Her curves, her feminine softness ... all his for the taking and he couldn’t believe his luck.
♫♫♫
Catriona
Standing there before him wearing nothing more than a smile that she hoped was sexy, her whole body shivered, only it wasn’t due to a chill. It was down to the way he trailed his gaze over every inch of her body, his mouth turned up at one side as he swept his long hair sexily back from his face.
“Your turn,” she whispered nervously. She was desperate to look at his naked form too.
He stood and reached to grip his T-shirt at the back of his neck before tugging it off and discarding it. His tongue swept across his lower lip as he kept his darkened gaze locked on her face, although she couldn’t help the fact that she was feasting her own eyes on his muscular chest and carved abdomen with its fine smattering of hair that disappeared into the waist of his jeans. He used one foot to pull off a boot and then the same with the other before flicking open the button on his jeans and dragging the zipper down.
His hair fell forward as he stooped to pull the denim from his thick thighs and once the jeans were thrown aside, along with his fitted black boxers, he swept it back again. And then he stood, feet slightly parted, broad, tattooed chest on display for her hungry gaze to enjoy, arms held at his sides. She followed the curve of his large biceps along to his deliciously strong forearms and gasped as she observed his arousal waiting, ready to take her.
She tried to calm her breathing but he was devouring her with his eyes as he slowly stalked toward her. He circled around her like a hunter assessing his prey and her breathing rate increased as she anticipated his next move. From behind, he slipped his hands around and cupped her breasts whilst nibbling on her neck. Sensations of sheer, decadent pleasure set every nerve alight and every rise of her chest caused her nipples to brush his palms. His fingertips traced a path down her body, over her stomach and into her intimate flesh and she almost convulsed and collapsed. He teased her for a few moments until she was on the brink of the abyss but then he stopped and took her hand once more.
They came to a halt beside the bed. “Lie down, Catriona.”
Something about the way he said her full name caused a spike of pleasure at the junction of her thighs and she followed his instructions. Once he had collected a condom from the night stand and sheathed himself, he crawled onto the bed and, propped up on both arms, he readied himself between her thighs, poised at her entrance, watching her with hooded eyes that somehow seemed to be connecting with her soul.
As he entered her his mouth came down on hers and he inhaled deeply as she slid her hands around and gripped his firm bottom, digging her fingers into the taut flesh. She arched her back as he withdrew and slowly, too slowly, slipped back into her eager body. The sensation of him melding into her was so incredibly erotic and sensual. And she wanted to stay beneath his body, revelling in this intimate connection as long as possible.
He suckled her neck and manoeuvred so he could caress her breast. The bliss of this combination caused her muscles to tighten and Nick growled his own pleasure.
“You feel so good around me, Cat. I’ve never wanted anyone so much. Never.” His movements began to speed and something began to build deep inside her. This was an entirely new sensation. She gasped and he thrust harder.
“Oh, Cat ... oh fuck,” he groaned. His eyes locked on hers as the pleasure continued to build until she could hold back no longer. Her muscles began to contract and she cried out, gripping his body as he too followed her into the abyss, crying out his own impassioned release.
As they lay there floating back to earth, they held each other close and remained in their silent cocoon of closeness. The weight of his body on hers felt deliciously right and their limbs stayed tangled together for what felt like hours as they shared tender kisses until they both drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Twenty Six
Catriona
Cat sat on the couch, curled up in a ball, holding her glass of red wine in one hand and leaning on the other as she stared into the flames of the fire she had built in the stove. She heard Nick enter the room and felt him lean on the squashy cushions to kiss the top of her head.
“Hey, Mister Sleepy.” She grinned at him when he took his place next to her on the couch. He was shirtless and wearing a pair of joggers.
He yawned and stretched. “Hey yourself. The look really does suit you, you know?”
She tilted her head to one side. “What look?”
With a raise of his eyebrows he informed her, “Post orgasmic bliss.”
“Ah.” She chewed on her lip and tried not to giggle like an idiot. “I hope you don’t mind but I found some pizzas in the fridge and I’ve stuck them in the oven. I’m starving.”
“I can’t think why. And yay, I win.” Not completely understanding what the competition was, she shrugged and he laughed. “Well, remember you said first one home makes dinner? But ... I got you for dinner and a pizza thrown in, cooked by you, for good measure.”
Dammit. “Oh yes, I’d forgotten about that. Well, I think you owe me then.”
He leaned toward her and kissed her shoulder where the T-shirt she had borrowed had slipped off. “Will payment in kind do?”
“You’re insatiable, Mr Dacre.”
He continued to kiss her bare flesh. “Only for you, Miss McCreadie.”
As they sat on the rug in front of the fire, eating their pizza, Cat decided to do a little investigative questioning.
She swallowed a mouthful of cheese and tomato as she plucked up the courage to begin her interrogation. “So, what’s it like to be a famous rock god?”
He dropped his slice onto his plate and wiped his fingers on the kitchen paper acting as a napkin. “It’s ... crazy. That’s probably the one word that’s most fitting. And tiring.”
“Tiring?”
