by Ruby Rowe
“I’d never make you feel indebted to me, and I wouldn’t make you change who you are.”
“I have to know that I can support myself.”
“OK, then we’ll ask Apple to give you an advance.”
“What if she hates her clothes after she’s already paid me for them?”
“Let her approve the designs first. She’s not going to hate them.”
“Still, I can’t ask her. She’s already buying me my dream sewing machine.”
“I’ll cover anything you need, and then you can give it back to me once she pays you.”
I study him. “Do you promise to take the money from me when I give it back? It’s the only way I’ll agree to this.”
“I will on one condition.” Bringing my hand up, he kisses it. “You let me take you to lunch and buy you a sexy dress for tonight. A dress you can’t pay me back for. You’re my girl, and I want to spoil you. We’re getting shoes and jewelry, too. Whatever you need for the party. Miami is an awesome place to shop.”
“You’re sweeping me off my feet. Do you promise not to let me fall?”
“I promise. Now, say yes. I can’t stand to see you sad. Wait. People are going to spot us together … strangers who may take pictures. Are you OK with that?”
“I want to be with you, and that’s part of the package, right? Besides, I’m ready to experience every adventure possible. That’s why I ripped off the Band-aid this morning and called my parents.”
“Adventure happens to be my middle name.” He winks, and feeling lovesick, I sigh.
“I need to call Landon first. Mom and Dad will attempt to use him to get to me.”
“He won’t side with them, will he?”
“Hell, no. He’s going to be proud of me. I hope my decision will give him the courage to live the life he wants.”
“You’re pretty damn special. I’ll leave you to your call, but then you’re mine for the day.” After kissing me, he walks back inside.
I hate that I’ve left Landon to deal with my parents, but I believe it’ll benefit him in the long run. I can’t wait to tell Blair what I’ve done. She’ll be shocked but thrilled that I stood up for myself. My newfound freedom is scary, but I believe my life is changing for the better.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Zain
“I can’t believe you have a girlfriend,” Toby says, sitting in a chair next to me on the patio. We’re both watching Olivia as she talks to Faith several feet away. I’d rather Toby not watch her since her thin white dress leaves little to the imagination.
What was I thinking when I encouraged her to buy it? The sleeves slouch off her shoulders, revealing her smooth, tanned skin, and when the breeze off the ocean blows just right, I get an amazing shot of her shapely upper thighs.
Fuck, I dove right in with her, not thinking about how bad it would hurt if she left me. She laughs at something Faith says, and I smile. The sound is like a fucking lullaby to my ears. She’s wobbly in her heels, which makes me wonder if her drinks are catching up to her. I think she’s already had three.
“It felt right,” I reply.
“It was fast, man.”
“Don’t give me shit. You would’ve dated Apple if she’d wanted you.”
“Yeah, but I’m not you. I don’t have a private island of pussy I can visit whenever I feel like it. If I did, I wouldn’t be tying myself down to one woman.”
“I’ll make sure there are chicks around for you, so stop whining like a little cunt.”
“Damn, chill.” I feel his eyes on me. “Dude, you’re sweating your ass off.”
“I need some blow.”
He shakes his head. “She’s already trying to change you.”
“No, she hasn’t mentioned it, but partying is new to her. I’m not sure how she’ll feel when it’s in her face.”
He points to the patio table that’s encircled with guests.
“There’s a banquet of drugs ten feet away from her. There’s no way she hasn’t noticed.” Eyeing them, I feel the craving sink its claws into me.
“Let me check on Olivia, and then we’ll do some lines.”
“Cool.”
Going up behind her, I wrap my arms around her waist. She barely flinches, and I love that she could tell it was me. Nipping at her ear, I whisper, “Watching you in this dress is keeping me hard.”
She shivers from my words and touch, and it only turns me on more. Stepping to the side of her, I pull her to me. “Are you feeling your drinks?”
