Fan Girl (Los Rancheros)

by Brandace Morrow

  He turns to me, and I catch a flash of bright red hair, taller than me and definitely female, before the door shuts.

  “Hey, babe. You got anything on under that robe?” Deklan asks me in a low voice.

  I look into his green eyes and study him. If he thinks he's getting anything from me after he was laughing with that chick, he's higher than Chimera's drummer.

  “I'm good. Who was at the door?” I ask. He starts to gather me to him, but when I plant my feet and don't fall into his arms he leans back to study my face.

  “That was my assistant. She just wanted to make sure I got the basket. She takes care of me,” he tries to tell me cautiously. But he said the wrong thing.

  “I take care of you. She doesn't need to get you baskets of anything. Much less leave them in the bathroom with little notes that have hearts on them,” I tell him firmly.

  Deklan's eyes are roaming my face before licking his lips. “Is this jealousy? You have nothing to worry about, but I'm thinking Jealous Ali is pretty damn hot.”

  I shrug him off and go sit at the table. “Babe. Come on. You can't be mad at me. I haven't done anything. I'll tell her to not leave baskets anymore. I've told her that before, but maybe if she knows it bothers you, she'll quit.”

  I pick up a yeast roll and take a bite, watching him watch me. “Thank you.”

  He chuckles, digging in a basket for packets of butter. “If anything ever bothers you just tell me, babe. Don't get mad.”

  “I did tell you,” I point out.

  “You told me mad. But I still think Jealous Ali is hot. Do you want to come eat your dinner on my lap?” he asks hopefully. I throw my roll at his head, and he laughs.

  ~

  Arriving at the concert an hour early, Deklan tells me since the metal band is playing that he's afraid of mosh pits, so Della and I will stand over in the blocked off sections by the sound crew. They are over on both sides of the stage and we take our spots, hiding our passes under our clothes so we don't draw attention. The mix of fans are more diverse than I've ever seen. There are people with cowboy hats sitting next to people with dreads and girls with low cut shirts carrying signs that sparkle.

  Della leans closer to me and says quietly, “I hope no one gets hurt.”

  I nod. These people don't mix. But if they are agreeable to come together for the charity, hopefully there will be no violence. That, and Chimera is going last, so people have the chance to leave before things get crazy.

  There are several opening acts, all genres of music. There's an upcoming rapper that is really good, an English girl that is cute as a button, and a terrible young kid that can't sing and dance at the same time. The main acts start thirty minutes later. Danny Walsh comes out shaking his hips and twerking, singing about climbing on his tractor. We laugh as the girls go crazy. His energy is insane. He never stops running from one end of the stage to the other. He's got to be out of breath, but you can't tell it when he sings.

  His shirt is drenched with sweat, and he lifts it to wipe his forehead. The girls scream and he grins cheekily. Seriously, the guy is so cute.

  When he gets off of the stage, there's a small intermission then Rolling Bridges comes on. Deklan holds the microphone on a stand and taps his foot to Tommy's drum beat. Della and I scream like everyone else in the audience, and we sing every word with our hands in the air until they feel too heavy to hold up. Even then we keep going, sweat streaming down our bodies, hair clinging to our necks and shoulders.

  An hour and a half after RB begin, Della and I head backstage. My body is buzzing, after concert high in full effect. Passing Chimera on their way out of the green room, I lock eyes with the girl. I still don't know her freaking name. Fandy called her Popper. She's got on more platform heels and heavy eyeliner, black lipstick, and a corset. She pops her gum in my face, probably trying to be intimidating. But she doesn't scare me. I used to be the kid that was ignored. She does everything to stand out. I don't understand her, but she's still a baby. Eighteen? Psst, she doesn't even know who she is yet.

  I stick my hand out brazenly. “I'm Ali Dawson. If you ever want some ink now that you're legal, come see me so you get it done right. Google Shell Distortion when you get a chance.” She looks at my hand with strange purple eyes that have to be contacts, then walks away without a word.

