Authors: K.L. Middleton,Cassie Alexandra,Kristen Middleton
Tiffany
“Hi, what’s up, Sinclair?” I asked, recognizing her ringtone.
“You still working?”
“Yes, for about another hour or so.”
“Is Ransom there?”
I raised my eyebrows. “Yes, but… how did you know?”
“Look, this reporter friend of Jesse’s just gave him a heads-up. The media is headed your way. Channel five, I believe. Apparently, someone called and leaked that Ransom was getting his hair trimmed at
Tangled
.”
I groaned. “Oh no.”
“Oh no is
right
. They catch you two together, you’ll probably get disqualified.”
I closed my eyes. “I’m sure.”
“You know, it’s kind of fishy that he wants you off of the show, suddenly decides to pay you a visit at the shop, and now the media has been tipped off. Sounds like a setup to me.”
I turned towards Ransom, who was watching me closely.
Would he actually stoop to that level, and tip off the media just to get me kicked off the show?
“Okay, thanks. I’ll call you later.”
“Damn right you will, girl. Call me back as soon as you can.”
I hung up, and shoved my phone into my purse. “Ransom, you have to leave. Now.”
Before he could respond, Felicia, who was ringing up Mrs. Conway, stuck her head around the corner. “Girl, we got reporters coming this way.
Ransom’s face darkened. “Reporters?”
“Yeah, surprise, surprise,” I answered dryly. I walked around the partition and glanced outside of the large plate window. A news van, Channel Five KSLA, was sitting outside of the shop, and standing next to the vehicle was a blonde reporter, powdering her face. “Crap. Can you stall them somehow?”
“Don’t worry. I got this,” she answered.
“What about them?” I whispered, nodding towards the teens who were both still messing with their phones, and not paying any attention.
She cleared her throat. “Yo, boys. You hungry?”
“Always,” replied the dark-haired kid.
“I’ve got a box of white chocolate-chunk cookies in the break room. You can have them if you want. Just go on back there, and help yourselves.”
Smiling, they both stood up and walked towards the back.
“Back there,” I said, pointing towards the break room door. “Feel free to turn on the television too. We’ll let you know when we’re ready for you.”
“I guess we’re out of here,” said Ransom as his security guys joined him.
“Where’s your back door?” asked the taller bodyguard.
“The exit is straight back, to the left,” I replied.
Ransom grabbed my hand. “Come with us. Like I mentioned before, I’ll buy you dinner, and we can catch up.”
I snatched my hand back. “No. Now listen to me, Ransom, you may not care about the contest anymore, but I do. Seriously, you’ve got to get out of here.”
“Go away!” hollered Felicia from the front of the store as the reporters tried to enter. “No, I’m
not
unlocking the damn door, fool, we’re closed!”
“Please go,” I repeated. “Before someone else sees you.”
He sighed. “Fine, but –”
“No buts,” I answered, walking towards the exit. I opened the door and stuck my head outside. The back parking lot was empty, save for mine and Felicia’s cars.
“It’s clear,” I said, turning around.
Ransom walked towards me.
I moved aside to let him pass, but he stopped, and stared down into my eyes.
“Thanks for the cut,” he said with that sexy grin, that always did me in. “And, good luck.”
I still wasn’t sure if he was responsible for the media showing up. I prayed that he wasn’t, and didn’t want to believe he was that much of an asshole. “Well, thanks.”
He motioned towards his security guards, and they stepped outside, leaving us alone. He then turned back to me. “Taffy,” he murmured, stepping closer. “I want you to know that if you need anything,
anything
from me, all you have to do is ask.”
I raised my chin, prepared to tell him that all I really wanted was for him to stay away, but before I could answer, he leaned forward, and kissed me.
I forgot about everything else, and kissed him back. Closing my eyes, I melted into the guy I’d fantasized about for the last decade, even before he was a rock star. I forgot about my anger, the media, even the contest as my heart thumped loudly in my chest, and his tongue moved inside of my mouth.
Ohmygod… is this really happening?
I thought as
I slid my hands around his neck, and into the back of his hair, pulling him closer. His mouth was warm and tasted of mint, which made it even more exhilarating.
Not finding any resistance, his hands slid around my waist, pulling me so close, I could feel his erection.
Knowing that I’d gotten him hard, I felt an intense rush of desire between my legs, and gasped involuntarily.
“Mm…” he groaned, pushing me back gently. “Fuck, I’m so sorry, Taffy. I don’t know what got into me.”
