Chompin' at the Bit (Horse Play #2) (6 page)

“
M
adi?” I could tell he was whispering, yet his voice still felt like jackhammers assaulting my brain. “Baby, here drink this.”

My eyes fluttered open, and I saw Jensen sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. The room was bathed in bright light, forcing me to squint against it. Jensen held out a glass of water in his right hand, and his left was closed into a fist around something, palm down. As my brain struggled to put two-and-two together, I noticed I was under the blankets and half of the pillows were stacked on the bench at the foot of the bed.

Things were getting weird.

I pushed myself up to a sitting position, noticing I was still in my bra and panties, but stopped to hold my pounding head. “Oh, shit. My head feels like it weighs a ton … Not to mention the construction workers in there pounding the shit out of my brain. How does a hangover come on this quick?”

Jensen looked at me strangely, his right eyebrow arched with confusion—I think. “Madi, baby, it’s ten-thirty in the morning.”

“Bullshit,” I argued, taking the water and opening my other hand beneath the fist he still held out. He dropped two Advil into my palm. “No, that’s not possible. I remember …” Holding the glass of cold water and the pills in my hands, I wracked my memory for the events that led us here. “We were at dinner. Drinking, eating … Kaylie showed up, and then we went back to the party where Kyle and Gavin invited us to have a few drinks with them. Then we came back here and we …” That was when everything got a little fuzzy.

Jensen chuckled. “Intended to have the best sex of your life when you got the hiccups.”

Yup, it all came flooding back, and that was when I only half-realized the light in the room was coming from the window. “Right. And you went to get me water. And now you’re back, and I feel like I’ve been hit by a train.”

“Let the Advil kick in. You’ll be right as rain soon.” Jensen used his hand to guide the painkillers toward my mouth until I took them. “When I came back with your water, I found you had moved up on the bed. I sat next to you and told you I had your water, but you didn’t respond. You’d passed out.”

I. Was. An. Asshole.

“Oh, God!” I said, covering my mouth with my empty hand. “I’m sorry!”

Jensen dismissed my apology with a quick laugh and a headshake. “Don’t be. It was probably best we waited until neither of us was quite that drunk.”

“Hmm, so does that mean tonight’s a no-go too?” I asked teasingly. “I mean, it’s a wedding. More free drinks … And I don’t know Kyle all that well, but I guarantee you he’s going to convince you to drink with him. You’re easily swayed.”

“Me?” he cried in disbelief, laughing. “Little Miss ‘I don’t succumb to peer pressure’? You outdrank me!”

“Lightweight,” I ribbed, setting the glass of water on the nightstand. “Okay, I should shower before I go see Willow. What time do you have to go get ready with Kyle? Do you have some time to join me? I could make up for last night.”

Looking quite pained, Jensen shook his head. “As much as I would love to take you up on that offer, I’m already a little late getting over there.” He reached into his pants pocket and held out his keys. “Take your dad’s truck to the spa. I’ve already let Willow know you’d be a little late. I’ll be back here at two to pick you up.”

“Thanks. I guess you should go then? Leave me all alone… Naked and wet …?” I could see his resolve beginning to break as I toyed with him a little.

“Madison …” His voice was low and gravelly; I loved when he sounded like that. He leaned in, his eyes dark and stormy as he tried for a kiss.

In an instant, my fingers were on his lips. “Sorry! I haven’t brushed my teeth yet! Don’t leave until I have?” Finding a burst of energy, I leapt off the bed and rushed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face.

Jensen was just outside the bathroom when I flung the door open, startling me slightly. “I figured I’d meet you by the door so you don’t try to entice me beneath the covers with you, making us both later than we already are.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my near-naked body against his. “And you don’t think I could entice you anywhere? That sounds like a challenge, Mr. Davis.”

Jensen leaned forward and touched his lips to mine before pulling right back. It was clear I wasn’t going to win this one. “I’ll be here at two. Call if you get bored or just want to talk. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Once Jensen was gone, I had a quick shower before I had to go see Willow. I was excited to spend a little bit of time with her today. After pulling on a button-up plaid shirt and jeans, I slipped my shoes on and grabbed my wallet and the car keys before leaving the room.

