by Aly Martinez
Chapter Sixteen
Sam
LEVEE AND I ended up taking a shower. Then she rode me until p.m. slipped to a.m. Neither of us was in any hurry to go to sleep, especially knowing that the next day was going to be our last for a while. But I reminded her as many times as possible that it was only temporary. She tried to argue that this kind of separation would be frequent in her line of work. I kissed her indecently every time she so much as started trying to talk me out of being with her.
There was nothing she could have said to change my mind.
Eventually, she gave up, and as the sun started to peek in my bedroom window, she nodded off in my arms.
Sleep never found me. Like a true stalker, I stayed awake watching her sleeping safely tucked into my side. Her legs were tangled with mine, and her arm was slung over my hips.
I hadn’t felt that kind of peace in as long as I could remember.
And it was going to fucking suck to lose it.
But, when the alarm on her phone started going off, I released her, knowing she’d be back. I’d make sure of that.
With only a combined three hours of sleep between us, Levee and I slept wrapped in each other’s arms the entire five-hour drive to LA. When we arrived at the arena, Levee had Devon drop me off first. She was adamant that we not be photographed together, and while it stung, I understood. With an all-too-quick kiss, I was dropped off by the tour buses parked out back, where I met Levee’s band and backup dancers.
Simon, her guitarist, greeted me with open arms and stuck by my side. Apparently, Levee had called and put him in charge of babysitting me. He was a nice guy—they all were, actually. It wasn’t at all the rock-star feel I’d expected. For hours, I chilled on a bus, bullshitting with the members of her band and a few of their wives, and I was surprised to discover that one even had his three-year-old daughter with them. They were curious as hell about me, and I couldn’t even begin to count how many times I dodged the question of how Levee and I had met.
I’d checked my phone incessantly, waiting for a message from her, but nothing ever came. I assumed she was busy, but the fact that she was in the proximity made me edgy to be with her. I wasn’t going to be that guy though. She’d left me out back for a reason. I’d give her whatever space she needed to prepare for her show.
Finally, four hours later, the door to the bus opened and Devon informed me that Levee was asking for me. He handed me a small amp to carry, dropped a staff lanyard around my neck, and then led me to a roped-off side door. Fans huddled around the area, only glancing up long enough to deem me as unimportant.
We made our way through a maze of backstage hallways before finally stopping at an unmarked door.
Devon knocked and then took the amp from my hands.
“Come in,” Levee singsonged.
Disgruntled, he shoved the door open and silently motioned for me to enter.
My breath was stolen from my chest the moment our gazes locked. With her hair teased in the process of being done and heavy makeup covering her smooth skin, it was the first time I’d ever laid eyes on Levee Williams, the superstar. I recognized the brown eyes that stared back at me, but everything else was that of the woman who graced the pages of magazines.
This woman was undeniably beautiful, but I definitely preferred the one who’d spent the night naked in my bed.
“There you are,” she said quietly as a woman continued to work on her hair.
“I was starting to think you forgot about me.” I took a step forward with full intentions of kissing her painted-pink lips then stopped long enough to flip my gaze to the stylist in question.
“Oh! Sorry. Madison, this is Sam. Sam, this is Madison.”
The woman looked up and smiled warmly. “Ohhhh, you are pretty.”
“Thanks?” I replied, curiously flashing my eyes back to Levee.
“Henry called Madison this morning just to rave about you.”
“Oh, Jesus,” I groaned, making them both laugh.
“He likes you. But don’t let Levee lie. She’s been rambling about you since she sat down,” Madison said.
Even under what looked like a suitcase full of makeup, I saw Levee’s cheeks turn pink.
I fucking loved that I had that effect on her.
“Is that so?” I asked with a smirk.
Levee shook her head and knotted her hands in her lap. “I was just worried about you. You never know when Henry might attempt to abduct you and force you into sexual slavery.”
