Love After War (11 page)

“Are all of your dates this eventful?” Dana grinned as they approached the red carpet and she started to step back from him, but Ian wouldn't let her go.

“This is part of the deal. You have to pose and smile for the camera,” he said.

“You know this is way out of my comfort zone,” Dana said as they stood in front of the movie poster background. “I really like being on the other side of the red carpet.” Dana never realized how hot it was underneath those lights and how annoying flashes were.
Keep smiling
, she told herself as she and Ian posed for another set of pictures. Dana had to admit, she wasn't the least bit disappointed when
Entertainment Tonight
pulled Ian away. One of the red carpet attendants was about to escort Dana over to the holding area when Imani called out her name.

“You and Ian have to take a picture with me and Raymond,” she said as she crossed over to her friend, who pulled her in front of another group of photographers. Ian joined them and the cameras went wild. Reporters hollered out questions, asking Imani about her feud with Heather, asking her who she was wearing and if she was ready to tackle another action role. Then, in the same rapid-fire fashion, reporters started shooting off more questions about the movie, the motorcycle, and finally Dana.

“This is the fabulous Dana Singleton,” Imani chimed in.

A few of the legitimate photographers knew who she was and smiled at her. The other paparazzi just shrugged and continued snapping pictures. Then Ian gave them the money shot when he leaned in and kissed Dana. She was caught off guard and she was sure that it would show in the photos.

“Your lips were simply irresistible,” Ian whispered in her ear. She could smell alcohol on his breath, which gave her pause. She was not going to get on a bike with an intoxicated Ian.

“Well, that's going to get the rumor mill going,” she replied with a smile as they headed inside to the screening. Dana had been to a few screenings before, but she had no idea that the stars got this kind of special treatment. Sushi, private seats, more alcohol than the law should allow, and those pesky reporters. Dana and Raymond ate and watched Imani and Ian work the press. “So, Dr. Thomas,” Dana said, holding her fork up as if it were a microphone. “How do you feel about getting ignored for nearly two hours?”

“Ah, it's wonderful. I get to eat and not worry about anyone caring that I got wasabi on my shirt.” They broke out in laughter. Raymond tilted his head toward Ian. “You two getting serious?”

Dana shook her head. “Don't tell Imani, though. Mrs. Matchmaker thinks she has hit it out of the ball park with this one and I think Ian is buying whatever your wife is selling.”

“The club owner, you're still in love with him?”

“I really need to work on my mysterious side. Do you think I'm crazy?”

Raymond shrugged and took another California roll from the server's tray being passed around. “Listen, if you believe he deserves a second chance and you love him, then go for it. But Imani would want me to tell you to watch yourself with that guy.”

“Adrian isn't as bad as I led you guys to believe,” she said. “He's had it rough since his mother died and . . . I know what I'm doing.”

“All right,” he replied. “But I don't want to see my wife's best friend heartbroken.”

“Because your wife will keep you up at night bitching about it?” she quipped.

Raymond polished off his roll and shook his head. “Because I think you deserve better and I'd hate to have to kick his ass on your behalf. Don't let the smooth taste fool you. I'm from Harlem.”

Dana gave Raymond a sisterly hug. “Thank you.”

“Anytime. But don't break the news to Imani yet,” he joked as Dana grabbed a California roll of her own.

When the movie started, Imani and Raymond snuggled up together, watching in rapt attention, and Dana sat uncomfortably with Ian's arm around her. “Wow,” she said when his image filled the screen—shirtless, carrying a really big gun. “You look great.”

“Six hours a day in the gym just to get this scene right.” The heat from his breath sent a tingle down her spine and she immediately felt guilty, as if she were cheating on Adrian. Ian could have any woman he wanted; he didn't have to have her. He could understand that, couldn't he?

He leaned closer to her, as if that was possible, and smiled as he watched his scenes. The movie was good and Dana enjoyed watching Imani make up for that abysmal
Fearless Diva
in this action flick, but Ian was becoming a little too touchy-feely.

“Ian,” she whispered. “I want to watch this.”

“I can get a director's copy later,” he said, and for the first time, Dana noticed the slurring in his words.

