by Jayne Frost
“What’s up, Logan?”
“You still in your room?”
“Yeah. We’re…I’m heading out soon.”
“Who’s we?” He snorted a laugh. “Never mind…ditch the bitch, we got to head out to Arlington.”
“I told you, I’m out today,” I muttered. “I did the interview with Wendy, and—”
Laughter erupted on the other end. “That’s fucking perfect, man. Is Wendy still there? I had to cancel a shit load of interviews today to get this sound check done. If Wendy can come and do an on the spot promo, that would be great. Plus, you could probably nail her in the limo on the way back.”
I winced, my stomach roiling at the thought of Wendy. “Dude, it’s not Wendy.” I lowered my voice when Lily walked in. She got down on her knees and lifted the dust ruffle on the bed. “I told you I have plans today.”
I reached down and cupped her ass. She swatted my hand away.
“You’re going to have to cancel,” he said. “That fucking stadium is a beast. There are lighting issues, acoustic issues. The Jumbotron alone is the biggest one in the country.”
Raking a hand through my hair, I looked down at Lily, seated on the floor putting on the pink Converse she must have been searching for.
“All right,” I muttered, “but this isn’t an all-day thing. I’m not doing interviews. Don’t even ask, Logan.”
She looked up at me, her concern growing deeper by the second.
“Do you want to share a limo? Chloe said—”
“No,” I snapped, “I told you I’d be there, and I will.”
Hitting the end button, I threw the phone on the bed and paced with my fingers laced behind my head.
“What’s wrong?” Lily was on her feet, standing in front of me.
Blowing out a breath, I shook my head. “Lily, I’m so sorry,” I began.
Stepping back, she crossed her arms.
“I’ve got to go to Arlington. There’s a sound check. Something isn’t right with the acoustics. I really wanted—”
Placing a hand on my arm, she cut off my rambling apology. “It’s cool. I’ll cancel it.” She winced. “There’s going to be a penalty. I’ll try to talk them out of it, but I don’t know.”
My shoulders relaxed, all the tension leaving me.
“Don’t cancel the whole thing. I still want to take you to the museum tomorrow.” Lacing our fingers, I kissed the back of her hand. “And the ballet tomorrow night. I promise.”
“You don’t have to make any promises. We’ll just see how it goes.” Lifting up on her tiptoes, she pecked my lips. “Let me get my stuff so you can get out of here.”
“You’re going with me.” I maneuvered around her to root around for a clean t-shirt and jeans in my open suitcase.
“No, I’m not.” She grabbed her panties off the floor and threw them in her purse.
“Why not?” I stepped into a pair of jeans and pulled a black t-shirt over my head. “We can get something to eat afterward.”
It had never crossed my mind that she wouldn’t be staying with me tonight. And tomorrow. I glanced at the clock again, my stomach tumbling. Crossing the room, I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on my socks.
“I don’t have any clothes here,” she said, pulling down the waistband of her jeans. “I’m wearing your boxers, for Christ’s sake.”
She was fucking adorable when she got flustered. Between the pink in her cheeks and her expressive brow, she’d never last one minute at the poker tables in Vegas.
Grabbing her hips, I pulled her forward until I was eye level with her chest. I moved my hands down the outside of her thighs and back up, taking my t-shirt that she was wearing along for the ride. Planting a kiss on her breast, I caught her nipple between my teeth when it hardened, holding her tighter when she squirmed.
“Just knowing you’re wearing my boxers. That they’re right here,” running a hand over the front of her jeans, I slid it between her thighs and rubbed, “is about the sexiest fucking thing I can imagine. I’m getting hard just thinking about it.” Kissing the other breast, I grabbed her hand and pulled it to my crotch. “Don’t make me go all the way to Arlington with a hard-on, baby.”
She tugged my hair, pulling my face up to look at her. “How’s it going to be any better if I go to Arlington with you?”
Rubbing my chin across the top of her breast, I reached around and cupped her ass. “Arlington is almost an hour away. Have you ever had sex in a limo, Lily?”
