The Complete Groupie Trilogy Page 29

  “You kissed me,” she persisted.

  “On the cheek. For a photo. Remember? It was in Salt Lake City. Try to remember, Talia.”

  “But I love you!” she cried out desperately.

  “I’m sorry, Talia. But I don’t love you. I never did. And I never will.”

  The storm of emotion clouded her face, twisting her face into a snarl. “You lying, cheating, son of a bitch!” she screamed as she started to wail on him with tiny clenched fists.

  I moved around him to get in the middle of them, which turned her wrath on me. Her punches landed on my head, in my face and in my chest, and Vanni tried his best to pull us apart. The door of the cabin opened and security guards descended on us, pulling Talia back and locking her hands behind her back.

  “You stupid cunt!” she screamed at me. “You don’t deserve him. You’ll never have him! I’ll never let you have him!”

  Vanni took me into his arms and led me from the room and away from the scene. Just outside the room we spoke with the director of security, who explained how she would be detained until we made port the next morning. I shivered in the crook of Vanni’s arm, and dabbed away the blood from my nose and lip. I couldn’t even hear any words in particular; it was all a low, buzzing sound in my ears.

  “Are you all right, miss?” the director asked and I think I nodded, but if I didn’t have Vanni to hold onto I would have likely crumbled right to the floor.

  Vanni took control of the situation, told him that we were going to my cabin and could be reached there with any further information.

  We didn’t talk at all until we closed the door to my cabin, in which I nearly swooned right to the floor.

  I’d never been involved in such a confrontation, faced with so much hatred. I didn’t know how to process it all. This was so far from normal I felt like I’d been deposited on another planet entirely.

  So Vanni just rocked me in his arms and kissed the top of my head. Over and over again he kept saying, “I’m sorry.”

  He pulled me down onto the sofa in my cabin, holding me across his lap. I realized he too was trembling and how awful the whole thing must have been for him.

  “Oh Vanni,” I said as I cupped his face. “I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you. I knew something was wrong with her.”

  “I should have listened,” he said as his dark eyes met mine. “Do you believe me now?” he asked quietly and I nodded. “About everything?” he persisted and I nodded again. He caressed my face with his palm. “Andy,” he breathed softly before his mouth descended on mine.

  My arms wrapped around his neck and I pulled him closer. After all this time and after all we had been through I didn’t know if I could get close enough. I responded hungrily to his deep, probing kiss. My heart felt like it might possibly burst with the joy I felt to be in his arms and know beyond all doubt that he loved me.

  I wound my fingers in his hair, and I tugged possessively on the silken strands. He groaned into my mouth and kissed me harder. His hand slid up my leg to cup my hip in his large palm, and he squeezed firmly, as if staking his claim on the curves he had always made such a point to savor. I turned more into his embrace, my full breasts pressed against that massive wall of his chest.

  He guided my legs to straddle his lap as he kissed me harder, with more urgency. Both hands rested on my waist as I pressed my body against him, exploring the deep recesses of his mouth with my tongue.

  I needed him so badly it felt like I might wither and die if he let me go.

  His hands slid underneath my top and up my back, and then easily unlatched my bra. Without even bothering to raise my shirt he cupped each generous breast in his hands. My head tipped back as he moved those magic fingers across each hardened peak, and with a moan of frustration I ripped away my shirt and flung it off into a corner somewhere.

  His warm mouth replaced his fingertips, and his tongue teasingly tormented me until I was writhing on top of him, my hands in his hair, burying his face in my breast. He took playful nips out of my skin with his teeth, which made me crazier for him.

  Effortlessly he lifted me up and planted me on the sofa as he slid off into the floor. With one thumb he unfastened the top button on my jeans, and then I watched as he pulled the zipper down with his teeth.

  His eyes bore into mine as he looped two fingers into my jeans and slid them down my body. I was trembling from anticipation before he buried his face between legs, so much so I shuddered violently with the force of a climax that had been so long overdue.

  He mercilessly teased me through to another one, and then another, until I was begging for him in a hoarse whisper that sounded more like a squeak. It was all I could manage.

  I watched as he rose up, discarding his shirt as he did so. My breath caught when he unfastened his own jeans, and revealed the hardened contours of his body. I opened myself up for him and he easily fit in between my legs. When he entered me it felt like the first time all over again. He opened me up like a virgin and the pure joy of feeling him complete that hollow left by his absence nearly made me tear up with joy.

  I couldn’t think beyond the hands, his mouth, his body, and that was all it took to make me dissolve into a puddle underneath him. He didn’t hold back either. He drove our lovemaking with a commanding force that left no room for anything – or anyone – else. If there had been any question before where and to whom I belonged, it was driven away with each powerful stroke and the authority with which he growled my name.

  I was delirious by the time he climaxed. He was so overcome himself that he trembled in my arms for long moments afterwards, trying to catch his breath. He said nothing as he stroked my face with his fingertip. He tenderly touched the cut on my lip, and my tender nose that was still bloodied by Talia’s fist, and the sore puffiness around my eye that seemingly got worse by the minute.

