“It’s just that you’re dropping everything to move halfway around the world to be with a guy you barely know. You have to know how crazy that sounds, right?”
“Well, when you put it like that…”
“How else would you put it, Madison?” I could hear the concern in her voice. She was my sister, after all, and she only wanted the best for me. I knew that. Of course, I knew that. She just didn’t understand. What had happened between me and Chad was not normal. The whole thing was crazy. Right from get go.
“I know it sounds completely bonkers. And trust me, there is not a thing you can tell me that I haven’t already thought of, but my life here has been such a mess recently, Sasha. What harm can it do if I just saw it as a holiday. Don’t I deserve one after all I’ve been through. Besides, I don’t want to just sit around waiting for something to happen when someone has come along and offered to actually make something happen for me. You know what I’m saying?”
She fell silent for a moment, and I knew she was considering what I had told her. “So how long are you going to be gone for?” There was resignation in her voice. She knew there would be no talking me out of this decision, no matter how strongly she disagreed with it.
“I don’t know yet,” I admitted. “But I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”
“And when are you leaving?” she asked.
I felt a twinge of sadness when I realized that I wouldn’t have a chance to see my sister before I went, but I knew I would be back soon enough. Chad would get tired of me soon. “Tonight,” I replied regretfully. “I’m actually packing right now. I just didn’t want to call you from America and have you find out that way.”
“Well, I appreciate the thought,” she replied grimly. “You take care of yourself, alright, Madison? Don’t get into any trouble. And don’t be too proud to come back if things don’t work out. You know I’m going to roast you for it either way.”
“I know.” I managed a grin. “I’m going to miss you, Sasha.”
“I’ll miss you too, babe.” She sighed. “Good luck out there. Just remember I’m here for you. No matter what.”
“Thank you.”
We said our goodbyes. They went on longer than I had expected, but I guess my sister was really worried about her little sister. After that I went back to packing my stuff up. I couldn’t take too much. It wasn’t like I had an abundance of clothes that would be fit for Miami anyway. Most of my wardrobe was designed for the cold British weather, not glowing sunshine or the beach. Miami was near a beach, right? I would have to look that up before I went out there.
Holy hell, I still couldn’t believe any of this was happening.
After I had packed a suitcase, I scanned my tiny little apartment and felt a little pang. I couldn’t imagine someone else in here, not while all my stuff was still here. This was my home for the last three years. No matter how shitty the past few months had become this was my sanctuary. I couldn’t believe I was really leaving this all behind.
Of course, my rent would still get paid on the 15th of the month, but if things worked out with Chad then there would be no reason for me to return. And then I caught myself. This was how hearts got broken. This was just a holiday. This was my apartment and I would be back. A message pinged on my cell.
Taxi outside.
“See you soon,” I said aloud to the air in my home, as I picked up my suitcase and walked to the door. My heart was filled with excitement for the future.
The driver heaved my suitcase easily into the boot of his car and we headed out of the city. Chad and I had agreed to meet at the airport, but as I looked out of the window I remembered the doubt in Sasha’s voice, the worry and concern for me, and I wondered if I wasn’t making a huge mistake. What if I got my heart broken.
But then Heathrow terminal came into view, and as we cruised up to Departures, I saw him standing on the curb looking around anxiously. He was waiting for me as if there was some doubt in his mind that I might not come, and the way his face lit up as soon as he laid eyes on me made a wave of relief course through me. It might be crazy, but it was the right choice, the only one I knew I could make. Any other would have caused me to live in regret.
Before I knew what was happening he had paid the driver, transferred my luggage from the car to his trolley, drawn me into his arms, and pressed his lips to mine very quickly. “You know, I could have afforded the cab,” I protested breathlessly.
“I know you could,” he replied. “But this entire journey is on me. Come on, let’s check in.”
He led me to the airline’s first class desk.
“We’re flying first class,” I whispered shocked.
He put his forefinger across my lips. “Money is useless if you don’t spend it.”
I could feel excitement coursing through my body as I stood next to him and watched him take control of all the arrangements. I noticed people, well women, giving him funny looks as though they knew him from somewhere, and it took everything I had in me not to lean forward and let them know that yes, that was Subway Chad, and yes, he really was big, and yes, he really, really was travelling with me.
At every opportunity he tried to make a physical connection with me, holding me so close, linking his fingers with mine, winding an arm around my waist, always making sure our bodies touched in some way. He didn’t let me carry a bag either, which actually made me feel slightly strange because I wasn’t used to guy being so chivalrous to me. I had grown up opening all my own doors, but I had to admit it made me feel special. As if I was delicate and needed to be protected.
We were whisked through the fast lane passport control. I’d been flying since I was a kid, but hell, this was completely different experience than cattle class. The difference between night and day. No queuing up, no one rudely asking you take your shoes off, no one looking at you as if you were hiding an explosive in your jacket. It was an extraordinarily civilized procedure. The way it should be for everyone, not just the very rich.
When we were through security, we were whisked off away from the rest of the crowds and towards an almost empty, luxurious lounge.
