by Ruby Rowe
I picture Olivia with me in the future, and the thought catches me off guard.
“I met someone,” I say.
Apple stops walking, and I notice the board games behind her. The only games I was ever taught to play were for adults like poker and Grand Theft Auto.
She smiles. “Is this the girl from last night? Tripp and I saw a video of you at the bar.”
“Yeah. It’s a bizarre situation. She accidentally called me recently, and we started talking on the phone and texting. We clicked right away, but I didn’t tell her who I was. I wanted to see if she liked me for me and not because I’m famous or wealthy.”
“That’s understandable.”
“I convinced her to meet me last night, and by some miracle, Olivia was attractive and still as cool as she was on the phone. Our chemistry was off the charts.”
“Wow. It sounds like she’s more than a one-night stand.”
I chuckle. “She’s at least a two-nighter since I already invited her over again.”
“She sounds great.”
“Liv is great. I want you to meet her, but I don’t know if it’ll happen since we leave in the morning.”
“You could bring her on the bus for a few days like Aiden did with Emma.”
“Olivia wouldn’t come. She wants to be with me but not be seen with me. Her dad’s a congressman, and she has this ex that’s being a tool. Her life’s complicated right now.”
“If she likes you enough, none of that will matter. Look how strict my dad was. I finally told him how I was going to live my life, especially when it came to Tripp. I bet she’ll do the same, but it takes time to find that courage. If you think she’s worth it, be patient.”
“Patience isn’t my forte.”
“Trust me; I know.” She laughs, and it reminds me of Olivia, which gives me this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Fuck, I got it bad for her, Peaches. There’s never been a woman I couldn’t stop thinking about, but I haven’t been able to shake this one since the first time we spoke.”
“I’m so happy for you, and I hope I get to meet her.”
Thinking about leaving town tomorrow has me disappointed again.
“Let’s finish up here and get to the party. I need some drinks.”
Olivia
While driving to my parents’ home, my phone rings. I figure it’s Ken since I’m late to the barbecue, but it’s Blair instead. I push the button on my steering wheel to answer her on speaker.
“Hi,” I say.
“I waited as long as I could to call. Are you still at his place?”
“No. I got home right before the sun came up, but I was exhausted and slept.”
“Well? What happened?”
“A lot.”
“I knew it.”
“We didn’t have sex, but the rock god made me orgasm twice last night. Then, I woke up to his mouth between my legs for number three and four. The man can play more than a guitar.”
“Holy shit, I’m so jealous. Why don’t you sound ecstatic?”
“I’m supposed to see him tonight, but I’m not going. He’s leaving tomorrow, and I’m already sulking. I realized I’m not cut out for flings.”
“Maybe you two could have a long-distance relationship.”
“He’s not going to want to go months without sex while women all over the world offer it up to him. I don’t think I could take being dumped once he grew tired of turning sex down. Or worse, what if he cheated on me like Ken?”
“You don’t know that he would cheat.”
“You’re right. I don’t know a lot of things about Zain, and to learn them, we’d need to spend time together. Time we don’t have.
“Not to mention, I can’t be seen in public with him after what he said to everyone at the bar. The media cares about what he’s doing and who he’s doing it with. I can’t be fraternizing with a rock star, especially if I have to stay with Ken.”
“I think you’re making a rash decision. Spend another night with him. If you’re both still interested tomorrow, you can talk while he’s on the road. I know you’re used to having everything mapped out for you, but all I’ve heard over the years is how much you hate that. Zain’s your opportunity to be spontaneous.”
“True. I’ll think about it. I hate to cut you off, but I just parked at my parents’ house.”
“Call me tomorrow. I want all the details.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Ending the call, I begrudgingly get out of my car and approach the house. This is the last place I want to be, but I don’t think I can fake an illness twice.
As soon as I walk out onto the patio, our families say hi, and Ken gets up from the table to talk to me.
“Why haven’t you answered my calls today?” he whispers. “Everyone’s getting suspicious since we didn’t show up together.”
Taking his hand, I pull him farther away from the table where our parents’, siblings and other family members are eating and socializing, enjoying the barbecue.
“I don’t want to see or talk to you right now, so you’re lucky I’m even here.”
“Have you forgotten what’s going to happen if you don’t take me back?”
“No, but considering what you’re putting me through, you should expect that I’d need time to warm up to the idea. Look, I drove separately for a reason. Let’s make up an excuse for you to leave so you can go spend the day with Aaron.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Actually, I’m doing it for me. I’m not in the mood to play happy couple with you today. I’d like to enjoy the party without tension.”
“Aaron is sitting at home alone.”
“Well, there you go. Now, you can enjoy a juicy wiener on the 4th.” I bite back a laugh. “Take some potato salad to have on the side. Maybe lick it off his balls.”
Ken looks at our families and back at me.
“Make your jokes now, but one day, you’ll be agreeing to threesomes.”
I pretend to gag. “I just threw up a little. Yep, vomit rose all the way up to my mouth.” I glare at him. “Don’t think for a second that I’ll ever be the middle of your meat sandwich. Just get the hell out of here before I hurl on your loafers.”
