Chapter 5

chapter

five

Mills

Susan is a professional and one of my best friends, so it doesn't bother me when she manipulates my arms and legs to position me just so for the camera.

What's not professional is a corporate sports equipment mogul following me home from the airport and showing up to my fucking audition the next day.

"How in the hell did you know I'd be here?" I grit out quietly as Susan positions my legs on the bed.

Hayden hovers next to the bed, blocking out the harsh lighting. "You shouldn't tell strangers your business. It was pretty easy to find the location of a sex lube commercial putting out a casting call for men."

Susan drapes the sheet over my middle, places my arm in front of me, and then has me lie on my side.

Under her direction, Hayden spoons up behind me on the bed, and I can feel his heat everywhere. "You're a fucking CEO of a global company. Everyone is going to find out it's you in the commercial, and it won't make any sense," I say.

He laughs, and it feels inappropriately intimate. His chest is so close to my back I can feel him shaking with laughter. And yet, everything about that sound pleases me in ways I don't understand. It's the kind of laugh that warms me down to my toes. But Hayden has not earned the right to make me feel this disarmed and cozy.

At most, he's earned the right to a slutty hook-up. But coziness and intimacy? Nah.

"You said you wanted it to go viral," he says. "A little bit of unexpected will go a long way."

An invisible string tightens inside me when Susan puts her hands on Hayden to adjust his arms, legs, and face. I know this feeling; it's the sensation I get before I lose my temper.

I'm not known for a short fuse, but a few things really fuck with me. One of those things is jealousy.

And what do I have to be jealous about? Susan is not trying to put moves on my man. Hayden is not even my man. He's an extremely hot walking red flag I should be running from instead of wondering what those lips can do to me.

But I think we all know my head's not on straight today. If it was, I'd have a restraining order on his ass already.

Susan's manipulations should not bother me; of course, she has to help him.

She moves away to adjust the light tree, and I question him again. "My point is, why? Why would you think you could audition for a commercial like this?"

"I still have my SAG card from back in the day," he says.

I heave a frustrated sigh. "That's not what I meant. You don't need the money."

"You're right, I don't need the money. But I couldn't stop thinking about you all night long. So when I showed up this morning, and Susan mistook me for an actor and handed me a questionnaire—well, you can imagine my reaction when I saw those questions. No way I was going to let anyone be naked with you."

"Who I'm naked with is none of your business, Hayden!"

"Everything alright, you two?" Susan asks.

"We're good," I tell her. And why? Why didn't I simply say this man is a fraud and a stalker and totally, unbelievably obsessed?

Uh, because my brain is broken, and I no longer feel shocked by people?

"Perfect," Susan replies. "Hayden, could you put your hand on her hip?"

This is fine. This is normal. Hayden's big, veiny hand is on my hip.

Heat radiates from that spot up to my bare midsection.

"Scoot in closer; you're spooning her, not sharing a bed with your sister," Susan says.

Oh god.

The heat of his chest radiates all over my bare back. His breath skims over my hair, sending tingles down my neck.

"This good?" Hayden asks.

"Perfect," Susan replies.

And there it is. Hayden's erection is touching my lower back. And it's as hard as fuck.

With the sheet over our midsections, I lie prone with one arm casually blocking the view of my nearly bare breasts. The urge to press back against that hard length fights with the thought that I should call this whole thing off.

My friend suggests, "Okay, let's run the lines one time to see how this looks."

Taking a deep breath, I look up at Hayden over my shoulder flirtatiously.

"This is it, baby. I'm ready for the next step in our relationship," I say, picking up the anal toy prop and turning it over for the camera.

Hayden lets go of a low groan that is definitely not part of the script. It sounds so genuine that a tight ache stirs in my lower half.

"Are—are you sure? It can be a scary step," he says, his face close to my neck.

I bat my lashes. "It's only scary with a product that smells like chemicals and artificial ingredients. Violet Sin's Roll-On Sex Lube is all-natural, non-toxic, and smells amazing."

