James Black Read online

  She gets in and rolls the passenger window down. Leaning across the console she calmly says, “For all things getting you from Point A to Point B, yup. For anything else… not a chance. This isn’t Pretty Woman. And I’m not Julia Roberts.” She rolls the window up before I can form a response to her smart-ass remark.

  No, she certainly isn’t. Julia with hair like that. Not in this lifetime.

  I grin as she backs out of the parking spot and I juggle my bag while I turn the knob on the door.

  As I get into the foyer and toss my keys onto the table, my cell rings.

  Setting the bag down, I check the caller ID and smile as I hit the button to answer it. “Hey you.”

  “Are you all settled in?”

  “I am. Though there’s nothing to do around here when I’m not filming.”

  Her throaty feminine chuckle has me grinning as it flows through the phone. “I’m certain you could find something to do, J. You just have to put your mind to it. But not tonight. Tonight, you need to keep me company.”

  “You’re in Baton Rouge?”

  “I am. I had some business to attend to and I wanted to stop by. Fancy entertaining me tonight, lover?”

  “Of course. You know I always have time for you. I’ll text my address as soon as we hang up. When do you think you can be here?”

  “I’ve just wrapped up my end now, so about half an hour. Ok?”

  “I have food.”

  “Good. I’m starving… for multiple things. I’ve missed you, J.”

  I’ve missed her, too. My groin tightens. “I’ll see you in a bit. I’ll call down to the gatehouse and let them know to expect you.”

  “Sounds good. See you in a bit, J.”

  It’s been a while since I’ve seen her. I didn’t know she was in town for anything.

  *

  Avangeline

  Once I get back on the road and head toward town, I’m antsy and not ready to just go home. I make up my mind to swing through the CC’s drive-thru to grab a King Cake Latte to savor while I finish my latest Bloodlines novel tonight.

  After ordering, I turn Sirius back on while I wait to get to the window. Lady Gaga fills the Tahoe and the song reminds me of my new client. He really rubbed me wrong earlier today. I still can’t believe he thought I was one of his mindless minions. Yeah, right! Then to ask me if I was a lesbian because I didn’t want him to sign anything for me! “Would you like me to sign your breasts?” As if. Who the fuck does that shit?!

  I guess he thinks he’s irresistible or something. Because clearly every woman on the planet wants to sleep with him and if she doesn’t, she must be a lesbian.

  Stupid ass. Ugh. I swear I’ve never been so mad in my life. And I’ve been plenty mad with this red-headed temper of mine.

  Good job on not punching him in his sexy ass face, AJ.

  Oh no. Don’t think about his face being sexy or remember the way you could feel him studying you in the rearview mirror after you decided to drive him around for the next year. Dear Lord, a whole year. Not sure I can make it. I just might kill him. Arrogant ass.

  He seemed sincere when he apologized though. I wasn’t expecting that. I’m not certain he was either. It seems as if he’s not accustomed to having people not fawn all over him. And I’m damn sure not some idiot fan.

  Not going to worry about it. It’ll work out with me driving him or it won’t. And hey, you’re getting an extra five Benjamins a week, AJ! SCORE!

  After grabbing my coffee, I turn to head across town toward home. I have big plans for the night that involve comfy jammies, coffee, and a book on my couch. Livin’ large!

  Settling in after changing, I put the TV on for background noise in my empty house, and get comfortable. I get lost in Richelle Mead’s world of magic, vampires, and mortals.

  My last sip of coffee is decades past cold as I flip the last page and realize my eyes are blurring. Stretching and looking at the clock over the TV, I gasp as I see the time and realize five hours have passed.

  Shit, is it really midnight already?! I was so involved in my book I lost track of time.

  Oh well, that’s the mark of a good story, right?!

  I stand to straighten the couch and head to the kitchen to discard my now empty cup into the trash, but the name on the TV catches my attention. One of those ridiculous celebrity gossip shows is on. Sitting on the edge of the coffee table, I watch captivated as a gorgeous, voluptuous redhead fills my screen. I don’t follow, or even like, celebrities for the most part, but Scarlet Lockhart, America’s Sweetheart, is an exception. Her beauty is absolutely astounding, but she’s by far the sweetest person in Hollywood as well. Her love life takes over the tabloids regularly, and something about her just strikes a chord with me. She’s constantly helping her fans and something about her just pulls me in. I feel as if I can relate to her.

