by Erika Rose
“Don’t tell me you’ve passed out.” Seth joked as he climbed into bed beside her. “Your coffee is next to you.” He pressed a few buttons on the remote before a movie started on the television.
Fawn couldn’t help but smile as Seth pulled her into the crook of his arm and the bold words Walk the Line slid across the screen. She lifted her head to look at Seth. “Johnny Cash? That’s what I need?”
Seth smiled down at her. “Johnny Cash is exactly what you need.”
As the movie ended in Folsom Prison, Seth sat up and looked at Fawn expectantly. “Get it?”
Fawn laughed. She had eaten three slices of pizza, drank two cups of coffee and spent the evening listening to Johnny Cash and June Carter and still she didn’t know why Seth had put that movie on. She shook her head.
“No one got his sound Fawn; no one thought it would sell. Until the right person heard it. He never changed his music for anyone and stayed true to his sound until he died; today he is one of the most famous country singers of all times.”
Fawn frowned. “So you’re saying I should start singing country?” She laughed as Seth’s face fell. “Don’t worry I get it, you’re saying I should stick to my sound and ignore John’s criticism.”
Seth smiled contently. “Exactly.”
“Message received. What are we going to watch now?” Fawn asked as she slipped out from the covers to quickly run to the bathroom. When she got back Seth was wearing a self-satisfied grin.
“First we’re going to watch Vin Diesel’s latest movie with fast cars and hot chicks.” He pulled Fawn close as she got back into bed. “Then I’m going to show you why you like me more than Vin Diesel and why you’re hotter than those hot chicks.”
Fawn giggled as the movie started, maybe Seth was all she needed tonight.
CHAPTER 16
In the early morning hours Seth dreamed of his hands gliding over Fawn’s ivory skin, her moans were soft and her body was warm when he took her. Only when the quivers subsided did he realize it wasn’t a dream. Even in sleep they had turned to each other, slowly arousing and pushing sleep away until their bodies mated.
He pulled Fawn close and felt her drift back to sleep. Confused with his feelings for her he lay awake for a long time contemplating them.
She was famous, something that would never change. Would he be able to deal with that in the long run? Was he ready for committing to someone? Even if he was, Seth wasn’t sure he was willing to move cross country. The Hamptons was where he had always lived, even though he had travelled the world with his parents, the Hamptons remained home. Would she be willing to move?
Seth had never seen himself getting married and having children and for the first time in his life, holding Fawn as night started to turn to dawn, he found himself thinking he wouldn’t mind it with Fawn. He wouldn’t mind seeing her swell with their children, hear her laugh at him when he starting to lose his hair, and to listen to her sing when he was old.
His mother would be so glad; it was exactly what she had wanted for the past few years. Having her only son settle down and having children. Maybe that was why Seth had fought the idea for so long. His whole life he had done what had been expected of him. Ever since he had told his parents he didn’t plan on working in their hotels, his father’s blatant disapproval had hurt him. Knowing he would never gain his father’s respect or approval Seth had done everything in his power not to gain it. He had become more and more ruthless and arrogant as he refused to take responsibility.
Over the past few weeks with Fawn, not only had he taken responsibility for her album and had even put in more time at the hotel, but he had come to realize that he didn’t need his parents’ approval. He needed his own. He could see himself making music and living with Fawn, whether his parents approved or not, it was something he wanted to do.
The big question was would Fawn be willing? They hadn’t spoken about what would happen after she returned to California and suddenly Seth feared she only saw him as a holiday romance.
He couldn’t imagine someone else touching her, running his hands through her hair. Fawn was his.
Seth softly ran his fingers along the curve of her back until Fawn moaned in her sleep. “Seth?”
Content and happy, Seth smiled as he kissed her forehead. “You’re my girl.”
Fawn smiled sleepily before kissing him and drifting back to sleep.
