Rock Your Body: A BWWM Romance

by Susan Westwood

  He wanted her wherever he was. How much should they talk about it? He didn’t want to scare her off.

  On the other hand, he didn’t want her to leave.

  “Let’s take a bath. I’ll wash your hair,” he said.

  “That sounds nice.”

  He left her to undress in the bedroom to run the bath water. Not too hot. Just right. He put in some bubble bath. Tamra entered the bathroom naked. She’d become more comfortable doing that around him and he was grateful.

  She had an amazing body.

  “You want some wine?”

  “No, thanks.”

  She slid into the water, her eyes closing as she did.

  “Okay temperature?”

  “Perfect.”

  He shucked off his boxers then joined her. He shifted her so that she was sitting between his legs and leaning against him. He kept a plastic cup in the bathroom for just his occasion.

  He loved to wash a woman’s hair. From what he gathered, they liked it also.

  “Was Bruce around when you got up?”

  “Yes. He went out to check the perimeter.”

  “Diligent.”

  “He’s one of the best and I charmed him away from a competitor,” she said.

  He poured water over Tamra’s hair. She shifted her head back and he poured again.

  “Do you have much competition in your market?”

  “Only a few companies, most of them started by former soldiers. Some of them had been mercenaries or had worked in private security firms overseas. Bruce had done that and retired to a job here. Then I snatched him.”

  “You’re clearly proud of that.”

  “I am.”

  He poured some shampoo into his hand, rubbed it into a lather then smeared her hair with it. He moved the lather around then massaged her scalp with his fingers.

  “Mm. You keep doing that and I’ll be at your beck and call.”

  “Is that all it takes? I would have done this so much sooner.”

  She laughed, but didn’t move from under his hands.

  ***

  What Colin’s fingers were doing to her were glorious. Her whole body tingled and this was non-sexual contact. How did he do that?

  “What did you do before you and Kelly started this business?”

  She wasn’t sure she could concentrate on his questions, but she would try. “Uh, I was in security before this. For a smaller company than what we have now. We provided security for events, not specific people.”

  “And Kelly approached you?”

  “She did. We were roommates in college and we never lost touch. After her divorce, she wanted something with more flexibility and to get out of the field more. I’m still willing to do the fieldwork. No kids or spouse.”

  “I see.”

  She couldn’t have opened her eyes if she’d been on fire. His fingers had her enthralled. She shouldn’t be surprised. His fingers other places usually had her attention. “I was ready to make the leap out of my job and the rest is history.”

  “And now you’re in my bathtub, getting your hair washed.”

  “By an expert, I might add.”

  He chuckled. “I’m good at other things, too.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  “Now that I have you under my spell, I want to talk to you about something.”

  Sounded serious, but she wasn’t moving. That felt too good on her scalp. “Okay.”

  “Assuming you all catch my stalker, I know your job is done.”

  “Uh, huh.”

  Where was he going with this?

  “I want to make it clear that I want you to stay here with me. Even after the job is done. I want you to be part of my life.”

  She wasn’t sure what to say. He’d made his feelings pretty clear and she couldn’t think of an argument against it. “Uh, okay.”

  “Don’t sound so thrilled.”

  “I’m a little boneless here from what your fingers are doing to me.”

  “But you want to stay?”

  She did. She hadn’t thought about it until that moment, but she did want to stay. That scared her. “Let’s just get through tomorrow and then we can talk.”

  He sighed. “Okay. I’ll take it. You didn’t outright reject me.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  ***

  Colin would take it. A baby step, but an important one at that. “Let’s go to bed.”

  He dried her off, then wrapped her in the towel.

  “I love that towel heater.”

  “It is nice. I’ll have to get one for my house.”

  “Which one?”

  He laughed. “All of them including the penthouse.”

  He stood next to her at the bed. She dropped the towel, then put her arms around his neck. He liked that she was so eager.

  He captured her lips in a kiss. She tasted like nectar. Her arms around him warmed him. He put her down on the bed then rested between her thighs. “I will never get tired of making love to you.”

  She smiled up at him. “Then let’s get going.”

  “Foreplay is there for a reason, madam.”

  “To torture me?”

  He chuckled, then slid down her body to pay homage to her center. He could stay there forever. He licked and sucked, and her body tensed, then her back arched. She came. He had made her come and that would never get old for him.

  Her eyes were half closed when he slid himself back up her body. “Good?”

  “Mm.”

  He entered her slowly, enjoying the sweet torture of being surrounded by her. If he could just pound into her he would, but then it would all be over. Why race to the finish line?

  His rhythm was slow and she moved her body to meet his strokes. She gripped his shoulders, but he wasn’t going any faster.

  “God, Colin.”

  “I know.”

  He did his best to think of something mundane, but her moaning and writhing beneath him was too much. She finally dug her nails into his back and that was his permission to let loose.

  His body exploded as he came inside of her. As if every nerve ending was on fire. Not a bad feeling at all. Just intense and he almost couldn’t move.