  Turning back to the room I almost run into a freshly showered Danny Walsh, complete with little drops of water along his neck. I blink to clear my vision when he starts talking. “Ali, you're Ali Dawson? Dude. Epic. I want you to do my piece.”

  I shake my head to clear it. Seriously, where's a towel? “Okay. Just call the shop. I'll let them know to set it up when you're free. They'll give you an email to send me any design ideas you have, and we can go from there.”

  He holds his hand out for me to bump fists. When I raise my hand he taps mine before kissing my cheek and leaving the room.

  Suddenly Deklan is filling my vision. “Ready to see Jealous Deklan?” he asks me with a clenched jaw.

  I laugh a little shakily and peel the hair away from my face. Oh my God, I'm disgusting. “He's like a puppy, Deklan. Like a beagle or something.”

  Deklan raises his eyebrows in disbelief. “I'm gonna call bullshit and require you to go upstairs with me right now so I can mark you as my territory.”

  “No tattoos, right?” I ask him as he leads me out of the room I had barely entered, totally blowing off his bandmates.

  “No, I was thinking more caveman than that. Maybe I'll just cum all over your body,” he growls in my ear, making my body break out in goose bumps.

  “I'm down,” I tell him.

  He pushes me lightly into an elevator. “You're damn right, you are.”

  Chapter 34

  The next month is hectic. I go to work, and my belly gets bigger. Once or twice a week, Deklan and I have brunch with Sarah or Dean, meeting about the house. I never do call Deklan’s assistant. She doesn't need to be in our lives any more than necessary. Della comes to L.A. once a week for brunch and craft time. We have dinner with Nola whenever everyone is available. Deklan has taken four trips to New York and Sashi moved in with Amy. I’m officially down to part-time and, though I love to work, I’m getting way more tired in the third trimester, so I’m thankful I have a chance to nap on some days. Danny winds up coming in two weeks after the concert and getting a bad ass rib piece. And he's still as hot as ever. Without his shirt, well.

  I’ve done all the research online that I can about bottles, and made lists of what we need to get, but haven’t bought anything except a massive amount of clothes that is taking over the spare bedroom closet. One day I went to make a payment on my AmEx to be told the balance was zero. I knew it wasn’t, so I called Deklan and he said that since I wouldn’t take his money, he was supporting me a different way. Sweet, if frustrating. I still charge my card, though.

  We posted the picture of us announcing the gender, and the media freaked again. We knew they would, but Deklan wants everything in the open. He thinks it will help later to keep crazy people from trying to break into the house or something if we don’t have big secrets.

  For our Baby Moon we decide on Jumby Bay, Antigua. We fly out for a week and come home to our finished house. Dean has had to hire four contractors and a huge staff to get the jobs done in time. The main house, in-law suite, barn apartment, and recording studio all got their own head bosses. I heard he had employed more than one hundred construction workers to get everything done, ripping out old cabinets and tile, putting the hardwood floors in most of the house, laying down the concrete for the patio, and building the roof for it. It’s been a huge job, and the camera crew has been there through the whole thing.

  When packing for Antigua, I made sure one of my carry-on bags was my camera. We’ve both become a little obsessed with taking pictures. A flower, the beach, Deklan sleeping—one of my favorite muses. Dean is using a lot of the pictures we’ve taken and putting them on our walls in the house.

  I’ve
had to get a whole new wardrobe, because I eventually couldn’t get my pants buttoned anymore. Now I’m in everything maternity. Well, except bras and undies.

  To get to the hotel in Jumby Bay, we had to take a boat to another island. The first thing I notice when we get there is how quiet it is. All you can hear is the waves crashing on the shore with a soft shush sound. We’re led to our room by a young man who shows us that the walls of glass on two sides of our room fold back. Deklan and the boy do that so that the whole living room and bedroom is balmy, and the sea breeze is fluttering the curtains. We decide to have dinner in our room, because the flight wiped me out.

  The next morning we start out with room service and yoga, then head to the beach. I’m living in maxi dresses right now, so when we get down to the beach, I pull off the black strapless maxi dress I have on to reveal the bikini with the turquoise bow that I wore in Paris.

