35. Callie
thirty-five
Callie
Spinning side to side in front of the full-length mirror, I take in the designer lilac metal mesh dress. I love it. The gown drapes in the front above my breasts and in the middle of my back. The cap sleeves and spaghetti straps give the dress an old Hollywood vibe that I adore, and the high slit up the left thigh gives it a modern, sexy flare.
It’s deceivingly lightweight, made of gauze-like fabrics that cascade down my body, hugging my curves perfectly. Twisting again, I watch as the sunlight refracts iridescent sparkles, with hints of blue and gold that perfectly match my necklace, giving the gown a dramatic and dazzling effect.
My blonde hair is pinned behind my right ear and styled high, with Hollywood waves falling around my shoulders and down my back. A smoky violet paints my eyes, a glimmery warm bronze highlights my cheekbones, and a neutral shiny pale pink colors my lips.
I feel like a gilded goddess. The stylist and makeup ladies Eli hired are new to me, but when they explained their vision of making me look like a dream cloud of lavender haze, I let them run with it. They did an amazing job.
It seems unreal that just yesterday I was wearing leggings and Eli’s dress shirt, and now I’m in a gown worth thousands of dollars.
“You look gorgeous, Ms. Wright. It was such a pleasure to work with you.” Mona, the makeup artist grins.
Her stylist partner, Letty, helps me slide on matching sheer opera gloves. “Such a pleasure. You are the sweetest person we have ever worked with. When Mr. Miller called, asking for our help to dress you, we couldn’t believe it. I almost choked on the avocado toast I was eating for breakfast. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
“You’re welcome. If you don’t mind me asking, how do you know Mr. Miller?” I ask curiously. Eli hasn’t discussed how and why he knows so many people and gets them to do things for him, but it has me intrigued.
Mona shakes her head. “We don’t. He knows my cousin Taylor, whom we help dress for all kinds of events and galas. She’s the one who got us this job and told us all about you. Nothing but good things, of course.”
My already intense love for the man grows with another one of his acts of kindness and paying it forward. I know Taylor is his friend, but going to her was another way for him to pay back his debt for all her help.
“Eli was right to call. I saw Taylor in the red satin dress with the boat neck. She looked amazing. Please tell her I said hi and thank her for the recommendation. If you want, I’d really like to work together again.”
The two of them stare at me, slack jawed.
“Are you kidding?” Letty whispers.
“Not kidding. I love what you did with this look on short notice. I can’t wait to see what you can do with a longer time frame.”
The women scream and jump around in glee, hugging each other and me.
“Oh my god. Thank you so much, Ms. Wright,” Mona gushes.
“Callie. Call me Callie. I plan on working with you two for a long time.”
Before they leave, Mona and Letty exchange information with me, help me finish one last final touch-up on my hair, and slide into a pair of matching crystal-studded stilettos.
Glancing around Eli’s office, I look at the mess. It looks like an extra-large closet, with a rack of dresses and shoes, shopping bags with everything I could need, and a team to help me get ready for tonight’s movie premiere.
My heart does a little flip at the idea of walking down a red carpet. I hate these types of events. They never get easier. All the eyes watching, the cameras flashing, and the shouting… My stomach nosedives as a wave of nausea rolls through me.
I breathe through my anxiety, like Eli showed me, and make my way to the living room, where I know he’s waiting for me. I love his place. It’s homey and warm. A flash of making his home my home blooms like wildfire in my stomach.
Too soon , my brain cautions.
As soon as Silla is out of the picture, I’m going to have to find a new place to live. Even though it feels a lot longer, Eli and I have only been together for a short time. It would be crazy to move in together, wouldn’t it?
I push the thoughts away as the man I love comes into view.
An approving moan vibrates in my throat as he turns around in his tux, looking like a sexy-as-fuck version of James Bond. If Hudson hadn’t required us to attend this event, I’d march over, rip Eli’s shirt open, and climb him like a tree.
Eli’s eyes are wide as they trail the length of my body. He licks his lips and rubs his big hand over his chin as his eyes glaze over with lust. “Holy fuck, princess, you’re stunning. A goddess. I swear, if we didn’t have to leave, I would flip that dress over your ass and fuck you right here, face down into the couch, until you were coming on my cock screaming my name.”
