by Lily Graison
"Did you enjoy the concert?"
She turned her head to him when he spoke. “Yes,” She said. “It was my first."
"Your first?” Mick said. “Concert or seeing us live?"
"Concert."
Mick grinned. “Damn. If I knew I was going to be popping cherry's tonight I would have dressed up."
"Mick!” Holly yelled before laughing. “Do you have to be so crude?"
"Of course he does,” Christian said. “He wouldn't be Mick if he wasn't."
"So true, my friend,” Mick said before turning to look at Faith. “What about you, sweetheart. Did you get your cheery popped?"
"Sorry,” she grinned. “I had that taken care of a while back."
"Oh man,” Christian said, raising a hand and rubbing it across his face. “You'll have to overlook him. He's always like that after a show. There's no excuse for him."
The limo stopped a few minutes later and the door opened almost immediately. They crawled out, the night air refreshing after the close quarters inside the car. They were back at the hotel but were behind it. Jessi was surprised to see what looked like a large house surrounded by a stately courtyard.
"Welcome to the villa,” Christian said, placing a hand on her lower back and guiding her forward.
Jessi followed the others toward the building, glancing up at Christian. “What is this place?"
"It's owned by the hotel,” he said. “It's more private than staying in the regular rooms. It has its own staff and pool, plus the cottages are all separate, which is good. Bedding down beside Luke and Roxy isn't very conducive to a good nights sleep."
The interior of the villa was huge. Jessi could have fit her entire apartment inside the main room. A large open archway was directly across from the door and she could see the pool and what looked like smaller houses behind it. She assumed they were the cottages Christian had mentioned.
"I'm going to go grab a shower,” Christian said. “You're going to stick around aren't you?"
"Um, sure. If you'd like."
"Oh, most definitely.” He gave her a bright smile before walking toward the archway and outside. She watched him walk around the pool to one of the cottages and disappear inside.
The band's music started playing moments later, people coming in the front door by the dozen and within minutes, the place was filled with partygoers. Jessi lost sight of Faith in the sea of bodies but saw Holly. She made her way over to her.
"Oh! I've been looking for you,” Holly said. “Roxy always likes to gossip post-concert. Let's go."
Jessi followed her outside and they made their way around the pool. The bar was on the far end and the lights from inside the pool illuminated the area and left the stone walkway splattered with sparkling light.
"Who are all these people,” Jessi asked, watching as a girl jumped into the pool, clothes and all. More than a dozen people were already in the water and not all of them had left their clothes on.
"Just groupies,” Holly said. “Some are personal friends of the guys or Curt. Everyone here knows someone or they wouldn't be here."
"I see."
They reached the bar and Roxy was already downing a shot. She grinned when she slammed the shot glass down and called for a round before looking over at them.
The glasses were lined up and Jessi had second thoughts about drinking. The last time she'd drank she had nearly made a fool of herself. Of course, kissing Christian wasn't the most careless thing she'd ever done but she didn't have to face him the next day. Now she would and lord knew where she'd end up before the night was over.
"You're thinking too much,” Roxy said. “Just down it and don't think about it."
"Trust me,” Holly said. “In another ten minutes you'll be begging for a drink."
Jessi looked around the pool at the people yelling, laughing and squealing and turned back to the shot glass. “When in Rome,” she said, reaching for the glass. “Bottoms up."
"So,” Roxy said after they'd taken their shot. “Let's cut straight to the chase. What are your intentions toward Christian?"
If she would have been drinking at that moment, Jessi knew she would have choked on it. She stared at Roxy and noticed the woman wasn't smiling. She was serious. “Um, my intentions?"
"Yes,” she said. “Christian is the baby and we're a little protective of him. We don't want him hurt."
"I don't have any intentions on hurting him,” Jessi said. “Why would you think I did?"
"We don't. We're just making sure. He likes you."
"So I've heard."
"It's true,” Holly said. “Mick told us."
"And Mick knows this how?"
Roxy grinned. “Because Christian told him so."
"I see."
"Oh lord,” Roxy said, hissing a curse under her breath. “Skank at eleven o'clock."
They all turned and looked. It was the girl from the concert, the one who had kissed Christian.
"That girl just doesn't know when to quit,” Holly said. “You'd think after what happened the last time she showed up at a house party she wouldn't have balls enough to show her face."
Roxy snorted. “She's brave. I'll give her that."
"Who is she?” Jessi asked.
"No one,” Roxy said. “A hanger-on. She just stands around waiting for Christian or Mick to throw her a crumb."
"Oh. So, her and Christian aren't..."
"Not in a million years,” Roxy laughed. “Christian is just too nice to put her in her place. She's all but given up on Mick and her last attempt at Luke cost me a night in jail and two hundred bucks."
Jessi turned back to Roxy and grinned. “What did you do?"
"I showed her the error of her ways. Painfully."
Holly laughed and snagged a straw, chewing on the end of it. “The guys loved it though. A good old-fashioned girl fight. You should have seen them. They did nothing but stand back and watch. The pervs."
"Sounds like a guy,” Jessi said.
"Oh, there's Christian,” Holly said. “I've got a twenty that says Delilah jumps him before he gets the door completely closed."
