Unwanted Stars (7 page)

"Challenge accepted," I said to Hadley, before folding the paper and placing it back in my jeans. Running my fingers through my curls, I walked confidently to the mirror hanging on the wall, widening my eyes as I turned my head from side to side. Makeup was fine, maybe just a little bit of perfume.

"Good girl," said my best friend.
Smarty pants.

"
I love you," Hadley said.

"Love you more."

"Get a grip, Aud. You've got this."

My hand pressed into the deep cherry wood of the pub door. I'd visited this bar with Tom during my first tour, and I remembered the large rustic clock above the bar. Taking a deep breath into my lungs, I searched for the clock—saw the tick of its minute hand and knew I'd be fine. I just had to find him.

Standing straight and tall, I scanned the bar. Couples were strewn about the place—it was about that time. Hook-up time in bar-ville. Have you ever noticed that? The clock strikes midnight and people immediately start to couple off to search for someone to keep their bed warm, to make them feel less alone. I'd been there, I'd done that. I was just as bad as the rest of them. And I was afraid that tonight I might be worse than ever because I was searching for him. The man I couldn't stop thinking about, the one who was rocking my world.

Across a small sea of cigarette smoking, beer drinking patrons, I saw that dimple. That simple pinch in the skin of his cheek that called to me as if it had its own personality. God, I loved that thing. He was involved in some sort of heated discussion with his friend, but seeing their smiles reassured me that they were just joking around, being macho men, puffing out their chests. The next thing I noticed was the lack of any women within a three-foot radius of Campbell. That observation pulled at the corners of my mouth in satisfaction, giving me the confidence I needed to stroll to his table.

His friend Ellis noticed me first, simply giving me a nod as I approached. The goofy grin on his face said it all. Campbell had been waiting for me.

"Here she is, mate." His words were slurred. Empty pint glasses were spread across the thick wood table.

Campbell shook his head from side to side, embarrassed by his friend's eagerness. A chuckle escaped my lips as I peered down at him. The dimple returned as he smiled up at me, quickly rising to his feet, placing his hand on the small of my back.

"How'd you know where to find us?" he asked.

"You know how," I said, narrowing my eyes. A smug, satisfied expression crossed his face. He knew his note had lured me. That scrap of paper that, aside from the name and address of the pub, simply read:

"Ah, that's right." Campbell grinned.

"Hard to resist a man with manners," I said with a smirk.

Ellis rose to his feet, steadying himself with Campbell's shoulder. "Back in a sec.”

"You all right, mate?" Campbell asked, patting him on the back.

Ellis let out a belch before nodding emphatically. "Just need the toilet." His gait widened as he made his way to the back of the pub. Campbell and I watched him—both concerned yet amused.

"Will he be okay?" I asked.

"He'll be fine. I'll check on him if I need to." He removed one of his hands from the worn pocket of his jeans and gestured to Ellis' seat. "Here, sit...please."

"Thanks," I said, looking around the pub.

"She's not here. Don't worry."

"What are you talking about?" I didn’t want to sound defensive, but I hated how he was so good at reading my mind. I barely knew this man and yet he seemed to crawl inside my head so easily.

"Anabelle. I know she's the reason you're toeing the line. Being all business."

"Oh, really. And you know this how?" I asked, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

His top lip pulled up on one side, stretching into a smug grin before a non-committal shrug lifted his shoulders. "Just a hunch."

"Well, you're wrong. I'm a professional. It has nothing to do with her," I pressed my hands into my jeans as if to smooth out the fabric, as if they were starched khakis just like Anabelle's.

His hands lifted in mock surrender, "Okay, alright. Get you a lager?"

"Sure. Whatever you're having is fine."

He nodded and walked to the bar. All I could concentrate on was his ass. And if that's crude, I didn’t really care. He had the most perfect ass I'd ever witnessed on another human being. Perfect amounts of muscle and definition. His jeans pulled in all the right places, relaxed in all the others. God, I was in trouble. He returned just moments later with two pints filled to the brim.

"So, Auden...what's your story?"

"My story?"

"Mmm-hmm.” He sipped his beer. I wasn't really sure how to answer that question...what did he expect me to tell him? I wasn't going to spill my entire life story over a couple of drinks. Plus, if I was being honest with myself, I worried that I didn't really have all that much to tell. I had a happy childhood with almost no drama to speak of—at least nothing that wasn't self-inflicted. A loyal best friend who was more like a sister to me. I had a little difficulty reining in my inner bitch, but other than that, I led a pretty charmed life.

I'd taken too long to answer. I was making an ass of myself, and that was entirely unacceptable. This guy was into me. Why was I screwing this up? In that moment, I realized I needed to bring my A game. I needed to get him in line, show him that I was in control...not him. Even if I had to fight him for it, I would get that control back.

"Is that what you ask all the girls?" I teased.

"Perhaps.” His eyebrows raised, fingers pressed down into the rim of his glass. The pads of his fingers lingered and I found myself envying an inanimate object. I wanted his hands on me. Right here, right now. "Am I going to have to pull it out of you, then?"

"What, exactly?" I said, tilting my head to the side, brushing my hair behind my shoulders. I was stalling, but I was also seeing just how much he wanted to work for it. Was I worth his persistence?

"Everything."

"Well, that's a little vague."

"I only know your name. And that you're American."

