Star ARC Page 9

  “Seen what? Emmie, if something is wrong, you can tell me. Did something happen with your Vidtube channel?” I grabbed her hand and gently guided her until she sat next to me.

  “No, everything is good with that venture. Better than good actually. But that’s not important right now.” She glanced around the floor until she found where she threw her coat. Grabbing it, she dug into the pocket and pulled out her phone. After a few taps, she held it up to my face. “This is what I came here about. Fiona, my social media director, showed me this about a half an hour ago. I came straight here.”

  My eyes went wide and, what little color I had on my pale face, drained away. It was a very short video. Almost the length of a gif. It was grainy but you could make out two important details.

  One, a penis. Not the entire penis, but enough to know what part of the body was in the picture. The second part was my face and my lips wrapped around the penis.

  With shaking hands, I took the phone from her and began to scroll. It was on a Hollywood gossip site, of course. They didn’t identify me or the owner of the penis, but all the commenters knew it was me. Despite the dark, grainy footage, it was clear I was sucking this guy’s dick.

  I swallowed as my mind went a million miles a minute.

  “Who was this guy?” Emmie asked with a snarl.

  She believed I was being filmed without my knowledge. And if it had been turned around and Emmie had been on the video, I would have thought the same thing. But she had no idea what I had done with men.

  “I can’t, uh . . . I can’t—”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’ll speak to my lawyer and Fiona. I already told her to find out who posted it.”

  I nodded but kept watching that moment from five years ago over and over like a punishment.

  A tear slipped from my eye, landing on her phone.

  I never should have dated Sinclair Ramsey.

  “Oh, honey, come here.” Emmie scooted over and wrapped me in her arms.

  The regret grew inside the moment she pulled me into an embrace. I was a weirdo and now the entire world knew it.

  How could I be so stupid and let myself be filmed? Oh, that’s right, I like being watched. Sinclair laughed at my kink but sure didn’t mind filming me while I went down on him.

  That’s why I told him what I liked. I remember that night. He asked if he could film me sucking his cock, and I agreed. But I told him he could only do it on my phone.

  He commented how eager I was to do it. Because when he asked other women, they usually said no, but that never stopped him.

  I found that part out after I left. I ran into an ex of his and we swapped stories about what a slimy jerk he was—like most exes did. But I was the only one to agree right away and when I explained why, he had the nerve to call me fucked-up.

  “Don’t worry about this at all. We’ll set up a meeting with your agent and PR team and smooth everything out. I mean, what woman hasn’t gone down on a guy before? Right?”

  I noticed her voice rose a little higher than usual as she said the last word.

  Pulling out of her arms, I nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

  “He’s the asshole for posting this without your permission. And you didn’t even know he was filming you. That’s disgusting.”

  I winced and hoped she didn’t see but nothing got past Emmie.

  “Wait . . . Niki, did you know he was filming you?”

  Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “Look, we were dating. He wanted to do something different and I went along with it. I was naïve enough to think it would never come back to haunt me.”

  She twisted her lips to the side. “That’s okay. We can work with that. You were just a normal woman in what you thought was a trusting relationship with a man. You were having fun, and he took advantage of that. Have you seen him since?”

  “Yeah, at Willa and Hunter’s party.”

  Emmie tilted her head in confusion. “Why would this guy be there? The only guy you ever dated that was at the party was . . . Oh, shit.” Her golden eyes grew wide. “Sinclair Ramsey.”

  “Yup.”

  The devil, himself.

  “Oh damn, honey. Sinclair has a lot of power and a lot of influence. He knows senators. Naming him could destroy your career.”

  I deflated back into the couch. I had been debating whether to walk away from Hollywood, but I guess my answer had been made for me.

  SIXTEEN

  Tucker

  I STOOD OUTSIDE NIKI’S door with flowers in one hand and a cane in the other. I had no need to worry if they’d wilt because I sweating enough to hydrate them until she answered. I had knocked but she had yet to answer.