My clit pulses at the images my imagination conjures up. I cross my legs, searching for friction to quell the ache between them.
Eli smirks, aware of what his filthy mouth has done to me. He grips his cock over his pants and squeezes.
I moan, sounding like a small, wounded animal in pain.
Eli walks over to me and runs his forefinger down my arm, giving me goosebumps. “Does my girl like the idea of her man fucking her hard from behind until she comes?”
“Oh, god yes.” I sigh.
He steps behind me, wraps his arms around my hips, and juts his hard cock into my lower back. I drop my head onto his shoulder as he whispers into my ear, “Then that’s exactly what I’ll do when we get home. I’ll give you exactly what you need.” His left hand skims the fabric of my dress until his fingers toy with the material at the top of my dress slit.
My body trembles under his touch. “Please,” I beg.
Eli grunts as he rains kisses down my neck, then licks a stripe up and nips at my ear. “Patience, Callie.”
His hot breath fans across my sensitive skin, making my nipples harden. I want to beg for him to touch me, but for some twisted reason, I get off on Eli working me up into a frenzy and leaving me feeling needy and drunk with desire.
“Okay,” I agree.
“Such a good princess.” Eli spins me around and crushes his mouth to mine, kissing me deeply. He fucks my mouth with his tongue, giving me a small taste of what it’s going to feel like when he places his wicked mouth on my pussy and eats me later.
When my knees wobble, Eli breaks the kiss and grips my waist in his hands, holding me up as I regain my balance. I open my eyes and find him smiling at me, his lips shiny with my lip gloss and looking utterly delectable.
I swipe away the gloss with my thumb. “You look sexy tonight,” I admit.
Eli grins, wiping his mouth with his hand. “Not as sexy as you. I’m going to be beating men off you all night long.”
“Silly man, don’t you know no one comes near me?”
“They better not, or I didn’t do my job right.” Eli grabs my hand and drags me out of the house.
“Wait, what?” Did he imply he purposefully chases men away without my knowing?
Before my brain and mouth can catch up, he leads me to the black limousine parked in his driveway. I let in a sharp inhale of breath when the driver steps out to open the door. The presence of Big Mike shocks me.
Sensing my unease, Eli leans down and whispers in my ear, “He’s on your side, Callie. Mason and I vetted him. It’s safe for him to drive us.”
I look up into Eli’s warm eyes. “Thank you.”
“Anything for you. Just know I wouldn’t let anyone near you without running a background check. You are my entire world. It’s my job to keep you safe.”
My chest cracks open with so much love for this man. The way he assures me and backs up his words with actions has me falling further for him every time. “I love you.”
“And I fucking love you.”
A giddy laugh shakes my chest as his vulgar declaration.
Mike opens the door and greets us. “Mr. Miller. Miss Wright.”
“It’s nice to see you.” I wave at my driver.
He breaks his usual stoic nod with a soft smile.
“Big Mike.” Eli nods hello as he bends down to lift the bottom hem of my dress, helping me slide in, before walking around to the right side of the limo.
Once inside the limo, Mike slams the door, making me jump, my earlier nerves back in full force. Eli slides in beside me and closes the door, then grabs the seat belt, buckles me in, and takes my hand in his.
I glance around the black leather interior as the limo shifts into drive. It’s clean and empty, and I like it. No wet bar, no snacks, no spread of any kind.
“Where are we going?”
“Grauman’s in Hollywood.”
“Do you know what movie we’re seeing?”
“It’s a period drama. Jessica St. Clare is starring in it,” he says like he didn’t just kick me in the stomach.
“Oh.” I focus on the view, as we drive through downtown to Hollywood, and not the jealousy ripping through every cell in my body.
Jessica St. Clare.
Her name I’m way too familiar with. Rumors of Eli and her dating have circulated tabloids for years. I’ve seen countless pictures of them together at premieres, award shows, and other events. Who could blame him? She’s gorgeous with big green eyes, her shiny red hair, and an hourglass figure. She’s also insanely talented.
“Calliope.”
Shivers run down my spine at the sound of my name on Eli’s lips. “Hmm?”
“Look at me,” Eli commands, employing the same voice he uses when we’re in the bedroom. The same voice that controls every fiber of my being.
I do as he asks, looking him in the eye. His face is hard, but the glimmer of heat in his gaze has me melting.
