Dylan and Taylor (Soul Mates 101 Series) Read online

  “What’s wrong, Taylor? I don’t get what you’re stressed about.”

  I close my eyes and feel as if my heart’s racing out of my chest.

  “It’s about my dad …”

  One Step Backward

  Dylan

  I look down at the tattoo and back at her three times before it finally registers in my brain. Information starts flooding my mind. Taylor telling me she grew up with rock music, the guitar playing, the wealth, her edgy rocker style and the two tattoos. Her last name. Fucking—Page.

  “Taylor Page, just say it. I need you to say it now.” I’m going into full blown panic mode.

  She sits up at the edge of the bed and stares into my eyes. “My father’s Vincent Page from Strip it Off.”

  “No—fucking—way,” I say aggressively. I run my hand through my hair, and I’m really missing my hat at the moment. I can’t even comprehend what I’m hearing. My heart pounds harder than it ever has, and I feel light-headed.

  “You’re reacting even worse than I imagined.”

  “You can’t say how I’m reacting, Taylor, because I don’t even know!”

  “Well, you’re not telling me that this is the most exciting news ever with a huge grin on your face, and I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that I can’t take you yelling at me!” She flings herself back on the bed and begins wailing.

  I storm out of her room, slamming the door behind me. I go straight to my bedroom and grab my coat and keys before running down the stairs. My friends are in the great room.

  “What’s with the yelling, man?” Cody asks.

  Brett steps in front of the door. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “I don’t know, and I don’t care. Get out of my way!”

  “Dylan, we’re getting snowed in, and it’s dark, so you can’t leave,” Hannah says.

  “Move it, Brett.”

  He steps aside. “You’re going to regret this.”

  I open the door and see the snow. “Just great!” I shut it and turn around.

  “Don’t do this, Dylan. Hear that crying?” Brett asks, pointing upstairs. “You’re causing that, not her. She can’t help who she is. It’s no different than Hannah, and you don’t hold that against her, and you sure as hell didn’t want me too, either.”

  “I’m pissed that she’s just now telling me. It figures you all fucking knew.” I pace in a circle near the door.

  “What’s going on?” Matt asks.

  I glance to Brett. I’m so damn confused. “Dylan, I’m the only guy who knows.”

  “I’m shocked Hannah’s the one who folded,” I say wryly.

  “I’m trying to help you, man, but you better watch your damn mouth. Taylor’s the one who told me and not voluntarily. I busted her sitting outside your room yesterday listening to you play. After talking to her, I realized she was hiding something, so I got it out of her.”

  Hannah walks up to me, and I can see I’ve made her mad. “I know it’s a shock and a lot to deal with, but if you walk away from her, even for a small amount of time, she most likely won’t forgive you since you’ll be doing what she hates the most, treating her different because of who she is.”

  Cody stands up from the chair he’s sitting in. “Bro, you need to tell me what’s going on.”

  “I can’t even say it, someone else tell them.” I finally stop pacing and look at my friends.

  Brett looks at Matt, Cody and Austin. “Taylor’s father is Vincent Page, and yes I mean the Vincent Page from Strip it Off.”

  “No way!” Cody yells.

  Matt shakes his head. “That’s messed up.”

  “Why did you all keep this from us for so long?” Austin asks, looking at the girls.

  “Like I told Brett, we didn’t think it was a big deal since we’ve grown up around celebrities or their kids, either through our parents or private school. Then Taylor asked us not to tell. She’s over the top self-conscious about it,” Hannah replies.

  Matt still looks in shock. “Man, this explains so much about her.”

  Brett points at me. “Dylan, get your ass up there and talk to her. What’s your problem?”

  “I’m angry that she didn’t trust me enough to tell me until today, and we’ve fooled around. He’s my idol, and I’ve had my hands all over his daughter. He’ll probably have me taken out by a hit man or something.”