  Deklan settles in next to me and links our pinkies together. “You look just as sexy as the last time I saw you in that bikini.”

  I scoff. “I don’t think so. I haven’t worn this since Paris, my love. Absolutely no way I look as sexy seven months pregnant as I did not showing at all.”

  “Believe what you want. I know I’d do you in a second.”

  I laugh. “You did me last night and this morning.”

  He looks over and smirks behind his shades. “Like I said, I’d do you now. Just thinking about it is getting me worked up.” He glances around, and the beach is empty.

  I look at his lap, and he is getting pretty excited. “You better go cool down in the water. I assume a waiter is going to come over here soon.”

  “Shit.” He goes into the water, and when he’s in to the knee, he dives into the next wave.

  I watch him do laps and snap a picture as he’s getting out. Seriously, the guy is too freaking hot. I’d do him, that’s for damn sure. He walks over to me and puts his hands on either arm of my lounge chair, dripping cold salt water all over me. I hold the camera out to the side so it doesn’t get wet and lift my head to him. He studies my lips for a second with his bright green eyes then looks up into my blues.

  “You’d do me too, huh?”

  I roll my eyes. “Uh, yeah. Duh.”

  He chuckles and says, “Good, let’s go,” then pulls me up from my chair. I laugh as he drags me by the hand back to our room. He looks over his shoulder at me, laughing as he trips up the stairs of the deck. Pushing back the billowing white curtains, he guides me to the bed.

  Once there I turn with my knees to the bed. Deklan’s eyes are shining lively, his cheeks tan, dark stubble that I know will make me shiver when it touches my skin. His teeth flash white as he notices me checking him out. How can I not? I lean forward and place a kiss on his chest, opening my mouth to taste the salt water on his skin. Lifting my hands, I press my fingers in his swim trunks and tug them off of his hips.

  Leaning back, I look at what I’ve uncovered. He never disappoints. The thin line of hair from his belly button leads down and I sink to my knees, bringing Deklan’s erection close to my face. I move to the side as he stands still, watching me from his impressive height. Kissing along his hip at the smooth skin there, I suck at the point right before his trim hair starts. Deklan breathes in through his teeth as his thigh muscles tense, drawing my attention.

  I open my mouth and run my tongue down along the ridged outline of the muscles there, then move to the other leg. “Ali,” Deklan warns me. I smile and move to his cock. Opening my mouth wide, he bobs on my lips before I lightly trap the tip of him in my teeth. He goes completely still, making me smile. Taking my tongue to his flesh, I replace the pressure from my bottom teeth and rub my tongue ring over the sensitive underside of him.

  Pushing slightly against me, Deklan moves into my mouth and I cover my teeth with my lips, taking him as far as I can. Using my hands I cover the base of his dick with a protective finger over his piercing in the middle and get down to business. I lift his thick length and sink down farther on my knees to lick the underside before quickly sucking him back into mouth.

  Suddenly I’m being lifted with hands under my arms and spun around. My hands hit flat on the bed as I pant my want for this man, throwing my hair back as I arch my back for him. His strength is a definite turn on. Even this pregnant, he can lift me so easily. My bikini bottoms are the work of a second for Deklan to remove, and then he’s slamming into me. I cry out at the intrusion and push back for more, gritting my teeth.

  Slipping the clasp on my top he fills his large hands with my breasts, which are so much bigger than when we met. Deklan slides his calloused hands up to hold onto my shoulder from under my arms, pulling me back against him. “God, I love you,” he tells me as he tunnels into me hard, bending to place open mouth kisses on my shoulder and the nape of my neck. I moan as I lean closer to the bed, causing his hands to leave my shoulders. I grip the sheets in my fists and push back against him hard, making him whisper, “Yes, baby.”

  We both fight for our release. Pushing and straining until sweat is covering our skin and my hair sticks to us both, we find our release with Deklan pressed to my back, and our faces cheek to cheek. We shutter, shaking with the power we create together.