I fisted my hands on my hips and said seriously, “The threat is real.”
Madison chuckled, dropping a comb on the small rolling table. “I’m gonna grab a coffee.” She arched an eyebrow at me. “We can fix the lipstick, but don’t fuck with the hair. Capisce?”
I kept my eyes glued to Levee and nodded.
No sooner had the door shut behind her than Levee stood up and planted a kiss on my lips. Then, using the back of her hand, she wiped it away. “I missed you. Where have you been hiding?”
I circled my arms around her waist and pulled her flush against me. “I was chilling with the band. Same place you dropped me off.”
She leaned away and eyed me suspiciously. “Devon said you weren’t out there anymore. He’s been looking for you for the last three hours.”
“He must not have looked very hard, because I didn’t go anywhere. Ask Simon.” I touched my lips to her temple.
“Hmm.” She twisted her lips in confusion. “Well, okay. You’re here now, I guess.”
“Yep. Now, if only I could find Designer Shoes. She seems to have gone missing. I’m terrified she’s been buried alive by a makeup artist.”
Levee giggled and squeezed me tight. “You should see the sandblaster they use to scrub it off at the end of the night.”
“Oh, they repurpose you!” I teased as she shifted impossibly closer.
“Basically,” she mumbled. “I hate that you have to go home after the show. I feel like we haven’t gotten to spend any time together today. You were either drooling on my shoulder or snoring on the way here. Now, I have to perform.”
“Don’t you even try to pretend that I was the one drooling. I woke up to find myself sitting in an honest-to-God wet spot. And not the good kind.”
“Shut up, liar.”
“No, you shut up, Drooly.”
We both laughed, but she once again sighed in frustration. “I don’t want you to leave tonight.”
“Then I won’t. You aren’t leaving until the morning, right?”
“Right, but Devon has to drive you back tonight when he picks up the rest of my stuff and Henry. They’re dropping me off tomorrow.”
“I’m not ten, Levee. I don’t need a ride home. If you want me to stay tonight, I’ll catch a flight back in the morning.”
Her eyes perked. “Really?”
“Yeah, really, crazy woman.”
“I mean, I’ll pay for it. Just tell me when you want to leave and I’ll have someone book it right now.”
I chuckled. “I’m also not a male prostitute. You aren’t buying my ticket just so you can have your wicked way with me. But yes, I’ll stay.”
“You sure?” she asked hopefully.
“I’m positive. I’m not kinky enough to be a prostitute.”
She pinched my nipple. “That’s not what I meant. And now, I’m disappointed to find out you’re not kinky.”
I pinched her nipple back, letting my fingers linger as I grazed my teeth over her neck. “You didn’t seem disappointed last night.”
She gasped and swayed into my touch.
“And, before you smart off, I promise you won’t be disappointed tonight, either. I’ll buy my ticket. You entertain thousands. We sandblast you back to life. Then I’ll fuck you whatever kinky way you want until you are physically unable to forget me for the next month.”
“Yesss,” she hissed, sliding her hands over my ass.
I nipped at her earlobe as my cock swelled between us. I’d have given an
ything to skip to the end of that scenario—even past the losing-myself-inside-her-later-that-night part. I wanted to be at the very end—when she came home.
Healthier.
Happier.
And all fucking mine.
I was about to take her mouth in a needy kiss when Madison knocked on the door.
“Everyone dressed?” she asked, cracking the door open but not coming in.
Levee groaned and leaned her forehead on my shoulder. “Unfortunately. But give us a minute.”
“Sorry. I need to finish you up. They’re calling for you back in wardrobe.”
“Right,” Levee said, stepping away. Glancing down to my cock bulging in my jeans, she whispered, “What a waste of a perfectly good hard-on.”
I laughed, adjusting myself. “Later. I promise.” I pressed a chaste kiss to her lips then closed my eyes and started alphabetically listing types of wood.
