Liquid Assets (Liquid Regret #3)

by MJ Carnal

  By the time you read this, it’ll be too late.

  No matter how I fight it, time holds a different fate.

  You held my hands through darker days

  I wasn’t there when you were ripped away.

  Oh my love, I’ll be your dreamer

  I’ll seek revenge, be your redeemer

  I’ll breathe this breath, this is all true

  Until I die Adella, I live for you.

  My breath catches in my chest. She was my everything then. Even though she belonged to Harley, a piece of her was mine. When she died, I thought I would too. Nothing seemed ok after that. The first time I talked to Rachel, I cried over the woman I’d lost. I remember she reached out and touched my arm and something happened to me. It was the first time in all my life that I remember feeling at peace.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we are Liquid Regret!” Chance yells into the mic and the crowd goes wild.

  I stand up and throw my drum sticks into the crowd and that’s when I see her. I stop dead in my tracks. She’s watching Harley with a smile on her face and has no idea I’ve spotted her. I could stare at her for hours. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

  Maddox is standing a few feet from her staring at me. I point at Rachel and yell. “Get her backstage.”

  His nod is all I see as I run off stage behind the other guys. We haven’t played DC before and the show was a huge success. The crowd was alive and we fed off their energy the whole time. I feel rejuvenated and full of adrenaline. Seeing Rachel was just the cherry on top.

  When I round the corner, she’s standing there. It’s the first deep breath I’ve taken in weeks.

  “Rachel.” That’s all I can say as I pull her to me.

  She runs her hands over my back and it’s heaven. “You were awesome. That was a great show.”

  I pull away and cup her face in my hands. “Why are you here?”

  “I needed to see you.” Her voice shakes.

  “I’m so glad you did.” I hug her again and this time, it’s more than just a hello hug. I feel it in the way her breathing changes. I feel it in the way she shivers when I refuse to let go. But most of all, I feel it in the way that my entire world shifts. “Come on. Let’s go.”

  I take her hand and pull her down the hall. I need a few minutes alone with her. I need to feel her lips on mine. I don’t want to rush her but I need this like I need my next breath. I will go as slowly as I need to another time. But tonight, I need her to know where my heart is.

  “Max Callum. Is that what they call you now?”

  I freeze. It’s the voice of my nightmares. I squeeze my eyes shut and pray it’s my imagination, that I’ll turn around and the empty hall will remind me that my memories are behind me.

  Rachel turns around when I don’t. I hold on to her hand for dear life. I’m going to throw up. My arm stings with the memory of the drugs, my throat closes and breathing gets harder. She looks at me with wide eyes and looks back at the man behind me.

  “Can I help you?” Her voice echoes through my head as I try to stay upright. The room spins a little more and I lean toward her.

  “No you can’t help me,” he spits back at her. “I’m here to see my son.”

  “What’s going on? Are you alright?” She grabs my shoulders to keep me on my feet.

  “Callum Evan Maxwell.” He walks toward me. “Or what is it that they call you now? Max?”

  “Leave.” My voice has more power behind it than I expected. I stand a little taller.

  “I just got here. I think I’ll stay. Don’t want to introduce me to the pretty thing on your arm?” I stare back at the man who gave me life. I’m the spitting image of him in his younger days. But I will never have the same hatred in my eyes for anyone but him.

  My feet are moving before I realize what I’m doing. I’ve heard people talk about blind rage but I’ve never felt it before. I shove him against the wall and my hand finds his throat. He claws at me but I don’t budge. He ruined me. He ruined the child I was and the man I had the potential to become.

  “You don’t get to breathe the same air she does.” I spit in his face as I talk. My breath comes in spurts and I can’t see anything except the hatred I have for this man. My father. The man who chose money over family, himself over his kids, hatred over love.

  “Max!” I can hear Rachel screaming but I can’t stop. Watching the color change in his face is redemption. Red. Purple.

  I feel like I’m hit with a truck and I’m airborne. Chance grabs for me on the way down and Maddox has the great Senator Maxwell pinned against the wall. We’re surrounded by people I never heard approaching. Rachel is kneeling next to me, tears in her eyes. I completely lost control.