“Wow,” I mouthed, glancing around. The lights were muted, the carpet was dark and thick, the sofas looking wide and inviting. It was more like a private club than an airport lounge. A frosted glass enclosure promised relaxing foot massages beyond it. There was only one other couple in there. They were sipping on some kind of expensive-looking green drink.
“See why this is the only way to fly.” He flashed me that playfully-cocky smile of his.
“Yeah, if you have the money,” I muttered.
He leaned in to kiss me, and I felt that explosive feeling in my chest once more. I wasn’t sure whether it was dangerous or benign, but I knew that it came every time I found myself close to him and there was nothing I could do to change that.
We drank champagne and whispered to each other about the prospect of joining the mile-high club. At that moment, there was no one else in the world but us in that darkened lounge, and it was beautiful. Half-tipsy, I was pulled up and led to the departure gate. To my surprise the air-steward greeted us both by name and showed us to our seats. I say seat, but really, it was a bed. Thanks to its fully reclining nature and silky duvet I was given, I passed out in the first five minutes. I woke up to Chad gently squeezing my hand to draw me back to consciousness.
“We’re almost landing,” he said with a smile.
“Oh, what about the mile high club,” I mumbled.
He smiled. “Next time. You sleep well?”
I nodded, yawning and covering my mouth. “Sorry, I slept off.”
His smile broadened. “It was my fault for keeping you up all night.”
“Hope I didn’t snore.”
He shrugged. “I think it bothered everybody else more than it did me.”
My eyes widened in horror.
“You didn’t snore, don’t worry,” he assured me, with a chuckle. “I just couldn’t resist.”
“Dick,” I muttered.
Then an air hostess came up to give me a hot towel and asked if I wanted any coffee. All with a million-dollar smile. It was so unfair that everyone couldn’t have this treatment.
Soon enough we were out of the plane and into a cab. On our way to his apartment. It felt as though things had gone so quickly. It was late evening in Miami, and I had my face practically pressed to the window of the car so I could take in everything passing me by.
“Like what you see?” Chad asked, reaching over to rub between my shoulder-blades.
“I really do,” I said nodding vigorously. “Holy shit, is that an actual palm tree?”
“It is,” he grinned as I looked up, wide-eyed, at the thing towering over us. “You’ve never seen one before?”
“Not in person,” I shook my head and leaned back in the seat. “Holy fuck, I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
“Let’s take it slow,” he suggested. “Don’t want you to get overwhelmed.”
“I think that’s pretty much inevitable,” I murmured, mostly to myself; I already felt as though my brain might come leaking out the back of my head at any given moment, this was all so much to take in all at once.
“You want to get something to eat? I could use a meal.”
I nodded, unable to tear my gaze away from everything that was in front of me. We were coming into the city, and all I could see was neon and bright lights for miles. We passed little clusters of people out on the town, dressed in scraps of clothing so tiny they made me cringe a little. Perhaps people like me were best suited to living in colder countries where we could hide in layers of clothing. Outfits like these would have got one frozen to death in England.
Into my vision came a gaggle of women dressed to the nines in heels and dresses. they looked amazing. I looked down at my outfit, a set of jeans and a shirt. “I think I need to get changed first,”
“How about we stop by the apartment, freshen up, and then head out?” he suggested.
“That sounds good,” I replied, and turned my attention back out the window once more. I was still reeling, my brain trying to wrap itself around the fact that I’d been drinking coffee with Eleanor barely a couple of days before, and now here I was on the other side of the world with a man by my side who couldn’t seem to get enough of me.
It didn’t make any sense, but I loved every second.
Chapter 19
Madison
When we arrived back at his apartment, he went to switch on the air-conditioning and I looked around me curiously. It was way bigger than my place and very neat. It didn’t even look like anyone lived there. All the leather sofas looked immaculate and new and the glass tops shone bright.
He came back. “Come on, let’s change and get out of here. I’ll show you how everything works when we get back.”
The bedroom was four times the size of mine back home. It had a massive picture window that looked out over the beach. I walked to it and looked out.
“Wow, you have beach front property.”
“Yup.”
“It’s gorgeous, Chad.” I turned to look at him. “You’re so lucky.”
He looked deep into my eyes. “I am lucky. Very lucky.”
“Maybe I’ll take a walk down on the golden sands tomorrow, enjoy the cooling water a little.”
“Or maybe you’ll spend the whole day in bed with me.”
I shook my head, still quite unable to believe that he wanted me that much.
“Go on and change, or I’ll be having pussy for dinner.”
He slapped my ass as I scuttled away from him. I emerged after a few minutes, after pulling on the same blue dress that he’d seen me in the night before. I was a bit embarrassed to be getting into the same dress again, but I didn’t have a huge range of clothes to choose from that would suit a formal restaurant setting. None of that mattered when he turned around and saw me. His eyebrows shot up.
