Charlie whipped the laptop back in place and typed angrily. “She is staying at the Deluxe. I think we could arrange for a run-in when she’s done with the hospital unless you want to go straight there and try to see a few kids as well. That worked last time. Might as well throw in a donation at the same time. It might tip the scale even more .”
My fist slammed on the table. “I’m not going to say it again. Alexa Wilde is off limits .”
Charlie’s eyes lit. She leaned back in her seat and folded her hands together. “How long have you two been seeing each other ?”
“What?”
She closed the lid to her laptop and turned her phone face down .
“I’ve been in this business a long time. I’ve seen everything: DUIs, murder, sexual assault, alcoholism, drug abuse. And people lie to me. They think I can somehow help them without the full truth. What they don’t realize is I have radar for lies. It’s the easiest thing to spot, Luke. It’s like a spotlight, beaming right on their lying heads .
“This is one of two things: you either despise Lexi Wilde, or you’re in love with her. I get this feeling you don’t despise her.” Charlie wrinkled her nose. “I just don’t think that’s it. So that leaves me with love. And love I can work with .”
Linc kicked me under the table .
If she wanted fucking shock and awe she got it. Fuck .
Twenty-Seven
Alexa
F rom the window I could see the Capitol. The scaffolding wrapped the rotunda as if it was a brand new building going up in the city. It wasn’t the prettiest view. I picked up my phone to see I had a text from Luke. My stomach floated with the same kind of bubbly feeling it always did when I saw his name .
C hange of plans.
I typed back.
W hat’s going on?
I twisted my lips waiting for his response. I didn’t like that I had been here two hours and we already had a hiccup. I knew this was going to be complicated and risky. But I had to see him .
The past two weeks in Nashville were a whirlwind. Jake had booked me on every radio show. I did morning press. I did afternoon press. I did night press. I was going to have to get my boots re-soled after all the appearances I had made .
He was sure I could get enough votes for a full sweep of the awards if I made the rounds fast and furiously in the beginning .
It was a big popularity contest. I knew that .
Helena was with me on this trip. Jake was willing to let me out of sight because I convinced him it was a good way to have a girls’ trip with a douse of charity. I promised to post our dinners and shopping trips on my social media accounts along with a slew of pictures with the kids .
He hesitated, but I think Helena was the one who wore him down in the end. He was too happy with all my nominations not to give me some wiggle room .
D on’t go to the hospital .
I stared at Luke’s response. That wasn’t possible. I had to be there. This entire trip hinged on the hospital visit .
W hy not?
I tapped my boot on the floor. My car would be here in fifteen minutes. It was too late to cancel .
C harlie knows.
M y stomach sank. How? I sat on the edge of the bed. I thought we had been careful. I thought we had made sure no one had seen us together. There was no way. This was ridiculous. We needed to talk about this. Not text .
C all me.
I waited for the phone. To hear the deep throaty voice that made me shiver with excitement. Two weeks apart had been agony. The only thing holding me together had been the promise of this trip and right now it felt as if it were falling apart .
I didn’t know if I could take that. I didn’t know if I had the kind of resolve I needed to power through another day without Luke .
A few minutes passed before my phone rang .
“Hey,” I answered on the first ring. “What’s going on ?”
“You can’t go to the hospital .”
“I read the text. Why not?” I still wasn’t willing to cancel the visit without some kind of emergency reason .
“Because Charlie wants me to use your trip as another chance for us to be seen together. It’s supposed to be another headline for me. And I can’t get out of it .”
“What do you mean ?”
Luke’s PR manager didn’t have the same hold over him as Jake had over me. Of course he could say no. He had already ended things between us in the press. He could keep up his end of the deal. We only had four more weeks to go. Once we were on the red carpet at the CYAs this would all be out in the open. I could go to his games without hiding. He could watch me perform from backstage. We could spend the holidays together. Go skiing. All those things normal couples did. It was four weeks away .
“If you don’t go to the hospital then it’s not a fucking problem, Alexa. Don’t go and we don’t have to worry about it .”
I didn’t like his tone. None of it. I narrowed my eyes. “Excuse me ?”
“Cancel it and this goes away for now .”
“Why should I have to cancel a charity event? You need to tell Charlie you aren’t going to ambush my appearance. We have an agreement.” I tossed that on the end, but I realized it was a mistake .
“Do you think I’m trying to out us? Because that’s the opposite of what I’m trying to do. Why are you being so stubborn? Don’t go to the hospital .”
“You shouldn’t go to the hospital .”
He groaned into the phone. “If you go, I have to go. If you don’t then there is no story. This is on you, Alexa .”
“It is not. This is my job. Do you have any idea how many children are waiting to see me? Can you imagine their expressions or how their hearts are going to feel if they find out I canceled? And why would I? There’s no good reason for it .”
“The reason is to protect your precious image .”
“Precious? Are you mocking it ?”
“Shit. Stop picking a fight with me. You don’t know what I’ve dealt with today. You have no idea what I’ve tried to do for you .”
