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“What do you mean?”
“It’s no secret that I date for sport, or at least I did. Then the day I locked eyes with you when I exited the elevator, there was a change within me. No matter how hard I tried to fight it, it was going to happen. That’s why I cleaned myself up, as it were, and made sure to be on my best behaviour in hopes to have a moment like this.”
“Surely you’re joking.”
“No, I’m not. Why would I do that?”
“I’m no prize. I’m just a regular ass music lover who knows how to revive an image. You’re a celebrity who has been on the arms of the hottest models, a few actresses, and even dated almost-royalty. Why me?”
“Because you believed in me even when I didn’t care to believe in myself any longer. That’s why I had all those paternity suits and endless strings of girlfriends. I flat out didn’t care. You do.”
And there it is. In the light of the rising moon, Simon shares his greatest mystery. Why he is the way he is, or in this case was.
He moves his hands softly, slowly up my arms, sending tingling impulses through me, resting for only a moment at my shoulders. He then brushes my hair to the side, giving him full access to my face. Delicately, he traces the outline of my lips with his thumb, his smile an obvious indicator of his enjoyment.
I want to leave, but I can’t. I find myself entranced by his touch. How it’s kind and gentle and caring. It’s giving me the comfort I need. Like the night he stopped by for a visit and held me as I cried over my failed relationship. Why didn’t I see this happening sooner?
“Hey, Simon. Is everything okay?” Andy asks, interrupting a very intense moment between us.
“Oh yeah. Myka thought she had some sand or something in her eye and I was checking her out.”
“Ay, are you making moves on our manager?” Mikey says, joining us.
“PR manager, Mikey,” I correct.
“If you ask me, I think you should leave your agency and come work at the label, taking over Lenny’s job. I mean he’s a swell guy, but you have what we need.”
“She sure does,” Simon agrees, only his meaning carries a different weight.
“That’s sweet, fellas, but I’m happy in my position with CAJ.”
“Is this long-term or only until our trajectory changes on a steady basis?” Sebastian asks, joining the rest of us and now the gang’s all here.
“Guys, I really think we should talk about this in the morning. I don’t want your heads riddled with such things when you have a flight in the morning and another radio interview. We may have to make a surprise appearance too, so I think you guys should turn in. I’ll go thank Reggie.”
“Yes, Mum,” Andy says.
They turn and walk back to the hotel.
I smile and shake my head and saunter off to say bye to Reggie and thank him for inviting us. After a brief hug and a few snaps for the social media, I walk toward the hotel to turn in for the night.
The doors slide open, and I cross the threshold, entering the building. The coolness of the AC touches my body, giving me goosebumps on my arms. I fold them, providing a false sense of warmth and step quickly to the elevator.
“It didn’t take as long as I thought,” Simon announces, coming from around the corner.
“Simon, what are you doing? Are you stalking me?”
“Now, what kind of gentleman would I be if I allowed you to return to your room by yourself? I was simply waiting for you to come through those doors.” He offers his hand and I accept.
The elevator arrives and we enter. I press the button for my destination once the doors close, we ascend.
Simon’s gaze is fixated on me, and I squirm under his glare. Not that I am uncomfortable, but because of the unspoken tension that remains since that brief yet hot moment on the beach.
A ding alerts us to the end of our short ride. We step off the elevator, or hands still linked, his gaze still on me, only stopping when we reach my door.”
I place the card key against the reader and open my room. I turn to address Simon and say goodnight. “Thank you for the escort, Mr. Ashton.”
“My god, you are so beautiful,” he utters as he leans his left arm against the doorframe, taking his right hand and caressing my face.
