Adrian

by V. Vaughn

  Everyone lets out a cheer of some sort except Aleck. He’s up front with Aaron, and he says, “I thought I was the band leader.”

  Adrian says, “You are. Believe me, you are.” The seat creaks as he lifts up his hips to take something out of his back pocket. He reaches forward with a business card for Aleck. “Noel Keating will be calling you.”

  “Seriously?” I ask.

  “For real.” Adrian puts an arm around my shoulders.

  I lean into my mate as he relays the entire conversation he had with Noel, and I let everyone’s excitement drown out what I did tonight. Because no matter how great this news is, it means I have got to find a way to keep my bear in check.

  8

  Aleck researched Noel and the company she represents to find they are indeed the real deal. It was decided he and Adrian would meet with Noel and her boss, Link Murphy, for more details. When they left this morning to see them in Boston, I went to the gym. I spent a little time with the De Rozier trainer for warriors, and he taught me some kickboxing drills to practice on a punching bag. At the time, I thought I’d never want to use them, but after the other night, I think I need to exercise all my options for releasing my physical urges.

  I’m at the college gym since even though I no longer go to classes, I paid full tuition, and I might as well get something for it. I sigh as I stare at the long cylinder-shaped punching bag before me. A guy is working on one next to me while his friend in a red tank top holds it steady. The friend gives me the once-over, and I turn away from him to bounce on my toes in preparation. I throw an easy punch, and my fist barely smacks against the leather. The red-shirt guy ditches his friend and grabs my punching bag. “Want some help?”

  I punch again with a bit more force. “I’m good, but thanks.”

  I guess he didn’t really ask since he’s not moving. He says, “Nice form. Do you do this a lot?” I want to laugh at his obvious attempt at hitting on me, but the burn of my muscles as I move calls to me, and I ignore him as I speed up and hit harder. That’s it, Ginny. My bear is happy with the exercise, and I throw up a strong kick. The guy stumbles back a bit. “Whoa. Girl’s got moves.”

  I scowl at him because he’s breaking my concentration. I say, “It might be time for you to leave me alone now.”

  “Hey. Sorry. I’ll shut up.”

  I glare at him. “Good.”

  Any trouble I had with the concept of fighting is gone now, and I let my bear have her way with my human as we move with quick force. My combinations are simple but effective, and I notice red-shirt guy is straining to keep the bag steady for me. But he doesn’t let go, so I carry on. When I’m struggling to breathe, I stop. My chest heaves as I bend over to rest my hands on my thighs.

  Red-shirt guy’s friend must have been watching, because he says, “Wow. Not bad for a--”

  I glance up at him and give him credit for stopping before a sexist remark came out and say, “Nice catch, and thanks.”

  The friend says, “I’m impressed too. I’d be happy to show you more moves if you want.”

  He’s trying so hard, and I decide to let him go gently. “That’s nice of you to offer, but my boyfriend is already teaching me.” The guy nods and steps back. I add, “Thanks for your help today. I appreciate it.”

  “Sure.” He turns and walks away with his friend. My sensitive bear ears hear them as one says, “There’s something hot about a chick that can fight.”

  I chuckle to myself as I take a swig from my water bottle and let the cool liquid slide down my throat. I may not want to be a warrior, but the calm that has settled over me makes it clear there’s no denying my body needs the physical activity of beating the crap out of something. I walk over to the bulletin board to find out more about martial arts classes.

  When I get home from the gym, Adrian and Aleck are pulling into the driveway. I let them take my car earlier since the brothers collectively own the van and it’s a gas hog. They grin as they climb out of my Volvo sedan. I say, “It must have gone well.”

  Adrian lifts me off my feet and twirls me around. “We have a tentative recording deal.”

  I grip his powerful shoulders as he sets me down. “That’s fantastic!”

  Aaron has come out of the house, and he lets out a whoop before he says, “I’ll call Andre and Nessa.”

  Adrian says, “Celebration time.” He has his arm around my shoulders as we walk toward the door, and he turns back to Aleck. “Pizza and beer?”

  “Definitely. When Nessa and Andre get here, we can explain everything at once.”

