Tell Me Something (The "Something" Series Book 1) (26 page)

“And last, but not least, we have our cover shot.” She flashed the screen to show me in my wedding dress draped across the chaise. Will stood behind me, reaching down.

“Wait, did you say cover?” Will asked.

She clapped her hands and squealed. “Yes, you guys have the February cover. I mean, I knew the shots were superb, but this one, it is just above. And then this last photo of Haylee alone in the dress will be the inside picture. Look at that ring, Sasha. The diamonds pop, and I think your client will be very pleased with the credits. I know I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out, and I owe it all to you, Haylee. Well, you and your mother’s beautiful dresses.”

The lights came on, and I was still stunned. I was going to be a cover model for Cosmo?

“So, as a big thank you, and because I can’t imagine the dress without them, these are for you.” She handed me a large box with a bow.

I took off the lid and sighed with pleasure. The blush-colored Valentino lace shoes. “Catherine, these are amazing. I don’t know what to say except you’re beyond generous and thank you.”

“Are you kidding me? They can be your ‘something new’ for when you get married. Now you have to find the man to buy you the rock and the pink diamond pendant,” she laughed.

I didn’t risk a look in Josh’s direction.

The next couple months flew by in a whirlwind. The cover shot had garnered me several other modeling jobs, and I finally felt good about having plenty of money to get me through law school. Josh and I settled into something of a routine with a little less travel. I was spending more time in his apartment, but what I loved the most was that he was becoming more open about his plans and not spending quite so many nights out. Part of me wondered if his lack of dates had something to do with ensuring I didn’t go out with Will, but I didn’t bother to read too much into it, opting instead to simply enjoy the time we had left.

It was the first weekend of March and I had been invited to a Cassius Rum party in Vegas for the weekend. I was getting ready to leave for the airport on a Friday morning when a knock sounded at my door and Josh came in.

“Hi,” he murmured.

It didn’t matter if it was one day or one hour since I last saw him, whenever I laid eyes on him, I got butterflies. “Hi,” I whispered back.

He leaned down to kiss me. “How is the packing?”

“Good. I’m all set, I think. The car should be downstairs in about ten minutes or so.” We had spent the previous night together. It felt strange that as I was about to leave for the airport, he was heading into the office solo.

“I wish you could fly out with me tomorrow instead of going today.” He was traveling to his brother’s thirtieth birthday, also coincidently in Vegas. Meanwhile, it appeared he was feeling as anxious as I was at the thought of spending the night apart.

“Unfortunately, flying out tomorrow wouldn’t do me any good as the Cassius party is tonight, plus this is your weekend with your brother.”

“And if I want to see you tomorrow when we’re both in Vegas?”

I kissed him on the cheek. “Then you will either call me or text me or, better yet, just come by.”

“You should be staying in my hotel.”

“The event is in my hotel. Since the client is paying, I couldn’t exactly ask for them to lodge me somewhere else. Plus, you’re going to be busy. I need to go. Safe travels. Maybe, I’ll see you there.” I gave him one last kiss and wheeled my suitcase out the door. When he had first found out about my Vegas commitment he had been wary over the timing with his trip. The last thing I needed was him thinking was that I’d only accepted because he was going to be there.

“Haylee, please be careful there. I mean it. Watch what you’re drinking and who is around you. Please text or call me tonight when you’re back safe in your room.”

I turned and smiled. I might not want to admit it, but it was nice to have someone worrying about me. “I will.”

***

Vegas. So far during the day, the city didn’t look as spectacular as some of the photos, but it did look massive. Caesars alone was at least a block-long. I checked in without a problem and went ten floors up to a beautiful tower room. The space was tasteful and comfortable with a view of the Strip that was amazing. Feeling somewhat lonely, I sent a text to Josh.

“Arrived safe at the hotel. On my way out to explore.”

“Be safe, be good.”

His response made me smile. Considering we mostly traveled together, I imagined this was new territory for both of us.

I spent the afternoon walking down the Strip and exploring various hotels, thrilled with the different themes like the Venetian and the Paris. I was definitely getting my exercise, and the weather was a nice break from the New York temps in March.

For the party, I dressed in a Pucci print dress that was vibrant and fun in pink, green, and white. My white strappy sandals completed the look. I left my hair down and went with a smoky eye and some lip gloss.

