Pour Judgment

by ORGERON, HEATHER M

  He’s quiet for a spell. Pensive. Then, he clears his throat. “I was loud and obnoxious, if you can believe it.”

  “Oh, I easily believe it.”

  “You’re a sassy little thing. Anyone ever tell you that?”

  “Once or twice. How many siblings?”

  His head lulls to the side, his bright eyes holding mine captive. “Just the one sister…What is this? Twenty questions?”

  “You said we needed to get to know each other, right?”

  “I did say that.”

  “How ’bout we put our own spin on the game? We each get ten questions to use at our leisure, and no matter what, we have to promise to answer honestly. No passing. No half-truths.”

  “This feels like a trap.”

  “Got something to hide, Hollywood?”

  Rhett lifts his head, resting his weight on his forearm as he towers over me. “So many things.”

  “Great! Then this should be fun.”

  Chapter 20

  Rhett

  “How many girls have you had sex with?” How’d I know that’d be her first question?

  “I’m not sure.” I trail my finger along her collarbone as I answer, enjoying the way her breathing becomes erratic. How her nipples begin to pebble beneath the thin fabric of her gray T-shirt. It’s taking every ounce of restraint not to take things further. It’s out of pure respect for her that I don’t, because I seriously doubt she’d want to be plastered all over the web half naked, and there’s a good chance we’re being watched. My cock thickens, straining for release.

  Fuck. I just can’t get enough of this girl.

  Korie stares at me with a look that screams bullshit, and it takes me a moment to remember what we’re talking about. My number.

  “You wanted honesty. I could easily spout off some bogus answer, but you asked for the truth, and the truth is that I don’t know. But I had only slept with three women before our first tour, if that counts for anything.”

  “Groupies.” Her voice is heavy with disgust, and she looks so disappointed that my cheeks heat with shame, even though I have no reason to be embarrassed.

  “Some,” I admit. “They were mostly models and actresses—a few dancers.”

  Korie scrunches her nose, diverting her eyes from mine. “Aren’t you going to ask me the same question?”

  “No.”

  “Why not? It’s only fair. Surely you’re curious…”

  “Because what, or who, you did before me doesn’t matter. It’s not like I could change any of it, even if I wanted to, and I’m not wasting my questions on trivial shit that has no bearing on our relationship.”

  “Fake,” she interjects, while doing a piss-poor job of hiding the jealousy flaming in her bright green eyes. For someone who claims not to like me much, she’s really good at sending mixed signals.

  “I stand corrected…fake relationship.”

  Her head bobs in approval.

  “Have you ever been in love?” I ask, deciding I’d rather know what I’m up against. Sex is just sex, unless there are feelings involved. That’s when shit gets tricky. I don’t fancy myself in love with Korie yet, but I do feel more strongly for her than I have for anyone else, and that’s something I plan to hold on to—to see through.

  “I thought so, but now I’m not so sure. I mean, I don’t think you ever really get over true love, you know?”

  “I’ve got no personal experience to draw from.”

  “Well,” she sighs. “At any rate, I’m definitely over the guys from my past, so I don’t think it was the real deal. Mom says I’ll definitely know.”

  “How?”

  “Because when you’re in love, you’ll be willing to do just about anything to keep them. Move heaven and earth just to be with them, no matter how badly it hurts, because no amount of pain is greater than the fear of losing your one true love.”

  I blanch. “That’s the most depressing description of love I think I’ve ever heard.”

  “Well, she can only speak from her own experience, you know?” Her face takes on a faraway look before she fires back with the same question. “What do you think love is?”

  “Question number two already?”

  Korie shrugs. “Sure.”

  I take a moment to really consider my answer before speaking. “I believe true love is all consuming. You think of them every minute of every day, and your world suddenly revolves around this other person. Keeping them safe…making them happy. She’s your best friend. Your compass. She’s home.” I brush a lock of stray hair from her cheek, leaning in close. “That’s what I think.”

