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Chapter 24: The Gold Gown
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2023-11-25 14:08:21Related chapters
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 25: What Roman Sees
Roman is still standing in front of me. Still silent. What could he possibly have to say to me that he couldn't say in front of the clerk? Whatever it is, he doesn't seem to be in a hurry to share."Don't you like it?" I ask, my voice little more than a whisper. I want to shout at him, I don't care if you don't! I love it!. I never want to take it off again! But I want to hear his honest thoughts first. Besides, he's the one with the Celebrity Spark credit card. What I think doesn't really matter in the end."Come," he says after a moment. "Let's look in the mirror." He takes my arm and guides me over to a large three-way mirror just past the room where I was changing. His hands brush against my bare arms as he positions me in front of it, and then he takes a step back."What do you see?" he asks."I've already looked at myself," I say, confused. "I want to know what you think."He steps forward again, and now he's standing right behind me, looking over my shoulder at the mirror,
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 26: Where The Curves Lead
I think I should get myself under control. Roman is my boss - however unconventional our current project - and I shouldn't be thinking the things I'm thinking right now. Or feeling all of the blood rush between my legs. He has me wrapped around his finger, and we both know it."Felicia?" he prompts.Hearing his tongue roll around my name makes my knees weak."I... I think you're right," I say."Mm. Anything else?"I'm not sure what he's fishing for, but I take a stab. "I... think the color is perfect.""Yes. The gold suits you." His eyes run down my body in the reflection. "The shape as well."When I studied myself in the fitting room, I was surprised by how much I liked the way the dress hugged my curves. Now, though, with Roman's eyes on me, I'm painfully aware of just how much this gown reveals. I might not be showing a lot of skin, but anyone who sees me can't be in any doubt of exactly what's beneath the beads and fabric."You don't think it's too fitted?" I ask, rememberi
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 27: I Can't Help Myself
Roman's words echo in the air between us: "Do you want it?"I let out a shaky breath. Yes. Yes, I want it. But I can't seem to say even that. After a couple of seconds, I only manage to echo, "It.""The dress." His voice is rough.For a moment, I don't understand. "Hm?""Do you want the dress?"Oh. When he said "it," he meant the dress, not... not...I'm speechless. And still trembling, still tight and nervous and flushed from head to toe."Y-yes," I finally manage. "I want the dress.""Good." The word is like a caress."That... that settles it, then," I say, because I can't seem to do anything but reiterate it to myself over and over again. "This is the dress." He meant the dress, the dress, the dress..."Yes. This is most definitely the dress."There's something in his voice - an appreciation, maybe - that makes me look up, to seek his eyes out in the reflection in front of us. I've spent most of the conversation watching his hand, fixated on the movements of his finger an
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 28: Four Days Remaining (And I'm Running Out Of Time)
The gold gown hangs in my closet as a testament to my sin. I can't even look at it without feeling like I'm going to throw up - or seeing the shocked face of that poor salesclerk in my mind.At least it wasn't Roman who opened the door, I tell myself. If Roman had seen me... But honestly, it doesn't matter whether or not he witnessed the incident with his own eyes. Roman knows. The salesclerk made it very clear why he'd have to purchase the dress. Roman knows, and I'm never going to live this down.What's worse - in its own twisted way - is that Roman is fully aware of what happened in that fitting room but didn't say or do anything about it. He didn't utter a word to me when he paid for the dress, nor on the entire ride back to the Celebrity Spark offices. Something happened between us in front of that mirror. Something complicated and thrilling and... well, probably ill-advised. But after we left the boutique, he acted like it never occurred. And I was too humiliated to broach the
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 29: So I'm Still Not Good At This
Twenty-three minutes later, I'm at Marietta's.Well... sort of.As a matter of fact, I'm outside Marietta's, at the back of the longest line ever. I can count sixty people in front of me from where I'm standing. I can't even see the entrance to the place.I try not to get discouraged as the minutes tick by. This might not be how I planned on spending my Tuesday night, but A, at least it's helping me keep my mind off of the thing-that-happened-last-night, and B, I figure the universe has to be throwing me a bone. I mean, getting the chance to talk to Dante Fontaine was insane on its own. But two Fontaines in less than a week? I guess the higher power figures I deserve a break. Or maybe my guardian angel just wants me to keep my job.Assuming it is Raphael my brother saw, of course. I've called Matt three times since I got here - he managed to get in, so maybe he can get me past this line - but he hasn't answered. He probably can't hear his phone over the music. Even out here, I can
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 30: Raphael Fontaine In The Flesh
Raphael Fontaine wearing his sunglasses, just as Matt said. Back home, any guy who wore sunglasses inside at night might as well have had the word "douchebag" tattooed onto his forehead, but here in L.A., no one even spares him a second glance. Half the guys in this diner are wearing them, and he might as well be any other clubgoer.He's not, however, wearing a hat - and I can see why he didn't bother. He's shaved his head. Not in the shiny, cue-ball kind of way, but in the close-buzzed, I-could-be-the-leader-of-a-sexy-motorcycle-gang way. Before, he had thick, dark hair like his brother Dante, but now, he's almost unrecognizable. Though I have to admit, the new look definitely suits him, especially with that layer of stubble on his chin. And the edge of that tattoo peeking out above the neck of his T-shirt. I definitely approve.And I'm definitely staring. He said something to me, didn't he?"Yeah. Yes - I'm starving," I say quickly. I can't believe that after standing in line for
