by K E Osborn
“And how are you going to cope with seeing her?”
Wincing, I clench my eyes tight and sigh. “I have no fucking idea.” Opening my eyes, I look at Ryan, and he’s frowning at me.
“Just don’t drink okay? You’ve been hitting the bottle hard and I don’t want you to make a dick of yourself if she doesn’t talk to you. She’s only trying to protect the band. You’d do good to remember that, D.”
Furrowing my brows, I tilt my head. “Have you been talking to her?”
His face tells me he’s been busted, then he clears his throat awkwardly.
“Ryan?”
“Shit! Yes, okay. We talk, not often, maybe once or twice a week. She just rings to check on you.”
Slumping into my seat, I rest my head back on the headrest. “Fucking hell, she does care.”
Ryan scoffs. “Of course she cares, dick, she just doesn’t want you to get your hopes up when all the shit is still hitting the proverbial fan. Sure it’s died down some, but she feels bad. Some shit went down with her brother at the airport, and she doesn’t want anything else to happen because of her. She feels terrible, man.”
I turn to look at Ryan and furrow my brows. “What happened to Stuart?”
“The paps got snap happy and he reacted, had a meltdown in the airport, and Lunar punched a pap and smashed his camera.”
I sit up taller and gasp. “What the fuck? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
He shrugs. “It was all over the tabloids. If you watched it, you’d have seen.”
“That’s not the point, Ryan. You know I don’t watch that shit for a reason. Why didn’t you tell me, or more importantly why didn’t she tell me?”
“She told me not to worry you.”
I sink back down into the seat and rub my face. “Fuck!”
Ryan exhales and pats my shoulder in comfort as we pull into the Doltone House at Hyde Park parking lot.
Kane opens the door, and I step out onto the red carpet with my heart pounding in my chest. A barrier of ropes holds back a barrage of screaming fans as Ryan, Matt, and Nate all step out of the car and follow with me down the red carpet. We smile and stop along the way to pose for some photos with the official photographers of the event, and wave to the crowd as they scream at us. I look over at one girl who’s crying hard, but then she smiles at me and quickly lifts up her top revealing very perky braless tits. I chuckle as they bounce along with her, and Ryan cheers taking a photo with his cell. Rolling my eyes, I turn to him and smack him upside the head.
“Dude, she’s probably underage!”
“True, might delete that one then. I have plenty more.”
Shaking my head, I walk into the open expanse and follow the crowd as we enter into the giant ballroom. It really is extravagant and not what I was expecting. For some reason, I was expecting reds and silvers, but this place is really opulent, decked out in black and gold with sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceilings giving an elegant but almost masculine feel to the room. It’s very stylish and now that I look at it, it’s completely Lunar. Nothing like the normal galas and events I see people attending, this has her flair all over it and I love that I can see her in this place.
Ryan looks at me and nods his head. “This place is fucking epic, dude. It screams Recoil.”
“Yeah, it really does.” I glance around and think it does have a rock and roll vibe, and I like that she’s chosen something that fits the entertainment and not just something that suits the normal gala atmosphere. This is why Lunar is one of a kind. She thinks outside the box, and that’s why this foundation of hers is going to go places. I’m going to make sure of that. I’m as proud as a pig in shit of Lunar right now, and I just hope I get to see her tonight.
We walk in and are ushered to our seats right at the front of the ballroom. I had a feeling we’d have the best seats in the house. We are the special guests and all. The guys sit down grabbing their complimentary alcohol as I scan the room. Everyone is dressed their best, including us. I’ve even gone all out and worn my black slacks, black shirt, leather jacket, and I’m even wearing a thin black fucking tie.
The things I do for my woman.
If she still is my woman?
I have no idea.
