Free Payback by Kim Brogan Page A

whisked me off the dance floor and started for the door.  Someone on the way asked how the star could leave the wrap party. He turned to the man, a grip I think, and said, “I have a date with destiny,” and then he laughed.
    We pushed through the door and out into the alley.  When he turned to me, I was expecting a telling-off, a ploy to get me to go out and , subsequently, go to bed with him.  I was shocked when I saw his face coming down as his arms wrapped tightly around me.  His lips seemed to glide into mine, as his tongue made a demur entrance into my mouth.  His moves had been flawless and, if I’d been sophisticated, I would have yielded to his kiss, but I screwed it up.
    I pushed him away and ran down the alley , trying to remember what side of the building I was now on.  I realized quickly that I was running in the opposite direction of the parking lot, so I turned and saw a completely dazed Caden staring at me with his mouth open.  I started running full speed towards him so that I could rush by and exit out the other end, but he stepped into my path, and I plowed into him like a high school linebacker. We both went down to the asphalt, me sprawled over him like a mad wrestler.
    “You could have just asked.  I’ve been dying to get horizontal with you for months,” he teased.
    “Oh, shit.”  I rolled off and sat up.  He lifted up to his elbows. Shaking my head, I asked, “Why are you doing this to me?  Don’t you have other women you can toy with?  Don’t you know how much I want this to happen?  I know you’re just going to play with me until you get tired, and then I’ll be discarded next week when a fresh batch of starlets show up.”
    He started laughing at me.  Not just a little laugh, but a full-blown belly laugh that took a few minutes for him to control.  “Do you know how melodramatic you sound?  You make me sound like a predator from the old Hollywood days, as if I give rehearsals to the new batch of starlets on my couch.”
    Now I was pissed.  Melodramatic?   “Well, don’t you?  I see a new woman draped on your arm every week.”
    “I tried to explain that to you , and I didn’t do a very good job of it. Let’s start over.  Don’t judge me by my past behavior.  Those were women I didn’t have an intellectual connection with.  I think I do with you, although, I have to admit I’m not as brilliant as you, but I do relate to you through your writing and willingness to listen on the set to what others have to offer.  You’re not afraid to accept criticism or advice.  That’s something I admire and struggle with.  I often take advice as criticism, and I take that personally.  I shouldn’t, but I do.  By the way, you might want to get up because you’re sitting in a puddle of oil.”
    I screeched and jumped up like a bunny.  “Shit!  These are my new jeans…they cost me a hundred bucks.”
    “Why does anyone need jeans that cost a hundred dollars?”
    I narrowed my eyes. “You tell me. You were in an ad for them six months ago.”
    “I was?” H e looked at the jeans and then nodded.  “Yes, so I was.  But they gave me a dozen pairs free, along with a very large check.  I’d never pay that much for jeans, not when I can buy a good pair for a lot less. However, having said that, I have to admit that pair does emphasize your nice ass.”
    My mouth dropped.  I wanted to be offended, but I was like a schoolgirl and terribly flattered that he had noticed my ass.
    “Let’s get you home so you can change, and then I’ll take you out,” he said.
    “It’s almost midnight.  All I want to do is go to bed.”
    He grinned. “Well, I hadn’t expected an invitation so soon from you, but I’m willing.”
    I laughed. “You are something else.  I’m sure most women spread their legs on the first date with you, but I’m not that sort of girl.  You’re going to have to wait for the second date with me.”
    It was his turn to laugh. “So when do I