Tease (24 page)

Tiger shrieked, her hands immediately jumping to hide her face. Honey gasped, her hands immediately jumping to hide her wig cap.

‘Excuse me, Ms Starr, I didn’t mean to interrupt.’

‘No, no, I thought – I’d been expecting Blue, th-that’s all,’ stuttered Tiger.

‘Coo-ee!’ came Blue’s familiar voice from across the corridor. ‘I got the cucumber! It’s a nice big one! Ooh, Honey Lou, what are you doing here?’

‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to—’

‘You’d better come in, quickly’ urged Tiger, motioning Honey through the door. ‘I’m having my dress taken in. Blue was just fetching me something for my eyes, I think the air con is drying them out. Please excuse my appearance, I’ll be in full make-up for the photo calls this afternoon and back to my old self again, don’t worry.’

‘Oh! Oh, but I only came for an extra pair of tights for Georgia, she ruined hers,’ Honey explained anxiously as Blue shoved her into the suite.

‘And she’s too grand to come herself I suppose?’ asked Blue.

‘No, I offered to help,’ mumbled Honey Lou.

‘Hold the door!’ came a breathless yell from outside. It was Georgia. ‘Bloody hell, Honey, I could have got the friggin’ tights myself, what took you so long?’ Georgia demanded as she barged into the suite. Tiger stiffened visibly and grabbed for a towel to hide her face.

‘Christ, Tiger, what happened to you? You look like a five-pound bag of shit! You wanna borrow some of my Touche Eclat or something, cover up those eye bags?’ asked Georgia. Honey Lou died of embarrassment at the cruel dig and vowed she was running no more errands for Georgia.

‘What a generous offer,’ replied Tiger modestly, addressing the room and dropping the towel to her side with resignation. ‘It’s amazing how the air con plays havoc with your skin,’ she laughed nervously. ‘But I have some
cucumber here, that should do the trick, thanks for the kind thought all the same, Georgia.’ Honey Lou decided there and then that Tiger was the most dignified and beautiful creature she’d ever met.

Sienna stretched out her long thin legs on the satin divan and yawned as she basked in the warm glow of the sunbeam cutting across the bed. She could faintly hear Rex singing in the shower. She made a grab for her throat to check the necklace was still there. Emeralds, to match her eyes. Rex had presented it to her as they landed in the exquisite grounds of Cliveden stately home after he had made her a fully initiated member of the mile high club, or Half Mile High if that was the helicopter equivalent.

At first Sienna had thought she’d truly blown it, opening her big mouth about the Tiger press story. Perhaps it was the champagne that had gone to both their heads, but Sienna swore it was almost as though her ruthless behaviour had actually turned Rex on. After the initial shock, he had fucked her like he’d never fucked her before; bent over across her seat right behind the pilot, like a wild animal up there in the beautiful sunset sky. She had never flown in a helicopter before, and it had been one ride she would never forget.

Wearing her new necklace, which perfectly complemented the classic black Yves Saint Laurent gown she had bought for the occasion with the last of her
News of the World
earnings, Sienna had felt like a princess for the night
as she was helped down from the helicopter by a butler, and escorted to the main entrance which was illuminated with flame-bearing torches. The beautiful Italianate mansion was where they ate five exquisite courses that night, but Rex’s
pièce de resistance
was booking them both into the Spring Cottage by the bank of the Thames, where Christine Keeler had famously stayed in the early sixties. Sienna was too embarrassed to admit she had no idea who Christine Keeler or John Profumo were – neither history nor politics were exactly her strong point – but she got the impression it was a big deal so she nodded at everything Rex said and hoped he wouldn’t ask her opinion about the whole thing. She thought it sounded kind of romantic, whatever the story was.

Today Rex had booked Sienna in to have a whole day of pampering treatments in the spa. If only her school friends could see her now, she thought, as she rose from the bedsheets and wrapped herself in a fluffy bathrobe. She lazily wandered through the opulent room to the picture window and meditated for a moment on the breakfast that the butler had wheeled in only ten minutes earlier. What a birthday. If this wasn’t a sign that she was climbing the ladder then nothing was.

‘Hey, what’s cookin’?’ asked Rex as he wandered in from the bathroom, wrapping a towel tightly about his waist.

‘Well take your pick. There’s an exotic fruit platter, fresh juice, fresh smoked salmon, the works.’

‘Great, I sure worked up an appetite after last night,’
said Rex, patting his sturdy, toned stomach and picking up the newspaper. ‘You trying out the pool today, babe?’

