Chapter Fifteen
Taylor loved a good party. In fact, it was one of her favorite things about Hollywood, hobnobbing with fancy food and drinks in a beautiful setting. What could be better? Sure, she rolled her eyes at the starlets who tried to outshine each other and impress the powerful producers present, but beyond the petty, major deals were made around lavishly lit pools. She surveyed the expanse of her own outdoor living space, the wait staff, the entertainment, and the abundance of twinkling lights (intricately placed for maximum aesthetic). Her gaze moved across the happy faces of her guests, sipping cocktails and enjoying themselves. She spotted a group of cast members from Water, and just as she was about to head their way, the world tilted. She froze for a moment, not knowing what hit her.
Isabel Chase had just walked into her backyard looking like she’d stepped out of the Golden Age of Hollywood and, in one quick moment, changed the stasis of her night entirely.
Taylor blinked to clear her head, but the effect hadn’t worn off. Isabel was Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly combined. She wore a simple but elegant blue dress that hugged her curves. The neckline was modest and the sleeves short. Tiny diamonds dotted the bodice and elevated her elegance even further. Her hair was curled and her lipstick red, making her lips pouty and perfect. The outfit was finished off with a pair of killer black heels. It was Isabel, but in a way Taylor’d never seen her before. But then, why would she have? And how was she supposed to carry on her hostess duties with this kind of distraction hovering? Good God.
Taylor stood with an old producer friend who was chatting her ear off near the bar, and she nodded and laughed in what she thought were all the appropriate places. Meanwhile, her heart beat way too fast and her stomach was in perpetual somersaults at the exquisite woman across the pool. She stole glances at Isabel, who was speaking to Richie Lords, the dashing actor known for all those superhero movies. He gestured to the waiter carrying a tray of Champagne and snagged a couple for the two of them. Of course he’d noticed her. Who wouldn’t?
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said to the gabby producer. “I see someone I must say hello to.” She moved across the outdoor space, smiling and greeting her guests on the way to Isabel, pulled along by some sort of invisible magnet. Her guests didn’t make it easy.
“It’s beautiful out here, Taylor.”
“I adore this house. Did you remodel?”
“Who is the caterer? This crab is heaven sent.”
“Is that actually Kevin Cohen on guitar? Didn’t he win a Grammy? How did you score him?”
She answered their questions and turned to where she’d last seen Isabel, only to come face-to-face with Aspen. If Isabel was the picture of old-school glamour, Aspen could best be described as modern overindulgence. Her boobs were pushed up, her hair had been swept to the side, and she had a pretty aggressive spray tan going. The contrast between the two continued to startle her.
“You, T-Bear, look radiant,” Aspen said, kissing her cheek and lingering a few seconds too long. “And this party is bustling with everyone who is anyone. I don’t know how you managed to get them all in one spot.”
“Not as easy as it looks.” Taylor studied the guests and had to admit that Aspen was right. Producers, actors, directors, and even a handful of politicians had all come out to her not-so-little gathering. She’d started throwing the occasional cocktail party years ago, once she had a good handful of industry friends. Hollywood was all about who you knew.
As her career took off, so had her parties. Although now they were some of the most talked about in the business—not for being wild or crazy, but designed for drinks and discussion in what she hoped was a scenically pleasing backdrop. She glanced at the glorious hillside view and knew she didn’t have to hope too hard. Toss in a fantastic caterer, attentive wait staff, and few A-list musicians crooning from beside the pool, and the evening was complete. Well, almost. Where was Isabel?
“Come with me,” Aspen said, taking her hand with a gleam in her eye. “Patrick McMartin is in your living room as we speak. We can chat him up together about Sally Ride. Tag-team him.” Before she could protest, Aspen pulled her toward the house, a route that would take her right past—would you look at that—Isabel.
“Can I join you in a minute?” she asked Aspen, attempting to free her hand.
“This won’t take long. I promise.” Aspen held on to Taylor tightly. “And then I’ll be happy to help you play hostess. I’m great at it.” Taylor could argue and break away or put in the ten minutes to make her night easier in the long run. As they approached Isabel, who was talking to, bless her poor heart, Lyric Larkin, they locked eyes. Isabel broke into a smile, the warmth of which smacked Taylor squarely in the chest.
“Hi,” Taylor said. “I’ve been trying to talk to you all night. We’re just going to say hello inside—and then I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” Isabel nodded, and Aspen tugged, ignoring Isabel altogether.
“Come on, Tay. You can get me a drink first. You know what I like more than I do.”
Isabel’s smile faltered and Lyric seemed to launch back into some sort of story. Damn it. Taylor did her best to send Isabel an “I’m sorry” stare as she was whisked away, but she wasn’t sure it was received. She’d fulfill her obligation to Aspen, circle back to Isabel, and make up for what may have felt like a slight. While she didn’t have the Isabel puzzle all figured out, she wanted to try and assemble as many pieces as possible.
