Cadence (Ruby Riot Book 1) (11 page)

Chapter Fourteen

MADRID, SPAIN

JAX

We arrive late, heading to the hotel through the dusk. I’m exhausted after last night’s events, physically and emotionally.

I’m not talking to Nate. At all. Will attempted to intervene when I went off at Nate about letting Tegan walk away, but Nate’s claiming memory blanks too. Will’s also tried talking me around, explaining we need to put this behind us for the sake of the band.

Not happening. Not yet. If I channel some anger at him, I relieve some of what I have directed at myself. Hazy images of Tegan dragged up the hallway by Tomas play over in my head, a leaden sickness in the pit of my stomach over what could’ve happened.

Ruby informed me Tegan refuses to believe it was drink spiking, claiming she drank too much. Tegan also point blank refused to be tested or to involve the police. This pisses me off and I’m determined to talk to her about what I witnessed. I might’ve been drunk, but I know what happened.

Our flight was earlier than the Phoenix boys’. As usual, Will whined about getting out of bed early, but I reminded him that at least we weren’t stuck on a tour bus and told him to shut up.

The hotel we arrive at is part of the same chain as the Lisbon one, a few differences in décor but dazzlingly similar with the flooring competing with light fittings for shininess. I barely notice, heading to my room and throwing myself on the bed to catch up on the sleep I missed last night. We have a night off, and a concert tomorrow. Bloody good thing, too.

A couple of hours later, showered and back to the land of the living, I explore the hotel. The petite girl at reception, dark hair scraped from her thickly made-up face, blushes as I ask her where the restaurant is. I don’t bother turning on my charm in response; that’s all too hard right now, and I’m starving.

I could’ve called room service, but the excitement of each new tour hotel hasn’t worn off yet. I bet the novelty will pass by the time I hit the sixth city. Still annoyed with Nate, and not in the mood for Will, I lope off in the direction I’m told. No Madrid nightspots for me tonight.

I stick to a burger and chips, fancier than the fast food version I fill my belly with when at uni, and treat myself to a Spanish beer to wash it down. Well, I should sample one thing from the local cuisine. I drag my phone from my pocket, wishing I had Tegan’s number so I could ask if she’s okay. Instead, I google last night’s concert to see reviews and pictures. I pout to myself when most are of Blue Phoenix, but my – Ruby Riot’s – fan page has a few good shots uploaded.

Man, look at how fucking awesome I am on stage.

“Hey, Jax.”

I drop my phone on the table in surprise when I look up at Tegan. Her face is drawn and colourless, eyes dull, and she’s dressed in blue track pants and a grey hoodie.

“Tegan.” I push a metal chair in her directions so she can sit, but she doesn’t.

“I just wanted to say thanks for last night.”

“No problem. Are you all right now?”

“Mostly. Still a bit hungover.”

“Hungover?” I ask in disbelief.

“Yeah, hungover,” she replies, fixing me with hard eyes.

Nobody else is in the restaurant, the square tables covered in blue cloth and set for later diners. “And hungry?”

“A little.” She holds up a paper-wrapped sandwich. “I didn’t expect anybody else to be around at this time.”

“Same. I think a few people are recharging for going out tonight.”

Tegan picks at the corner of the wrapper. “Early night for me.”

Her quiet evasiveness is at odds with the Tegan I know. “Do you want me to tell you what really happened? I don’t think you’re hungover.”

“Don’t you start lecturing me too. I’m sure you won’t remember clearly either, not like you were sober.”

I wait until she’s forced to look at me for an answer. “Some of it’s crystal clear, Tegan.”

“It’s done. Doesn’t matter. Just wanted to say thanks.” Tegan turns away and when I laugh to myself, she looks back. “What?”

“Can see why Bryn gets annoyed with you. Stubborn as.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“If I was a chick, I’d be shaken up by last night, so I think you’re putting a good front on. Plus, I think you’re lying to yourself.”

