Irresistible Lines (3 page)

Chapter 6

Cruze

When Cadence first figured out I wasn’t the John she was supposed to fuck, she mentioned someone by the name of Fileze. Apparently the guy is her pimp. If he set up the date between John Zane and Cadence, maybe he would have some dirt on the asshole. Plenty of guys in Hollywood fuck hookers, but until Cadence I hadn’t been one of them. And finding out where Fileze lived, or worked, or who knew him, was a lot more difficult than I expected.

Until I call Nigel. It turns out I should’ve called him first.

“
Johnny, how’s it going?” Hearing Nigel’s voice makes me immediately regret my decision to call. “Johnny, ya there?”

I grit my teeth. “Yeah, Nigel. I have a question. It’s kind of a sensitive matter
, though.”

“Your secret is safe with me. What’s going on? You’d rather fuck Cadence than the bitch, Scarlett?”

I suck in my breath. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh. I figured you heard Scarlett decided to do her own sex scenes. Her agent called and demanded we not use any of the footage of Cadence and reshoot the scenes with her. That cunt can’t decide what the fuck she wants, but I agreed. I guess your manager hasn’t called you yet.”

There’s a beep-beep in my ear and I check my phone. It’s Denise, my manager on the other line.

“Yeah, whatever, that’s fine.” In a way I’m relieved. Sure
, Scarlett is hot but, like Nigel said, she’s a bitch and a self-centered one at that. Pretend-fucking her will be easy. No feelings involved. Just acting.

“Anything else? I get the sense that isn’t why you called.” Nigel seems distracted so I make it fast.

“Have you heard of a pimp by the name of Fileze?” I hold my breath, waiting. Hoping.

“Why?” he asks after a long pause.

“Why do you think? I hear he has the best girls.” Better to let Nigel believe I want his number for a hooker, not because I want to pay him for any information he might have on John Zane.

“Serious?
You didn’t learn your lesson with the tabloids and paparazzi the first time around?”

“Do you have the number or not?” I ask, trying not to lose my temper.
He’s a sleazy asshole, but he’s also the director. 

Nigel chuckles. “Sure, let me pull up his number and I’ll text it to you.”

I immediately relax. “Thanks, man.”

“Sure. Oh, and for your information, we’re filming the scene with Scarlett tomorrow. Call time is six in the morning. So,” he clears his throat and continues, “Make plans accordingly.”

“Good to know.” There’s a ping in my ear. I check my phone and see Nigel has already sent the text. “Got the text. Thanks again.” I hang up before Nigel has a chance to say anything else and quickly dial the number Nigel sent over.

“Who the fuck is this?” the man on the other end answers.

“Hey, uh, this is John Cruze. I was—”

“No fucking way. You shitting me, man?” He starts to speak another language and several others chime in. Fil
eze is obviously not alone. And he’s probably just told everyone that I called. One call to the paparazzi, that’s all it’ll take, and I’ll be fucked from here til Tuesday in those bullshit magazines. It’s too late to turn back now though.

Fuck, I suck at this
James Bond shit
.

“Look, is there someplace we could meet and talk
in private?
I’ve got some questions. I could pay you for the information.” I force myself to sound confident. I don’t get paid ten million a film for no reason.

“Sure. Sure, man.
Meet at Divian’s. You heard of it?”

“Yes.” Hadn’t everyone heard of it
? The restaurant was known for serving specialty items, rare dishes no one else could or would serve.

“Be there in an hour.”

Fileze ends the call. I stare at it a second, asking myself if I want to go through with it. For Cadence I’ll do anything. I look at the time.

“Fucking great.” I breath
e deeply. If I leave now I might make it in an hour. It depends on how messed up traffic is.

Chapter 7

Zane

“What’s the big fucking emergency, Lincoln?” I ask, sitting behind my desk and pouring another glass of bourbon.
I glance at him over the top of my glass and notice he’s totally stressed out. Twitchy. “What?” I prod, setting down the glass.

“It’s
Sokolov. He’s…” Lincoln stops and wipes a hand across his face. I’ve never seen him act like this.

I clasp my hands together. “Is the meeting still on?” I ask, keeping my voice
composed.

“No, sir.
Sokolov has been arrested.” Lincoln closes his eyes and then quickly opens them. They’re clear, unflinching.

