by Aimee McNeil
As Adalynne watched Katie and Steven exchange their vows she couldn’t help but admire the affection in their eyes. Nothing else mattered as they made a promise to love each other for the rest of their lives. It was a moment that Adalynne was grateful she had witnessed. It didn’t matter to them that they were surrounded by fake flowers and dated wallpaper. This was the beginning of their lives together and it was beautiful. Adalynne couldn’t ease the smile on her face as she stood in support of her friend’s devotion.
Adalynne noticed Matthew staring at her. She wondered if he was thinking about the wedding they would never share. She pushed those thoughts from her mind and brought her focus back to Katie and Steven who kissed each other passionately as they officially became man and wife.
They posed for pictures and had a good laugh at how quickly things got out of hand. The night was beautiful as they made their way to dinner and then drinks afterwards, with the exception of Katie. They all made it a point to take pictures throughout the evening to capture every moment.
Everywhere they went they were surrounded by people having a good time and it was contagious. Katie was over the moon with the excitement of her wedding night and they danced until the early hours of the morning. They had requested Katie and Steven’s song at one of the bars and they obliged, allowing Adalynne to get some beautiful photographs of their first dance as a married couple. The night was magical for them as they hummed with the energy of the city that never sleeps.
“I think I am going to take my wife back to our room now. I need to make sure she still has energy for our private dance.” Steven winked at Katie.
“What? Do you think this is our wedding night or something?” Katie teased.
“I can’t wait to get that dress off you.” Steven wrapped his arm around Katie, causing her to giggle excitedly. “You can keep the shoes on though.”
“Adalynne, do you want to hit up the casino?” Matthew asked with a hopeful look upon his face.
“No. I’m not much of a gambler. I think I am going to head back to my room too.” Adalynne had a good time tonight with Matthew. They had gotten along very well the entire evening but she didn’t want to be alone with him. When they were in Katie and Steven’s company he was keeping a respectful distance but she could tell by the looks he had given her during the progression of the evening that things might become awkward if they were left on their own.
“Yeah, you’re right, it’s late. I’ll head back with you guys.” Matthew shrugged his shoulders. Adalynne could see the disappointment in his eyes.
They walked through the busy street and Adalynne could not get over how many people still filled the streets at the late hour. The city still pulsed with life and had a way of drawing you into the excitement. It was a seductive escape from the rest of the world and Adalynne thought the atmosphere was perfect for Katie and Steven, who thrived on the pleasures of life.
Adalynne watched the people enter and exit the bars along the strip, a constant flow of people. Adalynne’s eyes were drawn to a black limo that pulled up in front of an elite looking bar with a long line stretching down the street. A few screams erupted from the line as someone exited the bar. Adalynne watched the tall, handsome Fox saunter out of the bar. The sight caused her to stop in her tracks. He was flanked by two bleached blondes, barely dressed. They had so much skin exposed it was hard not to stare at them.
The familiar pull tugged at her heart when she looked at him. Even after their last encounter and the words he said to her it did nothing to lessen her need for him. In fact, it felt stronger than ever. She wanted to run away from him and into his arms at the same time. All the drinks she consumed over the course of the evening affected her composure, normally she would be more aware of her actions but she could only openly stare at the man who owned her heart, knowing there was nothing she could do about it. She felt Katie’s hand on her shoulder. “Fox.” The word left her lips dreamily.
“Fox? Isn’t that the guy from the Outcome band? Do you know him?” Matthew asked.
Adalynne was so lost in the memories her drunken mind forced her to revisit, she hadn’t noticed Fox noticed her too. They only looked at each other as if the world around them faded away and they were the only two people left. Flashes were going off all around Fox, as people were taking pictures, screaming out to him in adoration. Adalynne shook her mind clear and looked at the surrounding fans all gathering. She wondered if Fox only saw her now as just another fan who desperately clung to the hope that he would acknowledge her. Adalynne wanted to know what he thought when he looked at her.
Adalynne watched the girls at his side become increasingly annoyed from his wavering attention. They wanted Brolan Pierce all to themselves. He had become so famous that people begged for his notice. He had never felt so far away, even as he stood looking back at her. He might as well have been on the other side of the world.
Adalynne stepped back out of view. She couldn’t look at him any longer without doing something she would regret. “Fate is the cruelest thing in the world,” Adalynne mumbled as Katie’s concerned expression met hers.
“I thought I imagined something going on between you two at the concert we went to and now I know. There is no way to deny you two know each other. I saw the way he looked at you. What the fuck, Adalynne?”
Adalynne didn’t respond as she started to walk away. “Did you fuck him?” Matthew raised his voice to an uncomfortable level. Onlookers turned their heads.
“Matthew, please!” Katie scolded. “She doesn’t need to answer to you. Let’s go.” Katie grabbed Adalynne’s arm. She looked back and noticed Fox climbing into his waiting car. Adalynne turned her focus on Katie, who led her across the street and headed toward their hotel. She could tell that Matthew stayed close on her heels. She could feel his hot stare on her back as she walked.