  I just wish she’d find some real happiness. She’s dated everyone from movie stars, to musicians, to athletes, to billionaires. Yet, they never work out. People often question what’s going on since she’s quite possibly the most gorgeous woman on the planet and seemingly perfect.

  The story is that she was seen leaving her latest lover’s penthouse a few days ago in tears and that their love affair is over.

  I sigh out loud as the story fades and a commercial comes on. “Well shit, if Scarlet Lockhart can’t find true love, what hope do the rest of us have?”

  Shutting off the TV, I toss my cup in the trash. After programming the coffee pot to brew when my alarm is set to go off, I head to get ready for bed. If I’m going to grab James Black at my recommended time, I need to get up about 5AM.

  The last thing I envision before falling in a deep slumber is a peculiar pair of crystal blue eyes. My dreams are filed with the surprising love story of a spunky red-headed vampire and a blond-haired, blue-eyed mortal.

  Chapter Four

  James

  Exactly twenty-nine minutes after I hang up with her, my doorbell rings. Grabbing my beer, I head to the door. I take in her appearance through the peephole and am once again taken aback at her extreme beauty. It’s almost surreal. Her hair is long and lustrous. The color is like flames. And her skin looks like porcelain. It’s always the same reaction. It’s always been the same reaction.

  She slides past me as I open the door. Leaning up, she kisses me lightly on the mouth. Her brow furrows as she exclaims, “You taste like beer, J. Yuck.”

  I chuckle and hold up the bottle. “Well, I am drinking a beer.”

  Her musical laugh fills the room. “Smartass. You mentioned food. Feed me. I’m starving.”

  Nodding, I take her hand and bring her to the kitchen where the Styrofoam containers are spread out on the bar. Walking to the fridge, I grab the bottle of wine I keep there just for her and occasions like this. I snag a wine glass and a bottle opener on the way back to the table.

  She’s been watching me. She smiles, flashing her perfectly straight, white teeth. “You remembered.”

  “I always have this on hand for you. You know that.”

  She pats my hand and takes the glass from me so I can open the bottle. Once it’s opened and her glass is filled, we dig into the food and start to talk.

  She fills me in on her business and I tell her about the movie I’m working on. It’s been quite a bit since we’ve been in the same room together, so we have a lot to talk about. But then again, we’ve always been able to talk about anything and everything.

  Dinner is soon finished and she states she’d like to shower. Once she’s comfortably in the bathroom, I clear the dishes and carry her overnight bag into my bedroom. I’m just slipping on my lounge pants when the door to the bathroom opens. She’s standing there in nothing but a black towel. Her hair is knotted messily onto her head and her creamy, pale skin is glistening from the heat of the bathroom. The darkness of the towel against the paleness of her gleaming skin from the billowing steam has my anatomy rising. She looks like a mythological creature, like a mermaid or siren,
as she stands there.

  Smiling, I step to the bed and lie back against the pillows. She smiles back and drops the towel to the floor before she saunters over to me. As she climbs up the bed, she slides her naked body up and over mine. Her skin is slick from the shower and steam. Once her head reaches my face, my cock is rock hard and straining toward her. She smiles as she presses down against it. The warm apex of her thighs is resting against my throbbing length. Reaching up, I pull her head down. She comes willingly and our lips slide sensuously together. She moves against me while our tongues mimic the action. Her body moves against mine in a provocative dance as our mouths reconnect.

  Within minutes, the kissing isn’t enough. I flip her and my arms are on both sides of her body. I just look at her, taking my fill. Her pale skin and luscious curves against the black silk of my sheets is so erotic. Her hair fans across the pillow as it escapes the top knot. Her legs wrap around my waist and she uses her heels to rid me of my pants.

  Within seconds, I’m as naked as she is. She moans as my impressive length settles against her center. Reaching over, I open the top drawer of the night stand and grab a condom, quickly ripping it open with my teeth before rolling it on. Her hand helps me and circles my length which thrusts her breasts toward my mouth. Leaning down, I capture a rosy pink nipple and suck it into a rigid peak. Her breathy moans in my ear are making me insane.

