This One Moment (Pushing Limits, #1)(48)

Before I could do anything else, he wrapped his hands around my biceps and tugged me up. “I want to be inside you.”

I stood, my hair wet from the water that had found its way around Nolan’s body as he shielded me from it. His mouth was on mine again and our kiss deepened, the time for talk long since forgotten.

Just as I was wondering how we were going to do this, Nolan squatted slightly, hooked my thigh with his hand, and moved my leg to wrap around his hip. The tip of his cock rubbed against the most sensitive part of me and the aching throb between my legs screamed, Yes, please.

Then my legs were around him and he was inside me, thrusting hard, driving our bodies wild with desire. My back pressed against the cool bathroom tiles and I jerked forward, taking him in deep.

The moment before I came was like rushing over the rapids—that singular moment when it was too late to turn back. All I could do was hold on tight and enjoy the ride.

And as my scream joined Nolan’s satisfied grunt, I was sure my neighbors didn’t doubt for a second that he and I both enjoyed the ride.

Later I’d be mortified at just how noisy we’d been. Later I’d be mortified when my neighbors realized I’d f*cked Tyler Erickson—like the tabloids would confirm.

But for now, I wanted to enjoy what we’d shared. For now, I wanted to hold on to him for as long as I could, before I had to let him go.

Before I had to walk away.





Chapter 30


Nolan


When Pushing Limits had first signed with LS Records, we were told what was expected of us to ensure the band’s success. “Keep out of trouble” might’ve been stressed a few dozen times. And each time they’d straightened out another one of my screwups, we were given the same lecture. I swear those four words played on repeat mode in my head during my dreams and my nightmares. But that still didn’t change anything.

All those times, I’d been the fall guy. The guy who protected those I cared about, most notably the other members of the band.

This time was different.

This time the fault was all mine.

My phone played the opening of Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer” from the nightstand. Hailey was in the bathroom, drying her hair. I answered the phone instead of letting it go to voicemail, which would’ve been the preferred option given what I was about to tell the label’s PR person. “Hello?”

“Nolan, this is Jennifer Stephens. I got the message you needed to speak with me.”

I told her what had happened at the cemetery. “He might have stalked me from Hailey’s apartment, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he took pictures of us kissing.”

“Is she your girlfriend?” She wasn’t asking because she was curious. Her tone was calm and calculating.

“She’s a friend.” Who I wish was my girlfriend. “But the paparazzi * figured I was cheating on Alyssa Graham with Hailey. I wouldn’t be surprised if that makes front-page news in the tabloids.” By this time tomorrow, it would be trending entertainment news all over the Internet. “You need to make sure it’s clear that I’m not dating and never have been dating Alyssa. Neither of us needs this crap right now.”

“Is there anything else?”

“He discovered what happened to my mother and sister. He also found out Hailey was attacked and asked if the two were linked. So right now he’s got enough story angles to keep the tabloids f*cking happy for a while.”

The long, slow breath of someone doing her best to stay calm when the entire manure patch was hitting the fan whispered from the phone. “You’re not to talk to anyone, Nolan. And I need you back in L.A. so I can manage the damage better.”

“I’m not leaving here yet. I need another week. Plus the band’s flying out next week so we can work on the album together.”

“Fine,” she sighed heavily. “I’ll discuss it with Mr. Remar, but you will have to do what I tell you so I can minimize the fallout. Are we clear on that?”

“As long as you can keep Hailey out of this, then I’ll do whatever you want. I mean, other than going home on the next flight.” I highly doubted the cops would’ve solved Hailey’s attack by next week, and I was beginning to wonder if they ever would. I was simply buying more time with her.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to do that if there are photos of you kissing her. They will only complicate things. But if they don’t exist, we can have Alyssa confirm she knows about your friendship with Hailey and she completely trusts you.”

Huh? “What difference does it make if Alyssa trusts me? I am not her boyfriend!” Pictures or no pictures.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, Nolan, but this relationship between you and Alyssa that the media fabricated has been the ideal opportunity for you. Her clean-cut image and the fact she was willing to give you a chance to turn the bad-boy reputation around has gained you more respect in the industry.”

This was f*cking unbelievable. How had the real me become this fabricated persona? Even as Tyler, I’d planned to be the same person deep down that I was as Nolan. How had things gotten so screwed up? “So what are you saying?”

“Alyssa has always been favorable to aligning herself with you.” Which explained why she had never denied the rumors we were together. “Right now we have to wait to see what angle the media will take. We don’t want to waste time extinguishing fires that were never an issue.”