Page 5 of Acting For Daddy
After close to eight years, I am finally going to reunite with the man who broke my heart.
Chapter Two
Alex
I pull down my cap when the taxi drives right by the spot where I am standing, watching my angel. Everything in me roars to get into my car and drive after them, but I stay back. I know where Mina is headed, I can take my time before I go after her.
Days of watching her, wishing for her from a distance end today.
Mina Hendricks is a goddamned wet dream. If I thought the short video she sent in was enough to drive me to the brink of insanity, it’s nothing like the real thing, and goddamn it, she is a freaking goddess.
Every inch of her, from her long auburn hair to those bright, golden hazel eyes and the stardust freckles lightly spread under her nose are perfect. All I had was her face and a little bit of her body, but after watching the sexy little thing prance about the bar for the better part of a week – and try not to punch every man that dared look her way – I have made peace with the fact that Mina is mine.
I walk the two blocks to the spot where I left my car parked. The three men I left guarding my Bentley carry a fierce look in their eyes that serve to keep anyone from approaching the car. In this part of the neighborhood, I have no doubt the car would have been stripped naked if I hadn’t offered to pay these guys to guard it. As soon as Mina and I are introduced, I am taking her away from this shithole and the crime-ridden part of town she lives in.
My beautiful angel deserves nothing but the best.
With a single nod at the men, I dig into my pocket for three heavy wads of cash and toss them one each. They slip the money into their pockets and with a nod, walk away. I climb into my car and tug off my cap and sunglasses before tossing them in the glove compartment. I strip off the dark hoodie and fold it neatly before placing it in the back seat.
In a few minutes, Mina and I will be officially introduced. Will she place me as the man who’s been watching her for the better part of the week? Stalking her from the shadows and… wanting her, no, craving her.
Maybe I should have waited until we were introduced like a normal person would, but I had to see her. I needed to know if the connection I felt with the girl on the screen was real or not. And it is. From the little time I have spent following the girl around like some lost puppy, I have learned tons about my angel. Like how she likes her coffee – ice cold – or the way she smells – like a fucking field of roses. I have seen her smile brightly when she is around her friends and her brows furrow when she is having a bad day.
A man with a million fucking things to do but none more important than this girl.
Mine!
My head is filled with thoughts of finally getting introduced to Mina as I drive and when I make it to the studio, I wave at the security as I drive past the massive gates and to my designated spot where my manager is standing with a frown on his face.
“You’re late!” he says in greeting when I climb out of the car.
“I’m not late, Ben. The meeting is at two, I doubt the actress has even arrived,” I counter, knowing fully well that Mina is here. She left the bar earlier than I did.
Ben steps in line with me as we walk to the buildings. “The actress is here alright but… are you sure about her?”
My head whips to the man who has been a part of my journey for a solid seven years. Ben became my manager when band members of the Cosmic Rebels started pursuing solo opportunities and the company decided it would be easier if each bandmate had a manager. Other than my bandmates, Ben is the only person I trust to tell me the truth when it comes to decision making but, on this issue, it doesn’t matter what he or any other person says, Mina Hendricks stays.
As if sensing my darkening mood, he quickly adds. “Look, I am not saying she is ugly or anything, but you could have any actress in LA for your music video. Heck, you have talented actresses from other countries begging to be featured in your video. I just don’t get why you would choose some no-name actress who has never been on the screen before.”
“It has to be her!” I say firmly.
“What about the pretty blond actress that was flirting with you at the Oscars’ after-party? What was her name, Eva or Ava something–”
I step into the elevator and turn to face my manager; my expression is hard, but I force myself to relax. I cannot meet my angel when I am in a terrible mood and Ben is dangerously close to pushing me to that point. “I sat in my living room and went through all three minutes of each of the fifteen hundred audition tapes.” Sure, I skipped through a few and didn’t watch all three minutes of most of them, but I don’t mention that. “That is seventy-five hours I dedicated to finding the right actress for my music video. Hundreds of beautiful girls and I choose her.”
“Alex–”
“She stays,” I say with finality before stepping out when the elevator doors open. My steps are hurried, and I have to push back the excitement at the thought of finally meeting my angel without the cover of darkness.
I get to touch her.
“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you if she fucks up your video!” Ben warns as I push open the door to our meeting room. There are several people from the production team seated at a round table, but I don’t pay attention to any of them, my eyes seeking hers immediately.
Jesus Christ, Mina is a goddamned masterpiece.
Seated in the corner with her hands folded on her lap is the girl I am going to make mine. Her hair, which is often tied to the back of her neck, is loose around her delicate shoulders, fanning her small face and when those larger-than-life eyes focus on me, she knocks my breath away.
I’m instantly hard.