“Are you drunk?”

He flashed his smile, which was a little toothier now. “Just a little.”

“You need some coffee, especially since you didn't take a limo here.”

Ian rested his head on Dana's shoulder. “I trust you to take me back to the hotel. Maybe even spend the night with me?”

She stroked his cheek. “I'll get you home safely, but you're sleeping alone.”

“Are you sure about that?” He winked at her, then kissed her shoulder.

Dana smacked his thigh. “In the morning, you can blame it on the alcohol, but right now, you need to pull it together.” She nodded in the direction of a couple of reporters. “We're being watched more than the movie.”

Ian held his head up briefly and gave the reporters a passing glimpse. “All right, let me find some coffee.”

Dana waved for one of the sushi girls and whispered for some coffee. “And keep it coming, discreetly.”

“Yes, ma'am,” she replied.

Ian kissed Dana's shoulder again. “I like you. That was really cool what you did.”

Dana tapped his knee. “Calm down. I'm just doing what any good friend would do. Besides, there are too many cameras around for you to stumble around drunk.”

“Again, I like you. Dana, you're a really cool chick,” he whispered. “Most women wouldn't have come here on a motorcycle and you did. Now look at you taking care of me and trying to keep the reporters from knowing I'm shitfaced.”

“You probably shouldn't,” she mumbled, then focused on the screen. How was she going to deal with a drunk Hollywood Ken? She tried to quiet him down as the waitress returned with a cup of steaming coffee.

The movie ended to thunderous applause. Imani, Ian, and even Heather looked happy with the response. She and Imani played nice in front of the media, but Dana could feel the underlying tension. Glancing at Ian, she was glad to see that he'd sobered up nicely. Still, she told him that he should ride back with Imani and Raymond in the limo. Ian agreed and allowed Dana to ride his Harley back to the hotel. And he made his intentions clear. “I hope you'll stay when you drop the bike off.”

“I don't think so,” she said as she patted him on the arm.

“I really blew it, huh?”

Dana shrugged. If she'd been honest with him, Dana would've told Ian that he'd never had a real chance anyway. She wanted Adrian, even though she knew he was bad for her and that she was probably setting herself up for another heartbreak. But just like the Four Tops, she couldn't help herself. She gave Ian a fleeting kiss on the cheek, then headed outside to grab Ian's bike. She was surprised when she saw Adrian standing on the now-abandoned red carpet.

“What are you doing here?” she asked him.

“Waiting for you,” he replied as he crossed over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Did you and Hollywood Ken have a good time?”

Dana shrugged. “Eh. You know how these things are. Stars, booze, someone gets a little too drunk and—”

“If that son of a—”

“Calm down, cowboy. Ian was a perfect gentleman, despite his overindulgence. That's why I'm taking his motorcycle back to the hotel—to save him from a scandal.”

Adrian shook his head. He was about to tell Dana to have the bike towed when Heather Williams called out his name. Dana looked at her and then back at Adrian. “Friend of yours?”

“This will only take a minute,” he said as he dashed over to Heather.

What in the hell?
she thought as she watched the two of them talk in hushed tones. The valet brought Ian's bike around to the curb and handed Dana the helmet. “Thanks,” she said as she glanced over her shoulder at Heather and Adrian, assuming that Heather was his revenge or backup plan in case she and Ian were serious. She was about to start up the bike when Adrian ran over to her and hopped on the back of the Harley. He wrapped his arms around Dana's waist. “Are you going to give me ride or what?”

“I thought you were setting that up with Heather.”

“That was strictly business. She's hosting an after-party at my club tonight,” he said.

Dana paused and glanced over her shoulder. “But I thought you had—”

“It's been taken care of,” he said. “So, are you going to take me for a ride or what?”

She flipped the visor down on her helmet and smiled before taking off from the curb, giving Adrian a jolt as they took off. He held her tightly, almost understanding why this dangerous hobby of hers was so thrilling. But he wasn't about to get one of these death machines and he wasn't going to make a hobby of riding with Dana, even though he'd asked for the ride.

