by Kylie Walker
She finished her wine, enjoying the heat as it slid down her throat. “I guess he had the motivation to do better.”
Campbell refilled her glass, then his. They sat in silence for a moment before he squinted his eyes.
“You know, things could have gone a completely different way for Trevor if he’d kept hanging out with the Rigger brothers.”
She shuddered at the sound of their name. Those boys had been the death of Kyle.
“What do you mean, kept hanging out with them? He wasn’t part of that clique.”
“You don’t remember? Come on, Em. Remember, he had Shane Rigger playing drums for a while, and the four of them were pretty tight until Roman found another drummer and broke their little bromance up.” He took a drink. “I have to admit, whenever I hear the name Infinity Prism, I think of Trevor being part of that damn group, and it gives me a sour taste in my mouth.”
How could she have not known about that?
“He wasn’t with them very long, though, right? I mean, that night...”
Campbell put a hand on her wrist. “No, honey. No. He wasn’t part of the group that night. They’d parted ways by then.”
Grief cut through her. That night was a blur. All she had was Campbell’s recount of the car skidding out of control, of Kyle.
Poor, poor Kyle.
“That garden is off the chain! Em, you should totally see it. She had got herbs and tomatoes and like, a hundred kinds of lettuce growing in water.”
Campbell gave Emelia a loving embrace before rising to help his wife get food on the table. Chloe rambled on and on about the garden, the weather, the landscaping, barely taking a breath in between topics. Finally, as they sat down to eat, Emelia felt herself come back to the present. Honestly, she didn’t mind retreating into herself because, in that space in her mind, that’s where Kyle lived now. And it was the only place she could go to see him again.
“I could get used to this,” Emelia sighed as she took a bite of the flaky, deliciously seasoned salmon.
“Me too.” Chloe was scarfing down some of the homegrown vegetables. “This food is seriously amazing.”
“The view isn’t terrible either.”.
“You guys are welcome to come and visit any time you want.” Max took his wife’s hand and squeezed it as they gazed adoringly into each other’s eyes.
“You know Campbell; I’m going to seriously consider your offer.”
The words popped out of her mouth, but it didn’t feel wrong to say them. He gave a double thumbs-up.
“The house, the grounds, the weather, hell, that pool over there, all yours for as long as you want to stay. This house is so damn big, and we’d never see you if you wanted to stay hidden away. I mean, don’t do that, but you know what I mean.”
Sarah set down her fork. “Em, maybe you’d like to come to stay for a while after the tour? For a little rest and rejuvenation. I was a stage producer in my former life; I know how taxing the long nights and even longer travel times can be.”
Campbell took his wife’s hand and stared at her with adoration. “That’s a great idea, sweetheart. She can take LA for a test drive if you will.”
She had a pang of jealousy at the look passing between her brother and his wife. Their apparent wealth and comfort were enviable, but this love between them was more so. She and Grant had their moments, but they didn’t have this. Could she imagine being married to him, tied to him in the most legal way possible with the promise to remain so until death?
She was comfortable with Grant, but not over-the-top in love with him. Honestly, even her comfort level with him had dwindled after his recent aggressive behavior. He was distant lately, always on his phone and side-tracked when she tried to talk to him. They hadn’t even had sex since the tour began!
No, her motivation and desire to be in this relationship were in jeopardy. Especially when she witnessed love like this. And, when she felt something remarkably warm and intimate when she was with Trevor. She deserved more. But did she have what it took to break things off with Grant? Or, should she give him another chance, talk to him, see if they could get the passion and fun back into their relationship?
The rest of the evening passed with good conversation, reminiscing and laughter. It was midnight before Emelia figured it was time to go. Campbell walked them out to a backdrop of musical crickets hiding in the bushes.
She hugged him, not wanting to let go. “I’m going to miss you.
