He smiles and walks in past my uncle and scoops me up in his arms. “It is.”
I cannot believe he came!
I giggle as he twirls me around. “Put me down, silly.”
He puts me down and I look at him as I run my fingers along his jaw. “My God, you look different.” I look back at his band and shake my head in disbelief. “You all look so different. I’d never know it was you if I past you on the street.”
Kip takes my hand and pulls me close to him. “It is okay I brought my mates, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
Kip points at the first guy, a tall, dark haired guy with a slight purple tinge to his wavy hair. “This is Bobby.”
“Hi, I remember you, the purple spikes,” I say and smile.
“I remember you too,” he says. “The chic who left my mate hanging on stage.”
Heat fills my cheeks as I blush. “Yep, that was me. Sorry about that. I wasn’t trying to embarrass him.”
Kip slips his arm around my shoulders, giving them a squeeze. “You didn’t, don’t worry. The next bloke here is our drummer, James.”
He smiles and nods. “Thanks for inviting us, Peyton. It was very nice of you.”
“It’s was very nice of you to come. I never thought Mr. Pop Rock would take me up on the offer, I must confess,” I say and give him a smile and a nod too. The two men he’s already introduced come into the living room as I gesture for them to come in. “You guys make yourselves at home. There are tons of food and drinks.”
The third guy Kip introduces. “This is Troy, my lead guitar player.”
“Hey, Peyton, it’s nice to officially meet you,” he says and shakes my hand.
I giggle. “You too, Troy, please feel free to mingle and let me know if you need anything.” I turn to look at Kip in amazement as he looks so different. I find myself touching his cheek.
Kip smiles and brings his hand up to hold mine as I stroke his tanned skin. “Different, huh?”
“Very,” I answer. “You’re actually a very handsome man without all that crap on your face and in your hair.”
He raises his eyebrows and winks. “Why thank you. I do believe that’s the first compliment you’ve given me.”
“I’m really sorry if I’ve been rude. My roommate from the dorm tells me I have been and I don’t mean to be.” I lead him to a sofa in the far corner of the massive living room. “Please have a seat, Mr. Dixon. So tell me why the hair and make-up? Why would you hide such a handsome face and silky hair from the world?” I ask as I gesture to the sofa.
He sits and pulls me down with him. “The make-up and hair are the manager’s idea, not ours. Truth be told though it does make it easier for us to go out in the open than celebrities who are more easily recognized. And I don’t feel as if you’ve been rude, just overly cautious where I’m concerned.”
I think I have every reason to be cautious where he’s concerned!
“You resemble your mother. She’s gorgeous, not that your father isn’t.” My eyes move from looking in his to looking at the hand he’s placed on my exposed thigh as I’ve changed into a short skirt and tank top once I got home. My flesh is warm beneath his hand and a slight electric current seems to be running up my leg.
With his other hand, he takes a lock of my hair and twirls it between his fingers. “And I thought you had no interest in me, yet here you talk about Mum and Pop.”
He wears some form-fitting, black slacks that hug his muscled legs. Almost without realizing what I’m doing, I run my hand over the top of his thigh.
“Please, they’re on the celebrity spotlight shows practically once a week, even though his band hasn’t toured or come out with anything new in the last decade. What it must be like to be their child, their only one, right?”
My hand on his thigh doesn’t go unnoticed, and he takes my hand in his, then brings it to his lips, leaving a kiss on it. “That’s right, I am their only child. You must have done some homework on me, Peyton. As far as the reason my parents are still on the gossip shows is simple, somehow rock stars never fade from the spotlight.”
He places my hand back on the top of his thigh and I feel so comfortable with him for some reason. Perhaps it’s because he actually came to see me. I have to ask, “Do you like it there?”
His eyebrows go up and I notice he’s removed the little diamond stud he had in the left one earlier today. “In the spotlight?”
I nod and find that I have to run my hand through his hair as it looks like spun silk and I have to feel it. “This is so much better than that spiky thing you had going on.”
