All About The Tempo (BWWM, Celebrity, Billionaire, Pregnancy) (3 page)

5.

              Justin leaned back in the limo and stared at the beautiful girl across from him.

              The very beautiful, very nervous girl.

              For a moment he was almost hopeful that she was uncomfortable because he was famous. If that was the case, getting her into bed would be easy.

              Really easy.

              But he was starting to suspect that she was just inexperienced and shy. It made things much more complicated from his point of view. It also made her even more appealing.

              If that were possible.

              She looked up and caught him staring at her mouth. He exhaled through his lips, sending her an unspoken signal. He could't hide his desire from her if he tried.

              Cerise blushed and glanced away quickly, confirming his suspicions. She was inexperienced with men. Dayum if that wasn't a turn on. He knew he had his work cut out for him. And then some.

              She wrapped her hands around her arms, looking very young and tender.

              "Here, take my jacket."

              "Oh, that's alright."

              He slid closer and settled his lightweight wool Armani jacket over her shoulders. She looked good in it.

              She'd look good in anything.

              "Thanks."

              "Did you forget yours at home or something?"

              "My what?"

              He raised his eyebrows at her.

              "Oh. I lost my coat last year. It got stolen. I haven't gotten a new one yet."

              A crazy feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. The girl was obviously dirt poor. Maybe if he offered to take care of her she'd just fall into his arms… somehow he didn't think it would be that easy though.               And as much as he wanted to take care of her, the stiff way she held her back made him doubtful that she'd let him.

              A gold digger, she was not.

              "So have you written much music yourself? Other than playing so well I mean."

              She gave him a small shrug. Everything she did was controlled, specific. She expressed so much in that one movement.

              "We have to write music as part of our curriculum. But performance has been my focus. I do like it though. Writing I mean."

              He smiled. Finally she was talking.

              "So why not do more?"

              She frowned and looked away.

              "I'm always in class or at work it seems like. But someday…"

              She trailed off, looking abashed.

              "Someday what?"

              Cerise lifted her beautiful face to his.

              "Someday I'll have all the time I need. I'll live in a beautiful house and have a music room. And then I'll write."

              He just stared at her. It sounded nice. He had a sudden vision of himself there with her.

              Of course in his vision they were both naked and sprawled on top of a pile of sheet music.

              The limo pulled to a stop.

              "We're here."

              They were met by the maitre de at the limo door and led into the restaurant. Justin took the opportunity to place his hand on her lower back and guide her to their table. It was crazy how just that basic contact sent a thrill through him.

              They sat down and dutifully listened to the specials. Her eyes widened when she looked over the menu.

              "Do you want wine?"

              She shook her head and he smiled.

              "Probably a good idea. After all, we both have to work tomorrow."

              "Everything looks so good. I don't know what to get."

              "Do you want me to order for you?"

              "Oh- I suppose so. Thank you."

              "I promise you won't be disappointed. So now, let's get down to business. I'm working on a new album. I'd love to include some classical hooks on it."

              "That sounds different."

              "It will be. So, are you in?"

              "In?"

              "Will you help me with my album? I'll pay you of course. Well, the label will anyway."

              "Oh. I'm not sure I have time."

              "We can work around your class schedule."

              "And my job."

              He was starting to get annoyed. She was so damn elusive! It was starting to drive him insane.

              "This is a job. And it's going to pay a hell of a lot better than whatever else it is you do."

              "I know. And I'm grateful. But I made a commitment to the quartet. We have prior engagements. I can't just…"

              "Dip out?"

              She nodded earnestly. He sighed. He was going to have to wait to get his time in with her. He hated waiting.

              But he knew she would be worth it.

              For the music,
and
for him. And not just because of her talent and beauty. There was something pure about her.

             
Something good.

              He hadn't seen or touched anything like it since he was a kid on Christmas morning.

              There was no way in hell he was letting this girl out of his sight.

**********

              Cerise closed her eyes and sighed. She'd never tasted something so good in her life. Each bite had been better than the last.

              Justin had ordered them both the surf and turf. And a platter of seafood cocktail. And a bottle of champagne, despite her misgivings.

