right and left. I had doubts and insecurities. I had this feeling of endless possibility laced with a fear of having future regrets. I wanted so badly to get the most out of life. So I made a mistake. I fell for the worst guy I knew, maybe because he seemed to embody a visceral reality I wanted so badly in my own staid, boring life—the kind that just plodded along safe and secure and sound.
Or maybe it was just that Zayde was obscenely attractive. He made me feel things I never knew I could. With him, I longed for things I’d always thought other people were foolish for making such a big deal out of. Even now, I was embarrassed to admit, if he walked through the door, I’d want nothing more than to bury my head in his chest and wrap my arms around him.
And that’s why I need to move on.
If I ever wanted to get focused on a successful future, I needed to avoid men like Zayde Knight.
It’s all for the best then.
I finished my roommate match survey and opened the orientation packet. There were better things to think about.
Chapter 36
Zayde
My mom had dragged me to some ceremony honoring Duncan’s commitment to the music industry, or some such crap. Who knew what most of these things were for anyway? I was trying to make the best of the situation, given they had an open bar and decent catering. Of course, Starla was there, since she was my “celebrity girlfriend,” of the moment.
But even though Starla looked absolutely stunning, almost too perfectly put together without a single blemish or stray strand of hair, I couldn’t get over the strange, intense attachment I felt for
Madison. Of course, to make matters worse, Madison would be here any minute with her father.
“Oh, you two!” My mom was positively beaming over my fake relationship with Starla. “Why don’t we get a few pictures before Duncan’s speech. Just you two. The power couple of the moment!”
Everything was always “of the moment” in L.A. After the pictures, Duncan made his speech and I did my best to stand on the opposite side of the room, completely avoiding Madison.
Then, of course, the photographers wanted some “family” shots and we all had to move on to another room with some dramatic looking furniture to use as props for these dumb staged shots. Starla stayed behind.
“Why the hell do we have to do this?” I murmured as we took up awkward looking positions for the photograph. “We’re not even a real family.”
“Shhh.” My mom cast me a furious glance. “Watch it, Zayde. We’re supporting Duncan”—she turned to smile way too sweetly at the man-of-the-hour—“in celebrating his great contributions and achievements. Congratulations honey!”
Duncan nodded and we followed the photographers’ instructions for another excruciating twenty minutes. Finally we were free to go.
Madison walked up to me.
What the hell does she want? She’s been ignoring me religiously.
“So, Zayde. You moved on quickly?”
Closure is what she wanted.
“Yeah, well, you even quicker.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
I’d seen her laughing it up with David whispering in her ear. I thought maybe I was wrong, but then I’d checked up with David, throwing out some questions about what he thought of Madison and how they’d interacted so far at work. Finally, he’d said, “Yeah, you know, there’s a little something something going on there man. But yeah, I know she’s your sister, well step-sister—whatever. So you know, say the word…” I’d never expected I’d be two-timed by fucking Madison Pierce.
“You know what,” I accused. “David.”
Madison looked taken aback. “David? Are you kidding me. What, because he was hitting on me at the KR event. It’s David, Zayde. And if you think I’d go that low, then you don’t know me at all.”
“Yeah, well, he said there was something going on—”
“It’s David, Zayde. Are you kidding me? He wishes.”
Suddenly I felt very stupid. I was also suddenly aware of the short red dress Madison was wearing. I certainly hadn’t seen that in her closet when I was looking to surprise her. If I had, I might have gone with it instead of the altered uniform. I mean, damn…now I couldn’t get my eyes off it. And those creamy, soft thighs…
“What about Starla and you, Zayde?” Madison asked demandingly. “What the hell makes you think you can make a stupid assumption and then go off fucking someone else?”
My eyes snapped back to Madison’s accusing face. “No… We haven’t… It’s a fake relationship Madison. It’s all bullshit.”
“Then why do it?”
“It’s publicity crap. It looks good that I’m in a relationship, the whole childhood friends bull shit, something to redeem my image and all. Look—I don’t want her, I want you.”
“You certainly haven’t been acting like it.”
I looked down at the ground for a second, paused, and then looked back up at her. “Listen, if you want to come out with this—with us—I’m willing to do it. But you know what that entails, for both of us.”
Madison paused. She stepped closer, close enough that I could smell her intoxicating perfume. “I understand that. But don’t you dare treat me like you did with that song. I don’t care what you assumed was going on. You can’t overreact like that. Not with me.”
“Madison,” I said directly. “I’m sorry.”
She looked into my eyes and nodded. “I know.”
“Oh, you know?” I teased. She looked so exquisite in that dress that I wanted to take a snapshot and remember it forever.
“Yeah.” She moved closer.
I looked around to make sure everyone had left the room. My mom and Duncan had moved back to the reception area and the photographers were packing up equipment in the far corner of the room. “I can get away. Not my apartment. Paparazzi. But that nice hotel that’s on the way back home.”
