Chapter Four

I took Karina’s advice and texted Caleb the next afternoon from Anna’s phone. I’m not comfortable with him having my number just yet. Now I am standing outside the Shake Shack for dinner. He suggested something more exclusive, but I could really go for a good burger. As I patiently wait for Hemsworth, I take pictures with fans and sign a bunch of posters, shirts, backpacks, and anything else they can find. My bodyguards Rosa and Vivian stay close by and have an eye on me the entire time. After what seems like the hundredth autograph I sign, I am ready to call it a night. It’s been twenty minutes, and he hasn’t shown up yet.

“Rosa and Vivian.” They walk towards me. “We’re leaving. I don’t believe Mr. Hemsworth will be showing up tonight. Sorry for inconveniencing you.” I look back and forth between them.

“No problem, ma’am.” Rosa’s eyes hold pity for me before she turns to scan the crowd. “Ma’am, would you like to go for a drink?”

“Yes, ma’am, I think a drink would help. My sister got stood up last week, and a drink helped her out.” Vivian says, her British accent putting me at ease as always. They clearly want me to be happy tonight, and maybe I should be.

“No, not tonight. I don’t feel comfortable drinking, having the time of my life,with you two just standing by.” I don’t know how other celebrities do it; I hate having a good time with a bodyguard just standing around. It didn’t feel normal. According to Anna, I am a far cry from normal now.

Vivian gives me a genuine smile. “It’s ok, ma’am. It’s our job to protect you from danger.”

“I’ll go under one condition.” I am about to do the unexpected. No one in Hollywood has done it, well, not in public. Vivian and Rosa nod simultaneously. “You two have to drink with me.”

“No way.”

“We are here to protect you,” they say simultaneously.

I roll my eyes, heading towards the first bar I see. “Come on, ladies, one drink won’t hurt anybody.”

I turn to see them walking towards me suspiciously. Drinking with bodyguards was a no-no. Especially when you are a high-profile celebrity. Things can go wrong very quickly. I’m not a fan of having female bodyguards; however, they are great at what they do, and no one suspects them to be highly trained killers, so to speak. A guy walks up to me, putting Rosa and Vivian on high alert. He can pass as the poster boy for Hawt. This guy isn’t a Caleb, but he is a perfect runner-up. Three words: tall, dark, and hawt. 

“Are you Selena Lane?” he asks, smiling brightly at me—a British accent. I like.

“Sorry, but no. I get that a lot though. I read she is a bit taller and has fewer curves than I do. Sorry, dude,” I lie and his face scrunches up in confusion before he nods his head going over what I said. This wasn’t the first time I have lied to someone about my identity, and it definitely won’t be the last. I’m allowed me time just like everyone else. 

“Damn, I’m sorry.” He smiles and—bingo—I think I found my new drinking buddy for the night. Straight white teeth and dimples.

“Hey, I was just about to grab a drink with my friends.” I point at Rosa and Vivian. “You should definitely join.” I flirt.

“No, I can’t…” He looks behind him.

“Oh, I am so sorry. I should have asked if you had a girlfriend or not. So daft of me.”

“No, no, no. It’s not that—I don’t have a girlfriend, not really the settling down type, but I am hanging with a group of guys tonight. It’s my friend’s stag night. I can’t ditch the group. Best man duties,” he explains. “Can we exchange numbers? I am here in the States for another three days.”

“Ummm, sure.” I take his phone debating if I should give him my number or Anna’s. I never got close to anyone that wasn’t a celebrity. Either this can go down great or horribly wrong. Shit! I wish Anna was here. She would know how to correct this situation in a heartbeat. “On second thought. Let me take your number down.” I reach into my pocket for my phone.

“Uh, sure.” He tells me his number, along with his name…Trevor.

“Well, it was nice meeting you, Trevor. I will call you soon.” I give him my most seductive smile. 

“I will be looking forward to that call.”

We say our goodbyes and I turn around to Rosa and Vivian. “Now let’s go get those drinks.”

***

“You look like shit,” Anna yells.

“Why are you yelling?” I hiss.

“I’m not yelling; that is the massive hangover you have. Now, are you going to tell me where you went last night? And who is this Trevor fella that keeps texting you?”

I groan, lying down on the couch in my trailer. Last night was one to remember. Rosa and Vivian were amazing to hang with. Vivian was wilder than Rosa, but I didn’t mind. Even when she suggested taking body shots off me. Seven tequila shots later Trevor and his friends showed up.

Vivian had suggested he take body shots off me. I saw the look of concern in Rosa’s eyes, but the liquor flowing through my system had me on cloud nine. I would have let the entire bachelor party take body shots off me at that moment. Trevor didn’t waste a second. He sat me on the bar, gently laid me down, and lifted my shirt…stopping right under my bra. I can still feel his tongue and see the smirk on his face as I sat up once he was finished.

I called him once I left the bar, wanting him to come over to my place. Needing him to finish what he started. Rosa must have sensed what I was doing and snatched the phone, telling me now wasn’t the time for that. I needed to sober up first, and when I did, I texted him…at three in the morning.

She snaps her fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Selena. What the hell happened last night?”

“Nothing.”

“I’m calling bullshit, that hangover and these text messages don’t seem like nothing. Oh yeah, and Vivian is wearing sunglasses inside. Rosa can barely stand up on her own, and you…you just look like shit.”

“Anna, not now.”

“Also, Karina called during your shoot and asked how’d your dinner with Caleb go. Unfortunately, I had nothing to say, because I know you didn’t go. If you did—you and your bodyguards wouldn’t be looking like hell right now.”

