In the Stars

by Joan Duszynski

  Once I reach Kyle’s door, I can faintly hear music coming from inside. I knock and wait—nothing but more music. So I go ahead and ring the doorbell. The music abruptly stops, and then the door is swinging open. “Oh shit Caroline, I suck; I didn’t hear you pull up. Have you been out here long?”

  He takes everything from my hands, and I lean in to kiss him. “No I haven’t. Besides, I was enjoying what I could hear through the door.”

  Kyle gets a big smile, and pulls me in for another kiss. “Good to know. Come on, let’s take your things upstairs. Is this a dress; are you wearing a dress tonight?” Kyle’s eyebrows arch up in excitement.

  “Sorry Kyle, it is what I am wearing tonight, but it isn’t a dress. Don’t worry, though, it is still pretty damn easy access. Tara convinced me to bring it, but I’m still not convinced I should wear it.”

  “No matter what you choose, I know it will look good, but you have me very intrigued right now.”

  His hand reaches for the zipper on the bag, and I swat it away. “Well, you are just going to have to wait and see,

  Kyle, no peeking.”

  Kyle hangs the dress bag on the door, and sits my other one down beside his bed. He pulls me down so I am sitting on top of his lap on the edge of his bed. His hands start running through my hair and across my shoulders. “So, who is supposed to be coming to watch the show tonight that you know of, Caroline?”

  I glance up at him and run my fingers through the sides of his hair and behind his ear. “I talked with Raleigh on the way here, and she and Sam are actually riding together. I had no idea that this was even in the works, but I find it very exciting. I guess they were talking, and when she mentioned the show he showed interest in wanting to watch it too. Sam told her it would be better if they just rode together, because she really shouldn’t have to ride alone late from one of those things.”

  I have a big smile on my face while thinking about Raleigh, and the possibilities of her and Sam. “Then Tara and Adam are supposed to be riding together, too. So they will keep me company on the floor while I watch you.”

  Kyle leans down and kisses me. “I really am siked about having you there tonight. I hope all you guys like it.”

  I stand up and pull Kyle up with me, and wrap my arms around him. “Kyle, I have no doubt what so ever that I am going to enjoy everything about our night tonight.”

  Kyle closes his eyes for a moment, then leans down and kisses my forehead. His lips slide down, and his forehead is now resting against mine. He is looking at me through his lashes with a very concerned expression across his face. “Caroline, I….” Then he tightens his grip around me, and shakes his head back and forth slightly.

  I take my hand and lightly rub my finger across his jaw line and bite at the corner of my lip with worry. “What is it, Kyle?”

  He pulls back slightly, looking straight at me, and gives me a weak smile. “Nothing. Just, well, have you eaten yet? I’m starving myself; let’s go see what I have to eat.”

  I squint my eyes together, looking straight at him, and he just smiles again and turns toward his door, taking me with him. I know food has nothing to do with whatever was really just going through his mind. He obviously isn’t ready to say it right now, though, so I don’t push him. Something inside me just ached, and I really don’t like the thought of Kyle being hurt or upset about anything. The fear of me being a possible real threat of his pain to come is very hard to face. I have grown very fond of Kyle, but my heart and head still won’t get together, and, yet, I really don’t know if I can allow myself to hurt him. I am turning into my own worst enemy in a way. I would have so many crude things to say about myself if I were some other girl feeling and going through the way I am behaving when it comes to Kyle and Eric.

  KYLE AND I spend the day together just relaxing, talking, and really enjoying each other’s company. Once it’s time to start getting ready, we take a very extended shower together, and then I make him leave the bathroom while I finish getting ready. He still hasn’t seen “The Outfit”, and I want to be completely ready before he does. Kyle laughs and pouts at my persistence to kick him out, but he agrees to go warm up for tonight while I get ready.

  What feels like a very extended time later, I finally step out the door and head for the steps with my death trap shoes still in hand. I have smoothed out my hair completely down my back and went all out on the smoky eye effect. I have on the long dangling earrings and bangle bracelet Tara insisted I wear. I have to say, I look pretty damn hot—even though I am still nervous I might somehow fall out of this top.

