The Stars Trilogy (19 page)

Nobody!

He went to the bedroom’s mini-bar and took out a cold bottle of mineral water. He gulped it until it was empty. The shock of ice cold liquid running straight to his stomach cooled his temperature a bit. He went back to the terrace and breathed in the cool breeze.

His pulse rate slowly returned to normal but it did not dissipate his arousal.
Celine, Celine.
What am I going to do with you?

Why was this young woman affecting him so? She had turned him into a weakling by simply playing Beethoven. Hilarious.

She had the sweetest lips. How come he had not been particular with a woman’s taste before? He had kissed a thousand women and he couldn’t remember how they tasted. Not even his ex-wives.

He licked his lips and he could still taste her sweetness. A different kind of sweet. Very unique.

He had to admit, she had caught his curiosity big time. She was not one of those women he would seduce and forget after a round of raunchy sex. There was something more to her than that.

She was a puzzle that he would like to crack.

He would crack her. No doubt about that. Seduction was a game made for him. Celine would be easy. She was fighting it, the attraction. That was the reason she cried. But he felt surrender in that kiss.

But then again…he would be stealing another man’s woman. His old friend’s woman.

There was a knock on the door. He heard Kelsey’s voice. “Dare?”

“In here!” he shouted.

Kelsey went into his bedroom and joined him in the terrace.

“So, everything’s settled? I’m going to orient Celine with the things that she’d be handling while I’m gone.”

He tried to act normal. “Okay.”

Kelsey tapped his shoulder. “Hey, I think Celine is really nice.”

“Yeah...”

“And gorgeous, too.”

“Yeah...”

“And Asian.”

He looked at her warningly. “Don’t start on that.”

She grinned and playfully pinched his nose. “Just saying! Hey, Ben’s looking for you. They’re leaving, I think.”

She exited the room as quickly as she came in.

He sighed and followed her outside.

Celine threw a covert glance at Dare. She couldn’t look him straight in the eye. What could he be thinking now after what happened to them in the piano room?

Dare was quiet and formal as he walked them down the front steps of his mansion.

Gosh, this is so awkward.

“We’ll call you in three days. By then, Rocky and I would have finished the first draft and revisions,” Ben promised.

Dare gave Ben a hug. “Great. Thank you, Speedy.”

Ben glanced at her. “So, you will start working here tomorrow, Celine?”

“Uhm…”

Kelsey answered for her. “Of course! She has to. I’m leaving in a few days.”

“A few days?” Dare repeated.

“Well, I’m kinda pressed for time, Dare. I need to attend to Drew’s contracts within the week. I promise Celine will be ready to do her job in two days.”

Kelsey turned to Celine. “Please, be here tomorrow morning, Celine.”

She gave Kelsey a nod and stole a glance at Dare for confirmation.

He was looking at her with hooded eyes. “Carlos will pick you up at 9 AM tomorrow. Would that be fine?”

She nodded.

Kelsey clapped her hands in glee. “Great!”

Rocky shook Dare’s hands. “See you soon, Dare,”

“Yeah, thanks, man.”

Dare slightly bowed his head at her. “See you tomorrow, Celine.”

She gave him a small, shy smile.
Love you.

Celine couldn’t sleep. Her energy level was still high. So this was how cloud nine truly felt. She was floating! In pure bliss!

She touched her lips for the nth time that night.

She still couldn’t get over the kiss.

Her first kiss.

She had avoided being kissed on the lips by boys all her life because she wanted her first real kiss to be with Dare. And it happened. That CPR she did with Ben didn’t count, of course.

Dare was really her first real kiss. And she thanked God for granting one of her wishes in such a grand way.

Dare couldn’t sleep despite consuming a liberal amount of wine after dinner. The memory of Celine’s lips, the feel of her soft body against him wouldn’t leave him alone. Damn, he was too old for this. He couldn’t remember thinking about a woman’s lips and body this much. He felt like a freakin’ virgin.

He was horny as a bull in the rut. The ache in his groin hadn’t dissipated despite having a long, cold shower. Cold showers! He couldn’t believe he was doing that since he met Celine. He never had to take cold fucking showers. If there was no available pussy, there was always his ole reliable hand to put him out of misery.

He could call someone or ask Cruz to fetch one of his starlet fuck buddies. They were always available for him. They’d be here even on short notice, excited to please him and ride him all night.

He tossed and turned in his California king bed, a bed designed for an orgy. But he’d never used this bed for any of that. He wondered why he hadn’t. Maybe he should, starting tonight.

But he didn’t call anybody. Truth be told, he didn’t want to. He didn’t want to jack off either for some reason he can’t explain. His conscience mocked him.
You don’t want to waste it on the sheets, do you? You want to explode inside of her, don’t you, you depraved bastard, lusting after your friend’s woman.

Angry, he jumped out of bed and went to his mini-bar and poured himself a glass of whiskey. He ended up downing four shots in a row.

His troubled thoughts finally gave him reprieve and put him to sleep at dawn.

Chapter Eight 

“My heart is broken.:(((( You got married!:((( Why couldn’t you wait for me? I’m fifteen now.

But I guess you’d be too old when I turn legal so okay, you can get married. Alana is so beautiful. I’m so jealous. I hate her. But I love you. I hope you get divorced next year! Okay...I take that back.

I didn’t mean that. Congratulations. I’m happy for you even if I’m crying myself to sleep every night...”

