The Luminous Rock Series Box Set

by K E Osborn

  I hear her.

  I don’t want to fuck this friendship up before it’s even begun either.

  Let’s face it, if the tour loses Mercs because of me then that would be devastating.

  Treading carefully is the way to go.

  I slide out of the booth with her. “Don’t worry, Andi, I won’t fuck this up and let him leave the tour. No matter what.”

  Andi purses her lips and shakes her head in disapproval.

  Kristy smiles and leans in hugging me tightly. “I love you, Miss Bubbles. Go talk to your man,” Kristy states in complete opposition to Andi’s cold demeanor.

  “Love you, too.” I pull back kissing her cheek and turn back to thank Andi and Casey, but they’re too busy arguing over something for me to get in the way, so I shrug knowing that argument is probably about me and Mercs, and walk off to find Alana.

  She’s sitting in a booth next to Luke, deep in conversation, and as I approach I see them looking down at Luke’s cell. He’s holding it and scrolling through images while Alana leans into his side looking at them. They’re laughing, and there’s a closeness there that I hadn’t noticed before. I approach slowly, squinting to view the photographs, and I note that it’s pictures of the band from the show. Mainly of Alana while performing.

  My stomach flips slightly, but I don’t say anything, just clear my throat as I stand next to them.

  Alana turns to see me and smiles wide, not bothering to move away from Luke. She doesn’t shift like she’s been caught, or open her eyes wide like she’s embarrassed. Instead, she looks at me with excitement and waves her hand to welcome me. “Effa, come look. Luke captured some amazing snaps from the concert to put on our website,” she tells me, snatching his cell from his hand and raising it up to my face so I can see.

  Seeing a picture of Alana, I then swipe it to notice another one of her. My muscles tense, but I swipe it again to then see one of Casey, then another of Casey, then another of Casey. I relax slightly, observing that he’s taken pictures of us all, and I happened to come in right when Alana was looking at the pictures of her. I must have been reading too much into what I thought I was seeing with her and Luke, because surely there would be nothing going on with them, right?

  “Wow! These are great, Luke,” I praise and he smiles.

  “I know, right. He’s so good. I was saying he should take pictures at all the concerts, and we should have a page on the website with tour snaps. What do you think?” Alana asks.

  “Hey, that’s not a bad idea. Would you be willing, Luke?”

  “Yeah, I could do that.”

  “Cool, we’ll add it to the very long list of things you already do for us,” I tease.

  “Hmm… yeah. You certainly know how to keep me busy.”

  “Effa. Just the girl I wanted to see.” A deep sensual voice carries in from behind me, and I turn to see Jett stalking toward me.

  Smiling, I reach out to embrace him. His tall frame wraps around me and surrounds me in heavy cologne and the stale smell of tobacco. It’s almost an overwhelming combination, and not in a good way.

  I pull back as I look up at him, that mischievous smile plastered on his face, as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and looks from me down to Alana and Luke.

  My eyes bug out of my head as I suddenly remember that I was meant to discuss his idea with Luke. “Oh shit, I haven’t even had a chance to ask him yet, Jett. I’m sorry.”

  Jett shrugs and smiles as Luke raises a brow and shifts a little closer. “Ask me what, Effa?”

  Taking a short breath, I turn to Luke and blurt it out. “I think it would be cool if we gave Swift Division another fifteen on their set. Round it to forty-five. Instead of the half hour they currently have. I know it will extend the length of the entire show, but honestly, fans pay great money to come to the gig, so why not give them a little bit extra?”

  Jett squeezes me into his side, and Luke nods.

  “Okay,” Luke responds just like that.

  Jett chuckles, leaning in and kissing my hair.

  “Okay?” I ask.

  “Yes, Effa. They can have fifteen more minutes. I’m not a tyrant, the fans will love it. Plus, I’m in a good mood. So yes…” He smiles. “Jett, remember in Denver you’re not on at all, right?”

