Reckless (12 page)

“Are you
all
leaving?” Joel asks as I help Randy pack the car.

“Yes. I changed my mind at the last minute. Ava seems on edge lately, and I am worried about leaving her alone.”

“Why is that? Did somebody threaten her?” Joel asks.

“No. She had a nightmare last night, and I haven’t seen her respond like that since she was worried about Spencer. She has been working so much lately, maybe if I give her a nice vacation she will feel better.”

“From what you told me about what happened to her, that is probably a good idea. I can’t imagine it would be something she can easily get over. I hope she is going to be okay. Let me know if you need me to do anything.” Joel says with sincerity, making me feel good about our renewed friendship. “Well don’t be gone too long. Otherwise, I will have to dust off my actor persona and take over your part. Hello, I am Sean Grant.” He mocks me with a bright smile.

“I would say something smartass, but that was actually pretty good.” I say glancing at Randy who nods in agreement.

“Yeah, well now you know not to test me.” Joel laughs, waving goodbye as he leaves in his own car.

Lillah clings to me as I carry her into the studio, while Ava leans in at my side holding my hand. This was a better decision than I thought. I love having them here with me. When we walk into the studio, the first thing I see is Dillon already acting the fool. I walk up on him talking to Shane about me, causing me to be more curious about his obnoxious behavior.

“Oh stop being so uptight Shane. Besides, Sean loves me.” Dillon exclaimed proudly.

I roll my eyes.
The kid needs help
. “Who said that, Conrad?” I said, causing the both of them to jump. If Lillah had not have been in my arms, I might have said something more appropriate to him.

He approaches me with his insufferable smile and his hand out to me. “I’m pretty sure you did.” he said confidently.

“Well, I think that depends on the day when it comes to you.” I glance at the pretty girl standing next to Dillon, wondering if maybe my wish has come true. Perhaps I will be able to seek revenge on him for hitting on my wife. I shake Shane’s hand as he approaches, but Dillon’s approach towards Ava interrupts me.

“Ava, you look beautiful as always.” He says, taking her hand and kissing it.
Really? Is he going to start this shit again?

I pull Ava’s hand away from him before he drools all over it. “Watch it Conrad, I warned you about my wife.”

Dillon laughs as he turns to introduce the young, blond, Taylor.
Damn, I hope he is head over heels for this girl so I can fuck with him.
She is sweet, and touches Dillon more times than I can count in the few minutes it takes to introduce her. From the way he smiles at her, I know he is doing his best to impress her. Before I get too excited about seeking revenge on the young Mr. Conrad, he moves towards Lillah.

 
“And I don’t know this beautiful girl.” Dillon said, taking Lillah’s little hand and kissing it, causing her to giggle into my shoulder.

“This is Lillah. Lillah say hello.” I said to her as she smiles at Dillon.
Oh no, don’t fall for it Lillah.

“Hi.” Lillah blushed. I am relieved when she covers her mouth as she says it and buries her face into my shoulder. At least she still needs her Daddy to protect her from scary men who are up to no good.

“She is adorable.” Dillon said.

“Thank you, but she is a bit shy until she gets to know you. Then she won’t leave you alone.” I said, trying to get Lillah to stop hiding. “Alright, Daddy needs to get to work. Can you stay with Mommy for a little while?” She shakes her head at me. “Lillah, you can too.” She pushes her bottom lip out as far as it will go and holds onto me tightly. She is preparing to stand her ground with me - I recognize it immediately. She gets that same look Ava does, and as cute as it is, it can at times be inconvenient. “One second. She is like her mother and has a bad stubborn streak. She doesn’t handle not getting her way very well.” I said, glancing at Ava who is not amused.

“Only because she isn’t used to you telling her ‘no’.” Ava leans across me reaching for Lillah. “Come here, Lillah.” Lillah surrenders to her mother with only a slight whimper. Ava’s smug expression is expected.

“So maybe you’re right, sweetheart,” I said to her.