“No.” Her impish smile and cherry cheeks say otherwise.
“Yes,” Faith retorts.
As Liv empties every last drop in her martini glass, she waves her hand at Faith.
“I need to blow off some steam.”
“And I have just the blow to do that,” I mumble.
“Richie, no,” Faith says with a glare.
“I was talking to myself. Lighten up.”
Liv pats my chest. “Z’s giving me all the adventures. He has a nice bong. It holds ice and everything.” We both laugh, but Faith’s eye roll indicates her disapproval. What’s new? Crossing her arms, she pins me with a stern look.
“Much like Tripp, you’ve struck gold. Don’t fuck it up.”
“And as usual, you’re overreacting and meddling.” Still holding Liv by the waist, I steer her away from the uptight queen and toward the table where all the fun’s happening.
While she’s drunk is probably the best time to get Liv acquainted with being in the presence of drugs. I look at the guests seated at the table. A music producer is here with a chick on his lap, and he’s talking to the members of a band I know out of Miami.
Toby and a few guys from my crew are talking to four girls they said they met at the beach today. Since Olivia’s comfortable with us being seen together, I don’t give a shit who’s here as long as they don’t cause trouble.
“Do you want me to get you another drink before I do a few lines?” I ask, feeling her out.
“No, I’m fine.” She smiles. Good. She’s not pissed at me for using.
“Everyone, this is my girl, Olivia. She’s on tour with us, designing clothes for Apple Kingsley. Olivia, this is … too many people for me to introduce.”
My guests chuckle as Liv examines the drugs on the table: pot, pills and blow. Beer bottles and glasses are crowding the space, too.
Toby holds up a baggie. “Wanna try a bump?” he asks her.
“Um, maybe later.”
After I pull out the chair for Liv to sit between Toby and me, I continue to stand and prepare some blow on the glass table in front of us.
I sense Olivia watching me as I snort the lines, and aside from the first time I used, I’m uncomfortable. I realize her opinion of me matters a hell of a lot.
With my eyes watering, I pinch my nose. This is some strong shit. Miami dealers do it up right. I meet Liv’s gaze, and her eyes are round with curiosity.
“What does it feel like afterward?”
“Like you’re a fucking badass who can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Every worry you have vanishes, and your body feels lighter than a kite. It feels as if this powder formed the clouds you’re floating above.”
Hearing laughter and clapping sounds, I look around. The roadies are smacking their hands together.
“That was poetic, man,” Allen, one of our lighting guys, says.
“And the best way to make her an addict,” Toby adds.
“Hey, you offered the shit to her first, and I’m a songwriter. What did you expect?” Leaning down, I kiss Liv’s lips. “Do you want to try a bump?”
“I don’t know. What if I’m that one person whose heart explodes the second after I snort it?”
Toby laughs. “That’s not going to happen. Try it. Let every worry you have vanish, as Z explained so eloquently.”
Reaching across Liv, I punch Toby’s arm.
“Shut up, dickwad.”
“OK. I’ll try a bump.”
“Coo
l,” I reply. Picking up a little baggie, I show Liv how to hold her hand. I place a small amount of blow on it, and she checks it out … and checks it out.
I lean in and whisper, “If you’re not comfortable, I’ll do the bump, and no one will say more about it.”
“No, I’ll try it.” Pulling her gaze away from the blow, she tilts her honey eyes up at me. “I wanted to experience everything, right?”
“Help her before the wind carries it off,” Toby says with his finger pointed our way.
I show my girl what to do, and in no time, she’s like me … feeling invincible.
Olivia
I’m on the precipice of starting every masterful idea I’ve ever had. I’m going to bring them all to fruition. That is, as soon as my throat and nostrils aren’t numb. Then, I’ll make a list and slay it.
Toby’s the only person in the group I know even a little bit, so while Z prepares more lines of blow, I decide to talk to his friend.
“Tell me about yourself. How long have you been a roadie? Is that what you’re called? Do you enjoy working behind the scenes?”
