Lovers & Liars (10 page)

“Are
you kidding me? Put that away,” Gunther said, putting his big hand over hers. “Four
mimosas,” he said to the waiter. Erica tucked her notebook back into her purse.

She
noticed the cool reception her boss got from Cara. The stony look from ice-blue
eyes seemed to chill even the water in Erica’s glass.

“Cara,
I hope you know how much I regret what happened between Gracie and me.”

“Do
you?”

Gunther eating crow. This, I’ve
gotta
see.

“I
do. I misjudged the situation…her. And I acted inappropriately. I wish she’d
give me a chance to apologize.”

The
expression on Cara’s face softened a bit.
He’s
winning her over.

“You
and I have always had a good relationship. I hope you can convince her to give
me another chance.” The look on his face was sincerity itself.

“When
you put it like that, Gunther…you make it hard for me to refuse.”

“I
appreciate any help you can give me.”

Cara
smiled at him.
Damn! He charmed her,
melted the iceberg. Impressive.

After
they ordered lunch, discussions got lively. Cara, Max, and Gunther discussed
the state of theater in New York, upcoming plays. Gunther mentioned
Strange Bedfellows,
a movie that he was
casting, and wondered if Max and Cara would be interested in taking that to
Broadway if it was a box office success.

Erica
sat quietly, listening as she munched on a Cobb salad.
Maybe someday I’ll be a big star like Cara.
Thankful not to be
noticed, Erica took in everything.

By
dessert, there was a lull in the conversation. Cara turned her attention to
Erica. “You’re lovely. Any interest in acting?”

Erica
choked on her sip of iced tea. Gunther whacked her on the back a few times then
answered for her. “Nah, she’s not an actress. She’s a great producer’s
assistant. Might have to make her an actual producer. Maybe when Max and I set up
shop.”

Who does he think he is, deciding
what I’ll do? It’s my future, and I want to act.
Erica
tried to put her anger at Gunther aside.
Down,
girl. Be professional.
Grateful the choking kept her from having to lie
about her ambitions, she smiled at Cara.
She’s
nice. Not like Elsa.

Cara
hugged Gunther when the meal was over and agreed to talk to her sister. Max
smiled.
He’s a regular guy. He’s good for
Gunther.
Erica and Gunther walked through the park back to The Plaza. He
took her hand and talked about his plans with Max. His face lit up, his eyes brightened.
He smiled and laughed. Erica had never seen him so relaxed and happy.

“East
West Productions is going to be bigger than anyone. And the most successful.
We’re going to own Broadway. You’ll see.”

“I
believe you.”

“And
I want you to come with me.”

“As
an assistant?”

“As
an associate producer. By the time this rolls, you’ll be ready for a
promotion.”

Erica
managed a small smile.
That’s not what I
had in mind. He’s serious about no marriage.
Her shoulder slumped, her pace
slowed.

“Come
on, doe-eyes, you’ll be making piles of money.”

“Great.”

She
turned her face away from his sharp-eyed stare, but he tightened his grip, not
letting her move away from him. “Don’t you want to be rich?”

“I
have my own dreams.”
Shut up, Erica.
But
she couldn’t. “I don’t want to be your satellite.”

“Okay,
then. What do you want?”

“I
don’t know. I want to enjoy the moment. Can we do that? We’re in this fabulous
city. I want to be here, now.”

“Whatever
you want, babe. Things are going well. I want to cut you in. If you don’t want
it, that’s okay, too. I’d never tell you how to live your life.”

No? Just tell me I can’t be an
actress.

They
were back in their room by four o’clock. Erica pulled out her schedule.

“We’re
on for dinner at
Sardi’s
tonight, then a show. Let’s
see, yes, Harriman Drake’s new show,
The
Seventh Candle.
It’s a mystery.”

“Why
are we seeing a mystery?”

“Couldn’t
get tickets for the musicals you wanted. It’s theater. Harriman Drake is
important, isn’t he?”

“You
like mysteries?”

“I
love mysteries.”

“Fine.
Shower and change.” Gunther headed off to the bathroom.

Dinner
was exciting.
Chaz
Duncan, Quinn Roberts, and their
wives joined Gunther and Erica. Gunther ate a huge steak, along with the other
men, while Erica ate seafood. The wives were very friendly, and the meal was a
happy occasion. Gunther picked up the tab and left a generous tip.

He
took her hand as they walked to the theater.

“Everyone
thinks I’m your girlfriend, not your assistant.”

“Maybe
that’s because I’m drooling all over you,” he chuckled.

She
swatted him in the arm. “Not funny. Treat me like an assistant.”

“Do
I have to?” He leaned over and whispered, “I’d rather treat you like my lover.”

A
shiver shot down her spine as his soft lips and warm breath tickled her ear.
Whenever he got near her, electricity sparked between them, heating her up.
Even with other people around, she sensed his presence. He stood out in a
crowd, even a crowd of beautiful people. Erica was proud to be with him.

After
the show, Gunther arranged for a nightcap at the hotel. Wearing only the
luxurious bathrobes provided, they cuddled together on the sofa and sipped
expensive brandy. As soon as the last drop was gone, Gunther stood up and took
her hand.

“I’ve
been waiting all evening,” he said, leading her into his bedroom, “To be alone
with you.”

Her
thighs quivered, and her heartbeat quickened. He nudged the door closed with
his foot and turned her around to face him. Being desired by Gunther turned her
on. He pulled the tie off her robe and pushed it off her shoulders. Then, he
dropped his. He was already almost completely erect. She stepped up to him,
running her hands up his chest. The feel of his hair and skin made her shiver.

“Cold?”

She
shook her head.

“Oh,
hot?” He chuckled.

She
nodded, pressing against him. “I think I have a cure for that,” he said,
shooting her a hungry look.

