by Xavier Neal
Unsure of how else to respond, I chuckle. “Is that a bad thing?”
“It's not a good thing.”
Scott snickers at the same time Emerson joins us. “Sorry. Had to pee. The bathrooms up here are really nice.”
“Thank you,” Lake smoothly says. “It'd be my pleasure to give you a better tour. I'm-”
“Lake Rogers,” Emerson cuts him off sharply. “Quarterback. Number 12 for the Green River Crocodiles. Lived in Burt Daniels shadow for the first two years of your career. Won a Superbowl your first year as starting quarterback. Won two more before you retired only recently.”
“You read my Wikipedia page?” He less than charmingly comments back.
Lake's always an asshole. Has a God complex that came with the job. Smile may be trusting but the shit that comes out of his mouth rarely is.
“Em is a football fanatic,” Minka corrects. “Don't feel special.”
The snip twitches Lake's face in an annoyed fashion. “So. You're name's Em?”
“You can call me Emerson,” her snap shuts his mouth.
With a smirk, I shoot my attention to Scott who I'm expecting to jump on the bandwagon of beating Lake while he's down yet instead I see the exact same expression I wore yesterday when I finally stopped and took a good look at Minka.
He stands, extends his hand and introduces him, “Scott Caldwell.”
She doesn't hesitate to shake in return. “Emerson.”
“Pleasure,” he briefly states. Afterward he announces, “I gotta go. Cory's here and she's pissed they won't let her up here without me.”
We shake hands again and he disappears the way the girls just came in.
As soon as he's out of ear shot, Emerson questions loudly, “Is Cory his girlfriend?”
The three of us have a seat on the couch, her taking his now vacant space. “Younger sister.”
A glimpse of a smile is offered.
Not the guy I saw her going for. Interesting. Fuck. Now I sound like my own goddamn friends. Again.
Lake leans forward grabbing the bottle and an empty glass. “Champagne?”
Emerson crosses her long legs that are currently home to a bright, neon lime, cut out dress. “Sure.”
Even in a dark club she's still glowing. It's a really bright outfit.
Minka's face scrunches in the same adorable way it did last night during the wine debacle. “Pass.”
“You don't like champagne?” Lake questions, a hint of disgust in his tone.
She whispers in my ear, “I don't like him....”
After a short chortle, I whisper back, “You don't know what a relief that is to hear.”
Emerson must've answered for her and continued the conversation because instead of bothering Minka any further, his attention is plastered on my girl's best friend's body.
Shit. I did it again.
“Here you are sir,” the waitress says placing a glass down on the table in front of us.
Once she receives a polite thanks, she strolls to the other side, to check on Lake. I nod my head at the drink. “Thought you might like that instead.”
Minka grabs the glass and starts beaming. “A Coke.”
“You didn't strike me like the champagne kind of woman.”
She giggles and leans into my grip. “You would be right.”
My own smile expands as I watch her lightly glossed lips press to the edge of the glass. A groan threatens to tumble out when she uses her tongue to grab the drop that landed on the corner of her lips.
I can't possibly be this fucking horny. I stroked it in the shower to prevent leading with the wrong head.
In an attempt to find my sanity, I ask, “How was the rest of the concert?”
“Awesome.” She places the drink back down. “Oddly enough, I actually spent most of it mentally dreading coming here.”
There's an ache in my chest. “Oh?”
“Not because I don't like you!” Minka quickly squeaks. “I mean I do like you. Well I mean, I don't like you too much or anything. I just meant-” She cuts herself off just as I start to chuckle. “Never mind.” Her face falls and she hides it with her hand. “I shouldn't be allowed to talk to people in real life.”
Gently, I remove the hand hiding her face and say, “Why not? I like when you talk to me. I mean I don't like it too much or anything.”
My teasing makes her roll her eyes with an embarrassed smile.
“Why were you dreading it?”
“Aside from possibly making an ass out of myself in front of your famous friends?”
I glance at Lake who is throwing himself merciless at a very unimpressed Emerson. “Yeah. You shouldn't have worried about that.”
“Well I did and of course you finding some hot piece of ass that you wanted to be around instead of me.”
Her words grab my full attention. “What?”
“Come on,” Minka sighs. “I'm nerdy, not stupid. We had fun last night, like a lot of fun. Probably the most amount of fun I've ever had on a date in my entire existence, but if an actual hot piece of guaranteed ass fell into your lap, we both know you wouldn't have said no.”
Quickly I remove my arm from around her. “No. We both don't know that.”
She darts her eyebrows down. “Why do I feel like you're mad at me? Are you mad at me? Did I manage to screw this up already?”
“Why do you think I'd just blow you off like that? What gives you that impression?”