“It’s okay,” I replied in a hoarse voice.
He averted his eyes and backed towards the door. “I, uh, I’d better go.”
“You should.”
Our eyes met again, one more time, and then he left.
“Now what was that?” asked Felicia from behind.
When I turned around, my cheeks were on fire. “How long have you been back there?”
“Long enough to want popcorn,” she chuckled. “Damn, girl, I was about ready to turn the hose on you two.”
I smiled sheepishly. “I didn’t expect it at all. It just kind of happened.”
She clucked her tongue. “Celebrities. They think everything is theirs for the taking. You be careful, Tiffany. I don’ know what he’s up to, but don’t let him try and manipulate you.”
At that moment, I wanted him to manipulate every single part of me, but wasn’t about to give that information up. “I know,” I said, walking past her. “So, is the news van gone?”
“No, they’re still parked in front.”
I crossed my arms under my chest. “I wonder where Ransom and his security guards parked.”
“Davenport’s Steakhouse, the next block up. I overheard them talking about it.”
“Oh.”
“Let’s get those kids finished up so I can head out of here,” said Felicia, looking down at her watch. “I could really use a drink. You sure you don’t want to tag along tonight?”
I smiled. “No. Seriously, I’m just going to go home and take it easy. If I make it through the next round of auditions, I’m not going to have a chance to relax for quite a while.”
“I hear you. Hey, boys,” she said, stepping into the break room. “We’re ready for you.”
I walked to the front of the shop and looked out of the window just as the news van pulled away from the curb. I wondered if they’d just given up, or if someone had called them off. I thought of Ransom, and how adamant he’d been about me stepping away from the contest. If he had anything to do with the media showing up, I’d never forgive him. I still wasn’t sure what his motives were, or why he was so determined to talk me out of continuing on. Regardless, I decided that it would be in my best interest to stay far away from him, at least until the contest was over.
Ransom
After leaving the salon I followed my security guys down the alley and back to the Mercedes.
“Where to now?” asked Bowzer, who was driving.
I rubbed a hand across my face. “I need a drink. Let’s hit Bastion’s.”
Bastion’s was a very exclusive bar in West Hollywood, one that I frequented with my band during our downtime. I grabbed my phone and sent a text to Vance to see if he’d meet me there.
“What about Sonia?” asked Jimmy, turning back to look at me. “Aren’t you supposed to meet her for dinner tonight?”
I groaned. “That’s right. Fuck. I’ll just turn off my phone. I’ll tell her the battery died, and that I forgot all about dinner. I really can’t deal with her shit right now.”
“She’s going to be pissed,” chuckled Bowzer, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t want to get on that woman’s bad side.”
“Oh, hell, I’m used to it,” I answered, my mind drifting back to Tiffany, who didn’t have a bad side to her. In fact, every side was pretty fucking fantastic.
I laid my head back against the seat and closed my eyes.
What in the hell had I been thinking with that kiss?
The purpose of my visit had been to talk her out of continuing with the contest, not trying to fuck her in the back room. But looking down into her angelic, wholesome face had triggered something inside of me. I wasn’t sure if it was the fact that she wasn’t trying to seduce me, didn’t care that I was famous, or reminded me of the life I’d given up after winning Icon. She definitely represented my past, and the things I’d taken for granted, like a young girl’s crush on her friend’s older brother, which was much different than the groupies who now threw themselves at me, just because I was a celebrity. This was no longer an adolescent teenager, however. Taffy had grown up into a sexy, young woman and I had to admit, when she returned my kisses, it had turned me on so much, I was still hard.
“So Bastion’s then?” asked Bowzer.
I opened my eyes. “Yeah. I need a drink.”
***
“Do me a favor and hang back,” I told them when we reached Bastion’s. “I don’t want to draw any attention. If I’m lucky, nobody will recognize me, and I’ll have some time to myself.”
They both agreed, and while I entered the V.I.P. lounge first, and sat at the bar, they seated themselves at a booth farther away, but still in view.
“What’s your poison?” asked the bartender, a hot brunette who’d served me many times in the past. She tilted her head and squinted. “Ransom?”
“Yeah.”
“I almost didn’t recognize you.”
I grinned. “Part of my plan. I’m incognito tonight.”
She put her hands on the bar and nodded. “You know what? I really like this new look of yours. It makes you look more… mature.”
“Mature?” I chuckled. “Are you saying I look older? I don’t know if that’s exactly a good thing for someone in my profession.”
