Tom looks as shocked and horrified as can be with whoever this is. When she finally unravels herself from Colin, I can see who she is plain as day.
Lauren Vanderson. The wannabe supermodel and the chick who tried to ruin Colin's reputation this season.
I blurt, "What in the hell is she doing here?"
Nancy grabs my hand and pulls us closer to Tom as the reporters start to swarm in.
"Colin, are you and Lauren back together after the scandal?"
"Lauren, do you have any more pictures of Colin with those women?"
"Colin, did you get help for your anger issues?"
"Lauren, is it true you were pulled back from Fashion Week?"
She's posing as much as she can while clinging to Colin and talking about herself. I can tell Colin is extremely uncomfortable, but he doesn't want to cause a major scene in front of everyone.
One of the reporters shouts, "Guys, give us a kiss!"
Before Lauren's face reaches Colin's, he sidesteps her and motions for the security guards. Once Lauren has been not so quietly removed from the spot, Colin faces the reporters.
"Thomas and I will answer all relevant questions to the tournament after I make a quick statement."
Standing stiff yet professional, he makes his statement quick in a voice that I will add to my fantasies of him bossing me around. Its stern and direct that dampens my panties in the middle of this large crowd.
"Lauren Vanderson and I have not been seeing each other for several months. I am unsure as to her presence here at this tournament, but I came to represent the Breast Cancer Awareness Society. I am here with a date, and I apologize to her for having to witness this scene. Lauren's career and personal life are her own as is mine. If hers is in a state of despair, it is no one's fault but her own. Please respect my privacy on this matter."
He answers questions about the day's events and how important all the causes are. A few minutes later, he steps away from the spot in front of the cameras and turns to Tom who takes his place with Nancy in tow to discuss the golf side of the win and having a newbie like Colin on his team.
Colin's calloused hand grabs my hand and we walk to the clubhouse. A few people stop him to talk, but he offers simple and noncommittal answers while we continue our walk. He leads me inside to a small conference room and locks the door behind us. I just watch him for a moment has he tosses his hat on the table and runs his hands through his hair. He looks more burnt out than angry, and all I think to do is just let him be.
I've never even been in this type of situation, so I'm not really sure what I can say at this point.
I leave him to his thoughts and watch him until he's heading right for me. Before I can question what he's doing, I'm backed up against the door and lifted against Colin's hard body.
"Natalie, I'm so sorry about Lauren showing up. I didn't know she was here, and I never invited her. You're all I can think about these last few weeks. You have to believe me."
I pull my hand from in between us and rub the slight stubble on his cheek. "Colin. It's fine. I could tell by the look on yours and Tom's faces that she was not a welcome guest. In fact, I think it's a little sad that she showed up at all." I make sure he's watching me as I continue. "I'm really proud of how you handled the situation, and I haven't stopped thinking about you either."
He leans his forehead against mine and closes his eyes as he breathes in my scent. He slowly lets me down to the ground and I'm afraid I might wobble in my wedges. I smooth out my dress and notice that Colin's still staring at me.
"Natalie, you have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now."
Staring at my mirror, I think for the hundredth time that I don't even want to go out tonight. After throwing on denim shorts and a loose, sheer, purple button down over a white tank top and silver gladiator sandals, I slightly scrutinize my appearance.
Yes, they were my shortest pair of shorts, but the bars get hot quickly, and I refuse to wear heels when standing around. My shirt is breathable and my tank top is thick enough under the blouse to keep everything covered.
I didn't even bother adding extra makeup. I just touched up what I've had on all day and brushed out my hair. Leena and Tara took over two hours to get ready. Both had on revealing outfits that I dare not describe and extremely heavy makeup.
They were already drunk within minutes of getting to the bar, thanks to their pregaming at the house.
The only reason I even came to the bar is because I've kept putting them off and wanted to get them off my back. I pick and choose the battles when it comes to Leena. I have cab/Uber money although I pretty much already planned to walk the mile and a half home anyway. The neighborhood near the bar isn't that bad, but I still carried a mace in my pocket.
