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By: Soxy
“Have I mentioned that that top might be the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen on you?” A hand at the small of her back he led her back to their table. Looking over her shoulder, she winked, “better than the leather pants?” He slid his hand lower on her jeans and shook his head. “Nothing beats leather… except maybe that top. You look delicious and decadent all at once. How talented you are Ms. Schrade.” She sighed and sat down across from him. “So what’s our game plan? Drinking and bonding? Bonding, dancing and drinking, what?” He sat down and leaned forward over the table. “I’m thinking a little bit of everything. I haven’t talked to you in ages. You go and get your ass nominated for a bazillion Grammy’s and I’m left out in the cold.” She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her drink. “Like you’re one to speak. Last I heard from Jules you were nominated too, going out with a gorgeous woman, and I hear something about a movie? Be still my heart, the Justin Timberlake going into acting?” “I’ve done the acting thing before.” The humbled look on his face sent her heart to mush. It was rare to see him a little off his game. Acting was something he’d always loved, but wasn’t as confident doing. “I don’t think an ABC special is quite like a film, J. Any hotties on the set?” She took another sip of her drink. “Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey.” His voice was in absolute awe at the names he’d just spoken. Reaching across the table she squeezed his hand. “You’re gonna be awesome.” He reached over and brushed a stray hair from her face, “how have you been? Minus this stuff here?” He waved around the room, but she got the meaning loud and clear. Rubbing her neck with her hand, she shrugged. “Pretty damn good, I’m still reeling over the fact that I got so many nominations. Though, truthfully, I’m a little stressed with working on this second album.” “It’s easy to just keep going on the wave of the first one. But, if that song you were singing before is any hint of what is to come… your sophomore CD is going to be better than the first. That’s hard, especially since your first CD is just the shit.” “Thanks, I like making ‘the shit’.” She looked over the balcony and bit her lip. “So what’s the game plan?” Grinning, he leaned back in the booth. “Subtlety is key in these situations.” She looked back at him, eyebrow raised, “no making out?” Laughing, he ran his hands over his face. “How come we never got together, for real?” “Because it would ruin our ‘cut the bullshit’. It’s all games when you’re dating someone, I never wanted that with you,” she answered honestly. “Do you want that with him?” “Honestly, I don’t know. There is just…” she trailed off as she let the memory of his kiss assault her. “There is something so strong that just won’t let me look away. Something that I know he feels too. It’s literally scaring the living shit out of me. This situation is all wrong. Right now, he is all wrong.” “Should we just not do anything then? Do you just want to throw in the towel and let things just go? I’ll understand if that’s what you want.” He studied her facial expressions as he asked the questions. “Are you going to be ok letting this just slip out of your fingers? I’ve never, and I mean never, have known you not to take a risk.” “That’s just it, J, I don’t know whether I can handle it if the risk doesn’t pay off.” “But what happens if it does?” Wringing her hands together, she looked up. “I’d probably be ridiculously happy.” Sighing she continued, “I can’t explain it, there’s just something about him….that if the situation was different….it would be so right.” “Are you ok and ready to play then?” He asked in all seriousness. Looking him straight in the eyes, she nodded. “Yeah, like you said I’ve always been one up to a challenge.” “Give me tonight to think something up. I heard you say you wanted to go skiing, you know I’m coming right?” She laughed and nodded, “play nice, Justin.” He stood up and offered her his hand. Pulling her up and into his arms he said, “can’t play nice if you want to win.