Chapter 25
25
brONSON
W e don’t return to the hotel until just before dawn.
Christian Myers included.
It’s a complicated reunion. Christian was a mentor to Criminal Records in various ways. A charismatic frontman to Knox. A brilliant songwriter to Jonah. A talented guitarist to Addison. Even little Katrina, who would barely look people in the eye in the days following us liberating her from the Benton cult, held herself differently after meeting Christian.
As for me? The guy had little to teach me when it came to sticks, but he was a friend. A drinking buddy. Just a guy who understood the need for quiet reflection now and again.
Then, the drug problems kicked in.
Christian Myers personified the very essence of sex, drugs, and rock and roll stardom. He could have had anything or anyone, and he did. In excess.
It was sad to see him fall. It’s nice to see him stand back up again.
Still, I keep an eye on him the whole night; Logan’s silent warning keeping me on edge. I notice nothing out of the ordinary. He’s… Christian. The same Christian he always was — the sober version, anyway. Witty and fun. Full of good stories and anecdotes. Always wanting everyone at the table to feel included, no matter how large the group is.
I’d almost forgotten how likable he was.
I’d completely forgotten how Jordan used to look at him.
At the end of the night, we all say our sluggish goodbyes to Christian in the hotel lobby. While I’m happy to see him clean and healthy, I’m also happy to see him go. Strange to say, but I’m eager to get back to work. Eager to focus on what’s important.
On the tour.
And on Jordan.
The faster Christian stops making her blush like that, the better.
With him long gone, we all stumble across the golden lobby and pile onto the elevator together. Knox begs to be taken up to the executive suite again, but he’s quickly overruled by Harmony’s not-so-subtle tug on his jacket. The other couples get the same naughty glimmer in their eyes, and they all disembark on the 30th floor.
“Goodnight, everybody,” Harmony says over her shoulder, her arms wrapped around Knox’s waist.
Addison chuckles, doing the same with Harvey. “I think you mean good morning,” she jokes.
We laugh. I wait for August and Chrissy to step off behind Jonah and Katrina, then I step out of the corner, trying to remember if my suite was on the right side of the hall or the left.
As I cross the threshold, I feel a tug on my sleeve and pause.
Jordan draws me back as she stealths forward to look out into the hall. Confirming the others are too tipsy to notice, she swipes her card to the executive suite.
I stand still, watching the doors close.
The moment they do, Jordan crashes into me. She kisses me hard on the lips. I stand steadily while her ankles sway, and I quickly plant my hands on her hips to keep her upright.
“Sorry,” she says, chuckling. “Forgot my pen.”
She kisses me again. This time, I kiss her back, unable to curb the rush of heat taking over me as the elevator ascends slowly toward the 40th floor. I give myself that long to enjoy it, to kiss her hard and deep, knowing I’ll stop as soon as the doors open.
When they open on the suite, I tell myself I won’t step off, but Jordan latches her hands onto my jacket and pulls me out with her. In a fit of giggles, she stumbles, and I keep an arm wrapped around her so she doesn’t fall.
“Whoops!” she says. “So dizzy.”
I turn my head to break the kiss. “You should lie down,” I say. “Get some sleep.”
“No,” she says, trying to unzip my pants. “You should lie down. And I’ll?—”
“Jordan,” I say, cradling her hands. “You’re drunk.”
“You’re drunk.”
“Not that drunk.”
“So, let’s do some shots!”
I chuckle. “Jordan, we’re not doing this tonight.”
Her lips rub against my chin as she looks up at me. “Why not?” she asks.
I cup her face with both hands, holding her glistening eyes. “Because you’re drunk. And drunk girls can’t consent.” I nearly swallow the next part, but I’m just tipsy enough to say it, anyway. “And you’re thinking about him instead.”
Jordan blinks. “What?”
I release her, dropping my hands to my sides. “A present girl is a sexy girl,” I say to soften the blow.
“Well, I’m here...” She slinks closer, pinching my shirt. “And you’re here. I don’t see anybody else.”
