Chapter Twelve
Jenna couldn’t breathe. Trussed up as she was the butterflies had nowhere to go but slam-dancing into her ribs and kidneys. She heard the crowds from four limos back. The anticipatory pause followed by the crescendo of cheers as whichever celebrity debunked from their ride and began their red carpet odyssey.
It was real. She was going to a red carpet premiere in Hollywood, California. And she wasn’t going as a fan. Or even as a fan with a VIP pass. She was going as the date of one of the movie’s stars, a man who she’d been sharing a long distance relationship with for the past six months – longer if you counted the eighteen months they’d thought about each other from afar. The same gorgeous, kind-hearted, responsible, fun-loving man whose laugh melted her insides into a puddle of rapturous want; the same man who’d told her he loved her not two days past.
Jacob took her hand from where it sat clenched in her lap and opened her fingers one by one, so he could entwine them with his. His touch soothed her, just as the solid feel of his body against her own kept her grounded.
She breathed in as far as she could and let it out again, slow and easy, and Jacob stroked his thumb along hers. He hadn’t said a word since they hopped in the car. She wondered if it was part of his process. Though he’d been to premieres before Jenna doubted they ever got easier.
The car moved forward one length before stopping again. Only now the roar of the crowd was just a thin pane of tinted glass away. Jacob pulled on their joined hands to get her attention. When she looked up from the glittered toes of her shoes, the excited sparkle in his eyes and the warm reassurance in his smile evaporated the last of her nerves. As long as he was beside her, everything would be okay.
“Ingrid went through it all with you?”
“Yes.” Jenna tugged her hand free from his, just long enough to remove the second sweat pad and toss it along with its fellow into the provided wastepaper basket. “You get out, the valet will help me, and then we’re into it.”
Jacob gave a sharp nod and tapped the window. The door opened and a barrage of indecipherable sound flooded the limo’s interior.
No amount of preparation could’ve prepared Jenna for the assault on every one of her senses as she accepted the valet’s hand and stepped from the car, up to the pavement, and tucked her hand into the crook of Jacob’s elbow. She might have been thrown in the deep end but it was still better than the week of torturous build up.
A wash of orange and purple, and a sprinkle of early stars painted the clear dome above, while the cool evening air eased the flush in her cheeks. Jacob led her forward into the cascade of camera flashes. Everywhere she looked faceless voices yelled her name, yelled for her to turn left or right. They wanted to know which designer she wore, and how long she and Jacob had been an item. It was impossible to answer any of them so she smiled until her face ached, and moved when Jacob did.
Jenna basked in the celebrity limelight, seductive and dangerous in its allure, while wonder and elation zinged new pathways through every inch of her body and mind. This was what it felt like to be a hot Hollywood commodity; beloved and idolized by the entire world, and showered with adoration until their attention waned and they no longer deemed you worthy.
Ingrid was there, dressed in a nondescript black dress, stockings, and heels; her elegant hand on Jenna’s elbow guiding her back three steps, separating her from Jacob.
“Cast only.” The whispered reminder drew Jenna’s attention to where Jacob stood with Adam, Savannah, and Xavier. The perfect image of professional star power and unobtainable fantasy staring down the camera lenses and flashes of the people their lifestyles and careers depended on.
“Amazing.” Jenna murmured, only to realize she was alone.
Ingrid, along with other agents, personal assistants, and bodyguards, herded the celebrities along the carpet like designer-dressed cattle headed to market. Savannah’s sky-blue gown flowed into a ten-foot train which contrasted with the carpet and the dark suits of her co-stars. Her blond hair pulled back and up to show off her slender neck and her long diamond earrings. She was every inch a Hollywood star, beloved by all, and in no need of an escort.
“You okay?” Jacob’s concern was a warm whisper against her ear and Jenna leaned close to chase more of his alluring heat.
“Yes, haven’t tripped over my dress, yet.” She chuckled; the apprehension of a moment ago giving way to the glitz, glamor, and excitement of the occasion.
“The night’s still young.” He teased; tightening his grip over her hand where it rested on his forearm.
“Jenna!”
“Oh my God, it’s them, it’s them! They’re here together!”
“Jenna, over here!”
Jacob turned her toward a group of young women waving at her from behind the barrier.
“We saw your pictures from Melbourne. I nearly swooned when I read Jacob had been searching for you for over a year, so romantic!” The women clutched each other in a group swoon.
Ingrid had warned her there’d be a press release ahead of the event, but the woman wasn’t shy about revealing details.