Seth woke from a noise outside. As wakefulness pushed the sleep aside he heard the noise escalate. Someone was shouting. He tried to get up but found his legs tangled with Fawn’s, her head on his chest still fast asleep.
He softly nudged her. “Fawn, move over baby.”
Fawn moaned as she clung to him tighter. “Don’t get up yet.”
“I have to baby; I’ll be back in a few.” Seth pushed himself off the bed and dragged on his jeans as he made his way to the front door.
As he opened the door cameras flashed in his face as multiple voices shouted.
“What’s your name?”
“Is FAWN here?”
“Is it true that you’re Seth Northman, son of Roger Northman?”
Disorientated and confused, Seth slapped the door closed before taking a few deep breaths. He walked to the spare bedroom where the window overlooked the driveway. Luckily it was privacy glass, Seth thought as he opened the blinds to see what was going on outside his house.
He heard Fawn’s phone ringing in his bedroom and thought about answering it before it woke her when he heard her sleepy voice. “Dom?”
At the mention of his name Seth noticed Dom at the front of the small group of people, standing between them and Seth’s house. As the people shouted questions at Dom and cameras continued snapping his house clarity prevailed. Reporters.
Seth closed the blinds in the spare bedroom before moving through the house and ensuring all the blinds were closed. He had just closed the last one in the kitchen when a furious Fawn walked into the kitchen still talking into the phone.
“Great! Thanks for phoning Dom first Callie. Yes I think he’s outside trying to ward them off.”
Seth watched as she furrowed her brow and started chewing on her thumbnail. “No the house is secure. All the blinds are drawn so we’re fine inside.”
Starting the coffee, Seth couldn’t help but wonder if it was John on the line.
“Callie I’m not going out there and giving them a statement. I’m in goddamn sweats and don’t even have make up with me. It’ll be in all the papers first thing tomorrow morning. FAWN CAUGHT FORNICATING IN THE HAMPTONS, or something even worse.”
Seth shook his head at the catchy headline, but she was right. She couldn’t go outside now and face the reporters. Seth tried thinking of a way to lure them away when Fawn shouted into the phone.
“Just get them away from here Callie. I don’t care how you do it, just do it!” Fawn slammed the phone down on the counter before turning to Seth. “Did you tell them?”
Seth poured them both a cup of coffee taking his time. He felt his own temper start to rise at her accusation but knew she was only attacking him because she was upset. Handing her the cup of coffee, he met her topaz gaze before answering. “Yes Fawn. After we made love before sunrise I waited until you fell asleep before I phoned every contact I had in the press to tell them about your whereabouts, because I didn’t think of it sooner.”
Fawn opened her mouth to shout at him before what he said slowly sank in and she closed it again. She narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at Seth before she spoke again, this time her voice was low. “You didn’t have to phone them Seth. You might’ve said something to a friend, mentioned I was staying over. Something might’ve slipped when you least expected it. Think!”
Seth closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he denied it when he remembered. “I could’ve mentioned it to the guys on Monday evening at Garret’s. But Fawn, Stefan knew you were in the Hamptons since the first night we spent together, why wou
ld he or any of them do this? They would know it would hurt us.”
Fawn laughed caustically. “That’s just it Seth. If you’re not in my position you don’t think about what a few innocent words could do. They might’ve mentioned it to their girlfriends or family and now I’m stuck in your house without make-up or descent clothes to face them with.
Seth had remained calm the whole time but his own temper snapped. “Fawn if you want them gone, I can have them gone within a few minutes. But don’t act like I’m keeping you hostage. You came here last night of your own account. No one forced you! If you want make-up, I’ll get you goddamn make up!”
CHAPTER 17
Fawn gasped as Seth raised his voice. How could he deny it? He must’ve blown her cover. “I don’t want make-up! I want you to learn how to keep your mouth shut and not blab to your friends like a teenager.”
