Closed Off To You (Singing Star Trilogy #1) (13 page)

Was it possible to get third degree burns on my cheeks just from feeling embarrassed? Nathan’s eyes skimmed over me. He quickly looked away when he noticed that Ella watched. What was he playing at?

We fell silent as the long day ahead loomed. I had no idea how I would be able to sit in the company of the hottest man in the room without keeping my legs crossed the whole time.

“Good luck, by the way,” Nathan muttered, glancing at me sideways from under his eyelids.

I looked at him, a smile coming to my face as my tongue flicked over my lips.

We were no longer friends and lovers.

We were competition.

Chapter Eleven

“I can’t believe we made it through!” Lizzie sang as we were escorted to the airport.

Somehow, I had managed to wangle better deadlines on my writing assignments so I could go on tour. I hadn’t told my clients that I was going to be on Singing Star. Most of them didn’t know what I looked like, so hopefully they wouldn’t recognise me. Not that it mattered. I was convinced we wouldn’t get far. The talent on the show would be pretty amazing. We didn’t compare.

Nathan had made it through, too. Charlie had been very supportive when he found out that Nathan had also auditioned for the show. He trusted his friend.

My phone rang. When I saw the name on the screen, I laughed. I must have been psychic. My little brother rang me at the same moment I thought of him.

“Hello, sis. You on the plane yet?”

Our bags had already been checked in by staff. We were living in luxury, all paid for by the TV show.

“Just going through now. Won’t be long.” I dawdled behind the other contestants as we made our way to the gate.

Nathan’s head was noticeable as it towered above most of the others.

“You don’t seem excited. Mother hasn’t shut up about it. She thinks it’s the best thing you’ve ever done in your life. She’s told all her friends that you’re going to be on TV.” Charlie chuckled.

I rolled my eyes just as Nathan turned. He raised his eyebrows when he saw that I was on the phone. I mouthed Charlie to him and he quickly turned away. Did he feel guilty that we shared the same airport?

We hadn’t seen Nathan since the day before. He had hugged us briefly when it was announced that we got through. He had then disappeared to his hotel room without saying a word. It was as if he was used to hiding something.

“She’s so crazy, that woman. She would never say anything to my face. How are you doing?”

My foot snagged on a bin, and I almost toppled over. A hand reached out and grabbed me, steadying me before I fell. I looked up into Nathan’s eyes. He squeezed my waist where he had caught me before he let go. My breath hitched at the intimate touch.

“Are you okay? What’s going on?” Charlie asked down the phone.

I smiled my thanks at Nathan as he fell into step beside me. “I almost fell, that’s all. I’m all right.”

Charlie tutted down the phone. “Typical. Watch you don’t fall over on stage, will you? You’ll never live that down.”

“I’ll make sure everyone knows I’m your sister if I do,” I muttered.

Charlie whistled. “Don’t be so depressed. Come on. I’d give anything to be in your position. Be proud of yourself. Even Nathan keeps me more up-to-date than you do. Have you seen him much?”

I glanced sideways at my brother’s hulking friend. Nathan looked straight ahead, his gaze fixed on the back of the other contestants, including Ella and Lizzie. He had treated me with indifference since the moment I had seen him. Until now. He was walking close by, heat radiating off his toned body.

“Only once or twice. What about you? How’s Martin?”

Nathan’s shoulders squared as he glared down at me. How did he know I was talking about him?

“Martin’s fine. He’s been acting a little strange recently. Since we started hanging out with you lot. You must’ve rubbed off on him. All that strangeness.” Charlie laughed.

My brother was a comedian. “Very funny. Just because I’m really cool, little bro,” I said. No matter how old I got, I would always banter with my favourite boy.

The number of our gate came into view. My heartbeat picked up when I spotted the word Dublin flashing on the screen. We were really going to be on stage.

Nathan stuck by my side as we followed the others into the area and took a seat.

“I’ve got to go. We’ll be boarding soon. Wish me luck.”

Ella and Lizzie joined us, sitting on either side of me and Nathan.

