by Erika Rose
“Uh, sure. I’ll go get her.” Seth said to man feeling slightly intimidated.
He closed the door behind him and went in search of Fawn where she had just stepped out of the shower.
“Your guy is here, says he needs to speak to you urgently.” Seth said leaning against the door frame.
“Dom? So early? Shit! This can only mean trouble.” Confusion was quickly followed by worry in her eyes. Fawn quickly dragged on a hotel robe and wrapped her hair up with a towel before following Seth to the door.
“Dom? What’s wrong?” Fawn asked as soon as the door opened.
Seth watched the interaction. Clearly Fawn trusted this large man called Dom, maybe he should too.
“John phoned. He’s had a couple calls this morning, questioning about your stay in the Hamptons?”
Fawn grabbed Dom’s arm and pulled him into the suite before slamming the door behind him. “What? I went out for the first time yesterday and except for those girls last night no one recognized me. You told me you dealt with them?”
Dom sighed. “They were satisfied with the golden circle tickets Fawn, that didn’t mean they forgot they met you. It might’ve slipped.”
“Who’s John?” Seth asked confused.
“John Piwalsky. My manager.” Fawn said off handedly before letting out a curse.
Seth was out of his depth. Clearly the fact that her identity might’ve been leaked upset her, but what could he do about it. “We could change your name in the guest registry, that way if anyone called…”
Seth stopped speaking as a glacial look from Fawn stopped him. “You think I check in with my own name, think again buster. I’ve got so many pseudonyms I’m not even sure when I’m Snow White or the evil witch.”
Dom shook his head irritably at Seth before turning to Fawn. “How about him?”
Both Fawn and Dom turned to Seth, the question clear in their eyes.
“What? You think somewhere between meeting you for drink and opening the door to Dom I phoned the press?” His temper started to flare; he grabbed his phone and tossed it at Dom. “Here check my phone, I haven’t even checked a message since I stepped into this suite last night. And as for the hotel phone, that’s easy. Get the clerk to print you an itemized billing report.”
“Seth…” Fawn said beside him. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Yeah sure.” Seth walked to the food trolley opened one of the lids and found his appetite gone.
“What do you want to do?” Dom asked Fawn as he tossed Seth’s phone back at him.
“I don’t know. If it’s just a rumor, I don’t want to cut my holiday short.” Fawn said almost to herself. Turning to Dom she continued. “Besides the attention and photographers here can’t be as bad as California. Maybe we should stick it out for a few days and see what happens.”
“It can’t be that bad; I mean just tell them to leave you alone.” Seth said trying to help.
Fawn turned from where she was pacing to the window towards him. “Just tell them to leave me alone?” Her voice was threateningly soft. She let out a dry laugh. “You think that will work? You think I haven’t tried that?”
Dom mumbled something incoherently before excusing himself and closing the door behind him. For a moment Seth wondered if he shouldn’t follow Dom’s example.
“I’m just trying to help Fawn, don’t get your back up.”
“Don’t you tell me when to get my back up? I’ve been dealing with press and photographers harassing me for years. Taking a picture of me shaking someone’s hand and then the following day it’s in the papers I’m engaged. Selling photos of me crying at a funeral, displaying the softer side of FAWN. Don’t try to help me when you have no idea what I’m dealing with.”
Seth rubbed a hand over his brow and sighed. “Sure I won’t help. Do you want some coffee?”
He heard Fawn’s answer as he picked up the coffee pot. “I think you should leave. Last night was fun, but it’s obvious this isn’t going anywhere.”
Seth turned and walked straight to her, stopping a few inches from her face. “Last night was much more than fun, you and I know that.” His voice was low, his eyes never leaving hers as he continued. “I’m leaving now cause you’re in a pissy mood, but believe me when I say I’ll be back.”
With that Seth grabbed his wallet, keys and phone and headed for the door.
CHAPTER 5
Fawn gasped as the door slammed behind Seth. He infuriated and aroused her at the same time, how on earth did he do that?
One moment she felt like gashing him with her nails for his insensitivity over her fame and the lack of privacy it gave her. The next he aroused her by a few words that were intended to threaten and insult, not arouse.
Letting out a sigh she walked to the bedroom to find her phone. She had barely picked it up when it started ringing.
“Jean?” Fawn smiled as she saw the caller identity on her phone’s screen. “How are you, did you get back in time?”
“Yes, I just got on set. I’m starting make-up in ten minutes. Just wanted to check in on you.”
Fawn could hear the background noise common from a set before rolling. “Why?” Fawn asked curiously, did Jean also know about the leak of her location.
“Because the last time I saw you I left you with a beautiful man who couldn’t keep his eyes off you.” Jean laughed.
“Oh. Yes I’m fine.” Fawn replied despondently.
“Fine? Fawn Di Maggio don’t make me pull it out of you! What happened?” Jean demanded playfully.
“Actually… we went for drinks after the golf…”
“You slept with him?” Jean asked surprised.
Fawn flinched. “You could say that.”
“What! You haven’t slept with anyone since Rufus! How was it?”
