[Quantum 01.0 - 03.0] Boxed Set Read online

  In truth, I honestly don’t know if I can live permanently outside the lifestyle I chose for myself more than a decade ago. But I’m willing to try if it means having a chance with Natalie. After what happened tonight, it’s apparent to me that there’s no way I can share that lifestyle with her.

  And if the choice is to live without the lifestyle or live without her, well, there’s no choice at all. She is essential to me in a way that nothing and no one else has ever been. I will do whatever it takes to make this work with her, even if it means giving up something that has meant a lot to me.

  It won’t be like it was with Val. I was new to the lifestyle then and still testing my own limits. I pushed her too far. I know that now. She exacted her revenge by sleeping with the director of the film we were shooting at the time. I exacted mine by sleeping with her friend. The entire incident was ugly and unfortunate. With hindsight, I can acknowledge my share of the blame for the disaster our marriage became at the end.

  It will be different with Natalie because I already love her more than I ever loved Val, who was ambitious to a fault, willing to stop at nothing to get what she wanted, which was superstardom. She certainly succeeded at that, but at what cost? At least I didn’t sell my soul for my career the way she did for hers.

  I don’t like to think about her or the difficult, humiliating end to our marriage. The divorce got so ugly that I publicly renounced the institution of marriage altogether, a move my mother later told me hurt her deeply. Those were some of the darkest days of my life, and Hayden is right to remind me of how bad it got.

  I have no desire to ever go through anything like that again, which is why I would give up the lifestyle before I’d try to force it on Natalie, who wouldn’t be able to handle it. With her in my arms in the dark of night, a decision is made, and I’m able to relax enough to sleep.

  I’m tortured in my sleep again with erotic dreams that put me in the dungeon with Natalie, where she’s a willing partner in every scenario I dream up. She loves it as much as I do. She loves to be dominated and forced to withhold her pleasure until I give her permission to take it.

  I have her bent over the spanking bench, her hands are tied and her bottom raised, tempting me to do anything I want to her—and there are so many things I want to do. She is mine, completely and totally. She trusts me implicitly. I love her madly. I crave her sweet body and want to stretch the boundaries of my own creative imagination to take us places I’ve never been with any other partner.

  I bring my hand down on her soft white skin and the slapping sound resonates through the cavernous room. Natalie gasps and then moans when I rub the red handprint. Pain becomes pleasure with the stroke of a hand. I do it again and again and again, until her bottom is cherry red and her breathing raspy and uneven. Her pussy glistens and moisture coats her inner thighs, which tells me she’s enjoying this every bit as much as I am.

  After coating my fingers with lubricant, I stroke her back entrance, drawing a prolonged groan from her. “What’s your safe word?”

  “Fluff,” she says breathlessly.

  “Fluff what?”

  “Sir. Fluff, Sir.”

  I swallow a lump of emotion that comes with hearing her call me that, from knowing I own her body and soul. It’s the greatest gift anyone has ever given me. “That’s my girl.” I drive my fingers into her bottom and remove them just as quickly, replacing them with the largest plug I own. When she resists the intrusion, I spank her again, which distracts her long enough to press the widest part of the plug past her resisting muscles.

  She cries out from the pleasurable pinch of pain, and I stroke her clit to take her mind off the pressure of the huge plug in her ass.

  I give her a minute to breathe and adjust, but not too long to slip out of the scene. Taking her by the hips, I drive my cock into her pussy and have to give myself a moment when her muscles contract and my balls draw up tightly. I close my eyes, summoning the control I pride myself in, wanting to see this through to a finish neither of us will ever forget.

  It’s a tight fit thanks to the large plug in her ass. It’s the last step before I take her there with my cock. The pleasure is sublime. It’s hot and thrilling and deeply satisfying because I love her more than my own life. I give it to her hard and fast, forcing her to take all of me, and then I give the plug a brisk tug, and she screams.

