Unwanted Stars (13 page)

"But, you-you told Michelle I was ready for my own groups. Why didn't you report me?"

A large sigh escaped her lips. "Because it didn't affect your work. And from what I could see, you were smart about the whole thing. I doubt any of the tour members noticed which was a breath of fresh air."

"But
you
noticed."

"Auden, I've been working for this company for three years. I've seen it more times than I can even count. And most of the time, it's
much
more obvious."

"Oh."

"So be careful. Don't make a habit of hooking up with tour members."

"I won't," I said definitively. "He was...I don't know. Special."

"Aren't they all?" she asked with a laugh, tipping her drink back once again, downing the martini until her glass was empty.

"I mean it. He's...I'd like to keep seeing him. That's allowed, right?"

"Yeah, he's fair game now."

"Okay, good," I said, feeling my pulse calm back down.

"He's hot, too. Nice job." She giggled before making eye contact with the bartender. "Another, please. And one for my friend."

"I'm fine, really—"

"Bullshit. We're going to drink together. We'll toast your contract. Come on. Friends don't let friends drink alone, damn it."

Friends? Anabelle considered me her friend? What kind of freaky alternative universe had I wandered into?

"Okay, yeah. A martini sounds great."

"Good," she said. She slumped in her seat, her elbow pressing into the wood of the bar. "God, I miss my friends. This can be a lonely life, ya know."

"But we're surrounded by people all the time. How do you get lonely?" I really was genuinely confused. To me, I'd met so many fantastic people from all around the globe. What could be more fun or more
social
than that?

"Yeah, sure, but...you don't
know
them. And they don't really know you. You're their concierge, their guide, the person responsible for showing them a good time. They don't care if you've had a crap day. They just want to know you took care of their dinner reservations and their tour of Notre Dame."

"Oh." She did have a point. What I wouldn't give to have Hadley on one of my tours.

"They're here with
their
friends. To them, you and I are a novelty. We're part of the
experience
. We're not real people."

Those words stung like hell. I hated to think of Campbell seeing me that way—as a novelty, as part of his vacation experience. I wanted to be different. Because what he and I had started on that tour was different than anything else in my life thus far. And I didn't want it to end. And I'd be damned if I became a novelty to him.

I guess I was silent for too long and I'd made Anabelle uncomfortable. She nudged me in the arm.

"What'd I say? What's the matter?"

"Nothing," I said, getting defensive before downing the rest of my drink. "Just...trying to decide what to do with the next eleven days."

Such a lie. And she knew it. She studied my face for a minute before reaching into her bag and paying our tab.

"Listen, I don't know if you and that Campbell guy are going to amount to anything, but, there's nothing wrong with giving it a shot."

"Thanks."

"Besides, if someone who looks like
him
looked at me the way he looks at
you
...well, I wouldn't let go of him. That's for damn sure."

A reluctant sigh left my lips as I shook my head slowly. Who knew Anabelle could be so supportive.

"Drinks are on me. Congrats, girl. Welcome to the craziness."

She patted me on the shoulder and strolled out of the bar. I glanced at my watch and knew it was time to call it a night. Resisting the urge to call Campbell, I crossed the street to my flat, replaying Anabelle's words over and over in my head and hoping to God that he saw me...
really
saw me. And hating myself for caring so damn much.

The ping of my phone jerked me awake. I'd passed out on the couch. I hadn't realized how tired I actually was after that tour. Leaning on an elbow, I reached for my phone. Another text from Campbell.

Have you forgotten me already?

Oh shit! I hadn't responded to his first text. All these assumptions that he'd forget all about me, and I was the one who was seemingly blowing him off. That thought made me smile.
Yes, I am a bitch.

I texted back:

A: Sorry, long day. Passed out on couch

C: Wish I was there...

A: 1059 Queensbury St

C: Ten minutes.

Ten minutes. I had ten minutes to get myself looking gorgeous and irresistible. Ten minutes to take a shower, blow dry my hair, do my makeup. Shiiiiiiiiiiit!

Settling on a shower, I pinned my hair up and hopped into the tiny space, quickly washing the day from every pore of my skin. When I hopped back out, I glanced at the clock. Seven more minutes.

A dark pair of jeans and long-sleeved tunic would have to do. I wanted to look stunning yet casual. Makeup was the last thing on the agenda. Five minutes.

"Damn it," I said, glancing down at my pathetic excuse for a makeup bag. Most of my stuff was almost gone, hanging by the proverbial thread. Opting for simple powder on my cheeks, mascara, and a light shade of pink on my lips, I glanced at my watch. One minute.

Quickly, I ran from the bathroom to the couch (which took me approximately 1.2 seconds since my flat is ridiculously tiny) and changed the channel from reality TV to something more sophisticated. Something Campbell would approve of. And then I realized, he'd approve of anything...he just wanted to see me.

I turned the TV off and grabbed a magazine, waiting for his arrival.

Shiiiiiiiit!!! Auden, you forgot to brush your teeth!!! You disgusting little idiot! You passed out on the couch (you should probably check for drool on the cushions) and you forgot to freshen up an area of your face that Campbell WILL (hopefully) pay a lot of attention to!

