Love Unscripted (37 page)

“
Jewelry,” he replied. “I’ve never gotten my mom perfume. I’m allergic to most of them. Let me take care of this now while I’m thinking of it. I have a dinner meeting at seven. I’ll call you after that.”

“
Okay. Have fun.” I was sad to hang up with him.

Later that evening, Marie flipped through the channels on the TV until she found the evening entertainment news. My attention was captured when, in the first minute of the show, they ran over the highlights of what was to come in tonight’s episode and Ryan’s picture was flashed on the screen.

I turned up the volume when his story was featured.

“
Tonight’s exclusive: Ryan takes on New York. The hot, young star was spotted today as he was leaving the Good Morning New York show in Manhattan. The busy actor was caught multi-tasking, talking on his cell phone while signing autographs for fans. When asked how long he’d be in Manhattan, the sexy star replied ‘just one day.’ Ryan is in town to promote his latest film, Reparation, due to be released in April.

“
Later today he was spotted entering The Diamond Exchange on trendy Park Avenue where he reportedly purchased several gifts. Look out, ladies! There’s no denying his on-screen chemistry and reported hook-ups with his leading ladies. Rumors have been circulating that he’s romantically involved with Suzanne Strass who is starring again with Ryan on the second installment in the Seaside franchise. Insiders have reported that the two have been quite friendly between takes. Perhaps things are getting steamy between them off-camera? We will keep you posted as this story develops.”

There he was - captured in moving pictures on my television. I noticed a tall, thin woman with short black hair hovering around Ryan while he signed autographs and then I saw him sign the violin. I presumed the woman was Marla. She got into the sedan with Ryan.

While the world wanted any tidbit of news on his life, he was recorded while on the phone that very moment talking to me. A big grin flashed across my lips. Oh how I loved my little secret.

“
What are you smiling about?” Marie asked, breaking me from my private reverie.

“
He was on the phone with me when that was filmed.” I smiled, nodding to the television.

It was appalling how the gossip and news shows embellished flat-out lies about him and his co-stars. No wonder he had to be so careful. Any slip was fodder for the media, which was spread like wildfire and believed by millions.

I had
my
reasons for being hesitant, but now I had another reminder why he had to be hesitant too. He was a constant moving target.

“
So what are you up to?” Ryan
asked when he called me on his lunch break on Friday.

“
I’m… shopping.” My tone was definitely mischievous.

He laughed lightly. “You sound like you’re up to no good.”

“
Maybe. I’m hoping I have a date this weekend and I wanted to get something nice to wear. Hey, you’re a guy. Let me ask you… do guys like really short dresses or will a new pair of jeans work?”

“
That depends. Where is your date taking you?” he snickered in my ear.

“
Nowhere. He’s kind of shy and
very
private. I’m happy to just stay home and keep him warm and safe. Maybe spoil him a little? I could probably get away with a little tank top and stilettos but I’d really like to impress him. Do you have any suggestions?” I was thoroughly enjoying toying with him.

“
How about a very small towel? I know most guys like when women wear towels. Something about the convenience of it that’s appealing – you always have a place to dry your hands.”

“
Towels? Hmm.” He definitely caught me off-guard with that one, but I was glad he was playing along.

“
Oh look – Victoria’s Secret is having a towel sale today! Imagine that! So in your expert opinion, what
color
towels do men prefer?”

“
Color isn’t important. The less snaps and fasteners the better. Towels should not be complicated,” he said casually.

“
You have a good point. This man I’m hoping to see lives a very hectic life. I’d hate to add to his stress level with additional complications. Maybe I’ll just buy this snap-less black towel here. Top it off with some thigh-high nylons, thong perhaps, although panties are optional… and heels. How does that sound?”

“
So what night is this date? I don’t want to call you at an inconvenient time.” I heard him laugh under his breath.

“
I’m not sure,” I replied. “He’s a very busy man. But I’m going to get a variety of towels just in case he’s dirty and needs to be washed. I’m thinking that might help reduce his stress level.”

“
You realize I’m due back on set in like twenty minutes? Do you have any idea of the damage you have caused?” he growled at me. “I have half a mind to leave here and break down your back door, but I’m afraid I can’t go anywhere in public in my current state.”

“
I’m sorry. Did I
raise
your stress level?” I asked. “I just want to be clear about your current state.”

“
Very much so!” he confirmed.

“
Then I guess we’re even.” My fingers drifted over several lacy bras, imagining his reaction to seeing me wear something like this.

“
Even? Tell me when I inflicted this kind of pain on you without finishing you off!”

I thought about the first time he made my body tingle. “The morning when you played your song on my guitar. I definitely, definitely had an unsatisfied moment there.”

“
Really? Interesting! I would not have guessed that. It’s good to know, though. You sort of had the same affect on me the other night,” Ryan admitted.

“
When?” I asked, surprised to hear that.

“
Monday night when you played. Why do you think I took the guitar out of your hand so quickly? I couldn’t think straight anymore!” He laughed.

“
I almost tore the guitar out of
your
hands that same night! I was thinking about chewing on your neck,” I whispered seductively.

“
Okay, so you have to talk about something else because I am
not
in good shape right now,” he groaned.

“
That’s debatable.”

“
Stop!” he pleaded.

I tried to come up with benign conversation. It was difficult as I was walking through a lingerie store filled with naughty, frilly things.

“
You sound exhausted,” I breathed.

“
I am. It’s been a long day already and we’re filming night scenes tonight.”

“
Crash in your trailer for a while,” I suggested.