I produce the little roll-on tube and hold it up so it's in the shot.

Here, I improvise by reaching back and touching the scruff of Hayden's chin, adding, "That's a huge turn-on for me."

His pupils dilate. He matches my improvisation by sliding that big hand up the inside of my arm. "You make it sound so good, I need you to try it on me first," Hayden says.

Going off script completely, Hayden sweeps aside my hair and kisses my collarbone.

I can't contain the soft moan that bubbles up. He continues to drag his lips over my skin, and my eyes flutter closed.

Hayden's thick fingers travel lightly over the tender flesh inside my upper arm.

"Mills, you forgot to say your line."

Cursing, I switch back into character. I giggle softly, then sit up in the bed, taking the sheet with me. "Well what are you waiting for? Get down here, and let's give it a try."

Here, Hayden is supposed to give a look of comic surprise, but he stares like someone lost in the desert, thirsty and starving, ready to eat a rare steak with his bare hands.

And as for me, I'm worked up to the point of needing a cold shower.

I don't know who kisses who first, but our lips meet before I can think to put a stop to this.

His full lips are soft and velvety against mine, and my body relaxes into the kiss. Hayden touches the tip of his tongue against my bottom lip, and I open to accept him into my mouth.

Heat surges between us. Hayden is now on his back, hauling me on top of him, tangling us both in the sheet.

His hands are in my hair and my thighs straddle his hips. I grind down on his erection against my core and moan into his mouth.

The world fades away.

Susan, performing the voice-over, says, "Violet Sin's Roll-On Sex Lube: so smooth it's as nice as the real thing."

A few seconds pass, and we're still kissing. Wait, why are we still kissing?

"Cut! We got it."

Suddenly, I remember where we are and what we're doing here. Improvising. Improvising a little too well.

"What the hell was that?" I hiss over my shoulder as Hayden tries to grab some of the sheet to cover his midsection.

"Great improvisation, you two. We could do it one more time…"

"Um…" I start.

Sue's phone rings, and she shouts, "Oh my god!"

Holy shit, this could be huge. "Is it Calderon?" I ask.

Susan nods enthusiastically. "I've been waiting for this call. Wish me luck!"

Clutching the sheet to my chest, I call out, "Good luck!"

Susan waves as she heads for the door. "Thanks, guys! You guys can go ahead and put your clothes back on and go. I think we got it!"

My friend walks out the door, and I'm so ecstatic for her that I almost forget that I'm nearly naked and alone with Hayden.

"What was that about?" he asks.

I bounce on the balls of my feet. "That was the director Kelvin Calderon calling her back for an interview. He's looking for a personal assistant. His movies are cheesy, but he's well-connected, which could lead to her big break!"

He smiles at me sweetly. "You're a really good friend to be so happy for her."

I'm so happy that I find myself throwing caution to the wind, laying another kiss on Hayden's mouth. This time, it's a real one.

I pull away, shocked at myself. "Sorry, that was inappropriate and unprofessional," I say. And really damn dangerous, considering he's pretty obsessed with me. "I should get out of character now."

"Oh," he says. "None of that was in character."

"Excuse you?"

"That was a real kiss," he says, rather nonchalantly, sitting up on the bed with half the sheet covering his middle.

"No it wasn't."

"So you're telling me you didn't feel it?"

I felt the current shoot down my spinal column, all the way to my core.

"It was a great kiss, I'll grant you that."

He shrugs. "I mean, we could keep the mood going, just in case we have to reshoot the scene," he suggests.

"We could," I say. "But only for professional reasons."

"Exactly. And…" A mischievous grin tells me I'm in trouble.

"And?" I ask.

"We could, you know, get to know the client's product."

I look at the mini vibrator in my hand. "You mean this toy?"

He nods.

I gasp.

Is this happening?

Never in my life has a man I've hooked up with ever suggested putting something in his butt. In fact, my last boyfriend vehemently objected to it, even though he did have a lovely butt. Of course, it was nothing — nothing — compared to Hayden's big, round, luscious ass.

