Chapter Four
"I can't believe I missed it. She waited, and I stalled too long. She gave up waiting. Damn it!" He punched the top cushion of their couch.
"That sucks, Tay, but you need to get over it fast. Show starts in two hours." Isaac told him.
"Fine. I have our first warm up song." Taylor turned to look out of the windows facing the merch table, and the girls working busilly.
"Okay, well, that's a place to start." Isaac stood up, and Zac followed. They gathered around eachother.
Taylor counted off. "1, 2, 3. Liquid, melancholy dreams. Tell me what it means, 'cause you drive me crazy. Driftwood, to float me down the stream, so tell me what it means, 'cause you drive me crazy, 'cause you're crazy beautiful, 'cause you're crazy beautiful." His brothers joined in harmonies.
"Ms. Olivia DeLuca?"
"Yes, this is she," she answered her phone.
"Your ordered security has arrived at your gate, per your request."
"Thank you." She hung up, and strode over to the small gate to let the large men inside. They would be doubling as ticket takers also. Well, a few of them anyway. She smiled at them as the football team looking guys came in in their black 'security' uniforms. "Hey Greg! Henry, Alex.." she greeted them allo. She used this security company for most of her planned events, so she saw them often enough. She talked to them for a while, went over positions, then positions once the show started, and the cue to change. "Well guys, I suppose it's about that time. Ready?"
"Yeah." They chorused.
"Good. First positions please." They nodded and scattered. She turned to her friends. "Ready girls?" They nodded. Ready Livvy? She asked herself. She waited for the okay signal from all the guys in their places. Taking a deep breath, she keyed the large gates, and moved to the merch table while the security did the first part of their jobs. She watched the girls stream in, then make a mad dash for the barrier. She, Margo and Jackie helped the few girls who chose merch instead of a good place. When all the girls were in, Livvy made her way around the crowd and up the steps of the stage, then up front and took the microphone Isaac would be using. "Hello everyone, and welcome to a very special event. Not only is this a Hanson concert-" she waited as the crowd went crazy. When they were quiet again, she continued. "But a charity event for a very important cause." She went on to explain the purpose and about the charity. Finally, she came to the introduction. "And these guys, they're the best, for their music, personality, and willingness to holp those unable to help themselves. All, I'm pleased to present to you, Hanson!" The crowd went wild as Livvy stepped back to make room for them jumping onto the stage. Livvy snuck off the side of the stage, but stayed in the shadows. Taylor spotted her and gave a small wave when he got to his piano. Then he turned to the crowd.
"Hey all, thanks for coming out to support a great cause. You guys are awesome! 1, 2, 3." They launched into 'World's On Fire' first. While Taylor was standing, he started playing 'Dancing In The Wind'. He sang it mostly looking at Livvy.
The show progressed, and when they came back on for the encore, Livvy gave a wavy to Taylor, then disappeared. She made her way back to the merch table, to help with the after-show rush. She watched the guys run off the stage for the last time of the night. As the crowd shifted, the lines at the table grew. Livvy was so busy, she didn't even give the private after party a second thought, or about the guys sitting in the bus, or about Taylor probably watching her from that bus sitting on her property. She was focused on getting people off her property to go home. She knew there were girls milling around outside the gates, hoping for a picture or autograph. But she knew they wouldn't come out until inside the gate was clear. An hour after the show had ended, there were no more stragglers left inside the gate. As soon as the last one was ushered out, the guys came out and made their way to the gate. When they passed the table, Taylor gave Livvy a wink. She gave a polite smile in return, and finished counting the money made. They went through the small gate and did their autographs and pictures while the girls put the remaining merch back in their boxes. When the job was done, they went out to the remaining crowd. When Taylor saw Olivia, he left the girl he was talking to and went to Livvy.
"Ready?"
"When you are."
"I'm waiting on you."
"We've got the rest of the merch away, and the security'll stay till they all go home. I have the money for the night for you." Strapped to her thigh.
"We'll give it to Zac when they're done."
"Okay. I'm going back to the house. Just ring for Bea and she can tell you where the club is. i'll meet you there in..two hours? Is that time enough to finish here?"
"Ha. I'm leaving now. Meet me in an hour."
"Alright," she said, unsure. "I'll see you there in an hour then." She turned and found her friends. "Hey. I'll catch up with you later. I'm going home."
"But what about pictures and autographs?" Margo asked.