Lily insisted on sneaking out the side door and waiting in her car. Searching the parking lot, I pushed open the door of the limo, and Lily jumped out of her car, nearly bowling me over as she climbed in. Pulling the door closed, I moved toward her on the seat. She fell backward, locking her legs around my waist. Leaning over her, I hit the intercom button.
“Yes, Mr. Knight.”
“I’m on a conference call.” Swallowing hard, I looked down at Lily. My pants were open, and her hand was inside. “Ah…no interruptions. No exceptions.”
“Very good, Mr. Knight.”
With one tug of my belt loops, she had my jeans and boxers around my knees and my cock in her mouth. Groaning, I grabbed the seat, digging my free hand in her hair. She gripped my base, stroking and sucking until my stomach coiled.
“Lily.”
She lifted her hooded eyes, sucking harder.
“Baby, please,” I clenched my teeth, fighting the urge to give in and let go.
Releasing me, she pursed her lips. “What’s the matter? Am I not doing it right?”
Falling back on the seat, I pulled her forward until she was straddling me. “Of course, you’re doing it right.” I pushed the hair off her face. “Too fucking right. I’m going to come in less than a minute if you keep that up.”
“Isn’t that the point?” Her hand wandered between us, and she grabbed me again.
“That’s one point.” Reaching down, I pulled off her shoes, giving her a sly smile. “I’ve got something better in mind.”
Sliding to the floorboard, she shrugged off her jeans while I grabbed the condom I had stowed in my front pocket and shoved my pants around my ankles. She watched me roll the condom on, yipping when I pulled her up to sit astride me.
I grabbed the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head without taking it off. Fisting the fabric behind her back, I locked her arms in place, my eyes never leaving hers. Yanking one of her breasts free, I gripped the t-shirt tighter, holding her in place as I clamped onto her erect nipple. Stilling her arms, she pushed her chest forward, whimpering softly when I pulled back to barely skim my tongue over the hardened peak. Fisting my shaft, I scooted forward a fraction until I was at her entrance, sliding the head back and forth over her slick center. I groaned loudly when she sank down on top of me, taking me to the hilt.
Releasing her arms when her eyes went wide, I grabbed her hips. She slid her eyes shut, biting her lip until it lost color.
“Baby, open your eyes.”
They fluttered open, locking on mine as she rolled her hips. Wrapping my arms completely around her, I laced our fingers behind her back. She lowered her forehead to mine, increasing the pace until she was slamming into me with every thrust.
Her pants heated my face, her brow going slick with sweat.
“I-I…Cameron…”
“Kiss me, baby.”
Her mouth was on mine, our tongues twisting and tangling as the first wave hit her. Her lips slid off mine as she groaned, slowing her rhythm to a grind when she broke apart, clenching my cock relentlessly.
“Yes…yes…” she mumbled, riding me into the ground.
“Lily…” I growled when the first spasm of my release hit me. “You feel it…Fuck, baby.”
She was all around me. She was everywhere and everything. My mouth was on her neck, breathing her in and tasting her as I pushed so far inside I didn’t ever want to leave. Loosening my grip, I rested my forehead against her shoulder, the sights and sounds and movement of our surroun
dings dragging me back to the now.
Pulling her back when she went to move, I held her tight. “Stay,” I breathed.
Stay with me. Today. Tomorrow.
I tried to see beyond that. But I couldn’t.
Chapter 11
When I clamped my hand down on Lily’s bobbing leg, she looked up at me and smiled nervously.
“This won’t take long,” I said, hoping like hell I was right.
The limo pulled to a stop in the shadow of the largest stadium I’d ever seen. Squinting, Lily looked out the tinted window, craning her neck.
“You’re playing here?”
“Not just us, darlin’.” Sliding on my sunglasses, I shifted in my seat at the sight of the news vans parked a few yards away. “There are six bands. We’re mid lineup.”
Nodding, she looked out again.
“Just a few more minutes, Mr. Knight,” the driver cut in over the intercom. “We’re waiting on security. There’s a lot of press around.”
Groaning, I pressed the intercom button. “Thanks.”