  He started to say something but I knew it would be another apology. I put my finger on his lips. I didn’t want to talk about it. In fact, I didn’t want to talk at all. I just wanted to enjoy this bubble where he was mine, I was his, and the world outside did not exist. So I reached for another kiss, still hungry for more of him.

  Effortlessly he lifted me up and carried me to the bed, and this time our union was slower and more deliberate. We took the time to touch every square inch of skin, first with our fingertips, then with teasing tongues. I tortured him relentlessly until he was a quivering mass under my mouth and fingers, and he clutched a handful of my hair as he begged me for sweet release.

  He was crazed by the time I finally straddled his hips. His fingers dug into the soft cushion of my ass as I gyrated slowly on top of him.

  This was my time. I was going to enjoy it.

  “If only for a moment, girl,” I could almost hear him sing in my ear.

  It was our moment. It was our night.

  By the time the ship docked in Cozumel I was nestled in his arms while he slept. I had been awake for about an hour, lulled by the sound of his heart beat strong and steady under my ear. His hand rested on my bare back and my leg crossed over his. I traced light figure eights along his chest. It was a luxury to touch him after so many months apart. It was so hard-won, but yet it still didn’t feel like it was my victory to enjoy.

  I thought about Talia, and how sick she had been. She hated me because I had what she had somehow convinced herself belonged to her. Though my face was sore and surely wore the evidence of her assault, I felt truly sorry for her.

  I knew what it was like to want him and not be able to have him, especially when he willingly gave himself to someone else. It wasn’t a fun place to be. I couldn’t imagine that kind of conflict on top of mental illness.

  Then I would think about Kat. Was she on a flight to L.A. suffering from a painful broken leg while I was here cuddling with her man? She thought I was her friend; she had no idea that I’d even had a history with Vanni, much less still loved him as much – if not more – than I ever did.

  Vanni wasn’t the only liar
in her life.

  And then there was Graham. I’d have to look into his face today while my body wore the imprint of my stolen night with Vanni. I’d have to see that same longing in his face I knew was on mine whenever I was unable to be with the one I loved. Again I was reminded he didn’t do one thing to earn that pain except fall in love with the wrong person.

  I empathized with him greatly.

  But it was hard to stay truly unhappy when I felt Vanni stir under me, opening his eyes to see me curled up against him like a contented cat. He touched my face tenderly. “That’s some shiner you have, babe.”

  I wanted to hide my face but there was no point. I just wrapped myself around him tighter.

  “I’m sorry,” he said again as he pulled me close against him. “I should have listened to you a year ago.”

  “It’s over now,” I murmured as I reached for a kiss. It was the only true salve for my spirit.

  He responded eagerly to me, and we came together once again with the explosive brilliance of a supernova. By the time we fell back against the bed we were out of breath and shaking from the exertion. We opted for room service, which he ordered while I showered.

  My eye was purple from where one of Talia’s punches landed, and my lip was swollen with an ugly cut from where it had split. I sighed. There was no makeup to hide this damage. Thankfully I had packed some dark sunglasses and hats so I could camouflage some of my injuries.

  I could tell by the way Vanni’s eyes moved over my face he felt like a complete shit about what had happened, but even though it hurt I was glad things happened the way that they did. Maybe now that the authorities would be involved she could get the help she needed, especially now that her behavior had escalated to violence.

  We disembarked to handle that distasteful business early. She would be deported back to the states and was not allowed back on the ship. Graham was notified and briefed, but it was the look on his face when he finally saw me that brought it home how violent the situation had become.

  His jaw clenched as he surveyed the damage, but he kept his anger under control. He instead touched my shoulder and asked if he could do anything.

  “I’ve got it under control, boss,” Vanni assured as he put his arm around me. It was a territorial gesture, and I couldn’t look Graham in the eye because I knew he would be able to tell that our relationship was no longer platonic.

  My insistence I didn’t want to get involved with anyone now rang like a hollow excuse in my own ears, I could only imagine what he was thinking.

  Regardless of what he may have surmised of the situation he remained cordial and professional when we talked later that afternoon as we prepared for the final fan event for DIB on the cruise.

  For some reason Vanni had decided that this cruise was the time for him to be cozy with me even when we were in public. Aside from any overt public displays of affection, he was definitely at my side at every opportunity, especially if I were anywhere near Graham.

  This made things particularly awkward at dinner, when we all sat at the same table. I may have been imagining it but it seemed that the more sour Graham became the more triumphant Vanni appeared. He was quick with the innuendo and the sexy smirk in my direction every time any comment could venture down double entendre territory.

  Every glance I stole at Graham indicated he was growing more and more furious with each passing moment. His jaw had clenched tight and he barely spoke, and he ceased looking at me at all.

  I didn’t know whether to be relieved or annoyed when Vanni finally rose from the table and held out a hand to me. He led me to the dance floor and held me closer than he normally would. We were able to dance uninterrupted for about two minutes before some fans decided to cut in. I nodded my consent and blended back in with the crowd right on the edge of the action. Though he danced with the two girls, he didn’t behave inappropriately. He laughed and spun them around, but whenever they tried to get close he would deftly add some personal space in between them.

