Page 30 of Fractured Dreams

Connor’s face hardened at hearing him talk to Lexie that way, but Lexie’s voice was equally sharp as she answered. “I didn’t know until Drew just came and told me. She took a car home.” She gave him a pointed look. “She’s been a bit off all night. I got the impression she was upset about something.”

He returned her look with an impassive one of his own. “Is that so? Maybe I should go and check on her then.”

Connor jumped in. “This’ll be wrapping up soon, you might as well head off and make sure she’s alright. Just let Drew know on your way out.”

Tex nodded, said his farewells, and left in search of Drew, who had to call another car for him, since the one Eden took hadn’t returned yet.

It was time he told Eden exactly what it was he wanted from her.

Or showed her.

???

Tex heard the shower running behind Eden’s bathroom door, and he banged on it with the side of his fist, “Eden, I hope this door isn’t locked, because in about five seconds I’m coming in there. If you want to cover up, this is the only chance you’ll get.”

“Tex!” she shrieked before the shower turned off. Five seconds later, he threw open the thankfully unlocked door and strode in. Eden was standing by the shower, a towel clutched to her chest and her eyes wide.

“What the hell happened to you tonight?” he growled.

“I…I had a h-headache.”

“Bullshit.”

“Did you bring her back with you?” she blurted out.

Tex stared at her. “What?”

“That woman you were with.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “Are you serious Eden? What sort of person do you think I am?”

“I—” She swallowed. “She was touching you.” There was a quiver in her voice.

“Not in any way that matters. Do you actually think I would do that do you? Bring someone back here the night after we were together. What the fuck, Eden? You know me better than that.”

They stared at each other silently. Eden’s lip trembled, and he noticed her eyes were red-rimmed. She’d been crying in the shower. He softened his voice. “I hate that you think I would do something that shitty Eden. But the fact that you’re jealous means you feel whatever this is between us too, and I’m okay with that. I’m jealous of every man who saw you looking so fucking gorgeous tonight and probably imagined stripping that dress off you just the way I did. So, this thing between us, it’s not over, no matter how much you might try to convince yourself it is.”

He studied her where she stood, towel clutched against her chest, looking at him with big eyes. “Now, you and me, we’re gonna see where this thing leads, okay?”

She nodded, still not saying anything, and he took two steps forward, cupped her cheeks and kissed her. A hard, almost bruising kiss. By the time he pulled back they were both breathing erratically. “You’re mine, at least for now. We’ll deal with whatever happens when Noah gets back together. Got it?”

She nodded again, and he huffed out a laugh. “I gotta be honest. I thought you were gonna fight me harder on this one.”

Her smile when it came was embarrassed, but her eyes were bright. “It’s what I want as well. I was just too nervous to admit it. To you or myself. But I hated seeing those women all over you tonight, knowing I had no right to be jealous.”

Tex knew that if this thing between them actually went somewhere, at some stage they would have to have a conversation about that particular issue. Dealing with ‘enthusiastic’ fans was a part of life for a musician. But that conversation could wait. Right now, the frustration and desire he’d been warring with all night needed an outlet. And having her there, so close and covered only in a towel, was making things hard. Literally.

“I’ll be honest Eden, I’ve got a lot of pent-up frustration after today and tonight, and with the adrenaline from the concert, seeing you like this, I really need you right now.”

He noticed her flinch and frowned. “What is it darlin’? Are you sore after last night?”

Eden shook her head. “No, it’s just… that’s what Mason said. He… He cheated on me and that was his excuse—his excuse for cheating. It was the adrenaline from performing; he said he needed the release.” Her lips quivered and her eyes dropped away from his.

Tex ground his teeth.What a piece of shit. No wonder she thought he might bring a woman back here.

He cupped her cheek again and turned her face back up to his, making sure she was looking him in the eye. “I’m not him Eden, I would never do that to you, to anyone I was in a relationship with. It’s the wanting you and not being able to have you that’s got me going crazy. The adrenaline just means it’s gonna be hard and fast—this time anyway. After that I promise I’ll take my time and make you come again.” He kissed her soft lips. “And again.” He kissed her one more time. “And again. You okay with that?”

Eden’s breath shuddered out of her. “Y-Yes.”