  It was time for me to take her out on our date. I figured dinner and dancing and long walks.

  Lifting my fist, I was about to knock again but stopped when the door flew open. Niki stood there with a stunned look on her face. I was shocked by her appearance, too.

  She was dressed in gray sweatpants and a giant blue T-shirt that said Dip My Dots.

  “Did you forget about our date?” I asked as I leaned against the doorframe to take the pressure off my sore leg.

  After the past week, I thought she’d be excited by the dates. But the more we went out, the more people recognized her, which she wasn’t used to. I didn’t think much of it as I had a brother who could barely step outside his house without being mobbed by fans.

  Until he grew his hair out and moved to this obscure town, he was surrounded by the public always asking for pictures with him. I thought for sure his year of freedom from that crazy life was over when he met Willa and she asked for his picture.

  But she wasn’t asking for his picture because she was a fan, it was but because she wanted him arrested. I couldn’t help the small chuckle when I remembered the daggers in her eyes when she met him.

  “I, uh . . . Oh my God, Tucker! You’re standing. Your leg.” Her hands flew to her cheeks.

  I shrugged and pulled up from leaning on the doorframe, putting the weight back on my cane. “The leg grew back overnight. I took this experimental regenerative pill I got online from the dark web. Apparently, it’s not legal in any first-world country, but it had a one hundred percent money-back guarantee, so I figured I had nothing to lose.”

  Niki snorted and lightly slapped my arm. “For once I’d like a straight answer from you instead of a joke.”

  “Never going to happen. You have met me, right? Since when do I ever take anything seriously?”

  She shook her head and pulled me inside. I moved with a limp and put a lot of weight on the cane as I was still getting used to the leg. It still needed some adjustments and I had an appointment next week for more measurements.

  But that didn’t matter because when I walked right up to Niki and kissed her, it was worth the blisters this thing created on my leg.

  “So, is this your prosthetic? The one you told me about last week?”

  “Yes. It’s going to be a while until it’s adjusted to my leg comfortably but this is my new sexy gam.” I lifted my pant leg, stuck out my hip, and made a kissy-face like a pin-up girl.

  “You’re a goof. Wow, it looks, uh . . . interesting.” She frowned.

  I nodded. Niki was trying her best to be positive, but this thing wasn’t sleek like you saw on athletes. It basically looked like a fake thigh and a fake foot attached to each other with a metal rod. Once it’s fitted properly, I can add features. At least, that’s what they told me.

  “I was thinking of putting some fishnet stockings on it. That might pretty it up.”

  Her head fell back as she released a throaty chuckle. “Oh, Tucker, I’m so glad you’re here.” She sighed and pulled me over to the couch.

  Now that I was standing, I could hold Niki’s hand as we walked. That one time I did it in the wheelchair—before we had sex at my brother’s engagement party—was tough. My arms are strong, but even that tested my strength.

  “I’m glad I’m here, too,” I said as she sat on the couch.


  I lowered myself with a flop due to the unsteadiness of the leg.

  “I’m guessing you haven’t seen the video of me yet,” Niki said with a full blush across her face and down her neck.

  “What video? Are you going to be in Hunter and Willa’s music video?”

  My brother had mentioned wanting to ask Niki if she would consider doing the video, but I hadn’t realized he had asked her yet.

  “No. And I think after your brother sees this, he will never consider me for his videos again.”

  Her sparkling blue eyes bounced around the room but never settled on me. She couldn’t look at me. Was she having second thoughts about me?

  I scooted closer to her and clasped her hands in mine. “What’s wrong, Niki? Just tell me.”

  “Fine. You’re going to find out anyway because it’s all over the Internet.” Niki finally looked up at me. “There’s a video out of me sucking someone’s dick.”

  She flinched and pulled her hands from mine. Something strange rose from my stomach up my chest and into my neck. It wasn’t nausea, but it wasn’t not nausea, either.

  I felt sick and angry and disgusted all at the same time.

  “Was this recent?”

