by Layla Hagen
Sasha and Cami were also in the pics. I was usually looking forward to this, because they gave fans a real glimpse into the evening, and into us—our lives. But right now, all I wanted was to pull Isabelle somewhere private. I was determined to do it as soon as we finished with the pictures, but I didn’t get the chance, because she and Cami went to the bathroom.
“Is it just me, or is your girl avoiding you?” Harvey asked.
How the fuck had he caught on?
“Not just you,” Thomas said. “Dude, whatever it is, don’t let it escalate.”
“Stop hazing the poor guy,” Sasha intervened. “Maybe Isabelle’s tired of you lot. Did you think about that?”
Lars rolled his shoulders, pushing out his chest. “Impossible.”
Sasha laughed, running a hand through her hair.
“I’m not in the mood for this,” I said, walking away from them. I went to the bar, ordering a glass of water; they’d only set out champagne throughout the room. The bartender handed me a huge glass immediately, and I chugged it down, needing to hydrate.
Lilian approached me. “Your little girlfriend seems sulky. Did I scare her away?”
I stared at her. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, come on. I’m sure she ran to you complaining about our encounter.”
“What exactly did you tell her?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice calm.
“The truth. That she’s not part of this world. She doesn’t know how to deal with everything. And that you’ll get bored of her eventually. You need someone who can take on everything. And who’s much better looking and knows what the camera loves. Like me. She doesn’t even know how to dress up for an event like this. Who comes with an off-rack dress to a party full of A-listers? The reporters already asked about my outfit when I arrived.” She was smirking. Lilian had always come across as arrogant and far too self-assured. I’d never paid attention, because I had zero interest in her personally, and Sasha insisted she was good at her job.
I looked straight at her, determined to keep my voice low but strong and clear.
“You’re fired.”
She blinked. “What? You can’t do that. The tour season is about to start.”
“We’ll manage without you.”
“You’re not—”
“Effective immediately. Leave the premises right now. If you don’t go willingly, I’ll ask security to escort you. You don’t want the cameras outside to catch that, do you?”
Her glare was icy. “You’re going to regret this.”
I waved at Sasha, who was still talking to the guys. She came over to us right away.
“Sasha, I fired Lilian, effective immediately.”
Sasha’s eyes widened, but she didn’t contradict me. She knew better.
“Make sure she leaves the premises right away.”
With that, I left the bar area, looking around the room for Isabelle. Remembering she’d gone to the bathroom, I headed that way too. I waited for her outside the corridor leading to the back where the amenities were. No one stopped me to chat on the way, which was a miracle. Then again, most guests were already in party mode.
Five minutes passed, then ten. What the hell is taking them so long?
When Cami and Isabelle finally emerged, they looked at me in surprise.
“Someone’s been missing you,” Cami said. “You can tell me about the second meditation technique later. And I want to buy one of those journals you make.”
“No, no. You’re my friend. Friends don’t pay. I’ll make one for you.”
Cami smiled. “Thank you.” Patting my shoulder, she added, “I love her. And now I’ll leave you two. Don’t want to be a third wheel.”
As Cami left, Isabelle and I moved a few feet away so we wouldn’t be in the way of traffic.
“What was that about?” I asked.
“Cami said they’re trying to get pregnant, and it’s not going as smoothly as they hoped.”
“I know. Thomas mentioned it a few times.”
“She’s experiencing anxiety, and I explained an easy meditation technique. I’m going to make a journal for her. I’ll need to talk to her in more detail about everything though.”
I couldn’t believe she was thinking about how to best help Cami even though she’d been so shaken before by Lilian.
“I fired Lilian,” I said without further ado.
“What? Why?”
“She told me about your conversation, and I don’t tolerate that behavior.”
Her eyes widened, and she clasped her bag tighter. “Brayden... you didn’t have to fire her. She’s doing a good job.”
“I don’t care. No one treats you like that and remains unpunished.” I took one step closer, until I was right in her personal space. “We need to clarify a few things.”
“Like what?”
“Like the fact that you’re mine, and everything that being mine entails.” I skimmed my fingers along her jaw, moving lower to her neck. She exhaled sharply, parting her lips. “But I want us to be alone for that conversation. We’ve stayed at this event long enough. It’s time to go.”
***
Paul took us directly to the Waldorf Astoria. We didn’t speak at all in the car; I didn’t want to have to filter what I was about to tell her because we weren’t alone.
A bellhop opened the door to the car, leading us straight up to our room. It was on the top floor. Because the elevator was room-keyed to take one party at a time, we didn’t need extra security. The suite had a bedroom and a living room, complete with a couch, a dining table, and a desk. The bellhop started pointing out the different amenities, but I cut him short, ready to be with my girl.
“Thank you, we’re good.” I tipped him generously, and the second he left, I focused on Isabelle. She was standing in front of the desk with her back to me.
I went to her, clasping our fingers together, kissing her neck and shoulder.
“About those things we need to clarify,” I began, determined to have this conversation before I lost my head.
She half turned her head, pressing her back against me.
“You and I are together in everything, Isabelle, do you understand? Everything. Don’t push me out.”