Jessi turned and looked toward the cottage Christian had gone into earlier. He was standing at the door, looking around the pool area. If possible, he looked better than he had. His hair was still damp and tousled. Faded blue jeans, bare feet and a button-up shirt, left hanging open made her swallow the sudden lump forming in her throat.
"And the skank has spotted him! You're up, Jessi. Go get him before she can sink her claws into him."
Delilah made her move just as Holly and Roxy predicted. She nearly tackled Christian to the ground when she reached him, wrapping her arms around his neck and snuggling in close to him. Jessi saw Christian smile and reach up, grabbing her arms and pulling them away from him and held her at arms length, but he didn't push her completely away.
"Here,” Roxy said. “Down this and go get him."
Jessi looked at the shot Roxy was holding before glancing up at her face. She was grinning.
"Delilah is a parasite. She won't stop until she has him running for shelter or giving in and no one wants that. Lord knows what he'd catch."
Jessi looked back at Christian. This is why you came, isn't it? To talk to him? Don't lose him now that he's within arms reach. She grabbed the shot and swallowed it, sitting the glass down and walking around the pool before she had time to think about it. Her head was spinning from the shots but she focused her gaze and headed straight for Christian.
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Chapter 4
Christian saw Jessi walking toward him and wanted to thank every god known to man. Delilah was persistent tonight and he wasn't sure he could fight her off without a scene. The fact he had to fight her off at all amused the hell out of him though.
Mick had given him a few “lessons” after the night Jessi had kissed him and once he got over the initial embarrassment of approaching a girl, he was surprised to find Mick's techniques worked. No
longer was he the last man standing or the one blushing. Women approached him now with increasing enthusiasm and he found their tactics unbelievable. It was no wonder the other guys were so cavalier about groupies. They were a dime a dozen and from where the four of them were sitting, they could be as picky as they wanted to be. And they were.
Jessi slowed her steps as she neared him and he smiled, holding his arm out to her while motioning her forward. “I was afraid you left,” he said.
She closed the distance and looked at Delilah. “Am I interrupting?"
"Not at all."
"Yes, you are,” Delilah said, rolling her eyes. “Go find Mick. He's good for a fuck if that's what you want."
"It's not."
"Well, you're just shit out of luck then,” Delilah said. She wrapped her arms around Christian's waist and held on. “I got here first. Come on, Christian."
"Actually, I asked Jessi to wait for me,” Christian said. “I'll catch up with you later, though.” He winked at her and disentangled himself from her grasp, placing his hand on Jessi's lower back and leading her toward the bar. “I could kiss you right about now."
Jessi grinned. “Oh, well it would only be fair. I kissed you last time."
"So you did,” Christian said, laughing. “Should I go find the cards?"
"I think we're past the card stage, don't you?"
"I hope so."
They ended up back at the bar and Jessi bit the inside of her cheek when Roxy gave her a satisfied smirk.
"You should tell Curt to have that ho kicked out on her lecherous ass,” Roxy said.
"If that were the only qualification for getting kicked out,” Christian said, “half the partygoers would be gone. Besides, I think Curt is hitting it when none of the rest of us will."
Roxy snorted. “Figures. You guys want a shot?"
"That would be a big no,” Jessi said. “A soda is fine."
"One soda coming up."
"I'll have the same,” Christian said. He turned and grabbed one of the stools and slid it over. “Here, sit down. You stood through the whole concert."
"Thank you,” Jessi said, sighing when the pressure was taken off her feet.
Roxy sat their drinks on the bar. Jessi grabbed a straw and took a sip, glancing at Roxy when she tasted the alcohol in it. From the look on Christian's face, his was the same.
"Where are Luke and Devin?” Christian asked, ignoring the alcohol.
"Talking to some reporter,” Holly said. “The guy was begging for an interview."
"They haven't even showered yet, have they?"
"No,” Roxy said. “Luke would have already found me if he were ready for that."
Jessi grinned and listened to them talk while she glanced around the pool. She hadn't seen Faith since they arrived and was starting to worry. Not that her friend couldn't take care of herself but she felt like she had abandoned her. Turning back to Roxy and Holly she said, “Have you seen Faith since we got here?"
"She was with Mick last I caught sight of her,” Holly said. “I'm sure she's fine."
"Speaking of fine,” Roxy said. “There's our rock stars.” She grinned and gave them a mock salute before walking away, followed by Holly.
Christian chuckled. “You won't see them again tonight."
"Somehow I didn't think I would."
Christian turned his head to look at her but didn't say anything. The silence stretched and grew thick until Jessi smiled for lack of anything else to do and concentrated on her drink. The alcohol, she knew, would be a mistake but if she didn't find something to loosen her tongue, they'd be there all night staring at one another.
"I'm sorry,” Christian said, grabbing another stool and sitting down. “Now that I have you all to myself, I don't have the faintest clue what to talk about."
Jessi laughed and stared up at him. He was smiling again and that dimple in his cheek caught her eye. Christian still had that “boy next door” quality about him regardless of a new wardrobe and attitude but the newfound confidence apparently wasn't a permanent thing. He seemed as shy as he always had in that moment.