  Why would she do that? I knew she had a kink about being watched while having sex, but to put a video out there which could cause a lot of problems in her life, especially her career, sounded off.

  And she never asked me for permission. That’s what hurt the most.

  She shook her head. “It was from many years ago. I recognized who it was, but he might not have leaked it.”

  The nausea and disgust began to subside and turned into relief.

  “Whew, I thought for a second that you put that video out there. That you had filmed us and put it out there without my knowledge.”

  “Oh God, no. I would never do that. Ever.” She placed her hand on my fake leg and shook her head. “Look, Tucker, I may like certain things sexually, but I would never use you in any way.”

  I was angry someone had done this to her. And I wanted to find out now.

  “Who was it?”

  She bit her lip and sighed. “That’s not important.”

  “Don’t cover for him, Niki. He’s the disgusting one, putting this out there.”

  “But that’s the thing, I’m not entirely sure he did. It was from my phone years ago, but now that I think about it I remember having to get a new phone around then because I lost mine. What if Sinclair found and kept it?”

  I clenched my fist. Sinclair was a disgusting asshole, but now he was an asshole I wanted to beat to a pulp. I knew what he was like and this sounded exactly like something he’d do.

  But when I gazed into her beautiful, fear-filled eyes I knew I had to put the anger away and comfort her.

  “He might have but we’ll figure that out later.” I placed my hand on her back and began to rub. “I’m sorry for overreacting when you first told me. This is all new to me. Since I lost my leg, and even before that if I’m being honest, women didn’t have any problems with using me for something. I guess my mind just drifted to the worst.”

  “So, you don’t want to end things with me? Knowing this video is out there?”

  “Huh? Why would I ever end this with you?” I lifted her onto my lap and held on as if I was still in the wheelchair. “Niki, you’re flawed and come from a messed-up family. I’m the guy parents and priests and even my own brother would warn you about.”

  “He has already.”

  “See. Neither of us are perfect, but I love you.”

  Oh no, I said that out loud, didn’t I? This was why I didn’t talk about my feelings. I always ended up saying things I shouldn’t.

  I heard her gasp but had already shut my eyes, hoping by some miracle that this was all a dream. I cracked open an eye and found Niki still on my lap, but her mouth was wide open in surprise.

  “That’s right, I love you. There, I said it. Are you happy now?” I said with a groan because feelings.

  “Yes.” She leaned forward and whispered it once more in my ear, “Yes, Tucker Six. I am happy you said that. Because I think I love you, too.”

  I gripped her arms and pulled her back. Niki was smiling and laughing and was more radiant than I had ever seen her.

  “Are you fucking with me? Because I don’t go throwing the L-word around a lot. Like ever. Ask Hunter if you don’t believe me.”

  “No. It’s true. I’m still feeling it out as I don’t have a lot of experience with love.”

  “Me, too! See, we’re perfect for each other. We’re crazy, have really depressing pasts, and have rarely, if ever, been in love. Like two fucked-up peas in a pod.”

  I tilted my head up and pressed my lips to hers. She was still smiling but after a moment, her mouth softened and Niki released a moan.

  Our kiss turned needy. I was suddenly thankful she was in a loose-fitting top instead of a complicated dress for our date. My hand slid easily up her shirt and cupped her bare tit.

  Breaking free, I gazed into her glassy eyes as I played with her hard nipples.

  “Whoever did this to you, I’ll make sure they pay. And whatever hurt you’ve been through today, I’m going to work extra hard to take it away.”

  My hand released her breast and slid down her stomach, slipping under her pants. She was already soaked and not wearing any undies.

  “There’s something I’ve always wanted to do to you. Stand up.”

  She hopped off my lap with a giggle and helped me up. This time I grabbed her hand and pulled her into her bathroom.

  “Do you want me to start the shower?” she asked as she removed her top.

  I shook my head as I pulled off my tie and began to unbutton my shirt. “No, just keep taking off your clothes.”