* * *
Watching Levee perform was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Sure, she put on one hell of a show, complete with dancers, wardrobe changes, and pyrotechnics, but even without the fanfare, she was mesmerizing. The way she commanded that stage, owning every note that escaped her sexy mouth, was cock hardening. I couldn’t have dragged my eyes away even if I hadn’t been utterly falling for her.
I’d heard Levee’s music on the radio. I recognized the beats and the melody. But, after having gotten to know the woman who’d written them, I realized that the words were the most beautiful of all. Through her songs, it was clear Levee had been struggling for a while, but the most staggering part was how much hope and fight were woven into her lyrics as well. And, because of that fight, I found hope as well.
She’s going to be okay.
And so would we.
I still didn’t know why Levee had been on that bridge night after night. I’d gathered that her life was stressful, but when I saw the way she came alive the moment she stepped on stage with a mic in her hand, I couldn’t imagine her wanting to escape it all. I was well aware that life wasn’t always what it seemed to an outsider. Something else had to be going on with her, and as her eyes continuously found mine in the front row, I had a sudden and burning desire to figure out exactly what that was.
As the concert drew to an end, Devon retrieved me from my seat and escorted me to Levee’s dressing room. As usual, he was pissed the fuck off about something, but I was starting to believe that that was just his natural disposition rather than it having anything to do with me. The sound of Levee’s encore was blaring into the room as I relaxed on the small couch and propped my feet up. Closing my eyes, I breathed in deeply and began replaying the last twenty-four hours in my mind. Before I realized it, my cheeks were aching from the huge smile that covered my face.
I was so fucking happy.
And, if the twitch of my cock was any indication, I was horny too. The memories of Levee strutting across the stage had spurred that.
When the last beat of the drum finally fell silent, I began to stare holes in the door. The concert had been surreal, and I was desperate to get my hands on Levee and remind myself just how real we really were.
I jumped to my feet when the door swung open and people filled the room. Probably only five or six others came in, but the moment Levee entered the room, it felt like we were still in the middle of that sold-out arena.
We’d agreed to keep this thing with us on the down low for a while, so even though she was standing directly in front of me, she was completely unreachable in the room full of people.
Her face was slicked with sweat, and her makeup had begun to melt away. Tiny curls were frizzing from the top of her hair, boldly escaping what could only be described as hairspray’s death grip. But, as she stood in front of me in a tiny, black dress with desire filling her eyes, she was more gorgeous than ever.
It took every ounce of self-restraint I had not to pull her into my arms, but since my eyes were glued to hers, I had no idea who else was in that room or if they knew about us.
I did know they needed to get the fuck out.
“You were incredible out there,” I whispered, and a shy smile pulled at her lips. Dropping my voice so low that it was barely audible, I buried my hands in my pockets and bent toward her, saying, “Now, get rid of these people so I can strip you naked and show you what watching you on stage did to me.”
I backed up just in time to see her eyes darken, and a silent breath breezed through her parted lips. That simple reaction sent blood rushing to my cock and an intoxicating feeling I wasn’t ready to acknowledge yet spreading throughout my chest.
Levee held my heated gaze as she shouted, “Everyone out! I need a few minutes alone.”
The crowd continued to talk amongst themselves, but without a single question, the room cleared.
If we wanted to keep up the façade, I probably should have followed them out then snuck back in, but I was more focused on the woman I was about to maul than devising an actual plan.
My heart raced.
Her nipples hardened.
My nostrils flared.
Her teeth grazed her bottom lip.
My fists clenched at my sides.
Her eyes flashed to my cock.
The door clicked.
Our bodies slammed together.
Her hands were in my hair as my mouth dominated hers. Moans and growls mixed in a symphony of desperation around us. I couldn’t wait a second longer. Palming her ass, I lifted her off her feet and backed her against the wall. Her legs wrapped around my hips and her arms folded around my neck in a frantic need to be closer. There was only one way to possibly do that though, and it required me to let her go and roll a fucking condom on.
