CHAPTER 21 Another First
December 10, 2010
One would think a three-hour difference between Vancouver and New York wouldn’t be an issue, but finding the time to talk to William between that and his irregular and grueling schedule was proving to be more challenging than we thought it would be.
Most scenes in this movie were filmed in the late afternoon through the early morning hours. That meant William would try to squeeze in some intermittent sleep during the day, and by the time he was up and available, I’d be about to fall asleep, which meant we only had a few minutes to catch up.
But even so, he always found the time to talk to me, like the day after Thanksgiving. I was upset about my conversation with my dad and the photos he showed me of William stepping out of a restaurant with that mysterious woman.
William explained how that had been a group dinner with a few cast and crew members to celebrate Thanksgiving a few days before since they would be working on that day. But the magazines manipulated the information only to show the photos of when they walked out, disregarding the ones where the other seven people followed close behind.
We knew to expect these types of situations from the media and paparazzi. And even though I trusted William blindly, talking to him and being able to ask him about the things that bugged me gave me the necessary reassurance to keep myself strong amid the unyielding gossip.
It was the small things he did to make me feel like he was always thinking about me. Like how he always made sure I’d wake up to a text if we didn’t connect the night before. But this morning, he was still awake from a prolonged shoot, and we were texting as I headed back home from school early since I only had to hand in a final assignment for the workshop class I had on Fridays.
We had so many things to discuss, but unfortunately, William was still on set, and calls weren’t allowed during that time, so we texted instead. That also meant he could be needed in front of the camera any second, and our conversation would have to end abruptly.
W.S.:Were you able to talk to Cecile? Tobias said he’s
still not talking to Liam since their argument. They’re
being ridiculous. They are obsessed with each other.
Me:Meddler. But I agree.
W.S.:Spill the beans.
I’d had the chance to talk to Cecile about the Jordan-Tobias situation, and I felt for her, but I also kind of … didn’t? She had two gorgeous, fabulous men fighting for her heart. But she was having a hard time choosing someone. She didn’t want to have to do that.
To say I understood where she was coming from was an understatement. But Cecile and I had very different personalities, and she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and voice the things she wanted for herself in the most precise way possible.
Me? Not so much. That’s why it took me so long to realize it was William I wanted all along. But with Cecile, it was different.
Me:She wants them both. She can’t choose.
W.S.: And?
Me: She tried to end things with them a while back because she thought it would get messy. But Jordan doesn’t care that she likes Tobias too. And Tobias … Well, he’s your brother. You know him better than I do. That didn’t stop him from keeping in touch with Cecile and flying to Paris to see her anytime he’s been in Europe, though.
W.S.:I can’t believe he hadn’t told us anything about this.
Me:It’s a complicated situation, for sure. But Liam knew, and I guess that’s why he’s still pissed at him. But I think Tobias is frustrated and misdirecting those feelings at Liam. I can’t see Tobias feeling comfortable sharing Cecile as Jordan does. You Sj?bergs are territorial Vikings.
W.S.: True. We don’t like others touching what’s ours.
But I also want to please you, so I get where Jordan’s
coming from.
Me: So you’re giving me a free pass?
W.S.:Do you have someone in mind you want to sleep with?
Me:Never.
W.S.:Thank God.
Me:Not sure I’m that open-minded, so no free passes
for you either.
W.S.:Hold on. Let me ask the girl in my trailer to get dressed and leave.
Me:*angry emojis*
W.S.: Ok. She’s gone. Carry on.
Me: I hate you.
W.S.: You certainly do not. Carry on with the Cecile debacle.
Me: Ugh. Ok. So, the problem here is Cecile hasn’t agreed to be exclusive with Tobias. But Tobias can’t give her up either. Jordan’s schedule allows him to be in Europe more often than Tobias, and Cecile told me that’s driving Tobias insane, but he knows he can’t “complain” because she has been very open and honest about where she stands with her feelings.
W.S.:I do have to say I’ve never seen Tobias so smitten with anyone like this.
Me:I agree. And Cecile admitted to having feelings for both of them the last time I talked to her. It’s not just a superficial attraction. She’s falling in love with Jordan AND Tobias. Those were her exact words.
W.S.: Shit.
Me: Yup.
W.S.: So what now?
