Rock Bottom (31 page)

“You know what?”

“What?”

“I love you, Stu.” He threw open the door. “You too, Cindy.”

“Me too, what?”

“I love you.”

“Great. Love you too, Jet.”

Today, he loved everybody. Even himself.

* * * *

Billie emailed Everett, said she hadn’t had a chance to interview the band yet but would submit her article as soon as she caught up with them.

Cindy could probably get a phone number. She knew every contact in town. Billie hurried to the house, hoping not to run into anyone else.

Walking down the hallway, she said, “Hey, Cindy, can you do me a favor?”

“Sure. What is it?”

“The band we saw last night--any way you could get a number for them? I couldn’t get an interview last night and…”

Her heart fluttered when Jet leaned out the doorway, stiff as a statue. And every bit as cold.

“I thought that was you. Got a minute?”

Oh God, here it comes.
“Sure.”

No smile. No good morning. He’d apologize for last night, tell her it was all a mistake.

“I’ll find that number for you.” Cindy turned away, farther than she needed to.

Billie steeled herself, held her head high and walked in.

He closed the door behind her.

Don’t look at him. Just tell him and leave.
“I know what you’re going to say. You had too much to drink. So did I.”

The lock clicked.

Surprise forced her to glance over.

* * * *

With a sly smile, he gathered her in his arms, his mouth soft and warm on hers. White heat exploded in his brain as his pulse raced to the speed of light. When she slid her fingers through his hair, something like helium rose up inside, made him feel light enough to float away.

Tightening his embrace, he moved them away from the door and pressed her down on the sofa. His weight atop her grounded him again. Especially when she wrapped her legs behind his, her arms encircling him.

The door handle jiggled. Stu called, “Jet, why’s the door locked? Jet.”

They froze, lips and tongues entangled.

Billie rested her head back. “How does he know? Every single freaking time!”

“I’m going to fire him.” He grinned, gave her a quick kiss and helped her up. “Let’s make him wait.” He pressed her to him, tongue probing hers.

“You better let him in.”

His manager’s knocking became louder, along with his voice.

The thought of Stu peering through the keyhole creeped him out too. He touched his lips to hers, eased away, and came back for a longer kiss. “Only so I can fire him.”

She giggled. “Stop.”

“Stop?” He jutted his lower lip in a pout.

She grabbed his head, pulled him to her. “Mmm, no, not that.”

He could kiss her all day. If only Stu weren’t ready to break down the door.

Jet heaved a sigh. “I’m not done with you.” His teeth grazed her neck, and she clutched him close.

Definitely not done. Not even close.

Exasperation edged Stu’s tone. “I swear if you don’t open up now, I’m calling nine-one-one.”

Restraining a groan, Jet pulled open the door. “Stu. Come on in.”

Mouth agape, he looked from Jet to Billie. “Miss Prescott. Good morning.”

“Yes, it is.”

Raking a hand through his hair, Jet smiled. It would have been a great morning if Stu hadn’t interrupted.

* * * *

Dazed by hormonal happiness, Billie drifted out into the hall.

Cindy’s wide-eyed stare made her glance down. Her blouse had rumpled, buttons askew, hem half out of her wrinkled cotton pants. Walking away, she scrambled to fix it.

Inside the office, Jet and Stu argued loudly. She could guess about what. Or whom.

“I have that number.” Cindy waved a piece of paper.

“You do? Thank you. Thanks so much.”
Rambling again.
Taking the slip, she tucked it in her bag. “I think I need coffee. Can I get you anything?”

“I’m fine.”

“Good.” She wished she could say the same. Or at least give a rational appearance. Entering the kitchen, she tensed as Cat looked up from the table.

Head lowered, Billie aimed for the coffeemaker and poured herself a cup.

Cat angled toward her. “Why are your nose and mouth so red?”

She glanced up at Jet who came toward her. “I don’t know. I must be coming down with something.”

Cat turned to Jet. “I suppose you’re coming down with the same thing?”

He leaned across the counter, smiling. “I think I am.”

Practically hissing, Cat leaped from her chair and hurled herself out the door. “This is utter bullshit.”

Billie moved along the counter. “I better go before she begins throwing knives.”

