Something Wonderful (19 page)

When we got to the other side of the exit, the bouncers told us to wait for their return. It was my chance to pull away from him. “Max, I’m not going home with you.”

Max looked hurt and frustrated. “Jenna, don’t do this.” Max reached for me, but I backed away. “Jenna, let me explain.”

“I already know you kept something from me. What else are you hiding? How am I supposed to trust you?” Tears started to pool in my eyes. I was not good at fighting back, but I was so hurt, the words just flowed out. Unable to think clearly, and hearing Crystal’s words in my head, I asked a dumb question. “Are you seeing Crystal?”

“What? Who told you this?”

“That’s not an answer Max,” I said sternly.

“Jenna….”

The bouncers came back in. “It’s clear, but we’ll have to hurry. Your car is with the valet right in front. The doors are open, ready for you.”

“Thanks,” Max said, reaching for me again.

I shook my head with my arms crossed.

“Jenna, I’m not letting you go. Either you come with me willingly, or I’ll carry you out. You’re coming with me one way or another. Your choice.”

I knew he wasn’t lying. Instead of letting Max protect me, I stepped in front of the bouncer. Max was unhappy about that, but he knew at least I would go home with him and that was enough.

T
HERE WAS NO WAY
I was going to let Matthew take me home. Besides, I wanted to party some more. It was going to be difficult to dodge him when he wouldn’t stop following me wherever I went.

“Look, Matthew. I’m glad you want to be a good friend and take me home, but Aaron is more than capable.”

Matthew glanced over to Aaron, and looked back at me. His eyes drilled through me with anger. “You take a good look at him? Do you see how drunk he is?” He turned the bar stool around so I could see, then he swung me back to him. Matthew was right; Aaron’s coordination wasn’t all there on the dance floor. “There is no way in hell I’m going to let you get in the car with him. In fact, I’m going to tell one of the bouncers to make sure he doesn’t put his sorry ass in his car. If you want to call someone else that’s fine, but I’m going to wait until that happens before I leave.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Apparently you do. And just where is this so called boyfriend of yours? Why isn’t he here? Did you two get into a fight?”

“Lots of questions. I don’t want to answer them.” I waved my hand. Feeling tired, I yawned as I covered my mouth.

For some strange reason seeing me yawn made him grin. Matthew tried his best not to show his amused smile, but he failed. I could tell he had an ulterior motive.

“Well, that’s my signal. You’re tired. Let’s go,” Matthew said suddenly.

“I’ve already told you that you’re not taking me home,” I pouted.

“Oh, yes I am.” Without warning, Matthew lifted me up, swinging my body over his shoulder.

“Put me down,” I shouted as I smacked his hard ass, finding myself enjoying it.

I thought Matthew started chuckling, but I wasn’t sure. It was hard to hear much in here. Walking toward the exit, he gave me a good smack on my ass too.

Dropping me next to the hostess so I could retrieve my coat, he looked squarely into my eyes and said, “Every smack you give me, I’ll return even harder. You don’t want to do that, Becca. You’ve already got me turned on, and I promise you, I’ll make you want to cheat on your boyfriend. I’m that good.”

I dropped my jaw and mentally took off my clothes for him, yet again. My panties were wet just from his words. Holy shit!

“Thanks,” Matthew said to the lady who handed me my coat. Matthew broke me out of my trance by putting his arms around me from behind. I was certain the lady heard what he said from the way she was smiling at him, and I’m pretty certain she mentally took off her clothes for him too.

“Let’s go, Becca. I’m taking you home,” his words were too close to my ear, making me quiver as I thought about what he said. He made me so completely weak in the knees that I had no fight left in me. I hated that he had that kind of power over me.

I
BACKED AWAY, KEEPING
my distance from Max. I knew that once his lips were on any part of me, there was no way I could control myself. I had no willpower when it came to Max. My body automatically succumbed to his voice, his wink, his sexy grin, his touch, and just simply him. Releasing a deep breath, Max went to the bar to pour himself a drink.

“Please sit. You’re making me nervous.” Max sat on the sofa, tapping the seat next to him.

“No,” I said with conviction.

“You’re acting like a child, you know that?” he chuckled.

He made my anger worse. “No, I’m not,” I huffed.

Max’s eyes darkened, heated and dangerous looking. “If you don’t sit down and listen, I’m going to take you right here, right now and make you wish you were this bratty all the time.”

That came out too playful and I did not want him to do that. Well, not now anyway. Plopping myself on the sofa, I waited for him to take another sip.