  “What the hell was that?” Joshua is screaming at me. “Did he hurt you?”

  “You could fucking say that.” I push myself back to my feet.

  Harley is in his face before Maddox can stop him. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Senator Benjamin Maxwell.” He smiles but it’s short lived.

  Harley’s fist connects with his jaw and he crumbles to the ground. I laugh when I see the fear in my father’s eyes.

  “You might be able to buy him, but you can’t buy me. We’re his family now. Rot in hell.” Harley grabs my arm and yanks me down the hall.

  When I look over my shoulder, the guys are all behind me. Harley is the only one who knows what this monster has done to me but they all have my back. It doesn’t matter what happens from here. I know they are my family and maybe it’s time I let them in a little.

  Chapter 11

  My hands are still shaking once we are locked in my dressing room. The color is back in Rachel’s face but everyone is stunned. Harley is pacing and clenching his hand that’s now bruised and possibly broken. There’s no tour if your lead guitar player is injured. The magnitude of what just happened is making me sick.

  “Is there something I need to know? The press is everywhere. I don’t want to be blindsided.” Joshua crosses his arms and leans against the door.

  “I lost my cool. It won’t happen again.”

  “Max, he’s a state senator. This doesn’t go away. If he walks out that door and says anything, it’s a shit storm.”

  My head snaps in Joshua’s direction and my words are like poison. “He won’t say a fucking word. That’s a guarantee.”

  “Ok, everyone calm down.” Chance squeezes my shoulder.

  “He doesn’t get near me. He doesn’t get near Rachel. He is never to enter any of our concerts. I want extra security backstage from now on. He gets near me again, I will kill him. Do you understand me?” I throw Chance’s hand off my shoulder and walk toward Joshua. “He even speaks to me again, he’s a dead man.”

  “Calm down. When you can be rational about this, we’ll talk again.”

  Joshua turns to leave and I charge. No one tells me to calm down. No one tells me what to do. I feel Harley grab my arms before I can do any harm. Joshua just looks at me. His calm demeanor is fueling up my anger even more. I see red. I have complete tunnel vision and I can’t control my breathing.

  “Fuck you, Seymour.”

  “Max!” Rachel screams my name and I’m jolted back into reality.

  Harley releases my arms and pulls me into a hug. “Breathe, man. He’s not worth it. Take a few minutes and then come talk to us. We’ll be in Damien’s dressing room.”

  I watch the guys leave. One by one, they give me looks that prove they need to know what’s happening. The confusion is killing them and this secret is eating me alive. My whole adult life has been a lie. They don’t even know my real name.

  “Max?” Her voice is quiet. I just let her see the worst part of me. My chest starts to burn and my eyes fill with tears.

  “I’m so sorry.” I turn and pull her into my chest. Without any hesitation, her arms wrap around me. The first sob escapes my chest and echoes around the room. She’s going to run. I can’t even control my emotions.

  “It
’s ok, Max. It’s just us now.”

  I look down into her eyes. She’s crying. I did that to her. My mouth meets hers, gently at first. I don’t want to scare her but I need her. I need to feel close to someone. I need to feel normal. When she opens her mouth to let me in, I deepen the kiss. The minute my tongue touches hers, sparks ignite. She moans into my mouth and I growl in response.

  We are a bundle of nervous energy. I can feel her trembling as she pulls my shirt over my head. Our breathing is erratic and we can’t get naked fast enough. Our teeth crash together as the kiss becomes desperate. I fumble with the button on her jeans and as soon as it gives way, I break the kiss to shove them down her legs. I kick her feet apart and I can’t wait another minute.

  My knees hit the floor hard and I don’t care. I’m desperate. I pull her against me and bury my face between her thighs. Her flavor explodes on my tongue and I almost come unglued. She’s soaked and I want to take my time but I know I can’t. I’ve wanted her for so long. Her legs are already shaking.

