“Anyways, how is it with Karma Life?” he asked with renewed enthusiasm, not wanting the conversation to take a morbid turn.
“Yeah really good. We don’t take it too seriously. Never have. Just try and have a laugh and enjoy life! We’re not particularly keen on the label, they try and push us around too much. For now, we’re just taking the money and biding our time.”
Jonny was surprised, he hadn’t got any inclination the record label was pushing Karma Life around. In his naivety he thought record labels always looked out for their bands. Needed them.
He cautiously asked, “Do you think you will leave the label eventually then?” Hoping she wouldn’t say yes. He had only just got to know her and having her ripped away from him so soon so wasn’t going to happen. The risk reinforced his intention to not pussy foot around from now on.
“Maybe, but the contract is pretty tight. We’ll see how this tour goes. We’re loving America and that’s good enough for now.” She yawned. “Shall we make a move then?”
Jonny looked at his watch, a Longines WWW with a luminescent dial. It was still on GMT time.
Given it as a present from his grandparents for his last birthday. Looking at it always reminded him of the stories his grandfather told about serving as a private in the Army during World War II. Jonny thought it was old fashioned in style, but he loved it all the same. His grandparents didn’t have much money and they still lived on a council estate, in the same two bedroomed maisonette they moved in to when they married forty years ago. Where Jonny was born. All five of them: his grandparents, parents and him crammed into a two bedroomed flat for the first few years of his life. They loved him unconditionally and he felt the same about them. Knowing he could turn up at their door at any time of the day or night and they would welcome him. No questions asked.
It was fiddly to adjust the time on the watch and, when he realised there were different time zones across America, he decided against trying to keep it accurate. Anyway wasn’t that what Jim Bob was there for?
He reckoned it must be well after midnight. The constant drifting in of diners when they first took their seats had dwindled. The servers stood around tables already set up for breakfast. Anxiously waiting for the last few customers to depart.
“Yeah, come on then.” Jonny stood up and offered his hand to Eliza. Reaching out, he pulled her up. She was lighter than her tall frame hinted at and came quickly towards him. For a moment they stood nose to nose before Jonny turned, placed a ten-dollar bill on the table and lead her silently out of the diner.
The Austin night air was cool. Jonny took off his leather jacket and draped it around Eliza’s shoulders.
The jacket still warm from Jonny’s body. She inhaled his scent: aftershave and cigarettes, mixed with the smell of leather. She clasped the lapels of the jacket together to prevent it from sliding off, leaving her other hand free to take up Jonny’s.
She was usually fiercely independent when it came to relationships and holding hands wasn’t something she did, but strangely she yearned for Jonny to take hers. It was reminiscent of a feeling when she was a small child.
They walked off silently into the darkness, past the bars and clubs. Some empty and dark; some ejecting the last of the revellers who had overstayed their patronage. Jonny squeezed Eliza’s hand whenever one of the evicted drunks came too close, steering her wide of the danger.
A vivid memory suddenly flashed into her mind of holding hands with her father, crossing the road and dodging the trams in front of Amsterdam’s Central Station. Safe. That was it. Holding Jonny’s hand, she felt safe.
They reached the compound near the stadium where their tour buses were parked up. She could see them at the far end of the compound, near to the stadium trade rear entrance. Curtains closed and lights out like two sleeping elephants.
The security guard was in his booth watching tv. Feet up on the desk and sipping black coffee, probably to keep him awake throughout his night shift. He dropped his feet to the floor when he spotted Eliza and Jonny walking towards the gate. Placing his plastic coffee cup down, he reached across the desk to slide open the window in the booth.
“Can I help you?”
Jonny answered, “Yeah, we’re with the bands in the buses over there but don’t want to wake them up. Is there a motel close by?”
“Thought I recognised you.” He pointed at Eliza. “The closest is Sunrise - on the next block. They’ve a twenty-four hour reception.” The security guard pointed beyond the compound. An illuminated "S" from the motel sign standing proud of the neighbouring buildings.
