Chapter 40

It was a well-needed vacation, sipping margaritas on the beach with a beautiful woman at his side. Fifteen years of never having fun, following behind a rotten rock star were enough to drive him over the edge. Reid checked his messages for the umpteenth time. He picked up the phone and shook it. He checked the signal, and then he called Ella’s number just to make certain there was nothing wrong with it.

She picked up the phone. “Why are you calling me?” She frowned. “Are you that bored already?”

“No sweetie,” he cajoled. “I just …” he rambled.

“Thought Colt would call?”

He shrugged. “Not at all. I just wondered why Chelsea hasn’t called back.”

“Ha-ha-ha, you seem to forget how well I know you,” she chortled.

Two blocks away from Hotel Olympus at a private villa, they lounged on the terrace, enjoying the late afternoon sun. Reid laid back on the lounger and squinted up at the sun before turning his eyes to the beauty lying on the chair beside him. Her raven hair gleamed as rays of sun bounced from it. These last few days were great, romping in the sack and relaxing.

Both he and Colt needed a time out. He had just been thinking that Colt had sweated it long enough when Chelsea called. Now he knew that Colt was all right, he didn’t really need to rush back. But, deep down, he had hoped the guy would call. Usually, Colt would call him and beg him to come back, making empty promises he knew he wouldn’t keep. This time, he didn’t call.

“I got to go back now,” he told Ella.

“I know.” She laughed. “I see it. You think he knows you didn’t actually quit; that’s why he didn’t call?”

“I think he believed me this time. That’s why he didn’t call,” he said, turning to face her. “They can wait one more night.”

Reaching a hand out, he cupped one her breasts, giving it a gentle squeeze. She sucked in her breath and grabbed his hand, gently tugging him. They both stood and walked back inside.

* * * *

After Detective Henry left, the three of them discussed what would happen with the two concerts left in the tour. Colt didn’t say much, but Andrew thought it would be a good idea to host the auditions ASAP so the new musicians could get a good head start. The next concert was less than a month away, and they needed to move fast.

“Chelsea, I need a word,” Colt finally said after keeping silent the entire time.

His voice startled her, and she jumped; her heart flew to her mouth. “Okay.”

He stood and walked to his bedroom. She hesitated. He turned and beckoned her. Her heart flipped over a few times. What was he going to do in there anyway? Andrew was just sitting outside. She moved with wooden legs, all the time wondering what he wanted to say. Andrew’s eyes followed her all the way until she was inside the room and the door closed behind her.

“Yes?” Her voice shook

He turned to her as soon as he was in. They stood about two feet apart, but Chelsea felt his presence, the magnetic force field whirling around her. Her eyes settled on his broad shoulders to avoid making eye contact. All she wanted at that moment was to close the two feet gap and rest her head on those shoulders.

Her stomach quivered as she felt her body charge with electrical current. He’d ignited her, and now she was on fire. They were in a closed room, and even though Andrew was just outside, it felt like they were alone.

“Chelsea,” his voice was softer than usual.

“Hmm?”

“You shouldn’t have come back,” he said.

Her eyes darted upward. He was raking his hand through his hair. Her eyes settled on his bulging biceps.

“What do you mean?”

“I could never make you happy,” he continued, walking to the bed and sitting.

There was something different about him that drew her attention away from his physique. She now looked keenly at his face, his body language. Pensive. Yes, that was it. He had become a little withdrawn. Perhaps all that happened in the past and present were taking their toll. Perhaps they were now sinking in. But what did that have to do with her coming back?

“Are you upset with me?” she asked, just out of curiosity.

His head snapped up, and he cocked a brow. “What? How could I be upset with you?”

“Good, then let’s not talk about me not coming back …” she said.

“You should get on with your life, Chelsea. I am no good for you.”

She wasn’t sure why he was telling her this. “Do you want me to leave?”

“It’s not that I want you to leave. It’s that you must,” he replied.