The red carpet, was intimidating, especially after some celebrities made their way in, but I was polite to the photographers and thankful to Lisa, the Cassius Rum representative, who let me know where to go.

An hour in, I was ready to leave. I didn’t know anyone, and no one was overly friendly. Lisa had asked that I stay for two hours, so I sucked it up and smiled at the bartender, who could barely hear me over the music. I took my gin and tonic outside onto the balcony.

My phone buzzed, and I smiled at the text from Josh.

“I’m here early. A car is outside on the curb, gray sedan, license plate YY7 8954, driver is Henry. He will take you back to my hotel and give you a keycard. I’m on floor 52 penthouse, see you when you’re ready to leave.”

I mingled for the last hour ensuring Cassius Rum had a lot of photographs and that I was visible for my obligation to them. They had paid for my trip, the least I could do was ensure I fulfilled my end of the bargain. When the two hours were up, I said goodbye to Lisa and walked back to my room where I grabbed my laptop bag, filling it with my toothbrush and some things to wear back in the morning.

I found Henry curbside. As we started down the Strip, I got a fantastic gridlock view of the Bellagio water show. I sat a little in awe, taking in all of the people out late amid the lights and sounds of Vegas.

By the time I made it up to Josh’s room, it had been almost two hours since his text. Opening the door to his suite, I smiled at him sitting on his couch looking like he was waiting on me.

“Hi,” he whispered softly.

“Hi, yourself.” I sighed in contentment as he pulled me closer. “It took longer than I thought to get out of there, and then traffic was bad.”

“I didn’t mean for you to leave the party early,” he murmured, taking my hand and leading me to the bed.

I quickly slipped off my shoes and stripped down to my undergarments.

He cuddled me close with my back to his chest and inhaled the scent of my hair.

“Do you want me to let you sleep?” I asked.

“Mm, no, I want to keep doing this.” He peeled down my panties, and I felt his erection nudging up against my sex while his fingers found me wet and ready. “And this,” he said, sliding into me to the hilt.

“Oh, yeah?” I managed.

“I had to come here early. You’d think it has been weeks, and it’s only been since last night.” His hips moved against me in measured rhythm while his hands reached around and kneaded my breasts. His fingers teased my nipples and then reached down, caressing my stomach.

“I was happy to get your text message, Josh. God, you feel good.”

“So do you. Come for me,” he groaned, rubbing my clit and increasing the tempo as I shattered all around him. He moaned, following me over the edge. Then he lay there inside of me, cocooning me fully while we both came back down off of our high.

“My Haylee,” he murmured, kissing the back of my neck.

I turned over and caressed his face. “Hmm, I like that,” I whispered.

“Tell me something. Something you’ve wanted to tell me but haven’t. A secret.”

Did I dare? Maybe it was the alcohol or the amazing sex, but suddenly I had no filter. “Do you promise not to freak out?”

He smiled and looked a little wary, but nodded. “I won’t freak out.”

“I don’t know if you’re ready.”

“Well, now you have me intrigued, you have to tell me.”

I felt the doubt creep up. “Maybe when I’m more sober so that I can decide if it’s a good idea.” I yawned and then found myself pinned down with him looming above me.

“Haylee, tell me,” he demanded.

“Or what?” I challenged, and then I was being tickled.

“Oh, oh, no, no. Okay, okay. Please stop.”

He relented and quirked a brow. “Tell me.”

“Okay, but lie back down and hold me first. No more tickling.”

He cuddled me close and nuzzled my neck. “Haylee, tell me,” he tormented, running a finger along my rib cage which caused me to giggle.

“I love you.” And there it was. I watched the words register and the surprise and intake of breath. “And before you do freak out or say something lame like ‘gosh, Haylee, I didn’t mean for this to happen,’ just know that I feel it, I said it, and that’s it. I don’t expect anything in return. Our time is still up when I leave for school this summer, and I won’t say the words again unless you ask me to.”

He expelled a breath. “I’m not freaking out,” he murmured.

I could almost hear his brain working.

“And what do you mean you’re leaving this summer? School doesn’t start until fall.”