  “Yes, sir. We know that’s a specialized show. But we will be ready to go with an extended set for Montana.”

  “Okay then. Good. I’m all for it. Great idea, Effa,” Luke praises.

  “Oh, no, it wasn—”

  “Yeah, it was a brilliant idea on her behalf. She really is an amazing gal our Effa,” Jett interrupts, while pulling me with him and keeping his arm around my shoulders.

  Luke and Alana smile widely as we walk away.

  I look up to Jett and furrow my brows. “Why did you say that?” I ask pulling free from his grip.

  “Let them think it was your idea?”

  Nodding, I frown in annoyance. “Okay, are you trying to sugar me up again?”

  “No. Shit! I don’t want you to think that. I just wanted them to believe it was your idea, so they don’t think I pushed you into asking for me. I did it, so I didn’t look like an idiot. I did it for me, Effa, not to butter you up. I’m sorry if that makes me an even bigger asshole than buttering you up would have done, but I’m being honest here. I like you. I want to be your friend, and I don’t ever want to lie to you or hide anything from you. So there it is, black and white, with no sugar. I did it for my own personal gain, and I’m sorry I used you. I figured if they thought it was your idea, you’d get a pat on the back, and I don’t look like the loser who went to you, instead of being pathetic about not going to Luke myself.”

  “Why is everyone so fearful of Luke? He really is just a big old softy under all the bravado.”

  “Really? ‘Cause all I see is a mean looking surfer dude who’s more like a circling shark.”

  I snort—very unladylike—and follow it with a giggle. “Naw, he’s all right once you work him out. I’ve had four years at this, you’ve only had two months. Trust me, you’ll get there.”

  “Thanks, Effa,” he beams, then wraps his arm around me once again and leans in to kiss my forehead. I smile as I wrap my arm around his waist, giving him a hug back in return.

  It’s great that we get along so well, but my head isn’t in the game right now. My thoughts are focused on another man, and wondering where he is and how the hell I’m going to find him. Suddenly, a shudder runs down my spine and my breathing hitches. I look up at Jett, who’s now making eyes with the bar staff to order us some drinks. I spin in time to see Mercs staring at me.

  A gasp leaves my mouth as Mercs’ eyes catch mine. We stare at each other for what feels like an eternity, but it’s only a matter of a couple of seconds before he breaks the connection. Swallowing hard, I shake my head, then look to take in what he saw.

  Me, in the arms of Jett.

  Fuck!

  I swivel free from Jett’s grip, rolling out from under his arm and take off.

  “Effa?” Jett calls out, but I don’t stop to explain why I’m leaving him high and dry. I’ll have time for that later. Right now, I have a conversation that’s needed with someone who really matters to me.

  Racing over to Mercs, my heart’s pounding as he stands with Tank and Jay.

  Tank spots me first. “Hey Effa. Jay and I were just leaving,” he blurts out.

  Jay furrows his brows like he has no idea what the hell is going on as Tank drags him away. Mercs faces me, and my stomach flips at seeing him. He’s ridiculously good-looking, and it stops me in my tracks for a brief moment, completely distracting me. He crosses his arms over his chest and lets out a long huff. “Effa, I’m sorry about what was said the other morning. I don’t want to forget what happened. I don’t think you want to either?”

  “I really don’t.”

  Mercs reaches out and places his hand on my arm which sends a spark through my skin. It tingles and ignites a flame inside me that’s been mi
ssing all day. My breath catches, and I finally feel alive again. He’s reignited the fire inside of me with just a simple touch, and I gasp closing my eyes at the feeling.

  “Effa, please. Let’s talk.”

  Chapter Ten

  EFFA

  Opening my eyes, I look into his dark blue orbs, his are full of hope, and I simply nod as he reaches out taking my hand in his and begins leading me out toward the VIP balcony doors.