Twenty minutes later, and Aspen was still talking Patrick McMartin’s ear off. She was also touching him a lot, which was typical Aspen. Her sex appeal was her go-to weapon of choice, and she didn’t discriminate. “You have impressed so many people with your bare-bones aesthetic,” Aspen purred, rubbing his arms. “You’re a fantastic director. I can’t get enough of your work.”
“I have to give credit to my cinematographers.” Patrick adjusted his tie. “They make me look better than I am.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” An eyelash bat.
Classic. Predictable. Boring.
Patrick was young and seemed to enjoy the attention, however. Once it seemed that the two of them had a good give-and-take happening, Taylor managed to excuse herself without causing much distraction. She’d fulfilled her obligation to Aspen and had delivered her right into the hands of a director who would be crazy to want her for this particular part. Not her problem.
Now, on to her own enjoyment of this party.
*****
Isabel was intrigued. Lyric Larkin was one of the more interesting characters she’d come across in a while, and Hollywood had a lot. In the midst of their exchange, she would have given anything for a notepad to jot a few of her observations. She’d be yet another fantastic character for a future script. Well, as long as it called for a vapid and entitled Hollywood wannabe.
“Did I tell you that my husband is an energy drink mobile?” she asked.
Isabel took a sec with that one. “You mean mogul?”
“Energy drink mobile,” Lyric said, emphasizing each word as if Isabel were hard of hearing.
That was Isabel’s cue to give up. “Oh, an energy drink mobile! Got it. Super cool. You’re so lucky. I bet you’re never thirsty.”
“Right? And I have my own TV show that’s killing it right now. Not sure if you’ve seen it.”
Isabel nodded. “Sister Dale. I have. It’s hard to look away.”
“Right?” Lyric favored that word. “Wait till you see the upcoming episodes. You’re going to die. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but it’s some of my best work.”
Isabel swallowed the words that threatened to fly from her mouth. The ones that said Lyric was a fucking liar and hadn’t written a single word of the soon-to-air episodes. But she also wasn’t stupid and knew who Lyric’s father was. She smiled sweetly instead, as soul-sucking as it was. “I can’t wait.”
“I like your dress,” Lyric said, sipping a margarita through a tiny straw. “It reminds me of Rita Hayworth. I mean, if you’re into that kind of thing. It’s pretty, I guess.”
“Thank you,” Isabel said of the underwhelming compliment. It certainly didn’t compare to Lyric’s ensemble, which had her huge breasts exploding from her itty-bitty waist. Isabel worried about the stress to her rib cage and felt compelled to find Lyric a cheeseburger for reinforcement. Her overblown lips, however, would make the cheeseburger hard to eat, so she shelved the idea altogether.
“The television business is hard,” Lyric went on to say. “But I think I’ve finally conquered it.”
Isabel opened her mouth to combat the declaration because, God of Gods, someone had to. But she paused at the sensation of a hand on the small of her back. Right on cue, her skin heated. She didn’t even have to turn to know who had done that to her—only one person could.
“Sorry about earlier,” Taylor said with a sincere smile. That, coupled with the killer silver dress with a slit up the side, had her mouth dry. Taylor’s hair had been pulled up and back. Small strands fell delicately alongside her face, each with a slight twist. “I was upholding an agreement or I would have, of course, stopped to talk. Please know that.”
“It’s okay,” Isabel said simply. Aspen was there, and Aspen commanded a lot of attention, she was learning. Attention Taylor seemed willing to dole out whenever Aspen asked. She pushed the thought aside, choosing to not think ill of Taylor. It was a nice night, and she should enjoy herself and Taylor’s company, now that she was free.
“I love you in this dress,” Taylor said. And then quietly in Isabel’s ear, “You’re gorgeous, and it’s driving me a little crazy.”
Isabel willed herself not to blush. “You’re kind, and looking beautiful yourself.” She dropped her voice. “And I’m not just saying that.”
“Taylor’s come a long way from high school,” Lyric chimed in. Isabel had completely forgotten she was standing there. How unfortunate to learn she still was. “Did she tell you we used to call her Tubs?”
Isabel turned a sharp eye to Lyric. “Not specifically. No.”
Lyric giggled, high pitched and piercing. “She looks night and day from the way she did back then. She’s taken off the pounds, man. You’ll have to tell me how you did it at some point, Taylor. Personally, I’m all about the wheatgrass, but you might have your own method.”
“I’ve never tried wheatgrass,” Taylor said politely.