Seth laughed mirthlessly. “You’re so full of it! How do you know it wasn’t lover-boy Danny? Or those girls that recognized you on our first date? How many other people might’ve recognized you Fawn? What makes you so sure this is all my fault?” He slammed his hand down on the counter making Fawn startle.
“I’m not, but you sure didn’t look surprised to find them outside this morning.” Fawn said as she started walking to the bedroom.
“Really?” Came Seth’s voice as he followed her. “You wanted me to act more surprised? Shit Fawn I didn’t expect a bunch of cameras pushed into my face when I opened my front door.”
“You opened your front door, wearing that?” Fawn shouted. He was wearing nothing but jeans and that wasn’t even completely buttoned. He looked sexy as hell, and like he’d just been fucked. If they got a picture of Seth like that the headlines were already a sure thing in the morning.
“How the hell was I supposed to know the ruckus would be a bunch of reporters? Damn I thought it was a neighborhood scuffle.” Seth said running a hand through his blonde bed-hair.
Fawn groaned. “Really Seth, you have neighborhood scuffles in the Hamptons. You’ve got me in your goddamn bed; couldn’t you for a second stop and think before opening the door?”
Seth shook his head before letting out a heavy sigh. “Listen, it happened and there’s nothing I can do about it now. The question is now that it’s happened, what do you want to do?”
Fawn thought about shouting at him for being so calm, but knew deep down he was only trying to help. “I don’t know.” She said feeling her world was crumbling around her. First John’s criticism of her music and now slutty headlines to follow.
“Want me to get rid of the reporters?” Seth asked softly as he moved towards her.
“How are you going to do that?” Fawn asked knowing it wasn’t that easy.
Seth smiled mysteriously before taking her phone. He dialed Dom’s number and waited for him to answer. Fawn watched him confused, how did he plan on getting rid of half a dozen reporters on his doorstep.
“Hey Dom, no it’s not Fawn it’s me. Listen I need you to do something.”
Fawn followed Seth as he walked into the spare bedroom and pushed the blinds aside until he had Dom in his view.
“Walk towards your car and hold your hand over your mouth, as if you don’t want them to hear who you’re talking to.”
Seth and Fawn watched as Dom obliged.
“Right now nod your head a few times before dropping your head and saying surprised loudly ‘what’”.
Dom did that and Fawn turned to Seth confused.
Seth smiled at her before speaking into the phone again. “Look at the house and shake your head and run towards the driver’s side of your car.”
Dom ran towards the car and jumped in.
“Drive! You need to pull out with your tires screaming or they won’t follow you. Take them on a bit of a detour before heading towards the hotel. I’ll have Fawn there in ten minutes.”
Seth ended the call and handed Fawn the phone as she watched all the reporters run to their cars and follow Dom.
“Get your things; I’ve got ten minutes to get you back in the penthouse.” Seth’s voice was harsh as he left her in the spare bedroom.
Fawn felt awful for accusing him, but still believed he must’ve told the wrong person about her whereabouts. She couldn’t think about that now, she needed to get to the hotel. She ran to Seth’s bedroom where the sheets lay rumpled on the bed.
A few minutes ago they were still tangled in those sheets blissfully in love, holding onto each other and now Fawn wondered if she would ever lie down in that bed again.
Emotion rushed up, closing her throat as she grabbed the few things she had bought along, it was time to go home.
As the plane’s wheels bumped the tarmac Fawn woke up. The reality of that morning crashing through her mind.
This morning she had made love to Seth believing they might have a future. Her music might have a future. In a few short minutes all that changed even his attitude towards her. Now Fawn couldn’t help but wonder if it wasn’t all her fault?
Seth had driven her to the hotel without speaking a word. He had accompanied her to the door of her suite where he had greeted her with a brief –goodbye Fawn- before he had gotten back into the elevator and disappeared from her life. Within an hour Dom had arranged her private jet to be ready and fuelled to take her back to California.
Fawn was still reeling from the events of that morning, but maybe it was for the best. She was starting to fall for Seth.