“Really? And you’re suddenly an expert on me are you?”

“Not as much as I’d like to be.” I bite my lip. “Inappropriate, sorry.”

Tegan shakes her head. “I’ll just lay off the alcohol and not get myself in that position again.”

“Or not accept drinks from strangers.”

“What?” Tegan’s voice drops.

“Tomas. He said he gave you a beer that’s why I’m convinced he spiked your drink, because co-incidentally, he was the one ‘helping’ you out. Do you remember being with him?”

“No. I have blanks. I don’t remember anything. Jax, I hardly remember you. Please stop talking about last night. I just wanted to say thank you and leave the topic for good.”

I toy with the idea of continuing my attempt to make Tegan listen, but I don’t want to piss her off. This isn’t the last she’ll hear about the situation from me.

I change tack. “I’m glad I didn’t let you kiss me then. I’d be insulted if you said my kissing wasn’t memorable.”

Tegan turns pink, something I never thought I’d achieve. “Let me kiss you?”

“Yeah. You suggested it.”

“Right.” She scowls at my amused tone. “I’ll catch you later.”

Before I have a chance to respond, Tegan strides away.

TEGAN

Light footsteps follow me across the tiled floor as I head along the hallway toward the elevator and Jax catches up, appearing at my shoulder. “Don’t walk off.”

“I’m tired and not in the mood for teasing,” I reply, not stopping. He’s already told me things I don’t want to know, and now he thinks he’s funny?

“I wasn’t teasing!” He grabs my hand and despite my surprise, I don’t pull away. “I understand. You don’t remember much of last night. Do you remember us calling a truce?”

“No.”

“Talk to me, don’t disappear.” Jax leads me to a quieter corner in an area between the restaurant and the lobby, and we stand opposite the armchairs and a low table with a couple of magazines on. “I’ve thought about you all day.”

“I’m fine, as you can see.”

“Not just because I worried about your physical health, but because I wanted to see you again and make sure you’re
really
okay.”

Jax moves closer, and his clean scent triggers a memory from last night, filtering through the fog in my head. We were standing like we are now and talking about not playing games anymore. “When you asked to kiss me, that’s when I knew something must be wrong.”

Not again.
It shouldn’t, but the fact I came on to Jax mortifies me more than anything else about last night. “Why?”

“Because you’d made it clear you’re not the kind of chick to throw yourself at rock stars. Even me.”

“Especially you.”

Jax’s blue eyes search mine as he turns my hand over, tracing the palm with his fingers. He knows I’m lying. “Bryn nearly had me by the balls last night,” he says with a small laugh. “Thought I’d um… taken you to bed and left you.”

“Why would he think that?”

“Because he saw me coming out of your room. I put you to bed after picking you up off the floor. Hasn’t anybody told you this?”

“Bryn said you helped me.” The pleasant sensation from his touch evaporates as a thought hits. “You didn’t take my clothes off, did you?”

Jax drops my hand. “Holy shit, no! I doubt I’d be standing here if Bryn had found you half-naked. Not my style, Tegan. If a chick wants to take her clothes off for me, that’s her call.”

“Oh, so you’re telling me you never help girls undress?”

He chews his lip and flicks a look between my chest and face. “Don’t make me think bad thoughts, Tegan.”

My heart skips as the unspoken passes between us again. My attraction to Jax can’t be hidden from him anymore; asking to kiss him last night was a bloody huge clue. More memories emerge of our time together last night and the direction we were heading. The tension between us from attempting to outsmart each other has retreated.

Jax’s behaviour last night placed a big obstacle in the way of my attempt to pigeonhole him as a rock star player who doesn’t give a shit about how women are treated. He was drunk, high on his status, and surrounded by girls; but still Jax looked out for me. Maybe his intentions were as dishonourable as Bryn suspects, but I’m forced to admit he’s a good person. Jax’s exchange with Ruby the other day indicated this side of him: the man beneath the rock star isn’t corrupted by his fame yet.