“You’re right. I don’t. But I thought I came here to see my boyfriend and do some charity work. Maybe I’ll only do one of those .”
He huffed. “You’re serious? You’re that mad ?”
I didn’t know what I was. Everything was crumbling and crashing around me like shards of shattered glass at my feet. Why was Luke doing this—making me choose between sick children and my relationship with him. Why was he arguing? Why didn’t he just take care of it ?
“Maybe I am.” But I wasn’t. I wanted to see him. I had craved another look into his eyes since he was in Nashville. I’d been waiting for his lips. Desperate for his hands .
I didn’t like being backed in a corner and neither did he .
“Fuck, Alexa. You aren’t making this easy .”
“Anything else?” I sassed. “Because I’m leaving for the hospital and it’s not the kind of thing I can be late for .”
“No.”
He hung up and I stared at a dark phone. What in the hell had I just done? I fell back on the bed, letting my hair fan out around me. My eyes floated to the ceiling. I was supposed to be at the hospital soon singing and signing autographs. Those kids depended on me. Their parents counted on me to give them joy. To bring them hope and kindness .
I wiped the first and last tear that rolled from the corner of my eye and sat forward .
Luke and I didn’t fight. This felt like my heart had been bruised and pummeled. I almost couldn’t breathe. What if he walked away? What if I wasn’t worth fighting through the fight ?
I walked to the bathroom to fix my makeup. Helena would be annoyed if she saw I had ruined her artwork. I’d given her more leeway with Jake in another state. My skirt was short too. I felt liberated finally wearing what I wanted .
I needed to burn through the minutes I had before the driver arrived. I wasn’t ready to see anyone. I wasn’t in any condition to cheer up children. I had to get my shit toge
ther. The realization hit me like a punch—I might be spending my nights alone from now on .
Twenty-Eight
Luke
I hailed a taxi outside the team’s hotel. I was mad enough to kick down a door, but I wasn’t going to do that in DC. I gave him the address for the Deluxe and sat back as the driver turned every corner in this damn city. Why in the fuck were all the streets one-way ?
I paid the guy and took the elevator to the top floor. This alone was a risk, but it was better than the one Alexa was willing to take .
I banged on the door .
“Helena, I’m not — ”
Her crystal blue eyes locked on mine when she whipped the door open .
“What are you doing here ?”
I barged past her. “We have to talk .”
“I’m going to be late to my car.” She picked up her guitar case .
I stood between her and the door. “I have to tell you something .”
I never wanted this to come out. With everything that had happened between Alexa and me it was the last thing I wanted her to know, but fucking Charlie had forced my hand .
“Can we do this later ?”
“No.” I gripped the case from her and placed the guitar on the floor. I could tell it made her mad .
“Luke, let me out of here .”
I’d never done this. Any of it. Never cared. Never bothered to try it. I didn’t have to. But Alexa brought something out in me I didn’t know I liked. And because of it I had jumped in a damn cab and raced to get to her before she did something she’d regret .
“I am going to that hospital today .”
“So am I,” she countered .
“Listen. Charlie has something on me,” I admitted .
“What is it ?”
“The press. All the plans to clean up my image—involving you—it’s because a girl accused me of getting her pregnant .”
I saw the instant hurt in her eyes. The betrayal. The disbelief .
“Wh-what ?”
“It’s not true. None of it. I’ve never even met the girl, but it doesn’t matter. I’m going through image rehab with Charlie. And she knows about us. She knows how I feel about you. Why I’ve been so damn adamant you stay out of this .”
“Wait, she ?”
I shook my head. “Yeah, Charlie’s a she. I didn’t tell you that part ?”
“You never mentioned that .”
“Not the point right now. The point is she wants you to fix my problem. She knows your schedule. She knows you’re going to the hospital. If I don’t go she’s going to tell management I’m not cooperating .”
“This is too much. Another girl? Pregnant ?”
“God, no. She’s not. I’ve never met her.” I ran my hands through my hair in frustration. “The only girl I’ve had that happen with is you, Alexa. I swear. You’re the only one .”
I wanted to take a step toward her, but her expression told me to hold off .
“Why didn’t you tell me before ?”
“What was there to tell? Some girl made up a story about me ?”
“You could have told me the real reason for the PR problem from the beginning. You could have mentioned Charlie was a woman. How much have you been holding back from me, Luke? Is there more ?”
“That’s it. It’s out. You know all of it. The rest you can read online. My sins are public. And that is the truth .”
She turned from me. I looked down at her boots. She wore those things everywhere .
“I don’t know what to say right now .”
“Fuck. Neither do I. Can’t you reschedule? Go tomorrow during the game .”
“What?”
I nodded. It was the only thing that would work. I should have thought of it sooner .
“Yes. You go during the game. There’s no way Charlie can expect me to be at the hospital. And if you were really here to see me you’d never miss the game .”
“But I don’t want to miss the game. I want to see you. It’s supposed to be my first time to watch you play in person .”
