14. Payton
CHAPTER 14
Payton
H e’s here. I can’t believe that we’re actually in close proximity. He’s so much more intense, than I remember. But the feelings I’ve felt for him came rushing back with just a touch. Being with him feels right, feels like it’s meant to be. But there’s so much hurt between us that I’m not sure if we will ever get to the place where we were. I’m not even certain if I want to, we’ve both changed a lot. I’m not the girl that he fell in love with.
I don’t think about the fact that we’ve just had sex in a freaking alleyway. Damn, if anyone saw that, it could do a lot of damage. Shit. Now, I’m going to be in limbo to see if anyone saw us. If they did, I’m going to have to call Jerald and see if he can do damage control.
Silas is talking quietly with his friend, and I wait for Bianca to exit the club. She told me when I called that she was talking to a guy, she didn’t sound happy and was relieved when I called. I can’t help but keep my eyes on the exit of the club. I’m finally able to breathe a sigh of relief when I see her coming toward me.
“Go to hell,” she says, pulling her arm from the grip the guy behind her has on it. “I’ve told you three times already, leave me alone.”
I move toward her, managing to evade Silas’ hand as he tries to reach for me. “What’s wrong?” I ask her as soon as I’m close to her.
“This asshole doesn’t seem to know what no means.” She huffs as she crosses her arms over her chest. Even though she’s acting tough, I can see the tears in her eyes.
“What did he do?” I demand, needing to know what the asshole has done to upset her.
“He actually had the balls to tell me that he couldn’t believe I was a model. His words were, and I quote. “I thought models were thin.” Then he tried backpedaling. Payton, meet Tate Hemmington.”
The asshole who never called her after they met at the gym. I step in front of her, blocking him from looking at her. “It’s time for you to go.”
“What’s going on?” Silas asks, coming to stand between Tate and I.
“Nothing,” Tate growls. “Just stupid, fucking women acting crazy.”
“Watch how you fucking talk about her,” Silas snarls as he moves closer to me, his hand going to my nape, and he caresses it.
Tate’s eyes widen, “Fucking hell. Is that Payton?”
I glance at Silas, how does he know who I am?
“Yep,” Silas’ friend says with a smile. “And I take it that this is her friend, Bianca?”
“Yeah,” I reply as I hold out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you…”
“Caston, although most people call me Cas, and let me just say, it’s real good to finally meet you, Payton. Hopefully, now, this love-sick fool will stop talking about you.”
My cheeks flame at his words, Silas talks about me?
“Oh my,” Bianca gasps. “Pay, is this Silas?”
I spin around to face her and see that she’s got tears in her eyes. “Yes,” I murmur, and she smiles. “Are you okay?”
She nods, “Yeah, as long as he stays away from me.” She nods in Tate’s direction. “Our car will be here soon.”
“Babe, what’s that?” Silas asks softly. “You have a car?”
I laugh, it sounds ludicrous, but yes, I do. “We have a car service for whenever we need to go somewhere. Our agent insists on it.”
He nods in approval. “I’m liking your agent already.”
“Jerald is a good man, he’s protective of us. Our apartment has top security, and whenever we’re on photoshoots or jobs, he makes sure that we have guards watching us. As much as it can get tedious, we actually appreciate it.”
“Pay, the cars here,” Bee says, as if I can’t see it rolling to a stop ahead of us. “Are the guys coming?”
Silas answers before I’m able too. “Yes, I want to make sure she gets home in one piece.”
Bianca smiles widely at him, “Okay, I’m guessing the jerk will be coming with you too?”
Silas and Cas glance at Tate, I’m wondering how they know him. “I do apologize for our friend, he’s not usually this much of an asshole,” Caston says with an easy smile.
Bianca shrugs, “Let’s go home, Pay, we’ve a flight to catch in the morning.”
Crap, I forgot about that. I glance at Silas, who’s staring at me with a raised brow.
Bianca laughs, “You forgot, didn’t you?” She shakes her head, “Damn, you were right, he really does turn your brain to mush.” She climbs into the back of the car, Tate’s instantly behind her.
“You said that, baby?” I blush at Silas’ words. It’s not a thing I want him knowing, he’s got a big head already. “How long will you be gone?” he asks as he helps me into the back of the car.
Once the driver pulls away, I turn to Silas and try to figure out when we can see each other again. “This shoot is for three weeks, I’ll be back in time to have Christmas with Dahlia and my family.” I can see the agony in his eyes, we’re going to be away from each other for a while. “I have four days off over Christmas, I could swing by yours for a few days?”
He winces, “I’ve an away game.”
Shit. “After my time off, I am booked solid for three months. I’m in Milan in March, and then I finally have some time off.” I had asked Jerald to not book anything else for a month. I’ve been working hard since I was seventeen, and I need time to recuperate. I still have to do the shoots that are in my contracts for Serafini, Tiger, and Isabella, but no more.
“Jesus, babe.” He groans, and I understand, we’re going to be apart for a long time. “It’s fine, Pay, we’ve gone three years, we can do three months.”
I’m loving his optimism, but I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that it’s not going to be as smooth sailing as he thinks.
“Hey,” he says quietly, his hand on my chin pulling my face to look at him. “It’s going to be fine. We’ll talk all the time. I’ve just got you back, I’m not going to lose you again.”
I rest my head against his shoulder, breathing in his scent. Just being back in his arms has settled something inside of me, I don’t think I’ve felt this peaceful in a long time.
“What time is your flight?” Tate asks and Bianca glares at him. “Please.”
She sighs, “It’s at nine.”
“Where are you flying to, baby?” Silas asks, with a kiss to my head.
“London.” I smile, I hate long distance flights, but thankfully we’re working with Isabella, and she’s letting us use her jet.
The guys are silent as our driver heads toward the hotel where we’re spending the night. We had interviews this morning; it’s one of the many stipulations in our contract to be a Tiger, we have to do interviews and social gatherings. I don’t mind doing them as long as they’re spread out.
Soon the car pulls up out front of the hotel, and the guys jump out and Bianca asks the driver to take the guys to their apartment.
Silas pulls me to him as soon as I’m out of the car. “Why am I finding it hard to say goodbye?” he asks quietly, and my eyes well with tears. I don’t want to let him go, I can’t. He cups my cheeks, “I promise you, baby, this isn’t the end. You’re mine, you always have been.”
His lips descend on mine, and I melt into his arms. The kiss is feverish, passionate and full of promise. I’m breathless and clinging to him when he pulls away. “I’m not losing you,” he vows, and I nod. “I love you, baby. Call me when your flight lands.”
“I will, I love you,” I reply, hating that he takes a step backward.
“In you go, baby,” he instructs. I’m grateful when Bianca takes my hand and leads me toward the entrance to the hotel.
I glance behind me to see him still standing there, watching me. As soon as I’m inside the hotel lobby, he turns and leaves, jumping back into the car.
“You’ll be okay, that man isn’t going to let you slip through his fingers again,” Bianca says softly. “He loves you fiercely, you can tell by the way he looks at you.”
“I hate that when I’ve found him, I have to leave.” The tears slowly begin to fall. Tonight has been a rollercoaster of emotions.
“I know, Pay, but it’s not the end for you two.”
I really hope that she’s right. My life without Silas has been amazing, but having him in it makes me feel alive. I can survive without him, but I don’t want to.