  Her tongue darts out to lick her lips, and she starts breathing heavy. “Where’d you get such a fanciful idea of love?”

  “My parents…They were really something to watch. The way they moved around each other. How their eyes lit up when the other walked into a room. That’s what I’m holding out for. What I hope to find someday.”

  “Were?” she whispers softly against my lips. “You said were?”

  “Yeah.” I hesitate for a moment, composing myself. “My mother died in a car accident when I was fifteen. Dad’s never been the same. He’s still as in love with her as ever, eleven years later.”

  Korie lifts up to sitting, cupping the sides of my face in her trembling hands, her eyes welling with tears. “I’m so sorry, Rhett. I truly had no idea.”

  “Guess you need to step up your stalking game.” I swallow the lump of emotion talking about Mom always brings on and close the breath of space still separating us, brushing my lips lightly against hers. Then, I grip her around the waist, pulling her to straddle me.

  Korie leans over, her hair concealing us in a blonde curtain as she takes control, kissing me slowly—reverently. It’s a kiss that’s filled with compassion and meant to comfort. I know it won’t lead to anything more, but it’s enough. Hell, it’s more than enough. It’s perfect.

  “Come on,” she chirps, finally pulling herself away. Korie brushes the grass from her dark gray skinny jeans and hops back onto her board, doing a fancy jump, one she makes look effortless as she flies into the air, landing perfectly in the exact spot she began. “We’re gonna work on your Ollie.”

  Now we’re talkin’. “Call him whatever you want, just please come back and get to work on him,” I beg, cupping my raging erection.

  “You’re something else…”

  “Your driver is going the wrong way.” She’s a little flustered. I’m learning quickly, the girl really isn’t a fan of surprises. That could be an issue.

  Glancing out the window, I take in the rolling hills and gated houses, while trying to cover a smirk. “Reginald knows where he’s going.”

  “Reginald,” she croons as she leans forward, tapping my driver–slash–body guard on the shoulder. “I’m not sure what address you were given, but my apartment is back near the university.”

  “Miss,” he answers, eying me in the rearview with a frown. Reginald doesn’t like being touched. Not even by pretty girls. “I’m sorry, but you’ll just have to sit back…” He reaches for her hand, shrugging it off. “And trust me.”

  “I don’t even know you,” she huffs, pulling her arm to her chest, clearly offended by his brush off.

  “But you do know me.” I grab the hem of her shirt and pull her to the seat. “Take a chill pill and relax.”

  “I’m not sure what you’re up to, Hollywood, but I hardly know you either, so forgive me if I don’t trust the man who’s turned my well-organized life into complete freaking chaos, all in the span of twenty-four hours.”

  “You referring to the man who’s turning his own life upside down all for the sake of making your dream come true? The one whose manager is riding his ass and whose bandmates are all pissed because he ran to your aid? Is he the man you don’t trust?”

  She sulks, slamming her back against the leather seat with a thoughtful pout. “No offense, but not really…” Her hand grips my thigh and squeezes to lessen the blow. “B
ut I am appreciative, truly. Even when I don’t act like it.”

  “Great to hear. Then I hope you can find some appreciation for this too,” I say as we turn down the drive of the townhouse Raven and I picked out this morning while Korie was in class.

  “Where are we?”

  “Home.”

  She glares at me, furrowing her brow. “Whose home?”

  “Yours. Well, yours and Raven’s. Mine when I’m in town.” I pop the door open, taking her hand and pulling her across the leather seat and out behind me. “Come on. I can’t wait to show you around.”

  Her feet grow roots, and she plants herself on the cement drive. “You can’t do this.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Stick. I already did.”

  Her face turns fire engine red. “It’s too much. I don’t want to be indebted to you when this is all over.”

  I get really close. So close we’re sharing breaths. “You asked me not to embarrass you…”

  She gulps. Nods.

  “Well, I’m asking the same of you. What the hell will people think if I have my fiancée living in a rinky-dink apartment, practically in the ghetto?”