  Once we’re inside, Adrian gives us a quick overview of what happened. Apparently Noel followed us on YouTube, and when she played our music for Link, he sent her to see us in the flesh. She loved us, so Link flew into Boston to set things in motion. He wants to get us in the studio and see how well we can do recording.

  I listen quietly and watch as the Lindquist brothers talk excitedly about what this could mean. I’m happy for the guys, because I know how important music has always been for them. But it’s not my dream. I’m good, but far from great. And with my inability to control my shifting, I know I can’t be a part of this. I excuse myself to go shower as they chatter on so I can be alone.

  Hot water soothes my muscles as I stand under it, and my thoughts turn to how I’m going to get out of this. The band is a hobby for me, and even if we do well recording, I have no intention of going on the road to tour or spending months in recording studios. The reality is it’s hard to make good money at music, and my plan to be a doctor is more solid. Once I go back to school, I won’t have time to dedicate to a band that’s trying to get their lucky break.

  The grin on Adrian’s face as he told us what happened is in the forefront of my mind. This is important to him, and I’m sure he’s counting on me. I wonder if Aleck could play keyboards, but I know better than to think that’s a possibility. Besides the fact that he doesn’t want to be in the limelight, he’s also not one that enjoys being mediocre. He’d hate feeling incompetent, and the level he’d want to be takes years to achieve. How am I going to get out of this?

  I flip off the water well before I’d like to in an effort to conserve it for my housemates, and I sigh as the rough cotton of my towel rubs against my skin. I need to talk to Adrian and figure out what we can do. The last thing I want is to ruin their dream, but I can’t follow through, and it’s best they know that so there’s time to find my replacement.

  When I get to our room, Adrian is on the bed in just a pair of jeans. My polar bear mate is always hot and would walk around naked if he could. At the moment, it’s handy for me, because just the sight of his defined abs makes my insides tremble with desire. The door snicks shut behind me as I bite my lower lip. My feet pad lightly over the floor as I clutch my towel at my chest. I climb up on the bed to stand and let the heavy fabric fall. “Busy?”

  Adrian shakes his head as he scrambles to his knees to remove his jeans. They land on the floor with a whoosh, and his warmth seeps into my skin as he slides his hands up my legs. “How did it go at the gym? Release some of your tension?”

  I nod. “I impressed some guys with my moves.”

  “Yeah?”

  Something flashes in Adrian’s eyes as his hands cup my butt cheeks, and I smile at his flicker of jealousy. “I told them I learned all I know from my boyfriend.” I sink down so that we’re both kneeling, and I thread my fingers through his hair to nip at his neck and whisper, “But I could use some new moves.”

  Adrian grabs my hips and flips me onto my back as the bed groans in complaint. I inhale sharply as he growls and lifts my legs over his shoulders. “Here’s one for you.” My mate lowers his mouth to my slippery sex and tastes me. I close my eyes as I grip his hair and let Adrian’s talented tongue make me forget my name. Before I get too close, he comes up for air. “You know that when I’m dancing with girls on stage it’s just for show.”

  “I do.” I lift my hips to indicate I want him to finish what he start
ed.

  “And nobody could ever come between us, ever, right?”

  “Yes. That was my bear reacting the other night.” I whimper. “Adrian, please.”

  He grins at me and says, “Just checking,” before he returns to lapping and sucking my tender folds to make me cry out with my release.

  But I’m just warming up, and once I recover, I practice a move of my own to get Adrian on his back. Granted, he doesn’t put up much resistance, and the headboard slams against the wall as he chuckles. I say, “Let me show you what I just learned.” I take him in my mouth, and he hisses when I begin to suck hard. His shaft is smooth as it pulses on my tongue. At the point Adrian is ready to come, he stops me, and the flash of his bear in his eyes tells me what he wants before he orders, “On your knees.”

  I’m happy to comply, and when he thrusts into me from behind, I push back for more as my skin prickles with the warning of a shift. But it’s different, because this is a low ache, as if my bear is reminding me she’s there, because I don’t feel the threat of anything more. Even as my orgasm crashes through me and restraint is gone, I stay human. As I lay on the mattress, tangled in the limbs of my mate, I wonder if I could figure out how to tap the control I have during sex for when other emotions take over. If I could...

