“Why haven’t we ever done this before?” Alex was breathless as she slipped her scrap of underwear off.
“Don’t think. Just touch yourself, Poppy. Let me see your pussy.” I rubbed the precum all over my crown and began jacking faster.
I could hear a distinct buzz and Alex positioned her bullet vibrator against her clit Her hips gyrated against the toy. Watching her pleasure herself put me over the top, electricity zapped along the base of my spine and, before I knew what was happening, I was spurting all over my hand, stomach, and comforter. Alex was moaning through her own orgasm, moisture glistening along her thighs as she came.
Alex purred as she pulled the covers up around her. “You’re my Viking sex god.”
“I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.” I got out of bed to grab a towel from the bathroom to wipe up with.
“Me either.” Alex was falling asleep, even though it was later in NYC, she had been doing physical labor all day at the rescue.
“Good night. Love you.” I kissed the phone.
“Love you too.” She kissed back.
Unfortunately, the next morning all hell broke loose.
Chapter 24
ALEX
I woke up early the next morning, feeling like my life was back on track. Definitely not perfect, but at least Jace had come to his senses. The thought of being without him had nearly spun me into a deep depression, and only the fact that I had so much work to do around the barn kept me somewhat sane. My heart melted when I checked my texts and found one from my gorgeous drummer.
Poppy – I miss you. I’m counting down the minutes until I get on the plane back to you. I love you so much.
I’d also been texting Zoey. She wasn’t handling the salacious article well and wanted to talk to me about something that was going on, but I didn’t have many details. All I had were short two-to three-word texts. What I gleaned was: 1. she thought someone had set her up; 2. Ronni Miller was in her hotel suite and she wasn’t happy about it and 3. she was pissed at Ty but more pissed at his publicist. Then nothing.
Remembering that Jace and I were trying to distance ourselves from their drama, I didn’t engage other than to tell her that they would work it out. Instead, for the next few hours, I finished all my chores. I also worked with Gloria and felt very proud when she allowed me to saddle her up. She wasn’t ready to be ridden yet, but I was really building trust with my beautiful mare. Jen and Becca had gone into town to pick up some supplies and lunch, and as I was walking to the house from the barn, the work truck came barreling down the drive. Before Becca could put it in park, Jen jumped out and was running toward me with a look of utter panic. I stopped in my tracks.
Oh God, not again. Don’t let it be Jace.
Jen skidded to a stop in front of me and clung to me. “I’m so, so sorry,” she sobbed.
I was frozen because I had absolutely no idea what was going on. I must have looked spooked out of my mind because Becca calmly strode over and gently pried Jen off of me. “Jen, stop. Alex clearly hasn’t heard the news.”
“What the fuck is happening?” I shrieked, finding my voice. “What happened to Jace?”
“Sweetie, no. It’s Zoey.” Tears streamed down Jen’s face. “It’s all over the news.”
Screaming, I ran into the house to find my tablet. Becca followed and pulled up CNN on TV. Bawling uncontrollably, I watched the footage of Zoey running out of the hotel like a crazy person, paparazzi chasing her into the street. A big dude pulled her out of the way before she was hit by a taxi, but she was clearly unconscious. Gasping for air, Ty pushed people out of the way to get to her, and then cradled her limp body. My heart shattered when you could hear him wailing like she was dead.
Then it really hit me. My best friend might be dead.
I couldn’t reach Jace and it was maddening. I didn’t have any of the guys’ phone numbers, and I certainly didn’t have any of their management contact information. Helplessly, I watched as the locust media descended upon my best friend. It got worse. Ty was screaming and threatening to kill anyone who got near. When the ambulance finally got through and they loaded her in, the last shot was Ty’s face, which reflected total and utter devastation.
Omigod, Zoey’s parents.
Scrolling through my contacts, I found Olivia’s cell phone and called. She didn’t answer. I tried Jace. He didn’t answer. Back and forth I tried both numbers, fruitlessly. I’d never felt so scared or powerless in my life.
Like zombies, Jen, Becca, and I watched the news coverage on an endless loop, hoping to get some word on Zoey’s condition. Jen also kept trying to reach Jace, but his phone went right to voicemail. I scrolled through the hundreds of articles about what was happening. We were rewarded with sensational stories about Zoey and her “sordid” past, Ty and some mystery woman, speculation, rumor. All of it bullshit.
After a few hours, I was numb. I wished Jace would call, but I knew he was in the thick of it. Obviously, he wasn’t coming home tonight. I felt so alone, so immobilized. Trying to stay productive, I trudged out to the barn to feed my horses and clean the stalls, but I had absolutely no energy. My emotions and the stress of not knowing were morphing into exhaustion. I was heading back to the house and was saying goodnight to Jen and Becca when my phone pinged.
Jace: Call me.
I immediately dialed, and he answered as soon as we made a connection. “God, Poppy.
