"Look at me, love," he murmured, waiting until my eyes locked with his. "I understand. I will always be here. As long as you want."
I nodded, tears stinging my eyes. "What do you mean gauge what you couldn't do? What did you think about doing that you didn't?"
He fought his smile, shaking his head. "A more severe punishment for speaking when not spoken to," he teased, raising a sexy raven eyebrow.
"Hmmm, let me guess. A spanking?" I murmured back, giggling when his eyes darkened at my words.
He fell back to the bed, gripping his silent heart. “If I wasn’t already dead, you’d kill me.”
“Next time, I’m in control.” I rolled over to cover his body with mine. “Deal?”
He nodded. “Deal.”
He wrapped his arms around me and for the longest time, I didn’t worry about strange letters, the paparazzi, my mortality or his immortality. All I could think about was the peacefulness of being in his arms.
It wasn’t until Nick’s phone rang and everything went to hell again.
***
I knew the phone call wasn’t good news. Nick stomped out of the room with the phone pressed to his ear, the earlier lightness gone.
Nick stormed back into the room and threw his phone on the bed. He slammed his fist into the drywall. It disintegrated under the force of the blow. I couldn’t help but jump at the sound of his hand going through the heavy plaster.
“What’s happened?” I was still sitting in bed. I’d moved from the bed long enough to pull on a robe and waited nervously for him to finish his call.
Nick was a blur as he zipped across the room and was back with my laptop in hand. “It was Elliott. He has something he wants us both to watch. He’s sending it to your e-mail now.”
Taking the computer from his outstretched hand, I risked a look at his face. As soon as I saw him, I immediately wished I hadn’t. He was sullen, his eyes devoid of any emotion except anger. My stomach twisted as I opened the lid and waited for the computer to power on.
“There’s more than just the paparazzi pictures. That’s what this is about, right?” I questioned. I was fishing for anything, any bit of information I could get from him.
His eyes moved from mine to the laptop screen, shifting from foot to foot. He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “I really don’t know. Elliott was vague.”
That was bullshit. I’d known Elliott my entire life and vague wasn’t a word I’d use to describe him. He knew when to schmooze a client, but he was never vague. My fingers flew over the keys as I opened up my e-mail and waited for my messages to load. I clicked on the one from Elliott and read his message.
Savannah,
You aren’t going to like this. I would suggest booking the next plane home and get out of the media’s eye before the storm hits. You can stay with me until Nick finishes the Paris and London concerts.
E
“Vague, huh?” I retorted sarcastically. Sighing, I opened the video attachment.
It was grainy and distorted, but I could make out the scene playing on my screen. It was from the night in Rome. My naked back was pressed against the glass, Nick’s face visible in the window before he disappeared between my legs.
Watching it was the oddest sensation. I was aroused at seeing us together, reliving the moment in my mind even through the distortion of the video. It was also a sickening, surreal feeling to know this was going to go viral and everyone was going to see this private moment.
A fucking sex tape. Fabulous.
My heart plummeted. I was transported back in time to my disastrous media experience with Clark Cline. He must have seen the panic on my face because he closed the laptop lid and wrapped me in his crushing embrace.
Caught between being furious at our carelessness and embarrassment, I pushed against him, struggling to break free. My feeble attempt to wiggle away only made his arms cage tighter around me.
"Let me go!" I hissed. Burning tears welled in my eyes, spilling over and streaking my cheeks. "Move!"
His arms tightened around me. "I'm not letting you go until you at least listen to me."
I continued to struggle with him until finally my sobs consumed me. My arms fell slack as I wept against his chest. He continued to hold me, his grasp becoming gentle and loving.
"I'm so sorry, love. I didn't want to tell you." Nick crooned in my ear. He rocked back and forth as I soaked his chest with my tears.
This couldn't be happening. For the first time, I was happy. I should have known it was too good to be true. Happy endings and me just didn’t seem to happen.
