High Strung (Power Station Book 1)

by Gephart, T

  “Just making sure I didn’t break out in some crazy rash after sleeping with a Bruins fan. It’s a legit concern.” I cut off the water and turned around. Even with her lips puffy and her hair a mess she was still a knockout. It was the first time I’d ever felt I was out of my depth with a girl, and that feeling made me edgy.

  “Ass!” Ashlyn punched me in the arm, her tiny fist barely making a dent. “If you’re done priming yourself, I need to use the bathroom.”

  “So, use it.” I smirked, not having anywhere better to be.

  “Dan, I need to pee.”

  “Do you want me to put the seat down for you?”

  “No, I need you to leave. I’m not going to pee in front of you.”

  “Babe, we just had sex and you’re embarrassed to take a piss in front of me?”

  “It’s not the same thing and I’m not embarrassed. Bathroom stuff is private. I don’t want an audience.”

  “Just go, what’s the big deal? I don’t have any issue taking a piss in front of you.”

  “Dan, I’d doubt you’d have an issue taking a piss in front of anyone. I, on the other hand, would rather keep some mystery about me. Thanks.”

  I didn’t move, instead I settled up against the wall holding my arms across my chest and enjoying the show.

  She stomped her foot impatiently. Seriously, it was too fucking adorable. “Dan, seriously. I need to go.”

  “Ash, you are way too uptight. Stop overthinking shit.” I wrapped my hands around her arms and moved her to the front of the toilet. “Sit down and take a goddamn piss and don’t care what anyone is going to think about it, least of all not me.”

  “I hate that you are making me do this right now.” She lifted the sheet wrapped around her body, and sat on the toilet seat. “I can’t even believe I’m doing this.”

  “Performance anxiety?”

  “Stop it. Turn the water on or something. It’s bad enough you’re watching, I don’t want you to hear it as well.”

  “Fine, fine.” I turned the water back on, the free-flowing tap drowning out any other tinkling sound.

  She obviously finished, grabbing some toilet paper and wiping before standing up and flushing. Honestly, the whole process was kind of fascinating. A lot more involved than just pulling it out and taking a leak.

  “Better?” I stepped aside so she could wash her hands, I couldn’t hide my shit-eating grin.

  “Yes and I still hate you.” Ash pushed me out of the way as the soapy water went down the drain, grabbing a hand towel and drying off. “We can never speak of this again.”

  “Nah, it was magic. The mystery is all gone and I still want to sleep with you. We’re going to be friends for life.”

  I woke up, tangled around Dan’s arms and legs, my cell impatiently ringing on the floor from the pocket of my jeans. It was morning but I had no idea what time it was, the light streaming through the gap in the curtain leading me to believe it wasn’t as early as I first thought.

  I reached down and retrieved my phone, fishing it out of the pocket and answering it before it went to voice mail.

  “Hello.” My voice sounded croaky and hoarse. I didn’t have sexy morning voice, not even a little. Dan stirred beside me but didn’t bother waking up. Ass. He just rolled over and went back to sleep.

  “Ashlyn? It’s Lexi Reed. Is now a good time?” Her bright voice burst through the phone. Her unmistakable twang, immediately identifying her as Australian. I totally loved her accent, not that I would ever tell her. That would just sound so condescending.

  “Oh. Hey. Yes. It’s me. Sorry. Just woke up.” A jumble of disjointed words tried to form a sentence in my mouth. My brain not having the courtesy to connect the dots before it ejected them.

  “Great. Ashlyn, I wanted to tell you how impressed I was with your interview. I think you presented well and you were obviously prepared…”

  I knew a brush off when I heard one and this particular gem was the thank-you-but-no-thank-you where I was told my application had been unsuccessful. I was half expecting it, knowing my chances hadn’t been great but hoping that maybe I had skated in. It was another disappointment, you would think after twenty or thirty rejections I would be used to it. Sadly, it still stung.

  “Thanks, Ms. Reed. I’m guessing I was unsuccessful.” I thought it would be better just to get it over with. No point dragging it out. It wasn’t her fault I was completely unsuitable for the position.

