by Lauren Dane
She tried to move away, to let him do his thing, but he didn’t want her away. He wanted her close. So he merely tightened his hold on her hand and pulled when she tried to sneak away.
He chatted, signed autographs and answered questions as they headed toward the car waiting for them. Paul was there just behind them to keep things under control in case trouble broke out.
It rarely did. They had great fans. Supportive and enthusiastic.
They called her name now, he noted with a smile. She blushed and waved at them when they did, which only made them more excited.
“Thanks for coming out tonight, all. Nat’s only here for a few days, though, and I’m starving. I’m gonna head out.” He stepped back as many of them called out that they’d be there the next night, too.
He turned. “What do you guys wanna hear tomorrow?”
They yelled out a lot of stuff from the new album, which was already on the setlist. They liked to toss in a rarity here and there. Something they only played once or twice a tour, if at all.
And then he heard “Broken Open,” and he nodded. “Okay. I’m going to add one of those to the setlist. You’ll know which one tomorrow night.” He waved one last time, and they got into the waiting car and headed out.
He pulled her close, not caring that he was a sweaty mess. He needed to touch her. Burying his face in her hair, he kissed the top of her head. “Damn, you’re the best surprise present I’ve ever gotten. I can’t believe you’re here.”
She snuggled in closer. “Me, either. You guys were incredible tonight, by the way. It’s pretty amazing to see an arena show from the crowd, but backstage? I’m really proud of you, Paddy. What you guys have achieved is astounding. They love you.”
That meant everything coming from her.
“Thank you, baby.” He kissed her temple. “When did you get in? Why did you decide to come out now? I can’t believe you didn’t mention this yesterday when we talked.”
“I didn’t actually decide for sure until yesterday. Because of the library’s schedule and some mandatory vacation hours I had to take for budgetary stuff, I figured it would be a good time to dart out to see you. I arrived just a few hours ago. Mary arranged everything from this end. My stuff is in your room, so I hope that’s okay.”
“More than okay. It’s perfect. I’ve slept like utter shit since I’ve been away from you.”
She’d come to him. He knew how she felt about the whole wildness of his life on tour, and he’d been careful to let her know he wanted her there but not to push. That she’d made the trip to him despite all that, that she was relaxed against him and not clearly freaked out, meant a lot.
Back at the hotel, they’d gone in a back entrance and headed straight up to his room.
He kicked the door closed, locking it and giving her a long look. “I need you naked. I also need a shower to wash the show off. I think we can combine those things.”
Except she tossed her jacket and bag and stalked to him. One hand on his chest, she pushed him against the door and dropped to her knees.
“Holy fuck.”
She smiled up at him as he uttered that strangled curse. Kept smiling as she unzipped his pants and pulled his cock from them.
“I’m dirty and sweaty.”
“I know.” She licked from the base of his cock up to the head, and he watched, snarling as she swirled her tongue around the tip, all while her gaze was locked on his.
Caught in the magic of her appeal, of missing her and the aggressive need to fuck he always had when he finished a show, he leaned against the door and wondered at how lucky he was.
“You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Jesus, I’ve missed this.” He slid his fingers through her hair.
She knew him so well. Knew where to dig the tip of her tongue, where to lap at him, how hard to suck and to keep him nice and wet. It wasn’t very long at all before his balls had pulled close to his body and orgasm began to gather in his toes.
He’d started off close. He’d been wanting her even before she’d shown up. Had jerked off in the shower before he’d left for the venue. Thinking of the last time they’d been together. He’d taken her from behind, which he loved because he could see her ink, touch all of her at his leisure. He’d come as he recalled the sounds she made, the way she’d felt around him.
Even after that, he’d wanted her as he sang and knew she waited just to the left. Wanted her as she’d patiently held his hand as they’d woven down the halls through the crowds back at the arena. Wanted her as he’d breathed her in like oxygen in the back of the car on the way over.
And the reality of her, the hot wet of her mouth, the contrast between the mellow, public Natalie and this dirty siren who sucked his cock and loved it, was more than he could take.
He strangled out a curse and blew, and she never shied away. Instead, she kept on as wave after wave of climax took him. Finally, he pulled her to stand, kissing her as he pulled up his pants with one hand and dragged them into the gigantic marble-accented bathroom.
“Jesus.” He swallowed hard as he picked her up and set her on the counter.
“I told you, Paddy. I like it when you’re dirty.” She leaned in and kissed him, tugging on his bottom lip a little before sitting back.
“You’re going to kill me.” He kissed her once more and left her to turn on the double-headed shower.
When he turned back, she’d grabbed her shirt, pulling it up and off.
The red of her bra was perfect against her skin. Straps came up over the curves of her breasts, accenting them. The cups dipped so he caught the dusky pink of her nipple.
“I bought a few new things.”
“I approve. Let’s see if your panties match.”
He helped her down and knelt to get her boots off and then ridded her of the rest of her clothes.
Paddy grinned at the stylized SHR. Sweet Hollow Ranch was the name of the place that lent the name to the band on the belt she’d worn. Like a not-so-subtle brand. That same SHR was on the big iron gates at the entrance to their land and also on Damien’s drum kit and the custom work on their gear.
