Hot Off the Red Carpet Page 7

  She smiled as she remembered how passionate Trevor had been when he’d told her about the benefit. She was actually a little surprised to hear how involved he was in his charity of choice, but he knew from experience how many kids with stars in their eyes came to Hollywood to be a movie star like him and instead ended up living in one of those shelters. The look in his eyes and passion in his voice made only made her fall for him that much harder.

  Wanting to make sure everything was perfect for the event, Addison went into the kitchen to talk to Maribel. While outside caterers would be providing the hors d’oeurves as well as the open bar, the older woman would be overseeing everything to make sure it ran smoothly.

  “I’ve got it all covered, dear,” Maribel assured her with a smile. “Just relax.”

  Addison promised she would. Right after she checked in with Bob about security and parking. When she finally tracked him down, he told her the same thing Maribel had.

  “I’m all over it.” He gave her a wink. “Relax.”

  Regardless of how much confidence she had in Maribel and Bob, Addison would rather have stayed downstairs and supervised the preparations anyway. But as Trevor’s personal assistant, she needed to be at the party, not working it. Which meant she had to change into something more glamorous than the tailored slacks and blouse she was currently wearing.

  Looking at the clothes in her closet a few minutes later, however, she wished she’d thought to add “go shopping for a new dress” to her list of things to do for the party. But since she hadn’t, one of the dresses she’d brought with her would have to do. Picking out a simple, but sophisticated looking wrap dress, she set it down on the bed, then went into the bathroom to shower and freshen her make-up.

  An hour later, she was regarding her reflection in the full-length mirror. While she was sure the black dress wasn’t nearly as elegant as the ones the actresses at the party would be wearing, it still showed off her slender curves and long legs nicely. She might be the hired-help, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t look hot all the same.

  Giving herself one more look in the mirror, Addison left her bedroom to head downstairs. She was just walking past Trevor’s room when the door opened and he stepped out. She stopped in mid-step, all coherent thought suddenly impossible at the sight of him in a tuxedo.

  She’d seen him in a tux on the red carpet at the Oscars and other award shows, of course, but that had been on television. In person, he looked good enough to eat.

  Abruptly aware of how underdressed she must look next to him, Addison felt her face color. She really should have gone shopping.

  “You look beautiful,” Trevor said.

  She knew he was probably just saying that to be nice, but it made her feel good anyway. “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.”

  Pretty good? He looked hot as hell! But she supposed she couldn’t very well say that to him. He was her boss, after all.

  Trevor grinned. “Thanks. Shall we go downstairs?”

  * * *

  As they descended the steps, it occurred to Addison that this was the first Hollywood party she was attending and her pulse quickened. Meeting all the celebrities she’d only seen on television or in the movies would be exciting. She was definitely looking forward to it.

  But just as everyone began to arrive, Murray appeared out of nowhere and pulled her off to the side before Trevor could even introduce her to anyone.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.

  She frowned, taken aback by the sharp tone in his voice. “My job.”

  His mouth tightened. “Your job is to be available if Trevor needs you, not to steal the limelight from him. He’s the star, not you. Now go do something that is your job, like check on the caterers.”

  Addison’s face flamed at the rebuke. Before she could say something in reply, however, Murray strode off to position himself at Trevor’s side. Her lips curled. Apparently, that little rule about not stealing the limelight from Trevor didn’t apply to Murray himself.

  Afraid the manager might make a scene if she didn’t do as he told her, Addison tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible for the rest of he evening. She stood in the corner of the room, sipping champagne and watching Trevor move from person to person, shaking hands and telling jokes. She’d never seen anyone work a room like he did.

  Two hours into the party, Trevor made a speech about the charity he was supporting and announcing he would match each and every donation with a contribution of his own. That surprised Addison. She already knew Trevor was generous by the way he treated the people who worked for him, but to match everyone’s contributions dollar for dollar was truly altruistic. And expensive. Murray looked like he was going to have a cow after the announcement.

  As Trevor mingled with the guests again, Addison realized Murray was no longer at his side. She looked around the room for the manager, but didn’t see him anywhere. She’d wanted to compliment Trevor on his generosity the moment he finished his speech, but didn’t want to risk another confrontation with Murray. Since the weasel wasn’t in sight at the moment, however, it was the perfect opportunity to talk to Trevor. And if Murray came over to interrupt them, she’d simply say she was checking to see if Trevor needed anything.

  Taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray, Addison started to make her way over to Trevor when she saw a tall, dark-haired woman sidle up to him. Addison immediately stopped in her tracks as she recognized Cindi Adams. Heiress to a multi-million dollar company, she was one of those people in Hollywood who had a reality show on cable and thought that made her an actress. She was simply famous for being famous. And for her huge breasts, of course, as well as her willingness to show them off to anyone and everyone. She was known for being at any affair where there were cameras, booze and hot guys. Apparently, the hot guy she was interested in tonight was Trevor.

  Addison’s hand tightened on the glass in her hand as she watched Cindi practically drape herself all over him. Her plastic boobs were in serious danger of falling out of the indecently low-cut white gown she was wearing. Maybe OSHA should slap a warning sticker on those things; they could hurt someone.