  “Ashlyn, I’m sorry. Not this time.” At least she had the decency to sound regretful. Some prospective employers had sounded down right chirpy while dashing my hopes and dreams. Congratulations, you suck doesn’t sound any better with a smile in your voice.

  “What I wanted to tell you is that though you weren’t successful for my assistant’s position, I have a contact who needs a financial analyst. Now I can’t promise you a job but he would love to interview you if you are interested.”

  “Oh my god! Are you serious? Yes, yes. Of course I’m interested.” It was like someone just plugged an IV of Red Bull into me and I was instantly awake.

  “Great, I’ll get my colleague, Matt Burns, to email you the details and I will pass on your resume to Simon Jennings. He’ll be in touch so you can work out a time convenient for you to meet.”

  “Thank you so much, Ms. Reed. You have no idea how badly I need this job.”

  “I know, Ashlyn, and please call me Lexi. All I’m doing is getting someone with an impressive resume a job interview in an appropriate field. The rest is up to you.”

  “Thanks, Lexi. Goodbye.”

  “’Bye, Ashlyn, and good luck.”

  I ended the call and squealed. Unashamedly squealed like a little girl. This was my turning point. My lucky break. Things were finally going to start improving and who knew where it could lead.

  “What the fuck, Ash?” Dan groggily turned to face me, his dopey sleep face making him more adorable. “NSync getting back together? You know it will only work if Justin comes back, I don’t like boy bands but that kid from Tennessee has talent.”

  “No, you moron.” I swatted his arm. “How did you know I used to be an NSync fan?” Granted it had been a while, but I had loved their catchy tunes and stylized dance moves. So non-offensive and easy to listen to. Not bad to look at either.

  “Lucky guess.” Dan grinned folding his hands behind his head. “Can you pretend to listen to one of our albums, I don’t even care if you like it. Just fucking lie to me.”

  “I’ll listen to one of your albums if you get Alex to sign it for me. He’s got such dreamy eyes.”

  “I thought it was his ass you were interested in, not his eyes.”

  “Ass, eyes. I’ll take whatever’s on offer. Has he mentioned me?”

  “Don’t even joke like that, Ashlyn. I can’t tell if you are serious.”

  “I’m kidding, Dan. I’m not interested in Alex. Now stop being an ass and let me tell you my good news.”

  “What’s your news? Can you pull down the sheet a little? I think we both will benefit from hearing your good news while you’re naked. It’s all in the telling.”

  “Be serious. I got an interview. A real interview for a job that I could actually be happy doing.”

  “Wow, Ash, that’s awesome. Congratulations. I’m happy for you, babe.”

  “Thanks. I’m so excited. This is a big deal. I just needed someone to see my potential and take a chance. Can you believe Lexi Reed recommended me? Damn, I owe her huge for this.”

  “Yeah, she’s good people when she isn’t chewing us out. You must have really impressed her.”

  “Dan.” I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him hard. Really kissed him. It was probably me getting caught up in the moment but it seemed like for the first time in a long time, things were actually going in my favor. Ordinarily I would have jumped on the phone and Megs and I would have screamed for a few minutes before deciding where we were going for a fancy celebratory dinner, but being in Dan’s bed, having had one of
the most amazing nights of my life, it just seemed right to share this with him.

  “Well, good morning.” His smile widened as he grabbed my ass. “I like seeing you happy, it makes me horny.”

  “You’re always horny, but yes, I’m really happy.”

  “And I’m really horny. We should celebrate with lots of sex and then pancakes. Then maybe more sex.”

  “I’m not spending the day having sex with you. I’ve got important stuff to do, like get this interview locked down and research the company who is offering the position.”

  “You can do all of that after sex. I might be willing to let the pancakes slide, but feel this?” He grabbed my hand and placed it on his very hard erection. “This needs some special attention.”

  “Wow, that does need some attention.” I slowly rubbed up and down the shaft of his cock before releasing it. “YOU should probably take care of that.”

