Cocky Rockstar: Gabriel Cocker (Cocker Brothers of Atlanta Book 10)

by Faleena Hopkins

  “Someone should have.” I slam my tongue in her throat at the same time I slip my middle finger in her tight little cunt. “You’re sopping wet, baby.”

  “I want you,” she moans. “I can’t believe I’m here with you, Gabriel.”

  Our mouths reach for each other as I grind against her thigh and thrust another digit in. The sounds she’s making are driving me crazy.

  The door opens and Maggie pokes her head in, sees us, says, “Whoopsie! Oh, Paige, you’re here! Eek. Goodbye!”

  Paige’s eyes go wide with embarrassment. I give her a quick kiss, don’t stop finger-fucking her, and say, “We just gave her spank material.”

  Paige laughs and then starts moaning as her pussy clamps a couple swift beats around my fingers. “I’m going to cum.”

  “Do it!”

  “No, I want it to be with you, when you’re inside me.” As I raise my eyebrows she grins and gives me what I want to hear. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”

  “Mmhmm.”

  She moans as I tease her pussy, and then murmurs against my panting mouth, “I want your cock, Gabriel. Your gorgeous cock needs to be inside me right now. What the fuck, did I fly all this way for nothing?”

  Grinning I hike her whole body higher up against the wall, her legs now on my waist so I can get these leather pants out of the way. It’s impossible to get them all the way off in this position and who the fuck cares. Hotter to have them hanging halfway down because we’re too impatient. Pulling her thong to the side I kiss her as my thick, bulbous tip starts to penetrate her. “God, you’re so tight. So wet.”

  Paige cranes her hips to give me better access and the moan that vibrates our joined mouths ricochets. We lock eyes and she looks scared. “I’ve never felt like this, Gabriel. My heart is pounding too hard.”

  “Mine too.”

  “Please don’t be toying with me.”

  Shaking my head I hold still in the deepest point in her. “I’m going to show you I meant everything I said.”

  My body takes over and she yields to me. We’re panting and fucking against the wall, breaking free from hungry kisses to watch each other, then crashing our mouths together as the time we spent apart disappears.

  As she whimpers in my arms when we cum together I fist her hair and rasp, “You’re mine and I’m never letting you go.”

  PAIGE

  With our hair damp from the shower, I’m lying on Gabriel’s chest in the King Size bed of this beautiful, five star hotel suite, blankets and six-hundred-count sheets bunched to the side, away from our naked bodies. He’s playing with a lock of my hair as I tell him about my brother, the Al-Anon meetings, my mother and her history. The questions he’s asked have been thoughtful but not overly concerned about how this impacts him.

  “A lot of people would be shocked by what I’m telling you.”

  He smiles, “Musicians see a lot of dark things, Beautiful. Nothing you’re saying is worse than what I’ve seen on the road. And the dark side of life inspires my music. Can’t sing about rainbows and happiness all day. Nobody would listen to it because life isn’t like that.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “We’ll get along better if you memorize that sentence.”

  I stare at him a second and start laughing. “Oh no, I will be the one who is right in all arguments from here on out.”

  He chuckles, “So you left even though you don’t know where he is? From what you told me that seems like a big step. Should I be flattered?”

  I smile at his making light of it, and trace one of his nipples, giving it a quick kiss before I lay my head on his warm chest. “Bobby has to make a decision. He needs to ask for help. I can’t let him hurt me anymore.” Meeting Gabriel’s eyes I say, “This last time, you know what he said? That he was going to the gym. When he didn’t come back I checked my jewelry box for the millionth time and my fears finally came true.”

  “Your brother stole from you?”

  “Yeah.” I lay my head back down, finding comfort in the steady, quiet thumping of his heartbeat. “That’s when I knew he wasn’t coming back soon, if ever. That he’d stooped that low meant he was really gone. Wouldn’t be able to face me until he could pay me back and that won’t happen while he gambles.”

  Stroking my head, Gabriel murmurs, “I’m sorry.”

  Mustering up courage I rise up on my elbow. “I have to tell you something.”