It took me just over fifteen minutes to get to Willow’s spa, and when I walked in I was greeted by a familiar face I hadn’t seen in months. “Well, there she is!” Brandon said, smiling wide as he pulled me into his arms. “How the hell have you been, darlin’?”

“Good. How are things with you?” I asked when he released me. His blond hair had been cut short recently, hiding the fact it was naturally curly, and his deep blue eyes held mine.

“Can’t complain.” He took a minute to look at me carefully. “Gee, Madi, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen you this happy before. It looks good on you! When do I get to meet him? Y’know, give my opinion and all.” Having known Brandon almost as long as Willow, I knew that he just wanted to get a feel for Jensen.

Brandon had always been an excellent judge of character. It was probably one of the reasons he made such a great therapist; being able to sniff out the truth usually meant he was able to help his patients much more effectively. He had concerns about Dane early on, and I was ashamed to admit I brushed him off, stating he was being ridiculous.

Hindsight really is twenty-twenty.

“Um, I don’t know. Maybe we could meet somewhere for dinner before we have to head home tomorrow night?” I suggested, really hoping that worked for them; I really wanted Brandon to like Jensen. He was the closest thing I had to a big brother, and he was always looking out for me like one.

“Madi!” Willow cried ecstatically, walking out of the back room with two champagne flutes in her hand. Mimosas, most likely.

“Hey, Will,” I said, wrapping her in my arms when she reached me and set down our drinks. “How’ve you been?”

“We’re good! Business has been picking up this last week, and we’re very excited about it.” Willow grabbed our drinks, handing me one before looping her arm through mine and leading me back toward the stylists’ chairs. “Madison, this is Georgia. She’s from Italy and does amazing work.”

Georgia stood next to her station and smiled at me. Her long chestnut hair was straight and pulled behind her shoulders and off her face. “I’m actually from New York, but I was living in Italy for the last couple years,” she said, correcting Willow.

“Still from Italy, Georgia” Willow countered playfully, pushing me down into the chair.

“So, what are we doing today? What are you wearing?” Georgia asked, running her fingers through my hair.

“It’s a cobalt blue sheath dress,” Willow interjected before I could open my mouth. “It’s a low V in the back and a V-neckline.”

“Sounds lovely. So, were you thinking something up and off your shoulders and back? Or did you want to leave it down?” Georgia asked, looking at me through the mirror.

“Um, well, what if we pulled it off to the side … so it was off my back, but still down? Is that stupid?” I really had no idea what the hell I was talking about.

Georgia smiled and shook her head. “Not at all. In fact, I’ve got just the style. Trust me.”

I nodded, and Georgia turned me away from the mirror and toward Willow and Brandon as she started on my hair. “Sorry I was a little late this morning.”

Willow shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. As soon as I answered the phone this morning, I knew what it was about. Jensen sounded pretty rough.” Willow laughed. “You two must have had a crazy night. Any details you’d care to share?”

Brandon squirmed slightly in his chair, causing me to laugh. “Actually, no. It turns out I passed out trying to rid myself of the hiccups.” Willow exploded into a fit of giggles, and Brandon laughed pretty heartily as well. While I wanted to grumble and bitch them out, I couldn’t; the truth was it was pretty damn funny. “Yeah, awesome, right? Poor Jensen, though.”

My phone started vibrating in my pocket just then. “Sorry, Georgia, my phone’s vibrating. Just give me a sec?” Georgia stopped styling my hair while I fished my phone out. As soon as I had it in my hands, she started working again.

“It’s Jensen,” Willow announced to the room. “You can tell by that goofy-ass grin she gets. I witnessed it more times than I can count that weekend I stayed with them.”

Hey. Just wanted to let you know

I miss you. How’s it going?

Smiling, I quickly tapped out a message in return. He missed me? That seemed … deeper than we’d agreed on.

Just getting my hair tugged and

pulled, but it should look amazing.

Miss you, too.