  “See that’s what I thought too, but I was talking with my cock earlier and he kinda has a hard-on for you. I tried to tell him it was a bad idea being you’re moody and really anal, but fuck me if talking about your ass just didn’t make him want you more.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. Only Dan Evans could make being so crude so endearing. “You have problems, you know that? You and your cock.”

  “Babe, say what you want about me but you’re going to hurt his feelings by saying shit like that out loud. He can’t help himself. He sees a beautiful girl and he needs to show his appreciation. Think of it as a standing ovation.”

  “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about that but I apologize to your penis if I hurt his feelings.”

  “It’s okay, babe, he forgives you, but if you really want to make things right he says you should kiss him better.”

  “Creative way of angling for a blow job, Dan. I have to admit, I’m slightly impressed.”

  “Aw, Ash, I’ve impressed you. We all knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. You can try and resist all you want but in the end, my cock and I, we’re just too damn charming.”

  Well damn him and his cock, because he was right, and I had been utterly charmed by the both of them.

  ****

  So I caved. While my intention was to get up and head back to my apartment to prepare for my job interview, I ended up spending at least another hour in bed with Dan. In the end, it just wasn’t his cock that was doing the convincing, his mouth and fingers had come into play as well and not even I was strong enough to resist him. He wasn’t kidding about being amazing in bed. He actually had the goods to back up that big mouth of his.

  I had never had sex like that. Not ever. Not even if you added up the sum total of my entire sexual experiences could you compare them to what one night with Dan was like. He was raw and primal but most of all, intense. He didn’t poke and prod aimlessly hoping to get me off. No, every action was calculated and deliberate for maximum impact. I didn’t know it could ever be like that. That I could come while actually having sex. And oh, how I’d come. It was explosive and addictive and more amazing than anything I’d ever felt. He hadn’t stopped at one orgasm, oh no, the man was a show off. Not that I was complaining. He could demonstrate his talent all he wanted to, and continue to make me shatter into a million euphoric pieces. After all, what’s the point of a fling if you can’t indulge in mind-blowing sex?

  My body ached in places that had long been forgotten, and while I was probably going to need an icepack and a good dose of Tylenol, I was happy. Happy. It’s such a funny word, with such a wide range of meanings, but for me, it was a place of contentment and calm, and that’s what I felt while I was with Dan. I know it was going to be short-lived and it probably meant a lot more to me than it did to him, but I didn’t want to stop feeling this way until I absolutely had to. I would deal with that when the day eventually came. He was so unfiltered but real, which is not what I expected from a rock star. Sure his ego was huge and the things that came out of his mouth were unpredictable and dripping in innuendo, but he was so genuine I couldn’t help fall for him. Therein lies the danger. The falling part. A little was to be expected. He was larger than life, ridiculously attractive, funny, and unsurpassed in the bedroom, but too much would mean heartbreak.

  I wasn’t sure if what I was feeling was infatuation or love. To be honest, I didn’t really have anything to compare it to, but I couldn’t deny I had actual feelings for him. I just needed to keep them in check and not get caught up in the fantasy. Dan Evans didn’t date, he said so himself. I was never going to be his girlfriend.

  “I Want Your Sex” blared obnoxiously from my cell, I didn’t have the heart to change it and honestly, he was right, it was what I was thinking.

  “Couldn’t live without me, huh?” I smiled as I pressed the phone to my ear. “Really, Dan, we’re going to have to get this dependency problem under control. I’m going to have a real job soon and not have time to listen to your heavy breathing and jerking off.”

  “Why must you say such hateful things? My heavy breathing and jerking off should be prioritized, woman. I expected you to carve out at least twenty minutes of your day for it. If you won’t participate you can at least be my audience. Masturbation is important.”

  I giggled into the phone, this man was all kinds of wrong but I really, really liked him. “So did you call for a purpose or just to remind me how vain you are?”

  “I was actually calling to make plans with you. I was thinking we should do something Saturday. Celebrate you landing this big shot job offer.”

  “Dan, I’ve only got an interview, there is no guarantee they’ll offer me the job. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

  “Please, we both know you’ve got this in the bag. They are going to love you. You’re going to roll in there being all badass with your fancy degree, wow them with S&P indices, and they will probably offer the job on the spot.”