  “She certainly likes to put on a show, doesn’t she?”

  Addison turned to see Maribel standing beside her. “Yes, she does. Can’t she tell that Trevor isn’t the least bit interested in her?”

  Maribel shook her head. “I doubt she’s the type who notices if a man is interested or not. Or even cares, for that matter.”

  Addison thought the older woman was probably right. “I have half a mind to walk right over there and dump this champagne right down the front of that trampy dress she’s wearing.”

  Maribel laughed. “Well, if you’re going to do that, don’t waste your time with champagne. Get a glass of my cranberry rum punch. It’ll leave a better stain.”

  Although it was extremely tempting, Addison resisted the urge. “I can’t. It would only make a scene and Trevor doesn’t need that tonight.”

  “You’re probably right. Though you putting that hussy in her place is something I would pay to see.” The other woman sighed. “I’d better get back in the kitchen. Enjoy the rest of the party.”

  Addison wasn’t sure how she could enjoy the party with the way Cindi Adams was pressing her entire body up against Trevor. Addison wondered why he didn’t put some space between him and that inflatable love doll. As down-to-earth as he was, she couldn’t believe he would actually be interested in someone who was so obviously fake. Then again, he was a man and not many men could refuse a not-so-subtle overture like the one Cindi Adams was making.

  Ignoring the queasy feeling in her stomach that watching the two of them gave her, Addison lifted her glass to take a sip of champagne only to pause with it halfway to her lips as Cindi Adams deliberately put herself in the way of an actor who was walking by just so she could fall against Trevor when the other man bumped into her. Trevor had no choice but to throw his arms around her
or they both would have ended up on the floor. Cindi giggled girlishly and clung to him as if she was stranded in the middle of the ocean and Trevor was a life preserver.

  “Oh, hell no,” Addison muttered. The bimbo wasn’t getting away with that. Two could play her little game.

  Setting her champagne down on a nearby waiter’s tray, Addison grabbed the glass of cranberry rum punch before heading across the room. As she made her way over to where Trevor was standing with Cindi, she was tempted to just walk up to them and throw the drink right in the other woman’s face, but decided against it. That would be way too obvious. So instead she waited until she almost reached them, then pretended to trip, propelling herself - and the drink – forward. The cranberry red liquid not only drenched the front of Cindi Adams’ expensive white gown, but also splashed onto the considerable amount of cleavage she was showing as well.

  The look on Cindi’s face as she stared down at the red stain on her designer gown was priceless and Addison had to put her hand to her mouth to hide her smile.

  “Oh God! I’m so sorry! Let me get something to wipe that up.” She grabbed a stack of cocktail napkins off the table closest to them and held them out to the woman. “Here, take these. I’ll go get some club soda from the bar.”

  Cindi stared at her in disbelief. “Napkins and club soda aren’t going to get rid of this stain, you twit! My gown is completely ruined!” She fixed Addison with a nasty glare. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

  The words seemed to echo in the huge room and everyone had stopped what they were doing to stare at them. Addison saw Trevor’s eyes narrow and she quickly feigned a look of surprise. “Of course not. I tripped on the carpet.”

  “Tripped my ass!” Cindi Adams snarled.

  Addison opened her mouth to protest, but the words turned into a startled gasp as the other woman let out a shriek and threw herself at her. Addison instinctively took a step back, but Trevor stepped between her and the enraged heiress, catching her with a hand on either arm.

  “Okay, that’s enough. Let’s not make a scene,” he said firmly. “My assistant didn’t mean to spill her drink on you. She tripped.”

  Cindi struggled against his hold, her eyes flashing with anger. “Like hell she didn’t! Let go of me so I can show that bitch what happens when someone messes with me!”

  Even though Addison knew there was no way the other woman could get past Trevor, she took another involuntary step back anyway. This was going to get ugly. She was just wondering if she should get security when Bob showed up with two rent-a cops that had been hired for the event.

  Although he kept a firm grip on her, Trevor ignored Cindi Adams’ tirade as he glanced at Bob. “Do me a favor and see that Cindi’s driver takes her home, would you?”

  “My pleasure.”

  At Bob’s nod, the two men with him immediately stepped in to take hold of Cindi Adams’ arms, one on either side of her. That didn’t cool her down, though. On the contrary, made even more of a spectacle of herself as they escorted her from the room, shouting threats at Addison all the way to the door.

  Once the heiress and her two escorts were out of sight, Trevor turned to the other guests, all of whom were still standing in stunned silence.

  “Okay, folks,” he said. “That concludes this evening’s entertainment. You can go back to enjoying the rest of the party now.”

  To Addison’s surprise, the awkward silence that hung over the room disappeared to be replaced by the soft murmur of conversation. It was if the whole bizarre confrontation between her and Cindi Adams had never happened.

  Travis turned to her, his eyes full of concern. “Are you okay?”

  Addison gazed up at him, both touched and a little surprised by the worry she saw on his face. She half expected him to take her arm and march her upstairs to give her a spanking for purposely spilling her drink on that bimbo. The thought sent a shiver of excitement running through her.