But Lyric’s mouth ran full steam ahead. “Oh! And it took you forever to get picked in gym class! Remember that? It was a running joke. No one picked her.” Lyric laughed merrily, and Isabel watched as the light dimmed in Taylor’s eyes. She wanted to throttle Lyric. Vivid fantasies of doing just that quickly took shape. “Those were the days, I tell you.”
“They were days, all right,” Taylor said, with classy reserve.
Lyric turned to Isabel. “So, as you can tell, Taylor and I go way back. We’re old friends.”
“Doesn’t sound like it,” Isabel said flatly. “In fact, it sounds like you were mean in high school and not much has changed since.”
Lyric waved her off. “It’s all in good fun, right, Taylor? Is that Bruno Mars by the shrimp dip?” She didn’t wait for an answer and dashed off to find out.
When they were alone, Taylor turned to her. “You didn’t have to go to bat for me. I’m used to girls like Lyric Larkin. Well, women now. That’s the sad part.”
Isabel looked her right in the eye. “There is not a world in which I won’t go toe-to-toe for you with a witch like that.”
“And there’s the feisty side I love. Remind me not to get on your bad side.”
Isabel nodded. “Don’t get me started on lane changes without a signal. I give those people the downcast eyebrows.” She demonstrated with the deepest furrow possible.
Taylor laughed, which meant she was feeling lighter again. Goal achieved. “Well, it seems Miss Larkin got off easy, then. She should count herself lucky.”
“Very.” Isabel turned so she faced Taylor dead-on. “We haven’t talked about your wildly impressive home.”
“Oh, that’s right!” Taylor glanced around. “You haven’t been here before. What do you think?”
“Is it odd to say that it’s exactly what I imagined for you, only even more impressive? My imagination, wild as it is, didn’t quite do it justice.” She shook her head and walked a few steps in the backyard living space. “I don’t know how you leave for work every day with this kind of view waiting for you at home.”
“Only because I know I’ll be back to enjoy it.” A pause. “Iz,” Taylor said quietly.
The casual nickname, when it came from Taylor, continued to give her goose bumps. She rubbed her exposed arms and hoped Taylor hadn’t noticed. “Yes?”
She took a step closer so not to be overheard. “I wasn’t kidding. The dress is…amazing, and I’m having a really difficult time. I don’t mean to behave poorly, so perhaps I shouldn’t confess that, but…it’s the truth.”
“Thank you.” She glanced down at the dress, nervous because Taylor’s eyes were on her, but also invigorated, because Taylor’s eyes were on her. “Hadley helped. When it comes to this stuff, I’m out of my depth. But hearing that you like it makes it all worthwhile.” Apparently, it was Taylor’s turn to blush as they stood there, staring at each other. The world around them had gone still, making Isabel feel like she and Taylor were the only two people there. The conversation around them dimmed and the people faded away. Was that weird? She decided it wasn’t. In fact, she relished the effect. With the kind of crackle and pop that was passing between them now, if someone lit a match, the whole place would most certainly go. “I have to confess I was nervous.”
“For what?” Taylor asked, looking somewhat dazed.
“First Hollywood party and all.”
Taylor lit up, pulling them back on track. “That’s right. It is! I should introduce you around. Show you who the important people are, the ones to get to know.”
She grinned. “I would love that.”
“Tay, I need you.” Taylor paused and dropped her head at the desperate sound of Aspen’s voice from not too far away. Isabel cringed when she saw her. Why did Aspen have to look so fantastic? Why? Moments later, she appeared, glamorous and perfect, at Taylor’s elbow. Isabel felt herself shrink in her spot, because who was she kidding? She was out of her league with these people. With Taylor. All of it.
Aspen gave her a once-over. “Oh, hi, Isabel. Don’t you look adorable in that getup. I didn’t realize some people would attend in costume. I love the tenacity.”
Ohh, war had been declared. But the comment packed a punch whether she wanted it to or not. Maybe Hadley’s retro idea had been too ambitious for someone like Isabel to pull off. She felt meek and silly under Aspen’s gaze, and she hated that she allowed her the satisfaction.
Aspen didn’t miss a beat and turned to Taylor. “I got out that old cutting board, the one your mom sent from your grandma’s house and wound up with a giant splinter right in the middle of my poor index finger.” She held up the finger in punctuation, her sad little face executed flawlessly. “It’s just killing me, Tay. Do you think you can give me a hand?” She inclined her head in the direction of the house.
“I’m actually in the middle of a conversation,” Taylor said and then brightened, her tone shifting to one of encouragement. “I’m sure you can handle it. There are tweezers—”
“On the top shelf of your medicine cabinet in the master bathroom. I know.” She looked to Taylor, with big helpless eyes. “I’m just not sure I can stomach this, and my finger is really starting to throb. Would you mind?”
“It’s fine. Go ahead,” Isabel said. Her voice sounded normal. She was almost sure.
