Rock God (Hearts of Metal Book 3)

by Ann,Brooklyn

  Klement rubbed his hands together. “I like this plan.”

  Dante did too. He called Dom to see if he wanted to come, but the keyboard player declined, sounding genuinely terrified at the idea of attending a bachelorette party. He was almost as bashful as Shayna, who was so shy that he was curious to see how she was handling tough, energetic women like Kinley and Kat. Tanya and Chrissy also looked like they had wild streaks of their own.

  Any worries he might have had fled the moment they entered his suite and heard giddy, feminine laughter and beheld Shayna’s sparkling grin as she handed something to a blindfolded Kinley. His eyebrow rose. Was that a poster of a naked man on the wall? And what was that in Shayna’s hand? It looked like a…

  Kat’s voice made him turn. “I’m so glad you guys made it! Do you want to play ‘Pin the cock on the—?”

  “No!” Dante, Quinn, Tony, and Klement chorused.

  Shayna laughed. “How about some of this?” She held up a platter with a giant pink-frosted phallus cake.

  “No!” they repeated firmly.

  Kinley laughed before lifting her blindfold. “You guys are no fun.” She turned back to the poster that was covered with multiple dicks. “Damn, I missed again! This time I got him in the eye! Your turn, Shayna. I need another beer.”

  Dante couldn’t stop smiling as he watched her laughing and enjoying herself with the others. Shayna had been able to handle his band’s crudeness, and she seemed to be getting along with Kat and Kinley. And he toured with Bleeding Vengeance and Viciöus fairly often. Maybe he’d been worried for no good reason about…

  Quinn passed him a beer, and he bit back a startled laugh. Only a month ago Shayna had been a homeless, unconscious woman in his arms. Now he was pondering a serious relationship? It was ridiculous. Flat out insane.

  And yet he liked the idea more and more every day.

  As the celebration continued, Dante barely paid attention to the conversations around him. He was far too occupied watching Shayna. She’d changed into that tantalizing blue bikini she was wearing in the pool when he first asked her out to dinner, and sat with the other women in the hot tub, sipping a glass of wine and occasionally peeking at him with one of her sexy shy smiles.

  Tony and Tanya made excuses and left for their room. As they did, Quinn followed Dante’s gaze to the hot tub. He said, “It’s not fair. We all can’t fit in there with the ladies.”

  “Dude,” Klement laughed. “We have the same hot tub in our suite, and you and Kinley have a pool.”

  Dante gave them both a pointed glance. “That’s right.”

  Quinn paused for a moment then nodded. “Right. And”—he winked—“we shouldn’t stay here too late. I don’t want to be hung over for my own wedding.”

  Klement toasted him with his coffee. “Then don’t drink.”

  Quinn gave him the finger, went out to the balcony and got Kinley out of the hot tub. He bundled her into one of the resort’s terrycloth robes, and the pair gave quick high-fives goodbye before heading out the door. Chrissy, Quinn’s little sister, climbed out of the hot tub with a disappointed frown, clearly not wanting the party to be over.

  Klement laughed as she headed for the door. “He has his hands full with that girl. She wants to do her master’s thesis on band dynamics, and she keeps asking bands is she can tag along on the road with them so she can study them. Quinn keeps asking them to tell her no. I’m really half tempted to let her come with us. It’d piss her brother off, but at least I could keep an eye on her. Unless she’s already asked you?”

  Dante shook his head. “She’s scared of me.”

  Klement laughed. “Man, we’re all a little scared of you. You’re a goddamned legend. The first time we opened for you, I was so awestruck I don’t think I said more than two words to you.”

  Dante shrugged. “I’d let her tag along on my next tour, except there’s a few things I want to see work out first.”

  Klement followed his gaze to Shayna then nodded. “I think Kat and I will take off, too. We’ll see ya back at the venue for sound check and rehearsal tomorrow. Oh, and don’t forget to tell Shayna to do what she can to make sure Kat catches the bouquet. Even if she has to swat it at her like a volleyball.”

  Moments later, everyone was gone and Dante finally had Shayna to himself. Just how he wanted her.