  As soon as I come into view of the sofa, where Kyle is playing his guitar, he looks up and his guitar drops from his hands, landing on the floor. My hand flies up to my mouth, and I stop suddenly. “Shit Kyle, you just dropped your guitar. Is it ok?”

  His expression is very stern and erotic as he walks over toward me, saying nothing. He is looking very sexy as he comes my way. His jeans are a little tighter than per his usual, but not overly tight. They sit low on his hips and have worn out spots in all the right places. He has on a plain white shirt with a slight v at the neck, and it fits tight around his biceps. There is a black leather strap wrapped around his wrist, and he has on his biker boots. I really feel the need to rub my nails down him from head to toe, and then back up again.

  I am biting at my lip when he reaches me and he takes his thumb and firmly pulls down on it, releasing it from my teeth. His breathing is a little heavier than normal, and his eyes have this intensity to them that I have never seen before. His hand reaches behind me, and once it touches my bare skin on my back I let out a moan as a shiver runs through me. Kyle still hasn’t said a word, but a loud rumble runs through his chest and up his throat. His fingers dig into the skin on my back, where a bra strap would normally be, and then his mouth captures mine.

  I drop my shoes to the floor and cup his ass in both my hands. Our kiss is very intense and unforgiving, and it has an immense heat running all through me. I just got myself into this outfit, but I am more than ready to take it off again now. I’m not sure how long we stand there invading each other’s mouths, along with our hands roaming and gripping. Once we finally both pull away, our breathing is very heavy, and it feels like the heat in the room has been turned up to inferno mode.

  Kyle takes a step back, with his hands still on my hips, and looks me up and down again. “Caroline, what the hell am I going to do with you tonight? This is going to be the hardest night ever; trying to concentrate on the show and watching your sexy ass in front of me. I might be the one dragging you off to some dark room I am going to have to find. Tim is going to be a real nightmare tonight after seeing you.”

  I feel the heat rising hotter to my cheeks and down to my core. “Kyle, whenever you feel like you guys need to take your be back in fifteen, I am sure I will be more than willing to oblige. You are looking mighty damn hot yourself. You have no worries, though, with this Tim, or anyone else. I promise you, tonight I have eyes only for you.”

  Kyle’s lips pull together tightly. “I would like to make it to the point where I know every day you only have eyes for me, Caroline. Remind me to thank Tara for this outfit, by the way. I can see part of your tat from the back side, and all I want to do is rip it off and take you right now. I am only worried every other guy is going to be thinking the same thing as me when they see you. I don’t want to ruin it, though, and we really have to get going so I can meet up with the guys in time.”

  I look down at my top, and then back up at Kyle. “I brought different clothes, too. I can go change if you think this is too much. I am still a little worried about it myself. I don’t want to take any chances of my girls popping out, even though Tara promised me as long as I tie it up right there are no worries.”

  “Hell no; don’t change it. You are like my own personal dream standing in front of me right now. I will make sure I am the only one undoing the tie on this later tonight. Along with the music, the thought and vision of that exac
t thing is what is going to keep me amped up throughout the whole show. I can’t wait to get you back here, and into my bed.”

  I rise up on my toes, and take Kyle’s mouth with mine again. Once I pull away, Kyle shakes his head back and forth and lets out a grunt. I walk over to the sofa, and sit down to put my shoes on. Kyle reaches down and picks up his guitar, and carries it over to his case to put it away. Once I have the shoes all strapped, I stand and walk toward the island to grab my phone and slide it into my pocket along with my lip-gloss.

  “Ok, I am all ready when you are, Kyle.”

  Kyle stands up straight, and turns around with the guitar case in his hand. He looks over at me, and then his eyes roam down. “Son of bitch, Caroline; you’re fucking killing me here. Are those Tara’s added touch too?”

  I feel the shy expression come across my face, and I look down. “Well, I can’t say these came out of my closet. I have never owned any shoes with quite this look before. I own heels, but not exactly these kind. I do like that they make me feel a lot taller, though.”