“Great. Can you let them know where we are in the morning?” Jonny gestured towards the tour buses.
“Yep, sure thing.” The guard nodded and retreated into his booth.
With purpose, Jonny lead Eliza to the Sunrise, only letting go of her hand as they reached the reception.
She waited outside whilst he picked up the keys from the night porter and paid the fifty dollars upfront for the room.
Watching him take charge of the situation she pondered. Why was she keen to hold his hand? Why didn’t she object to him paying at the diner? Why didn’t she protest when he enquired about a motel without asking her first? Why was she just stood there whilst he was booking a room? Probably a room for two. Probably with just one double bed. Why?
She didn’t know why. It just felt right. The sensation between her legs told her that.
Their room was right in the middle of the warren of corridors. On the second floor overlooking the swimming pool.
The moonlight bouncing off the glassy surface of the pool in the courtyard. If Eliza was less tired and the night any warmer she would have stripped off her clothes and jumped into the pool. Skinny dipping at night was something she loved to do.
But not tonight. Tonight she wasn't in command. Jonny was.
Jonny opened the door to their room, walked across to the lamp on the bedside table, turned it on and closed the curtains.
It wasn’t a patch on the hotel room they had spent the night in in New York. The furniture was basic, the soft furnishings old and tired. But it looked clean and smelt fresh.
And to be honest Jonny wasn’t about to put the brakes on right now. Leading Eliza back out of the room whilst apologising, "sorry hun the room's not quite right," was just so not going to happen.
He turned the lock on the inside of the door and pulled Eliza to him.
Putting a hand on each side of her head, gently grabbing fistfuls of hair and drawing her mouth onto his. He kissed her hard. Releasing the endless weeks of pent up desire on her lips. The sweet taste of vanilla milkshake exploding on his tongue like popping candy.
Eliza clasped her arms around his neck, his jacket falling from her shoulders onto the floor. Kicking off her boots she nimbly jumped up onto his waist and wrapped her long legs around him. Locking him into her.
Without releasing her from his kiss, Jonny walked her backwards towards the bed and softly placed her down on the middle of it. Her legs dangling off the side.
He pulled his t-shirt over his head and knelt down to pull off her shorts and panties. Her eyes widened at the sight of his perfectly toned chest and abdomen.
Leaning in to inhale her scent, his breath heavy where she was most sensitive. She groaned in response.
Opening her up to him with his fingers, he ever so slightly licked her. Her hips bucked, urging him on.
She grabbed hold of his head and pulled her fingers through his hair. Wrapping her ankles around the back of his neck she opened herself up to him even wider.
He gently flicked her clit with his tongue again. It hardened in response. Twirling his tongue around it and sucking it hungrily, whilst fucking her with his fingers.
She arched her back and dug her finger nails into his scalp. Calling out his name at the same time as his fingers became soaked.
He crept up her body, kissing a line along her bare skin. Twisting his tongue around her belly button piercing. Nudging h
er t-shirt over her breasts with his nose.
He was pressing himself against her. Hard and straining in his jeans, grinding his hips on her. He nibbled her ear lobe and her back arched again.
"Jonny I need you. Now."
She reached down and deftly popped open the buttons on his jeans, pushing them down and over him. He stood up. Proud. Right up to his belly button. Eliza’s eyes became dreamy as she took his cock in both hands gently stroking from tip to base, around his tight balls and back up to his smooth and now slick head.
Jonny reached into his back pocket retrieved a condom and pushed his jeans down with his feet. He opened the package and rolled it on. Hooking his hands under Eliza’s arms he pushed her further onto the bed and crawled in between her.
Concentrating his movements on and around her clit. Teasing her. Making sure she was still wet before gently entering her. Small pushes at first, barely putting his tip inside. She grabbed hold of his backside forcing him all the way inside her.
Her moaning spurring him on, he thrusted hard and fast.
