Colt
“You look exhausted,” Scarlet states as she wraps her arms around me.
Exhausted is an understatement. We’ve been on the road with Seven Underground, touring the west coast for the last four weeks. What started out as a songwriting deal with them has turned into so much more.
Their opening act got sick so we filled in the first night we arrived and it’s been insanity ever since. If we’re not on stage, we’re writing. I’m learning that sleep is a precious commodity when you’re on a tour bus. One that’s filled with multiple different musicians with different personalities, different schedules, and different energy levels.
Darrien can live off three hours of sleep which means when he’s in the mood to lay down lyrics, Ace, Nash, and I have to be ready as well.
I, on the other hand, need a solid five to seven hours to feel rested.
Which is only part of the reason why I’m so happy to see Scarlet. Because this is the first weekend I won’t be spending on the tour bus. We’re in LA for the next six days and though we do need to spend some time in the studio, the tour is on hiatus.
“I’m worn out. Nothing a good night’s sleep with you in my arms won’t cure though,” I say as I tighten my hold around her.
She smells divine. I can’t believe it’s been a month since I last set eyes on her. I knew things would be tough being apart, but I didn’t realize how much I would miss her. We text or talk every day and Facetime when we can, but nothing compares to being able to see her in person.
I have a feeling nothing ever will.
It makes me want to tie her up and hold her hostage on the tour bus for the final leg of Seven Undergrounds tour. That’s another four months of fighting to find time to see each other. Four months of not being with her every day.
Four months of hell.
If nothing else, this tour has cemented the fact that I do not want to be a performing musician. Writing music is one thing. Touring the country, being on a different stage every night, sleeping in random cities, is not my thing. I told Darrien as much when he asked to extend my contract.
Nash and Ace are in heaven while I’m in hell.
They signed on for another small tour after this one and are currently searching for a new lead singer to replace me. My idea, not theirs. They weren’t too keen on it but I didn’t give them a choice in the matter. I want out and I don’t want to ruin their chances of being in the spotlight.
“I hadn’t given much thought to sleeping,” Scarlet whispers in my ear before pulling out of my embrace.
She’s a little feisty today. Though, I should have expected that from her if she feels half as starved for my touch as I do hers.
“I didn’t say we were going to sleep the entire time.” Sliding my hand into her, I escort her out of the airport and to the car idling at the curb for us. “Though, if you want my best performance, a nap is in my near future.”
Her laugh lights something inside me and the tension in my body melts away. I’m still exhausted but I feel like I could go a couple of rounds before passing out.
“The man who could barely keep his hands off me long enough to choose a color for the gala is begging for a nap before he sticks his cock inside me? Is that what I’m hearing?”
The way she emphasizes the word cock, as if no one else is around, has me hard in a second. The look on her face tells me she knows exactly what she was doing, and she did it on purpose.
Needless to say, the ride to the hotel is filled with sexual tension. My hand was on her thigh. Her head rested on my shoulder. Her breath fanning across my neck in little huffs.
Yeah… I’m going to be tearing the little red sundress she’s wearing from her body the second we reach our suite. There’s no doubt in my mind.
Which is exactly what happens, though not the way I imagined it would.
She rips her sundress over her head, drops it to the ground, and saunters over to the bed. Her luggage is forgotten near the door as I follow, in a trance at the sight of her smooth skin. Her bra lands on the floor next as she turns around to face me in only a pair of tiny red lace panties.
“Still tired?” she taunts.
The fact that my dick is pressing against the zipper of my jeans is a clear indication that I’m no longer interested in doing anything in that bed except her. For the rest of the afternoon, well into the evening, and maybe the early hours of tomorrow morning. Sleep is not a priority.
She is.
She’ll always be my priority. For as long as I live and into my next life.
Which I showed her for the next three hours until I passed out from a combination of exhaustion and bliss.
So much for screwing her until morning.
When I wake up, Scarlet’s redressed and uncovering a few dishes from a room service cart. Her back is to me, so I take a moment to appreciate her natural beauty. Her hair is pulled into a high ponytail, the curve of her neck exposed. Her ass looks amazing, and her toned legs are on display. I could lay in bed and stare at her all night without complaining.
