The Key to Love

by Callie Bardot

  Keys squeezed Trevor’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “Chill the fuck out, dude. It’s not the end of the world.”

  Trevor didn’t meet Keys’ gaze. “Maybe not for you, it isn’t.”

  “I said, stop it,” Keys growled.

  Trevor wriggled away from Keys’ grip. “Fine. I’ll deal with it.”

  “Good man,” Keys said, encouragingly.

  “We’ll still hang out, right?” Trevor said, hope shining in his eyes.

  “Of course,” Keys lied, his gaze sidling toward Mia, who stood in front of an attractive female hotel clerk. If I’m not scoring with Mia, maybe.

  The front desk clerk said to Mia, “Here we are, Miss Song. Your room will be five-nineteen. It’s got a full ocean view and total privacy.”

  Mia’s head pivoted toward Keys, perhaps worried that he heard.

  He quickly looked back at Trevor. I heard sweet-thing, and I’ve already committed it to memory.

  Keys clapped Trevor on the back. “Take a chill pill, bro, and I’ll meet you out by the pool.”

  “Okay,” said Trevor, looking somewhat heartened. He lifted his hand in farewell and tromped away.

  The hotel clerk handed Mia her room keys, explained when breakfast was, then excused herself to disappear into the hotel office.

  “See you around, Keys,” Mia called. “Have fun on your vacation.”

  He pivoted to look at Mia, flashing her his best smile of seduction. “I sure will.”

  Her lips pressed together in a firm gash. “I told you, I’m hiding in my room for the entire week, and I don’t want any company.” She turned and strode away with crisp footsteps.

  “Sure, sure, I’ve got it.” Keys turned to the pretty desk clerk who’d emerged from the back.

  “How can I help you?” she said with a bright smile.

  Keys glanced at the name tag on her beige uniform. “I’m here to check in, Angelina. Keys Johnson.”

  She focused on her monitor and began typing. “Here we are, Mr. Johnson. You’re in five-nineteen with your girlfriend.”

  A wide grin spread across his face. The Universe is practically begging us to hookup. This has got to be destiny unfolding. “You mean the stunning brunette who just left, right?”

  “Yes, that’s the one. You both got lucky. We had a last-minute cancelation. You got the last room. Miss Song is your girlfriend, right?” Her teeth sparkled as she spoke.

  Not yet. “We’re great friends. Best buds. It will be fine.” He drummed his ring-adorned fingers on the smooth, stone counter.

  Angelina nodded. “Our resort books quickly when it’s Spring Break. All the adults want to get away from the kids in other hotels. As you know, our resort is exclusive, private, and, well…” A blush lit her face. “You know…anything goes. I’m sure you and Miss Song will enjoy yourselves.”

  Wanting to make sure this mistake was real, he said, “You do know I was supposed to be roomed with Trevor West, yeah? And, all these reservations should have been handled weeks ago by our booking agent, Michael Henderson.”

  Angelina’s smile faltered. Her bronze skin reddened. “I apologize, Mr. Johnson. Some double bookings were made. Mr. Henderson has been in contact with us. When we explained the situation to him, what with a flurry of bookings, he said you’d be fine rooming with Miss Song. Will you be fine rooming with Miss Song? I’m afraid there isn’t a resort within several miles of this one…not one as outstanding as ours.”

  Keys licked his lips. I’m going to have to give Michael a bonus. “Sure, sure. Miss Song and I will be happy to share a room.”

  Angelina’s shoulders fell, perhaps in relief. “Thank you, Mr. Johnson. You won’t be dissatisfied with our service, I guarantee it.” She held out his key card.

  “I look forward to it,” he said, grasping the plastic rectangle.

  “Your luggage should already be in your room,” Angelina said. “You’ll have a personal butler at your beck and call, twenty-four hours a day. Whatever you need, just ask.” She flashed her sunny bright smile.

  “Thank you.” Keys gave a last tap on the counter, then turned and strode away, whistling. This vacation was getting better and better. He hoped Mia felt the same.

  Keys

  A flying object came hurtling toward Keys the second he stepped into the hotel suite. He ducked, barely managing to skirt the shoe that whacked against the wall.

