Hollywood Husbands (43 page)

‘
Oh… my… God!
’ she shouted. ‘Ohhhh…
goddammit!
’

Instant orgasm. Which excited the hell out of him, and he immediately went back for more, catching her in the throes, making her come again and again, and finally letting go himself with a triumphant yell. At which point they both sank under the bubbling water.

Silver was some sport, which really surprised him. She surfaced choking and coughing, her hair plastered to her head, her wraparound sunglasses askew. ‘You sonofabitch!’ she exclaimed, spluttering with laughter. ‘It just gets better all the time.’

He had to agree. And he wanted to pinch himself to see if he woke up. He’d gotten luckier than he’d ever dreamed possible.

‘Towel,’ she commanded.

Quickly he hopped out of the jacuzzi and grabbed a large striped beach towel which he held open for her to step into.

‘Thank you,’ she said formally. ‘You’re very kind.’

‘And you’re some hot broad.’

‘So eloquent!’

‘So full of it!’

Jumping back into the jacuzzi he groped for their swimsuits.

Vladimir, lurking behind a curtain in the living room, watched everything, and as he saw them approaching the house he scurried off to the kitchen and made copious notes. When he was ready to sell his story, he was going to make an absolute fortune!

Chapter Sixty-One

Vaguely it occurred to Howard Soloman that snorting cocaine was becoming more than just a habit. He did not feel comfortable unless he knew the soothing white powder was within easy reach.

I can afford it
, he thought.
It’s certainly no worse than alcohol and much less anti-social
.

The only problem was he couldn’t get through the day without it. No problem really – because he didn’t have to.

Over the months he had developed several new sources of supply, so he did not need to depend on anyone in particular. It was an expensive habit, but God – it was worth every hard-earned dollar.

The day passed smoothly, thanks to his quick thinking and clever way of dealing with Zachary’s cockamamie orders. By four-thirty he had all the offers in writing, and a runner standing by to deliver them to the forewarned agents.

He drove over to Zachary’s bungalow at The Beverly Hills Hotel, and sat there cockily while the old man scanned them one by one.

I’m the highest-paid messenger boy in history
, he reflected, with a private smile.

Zachary paused when he came to the offer for Silver. ‘Why so little?’ he asked.

‘It’s double the amount she received for six weeks on her soap. That’s more than fair, isn’t it?’

‘It’s pennies compared to the others.’

‘We’re talking big bucks with the others. Quinne’ll kiss our ass from here to Australia. And so will Silver, if she’s smart. They’re not exactly rushing her to do movies, y’know. Sure, she’s big on television, but that means cow dung. Look at Tom Selleck. The guy was hotter than she is today. Three movies later and nothin’ happened. When they can get it for free, they don’t want to pay for it.’

‘We’ll see,’ said Zachary.

‘I hope you’re right,’ Howard remarked cheerfully. His throat was parched. Sitting here for twenty minutes and no offer of refreshments. The old guy was either tight or rude. Probably a combination of both. ‘Do you mind if I order a drink?’

Placing the written offers in a neat pile, Zachary stood up. ‘I’m going out,’ he said brusquely. ‘Feel free to use the Polo Lounge if you want a drink.’

‘Good idea. I’ll do that.’
Take your job and shove it all the way up your constipated asshole, prickface.

‘Before you go, Howard. Two requests.’

‘Yes?’
Cheap motherfucker
.

‘Since I’ve decided to stay over, I’m free for dinner tonight. May I join you?’

‘Absolutely. Wouldn’t have it any other way.’
Oh, Christ. Poppy will be really thrilled
.

‘And please arrange companionship.’

Howard looked blank. ‘Companionship?’

‘Two high-class ladies. Discreet, and under thirty.’ A meaningful break, then, ‘And they should both have clean bills of health, dated today.’

His own stuttering took Howard by surprise, along with the request. ‘Er… c-c-certainly. I’ll g-get right on it.’

Fuck!
Paid messenger was one thing. But pimp, too? Maybe it
was
time to start looking around.

* * *

‘This is the big leagues, kid,’ Zeppo White said, edging closer to his beautiful client. ‘I told you I could do it for you.’

‘What?
What?
’ Whitney begged.

‘Not a word until Howard gets here, I promised.’

‘Ha! An agent’s promise is like a Bloody Mary without the vodka. It doesn’t mean a thing.
And
you know it.’