A short laugh he makes then answers, “At times I do like the spotlight and other times I don’t. The money keeps me interested though. I like the thought that I make some of my own money and am not simply wealthy from my inheritance alone.”
“That’s interesting. I’ve never thought about how a person who is born rich feels about it.”
Lightly, he runs his hand over my tanned arm. A gold necklace with a gold open book pendant hangs around my neck and he takes it in his hand to look at it closer.
“You weren’t wearing this earlier. What’s that inscribed on it?” he asks as he squints to read the tiny writing. “Oh, it says, ‘Once upon a Time.’ Hmm. What’s that about?”
He noticed I wasn’t wearing my necklace earlier! He looked that hard at me and paid that much attention to what I had on! Maybe he really does like me and isn’t looking to make me another notch on his bedpost.
“My parents gave it to me as a graduation present. I’m a Literary Arts degree holder now. My first book is nearly ready to go, just as soon as I find an agent.”
“A writer. Is what you want to be now you’re all grown up?” he asks with a smile.
The tips of his fingers flow over my collar bone. I have to stifle a moan from the effect it has on me. “Uh, yeah, that’s my plan. I write romance novels. Well, I’ve almost written one and plan to write many more.”
“A romance writer; didn’t get that one right,” he mutters.
“What’re you talking about?” I ask.
“I predicted a veterinarian,” he says. “I was way off.”
I shake my head, and say, “I like animals, but I’ve never got the calling to go that far. I’m being a terrible hostess.” I take his hand and stand. “Come with me, let me get you something to eat and drink.”
“I could eat,” he says.
He rises and follows me, slipping his hand out of mine to run it around my waist. We fit so perfectly together, and I’m seeing just how hard this will be to keep my head on straight. The sound of him inhaling fills my ear.
“What are you doing?” I ask as I pull away from him, but he holds me tight so I can’t get too far away from him.
“Your perfume is intoxicating. What’s it called?” he asks.
“I’m not wearing any,” I say with a laugh. “You really are wasting your lines on me, Kip.”
His brow furrows, and he leans in taking in another deep breath. “No, I smell something fantastic. Perhaps it’s your shampoo.”
I swat his arm, and say, “Come on! My shampoo is intoxicating? Really?”
He pulls me close again. “Maybe it’s you that’s making me feel intoxicated, Peyton.”
A tremble runs through my body as the warmth of his breath makes my skin flush with an excitement I’ve never known. “You’re a dangerous man.” His smile lets me know how right I am.
On our way to the bar outside, we run into my parents. My father glances at the way Kip holds me to him and looks me in the eyes. “Who do we have here, Peyton?” he asks.
“Daddy,” I say as I find myself beaming at Kip. “This is Kip. I met him at school today. Kip, this is my father, Matt Reed.”
Kip lets go of my waist and extends his hand out to my father. “Hello, sir, it’s nice to meet you.”
My father shakes Kip’s hand and asks, “Did you graduate this evening as well?”
“No sir,” he says. “I’m not a c
ollege boy. It was straight to work for me, right out of high school, I’m afraid.”
My father gives him a huge smile. “A workin’ man. Good to hear that,” he says then gestures to me. “I can’t say I’ve seen my daughter let anyone ever hold on to her the way she lets you. You must be something special.”
Kip looks at me as he runs his arm back around my waist. “Is that so?”
“Daddy, please!” I say then gesture to my mother who stands by my father’s side and gawks openly at Kip. “This is my mother, Donna. Mom, this is Kip.”
Kips takes her hand and kisses the top of it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Donna. You have a beautiful and wonderful daughter.”
She blushes and giggles. “Thank you, it’s nice to meet you. Peyton has never let anyone hang on to her like she’s letting you. It’s kind of taking us by surprise. But you seem like a very nice, young man.”
If she only knew!
I roll my eyes at how lame my parents are making me sound. “Okay, anyway, I’m going to get us something to drink and eat. See you guys around.” I lean in to whisper as we walk away. “They don’t know anything about me and my private life. Don’t listen to them.”
