"Is it serious?"
"He's my boyfriend."
Her face lights up as she smiles. "Really?"
"Really."
She jumps to her feet to hug me. "He's so lucky to have you. I'll tell him every day."
I laugh. "I guess that's fair, since I tell Ethan he's lucky to have you every day. But, um... Ethan doesn't know yet."
"I can talk to him," she offers.
"No, he's still... I should be the one to talk to him." It will be a lot worse if he feels like he's the last to know.
She nods. "Okay, our secret."
"Do you have a poker face?"
She blushes. "I'm not that bad."
"You are."
She laughs. "He's not going to ask." Her eyes light up as she presses her hands together. "That aside, was it good?"
"Really good."
"And the tongue piercing?"
"Really, really good. But I don't have anything to compare."
She squeals. "He was your first."
I nod.
"When did you two finally knock boots?"
"Knock boots?"
"People still say that."
"Friday."
"No way!"
Now, I'm blushing. "I'm not that old."
She laughs as she jumps to her feet. Then she's pulling me into a tight hug. "You're all grown up."
"I feel grown up."
"Your first everything?"
"Everything."
"Have you guys done everything?"
"You're overly interested in this."
She laughs. "Maybe. Well, if you need any pointers. Or advice. Does he make sure to get you off first?"
"Yes."
"Good. And he's generous?"
I think I'm going to die of embarrassment.
She laughs. "Okay, enough questions. Let's go out. Celebrate."
"How do you celebrate this?"
"I don't know. I went to Denny's with my best friend and told her all about it."
"Good things?"
She shrugs. "It was just okay. Now, the first time I was with Ethan..." She smiles evilly, reveling in my discomfort.
"I don't want Denny's."
"How about the mall down the street? We can go to that coffee place you Strongs are always gushing about."
"Okay, I like coffee." And I like getting away from my brothers until I've had enough time for this to sink in.
"Good." She smiles as she jumps back. "You need shoes." She turns to my closet and nods to a pair of brown leather sandals. "Those will look cute."
"Are you caffeine deprived or something?"
"Terribly. We got to the airport at four A.M."
I slip into my sandals, slide my phone into my purse, and follow Violet down the stairs.
Mal and Ethan are whispering about something.
I give Ethan a hug hello. "Good flight?"
He shakes his head. "I'm heading straight to bed."
Violet smiles sweetly at her boyfriend. "Then you won't mind us going out? We're having a girl's day."
"Coffee then lunch," I add.
Mal chuckles. "You think that ends with pho or tacos?"
Ethan laughs. "I wouldn't bet against either of them."
Violet turns to me. "They're making fun of us."
"Rude." I fold my arms in mock outrage. "Clearly it's tacos. That fish taco place at the mall is amazing."
Violet squeezes me. "You'll make such a great sister in law."
Ethan smiles, not at all bothered by her mentions of commitment. He moves in to give Violet a hug goodbye.
Then they're making out.
Mal shoots me a knowing look. His voice is even. "Have fun."
"Yeah. I will." I hug him goodbye. "Thanks."
"For?" He whispers.
"Not freaking out." After our hug breaks, I pull Violet away from Ethan.
She waits until we're outside to throw her arms around me again. "I still can't believe it." She leads me towards the mall. "I can see you two together. For a long time. Maybe forever."
"Me too."
Chapter 26
Kit
It's late and I'm slick with sweat.
My hands are screaming for a break.
Not yet.
Not until my head is clear.
Right now, it's still stuck on what the hell it means that I'm in love with Piper.
On if I'm in love with Piper.
I start at the top of our set list. Tied up With You is a catchy crowd pleaser. It's the perfect opening song and it's fucking hard.
I really outdid myself on this one.
My hands are too tired. I drop too many notes. By the breakdown I've got it enough to play the next song.
The next.
The entire set list.
My head doesn't clear until halfway through our closer. When I let my eyelids fall together, I can feel the energy of being on stage. I can see the fans, hear the screams. I can't help myself. I start singing along with lyrics.
Fuck, I'm only practicing and I'm over the fucking moon.
This is where I belong.
I feel a twinge of emptiness as I turn off my amp and set my bass in its stand. For the last ten years, more even, this has been what I've wanted, how I clear my head, where I was sure I belonged.
It's not just the instrument. It's the guys. The band.
That might be fucked. It might be over.
That thought guts me.
But the thought of losing Piper—that's just as bad.
Worse even.
I make my way downstairs, warm up a cup of coffee, and take a seat on the couch.
It still smells like her.
Still smells like sex.
Shit, I'm getting hard just thinking about her body under mine, her legs wrapped around my hips, her groans vibrating down my neck.
I finish my cup of decaf, pull my phone from my front pocket, and I call her.
She answers right away. "This barely counts as tonight."
I check the time on my phone. Almost midnight. "But it does."
She laughs. "I guess it does. Were you doing something important?"
"Playing."
"All afternoon?"
"Just about."
"Aren't your hands exhausted?"
