The Girl Behind the Camera

Chapter 4

Pulse is everything I thought it would be and more. A fancy bar with fancy chairs, fancy lighting and fancy people dancing around. It's all so...fancy. While I don't specifically have a target in mind for tonight, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for anything juicy. The best of the best hang out here and they are the ones that will make me some serious moolah.

I've lost Sloan in the crowd, but I don't mind. I'm in and that's all that matters. Besides, it probably wouldn't do his reputation any good to be seen with someone like me anyway.

I sit down at the bar and while I'd normally order a beer, I look around to see what everyone else is drinking. The guy next to me is sipping on champagne while the girl sitting next to him has some sort of martini.

"What can I get for you, doll face?" The bartender asks.

Damn, he's hot. He has long dirty blonde hair that's pulled back in a pony tail, a chiseled jaw and he's completely ripped. His eyes are a delicious shade of chocolate brown and I could stare into them all night.

"Um, I think I'll just have what she's having. It looks pretty good," I say, motioning over to the girl a couple of seats down from me.

"An apple martini then. Coming right up." He flashes a heart stopping smile before getting to work.

His muscles flex with every move as he mixes my drink. The white button-up shirt he's wearing fits him perfectly, showing off his gorgeously sculpted body.

When he's done, he sets the drink down in front of me. His hands are enormous. I lick my lips and look up at him to catch him already looking at me.

"This one's on the house," he says with a wink.

"Oh, thank you."

I have no idea how to flirt. I usually attract the type of guys who like girls with alpha-b***h personalities and think I'm a challenge. Needless to say, those type of guys always end up being jerks. Especially when they realize there's more to me than what meets the eye. Yeah, I come across as a b***h at first, but that's just a defense mechanism. I'm actually a big, fat softy underneath and I just want someone to love me for who I really am.

Don't all girls want that?

"So are you from here? I don't think I've seen you around before," the bartender asks.

"I'm from LA, but this is actually my first time in this place," I reply, stirring my drink.

"I thought so," he says, leaning on his giant arms right in front of me.

"Is it that obvious?" I ask.

He smiles. "You just look so natural. Most of the girls that hang out here are completely fake; tons of makeup, hair extensions, fake tan, fake nails, fake body parts..."

I look down at my nails and gasp, quickly moving them out of sight. "Right. Well, I don't really have time for all of that."

"Oh, yeah? So what do you do for a living?"

Why didn't I expect that question? Since I can't exactly be honest with him, especially in a place full of celebrities, I'll have to get creative. "I'm a photographer."

It's not a complete lie.

"Oh, that's cool. I do some photography myself. I usually-"

"Hey, excuse me. I need to barrow my friend here for a minute," Sloan interrupts before taking me by the arm and pulling me away from the bar.

"Dammit, Cole. I was on my game," I growl.

He keeps walking, his hand still tightly clenched around my arm. "I didn't bring you here to have fun. You wanted scandal, you're going to get it. Besides, that guy is a creep."

"Aww, are you trying to be my big brother and look out for me?" I gush, pinching his cheek.

He swats my hand away and rubs his cheek. "No. I just don't want you blaming me when you don't have enough photos after our deal is over because you were too busy flirting with the bartender."

He stops in front of a door and plants his hands on my shoulders, turning me to face him. "This is the VIP room. I heard Antonio Hughes is in there with his brother's wife."

I smile, thankful that Sloan is playing so nice. I know I have him by the balls, but still. "Antonio Hughes, as in the basketball player?"

"The very one," he replies, turning away from me and opening the door.

Target: Antonio Hughes

Age: 29

Occupation: Professional Basketball Player

Sloan and I take a seat in the corner booth. I look around to see how I'm going to pull this off without being noticed, but I don't know if that's gonna be possible.

"I have an idea," Sloan says, moving closer to me. "Take out your camera."

I take my camera from my bag, leaving it in my lap so it's concealed from everyone else in the VIP room. I look at Sloan, waiting for him to tell me his plan. He's biting his lip nervously, so it must be good.

"Just trust me okay?" Without giving me a chance to ask any questions, he kisses me.

I'm shocked at first, but his lips feel so amazing. I know this kiss is supposed to be a distraction so our friend Antonio will be none the wiser, but wow. My heart begins to race as Sloan's lips move with ease against mine.

"Take the damn pictures," he whispers against my lips.

I start fumbling with my camera that's still in my lap. I pull away from Sloan's lips and rest my forehead against his so I can turn my camera on and get it ready. I position it over Sloan's shoulder with my arms awkwardly underneath his.

"Dammit, how am I supposed to do this?" I whisper.

"Just use your phone," Sloan whispers back.

I smile against his lips. "Genius."

I take my phone out of my bag and pull up the camera app. Sloan wastes no time reconnecting his lips with mine while I snap pictures of Antonio, who is currently lip locked with his sister-in-law.

