by Andria Large
"Man, you know I like her," I huff.
"I do? I thought you just wanted to fuck her." He counters.
I go to reply but snap my mouth shut. Is that all I want from her? Sure, I do want that from her. But there's more to it than that. I really do like her, so far. I actually want to get to know her better. I haven't felt the urge to do that with a woman since Hannah, my ex. I rub the back of my neck and pace away from Dean for a moment. When I turn back to him, he is looking at me with a curious yet knowing expression on his face.
"No, I don't just want to fuck her," I say, shaking my head.
Dean purses his lips and nods. "Okay, I'll back off."
I return the nod. "Thanks."
"If you fuck up, though, I'm gonna be all over that. Nicole is pretty awesome and I like her, too," Dean says seriously.
I nod again. We head back inside and I grab a bottle of water out of the mini fridge that's in there. I chug the whole bottle. As I go to throw it out, Hillary meets me at the trashcan.
"You know, I offered you a water earlier, you could have taken it," she huffs.
"And give you the wrong idea? No thanks," I mutter.
I turn away from her before she can reply and head over to Nicole, who is now chatting with Kara. As I come up to them, Kara gives me an expectant look. I sigh.
"I'm sorry, Kara. I swear, it will never happen again," I say sincerely.
Kara stares at me for a moment before nodding slowly. "It better not or I will have words with Lizette."
"No, no, you won't need to do that," I rush to say. I do not need to get chewed out by Lizette. Because if she chews me out then so will Beau. I really don't want that.
She smirks. "I hope not."
Then Kara calls for break time to be over as she walks away. I glance at Nicole. She shakes her head at me. I roll my eyes.
"Shut up." I sigh.
"I didn't say anything." She smiles.
"You don't have to." I grunt.
She chuckles as we head out to the middle of the dance floor. Kara starts to teach us a new dance routine for one of our new songs. During one move, Nicole has to hook her leg over my hip while I hold her thigh and dip her. Well, we do the move and when I pull her back up, her nose stops a breath away from mine. We're staring into each other's eyes. Hers are like the color of dark espresso. All I’d have to do to kiss her would be to lean slightly forward, but then I remember that we are not alone. Her hand is gripping the back of my neck and for a moment, it tightens before she extracts herself from my embrace. I don't want her to go, but it would be awkward just standing there holding onto each other.
"You stink," Nicole whispers to me.
I gape at her, eyes widening. "What?"
"You smell like stale alcohol," she replies, scrunching her cute little nose up.
I lift my arm and take a whiff. "Do I really?"
She grimaces and nods.
"Damn," I grumble.
That is so not sexy. I get her in my arms and she tells me I stink. What the fuck, Ace? Why did you not take a shower this morning? Because you were too hung over to care, that's why. What an ass. I can't help but be in awe of her, though, for telling me. What chick would tell a famous singer that he smells? Most would just ignore it and pretend like it didn't matter. Not Nicole, nope, she will obviously tell you straight up that you reek, not caring if you're famous or not. Just makes me like her that much more now.
~Nicole~
T.G.I.F. This has been one of the most exhausting weeks of my life. I am gathering up my things off the floor when a pair of white sneakers comes into view. I glance up to see Ace standing over me. He's looking much better than he did the other day when he was hung over. He has a mischievous grin on his face and I can't help but wonder what he's up to. I straighten up and sling my bag over my shoulder.
"Hey, Ace. What’s up?" I ask.
"We're off tomorrow," he says.
I nod slowly. "Yes, we are," I agree, not sure where he's going with this.
"Some of us are going out tonight, are you in?" he asks excitedly.
"Ugh, really? Aren't you exhausted after working all week?" I groan.
"Come on! You told me to ask you again when we aren't working the next day. Don't be a Debby Downer!" Ace complains.
I hear a chuff off to my right and glance over to see Hillary and her buddy, Bozo the Clown, watching us out of the corners of their eyes. I really hate them.
"Who all is going?" I ask, focusing back on Ace.
"Me, Dean, Beau, Lizette, and some of the other dancers," he answers with a shrug. "Come on, we're going to this really swanky club that has great music and top notch drinks," he says then drops his voice lower and reaches out to take my hand. "Plus, I'd like to get to hang out with you outside of this place."
I'm momentarily stunned as I stare down at my hand in his. My heart kicks up a notch and my brain short circuits because my mouth answered with an, "Okay." Oh god, what am I doing? Why did I just agree to this?
A sexy smile curls Ace's lips. "Great. I'll come by your hotel room around nine," he murmurs as his thumb runs back and forth over my knuckles.
I nod like the dumbass that I am. He gives me a wink before he turns and walks out the door. I stand there for a second running over that little conversation in my head, but it leads nowhere good. It'd be in my best interest to not get drunk tonight. I know if I do, I'll be a goner when it comes to Ace.
"I told you to stay away from him," Hillary hisses.
I blink, not even realizing that she's crept up next to me. I give her a dirty look.