“Sorry,” Taylor mouthed before rolling her eyes and following Aspen, who waved all five fingers in victorious farewell.
Isabel hated herself for the jealousy that crept in and circulated. She squared her shoulders, deciding then and there not to let Aspen Wakefield under her skin. If Taylor wasn’t free to make introductions, she’d set out on her own. She snagged a glass of something pink and bubbly from a passing waiter and took a lap around the yard. She made eye contact with a few of the guests and smiled, but never did find the right moment to strike up a conversation with the people Taylor had pointed out. Everyone was good-looking and intimidating. Another lap and another glass. These glasses were really so very pretty. Shiny and light, and how crazy that she could see the moon through hers. Okay, maybe no more of the pink bubbly wonderfulness. She focused on the music and bopped her head as if having the most fantastic time beneath the gazebo. Still no sign of Taylor, but she probably had hostess duties to attend to…or, you know, some intimate Aspen ones. It was fine, really. It was fine. Taylor owed her nothing. A third lap and oh, look! There was Kathleen, a friendly face, at long last.
“Well, hello, there!” she said to her friend and producer, feeling more at ease from the alcohol. “I didn’t know you were here.”
Kathleen smiled. She wore a dignified green dress with a pair of sassy yellow heels. Her gray hair was spiked, making her look extra fun tonight. “Isabel Chase, look at you!” Isabel did a simple twirl for Kathleen and kissed her cheek. “This is my husband, Bruce. He knows all about the new wonder kid at work, so your reputation precedes you.”
“Bruce, so nice to meet you!” She extended her hand, which he accepted and kissed.
“Likewise,” he said. “You have a fan in Kathleen.”
“She’s being generous.”
“She is not,” Kathleen remarked.
Isabel and Kathleen had developed a sort of alliance since she’d submitted her episode. It became increasingly clear that they collaborated well together, which was necessary given Taylor’s absence. Kathleen was patient, smart, if not slightly soft when it came to laying down the hammer. She’d hit a few speed bumps in getting the higher-ups to listen to her the way they would have Taylor. She’d also confided in Isabel that maybe the showrunner gig wasn’t for her. She didn’t have the disposition or temperament. Isabel couldn’t imagine anyone feeling that way, but she liked Kathleen and would go out of her way to support her.
Isabel leaned in and whispered, “This party is too important for me. Any second they’re going to escort me out of here. Mark my words.”
“All of us together,” Kathleen whispered back. “But it’s very Taylor Andrews. That woman knows what she’s doing and the right people to assemble.”
Isabel whistled low. “She certainly does. How am I going to make it in this town?”
“Oh, I suspect you’re going to do just fine.” A thought seemed to occur to her. “You know, while you’re here, let me introduce you to Gerald Hagerman, he’s a very important man at the network. Vice president of programming. You’ll want him to know your name.”
“Who’s this lady?” Gerald Hagerman asked jovially between puffs of his cigar. So that’s where the syrupy sweet aroma emanated from. In the other hand, he clutched a bourbon, neat. He was a portly guy with a mustache. Didn’t fit the LA exec profile in the slightest, but then again, neither did she.
Kathleen gestured to her. “Gerald, you need to meet Isabel Chase. She’s new to the writing staff on Water and has an episode airing next week that’s going to knock your socks off. Lots of positive word of mouth already. You’ll be hearing her name more in the future, I assure you.”
She extended her hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Isabel Chase, you say?”
“Yes, sir. That’s me.”
“I look forward to your work. I read the episode and was heartily impressed. I’ll take any little ratings bump you can give me, too. You deliver me numbers, and I’ll do more than remember your name.”
Oh, okay. So this was what parties like this were for. It was all coming together.
“Gerald, I see you’ve met Isabel.” They turned to see Taylor, looking tired but still smiling up a storm. The bubbly seemed to have given Isabel’s eyes a mind of their own as her gaze swept across Taylor’s dress, lingering on the dip of cleavage. She swallowed and looked away. And then back. She preferred looking back.
“I like her already,” Gerald said. “I’m giving this woman her own show if next week goes well.”
Taylor held up a hand. “Not so fast. I’m keeping her.”
Isabel impulsively threw her body between Taylor and Gerald. “Pay no attention to the crazy woman.” It gave them all a good laugh.
“Taylor,” Kathleen said, once Gerald moved on to a conversation with a nearby starlet. “I’ve adored your gathering tonight, but I promised my doting husband an In-n-Out burger if he was patient enough.”
Isabel sidled up next to her. “A burger, you say? Can I stow away in your trunk?”
Taylor smiled. “You’re not going anywhere just yet, I hope.” She and Taylor locked eyes, and the radiant green did things to her. No, she would definitely not be walking away from those eyes.
“Only joking,” she said quietly.