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 31: I Can't Believe This Is Happening
In the end, my plan is a simple one.There's a bottle of ketchup on the counter in front of Rafe. I don't normally put extra ketchup on my burger, but tonight, I think I'll make an exception. Slowly, I lean forward and across him, making sure my arm brushes against his as I grab the bottle. And when I lean back in my seat, I settle a little closer to him than before. It's not hard - our stools were already pretty close together - but now my hip rests against his. It's not exactly subtle, but I'm not sure I need to be subtle with this one.Out of the corner of my eye, I see him smile. I pour the ketchup on my burger, then lean slightly toward him."Want some?" I ask innocently."Of course." He takes the ketchup from my hand, brushing his fingers against mine in the process in a way that is definitely intentional.My heart flutters. He's definitely flirting with me. I'm not even sure how this happened. Not even a week ago, I would've had my foot in my mouth by now. Instead, Rafe Fon
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 32: I'm A Dirty Girl
Rafe takes my hand in his. His eyes burn bright, his gaze filling me with heat."All right, then." I don't know how it's possible, but his voice seems even deeper than before. He slides off his stool and pulls me down off mine. His fingers close around mine, enveloping my hand in warmth. A thrill runs through my body.I can't believe I'm doing this. But I want to show myself that I can.He leads me through the crowded diner. I feel like every eye is on us, but in reality, no one spares us more than a passing glance. Maybe they don't realize what we're about to do. Or maybe, to other people, the idea of sneaking off to a bathroom to hookup isn't as strange and terrifying and exciting as it is to me. Perhaps if they realized the sexy beast of a man leading me was Raphael Fontaine, things would be a little different. Perhaps if I were a little more focused, I'd be securing an interview rather than a steamy bathroom encounter. But tonight, I don't want to be the Celebrity Spark writer.
Last Updated : 2023-11-25
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The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 54: Two Weeks After the Most Amazing Night of My Life (So Far)
My stomach grumbles at me. I glance down at my watch, and I almost don't believe the time - I should have left work over an hour ago. But I've been so absorbed in polishing my latest piece that I completely lost track of how late it was. My interview with Dante Fontaine is tomorrow, and I've blocked off the whole morning so I can make sure I'm prepared. This is my chance to forge a major connection, to make sure Celebrity Spark is the publication Dante contacts whenever he needs to promote a project or wishes to arrange a "scandal" in the name of a little extra publicity. If I play this right and earn Dante's trust, I might be able to turn that into a working relationship with some of the other Fontaines as well. Tomorrow's interview could make my entire career.A shadow looms over my desk, and I jump - and then look up into the eyes of Roman. My chest flutters. We've only been officially dating for a couple of weeks, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this lightheaded, giggly feeli
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 53: At Last
Roman's wicked promise turns my knees to jelly.I hear myself beg, "Not here. Please."He doesn't wait another moment. He releases his grip on my waist, then grabs my hand and pulls me through the sea of reporters. We're moving against the crowd, but that doesn't stop Roman. He forces his way through, dragging me behind him. I nearly stumble in my heels, but he doesn't let me fall. He leads me away from the carpet.As we go, I hear a new round of shouts go up behind us."Raphael!""Just one picture!""Raphael! A question!"Roman's hand tightens on mine, and his steps quicken. I'm more than happy to leave as fast as possible. I'm not particularly interested in facing Raphael right now. The video of the two of us hasn't gone viral yet - to my knowledge, at least - and I pray it gets buried by juicier celebrity news before more than a handful of people see it. And if it does start spreading... well, I'll deal with that when and if I have to. If the dating history of the Fontaine bo
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 52: Sealing the Deal
Even with the barrier of the dress between us, my body still responds to Roman's touch, still remembers all the ways he caressed - and kissed, and licked - me just two short nights ago. My body doesn't care that my job is on the line, or that we're in the middle of a red carpet with people all around us. But I care, and I force myself to focus on Luca and Dante."If interviews aren't your thing, then what is your thing?" I ask sweetly. My voice is only the tiniest bit strained.Luca's grin turns decidedly devilish. "That's a personal question, isn't it? I don't even know your name."Roman's fingers have nearly moved between my legs from behind, and I suck in a breath and grab onto the barricade so I don't topple over. He's doing this on purpose - tormenting and distracting me while I'm trying to do exactly what I came here to do. But even though I'm barely holding it together, I try not to let it show."I'm Felicia," I say to Luca. "And your brother has already agreed to speak with
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 51: I Make My Move