As fast as I could, I ran back to the bathroom, swished with mouthwash, brushed my teeth, and ran back to the couch. Just as a large sigh escaped my mouth, there was a knock at the door.

It's him. Campbell. Deep motherfucking breaths.

You've got this, Auden.

Out of habit, I looked through the peephole. My building didn’t have a buzzer, so I'd been very good about checking before letting anyone into my place. Although, let's face it, I didn’t get many visitors.

When I opened the door, the first thing I saw was flowers. Lots and lots of flowers. My smile stretched across my face. I pulled at the stems, so I could see his face.

"Sorry I'm late. I couldn't come by empty-handed."

"Always a gentleman, I see."

"You know it. May I come in?"

"Of course," I said, again acting casual. I wasn't sure how long I could keep up with nonchalant Auden when all I really wanted to do was jump his gorgeous bones.

"I like your place," he said, entering and placing the flowers on my tiny coffee table. And then he smiled a cocky grin when he glanced down at the table.

Shiiiiiiiiiiit.

"Thinking of me, I see," he said, gesturing to the matchbooks and note that were placed in a prominent spot on the table. For God's sake, he probably thought I was creating a shrine.

"Don't flatter yourself. Just unpacking is all."

"God, I love that accent of yours," he said, pulling me close and nestling his nose into my neck.

"What accent?"

Campbell ignored my words and continued to seduce the skin of my neck, making every nerve on my body stand at attention.

"Admit it, you've missed me," he said between kisses. It felt like heaven.

"We just got back today. You really are an ego maniac," I said, fighting a smile.

He pulled his lips away and instantly I regretted my non-committal attitude. Resisting the urge to press his lips back to my neck, I crafted an innocent look, raising my eyebrows up in unison while biting my lip ever so slightly.

"You can play hard to get, that's fine. I know you want me." His fingers threaded through my hair as he spoke. My skin tingled and ached for his lips to return.

"Perhaps," I said with a coy smile.

"That's what I thought," he said, his voice growing deeper. For just a moment we stared at one another, neither of us uttering a word. And then his lips pressed to mine, gentle at first. We took turns teasing each another with our lips. Soft kisses, pulling away only to spur on the other's desire. A longing stirred inside me and I realized I'd never been more turned on in my life. I wanted him. Desperately. I wanted so much more than our moment in the street. And now it was no longer forbidden. We could do whatever we pleased.

Taking control, I unbuttoned the top buttons of his oxford shirt. He assisted me with the rest before throwing it to the floor. I barely had time to take in the sight of his bare chest before he pulled my tunic over my head and tossing it onto the couch.

He inspected the satin of my bra with trained fingers, sliding each strap down ever so slowly, kissing the skin where it had once sat. I stood there topless with the tiny straps grazing my arms, the fabric of my bra pulling away from my skin.

"You're so unbelievably sexy, Auden. Do you know that?" he asked before pressing his lips to one breast and then the other, sending tingles down my spine.

I didn't answer, not sure what to say. My head was spinning with desire for him. I didn't have time to answer questions.

Instead, my hands wandered to his belt, pulling it from the loops and dropping it to the floor. He growled and took me again with his mouth. This time, there was nothing gentle about it. His tongue caressed insistently against my own, just as I pushed his pants down and released him from his boxers.

"I want you," I whispered.

"Are you sure?" Campbell pulled back, concern painted on his face.

"Stop being a gentleman," I warned, pressing myself to his chest.

His eyes narrowed in satisfaction before glancing down at my jeans. Within seconds, those jeans were no longer a problem as they were sent flying across the room. My panties were the next to follow, and soon I was as naked as the day I was born.

"So..." I said, biting my lip again. "What are you going to do with me, doctor?"

A primal expression crossed his face. His eyes darkened and he pulled me to him, lifting me by my ass. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around his torso, crossing them at the ankles. His lips returned to my skin. Hungry kisses were planted at a feverish pace—my neck, my shoulders, my chest. He was drinking me in, getting all of me that he could. Without even realizing it, I was hovering above my bed when Campbell finally pulled away and looked me in the eye once again as he gently lowered me to the mattress.

I reached to grab a condom from my nightstand and ripped it open. I slid the sheath down onto his cock. He groaned and lifted me up again. God, this man was strong. He took each nipple into his mouth and the electricity of that touch shook me to my core. Slowly, he lowered me onto him, easing in slowly. I surrounded him with my desire, wrapping my arms around his neck, pushing down slowly as I raised myself up. Again and again, he thrust inside me before we toppled onto the bed.

"You're so fucking sexy. I want to make you feel everything...everything, Auden."

"You are." I said as he continued his thrusts. "God, you are. Don't stop."

The pressure built with each thrust, and without realizing it, I screamed. I literally screamed as my orgasm spread through every nerve ending of my body. It was the most intense orgasm of my life.

"God, I love making you come," Campbell said as he continued to pump his hips, biting onto my shoulder as he came. Two roaring groans followed as his teeth pressed into my skin. The sexiest noises I'd ever heard. Ever.