Kyla pops up in front of us, making us stop. “My, my, my, aren’t you popular today, Peyton," she says as she eyes Kip. “So, aren’t you going to introduce me?”
I look up at Kip, not sure of what to say his name is. I hesitate then say, “Kyla, this is someone I met today. This is my best friend and now ex-roommate, Kyla.”
He nods then says, “Nice to meet you, Kyla.”
His accent tips her off and her mouth falls open. “No way!”
I lean in close to her. “Don’t you dare say a word or you know everyone will be all over him.”
“Holy shit!” Kyla says as she stares at Kip. “You look so different. What are you doing here? I mean this is literally the middle of nowhere, Hicksville.” Her eyes go to his arm around my waist. “I can’t believe she’s letting you do that.”
Kip’s head tilts as he looks at me. “Hmm. What do you know about that? First your parents, and now your best friend. Does no one know of your personal life, Peyton?”
I look her in the eyes and say, “Keep your mouth shut Kyla!”
Does everyone have to point out how I never let any guys touch me?
“Touchy!” she says then turns to walk away, but looks back over her shoulder. “So the other guys who showed up here with those accents are from your band then. I’m going to go introduce myself.”
Looking back at Kip, I ask, “Weren’t we going to get a drink? What would you like? Wait, let me guess, some kind of hard whiskey I bet. Isn’t that what all you pop stars drink? Or is it some fancy new thing that’s all the rage in L.A.?”
Moving along to the bar he says, “Contrary to popular opinion, all of us don’t drink like that. I’ll just have a beer, thanks. And is that bar-b-que I smell?”
“It is. You have to try my father’s brisket,” I say as I grab a couple of cups from a stack on the bar and head to one of the kegs.
His arm slides away from me as he holds out his hands. “Please, allow me,” he says as he reaches for the cups.
I hand him one and he fills it up, then hands it to me. He takes the other and fills it, then his arm goes right back around my waist. “Now show me to the food which produces this wonderful aroma.”
Everything seems so easy with him for some damn reason. I know this is so temporary and he’ll be gone before I know it, but I can’t seem to go back to the place I was in when I first met him or he sang that damn song to me.
Where is that woman who was so on guard?
Kip
Long gone is the overly wary girl I met this morning and sang to earlier today. Peyton seems to be letting me in some and while I’m loving it, I’m also more than aware of the limited amount of time I have to be with her. A few more days of normal I’ve been given, like a gift that gets taken away all too often.
Her smile is bright, and she gets a twinkle in her light brown eyes when she laughs, which is often. I’m not sure what has her treating me so nice. Maybe it’s because she didn’t think I’d really come see her. Whatever it is, I find I’m happier than I’ve ever been with any woman, and I barely know her.
Now that she’s allowing me to touch her and run my arm around her, I can feel how perfectly we fit one another. With my other conquests I’ve always been quick to get to the finish line with them, but with her I find myself wanting to take my time. Though I have damn little of it.
Most of the guests have left as she and I sit on the edge of the swimming pool, letting our legs dangle in the cool water. “Where are you guys headed next?” she asks.
I tuck a stray curl behind her ear as I look into her eyes. “Dallas,” I say. “Dallas was to be tomorrow, but it was pushed back, so we have the next three days off. I hope you don’t have any plans because I’d like to spend them with you.”
Small wrinkles form on her forehead as she frowns. “You don’t see that as a waste of your time?”
I smile at her. “No, do you?”
With a light laugh she looks away. “I’m not one to have a three day fling with a roaming rock star, no matter how sweet I think he is.”
She thinks I’m sweet!
Her eyes close as I touch her chin, bringing her face back so I can see her expression. “Why does it just have to last three days?”
Her eyes flutter open as she says, “We both know why. Your life is full. Practically every minute is scheduled for you. This time off is a fluke, isn’t it?”