  “Unless you decide you don’t like, them I will buy you your own pair, because I want to see those wrapped around my waist and shoulders.”

  I just went weak at the knees when Kyle said that. “Ok Kyle, if you are suppose to be meeting up with the rest of the band we better go. Otherwise, with the way you have me feeling right now we might not ever leave this house.”

  Kyle walks over to me and glides his finger up my arm, and another shiver runs through me. “I am seriously contemplating canceling. The only thing stopping me is knowing you will be coming back here with me tonight. Do you have a coat of some kind to put on?”

  “Oh shit. How, with all the planning Tara had to do, did she possibly forget about a coat? How did I forget? I hate being cold.”

  Kyle walks over to the coat closet, and walks back over to me with a black leather jacket. “Here; wear this. I will love having you in my coat any way. I won’t be needing it, since I already feel like I just stepped out of an oven.”

  I smile up at Kyle as he slides his coat onto my arms, and then pulls my hair out from underneath. He leans in for one more kiss, before we head out to his car.

  WE ARRIVE AT Lee’s, which is the drummer’s place. Kyle was right about Tim, because as soon as I walked into Lee’s house he rose from his seat and walked right up to me, grabbing my hand and kissing it. He stared right into me as he introduced himself. Kyle stepped in, giving Tim’s shoulder a slight nudge, and introduced me to everyone as he kept his eyes trained on Tim. “Guys, this is my Caroline; the one I have been talking to you about. Tim, you are going to have to find your own girl for the night, because this one is mine.”

  I look between Kyle and Tim, and then they both get a smile across their face. Kyle’s is a little less happy, but, obviously, they know how to deal with each other. Tim gives Kyle’s shoulder a pat, and nods his head. “I will try my best to remember that, Man. What are you going to do about all the other men that are going to be around her tonight, though? Trust me, it is going to happen.”

  Kyle’s shoulders fall slightly. “Yeah I am aware. I have faith, though.”

  Kyle looks over at me and smiles, and I give him a big smile back. I haven’t even taken his coat off of myself yet, and now I am nervous to, since I can still feel Tim watching me as they get things together to head out. Lee’s wife, Taylor, comes over and hangs out with me as the guys finish up. She has gorgeous red hair, and some of the longest legs I have ever seen on a woman. She also has a lot of skin showing with her outfit, yet somehow still looks very classy. We fall right into conversation, and it feels like I have known her for years, rather than minutes.

  We have to get to the show before the rest of my friends are due to show up so everything can get set up. Kyle takes my coat when we walk in to the bar, and, suddenly, all eyes are on me. I feel my face turn red, and Kyle wraps his arm around my waist and leans in to kiss me. He looks back up at all the guys. “Like I said, mine, so all hands off. Got it?” The other guys hold their hands up in the air in front of them, but their eyes are still on me. I feel like I am on complete display, and I feel like I really shouldn’t have worn this now.

  Taylor walks over to me, and starts laughing as she places her hand on my shoulder. “No worries, Caroline; men are likes dogs: they can’t help but pant when they get over heated. They will get their dicks re-adjusted in their pants, and their heads back in the game, before you know it. You look great, by the way. You can’t blame them for noticing.” I look over at Taylor, and can’t help but start laughing back at what she just said and the expression across her face. I feel a lot more relaxed already, and I am very grateful for her presence.

  All the guys just grunt and speak muffled protests at Taylor‘s comment. Kyle reaches over, lifting up my chin to face him. “You doing ok? Sorry about that.”

  “No; I am good. I guess I knew this attire was going to bring attention, but as long as you like it; that is all that matters. Plus, I have Taylor to keep me company while I wait for the others, so I’m all good.”

  Kyle gives me a very mischievous grin and winks at me. “Oh, I think we already know how I feel about your outfit. It is a lot more than just the outfit that has my attention, though.” I lean in and give him another kiss, before he walks away to help with everything. Taylor and I walk off to find a place to sit before we go pick our spot on the floor.

