Seduction by Song Page 17

  It couldn’t be true.

  Romeo would never do something like that to me. He would never keep something like that from me.

  And if it was true—no. No, it couldn’t be.

  I would see him soon enough and he would confirm that for me. I would hear it from his own mouth and he would dispel any doubts I might have.

  The fact that he hasn’t texted me since last night, since well before the concert, is…worrying, to say the least. I try not to think too hard about that, or about anything, as I drive onwards to Tallahassee to meet the band. Before he went silent, he had texted me their plans to take a day’s break in Tallahassee and asked me to meet him at his hotel.

  I find Maddie and the girls at the hotel they had gotten a few blocks away to return her car before going to meet Romeo. They all see through my happy façade in a second and ask me what’s wrong over and over again, but I knew they already knew—they all looked at me with such sadness that I knew they’d already seen the article. Hell, they were probably at the concert—front and center, bearing witness to the whole thing.

  They were wrong, though. They had to be wrong.

  I promise them that I’m alright and that I’ll see them later that night for the drive to Romeo’s next concert location. I can see that their worry doesn’t diminish in the slightest, but they do let me go.

  “Take care of yourself,” Maddie whispers as she hugs me tightly.

  I nod. “I will. I swear.”

  The walk to Romeo’s hotel doesn’t take long, but I find myself dragging my feet. I tell myself that it isn’t because I dread what I might find there, what Romeo might tell me—but I know my conviction in him is wavering. I refuse to chicken out now, though, and quicken my pace in the last few blocks.

  As the elevator brings me up to his floor, the penthouse suite of course, I feel my heart beating faster and faster in my chest. I stand outside of his door for several long moments before finally working up the will to knock.

  I’ve barely started when the door opens, revealing Romeo’s gorgeous face. He looks disheveled, like he’d just gotten out of bed, but also tired, like he hadn’t had any luck getting to sleep last night, either.

  We stare at each other for a long moment, me speechless and him—well, I don’t know what he was thinking.

  “Erin,” he whispers, finally, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me in for a passionate kiss.

  I melt in his hands. All my doubts fade as I stretch up to kiss him back, tangling our tongues together in that familiar dance of heat. How could I ever have doubted this man? This man who I am falling in love with, who is so obviously—maybe—falling for me.

  He sweeps me off of my feet and whisks me into the suite, carrying me over to the plush sofa spread out in the center of the main room as I wrap my legs around his waist. His hands are working at the button of my jeans already and I feel myself grow instantly moist as he hardens against my thigh.

  I drag him down with me as he drops me down onto the couch before lying down over me, pressing our hips together as he kisses me again. He licks desperate, needy sounds out of my mouth until we both need to part for air.

  “Dios, I’ve missed you,” he breathes deeply against my neck as he sucks a dark, red mark into my skin there.

  I shudder, wrapping my arms tighter around him to pull him in close as he starts to push my jeans down my thighs. “Romeo, wait—.”

  I’m made to groan again as he slips his fingers underneath my panties, soaked through with my arousal, and brushes his thumb against my clit. He pulls back after a second, confused at my hesitation, but I’m too far gone to stop him now—too far gone to be preoccupied by the silly doubts that plagued my mind that morning.

  He grins against my mouth, his lips curling up seductively, as he kisses me again, nipping at my lips and licking at my tongue. I lift my hips for him as he pulls my panties off the rest of the way, settling between my legs before pushing the hem of my shirt up. He doesn’t bother taking it off, but instead simply bunches it up under my arms to cup my breasts through my bra.

  “I go crazy without you,” he murmurs against my skin as he kisses a hot trail down from my jaw to the dip between my breasts.

  I gasp again and spread my legs wider for him. “Romeo, I need you—.”

  He nods, understanding instantly. “I know you do.”

  I shiver at the loss of him when he straightens to pull his own shirt up and kick his pants off. Once nude, he settles over me again and rubs the head of his cock against my pussy, slow and deliberate. I moan and rut back against him until he grips my hips with both hands to hold me still.

