Untouchable

by Sienna Grant

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  I took a seat on the leather couch, to save me pacing the lobby floor of the Waldorf while I waited for Paisley. I heard the ding of the lift arriving, and she stepped out. A wide smile graced her beautiful face as I met her gaze, her brown eyes lighting up when she saw me. I pushed up from the couch with my cap in my hand and walked over to her. Tilting my head and placing a small kiss to her lips, I slid my fingers between hers and lead her out of the hotel.

  “So, what do you want to do first, babe?” I questioned and placed my baseball cap on my head and took my Ray-Bans from the neck of my t-shirt and slid them over my eyes.

  Dragging her bottom lip between her teeth, she spun around to face me.

  “The walk of fame. I’d love to see the stars.”

  “Your wish is my command. Let’s go.”

  We started walking, but then we realised we had no idea where we were going, or even which way to go. So, I pulled her towards the bus stop instead.

  “Roman, what are we doing?”

  “Getting the bus.”

  We stood at the stand, my arms wrapped around her middle, like some lovestruck teenager, it was almost sickening, but I didn't care. I was going to make sure I spent as much time with her as I could today. Right now, in this moment, we were free from reporters and cameras and absolutely no-one knew me in America. Once I signed the contract for Boss tomorrow, it would be a whole new ball game, hopefully.

  I took off my cap and rested my chin on her shoulder snuggling my cheek to hers and held her a little tighter. As I looked up, an open top tour bus was approaching. I released her and stepped out to flag the bus down and took Paisley by the hand again.

  I lead her up the steps and to the back of the tour bus and took a seat. It wasn’t too busy and we managed to sit in the corner. I spread my arm around her shoulders and before the bus had even started moving, she snuggled up into my side wrapping an arm around my middle, as we made the journey to the walk of fame. Dipping my head, I kissed the top of her head and enjoyed the scenery and the heat as the sun beat down on us. She twisted her body until the back of her head was resting against my chest.

  “I’d love to live out here.” Paisley mused.

  “You’d quit the UK?”

  I raised an eyebrow as she twisted her neck to look up at me and I brushed the hair from her forehead, I wanted to look in her pretty eyes.

  “Yep, I would. There’s nothing to keep me there, Rome.”

  “Not even me?”

  “It’s different back home.” She sighed before looking back out of the window. “There’s too many things keeping us apart. I could do the same job here as I could do back home. Look how beautiful it is Roman, compared to London.”

  I dropped my chin onto her head.

  “Wow. That surprises me. I thought you’d be the type of woman that wouldn’t want to leave her home comforts.”

  “I have no real roots anymore. I share a flat with my best friend. I’ve got the best paid job I’ve ever had and it’s something I could do anywhere in the world, even if I went back to journalism, which I graduated in, I could do that anywhere. I went into public relations because I liked the one-to-one service and the different service we provide, and although I have the best paid position in the office, my boss hates me...”

  I wanted her to have roots with me, I thought to myself, but how did I tell her that without knowing what the future held for us.

  With yet another shuddered sigh, she became quiet, so I left her to her thoughts. I understood what she was saying. If I got this contract tomorrow, I’d have to commute between L.A. and London. I’d be known everywhere because I’d be on every channel that used advertisements all over the world. My life would change overnight, and I needed to be ready for that.

  I wondered if Paisley was ready for that, because I’d come to realise that I wanted her by my side. She was the only one I wanted there.

  We weren’t an official couple because she couldn’t let her boss know. I didn’t know why shit had to be so hard. Why did there always have to be rules?

  Paisley dragged me from my thoughts, as she spoke again.

  “It’s probably why he gave this job to me, to get me out of the office.”

  “Or maybe because you’re the most talented…?”

  “No. It’s because he wanted to keep the prettier girls in the office. Unfortunately, being a bimbo gets you further up the corporate ladder.”

  “Damn, are you not a bimbo then? I specifically asked for a bimbo.” A smirk tugged at the one corner of my mouth.