"How bad is it?” I whispered hoarsely. I knew I was a mess with my puffy, swollen eyes and red nose.
"You or the tape?" Nick tried to lighten the mood. I didn't bite.
I gritted my teeth. "Don't be cute, Nick. How bad is the fallout going to be?"
Nick swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “Savannah, you know Hollywood better than I do. If Elliott can’t stop this from being leaked, it’s going to be everywhere.”
He released me from his arms and stood back up, walking to the window and peering into the darkness. The muscles in his biceps flexed as he rubbed his face in his hands. "It was the night in Rome. Luckily it was one of our tamer moments. Your back is to the camera so they never see my fangs. At least that secret is safe."
I gathered my hair back into a messy bun. Even though he meant nothing by his words, the lightness of his tone sent my temper flaring. "Well, there's that I suppose. At least you’re not naked on camera for everyone to see."
"Savannah, I didn't mean it that way." Nick began. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I want it to go away for your sake."
Rising from the bed, I headed to the armoire. I hastily dressed, pulling on clothes quickly. I grabbed my partially packed suitcase and started filling it with clothes from the dresser.
Nick turned from the window, his eyes watching my frenzied movements. "What are you doing?"
Glancing up at him, I continued shoving clothes in the bag. "I'm packing, Nick. I'm following Elliott’s advice and going home."
He was a blur as he moved to my side. He desperately reached for my hands, clasping them in his. "What do you mean you're going home? Love, I can get this buried. I've dealt with worse."
"Maybe you have. I know what the media will do with this. It's going to turn my life into a circus." I pulled my hands from his grasp and resumed packing.
He stiffened and his hands slid into his pockets. His voice sounded weary as he spoke. "Just an hour ago you were happy. We’ve already been outed as a couple, Savannah. You can't have it both ways. No one can even tell it’s you."
"That doesn’t make it better, Nick. That tape doesn't change how I feel about you. Being outed as a couple is one thing. An illegally released sex tape is a whole new ballgame. Do you understand that it will go viral? It will be on every social networking site within an hour. I think we should listen to Elliott, Nick. You have two more venues and you'll be back in Los Angeles."
As if in a trance, he sat down on the bed in a daze. He cradled his face in his hands. He was shirtless, his finely sculpted chest and shoulders tense. "What does this mean for us?"
Dropping to my knees at his feet, I buried my hands in his hair. "I'm not saying I want to walk away from this, from us. I'm just saying if I'm in Los Angeles and you're here, it will squash some of the rumors."
"I don't give a shit about the rumors, Savannah. I need you here with me." He pulled my hands from his hair and shook his head. "Never mind. Just go."
"Nick..."
"No." He cut me off harshly. "Go home. We'll talk when I get back to the US. I’ll have Ian escort you to the airport.”
I watched as he grabbed a t-shirt. He pulled it over his head quickly and stalked from the room. I heard the hotel room door slam behind him, the loud boom echoing in the large suite.
It was my turn to sink to the bed. I'd let my fear and pettiness take over and I'd pushed him awa
y. But I was only doing what Elliott said I should do. He said to come home.
Why did I feel like running away was the worst thing I could do? I suddenly felt 16 again, completely confused and alone.
Vulnerable.
My airline ticket was stuck in the inside pocket of the suitcase. I reached for it, running my fingers over the paper. Heaving a deep sigh, I reached for my phone and started making my own phone calls.
***
I'd checked in for my flight and was sitting anxiously in the VIP lounge at Peretola airport in Florence. A battle was waging within myself. My heart was breaking, screaming at me to go back to him. But it was the fear of what could happen if the tape was released that had literally immobilized me. Was I broken beyond repair?
My heart ached and my stomach churned. I'd fallen hard for Nick Hart. Walking away from him tonight had been the most difficult thing I'd ever done. I shouldn’t have listened to Elliott. I should have stayed with Nick and weathered the storm. Instead I sat nursing a watered down gin and tonic, waiting for my flight to be called with Ian hovering over me protectively.