“Good luck, Melissa. I know I joke around, but I’m really proud of you,” Charlie said.

My throat closed as my little brother expressed a rare show of solidarity.

“I didn’t know you could be so nice.” I cleared my throat as it got tight.

Charlie laughed. “Don’t get used to it, sis.”

I said a warm goodbye to my bro. Things had changed since we had started hanging out. It had only been a couple of times, but somehow, it had brought us closer together.

“How’s Charlie doing?” Nathan spoke to me directly for the first time that day.

“I think he must be ill. He was actually quite nice to me. Wished me luck and everything.” I smiled as I looked up at him from under my eyelashes.

I didn’t mean the look to be flirtatious. One corner of his lips sunk into his cheek, revealing a small dimple.

“He must be really unwell. Probably on death’s door if he’s being nice to you.” Nathan’s deep voice ran over me.

Wringing my hands together, I tried to stifle the shudder that threatened to come. I wasn’t able to hide it completely. His pupils dilated as I licked my lips. I couldn’t help it. He was just too sexy.

“Apparently we’re staying in a house in Dublin, instead of a hotel,” Ella interrupted.

She looked pointedly at me, obviously interrupting on purpose. Were we that obvious?

Sitting back in my seat, I looked around at the other contestants. Each of them had formed their own little group. Most of the girls glanced over at Nathan, glaring at us because we had managed to get him in our group.

“Really?” Nathan said. “That’s very trusting. I suppose we have to share rooms.”

My gaze flicked to his. I quickly looked away when he raised his eyebrows. Was Nathan flirting with me? He was so confusing.

“Girls and boys are separate, I’m afraid.” Lizzie smirked and grabbed Nathan’s arm, letting him know that she had caught onto his jibe.

“What? I only asked the question. They would be crazy to let boys and girls sleep in the same room. We’re all adults, after all. We should never be alone together.”

I laughed along with Nathan as he showed a rare sense of humour. It was nice to be easy around him, instead of constantly trying to ignore the sexual energy that vibrated between us.

Our seat numbers were suddenly called. We made our way onto the plane, our hilarity forgotten. Drumming my fingers against the side of my bag, I held back. Ella and Lizzie found their places. I hadn’t bothered to check the number of my seat before I got on the plane. I assumed that I would sit next to someone else, but no, the universe had conspired against me, once again. My seat was in the opposite aisle to the girls. Right where Nathan stood.

“Ella. Will you tell your universe to stop pissing around?” I bent down and hissed into her ear.

She reached out to stop me from moving forward. “The universe is in control, but it can’t make you do anything. Only you can make the choices you want to make.”

I stuck my tongue out at her as I moved away. Bloody universe.

“You’re not sitting here, are you?” Nathan asked. “I mean…”

I threw my head back and laughed. He was just as surprised as me. Who was this universe anyway?

“I didn’t mean it like that.” He grinned sheepishly. “And for that, I’m going to let you have the window seat, if you like.”

I couldn’t help but smile at him. The window seat was my favourite. Why did he have to be so nice? I was trying not to get attached to the man.

“Why, thank you.” I shuffled into the seat and looked out at the airport. Nathan lowered himself next to me, his thigh accidentally brushing against mine, yet again. It was accidental this time. That much I could tell.

“Are you excited yet?” he whispered near my ear.

My eyes closed briefly as his breath ran over my neck, sending tingles over my skin. It was torture. All I wanted to do was unzip his jeans, pull them down, and get his dick out. Oh, and then sit on it.

“I’m always excited,” I whispered back, letting my gaze linger on his lips as he sat back.

His tongue moved against the inside of his cheek, his eyes widening slightly as he ran them down to my breasts. They were well encased in a comfy top, meant for travel. Not really conducive to seduction.

“You’ve got lovely hair,” he said suddenly.

I laughed, unable to keep it in.

“Why are you laughing? I’m trying to give you a compliment.”

Covering my mouth, I looked at him. “I’m sorry. It’s just, you complemented my hair when you were looking at my tits.”

