by K E Osborn
This is so cool!
“Hey baby, will you be okay in the mixing room while we rehearse?” Colt asks as we walk over to everyone else.
“Yeah, no worries. I’ll go wherever you need me to.”
“I want to be able to see you though, at all times. I need to sing to you,” he whispers in my ear then gently kisses my neck. It’s those little gestures that make my knees weak for him every single time. I smile at him and nod.
“Okay guys, now that we’re all here we want to try and lay this track down today. We have plenty of time so we’re going to get it right. It could be bigger than ‘Rapture’, so let’s put in one hundred percent and make this the biggest selling song of all time, yeah?” Rob suggests and the guys cheer. Anna and I giggle.
“Okay everyone, those who don’t need to be in here, out! Let's get this party started,” Rob says as Colt kisses my forehead goodbye.
“Good luck,” I whisper. He winks at me and Anna and I walk into the other room where a whole bunch of people are sitting behind a giant window looking into the studio, with mixing boards and other stuff I have no idea what it is, but it all looks very technical.
“Okay ladies, you can take a seat over there,” some guy states as we walk in. We head over to the two stools and take our seats.
“This is so exciting,” I say to Anna who giggles.
“Yeah, even though I’ve done this before, it still makes me nervous. I’ve no idea why though?”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Have you heard the song in full yet?” I ask and she shakes her head.
“Nah, I’ve only heard them play it acoustically, haven’t heard it all put together.”
“Yeah, me either, I can’t wait—”
“Okay, quiet in the studio please,” some guy calls out forcing me to stop mid-sentence. I look at Anna and grimace while she holds back a laugh. We focus through the window and a guy hands us each a set of headphones. I look at Anna and she smiles placing them over her ears, so I follow suit. Instantly I can hear the talking in the studio. The guys talking about crescendos and other words I don’t understand. Colt takes his place in the booth. Dingo sits down behind the massive drum set and Johnny and Hux pick up their guitars and they all stand around waiting. I can see Colt searching the room for me, so I wave gaining his attention. He spots me and smiles so wide that I’m sure his cheeks should be hurting. I can see Anna smirking out the corner of my eyes, but I stay focused on Colt. I mouth ‘I love you’ and he nods.
Everything goes silent and the guy on the equipment in front of us puts his thumbs up and the band all nod. Dingo starts playing an intense drum beat and then Johnny starts in adding to the already deep bass line. I smile instantly and Anna grabs my hand in excitement. Hux comes in with the guitar and soon after Colt starts singing in his deep rock and roll voice. The song’s slow, but has a constant rhythm that makes you want to move your body. I’m watching Colt as he sings, his eyes fully focused on me, while he holds his headphones with one hand and the microphone stand with the other. He looks like pure sex standing there singing to me and swaying to the lyrics that he wrote especially for me. I start to feel a slight throbbing between my legs and I cross them trying to take the delightful ache away. But watching Colt sing to me like he’s picturing me naked, makes me want to do very naughty things to him right now. I can’t get the image of him entering me slowly out of my head while he makes love to me with his eyes. This is intense. I can feel my breathing starting to escalate as he sings the chorus. I’ve heard the song before, but it is like I’m only just hearing it clearly for the first time, and I start to feel emotional. He was so scared that we’d be over that night in the hotel, and it’s only now that I realise he loved me even then. I sniff as my eyes fill with tears. I wipe my wet cheeks with the back of my hand and Colt smiles at me in the drum solo of the song. How can I go from ragingly horny one second, to feeling such overwhelming love that makes me bawl my eyes out the next? Colt’s a magician, I’m sure of it. The emotions I feel when he sings are indescribable. He has a way with words, and the way that he sings them makes me want to lock him away with me in a room for a year where no one can interrupt us. It’s magic, pure musical magic, and I know that this song, a song about me, is going to be massive for Colt and the guys, and I’ve never felt prouder of anyone in my life. The song slowly comes to an end and as soon as they stop recording I jump up and cheer, instantly embarrassing myself while everyone laughs. Colt chuckles watching me jump up and down while he takes his headphones off.
