Drawn To You (Paloma's Edge)

by Shaw, Robin

  Three females attempted to jump on the stage as the lead singer, Ari came on stage first, but three of the bouncers stopped them. Hollering, one female got physical with Gavin, who worked at La Floridita. Ari was six feet tall and he had fine black hair with streaks of red in it, and a multicolored shirt that was ripped in the front to look like someone put their nails through it. I didn’t know how he moved around so much with his leathers so tight, but there was no doubt that people loved it. I bet Beth’s favorite band member was him or Renner, who was not as tall and wasn’t classically attractive, which I guessed was her type because she liked me. Renner had shaggy, inky black hair and a small piercing on his eyebrow and another between his nostrils. He used to have more facial piercings when they’d first started out six years ago, but he’d kept the eyebrow and nostril ones recently. He had a loose vintage t-shirt and torn jeans.

  “Hey, Pierce! You know anything about Tainted Virtue being here tonight?” Rylan asked us.

  With a broad smile, Pierce shook his head “no.” His shoulders relaxed and he washed down the beer and turned around to watch. Sage, Ari’s younger sister and the drummer, came on stage last. The crowd cheered her on, including Emilio, who had generally carried himself in a relaxed manner. Sage was short like Beth, yet she had a slender spoon shape and dyed her hair a golden blond, which flattered her more than her natural black hair color would. Renner, the bass guitarist, started, and all of his hair covered most of his face, giving him the mysterious look that the girls had to love. He had on a short t-shirt like Ari, only his arms were inked up with swirls and some unique symbols that I’d never seen before. Austin, with his trademark shaved head, dressed in all black with his distinct eyeliner, emphasizing his golden brown eyes, had a toothpick in the corner of his mouth and his fingers at the ready on the electric guitar. They started the beginning of their hit song, “One Night Salvation” and everyone was eating it up. When they did their country songs Sage led with her soulful and mature voice, and Ari and Austin did the backup. Renner complemented them by playing the guitar.

  Fans of Tainted Virtue were mostly divided. While most of their new songs were rock, they had a very strong country base, some of whom strongly disliked that they went from country and added some rock songs to their latest album. And they had some rock fans who didn’t think they should continue making country songs. From the interviews I’d watched Ari and Renner explained that they hated to be pigeonholed and loved both rock and country music.

  “Man, this morning Beth and I listened to this song on the way to work. There’s no way I could sneak her in if I got her a ride here,” Pierce said.

  “I know,” I automatically said. And it went without saying that he didn’t want to see Cassidy.

  After two songs, Ari caught a bottle of water from an employee at La Floridita and chugged most of the liquid down. His mouth lifted up into a devious smile and he scanned the crowd with his midnight-blue eyes. Complying with the shouts to take his shirt off, he tore the shirt in the front, wiped off his sweat, and threw it into the crowd. One girl ripped the shirt in half, kept one piece, and flung other to the opposite side of the room.

  “Although I’ve lived in Georgia most of my life,” Ari started in his low voice, “Sage and I haven’t forgotten where we were born. Where my family’s been for generations.”

  “Ari, baby!” some girl yelled.

  Nodding, Ari’s smile widened. “So we called Emilio yesterday. Asked him if we could do a show where we first started, La Floridita, when other places wouldn’t give us the time of day. And we dedicate our last song to you all.”

  ***

  The band signed some autographs and took a few pictures before they had to leave through a back exit because the front was mobbed with aggressive fans. When we made our way to back to the counter, Emilio put our drinks on the counter.

  “That was just what I needed,” Pierce said.

  Emilio gestured in agreement. “I promised Ari I wouldn’t say anything. He wasn’t sure if they’d make it here or not.”

  Eyeing me curiously, Pierce dropped some cash on the counter and thanked Emilio for making his night better.

  After Joel gulped down the cold beer Emilio had put on the counter for him, he rubbed his chin. “What’re you doing this weekend, Pierce?” he asked casually.

  “I am laying low after work on Friday. I just work six hours this Saturday and then I am free.”