“Maybe?” Ava pushed.

Fine, stubborn.
“Always, I meant always.”

“Sure you did,” she said. I laugh, kissing her and Lillah on the head before walking away with Shane and Dillon.

After we finish shooting the promo, I sit talking to the director when Dillon comes hopping over, eating an apple and nodding happily at me. “What do you want?” I ask to the annoyance.

“I only wanted to see how you’re doing,” he smiles.

“How
I’m
doing?” I pause, watching him try to seem interested. “I’m fine, thank you. How are you doing Dillon? In fact, how is your girlfriend doing? What is her name, Taylor?” He nods. “She’s pretty. How long have you been together?”

“She’s not my girlfriend, were just friends.” He tried to proclaim, innocently.

“Uh huh,”
I do not believe a word he says.

“No - really.”

“Whatever.” I said sarcastically. “How long have you known her?”

He shrugs. ”Four or five months, I guess.” Either he is blind or he is lying to me.

“So, five months and you bring her here to impress her, but you don’t like her?” I pressed.

“I like her, but not in that way.” He said.
He is an idiot.

I shake my head at him, ready to burst into hysterics. “If you didn’t hit on my wife, Conrad, I would think you’re gay because that girl is hot. Most guys would have already …”

He instantly sits up straight. “Yeah maybe with most girls but Taylor is… she’s not…” He looks me up and down, sticking out his chest and staying focused on my eyes. “Forget it. You wouldn’t understand.” He said as his face turns red and his muscles tense.

“Try me.” He shakes his head, pulling another snack from his pocket.
I have no idea where he got that.
“Now I am curious Conrad, so tell me.”

“Taylor is great, and I could see her being a wife-type person… you know.” I shake my head, not understanding at all. “Well, I guess you could say that I like her too much to get involved with her and ruin what we have. The last time I got involved with my best-friend… it didn’t end very well.”

“What did you do?” I ask, laughing as I imagine what stupid thing he did to mess that relationship up.

“Nothing!” He jumps suddenly. “She simply disappeared and I never saw her again.” Dillon says, looking too distant and dejected for me to want to push him.

“Well, I would say it never hurts to try someone new. Sometimes the perfect person for you helps you forget the one you thought was for you. She likes you, I can tell. A little innocent for you, but otherwise I approve, Conrad.” Dillon rolls his eyes. “But, if you’re going to act, you’d better act quickly. A girl like that may get tired of waiting and move on.”

“Nah, I am too hot for her to ever look anywhere else.” Now I have to roll my eyes. “No seriously, Sean. I don’t know what exactly it is about me but women just can’t get enough. I think it’s the combination of my handsome face, great body and incredibly huge…”.

“Alright… I have had enough of this conversation.” I get up and walk away.

“What? Sean! I was only going to say personality! But hey, if you want to go there…” I turn around and see him smile, doing a dance only a moron would do.

I walk away shaking my head, “Dumbass.”

Dillon catches up to me as I look in on the girls.

I motion towards Taylor. “If I wasn’t married, I would find some time for her. I like the sweet, innocent ones.” I smile at the poor fool, who is now turning several shades of pissed off. I enter and walk straight over to Taylor. “So Taylor, Ava says you’re a fan of mine?”

Taylor stands, already with a wide smile, “Oh … yes! I mean, I …”

“Do you want to get a picture together before I go?” I ask and Taylor instantly rushes to her bag. I glance back at Dillon, who is annoyed, to say the least. Taylor forces her camera into Dillon’s hands with bouncy excitement.

Running back to me, the once-shy girl suddenly becomes aggressive. She jumps against me, wrapping her arms around my neck with one hand and rubbing across my chest with the other. Her heart beats rapidly against me, and Dillon is ready to come out of his skin to kill me. “Dillon, do you mind?” I motioned for him to hurry up and take the picture before his girlfriend molests me any further.

