Stricken Rock Series: Complete Box Set

by S. K. Logsdon

  “Don’t you fucking touch her again!” Johnathan growls. His face is dark and raw and scary as hell.

  “No, he’s not.” I glare at Johnathan. He knows he is being fucking ridiculous and creating another big scene. What is wrong with him?

  “Between you and me, Coby, I think he has some my-testosterone-levels-are-fucked-therefore-I’m-a-complete-douche-bag-syndrome,” I sass with a loud over the top sigh.

  Stacy runs over.

  “It’s about damn time,” Johnathan cuts in.

  “What?” Stacy looks confused just like the rest of us.

  “What Johnathan means to say is, it’s about damn time you come and take him back to his room before this gets into an even bigger scene,” I say with a big over the top ‘oh-yeah-fuck-you,’ smile at the big giant rocker standing two feet from me.

  “Ah” Stacy adds, nodding with taught lips. I can’t read him. Maybe he’s mad but he doesn’t appear to be. But hey, what do I know?

  “I’m not going anywhere Stace. Until she leaves,” He points firmly at me. I roll my eyes.

  “Don’t roll your eyes at me, Short Stack.” His green eyes illuminate in a fiery inferno.

  “I will do whatever the fuck I want you giant misogynistic man whore,” I spit out and put my hands on my hips. I’m about three seconds from flipping him the bird. Not that it’ll do me any good, but it will add more to the show that he’s started and it’ll make me feel a little better.

  “I will stand with this fucker.” He nods towards Coby. “Until her ass leaves. I don’t trust him. He was pawing her and I don’t like it,” he growls.

  What the hell is with him and this growling? I’d swear we just walked into a scene from True Blood. Not that I’d mind, give me some Alcide any day. Oh my god, listen to me. I sound like a horny teenager. This has got to end. I have no choice. Johnathan’s not going to leave until I do. I seriously need to go back to my room and play with myself.

  I advert my full attention to big dickhead and Stacy.

  “Did you ever think I’d like to be pawed for once? It’s not like he was forcing himself on me. Look at him, he could fuck just about any woman in this place. I know it and he knows it. But Jesus Christ what does it take for a girl to get a little dick around here?!” I snap. Oh, hell! I can’t believe I just said that. Well in the words of Macbeth: What’s done, is done.

  All three men’s jaws nearly hit the floor. I giggle and shake my head.

  “What? Come on guys. Do you really think I don’t get horny? I am a woman,” I shrug, smiling. This is so embarrassing. I mean on the top ten more embarrassing things of my life this tops the charts at number three or so.

  Johnathan leans over to me.

  “But what about the thing in the hotel room? You know, the one person thing,” he whispers, trying to keep it under wraps.

  I slap my hand on my forehead and shake my head. This is so not happening!

  “That was private. And I can’t stay at number uno forever. I’m learning from the best.” I gesture my hand between the three of them. Coby takes a step back and Johnathan follows him.

  “Listen guys, this is nice and all but this is way too much drama for me. Hey, Emily if you’d like to go on a date sometime, give me a call.” He slides a business card into my hand. “I hope to hear from you.” He blows me a kiss and walks away.

  I am officially a ticking time bomb of hormonal rage.

  “What the fuck did you do that for?” I slap stupid ass in the chest.

  “You better not call him,” he barks, his tone husky and dark.

  “I will do what I want. You will do good to realize that. I thought we had this damn discussion on the fucking bus. You.” I point to him. “Me.” I point to myself. “Have a working relationships. Do I need to spell it out for you? Y.O.U” I poke my finger into his rock hard chest. “Are not my keeper. I. Am. The assistant tour manager to Stricken. That. Is. it. That’s all. Move along. Have a nice fucking happy horseshit day,” I bark. Smoke pouring from my ears because of how angry I am. Grrrrr! He’s such a jerk!

  “Yeah and I don’t fucking think you get it either. Short Stack. We—” He waves his hand rather irritatingly between us with major pizazz. “— Do not have a working relationship.”