I look past Jax, attempting to disengage. A white-uniformed cleaner polishes the floor nearby, the whir of the machine the only sound. I’m side to the wall, able to walk away, but instead I give up on the fight with myself.

“I’m glad you were there,” I tell him.

“I’ll always look out for you, Tegan. I’m sorry I left you alone.” He pushes hair from my face and his fingers rest on my cheek. “I feel responsible.”

“Wrong. I can’t remember what was happening between us, or why you blame yourself, but one thing you should’ve realised about me is that I take full responsibility for myself.”

“I love your confidence and attitude to life. I bet you’re a really cool chick to get to know.” He strokes my skin with his thumb. “That’s why I need you to understand I won’t screw around with you. Not just because of Bryn, but because I’d rather have your friendship than your sarcasm.”

I hope he can’t see the disappointment that just hit me. “You want to be friends?”

“I think you know I want to be more than friends, but if that’s all we can be, I’ll settle for that. Rather friends than stupid games.”

Games. Will this man play games with me? Underneath everything, is he the rock star wanting to conquer the girl out of his reach? Has the fact he swooped in as my knight in shining armour last night led me to trust him when I shouldn’t?

“Me too,” I say softly.

“Is Bryn around?” Jax asks. “He has a habit of catching me with or near you, like some kind of sixth sense.”

“I passed him heading back to his room when I came down for something to eat.”

“Awesome. So there’s no way can he see me?”

“See you?”

He cups my face in both hands. “Kiss you.”

The thought of Jax’s lips on mine triggers arousal in my exhausted body as my heart rate picks up. The last couple of days, I’ve imagined what would happen the first time I kissed Jax, because there always was going to be a first time. I pictured the sexual tension flooding out and into a slammed-against-a-wall, breath-snatching moment that would be over as quickly as it began. So when Jax gently presses his lips to mine for just seconds before withdrawing, I’m as stunned as if he had kissed me until I was breathless.

Jax’s face remains close, his breath against my lips, hands remaining on my cheeks. Waiting. This time, there’s no challenge. I tip my head and meet his mouth curling a hand around his neck to pull him closer. Jax circles an arm around my waist and holds me as his lips press harder against mine. The warm pressure of his mouth moves from tentative to firm as I eagerly respond, pressing myself into him. Jax’s grip on my waist tightens and he slides his hand into my hair. Mouth harder against mine, Jax parts my lips with his tongue, exploring as I push my tongue against his.

Jax’s hands don’t wander but hold me tightly, as if I might fall if he lets go. I crave his touch, to slide my hands against his skin, and my body tingles at the thought. My arousal at just one kiss shocks me. I always knew there was something about Jax my body craved, but not that I’d be prepared to yield to him so easily.

Maybe it’s a good thing I have a sandwich in one hand.

Jax pulls away slowly, as if he doesn’t want to take his lips from mine and releases my waist. We could kiss again, our lips close enough that they still feel connected, and I’m tempted. I don’t want Jax to let me go. I long for him to stay here and kiss me more, but common sense tells me that’s not a great idea. He moves away and rubs his lips together, eyes darkened with a desire matching mine.

“I’m glad this didn’t happen last night. I’d hate to forget a kiss like that,” I say.

“First kisses are always memorable.” He strokes my hair. “Or is that the first and last? Do we call it quits now and become friends?”

“You really think that’s possible?”

“No.”

He’s right. There’s no way I can walk away from somebody who shifted my world sideways merely from his lips on mine. I place a hand on the wall, and ground myself again.

Jax points at the sandwich. “Surprised you didn’t drop that.”

“Oh. I’d forgotten.”

Jax laughs. “Is that the effect I have on you?”

“I don’t think you need me to answer that question.” My empty stomach reminds me his kiss isn’t the only reason for my light-headedness. “I should eat.”