Idolized (Hollywood Stardust Book 3) (10 page)

Tall, muscular and tall, wait he thought that already, but this person was large, huge, gigantic. He held his hand out and went with his gut. “Viktor?”

“Mr. Scott.” The behemoth glanced at his hand and turned. “Ms. Caine was expecting you two hours ago.”

“I got unexpectedly detained.” After all the hoops he jumped through, over and under to get here, he didn’t need or want to offer an explanation. Exhausted, he didn’t understand why Cora couldn’t just tell him what she wanted on the phone or text. Wait, there was one thing. The smile that faded in the lobby reappeared, and making a guest appearance, his erection. Thank god he had the foresight to restock his wallet with condoms. Her work had to be stressful and she probably needed at little relief. He let out a chuckle.

Viktor stopped in front of a gleaming black wood door even larger than the one in the entryway, then the giant turned back to Ryder, narrowed his eyes and gave the door one knock before opening it.

Rather than acknowledging a star walked into her office, Cora was bent over with her backside facing him. Well, that could be good too.

“Go in.” Victor stood to one side and stared him down.

Fine, he might have rushed past the mammoth and into the room, and he might have exhaled once the door closed behind him leaving him with a much better behind to view, and without Cora seeing him, he might have rubbed his hands together and licked his lips.  “I usually don’t respond to summons.” He stalked toward her.

“I find that hard to believe.” She remained hunched over what he recognized as a putting green with one of those little artificial golf holes with a club in her hand.

“Do you golf?” At his question he shook his head.

“I think the answer to that is more than obvious by my current activity.” Her abundant hair hung down all around her. She swung the club back and tapped the golf ball. It veered off to the left of the little hole.

“Do you like golfing?” He watched her.

Before answering, she hit the ball once more. This time it not only went left, but way past the hole. “Not particularly.” She corralled a third ball.

If nothing else, the woman was extremely focused. A laser was dull compared to her.

At eyeing his opportunity, he did the guy thing went up behind her, pressing their bodies together and placing his hands over hers on the club. “Try to relax.”

“Isn’t that what golf is for?” Rather than relax, her muscles tensed. “If you tell me to keep my eye on the ball I don’t have to tell you where the ball will end up, right?”

“Seriously, you need to relax, you’re like a golf robot, and it doesn’t work that way.” He let go of her hands only to wrangle her hair and hook it over one shoulder.

“Do you know how it works?” As if trying to comply, she tilted her head from side to side.

“By the way someone yelled out my name last night, I didn’t think you needed to ask that question.” He ran his lips from her ear down to neck. “I have a great way we can both relax.”

“Ryder.” She shivered.

“Watch this.” At the same time he took her earlobe between his teeth, he pulled the putter back and tapped the ball.

His luck intact, the little white ball complied with his wishes and rolled dutifully into the hole. “I’d never tell you to keep your eye on the ball. I would tell you to keep your eye on the prize.”

“And just what is that prize?” She scooted another ball over.

“I’ll let you have one guess.” As he helped her take another shot, he gave her a light kiss in the junction between her neck and shoulder, a particularly tasty spot, especially with the way her perfume swirled around him, a clean scent that reminded him of a fresh breeze.

Again, the ball hit the mark.

“Are you a golfer, Mr. Scott?” At least her voice waivered a little.

He opened his mouth and gave her a more intense kiss. With her, his body took off with only the aid of thoughts and kisses, a much more welcome occurrence than having to rely on concentration and porn to perform. “I played a businessman a couple of years ago in this romantic comedy, you know the type, the thirty-something billionaire, and I had to golf in a few scenes. I went on the course a few times, it’s part of my method.” He moved his hands to her waist. “I can show you some other methods.” Suddenly he had to have her.

“Did I ever tell you about my method?” Right as he slid up to cup her magnificent breasts, she dropped her club and caught his hands, halting his progress.

“I am happy to have you demonstrate your method anytime.” Maybe she wanted to set the pace. More than fine by him.

“My method involves having a superstar escort me to a charity function tonight. I need to be seen being nice, apparently acting like a human.” She kept a firm hold on him.

“I am even better at making women look good at functions than I am at golf, but not as good as other things.” While she might not surrender, he wouldn’t give up and kept his hands as far up as she allowed.

“I think your true strong suit lies in charming smiles and a pretty face, and that’s exactly what I require tonight.” She tapped her foot. “That and not being one minute late. Do I need to repeat myself?”

“Well, if you don’t want me to be late, I’d suggest you avail me of a car and or a driver, since due to some unforeseen circumstances I had to take a taxi here.” After choosing door number two at Ms. Tuttle’s, he gathered up some clothes and walked a couple of miles in order to get a cab. However, the taxi driver didn’t charge him, even though Ryder had to make a stop along the way to stash his stuff at his storage facility.

“Tell Viktor what you need. The invitation is on my desk. Be back here at seven. The attire is black tie. I assume you have a clean tuxedo at your disposal.” She shook her head.

“I have more tuxedos than you have Internet passwords.” He left out the part about the fact he had many tuxedos on permanent loan from various designers when he did photo shoots.

“Good. Then you best be on your way. I prefer my men groomed to perfection. Get rid of the scruff.” With her demands out, she swiped his hands off her and walked toward the door.

Wait. Stop the truck. Was he just dismissed? “Cora.”

“I have a meeting. Don’t be late.” Without even a glance in his direction, she left.

No one dismissed him. She basically just called him down to her office to tell him to shave and put a tux on. Not cool.

She could take her function, her driver and her summons and shove it. The next time she called his name it better be because she wanted him back in the bedroom.

He spun on his heel and headed out the way he entered, almost making it to the door before his phone vibrated. With a huff he slid the phone out of his pocket and glanced at the number.  Even though he talked with him hours earlier, Glen was calling again. This time Ryder wouldn’t answer. The sting of bile rose in his throat, and he hit dismiss before backtracking to her huge glass desk.

He swiped up the invitation and headed out, he needed to go find Viktor and get his of his tuxedoes out of storage.

HOLLYWOOD STARDOM

FADE IN:

INT. HOLLYWOOD, CA – CLUB ON SUNSET BOULEVARD – NIGHT.

WILLIAM and ROXY sit together at one of the tables watching the band up on stage and having a drink.

The set ends and everyone claps.

WILLIAM

Whenever you want we can go backstage.

Two girls come over to get WILLIAM’S autograph.  WILLIAM signs their papers and takes a couple of pictures.

ROXY

It never gets old, does it?

(She takes a sip of her drink.)

WILLIAM

What doesn’t get old?

ROXY

The fans, the people wanting you?  The performance.

WILLIAM

(Takes of gulp of his drink and sits back in his chair)

No. No it doesn’t.  I see now why you wanted a life in the spotlight, but the spotlight is ours, believe me on that.

(He grabs her hand and kisses the back.)

ROXY

I know, I do believe you, but it’s not the same.

WILLIAM

(Looks into her eyes)

I want you to try again.

ROXY shakes her head.

WILLIAM

Don’t say no.  This is the life you want. Sometimes I feel like I’m living your life.  Do it now when we have the connections.

ROXY