First Kiss (27 page)

Kiki and Fab lived in Affair's May-December suite for a week following the press conference. It was heaven on earth. With maid service!

During the day, Fab would tend to the management of the hotel and work on details for the imminent opening of the nightclub, Foreign Affair. Meanwhile, Kiki worked slavishly on her book proposal, cranking it out page by page with the kind of iron-fisted discipline that Jackie Collins brought to her work.

Suzi-Suzi and Danni stopped by every day to read new pages. And Tiffany Lynn dropped in to proof the work line by line. A stripper who was a genius at grammar and spelling. What a brilliant paradox! Even Kirsten got into the mix, as she took Kiki shopping to find the perfect outfit for the first lunch with her new agent, Marc Weisberg, a friend of Fab's. He was a mere baby at twenty-four but knew his way around the publishing world like Doogie Howser had known the ins and outs of an operating room. Everything had happened so fast. Exactly the sort of whiz-bang turn of events that could make a girl stand in front of the refrigerator and sample everything in sight while she left the door open. Luckily, the minibar was small. Because it could've been a serious situation.

Marc had sold the book in a flash. He sent it out to his top three editor picks. They all wanted to pounce, so it ended up going to auction. So exciting! Of course, waiting for The Call had been pure torture. Especially with Suzi-Suzi beeping in every three minutes to ask, "Has he called yet? Has he called yet?" Ugh! Annoying. But so sweet. You had to love her.

Finally, Marc had phoned her with the low six-figure offer. Amazing! Of course, now she had to actually write the damn thing. With the signing money, though, she planned to begin building her promotional tour wardrobe in earnest. Basically, that was more important than composing the book itself. Because the right image was invaluable to an author.

Marc's incredible news had arrived right on top of Keith buzzing by to announce the official closing of the ABC deal. A three-year contract to return to All My Children as Jeannette and a one-year talent-holding deal with the network for a prime-time drama, sitcom, or reality-based program.

Still, it was the simple things that filled her chocka-block full of happiness. Like right now. Here she was sitting in a hot bath with Fab. The egg-shaped tub was easily built for two, and their ritual all week had been to indulge in a long soak with a bottle of red wine while they shared details about their days. Kiki did most of the talking, though. Fab mainly just listened, interjecting only occasionally.

"Did I tell you that Chad is back under hypnosis with the sex therapist?" Kiki asked.

Fab shook his head, massaging her right foot under the soapy water. He was practically a reflexologist. Phenomenal hands.

"Oh, Suzi-Suzi is a wreck," she charged on in speed-talk. "I told you what his problem is, right? He cries when he comes, hates a hand on his penis. Well, turns out it's all trauma from a repressed memory of getting caught masturbating in the high school library. The first hypnosis worked. Sort of. There's no problem with a hand on his willy anymore. As long as it's his own. Now he's addicted to Internet porn. The man will sit there and do this even if Suzi-Suzi's in the room. He's only got dial-up access at home, and, apparently, that's way too slow for online smut. So he spends all his free time on Suzi-Suzi's computer. She said he got come on her keyboard and that it was totally disgusting."

"Here's an idea for your friend," Fab cut in. "End the relationship."

Kiki sighed. "It's not that simple. Suzi-Suzi's the kind of girl who sticks with things until they re right. Like modeling. Anyone else would've quit a long time ago. But she stuck with it, and now with her new television agent, she's got a callback for a national commercial. She's not thrilled that it's for a vaginal itching cream, but the pay would be great. Anyway, she actually believes that Chad is the one for her. Oh, and Chad knows that you own a hotel. He wants to stop by and talk to you about putting Tempur-Pedic mattresses in all the rooms. There's a whole spiel he'll take you through on the advanced construction, and you'll have to endure some bad mattress jokes, too. Chad's never been to Spice Market, so I told him you'd let him take you out for lunch. I know it's crazy with the nightclub getting ready to open, but the restaurant's just around the corner. I figured you could squeeze the appointment in. Spicy food gives him gas, though, so steer him clear of the really hot dishes. Next Thursday works great for him."

Fab nodded helplessly, love and amusement beaming from his eyes.

"Great," Kiki chirped. "Suzi-Suzi will be so excited. Chad's been depressed because he hasn't opened a new account in months. All the sexual problems have been a huge distraction for him."

"I didn't agree to buy anything," Fab warned, starting the magic rubbing on her left foot now. "I'm just having lunch with the guy."

"Oh, you've got , to. Suzi-Suzi let slip that it was a done deal, and Chad's already told his boss that he landed a hotel account. You can't change your mind now."

" Change my mind?" Fab asked. "This is the first I've heard of it."

Kiki shrugged. "Whatever oh, keep it right there God, that feels amazing." Suddenly, she lurched forward, kissing him full on the mouth with the desperation of a love addict, then leaned back against the basin.

He smiled. "What was that for?"

"For helping out my friends. It's very sweet."

Fab gave her a quizzical look. He seemed hung up on something. "You said friends ." The impression lingered that the plural usage was troubling.

But Kiki returned an upbeat nod. "Suzi-Suzi, Danni, and Tiffany Lynn."

"I'm almost afraid to ask, but exactly what have I done for Tiffany Lynn?"

Kiki splashed him playfully. "Oh, stop!"

"I'm serious," Fab said. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Kirby's going to manage the bar at Foreign Affair." Kiki announced this as if it were common knowledge on the AP wire.

Now Fab splashed back. "Absolutely not."