Zeppo displayed a row of flawless false teeth. When he removed them he could give a woman more pleasure than she’d had in her entire life. ‘Patience, kiddo. Howard can be a mean one.’

‘Nobody’s mean to
you
, Zeppo,’ she coaxed. ‘You’re too important.’

‘Flattery’ll do it every time,’ he said, and just as he was about to tell her, Howard arrived.

Whitney tried to compose herself. It had been an exciting day, what with her meeting with the new publicity firm, and now Zeppo White
and
Howard Soloman arriving at her house with something good to tell her.

She knew what it was. They were finally going to confirm that she had the role in
Romance
. Although the script had been sent to her, it was no sure thing. Word was out that Orville Gooseberger wanted an actress who could sing. Well, she could learn, couldn’t she?

Howard appeared even more manic than usual. He had stopped in the Polo Lounge and consumed a large piece of chocolate cake (lunch) and two glasses of warm milk (he feared an ulcer). He had also spoken to the head of publicity at Orpheus. ‘Get me two hookers for a V.I.P. The expensive stuff. I need ’em tonight, an’ they both have to bring doctor’s certificates dated today.’ A pause. ‘Yeah, yeah. I know it’s oddball. Tell ’em to add the doctor’s charges to the bill.’

That was easy. Now came the difficult part. A phone call to his wife. ‘Poppy, honey?’

‘Our party was a smash, Howard! Rave reviews! What time will you be home?’

‘One more meeting and I’m on my way.’

‘Roselight wanna kiss big daddy daddy nighty-night,’ Poppy baby-talked.

Whew! She must be in a sensational mood. ‘What are we doing tonight?’ he asked.

‘Dinner at Morton’s with the Whites. I’m going to bask!’

‘Add three more.’

Her tone changed. ‘Who?’

‘Zachary Klinger and his date, and her… friend.’

Ominous silence.

‘C’mon, Poppy sweetie, it’s business.’ He hated it when she forced him into what she referred to as ‘poppins talk’.

More silence.

Shit!

‘You can stop by Cartier tomorrow,’ he suggested.

A guilty giggle. ‘I was in Tallarico today.’

Trust his wife. She knew exactly when to strike.

Whitney looked quite edible, as usual. She had a healthy glow about her, an outdoor radiance coupled with an indoor sexuality.

‘Drink?’ she inquired breathlessly.

‘Water,’ Howard replied.

She ran to the kitchen and got it for him. Whitney did not surround herself with servants. It made a refreshing change. Most of the women he knew were all terrified of breaking a nail.

Zeppo beamed. ‘Well, kiddo,’ he announced. ‘I’m gonna let Howard tell you – it’s
his
studio.’

‘I’ve got
Romance
, haven’t I?’ she pleaded.

‘Better,’ said Zeppo. ‘You’ve—’

Howard cut him off at the pass. ‘Orpheus wants you for the starring role in a sensational new film,
The Murder
. I may as well tell you up front – we’re after Mannon as your co-star, and Clarissa Browning for a cameo as the victim.’

‘Clarissa Browning!’ Whitney whispered reverently.

‘Hey – we’re not talking
Friday the Thirteenth part fifteen
. This is class,’ said Howard proudly.

She glanced over at Zeppo as if she did not quite believe him. ‘Is this true?’

‘You’re damn right it is. And I got you double money, kiddo.’

Howard watched her nipples carefully. They were hardening before his very eyes. He urgently required the chance to see them unadorned, and decided then and there to add a nude scene to the script.

‘Will Mannon
do
a film with me?’ she asked both of them.

‘The offer is out. I think he’ll say yes,’ Howard replied.

‘You bet your bananas,’ agreed Zeppo.

Whitney smiled, and thought of her humble beginnings.

She was about to achieve more than she’d ever dreamed possible.

Chapter Sixty-Two

Morton’s, a fashionable West Hollywood restaurant located on the corner of Melrose and Robertson, was crowded with Hollywood’s movers and shakers. Beverly D’Amo steamed in like she owned the place, exchanging kisses with the maître d’, while waving greetings to everyone in sight.

‘You sure made yourself at home in
this
city,’ Jade remarked.

‘Girl, I make myself at home just about every place I go. It’s the only way to operate. Especially here.’