“Cameron, I’m not comfortable with this.” Lily scooted back against the seat. “I’m just going to stay here.”
“You can’t stay here.” I chuckled, grabbing her hand. “It’ll be fine. You’re with me.”
My smile fell away when Lily looked over at me, brutal honesty shading her blue eyes.
“I’m glad I’m the girl that’s getting the Cameron Knight treatment this week, but I could have done without this excursion. It only reminds me that this is a game to you,” she said quietly. “It makes it harder for me to pretend.”
Swallowing hard over the bitter taste in my mouth, I squeezed her hand. “Pretend what, Lily?”
She gave me a watery smile. “Pretend that I’m not just a girl you’re killing time with between shows.”
I could tell her that’s how it started. Make it clear that it was different now. But in the real world, it wasn’t worth the risk. The risk of broken promises and messy complications.
Pushing a hand through my hair, I rested my arm on the back of the seat, sliding on a mask of indifference.
“There’s nobody I’d rather be killing time with than you, Lily.”
She nodded her head, the smile never fading. It was frozen on her face, masking the sting of the callous words that rolled off my tongue effortlessly.
An awkward silence stretched between us, so unpalatable it twisted my stomach. It felt like we were waiting for ten hours instead of ten minutes.
Entwining our fingers when the limo door swung open, I anchored her to me, making a promise that I couldn’t speak out loud. For the rest of our time together, Lily would never see Cameron Knight again.
Pushing through the first wave of photographers, I slipped my arm over Lily’s shoulder. She burrowed closer to my side, her eyes on the ground, and her face turned into my chest. The paparazzi began their taunting and prodding when it was apparent I wasn’t in the mood for a chat.
“Cameron! Who’s the flavor of the week?”
“Look over here, sweetheart! Say cheese.”
“Who’s the hot piece, Cam?”
Lily shuddered, her steps faltering as she tried to keep up.
“I’m sorry, baby.” My voice rose over the taunts. “Just a few more steps.”
What the fuck was with all the media? Ninety percent of the time there was nobody at the venue. In the distance, I saw Lindsey with her arms folded over her chest, a smirk tilting up one corner of her mouth. In my haste to get to the field, I nearly plowed down a photographer that stepped in front of me. I’d seen the guy before. He was notorious for getting the best pictures. Candid shots of celebrities spewing obscenities or lunging at him.
Pointing the camera at Lily, he whistled. “Show me your tits, sweetheart. I’ll make you famous,” he jeered, his camera clicking frame after frame.
Lily’s head snapped up, her eyes going wide as the color drained from her face.
“You motherfucker!” I roared.
Lily’s hand clamped down on my arm when I lurched forward. The photographer snickered, hiding behind the camera as he swung it in my direction.
“Cameron—don’t.” She stepped in front of me. “This piece of shit is just trying to get under your skin.”
Squaring her shoulders, she pulled me forward, sliding her hand down my arm until our fingers were linked. I kept my eyes on the back of her head, a smile blooming on my face. She was amazing, this girl.
Grinding to a stop, I pulled her backward, her mouth dropping open in shock when I spun her around.
“Come here, you.” Ignoring the shutters clicking, I crushed my mouth to hers.
It took her a second to yield, to allow me this one gesture. I wasn’t hiding her in the dark. I wanted her with me in the light.
Breaking away from Lily’s mouth at the tug on my sleeve, I looked down at the perfectly manicured hand. Lindsey’s face was a mask of barely contained fury.
“Come on,” she hissed, pushing past the photographers, who scattered as we walked.
They got what they wanted. The money shot. Pulling Lily to my side, I dropped my hand to her waist, stroking the skin at her side as we walked.
“Good job, baby.” I planted a kiss on her temple.
“Wh—what the fuck was that?” Lily mumbled, startling a laugh out of me. “Are they always so…obnoxious?”
“Nah. They just wanted a couple pictures of the prettiest girl out here.”
She snorted, her shoulders relaxing as we made our way across the field.
“Who’s that?” she whispered, lifting her chin to indicate Lindsey’s back.
