Page 134 of Collateral Damage
“Hey…” He kisses me again, long and soft, and suddenly I don’t want to talk anymore. My body is ready for round two. “I care about you, and I care about your future. I own shares in Laurence, remember? I care about that, too.”
I nip at his lips. “Not for long. Top of the World will be successful, and you’ll be returning those shares. Mark my words, King.”
He kisses me, his hand sliding between my legs. “I’m sure you’re right. You always are.”
“No fair. You know I have a praise kink.”
The kiss deepens, and we don’t talk. Everything we have left to say, we say with our bodies.
Fifty-Seven
Sybil
Present - Age 27
We wrap filming,and for the next month, life gets a little easier. I work closely with Perry and the network as the editing packages come together, but it’s not the same time suck as being on set.
Marketing started last week, and now I’mcertainthe show will be a hit. People are excited, and they have every right to be. Post-production is going to edit together one of the most entertaining reality television shows in modern history. That might be wishful thinking, but my gut says this is going to be huge.
When it’s time for the premier party, I’m ripe with anticipation as I step onto the red carpet, Cooper at my side. My heart pounds in tandem with the flashing lights of the cameras.
We stop for photos and then make our way inside the theater.
We’re nobodies compared to the stars, and I don’t expect us to end up in print, but this moment is thrilling, nonetheless. This is it. The premier ofTop of the World.
We did it.
I’m dressed in a long fitted red gown, my hair professionally styled in swooshing curls, and my makeup smokey and glam.
Cooper wears a perfectly tailored black tux, and he looks amazing. He’s easily the most handsome man here tonight. I can’t take my eyes off him.
“You’re the most beautiful woman here,” he whispers against my ear. “You know that, right?”
I laugh. “I literally had thought the exact same thing about you seconds ago. Are you reading my mind?”
He grins. “Maybe.”
We make our way to the large theatre lobby that’s been transformed into a party venue. The room is packed with both familiar and unfamiliar faces, several of Hollywood’s and Manhattan’s elite, and of course lots of influencers who we are expecting will jump on the live social media feed aspect of the show once they see how it works.
A young woman stops me and Cooper. “You’re the producers, right? Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I say, introducing myself to the woman who turns out to be from the network’s marketing department.
“This is going to be huge,” she gushes. “The buzz has been incredible. You made my job easy.”
We thank her and continue on, soaking in the cumulation of our hard work. It’s fun to see it coming together, to celebrate.
I search the crowd for Benton, certain he’s going to be a breakout star after what’s airing tonight, but a little nervous for the rest of the season. He never should’ve hooked up with Gloria, and I’m pretty sure he knows that now.
“There you are.” Perry approaches, his smile brighter than I’ve seen it in months.
“This is kind of insane,” Cooper remarks, looking around the party. “I see the appeal of your career now.”
Perry chuckles, and it reminds me of when we were young, his joy almost childlike. “I know, right? Pretty amazing. What will be even better is when we’re ranked number one for rating.”
I give him a hug. “You should be so proud.”
“I am, and you should, too. Enjoy it. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go mingle.”