Wandering over to the windows of the lounge, I watched airplanes depart and arrive. I was kicking myself for leaving him to face this alone. I wasn’t 16 anymore. I was a grown woman that had walked away from the first real thing in my life.
“You’re not broken. He’s a good man, Savannah. He loves you. Very much.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I was surprised to the voice had come from Ian. In fact, I almost dropped my drink. He glanced away from the windows to stare down at me, his odd golden eyes taking in my turmoil.
“I’ve never heard you speak, Ian,” I whispered. I stared down into my drink. “But I suppose you knew what I was thinking.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “I do my best to only listen in when I sense there may be a problem. I don’t pry.” He scuffed the toe of his boot against the carpet. “You’re a hard one for me to read. Your thoughts are muddled.”
“Ian…”
“Listen, your plane is boarding in less than 10 minutes. You need to decide if you’re making the right choice. If you walk away now, there may be no turning back.” Ian glanced over his shoulder as if we were being watched. “Things aren’t safe for you or anyone associated for Nick. It’s time to close ranks.”
His carefully chosen words struck a chord with me. He was only repeating what my gut was trying to tell me. I needed to stay. But first, I needed an answer.
My free hand grasped his massive forearm. “Do you know who’s sending the letters to Nick?”
He shrugged, his eyes traveling over the crowd. “It could be anyone. Human or supernatural. Do you want to risk finding out alone?”
I didn’t want to take on this alone. Frankly, I was tired of being alone anymore. I knew what I needed…and it wasn’t in Los Angeles.
My decision made, I drained my drink and turned to him. “Ian, could you take me back to the hotel?”
He smiled softly and his grin made his imposing face look less threatening. “I don’t think we need to go anywhere. Look.”
Ian pointed to the entrance of the VIP lounge and my eyes followed his finger. I swallowed back a sob when I saw him standing in the doorway.
He stood out in the crowd because of his dark beauty. His black hair was wild, his brown eyes wide as he watched me from across the room.
"Savannah..." His shakily uttered reverence of my name carried softly. It laced through the crowd to embrace me, filling me with warmth.
Time stood still in that moment. The airport crowd disappeared and the worry about pictures, tapes, and letters seemed miniscule. It was precisely when I knew I loved him beyond anything I could fathom. I’d face a million cameras, listen to a million questions to erase the turmoil that was marring his handsome face.
And I knew no matter whatever storm faced us, we could do it together.
Dropping my glass, I raced past the throng of people, pushing my way through until we were only inches apart. I looked up at his handsome face, placing my hand over where his silent heart rested. His dark brown eyes searched mine, desperate for an answer.
"I couldn't let you leave without telling you this. I love you. You know it and it amazes me that you don't understand why I do. I don’t want to face another century alone,” he whispered in a rush, his brow furrowing. He took my hand, intertwining our fingers and placing against my own chest. I could feel my heart thumping under our fingers. "When are you going to admit what you feel?"
My mouth gaped and it took me a few seconds to finally speak. "Nick..."
He didn’t wait for me to finish. His fingers threaded into my hair at the nape of my neck and his lips met mine. He kissed me absolutely senseless, almost to the point that I wasn't sure of my own name. It was deep and heated, claiming and possessive...and it caused whistles and cheers to erupt from the small crowd assembled in the airport VIP room.
He pulled back. He pressed his forehead to mine, but his gaze was like liquid fire as his tongue swept across his bottom lip. "I'll squash the tape. I'll do whatever it takes, I promise you. And you're coming back with me. You belong with me."
"I love you, Nick. We'll face this together," I whispered. I felt as if I’d been set free simply saying the words I’d felt for so long. His strong hands pulled me to him, crushing me against his chest. He trembled against me, his long arms almost crushing me in his eager embrace.
"You love me." He repeated against the top of my hair. His voice was filled with wonder and barely concealed disbelief. "You love me?"
I nodded against his chest. "I do. This is the part where you tell me you can't live without me and you’d do anything for me.