"You getting at something?" As much as I want to listen to Piper come, I'm not sure I can hold up my end of the bargain. My hands are fucking spent.
"Maybe." She tries to play coy but her voice is nervous. "I, um, well I'm sure you won't be surprised that I've never had a sexy phone call before."
"Me either."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
She lets out another nervous laugh. "We don't have to worry about anyone overhearing. Ethan and Violet are still going at it. I'll be quiet for a minute. Tell me if you can hear it."
True to her word, she's silent. I can make out something on the other end of the phone, but I haven't got a clue what it is.
"Can't hear it," I say.
"Here." There's sound on her end. "I'm going to press the phone to the wall."
"I've heard it before."
"Haven't we all?" She laughs. "I walked in on them a few times."
"Every night we were on the bus, they'd wait until they thought we were asleep, then they'd start."
"Yeah?"
"They were trying to keep quiet, but—"
"This is veering into too many details."
I chuckle. "I'm not into watching. Joel on the other hand..."
"Oh God." Her voices gets flustered. "Why do you tell me these things?"
"I like picturing you flushed and nervous."
"And wanting?"
"Yeah, but I like that in a different way."
"I'm not—"
"Dishonorable enough to lie."
She laughs. "I admit nothing."
"That's as good as an admission."
"If you say so." Her voices brightens. "I was getting worried you wouldn't call."
"Yeah?"<
br />
"That you changed your mind, realized what a mess this is."
I shake my head. "I've known what a mess this is."
"But still..."
"I won't change my mind about this, Piper. I've been looking forward to hearing your voice all day."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Can I use that somehow?" She laughs. "Get you under my thumb?"
"You'd use me?"
"No..."
"Dishonorable," I tease.
"I wouldn't." Her voice gets low, sincere. "You know that, right?"
I do. Maybe I'm a fool, but I believe everything she tells me. "I trust you." I trust her more than I trust anyone.
"I've been thinking about the summer, about where I want to work. I have to decide if I want to go to Europe. Mal re-invited me."
"You don't want two weeks in Europe with me?"
"It's three."
"Even better."
"It's not with you. It's with the band. You'll be busy or we'll have an audience all day."
"I'll still be in my hotel room every night."
"After you finish playing." She lets out a low sigh. "I'd like to be in your hotel room every night. Or right now. Or I... Um... I have no idea how to start this."
Fuck, she's cute. I better torment her. "Where are you thinking about working?"
"The cafe I used to work at is good, but a nicer place would mean better tips."
"You really want to work when you could rely entirely on your parents' money?"
"Is that wrong?"
"No."
"I'm still living in their house and letting them pay my tuition."
"You want to feel independent."
"Yeah. I, uh... there are some things I don't mind help with." She trips over her words, her voice all nerves. "Things you could help me with."
"What kinds of things?"
"Kit."
I let my voice drop. "Yeah?"
"I've never... how do we do this?"
"Do what?" I play dumb.
"You're evil."
"Not sure what you're referring to."
"You are too."
"No, I'm tired. I'm not quick right now."
"Bullshit." She lets out another nervous laugh. "Why do I even talk to you?"
"Cause I'm hot?"
"You are." Her voice gets sincere. "But that's not why. It doesn't hurt, but it's not why. I... I care about you."
The tone of her voice makes me warm all over. It's not the same as the raw heat of desire. That I feel in one place. This, I feel everywhere.
"Kit, if you keep fucking with me this isn't going to happen."
That's worth the risk. "What isn't going to happen?"
"Christopher Lockhart! I will hang up this phone, right now."
"Am I torturing you too thoroughly?"
"Yes."
"What if I want you panting with need?"
"Then you touch yourself for my listening pleasure."
Fuck, she's confident all of a sudden.
I like it.
"Yeah?" I ask.
"Is that how it goes, phone sex? Or I guess if you've never done it... That's how I want it to go."
I continue teasing her. "You want to listen to me fuck myself?"
She lets out a deep groan. "Yes. Please. You first."
"Demanding."
"Thank you." Her voice gets breathy. "Go first. I want to hear you come."
I could demand she go first. She would, and I want to hear her come. But I want her dripping with need more.
First things first. "You sure no one can overhear?"
"I'll put on music. Just in case."
"Britney?"
She lets out a nervous laugh. "Shut up."
There are noises on her end then there's music. It's too muffled for me to make it out.
But then I don't care about hearing music.
I care about hearing Piper.
"I'll put you on speaker." I tap the speaker option on my phone and set the thing on the couch's arm. That doesn't feel quite right.
I lie back, stretching out on the couch, and I place the cell on my chest.
This is where I fucked her for the first time.
Where she came on my cock.
Where I took her virginity.
Never thought I was into the whole virgin thing. Apparently, my cock is. I'm hard enough to cut diamonds.
Her voice flows through the speaker. "What are you wearing."
"Jeans and a t-shirt."
"Still?"
Good point. I lift the phone so I can pull the t-shirt over my head. I slide my hand down my torso in an attempt to take this slow.