  He strode out onto the balcony, stripping off his clothes with every step. He’d forgotten swim trunks, so his boxer briefs would have to do. From the hot tub, Shayna’s gaze roved over his body in undisguised fascination, and the open, guileless admiration in those wide blue eyes made his breath catch. Sinking into the blissfully hot water, he pulled her into his arms, savoring the feel of her wet flesh pressed against him.

  “Mmmm,” she moaned as he kissed her neck.

  Hot jets bubbled around them as Dante caressed her breasts through the scant material of her bathing suit. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and her hot center melded to his aching hardness, only thin layers of fabric separating them.

  He had the animalistic urge to tear off her bikini bottom and plunge inside of her right then and there. Only the fact that he didn’t want someone with binoculars in one of the many boats on the lake to watch stopped him. At least this town was so secluded that he didn’t have to worry about paparazzi.

  Instead, he kissed and caressed Shayna until she panted and moaned with raw need. No music sounded sweeter. Carefully, Dante lifted her out of the hot tub and carried her back into the suite. She shivered as the cool air whispered over her water-beaded skin, and Dante kissed every inch of exposed flesh as he peeled off her suit.

  Shayna’s trembling fingers slid into the waistband of his soaked boxer briefs and pulled them down. Dante sucked in a breath at the unrepentant hunger in her gaze. His erection sprang free, and he gasped as her delicate fingers curled around his throbbing shaft. With tentative shyness she explored his body like she’d never touched a man before.

  Suddenly, the moment felt sacred. The observation made his chest tighten.

  As if sensing his scrutiny, Shayna peered up at him through her lashes, cheeks delightfully rosy. “I’ve never done it with so many lights on. And you’re just, well, beautiful.”

  Her fingertips caressed the sensitive tip with a feather-light touch, and his cock hardened further. She’d make him come if she kept it up.

  With a low growl, Dante scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He rolled over so that she was on top, straddling his hips and purred, “I like having the lights on. That way I can watch your face when you come.”

  Her blush intensified until her entire body was encompassed with a rosy glow. For a moment, Dante froze in awe at the sight of her glorious body, those high, taut breasts, her slim waist, those exquisite legs, the faint silver scars on her hips that she’d borne to bring life into the world, and that little treasure between her thighs. She was a banquet for his eyes and he was starved for her.

  Gripping her hip with one hand to make sure she didn’t move, he reached into the bedside table drawer where he’d already stashed the condoms. He grabbed one, but before he put it on, he rubbed the tip of his cock along her clit, reveling in her wetness, which intensified as she gasped and squirmed.

  Finally, when he thought he’d die if he didn’t get inside her, Dante rolled on the condom, lifted her hips, and lowered her onto his shaft. He watched her face as he slid inside her inch by inch: the way her breath hitched, her pupils dilating, those lush lips parted with a sigh of pleasure…

  Shayna arched back, her tightness gripping him with blissful completion.

  “Yes, ride me,” Dante hissed through his teeth.

  She moved in a rolling rhythm that made them both shudder. Dante gazed up at her, drinking in the sight of her dark silken hair sweeping her shoulders. He couldn’t refrain from reaching out to touch her. One hand caressed those small, perfect breasts, the other gripped her firm little ass, guiding himself even deeper.

  He watched her blushe
s and bit back a growl, her heavy-lidded gaze filled with an entrancing combination of shyness and heat, her lips parting with sighs and moans of pleasure. Electric ecstasy filled him at the sight of her open passion, completely without pretense, and as the tempo of their mating quickened, Shayna threw back her head and closed her eyes.

  No, Dante shouted in his mind, look at me! He wanted to see her face when she came.

  But then he felt her clench on his cock. The universe exploded into unfathomable bliss as his own climax came pouring forth, and a white haze obscured his vision as their voices and bodies melded into pure liquid heat.

  Shayna collapsed on top of him, gasping and trembling as her body continued to spasm against his. Dante held her tight, not wanting this sublime feeling of oneness to go away just yet. His fingers threaded through her silken hair, and a sigh of pure contentment escaped his lips.

  It took every vestige of his will to finally leave her embrace and clean up. Not bothering to get new boxers, he got back into bed naked and gathered her in his arms. Claiming her lips in a hungry kiss, Dante savored her taste and the feel of her in his embrace, so fragile and yet so potent.