Jenna had a vague recollection of pictures being taken as Jacob pleaded for her to listen to him about Ingrid’s place in his life. She knew the odds of their private moment being private weren’t all that high, since they’d been standing on the pavement outside her hotel. But the reality of anyone with internet access being able to weigh in on their budding relationship was still a shock.
“Can we get a picture of you both?”
“Sure.” Jacob turned on the professional charm, covering for her by hauling her into his side, the weight of his hand reassuring on the small of her back.
“Can we get one with you, Jacob?” One of the other women asked, her cheeks flaming at her boldness.
“Sure, no problem for my biggest fans.” He stepped up to the railing, his bodyguard less than a step behind.
“I can take it for you.” Jenna reached for the woman’s phone. “Then you can all be in it.”
The five women jostled closer. The creak of the barrier made the bodyguard nervous, but it was the wandering hands which made Jenna’s smile tighten at the corners.
“Ready? Say Ethan Fox Rocks!”
“Ethan Fox Rocks!”
Jenna snapped off four or five photos in the hope all the women would be happy with their expressions in at least one of them, before handing the phone back.
“Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.” Jenna smiled and tried not to glower as Ingrid once again moved her on without Jacob. All the woman had to do was ask.
Left to her own devices for a moment, Jenna was able to take in more of her surroundings. Adam worked his charms on his fans a few feet down the line from Savannah, who held the skirts of her gown to show off the thigh-high split. Cameras flashed like fireworks, no doubt more eager to capture a glimpse of elegant leg than fabric lines. Jenna took her phone from her purse and snapped some pictures of her own. Cait’d never forgive her if she didn’t send her at least one attachment in her next email.
“Want me to take one of you?” Jacob was back at her side and Jenna jumped in surprise, having been caught out in her own fangirl moment.
“Oh, Mr Starr, that’d be so awesome.”
He laughed as she batted her lashes and fluttered a hand, the sound warming her from the inside out. He snapped a couple of pictures and handed her phone back. “I aim to please, Miss Long.”
“I’ll hold you to that later.”
“Promise?”
Jenna leaned into the hard length of Jacob’s side as he guided her on, images of what they could do once they returned to his apartment stirred tendrils of heat inside her. “Absolutely.”
♥♥♥
Beyond the gaze of the masses, the pomp and splendor of the premiere died away, leaving Jenna to feel like it was any other night at the movies.
Ushers stood at the ready to guide people to their allocated seating. Popcorn machines churned out bucket after bucket of hot buttery deliciousness, alongside servers who handed out boxed candy, beer, and champagne.
Jacob and Jenna waited in line to be seated behind four other couples when Savannah approached; a plastic glass of champagne in her hand and a box of raspberry licorice peeking out of her evening bag.
“Are you staying then?”
“Jenna hasn’t been to a premiere before. I thought it only fair she get the full experience.”
Savannah nodded, her earrings sparkling in the light as they bobbed. “Of course. Though for my part I never could watch myself on screen, especially a fifty-foot one.”
She chuckled at her own joke and held out her hand. “Savannah Westbrook, nice to meet you.”
Jenna shook Savannah’s hand and smiled. “Jenna Long.”
“It’s good to finally put a face to all the things Jacob’s said about you. Are you enjoying seeing how the other half live?”
Jacob stiffened but Jenna put a hand on his arm to still him. “I am, thanks.”
Savannah sniffed; put out that Jenna hadn’t risen to her bait, and sculled the rest of her drink. “Glad to hear it. Enjoy your evening. I’m escaping out the back, ordering Indian, and curling up with a good book. These are medieval torture devices, not shoes. I’m going to murder my stylist.”
Jenna glanced down at the gorgeous rainbow-sparkle five-inch heel slingbacks Savannah had on display, and grimaced in sympathy; yeah, they had to pinch like a bitch.
“What’s this I hear?” Adam looped an arm around Savannah’s shoulders and offered a sulky pout. “A party’s not a party without Savannah Westbrook in attendance, or so I’ve been told. What will the other guests say?”
“Oh Adam, if you tell me I can dance barefoot I shall be there with-”
“Shoes off?” Jenna smirked.
Adam laughed. “Good one.”
“Indeed. It seems our Jacob has at last found someone worthy of my approval.”
Despite her tone, Savannah’s smile was genuine enough to ease the prickle of annoyance beneath Jenna’s skin.
“I wasn’t aware I required your approval, Sav.”
“And this is where I play referee.” Adam stood tall, body turned into the space between Jacob and Savannah. “Miss Westbrook, will you allow me to escort you to your car?”
“Thank you, Mr Chase.”
They both snorted in amusement when Adam got his foot tangled in sky-blue silk and nearly landed on his ass in the middle of the crowded lobby.
