Chapter Eight.

~ ZAC ~

Our weeklong trip to Europe seemed to go very slow, we covered France Italy and Germany, it went well, but I missed Claire more than I ever could have anticipated. I spoke to her every day on the phone, and I couldn't wait to be back in London again. We were visiting for one day and night before heading back to America. We had a few radio interviews to do, and I personally couldn't wait.

Taylor hadn't spoken to Crystal at all, but it wasn't from trying, he had called every day, never getting past Claire on the phone, for some reason every time Taylor called her mom seemed to be out. I doubted she was out at all. He was getting very agitated from her constant lying to him.

I cheered him up though when I'd told him I'd made arrangements with Claire for us all to meet up at the Hotel. We arranged to go out together, she wasn't happy about it at first, but I told her one last time won't hurt and it would give them all a chance to meet Ike. When I'd said we would all be there, they wouldn't actually be alone, she finally but very reluctantly agreed.

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I walked towards reception she was stood there looking more beautiful than ever. Her dark curls bouncing as her head spun around, her eyes sparkling as we caught sight of each other. My arms wrapped around her, filling my senses with her smell as I pulled her so tight into me. I'd missed the feel of her, even the smell of her so much. "Hi Sweetheart", I whispered into her ear, as we stood holding and getting used to the feel of each other again.

There was a hearty clearing of a throat from behind, as I pulled away, I turned and remembered Tay was there, "Where's Crystal", he said searching the bar area for his girlfriend. I realized she wasn't there, and looked back at Claire. Claire said, not even looking at Taylor, "she didn't want to come, she said she doesn't want to see Taylor, she wants him to get on with his life".

Taylor's smile dropped, he just silently turned and walked away. "Oh Taylor, Claire called after him, he turned and angrily spat "What", knowing exactly why crystal would say such a thing. Claire smiled at him and said, "It's okay Tay, my friend Sam over there came instead. I thought the four of us could go out on a date", she walked up to Taylor, smiling, she pointed to where Sam was sitting, and said to him, "she's great fun Tay, and boy she's got the hots for you". Hoping he would be tempted.

Taylor looked from Claire to her friend; he shook his head and smirked. "Claire, get real… that will never happen". He coldly walked off leaving them all standing there.

~ Taylor ~

I had to know why she didn't want to see me, I ran from that hotel straight to call a taxi. Twenty minutes later standing here on her doorstep I was slightly nervous, even scared. I'm scared she really doesn't want to see me, scared she's going to tell me to get lost. I knocked on the door hoping she wouldn't be angry with me just turning up.

But as the door opened and Crystal stood there, smiling her eye's lit up with excitement, I was surprised at her reaction. "Hey", I said as she stepped out and jumped into my arms. "Oh my god Tay, this is such a surprise. When did you get back in town, why didn't you let us know, Claire is gonna have a fit, where's Zac?". I stood there my mouth dropped open in shock.

She wasn't even expecting me, she didn't even know we were back in London, let alone knowing she was supposed to be meeting me. "Err…we got back today, just for the day. Didn't Claire tell you" I said. "No she didn't", she looked confused, and then realized Claire did know they were back. My blood was at boiling point then, I was totally pissed off with Claire, she didn't even like me enough to let me see Crystal once more, so she lied to cover it up.

I told her than, that I'd tried ringing every day, Claire had pretended Crystal was out, she'd confessed she had been waiting for me to call, but thought I was either to busy or bored with her to want to call.

When I told her Zac had made arrangements for us all to meet, and told her Claire had said Crystal didn't want come, and brought her friend along for me to date. I could see Crystal was annoyed too, she didn't say anything, but I knew she wasn't amused by the expression on her face. I felt really bad dropping Claire in the shit, but she'd lied and deserved it, it was obvious she wanted to keep us apart. But this could have ruined our relationship completely, but I knew that's exactly what she wanted to do.

Crystal held me tight, she whispered sorry over and over again. "I'm so sorry Claire did that to us Tay, she can't deal with us being together. She probably thought she was doing it for the best, it's nothing personal to you, it's not she doesn't like you. It's the age difference, your status as a star, and the fact you’re her boyfriend's brother is the main factor. She really must have felt it was for the best when she planned for us not to see each other. I'm just so glad, you came to see why I didn't want to see you". She smiled and hugged me tight, and I couldn't stay mad then.

"It's okay, I'm here now". I said hugging her back, I knew she felt bad, but it wasn't her fault and I wasn't about to let it ruin our time together. We sat there hugging, I had an idea and decided that although we should spend the evening alone, I wanted to take her out, show her off to the world. Show everyone how much I loved this incredible woman, I wanted her to meet Ike too.

Ike hadn't met Crystal yet and I really wanted him to see how wonderful she was before we went home. I hadn't even told him she was the woman from the cab ride we asked for directions. He'll be shocked, I don't know what he's expecting but I know it's not this incredibly beautiful woman in my arms.

Crystal lifted her head from it's rest place on my shoulder, looked at me, "come on Tay, take me to bed", she said while tugging at my arm, although I'd like nothing more it wasn't what I had in mind. I pulled her towards me, cupped her face in my hands and met my lips with hers. "Mmm…as tempting as that sounds baby, it's not what I had in mind. Go get ready, I want to take you out to dinner, I want to show you off". I sealed my request with another delicate kiss.

Crystal looked at me with a frown and a slight smile, "show me off Tay, who is there to show me off to"? "Ike of course, he's dying to meet you baby, come on, we can be alone later". I ran my hands through the front of her hair, watching the shiny strands slide from my fingers, it was one of the things I loved the most about her, her hair was so soft and perfectly brushed. Even when she returns from her daily jog her hair has that just brushed look about it.

While she was upstairs getting ready, I rang Zac " Hey man, it's only me".

Zac was rather surprised to hear from me. "Hey Tay, are you ok, listen I'm sorry about earlier I had no idea she was bringing her friend, Claire told me Crystal was coming", Zac finished, I wasn't gonna go into that right now, so I said it didn't matter. "It's okay Zac, don't worry about it, is Ike with you". "Err…. Yeah he's right here, he sort of stolen your date, and he and Sam are getting along real good. Do you want to talk to him".

"No that's fine Zac, can you book that table for dinner for another two people, I'll be there in a about half an hour". I wasn't going to let on who was going to be with me, but that wasn't gonna satisfy Zac, and I knew it.

"Who you bringing Tay", he asked, just as I thought he would. "I got to go Zac, we'll be there shortly, okay". With that I hit the end button on the phone.

I didn't want to tell Zac I was bringing Crystal, I couldn't take the chance he might tell Claire and I wanted her to be there when I walked in with Crystal. I want her to be there so I can let her know she won't beat me, she won't dictate to me who I can and can't fall in love with. I want to let her know that pretending she wasn't in when I call was one thing, but what she did tonight was the last straw. I don't want to hurt her but she's gone to far this time, and I won't let her interfere in my love life.

As I hit the end button, I turned to find Crystal standing there, "Wow, you look awesome Crystal, I love this, you look fantastic". And she did, she had a black cat suit, the halter top on it was gold, from the bust line it was black and very figure hugging, it complemented her slim waistline and of course made her look even more younger than ever. She never ceased to amaze me, every time we go out she looks sexier than the last. I was starting to feel like I wanted to do no more than stay here and make love to her.

"You like"; she snaked her arm around my neck, bringing me in for a sweet but sexy kiss. "I do like, and after dinner I'm gonna love to she you how much". I whispered into her ear. She smiled, pulled my arm and headed for the door. "Come on you sex god, let's go eat". She said around a huge knowing smile. "We'll continue this conversation later".

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