Play for Me (3 page)

“I'm sorry,” said Sam and she unbuckled her seat belt and
stood up to let him in. Even though Sam stood five foot seven, the man towered
over her and when he sat down, their shoulders were touching.

“Well, hello there,” said Robin seductively. “I'm Robin, and
you are?”

“John.” He turned to Sam expectantly.

“Sam.” She pulled out her book, and began to read, hoping
the two of them would get the hint. They did. Robin and John became engrossed
in their conversation which made concentration difficult and Sam ended up
reading the same paragraph over and over. Sam learned John had planned on
meeting up with a friend in Los Angles while they attended a baseball game. The
next topic began about motorcycles, which lead into Robin's story about her ex-husband's
collection of bikes. Then their ages were revealed, Robin had just turned forty
and John, twenty-four. Sam tried hard to concentrate, but when she saw Robin
squeeze John's thigh, she almost lost it. Trying to regain her composure, Sam
cleared her throat and started the chapter again. A slight movement from John
caught Sam's attention. Sam glanced in John's direction only to find both Robin
and John in a passionate embrace. Sam totally freaked out, breathing deeply in
order to still her heart. Gross! Sam caught the flight attendant's attention
and asked for a glass of wine. Sam looked around for an empty seat, but the
plane appeared to be full, Sam hung on the edge of the seat towards the aisle
as not to have any contact with them. She glanced over at the two of them again
and they had their heads together sleeping and holding hands.

When the flight landed, Sam couldn't move fast enough to get
out of there. Since Robin had a three hour layover in Los Angeles, she and John
decided to rent a room before her flight. Sam shook her head in disgust. Then,
she thought of Jett and his reputation, and decided she had better suck this
up. Probably happened all the time around his place. While walking to the
baggage claim area, Sam’s cell phone rang and Jordan's name appeared on the
display.

“Hey, little sister, where are you?” boomed Jordan.

“Just landed at LAX.”

“So, you’ve got the interview tomorrow? I spoke with Mom,
and is she ever ticked off at the two of us. Says I’m sending you down the path
to your demise.” Jordan chuckled.

“She just doesn’t want me to leave, but I’m going through
with this.”

“Where are you staying tonight?” asked Jordan.

“At the Hilton. Jett’s driver is picking me up tomorrow
morning around eleven. I fly home on Friday. I’m kind of nervous. Maybe, I lead
too prudent of a life for a rock star.”

“It’s exactly what Jett is looking for. You’ll be fine.
Listen, I gotta run. Playing a gig with Trace Adkins.”

“Country? You’re playing with him?” Sam shook her head in
disbelief.

“Hey, a musician is a musician. Keep me posted.”

“Okay.” Sam hung up the phone and reached the baggage area. She
saw the limo service she had hired and he packed up her bags and drove her to
the hotel. Once inside, she kicked off her shoes and looked around. “I could
get used to this,” she murmured as she plopped on the oversized bed and turned
on the television. Her phone rang again displaying her friend Deb's number.

“Sam, how are you? You made it okay?”

“Yeah. You should see this place, Deb. It’s awesome.” Sam rolled
around on the luxurious bed.

“Of course you’re going to check out Rodeo Drive?”

“Not this time. Maybe after I get the job. Oh, I have to
tell you. Something totally gross happened on the plane.” Sam proceeded to tell
her about Robin and John. “Can you believe it?”

“Yes I can, Sam. Sometime it just happens. Maybe it’s not a
one night stand. You are too overly cautious. Learn to live, relax a little,”
suggested Deb.

“You mean you’d kiss someone you just met on a plane? Really?”

“Yeah, I would.” Deb smiled at Sam’s doubts.

“Oh.” Sam tried to process this information. “I guess I
haven’t met anyone where I’d feel something like that.”

“One day. Listen, it’s late here and I’ve got to run. Call
me and tell me how it goes. I’m so excited for you!”

“Me, too!” Sam hung up the phone and became lost in thought.
Would she ever meet someone where she’d be knocked over by a feather? Sighing,
she got off the bed and unpacked her things. She could have easily gone to bed,
but Jordan had told her to stay up late so she wouldn’t get jet lag. Freshening
up, Sam changed her clothes and headed down to the bar at the hotel for dinner
with her laptop in tow.