She turned around slowly. “I wasn’t trying to.”
“But you did it.”
“I’m not sure why I didn’t come clean about it. I wanted to tell you about it but didn’t want to ruin the party. You were so happy. I wanted to protect you. You don’t have to fire her. I can handle Lilian.”
“You don’t have to handle her at all. Anyone hurts you, I remove them. Simple as that. You just need to tell me.”
The corners of her mouth tilted up. “Sounds easy enough.”
“It is. I mean it, Isabelle. I’m crazy about you. I want to give you the world, and I am in a position to do that.”
I captured her mouth, kissing her until she went soft in my arms. I lowered my hand to her hips, lifting her dress slowly, enjoying how the rhythm of her breath changed.
When I reached the bare skin of her outer thighs, she moaned against my mouth, lacing her fingers at the back of my neck. I moved one hand to her ass, squeezing it. Fuck, she was too delicious, too perfect. I’d barely touched her and I already had a hard-on.
I remembered the zipper of her dress was on the left side and lowered it in one swift move. I tugged at her dress, and so did she until it fell to the floor. The sight of her naked breasts drove me insane. She stepped out of it, pushing it away with her foot. She still had those sexy-as-hell heels on.
“Best fucking part of this dress,” I said.
“What?”
“You don’t need a bra with it.”
She threw her head back, laughing, but the sounds turned to moans when I drew circles with my fingers around one nipple. Dipping my head, I traced the tip of my tongue around the other one. She gasped, rolling her hips forward, tugging at my hair. I loved how fast I could bring her to the edge, and that she wasn’t
ashamed of expressing herself.
I lowered myself even more, kissing a straight line down her belly. She sucked in her stomach in anticipation. I parted her thighs with one hand, sliding my thumb in her panties, right over her pussy. She buckled, gripping the edge of the desk with both hands. I teased her like that, drawing my thumb slowly down her opening and then back up, nudging her clit each time. She brought her hands to the elastic band of her panties, her intention clear. I blocked her right hand.
“No. I want you to come before I even take the panties off you. Then I’ll make you come all over again.”
She gasped. Her legs shook slightly as I stroked her clit more.
“Ooooh.” Her voice was wobbly and pleading.
I hooked one of her legs over my shoulder, wanting her spread wider. She gripped the edge of the desk tighter, moving so she was half sitting on it.
I looked up at her, alternating between kissing her belly and her thighs and watching her coming apart slowly. It was an exquisite view, one I could only fully enjoy if I wasn’t buried inside her too. Deep frown lines marred her forehead, almost as if the pleasure and anticipation was too much to bear.
I couldn’t stop touching her pussy, even though she was so damn sensitive that she shuddered on every stroke. But I wanted to keep her just like that—on edge, overwhelmed by my ministrations. I changed positions, moving up her body slowly, until I reached her mouth, capturing it in a slow, lazy kiss, exploring her the way I’d wanted to the whole night. My hand was still between her legs, teasing her, right until she gasped.
Her fingers worked the buttons of my shirt. She was looking at me with a mix of lust and desperation that drove me insane. I wanted to give this woman absolutely everything I had. I helped her too, and between the two of us, we got rid of my clothes in record time. Before dropping my pants on the pile on the floor, I took out a condom. She snatched it from me, but her hands were too shaky to open the package. I teased her, pressing the tip of my cock against her belly, which was clearly messing with her concentration. I took it from her, ripping it open myself and sliding the condom on. Then I took off her panties.
She sat against the edge of the desk again, placing her hands behind her, looking at me seductively, all opened for me. Gripping her hips, I turned her around, kissing her shoulders and her back. My cock was trapped between us, and the pressure made me insatiable. She reached a hand back to me, scraping her fingers on my outer thigh.
I slid in and out of her slowly, first the tip, then a few more inches, but didn’t go all the way in.
“Fuuuuck.”
She was tight and warm and so damn perfect. She was still sensitive from the first orgasm, still on edge. I felt it in the way she pulsed around my cock, the way her body trembled every time I pushed in deeper.
When I thrust in completely, she buckled over the desk, slamming her forearms on top.
“Oh, fuck,” she muttered.
I rocked in and out slowly, enjoying every thrust. The sight of my cock disappearing inside her almost brought me to my knees. I alternated between kissing her back and shoulder blades and straightening up so I could see. When she pushed herself up, reaching a hand to her clit, I nearly exploded. But the desk wasn’t too comfortable, and neither was standing, so I pulled out of her, guiding her to the bed. I sat down without even bothering with the covers, pulling Isabelle on top of me. I could kiss and see her better this way, and she had better access to touch herself the way she wanted to. Her eyes were half closed as she lowered herself on my cock, taking me in. She didn’t move, just flexed her inner muscles. I groaned, gripping one hip, urging her to move. A small smile played on her lips. She liked being in charge. She rolled back and forth slowly. I felt my orgasm forming in the depths of my body. My breath was quickening, and every nerve ending was on edge. My insides twisted.
“Fuck.”