“I’m going to miss you too, sis.” Campbell gave her an extra squeeze of affection before they parted. “Hey, seriously consider staying here for a while after the tour!” He cast her a wave as she got back in the car. Nostalgia threatened to reduce her to tears.
“I don’t want to leave,” she whispered, then suddenly realized she’d attested that sacred oath out loud.
“Why not?” Chloe cast a concerned look. Emelia focused on backing out of the driveway. “What’s wrong, Emelia?”
“Nothing.” Emelia immediately attempted to recover. “I just...had a great time tonight. I guess I don’t want it to end.”
“Yeah.” Chloe glanced out the window. “Me too. Back to reality.” She sighed and tucked her hair behind her ears.
Emelia gripped the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. She didn’t want to go back to reality. Having this dinner tonight with her brother and his wife forced her to reflect on her own flawed relationship.
No union was perfect, but she couldn’t help but wonder whether she and Grant were destined to fail. She didn’t want to have that viewpoint, but the more she tried to shift her thoughts to him, the stronger she saw the intense and handsome face of Trevor staring back at her.
Chapter Eleven
“Am I hot or what?”
Trevor adjusted his skinny tie and wagged his eyebrows. Roman shook his head and buckled his belt.
“You’re hot, Trev. You’re hot.”
They’d just played their best show to date, and the adrenaline wasn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. A local radio station had put together a small afterparty for them at his condo on the north side of town. Their cab was waiting.
“Let’s find you a hot hookup, and me a handsome distraction.”
Trevor gave himself one last look in the mirror. “How big is this party going to be?”
Roman shrugged. “Just a few friends. Guaranteed hot women.”
Trevor didn’t want to meet hot chicks. He wanted Emelia. Day and night, he couldn’t get his mind off of her. Every time he attempted to rip his thoughts away to something else, his mind managed to plummet back to her.
“Hey look,” Roman mentioned and abstractly pointed his arm in the general direction of the backstage exit.
“What?”
“It’s Grant and Emelia.”
Trevor silently cursed himself for looking a little too quickly. His chest tightened at the sight of her on Grant’s arm. She was with her man, yet Trevor couldn’t stop the need to head over to them, just to be near her.
Emelia was wearing a sexy yellow sundress with a sunflower print. Trevor noticed how the dress gave her figure even more definition and accentuated how curvy and beautiful she was.
“Hey.” His gaze drew to her, Grant becoming a complete ghost. She returned his gaze just as hard.
“What are you two up to tonight?” Keep is causal, Jameson. Jesus.
“Great show tonight man.” Grant acknowledged to Roman and Trevor with a measured smile.
“Thanks, man.” Trevor appreciated receiving the compliment. “Thanks for all your help in making everything come together.”
“I just do what you pay me for.”
There was an underlying tension in the words. Probably, Trevor realized, because he was staring at the man’s girlfriend.
“Where are you guys heading?” Emelia glanced up at Trevor with a slightly desperate expression.
“We’ve got a private house party to go to.” He paused and tried to talk himself out of it. “You guys a
re welcome to join us.”
“Yeah. Sure.” Roman shrugged as if he were caught off guard but still attempting to be polite. “Might as well come along.”
“It’s not your house,” Grant stated blandly.
“Hmm?” Roman placed his hands in his pockets and eyed Grant.
“How can you invite someone to a party when it’s not even your house?” Grant explained.
There was an awkward silence. What was this guy’s deal? It almost seemed as if he were looking for a way out, or to start an argument.
Roman waved off the concern. “Nah, it’s totally cool. No one would mind if you came. They have a great apartment with a terrace and a pool on the roof.”
“That sounds fun!” Emelia looked at Grant with hopeful eyes.
He cut her a sharp glance. “Emelia!”
“Oh, come on!” Emelia nudged him. “It sounds so fun.”
“It will be epic.” Trevor wanted her to come with. Suddenly, it was all he could think about. There was no telling what kind of shenanigans they could get into tonight.
Grant made a face. “We’re going to sit this one out. Thanks anyway, guys.”
