CHAPTER FOUR
LUCY HAD NOT PLANNED on getting drunk. It just happened. One minute she was wallowing deep in self-pity, watching Michael and Beth exchange witty barbs and catty commentary about the bar’s clientele, and the next she was so happily buzzed that she felt almost content. She didn’t drink often, but when she did, it didn’t take much to get her into that state where her brain didn’t recognize filters anymore. The words tumbled freely out of her head and into her mouth.
Lucy didn’t think there would be any danger of running into him in such a big city like Los Angeles. After all, they sure as hell didn’t run in the same crowds. The place Beth had chosen for them to go to was an interesting mix of upscale and trendy. It was elegant enough for a different experience than the usual pub, and yet not so pricey that young people like them had to stay away. So when Lucy saw Elijah walk in, she did a double take.
Out of the corner of his eye, Michael noticed right away the changed expression on Lucy’s face, which was nothing short of miraculous, considering that he and Beth were in a heated competition to see who could get the attention of a cute hipster guy at the other end of the bar. Their behavior was so over the top that Lucy had begun to feel somewhat invisible a good half hour ago. But she and Michael were so close and in tune with each other that when it came to her, nothing ever escaped him. He followed her gaze and when he saw who she was looking at, he groaned loudly.
“What?” Beth asked, looking between the two of them in confusion. “What is it?” She, too, followed their fixed gazes and whistled softly under her breath. “He’s older, but damn, he’s hot! Do you know him?”
“That’s Elijah Redford,” Michael snarled.
“Oh.” In an instant, Beth’s expression changed too. She also had heard the whole sordid tale, and now there was an angry look on her gorgeous, heart-shaped face. “Lucy, are you okay?”
Lucy snorted. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She downed another sip of her cocktail for good measure.
Her friends stared at her.
“I’m fine, you guys,” she repeated, but she was pretty sure she wasn’t fooling anyone.
“What’s he doing here?” Beth said. “I thought he was super rich.”
“Well, just because he’s rich, doesn’t mean he can’t do normal things and go to normal places,” Michael said. It came out sounding a lot cattier than he had meant. Michael immediately regretted having said anything as both girls turned to glare at him. “I’m sorry,” he muttered. “He’s an asshole, obviously.”
They watched as Elijah was greeted by the bar’s hostess. He seemed to know her well, based on how he placed a hand on her hip and she reached up to give him a kiss on the cheek. Lucy was surprised by the jealousy that suddenly (and violently) stirred within her. She knew she wasn’t really entitled to it. Elijah wasn’t hers to get jealous over. And yet she couldn’t help but feel bitter. She watched as the hostess led him upstairs, probably to a VIP room in back Lucy thought to herself as she held back a grimace. Figures. Fucking stuck-up billionaire asshole.
Lucy took another hearty sip from her drink and that’s when she had the brilliant idea that she would give him a piece of her mind. She stood up determinedly at first, but then wobbled on her feet.
“Where are you going?” Michael said. “Are you alright?” He looked at her like a concerned mother hen looking after her brood.
“Relax, I’m just going to the bathroom,” Lucy lied.
She was surprised at how easy it was to throw him off, considering how awful a liar she was in general, and how her ability to evade often got worse when she drank. Admittedly, it wasn’t exactly a lie; she did have to pee.
Once in the bathroom, she allowed herself a few moments in front of the mirror to get her emotions under control. She braced herself over the sink and looked at herself straight in the eye. I can do this! I can do this! She took a few deep calming breaths before she headed back out into the bar.
She threw a cautious look in the direction of the booth where Michael and Beth were seated. She smiled when she saw that they successfully managed to get the bearded hipster dude to come over to their table. She could see them falling over themselves, vying for the guy’s attention. They were both having a blast. Lucy felt content, knowing that they probably wouldn’t even notice she was gone.
She ordered two mojitos at the bar and when the bartender wasn’t looking, she snatched a waitress tray from the behind the counter before making her way upstairs. It wasn’t as crowded in the upper area and so it was easy enough to figure out where to go.
Predictably, a juicehead bouncer type was standing in front of the door to the VIP area. He’s probably there to keep the riff-raff like me out. Lucy was dressed simply enough, with skinny jeans, a cute halter top that showed off her shoulders and simple flats. This place was upscale, but the waitresses didn’t wear uniforms, and so when the bouncer took a look at her and saw that she was carrying the drink tray, he let her in without comment. She flashed him a flirty grateful smile as he held the door open for her and waltzed right through.
It didn’t take her long to spot Elijah. He was sitting at a booth at the back of the room. To her surprise, he was alone. Her eyes quickly scanned the area, looking for clues that might indicate someone might be coming back to join him. But she didn’t see a purse or anything else that might suggest there was someone with him. There was just a single drink on the table. It was a glass of whiskey (probably the finest in the establishment) and it was half empty.