Kathleen eyed them for a moment and, with an amused smile, kissed both of their cheeks. “Thank you for a memorable evening. Don’t have too much fun without me.”
“Never,” Isabel said with a smile. “Eat a burger for me!”
“Done.” Kathleen winked at them and headed off.
Isabel spent the next two hours chitchatting with various guests, Taylor staying firmly by her side. Except for that time Aspen couldn’t find the extra glasses or needed Taylor to come tell her friend that joke she’d once told Aspen at a fancy restaurant (“Remember that really romantic one?”) She truly had perfected the art of commanding Taylor’s attention, and Isabel felt her resolve slipping with each passing moment.
She should have gone out for that burger after all.
On her own again, Isabel wondered if she’d ever get used to a gathering like this one, packed with celebrities at every turn. The kid in her had been freaking the hell out all night in awe of just about everyone she encountered, while the adult was doing her best to appear calm, cool, and not at all a crazy, wide-eyed newbie. This was the world she’d always longed to work in, write for, and here she was, doing just that. But Isabel’s ambition didn’t stop there. She wanted to learn, absorb, and understand what it took to run her own show. Being here and seeing it all up close had only stoked that fire higher. As long as she worked hard and played her cards right, she might actually have that shot at running her own show someday. She’d put in the time, kill herself to do good work, and play nice with those around her. Whatever it took.
When the final guests began to trickle out just after one a.m., Isabel waited off to the side as Taylor said her farewells. She’d also looked on as she put an inebriated Aspen into her sober friend’s car. “You don’t want to take me home yourself?” Aspen had purred and run her hand down Taylor’s shoulder. She was about as subtle as Liberace under a strobe light.
“No, I’ve got stuff to tend to here.” Taylor turned to the friend. “Do me a favor. If there are paparazzi outside her place, take her around the back drive.”
The girl nodded and offered Taylor the thumbs-up sign. “You got it.”
Isabel and Taylor stood in the circular drive and watched the car pull away. The image of Aspen waving at Taylor with sultry eyes served as a gentle reminder of what the situation actually was. The reality hit her in the face like a bucket of ice water.
“I better head out, too,” Isabel said.
“Wait. Not yet. There’s something I wanted to show you.”
“Okay.” Intrigued, Isabel followed Taylor to her laptop. She quickly pulled up an email string from several studio execs who had viewed the rough cut of Isabel’s episode.
“Take a look at these,” Taylor said, and folded her arms.
One exec had written, You guys hit this one out of the park. Kudos to you and your new writer. Keep that one around.
Another chimed in, My jaw dropped. Well done, Taylor. Things are heating up. Excited for the rest of the season. There were several more of similar sentiment, and by the end Isabel was beaming.
“I wanted to congratulate you personally,” Taylor said.
Isabel scoffed. “I didn’t do much.”
“You did. You had a great idea and you fought for it. One of the many ways you’ve impressed me.”
“I don’t know what to say.” The way Taylor was looking at her had Isabel’s toes curling and her mouth dry. She flashed to their kiss on the studio lot. The visual was interrupted when out of nowhere she imagined Aspen running up and tapping Taylor on the shoulder. A total buzzkill. What the hell? She tried to shrug it off, only it wasn’t that easy. “And now I should get out of your hair and let you relax. You must be tired after tonight.” The caterers had long since packed up and restored the place to status quo. It was only the two of them left, and the hour was late.
“Not really.” Taylor stepped out of her heels and lost a good three inches. She seemed more accessible now. Sexier, too, if that was possible. Isabel wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch her.
She shrugged and decided to level with Taylor. “Just seemed like you had your hands full with Aspen tonight.”
“Ah.” Taylor’s head dropped and she rubbed the back of her neck. Isabel wanted to do that for her, but something held her back. Taylor raised her gaze. “So, this is about Aspen. It’s hard to relax with her in the room. That’s true. It’s different with you, though. With us.”
“She seems to really need you. A lot.”
Taylor nodded and walked back into her living room. “It’s what she does.”
“Yeah, but to what end? Can I ask that? Because when will it be enough?”
That’s when silence hit.
Taylor closed her eyes briefly. “You know I didn’t want to cater to her tonight. It’s a delicate situation. I thought I explained that already.”
Isabel couldn’t stop herself. “But you did cater to her, and whether you explained it or not, your giving in only goes to show her that her tactics work.”
Taylor nodded. “It’s tricky. I just didn’t want her making a scene.”
“Or maybe things with you two aren’t as squared away as you tell yourself.” Her pathetic side was beginning to show, but she couldn’t seem to hide it.
“What does that mean? No. Isabel.” They stared at one another for another uncomfortable moment, the kind that felt way longer than it actually was. “She’s my ex, and our relationship was a train wreck on top of a ten-car pile-up of awful, and now it’s over. I’m thrilled about that part.”