But I don't want slow. I want to come for her listening pleasure.
"T-shirt's gone," I say.
"And the jeans."
I unbutton and unzip my jeans and push them off my hips. "Gone."
"So you're... I really love that you go commando."
Fuck, the need in her voice...
I wrap my hands around my cock. "What are you wearing?"
"A tank top and jeans." There's noise on her end, her shifting out of her clothes. "A bra and panties now. I'm in my bed. Are you—"
"On the couch."
She lets out a needy sigh. "Will you... will you start?"
Fuck yes. I let out my own needy sigh as I stroke myself. I know how to get myself off fast, when it's a release more than anything else.
But this is something I want to savor.
I go as slow as I can. I start soft. I tease myself. Then Piper is letting out another needy sigh and I can't fucking take slow.
I groan into the phone's receiver as I go faster, harder. It's not like fucking myself alone. Not quite like her hands on my body either.
There's something about doing it for her, about knowing she's getting off to my pleasure— it's hot as hell.
And it's an intimacy I've never felt before.
My thoughts fall away as I stroke myself harder. Harder.
Fuck.
"Piper." I groan her name as I come. Pleasure floods my body, but there's something else too.
Relief. Like I told somebody a secret and they accepted it.
My need to share with her isn't satisfied. Despite the sticky mess I've got on my hands, my first thought is that I need to hear her come. Now.
Her breath is still heavy, needy. "Fuck, Kit. That was... I like hearing you without anything else happening, being able to focus on the pleasure in your voice."
I let out a grunt that means something like me too. Or maybe come for me right away.
"I guess it's my turn." There's more noise on her end, then she's back on the phone. "I'm naked."
Fuck, if it was possible to be hard again, I'd be there. As it is, there isn't a hard part of my body. Every one of my muscles is relaxed. I'm at peace. This is how I feel when I play—like I'm where I belong.
"Touch yourself," I groan.
She groans back. "Kit..."
"Say my name again, baby."
She moans at the term of endearment. "Fuck, Kit." Her voice breaks. Her breath softens for a moment. Then it's louder, needier.
She's touching herself.
I relax into the couch as I listen to every hitch of her breath, every moan, every gasp. Fuck, this is the best music I've ever heard. I want to record it and listen to it on loop.
I want to fall asleep and wake up to it.
Her groans run together. She's close.
I need her there. "Come for me, baby."
"Kit," she breathes. "Say it again."
My voice is heavy, needy. "Come for me, baby."
She groans again and again. Then she's there. I can hear her letting go of everything. I can feel her pleasure.
It's as good as mine.
Better even.
I wait for her to come down. "Fuck, Piper."
"Right back at you."
"I should clean up."
"I should get to sleep. I'll talk to you soon."
/>
"Sweet dreams."
"You too."
Chapter 27
Kit
After a fantastic week of texting and chatting with Piper, I have to return to reality.
Not that reality is all that bad for a rock star. At the moment, everything about my life is fucking amazing.
I slide off my bike, ready for practice. It's a quarter till noon on a weekday, our first post-tour practice, the first time I'm at the Strong place since—
Fuck, since a lot of shit.
Everything is different now.
Joel is leaning against his sleek black sports car, arms folded over his chest, eyes fixed on me.
I motion go inside.
He stays put. "You're early."
I wait until I'm on his side of the street, on the sidewalk in front of the Strong house, to speak. "Figured there'd be traffic."
His grey-green eyes stay incredulous. "I called you three times yesterday."
"I was busy." Not exactly true. I spent my morning at the gym, again, and my afternoon practicing, again, but I spent the rest of the day reading and texting Piper.
"What the fuck happened after you left Friday?" He taps out a drum beat on his thigh. "Nobody's telling me shit."
"I took Piper home."
"Here?"
"My place."
Realization flares in Joel's eyes. I guess he didn't know that part.
He drops his voice to a whisper. "You fucked Ethan and Mal's baby sister?"
"It wasn't like that."
His voice raises with every word. "Did you put your dick inside her?"
"I care about her."
"Enough to leave the band?"
"Enough to do fucking anything."
He stares into my eyes, deciding if he believes me. He nods. "Good. Besides the whole off-limits innocent kid thing, she's good for you. And she cares about you enough to not put up with bullshit."
"She's too good for me."
"Maybe. You're pretty good looking." He shakes his head. "You know you have my loyalty. If you're out of the band, I'm out."
"That's not necessary." As much as I appreciate Joel's support, I don't need him falling on any swords for me. I'm an adult. I made my bed. I can lie in it.
"Yeah, it is. We're a team. You're family." He cuts me off when I start to object. "Don't give me shit about how we're not blood relatives. You're family."
There's no talking Joel out of this. There's no talking Joel out of anything. I nod. "Let's go inside."
He nods to Piper's car. "She's here."
"And?"
"Propose to her in front of everyone. That's your best bet to this working out."
Dangerous Crush: A Rock Star Romance (Dangerous Noise Book 2) Page 20