  “Stacy.” I point my stare at him and ignore whatever else jackass is about to say to me. “Since Neanderthal doesn’t want to listen and chooses to be a complete idiot every time we are in public together can you please escort me back to my hotel room?”

  “Sure.” His face is even more confused than before. That makes two of us.

  I whip my hair in asshole’s direction and stalk towards the exit of the bar with attitude. Making damn sure I shake my ass just right and Stacy tails me.

  Chapter Nine

  I feel so much better dropping out of this dress and sliding out of those sexy red heels. They look so good on but they’re fairly new so I have a lot of breaking them in to do. Standing in my black bra and boy shorts. Stacy is laying across my bed width wise. Head propped up. I’m rubbing some expensive Josie Maran body butter all over my body head to toe like I do almost every night. It might cost me fifty bucks a month to slather myself in this stuff, but I swear by it. It’s silky smooth and has a small hint of citrus smell behind it. That pairs nicely with my Strawberries and Champagne perfume spray from Victoria Secret. Standing, I prop my foot up on the side of the desk to get to my calves and feet.

  “So what was up with Johnathan?” Stacy finally asks me.

  I shrug. “Dunno.” His guess is as good as mine.

  “Were you seriously going to sleep with that Coby guy?” His voice almost sounds hurt.

  I shrug again. “Not sure. Since I’ve been here, which hasn’t been very long, I’ve found myself hornier than I’ve been in my entire life. Even with Chris. I don’t know if it’s me or the carefree atmosphere. I just feel like if I would give into my desires, I wouldn’t be judged.” Switch legs.

  “Yeah. I get that. I know I can’t expect you to keep your legs closed for the rest of your life. I just never pictured you wanting to do it with some random guy that you’d probably never meet again.” His voice is slow, low and sweet and he’s staring at the ceiling. Ah, that’s my wonderful best friend laying on my bed. He’s so great!

  “I don’t, actually. But I can’t do it with someone I’m going to be around a lot unless I plan on being with them long-term. I can’t do the friends with benefits. Or I don’t think I can. A one-night stand just seems easier, is all. Better? Not really. I mean I thought the next time I have sex I might get lucky and spend the rest of my life with that special someone. I was kind of hoping I’d start feeling that way with Chris once I gave it up to him. You know? Get attached to him afterward but it didn’t work. Like we’ve said for years, my DNA is broken.” Legs down, time for arms.

  “Your DNA isn’t broken. I think of that as a joke. Look at me, I fuck most things with a pussy and I still think I might find the one for me someday.” Sadness penetrates his voice again.

  “Blondes, yes.” I crack with a giggle.

  “You know why I do that now and I will continue that way.”

  “Why don’t you try a redhead? Not me, of course. I wish I could feel that way about you but it’s not possible” Slathering other arm.

  “I might do that. Now that you know what you know and I know how you feel. Maybe I can stop pining after you and move forward. I always thought redheads were hot. Found myself almost sleeping with a few from time to time. Guess now I can.”

  Oh, that sadness in his voice is breaking my heart in two. And the guilt is nearly paralyzing. He is so sweet and great. Why can’t I just love him and want to be with him? He’s always been there for me before. But I guess you don’t choose who you fall in love with. Or that’s what people say anyhow. I have zero experience in that department.

  “I’m sorry Stace. You know I love you. Right?”

  “I know that. I love you too. I just wish things could be different, that�
�s all.” He groans and tosses his forearm over his face. Gosh, I hope he’s not about to cry. I can’t do crying. I always cry when someone else does. Even in movies. I am such a girl.

  There’s a series of knocks at the door. I pad my tiny size five feet over to the peephole, get on my tippy toes to see whose outside.

  “Open up, Short Stack. I know you’re in there.”

  Fuck! Not Johnathan again. I am so tired of his emotional baggage bullshit.

  “No, speak, a no, English,” I mutter in the best Spanish voice I can through the door, holding back a laugh that’s nearing the surface.

  “Shut up woman and open the damn door and let me in. Or I will pound on the door all-night or use my spare key to your room and let myself in if I have to. You decide. I’ll play this game however you want.” Jesus, he’s saucy.