  Chelsea jumps up from her chair, puts her hands on her hips and glares at me. I guess I’m just pissing everyone off. “You’re being ridiculous, Dylan. This is why Taylor didn’t tell you until now. You mean you think he’s a murderer because he has fame and money?”

  I throw my hands in the air. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to think about any of this, Chelsea.”

  “He’s an exceptional guitar player, but otherwise he’s no different than the rest of us. Actually, he gave Taylor a horrible home life until just a few years ago, so I don’t know if I’d give him that much credit,” she adds.

  Hannah’s still in front of me, and now she’s pointing a finger in my face. “She doesn’t tell anyone who her father is, yet she trusted you enough to tell, so if you don’t want to be with her now, then you don’t deserve her.

  “I thought you’d react differently. I can’t believe you were going to go out that door and leave her up there crying.” She turns and walks toward the stairs. “I have to go check on her.”

  “No, I’ll do it,” I say with frustration. “You need to give me a break. The guys can tell you that since I was a little boy, I’ve worshipped the ground that man walks on.” I go on up the stairs, wondering what the hell my life is going to be like now.

  After grabbing some tissues, I do the only thing I know how to do to comfort Taylor. I walk into her room and get into bed with her. I don’t bother knocking. She would tell me to go away when we both already know that I won’t. She cries as I pull her against me, but she doesn’t fight it.

  “Taylor, please stop crying. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you again, and I shouldn’t have walked out that door. I’m sorry, but you shocked the shit out of me. Your father is not just any person to me. Please roll over so we can talk.”

  Taylor rolls over and takes a tissue from the box I hold up. I feel pain in my chest when I see her red eyes. “I freaked out because he’s been my idol since I was a little kid, and on top of that, I feel guilty because I’ve had my hands all over you.”

  “That’s one of the reasons I told you tonight. I want us to ... um ... do more together. I mean, if you want to, so you have a right to know who my father is beforehand in case you don’t want anything to do with me. I can’t have sex with you and have you walk away after. I don’t know if I could recover from that. My feelings are really strong for you, Dylan.”

  “I don’t know what I think about all this right now. All I know for certain is how much I care about you. I need a little time to process this and have you answer some questions for me. I’m hurt that you didn’t think you could tell me until today.”

  “Once you took care of me that first night, I wanted to tell you, but there hasn’t been a good time. We were either fighting, or we were having such a good time that I didn’t want to ruin the moment.

  “We haven’t gotten along since I met you in July, so you have to understand why I waited. If I’d told you, and then we started getting along, I would’ve wondered if it was because of my dad.”

  “I like you because of the great person you are. It would never have anything to do with fame or money.”

  “I know that now, and that’s why I finally felt I could tell you, but you do care that Vincent’s my dad. It’s exactly what I worried would happen.”

  “I’ve idolized your father, so I feel like I’ve betrayed him by messing around with his daughter.”

  “I believe what we have between us is more than a physical thing, Dylan. That makes a huge difference. This is why I have such a hard time letting people in. People put celebrities on a pedestal and only
see them for their talents.

  “They have great qualities like everyone else, but they are also flawed with real problems. You’re not being fair to me if you treat me different. You knowing my father could be a wonderful thing for you and especially because of your talent.”

  “We’re not going there, so don’t even think about it.”

  “It’s too late. I already heard how gifted you are.”

  “If you want to talk about fair, it wasn’t fair that you listened to me play without me knowing.”

  “I guess Brett told you that. It wasn’t planned. You were just so amazing that I couldn’t walk away from it.”

  “Please don’t say that. I’m not that good.”

  “If anyone would know it would be me.”

  “After everything I’ve had to take in already, I don’t want to have this conversation. You’re overwhelming me.”

  “You’re right, and I’m sorry.”

  “So, how does your dad handle you dating?”

  “I’m an adult, remember?”

  “I’m serious, Taylor. You have to talk to me about this if you want me to be comfortable around him.”

  “I’ve only had one boyfriend, and that was the asshole. I was sixteen when we dated, and he smacked me around for several months. Then right after I gave up my virginity and we had sex a few times, he dumped me.

