by Shyla Colt
“Hey!”
Aiden’s hazel eyes went wide.
“That was not slumming.”
“So you knew someone in town and just never bothered to mention it?”
“No, we meet last night, but there was … a bond.” He waved his hands wildly in the air. “This spark ignited, and things happened. I mean I talked to her all last night, and we just hit it off. She’s amazing. Funny, intelligent … southern.” He tilted his head as he spoke the last word, and Aiden rolled his eyes.
“We both know how girls can appear to be what they think we want. Fans are crazy.”
“No, she didn’t know who I was, thought I was a Cosplayer.”
“No wonder she looked horrified and shocked.”
“Yeah, that’s putting it nicely.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I’m hoping she’ll be there when we get back.”
“And if she isn’t?”
“I’ll give her time to cool off and track her down. It’s a small town.”
“You’re that into her?”
“Aiden.” He paused to take a deep breath. “That woman is my future.”
They reached the end of the hallway where security waited.
“You guys ready?” the stocky, blond haired man dressed from head to toe in black asked.
“Yeap.” Aiden nodded, and Jett gritted his teeth. Hell no, but I don’t have a choice.
They were escorted through the hotel without incident and taken to the ballroom where they waited to walk out onto the onto the stage set up for Q& A.
“Try not to look like your dog just got run over.” Aiden whispered.
“Yeah, I’m on it.” Jett forced a smile as they walked up the stairs and onto the platform. Screams rang out, cameras flashed, and hands waved in the air. The deafening roar always shocked him. All these people were here for the two of them. The room was packed from wall to wall with people of all ages, races, and sexes. Too bad the one woman he really wanted was in his room deciding if he was worth sticking around for. The irony didn’t escape him.
They were halfway through the panel when he saw her seated in the far back next to a petite, dark haired woman with café latte skin and a peasant dress. This had to be Mya. He nudged Aiden.
“Look man, far right in the very back.” He mouthed.
Aiden followed his line of sight and grinned.
The announcer held the microphone up to his mouth. “Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for, questions for the boys.”
“Aid, pick her please,” Jett whispered.
The panicked look on his best friend’s face made him laugh.
“She’s not mad at you.”
“Actually, she probably is.”
“No, embarrassed maybe.”
“Well I’m sure picking her out in a crowd will remedy that.”
“She stood up, so she must want to ask something.”
“You owe me, Walker.”
“Name it, and it’s yours.” Jett turned on his microphone. “Aiden wants to kick things off today.”
“I do.” Aiden smiled. “How about we start off with the young lady in the blue plaid shirt?”
The MC handed the mic over.
“What’s your name?” Aiden asked.
“Kansas.”
“Hi, Kansas, nice name.”
“Thanks, Aiden.” The smirk on Aiden’s face made Jett wonder if he was picturing Kansas naked. The thought rankled him. “This is a two part question. Do you believe in soul mates? And if so, what would you do if they lied to you?”
He held his breath as he waited for Aiden’s response.
“Absolutely.” Cheers rang out in the room, and Aiden chuckled.” As for the second part … it’d depend on what the lie was and why. If this person was truly the only one in the universe whose heart sings the same song as my own, there’d be nothing that could keep us apart permanently.”
“Good answer, Mr. Archer, I might like you after all.”
“Oooh, sounds like you might’ve converted a Jett fan,” The M.C. said as he took the mic from Kansas.
Over my dead body.
A mixture of good hearted boos and cheers filled the room. For a moment his gaze caught hers, and she smiled. It was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds, an indication that things could be salvaged.
He held the mic up to his mouth. “I guess that means it’s my turn.” Back in his role he answered questions and mingled with the people who’d put him where he was. As their session closed his excitement rose. Would she be waiting for him at his room? His palms tingled with anticipation. They stepped off stage, and security was waiting.
“Are you gentleman ready?” the stocky blond man from before asked.
“Yeah, I think we’re ready, Jett?” Aiden asked.
“Ready.”
Whispers rose around them, but no one approached. Must be my lucky day. His pocket vibrated. Con guys. It stopped, and then it began again. He frowned. Something’s wrong. When they reached the elevator, he pulled the slim phone free, looked at the screen, and froze. It was Lis’s parents. He quickly hit the green button that returned the call. Aiden flashed him a worried look, and he shook his head.
“Jett, thank God. We need you to come right away. Lis is in the hospital. She won’t listen to any of us. But I know she’ll listen to you.” The words filled him with dread.
“I wouldn’t be so sure, Greg.” He sighed. “What happened?”
“I know things didn’t work out between the two of you, and I’m sorry to call you in the middle of a con. But she’s refusing to eat or receive treatment. She’s been in the hospital for a week. The IVs and food pump are keeping her alive, but she’s starting to fade.”
“Jesus, Greg! Why didn’t you call me before now?” He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers into his eyelids. Wasn’t the whole point of ending things to make her better?
“She begged us not to. I agreed, I thought seeing you would make things worse.”
“What changed?” His mouth felt stiff as he spoke.
