Page 21 of Double Down & Dirty

9

Abby was more nervous tonight than she’d been last night on the ride in the limo. This was her first red-carpet moment, and she prayed she wouldn’t trip and fall flat on her face in front of everyone. On either side of her, the twins were dressed in their custom Boss tuxedos. They were handsome in regular clothes, but the formal wear made them downright gorgeous. She’d be the envy of every woman there tonight, she knew, and once again, uncertainty swamped her. Reaching up, her fingers played with one of the blue sapphire, drop earrings they’d picked out for her. A matching bracelet was wrapped around her wrist right above the emerald-cut ring on her left middle finger.

Taking her right hand, Remi brought it to his mouth and kissed it. “Nothing to worry about, little one. There will be a lot more security here tonight and the paparazzi will be on short leashes. The fans will be far back, behind the ropes. We’ll be stopped along the way for pictures and some interviews; just follow our lead and smile. You look dazzling; you’ll knock ’em dead.”

She smiled and blushed. “It’s the dress and jewelry.” The pale blue, floor-length gown, with sparkling silver trim, hugged her curves. The top of it was sleeveless and strapless, but dozens of thin silver strands went from the sweetheart bust line to a choker collar around her neck, leaving her shoulders and upper back bare. Her hair was swept into a romantic looking updo, with a few loose curls framing her face. The silver stilettos she’d chosen completed the look and added four inches to her five-foot-six frame.

“Uh-uh. It’s you. The dress and jewelry just accent your beauty.”

“Did you enjoy the massage and stuff this morning?” Gray asked.

While the brothers had run out to do a few errands after breakfast, they’d made an appointment for her at the hotel’s luxurious day spa, and she’d spent three hours there being pampered. A full body massage had been followed by a facial, mani/pedi, hair styling, and makeup application. When the women had finished and spun her around to face a mirror, she hadn’t recognized herself. Today was the prettiest she’d ever felt in her entire life. But it wasn’t just the makeup and the updo. It was Remi and Gray.

Last night’s sexual escapades had been followed up with another one this morning. She’d woken up with Remi between her thighs, licking her like an ice cream cone. Gray had joined in, sucking her breasts. It hadn’t taken her long to cum for them. Remi had then fucked her in bed missionary style, before Gray had brought her into the shower. There was a tiled bench in there where he’d sat, turned her around, and entered her from behind. He’d bounced her off his lap repeatedly until they both yelled their combined release. She’d never known she could have multiple orgasms, but the brothers made sure she did.

Their limo slowly made its way through the long procession of vehicles dropping off their elite passengers. When their turn came, Remi got out first then helped her exit. As Gray joined them, there were shouts for them to look at the cameras, however, there were no rude questions as there had been the night before. They posed for pictures along the red carpet and were stopped by an Entertainment Tonight reporter for a brief interview. Abby wished she’d known in advance because she would have set her DVR to record the evening, celebrity news show back home. It would be her first time—and maybe her last—on television, and she wanted to save it.

It took about fifteen minutes for them to get past the fanfare and into the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Event Center where the awards ceremony was taking place. They were escorted to their seats: fourth row, center. Summer and her manager sat in the first two seats from the right aisle, two rows ahead of them. Meanwhile, Aurora, escorted by a good looking man Abigail had never seen before, sat in the front row to the left of center. And if looks could kill, Abigail would be on the way to the morgue. Aurora was seething as she glared at her settling in between the Mann brothers.

Gray squeezed her hand as other country celebrities took their seats around them. “Ignore her. She’s nothing to be jealous of, and I completely regret our time with her. I just wish we’d stopped fighting our attraction to you long before now.”

Tearing her attention away from the bitch in high-heels, Abigail waved at Summer and gave her a thumbs up. Like Aurora, the songstress was up for several awards tonight, and Abigail hoped she won every one of them.

The show started with a large opening number featuring several artists, before the host and hostess took the stage. There were the usual jokes and roasting of celebrities, and then the first category was awarded. When a country band performed via a live feed from another resort, Abigail headed to the restrooms with a few other women. As she entered the opulent lounge, someone grabbed her arm and spun her around, almost sending her on her ass.

“So Remi and Gray are slumming it—with their fat secretary, of all fucking people,” Aurora spat at her. The lounge chatter suddenly ceased, and all eyes focused on them. “Don’t get too attached to them; they’ll be crawling back to me soon.”