  I guess if there could be any good that had come from Tawnie and Talia it was that Vanni now understood he couldn’t play with fire. I wore the physical evidence of that on my face.

  “Care to dance?”

  I turned to see Graham standing behind me. His eyes were darker than normal, and though his countenance was still stiff from annoyance I knew he was directing it primarily at Vanni rather than me.

  I nodded and took his hand onto the dance floor. With more force than he normally displayed he grabbed me to him with one arm until I was molded against the hard lines of his body. The sheer power he demonstrated took my breath away and my wide eyes met his. He didn’t say anything. His eyes locked on my mouth as he spun me around the floor.

  I was too afraid to look for Vanni and see his reaction. Instead I stayed focused on Graham’s face, which was rigid with intention. His fingers dug purposefully in my back and down toward my hip. I gasped as his palm dipped lower to cup my ass firmly before he spun me away. I stumbled right into Vanni’s embrace, whose scowl indicated he was not amused by what he had seen.

  Vanni pulled me back into his arms, guided my arms around his neck and ground purposely against me.

  My head was spinning. Never before had I had two men fight for me, much less so publicly. I whispered in Vanni’s ear, “Let’s get out of here.”

  His voice was low. “My thoughts exactly,” he muttered as he grabbed my hand and practically drug me from the dance floor and out onto the deck.

  I gulped the fresh night air and went immediately toward the rail.

  “What the hell was that?” Vanni wanted to know.

  “You tell me,” I countered.

  He put an arm on either side of me, grasping the rail behind me. “Tell me again nothing happened with Graham.”

  “I’ll tell you myself,” we heard from behind. Vanni spun around to see his boss standing right behind him. “Andy and I have never made love,” he affirmed. “I wanted to but she couldn’t. I would assume that has everything to do with you.” He paused as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “It’s just a damn shame you don’t feel likewise about her. Where is Kat again?”

  “Listen, Graham,” Vanni started, much too annoyed to be intimidated. “What happens between me and the women in my life is none of your concern. This is my personal life, it’s not business.”

  “But it affects my business,” Graham said. “More than that it affects someone I care an awful lot about.” His eyes briefly lit upon me. “But Andy’s an adult. She can make her own decisions. Obviously she’s chosen you.” Graham took a step forward. “But when you look into her face and see those bruises, I want you to think about how they got there. And what role you had to play in it.” Then, quietly but firmly, “You make sure that you do everything in your power to keep her from getting hurt in the future. Because if you can’t, there are others who love her enough to protect her and treasure her the way she deserves to be.”

  With that Graham spun on his heel and stalked off. Vanni turned to face me. “Looks like you have a white knight coming in trying to save you from me.” He looked at my cut lip and blackened eye. “Maybe you should go with him.”

  “Then why do I want to stay with you?” I asked.

  Vanni pulled me to him for a powerful embrace. “Same reason I can’t let you go,” he whispered in my hair.

  With that he led me back to my cabin, where he had already had all his things delivered.

  That night our union was more loving. It almost felt as though he was trying to prove he was worthy of me with his gentle worship of all my curves. My body came alive under his tender, sweet manipulations that lingered for hours.

  If he was trying to drive Graham out of my head he only served putting put him there. Reverting to a gentleman reminded me of how Graham had touched me, and how awkward it had been when I had to run away.

  Was I really trying to be faithful to another man who had never promised or asked for exclusivity? Or did I just think I wasn
’t worth it?

  I thought about to our dance that night, and how forceful he had been. If only he had been that commanding when I was free.

  If I had ever been free.

  If I would ever be free again.

  I tried not to think of what would happen in two days when we docked back in Fort Lauderdale. Vanni would return to L.A., to Kat, and I would return to Nashville where only Simon would care if I came home.

  With Vanni it was a bubble existence. We’d soar around in the air in a brilliant array of color but all too soon the bubble would pop and leave me even emptier than before. I’d dream of the next time, and then the next time; I’d live only for stolen moments like the one we were sharing now.

  But it was what I wanted. To be with him, in his arms, feeling his body blended with mine. Knowing even if it could only be for that small window in time his heart belonged to me. I stuffed down all my concerns, locked away all my tears and saved all that for the inevitable lonely nights that were to come.

  He responded to every plea, both verbal and non-verbal. By the time morning broke he had branded me in ways both tender and raw. We fought off reality with our lovemaking, as if we both knew it was too good to last.

  Real life waited.

  Graham didn’t say much when we saw him again; I think he could tell that I had made my decision. I knew it broke his heart to realize I’d rather choose a half-life with Vanni than a full life with him, but he accepted it with the same dignified grace I’d come to expect from him.

  It only made me feel even worse.

  That night, at our “prom,” Vanni was already disengaging from me to congregate with his other fans. He behaved, of course, but I could tell that he was relieved to be able to return somewhat to his original M.O. when it came to interacting with the people who loved him.

  He simply needed more. More than Kat. More than me.

  Intellectually I knew that wasn’t my failure, but I felt lonely as I watched him dance with certain fans. He was giving them the night of a lifetime, some brief taste of the fantasy, with no promises for anything more.