  Niki was naked before I even got to my pants. After a few more moments, I was naked and ready.

  “Put your hands on the counter and face the mirror.” She did as I requested.

  I had remembered to pull out a condom before I took off my pants. After I rolled it on, I placed my hands on her hips.

  “Now it’s my turn to watch you while your being fucked.”

  She let out a guttural groan and bit her bottom lip. I slipped my hand between her legs and she was soaked.

  “You like that? Me watching you having to take it,” I said as I slapped her ass.

  “Yes,” Niki said, standing on her tiptoes, pushing her ass in the air.

  I grunted when I pushed the tip of my cock into her soft, wet folds. Unable to hold back, I pushed forward until she surrounded me.

  “Niki, you’re so tight.”

  I shifted my hip and there was some pain that shot up my leg from the prosthetic, but I didn’t care. She felt too good to let a little discomfort stop everything.

  But the best part of all this? Watching her. I could never go long being on top of her, running the show so to speak. So, Niki always was on top directing what was done. Sure, I helped move her hip and lifted her to pump inside her, but this was different.

  This was all me making sure she got what she wanted.

  “Oh, Tucker, your cock feels incredible. It’s so big.”

  She slid her hand between her thighs as she touched herself. Looking down, I watched my cock as it glistened, sliding in and out of her pussy. I smoothed some of her wetness over her asshole and pushed my thumb inside.

  “Oh, fuck,” she yelled as her head snapped up.

  For a moment I thought I moved too fast for her, but when she began to push back into me for more, I knew it was exactly what Niki needed.

  She was already tightening around my cock.

  “Oh, ah, Tucker. I’m coming.”

  That was all I needed. I pushed hard into her one last time as I climaxed. For a moment, I thought I broke the condom because I came so hard. But after a few minutes of recovery, as we gasped for breath, I pulled out and checked it for leaks.

  There were none.

  We cleaned up and went
into her bedroom. I removed the prosthetic and winced at the blisters.

  “Oh no. Do you want me to get some bandages?” Niki stared at Stimpy.

  I eased back against her pillows and pulled her close. “You’re all I need to feel better.”

  She nestled in the nook of my arm and leaned her head on my chest. She smelled like spring flowers and sex—the best scent ever. I wanted to bathe in it.

  “If you say so. But I’m being serious. Your leg looks heinous. I don’t want you to bleed on my sheet.”

  “And I love you, too.”

  SEVENTEEN

  Niki

  One Month Later . . .

  “THAT WAS WEIRD,” I said as I stared at Emmie’s office door.

  “Tell me about it. Did you see how Jon was looking at Emmie?” Tucker added, strolling over to the office plant in the corner of the reception area outside of Emmie’s office. He sniffed the plant and shrugged.

  “Yes!” I pointed in the air. “I thought I was imagining things. It’s obvious they—”

  “Are doing it,” Tucker said, cutting me off.

  I tilted my head. “I was going to say hate each other. I know Emmie—she sooo hates him.”

  Tucker turned and walked toward me, he no longer used a cane. He had his new custom-made prosthetic with all the bells and whistles and it made a huge difference. It was much more comfortable for him and looked sleek—not the prosthetic, but the cool cover his friend made for it. It almost looked futuristic.

  “And I don’t know much about either of them, but I can sniff out sexual tension like a hound dog can a bone. Two bucks says they’re getting it on in secret.”

  I shook my head. “You’re going to lose that money. I hate taking cash from someone so gullible, but if you insist . . .”

  “I do. I know when people are horny for each other. I knew you wanted this body so badly when you first moved into the building.” He waved a hand over himself.

  I snort-laughed but walked over to Tucker and threw my arms around his neck. “You’re right. That ridiculous porn you were watching—that, by the way, was so loud they heard it in Alaska—got me all hot and bothered. And when I saw you, I wanted to recreate that video with you so desperately.” I pointed to my mouth. “My mouth is so horny,” I said in the same nasally voice as the porn star.