  This son of a bitch is seriously asking for a big ball busting kick. His nose only took a day to heal. I will sure as hell make sure his children’s, children’s, children feel this one!

  “You can’t always have what you want John-a-than,” I yell through the door.

  “Oh yes I can and I will. And do you want to be having this conversation through this door?”

  “No. I don’t want to have any sort of conversation with you at all, quite frankly. And Stacy is in here and I am in my panties. So I will talk to you some other time.”

  I hear a loud growl echo in the hallway outside my door. This man has got to get his DNA checked. Mine has problems with men, maybe his ass is part wolf.

  “You will open the door naked, with panties on, a parka or whatever. We will be having this out tonight. Right now,” he states and his voice is very stern and deep. I would love it coming from any other person than him. Anyone else and I’d open it up naked and screw their brains out. But with him I’d love to get a frying pan and bash him over the head.

  “Just let him in,” Stacy mopes, his body propped on the side against the suites wall, his mouth is in a seriously heartbreaking frown.

  “I don’t want him in here,” I whisper.

  “I can still hear you talking in there,” Johnathan chimes in.

  “Yeah-yeah-yeah don’t get your panties in a bunch,” I snap.

  “I’m not wearing any panties, Red. I do boxers. Silk, preferably,” he mocks with a laugh. Hardy-har-har-har dick wad! I so wish I could just kill him. He is the most infuriating person on the face of the earth.

  “Just let him in Em, he’s obviously not going to leave until you do. I’ll go back down to my room and if you need me just call or come down. You need to fix whatever this problem is between you two. It’s going to get worse before it gets better if you don’t take care of it. I want you to still work with me. I seriously need to go see my mom and I can’t live like this. The drama between you two is exhausting.” He runs his hand through his shaggy hair. Still gorgeous with a deep frown on his face.

  “See….Smart man. I knew I hired Stacy for a reason,” Dickhead says from behind the door. I shake my head. This is getting out of control. Stacy is right; I need to nip this in the butt now. I just don’t know how. Mainly because I don’t know what the issue is to begin with.

  I yank the door open with force. I don’t even bother to put on any clothes. He came to me. So I don’t give a shit what I wear, if he’s in my presence, he’ll have to deal.

  “Fine.” I gesture for him to come in and Stacy pecks me gently on the cheek and exits, peering down at the ground and doesn’t say another word. Poor best friend. I just want to hug him and hold him. But I know that’s just cruel at this point.

  “Can’t you put on a robe, or a parka?” he comments, walking into the bedroom living room combo and sits on the corner of my bed, his elbows resting on his knees. He’s changed into a pair of black workout sweat pants. No elastic around the ankles, slippers and a plain white wife-beater. Rocker delicious, is what I’d call it.

  “If you’re going to come into my hotel room at” I glance over at the alarm clock. “One fifty two in the morning, I am going to wear whatever the hell I want and you’re going to deal with it. I didn’t ask you here, Johnathan. I was busy putting on my nightly body butter when you knocked.” I go back to the desk and slide my fingers into the butter, rub it against my palms and start smoothing it on my stomach.

  “You…wea” His voice cracks and he coughs. ”wear body butter to bed?” he asks, watching me.

  “Doesn’t it look like I do? I also wash off my makeup and cleanse my face. Do you want me to explain how I how I pee and wipe too?” I snap.

  “Why don’t you like me?” his voice is soft and low. Very sexy. Well, it would have been sexy if it came out of less of an asshole’s mouth.

  “You make me not like you. I never knew anything about you or much about the band when I got this job. I did it for Stacy and his mom, more than anything else. Although I don’t think his mom deserves shit from him. But that’s neither here nor there.” I move to the tops of my boobs.

  “Can you stop that… you’re distracting,” he grunts.

  “No, I can’t, don’t look if it’s a problem.”

  He jerks back with a ‘humph’ and throws his arms over his thick broad heavily tattooed chest. I put him on ignore.

