Chapter Eleven
Zeke hoped to catch Ariel in time. Would she be leaving tonight? No doubt he wouldn't get her number from Jared, so he had to try and talk to her before it was too late. Maybe he'd be lucky and she'd stay one more night. They wouldn't fly her home immediately, would they?
He knocked on her door, hoping he wouldn't be recognized. Already going on an hour and a half after the show ended, this was the first free moment he could get away. The way her face crumpled when her name was called stuck with him.
The door finally opened. Shock registered on her face.
“You're still here,” he stated, breathing a sigh a relief. “Can I come in before someone recognizes me?”
Ariel stepped back, her eyes still wide. She closed the door behind him. Suitcases were laid out on the bed, her clothes in several piles.
Reality sunk in.
This was the end of their road here, but it didn't mean it had to be goodbye forever.
“What's next for you?” Zeke finally broke the silence.
Ariel shrugged, tendrils of red falling over her left eye. Zeke didn't even fight it this time, he reached out and brushed them back. “Go home and live my life like I normally would.” Her tone was semi-flat.
Zeke rested a hand on her shoulder. “I want to see you again.”
“What?”
“You heard me. I don't want this to be the last time I see you,” Zeke growled, desire slipping into his voice.
“But-”
He didn't give her a chance to say anything. Zeke kissed her. Hard. Passionate. Tenderly. Needy. Soft moans escaped her lips as she arched into him, her arms wrapping around his neck. When she opened for him, Zeke took the plunge and explored her mouth with his tongue. He pulled her closer after ending the kiss, his heart racing the entire time. “You don't know how long I've been wanting to do that.” And it was just as good as he imagined it would be. Hell.
“What exactly do you want from me?” Ariel demanded. “I mean ... wow. I'm not getting myself across clearly here.”
“I know what I don't want, and that's to let you go. Do you feel an attraction, Ariel?” He guided her to look at him. She may deny it, but the proof was in her eyes.
“Yes, but-”
“No buts. There's something about you, and I can't get you out of my head. Let's just take it a day at a time. What do you say?” He toyed with a lock of her hair, thoughts of them tangled in the sheets playing in his mind.
“I would be crazy to say no to Zeke Sketcher,” Ariel laughed, most definitely nervous. “Are you saying we do a long distance thing?”
“I don't know exactly what I'm saying,” Zeke admitted. “I still have weeks left on the show, then I have to go in the studio. But I can fly out to you, or bring you to me.”
“Zeke ... I'm not a sexual relationship only type.”
“I didn't peg you for one. I know I have a reputation. I won't deny the string of one night stands, but I don't want to be that guy. I haven't for some time now, but it took me a while to break old habits. I'm clean, sober, and ready to show the world a new man.” He cupped her face in his hands. “And before you say anything, no, you're not a ruse to boost my image. In fact, my publicist doesn't want me to clean up my act. Or, she wants me to pretend that I haven't.”
Her brows rose. “Are you a mind reader? Because that thought did cross my mind.”
“I wish. I'd love to know what you're thinking, aside from shock.”
“A whole mess of things. I can't believe this is over. I'm glad it's over. I'm scared of going back home and seeing what my friends, family, and people in my hometown say. I look back at the last few weeks and for most of them, I've been at the bottom. How did I make it this far?” She heaved a sigh. “And then there's the mystery of Zeke Sketcher, standing here in my hotel room after one hell of a kiss, telling me he wants to see me again.”
Taking her hand in his, Zeke led her to sit on the small love seat in the front of her room. “I know how you made it this far. You're talented. You're just shy, scared, and unsure of yourself. You're lost without the one person who prompted you to sing in the first place, and the lack of her being here has your confidence shaken. So you didn't win. Someone could still come calling and sign you to a label. You never know. But the thing is, you have to want it.”
“That's the thing. I'm not sure I want it. I love to sing and perform, but it's overwhelming.” She leaned back. Zeke slid an arm around her. He could touch her now without worry, and it felt damn good.
Silence fell between them.
“What do you do when you aren't singing?” Zeke asked.
“I work at a media exchange store. Grand life,” she replied with a chuckle. “It's been hard. Lucy is my roommate, and the apartment is so lonely and empty without her. Before the accident, I was always so afraid Lucy would get tired of meek little me and drop me. She's so outgoing, fun, and fresh. The opposite of me.”
“Opposites attract.”
“Like the two of us?” Ariel pointed at him, then herself.
“Are we really that opposite? Aside from our careers and music taste?” he questioned.
“Hey! Our music taste isn't that far apart. I like all kinds of music. Do you?”
He chuckled. “I don't listen to a lot of pop. Or country. I had to look up Tucker before I appeared on the show, because Jared told me he was the season one winner and despite his phenomenal success, I had no idea who the hell he was.”
“Seriously? How could anyone not know Tucker!” Ariel's jaw dropped. Zeke couldn't resist. He leaned over and dropped a kiss on the corner of her lips.