  “So, you and Kyle have been hanging out for a few weeks now, right?”

  “Yeah; I met him at his work when I was there for my friend, Raleigh’s appointment. She will be here later tonight, so you will get to meet her too. Kyle really is a great guy.”

  Taylor looks at me and squints her eyes in thought for a moment. “You know; I am usually pretty good at picking up on people’s feelings quickly. I can’t quite grab what I am picking up from you with Kyle, though.”

  I jerk my head toward her quickly with a very confused look. “I don’t mean that in a bad way, Caroline. I just tend to take good notice on people’s feelings toward one another. See, I am a couples counselor, so I guess I never really let the job stay at the work place alone. I am always overly observant of two people together. I can tell you that Kyle has talked about you a lot in the time he has known you, and it has been a long time since I have seen him act like this. Kyle is a couple years younger than Lee and I, but they have been friends since middle school, and Lee and I have been off and on since High school. We finally got married last year, though, and I couldn’t be happier.”

  Taylor pauses for a moment, watching me, and I just sit there frozen with my mouth slightly open. “I would never try and push anyone into something they are not positive about. I have seen way too many cases of mistaking love, and lost causes. So, I just want to tell you—and I hope this doesn’t upset you, since it is probably over stepping my boundaries some—Kyle really is, or actually has, falling for you, Caroline. So just be aware of that. Relationships are never easy, and you can’t force the heart into something that it just can’t be. So basically, no matter what you choose I will understand. I am not saying I will be happy about it, but I will understand. Kyle really is a great guy, and he is a strong guy too, so I know he can pull through anything. Right now, though, I am pretty sure the only thing he wants is you—as in all of you.”

  I am still just staring at Taylor, but my hands start fidgeting in my lap. Shit, shit, shit, shit; what am I doing? I don’t even know how to answer myself, much less explain my feelings to someone else. “Shit. I am sorry, Caroline; that was way too much heavy for one night. One day I am going to learn to keep work where it belongs. Kyle is just important to us all; you know? Don’t pay any attention to me, though. You have to do what feels right for you. The rest will all just work its way out. Here; let me get you a drink. I think we can both use one after that. I hope I didn’t screw up your night. Let’s just try and pretend none of that just happened, and let’s have fun. Trust me; these guys are going to rock your world. They
act like they are really not that big of a deal—well, that is, all of them except Tim. Trust me, though, they kick ass.”

  I try my best and give Taylor a genuine smile as all her words still swim around in my head. I am going to hurt Kyle; aren’t I? God I hope not. I scrunch up my lips and give my head a little shake. “Yes; a drink sounds like a good idea. I really don’t know how to answer you about Kyle—other than to say that I can tell you he is very special, and I would never purposefully mean any wrong toward him. I think you are right about Tim, though. I can already tell he feels himself to be deemed rock god material.” Taylor gives me a smile, and orders us both a drink as I hand over my fake ID.

  TAYLOR AND I sit and talk awhile longer as we finish our drink. I am definitely ready to see my Raleigh and get some music started¸ though. They are going to be my therapy for my sudden overly active thought process. My enthusiasm has definitely taking a nose dive in the last half hour since Taylor’s little council session.

  The guys are now back out on the small stage, and Taylor and I go find our spot to stand for the night. I am looking down at my phone to read a text from Raleigh, when I feel warm arms wrap around me and moist lips press against my shoulder. A smile spreads across my face, as I turn my head to the side and kiss Kyle. “I just had to hop down here and hold you a while longer before things get started. Plus, I might have wanted to be seen by all the other guys piling up in here, so they know that you aren’t here alone.”

  I turn fully to face Kyle, and wrap my arms up around his neck. “Well then, Kyle, let’s make sure there is no question about that.” I rise on my toes and press my lips to Kyle’s, and then part them and make a visual show of my tongue going into his mouth. The place has gotten loud now, but I can feel the rumble run through Kyle as I roll my tongue around his. As I am pulling away, Kyle presses himself against my hip and I can feel the hard thickness of his erection through his jeans. He has a big smile on his face.