"Jon...ny!" Eliza was coming again, she dug her nails into his back and bit down on his shoulder as he raised his head backwards and let out a long low growl.
He laid down on her, his breathing laboured and whispered in her ear. “That was fucking amazing. You’re fucking amazing.”
She kissed him and they laid silently for a few moments, catching their breath.
He rolled off her and stretched his arm out to his jacket, taking a soft packet of Marlboro and his Zippo lighter from the inside pocket. He offered one to Eliza before laying his head on the pillow and taking a long drag.
She laid on her side, her head propped up by her hand, tracing her index finger over his chest. Her cigarette held centimetres from the few hairs he had in the middle.
“So when did you decide that was going to happen?” she teased.
“In London, at the Marquee. When I first saw you. Lit up before me… like an angel.”
“Really?” She closed her eyes, a smile set on her face. A smile that stayed put as she fell asleep.
Jonny carefully removed the cigarette from her fingers and slid his arm from underneath her. He went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth with the complimentary tooth kit and flushed his condom away. Looking in the mirror he studied his face, it was him, but a different him. More assured.
Back in the bedroom, and before switching off the table lamp, he stood at the side of the bed taking in Eliza’s sleeping form. He wanted to remember this moment and secure it in his dreams for ever.
She was more beautiful than he had ever imagined. Porcelain skin, long lithe limbs, perfectly formed petite breasts and a hint of soft down at the apex of her legs. Perfect. And he had just made love to her.
He switched the lamp off and crept into bed. Falling to sleep spooning his angel.
Chapter Thirteen
The hammering noise had broken through Jonny’s dream. It wasn’t Helen boarding his window up with plywood and nails. It was someone banging on the door.
Extricating himself from underneath Eliza’s starfish pose, he grabbed his jeans, pulled the sheet over her naked body and opened the door. It was Jim Bob.
“Hey. How ya doing?” greeted the manager.
Jonny wanted to say “fucking fantastic - never been better. I’ve just slept with the most amazing woman, ever. How about you?” But he didn’t of course. He was after all English and therefore polite with his greetings.
“Morning Jim Bob. You here to take us back?”
Jim Bob looked past Jonny to Eliza. “Yeah. I’ll wait in the cab. Just come down when you’re both ready. No rush.”
Jim Bob walked away down the corridor, whistling casually and spinning a leather strap with a small amulet around his finger. Obviously not fazed in the slightest by the union between Eliza and Jonny. Most probably seen it all before, thought Jonny.
Jonny went into the bathroom and turned on the shower before waking Eliza up. She was still sleepy, stretching out of the covers.
Jonny smiled. Fuck she is so hot. His erection growing in response.
The steam from the shower was creeping into the bedroom like an enchanting mist beckoning to the curious.
Jonny pulled on Eliza’s hand. “Eliza. Eliza, you need to wake up. Jim Bob’s just stopped by. He’s waiting outside for us in a cab.”
She let out a sleepy groan and yawned. “I need to pee.”
She let him lead her into the bathroom and with no embarrassment sat on the toilet.
Jonny escaped to the shower. Eliza followed.
They had been longer than intended but no less than Jim Bob had anticipated. He had gone across to the coffee shop and got them all take outs. The cab meter was ticking but that wasn’t of concern. Making sure they got back on the tour bus was.
Jonny climbed up the steps of the tour bus amidst a torrent of cheers and claps from everyone. Everyone except Simon of course.
Eliza’s return was a touch more considerate. The crew and band asking if everything was alright and more importantly if he used a condom.
Moving to a seat near the window, Jonny stared out at the passing vista. He still couldn’t believe he had actually spent the night with Eliza. Finally, after all these weeks of dreaming about their first physical encounter, it had happened and it was better than he ever imagined.
Then the doubts started to creep in.
His inner dialogue taking over.
Was it just a one-night stand to her? Well he couldn’t let that be the case. He’d have to just make another move.
What if she didn’t actually enjoy last night? Of course she did, she came twice. And then she wouldn’t have gone for round two in the shower this morning.