“I’m getting to it, hold on.” He said as he walks over to Taylor. “Don’t you think that’s a little inappropriate?” He said, glancing daggers my way.

“No, just take the picture.” Taylor impatiently asked him again.

“Fine!” He said angrily. “There!”

“You might want to take another Dillon, to make sure you got it.” I said innocently, but my smile begins to give away my true intentions.

“Yes Dillon, take another one to make sure.” Taylor insisted.

As Dillon readies himself to take another picture, I kiss her on the cheek…and immediately regret it.

She goes weak and I have to hold her up. “Taylor, are you okay?” Dillon said, rushing to her. She nods with a starry-eyed expression, causing Dillon to roll his eyes.

 
“Ummm….” Taylor waves her hands at Dillon.

“
Dillon.
My name is Dillon.”

“Oh yes, Dillon. I think I’m going to go to the restroom and splash some water on my face.” Taylor said. “Thank you Mr. Grant, and so nice to meet you all …oh wow … this has been the best day!”

 
“What the hell was that about?” Dillon asks me.

I try to play surprised. “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“You know, with the touching and all that shit. Did you really need to get that close to her?”

“No, but it sure was fun watching you get jealous as hell.”

“I’m not jealous.” He said.

I laugh and turn towards Ava who is biting her lip to keep from laughing at him too. “Did you hear that sweetheart?”

“I did.” Ava said.

“You are so screwed man, and you don’t know how happy it makes me to know that.” I say with a wide smile.

He looks so confused. “If you’re referring to Taylor, I’m not jealous. I’m only looking out for her is all.” I shake my head, laughing. “Whatever. I know what I am.” He snaps

“Okay Conrad.” I pat him on the back before I escort Ava and Lillah out the door. As soon as they are out of hearing range, I lean back inside. “Don’t worry Conrad you’ll be fine … as long as you don’t have sex with her.” His eyes widen. “You’re so screwed!” I laugh hard, knowing he can hear me as I walk away.

We have a great room, a great view, and Lillah is sound asleep after a long day. I have decided to celebrate Ava’s birthday tonight, so I wait patiently for her with candles and my best smile. When Ava finishes checking on Lillah, she walks in the room with the reaction I was hoping for.

“I hope Lillah doesn’t wake up and see this.” She said.

“Me too, so hurry up and get over here.”

“Wait, I didn’t think you would be in the mood after such a long day, but since you are I have something special for you.” She smiles, stepping backwards towards the bathroom. My mood greatly improves, anticipating what she has in mind.

“So, what do you think?” She asks, entering the room wearing a single red ribbon that wraps her body in the most seductive of ways. “I like your red heels.” I said, looking over her body as she bites her bottom lip and waits for me to release the bow across her breasts. Instead, I stand up and make her stand in front of me so I can walk around her and admire every available inch of her. I fumble with the edges of the ribbon with my fingers, tracing lightly underneath the plush edges, teasing her until one of us breaks. “It’s not my birthday … nor Christmas … not Valentine’s Day … what is this gift for?” I breathed against her cheek.

“I know, but it is my birthday,” she said. I press my lips to her exposed skin, enjoying her soft exhale.

“Please, Sean,” she begs, as I toy with the edges of the ribbon across her breasts.

“Please what? What do you want Ava?” She moans as I move my fingers up under the ribbon to her ass and back down between her thighs.

“Stop teasing me Sean, or I’m going to go to bed and leave you standing here, hard and alone.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” I whispered to her.

“Try me,” she said jutting her chin out and crossing her arms.

“But baby, I don’t want your outfit to be simply torn off and thrown to the side, forgotten and abused. I think we should show it some respect.” I move behind her, running my mouth up her neck and forcing my thumbs up under the ribbon to her breasts. Her head falls back against my chest and she grabs my thigh to pull me closer to her body. We both moan as I move into her further. I am not sure the ribbon is going to hold up much longer. I am too hard and my erection is starting to break through the edges of the ribbon and forcing its way against her ass.