There was some kind of primal instinct that kicked into my chest. The same one that made me want to shield her from hurt. The same one that told me I should beat the hell out of Jake. The one that told me she felt I was as much hers as she was mine .
“Hey, this is more important .”
I tipped her chin upward. I risked touching her .
“I’m sorry for what I said on the phone,” she whispered .
I brushed my thumb over her bottom lip. She wore more makeup than I was used to seeing her wear .
“I was an ass too .”
She kissed the pad on my thumb and sighed. “I missed you. I don’t want to be mad .”
“I don’t think this trip is turning out to be what we thought. I’m not going to be able to stay here tonight or tomorrow. You realize that .”
“What are we going to do ?”
“First, call and say you need to see the kids tomorrow. Today isn’t going to work .”
“Ok.” She pulled out her phone and I waited while she changed the arrangements at the hospital .
She laid the phone down. “That’s done. They are expecting me tomorrow .”
“Good. I’ll head over there now and Charlie will get all the feel-good photo ops she wants—just not with you .”
“That’s too bad.” I saw the sadness in those baby blues. “I liked it when we did that together. You were cute with the kids .”
“I’ll have to be cute without you.” I tapped her nose. Damn, I had turned into one of those QBs—the kind who lived for kids’ camps and created their own foundations. What had Lexi done to me ?
“Then there’s just one thing to do before I leave .”
Her eyes lifted. “Please tell me it’s the same thing I want .”
I pulled her into my arms. Her body fell into mine, melting into me with a softness and tenderness I didn’t know I desired before I met her. That was the thing about Alexa. Every time I was with her I learned there were things about me I didn’t know. Places under my soul that had never been touched. Emotions I’d never even bothered with before her. But with her they were being cleaned off and used for the first time .
And that didn’t cover what she did to my body. My cock had never wanted another woman like this. I was already hard as steel thinking about my next few minutes with her .
“I’ve had this fantasy.” My fingers grazed over her breasts. Her nipples perked under my touch .
“What is it?” she asked .
“That I strip you down to nothing but those boots.” I yanked the shirt over her head .
“And?” she whispered .
I unclasped her bra and tossed it on the bed. Damn, her tits were fucking incredible. I didn’t want to rush through it, but I didn’t have much time .
“And I lick and suck you until you come in my mouth .”
She nodded. “And?” Her voice was quieter yet .
“And then I fuck you.” I stared into her eyes. My fingers curled under the band of her skirt and I shoved it past her thighs. She stepped out of it .
I walked her over to the king-size bed, pushing her back on the white sheets. She looked like an angel. Like the image of purity and sweetness. The good girl I had fucked until she was dirty and wild .
“These won’t go over the boots.” Her fingers trailed over the lace panties. And a damn temptress. My temptress .
“I’ll take care of that.” With a quick snatch they were ripped on the sides and opened for me .
I ran the palm of my hand over her heat. I lifted one boot and then the other over my shoulders before I dove between her legs, kissing and sucking with fervent pleasure. I lapped between her folds. Flicked over her swollen clit. Pushed my tongue inside her sweet soaked pussy before her hips bucked, betraying her body’s quick reach to climax. Fuck, she was ready for this .
The leather heels bounced on my shoulders .
“Ohh, God,” she moaned, grippi
ng at the bed, clinging for something .
But I pried wider. Pushed harder. Sucked deeper. Until she was gone. Until we were both mindless. I slowly licked over her clit watching her vibrate under my stare .
I unbuckled my belt and popped the snap on my jeans before freeing my cock .
Her hands released the sheets and I saw the sleepy look of satisfaction on her face .
I didn’t let her revel in it long before I thrust inside her heated moaning pussy .
“Fuck, Alexa.” She felt tighter than she ever had. It was the angle. Her legs in the air. My cock bigger than it ever was .
I pumped steadily knowing I was close to the edge. I had to pull out fast before I filled her to the brim with my cum. I drove inside her, kissing her knee just above the leather on her boot .
“Oh shit,” I groaned. My belly clenched as I jerked my cock and let my release pool on her stomach .
“You don’t have to do that anymore.” She sat up to kiss me. “I swear I’ve been good about my birth control .”
I kissed her roughly. “You should have told me before .”
“Round two?” she teased .
I pulled my jeans up and fastened them. “No, I’ve got to get out of here .”
“Wait.” She sat up quickly, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I don’t want you to go. I’m not ready. It’s been two weeks. This isn’t enough time .”
I hung my head. There wasn’t a fucking thing I could do about it. I wasn’t going to dwell on it. There was no point .
“Baby, don’t make this harder on yourself.” I pulled her hands from my neck .
“Don’t you want to stay ?”
I clasped the buckle into place. “Of course I want to stay. But I have a game tomorrow. I can’t stay up all night. And Charlie is on to this.” I pointed between us. “This is my way of keeping our deal until the red carpet .”
Sweet Satisfaction Page 43