My eyes shift around the buzzing room taking in the women wearing their elegant ball gowns in colors of blacks, purples, and reds, everyone looks the same. Pretty and overworked. Then my eyes catch a glimpse of what can only be described as a heart pounding, jaw dropping, cock twitching, body tingling, soul shaking, beauty. My stomach twists as I look at her dressed in hot pink. The dress has a v-neck, the plunge going down right between her tits, but not in a slutty way. It’s tasteful and doesn’t show off anything. The top of the straps are covered in jewels and it comes in tight around her waist, which is also covered in jewels and then her skirt flows out in a beautiful flowing effect. She looks like a mother fucking princess. I want to be her prince, and whisk her away and kiss her all night long. She takes my goddamned breath away just from one simple look, and I shake my head subtly as I stare at her. Her head falls back slightly while she laughs talking to an older lady, and I’m assuming by the similarities in looks it must be her mother.
“I’ll be back,” I murmur at Ryan, and he looks my way then toward the direction I’m looking and sighs.
“Don’t be a dick,” he calls out as I head off through the crowd of people to get to her.
Her beauty is stunning tonight, as her pink and yellow hair is pulled back into some messy do on her head, but she looks amazing. I absolutely want to ravish her on top of one of these tables, but I know I have to behave myself.
She’s still talking to her mom and hasn’t seen my approach, so I figure I’ll just make myself known to her as her back is to me.
“Hey,” I simply say, and she stills like she knows my voice and is taking a second before she turns. Her mother looks at me and smiles as Lunar turns and our eyes meet. Sparks rush around the room, and every part of me wants to reach out and thrust my body against hers then kiss her until there’s no air left in my lungs. I’m not sure if she wants that, so I stay where I am, heart bursting out of my chest at the sight of her big doe eyes staring at me while she licks her lips and half smiles.
“Hey,” she whispers back breathlessly and chews on her bottom lip.
Not the jumping into my arms like I was hoping for, but at least it’s not a slap in the face.
An awkward tension fills the air as we continue to look at each other, and her mother clears her throat which makes us both look to her.
“Shit, sorry! Mum, this is Danger. Danger… this is Mum or Jackie.”
I put out my hand to Jackie and smile my dashing smile and her cheeks turn a slight shade of red. Seems Lunar’s mom is affected by my smile too. “Nice to meet you, Jackie. Stuart isn’t here?” I ask and Lunar frowns.
“As much as I would love him to be here, ‘cause this is all for him, it would be too much. The people, the noise… it just wouldn’t work. He’s at home with a carer.”
Nodding, I smile. “Shame… would’ve loved to have met him. But so glad to have finally met the woman who made Annalise into the amazing person she is today.”
Jackie nods and tilts her head. “Well, I think Alise made herself into the person she is today.”
“Alise? Is that your nickname?” I ask, and she smiles.
“It’s what Stuart calls me, he can’t say Annalise.”
“I like it.”
She grins and swallows hard looking down at my clothes. “You scrub up well.”
Shaking my head, I look her up and down. “I should have said that to you first… you are utterly stunning, babe. I can’t take my eyes off you.”
She looks away from me, her cheeks flushing a bright shade of pink.
“Annalise, there’s a problem with the vegetarian orders in the kitchen. Can we talk to you?” a man asks interrupting our moment.
She looks up and nods. “Sure, I’ll be right there.” Sh
e turns back to me and takes a deep breath looking in my eyes. “It was so good to see you.”
I open my mouth to tell her that I’ve missed her like crazy, but she scurries off before I can even say the first word. I close it and exhale, slumping my body that I didn’t get to talk to her about us.
“She hasn’t stopped talking about you, you know?” Jackie says breaking through my tension.
I look to her and raise an eyebrow. “She hasn’t?”
She smiles placing her hand on my arm. “She misses the band and being on tour, and you should make things right with her.”
I inhale sharply. “I’m going to try.”
“That’s all I ask. She’s a good girl, and all she’s doing is trying to protect you. But if you push hard enough she might come back. She misses you so much. Annalise has had the preparations for tonight to keep her busy, but I worry once this is all over that she’ll fall apart without you in her life. She needs you like I suspect you need her, by the way you look at her.”