  Her breathy moan urges me deeper. My tongue plunges, my fingers flick, as she scores her nails into my shoulders. I can feel her clit swell and I suck it hard.

  “That feels so good. Holy shit.” She’s gasping and I can’t help but glance up at her. Her head is thrown back, her cheeks pink. Her eyes are closed. It’s a look of pure ecstasy. I want her to look at me but I can’t stop long enough to say the words.

  Her whole body stiffens before she comes all over my tongue. Her back arches as she grinds against my face and rides out her orgasm. She’s perfection and I’m falling hard for this woman.

  She pulls me to my feet and grabs for my jeans. I’m trying so hard to control my breathing. I need to make sure she’s ok. I’ve never cared about anyone I’ve been with. She’s a game changer.

  “Wait.” I stop her as she lowers my zipper. “Are you sure you’re ok with this? I won’t be able to stop if we go any further.”

  Her eyes are glazed and her smile is complete honesty. “I’m so ok with this. Make love to me, Max.”

  My heart clenches in my chest as she pulls my jeans from my hips. I lift her and she wraps her legs around my waist. Without any coaxing, I slip inside her like I was made to be there.

  “Shit.” It’s heaven. I don’t even want to move. Being inside her is something I’ve thought about for so long that I don’t want it to end. I want to be slow and gentle but there’s no way my body will let me. I need to claim her, to own every piece of her.

  I walk to the door and lean her against it. Once I have her pinned, I can’t help myself. I pull almost all the way out and shove back into her. She clenches around me and I moan. I need to make this last. I need her to know how much I care about her. She’s not just some random woman that I’m fucking in my dressing room. This is Rachel. This is my future.

  She grabs my hair and pulls until my eyes meet hers. “Stop holding back, Max. I want all of you. Give me what I want.”

  Fuck. She bites my shoulder and it’s on. No holding back. I shove into her hard and circle my hips. When she moans, I do it again. And again. And again. Our bodies slap together, our mouths devour each other, the sound of fucking echoes through the dressing room. I shove my hips forward and hit her in just the right spot. She screams my name. I hit it again. She claws at my back. I hit it again and she comes undone. Her orgasm drips down my legs and she whimpers against my lips.

  My thrusts are frantic as I chase my own climax. Every nerve in my body is on fire. My cock swells as I pound into her. She pulls my hair and bites my neck. Everything in me is screaming to come but her legs shaking around me tell me she’s close and I refuse to finish before she’s completely sated.

  “Please don’t stop. Please don’t stop.” Her chants push me on. I find her clit and roll it between my thumb and finger. She shatters around me, squeezing me, milking me. There’s no way I can stop now.

  My balls tighten against my body and everything is in slow motion. My orgasm races down my shaft and I explode, months of desire for this woman filling her and drenching us both as neither of us quit moving. It’s the best sex I’ve ever had and I refuse to let it be over. If I’m still breathing and still standing, I’m still fucking.

  “I don’t want to stop.” I gasp against her neck as she sags against me.

  “I don’t either.” She pants and circles her hips slowly over my still hard cock.

  A fist pounds on the door and her eyes widen in surprise. I can’t help it. I let out a belly laugh and her giggle follows it. The knocking starts again and she laughs and hits me on the shoulder.

  “Callum, the bus is leaving in five minutes.” Chance’s voice breaks through our laughter. “Wrap it up you lucky son of a bitch.”

  “Oh my God. I’m so embarrassed.” She covers her face with her hands.

  “Don’t you dare be embarrassed. This was just a preview. Chance is right next door to me at the hotel. Hope he doesn’t plan on getting much sleep tonight.”

  She unwraps her legs from my waist but I won’t let her go. I walk us to the couch and sit with her in my lap. I thrust into her again and she moans.

  “That was nice, Max.” She kisses me gently and I can’t wait to get her naked again.

  “Nice? You see, Rachel. This was just an appetizer. I plan on fucking you so hard that every time you sit down tomorrow, you’ll get wet remembering who made you that sore. Nice isn’t good enough. Before you head home, I want to show you who owns you. Nice isn’t a word you’ll ever use again.”