“
You read my mind,” he whispered. “Sometime between three and seven I’m turning my phone off to sleep.”

I spent quite a few dollars on silk, satin, and lace in different hues. It had been a long time since I felt inclined to, for lack of better terms, dress to impress, so I got carried away while shopping - for him. My mind wandered over our conversation, and picturing that he was aroused because of it provided a lot of incentive to buy even more.

I also spent more than I would have liked to on two simple but tastefully adorable cocktail dresses: one was black satin sheathed in black lace and another in a unique shade of sapphire blue, just in case. My wardrobe seriously lacked formal wear as there was never an occasion to get dressed up, nor had I ever entertained the thoughts of going out in public with a man like Ryan. I also thought about meeting his parents. That would definitely be an occasion to look my best. I bought myself a lot of new things so I’d have new wardrobe options.

That night, Marie flipped the television back to the entertainment news, much to the dismay of several of my male customers who were enjoying watching the sports highlights. My heart sank when I heard tonight’s headlines.

“
Ryan’s steamy Manhattan hook-up” was all I needed to hear to send my emotions into a downward spiral. Pictures of him dressed in a suit with his arm around some girl were flashed all over the screen. She was young, attractive, and there, with him, in pictures. And then I felt the extreme burn of jealousy roll through me as my phone rang.

“
Hi. What?” I answered. My voice definitely sounded perturbed.

“
Taryn? What’s wrong?” he asked. “Are you okay?”

“
No, not really,” I grumbled.

“
Why? What’s going on?”

“
Marie turned on Celebrity Tonight,” I muttered.

“
I should have warned you.”

“
It doesn’t matter.” The damage was already done.

“
Yes, it does matter!” he breathed out. “You can’t believe anything you see or hear about me. Please! You promised! The girl in the picture is the daughter of the producer. I told you he brought her to dinner.”

“
No, Ryan - stop. Just stop… please,” I whispered.

He breathed out a heavy sigh. “Then why are you so upset?” he asked point blank.

I just huffed in frustration.

“
You asked me to trust you. That goes both ways.”

“
Ryan, stop. That’s not why I’m mad. I just hate how the media embellishes the truth with lies. I wish they wouldn’t say that kind of stuff about you,” I sighed. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the true reason I was upset.

He laughed softly. “Tar, you know it’s not true.”

I knew why he didn’t want me exposed, but at the same time I wanted to be by his side, supporting him. Maybe if the world knew he had a girlfriend they wouldn’t speak lies. Maybe if it was
me
in those pictures… maybe if he just announced on the morning show that he was dating someone instead of denying it…

“
I know it’s not true. I’m trying. It’s hard not to be a little jealous when you’re pictured on TV with someone else,” I murmured.

“
Well if you’re done being upset,” he said, unruffled, “I was wondering if you might like to put on one of your new dresses tomorrow night.”

Saturday could not come fast enough. I made arrangements with Marie and Pete to take care of things and I was glad that I didn’t have entertainment booked for the evening. Cory was working tonight with Marie, so the bar was covered.

Ryan had offered to send a car for me, but I didn’t want to have to explain it or raise anyone’s suspicions – especially the paparazzi’s. I gathered that he wanted our evening to start off with a certain level of class, but he sided with me to keep it more secretive. We agreed that I would drive to meet him at the same parking lot behind the textile mill where I had once dropped him off, and we would go from there.

I slipped on my new blue dress over a matching blue strapless lace and silk panties set. The dress had delicate straps with rhinestone details where the straps met the satin top, which accentuated my curves. I decided against the nylons and opted for bare legs and high heels. It was cold outside; my dress would be hidden for a while under a dress coat until we got to wherever we were going. My big reveal would have to wait. Our destination was dinner, but I had no idea where. That too, was a secret.

When I arrived at the lot, there was a black sedan with tinted windows waiting for me. As I parked my car, a man I did not know came to my door and opened it for me.

“
Good evening, Ms. Mitchell. My name is Richard. Mr. Christensen has requested that I keep your car secured until you return.” He held out his hand for me as I exited my car.

“
May I have your car keys, please? Your car will be delivered here upon your return,” he assured me. “This way please.” He motioned for me to follow him to the sedan.

Richard held the sedan door open, and as I peered inside, the back seat was empty - all except for one long-stemmed red rose. My eyes flashed back to Richard; I was completely confused and I hoped he would give me an explanation. He smiled and motioned with his hand for me to get in the car.

There were two men sitting in the front seat; the driver and a larger man who I assumed was security, although he was dressed in a suit.

“
Good evening, Ms. Mitchell,” the burly man greeted me. “My name is Anthony. I will be escorting you safely to your destination tonight.”

“
Good evening, Anthony,” I replied. “It’s nice to meet you.” My mind wandered with thoughts of where I could possibly end up tonight. Where are they taking me?

We drove south along the coast for almost an hour until the car turned towards the ocean. The sedan entered a marina and stopped along the docks where several large yachts were moored. It was then that I realized for our first official date, Ryan chartered a yacht.
Unbelievable
I thought to myself as my personal bodyguard opened my door.

“
This way, please, Ms. Mitchell.”

We passed several huge yachts; they seemed to get bigger and bigger as we approached. I watched carefully where I stepped for I was navigating the wooden dock in high heels and I was afraid to get a heel caught between the planks.

Anthony directed me to a slip where we turned to board a stately yacht named the “Day Dreamer.” It was beyond magnificent. The rows of windows were black as night and reflected the waves that rolled into the docks. My heart was pounding with nervousness and excitement. I hadn’t even seen him yet and this was by far the best date I’d ever been on in my life.