“It’s not true.”
“What’s not true?” I ask, playing dumb. I don’t want to sound like a crazy, jealous person. Girls don’t have that luxury. Men don’t find it hot like we do.
“What you read online. I have never crossed the line with Jessica, or any other actress or singer—client or otherwise. That was always a hard no for me until you. You are the only one I would throw it all away for, princess. Only you. Do you hear me?”
My stomach does a little somersault as he switches the hand he’s holding so he can place his left hand on my thigh.
“I hear you.”
Eli smiles, his eyes sparkling. He is totally eating up my jealousy. So, maybe I was wrong and guys do kind of like it.
“Good.” He bends forward and pecks me on the lips.
Minutes pass, and the traffic slows down our pace. My nerves get the best of me, and I get more jittery as we get closer to the theater. I try to remember what Hudson coached me to say.
Laugh. Bat your eyelashes. Smile wide and say, “It was just a minor accident with some faulty wiring. I’m perfectly healthy and ready for the tour.”
Only, I’m not ready for the tour. I haven’t rehearsed since the fall, and the idea of smiling on the red carpet like I don’t know my sister is out to harm me makes me sick. What if she’s there? Eli said she wouldn’t be, but I wouldn’t put anything past Silla.
I fidget with my hair, my ring, my necklace, and my gloves.
Eli squeezes my thigh. “Relax, Cal. It’s going to be fine.”
“I can’t. My brain won’t turn off.”
Eli rolls up the partition between us and the driver to give us a semblance of privacy. He unbuckles his seatbelt and twists sideways, his knees bumping my right thigh. “Would you like me to help you relax?” His right hand finds the slit of my dress on my left thigh and slides it under the gossamer fabric.
A lump in my throat forms as saliva pools in my mouth, and my clit thumps as arousal drips between my legs. My tongue darts across my bottom lip as his fingers slide to the crease of my leg and hip bone.
I widen my knees, giving him better access. “How do you propose helping me?”
“With a shot of oxytocin. I’m told it has a drugging effect that does wonders at relieving tension. Would you like to try it?” He slides his thumb under the string of my thong and presses the pad against my aching clit.
I bite back my moan as the bundle of nerves pulses under his touch. My skin grows hot, and bolts of electricity surge through my veins.
“Yes, please.” I spread my legs wider.
Eli rubs tight circles over my clit, and my pussy pulses in time to his circular rhythm. He presses his mouth against my ear. “Just because Mike can’t see, it doesn’t mean he can’t hear you. I don’t want him to hear you come. All the sexy little noises you make are only for me, so I’m going to need you to be really quiet. Can you do that for me?”
“Mm-hmm.” I nod frantically, my body aching for him to make me come.
“Move your sexy ass closer to the edge and spread your legs wide for me.”
I scoot forward and spread my legs as far as my dress will allow.
With his other hand, Eli pulls my dress over my right thigh. “Fuck, Callie. You’re so hot and needy. I can smell your sweet pussy from here. Unfortunately, I have to make this quick, so don’t move. We can’t have people knowing I finger fucked you in the back of the limo before walking the red carpet, can we?”
“No.” I bite back a moan.
Tingles radiate in my core, and I could probably come from the way he whispers dirty things into my ear with his hot breath on my neck. Luckily, I get his touch too as he slides a thick digit inside me and pumps. His thumb works my clit with precision, and my pussy clenches around him.
“I love when your tight cunt clamps down around me and sucks me in deeper.”
In a short amount of time, Eli has become the master of my body, controlling my pleasure just like he said he would. When he adds a second finger and curls it forward, tapping that spot deep inside me, my eyes roll to the back of my head.
“Oh, you like it when I do that, don’t you?” He licks the lobe of my ear as I nod.
My orgasm crests dangerously close to edge, ready to snap like a rubber band stretched to the max. He pushes his fingers in deep, quickly working his thumb over my clit in a hard back-and-forth motion, and that’s all it takes. Covering my mouth with my gloved hand, I come apart in a spectacular flash of fire.
Eli pushes my hand away and covers my mouth with his in a fiery kiss as I ride out my orgasm with his fingers buried deep inside me. He nips my bottom lip, soothing the sting with a lick.
