FicWad

Natalie's POV

If there was one word I could use to describe the dance floor that night, it would definitely be hot. No really, it was hot as hell in there. Everyone was damn near inebriated, bodies were everywhere, grinding and wiggling around. Mine and the guy I was dancing with was no exception. We'd gotten along amazingly all night, and the both of us giggled to jokes no one else quite understood while his hands rested on my hips and my arms wrapped around his neck. It was harmless flirtation, really, and at the song's last hook, we happened to raise our heads at the same time, hitting each other's foreheads and erupting into another round of giggles like nerds. That's when I felt a slight tug on my shirt.

“Oh hey Tay,” I smiled big at her, pulling away from Brendon slightly, but not letting go.

She grinned at Brendon and tightened her hold on me. “Let me steal her for three minutes! That's it I swear.” She giggled and he nodded, we all giggled together again before parting. I watched him dance off goofily and then grinned back at Nat.

“Isn't he cute?” I laughed.

“I bet he is,” Taylor chuckled. “Nice ass too, but I think I'd keep his friend if...” She trailed off and shrugged, making me stare at her quizzically. “Listen, I was just outside right? And William came out and got all jealous and shit. Then we kind of argued, but that's not the point...”

“Okay, what did you argue about? And how bad is it?” I asked.

She shook her head. “That doesn't matter! We made up and he wants me to come with him when we go back to the hotel... I haven't said anything to him yet, but the thing is... he's roomed with Carden...”

The grinch smirk on her lips was back. And the smile on mine had disappeared. “Uh-uh,” I shook my head. “I'm not fucking with him tonight. He's losing his mind.”

“I didn't say you had to! I told William that he wasn't sending Mike to our room, and he said Mike could sleep in the lobby for all he cared, but...” Taylor paused dramatically, leaving me bug-eyed. “He said that you two should talk... actually TALK, because Mike is driving him insane.”

I sighed deeply and led her back over to bar, snatching up another shot of whiskey and downing that shit fast.

“Tay... I'm just trying to have fun tonight... I don't know if I can deal with Mike right now...” I sighed heavily again. “But I guess I can do it for you. Even though I was having a nice time with my dance partner...” I giggled and searched the crowded dance floor with my eyes.

“Nat, you don't have to deal with him or whatever if you don't want to...”

She smirked again. It was really starting to creep me out!

“You can leave Mike in our room and go to his!” She pointed at Brendon and I smiled, remembering how much I liked dancing close to him. He was so adorable, but pursuing anything with him could cost me my job. And I knew it. “But if you ask me, you DO need to get your stuff straight, especially after what happened before we came out.” I bit my lip while she ordered a double rum and gulped it.

I shook my head, tapping my nails on the bar surface. “You're right... So when are you two leaving? Maybe I can catch the taxi back with you.”

“Next tour, we apply to work with Panic,” She replied, taking another drink. “And I'm not leaving with William, I want him to wait.” She made an evil face and killed the drink, asking for yet another. “Now I have to get back before they miss me, and so have you...” She giggled, shoving me towards the end of the bar, where Brendon was waiting for his own drink.

“NOT under the same circumstances though. This shit is too stressful.” I chuckled and picked up my glass as she started to walk away. “Let me know when you're leaving!” I added.

“Hey,” I said softly once I'd reached my dance partner. “Taking a break already?”

He looked up and immediately started grinning. “Just... waiting... Since you promised you'd come back.” He sipped his drink and my eyes honed in on the way he licked his lips before placing them on the glass. I found myself wondering in my state what those thick, pillowy lips would feel like if I kissed them. I licked my own lips instinctively.

“See something you like?” Brendon asked, a lop-sided smirk on his face.

I giggled, shrugged and turned up my drink, finishing in one big gulp. “Finish that drink and meet me back out there, partner.” He grinned, killed the leftover contents of his glass and chased me back out onto the floor.

“So, when can I get that haircut?” Brendon asked in my ear once we'd squeezed back through the crowd.