  Incandescent wisps of their future flitted through his dreams. Could they ever be tangible?

  As they drifted off to sleep, he knew he was nowhere near ready to let her go.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Shayna stretched languorously as Dante kissed her awake.

  “It’s time to get ready for the wedding,” his velvety voice rumbled beneath her ear. “We have to show up a couple hours early for the sound check and rehearsal.”

  Sound check. The word woke her like a splash of ice water. The sound check for Collette and Dante’s love song. “What time are we leaving?”

  “In about two hours,” he answered, rolling out of the bed.

  “Oh, good. I have a hair appointment in a half hour.” Shayna wanted to look as good as possible for the wedding—and before coming face to face with Dante’s ex. Shame coiled in her belly at her jealousy and insecurity, but she couldn’t help it. She darted to the luxurious waterfall shower, wishing she could take a bubble bath in the giant jetted tub instead.

  Dante echoed her sentiment. “I wish we had time for me to join you.”

  At least she and the other women had soaked in the hot tub to their hearts’ content last night. Though, Shayna wished she could try out the hot tub with Dante. Or this magnificent waterfall shower—which she enjoyed so much she was almost late to her hair appointment.

  The moment she plopped into the seat, the stylist groaned over her split ends and neglectful regimen, but the complaints and product sales pitches Shayna endured were worth it because the woman in the mirror at the end looked more like a famous actress than a dowdy writer. Even more gratifying was the look on Dante’s face after she put on her dress and makeup. He’d been to a barber or something, with his long curly hair trimmed and shining, and his face so smoothly shaved that she had the urge to rub her cheek on his.

  All worth it.

  They met up with Dom and rode in the resort limo, and for a moment Shayna again imagined that she was a rock star too.

  The daydream shattered when they stopped at a gorgeous white Victorian mansion and she saw Collette stepping out of an even sleeker limo with a snobbier-looking driver than theirs. She was even more elegantly coifed and couture, with upswept golden hair and a shimmering ice blue gown. Despite her fancy garb and salon treatment, Shayna suddenly felt awkward and gauche. She took a deep breath and prayed her hands weren’t sweaty as Dante helped her out of the car and led her over to his ex-wife. She cast a glance at Dom, who’d unloaded his keyboard and was already carrying it into the house, wishing she could follow.

  “I’m glad you made it on time,” Dante said, though thankfully he didn’t sound glad.

  Collette nodded and locked sapphire blue eyes on Shayna, giving her a look that was either curiosity or something else that Shayna didn’t want to dwell on. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

  Her southern accent trickled over Shayna like warm honey. Or maybe cold honey.

  Dante put his arm around Shayna and nudged her forward. “This is Shayna Gray. She’s an author.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you,” Shayna stammered, suddenly hating her stilted and bland voice that lacked an interesting accent.

  Something in the pop star’s eyes dimmed. Then her lips stretched into a fake smile. “You’re an author? Oh, how delightful.” A nobody, her tone said. Her gaze flicked dismissively past Shayna and back to Dante. “Shall we go inside and rehearse?”

  Dante nodded. He released Shayna, leaving her bereft and aching, and Shayna frowned as Collette positioned herself so close to Dante’s side that Shayna had to walk behind them. At least Dante looked over his shoulder at Shayna and rolled his eyes apologetically.

  Klement, Kat, Tony, and Dom were already on the raised dais that served as a stage, setting up their instruments. All four musicians gave Shayna and Dante broad smiles, ignoring Collette. Shayna couldn’t suppress a twinge of glee at that. Yet once Dante and Collette mounted the stage and positioned themselves behind microphone stands that were painfully close together, her wisp of solidarity with the others vanished; they all resembled gods, high above the reach of mere mortals like herself.

  Tanya and Chrissy entered the room and stood beside Shayna as Kat strummed the first notes on her guitar along to Dom’s opening melody on his keyboard. Collette’s angelic voice trilled out. Dante joined her in the next verse, their voices blending like lost souls reuniting. Melding together like a sublime elixir.

  As the two sang, they stared into each other’s eyes. Their bodies swayed in tandem as if fighting the inches that separated them, and Shayna’s gut knotted painfully. Her chest tightened until she couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t sing. She could never share something like this with Dante, and surely a union through music was deeper than anything she’d ever be capable of.