  “So anyways…You’re the man who jumped down my throat the first time we met. So it’s all stemmed from that. It seems like a woman on your bus was going to kill you. I don’t think it mattered if I look like this” I motion my hand up and down my body. “Or if I was some hot leggy blonde that Stacy would probably end up marrying in two weeks. You’d still have a problem. I know your rep of being an asshole to women. I knew that from the get go. Just figured I’d be cool and hang as one of the guys and you’d not treat me like you do other women.”

  “How is it I treat other women?” He asks surprised.

  “Badly,” I blurt and re-dip my fingers and move to my neck.

  “What woman that I have been with have you spoken with?”

  “None.”

  He belts out an arrogant laugh and I snap a stare at him.

  “What’s so funny? Chuckles.”

  “You think I’m such a misogynistic pig. But not one woman I have slept with have you ever spoken with.”

  “Well. No. But I am sure it wouldn’t be that hard. Considering I am sure that your numbers have hit. Well let’s think….” I tap my finger on my chin “You’ve been famous for four years. Semi famous for two before that I’m sure. Plus the fact that you’re sexy and probably just about thirty leaves you at…at… Hold on.” I put out my finger to have him wait a second.

  So four in high school, plus say ten out if he didn’t have girlfriends for long, which I’m sure he hasn’t because he has the romance capacity of a toad. Then one a week for a year the first two years of the band so that brings him to one hundred and twenty two. Plus four years of being famous so that would mean one maybe two more women a week minimally. So that’ll take him up to I’d guess right around three hundred and twenty. Give or take thirty, to take into account for his extras or double or triple timers, and maybe the occasional short-term relationship.

  “Three hundred and twenty sex partners. So yeah that’s plenty of women I could seek out. That I am sure would agree with me.”

  “You think I’ve slept with that many women?” he sounds surprised.

  “Mathematically? Yes. It seems accurate of an assessment.” I nod a couple times, biting my lower lip. I lean against the far side of the room against the wall. It’s chilly on my back but I welcome it, my temperature since he’s walked into my room has skyrocketed.

  “I don’t think it’s that many.” His face scrunches up and his arms relax, looking deep in thought.

  “Do you know how many?”

  “No… But that seems like a lot.” He face looks pained. Like maybe I’m right and he’s just realizing it.

  “Maybe, but it’s probably true. Do you even remember any of their names?”

  “Why? Do you want to seriously seek them o
ut? Because I don’t know many of them at all. Maybe ten I can remember.”

  I scoff, eyes wide. “Ten?” I nearly choke on the word.

  “Yeah… listen I don’t want to talk about this with you. It doesn’t matter; I’m not that man anymore.”

  “Since when?” I roll my eyes. He’s so full of shit.

  “Since you came onto the bus.”

  I laugh and grab onto my stomach. Oh god, that is so hilarious. Tears are pouring down my face. I can’t help it. This is so damn funny. I bet he talks to all his difficult lays this way. I am so not a sucker. Does he think I’m a gullible retard or what? Please…..Don’t insult my intelligence.

  “Yeah and I’m Princess Diana,” I laugh and wipe my tears from my eyes.

  “No you’re not, and it’s true. I vow to you tonight that I won’t have sex with anyone else ever again. I won’t. I promise.” His deep and dark voice is awakening something primal. My core screaming his name. My palms are suddenly sticky. This cannot be happening. I shake my head to rid the cloudiness.

  “If you think saying all this is going to get you into my pants? It’s not. It may work for some women but you don’t like me and I don’t like you. Plain and simple. You can deal. I can deal.” God this is so weird. What kind of conversation is this?

  “No you’re right; I don’t like you. I love you.” He stands up and takes a step towards me. I press harder against the wall. Oh please, don’t come any closer. I don’t want this. And shit maybe I should have thrown on a parka. This is not a good idea. Hot rocker who is trying desperately to get into my pants. I thought Coby was slick. But Johnathan is in a whole other league.

  I gulp hard. He takes another step. Oh no!

  “How many women have you said that to? Is this your MO?” I sputter out between trembling lips.

  “I’ve never loved anyone in my whole life.” He purrs. Oh no, not that purring again. He’s a cat then he’s a dog and both sound so hot.