All About The Tempo (BWWM, Celebrity, Billionaire, Pregnancy) (2 page)

3.

              Justin paced the length of the studio space they'd rented for the shoot. They were in Long Island City at Silver Cup Studios. Jackson's team had already converted the space to something that looked like it was out of an old Hollywood movie.

              There were huge mirrors and chandeliers. Black velvet fainting couches. Large artwork on either side of a dramatic stairway that led to nowhere and a faux marble floor.

              It was all black and white. Everything. But every now and then, Jackson would insert a spot of color. Like Justin's blue tie.

              Or the red ribbon tied around Cerise's throat.

              They'd changed the plan from having him being swamped with gorgeous models to just one girl. Her. They'd even worked in a kiss.

              That was the plan anyway. If she ever got here.

              Cerise was late.

              He resumed pacing back and forth. His hair stylist chased him but he waved her aside. His hair was fine. It was wavy as hell because it was humid out but he didn't care.

              He glanced out the open door.  It let in a nice cool  blast of air. Even without all the lights on, it was getting hot as hell in there. Maybe he did need to put more crap in his hair after all.

              It was just starting to snow. Through the flakes he saw a slender girl looking around one of the other buildings. A security guard pointed towards Justin and she started to run. Her hair waved out behind her like a banner. She was wearing jeans today but other than that her outfit was the same. The same flimsy little shoes. The same busted backpack. And a slightly different color of faded button down shirt.

              He frowned. Where the hell was her jacket? She must be freezing.

              The girl was so underdressed it was ridiculous. But it didn't matter.

              She was here.

              He grinned and stepped away from the doorway to let her in.

              She looked alarmed to say the least. She was out of breath from running.              "Hi."

              "Hi."

              She blinked up at him, clearly unsure why he was smiling.

              "I'm so sorry I was late. I got lost."

              "It's fine."

              And it was. He didn't give a damn. He only cared that she was
here.

              "We didn't get to meet the other day. I'm Justin."

              She blinked again then glanced at his outstretched hand. He got a jolt when they touched. His hand closed over her silky, delicate hand. Her finger tips had calluses from playing. But damn if he didn't find it sexy as hell. Jesus, if her hand did that to him, what would the rest of her body make him feel?

              "I'm Cerise. It's nice to meet you."

              He grinned at her again.

              "The pleasure is all mine."

*********

              "You want me to wear w
hat?
"

              Cerise stared in disbelief at the clothing rack in front of her.

              There was a large variety of costumes for her to wear. Each one scantier than the last. Corset tops, skin tight mini dresses, and a very short, very tiny tutu.

              A tutu?

              What exactly had she signed up for here?

              They'd also brought her a new contract. She flipped through it while the costume designers took her measurements. She was about to walk out when she took a good look at the document. This was adjusted for two days. At the bottom it said five thousand dollars.

             
Five thousand dollars.

              Cerise exhaled loudly. She'd been holding her breath she realized.

              This was two months of living expenses.

              Actual living expenses. Like, she could eat. Eat well even.

              And maybe even get a winter coat.

              She sat down abruptly and let the makeup artists and hair stylists start fussing over her.

              "Everything okay?"

              She looked up from the pages in her hand to see Justin Westlake standing in the doorway behind her. In the mirror she could see her face and his. He was smiling at her warmly.

              She felt the room title a little bit at the warmth in his eyes. It went straight to her belly which rumbled loudly.

              She nodded and forced herself to smile.

              "Are you hungry?"

              Please tell me he did not hear her stomach make that sound!

              Cerise felt the blood rush to her face. He must have because he looked concerned. She wanted to curl up into a ball and hide.

              But she was hungry. Starving really. She'd had a slice of stale pizza for dinner and no breakfast. No lunch yesterday either.

              "A little."

              He smiled at her again.

              "Eggs? Bacon? Toast?"

              Now it was her turn to smile.

              "Yes please."

              He laughed and disappeared. She almost called him back but he'd moved too fast.

              Was Justin Westlake really fetching her breakfast?

              Even the makeup artists exchanged looks.

              "Where did he go?"

              "Craft services."

              "Oh."

              In a few minutes he was back, holding out a plate and a bottle of water. He leaned over her shoulder and set it on Cerise's lap. She was startled by how close Justin was as he peered at her face in the mirror.

              "She doesn't need all that. Keep it simple."

              He smelled… good. Really good. His body was radiating heat. It must be all those muscles.

              He brushed her hair back from her temple, his expression unreadable.

              "Pull her hair back so we can really see her."

              "You got it."

              He grinned at her and stepped away.

              "Have fun girls."

              "Does he always wear those glasses?"

              The older woman fussing with her hair nodded.

              "Usually."

              "What color are his eyes?"

              Cerise asked the question before she could stop herself. She waned to slap her hand over her mouth but she resisted, knowing the makeup artist would have a conniption fit.

              The makeup girls giggled.

              "Don't you know? They're blue."

             
"Ice blue."

              "He's famous for them. That's why he keeps them covered up in public."

              "Well, that's not the only reason."

              They laughed again. Cerise was struggling not to get annoyed. For some reason she felt vaguely jealous.

              "What?"

              "The theory is that he wears them so you don't know where he's looking."

              "I don't follow."

              "So he can check out girls on the fly."

              "Oh."

              Suddenly Cerise wished she hadn't asked. That didn't sound very nice. And he'd given her such a good first impression.

              "You better hurry up and eat. We need to get you into your first look."