As she got into the limo that waited beside the tarmac to take her to her house in Beverly Hills, Fawn didn’t want to admit she already missed him.
They didn’t even say goodbye properly or talk about if they would see each other again. Had she over reacted that morning? No, she didn’t she assured herself.
It must’ve been Seth that slipped something that had the press turning up at his front door, if was anyone else the press would’ve turned up at the hotel.
As the limo pulled up outside her house her assistant Callie came rushing out to meet her. “Fawn, honey are you all right? You sounded so upset this morning.” She pulled Fawn into a big hug before rushing around to take Fawn’s bags from the driver.
Fawn smiled as Callie took over. Her bouncy fire-red curls bounced happily on her shoulders as her green eyes assessed what needed to be done. That was exactly why she had hired her two years ago. She was more a friend than an assistant, but a friend that didn’t mind picking up the strings when Fawn needed to let go. A friend that organized her life along with her social calendar and her wardrobe.
As Fawn followed Callie into the spacious mansion she had called home for the past few years, she realized how much she had missed her.
Callie set the bags down in the foyer before turning to Fawn. “We’ll deal with that later, first we’re going to have a glass of wine and then you can tell me why it looks like someone took your candy.”
Fawn smiled sadly as she walked to the kitchen where Callie pulled out a bottle of chilled chardonnay. The vintage would be good, Fawn thought. That was another thing Callie was excellent in, selecting wine.
After they both had a glass in hand they moved to the living room where large oversized couches stood invitingly with the last rays of sun casting an orange glow in the living room.
“What happened in the Hamptons?” Callie asked softly, concern lacing her voice.
Fawn wanted to tell Callie about the EP, about the beach and so many other things, but instead of finding her voice, she only found tears.
As the first tears softly slipped down her cheek Fawn couldn’t help but think Seth wouldn’t be there to wipe them off tonight. “I fell in love.” She answered softly.
“Oh baby.” Callie said as she stood up and walked over to Fawn pulling her into a hug. “Tell me about him.”
Fawn sniffed before she smiled. “I don’t know where to start. He’s like every other handsome player I’ve ever met and yet he’s nothing like them.”
&nbs
p; Callie laughed knowing what Fawn meant by every other handsome player. “So he’s hot.”
Fawn laughed as she took her first sip of wine. The cold liquid slipped down her throat leaving a bouquet of zing and flavors lingering on her tongue. “He’s very hot. Think blonde, blue eyes…think Viking.”
Callie’s eyes widened. “Ooh, do tell more.”
“He’s surname is Northman and his parents own a whole chain of hotels. But he’s nothing like the rich entitled guys I’ve met before.” Fawn tried to think of a way to describe Seth before speaking again. “He gets me Callie.”
Callie’s eyes softened and she took Fawn’s hand in her own before she spoke. “What went wrong honey?”
Fawn sniffed back the tears that threatened to escape. “Everything was perfect Callie; he drove me nuts at first and then won me over bit by bit. I didn’t want to fall for him. I swear. I fought against it every step of the way, but he just managed to get through to me.”
Callie smiled as Fawn spoke without interrupting.
Fawn sighed as she continued. “We spent the past three weeks fighting what was between us. Last week he rented out a studio so I could record my folk song. He believes in me, in what I write. He believes I’ll make a success of it. It was only Friday night that we realized we couldn’t fight it anymore. We spent the whole weekend in bed, talking and making love. I’ve never felt this way before Callie; I don’t know what to do with all these emotions.”
Callie saw emotion was overwhelming Fawn again and took her empty glass from her. She walked to the kitchen where she refilled both glasses before returning to her seat next to Fawn and handing her the glass.
Fawn gratefully accepted the glass, taking a sip before she continued. “This morning when you called the press was outside, he opened the door wearing nothing but half buttoned jeans. Callie do you have any idea what the papers are going to say about me? John is going to be furious!”