Burning Up

by Marie Coulson

Taking the glass from him, I took a small mouthful myself. He was right; it was vile!

  “Oh my god! That beer sucks.”

  Clearly the Brits couldn’t do a decent beer. Resting back in his seat, Ollie stared at me expectantly. I let out a long sigh.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  Shrugging, he chuckled. “I guess I’m still trying to absorb the fact that you’re here.”

  I gave him a confused look. “How did you even end up here, Ollie?”

  Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on the table. “Amy. She had the address for your place in London and for the douchebag’s office. I figured if you weren’t at one, you’d be at the other. I thought I’d maybe surprise you. Shake things up a bit. But I got tired and decided to grab a beer.”

  Did everyone have some kind of homing device locked on to me these days? I rolled my eyes and dropped my head into my hands.

  “You realize how fucked up this is, right? It’s borderline stalking!”

  Ollie threw his head back and laughed. I watched him in bewilderment. I didn’t see anything humorous about the whole situation.

  “What is so funny?”

  Shaking his head, he tried to calm his chuckling.

  “Nothing. It’s just don’t you think that’s a little fucking rich coming from you? I mean, it seems everywhere I went in L.A. there you were. Amy and Mel’s place? The bar and the coffee shop?”

  I stared at him.

  “I’m not blind, Layla. I saw you in there with Kate. The windows are made of fucking glass, you know. I even watched you run off out the back. What are we, like ten? You couldn’t even have a grown up conversation with me?”

  Slamming my hand on the table, I leaned in and growled at him in a low tone.

  “Grown up conversation? Are you serious? I tried to talk to you in that lobby and you treated me like a used up, dirty, and cheap ex lover!”

  “Well maybe, I was and still am a little fucking pissed at you! You told me you loved me, broke my heart, and then ran away to New York! Oh, and let’s not forget that all of that information was brought to me by the great power of a fucking cell phone! Besides, I’m not here for you. I hate to break it to you, Princess, but my world doesn’t revolve around you anymore. DOA got head hunted, and I’m scoping things out before we make any decisions. I just figured I might as well look you up while I was here. It’s not the fucking Layla Jennings Show, believe it or not.””

  I pressed my lips together and said nothing. What could I say? Taking a deep breath, I looked across the table at him. He looked … different. He wasn’t the young, college guy I remembered. The Ollie sitting in front of me was … so much more. His eyes were full of pain, experience, and something else that I just couldn’t place. His clothes were different, too. Black jeans, converse sneakers, and a black tee. Slowly dragging my eyes down his body, I stopped as I caught sight of something new.

  “You got a new tattoo?”

  Glancing at his arm, Ollie nodded and took another gulp of his awful beer.

  “Yeah.”

  I reached out to lift his sleeve to look at it, but he caught my wrist in his hand and shook his head.

  “It’s just ink.”

  Letting me go, he lifted his knee and rested his foot on the edge of the chair.

  “What are you doing here, Ollie?”

  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a folded piece of paper and dropped it on the table in front of him.

  “I thought maybe you could explain this.”

  Sliding it toward me, he gestured for me to take it.

  I opened it with trepidation. It was a sheet from the personalized music book I had sent him for his birthday. Biting my lip, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before handing it back to him.

  “It was just a birthday gift. That’s all.”

  Snatching it from my grasp, Ollie crumpled it in his palm and tossed it across the room at the fireplace that was roaring away in the corner.

  “Then I guess I don’t need it or the shit that I wrote in it. One less piece of hand luggage, I guess.”

  Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out the rolled up book and stood quickly.

  “No!” I yelled at him.

  Raising an eyebrow, he turned and sat back down, dropping the book on the table.

  “But I thought it didn’t mean anything?”

  I let out a long sigh. “It didn’t. I mean, I don’t know. I wanted to send you a gift on your birthday. I wanted you to know I was thinking about you, and that I still care, Ollie.”

  “Thanks. I’ll file that under meaningless sentimental crap. It’s not like I haven’t heard that kind of shit before.”

  I glared at him and pushed my chair away from the table. “You want to be all bitter about it, be my fucking guest, Ollie.”