“Are you?” Isabel regretted the veiled accusation. It wasn’t her place to stick her nose into Taylor’s business. She had no claim. She was no one. “This time I really am going. It’s late and getting…awkward. And if there’s one thing I don’t want, it’s anything that’s going to overtake us. Whatever we are, I happen to like it. So, thank you for having me to your party tonight. I had fun.”
“Iz, don’t go.” The words reverberated in the air all around them. Taylor grabbed her wrist and with a slight tug, pulled her in until their bodies pressed. Taylor’s arms moved to Isabel’s waist and around, holding her there. Isabel’s lips parted at the unexpected contact, and her temperature rose.
“I don’t want you to go,” Taylor said simply. She searched Isabel’s eyes for some sort of permission, which was silly because Isabel had no willpower where Taylor was concerned. It was a good thing Taylor had hold of her, as she felt her knees wobble.
“What are we doing?” Isabel whispered, her gaze dipping from Taylor’s eyes to her mouth.
“I think we both know,” Taylor said simply.
This time Isabel waited. The move had to be Taylor’s.
“You are so beautiful,” Taylor said, and traced the neckline of Isabel’s dress with her finger. The air left the room. All sound vanished. She closed her eyes at the surge of need, of desperate want. She swallowed against the acute assault on her body only to have her desire ignite exponentially with each second that ticked by, with each trace of that finger across her heated skin. Her center throbbed and her breasts ached to be touched. Taylor’s hands were so very close. She watched with rapt interest as they inched closer. With the back of her hand, Taylor brushed against the fabric at the front of Isabel’s dress, causing it to rub uncomfortably across her nipples. She did it again more purposefully, meeting Isabel’s gaze, watching her reaction with intense focus. What Isabel wouldn’t give to be done with that fabric, with the dress entirely. Explicit images rained down as she ached for more.
She knew in that moment that Taylor wasn’t finished. Taylor was going to have her, and Isabel was done trying to resist the pull.
Oh, this was happening.
This was definitely going to happen.
Isabel’s breathing turned shallow as Taylor’s finger traced the dip in her cleavage. She heard herself hiss in a breath. Their eyes held steady, and the lust in Taylor’s was like nothing she’d ever seen. Combusting, right then and there, beneath her fingertips was a definite possibility. Taylor ran her hands down the length of Isabel’s arms and intertwined their fingers. She crossed their hands behind Isabel’s back and studied her lips as she leaned in, on a mission. The kiss would go down as one of the most memorable Isabel had experienced. There was no buildup, no preamble. Taylor caught her mouth, and instantly she knew she better buckle up, because she was about to be owned. Her knees shook pleasantly at the thought. Their lips moved together in a delicious tangle and Isabel gave back every bit that she was given, pushing her tongue into Taylor’s mouth, tasting her.
It felt as if everything had been leading up to this moment.
If the kiss on the studio lot had been sexy, this one brought a promise of torrid things to come. It forced the air from her lungs in a hot rush, and a low sound came from her throat. She’d been dreaming of touching that gorgeous blond hair from the very first day, and she didn’t hold back now. She slid her fingers into thick tresses, pulling Taylor in that much further. Her center throbbed uncomfortably as she grasped that silky hair.
Isabel was acutely aware that they didn’t have long, and once they arrived at a bed, at a couch, anything sturdy, she would have seconds before Taylor rendered her powerless. Therefore, she needed Taylor wearing significantly less than she wore now.
A preemptive measure. She was nothing if not a planner.
Isabel’s fingers searched for the zipper tucked slyly on the side of Taylor’s dress and tugged aggressively. Taylor broke the kiss and watched with careful attention as Isabel slid the dress off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. The matching yellow lingerie halted her action. She had no choice but to feast on the sensual image. “I’ve never seen anything like you,” Isabel said reverently and took a step into Taylor, taking in her skin, the generous curves of her breasts, her absolute beauty.
Music, still left over from the party, played from a sound system in the corner of the living room as Taylor took her hand and led her to the stairs. Taylor only made it to the first step before Isabel turned her around, unable to wait another second. With her hands on Taylor’s waist, she kissed just above the yellow lace waistband and higher across her stomach. Taylor’s hands slid into Isabel’s hair, freeing it from the pins that held it back. At the metallic sounds of them falling, Taylor leaned down and crushed her mouth to Isabel’s once again.
“Upstairs,” she breathed. “Now.”
“Lead the way.” Isabel nodded against her mouth. “I’m yours.”