  Our eyes meet as he pauses for what feels like an eternity as he simply freezes for a long moment before beginning to enter me. When he moves, it’s only a slow, incremental slide of his hips as he thrusts inside inch by inch.

  “God,” I breathe out, my mind reeling as I fist my hands in my own hair, trying not to climax right then and there.

  He groans, too, stilling again once he’s fully seated within me. He kisses me on the mouth, on the cheek, on the neck—all over, until he can’t contain himself any longer. I gasp as he begins to move, pulling out until he’s almost leaving my body before thrusting back inside in one sharp motion.

  It only takes a few of these intense thrusts to bring me close, and I mumble his name as I wrap my arms around him to bring him in closer to me. I feel my eyes open wide in surprise when he shifts back to grab my arms and pin them down over my head, making me look into his eyes once more. The heat in those deep pools rivals the heat the burns in my stomach as he rolls his hips forward, filling me completely.

  I come, practically screaming, and he groans as my inner walls tighten and spasm around him. His own climax fills me seconds later, spilling inside of me as he drops down over me to blanket my body with his own.

  We lie together in perfect post-coital bliss as he runs his hands up and down my arms soothingly. I feel my whole body buzz with a pleasant ache as he shifts to settle on his side, the wide couch allowing us to spoon comfortably.

  “Did your father enjoy his present?” Romeo asks after we catch our breath, his voice ghosting sweetly over my ear.

  I smile and take the hand he wraps around my waist in mine, squeezing lightly. “Of course. Thank you.”

  He hums and presses a kiss to the back of my neck after brushing my hair aside. “No excuses. You’re with me for the rest of the tour.”

  I begin to nod in agreement before I stop abruptly as an image of this morning’s headlines flash through my mind. I feel cold, suddenly, even though his arms are warm around me. I must tense up, too, because he tilts my head back towards him and gives me an inquisitive look.

  “Erin.”

  I smile, or try to, as I pull back a little to turn onto my other side so that I’m facing him. “It’s nothing. Of course I’m with you, I just—wanted to ask you one thing.”

  He nods, walking his fingers playfully up my spine. “Go for it, bonita.”

  I bite at my bottom lip and try not to let myself be distracted by his experienced hands moving around my body. The question that I want to ask won’t come, that stupid fear grabbing my throat and holding on tight. What if he confirms my worst nightmares? What if he lies? What if—what if—.

  I frown to myself and shake my head. No, Erin, I tell myself. You already decided you wouldn’t doubt him. So don’t fucking doubt him!

  “Louise Valdez,” I say, blurting the words out so quickly that he might not even understand. “Is she—did you—.”

  I don’t manage to get the rest of the question out of my mouth, but Romeo seems to understand. His face darkens instantly and he tenses right in front of my eyes. My stomach works itself into a tight knot of anticipation as he hesitates.

  “That woman,” he spits out finally, disgust lacing his words.

  The declaration is so full of venom that I don’t even know how to respond for a second. I start to relax when I decide he couldn’t possibl
y speak of someone he loves that way, but I don’t even have the time to ask him to finish his explanation when the sharp click-clack of high heels approaches the couch.

  The sound stops and silence reigns in the room for one split second as I look up, eyes wide and confused at the sight of one gaping Louise Valdez standing right in front of us.

  Then, without warning, she screams.

  The sharp sound is so piercing that I want to cover my ears, but when I realize that she’s staring right at us, I feel my face heat up as I drop my hands to cover myself. Romeo rolls off of me, too, and shoots up to grab his clothes. I follow suit, reaching blindly for my own jeans as my mind reels.

  What was she doing here?

  “What is she doing here?” the woman screeches, her voice just as loud and shrill as before. I cringe as I pull my clothes to myself, and I stare as Romeo steps in front of me.

  Neither of us manage to get a word in—well, I’m just speechless—before the woman steps forward, jabbing one finely manicured finger against Romeo’s chest.

