“What’s your problem, Westbury?”
“You, you’re my problem, Powell. That man likes you and you ignore him. Now you’re pissy that he’s found someone to give him attention. Either friend-zone him or let him in, but I’ve seen the teeter-totter you keep him on and it’s not fair.”
“I don’t like him.”
“Then don’t like him. No one is saying you have to, but don’t lead him on. Don’t get up in the middle of the night and talk to him like you want to get to know him.”
“He told you that?”
“Yeah, he did,” Liam throws down some money on the table. “I’m outta here. Are you coming?”
Josie nods as she links hands with Liam. “Night, sweetie.”
“Night,” I mumble as they walk off, leaving me at an empty table.
I get up slowly on shaky legs. I have to steady myself against the edge of the table. I’ve definitely drunk too much. I slip off my shoes and attempt to walk in a straight line back to the elevator. The car I get in is full. I step on and wait for my floor. I’m sure these families are wondering what kind of trash I am. Drunk and shoeless in a resort hotel, riding the elevator at god knows what time of the night. I can’t get the image of Harrison and that woman out of my mind. The way he was holding her to him, it was rough and sexy. And she touched his hair; hair that I’ve been dying to see. He just let her do whatever she wanted as I sat there and watched their foreplay unfold on the dance floor.
I step off and stare down the hall. My steps are slow as I pass his door. I stop and listen. Would he really bring a woman back to his room with Quinn in there? Of course he wouldn’t, but Quinn isn’t in there, he’s in Liam’s suite with the babysitter.
I startle when a door opens. Harrison stands there with his hoodie on, covering his hair again. It’s zipped half way down so I can see multiple tattoos on his chest. He’s changed his jeans for khaki shorts.
“What are you doing?”
I shrug. “Shouldn’t you be busy?” the words are out before I can stop them. I don’t know why on earth I’d ask such a brazen question. It’s none of my business what he does. He looks sad that I’ve asked him and I feel my body sigh in relief. Why is that?
“Who’s asking?”
I look at him questioningly.
“Are you my manager right now?”
I shake my head no.
“Want to come in?”
No. I don’t like you. “Yes.” I step forward, brushing by him. Maybe if I just ask, he’ll take his hoodie off.
Harrison stands behind me. I can feel him there, breathing onto my neck. He’s not touching me, but he might as well be. My skin prickles, making me shiver. He steps around to stand in front of me. The only noise in the room is coming from outside. He peers down, studying me. I raise my hand to his hood. He steps back a little. Okay, so that’s a no, I’m not allowed to see his hair. I tentatively step closer, my breasts touching his hoodie, and look from his eyes to his mouth. I rise up, pushing my body into him. Harrison licks his lips, which encourages me.
“Don’t do it unless you mean it.”
WHAT the fuck am I doing? Here she is, in my room with her body pressed against mine. She’s centimeters from my lips. I just have to lean forward and we’ll be connected. I could taste her sweet, sinful mouth. Her tongue could be moving against mine as I palm her ass, pulling her onto my hard-on. But no, my dumbass asks her to be sure, because I won’t be able to take it if she’s not. I won’t be able to work day in and day out with her knowing that I had her and allowed her to reject me.
My hands beg for contact. They want to touch her just as much as I do. The other night in the greenroom was just an iota of what I want to do to her. I’ve never had to be patient to get a woman, and tonight’s a testament of just that. I could’ve brought that groupie back here - she knew who I was - but the moment I stepped out into the hall and she tried to kiss me, I didn’t want to take it any further.
Katelyn stares up at me, her brown eyes penetrating my resolve. She licks her lips, enticing me more. I want nothing more than to drag my hands down her body, over her luscious hips. I can cup my hands behind her legs, pick her up and she’d be sitting right where I need to feel her. Her flimsy dress isn’t enough of a barrier; she’d feel exactly how much I want her.
I study her for a sign, anything to let me know that she wants me. That this is what she wants for us. My movements are slow and calculated. I stick with what I know I’m allowed to do. Her eyes watch as my hand moves to her hair. I pick up a curled strand and hold the silk in between my fingers before pinning it behind her ear. I allow my fingers to touch her, allow them to move along her jaw. Her skin is soft, and it pebbles lightly as I move closer to her mouth. I lift her chin gently and lean in, brushing my lips lightly across hers. She doesn’t resist me.
She gasps, and I pull back. Her eyes lock on mine. I look from her eyes to her mouth, her tongue teasing me as it wets her lips again. My lips touch hers as I give her small sensual kisses. Her hand grabs my side and I feel her pull me closer. My hand finds purchase at the back of her neck, holding her to me as I deepen the kiss. The explosion of heat that I feel when her tongue touches mine is hypnotic. Our lips move on their own volition.
Katelyn steps closer, her hand moving up my chest. I sigh when she touches my face. She holds me to her, like I belong. I’ve been waiting for this moment since I met her and now that I finally have her, I don’t think I’ll be able to let go.
“Katelyn,” I say huskily in between kisses. She pulls back abruptly, breaking our contact. I’m afraid to open my eyes. I rise up and take a deep breath. When I open my eyes she’s looking anywhere but at me. I reach for her, only for her to recoil at my touch. I drop my head and hand and step back from her. My throat is tight. I want to ask her why, but can’t find the words. I’m afraid to open my mouth.
“This is a mistake,” she says.
“It isn’t.” The words are for my benefit because I doubt she’s going to believe me. She’s not ready. I should’ve known this. I look at her and find that she’s shaking her head. Her fingers pull at her lips. Lips that I just kissed full on and want to kiss again. No, that’s not right. I need to kiss them again. I need to feel the spell she puts me under just to feel alive.