  “This is all your doing, isn’t it? You cooked up this whole thing, right?” Mia glared at him from across the expansive room where she stood framed by the floor to ceiling windows. She pointed to his suitcase, which sat on the floor next to hers.

  He put up his hands. “I swear I had nothing to do with it. There was some double-booking mix-up. Our booking agent finagled the arrangements when they got all screwed up.” He trekked in her direction across the light brown and white tile floor.

  Mia backed up. “Don’t come any closer.”

  “Relax, I’m just checking out the accommodations.” He brushed past her, passing a king-size bed covered with white linen. A sitting area was next, with a small sofa and two chairs. He stepped down three marble steps to a French balcony that overlooked the ocean. A two-person white porcelain whirlpool tub sat on the balcony. Nice. We can share a bath together while she looks out at the stars and I ravish her body. His hands propped on his hips. “This is adequate, don’t you think?” In truth, everything about the room was beige—too beige for his tastes. But, it will do nicely for what I have in mind.

  “What I think is that I’d like a different room—one that doesn’t include you,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

  He lifted his hand over his head, dismissing her. “There’s nothing that can be done. You heard the fit Trevor pitched, I’m sure.” He whirled around to face her. “And, don’t say anything about him or me. Maybe I’ve been oblivious to him. If anyone’s gay, it’s him, but that’s his business. He’s my best friend. I’ll love him no matter his preference, got it?”

  She took a step back. “Got it…I only meant that…”

  “Never mind, I’m sorry. I’m protective of him.” Keys ran his hand through his hair and grinned. “Back to us. This is going to be fun.”

  “I doubt it,” she said, directing her gaze at the floor. “It’s going to be awful.”

  “Oh, trust me,” he said, sauntering toward her with a swagger. He placed his hands on her upper arms, already warmed by the Cancun heat. Her skin felt softer than soft.

  She stiffened but didn’t back away.

  “Easy, kitten.” He leaned down and nuzzled her nose with his. “We only do this with consent, yeah?” He licked his lips and lowered them within an inch of her sweet, pouty mouth.

  Her lips parted, and her eyes fluttered closed.

  He started to fit his mouth to hers when her eyelids popped open, and she slapped him.

  The sting of her palm aroused the hell out of him. His grin widened. “Oh, you like it rough, do you? I can do rough.”

  She pried his fingers from her arms. “I can’t do this with you, Keys.”

  He rubbed his smarting skin. “Can’t or won’t?”

  “Sleeping with you would be a mistake,” she said, turning her gaze toward the balcony.

  “Oh, trust me, there won’t be much sleeping.” He sauntered toward the mini-bar, opened it, and retrieved a couple bottles of water. Crossing back to where she stood, he handed her one of the bottles. “Drink up. Staying hydrated is essential, especially in heat like this.”

  “I don’t think of you as a health-conscious individual,” she said, accepting the water. “I’ve seen the way you party.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “So. You’ve checked me out.” Another cocky grin flashed on his face, stretching oft-neglected muscles of late.

  She sniffed. Leaning against the white dresser, she twisted off the lid and tipped her gorgeous head back, revealing her stunning neck.

  Keys swallowed and licked his lips, longing to kiss and lick her jaw,
her slender neck, her lips, and her cheeks…for a start. Inside his jeans, his engorged flesh begged for release. “I live a certain lifestyle. I don’t want to be dead before I’m forty. So, I do pay attention to things that help me maintain. Drinking water is one of them.”

  She set her bottle of water on the white dresser, and gingerly stepped toward him. Reaching up, she smoothed her palm across his still-smarting cheek. “I apologize for hurting you.”

  He shrugged. “I can take whatever you dish out. If you think I deserved to be slapped, then you did what you thought was right.” He winked. “But, for a second there, I thought you were going to give in to me.”

  Her cheeks bloomed with color, and she lowered her gaze.

  Inclining his head, he studied her for a second. Then, he reached out and tipped her chin up. “Were you going to yield to me?”

  Her lips parted, and the tip of her tongue flitted across her lips.

  Satisfaction spread through him like liquid heat. As he was about to lower his lips to hers and try again, a knock clattered against the door.

