I was so damn lucky.
Ella was lucky to be given the chance to be Holly.
I look into Vinnie’s eyes, and he’s looking right into mine, and something clicks. Something passes between us.
“Got you there, didn’t I?” he says. “Got that sweetheart brain of yours thinking?”
I giggle. “Are you a life coach as well as rock legend? Didn’t see that coming.”
He taps his head.
“Glad I’m not just a regular take some pussy and go kind of client. Tell you something, it takes a fair bit of soul searching and soul breaking to hit the top of the charts and stay there. Hittingit big is a boom of a thunder, but staying there keeps you on your toes. Got to handle the publicity and know your own worth without relying on society for the thumbs up or the thumbs down. Otherwise, you’re just bobbing along on the waves, living for other people’s approval. Live for yourself. Be who you are. Stand proud. I learnt that lesson the hard way.”
I nod. His spoken words move me as much as his lyrics.
No wonder he made it so big.
I think of Connor, fucking everything up once he hit the dream. But it’s not through being overwhelmed, or things going to his head and sending him crazy. It’s because it’s who he is. Who he always was. The bloated ego wanting every excuse to show it off was there from the day I met him. He’s fucking his own path up by being himself. That’s who the world is seeing.
It’s seeinghim.
I take a deep breath.
“Thanks for that, coach. Fuck me, I wasn’t expecting a soul search.” He’s got me good.
“What were you expecting?” he asks me. “Just some random guy with a hundred grand to throw at you for some kinky fuck time?”
“Yeah. I guess so. I try not to make assumptions.”
“What would you do for a hundred grand?”
I laugh. “Um, anything on my naughty list. You’ve seen which boxes are ticked.”
He laughs a fantastic laugh, that lights up his steel grey eyes.
“Yeah, I have. But maybe you should hitch your prices up a little. Trust me, the cash is coming your way.” He finishes up his champagne and pours another, topping mine up as he does. “So forget about your naughty list. Give meyou.”
I hold up my glass.
“Here’s to me, then. The kinky fuck-doll. Glad you found me.”
“To Ella Edwards,” he says, and clinks my glass.
“To Ella,” I reply, and down my De Chante in one go.
“So let me get to know her. Tonight. Body as well as soul.” He leans over the bar top, my heart racing as he runs a thumb across my lips. “I want to get a true taste of the full package by sunrise.”
“Don’t worry about that,” I tell him, and slide the straps of my dress down. “You’re going to get more than a taste.”
I reveal my tits, one of the most impressive things on my menu, and I’m proud of them, standing tall. I giggle, letting myself free.
Ella.
The woman he searched for.
“Just like I thought,” he says, and licks his thumb before running it across my hard nipple. “You’re a fucking superstar.”
I look him in his beautiful eyes, and mine must be glowing with life as well as lust. I know it.
