Hollywood Divorces / Hollywood Wives: The New Generation (61 page)

This was the first time since they’d got back together that she was seeing Tony as herself and not as one of their favourite play-acting characters.

Filled with sexual anticipation, she rode the elevator downstairs with Big Jay in close attendance. Once there, Big Jay escorted her through the lobby and outside to the sidewalk, where a sleek, white limousine waited. Tony had a thing for white limos, the bigger the better.

A bevy of photographers sprang forward. There was a rumour in the air that Tony Alvarez might be in the car.

‘Who’re you with, Lola?’ called one of the photographers. ‘Who’s in the limo? Is it Tony?’

She smiled at the cameras and posed for a few fleeting seconds. ‘Wouldn’t you like to know?’ she said, teasing them.

Then Big Jay guided her into the limo and slammed the door, leaving everyone wondering.

Tony was leaning back against the leather seat, smoking. He had on a pale beige Armani suit, a black silk shirt, plenty of Bling Bling, including an enormous diamond stud embedded in his earlobe. His teeth were whiter than white, his black hair curled over his collar. Lola was turned on just looking at him.

‘I finally get to see the beautiful Lola Sanchez,’ he drawled, flashing a sexy smile. ‘The
real
Lola Sanchez.’

‘I hear tell you’ve been meeting with several friends of mine,’ she replied, also smiling.

‘Ain’t nothin’ like the real thing.’

‘Here I am,’ she purred.

‘Gotta say I missed you, babe,’ he said, reaching out to pull her close. He smelt of a rich, musky aftershave.

‘Careful,’ she said, eluding him. ‘I wouldn’t want to get lipstick on you.’

He removed a white silk monogrammed handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. ‘Wipe it off. You know what I want.’

‘This is not exactly private,’ she said, indicating the driver and Tony’s martial-arts bodyguard, both sitting up front.

Tony pressed a button, and the black dividing glass slid into place, separating them from everyone. ‘C’mere, baby, an’ do it just for me,’ he coaxed, leaning even further back and unzipping his pants.

She obliged. What better way to start a memorable evening?

S
helby drove herself over the Canyon to meet Pete for lunch. She was not into bodyguards and minders, that wasn’t her reality. And since she’d never had to deal with any serious threats from deranged fans, she still felt comfortable driving around on her own.

It was no big deal, even though Linc didn’t like it when she took off to the dry-cleaner’s or the market. ‘We’ve got people to do that for us,’ he’d said.

‘No, Linc, you don’t understand,’ she’d explained. ‘It’s important for me to feel normal.’

‘Sweetheart,’ he’d insisted, ‘you’re
not
normal, you’re a movie star, and movie stars have people who do everything for them. Okay?’

She begged to differ. She did not want to be one of those actresses who were surrounded by assistants and minders, publicists and stylists, with everyone laughing at her jokes and telling her how wonderful she was. Besides, she certainly had not regarded herself as a movie star until she had seen
Rapture
. And even now, the term ‘movie star’ was far too Hollywood. She would much rather be regarded as an accomplished actress.

The night before, she’d spoken to Linc on the phone, omitting to mention that she’d run into Pete or their upcoming lunch. Linc wouldn’t approve: he had a wild
jealous streak, which he didn’t exhibit often, but when he did, it was not pretty.

Actually, she saw nothing wrong in meeting up with Pete. He’d been a good friend to her when she’d first arrived in Hollywood, and she didn’t see why they couldn’t continue to be friends.

She was happy that Linc was obviously enjoying his movie in New York and seemed to be staying sober. It was good for him to be involved in a different kind of project. Perhaps it would force the critics to realize how talented he was.

‘What’s Lola Sanchez like?’ she’d asked.

‘A spitfire,’ he’d replied. ‘All the guys on the set are hot for her.’

‘And you?’ she’d asked teasingly.

‘Me, honey? I’m a married man.’

She’d laughed softly. ‘I’ll be there next weekend. Can’t wait to see you.’

‘Don’t overwork yourself,’ he’d said.

‘I’m not a delicate little flower, Linc,’ she’d reminded him. ‘I’m a big, strapping English girl.’

‘Not so much with the strapping,’ he’d said, with a quick laugh. ‘I’ll be waiting for you.’

‘Linc?’ she’d said hesitantly. ‘Are you
sure
everything’s okay?’

‘Stop with the questions. If I
wasn’t
okay, you’d hear it in my voice, right?’

‘I suppose so.’

‘You
know
so.’

‘What are you doing every night?’

‘Sitting around in my hotel playing cards and ordering room service. Exciting, huh?’

‘I miss you,’ she’d said wistfully.

‘You too, sweetheart.’

She’d hung up, reassured that he was doing well. Yes,
she realized, it was naïve of her to think that a few days in a Malibu rehab centre had cured him of drinking for ever, but maybe this movie was what he needed. Something different, something to show the public that he was capable of more than over-the-top action films.

She parked her car in the lot next to Jerry’s Deli, and entered the crowded delicatessen. Dressed in casual slacks and a silk shirt, large blackout sunglasses covering her eyes, and her long hair tied back in a ponytail, she could often get away with not being recognized.

