Violet Addiction (20 page)

Annabelle cast me a nervous glance. “Would you come, too?”

I was so shocked by her question, I wasn’t sure if I could speak to reply. We all just stared at each other in a stifling silence. Finally, my brain kicked back into action. “You want me there? Won’t that be awkward?”

Annabelle laughed. “Any more so than this?”

“The doctor’s visits seem a little more personal and private than dinner,” I argued.

Annabelle moved towards the door. “I’d like you to come. As you said, you’re going to be a part of our baby’s life, too.” She glanced at Cain. “Do you mind?”

“I’d like Violet to be there,” he said without hesitation.

Annabelle nodded as if satisfied with his answer, then she quietly left the room, leaving a stunned and speechless Cain and Violet in her wake. We were both leaning against the white tiled wall, absorbing everything that had just happened.

“I thought she might have been back here kicking your ass.”

“You think she could take me?” I asked, feigning offense over his assumption.

“Not at all, but I know you wouldn’t hit a pregnant woman.” Cain’s arm wrapped around my neck, and he pulled me close. “I don’t know what happened, but I think it will go down in history as being a bathroom intervention of epic proportions. With the look Annabelle was giving you when we got here, I wouldn’t have put it past her to poison you. Then I come searching for the two of you and find you having some weird bonding moment.”

I laughed as he pressed a kiss to my temple. “Trust me, no one is more surprised than me. She came in here, guns blazing. I gave her a piece of my mind, she cried, the baby kicked, and now we are apparently one bizarre triangular family unit.”

Cain turned to face me, pressing me against the wall. “You made her cry?” he whispered softly, his eyes teasing.

“No,” I said quietly, “you did. She cares for you, a lot. She’s scared, and I can hardly blame her. I was ruined when I lost you, and there was no lasting reminder growing inside me to prevent me from moving on.”

Cain’s eyes closed as if to shelter himself from the truth. “I know. I can’t even regret what happened because I have you and I’m going to be a father.” He opened his eyes. “I felt my baby move, and everything suddenly felt real. I’m going to be a dad. I could never regret anything that; it led us to here. I want to regret what happened to you, to us, but if none of it had happened, this wouldn’t have happened. I feel like the scum of the earth to be thinking this way.”

I kissed him which, thankfully, silenced him. “I understand and there is nothing to regret. The good times have been amazing, and the bad times have been a learning experience.”

He gripped either side of my head and kissed me. His tongue invaded my mouth, his hands tilted my head to offer him better access, and he pushed the evidence of his desire for me against my lower stomach. He only stopped when the door behind us swung open.

“Oh, s...so...sorry. I’ll come back,” stuttered an unfamiliar voice nervously.

“It’s okay, we were just leaving.” Cain grabbed my hand and pulled us out of the ladies restroom. Before I could walk back into the restaurant though, he drew me to a halt and buried his head in my neck. “I just need a moment to allow maxi-me to stand down.”

“Maxi-me?” I laughed.

“Well, it sure as hell isn’t mini-me,” he murmured into my neck with a chuckle.

I stood in Cain’s arms, wonder and surprise filling me. I had come so far since this time last year; so much had changed. It all just felt too good to be true. I was healthy, I was in love, but I was terrified of losing it all.

I was in my element, on stage, the lights shining brightly, sending the sparkling silver fabric of my dress into some glamorous form of a human mirror ball effect. Cain sat at the piano, his suit washing over his body like a black sheet of male perfection. Tied back in a neat bun, his hair was pulled away from his face, leaving those high cheek bones and piercing baby blues on show for the world to gush over. He currently watched me with an amused tilt to his lips. He knew how much I was enjoying this show. Our host was renowned rocker Jimmy Swivel, lead guitarist for Last Scream. We had played on his property three years ago for his wedding reception. Tonight we were back to sing for his daughter’s sweet sixteen. With the crowd piled too many rows deep to count, dancing and singing with a youthful vibrancy more levelheaded adults would be in awe of, I was having the night of my life. I had been nervous about playing here and for good reason. At Jimmy and Katie’s wedding, Cain and I had gotten ourselves royally drunk, and I had added enough cocaine to my system to fly to the moon and back. I had also found myself pressed up against a bathroom wall by Last Scream’s lead singer, Benji Flack, and screwed into an oblivious mess of lustful, screaming female. Not one of my finer moments, but few of my moments were.

After having finally sung our last set a little before midnight, Cain pulled me to the bar and ordered us both orange juices. The beautiful, young woman behind the bar gave Cain a mocking question with one perfectly arched brow. Cain shrugged and gave me a wink.

“How about we get crazy and have it on the rocks?” I rolled my eyes but grinned, while the not so impressed bartender poured our boring cocktails of orange juice and ice. Even though it was an underage party and we had been told that there would be no underage drinking, alcohol was plentiful and being passed freely around the mostly teenage guest list. There was nothing like an opulent, giant tent full of adolescent drunks to help reinforce my no alcohol policy. When a group of barely covered teenage girls stumbled to the bar and flirted in an embarrassingly shameless manner with Cain, I shook my head. Pulling himself free, he guided me away from the gaggle of giggling hormones.