  She looks up at me and moans out, “Take me. I need you, J. Please, fill me. Fill me like only you can.”

  I know what she needs. While looking deeply into her eyes, I surge into her until I’m completely sheathed in her body. Her eyes flutter before rolling back and closing completely. I start to move. Her legs are wrapped around my waist and her nails rake my back as I pound into her. The mattress is jumping with the rhythm of my thrusts. She’s moaning and wailing, begging me to make her cum.

  My grunts, her moans, and the sounds of our merging flesh are the only sounds in the room. I can feel my balls tighten as she starts to clench around me. She’s close. My hand slides between our bodies and I rub her nub in a furious pattern. She screams out, “J! Ohhhhhhh. Yes, baby! Ohhhhhhhh.” As she shudders beneath me, her body milks me and I allow myself my release. With one final surge, I empty myself into her before falling onto her body. I try to roll so I don’t crush her, only she’s not having it. Her arms come around me and grip my back tightly. “No… stay. Stay with me, J… For just a minute.”

  Kissing her forehead, I comply. I allow myself to lay on her, but use my elbows to remove some of my weight. She sighs and burrows her face into my neck.

  Kissing her forehead again, I whisper, “Just sleep.”

  A few minutes later, her arms go lax and her breathing deepens. I untangle myself from her limbs, slide off her body, and head to the bathroom to discard the condom and clean up. Before leaving the bathroom, I wet a washcloth with warm water and head back out to clean her up. Then, tossing the used towel in the direction of the bathroom, I crawl into bed and pull her into me before falling asleep.

  * * *

  The alarm going off makes me groan, but then I feel the warm body at my back. I smile. She turns to me and sleepily squints. “What time is it?”

  Looking at the clock, I answer, “5AM. It’s early. You can sleep in. I just have to get ready. My driver will be here in a little more than an hour.”

  She rolls and stretches. The sheet pushes to her waist. “I’ll go back to sleep for a bit, but my plane leaves at noon.”

  Leaning down to kiss her head, I say, “Ok, well, just lock up when you leave. It was good to see you.”

  She pulls me down for a kiss. We break apart and she smiles. “It was good, J. I’d missed you.”

  “Me, too,” I whisper as I head to the bathroom to shower.

  By the time I head back out to get dressed, she’s asleep again. Whistling, I sit down in the living room to slip shoes on.

  At 6:15, I hear a knock at the door.

  Damn, AJ’s prompt. I like that.

  Taking one last look at my bedroom door, I smile and open the door to greet my new driver. “Morning.”

  She looks me over and says, “Morning. You’re ready. That’s good. There’s fog, so we should get going.”

  Before I can answer her, she heads to the Tahoe and leaves me to trail behind her. I appreciate the way she fills out the red jeans she’s wearing today as I make my way to the car.

  Jesus, James!

  What? She’s got a nice ass and she’s walking in front of me with red pants on. Like I’m really not supposed to notice!

  Stop it! You cannot notice your driver’s ass!

  I laugh at my own absurdity and jump in through the door she’s holding open for me.

  She’s quiet the whole way to the studio and she was right. The fog is so thick you could almost cut it with a knife. I’m lost in my own head, so the silence is nice. I leave her to concentrate on her driving.

  *

  Avangeline

  My alarm goes off way too early, but such is life, I guess. My first official day driving James Black. In reality, it’s not a bad gig. He’s at the studio all day, so other than getting him in the morning, my day is pretty much free on shooting days, until I have to grab him when the day wraps. Not too shabby. I’m thinking today might be a good day to head out to take some photos since the fog is rolling. I can probably get some great shots before the sun breaks through.

  I’ve always loved photography. There was a time that I played with the idea of being a photographer, but then life intervened, or rather my stupid decisions did.

  Shake it off, don’t go there, AJ. You know no good can come from that. It’s all in the past.

  But dammit, I’m still pissed about it.