Fawn closed her eyes and took a deep breath thinking back on the night she had spent with Seth. His strong hands, the sensations that overtook her when he filled her body, his kind eyes this morning. The way he had anticipated her needs and met them with a touch, a flick or thrust. “It was wonderful.” She said dreamily.
“Is he still there?”
Reality tainted the memory of a beautiful night as Fawn realized she had all but thrown him out a few minutes ago. “No, he left.”
“Why?”
“Because I asked him to.” Fawn said softly.
“Why would you do that Fawn. It’s the first decent guy you’ve been interested in for years.”
“He doesn’t get it Jean. No one that isn’t in the business ever will. He told me if my fans bother me to tell them to leave me alone.” Fawn said exasperatedly.
A soft chuckle came through the phone. “So you kicked him out because you’re famous and he’s not? Talk about ego issues.”
“Jean it’s not that.” Fawn defended.
“Sure as hell sounds like it to me, especially if you like the guy. Shit Fawn anyone can learn to deal with publicity if you give them a chance. But not everyone can heat your blood.”
Fawn contemplated on Jean’s words as Jean spoke again. “Gotta run, talk to you soon.”
With that she was gone and Fawn was on her own again.
She felt the absence of Seth’s presence even sharper as she caught sight of the food trolley and realized how thoughtful it had been.
He had been nothing but kind, considerate, affectionate and a sex God the night before. Why did she have to kick him out?
Because he was just another rich playboy. One with no ambition, no loyalty and definitely no desire for a real relationship, a voice whispered from deep in her mind.
The one thing Fawn really wanted.
He would enjoy her while she was in the Hamptons and once she returned to California she wouldn’t hear of him again.
In a year or two he wouldn’t even remember her name, and if he did it would only be because she’s famous.
Fawn didn’t want her heart sla
pped that way again. When she had started seeing Rufus everything had seemed perfect. He was charming, attractive, and everyone liked him.
Only after Fawn had given him her virginity had she found out that he liked everyone in return, more than she hoped.
She had to find out from her friends that he had been cheating on her and used her reputation as a wild card whenever he needed it.
Fawn had kicked him out, not much different that she did this morning with Seth, and she had never looked back. Or let in another man.
Shaking her head she focused on what was important. Her music. That was her passion and she planned on spending all her energy and time on it, not some rich playboy who was looking for a good time with a famous name.
She started to pull out clothes from the closet and remembered when she had packed them out earlier this week she was so excited about spending time in the Hamptons.
Time to find Fawn Di Maggio again. Time to explore her own music. To write the lyrics that had been hounding her for years. Lyrics she believed in and wanted to share with the world.
If she could write a few good songs while she was here and played them to John on her return maybe he would consider letting her next album be the type of music Fawn wanted to sing. Fawn knew it was a long shot, but she had to try.
After she had dressed herself, she popped on large sunglasses and an oversized sunhat before grabbing her phone and heading for the door.
She needed to get out of the hotel. She needed to clear her head of the cobwebs Seth had unearthed, and the new ones he created.
As the elevator rode down Fawn thought about how his lips and tongue had felt against her most intimate parts, how he had slowly driven her until she had begged for release.
She had never thought sex could be that amazing or that a man could be that considerate.
Twice during the night she had woken only to watch him sleep. To watch how his shaggy blonde hair shone in the moonlight, how his muscles bunched and his eyelids moved in his sleep. Every time she had woken she could only find sleep once snuggled against him.
How could one person make you need them within hours of meeting him?
Fawn shook her head as she exited the hotel and headed for the main road. Maybe some shopping would help.
A couple of hours later the thoughts of Seth had slightly lessened as Fawn had wandered in and out of almost all the shops on East Street. She was feeling less worried about being recognized and even started to reply when the shop owners greeted her.
Feeling normal and relaxed her fingers were itching to write, something that hadn’t happened in the last two years.
The holiday vibe that followed her all morning had started rub off on her by the time she strolled into a fishing shop.
The overhead bell dinged a few times announcing Fawn’s arrival.
“Hi there.” A short guy called to her from behind the counter. Fawn took in the sun bleached hair and the sun burnt face, surfer.
“Hello.” She said politely as she started browsing the inventory.
“Looking for anything specific?” He said from behind Fawn.
She turned around and looked into soft green eyes and a round friendly face. Even though he was short, Fawn found him quite attractive. The shirt stretched over arms muscled from years with fighting waves. “No, just browsing.”
“We’ll we’ve got a little of everything. You here on holiday with your family?”
“No, on my own.” Fawn replied in thought as she studied a complicated hook with wires and feathers and glitter.
“You into fishing?” The man asked curiously beside her. “That’s a called a fly, they use it to lure fish in fly-fishing.”
“Oh.” Fawn said as she placed it back in its spot on the shelf before briefly smiling at the shop attendant.
“I’m Danny.” He said as he smiled wide.
Fawn couldn’t help but return the smile. “Fawn.”
“Please to meet you Fawn. Welcome to the Hamptons.”
“Thank you.” Fawn said as she went to peruse some inventory on the other side of the shop.