With his feet apart, elbows on his thighs, he looked at me tenderly. “Babe, Crystal didn’t take the money. She is going ahead with the lawsuit. Matthew told me he handed her the check with both of our lawyers present, but she never cashed it. My lawyer called several days ago and I didn’t want to ruin our New Year’s Eve party. You have to believe me. I was going to tell you when the time was right.”

Max took another sip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to be in the middle of this; and I’m so sorry about what happened with the paparazzi. Crystal must have leaked the news. It’s the only explanation. My parents are not even aware of it. I was going to tell them after I told you.”

I knew Max was telling the truth; I could see it in his eyes. I knew how to read his eyes so well. Pushing away my pride, I decided to sit next to him and comfort him. “I’m sorry too, but you have to see it from my side as well.”

Nodding, Max took my hand and gingerly stroked it while he spoke. “Who told you? How did you find out?”

“I ran into Crystal at the restroom.”

Max arched his brows, looking stunned. “She was there? I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s stalking us. Don’t believe anything she says. She manipulates and lies to get her way.”

“I know,” I agreed.

“I’m going to hire a couple of security guards. I want them to watch your apartment, but not right in front; and two will be hired for our place. Don’t worry. Crystal is not the violent type. I’m doing this just in case the paparazzi decide to follow you home.” Max’s hands slipped through my hair, pulling me in for a kiss. I let him kiss me, but I couldn’t kiss back. I wasn’t mad at him, but it was just because of the situation. Before I could show affection in return, I needed to calm down.

“Let’s go to bed. It’s late,” Max said, holding my hand, and I obliged. New Year’s Eve didn’t turn out as I’d planned, but we were safe, healthy, and together, and that was all that mattered.

A
S TIRED AS
I was, I couldn’t sleep. Closing my eyes and trying to take deep breaths didn’t help, so I turned toward Jenna. She was sound asleep, looking like an angel. As I lay and watched her, I thought about how hot she looked in that black dress.

She didn’t flaunt herself the way most girls would have done. In fact, if Becky hadn’t pulled the shawl off her, I would’ve eventually. When we finally had alone time, I couldn’t help myself. I kissed her like there was no tomorrow, especially when I saw what the dress really looked like on her. I wouldn’t have been all over her the way I had been if there were people watching, but having the secluded area to ourselves made it that much easier.

Matt and I were offered two tickets each to go to a party where many celebrities attended every year. It would have been the perfect opportunity to introduce Jenna to some of my good friends, but I didn’t tell her about it, knowing she wanted to be with her friends. I had my reasons, but I had no idea why Matt decided to come along.

Becky and Matt looked pretty cozy during dinner. Knowing my brother and his record with women lately, I didn’t know if it was a good idea that he hung out with Becky, unless they were really just friends. Nevertheless, the way he’d been acting around her, my gut feeling told me he wanted more. I’d only hoped neither of them would get hurt in the end. If something bad were to happen between them, it would become extremely awkward for all of us. Perhaps I need to have a talk with him.

This whole incident made me wonder if I should have taken Jenna elsewhere, but I was relieved to get the topic of Crystal and the lawsuit out of the way. I didn’t know how she would react. I also didn’t want to ruin New Year’s Eve for either of us by causing a fight, though I didn’t know if there would be one.

If we ended up going to court, Crystal was sure to try to embarrass me by bringing up the games we had played. I was afraid Jenna would look at me differently. As much as I’d like to think Jenna loved me as much as I loved her, she had never said it to me. I know the word “love” is a huge thing to say to someone you’re dating, but I knew I meant it. It’s the reason why I could say it so easily. I’d never felt like this before, nor had I ever said it to anyone else I dated before; not even to Crystal, who happened to be my longest relationship. Why the fuck had I gone out with her?

Being successful, lonely, and especially young, I had all the time to play. That’s when Crystal entered my life. She was beautiful, available, and knew how to please a man in more ways than one. I blame it on stupidity and my wanting to experiment. After all, I was single and finding the perfect woman to have a future with was pretty much nonexistent…until Jenna came along. I knew when I laid eyes on her, she was my one in a million and I would do anything for her.

I continued to watch the beauty beside me, and she consumed me with her presence. As I watched her chest rise and fall with the rhythm of my own, I lightly brushed her arm to feel her warmth; to know she was really here, and I uttered the words I wanted her to hear and feel. “I love you, Jenna.”

I don’t know how long I’d watched her, but the peace I felt from doing so made my eyelids heavy, making me sleepy. “See you in my dreams, babe,” I mumbled as I fell into darkness.

M
ATTHEW PRACTICALLY DRAGGED ME
to his car as I tried to escape his hold. He kept insisting he wasn’t going to let me go home with someone who was drunk or someone he didn’t know. He said he would never forgive himself if anything ever happened to me. Naturally, I thought of my former roommate and his dead fiancée.