I held her up a few inches so I could move too, and our combined thrusts sent me over the edge. The pleasure was too intense, too overwhelming. I was hurtling toward my climax, already spiraling out. She lowered a hand to her clit, gasping. She barely touched herself before she exploded. Her whole body shook. She leaned in, propping her forehead on my shoulder, still rolling her hips, wanting to wring out every drop of pleasure. My cock was pulsing, but I kept myself in check somehow.
When her body went lax and she stopped moving, I took over. I lowered her on the bed on her back before pulling out, watching her for a few seconds. She looked perfect: sated and spent. She was so fucking sexy with sweat dotting her skin and her red hair clinging to her white translucent neck and breasts.
Pouting, she drew her hand from my sternum down to my cock. I kissed her long and deep and wet before turning her around.
“Oh,” she gasped, looking over her shoulder, biting her lower lip.
“Get ready for orgasm number three,” I whispered in her ear.
Goose bumps broke out on her body. She was just as insatiable as I was.
Instead of parting her legs, I pushed them together. She felt even tighter like this when I slid inside. She tugged at the sheets before fisting them, pressing her forehead against the mattress.
“Oh, this feels so good. So intense,” she muttered. “Soooo intense.”
She was still on edge. I slid in and out without fighting the pleasure this time. My climax took me by surprise. It built slowly, but it hit me like a tidal wave. I gasped, calling her name, thrusting and thrusting until my body was burning. My muscles cramped, but I didn’t care. And when she tightened around me again, I wasn’t sure I could breathe anymore through the pleasure. She wasn’t even touching her clit, but she was so sensitive that the pressure of the mattress was enough.
I couldn’t see her face this time, but I felt her body succumb to her orgasm, and to me.
I rolled right next to her, drawing in deep breaths. My vision was a bit blurry. I ran my hand blindly over her back, all the way down to her ass, palming one cheek. When I got no reaction from her, I nudged her shoulder.
“Isabelle?” I whispered.
“Still recovering,” she whispered back, moving closer to me until she rested her head on my shoulder.
I understood the sentiment perfectly. I barely had any energy to move, but somehow I managed to get rid of the condom and pull her closer.
This is how life is meant to be.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Brayden
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of Isabelle’s voice. She was in the other room, and it sounded like she was ordering the whole breakfast menu.
After finishing the conversation, she peeked inside the room. She was fresh-faced and her hair was damp. She’d showered and I hadn’t heard her? I’d really been out of it.
“Oh good, you’re up. I’ve wanted to kiss and touch you all morning.”
“Why didn’t you do it?”
“Ummm... my conscience? Unlike you, Mr. Clarke, I don’t want to hijack people’s sleep with sexy adventures.”
She jumped in the bed, smiling widely. The red dress she was wearing bunched up, revealing more of her thighs.
“For the record, I don’t mind. And you don’t either. You just like giving me shit.”
Her smile turned into a grin. “Possibly. But you seemed so tired that I didn’t have it in me to wake you up.”
“You’re in a good mood.”
“What are you talking about? I’m always a ray of sunshine.”
“Yes, but today you’re extra cheerful. Why?”
“I don’t know.” She twirled a strand of wet hair between her fingers, glancing at me playfully. “Might be because I discovered they serve fifteen types of breakfast.”
I cocked a brow, brushing my thumb over her lips. “Liar. I think it’s got to do with those three orgasms you had last night.”
Her grin became even wider as she stretched on the bed, curling her toes.
“You know what? You could be right. Want to test that theory? See if three more make me even happier?
I’m going to guess that the answer is yes, but you know me, I’m a scientist. I don’t like educated guesses. I like facts and testing theories.”
I scooted closer to her, resting on one elbow. “Why did I insist you bring clothes here? Worst idea I’ve had.”
She batted her eyelashes, moving her hands from her waist down to her thighs.
“You don’t like it?”
The dress was sleeveless and dipped in a V in the front.
“I do, but I’d prefer a towel or nothing at all.”
“It’s just a dress,” she said seriously. “I’m not even wearing underwear. Thought I’d make things easy for you.”
I brushed my hand on her inner thigh, inching higher.
“You don’t believe me?” she asked.
“I like to double-check things for myself.” I tried to keep my voice serious, but we were both fighting laughter.
“Oh yes, please, be very thorough.”
I kissed her neck, moving my hand until I reached mid-thigh, and—
The doorbell rang.
I groaned, pushing myself up on an elbow. Isabelle pouted, climbing from the bed and smoothing her dress.
She turned to me, pointing a finger. “Stay there. Covers all the way to your chin.”
I cocked a brow. “Why?”
“Because I don’t want anyone to see all those sexy muscles.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You can close the door, you know.”
“Oh, I will. But just to be on the safe side.”
With a wink, she walked out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
I got up and went into the bathroom, brushing my teeth and showering quickly. When I came out, I realized room service still hadn’t left. I dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, then checked my phone. To my surprise, I didn’t have any messages. Sasha and the rest of the team were probably still asleep, but not for long. We still had to confirm the itinerary and schedule for the first concert. I couldn’t believe the tour was starting in three weeks.
Isabelle opened the door to the bedroom. “Breakfast is ready. And so am I.” She shimmied her hips, walking back to the living room.