“Fact is, you’re the only one who was never afraid to give her a swift kick in the ass when she needed it, and this is about your unresolved issues.”
“I wasn’t the one—”
“I know that son, but she needs to hear it’s okay to let go, and see she didn’t ruin you so bad you can’t be fixed.”
“Does she think that?” He held the back of his neck.
“We try to keep the tabloids from her, but she has the internet. They’re blaming the break-up on you, and that kills her.”
“It’s all a part of the limelight.”
“I know.”
“Listen, I’ll make arrangements and let you know when I’ll be in.”
“Thank you, Jett.”
“Yeah.” He hung up the phone.
“What was that about?” Aiden furrowed his brow
“Lis is in the hospital. It’s bad this time.”
Aiden’s eye clouded with concern. “I’m sorry, you flying out?”
“Yeah. I need to call Kim, tell her I have a family emergency, and get out of here.”
“What about Kansas?”
“Fuck.”
They reached their floor, and security walked them to Aiden’s room.
“We’re good from here, thanks.” Aiden said.
“Yeah, thanks a lot.” Jett said.
“No problem.” The guard gave a nod and walked off.
“It figures this happens now. I don’t even know how to get a hold of her.”
“Maybe she’ll come by before you leave?”
“God I hope so.” Jett ran a hand through his hair. “I need to go make calls and start packing. I’ll let you know as soon as I know something concrete.”
“If you need anything.”
“I know, thanks man.” Jett patted Aiden on the shoulder, and walked past him to the room a door down.
****
“What was
that all about?” Mya asked. They’d had lunch earlier and were now relaxing with beverages. At least Mya was after last night; Kansas was still rehydrating. She played it coy, not ready to reveal her secret.
“What?” Kansas shrugged.
“That question for Aiden. It was an odd one. I had to practically drag you to the con in the first place.” Mya narrowed her eyes.
“I can’t get involved?”
“Kansas, don’t play. Oh my God!” She set her wine on the table, and covered her mouth. “Is that who you were with last night? Aiden Archer!”
Kansas laughed at her frantic whispering. “No.” It wasn’t a lie.
“Damn! I thought we were going to be in for some excitement. Are you ever going to tell me who you went home with last night? It’s not like you.”
“Maybe I couldn’t sleep so I wandered around and enjoyed the Con experience.”
“Umm, that sex glow you have going on says differently.” Mya spun her finger in a circle in her direction. “Plus, your bed was definitely not slept in.”
“Shhh!” Kansas’s gaze darted around the crowded room, and her tongue flicked out to lick her dry lips.
“See! Just thinking about it made you blush. Who broke the fortress?”
“Not this nickname again.” Kansas rolled her eyes at the old college moniker.
“Come on, you didn’t lose your virginity until you were twenty-four, and even then it was just to have it gone.” Mya huffed. “Waste of a good hymen if you ask me. A girl waits that long she should be insanely in love when it finally happens.”
“You know I was never into roses, moonlit strolls, and happily-ever-after.”
“I do! That’s why I’m so curious.” Pain shone in her best friend’s eyes.
“I’m sorry I’m being so secretive.” Kansas sighed. “I don’t know if it’ll pan out. This is all new to me. I don’t want to jinx things.”
“It’s that serious?” Mya asked.
“Honestly?” Her stomach flipped. “I think maybe it has the potential to be.”
“Whoa.” Mya placed her hand on her cheek. The gold bracelets on her right wrist clanked as they connected. “Never thought I’d see the day Kansas Collins got it bad. Someone alert the papers.”
“Shut it.” She took a sip of water to combat the heat that broke out over her entire body.
“I knew this convention would be just what you needed. Best birthday giver ever.”
“We’ll see.” Kansas wasn’t ready to get her hopes up yet. He’d already lied to her. Once is the only chance he gets to do that.
“When are you going to see this mystery man again?”
“I figured after lunch.”
“Good thinking.” Mya downed the last of her wine, dug into her purse, tossed down a few bills and took to her feet.
“What are you doing?”
Mya grabbed her arm and gave a gentle tug. “We’re leaving. We have some work to do.”
Kansas stood. “Work? I am so confused right now, Mya.”
“We want to wow him in an understated way that doesn’t make it seem like you spent forever assembling the outfit and artfully applying make-up.”
“I look fine now.” She eyed her friend as if she’d grown two heads.
“Yes, what we’re going for is fabulous.”
She opened her mouth protest, and Mya shook her head.
“Trust me, darling, I got a feeling.”
Used to her friend’s eccentricities Kansas rolled her eyes. I’m not going to win so I may as well yield early. “Fine.”
Mya clapped her hands together. Her heart-shaped face lit up with joy, and her doe-brown eyes sparkled. She was in her element, match-making and fashion. “Can you tell me anything about him? I need details, woman.”
“He’s taller than me with dirty blonde hair, killer eyes, a southern twang, and a wicked sense of humor.”
“Perfect for you.”
“Perhaps.”
“Oh stop feigning indifference. You’re moved, and that’s okay. Love is a beautiful thing everyone should experience. Not all relationships end like your parents’. This is your time, baby girl.” Mya squeezed her hand. “Are you listening to me?”