Minka stumbles over her own words, an odd combination of incoherent grumbles rotating until she successfully gets out, “I guess it's just the perception of actors I have. Kinda like the way you assume all romance writers are like E.L. James. I guess...just the stereotype gives me the impression women are nothing more than a dime a dozen to you.”
And why should I be surprised she would have those false images about me when my friends had the same ones about her?
Irritation from the swirling preconceived notions causes me to suggest, “How about we make another deal? Not only are we always ourselves, but we don't assume any more shit about each other. What do you say?”
I receive a small nod.
My fingers slide with hers. “So, dancing. Is that something you do?”
“Actually, it's something I do pretty well in front of the mirror in an empty apartment. Put on one helluva performance.” The description sends us both into laughter. “But for you I can give it a shot in front of other people.”
“You'd do that for me?”
“For the man taking me for a burger? Yeah. I think I can do that.”
The reminder has me clenching my jaw. “About that...”
“I have a feeling I'm not going to like the end of that sentence.”
Offering her an apologetic smile I sigh, “My flight got moved up. I'm on the first one out at 6 a.m.”
Sadness flickers in her eyes. “Oh...”
Unsure of what else to do, I shrug innocently.
Minka tightens her grip on my hand. “I guess we better make our time here really count.” To my surprise, she hops up, pulls her wavy brown hair to one side of her alluring face, and says, “But you still owe me a burger. For having to rain check it, I want cheese and bacon.”
Standing up myself I question, “Is there another way to eat one?” After she playfully winks, I announce to Lake who hasn't given up on his efforts of getting Emerson's attention, “We're gonna go dance. You two wanna join?”
“Can we go back down there?” Emerson points the ground level where the crowd is a blur of bobbing and rocking bodies. “That looks like more fun than this.” An insulted huff leaves Lake, which simply makes her smirk. “Lead the way.”
I hide my chuckle and toss my signal to Gunz to follow.
Unfortunately I've been mauled at a nightclub before. All it took was being spotted by the right couple of drunk females. J.J. and I went from having a good time to damn near starting a riot. That's when the level of security was changed for our safety, despite what it would do to
my sanity. J.J.'s learned to handle the whole invasion of his every waking move better than I have. Then again, he has a family to protect now, so I think that helps.
The three of us make our way to the first floor and slip into the dancing crowd. While Emerson moves her body to face Minka's, I take the opportunity to slide behind. I grip her hips tighter while her best friend seductively brushes their crotches together. To my surprise Minka actually relaxes and allows her confidence to peer around the shy curtain. For several songs, the three of us move our bodies in a rhythmic pattern, sharing Minka's body like a playground for our own perversions. At times she turns, so Emerson can push up against her from behind and I can grind from the front. Each time our eyes lock and refuse to drift anywhere else.
During one of the D.J.'s song announcements to hype up the crowd, Scott manages to spot us. It doesn't take long before he's arrived and offers Emerson a dance partner. The moment her body slips into his grip, I spin Minka around, and greedily nestle her tightly into my possession. The move makes her give a flirtatious giggle. She tosses her head back allowing me to plant a light kiss on the sexy displayed skin. I watch her eyes shut as if silently pleading for more.
Is it bad I wanna take her to one of the VIP rooms and do more things to make her eyes roll like that?
Minka smirks at the change of tempo as much as the voice now crooning through the club. One of Friday's slower songs is spliced against an even slower song with a harder beat. Her hips roll in slow circles against my cock, giving it a preview of something I know we won't be experiencing for a while.
I like that's she's not just willing to fall into bed with me so easily, but he has an opposing opinion.
My hands explore the exposed skin of her thighs. The softness has me gripping her tighter desperate to be the roughness they're missing, to create imperfections with my tongue and teeth alike.
Her hot voice states in my ear, “You're growling...”
Shocked those sounds were not just in my head, I plant my hands on the safest zone I can. Her hips. “Sorry.”
“Don't be.”
The declaration tightens my clutches and another groan rattles in my throat.
Hearing the sound again makes her giggle before she insists, “Why don't we get some fresh air?”
At least that's universal code for find somewhere and make out. What? Yes, it is. Trust me.
I nod and bump Scott's arm. When he glances away from Emerson who seems to be actually enjoying his company, I question over the music, “Can you make sure Emerson gets back to her hotel for me?”
Scott simply nods and returns to being caught up in Emerson's gyrating movements.
Leading the way, I pull Minka behind me closely with Gunz directly behind us. I keep my head down and angled to avoid those with possible paparazzi intentions.
Sometimes they're easier to spot than you would think.
Thankfully our exit is quick. Outside, the cool night air whips around us, making Minka shiver despite the fact we were just drowning in heat. I drop an arm around her shoulder as we follow behind Gunz who has relocated to front and center.
