by Casey, Ember
It doesn’t help that her teasing is replaying in my head. Am I really giving off the impression that I want this to continue past tonight? Fuck. Clearly I need to dial it back a little. I’m losing my touch.
But you do want her past tonight, a little voice says in my mind. Stop trying to deny it.
I pull my hand away from her leg. “We’re going back to my apartment. Now.”
A night of fucking, and she’ll be out of my system. It was fun while it lasted, but I’ve got bigger things to focus on now.
But the voice in my head doesn’t shut up. Once wasn’t enough, and twice won’t be, either. It will take more than a couple of nights to get Sophia out of your system, despite all the complications she presents.
She doesn’t object as I whip the car out of the parking space. From the way she was kissing and clutching me just a moment ago, I know she’s just as eager as I am to get somewhere where we can do this properly. Finally.
I’m nearly to my apartment when my cell phone rings. I almost ignore it, but then I see it’s Mick.
With a sigh, I answer.
“A little busy here, Mick,” I tell him.
“You ran out of there pretty quickly,” he replies. “I was hoping the pair of you would stick around for a couple of photos.”
“Not tonight. We can talk about it tomorrow.” Mick won’t be happy to hear that I’m not going through with his publicity plan, but it’s better this way. The longer I keep her around, the more dangerous this is—it’s easier to let her go after tonight if I can. Besides, after my conversation with Sophia earlier, I’m pretty sure any mention of going public will send her leaping from the car. Not worth the risk.
“I’ll talk to you in the morning,” I tell him.
Mick gives a low laugh. He probably knows me better than anyone else in my life, even my family, and I’m sure he knows exactly what’s going on in my head. “All right then. Have a good night, Pax.”
When I hang up, I notice Sophia watching me.
“What?” I say casually, wondering how much she overheard.
“Nothing,” she says. “That was your manager, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah. He was just checking in.” Let’s leave it at that.
She’s quiet for a moment. And then, “He seems pretty involved in your life.”
I shoot a quick glance her way. What exactly did they say to each other when they were sitting in that booth together? What’s going on in her head right now?
I shift my hands on the steering wheel. “It’s Mick’s job to be involved in my life. To look out for my best interests and make Twisted Throne as successful as possible.” I pause. “It was his idea to use this thing between us for the publicity—but that’s because he’s good at seeing the opportunities in everything. It’s why the band needs him. To make those calls. To be the shrewd businessman.”
“I see,” she says, but her tone and expression give away nothing of her thoughts.
“Mick’s a little rough around the edges,” I continue. “But he’s a good guy. You should see him with his family—he’s a big old softy. And he was there for me when I needed him. Back when we were first starting out, my dad ran out on my mom. Dad had always been a shit, but at least he made sure the bills were paid. Most of the time, anyway. But suddenly my mom had to fend for herself, and all three of my sisters were still at home. Cat and Colleen got jobs, and Cat even considered dropping out of college to work full time, but none of us would let her. The guys and I weren’t making any money yet—we were barely scraping by, all four of us cramped together in this tiny-ass apartment and living off rice and beans. It was rough. But Mick was there for me. Helped me get a few voiceover gigs to earn a little extra cash, and…I don’t know, just talked to me. Man to man. I was still dealing with my own shit, too. Still trying to forget about—” I stop, realizing how much I’ve just shared. What the fuck am I doing? I can’t believe I almost told her…
My eyes remain locked on the road. I don’t look at Sophia. But I can sense her watching me.
Finally, she says. “I’m sure he’s a great guy. He just seems…a little ruthless?”
In spite of myself, I laugh. “Yeah, he’s ruthless. But exactly the sort of ruthless you want on your side in this business.”
We’ve reached my apartment building, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to change the subject. “But he’s out of our hair for tonight, so let’s not worry about him or anyone else anymore.”
“Okay,” Sophia says. Like me, she seems eager to forget about everything else for the moment.
We breeze past the doorman and the concierge, hurrying to the elevator. The moment we’re inside, I grab her and pull her into my arms. Her mouth opens beneath mine, her tongue meeting mine as I push her against the wall. My hands go down to her skirt, dipping beneath the hem and sliding up her thigh. I haven’t forgotten that she isn’t wearing any panties, and I plan to take full advantage.
She’s still warm and wet, and my fingers slip easily inside of her. She writhes against me as I thrust in and out, working her up to a fury. I want her absolutely ready for me the moment we walk through that door.
The ride to my apartment seems to take forever, but it’s enjoyable enough with her squirming on my fingers. Her breaths are coming short and fast, her fingers digging into my shoulders, and I’m pretty sure I could get her off with my hand alone if I wanted to.
Fuck me, I love it when a woman is so responsive. I might have to explore that a little deeper, later.
