Chapter Eight #2
“USA, bitches, land of the free and home of the brave. We’re gonna rock your fuckin’ socks off,” Dingo yells as he exits.
Everyone laughs as I make my way down the front, while I watch Colt walk off with Jessi following closely behind.
I hate that bitch!
A black stretch Hummer is waiting, and thinking back to their last vehicle, I figure this must be their choice of transportation.
After I make my way down the stairs and onto safe ground, it takes everything I have not to get on my knees and kiss the soil. If I never have to fly again, it will be too soon.
They’re all piling into the Hummer as I approach, and once again, I’m the last one in. I quietly make my way inside and think how this spontaneous bullshit has been nothing but a fricking disaster. It’s like I’m the third wheel, except there are more than just two of them.
The first thing I notice as I sit next to Anna is Colt seated at the far end with Jessi on one side and Dingo on the other. The driver shuts the door behind me, and I wrap my arms around myself, looking out the window for a distraction.
What am I going to do now?
Before too long, we’re driving along the New York Streets, but instead of being excited, all I can think about is home.
Thankfully, I’m not stuck in my thoughts for too long.
About half an hour later, we’re pulling into an underground parking garage for the Rutherford Regent Hotel in New York.
Everyone in the car is happy and excited to be in America, while I sit staring out the window.
The Hummer pulls up, and when the door opens, I don’t waste any time. I hop out of the car and walk toward the elevator to the lobby.
Sia wraps her arm around my waist and leans in close. “It’ll all be okay, Little Bean. You’re beginning to sprout. Don’t stop now,” she says, then lets me go as we walk into the elevator. I exhale, having no idea what in the hell she’s talking about.
Huxley steps in next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, and looks at me with a smirk. I look up at him with my forehead crinkled in confusion.
“If you get sick of my brother and you want a real man, my door’s always open, beautiful,” he says, then his hand falls from my shoulder to my breast and squeezes.
For a second, I’m stunned, and my eyes widen in shock.
The doors open, and I slap his hand away.
The asshole chuckles before turning to walk out, blowing me a kiss, then heading to the concierge desk.
Is he serious? That’s disgusting.
Stepping out of the elevator, I step over to where some of the crew are standing.
The elevator opens again, and this time, Colt, Jessi, Anna, and Johnny walk out.
I look over at Colt, and he glances at me briefly, then heads toward the reception desk and speaks with the receptionist. She hands him a keycard, and he smiles at her as Dingo collects the keycard for the penthouse suite.
I guess Colt’s staying in a different room from us.
Probably with Sarah.
As we make our way back toward the elevators, I notice Colt going to a different one. Then, when I step in, I make sure I’m nowhere near Huxley as I join the group.
The elevator chimes when we reach the top floor, and the doors open. Walking toward the penthouse suite, I hear another elevator chime and turn to watch Colt walk out. I wrap my arms around myself, seeking comfort, and turn back toward the penthouse.
Mid-step, I feel a hand on my elbow, pulling me along, and I look up to see Colt dragging me toward a different room. I look at him in confusion, fumbling along while Anna and Johnny walk past with giant smiles.
“Colt?”
“Shush! Just come with me,” he says as he turns toward a suite, opening it with his keycard.
I walk in with him, and I’m stunned. The suite is fantastic.
It’s what I would imagine the perfect honeymoon suite to be.
Rose petals are sprinkled on the king-sized bed, and a tray filled with croissants and fruit sits on a small table with a big bottle of champagne and two flutes.
When I turn around, Colt is standing there with a warm smile, and I’m not sure what to say or do.
“Surprise,” he says, confusing me.
“What the hell is this? Are you seriously showing me the room you’ll be spending time with Sarah in?” I ask, feeling all sorts of angry and hurt that he’d do this to me.
“What?” he asks like he’s the one confused.
“I heard you on the phone, telling Sarah you’d meet her in the luxury suite. And according to that clock on the wall, Sarah will be arriving any minute,” I reply and head toward the door.
“What are you talking about?” Colt asks, and I scoff at him.