When she brought the bike to a stop at the curb of the Beverly Hilton, Adrian was happy to hop off. “So, we'll take a cab from here?” Adrian asked.

“Or we can walk and you tell me all about your business with Heather Williams,” she said as she locked Ian's helmet on the back of the bike.

“All right,” he said. “And then you can tell me what was up with you and Hollywood Ken.” Adrian folded his arms across his chest and raised his eyebrow at her. “I don't have anything to hide.”

“And Ian and I are just friends. Imani introduced us because she thought . . . You know what, I'm not the one who has a history of lying.”

“Touché. But if we're starting over, when are you going to let that go?”

Would she be able to let it go? Would she be able to truly trust Adrian and give herself to him freely? “That's going to take some time.”

He took her chin in his hand, forcing her to look into his sparkling eyes. “You're going to give me the time to make it up to you? I've never loved anyone the way I love you and if I could—”

Dana placed a finger to his lips. “I don't need you to sell me on that,” she said. “Just promise me that you won't keep things from me again.”

Adrian kissed her to stop from telling her another lie. He held her close, nibbling at her bottom lip. “Let's get out of here. My car is actually two blocks away at my club. I want to show you something.” Before she could say yes or no, Adrian scooped her up in his arms and they took off down the street laughing. Dana couldn't believe she was having such a good time with Adrian. He was relaxed, seemingly the man she fell in love with two years ago. Now, riding the motorcycle was new. She wondered if this could become a new habit?

“You can't keep me out too long,” she said. “I have a photo shoot in the morning at the Sony studios and I have some pictures to edit.”

Adrian gritted his teeth. “So, am I going to be denied the sight of your face in the morning?”

“Have you always been this corny or is it a new development?”

He nibbled at her chin and stroked her cheek. “And you've become a comedienne, huh?” Adrian placed Dana on the ground as they arrived at his club. As expected, the place was packed. Adrian scanned the crowd looking for Solomon or Heather. When he saw the two of them approaching each other, he couldn't wait for the explosion. He wasn't disappointed as he saw Heather haul off and slap Solomon. The camera phones flashed and Adrian was sure there was a video going as well. He could imagine more protests at the construction site, more headlines and more trouble for that “family values” book.

“Is that Solomon Crawford?” Dana asked as she took a glance over Adrian's shoulder. “This can't be good.”

Adrian pretended not to care. “And why would that be? He probably hit on the wrong woman.”

“That's Heather Williams and from what I heard, they have a history. The tabloids are going to be all over this. Aren't they building a hotel in Los Angeles?”

Adrian glanced at Dana, wondering how close she was to the Crawford family. “You know them pretty well or something?”

“Ever yone in New York knows of them,” Dana said, entranced by the scene going on below Adrian's glass encased office. “Seeing Solomon and Kandace together, you're reminded that real love exists. There was a big feature on NY One about them.”

Adrian grabbed his chest and pretended he was having a heart attack. “Was that jab at me?”

“If the body blow hurts.”

He drew her against his chest. “How many times and how many ways can I apologize?” His lips brushed against her forehead, sending a tingle down her spine that caused a rippling of desire between her thighs.

She smiled. “I can think of a few.”

Seeing the passion in her eyes, Adrian slipped his hand inside the halter of her jumpsuit, teasing and massaging her breast until she moaned as her nipple hardened. Exposing her breast, he covered her nipple with his hot mouth. Dana closed her eyes, tossing her head back, forgetting that there was some drama going on behind the glass. Her knees quaked as the top of her suit fell down and Adrian's hands roamed her back while his mouth pleasured her breasts.

“Step out of this thing,” he said, pulling back from her for a brief moment. Dana shifted her hips, allowing the suit to flutter to the floor, and mentally patted herself on the back for ditching her underwear.

Adrian let out an appreciative whistle. “Damn, woman, you look good enough to eat. As a matter of fact”—he spread her legs—“I think I will.” He dropped to his knees, then coaxed her to straddle his face. His tongue sought out her throbbing bud, lapping the sweetness of her desire as she called out his name.