Huffing a breath, he walks away. I’m sure Landon will be interrogating me next, wanting to know what happened with Zain.
Like he’s been doing every day since I caught Ken cheating, my brother’s going to push me to tell our parents that the relationship’s over. I’m only going to be able to stall for so long.
I feel like I’m being pulled in every direction, and Zain’s the only issue I can fix right now. It sucks, but I can’t see him again. We both need to accept how different our lives are and how complicated things could become. As much as it will hurt, I need him to move on without me.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Zain
“Open up, Olivia. I know you’re home,” I say after pounding on her door and ringing the bell again. She told me this evening in a text message that we couldn’t see each other. I’m confident that’s not what she wants, and it sure as hell isn’t what I want.
We agreed this morning to be discreet in getting her to my house tonight, but she refused to leave with Nash when I sent him to pick her up. I pound on the door again. “I’m not leaving here without you!” I shout.
The door swings open, and an angry Olivia pulls me inside.
“I don’t know how much clearer I could’ve been about the trouble I’d be in if we were spotted together.”
“Hey, I sent Nash like we agreed, but you wouldn’t leave with him.”
“Yes, but you sent him after I told you not to.”
“You don’t get to tell me in a text message that you’re not going to see me again. I think I deserve better after all the times I made you come.”
She points her finger at me. “Don’t do that.”
I step closer to her. “Don’t do what?”
“Zain, I’m being serious.”
“I know. It’s unhealthy, and I’m just the cure for it.”
The stubborn woman crosses her arms. “I don’t want to want you.”
Grabbing her waist, I press her against the door.
“You know what? My life would be easier if I didn’t want you, either. Then, I wouldn’t have to miss you once I leave, but I already know I’m gonna.”
“You’ll miss me while you’re touring?”
“Yes, and that’ll be the case whether you spend tonight with me or not, so I say we enjoy the time we have left, and you being stubborn this evening is burning up those hours.”
“I may be stubborn, but at least I don’t think I’m entitled to everything I set my sights on.”
Reaching down, I slip my fingers under the hem of her shorts. She gasps but doesn’t fight me as I find her pussy and graze my fingers over her panties.
“Already wet. I’m not surprised.” I shove the fabric aside, and using my thumb, I rub circles against her clit. Her eyes flutter closed, her mouth opening as the pleasure kicks in. “If I had to guess, I’d say you want me to fuck you right here against this door, but if you tell me I can’t have what I’ve set my sights on, then I’ll leave.”
“Zain,” she breathes.
“Tell me, Butterfly; which is it?”
Barely opening her eyes, she digs her nails into my shoulders and breathes, “Fuck me now.”
“Good, because walking out that door without you is the last thing I want.” As I reach in my back pocket for the condom that I anticipated needing, she removes her shorts and panties.
I undo my jeans, and like she can’t ride my dick soon enough, she jerks my pants down. I’m not wearing underwear, so I’m able to slide the latex right on.
I pick her up, and having her legs wrapped around me while she sinks onto my cock is as natural as feeling my guitar strap resting on my shoulder.
“Oh, God!” she cries as I fill her full. Pushing Olivia back against the door, I drive into her while clutching her bare ass. It’s thick and round … plenty there to help me hold her down with each thrust.
As a blinding desire engulfs me, I fuck Liv hard. I drill into her again and again, her slick pussy taking in every inch of me while her moans tell me how much she likes it.
The more I hear our bodies slapping together and her back thumping against the door, the more I feel like an unhinged animal.
Becoming dizzy from the pleasure, I lean my head over against her searing body. I know I’m close as the sensations mount.
“Come in me,” she utters breathlessly. Her dirty command does me in, and I explode inside her. My entire body quakes while the lightheadedness leaves my ears ringing.
“Fucking Christ,” I mutter. My addictive personality has found a new toy, and I don’t think it’ll grow tired of it anytime soon.
I lower Liv to the floor. We’re both rattled, trembling and breathing erratically. As I straighten her shirt, I see the top two little buttons have left indentations against her scarlet chest.
“That was hot,” she says.
“Yes, it was. Are you OK?”
“Yeah, but if I’m sore tomorrow, it’ll be worth it.”
Clasping her chin, I give her a soft kiss. “I got carried away.”
“No, I very much felt you inside of me.” She winks from her joke.
Feeling the condom slipping, I tend to it.
“Does the cheating bastard have a key to your place?”
“Yeah.”
“Then come home with me. No one followed me here, the car has tinted windows, and we’ll pull straight into my garage.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“The paparazzi saw me out shopping with Apple today, so we’re safe.”
“Apple? Wait, Apple Kingsley?”
“Yeah, we’re good friends. Anyway, the tabloids are probably working on a love-triangle piece as we speak.”
“What do you mean?” she asks as she pulls on her shorts.
“Apple’s in a serious relationship with Tripp, our drummer, but for a while, the public thought we were an item. They followed us out today, so the ruthless assholes will likely publish a photo of us and imply she’s cheating.”
“Did you plan to trick them?”
