No More Wasted Time (22 page)

“You need some help?” Tom asked, reaching to zip her dress.
“Your dress is gorgeous. I’m not going to be able to take my eyes off you
tonight. Blue is my favorite color on you.”

“Uh, huh,” she stammered, staring at him from head to toe.

“You don’t like the suit?” he asked in surprise.

“You look….beautiful.”

“Beautiful?” he snickered, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah. Beautiful, smoking hot, fan-fucking-tastic. Holy
shit, I need a minute.” She turned and walked briskly into the bedroom, pacing
in circles with red cheeks.
How did I get so lucky? He’s so handsome! Maybe
I should undress and climb into bed. No! Pull it together Tess.

He finished getting ready and found her lying on her back on
the bed. “Tess, are you okay?”

She tried to compose herself, but he looked way too
appetizing in his black suit and crisp white shirt. He had left it unbuttoned,
revealing a peek of his chiseled chest. His hair appeared darker, as if he’d
just run his hands through it, making him look younger and his eyes darker,
too. “Yep, I’m fine.”

She stared at him lustfully, making him laugh.

“Later, Tess. Come on, it’s time to go.”

“But you look really delicious.”

“Later, I promise.” Tom tugged on her hand and pulled her
off the bed. “I have something for you.” He casually handed her a long narrow
box.

She glanced down at the box timidly.

“Tess,” he said. “Open it, please.”

She opened the box to find a gorgeous choker-length diamond
necklace. “Holy crap, I don’t know what to say.” She didn’t want to tear up and
ruin her makeup.

“Say, ‘Thanks, Tom. I love it’, and please don’t cry. Turn
around so I can put it on you.”

“Thank you. I love it.” She smiled up at him.

“You’re welcome. Come on, the limo’s waiting.”

“Wait one sec.” She glanced at herself in the mirror,
touching her fingers to the breathtaking necklace.

He whispered over her shoulder, “You look beautiful. Let’s
go.”

Tess carefully climbed into the limo. She nervously chewed
on her cheek.

“Look, Tess, it’ll be easy, just follow my lead. When I
stop, you stop. I’m not signing autographs, because it’s not my film. I won’t
let go of you or leave you standing by yourself. Lisa will be busy at the
premier, but we’ll sit with them later tonight at the club.”

“Okay. I’m ready.”

“Good because we’re here.”

Opening the limo door was like flipping the On switch of a
radio that was stuck on three AM stations at once. Fans lined up twenty rows
deep to see the stars. People screamed Tom’s name, as well as several other
actors who were in front of them. Voices muffled together, making Tess unable
to focus clearly. Tom slipped his arm around her waist. Nuzzling her neck with
his warm, smooth cheek, he whispered, “You okay?”

Filtering the voices now, she inhaled deeply, taking in the
scent of his cologne. “Yes.”

Once they passed the bleachers full of fans, Tom sauntered
past photographers, pausing every few feet for another set of pictures. Each
time Tess mimicked his controlled pose and smile, instinctually bending her
elbow, resting her fingers on the dip between her hip and abdomen.

Tess caught a glimpse of Joey, the photographer she
recognized with Lisa and at the airport. Tom paused, leaning in closer to her
face, brushing his cheek to hers. She understood, he liked Joey and gave him
the better photo op. Several reporters worked the carpet. Tom introduced Tess
as his girlfriend, followed by an immediate statement of how happy he was to be
there supporting Benny’s film. He moved on to the next reporter so quickly,
they didn’t have the opportunity to ask any further questions. Everyone told
them how great they looked. A reporter commented on Tess’ dress, asking
who
she was wearing. She had no idea, but Tom did. “Versace," he said,
squeezing her waist.

 Inside the theater, Tom mingled with everyone, introducing
Tess to movie stars, producers, even a band who had written several sound
tracks for the movie. He was ridiculously charming. Men and women both wanted
to talk to Tom or be near him. She recognized when he genuinely liked someone
or was merely being polite by the way he greeted them.

The film was an action movie with a lot of comedy, targeting
young adults. Tess enjoyed the film, as she wasn’t a big fan of drama and didn’t
like to cry at movies.

As they left the theater, more reporters, photographers and
fans waited to snap pictures and catch a glimpse of their favorite stars. Tom
stopped to talk to a reporter who asked him what he thought of the movie. He
then turned his attention to Tess. “How did it feel to land Tom Clemmins?”