“Thanks for the save,” he mumbled.

“Tell me I was never like that,” I sighed, watching the girls order sweet cocktails that were far too palatable and easy for a young woman to lose her inhibitions to.

Cain looped his arm around my neck and kissed my temple. “You were never like that.” He took a small sip from his drink. “You were much, much worse.” I thumped him on the chest with the back of my hand. Cain steered us towards Harry who, of course, had been invited. Harry was invited to everything, and I was beginning to think he was more popular than Cain and I.

“Did you know the female attendants in the bathrooms will give blow jobs for a substantial tip? Nobody throws a party like Jimmy,” Harry exclaimed with a grin.

I scrunched up my nose, more than a little disgusted, but not surprised.

“Cain Everett, long time, brother,” shouted a familiar voice from beside us.

I cringed, but I don’t think Cain noticed as he dropped his arm from my shoulders and gave Benji Flack one of those disturbingly complicated handshakes that were obviously part of some secret men’s club. He was a good looking man, his gorgeous body heavily tattooed, his hair shaved close to his scalp, dark brown eyes promising all sorts of naughtiness. “And, sweet Violet, it’s been too long, honey,” he crooned, pressing a kiss to my cheek. Cain was unaware of my one night with Benji, and I wanted to keep it that way. I pulled back, being sure to keep a slither of space between Benji and me.

“Looking good, Benji, no doubt all the success attributed to ‘Lost Cause’,” said Harry, clinking his beer against Benji’s in a congratulatory manner. “Lost Cause” was Last Scream’s single that released three months ago and was still hovering around the top of the charts.

“What can I say? I wrote a song telling all the ladies that I am, in fact, a lost cause, and now they want me even more.” Benji, never one to be bashful. He tugged on the hand of a beautiful, dark skinned woman who stood slightly to one side behind him. “Allow me to introduce Lisette.” The beautiful woman, who stood easily six feet tall with flawless, ebony skin and a head of carefully braided plaits twisted into mountain on her head, gave a polite nod. “This is Violet, Harry, and Cain,” Benji continued with the introductions.

“It is lovely to meet you all,” she purred with a thick French accent.

“Lisette is the latest angel to join Victoria’s Secret. She also plays the piano and is a big fan of yours, Cain.” Benji leaned in to whisper, none to quietly, in Harry and Cain’s direction, “She also loves to do things in threes, if you catch my drift.” He wiggled his eyebrows mischievously and rather than being embarrassed or disgusted, Lisette giggled. Giggled! Benji gave Lisette a gentle nudge in Cain and Harry’s direction. Harry’s eyes lit up like a virgin on prom night, and Cain’s expression remained polite but neutral. He courteously began answering Lisette’s musical questions while Harry watched, open mouth and all. When a firm body pressed against my back, I knew immediately who the culprit was. “Now that I’ve got your guard dogs heeled for the rest of the evening, how about you and me go take a stroll down memory lane?” Benji’s breath stunk of cigarette and beer. Regardless of how handsome he was, I was not attracted to him. It must have taken a hell of a lot of alcohol and coke to get me in the mood last time we had been in this very predicament.

“I think the past is best left where it belongs, in the past,” I snapped. When I tried to take a small step away from the heat of Benji’s body, he grabbed my hand and pulled it behind my back, between our bodies, pressing my fingers firmly over the hard length of his obvious desire. I tried to snatch my hand away, but Benji held tight.

“I’ve got something to help get you in the mood. A few lines and my mouth on your pussy will have you aching for me in no time.” More than a little repulsed with his offer, I tried, once again, to step away. He was holding my wrist so tight, I knew it would leave a mark. I gave him my best you’re-going-to-die glare, prepared to follow it up with a barrage of profanity, when a strong, warm hand encircled the back of my neck. My gaze swung around to see a very pissed off Cain Everett standing before me, gently guiding me away from Benji and into his body. I went willingly, as if being drawn from the arms of the devil into the embrace of an angel.

“We okay here?” Cain asked through gritted teeth.

“Violet and I were just going to take a walk,” Benji said with a confidence that pissed me off. I have no doubt Cain felt the sudden rigidness in my body. His fingers rubbed the back of my neck in an almost soothing manner as he reached for my hand and raised it between us. His thumb rubbed my wrist in a comforting way, as if he knew Benji’s touch had been rough. Then he raised my hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the back before glaring over my shoulder at Benji.

“I got the impression she wasn’t interested,” Cain said with a raised brow, his calm voice belying the anger I knew simmered beneath.

“Come on, Cain, stop playing the protective brother. Violet’s a big girl, and she can be with whomever she chooses. If she wants to go on a walk with me, let her.”