“I can do it anytime. Just ask.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that.” I repeated, blushing and smiling bashfully under his gaze. The temperature was definitely rising again, and I wasn't in the mindset to realize all the trouble my current situation could cause. He leaned forward, and my heart raced, thumping wildly as fingertips tilted my chin to an appropriate angle and full, moist lips brushed against my own.

Just then Taylor interrupted. “Nat,” She chuckled. “Oops.”

I bit my lip, quickly averting my eyes from Brendon's and removing one arm from around his waist.

“Yeah?” I asked, clearing my throat and giving Tay my full attention.

She grinned and giggled before continuing. “Don't mind me, just letting you know that we're leaving.” She looked at Brendon. “And that goes for you too. Ryan wanted me to let you know.”

She was still smiling and I wanted to sink into the floor in embarrassment. “Oh, well. I guess since we're leaving...” I trailed off, glancing back at Brendon.

“Okay, cool.” He replied, looking back down at me. “I'm taking you up on that as soon as I can. We've got unfinished business.” My eyes nearly bugged out of my head when he kissed my cheek and told both me and Taylor goodbye.

I groaned and looked at her. “Oh god. Thank you.”

She laughed and grinned creepily. “We're leaving with them, you know. Are you talking to Carden tonight? Or bailing back to his room?”

“Shut up Tay. I have no intention on going back to his room... I don't even know what that was. But I'm glad you stopped it.” Taylor linked arms with me as we walked off.

“Why? I could tell the both of you were enjoying yourselves.” She chuckled at the same time I groaned.

“Maybe because if he finds out about Mike he'll think I'm a slut? Or if Mike finds out about him I'll be an unemployed slut?”

“Well, I can't fix the slut part, but I'm sure you won't be unemployed.” She giggled and pulled me outside to the van, stopping before we get to the stairs. “Talk to Carden... And then, have him.” She pointed at Brendon, making me follow with my eyes.

So tempting...

“Okay, I'll talk to Mike. And then... we'll see what happens.” I answered, biting down on my lip hard as we boarded the van.

.~

When I stumbled my half-drunken ass to mine and Taylor's room, I was surprised to see Mike sitting outside on the floor, leaning against the wall.

I froze, but then proceeded to pull out my key card and approach the door. “Have you been here the whole time?”

He looked up at me slowly. “No. William sent me a message that you guys were on the way.”

“Oh.” I answered, awkwardly opening the door as he got up and followed me in. The first thing I did was sit on the low dresser and kick my stiletto boots off. Mike closed the door and leaned against it, watching me.

“Had fun?”

“As a matter of fact,” I began, hopping down and going into the bathroom. In there I stripped off the skin tight jeans and wrapped in my robe, which hung on the door, then stepped back out and looked back at him. “I did. Is that why what you were waiting to ask me?”

“No.” His expression was blank and unreadable. “I wanted to talk to you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “About? Seriously, give me a clue here Carden.” I chuckled nervously.

“I wanna know why you've been avoiding me.” He sighed, getting closer.

“I haven't been. You just ignore me.” I retorted, backing up. He raised his eyebrow. I guess we were playing tag.

“I haven't! I came here earlier tonight and you just left!”

“Because I had plans.” I snapped, turning my back on him and picking up the remote to the TV. “Just because I'm here, doesn't mean I cater to your every whim. Especially when you had hours to talk to me on the plane.”

“You should. Since it was me who got you here. Unless you'd rather be unemployed and back home in the states.”

I blinked, seriously in awe of what I just thought I heard. “Wait, what? So what are you saying Mike?” I walked up on him, looking up into his face. “What? You gonna send me home out of the blue because I want to ask you questions instead of fucking on demand?”

“I'm not saying that, Nat. I'm just. I think you could be a little more grateful, I don't know...” He huffed.

Oh god was he kidding?

“Really? Just how grateful should I be Mike? How grateful should I be that unless we're fucking or arguing you totally ignore me? This isn't easy...” I stopped and took a deep breath, getting more upset than needed definitely wouldn't help the situation, but I couldn't help it. “I'm confused and... maybe I made a mistake. Maybe I should go home.”

