by Sadie Grubor
"I don't take orders from you. I'm not a whore or whatever you want to believe I am."
I pull the rumpled blanket over our naked bodies, tucking the white cotton around her.
"What are you doing?" she asks, her voice exasperated. "I was leaving, just like you wanted me to."
Mid-tuck, I freeze. She figured my shit out.
"I'm not stupid," she whispers.
"No." I settle in and wrap my arm around her, making sure she doesn't get up. "You're worse."
She exhales loudly and I know she's going to speak, curse me, and do what I need her to do, but I won't let her leave. I can’t.
I cup her cheek, bring her face to mine, and press my mouth to hers, ending the conversation before it starts. Something inside me shatters. My chest burns and I deepen the kiss.
This kiss is different—sensual, soft, explorative. It's goddamn meaningful. Holding her face, I bring my body flush to her side, but it's not close enough. I wrap one leg around hers, pulling her into me.
Breaking away from each other, I drop back to the pillow and hold her head to my collar bone. We breathe heavily into the silence.
And if I wasn't fucked before, I am now.
Chapter Seven
Liza
A sound wakes me. Disoriented, I look around, remembering where I am and who’s next to me. I lift onto an elbow and look over at the bright white numbers on the bedside clock.
3:12 A.M.
Twisting my body, I peek at Jackson. He's stomach down, facing away from me. The butterflies in my stomach settle a little. With the practiced movements of a one-time mother of an infant, I ninja my way out of the covers and stand by the bed.
Jackson lays with a white sheet low enough, I can see the beginning slope of his ass. Part of me wishes he'd wake and stop me like before, but the smart, common-sense part knows I need to get home.
I close my eyes and inhale the scent of him, sex…us. Saving it to memory, I turn for the door. Every muscle in my body aches deliciously with the memory he left on my body. At the door, I risk one last look at him before quietly pulling it closed and collecting my things.
Slipping from the hotel room—without the bra I couldn't find—I make sure the door closes soundlessly. I look down both sides of the corridor and take a breath when I find it empty. I start toward the elevators and my skin prickles, uneasiness and the feeling of being watched shoving at my back. I glance over my shoulder and find the corridor still empty. Reaching the elevators, I press the call button more times than necessary. The moment the elevator arrives, I dart inside, pressing the close door button repeatedly.
Paranoid much? Jesus, one-night stands with rock stars are horrible for the nerves.
The doors slide open to the lobby and no one gives a second glance as I swiftly step toward the rotating door. Keeping my head down, I exit the hotel and use my peripheral vision to find a cab to drive me away from my one night with hot as fuck, way-too-easy-to-fall-for, Jackson Shaw.
"He should come with a warning label," I mumble into the backseat of the yellow taxi.
"Someone got in late." Kel's voice pulls me from my restless sleep on the couch.
Having gotten in so late, I didn't want to wake them by messing with the squeaky pullout. I groan and rub my eyes.
"What time is it?" I ask in a half-yawn.
"Almost nine-thirty."
I open my eyes to find my brother looking down at me with concern.
"What's wrong?"
Unease lining his face, he sits on the coffee table.
"What happened last night, Liza?"
Pushing up to sit, I face him.
"Nothing. I went out with Beth and—”
"Did you get hurt?" His brow raises.
"What? No." Scrunching my face in confusion, I ask, "Why would you think that?"
"Then what happened to your lip." He points.
Bringing my hand to my mouth, I fight a wince. Shit, shit, shit. I jump to my feet and hurry to the bathroom.
"Mom, where are my—?"
The closing of the bathroom door cuts off Lucas' question. Guilt stabs at my chest, but I focus on my reflection in the mirror.
So caught up in the moment, I didn't even feel how hard our mouths met, but the evidence is staring me right in the face. I explore the swollen red mark on my bottom lip with my tongue. The taste and smell of Jackson assaults my senses. Shaking my head, I flip on the faucet and splash water on my face.
