Chapter 42 Reed
REED
Ifling open my bedroom door after hanging up with Isabel, bursting at the seams to see Georgina. But she’s not in the hallway. Shit. Did I imagine her footfalls a moment ago?
But I’ve no sooner had the thought than Georgina emerges from her bedroom door. When she sees me, her face lights up. Squealing, she barrels toward me, leaps into my arms, and wraps herself around me like a monkey in a tree.
And that’s it. Without delay, we’re a frenzied blur of lips and tongues and hungry, groping hands. I clutch her ass, kneading it frantically, as she grips my neck and hair and grinds her center against my aching bulge behind my pants.
Still devouring her, I turn around and bump and thump my way through my bedroom doorway, somehow making it across my room and to my bed without toppling over or sending a lamp crashing down.
Like a man possessed, I lay Georgie down on my bed and begin frantically peeling off her clothes and mine, while she gasps and purrs and goads me on. When we’re both naked, I open her smooth, trembling thighs, crawl between them, and begin eating her with unbridled enthusiasm.
When I glance at her face, I find her looking enraptured... but with her eyes closed.
“Look in the mirror,” I say. “Watch me eat you.”
Her eyes flick open and train on the ceiling above us, and I get back to work, even more turned on to know she’s watching me.
And soon, she’s losing her mind. Writhing, moaning, clawing at the bed.
Until... bliss. I’m gifted with a screaming climax from Georgie that makes me dizzy with arousal.
Panting, I crawl up the length of her writhing torso, place her thighs on my shoulders, and plunge myself deep inside her.
My thrusts are hard. Animalistic. Deep.
And Georgina responds by digging her nails into my forearms, screaming my name, and finally, coming hard.
Not surprisingly, when I feel her innermost muscles constricting—milking me ferociously—it’s more than I can withstand.
With a loud groan, I release along with her, blurting her name like a prayer.
I feel dizzy with my pleasure. Momentarily blinded by it.
Blissed out like I’ve mainlined a brick of cocaine.
When we finally come down, I heave myself onto my back next to Georgina, trying to catch my breath, and she gasps at the air alongside me.
“That was amazing,” she says.
“I told you not to knock the mirror till you tried it.”
She smiles. “You have the most gorgeous ass.”
“You have the most gorgeous everything.”
I stroke her arm. “I’ve got some great news to tell you. Isabel Randolph called me today.”
Georgina stiffens.
“To tell me she’s engaged,” I quickly add.
Georgina lifts her head and looks at me, but says nothing.
“To this guy named Howard Devlin. He’s one of the most powerful movie producers in Hollywood.
He actually owns a studio.” I tell her a bit about Howard and the mega-successful studio he owns, concluding with, “His studio churns out blockbuster hits and Academy Award contenders, in equal measure. The guy can’t miss. ”
“So, what you’re saying is he’s the Reed Rivers of the movie industry?”
I chuckle. “The reason I brought it up is that, while Isabel and I were talking about her happy news, I got an idea. What if you interviewed Isabel for Dig a Little Deeper? You know, in-depth, as one of the ‘audition’ pieces you submit to CeeCee?”
Georgina gasps. “Oh my God. I would love to do that! Do you think she’d say yes?”
“If you meet her and charm the hell out of her, I sure do. Which is why I invited Isabel and her new fiancé to the party on Saturday night. I figured it would be the perfect opportunity for you to get her to say yes to an in-depth interview.”
Georgina bolts to a sitting position in the bed. Apparently, she’s too excited about this idea to remain horizontal. “So, Isabel said she’d come to the party?”
“Yup. She also said she’s excited to meet you and talk about a potential interview.”
Georgina squeals. “You’ve already floated a possible interview with me?”
“Yep. To be clear, it’s not a sure thing.
You’re going to have to convince her you’ve got the chops to write something worth her investment of time and image.
And even if she winds up giving you an interview, you’re going to have to finesse her to get something that will be on-brand for Dig a Little Deeper.
For all her social media presence, Isabel is actually an extremely guarded person.
Very curated, if you know what I mean. Too image-conscious for her own good.
But if anyone can break down Isabel’s walls and peel her onion, it’s you, Georgina Ricci. ”
Elation washes over Georgina’s face, followed immediately by determination. “By God, I’m going to make this happen.”
I chuckle. “I don’t doubt that for a minute. The way you handled Leonard today blew me away. If today had been a music demo, I would have signed you on the spot.”
She leans down and kisses me. “Thank you for saying that.”
“It’s the truth.”
“And thank you for trying to arrange this incredible opportunity for me. I can’t believe it.”
“You’re welcome. I cracked the door open for you, baby. Now, kick that fucker wide open.”
