by Ruby Rowe
“My parents divorced when I was fourteen. My dad is remarried with two kids, Luke and Zoe. My mom has had a lot of boy toys since her divorce and is always claiming she’s on some quest for self-discovery. Whatever the hell that means. My grandparents are still alive, and I have some aunts, uncles and cousins. My dad’s band and their kids are like family, too.”
“Yet you feel alone.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I listened to the words in your song.”
“It’s only music.”
“I’m not buying it, but I’ll let it go.” She smiles. “I was supposed to see you perform with your dad a couple of years ago. It was a small gig like you did tonight, but someone bailed last minute. It was for a fundraiser at our country club. I bought a ticket and a new outfit even.”
“Oh, shit. Yeah, Dex arranged that. I had to cancel because Nathan Townsend died. I was asked to fill in for Borrowed Faith, and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.” I squeeze her foot. “I would’ve picked you out of that crowd. I know it.”
Blushing, she looks at her glass and swirls her fingertip around the rim. I have a tip she can do the same to.
“Um, when do you leave to go back on the road?”
“The day after tomorrow.”
“That’s soon.” She lifts her gaze, but her droopy mouth gives away that she’s disappointed in my answer. That response is one reason I’ve never had a girlfriend. The few times I considered it, the chicks got that same look when I had to leave.
It would remind me of all the marital problems my parents had due to my dad’s career. I didn’t want to end up in the same situation. Something tells me saying goodbye to Liv will be difficult, and I haven’t experienced that before. “What are you thinking about?” she asks.
“How leaving this time may suck.”
“Do you like all the traveling you do?”
“It’s all I’ve known. I went from traveling with Fully Wired to touring with my own bands.”
The shade of her crimson cheeks darkens.
“I can’t believe I mentioned Fully Wired during one of our conversations.”
“It’s cool. They have a lot of fans.”
“You said you used to travel with them. Have you never attended school?”
“I was tutored on the road.”
“Was that good or bad?”
“I guess a little of both. I’ve experienced a life most people only dream about, but I missed knowing what it was like to be a normal kid.” I grin. “I think I would’ve gotten into a lot of trouble at school.”
“Yeah, but you would’ve charmed your way right out of it.” She winks, and that’s my cue. Setting my drink on the coffee table, I move one of her legs aside and scoot between them.
I take her wine glass and set it beside mine before I get on my knees and bend over to grip the arm of the couch behind her head. She stares up at me, biting her lip, and her quick breaths give away how nervous and turned on she is.
“Everything about you makes it hard for me to be a good boy at the opposite end of the sofa.”
“I think I’m ready for a bad boy.”
“Then I’m your guy.” Ducking, I claim her mouth, and she slips her hands under my t-shirt at the waist. I groan from how good her fingers feel on my skin and from how her tongue tastes.
Fuck, our kiss is aggressive in an instant, and I can’t hold back with her. Our teeth hit as we try to get closer. I feel like a crazed man chasing an unattainable high.
She pulls on my waist, so I lower myself onto her. The sounds we make as our scorching bodies come together add to the thrill. I don’t only want this woman. I need her with every fiber of my being.
Releasing her lips, I urgently kiss down her neck. Her flowery smell is enticing, her scent made for me. Fuck Ken. He’s never touching her again.
“I can’t sleep with you, but ohhh, do I want to,” she exclaims in an agonizing tone. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one suffering with a craving here.
“Do what you want to do,” I say muffled as I dip my mouth into her tank top and kiss her soft skin. “There’s no one here stopping you.”
“I can’t. I don’t know how that would leave me feeling once you left.”
“It’s up to you, babe. I have a great bed reserved just for you.” I lift my head and look her in the eyes. We’re both panting, and I feel like a horny teenager with no self-control.
“We don’t have to have sex,” I add, “but I believe I’d forfeit everything I own in exchange for a taste of you.” I skim my lips along hers and dart my tongue out to feel the softness of them. “Please, go to my room with me.”
She nods.
Fuck, yes. I’m going to touch and lick every spot on Olivia’s body like I’m branding her. I’ll ensure she never forgets her time with me.
Olivia
As Zain turns on the lamp by his bed, I survey the space. I’m accustomed to large bedrooms, but this one is ginormous like the rest of his home. Everything about Z seems over-the-top.
He turns on mellow rock music before folding back the bedding. I spot the gray silk sheets. His house is spotless, and I imagine he has a staff who keeps it this way.
“You’re flushed,” he says as he steps inside my personal space and grazes a finger along my chest.
“It’s from you kissing and touching me.” I can’t believe I said that out loud.
“Let me see if I can get your skin even redder.” Grasping my tank top, he pulls it over my head. He admires my black lace bra before he reaches behind me to undo it.
As the straps skirt down my arms, Zain stares at my chest like he’s a kid unwrapping a present. As soon as I’m bare-chested, he soaks in the sight of my breasts, and it hits me how no man besides Ken has seen them.
“Yes, they’re real,” he says enthusiastically.
I look away with embarrassment. “Yeah, I don’t think I need more.” Cupping them, he rolls his thumbs over my nipples, and I close my eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening,” I murmur.