  He rested on his elbows, watching her slowly open her eyes to him. She smiled. “You are really good at that.”

  “We’re good at that. It’s both of us.”

  He caught his breath finally. He brushed a hair out of her face, wanting to memorize it in case she didn’t stay.

  ***

  Larry picked up Sophie from her high school. She waved to her friends and then slid into his car. He bet she was gaining some kind of cachet with her friends. And probably getting noticed by others also. He did drive a Maserati. Most of those kids probably had no idea what that was.

  Larry had to laugh at the shallowness of high school. He wouldn’t go back if you paid him.

  “How was your day?”

  She glanced at him. “Okay.”

  “Any test today?”

  “You sound like my Dad. And my Mom.”

  “Okay. Sorry. I’m neither of those, but I’m still an adult and can’t really be your friend.”

  She eyed him as he pulled away from the curb. “You’re trying really hard.”

  “I am.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I really like your Mom.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes, I do and it’ll be easier on all of us if you like me.”

  “So I hold some power.”

  “Not as much as you think. Don’t get cocky.”

  Sophie laughed and it reminded Larry of Kelly. There was a lot of Kelly in Sophie as far as he could tell. They both were strong women and he liked that. He wasn’t any knight in shining armor and Kelly was no damsel in distress. He bet if she wanted to, she could kick his ass.

  “But I hold some power because I’m going to this concert despite my mother’s concerns.”

  “You are going to this concert because I volunteered
to keep an eye on you. You screw this up, I won’t do that again.”

  “Fair enough.” She looked out the window for a moment. “Colin says I should wait to get into show business until I’m older. What do you think?”

  This was a mine field waiting to happen. “I agree with Colin. It’s a tough business and you need a certain amount of maturity to deal with it.”

  Sophie frowned. “Not what I expected you to say.”

  “I’m interested in your mother and I’m not going against what she wants in this case. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

  “Understood.”

  “You should just enjoy your time today and see it for the gift it is. And remember who brought it to you.”

  “And how exactly do you want me to help you?”

  “I don’t need your help, Sophie. I’ve been romancing women for years. What I do want is to make it easy for your mother to be with me.”

  “Do you love her?”

  “That’s between me and you mother.”

  “You do. You do love her.”

  Larry was not going to argue with her, but since he hadn’t said it to Kelly he wasn’t going to reveal his feelings to her daughter.

  CHAPTER 23

  Colin paced the locker room which was his de facto backstage. He’d never been this nervous before a performance. His bodyguard, a man named Hector, just leaned against a set of lockers.

  The place held the smell of many athletes. He’d forgotten how bad teenage boys could smell. He could hear the crowd of screaming fans in the gym.

  Tamra entered the locker room and her nose wrinkled. She smelled it, too.

  “Smells like boy in here.”

  “Not me,” he said.

  She gave him a kiss. “You never smell this bad. You aren’t a boy anymore either.”

  “I hope not, but I bet I did when I was a teenager.” He laughed, then sobered. “What’s the crowd like?”

  “Ready for you.”

  “Any sign of anyone suspicious?”

  “Not at this point. Remember. I give the sign, you go out the back door. Hector will be behind the stage.”

  “I’m a little nervous.”

  “Aren’t you always?”

  “This isn’t stage nerves. Those I can handle,” he said. “I’m hoping I’ll be relieved at the end of this.”

  “All of us are hoping that. You’re doing three songs?”

  “Yes, and no encores. I know.”

  He always gave an encore, but he knew this had to be different. That unsettled him also. He was feeling as if he wasn’t giving his fans a full show or their money’s worth. Hopefully at the end they’d all understand.

  Tamra glanced at Hector. “You got all that?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Let Hector walk you to the stage. He’ll let you go when it’s safe,” she said.

  “Someone is announcing me?”

  “The principal. She wanted the honors.”

  “Got it. Female voice,” Colin said.

  “You going to be okay?”

  “I’ll be fine once I get onstage. It’s what I do.”

  She smiled at him, gave him one last kiss, then left. God, he loved her.

  ***

  Kelly had done two laps, checking in with every one of her guys in person. She had to make sure that everyone’s radios were on the same channel. Her blood hummed with anticipation.

  This event coming off successfully would be a coup. Their reputation would spread and they’d be turning away business.

  And keeping Colin safe, which was the most important part of this. An energy encompassed the gym like none she’d ever felt. She’d played basketball, but this crowd was more pumped than any she’d played in front of.

  The magic of a big rock star. She stopped when she saw Larry and Sophie.

  “Is everything okay?” she said.

  “We’re good.”

  Her gaze went around the room. “All this for one person.”

  “He’s got the magic,” Larry said.

  “I can’t wait, Mom,” Sophie said.

  “No matter what, stay with Larry,” Kelly said.

  “Cross my heart.”

  They had to shout to be heard.