I’d have given anything to rip her panties down and bury myself inside her wet heat bare. To lose myself in the moment and show her exactly how ravenous I was for her. I wanted raw and rough to quell the visceral need she made me feel when we were together.
However, I wasn’t putting her in that position yet. No matter what fucked-up pattern my chest was banging out for her, it was too soon to ask her to trust me that deeply.
Even if, in some ridiculous way, I already trusted her.
“Hold on,” I ordered, releasing my grip on her ass.
She clung to me as I kept her propped against the wall with my thigh between her legs. Her mouth attacked my neck as I raced to get the condom from my wallet in place. It wasn’t easy, but I was fucking her against the wall even if it killed me.
After barely getting my jeans down over my ass, I scooped her panties to the side. Finding them soaked, I bypassed all preparations and roughly drove inside her.
She cried out, but I gave her no time to adjust. I went wild.
I wasn’t gentle as I took what was mine, but I knew that it was what we needed as I gave her what was hers.
And that wasn’t just an orgasm.
It was me.
I never slowed in my hunt to possess her. Her nails dug into my shoulders as she rolled her hips against mine, forcing us both toward the edge of release.
No words were exchanged. Everything had been said as we both came on the gasp of the other’s name.
I’d claimed her. And, in turn, she owned me.
It was almost as exhilarating as it was terrifying.
Almost.
Chapter Seventeen
Levee
I DIDN’T WANT to leave Sam. After an unbelievable night together spent with our bodies joined in one of a myriad of ways, I feared that, if I left for a month, I might lose what we had started. But I needed to get my life together so we could restart our relationship in a healthy place for us both—instead of on the top of that bridge. And, unfortunately, no matter how much it sucked, I had to do that alone.
So, with that in mind, at nine the following morning, I blew Sam a kiss from the wrong side of the window as Devon pulled away. He stood, hot as ever, with his hands shoved in his pockets, rocking from his toes to his heels. It made me feel margina
lly better that he hated watching me leave every bit as much as I did going.
“He’ll be here when you get back,” Henry said, patting my leg when I began to tear up.
“I hope so.” I swallowed hard and rested my head on his shoulder.
“You want me to keep an eye on him while you’re gone?”
I chuckled. “You mean the kind of eye where he wakes up in your bed each morning?”
“I do believe that would be the most effective method for keeping tabs on him.”
I shook my head. “Stay away from him. I don’t need you spending the next month trying to get your claws in his pants while I’m not here to protect him.”
“Oh, please. Even if I didn’t have a dick, it would be a worthless attempt. He’s been hit by the Levee Williams effect. Complete with googly eyes and breathy sighs.”
My insides warmed, and my shoulders relaxed. “He looked at me like that even before he knew who I was. That’s just Sam.”
Henry tossed an arm around the back of my seat and squeezed me tight. “That’s how you know he got the full effect.”
I closed my eyes and sighed.
One month.
It had to be done. The high I felt with Sam was only a patch. He deserved a whole woman, and as we headed to the airport, I was determined to be that woman.
* * *
Two private jets and six hours later, I arrived at a rehabilitation center in Maine. It looked like a luxury hotel from the outside, but as soon as we walked into the back door there was no doubt it was a medical treatment facility.
I’d been worried for days that we would be greeted by the paparazzi, but luckily, we arrived under the radar.
Since we’d canceled most of my appearances, it had been speculated that I was going away for rehab. Everyone assumed drugs, but I’d taken to Twitter a few nights earlier, explaining that my body was worn out after my tour and I needed some time off to rest up. Fans seemed to be supportive and understanding, but it was the media who would ultimately cast the final judgment. Stewart was working his ass off, alongside my publicist, to give my “vacation” a positive spin.
“Miss Williams, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Doctor Terrance Post.” The elderly man with thin-rimmed glasses extended his hand in my direction.
