Page 452 of Rock Me All Night
27
After the flight lands, we take a cab to Tom and Pete's place in Hollywood. It's a huge house, the kind that belongs on an episode ofCribs. The main room has a tall ceiling and a curving staircase straight out ofSunset Boulevard. There's a big backyard in the back, complete with a shining blue pool.
It's Southern California celebrity perfection.
Pete excuses himself to his room. Tom sits me on the couch and presses his lips into my neck.
It's as soft and sweet as it was yesterday but it feels different. Fuller and emptier at once.
"I'll make coffee." He steps backwards. "We have an hour before we have to leave. You can take the shower down here or the one in my room."
"You have a shower in your room?"
Tom smiles smugly. "I got the master bedroom."
"How did you pull that off?"
He shrugs nonchalantly. There's no pain in his eyes. Is he hiding it from me or from himself? I try to convince myself that he's feeling better because of my epic comforting skills, but the suggestion falls flat. His mom might be dying. That kind of pain doesn't go away because of a hug and a nice night of sleep.
I find the downstairs bathroom and take a long, hot shower. I'm not ready to face the onslaught of feelings that come with being in the same room as Tom so I take my sweet, sweet time changing into my party dress and doing my makeup.
I'm almost finished when there's a soft knock on the door.
"Why do I feel like you're avoiding me?" Tom asks.
"Just getting ready."
"You want coffee? We have almond milk."
"Okay."
"It's already waiting on the counter." He taps the door. "There's plenty of snacks in the fridge if you're hungry. Our housekeeper makes sure the kitchen is full of food whenever we'll be home."
I press my fingers into the door at the places he's tapping, so the thick plaster is between is. "No. I'm not hungry."
“Is there something exciting in the bathroom or are you ready to admit you’ve avoiding me?”
I don't know what to say here. I unlock the door and step into the main room.
Tom is all cleaned up in slacks and a button down shirt. Damn, does he look good cleaned up. Just as sexy as he does in his usual tattooed bad boy jeans and t-shirt.
Tom's eyes scan my body. "You look fucking hot."
"Thanks."
His gaze goes to my chest. "Tell me you're not wearing panties either."
"Either?"
"You're not wearing a bra."
"How do you know?"
"Your nipples are hard."
"It's cold."
"It's almost eighty degrees outside and the windows are open." He gives me a thorough once-over. "Don't tell me. It will be even harder not to touch you in front of Drew." Tom shakes his head. "Never thought I'd be this disappointed to go to a party."