“Hey, I didn’t mean it as an insult. You just seem a little more sophisticated with the shorter hair. You looked more like a pirate before. Like Johnny Depp’s character, from that movie, you know which one I mean?”
“Argh… you mean Jack Sparrow?”
She hit the top of the bar with her palm. “That’s it. You reminded me a little bit of Jack Sparrow before you had your hair cut.”
I rubbed the stubble on my chin. “So who do I remind you of now?”
She studied me intently. “I’d say you look a little like Colin Farrell, only,” she smiled saucily, “hotter.”
“Why, Shelly, if I didn’t already know you were a lesbian, I’d think you were hitting on me.”
She put a hand on her hip. “I’m
bi-sexual
I’ll have you know, and always harmlessly flirtatious,” she said, lowering her voice, “which is good for tips. But I’m faithful to Janice, so I guess you could say that I’m also a little bit of a blue-baller.”
“I’ve met Janice a few times here, and I don’t blame you. That woman is hot, and as sweet as they come. Definitely a keeper.”
“Damn right. So,” she tossed her hair over her shoulder and gave me a flirty smile. “So, what’s your pleasure tonight, Ransom?”
“I’ll have the usual,” I answered, motioning towards the liquor bottles lined up behind her.
She nodded, and then filled a glass with ice. She turned and reached up for the bottle of Gran Patron Tequila Platinum, which was on the top shelf. “So, why this sudden change in your appearance?” she asked when she returned with the bottle.
I tapped my fingers on the bar, and shrugged. “Why not?”
She studied me for a minute and then smiled. “Okay, fair enough.”
“Thanks, Shell,” I said, as she pushed the drink towards me. “Just start a tab.”
She nodded towards my security. “And them?”
I smirked. “They don’t get paid to drink.”
She laughed. “Okay. I’ll be back in a minute. I’m going to check on another customer’s appetizer.”
My stomach growled. “Would you order me up some buffalo wings, too?”
“Extra spicy?”
I grinned. “Hell yes.”
She walked to the television above the bar, and turned it on. The Dodgers were playing at home.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. I’ll go put that order in for your wings.”
“Appreciate it.”
I finished my drink and had a couple more while I devoured the wings. After about an hour, I was feeling no pain.
“Hey, Ransom,” said Shelly, taking my empty plate away. “Looks like those girls settling in at the bar are checking you out.”
I shrugged and looked back at the television. “Good for them.”
She raised her eyebrows.
“Sorry,” I answered, watching the game. “I’m just not in the mood to socialize. I’ve got a lot of shit on my mind.”
“Too bad, I think one of them is a famous porn star. If not, she should be.”
I glanced towards the platinum blonde sitting down at the other end of the bar with another woman whose tits were so big, they needed their own zip code.
Fuck
,
I thought, recognizing the petite blonde, Amber Drake. I’d made the mistake of banging her more than once, until she’d volunteered to cook me dinner one night. As far as I was concerned, that usually led to spending the entire night together, and brunch with the parents. I hadn’t spoken to her since I’d turned down the invitation.
“From the look on your face, you’re not interested?”
I swirled the ice around in my drink. “Good observation.”
“After a couple more of those, I’ll repeat the question, and see if your answer is still the same,” she answered before moving towards the women.
I turned my head away from Amber’s line of vision, hoping she wouldn’t recognize me. She was a nice girl, even for a porn star, but I wasn’t interested in plunging my dick into a community pool, when there were much more private ones available. Another image of Tiffany’s beautiful smile hit me, and I sighed in frustration.
Why had I kissed her? And even better question, why did I want to do it again?
I had to admit, something about that girl-next-door persona of hers was a definite turn-on. I hadn’t had this many hard-ons in one day since the morning I’d found my dad’s old girlie magazines, back when I was fifteen.
“The women over there want to buy you another drink,” said Shelly, interrupting my thoughts.
I glanced back at Amber and her friend. From the challenging look on her face, she definitely recognized me.
“Shit,” I mumbled, turning away.
“Well? What should I tell them?” she asked as I tipped my head back, and tossed back the drink.
I set the glass back onto the bar. “Just tell them that I’m leaving soon. In fact,” I said, standing up. “I’d better use the can first.” I handed her a hundred dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
“Thanks, Ransom.”
I stopped by Bowzer’s and Jimmy’s table on the way to the bathroom. “I’m going to the john, and then we’ll leave. Why don’t you guys meet me out by the car?”