She walked to the bed and sat beside him, taking one of his large hands in hers. Immediately, an electrical charge sprinted up her arm. She was certain he felt it too. She reached over and pressed her lips to his neck; he sucked his breath in and turned to protest. She pressed her lips to his, and then pulled back.

“Now tell me to leave,” she murmured.

“That’s not fair,” he replied in a gravelly tone.

“Why? Do you know why I came back?”

“Because you feel pity for me?”

She laughed lightly. “Why would I pity you? You have it all. I came back because I know you need me, even if you deny it. And I realized something,” her voice lowered.

She looked down at their hands; their fingers now twined together. She liked the flow of energy between them. Her heart was racing at a million beats per second. She’d never been this close to anyone that she felt she could sink into their arms without a second thought. Their shoulders were touching, but she yearned for more. She wanted him to wrap his arms around her and hold her as if she was the most important thing in his life. Instead, he was telling her to leave.

“What’s that?” he asked, barely above a whisper.

“That I need you too,” she replied. “I’m not leaving. So please don’t push me away.”

He placed a finger under her chin and turned her face to look at him. She raised her leaden lids and looked into his hazel eyes. They glinted and deepened in color. Then slowly he moved and covered her lips with his in a feather light kiss. He pulled back and her heart stopped. Was this kiss goodbye? Was it?

They held each other’s gaze for a moment before he cupped her face with both hands, dipping his head once more. His mouth crushed hers, and she parted her lips to allow his tongue entry. With precision, he wrapped his tongue around hers. The thrilling feeling of the contact coursed through her. Her arms began snaking their way around his neck when a loud knock interrupted their moment. Reluctantly, they pulled apart, both breathing shallow.

Chelsea stood and straightened her skirt, trying to steady her breathing. After a few deep breaths, she walked to the door and opened it, expecting to see Andrew. Her eyes widened in surprise as silvery gray eyes stared back at her.

“Reid!”

Without thinking, she flung herself into his arms. But a sound behind then caused her to pull away. Both Colt and Reid glared at each other for a long time with Chelsea feeling as though she was the referee.

“Hey,” Reid said, nodding his head in greeting

Colt grunted, nodding back at Reid.

“How you been?” Reid asked.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” Colt smirked.

“What, watching you sweat?”

“You stayed longer this time,” Colt replied. “I thought you were serious.”

Chelsea frowned. “What’s this?” she turned to Reid. “You quit before?”

“Three times before,” Colt said. “He finds some excuse to take a vacation. Is it someone I know this trip?”

“Shut up,” Reid snickered. “I really wasn’t coming back this time. I’ve had enough of your shenanigans. I was really angry.”

Colt’s face took on a sober look. “I know,” he said. As Reid turned towards the living room, Colt added, “I’m sorry man.”

Reid whipped around with a shocked expression. “Huh?” He turned to Chelsea. “Did he just say sorry?”

“Yes,” she grinned, pleased with Colt.

Colt was annoyed at Reid’s reaction. “Get to work and stop fooling around.”

“Yeah, I can see you haven’t changed one bit.”

Reid was back, that meant there was hope for the band reuniting. He moved into the suite, occupying one of the empty rooms the guys vacated. She was hopeful that she could get Tony and the others back before they signed their own label. Colt seemed more relaxed now that Reid was back.

The first thing Chelsea did after the initial small talk about Reid’s return was call Tony. He seemed to be the ringleader in the splitting of the band. According to Andrew, he was the one that was angry the most. Cory and Mike were also fed up with Colt’s unstable behavior, but Tony was the one who suggested they start their own group. At first, the idea seemed like a good one, but after leaving, he realized they didn’t have a foot to stand on.

Her calls to Tony were unanswered. She tried the others, but they too did not pick up. In the end, she arranged for the auditions for the new band members. Colt didn’t seem happy about that. Chelsea believed he was not telling what he truly wanted. Though he didn’t lock himself away like the old Colt, he was quiet most of the time.