  “What is it?” he frowns.

  “It might be the ending of us.”

  Gabriel laughs, “And we’ve only just begun.”

  “I’m serious. When I came here I didn’t know you were thinking long-term things, and…well, I didn’t know what you wanted when we talked on the phone yesterday. Everything happened so quickly and I had just told Ben I wasn’t interested. So my head wasn’t clear. I didn’t remember until in the car after you picked me up at the airport.”

  “Okay, go ahead. It can’t be that bad. As long as you didn’t lie about not hooking up with my cousin.”

  “No! It’s not that! I haven’t lied.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “Your father knows about my brother. I met him. Ben called him to find out where illegal poker games were taking place.”

  A frown springs to Gabriel’s face. “What?”

  “I guess he has connections with the police department and they know about these things but let them slide as long as they’re contained.”

  “No, I’m aware of how he knew where to look. Was he there?”

  “Yes, he and Ben helped extricate Bobby from the game, and get his money back.”

  Gabriel rakes his fingers through his hair, pushing it up on the pillow. “Shit.”

  “I should have told you when I remembered, but I didn’t know how. Especially with Elijah there and then when you told me about Olivia and we attacked each other…”

  “No, it’s fine. We’ll deal with it but…” Gabriel closes his eyes, wincing. “I can’t believe that’s how you first met him. That’s how he sees you.”

  I rise up and bring my knees to my chest.

  Gabriel sits up, too. “He hates addiction, Paige. My Uncle Jason, his twin, was infatuated with this ex-model named Bernie when he was younger. She was a big cokehead. Dad watched his brother almost go down with her.”

  “Oh no,” I whisper.

  Gabriel rubs his face. “Yeah, uphill battle already. Fuck.” I move out of his way so he can throw his legs over the side of the bed and walk to the bathroom, shutting the door as my heart closes in on itself. I’m not so good with abandonment. I want to chase him and knock on that door.

  Pulling the covers over me I lie down and wait for him to return. It’s taking forever and my knuckles are white.

  When he finally walks back he’s still naked, which to me is better than if he’d reemerged with a towel on. That would have felt closed off. But his eyes are shadowy as he glances my way several times as he paces.

  Crawling on all fours he returns to me and pulls the blanket and sheet back. “No no no, I need you naked,” he murmurs before kissing and laying on top of me, his soft hair hanging down and blocking the view of anything but him. Deep and troubled he explains, “I’m trying to think of how to handle this. The problem is I’m sort of the black sheep of the family. Hannah kind of led the way in our house and Elijah and I tagged along, kind of. But Elijah…he’s the golden boy now that he’s following Dad’s path. They have that in common. And Dad’s really close to Hannah because of what happened when she was a kid. That leaves me on the outside.”

  “You don’t feel you have his ear or patience.”

  Gabriel relaxes, “You get it. Thank you.”

  “I wish my brother wasn’t an addict, or my mom, but I can’t change it. If you want to take back what you said, I understand.”

  “Shhh, don’t get upset. It’s all good. If anything we can travel the world together and never have to see my Dad or your brother.” He makes a funny face tha
t makes me smile. “That’s better. We’ll figure it out.” Flipping us over so that I’m on him again he closes his eyes and caresses my shoulder as he whispers, “Have to get some sleep. I’m glad you’re with me. This bed needed you.”

  Pulling up the covers I nuzzle into him. “If you change your mind and can’t do this because of your Dad I will forgive you.”

  Gabriel’s finger and thumb cups my chin to make me look at him. “Paige, I’m keeping you with me, and if he doesn’t like it, that’s tough.” He kisses me tenderly, holding my body to his. We settle back to cuddling, him on his back and my head tucked into him.

  “If I wake up in Atlanta tomorrow, I won’t be surprised.”

  Gabriel’s sleepy voice is fading fast. “If this is a dream then that would be the nightmare.”

  Smiling I murmur, “This is why you write songs and I don’t.”