  He snickered and shook his head in amusement. “Wow. Look who grew some claws. I’m not bitter, Layla. I just don’t believe the shit you say anymore. It never means anything. I car, I love you … it’s all just words. This shit is getting old. Aren’t you sick of pretending already?”

  I gave him a perplexed look. “What do you mean, pretending?”

  He rolled his eyes. “That you’re so fucking happy here. That you don’t miss your home. Or how about the fact that you still run hot and cold for me?”

  I gawked at him. I wanted to respond with a sharp comment, but I didn’t have one.

  “Don’t deny it. I saw the way your eyes gazed at me as I backed you against that wall. The way your body trembled as mine got closer and closer. Or the way you licked your lips, begging and enticing me to kiss them. You can’t hide it, Layla. Your whole body screams that you want me, even if you try to convince yourself that you don’t.”

  Turning away from him, I closed my eyes and tried to stop the thoughts that were flooding my brain. His hands on my body, his breath on my neck, and his lips on my skin … it was intoxicating.

  “Tell me that this is where you want to be, Layla. Tell me you’re happy and that you never even think of me, and I’ll leave. I’ll leave you and this whole conversation behind. But if there’s even one single shred of doubt, then come and get on that plane back to L.A. with me. Come back to your life, friends, family, and your home.”

  Tears began gently falling over my cheeks. “I can’t just leave.”

  “Why the hell not? Are you telling me that those tears you were fucking crying when I showed up were nothing?”

  I opened my mouth to speak, but quickly closed it again, deciding that I wasn’t in the mood to discuss what had happened in Jared’s office.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Whatever. Lie to yourself all you fucking want, but don’t sit here and try and tell me that you’re happy. I’m not a fucking idiot.”

  Exhaling loudly, Ollie raked his fingers through his long black hair.

  Rounding the table, he knelt in front of me, and lifting my chin, he rested his forehead against mine. His lips were so close to mine that the electricity pulsating in the air between us was almost tangible.

  “Tell me to leave,” he breathed. “Tell me that I don’t make you feel that uncontrollable heat every time I’m near you. Tell me you don’t want me.”

  But I couldn’t force the words to leave my lips.

  “I can’t,” I whispered in response.

  The tip of Ollie’s nose brushed gently against mine as his eyes scanned my own. I took in a sharp breath, and as if he read my mind, Ollie pressed his lips firmly to mine. The cool metal of his lip ring made me smile at the remembered pleasures. His hands cupped my jaw, deepening the kiss. My mouth opened instinctively, allowing his tongue to brush gently against my own. My hands slid into his hair, gripping it between my fingers as he kissed me. It was familiar, hot, and frantic, and completely took me over. I couldn’t stop. I wanted to kiss him for hours. I wanted to be tangled up with his body against mine. I wanted him.

  “Ahem.”

  The sound of a man
coughing beside us caught me by surprise. Pushing Ollie away from me, I looked up to find a scowling Daniel standing over us. Ollie stood up, and grinning, he picked up his glass and sipped at his drink before excusing himself and heading for the bathroom.

  Flushed, red, and caught like a deer in headlights, I looked up at Daniel.

  “Daniel … I …“

  Holding up his hand to silence me, he frowned. “I don’t want or need to hear it. You know why I’m here.”

  I nodded. “Of course I do. I didn’t think it would take him long to track me down. Tell me, how did he do it this time?”

  Daniel sighed heavily. “Does it matter? The point is he’s out of his fucking mind with worry and he’s tearing the damn house apart waiting for you to come home. He’s frantic. Please, come with me and just talk to him. He wants to explain.”

  I snorted a laugh. “There’s nothing to talk about, and I don’t want to hear his fucking explanations. He had his chance.”

  “But it’s not what you think. I know you think I’m on his side, but you know I would never want to see you hurt …“

  “Hurt?” I interrupted. “Hurt is the understatement of the fucking year, Daniel! I’m angry, upset, confused, betrayed, humiliated, and feel like the biggest fool in the world! I left everything, everything to be with him, and this is what I get for it? This is the life I’m going to lead? Being followed, watched, and hounded like a poor, lost little puppy and wrapped up in lies, deceit, and Jared’s money? No!”