"I'll get them later." And oh, by the way, you won't catch Taylor. He's leaving too, she wanted to tell them, but then things'll be too obvious. "Call Bea when you're ready to go, and she'll send a car for you." They nodded, and watched her disappear through the small gate. In her car, she called Bea and told her to make the request for the disco room to be readied, and to have a car ready to go to the venue for the other girls. She sped across her property, listing in her head all she had to do. She went straight up to her room, put the hot rollers to heat and set up her dress. She took the fastest shower ever, cleaning everything necessary. Jumping out, she dried off, lotioned and sprayed, blow dried her hair, put on her little black dress over her garters and thigh high stalkings. Sitting to slip her red stillettos on that matched her high thick red belt. She applied her fresh makeup, smokey eyes, false lashes, killer red lipstick with a coating of gloss. Rubies at her ears, neck and wrist. Extra perfume and hairspray, she gave herself a final once over in her mirror. She slipped her heels back off, grabbed her ipod and ran across the house to the staircase to the third floor, and went up to the club. She set up her ipod and had the music drifting through the speakers softly while she went to the fridge. By the fridge was the light panel. She turned on the colored lights, and the disco ball. On the opposite end of the room was a small stage. Nexst to the bar where she was, there was a large carpeted sitting area. Occasionally this room was rented out for parties. Tables, chairs, a couple black leather love seats, and a couple ottomans. Bathrooms, and a door to a full kitchen. She had a large tray of fresh fruit ready on the counter. Five minutes. She looked around and made sure everything was ready. When it was, she ran into the dark kitchen. Navigating her way to the other door leading to the outside hallway, and waited. She wanted to come in last and make him wait. A couple minutes, at least. She heard the door slide open, and a low whistle. Stiffling a giggle, she left the kitchen after a couple minutes, went to the club dor in the hall, and entered.
"Olivia." Taylor called from one of the couches. He rose and swept his eyes over her. "Wow. You're amazing."
"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself." And he didn't. Nice black shoes, blue jeans and a white button down dress shirt, cuffs open and rolled up mid forearm, top three buttons undone and a tie done loosely. She knew he'd borrowed it from this brother. Hair combed, and cologne on. God he smelled great. At least he'd left his suspenders. She definitely didn't like those. "So what do you think of this room?" He turned around quickly.
"It's great. But you- you're...a goddess."
"Aww." He put his hands on her arms, then slid them down to her hands.
"Let's dance." The ballad version of Robyn's 'Be Mine' was playing.
"Okay." He led her to the floor, then pulled her close, and wrapped his arms around her while she kept her hands on his shoulders. Looking into each other's eyes, they swayed to the music. "You put on a great show tonight. Aren't you exhausted?"
"Thanks, and no. I've been waiting for this since I thought of it. And you. You put it all together, registered all four hundred some walkers and ran the merch table. I know any of those jobs themselves aren't easy, let alone all together. Incredible. I think I got the easy job. And I know you've been awake and going longer than I have." He reached up and touched her hair gently.
"That's true," she considered. And here it comes, she thought. He was looking at her like that again. This time he was sneaky and quick. Not obvious, slow and awkward like last time. A quick peck. Now. that was a stolen kiss. He searched her eyes for a reaction. When he got nothing, he tried it again. A quick peck on the lips, eyes open.
She was too stunned to do anything. But she had to do something. Think. Think! She gave him a shy smile. He smiled in relief. He was a little slower this time, when he met her mouth. A soft push, asking. She pulled away, searching his eyes. She smiled again, and when he smiled again, she took off. Running towards the couches. He took off after her.
"Hey! Come back here!" He said, grinning. Livvy laughed, and put the couch between them. She would fake one way, and he would do the same. Then the other. She shook him and ran to the next couch. Laughing, she watched him. Right where she wanted him. Chasing her. Now was her move. She dashed back to the first couch and threw herself down. Just as she wanted, he was on top of her. He studied her face, smiling down at her. He leaned in for another kiss, but finding her lips unmoving. "Olivia. Please," he begged. "Kiss me. Kiss me back. I'm dying here." He said, forehead against hers in defeat. "Am I alone in this?" She only felt slightly bad, and wicked. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him close, and sought his lips with hers. Their eyes closed as they shared their first kiss. When her stomach behan to quiver, she pulled away.
"Let's dance." She started to get up, which made Taylor have to get up.