  Her pussy contracts around my cock as she comes hard, so hard I see stars from the power of her release. Knowing I’ve taken her there is all I need to let go, to find my own pleasure, although that’s too tame of a word for how it feels to be in this moment with the woman I love.

  I wake to realize it’s happened again. I’ve dreamed my way to orgasm. I’m sweating and trembling from the sheer power of the connection I’ve found with her in my dreams. Moving carefully, I disentangle myself without waking her.

  For a long time, I sit on the edge of the bed, running my fingers through my hair repeatedly, trying to find some sense in what’s happening. I’m crippled by the fear that this will be my new reality—nightly wet dreams about what I can’t have while the woman of my dreams sleeps in my arms.

  The next day unfolds like something out of a fairy tale that begins with waking up in Flynn’s arms and continues when Addie arrives with hair and makeup people who treat me like a princess for the next couple of hours. They seem to have a vision, so I let them do their thing and try to relax.

  Flynn is on edge about tonight, so I encourage him to go for a long run. He comes back to find my hair in huge rollers that have him laughing as he reaches for his phone.

  “Flynn! No pictures!”

  “Why not? You’re too cute.”

  “No pictures.”

  “Spoilsport.”

  We take lunch out to the pool deck while Addie and the others eat inside.

  “No woman should ever let the man in her life see the prep for an event like this,” I say between bites of the delicious chicken salad Addie had delivered.

  He goes completely still and gives me that intense look that always evokes a strong reaction within me. “Am I the man in your life, Natalie?”

  “I believe you have been since you chased me down last Saturday and insisted I go out with you.”

  His smug grin is full of male satisfaction. “I did do that, didn’t I?”

  “You’ve made a complete nuisance of yourself, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

  “Me, too.” He leans over to kiss me, and one of the curlers smacks against his face, making him laugh. “That’s very sexy, sweetheart.”

  “I’m told the end result will be worth it.”

  “Mmm,” he says against my lips. “I can’t wait.”

  I have never been so dazzled by anyone as I am by Natalie in sexy, slinky black Gucci Couture with her hair flowing down her back in big, sexy curls—and I can only see the back of her. A twinge of fear knots in my gut when I realize the paparazzi are going to eat her up.

  I’ve instructed my publicist, Liza, to give only her first name and no other information about her to anyone who asks—and they’ll be asking. I’ll do whatever I can to protect her privacy, but that doesn’t keep me from feeling like a selfish bastard for wanting her with me so badly on what could be the biggest night of my career.

  When I step into the master bedroom, Addie and Tenley are still fussing over her. “How’s it going in here, ladies?”

  Natalie turns, and I’m left breathless by the sight of her. She’s positively radiant and so fucking beautiful.

  Tenley gives Natalie a careful hug and whispers a few words that leave Natalie smiling.

  “Thanks, Tenley,” I say as she goes past me on her way out.

  “My pleasure. Entirely my pleasure.”

  “You look fantastic,” Addie says to Natalie. “A vision in black. You’ll be on all the best-dressed lists.”

  “Only thanks to you and Tenley and the others.”

  “Have the best time ever.”

  “Thanks ag
ain, Addie. For everything.”

  I bestow a warm smile on my assistant as she comes toward me.

  “She’s a keeper,” Addie whispers as she walks past me and out the door.

  Of course I already know that. I’ve known it from the beginning. As I approach her, I can see that her eyes are fairly sparkling from the excitement. “There simply are no words to properly tell you how incredibly beautiful you look.”

  “So do you.” Her hands lay flat upon the lapels of my tuxedo coat.

  “I’m afraid to touch you. You’re a goddess come to life before my very eyes.”

  “Would you do me a favor?”

  “Anything.”

  “Take a picture for Leah? I promised her I would.”

  “I’d be happy to, but first you need the finishing touches.”

  “What finishing touches?” She turns to consult the mirror. “Tenley said I was all set to go.”

  I remove a blue velvet box from my suit coat pocket and reach around her with it in my hand. “She didn’t know about these finishing touches.”