  “Addison?” he prompted when she didn’t say anything.

  She felt her face color. “I’m fine. Just a little freaked, I guess. She looked like she wanted to scratch my eyes out.”

  His mouth tightened. “Don’t worry about it. By tomorrow, she’ll be thrilled that it happened. Remember, for someone like her, any publicity is good publicity.”

  Addison wasn’t so sure about that. Cindi Adams had seemed really pissed to her.

  Trevor regarded her in silence, then let out a sigh. “Look, why don’t you take a break for a little while? Go into the kitchen to see if Maribel needs any help with the caterers.”

  Addison opened her mouth to tell him she didn’t need a break, but closed it again when she spotted Murray making his way over to them, his face absolutely apoplectic. On second thought, she could use a break, after all.

  She gave Trevor a smile. “Maybe that’s a good idea. If you need anything, just yell.”

  Turning, she hurried down the hall and into the kitchen, where she found a smiling Maribel waiting for her.

  “You saw?” she asked the older woman.

  “No, but I heard about it.” Maribel laughed. “I wish I’d seen the look on that bimbo’s face.”

  Addison’s lips curved. “It was pretty priceless. Right up until the moment she tried to scratch my eyes out.”

  “Trevor came to her rescue, though.”

  Addison turned at the sound of Bob’s voice to see him coming up behind her. “You were there?”

  “I headed for the living room as soon as I heard the sound of raised voices.” He grinned. “If you wanted that skank to stop hanging all over Trevor, all you had to do was say the word. I would have tasered her.”

  She blushed. While she wouldn’t have minded that, she didn’t want Bob to think she was jealous of the woman. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I tripped.”

  He laughed. “That’s your story and you’re sticking to it, right? Wow, maybe you ought to go into acting.”

  Maribel made a tsking sound. “Pay no attention to him, Addison. Bob, don’t you have security to see to or something?”

  When he didn’t move, she made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go on. Off with you now.”

  “Okay, okay. I know when I’m not wanted.” Giving Addison a wink, he turned and left the kitchen.

  Addison gave Maribel a sidelong glance, waiting for the woman to comment or worse, elaborate, on what Bob had said. But instead, the cook merely muttered something about Bob being a terrible tease and went off to talk to one of the caterers. With a sigh, Addison leaned back against the counter and picked up an hors d’ouerves from the tray beside her. Regardless of what Maribel said about Bob and his penchant for teasing, she had the feeling the bodyguard knew way too much for his own good. She hoped he didn’t say anything to Trevor about it. That would be beyond embarrassing.

  Addison hung out in the kitchen until she was sure everyone at the party had forgotten about her confrontation with Cindi Adams before going back into the living room. The rest of the evening wasn’t nearly as eventful and though Murray glared at her from across the room, he didn’t come over to talk to her, much to Addison’s relief.

  By the time the last of the guests left, it was well after two. Stifling a yawn, Addison checked with Maribel to see if she needed any help in the kitchen. When the older woman said she didn’t, she went back into the living room to find Trevor talking to Bob in the entryway. Hoping Bob wasn’t ratting her out, she gave the men a wave and told them to have a good night before hurrying upstairs to her room.

  Too tired to bother taking a shower, Addison hung up her dress in the closet and tossed her underwear in the hamper in the bathroom. She was just getting ready to brush her teeth when there was a knock on the door. Brow furrowing, she put down her toothbrush and grabbed her short robe from the hook on the wall. She slipped it on as she walked into the bedroom, then tied the sash around her waist before opening the door.

  She blinked in surprise. “Trevor!”

  “Can I come
in?”

  She stepped back, opening the door wider. “Of course.”

  Addison shut the door after he came in, then turned to give him an apologetic look. “Sorry I disappeared after the party. I should have checked to see if you needed anything before I came upstairs.”

  He shook his head. “That’s okay. I didn’t need anything. I just wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier before I went to bed.”

  Her brow furrowed. “You mean about what happened with Cindi Adams?”

  He nodded. “You spilled your drink on her on purpose, didn’t you?”

  Addison stared at him in stunned silence, unable to believe he’d caught on to her charade. Dammit. Well, she wasn’t going to admit anything.

  “Of course not,” she said. “Why would I do something like that.”

  He shrugged. “You tell me.”

  She blushed. Tell him she was jealous of that slut? Not a chance. She lifted her chin. “Look, if you’re going to spank me, let’s just get it over with.”

  Addison didn’t know which of them was more surprised by her words. She couldn’t really say what had made her blurt out such a crazy thing. Maybe all the erotic fantasies she’d been having the past week. She stifled a groan. Well, it was out now. And if he wanted to spank her, she wasn’t going to complain.

  Trevor lifted a brow. “Spank you?”

  She gave him a shrug. “That is why you came to my room, isn’t it?”

  The corner of his mouth edged up. “Actually, no it isn’t. But now that you mention it, I probably should spank you.”

  Her pulse skipped a beat. “For tripping and spilling my drink on some bimbo?”

  “Bimbo, huh?” His mouth twitched again. “I guess that means I was right. You did do it on purpose.”