“You’re such a dork, a very cute dork, but a dork nonetheless.” Savannah scolded with affection as she freed him from her skirts.
Adam waggled his brows and offered her his arm. “You love me.”
“I most certainly do not, and if I should read anything in the media to the contrary, you’ll be hearing from my lawyers in the morning.”
The slap to his ass had Adam laughing loud enough to draw attention. “Jacob, Jenna, see you at mine after the film. No excuses.”
Jenna blushed so hard her cheeks had to be the color of her dress. Adam winked and cocked a finger gun at them both.
Jacob cursed under his breath. “Introducing my co-stars.”
“I’ve met them before, they just don’t remember.” Jenna smiled up into Jacob’s beautiful eyes and felt her heart flutter like a caged bird. How lucky she was. “It’s nice seeing them without their guards up.”
He relaxed against her, one large hand warm and heavy on her hip. “Adam’s parties have a reputation for getting out of control. We can skip it if you want, he won’t notice we’re not there. And if he does, he won’t remember by the morning.”
“No, it’ll be my first Hollywood party. Why would I miss it?”
Jacob wrapped his other arm around her waist and tugged her back into him. “I might have a few ideas.”
“Ohhh…well in that case, how can I refuse?” She turned in his arms and stroked a hand down his tie, the expensive fabric silky beneath her palm.
“Sir, we’re ready for you.”
“Thank you.” Jacob nodded for the usher to lead the way and waited for Jenna to lift her skirt clear of her shoes.
“How ‘bout we do both, stop in at Adam’s, then head back to your place?” He hummed his agreement. As long as they got in some serious making out in the next hundred-and-fifty minutes he might survive until they got home.
It’d been far too long since he’d tasted Jenna’s sweet moans on his tongue, and felt her small hands clutch at his biceps as he drove hard inside her.
♥♥♥
Cool air from the open balcony door carried in the muted sounds of a city banished from their sanctuary. They lay amid the rumpled destruction of his bed. Their sweaty limbs entangled, bodies satiated and minds sleepy.
“What did you think?”
Jenna slipped her thigh between his and continued to scribe mindless patterns over his flank. “I think fucking a woman wearing two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand dollars in diamonds around her neck agrees with you.”
Jacob slapped her ass and dug his fingertips into one peachy globe to keep her close.
“I think your prowess knows no bounds.”
“I may have been aroused by you riding me like a queen, but such finery can’t hold a candle to your luscious breasts.”
“You go anywhere near my breasts with a candle and I-”
Jacob rolled them, pressed her beneath him and kissed her until she opened her sweet mouth to him. “I wasn’t asking for feedback on my skills in bed.”
Flashes of him taking her on all fours not-three steps inside his front door surged desire, hot and urgent, straight to his exhausted dick.
“Or on the entranceway floor?” She slapped his ass in payback, only to trail her fingers up his spine in a little dancing sparks that teased his ardor.
“Be straight with me.” He growled; ducked low to lave one pert nipple. “What’s worrying you?”
Her fingers paused in their combing of his mussed hair before continuing their soothing pattern.
“Will my teaching credits transfer, do you think?”
He breathed deep, his chest aching with the effort. She’d expressed her concern at last and it was nothing to do with him.
“I won’t be a mindless groupie, Jacob. I need my own life, even if it’ll be here in LA with you.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” He smiled into the sensitive spot behind her ear, heart thudding a tattoo of elation against his ribs. “We’ll make some calls.”
She nuzzled the hollow of his throat and he swallowed, felt her lips press…just…there. He eased his weight to the side and pulled her close, eyes drifting closed as sleep whispered her seduction to him.
“I’ll have to go back and sort everything.”
The thought of her leaving set him on edge. They’d spent so much of their admittedly-short relationship in different time zones. Now she was in his arms it was damn hard for him to let her go. Knowing when she returned to him it’d be for good, didn’t make it easier.
“Want company?”
She took so long to answer he wondered if she’d fallen asleep.
“Aren’t you needed here for some pre-production…stuff?”
It eased something inside him to hear the quiet hope behind her practical words. “Not for a couple of months. Oswald won’t start until after the new year, and I can stay in contact via email.”
Jenna leaned up to meet his eyes, searched for anything he held back. There was nothing there she didn’t already know. He was utterly gone for his redheaded teacher. Just as uprooting her life to be with him proved she felt the same.
“Zorbing seems fun.”
Jenna chuckled, but didn’t answer as her breathing slowed then evened out. Jacob pressed a fond kiss to the top of his blanket hog’s head and tugged the corner of the comforter free to cover himself. If he got to do this every night for the rest of his life, he’d be a happy man indeed.