by Sara Mack
“He thinks you’re pretty cool, too,” Latson says. “In fact, I think he might have a little crush on you.”
Awww. How sweet. “You just made my day.”
Latson stops walking. “Our date did nothing for you?”
“No.” I bump his arm with mine. “I meant it added to my already good day.”
He smirks and we round the fountain, passing by a building with a patio and outdoor seating. I assume it’s a restaurant. Further along we come across a sculpture that looks like a giant metallic bean. I want to stop and take a closer look, but we pass by that, too. I get the feeling he’s leading me somewhere. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.” He nods, indicating our stop is up ahead.
I follow his eyes and can’t miss it. We’re approaching a huge outdoor amphitheater. Exposed steel arches form a trellis over the most grass I’ve seen anywhere in the city. Gigantic pieces of metal that look like boat sails surround a massive stage to our left, and, in front of us, people use the lawn to enjoy the evening air. Some sit on blankets, others stand and talk. I catch a few throwing a Frisbee. We pass a sign that says we’re at the Great Lawn, part of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
“Wow,” I breathe as Latson continues to lead me on to the grass. We stop in the center, hundreds of feet from the stage.
He smiles. “Imagine what it would be like to play here.”
“Have you?”
He looks down, then back at me. “Maybe.”
“This is ...” I let go of his hand and take a few steps. “This is unbelievable. How many people can it hold?”
“Thousands. There are a lot of free concerts in the summer.”
My eyes get big. “Did you say free?”
“I take it you’ll be adding some entertainment to your tourist to-do list?”
“Absolutely.”
I look around some more. It would be a thrill to play here. I hope Latson knows how lucky he is to have done it. I can picture the view from the stage – the crowd and the lighting. I can imagine the energy, hear the applause, and see a guitar in my hands. I can feel a pick between my fingers and sense the anticipation of striking an opening chord. My skin breaks out in goose bumps and I shiver.
“Are you cold?” Latson appears by my side. He starts to take off his jacket.
“No.” I shake my head. “Places like this they…” How do I put it? I don’t want him to think I’m weird. “Places like this give me chills. But good chills. Excited chills.”
He steps closer, intrigued. “Why?”
“Because it’s music,” I say. “It’s creativity. Its escape. It’s sharing a piece of –”
Before I can think his hands are on me. One slides around the back of my neck while the other wraps around my waist. He pulls our bodies together, my palms landing against his chest, and he kisses me.
He didn’t ask and he doesn’t hesitate. He just kisses me.
All of the innuendo, everything he’s ever said, is delivered through his mouth and his hands. I melt into him, clutching his shirt to bring him closer, and he responds by finding my lower lip and gently biting it. My knees go weak and I lose track of time. This is the best kiss I’ve ever received. Outside, under a warm, dusky night, in front of a stage with a handsome musician. My pulse races with the perfection of it.
When he pulls back he rests his forehead against mine. “If I don’t stop now I won’t.”
I catch my breath. “Then why did you kiss me?”
“Remember when I said Oliver had a crush on you?”
I nod, biting my lip to suppress a smile.
“His uncle does, too.”
Chapter Fourteen
It’s like we just discovered kissing exists. My back is flush against the wall outside Pete’s apartment as Latson’s mouth leaves a warm trail up the side of my neck.
Earlier, when we left the park, I made him stop at the metallic bean so I could get a closer look. It turns out it’s not supposed to be a bean at all but a sculpture called Cloud Gate. You can walk beneath it, and the mirrored surface distorts your reflection in all sorts of ways. The unique images didn’t hold Latson’s attention like they held mine; while I was looking up I saw him brush away my hair before I felt it. Standing behind me, he pressed a kiss to my shoulder, then glanced up and caught me watching him. His eyes held mine as he made a path with his lips, grazing my skin, to just beneath my ear. When his hands circled my waist and pulled me close, I couldn’t take it and turned around to kiss him. Since we were in a somewhat secluded spot, we stayed there.
