Fade to Red

“You sure about that?” He pointed down, half-embarrassed and half-brazen. “You called it my weapon before—but seeing you naked makes me more than a little dangerous.”

She gulped. “Please.”

He was over her in no time, bracing his hands on either side of her shoulders. As he was about to slowly sink into her, she wrapped her legs around him and pulled him all the way in. He closed his eyes and stayed completely still.

“You’re full of surprises, Roxie Taylor,” he finally said.

“I’m an all or nothin’ kind of a girl,” she said between jagged breaths.

She swiveled her hips and he groaned.

He pulled out and plunged into her. And again, deeper. She trembled and gasped when he went even deeper. Her eyes closed and she shook her head back and forth on the pillow. When she opened her eyes, his eyes were still on her as he drove into her again and again. Faster.

“Give it to me, Rox. I want it all.”

He put her legs on his shoulder to go even deeper and she felt it in every part of her body when they both dove headlong over the edge.

Hours later, he was apologizing for how small the shower in the bus was.

“Well, it’s not built for two,” Roxie teased.

“Come here then, I’ll just crawl back inside you and we’ll have more room.”

She splashed him with water and laughed. “I need time to recover. You wore me out that last time.”

He kissed the tip of her nose, looking at her with what she could only perceive as devotion. I must be dreaming.

“My poor girl. Let me get you to bed.”

She got out of the shower and turned to see if he was getting out. He was right behind her, his mouth hanging open, staring at her backside.

“Sorry, it’s going to take forever for me to get used to seeing you naked. You are exquisite, Rox—hey! Don’t cover up that work of art.” He scowled at her and pulled the towel back down. His smile took over his face again. “There…”

She snatched the towel back and lifted an eyebrow. “I’m cold.”

“I have just the thing for that … it’ll take care of the ache I left inside you. You won’t even have to move,” he whispered. “Come here.”

He pulled her back to the bedroom and worshipped her body with his mouth and tongue and fingers until she was crying his name again and again and finally begging for him to stop.

Her eyes were still closed when his hands ran lightly over her hip. She looked at him over her shoulder and smiled.

“I thought I was dreaming,” he said.

“I think we both were.”

“This feels awfully real.” He turned her over to face him and leaned over her. He sank into her, an inch at a time. She closed her eyes and arched into him.

“It does,” she agreed.

There was a knock on the bus door. It sounded distant at first and then turned into pounding.

“Shit.”

“They’re serious this time,” Roxie said.

“I guess I can’t ignore them forever.”

She shook her head. He pushed into her one more time and kissed her. Then he pulled out.

“I’m bloody murdering whoever this is,” he muttered. “Don’t forget where we were.”

She nodded, wide-eyed, unable to tear her eyes from him. His body was so beautiful. She didn’t know another word for it. She wanted time to just stare at him. He threw on his clothes and closed the bedroom door behind him. She sat on the bed, trying to catch her breath.

Anthony’s voice carried through the bus, but she couldn’t tell what he was saying. He didn’t sound happy, but it was hard to tell with him sometimes. He acted way more aggravated than he ever was. Beckham’s voice rose too, and she heard her name. Roxie stood up and walked to the door to see if she could hear anything else. She was about to go out there and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looked like she’d been thoroughly sexed up.

Exactly, she thought, and giggled. She heard her name again, this time closer. She threw her clothes on and sat on the bed, putting her head in her hands. This couldn’t be good.

There was a quick rap on the door and Beckham opened it. “Can you come out here? I want you to hear this.”

He took her hand and walked her out to the couches. Anthony stood with his hands on his hips and glared at both of them.

Beckham motioned to Anthony. “He doesn’t think this looks good—you staying on the bus with me—and doesn’t want tension with the other dancers. No ‘preferential treatment’ allowed on his clock. And I want you both to know … I don’t give a shit whether anyone cares or not.” He kissed her hand and his grin was mischievous and cocky and made her heart tumble over itself. “I do prefer you over anyone else I’ve ever met in my life and I don’t care who knows it. If I had my way, you’d be on the bus with me the rest of the tour and move in with me afterward.”

Roxie’s mouth dropped and Anthony squealed. She looked at Anthony and he was pressing his lips together, trying to look mad and not too excited at the same time.

Beckham wasn’t finished.

“In fact, would you please stay? We can work it out with everyone. They’ll understand. I need time with you, Roxie.” He leaned down and kissed her neck and she jumped.

She took a deep breath and a step back from Beckham, dropping her hand from his. “I-I should go … Anthony’s right. I don’t want to make anyone u-”

His smile fell. “Think about it? Sierra can be on here with us too. Please. No games, right?” He leaned in and put his hands on her face, looking in her eyes. “I’m afraid if you go out that door, I’ll lose you again … I don’t want any more barriers.” He backed up and put his hands on his head. “God, I sound like a frickin’ wuss. But I don’t care! We finally got somewhere!” he yelled. Quieter, he said in her ear, “I’ve never used the words ‘made love’ in my life, before you, but that’s exactly what I did with you.”

Roxie’s heart hummed, but she glanced at Anthony who looked about ready to burst into dance right there on the bus. She took a step away from Beckham.

“I’m not going anywhere—well, except back to my bus, but … that’s not what I meant. Uh,” she laughed awkwardly, “let me get used to the idea of not hating you.” She gave a wobbly smile. “We should try taking things a little slower. We seem to have the sex figured out.” Her face grew warm, but she ignored it and went to stand by Anthony.

Beckham pressed his lips together and looked down. “If that’s what you want, okay, but … we don’t need to go slow for me, Roxie. Just so we’re clear. I know what I want.”

Anthony clapped his hands together. “Well, this was really fun. AND informative. I think you’re making the right call, Rox.” He winked at her. “But let me just be the first to say,” he clasped both of their arms, “you guys will make the prettiest babies.”

“Oh my God!” Roxie groaned. “You’re both crazy.”

Beckham just raised an eyebrow and smiled.

The whole clan was hanging out when Roxie got on the bus. Justin did a cat call and Vanessa laughed, hitting him in the arm.

“Someone had a good night,” Brad said wistfully.

“So did you,” Shelton muttered.

“Totally,” Brad answered. “But look at her. She’s all sparkly.”

Brooke’s arms were folded and she didn’t say a word.

“Hi!” Roxie gave a general wave.

“Details!” Vanessa demanded.

“We talked.” Roxie shrugged. “Had some things to clear up…”

“Oh please. You can’t tell us you only talked!” Shelton yelled. “Take a look in the mirror, honey!”

The guys laughed and Vanessa shushed them. “Let her talk.”

“That’s all…” Roxie said. “What did I miss?”

Brad looked like he wanted to kill her for not spilling more dirt. Vanessa just looked determined.

Roxie walked back to her bunk before anyone else could say anything. She crawled in the dark and felt something all over her mattress. Flipping the little light switch on, she looked around. Little strips of material were everywhere. She opened the curtain so she could see better. Her blanket from home had been cut into tiny strips. It was the blanket she and Leo always cuddled under to watch movies together. The books that she kept by her pillow were shredded.