The Musician & The Movie Star - The Prequel

Chapter 1 - One Night

December 31st, 2013 - 11:10 pm Eastern Time

New York, New York

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POV: Ali 

New Year's Eve. The band had been asked to perform in Time Square. Our set had started around 10 PM and now we were just hanging out, waiting for the ball to drop. The others had disappeared, all three very tipsy about 20 minutes ago. That left me standing at the bar of the artist's lounge alone, sipping a New York Sour, the perfect balance between bourbon and red wine.

"That looks amazing." A voice said from my left. The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn't quite place it.

"It's rather good honestly, if you like bourbon and red wine. It's the drink for you." I answered, finally looking at the person. The face that met mine was a bit shocking. "Good evening Ms. Johansson"

"Good evening to you as well Ms....?" She asked, as the bartender finally appeared. "New York Sour please."

The bartender nodded and began to fix her drink.

"Peridiam. Ali Peridiam" I offered her my hand. She took it, but instead of shaking it, I brought it to my lips. I placed a kiss on her knuckles and smiled. "The pleasure is all mine."

We spoke for nearly an hour before the crowd around us began to count down.

"Shouldn't you be looking for your husband?" I sighed. We had connected on a deep level, but she was married and I am not a home wrecker.

"Ex Husband, Ali, even if it's not public yet. We aren't together anymore."

"30!" The crowd roared.

"So you won't be kissing anyone at midnight?" I arched my eyebrow at her; a slight challenge in my voice. I was flirting with disaster.

"Oh I could think of someone I could kiss, but would they be ok with it?" She countered, slipping a bit closer to me.

"Depends. Is that someone me perhaps?" I whispered, knowing that the press was everywhere. "Are you sure you want to be seen kissing someone that isn't him... or possibly even more damaging, a female?"

"Sexuality is a sliding scale, and it will eventually come out that he and I aren't together. If it happens now, it happens." She answered.

"10! 9! 8!..."

I leaned closer to her, pulling her flush against me. "Stop me if this isn't what you want."

"...3! 2! 1!"

As a cheer went up from the crowd around us and the confetti began to fall, our lips crashed against each other. My hands wrapped tightly around her waist; hers tangled into the hair on the back of my hair. The need for air is what brought us back to reality.

"Holy...." She murmured softly

"Fuck." Was all I could say.

"Do you want to get out of here?"

"Absolutely, my hotel is just around the corner." I grabbed her hand, downed the rest of my drink and waited for her to do the same. Once we both were finished, I led her out of the lounge, down the street and just under a mile away.

"You are staying at the Crowne Plaza?"

I nodded, leading her into the hotel's lobby and to one of the main elevators. We were alone on the ride up to the 44th floor. By the time we had gotten to my actual room, nerves had begun to take over the feeling of arousal that Scarlett had brought forward.

Once the door closed, Scarlett pulled me against her. Her eyes locked with mine and she hesitated slightly, seeing nervousness reflected in mine.

"Ali...?"

"There's something you need to know, before we go further." I started, gently holding her at a slight distance. "I am female. I've had genetic tests done and everything, and they all show that I am female... But I was born with an extra part." my voice was near silent at the end of it.

"Extra part?" She questioned for a moment before it seemed to hit her. "You have a..."

"A penis, yes." I answered, dropping my hands from her waist, allowing her to pull away if she so chose.

"Good to know." With a smirk, she pulled me closer. Her nails dug into the base of my neck and I hissed at the pain. Our lips crashed together once more, as she backed me up against the wall. Her body melted into mine causing a soft moan to echo from one of us.

I pulled away when air was required, tangling my fingers into her hair. "Bed... Now." It was a little more forceful than I had intended, but her eyes lit up at the tone.

Three hours later, I rolled onto the side of the bed and looked at Scarlett. Her body, like mine, was covered in a sheen of sweat.

"Scar.... That was incredible." I huffed out, catching my breath.

"Absolutely." She answered back, laying her head on my chest.

I traced shapes on her bare back and smiled. Before I could speak again, my phone rang. I grabbed it, frowning. "Gimme a second." I climbed out of bed and grabbed my boxers. Sliding them on, I headed out onto the balcony. The face time call connected.

"Hey."

"Hey, where are you?" Tessa asked. We had broken up a few months ago and I knew she wanted to get back together.

"Back at my hotel." I answered, looking over my shoulder. I spotted Scarlett sitting up in the bed looking at me. I moved so that she wouldn't be in the camera view. "What about you? How was your party?"

"It was alright. Just a bunch of coworkers from Copper hanging out. We saw your performance. You did amazing."

I smiled softly and laughed. "Thanks. Tell everyone I said hi. I'm gonna crash here soon."

"What are you doing awake?"

I hesitated, looking at Scarlett. She was staring at me with a look in her eyes of confusion. "I was watching a movie."

"Oh, that's fun. Well get some sleep. I'll call you tomorrow." She quickly said goodbye and hung up.

"Who was that?" Scarlett asked as I slipped back into the room.

I took a breath. "Tessa. She's a friend of mine, she's my ex-girlfriend. She still loves me, but I'm not in love with her anymore." I admitted, knowing that our time tonight was only going to complicate things further. "I like you Scarlett, I really do."

"But?"

"No buts. No hesitation. I like you." Stepping closer to her, I pulled her into my arms. "Once you are free in public, once you are single officially, I'll be here."

"I promise I won't keep you waiting long." She pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"Stay... one more night." I asked.

"One Night." She conceded.

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So.... How are we feeling? Now this is New Years Eve 2013 and New Years Day 2014, 6 years before the beginning of the main book. 

Word Count: 1,153

Edit 1. The bandmates names... The band consists of Ali, Mac, Jazzy and Drew. (I blame that issue on lack of sleep)