  Rylan tapped my chest. “You?”

  “It’s a surprise for Beth, but I am taking her to the Tainted Virtue concert in Miami on Saturday.”

  Pierce squared his shoulders. “Is that right?”

  ***

  Joel finished his beer and we talked with Gavin for a little bit at the door. Well, mostly Rylan and Gavin spoke. I didn’t need Pierce to tell me to wait up for him when I’d parked my car in the garage and he hadn’t. Pierce carried two folding chairs for us to sit on. He unfolded his chair and I did the same. He unbuttoned his shirt and threw it behind his chair. He was in his white wife-beater, his blond hair damp like mine from dancing at La Floridita.

  “I’ve been holding off on the girls,” I started. “But I like Beth.”

  He gave a short laugh and drove his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t think you’d like Beth, Chase.” He slid off the chair some and placed his elbows on his knees, studying me. “It’s not because she’s my cousin, if you’re wondering. Beth’s a great girl.” He combed back strands of his blond hair that fell in front of his face, narrowing his azure eyes. “When Darcy told me that nothing happened between you two, I thought she was pulling my leg.”

  “Darcy wasn’t the thank-you I was looking for because I drove Beth here.”

  Pierce blew out breath. “Obviously not, I see,” he said. “Understand that Beth isn’t some fast piece of ass.”

  “That’s not how I see her. We’ve been talking…and she likes me too.”

  “Beth doesn’t deserve to be your yo-yo while you work on yourself.”

  If any other dude talked to me so bluntly, I’d be hard pressed not to get in his face, but Pierce wasn’t trying to make me feel like shit. I’d question the kind of cousin he was to Beth if he hadn’t told me what he was thinking. In the short time that Pierce had been reunited with Beth, I could see that he loved her like she was his sister. Family came first to him. He knew that I didn’t want to be fucked up forever. I was making strides the only way I knew how, by trying to respect my body and not denying myself who I wanted to get to know: Beth.

  “True, but don’t discount that I am thinking with the right head. I am not gonna stop talking to her no matter how you feel about it.”

  Pierce shot me an intense look before we hauled ourselves from the chair and put them away.

  ***

  Bethany

  “Here’s your morir soñado,” Chase said with a half-grin as I accepted the tall glass of my favorite beverage.

  Holding his own morir soñado in his hand, he walked inside my room and sat by the sofa in the corner of the room. At the precise moment that I changed from my nightgown into a shirt, a hoodie, and slim-fitting sweats, I heard Chase announce that he was here from behind the door. I decided that he shouldn’t catch me in my sheer nightgown again. Around him, my body betrayed me at every turn. The more layers I wore to disguise that truth, the better.

  An hour ago, he’d texted me and told me that he’d visit me. I’d been braiding Cassidy’s long hair for her. Uncle Anton and Aunt Deborah had come to my room to speak with Cassidy privately. She hadn’t seemed worried about it at all.

  The drink tasted like it was made with fresh oranges with a trace of caramel in it.

  “Like it?” he asked confidently.

  “I love it.”

  He nodded and patted his thigh. “You’re too far away for my liking, Beth. Sit next to me,” he said coolly, and I closed the distance between us and felt the muscles in my stomach clench tightly.

  “Thanks for bringing this to me. Did y
ou make it?”

  Chase brought his arm around me, bringing me closer to him. My skin prickled when I rested my head on the crook of his neck.

  “Yeah, I did. I saw you drinking it at the Paloma. When you and Cassidy left, I asked Nico what drink you had and he told me just how you like it. I added a little lime to mine to give mine more of a sour flavor.”

  “This is really good.” I looked at the telltale signs that he’d have a five o’clock shadow very soon.

  “I was gonna make you a morir soñado during breakfast, but time was running out. Thought it best I make it for you when I had ample time.” I squirmed as he massaged my shoulder with his strong and big hand. He didn’t add too much pressure or dig into my skin with his fingers like I assumed he would. His touch was a combination of strength and gentleness. “This is now my favorite summer drink.”