  She tilted her head back and grinned.

  “Liar. You didn’t ask for any of this.”

  “You’re right, but I got you anyway.”

  With a wide smile she went back to watching through the window, before she spoke again.

  “If we get time later,” she twisted her neck back up to look at me, “Can we do Madame Tussaud’s?”

  “Of course, we can…” I couldn’t help but to smile at her innocence. Her excitement to do something that we’d all done already, at some point. I bent slightly and kissed her forehead, my lips lingered for more than a brief moment.

  Something outside caught my eye as I lifted up my head and I tapped Paisley on the shoulder. She lifted her head and gasped. The Hollywood sign stood loud and proud, set amongst trees and trail land. Those iconic letters have been in the biggest films in history and there we were, seeing them in the flesh.

  “Oh wow. Can you pinch me, so I know this is real please?”

  “All you need to know is, I’m going to give you the best day of your life…”

  Once we’re off the bus, we started at the top of the walk of fame and made our way back down. We covered over a mile of the biggest names in history from film and music. Paisley was almost giddy with happiness as she hung on to me as we walked. By the time we reached the end, we were shattered and ready to sleep. The bus ride back to the Waldorf was quiet and reflective. When we reached the hotel, Paisley stopped me, before we walked through the entrance and stood in front of me. She put her hands on my chest, pushed up to her tiptoes, and her lips landed softly on mine. I wasted no time in tugging her closer and giving her what she wanted, until she broke the kiss.

  “I just want to thank you for today. It’s been immense.”

  Sliding my hand around the back of head, I held her still and kissed her again.

  I took her by the hand and led her into the hotel. Walking through the massive lobby of the Waldorf, I heard my name being called, just as we approached the bank of elevators. We split apart and looked in the direction of the voice.

  “There you are. Where the hell have you two been all day? I was about to send out a search party. I thought you’d been kidnapped or something.”

  My heart pounded in my chest. I never thought sneaking around could be such an adrenalin rush.

  With a quick glance at each other, we smiled at Nikki and walked to her.

  “Well… you were asleep, and Rhys was on the phone or something so Roman asked me if I wanted to see the sights of L.A.” Paisley stuttered at first, but she pulled it off.

  “Well, me and Rhys are in the bar having a drink — care to join us?”

  Just as I looked to follow her lead, Paisley covered a yawn with her hand and nodded.

  “Yeah sure, let’s do it.”

  We found Rhys lounging at a corner table, we joined him and called over the waiter. I ordered a JD for me and Paisley ordered a white wine for herself.

  “I was going out of my f… ever loving mind today. I fell asleep and you were gone.” She accused Paisley. “So, I called up to your room and you’d gone too.” Her exasperation directed towards me now.

  With a sigh and an eye roll at her dramatics, I looked to Paisley.

  “Are you trying to give me a heart attack, guys?”

  The waiter chose his moment perfectly to come over and bring our drinks. I thanked him as he placed them in front of us and waited for h
im to leave, before lifting my tumbler to my lips.

  “So, tomorrow,” Nikki proceeded, “We have to be out of here at nine. They’re sending a car for us, so we need to be ready and down here for eight forty-five.”

  Paisley sat back in her chair with her glass of wine, I could see her eyes beginning to close. Knocking her foot with my own, her eyes sprung open, and she took a sip of her wine.

  “Guys. I’m sorry, I need to go to bed. I’m exhausted and jet-lagged too, I’m done in.”

  She placed her glass down on the table-top and sat up.

  “I’m sorry, I have to turn in.”

  She stood from her chair; I tried my hardest not to look at her. If I did, I’d be following her out of here and leading her straight back to my bed.

  “See you all in the morning.” She grabbed her bag and turned, walking towards the double doors.

  “I’m going too. Paisley, wait.” Nikki shouted across the bar, “I’ll come with you.” She turned back to us. “Night guys. Roman, make sure you’re up.”

  As I looked around Paisley had disappeared.