I set my phone on the station’s tabletop and turned back to Willow. “Sorry.”

“No worries. So, Brandon said you wanted to do dinner tomorrow night? I think that would be fun! You guys should stop by the loft. We’ll order in.”

I was just about to respond when my phone vibrated again. Before I could grab it, Willow snatched it up and clicked a few buttons, smiling like a Cheshire cat the entire time. Brandon looked over her shoulder and chuckled before she pushed one more button and set it in her lap.

“What are you two doing?”

“Nothing,” they said in unison. Schemers
.

Glaring at them, I held my hand out. “Give me my phone, or so help me, Willow …”

Huffing and rolling her eyes, Willow handed me the phone, and I flipped to my messages.

Tugged and pulled?

Sounds kind of kinky?

I’ll show you kinky later ;)

My mouth gaped open. “Willow!”

I was just about to text him back and tell him that that was Willow when my phone vibrated again, and Willow started bouncing in her seat. I could feel my cheeks flaming as I opened the newest message.

Oh really? I look forward to it.

What was I supposed to say to that? Should I confess that it was Willow who sent that? Ultimately, I decided to leave Willow’s involvement out as I tapped out the next message.

Me too. It was a shame you

couldn’t join me in the shower

his morning…

I closed my eyes tightly and hit send.

“Aw, look! Madi’s sexting!” Willow exclaimed.

I laughed and waited for Jensen’s response.

Madison! That wasn’t me! Kyle

Got my phone after I sent the

first message!

 “Oh, God!” I cried, dropping my phone to my lap and covering my mouth.

“Must have been juicy …” Willow guessed, leaning forward to grab my phone.

I shook my head, still pressing my hands tightly to my mouth. “No, it wasn’t.” I dropped my arms. “You were sexting Kyle. And then
I
continued it!”

Willow and Brandon’s laughter filled the salon, Georgia joining them as she continued to do my hair. My phone vibrated in my lap again, even though I had yet to answer Jensen’s last message. Terrified, I picked it up and read his newest text.

I’m sorry. I didn’t realize he took

it! And I most certainly didn’t

expect you to respond.

Smiling, I tapped out another quick response.

Actually, Willow stole my phone

and responded first. It wasn’t until

“you” enjoyed what she had to say

that I figured I’d try it.

His reply didn’t take long.

Well, even though I didn’t start it,

I did enjoy it. However, maybe we

should keep track of our phones

at all times?

I laughed, causing Willow and Brandon’s curiosity to grow.

Agreed. I should go though.

I’ll see you soon.

Can’t wait.

I turned my phone off and tucked it under my right thigh so it wouldn’t distract me any further before I turned back to Willow. As Georgia put the finishing touches on my hair before moving on to my makeup, Willow suggested several meal options for dinner the next night.

“All right,” Georgia announced, swiveling my chair to face the mirror. “What do you think?”

I leaned forward and took in my newly made-over appearance. The makeup wasn’t overdone, which was nice. She used gold and brown eye shadows to make my hazel eyes pop, yet kept everything very natural looking. But my hair … it was stunning. She had pulled it all into a low ponytail off to my right, letting it drape over my shoulder, keeping my back exposed. It was styled in large, shiny curls, and she had styled a bow out of a few strands of my own hair to conceal the elastic that held my hair in place.

“I love it, Georgia! Thank you so much!” I exclaimed, hopping out of the chair and hugging her. I wasn’t usually a hugger, but what Georgia had done definitely deserved one.

“Madi, you look fantastic!” Willow said happily. “Georgia, you did an amazing job.”

After paying and tipping Georgia generously, I looked at the time and noticed that I only had just over an hour before Jensen was going to come pick me up. “Well, I guess I should go. I’ll see you guys tomorrow night, though. Thanks again for squeezing me in, Will.”

I hugged Willow and Brandon before I left the spa and drove back to the hotel. Once I was back in our room, I grabbed my garment bag from the closet and unzipped it. I smiled before I started to unbutton my blouse to get changed. I was definitely excited to show him the dress finally. It had been hard to keep it from him as long as I had.