  “You fucking bastard. I knew you were cheating on me—are you going to deny it now?”

  “Louise—.”

  I gasp, clapping a hand over my mouth when they both turn to look at me. I hadn’t meant to make a sound just then, and I really shouldn’t have been surprised—of course Romeo would say his name softly, like he was trying to placate her and beg for forgiveness. Tears begin to well up in my eyes again, stinging sharply as Louise glares at me.

  “And you,” she snarls. “What makes you think you’re good enough for my man, bitch?”

  “Louise!” Romeo shouts, the calmness from a second ago evaporating instantly as he grabs her hand by the wrist and pushes her back a step. “Don’t you fucking talk to her like that.”

  “Oh, what, you care about this little groupie?” She laughs, cruel and vindictive. “Like you cared about all the others?”

  I shudder and stand. I’ve heard enough.

  Romeo must see me move out of the corner of his eye because he drops Louise’s hand and reaches out for me. “Wait, Erin—stop, this isn’t—.”

  I hold one hand up and shake my head, firmly. I couldn’t let his soft words sway me now. This was all too much.

  “Just tell me one thing,” I whisper, keeping my eyes down to hide the wetness in my eyes. “Is it true? Are you married?”

  There’s one horrible moment of silence, of complete stillness, before Romeo nods.

  “But it’s not—.”

  I can’t contain the broken sob that breaks free of my throat. I grab the rest of my clothes and, without even putting my shoes on, dash for the door.

  “Erin, wait!”

  “No!” I spin around, glaring at Romeo with as much anger as I can muster through the hurt that’s tearing my insides of apart. “I never want to see you or your fucking wife again!”

  He stares, stunned, for a moment. I take that opportunity to leave, slamming the door behind me—on them, on us.

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

  I walk around Tallahassee for nearly an hour after I leave Romeo’s room. The air is so warm around me that it’s practically stifling, suffocating me with the pressure of loneliness. I wipe away tears and keep fighting them until I’m confident that I won’t start sobbing anytime soon.

  Fuck that guy. Logan was right. Romeo was the type that thought he could get away with anything.

  Even as I think these thoughts, I doubt them. Could Romeo really be so heartless? Couldn’t there be some explanation for this? He was so good to me, and—.

  I shake my head to myself and begin making my way back to the girls’ hotel. I couldn’t think like that. He was no good for me and I had to start convincing myself of that.

  It’s April who answers the door. She must suspect something has gone wrong because worry is written all over her face as she answers my knock. I try to put on a brave face for her, but she sees right through the bullshit—she always does—and wraps me up in a tight hug.

  “Come inside, honey,” she says, shushing the other girls as she pulls me inside.

  They pamper me like the best friends in the world—which is exactly what they are—while I start up my fight with tears again. I’m sniffling by the time they all pile into bed with me for a group hug.

  Then, slowly, I tell them everything.

  I tell them how well Romeo treated me, how wanted me made me feel, and how I thought I was falling in love with him. I tell him how much I missed him after just one day away and I even tell them about my dad’s blessing.

  Finally, inevitably, I tell them about Louise Valdez.

  “She’s so horrible, though,” Maddie says.

  My voice comes out all watery when I laugh, but I do mean it—Maddie is so sweet. Even if Louise wasn’t horrible, she would feel obligated to say that as a friend. Although I typically didn’t care for defaming others just for the sake of saying nasty things about them, I had to feel thankful for Maddie in this moment.

  “She’s pretty horrible,” I admit. “I guess I’m pretty horrible, too. I mean—I mean, she is his wife.”

  “No,” April says, her tone firm. “You can’t think like that, Erin. None of this is your fault. That bastard should have told you.”

  Even though I know better by now, I flinch at the harsh words. Of course it was Romeo’s fault for not telling me about Louise, I still couldn’t stand to hear anyone speaking so badly of him. It was instinct more than anything else, but I bite down on the urge to defend him and instead just smile when Juliet hands me a tissue.