  Her shoulders stiffen. “It’s on campus, and safe.” Her argument is weak, and she knows it.

  “That place looks like something straight out of a horror movie.”

  Korie purses her lips, her face radiating. “It’s what we could afford, on our own without having to take out any loans. It’s perfect.”

  Pinching the bridge of my nose, I try not to allow my frustration to show. “The world thinks we’re together—thinks you’re mine. I won’t have them believe that I don’t take care of what belongs to me.”

  “Did you forget the part where this is all pretend?” she asks, balling her angry fists at her sides. “And let me remind you, I belong to no one.” Her bony finger darts out, and she stabs it into my chest. “It’s one thing to take a few photos and be seen together in public. But I can’t afford a place like this, Rhett. Even when I’m working, I won’t be able to. What am I going to do? Move again when the jig is up? It’s ridiculous!”

  “There’s nothing to afford. It’s yours.”

  She stares at me for a moment while that sinks in. “What did you do?”

  “The place is in your name. Consider it an engagement present. I’ll wait to give you the papers until you’ve come to your senses, seeing as in your current state, I don’t trust you not to tear them up.”

  “This wasn’t part of the deal. I didn’t agree to any of this.”

  “Listen, if it’s the money you’re worried about, don’t. I make enough to pay for this place outright in a month, easily. Financially, this is nothing to me, so stop making it a bigger deal than it needs to be.”

  She starts to speak, and I press a finger to her lips to silence her. “For the first time since this whole music thing started, I feel like I’m doing something important...something that matters. I know you hate him, but your father gave us a huge break in helping us land an agent and allowing us to use his studio. He changed our lives.”

  “Don’t…” she warns. “Don’t paint him a saint, because I’ll call this shit off now.”

  “I’m not. Fuck, Kore…” My hand instinctively runs through my hair. “I know he hurt you. He let you down in a huge way, and I can’t help but feel like part of that is our fault. We benefited from his lifestyle, while you suffered.”

  “My father is a grown-ass man. There is no one to blame for his actions but him,” she adds, too easily letting me off the hook.

  “Consider this my way of paying it forward. Of giving someone their break.” I trace the side of her face with my thumb tenderly. “Stick, I can’t think of anyone more deserving than you.”

  “So, I’m a charity case…”

  “You’re a prize, Korie Potter, and I’m playing to win.”

  Chapter 21

  Korie

  Well, damn. My heart’s still reeling as I reluctantly follow Rhett into the new home he’s managed to wrangle me into. A prize. I don’t know what I want to do more... swoon like a besotted fool or throttle his overbearing ass.

  “Oh, wipe that grimace off your face, roomie... just look at this place!” Raven’s arms extend above her head and she does an elaborate twirl in the center of the foyer. “It’s fucking brilliant. Stop scowling at our knight in tight jeans and cowboy boots and say thank you...you know, like a normal person would.” She apparently has no problem with such an extravagant gift.

  Although I feel like I’ve been completely railroaded into this, with all the money he’s just dropped on me, I guess a thank you is in order. “Thanks, Hollywood. You really shouldn’t have.”

  “You’re welcome.” Judging by the deep dimples he’s sporting, he either doesn’t sense my underlying resentment or is choosing to ignore it. Probably the latter. Lord knows the man is really good at only hearing what he wants.

  My eyes dance around the fully furnished living area. The first thing I notice is that none of our old ratty furniture is here. There’s a plush, light beige sectional with teal, yellow, and red floral throw pillows scattered about. It’s nothing I’d ever have chosen, but I must admit it looks really comfortable. I can already see myself curled up next to the lamp with a glass of wine and a romance novel. A whitewashed wood coffee table in the shape of an octagon rests on a shag rug at the center of the living room. Elaborate ornamental frames house the pictures of Mom and me, and Raven and her family that formerly sat atop our old rickety entertainment center. Can’t say I’m upset that disaster is nowhere to be seen. There are actual window treatments surrounding the bay windows to the right, as opposed to the cheap plastic blinds we owned just this morning.