I'm not even dating Hayden. This isn't even a hook-up. Is it?

However, when am I going to get this chance again?

"You want me to use it?"

He nods again.

"On…you?"

"Keep talking about it and I'm gonna come just listening to you," he says.

I swallow. Wow. Oh, god.

It's all happening.

And just to make sure I heard him correctly, I ask, "Are you sure?"

"I'm ready for the next step in our relationship," Hayden says. His low laugh is a rumble.

"Well, get on your stomach and let's test it out," I say, shivering.

This day is getting weirder and weirder.

"I just have one rule," he says, reaching for the lube and rolling it over his fingers. My nipples prick as I watch this spectacle.

"You have to come first."

"Oh, but…"

Before I know what's happening, Hayden has hauled me onto his lap.

"Hayden, what…oh my god…"

I go speechless as one of his mitt-sized hands reaches down between my legs and tugs aside the gusset of my thong. His lubed fingers explore my folds, and I twitch and cry out at the new sensation.

This is happening so fast, but I don't want to slow down. Not for a billion dollars.

"You don't have to…" I rasp.

He repeats, "You come first," low and raspy, his breath hot against my throat.

Hayden's rough fingers caress my sensitive skin slowly, calculatingly. We don't have that much time. Susan could walk back in here at any second.

Sensing my unease, Hayden sweeps one thumb over my clit. My whole body jerks. I bite my bottom lip to stifle the moan that's bursting to come out.

With his free hand, he circles one arm around my neck and covers my mouth, stifling the noises from me, amping up my arousal tenfold.

"That's it. Come all over my hand like a good girl, Mills."

How did he know I would like that?

I'll have to ask him afterward. If there is an afterward.

What am I saying? Of course there won't be an afterward. We're two completely different people. I don't have feelings for him, and he's just enjoying the chase.

It's right there in the name of his company. Conquest. That's all I am to him, I'm sure of it.

And yet the way his wicked thumb works over my throbbing clit makes me want to sing.

"Hayden," I breathe into his rough hand.

"Hush, baby girl. You don't want them to hear you."

One thick finger sinks into me, massaging my inner walls, driving me insane.

This is so fast and easy. My release is barreling toward me fast.

Hayden dips his head and nuzzles one of my nipples through the fabric of the useless bra that's doing nothing to hide my nakedness. He licks on it, wetting the material and scraping his teeth over it. The movements of his hands and his mouth combine to set me off, and I come hard.

My pussy clenches around his exploring finger as I squeak out my release. He removes his hand and swallows my cries with his mouth on mine. "Such a good girl," he praises me.

His dominating words, his complete control, somehow wring out more of my release, my body tensing and releasing involuntarily.

I've never felt so hot. So wanted. So fucking desirable.

I watch in awe as Hayden quickly licks my essence from his thumb and finger, then shares my taste with me with a hungry, messy kiss.

In my ear, he whispers, "Do it."

A small intake of breath follows, and then I whisper. "Do what?"

"You know what. Put it in."

My cheeks heat. "Are you sure?"

"Do you want to watch me come or do you want me to walk out of here in agony and jerk off at home after an hour on the freeway?"

"Um."

"Put. It. In."

"I've never done this before," I admit, refusing to add that I've always wanted to.

"Think of it this way; it would be a waste of lube if you didn't."

He has a point.

I must be out of my mind because no sooner do I hesitate than Hayden adjusts himself on the bed, showing me his ass while lying on his side looking like a damn Roman statue.

Whoa.

It's even better naked. His perfect, rounded cheeks beg to be squeezed and teased. A pair of alluring hip dimples point the way to the crevice down below.

He bends one leg and positions that foot in front, effectively spreading for me.

No one's bottom has the right to look this tempting.

I trace the lubed tip of the toy over the skin of his cheek, then move the string of his thong out of the way. I move the small cylindrical toy down between his cheeks and lazily trace the tip of it over that tight, little dark star. He jerks, growls, and gives more orders.

His voice is nearly feral when he says, "Keep going."