We stayed there until a security guard told us we had to leave.
Now, back at the apartment, we’re all over each other again. His mouth leaves my neck and follows my jaw, and I push off the wall to get closer to him. As I slide my hands over his shoulders, I silently hope my brother doesn’t appear. It makes me wonder why Latson stopped the elevator on Pete’s floor instead of his own.
“Damn,” he mutters against me. “I should have asked Diane to keep Oliver overnight.”
“Diane?”
“Mrs. Gibson,” he clarifies.
Oh. We’re here because Oliver is home with his sitter. Since the sarcasm stopped once the kissing began I say, “That’s okay. You weren’t going to get lucky after the first date anyway.”
He leans back, playful. “You’re telling me if I asked you to come upstairs you’d say no?”
I’d so say yes. What is wrong with me? “That’s right,” I lie. “You have to work for it. The chase hasn’t been long enough.”
“Oh, really?” He zeroes in on my mouth. “I’ve been chasing you ever since you got here.”
His admission causes butterflies to take flight in my belly just like they did when he confessed his crush. He places a slow, deliberate kiss on me, and my hand slides around his neck to keep him close. The other runs down his chest, over his stomach, and lands on the waistband of his jeans. He backs out of my reach, and my eyes fly open.
“Uh uh,” he says. “You don’t get to feel me up.”
“I was feeling down, actually.”
Latson groans, making me laugh. He steps forward and I step back. He sets his hands on either side of my head, against the wall, boxing me in. “I’m tempted to pick you up and carry you out of here.”
My pulse pounds. That would be okay.
Really.
“But since our places are occupied,” he leans forward, “I’m going to go home. So I can think of ways to chase you.”
“Make ‘em good,” I tease. “I can run fast or I can run slow. It all depends on you.”
He searches my face for a moment before flashing his sexy smile. “Little Bird, I don’t care how fast you run. Just as long as it’s toward me.”
My heart doesn’t know what to do with itself and I feel a little dizzy. He kisses me again, and a thought pops into my head. Dare I think it?
I’m sorry Ed, but you may have to move over.
When Latson walks away he does so slowly – and backward. “Goodnight,” he says.
“’Night. Thank you for dinner.”
“Anytime.” He makes it to the stairwell door and cracks it open. “Don’t stay up too late thinking about me. I’ll be the one above you, all alone, in a big, cold bed.”
He attempts a sad puppy-dog face and I laugh. “You’re the one with a kid at home.”
“You’re the one with a brother.”
Touché. “Go work on your chasing skills. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Count on it.” He smiles before disappearing. I wait a few seconds and when I’m sure he’s gone, I let out a sigh. A big, relaxed sigh. A slightly dazed sigh.
A holy-shit-this-night-was-amazing sigh.
I open Jules’ clutch – yet another item borrowed – and hunt for my key to Pete’s door. He had an extra made so I could come and go, and tonight I took it off my key ring because I had too many keys to fit in the purse. Where in the hell is it? There’s, like, two pockets in here. I pull
out my driver’s license, my debit card, a little cash, my phone, and my lip gloss. I could’ve sworn I put it in here. Giving up, I put everything back and knock on the door. I impatiently tap my foot while I wait for Pete. When he doesn’t answer, I knock again. He’s probably asleep. I take out my phone to call him and when I hit the wake button, there’s a message I missed:
I’m with Jules if you need me.
Great. I’m locked out. I start to dial his number when I remember someone else has a key. A certain someone I was just kissing.
I make my way upstairs with a smile. Latson will probably assume I’m lying to see him, but that’s okay. Two can chase, right? When I reach the top of the stairwell I open the door only to hear voices. I stop short and peer into the hallway. Latson is talking to Heidi. I’d recognize that red hair anywhere.
“You came here to complain?”
“You had a party and didn’t include me.” She pouts and tries to set her hand on Latson’s chest. “What’s going on?”
He moves out of her way. “I thought Dean would have invited you.”