“I’ll be back in a minute guys. Lia can I talk to you outside for a sec?” he asks into the microphone so I can hear him. I nod, raise an eyebrow and take off my headphones placing them on my stool and walk toward the door. He takes my hand when he opens the door and pulls me out of the studio. He rushes with me down the corridor out of sight and I can’t help but giggle at Colt’s playfulness. Suddenly Colt turns me and pushes me against the wall, his lips crush mine as his body grinds into me. I open my mouth and our tongues find each other and that wave of pure desire comes flooding back within seconds. His hand caresses my breast as the other fists in my hair. His hand makes its way down my side to the top of my thigh and he pulls my leg up to wrap around his arse. He grinds his hard cock in-between my legs and I moan slightly as he bites my bottom lip. My hands claw at his back, pulling him into me as close as I can possibly get him. I want him, and I don’t care where we are. His tongue finds mine again as he kisses me forcefully grinding into me.
“Colt, stop dry humping Lia and get back in here,” I hear Dingo call out from down the hall. We part lips, both breathless and look toward the studio door to see Dingo and Johnny staring at us with giant smirks on their faces. Colt drops my leg as I steady myself against him, burying my face into his chest in embarrassment. He chuckles and pulls my chin up to look at him pressing his lips softly to mine once more, before taking my hand in his and walking us back into the studio to an applauding Dingo and Johnny.
I pace the bedroom floor frantically while Colt takes his time in the shower.
What the hell am I doing?
There’s no way I should be introducing Colt to Daddy.
This is a very, very bad idea!
There’s no possible way this will end well. My heart’s thudding against my chest wall so hard that I think it might actually burst through my chest and fall onto the floor, just in time for Daddy to stomp on it. I run my hand through my hair as I continue my pacing.
“You okay, baby?” Colt asks. I turn to look at him and he’s wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist and his chest is glistening with water droplets that are running down his tattooed chest and heading south, right to where I want to be.
“Lia stop ogling me and talk to me instead,” he says snapping me out of my trance. I shake my head and focus on his face instead of his rock hard abs and his drop dead sexy V leading down south.
“Lia!”
My head snaps up again and I exhale loudly. “Put on some damn clothes will you. I can’t concentrate with you standing there all wet and gorgeous and practically naked.”
He smirks and drops his towel to the floor and I’m pretty sure my ovaries explode. He chuckles and walks over to me taking my cheeks in his hands and pulling me up to look at his face.
“You just want me for my body,” he says with a smirk and leans in kissing me quickly and then walking back to his towel, picking it up and starting to dry himself with it. Well, at least he stopped me from thinking about Daddy for a minute.
Fuck! Daddy and Colt.
Shit! Colt and Daddy.
Shit!
Fuck!
I start to pace the floor again.
“Lia, it’ll be fine. I’ll be on my best behaviour. I promise.”
I scoff at him like he’s being an idiot. “Of course you will. It’s Daddy that won’t be,” I reply.
He chuckles.
“It’s not funny Colt. After meeting him you’re going to want to leave me for goo
d, I just know it.” I start to panic.
He walks over to me and holds me at arm’s length. “Lia, I’m not going to leave you. I can handle your father. Trust me I’ve dealt with worse.”
I open my eyes wide. “Oh really? Who could be worse at degrading you than my father? He’s done a pretty good job of it so far,” I say resting my hand on my hip and tilting my head waiting for his reply.
“The paparazzi. They degrade me all the time. For each lover out there baby, there are twenty haters. I’ve heard it all. So don’t worry, you’re stressing over nothing.”
I shake my head.
He has no idea!
Colt’s driving, which is weird in itself as we always have a driver. His car is nice, it’s a black XKR Jaguar Convertible. We’re driving along the streets of London on our way to Norman Manor. Colt knew Daddy was rich, but I don’t think he expected my family home to be a manor in the heart of Oxfordshire. My heart is still thudding ridiculously fast in my chest, and I can’t help but be concerned that today’s luncheon with my parents isn’t going to run as smoothly as Colt seems to think it will. We pull up on the cobblestone driveway and I exhale loudly as the roar of the engine stops.