"I will associate with whomever I damn well please," I say coolly before heading for the door before she can reply.
That bitch is getting on my last nerve. I hope she is there tonight because I will be hanging all over Ace just to piss her off. Let her come at me, she doesn't know me or what I'm capable of. I grew up in Philly and I don't take shit from the likes of people like her. She doesn't know who she's fucking with.
When I get back to my hotel room, I am still annoyed by pig face, so I take an extra-long shower and then blow-dry my hair. By the time I am done, I am much more relaxed. My hair is around shoulder length so I can use a curling iron to curl the bottom of it, which is what I do for tonight. I put on makeup then go to get dressed. I put on the sexiest dress I have. One, I want to look hot and have Ace drool all over me. And two, if those two bitches show up, I need to look better than them. Yeah, it's immature and spiteful - whatever, sue me.
The dress I choose is leopard print; it is skin tight and super short. No panties for this chick. I shake my head at myself. Dammit, I'm just looking for trouble with Ace, aren't I? I don't want to be just another notch on his bedpost. But he is really hot, and maybe just a little make out session would suffice. Plus, it would infuriate Hillary.
I'm just slipping into my five inch gold strappy heels when there is a knock on my door. My heart kicks up a notch and my stomach flutters at the thought of who is knocking. I check the time. 8:58 pm. I smooth my hands down my dress and head for the door. I check the peephole to make sure it's Ace. It is.
I take a deep breath and open the door. Ace, who is staring off down the hall, turns with a smile on his face toward me. His eyes widen and his smile drops, leaving his mouth gaping open. His eyes land on my cleavage and linger there for a moment before slowing raking down the rest of my body and legs. I flush at the open appraisal.
"You...I...uh..." Ace stutters. He shakes his head as if to clear it and tries again. "You look...whoa...I mean...goddamn!"
His eyes still haven't come back up to meet mine, lingering at chest level. When they do finally come up to hold my gaze, my breath catches at the raw desire swirling in their crystal blue depths. He licks his lips – a move that I don't think he did consciously.
"Let me grab my purse so we can go," I say, needing to back up from all of the sexual vibes rolling off him.
Ace put his hand on the door to hold it open while I turn to grab my pu
rse. I hear him make a strangled noise as I reach to grab it off the end of the bed. I glance over my shoulder to see him biting his bottom lip as he checks out my ass. My purse is just a small little thing with a wrist strap; it can only hold my phone, ID, and money. I double check to make sure my key card is in there before turning back around and sauntering back over to the door. It's actually kind of nice to have this much of an effect on a guy.
In my heels, I'm practically the same height as Ace. He might still have an inch on me, but it's pretty close.
"You look incredible," Ace growls.
When I look over at him, he is once again looking me over. I flush. "Thanks."
We stop at the elevators and Ace hits the down button. I take a moment to look him over. He looks incredible, too. He's in dark blue jeans, a gray V-neck T-shirt, and a black leather biker looking jacket with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His jeans are haphazardly tucked into the tops of his black boots giving the whole look a badass aura. His forearms are covered in tattoos, just like Sebastian Beck.
The elevator doors open, making me have to look away from him. Ace and I step into the elevator. He hits the button to take us down to the lobby.
"Is everyone already down there?" I ask, trying to strike up some kind of conversation.
"Ah...I think so," Ace mutters.
I can see his reflection in the elevator doors and he's still staring at me. I smile and shake my head. "You know, a picture will last longer," I tease.
"Unless you want me jacking off to it, that might not be a good idea," he mutters, finally tearing his eyes away from me.
I bark out a laugh. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should, it's a big one." He grins at me.
The elevator stops at the lobby and we get off. We turn the corner and head for the lobby where I can see everyone else waiting. Dean, Beau, and Lizette are there, along with Hillary, her butt buddy, a couple of the other male dancers, and three giant bodyguards. Hillary’s eyes are locked on me, shooting daggers at my heart. Whatever, I don't give a fuck about her.
Dean's mouth drops open when he sees me and his eyes darken with lust. Well, shit. It's then that Ace's hand comes up to gently grasp the back of my neck. It's a very possessive move. One that he really doesn't have the right to make. I am not a piece of meat to be claimed. I decide whom I’m with. He doesn't get to warn other men off of someone who's not his. I stop walking, forcing Ace to stop as well. His hand falls away as he turns to look at me.
"What's wrong?" he asks in concern.
I turn to stand in front of him, putting my back to everyone else. "You keep your hands to yourself," I whisper.
He frowns in confusion. "Really?"
"Yes, really. That move you just pulled was to warn Dean off..."
"...No, it wasn't..."
"...Yes, it was. I'm not stupid. You think I didn't see the way that he looked at me. I'm not your girlfriend, or your date, or anything to you at the moment, so you don't get to decide who I can or can’t be with. Maybe I'd rather be with Dean over you, ever think of that?"
"I...uh...I...no. I thought you liked me," he stutters. He is obviously way out of his comfort zone with me. I don't take shit...from anyone.