"Ah, okay." She pulled him by the hand to dance to 'Swing' by Savage. In the middle of the floor, she spun around up against him and dropped down. He grinned. This is how it's supposed to be. This was how he pictured her- powerful and slightly wild since that morning at the poolside. The song changed to 'Let It Rock'. The dancing was grea and all, having her rubbing up on him and all, but for him, it was all about the making out. He wanted to see what was under that dress. But he played along. They danced through the song. "Are you hungry?" He asked suddenly. If he could only get her sitting on the couch...She stopped, looked at him, questions in her eyes. "I don't think you ate any of our catering, did you." She shook her head. She hadn't thought about food all day. "I thought so. I saw the fruit..."
"I guess." He nodded and led her by the hand over to the bar.
"And drinks. I could use a drink. You?"
"Sure."
"You eat, I'll mix drinks."
"Oh. Okay then." She took a stool at the bar while Taylor went around to behind the bar. He pulled a shot glass a couple of tumblers and a bottle of Vodka from under the bar. While he knelt down in front of the mini fridge, Livvy chose a strawberry and took a bite. Taylor popped back up in time to see the strawberry between her lips. He nearly dropped the two bottles of wine coolers he held.
"Damn." He watched her finish the strawberry before he began mixing the drinks. He slid the first one towards her then downed his. "So how many shots does it take you?"
"To what? Buzzed? Two. Sloppy and disorientated? Four. Unconsious? Eight. You?"
"You got me beat. My limit is four. I don't like any more than that. So here."
"You don't need to get me drunk to sleep with you, Taylor." She leaned over the bar, grabbed his tie and pulled him in for a hot kiss. Taylo's mind spun. It took him a second to even close his eyes and kiss back. She let him go and smiled as he rocked back. She downed her drink and pushed the empty glass back towards him. He watched it slide across the bar and bump the bottle of Vodka. Why did he get the sudden feeling he was in over his head with her? Fuck that, he thought. He was Taylor Hanson, and he wanted her. He looked at her as he downed his drink, then took two shotglasses and poured them each a straight shot. The song had changed from 'Poison Kiss' by The Last Goodnight to 'Desease' by Matchbox 20. Coincidence? Taylor didn't think so. They downed the shot, and then another. It gave Taylor the courage he was looking for for the last move. He jumped up onto the bar, swung his legs over and landed in front of her. He pushed her knees apart while she was on the stool, so she almost had her legs around him, revealing her garters. He ran his hands up her thighs, then up her body. She fisted her hands in his hair and tugged his head back while she wrapped her legs around his waist. He ran his hands back down her body and picked her up, then carried her over to the couch.
"Ike. You think Tay's gettin' laid yet?" Zac asked, soaking up to his chin in the outdoor hot tub. Isaac picked up his pone with his dry hand, pushed a button and read the time.
"It's only been an hour since he said he had to be there, and hate to say it, but as hot as she is, she seems a little stuckup, high maintenance and is a big tease. I think Tay'll be lucky if he can lay her, even as smooth as he is."
"Well, some of those things she may be, but I think it's going to be a thunderstorm for them. They're a perfect match, really. They might have a clash till they find the balance of who's boss, but Tay's stuck up, he just pretends not to be. He's as high maintenance as a straight guy can be, and because he's used to girls falling at his feet, a little chase will be good for him." Zac took a sip of his new favorite drink- a 187 Urge. Dr. Pepper, Vodka, Jack Daniels, sugar and cherry pieces. He smiled into his drink. "I can tell you though, that at first it didn't bother me to know that Tay was going to get some ass before we left this place. I knew Tay was going to screw Olivia before we left. Hell, I told him to. But now that I know he's actually doing it, I'm jealous. Even Olivia's minions are starting to look good right about now. Expecially after a couple of these awesome things." He held his glass up. "Not that they're completely horrible or anything. Just compaired to her. I just know they'd be easy." He grinned. "You know?"
"Hell yeah. I could definitely use one of them right now." He took a sip of his Cricket drink. "I wonder if we could call them up and have them come over to crash Tay's party."
"I wonder if that Bea lady would have their phone numbers."
"I suppose we could ask."
"Isn't there a house phone out here somewhere?
"Yeah, I think I saw one over there."
"Shotgun you get the phone!" Zac called.
"I'll do it for some ass right about now." He jumped out of the hot tub and sloshed and dripped his way over to the house phone and picked it up. With the dial tone humming in his ear, he turned to Zac. "Do you think it's too late?"
"Psh. When we say jump to girls, they say how high. They'll come."
Chapter Five