Nathan started to laugh with me. He shrugged and opened his mouth. “I don’t know what to say. There I was giving you a nice complement, and I meant it. But, you decide to pick up on that. I always notice your hair… As well as your tits.”

I grasped my stomach. He was laughing so hard his head hit the back of his chair which made me laugh even harder.

“What’s going on with you two?” Lizzie hissed from across the aisle.

“I’m just admiring Melissa’s… Hair…”

Nathan shook his head as he watched me bend over in my seat. He made it worse.

“And that’s funny, why? Is it not the hair on her head that you’re admiring?” Lizzie’s comment made me snort even more.

I couldn’t stop.

“Well, she’s told us once or twice that she plaits her…hair,” Ella shouted across the aisle, making everyone look at her.

Nathan had his hand over his face. He chuckled as much as I did. My giggling grew higher in pitch. It was the type of laughter that was contagious. The people in front of us started to laugh, too. Everyone was making it worse. I really couldn’t stop.

“Yes. I brushed it for her,” Nathan said, just barely able to push the words out.

Shaking my head, I tried to calm down. I sat back in my seat and rested my head against the pillow. My hand covered my mouth. No one was attractive when they laughed hysterically.

Nathan put a hand on my thigh and squeezed.

“She might need something to help her stop,” Lizzie said, all of a sudden serious.

“It’s okay,” Nathan said. “I know the thing.”

He leant closer to me, putting his mouth right next to my ear. “I want to fuck you again. I don’t care about long pubic hair plaits. I want you however you cum.”

My hand covered my eyes, but I pulled it away to look at him. “Are you…trying…to help…?” I somehow managed to get out.

Tears ran down my face as the high-pitched giggling was made even worse.

“As long as you cum, I don’t mind. You don’t have to shave for me.”

Nathan was being serious. His face, although still full of mirth, had started to straighten.

“You’re… Not… Helping…”

He shrugged, at a loss. He glanced over at Lizzie and Ella, but they just shook their heads and rolled their eyes. Nathan took his blanket and laid it over our laps. My eyes widened as he sat forward slightly, blocking the view of Lizzie and Ella across the way.

“I know how to make you stop,” he whispered.

His hand travelled across my lap, under the blanket. I grabbed him before he could reach anything, but he squeezed my fingers hard, so I let go. My breath sucked in when his hand pushed itself between my legs and cupped my pussy. I instantly stopped giggling.

He started to massage me gently. I wiped the tears of laughter from my face, torn between tearing him away from me, or letting him do what he would. He was taking liberties.

“Told you I’d get you to stop. I can also get you to cum, but only if you want me to.” His husky voice spoke to my soul as it filtered down my ear. His breath danced against my skin as his fingers rubbed me over my jeans. The slight catch of pleasure from one of his fingertips rushed over my clitoris as he pressed the material into me.

The others would be watching. Surely they would know what was going on? Surely they could see?

“We can’t,” I hissed.

My hands wrapped around his strong forearm. The ridges of his muscles moved as he swirled his fingers, pressing the denim against my very wet pussy.

“You know you want it,” he whispered, his gaze not moving from mine.

Biting my tongue, my gaze darted to the people still settling around us. “When we’re flying.”

I couldn’t believe I had agreed to let him feel me up on the plane. Teenagers were as horny as I was, but they could probably control themselves better.

“She’s fine now,” Nathan said to a concerned Lizzie and Ella.

Looking past him, I tried not to grin too hard.

“That was crazy. I thought you might die or something,” Lizzie said, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear.

Ella moved forward in her chair and winked at me. Nathan saw it because he looked straight at me, too. The secret smile he gave me was one that made me break out in a sweat. He was going to have his way with me when everyone was settled. How the hell would I handle that?

“Well, now that’s over, we can chill out.” Ella covered her eyes with a mask and sat back to rest. The flight was just over an hour so there was no point in getting too comfortable.

Everyone’s attention fell away from us as I took a deep breath, trying to still the nerves that shook my muscles. The hysterical laughter had exhausted me, but it wouldn’t take long to get my blood pumping. Nathan’s probing hand had returned to my thigh. He was determined.