              He'd said it was worth it, just to have a few sips.

              He'd been right. It really did go perfectly with steamed lobster and fillet mignon. The creamy spinach and baked sweet potato were equally delicious.

              Halfway through she'd felt like she was going to burst so he suggested taking the rest home in a doggy bag. She'd eagerly agreed. That would be dinner for two days at least.

              Cerise was nothing if not thrifty.

              Throughout the meal he'd asked her about herself, her childhood, her family. He'd asked about her dreams and aspirations, sharing some of his own. He'd told her funny stories about being raised by a single mom. Cerise had laughed more than she'd expected and been more relaxed than she could have imagined.

              He'd offered desert, even going so far as to order a chocolate mouse and attempting to feed her several bites. She'd been able to suppress an unladylike groan which made him chuckle. He'd paid, leaving the waiter what looked like a two hundred dollar tip.

              Then he'd guided her to the waiting limo and into the back seat. She stared out the window dreamily as he stared at her. She knew he was watching her. For some reason it didn't bother her like it usually did.

              He talked about the kind of music he wanted to write and a few songs he thought could use her touch. If she collaborated on more than one song, it could transform the album and create a through line to tie it all together. He was always looking for ways to layer the complexity of his music, and this would be something really different.

              Justin really lit up when he talked about his music. It made him even more attractive than he already was.

              It made him dangerous.

              Finally they pulled up to her house near Van Cortland Park in the Bronx.

              He walked her to the door and smiled at her. She could tell he wanted to kiss her. But she was no fool. He was a huge star and she was a nobody. If she gave into his flirtations she would only get hurt.

              And he'd forget her in two seconds flat.

              "I'll see you tomorrow. And we can hammer out a schedule for working on the new song."

              "Goodnight."

              "Justin. Call me Justin."

              "Goodnight Justin."

              She walked inside and locked the door. She knew she should get some sleep but butterflies kept her up for another hour.

              Justin Westlake wanted to kiss her.

              Justin Westlake wanted to collaborate with her.

              If you'd told her a week ago that she'd be starring in a music video or collaborating on a pop album she would have told you that you were insane.

              Now she was the one who was feeling crazy.

              The last thing she thought about before she fell asleep were his beautiful blue eyes.

6.

              Justin sat in the limo outside Cerise's house. Apparently a group of students had taken it over years ago and now it was a sort of rotating group of young musicians. It was run down and low income but the area seemed relatively safe.

              He'd been here since 6 am, catching up on his emails and social media streams. It seemed best to be early, just to make sure she didn't sneak out before he arrived.

              He knew it was a risk to show up like this but he didn't care. The thought of her taking the subway all the way to the studio was upsetting to him. Besides, its not like he was a crazy stalker. They were going the same direction.

              Sort of.

              The driver cleared his throat and Justin looked up. There she was, locking the door to her house. Then she turned and stared in awe at the waiting limo.

              He noticed that she wore the same denim skirt from the audition with the same skimpy little ballet flats.

              Obviously she needed the money he was providing with the video and the song writing.

              He felt his stomach do a little flip.

              For a moment he wished he could just keep her, pay her, dress her up. He'd enjoy it and more than that, he'd be able to stop worrying about her. But he knew she deserved better than that. Not that she'd ever agree to it.

              He climbed out and smiled at her.

              "Come on, I'll take you to work."

              "What are you doing here?"

              "Justin."

              She rolled her eyes and repeated herself.

              "What are you doing here, Justin?"

              "I was in the neighborhood."

              She looked skeptical to say the least. But she accepted his hand and allowed him to guide her into the limo. Once they were inside he handed her a large box.              Now she
really
looked skeptical.

              Not that he blamed her.             

              "What's this?"

              "That's for you."

              "I can't accept this."

              "Just open it."

              She hesitated.

              "Please. I can't have you getting sick if we are working together."

              She just sat there so he leaned over, getting a nice whiff of her scent. She smelled delicious. Like nothing and everything at the same time. She wasn't wearing perfume. It was just soap. And her.

