DEEP: The Complete Man Candy Trilogy (40 page)

I sent two of my security team inside to check the passage to the plane. Another two had cleared the studio's jet early this morning and were already waiting inside.

It wasn't a big plane.

Which meant I would be near her the entire time.

I resigned myself to close proximity as we boarded for the six-hour flight to New York.

Trista

"What do you think you are wearing?"

"Hello to you too, Mom."

"How are you dear?"

My mother asked, but she had already turned away, not waiting for an answer. To say that my mother was not a warm woman would be the understatement of the century. I shrugged mentally.

There was no point in trying with her. As a kid I'd thought the money would please her, and it had. But it hadn't made her any more affectionate.

She'd become more and more demanding as time went on.

My mother and stepfather had already boarded, taking the prime seats towards the front of the plane. Her dog, a tiny bad tempered Shit Tzu, even had it's own seat. There was still a couch and a table with four swiveling chairs facing each other. A few uncomfortable looking jump seats were spread about the cabin for the crew.

I glanced around, wondering how to get as far from Joss as possible. Every time I looked at him, I felt utterly humiliated. And hurt. And lonely.

I missed the feel of his arms around me.

Fat chance of that. He was glad it was over. Over before it even had a chance to start. His handsome face was stony as he avoided looking at me.

It was next to impossible to ignore someone and protect them, but somehow he was doing it.

My stomach clenched as I thought about it.

While I was falling in love, he had been bored by the stupid, inexperienced, impossibly naive girl. On the beach he'd looked disgusted even. All he cared about was if he had gotten me pregnant.

Well, no more. I was all grown up now. And if I needed more experience, I was going to get it.

In New York.

Brooklyn to be exact.

There were lots of parties happening in my honor and I planned to go to each and every one of them. Surely I could meet someone there who would be willing to teach me some new tricks. And if Joss had to watch, so much the better.

I'd show him I didn't want him anymore.

Even if it was far from true.

I took the couch, laying down to discourage anyone from joining me. I plugged in my headphones and rolled away to face the wall. I tried to doze but it was impossible.

Not when I could feel
him
across the cabin.

"Now dear we do need to talk about your image."

The instant the seatbelt sign went off my mother appeared again. But she just wanted to talk business.

Shocking.

NOT.

She and Steve sat on either side of the couch. I sighed and forced myself to sit up. I just wanted to be left alone.

"Yes mother?"

"I told you, call me Claire. Especially in public."

My mother was a good looking woman and she knew it. She didn't want people to know she had a daughter my age. She didn't want people to know she had a daughter
period.
 

"Fine. What is it,
Claire?"

She leaned forward and patted my knee.
 

"You are looking a bit too... mature. You are aging yourself dear. And you look like a hussy."

I sighed.

"I am almost 24 mom. Don't you remember pushing me out? You complained about it enough."

"Don't talk to your mother like that. She's only looking out for you."

"No, she's not. And when I'm not on stage, I will wear whatever the hell I want to wear!"

They exchanged a meaningful glance and stood up.

"I can see you are in a mood dear. We can talk about this later. I'll have the studio send some more appropriate things to the hotel."

I grabbed a blanket and prepared to roll myself into a cocoon. I wanted to get away from
everyone.
I was surrounded by people whose livelihoods depended on me. But I'd never felt so alone.

I was at my breaking point. Livid. I shook out the blanket and wrapped it around me. That's when I felt it.

Joss was staring at me from across the cabin. Not just staring either.

His eyes were
burning
into me.

He looked angry. At me? I glanced at him again. He wasn't angry.

He was
hot.

There was no mistaking the heated look in his slumberous eyes. He looked exactly like he did when we were in bed together. I felt a shiver go through my body.

I guess he wasn't as unaffected as he liked to pretend. I looked back at him. For once he didn't look away. He held my eyes. His jaw clenched visibly.

He looked like he was suffering.

I smiled.

Good.

Chapter Fifteen

Joss

I stood outside the suite in the hallway. I had a room adjoining hers this time, not in the same suite. It was better this way. Besides, the terrace was six stories up.

She didn't need me underfoot.

She acted like she didn't need me
period.

Though I had to admit, it felt like she did. I wanted to protect her in ways that had nothing to do with security. Or even the overwhelming urge to rip her clothes off.

I frowned, thinking about the plane ride to New York. The way her mother had talked to her was sickening. It had made me angry. More than angry.

I wanted to smash something. Then take her. Then smash something else.

I was starting to see how badly Trista had been used by basically everyone around her.

And I had just added myself to the list.

I hadn't meant to but that's what I'd done. I'd taken what I wanted and then discarded her. It was for her own good but in the end it was the same effect. I'd abandoned her.

And torn myself apart in the process.

Oh yeah, I'd taken what I wanted but it only left me wanting more.

Much, much more.

I'm talking stranded naked on a desert island with nothing to do but fuck more. Maybe a year of non-stop sex would be enough to get my lust under control. Maybe more like ten years.

Or forever.

If the guys could see me now they would laugh. Ice? Not so much. More like Puddle.

Trista had melted me without even trying.

The door opened behind me. I stepped aside as Jenna peeked her head out.

"Is the car ready?"

I nodded.

"Okay, we're going."

"Where?"

"A club."

"I didn't clear that."

She shrugged apologetically.

"The studio did. It's an industry event."

I had no choice but to go along. My breath caught as Trista stepped into the hallway followed by Shasta.

The stylist had outdone herself this time.

Trista wore a long black dress. It was long, sure, but there was nothing modest about it. The lace was totally sheer and cut short in the front. The dress was made out of panels that clearly showed what she was wearing underneath.

