"And what are you going to do, huh?" she scoffs, putting her hands on her hips. "You gonna go tell little Lucy that you don't like me? You know what she's going to say to you if you do? She's going to tell you to get over yourself."
"You think so?" I ask, noting Sera and Cage standing nearby, listening intently. Something's up. Something more than Misty trying to bang me.
"I know so," she says with a sneer.
I nod. "Interesting. You think Lucy's going to like you better or side with you? I wasn't aware we were in a competition."
She laughs. "There is no competition. I've got Lucy right where I want her."
"Yeah?" I ask, stepping closer as I start to see red. "It's too bad you can't get anyone else where you want them, huh? How many of us have you tried to fuck? I think all of us, including Jesse, right? How's that working out for you?"
"Fuck you."
"I don't think so. You offered, I declined. And as far as Lucy goes, you better watch yourself and step back. You have no idea who you're up against," I warn.
She snorts. "You think I'm afraid of you?"
"No, because I don't beat the hell out of women."
"But I do," Sera says from behind Misty, her eyes going wide with that whole deer-in-the-headlights look.
Misty pastes a fake smile on her face and spins to Sera.
"Sera! I think you misunderstood-"
"I didn't," Sera says, inching closer to Misty, intimidating the hell out of her as she invades her space. I just cross my arms over my chest and watch the show. "I know what you're up to. You're not very good at this game. I, however, am the master."
They're nose to nose now as Cage and I look on.
Misty's scared stiff. The color has drained from her face and I wouldn't be surprised if she pisses her pants a little. Sera has a way of making people do that. She's one scary chick when she's pissed and someone's threatening her family.
"I knew there was something 'off' about you from the beginning but I could never put my finger on it. No one is that nice all the time," Sera states. "We're going to go on that bus over there and we're going to have a nice long chat. Then we're going to call your sister, Kimberly, and brother-in-law, Roberto, and they can come pick you up."
Misty's eyes get big and I lift a brow. Obviously they've done their homework on Misty and it looks like she wasn't expecting that. That's what I love about Sera and Cage. They make sure to dot their i's and cross their t's before going in for the kill. Cage's fingers fly across the keys on his phone. I imagine that's not good for Misty either.
"But-"
"No. There are no more 'buts'. That time has long past. Tell them to pick you up in New York in two days. Either they pick you up, or you're on your own. You're no longer welcome on this tour," Sera tells her.
"And, until we get to New York," Cage begins, "you'll be riding on the same bus as Damian."
Misty swallows hard.
"Did you get all of that?" Cage asks.
Misty nods.
"Good. Now get out of my sight," he bites out. He sends a quick nod to Damian where he's waiting.
Holy fuck. A pissed off Cage Nichols is really fucking scary.
Misty all-but runs away and Cage dials his phone. Sera smirks and I, well, I just blow out a steadying breath.
"There's more to this than I know, isn't there?" I ask.
"Oh yeah. Lots more," Sera tells me.
"Like Manzinis more?"
She nods.
"And we're not telling Lucy?"
She shakes her head. "Or Jesse."
"Shit. If they find out, they're going to be pissed."
"That's why they're not going to find out. Not until we get to New York."
"How will you explain Misty not cooking?"
Sera smirks. "She's sick. It's not a lie, not really. Misty is sick, just not the way Lucy's going to think she is."
"And Lucy won't be allowed to see the sick Misty because of the babies," I say, cluing in.
"Exactly."
Cage closes his phone and walks over. "We need to get ready for the show."
I nod.
"What time is it?" Sera asks, looking at her phone. "Oh, shit. Spenser is going to kill me. I'm so late." She stands on tiptoe and gives Cage a kiss. "I love you!" she shouts over her shoulder as she runs toward the building.
"Damn, she's fast," I mutter.
"And, apparently, very afraid of Spenser yet she can face down the most ruthless people without batting an eyelash," Cage says with a smirk.
