Total Control (20 page)

“Hold onto me,” he said as we went through the door to the dark hallway. I could see the illumination of the keypad beside the elevator down the hall, but that was about all I could see. I held onto his arm and stayed right close to him. When we
reached it, he punched some numbers and then put his arms around me. “Don’t get excited, I’m just trying to warm you up.”

“Don’t worry,” I said. “If you were Mr. Tatum
himself, I’m too cold to take advantage right now.”

“Shit, I’m way sexier than Channing. He ain’t got nothin’ on me.” He rubbed his hands up and down my arms quickly.

My teeth were actually chattering. “Okay, Magic Sean, whatever you say.” The ding of the elevator was a welcome sound.

“How was the view?” Carl asked.

“Beyond words,” I answered. He smiled and pushed a button. I was still shivering so Sean took his jacket off and wrapped it around me. It smelled really good, just like him.

“You’re such a wimp,” he said as
he put my hands between his to warm them up.

“Do you hear how he talks to me, Carl?”

“We’re stopping to pick up another passenger,” Carl said. “Do you want me to push him out?”

“Hmm…it’s tempting, but no, he’s warming me up.”

“I knew you were using me for my big hands. You know what they say about guys with big hands…” I was laughing as the door opened. I stopped suddenly as my eyes caught Zane’s.

“Gia,” he said
with a nod. Then I watched as he assessed the situation. I was in my pajamas, Sean’s jacket was around my shoulders, and he was holding my hands.

“Zane,” I said with a nod back to him.

“To the club please, Carl,” Zane said as he stepped in and turned his back to Sean and me.

Sean looked at me
with a curious expression. I just shook my head. “Are you warming up yet?” he asked quietly.

“Yes, thank you,
” I answered quietly.

“How about some hot chocolate?” He smiled and his eyes got big as he said it.

I giggled. “Us big kids like coffee, but yes, if you want cocoa, I’d go for that.” He smiled and typed something into his phone.

We stopped at the club and Zane turned to me and said, “Have fun
on your play date.” Then he stepped out and Carl pushed the button and shut the door immediately.

“What the hell was that all about?” Sean said.

I laughed at his sudden outburst. “Do you see this, Carl? Jealousy!”

“It’s obvious
,” Carl said with a smile.

“Seriously, Gia, how do you know him?” Sean was concerned.

I told Sean I’d met Zane at the club the night before and that we’d kissed. I also told him Zane wanted to take it back to his room but I’d declined. “He’s not so bad,” I added. “He just didn’t like being told no.”

“What do you know about him, Carl?” Sean asked.

“Not much. He’s been with the Hairball guys mostly.”

“I don’t like him and I didn’t like the way he looked at or talked to you, Gia.”

“Well, I’m standing in an elevator with my pajamas on, holding hands with a child. Maybe he didn’t notice what big hands you have,” I teased.

He rolled his eyes at me and I caught a hint of a smile. We stepped off the elevator and thanked Carl. When we got into the room, he flipped a switch and started the gas fireplace. It was pretty and I
cozied up in front of it. Someone knocked on the door and Sean hurried over to it. When he came back, he had two cups of hot cocoa.

“Thank you,” I said as he handed me one. “Mmm, it’s rich and delicious.”

“Better than the coffee that the big kids drink?”

“Actually, yes, but if I drank this every day instead of coffee, I’d weigh a ton.” I set my mug down and shed both of our jackets
. “Ahh, nice and warm now.”

“Good,” he said with a smile. “Do you wanna watch a movie?”

“Sure. You pick it and I’ll grab us some pillows and blankets.” He started toward the TV and I went to the bedroom.

“Do you want to watch it in your room?” He was at my bedroom door. “It’ll be more comfortable and I promise I won’t try anything.”

“Okay,” I said. “But I’m not making any promises.” I winked at him.

“I’ll take my chances
,” he said and grabbed the remote. “Have you seen this new one with Sandra Bullock? It’s supposed to be really funny.”

“No, I haven’t seen any movies lately. Whatever you pick is fine with me.” I pulled the comforter down and hopped under the sheet.

He started the movie, took off his shoes, and hopped in next to me. “Sit up,” he said. After I did, he rearranged all the pillows. I laid back against them and it was much more comfortable. “Good?”

“Yes, thank you.” He was so sweet to me.

He laid back on his. “You’re welcome.”

“Thanks for everything
.”

He looked over at me and smiled. “You bet. Thank you, Gia.” Then he got comfy and we started watching the movie. It was very funny and we laughed out loud several times in the first half-hour. He paused it so he could use the rest room. I was getting sleepy. I turned to my side and closed my eyes for a minute.

“Gia, if you’re tired, I can go,” he said when he came back.

“No, I don’t want you to go.”
He hopped back into the bed and was about to push play. “Sean, if I do fall asleep, I have a lot of nightmares…”

He reached for me and I snuggled up against him. “Don’t worry about that,” he said, “Not tonight.” He pushed play, set the remote down, and stroked my hair. I listened to the movie for a while and smiled every time Sean laughed. Eventually I fell asleep, and he was right, I didn’t have any nightmares.

When I woke up in the morning, I was alone in bed. I looked over at the clock, it was 8:42 a.m. Sean must’ve gone to work. There was no reason to get up yet. I rolled over and noticed a piece of paper on the nightstand.

Good morning! Thanks for a great night. It could’ve been better if you would’ve put out, but since you’re waaayyyy older than me, and you witnessed my very large hands, you were probably a little intimidated. I understand and won’t hold it against you. Have a great day. I hope to see you at some point in your wanderings.