When the doors finally ding open at my floor, I yank my fingers out of her and pick her up, carrying her over to my apartment. We almost don’t make it in the door. By the time we’re inside, she’s somehow managed to undo my fly, and my jeans slide down my legs as I half-carry, half-drag her into the bedroom. I throw her down on the mattress, then lunge over to the nightstand, fumbling around until I find a condom.
By the time I turn around again, she’s lifted her dress up over her head. She just finishes undoing her bra as I watch her, setting her round little breasts free.
And I can only stare.
Fuck, she’s beautiful. She’s curvier than I expected her to be beneath her clothes. Her hair spills lose down over her shoulders, the silky strands pointing down straight to her pink nipples. Her blue eyes watch me as she leans back on the bed, her legs parting in an invitation.
I practically throw myself at her. I land on top of her, and it only takes a second for me to position myself. My mouth crashes into hers as I thrust inside her.
And finally—finally—we both have exactly what we need.
Sophia
I wake up early the next morning. Pax doesn’t even stir. He’s turned away from me, and I suppose that’s a good thing. I’m not so certain I want to face him at the moment.
But I can’t help but look at him for a few seconds. There’s a tattoo on his back I don’t remember seeing before, and I study it, trying to decipher what it means. It’s quite intricate, and from this angle, all I can really make out is the black heart entwined in what looks like snakes. It takes a moment for me to realize it’s part of the same design that trails halfway down his arm.
It doesn’t matter what it means, I think. Pax has made it abundantly clear that he only meant to use me for the night. Not that I feel used…at least not in that way. I suppose I got as much out of our night together as he did.
I grab my dress from the floor, sliding it over my head. As I locate my shoes across the room, my cheeks begin to burn and something is thick in my throat. It takes me a second to recognize the feeling—this is what people must mean by the walk of shame.
I realize in that moment how much of an idiot I’ve been. I’m the same as every one of his other conquests—I’ve fallen into the same trap. And for what? A night of hot sex?
Not that I regret that part of it. It isn’t as though I’ve been with many men—and few have made me feel the things Pax did. I just wish… I don’t know what I wish. That he wasn’t so de
ad set on only having one-night stands? That there was even a chance at having anything more? Perhaps that’s it.
I slip out of the room, finding my bag on the sofa where I threw it when we came in the door last night. I stifle a sigh as I check my phone—Victoria must not have been able to get through to my brother after all. There are no fewer than ten text messages from Andrew, all demanding me to call him immediately.
Part of me wants to take off my slip of a dress and go back to Pax, at least for the rest of the morning. It would be the most irresponsible thing to do—and it would be a hell of a lot more fun than facing whatever it is my brother wants to scold me about.
I look back at the bedroom again, but reason takes over. Even enjoying him one last time won’t get me anything. It isn’t going to solve my problems.
I glance again at my phone and send a quick message to Andrew. Maybe if I don’t ignore him, it’ll get him off my back—at least long enough for me to go and find a different, less conspicuous adventure.
Stop worrying. I’m fine. Leaving L.A. this morning.
There. That should buy me several hours, at the very least.
It’s not even a minute later when my phone buzzes with another text from my eldest brother.
You’ll return home at once.
I roll my eyes at the phone. Whatever happens today, I’m not about to go back to Montovia now. Andrew can save his lectures for later.
But if I want to buy time, he can’t know that. I text him again.
Fine.
I can find a flight to almost anywhere from here. But where should I go? It will have to be somewhere outside of Europe. Maybe somewhere in Asia. I’ve never been to Tokyo, and I hear there’s fabulous shopping there. And if I turn off my phone…
There’s a shuffling behind me and I turn to see Pax standing naked in the bedroom doorway.
He’s a beautiful man, I think, and I can’t help but admire his body. Every muscle is perfectly defined, almost as though someone painted them on him. His perfect abs lead right to his perfect…
Pax clears his throat, interrupting my study of his form. I look up into his eyes and he smiles. “Like what you see?”
“I’ve seen it all before.” I motion to the door behind me. “I was just leaving.”
“I see that.” He looks me up and down for a moment. “You don’t have to go. You could at least stay for breakfast.”
I give him a tight-lipped smile. “This has been fun, Pax. It really has. But—”
“That’s my line.”
“Pardon?” I cock my head.
“That’s…my line.” He frowns. “That’s what I say.”
“Oh.” I’m still not sure what it is he’s talking about, and my eyebrows draw together. “Well, still…” I motion again at the door. “I should be going.”
He shrugs. “Do what you need to do.”
“Okay. I will.” I give him a curt nod—any feelings of regret at this being over are suddenly gone. “It was fun.”
“As you’ve said.” He motions at the front door. “See ya.”
“Yes. See you.” I reach for the doorknob.
Before I can turn it, he speaks again. “You could stay. Another night, I mean.”