His hand grazed her arm as she passed. “Don’t go far.”

Her cell buzzed, barely penetrating her consciousness. “I won’t.”

Ashley entered, hastening Billie’s pace to the door. Outside, she checked her cell. Everett. When she wanted to reach him, he never had time. Now, he called too often. She’d call him back, after she’d at least set up an interview.

From the cottage, she changed into shorts, then made several calls, taking notes on the laptop as they spoke. The more she spoke to the band members, the greater the rush of writing about music returned. Oh, she’d missed it. Needed it. Music, she could write about forever.

After the last call, she wrote like her fingers were on fire, and only the words pouring from the keys could quench it. She emailed her story to Everett.

Her cell buzzed minutes later, and a knock sounded on her door. She opened her cell and the door at the same time.

Everett said, “Finally. Where have you been?”

Jet slipped inside, shut and locked the door, and took her in his arms. His mouth worked up her neck and along her jaw.

Billie’s breath rushed from her. She managed to get out one thought before a tidal wave of energy wiped clean the slate of her brain. “Working. Where do you think?”

Jet’s lips closed over hers, and a powerful surge took away her reasoning. She kissed him with all the force of her being.

“What’s going on?” Everett said, sounding very far away. “Billie? Billie.”

She dropped the phone, slid her arms around Jet’s neck and abandoned herself to his kiss.

* * * *

Jet scooped his arm behind her legs and carried her up the steps.

Nuzzling against his neck, her tongue explored its contours, the throbbing vein that led to his earlobe. When her tongue teased his ear, he groaned and laid her on the bed, easing on top of her. His hands slid everywhere, his mouth tasting every inch, stripping her of her shirt and shorts. A wild frenzy filled him. Her fingers worked his shirt buttons, pausing only to clutch him closer as he suckled her nipple, and teased his tongue down her stomach. He had to have her. Now.

He tugged her shorts down.

She froze. “Oh God.”

Worried he’d hurt her, he lifted his head. “Are you all right?”

Heaving a whimpering breath, she held her forehead. “I stopped taking birth control when I came here. I...”

Oh, she of little faith. Reaching into the heap of clothes, he held up a square packet and arched a brow. Not the best method, but she hadn’t minded last night. Maybe she thought it their first and only time. He’d known better.

“Will this do?”

One quick glance was all it took. “Yes.”

Smoothing hair from her face, he tenderly pressed his lips to hers, lifting away to gaze at her every few seconds. He kept his movements slow and deliberate until she guided him into her. When she locked her legs behind his, his breaths shuddered with the strain. No way could he hold back now. Arching her back, she rocked her hips, taking him as deep as she could. Every pore ached for her, needed her skin slick and warm against his. Her fingers dug into his back and he thrust harder, every muscle working to get inside her deeper. Tremors shook his body and his arms tightened around her. A climax reverberated from his core outward, sending shockwaves over him again and again.

Even after he’d softened inside her, he moved against her, riding the crest, not wanting to stop. He sensed another climax rising in her, and made sure she got there. She gripped him until it subsided, then collapsed her limbs with a laugh.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

Breathless, she fell back against the sheet. “Oh yes. How about you?”

“Better than ever.” Rolling to his side, he pulled her close and inhaled deeply. His finger trailed lazily across her spine. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you all night. I almost climbed the tree outside your bedroom window.”

“You did? No one ever climbed a tree for me before.”

“Since the day you came here, I’ve been thinking about you. You tortured me, kept me awake. When you stayed in my room, it was the first night I could actually sleep.” Admitting it made him tense. He never put his feelings out there for other girls. With Billie, he wanted to share everything. It poured from him without thought.

“Me too. I felt so safe in your arms.”

Closing his eyes, he said a silent thank you, and trailed his fingers along her waist.

She tilted her head back. “Aren’t you supposed to be filming soon?”

Kissing her forehead, he grunted a noise of acknowledgment. He didn’t want to think about it. Not now.

“You should go. Before Stu comes looking for you.”

He gave a growl in answer. He rolled above her, studying her for some time. Amazing how someone so natural could appear so beautiful. But did she think this only a game? Did she find him half as interesting as he found her?

