Page 69 of Revel
“You’re lucky he is,” she spits back at him, storming off in the other direction with her phone pressed to her ear.
“You coming?” his bandmate asks him as they step inside the black sedan heading toward the airport.
I don’t move from my place next to him. It’s not that I’m expecting anything. I should be flying home for Christmas, but I linger, curious where he might be going.
With one hand shoved in his pocket and the other holding a cigarette to his lips, Revel doesn’t answer, but he and Cruz exchange a look.
Cruz shrugs, smiling. “All right, man.” He pauses, running his hand through his hair. “See ya in Denver.” He points in my direction, then winks. “Tell Tinkerbella I said Merry fucking Christmas.”
I laugh, shaking my head. Bella flew home this morning, but I had a feeling those two would be hooking up again soon.
And then I’m alone with him, anxiety clawing at my throat like it’s suffocating me. I struggle to breathe normally, anticipation almost too much.
His eyes illuminated under the street lights, words soft as the wind between us, his whisper rough as he breathes out, “I have a cabin in Tahoe.”
I look up at him, his face—it’s expressionless. He’s good at hiding, but those eyes, they always tell a story. It’s an invitation, should I want it. “That sounds nice.”
I knew any time spent with Revel would forever be around his entourage or mine, and in the public eye. His level of popularity is on an entirely different planet than mine. His fans, his loyalty to them, the paparazzi, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced or would have experienced. Alone with him, where no one knows where to find us, it’s a beautiful fear I can’t quite grasp the meaning of.
GIVE HER WHAT SHE WANTS
REVEL
I’ve never been good at small talk, but Red, she never stops talking on the way to the cabin. Maybe it’s from nerves, but I’m tempted to toss her out of the car a couple times.
“I can’t believe you set Hardin on fire,” she says, shaking her head and looking over at me.
I rest my hand lazily on the steering wheel and roll my head toward her. “He ain’t fucking innocent.”
She nods, as if she knows not to push the issue.
My eyes drift lower to her breasts, her legs, everywhere I wish my goddamn mouth was instead of me driving.
I know what you’re thinking, or maybe it’s just me. If you’re wondering why I haven’t had sex with Red, that would make two of us. I give her some bullshit excuse of me wanting her untouched and innocent, whatever that garbage line was, but the truth, I don’t know why. Something about it just hasn’t felt right. It’s not that I don’t want to. I do. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted something so badly in my life, but I haven’t been able to make myself do it. It like I’ve been protecting her virginity, even though I know it’s nonexistent at this point.
So I asked her to come to Tahoe with me. Maybe a weekend alone will change my feelings. Unfortunately, I didn’t check the weather report before I decided taking Red up to the cabin would be a good idea. Selfishly, I knew it was my chance to have her alone without the prying eyes of everyone else so completely enthralled by our relationship.
By the time we reach the ski resort, the flakes are falling harder, pelting against frozen cheeks and clinging to our eyelashes the moment we’re outside the SUV.
“Have you ever been skiing before?”
I look over my shoulder at the ski lifts in the distance. “A few times.”
Transfixed by the views, Red stands in the snow for a moment. Forget the frozen toes and shivering skin, she’s caught up and twirling like a child. Her bright red locks stand out against the purest of whites. Pink cheeks and twinkling green eyes find mine. The wind howls, piling up drifts of snow as she steps toward me. “Why did we stop at a garage? You can’t drive up there?”
I let out a laugh. “Not in a Range Rover.”
Red shivers, her teeth practically chattering as she wraps her arms tightly around her waist. I offer my jacket but she declines it. “I’m fine. So we have to walk? How far is it?”
“No.” I point to the snowmobiles in the stall next to us. “We’re taking one of those.” Outside the car, I strap our bags on the back and smile at her. “Hop on, princess.”
“So cool! I’ve never been on one before.” Her eyes light up. “Can I drive?”
“Fuck no,” I snort. “I’ve seen you drive. It’s awful.”
“Oh, please. I’m a wonderful driver.”
“Yeah? Tell that to the security guard in San Antonio who broke his leg.”