Kansas nodded. For the first time since the world around her had been blown wide open Kansas allowed herself to feel excitement. Maybe Mya was right. She’s spent thirty years protecting her heart. It was time to take a risk.
“Good, now let’s make magic happen.”
They minute they entered the room Mya went straight to the suitcase on Kansas’s bed, popped it open, and began to rummage.
“What exactly are you hoping to find in there?” Kansas asked, amused.
“I’ll know it when I see it.” The rustle of clothes filled the space. “Aha!” She held up a pink maxi dress. “This looks fantastic on you, and highlights some of your … attributes.”
“You’re such a delicate flower, Mya.”
“Hey, I could have said your giant knockers, but I was trying to be nice.” The agitation thickened Mya’s drawl, and Kasas laughed.
“I know. I’m just teasing.”
“Jerk. You know I’d kill to have your Ta-Ta power.”
“A C-cup is plenty.”
“Says Chesty La Rue with her double digits.” Mya tossed her the dress. “You put that on, and I’ll create a make-up palette. I’ve been itching to get my hands on you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re a beautiful girl who spends far too much time alone.”
“I like it that way, My.”
“I know, but it’s only because you haven’t found the person who sings the same song yet.”
Coming from anyone else the line would’ve been hokey, but Kansas knew Mya actually meant it. The new age store owner had a heart of gold and wide open mind. Despite a number of failed relationships, Mya still believed there was a prince or princess charming out there for every person.
An hour later, Kansas rapped on Jett’s door. It swung open, and the sight of him took her breath away. This close she could see the spattering of freckles across the bridge of his nose.
“Hi.” She smiled.
“Hey.” His flat tone took the wind from her sails. She faltered.
“Should I not have come?”
“No, no, please come in, I’m sorry. I got some bad news, and it’s thrown me for a loop.” He stepped back and waved her in.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” He led her over to the couch and took the chair to the right of her after she sat. “I have to leave the convention.”
“Why?” Her stomach plummeted like an elevator in a mine shaft.
“Lis is in the hospital.”
“Lis?” The name sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it. She frowned. “Your sister?”
“No, my ex-fiancée.”
“Okay.” She stood and walked for the door.
“Wait, where are you going?” He chased her, grabbed her wrist to stop her at the door.
“Back to my room.” Her chest ached, and the butterflies in her stomach turned back in to crawling caterpillars that made her nauseous.
“It’s not what you think.”
“You have no clue what I think.”
“Tell me.”
“I think you still have unfinished business.”
He shook his head. “That’s not it. This is life or death, Kansas. She’s really sick. I-I wanted to tell you so you didn’t get the wrong impression if you saw something on the television or the web.”
“And you can help her when a doctor can’t?”
“It’s not a physical kind of sickness.”
Her mouth formed an O. She had no right to be upset; they had no history. What if he’s lying again? Are you going to be strung around like your Father was? Taking scraps whenever he decides to pop back into your lives?
“Jett…”
“Come on, Sas. Don’t hold this against me.”
She closed her
eyes, mentally counted to ten, and opened them. Could she fault him for packing and heading up to go back home when he was needed?
“Regardless, it sounds like you have business you need to get into order. Clean out your closet, and we’ll go from there.”
“I can do that. I don’t want to leave things on this note. I have to leave for the airport in twenty minutes. Can you stay with me?” I should at least scratch the itch again before he rides off into the sunset, treat it like any other mutual satisfaction arrangement I’ve had.
“You look like you could use a little stress release.”
His eyes darkened with lust. “I only have fifteen minutes, and I–I thought you were upset…”
“Trust me, when I’m upset you’ll know it. What are you waiting for? You only have fourteen minutes now.”
He dropped to his knees, fisted his hands in the material of her dress and pushed it up, around her hips.
“Hold on to this. I can’t leave without tasting you.” He massaged her cleft through the thin material of her black, lace, underwear, moved in and kissed her trim pussy. Her passageway grew slick as his fingers continued their magic as he nipped her thigh. She grasped the cloth in her hands like a lifeline as her legs shook.
“Don’t tease.”
“Only because there’s not enough time.” He covered her with his lips, sucked her bud into his mouth through her underwear. The contrast of wet, heat, and roughness stole her breath. His nimble finger crept inside. Her muscles tightened around him, and she pressed her thighs closer together adding to the friction. He pulled away.
“No!” His big hand ripped away her underwear, and he spread her legs, piercing her molten tunnel with his tongue.
“Oh Jett!”
He took no prisoners as he fucked her with his mouth and rubbed her clit. Within minutes she was a trembling mess of melting woman. Stars burst behind her lids, and she came hard. A moan escaped Jett as he swallowed her whole. Pulling away, he supported her trembling body with strong hands on her hips.
“I knew you’d be addictive.”
She peered down, and he licked his shiny lips. “Oh God.”
“This is the best way to leave, with your flavor on my taste buds.” He stood, wrapped his arms around her and cradled her to his chest. “This isn’t over by a long shot, Kansas. Do you believe me?”