He sighed and took a sip of his wine. “Yeah. The travelling, the hotels, the fans screaming at us. I think these boy bands today look at the likes of us and think it’s all fun and games. The typical sex, drugs and rock and roll thing. But it’s really not like that.”
She snorted disbelievingly. “Oh, come on. You must like it a wee bit. You get to buy whatever the hell you like, get to sleep with models, drive flashy cars.”
He shrugged. “Money is fun until you have so much that it begins to mean nothing. There are only so many cars, so many clothes and so many holidays you can buy. And the women ... ” His voice trailed off uncomfortably.
“And the women?”
“Again, young lads coming into this business think that having a skinny blonde girl on your arm is what it’s all about but ... ugh, this is going to sound so bloody corny.”
She felt sure that if the light in the room was brighter she would see a rosy tint to his cheeks. Kicking him with the tip of her toes she insisted, “Come on, Random. Spill it. I happen to be quite fond of corny.”
“Okay, but don’t go getting all defensive and sulky when I say what I’m going to say because it happens to be a compliment, okay?”
“Shut up blethering and just tell me.”
He took a deep breath and butterflies took flight in Cat’s stomach. What the hell was he going to say that was so bad?
“Okay. The blonde women with the fake boobs. Some of them don’t look so good the day after. And there’s nothing sexier to me than ... ” He shuffled over to her and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Than a natural, drop dead gorgeous woman with soft breasts and curvy hips. I love the way your back dips in and your bottom sweeps out again. I love that I can lay my head on your breasts and feel comfy. I love that you don’t plaster make-up over your face so it hides your real beauty. And I absolutely can’t get enough of kissing your collagen free, full, soft, sensual lips.” His hand slipped into her hair and he kissed her long and slow to apparently prove his point. Well, she couldn’t argue with that now, could she?
She sighed and closed her eyes, letting him lavish attention on her lips
in the way only he could. When she had floated back to earth again she realised her appetite for food had completely disappeared. Funny that.
“So do you ever get called a boy band?” She smirked as she asked the question that elicited a cringe from Nick.
“Unfortunately in the early days, we did, yes.” He began to laugh, his shoulders shuddered and his eyes crinkled. He looked so cute. Cat waited to be let in on the joke. “In fact ... it pissed Den off so much that he had T-shirts printed with our logo on them and the wording above it read ‘They’re no boy band, they’re ... ’ and then you read the logo. So for months we would be playing to packed out venues filled with girls wearing these stupid T-shirts. It was hilarious. He’d only done it for a joke but it really caught on.”
Cat giggled along with him. “It kind of sounds like you should have been wearing capes too.” As she sat there she placed her hands on her hips, puffed out her chest and spoke in her best American accent. “Are they a boy band? They’re no boy band ... they’re Sonic Idols ... Idols ... Idols ... ”
Nick carried on laughing. “See, bloody ridiculous! But people really got into it. It was even on posters in magazines. Honestly. Fecking crazy.”
Their laughter subsided and Nick eyed her as if he wanted to ask something. He opened his mouth but then closed it again and shook his head.
“What? Nick, you clearly have something to say. And I suppose it must be your turn.”
“I was wondering ... How can someone who loves music as much as you do just ... not play?”
“The last time I really played anything, properly I mean, was at my mum’s funeral. I played a song called ‘Wild Mountainside’. It’s such a beautiful song. Quite melancholy in a way but it seemed to fit, you know? But after the funeral I put my guitar away and couldn’t bring myself to get it out again. My mum loved to hear me play. I suppose she was biased but she was my biggest fan, really. Losing her was ... She was my best friend in the world. I suppose ... I suppose music just doesn’t mean as much with her not around anymore to listen.” She swallowed hard and a familiar stinging sensation began at her eyes. “Oh, sorry. Listen to me putting a downer on the evening.” She wiped at her eyes.
He pulled her close and kissed her head. “You haven’t at all. I think it’s wonderful that you were so close to your mum. Although I don’t see mine that often I really don’t know what I’d do without her.”
♫♫♫
Nick
Hearing Cat talk about her mum made him realise how much he had missed out on by being away so much. The tours were fun to begin with. But the more he did the more gruelling it became. He loved the performance side. He loved writing new material. But he just wished he could do it all from the comfort of home. A beautiful house with enough land around it so no one would complain about the noise. A huge kitted out recording studio and practise rooms where the band could stay and live during the times they were writing new albums. Somewhere beautiful and relaxing where he felt at home.
Not London with its crowded streets and people walking around ignoring each other and looking daggers at those who dared to pass the time of day. Or worse still, running scared for fear of some apparently friendly stranger turning out to be a crazed, knife wielding lunatic. No, London was far too impersonal. Far too fast paced. He was getting to an age now where he could imagine putting down roots.
Belonging somewhere.
Belonging with someone.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Nick
More rehearsals were arranged with the band and that, luckily, meant Nick got to spend time at the pub with Cat. Every time Rockhill practised she periodically popped her head around the door to listen, as would Tam.
He loved to see her bobbing her head to the music and would secretly watch her in his peripheral vision when he was supposed to be listening to the band.
She was simply stunning.
