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Chapter 53: At Last
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2023-11-25 14:08:21Related chapters
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
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 1: Eight Days Until Certain Humiliation
"Scotch and soda, please."The deep voice catches my attention immediately. I look up from my gin and tonic and sneak a peek at the man who just sat down beside me at the bar. He's a little older than me - maybe early thirties - and he has dark blond hair and a sexy spread of stubble across his jaw. As my eyes travel lower, I notice a little bit of a gut beneath his button-down shirt, but I tell myself that his broad shoulders balance out his shape quite nicely.In any case, he's worth a shot.I take a big gulp of my drink and turn toward him before I can chicken out."Scotch and soda," I say. "Good choice."He looks over at me in surprise, as if he hadn't even noticed me sitting here. His eyes flick down to my drink - which is clearly not a scotch and soda - then to my body. I can't tell what he thinks. I'm definitely not a supermodel or anything, but I'm not completely atrocious, either. When I bought this top, my friend Amy assured me that I looked hot. But I'm not used to bein
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 2: An Explanation
I'm not normally a spaz, I promise. And I'm not normally the sort of girl who makes a fool out of herself trying to pick up guys at the local bar. Usually, I'm just Felicia Liddle, an all-around normal sort of person.Except that I write for Celebrity Spark, one of the country's premier celebrity news publications. Working there has been my goal from the moment I graduated from college - where I doubled up in Journalism and Psychology - and my dream ever since I was old enough to read the tabloid covers at the supermarket.Yeah, I'm that girl you've seen buying an armload of celeb magazines and frozen dinners at the checkout counter. And no, I'm not ashamed of it. I make no secret of the fact that I'm fascinated by celebrity culture (and fascinated by our culture's fascination with celebrity culture) even if it's not exactly something most people go around bragging about. But I worked my ass off to land this job. It took me five years of busting my butt at internship after internship
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 3: The Trap
My new boss stared at me with an intensity that made my insides go all twisty. I couldn't tell whether the way he slightly narrowed his eyes meant he was intrigued or merely shocked that I, a lowly staff writer, dared to address him that way. Mr. Sexy Mogul was probably used to people like me groveling at his feet. I held my breath, expecting him to throw me out without another word.When he finally spoke, though, his voice was as calm as it had been a moment before. And there was a spark of something in his eyes that looked almost like humor."Emilia Torres might be a popular actress," he said, "but frankly, this magazine can do better."I'm pretty sure I gaped at him. "Better?" I couldn't believe it. Emilia Torres is all anyone is talking about now. Her latest film, Cataclysm: Earth, has a larger budget than any movie in Hollywood's history - and costars Luca Fontaine, her former/ongoing/future flame and the highest-paid action star in the biz. The two have been fixtures in the ta
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 4: A Challenge
Why did I have the feeling that my new boss had just played me?"Snagging an interview with Luca Fontaine would be a feat, considering his general attitude toward interviews," he said, walking over to the table and leaning against the chair next to mine. "How exactly do you plan to do it? I'm assuming he hasn't already consented?"God, I hadn't realized how tall he was until he was towering over me. Between that and those eyes, my voice wanted to die in my throat. Besides - this was where my plan got sticky. But Roman Everet was asking me questions, which meant he was at least entertaining the idea of letting me try. I just needed to give him a reasonable answer and then I could work on the real plan later.Unfortunately, no answer - reasonable or otherwise - was popping into my brain. It was hard enough to get Emilia to agree to an interview with me, as unimportant as I am, and as Mr. Everet so kindly pointed out, she was usually eager to talk to the press. But as the silence stret
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 5: Eight Days Left (Again)
Okay, so that brings us back to me dry-heaving in the bathroom of a dumpy bar.In the two days since my meeting with Mr. Everet, I've racked my brain for ideas of how I'm going to pull this off. And honestly? Against all odds, I've come to the conclusion that my best chance of getting an interview with Luca or any of the Fontaines will be to go with my original spur-of-the-moment (incredibly insane) plan to somehow charm my way in. I have nothing else to offer them - nothing they need, anyway. When you're Hollywood royalty, you're pretty much set in terms of money, fame, and connections. And the Fontaines are more than just royalty - they're a multi-generational dynasty. If you can name a position in the film industry, a Fontaine has been there. And won all the awards. And probably caused a lot of trouble - and broken a few hearts - along the way.In other words, they are the wet dream of every celebrity news outlet in existence. Except you don't become as big as the Fontaines withou
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 6: My Boss Gives Me The Brutal Truth
My new boss stares at me, eyebrow raised in a question."I mean it," I repeat. "Tell me what I'm doing wrong, Mr. Everet.""Roman.""What?""Call me Roman."Using his first name makes this worse. It makes it... intimate. At least when he was "Mr. Everet" I could sort of pretend he wasn't a real person. The formality made it safer. Easier. But that's not exactly something I can explain to the man in front of me."Okay," I say. "Roman. I'd like to hear what you think I'm doing wrong."He doesn't respond immediately. Instead, he takes a long, slow drink, and I can't decide if he's giving me one last chance to walk away or if he just likes to watch me squirm. Finally, he puts his glass down."It's too much," he repeats."What is?""Everything. The way you're dressed. The way you try to get the attention of these men. It's coming off as desperate.""Desperate?" Oh, God. I mean, I know I feel desperate, but I didn't realize everyone else could see it.But Roman isn't finished."
Last Updated : 2023-11-25The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Secret to Seduction Chapter 7: So. . . I Guess We're Doing This
Roman's hazel eyes flash with amusement. "Let's get started, then." He glances around the room once more. "Who is it going to be?""I have to pick?""Would you prefer I choose your target?"Okay, maybe not. I bite my lip and take another look at the men around me. Who should I approach? Someone alone, preferably. I don't think I have the skills to get a guy away from his friends. Maybe that guy over by the dart board who looks barely old enough to drink - he's got a frat-boy look, and if I know anything about frat boys, they'll respond to anything with breasts. But Roman might think he's too easy a target - seducing him won't prove anything. Besides, Frat Guy seems to be checking out that table of young women by the door. If I go over there and get rejected by him, I'm not sure I'll ever live it down. Next!My eyes fall next on an older man - probably in his mid- to late-fifties. He's nursing a beer by himself at a table in the corner. But as I watch, he straightens and lets out a
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