They were given a table at the front, which, according to Beverly, was the only place to sit. ‘The back of this restaurant is Siberia,’ she warned. ‘Land of the under-achievers. Don’t even
glance
in that that direction.’

Jade laughed. She had never understood people’s fixation with getting good tables in restaurants.

‘You’re lookin’ hot, babe,’ Beverly announced. ‘I wanna hear all about the dead Englishman, an’ the Cloud deal. Rumour has it that you’ve moved into megabucks country. True or false?’

‘True, I guess,’ Jade admitted modestly.

‘Fanfuckintastic!’

‘How about you?’

Beverly grinned. ‘I’m gonna be a movie star. Doncha love it?’

‘I think it’s great, if that’s what turns you on.’

‘Sure does. I’ve already made two films – nothing
memorable
. But this week I changed agents an’ signed with Zeppo White. He’s gonna do it for me. He’s a wild character and horny as a sailor, an’ I love him! He’s a real goer. You’ve got to meet him, you’ll love him too!’

‘I doubt it.’

‘Huh?’

‘Hollywood men do not turn me on. They
are
what they
drive
, and they all look like Porsches to me!’

Beverly hooted with mirth. ‘I don’t mean you’ll want to
fuck
him. He’s like a cute little dog. You’ll enjoy watching him get feisty. And apparently he gives great dinner – parties that is.’

Beverly paused to swap kisses with a good-looking man in a white sweater and matching pants. From his smooth suntan to his white shoes he was perfection. The woman with him was older and crusty. She dug him in the small of the back to hurry him along. She was not interested in being introduced to a couple of devastatingly beautiful models.

‘Penn Sullivan. He’s in my acting class,’ Beverly said knowledgeably as the couple moved off. ‘And the old broad with him is Frances Cavendish, a casting agent. I bet she’ll be casting around in
his
pants tonight!’

‘Do you know
everyone
in town?’

‘Only the ones who matter.’

Jade felt good being with Beverly. A little of the New York excitement rubbed off; she enjoyed swapping stories and hearing all about their old friends. Beverly seemed to know what everyone was doing, and with whom. It certainly took her mind off Mark. He had been difficult to get rid of. And Corey – she knew she had to call him and let him know that however he wished to live his life was his business and perfectly all right with her. After twenty-four hours of worrying, she had finally realized that whatever he did was okay. It was
his
life.

‘Now here comes a man I’d like to meet,’ said Beverly, her voice filled with admiration – ‘Mister Big. Zachary K. Klinger. He owns Orpheus Studios, you know.’

They both watched the large man settle at the front round table with a skinny redhead and a cool blonde.

‘I can’t believe there’s actually someone you haven’t met!’ Jade said teasingly.

‘I’ll meet him before the end of the evening,’ Beverly replied confidently. ‘I nearly did last night at the wedding party for Silver Anderson. He was at the next table, and just as I was going over, Mannon Cable and Chuck Nielson started to have this amazing fight!’

‘You’re kidding?’

‘Haven’t you heard?’

‘Beverly, I am not – repeat,
not
– remotely interested in the movie business. Why would I hear?’

‘Because, my dear, you have to know what’s goin’ on.’

‘Why?’

‘Good question.’

Beverly continued to chat, but her focus of attention had shifted. Her eyes were now on Zachary Klinger. She wanted him to notice her, and it wasn’t long before he did. In fact, he noticed both of them. They were hardly low-key. Beverly was clad in a red body-suit with a purple Claude Montana leather jacket and boots, her jet hair scraped back into one long plait. Jade’s shaggy copper hair framed her direct, challenging face. She wore a black jeans jacket over a short knit dress, and lots of silver jewellery.

Most men in the restaurant were trying to cool it, pretending not to notice them. However, there were a record number of trips to the men’s room just to check them out.

Zachary stared.

Beverly, who was facing him, stared back.

‘A little eye contact?’ Jade teased.

‘I bet I can get him hard at fifty paces!’

‘Trouble is, you’ll never know.’

‘Don’t lay money on it.’

‘Beverly, he’s
old
.’

‘So’s Reagan. And I’d jump into bed with him too, if he asked me. I’m into power, girl. It really creams me up.’

‘You’re impossible!’

‘I’m truthful.’ She leaned forward. ‘The two bimbos with him look like hookers, and – hold everything – here come the rest of his party.’