Chapter 6 Aria
ARIA
One of the benefits of being an adult lady who used to be the star of a TV show called Great Vibes is that the owners of certain startups who design and manufacture high-end vibrating sex toys occasionally send you their wares.
Every now and then, I’ll get a big box messengered to my house from my former manager’s or agents’ offices.
Inside those boxes are manila envelopes filled with handmade cards from new young fans, as well as discreet, unopened packages that contain products that require batteries or must be charged via USB.
I have the distinct honor of having two vibrators named after me—one after my Great Vibes character Bay, and one after my real name.
The Bay is shaped sort of like a surfboard, but sadly the vibrations are weak and I’d recommend it for beginners only.
The Aria is shaped more like a microphone, but I’m happy to report that the three speeds are bitchin’ and have provided me with numerous crashing waves of pleasure within very short periods of time.
I am so worked up after my encounter this morning that I’ve brought out the big guns. By big guns, I mean the wand that I call the Big Kahuna. I can ride a huge wave in less than a minute with this bad dude.
Miles Brodie caused a surprise seismic disturbance back at the café, with his aggro cocktail of forearms, paternal love, and dickishness.
There’s been a groundswell growing in my lower abdomen ever since I overheard him telling off Logan at the theatre.
One insult about my finances, and I’m practically at the crest of that wave.
I’d never had angry-fuck fantasies before knowing Miles.
I’d also never used these particular lady products quite so frequently before meeting him.
I’m usually amused by his total lack of interest in me, but today I’m just mad at him for not following me out to my car when I left the café. He could have stormed out after me, grunting my name. Ordering me not to walk away from him.
He should have grabbed my arm and pulled me around the corner to the side of the building.
He should have pinned me against the wall and said, “This negotiation isn’t over until I say it is, Aria.”
My breath hitches because of the way he said my name. But then I snarl at him because this is my show we’re talking about. I’m the director. He doesn’t get to tell me what’s what.
“Oh, we’ve barely even begun,” I say.
But he isn’t even listening. He’s too busy staring at my saucy cleavage in the tight little tank top with the plunging neckline. I just happened to remove my blouse when I was leaving the café, and I can’t help it if my tits look so bewitching in this thing.
His jaw is so tense. I can see him resisting every single urge he’s having right now.
But he can’t seem to stop himself from slowly dragging his fingertips from my neck down to my chest. When his hand stops there, between my breasts, I place my hand over his.
I press the palm of his big, beautiful hand firmly against the dewy, golden skin just below my breastbone, and I start humming.
He shuts his eyes.
“Feel that?” I whisper.
He nods. “Yes.”
I push his hand to the left, slide his fingers under my top.
I lean in so I can whisper into his ear, pressing my nipple into his hand. “Feel that?”
His breaths come heavier, but he says nothing.
“I asked you a question,” I say as I trace the edge of the elastic waist of his sweatpants.
I let the tips of my fingers graze the taut skin of his waist, teasing him until he holds his breath.
Then I slide my hand down to the growing bulge between his legs, cupping it—over his sweatpants. “Feel that?”
The guttural sound he makes is so deep and loud, and then he opens his eyes and looks right into mine, and—
Oh. Shit!
Oh my God.
I’m. Already. Coming.
God. Dammit.
Why. Does. That. Asshole. Have. To. Be. So. Hot?!
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
Hmmmm…
Okay, well. Back to work.
I put the Big Kahuna back in his drawer, grab some water from my adorable tiny kitchen, and then go out to my tiny adorable living room to go through my notes from the auditions.
I sit cross-legged on the rug with my binder in my lap and gaze around at this room.
I love the natural light in here. I love the built-ins.
I love how cozy it is at night when I light my candles and play my music.
I love that I can be as loud as I want when I sing back here.
That would be worth three thousand dollars a month to me if I could afford it, Miles Brodie.
My phone vibrates, and I don’t know what it is about the way it vibrates, but I know even before I reach for it that it’s him.
I’m not mad at him anymore.
I have clarity now.
I’m ready to make a deal.
TO: Aria Cross
FROM: Miles Brodie (personal)
RE: MACY
Dear Ms. Cross,
As per our discussion:
1. True. Casting my daughter as the lead in your musical could be considered bribery if people find out I’m investing in it, but no one needs to know. None of the other kids’ parents need to know. Nobody else at the theatre needs to know. Tyler must not know.
2. To be clear—I only want to hire you as Macy’s singing coach so her vocal skills will improve.
3. Maybe if you’d spent less time surfing and more on your singing career, you wouldn’t be in this financial predicament.
4. Re. your living situation—you need to move out of that overpriced Malibu shoebox ASAP, and my neighbor has a private 550 square foot guest house that she can rent out to you for $1750 a month.
She’s very picky about tenants, but I vouched for you.
Santa Monica north of Montana Avenue. You can use her pool.
She only offers street parking, but you can use my garage.
If you cast Macy as Alice, I will pay for your deposit and first three months’ rent.
Please refrain from telling anyone about above points 1, 2 and 4. To avoid misunderstandings and complications.
Do we have a deal?
Best regards,
Miles Brodie
TO: Miles Brodie (Personal)
FROM: Aria Cross
RE: YOU
Dear Mr. Brodie,
Wow! You are just as fun and charismatic in emails as you are in person!
1. It absolutely is bribery, but I absolutely need that money for my production.
A three thousand dollar donation towards equipment rental, costume, sets, and props would be much appreciated.
Thanks! And just like my character on the Disney Channel show you seem to be obsessed with, I am very discreet.
2. To be even clearer—it is very cute that you will do anything to get Macy this part, but I would only coach that sweet child as a favor to all mammals with functional hearing.
3. If I spend less time surfing, will you spend less time jogging on my beach with your shirt off?
4. You want to pay me to live next door so you don’t have to drive anywhere to frown at me? Am I reading this right?
5. I have another condition for casting Macy as Alice—you have to perform the part of the Cheshire Cat.
If you do not accept above point/complication number 5, then I’m afraid we do not have a deal.
Purrrrrrr,
Aria
TO: Aria Cross
FROM: Miles Brodie (Personal)
RE: This is about Macy
1. Three thousand is acceptable. Please know that I am not quoting the film Pretty Woman, but I would have paid four.
2. My eight-year-old daughter is obsessed with your Disney Channel show. Not me. And she now hate-watches it because you have refused to cast her in the parts she auditions for.
3. If you would like to coach my daughter for free, then by all means, please do. I aspire to be the best father that I can be, but I never, ever aspire to be cute.
4. It’s not my fault you can’t stop staring at my shirtless torso when I just happen to run past the part of the Pacific Ocean that you just happen to be standing on.
5. If you find another rental that is located farther away from my house, I would be happy to pay a sum that is equal to three months’ rent on my neighbor’s guest house.
And if you have ever caught me frowning at you…
that was just me frowning in your general direction.
Again, perhaps if you didn’t stare at me so much, it wouldn’t bother you.
6. I don’t sing unless I’m drunk, and trust me, you do not want to be around me when I’m drinking.
I will also remind you that I am a busy and important lawyer who won’t have time to rehearse a play, will not make a fool of himself in front of an audience, and has only ever grinned when being paid a lot of money by brands or photographers to grin for the camera.
7. I can only offer money, not time. Name another uncomplicated condition so we can close this deal.
TO: Miles Brodie (Personal)
FROM: Aria Cross
RE: Oh really?
Why wouldn’t I want to be around you when you’re drunk, Miles?