by Blue Saffire
“The first night we met you had that purple hair that made your violet eyes stand out,” I explain. “I never heard anyone kill a set the way you did that night.”
“That is so sweet,” Kitty smiles.
“Go on open the next one.” She puts the first box back on her lap and reaches for the smaller box with just as much enthusiasm. She opens the lid and looks at me puzzled. I smile at her and wink.
“Ready for your first piercing?” I ask hinting at what she is looking at. I had a belly ring made for her with a purple ball and another removable charm that hangs from the bar. “You can change the charms from the belly ring to the bracelet whenever you want, and the more charms you get for the bracelet the more you will have for the belly ring.”
The charm hanging from the belly ring is a tiny pair of panties covered in pink sapphires. Kitty looks at it closely and doubles over in laughter. I give her a wicked smile and she reaches over to hug me.
“You are the only person who could give me something like this and I would actually think it was funny and sweet. Thanks Nolan,” she whispers against my ear.
“You’re welcome baby. I hope we make a bunch more memories to fill that bracelet up,” I murmur into her hair. Realizing what I’ve said and thinking of Crush’s words, Don’t make this harder for her, I add, “the whole band can make memories and make sure we fill your bracelet since you came and made all this possible for us.”
“You guys saved me,” Kitty says pulling back and staring in my eyes. Her eyes travel down to my mouth and she is so close all I have to do is lean in.
“We have an appointment with a needle. I had to pull some strings since I found out about your birthday so late,” I say as I move to get out of the car to go open her door.
I don’t miss the pout on her face as she gets out. I want to fix this so bad but if I give in I will be screwing everything up for everyone. I put my hand on the small of her back instead and kiss the top of her head. It is the best I can offer without hurting everyone I care about.
Kitty is buzzing with nervous energy as we get inside of Splash. My boy Brian owns the place and his sister does the piercings. I know Kitty is in the best hands but she starts to look like she is going to be sick.
“You don’t have to do this if you don’t want,” I tell her, starting to rethink my surprise. She looks petrified.
“No, I can do this. Maybe if you did it first I’d feel better,” Kitty says with a sudden smirk on her face.
“If I did what,” I snort, “Babe, I am not piercing my belly button.”
Kitty’s smirk grows into a smile. “Okay, but what about a nipple?”
I laugh hard until I realize she is serious. She is staring at my chest and her tongue darts out to lick her lips. Oh hell yeah, if there is even the smallest chance that somehow that tongue would touch a nipple ring on me she will get her wish. I rip my shirt over my head and all sense I had goes with it.
“Only for you, baby,” I reply and kiss her on the cheek.
“Really,” she breathes.
I shrug as I lift her from the chair and place her on her feet so I can take her place. “Why not, it’s your birthday,” I simply say. “Which side do you want it on?”
“Why not both?” She teases, I know she is joking but I want her to know now how much she means to me. Tomorrow I will have to act as if she is just another band member, but we have today.
I shrug and nod for Erica to go ahead and pierce both. I watch Kitty’s eyes sparkle as I sit there doing as she wishes. She throws her hands over her eyes as the first needle goes through, and then parts her fingers to peek. I laugh and reach to pull her closer.
“Keep still Rage,” Erica chides, “You won’t be telling Brian I screwed your piercing up.”
“Sorry,” I chuckle. As Erica preps for the next one I run my fingers across Kitty’s exposed belly. She looks back at me biting her bottom lip. I wink at her as I let myself have one more trip across her smooth skin. “A belly ring is going to look great on you.”
I watch her cheeks heat and a small smile curls the corners of her mouth. Those lips haunt my dreams every night. What I would give for just one kiss.
“Alright all done,” Erica smiles. “Ready Kitty, or you can forget the piercing and you can get some ink. I still have that sketch.”
“What sketch?” I look at Kitty curiously.
“Nothing, Erica just did a little something for me when I came with you last time,” Kitty replies as she watches me get up.
I wrap my arms around her pulling her closer. I almost lose my mind when she places her small hands on my ribs and slowly drags her fingers up to my chest. We are both lost in time for a moment. I hadn’t realized we are both panting a little until Erica clears her throat.
“So… what will it be Kitty, feeling bold,” Erica chuckles.
“Brave enough for the belly ring, yes,” Kitty breathes and slowly steps out of my arms and around me.
“Can I see the sketch?”
“Really it’s nothing Rage,” Kitty protests.
“So you won’t mind me seeing it. Come on, what’s one more secret between friends?” I smile and she narrows her eyes at me. I am trying to distract her from the piercing and doing an awesome job might I add. Erica is just about to push the needle through and Kitty is totally focused on me. I lean down until my nose is touching hers. “Please, I promise not to tell.”
I don’t know if the sharp intake of air is from how close I am to her or from the piercing but I can see Erica is done. I smile and kiss the corner of Kitty’s mouth. “See baby, all done. Not so bad at all.”
Kitty blinks at me to let my words register then she looks down at her belly to see her new piercing. She smiles back up at me reaching to pinch my side. “You distracted me,” Kitty gives the cutest pouty face.
“Yeah babe, I did,” I chuckle.
“So how about the ink,” Erica asks wiggling her eyebrows at Kitty. “If you can get more of that kind of distraction it would be worth it. Ya know what I mean.”
Kitty laughs and looks up at me through her lashes. “I don’t know. That tat would take a whole lot of distraction.”
“Okay, now I really want to see that sketch,” I laugh.
“Okay,” Kitty shrugs.
