The Hills Party (The Hollywood Twins #1) (2 page)

That night, after Rachel had cooled off and apologized to Hanna for being a little too harsh, the sisters were headed out for one of Hanna's gigs. It was Rachel's night off and she decided the best way to show her sister some support, was to go with her to one of her gigs. It was at a local club, with one of the seediest owners around. He was famous for encouraging the women who worked for him to wear as little as possible, and Hanna was happy to oblige. Hanna was proud of her body with its subtle curves and long legs. She did not see any reason to cover it up, especially when her tips doubled depending on how much she revealed. Tonight she was dressed in a tight leather corset with a microscopic skirt peeking out from beneath its flared edge. Next to her, Rachel could have been a nun. She was wearing a short sleeved light green blouse, that had a V-neck but did not dive too low, and a simple white skirt that drifted just above her knees. She was still very beautiful, but her clothes did not draw the same attention that Hanna's did.

As they walked in the flickering lights, loud patrons were already riled up and ready to have a fun night. Hanna hurried over to set up the music, and left Rachel to deal with Charles, the owner of the club. He was nearly fifty, but dressed as if he was in his early twenties. He leaned against the bar beside Rachel and smirked.

"What's wrong, why the long face?" he asked as if he truly cared. Rachel was sure he did not; he just wanted an excuse to talk to her.

"Just money troubles," she laughed lightly and ordered a drink to distract herself from how close he was to her.

"Money troubles?" He frowned as he leaned a little closer to Rachel. "Why didn't you tell me? You know I'd do anything for you and your sister."

Rachel studied him suspiciously as she took a sip of her drink. She knew no such thing. In fact, in the past he had threatened to ban Hanna from his club, because she had called in sick when she came down with the flu. He was not exactly the generous type.

"Really?" Rachel asked without much interest.

"Sure, I have just the thing to fix you both up, take care of all of your worries," he grinned broadly, the thin mustache that rode his upper lip stretched to its maximum.

Rachel normally would have ignored anything he had to say, but she knew that if she did not manage to come up with some kind of money for the rent, she and her sister would be out on the street. They already had one of the lowest rents in Hollywood; there would be nowhere to go, but home. That was the last thing that Rachel wanted to do. Home was exactly what they had hoped to leave behind.

"What is it?" she asked, certain that she would regret the question.

"It's a private gig," Charles explained as he ordered Rachel a second drink. "A friend of mine is having a party, and he wants a couple of sexy DJs at the party. I was going to tell Hanna, but he was hoping for a pair," he winked one dark eye in Rachel's direction. "Lucky for me, the two of your come in pairs."

Rachel shook her head as she glanced over at her sister already blasting music. She was dancing rhythmically to the beat of the music that was playing. She really was very beautiful, Rachel just wondered if she would ever realize it.

"Sexy is Hanna's game," Rachel insisted, as she glanced down at her modest clothing. There was something about Hanna that had always made her much more alluring to men. Rachel felt like the mousy twin, and the fact that she was always unnoticed seemed to prove it.

"Oh, too bad," Charles shrugged casually. "If you can't use a cool three grand, I am sure I can find someone who can," he started to turn away.

Rachel nearly choked on her drink at the mention of the money. "Three thousand, dollars?" she asked, being very specific.

"Yup, fifteen hundred a piece, this guy is loaded. I told you I could fix all your problems," he grinned again, and Rachel caught sight of the glint of one of his gold teeth in the strobe lights.

"Well, I should ask Hanna-" she started to say as she glanced over her shoulder. She found that a slender, tall, and very tan, young man had climbed up on the stage with Hanna and they were grinding their bodies together. "On second thought," Rachel laughed. "I don't think she'll have a problem with it."

"So, you're on?" he asked, his eyes shining. He knew he would earn a nice little bonus for finding his friend two of the most beautiful women in Hollywood; and twins nonetheless.

"I guess," Rachel sighed. She could sacrifice her comfort for one night if it meant the rent would be paid on time. Besides, as Hanna had said, somehow the money always found a way to show up.

"Great, it's this Friday," he jotted down the address for the party. "He wants sexy," he glanced derisively at the way Rachel was dressed. "So borrow some of Hanna's clothes, hm?" he arched an eyebrow.

Rachel pursed her lips into a rigid smile. "Of course."

*~*~*

When Hanna heard about the gig she got excited. When she read the address, she got even more excited.

“This isn't just any private party,” she gasped as she read the address again. “This is in Hollywood Hills; it will be a mansion.” Hanna sighed with pleasure as she slumped down on the couch. She had always dreamed of living in a luxurious home like the ones that could be found in the Hills.

“Well, it'll be enough to pay the rent, with a little leftover,” Rachel had to smile. Sure, it was not her idea of a good time, but it was such a relief to know that the bills would be paid. She settled down on the couch next to her sister and the two young women rested their heads on each other’s. It was something they had done since they were kids. Their parents were not much to speak of, and most of the time it was just Rachel and Hanna to take care of each other. They had fought as sisters will, but when it came down to it, they always protected each other. Without Hanna, Rachel was sure her life would never be the same.