I look over at Lunar as she talks with a guy dressed as a chef, and she seems calm and relaxed. She inspires me.
“I do need her, every inch of me needs her.”
“Then fight for her, Danger, because she wants you so bad it’s killing her on the inside.” She squeezes my arm and then walks off.
I take a deep breath and nod knowing by the end of tonight, I will have my woman back! I take one last look at Lunar before I turn and head back to my table to sit down next to Ryan.
“So how’d it go?” he asks.
“Strange, but I need to get it through to her that we need her back with us. I need her back with me.”
Ryan nods. “Good, ‘cause you suck without her.”
I scowl at him. “Do not.”
Shit! What sort of comeback was that? I sound like a school boy.
“Yeah, you kinda do. Just get her back on tour with us. Fuck, what Luke says. The dust has blown over on her past for the most part anyway. And honestly, the merch stands are totally lacking without her expertise.”
“So all you care about is the money?”
“What? No. I care about you. I care about her. I miss her, too. You know what I mean?”
Nodding, I sigh. I do know what he means. I know it all too well.
Chapter Twenty-Two
We performed at the gala after the main course was served and the charity auction went underway. The crowd loved us and we performed three songs. Lunar’s favorite three of course. I chose them on purpose and watched her as I sung the lyrics making sure to pay very special attention to her as I sung them. She was fidgeting in her seat, and I could tell I was working her up with my sensual performance.
She still wants me.
I know she does.
It’s only a matter of time before we end up back together. I can feel it in my bones. The night is drawing to an end, and I notice Nate has been gone for a while, but I take no heed in that, all I really want to do is find Lunar and finally talk to her about coming back on tour. I make my way down the hall to see if I can find her, she isn’t in the ballroom, so I figure she might be in the restrooms. As I make my way down the dimly lit corridor, I notice a man standing in front of a woman with a bright pink dress on. I freeze as both figures are instantly recognizable. The woman is Lunar and the man is Nate. They’re talking in close proximity. There’s tension in the air, but I’m not close enough to hear what they’re saying to each other.
Then, time stands still and my heart leaps into my throat when I witness Nate lean forward pressing his lips to Lunar’s. Her hands come up to his chest and that’s all I need to see. My stomach lurches as and I turn, stumbling, around the corner trying to catch my breath.
My band mate and my girl?
My chest heaves so violently I want to be sick. I thought I was going to reconcile with Lunar, but instead, she’s making out with Nate? My head’s spinning and I can’t walk fast enough as I race away from the scene of my fucking betrayal. My heart is breaking, and I have no idea how I couldn’t have seen this coming. I knew Nate liked her or was at least pretending to like her, but I had no idea Lunar was falling for it. I stumble to the bar, the shine of the black counter illuminates the rows and rows of sparkling glasses hanging from the glass rack suspended from the ceiling. This place is so perfect and beautiful, it’s making it even harder to stomach.
The barman looks my way and winces. “You okay, mate?”
“Just saw my girl hooking up with my friend. I need a drink,” I admit.
He nods and turns around grabbing a short glass, placing in a couple of cubes of ice and then pouring in three fingers of whiskey.
“Sorry man, this one’s on the house.” He slides the glass over. I nod a thank you, picking up the glass and downing the burning hot liquid in one go. It scorches my throat and I don’t give a shit. I need to get wasted and it needs to happen now.
“So, we’re getting drunk?” a soft voice echoes from beside me.
I turn to see the little blonde beside me. “Effa?” I ask and she smiles.
“Hey, didn’t know I was here, did ya? Too busy making googlies at Lunar all night.”
I cringe and hit the bar for another drink. The bartender understands and starts pouring another.
“So, something’s gone wrong? Wanna talk about it?” she asks as she picks up a glass of champagne with a strawberry floating on the top.