  Trying to ignore the fact that I’d let Paisley walk out of here alone, I lifted my glass to my lips. As I tipped the up glass, taking a sip from it, I found Rhys watching me as he lifted his bottle of beer to his mouth.

  “You’re in trouble man.”

  Letting a sigh out through my nose, I twisted up my lips and stared at him hoping he’d drop it. “Don’t I fucking know it.” I mumbled.

  He settled back with a smirk and waited for me to spill my guts, like a teenage girl.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  As soon as I’d climbed into bed last night, I was out for the count. An early morning, international flight, and sightseeing to avoid jet lag would do that to a girl. Oh, and maybe the best day of her life with a person she never thought she’d ever see again.

  Nikki had a thousand and one questions about where we’d been for the afternoon, but I was way too tired. I knew if I’d answered her, she wouldn’t drop it and I’d end up completely spilling my guts and I wanted to keep him to myself for a little longer. I was exhausted and dozed off to sleep to the sound of her voice in the end because I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. I knew Nikki would struggle to drift off because she’d had a nap earlier in the day.

  My eyes flickered open though at the break of dawn and when I looked at my phone to see the time, it was four in the morning.

  “Ugh.” I whispered to myself when I realised Nikki was still fast asleep.

  I laid there scrolling through Facebook for a while and decided to get up and take a shower. I thought about sending Roman a message to see if he was awake, but then I thought about him having his meeting and audition with Boss today and thought better of it. He needed to look his best.

  Once I was done in the shower, I found some clothes for the day, the early morning sun was breaking through the blinds into the room and I just knew it was going to be a hot one. Knowing I had to look smart, I pulled out a formal dress and some high heels. I left my shoes by the bed and took my dress and underwear into the bathroom to get dressed. After smothering myself with moisturiser, I slipped on my underwear and dragged my dress up my body. I dried my hair and pulled it up into a ponytail to keep it off my neck and sat at the dressing table. I applied some light makeup, not wanting to sweat it off before I’d even got to the audition today. By the time I was done, Nikki was lying in bed, awake.

  “Morning, sunshine.”

  “Why are you up so early?” She muttered in her sleepy voice.

  “It’s almost six…” I replied looking at my watch, “and I’ve been awake since four.”

  “Are you crazy?”

  “The sun was blazing through the blinds and I guess the time difference had me awake, but I couldn’t drift back off.”

  Taking my phone from the dressing table, I pulled up Roman’s name and typed a message saying ‘good morning’, completely going against my earlier thoughts, but what the hell… He needed to be up anyway, and it would stop Nikki from charging up there and banging on his door. At least that was my excuse.

  I pressed send and waited but I didn’t have to wait long. Right away, my phone vibrated with a text.

  Seeing his name, right there on my screen, put a smile on my face.

  Morning yourself. I missed you last night.

  I didn’t know if you’d be awake yet.

  Instantly, I received another message:

  Been awake about an hour.

  Glancing at the time in the corner of the screen, I saw it was almost six fifteen, and replied.

  Shame, I was in the shower then…

  I clicked send after adding a wonky face and smirk emoji, knowing that might just kill him.

  Why don’t you come up here and help me with this hard on I’ve woken up with, it’s got your name all over it.

  I’m sure it has, but I’m going to have to decline for now. I’m nipping downstairs into the restaurant for some coffee if you want to meet me…?

  Facing the mirror again, I made sure my makeup was okay and stood up, stepping into my shoes.

  “Where are you off to?”

  “I’m going to get coffee from downstairs and to stretch my legs, I’ll see what food they have on offer. Want anything?”

  “Pastries if they’ve got any.”

  My phone vibrated again, I picked it up, reading Roman’s message.

  You’re killing me. You’re a bad woman… I’ll be down there in ten minutes. Save me a seat.

  “Who the hell, is messaging you at this time of day?”

  Nikki asked curiously as she lifted an eyebrow.

  I had to think quickly.

  “Just making sure he was awake and asked him if he was coming to breakfast.”

