When Piper turned to face me, she looked surprised. I lifted her in my arms and carried her back into my house.
“Austin!” she screeched as she smacked my chest. “What are you doing?”
“Taking my last night with you,” I explained. “You can have your time, but it starts tomorrow.”
“You can’t tell me when I can leave,” she argued.
“I just did,” was my gleeful reply. This was the most normal we’d acted since Piper’s attack. I’d been worried about frightening her or hurting her. Based on the arousal in Piper’s eyes, she needed this as much as I did.
Once I got her into my room, I set her on her feet. Her mouth immediately opened to protest, but I silenced her with a kiss. She could have pushed me away, and I would have stopped. Instead, her hands gripped my hair, pulling me closer.
We tore at each other’s clothes, desperate for more. It had been too long since I’d let go with her. A small voice in the back of my head argued that I needed to slow down and make this special. I silenced that voice. Fuck special. We needed hard, hot, and unrestrained. That’s how Piper needed me to fuck her, and it’s what I needed, as well. Her moans were driving me on as my hands moved along her body before settling on her ass and lifting her off the ground. Her legs wrapped around my hips, and she rocked against me, pressing closer to my throbbing dick.
“I need in you,” I said against her lips.
“Yes,” was her desperate plea. “I need that, too. I’ve missed this so much.”
“Condom,” I rasped out, looking around as if I couldn’t remember where I kept them. I was that lost in my own need. Never in my life had I craved a woman more than this one. Finally, my brain cells fired enough for me to remember where the condoms were. I walked her over to the nightstand and growled in frustration when I had to set her on her feet to open the drawer.
“I’ve needed this so much,” she confessed as she watched me roll on the condom.
Chapter 69
Piper
Austin’s eyes darkened at my breathy confession. I needed him just like this. I should have told him, should have opened up to him more.
When he reached for me, we tumbled onto the bed, our bodies molding together as his lips claimed mine in another hungry kiss. My nails dug into his ass, pulling him closer while Austin groaned into my mouth. I couldn’t think of anything beyond how much I wanted Austin in me. I wiggled and shifted to bring us closer together. All the while, Austin continued to kiss me as if he were starving for my mouth. Reaching between us, he positioned the head of his cock at my entrance without breaking the kiss.
I moaned into his mouth as he slid into me. I was so ready for this, I tightened and pulsed around him. Breaking the kiss, Austin’s gaze locked with mine as he moved inside me. My hands clutched his shoulders as my heels dug into the mattress so I could press against him.
“Harder,” I ground out.
“Fuck me, you’re hot,” was his strained reply as he repositioned himself, grasping my hips to thrust into me hard and fast.
Heat flooded every part of me as our movements became almost violent in their intensity.
“Oh, god, I’m so close,” I panted out.
“Don’t hold back,” he rasped out. “Come hard for me.”
I coiled tighter as he thrust into me. My nails scored his shoulders, and he reacted with a growl of appreciation. Each thrust brought me closer to the edge, until I finally screamed as the spasms from my release rocked my entire body.
Austin called out my name as he found his own release. We stayed like that, both panting and slick with sweat. Eventually, Austin looked down at me, a slight smile on his face. “Say you’ll stay the night.”
How could I possibly resist? “I’ll stay the night.”
Chapter 70
Austin
Never had I dreaded the sunrise this much. I’d known our night would come to an end. I was honestly lucky Piper hadn’t slapped me when I’d carried her back into my house like a caveman.
“You look angry,” Piper murmured sleepily.
When I looked to my side, I found her regarding me. Her hair was messy, and she looked sexy as fuck.
“I’m not angry.” I rolled onto my side to face her, allowing my fingers to trail along her cheek. “I don’t want you to leave. I’m already trying to come up with more arguments against me going.”
“I know you’re afraid,” she uttered.
“Terrified,” I admitted. “That’s not the only reason this is so hard. I’m also going to miss you.”
“It’s only for a little while,” she reminded me.
I grinned. “I have a great idea.”
“No,” she said with a laugh.
“What?” I asked. “I haven’t even asked you a question yet.”
“You were about to suggest I go on tour with you,” she correctly guessed.
“It’s a good idea,” I insisted.
“I still have a job. I also have weekly therapy. Besides, I stand by what I said about us both needing some time apart while we heal. You are amazing, Austin, but you’ve also been stifling me and treating me like I’ll break if you touch me. Last night was the first time you’ve acted like I’m not broken in some way.”
Silence hung between us. It hadn’t been my intention to treat her that way, but looking back, she was right.
“This time apart will be good for us,” she repeated.
“I’m willing to admit that you might be right about the time I’m away, but why the time apart before I leave?” I asked.
“You have a lot to get done, and you aren’t getting it done because of me,” she replied. “Bentley said you’ve been distracted at practice. Gage has complained to her about it. I wonder why she didn’t tell me about you trying to skip out on the tour.”
I wasn’t sure how she expected me to be less distracted while we weren’t talking, but I didn’t want to fight anymore.