Tom squeezed Tess’ hand, glaring sharply at the reporter.
Turning to leave Tess said, “I feel wonderful this evening.”

At the after party, the club exploded with Hollywood’s
young, rich, and famous. Tess found this to be quite intimidating, but she
merely went with the flow, concentrating on keeping her gawking to a minimum.

Tom sensed her distraction, so he bent down briefly kissing
her neck and lips. “Better?” he asked with his crooked grin.

“Yes.”

They mingled their way through the club. Plush circular
couches with low tables created secluded and private seating areas. Similar to
the Vegas nightclubs, the atmosphere was very modern, very loud and very, very
sexy. It seemed absurd how many beautiful young women and just as many, if not
more, gorgeous young men filled the club. Some people were nice, some were
ostentatious, few were complete asses, and most were very clingy and pawed on
everyone.

The music was loud and pumping. She knew most of the songs
the DJ played because her kids listened to them, but the DJ mixed the music so
it thumped erotically along with the bass. She watched people dancing in the
crowd, and grinned thinking of her three kids. They definitely loved to shake
their groove thing and teased Tess because she would dance with them no matter
what kind of music they listened to. Rave, rock, rap or country, it really
didn’t matter.

“I need a drink,” she told Tom.

“Would you like a martini?” A haughty grin plastered his
face.

Blushing in return, she recalled how aroused martini’s made
her the night before. “Yes. Yes, I would.”

They found Benny and Lisa at a lounge area. Lisa and Tess
shouted to each other over the loud music.

“Tess, how are you holding up?”

Tess sipped her drink. “Great.”

Lisa squinted as if she were analyzing her. “Do you remember
what we talked about?”

“Yes. I’m trying. It’s a little distracting with so many
people here. I’m fine.”

“If you’re distracted, then he’s distracted. Be better than
fine. You’re here with Tommy and he’s taking you home tonight,” she smirked
wickedly.

Tess drank her drink and started to loosen up. Tom
continuously stroked and caressed her shoulders, arms and back. He gently
squeezed her thigh and she sank in next to him, changing her demeanor
instantly, comforted by his touch. Another drink came and Tess felt much more
comfortable. Lisa slyly held up her fingers. First, a six, working her way up
to an eight.

Tess’ body grooved to the music. She slid her hand inside
Tom’s jacket, stretching her arm across his abs, gently stroking his side.
“What did you say to me earlier? What do you want to do when we go back to your
place?” She put her lips around his earlobe sucking on it gently.

He peered through her long brown hair. “I said, I want to
make love to you.”

“Oh that’s right, for a minute I thought you said you wanted
to fuck me real slowly.” Tom’s back stiffened and Tess knew she had his full
attention. “But I like the way you said it better. I want to make love to you
too,” she flirted.

He swallowed hard and locked his eyes on hers. “That’s not
even fair Tess. You’re cheating.”

“I haven’t even started with you yet.” She gripped his side
firmly. Tess knew she’d keep his undivided attention all night. Out of the
corner of her eye, she noticed Benny and Lisa watching them. Tess shot Lisa her
best saucy smile, and Lisa slid a glass of water toward Tess.

She mouthed the words
‘Thank you’
to Lisa.

Lisa held up nine fingers in return.

People continuously stopped by to see Benny. Tess noticed several
women looming near their table. She got the distinct feeling they were coming
by for Tom. No way in hell would he notice them that night, or any other night.

Lisa reached over and touched her leg, motioning toward the
powder room. Lisa gripped her hand, weaving through the crowd. Tess’ ears rang
from the loud music.

“Hey I told you no hair holding,” Lisa joked.

“I’m fine. I feel incredible.”

“You need to stay that way for about three more hours,
okay!”

They laughed together fixing each other’s hair and makeup.
“Thanks for the advice. I’d feel extremely uncomfortable right now if you
hadn’t talked to me, or should I say, inspired me. I truly appreciate all your
help.”

“We like you Tess. You need to be able to hold your own in
Tommy’s world, and you are certainly managing perfectly. You’re about a nine
and a half at the moment. If you keep kissing him that way, you’ll be leaving
in an hour.”

“Oh no. I want to dance with him.”

“I can tell. I see you over there grooving in your seat.”

“He does dance, right? I mean, like this. I know he can
dance formally.”

“What do you think?” Lisa answered sarcastically.

