getting all dressed up and hoping for some romantic, high-sea adventure?
Clearly, I wasn’t.
“Goodnight,” I add, not wanting to seem rude or ungrateful. “See you all later.”
Roxie grins. “Get some sleep. We can hook up tomorrow for some girl time. We’ll be cruising the Atlantic all day. That gives us enough time to get into trouble.”
In spite of my overwhelming desire to flee the room, Crude Element’s lone female member gives me a fresh dose of hope. She’s right. Girl time is exactly what I need. I certainly don’t need any man or men to enjoy this experience.
“Sounds good. Mind if I drag a hung over Robin along?”
Her smile widens. “I wouldn’t expect otherwise. Poolside…around ten?”
“We’ll be there.” I scoop up my clutch and move to leave.
Shag is on his feet. He grips my wrist. “I’ll walk you.”
“I…uh. Oh fine,” I relent, not wanting to cause another scene.
“That’s my girl,” he whispers against my ear, sending a spike of adrenaline and a tidal wave of desire crashing through me.
How long am I supposed to resist his advances?
I’m not a one night stand kind of girl, but when he calls me ‘his girl’ I can’t help but wonder if one night of Shag’s shagging might be the medicine required to cure the increasing ache between my legs and the hammering of my heart.
* * *
Shag
“Are you sure I can’t talk you into a stroll outside? With everyone eating, we might be able to steal a few minutes of peace.” God, I sound like a fucking idiot.
“You did save me from that reporter’s probing,” she says with a hint of amusement.
“Probing? I would have knocked him out for that.”
Her eyebrow arches. “Is everything about sex with you?”
“I like to perform and party,” I toss out one of my standard answers before adding, “ and probe.”
She’s not impressed. Her lush lips form a tight line that I want to kiss away.
Why won’t she smile? Women tend to laugh at whatever I say, funny or not.
Not Cadie O’Shea.
That fucking rat had her star struck, but rich successful musicians make her mad. Go figure. Ready to give up, I’m shocked by her next words.
“Okay, let’s walk. I could use some fresh air.”
The dopey grin on my face is impossible to hide, one more sign that she is seriously messing with my mind. Unsure what to say, for the first time in my life, I stay silent and take her hand. She accepts the gesture without commenting, and we make our way to the main deck. I’m hung up on how her hand feels so small in mine, and the urge to protect and pamper her is overwhelming and unexpected.
For fuck sake, I’m just holding woman’s hand.
It hits me then why this situation is so monumental.
I haven’t held a girl’s hand since Lila, the redhead who ruined me for all other women. The only female I’ve ever said ‘I love you’ to besides my mom.
As much as I want to forget our relationship’s explosive ending, I can’t. The memories wash over me.
“Keep your eyes closed. No peeking,” I order softly.
“What is it? Why all the secrecy?” Lila insists. She seems edgy, like she wants to run hard and fast the opposite direction.
She’s not big on surprises, but I’ve orchestrated what I hope will be an epic event she’ll remember forever. I trust she’ll forgive the surprise element by the time the day is over.
I am eager to settle our relationship status before we head off to Los Angeles. It’s our band’s long overdue break. A chance to showcase our showmanship and unique sound in front of several, highly respected, record label executives. It’s all we’ve worked for these past years, and Lila has been by my side since the beginning, encouraging and pushing me to continue when I was tempted to give up. I can’t imagine taking this next step without her.
Prepared to share any future success with her, it is time to make my intentions known to the girl I’ve loved since seventh grade.
Slipping behind
Clearly, I wasn’t.
“Goodnight,” I add, not wanting to seem rude or ungrateful. “See you all later.”
Roxie grins. “Get some sleep. We can hook up tomorrow for some girl time. We’ll be cruising the Atlantic all day. That gives us enough time to get into trouble.”
In spite of my overwhelming desire to flee the room, Crude Element’s lone female member gives me a fresh dose of hope. She’s right. Girl time is exactly what I need. I certainly don’t need any man or men to enjoy this experience.
“Sounds good. Mind if I drag a hung over Robin along?”
Her smile widens. “I wouldn’t expect otherwise. Poolside…around ten?”
“We’ll be there.” I scoop up my clutch and move to leave.
Shag is on his feet. He grips my wrist. “I’ll walk you.”
“I…uh. Oh fine,” I relent, not wanting to cause another scene.
“That’s my girl,” he whispers against my ear, sending a spike of adrenaline and a tidal wave of desire crashing through me.
How long am I supposed to resist his advances?
I’m not a one night stand kind of girl, but when he calls me ‘his girl’ I can’t help but wonder if one night of Shag’s shagging might be the medicine required to cure the increasing ache between my legs and the hammering of my heart.
* * *
Shag
“Are you sure I can’t talk you into a stroll outside? With everyone eating, we might be able to steal a few minutes of peace.” God, I sound like a fucking idiot.
“You did save me from that reporter’s probing,” she says with a hint of amusement.
“Probing? I would have knocked him out for that.”
Her eyebrow arches. “Is everything about sex with you?”
“I like to perform and party,” I toss out one of my standard answers before adding, “ and probe.”
She’s not impressed. Her lush lips form a tight line that I want to kiss away.
Why won’t she smile? Women tend to laugh at whatever I say, funny or not.
Not Cadie O’Shea.
That fucking rat had her star struck, but rich successful musicians make her mad. Go figure. Ready to give up, I’m shocked by her next words.
“Okay, let’s walk. I could use some fresh air.”
The dopey grin on my face is impossible to hide, one more sign that she is seriously messing with my mind. Unsure what to say, for the first time in my life, I stay silent and take her hand. She accepts the gesture without commenting, and we make our way to the main deck. I’m hung up on how her hand feels so small in mine, and the urge to protect and pamper her is overwhelming and unexpected.
For fuck sake, I’m just holding woman’s hand.
It hits me then why this situation is so monumental.
I haven’t held a girl’s hand since Lila, the redhead who ruined me for all other women. The only female I’ve ever said ‘I love you’ to besides my mom.
As much as I want to forget our relationship’s explosive ending, I can’t. The memories wash over me.
“Keep your eyes closed. No peeking,” I order softly.
“What is it? Why all the secrecy?” Lila insists. She seems edgy, like she wants to run hard and fast the opposite direction.
She’s not big on surprises, but I’ve orchestrated what I hope will be an epic event she’ll remember forever. I trust she’ll forgive the surprise element by the time the day is over.
I am eager to settle our relationship status before we head off to Los Angeles. It’s our band’s long overdue break. A chance to showcase our showmanship and unique sound in front of several, highly respected, record label executives. It’s all we’ve worked for these past years, and Lila has been by my side since the beginning, encouraging and pushing me to continue when I was tempted to give up. I can’t imagine taking this next step without her.
Prepared to share any future success with her, it is time to make my intentions known to the girl I’ve loved since seventh grade.
Slipping behind
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