He looked up as she walked toward him. His blue eyes widened in surprise. “Lucy?”
“Yeah,” Lucy said, setting the tray down.
“What are you doing here?” He cast a look toward the door. “I mean, how’d you get in? Are you following me?”
Lucy rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Please, Elijah. Not everything is about you.” She didn’t wait for an invitation as she sat next to him. “I’m here with some friends downstairs. I saw you walk in.”
Elijah looked at her for a moment, then smiled. He leaned over and was about to kiss her, but Lucy jerked back. She stared at him, completely stunned by the gesture. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“What?”
“What?” Lucy repeated, incredulous. “You really think you can kiss me, just like that? After the crap you pulled?”
She was surprised at how confident she was in her alcohol-fueled rage. There was no hesitation and no embarrassment. For the first time since she had met him, she didn’t feel intimidated by him. VIP area or not, out here in the everyday world, he was just a man. And damn it, she was pissed.
“What crap?” he asked, but it was clear from the guilty expression on his face that he knew exactly what she was talking about.
“I’d like to know why, Elijah,” Lucy demanded. “Why did you let me have that interview when you knew the trouble it would get me in and then deny everything?”
Elijah took a deep breath. He seemed to deflate somewhat, the mask slipping. He looked a little less like ‘billionaire celebrity icon’ and more like ‘ordinary guy who didn’t have a clue what he was doing.
“I guess I fucked up,” he admitted. “I didn’t mean to be so rude. It’s just that I have to be careful.”
Lucy frowned. She took one of the mojitos she used for cover and took a sip. It was cool against her throat and the mint was fresh in her mouth. The pleasant flavors grounded her somehow. “You call that careful? I call that being an asshole.”
He downed the rest of the whiskey in one gulp and reached for the other mojito. “May I? Or are these both for you?” His hand hovered above the glass.
Lucy nodded grudgingly. “Go ahead.” She watched as he took a sip.
“I love the drinks here.”
“Elijah,” Lucy all but growled through gritted teeth. “Explain yourself, please.”
“It’s not about you,” he said after a moment. “You’ve got to understand, I didn’t know what you wanted from me.”
She arched a blonde eyebrow. “But I told you what I wanted. I was very clear and upfront about it.”
“But was that really all you wanted from me?” He took another hearty sip of the drink. “You have to know…I really enjoyed the two nights we spent together. Hell, scratch that. I loved them. But it was just two nights.”
“If it was so great, then why would you do that to me?”
“I don’t do relationships and I’d hate for you to think that I did.”
Lucy stared at him. She took a moment to take it all in and then burst out laughing. “Holy shit, you’re arrogant!”
He blinked, taken aback. “Pardon?”
She shook her head and reached out to place a hand on his arm. “Elijah, I loved those two nights too. But what makes you think I wanted a relationship?”
“When you have money, fame and power, everyone wants something from you.”
Lucy rolled her eyes at him. “Yeah Elijah, it was fun and all, but don’t let it go to your head.”
“Really? Most women can’t wait to dig their claws in.”
“Give me a break. I just moved here from my hometown in Colorado. My energies need to be focused on getting my bearings and making stuff happen for my career. I don’t have time for anything else.”
“Oh.” Strangely enough, he looked a little hurt by what she said. He pulled his hand away, slowly. “Then what happened earlier today? You want something. What is it?”
He let the question hang in the air, and Lucy rolled her eyes again, exasperated. “The only reason why I came looking for you was because I worked really hard on that profile. In fact, I worked really hard to be here where I am today, here in L.A. And it really burns me up that all of that could be taken away because Carey Wayland somehow got it into her head that I made up an interview or that I slept with you just so I could get the scoop.”
“Well didn’t you?”
“Didn’t I, what?”
“Didn’t you sleep with my just to get the interview?”
“God damn it!” she finally snapped. “Yes, I really wanted the interview. But that’s not why I slept with you.”
“Okay then,” he said, and he smiled a wider and more genuine smile, dimples showing up on his cheeks. “Why?”
“Because you’re Elijah Redford and the most amazing man I’ve ever met,” Lucy said coolly.
“When you say, I’m the most amazing man you’ve met, do you know who that is? Is that Elijah Redford, the public figure, or Elijah Redford, the person?”
“Honestly, I don’t know.” Lucy shook her head. “I thought for a brief moment that I had a glimpse of who you really are. But now I just don’t know. What I do know is that you were nothing like the man I imagined you to be when I met you.”
“Really? How so?”
“You had this way of looking at me that made me think you could see straight through me and into my soul. You said it yourself—we had a connection. I believed it, but obviously for you, it was a lie.”