  “Please, Layla. I can’t explain it all, but I swear that it’s just all a huge mess. Felix will do anything to get to Jared and you would be a necessary collateral damage. Do you really want him to win?”

  Slamming my hand on the table, I roared so loud that the entire bar fell silent.

  “I don’t give a shit about Felix and his fucking vendetta! Even if it’s not true, he kept it from me. He lied to me and once again, he decided that he knew what was best for me. I’m not coming back, Daniel. You have two choices. You can run away back to Jared and tell him what you saw here. Or, you can be my friend and give me the damn space, air, and time to get as far away from this fucked up situation as possible.”

  Daniel glared at me and pointed at the bathroom door. “Space and time to run away with him?”

  I pressed my palms to my face and groaned in frustration.

  “No, time and space to go home. I’m not happy here anymore, Daniel. I haven’t been happy in months. I miss my home, my life, and the old Layla. I can’t be Jared’s project anymore. Please, I’m asking you as a friend.”

  Slumping into the chair opposite me, he rested his elbows on his knees and stared at the floor. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. I held my breath, waiting for the inevitable.

  “Jared? I’m sorry. I’ve looked everywhere, but she’s gone. Her credit card was used at the airport to purchase a flight back to L.A., sir. I’m sorry.”

  I could hear Jared’s voice on the other end of the line and an ache settled in my stomach and in my heart. He was devastated. Daniel looked up at me with pain in his eyes. Jared’s only friend in the world had just lied to him. Daniel’s friend was in pain, and he could do nothing. Hanging up the phone, he let out a long breath.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing, Layla. Because I think that was the hardest phone call I have ever had to make. He’s broken. Is there really no way back?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know, Daniel. I wish I did. I need some time. I need to go home.”

  He nodded. “I understand. You realize that he won’t give up on you, right? He loves you, Layla.”

  “I know. I love him too, Daniel. I do. But right now, I can’t even look at him without my blood boiling. He needs to figure his shit out, and I need to do the same.”

  The sound of the bathroom door squeaking open caught my attention. Ollie strolled over with his hands in his pockets and raised an eyebrow.

  “We good here?”

  Daniel stood and glared at him with an intense hatred. “Why couldn’t you just stay the fuck away? You lost, she chose him, but you still followed her across the world to make trouble. I don’t know what the fuck you think your game is here, but if anything happens to her, it won’t just be Jared who hunts you down.”

  Squaring up to Daniel, Ollie grinned wickedly. “He thinks he won. He can put a big fucking shiny bow on it, but underneath, he’s an asshole. And in the end, it’s me she’s getting on that plane with.”

  Pushing my way between them, I snapped. “Will you both just shut up?”

  Turning to Daniel, I sighed. “I think you should go. Jared is probably driving Lucy crazy right now. You should get back.”

  Nodding, he searched my face for what I assumed was hope. Giving him a small smile, I wrapped my arms around him.

  “Thank you, Daniel.”

  With another quick glaring look at Ollie, he left the bar and headed across the street to the Mercedes.

  Ollie snorted a laugh. “Can you believe that guy?”

  Fisting my hands on my hips, I glowered at him. “Him? I can’t believe you! Just because I’m getting on a plane back to L.A. does not mean it’s with you. I’m flying home. Back to my family and my friends.”

  Moving closer, he drove me back against the table and a ghost of a smile played across his lips. “Oh really? What about that kiss?”

  My chest rose and fell quickly as he leaned over me, forcing me to sit on the edge of the table, bowing my back.

  “It was a kiss. Just a kiss.”

  Catching his lip ring between his teeth, he hissed a little. “Tasted like a lot more to me.”

  I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his mouth and Ollie knew it.

  “See. You just can’t help yourself.”

  Shaking my head, I met his gaze. “I like to be kissed. I like kissing, and I like the feel of a hot body against mine. Sue me. But it doesn’t mean a damn thing.”

