by Claire Adams
When I finished, I opened my eyes and looked up at the silent room, scared for a moment, until cheers, whistles, and hoots broke out. I smiled, Owen far from my mind, absolutely content.
Chapter Seventeen
Owen
Being rejected by Nalia only seemed to make me want her more. It confused me, intrigued me, and drove me nuts at the same time. It wasn’t something that happened to me too often. Or really at all, for that matter. Usually, I was the one doing the rejecting. Maybe that was why the whole thing was so frustrating.
I shook my head, pressed my fingertips against my temples, and glanced back down at her text. The Barfly. I hadn’t been there before, but I was sure I could find it.
Fuck it, I thought. I’m going after her. I had wanted to play it cool, given we were about to go on tour, but I didn’t want to spend the night alone or in anyone else’s arms. I knew I would totally be breaking the pact we had made about not having a physical relationship with the assistant—again—but I couldn't care less about that at the moment. There was no other woman I could imagine being with.
I doubted any other woman could satisfy me like she had, anyway. I doubted they had a chance of coming even close to making me feel the way Nalia made me feel. Hell, the thoughts of her moans alone drove me bat-shit crazy.
I headed out to my car, typing the name of the bar into the GPS as I walked. It was a good thirty-minute drive, but that was not something that concerned me much. I’d much rather make a bit of a drive and at least see her than simply head straight home to a large, empty bed that only made me think of her on yet another lonely night. No, there had been far too many of those already, and I was getting pretty damn tired of it. I wanted her, and that was all there was to it.
The drive went by quickly, and I walked into the bar intending to stay toward the back and search the room for her. Finding her, however, didn’t seem to be much of a problem.
She was on stage, sitting at a baby grand piano. I was taken aback by how stunning she looked up there under the lights that shone just so, giving her hair an almost angelic aura. They sparkled on her skin. I couldn't help but stare at her, completely mesmerized.
When she started playing, all of my thoughts fell silent as soon as I heard the effortless melody and that velvety voice of hers. She sounded amazing. I couldn't remember when I had last been so blown away by anyone in a musical sense. I suddenly remembered she’d mentioned playing, but I hadn’t thought about it much and certainly had no idea just how talented she was.
Just watching how feverishly she got into her playing struck a chord with me. Not only was the song soothing, but it was also as beautiful and moving as she was. I could tell by the way she performed it that she had written the song. It didn't just have her name and touch written all over it, it was her—it was an extension of her.
Suddenly, I realized something about this woman; she was just like me — stuck in a life that doesn’t make sense because music was her world, it was her heart and soul, it was the blood that her heart pumped through her veins. I knew because I felt the same way when I played. I’d never been so ready to get back out of the office and on the road as I when I first played with the band again, and it seemed she had similar desires.
It was strange to watch; I couldn’t recall ever coming across another person who seemed to feel the music with as much passion as I did. It was something that had come as a bit of a surprise to me when the band had made it big, and I began to meet more people in the music industry. I had even dated a famous pop star once that I kind of expected to have that connection with musically, and she’d had an amazing voice, but she had been far more about the image and the fame than the music itself. Needless to say, that relationship didn’t last too long.
Watching Nalia on stage, I could tell right away that she was entirely different. It was easy to see that music was like religion to her, or something even more than a religion. It was the essence of who she was.
I smiled, watching her as she finished and those beautiful brown eyes opened back up, surveying her audience like someone who had just woken up from a trance or had just had their eyes opened to a beautiful truth. People began applauding and cheering. I could tell it wasn't just polite applause and praise; it was genuine amazement. The crowd totally loved her. They could see her passion and talent as clearly as I could, and they were totally impressed.
A look of absolute contentment spread across her face, making her absolutely breathtaking. Carefully, she exited the stage, a broad smile on her face as she headed to a table where a friend was waiting. I simply sat and watched her in silence, still in awe of her amazing, soulful performance. Just when I had thought she couldn't surprise me anymore, she had done just that.
Without hesitation, I headed straight over to her, slipping my arm around her waist and pulling her toward the dance floor as music began to play. Her friend let out a gasp and stared after us, but I paid her no mind. I pulled Nalia against me, moving in rhythm with her as a slow song played. She stared up at me in shock.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you,” I told her honestly, as I slipped my arms around her waist. She narrowed her eyes at me but slid her arms around my neck. “I didn’t know you played the piano so well,” I smiled at her. “What else can you play?”
A slow grin turned up the corners of her perfect lips. “You.”
Chapter Eighteen
Nalia
I couldn’t believe that Owen had shown up. He was saying all the right things, and I was feeling pretty high from the elation of playing my heart out on stage—not to mention kinda buzzed from the drinks I'd had—but that still didn’t mean I was just going to give in to what I was fairly certain he was there for.
With a smile, I shook my head as he tried to get me to dance, and I pulled away from him and headed back toward the table and Grace, who was staring at me wide-eyed. She was apparently in as much shock as I was that Owen was there. I didn’t have to look back to know he was right on my trail. Why had he driven all the way to my side of the city? Judging from the time since I'd responded to his message and when he'd shown up and surprised me, he must have left soon after receiving my text. The question I wasn’t quite so sure about was...why?