Emelia’s brow furrowed. “Maybe you want to sit it out, but I don’t want to. Come on Grant. Seriously.”
“Yeah, I bet you do want to go Emelia. Care to let everyone here know why you’re in such a hurry to go along. Huh? Go ahead, tell them.”
Emelia’s face paled confusion and hurt crossing her eyes. Trevor had to resist the urge to punch him in the face. He was a total dick to Emelia.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Grant.”
“Yeah, you do. Anyway, thanks guys, but we have to run.”
“No.” Emelia held her ground as Grant tried to pull her along.
Trevor had the urge to step in between them and unwind her arm from Grant’s. He didn’t like the hold the man had on her, or the dark expression clouding his features.
“I’m a big girl, Grant, and I’d like to go and mingle. I’ll see you back at the hotel.”
“Excuse me?” Grant burst.
Emelia shrugged her arm away from Grant’s grip. “I’m just saying I’d like to go hang out for a little while. It’s that simple.”
Grant’s lips became a thin line, the harshness driving Trevor’s instinct to get Emelia slightly behind him. He did with a casual swoop of his arm. Tension crackled between them, and Trevor couldn’t shake his concern for her safety.
“I should take every opportunity I can to market your company, right? These high-profile parties are the perfect way to do that.”
Trevor smiled. He had to give the girl credit where credit was good. She had just played her cards right. She was in the game now.
“Fine.” Grant hissed and clenched his teeth. “Don’t do anything stupid. If you do, don’t come running to me for help.”
Trevor took a step in his direction. “Christ, there’s no reason to act like that. We’ll look out for her, introduce her to a few people. That’s all.”
Grant stared at Trevor, sizing him up. He pursed his lips but remained silent. He was smarter than Trevor thought. He knew this gig would be over for him if he crossed Trevor in any way.
“Have fun,” he grumbled and then trudged away without looking back.
Emelia watched after him for a long time. Maybe concerned that he’d come back and make her leave. Her expression was neutral, but Trevor would give anything to know what was going on in her mind. He caught her eyes and reality hit him.
He and Emelia were going to essentially be alone tonight. He’d wanted her and only her, and just for tonight, he had his wish.
“Have you ever been in a Ferrari before?” He asked as they walked to the private unloading zone where Trevor’s car was parked.
“No.” Emelia giggled and shook her head. “Let me guess? You have one?”
“I do,” he said as he guided her into the parking garage. “And a driver. Your chariot awaits.”
A candy apple Ferrari pulled up to them, and Trevor popped the door open. Emelia stared at it, eyes blazing. “How fast does it go?”
Trevor affectionately patted the hood. “Why don’t you get in, and you’ll find out?”
Roman gave him a sideways, disgruntled glance. Trevor knew exactly what that stare meant. He was teetering dangerously on the edge of being flirty with Emelia, but he didn’t care. What harm was a little innocent flirting anyway?
He watched Emelia climb into the car. Her sundress rode up on her thighs, exposing a wickedly amount of bare skin. Trevor took a deep breath and told the driver to go. He settled in next to Emelia, his leg lightly touching the length of hers. God, how he wished they were alone right now.
He gave Roman a glance, who looked back with a knowing and apologetic expression. As soon as they got to the party, he was ditching his best friend and taking Emelia somewhere private.
“How far away is the party?” Emelia asked, making conversation. She was a natural at keeping the conversation flowing. Trevor enjoyed how easy she was to talk to.
“Not far, when you get a driver like this.”
The car burst ahead, grinding gears as it whizzed down a straightaway. She squealed and grabbed Trevor’s knee, gripping him tightly to hold herself into place. He clasped a hand over hers, feeling like he was out of control. But not from the speed.
Her touch.
“You weren’t kidding, Mr. Jameson. This car is awesome!”
Trevor sucked in a deep breath. He couldn’t stand the way she drawled out his last name in the sexiest voice he had ever heard.