She couldn’t tell you what Taylor’s bedroom looked like, as all she could see, hear, or touch was Taylor herself. Taylor made quick work of Isabel’s dress, leaving her body on display. A potent shiver hit in response to her gaze as it moved across Isabel’s skin. She didn’t have the matching lingerie and probably never would, but the look on Taylor’s face told her that she didn’t care. “Iz,” she breathed, kissing her shoulder. “God, Isabel, come here. I’ve been dreaming of you.” Her hands moved down Isabel’s back as they kissed, then lower to her ass and dipped inside the back of her bikinis, cupping her tightly. She lay down on the bed and pulled Isabel with her, never breaking contact.
Isabel slid between Taylor’s legs and rocked her hips, slowly, purposefully, and watched as Taylor’s face changed. She reached up and palmed Isabel’s breasts through her bra, prompting Isabel to toss her head back, surrendering to the pleasure that ensued. She pushed herself up and straddled Taylor, ready to grant her more access. She slid one bra strap off her shoulder, then the other, before unclasping and discarding the bra onto the floor.
“Look at you,” Taylor murmured. “God. Just look at you.” Taylor’s lips parted and she licked the bottom one. She tried to sit up, but Isabel placed a hand on her shoulder, holding her right where she was. She lowered a breast to just above Taylor’s mouth and braced herself on her forearms above. Taylor greedily pulled the nipple in and sucked. She sucked hard. Isabel’s eyes slammed shut and she swore quietly. Taylor lavished the same attention on her other breast as Isabel dropped her hips and pushed against her.
“I’m going to hell for this,” Taylor breathed, slipping a thigh between Isabel’s. “Totally worth it.”
Isabel smiled and slid down to capture that mouth she couldn’t get enough of. “We can go together.”
With Taylor’s tongue caressing hers, she was so distracted she didn’t even notice she’d been flipped easily onto her back until she stared up into green depths. “I love your eyes,” she whispered.
“My eyes?” Taylor asked, with a quiet laugh. “That’s what you’re focusing on?”
“Mmm-hmm. They undo me every time.”
Taylor smiled and slipped her hand down the front of Isabel’s bikinis. The long-awaited touch pulled a quick gasp from Isabel, who turned her head against the pillow, bucking her hips. She’d never responded to anyone this quickly. The sensation startled her. Taylor’s fingers fluttered and grazed her lightly. Isabel had never been more aroused in her life, almost to the point of pain. The quick touches continued, sending her into a tailspin. She was coming undone beneath the featherlight attention. One graze, then another. She almost came right then, but Taylor pulled her hand away, moving to a new spot.
“You’re unreal,” Taylor breathed and watched Isabel’s face for approval as she explored, stroked, and played. Isabel needed release badly and thrashed her hips in desperate search of it. Finally, she reached down and attempted to free herself from the constraints of her underwear. Anything to help this along. She was dying, absolutely drowning in a sea of overpowering want, and something had to change.
“You want these off?” Taylor asked, breathless. “Good. Me too.” She slid down the bed in that matching lingerie and with her teeth pulled down one side of Isabel’s bikinis and then the other.
Was this actually happening?
Isabel moaned, knowing acutely that she would relive that moment for years to come. Taylor bent her head and began to take Isabel places she’d only imagined. With just a touch of Taylor’s tongue, she nearly levitated off the bed altogether.
“Don’t you go anywhere just yet,” Taylor breathed against her. She gripped Isabel’s hips and angled her so that she was completely vulnerable to all the things Taylor wanted to do to her, which was more than fine with her. Isabel shivered as she waited, the anticipation just another form of welcome torture. A second swipe of her tongue. Oh, dear God. But not yet quite where Isabel needed her. A third swipe. A fourth.
“You’re a tease,” Isabel managed. “You’re teasing me.”
Taylor lifted her beautiful face. “Isn’t it fun?”
Another swipe that sent shock waves on a tour through her every inch. Taylor’s hair tickled her stomach, only amplifying the barrage of sensations. Her hands found their new home, nestled snugly in Taylor’s hair, and how wonderful that felt. Taylor devoted her attention to everywhere but where she’d be most effective, finding a rhythm all her own that Isabel had no choice but to match, making it clear whose show this was. Taylor built her up and then brought her back down in a mind-blowing performance that left Isabel intoxicated, if not maddened. Finally, Taylor entered her with a firm push of her fingers, and that was all it took. Isabel clenched down around her, the feel of Taylor inside her almost more than she could stand. Taylor filled her, twisting and searching, and good heavens, there it was. Taylor had found it and sent Isabel tumbling, capped off with a direct stroke of her tongue.
Isabel said Taylor’s name as she came, turning her body against the sheets beneath her, as points of light danced behind her eyes in blissful display. Her body accepted wave after wave of glorious pleasure. She lost track of time, space, and reason.