Fury filled her, but before she could do or say anything in response Summer appeared by her side, dressed in a stunning, black and white gown. “Don’t even dignify that with a response, Abigail. She lost out on a good thing, and she knows it. Take a hike, Aurora. Oh, and nice body shaming. Haven’t you heard? Bullying is frowned upon these days.”

Aurora’s eyes flashed with rage at her interrupted harassment. “You bitch!”

Shrugging her shoulders, Summer took Abigail’s arm and turned her toward the line for the lavatories. “Good luck tonight, Aurora. You’ll need it. But win or lose, you’ll never win back Remi and Gray. They’ve found the real thing, and she’s a classier woman than you’ll ever be.”

Dismissing the other woman, Summer joined Abigail in the line as Aurora stormed out the door. “Sorry if I stepped on your toes by interrupting, but you looked like you wanted to take a swing at her, and that wouldn’t have been good. It would have been all over the internet before the ceremony was even over.

“Oh, and by the way, you look freaking gorgeous tonight. I wish I had curves like you. Remi must have picked the dress out.”

Confused and trying to change speeds with the petite woman again, Abigail furrowed her brow. “He did, but how did you know?”

“Blue is his favorite color, and don’t act like you don’t know that. You wear more blue than any other color at work. My guess is you discovered it was his favorite about a month after you started as their secretary. I was in Tampa then, recording, and one week, I think you wore something blue every day.” She giggled. “It took those two knuckleheads enough time to discover what was right in front of them. Don’t let bitches like Aurora ruin what you three have together. It’s obvious to everyone here tonight, Remi and Gray only have eyes for you.”

By the time they’d headed back to their seats, another award had been handed out and the winners were finishing their acceptance speeches. Abigail and Summer waited for the ushers’ signal for them to take their seats so the cameras wouldn’t catch them returning. Abigail felt the last of her anger toward Aurora fade as she saw what Summer had said was true. Remi and Gray’s eyes lit up like Christmas trees when they saw her. There was no place on Earth she’d rather be, aside from their bed, than sitting between them. As they had the night before and throughout the day, every chance they had to touch her, wink at her, or whisper in her ear, they took.

When it came time for the Female Artist of the Year award, Abigail grasped both men’s hands and prayed. Summer’s number one hit, “Broken Tears,” had already won Best Single by a Female Artist, and she was now up against four other women, including Aurora, for this award. Aurora had won Music Video by a Female Artist and Music Video of the Year, however, she’d lost Album of the Year, to Abigail’s relief. That had been the award Remi and Gray would have been expected to accept with her on stage.

Country music legend George Strait stood at the podium and announced the female nominees, before opening the gold envelope. “And the winner is ...” A huge grin appeared on his face. “Summer Hayes!”

The audience burst into applause as a stunned Summer hugged her manager, who was sitting beside her, then walked toward the stairs leading to the stage. Tears filled her eyes as she accepted the crystal statue and began to thank everyone who’d helped her get to where she was today, including Remi and Gray. Abigail was so happy for the woman she was coming to think of as a friend, and didn’t even bother looking to see the disappointment that had to be on Aurora’s face. The bitch didn’t matter to her. Summer had been right; what had been Aurora’s loss was Abigail’s gain, and there was no way she was letting Remi and Gray go unless she had to.

* * *

Stretchedout on one of the jet’s couches, Abigail’s head rested on a pillow on Gray’s lap as he stroked her hair while watching one of the Fast and Furious movies on the TV. Remi’s eyes were shut as he relaxed in a nearby recliner, but she knew he wasn’t sleeping because his hand was caressing her bare foot. It had been a long whirlwind of a weekend, and she was nervous about what would happen when they landed in Tampa. Neither of them had said a word about continuing the relationship they’d started once they returned home, and she was afraid to broach the subject. So much had changed in the past few days, and yet, there were things she wanted to remain the same.

Gray picked up the remote and muted the movie. “Okay, little one, what’s on your mind? I can almost hear the gears in there churning up smoke.”

Instantly alert, Remi stood, grabbed her calves, lifting them, and then sat down, resting her legs on his lap. “Rule number four or whatever number we’re up to—I lost count—communication is very important to a relationship. So what’s wrong?”

Sighing, she kept her gaze on the clouds outside the window opposite the couch. “What happens when we get home? I love my job and don’t want to give it up.”

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