  “Flynn! What is that?”

  “Open it and find out.”

  “I can’t. My hands are shaking.”

  “Then allow me.”

  She turns to me, watching as I open the box to reveal the elaborate diamond necklace and matching chandelier earrings, compliments of my brother-in-law Hugh, an exclusive Beverly Hills jeweler. “You… Those… Those aren’t real, are they?”

  “Sweetheart…” I laugh at her sweet innocence. “Of course they’re real.”

  Natalie takes a step back. “I can’t wear them. What if I lose them?”

  “You won’t lose them. Now stand still and let me put the necklace on you.”

  “Flynn, seriously… I don’t need this.”

  Could she be more adorable and sweet? “I know you don’t, but I need to give it to you.”

  I secure the necklace and place a kiss on the back of her shoulder, which is bare. “You do the earrings.” I hand them to her and watch her fingers tremble as she puts them on. “Now let me see.”

  Her hands drop, and I admire my handiwork. “Absolutely perfect. I’ll be the envy of every guy there tonight.”

  “This has already been the most exciting day of my life. Thank you.”

  “Thank you. I’m thrilled to have you here with me.”

  “How’re you holding up?”

  “Okay. I guess. I hate that I really want to win this time. That makes me feel so shallow when there are far bigger problems in the world than whether Flynn Godfrey will finally win a major acting award. I have them for producing, but not acting.”

  “How about we put aside all those other problems in the world and give Flynn Godfrey one night to be a self-absorbed movie star who deserves to win big?”

  “Well, when you put it that way… Are you all packed up?” I told her earlier that we wouldn’t be returning to the house tonight.

  “Yep. My bag is in your room.”

  “I’ll grab it.”

  “Flynn?”

  “Yeah?”

  “The necklace and earrings are lovely. Thank you so much.”

  “My pleasure, sweetheart. Be right back.”

  Chapter 20

  All the way into town in the back of a limousine that Flynn assures me he doesn’t own, I’m constantly checking to make sure the priceless necklace is still there. I can’t believe he did that.

  “It’s fine. It’s not going anywhere, and if it does, it’s insured, so don’t worry.”

  “If it’s so valuable it needs to be insured, I will worry.”

  He takes hold of both my hands to stop me from continuing my regular checks of the necklace. “When we get there, the reporters are going to stop me for interviews and general B.S. When they ask me who you are, I’m going to just say you’re my friend Natalie, okay?”

  “Sure, that’s fine.”

  “You are so much more than that to me, but they don’t need to know that. Not yet, anyway. They’ll ask who you’re wearing, and it’s okay to reply, but you can ignore the rest of the questions that’ll fly our way.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll be right there with you the whole time, so don’t let it freak you out.”

  “I won’t.” I tug my hands free of his hold and wrap them around his arm, resting my head carefully on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about me. I’m planning to enjoy every second of it.”

  “Did you send the picture to Leah?”

  “Uh-huh. She wants to see one with you in it, too.”

  “Take a selfie.”

  “Good idea.” I withdraw my phone from the clutch Tenley chose to go with my dress and set up the selfie. “Ready?”

  “Whenever you are.”

  We laugh our way through a series of selfies until we finally get one that doesn’t look awful. I shoot it off to Leah.

  She writes right back. You look amazing and I’ll be watching on TV. Good luck to Flynn!

  “Leah wishes you good luck tonight.”

  “That’s nice of her. How about sending it to your family?” he asks. “Wouldn’t they like to see what you’re up to?”

  I say the first thing that comes to mind. “They don’t have smartphones.” In truth, I don’t know what kind of phones they have these days, but I do know for certain they wouldn’t care where I am or who I’m with. Not after I ruined all their lives.

  Praying he’ll drop it, I stare out the window as the scenery rushes by. I love the palm trees and the bright blue sky. Addie and Tenley were talking about how it “monsooned” last year on Golden Globes day and what a challenge the rain presented to getting everyone into the theater without looking like drowned rats.