"Indeed, I am.” I took a sip, feeling myself relax as I pulled the control back to my corner of the table.

"You seem comfortable here. Even though you're from the states. Like you've been here many times."

"I have." I smiled. "Sounds like you've got me all figured out."

"Almost."

"Tell me more," I said, placing my elbows on the table, leaning in closer to Campbell, studying his lips.

"You're stubborn...headstrong. You hate when people tell you what to do, which is why Miss Anabelle is driving you barmy."

I gave him a shy smile, not sure what to say. He hit the nail on the head with that one. He must've noticed my lips pressing together in discomfort. How on earth did he know these things? Was I that transparent?

"Oh, sorry...um, crazy. She drives you crazy," he clarified, realizing he'd used some heavy slang in an American's company.

"My mom's British. No need to translate," I replied.

"Seriously?" he asked, looking genuinely surprised and impressed as he eased back in his chair.

"She grew up in Beaconsfield. My grandparents still live there."

"Interesting. We'll get back to that. So, was I right about Anabelle? She drives you nuts, doesn't she?"

Without making eye contact, I nodded. A cocky laugh escaped his lips before he took another swig of his beer.

"Most women are stubborn. You're not so brilliant," I said, trying my hardest to sneer at him. It was difficult. He was just so...hot.

"I was just getting started," he said, leaning in again, his hands woven together, resting under his chin.

"Fine.” I narrowed my eyes and bit down on my bottom lip, hoping he'd be way off base with his next observation.

"You're fiercely loyal. Those closest to you will attest to that. Although you've probably burned bridges in the past...you were so loyal to one person and forgot the other."

I was stunned. Completely stunned. Was I being punked? Was my sister Maya going to jump out from behind the bar, pointing her finger and laughing at me for falling into her trap? I'd always been more loyal to Hadley than to my own flesh and blood sister. She'd always resented me, ever since the day I was born. What was I supposed to do? Hadley was, in many ways, the other part of my personality. She meant more to me than almost anyone.

"Am I getting warmer?" he asked, his fingertips grazing the skin of my elbow, pulling me from my conspiracy theories. Maya wasn't there. It was just me and the guy who made my skin feel like it was on fire. In the most delicious way possible.

"Perhaps," I replied, trying to ignore the tingles dancing up my arms.

Swimming in conflicting thoughts, I had no idea what to reveal about myself and what to keep hidden. I'd just met this man. And according to my contract, any type of physical relationship could put my job at risk. I didn't want that. But, I also didn't want this feeling to go away either.

"Thanks a lot, mate," said a drunk and slurring Ellis, back from the bathroom.

"Aww, shit. You alright?" Campbell asked, rising to his feet. He placed an arm around Ellis who was wiping his mouth with a napkin from our table.

Vomit.

Gross.

I held my breath, hoping not to smell it. If I did, I couldn't be held responsible for my heaving. I was a sympathy puker, and let me just tell you, I hate puking. Hate it with all that I am. Hadley says there's a phobia for it. I have no idea what it's called, but it applies to me. Puke is my nemesis.

"If you weren't so ass over elbow, you'd have checked on me, for fuck's sake. I was in the loo for like an hour!"

Ellis was irritated, and Campbell's cheeks reddened. I knew exactly what that term meant. It was the same as "head over heels." I couldn't hide my smile. I wanted to, but it felt good to hear those words. That Campbell had talked about me, that he was thinking of me. I knew he was interested, but when dudes tell their friends about a girl, unless they just want to get laid, it's usually a good sign. And the crimson color of his cheeks confirmed that for me.

"Sorry, mate," Campbell said, before turning his attention back to me. "I'd better get him back to the hotel. He can be a bit of an angry drunk, unfortunately. Can we walk you back?"

"I don't want to go with her," Ellis snarled sarcastically. "You'll probably leave me by the side of the road."

Campbell tightened his grip on Ellis' shoulder. "Don't talk about her that way. She's a lady. Show some bloody respect."

Ellis ran his hand over his mouth, wiping his nose with his sleeve.

Lovely.

I was surprised by Ellis' drastic change in mood. Over the past few days, he'd been a really laidback guy. He and Campbell seemed to have similar demeanors. Clearly he and alcohol did not play well together. I decided to avoid any more conflict with him. The last thing I needed was for him to report me to Anabelle.

"Listen, it's fine. I'm gonna finish my beer and I'll head back soon," I offered.

"You sure?" Campbell said, glancing around the bar, his chest slightly puffed out as if he was scanning the place for deadbeats. I liked his obvious protective nature.

"Yeah, see," I said, gesturing toward the corner of the pub. "There's a few of the Australian girls from the tour. I'll hang with them."

Campbell stepped away from Ellis, placing his hand on my waist. "Promise me you won't walk back alone."

"This isn't a big city. I'll be fine." And I knew I was right. St. Goar was a tiny little community. Most residents were already asleep by now. But I had to admit, I was purposely pushing him further, making him frustrated, egging him on. It's my specialty.

"Auden," he said, his voice dropping an octave. And I knew the discussion was over.

"Fine, fine. Yes, I promise," I said, raising my arms in fake surrender.

"Thank you," he said, placing a chaste peck on my cheek. Heat rose to my skin where his lips had pressed. "See you in the morning then." He gave me a half-smile before patting Ellis on the back. "Back to the hotel with you."

"Wanker," Ellis snapped.