  His chest rumbles on a tired chuckle. A second later his breathing shifts and I know he’s sleeping. How he can do that after we’ve talked about something so serious is a mystery I long to unravel. And I spend over an hour trying to figure it out.

  GABRIEL

  In the V.I.P. Lounge, Paige and I find Elijah waiting in one of the chairs near the fireplace again, his suitcase to his left.

  “How’d your night go?” I ask him.

  Looking at our clasped hands he smirks, “Not as good as yours, but she was fun.”

  “Have you seen Maggie?”

  “She just left to check you out of the hotel you lazy bastard.”

  Paige and I sit on the couch facing the flames, leaving the other chair empty. “You’re just jealous because you do the grunt-work for your Senator.”

  “Paying dues,” he shrugs. “We all have to. Remember the dirty room you played at Smith's Olde Bar on Monroe?”

  Laughing under my breath I mutter, “They gave us six bucks each for that gig.”

  “High roller,” he smirks then glances to Paige. “You look rested. My brother sleep the night away?”

  She rolls her eyes. “I’m not answering.”

  “So that’s a no,” he dryly smiles.

  “I won’t take the bait,” she says.

  Kissing her head I whisper loud enough for Elijah to hear, “Tell him he’s an asshole.”

  “No!” she laughs and waits a comedic beat. “He already knows.”

  My twin and I crack up. She looks pretty proud of herself, but what she doesn’t know is how much that kind of humor will fit into our fucked-up family. Too many arrogant bastards to go around – male and female alike. None of us were taught humility, if the meaning of that word is to make yourself small so that others don’t hate you. Fuck that shit. My father always said, It’s lonely at the top but loneliness never felt so good.

  At the airport Elijah and I say our goodbyes since we’re on different carriers, the gates on opposite sides of the terminal. I give him a bear hug and whisper in his ear, “I’m really glad you were here to witness the beginning of this.”

  He pulls away, rare emotion in his eyes as he clasps my shoulder and says a sincere, “Me too, Gabriel.” As Paige hugs him he kisses her head. “Take care of my best friend for me.”

  “I will,” she smiles.

  He strolls off in yet another black suit, matching carry-on suitcase gliding along the tile just behind him.

  “Elijah!” I call out.

  He pauses. “Yeah?”

  “I love you.”

  A smile flashes on him. “I love you, too.”

  Roping my fingers with Paige’s we head for our gate and I tell her under my breath, “He wears black suits because they look better on him than Dad, since Dad’s blonde and black washes him out. He likes peacocking around in black Armani.”

  “Really?”

  “Don’t tell him I told you.”

  She laughs. “I’ll save it for ammo.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  We’ve checked our bags so our arms are swinging as we walk and I feel light on the inside. Glancing over I find her smiling, too. “You happy you’re here?”

  “Mmhmm. That was really sweet with you guys. Couple of Alphas showing they care. Awwww…”

  I bump my hip into hers. “Hey, don’t make fun of us.”

  “But you’re so adorable. I love you, Elijah! Muah muah muah!”

  A burst of my laughter inspires people to look at us. I’ve got sunglasses on and a baseball hat, but I don’t feel like calling attention to myself. Shutting it down I whisper in her ear, “You’re hilarious, you know that? Now cut it out.”

  She grins, looking ahead. “I like the sound of your laugh too much. Prepare to be fucked with.”

  “Oh, I’ll prepare to fuck alright.”

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it!”

  Tickling her I keep my voice quiet as I warn her, “You won’t win this game.”

  “I will, too!”

  She squeals as I dig into a tender part of her waist. Again people look over. We clamp our mouths shut and keep walking, but we’re trying not to laugh.

  As the gate comes into view so does my band, roadies and dancers. The groupies don’t fly with us. They find us somehow, though. We never know who tips them off, but several of the same girls showing up at every city we play in. My suspicion is that they pay one of the roadies off for the intel, but I’ve never been able to get a confession out of anyone.

  Maggie walks up to us sucking iced-latte through a straw, shades on her eyes, too, and her dark curls wild and smelling of shampoo. “When did I miss this memo, huh?”