Fury raged inside me at his bold assumption that I would simply fall into bed with him. I guess my past behavior had left that kind of impression, and that just made me angrier. When I would have spun around to hurl a mouthful of verbal abuse in Benji’s direction, Cain’s hand at my neck held me steady.

“I can guarantee you that what I have for Violet is not brotherly love.” My gaze rose to Cain’s, but his eyes never left Benji’s. “Whatever you might have shared with her in the past, won’t be happening again. She is mine, and if anyone’s mouth is going to be on any part of her body, it will be mine.” Benji looked shocked. “We clear now?” Cain asked.

Benji raised his hands and nodded. “Sorry, brother, I didn’t realize that you guys had moved past the kindergarten crush. I wouldn’t indulge on someone else’s territory, unless invited.” Benji winked. “So, if you ever want to invite me, you have my number.” Before I could scream in outrage, Benji disappeared into the crowd, and Cain pressed his lips against mine. After a quick but desperate kiss, he pulled away, but one hand on the back of my neck kept us connected.

“I’m your territory?” I growled, albeit a little breathlessly.

“Benji’s words, not mine, baby.”

I shook my head. “What about all that throwing around the word ‘mine’, like some dog pissing on his favorite lamp post,” I huffed indignantly, trying to keep my voice down from the few lingering guests who were trying unsuccessfully to look as though they were ignoring us.

“Violet, you are mine just as much as I am yours, and if Lisette had put her hands on me just now, I have no doubt you would be rubbing yourself all over me in an attempt to reclaim your possession.” The thought of Lisette touching Cain brought with it a surge of jealousy, and I realized just how pissed off Cain was and rightly so.

“I’d probably drag you off to the nearest closest and climb your body like you were nothing but a jungle gym.” Cain’s eyes flared with interest. “Before you go getting any ideas, I need to pee.” The corner of his mouth tipped into a small smile. Over Cain’s shoulder, Harry was doing his best to keep Lisette’s undivided attention on himself.

“Let me walk you in case any other arrogant rockers try to stake their claim on you.”

“You’re still talking about me like I’m a bitch in heat,” I grumbled angrily. Cain kissed my temple in that comforting and loving way that melted my temper instantly.

“The dogs are all male, baby, myself included, and we are all reduced to possessive animals when in the presence of a woman as perfect as you.”

“Compliments will get you everywhere, Mr. Everett,” I whispered with a smile. Cain found a bar close to the bathrooms and waited. While in the safety of a quiet stall, I let out a deep sigh, casting out the tension the run-in with Benji had caused. After a few deep breaths, a calming technique taught to me by the wise and wonderful Dr. Brightman, I took care of my body’s needs. As I fixed my dress, a gaggle of teenage girls entered the bathroom.

“Jimmy is so fucking sexy. I’m going to give him a blow job,” one of the girls sang. I instantly disliked her.

“He’s married!” another said, outraged. I liked this one.

“So, hasn’t stopped him from stepping out in the past,” said the first girl.

“Benji is a sure thing,” said another girl. “And trust me, he has a huge dick.” My brow creased with mortification. These girls sounded so young to be speaking so bluntly. I’d be a hypocrite if I tried to convince myself that I had been any better than them though. I was a seasoned coke addict by the time I was their age.

“Hurry up, I saw Cain Everett alone at the bar just now, and if I can’t have Jimmy, he’s a damn fine runner up.” The girls laughed.

“You are such a whore, Ricci.”

“Uh-huh, I came to terms with that years ago.”

“I heard Cain is seeing Violet,” said the one who had some resemblance to morals.

“So, she’s a has-been junkie hooker who fucked her way through life for her next hit. My mom said she grew up in a trailer park and her parents were junkies, too. There’s no way Cain would want forever with that skanky, white trash bitch. You never know; I could be his forever. I’m younger, hotter, and richer, just what a man like Cain Everett needs.”

I was mortified, but still managed to be irritated that her mother had gotten her facts slightly wrong. I had, in fact, grown up in a house, not a trailer park.

“Maybe he likes to fuck girls in the ass, and that’s why he’s doing Violet. She’s easy.” My hand clamped over my mouth before a stifled moan of horror could escape.

“Oh my god, Layla! Have you ever been fucked in the ass? It’s amazing and trailer trash whores aren’t the only ones begging to be mounted.” The girls all laughed and I stood frozen at the callous, disturbing conversation.

“Come on, let’s go see if Cain wants to mount one of us.”

The bathroom emptied just as fast as it had filled, and I pushed my door open, my stark, pale reflection staring back at me from the mirror. I was furious, appalled, and more than anything, shocked to the core that a teenage girl, who had never met me in her life, pinned me for what I had always assumed I was, trash. Worthlessness settled over me like a familiar blanket. Memories assaulted me, the despicable things I had done for a hit or men I had screwed while high. I was no better than the foul mouthed girls who had obviously so little respect for themselves. A loud pounding on the door caught my attention.