When I reached the table, Owen saddled up next to me, taking the seat across from Grace. I introduced them to each other, and they both shook hands. “Grace Nelson, actress and best friend, meet Owen Young, rock star and boss.”
“I’m a big fan of Bleeding Heart! Seriously. I'm super excited to hear some new stuff from you guys,” Grace told Owen. I frowned at her for gushing at him. She was supposed to be backing me up, helping me stand my ground, not boosting his ego.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Grace,” Owen smiled at her. “So, you're an actress, huh? What area do you work in, film or television?”
“Oh, just a daytime soap.”
“Which one?”
“Ha, if you watched them, you'd know!” she laughed.
He laughed in response. “True, I guess you’ve got me there. I really don't have much time to watch TV these days. Although, now that Nalia is doing such an amazing job, maybe I will find a little time to check out a TV show or two. Maybe I'll even see you on your daytime soap.”
She chuckled. “Please don’t feel obligated. If I have my way, it’s just a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Kind of like my girl here,” she changed the subject. “Did you enjoy Nalia’s performance up there?”
“Immensely.” Owen’s gaze flickered to me.
I kept my mouth in a hard line, trying to ignore the shiver that moved through me as his eyes brushed over me. He just wants sex, I told myself. Don't fall for this sweet guy routine. It's just flattery to soften you up, win you over, and get you into bed. Still, it wasn’t like that was such a bad thing. I mean, I’d had fun, too. Hell, if I was going to be completely honest with myself, it had been mind-blowing. Amazing. Seriously, some of the best sex I'd ever had.
>
No, I mentally slapped myself. Quit thinking about it. You are not going to give in to him and just get used like he probably does with all of the girls he takes home. You're here to do a job, not just hop into bed with a rock star.
“Would you ladies like another round?” Owen asked.
“Sure,” Grace answered before I could say anything in protest. “Let's get this party started!”
As he walked to the bar, I narrowed my eyes at her. “What the hell are you doing, Grace?”
“What? Come on, Nay. He obviously likes you. You already shot him down, but he still showed up here anyway. If nothing else, he’s certainly persistent, and you should really give him a few points for that. Besides, he's so hot.”
“Seriously? Come on, Grace, I thought you were on my side,” I frowned at her.
“I am, I am, but it is okay to have a little fun, too, ya know. Jeez, most girls would totally kill to be in your shoes right now!” She gave me a nudge in the side. I started to respond, but Owen returned before I could, so I just shut my mouth and smiled as he slid a drink in front of each of us.
“Thanks,” I said into my drink, still keeping my eyes on him. He frowned, watching me. I considered that it was possible I might have been being a little hard on him, and maybe Grace was right. Owen and I had had fun the last time things got intimate between us and, oddly enough, things hadn't been weird between us afterwards. It wasn’t like he was using me if I enjoyed it as much as him and didn’t expect any sort of attachment or conditions from it. I mean, we were two, mature adults just enjoying ourselves and each other, right?
He leaned in close and whispered into my ear. “You were absolutely stunning on stage. Your passion up there seriously set me on fire. And when I say that, I mean totally on fire. All over.”
I tried to force back the smile that threatened to spread across my lips. Instead of smiling or saying anything in return, I simply directed my gaze up, and was immediately met with a stare that churned every butterfly I hadn’t even known was in my stomach. “Thank you,” I mouthed, my eyes never leaving his.
“I think you'll regret it if you don't spend the night with me,” he whispered back. “We could have a truly amazing time together tonight. Trust me on that.”
From the corner of my eye, I could see Grace raise a questioning eyebrow at me and flash me a cheeky smile.
I didn’t say a word. I only searched his stare and nodded my head.
“I’m guessing you two are gonna be going soon?” Grace asked, holding out her hand for my keys. I flushed, a little embarrassed, and fished my keys out of my purse for her. In my state, it was probably best if I didn’t drive, anyway.
“I’m sorry to steal her away,” Owen said to Grace, placing a palm gently on my lower back. Warmth pooled in me at the light touch of his hand, and my cheeks flushed once more. “But I promise you, she's in good hands. Very good hands.”
She waved a dismissive hand at both of us. “It’s no problem. You two get out of here and go have some fun,” she said with a grin.
“You sure, Grace? You'll be fine here all on your own?” I asked. She simply gave me a knowing smile and waved me off toward the door.
“I think that’s our cue to go. Come on.” Owen’s fingers intertwined with mine as he led me to the exit. Giving up, I followed.
We are just having some fun, I told myself. It's not going to be anything more than that. Just some fun between two people who happen to be attracted to each other.
He led me out to his Porsche and opened the door for me. Before he loosened his grip around my waist to allow me to get in, he gave me a slow, teasing kiss, flicking his tongue into my mouth. When he pulled his lips away from mine, they lingered barely a breath from my mouth. My heart raced. He then placed a soft kiss on my forehead before helping me into the car.
