Mingling with rock stars had its benefits. For one, it made my girl horny as fuck, and the promised limo sex proved as much. Finally having loosened up, with the help of a few lemon-drop martinis, for the rest of the after-party we drank, laughed, and mingled with the rock & roll royalty in the room.
Jack’s bandmates were a riot, a bunch of clowns with Leila as their token chaperone. Trey, the bass player, had us laughing our asses off. Most of his humorous digs were directed toward Hunter the drummer, Scott the guitarist, and Leila. We met wives, girlfriends, Evan’s band, managers, and even a few other famous rockers who were friends. Overall, the experience was pretty fucking surreal.
I wasn’t entirely sure if it was the after party itself, our fooling around in the limo, or Leila’s invitation that had Haven high on life. When I asked her as much while getting into the elevator as we left my building, she met my gaze and said, “It’s because of you, Mooner. I’m really happy.”
I felt the same. Full. That would be the best way to describe how I’d been feeling in my heart. I’d been running at half capacity most of my adult life. Haven filled the empty space to the point of overflowing. If I was being honest with myself, Haven completed me. I was half a man before her, and the half she brought to life was the better half.
My car smelled of her. Coconut… the way a perfect tropical vacation would smell. Soothing. Always calming.
She sat beside me, humming along to the radio as I drove us to my cousin’s place. The invite came from Leila during the after party. She didn’t get to spend enough time with us, and wanted us for dinner the next day. Lizzy and Evan would be there as well.
The weather had been unseasonably warm for April, and because of it Haven wore a flirty sky-blue dress that hit right above her knee. Paired with a faded denim jacket and Chucks gave it a casual style that was so very her.
Crosstown traffic was normally light on a Sunday evening, putting us at Jack and Leila’s place just fifteen minutes later. I chose a parking lot on their street and opened Haven’s door once the attendant took my keys.
“I have something to tell you,” I said, intertwining her slim fingers with mine. Her other hand held the bottle of wine she insisted we pick up. She also wanted to bring a dessert, but I assured her that wasn’t necessary. “I meant to tell you last night, but after the party and the limo sex, I forgot.”
“What is it?”
“I found out Leila needs a new assistant, and I kind of mentioned you were looking for a job.”
She stopped walking and gawked at me. “Vaughn.”
“What? This is perfect for you until you get your degree.”
“She’s probably just giving me the job because you’re my boyfriend.”
“So what if she is? Once you start she’ll see how talented you are at juggling a million things at once. You’re good at what you do, Haven, and you love doing it. Just think about it.”
The exasperated expression on her face softened. “Okay.”
I stopped in my tracks, and it was now my turn to gawk at her. “That’s it? You’re not going to argue with me?”
“Nope.” She resumed walking, tugging me along behind her. “Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader. I know you want me to be happy, and it’s a major turn on for me.”
Well, damn.
We checked in with the doorman, and once in the elevator I pressed her against the sidewall and kissed her like I hadn’t kissed her in years.
“What’s that for?”
“Just kissing my girlfriend.” I slid my hands under the hem of her dress and skimmed them up to her ass for a squeeze.
“I like when you spontaneously kiss me.”
“Good, because I’m a spontaneous kind of guy. I love you, and I need you, and I want you, thus I kissed you.”
“Or, you just riled me up to spend a night with my crush,” she deadpanned. I blinked a few times with my mouth gaping open before she broke and giggled adorably.
The elevator doors slid open, forcing me to clarify, “To be continued… with me.”
Jack appeared just as we stepped toward their apartment. “Hey,” he said with a full-blown smile revealing the dimples his lady fans swooned over. Haven’s eyes widened infinitesimally, enough for me to notice.
“Hi,” she replied in a throaty whisper. When a blush colored the apples of her cheeks, I wondered if she’d ever get used to being in his presence.
Voices carried toward us and echoed as we stepped through the door. Their apartment was spacious, even bigger than mine. The high vaulted ceilings, the hardwood floors, and the large oversized rooms had you forgetting you were in Manhattan. Their view was also of Central Park, but of the east side rather than the west that my apartment faced.
One couldn’t help but be impressed. The furnishings screamed sophistication and taste, and not at all rocker. Leila must have had a huge part in decorating. From what I remember of Jack’s bachelor pad years ago, he and his drummer Hunter lived like frat brothers.
“Hi, guys.” Leila looked up with a smile when we walked into the room. Lizzy and Evan were already there, and the trio stood to hug us as we approached. Haven instantly relaxed again, smiling wide and reciprocating hugs with a comfortable ease.
“What can I get you to drink?” Jack came behind us, placing a hand on Haven’s shoulder. Like a magic trick, her posture stiffened, and her smiling eyes widened in a state of wonder.
Jack waited a few moments, and when she was yet to speak he looked toward me. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “She’ll have a white wine. I’ll take a beer.”
“Um… what he said,” Haven finally spoke.
Jack chuckled good-naturedly before walking toward the kitchen.
“We were just talking about you,” Lizzy said as Haven and I made ourselves comfortable in the living room. Soft music played in the background, and I recognized the song as one of Evan’s band.
Haven blushed, her eyes cutting to me before she said, “Uh, oh. Did I make a complete fool out of myself last night?”
“What? Of course not.” Leila waved a hand at my girlfriend’s silly comment. “I know you need a job, and I need an assistant. When can you start?”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that,” she repeated with a firm nod.
“I have to warn you, I’m a bit OCD, and anal.”
“Who likes anal?” Jack said, carrying in my beer and Haven’s wine.
“Jack!” Leila released a very heavy sigh and shook her head, staring at Lizzy like it was her fault.
“What? You’re the one who chose him.”
“Anyway, regarding the OCD and anal-ness, so am I. We’ll get along great.”
“She really is,” Jack put his two cents in. “But I love her in spite of it.”
He sat beside Leila and kissed her neck. Haven subconsciously leaned into me when he did. And in that moment I knew Leila and Haven were alike, as were Jack and I. We both loved our OCD, anal-retentive women. From the look on his face I knew his world revolved around Leila, as mine did around Haven. From the smile on his face there was no doubt Leila could do no wrong, as I now felt the same way as well.
Haven made a mistake, and I reacted to it, but looking back I knew it happened for a reason. I now knew my love, my need, and my want for her were all much stronger than I first thought. Without a doubt, Haven was my past, my present, and my future.