Prologue

DreamInColour © 2004

 

She could see the red glow of his cigarette before she actually saw the man smoking, “That’s a bad a habit.” She muttered. All she wanted was five minutes away from those snotty execs and movie people. She came outside to breathe and here she was crowded by smoke.

“Don’t I know it.” The man agreed as he exhaled, “I’ve tried to quit more times than I can remember.”

“You need incentive.” Her voice softened, he sounded nice or at least not as brash as the men she’d been serving for two hours. “It worked for my brother.”

“Did it?” He stepped into the light, “Mind sharing the secret?”

Dylan tried to stop her voice from catching in her throat. She was talking to Elijah fucking Wood, it’s official she was going to get fired. “I-I’m sorry I didn’t mean to pry…I just stepped outside to get some air…I should get back to work.” She backed up.

“Relax.” He smiled, “I promise I won’t go diva on your ass. In fact…” He started to whisper, “If you help me get passed that guy in there I’ll owe you.”

She looked to where he pointed, “The blonde guy?”

“Yeah. He’s been following me around desperately in search of the answers to what’s happening in my love life.”

“Oh.” She blushed and looked down, “You don’t want him to know?”

“Dude I don’t want anyone writing that my love life is stale, especially that guy.” He stepped up to her and whispered again, “You’re not going to share my secret are you?”

She blushed deeper and back up again, “Ah no I promise no words out of me.”

He touched her arm, “Hey it’s okay I don’t bite, at least not until you ask politely.” He winked when she looked up at him in shock. “Listen let’s do this right…” He took her hand, “Hi my name’s Elijah and you are?”

“D-Dylan.” She shook his hand gingerly.

“Nice to meet you D-Dylan.” He smiled and massaged her fingers lightly, “You know I never thought I was that scary.”

She inhaled, “Oh y-you’re not it’s just umm my boss, Mr. Savanelli gets really pissed if we fraternize with the guests…umm it uh looks bad on his record or something.”

“Are we fraternizing right now? Cause if we are I want to be aware of what that is so I can stay away from it in the future.” He looked up at her through long lashes.

She laughed lightly, “I never really understood that word either but last week I lit Bruce Willis’ cigar and Savanelli threatened to fire me. So I’m guessing that if he sees me talking to you I’m gone.”

“This guy sounds like an ass.”

“He is but he’s also a good caterer, listen I’ll do what I can with that blonde guy, but I really should get out there.”

“Okay D-Dylan, either way it was nice to meet you.” He was still holding her hand.

“I’m uh going to need my umm hand back.”

“Of course.” He let go slowly then reached into his pocket to pull out his pack of cigarettes, “I’m going to stay out here until blondie decides to leave.”

“Good luck with that Elijah.” She said softly, “You know you really are very nice.”

He tapped his forehead with the fingers holding his smoke in a type of salute, “Thank you Dylan.”

She picked up her tray and went back to the bar to get some more champagne, “Hey Mike, hook me up.”

“Sure thing Dylan.” The man behind the bar poured eight glasses and placed them on her tray, “Anyone grab yer ass yet?”

She rolled her eyes, “Are you kidding me we’re at double digits already.” She picked up her tray, “Thanks Mike.”

Making her way through the crowd she stopped near the blonde man. “…was seen at a strip club last week with some of his Fellowship castmates. I’m trying to get him to fess up.” The guy talked with gusto to someone standing next to him. As Dylan passed he whistled, “Hey gorgeous come here.” He motioned.

She walked towards him keeping her eyes on the side of the room. She saw the flick of the cigarette so she positioned herself in a way so she was blocking him. “Champagne gentlemen?”

“Listen gorgeous are you looking to get into showbiz?” The blonde smiled at her, “I have some contacts if you have the right…ehm…assets.” He looked her up and down.

Dylan had to strain not to roll her eyes, “Anything else I can get you gentlemen?” She asked. She felt his fingers on her back then the card slip into her pocket. It took every ounce of her will power not to punch the man.

“Baby what you can get me won’t fit on that tray.” The blonde jeered at her not paying any attention to who was moving behind him.

She endured the man until she was sure Elijah was out of the room then she smiled, “Well if I can’t get you anything I’ll be on my way.”

“Tight bitch.” The man muttered.

“Drunken ass.” Dylan mumbled back.

He was so drunk and disoriented he didn’t even hear her just started talking to the guy next to him again, “So yeah this Wood guy…been trying to catch him doing the celebrity diva thing for years. One of these days I swear I’ll catch him.”

 

Two hours later it was only midnight but Dylan’s shift was done. She got the long straw and was able to get off early today, the first time in a month. She sighed as she exited the exclusive hotel. “Do you have any idea how hard it is dodging that guy for two hours?” A voice asked her once she started down the street toward the bus stop.

“I thought you wanted to leave.” She looked at him the ever present smoke hanging from his lips. What was he doing there?

“Nah I just wanted to avoid an interview with him. He’s been following me for years now.” He fell into step with her and threw the cigarette over his shoulder as he did.

She kept walking, “So you’ve been frequenting strip clubs have you?”

“Mmm he mentioned that did he? It was for Dom’s birthday, what can I say the man’s a pervert.”

“To each his own I guess. Listen what else do you want from me?” She stopped and looked at him, “I don’t mean to be rude but Savanelli can still hear about this and I really need this job.”

He held his hands up, “Just a drink at a bar up the street. I swear there’s no way your boss will hear about it.”

“Why?” She eyed him suspiciously.

“Frankly cause you’re hot and you haven’t told me to fuck off yet.” He smirked.

She laughed again, “All right, one drink then I’m going home.”

“You got it, just one.”

His hands were all over her and she couldn’t have been happier, “I said just one drink.” She whispered onto his mouth.

“So that turned into six are you complaining?” His tongue traced her lips as he spoke.

She shook her head, “Nope can’t say that I am.” She laughed when she found herself pushed up against a door, “We should go in your room though.”

He reached into his pocket with one hand while holding her with the other. He smiled at her, “I’m working on that.” He slid the card through and smiled as the light shone green. He opened it, “After you.”

She grabbed onto the lapels of his jacket and pulled him in after her, “Not unless you come with me.”

“No where else I’d rather be.” He laughed again and kicked the door shut with his foot.

 

The next morning Dylan was quiet as she picked up her clothes. She resisted the urge to run her hands over his face. Silently she dressed and slipped out of the room. She was already in her apartment by the time he woke up and wondered if the night before had been a weird dream.

 

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