****

Ian Andrews' mood went from good to bad pretty quickly. His
flight from Maui to LAX had been delayed and the airlines had ‘misplaced’ his
luggage. He really hadn’t wanted to come here at all because he hated Los
Angeles and his friend, Jett Robinson, could be his most trying client. Ian,
being a top architect in the Maui area, had been hired by Jett to remodel the
house Jett had just purchased from a rap star having financial difficulties.
Jett had gotten it at a steal, but wanted to do some major renovations. Jett’s
tour schedule would not allow him to come to Maui and all attempts at faxing ideas
and suggestions had wreaked havoc. Jett had flown Ian in for a lengthy meeting
to go over details to get the ball rolling

 Ian strolled angrily through the lobby of the Beverly Hills
Hilton impervious to the 'come on' looks from the females in the area. He had
learned long ago that his good looks were more of a curse than a blessing. After
one failed relationship, female companionship rated last on his list. Ian
opened the door of his room and crashed on the bed. Ian sank into the luxurious
mattress all but engulfing him. His phone rang and he ignored it, not in the
mood to talk to anyone. What he really needed is to get rip roaring drunk. Ian
sat up and put his head in his hands and stared into space. Why did he say yes
when Jett had approached him? At thirty-two, he didn’t want to answer to anyone
but himself. Ian had only taken the job because of the challenge, but Jett had turned
it into something ugly. Jett had a tendency to be so egotistical and arrogant. Jett’s
behavior gave all rock stars a bad name. Sighing heavily, Ian checked his
watch, got up and headed to the hotel bar.

“Table, sir?” The hostess approached Ian with an over-eager
smile.

“Bar.” Ian brushed her off, way too familiar with women like
her. She wasn’t even his type; bleached blonde, scrawny with too much make up.
Ian sat at the bar stool and stole a quick glance around. The bar appeared
virtually empty and the bartender greeted Ian right away. “Chivas on the rocks.”
The bartender nodded his head and prepared his drink.

“Menu?” asked the waitress.

“Nah, I’m good for now.” Ian checked his phone to see who
had called. It had been from his on and off again girlfriend, Jennifer, wanting
to make sure he had made it to Los Angeles. They had had a heated discussion about
their relationship right before he left. She wanted to take it a step further,
and, of course, Ian balked. They both were athletic, enjoyed surfing, racquet
ball and the sex never appeared to be a problem. He just didn’t love her. Hell,
he didn’t know what to do if he did fall in love, but it sure wasn’t something
he felt about Jennifer.

“Hey, Bernie?” A waiter interrupted Ian’s thoughts as he
watched the exchange between the waiter and the bartender. “Who does this
belong to?” The waiter held a salad and a glass of red wine on a serving tray.

“The lady at the table in the corner. Caesar salad with
salmon and a glass of Merlot, right?”

“You got it.” Ian turned around to see this woman and his
heart skipped a beat. Talk about drop dead gorgeous. The waiter accidentally
spilled the wine on her as he tried to serve her. She jumped up, enabling Ian
to get a better view of her. She stood five foot seven, with long, beautiful,
chestnut hair that framed her angular face. Her figure fit her just right; not
too skinny and filled out in all the right places, but those green eyes held
him captive. He could’ve sworn he had seen her somewhere before. He tried his
memory banks, but came up blank.

“I’m so sorry,” mumbled the waiter as he clumsily tried to
wipe off the red wine off of her skirt.

“I’ll do that, thank you. I need some club soda to get this
out,” said the woman as she tried blotting out the stain with water. She stared
hopelessly at her beige skirt as the stain grew larger and larger.

“Give me some club soda,” said Ian to the bartender. The
bartender quickly handed Ian a cupful of soda and came out from behind the bar.
They both approached Samantha.

Sam quickly glanced at the two of them, realizing they were
trying to help. “Thanks,” said Sam, not even looking at Ian as she rubbed
vigorously at the stain.

“Bathroom is over there to your left,” said the bartender. “I’ll
watch your stuff and the meal is on the house.”

Now, Sam noticed her helpers. “Thanks,” said Sam
appreciatively, and that’s when she glanced up and saw Ian’s amused expression.
Looking into his hazel eyes, Sam couldn’t catch her breath. Good Lord! A Greek God
stood before her. His sandy colored hair lay a little long and carelessly fell
around his face. His skin appeared sun kissed and with a trim, athletic and
powerful body. His shirt opened to reveal dark blond curly chest hair which Sam
wanted to run her hands in it just to feel it.