“If you don’t fish there are quite a few other things around here that’ll keep you busy.” Danny said as he took his place behind the counter again.
“Like?” Fawn asked interestedly.
“Well let me see. We’ve got quite a few museums in the area; the whaling museum in Sag Harbor is quite interesting. You can go for a walk in Montauk State Park. Otherwise there are quite a few nice restaurants along the beach.” He scratched his head in thought before he spoke again. “There is a great spa my sister loves in Hampton Bays.”
Fawn smiled to herself. She had been to some of the best spas in the world; she doubted the Hamptons could better it. She picked up an interesting looking pair of sunglasses and inspected them as Danny continued.
“There are some great wineries up in Sagaponack. Not that I know anything about wine, I’m more of a beer man myself.”
Fawn laughed. “Thanks Danny. I’ll keep it in mind.”
“If you’re looking for someone to show you around, you know where to find me.”
Fawn smiled at him briefly before leaving the shop. Either her disguise was working or Danny was completely in the dark when it came to pop celebrities. Fawn had a feeling it was a case of the latter.
She couldn’t help but feel flattered at his interest especially since he didn’t recognize her. Over the past few years all the men that had flirted with her knew of her celebrity status. It was nice to be flirted with for once for herself and not her fame.
The heaviness of that morning had disappeared from her shoulders as she made her way back to the hotel. Her only purchase was a moleskin notebook and a fresh set of pencils.
Memories of the previous night with Seth were pushed deep into the recesses of her mind as she planned the rest of her day.
She settled into the afternoon with Van Morrison playing on her phone, the sunlight warming her legs through the window, the moleskin open on a blank page and a pen in her hand.
It was time to do what she came to the Hamptons to do, write.
CHAPTER 6
“So, Seth. How was your date last night?” Garret asked as he tossed Seth a beer. They were sitting on the back deck of Garret’s new beach house overlooking the surf. Garret’s fiancée Skye was in the kitchen putting a snack patter together.
“Date?” Seth asked hoping to sound confused. He hadn’t stopped thinking about Fawn ever since he left her this morning.
“Stefan told us all about it.” Cole said before taking a pull of his beer.
Seth watched his friends. He needed to get out and stop thinking about Fawn and yet now they wanted him to rehash it all. He appreciated their interested in his life, but sometimes having four close friends could be slightly smothering.
Seth had met Garret and Cayden at a hotel party while he was at college. He was supposed to be supervising the party and to his parents chagrin ended up partying as hard as the guests. He had earned lifelong friends that night, along with a speech about responsibility from his father.
Stefan and Cole had joined the close knit circle a few years later. Even though Seth had known them at school they were a few years younger. An age difference that cast you aside at school, they soon realized that didn’t matter once you got older.
The five of them had been close friends now for over five years, sometimes Seth couldn’t imagine what his life had been like before he had his five best friends. Even if they always wanted to know everything. “Stefan should keep his mouth shut.” Seth said as he looked over the water.
“He said she was hot.” Garret said earning him a reproving look along with a swat on the arm from Skye as she set the platter of cheese, tacos and crisps on the table. “Ouch! I’m just repeating Stefan’s words.”
Seth laughed as Skye sat down. “She was hot.”
Skye instantly got up again. “I’ve got a good book wa
iting for me, something I definitely prefer over boy talk.” She smiled at them before she went inside.
Sometimes Seth envied Garret and his relationship. After avoiding women for years after his divorce, Garret had met Skye last year. Although he was hesitant to pursue a relationship at first, it was clear they were meant for each other.
Skye gave Garret enough space to run his multi-million dollar business consulting firm along with time for his friends. As far as Seth knew she didn’t whine, except if they didn’t tidy after themselves.
At the same time the thought of a relationship scared Seth to the core.
He waited until Skye was out of ear shot before he sighed and turned to his friends. “We spent the night together and this morning it all went haywire.”
“What happened?” Cole asked biting on a taco.
Seth hesitated for a moment about telling his friends about Fawn’s identity, but he knew they wouldn’t tell. He could trust them. “Right so here’s the thing. After spending the whole day with her and taking her out for drinks, I realize she’s FAWN.”
“What!” Garret asked amazed. “You needed that long to recognize her?”
Seth laughed. “No, it’s just she’s different …she wasn’t like FAWN yesterday.” Seth said her name making quotation marks in the air with his fingers. “She was just Fawn Di Maggio. She’s sweet, infuriating and funny.”
“Oh shit.” Stefan took a long pull of his beer. “You know you sound just like this asshole did a couple of months ago.” He said pointing at Garret.
Garret had kept quiet the whole time and now spoke for the first time. “What happened this morning?”
“It’s possible that her identity and location has been leaked. Her bodyguard came to tell us early this morning and it was…I don’t know. It was almost like she freaked.”
“What did you do?” Garret asked leaning forward, a crease between his eyes.
Seth shrugged. “I told her she should tell her fans to leave her alone.”
Garret solemnly shook his head as Cole burst out laughing.
“What!” Seth asked confused.