  “Dan, are you trying out your big boy words again? Where did you hear about S&P indices?”

  “Wall Street Journal and for your information, that paper sucks. There are no pictures of girls in it at all, just a bunch of crusty old men. Lame if you ask me. I can’t believe you have to pay money for this shit.”

  “Aw, you’re reading the Wall Street Journal for me. Be still my heart.”

  “Well when it’s done being still can we make plans for Saturday? I’ll even let you pick the place.”

  My heart fell. Saturday was my birthday and I had already committed to going out with Megs and a few of our friends for drinks. It wasn’t going to be a huge event but because I worked most weekends, I rarely got to spend any time with them, and I would hate to cancel. I didn’t want to be that girl, the one who blew off her friends just because the sexy rock star she happens to be sleeping with snaps his fingers. No, I had to honor my commitments. That’s who I was. Dependable and reliable. God, I sounded like a Toyota. In any case, the only option would be to invite Dan but I had already discussed it with Megs and ruled that out. It was too much, too soon. I didn’t want to rock the boat. Not now when things were going so well.

  “Dan, I’m sorry but I can’t. I’ve got plans already.” I shook my head knowing I was probably going to regret it. “Maybe we can do something another day?”

  “What plans do you have Saturday? Lifetime channel tele-movies don’t count, Ash.”

  “I’m not staying at home and watching TV, you moron,” I laughed. “I’m meeting up with a few friends. It’s nothing important but it’s been planned for a while and I just can’t cancel. I’m sorry, Dan. I really would love to come out with you.”

  “Okay. Yeah. No biggie. We can do whatever, some other time.”

  “Of course, any other day.”

  “Okay, well I’ll let you get back to your boring shit. I’m going to go hang with Troy. Later.”

  “’Bye.”

  Had he actually sounded disappointed by my inability to meet him Saturday or was I projecting? I’m sure it was more likely he couldn’t believe I would ac
tually say no, as I doubt he heard the word very much. Yes, that was it. He was probably annoyed he had wanted me to do something and I wasn’t available. I’m sure his ego would recover by noon. Dan wasn’t the type of guy who let disappointment sit with him for long. I wondered if he would ever ask again or if I’d blown my chance. Not that it had been a date. At no point did he imply it was going to be a date, he was just trying to be nice. Still, I’d really liked him asking me out. More than I cared to admit.

  I sighed, walking over to my beat-up desk and sat in the recycled office chair that had come with the apartment. Well, came with the apartment in the sense that it was placed next to the outside dumpster. Either way, it was functional and unwanted so I hauled it back up the three flights of stairs and it became mine. I fired up my outdated laptop waiting for the operating system to kick in, it was just one of the many things that needed to be replaced and had been added to the when-I-have-the-money list.

  My email menu flagged unread messages and I scouted through the endless irrelevant crap that seemed to fill my inbox to find the one from Matthew Burns, Lexi Reed’s senior PR manager. He gave me a basic run down on Simon Jennings. He was a New York born and bred real estate broker who had made some wise investments just before the housing bubble burst in 2007. A self-made millionaire, whose office was located in the financial district, was looking for an analyst for a twelve-month contract with scope for ongoing employment. Standard. It sounded perfect.

  I also had an email from Simon Jennings, asking me to call his office to make a time for an interview. My heart thumped loudly in my chest as I picked up my phone and dialed the numbers. I hoped Mr. Jennings didn’t have crazy sensitive hearing and assumed I had a heart condition.

  “Good afternoon JenCorp, Joanna speaking.”

  “Hello Joanna, my name is Ashlyn Murphy. I received an email requesting I call so we could set up an interview time.”

  “Ah, Yes. Ashlyn, we’ve been expecting your call. I have your resume in front of me. Mr. Jennings requested I set up a time for you.”

  “Sure, I’m flexible with my schedule so I can almost do any time.” I hoped I didn’t sound too desperate. I was flexible because I was mainly working nights in a bar. Not that they needed to know that. Selective resume listing I called it.