We finally pull away to catch our breath and I skim over the pictures on my phone. Sloane hangs over my shoulder and watches me. The pictures are dark and blurry. You can't identify anyone in them and in my line of work, that doesn't sell.

"You can do better than that," Sloan says, picking me up and placing me in his lap so that I'm straddling him.

I'm a little surprised by his sudden willingness to help, but I don't object. Especially when I'm now facing Antonio and nothing is blocking my view. I snap a few photos, but with the way Sloan is kissing me and touching me, I suddenly start to lose interest in Antonio.

I unintentionally let out a moan when Sloane darts his tongue into my mouth. His hands cup my butt and he squeezes gently.

I pull away and slap his arm. "What the hell, Cole?"

"Just trying to make it look realistic," he shrugs.

"This is not an invitation for you to play grabby ass," I say, climbing off of him and adjusting my dress. "I'm done anyway."

I swear I hear him curse under his breath, but he nods and begins squirming around like he's uncomfortable. I put my phone and camera back in my bag and stand up.

"Well, I've had enough action for one night. I'm gonna call a cab." I start to walk away but Sloan catches my wrist.

"Wait," he says, standing up and towering over me. "I can take you home."

I shake my head. "Stay here and have fun."

He sighs and runs a hand through his perfect golden hair. "I'm only here because of you. I hate this place."

I stare at him for a few seconds, wondering why someone as gorgeous as him would hate coming here. He'd have his pick of any of these flawless ladies and more than likely drink for free. "Okay, then let's get out of here."

I exit the VIP room and as I walk past the bar I was at earlier, I catch the eye of the bartender I was attempting to flirt with. He whispers something to another guy behind the bar and starts toward me.

"Are you leaving? I didn't even get your name," he asks, falling into step with me.

Before I can reply, Sloan wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to his side. "She's with me."

The bartender stops in his tracks and we keep walking. I want to ask him why he'd say something like that, but then I suddenly remember him saying the guy is a creep. Since I don't know anyone around these parts, I have to believe him.

When we make it out of the club and to the valet, Sloan's arm is still wrapped tightly around my waist. He's probably completely unaware, but there's no way I'm gonna make him move it. After all, he is Sloan Cole.

The drive back to my apartment is awkwardly silent. I'm not sure where all of the tension is coming from, but it's unwelcome. I decide to take my phone out and scroll through the pictures of Antonio again. They are really, really good pictures that could potentially earn me thousands.

And also destroy a family.

I can't think about that. Antonio is the one destroying his family. Not me. He chose to do this to his brother. I can't feel bad for people like him.

I feel Sloan's eyes on me, but I don't look up at him.

"Did you get what you were looking for?" he asks.

I sigh and turn to stare out of the window. "I guess."

His hand touches my bare thigh just below my dress and I shiver from the feel of his skin on mine. It feels good. Really good.

"What's wrong?" he asks.

I straighten up and try to pull myself together. I won't let him see this side of me. He's just one of them. He thinks just because he's the beautiful Sloan Cole that his life is somehow protected from the ugliness of real life that us normal people have to face every day.

I brush his hand off my thigh. "Nothing."

He looks at me like he wants to say something, but finally turns his attention to the road gripping the steering wheel tightly with both hands. I really hate this awkwardness between us. Is it because we kissed? It didn't mean anything, obviously. None of this does. We're simply using one another to get what we want.

"You don't really like doing this," he says, breaking the silence between us.

I'm caught off guard because it's so random, but he's exactly right. I hate doing this. I try justifying it in my head every day, but when it's all said and done, I'm ruining people's lives for money. "Of course not, but like I said," I say turning to face him, "if they don't want to get caught, they shouldn't be doing it in the first place."

"And you have nothing to hide?" he asks.

"No, nothing."

"So your mom's overdose is common knowledge to everyone?"

My eyes widen and the air deflates from my lungs. I'm sure all the color has drained from my face, so I turn back to the window. I want to seem unphased by his question, but there's no way to make that believable. He just punched me right in the gut and he knows it.

"Alexa, I'm sorry. I shouldn't-"

"Just take me home," I snap.

"Look, I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"Take me home!" I yell, on the verge of tears.

I should ask him how he knows about my mom, but I don't know if I could handle the answer to that. I'm too hysterical for that kind of information right now anyway.

When Sloan pulls up to my apartment, I gather my things together and open the door.

"Alexa-"

"The deal's off," I growl. "I don't need you anymore."

I slam the door shut and start for the entrance, but Sloan is right behind me.

"Alexa, wait!"

I turn around and laugh humorlessly. "What, Sloan? Are you worried I'm going to tell the world you're a coke addict?"

He takes a step back like my words are a bullet through his chest. "Please don't," he begs.

I scowl at him before turning away. He steps in front of me and clasps his hands around my arms. "Alexa, I'm begging you...please don't do this. I'm doing exactly what you asked of me. I got you into Pulse, I got you your next big scandal. What else do you want from me?"

I stare at him in disbelief. "Nothing," I say before walking away.