  “Hey, Keys,” Trevor called.

  Keys groaned and threw back his head.

  Mia backed away and rushed to open the door. “Hello, Heat.”

  Trevor stood there with a gaping jaw, wearing green and yellow board shorts and a sleeveless yellow t-shirt. “You’re the one sharing Keys’ room? Great, just great.” He pushed past her and entered the room.

  Keys strode toward him and batted the side of his head. “Don’t be rude, you twat.”

  “Twat,” Trevor said with a scoff, pushing his hand away. “You really soaked up the British lingo when we toured the UK, didn’t you?”

  “Some words say it all,” Keys said. “And you’re acting like a royal fuckup, a prat, a rude wanker, and a twat.” He batted Trevor’s head again.

  Trevor jerked and blinked. He squinted, staring at Keys’ cheek. “What happened to your face?”

  “Mia packs a wallop, don’t you, sweet thing?” Keys’ ever-present smile of late made another appearance.

  Trevor’s gaze slid between Mia and Keys. His mouth opened as if to say something and then snapped shut. He huffed out a sigh and said, “Sorry for being rude. This whole room fuck-up has me in a bad mood.”

  “I understand,” Mia said, nodding. “Keys here was hardly my first choice.”

  “Swap with me. My roadie roommate is a decent enough guy,” Trevor said.

  “No, thanks. A stranger is hardly preferable,” she said. She picked up her water and took another swallow.

  Trevor ogled her smooth neck.

  Keys put his arm around Trevor and turned him away from her. “Did you need something?”

  “Yeah. There’s a volleyball match between the band and everyone. You’re expected to show up.” Trevor glanced up at Keys.

  “Fuck. Volleyball isn’t my idea of a fun afternoon,” Keys said, his stomach souring at the thought.

  “I love volleyball. I’ll kick the pants off you,” Mia said.

  Keys laughed. “I might just take up volleyball, then.”

  “I didn’t mean…” Mia stammered. “Not like that.”

  Trevor looked hopefully at Keys. He inclined his head toward Mia like she might keep them both entertained.

  A growl formed in Keys’ throat. “No!” he mouthed.

  Trevor’s forehead bunched.

  “Let’s all go play volleyball,” Keys said. “I’ve got to change into something cooler. I’ll meet you down there, Trev.”

  “I’ll head down with you, Heat. I’m ready,” Mia said. She swept her hand at her shorts-clad attire.

  A sudden, possessive urge kicked Keys in the nuts. “Wait,” he said.

  “Too late,” she said, slipping her arm into the crook of Trevor’s elbow. “See you in a few.”

  She sauntered away with a gloating Trevor.

  Keys threw his suitcase on the bed and quickly unzipped it. He tossed clothes onto the bedding until he found his shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. Moving at the speed of light, he kicked off his jeans and shoes, wiggled out of his shirt, jammed his legs into the shorts, and whizzed the t-shirt into place. Then, after slipping his feet into flip-flops, he raced out the door. Several hotel guests stood waiting at the elevator.

  Mia and Trevor were nowhere in sight.

  Keys hustled down five flights of stairs, hoping to beat them to the lobby.

  Breathless, he hurried through the lobby and rounded the corner, only to find Trevor, alone, striding toward the beach.

  “Where’s Mia?” Keys said, panting.

  “As soon as we stepped into the hallway, she jetted away like she might catch a disease from me. She said she’d see us down there. I don’t know where she went.” Trevor shrugged. “You’re sure acting buggy around her. Is she going to be the entertainment this week? I’d be down with that.”

  “No!” Keys practically shouted. “Fuck no, hell no. Put a lid on that idea.”

  Trevor’s eyes narrowed. “What the fuck is going on?”

  “Nothing’s going on.” Keys waved his arms dismissively. “I just don’t want to do a threesome with her, that’s all.”

  “You want her all to yourself, is that it?” Trevor’s hands formed fists by his side.

  Mia sprinted past them, racing toward the others who had gathered by the volleyball nets. “I’m going to whoop your ass,” she called.

  “Game on,” Keys called, sprinting after her.

  “Hey!” Trevor called, but Keys ignored him.