  Chrissy’s voice broke through her pain. “Well, this has to be uncomfortable for you.”

  Shayna bit her lip, trying to blink away the spots in her vision. The lump in her throat made it nearly impossible to speak. “A little.”

  Tanya nodded and leaned over to whisper, “They’re not together anymore. Remember that. This is just a display. Take a look at the bass player and guitarist. That’s what real love looks like.”

  When Shayna managed to tear her eyes from Collette and Dante, she saw Klement and Kat strumming the melody on their guitars and she was taken aback by the way they also moved together, the way their eyes constantly met with tangible flickers of heat. Tony, too, kept stealing glances at Tanya over his massive drum kit. It seemed all of these couples were smitten.

  “Klement really loves her,” Shayna said softly, managing a smile as she looked back at Tanya. “Is he really expecting everyone to dodge out of the way and let Kat catch the bouquet?

  Chrissy giggled. “Yeah. He’s going to pop the question any day. Don’t tell her, but Kinley, Tanya, and I have a betting pool going on.”

  For the rest of the song, Shayna focused on Klement and Kat instead of Dante and Collette’s soulful display. It was only a display, right? Still, her taut muscles relaxed as Dante left the stage and returned to her side.

  But then Kat played a sultry tune, and Collette’s exquisite voice soared up into another song. The small audience froze and stared at her, rapt, those liquid notes flowing over them like molten chocolate. Shayna’s stomach squirmed again, and her limbs turned to water. The beauty of Collette’s voice gave her goose bumps. How could Dante have let such an unearthly goddess go? Stranger yet, what was he now doing with a mousy nerd like Shayna?

  As if sensing her turmoil, Dante grabbed her hand and held it tight. A measure of her anxiety ebbed away. His thumb grazed her knuckles, moving in a soothing circle as if he knew she needed comfort. Shayna basked in that solace, falling for him even more with every stroke despite the danger of losing her heart
to someone like him.

  The song ended, and Shayna applauded, genuinely impressed no matter how she felt about the singer. Collette bowed and left the stage. Dante gave Shayna’s hand another squeeze before returning to the spotlight. He walked from Kat to Klement to Tony, whispering something to each before he approached the microphone. Then he announced, “We wanted to do a new song, but we don’t have it quite right yet so we’re doing a different one. This one’s an oldie, but I hope you still enjoy it.”

  Kat began to play a soft melody, and the rest of the band joined in. Dante’s gaze met Shayna’s, and he began to sing, his voice pure, sweet bliss. Shayna’s pulse throbbed in remembrance even as the intent look in his eyes compelled an inescapable memory. It was “Catch the Rainbow,” the song he’d sung to her that first night to chase away her nightmare, the beautiful song she couldn’t believe had been real.

  Dante’s eyes imprisoned hers. He wanted her to remember, just as he wanted it to be clear that he was now singing only to her. The poignancy of the moment brought tears to her eyes, and Dante became a blurry archangel—but his voice remained clear, each note lifting her higher, carrying her away from her troubles.

  He and the others played two more songs before leaving the stage, as guests had begun filing in. Collette went upstairs to hide from the bride, chatting softly with Tanya and Kat, who were leaving to change into their bridesmaid gowns.

  Dante touched Shayna’s elbow. “I need to go up with the band. Would you like to come too, or do you want to stay here and watch?”

  “I’ll stay here.” Not only did she not want to stand there like an outsider while the musicians did their thing, she was genuinely curious to see everything. What would a heavy metal wedding be like? What would Kinley wear? She didn’t strike Shayna as a traditional bride.

  “Okay,” Dante said. “I’ll see you soon.” He gave her a gentle kiss and left with Klement and Tony.

  Shayna sat and watched a female minister arrive. After the seats filled, Quinn entered the room, followed by Klement and Tony. Both Quinn and Klement had their guitars slung over their shoulders, and Tony was twirling drumsticks in the air as they all approached the dais. Reaching their positions and grinning at the minister, they began a rhythmic, steady riff as Kat and the bridesmaids came in. Kat also carried her guitar, looking strangely ethereal with her cream-colored strapless dress. She picked up the melody that Quinn and Klement played and then everyone lapsed into the wedding march.