“If at any time you want to stop, say the word.”
“OK, but don’t stop now.” I don’t have to look to confirm he’s smiling. After playing with my tits for a minute, he undoes my jeans. To speed things up, I help remove them.
“Don’t take your panties off. They’re sexy, and I want to do that later. Now, into my bed, sweetheart.”
“What about your clothes?”
“They’re staying on. If my naked body touches yours, I’m gonna beg to fuck you.”
“Are there any thoughts you don’t share?”
“Plenty. That would get me into trouble.”
“I really like you.”
“You’re going to like me a whole lot more in a minute.” He wiggles his eyebrows, so I snicker. He’s funny, sweet and irresistible. He’s also dangerous to my heart.
Climbing onto his huge bed, I stretch out. He follows me and gets on all fours. His hands are by my head, and I’m pinned between them. “For the record, I really like you, too, and I want to do this so that you’ll think about me while I’m away.”
“I would think about you regardless.”
Ducking, he kisses me. It’s soft and slow like he’s trying to convey meaningful thoughts or feelings, and that’s probably ridiculous of me to believe considering he’s a rock god who could have any woman he wanted.
But I do feel special to him, and I’m going to believe it’s true so I can relax and enjoy whatever it is he has planned.
Once our tongues have tangled sensually, Zain grazes his lips along my cheek to my ear. He sucks on the lobe, and it gives me chills.
He continues his excursion down my neck … sucking and leaving gentle kisses. His touch isn’t sloppy. He’s methodical with every placement of his mouth and skim of his tongue.
“Roll over,” he commands. I stiffen, surprised by his words. “Trust me.”
After doing what he says, I feel his teeth nipping at the back of my neck. He
massages my scalp while kissing my shoulders.
“I love your silky hair and how your skin feels against my lips. How you smell… I’m so fucking hard right now,” he whispers.
I grab the sheets and clutch them in my fists as Zain skirts his mouth down my back to the small of it. I’m squirming again until he squeezes my ass, a cheek in each hand. I stop moving and revel in the massage he’s giving them.
Ever so slowly, he drags my panties along my legs and removes them. He leaves soft kisses on my ass before he reaches lower and plays with my pussy. The growl I hear next is long and low as he sinks his fingers right into me. I’m soaked for him … aching deep inside.
Pulling my knees toward my chest, I push my ass back needing to be closer to him and his talented fingers. The yearning for Zain to get me off is dictating my moves. They’re moves I can’t believe I’m doing with him when we just met.
“Seeing your ass in my face is hot as fuck. Come on my hand.”
He presses his lips against my butt again and kisses and nips at my cheeks. Knowing his mouth is so close to my most intimate places turns me on.
All the sensations I’m feeling are intense and amazing. My muscles clench around his moving fingers, and once he skims his lips down the crack of my ass, I lose control. I come with my face smashed against the mattress and my legs shaking.
I barely come down from my high before Zain grips my hips, rolls me over and kisses me.
“Baby, I just about came from watching you.”
I gasp for air as he trails his lips down the middle of my chest. Lowering onto my body, he cups one of my tits and sucks on it. My nerves are hypersensitive, like they’re the very tips of the flames I’ve become.
Z pinches my nipples and laves my breasts with his wet mouth. He caresses and teases them … sucks and licks. I struggle to breathe through the pleasure, the bliss he’s bestowing.
Threading my fingers through his hair, I arch against his searing lips. I’m being greedy, but I can’t help it. His touch feels right, like I’ve been waiting for it all my life.
Groaning, he moves down my stomach, his open mouth leaving a field of pleasure and gasoline on my smoldering flames. The desire I feel for him to give me more is too much. I moan as he twirls his tongue around my navel.
He digs his fingertips into my hips, and I arch against him yet again, wanting him to take me every which way he chooses. He kisses my thighs tenderly until I’m squirming in his bed.
Clenching my hips, he keeps me from moving and puts his mouth between my legs. He licks me, and I moan from the instant pleasure. Shit, his fiery breath and wet tongue are too much, the sensations so intense after having an orgasm.
He shoves his mouth closer, and I snap my thighs shut around his head. My moans are overlaid by his growls, and this experience is too much.
“I can’t take it.”
Pulling his mouth away, he says, “Baby, you’re coming again, and it won’t be the last time.”
Letting my hips go, he opens my pussy with his fingers and finds my clit with his tongue. As he creates a feeling of heaven between my legs, I white-knuckle the sheets and cry out. My body shakes as I’m seized by another orgasm.
Wondering who I’ve become, I’m shameless with my moans. Never have my nerve endings felt this alive. Never have I been so in the moment.
Feeling Zain crawl up next to me, I close my eyes.
“That’s how you take care of a woman,” he says.
“Your cockiness is warranted.”
“Well, you also have to fuck her until she can’t walk the next day, so I’ll give you a raincheck on that step.”
Yawning, I roll on my side to face him. “I’m spent.”
“Close your eyes, Butterfly.”
“But what about you—” He stops my words with a kiss, and I taste myself on his lips. It’s something new and exhilarating. I love how brazen he is … naughty, too.