“Bentley doesn’t know,” I explained. “Gage agreed to not tell her until things were finalized. He was hoping I’d change my mind. The whole band was.”
“I’m glad you did,” she said before leaning in to brush her lips against mine. “How about if we go for breakfast before I need to leave?”
“Not yet,” I replied with a grin. “I got you awfully dirty last night. We should take a shower before we go anywhere.”
“I like the sound of that,” she agreed.
Chapter 71
Piper
Austin had been gone for nearly three weeks, and there were days when I regretted not going with him. It was for the best. My therapist agreed the time apart was doing wonders for me. Not only was I more confident in my ability to move past what had happened, I was also able to think about what I wanted with Austin. I always seemed to get caught up in the moment with him. It’s how I’d ended up in bed with him all those years ago. It’s how I’d ended up dating him.
Getting caught up in the moment with Austin was exciting and fun. While I might not be the hopeless romantic I’d once been, that part of me came to life around Austin—just not to the extent it had when I was younger. I also wanted him to take care of me, but I’d regret it later if I couldn’t stand on my own two feet. Considering what I’d discovered, I had even more reason to be glad I hadn’t gone on tour with Austin.
“What now?” Cerise asked as she scooped out ice cream. “Are you going to marry him and live happily ever after?”
“No Austin insults?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I haven’t insulted him since you officially started dating,” she reminded me.
“You’ve definitely warmed up to Austin.” I was intentionally not answering her question about my plans. “I’ve been craving ice cream all day.”
“I’m surprised you think that tactic will work,” she said as she added the toppings to the sundae.
“Which tactic would that be?” I asked innocently.
“The one where you try to change the subject,” she accu
sed. “And yes, I have warmed up to Austin. Even while he’s in Europe, he’s trying to be there for you.”
While in Europe, Austin had sent me notes and gifts, including a weekly produce box. Most would describe Austin as amazing. I’d use that word, too, but I still had to admit, “He’s doing a little too much.”
“You’re too picky,” she accused.
“How am I picky?” I asked.
“You have a great guy who is worried about you. He’s trying to help you out in any way he can. Before you complain about how much he’s doing, remember that it wasn’t easy for me to hold back. You are lucky I haven’t been making Andy cook all your favorite meals and deliver them to you, no matter where you are.”
“I shouldn’t be complaining,” I said with a smile. “His heart is in the right place.”
“That man is head-over-heels in love with you,” Cerise added.
I took a bite of my sundae before responding. “I know he is, and I love him, too.”
“Have you told him?” she asked, continuing before I had a chance to respond. “What am I saying? Of course, you haven’t told him yet. You’re still afraid he’ll hurt you.”
“No!” I argued. “I’m not at all afraid of Austin hurting me. He’s more than proven he’s grown up and deserves a chance. For your information, I have told him how I feel.”
“That’s my girl,” Cerise praised with a grin. “When do you plan to tell him about the baby?”
Ah, the baby. When I’d realized I was late—about a month late—I’d decided to take a pregnancy test, assuming a condom and my birth control had failed. Sure enough, it had come back positive. My doctor ordered a blood test to confirm. After discovering my numbers were higher than expected, she’d done an ultrasound. We’d just gotten back from my ultrasound, and I was still having trouble believing what I’d learned. It seemed the spotting around Valentine’s Day hadn’t been my period. I’d had very little nausea, and I’d assumed the exhaustion was due to stress. As it turned out, I was eleven weeks pregnant with Austin’s child. I always scoffed at people who claimed they didn’t know they were pregnant, but I could now claim to be one of them.
“When he gets back,” I replied. This was a matter I’d put a lot of thought into.
“You should tell him now,” she argued.
“What do you think he’ll do if I tell him I’m pregnant now?” I asked.
“Ditch the tour and come home,” she admitted.
“Exactly! I love Austin too much to let him mess up this tour. The tour will be over soon, and then I’ll tell him.”
Cerise wasn’t the type to get overly excited about anything. Still, she let out a little squeal and clapped her hands together. “I can’t believe I’m going to be an auntie!”
“I can’t believe I’m going to be a mom,” I admitted. “This changes everything.”
“But in the most amazing way,” she insisted with a grin.
She was right. The shock hadn’t completely worn off, and I wasn’t sure what it would mean for my job or my relationship with Austin, but it was amazing.
Chapter 72
Austin
Time differences sucked. I’d planned to talk to Piper every day, but there were plenty of days when it didn’t work out. Still, we managed to at least exchange a text every day, and sending her gifts made me feel better about our separation. She was doing great, but she’d been really tired. I kept trying to remind myself it was just stress. It was only natural after what had happened.
We were at an after-party in Barcelona. Unlike most after-parties, Harley had insisted we attend this one. Harley was in love with Spain. It seemed all the men were only looking for hot, sweaty sex. No one had asked her to lick their boots or called her Mistress. Xander was also enjoying himself with the Spanish groupies.
“This used to be a lot more fun when we were single,” Gage remarked from his seat at the table we’d been occupying since our arrival.