“Oh yes,” she cried. He held her thighs tightly, kissing and licking her wet folds until she nearly collapsed on top of him. Adrian pointed to the plush sofa in the corner and silently told her to go there. On shaky legs, she crossed the room as he shed his clothes, then joined her on the sofa. Her eyes fell on his hardness and in the back of her mind, she decided she needed to make him moan as he'd done her just moments ago. Propping up on her knees, Dana reached out and grabbed Adrian around the waist. “Let me taste you now,” she said huskily. Before Adrian could say a word, Dana's lips and tongue had him in her grasp and he loved it. She was so sensual and sexy. But when she locked eyes with him, she nearly brought him to climax. “Need. Inside. You. Now.” He stepped back from her and she seductively licked her lips, which made him harder than a concrete column.

He grabbed his pants and fished a condom out of his wallet and slid the sheath in place. Crossing over to the sofa, he grabbed Dana's waist and pulled her against him. She wrapped her legs around his waist, giving him direct access to where she needed him most.

“Damn, damn, damn,” he moaned as he plunged into her.

Dana gasped, moaned, and gripped his shoulders as he ground against her.

“Adrian. Adrian. Adrian.” Her climax was near; she could feel the explosion building, and when he thrust forward, she let it go.

Adrian nibbled on her neck, slowing his pace, just following the rhythm of her moans, and finally, he came. Falling against each other, they rested on the sofa, breathing in sync and for that moment in time, all that mattered to Adrian was the woman he held in his arms.

“Too bad we can't spend the night here,” he whispered against her ear as he stroked her bare back. “I don't think I want to let you put clothes on ever again.”

“Mmm,” she moaned. “Too bad I have to work tomorrow.”

“Pictures of the stars?”

“That is why I'm here, though I'm sure you'd like to believe I'd come two thousand miles for you.” Dana laughed.

“I'd go twenty-two thousand miles for you,” he said, suddenly growing serious. “Dana, I never should've let you go. Never should've—”

She placed her index finger to his lips. “You've apologized enough. Let's move forward, together. But don't expect me to give up my motorcycle this time. You're going to have to deal with it.”

“Can't get you to trade it for another Corvette? The new Mustang?”

Dana tweaked his nose, then kissed his cheek. “Nope. Maybe you should learn to ride.”

Adrian shook his head furiously. “I'll leave that to you. Just promise me, no racing. And no long rides with Hollywood Ken.”

“Give that a rest. Imani was just trying to hook up every single person she knows, since that's her duty as a happily married woman.”

Adrian sucked his teeth. “She doesn't care for me much, huh?”

Dana shrugged. “She doesn't know you. But that's neither here nor there. I like you.”

“Just like?”

She brushed her lips against his. “You know it's more than that.”

He held Dana's face between his palms, looking directly into her eyes. Adrian missed the days when they could freely say
I love you
. He missed the days when she was all that mattered. If his father had been worth a damn, Adrian wouldn't be on this quest for revenge. He would've never lost her in the first place if Elliot Crawford hadn't shirked his responsibilities as a father.

“What?” she asked.

“I've never stopped loving you.”

“Will you tell me why you did what you did one day?” She bit her bottom lip. “I don't want to ruin this moment, but you're going to have to tell me at some point.”

“You're right, let's not ruin the moment. Hungry?”

“A little. And I know just what I want.”

“What's that?”

“One of your omelets, so let's go to your place.” Adrian smiled, remembering how she would devour his cheese and tomato omelets—the only dish he was able to cook.

“I guess we're going to have to stop by Albertsons on Venice, then,” he said as he released her and they got dressed.

When Dana went into the bathroom, Adrian remembered the drama he'd set into motion and glanced out at the club while pulling his shirt over his head. Solomon and Heather were gone. He wondered if Solomon, like his father, had taken Heather away so that he could cheat on his wife.

“I'm ready,” Dana said, breaking into his thoughts.

“And you're still half naked. What's going on?”

“Nothing, just looking out there to see what's going on.”

Dana nodded. “Did you ever get things straightened out?”

“What? Oh, yes.”

She gave him a surreptitious glance but kept quiet. Adrian slipped his pants on, crossed over to Dana, and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Let's get out of here before you change your mind or remember how my omelets really taste.”