“No, I wanna get smashed.”
“I can help with that. How ‘bout we go back to the hotel and get drunk there?” She smiles clinking her glass to mine. I nod and take another long swig and looking at Effa and thinking how pretty she looks tonight.
LUNAR
The gala is drawing to a close, everyone is filing out and it was a raging success. All the auction items were sold for higher bids than we’d originally thought they would fetch, and donations came in hot and strong. Seems that the story of what happened with Stuart at the airport has turned popular opinion my way. Instead of being portrayed as some sort of horrible person with no morals, people saw me as a real woman trying to protect and provide for my family. It didn’t happen overnight, but regardless of how it has happened, I’m happy that it did. It’s actually nice to not be painted a villain in people’s eyes anymore. Things seem to be sorting themselves out now, and maybe I can take over the reins of the foundation again.
Luke has even contacted me and said I’m free to come back, but I want to hear it from Danger, I want to hear that he wants me back.
Things with him are weird, and I know that it’s my fault. I distanced myself from him and the band for their protection, and I shouldn’t have done that. Now there’s a weird barrier between us. An unknown on whether he wants things to go back to the way they were. I know I do. I miss the band so much. I miss Danger even more, and all I want is to be back on tour with them and helping with everything while running the foundation from the road. Now the gala is over and I won’t have it to occupy my mind, I’m scared I’m going to fall into a heap and lose myself.
So I go in search of him to try and make things right. But as I explore the emptying hallway, I can’t see him anywhere. He must have left already, which sucks because he left without saying goodbye. I guess I may have been busy at the time that he wanted to leave. Let’s face it, I’ve been occupied most of the night. However, I know we’re staying in the same hotel, so I’ll try to search him out in the morning.
***
After a very restless sleep fighting the urge to call Danger and have my chat with him last night, it’s now morning and I can’t wait any longer. I get up, get dressed in something casual but still sexy enough for him not to be able to resist me, and I make my way up to the top floor. Not really sure what I’m looking for as I have no idea what room number he’s in, but once I get up there I can always call him. The escalator chimes, and as I go to step out Ryan is standing at the door waiting to get in. His eyes open wide and I race out into his arms giving him a great big hug that I missed out on
giving him last night.
“Hey, it’s so good to see you!” I let out as he holds me back tightly.
“It’s so good to see you. What are you doing up here? Did Danger call you?” he asks pulling me back.
I shake my head. “No. I came up here to look for him, but then I realized I have no idea on his room number. I haven’t really thought this through,” I admit, and he smiles.
“Well, lucky for you I know his room number then. And not only that… I have a spare key!” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet.
“I can’t just walk in there.”
“Yes, you can! Surprise him. I’m sure he’s hungover. Go in and make him feel better with your wonderful powers of pussy persuasion.”
Rolling my eyes as he hands me the key card, I look down to see the number on it and chew on my bottom lip.
“Are you sure I should just let myself in?”
Ryan nods. “Lunar, you and Danger are meant to be together. Go and fix this between you two. Please… for the love of God.” He turns me, pushing me toward the hall and I giggle looking back at him.
“Thank you.”
He smiles. “Thank me when you’re both finished fucking each other’s brains out, and you’re back on tour with us.”
Nodding, I turn and walk toward Danger’s room. A sense of nervous excitement washes over me. I hope he doesn’t get angry with me for letting myself in. More importantly I hope it surprises him, and we can get back to business as it should be. I walk up to his room and take a deep breath, then hold the card up to the scanner. It clicks, and I open the door. It’s quite dark so he must still be in bed, but the curtains are open slightly letting a slither of light through into the room. I tread quietly down the hall, so I don’t wake him and step into the bedroom area. My smile is wide as I look over at the bed, but then it soon drops off my face and falls straight to the floor when I notice another body under the sheets beside him. My heart pounds ferociously as I step closer to see who it is, and then I see the flurry of blonde hair.
