Page 49 of Revel
It takes me a moment to process it, and then it happens.
Revel Slade kisses me, and my reckless, foolish heart believes a rock god could really fall for a pop princess.
Finally surrendering to the need, his lips flutter over mine, our breath mixing. There’s a gasp, though I’m not sure from who. Maybe both of us. No words are said as he explores my mouth, dragging my lower lip between his teeth before claiming my mouth as his. As I attempt not to hyperventilate or do something equally as unsexy, Revel angles his head and deepens the kiss, his tongue swirling with mine. His hand that’s still on my hip tightens, palms greedily seeking heated skin.
Breathe, Tay. Freaking breathe!
He draws me closer, devouring me completely, passionately as he groans into my mouth. I’m overwhelmed by the taste of him, a delicious mixture of alcohol and cigarettes. I know, sounds disgusting, but in a way, it’s not. The vodka he’s been drinking all night has given his tongue a unique sweetness. Tilting my head, I give myself fully to the kiss, surrendering to him completely for him to devour.
For a moment, the world falls away and I’m left in the arms of a man I never thought I’d want to be in the same room with, let alone have him kiss me. It’s everything I imagined it would be, yet so much more than that as he kisses me as if he’s drowning and I’m the air he desperately needs.
Before I have the chance to jump his bones, Revel pulls away, ending the kiss before I can comprehend its meaning or what will happen next. His eyes drift from my lips to my eyes and the world spins. And still, the meaning of the kiss remains unsaid. It hangs there in the air, waiting for definition, and yet I realize it’s not the end of the kiss. It’s the beginning of so much more. When you’re falling, you rush to fill the gaps your heart so desperately wants to mend, but it’s these moments, the ones suspended in silence that fill them completely.
“You make me lose my mind, Red,” he breathes, twirling a lonely red curl on my shoulder around his finger. He swallows hard, trying to find a steady breathing pattern, but his dominating blues, they find mine in what seems like slow motion.
I reach up, touch the tainted pink of his cheeks. “Why do you call me Red? My hair is more orange than red.”
Picking up a strand of my hair, he twirls it around his finger. “Pretty as you are, be wise. Wolves lurk in every guise.”
Okay. Do you know what he means? He’s quotingLittle Red Riding Hood. And then it hits me, a punch to the chest. He’s the wolf in this story. The one preying on the innocent young girl.
YOU SHOULD WALK AWAY
REVEL
When all my blood is finally going to my brain again, I can think clearly. Or, as clearly as someone who’s drunk 90 percent of the time can think.
I shouldn’t have kissed her, I know. Does it really matter?
Only it does because I know where this is heading. The kiss wasn’t enough. I needmore, and had I not kissed her, I wouldn’t have known this empty feeling settling in. She’s more than a feeling, something you can’t understand until you’ve experienced it. I told her she makes me lose my mind, and it’s the fucking truth. Nothing compares to how it really feels drowning in the intoxicating being that’s her. If I lose my mind now, it’s because I’ve lied to myself trying to believe I’m not sinking.
“I gotta say, T, that was incredible,” Cruz shouts. “Who fucking knew you could rap like that, even for a ginger.”
“I’m pretty amazing once you get to know me,” she tells them, eyes finding mine.
My jaw clenches. I say nothing. The idea of anyone talking to her sets me off, and I hate that I’m suddenly protective to the point of destructive.
We’re on our bus in the parking lot outside the stadium. Do you notice Red on my lap? No? That’s because she’s not on my lap. She’s sitting next to Hardin across from me.
I allow it. For the time being when everything inside me screams otherwise. I don’t move.
I contemplate.
I obsess. It’s in my nature.
All I can come up with, judging by the tightness in my chest, jaw, and my clouded judgment is that I should walk away from her. I’m in too deep, and before I take what’s not mine for the taking, I need to sever ties. But still, I can’t make myself react just like I can’t make myself sober most days.
A week ago, you couldn’t have gotten me in the same room as her. Now I crave breathing the same air as her if it means we’re closer.
“You’re so hot! Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m on Revel Slade’s tour bus!” A blonde tells me, sitting on my lap like I invited her there. “I love your music so much.”
“Seriously?” My glare drags to hers. “Shut the fuck up. I don’t care.”
“Sorry.” She looks wounded, but I don’t care. “I’m just excited.”
“Yeah, I get it. Just stop talking.” I push her off my lap. “Go bother Deacon.”
I know I’m being an ass, but there’s a good fucking reason for it. Do you notice the girl on the stripper pole? Well, if you don’t recognize the hair, it’s Red, and she’s dancing to “Low” by Flo Rida. I watch, but so does everyone else when she drops it low. For years that ass has been a fantasy of mine, but it’s only mine. I’ll kill any motherfucker here who thinks otherwise. I don’t move. Remember when I said fear the calmest person in the room? Now is a good indication of what that means. Just wait.