I don’t reply.
“Come on, Bronson,” she hums, gently kissing my chin. “Let me hear that dirty talk.”
I give in, but only for one kiss. I glide my hands down her back, resting them on her ass, and Jordan moans happily, pressing her body against mine.
“That’s my Bronson,” she says.
I pick her up, easily cradling her form as I carry her toward the bedroom. Jordan laughs playfully. Her arms latch around my neck as she kisses my throat. When I set her down on the bed, she sheds her blouse and skirt. Her bra and panties, too.
Fuck, she’s gorgeous.
I catch up with her, unzipping my pants and letting them fall as I peel off my shirt. Climbing onto the bed, I lay down on my back. When Jordan instantly moves to mount me, I stop her.
“Wait,” I whisper.
“What?”
I raise my arm. “Lay next to me first.”
“Why?”
“Just for a minute, please.”
She drops reluctantly, but her eyelids are already heavy. “Okay,” she says. “But don’t let me fall asleep!”
“I won’t,” I lie.
I draw her close, guiding her head to rest on my chest.
“Don’t you fall asleep, either!” she says, slurring the words.
“We won’t,” I say as I run my hand along her brow, slowly pushing her hair back behind her ear, soothing her.
“I don’t wanna sleep,” she murmurs. “I just wanna rock... your...”
My chest tightens, recognizing Christian’s song in her voice.
Jordan says nothing more. Eventually, her head grows heavier. Her breaths become steadier.
She falls asleep.
I hold her, keeping up the soothing touch on her brow, willing her into an even deeper sleep.
Get some rest, Jordan.
Tomorrow, we get back to work. We put on another badass rock show. And the next morning, we leave New York City behind.
We leave Christian Myers behind, too.
I kiss her forehead, then settle in for a nap.
I awaken several hours later to the sound of a shower head turning on in the bathroom.
Jordan is gone, but the bed is still warm. She hasn’t been up long.
I pull myself off the bed and find my boxers on the floor. I step into them, feeling sluggish but far from hungover. Memories creep through my mind from last night. Getting the party started in the executive suite. Continuing the party at The High Note.
And Christian Myers.
I just wanna rock your world.
I walk to the bathroom door and knock softly before pushing it ajar. “Jordan?” I ask into the steam.
“Bronson?” she replies. “That you?”
I step in and stop, Jordan’s naked body fully visible behind the transparent door. “Yeah,” I say. “Are you okay?”
“Uh...” She chuckles as she wets her hair. “My head hurts.”
“Yeah, I can imagine.”
“But other than that, I think I’m good. Hey, did we...” She wipes her eyes and sticks her head out to look at me. “Do you remember what happened last night?”
I smile and step forward. “You don’t?”
“I remember the bar,” she says. “And... part of the ride back to the hotel, but...”
“You brought me upstairs.”
“Okay,” she says, nodding. “Did anyone notice?”
“No.”
She exhales with relief. “Then what?”
“Then I tricked you into a cuddle so you’d fall asleep.”
Her eyes widen. “Yeah, that sounds about right.”
“You wanted to fool around, but I didn’t feel comfortable taking advantage.”
“No, that’s...” She smiles. “You did the right thing. Thank you.”
I nod.
Jordan shifts back, a little naughtiness returning to her eyes. “You wanna join me?” she asks excitedly. “There are two shower heads in here!”
I chuckle, but stay back. “I think I’ll head down to my room, actually,” I say. “But I’ll see you at breakfast?”
“Sure,” she says, smiling. “I’ll see you at breakfast. It’s show night!”
I give her a wave before stepping out of the bathroom. As I get dressed, I hear Jordan singing softly to herself. A light hum at first, but it gets louder, the lyrics carrying over the sounds of the shower head.
“Hold on tight, ‘cause I’m about to lose control,
When I get my hands on you, I just wanna rock your world…”
My smile fades.
Damn.
I had hoped she forgot about that, too.