Saint James, Elle - Unbridled and Unhitched [The Double Rider Men's Club 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Elle Saint James

front of the fountain.
    The other two hotel staff arrived at their side and asked the exact same question as the first man had. “Do you need any help getting to your room, sir? We’d be glad to escort you there.”
    “No. Thank you.” Jackson’s stern voice made a bad feeling thump in her chest. Were they about to be publically embarrassed for the sake of a television show or something?
    Derek suddenly appeared between them. His wide-eyed expression screamed trouble . “We need to go. Right now,” he said in an elevated tone.
    Jackson frowned. “Why? What in the world is going on here?”
    The crowd seemed to grow and surround them. Several flashes went off as if a plethora of photos were being taken. Was this what being swarmed by paparazzi felt like?
    Someone in the growing crowd called out, “Where is your streak of purple hair?” Alexis got a bad feeling. She hadn’t put the purple streak in her hair tonight. How did a stranger know about it?
    Derek pushed out a long sigh. “Clay just now sent me a video. I haven’t viewed it yet.”
    “A video of what?” Jackson asked, although by the somber tone of his voice it sounded like he was already afraid he’d asked the question.
    “There is a video of the two of you frolicking around in this very fountain right after you got married. Apparently, it’s so entertaining that it went viral on the Internet as of this afternoon.”

Chapter Eight

    Derek hustled both Jackson and Alexis to the private bank of elevators servicing their penthouse suite.
    Alexis hadn’t spoken a word, and Jackson looked furious enough to bite the head off of anyone foolish enough to get in his way.
    The three of them were completely silent as they rode the elevator all the way up. Luckily no one was in the hallway, and they made it to their room before any other stranger with a cell phone accosted them, taking their picture and asking for a re-creation of the night before.
    Once behind the safety of their suite door, Jackson exploded. He paced across the marble foyer in front of the bar. “I can’t fucking believe this. Don’t humans have the right of privacy anymore? Does every moment of time have to be recorded and put up on the Internet for whatever entertainment value it offers?” He stopped pacing and ran his hands through his hair. He turned to them.” What the hell is on that video anyway?”
    Derek calmly replied, “I haven’t seen it yet. Would you like me to cue it for you on the big screen, or would you just like to check your phone? I believe Clay sent you a copy, as well.”
    Alexis looked like a deer framed in the headlights of a car that was about to run over her for a second time. She started shaking her head back and forth slowly. “I don’t think I’m ready to see it yet.”
    She dropped her head. Her hands came up to cover her face and she sobbed quietly. That small noise suddenly deflated Jackson’s rage. He dropped his hands and walked over to her. Derek, closer to her, put his arm around her. Jackson lifted her face to look in his eyes. “I’m sorry for ranting and raving. Please don’t cry.”
    Derek squeezed her shoulder then moved to slide in behind her. He kissed the top of her head. “We will figure all of this out. Don’t worry.”
    She nodded. “I never cry. I’m not an emotional female. I hate when circumstances arise that make me sad. Truthfully, if I thought it would do any good, I’d be ranting and raving alongside you.”
    Jackson smiled. “Oh, you’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
    She laughed. “Am not.”
    Derek slipped his arm around her waist. He kissed the back of her neck. Was it wrong to want to soothe her with sex? Maybe instead of watching videotapes of drunken, drugged antics, they could instead make love to her and help her forget everything.
    Alexis leaned backward into his grasp. He brushed her neck with his lips in a soft kiss.
    “Is there more than just the one video,” she asked.
    He paused a bit