  “Did I say the wrong thing by mentioning your family?” he asks quietly.

  “No… I… We… I don’t talk to them.”

  “Ever?”

  This is the last thing I want to talk about now or ever, but I suppose it’s inevitable. “No.”

  “How long has it been?”

  “Eight years.”

  “That would’ve made you fifteen, Natalie.”

  “I know how long it’s been.” I turn to him and can see he’s agitated by this information. “Can we please not talk about this?”

  “Natalie—”

  “Please, Flynn. I really don’t want to talk about it. It’s part of the stuff I never talk about.” I can see him struggling with the need to pursue it further. “Please?”

  “Okay, but I hope you know there’s nothing you could tell me that would change how I feel about you.”

  “I do know, and I appreciate that more than I can ever express, but I’ve put all that behind me a long time ago. That’s where I want it to stay.”

  An uncomfortable silence descends upon us as we join the line of limos heading for The Beverly Hilton. I hate that my unfortunate past has come back to haunt this most important evening for him.

  I reach for his hand. “Hey.”

  He smiles at me, but it’s not that big megawatt Hollywood smile I’ve grown to love so much.

  “Good luck tonight. No matter what happens, I think you were the best of the best. By far.”

  He leans across the seat to kiss me. “Thank you for that and for being here with me.”

  “Thanks for bringing me. I’ll never forget any of it.”

  “Hopefully, this is just the first of many such nights for us.”

  “That would be nice.” I can’t yet conceive of how this life he has in mind for us would work, but I don’t need to figure that out now, not when there’s a red carpet to walk on the arm of the man I’ve fallen in love with.

  A roar from the crowd gathered outside the hotel greets Flynn when he emerges from the limo. He reaches for me and helps me out before he waves to acknowledge the fans.

  “We love you, Flynn!”

  He smiles and waves some more before we proceed toward the hotel, stopping to chat with TV reporters.

  One of them, a w
illowy blonde, greets him with a kiss on his cheek. “We’re here with Golden Globe nominee Flynn Godfrey. How are you feeling tonight, Flynn?”

  “I feel great. It’s always nice to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press.”

  While he talks to her, I stand by his side, taking it all in as stars I recognize from TV and movies walk by. I try not to stare like the awkward newbie I am, but it isn’t easy.

  “We’re hearing that this is going to be your year. Anything to say to that?”

  “I’ve had a great year. No matter what happens tonight or in the next couple of weeks, I have no complaints.”

  “Who’s with you tonight?”

  “My parents are here somewhere, and this is my friend Natalie.”

  “Nice to meet you, Natalie.”

  “You, too.”

  “Who are you wearing tonight, Natalie?”

  “Gucci Couture.”

  “Well, good luck to you tonight, Flynn. We’ll be pulling for you.”

  “Thanks, Debra. Nice to see you.”

  Reporters covering the red carpet stop us four more times, each of them asking similar questions. The last one tries to get Flynn to spill the details about us, but he deflects with his usual brand of charm and humor. As we walk away from him, I can tell Flynn is annoyed.

  “Sorry about that,” he says.

  “It’s fine. You handled it perfectly.”

  “They think they have some sort of right to the details of my private life just because my job is public.”

  “Oh my God,” I whisper. “There’s Johnny Depp!”

  His low rumble of laughter wipes the tension from his face. “Do I need to be jealous?”

  “Not at all, but that’s Johnny Depp.” I sure do wish I could share this night with my sisters, who would never believe the people I’m seeing in person. It’s the who’s who of Hollywood, all in one place. And I’m right in the middle of it wearing Gucci Couture and dripping in diamonds on the arm of Flynn Godfrey, who loves me. Someone please pinch me so I’ll know this is really happening.

  Flynn waves Johnny over, and they do the man-hug routine. “This is my girlfriend, Natalie. She’s a big fan.”