"I never said that I didn't, but maybe I like Dean, too," I reply, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Do you?" he asks, a tinge of disappointment in his tone.
I shrug. "I don't know either of you well enough to decide just yet, but I'm not some groupie whore who is going to sleep with you just because of who you are, so don't treat me like one."
Ace nodded, respect and admiration shining bright from his eyes. "Okay, you are absolutely right, I'm sorry."
I nod in acceptance of his apology and turn around to go meet up with the rest of the crowd. I smile and say hello to everyone, except the bitches, of course. I end up standing next to Lizette as we wait for the limo to pick us up. I can feel both Dean and Ace staring at me. It's getting to the point where I wish I wore something else. I'm not used to getting such blatant ogling. And I really need to make sure that I don’t flash my hoo-ha when I get in and out of the limo – oh, what a great headline that would be – I’d have to kill myself.
I turn to face Lizette. "Do I look like a slut?" I ask her quietly.
Lizette laughs. "Girl, if anyone can pull off wearing that dress and not look like a slut, it's you," she says matter-of-factly.
"I just feel like maybe it's a little too much." I sigh.
"No, it's fine. You look fantastic," Lizette assures me.
She is looking pretty fantastic herself. She's in a silver sequined dress that is also skin tight and short. Her long blonde hair is down and flowing over her shoulders and back. She's a very beautiful woman, who landed herself an extremely handsome man in Beau Kennedy. He obviously only has eyes for her; he has not once checked me out. It's incredibly sweet the way he watches her. The love between them is very evident - every smile they give each other, every heated glance. I can only hope that one day I find a love like that.
~Ace~
The stretch limo finally shows and we all pile in. I end up sitting next to Dean on the double seat by the back doors. I'm not sure how I feel about being put in my place by Nicole. On one hand, I admire her for being the strong woman that she is, but on the other, I'm irritated that I don't have her complete attention. I'm not used to having to compete with Dean for a woman. It's usually either they want him or they want me.
Nicole is sitting on the end of the bench seat next to Lizette, so she is adjacent to me. We are close enough that our knees brush together when the limo turns. She is chatting it up with Lizette and I can't help but watch her. She's so beautiful with her olive skin and dark hair. Her dark eyes are shrewd and I swear she can see into my soul. That mouth of hers is just begging me to kiss it. Her lips are pouty and sultry and I want to bite that bottom lip of hers. And that body of hers...no words. She is tall and lean and toned. Her legs are to die for and I would kill to have them wrapped around my waist...or my shoulders.
When we get to the club, we all file out of the limo and gather on the sidewalk. There is a roped in line along the side of the building for all of the non-celebrities trying to get in. Yeah, we don't have to wait in that line. Dean takes the lead and heads for the bouncer at the door. As we're walking up, I can hear people starting to recognize us. At first it starts as "Is that who I think it is?" to full out screaming "OH MY GOD! IT'S ACE VAUGHN, BEAU KENNEDY, AND DEAN DAVENPORT!"
We smile and wave as most of the women in the line go absolutely nuts. Then the flashes from camera phones start. Ugh, can we please go in already? The bouncer finally opens the door for us and we all enter the club.
The music is bumpin' and it's a good song, so I start bobbing my head as we make our way through the dense crowd to find a table. A soft, small hand finds mine and I glance back to see that it's Nicole. She gives me a sweet smile that I can't help but return. I lead her through the gyrating bodies toward a back corner where I see that Dean has found an empty section of white couches. Our bodyguards hang close by and redirect unwanted attention away from us. We all find a spot on one of the couches as a waitress walks up to take our drink orders.
I start with a few shots and a vodka cranberry. Nicole, who is sitting next to me, orders a rum and coke. I lean back into the couch, putting my arm along the back of it and behind Nicole's shoulders. I lean in close so that I can talk to her over the music. She's already dancing in her seat.
My lips brush the shell of her ear as I ask, "You're gonna dance with me, right?"
Nicole turns her head to look at me, putting our lips only inches apart. Man, I am dying to kiss her. Her brown eyes meet mine.
"Yeah, we can dance," she replies.
"You know, if looks could kill, you'd be dead right now." I tell her.
Hillary's eyes have not left us for one minute since we left the hotel. It's really starting to get on my nerves. I don't know what the hell she is thinking, but we had se
x once and that's it. It's never going to happen again.
Nicole rolls her eyes but doesn't move or turn away. "Don't get me started. I'm ready to smash her face in."
I grin. "I would pay to see you go all Philly on her ass."
Nicole laughs. "I'm sure it will happen sooner or later."
"No doubt," I agree.
With the way things are going already, I think I might have to have a talk with her. These evil glares have to stop. I don't like feeling as though someone is always watching me. It's creepy. As the drinks start flowing, I forget all about Hillary and her crazy obsession with me. My only focus is Nicole. I want to get her on the dance floor so I can have that sweet body of hers up against mine.