After watching Leena and Tara make failed attempts at free drinks, I'm about ready to leave due to sheer boredom. I start making my way to tell them I’m leaving, and I spot Colin across the other side of the bar with his friends.
Since I had vaguely told him my plans for tonight, because I still wasn't sure if I was going out, I inwardly laugh at the idea of fate trying to torture me with these random meetings with Colin. Just when I thought I had control of my daydreams, he pops up. The golf tournament last week hasn't left my mind at all, especially with Lauren's appearance. The way Colin handled the whole situation made me like him even more. I reminded him several times after the conference room talk that I was proud of him for not going off half-cocked on her.
We somehow avoided having me on camera as we left the tournament. With the rumors still floating around Colin, I had to trust he wouldn't throw me to the wolves. He was quiet and slightly angry as he dropped me off, never acting on the kiss he told me wanted.
I can't tell which way is up and which is straight forward with him. He seemed so sure of himself every other time we've been near each other, if not to the point of cockiness. It's slightly unnerving because the way we talk on the phone and text is not helping the plan to avoid falling for him.
My dad's voice rings in the back of my mind. "Celebrities come with scandals, and I'd hate to see you get your heart broken in the middle of it all."
My heart was already shattered the day my mom died, and I didn't need to have it broken again with a million viewers watching.
I ignore my father's voice and take one more glance at him, in hopes he doesn't catch me staring.
Everything about him looks delicious.
My panties are wet after taking a small glance at how he looks tonight.
Even though I only had a little liquid courage, I take a chance on texting him, trying to be brave and flirty.
He's wearing a forest green v-neck shirt that shows off his signature tribal tattoo half sleeve and a peek of the rest through his shirt. Dark wash jeans cover that muscular set of legs and his black boots over his faster than lightning feet. His blond hair is back in its funky little Mohawk. He still cannot tan but it works for him, just like me.
I shoot him a text.
Well, aren't we looking sexy tonight?
I take a sneak peek to see him check his phone and make a little devil may care smirk. I casually watch as he texts back.
Honey, if anyone's looking sexy, it’s you. Don't think I missed those little shorts you're wearing when I walked in the door.
I can't help the blush showing on my face as I look at my phone because I didn't know he'd been here long enough to see me. I look back up and he’s gone. The crowd is too heavy to pinpoint him again, and a small pang of disappointment hits my belly.
All of a sudden I feel someone against my back with a familiar cologne is spreading his hand onto my stomach and pulling me against him. The pulsing need I had from watching him earlier intensifies from the contact of his body. My panties go from damp to soaked with the hint of his breath on me. I want the hand on my stomach to trail down lower between my thighs where my sex is throbbing for relief.
He leans down into me and speaks into my ear, which sends shiv
ers down my body. "You know those legs drive me crazy. I've been dreaming about them being wrapped around my neck."
I spin around and wrap an arm loosely around his shoulder since that's all I can reach in my flats. My other hand lands on his bicep, lightly tracing the edges of his tattoo. His hand is now on my lower back, close to grabbing my ass.
My lord, I wish he would.
Playing his game, I return the flirtation. "Handsome, you know where to find me. All you have to do was call."
He looks down at my lips and back up into my eyes. His hand is tightening on my back, pulling me in a bit closer with the feeling of him poking into my stomach. A small whimper leaves my throat at the feel of his large and hardening cock.
I regain my composure and think for half a second. I only had half a drink so my mind is clear enough to go home with him if he wants me to. Still, I can't help but wonder how much he’s had to drink.
Time to test the waters.
I turn the flirtation up. "So how are we getting to your house, and are you sober enough to get there?"
Colin gets this lust-filled look in his eyes, grabs my hand, and starts heading to the exit. Okay, more like dragging me to the exit. I may run, but he does it for a living and my little legs have trouble keeping up with him. I’ll text Leena after Colin and I leave. She probably won't notice I’m gone anyway since she’s drunk enough to not remember where we live.
We aren't far from the exit when Tara, whom I'm growing to extremely dislike as time goes by, jumps in and asks how I know Colin. Tara is too drunk to realize who he actually is, which gives me a small sense of relief.