  “I took it hard because he was my first love, and I gave him my trust, which is very difficult for me. You’re the first guy I’ve let in since. Besides the girls, every time I tell someone about Vincent, they treat me different. That’s why it’s taken me so long to trust that you guys wouldn’t do the same.”

  “You’re filling in all the pieces of the puzzle to your personality I’ve been missing, but you still haven’t answered my question.”

  “My dad didn’t care for Sam, but he never gave me a hard time about seeing him. He didn’t like him because Sam was more reserved and snobby. He wasn’t into rock music and couldn’t relate to our family. He wasn’t a nice person, but I didn’t want to see it. My dad never found out about Sam hitting me.”

  “Are you telling me he’s the only guy you’ve taken around your father?”

  “Yes, but believe it or not, my dad doesn’t like it. He thinks he’s really screwed me up, especially since Tory is boy crazy. If you know so much about my dad, I’m sure you can imagine what my childhood was like. To say my parents were wild is an understatement.

  “They’ve only been clean for five years, so they put me through hell for most of my life, and there’s no amount of money that fixes something like that. I can’t imagine anyone more perfect than you to take home to meet Vince. He’d love you for many reasons.”

  “You really think so? You’re not just saying this stuff because you’re afraid I’ll take a walk?”

  “I swear, Dylan.”

  “I guess this could be a great thing.” I lean my forehead against hers. “My feelings for you are scaring the shit out of me, Taylor.”

  “I’m scared, too, and I’m sorry, but you either have to accept who my father is and the erratic life that comes with it, or we have to just be friends.”

  “You’re beyond just a friend. It’s too late to turn back now.” All Brett’s had to deal with crosses my mind. I recall encouraging him to sleep with Hannah early on, and I’m seeing now that it isn’t that simple when you care about a woman as unique as Taylor and Hannah.

  “Let’s go downstairs with our friends. They’re mad at me, so I need them to see I made things right with you, and I also need a beer after this.”

  “OK, but Hannah told me the whole story about Brett trying to avoid touching her after he found out about her mom. Please don’t do that.”

  “I just need a little time to digest this, chick.” I swat her butt and pull her up from the bed before we go downstairs.

  “You all don’t have to be mad at Dylan. He made things right,” Taylor announces.

  “I imagine you don’t want us making a big deal out of this, Taylor, but it’s going to be hard not to. All us guys are huge fans of Vincent Page,” Cody says.

  “Most people are, and I don’t care if you talk about it. I know it’s shocking and exciting right now. He’s a cool dude, and so is the rest of the band.”

  Austin smiles. “You better have some drinks so we don’t get on your nerves since we’ll be picking your brain all night.”

  “Then I think you’re right about the drinks,” she says before she goes to the bar. I grab a beer, and then we all hang out in the game room. My buddies do exactly what they said they’d do and ask Taylor a ton of questions about Vincent Page and his band. She doesn’t seem to mind, and after a few drinks, she’s probably sharing more than she should.

  This woman is amazing. I’ve read about her dad’s drug problem. It was the one thing about him that always disappointed me. Taylor’s fragile emotionally, but the fact she hasn’t turned out like them shows she has strength.

  At one in the morning we decide to call it a night. She grabs my hand to go upstairs, and I’m worried she’s about to be upset with me. “I think I should sleep in my bed tonight.”

  I feel horrible after I see the sad and suspicious look on her face. “Why?”

  “I’ve spent the last three nights wrapped up with you. It’s going to be a real let down when we go home if we keep sleeping in the same bed. Not to mention, after what you did to me last night, I don’t know if I can keep my hands off of you, and we’ve had a lot to drink yet again. I’d like us to be sober if we go further.”

  “If? Please don’t push me away, Dylan.” She gives me a peck on the cheek, and I can tell she’s frustrated with me. Uncertainty fills me as I reluctantly walk to my room.

