I glance over to see if Theo’s caught wind of this moron’s request, but he’s too busy signing whatever fans shove at him.
“Sure,” I say to the dickhead, playing along with his creepy game. “But I doubt your dick’s big enough for my name anyway.”
His buddies around him stifle their laughs, and I watch that cocky grin start to fade from this dickhead’s face. Just as I lean forward to sign the jerk’s stomach, I feel a hand on my arm, and I know exactly who it is by how my body reacts.
“Put your fucking shirt down. She ain’t signing that shit.”
I glance up at Ace, noticing the intense glare he shoots towards the idiot, like he’s ready to tear him apart. Theo stops what he’s doing, his eyes fixated on the scene unfolding before him. Don’t these two morons realize I can handle this douchebag on my own? I’ve been doing it for years.
“You heard him,” Theo says, positioning himself next to Ace. “If she signs that shit, then so do I, and so does he,” he adds, nodding toward Ace, who still has a firm grip on my arm. “And trust me, you don’t want the big guy here signing that shit.”
The guy instantly drops his shirt, the smug look wiped clean off his face. I glare at Ace, feeling a mix of embarrassment and irritation as he moves me back like I’m some fragile flower.
Kit appears, her eyes scanning the scene. “Everything okay here?” she asks, clearly trying to figure out why the line has come to a halt. I lean forward, catching sight of Xander at the front, surrounded by eager fans, effortlessly signing body parts, posters, and a bunch of random crap while posing for photos like it’s just another day at the office.
Despite my attempts to break free from Ace’s grip, he responds by tightening his hold, pulling me closer. He positions me securely between him and Theo in the line.
“What are you doing?” I ask, just as he finally lets go of my arm.
He ignores me, diving back into signing autographs and posing for photos.
“Asshole,” I mutter, not caring if he hears—because, well, he is. I catch the annoyed look on his face as he forces a smile, one that looks more like he’s just bitten into something sour.
“You were awesome tonight,” a young fan says, pulling me out of my irritation. I push the frustration aside and smile at her, letting it go as I sign the poster, even though it’s just featuring the four guys.
With everything signed and Kit ushering people out, I turn to Ace.
“What the fuck was that?” I say, not giving a damn that my raised voice has drawn everyone’s attention. I notice Ace’s eyes dart sideways towards Xander, who’s watching us with a concerned expression.
Ace shrugs like it’s no big deal. “You know what they wanted,” he says.
“Yes, and I can handle assholes like that. I have for years. Do you honestly think that every guy who comes my way is just going to get to fuck me? I’m not some easy lay, Ace, no matter what you might believe.” I turn sharply and walk back across the room, throwing Theo a pointed glare on my way out. As I do, I realize I might have just hinted to Theo that there’s more going on between Ace and me than he realizes.
Chapter 15
Ace
By the time we arrive in the green room, the afterparty is already in full swing. The hungry looks from the groupies are impossible to miss, each one eager for the chance to satisfy us. Their shrill screams pierce through the noise, and I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from telling them to shut the fuck up. Instead, I make my way to the back of the room, with Xander following closely behind. I brace myself, anticipating his question about what the hell happened with Scarlet back there. I’ve been scrambling for some bullshit excuse, but the truth is, I do not know what the fuck came over me. All I saw was that prick lifting his shirt, while his buddies laughed and egged himon, and that’s when I snapped. Seeing them treat Scarlet like she was just some quick score pissed me off in ways I can’t even explain.
A few of the groupies make their way toward us. I grab a couple of ice-cold beers from the bucket, placing one into Xander’s hand as I casually lean against the table. Xander mirrors my posture, and the girls flock toward us, their shrill giggles getting on my nerves as they press in closer.
Even though everyone knows Xander’s married—thanks to the headlines that hit a few days after the wedding—that doesn’t stop these girls from crowding around him. I glance over and see the irritation flicker across Xander’s face as one girl moves in, her tits practically spilling out as she presses up against him.
“I want to fuck you, Xander,” she purrs, as she sensually traces her finger along his chest. “Let us show you a good time.” The other two girls around him nod enthusiastically, their eyes gleaming with excitement, showing they’re up for anything.
I’m doing my best to ignore the two chicks, their hands eagerly exploring my body. If it means I can lose myself in this bullshit for the night, I’ll let them touch. But right now, all I really want to see is Xander completely lose his shit over these no-boundaries groupies.
“And I want you all to back the fuck off before I kick your skanky asses out of here,” Xander growls, slapping her hand away. “Touch me again, and I’ll break your fucking fingers.”
The girls instantly step back at his harsh tone, and I can’t help but laugh, lifting my bottle in a mock toast. Xander’s head snaps around to glare at me.
“Careful, you’re starting to sound like me,” I say, wrapping my arm around the one groupie who didn’t bolt when Xander went off. I hold her close; she’s the one I’m planning to have tonight —already staking my claim.
“Never,” Xander replies with a smirk, taking a swig of his beer. But then his face goes serious. “What the hell happened earlier between you and Scarlet?”
Fuck. I take a long sip of my beer, stalling while I try to come up with some sort of answer. “Some dickheads were hitting on her, making her the punchline or some shit.” I avoid making eye contact with him, knowing he’ll see right through my bullshit.
“So? Groupies always hit on us, you know that. You can’t expect it to be any different for her.”