“Yeah, I meant to tell you to check the home messages. A lady named Janie is going to call and set up a time to meet with you.”
“Why?”
“She’s our new cleaning lady. I thought about your house rules and cleaning charts and decided the idea sucked. I’ll make an effort to pick up after myself, but I don’t want you to worry about the other shit. She’s available to come twice a month.”
“You’re crazy, you know that right?”
“Crazy about you and I don’t want the little alone time we have to be cleaning fucking toilets. So she’s my solution.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too. I’ll wake you when I get home so you can show me how much.” He hangs up.
I smile thinking how incredibly spoiled I am but this is one thing I’m going to let Declan do for us without fighting back.
Chapter 21
Poster Girl for the Video
When we get to MJ Labels on Friday afternoon, Charlie greets us. She’s excited because Mike has asked her to join our meeting and take any relevant notes. Kelly was demoted after her attitude in Vegas, and she now works with the sound guys. Charlie told me when Kelly was sent home from Vegas she humbled quickly. She only talks to Charlie in passing as if she’s scared of her. I don’t have to interact with her at all because Mike gave the website to another associate. I still don’t trust her.
We’re led to the conference room, and I do a double take at the woman sitting there. She is one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen. She has long brown hair with hazel eyes and legs that go on for miles. I immediately go on high alert. She can’t be who Mike chose for the video.
Mike introduces her as Raine Mitchell. Even her name is sexy. When she shakes Declan’s hand, she holds on a little too long as she sizes him up. I can tell she likes what she sees as her eyes twinkle.
I step up beside him, and he introduces us. He doesn’t hide the fact that I’m his fiancée and disappointment flashes across her face. Instead of sitting beside her, I walk around to the other side of the table so I can watch her expression when we learn the plans for the video.
Mike introduces his creative associate, but I don’t get his name because I’m too busy staring at Raine. He plays the song first and then launches into a presentation about his vision and direction for the video. The goal is to have it ready when Sayge releases the album in December. Declan sits beside me holding my hand listening to them while I internally count to one hundred. I hear bits and pieces about outside settings but when they mention a scene with Declan in bed with Raine, I flinch. Declan starts to protest but all I notice is her seductive smile, and I know I hate her.
Mike tries to talk Declan down on his protests, and I come up with an idea. Declan is not backing down on his ‘no touching’ rule, so I interrupt. All the guys look uncomfortable, and Charlie winks at me.
“Mike, give me a minute with Declan. We’ll be right back.” I drag Declan out of the room.
When we are in the private hallway, I kiss him gently. “You really should consider this. Don’t be so stubborn.”
“No fucking way. I’m not going to start rumors from the beginning. I want the music, not the headache of dealing with the model/lover. I’m not going to put you through that, and I have no interest in touching another woman.”
“Sweetheart, we can get through this. What if I promise to be there the whole time? What if we schedule the filming so I can be with you? You need to do this.”
“Fucking not happy about it Rave.”
“This is the best approach. The girl, the heartache, the reunion. It’s what the song is about. Give it the best version it can be.”
He smirks at me. “I saw how you watched her looking at me. You sure you can handle me touching her?”
Bastard!
“No, but that’s why I’ll be there. For you. You need my support, and you have it. We need to make sure she never gets the wrong idea.” I lift up on my toes to kiss him.
“I don’t like this, but promise me you’ll be there.
“I promise.”
We make out for a few more minutes before going back into the room. Charlie, Blake, and Cooper laugh at us, but we ignore them as we sit down. Mike continues the presentation, and we listen for a few more minutes about the lighting and the sound. They have secured a few locations around town for the band to do their group play but mostly there is a set for the intimate scenes. When we are finished and Declan agrees to most everything, Raine gets up to leave. She shakes everyone’s hands but tries to hug Declan. He politely holds her in place and says he looks forward to seeing her in a few weeks.
I quietly ask Mike for a few minutes of privacy. Declan tries to stay, but I push him out.
“Mike, I don’t like Raine. She’s not going to do this video.”
He looks at me stunned but composes himself with a half grin. “No?”
“No. You need someone else.”
“Like who?”
“Like a beautiful lesbian who won’t hit on Declan. I can try to talk him into intimacy and touching, but don’t make me regret it.”
“How about you?”
“Me?!” I squeak. “What do you mean me?”
“Come on RJ. You’re beautiful, you’re graceful, and you’re who this song is about. Why don’t you fill the role? Declan and the rest of the guys will be comfortable, and we can get the raw emotions into the scenes. I can set you up with a contract.”
I think about this for a minute, and the door opens behind me.
“What’d she say?” Charlie asks smugly.
I’m gonna kill her.
“She hasn’t said no...yet.” Mike answers her.
“You guys set me up? You did this on purpose?” I screech.
“No, Rave, I thought you were the perfect girl from the beginning but Mike had me searching through model sites. He wanted a replica of you because of the song. When I found Raine, I knew she was as close as we could get. But then I knew you’d be crazy jealous. I brought up the idea to Mike about you, and he was completely on board. So, we think you should be the poster girl for the video since you are the muse. What do you think?”