  “You do this?” I ask him, referring to the farm house chic decor that I know my punk rock bestie did not pick out.

  “Pffft,” he huffs. “Hired an interior decorator to do the dirty work. I wanted it to be a surprise. Raven oversaw the move, since I trusted she’d know what was important enough to keep and what was replaceable. I only had to entertain you for the day. Seriously, if it’s not your style, we can get Josette back out here to make it more you.”

  Not accustomed to being doted on this way, I shake my head. “This is perfect. Really.”

  Rhett releases a loud breath. It’s cute how badly he obviously wanted to impress me. “Good.” Grinning ear to ear, he places a hand at the small of my back. “Just wait till you see the master suite!”

  My breath catches when he ushers me through the barn doors at the end of the hall. The bed is massive. The frame is a simple distressed off-white wood, with an elegant chandelier hanging above thick, plush, blue-gray bedding. I don’t even have to touch it to know I’ll sink into it like a cloud. The walls are pale gray, almost white. The floor’s a stonewashed wood. To my left is another set of barn doors, slid aside to reveal a master bath fit for a queen. A pedestal tub sits at the center the room with yet another chandelier dangling above. Until this moment, I always imagined myself more of a candelabra girl, but even I can’t deny that it’s beautiful. Oh, who am I kidding? It’s nothing short of breathtaking.

  “Well,” he mutters, chewing the inside of his cheek. “If you hate it, like I said, it can all be ch— “

  I allow myself to get swept up in the moment and jump into his arms, capturing those sinfully plump lips between my own. There’s a war waging inside me, my heart and head battling it out with my rampant hormones, which seem to be taking the lead as I guide my new boy toy over to the king-sized bed.

  “Woah,” he breathes, capturing my hair near the nape of my neck in a fist and locking eyes with mine. He stills as the backs of his legs knock the bedframe. “I take it you’re getting over—”

  “Shhhh.” I touch my index finger to his lips. “Don’t—”

  “Don’t what?”

  Rising up to my toes, I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders and bury my nose into the bend of his neck, inhaling deeply as I breathe in his now-familiar scen
t. “Less talking.”

  His thumb and forefinger make a zipping motion across his mouth then both of his hands land on my ass. He grips my cheeks, lifting me to wrap my legs around his waist, then climbs onto the mattress, lowering me slowly while peppering kisses from my right ear, along my jawline, my neck, and across my collar bone.

  Chill bumps break out over my skin, contradictory to the way his lips strike fire to the blood running beneath the surface. I’m so hot. So damn horny. My hips buck off the bed when he lowers my shirt and takes my nipple between his teeth, the lace barrier of my bra somehow only adding to the intensity.

  “Rhett.” His name is a strangled moan as I fist his golden mane in my hands, my body writhing beneath his skilled touch.

  “I love these tits,” he says, staring down at my chest while sliding a hand behind my back and unclasping my bra. He pays equal attention to each one before continuing lower. I can hardly breathe as he traces a path down my stomach and around my belly button with his tongue while making quick work of releasing the button on my jeans.

  My hips lift of their own accord, and in one quick motion, my pants are gone.

  “And I love your sweet pussy,” he growls. The warmth of his breath, as he slides the tip of his nose along the silky fabric barely concealing my swollen bud, has me twisting my fingers in the sheets to keep from crying out.

  “Ohh,” I moan at the sensation of him slipping my panties aside and inserting a finger, slowly pumping in and out, trailing his tongue along the length of my body, working his way back to my mouth.

  “I love these perfect little lips, and the sounds you make when I touch you here.” His finger glides from my entrance to circle my clit. “And here,” he whispers before nibbling on the lobe of my ear and pushing back inside.

  Rhett’s words fuel my desire, while he strums at all of my sweet spots, working me into a frenzy. A true artist, the man plays my body by sound—so attuned to every whimper. Every hiss. Every moan.