Me:I don’t see Cecile choosing one of them anytime soon. Tobias will have to give her up or learn how to share her with Jordan. Meanwhile, Jordan is more open-minded and has expressed a desire to openly share her at the same time, if you know what I mean. But Cecile knows it wouldn’t solve anything nor would it end well in the long run.
W.S.: I don’t know what you mean. Can you explain how that works, please?
Me: Ha. Ha. You’re the threesome expert. You tell me.
W.S.: I’ve told you plenty of times I don’t share, but you are too stubborn to listen. I’ll always want you all to myself.
Me: Too bad because I met this Architecture major at school when you left for Vancouver, and he says he wouldn’t mind sharing me with you.
W.S.:Guillermina … don’t test me. Or I’ll have to discipline the unruliness out of you the moment I get back.
That last message made me blush. And my cheeks weren’t the only thing on fire. I could feel the need pulsing in my core all the way down between my legs. Thankfully, I was home and about to unlock my apartment door when I read that.
W.S.: No sassy comeback? Come on, play with me.
Shaking my head at my phone’s screen, I laughed and shut the door behind me. I dropped my bag on my bedroom sofa and threw myself back on my bed, which was neatly made. Weird. I looked around my room suspiciously, my brow wrinkling. Now I was 100% sure I’d left my bed unmade.
My breath hitched as a dreadful sense of panic crept up my spine.
Another incoming message from William popped up on my screen, but I was frozen, listening to footsteps nearing my bedroom door.
Memories of seeing Thomas inside my bedroom months ago invaded my thoughts. But it couldn’t have been him. He was dead. And I wasn’t in danger. Caleb had told me so in his letter. No one was after me. I was safe. And why would someone who wanted to hurt me make my bed? I almost laughed, but I was still on edge. Nothing made sense. So I grabbed my phone, ignored William’s unread messages, and texted him with shaky fingers.
Me:There’s someone inside my apartment. I’m freaking out. I hear footsteps.
W.S.:Wait. Aren’t you supposed to be at school?
Me:Focus!
A soft knock on my door made me let out a short but loud shriek.
W.S.:That should be Vesna. My housekeeper.
“Miss Murphy?” A female voice with an accent spoke from the other side of the door.
“Jesus Christ,” I muttered.
Me:I’m going to kill you.
“Coming!” I angrily tossed my phone on the bed and opened the door to find a short, chubby woman with dirty blonde curls held up in a messy bun. My heart was still pounding in my ears as I recovered from the previous scare.
“I’m sorry I frightened you, Miss.” She extended her hand. “I’m Vesna. I work for Mr. Sj?berg. But you usually aren’t around on Friday mornings.”
I knew it! Well, actually, I didn’t. I knew something was off about the bed being magically made and the dirty dishes disappearing from my sink. It wasn’t surprising to find out William was behind this. But I was glad to confirm I wasn’t going insane or that my dad was sending Mimi without my approval.
“Nice to meet you, Vesna. You can call me Billie,” I said, shaking her hand. “And no worries. I just wasn’t expecting you to be here.”
“I’m almost done.” She smiled warmly. “I’m finishing up with the kitchen, and I’ll be on my way.”
“No worries.” I smiled back. “Take your time.”
“I’ll let myself out once I’m done. If you need anything, I’ll be next door at Mr. Sj?berg’s apartment.”
“Thank you so much.”
She nodded once and headed back to the kitchen.
Me: I’m still alive. In case you were wondering. Not that you seemed worried about my safety.
W.S.: That’s because I knew you weren’t in any danger.
Me:Just met Vesna. Why didn’t you tell me she’s been
cleaning my apartment?
W.S.: Would you have allowed me to do this for you if I’d asked?
Me:Well, no, because you’ve done enough for me already, and my apartment doesn’t need much cleaning anyway.
W.S.:Technically, it’s my apartment, and I want it to be clean, so I win. Besides, Vesna says otherwise. She says you’re a dirty, dirty girl.
Me: No, she did not.
W.S.:She would if she knew you like I do. *smirk emoji*
Me:Hahaha.
W.S.:Frankly, I’m impressed it took you this long to figure
it out.
Me:I thought I was going insane.
W.S.:I’m sorry. I know you’ve been pushing yourself hard with school and working that part-time job. You keep telling me you’re exhausted, so I wanted to do this for you.
Me:Thank you. I really appreciate it. But you’re also busy and exhausted enough as it is to be worrying about me.
