Chapter 22 Robin #2
“Hey, I didn’t pack my suitcase; Bran did whilst I got manhandled into the van.
I think it was still in here from tour—we always have stashes of food on us, in case we can’t run out and grab something before soundcheck.
Everywhere always has a kettle,” He hits a long finger against his temple like he’s a genius.
“Hence my secret stash of noodles I'll allow you to have.”
I plant my palm against my chest, “Forever the gentleman.”
A temporary calm settles across us both, a small smile shared.
My brain buzzes with unanswered questions and it’s getting so loud I can feel a headache coming on.
I need to know what Wren's thinking, need to know if he’s closer than I am to figuring this out.
“This is exhausting.” I whisper, to which he sighs and moves forward until he's kneeling in front of the bed.
“It is Baby. I'll pop the kettle on and sort out food for us. Go run a bath and we can get in together and pretend we're just in any other hotel bathroom, relaxing for at least a few hours.”
“Naked?” My voice squeaks and I know he sees the blush taking over my cheeks because he smirks. “That's completely up to you, but I can wear my swim shorts and you can borrow some of my boxers if you'd rather.”
“I mean, you've already seen me naked, no point being shy now.”
“Can I encourage nakedness with bath bombs?”
I swipe at him playfully and with a laugh, he sits back and holds up both of his hands in surrender.
“What scent this time?”
“Snow fairy. I stocked up at Christmas.”
Whelp. Could I swoon harder?
“That earns at least no bra.” he says, ready for my next swipe, but I just press my face into the scatter cushions.
“You're something else.”
I feel fingers dance lightly over my hair and the side of my temple. “You really like something else.”
I don't answer him and I hope he takes my silence as a yes, because I really do like this brand of Wren Hastings the best. He's not a diva rockstar, isn't a playboy using his fame to land his way into anyone's bed; he's none of the things the media paints him to be.
He's kind, funny, borderline cheeky in a way he's always teasing me, but never bats anything I'm not going to reciprocate.
He's a mother-hen to his close friends and I can already imagine the dynamic he has within his band, without yet meeting them all.
Yet? I guess I do hope for a reality outside of this hotel for us.
Most of all, he cares dearly for Phin in the same way I do. He’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen, practically ethereal.
Biting my bottom lip, he leans over and runs his thumb across it, making it release with a pop.
“No more thinking, let me just take care of you.”
How can a girl argue with that? Even though I feel like tonight I should be the one taking care of him.
Maybe I should suggest just cuddling up instead, trying the television for any channel we can get through the dodgy signal out here, but instead I'm nodding.
He eagerly drinks in my acceptance, standing up to locate a little kettle that sits on a beverage tray upon the drawers.
I try to rise from the bed, but Wren holds up a tattooed palm in my direction as he starts to peel off the ramen lid with his teeth, clicking the kettle on.
“Nope, your job is to sit there and look pretty whilst I run our bath. I may allow you to stir the noodles when they’re ready, if you’re a good girl.”
I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the slutty demon in me that practically pants back at him, but I also can't contain my smile.
Before he can scold me I slink off the bed, kneeling down at his suitcase so I can start digging.
Unfortunately I make more of a mess pulling out his clothes, but finally I cradle the bath bombs like a prized vegetable at the summer fate.
At home I'd always run a bath and make myself a fruity tea, so I appreciate this more than he can understand.
I feel his gaze watch every deep rise of my chest, every small movement I make through the sweet steam, whilst I lower into the tub.
I repeat in my head that being naked isn’t a big deal, he’s already had me stripped bare in his bed.
We both need a distraction right now, and the cat-like focus he's giving me as I sink down into the water feels perfect.
The hot sensation burns my skin, but it feels so fucking good.
Humming my approval I knock the tap off with the side of my knee, the water fizzing and turning pink as the bubbles rise around me.
Trying to play it cool, I reach for a hotel branded wash cloth placed on the little side table to my right, and start to run it down my body.
Wren’s expression gives nothing away on how he’s feeling and I suddenly wished I had the power to read his mind.
Did he find me attractive? Did he mind how little my chest was or how my bum gave my waist a little dip?
I’d never really given much thought to how men perceived me being so short, but did he find that attractive too?