  “Carrie didn’t tell you Paige is staying at her pad after she gets back to the ATL?”

  Maggie pulls her sunglasses up and stares at me. “What the fuck. You serious? Excuse me.” She heads away to make the call.

  Paige and I stay off to the side of the gate, with her leaning against a wall and me facing her, the public behind me. “I never asked you about that ankle tattoo.”

  Smiling she says, “It’s fire and water.”

  “I saw that. What does it mean?”

  “Balance. I got it when I was eighteen and thought seriously about teaching yoga.” She’s gazing up at me and brushes my hair from my eyes. “Olivia still likes you.”

  “I know.”

  “Are you really over her?”

  “I was never under her…in a manner of speaking.”

  Paige winces and glances to my lips. “I can tell you want to kiss me, but don’t in front of her.”

  “I can do whatever I want.”

  “Gabriel, I want to be kind.”

  I lean in and give her a quick kiss. “I’m not going to full on make out in front of her, but I do want everyone here to know how I feel about you.”

  Paige stares at me with surprise. “Oh.”

  “When I said you’re mine, I meant it. That wasn’t just the heat of the sex, talking. I’m claiming you, Beautiful. Especially with how bendy you are, Jeezus. I’ve got a hot yoga chick.”

  She hits my chest, “Oh shut up.”

  Laughing I glance over to the dancers and see Jamilla and her crew watching us, but Olivia is facing the windows. I give her a head nod and Jamilla returns it. It’s as good as written in cement now. I’m taken and a new chapter has begun for me and that means for the band, too. Whoever wants to stick around is welcome to as long as nobody fucks with my girl.

  PAIGE

  I’ve fallen for Dublin, how charming it is. The people are so warm, their accents fun to listen to. Many of the younger girls here wish they were tan so they wear foundation makeup a shade darker than their pale skin that rarely sees the sun. Lots of blue or purple eyeliner and hip fashions taken from the London runways twisted into their own personal style like they one-upped the system. We’ve been here four days and it’s been absolute bliss.

  “I think I’m crazy about the Irish,” I confess to Gabriel as we walk into a pub built in the 1700’s. “Did you hear that bartender call that drunk guy an eejit?”

  Worki
ng his way through the late-night crowd, he explains, “It’s idiot with an accent.”

  “So funny!”

  “In London they call everyone cunt. In America you can’t get away with that shit. But that’s because it doesn’t mean the same thing. To the Brits it just means you’re stupid. Or a douchebag.”

  Rising on my tiptoes I urge him ever-so-quietly, “You can use that word with me in private, though.”

  He cocks an eyebrow at me. “Oh yeah? Noted.” After pressing a quick kiss to my lips he turns and tells the ginger-haired bartender, “Two Guinness.”

  Squeals coming from the far end of the dark pub make us both look over. Gabriel’s been spotted by a group of female fans. Bowing out I tell him, “I’m going to the ladies room. Have fun.”

  He gives me a nod and turns to accept their praise and request for autographs and photos. I overhear them giggle that they were at the concert tonight and can’t believe he’s here. This happens everywhere we go. Price I have to pay, I guess. I’ve discovered the trick is to separate the star from the man. I get the man, they get the star. But the star is untouchable so I win.

  Steep, narrow stairs lead me to the second floor where exaggerated conversations are taking place across mismatching tables and old wooden chairs.

  A sign on the wall points left and reads: Toilets.

  And of course there’s a line. As I take my place, my hair falls over my face while I dig for my lipstick. I don’t see I’m standing by Olivia until I hear her say, “Funny how they call them Toilets here, huh?”

  Looking up on a smile I’m about to agree when I freeze. “Oh um, yeah.” She’s much prettier close up, which of course drives my mind to horrible images in an instant. I’ll never forget what her boobs look like. How I wish I could.

  She rolls her eyes, acting friendly, “In the states we’re so puritanical we have to call it a Restroom.”

  “When nobody is resting in them, ever.”

  “Right?” she smirks while glancing down to the lipstick in my hand. “I have that color. That’s Blushing Berry, right?”