Chapter Nine

I knew the paparazzi would find out about our past, but I didn’t think they would have it by the time I exited the restaurant that night.

“Is it true you and Caleb were college lovers?”

“Did you two break up before or after your move to LA?”

“Are you two trying to rekindle your romance?”

“Why did he leave so early? Did you two get in a fight?”

“How do you feel about Evelyn?”

Then there was the question that started the worse rumor of my career thus far…

“Is it true you terminated a pregnancy seven years ago? Was it Caleb’s baby?”

Karina hasn’t been happy for the past two weeks since this all started. She’s threatened to quit at least once a day. I should have been honest with her about everything, including my termination with my previous agent. I told her it was all lies, which it was. However, a sneaky little bastard went to Missouri and got a hold of the medical papers. Now every magazine, blog, and news station has run the story.

My mother is now out for blood…my blood. I look at my suitcases in the corner of the room. After today’s photoshoot, I am catching a plane to Missouri for a week. There was no negotiating with my mother, if she demands to see you, then that is what you do—drop everything.

“Hey.” Anna walks into my dressing room. She has been trying her hardest to keep me happy, but I don’t deserve it right now. As much as I want a pity party—I just can’t. Eventually, this was going to come out.

“Hey.”

“Caleb just arrived on set and they will be ready for you in twenty minutes. Are you ok?” She closes the door behind her, her movements are calculated as she treads towards me.

“I am not going to break, Anna.” I lean back on the couch, rubbing my temples.

“Your body language tells a different story. Have you been sleeping?”

“Yes, what kind of question is that? Anna, I am fine, you don’t have to baby me. This is my problem, not yours.”

“You are my best friend before anything else. Your problems are mine too…not only because I’m your friend, but also because I’m your personal assistant. I know you better than anyone else. I know you’re having an internal battle about everything, but once you go home and talk to your mother and Violet things will get better.”

“It’s easier said than done, especially with Violet.”

“But it—”

“Just leave it, Anna. I will speak to them both about the situation. Just let me rest before the shoot.” I close my eyes, willing away my tears. I wouldn’t be called a baby killer now if I had done things differently seven years ago and had just listened to my gut. If I just stood up for myself once, I wouldn’t have to worry about it in the years to come.

There is a light knock on the door and the director pops her head inside. I wouldn’t be here right now if it weren’t for Karina, so I am trying to stay on my best behavior with the crew and photographer. After the news broke out, I lost a few TV roles and almost this shoot.

“Ms. Lane, we would like to take pictures of you first while we wait for Mr. Hemsworth.” She smiles at me. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Anna and I both stand up. As we walk into the room I can see the judgment in some people’s eyes, but no one treats me differently. I honestly don’t think they could afford to treat me differently at the moment. They were here to do a job.

The director places her clipboard on the table. “You can remove the robe now.”

I take my time taking the robe off. I got a tattoo—my first tattoo—without anyone knowing, not even Anna. I had to do something to get my mind off everything. As sick as it may sound, I wanted to feel pain. I needed to feel pain. Everything just happened so suddenly, and there was, and still is, nothing I could do about how people saw me now.

The director’s eyes widen. “What is that?” Along my right side, from my waist to the top of my rib cage, I have a tattoo. Colorful and huge.

“Selena, what the hell did you do? Please tell me it’s fake,” Anna shrieks.

“Cherry blossoms. I got it done last week.”

“I love it!” the photographer cuts in, a smile stretching across his face. I’m glad someone does. Anna and the director look like they want to bury me. I can only imagine what Karina will say when she sees the pictures. “Let’s get moving people. We have a photoshoot to do.” He claps his hands and everyone starts to move again. Anna takes the robe from me shaking her head.

I am not sure when Caleb entered the room, but when I finish my twenty-minute solo shoot, he is standing in the corner. His eyes rake over my body…the look of hunger is evident. He is dressed in only boxer-briefs, and he looks fuckable. Don’t go there again. Steer clear.

Two weeks ago Caleb walked out on me.

Two weeks of no communication from him. He sat down with TV personalities Rachel and Bruce a week after the news hit the fan. He broke his silence about our relationship, the reason I left, and his feelings on my alleged termination. He said on live television that if I did abort his child he could never come to terms with it. He would never speak to me again. Sitting next to him was his doting girlfriend, Evelyn. Go figure.