He was so funny. I tried to think of something nice I could do for him. I wondered what time he took a lunch break. I was wide awake by then and decided I’d get up. I walked out into the living area and started a pot of coffee. Then I peeked into the girls’ room and saw them in their beds. I didn’t know if they’d even come in last night. I jumped in the shower, fixed my cup of coffee, and pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt. I pulled my hair back into a pony and did my makeup light and natural looking. I just wanted to be comfortable. I had another cup of coffee as I contemplated what to do next. I decided to go down and get a Sunday paper. Maybe I’d sit outside at the little café I saw and read it.

Sean’s face lit up when he saw me. There were several other people in there with him. “Good morning, Gia,” he said as I stepped in and stood right next to him.

“Good morning, Sean. You look well rested.” I looked at his reflection in the door after it closed.

“As do you,” he said. We stared at each other, smiling.

“Can I meet you on your break?” I whispered to him.

“Twelve-thirty,” he whispered
.

I stepped off first, since I was in front, but turned and gave him a smile before I walked away. I got a paper from the lobby and walked next door to the café.
They had little bistro tables and chairs outside, so I had my coffee out there and read for at least an hour. It was nice. I was enjoying the sun on my face and decided to make my good-bye phone calls from there.

I called Lill first. She loved hearing about the limo, the hotel, Hairball and the after party. I confided in her about what had happened between Ethan and
me. She was shocked at my calmness over the whole thing. I told her about Sean and how I really felt we’d stay friends long after I left California.

“I’m not going to tell
Mom and Dad about Ethan right now. I don’t want them to worry and I know they felt good about me having a positive man in my life,” I told her.

“G, we all thought he was great, and I still do. I’m not convinced that it’s done between you two. I’ve never seen you
as passionate about anyone or anything. I hope you’ll give him a chance to get over himself and realize he can’t shut you out every time you do something stupid.” That’s why I loved my sister so much. She said it like it was.

“I don’t know,” I said. “
It seems like high school drama. Just immature, childish, high school stuff.”

She laughed, “It doesn’t matter how o
ld or young you are, G. When you two were together and it felt like you were a teen again, you loved that. Now, when you have a disagreement, you think it’s immature. You can’t have both, and I don’t think you’d want to trade one second of last week for a ‘mature’ man who doesn’t give a shit what you do when you’re not in his bed. I mean, c’mon, G—Ethan is so gaga over you that it drove him crazy to even consider you wanting to be with another man. Women look their entire lives for someone to feel such passion for them!” She was chewing my ass, but it was okay. When she talked about Ethan, I got butterflies. I knew she was right on, but I had to leave it where it was with him. We both needed time to either miss each other, or get over each other. I had no clue which it would be for me. I hadn’t really thought of him much all night while I was with Sean.

“Thanks, sis, I needed that. I’m gonna call
Mom and Dad now. I’ll talk to you in about ten days. I love you.” I had to make that quick so I didn’t cry.

“I love you, G
. Call me as soon as you can.”

I called
Mom and Dad. I talked to each of them individually for about ten minutes. I didn’t mention Ethan and neither did they. It was all about support and love.

I felt very relaxed as I put my phone down and finished my coffee. I’d been sitting there for two hours by then, but I still had about an hour before I met Sean. I wondered if Jo and Dana were up yet
. I headed up to the room to check it out.

“Th
anks for the ride. See you soon,” I told Sean as I stepped off the elevator.

Jo and Dana had just crawled out of bed. They were
hung-over, but started coming to life as they told me about the fun they’d had at the after party.

“And imagine our surprise when we peeked in on you and saw Sean in your bed!” Dana said.

“It wasn’t like that,” I told them all about our night together. “I’ve got to go. I’m meeting him for lunch.”

“Have fun,” Jo said. “When you get back we’ll hang out while Dana calls on a couple clients.”

***

Sean grabbed my hand when we stepped out into the lobby and led me back to a little restaurant in the hotel. “This place has the best burger
s around.” He pulled my chair out for me.

“Sounds good,” I said so he ordered two. “How’s your day going? Full of ups and downs?” I smiled.

“Yes, but I have to say, feels like more ups today.” He winked.

“Really?” I raised my brow.

“Gia, I had a lot of fun with you last night. Hanging out with you in your pajamas, eating pizza and ice cream, going to the roof and watching you take it all in, sitting in front of the fire drinking hot chocolate and then watching a movie in bed, not having to worry about how we look or what we say—thank you.”

“Thank you, Sean. It was like a
girls’ sleepover, but with a hot guy!” I laughed.

“A hot guy? I didn’t see him there. All I saw was a beautiful woman and a man-child.”

I shook my head. “No, there was definitely a hot guy there. He was a total gentleman, though, not like most hot guys.”

“What an idiot. He was all alone with you, all night, and didn’t even make a move? You must think he’s some kind of prude.”

“Honestly? No, Sean, not even close. I hope it was because you feel the same way I do about it.” He looked a little nervous. “One or two nights of, who knows, possibly the best sex we’d ever had?” I shrugged my shoulders. “Or the worst?” I highly doubted that. “Wouldn’t be worth losing what could be a lifetime of friendship between us.”

He smiled and lit up. “I think so
, too.” He took my hand and held it tightly. “You’re awesome, Gia.”

Our burgers, fries, and chocolate milkshakes came. The burger was huge but looked delicious, and the fries were fresh cut and crispy. “You know, you’re not gonna be young and hot forever, you’re gonn
a have to stop eating like this,” I told him.

“Loo
k who’s talking! You ate half my pizza last night, and then three servings of ice cream.” He took a huge bite of his burger and ketchup dripped below his lip.

“Three servings? No, we shared it, and it was a four serving container!” I took a huge bite of my burger.

He smiled. “You took twice as many bites as I did.” He licked the ketchup from his chin.