by Maggie Mundy
“I want to do it. I know you’ll make me look beautiful. I’ve studied the photos of her and they were classy, not crude. There was an unmistakable quality of innocence and sensuality. I hope I can do them justice. I also like that she had curves like me.”
“I love your curves and you will be brilliant. Marilyn used to say, ‘Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.’ Her other comment was ‘Fear is stupid. So are regrets.’ It won’t take much to make you fantastic. I need to control myself so I don’t have a raging hard on for the whole shoot. Plus, if you’re good, I’ll get you tacos afterward.”
“You’ll have to save it for later.” Gemma bit her lip as she grabbed the belt of her gown. She inhaled deeply, took off the robe, and lay down on the red satin material.
Mitch stared at her for a moment as if he wished the room was empty. She had seen lust in his eyes before. Then his face changed and she saw the professional photographer take over.
He got her to move in certain ways so it reproduced the originals pictures. If she doubted herself, he would show her what Marilyn had done. She and Mitch were lovers, but this was the first time they had worked together. There was one photo where she was sitting up as if in bed with breakfast items around her. She noticed a birthday cupcake and a bottle of tablets.
Mitch pointed to the items. “A week or so before she died, Marilyn sang a happy birthday song to the President. Her plane was delayed and she was introduced as the late Marilyn Monroe. A week later she was dead.”
“That is eerie. Are the tablets meant to be like the ones she took?”
Mitch nodded but then shrugged his shoulders. “The level of phenobarbital was so high in her blood it would have taken eighty tablets. She would have passed out after about twenty. The drug was put into her body by some other means.”
“So, she was probably murdered. It’s so sad.”
Gemma changed into the white halter neck dress and did the last few pictures. She was so glad she had agreed to this. For once, Mitch seemed to be opening up. She wanted this to go on forever. The two of them really needed to sit down and talk, no matter what the risk.
Bec grabbed her makeup box. “I’ll head off now as I’m out tonight. Let me know when the next victim is ready.”
Mitch put down his camera, went over, and locked the door after Bec. He dimmed the lights and headed back across the room. “I think as we have this mattress here we should make use of it, don’t you?”
Mitch only had to look at her and she could feel her body getting hot. He strode toward her like an animal stalking its prey. She wouldn’t run, she wanted to be caught.
He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close. His erection pressed against her and she wanted him in her. His lips were on hers, possessing her mouth as his hands roamed down her back and cupped her butt cheeks. She reached to his waist, undid his belt, pulled it out, and threw it across the room. She unzipped his pants and put her hand inside, rubbing up and down the length of his cock.
The kiss ended and she moved him around and pushed him back onto the mattress. He laughed and wagged his finger at her. She didn’t usually take control, but she needed him in her now. The ache between her legs was unbearable, and only Mitch could fix it. Gemma kneeled between his legs and pulled his jeans and boxers down. He was hard and glorious, and all hers. She knew exactly what she wanted to do.
Gemma stood and bent over. She trailed her hands from her ankles, up her legs, and under her dress until she gripped her G-string and pulled it down. She twirled it on her finger. Mitch motioned with his hands that he wanted it, and she obliged by throwing them onto his chest. He grabbed it and put it in his shirt pocket. She had a feeling she would never get it back.
Gemma crawled up the bed and sang as she went. She remembered an old Marilyn song she would change the lyrics to.
“I want to be fucked by you, just you. Nobody else but you. I want to be fucked by you alone. Boop boop a doop.”
He shook his head but grinned. Gemma straddled him and flicked her dress out so it surrounded their hips. She could feel his cock pressed against the cleft of her pussy. Either he was cool or she was super-hot, because every nerve ending between her legs was stimulated.
She bent forward and kissed his lips. She had known many men, but Mitch was the first one she could completely lose herself in. The interior of his mouth made her want to take him as his tongue fought hers. As she kissed, she moved her wet pussy up and down his shaft. She couldn’t take this much longer. She needed him deep inside her.
Gemma lifted herself and reached her hand under the flowing white material of the dress. She encircled his shaft with her hand and moved so the head of his cock rubbed against her clit. She gasped at the sensations it sent through her. Mitch groaned so she was fully aware her effect upon him.
She pressed the head of his cock against her clit and rubbed back and forth. The vibrations were building. This man turned her on so much she lost all reasoning. She moved so the head of his cock pressed against her opening. She clenched, needing to draw him in. Gemma lowered herself until the head of his cock was within her. She encased him in her tight sheath. His gritted his teeth, the need showing on his face.
Gemma lifted again. She repeated the action over and over as Mitch threw his head from side to side. Then she reached behind her and nestled his balls in her hand. They were taut. She gently squeezed and then rubbed his perineum. The effect was instant as he growled, grabbed her hips, and pulled her down so the length of his cock was thrust deep inside her. She wanted to feel this connection forever.
Gemma moved up and down as Mitch slid in and out of her. She pounded down on him and loved every minute of it.
“Touch yourself,” he growled under his breath.
Gemma didn’t need any encouragement as she slipped her hand beneath her dress. She touched her clit. The combination of Mitch’s shaft inside her and the gentle massage of her fingers sent her over the edge. The groan left her mouth as her core gripped and went into spasm around him.