The shows were kick ass, crowd packed to capacity, and backstage there were people milling around everywhere. I need some fresh air so I step outside and lean back against the wall, tilting my head back, thinking of Coley. I want her-fiercely. I want to kiss her and touch her and make her mine.
I let out a frustrated breath. Shit. I can't just take her. She's sick and I don't know how experienced she is. Fuck. I don't know if I can hold back but I know I have to. I have to take her slowly and not bang her against the wall like I want. I just want-no, I need to be inside her. To make her mine.
The door opens and Coley comes walking out with Justin and Lucian. Fucking Lucian. I grind my teeth and restrain myself from grabbing her and pulling her to my side. She's mine.
"Hey there," she says, giving me a wink and hugging me to her. I pull her in close and bury my nose in her hair.
"Hey."
She looks up at me and I kiss her lips. When I pull back she's grinning and there's that sunshine again, taking away the darkness.
"What are you doing out here all by yourself?" she asks.
I look and note Justin and Lucian walking away.
"Just getting some air." I bury my face in her neck again, holding her, loving the feel of her in my arms.
"It seems like you missed me."
"Mmm. I did."
"Then you should have found me. I'd have come out here to get air with you."
I kiss her cheek, then her forehead. "I didn't know how long you were going to be. Photo ops can take forever."
"I'm really glad this one didn't," she purrs as she kisses my neck. I let out a groan because, damn it, I've waited to feel her touching me for so long.
"So?"
She sucks on my earlobe and a shiver runs down my spine.
"When we get to New York, are we going to have some alone time?" she asks.
It's my turn to kiss her neck.
"Yeah, honey. We're going to have lots of alone time. We've got four days in New York and only one of those days we have to work. I want to take you out," I tell her, kissing along her jaw.
"Like a date?" she sighs, leaning into my embrace.
"Exactly like a date. Maybe you'll even let me get to first base, if you're feeling well."
Her hands frame my face and her smile lights up the night sky. She wiggles her eyebrows. "I'll let you get a whole lot farther than that if you play your cards right."
My cock comes to life at the thought of being inside her, of her touching me. "Why don't we shower and grab some z's. You're going to need your sleep."
She grins up at me. "Sounds like a plan."
"By the way," I add. "From now on you're on whatever bus I'm on. No more Lucian."
Nicole nods. "Does that mean you're going to sleep with me?" Her tone is so hopeful I want to kick my own ass for denying her.
"Nothing can keep me away anymore."
"Promise?" she asks, vulnerability shining in her eyes.
"Promise."
Coley
After my shower, I go to crawl into my bed and there he lies, waiting for me. Shirtless, tattoos decorating his muscular flesh. I stand and stare a minute and he winks.
"You just gonna stand there all night?"
"Uh-uh."
"Then come on over here," he tells me, pulling back the covers on the narrow bed and patting the spot next to him.
I walk forward, almost zombie-like. I've wanted this for so long, it's hard to believe it's come true. Ben Kingston in my bed. Ben Kingston with me. Ben Kingston and me, together.
"Come on, honey, before you catch cold," he urges and I snuggle in next to him, immediately putting my ice cold feet against his legs. He doesn't even flinch, just pulls me closer, blanketing me in his warmth and his scent. I know that scent. It's not just the cologne he wears, it's so much more than that. He smells like musk and soap and something sweet I can't put a name to. I inhale deeply and hold the breath until I need another.
"You don't mind my cold feet on you?" I ask.
"Nope. Whatever you need, honey, it's yours. You have cold feet, I'm going to warm them. You want me to hold you, I'm going to wrap my arms around you. You want me to kiss you, I'm going to press my lips to yours. You want me, I'm yours," he whispers and tears well in my eyes.
"It's about time," I say with a sniffle.
He nods at me but doesn't say a word, just reaches out and wipes a stray tear rolling down my cheek.
"No more tears. Not because of me."