“I think he hasn’t danced with me yet,” Tess squealed
confidently.

Lisa weaved her way back through the maze of people heading
for their table. Tess’ eyes narrowed when she noticed a woman in her seat. She
stopped in her tracks practically yanking Lisa’s arm out of the socket. Lisa
spun around following Tess’ gaze.

“Don’t make that face Tess. He goes home with
you
remember.”

Lisa took her place next to Benny. Tess waited for the young
woman to get up, but she didn’t budge. Tom squirmed uneasily in his seat, but
Tess simply smiled at him. She recognized the girl from Bora Bora. Mariah. As
Tom scooted away from her, Mariah slithered closer, sliding a hand up his thigh
and whispering closely in his ear. Tom asked the young woman to leave, but her
hand continued to travel further up his thigh.

Tess started to lurch toward her, but stopped herself midway
when she noticed Benny and Lisa observing her reaction
. I can do this. Be
calm.
She took a deep breath, restraining the urge to rip the girl out of
her seat by her hair.

Tess winked at Lisa and stepped toward Mariah, standing
directly in front of her. The young woman acted completely oblivious to Tess’
presence, but Tom didn’t. His eyes widened and he started to stand up out of
his seat. Tess’ brow raised to a point in defense, giving him
an I got this
grin. She could’ve sworn he turned a shade paler as he settled back into the
seat.

Tess bent down, putting her lips to Mariah’s ear, twirling a
piece of her long, blond hair through her fingers. “You’re in my seat.”

Mariah shot Tess a condescending sneer and turned her head,
barely acknowledging her presence.

A jolt of red hot molten surged through Tess’ veins.
Oh,
Hell no!
She bent down to her ear again. “Those thighs you’re rubbing and
everything in between belong to me now. If you touch his leg again, Mariah, I’m
going to break your fucking nose and anything else I can get my hands on.”

Mariah sat up straighter, flung her hair over her shoulder
and glared at Tess.

Tess pulled back so the girl could see the fiery look in her
eyes and understand exactly how serious she was. Mariah didn’t budge. Tess
leaned back into her ear, “I’m counting to three Mariah, and if you don’t move,
I swear to God, I’ll kick your ass.” She stood tall, looked down at Mariah and
mouthed, “One.”

Mariah glared at Tess and slid out from under her. As the
young woman raised to her feet, Tess warned, “Don’t bother coming back.” Mariah
sneered at Tess as if she were insane before slinking away from the table.

Tess collected herself and started to giggle. Benny, Lisa
and Tom stared at her with a look of
What the hell did you say to her?

Tess shrugged innocently. “I just asked her to move. Nicely.”

Tom whispered in her ear. “What did you say to her?”

Tess raised her hands up like a boxer. The whole table
erupted in laughter.

The look on Toms face. Priceless.

“Tommy, you’ve got your hands full,” Benny teased.

“Hey!” Tess complained, as if he had insulted her.

“That’s a good thing, Tess. He needs his hands full. Believe
me, it’s a compliment.”

Tess’ confidence boosted to a full-blown ten. As she sipped
her martini, the urge to dance overwhelmed her, and she could hardly resist the
beat pumping through her veins. A young woman sauntered to the table and leaned
over her. 

“Hey, Tom. Susan said I should sit with you.”

Tom shook his head. “She’s mistaken.”

The young woman obviously wasn’t going anywhere and Tess
couldn’t threaten every woman in the club. She had sat in her seat long enough.
Recognizing the song, she stood up, her body automatically flowing with the
rhythm. The poor young woman thought Tess stood up so she could sit by Tom. She
was wrong! Tess shot Tom a come-hither look and rolled her ass in an
invitation. He followed right behind her, heading for the dance floor.

Tess smoothly rolled her body, lifting her hands above her
head and then let them fall to her side. Her hips pumped to the music that had
taken over. By the end of the second song, Tom no longer grinned at her. His
eyes now fixed on her body. Tess danced on the edge of being provocative,
mixing it with a Tahitian flair.

People crowded the dance floor, many of whom scrutinized
every move she made, dissecting her piece by piece. Aware of the onlookers,
Tess only smiled, knowing she captivated Tom. The DJ mixed a rap song and her
rhythm instantly changed, adding a little bounce to her movements. Tom smiled
changing his groove to match hers. Tess sang a few of the dirty lyrics and his
smile widened across his face.