Page 99 of Worth Every Game
She leans into me and moans against my chest.“I can’t have sex now,” she mumbles. “I’m too stressed.”
“You sure I can’t tempt you?”
She shifts against me, and heat pools in my groin. It takes so little with Elly to turn me on.
“Not now. After. When I’ve finished my set.”
I tuck a wayward curl behind her ear. “Fine. I’ll wait. But I’m coming to find you as soon as you’re done.”
I slide my hand down the waistband of her skirt and cup her arse, giving it a hard squeeze that makes her squeal. She pushes me off, laughing, and a contented warmth floods my heart.
But then, almost instantly, it cools as I recall the comments on her social media.
She stiffens in my arms, tilting her head back to catch my eye. “What?”
I don’t want to scare her, or make this into a bigger deal than it is. After all, it could be nothing. And if she’s going to keep growing her presence online, this stuff is only going to get worse. She’ll have to get used to it.
But I want to know if she has any idea who might be behind the comments. Perhaps there’s some bitter ex in her past, or some girlfriend she fell out with. Or maybe it’s normal, in terms of social media and celebrity. Maybe I don’t need to worry, but even if that is the case, I don’t feel good about it.
I inhale deeply through my nose. “There isn’t anyone who’d want to… you know…”
“Want to what?”
Fuck.I can’t do this to her right before her big performance. “Nothing.” I sigh. “I’m just checking I have all your attention.”
“You do.” She presses a kiss to my lips. “I’m entirely yours.”
And even though it’s exactly what I need to hear, I don’t feel any better.
35
ELLY
The venue of Nico’s party is lush. I know Kate said she didn’t have the money to pay for Amy Moritz to perform, but she certainly has a lot of cash if the free-flowing champagne and delicious canapes are anything to go by. All the guests are gorgeous and well-dressed, and so freaking glamorous. I caught sight of Erica Lefroy chatting to Seb Hawkston by the bar; she’s one of the UK’s top models, and she’s unbearably beautiful in real life.
I haven’t had anything to drink because I don’t want to perform without being completely in control. Plus, I had such a bad hangover after I drank the bottle of Jack’s wine, that I’ve stayed off the booze ever since.
He hugs me moments before my set. “Go show them how talented you are,” he whispers, just as the MC is announcing me. He kisses me full on the lips while the spotlight is turned on us, and people begin squealing and clapping. I feel myself blushing, but I break away and take to the stage.
The set goes by in a blur. The audience is excited and cheers like crazy for me, and when I hear loud whistling between songs,I glance down to find Nico with his fingers in his mouth, and Kate beside him yelling for me.
This feels so good.Incredible. My heart is pounding and I’m high off the audience, my songs, and the performance; euphoric almost. And there isn’t a tomato in sight.
When I finish, I give thanks, and take a bow, before I descend the stage back into the party.
“That was amazing,” Kate says, rushing up to me. She’s so excited, she’s nearly breathless. “You totally stole the show.”
“Absolutely,” Nico agrees. “In fact, there’s someone who wants to meet you.”
“Oh?”
I brush my hair off my face. The stage was hot and I’m sweaty from being under the lights. My heart is racing. The set went better than I could ever have imagined.
“Yeah,” Nico says, grabbing someone from behind him. “This is Amy.”
I very nearly sink to my knees, because standing right there between Nico and Kate is Amy Moritz, one of the biggest music stars in the world. I’m so stunned that I can’t speak. I think I let out a squeak.
Amy smiles her big Americanised white smile. Her hair is shaved on one side and pink on the other. It looks ridiculously cool. I begin to sweat a bit more.