Gunther
captured her lips while placing his hands on her hips and walking her backwards
toward the bed. When the mattress hit her knees, she fell back and shimmied up on
her behind toward the pillow. Gunther was on her in seconds, looming over her
like a lion about to strike a deathblow to his prey. Erica reached her arms up
and around his back. He tapped her knee with his, and she opened for him. After
settling between her legs, he ravaged her with his mouth.

Erica
couldn’t move, she could only feel. Every touch of his fingertips scorched her
skin. His hands on her breasts made her moan. He brought his thigh up to press
against her core, followed by his fingers sending her over the top. The ache
for him inside her grew and grew, stretching her endurance like a rubber band
pulled to its limit. She squirmed, moving her hips against his. He tasted her
peak, feasting while he cupped her behind.

“Oh,
God, Gunther!” She glided her hands down until they reached his butt and pulled
him to her. His tip caressed her entrance.

“Wait,
wait! You’re in such a hurry.” He reached up to grab a condom.

Panting,
Erica couldn’t catch her breath. Need spiraled up as she waited impatiently for
him to cover himself. He stopped briefly to gaze into her eyes. She didn’t know
exactly what she saw there, but when he smiled, a warm glow surrounded her.

He
reached down to touch her. “Oh, yeah. Someone’s ready.” He chuckled before
positioning himself over her. One last soul-sucking kiss and he plunged into
her. She cried out and arched her back.

He
immediately pushed up to look at her. “Did I hurt you?”

“Oh,
God. No. Don’t stop, don’t stop!” She was fairly screaming at him.

He
began to move, slowly at first, and then he picked up speed. A moan from him
let her know he was enjoying himself as much as she. Her fingertips gripped his
flesh as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He closed his hand around her
knee and pulled it loose, then raised it up to meet her chest.

Erica
closed her eyes and yelled as he pushed deeper inside her. She cupped his
cheeks and kissed him as he moved in and out. “Gunther…I…I…” She stuttered
,
trying not to say what was in her heart.

“Doe-eyes,
my God,” he whispered.

A
powerful orgasm rocketed through her body, her muscles clenched tight around
him and her hips bucked up. Erica closed her lips on his skin and sucked.
Gunther slipped his hands under her back and pulled her to him. With a loud groan
and a final hard thrust, he stopped.

Sweat
pooled between their chests, making their skin slippery. He closed his fingers
around her breast and bent to kiss it before rolling off her.

“Erica,
I…you make me…you’re incredible,” he muttered.

She
moved onto her side, leaning on her elbow, and ran her fingertips lightly down
his chest and over his abs. He caught her hand in his and raised it to his
lips.
Such a romantic.
Her heart
fluttered at his affectionate gesture.
Was
he going to tell me he loved me? He won’t. Guess I’ll take what I can get.

Erica
got a great night’s sleep for the second night in a row, tangled up with her
lover, lost in his arms, snuggled under the comforter together, his warm breath
on her neck, reassuring her.

* * * *

With
her hair cascading perfectly down her back, her long, slinky, red dress hugging
her curves, and a short, white, fake fur jacket, Erica was ready to attend the
premiere. Gunther was devastating in his black tuxedo, tailored to his body
like a second skin. His face lit up when she joined him.

“Wow!
You look fantastic! You’ll outshine the leading lady by a mile. You’re
gorgeous.” He planted a light kiss on her lips. “Don’t want to muss that
lipstick.”

He
offered her his arm, and they strolled out of the hotel together. The doorman
flagged down a taxi, and they were on their way to the theater. There was a
huge crowd there, plus cameras and reporters. Max Webster stood outside the theater,
greeting people like a proud new father. He stepped over, kissed Erica’s hand,
and shook Gunther’s.

“Big
crowd,” Gunther said.

“Hope
to hell they like it,” Max whispered behind his hand.

“Reviewers?”

Max
nodded nervously. “
New York Times, Wall
Street Journal,
The
New Yorker
and
New York Magazine.
Jesus, I’m stretched
out from here to L.A. on this one.” He mopped his brow with his handkerchief.

Gunther
squeezed his shoulder. “It’ll be a winner, Max. I feel it.”

“I
hope so. Or we may not have a company.”

Sweat
broke out on Gunther’s forehead.

Erica
hugged Max then they all settled in their seats. Gunther shifted several times
before the lights went down. Erica took his hand in hers. It was a little cold
and clammy so she rubbed it. He shot her a grin and laced his fingers with hers
as the overture began.

The
musical completely enchanted Erica. She had always favored dramatic acting, or
even comedy, over musical theater. But this show looked like such fun, she was
revising her opinion.
Am I too old to
learn to sing and dance? Dance, maybe, but not sing.

She
noticed Gunther’s attention was rapt through the entire first act. At the first
intermission, he dictated notes about the play to Erica. She scribbled in her
tiny notebook as fast as her fingers would fly. Gunther impressed her. He
hadn’t missed a trick—things that needed fixing, or maybe should be eliminated,
thoughts about the movie version.

After
the show was over, Gunther had more comments for her to take down.

“Do
you think it will be a success?” she asked.

He
shrugged. “No way to predict.”

“But
do you like it?”

“I
love it. I’m hoping it makes it big. I’d love to do the movie version.”

“It’s
amazing. I don’t see how it can’t be a success,” she said, grinning. He
returned her smile, squeezing her hand as they filed slowly out of the theater.

“From
your mouth to God’s ears,” he whispered.

Max
ushered them into one of several waiting limos. “This’ll take you to the
party,” he said.

The
after party was a gala affair held in a private loft in
SoHo
.
The giant, open space was divided by planters and screens. It was decorated
festively, with streamers and silver and gold helium-filled balloons, as if the
show was already a success.