CELINE WOKE UP IN HIGH SPIRITS despite sleeping at dawn last night. She went to check on Ben first and cooked him breakfast. The old man was still sleeping soundly so she just left his breakfast laid out on his dining table.

She went back to her unit to dress up for work.

Carlos was at the driveway of the Sommerset at 9 AM sharp. The chauffeur used a smaller car this time, a Cadillac Escalade. Channeling the rock star look as usual, his hair was gelled like a Mohawk with all the blings that probably weighed a ton. He was wearing a shirt today and she saw some major tattoo art on his arms. He was really cute.

“Morning, Celine,” Carlos greeted her with a wide smile and opened the back passenger door for her.

“Morning, Carlos. Uhm, can I ride at the front with you?”

His forehead furrowed. “Are you sure?”

She gave him a wide smile. “Of course!”

He closed the back door and opened the front passenger door for her. She slid inside the car. “Thanks.”

Minutes later, they were driving toward Hollywood Hills.

She found Carlos nice and well-mannered. He was approachable, with a ready smile, unlike Cruz who gave robotic a whole new meaning.

“Are you Dare’s bodyguard, too?”

“Only when I need to, but that’s basically Cruz’ job. He has several other guys under him for that task, especially when Dare’s shooting a movie or traveling. I mostly drive. But we all have special training just in case.”

“How long have you been working for Dare?

“Three years, give or take.”

“What is he like? Do you like your job?”

“Yes, I love my job. Have you signed the non-disclosure contract yet?”

“Ah, that contract. No, not yet.”

“Okay, I ain’t telling you anything more.”

“Come on, I’m gonna sign it later.”

“Nope.”

“Please?”

Carlos chuckled, shaking his head. “Celine, you are persuasive!”

“Is he moody? I need some tips on how to handle him, you know.”

“You’re a woman. You should be able to figure that out easily.”

“What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “Women love Dare. And he doesn’t hire anybody who’s not...beautiful.”

Her lips formed an O when she understood what Carlos meant. “I’m not going to be his mistress,” she told him flatly.

He actually flushed. “I’m sorry...I didn’t mean...”

“I know what you meant. Did every woman who worked for him end up as his mistress?”

“Except Kelsey. Ops, damn, you’re gonna get me in trouble. That didn’t come from me, okay?”

She patted his shoulder. “My lips are sealed. Thanks, Carley.”

“Carley?”

“From now on, I’m gonna call you Carley ‘coz you’re so cute.”

“It sounds like a dog!” he protested.

She laughed. “A cute bulldog.”

“Aw, come on!”

They were comfortable with each other by the time they arrived at Dare’s mansion. Carlos was so cool and funny, too. He was only older than her by two years.

Kelsey was already waiting for her at the front steps of the mansion. She wondered if Dare was already up and about. Her heart palpitated faster for the nth time today at the mere thought of him.

“Celine! Good morning!” Kelsey greeted her and went down the steps.

To her surprise, Kelsey hugged her. The woman looked really happy to see her this morning.

“Come on inside. Have you had breakfast?”

“Just coffee.”

“Oh, then we’ll have some. Yves has prepared breakfast for us.”

She followed Kelsey inside the mansion. She was actually a bit nervous on her way to work and she momentarily forgot about it when she and Carlos started chatting. But when they reached Dare’s place, her anxiety returned. Kelsey’s warmth was a surprising comfort. She hoped Dare would be welcoming, as well.

A sumptuous breakfast was laid out for them on a table near the pool. The sun had risen over LA and the view was quite breath-taking.

Cruz was sitting there, having coffee when they approached. He stood up and pulled out chairs for them. As usual, he was in a suit looking more like a high-powered businessman than a bodyguard.

“Good morning, ladies.”

“Cruz, you’re such a magnificent sight in the morning! Nice tie!”

Cruz’ lips twitched but Celine couldn’t tell if it was a smile. “Thank you, Miz Kelsey. And you look beautiful, today.”

“Thanks, but not as beautiful as Celine.”

Cruz cleared his throat and nodded. “Certainly.”

Kelsey occupied a chair. “Is Dare awake already?”

“Yes, he’s at the gym,” Cruz replied.

“Come on, Celine, have a seat. Dare will be joining us in a while.”

She sat on a chair facing Kelsey.

Yves came to serve them. The guy was French and the mansion’s resident chef. The fresh, crispy croissants were simply divine. Paired with
brouillade de truffes,
strips of bacon and hot chocolate, it was a perfect breakfast for a perfectly developing day.

A tall, handsome man with fine blond hair approached them. He was holding some folders in his arm.

“Good morning, Ken!” Kelsey greeted the man.

“Morning, gorgeous!”

“Come, join us. By the way, this is Celine, Dare’s temporary secretary while I’m away.”

Celine sat straighter in her chair as Ken gave her a once over.

“So I’ve been told,” he said and extended his hand to her. “Ken Watson, Dare’s Personal Assistant.”

She took the handshake. “Celine Lavega.”

Ken occupied a chair. “I got the documents you wanted.” He tapped the folders he had placed on the table.

“Great. Celine’s going to be very busy today. I hope you don’t mind, dear. I really have to delegate all these things to you at once.”

“I’m ready.”

“I really hope so,” Ken said, his tone hinting of something.

“If you mean to say that he’s a pain to work with, don’t worry, I have just the right whip to keep his tush in line.”

They gaped at her.

“I like her!” Ken exclaimed, his voice uncharacteristically high for a man.