The next thing she was aware of, Taylor moved up the bed and gathered her in, holding her close. She kissed Isabel’s temple and ran a hand softly across the expanse of her back as Isabel recovered from the mind-numbing orgasm that had topped all others. She felt limp and limbless, like a really happy rag doll lying next to the gorgeous and smart woman who’d just taken her expertly. Yes, that’s right. She’d been taken. She raised her gaze and met Taylor’s eyes. She didn’t have words just yet, but Taylor seemed to know what they would have been. She dipped her head and kissed Isabel tenderly.
“Do you excel at everything?” Isabel finally asked.
That pulled a laugh. “No. I think you’ve just proven you’re funnier than I am.”
“But you have matching underwear. Really pretty ones.” She traced the underside of the bra Taylor unfortunately still wore. Not for long.
Taylor nodded. “I might have a vast collection.”
“Dear God.” Isabel covered her eyes as her body came to life in one big tingle. “How are you able to turn me on again so quickly?” But she couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. Taylor caressed her breast softly, circling Isabel’s nipple with her index finger, not helping the cause.
Taylor blinked in innocence. “I can take care of that. Pretty quickly, too.”
“Oh no, you won’t,” Isabel said, easing herself on top. She slid her hips between Taylor’s legs and closed her eyes. Even through the fancy lingerie she could feel how wet Taylor was, and it did things to her. Lustful things that motivated her exponentially to explore.
Taylor’s eyes went wide and her lips parted as Isabel slid against her firmly. Once. Twice. “I figured you’d need some recovery time first.”
“No way.” Isabel shook her head as she looked down at Taylor, circling her hips, pressing them to Taylor’s center, pulling quick little sounds from Taylor. This was heaven. “I’ve waited long enough. Wouldn’t you say?” She winked and dove in, pulling down the cups of Taylor’s bra, staring in awe at the perfectly round, full breasts that were revealed to her. Taylor’s blessings seemed never ending. Isabel swirled a nipple with her tongue, and she palmed the other breast with determination.
“You don’t mess around,” Taylor breathed, bucking beneath her. Taylor, she was learning, was a talker, and Isabel liked it. It projected confidence, her favorite trait of Taylor’s. She pushed the bra over Taylor’s head and made quick work of the lace underwear. She could still hear music playing faintly from the living room. How far away that earlier party now seemed. As she lowered herself and their bodies came together, skin on skin, it felt like she and Taylor were the only ones on Earth. Taylor’s eyes went hazy as she watched Isabel above her, rocking softly and then harder against her. That wonderful friction hit and Isabel knew she was on her way again, too. The pressure rose steadily and she wondered if she’d beat Taylor there.
“Oh, wow. Iz,” Taylor groaned. “More of that, please. Yes, that. Good good good.” Her eyes slammed shut and she sucked in a sharp breath, her hips bucking as Isabel struggled to hold her still. She loved the feel of Isabel’s hands on her, of her hands on Isabel. “I’m not going to be able to—oh, God.”
Isabel rocked her hips from above, increasing the friction. Taylor growled, grabbed her ass, and pulled her in, searching desperately for the purchase Isabel withheld. Isabel let her hand take over, shifting her hips to the side. She began to circle Taylor intimately, paying careful attention to Taylor’s signals. As her cries turned wordless, Isabel plunged two fingers deep, causing Taylor to arch her back. Her hips moved wildly, urgently. Isabel memorized the moment, the sensation unlike anything she had ever known. She plunged again and again and again until Taylor thrust wildly in a frenzy against her hand, uncontrollable and gorgeous. Finally, Taylor arched her back, her body rigid as she cried out long and hard. Her eyes burned into Isabel’s, and the power of their connection stunned her. This was what she’d needed, what she’d craved. That unmistakable link, something she’d been chasing for months. She didn’t know Taylor that well, except that she did. And she wanted more. Lots more.
Isabel stretched out next to Taylor, unable to focus on anything but the sight of her. Naked, sated, and beautiful. Taylor reached out for Isabel, who obliged, wrapping Taylor up in her arms tightly, their limbs intertwining as if designed to fit that way. Isabel ran her fingers through the softness of Taylor’s hair as they lay there quietly for several long minutes.
“You said my name,” Taylor said quietly in the dark. “Just before you came.”
Isabel reflected languidly on that earth-shattering moment. She didn’t remember too many of the details, which was understandable. Her mind and body had been happily occupied in other ways. She lifted her head and looked down at Taylor. “Did I?”
“You did.” A long pause. “I really, really liked it. I can still hear you.”
Isabel wrapped her arms tighter around Taylor and smiled. “Good.”
And then Taylor did something remarkable. She kissed Isabel’s chin softly, and then her nose, and each eyelid, followed by her mouth. There was no lingering question of whether Isabel would stay. It was simply understood in the way they looked at each other. There was no prying them apart. Not a chance.
As she drifted off to sleep with Taylor in her arms, Isabel knew unequivocally that after an experience like this one, she would never be the same again. Nothing would.
And that was just fine with her.