This Time Around

Oops, another skipped chapter. Don't know why this keeps happening!

Chapter Eleven

I leaned on the doorframe, using it for support, and watched with disbelief as Simon sauntered saucily down my driveway towards my car.

Regaining my composure quickly, I stepped out the door, setting the security alarm and locking my door before I made my way down the sidewalk.

If he wants to play these games, I can play them too...I thought, a grin creeping across my face as I began to devise a plan in my mind.

He was leaned over the door on the passenger's side of the car; his head propped on his arm as I made my way towards the vehicle, doing my best to act completely unfazed by his earlier actions. Our eyes locked as I strode towards him, and I made sure to add a little extra swing to my hips as I could feel his eyes on me, traveling appreciatively up and down my body.

We kept up pretty good conversation as I drove him home; talking mainly about the show and predicted who would we thought America would vote into the Top 12 that night.

Nearing his house, I swung swiftly into his long driveway, coming to a quick stop at the locked security gates in front of his grand estate.

"Well," he said, "Thanks for the ride and...last night. I appreciate your generous hospitality." He said, emphasizing the last two words as he raised his eyebrows at me suggestively.

"It was my pleasure," I said, giggling softly as I pulled the car into park.

"I'm sure it was," he responded with a wink.

"Get out of my car, Cowell!" I exclaimed, playfully slapping his arm. He laughed as I leaned over him to unlock his door, deliberately pressing my body into his. It took everything I had in me to ignore the delectable sensations of his muscular chest pressed against my right side; it was time to give him a little taste of the torture he had put me through in the past.

We grew silent as I turned my head and looked directly into his eyes, our faces only a mere few inches apart. He leaned in and right before his lips met mine, I turned my face, causing his mouth instead to press awkwardly into my cheek. He pulled back, a mix of surprise, confusion, and disappointment evident in his expression, as I leaned back into my own seat.

"Okay, well, I guess I'll see you tonight, Paula," he said, his tone now almost a bit...melancholy.

"Alright, good luck with Terri," I responded with a forced cheerfulness as I gave him a little wave.

"Thanks. Goodbye," he said as he exited my vehicle, giving me one last bewildered look before shutting the door and making his way towards his house.

Let the games begin, I giggled to myself as I backed out of his driveway, getting excited as I made formulated the plans for my revenge. Little did I know I'd have more fun with this than I could have ever expected.

Chapter Twelve

"Still wiping the taste of Simon Cowell off her lips, Paula Abdul," Ryan introduced me warmly, and I pretended to wipe my mouth, knowing I was getting Simon's attention when I did this.

"Give me another one, give me another one," Simon chanted in my face as he leaned forward, lips puckered.

I puckered my lips as well, pretending I was going to let him kiss me, then at the last second, I turned away, getting an "Ooh" from the crowd as they laughed at my actions.

"That's twice today you've done that," Simon whispered in my ear as Ryan introduced Randy. "I'm not going to let it happen again," he growled.

"Is that so?" I asked him in a teasing tone. "I guess we'll just have to see about that."

"Is that a challenge Miss Abdul?" he asked.

"You can take that any way you'd like," I countered quickly as Ryan asked Simon for his thoughts of the previous night's performances.

I turned to watch Simon as he made some sort of nonsense comparison between last night's show and a short distance marathon.

"Paula?" Ryan said, turning the attention on me, "What do you think?"

"I hate to say this," I said slowly, "But I'm gonna have to agree with Simon."

"Oh Paula," Simon growled, his tone so low and deep that I could immediately feel the color flush to my cheeks. I angled my left cheek to him as he wrapped a hand around my neck, pulling me towards him. Just then I felt my body being pushed backwards, my arms flailing as Simon pulled me towards him, pressing his mouth full and hard on my lips.

Holy shit! I thought as Simon let me go, and the crowd went wild, cheering and applauding. I wiped my lips in mock repulsion, then leaned down, hiding my face behind the table, as I continued to pretend to be disgusted. I laughed while my face was still in my lap.

He got me, I thought. Score one for Simon.

I took a deep breath and sat back up, removing my pink straw from the glass of water and taking big, long gulps. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Simon watching me with amusement, a Cheshire grin plastered across his face, as Ryan began talking.

"I'm glad you did that Simon," Ryan said. "I think its time to show America what's really going on."

"Can I just say," Randy joined in, "That it's getting hot in here?! Woah!"

Simon and I both burst into laughter and then simultaneously looked at Terri, who looked less than thrilled. I then snuck a glance at Simon, whose expression was completely guiltless.

I reached over and wiped my lipstick off his mouth as we cut to a commercial, and he kissed my fingers softly as I did so.

Oh man, I thought to myself. What, exactly, have I gotten myself into?