“The wicked witch of the west, or as she’s more commonly known in the business, Lindsey Barger.” I looked down at Lily, arching a brow. “Our manager.”
Logan brushed past Lindsey like she wasn’t there and strode toward us.
“Hey man, it’s fucking crazy out there, right?” He ground to a halt, his gaze flickering from me to Lily. “Hey, Lily. It’s good to see you again.” Leaning over, he brushed a kiss on her cheek.
“Hi, Logan.” She gave him a brilliant smile. “How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain.” He moved to her side as we walked toward the group of chairs in front of the stage.
Pulling her toward me instinctively, I leveled Logan with a scowl when I met his gaze.
Smirking, he lifted a brow. I was more than willing to pummel him to the ground and give him a taste of the AstroTurf if he didn’t behave.
The smirk turned into a smile as he ambled along, whistling to himself. Sean and Christian were seated in the front row with their heads together when we walked up.
“Hey, asshole, about time you showed up,” Sean said, doing a double take when he noticed Lily at my side. He jumped up. “Fuck, Lily, I didn’t see you.” Mimicking Logan’s earlier gesture, he leaned in and pecked her on the cheek.
What the fuck was with these guys? They didn’t have manners, let alone chivalry.
“Hi, Sean,” Lily said, an adorable flush creeping into her cheeks. “Good to see you.”
She turned to Christian, reaching out a hand. “I’m Lily,” she said cheerily.
Taking her hand, Christian’s gaze shifted to mine. “Nice to meet you, Lily,” his lip twitching as he held back a grin.
Pulling her back to my side and out of their clutches, I reached under her shirt, splaying my hand on her stomach possessively. My heart was thumping, beating wildly against my ribs, despite my casual demeanor.
Logan looked down at my hand. He saw right through me. Saw what I was hiding. They all did.
“Caged—you’ve got thirty minutes.” The guy with the headset at the center of the stage motioned for us to come up.
All of our gear was set. The guys headed for the stage while I lingered for a second with Lily. I caught Logan peeking at me over his shoulder.
“This won’t take long.” Turning to follow the guys, I spun around and impulsively pulled her to me
for a kiss, lifting her until her feet dangled off the ground.
Her tongue wrapped around mine gently, in that way of hers. Calming me. If I could bottle it, have it with me always, I swear I would.
“God, you’re sweet,” I said, easing her to her feet.
“Right back at you.” She gave me a playful shove. “Now go to work, Mr. Knight.”
My stomach tightened. Lily wouldn’t be able to pick out Cameron Knight on the street. In the time I’d known her, he’d barely made an appearance.
Chapter 12
Again!” Logan shouted, glaring at me over his shoulder. I was looking across the field to where Lindsey and Lily were having a heated discussion. They stood toe-to-toe, with Lindsey towering over Lily in her five inch heels. Lily’s arms were folded over her chest, her mouth set in a thin line.
Since I missed the opening cue, Logan stalked over to me. “What the fuck is going on, Cam?” He followed my gaze to the two women, his tone softening. “What’s the dragon lady talking to Lily about?”
“Who knows?” I shrugged. “Let’s get this done.”
Logan hesitated for a second, studying me before he walked back to center stage. Letting my mind go blank, I turned my back and felt the music, blending the opening chords with Christian’s drum beat to perfection. Logan’s vocals rose up and filled the stadium, accompanied by Sean’s pounding bass. It was my song we were playing. My words and my arrangement.
Even in the light of day, the changing lights that kept time with the music spurred me on. Turning to Logan, I caught the glint in his eye. The same infectious spark that had brought us together years ago. Ambling over to him, I wailed into the mic, harmonizing easily. A group of girls stood off to the side of the stage. Groupies that showed up on the tour buses of the smaller bands who weren’t lucky enough to get hotel rooms. Strutting toward them, I smiled seductively, grinding my hips as the music poured out.
Logan joined me, vying for their attention. I playfully shoved him away, locking eyes with a girl that shoved her way to the front, shaking her hair and bouncing on the balls of her feet. Turning to her friend, they fused their hips and swayed to the music while they stole glances at Logan and me.
