by Bowman, Dara
Fuck yeah.
Only problem is we go on tour in two weeks, and our lead backup singer just got herself engaged.
Sappy love shit.
Now we’re fucked, and we need to find someone to replace her, fast.
My mom mentioned that Cliff’s daughter sings, but I can’t picture this pretty little thing singing for us. Oh, I can picture her in all kinds of compromising positions, but she looks too pampered and polished to be a rocker girl. She wouldn't last five minutes on the road.
My mom must be losing her touch.
“Dinner’s ready!”
I turn my head, and see a small plump woman in the doorway, wiping her hands on a smudged apron.
My mom smiles, and Cliff motions to Annabelle. The room feels weird and awkward since I entered, and I wonder if something had happened before I got there. Whatever it was, I’m glad to move to a new location.
We make our way to the dining room, and I know I should be thinking about what we’re going to do on tour, but I keep smelling lemons and mints, and this damn girl is in my head now.
As if she knows I’m thinking about her, she looks back at me, and then looks away quickly when she sees that I’m staring at her. I’ve got a perfect view of her fine ass, and I plan on looking for as long as it’s sashaying in front of me.
We sit around a large dining room table, and a spread is already waiting for us. I help myself to the bowl of soup in front of me, and I watch Annabelle through the corner of my eyes.
She all but snatches the glass of Chardonnay in front of her, and I can’t help laughing as she gulps it down like a shot.
She looks at me, embarrassed, she knows I’ve caught her, and I see Cliff give her one of those parental warning kind of looks. She raises her eyebrows at him, grabs the bottle of wine that’s chilling on the table and pours herself another glass.
“So, Dominic, I was telling Annabelle about how you were looking for a backup singer,” my mom says helpfully.
Christ. Now I need to find a way to let this poor girl down.
Annabelle chokes on her wine and slams her glass down. She’s shaking her head in refusal. Hmm, maybe this is what happened before I walked in.
“I’m not interested in handouts,” she says hotly, and then she saw my mom’s injured look. “Thanks for thinking of me, Roxie, but I’ll keep trying it on my own.”
Now I'm intrigued. Most girls would fall all over this kind of opportunity, especially singers. Maybe rock isn’t her forte?
“Rock not your thing?” I ask casually, but I can’t help the snide tone. She probably sings Christian music, or Broadway.
“Actually it is my thing,” she snaps, “but I’m still not interested.”
“You sing rock?” I sound incredulous.
“Oh, Annabelle is a rock singer,” Cliff says proudly, “She had a very promising career until she –” he stops himself, embarrassed, and takes a big mouthful of his soup.
I see Annabelle squirm in her seat, and she blushes again. I almost care, but I’m too distracted by her pink skin. Her eyes are so fucking blue, and her eyelashes are so long that I just can’t help staring at her. I try to imagine her dressed in some tight, skimpy outfit and I get hard at the thought.
Get a fucking hold of yourself, man.
I think about my mom, and that does the trick.
My phone goes off and I glance down at it under the table. It’s a text message.
U around 2nite? I’m dying 2 suck ur cock again.
I don’t recognize the number.
Who r u?
The response is almost immediate.
Khloe.
Who the fuck is Khloe?
Sorry, baby. My mind is a little hazy today.
Again, she responds immediately.
Khloe from the hotel last night.
Right! I don’t remember what she looks like, but she gave great head. I send a quick text back.
Meet me back there at 11.
I was there for a party last night, but I’ll get another room tonight just for her dick-sucking lips. I can’t remember if she’s a brown paper bag girl, but that doesn’t matter. If I need to, I’ll drink again tonight.
My mom is giving me a pointed look, and I realize I’m being rude. I stow my phone away and try to focus on the dinner.
Besides the hot little piece of ass sitting across from me, I’m bored as hell. But I know it means a lot to my mom to have me here.
What were we all talking about again?
Oh right, this girl Annabelle is a rocker, and I was fantasizing about her in some skimpy clothes.
“So, Annabelle,” I say, but she quickly cuts in.
“Annie. Call me Annie.”
Well, that’s a start.
“Where have you played?”
She seems to hesitate. “All over LA,” she says dismissively. “I did have a gig at the Cherry Tower.”
I let out a low whistle. The Cherry Tower is about as good as you can get in LA. Most people make it from there. In fact, that’s where Diesel was discovered two years ago. We were just scraping by up until then, eating tuna fish out of cans, and crashing on friends’ floors. It all changed at the Cherry Tower.
“You had a gig?”
I can’t help but notice the past tense.
She blushes again and nods.
“What happened?” I press.
She’s been avoiding my gaze, but she looks at me now, and I can tell she’s had her guard up. Her baby blue eyes are wide and raw, and I can really see her now. She has let me in, but just for a second.
“Let’s just say I lost my temper.”
And then she’s gone, the mask is back up, and she starts eating her fish.
Well, fuck me, because now I’m thinking about Annabelle, or Annie, singing at the Cherry Tower and losing her temper, which somehow cost her a sweet gig.
Maybe I’ll ask around.
If I remember.
I’m sure someone knows the story.