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ They finally got to entrance of ‘Sable’ and were told they needed to wait for just a moment as they prepared the second VIP section. Curious, Elijah, asked why. “Two big names walked in about two hours ago. The place has been a zoo with security. I apologize for the wait.” With that the bouncer waved them in. “Wonder whose here?” Billy asked looking around at the two balconied sections. “Obviously, they are cooler than us. He basically called us B-Listers,” Orlando said with a laugh. They got to their section of VIP and curiosity got to them as they looked over to the other side to see just who were the mysterious big names were. Orlando sat down and didn’t even bother to look. He was still trying to forget Kate’s comment about the song being about this ‘special friend’ of Mike’s. It was wrong and he had no right but, he couldn’t help but be a little jealous. What was she up to? Who was she up to? Was she thinking about him, like he was her? Was she constantly questioning her decisions like he was? The song still haunted him. The words echoed in his mind over and over. While it was gratifying she too was caught in the web they both created, the words depicted a situation she wanted to get away from. He felt like his heart froze over considering that to be the truth. When this vacation was over would he ever see her again? Would he be ok with not seeing her? “Is that Mike over there?” ~*~*~*~ She was so glad to be with Justin and his entourage. She hadn’t stopped laughing, dancing, and grinning since after her and Justin had their heart to heart. It felt good to finally feel like at home. All the time spent with Elijah, Dom, Billy, Orlando and Kate, she’d felt a little lost. She needed this and was grateful to Justin for the opportunity. Grinning like an idiot she leaned over Frankie, one of Justin’s dancers, and grabbed her drink. She looked up at Justin and raised her glass with a wink. He walked over to her and sat down next to her, thigh to thigh. He let his hand rest tenderly on her upper thigh and leaned over so his breath hit her neck. “He’s here, Kenny just got the word the VIP 2 was just opened.” The breath whooshed out of her lungs, and it had nothing to do with Justin’s close proximity to herself. “Justin,” she let her voice betray the calm she wanted to be feeling. He dropped a kiss on her forehead and squeezed her thigh. “Remember, you’re a natural. Just chill, baby, and do what you’ve been doing. I let you know just in case they called or came over.” He took her hand in his other hand and brought it to his lips. “Have fun with it. Remember, just Justin and Michelle.” “How much of your acting skills are going to be put to the test?” She asked with a slight grin. “It’s not mine; it’s yours that are going to be key. I have no problem letting you be the focus of my attention. But, subtlety is important in this Mike. It’s what they don’t see that has them guessing more.” “Dancing?” She asked, thinking of typical ways to get someone to notice you. “Too obvious,” he replied shaking his head. “No making out then, huh?” She said with a laugh. “Tease,” he replied rolling his eyes. “No getting naked?” She said with a faux disappointed attitude. “Bitch,” he snapped back with a laugh. She pressed a soft kiss on his cheek and stood up. Stretching, she noticed Justin’s eyes immediately went to her stomach. Rolling her eyes, she waved her hand in front of his face. “Pay attention.” His eyes snapping to her face, he raised an eyebrow. He watched intently as she leaned over him. “If you want it natural and subtle, stop staring.” She pushed back and made her way towards her bodyguards. Looking over her shoulder she shouted, “Celia is here.” Celia Daniels was the reporter that always was the first to speculate on Justin and Michelle’s relationship. She was also the reporter that Julie had sent the tip to. It was up to Mike and Justin how far they wanted to take this story. He looked at her and yelled back, “meet me at the bar down there in twenty minutes. Show?” She bit her lip in thought, “everyone gonna be cool with that?” He knew exactly what she was asking and nodded. “Yeah, let’s have some fun, Mischa.” She grinned and made her way down the steps. ~*~*~* “That’s Mike!” Kate said with a smile, “and oh boy.” “Oh boy?” Dom said with an eyebrow raised. “That’s Justin with her. Oh my God, is Justin Timberlake the guy the songs about?” Orlando’s head felt like it was going to explode yet, that was nothing
compared to how his chest felt. It felt like the worst indigestion yet
it directly affected his heart. How could Mike be so against the kiss they
shared, yet be with Justin Timberlake who had a very well known girlfriend?
The twenty minutes had passed and much to Celia Daniel’s surprise, Michelle Schrade and Justin Timberlake were in the non VIP section and still very cozy with one another. Justin hadn’t taken his hands off her once. Subtle kisses on the neck, covert smiles, and constant caresses of the face, lower back and arms were all she needed for the next cover story. What completely blew her away was the fact that Orlando Bloom was perched in VIP 2 and his eyes hadn’t once left Schrade. His girlfriend sitting right next to him, and all he could do was helplessly watch Mike and Justin. The look of longing in his eyes was perfect for Page 6. Bloom might be taken, but not by the girl he wanted. Chapter
12
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