“Oh, I will.” She bites her lower lip for a moment, her mind visibly teeming with thoughts. “Are you surprised she’s getting married?”
“Yes and no. It’s sudden. But she’s always wanted to get married.”
Her eyes narrow. “How do you feel about it?”
“About her getting married? I’m happy for her. Of course.”
“No, but I mean... aren’t you a tiny bit upset?”
“About . . .?”
“Isabel getting married.”
I pull a face like that’s an asinine comment. “Not at all.”
She stares at me for a beat, like she’s a psychic, trying to read my mind.
And then, “You know that feeling when someone is driving away, and you suddenly realize you forgot to tell them something important? So you yell and wave at the car and maybe run after it down the street, but they don’t see you.
.. and then, the car is gone? You don’t feel the tiniest bit like that? ”
I smirk. “Is that your clever way of asking me if I feel like Isabel is my ‘one that got away’?”
She looks like she’s holding her breath.
I grab her hand. “Georgina, no. Isabel and I are more like brother and sister than exes at this point. I still care about her as a person, and want the best for her. If I can help her out with something in some way, without too much effort or annoyance on my part, I’ll always do it.
But I know I’m not even close to the guy who can make her happy, and she knows it, too.
So it’s for the best she’s found the guy who can. ”
Georgie lets out a long exhale, like she just made it to the ledge after a long walk across a high wire. “Do you have any tips for me, for when I talk to her at the party? Anything at all to help me close the deal?”
“Well, for one thing, I wouldn’t mention you’re fucking me.”
Georgina rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I figured that one out all by myself. Engaged or not, no woman would ever want to give an in-depth interview to her ex’s...”
Georgina trails off, apparently not sure of the appropriate word to finish that sentence. And I don’t blame her. I have no idea how she should finish it, either.
“Here’s a tip for you,” I say. “Something that will work like a charm on her.” I pull on Georgina’s arm, guiding her to lie in my arms. “Tell Isabel you heard her franchise deal set a record in terms of salary for a female lead. Tell her she’ll go down in history as breaking new ground for women in Hollywood.
Call her a ‘trailblazer’ for women in Hollywood. ”
“Ooooh, that’s good.”
“Actually, that’s a great hook. Tell her you’re going to pitch the idea of a special ‘Women in Hollywood’ issue of Dig a Little Deeper, with Isabel as the cover interview.”
“Oooh!”
“I’m positive both CeeCee and Isabel would love that idea.
In fact, if you want to guarantee Isabel will give you a pound of flesh in an interview, rather than her usual guarded talking points, then dangle her possibly being the face of a prestigious issue like that.
.. only if her interview is in-depth and revealing enough. ”
“Holy crap. You’re a genius! My Fairy Godfather!” She grabs my face and lays an enthusiastic smack on my mouth. “Thank you so much for this!”
“I only planted the seed. You’re going to have to go in, guns blazing, and close the deal.”
“ABC, baby!” Georgina says enthusiastically.“That means ‘always be closing.’”
“Yes, I know. Glengarry Glenross is one of my all-time favorite movies. Finally, a pop culture reference we both know.”
Georgina looks at me blankly, and I know she’s a broken clock that happens to be right at the exact right moment.
“Aw, come on, Ricci! You can’t say ABC, if you’ve never seen Glengarry Glenross!”
She giggles. “I just thought it was a cute thing hustlers say.”
I pull her to me, laughing, and kiss the top of her head. “What am I going to do with you?”
She pinches my nipple. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
“Seriously, though. How do I even tolerate you, let alone like you so damned much?”
My heart lurches into my mouth. Oh, shit. What did I just say? Panic. It’s rising inside me. Too much. Too soon. She’s gotten under my skin way too fast. And way too deep.
Sighing happily, Georgina lays her palm on my chest and shoots a wide, glorious smile at me, her hazel eyes sparkling. “I like you so damned much, too, Reed. So damned much, I feel like I’m going to burst when I’m with you.”
And, just like that, my rising panic disappears... supplanted by butterflies in my stomach. No, bald eagles this time. Fucking condors.
Georgina’s stomach rumbles loudly, making her giggle.
“Was that you?” I say, laughing.
She blushes. “I’m hungry.”
“Well, damn, let’s get you fed, before the alien living inside your stomach bursts out and eats my face.”
She laughs, but, again, I know she’s clueless.
“You have no idea what movie I just referenced, do you?” I say.
“You referenced a movie?”
Oh, God, I can’t get enough of this girl. I touch her cheek. “What am I gonna do with you?”
“In the immediate future, feed me,” she says. “After that, do whatever you please.”
I kiss her full lips gently, my heart soaring around the room. “Come, come, little kitty. Let’s get you some food.”