in a very different direction. Still, doing the show with Cynthia is the only way I can think of to get her back into my orbit. I’m also willing to do whatever it takes to save Origin.
Even, I suppose, share screen time with Nadia.
“Sure,” I finally say, “let’s bring Nadia on board. You’re right.”
“Of course, we’re right,” Rachna says without a smile. I turn to leave once more, which is when she adds, “We’ll get you the girl’s contact info. You can break the news about the show to her. And let her know about Nadia.”
I freeze again. “I’m sorry, what?” I ask again.
“It’s your idea. You get to do the honors.”
“Oh. Great.”
Rachna’s already at work on her next agenda, so Kenny and I leave her office. I pause outside her door, staring at my shoes. Kenny gives me a reassuring pat on the back, then heads for the editing bay.
I tell myself it’s all going to be worth it because it means seeing Cynthia again. I just hope she feels the same way.
Fifteen
Cynthia
His hands slide over my chest, fondling me until they reach my throat.
“Rise and shine,” he whispers, biting my neck. I moan at the feel of his teeth on my skin, and drag my nails across his back in response. With a growl, Stephen grabs both my wrists and pins my arms above my head.
“I was afraid you’d gone for good,” he says as he slides his free hand down my stomach and slips inside my panties. His fingertip finds my clit, and he applies gentle pressure, watching my mouth contort in ecstasy.
When I start to whine, he chuckles and slips one finger inside me, arching it and applying pressure, bringing me to dizzying heights.
“Oh God,” I gasp and writhe against his fingers, struggling against his grip. I want to hold him, to bring his lips to mine, to run my fingers through that gorgeous black mane of his.
“Rise and shine,” he repeats, and even in my pleasure, I stop to look at him.
“What?” I ask. He slips his fingers out of me and grows stern.
“Rise and shine!”
I sit bolt upright, sweating in my bed. Blinking furiously, I try to make out my surroundings. I’m in a bed, a familiar bed. Oh, I realize with dread. I’m in my parents’ house.
“I said rise and shine!” my mother snaps from the doorway. Her hand is on her hip as she leans against the door frame in a crisp linen suit. “Or do all people of New York just sleep the day away?”
I reach for my phone. It’s 8:00 in the morning.
“I would hardly call eight a.m. sleeping the day away,” I mutter as I set my phone down.
“Well, brunch is at ten, but I expect you to be properly dressed,” she says, stepping away from the door. I roll my eyes and reach for my phone again when she reenters.
“Ah, I’ve asked Darlene to make your favorites.” She looks at me, and for a moment, I think I know what her love should feel like.
But then, she disappears, and I’m left shaking my head. It was always like this with us. I’m not sure if it’s her own mother’s wretched sense of parenting, or her own ineptitude. I just know there’s an amazing woman in there. Somewhere.
And, God, I could kill her for interrupting such a delicious dream! Except… what am I even talking about? He’s a jerk! A bad boy TV sensation who, by the way, didn’t do anything to not have my restaurant shut down.
In fact, the only reason I’m thinking about him at all, I’m sure, is because of Paulie’s stupid text a couple days ago. The ‘big news’ was that he heard from Jax who heard from Pax who heard from Chase that Stephen is considering taking on our restaurant on his new show.
That would be huge for us. Good publicity and a second chance.
“It had better be,” I murmur as I head for the shower. “He seemed to enjoy himself quite a bit the other night.”
The problem is, after this breaking news, I haven’t heard a peep from him.
I shower quickly and take my time to stretch and meditate, praying it will prepare me for the onslaught of brunch. My mother has been careful about peppering in too many Kyle comments, but I know she can’t hold out forever.
At 9:50 a.m., I head downstairs for coffee (and hopefully a mimosa) before we begin. I used to love brunch, even all my favorite foods