For now.
Tara introduces herself and starts overly flirting with him. He shakes her hand but pulls it back quickly. She starts nudging in more and more in an attempt to drive me out. She puts her fake nailed hand on the arm that’s still holding my hand and when she grabs onto it a little more, it makes him let go.
Tara has a long track record of pushing herself with guys. She has a bad habit of not caring if they're single or taken because she thrives on the attention. She loooooves bragging that the guys choose her all the time because of her big boobs, dick sucking skills, and an ass compared to J. Lo's.
I hope Colin doesn't fall for her bullshit vixen routine, but when she suggests getting a shot of Fireball and starts dragging him away, I feel helpless to stop it. Walking up behind them, I can hear Tara making backhanded comments.
"Natalie is all about the books, and we practically have to drag her out with us. You should totally come hang out with us at the next bar when she goes home alone. She gets tired easily. I mean, come on, look at those bags under eyes."
His response makes me feel a little better. If only for a moment. "Well, Natalie is busy with school and her internship. I'm quite proud of her. She's a great woman and deserves time to relax. Plus, I think she's absolutely beautiful."
Tara gives me a death glare. "Shouldn't you be sticking your hand up a cow's butt or something? Oh and tell your father thanks for the last batch of wine. We both know you weren't going to drink it so we didn't want it to go to waste." She turns to Colin and caresses his forearm. "Her dad sends her all this wine yet she barely touches it."
I have to turn around and close my eyes before I punch her in the face. I don't even bother to watch Colin's reaction. He may have said he doesn't like groupies, but Tara somehow makes herself the exception in all hookup situations.
Good lord, she makes me want to throw up.
Not wanting to watch the train wreck, I mention going to the bathroom, but it falls on deaf ears. I do my business, splash a little cold water on my face, and take a few deep breaths to calm my anxiety. When I'm finally calm and leave the bathroom, none of my friends are to be found. There are empty shot glasses scattered along the bar, but that doesn't mean Colin drank any of them.
I text Leena, asking where they went, and she admits they already switched bars down the strip. I didn't realize I'd been in the bathroom that long. Rather than follow them, I decide it’s time to walk home with a feeling of defeat settled in my stomach. I text Colin to further my humiliation and descent into lameness.
My friends went to a different bar, and it’s almost last call anyway so I'm heading home. Be careful out there.
Leaving the bar strip, I start the walk back home, knowing it's not smart to walk by myself at one am. At this point, the cool, night air is keeping me from jumping out of my skin in anger. Double checking my mace, I keep an eye out for the cops that patrol repeatedly and stay under the street lamps.
Walking helps me think.
About a third of the way home, I hear the rumble of a diesel engine approaching behind me. I stop and turn around, knowing a certain sexy guy drives a diesel truck. My suspicion is confirmed, even though I'm surprised he showed up. I'm a little curious as to how he found me.
All of a sudden the truck stops, but the engine doesn't. A door slams shut, and the yelling begins. "WHAT IN THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?! FIRST, YOU LEAVE ME WITH THAT PSYCHO BITCH, AND NOW I FIND OUT YOU'RE WALKING HOME AT ONE IN THE MORNING! ARE YOU FUCKING TRYING TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK?!"
Exhausted and exasperated, I reply, "I couldn't find you guys when I got out of the bathroom. When my friends said they bar hopped, I didn't feel like chasing them down and assumed you went with them. I didn't want to ruin anyone's night. Besides, there's no use going up against Tara. Even if you turned her down, I'd never hear the end of it. Besides, you're not my boyfriend so I don't answer to you! Two dates do not a relationship make!"
Finally catching my breath, I can see the steam coming from his ears before the yelling starts again. "BABE, I WAS PLANNING ON LEAVING WITH YOU AND FINALLY BURYING MY FACE BETWEEN YOUR LEGS. I WENT LOOKING FOR YOU AFTER THEY LEFT. I ASKED THE BOUNCER IF HE'D SEEN YOU LEAVE, AND HE SAID HE SAW YOU WALK THIS DIRECTION. NOW GET IN THE TRUCK BEFORE I THROW YOU OVER MY SHOULDER AND PUT YOU THERE."