‘I hope so. After my massage maybe,’ replied Sienna, tucking herself into a large upholstered antique chair and popping a juicy slice of fresh papaya in her mouth.

‘You still have your emeralds on. Did you sleep in them?’ asked Rex absentmindedly, flicking to the sports section of the newspaper.

‘Of course,’ murmured Sienna dreamily. ‘I’m never taking them off.’

‘Great. Glad you like ’em.’

‘Rex, I—’ Sienna looked at him, nervously biting her lip before continuing. ‘I think I’m in love with you.’ There. She’d said it.

‘Ooohhh!’ yelled Rex, clapping his hands together triumphantly. ‘Arsenal beat Manchester! Boner! That calls for an extra celebration,’ he cheered, waving the newspaper over his head triumphantly. ‘Shall I get my dealer to courier over some coke for tonight, babes? Yay! Go Gunners! So what d’you reckon?’

‘Oh. Oh, okay then. Er, sure. Why not,’ replied a crestfallen Sienna, as she clutched desperately at her emeralds.

‘Well, open it then!’ insisted Libertina, tottering over to Tiger’s perch by the edge of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon-styled rooftop pool.

‘Oh darling, you really shouldn’t have,’ murmured Tiger.

‘Yes I know I shouldn’t have, but open it and you’ll see
why I changed the habit of a lifetime,’ laughed Libertina, leaning against one of the white Doric columns, looking just like a Roman goddess dressed in an aptly chosen short white draped dress, with her raven hair pinned loosely in a classic bun. ‘I guess I feel bad that I just left you so suddenly back in London. I couldn’t have you thinking I was a one-night-stand kinda lady.’

‘Oh bull, you just wanted to come up and check out my penthouse suite didn’t you!’ teased Tiger. She didn’t like to admit that she had felt more than just a little slighted that Libertina had made off so quickly that first time they had slept together. Even though Tiger didn’t normally date women, Libertina had fired up a burning lust in her right from their chat at the after-show party. Tiger had no idea where the affair was taking her, but she was curious to see where the ride took them. Libertina was, in her eyes, an extraordinary woman. Tiger felt safe with her, as though she had found a kindred spirit; someone who knew the truth of what it took to survive in this vicious industry.

‘Listen, honey, I made it over from the Big Apple between shoot days just to see you! Now that’s dedication!’ continued Libertina. ‘Anyway, I thought we should have our own private party. And after the last twenty-four hours you’ve had, you deserve a treat. Trust me, I know these publicity things are a bitch, I hate doing them when I have a new film out. I’m happy to give you any tips you need, baby. Now, you still have the press interviews
tomorrow so I can recommend you’re well oiled for those, dahhling. I never do them sober. Fancy a Manhattan?’ Libertina cracked open a bottle of bourbon.

‘You know what? I’d rather just have a bourbon on the rocks,’ replied Tiger with a glint in her eye, gently tugging on the ribbon tied around the large square velvet box in her lap. She flipped up the lid and gasped. Inside was the most beautiful brooch depicting a roaring pouncing tiger, studded in sparkling intense yellow diamonds. It was huge. Magnificent. In fact it was so ridiculous Tiger was speechless for a moment.

‘Ya like it?’

‘Oh Libertina, I just can’t accept this, it’s far too extravagant,’ Tiger said breathlessly, ogling the exquisite craftsmanship.

‘That’s no kind of answer! Dahhling, it was made for you!’ Libertina pressed a drink into Tiger’s hand. ‘The diamonds came from an Australian mine you know. I was told the design’s a one off. Vintage. Rare as rocking-horse shit. Like you. Baby, it’s yours, please take it. It would mean everything to me if you wore it out some time. It’ll be our secret. I know your heart belongs to another, but we can enjoy ourselves while this lasts, can’t we?’

‘Oh fucking hell!’ wailed Tiger suddenly jumping up, sending the velvet box tumbling from her lap to the floor with a thump.

‘Holy cow, what did I say?’

‘Ohhh! It’s Sienna’s birthday today! I meant to call her!
Oh why am I so forgetful!’ Tiger stamped her heel in frustration before slumping back onto the poolside lounger, head in hands.

‘You can still call her now can’t you? It’s gone midnight but she’ll understand.’

‘That’s the problem, I forgot about the time difference. It’s nine in the morning in England … the next
day
.’

‘Oh, fuck her, she’s your sister, she’ll understand. You gave her a present, right?’

‘Yes but … she’s funny about me missing things. Now she’ll hate me – I didn’t even call.’