  “I’ve got it under control,” Larry said. “Where will you be after this?”

  “If we catch the person, talking to cops. Take Sophie to Colin’s house. No matter what happens.”

  “Got it. Good luck.”

  She smiled. “Thanks.”

  Nice to have someone else on her side. She wanted to connect with Tamra one more time, but the show was about to start.

  The principal walked onto the stage and the crowd cheered. Probably not for her, but for who she was announcing. Kelly pushed her way through the crowd to get behind the stage. She wanted to be close to Colin.

  Tamra was already back there.

  “How’s he doing?”

  “Nervous,” Tamra said.

  “We’ll get this person. We’ve covered all the bases and made it clear you two are a couple. I’m sure that was a hardship for you. Being affectionate.”

  “Someone had to take one for the team.”

  Kelly laughed.

  ***

  Colin walked to the stage with Hector. The electricity of the crowd had his blood humming.

  “They are all screaming for you,” Hector said.

  “Yep. Doesn’t really mean anything once I’m done.”

  “Good attitude.”

  “You can’t believe your press or the screaming crowd,” Colin said. “You’d go crazy.”

  Colin heard his name. He glanced at Hector who indicated he could go on stage. The crowd cheered as he walked to the center mike.

  He kissed the principal on the cheek before she left. There were whistles. She blushed a little, then left the stage.

  “How is everyone this afternoon?”

  The crowd cheered and Colin remembered why he did this. He loved the performance. He loved the energy of the crowd. The adoration didn’t hurt, but that wasn’t necessary. No, he liked being in front of people.

  This was his job. He entertained and no one would take that away from him. He smiled, glanced at his small backup band and nodded.

  The notes of his first song rang out and he began to sing.

  The words flowed over him and the crowd responded. They sang along with him and he wished he could spend the whole night up here onstage.

  Then he heard a sound that that didn’t go with his music. It took him another line of his song to realize that it was a fire alarm. He motioned for his band to stop.

  “Hey folks, I think we need to leave. Please do it calmly and safely,”

  Hector was on stage behind him, tugging his arm.

  “No, Hector, someone needs to keep the people calm,” Colin said.

  “I have one job and that’s to get you into the car that’s idling at the back door. Tamra will cut my balls off if I don’t do that.”

  Colin frowned. He felt an obligation to his fans who seemed to be fairly calm at the moment. “Okay.”

  Hector took him by the arm and pushed his way through the small crowd that had gathered there. Then he shoved him into a car and the vehicle was moving before Colin could get his bearings. When he looked back, smoke was coming out of some of the doors close to the one he’d used.

  “Damn.”

  He had no idea where Tamra was, but she’d been close to the door at one point. He didn’t see her in the crowd.

  “You have to go back.”

  “My orders are to get you away from here. I’m not disobeying them.”

  Colin slumped down in the seat. It might be hours before he knew what happened.

  ***

  Larry took Sophie’s hand and led her toward one of the doors. The crowd was going in several directions, but he was a big man. He could see where they were going.

  “Hold on tight, Sophie.”

  “I will. Can you see my Mom?”

&
nbsp; “No, honey. My job is to get you to safety. Never thought there’d be a fire.”

  Sophie coughed.

  The gym was beginning to fill with smoke. Larry suspected that this fire was not an accident. Sophie tugged back. He looked over his shoulder.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I can’t see, but someone has a hold of my hand.”

  The person must have been scrunched down and tugging on her. He didn’t let go, just moved closer to Sophie.

  The smoke was getting thicker and the crowd was panicking. The principal was giving directions from the stage, but no one was listening. Then Sophie’s hand slipped from his.

  He heard her scream, but couldn’t see her in the smoke.

  “Yell my name, Sophie. I’ll find you.”

  He didn’t hear anything, but went in the direction of her last sound. The crowd surged against him. He couldn’t move and then was moving backwards out the door. They’d been close. Feet away from escaping.

  His eyes began to tear and he coughed. The crowd pushed him out the door and he took in a breath of fresh air. He had to go back. He had to get Sophie. She was his responsibility.

  He’d been given a job. Too many people streamed out of the gym for him to get back inside. Frustration slid through him.

  He waited at the door, figuring that people would stop at some point. Before that happened a firefighter put a hand on his shoulder. “You can’t go in. The smoke is too thick.”

  “I can’t find my girlfriend’s daughter.”

  “She’s probably at another exit. I think everyone’s out.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  He walked around the outside of the high school calling out Sophie’s name. He felt a hand on his arm and he was relieved until he turned around.

  “Where’s Sophie?” Kelly said.

  “I don’t know. I’m searching for her. She must be in the crowd.”

  “You lost her?”

  “Someone was holding onto her and she slipped from my hand. I’m sorry, Kelly.”

  “We need to find her.”

  “I’m doing that. I can see over the crowd, let me look for her this way.”

  He had to find her. Kelly would never forgive him if something happened to Sophie.