I was grateful he’d changed the subject, but even more pleased that he didn’t seem anxious for me to move away. “School starts the middle or end of August for most and I want to take some time to move there. Plus, I’ll take a couple of weeks for Australia, so I will probably leave New York in July.”

“You don’t even know where you’re going yet.” There was a hint of agitation in his voice. I guessed it was because, in his mind, he had thought September was the month, and I was speeding up the time table.

“I’m waiting to hear where I’ve been accepted. I should get the letters any day now.”

He absorbed this information. “Are you sure you want to go?” he questioned softly.

I felt a pull and a desire that was tempting to explore. But I didn’t dare. In knowing that we had an expiration date, I had the control. I believed in short term happiness and valuing relationships in the here and now. I could say definitively after my parents’ death that there was no such thing as a truly happy ending. If I started to believe there could be, I wasn’t sure I’d survive the fall out when there wasn’t. “Yes, I’m sure about going to school. Now it’s your turn. Spill it, Singer. Tell me a secret that I don’t know.”

“I think my secret would be lame.”

“So you had one you were going to tell me, but now you aren’t sure?”

He nodded and then relented when I gave him a pointed look. “All right, my secret is that I didn’t deal well with you traveling out here without me. It put me in a weird place, and I couldn’t get on the plane fast enough to join you again.”

“Weird like how?” I questioned, wishing he would express some of his feelings.

“Just like I was being left out. I was worried about you being here by yourself, and I didn’t like it.”

I wanted to press him on that thought, but realized he was already half asleep. “I’m glad you came out here,” I whispered.

***

I awoke to hear Josh’s voice in the other room talking to someone. Listening closer, I realized he was on the phone. I looked at the nightstand and saw a glass of water and Tylenol, which made me smile. He was so thoughtful sometimes.

I quickly took the pills and slipped into the shower, happy that I had brought a change of clothes since it would make it easier to go back to my own hotel room this morning.

“Good morning,” he greeted, kissing me as I came into the living room where he was working.

“Good morning. Do you need any help?”

“If you don’t mind. I know it’s Saturday morning.”

“Of course I don’t mind. You’re in luck that I have my laptop as I used the bag to bring some things.” I took it out after putting away my dress and other things. “You know, I saw cinnamon rolls downstairs and Starbucks. I think I’m going to skip down first and get a chai tea and a cinnamon roll. Do you want one?”

“Cinnamon roll yes, and make mine a large coffee, please.” He kissed me again.

“I’ll be back.” I smiled all the way downstairs.

There was quite a line at Starbucks, but I didn’t mind. I took myself upstairs, drinks and cinnamon rolls in hand, and knocked lightly since I had left my keycard and phone in the room. I was shocked to see a man other than Josh answer the door.

“Um, hello.” I looked back at the room number to confirm I hadn’t made a mistake, but he ushered me in with a large smile which looked familiar. This had to be Josh’s younger brother, Colby.

“Hello to you.” He took the tray of drinks and box of cinnamon rolls out of my hands setting them on the table.

“Ah, Haylee, this is my brother, Colby. Colby, this is Haylee.”

“Well, hello, Haylee.” Before I knew it, Colby was on me, his lips descending to kiss me soundly while his hands gripped my ass.

I was in such shock that it took a full second to register what he was doing. I tasted the alcohol on Colby’s breath. Meanwhile, I heard Josh curse and then felt him pull his brother off of me.

“God dammit, Colby. Haylee is my assistant.”

“Oh, shit. Wait. What?” Colby sputtered. He looked towards me as if he couldn’t believe it. “Sorry about that. I thought you were the stripper for the evening. My birthday present. I had a few on the plane and just wasn’t thinking.”

I looked at Josh’s face, which was a mixture of angry and apologetic. Then I glanced toward Colby, who shrugged it off. Before I could control it, my hand flew. Right. Across. His. Face. I don’t know who was more stunned: Colby, Josh, or me.

“What in the hell was that for?” Colby asked, holding his cheek.

“For accosting me,” I defended.

He looked contrite. “But I told you, I thought you were the stripper.”

“I don’t care who you thought I was, or if I was in fact the stripper. You don’t just go up to any woman and shove your tongue down her throat and grab her ass. You don’t know me, you’ve never met me, and my profession should have no bearing on how you treat me. Jesus.” I held my hand as it began to throb.