“You’re determined to make me suffer, aren’t you?” he observed, moving towards me. He ran his hands down my waist, tracing the curve that led into my hips, and I closed my eyes and thought about calling off dinner right there and then. To my horror my stomach grumbled and he laughed. “Right. Food for you. You need something to eat if you’re going to have the energy to do everything I want you to do later tonight.” He lowered his voice. “Yes, that’s right. I’m not stopping until you beg for mercy.”
“Or you beg for mercy,” I shot back.
He laughed. “Promises, promises.”
“So, do you have a place in mind for dinner?” I asked shyly as I hooked my arm through his and he led us to the door.
He shrugged. “There are couple of places I’ve been missing since I’ve been on tour,” he replied with a smile. He seemed so at-ease in this place, and his comfort helped bring me back down to Earth.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, there’s this awesome pizza joint a few streets over,” he said excitedly. “Really upmarket. And the food is fucking incredible.”
“That sounds perfect.” Now that he had said the word ‘pizza’ I couldn’t think of anything that I wanted more in the world.
He took me to his car, which was parked in a garage attached to the apartment. It wasn’t flashy, but it suited him. A classic convertible in sky-blue, with deep wood detailing.
“My pride and joy,” he said with a grin. “I got her with the very first paycheck I ever had for my stripping, and she’s been with me ever since.”
“When did you start with all of that?” I asked, curious. I knew so little about him, and I guessed this would count as our first date, of sorts, even though it was coming after I’d moved halfway around the world to be with him.
“The stripping?” He raised his eyebrows, as though casting his mind back. “Damn, it’s been such a long time…probably about nine years?”
“Nine years?” I exclaimed. “I don’t think I’ve done anything for that long in my life.”
“Well, trust me, when you find something you love and that you’re good at, it’s not hard to stick it out,” he replied. “That was actually my second tour around the world. I love traveling. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to do the shows every evening, though, since it cuts into how much of the nightlife of wherever I am I can enjoy.”
I ran my hands over the smooth walnut wood on the dashboard as he climbed in next to me. He kept the top down, but the air was warm enough so I didn’t even mind.
“You’re a nightlife kind of guy?” I snuck a look at him out of the corner of my eye as he pulled out and onto the street.
Reaching over he squeezed my leg. “I’ll show you just what kind of guy I am later.”
We made it the rest of the way in silence, both of our minds taken up with everything we were going to do as soon as we finished dinner and got back to his apartment.
He came around to open the car door for me like the gentleman he was, and offered me his arm. I slipped mine through the crook of his elbow and we headed into the restaurant. The place was packed and I was sure that we weren’t going to get a table, but as soon as the host lifted her eyes and laid eyes on him, a big-ass grin broke out across her face. She stepped away from her stand and waved her arm over the restaurant.
“How nice to see you again, Chad?”
“Same here, Lily.”
“For two?”
“For two, and Lily, give me the best seat, won’t ya.”
Lily turned her gaze to me, even though I had been standing right there on his arm the whole time I had been invisible to her, but Chad asking for the best table had somehow put me back in her radar. I saw a little bit of the sparkle drop out of her gaze. I ignored it. She was probably just disappointed that she wouldn’t be able to flirt more tips out of Chad, given that I was here. Nothing to take to heart, but I knew it was nothing to do with tips.
She led us over to a table next to the window, with a view down over the beach that made my heart sing. I stared out across the waves, softl
y lapping up the golden beach, and shook my head. “I can’t believe we’re actually here,” I murmured, mostly to myself.
“You don’t really do beaches back home?” he asked, as a waiter arrived with menus for the two of us.
“Not unless you want to spend a whole afternoon getting frostbite and wind-blasted.”
He laughed, an easy, comfortable laugh, the kind that sent shivers down my spine.
“So, what’s good here?” I asked, lowering my gaze to the menu and starting to flip through. I tried not to balk at the prices. He said he wanted to treat me to everything, but this was going to require some mental gymnastics for me. I was so used to being completely independent. Living off someone else was going to take some getting used.
“Pretty much everything,” he replied. “But I would recommend—”
“Excuse us,” A voice came from beside us, and we both looked up. I expected to see the waiter, back with the wine menu, but instead I was faced with a group of tanned, good-looking, young women. They were all staring at my date, looking hungrier than I was at that moment. I glanced over at Chad, and he seemed completely unbothered by what was happening. The girl who had spoken, the one who seemed to be the nominated head of these group, thrust a napkin and a pen at him.
“We saw your show a few months ago,” she gushed, tossing her mane of perfectly-bleached blonde hair back and over her brown shoulder. “Can we get your autograph?”
Chad didn’t blink an eyelid. “Sure.” Quickly, he scribbled on her napkin and pushed it back in her direction. He seemed vaguely annoyed, but they weren’t picking up on it.
“Thank you so much.” She reached over and squeezed his hand.
My eyebrows shot up high enough to vanish into my hairline. Okay, what the fuck? Was this just a cultural difference that I was going to have to get used to, or was she hitting on my man right the fuck in front of me?
“No problem,” Chad replied with a fixed smile. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m here with my date…”
Too hot to handle: A curvy girl romance Page 7