“I'm a fan now, if it counts for anything.” He flashed her a grin. “You know, like you, Tucker auditioned for the show to find himself. To see how far he could make it. At least, that's what I learned about him while looking up his info.”
“I know. I've followed his story ever since he debuted.” Ariel met his gaze. “Without Lucy, this doesn't mean as much. Maybe it'll change, but for right now, I'm ... glad I lost. I might have been pushed into something I wasn't ready for otherwise. I won't forget the experience though, because this was amazing.”
“Write a song with me,” Zeke suggested, sitting up. “We both had something going with your melody the other day. Let's pen something together.”
He had to grasp onto something- a way to keep her in his life longer. What the hell that meant in terms of feelings, he wasn't sure.
*****
Zeke stayed with Ariel all night. They'd talked about music, life, and sometimes, didn't even talk at all, but they'd held each other, kissed, and got lost in each other. She didn't realize he was still here with her this morning, cuddled up close, shirtless under the blankets until Jared stood over them.
“Didn't take you long, did it?” Jared roared, startling them both awake.
“What the ... don't you knock?” Zeke sputtered, sitting up.
“Jared!” Ariel screeched. “We...”
“You don't have to explain anything to him, Ariel,” Zeke growled.
“Guess this explains why you didn't answer your phone last night.” Jared glared at Zeke, fuming.
“I came over here to check on her!” Zeke yelled. “Maybe because I care. Where the hell were you? Taking care of your show. Dealing with press. Being Mr. High and Mighty. Not that I owe you anything, but nothing happened except for a long night of getting to know each other. She's not a conquest to me, Jared.” Taking her hand in his, Zeke gave it a squeeze.
Wow, was this ever weird as hell. Ariel blew out a breath. “I'm fine, Jared. You can back off now. You don't have to protect me from Zeke, or anyone else for that matter.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Ariel, I'm just trying to-”
“To what? Baby me? Shelter me? Do the same damn thing my parents have done and continue to do? I don't need it. So Zeke is a little older, a rocker, and has a past. So what? I can still make my own decisions. I happen to like him, and I trust him.”
Jared bowed his head. “I came to see if you wanted to stay here a little longer. I know you don't want to go home yet. The last thing I expected was to find Zeke in here.”
“Staying here isn't going to do anything for me.” Except keep her near Zeke, which would be great, but then the rumors would really fly.
“You did your best, and I'm proud of you. If you really want to go home...”
She didn't particularly, but she also didn't want to hang around here without a real purpose. “It's time. I came here and gave my all, and now it's best to go home and figure out my next move.”
“Okay. Your flight is tonight at six. I'll drive you to the airport.” His voice was strained, and Jared wouldn't quit giving Zeke the evil eye.
“Thanks. I'll be ready.”
He looked like he wanted to say more, but instead, Jared cast another dirty look at Zeke before exiting the room.
Ariel sighed and let her head fall back down on the pillows. Zeke turned on his side, staring over her.
“I wish I had more time today. I'd take you out and use my persuasive ways to beg you to stay. It's going to be weird not looking over at you when you're on stage.” He brushed a kiss against her temple. “What is it with you, woman? Why can't I stop thinking about you?”
“Song inspiration?” Ariel teased.
“Zeke snorted. “I may have a new lyric in mind, but it's more than that, and you know it. I don't have any obligations this weekend. I'll fly to you. Until then,” he feathered her cheek with light kisses, “we'll talk and text.”
“You'd really fly out to see me? For no reason?”
Hurt flashed across his face. “I guess I have no right to ask you to believe me. Not when my shitty reputation is still being thrown around in magazines. Let me tell you when the last time I had a random woman in my bed. Four months ago.” Zeke held up a finger. “And while that may not be that long, for me, it is. I've turned down women recently. Gorgeous, hot, ready, and willing, and I've said no. I'm not getting any younger. I won't be quitting the music scene any time soon, but I'd like to at least enjoy life without being high or drunk, ya know? And maybe it wouldn't hurt to have someone I care about by my side.”
She never meant to upset him. Ariel treaded carefully. “I guess I'm unsure why I'm the woman you suddenly want to start seeing.”
“Sometimes, two people meet and have a mutual attraction. There's no explanation. The best option is to give in and see where those feelings lead. I think it describes us perfectly. I feel a connection with you.” Warm hands trailed along her arms.
Ariel melted at his words. Maybe she was being overly cautious. She'd never received such attention before, but then again, she'd never put herself out there like now.
“Don't make me start filling your voicemail inbox with lyrics. I don't beg, but damn it, you're getting me to resort to desperate measures here!” Zeke feigned worry. He pretended to wipe sweat from his brow. “Show me the best parts of your life this weekend. I promise, the time will be all ours.”
“Okay, okay!” Ariel agreed as he started tickling her.
“I'm losing my touch.” Zeke scowled. “Having to resort to a tickle and a beg. This isn't good. You have way too much leverage on me now.”