As I insert the tip, one of his hands reaches into the front of his thong. "You can watch me, Mills."

I follow his lead and keep my eyes trained on his hand, which fists his cock while I work the toy into him.

He fists himself as I push it in and pull it out. His jaw is tight.

Sensing me staring, he looks back at me over his shoulder, the muscles under his tattoos rippling with the effort of his strokes. Our eyes lock as I switch on the toy. In the next second, his eyes roll back in his head. "Fuck," he growls. "I'm coming."

I can't help myself; I look down and stare at the dark spot on the front of his thong and watch it spread as he fists his dick with long, hard pulls.

Watching Hayden please himself with very little assistance from me is like an addictive new song that I want to play on repeat.

I sit here in shock as Hayden recovers, catching his breath. He rolls to his back and pulls me down for a kiss.

I'm still stunned when he gets up and goes to change behind the screen. When he comes out again, he moves in for another kiss.

"You alright?" Hayden asks, amusement in his voice. "You'd better get changed; Susan will be back soon, and she's gonna wonder why you're still mostly naked."

Why does he sound like the logical one all of a sudden?

"Naked. Right," I say. Clearly my brain cells haven't recovered since the mind-melting orgasm.

"Get dressed, and I'll walk you home," he says.

Both rational thought and shame show up simultaneously as I shamble back into my clothes.

What did I just do? What am I thinking, having a one-night stand in a makeshift film studio in front of a camera?

Granted, it's not actually filming us, but still. My best friend is right outside.

Is it a one-night stand if it occurs at 10 a.m. and it's basically a five-minute makeout session?

No, I decide. It's not a one-night stand. It barely counts as making out. It was…what was that?

It was two good-looking people, crazily worked up from the suggestion of sex, taking care of business before getting on with their day. That's all this is. A post-mortem? No, a debriefing, if you will. That's all.

I peek out from behind the screen, smoothing my hair down. I'm still reeling from what just happened. Will everyone on the street be able to tell what we just did? It's a silly thought, yet I feel like I'm about to embark on a walk of shame. I catch that negative thought and throw it away. There is no shame in what we just did. Resolutely, I sling my crossbody bag over my shoulder and head to the door.

"Whoa, hold on there, Dimples, I'll walk you home."

"No need. I have errands to run," I say.

We head out onto the sidewalk and I apply my nude lip gloss as I walk down the street.

"Let me get a car for you," Hayden says.

"That's nice of you to offer but I'm fine."

"Let me take you out tonight."

"I have a gig."

"Lunch then."

"As soon as I'm done with my errands, I'm going home to let Monster out, and then I'm taking an epic nap. Do you want a complete schedule for my entire week?"

Hayden laughs. "No need, I'll just figure it out on my own."

"Okay, stalker with no apparent job to go to."

"I have a job. You know you looked me up."

"Yeah, I did," I admit. "A really fucking impressive one for a stalker, actually."

"I notice you haven't called the cops on me yet."

"How do you know I don't have an uncle in the mafia? Much more effective," I say.

"If you did then I'd already be swimming with the fishes."

"You have a point."

"When can I see you?"

I heave a sigh. Tonight after my gig? Every night this week? Please. No, Mills. Bad Mills.

"You can't. You're a walking red flag," I tell him. And the hottest guy who's ever made me come.

"Tell me to leave you alone, and I will."

Say it. Say it! Tell this guy to leave and he will! Call him on his bluff.

But…but maybe I don't want him to leave me alone.

Maybe I like him following me around.

Maybe my judgment is clouded after that kiss—and all the other things.

He lets me walk ahead of him as I head toward the boutique pet store where I have no business shopping. I look at him over my shoulder and say, "I'll DM you after my show tonight."

And bless him; he lets me go.

"See you then."

Hayden waves and heads into a coffee shop, texting someone on his phone.

Instantly, I'm jealous.

Who is he texting?

God, I ought to have my head examined.

It's a good thing I do stand-up because a lively audience is like good therapy, except I get paid for it.