I quickly sit up straight. Wish I hadn’t done that, my insides feel like they are about to come out. I lay back down rubbing my temples. “Anna, what did you tell her?”

“That you didn’t have dinner because he had plans, but you are reaching out to him for dinner tonight. She seemed pleased, but you know Karina…she wants results. So, call, text, or email him, and let him know you want to meet him tonight. If he doesn’t show this time, then we will tell Karina the truth.”

Anna will always be my lifesaver. Picking up my phone I scroll to his name. I know it’s been years since I used it, but I am sure he has the same number. At least, that’s what my cousin Nick told me.

“Fine.” I click his name and the screen lights up. Calling Caleb…

“Hello?” His voice is deep and an ache grew between my legs. His voice just does it for me. “Hello?” he repeats.

“Sorry. Hi, this is Selena…Selena Lane.” I wince on how school girlish I sound.

He chuckles. “Well, Selena Lane, it’s a pleasant surprise to hear from you. I’m assuming you called to apologize about last night. I’ve never been stood up before, and yet with you, I’ve been twice.”

“I think we are at a draw when it comes to standing each other up. Seeing that’s what you did to me last night. It was merely a business dinner, nothing more nothing less, and you decided not to come.”

“I showed up. Waited outside for twenty minutes. I would have called you, but I didn’t have your number. The number you called me from yesterday—I’m assuming was your assistant—it kept going to voicemail. By the way, you should tell her no one plays music anymore as a voicemail greeting. Nonetheless, is this one it? Your personal number?” 

“I am pretty sure you weren’t outside seeing as I was.” I pause to look over at Anna. 

“Be nice,” she mouths.

“Yes, this is my personal number. So, the reason I am calling you is because of Calvin Klein. Your agent must have told you about the upcoming photoshoot we are in. Well, if not, we are, and I wanted to have dinner to discuss it.”

“Hmph. So, you want to go over the dos and don’ts of the photoshoot? Cupcake, I am pretty sure that’s not how a photoshoot works. We are there to look sexy and sell the product. If the director of the shoot wants me to put my hands in your Calvin’s, then I will do it, and I will massage that sweet clit of yours too.”

I gasp, pulling the phone from my ear. 

“What happened?” Anna asks. For a minute, I forgot she was in the room. I shake my head at her, bringing the phone back to my ear.

“Caleb, in order for this to work, you can’t say things like that knowing you are in a committed relationship. Now, so my agent will get off my ass about this din—”

“You shouldn’t believe the tabloids. Not everything you read is true, and in my case, it is far from it. If I were in a relationship, no woman would stand a chance to my lady. You should know that out of all people. Now, where would you like to have dinner? Your place or my hotel?”

***

I finish setting the last of the candles on the table. I can’t believe I agreed to have him at my house—somewhere so sacred. The pasta would be ready in about ten minutes, just enough time for me to welcome him in and make small talk. The doorbell sounds. He is early. I take my time walking to the door, stopping at the mirror to look myself over once more. The black dress is fitted, but not too tight. Professional yet sexy. Saying “I mean business, but wouldn’t mind a bit of fun.”

“Hi.” I open the door, stepping to the side to let him in. “You are early.”

“Good evening, you look ravishing, and I am always early wherever you are concerned. Something smells divine.” He looks absolutely breathtaking in his black attire. As he takes off his blazer I can see his shirt straining against his biceps and his abs imprint through the shirt. Lord, he looks better than the last time. 

“It’s the pasta.” I clear my throat. “Would you like some wine?” I ask, heading towards the kitchen. I need to put some space between us. I need to clear my mind just a bit.

“Perfect.” I jump a little at his closeness. I quickly move into the kitchen, pulling down two wine glasses before pouring us some, me a bit more than him. I was going to need it if my plan A didn’t come through. “You’ve done well for yourself,” he says, pressing his front against my back. I grip the countertop; a small shiver runs down my back. “Are you cold?”

“Caleb, what are you doing?” My voice has lost all its strength and fight.

“Nothing yet. I can see your body is yearning for me.” He sweeps my hair to one side, exposing my bare neck. “I’m tempted to skip dinner and go straight for dessert.” He nibbles on my earlobe and my body leans back into him, traitorous body of mine. His hands move to my waist, gripping it so tightly. “Shall we have dessert first? I am all for trying something new.”

Another shiver runs through my body. Plan A, where are you?

He turns me around, looking into my eyes with so much hunger, want, lust… This isn’t the Caleb from college. He holds me tighter, lifting me onto the countertop, shoving my scripts to the floor along with the fruit basket. 

“Caleb,” I whisper as he cups my face in his hands.

“Tonight, you are mine.”

The door flies open and I couldn’t be happier. Plan A is here.

“So sorry I am late. I went to pick up some more wine. Oh, should I leave?” Anna looks out of breath. 

“No.” I scoot off the countertop. “We were just going over our—what wine did you bring?”

Caleb bends down to pick up the scripts, and I go for the fruits. I can’t look at Anna just yet. The hunger swirling in my eyes will be a dead giveaway. Everything is back in its place when I finally look over at Caleb. The need in his eyes is no longer there, and by the tightening of his jaw I see he is annoyed that Anna is here. Good.

“Hi, Caleb, I am Anna. Selena’s personal assistant and best friend.” She extends her hand to him.

“Nice to meet you, Anna. So glad you could join us for dinner. Please don’t be offended by what I say next but, unfortunately, I only brought dessert for Selena.”

My eyes widen.

“Oh, no worries, I am only here for dinner. Besides, I have dessert waiting back home too.” She winks at him.

“Perfect,” he says, turning around to look at me, and the hunger and want is back in his eyes. Lord give me strength and a new best friend.