  Standing back, Ollie smirked and winked at me. “Whatever you say, Superstar. You keep telling yourself that, and I’ll pretend that I didn’t notice that ‘fuck me’ look in your eyes.”

  Picking up his music book and cell, he stuffed them into his pocket and began to head for the door. Turning back quickly, he held out his hand.

  “Well? Coming or not?”

  Chapter 21

  Home Sweet Home

  Sitting beside me, my mother gave me a sympathetic smile. She’d been tiptoeing around me since the moment I had told her and my dad that I wanted to fly back to L.A. I understood their shock at my announcement, but there really was no need for everyone to be treading on egg shells. Of course, it may have had something to do with the tall, dark, and pierced rock star sitting in the front seat of the car beside my father.

  “So, Oliver, Layla tells us you were in London negotiating a music contract. How exciting and what a coincidence,” my mother beamed at him from behind his seat.

  Nodding, Ollie shot me a quick look before answering.

  “Uh, yeah. It’s all just kind of talk right now, though.”

  “And you thought you’d look Layla up while you were in town. That’s nice. Isn’t that nice, Andrew?”

  Glancing over at Ollie and then in the mirror at me, my father rolled his eyes. “Oh, yes. A real coincidence,” he muttered sarcastically.

  “Daddy,” I said in warning. I admit the whole thing was highly suspicious, but now was not the time or place to begin a Spanish inquisition.

  My father groaned in frustration. “Are we supposed to believe that he just happened to be in London when you were? What a happy coincidence. We all know the real reason he’s sitting in this car, and it’s not because your mother insisted we give him a ride back. I would be willing to go out on a limb and say that Oliver was in London to see Layla, and by the look on her face whenever he even glances in her direction, she’s just as thrilled to see him as he is to see her.”

  I looked at him in horror as Ollie grinned widely beside my father.
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  “That is not true! He was there on business!” I yelled, causing my mother to jump a little. Ollie spun around in his seat and feigned insult.

  “You mean you’re not happy to see me? Well, isn’t that a punch right in the kisser.”

  Winking at me, he played his lip ring between his teeth. Very funny, Green. I glared daggers at him.

  “Now, now, you two. I’m sure there’s a fascinating story to all of this, but if you don’t mind, I think you should save it for another time and place.” Once again my mother was playing peacekeeper.

  Slouching back in my seat, I huffed loudly.

  Ollie shook his head slowly as if in disbelief. “Oh, I’m so hurt. There I was feeling like your knight in shining armor come to rescue you, and here the princess gives me the cold shoulder. Shocking.”

  My mother leaned forward and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Well, regardless of why you were there, I, for one, am grateful you were, Oliver. I’m just relieved she had someone to keep her safe and bring her home. I can only imagine what she must have been going through.”

  I’d spared my parents the gory details of my separation from Jared, but I think they got the idea that whatever had happened between us, it was bad enough to make me leave in the middle of the night to head back to L.A. Thankfully, Daniel had packed all of my things and dropped them off at my parents’ house. I wasn’t sure if Lucy knew anything about it all, but I assumed she didn’t. She was fond of me, and we were friends, for sure. But she was still Jared’s sister and her need to protect him would greatly outweigh her loyalty to me.

  “Yes, we’re both very pleased that Layla’s coming home and that she’s safe and well. Now, can we please all drop it? I’m trying to drive through rush hour traffic!”

  My father was clearly riled. Pressing his lips together, Ollie turned back in his seat and stared out of the window. He had a look of triumph on his face, and it irked me. Just because I’d agreed to go back home, didn’t mean a damn thing about the two of us. Okay, I’d be lying if I said that just being around him didn’t make my insides heat and my body tremble a little, but that didn’t mean we were ‘together.’ It was biological, a chemical reaction of one body being in close proximity to another. A hot, sexy, thick, and muscular, long dark hair, pierced, inked, and oh so deliciously big, body. I suddenly found my mind wandering to Ollie’s motorcycle. I squirmed in my seat. Catching me in the mirror, my father gave me a concerned look.