“Hell, no. I wouldn’t do that to my friends. I needed Apple’s help with something, and I wanted to tell her about you.”
Her eyes round. “You talked to Apple Kingsley about me?”
“I want you two to meet. I think you’d get along great since you’re alike in many ways.”
“What I’d like to do is dress the girl.”
I smirk. “You’d like to dress her?”
“Fashion enthusiasts are obsessed with Apple’s diverse taste in clothing. She doesn’t have a consistent look that gives away her personality. Fashionistas like the element of surprise they get from her. I recently saw some photos of Apple in magazines, and I’ve read some blog posts about her.”
“Does that mean you’ve read what’s in the tabloids about me?”
“No, I don’t read that crap. These were all fashion-related articles.”
“What did you mean by dressing her?”
“My dream is to be a fashion designer. I actually designed and sewed these shorts I’m wearing. When I saw that Apple had a variety of tastes, I imagined how amazing it would be to make clothes for her.”
Waving her hand my way, she adds, “It was a fleeting thought. Like I told you, I’m in grad school for education.”
“Why aren’t you doing what you want instead?”
“My parents pushed me in this direction since Ken will need a wife who’s involved in public service. Everyone likes to see someone helping children, so a degree in education is important.”
“I need a garbage can to pitch this condom into so that I can clutch your shoulders, look you in the eyes and remind you that you deserve to do what makes you happy.”
“I am doing it. It’s a hobby, and I’m good with that.”
“Let’s get out of here. I need to fuck some sense into you.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“So I’ve been told. I think from Apple even. See, you two could be great friends, and then, you could make her clothes.”
Olivia grabs my arms. “Don’t tell her about that. I’d be so embarrassed.”
“Apple would be the embarrassed one. She can’t believe anyone notices or cares about what she wears.”
“I can’t believe you two are friends, but it makes sense since your dads are in the same band.”
“Are you stalling? If you don’t want to go, you can tell me. I’ll persuade you, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be honest with me.”
Tilting her head to the side, she smiles. “Being with you makes me happy.”
“Then come get dirty in my sheets. They still smell like you.” I wink. She knows she’s going to end up in my bed, so she needs to stop wasting the little time we have left.
“Spending the night with you is only going to make it harder to say goodbye, but if you insist.”
“I do.”
Olivia
“Tilt the lighter a bit,” Zain instructs as I hold it close to the bowl. My hand trembles in the process, so I pull my mouth away.
“I’m scared.”
Z chuckles. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Now, put your lips back on it, light it and suck in enough to bring the smoke up the chamber.”
He takes the lighter from my hand afterward while I keep my lips inside the mouthpiece of the bong. “Now, pull the bowl out of the stem and inhale slowly, leaving a little room in your lungs. Then, exhale at the same pace. I’m trying to keep you from having a coughing fit. Also, this weed is potent, so prepare to be shitfaced. It’s all I’ve got in the house.”
I do what he says, but I can’t believe I’m smoking pot, something I never thought I’d do. I exhale, and I’m surprised by how cool the air feels.
&n
bsp; “Nice, huh?”
I nod, but I’m not sure what I think about the experience yet.
“I didn’t know there were ice bongs,” I reply as I hand it back to him.
He smirks. “You’re going to be spoiled by my high-quality weed and supplies.”
“This bong’s so pretty with the bright orange and red colors on the glass, but I don’t see how I’ll get spoiled when I’m sure this will be my only time doing it.”
“We’ll see about that.” He grins before taking his second hit. As he exhales, he’s even sexier, especially since he removed his t-shirt earlier, revealing his slender but defined biceps.
“Oh, I feel … something. Calmer,” I murmur. I’m sitting sideways on Zain’s bed, gazing at him. Setting the bong on the nightstand, he stares back, admiring me.
“Relaxing, right?”
“I don’t know. It is but it isn’t. I’m relaxed, yet everything else seems to have come to life.” I look straight ahead, and the yellow in the framed photo hanging on the wall looks so much brighter. It’s of the Borrowed Faith logo, and the image itself appears 3D. Even his gray silk sheets seem shinier.
I scoot in closer to Z and giggle. “I feel warm and cozy. This is heavenly.”
“Yes, it is, and I think one hit is all you need right now. How is it you’ve never smoked before?”
“Ken and I started dating right before my freshman year of college. He’s twenty-nine, so he was already in law school. I was constantly being reminded by him and my parents that my negative actions could be used against me later in life.
“For that reason, I didn’t do anything unless I was alone with Ken, my brother or close friends. Smoking a few cigarettes and drinking was the extent of my rebellion.”
Cupping one of my cheeks, Z says, “I’m going to give you every experience imaginable. If we’re alone, no one will find out.”
I close my eyes and hum from the feel of his hand. Grasping it, I place it over my breast and use his palm to massage it. Being high makes Zain’s already intense touch even stronger.
I feel his lips on my neck, and I whimper from how my nerve endings are responding. Easing me back on the bed, he covers me with his body. His raven hair reminds me of a midnight sky, and I can’t help but run my fingers through it.