Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Karen
“Why of course. Whatever you say, Mr Wright.” I say to my cell as the message flashed up on my screen, just as I pulled up at Roman’s. I grabbed my cell and got out of the car, quickly sending him a message back before I went inside.
I’ll be there soon.
I hit send and shoved it into the pocket of my hoodie as I approached the front door and knocked.
I didn’t know the access code to the gate, being new to the fold.
As I waited, it took me back to the first time I was here.
Only I knew it wouldn’t be Gav opening the door this time.
The door opened within a minute of waiting, Rhys stood there as large as a mountain.
A tight smile pulled at my lips as he nodded my way. “Come in.”
“I just want my camera. I left it in the car last night.”
“You okay?” His eyes narrowed.
“I’m good thank you, are you?”
“Hm,” he grunted, “I could be better.” I chewed on the inside of my mouth. “I’ll go get it for ya.”
As my foot tapped on the wooden flooring, I sighed quietly, I didn’t know what to do. Did I stand here and wait or go into the lounge and sit down. “Hello,” My head snapped up and I saw Roman heading down the stairs toward me.
“Oh, hi.”
“Are you here to see me?”
A smirk played on my lips, “Um, no. I actually came to get my camera. If I’m going to get those photos to you, then I need it.”
He smiled. The one thing I noticed about Roman almost right off the bat, was he was genuine. He didn’t beat around the bush, he was down to earth. I went to speak, but I had no idea what to say. I didn’t need to explain my actions, but I felt the need to. “Look Ro…”
“About Gav.”
We spoke at the same time, I smiled and let him go first. “You go.”
“Thank you for getting him out of there last night.”
I shrugged, “I didn’t really do anything, but I saw a small window of opportunity and I took it. I guessed he was better off out of there.”
“He apologised.” Roman stated bluntly.
“He did?” I knew I sounded shocked, but I had no idea why. I didn’t actually know him all that well, but I figured he’d find saying sorry hard to do.
Roman nodded quickly, “Whatever it is you said to him, it worked.”
“I didn’t really do much.” The blush crept into my cheeks and just at that precise moment, Rhys appeared with my camera and bag in his hand. “Perfect. Thanks.”
“You’re good for him.” As I smiled widely at his compliment, I cradled my camera against my chest. It held everything; my future, my career. I didn’t know what I’d do if I lost it.
“Thank you. I’m not sure I do much though.” A small smile tightened my lips, I didn’t know what else to say so I rushed it along and moved back toward the door. “Right then, I guess I better get going.” I held my camera up, “Best get editing. I’ll have these sent to Paisley in a few days.”
“Take your time,” Roman smiled easily, “there’s no rush.
” Usually when guys smiled, they smiled for a reason, usually to get their own way, or if they wanted to trick people.
They rarely smiled with their whole face, their lips may have made the action, but that was it.
When Roman smiled, his eyes smiled with him, it’s what made him so image perfect.
“You know, he seems to have let you in,” he added, I turned my head slightly to look over my shoulder, “don’t let that go. ”
With a more natural smile this time, I nodded.
I didn’t want to answer awkward questions and I didn’t want to hang around for Nikki to show up either.
So, as quickly and calmly as I could, I pulled open the door and stepped through it.
My legs shook as I put one in front of the other.
I wished I could run away and hide. Rhys stood on the step as he watched me go.
I smiled and waved as I got inside and started the car.
Once my nerves were a little calmer, I pulled away and headed for Gav’s place.
By the time I got there, I was much calmer.
I wasn’t sure what he wanted so desperately, but I supposed I would soon find out.
As soon as I heard his rough, gravelly voice over the speaker, my lips widened into a grin.
“It’s me.” I told him. The door unlocked as he buzzed me in, and I made my way through the halls.
This place was nothing like the block I lived in.
That was a dive, but it was all we could afford then, and now if I’m honest. As I turned the corner I saw him, a sexy grin played on his lips as he waited for me, his hands in the pockets of his grey joggers.
His white tee clung loosely to his frame and he looked sexy as hell.
He looked less agitated than earlier; it must have gone well with Roman this morning.
As I reached him, he stepped back through the door and widened it for me to pass through.
“So, what was so urgent?” He wrapped me up and lifted my feet from the ground after shoving the door until it closed.
His strong arms lightly squeezed my waist as he held me against him, and his lips pressed a firm kiss to mine as he guided my feet firmly back to the ground. “Wow. What was that for?”
“Do I need a reason?” He asked, his voice smooth like melted butter.
“Well, no, but this is you. You don’t do anything without a reason.
” I moved back into his space, my fingers clung onto his sides as I leaned up for another kiss.
He gave in so easily and held me close as we shared a longer kiss this time.
Butterflies fluttered around in my tummy as he kissed me, I was getting so attached.
“So, again. What did you need me for?” I asked as I stepped out of his hold.
“I’m having a few days away. Away from the madness and away from everything that seems to be causing me stress.”
“Oh.” I knew that didn’t sound right, but I had nothing else. If I was really honest with myself, I was sad. I wanted to talk him out of it. He watched me closely; I knew he was waiting for me to say don’t go, but instead a smile tugged at my lips and I moved further into the apartment.
“Is that all you have to say is, oh?”
I lifted my chin and turned back around to him.
He needed this. “I think you should. It would definitely do you good as long as you don’t go to a place where you can’t resist any temptation - in other words, please don’t go to Vegas.