“No, that’s okay,” replied Bowzer, his eyes glued at the eye-candy by the bar. “We’ll just wait until you’re finished, if you don’t mind. The view is better inside.”
“Your choice,” I replied and then walked to the men’s room. I stepped inside, grateful to be alone, and relieved myself in the urinal. As I was zipping up my fly, I heard someone else enter the bathroom. I turned to wash my hands, swore under my breath.
“Hey, stranger,” said Amber, leaning against the doorway, wearing a miniscule black dress that barely covered the top of her thighs, and silver platform shoes that showed off her spray-tanned legs.
I cleared my throat. “Amber. What’s going on?”
With a wicked smile, she began moving towards me. “I just thought I’d catch you before you left.”
I turned on the faucet and began washing my hands. “Couldn’t you wait until I left the bathroom to say ‘hi’?”
She stopped next to me, and our eyes met in the mirror. “Okay, you got me. I guess I just wanted some privacy.”
Remembering how she enjoyed fucking in public places, I quickly stepped around her, and turned on the hand dryer. I wasn’t about to go down that path. Not with her. “Oh?”
She pulled her hair over her shoulder. “Guess I’ve missed you, you know?”
I shrugged. “You have my number.”
“Funny, I must have your
old
number because the last time I called, a stranger answered, and said he’d never heard of you.”
“Yeah, my number changes frequently. Stalkers and all,” I replied, holding back a smirk. The last time she’d called, I’d had a buddy answer the phone for me. It was the only thing that had stopped her continuous texts and phone calls.
Her eyes trailed over me appraisingly and she licked her glossy lips. “Damn, Ransom, you look as sexy as ever. I love the new haircut, by the way. Can I touch your head?”
“I’d prefer not,” I answered, although I began questioning my self-control when her eyes lowered to my zipper.
“Oh, you’re no fun,” she pouted, leaning forward. She touched my chest with her brightly colored manicured nail. “I remember when you used to be loads of fun. Or should I say…” her finger trailed all the way down to my crotch. “When guy in here used to be in charge of the fun.”
I grabbed her hand firmly. “Stop, Amber.”
She licked her upper lip seductively. “You want me,” she whispered, now touching the front of my jeans with her other hand. She ran her finger over the hard outline of my dick. “This guy never lies.”
I grabbed both of her hands. “Amber, it’s over.”
Her face fell. “What is your problem? From what I hear, you’ve got a whore in your room practically every night, and what – I’m not good enough, now?”
“It has nothing to do with that,” I said, stepping away from her. “Look, I’ve got to go.”
She grabbed my forearm. “Wait! Ransom, you know, I really thought we had something special. I thought you did, too.”
I sighed. “We had fun, but it’s over. You’ve got to let it go.”
She dug her nails into my skin. “You think because you’re this hotshot celebrity now, that you can just treat women like trash? Throw them away whenever you’re finished with them?”
I pulled my arm away. “Jesus, Amber, you’re overreacting. We had sex a few times, okay? We never even dated.”
Her lips trembled. “Yeah, I know. I wasn’t even good enough to buy dinner for.”
“I’m not going to argue with you. I’ve got to go,” I said, backing away. “Look, I’m sorry you thought there was more to what we had, but honestly, I never promised you anything. Hell, you were the one who jumped my bones without even asking the rules.”
“The rules?!” she snapped. “So, it was just a
game
for you?”
I groaned. “No, it wasn’t. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“You know what? You’re a real fucking prick, Ransom,” she answered, kicking one of the stalls angrily. “You don’t fucking deserve me anyway.”
“You’re probably right,” I said, opening the door. Without another glance, I left the bathroom, relieved that I’d ended it with her when I did. If she was this obsessed after a few tumbles in the sack, I could only imagine what would have happened if I’d have actually accepted a home-cooked meal from her. Hell, it wasn’t as if she’d been some naïve, young woman who’d been taken advantage of. There was nothing pure or wholesome about Amber. From what I’d remembered, she’d pursued me hard, and fucked me even harder, which I thought had worked well for the both of us. I was obviously wrong.
“Hey, Ransom! What’s up, brother?” hollered Vance in his gravelly voice. He was sitting at the bar with his twin, Kurt, who I noticed was now ogling Amber’s friend’s tits, along with everyone else at the bar. Both guys were dressed in the usual biker attire of ripped jeans, leather vests, and bandanas covering their long, red hair.
I walked back over to the bar, and shook both of their hands. “I didn’t think you guys were going to show. I sent you a message about two hours ago.”