The news is not what I expected. Not even close. News like:
Sokolov is dead. Sokolov put a hit out on you. Sokolov has left the country.

Any of those
scenarios would make more sense.

“Please tell me that for the first time in your life you’re kidding.” I lean forward
and clasp my hands together more tightly. I need to reign in my emotions.

“No, sir. I’m not joking. Our informant on the police force just called not ten minutes ago. It’s true. And the informant says
Sokolov is going to talk in exchange for immunity and a promise that they won’t extradite him back to his country.”

I stand. I can’t help it. “This changes everything.” My throat is in my
stomach because I know what has to be done and I don’t want to do it. “Did you draw up the paperwork I asked you to?”

Lincoln nods. “Yes sir.
It’s in that folder there.” He points at the manila envelope next to the keyboard.

I pick it up and flip it open. Everything looks in order. “Good. You know what needs to be done?”

“Yes sir. I was just waiting for the go ahead from you.”

“The sooner it’s done
, the better. We leave at four.”

Lincoln stands. “All will be in order by then.”

***

I finish my drink
, take a shot straight from the bottle, and go find Cadence. She’s in the kitchen having sort of a stand off with Rita. I can’t hear what’s being said, but I can tell by the way Rita is standing that she likes Cadence.

Cadence, on the other hand, reminds me of a flustered chick. Her feathers are ruffled. Rita has a way of doing that.

A sense of nostalgia consumes me. This could’ve been great, Cadence as a permanent part of this family. But “could’ve been” is the story of my life.

Clenching my fists together, I steel myself.
The last night I spend with Cadence is going to fucking rock.

“Hey ladies. How’s it going?”

Rita glances at me. “Jonathon. We’re good. Just giving Cadence the third degree.” She smiles wide, showing all of her teeth.

Cadence visibly relaxes. She takes another bite of her food. Chews.
I’m mesmerized by her mouth, the sensual way it moves regardless of what she’s doing.

“So, what else do you have planned for me?” Rita asks, putting her plate in the sink. She turns on the water. I walk over and put a hand on her shoulder.

“That’s all for today. Take the rest of the night off.”

A very unladylike noise leaves her lips. Rita pulls off the apron and walks out of the kitchen.

Chapter
8

Cadence

Something is wrong with Zane. I can sense it rolling off him like waves on the sand. He seems upset and is trying too hard not to let it show. That worries me. The first place my mind goes is to Travis
, and it’s all I can do not to shake him and ask him what’s the matter.

I don’t say anything though. Instead I walk my plate to the sink and wait for Rita and Zane to move.

Rita turns. “I’ll take that, dear. You run along with Jonathon. I’ll see you again soon, I’m sure.” She gives Zane a strange look, one I can’t understand.

I nod, and a look crosses her face. The same look Zane gives me when I don’t speak my answer. Shit. She must be his mother. “Thanks so much for dinner, Rita.”

“Of course,” she responds in her clipped voice, then turns back to her work.

Zane
weaves his fingers in mine. We walk out of the kitchen and back up the stairs to the same bedroom I’d fallen asleep in. I take the time to really notice the room, get a feel for it.

It doesn’t match the rest of the house. The walls are a cool gray. There’s a large chandelier above the bed. The comforter is a shiny gray
on the inside and a navy blue around the edges. It almost looks like it’s wet. There’s a shiny black desk with a laptop sitting atop it on the far side of the room. To the left is the entrance to what I’m guessing is the bathroom. On the other side of the bathroom is a large walk in closet. There’s a sitting area in front of a large set of glass doors. The furniture is black leather with pillows propped against the cushions. In the center of the chaise, loveseat, and chair is a small round coffee table; the base is shiny black, the same as the computer desk, and the top is glass. Across from the extra large bed is a dresser, and on other side of the bed are nightstands, which hold sleek black lamps.

Zane locks the door
behind us, and I walk over to the sliding glass doors. The view takes my breath away. It’s as though the house has been dropped in the center of a secluded jungle.

Everywhere I look is greenery.
Trees line either side of my vision. Their lush greenery blocks out anything beyond the vision I’m seeing. At the base of the trees are moss, grass, and bushes covered in red flowers. Parrots in vibrant shades of blue, yellow, green, and red mingle amongst the trees. But most incredible, directly across from the window, is a mountain, and a waterfall is tumbling from the top. It rushes down the side and into a pool of water below.