Taking a deep breath, I'm relieved Tara didn't get her hooks into him, but I still would rather not go back to the bar. With my decision in place, I walk over to the truck and he silently helps me in.
Once I'm all situated, I say just loud enough, "I wouldn't have minded you throwing me over your shoulder."
He gives me a look like he's about to eat me up. "Don't tempt me, woman. My restraint is about to snap. We've been dancing around each other for weeks, and I'm about to claim what's mine."
The twenty-minute drive to his house feels like hours because of all the pent-up tension.
Goose bumps show up all over my body because my skin is on high alert by his presence. I could probably come right now if he touched me anywhere.
We get through the gate of his house and park in the driveway, I beat him to opening my door or else I'd probably jump him against the truck.
Walking up the porch behind him, he leads us both straight to what I assume is his room. He asks me if I want a drink, and I can barely say no while shaking my head.
Ever the gentleman.
He slowly comes toward me as if he’s a lion stalking his prey. His hands cup my face, and he devours my lips before I can make any protest. The second our tongues touch, I immediately grab his shoulders and claw onto the fabric of his shirt to hold on.
He pulls back and rips it off, revealing those tattoos that make me drool every time I see them in an ad. Real life is no contest. The black ink swirls over each corded muscle of his bicep and up to a sculpted shoulder matching the un-inked side. The eagle on his side is demanding and direct to look at, wanting to be traced by my finger. The sword on his arm is orgasm-inducing because I'm sure he's wielding another giant sword in his jeans.
His hands reach the bottom of the fabric, and he inches his fingers up to lift my blouse and tank top off, leaving me in my cream lace bra and cut-off shorts. His eyes darken even more. I moan at the lust between the two of us.
"Oh my fucking god, you are unbelievably beautiful and sexy," rings from his lips as his hands grab my hips and pulls me cl
oser.
My hands go into his hair, messing up the Mohawk, and I get a throaty growl from him as I tug on it. One hand moves to grab my ass while the other undoes my bra in one quick motion. He throws it to the floor and picks me up, practically throwing me onto his bed. I lean up on my forearms to watch him teasingly undress.
Colin undoes his boots and socks, kicks them off to the side, then goes for his belt as I watch him. He drops his jeans, and I can see the thickness of him tenting out. He’s so long and so thick, I know he will stretch me no matter how drenched I am.
Or possibly pound me in half. I don't think I will complain either way.
He crawls up my body, grabbing onto the flesh of my legs and biting at my stomach. His hands finally start undoing the button on my shorts. He makes me lift up so he can drag them and my matching cream lace thong down my legs. He stares down at my body, mesmerized by the rise and fall of my chest. I watch him as he pants heavily as if he's holding the fuse to the sexual fireworks show and is ready to light it up.
I will gladly set them off for the both of us.
Needing any sort of relief, I continue our flirty banter from the bar. "Well, are you going to stand there or do I get to feel that tongue ring in all the right places, Mr. Shaw?"
I can only imagine he knows the tongue ring he wears outside of the field drives all women insane. I’m not afraid to admit that I am one of them. The small silver ball hit a spot every single time with the way he traced it in circles on my tongue earlier.
My clit is aching just to feel him make one swipe of it. He gives me a smirk, grabs my knees, massaging up to the apex in between my legs and then back down. I'm helpless as he bends and spreads them, and I finally get my wish. Cool metal grazes the bottom of my sex and slowly moves up to the extremely sensitive bundle of nerves. It feels so fucking good that I immediately cry out and arch my back off the bed.
"Ahhh! Oohh my god, Colin!"
All I can do is hold onto the sheets while he's pressing the tongue ring against my clit and adding his long middle finger inside of me. He tortures me by taking a few long and slow licks before diving back in at a rhythm with his finger. The little ball massages into every nerve of my skin, sending shock waves down to my toes.
Crazy Thing Called Life Page 7
