Rock Me Slower (Licks of Leather #3) - Jenna Jacob Page 0,25

suite fielding calls and talking to Reed about the smackdown you and Ross gave Devon last night,” Darren explained. “She’s having breakfast with the girls in our room.”

Relieved that she wasn’t alone, I still worried how she was handling the onslaught of publicity this morning.

“Did you see her?” I asked. When Darren cringed, my gut coiled. “Is it that bad?”

“She’s wearing a lot of makeup, but it doesn’t really cover the bruise or the swelling.”

“Fuck.”

“I’m sure she’ll let you kiss it and make it all better if you ask nicely,” Syd taunted.

I slid my sunglasses to the tip of my nose and sent him an evil glare. “I haven’t had a single cup of coffee yet. You’re treading on dangerous ground, asshole.”

“Quick, somebody get the man some coffee before smackdown part deux starts.”

As Darren shoved the carafe toward me, I flipped Syd off and filled my cup to damn near overflowing.

“Okay, who’s taking an award home with them?” Burk asked, lifting one of the Grammys off the table.

“You guys take ’em. I have plenty,” Ross grumbled with a wave of his hand.

“I’d like to give one to Tori, if that’s all right with the rest of you?”

“I don’t have a problem with that,” I said.

“Fine by me.” Burk nodded.

“I’m good with it. I mean, you need something big if you’re going to bribe her into letting you have a little anal action.” Syd laughed.

“What makes you think I have to bribe her?” Darren shot back with a devilish grin.

Chapter Six

Mia

“I can’t thank you enough for…well, for everything,” I said, giving Sofia, Tori, and Ava each a warm hug.

The way they’d welcomed me into their salt circle with open arms was humbling. I’d never had any close girlfriends growing up, but if I had, I would have chosen these three, hands down.

“No need to thank us,” Sofia said. “You’re part of the family now.”

“For a few months, anyway,” I corrected.

“No. You’re a part of the Fusion family,” Ava amended. “Unless you decide to leave, which I hope you never do.”

“The way you and Quinn have treated me these past two days, I’m staying.”

“That’s what we wanted to hear.” Sofia grinned.

“Just keep all those horny girls off Darren while on the tour.” Tori nibbled her bottom lip.

“Oh, please.” Sofia snorted. “You have nothing to worry about. Ever since he got the call that you’d been found, he’s been blind to any other woman on the planet. That isn’t going to change. Trust me.”

A sliver of jealousy skipped through me as I wondered how many women Ozzy had enjoyed while touring. Ready or not, I’d soon find out.

“I should get back to my room and finish packing.” I inched toward the door and gripped the handle. “I hope I’ll get to see you all sometime during the tour.”

“Oh, you will. I can’t stay away from Burk that long without a little bowchicabowwow, or I’ll go insane.” Sofia waggled her brows and grinned.

I flashed a smile, trying to remember what bowchicabowwow actually felt like. I’d been without sex for so long my hymen had probably grown back. Not wanting to fixate on that depressing notion, I waved goodbye and returned to my suite—the one I’d booked so I could fully embrace Grammy night in all its glory. Oh, I’d embraced it, all right, and had a nasty bruise on my cheek to prove it. If I’d embraced it any more, I’d probably be in the hospital right now.

Tossing my toiletries into the suitcase, I glanced at the clock by the bed. It was a quarter past eleven, so I picked up the pace. After carefully packing my Grammys away, I headed to the lobby. Nigel was sending a car to pick me up at noon, and drive me back to his place, but I wanted to be ready in case the ride was early.

After returning my key card, I slid on my sunglasses and strolled outside.

Valets and bellmen were scurrying around, attending to the string of vehicles lining the driveway of the majestic hotel. I crossed the circular drive and perched my butt on the rim of an elegant waterfall. As I admired the sleek, expensive sports cars and lavish Bentleys parading past me, I felt the vibration of my cell phone inside my purse. By the time I’d rummaged around and finally found the device, the caller had hung up. Checking the call log, I was about to ring Nigel back when my text alert chimed. He’d left me a message explaining that