I nod. “I find that interesting,” I say, stroking her cheek as I lean towards her. “The moment our eyes met something in me clicked. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I’m being completely honest with you, Peyton, so please don’t give me any of that rubbish about giving you lines. I’d like you to be honest with me about what you feel about me.”
Searching my eyes as if seeking the truth in them, she says, “You have no idea how much I want to believe you, Kip. And if you really want me to be honest with you, well, when you touched me this morning then took my hand, I felt something spread throughout my body. That’s never happened before. And to be honest, I find it terrifying. I mean, I’m no fool, I know this won’t last. I know you have to go.”
“You should believe me, it’s true,” lifting her chin to angle her face to mine I brush her cheek with my lips, settling them at the back of her ear. “Ask me, Peyton.”
Her laughter peals through the night air. A splash of water hits me as she kicks it up. “Oh, you’re good, Mr. Pop Rock. Guess I’m the first girl you sang that song to who has told you no.” She stands up and offers me her hand. I take it but instead of standing up, I pull her to sit on my lap. “Kip!”
I hold her tight to me, resting my forehead against hers. “As a matter of fact you’re right, but that’s not why I want to feel your lips on mine. I want to see what it feels like. Your presence has made me unsteady and excited like never before. To be honest, I was confused by your reaction to me. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. You’re so normal.”
“Thanks,” she says with a smile. “That’s what every girl wants to hear.”
“Normal is something I long for.” I run my hands through her curls. “I’ve never had a normal life, Peyton. I watch television and see normal families and wish I had one. My life has always been over the top. You wouldn’t believe the wacky shit I’ve went through.”
“Tell me, Kip.” Her arms slip around my neck and she leans her head against my chest. “I want to hear about what has made you who you are.”
Somehow, holding her like this seems so natural. It feels so right and comfortable. I find myself wanting to tell her things I’ve never told anyone.
“What was the thing you did to get yourself in the most trouble with your parents, when you were a child?” I ask.
“I left the barn door open, and at that time we had seven horses and one co
w. They all got out, and I got a few licks from Daddy’s belt.” Her finger traces a pattern on my chest, leaving little electric currents as she does.
“See, that’s normal,” I say. “I got knocked around the formal dining room one night as my parents threw a lavish party, alcohol and drugs flowing like water. One of my father’s friends, someone you have definitely heard of, but shall remain nameless, offered me a cracker with caviar on it. I was five and not about to put that in my mouth. I was a crying mess as my mother shoved that nasty crap into my mouth, after which I threw up all over the white carpet, and was promptly sent to bed.”
Her arms go around me and she tightens them in a hug. “That’s horrible, Kip.”
I kiss the top of her head. “My days are filled with traveling and my nights with a face full of make- up and women who throw themselves at me with no regard for themselves. I swear if you heard some of the things they say, you would shit yourself in shock.” My arms go around her and tighten as she looks up at me with tears in her eyes.
“I’ve changed my mind,” she says, then licks her red lips. “If nothing else comes of this, I’ll be happy to know I was the one normal girl you’ve ever kissed. Kip, I’m asking you to kiss me.”
Finally, she’s asking me to kiss her, and I find all I want to do is do this thing with her right. She is not a one night stand or even a three night stand. She’s good and seems pure and innocent.
I smile at her and run my hands over her back. “You know what, Peyton? I’m going to do this right. Allow me to take you on a date tomorrow wherever you want to go. I don’t want our first kiss to be one out of pity for a poor, rich boy.”
She smiles back. “A date? Anywhere I want?”
I nod. “Anywhere.”
“Do you ride?” she asks.
I give her a wicked smile, she may as well know my true humor which can be a bit raunchy at times. “Ride what?”
She gently hits my chest. “Horses, silly.”
I laugh. “It’s been a while. But yeah, I can ride.”
“Bring your band of monkeys if they’d like to come and we can spend a normal day of riding horses, fishing in our pond, and maybe, if you’re really lucky, swimming in the pool. Then I’ll make us a normal dinner of spaghetti and meatballs.”
The Naughty One Page 20