Seeing it on her revived his cock. Mine.
She looked down, a smile on her face. “Such recovery time. Another reason I keep you around.”
“I’m loving those panties.” Bright red, the same straps wrapping around her hips. Peeks of her ink here and there only added to that juxtaposition of her naughty/nice exterior.
“I’m sorry to have to take these off. But I need you in that shower with me so...” He hooked his fingers and pulled them down and off, tossing them over his shoulder. He slid his palms up her calves, over the muscles of her thighs. Standing as he kissed the curve of her hip.
When he popped her bra open, and she shimmied a little to get loose, he sighed. Happier than he’d been since before they’d left for the tour. He pressed a kiss against each nipple, licking them as they beaded to his touch.
Her fingers sifted through his hair as she held him to her.
He broke away, getting naked fast and pulling her into the shower with him. He’d eyed that bench earlier. But he had a use for it now.
“Let me take care of you.” She pressed a kiss on his chest, right over his heart before she took the shampoo. “Here, help me up.”
She stood on the bench and he backed up to her so she could wash his hair. He leaned his head back, his body against hers, supporting her and being cared for all at once.
Her fingers on his scalp felt so good, he groaned, letting her massage him for a good long time before he turned and helped her down, letting her slide against his body.
He rinsed his hair while she washed and conditioned hers, and then he drizzled liquid soap all over her breasts and began to rub soap-slick circles around her breasts and to her shoulders and back.
She brushed herself against him, side to side, and then after washing his neck and arms and chest, gave plenty of slippery attention to his cock and sac. So much he had to mak
e her stop.
“Quit that. Insatiable.” He kissed the tip of her nose and then her mouth as his fingertips found her nipples. Tugging. Pinching. Rolling them between his fingers until she panted.
“What is it?” He laid teasing kisses over her face.
“You’re killing me, Paddy. I want you in me. Please.”
Before he’d left, they’d both been tested, and the results had been clean. He’d never been naked in any other woman but her. Though the temptation in the years before she’d come back into his life had been high, he’d known enough people with STDs to resist.
Desire hit, hot and hard, so dizzying, he had to bury his face in her neck and hold on until it passed.
“There’s a big mirror in the living room. Across from the couch. I want to be in you. I want to watch you as I fuck you.”
She shivered and it wasn’t from the cold. They both rinsed off quickly and got out. He dried her off, kissing her as he did, and by the time he picked her up and she wrapped herself around him as he carried her out, he was beyond ready.
He set her down in front of the couch. “You need to be ready first.”
“I’m totally ready. I promise.” She took his hand, guiding it to her. “See?”
He teased her clit with a fingertip for a little while. Until she got that glazed look in her eyes.
“Now I need you to kneel facing the back of the couch. Hands on the couch. Ass out. Legs spread wide. I’m really hungry for you.”
She sucked in a breath, and he smiled, letting her see in his gaze how much he liked that.
She did as he told her to do, and he settled on his knees on the floor behind her. The couch was low, and he was tall, so the part of her he wanted his mouth on was at eye level. He leaned in and spread her open before he took long licks, humming at her taste. Humming at how good it was to be like this with her.
Her taste rushed through him. Taking over, blotting out everything else but how he felt about her. This angle meant she was all he felt, all he saw and tasted. Her scent lived in him, and when she came on a sob of his name, he was up, getting seated in a flash.
“On my lap, Nat. I want to see your face in the mirror, watch as I push in and pull out of you.”
He helped her get astride his body, facing away from him. His arm wrapped around her waist to brace her.
“Watch,” she murmured, and he did. The sight of her sinking down on his cock was nearly as good as the heat of her hugging around him.
Her eyelids slid halfway down as a pretty pink flush worked up her skin.
He kept watching as he took her breasts in his hands as she rode him slow and deep.
Home.
He felt, as he slid into the embrace of her body, much the same as he felt when he drove up the hill to the ranch. She’d become home to him in a way he’d never expected another human being to feel.
She was so beautiful, reflected, his hands all over her, her eyes half-lidded, the muscles in her thighs flexing as she moved. Even with the orgasm earlier, he was already close.
Then she leaned forward, bracing her hands on his thighs, her gaze meeting his in the mirror. Frank. Full of need. No shame as she took what she wanted.
“Yes, gorgeous. Take whatever you need.”
He held her hips, guiding her.
“Love being naked in you. Feel so good,” he mumbled, and she gasped her agreement with that.
“Missed this. Dreamed of it every fucking night. Jerked off so many times while I imagined you, and it wasn’t enough. Nothing is. Only you are.”
She shuddered around him.
He reached between her thighs, finding her swollen and ready for him again. He kept his touch light, circling slow and steady, knowing how sensitive she’d be after her recent orgasm.
The hum she made in response seemed to vibrate through her straight to his balls.
Without a condom, the clasp of her inner muscles was something he felt along his spine. Was more attuned to the tiny earthquakes inside her.
She groaned, her head tipping back, and exploded around him. He held a hand at her hip, keeping himself deep as she rolled her hips, inferno-hot and wet around him until he couldn’t do anything but come with her. So hard, so long, he wasn’t sure if he’d actually come twice.