My mother spent the next week telling me off—for lying, for being irresponsible. She didn’t care what I had to say until she saw me in person. She didn’t know who I was anymore, Hollywood changed me. I wasn’t the sweet child she raised. And here I thought she loved me, flaws and all.

“Alright, Ms. Lane, we’re bringing Mr. Hemsworth on set now. I need you back on the bed.”

“Sure.” I climb onto the bed and Caleb does the same. I don’t want to touch…I can’t touch him. I stay on my side of the bed; the tension in the air is thick. Sounds of Demi’s new song “Body Say” is playing softly in the background.

“Selena, honey, I need you to get closer.” The photographer breathes heavy and I scoot closer. “Honey, a little bit mo—thank you, Caleb.”

I squeal as Caleb pulls me into his side, wrapping an arm around my waist. The photographer stands on a step stool pointing the camera at us. He takes a picture before frowning. “Honey, do you need a minute? You look uncomfortable and stiff.”

“I am fine, sorry.” I give my best come-hither face, but I feel it’s too forced, and the photographer senses it as well. He stops again.

“Selena, honey, you did a fantastic job alone. Let’s channel that sexy vixen with Caleb. Can we do that? I know you can.” It’s clear I’m annoying him; I can see it all over his face.

Caleb quickly shifts us on the bed sideways, hovering over me. He pins my wrists above my head with one hand as his other hand trails down the side of my face, neck, collarbone, and stops above my cleavage. The Calvin Klein bra gives me an extra boost, but it’s thin; my hardened nipples are obvious through the material. My breathing quickens. He stares me straight in the eyes, and it’s all too much. I turn my head, panting softly like a bitch in heat.

His lips brush against my ear. “Relax,” he whispers. What is he playing at? We are in front of at least twenty people. He begins to nibble on my earlobe before moving to my neck. I close my eyes as he hits my sweet spot.

“Caleb,” I whisper, biting my bottom lip.

His tongue flickers across my skin and I moan. Two long weeks without his touch has driven me insane. His flicks his tongue again, this time dragging it from my collar bone to my ear. The sound of his groan sets me off.

I turn my face to look into his eyes. The pure animalistic need is there, and it’s strong. He leans down to kiss me, letting go of my wrist. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him closer.

He breaks off kissing and I whimper, but it’s soon replaced by moaning as he trails kisses lower and lower. He stops at my navel and as I lift my head to watch him, his tongue comes into view, licking around it then dipping inside, before trailing to my waistline.

Fuck. I’m wet.

My back arches off the bed and I close my eyes. His hand trails between my legs, separating them. He comes back up to kiss me, rolling over, so I’m now on top. I break the kiss, my fingers trailing up and down his chest. I lean over to kiss his chest lightly, grinding against him.

His hands grip my waist. I feel his erection pressing against my stomach, and I scoot back a little to rub him. He lets go of my waist to cup my breasts. I toss my head back as he tweaks my nipples. Removing my hand from his erection, I grind myself against it…back and forth. His fingers tease my nipples, and the combination is all I need to get me off.

“I’m about to come, Caleb,” I moan, leaning over to kiss him again.

His hands work their way back to my waist. He lifts his pelvis, and now we are dry humping, opening the gates to my orgasm. He kisses me again and growls. I believe we just came together.

“Holy shit.” I hear Anna’s voice and freeze.

“Wow,” the photographer’s voice is next. I bury my face into the crook of Caleb’s neck. “You two are dynamite together.”

“Can we get the room clear please?” Caleb clears his throat. “Now!” he shouts, and this time I can hear several footsteps walk off a distance. “Everyone is gone.” He groans as I get off him.

“I–I have to go.” I slide off the bed, grabbing my robe off the chair and making a beeline for my dressing room. I hope they got all the pictures they needed because I am done and out. Anna is sitting on the couch in the dressing room when I enter, her eyes big as saucers.

“That…you two…fuck I was so turned on watching you both.”

“Anna, not now. I have a plane to catch. I—this is so fucking embarrassing. I came in front of twenty or more sets of eyes…watching.” I groan.

“Fuck, I am still turned on.” Anna chews on her bottom lip, pulling out her phone.

“What are you doing?” I say as I button my pants.

“I am getting you an Uber because I need to get laid immediately. So, I can’t drive you to the airport. Sorry. Are you finished? Great, let’s go.” She grabs my suitcase and flies out the room.