              She picked up the fork and speared some scrambled eggs. She was inexplicably nervous for some reason. It didn't make sense since all she had to do was look pretty and play the cello.

              At least she wouldn't be hungry.

4.

              Justin froze under the lights  as the music built. Then he sprung into a solo dance sequence. He'd been here since dawn with the choreographer and he had it down. Parts of the shoot would be improvisation though, especially when he sang to his 'love interest.'

             
Cerise.

              Normally these videos had multiple women, or one famous one. He'd had the top female rapper on his last hit single and they'd acted as each others love interest in that shoot. But this was different.

              This time he was actually going to try and date her.

              Date. That was funny. Usually he just hooked up with girls who made themselves available to him. But this girl was different. Proper. He could tell that he wouldn't get anywhere by playing it fast and loose. Besides, she didn't look like she spent a lot of time in night clubs, where he'd met 90% of the women he'd slept with over the past decade.

              And there had been a lot of women. None of them had made a lasting impression on him though. He shook his head. He knew he wouldn't forget Cerise if she slept with him.

              Not if.
When.

              He grabbed a bottle of water when they were done with the sequence and patted himself down. The makeup girls crowded around him to powder him up before the next shot.

              That's when he saw her.

              Dear God.

              Cerise was trussed up in a black corset and a short white tutu. Stiletto heels with ribbons wound their way up her slender but shapely calves. Her breasts were thrust high, gleaming lusciously over the black lace corset. Her waist was so tiny that he remembered once again how hungry she had been that morning.

              The girl looked gorgeous but too thin.

              He wanted to feed her.

              He wanted to take care of her.

              But most of all, he wanted to get her into his bed.

              Immediately.

              He inhaled sharply and forced himself to relax. He had to be cool, not freak the girl out. And he needed to figure out how to get her to go out with him.

              Hopefully tonight.

              Not to mention pulling off a hit video in two days.

              Jackson waved them both over to a different area of the sound stage.

              A gleaming white chair stood on a lit up platform. She would perform while he danced around her, serenading her.

              He got a little hot and bothered just thinking about it.

              The team led Cerise over and got her settled in her chair. First they would shoot her playing by herself. Then they would shoot them together.

              He watched as they carried over the antique cello they'd rented for her. Her eyes grew wide as she took in the beautiful instrument. Other than her skin, it was the only thing on the set that wasn't black or white.

              It gleamed with the oils they used to treat the wood. But nothing compared to the way Cerise gleamed.

              Hell, she glowed.

              Her long legs were prominently displayed as she placed them on either side of the cello. Her slender but muscular arms held the bow at the ready. She looked up and waited for Jackson to give her the signal.

              They fussed around her for a little while adjusting the lights. Then the AD shouted 'clear!' and a moment later Jackson shouted 'action!"

              She started playing as the wind machine came on. It made the music harder to hear but that was okay. It was a visual spectacle beyond anything he'd seen before. Her long hair streamed out behind her as the cameras moved in and around her. Floor to ceiling curtains billowed in the background and the enormous chandelier swayed in the artificial wind.

              He watched for an hour while they shoot and reset several times. Then it was time for him to serenade her. Later they would do it all over again in different clothing in a different setting. Tomorrow they would shoot outside, weather permitting.

              "JW! You're up."

              Jackson and Justin walked over the Cerise. She'd stopped playing and was watching them with a neutral look on her face. She literally gave nothing away. He couldn't tell if she even found him attractive.

              Not that he'd ever been turned down by a woman in his life. But he sure didn't want to start now.

              Close up, she looked even hotter.

              "Okay so Justin's going to dance around you now. Just ignore him and keep playing."

              "Oh. Okay."

              She glanced up at Justin and gave him a small smile.

              Justin's heart felt like it was melting, she was so dang cute.

              He was going to make it as hard as possible for her to ignore him.

              Very hard indeed.

              The music started.

**********

              "What are you doing later?

              "Excuse me?"

              "When we wrap for the day. Are you busy?"

              "Oh, um."

              She'd spent half the day trying to ignore the best looking man she'd seen in her life as he put the moves on her. For the video of course.

              Now he was staring at her earnestly. Was he- oh god was Justin Westlake asking her out?

              "I'd really love to collaborate with you."

              He grinned at her.

              "Musically I mean."

              "Oh. I have homework to do tonight."              "But you have to eat right?"

              She shrugged.

              "Look, if I get you home by a decent hour then you can still do your homework. Besides we both need to be up early tomorrow anyway."

              He was grinning at her again. There was something about that smile that said 'I'm harmless.'

              But she very much doubted that.

              She squared her shoulders and decided to take him up on the challenge.

              "Okay. Thanks."

              His smile grew even wider and he pulled out his phone.

              "Great, I'll make a reservation. Is there anything in particular you like? Seafood?"

              "That's fine. I'm not picky."

              He laughed.

              "I'll leave you to get changed. Unless you want to wear that to dinner?"

              He gestured to her latest ensemble. A skin tight mini dress in a black and white print. Now it was her turn to laugh.

              "No, that's okay thanks."

              He winked and left her to change back into her street clothes. She felt self conscious suddenly, pulling on her cheap old clothes. She tucked her hair back behind her ears and picked up her backpack.

              "See you tomorrow Cerise!"

              "Thanks. See you."

              She pushed open the door to the outside and the freezing cold air.

              Justin was standing outside by a stretch limo. When she got closer she realized that he wasn't wearing his glasses.

              She could finally see his beautiful blue eyes. Those eyes seemed to look right through her.

              Suddenly she knew she was in way over her head.