After Adalynne said goodnight to Katie and assured her she was fine, insisting they go enjoy their night, she collapsed on her bed. When they had arrived at their rooms, Matthew was no longer behind her. She was grateful he didn’t ask any more questions. Adalynne kicked off her shoes with a sigh, looking up at the white ceiling overhead. A knock on Adalynne’s door caused her to complain as she dragged herself up off the bed. “Katie, I told you I’m fine.” She opened the door to see Matthew standing in front of her.
“What, Matthew? It’s really late and I’m tired.” Adalynne took a deep breath. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep off the liquor that still made her head spin.
“I’m sorry for earlier. Can I come in?” Matthew pleaded. His hair was disheveled and he did look genuinely regretful.
“It’s fine. I’m just going to go to sleep. Can we talk about it tomorrow?” Adalynne sighed.
“It will just be a moment.” They both turned to see a group of people stumble down the hallway as they noisily returned to their rooms.
“Fine, but just a second.” Adalynne warned.
Matthew walked in behind her as she led him into her room. When she turned around Matthew was closer than she expected, taking her by surprise. He leaned down to kiss her before she could even register his next move. Adalynne protested against his lips. “Matthew, this is not what I meant when I let you in,” she gasped.
“Addie please, I can’t think of anything else,” Matthew said, pushing her back toward the bed. Adalynne couldn’t help but fall back when the bed pressed against the back of her legs. He pinned her on the bed and looked down at her.
“I don’t want this. Please stop,” Adalynne pleaded.
“I messed up, Addie, but I can make it up to you. We were good together.”
“I’m in love with someone else.” Adalynne knew it was not the time to make the confession when she was in a vulnerable position. She could not think clearly as the words escaped from her thoughts. “I have always been in love with someone else. It would never have worked between us.”
“Who? The Outcome guy?” Matthew breathed angrily. “He doesn’t look like he feel
s the same about you from what I could see. He’s probably fucking those girls right now,” Matthew said cruelly. Adalynne pushed Matthew’s chest but he wouldn’t move. “Just give us a chance.”
Matthew smothered her mouth with his and his hands greedily sought out her flesh as he pulled at her dress. “Please Addie. I need you.”
Adalynne’s struggles became more frantic as she felt the material of her dress rip. “Get off, Matthew!” She managed to get her knee to connect with his groin. It was enough to alleviate his hold on her. Adalynne rolled off the bed. “Get out now!” Adalynne pointed a shaky finger towards the door.
Matthew keeled over from the pain of impact. “Fuck that hurt! Addie listen, I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me. I drank too much.”
“Leave. Now.”
Matthew stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The tears started to fall as soon as the sound of the door clicked shut. Adalynne sat on her bed and reached for her phone. She couldn’t call Katie so she called another number that she had always kept on her phone, unable to bring herself to erase it.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Adalynne called Fox. She only wanted to feel close to him for a moment. She wanted to be back in their camp when he would sing and play his guitar and she could pretend that all they needed was each other. It was doubtful he even had the same number now that so much time had passed. They lived in two different worlds now. Adalynne was surprised when his smooth voice answered. “Hello?”
Adalynne couldn’t form words on her uncooperative tongue. “Bee? Are you okay?” All she could manage were quiet tears. “Where are you?” he asked.
“Is the Fox I know still in you somewhere because I really need him right now,” she admitted.
“Where are you?”
Taking a deep breath, she whispered the name of the hotel and he was gone. “Fox?” Adalynne dropped her phone down and curled up on her bed. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before a knock on her door stirred her. She peered cautiously through the peep hole. Relief washed over her when Matthew did not come into view. Instead, her heart began to pulse wildly as she opened the door to Fox.
“I’m sorry,” Adalynne apologized, opening the door. He looked more like a dream standing before her. He was impossibly beautiful with his vibrant eyes that practically glowed under his disheveled dark hair. He embodied the sexy image that sold his music like food to starving people. She was suddenly showered with guilt for pulling him back to her when he made it very clear it was not what he wanted. It was an act of instinct to reach out to him when she was upset. “I shouldn’t have called you. It wasn’t fair.”
“To you or me?” Fox picked her up and held her against him, kicking the door closed behind him. She let her body melt into his as he walked them over to the bed. Lying her down gently, he moved to sit beside her. Adalynne wrapped her arm around his waist, pulling herself close against his chest and breathed in his comforting smell. She pressed her body into his as he rubbed her back. “What happened?” He ran his fingers gently over her cheek and then down to the rip in her dress. The bodice was torn, the material barely held onto the last remaining stitches.
“I don’t want to talk about it right now,” she whispered. “I just needed you. I just wanted to remember what this felt like.”
“Did he hurt you?” Fox asked, leaning down to look into her eyes.
“No. He’s just drunk and so am I,” Adalynne murmured into his shirt. He smelled so delicious her mouth watered.
Adalynne reached up and rubbed her hand gently over Fox’s chest. His body felt hard and radiated a powerful energy. She listened to his heart beat respond to her caresses, it quickened until it matched her own elevated pace. She closed her eyes and imagined this was her place. She tried to pretend that she was the only one he held close, the one he loved.