“Baby, I know you’re worried, but trust me it’ll be fine,” he says taking my hand and kissing my knuckles before getting out and walking around to my door. I have to say I’m impressed with the effort Colt’s making today. He swapped his normal ripped jeans and black vest for a polo shirt and black slacks. He even wore the polo shirt with longer sleeves so it covers his tattoos. He doesn’t seem the least bit nervous at all. He opens my door and I step out and exhale loudly. He smirks and takes my hand while he carries a bunch of flowers in the other for Mother. I told him not to bother, but he insisted. My palms are sweating and I think I might even be shaking a little.
“You nervous baby? Your palms are all sweaty,” he says cheerily.
I scowl at him. “You know I’m nervous you bloody idiot!”
“Hey,” he exclaims stopping and turning me to face him. “I got this, okay? You know how I feel about you, that’s not going to change. So, will you stop worrying and let's just enjoy it?”
I exhale again and nod. “I’m sorry. Of course, you’re not a bloody idiot, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just anxious is all.”
He pulls me into his arms and holds me tightly. I wrap my arms around his waist and snuggle into his chest. The door to the manor opens and I see George standing there trying to hide a smirk. I let go of Colt taking his hand and walk toward the front door.
“George, how are you?” I ask and lean in to give him a one-handed hug. As always he tenses and pats my back, awkwardly.
“Miss Norman, it’s good to have you home, finally. We’ve all missed you,” he says as I pull away from him.
“Thanks, George. I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Colter Slade. Colt this is George our Butler. He’s been here ever since I was, what? Five or so, was it, George?” I ask trying to remember.
“Yes, Miss Norman. You had just turned five a week before I started,” he replies with a bright smile that makes his wrinkles more prominent. “You’d better come in. Mr. and Mrs. Norman are expecting you in the rose garden.” I nod my head and walk inside.
“It was nice to meet you, George,” Colt calls out as we walk away.
“You too, Mr. Slade.” We walk through the hall toward the back garden.
Colt’s looking around everywhere, taking everything in. “This place is massive,” he whispers in my ear making me giggle.
“Wait till you see out back,” I say wiggling my eyebrows at him.
He smirks and I lead him through the back doors and out to the patio. His eyes widen as he takes in the lush lawn that carries on forever and all the trees lining the driveway out back. I tug on his hand and pull him toward the garden. We walk down the stairs and along the little cobblestone path toward the rose garden rotunda.
“Seriously Lia, this is where you grew up?” Colt asks wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
I giggle and nod, he looks utterly amazed. “I wanna live here. Why the hell would you want leave?” he asks with a chuckle.
“Well, I left to live in London with Joseph, but we came here almost every weekend,” I answer feeling a little awkward about bringing up my ex. He nods and I can hear music coming from the garden. It’s classical, Daddy’s favorite. I’m excited to see my parents, but completely terrified to introduce them to Colt.
“Okay, you ready?” I whisper as we approach the archway for the rose garden.
He smirks and nods. “Lead the way, Miss Norman,” he says waving his hand for me to go through first.
“Why, ever the gentleman, Mr. Slade,” I reply in the poshest voice I can muster. He chuckles.
I take his hand and walk through until I see the rotunda. I squeeze his hand tightly when my parents come into view.
“Hi Daddy,” I call out. Both my parents turn and look at me. They smile brightly as we walk up the stairs to greet them.
Daddy walks over and hugs me tightly. “Let me look at you,” he says holding me at arm’s length. “You look skinny. Are you eating? Is he feeding you properly?”
I take Colt’s hand in mine again while Daddy looks Colt up and down.
