Page 35 of Wild Tonic
“Depends what Nate wants to do. I know he’d picked out a couple of acts he wanted to see, but I don’t think he was expecting to do this.” Clem checked her watch. “I’ll ask him afterwards. If you guys want to head off, I’ll message you when I know what we’re doing.”
“Sure, we’ll catch you later.” Leona kissed her on both cheeks, waved and disappeared into the throng.
Clem kept her eyes on the stage, nodding along to the tunes and sipping her wine. She was lost in her own world and didn’t notice Liam sliding in beside her.
“Guess no-one can compete with your new rock star boyfriend, can they?” he whispered in her ear, making her jump.
“What do you care anyway, Liam?”
“I think it was a mistake that we split up.”
“The mistake was you sleeping with other people while you were with me! Why would I give you another chance now?” Clem moved away, trying to put some distance between them. She was vaguely aware of the set on the stage finishing and hoped that Nate would come to find her.
“You can do better than some dirty rocker, Clem. You’re better than that.”
“She can definitely do better than some dirty cheat, mate.”
A hand landed on Clem’s shoulder and she sighed in relief as Nate’s voice cut into the conversation.
The two men squared up to each other and Clem gripped her reusable plastic cup that bit tighter. The last thing she wanted, though, was any trouble between them. After all, they were all staying at Waterfront Lodge together.
“Let’s agree to disagree on this one,” said Liam. “I don’t think you’re right for Clem.”
“Really? And why is it up to you to decide?” countered Nate. “Looks like you didn’t think she was right for you when you started shagging around.”
The look that Liam gave Nate was enough to send a lesser man withering. Nate was clearly used to dealing with ex-boyfriends.
“I am here you know.” Clem pushed herself between the two of them, wanting their dispute to be over.
“It’s so cute the way you’re standing up for her,” taunted Liam. A horsey looking blonde caught his attention from over Nate’s shoulder. “Martha! Wait up, I’ll come with you.” He ran his gaze up and down Clem. “Not sure what I saw in you anyway.” He barged past Nate and headed off in the girl’s direction.
Nate pulled Clem towards him and hugged her. “God, he’s such a dick. I don’t know what you saw in him either.”
Clem screwed up her face. “Nor do I.” She looked up at him. “You, on the other hand, are pretty amazing. That was fantastic.” She smiled.
“Really? You think?”
“Absolutely. I mean, I’m aware of your stuff, and seeing you play acoustically really shows your talent.”
“It helps when someone inspires you.”
Nate’s words made Clem’s cheeks flame. Nobody had ever said anything like that before.
“Do you want to know how much?”
He drew her close and she could feel the beginnings of an erection pressing into her.
“Oh!”
“Is there anyone back at the house?” Nate leaned down and started placing tiny kisses along the side of her neck. Clem’s insides dissolved, a tingle running down the length of her back and coming to rest between her legs.
“Even if there was, we won’t be back there for at least ten minutes.”
“Too long, let’s get a taxi.” Nate grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the street, looking around. He waved down a passing cabbie and barked their destination at the driver.
The driver rolled his eyes, knowing that it was only a short trip, and drove quickly along the winding route out to Waterfront Lodge. Clem thrust a ten pound note at him, even though it was way too much for the journey. She fumbled in her bag to find the key as Nate stroked the base of her spine.
They crashed through the entrance and half ran up the stairs to Clem’s room.