“Are you okay?” asked Ian, worried because he thought the
woman had stopped breathing.

“I’m fine,” stuttered Sam and she felt her cheeks grow warm.
“I’m not used to being the night’s entertainment.” She grabbed the club soda
from Ian’s hand. “I've got to get this stain out before it ruins the skirt.”
Sam took off in a run for the bathroom, her heart pounding in her chest. She
whipped off her skirt and stood over the sink, pouring the club soda over the
stain. Her hands trembled and she couldn't concentrate. Sam could only think of
the Greek God. Now, she knew what Deb had been trying to tell her about love.
She couldn't be sure but no other man had ever had such an effect on her. Even
growing up under Jordan’s tutelage, none of his friends made her feel this way.

Finally, the stain came out, and Sam held it under the dryer
to absorb the water. She didn't pay any attention to her surroundings thinking
only of that man on the other side of the door. She couldn’t wait to call Deb
but right now she had to take care of this.

“Hey, the guys sent me in to see if you were okay,” said the
hostess as she held the door wide open and peered inside. Sam stood dressed
only in her sleeveless tank top and lacy underpants with her high heels. Sam
looked at the hostess but worse yet, she glanced into the mirror seeing herself
exposed to anyone who wanted to look into the restroom and they were. Sam could
see the astonished faces of the bartender and the Greek God staring at her with
their mouth’s wide open.

“Close the door!” screamed Sam and the hostess quickly drew
the door closed.

“I am so sorry,” mumbled the girl. “I didn’t think they
would follow me in here.”

“I’m too embarrassed to go back out there,” said Sam
hoarsely.

“Well, you can’t stay in here forever.” The girl checked her
makeup in the mirror. “I think that guy is hot. I’d like to get my hands on
him.”

“Why don’t you go distract him, while I slip this on? Maybe
I can slink away without him seeing me,” suggested Sam.

“Good plan,” agreed the girl. “By the way, my name is Nikki.”

“Nikki, Sam. Tell you what, can you get my purse? Tell them
to send everything to my room. I can’t remember the number because it’s in my
purse. But my last name is Stevens, okay?”

“Sure.” Nikki swayed out of the bathroom and Sam put her
skirt back on. Nikki came back in minutes with Sam’s purse. “I told them you
were just drying you skirt and you were okay. I talked to Joe, your waiter, and
he’s boxing everything up right now. I’ll go distract them at the bar so you
can make your escape.” She smiled at Sam. “I just love this kind of stuff! It had
been a dull evening until you showed up.”

“Welcome to my life,” said Sam, sighing. Okay, she had to
give up the Greek God, but hadn’t she made a fool of herself already? Sam gave
Nikki about three minutes and she slipped out the door unnoticed and made a bee
line to the elevators. Once in her room, she closed the door and fell into the
bed face first. Of all the embarrassing things to happen. Good Lord. Someone
knocked on the door and a voice yelled, “Room Service.” Sam got off of the bed
and opened the door slowly.

“This is on the house.” He set the tray down carefully. “And
this is from one of the guests at the bar.” He handed Sam a bottle of red wine.
“He also has a note here.” The waiter fumbled in his pants pocket. “Here,” he
said as he handed the note to Sam. Sam took the note and stared at it. She then
looked at the waiter who had cleared his throat.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Tip.” Sam took some money from her purse and
handed it over to the waiter. “Thanks.” She closed the door and slowly opened
the note.

“Sorry you had a rough evening. If you’re up to it, why
don’t you come back down and meet me for a drink. Ian.”

“Yeah, right,” said Sam sarcastically. “You probably think
I’m an idiot and will hop into bed with you right away. You might be the most
gorgeous guy on this planet, but I’m no fool.” Sam opened Ian's bottle of wine,
ate her dinner and tried to quell her nervousness about tomorrow’s interview.

****

Ian stood still, thunderstruck when he saw the woman clothed
only her in lace panties and high heels. The image burned in his memory and no
matter how much he drank, he couldn’t get it out of his mind. He had to find
out her name. He didn’t think she would take him up on his note, but at least
he could try, right? The bartender and the waiter were mum on her identity, so
he couldn’t even get past them. Ian started getting drunker and now the blonde
hostess didn't look all that bad.