"Liza?" Kel knocks on the door. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I blurt, reaching for the hand towel. Patting my face dry, I pull open the door.
Kel and Lucas stare at me with concern in their eyes.
"Guys."
I tilt my head and toss the towel next to the sink. Stepping forward, I take them both in my arms.
"I'm fine. Bethany kept me out later than I planned. I'm just tired."
"Do you wanna skip my game so you can get some sleep?" Lucas asks.
I lean down and kiss the top of his head.
"I wouldn't miss your game for anything. Now, go finish getting ready." Releasing both of them, I step back. "Your shin guards are hanging in your closet." I ruffle his hair.
"How'd you know what I was looking for?" he asks, but turns into his room before I can respond.
"What's going on?" Kel frowns.
I place my hand on his face and smile.
"Beth accidentally bumped me in the mouth last night while changing. It's nothing," I say, cringing internally at the lie.
"Yeah, okay," he offers, and walks down the hall.
I close the bathroom door again, turn on the shower, and wait for the water to heat. The scent of Jackson wafts off my clothes as I strip and my body reacts, thinking it can still have him. Taking a deep breath, I turn for the shower and catch my reflection in the mirror.
I gasp at the dark purple and red sucker bites peppering my left breast. Clearly, he has a favorite. Lifting my hair, I take in more evidence of my night. Light bruising on my ass confirms his hands had spent time there. Carpet burn mars a spot on my lower back. Angry red marks show where my bra rubbed last night.
"You almost done?" Kel's voice and the knock on the door startles me. Without thinking, my arms shoot out, covering my body like he can see through the door.
"Almost," I respond, jumping into the shower.
After taking the quickest shower ever—part of me mourning the idea of washing Jackson away—I wrap a towel around my body, another over my shoulders for complete coverage, and step into the hallway.
I rummage through the storage drawers beneath my clothing rack and grab a pair of black workout capris, matching sports bra, and a loose yellow t-shirt before hurrying back into the bathroom to dress.
I situate my shirt, making sure the V-neck doesn't expose any of my Jackson reminders, tear a brush through my hair, and apply tinted moisturizer, eyeliner, and mascara. After years of wearing elaborate, sexy pin-up makeup, going out without something makes me feel exposed.
"Mom, the game is in thirty-five minutes," Lucas yells down the hall.
Running some frizz reducing hair serum through my hair, I twist and wrap the length into a loose bun and tie a yellow bird print bandana around my head to complete the look.
"I'm coming," I call, walking down the hall and meeting them at the door.
Lucas stands in his uniform, soccer bag slung over his shoulder.
Kel holds his messenger bag close and opens the door.
Sliding my feet into flip flops, I grab my bag, slip on a thin black jacket, and we're out the door.
"So, what made you decide to go out last night?" Kel asks, holding the stairwell door open.
I shrug. "Celebrating."
We begin descending to the main floor.
"Celebrating what?" he presses.
"Still having a job," I blurt.
Kel and Lucas both stop, looking at me.
"What happened to your job?" Lucas sounds worried.
"Hey, nothing hap
pened." Stepping close, I smooth my hand over his head.
"Then what do you mean, Liza?" Kel asks, his question laced in annoyance.
"Thom sold the club." I look from Lucas' relieved face to Kel's suspicious one. "There had been talk, even from Thom, but last night was the first night we got to meet the new owner. He basically assured us our jobs were safe and he's not overhauling the place, but there will be some changes."
Kel's face relaxes a little.
"Now, let's get moving or we'll be late."
With a gentle shove from me, Lucas starts walking down the last flight of stairs.
"So, do you like the new owner?"
"Kel, please stop worrying so much."
Stepping off the last step, I dig through my bag for sunglasses and slip them on.
"I'm just asking," he grumbles.
I sigh and slip my arm around his, guiding him out of the apartment building.
"I guess. He seems good. He'll definitely bring in new people and the celebrities are going to be—”
"Celebrities?" Kel tugs my arm, stopping us.