“It wasn’t a lie.” His voice softened.
“I guess, that’s what you tell all of the young journalists—that’s right before you ruin their careers, am I right?” She took a big sip from her drink. There was no denying the hurt in her voice.
There was something about her impassioned plea that moved him. He loved how it was so honest and vulnerable. He reached out and gently touched her hand. “I deserved that.”
“You know Elijah, you think it’s all about you. But what about me? Yeah, maybe I was naive to think that someone like me could get an interview with you. But, what’s a twenty two-year old to do, when the man she idolizes tells her he feels a connection and asks her to come to his room? Really, Elijah?”
“I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“You know, Carey Wayland warned me about you.”
“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
“Really, Elijah? Who’s naive now? How could it not?”
“The connection was real.” he said softly. “I felt it too.”
Lucy looked up at him with searching eyes. He looked genuine and sincere enough, and Goddammit… why did being so close to him make her stomach flutter like it did? Yes, there definitely was a connection. “Thank you.” Lucy hesitated for a moment before she spoke again. “Thank you for saying that so I don’t feel like I hallucinated everything.”
The anger lifted from her but she still wasn’t sober enough to have her brain-to-tongue filters back in place. “If you don’t mind me asking, what the fuck are you doing drinking in a VIP room by yourself?”
Elijah laughed at her emboldened drunken state. “Are you always this forthright when you’re drink?”
Lucy shrugged. “I guess so, yeah.” It didn’t even occur to her to try and pass herself off as not drunk.
He grinned with amusement. “I come here alone sometimes when I need to think. I know the owner and like I said, I love the drinks here. And the VIP area usually ensures that no one will bother me.”
“Most people go to the beach when they need to think.”
“There’s no alcohol in nature.”
Lucy chuckled and toasted him with her glass. “Touché.” She downed the last sip and stood abruptly.
He frowned. “Where are you going?”
“I have to get back to my friends.”
“Oh.” He licked his lips. He seemed suddenly fidgety and nervous. “I was hoping you would stay and keep me company for a bit.”
A part of her felt a little sad for him at that moment and she was about to say yes right before he added, “And then maybe we can go back to my hotel room for the night.” He winked, his confidence coming back in full swing.
“You were, huh?” Lucy leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Not this time, Elijah Redford,” she whispered in his ear. “You don’t always get to dictate the terms.”
She lingered for a moment before walking away. She didn’t look back, but she could feel his gaze on her all the way out the door.
As she walked downstairs, she was flush with excitement. She was incredibly proud of herself for standing up to Elijah Redford. She still couldn’t believe she had turned him down. But then again, she also couldn’t believe he had the gall to think that she’d actually sleep with him again after everything that went down.
There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and Elijah Redford had crossed over that line some time ago. Lucy was done letting him make the rules.
When she returned to the bar table where she had left Beth and Michael, she was relieved to find that the hipster dude was gone. They had probably scared the poor guy off.
“You were gone for quite some time, little missy.” Michael announced suspiciously as she sat back down. “We were about to send out the search party for you.”
Lucy smirked. “You guys looked pretty occupied with Mr. Bushy Beard Hipster Dude.”
Michael rolled his eyes. “Oh, him.”
“So who got his digits?”
“And that would be me!” Beth raised her hand and let out a victory cheer, “High five!”
Lucy met her hand mid-air while Michael scoffed, “Straight people.”
“Oh, relax, you’ll get yours, Mr. Snarks-a-lot.” Lucy poked Michael in the ribs. “I’m sure the guy must’ve been totally flattered having the two of you clamoring for his attention.”
“He just doesn’t know what he’s missing.”
“You’re just a sore loser,” Beth teased.
“It wasn’t exactly fair. She picked him.” Michael rolled his eyes and pointed a finger at Beth.
“Yeah, right.” Beth gloated. “If you think that’s it, you pick the next guy and we’ll see who’s got more game. I betcha double or nothing that I win again.”
“You’re going down, girl!” Michael said jokingly as he started scanning the room for another eligible bachelor to hit up.
“You guys have fun with your game. I’m gonna finish my drink and then call a cab.” said Lucy.
Michael stopped what he was doing and looked at her with concern. “Are you sure, honey? You don’t want us to come with you?”
“I’ll be fine. You guys are on a roll. Besides, who am I to get in the way of some lucky dude from finding true love with the likes of one of you.”
Michael beamed at Lucy and leaned in to press a gentle peck on her cheek. “Thank you, dear. You really are the best!”
“You are!” Beth gushed while leaning in to give Lucy a hug.
“Michael, if you win, don’t feel obliged to come home for the night,” Lucy called out playfully to them.