  When Keys reached the hot sand, he caught up with Mia, who had slowed to a walk. “If I let you win, what will you give me?” He chuckled.

  “Let me win…” Mia scoffed. “I was an all-star in high school.”

  “How many years ago was that?” Keys said, throwing his arm around her petite shoulders.

  Her shoulders solidified. “I still remember all my moves,” she said, scowling. She wriggled away from Keys’ arm.

  “Good, because I remember mine, too,” he said, letting her go.

  She hurried away from Keys.

  At the sand volleyball court, Keys greeted his bandmates, Zander, and Effie, Zander’s wife.

  “Do you even know how to play?” Zander said.

  “Me? Sure I do,” Keys said. Barely remember the game.

  The Mexico sun beat down on the white sand while cool waves beckoned in the distance. It was a far cry from the freezing weather in New York.

  Keys pitched his t-shirt outside the blue lines marking the boundaries of their court. Tattoo sleeves covered both his arms. The phrase, “It’s all in the rhythm,” adorned his chest with a smattering of stars all around. He knew he had a nice body as he managed to hit the gym on the regular. And, none of the countless women he’d been with over the last couple of years had complained.

  When he saw Mia remove her attire down to her bikini, he nearly wept. He longed to get inside her. Sweet Jesus, she’s beautiful.

  Trevor eyed him, scowling.

  Keys shook his head.

  Gia, also dressed in a bikini, slugged him in the arm. “Hey, dipshit. How was your flight? Did you manage to keep your hands to yourself?”

  “What are you talking about? I was the perfect gentleman,” he said.

  “The words perfect and gentleman do not belong in any sentence describing you,” Gia said, her yellow shock of hair competing with the sun for brightness.

  “And, don’t forget the insurance policy we have on your hands, Keys,” Dante said.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Keys said. “How hard could this be?”

  Gia snorted.

  Once they’d divided into equal teams, with Zander, Effie, Mia, Trevor, two roadies named Sam and Elijah, on one team, and Keys, Gia, Gia’s boyfriend Marcos, Dante, Kennedy and Trevor’s roommate, Noah on the other, the game began.

  Zander took the first serve.

  Keys, who’d never really played volleyball, managed to barely bump the ball over the net.

  Trevor lea
ped up at the net and slammed the ball toward Keys.

  Keys threw up his hands to avoid the assault.

  The ball skimmed the hair on his forearm and flew just outside the line.

  Zander and Sam groaned.

  Mia shook her head.

  Keys focused a death glare in Trevor’s direction.

  Trevor simply shrugged.

  “That’s ours!” Dante yelled and raced to get the ball. When he returned, he served.

  A lively rally ensued, with Trevor setting up the ball so Mia could power it over the net, earning them a point.

  Trevor held up his hand to Mia, and she high-fived him.

  Keys glowered. He positioned himself, so he faced Mia and glanced at her barely covered breasts. He wiggled his fingers at her at breast level.

  Her hands flew to her chest.

  He laughed and said, “Watch the ball, angel.”

  Zander eyed Keys, frowning.

  The game continued, with Zander’s team winning.

  Keys sucked at volleyball, but he excelled at getting the others to laugh when he ducked, dodged, and went out of his way to avoid the ball. “I’m trying to protect my fingers. Isn’t that what you told me, Fearless Leader?” he said to Dante.

  Dante retrieved the ball when it sailed past Keys. When he jogged back, he said, “I didn’t know you were this bad at volleyball, dude.”

  Trevor aced a couple of serves. He kept high-fiving Mia until Keys wanted to tackle him and pour sand in his mouth.

  Finally, Gia said, “Get out of here, Keys. Be our mascot or something. You suck.” She batted at his head.

  “I think we’re all done. I’m tired of losing. Next time, you’re on the opposite team, Keys,” Dante said. He stooped to retrieve his t-shirt and grabbed Kennedy’s hand. “Care to visit the pool?”

  “Sure thing, stud,” she said, her blond ponytail swishing back and forth on top of her head. She grabbed her sun top, shrugged it on, and followed her husband.

  “What about you, kitten?” Keys said to Mia. “Want to cool off in the waves?”