  She blushes but looks me right in the eye. “Bring it on.”

  Chapter 12

  I know they’re staring at me. I feel the heat of all eyes on me. I keep my head turned and take in the sights of Washington during the ride to the hotel. How far is the hotel anyway? It felt like minutes getting here and now we’ve been on this bus for hours.

  Max left to sit with Joshua and I’m fair game. I know someone is going to say something. I haven’t felt this embarrassed since, well, ever. I let myself completely go. The sounds coming out of that dressing room had to be totally primal. My calm exterior doesn’t really match what happened back there.

  “Doc.” Chance turns around in his seat and whispers at me, “It’s pretty dark. I don’t think anything out there is that interesting. Want to talk about anything?”

  My face is instantly hot. “Nope. Nothing. I’m good.”

  “Sounded like it.” Chance laughs when I cover my face. “I’m just giving you hell, doc. Come on. Look at me.”

  I raise my head so slowly that he starts to whistle. Smart ass. I want to smack that smug look right off his face. “Happy?”

  “Not as happy as you are, but I’m getting there.” I smack his arm and he laughs harder. “I have no idea what the hell is going on with the senator and Max and I don’t care. It’s nice to see him smile.”

  And that’s it. He turns around. Without another word, he leans his seat back and closes his eyes.

  I sit here dumbfounded. No one else is paying me any attention. Damien is asleep and Harley and Laney are in deep conversation. Max and Joshua are arguing quietly and Chance is done with his inquisition. The bus is pretty quiet as we drive to the outskirts of the city. I suppose it’s normal for them to meet women on the road. I’m sure I haven’t been the first woman screaming from Max’s dressing room.

  I’m instantly deflated. My self-esteem takes a huge nose dive. How many women have there been? Would it be fair to pursue him and hope he was faithful? Could I live with the suspicions that could come from watching their life on the road? Would I turn into one of those jealous girlfriends, always checking cellphones or social media to see what he was doing?

  “Rach.” My head snaps up at the sound of his voice. “I know what you’re thinking and you’re wrong.”

  I shift in my seat before I put on my brave face. “What am I thinking?”

  “You’re wondering how many women have been in my dressing room with me. How many I’ve made scream
for me.” He leans in and licks right below my ear. “The answer is none. I’ve never let anyone come backstage.”

  “What?” I look into his eyes and know it’s the honest truth. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and my heart races.

  “You are different. I can’t describe it. I don’t want to overthink this. I just want to get you naked and show you.” His hand runs up my leg and I remember the feel of his fingers, his mouth. “When this bus stops, I’m taking you up to my suite and you’re not coming out of there until you know just how I feel about you.”

  “Are we there yet?”

  The warm water hits my back and soothes my muscles. I ache in places I haven’t felt in so long. Max took his time and worshiped every inch of me. I’ve never felt so cherished or satisfied in all my life. I stir to life just thinking of the way his body moved in time with mine.

  “Can I join you?” I jump when I hear his voice.

  He pulls me to him, my back resting flat against his strong body. His hands massage my shoulders as his lips find my wet skin. He trails kisses from my ear to the base of my neck. A sigh escapes me as I melt into him.

  “You’re so beautiful.” His hands roam my back, stopping at my hips. He gently turns me around to face him. “So beautiful.”

  I watch as the water worships his skin. His muscles flex as he reaches for the shampoo. Water runs down his abs, caressing every muscle. He easily stands a foot taller than me and I enjoy every inch of that as I look up to meet his eyes. When he smiles, his dimples flare to life. His piercing blue eyes look right into my soul and I know without a doubt that a future without him is one I can’t imagine.

  His lips meet mine, water pouring around us like a lover’s embrace. His hands find my cheeks as he deepens the kiss. He doesn’t try anything else. He’s just content kissing me and worshipping my mouth. His kisses make me feel so much more than any kiss I’ve ever gotten before. There’s promise in his lips. When the kiss is over, I miss him.