Smiling, she lifted her lips to his. “Go on.” She pushed at his shoulders until he turned over and sat up.

Staring out the window, he wondered why she didn’t seem to want him to make any promises. Other girls begged for him to say I love you. Ask when they’d see him again. Not Billie. She pushed him out of bed.

Maybe she still had a thing for Everett.

After pulling a tank top over her head and stepping into her underwear, she gathered his clothes and clucked her tongue. “These are so wrinkled.” Smoothing them, she made him hold up his arms while she slid the shirt on. She bent down and opened his boxers. “Step in.” When he did, she tugged them to his knees. “You’re going to have to help.”

Stifling the urge to ask why, he stood and pulled them over his hips.

She put his jeans into his hands, and slowly he put them on.

Running his hands along her arms, he asked, “I’ll see you later?”

“Yeah, I’ll be out there.” Pain flickered across her face. “Don’t forget your shoes.”

His lips brushed hers, and he bent to retrieve one worn loafer from beside the bed and the other at the top of the steps. He padded downstairs to the door where he slipped them on his feet, still watching her. Waiting for some signal.

Standing at the rail, she waved.

Guess that’s it.
He opened the door a crack, then slipped out into the blinding sun, already wanting to go back to her.

Facing the Bimbo Brigade--even the three remaining--required fortification. Billie picked up her cell, her finger hesitating over Zinta’s number. She could hear her scolding tone already:
You must be crazy. Keep away from him. He’ll break your heart. Ruin your life.
No, she couldn’t confide even in Zin. Billie already knew she couldn’t count on Jet, knew he’d leave her, so he couldn’t break her heart. She only knew that for now, she wanted to be here with him, for however long. Then the show would end, and she’d go home, and he’d go--where? Probably somewhere to gear up for the third season. More bimbos. There would always be more bimbos to follow.

Staving off Everett’s curiosity proved more difficult. He’d sent text after text after she dropped the phone. When Jet left, she remembered her cell and retrieved it from the floor.
Must have been a grid overload
, she messaged.
Or sunspots.
Or the Jet stream.

She wanted to get caught in it again. Moving atop her, he’d looked so gorgeous, blond hair rumpled, clear blue eyes sparkling with pure lust.

She giggled and fell back on the sofa. “If you go out there like this, the bimbos will know. Wipe the smile from your face.” It would reappear, she knew, without her being conscious of it. She’d have to cover somehow.

With that quasi-formed plan, she dressed in plain black pants and a black sleeveless top, with a white scarf belt. Clouds skidded across the late afternoon sun, and soon would drop below the horizon.

Making her way into the house, she slipped behind the tangle of cords of the two cameramen.

Ashley and Cat stood by the kitchen island, half-filled wineglasses and an open bottle on the counter. Ashley shot her a stabbing glance, then emptied her glass. “Where’s Julie? Still sleeping off last night?”

Cat leaned against the counter with a smug smile. “I don’t know. She sure made a racket last night. I hardly got any sleep.”

An uneasy feeling crept over Billie, but she ducked her head and pretended to text on her cell.

Pursing her lips, Ashley whined, “I can’t believe Jet would screw her. He promised to come to my room last night.”

Billie froze. What did she say? Her senses heightened to red alert.

“You wish. You’re just jealous he’s been spending so many nights with me.”

A high-pitched noise sounded, and Billie realized it came from her. The walls closed in, and she stumbled toward the French doors.

Pealing laughter echoed from inside. She gasped for air and aimed for the walkway.

Approaching from the walk near his studio, Jet smiled, then frowned. “Hey, what’s wrong?” He jogged up and grasped her arms.

“No.” Flailing from his grip, tears burned her eyes. “Leave me alone.”

“Billie. Tell me.”

“You slept with them. You’ve been going to them every night.” Of course. That’s why he left her earlier without even the pretense of a promise.

He crouched to eye level. “Who said that?”

“Ashley and Cat. And you screwed Julie after we…after we…” Her breaths became shallow. She couldn’t lose it in front of him. Wouldn’t.

Holding her head, he forced her to look at him. “Listen. They’re lying. I think Ashley saw me leaving your place today. Someone stood by the window. I should have been more careful.”