  No time for dwelling on past mistakes. I have a job to do and the money I make from driving is more than generous. My clients really like me because I’m so knowledgeable about the state and almost everything in it. Especially southern Louisiana. I’m proud of where I come from and Louisiana is home. I’d never leave here. I’ll never leave here.

  Thankfully, people are pretty much staying off of the roads with this fog, so traffic is not too bad. We reach the studio with about twenty minutes to spare.

  James is quiet on the way to the studio. I’m not certain of him yet, so I don’t know if that’s normal or not. He seems like he doesn’t talk much anyway. That will suit me just fine.

  I only met the man yesterday and his stupid eyes were in my dreams last night. What the hell is that even about?

  I break the silence as we get to the gate. Rolling the window down, I gesture to the back as the guard approaches. “James Black. Studio Five.”

  The guard looks into the back and James salutes him. He smiles and checks the clip-board in his hand before pressing the button to open the gate and gesturing for us to go on through. He calls out, “Have a good day, Mr. Black.”

  Yeah, I guess I’m invisible.

  I don’t realize I sighed out loud until a voice in my ear startles me. “Everything ok?”

  I jump a mile and my hand jumps to my throat. “Oh my God. I’m sorry. You scared me. Jeez, why are you so close? You unbuckled? You don’t unbuckle until I park the vehicle, you got it!?”

  As I park in front of his trailer, he casually asks, “Are you always so prickly?”

  “I’m not prickly!”

  He laughs. “Yeah, Hunny, you are. You’re like a porcupine you’re so sharp. Hell, what are you, like twenty-four, twenty-five? Yet, you’re as surly as a bear. You’re like a grumpy old man.”

  Screw him! I’m not surly!

  I might not want to chit chat with him, but I’m no Grumpy Cat!

  Turning around in the seat, I try to pierce him with a glare. He’s right in my face.

  Holy shit. Why is he in my face? He’s WAY too close. What the hell is he doing?

  Glaring at him, I refuse to lean back, though everything in me is screaming at me to put some space between us. He unnerves me and I hate not
being in control! “I’m thirty-one actually! I’m not surly! I just don’t like you. Is that so hard to believe?”

  Something crosses his face before he shields it. He frowns and sits back. Thank God there’s space between us now.

  Crossing his arms over his chest, he just looks at me. I look back. I refuse to let him intimidate me!

  He smirks, but there’s no humor in it. “You don’t even know me, sweetheart. So how do you know you don’t like me?”

  I sputter, “I don’t have to know you.” I can’t believe he has me so unsettled. What the hell is going on? “I know who you are. I know exactly how you are. I’ve seen enough tabloids in the supermarket to know that I don’t like you or the way you treat people.”

  His outright laughter shocks me. He leans back and smiles coldly as his eyes ice over. The temperature in the vehicle seems to drop twenty degrees. “Yes, because gossip rags have to tell the truth. I mean if they report,” he spits the word out, “it… it must be true, right?!”

  He flings the door open as he jumps out. He slams it so hard the whole Tahoe shakes. He’s storming away before I can form a reply.

  I quickly open the door to apologize for my rude behavior but his trailer door rattles on the hinges behind him before I can fully get out.

  Dammit, Avangeline!

  That was not ok. He’s a client. He’s paying you a pretty penny and you were just a raging bitch to him.

  I wouldn’t be surprised if I get a call in a bit saying I’ve been fired… for the first time ever.

  Not that I wouldn’t deserve it.

  He’s right. I don’t know him and I’m judging him based on my assumptions about his character.

  Charles raised me better than that.

  Dammit to hell. How am I going to fix the hellacious mess it took me less than five minutes to create?!

  Stupid smart ass mouth of mine!

  Chapter Five

  James

  We’ve just shot the same scene for the tenth time today. We’re a week and a half into actual filming and the past week has been absolute shit. I doubt we’ve managed to capture even one scene that can be salvaged. The director is pissed. I’m frustrated and my co-star is apparently needing a fix. I can’t work like this. I refuse to be around this shit. If she doesn’t stop with whatever she’s doing, she’s going to blow the entire movie and while I’ll still get paid, it’s going to set everything back. Everything costs money here and while it’s not my money she’s fucking with, it is my time and I can’t handle people throwing opportunities away.