He laughs, and I don’t know why. Zain clears his throat after doing his lines, and grabbing my face, he kisses me passionately. His mouth is hungry, and his tongue feels numb against mine. I don’t even care that total strangers are watching us.
Pulling back, he grins slyly. “Are you feeling good?”
“Yep.”
“You taste good,” he murmurs seductively as a gleam of lust reveals itself beneath the moonlit sky.
“Are you ready to graduate from a bump to a line?” Toby asks without answering my previous questions. He holds out a rolled-up bill that I’m doubting is a dollar.
Zain releases my face, and as I stare at the lines of white powder, I inwardly struggle with my decision. I want to try it … to feel even better than I already do, but I never in a million years thought I’d use illegal drugs.
On the other hand, I don’t want to come across as some prim and proper, naïve girl. I want to be cool like Z and his friends. He said I’d feel like a fucking badass if I did blow. Well, I want to be a fucking badass.
“Sure, I’ll try it,” I reply as I swipe the money from his hand and immediately lean over to snort the coke. I won’t allow time to change my mind.
The burning sensation in my nose is more intense this time, my throat thickening afterward. Dropping the bill, I fall back in my chair. The rush fills my head before it’s all-consuming, lighting my entire body up like I’m the sky on the 4th of July. Holy shit. I like this feeling even more.
No, I love this feeling.
I want to cradle and protect it so it never leaves me.
It’s like waking up Christmas morning or the relief I feel when final exams are over. It’s equivalent to the ecstasy that overwhelms me when Zain’s mouth is between my legs or his hard cock is deep inside me. Next to Z, this may be my second new favorite thing.
Reaching up, I rub my hand across the crotch of his jeans, but he quickly removes it.
“Whoa, not here, babe.”
I hop to my feet and grab his hand instead.
“Then let’s go down to the beach.” Eagerly, I pull him behind me to the white wooden steps off the patio. I almost fall as I trot down them, so Z slips his arm around my waist.
“Chick, I’m rethinking letting you off the leash.”
Once my heeled sandals touch the earth, I lean over to undo the straps. I kick off my shoes and let the warm, soft sand slide between my toes.
“Ohhh, this feels amazing.”
Zain yanks me to him and grabs my butt. “I think you just showed your ass to everyone on the patio, and this ass should only be seen by me.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“Damn, Liv.” Swallowing hard, he leans his head back and looks toward the stars.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just that your seductive eyes were tilted up at me, and that pouty bottom lip looked like it was asking to be sucked on.” He seems reluctant to give me back his gaze, but he wills himself to lower his head and stare into my eyes.
“You’re gorgeous, and even more so in this moonlight. I can’t get enough of you. I don’t usually mind feeling free as a bird, but you’re making me want to have some control.”
Grinning, I smash his cheeks between my hands.
“Aww, you feel vulnerable with me. That’s so cute.”
“Yeah, well, don’t tell anyone.”
“I’ll tell you a secret. I feel vulnerable with you, too, but also happier than I’ve ever been.” I grab his hand. “Come on. Let’s play in the ocean.”
“As much as I’d like to get out of these yuppy chino shorts you talked me into buying … the ones Toby has given me shit about twice already … I don’t want anyone else seeing your naked body. We’ll do it tomorrow night when there are less guests.”
“But I have to do something now. I feel energized.”
“I can think of something we can do real quick in the house behind a closed door.”
“Yes. Let’s do that.” Crashing my lips against his, I melt in his embrace. I feel the droplets of water between our skin from the humidity and the warmth of Zain’s arms around me amid the ocean breeze.
I was already excited, but euphoria blooms from a deeper place within. The tingle. The heat. The fireworks exploding from every neuron in my body while our mouths, the magnets, hold it all together. They’re holding it all in.
Growling against my lips, Zain pulls away.
“You. Me. House. Now.”