“What kind of jerk shows his girl… friend, oh, whatever I am, the room he will be sleeping in with another woman? You’re a real arsehole, you know that, Colt?
” I open the door and start to storm out, but he grabs my arm and pulls me back inside, slamming the door shut behind me.
Then he pins me to it with his body, his face an inch away from mine.
My breathing quickens at the surge flowing between us.
Colt leans in, kissing me hard, using his hands on either side of my face to hold me firmly in position. His tongue forces its way into my mouth while I struggle against him. Instead of backing up, he moves in closer, so his erection is painfully obvious as it pokes into my lower belly.
What the hell is he doing?
When I start to bang my fists against his chest, he takes his hands from my face and grabs my wrists, forcing them up beside my head against the door. It doesn’t matter how hard I try to fight against him, he’s persistent in kissing me, and I can’t deny the heat that’s building.
My steady resolve quickly weakens, and I feel that undeniable ache for him.
That strong magnetism he has pulls me into him as I succumb to his kiss.
I flick my tongue against his, easing the tension between us.
Our breathing is heavy when he slowly parts our lips and rests his forehead on mine.
I close my eyes tightly, kicking myself for giving in to him so easily—again.
“You’re so jealous, aren’t you?” he whispers into my ear as he nips on my earlobe.
“No. You can sleep with whoever you want,” I reply, wriggling my wrists in his grip.
“Mmm… just like you’ll sleep with whoever you want,” he replies, provoking me to want to slap him. Hard as fuck.
I try to free my right hand from his grasp, but he’s too strong. “You’re a prick, Colter Slade,” I bellow as tears begin to well.
He exhales and rests his forehead against mine again. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled—”
“You’re damn right it wa—”
“Dee… shut. Up!” Colt berates, taking me aback. “Sarah is the receptionist at the desk downstairs. I rang the hotel from the jet, and Sarah answered.”
“Good for you. Now let me go,” I reply, still struggling against him.
“Will you hold still? Sarah set this room up for you and me, not for her and me. I asked her to give us a suite next to the penthouse so we’re still with the band but in a room on our own, where no one can hear or interrupt us.
This is my version of ‘normal,’ Dee. I’m trying to give you normal,” he says.
Fresh tears sting my eyes. “So, Sarah—”
“Is just the receptionist who helped me put this together… for you,” he interrupts.
“Then why did you ignore me on the jet and in the Hummer after our fight? Why wouldn’t you tell me?”
“Because you were still angry with me, and I didn’t want to do or say anything else to piss you off even more.
The last thing I want is to push you away, Dee.
I need you with me. I’ve only ever been in one relationship, and that didn’t turn out well for me.
I don’t know what I’m doing. So, I thought I’d give you some space.
Like you said, I don’t do normal. I don’t know what that is.
But I’m trying with you because I want to be normal for you,” he says as my heart swells.
A tear runs down each cheek, and he lets my wrists go, wiping them away with his thumbs.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I take a steadying breath and try to comprehend what he’s telling me. He leans against me once more and holds me tightly against him. Instead of fighting him this time, I lean in and relax in his comforting embrace.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize, nuzzling into his chest.
“No, baby, I’m sorry. I know this world is new to you. I know this is all scary and out of your comfort zone. But I am doing my best to make sure you’re okay.”
I nod and let him lead me back into the beautiful suite.
For the first time in hours, I smile.
He did all this for me?
Colt picks up a strawberry, takes a bite, then pops it in my mouth so I can have a taste as well.
“I know I do things wrong. But I am trying. I should have discussed this with you and not shut you out.” He smiles that gorgeous smile that touches his eyes.
“Dee, since I met you, I haven’t and won’t ever touch another woman sexually.
You’re different… special, and I wanna see where this goes with us,” he confesses as he leans in for an embrace.
“I’m sorry… the things I said to you—”
“I deserved it. But let’s not dwell on that because right now, I wanna make normal love to a normal woman in the most normal way possible,” he says, grabbing my ass and lifting me onto him.
Squealing, I wrap my arms around his neck while he carries me to the king-sized bed, lies me down on the soft quilt covered in rose petals, and kisses me passionately.