7. The Defender
Buddy charmed me.I hated to admit it. Something about his eyes, almost as if they were backlit by blue flames. I found that intensity when he gazed upon me, enough to distract me, but I had to stay focused.
We arrived at Dream Waves Studios through a stately entrance of columns and arches reminiscent of old-world opulence. Our lot sat just down the road from Kings, Fox, and other well-established studios of our time.
With its ivory toned exteriors and brass-plated signs on the buildings, and palm trees and lush greens with tropical flowers in the beds, it always brought back memories of the days when Mom and I would walk hand-in-hand around the lot while she was on a lunch break from filming.
Those were the times in the past that always left me tearing up. But not today, not when I had my future to fight for.
The driver parked in front of our main office. Buddy exited, removing his suit coat, revealing a tight, lean body—and I tore my eyes away from his crotch right as he turned, offering his hand to me.
“What a gentleman,” I flirted. On contact with him, it proved the same spark that had lighted through me earlier in front of the airport when we posed for photos. But a spark could easily be dismissed as a onetime thing, a simple thrill at meeting someone new. If he felt it, though, that’d bode well for getting him on my hook.
“At last, here we are at the famous Dream Waves Studios. I read somewhere that your mother bought this property for a hundred thousand. Now, on history alone, it’s probably worth millions,” he spoke as if in awe. I admired his regard for the good old days. When he folded his white sleeves up to his elbows, I definitely admired his fabulous forearms.
“Let me show you around.” I took him on a tour of the studio, building to building, part walking, part riding in a golf cart. I shared some history of the films produced here. Surprisingly, he admitted to having seen a few of Mom’s shows.
“In Baja, a lot of oldies play on TV,” he explained. “I’ve been living there for the past few years, but I’m thinking of relocating back to the states.”
“And what did you do in Baja?”
“I wrote a script.” He winked at me. “And now, my fate is in your hands, Honey. By the way, that’s not your real name, is it?”
“It’s the real one I use all the time.” I smiled back, unwilling to give him an inch.
At the main office building, I led him into the elevator and pushed the button. “Cal’s likely at lunch. But I’ll show you around my casting and production office on the top floor.”
We stood so close our elbows almost touched, but the heat of him radiated, engulfing me in his warm glow.
“Are you enjoying the tour?” I asked.
“Immensely. What are you doing later? Can we get together for drinks or dinner?” Oh, how I wanted her to say yes.
“I have plans. Besides, Cal wanted to welcome you to L.A., so he bought you a ticket to our box at the Vipers’ home game.”
“Hockey? Jeez, I haven’t been to a game in years. I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Oh. No, he won’t be there. But you won’t be alone. Some actors and famous people are always in our box. It’ll be a good chance to rub elbows with them and start introducing yourself around.”
“I can think of someone else I’d rather rub—” The elevator bell dinged, and the doors opened, halting his thought. I chuckled as we stepped out.
“My office is this way.” I pointed.
“Listen, before we go further, is there a restroom, um…?” He asked. I motioned down the hall and eyed his nice gait as he walked away. Definitely an attractive man, and I warned myself, no matter how complicated this got, I had to keep my heart from getting in too deep with him. If things went my way, I wouldn’t need my heart involved.
The floor was quiet, as my staff must have been out for a late lunch. Lucky with good people who have worked for us for years, they all got along well, like an extended family I had never had. I leaned over the reception desk and reached for my messages and mail, rather than walking around it like a normal person.
“Dream Waves studios always has the best of everything. Like your nice ass.” I yelped at the sound of Edward’s voice coming up behind me, and righted myself, squaring off with him.
“What are you doing here?” My eyes shifted toward the bathrooms with no sight of Buddy yet.
“Visiting Cal to continue our negotiations.” His gloating irritated me, so presumptuous he’d gain power over my studio. “He just left for a meeting, but Delta and I had a lovely chat about what I’d do to change things around here once this studio is mine. In fact, your mother’s office would be the first thing I’d remodel for my office.”
“Don’t you dare.” I shrieked and raised a hand to slap his smug face, but he intercepted. He grabbed it and twisted it behind me, turning me in the process. His groin and—ew—pathetic penis ground into my ass.
“Oh, I’ll dare. Any damn way I please. Because once we’re married, you’ll do as I say.”
“No! I’ll never marry you.” I screamed.
“Honey? Is there a problem here?” Buddy suddenly appeared, planting his tight fists on his hips, broadening his expanse, and Edward let go of me.
The two men were similar in height and build, although something told me one hit from Buddy and Edward might fold and run. He wouldn’t want his pretty face all smashed up for the sake of his pricey nose job alone.
Edward jerked back. “Who the fuck are you?”
I quickly explained. “This is Buddy Rodgers, my fiancé. He just arrived in town so I could introduce him to Cal.” I inserted my left hand into Buddy’s elbow andwagged my fingers so Mom’s ring would shine off the lights.
Buddy noticed the ring, too, his eyes doubling, clearly something he hadn’t noticed me wearing before. As tan as his skin normally presented, the color almost drained from his face. I implored him silently with my eyes to go along with it.
“Ah. So, this is the guy you’ve been telling us about? I really thought you made him up. Yeah, Cal can’t wait to meet you,” Edward rudely remarked with a smirk.
“And who might you be?” Buddy snapped his attention back, playing along, and to his credit, he didn’t make me look like a fool. This could easily have turned into a difficult situation if he’d balked bout my lie of him being my fiancé. I believed Delta was right, Buddy could very well solve my problem with Cal’s ultimatum.
Edward got right up into his face. “I’m the King in Hollywood, and that’s all you need to know, newbie.”
“That’s enough, Edward.” I shoved his shoulder, surprised that it actually did some good, pushing him back a little. I got between them. “Whatever you’re doing here, leave now before I call security.”
“What I’m doing here is visiting Cal. He and I are sure getting along great these days.”
“Is there a problem here, Ms. Adams?” Thank God for Buck, our head of security coming upon us, appearing out of nowhere.
“Yes, please escort Mr. King off the lot. And he’s not welcome back, so remove his security clearance, please.” I fidgeted with the ring, spinning it over and over. Whenever I felt anxiety coming on, this simple act helped to ground me.
“Fine, I’ll go. But you better believe we’re not done yet.” Edward brushed by my shoulder, and I faltered a step back. This angered Buddy, and he lunged for him, but I grabbed his arm to prevent it. Not that I wouldn’t have loved to see Edward pummeled into the ground by my…hopefully future fake husband.