“Where are we?” I whisper
.

Zane chuckles. “California.”

I snort. “Yeah, but where?”

“A special place. Do you like it?”

I turn and look at him. A look of sadness quickly crosses his face and is gone. “It’s amazing,” I say, and mean it. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen in real life.” And then I remember he’s in the movie business. “Is this like a set or something?” I can’t help but wonder if there are cameras hidden all over the house.

“I did use a little movie magic to create the view, but it’s real. We aren’t on a set.” He comes up behind me and kisses the base of my neck. “Want to go see it?”

I can’t help the giant smile that breaks across my face.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He unlocks the door and slides it open
, then grabs my hand. I follow him out to a small rock patio.

The scent in the air is heady
, sweet and luscious. The roar of the waterfall drowns out most of the parrot talk, but every once in a while one squawks extra loud.

“This is incredible,” I say
, pulling out of his grasp and moving toward the rock path. I can tell it leads to the waterfall, and I’m anxious to get there. A part of me wonders if it’s just a mirage. I run my hands along the bushes, touch a flower.

Zane picks one and pulls me to him. He sticks it behind my left ear.

“You’re so beautiful, Cadence,” he says quietly.

I wink. “So are you.”

He bends down and presses his lips to mine. They’re immediately hungry. His tongue enters my mouth and swirls with mine. Zane groans and pulls me closer. I tangle my fingers in his hair, and he smiles against my lips.

“I love it when you do that.”

I open my eyes and notice he’s looking at me. “You do?” I ask, because I’m surprised.

“That’s why I haven’t cut it.”

“Oh,” I say, and smile.

“Come on.” He pulls me down the path to the water’s edge.

I immediately notice that the edges and bottom of the pool are manmade. “How?” is all I can think to ask.

“It wasn’t that hard.”

I shrug. “If you say so. It’s amazing though.”

“Thank you, sweet Cadence.” The melancholy is back in his voice. “You’re the first person I’ve ever brought out here.”

I check his face, searching his features for a sign that he’s lying. He’s staring into the water, isn’t even looking at me, and he seems temporarily lost.

“You going to fuck me in this pool?” I ask, wanting to make the sadness or whatever’s bothering him go away.

It seems to work. He smirks. “I thought you’d never ask.”

He takes off his clothes and I remove the sweats I’m wearing. The air is cool with the spray from the water hitting my skin, but it feels good
, makes my skin tighten and prickle... makes my nipples immediately hard.

Zane folds his pants and lays them on top of his
shoes.

“There aren’t any fish or leeches or… other random bugs in there, right?”

Zane laughs. “I hope not.” He steps into the water. I follow him, surprised that the water is warm, like bath water. The bottom is bumpy and I’m guessing it’s the same stuff the path is made out of. I stay a step behind Zane as he makes his way over to the waterfall. When he reaches it, he puts his head underneath. His sandy hair is immediately soaked. After several seconds he whips his hair out of his eyes. Dozens of droplets of water hit me in the face and I can’t help but squeal.

“Cold?
” he asks, splashing me with water.

I gasp, but recover quickly and splash him back.

He grabs me around the waist. “Time to get your hair wet, sweet Cadence.” He pushes me under the falling water.

I love i
t. The weight of the water, its warmth, the power that surrounds me, I love it. I lift my face into the water, allowing it to smack against my forehead, pushing my hair off my face. I hold my breath and go forward so all of me is surrounded by the water. It’s strong, and I have to use muscle to keep myself upright. I feel Zane wrap his arms around my waist. I step back into him, leaning my head against his chest. “You really do like it, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I really do.” I turn in his arms and find his l
ips. Kiss him tenderly. Rays from the sun peek through a fluffy cloud. They bathe our little nook of paradise in light. In my mind I see John Cruze. He’s smiling, flashing his dimple, and I can’t help but wish it was him and me here together. I quickly push that thought away.

I’m with Zane for the next few months.
Body and soul. I have to be. Especially if I want to find out what happened to Travis.

Zane seems to sense the change in me because he stops kissing me. His eyes are open. He turns. “What are you looking at?” His voice is wistful.

“Nothing,” I say, and shake my head. He gives me a stern look. “Just looking at the way the sun is peeking through the clouds. It’s made this paradise almost glow.”

Zane follows my gaze and then looks around. “You’re right.”