I peek over my shoulder. “You were quite clear about not wanting more than one night.”
“Well, it’s already been two.” He rubs at the stubble on his jaw line. “And there’s a dinner tonight. If you wanted to go.”
“Right. The dinner.” It doesn’t come out so much as a question as a statement.
His expression twists, and I can’t really read what it is he’s thinking. He rubs his face again. “You don’t have to go.” He shrugs. “But I don’t care what you do.”
“Obviously.” I give him a plastic smile. “I should just be on my way, then.”
He stares at me for another moment. “It would help us out.”
“Us?” For a second, there’s a warm twinge inside me as I think he means the two of us, but then I realize who he’s actually talking about. “You mean your band.”
“Yeah. Us.” He walks toward me. “Last night was incredible, by the way.”
My skin seems to come alive at the reminder. “It was.”
His expression is blank—I can’t understand why he tries so hard to not let any of his feelings show. “Come to the dinner tonight, and we’ll have another one.”
“Another…night?”
He gives me a single nod as he walks toward the kitchen. “Yeah. Another night.”
“What happened to ‘one night only’?”
His lips tip into a small smile. “I’m willing to break the rules if things are good. Besides…” He shrugs. “There’s something in it for both of us.”
“Right. For both of us.” I shake my head. “You get your publicity, and I get…what? Your cock?”
He laughs. “Exactly.”
“I see.” I smile at him as I open the door. “I think I’ll pass on that offer, Pax.”
He shrugs again. “Suit yourself. I don’t care what you do.”
My phone buzzes in my hand, and I glance at it.
I can’t believe what you’ve done. I’ve taken matters into my own hands. You have two hours.
My jaw tightens. There’s no way my brother actually knows what I’ve done—not that I’ve harmed him or anyone else. But so much for the twelve-hour head start I might have had on my next adventure.
I don’t say another word—and I don’t look at Pax, either. I turn the handle on the door and leave his apartment, walking quickly for the elevator.
I jab at the down button, willing the stupid thing to come quickly. It’s early—how long could it possibly take?
It might be early, but this is the top floor. And there are people who work on weekdays… My shoulders sag, and I consider taking the stairs.
But before I can do anything, Pax is in the hallway with me, still naked.
He stares at me for a few seconds before he finally speaks. “Do you want me to beg?”
I spin to face him. “Beg for what? You practically threw me out a second ago.”
“No, I didn’t.” His brow furrows. “You told me you were going.”
“And you said, ‘See ya.’ I didn’t hear any trace of regret in your voice that would have made me think you actually wanted me to stay.” And if he did…I’m not sure what I’d do. Andrew is right, even if he doesn’t know the full extent of it. I’ve been reckless, and I need to get out now before I find myself in any deeper. There’s something about this man that makes me only want more—and nothing about what is happening here will end well. I can already feel myself falling for him—there’s something much deeper in him than he lets on. Something that he only allows to come out in his music. And while I want desperately to know what that something is, I know he’s only going to break my heart if I so much as try to scratch the surface.
He runs a hand through his hair. “Because I don’t want you to stay.”
I shake my head. “I do not understand you, Pax. If you don’t want me to stay, then why are you out here?”
His gaze narrows. “I don’t know.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know. Maybe…maybe I do want you to stay.”
The elevator dings and the heavy metal doors slide open. Thankfully, there’s no one else in there.
I glance between him and the elevator a few times and my phone buzzes again.
You’ve humiliated yourself enough.
I frown at my phone, frown at the elevator, then frown at Pax.
“Will you?” There’s something in his expression I can’t quite read. Something I’m missing.
“Will I what?” My phone buzzes again, but this time I don’t look at it.
“Will you stay? At least…at least have dinner with me tonight.” His eyes are almost pleading with me, though there’s nothing in his voice that tells me if he’s actually feeling anything. “Will you have dinner with me?”
Looking up into his eyes, I jut my chin at
him as I narrow my gaze. “No, Pax. I will not.”
“Fine.” He glares at me, but there’s definitely something besides anger in his gaze—something warmer. Something I didn’t expect I’d ever see from him. Something that almost looks like he…cares.
“Fine.” I can’t quite read the expression in his gaze. “Then come on tour with me.”
Royal Disaster 2
This book is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, locations or incidents are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 by Ember Casey and Renna Peak
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
First Edition: November, 2017
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Pax
I can’t believe I just asked Sophia to come on tour with me.
I can tell by the look on her face that I actually said the words out loud, that it wasn’t some sort of lust-fueled fever dream. I fucking asked her to go on tour with me. Like some sort of needy chump.
I’ve never done anything like this before. Normally I don’t want or even need to—if I’m ever in the mood to bang a chick while we’re touring, there are plenty at our concerts who are more than willing to jump into my bed.