  The scent of our lovemaking surrounds us, and I breathe it in as I trace my finger along a defined muscle in Adrian’s arm. He flexes under my touch, and I think about the joy that radiates around my mate when he plays his guitar and sings. He and his brothers came here from a life of hardship with nothing more than a limp backpack with their few belongings. A music deal means so much more than realizing a dream for them. It means coming here was worth it.

  I know I need to talk to Adrian about my plan to leave the band. But I think it can wait until tomorrow, because tonight I’m going to let the Lindquist brothers celebrate.

  9

  I glance over at Adrian as he gazes out the tiny plane window to watch takeoff. Pressure builds in my ears, and I yawn to make them pop. The guys are beyond excited about this opportunity. When we found out we had an all-expenses-paid trip to LA as soon as we could get there, I decided to stay with them to cut the demo. For all I know, this adventure will end with no deal, we can continue on with the way things have been, and I can avoid leaving.

  Across the aisle, Aaron is tapping on his thighs as Aleck scowls, and I wonder how long it will be before Aleck grabs Aaron’s hands to make him stop. Nessa and Andre are a few rows ahead, and I suspect their heads are together as they dream big about a rock star career. My sister, who I had to force to sing with us months ago, has fallen in love with more than her mate. She’s in love with performing too.

  I lean into Adrian as I say, “You’ve been quiet. Why aren’t you sharing your dreams for the fortune we’re going to make?”

  “I’m afraid to get my hopes up.”

  I gaze into his ice-blue eyes. “You don’t think we’re good enough?”

  His brow knits, and I think he’s searching for the right words. After a few moments, he says, “You’re not into this one hundred percent, are you?”

  I reach for his hand. “I’m behind you one hundred percent. You and your brothers are crazy talented. Even Nessa keeps getting better. But me?” I sigh. “This isn’t my dream, Adrian. I still want to be a doctor. I won’t leave you guys hanging, but if the demo turns into something more, then we need to start searching for my replacement.”

  “I thought that might be what was going through your head.” He tilts my chin up with his finger. “Thanks for sticking with me. There isn’t anyone I’d rather have on this journey.”

  He kisses me lightly, and I place my hand on his warm cheek. “I’m not going anywhere. I want a deal to happen for you more than anything.”

  “I know, babe.” He puts an arm around my shoulders to pull me close as he speaks in my head. “Ever hear about the mile high club?”

  I chuckle imagining my large mate fitting in the tiny lavatory with me to have sex and reply, “You go check out the size of the bathroom first, and then let me know what you think about that idea.”

  “Buzz kill.”

  I slap his chest, and he grabs my hand as I say, “I bet we get a sweet hotel room with a big bed.”

  “And a shower with endless hot water,” he says. “I really want you in the shower.”

  Heat burns in the pit of my belly as I imagine the things we’ll do later, and Adrian shifts in his seat. “This is going to be a long flight.”

  Nessa has come down the aisle, and she says to Adrian, “Go sit with Andre so I can talk to my sister.”

  He winks at me as his seatbelt clicks open. “I’ll check out the bathroom on the way.”

  I move to his seat, and Nessa plops down next to me as she asks, “Mile high club?”

  I nod. “Did Andre suggest the same thing?”

  “Yes.” She rolls her eyes. “Brothers.”

  “So are you nervous or excited?”

  “Both, but that’s not why I’m here.” She frowns at me. “I want to know what’s up with you. Is your control thing really what’s making you anxious, or is it something else?”

  I sigh. My sister and I are close, although since we both found our true mates, we haven’t spent much time together. We were roommates last semester, and apparently she can see right through me. But I don’t want to put a damper on her excitement, so I say, “I’m worried about my control, yes. And part of me doesn’t want to let you all down. I feel like I haven’t been putting time into my music the way the rest of you are, and I hope I’m not the weak link.”