I looked around and nodded. “True, but the rest of our lives weren’t nearly as much fun.”
“You are definitely right,” he agreed.
“So, where is Bentley?” I asked.
“She was too tired to party tonight,” Gage explained. “She stayed up late last night so she could call her family. I wanted to go back to our room with her, but Bentley insisted I make an appearance at the party.”
“How’s Mercy doing?” I asked. “Piper just says Mercy is fine when we talk. I think talking about Mercy brings up too many of her own issues.”
“Not as good as she’d like everyone to believe,” Gage replied. “Don’t get me wrong. She’s doing okay. I don’t think anything can keep Mercy down for long, but Bentley is seriously considering flying home early to be closer to her sister.”
It seemed we’d both be missing the women we loved.
Two young groupies bounced up to our table, and before I knew what was happening, a blonde was climbing all over me.
“Listen, I have a girlfriend.” I was trying to get her hands off of me. The woman seemed to have a dozen arms. I couldn’t break free. Gage was busy dealing with his own over-eager fan, but Xander was close enough to laugh at my dilemma. When I turned to the side to try to make my escape, the blonde hopped on my lap, straddling me.
“Hey!” I protested just before she kissed me.
It took another fifteen minutes to get the girl off my lap and make her understand I wasn’t available. Then I listened while she told me all about her fiancé who’d recently left her for another woman. She’d been hoping for a little help from the rebound guy and hadn’t heard about my retirement. By the time the heartbroken groupie walked away, I’d had more than enough partying.
“I’m going back to the hotel,” I told Gage.
“I’ll go with you,” he stated.
We found our security and had them get us a car. It was funny how much my life had changed. A year ago, I’d have taken that blonde back to my hotel room and made her forget the guy who’d broken her heart. Now, I was heading back to my room alone with only one woman on my mind.
Chapter 73
Austin
We had three days to spend in Barcelona after the show, giving us a little time to sightsee and relax. It also gave me more time to think about how much I missed Piper.
I’d been waiting for Piper to call me back for nearly twenty-four hours. She hadn’t returned any of my text messages. Xander had finally insisted he join me in my room to order room service and watch a movie. Actually, he’d suggested room service and porn. I wasn’t even sure if we could order porn in my hotel room, but it didn’t matter since I had no interest in watching it with Xander. While waiting for room service to arrive, we were both immersed in our phones. I was checking to make sure mine was working, figuring that could be why Piper hadn’t gotten back to me.
“Oh, shit!” Xander’s muttered curse drew my attention away from my phone.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Someone snapped some photos of you with the blonde last night,” he began cautiously. “I came across an article where they’re talking about the return of the rebound guy.”
“What the fuck?” I asked, snatching his phone from his hand. The person taking the photos had managed to get angles that made it look like I was pulling the blonde closer rather than pushing her away. It also looked like I was kissing her back. Piper must have seen the pictures. “This is bullshit.”
“Yeah, that is some messed up article,” Xander said with a shake of his head. “You need to call your girl.”
“I’ve been trying to call her,” I reminded him. “She hasn’t called or texted me back. Now, I know why she’s avoiding me.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Xander told me. “You couldn’t get in touch with her yesterday either. There’s no reason to assume she saw the pictures and lost her shit over them.”
“My calls go straight to voicemail today,” I muttered. “Maybe it wasn’t why she was avoiding me yesterday, but I’ll
bet it’s why she’s avoiding me today.”
“Could be,” he agreed. “I still don’t think you should jump to conclusions.”
“We should get the label’s PR department involved to clean this mess up,” I stated.
Xander looked at me like I was an idiot, and I didn’t blame him.
“Right,” I agreed. “This is a minor story that doesn’t have any impact on the band.”
They’d gotten involved when the tabloids put out a story about Bentley being involved in a love triangle with Gage and his brother, but that had been different. This was a story about me doing what I’d been doing for more than a decade. The story about Bentley had been much more involved.
“Exactly,” he agreed. “It’s crazy how they managed to get pictures that made this look bad for you. It honestly looked like you were trying to get away from that chick last night. She did not know how to take no for an answer.”
“This is a mess,” I grumbled. “Piper is going to think I cheated on her.”
“That’s sad,” was Xander’s response.
“I know,” I agreed. “I made so much progress with her, and now I’m going to lose it. What if she doesn’t answer my calls? I guess I can see if she’ll talk to Bentley or Harley. They can tell her what really happened.”
“You are such an idiot,” Xander said with a laugh. “What’s sad is that you have so little faith in what you have with Piper. She knows women are going to throw themselves at you.”
“This looks like a lot more than a woman throwing herself at me,” I pointed out.
“And if she trusts you, she’ll know it can’t be what it looks like,” Xander insisted.
I blew out a frustrated breath. He was right. If Piper loved me, she should trust me and ask me about the photo before jumping to conclusions. She hadn’t called me, a fact that worried me.
“And what if she doesn’t?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Then maybe it’s not meant to be.”
Chapter 74
Piper
Rock & Regrets (Reckless Release Book 2) Page 18