As he settled in on his side of the car, he flashed a pleased, content smile at me. Yes, he really had driven all the way there because of wanting me. I found myself wondering what he had meant when he had said it was lonely sometimes being him.
Owen started up the car and pulled out of his parking spot, then put his hand on my knee, gently caressing.
“I know I already said it once, but you were amazing up there on stage,” he said, letting his hand slide a little higher up my thigh. A light shiver ran through me. As we stopped at a light, he leaned over to kiss me, one hand brushing up my arm and against my breast. I couldn’t say for sure if it was intentional, but it definitely sent my pulse into overdrive.
“You looked and sounded like an angel up there. You’ve got a lot of talent, you really do. It was easy to see that the music was everything to you. And watching you perform with such passion and intensity was possibly the hottest thing I’ve ever witnessed.” His breath tickled my neck as he spoke.
“The light’s green,” I giggled. He laughed and pulled away, but he quickly placed his hand on my thigh once more, a little higher this time, brushing just under the hem of my skirt.
“God, your skin’s so soft, and you have killer legs. You know when I like them best, though?” He flashed me a sideways glance, giving my thigh a gentle squeeze.
“When they’re in heels?” I guessed.
“Not a bad guess, and that is quite impressive, but no. They're definitely my favorite when they’re wrapped around my head.” A devious smile crossed his lips, and I blushed a little as heat pooled between my thighs at the mental picture that embedded in my mind. Yeah, I liked my legs like that, too. His hand began to slide slowly higher up my inner thigh, the tips of his fingers brushing softly against the outside of my panties. At the thrill this touch stirred up, I let out a small gasp. His devious grin only grew.
“Shouldn’t you be paying attention to the road?” I asked, a little breathless as his fingertips continued to caress me teasingly through the silky fabric.
“I’m good at multitasking,” he told me, and then let out a gruff, sexy laugh as we hit another red light. He took the opportunity to slide two fingers under my panties. The heat between my legs was growing more and more intense. I was more than a little wet. I spread my legs a little to allow him more access and bit my bottom lip, stifling a whimper as his fingers began to work their magic on me.
As the waves of pleasure started to build inside me, growing more and more with every second that passed, I reached across and began caressing the crotch of his jeans where a large bulge was already starting to press against the fabric.
“Mmm, now that might make it hard for me to focus on the road,” he smiled that crooked grin of his.
Just as a tease, I leaned over toward him. He moved his arm to give me access and started to fuss with his zipper. Clearly, he thought I was leaning over to give him head.
Instead, I leaned over and brushed my lips against his neck then softly eased them up to his ear and whispered. “Light’s green,” I smiled playfully.
“Humph. Tease,” he grumbled jokingly and returned his attention to the road.
“Oh, a tease, am I?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
He glanced over and nodded. “Yes. Yes, you are. Don't try pretend like you aren't.”
My smile widened into a mischievous one. I leaned back in my seat, then moaned as realistically as I could, “Ohhh, Owen, mmmm! Don’t stop!”
The car swerved to the side before Owen recovered, his cheeks flushing this time.
“Shit! Not while I’m driving,” he laughed nervously, then swallowed hard. His hand returned to my thigh, kneading the flesh there with playful pressure. “As much as I love the sound of you moaning my name, that’s enough to make us end up in a ditch. And I'm sure neither one of us wants the night to end like that, now do we?”
“Maybe you shouldn’t call me a tease, then.” I cocked an eyebrow.
“Point taken,” Owen grinned. He leaned over, kissing me hard at the next stop light. “I do hope to hear you moan like that in a little bit, though. You have no idea what that does to me.” He pulled my hand to his crotch
, where I could feel a rather impressive bulge had formed.
“Oh, I think I might actually have a pretty good idea what that does to you,” I said, pulling my hand back as one of his started to caress my breasts. “By the way, light’s green again. Why do I have to keep reminding you of that? I thought you said you were good at this multitasking thing. You weren't telling lies to me, were you?” I laughed cheekily.
“Shit.”
I laughed again, and he pulled away again as a car honked behind us.
“I can’t help myself around you. You’re so distracting. Man, I can't get my mind to focus on anything else.”
He kept his hand on my thigh as he drove, caressing, kneading, and teasing me with his fingertips at nearly every stop until the gates around his house came into view. He gnawed at his lip, giving me a smoldering glance as he parked the car.
I licked my lips, tugging the bottom one between my teeth just thinking about what was to come. He smiled broadly at me and shook his head, coming around my side of the car and opening the door for me. “Don’t let me fall for you, Nalia,” he said, breathless. “Seriously.”
I raised an eyebrow, staring up at him, and grinned. “Maybe you already have.”
He laughed, mumbling, “Cheeky little thing, aren’t you,” before picking me up and pressing me against the side of the car, grinding his hips into me, his growing erection rubbing against my panties with delectable pressure.