“I can't believe you agreed to this,” Hanna said quietly. “And I get to dress you up!” she said with genuine excitement.

Rachel cringed at that idea, but nodded. She did not think Hanna's clothes would look the same on her, but she was willing to try. She would just pretend it was Halloween and that she was wearing a costume.

The days passed quickly, but Rachel grew more nervous as she woke up each morning. Finally it was Friday and Hanna displayed the clothes she had picked out for Rachel. The shorts were skin tight and barely reached mid-thigh. The top could have easily been a bikini top, with only thin white lace draping down over her stomach.

“Where's the rest of it?” Rachel asked nervously. Hanna was busy tugging on a similar outfit, only the top she wore did not have the lace.

“Oh please, it covers all your bits and pieces,” Hanna joked and gave her sister's rear end a light slap.

“Hanna,” Rachel glared and folded her arms across her stomach. It was a good thing it was a warm day, but she still felt chilled. She grabbed a long jacket from the closet and pulled it on as they loaded the equipment into the back of Hanna's Jeep.

“You can't wear that all night,” Hanna warned as she eyed the khaki material of the overcoat.

“I won't,” Rachel promised, but her voice wavered slightly. She was terrified of being seen with so little on. Hanna, on the other hand, was happily bending over for the neighbor's appreciation, as she tucked in the last box.

“Let's go!” she squealed, excited to see the mansion they would be working at. She wondered whose it would be, and whether she would finally have the chance to meet some real stars. She had rubbed elbows with a few B-movie stars, but that was not the same. As they drove up into the Hills, Rachel was very quiet. Hanna glanced over at her with a frown.

“Are you sure you can handle this Rae?” she asked in a serious tone. Her sister had never been willing to expose herself for any amount of money before.

“Yes,” Rachel said firmly, but she clung tighter to the coat she wore.

“You know you look very beautiful,” Hanna said with a touch of jealousy. She made her clothes look better than Hanna did.

“Really?” Rachel asked with uncertainty. She had been too afraid to even look in the mirror.

“Really,” Hanna said firmly. “You're going to be the focus of the party,” she laughed and cast a wink in her sister's direction. Rachel paled at that idea and stared hard out the window at the homes they were passing. The further they drove, the larger the homes became. Then there were no more houses, only large gates and fences that revealed no sign of the hidden luxury beyond them.

“Here it is,” Hanna said with a grin as she slowed down in front of a large wrought iron gate. The thick bars were intertwined with an old-fashioned letter M.

“Hanna and Rachel Brennen, we're here to set up for the party,” Hanna explained to the security guard who stepped out of the small booth beside the gate. Inwardly, she was impressed by the fact that the people who lived here were wealthy enough to have their own round the clock security. The guard checked his list, and then did a double take at the two women in the car.

“Twins?” he asked with a toothy grin, as if he had just figured out some amazing secret.

“Obviously,” Hanna replied snottily and snatched her ID back from the man. “We have a lot of work to do,” she added shortly.

Rachel smiled apologetically at the man who nodded quickly and unlocked the gates for them. Hanna drove through down a long winding driveway that was framed by large trees. It was like driving into a different world from the busy Hollywood streets they were used to. When they rounded one final curve, the mansion spread out before them. It was hard to see from one end to the other, and it was surrounded by lush green grass and gardens in the distance. It seemed as if there was not another building or home in sight, the property stretched out forever in all directions.

“Wow,” Hanna and Rachel gasped at the same time. They had been raised in a tiny house, and lived most of their adult lives in small dorm rooms and the little apartment they now shared. It was hard to imagine a place so huge, let alone owning it.

“Maybe this isn't such a good idea,” Rachel said in a scared whisper. Her heart was racing as she wondered if she could be arrested for breaking anything, or spilling something on the carpet.

“Rachel, you will be fine,” Hanna said sternly. “Fine,” she repeated as she pulled the Jeep to a stop and stared out through the windshield with her lips slightly parted.

“Right, fine,” Rachel nodded as if she was trying to convince herself.

“No, I mean, fine,” Hanna hissed as she pointed through the windshield at the flexing muscles of a shirtless man beside a large delivery truck. It was just warm enough that the sun glistened off, of a sheen of sweat along the man's toned back. His sandy blonde hair curled damply at the base of his neck, and when he lifted the box he was holding into the air, his arms rippled with the motion.

“Wow,” Rachel repeated and sank back against the seat of the jeep. On this the sisters could agree; the twenty-something man that was unloading boxes from the back of the truck, looked as if he had walked right off the cover of a magazine. He obviously paid close attention to his body. When he glanced over his shoulder at the sound of Hanna's Jeep pulling to a stop not far from him, Hanna held her breath. His chiseled features were made even more attractive by the soulful brown eyes that gazed out from beneath thick heavy lashes. He studied the Jeep for a moment with a puzzled expression, and then his lips curved into an easy smile.