  Nessa shakes her head. “That’s my ball and chain. You’ve always played, but I never worked on my singing until recently.” She lets herself fall back, and the seat bounces. “But somehow Link wants us, so we’re going to have to let that go, aren’t we?”

  “Yes. This is really important to the boys, and we need to do our best.”

  Nessa sits up again and puts her hand on my arm. “It is. We don’t know what it’s like to go hungry, and I imagine that had to have done a number on their self-esteem.” She’s right. And I want to slap myself for being so selfish as she says, “So we’re giving it our all, right?”

  I nod. “Right.”

  Adrian is walking down the aisle toward us, and Nessa gets up before he gets to us. Adrian asks, “Get what you need?”

  She winks at me and asks him, “Did you?”

  He grins at her as he lets her by. When Adrian sits, he leans in close as he communicates telepathically. “The bathroom’s too small, but we could do a little something under a blanket.”

  “No way.” I tug my backpack out from under the seat in front of him and say, “I’m going to find a book to read, and you’re going to find something to do too.”

  He sighs as he slouches down. “Fine. I guess it’s nap time.”

  I reach my hand over to touch him, and he takes it to place it over his heart as I say, “I love you, Adrian.”

  “I love you too, Ginny.”

  When we arrive in LA, a car is waiting for us. Nessa and I watch with amusement as the boys check out all the features in the limo. Aleck crinkles his nose at the exhaust that filters in when Aaron opens the moon roof and stands to stick his head out. Andre yanks him down. “What are you, ten?”

  “It’s LA.” Aaron says, “I’m normal.”

  Aleck says, “Rein it in. We want Link to think we understand what professional means.”

  Adrian is sitting across from me and leans forward to take my hands as he asks, “We have a couple hours before the meeting. Should we hit the gym?”

  I nod. Nessa is sitting next to him, and she asks, “It helps?”

  “Yeah.” I shrug as I sit back. “Who knew kicking ass was my new hobby?”

  Aaron asks, “You kicking Adrian’s yet?”

  Adrian says, “She’s close. You don’t want to mess with my girl.”

  Aaron holds up his hands. “Wasn’t planning on it.” He l
eans back and crosses his arms while pushing out his biceps. “I just want to know if she can fight off all the honeys that are going to want a piece of me.”

  Aleck cuffs him on the head. “You really are ten.”

  The car slows, and Nessa glances out the window. She says, “We’re here.”

  I mutter, “Thank god.”

  We step out, and plastic wheels clatter on the concrete tiles as two bellhops retrieve our luggage from the trunk. Nessa grabs my arm as she gazes at the gold-framed glass doors. She says, “Wow. This place is nice.”

  A red carpet is laid out, and a man in a suit approaches us. He’s tan, and when he opens his mouth, his teeth practically sparkle as he asks, “Second Sound?”

  I nod and extend my hand. “I’m Ginny.” I introduce everyone, and the man tells us his name is Sam.

  He leads us inside and takes us over to the elevator. Aaron turns in a circle to check everything out before Andre grabs him and tugs him along with us. Sam says, “You’re in the penthouse suite. I’ve got four bedrooms. Is that correct?”

  Aleck says, “Yes.”

  The elevator doors swish open, and we step in. Sam swipes a keycard and pushes the button for the penthouse before he turns to us and says, “A car will be in the lobby to take you to the studio at four. You’ll get a tour and see where you’ll be recording tomorrow.”

  He’s silent for a moment, and nobody says anything, so he reaches in his jacket to pull out a business card, which he hands to Aleck and says, “Call me if you need anything.”

  We’ve reached our floor and step out into a small hallway that opens up to a large room with cream-colored carpet. A floor-to-ceiling window is straight ahead, and Aaron rushes over to it. The view is of city streets and buildings, but he’s enthralled. I glance around to discover there are two doors on each side that I guess lead to the bedrooms, and an opening that I think leads to a kitchenette. Sam places room keys on the glass coffee table, and I notice a large fruit basket.

  Nessa says, “Thank you, Sam. I think we’ve got it from here.” The elevator doors swish open again, and the bellman rolls a cart in with our luggage.