As the throbbing ceased, she relaxed against his chest. He rubbed her hair as her breathing slowed.
“That was so fucking sexy, watching your face as you came,” Mitch said.
“Now, it’s my turn.”
Gemma sat up and started to rock back and forward on him. She still ached inside from her orgasm, but the movement caused a pleasant pain. Faster and faster she moved as he gripped her hips. Mitch threw his head back into the pillow and bellowed his release. He grunted and thrust up time and again until he was spent. Gemma watched every moment as he pushed his head back on the mattress. He was her beautiful man and she needed to convince him to stay forever. She lay forward as they both calmed. Her stomach grumbled.
“Someone promised me tacos.” She giggled.
“I always aim to please, and as soon as my dick calms down, I’ll get you some.” He kissed her deeply and she thought he was about to say something to her when his expression closed off again and said nothing. One of these days they would need to talk about the elephant in the room that was their sham marriage. The truth was it didn’t seem so much of a sham anymore.
She removed the wig and makeup and changed back into her clothes. When she walked back out from the changing room, Mitch was waiting. He held his hand out and inside was a USB drive.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“The camera was rolling. It’s the only copy and the master is gone. Keep it or destroy it.”
Gemma smirked and pushed the USB drive between her boobs. It would be safe there.
“So, do I get my panties back, or do I go home commando?”
Mitch patted his pocket. “They’re mine now. It really turns me on that you have nothing on under that skirt.”
“Are you going to take photos of Jake and Declan?”
“I was thinking I would do a shoot with them dressed as Paul Newman and Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”
“That would be
perfect. Now let’s go and get some tacos.”
****
Five months later, the photo shoots were almost done. She had seen some but not all. Mitch was being very protective of his work. She wanted him to have success. She saw other men not coping when they were less famous than their wives. It often led to one of them resenting the other.
Gemma wanted to talk to him about moving when he got back from the studio. It was good to have the others around, but she wanted her own space. Cassi was getting big at seven and a half months and they would need the extra space for the babies now they knew they were having twins.
The show was going well and thankfully Brandon had not turned up on the scene. If she never saw him again, it would be too soon. For now, she went to the kitchen to help Sasha cook dinner. Cassi rubbed her lower back and sat down.
“I don’t remember the back pain with Tommy, or maybe I was just younger.”
Gemma took a glass of water over. “You’re doing too much with the business. You need to take a break. Plus, there are two babies in there, not one.”
“The business is taking off so well and Tommy is starting school. Life wasn’t meant to be easy, that’s for sure. I’m so glad I have you girls around me. Now when I look back, I don’t know how I did things with Tommy.”
“You were supermom, that’s how,” Gemma said.
The front door opened. Mitch walked in and came over and kissed her. He was followed by Declan.
Gemma felt the time was right to say something. “Everyone, I have something I want to say.” Gemma knew they would try to talk her out of it, but she needed to move on. “The lease on my house is coming up for the renter and I’ve decided to sell. You’ll need the spare room when the babies come, and I think it’s time.”
Cassi was getting all emotional and Gemma could see tears in her eyes.
“I’ve loved having you both here, but I can’t deny we need the room. I didn’t know how to bring it up.” Declan came and put his arms around Cassi.
“I told her to tell you to bugger off, but she didn’t think my Aussie charm would work.” Declan laughed.
“I’ve seen a few places and will get Mitch to check them out with me. We should be out before the babies are born.”
Tommy ran in and grabbed Cassi’s arm. “Mom, Mom. I taught Duke to roll over. Come and have a look.”
Cassi heaved herself off the chair and wandered out side.
“Dinner will be ten minutes,” Sasha shouted after them.
Mitch walked over and stormed off up the stairs. What had she done now? She thought this would be a new start for them. Gemma followed him into the bedroom.
“What’s wrong?”
“You’ve looked at houses and you drop we’re moving out before you even talk to me. Am I involved in this move, or is the point when we call off this charade?”
He thought she was dumping him and calling an end to their marriage. The thought couldn’t be further from her head.
“I’m sorry. I wanted it to be a surprise. I thought we needed our own place. I don’t want this marriage to end yet.” A soon as she said ‘yet’ she regretted it. It wasn’t what she meant to say.
“It’s fine. You’re right. We need to move. From now on, let me know what is going on in that little head of yours. I’m happy for this to continue for now as well. Any more surprises?”
The ‘for now’ was not lost on her, and her doubts crept back in. Gemma bit her bottom lip and considered she might as well keep going.
“I’ve been thinking we should go and see my family.”
“That sounds serious. Do you really think it’s a good idea when we will eventually be going our own ways?”
“Neither of us wants that at the moment and my mother has been nagging and asking me what’s wrong with you. Do you have a hunchback or something?”
“I can’t say I’m enthusiastic. So, when is the big event meant to take place?”
The expression on his face was akin to someone going to the dentist.
“The weekend after next is my mother’s birthday, plus there is an award show I need to attend. I’m expected to go and it would be odd if you didn’t go as well.”
He peered at the floor and she wondered if he wanted it to swallow him up rather than deal with her mother. He had the right idea.