Pulling away, he smiles. “Next time.”
“When might that be?”
“This spot. Tomorrow night.”
“Are you always this sure of yourself?”
“Where the ladies are concerned.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t want to know how many ladies it took to justify your arrogance.”
“You should thank them for the practice they’ve given me.”
I smack his arm. “Do you want me in this bed again or not?”
“Go to a barbecue with me tomorrow. Dexter Kingsley’s hosting it, and you can meet Fully Wired and the rest of Borrowed Faith.”
Looking away, I gnaw on my lip. “As much as it would be an honor to meet all those people, I can’t risk being seen with you in Danville until I get this situation with Ken resolved. Also, I have to attend my family’s 4th of July party.”
“No one from your circle is going to be hanging out at Dexter’s. I need my band to meet you so they won’t lecture me about last night. Faith and I broke some rules when we crashed the bar.”
“We’d be in a car together. It’s too risky. Don’t paparazzi and fans follow you around?”
“Yeah, but not as much these days.”
“I imagine that changed when you announced at the bar that you were trying to impress a chick. The tabloids are probably working through the night to identify every woman who was in that packed room.”
He exhales a frustrated breath because he knows I’m right.
“OK. I get it.”
“Oh, shit. How am I going to get out of here without them seeing me? You have to take me home before they stake out your place.”
“Calm down. I’ll get you home before sunrise, and I’ll make sure no one is following us.”
“Are you sure no one will?”
“I’m sure.”
Touching his cheek, I smile. “Thank you for understanding.”
“I’m that awesome.”
I kiss his lips. “You’re also that cute.” Yawning again, I fight the night hour. Since Zain and I first met over the phone, I’ve had a lot less sleep, and it’s catching up with me.
As he strokes my hair, I can’t help but close my eyes. I don’t feel bad for not having sex with Z, but I feel bad he’s doing without. I have a feeling that’s seldom the case.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Zain
Through the peephole, I spot Tripp looking around outside. He grunts something to Apple, and I roll my eyes before opening the door.
“I changed my mind,” he says. “There’s a paparazzi van out here.”
“It’s not your decision,” Apple says with her hands on her hips. They walk inside, and I shut the door.
“I had Nash come over. He’s going with us.”
“Have you been drinking? Are you too wasted to drive?” Tripp interrogates.
“For fuck’s sake. Give me a little credit.”
He and Apple stare into each other’s eyes like they so often do, and it creeps me out. It’s like their talking to each other without saying a word.
“Fine.” Tripp says before he points at me. “What you did last night was not cool. You and Faith should’ve filled everyone in first. Also, I found out you kissed Apple when she came on the road with us. Try it again and I’ll break your jaw. Lastly, you better keep her safe.”
“Anything else?” I ask mockingly.
“Don’t be all touchy-feely with her today. The media will start new rumors about you two.”
“Apple, are you sure you’re still not a virgin? Tripp has some major pent-up frustration. Dude, go have some fruity drinks by the beach and stare at some asses in bikinis.”
“Do I look like a guy who sips on fruity drinks?”
I give him a sly grin. “You didn’t say anything about not looking at asses.”
Apple swats my arm. “Stop it. You two are ridiculous sometimes. He’s not going to gawk at women on the beach. He has something else to do today.” She grimaces up at him. “But he won’t tell me what that something is.”
“Secrets. It�
�s not a way to start a relationship, bro.”
“I’m leaving.” He points at me. “Keep her safe.”
“Will do.”
Tripp shuts the door, and Apple shakes her head.
“He’s insecure enough. You shouldn’t taunt him that way.”
“What the hell is he worried about? You two are engaged, he’s not alone anymore, and we have a Top 40 album. His life is golden right now.”
“It has to do with Nathan and what happened to us that night at the hospital. Maybe one day I’ll tell you about it, but right now, let’s go shopping for your brother and sister. I was so happy you wanted my help.” She gives me a sunny smile, and I feel relaxed already.
“I’m glad you’re here. Let’s take my convertible and enjoy some rays.”
***
“I was surprised when you called this morning,” Apple says as we stroll down an aisle in the toy store. “I was sure you were mad at me over the other day when we had words at the gas station. I’m sorry for what I said.”
“No, I’m sorry. I was a dick, and I know I’ve been acting like one for a while now. We’re friends, and I should be more supportive.”
Putting her arm around my shoulders, she squeezes them and brings me toward her.
“I hope this means we can be close again.”
“I hope so, too. Now, what would a five-year-old girl want?”
“Since it’s summer, let’s hook Zoe up with stuff to play with outside, even at the barbecue today. We could do the same for Luke. Maybe get him a remote control airplane or a rocket to launch.”
“That works.”
Apple helps me find gifts I can give to my brother and sister. It’s not their birthdays or anything, but I’m hoping it’s a way to break the ice with them.
When Apple and I visited my dad the last time we were in town, the kids were shy around me. I want to be the big brother they feel they can talk to, especially when they’re having problems.
Luke’s almost nine. In a few years, I can educate him on how to get chicks … or dudes, and I’ll buy him a babe-magnet car for his sixteenth birthday.
