I wanted to explain so this bloody guard would let me go but my words couldn’t form and just came out as an agonised gurgle.
The grip on my body loosened and I squirmed free from his hold as my feet hit the sidewalk.
Maybe I could get back in there. I swung around to make a run for the gallery door but the guard side stepped me, blocking my way. He grabbed my shoulders.
“Lucy, stop it.”
I reached up, wanting to claw his face if that was what it took. Then I realised it wasn’t a guard.
It was Chad.
I froze.
Before I could ask him why he was there, he kissed me. His arms folded around my neck and his mouth pressed against mine. The world stopped hurting and I lost myself in him. I felt light, so light I’d have fallen if his arms weren’t holding me up.
When he let me go, I couldn’t speak.
“No more games, Lucy,” he said and kissed me again. This time my body buzzed and I kissed him back. I crushed my lips into his, all the anger and frustration channelling into kissing Chad and holding Chad and making sure Chad never let me go.
He kissed me and nothing else mattered. It was only a painting.
Then his lips left mine but his arms stayed around me.
“When your mother contacted me, it all made sense. You couldn’t sleep with anyone else. You’re in love with me.”
My first impulse was to deny it, to push him off and give him a million rants to save my pride but I looked into his eyes and saw the love shining there for me. My insides turned to a gooey mush.
“You’re right,” I said without even choking on the words. “I’m in love with you.”
As he kissed me again, I heard applause and cheers. I’m not sure where these people had come from, maybe they’d flooded out of the gallery to watch the spectacle. Well, I couldn’t take the words back now, not with all those witnesses. Then I forgot the world as Chad’s body melded into mine. I couldn’t believe that the nightmare that was life without Chad was over.
“I love you,” he said. “I’ve tried so hard to resist you but I know I love you.”
“You do?”
I’d suspected Chad loved me but to hear him say those actual words nearly made me fall over. The Chad really loved me.
“I love you. I love every crazy thing about you.”
“Name them. Name every single thing,” I said.
But instead he kissed me and my brain stopped working. It was a full force, no mucking around kiss. A kiss that zinged from his lips through my body and swept me up in its intensity.
If my grandmother’s intention had been to stop me sleeping around, she’d won. I’d never look at another man again. I just wanted him to kiss me like that every day of my life.
I was the real winner because I had Chad.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
“You’re crying. You are totally crying.” Tristan pointed at me with mockery in his eyes. Although, he looked about one minute away from tears himself. “I thought I’d be the one to cry but you broke first. I win.”
I’d promised myself that I wouldn’t but I’d worn waterproof mascara just to be on the safe side. My best friend was leaving me.
“I am the one who should be crying. I’ve got more to lose than you. She’s my only fun friend now you’re hooked up with Chad.”
So, how could I respond to that but by punching him so he cried too? I was so buff now. I’d turned into one of those chicks who go to the gym and… well, mostly it was because working out with Chad was really hot but the muscle definition was a definite side benefit.
Jayne got us more drinks and I leaned back against Chad, his arms around me. I’d have no angst to fuel my work in third year and I wondered if happiness and awesome sex would work instead.
Yeah, the sex was awesome. Like mind-blowingly good. After all that test-driving, I’d found the perfect fit. Random stranger sex was nothing on Chad. He took it to a whole new level. Who knew being with someone you loved and trusted and who knew your body could be so damn good?
Chad had moved back in but not to his old room, of course. We’d converted that into a studio. Maybe, if the treatment didn’t work on his mother, she’d end up moving in with us but she seemed to be responding really well.
I reached up and rubbed the chain around my neck.
“What’s that?” asked Tristan. “Has Chad given you some love-love jewellery?”
I shook my head and made sure he couldn’t see it. He’d laugh his pants off if he did. Chad had given me something more precious than diamonds or gold. And I wore it on a chain around my neck so no one would ever steal it. He’d replaced my limited edition One Direction key ring.
“At least I’m leaving you in good hands,” Jayne said. “You have your own bodyguard permanently now.”
“Hardly, it seems the appeal of following me around has lessened now Chad isn’t being paid for it.”
“Hey, I had to get a real job sometime.”
I grinned at Jayne. “It’ll be your turn next. Who knows what will happen when you get among those hunky Italian men.”
“Hardly,” she snorted. “All that macho bullshit. More likely I’ll be cutting their egos down to size. I don’t do alpha males.”
THE END
Thanks for reading Hands Off! The 100 Day Agreement. I hope you enjoyed it.
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The Bad Boy Rock Star series:
Bad Boy Rock Star (Book 1)
Hannah Sorrento never planned to be a band manager. She’s a princess and the toughest obstacle she’s had in life is finding shoes to match her outfit.
Then her father disappears and leaves her with only the money in her purse and a management contract for hot, indie band, STORM. She plans to sell the contract, one way or another, then pack up her designer wardrobe and head back to law school. But lead singer, Jack Colt, has other ideas.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GPP30O2/
Bad Boy vs Millionaire (Book 2)
Tamaki is everything Jack isn’t and, with their similar backgrounds, he and Hannah form a bond. He offers her safety and security as well as a return to her luxurious lifestyle. But the passion Jack arouses in Hannah won’t be denied.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J83LEVO
Bad Boy Redemption (Book 3)
Life is sweet for Hannah and Jack. Finally, they’re together and Jack’s band, Storm, have been signed to a major label after completing a successful tour.
Then tragedy hits the band, sending Jack off the rails. Hannah wants him to make peace with the demons from his past but he refuses to take action. Meanwhile, Hannah has problems of her own when her father’s crimes are exposed, and are much worse than she’d ever expected.
Are they damned beyond repair or can their love redeem them?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LLEAJ7I
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Get the complete story in one book (it’s cheaper that way)
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About me:
Candy J. Starr used to be a band manager until she realised that the band she managed was so lacking in charisma that they actually sucked the charisma out of any room they played. “Screw you,” she said, leaving them to wallow in obscurity – totally forgetting that they owed her big bucks for video equipment hire.
Candy has filmed and interviewed some big names in the rock business, and a lot of small ones. She’s seen the dirty little secrets that go on in the back rooms of band venues. She’s seen the ugly side of rock and the very pretty one.
But, of course, everything she writes is fiction.
Blog: candyjstarr.wordpress.com
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Candy J. Starr, Hands Off! The 100 Day Agreement
Hands Off! The 100 Day Agreement Page 16