In a weird way I loved how he invaded my space with how tall he was.
I try to keep my face neutral, but when he slides his trousers down to reveal tight black boxers, my cheeks flush and suddenly the room is stifling.
He pulls his t-shirt over his head in a move that should be illegal, because it allows his bicep to flex and I’m practically a puddle.
My heart is thankful for the break when he leaves his underwear on, kicking off his socks and then motions for me to sit forward.
The tub is big enough for two adults and I had automatically thought we’d be facing each other, but Wren slips behind me till my back is flush with his chest, his legs bracket me in.
“Good thing you’re so tiny.” He chuckles beside my ear, but I’m so consumed by him I can’t reply.
He's all I can breathe.
smell.
feel.
His large palm presses against the skin underneath my breasts as he gets me to relax into him, shifting slightly behind me so he can wrap his other arm around me.
I really do try to focus on relaxing, but something firm presses against my lower back and he nestles in closer to me.
Pushing the idea of sitting up onto his lap far from my dick-starved brain, I can't allow this man to make me blush as much as he does; I'll combust.
I've never been the most confident person when it came to sex and I hadn’t had much of it honestly, but I always voiced what I wanted and came to the conclusion I just hadn’t been with the right partners.
Hell, I’d lost my virginity to the guy who lived next door to Phin’s Grandma, because I liked the way he wore fake elf ears and was obsessed with fantasy gaming—still a cringe worthy offence.
Kicking all thoughts out of my mind, I sink further into the water. “You're ruining my standards, you know. This is now the permanent bar. Two baths in one stay? I'll never be able to go to a hotel again.”
“Good. That way I'll be the only man that can meet them.”
He moves his thumb against my skin in a soothing motion.
“Want me to wash your hair?”
This fucking man. Even when dealing with his own demons, he still puts everyone's needs before his own.
“Indulge me with twenty questions whilst we shove ramen in our faces?” If all I can do is pretend we're far from the nightmare unfolding in the hotel, I'll do my best to distract him.
He leans his arm out of the bath to retrieve my noodles for me, a fork already waiting in the cup. “The water will be cold by the time we've each answered twenty. How about five?”
“Deal—I’ll go first.” I twizzle a string onto my fork and eat, the flavor intense but hitting a spot that satisfies my surprised hunger. I can't even remember if I've eaten today.
“If you weren’t in the music industry, what would you do?” I love questions like this.
Wren doesn’t hesitate, chewing on his own mouthful of noodles before answering. “Easy, I’d probably be an artist. I got into art school, but then things just happened with the band. I still draw—I have mountains of sketchbooks around and I paint too.”
Something niggles at me, but maybe I’m just remembering the sketchbooks on his desk. “That’s cool. Phin’s never mentioned anything like that about you.”
He tells me about the mediums he likes to paint with and the last time he had time to create anything big, before he pauses to inhale more ramen.
“Would you have remembered, even if Phoenix had spoken about me? I feel like we both shunned the notion of each other.”
“Hey, it wasn’t like that with me. I just didn’t want any part in all the partying.
I’m not going to lie, it annoyed me when he did crazy things.
He was always with you. I know I’m not his real sister, but sometimes it felt like Phin was the only family I had.
You encouraged the disturbance of the quiet life I was trying to build. ”
“And now?”
I want to say that these past couple of days had changed nothing, but I’d only be lying to myself. “Now I don’t think it would be so bad letting you in. Making things louder.”
He rests his cup of ramen onto the little side table and wraps both arms around my waist, the water rippling and causing a wave of sweetness to hit my nose.
The light stubble on his jaw scratches my shoulder as he rests his face there, burying into my neck and whispering, “I’d do anything if you let me stay. ”
Turning my head slightly, he turns his chin up till all I can see is the blinding green of his eyes and gorgeously thick eyelashes.
“I’ll see what I can do.” is all I can say, my voice hoarse and tight.
What is he doing to me? Why am I splaying my heart on a plate for him to take?
Turning to scoop more ramen onto my fork before I cry or try to jump his large erection still digging into my back, I start to ask another question but he wags a finger.
“Sweetheart, that’s not how the game works. It’s my turn.”