‘Screw her! She’s a frosty bitch to you from what I can see. Frosty the friggin’ snowman. You’re always helping her, and she’s an ungrateful cow. You’re just breeding a diva.’

‘I can’t help it, she’s family.’

‘Hey. I’m half Italian. Don’t talk to me about family. Anyway, proper family is two-way traffic you know. She doesn’t appreciate what you’ve done for her.
I
know how tough it is to make it and what
I
had to do to get here. I don’t know your story, baby, but I can recognise a fellow traveller when I see one. I see the pain in your eyes, and I see the fire too. Sienna has to go find her own fire. You can’t do it for her, you’ve done more than enough already.’ Tiger felt overcome; as though Libertina had just reached inside her.

‘Actually – we have more in common than you think,’ Tiger said slowly, swirling the ice cubes in the bottom of
her tumbler. She was well aware she was straying out of her comfort zone, opening up like this. ‘My grandma was half Italian so I share that heritage with you … never mind that my father was ashamed of Grandma – poor dear Coco – but here’s the thing, my folks did this really terrible thing to …’

‘Wait. Stop. Tiger, you’re shaking.’

‘It’s okay, I—’

‘No. You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. You wouldn’t want this to be the liquor talking!’

Tiger smiled. ‘No. No it’s not the liquor, but thank you. Maybe you’re right. Some things should be left unsaid.’ Tiger sighed and shook her head sadly. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

‘What for?’ asked Libertina.

‘Just for being straight with me.’

‘Straight?!’

Tiger laughed out loud. ‘You know what I mean! Just … thanks.’

‘You’re a fantastic lady you know, Tiger. Never forget that. I’ve never bought diamonds for anyone after a first date, I can tell you
that
for nothing.’

Tiger laughed again. ‘Oh darling, I don’t know what to say, the brooch is exquisite. I simply haven’t the words, so … thank you. I’ll wear it tomorrow.’

‘Ugh! No way, if you waste it on those vultures I’ll kill you, wear it on the red carpet to my next premiere.’

‘Wow, is that an offer of a date?’

‘Might be.’

‘In public? So – are we …?’

‘No. Whatever I may feel about you, I know this isn’t serious for you,’ Libertina said firmly.

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Like I said. Your heart’s with someone else. I can see it a mile off. And you’re waiting for a Mr Right, not a Ms Right.’

‘Oh?’ Tiger asked, bemused. ‘Did you have someone in mind? Who?’

‘Like you need me to tell you.’

Tiger felt confused by Libertina’s words. Why was she blowing so hot and cold on her? Was it really that obvious that she still thought about Rex all the time? Tiger knew she could never be with Rex now he had moved on to Sienna. That possibility was utterly dead and buried.

‘You’ve gone quiet, dahhling,’ said Libertina, slowly strutting over to Tiger. ‘Come on, this is supposed to be our private party, remember? Let’s have some fun,’ she purred, crouching down and lightly touching Tiger’s arm. A smile curled at the corners of Tiger’s mouth as she looked at the beautiful woman before her.

‘How can I refuse an offer like that?’ Tiger smiled. ‘Life’s too short, and you’re too sexy,’ she murmured, rising and slowly undoing the zipper of her red gown, letting it drop to the floor. Libertina sighed deeply as she rose to survey Tiger’s beautiful body.

Without another word, Libertina turned and slowly
slinked her way into the pool in her white draped dress, which became transparent immediately as it became wet. Looking behind her over her bronzed shoulder she nodded for Tiger to follow. Tiger picked up her bourbon and slipped elegantly into the water behind her, sipping the amber liquid as she let the warm water lap against her skin. She felt warm all over, inside and out as the whisky worked its magic. Libertina stood before Tiger and caressed her breasts and her bullet-hard nipples.

‘You gotta keep the curves, baby,’ taunted Libertina softly, ‘Don’t go all LA on me or you won’t see me for dust. Now give me that glass,’ she murmured, her lips close to Tiger’s. She took the drink and retrieved an ice cube. Without a word she pushed Tiger against the poolside. Tiger gasped as she felt Libertina trailing the ice cube under the water against her inner thigh, taking her time to reach her clit. Libertina pressed the melting ice cube there, massaging it gently between her lips. Tiger sighed as Libertina leaned in to plant long deep kisses on her luscious mouth, and as the ice cube melted away to nothing, slipped her fingers deep inside Tiger as the pool fountains rained cool water upon them under the warm blanket of the starry desert sky.

Tiger had no idea, as she came to a shuddering climax, that a small pink envelope was being pushed under the door to her suite.