              He took his time opening the box on her lap, imagining that he was opening her up. Unbuttoning her blouse… the top button of her skirt… her bra.

              He leaned back, covering his lap with the flaps of his own wool coat. He was hard. And he hadn't even touched her.

              Yet.

              Her eyes widened as she stared at the dark purple wool coat. It was trench coat style, reaching below the knees with a belt and a wide lapel. There was an extremely thin layer of super warm insulation that could be zipped in or out.

              To say that it was a very expensive coat was an understatement. But there was something about the girl that screamed Tahari to him. He knew she'd look good in the coat and anything else from the line.

              Not just good. Phennominal.

              "Oh Justin… it's beautiful."

              "Don't say you can't accept it. I can't return it anyway. Here, try it on."

              She smiled at him in disbelief and turned to allow him to slip it over her shoulders. He got even closer to her this time. He inhaled again, having trouble concentrating on what he was doing.

              She turned around and his breath caught at the look in her eyes. She looked like a little girl on Christmas who just couldn't believe her luck.

              Suddenly, neither could he.

              "Oh, it's so warm."

              She bit her lip.

              "Are you sure you can't return it?"

              He shook his head and laughed.

              "What is it?"

              "I can't return the Fendi back pack I got you either."

              Her jaw dropped and then she started to laugh too.

              "You didn't!"

              He shrugged.

              "It's in the trunk."

              "You are incorrigible!"

              "Why, because I bought a gift for a friend? I want you to be warm Cerise."

              "Oh."

              "What is it?"

              "That's nice. That you called me your friend."

              He leaned over and took her hand.

              "Well, I am aren't I?"

              She nodded and smiled at him shyly.

              That shy smile pierced his heart.

              And that was it. He was a goner.

**********

              Cerise was having trouble focusing on the notes. She was wearing yet another overtly sexy outfit. Justin was performing around her again, serenading her, trying to catch her attention.

              But today was different.

              This time she was supposed to let Justin distract her.

              She felt unbelievably nervous pretending that she was falling for him in the video. In the video, he was just a guy, not a world famous musician.

              Heck, he was a bonafide celebrity.

              It was making her stomach tie up in knots as the director called for her to stop playing and let Justin pull her into his arms. Not because she didn't want him to kiss her.

              Because she did.

              Of course she was supposed to turn away at the last second and walk away. The song was about heartbreak after all.

              But each time, he got a little bit closer. He stared into her eyes and she felt the world tilt. His hands brushed her cheek and her whole body got warm. He pulled her against him lightly and she wanted to grind into him.

              What on earth had gotten into her? She'd never been overly libidinous.

              But today she was feeling like a horny teenager. No- a horny teenage boy.

              After three or four takes the director finally called a halt. She exhaled as Justin dropped his arms from around her. This music video business was harder than it looked. She'd earn every penny they paid her, just trying to keep her cool around the unbelievably handsome Pop Star.

              The day was finally drawing to a close when he popped his head into her dressing room.

              "Want to work tonight?"

              She shook her head.

              "I'd love to but I can't."

              "What about tomorrow?"

              "Sorry."

              He frowned like a little boy who'd had his toy pulled away.

              "Why not?"

              "I have a gig."

              He smiled suddenly.

              "I want to see."

              Her heart started beating wildly.

              "No, no you do not. It's chamber music. At a reception at the museum."

              "Which museum?"

              She sighed.

              "Justin…"

              "Just give me a hint- is there artwork or dinosaur bones?"

              She had to laugh. He was just so adorable. She shook her head.

              "Art."

              "Modern or classic?"

              She titled her head to the side, considering.

              "Both. But mostly classic."

              "In the park or on the park?"

              She shook her head again.

              "In it- but Justin-"

              "Perfect. Have a lovely evening. Oh and I'm leaving the limo to drive you home- don't say no."

              He winked and was gone in two seconds, leaving her staring into the mirror in alarm.

              Justin Westlake was planning on crashing her gig.

              She swallowed nervously.

              Now she definitely wouldn't be able to sleep tonight!