my attention on Natalie, who is in the middle of pouring a mixed drink. She just had to bring up that kiss on stage. I should’ve known it.
I don’t think too hard about what I’m about to do next. It’s something I need to do. Climbing out of the pool, I walk toward Natalie with purpose before I can change my mind.
“What’s up? Everything—”
“No, it’s not.” Grabbing the back of her head, I crush my lips to hers, causing a small moan to escape her as I grip her hip with my free hand. That moan is exactly what I needed right now, so I take that as a win. “Now it is,” I say against her lips after breaking the kiss.
She swallows, her heated eyes locked on mine, and I can’t tell if she’s planning my death or if she somewhat enjoyed it. I have to admit, it wasn’t terrible. Definitely far from it. It might just be the best tongue-less kiss I’ve ever had.
“That couldn’t have waited until after I’d had at least two drinks?” she mutters quietly, pulling her eyes from mine before clearing her throat. “You can release my damn hip now before I kick your ass.”
I release my grip and move in close to speak into her ear. “I need you to step up your game, Nat. This won’t be the last kiss. In fact, it’s the first of many to come. Even my brother knows that, and he still allowed me to borrow you. Think about that for a minute.”
Before she can say anything or argue with me, I walk away and disappear into the cabin, needing a moment alone.
For one split second, I allowed Alana to get to me. And one second is too goddamn long when it comes to her. It was probably an asshole move to leave Natalie standing there alone after surprising her with a kiss and that dickhead remark, but the truth is, I’m not sure I’m ready to look at Alana after kissing another girl in front of her for the first time.
I can’t risk letting her see how fucking nervous I am. She knows more than anyone what kissing means to me. It’s a huge deal. “Shit!” I grip the kitchen island and take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves.
“Do you know how much of an ass—” Natalie pauses once noticing my tight grip. “Are you okay?”
I loosen my hold on the island and look up to see her standing in the doorway with two drinks in hand. “Here.” She holds one out for me and I grab it. “Looks like we could both use a drink right now. Might as well drink them together, right? It’s not like we’re going to get away from each other anytime soon.”
“Thanks.” I empty half the drink in one gulp, before setting it down and turning to face Natalie again. “I’m sorry for leaving you out there alone. I just needed a minute.”
“I get it.” She takes a sip of her drink, leaning beside me against the island. “Alana looked like she was about to die when you kissed me. Not sure if that’s what you need to hear right now.”
“Good,” I force out, my chest tight. “That means she’s starting to believe you’re not just some random girl I brought.”
“But aren’t I?” she asks, looking down into her cup.
“No.” I pick her up and set her on the island, before stepping in between her legs. “You’re anything but random, Nat. You may not like me much, but I’ve always enjoyed your company. Even though most of it has consisted of you insulting me over the years.”
She laughs. “It’s not that I don’t like you, it’s that…” She turns away for a second, as if to think of how to word it. “I just don’t agree with your lifestyle when it comes to women. I get it, Madden. You’re a hot rock star that all the women go crazy over. You’re practically God’s gift to women, but that doesn’t mean you need to sleep with them all, does it?”
“Who says I sleep with them all?”
“Oh, I don’t know… the world. The internet. Your fans. You’ve been spotted leaving hotel rooms with numerous women over the years. Are you trying to tell me you guys were playing a nice game of Scrabble?”
“Not at all.” I meet her eyes so she can see the truth in them. I know a lot of people think I’m just some reckless rock star