  Swiping my fingers back over my keypad, I quickly answered him.

  Will do. See you soon.

  “What’s going on with you two?” Nikki narrowed her eyes to slits and a small crease appeared between her eyebrows.

  I grabbed my phone and purse before I headed for the door.

  “Nothing. We’ve decided we’d try and be friends, it makes it easier on everyone around us, don’t you agree?”

  “You can say that again.” She held my gaze as I turned back to her, I knew she was waiting for me to crack and spill everything.

  Feeling my face heat up, I’m the first to look away. Instead of answering her, I pulled on the door, giving myself a reprieve before I turned back to Nikki.

  “You sure you won’t come down?”

  She sighed as she looked up at the ceiling.

  “Yeah okay, let me shower first and I’ll be down.”

  With a nod, I headed out of the door and towards the lift. Walking through the double doors of the restaurant, I grabbed coffee first and placed it down on a table for four in the window, just in case Rhys joined us too, and glanced outside. The sun touched every corner of the grounds the hotel sat in. Finally glancing around me, I noticed it was pretty much empty in the dining room, just a couple of the waiters and waitresses milling around, still laying out breakfast tables for guests. I took my seat and rested my chin into my cupped hand. It was nice to enjoy the peace for a while, but still, those thoughts from yesterday that I could live here were there, milling around my head.

  “Can I get you anything ma’am?” A waitress appeared at my side and broke the silence.

  “Erm, can I just have a minute please?” I asked politely.

  “Sure thing, ma’am.” She wandered off and I shifted my gaze back to the sunshine, while drinking my first cup of coffee of the day.

  “Penny for them?”

  Lazily turning my head to the sound of the voice I heard in my head, nearly all the time, I smiled and checked Roman out. His black jeans clung to his slim hips, while my greedy eyes lapped him up, as they trailed upwards, I took in the sight of his t-shirt stretched across his chest and broad shoulders. He looked good enough to eat.

  “Budge up.�
�

  I slid across to the next seat and let him sit down. His one hand slipped beneath the table and grasped my thigh. Just that small connection caused a zap of electricity to whizz through me. His breath blowed softly against my ear, as he whispered to me.

  “Good morning, baby.”

  With the softest kiss against the shell of my ear, my heart rate picked up its pace. I drew my lips together and breathed through my nose, until he moved away just enough, so I could find my breathing pattern again.

  Turning my head to face him, I saw the biggest grin plastered to his lips and I narrowed my eyes.

  “Morning.”

  At that moment, the waitress sidled back up to the table and turned her attention to the hottie sitting next to me.

  “Can I get you a coffee, sir?”

  “Ooh, please.” She placed a cup down and filled it up from the carafe she was holding.

  “Ma’am, can I get you something?”

  “Just more coffee, please.”

  Smoothing his palm up and down my thigh, he found the hem of my dress and slid a finger beneath it and made small circles on my skin, teasing me. I covered his hand to stop his movements as I smiled at the waitress. Watching her leave us alone, I snapped my head to the side.

  “Stop it.” I hissed.

  “But I missed you.”

  Slipping his fingers between my closed thighs, he moved his hand upwards. I tried to move his hand but with no luck, the wicked smile on his face said everything, but the sound of Nikki’s voice from the doorway, had him halting. As I looked at him his eyes went wide, and he moved his hand, placing it on the table and circled it around his cup.

  “Cockblocked, again!”

  With a smirk, I twisted around and waved to her.

  “Have you shit the bed or something? I wasn’t expecting to see you yet.”

  She pulled out a chair on the opposite side of the table to us and sat down, throwing a hand up to call the waitress over.

  “I’m full of surprises, Nik.” He smirked around the rim of his cup, as he sipped at his coffee, it had me wishing those lips were on me.

  Rhys joined us not long after, so forgetting mine and Roman’s little moment, I ordered pastries and waffles and of course, being in America I had to order some pancakes. The food literally filled the table, there was that much I couldn’t finish it all, I was stuffed and could barely move.