“I’ll go. I don’t have a good feeling about this though.”
****
Mitch had not said a word since they left the airport. There were the usual photographers, but the two of them could cope with that. Could they cope with her mother? Her dad answered the door, which did not surprise her. Mom would be in the front parlor with her entourage of women friends around her. The sharks would be out for blood tonight. Gemma had wanted Mitch as a protector, but tonight she would need to protect him. Gemma had thwarted her mother’s pick of an Italian doctor for a paparazzo. One step up from a bum on the streets.
Her dad kissed her on both cheeks and hugged her. Then he turned to Mitch and gave him a once over.
“Good evening, Mr. Cassini. I’m glad to meet you.”
“I wasn’t sure about this when Gemma phoned and said you were married. Tonight I can see she looks happy. That’s all I ask for. You upset her and I get my Cousin Antonio to deal with you. No one will find your body.”
Gemma watched Mitch go pale. Dad didn’t have a cousin Antonio, but it was fun to watch Mitch think the Mafia was coming for him. Her dad grabbed him and gave him a kiss on each cheek and smiled.
“I’ll look after her. I promise, Mr. Cassini.”
“Of course you will. Call me, Carlo. Now come and meet the rest of the family. I should warn you, I’m the nice one.”
Gemma took Mitch’s hand in hers and she wasn’t sure whose was the clammiest. It felt like they were walking into the lion’s den. The two of them only had to cope for an hour or so, then they could go to the awards dinner and their hotel.
Her mother sat on the far side of the room and had her two close friends, Enid and Gloria, next to her. The three women looked Mitch up and down. Her mother might be pursing her lips, but Enid and Gloria appeared impressed with Mitch.
“So, this is your husband. Mitch, so nice to meet you at last.”
“Mitch, this is my mother, Rosa, and her friends, Enid and Gloria.”
“Delighted to meet you, Mrs. Cassini,” Mitch said and took her hand and then shook the hands of the other guests.
“Call me Rosa. Now do sit down and tell me all about yourself. Who are your parents?”
Gemma didn’t let go of Mitch’s hand.
“My mother and father passed away when my sister and I were young. My grandmother brought us up.” Mitch took a deep breath and went on. “I’ve always lived in California with my sister, who’s training to be a doctor.”
“That’s nice. I always thought Gemma was going to marry a doctor. I believe you take photos for a living.”
Her mother said the words as if they left a bad taste in her mouth. Another half hour of interrogations, and Gemma was ready to leave. One of her brothers came over. Vince and Tony were both tall, but Mitch was the same.
“Why don’t you come and have a beer in the kitchen, Mitch? I think Mom wanted a few words with Gemma.” Tony indicated for Mitch to follow, and he couldn’t get out of the room fast enough.
Gemma wished she could go with him. She turned back to her mother, waiting for the onslaught to begin.
“It’s good to see you here, Gemma, but I still don’t know why you married this stranger, even if he is a good-looking one.” Her mother shook her head,
“It’s been a trial on your mother after her heart problems,” Enid said.
“I know it was sudden, but I was having some issues with a stalker and he was there for me.”
Her mother’s face showed concern as she reached out and took Gemma’s hand in hers. “Is he gone now?”
“Yes. The person who I thought it was has moved away. Mitch was there when I needed him.”
&n
bsp; “I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but I’m not happy. I still want you to come back to New York where you’ll be safe.”
Her mother’s version of safe meant controlled. Where she would want to be in charge of Gemma’s life again. Gemma couldn’t allow that.
“We need to be going soon. The awards dinner starts in half an hour and my agent wanted to catch up first. I’ll go and find Mitch.” Gemma kissed her mother on each cheek and headed out of the room. She looked back to see the three women deep in discussion. Her mother seemed so caring at moments, and then reverted back to the world being all about her.
Mitch slipped his arm around her waist. As they left the house and got in the taxi, Gemma let out a loud sigh.
“Thank goodness that is over. I’m so sorry for you getting the sixth degree. Mom wants her family around so she can control them.”
“It’s fine and she loves you. At some point, you need to talk to her about Brandon and what he knows.”
It was true, but Gemma had no idea how she would approach the subject. Some secrets were best left unsaid. If Brandon wasn’t going to bother them anymore, then there didn’t seem to be a reason to destroy her parents’ marriage.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Gemma was so excited she wanted to jump up and down. The offer on their new home had gone through. It was a medium-sized and she loved it. There were four bedrooms with their own bathrooms. The yard wasn’t too big, but it had a lap pool. It was a new start and Mitch had been involved. He had been to each of the showings for the four houses. He didn’t like looking at houses, but they both loved this place.
Everything was falling into place as the real estate agent, Cara, called to say the old house had sold, too. She arranged to meet the Cara there, sign the papers, and pick up a few things. Gemma had left Mitch’s picture she had bought at the charity auction. It would have pride of place in their new home. Gemma would give him a call so the two of them could go there together.
The scenes had gone well all day and the season was coming to a close. It looked like she would be contracted for another season as the ratings were still good. She walked out to the parking lot and went to grab some things from her car. As she pressed the remote, she shivered.