Probably could sneak back to her hotel room for a little tongue on tongue action, right? Mine's got an audience and her vacation mate is currently very occupied.
While Gunz summons the driver, I check my watch to gauge how long we can go out only to have disappointment overwhelm my system.
In a meek voice, Minka questions, “Time to go?”
“Unfortunately.”
She offers me a sweet smile. “At least we got to spend a little time together.”
The limo pulls around and Gunz opens the back door for us.
“And I really had a good time. I didn't think I would have so much fun dancing. Didn't think the time would fly by so fast either.”
With a small glance, he nods his head to inform me he'll sit in the front seat.
Minka continues talking as we slip into the back. “In fact I-”
My mouth races for hers at the same time the door shuts, the adrenaline from dancing and the discontent from an evening cut short fueling my tongue to claim this night as not the last but the first of many. She lets out a small whimper, which has my mind struggling to determine if it's an attempt to beg for more or a plead to slow down. Figuring it's better to be safe than accused of being a date rapist, I begin to draw back. Suddenly, one of her hands cautiously slips into the inside of my jacket to rest on my side. The gentle action soars straight to my cock, deepening the urge for more of her touch.
Breathlessly, she pulls back. “Was that okay? Too much tongue? Not enough? I-”
I anchor a soft hand to the side of her face and capture her lips gently again. Between tongue rolls, I assure her, “Fucking perfect.”
Minka whimpers once more, a starvation I've never had before enslaving my movements. I pull her into my lap, wind one arm around her waist while the other continues to stroke her cheek, and relentlessly ravish the only taste I know I'll get for weeks.
Never loathed my job more.
The limo comes to a halt at the same time Minka intensifies our kiss by battling my tongue for dominance over the passionate moment. Excited by the unexpected shift in her brazenness, my hand slowly slides down to grip her ass when there's a tapping on the window.
She abruptly pulls away and covers her mouth on a giggle.
With a curious smile, I question, “What's so funny?”
“I've never made out with a guy in the backseat of a car before.”
I softly stroke her sides. “I'm flattered to be your first.”
“You know when you say it like that it makes it sound like I'm virgin, which I'm not. I mean I haven't slept around or anything. Not that there's anything wrong with people who do! I just-” Her hands fly over her mouth again. Shaking her head, she mutters, “I'm ruining this.”
My head sympathetically tilts to the side. “I don't think that's possible.” Another tap lands on the glass and I say, “But he is. I have to go, but tell me this isn't the last time I'll see you.”
She drops her hands. “You do know we live in different states, right?”
“Tell me this isn't the last time I'll see you.”
Minka bites her bottom lip briefly. “This isn't the last time you'll see me.”
Swiftly, I plant one more warm kiss on her lips and sigh, “I'll text you until you fall asleep again.”
“That makes me wanna stay up all night.”
I push her hair behind ear. “Don't. Get some rest.”
“Fine. Fine. Promise you'll text me until I crash?”
“Yeah. I'll even finish telling you about the pranks J.J. pulled on me during our first season of the show.” When she smiles brightly, I add, “I'll make sure to text you when my plane lands too.”
“I'd like that.” Leaning over I give the window a tap for the driver to finally open the door. On her way out, she whispers, “Fly safe, Pierce.”
As if my body has a mind of it's own, it moves to enjoy every last glimpse of her I can before the door is shut again. “Night, Minka.”
When it's closed, my head hits the back of the seat, and another deep sigh escapes.
I'm not ready to return to scripted lines, rehearsed expressions, and phoned in emotions. No. I want more of this. I want more of her. I want more....out of life. Fuck that. I need more. I needed this reality check and can't wait to get more of it.
Minka
My fingers continue flying across the keys. While the sound of That 70's Show plays in the background, the voice of an investment banker in my head continues to bark orders over edits and additions to the manuscript.
Don't judge. Lots of writers hear voices in their heads. It's only weird when you talk back to them or argue with them out loud or let them dictate your schedule. Geez...I'm weird. Why are you still talking to me? You're a little weird too aren't ya?
In the middle of a word, Pierce's face appears on my screen requesting a video call. After looking down at m
y bra less tank top covered chest and pulling my messy hair into a high bun, I reluctantly hit answer.
His exhausted face immediately smiles. “Hello gorgeous.”
“Gorgeous?” I scoff. “Are you kidding me? I look like I haven't gotten out of bed all day.”
He relaxes back onto his own pillows. “Well, have you?”
My face scrunches in guilt. “Writing at my desk isn't my favorite thing. Not even sure why I bought it other than the fact I could write it off on my taxes.”