” I joked and he chuckled. He moved around the back of the couch until he reached me.
As he smoothed his thumb across my cheek, his gaze softened on mine as he caressed lips again.
They were so soft and tender; I thought my knees were going to buckle.
Even though I said last night that we needed to talk about everything that happened, he found a way of getting away from that.
Instead, he took me to his bed and after two rounds of amazing, breath taking sex, he pulled my back to his front and that’s how we fell asleep.
I didn’t mind too much, by then I was exhausted and just needed sleep, I was hoping I could get more out of him today, but so far, he’s not been very forthcoming.
“I promise,” his voice was so soft. It felt like he was saying goodbye to me.
“When will you go?” I reached out toward him again and fisted his shirt.
“Today.”
“That soon? Nothing like dropping something on a girl.” I huffed, but I understood.
“Well, I guess after last night, I know you need it.” I painted a smile on my lips, even if it was fake on my part, I wanted him to see it as positive.
“Will you call me while you’re away?” His gaze never faltered once as I spoke.
“Why would I call you?”
I stepped back, “What? Well, thanks for that.” My teeth grit together and with one last glance at him I whirled myself around, but was stopped abruptly with his hand firmly on my arm.
“Where are you going? What have I said?”
“Nothing, Gav. Just let me go.” If he didn’t get it, I wasn’t going to tell him. I tried to shrug away but his fingers wouldn’t budge.
He twirled me back around and lifted my chin so I could meet his eyes.
“Why would I call when you’re coming with me.
” My brows pinched, he obviously saw my confusion and chuckled again, his arm wound around my back as he held me, and his other hand went to my face, “You’re coming to Malibu beach with me. ”
My mouth dropped open; I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing. “Can you say that again?”
His lips pulled into that sexy smirk, the one where I’d do almost anything for him, “Okay,” he nodded quickly but held me tighter. “Roman has a house in Malibu beach. I need a break, but so do you, and I couldn’t imagine anyone I’d rather have there with me.”
My eyes widened. Talk about shock value, but I saw in his eyes that he was deadly serious. “Oh, damn. You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“As a heart attack, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart… Is it crazy that, of all the things he’s just said to me, just that one word was what I melted at. I felt tears prick at my eyes when Roman’s words came back to me.
His thumbs soothed beneath my eyes, “Are you crying?”
“No,” I sniffed loudly. Very ladylike, I thought to myself and swiped the back of my hand across my cheek as a tear rolled down. What the fuck? Why was I so emotional? I hardly ever got emotional about stuff like this.
“So, is that a yes that you’ll come, or is that a no and I’m really sad, but I can’t.” My head nodded, but I couldn’t form the words let alone find my voice. “You know you’re going to have to be a little bit more specific.” I watched his lips form the words and listened to him as he directed. “K?”
I snapped out of my hypnosis and found his eyes, “Yes.” I realised that I still hadn’t answered properly. “Yes, I’ll come with you.” That sexy smile became wider, he bent at the waist and circled his arms tightly around my middle and lifted me again.
“Then pack a bikini, sweetheart, but that’s the most clothing you’re going to be wearing for the next few days.
” He pressed a loud, firm kiss on my lips then lowered me back to the floor, leaned me backward and peppered my lips with small kisses.
“Okay, you go home and pack a bag, I’ll be at yours as soon as I’m done here. ”
With a huge smile on my face, and a quick nod, I hurried back through the apartment, then a thought hit me. I turned around, my teeth nibbling my lip.
“What is it?”
“I’ve just thought, I’ve got the edits to do on Roman’s photos.”
“It’ll wait.”
“Not if I want to get paid it won’t.” My hand moved to my hip. “What if I bring my laptop and I can do them in my spare time?”
“No. Besides you’re not going to have spare time. Any time left over is going to be spent in bed so, no. They can wait a few days.”
Choose your battles, Karen. That’s what Mom always said. “Fine. But I’ll have to work as soon as I’m back.”
“Whatever,” his smooth gait strutted across the room until he was standing before me again, “I wouldn’t expect anything less from a little workaholic like you.” He cradled my head in his hands and kissed the tip of my nose. “Go pack. I won’t be long.”
“I’m so excited.” I whispered against his lips, “I’ve never been to Malibu beach.”
“Neither have I.” I pushed my lips to his quickly and then whirled back around and headed for the front door.
My cheeks ached from smiling so damn much as I reached home.
I couldn’t believe he’d asked me to go with him.
As I let myself in the apartment, I realised I’d missed Holly, she’d already left for work so I couldn’t tell her what had just happened, I’d have to send her a message.
I rushed to my room and took my suitcase from under the bed, I threw in everything I thought I needed for just a few days, including a few bikinis.
The beach was amazing in Malibu, and I couldn’t wait to leave.
A few days lounging on the beach was exactly what the doctor ordered.
I threw in shorts, tank tops, dresses… a girl needed options.
It wasn’t even an hour before Gav was sounding his horn outside, rushing me to hurry up.
I slipped my cell in my pocket, pulled my purse on to my shoulder and grabbed the handle of my case to head out.
I made it down to the front door of the building in no time.
When Gav saw me coming, he rushed over and took the case, placing it in the trunk.
We slipped inside the car and as he pressed his foot on the accelerator, he smiled “You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I smiled back at him as the engine purred, and with his hand firmly pressed to my thigh, he pulled away. I looked out onto the road ahead, excited for my first real road trip.