"Come on!" Lucas shouts from twenty paces ahead.
"Keep walking," I say, pulling on his arm. "The new owner is Steven Redman. He's from—”
"Corrosive Velocity," Kel finishes. "Holy shit, Liza. They're amazing! He's your new boss?"
The excitement in his voice makes me laugh.
"Yep. He's already brought one of the other group members and a…another guest to the club." Memories of Jackson flash through my mind. His long, skilled fingers curling into my skin and inside me.
"You cold?" Kel's question confuses me.
"No, why?"
"You shivered," he responds with a shrug. "Please tell me you can get me an autograph."
"I can probably do better than that." I squeeze his arm. "I'll see if I can introduce you. Then you can ask for one yourself."
Kel's arm slips out of mine to wrap around my shoulders. I curl my arm around his back.
"You're the best." His lips press against the side of my head.
"This is almost too precious to interrupt."
My heart begins to race, palms sweat, and stomach flutters from the sound of his voice, a mixture of panic and thrill rushing through me.
Kel turns to face Jackson at the same time I do.
"You're—"
"Don't mean to interrupt your moment, but you forgot this."
Jackson's hand disappears behind him only to return with my lace bra in his hand.
"You must not have been able to find it in the dark light of early morning. Thought you might want it back."
With a flick of his wrist, the lace lands against my chest.
Reflexively, I grip the bra to my chest, ball up the material, and shove it in my bag. My eyes burn with tears I fight not to shed.
How in the hell am I going to explain this to Kel?
"What's your problem?" Kel's angry question surprises me.
"Kel—”
"I don't have a problem," Jackson sneers. "She's your problem, my man."
"Mom," Lucas yells, running to my side, “we're going to miss the bus."
"Are you for fucking real, Liza?" Jackson throws an arm out toward Lucas. "Seriously, you're a goddamn mom, too? Wow. I bet he's so proud."
A whimper escapes my throat when he nods to Lucas.
"Don't talk to my mom like that!"
Lucas moves, standing between Jackson and me.
Putting both hands up in surrender, Jackson backs away.
"Don't worry. Your mom gave me all I needed from her."
His words are as sharp as a dagger and he throws a look, confirming his intent to hurt me before turning and walking away.
"Mom?" Lucas looks up at me, his brow furrowed.
"Let's go. We don't want to be any later than we are," I say, putting an arm around his shoulders and leaving the scene behind us.
We arrive at the field at the end of warm-ups. After apologizing to Lucas' coach, I sit next to Kel on a set of bleachers. The silence between us is uncomfortable and the longer I think about what happened, the angrier I get.
"That was Jackson Shaw, right?" Kel asks in a hush.
"Yes."
"You know, after the game I'm gonna take Luke over to check in on Sean."
He slips his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side.
"Okay." I nod. "I have some things for you to take to his grandmother."
Kel gives a squeeze.
"You know, by then, it will be about noon in Pennsylvania."
A tear slides over my cheek. My brother knows who I need. My best friend, the closest person I have to a sister, Sid.
Jackson
She's just like the rest of them. Quick to fuck a celebrity and forget all about what she has at home. Fucking whores.
Julia jumps at the sound of the hotel room door smacking the wall.
"Jackson," her voice is a mixture of relief and nerves, "I've been trying to call you—"
Slipping my hand into my coat, I pull out my newly cracked cell and hold it out to her.
"Oh." She takes the phone as I walk by her. "I'll have another sent within the hour."
"Jackson, I need to—" she starts, following behind me.
I shove open my bedroom door, wanting to hear anything but perky Julia.
"Hey, baby." The sickly sweet tone of her voice grates on my nerves.
Another fucking whore. I guess I’m a magnet for them.
Stopping just inside the door, I cross my arms over my chest and take a deep breath. "Why are you here?"
"Is that any way to greet me?" she pouts from her perched position at the edge of the bed.