“Open your eyes, princess.” When I slowly come to and open my eyes like he asked, he pulls his fingers from my pussy, brings the glistening digits to his mouth, and licks them clean. “Mmm. Damn, Cal, you taste so fucking sweet. I’m going to be thinking about burying my face between your legs all night.”
“Can we just skip this and go home?” I groan.
Eli chuckles as he adjusts my dress and helps me sit up. “Sorry, no can do. How do you feel now?”
My anxiety is gone, but in its place is a needy ball of energy whose sole purpose in life is to get fucked by Eli. I think he turned me into a sex-crazed monster. Unable to help myself, I look at his crotch, hoping to get a peek at the monster in his pants.
“Looking at my dick won’t get you out of this. I promise I’ll take care of you and your pretty little pussy tonight. Now, get your game face on. We have work to do.”
The car comes to an abrupt stop, and a man in a tuxedo opens the side door.
Eli slides out, disappearing for a second, before he hinges down and holds out his hand. “Come on, gorgeous, let’s give these people something to talk about.”
“Okay.” Placing my hand in his, I slide sideways, keeping my knees together—making sure not to pull a Brittany—and twist, placing my heels on the cement.
Eli helps me stand and places my hand in the crook of his arm as he leads me onto the red carpet. “Just breathe, Callie,” Eli grits quietly through clenched teeth.
I take a deep breath and plaster a smile on my face.
Hundreds of flashes go off and people shout question after question at me. As I practiced, I take them in stride, only stopping to do a few dress shots for the photographers.
When we get to the entertainment news channel covering the premiere, Eli places his hand on the small of my back, sending me the confidence I need to get through an interview.
Gianna Mancini approaches with her microphone. “Callie, you look gorgeous tonight,” she croons.
“Thank you, Gianna. So do you.” She really does.
Her brown locks have the perfect caramel highlights. Her makeup is bronze perfection, as is her skin, and the gold dress she’s wearing compliments her perfectly. Of all the reporters, I’m happy it’s her working the carpet. She’s always been kind and easy to talk to while surrounded by cameras.
“Thank you. Now, you know I have to ask, so what can you tell us about that video that’s been circulating? There were a lot of rumors. Would you like to put any to rest?” Her eyes bounce to Eli, waiting for him to interject. When he doesn’t, she returns her focus to me.
“As you can see, I’m walking. I just needed a little R&R, but I’m back and gearing up for the tour.” I glance at Eli, who smiles at me proudly. Worrying my lips, I debate whether to go off script. I decide to go for it, and I hope he doesn’t kill me for it. “I’m just grateful for this guy right here. If he hadn’t saved me, it could have been a lot worse.”
Gianna practically drools at my response. “So, he’s your hero?”
“You could say that,” I tease.
Eli gives me a flirty little wink. He’s so damn sexy.
“Care to introduce your hero?” She knows who Eli is but respects Hollywood politics by asking for permission to bring him on camera.
He nods, allowing me to continue.
“This is Eli Miller. He is part owner of Blaze Talent Agency, and he is a brilliant agent.”
“Is he your agent?” Gianna tries to dig deeper. She knows Blaze represents me.
“No. Just her date,” Eli interrupts.
“I detect a little romance vibe going on here. Care to confirm if you’re off the market, Callie?” Gianna asks.
My cheeks burn, and I can’t help placing a hand on my necklace.
Eli’s eyes heat, and he answers her question without hesitation. “She’s completely off the market, Gianna.”
Like a true celebrity gossip reporter, Gianna grins—like the Cheshire cat—as she turns to the camera. “You heard it here first, everyone. Sorry, gentlemen, it looks like Callie Wright is off the market.”
Eli takes my hand and leads me down the carpet toward the last set of photographers.
“Eli, you didn’t have to do that.”
He stops in the middle of the carpet and brings the back of my hand to his lips. “I sure as fuck did. I needed you to know I’m all the way in, princess. Now, come on. Let’s get this night over with so I can take you home, rip that dress off your sexy body, and fuck you until the sun comes up.”
My core clenches, and the butterflies in my stomach take flight. He gave me the assurance I desperately needed to smash any lingering doubt I was holding onto about us. I could not love him more.
“Well, when you put it like that, lead the way, handsome.”
Eli growls playfully, making me laugh.
We make our way down the carpet and into the theater. The rest of the night passes in a blur of flashing lights and, of course, screaming orgasms.