All curves and sexy long hair, with the most kissable lips he had ever had the pleasure to taste. There was no doubt in his mind that she far outshone any of the women he had bedded in his past. Even if he couldn’t quite remember some of his conquests, he knew in his heart that she was the best he’d ever had. And deep down he knew the reason for this was that it wasn’t just about sex. Of course the sex was mind blowing but they talked too. They laughed. They did all the normal things real couples do. But the stark realisation that they weren’t exactly a real couple created a sinking feeling in his stomach.
What they were experiencing was akin to a holiday romance and he was beginning to dread the day he would have to leave. Sadly he was very much aware that the time was fast approaching; after all, he couldn’t hide out in Scotland forever, regardless of how tempting that prospect was.
He knew without asking that Catriona wouldn’t leave this place to go with him on tour. And anyway, they had known each other for such a short time that to even ask would be utterly crazy.
“Why don’t you just ask her to marry you, Nick? It’s obvious you’re in looove,” Grace teased as the rest of the band made kissy faces.
“Never you mind. You, my little songstress, have only got two weeks to get learning your lyrics, so crack on and leave my private life to me, you cheeky mare.” He winked and she made a face at him as she giggled.
His phone vibrated in his pocket and he slipped his hand in to retrieve it. Den’s number flashed up on the screen. He rejected the call so his manager would have to leave a message. He had a feeling he knew what the call would be about and wasn’t ready to hear it yet.
Another rehearsal over and Nick waved goodbye to the rest of the kids, but once again Liam hung back.
“Well done, Liam. You’re really getting the hang of that bass. And it looks like you’re enjoying it too.”
Liam beamed with pride. “Yeah ... I’m loving it. Oh, and take no notice of that lot. With the teasing and stuff. Although ... I reckon you and Cat would make a great couple. She’s really ... lovely you know.”
Nick pressed his lips together and nodded. “Well, thanks for that, Liam. Duly noted, mate.”
“Oh, and ... I did what you said. I ... erm ... stopped playing hooky. My mum is saving up to buy me my own bass guitar now. The one from school’s okay but ... it’d be great to have one of my own.”
“Oh wow, Liam, that’s fuc—erm, that’s awesome, mate. Well done.”
Liam raised his hand in a wave and pushed through the doors.
Nick paused for a moment as a mixture of emotions bubbled up inside of him. He couldn’t believe his positive words had actually affected the lad but he was so happy they had.
He cleared his throat and took a deep breath before walking through to the main bar.
Tam’s face lit up when he set his eyes on Nick. “Those wee ‘uns are sounding grand, Nick. You’re doing an amazing job with them.” He placed a pint of beer down on the bar for him.
Nick picked it up and took a long, refreshing pull. His throat was like an arid desert from shouting instructions over the music. “That’s just it though, Tam. It’s not like work at all. I’m having too much fun to class it as a chore.”
“Aye, well it’s clear you love your music. Cat’s just through in the house if you want to go on in. You can take your drink.”
He held up his glass in a gesture of cheers and made his way through to see Cat. He could hear her moving around in the bathroom and decided to wait in her bedroom to surprise her. The room smelled divine, just like Cat. Floral and fresh, and the décor was very feminine. Unlike his bachelor pad back in London, Cat’s space had warmth and personality. Photos of her with her friends lined her dresser and a pin board held more happy snapshots of her family memories. She was a cute kid, and from the photos it was clear she looked just like her pretty mum.
He placed his glass down on the night stand as he spotted the book Cat was currently reading and picked it up. The cover depicted a woman who was clearly tied up as some kind of captive and there was a muscle bound, long-haired, shirtless man
cupping her chin and gazing lustfully down at her.
“Catriona McCreadie, you saucy mare.” He chuckled.
Hands covered his eyes from behind. “Guess who.”
Cat.
He smiled widely. “Erm ... let me think ... It’s a tricky one ... No ... no ... give me a minute.”
She slapped him on the head and huffed. “Charming.”
He turned and flopped onto the bed, pulling her to stand in the space between his parted thighs and slipped his hands around her waist. “Aww, you know I only have eyes for my wee Scots lass,” he told her in his ‘mockish’ accent.
She burst out laughing. “Good grief, your Scottish twang needs serious work. You’ll be saying ‘See you Jimmy’ next.”
“Well, maybe you can teach me. I’m a fast learner.” He raised his eyebrows and allowed his double entendre to settle in.
Her cheeks coloured cerise. “Nick, my dad’s only through there.” She nodded in the direction of the corridor that led through to the bar.
“Well, maybe you can accompany me home tonight and show me the ropes.” Another double entendre—which hinted at the book he had just discovered she was reading—causing an even more intense colour to flush her porcelain skin. He loved to wind her up. It was so easy to do. He pulled her into his lap and whispered in her ear, “I’m only teasing ... and you know how much I love to tease you. Every part of you.” He ended his sentence with a suckle of her neck.
She shivered and tilted her head as he continued to pepper her pale skin with kisses. She moaned and the sound made him harden beneath her. But remembering Tam could walk in at any minute, he lifted her to a standing position and gave her bottom a quick, light spank.
The Worst of Me Page 19