  I raised my head and gazed at him. “And what was your favorite drink before?”

  “Club soda with lime.” Chase didn’t strike me as the kind of person who would allow himself to get tipsy, even if he was with his friends.

  “You’re not gonna believe who I saw perform live tonight.” Moving back a little, he eyed me with a slight smile.

  “Here?”

  He nodded and sipped his drink. “Tainted Virtue did a surprise performance at La Floridita.”

  I’d been listening to them when Cassidy had come in and asked me to comb and braid her hair for her. Mariska and I loved all of their songs, and they were my therapy when Gregory and I had parted ways.

  “Ahh, man.” I paced around the room and then I sat back down next to Chase, whose face creased with a grin. “They were awesome, weren’t they?”

  “Beth, I am taking you to one of the shows they’re having in Miami on Saturday. I was gonna surprise you, but after they performed, I remembered the Tainted Virtue bookmark on your desk and didn’t want you to feel like you missed out because you weren’t there tonight. You’ll get to see them live too.”

  I jumped on his lap and as I was about to resume my spot next to him, his hands landed on my hips, stilling me. Honestly, I wanted to stay. His legs were muscular and strong, yet it felt better than this stiff, frilly sofa. “Chase,” I murmured. “The tickets had to be on the expensive side.”

  My impression was that Chase was in a tight financial situation like me. I mean, why would he work for and live with his friend’s family for the summer if he could’ve lived with his own family and work wherever he came from? While everything Chase wore looked delectable on his powerfully built body, I could tell that the only name-brand items he wore were his sneakers and his shoes for work. Splurging could really hurt him and I didn’t want him to think that he had to buy my friendship. And I also knew that when guys got things for girls, most of them had expectations. At least, all of the guys Cindy had dated had. Although I liked Chase, I wasn’t going to hook up with him because he got me tickets for a Tainted Virtue concert. I loved that band, but my fan love had its limits.

  “Hey,” he said. “Beth, I can afford the tickets. What’s going on?”

  “I, uh, I am not gonna sleep with you with because you bought me tickets, Chase.” I blurted it out, but I had to let him know. If it ended the start of our friendship, then it was for the best. I wasn’t cool feeling indebted to a guy or becoming another notch under his belt.

  Chase set me down next to him. “I don’t want you to do anything you don’t wanna to do. I’ve been looking for deals for their upcoming tours.” He reached for his glass from the floor and gulped the rest down and then took a deep breath. “I don’t have to entice girls to sleep with me. I never had to. Do I wanna sleep with you? Hell yeah, I do. I’d be lying if I said otherwise. But that’s not my goal right now.” He set the empty glass back down on the floor and cupped my chin with his hand. The coolness of his fingertips made me shiver a little. “I want us to do something that we both enjoy: listen to a great band.”

  I was parched, and Chase must have known because he handed my drink to me. Concern filled his eyes. “I had to say where I stand.” I sounded as if I had the wind knocked out of me and I didn’t want to come across as meek. Glancing down, I tried to force a smile, and he brought me back into the warmth of his wide arm. He traced a circle on the front of my hand and I felt calmer. He didn’t look annoyed like I thought he’d be.

  “You can tell me anything.” He returned to rubbing my shoulder.

  Silence descended on us for a while and we remained on the sofa. When I tipped my head up, I watched as his eyes boldly roved over me, the spark of pleasure that he elicited throughout my body heightened when he placed me on his lap again.

  “Did Pierce have a good time?”

  He sighed. “Tainted Virtue’s performance made his night.” He furrowed his eyebrows. “Rylan, Joel, and I talked to him a little before the show and I could already see him collecting himself.”

  “You help Pierce to relax,” I told him.

  He ran his fingers from my shoulders and dug them into my scalp, which felt really good. His natural masculine scent couldn’t compare to the soap he used. As I was about to move in even closer to his chest, he brought my legs over his thighs. I had the urge to run my fingers underneath his shirt and over his chest.