Not much. Not nearly enough to keep me and everyone who saw her from knowing exactly what was underneath. The perfect size and delicious shape of her.

A tight black corset and hot pants kept her from being completely nude. That was it. The thigh high boots only made it worse. I stared at the small patch of bare skin visible on her upper thighs. I swallowed convulsively, my rod standing at attention.

Everyone would be looking at her. Wanting her. Fantasizing about her.

She was mine dammit.

The feeling came over me suddenly. It was foreign. Unwelcome. I immediately knew I was screwed. Way more screwed than I'd already been.

The girl was mine.
I knew it in my bones. There was no way of getting around it. I just had to inform her of it. Everything else was meaningless.

Who she was. Who I was. None of it mattered.

Not anymore.

If I hadn't rejected her I could have told her I didn't like her outfit. I would ask her to change. If I hadn't been such an idiot we could be in bed together right now. She wouldn't even want to go out.

She'd be too busy riding my cock.

Or being ridden.

I groaned at the thought.

I could be sliding in and out of her sweetness instead of trailing behind her like a puppy, watching men throw themselves at her left and right.

This night was going to be hell.

But I knew it was nothing more than I deserved. I had been stupid to think I could resist this. To resist her.

I locked my jaw and followed her down to the limo, watching her glorious ass as it peaked out through the lace. My fingers were balled into fists to keep me from grabbing her, throwing her over my shoulder and taking her to bed.

And keeping her there.

Indefinitely.

I was going to have to put my foot down once and for all. I'd make her listen to reason. There were going to have to be some changes made. She belonged in my bed, not traipsing around half-naked.

Oh yes, Trista and I were going to have a little talk.

Her bottom was going to be sore when we were done.

So were her other parts.

I steeled myself for a night of pure torture. One thought kept me from losing my sanity. At the end of it, I would get to have her.

I smiled as I watched her climb into the limo.

She looked good bent over like that.

She better get used to it.

Trista

I was filled with excitement as we were ushered up a red carpet to the club entrance. I'd only been to a few of these after hours industry events. Usually I was only invited to the teen award shows.

This was a
whole
different scene.

There were dancers in cages suspended above the crowd. A topless girl was riding a swing over the bar. Another hung upside down on a pole.

There were celebrities everywhere. And suits. And press.

I stood for a moment looking around. I could see heads swivel towards us. I felt nervously suddenly.

Then I felt Joss come to stand beside me. Suddenly my nerves disappeared. He made me feel safe. Besides, I figured that if I could make Joss want me, I could do anything.

I held my head high as we were shown to a large table in the VIP section. Almost immediately we were surrounded with well wishers. Record company execs, other musicians, television personalities.

They all wanted to meet me.

I was surprised at how nice everyone was. Especially Jason Kinderlake. He was the biggest male pop star in the world. He sat down with us and poured me a drink. I sipped it while we chatted.

Well, while he chatted.

Jason had a lot to say.

He loved my new look and song. He said he wanted to do a duet. I noticed that he kept touching me. One hand kept sliding to my back and the other rested on my knee. I scooted back a bit but it didn't stop him from stroking my shoulder.

I finished my drink and another one magically appeared in my hand. I belatedly realized that Jason mixed them pretty strong. I stood up to go to the ladies room and swayed a bit on my feet.

The whole club seemed to tilt. Jason reached to steady me but Joss was already there, guiding me away from the table. I giggled.

He practically dragged me into the hallway leading to the VIP restrooms.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Excuse me?"

I turned to stare at him. He was gripping my arm. Hard. I took a step back.

Joss looked furious.

"You are just asking for trouble in that outfit. And if that guy gets any closer he's going to inhale you."

"
That guy
happens to be a very talented recording artist!"

"Yeah, well I don't like the way he's touching you!"

"You don't have to like it! You didn't want me, remember?"

He pushed me back sharply so that I was flat against the wall.

"I never said I didn't want you."

We stared at each other for a heartbeat. Then he turned his head.

"Someone's coming."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a supply closet. He started pacing back and forth while I watched him. His hand was in his hair again, making me certain he was wrestling with something.

"Trista- this has to stop. This isn't you-"

I crossed my arms.

"How do you know who I am?"

He stopped pacing and stared at me.

"I
do
know you. I know you are kind. And hard working. And incredibly talented."

My mouth opened as he walked over to me.
 

"I know you are stubborn as a mule."

His hand slid up to cup my cheek. I tilted my head back to stare into his eyes as he loomed over me.

"And I know I will die if I don't kiss you right now."

I took a deep breath as he stared at me. He didn't just want me. He cared about me. I knew it.

"Joss..."

"Don't tell me not to kiss you. I can't stand being this close to you all the time. Do you know what you do to me?"

"I-"

I was about to tell him I felt the same way but he stopped me with a kiss. Not just any kiss either. This one blew the others out of the water.

He was tender, searching, reverent as he plunged his tongue into my mouth again and again. He sighed deeply, his hands sliding gently into my hair and holding me in place as he ravaged me. By the time he lifted his head we were both out of breath.

And I was wedged up against a laundry bag full of clean table clothes.

"Trista... Fuck. We can't do this here."

"Okay."

"Can I take you back to the hotel now?"

I nodded shakily.

"Yes."

Chapter Sixteen

Joss

We were silent on the limo ride back to the hotel. Silent in the elevator. Silent as we walked down the hallway to her door.

We didn't have to speak. We didn't even have to touch, even though we both wanted to. We were saying enough with our eyes.

I took the key card and opened the door. For once she had her own room to herself. Just a living room and a bedroom. Everyone else was down the hallway.

It was perfect.