  Counting Sheep

  Taylor

  It’s three in the morning when I glance at the clock on the nightstand. I can’t fall asleep, and I’m beginning to think I’ll never be able to sleep again without him next to me. I’m in love with him, and I’m worried he’s going to bail.

  At four o’clock, I can’t take it any longer. I slip on my jeans and tiptoe to Dylan’s room. I walk in and hear him rustling around. “I’m sorry, Dylan, but I can’t sleep without you near me.”

  “I can’t sleep without you, either, so please get your fine ass in this bed.” He throws back the covers. I don’t want to torment him, but I want as much of my skin against his as possible, so I strip down to my panties and climb in, facing away from him.

  He drapes his warm arm over my waist and pulls me to him before he lets out a moan. “I don’t know of anything in this world that could feel as good as your warm skin against mine, sweetheart.”

  I squeeze his hand that’s against my stomach. He’s just a sweet ol’ teddy bear.

  ***

  Dylan’s fingers run through my hair before I feel his warm lips moving along my shoulder. He moves all my hair away from my neck and starts kissing it.

  He’s getting me turned on big time. I roll over toward him and bury my face into the crook of his arm and chest before I shove my body flat up against his. His hand runs down my back and skims across my panties.

  “Good morning. This is a nice way to wake up,” I say.

  “Sunshine, I can’t do this. I’m going to explode if I feel you against me any longer. I’m sorry I started it.” He scoots away from me. “I don’t know how you women exhibit so much self-control.”

  “Are you kidding? I don’t have any, so you can’t stop now that you woke me up and got me excited. You have to touch me, Dylan.” I lean over and kiss his chest.

  “Don’t talk like that. Please don’t get mad at me, but I don’t know how I’m going to do it. You’re sacred. I’m not supposed to get to have sex with Vincent Page’s daughter.”

  “I’m not going to give you a choice,” I say before I roll onto him.

  “Dammit, Taylor. I’m gettin’ in the shower. I’ll meet you downstairs,” he says as he grabs me and rolls me off. He hightails it to the bathro
om without a backward glance.

  I walk over to the door and lean against it. “You sure aren’t living up to the Dylan I’ve heard about.”

  “Go, Taylor. I know you’re standing there topless, and that’s flat out mean.”

  “OK fine, but I’ll break you soon.” I walk back to the bed to dress.

  “You did not just say that. This is too much to wrap my brain around.”

  I giggle and go to my own room to shower. Afterward, I put together the sexiest outfit I can come up with, consisting of Alexander McQueen, painted metallic, red on black skinny jeans and a plunging, tight black t-shirt that says ‘I sold my soul to rock n’ roll’.

  I put my best push-up bra on underneath and expose my neck by putting my hair into a messy bun. Surely, this outfit will make Dylan cave. All my girlfriends are stretched out on the couch and chairs when I get to the great room.

  “Damn, girlfriend, you look like a bad girl today,” Jasmine says, grinning.

  “Dylan’s being ridiculous about us messing around. I have to break him.” I don’t realize Matt’s walking through the room as I speak. He’s taking a drink from his water bottle and sprays it out everywhere.

  “Baby, are you OK?” Morgan asks.

  “Yeah, I just got choked.” He smirks.

  I wait for him to leave the room and begin talking again. “He said I’m sacred, and he’s not supposed to get to have sex with Vincent Page’s daughter.”

  Jasmine snickers. “Dylan’s afraid of having sex. Too freakin’ hilarious.”

  Hannah scowls. “He’s pulling the same shit Brett pulled.”

  “It figures the guy I actually want to have sex with won’t, but that’ll change by the end of the day.”

  I’m sitting at the end of the couch, and Morgan’s in a comfy chair right next to me with her legs hanging over the arm. She raises her hand up to high five me. “You go girl.”

  We get quiet when Dylan comes in and walks toward us. After pulling me up from the couch and into a hug, he whispers in my ear. “You’re torturing me with this outfit, my rocker girl.”

  I can’t help but giggle. “Good.”