“Well, he didn’t.” Heidi crosses her arms. “Has he found out if he’s going on tour?”
“Ah,” Latson snickers. “The real reason you’re here comes out.”
“Just tell me.”
“No. He hasn’t heard.”
“If he goes will you go with him?”
“No.”
Heidi tips her head and sticks out her hip. “It’s because of that girl, isn’t it? Julia or Genevieve or –”
“Her name is Jen.”
“What-the-fuck-ever.” She rolls her eyes. “Is that where you were tonight? With her?”
Latson looks irritated. “That’s none of your business.”
“It is,” she insists. “You know I promised Audrey –”
“You didn’t promise her shit.” Latson stands to his full height. “You need to stop using that excuse.”
Heidi tries to look innocent. “She was my best friend. I told her I’d look out for –”
“Stop.” He cuts her off again. “The only one you’ve ever looked out for is yourself.”
Heidi steps back like his words hurt. “I care about Oliver.”
“No. You use him to stay close to me.” Latson leans forward. “I’ve told you before. You need to stop hanging on to something that doesn’t exist. The band is done. I’m not going back to that life; you won’t get your minute of fame from me. Move on.”
Heidi’s back stiffens. “Did it ever occur to you that I stay close because you remind me of your sister? Because I miss her?”
Latson’s laugh is sarcastic. “Maybe you should have thought about losing her before you did lines together.”
Heidi’s eyes grow wide. “That’s not fair! When she and I ... you know it was once or twice. It wasn’t a problem then. Levi is the one who ruined her, not me.”
“And we all know who introduced them, don’t we?”
“Why are you being so mean?” Heidi hisses. Then, her voice turns venomous. “It’s Jen, isn’t it? She’s putting thoughts in your head because she doesn’t like me.”
“We’ve never discussed you.”
“She’s a bitch,” Heidi says. “I can’t believe you hired her and I can’t believe you let her spend time with Oliver. Audrey would hate her.”
Latson’s eyes flash. He sets his jaw and steps into her personal space. “My sister would have loved Jen and you know it. I won’t let you talk trash about her.”
“You won’t let me?” Heidi looks unimpressed. “You don’t control me, Gunnar.”
“But I do,” Latson says. “Utter one more word about Jen and you can kiss following Dean’s tour goodbye. All it takes is one call from me and you’ll be thrown out on your ass so fast you won’t know what hit you.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, but I would.”
Heidi’s eyes narrow. “Fine. It’s only a matter of time before you find out what she really is anyway. I’m just trying to warn you.”
My mind reels. What does she think I am? We haven’t said one word to each other since we met. The idea of her running her mouth when she knows nothing about me pisses me off. I think it’s time to end this conversation and put her in her place.
Stepping into the hallway, I open the door with enough force for the two of them to hear it. Heidi quickly turns and Latson’s eyes swing to me as I walk toward them.
“Speak of the devil.” Heidi looks smug. “Eavesdrop much?”
“Only when I hear my name and bitch in the same sentence.” I stop walking a few feet in front of her. “Is there something you would like to say to my face? Because I’m all ears.”
Heidi looks shocked for a second. Then, she flips her color-treated hair over one shoulder. “You don’t know who you’re messing with, little girl. You’re in my territory now.”
Confusion creases my brow, and I glance at Latson. “What in the hell is she talking about?”
He lets out an exasperated breath. “I don’t know.” He brushes past Heidi and to my side. “What do you mean ‘territory’? Are you an animal?”
I can’t resist and clap my hands. “Oooooo! Are you going to piss a circle around Latson to claim him? I’d love to see that.” I start to open my purse. “Hang on. Let me get my phone so I can take a video.”
Latson covers a laugh as Heidi’s face turns red. “You think you’re funny?” she snaps. “Why don’t you just tell him what you want and save him the trouble? Then we can all go on our way and pretend like you don’t exist.”