A smile spread across her lips when he began to sing. It was what she used to do for him to make him feel better when they were younger. His voice was beautiful and flowed around her, sending a heat through her that took over her body. A need so strong it refused to be controlled by logic.
Adalynne sat up and looked into his endless eyes that she missed so profoundly. He was so far from the scared little boy that came into her life. He was a man, powerful, strong and she was a woman whose desires were personified by him in every sense. She straddled his waist, not taking her eyes from his. The words died away on his lips. His breathing became heavy as he looked back at her. She wanted to lose herself in this moment forever and never let him go again.
Adalynne’s gaze dropped to his mouth and she leaned in closer, feeling his hands upon her back, drawing her in. Adalynne slowly pressed her lips against his, remembering their last kiss. Excitement flared to life and she demanded more. He met her kisses with the same heated urgency. Adalynne couldn’t get close enough as she ran her hands over his body, her head swam and her body practically fell apart with the unfurling pleasures driving her. He sat up straighter, pulling his shirt up over his head. A smile broke across his beautiful face when Adalynne realized he had already unzipped her dress. He began pulling it down to expose her naked flesh. She matched his smile. Giving herself to him was the most natural thing in the world, her body craved it and her heart desired everything that was him. She could feel her skin tighten with anticipation of his touch.
Adalynne slid off the bed and let the dress fall to the floor. Fox sat up and came to stand tall before her, refusing to let space separate them. He pulled her up to meet his body, wrapping her legs around his waist. She was incapable of thinking of anything else while she let her body greedily enjoy him. His strength was rousing—he held her as if she weighed nothing. A moan of pleasure slipped from his lips as she rubbed her soft skin against his hard body. He was food to her starving desire as they indulged in the pleasures of each other. His entire body was hard except for his lips as they teased her mercilessly.
He laid her back on the bed, kissing her more gently as he gazed down at her. Adalynne trailed her fingers along his cheek and he turned into her hand to kiss it before leaning into her kiss her lips. He continued to savor her as he moved down her neck to the sensitive skin of her breasts before his mouth covered her taut nipple. Her body screamed out in excitement as his lips stirred pleasure wherever they touched. She wanted to stay in this moment forever, in the illusion of love between them. It wasn’t fair that she could love someone so completely when he didn’t share the same feelings. She was living half of a perfect love story that could never have its happy ending.
Adalynne lost herself in the beauty they shared, a wonderful dance flowing gracefully from one moment to the next. It couldn’t have been more perfect if she had fantasized it. Even the affection expressed in his touch and his gaze seemed genuine. She could almost believe the depths of her love were reflected in him.
Adalynne’s body thrummed with need, deep and intense as it pulled at her core. Her anticipation became unbearable until he finally slid deep inside her. She was primed to the point of release already from his slow sensual teasing. She came undone in his arms with only a few thrusts.
Fox wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as he followed soon after. He spilled deep inside her and she felt all the tension melt from his body. He collapsed beside her and held her close. It was beautiful.
The next morning Adalynne awoke to find Fox still by her side, his arm thrown over her waist as she faced him. He was her favorite person in this world and she loved having him in her bed. His breathing was slow and steady as she watched his chest rise and fall. His skin begged to be touched, but fear of waking him caused her to remain perfectly still. She knew their time together was drawing to a close. Adalynne looked up at his face and noticed his eyes were open, watching her.
“Morning,” Adalynne whispered.
“Morning,” Fox said with a raspy voice
“I thought you would have changed your number by now since you’re now a famous rock star.”
“I do have a new number but I kept that one too, just in case.” Fox smiled. “Did he hurt you last night?”
“He had too much to drink,” Adalynne said thoughtfully. “It was just a misunderstanding.”
“Don’t excuse what he did,” Fox said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips.
“It was selfish of me to call you away from your life last night.”
“It was selfish of me to come.” It was torture as she felt his lips on her hand. It would be over soon, any moment he would come up with an excuse why they couldn’t be together. She didn’t know how much longer she would have him.
“I miss you…”
Fox placed his finger over her lips silencing her. “Don’t,” he whispered. They looked at each other in silence. Adalynne became lost in his sad eyes, wondering why fate pulled them so far apart.
Adalynne’s phone rang, pulling her from her thoughts. “Hello? Kent?” Adalynne was surprised to see his number on her display. He was a guitar instructor at the Music House and although they spoke every day, he had never called her before. She listened as Kent told her about a fire last night at the Music House. Elizabeth had been taken to the hospital. Devastation settled over her.
“What’s wrong, Bee?”
“I have to go.” Adalynne started grabbing her belongings and throwing them in her suitcase.
“What happened?” Fox grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him.
Adalynne looked up into his eyes. “There was a fire at the Music House. Elizabeth was taken to the hospital. I have to go.”
“Is she going to be all right?”
“I don’t know.” Truthfully, she was unsure and didn’t want to think about the possibilities. She needed to keep her emotions in check if she was going to hold herself together to make it home.