  We head outside, closing the doors behind us, the sound only slightly muted from the loud thumping bass of the heavy rock music. But at least out here, there’s a fresh breeze caressing my blazing skin. We walk over to the edge, neither of us saying a word, an awkward feeling filling the warm air that surrounds us. I grab hold of the railing encasing the balcony decking and look out to the Phoenix city streets.

  My heart skips a beat as I risk a glance at Mercs to see him studying me as he stands to look at me dead on.

  “Honestly, the other morning if I could take back the words I would. You’re important, Effa. I want to see where this could lead, but job security is important to me.”

  “I think you’re forgetting we sought you out, Mercs. Your job is safe. We need you around here more than anyone else. So I don’t think us being together as friends will affect anything to do with your job. I know you and Luke had words, but honestly, he’s more concerned about keeping you than losing you. As am I right now. Let me handle Luke. How about we think about ourselves and not everyone else?”

  He nods, and looks away from me and down to the bustling city street below. “My job means a lot to me, my sister needs my support right now.”

  I wonder what he means by that. But I choose to not push, I’m sure in time he will tell me more about what’s going on with his sister. “Okay, so what do you want to do? Should we try this ‘being friends’ thing or would you rather our relationship be purely professional?”

  “Fuck!” He opens his eyes and looks into mine deeply, taking my hands in his, sending a round of sparks through my tingling skin. “I don’t think I can do purely professional with you. Fact is, I haven’t been able to get you out of my head all day.”

  “You were on my mind all day, too. Even when I was singing at the concert tonight, I was thinking about you up in the rafters looking down on me. I want you to know that Jett and I were together only because we were talking shop. We were arranging Swift Division’s set and were hashing out the additional details. I can promise you there’s no attraction there… everything with Jett is entirely professional.”

  “Gotta say that guy gets under my skin.”

  Needing to feel closer to him, I place my palms flat on his chest trying to send some positive energy through. But all I feel is the sparks flying straight back into my hands. It’s intense, and he looks down as he brings his hands up and wraps his giant fingers around mine, enveloping them completely on his chest as we stare at each other.

  Our breathing quickens as I get lost in his eyes. It’s so intense, the power of the moment. I’ve never felt this shift before, like the planets aligning and everything is moving into the right place. It’s cosmic, it’s divine, and as Mercs shifts his hand from mine, in a swiping motion up my arm, his energy moves with it as he caresses my neck.

  I draw my bottom lip in by my teeth feeling his soothing touch.

  My head moves to the side slightly giving him access as his hand moves in behind my neck, his fingers fisting in my hair, moving from his sweeter side to a more aggressive Mercs. But I like it. His other hand is still holding mine on his chest as his hand in my hair pulls me forward toward him. I gasp as I take a step, more like a trip, and my breathing escalates as our eyes stay glued to each other. With both my hands pressing on his chest, I feel the flow of energy between us. It’s insatiable, it’s incredible, and it’s so wonderful that I’m feeling lightheaded.

  The thump of the music is almost being drowned out by the heavy reverberation of my heart as it thwacks against my chest, thump after excited thump. He pulls me closer, and as he leans down toward me sparks shoot off in all directions.

  His fingers thread through my hair tightly, making this more intense as he forces my head upward. I swallow hard, staring into his dark blue eyes which are boring into mine with such insatiable lust that I might explode on the spot if he doesn’t kiss me already. He leans down. I press up on my toes to gain some extra height, my fingers digging into his chest.

  Mercs licks his lips, making me look at them as he pushes forward and presses his lips to mine hard, full of need and want. My heart leaps into my throat as energy ignites inside of me. It feels like a parade is waiting at my lips, bursting to get out and see the world. It’s like an explosion of fireworks littering the night sky, bursting in bright colors, illuminating the dark air making everything luminous and glowing, filling me with excitement.

  He pushes me back against the balustrade, and I let out a small harrumph as I hit it, but I continue to kiss him anyway, as he moves in grinding his hips against me. I moan into his mouth while his hand covering mine spreads, and his fingers loop with mine as he grips me tightly.