Pete was already there. As soon as he saw her, he jumped up from his table and waved. She strolled over.

‘You made it,’ he said, obviously pleased.

‘Yes,’ she answered, dazzling him with her smile. ‘All the way to the valley. Aren’t
I
a clever girl?’

‘It’s great to see you, Shelby,’ he said, a touch awkward. ‘I’m glad we’re doing this.’

‘So am I,’ she said, settling into her seat as a waitress came over with menus.

‘What do you feel like having?’ he asked. ‘They make a helluva sandwich here.’

‘
Giant
sandwiches,’ she replied, perusing the menu. ‘You Americans eat enough for three people.’

‘That’s ’cause we need our energy.’

‘So you can fight the rest of the world?’

‘Low blow.’

‘Sorry,’ she murmured, deciding on a tuna melt.

Pete went for a hamburger with everything on it and a side of French fries.

‘I’m sure you’re aware that you have a few stunts in our movie,’ he said, after the waitress left their table. ‘I’ll be coordinating your stunt double, which means we’ll be working together quite a bit. I was thinking you should build up your strength.’

‘Why would I want to do that?’

‘In case you decide to try some of the stunts yourself.’

‘Me?’

‘Is there a reason you can’t?’

‘I’ve never done anything like that before,’ she said hesitantly.

‘Now’s the time,’ he said, full of enthusiasm, ‘’cause I got a hunch you’ll love it.’

‘I will?’

‘I could start you on a training programme,’ he said. ‘Nothing too strenuous.’

‘I don’t know…’

‘C’mon,’ he said encouragingly. ‘I’ll take you to my gym in Santa Monica, work out a programme for you to follow.’

‘You have a gym now?’

‘A chain of ’em.’

‘That’s terrific,’ she said, picking up her glass and taking a sip of water. ‘You know, I
am
kind of interested in learning about self-defence. Would you be able to teach me?’

‘How about shooting a gun?’

‘Let’s not get carried away,’ she said, laughing softly. ‘I’m hardly planning on appearing in a cowboy movie.’

‘The way the world’s going, learning to shoot is not such a bad idea.’

‘Guns scare me,’ she said, remembering Linc’s graphic stories about the night his father shot himself in the head.

‘Not when you know how to use ’em.’

Their order arrived, and Pete attacked his burger as if he were a starving man.

Shelby leaned forward and stole a French fry from his plate. ‘So tell me, Pete,’ she said, attempting to sound casual, ‘are you married?’

‘No,’ he answered, giving her a long, penetrating look. ‘Truth is, Shelby, I gave up trusting women after you.’

She lowered her eyes. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘I’ll be honest,’ he said, speaking slowly. ‘After you ran off an’ married Linc, I have to admit I was kinda bitter for a while. ’Cause, well…you’re not exactly easy to get over.’

‘I wish I could make you understand how overwhelming it was for me when I met Linc. We fell in love and I was helpless.’ She paused for a moment, wondering what her life would’ve been like if she’d stayed with Pete. Different, that was for sure. ‘Y’know, Pete,’ she continued, her eyes meeting his, ‘it was never my intention to let you down.’

He nodded. ‘I know that.’

‘I would be so happy if you and Linc could be friends again. I hate thinking it was me who came between you.’

‘Me and Linc–friends?’ Pete said scornfully. ‘That’s
never
gonna happen. I’ll be
your
friend, not his. There’s no way after what he did to me.’

‘Pete,’ she said, impulsively reaching across the table and squeezing his hand. ‘We
both
did it. Why can’t we be grown-ups and forget about the past?’

‘Oh, Shelby, Shelby,’ he sighed, ‘you make it sound so damn simple.’

‘It
is
simple.’

‘For you, maybe.’

‘For you, too,’ she urged. ‘All you’ve got to do is let go.’

‘Easy for you to say.’

‘It would mean so much to me.’

He gave her a long, lingering look. ‘Here’s the big question: does he make you happy?’

‘Of course he does,’ she replied, once more meeting his gaze. ‘Linc’s a
great
guy. I mean, he has his problems, but we’ve managed to work through them.’

‘That’s more than most women were able to do.’

‘I promise you, he’s a changed man.’

‘Because if he
doesn’t
make you happy…’

‘What, Pete?’

‘Then he’ll have to deal with me.’

Somehow it was comforting to know that she had a man who was totally on her side.

Cocooned in a haze of champagne, grass and decadence, Lola surfaced slowly. She was naked in Tony Alvarez’s bed in his hotel suite, with Tony asleep beside her. Flung casually across the bed was a mink-lined satin throw, while on it were Tony’s black silk sheets–he never travelled without several sets. Tony was an extravagant hedonist.

Thank God it’s Saturday and I’m not on call
, she thought, gently touching his back. She could feel the heat still there, vibrating through his dark olive skin. God, Tony Alvarez was an addiction she’d
never
got over.