“Oh, come now Ford. She looks exactly the same as when we saw her four months ago. Come here, darling,” Mum says pulling me toward her in her motherly embrace, then she kisses each of my cheeks. She looks over to Colt and her eyebrow rises and I can see her trying to hide a smile. I think my mother’s crushing on my boyfriend.
“Mrs. Norman these are for you,” Colt says handing Mother the flowers. She smiles and takes them smelling the fresh bouquet of irises.
“Oh, thank you so much, irises are my favourite,” Mum says. I smile while she gushes over Colt.
“Oh, Liz don’t be ridiculous. Your favorite flowers are roses. That’s why we have a rose garden that takes a quarter of my salary to maintain,” Daddy states. My mother frowns and places the flowers on the table.
“And you must be the rocker from Croydon,” Daddy states in such a way that it totally sounds degrading. Colt smiles and puts out his hand for Daddy to shake.
“Daddy, meet my boyfriend, Colter Slade. Colt meet Rutherford Norman, but everyone calls him, Ford.”
Daddy looks at Colt’s hand and scoffs. “You can call me Mr. Norman thank you, and put your hand away I don’t know where it’s been.”
“Daddy, stop it or we’ll leave.”
He grunts and walks over to sit down at the table. I look at Colt and mouth ‘sorry’ to him, but he’s still smiling and acting like he’s doing fine. God only knows what he’s really thinking.
“C’mon darlings, let's have tea.” Mother links her arm in Colt’s and moves with him toward the table. Colt pulls out the chair next to Daddy for Mother to sit down. She blushes and giggles and then sits down while he pushes her seat in.
“I could have done that,” Daddy mumbles.
“Oh Ford, when have you ever pulled my chair out for me?”
Colt walks around and pulls my chair out for me to sit and then he sits down next to me. I can’t help but notice the table has five place settings with the fifth one at the end next to me.
I wonder who else will be joining us?
“So Colter, if that’s even your real name, what are your intentions with my only child?” Daddy asks.
“Ford!” Mother asserts loudly while I sit there in shock.
“Straight to the tough questions. Okay, Mr. Norman, sir. As I’ve told you twice now, I care for Lia, a great deal. She means everything to me, and to be honest she makes me a better person. I live to please her and to make her as happy as she can be. She’s my everything until the end of time,” Colt replies never taking his eyes from mine.
Daddy scoffs. “Right, I bet you say that to all your groupies.”
“No sir. For one, Lia is not a groupie, and second of all your daughter is the only woman I am, and will ever be, i
nterested in. Full stop! There’s no one else who will ever compare to her, so I have no need to stray. I know my career makes you uneasy, but two of my other band mates are married and they have no problems in their relationships. I can’t imagine it being any different for—”
“So you intend to marry my daughter then, is that what you’re saying?” Daddy questions. I tense up as I look across at Colt and see him swallow hard.
“I, ah…”
“You’ve known Delia for four months, and you’re asking me if you can marry her. Is that what I’m hearing?” Daddy asks slightly louder. Colt turns a pale shade of white.
“Sir, I um—”
“Do you even love her?” Daddy yells while throwing his napkin on the table.
I look at Colt who actually looks like he’s about to throw up.
“Of course,” Colt says, quietly.
“Of course what? Say it then. Tell me you’re deeply in love with my daughter.” I take Colt’s hand under the table. His mouth drops open like he’s trying to speak, but nothing’s coming out. “You can’t can you? You can’t say you love Delia because you don’t. She’s just a joy ride until you get your next set of kicks from some other willing female. God Delia, can’t you see that he’s using you?”
Colt’s nostrils flare and my anger has reached boiling point. “Don’t you dare, Daddy! I know that Colt loves me. He doesn’t have to admit it out loud to anyone. Especially not you.” Tears are threatening now.
“Delia, no one will love you the way Joseph loves you, you know that. He’s good for you. Not like this… this gutter trash. I mean he’s from Croydon for crying out loud. I don’t even know what you see in him, Delia. You’ve become such a disappointment to your mother and me in the last four months. We don’t even know who you are anymore.”