"I didn't tell you? Oh, my God! This week has been so insane, what with the book proposal, shop-

?£

ping with Kirsten for my lunch with Marc, the whole ABC thing, trying to schedule fittings with Vera Wang for the bridesmaid dresses. It completely slipped my mind. Anyway, you have to say yes. He's already given notice at Camisole. Besides, he'll be fantastic. And he's got really big arms. So not only can he keep the drinks coming, but he's strong enough to throw someone out if they get too rowdy."

There was the slightest hint of a smile curling onto Fab's lips. Tacit agreement. But agreement nonetheless.

"You're going to end up thanking me ," Kiki said with self-satisfied confidence. "Kirby will be a true asset. And Tiffany Lynn is on the moon about it. I mean, at first she was a little bummed because it meant they wouldn't see each other as much. But now they're going to be working together again, so it's really"

"Wait a minute." Fab laughed the laugh of the weary. "I've hired Tiffany Lynn, too?"

Kiki hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. "God! I am such a ditz!" She took in a deep breath. "Tiffany Lynn is going to dance in a cage at Foreign Affair."

Fab shook his head in disbelief. "There is no such cage at Foreign Affair."

"Oh." Kiki bit down on her lower lip. "Well, there has to be now. Where else is she going to dance? You don't want her dancing on the bar. She might knock someone's drink over. Or what if a guy gets too fresh with her? Then you've got Kirby kicking a customer's ass in the middle of peak bar time. Not a good situation. Better make arrangements for a cage. That way she's safe from jerky guys. And Kirby stays calm and concentrates on the job you hired him to do."

"I believe you hired him for the job, but I suppose that's a moot point at this stage."

"Oh, and by the way, in case Danni asks, you considered several top choreographers for her job. Including Paula Abdul and Debbie Allen."

With that, Fab sank down into the water and pretended to drown himself, staying under for at least sixty seconds.

"Fab!" Kiki cried. She tried pulling him out, slipped, and ended up on top of him.

"Okay, I give," he whispered. "What have I hired Danni to do?"

"Well, somebody has to choreograph Tiffany Lynn's routines. Besides, Danni's doctor boyfriendhe's the one who looks just like George Clooneysaid that she couldn't keep up with the same dancing sched : ule. It's killing her knees. Plus, she's a Christian, so your nightclub is a better fit with her values. I told her that you'd put up a sign in the employee lounge, too. She wants to start a Bible study group right away."

Fab lay still beneath her, except for one essential part of him: his sudden erection. It pushed shamelessly against her slick stomach. "You are the most impossible woman I've ever met in my life ."

" Impossible ?" Kiki repeated softly, angling her pelvis above his, slyly preparing for the entry. "You know what? I don't think I like the sound of that."

"How about the sound of this then I love you." Fab's voice broke with exquisite helplessness. He thrust upward, taking her by surprise, instantly deep inside her.

Kiki rose up on the force. She found his eyes and stroked his cheek, telegraphing the same sentiment, a slight mist building in her eyes as the emotional realization became so beautifully clear.

Norman Mailer had said it once about sex. But Kiki Douglas was feeling it right now about Fab Tomba. Loving him would be like lava from a volcano. Once it erupted, you could never stop the flow.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: The Impossible Bride

Breckin!

I know this may be a terrible thing to say about my soon-to-be sister-in-law, but I think Julia just might be the most impossible bride I've ever heard of in my lifetime. I don't know how my poor brother is going to live with her. The girl can't decide on anything! We've been killing ourselves on whim after whim of hers, and frankly, I've had enough. I say stop the madness. Let's just take a few steps back and see where the wind takes her. Okay, now that you're free, start working on my wedding. It's a bit soon (I haven't been asked yet), but I know this guy is THE ONE. Oh, my God. His name is Fab. Could there ever be a more perfect name for a man? I mean, every girl wants her future husband to be fab. And mine will be fab and Fab! Anyway, I want the wedding to be out of this world. Do you remember Celine Dion's ceremony? She got carried in like an Egyptian goddess! I want something equally mind-boggling. I'm thinking waterfalls and synchronized swimmers wearing veils. Play with that, and I'll post back other ideas as they come to me.

Air Kisses, Kiki

Excerpt

First Runner-Up But Still a Winner by Kiki Douglas

"Bette Midler Knew of Which She sang and Other Truths"

True story. This happened in Fredericksburg, Texas, where I grew up. It's a very inspirational tale. Sort of like Jessica Lynch, only it's got nothing to do with war or the Middle East. But it did take place during high school, which, it can be argued, is very close to the Middle East in terms of unrest, potential dangers, fear at every turn, etc. At least socially.

I didn't make cheerleader. I know, it seems impossible. I'm completely the cheerleader type. But I didn't make the cut. The coach and I were worlds apart on what a cheerleader should be. She maintained that the opportunity was an athletic endeavor with lots of jumping, flipping, flying through the air, that sort of thing. Well, I just wanted to look cute in the uniform, flounce around, yell out, "Go team!" and flirt with Barry Shamblin (quarterback, matinee-idol dreamy). Anyway, I was denied the dreamof cheerleading, that is (totally made out with Barry!). Depression hit. So bad that I stopped watching 21 Jump Street . Yes, I sank that low! Thank God for Breckin Andrews. My lifesaver of a friend and the school's only gay person. At least openly. Nobody had the nerve to say so, but the health teacher, Mrs. Heath, did not share a house with her "cousin." Everybody knew that the lady truck driver was her lover!