“And Starla?” she asked.
“I’ll tell her I’m going home and we’ll start driving that way.”
“I can tell my dad I’m with Nicole. She’ll cover for me.”
“Alright.” I ran my hand discreetly across the top of her hips before all but running off to get things moving. I was beyond excited.
It’s true what they say. Absence makes the dick grow harder.
I wanted her more than ever.
Chapter 37
Madison
Zayde all but ran off. I hoped I wasn’t being stupid again, blinded as I was by his perfect features and the way I felt when I was near him. But, it made sense, the whole thing about Starla. And I was willing to forgive him for his overactive jealousy, even if it hurt me.
I waited a minute and then walked back to the reception area to congratulate my dad again and tell him I was heading to Nicole’s. As I passed into the crowded room, I immediately saw Zayde tell Starla something, give her a modest hug—I was so glad he didn’t kiss her goodbye or something—and then turn to walk past me and out the door to the garage. I headed to where my father was, told him I was leaving, and turned to walk towards the garage. Then I noticed Starla, caught the look on her face out of the corner of my eye. Was it jealousy, suspicion, hurt?
Does she know? Did she figure it out?
And then I thought, maybe it was something else. Maybe she didn’t fully appreciate the nature of the relationship between her and Zayde. Maybe she was actually in love with him and she wasn’t getting what she wanted.
Which makes this whole thing that much more dangerous.
We kissed as the door closed behind us. His tongue pressed into my mouth as his hands slid up my thighs and under the short hem of the red dress I’d bought to welcome him back from New York. I’d worn it to make him jealous, to draw his attention to what he’d lost.
Now he found it again. His hands cupped my ass and I felt the hardness of his cock pressing into me. He kissed down my neck and his mouth began to wreak havoc on the swell of my breasts as he handled every contour of my ass, his fingers digging between the cheeks, massaging the soft flesh.
“Fuck, Madison, you’re so smooth.”
I whimpered as his hands worked their way to the front and peeled off my panties. I’d worn a lace thong I’d bought along with the dress to surprise him. He was surprised.
“Wow… Maddy, you brought your A-game.”
My fingers dug into his back as his fingers circled my clit, warming me up and getting me wet. But I was already dripping and ready for him.
“Now let me bring my A-game.” He lifted me up easily in his strong arms and threw me on the soft, lush bed. My head fell into the bulge of pillows and my dress rode up, exposing the moist entrance between my legs.
“That’s how I like you, Madison, wet and ready.”
Zayde positioned himself at the side of the bed and dragged my legs over his shoulders. He buried his face between my thighs and at the first dart of his tongue across the folds of my opening, I sighed in anticipation, rolling my head back and pushing myself against him. His mouth brought me waves of pleasure. His tongue and fingers worked me over expertly until my hips bucked and I grinded uncontrollably against him.
Zayde chuckled. “There you go. Already one down.”
“I want you,” I said, still heady from my orgasm.
“I know.”
He lifted my legs to either side of his erect cock. This time he didn’t wait. He didn’t pause or ease himself inside me. Instead, from the first stroke, he rammed me hard. Zayde pounded me and made me his. My body shuddered each time he smashed into me.
I trembled, convulsing on his huge dick as
his abs glistened with sweat and tensed above me. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and I twisted in sweet agony, possessed by his gorgeous cock, which buried itself deep inside me and pulsed with his excitement until it ran out onto the sheets underneath me.
I rested my head on his chest and we drifted off together. For the first time, we could fall asleep, and it was the most refreshing sleep I’d ever had.
Chapter 38
Zayde
I woke up in a bed of tousled sheets with her right there next to me. Her long dark hair spilled over the soft pillows and the edge of the sheets was pulled over her even softer breasts.
Fuck, it’s a great morning.
I stretched out and walked towards the half shaded window, remembering last minute to step into my boxer-briefs.
‘Cause you never know when they’ll catch you naked.
I shook my head. I’d forgotten to pull the shade down all the way. Of course, the window just faced a bunch of densely planted trees, so…
Wait, what?!
I saw the shape of someone climbing down one of the trees out of the corner of my eye.
Oh crap! Not again… How long were they here?
I watched the figure scurrying off and to the street. By the hunched, darting, almost serpentine movements, there was no doubt it was a paparazzi.
My phone vibrated by the nightstand. I walked over and flipped it open. Starla.
Guess you never loved me
What the fuck?
I know about you and her
Well, that made it pretty clear. The paparazzi were tipped off. They definitely got something and it wasn’t bound to be good… Now it was just a question of what exactly they got.
How bad could it be?
Unfortunately in this industry, you had to expect the worst.
Chapter 39
Madison
“What the hell were you thinking Madison?”
I was in my dad’s office, again, getting an even sterner lecture than before. I don’t know why I thought I could keep things up with Zayde without someone finding out. These types of things usually get outed, but Zayde’s fame made it all the more likely someone would bring our relationship to light.