Michael gasped, pretending to be outraged. Lucy couldn’t help but burst out laughing. She watched them carry on with their antics with a sense of satisfaction. She truly was on fire tonight.
She finished the rest of her cocktail just in time to see Elijah walking down the stairs. Their eyes locked instantly from across the room, and in that instant Lucy knew that soon enough she would be on fire in a whole different way.
* * *
It was another hotel suite, of course. The room had a spectacular view overlooking the whole city, and the Hollywood Hills were so close they almost seemed within reaching distance. But once again, Lucy hardly noticed the surroundings.
Elijah was every bit as passionate as he had been in Ojai, and Lucy was more than happy to return his affections. There was no doubt that there was a fire between them, and she was quite content to let herself burn.
As soon as Elijah was naked, she pushed him onto his back on the bed. She ran her fingertips lightly along the smooth skin of his torso and felt the shape of his muscles underneath her hands. Being on top was quite a powerful sensation for her. She leaned in to capture his mouth in a hungry kiss. She tugged lightly at his bottom lip before pulling away to map out the whole of his body with her mouth just like he had done to her that first night in Ojai. He was much taller than she was and it was a long affair, but she thoroughly enjoyed every single second of it.
When she got to his pelvis, she ran her tongue lightly along his shaft and circled the head of his already enlarged cock with her tongue. She watched as he gasped when she took him between her lips. She teased the tip gently before she took his entire length deep in her mouth. In a matter of minutes, Elijah was all but writhing underneath the touch of her mouth on his erection. She cupped his testicles, and he groaned with delight.
She stopped her ministrations just before he was about to come and climbed up the length of his body to kiss him on the mouth again—long, hard and eager. He wrapped his powerful arms around her waist, lifted her up and flipped her over so that now she was underneath him. She was so enraptured by the moment that she barely noticed when he paused briefly to slip on a condom.
Elijah entered her almost immediately. Lucy gasped, enjoying the rough contact. Her whole body arched against his. She wrapped her legs around his waist and made sure she was the one to set the pace this time. She wanted it fast and she wanted it hard. He thrust his cock deep inside of her and she cried out for more.
Their bodies matched each other’s rhythms perfectly and soon enough Lucy found herself again on the brink of orgasm. Nothing mattered but the feeling of their bodies entwined. Their hands roamed over each other’s bodies, feverishly starved for the touch of each other’s skin. Their mouths kept coming together—again and again and again.
Neither one lasted as long as they did in Ojai, but they didn’t care. This time, it wasn’t about prolonging the pleasure—it was about the quick-burning and all-consuming fire that inside of them. It was about raw satisfaction.
Afterwards, they lay side by side on the giant bed. They didn’t speak. There was no need to. Elijah pulled the sheet up over them and turned on his side so he could watch her.
“Will you stay the night?” he asked.
Lucy turned her head to look at him. “Do you want me to?”
“I think so.” He rolled his back and looked up at the ceiling.
Lucy arched an eyebrow. “That’s not much of an invitation.”
He chuckled. “Fine,” he huffed in mock defeat. “Yes, I’d like you to stay the night.”
Lucy grinned. “If you put it that way, then I will.”
To her surprise, he leaned over and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him. She stiffened for a moment, but she then relaxed into his embrace almost immediately. She reached past his shoulder to turn off the light, plunging the room into darkness—or as dark as it could be in L.A.
Lucy lay awake and listened to Elijah’s breath as he slept. She didn’t drift off as easily, especially in a strange bed. Her mind was reeling and her body was still alive with the sex they just had.
She hadn’t expected this last turn of events, but she wasn’t entirely surprised either. It was as if whenever they were within a certain proximity of each other, they couldn’t stay away. It was like they were magnets constantly being pulled toward one another despite their best efforts to stay apart.
Lucy sighed and yawned hugely in the dark. She rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. Unwittingly, she tried to picture what this would feel like on a regular basis—not just the sex, but everything else, including the tender parts and the comfortable parts where she felt safe and at ease.
She tried to imagine what Michael’s reaction would be when she told him about what happened. Lucy thought he would probably warn her against getting involved with Elijah and he’d probably be right. There was no denying that after all that had happened, it was not the smartest move she could possibly make. But she had the feeling that what she had with Elijah was bigger than herself—maybe even bigger than Elijah. There was definitely a physical connection between them, but there was something else too. She was pretty sure that he also felt it and it scared the hell out of her.
When Elijah moved in his sleep, shifting ever so slightly, Lucy caught herself following his movements with her own body, as if by some inexplicable, irresistible reflex. As he settled, she did too, burrowing a little closer to him.
Yes, this definitely wasn’t the smartest move. But it was three in the morning, and Lucy decided that “smart” would have to wait until tomorrow.