What have I ever done to this woman? Sure, I may have given her an irritated glance or two, but nothing to warrant her shitty behavior. “I don’t know where you got the idea that I want something. I don’t want anything.” I look at Latson and his eyes dance. He’s clearly enjoying this. My gaze falls to his mouth and I decide to mess with Heidi a little more.
“Wait,” I say, holding up a finger. “I changed my mind. There is one thing I want.” Reaching over, I grab Latson’s shirt and pull him to me. I find his mouth with mine and press my body against his. He leans into my kiss and reciprocates, his hands sliding around my waist and down to my ass.
“Just like I thought,” Heidi snipes. “You’re nothing but a gold digging attention whore.”
Latson’s lips leave mine and he growls, “That’s enough.” He steps back and takes my hand, pulling me toward his place. “Go home, Heidi. If you want to know about Dean, ask him yourself.”
Without another word he opens his door and ushers me inside. He lets the door close behind us, and I catch a glimpse of Heidi’s angry expression before it shuts all the way. If she hated me before, she loathes me now.
“Well, that was fun,” I joke. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t stand there and say nothing.”
Latson walks toward me. “Why were you standing there?”
“I’m locked out. I forgot my key and Pete is with Jules.” I reach for my phone. “See?”
He takes my cell and glances at the screen, then gives me a sly smile as he slides it into his back pocket.
“Um … can I have that back?”
“Maybe.”
He moves closer and reaches for my purse. I give it to him, along with a questioning look. He sets it on the table in the entryway, then threads his fingers through my empty hands. Gently, he winds my arms around my back and pins them there, bringing his chest to mine. “I like how you stood your ground with Heidi.”
I look up at him. “I like how you defended me.”
He starts to walk forward, pressing me back. “I like that you like how I defended you.”
I smile taking careful steps. “I like that you like my like of your defense.”
He pauses and squints. “This is getting complicated.”
I laugh.
We keep walking. As we do, I realize the lights are off in the apartment with the exception of a lamp in the living room and a kitchen light. As we pass the dining table, I see Latson�
��s jacket tossed over a chair, and his wallet and keys next to a note. I assume it’s from Mrs. Gibson, which reminds me of Oliver. I stop walking. “Is Oliver asleep?”
“Funny you should mention him.” One side of Latson’s mouth quirks up. “You’re not the only one who’s been abandoned tonight.”
He leads me over to the table to read the note, but doesn’t let me go. Someone named Nathan is staying at Mrs. Gibson’s house, and the boys were begging for a sleepover. Despite it being a weeknight, she caved and will drop the kids at school in the morning.
“Who’s Nathan?” I ask.
“Diane’s grandson.”
I look at Latson and he looks at me. “So, we’re all alone?”
He nods and my pulse quickens. His breathing increases too, because I can feel the rise and fall of his chest. He leans forward and brushes his nose across my cheek until his mouth finds my ear. “I was headed outside to your window when Heidi knocked on the door. I was going to ask if you wanted to have a sleepover of our own.”
My breath hitches and a warm anticipation starts to spread through my veins. “Hmmm,” I tease. “I’ll have to check with Ed. He doesn’t like to share, remember?”
Latson frowns. “Again with Sheeran?”
I nod with a smile and he pauses to think. Then, he cocks an eyebrow.
“When’s the last time he kissed you?” he asks.
“Ummm ...” He’s got me there. “Never.”
Latson gives me his sexy smirk before lowering his mouth to mine. He takes his time teasing my lips, first the top and then the bottom, by slowly pulling each one between his own and sucking on it. No one has paid such delicate attention to my mouth before and the feeling is incredible. When he finishes his individual attention, he takes my lips together, parting them with his tongue and branding me in his own way. A whimper escapes my throat, and I feel Latson smile before he pulls back.
“That’s one for me and zero for Ed,” he says as I catch my breath. “When’s the last time he touched you?”
I shake my head. “Never. He’s touched me with his words, though. That should count.”
“Maybe,” Latson concedes. “But, what if you could have the real thing?”