“You get your fill yet?” she asks, peering at me over her shoulder, a wicked grin on her face.
“Not even close.”
“Well, let’s get you fed, and then I’ll give you another up close and personal look at what’s beneath the dress.”
How the hell did I get so lucky?
I ask myself that question every day. We come from different worlds, yet we make perfect sense. Her family still refuses to accept me but mine fell in love with her as quickly as I did. Even my sister, Roxy, who tends to be a bit of a judgmental bitch.
“Actually,” I start, throwing the covers back and sliding out of bed. Scarlet’s gaze falls to my cock, causing it to stir. I need to stay focused, and her stare will land us back in bed if I don’t distract her, so I slip on my boxer briefs. “We have plans.”
“We do? Outside this room?” she asks in disbelief.
“Yup. You and I are going to watch the sun set on the beach tonight. Then, we’re going to head to the pier and ride a few ride, play some games, and eat junk food.”
I wanted our first night here to be special. We can spend the rest of her visit in bed – which is what I hope she wants to do after tonight. First, I want to walk on the beach with my girl, hold her as the sun disappears beyond the horizon, and kiss her under the glow of the moon.
And tonight is supposed to be the perfect weather.
After eating the food Scarlet ordered – grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup, her favorite comfort food – we set out for the beach. It’s only a short walk from the hotel I chose but we take a cab anyway.
“It’s beautiful here,” she says as she plops down in the sand between my legs, resting back against me.
The sun is quickly disappearing, casting the sky in shades of orange and red. In less than ten minutes, the moon will be our only light source and I want to make sure she can see what happens next.
“You’re beautiful.” I counter, reaching between us, sliding my hand in my pocket.
“You trying to grab my butt, caveman?”
Caveman. I didn’t realize how much I missed hearing her call me that.
Without answering her, I push myself to stand, making my way around where she remains seated in the sand. Her eyes track me, but she doesn’t say anything. Not until I kneel in front of her anyway, and even then, the only sound that leaves her mouth is a gasp.
“Scarlet, I-“
“Oh my god, Colt! Yes! Yes! Yes!” she screams, reaching for my face and pulling me in for a kiss.
I don’t want to push her away, but I practiced this speech a thousand times since buying her ring and I want to make sure she hears it.
“Babe, you have to let me ask you first.” I say against her lips. Her lips push out, the cutest pout covering them as I sit back on my heels. “Scarlet, I love you more than I can ever put into words and for someone who puts feelings onto paper for a living, that should tell you something. The way I feel about you can’t be described it can only be felt. It’s a deep seeded love that lives in my heart and in my soul and I want to spend the rest of my life by your side attempting to find the words to describe to you this unbelievable feeling. Of love. Of trust. Of certainty that we’re meant to be together. Will you spend the rest of your life with me searching for that word? As my wife?”
There are tears streaming down her face when she jumps into my arms. I tighten my grip on the ring as she rolls us around in the sand, peppering me with kisses in between saying yes over and over again.
“Yes, caveman,” she finally says, lifting up so she can peer down into my eyes. “I would love nothing more than to marry you and love you for the rest of my life. But there’s one condition.”
Uh… what?
“No more time apart. It’s you and me, every day, starting now. If that means I have to live on a tour bus to be by your side, then that’s what I’ll do.”
“I’ll talk to Darrien.”
“Good because I only bought a one-way ticket. I hadn’t planned on leaving anyway.”
Taking her hand, I slide the ring into place and stare up at the woman that was made for me, a flashback of the first night I laid eyes on her running through my mind. Our first kiss. The first taste of her lips. The electricity that pulsed between us.
The same electricity is sparking right now.
“We should probably go back to the hotel before we get arrested for what happens next,” she suggests, rolling off me before standing.
Following her lead, I reach out for her and when she places her hand in mine, her ring pressing against my palm, I can’t help but smile. I may have had to wait years to be with Scarlet, but in the end, it was all worth it. She’s going to be by my side for the rest of my life.
Scarlet and Colt are starting the next chapter of their lives together. So are many of the other couples in the group. But what about Colt’s best friend? Will he end up with Cleo? Or is their twisted past and all the lies they’ve told, to themselves and to everyone around them, come back to bite them in the ass? Find out in Twisted Little Lies.