I argue with them through their logic and then realize the idea excites me.
“Can y’all give me a few days to decide? I need to talk to my family and my real friends,” I glare at Charlie. “Then we need to talk to the other guys in the band. If I agree, I want this to be a complete surprise to Declan.”
“I already talked to Jenna and your real friends and everyone agrees. But whatever.” Charlie says bitterly.
“Charlie, I’m not going to fight with you. I can’t believe you went behind my back. And what’s with her? We looked nothing alike. How’d you think she was a replica of me?”
“I couldn’t find a you that we could afford. Raven, I really want you to consider this. I didn’t do it to piss you off. Think of the big picture. Declan will be more comfortable with you and his performance won’t be forced. This is a huge opportunity for you and the band.”
“Okay.” Everything she said is right. This is huge.
“Okay, you’ll do it?” Mike asks eagerly.
“Okay, I’ll think about it. The answer is probably yes, but let’s talk to Jay, Nate, Cooper, and Blake. And I need you to promise me this will be something I can show my dad and Robbie. Nothing pornographic in any way.”
He nods his head in agreement.
“This is so great.” Charlie claps. “You and Declan go on home and Mike and I can talk to the guys. I’ll call you in an hour.”
I hug them both and go to the lobby to meet an angry Declan.
On the way home, he barely speaks to me. He answers my questions with nods or grunts. Finally, I lose my temper.
“Declan, what the hell’s the matter with you?”
“I didn’t like being dismissed back there for your little meeting. And you’ve talked about everything else except what you discussed.”
I stay qui
“Are you going to tell me?”
“Um, I wanted to let Mike and Charlie know I was unhappy with their model choice. I asked them to find you a gorgeous lesbian to work with.” I answer embarrassed.
He starts laughing and not any laugh but a loud, body shaking roar. I glare at him.
“You’re telling me that you were jealous of that girl? You talked to the CEO of my label about a replacement. A lesbian replacement? Please tell me, how did that go?”
“It went well, asshat. They listened to me, and I’ll know more tonight. I don’t see what’s so funny!”
“It’s funny that you took me out of that room to convince me to their ideas and the whole time you were jealous.”
I want to give him a smart ass remark, but he’s right. I chuckle with him and hear my phone ding.
Charlie–Rave it’s on! Everyone loved idea. Call Mike on Monday.
Me–K, in car. Can’t talk now.
Charlie–anything fun going on tonight?
“Declan, are we doing anything tonight?”
“Who wants to know?”
“Charlie.”
“Yeah, you and I are doing something tonight. Not sure about anyone else.” he grins at me, and my stomach drops. It’s been a while since we’ve had a night alone together.
I text Charlie that we are staying in, and I’ll see her and the rest of the girls at The Steamroom tomorrow night.
When we get home, I make an excuse about needing to do a little work and Declan gets ready for a run. After he leaves, I call my mom and then all my girlfriends to talk about the meeting today. My mom encourages me to do it. Kendall, Harper, Abbi and Ella all think it’s a great idea. Kendall and Harper want me to see if Mike can film over my fall break and they will take a few days off to come up. Guess I’m not going to Atlanta anymore.
I make my decision and text Mike before I can change my mind.
I hope that Declan is as thrilled as everyone else.
Chapter 22
No Arguments
Declan
I swear we’re not leaving the house today. I’m so fucking starved for a day with Raven, I’ll tie her to the bed if she tries to pull any shit. Since it’s Sunday, she has no excuses. I had this grand plan for yesterday, but she railroaded me. After spending almost all of Friday night inside of her, she made me get out of bed yesterday for football and yoga. Then she conveniently mentioned I needed a tux for the gala in two weeks. I decided to buy a fucking tux since I know I’ll be wearing it at least once a year for the gala, and she probably wants me to wear one at our wedding. She agreed so then I spent almost the entire afternoon in some men’s specialty store trying on different styles. I refused to wear a bowtie, so she picked out about twenty different ties that were all black for me to try on. By the time we got home, it was time to go to The Steamroom.
Every night we play, the crowds are getting larger. Five times in the last two weeks, the bars have reached maximum capacity. We stuck to The Steamroom on our scheduled nights, but Jay had taken over booking us and we’re playing Tuesdays and Wednesdays usually somewhere around town. On these days, we cut our studio time down so we can rest, but I’m still fucking tired.
Raven sighs against my chest and rolls over with her back to me. The silk of her purple nightie slips up so I can see every bit of her perfect ass. I run my fingertips from her shoulders to her wrists and see the goose bumps rise on her skin. Leaning over her, I kiss a path from her ear to her shoulder and back until her eyes start to flutter.
I’m hard as a fucking rock looking at her and listening to the sound of her light breathing. I ease one hand between her legs and massage her clit hoping to wake her up. I feel the heat and warmth from her center, and I slowly push a finger into her. She’s soaking fucking wet!
“You playing possum, beautiful girl?” I whisper into her ears while I add another finger. “I think you are awake and feel my dick against your back. I want you so bad right now that I may take you from behind.”