What if she just wanted sex and nothing more? Distinct possibility. He would have to "court" her, to use his grandmother’s words. He didn’t just want sex. He wanted all of her.
“Stop overthinking,” he told himself.
Deciding it was best to catch up on his sleep. He moved to the back of the bus and rolled onto his bunk, put his earphones in and listened to the Karma Life cassette he had bought back in the UK.
Falling asleep to her exquisite voice he dreamt they were on horses, galloping along a deserted beach.
Eliza was riding bare back. Her hair rippling behind her like a pennant, her white dress like the main sail. She was urging her palomino filly to go faster and faster through the breaking waves.
Jonny was on a shire horse, a huge stallion with a thick mane and tail. Sat on an American saddle, holding onto the horn with one hand and the reins in the other. Wearing black leather cowboy boots with white stitching and a black Stetson. Just like the ones he had seen in the shop in Austin.
Eliza glanced over her shoulder at Jonny. Despite its huge stride, his horse was struggling to keep up with her filly. She was shouting something back to him but he couldn’t hear her over the crashing waves.
Suddenly he spotted a large boulder ahead on the shoreline and called out to Eliza to warn her.
The dream then slowed down.
He watched in slow-mo horror as a wave broke over the boulder, hiding it from the filly.
It stumbled and then tried to jump at the last minute over the obstacle. Eliza was thrown into the ocean and by the time Jonny reached the boulder she was being dragged out towards the horizon by the strong current.
SCREEEECCHHHHH! BANG!
Jonny was catapulted out of his dream.
His thoughts still with the drowning Eliza.
He could hear men shouting obscenities, a low whistling sound and faint music from the bus radio. He picked himself up from the floor of the bus and walked gingerly towards the front.
There was steam hissing out of the engine, masking his view of the scene in front. A gust of wind blew the steam to the side revealing the devastation ahead.
The bus carrying Karma Life was on its side, fifty metres ahead of theirs’. The crew from Jonny’s bus were already outside run
ning towards the wreckage. His band mates stood at the side watching helplessly.
“Shit!” Jonny exclaimed, as he ran to the front of the bus and jumped in one movement down the stairs.
He was only wearing his boxer shorts and no shoes, but he was oblivious to the rough stony ground of the verge under his bare feet as he ran towards the wrecked bus.
“Eliza,” he called out frantically.
The crew were now crawling like ants all over the bus. Men being hauled up onto the top of the wreck; others trying to prise open the doors and break the glass to the windows.
Joe grabbed hold of Jonny as he ran past. “You’ve gotta stay here mate. They’re handling it. There’s nothing you can do. You ain’t even got any clothes on!”
Realising Joe had a point, Jonny quickly looked around taking in the unfolding scene. Jim-Bob was walking to the other side of the road holding his cell phone up in the air, desperate to get a signal. Their bus driver was sat down on the kerb edge with his head in his hands, a pool of vomit in front of him.
“What the hell happened?” Jonny shouted at Badger.
“Not sure. Seemed like they swerved to miss something on the road and hit a boulder on the verge which tipped them over.”
“A boulder?”
“Yeah, and we were so close behind them he couldn’t brake in time and we hit them square on.” Badger tipped his head in the direction of their driver.
“Is he ok?” Jonny asked.
“Think so. Said it was just the shock that made him puke.”
Jim-Bob ran back over to them and gave them an out of breath update. “I’ve managed to get hold of the emergency services, they are on their way.” Catching his breath, he stretched out his arms in front of them. “Right, can I ask you all to move farther away. Come on, back down the road.” He corralled them with his arms to the safe spot he wanted them to occupy.
Jim-Bob then turned his attention to the seated driver. “Burt. Burt. Burt!” Nudging him gently with his foot he brought him back to his senses. “Have we got any automobile emergency warning kits on board? We need to stop anyone else from crashing into the back of us.”
Falling for his ANGEL_A Rock Star Romance Page 9