My mom starts asking me about the new record, and I can’t help but brag about it. We’ve been on all kinds of shows, playing on the Tonight Show, and Ellen, and even out on Rockefeller Plaza for the Today Show. We’ve been flying in a private jet, which has been sweet as hell, but we’ll have a tour bus once we go on the road.
When I look up, Annabelle, I mean, Annie, is gone.
Where did she go? How did I miss her getting up?
“Where’s the bathroom?” I ask suddenly.
Cliff points down a hall, and I excuse myself and walk briskly down the hall.
I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, and I can’t quite explain why I said I need the bathroom when I don’t even need to take a leak.
There’s something about this girl. She’s like an enigma. Dressed all high society tonight, but talking about rocking out and getting fired from the Cherry Tower. It’s badass, and I need to know more about her.
As if to answer to my thoughts, a door opens, and she comes out. The hallway is tight, and we suddenly find our bodies nearly pressed together.
Her eyes look red, as if she’s been crying, and she gives me a nasty look.
Not how I was imagining this fantasy.
“What are you doing?” she accuses.
For once, I’m speechless.
“I’m – I’m taking a piss,” I snap, as if it should be the most obvious thing in the world. Shit. I didn’t mean to be so rude.
She shakes her head at herself. “Sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
I decide to take what I want.
I press her up against the wall, and push my body hard against hers. I feel her tits soften and flatten against my chest, and her mouth pops open in surprise. I take full advantage, pushing my lips against hers, and I slide my tongue into that pink little mouth.
She tastes just as sweet as she smells, and I run my tongue over her tongue in long luscious strokes.
She still hasn’t moved, and I figure she likes it, so I slide my
hands along her thin dress, and grab her hips, before rearing back and thrusting my pelvis into her.
I moan with desire.
She’d be like heaven to fuck.
She starts to move, and I know she’s responding to me now, realizing how damn good it feels.
That’s when I double over and howl with pain.
Chapter Four
Annie
I knee Dom Dresden, hard in the balls, and watch with satisfaction as he cries out in pain.
Fucking jerk!
Who the hell does he think he is?
He catches me coming out of the bathroom, after I’ve gone on a mini bender about Sid, and he has the nerve to push me against the wall and kiss me?
Okay, maybe I liked it.
A lot.
But that's the problem.
He felt so good, his strong muscular frame pressed against me, his tongue wet and warm in my needy mouth. Honestly, I feel beyond flattered, and I understand why groupies drop their panties for him. I nearly spread my legs for him right here.
But that’s what I used to do.
That’s exactly how it started with Sid. I fucked him the very first night.
And if I’m being honest, that was my MO for all the other guys, too.
But I’m not like that anymore.
And I don’t care if he’s Dom Fucking Dresden. He had no right to kiss me like that.
“You crazy bitch!” he wheezes, doubled over. “What did you do that for?”
“Maybe because your arrogant self-important ass kissed me!”
“Don’t pretend you didn’t like it.”
What a jackass!
“I didn’t!” I hiss, even though it's a complete lie. “You might be used to getting all the tail you want, but I’m not like that!”
I feel like a fraud just saying that. I'm so glad that I look more prim and proper right now than I usually do.
“Do you know how many girls would love what just happened?” he asks crudely.
I let out a bitter laugh. “I’m sure they’re just lining up for you.”
He winces slightly at my jab, good, I don’t care to be around him one more second.
“Dickhead,” I mutter, as I turn on my heel and leave.
I sit back down at the table, and resume my dinner. Daddy and Roxie are deep in conversation, but Roxie smiles kindly at me when I return. How could she have given birth to that piece of shit back there? She seems so nice.
“Annabelle, I would really love to hear you sing. Your dad says you have a lovely voice.”
I give her a tight smile. “Not tonight.”
“Oh, please, honey. I haven’t heard you sing in ages,” my dad begs. I forget that I’m probably going to need to ask him for a new car soon.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
My dad looks so hopeful, that I can’t disappoint him now.
I sigh dramatically.
“Fine.”
Roxie claps her hands as if I’ve just promised to take her to the circus and my dad beams.
“Perfect! We’ll go in the music room in a few minutes while Clara gets dessert ready.”
As my dad hurries to finish his dinner, I see Roxie notice that Dom isn’t back yet.
“Did you happen to pass Dominic in the hallway?”
“Oh yes,” I smile sweetly. “He was a bit indisposed, but I’m sure he’ll be okay in a few minutes.”
Roxie gives me a quizzical look but doesn’t say anything.
I can’t help but smile.
I hope Dom’s balls are so swollen that he can’t screw for a week.
We finish dinner, and I’m relieved that Dom still hasn’t returned. I gleefully imagine him trying to soak his balls in a sink full of cold water.
I'm so pleased with myself that I practically skip to the music room.
Daddy, in typical fashion, created a music room in his house, equipped with a piano, acoustics, plush seating and other state-of-the-art luxuries. He and Roxie settle themselves into two deep-cushioned red chairs, as I flip on the laptop and fiddle with the track lists. I can play the guitar, but I’m not that good at it.
I prefer to just focus on singing.