  “Joel and Rylan keep him grounded. They’ve been his boys for years,” he said. “I am his friend from college. There’s that difference, you know?”

  “Pierce values your friendship just as much as he does with Rylan and Joel.”

  “Yeah, Pierce and I are tight. I am just saying that those two can give him perspective when he’s pissed off. It makes sense since they’ve known Pierce forever.” He sounded so sensible, yet I still thought that he was trivializing how much he affected Pierce’s life. The brief conversation I’d had with Pierce about his friendship with Chase wasn’t the only reason I felt this way. It was also because of how I observed them interacting.

  “Pierce can talk to you. And I don’t think he confides with Rylan and Joel more than you, or as much.”

  I raised my hand to his corded shoulder and he heaved in a deep breath.

  “Do you trust anyone other than your best friends Mariska and Jake?” he queried several minutes later.

  “I trust Pierce. I trust Uncle Anton, Aunt Deborah, and Cassidy. I am on your lap. So there’s some trust here.”

  He motioned with his head. “And you trust all of us to various degrees?”

  “Yes,” I responded. “Who do you go to when you need someone to talk to?” I wondered.

  “I go to Pierce,” he answered coolly. “And I can come to you, right?”

  “Duh,” I said, and I hit his chest, aware that he hadn’t included Rylan or Joel as people he could trust. It looked like he thought he’d be bumming off Pierce’s friends if he included them in his life more. I hadn’t conversed with such a conscientious guy in my life. It was like he thought about things too much like I did. But I thought it was selfless of him. He didn’t want to step on their toes.

  I definitely wanted to be someone he could open up with freely, fully, without limits. But being in his arms was all the trust I needed from him now. The way his eyes locked with mine made me feel like he was strumming my nub with his fingers. My breath caught in my throat. Leaning his face toward mine, the bridge of his strong nose almost brushed mine. He trailed his thumb up and down the pulse at my throat.

  I wanted to cover his lips with my own and run my tongue down the side of his neck towards his chest and firm, sculpted stomach. Chase’s demeanor wasn’t tender anymore. Desire filled his eyes and made his countenance appear close to ominous. The heat in the flesh between my thighs grew warmer from the undeniably carnal feel of his hand falling to my thighs and drifting up to the side of my waist before he settled on my hip. Gripping the pocket on the side of his button-down shirt, I trembled. Chase turned his head to one side, teasing me with a feather-light stroke on my lips that drove me crazy.

  “Chase—”

  He nipped my bo
ttom lip and kissed me deftly. I didn’t realize that I closed my eyes until I opened them and watched as he started to slowly open his eyes also. He had such nice dark brown eyelashes that could be called pretty until the rest of his sharp features were taken into account. There was no way I could ignore his increasing erection as he returned his attentions to my mouth, sucking on my lower lip, further exploring me with his talented tongue. He rolled his fingers on my hardened nipples through my shirt, making my breasts feel heavier.

  My muscles tightened as the electricity building between us blazed into strong, lingering sparks. A part of me wanted to run from him, run from this, because it was so addictive. The tip of his tongue tangled with mine, setting off pleasure centers in my mouth I didn’t know existed and caused me to ache for him to do the same for me below me waist.

  I felt his ribcage expand as he tore his lips from mine and sucked in a breath. His erection pressed against my groin. He held my hands over above my head, his chest against mine. His gaze never left my face since we first kissed tonight. The fear settled in; I’d never been out of control like this in my life, eager for this moment to never end. Being with Chase was like a high that there was no coming down from unless I found an adequate substitute. But I didn’t want to find one.

  The uncertainty if I’d ever have my friend and mom come back to me was gone. It was just Chase and I. I was in trouble, vulnerable to being hurt just like Cindy.

  “It’s so damn hard for me not to slide this”—he grasped some of my sweats between his fingers—“off of you so I can rip your panties and introduce your pussy to my mouth.” He said it so fiercely that I hadn’t felt my dampened panties against my groin until he shifted his position and I was on the stiff sofa again.