“No! I-I didn't mean it like that. I mean...,” He paused, huffing again and ramming a hand through his hair in frustration. “I have no clue on how to do this, okay? I just... wanted to have you near and I couldn't come up with a better way to do so...” He crossed his arms defensively. “I really liked it last time...”

I smirked a little, stepping backward. “What did you like?” I pushed a stray strand of his hair back and waited for an answer knowingly.

He stared back for a moment, while I continued to smirk. “You know what. So don't play dumb.” Mike grabbed my wrist. “Question is, did you like it?”

Relieved that he hadn't brought Brendon up like I was afraid he would, he pulled my arm and I never lost the smirk on my face. “I don't know, what do you think? Is this what you wanted to discuss?”

The blank look was back. “Yeah, I wanna know why you agreed to this.”

“Well, it wasn't because I liked you. At first. But then you were nice to me... plus Taylor is here, and the sex was good if I can be totally honest.” I confessed quietly, blushing cheeks and all.

He let me loose a little, thank fuck. The man is a lot stronger that he seems to be. “It was... So, what are we doing?”

“I was wondering the same thing. I think... I really need to know...” I replied, the kiss that never was with Brendon running through my head again.

“We agree on the sex part at least... But, that's it.” He said, I could tell he was chewing the inside of his cheek. But I wasn't surprised at all and shrugged, pulling away only slightly annoyed.

“Whatever works. Anything else?”

“Did you expect anything else? I think you're nice and cute, that's why I made a move in the first place. It wasn't easy, you know? But as far as I see, there's nothing else here.” He blinked confused.

“No, really. I get it, I know. But I was asking now that that's settled, are there any other rules I need to follow?”

“Not really, you know, just that we keep it quiet. And, exclusive...”

Growing more and more annoyed by the minute, I wanted to roll my eyes and slam the door in his face. I still couldn't believe his nerve. Instead I smiled. “I can do that, okay? Don't worry honey. I'm guessing I'll see you tomorrow?”

“Great. But I have nowhere to crash.” He said plainly.

“Oh. I, um. Forgot they were hi-jacking your room...” I muttered, looking back at the single bed I was supposed to share with Taylor.

Wonderful, not only was I disgusted but pretty much stuck with Mike for the night, which also meant no Brendon for me, but we'd also have to share a bed. Seeing as I really didn't have a choice, I decided to make light of the situation and offered up a (mostly) genuine smile.

“My casa es tu casa and all that. I'm gonna have a shower.” I told him, pulling my hair down.

He sighed in defeat and grabbed a pillow and one of the top blankets. “I'll sleep on the couch. You are way too transparent, you know that? It's not like I can go anywhere else.” He grumbled.

“Mike... I'm sorry, ok? I was a little miffed... I'll admit it. I have a temper...” I sighed. “But I meant what I just said. C'mon, you don't have to sleep on the couch...” I pleaded, placing a hand on his chest to stop him. “Besides, With Taylor gone, I'll have no one to keep warm with...” I traced the same finger up to his neck and bit my lip.

“You saying you use Taylor to keep you warm?” Mike smirked.

“You think I'd tell you if I did?” I giggled teasingly.

“Maybe...”He smiled and walked toward the bed again slowly. “Want me to keep you warm then?”

I untied and dropping my robe to my feet, along with my blouse and bra. “Yeah. I'm freezing. Can't you tell?”

He stared me up and down like a hungry lion that spotted a t-bone and licked his lips. “I can't... but I know how to find out.” He growled, circling my waist with one arm and pulling me close to him forcefully. He kissed me, hard, while cupping one of my breasts in his hand and kneading it slowly. “...Liar.”

I sighed in encouragement, my body suddenly desperate for his attention. “Why am I a liar?” I chuckled, disconnecting our mouths long enough to pull his shirt off.

He didn't answer. Just stared, smirked again and ran a finger down my chest and belly down between my folds. “Liar...”

I rolled my eyes playfully, whispering and practically begging him to slide his fingers inside me, moaning when he complied, and arching my back as soon as the tip of his tongue followed.