I decide I’m in the mood for a slow kind of rock song, and I select Don’t Speak by No Doubt.
The music starts, and I close my eyes.
I can’t help but see Sid when I close them, he was there the last time I stepped in front of the mic.
Then I start to sing.
“You and me, we used to be together, every day together, always.”
The melody swells, and I’m taken away by the song, pouring my heart out, adding my own riffs, and feeling my upper register soar with the higher notes. My voice is raw and spot on, and I know I’m nailing it.
I’m living and breathing every note, every word, and I don’t even notice as the tears roll down my cheeks.
I don’t want Sid any more, but I can’t deny the broken mess he left behind.
When I open my eyes, I see my dad and Roxie’s surprised faces, and my dad is bursting with fatherly pride.
I smile widely, and wipe at the unexpected tears.
There’s clapping, which confuses me and I look to the back of the room.
There’s Dom, looking all dark and sexy, his green eyes wide with admiration.
“That was fucking incredible,” he says sincerely.
“Dominic! Language please!” Roxie exclaims.
Dom moves towards me, and I feel riveted to the floor, unable to move under his gaze. I feel it again, that clenching deep in my stomach, and my mind screams to focus.
“Your voice is amazing. Raw and rich. I can’t believe you don’t have a record deal already.”
Even though I think Dom is a total dick, I’m so flattered right now...he is Dom Dresden, after all.
“Th-Thank you,” I stutter.
“You deserve way more, but you should come on tour with us,” he pleads, “You should be singing front and center, but that’s all I can offer you now. Your voice is too good to be wasted, and we are hurting for a female vocalist right now.”
I’m still flattered, but I’m not taking handouts.
“Thanks, but I can’t.”
“Why?” he asks, and his voice is hard. “What are you doing now that’s bigger than going on tour with Diesel? This could launch your career!”
And there it is again, that cocky attitude of his.
“What I’m doing now, is trying to make it on my own!” I snap. I'm sure my eyes are flashing with anger.
“Stop being so fucking proud and take me up on my offer. It has nothing to do with the fact that my mom is marrying your dad. I don’t give a shit!”
“Dominic! Watch your mouth!”
“I said no thanks,” I say acidly. “Why would I want to tour with a cocky prick like you, anyway?”
“Annabelle!” Now it’s my father’s turn to sound scandalized.
“I knew you were a prissy bitch,” Dom hisses.
Roxie all but shrieks from his foul language.
“Go to hell!” I scream at him.
I storm out of the room, and down the hall, until I’m outside. The driver is still there and I jump into the limo.
I don’t ever want to see that arrogant bastard again.
Chapter Five
Dom
I watch that uptight bitch stomp out of the room and I don’t bother following her. She sang the shit out of that song, and I was blow away.
Seriously blown away. Like, Gwen Stefani would be proud.
But I draw the line somewhere.
I don’t chase after women.
Period.
Even if I hadn’t known her, even if our parents weren’t getting married, I still would have offered her a spot on our tour. She's a fool to pass this up, and she could at least act grateful.
I hear a door slam somewhere far away and Cliff hurries out of the room, while my mom still stares at me in shock.
“What was that all about?” she deman
ds.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me, Dominic!”
I feel a little bad about kissing Annie now. I wasn’t sure how I could admit that to my mom, so I just shrug and pretend like I have no idea.
She rolls her eyes and storms out of the room too.
This place is like a fuckin soap opera.
I saunter over to one of the big, comfy chairs and sink down. Tilting my head back, I close my eyes. All I can see is Annie singing, making love to the mic with her voice.
My balls still ache, and I grit my teeth in annoyance. I can’t believe she had the nerve to knee me in the balls! Who the hell does she think she is?
But I have to admit that I like the fact that Annie doesn’t give a shit who I am. But at the same time, it annoys me too.
Damn her!
I can't just sit here, so I jump up to go chase after that crazy bitch.
What is with me? I'm acting just as crazy as she is.
I stride down the hall and see my mom standing in the doorway. I look out at Cliff hanging over an open window of a limo, arguing in a low voice. He seems to be pleading with Annie over something.
I wonder if he’s pleading with her to come back inside and to take me up on my offer. I watch with complete surprise as she gets out of the limo. What the hell did Cliff say that actually made her get out of the car? This girl is something else.
Cliff smiles with relief, and he steps aside to let Annie pass first. I still can’t help but to stare at her body. Her dress hugs her curves in all the right places, and I can just make out the soft curve of her hips and the flatness of her stomach. I already had a nice view of her thighs when she tripped, but I rake my eyes up and down her toned calves and those strappy little shoes she’s wearing.
My dick twitches in my pants again, and I roll my eyes with exasperation. This is ridiculous. Especially, if Annie actually takes me up on my offer to go on tour. Here I am, standing in the grand foyer of my mother’s fiancé’s house, with my dick trembling over my future - what? Stepsister?
I’m one sick fucker.
What I need is a good blowjob to clear my mind, but I’m not ready to go yet.
Annie softly apologizes to my mom, and she comes to stand before me in the doorway. I realize that I’m blocking her entrance, so I step aside for her.