She moans quietly and opens her legs while tightening her muscles around my fingers. I hear her start to pant, so I increase the speed trying to push her over the edge. She whimpers and throws her head back into my shoulder. I take her mouth in a deep kiss. Moving my tongue in the same rhythm as my fingers, I apply pressure with my thumb. She screams against my mouth and grinds against my hand.
Removing my fingers slowly, I lean back and she rolls on top of me. Without saying a word, she slides me into her. Then she sits up, straddling me so I am as far as I can go. I throb inside her and my heart races. She doesn’t move but stares down at me. Her face is flushed, and her eyes are glassy. Her dark hair falls down over her shoulders and hits the lace above her tits. I pull the material over her head, so I have the perfect view of her entire body.
I grip her hips trying to get her to move, but she shakes her head and smiles seductively me. Lying down on top of me but keeping our connection, she swivels her hips several times. I feel the sensation of my piercing scraping against her soft flesh everywhere on my body. A few times she squeezes her muscles and her pussy walls pull the skin of my cock tighter.
Sweat breaks out on my forehead as I try not to come. My release is close, but I want this to last all morning. It takes all the strength I have to lift us up, so she wraps her legs around my back. The strain on my abs makes my dick throb inside her.
“Babe, you gotta move. I’m dying here.”
I wrap one arm around her waist and the other in her hair. When our mouths touch, she starts moving slowly. I continue my assault on her mouth and let her control us. The sound of our bodies connecting and our panting fills the room and I grow thicker inside her.
I pull my mouth away from hers and move to her ear.
“Right now you’re gripping me so hard my balls hurt. Your thigh muscles are squeezing my stomach, and it makes me want to roll you on your back and pound into you. When you come, I want the fucking neighbors to know who you belong to.”
I can tell I got to her when she throws her head back and practically arches her nipples into my mouth. I massage one roughly and suck on the other with all my strength. I see the hickey forming when I move away, and I grin to myself.
I move my hands around to massage her ass as I lick at her other nipple with purpose. She starts moving faster and groaning into the air. Fuck if her sounds don’t turn me on. I grip and thrust into her as hard as I can. The third time I do this she screams into the room, and I come violently into her. It keeps coming, and I feel myself leaking out of us.
I hold her tight against me feeling her heartbeat with mine.
“Good morning.” she says hoarsely.
“Started out that way, didn’t it?”
She smiles at me, and I take her mouth again. Swinging my legs over the bed, I stand up with her still attached to me and carry her to the shower.
*****
Raven’s shuffling through the mail on the counter while I make breakfast. She grabs her laptop from her bag and starts typing into a spreadsheet on her screen.
“Homework?”
“No, I’m making our budget. I need to know approximately how much money I need to deposit into your account monthly.”
I almost spit my coffee out at her statement. “Why would you need to deposit money into my account?”
“For the household expenses.”
“I already cover those.”
“Yes, but now I’m here and things might go up. I don’t expect you to take on that, and I need to know how much you want for rent.”
That was the wrong thing to say. “Rent? Did you say rent?”
“Yes.” she looks at me like I’m stupid.
“You think I want you to pay rent in our home?”
“Declan, calm down. It’s perfectly normal for couples to share the bills. I want to cover my share.”
I get to her in two strides. I lift her up and plant her ass on the countertop with me between her legs. Trying to calm my anger, I speak softly.
“Sparkle, I think I know where this conversation is going. Are you trying to tell me you want to give me money each month to live here with me like a roommate? You want to write a fucking spreadsheet to determine an acceptable amount to pay me?”
She hesitates but nods her head.
“Not fucking happening. You’re my fiancée, soon to be my wife. I take care of the bills. I take care of you.”
“But I need to give you something.”
“No arguments.”
She scowls at me and opens her mouth to talk, but I speak first.
“You want to know what you give me? You give me the air I breathe, you give me the nights in my bed with you when I come home late, you give me you every second of every day.”
“Dec–”
I cut her off, “You know what you’re gonna give me? You’re gonna give me the honor of taking my last name, you’re gonna give me your promise to be with me forever, you’re gonna give me little hellion rockers or blue-eyed beauties.
“You’re the love of my life and I’m going to take care of you. I don’t know what sort of job you want when you get out of school, but I don’t care if you volunteer and never get paid. I’m going to take care of you. So don’t ever insult me and try to pay me money again.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and she hugs me close.
“Shit baby, did you ever even think I would take any money from you?”
“Yes, you big brute! I need to pay something.”
An idea forms in my head and I slide her off the counter and into my arms.
“Oh, if that’s the case, you can pay me. Just not in money.” I whisper in her ear and take her back to the bedroom.
Chapter 23
The Gala
Raven
Getting ready for the Gala this year is a much different experience than last year. Mike bought a table for MJ Labels and invited the rest of Sayge and a few of his employees. Tripp, Jimi, and Gabe are also here this year. The event has doubled in attendance and donations since last year.
My mom still asked me and Robbie to do the initial set-up during the day on Saturday and Declan agreed to help. We set up the silent auction and the swag bags according to my mom’s directions. We weren’t allowed in the main ballroom yet because they were having problems with some sort of presentation prop being used tonight.
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