You spoil me too much.
W.S.: You ain’t seen nothing yet.
Me:Makes me feel like I’m in debt to you.
W.S.:Never. You don’t owe me a single thing.
Me:Promise you’ll tell me if you ever do something like
this again.
W.S.:Only if you promise not to say no to everything I want to do for you. You stubborn, feisty thing.
Me:I miss you.
W.S.:I miss you too. But stop deflecting. Promise you’ll let me do nice things for you.
Me:Ok. I promise. But you have to promise to keep me in the loop, or you’ll give me a heart attack with these surprises.
W.S.:I promise.
Me:Stop being so perfect.
W.S.:I’m far from it. Believe me.
Me:You’ll have to convince me otherwise.
W.S.:No one’s perfect. But I get the feeling. I feel the same way about you.
Me:I want to squeeze your face and run my fingers along your eyebrows.
W.S.: I love it when you do that. But something else comes
to mind when I think of using my fingers.
Me:And I’m the dirty one?
W.S.:This only proves my point. I was going to say run my fingers through your hair.
Hearing how the front door snicked shut, I searched for a photo online of Pinocchio with the longest nose possible and sent it to William.
Thankfully, Vesna had left.
W.S.:Hahaha. Ok, you got me. I do have something else
in mind. Is your vibrator charged?
Me:It is. And that’s an excellent idea. I’ll talk to you later. Bye!
W.S.:Don’t you dare.
I pulled my vibrator from my nightstand drawer and checked the battery level. It was a little over 70%. Perfect.
Me: This is all your fault. I miss you too much, and I need a release. Don’t worry. I’ll think of you when I use it. I always do. Be right back.
I loved teasing him and knowing that even if he knew I was joking, it still got him all hot and bothered.
W.S.:Grab the vibrator and do as I say.
Me: Aren’t you at work and surrounded by people?
W.S.: I am. But I’m going to tell you exactly what I want you to do with it while I wait to be called back. Which can be any minute now, so don’t waste any more time trying to fight me over this.
Me:I thought I was the bossy one.
W.S.: Guille, please, baby. I need this.
And I needed it too. I missed him so much that being able to have these types of long-distance interactions really helped to soothe the pulsing desire to have him when I couldn’t. So I got off the bed, stripped down, and replied.
Me: Tell me what you want me to do.
W.S.:Take off your clothes.
Me:Already did.
W.S.:Fuck.
Me: Anything else?
W.S.: Touch yourself a little bit.
Me: Already am.
Typing with one hand was challenging, and took me longer to reply, but I was managing.
W.S.:Ok, maybe I didn’t think this through. I’m bursting out
of the seams. Literally.
Me: This was your idea.
W.S.:How wet are you?
Me: Soaked.
My phone rang seconds later. It was William, so I took the call and placed it on speakerphone on the bed beside me.
“Hey.” His voice was low and breathy. “I escaped to my trailer. They can come look for me if they need me, for all I care.”
Listening to the clear need in his voice, combined with the self-stimulation, made me release a soft moan.
“Tell me what you’re doing,” he ordered.
“I’m touching myself like you asked me to,” I said softly. “Will you touch yourself, too? Or are you just going to order me around?”
“I’ll do anything you want.”
“Touch yourself.”
I could hear him fumbling with his clothes, followed by a plop as he probably let himself fall back on his trailer bed.
“Are you … aroused?”
“What do you think?” He chuckled. “Wish I could be there so you could see what you do to me.”
“Show me.”
He sent me a photo of his hard dick, the head moist with a bead of precum, making my jaw drop and my breath catch in my chest. I was drunk with lust and love and desire.
“Say something.” His voice was deep and commanding.
“It’s my first dick pic,” I admitted, staring at the photo. “I’m in awe. You’re perfect.”
“No way.”
“I swear.”
“A first,” he said proudly. “All mine.”
“I thought you didn’t care about those anymore.” I laughed under my breath.
“I lied.”
I gasped playfully.
“Coming!” William yelled, but it was clearly not meant for me.
“Already?” I joked. “I’m only getting warmed up over here.”
“Someone knocked on my door, smartass,” he replied. “But I won’t leave my trailer until you come. So grab that vibrator and do exactly as I say unless you want me to pay a fine for delaying production.”
I turned it on and said, “Guide away.”