Dante Fontaine's stare isn't like the ones Roman has been giving me all week - dark and intense and full of desire - but rather one of confusion, and I realize that he recognizes me but can't seem to place how.So I do the only thing I can - I smile and hold up my press badge, hoping he connects the dots. And it works - I practically see the light bulb going off in his head.This is my chance.I pull away from Roman and push my way along the barricade - only elbowing one person in the process - until I'm a little closer to Dante."You owe me an interview!" I call over the people around me.The look he gives me isn't quite a smile, but there's a flicker of something in his eyes - humor? Appreciation? - that gives me hope. And then before I realize what's happening, he says a quick word to his date and walks toward the barricade. Toward me.I'm so surprised that I almost turn and run just out of habit. But I'm not going to miss my chance. And anyway, Roman has just squeezed in behi
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 50: Luca Fontaine
"Luca!"My stomach tightens as the shouts multiply. Luca was my original target, but I was hoping Dante might show up first. I had a moment with Dante back at Hallevern's - a brief moment, but a promising one, and it would have given me a starting point. With Luca, I'm facing the unknown. And he's getting more attention than anyone else in his family these days, so he'll be that much harder to pin down.At least it's not Rafe, I tell myself. I'm not ready for that sort of awkwardness right now - either with one of the Fontaines or with the man behind me. I lean forward again and watch as Luca makes his way toward where I stand.He's a charmer, that he is. And like the rest of his family, he's pretty damn breathtaking in person. His dirty-blond hair has been cropped close for Cataclysm: Earth, enhancing the strong, sharp planes of his face. His body was always athletic, but he's clearly added some more muscle for this latest role - and he definitely has the build to pull it off witho
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 49: The Final Test
Roman's words are like a knife right in my gut. But before I can respond, there's a commotion at the far end of the red carpet and all of the reporters around us start pressing forward. The first limo has arrived.There's no time to have this conversation right now. Members of the press start shouting for attention, calling to the couple that has just stepped out of the car. Camera bulbs flash. People jostle me from all angles, trying to get closer to the barricade. I know I need to fight too if I want any chance of speaking to one of the Fontaines.Roman is right behind me. He's closer than he was a moment ago, pushed against me by the crowd, and the familiar heat of him against my back makes my knees feel weak. His hands fall to my waist, holding me steady, and I realize he's protecting me from the press of reporters, shielding me from the worst of the rush. Suddenly, I feel the heat of his breath against my temple."Move forward," he says right into my ear. "I'll help you get to
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 48: Well, Here Goes Nothing
I've never looked this glamorous in my entire life - or felt as miserable.The gold gown swishes around my legs as I walk, and the beads sparkle like diamonds in the late afternoon sunlight. My makeup is flawless, and my thick hair has been pinned into a flawless French twist. I debated skipping the salon appointment Roman made for me, but he had one of his assistants email me a reminder this morning, and it felt childish to refuse to go. Still, there was a knot in my stomach the entire time I sat in the chair, and while the results look beautiful, I don't feel as much like Cinderella as I expected. I feel a lot more like I'm going to throw up.I've been here for almost three hours already, standing in my place behind the partition that separates the press from the red carpet. I've learned the hard way that they give priority positions to television reporters and the members of the press with cameras or other large equipment, but the crowd of journalists here today isn't nearly as la
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 47: Roman Finds Out
Roman kisses me again, and my legs come up and wrap around his hips. We're pressed together now, bare skin against bare skin, and he groans."Change of plans," he growls. "We're staying here today. And I'm going to fuck you over and over again until you can't walk.""Is that a promise?"He sucks my bottom lip between his teeth in response, and I grab his hair and tighten my legs around him."Pleasthh," I beg him as he continues to suck on my lip. It's torture, being pressed against him without joining.He releases my lip. "Patience, my little seductress."I writhe against him. "Fuck patience."Suddenly he grabs my legs and pulls them away from him, and before I realize what's happening, he's flipped me over onto my belly. He leans toward me, his cock pressing against me from behind. He bends down so that his mouth is right against my ear."You will have more than your share of pleasure today. Don't you worry," he says. "But first, I need to go get a condom."The thought of sto
The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 46: Screw the Rules
I stare at him. "You're taking me on a date?"Roman laughs. "You say that like you're surprised.""I just... I didn't know how..." I gesture between the two of us, unsure of how to voice it without sounding insecure. "I didn't know where we stood."His hazel eyes search mine, and there's a tenderness there that he hasn't let me see before. He reaches out and touches my cheek."From our very first meeting, you intrigued me," he says. "You were clearly out of your depth, but you fought quite passionately for your job. And when you claimed that you'd seduce Luca Fontaine, I saw a drive, a fire, that I couldn't let slip through my fingers." His thumb sweeps along my jaw. "As I said, for all your determination, you seemed a little lost. And I wanted to be the one who found you."His words are quickly undoing the last of my meager defenses, and his soft caresses aren't helping."I... I thought you just found me entertaining," I said.He smiles. "I did. I do." He leans closer, and his