Zain
Noises. I hear so many annoying and confusing sounds. I roll toward Olivia in bed but don’t feel her toasty body. Those sounds again...
Shit, is that someone vomiting? And the doorbell?
Dragging my ass out of bed, I pull on my shorts that I discarded on the floor. The bathroom door is cracked, so I push it the rest of the way open and find Olivia perched over the toilet. Damn.
The doorbell rings again. “I’m fucking coming!” Startled, Liv jerks around, looking as pale as a sheet. “Sorry, babe. Are you OK for me to answer the door?”
She waves me away like the mere sight of me makes her want to puke. I hurry to the great room, and the sun blasting its death-ray beams brands my eyes like a motherfucker.
I swing the front door open and find a scowling delivery guy in uniform. He can’t be half as annoyed as I am this morning.
“I was about to leave. This has to be signed for,” he grumbles before nodding toward the three large boxes on the ground.
“I didn’t order anything. I don’t even live here.”
He looks at his clipboard. “It’s for an Olivia Bradford.”
The order registers in my brain. It’s Liv’s sewing supplies.
“Man, I’m sorry. Yeah, just bring them in.”
“That’s not part of my job.”
Pulling my wallet out of my back pocket, I find a hundred dollar bill and shove it in the front pocket of his shirt.
“Please. I have a sick girlfriend to tend to.”
“Sign here.” He shoves the board against my bare chest, but I overlook his attitude since I’m more concerned about checking on Olivia. I leave him be and stride back to the bathroom off the master suite. Liv’s sitting on the closed toilet seat, wiping her mouth with a tissue.
“Want me to get you a glass of water?”
“I don’t want you to see me like this. Go.”
“See you like what? Beautiful?”
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t even.”
“You’re ghostly but still gorgeous. I’ll get you some water and pain reliever.” I leave the room, and in the hallway, I stumble upon Faith quietly shutting Aiden’s door. She’s clutching her heels in her hands as she turns and freezes.
Her eyes meet mine. “This isn’t what it looks like. I mean, it is, but it was a one-time thing. A moment of weakness, and we’re still not exclusive with anyone else, so we’re not cheating.�
�
Holding my hands up, I say, “None of my business.”
“Then why did I feel the need to explain?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you like Asher more than you thought you did so you’re feeling guilty, or maybe you’re ashamed because you know what this moment of weakness, as you want to call it, is going to do to Aiden.”
She purses her lips and pulls her high heels closer to her chest.
“Thanks a lot.”
“You asked. Look, you two are grownups. Do whatever the fuck you want.”
“This was the last time, and for the love of God, don’t tell Tripp. He’ll lose his shit, and I can’t go down that road again.”
“My lips are sealed.”
She scurries down the hallway to the room she should’ve had her ass in last night. What the fuck time is it, anyway? It has to be early.
Scrubbing my hair with my hands, I go to the kitchen and find some things to help Olivia. She’s not used to partying this hard, and I feel a bit responsible.
I could’ve told her to slow down, but I’ll admit that I liked her being so carefree. It made her more like me, which made me feel more secure that she’s mine.
Mine. There’s that word again. It’s been dancing around my head since Liv stepped foot on the tour bus. OK, maybe even before then when I had her tucked away in my home.
Shaking off the out-of-control feeling that keeps resurfacing, I walk back to the bedroom. Liv’s sitting against the headboard with her arms securely around her stomach.
“Drink up and swallow these. Oh, and your sewing stuff arrived.”
She takes the glass and pills from me. “I feel like death, so my sewing is going to suck.”
“Your work’s not going to suck. Take a shower, eat something, and do a bump. You’ll be able to accomplish all you wanted to.”
“I can’t do that again if this is how I’ll feel afterward.”
“I guarantee you’re sick this morning from the alcohol, not from the blow. I swear it’ll give you loads of energy. I barely sleep, so I do it to perk me up during the day. That, or I take addys.”