Finally, he picked her up, cuddling her, as they got their breath back.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
SHE STRETCHED AFTER she’d gotten out of the shower once more, smiling as she heard him singing in the other room.
He’d be naked, she knew. He rarely wore clothes in hotel rooms. He tended to run hot, anyway. She, on the other hand, pulled on another pair of new underpants she’d picked up with him in mind a few weeks before. Emerald-green this time, with the lacing at the ass that he seemed to love.
She grabbed her sleep pants and wandered into the bedroom where she found a stack of his clean T-shirts. Smiling, she took one and pulled it over her head.
He spoke when she came out. “I ordered some food. I know you must be tired, but I’m starving, and I’d love it if you hung out with me awhile.”
“I can sleep when I get home.”
He turned with a smile that grew even bigger when he noted she was wearing one of his shirts.
“Don’t worry. I brought you a few to replace the ones I’ll undoubtedly steal while I’m here with you.”
He came to her, pulling her close. “I love that you steal my shirts. But you need to leave a few that you’ve worn so I can smell you on them. Once they get laundered, I won’t have that scent of your skin on them anymore.”
She smiled, incredibly happy. “God, I missed you.”
He kissed her quickly. “Good. I’d hate to be the only one.”
They settled on the couch as they waited for room service. She rested her head on his shoulder.
“We’ve sold out every single show. They want us to do more, but Damien won’t leave Mary, and he won’t be gone when she’s close to going into labor.”
“Good for him.”
He grinned, turning to kiss the top of her head. “Yeah, they came at me, trying to go around him. Appealing to me to talk him into more shows. As if I’d talk my brother out of being where he should be? His wife’s side when his baby is ready to come into the world? Who are these people? Sometimes, honestly, I just want to burn it all down and live on the ranch and make records and do small shows without all the label stuff.”
She wisely remained silent. She knew it was a struggle for them sometimes. They put their family first, and sometimes they got blowback from the label executives about it.
“They like money. I get it. I do, too. But they think in terms of bottom lines, and they don’t give a damn that Mary is pregnant or that Damien won’t risk her health by having her so far from home and on a crazy travel schedule when she’s eight months pregnant.”
“But you do.”
“Of course! We gave them a three-month tour. That’s enough for now. Later, after the baby comes, we might think about Europe and South America. But for now, this is good, and they need to back off.”
She patted his thigh. “Just underlining that. I know you do. Should I deal with the room service when it gets here?”
“You?” He made a sound. “You rest. I’ll handle all that.”
“Well, then, you’ll need pants.”
He laughed. “Oh, yeah. That.” He got up. “Be right back. Don’t move.”
As if she was going anywhere. It was warm where she was curled up, and the faint scent of sex hung in the air, making her smile.
Food arrived shortly, and she dived in along with him.
His phone dinged, and he glanced at it. “Jeremy sent me an email. It’s about you.”
Crap. She reached out, taking the phone. “I’d wanted to wait until tomorrow to tell you. Ezra said Jeremy would wait but not forever.”
“What’s up?” Paddy frowned but shoved half of the roll he’d just buttered into his face and in that moment, she loved him so much, eno
ugh to just share without hesitation. It felt so wonderful and real to unburden herself with him, like as a normal part of her relationship. Maybe she wasn’t so damned broken, after all.
“My father spoke to some crappy tabloid. Made out like he was the injured party, and I was a drug-addicted slutty slut bagging a rock star and ignoring his attempts to reach out. The poor single father who had worked his whole life to raise me right.”
Paddy’s frown went away, and he very calmly put his fork down. “He said what?”
She got up to retrieve the printed version of the “interview,” handing it to Paddy.
He read it over, his affable nature burning away into anger.
She felt horrible for ruining their night with her drama.
“I’m sorry.”
“What the fuck are you sorry about?” He nearly snarled it, and she started. “He’s the one who should be sorry, Natalie. He will be sorry by the time I’m finished with him. Don’t you dare apologize for him and his crap.”
Paddy pushed to his feet and began to pace. “He can’t continue to be allowed to manipulate and hurt you this way.” He shook the paper. “This mentions your mother. Again, he uses it to hurt you. And why didn’t you tell me about this yesterday? And you said Ezra told you Jeremy wouldn’t wait? How is Ezra involved?”
“I had lunch with him yesterday. He showed me this before I saw it elsewhere and someone brought it up for my comments. He didn’t want me blindsided.”
He went still, staring at her. “So you let Ezra fix it when I should have?”
“What?”
“How long did it take you to give me your trust? How hard did I work to gain it, and you just let Ezra have it?”
She blew out a breath, not expecting this at all. “I didn’t just let anyone have it. Ezra told me. And then I came here. To you.”
“That should have been my job. I earned that place in your life.” She sucked in a breath. This was one of his buttons obviously, and she’d pushed it, so she needed to make it right.
She tried very hard to figure out what to say next. “I don’t know why you’re upset. I mean, I’m hearing your words, but they don’t make sense to me. I need you to help me understand.”