The car went faster, and Trevor welcomed it. Hurry up and get them there. The promise and potential for a new beginning was up ahead, and he couldn’t fucking wait to get there.
Chapter Twelve
They were alone.
Emelia tried to measure her breathing as Trevor whisked her away to the edge of the terrace where an intricate metal railing was all that separated them from the street thirty stories below. It was exhilarating to be up this high. But even more so to have Trevor all to herself.
Trevor leaned on the rail casually, his gaze so fluid and hot that she felt it wash over her entire body. Between the heat of the evening and the warmth of his nearness, she thought a dip in the infinity pool was the obvious next step. Something had to take the slow burn away.
She raised her mixed drink to her lips, and the ice in the glass made a clanking, tinkling sound.
“How’d you like LA last week?”
She glanced at the small crowd mingling around outside. Atlanta was beautiful at night, the breeze a perfect mix of soothing and hot.
“I’ve been there several times. My brother lives there. I visited him, actually. I love it.”
He tilted his head. “Your brother is a movie producer, right?”
His thick hair rustled a little in the breeze, calling her to run her fingers through it. Even the blue of his eyes was brighter out here.
“Yeah. How did you know?”
Trevor shrugged and quickly took a drink of his whiskey sour. “You know how word travels in this business.”
He avoided her gaze, almost like he was feeling guilty over something. The moment passed as he leaned closer to her and lazily ran a finger over the back of her hand. She shivered.
“You should meet him sometime,” she whispered. “Two creative minds like you two? I’m sure you’d think up something brilliant.”
“I’d like that. Let’s set it up.”
His finger whisked over her wrist to her forearm, up and down, making the little hairs there stand on end.
He had a hint of five o’clock shadow. How would that feel against her skin? Emelia found herself leaning into him, sliding her arm closer, encouraging his touch. When he traced over the ball of her shoulder to her collarbone, she could barely keep herself from jumping in his arms.
“Boy, it’s warm,” she said and fanned her face.
“There’s a pool.” A wicked grin crossed
his face.
“I see that.”
Emelia was starting to get restless. She hadn’t felt this way in a long, long time. Her entire body was edgy, needy, on fire. Retreating a step back into the shadows, she had to conceal the emotions and want that plainly showed on her face. He couldn’t know. Yet, just being here with him was probably enough to tell him exactly how she felt.
The chemistry she felt with Trevor was undeniable, albeit erroneous and taboo. She had a boyfriend waiting for her back at their hotel, and the guilt sliced through her. On the other hand, Grant had been mistreating her lately, and she welcomed a break from him so that she could take a breather and regroup.
She and Trevor stood on top of the world, even if it was only seemingly for the moment.
She eyed the pool. The turquoise water bubbled and swirled, inviting and beckoning her to climb inside and take advantage of the warm water. She didn’t have a swimsuit with her, and she was almost one-hundred percent sure that Trevor didn’t have one with him either.
“What are you thinking?” Trevor broke through her deep contemplation.
She giggled and grabbed his arm. “I dare you to get in the pool.”
“Are you serious?” His voice was cautious.
“I’m serious.” She didn’t know whether he would call her bluff, but it was an enchanting game either way. Besides, she wasn’t really bluffing.
Trevor glanced between her and the pool. “I don’t have a bathing suit.”
Emelia shrugged playfully. “Not my problem.”
Trevor’s blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “I’ll get in if you get in.”
“Oh, so now you are turning the tables and daring me?” Emelia laughed and pointed to her chest.
“That’s right.” Trevor gave her a smug grin.
“I don’t have a bathing suit either...” she trailed off and anxiously glanced around. The party crowd had retreated back inside. They were alone on the terrace.
Trevor’s eyes hunted her. His lips were enticing. His perfectly sculpted muscles taunted her. She took a deep breath. She was in trouble, spiraling down a rabbit hole, chasing after a lust she desperately needed to kill.