Naked, she stepped out of bed, and padded into the bathroom. What a night! Tony had insisted on exploring all the new Latino supper clubs. They’d covered three or four, with the paparazzi dogging their every step, growing in numbers as they exited each place. It was exhilarating, running out through back entrances, sneaking into their limo, seeing if they could outrun the paparazzi. Tony, with his sly smile, flashy entourage, and way of doing things with such style.

After she’d gone down on him in the car, he’d presented her with a single ten-carat yellow diamond on a thin diamond chain to wear round her neck. ‘It’s your slave chain, baby,’ he’d said, with a cunning smile. ‘Every time you wear it, you’ll think of me.’

He certainly knew how to please her. But then again, she certainly knew how to please
him
.

‘Where’s your so-called fiancée?’ she’d asked, knowing for sure that the girl was history.

‘On ice,’ he’d replied, pouring more champagne.

End of
that
story.

They’d started off the evening with Cristal in the limo. It was not until later that he’d begun snorting coke. She was not happy about his habit. ‘Tony,’ she’d pleaded, ‘you
know
that’s why I had to leave you last time.’

‘You wanna be with me, you take me how I am,’ he’d said, full of confidence. ‘Nobody’s gettin’ busted, baby. I got bodyguards on top of bodyguards.’

‘But, Tony—’

‘Fuck, Lola,’ he’d interrupted, his voice hardening. ‘I’m on probation. You think I wanna go through any legal shit?’

Somehow it added to the excitement. Tony, the drugs, the danger.

Not that she indulged: she’d decided early on that she was never getting into drugs–she knew how they affected people’s looks. She’d watched one actress on a TV series whose face had got more bloated and disgusting every time an episode ran. Plus cocaine wasn’t for her. Champagne was more her style.

‘I don’t understand why drinking doesn’t do it for you,’ she’d complained. ‘What’s the fascination you have with cocaine and the other stuff you’re into?’

‘Hey, just know I’m ecstatic
you
ain’t into it,’ he’d said. ‘Nobody wants to mess with a coke whore. ‘Specially not
this
dude.’

They’d danced the night away with crowds of people watching and surrounding them, clapping them on. They were both fine salsa dancers who took pleasure in excelling. It wasn’t simply because they were famous that they cut such a swathe: some couples were meant to be.

Lola knew she should call Otto and warn him that they were back together, and she should certainly inform the formidable Faye. Then she decided the hell with them, it was
her
life, she could do whatever she liked.

Wrapping herself in one of Tony’s luxurious cashmere robes, she leaned forward, carefully examining her face in the mirror. Fortunately, she was blessed with perfect olive skin, and this morning she was positively glowing. Who needed diamonds when she had Tony?

Thankfully she’d inherited her mother’s beauty and her father’s zest for living. Poor Isabelle and Selma had not–they were both quite ordinary-looking.
She
was the star of the family, although it helped that she was surrounded by experts who helped her look the best she could.

Piling her hair on top of her head, she stuck a pin in it, then returned to the bedroom. ‘Tony,’ she murmured, leaning over him, her full breasts grazing his chest, ‘time to get up. It’s way past noon.’

‘Oh, baby, baby,’ he muttered, throwing out his arms. His chest was covered in a smattering of fine black hair. She would’ve hated it if he shaved his chest like so many Hollywood actors. She loved the way a thin line of hair headed straight down his stomach, making a steady line towards his crotch, where it curled around the stem of his magnificent cock.

‘Tony,’ she murmured again, fluttering her fingers lightly across his stomach. ‘Lola desires your company, so please quit snoring in my face.’

He opened one eye and squinted at her. ‘Who snores, baby? Not me.’ He opened his other eye. ‘How ya doin’?’

‘Sensational, thank you,’ she replied, teasing his lips with her tongue.

He undid the tie on her robe. It fell open. He reached in and began squeezing her nipples with his fingertips. ‘Gotta say I missed this,’ he said, continuing to caress her.

She began stroking his cock, which immediately sprang to attention. ‘And
I
missed this,’ she said, in a low, throaty voice.

‘Nice,’ he said, thrusting himself towards her. ‘We both got somethin’ we missed.’

She shrugged off her robe.

‘Where’s your diamond, babe?’ he asked.

‘I left it on the bedside table.’

‘Put it on,’ he ordered.

‘Now?’

‘Yeah, now.’

She picked up the exquisite diamond and fastened the thin chain around her neck. It hung between her breasts like a talisman.

‘Wanna fuck you, babe,’ Tony said, pulling her down next to him. ‘You and your great big diamond.’

She spread her legs, welcoming him into the place where he truly belonged.

Tony Alvarez was
her
addiction, and she’d never stopped loving him.

It was a crisp, sunny New York morning. Freddy Krane was in town, so Linc decided to take him on a jog around Central Park. Freddy bitched and moaned, but went along with the programme when Linc insisted it was good for him. ‘S’ long as we make it to the deli an’ have a good brunch,’ Freddy said, huffing and puffing as he lagged along behind Linc. ‘Don’t forget I’m on L.A. time. My stomach’s screamin’.’