"How about the basics, then?” she said, trying to think of something to say. “Age, family and personal goals."
"Too easy,” he said, turning to face her and propping his elbow on the bar. “Twenty-four, only child of Gail and Keith Palmer. I grew up in Logan Kansas and personal goals? What most everyone wants, I think. To make a fortune and find someone to share it with."
"I would think you've already made your fortune."
"I have.” He smiled and grabbed his drink. “I just need to find someone to share it with now."
He stared at her as he lifted his glass and took a drink. “What about you?"
"Twenty-five, eldest child of Margaret and Gerald McClure. I grew up in a tiny little town in Georgia and personal goals—to be the best photographer the world has ever seen ... and to find someone to share my fortune with."
"Which is more important?” he asked. “Making your fortune or finding someone to share it with?"
"I think it'll be a while before I make my fortune so I'll say finding someone to share it with."
He stared at her then and Jessi felt her pulse start to race. She smiled and took another sip of her drink. Whatever he was thinking caused his eyes to darken, the blue shining like brilliant sapphires.
"And how are you going about finding this person?” he asked. “I haven't had much luck myself in that department."
His voice was a hoarse whisper and Jessi's heart fluttered. “Personal interviews, mostly."
He laughed and leaned toward her. “And what requirements are you looking for?"
"Well, someone who is already financially stable,” she said. “I can't have some man who just wants me for my millions."
"Can't have that,” he grinned. “I have a little bit in the bank so I'm good there. What else?"
"Um, reasonably attractive. I'm prone to photograph people around me and I need someone pleasing to look at."
He looked down at himself and shrugged his shoulder. “You'll have to be the judge of that one."
"Oh, well you pass on that one with flying colors,” she said, grinning. “Besides, I already know you photograph well.” The corner of his mouth tilted into a half smile and she wasn't sure, but she thought she caught a glimpse of a slight blush staining his cheeks.
"All right. What else?"
"Someone who is easy to talk to."
He sat up straight in his seat and grinned. “Ah, well I blow that one all to hell. Try not to hold it against me when you make your final decision. Next?"
Jessi laughed and wracked her brain for something else. Christian was still staring at her and she was finding it difficult to think. A slight breeze was blowing and she could smell the soap on his skin, the shampoo he'd used and a slight hint of spicy cologne. The air was lifting the corner of his shirt, pulling it away from his chest. He wasn't a large man but no way did he have the body of a mere boy. He was cut. Tight, sinewy muscles that reminded her of a swimmers body ... lean, hard and with enough dips and curves to make her want to know how he'd feel under her palms.
Her limbs heated moments later and her stomach clenched delightfully. The rum filled coke Roxy had given her was having the desired effect and loosened her up a little. She looked at his face, the slope of his cheekbones and his wide, even mouth. His lips looked soft and she remembered how they felt against her own. Remembered how he tasted and the way his body trembled slightly under her hands.
She stared at his lips and smiled. “A definite must is—that he be a good kisser."
"Is that right?"
"Absolutely,” she said, a little breathlessly. “You can tell a lot about a person by the way they kiss."
They stared at one another until Jessi found it difficult to breathe. His gaze lowered to her mouth and she swallowed to moisten her throat. She'd led him straight in to that one and when he didn't make a move toward her, she felt her cheeks heat from embar
rassment.
"Would you like to go to the cottage?"
Her heart skipped a beat. Was he asking what she thought he was? He smiled at her, his lashes lowering as he looked down the line of her body and she felt as if she were melting. “What for?” she asked stupidly.
"What for?” He stared at her for long moments and she saw something pass over his face. A quick flash of emotion she wouldn't have caught if she hadn't been staring at him. “I want you,” he said. “I have from the moment I laid eyes on you back in New York."
Breathe, Jessi. Nice, even breaths.
Jessi stared at him, letting her gaze roam his features. He had the most honest face she'd ever seen and when she looked at his eyes, she saw nothing but open longing. He did want her, but for what? Just to sleep with her or for something more?
Don't think, Roxy had said. Take her advice. Don't think about it. You want him, right? She spent four hours getting ready for something, didn't she?
She sat her half empty glass on the bar and stood up in front of him. “Lead the way."
The look that crossed his face told her he was expecting her to say no. That fact alone led her to believe that he didn't proposition groupies on a nightly basis. He looked too shocked. Or maybe it was just that she had said yes. Whatever the reason, she wasn't going to lie to herself. She did want him. Had wanted him since first meeting him.
He didn't say a word, just stood and took her hand, lacing her fingers in his and turned, leading her back toward the cottage. When they reached the door, Jessi saw Delilah a few paces away and couldn't resist the urge to smile at her. The look on the blondes face when she did was enough to send a burst of arrogance surging through her limbs. She wasn't catty, usually, but something about that girl rubbed her the wrong way.
Christian led her into the cottage and let go of her hand, shutting the door behind them. Jessi took a moment to look around the room. It was similar in style to her hotel room, only bigger. This looked more like a suite, complete with separate bedroom. She could see the bed from where she stood and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before turning around to face Christian. He was leaning back against the door watching her.