  The rest of the week is more of the same, not that I’m complaining. I don’t usually get out to the beach during the day, so I have to lay out on the deck next to our room. Easy access to the bed seems to be essential. At night after dinner, we go for walks on the beach and watch the sunset then head back to our room. We also take advantage of the spa. We do couples massages every other day. He goes deep sea fishing one day, while I get a facial and mani-pedi. When he goes golfing, I go shopping.

  Saturday is our last night there, so I get all made up for the first time since we’ve been there. I put on makeup and do my hair. I wear a spaghetti strapped gauzy empire waist dress that’s white. It flows around me and flutters in the breeze like the curtains.

  Deklan is wearing khaki shorts, and a white button, collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up. We walk to dinner that has been set up on our deck. There are candles everywhere and soft music playing from hidden speakers. Deklan pulls my chair in for me and sits down. “I’m so sad to leave. I want to stay here forever,” I tell him.

  He smiles. “I know, this was awesome. We needed this, as busy as we’ve been.”

  “I can’t wait to get back though, and start getting baby stuff ready. I feel like we’re running out of time.”

  “We have nine weeks left.”

  “If she comes on time,” I remind him.

  “True.” He nods. “You look so beautiful. Your tan has gotten a lot darker here. It makes your eyes shockingly bright.”

  Aww, so sweet. “You too, babe. I love you. Thank you for bringing me here.”

  He smiles at me and says, “I love you, too. I have something else for you.”

  I look around. “What do you mean?” He leans back and pulls something out of his pocket before running his tongue over his teeth and setting it on the table. My breath stutters to a stop as I look at the red Cartier ring box. I stare at it. When I can move my eyes to look at him, he finally leans forward and holds my hands in his. He watches our hands as he clenches his jaw, making the muscles tick.

  He takes a deep breath and opens his mouth, but doesn’t make any sound for what seems like forever. He lets the breath out slowly and looks me in the eyes. “I love you Ali. I slowly fell in love with you as DD, and I fell instantly in love with you as Ali. I love the way you laugh, I love your mind, your creative imagination. I love that I’m just a guy to you and you have never treated me like anything more than a man. I love this baby we’re about to have and I want both of you to have my last name. Will you marry me, baby?”

  I’m breathing funny, stifling sobs, trying to hear his speech. I’m pretty sure all I heard was I love you… Ali, fell instantly, last name, marry me. But I get the gist. I nod my head and put my hand to my heart to keep it in my chest. His look of relief would have be
en comical if I wasn’t an emotional wreck. He reaches for the box and opens it, taking out a ring that I have yet to see. I hold out one hand and quickly change it for the other one. That ring is supposed to go on the left hand, duh.

  Deklan slides the ring on my finger and holds my hand, blocking my view of it. I’m about to climb the table to see what he’s seeing when he kisses my finger and finally lets go. I pull my hand up to my face and gasp. The ring is a huge princess cut diamond with smaller diamonds all around it and around the whole band on the front and sides.

  “Deklan, it’s beautiful!”

  “I’m glad you like it. You’re gonna be wearing it for the rest of your life.”

  I look up at him and smile so big my cheeks hurt.

  “So you ready to get married?”

  “What?” I ask distractedly. The sunset is making my ring shine and sparkle, I can’t concentrate.

  Deklan laughs and stands up. He holds out his hand for me and pulls me up.

  “We’re getting married,” I say dazed.

  “Yes, we are.” He starts walking me toward the beach.

  “When do you think we should do it, where? Oh man that’s another something we have to plan before the baby gets here.”

  “Nope,” he says smugly.

  I look over. “What do you mean, nope?”

  “We’re not planning anything.”

  “So when are we getting married, then?”

  “Right now.”

  I stop and look down the beach. There’s an arbor with a man in black down close to the water. Deklan keeps going and shakes the guy’s hand. I walk toward them, and when I get to Deklan, the sun is right behind the preacher.

  I turn to Deklan and he says, “I wanted to carry you across the threshold of our house as your husband.”

  My eyes fill with more tears. He grabs my hand and the preacher starts in an accent. “We are gathered here today to witness the joining of two people in Holy matrimony.”

  When it was time to exchange the rings I freak, and my eyes get huge.