  With my free hand, I move it up to caress his cheek, just needing to hold onto some part of him a little more. His stubble tickles my palm as we kiss more frantically now. This has moved from exciting, to hot and tempting, and my thighs clench together to dull the ache between them as my clit throbs in time with my frantically beating heart.

  He lets out a throaty groan, as I feel his cock begin to harden against my stomach and I smile against his kiss, just as someone wolf whistles from the street below us. I can’t help but laugh into his mouth as the moment is broken, and we finally part lips.

  Mercs looks into my eyes, foreheads touching, as we both pant heavily for breath. His tight grip on my hair loosens, and he moves his hand down and around to my cheek gently caressing it, then he leans in pecking my lips tenderly once more for good measure.

  “You taste like berries,” he murmurs with a broad smirk.

  “Oddly enough, so do you.” I giggle thinking the exact same thing from when we had our first kiss.

  He chuckles, pulling me from the balustrade and into his arms. “Must be from all the berry water I’m consuming.”

  “That’s my favorite water, too,” I reply and he smiles.

  Finally, our entwined hands on his chest move down to our sides but continue to stay joined.

  “Mercs, this will only work if we have our communication on point. Being on tour is hard. It will test even the most amazing friendships…” I give him a smile, “… and now, we’ve added amazing chemistry to ours. We have to be honest with each other all the time, okay?”

  “Yep, but we have to be exclusive. Otherwise, for me, this won’t work.”

  I smile and try to hide my excitement. “Exclusivity I can do.”

  “We have the next four months together, let’s make the most of it.”

  “Yeah, but I’d like to take this slow, whatever this is with us. I don’t usually have attractions like this, so I want to find out where it can lead.”

  “You’re not scared of being honest are you?”

  I shrug. “No point in hiding how I feel. You ignite something in me, and I like that Kaden. I don’t want to risk screwing around with something that could be great.”

  He pulls me to him and licks his lips. “Say it again,” he murmurs confusing me. Furrowing my brows, I shake my head slightly. “My name… I usually hate people calling me by my name, but when you say it… it sounds sexy as fuck.”

  Giggling, I smile and wrap my arms around his neck, having to lean on my toes even though I’m in my boots. “Kaden,” I whisper and he groans, leaning in pressing his lips to mine a little softer this time and kisses me gently. A spark sizzles over my lips like popping candy, and my stomach flips at the thought of spending the next four months on tour kissing him and exploring our chemistry together.

  He slowly eases the kiss and pulls back looking into my eyes. “Can I ask y
ou something?” Nodding, I weakly smile wondering where this might go. “What’s your name?”

  I let out a small giggle.

  “Oh, come on… it can’t be that bad. Can it?” He grins.

  “It’s not bad as such. My mother named me after her grandmother, and well… my mother is not someone I admire. So anything to do with her I kind of reject.”

  He nods. “Hence the stage name?”

  “Yeah, I know Effervescent isn’t really a name but it suits me, I think.”

  Mercs nods and his lips turn up into a wide smile as I take a deep breath.

  “Vespa… it’s Vespa Carrington. See… nothing rock and roll about that.” I sigh, and he pulls me closer to him and leans down kissing my forehead.

  “Well, Vespa Carrington, I like it. But you’re right, Effa definitely suits you.”

  Looking up into his cheerful eyes, I cuddle into him. “So, do you want to stay at the party or…?” I leave the question hanging in the air a little, to let him make his own conclusions on where this might go tonight.

  His exhales. “As much as I want to come back to your room with you… trust me, it’s all I’m thinking about right now. I respect the fact that you want to go slow.”

  Smiling wide, I like the fact that he listened and respects my wishes.

  I knew he was a good guy.

  “You’re a real one in a million, you know that?”

  “Thanks. But you’re the catch here, not me.”

  “Let’s agree to disagree, but I do want to ditch this place. Come back to my room, and we can just talk? Get to know each other better?”

  “Great. Sounds good.”