"Sorry. I was trying to warn you," Julia whispers from behind me.
Uncrossing my arms, I reach back and close the door in her face. I know I'm being a dick and I'll have to apologize to her later, but right now, I have a tall, blonde egomaniac to handle.
"Again, why are you here?"
I walk the edge of the room, avoiding her.
"Don't look at me like that." Kristy stands from the bed wearing nothing but an open hotel robe.
"Desperation doesn't look good on you," I sneer.
"You think I'm desperate?" One perfectly manicured nail presses into her chest. "I came here for you." Her arms cross over her chest, making sure to push her breasts up.
At one time, this did it for me, she did it for me, but now—nothing.
"I didn't ask you to come here." I turn, giving her my back, and walk into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me.
"You can be a real dick, you know that?" she yells from the other side of the door. "You seem to forget who was there for you after that bitch fucked you over."
Leaning, palms onto the counter, I look at myself in the mirror. Isn't this just typical? She's going to throw Laney into this shit.
"I'm honest about everything with you, I'm open to you, and now you want to condemn me for it?"
The door doesn't muffle her bitching enough.
First Laney pulls her cheating bullshit, now this bitch wants points for allowing me an open relationship—one she pushed and schemed to get—and the nail in my fucking coffin is Liza. Fucking Liza. The seduction and first fuck, I controlled. Then she turned the tables, making me want more from her. More of what, I don't even want to fucking think too much about.
Grunting, I push up from the counter and grab my black leather bag, finding the brown package inside.
You didn't use this shit the other night. You didn't even want it, think about that.
With a shake of my head, I set up enough lines to snort it all away.
My nose and lips tingle, the numbness spreading like a warm blanket.
Reentering the bedroom, Kristy twists away from a window. I run my tongue over my teeth. Fuck, their so smooth. Just like Liza's thighs.
"What are you grinning at?" Kristy’s eyes narrow.
Dropping to my back on the bed, I close my eyes and laugh. Didn't
even know I was grinning.
"Did you get high without me, baby?" Kristy's hands travel up my thighs, warming them. Her hands work my belt and jeans with a practiced touch. Before I can say stop, the warmth of her hand surrounds me.
"Are you going to let me make you come, baby? I know how much you love it when you're high."
The warmth of her mouth touches my tip. Sitting up, I push her off me and look down. Not even fucking hard. And what I love is the way I come inside of Liza. That place where clarity meets ecstasy.
"What the hell, Jackson?"
"Not in the mood." Rubbing my hands over my eyes, I force myself to stand and button up my jeans.
"Not in the mood," Kristy repeats. "Not in the mood?" Her question is incredulous.
"Nope." Licking my mouth, I stagger to the door.
"Don't walk away from me, Jackson," she demands, the tone of her voice a threat.
"It's over, Kristy. Go find someone else to play with."
I pull open the door and step back into the sitting area.
"No one leaves me, Jackson Shaw!"
Slamming the door shut behind me, I grin at Julia.
"Sorry about all that."
Her eyes follow my staggered movements.
"Are you okay?" Julia asks.
"Yep." Reaching her, I put my arm around her shoulders for support.
Christ, Randall actually came through. This shit is excellent.
"Where do I need to be, dearest Julia?"
"Umm…" Her brow furrows and she looks down at her iPad. "You have an hour before you need to meet with the judges."
"What for?" I whine, pulling her closer.
"The contestants were notified of moving to the next stage. You're supposed to listen to them and discuss mentoring plans and such."
She slips away from me, staring into my eyes.
"Jackson, are you drunk?"
Laughter bursts from my mouth so hard, my stomach hurts.
"Are you a total idiot?" Kristy's insult doesn't stop my hysterics. "He's as high as a fucking space station."
Julia's mouth drops open, causing another round of laughter out of me. Kristy walks by in perfect catwalk fashion before disappearing out of the hotel room.
"You know, I used to think her ass was beyond this world." I sigh, rubbing my bottom lip.