  “Thank you,” I say. “It’s—not important, anyway. It’s over now.”

  I excuse myself to the restroom after they each hug me again. After wiping my eyes dry and staring at myself in the mirror for a good, long minute, I head for the shower to turn the tap on. However, before I can get the water running, I hear the girls talking outside and I can’t help but listen in through the door.

  “I’m not not blaming him,” Maddie’s voice insists.

  “Then what are you saying, huh?” April asks, harshly.

  Maddie huffs. “I’m just saying that maybe we should give him a chance to explain. Look at her phone—he’s been calling endlessly.”

  “Yeah, like the creep he is,” April says.

  I cringe again even though I can’t see them, mostly at how much she sounds like Logan when she says this.

  April continues, “Look, I get it. I had fun on this trip, too. You think I don’t like free backstage passes at every concert in the biggest rock tour in years? But I’m not going to let one of my best friends keep seeing a terrible human being just to get backstage passes!”

  Maddie, I think, gasps. “That is not why I think we should give him another chance! April, don’t you see how happy she is with him? Maybe—maybe there’s a reason. Even if he is married to Louise Valdez, that relationship is long dead. There’s no passion there.”

  “This isn’t a fucking gossip story, Maddie,” April says. “This is Erin’s life. We need to butt out.”

  There’s a long silence. I hold my breath, too, even though I know they wouldn’t have heard me anyway. I love them both for trying to fight for what they think is best, and even though I know, logically, that April is right, I—well, I can’t help but want Maddie to fight harder, to give me some reason to let Romeo back into my heart.

  He hurt me, he betrayed me, but I still wanted him in my life so badly that I was on the brink of giving him that second chance Maddie is advocating—all I needed was one reason. Any reason would do.

  “What do you think, Juliet?” Maddie asks when it becomes apparent that she can’t win this argument.

  “Oh, real mature,” April says. I can practically hear her rolling her eyes.

  “Hey, wait, I do want to say something,” Juliet says suddenly, interrupting the heated back and forth between the other girls. “You know, when this sort of stuff happens, it’s always Erin that talks us through it. She’s the smart one—the psychol
ogist in training. So—so we just have to think about this like she would, and I think she’d do anything to keep us safe. To keep our hearts safe.”

  Juliet pauses and the girls remain respectfully silent. I almost start to think that they’re finished, and they’ve made the decision—I’d stay safe, and away from Romeo.

  But Juliet continues, suddenly, “Though, she’d also want us to be happy—and sometimes happiness means taking risks. I say we pick up the next time Romeo calls. Erin’s in the shower anyway, right? We’ll talk to him, and if he’s got a good enough reason, maybe we’ll let him see Erin.”

  “I don’t like it,” April says.

  “Well, I do,” Maddie interjects, “and I think it’ll be for the best—for Erin. Though, speaking of Erin—I don’t hear the shower. Do you think she’s okay in there?”

  Startled out of my little eavesdropping session, I scramble away from the door and turn the tap on high. If they say anything else, I don’t hear it. My heart is pounding in my ears again, and I can’t even begin to process what they’ve just said on top of everything else that’s happened today.

  My rage still shouts at me, telling me I don’t ever want to see Romeo away, but deeper down inside I feel this terrible sorrow. I miss him already, and I know it. I should probably stop the girls from taking this into their own hands—it isn’t their job to take care of me, after all—but I also know I’d never take Romeo’s calls myself. This was the only way I would ever know why he lied to me.

  I sigh. Sometimes I hated my extensive studies in psychology. Being so self-aware was infuriating, especially when I can’t ever stop self-analyzing my own thoughts and feelings.

  I step under the spray, trying to wash away all my doubts with the hot water. Romeo couldn’t be trusted and that was that. There was nothing more to it.

  And if the girls were going to do anything about it…well, then that would be their business. I couldn’t stop them if I tried.