His deep laughter was like music and the mood between us almost seemed euphoric. "Savannah, what did I do before I met you?"
I squinted up at him, puckering my lips as if I was deep in thought. “Lead a boring life? So what do we do now?”
His fingers cradled my face, his thumbs sweeping across my cheeks. The love in his touch, in the depths of his eyes threatened to drown me. “I take you back to the hotel. And I spend the rest of the night showing you exactly how much I can’t live without you.”
Chapter 12
Past Meets Present
In the end, Nick decided to cancel the Paris venue. Numerous calls to Isabelle had gone unanswered, so I wrote up a press release that was sent out in the media, blaming the cancellation on laryngitis and he’d rescheduled the tour for the next visit to Europe. Shortly after the release made the papers and Internet, we’d changed hotels to a more remote resort, checking in under assumed names.
And the waiting began.
Our small diversion tactic gave us time for us to stall and wait for Malcolm to arrive. As Nick’s friend and vampire brother, he was the closest thing he had to family. As vampires were concerned, according to Nick he had a tactical mind and was an impressive fighter. It was difficult for me to imagine Malcolm fighting anyone.
Of course up until a month ago, I never knew vampires or werewolves existed.
I stretched across the bed on my stomach, paging through e-mails. After reading yet another scathing message from Elliott, I clicked delete and moved on. He was furious with me and had expected me to return to Los Angeles. When I sent him back a curt message that I was fine where I was, he’d informed me we’d speak further when Nick and I returned to the states. I already had one overbearing father, the last thing I needed was yet another.
Nick had grown restless as we waited. He’d sent the band on to England and we were left alone. Well, alone as you could get with Ian around. He was always in the shadows, a loyal and silent sentinel. His devotion and quiet intelligence had finally won me over.
I could find solace in the silence anonymity gave us. While Nick enjoyed it, it made him edgy. He took turns playing the piano and strumming his way through complicated guitar riffs that would cause me to stop what I was doing and simply watch him in awe.
That very t
hing happened as I was mindlessly paging through the computer. I shoved the laptop aside and wandered into the living room, leaning across the piano to watch his long fingers slide over the strings of his acoustic guitar.
He stopped and glanced up at me through his thick, dark eyelashes. “See something you like?”
“Don’t stop on my account.” I raised an eyebrow and ran my fingers over the black gloss of the piano. “I was just remembering the piano in Rome.”
He smiled his megawatt smile, his brown eyes running over the length of my body bent over the piano. “One of the best memories I have of Italy.” His smiled faded and his eyes became unfocused. He unnecessarily cleared his throat and rested the guitar across his lap. He sat back in the chair, stretching his long legs in front of him. “You have a way of replacing my bad memories with only good.”
My ears perked up at his mention of bad memories in Italy. What had happened here that left him with so many bad reminders?
“Do you want to talk about this, Nick? What happened here in Italy before you met me?” I questioned softly.
He only shook his head and I could see him shut down in front of me. “I don’t want to dredge up the past. It’s done and I’m not going there. With you, things are better. The piano is the perfect example of that.”
With those words, my mind was flooded with vivid memories of his mouth against my skin, my feet sliding across the keys, filling the room with a symphony of ecstasy. Closing my eyes, I could feel my back pressed against the lacquer of the piano, his hard body looming over me…
Shaking my head to clear it, I came up out of my musings just in time to watch him put aside his guitar. His long, sleek body glided towards me. Gone was the facade of the boy next door. The calm, controlled Nick had slipped away and in his place was the ultimate feral aggressor. He was looking for a distraction.
He’d been reserved since we returned from the airport. We were waiting for the other shoe to drop…and neither of us was handling it well. The mysterious notes, the probabilities of the tape being release, waiting for Malcolm to arrive…the pressure we were both feeling was noticeable and wearing on us both. If I was completely frank, I think he was more worried about me than himself. He’d denied it of course, but his eyes gave him away.
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