“Okay to the tat or okay he can see it,” Erica asks excitedly.
“I don’t know. Show him and I’ll think about it,” she smiles.
“Okay, cool I’ll be right back,” Erica sings.
“You don’t have to get ink if you don’t want,” I tell her as I stand behind her in the mirror. She is admiring her new piercing. I have to fight back the urge to touch her. The energy buzzing between us is off the charts. I have already pushed things so far today.
“We’ll see,” she chimes.
Erica returns and calls me over to see the sketch. It is beautiful, perfect for Kitty. The strokes hold so much emotion that simple words alone could never say. Erica is an awesome artist. She does mostly piercings but when she is in the mood to do ink she does amazing work.
The Angel wings on the page look so real as if they were in motion and there is a small violin and bow in between them, there is also a ribbon that seems to have fallen from the wings. It is so realistic. Still I know something is missing. I look at Kitty with a raised brow.
“What,” she asks.
“Something is missing.”
“Yeah, I couldn’t get the words right,” she shrugged. Fingering the design on the page as if trying to see what the right wording for this beautiful design would be.
“Where does it go?”
“I was thinking across my shoulders,” she says thoughtfully. “But that would take some serious distraction.” Kitty is staring at my mouth again. I want her to have this tat more than ever. I’d spend hours on end distracting her with my lips if that’s what she wants. I almost tell her so when my phone starts to ring.
“When you figure out the words I promise to give you that distraction,
” I say against her ear before answering the call that is meant to end my time alone with Kitty. It is Mitch telling me my time is nearly up.
CHAPTER Seven
My birthday was so marvelous. I was sure it was the start of something really great with me and Rage. After the awesome gifts he gave me and the intimate way he was while we got our piercings I was sure more was in our future.
Goes to show how little I know about guys. Once we got to the club that night Rage bought me one beer and we danced all night until Mitch put me and Mandy in a cab. I was sure Rage would have taken me home but I saw him stalking to his car looking upset as the cab turned out of the lot. Mandy had no idea what was wrong with him and I didn’t want to push the matter and have her asking questions about us.
That has been the last I have heard from Rage in a week. I haven’t been able to rehearse with the band because of school and some final assignments I have to start for the end of the month. The guys have been so understanding, Chris records rehearsals for me to listen back to, so I haven’t missed the changes they’ve made this week.
I’ve text Rage but he sends back cold one word replies. I tried to figure out what I did wrong. I just suck when it comes to guys. I don’t want the ones that want me and the ones I want don’t want me. Somehow I seem to run them all off. Well tonight Rage is going to have to tell me what his problem is face to face.
For me, I am not just losing a potential boyfriend, he has become my friend. I can’t lose that right now. I dressed for tonight’s show with hopes of saving both relationships. A blue halter midriff and super tight, super low waist black jeans with six inch blue suede heels are my choice. I caught Rage behind me at a few shows checking out the view, hopefully I can remind him of what he once called perfect.
I took a cab to the bar as I have been doing since I started with the band and Rage started insisting he make sure I get home. Mandy is walking up at the same time I step out of my cab.
“Kitty,” she squeals.
“Hey,” I sing back.
“You look great,” Mandy gushes as she takes my hand and spins me around. “I feel sorry for the poor guy you are after. He doesn’t stand a chance.”
“Who says I’m after anyone,” I laugh nervously.
“Kit, seriously…I know that look in your eyes. Who is he,” Mandy pushes.
“No one, I just thought I’d spice it up for the show tonight. The guys needed some eye candy, right?”
“Oh please,” Mandy laughs and pushes me further into the bar toward the band and our table.
That’s when I see him. Rage is sitting at the table sending some poor girl away. It is like everything starts in slow motion from there. Rage takes a pull from his beer and frowns down at the bottle. He is sulking and I wish I knew why. As if he has heard my thoughts he looks up as Mandy and I make our way to the table. His eyes go wide as they sweep over my body. I watch him lick his lips and sit back in his chair.
That’s when something passes over his face and the shutters come down. His face goes blank and he turns away from me. I feel my heart break. What have I done to make him upset with me?
~B~
Someone kill me now. I have been avoiding Kitty for a week now. Fate had mercy on me with her being too busy for practice, but I guess I am getting what I deserve tonight. It should be illegal for her to come out of the house like that.
I growl at Mitch and grab the beer the waitress just brought him and dare him to protest. He opens his mouth to say something and then he sees Kitty as she and Mandy step up to the table. One look and he closes his mouth and pats me on the back then signals for the waitress to come back over.
I can feel her eyes on me but I can’t bring myself to look at her. It is bad enough she has on the super low waist jeans that are going to drive me crazy up on stage. Last time she wore something like that I spent the whole set reeling on the fact that I was sure she wasn’t wearing panties. Her butt crack played peek a boo with me the whole set. I groan internally, this sucks.
“Hey guys,” Kitty says in a small voice to everyone but out the corner of my eye I can tell she is talking to me.
“Hey Kitty,” everyone says in unison.
Sleep pulls out the stool beside him and waves her over. They are in deep conversation about the set in no time. I am so jealous, I know it is crazy but I want to rip Sleep’s neck off. I need to get away.
I storm over to the bar and order a shot. I throw it back as soon as I am served and signal for another. I have to figure out how to do this right without hurting her. Avoiding her will not be possible forever and I can see the concern on her face. I need to get back into the friend zone without hurting her.
By my third shot I am just more confused. I lean my back against the bar and squeeze my eyes shut. What am I going to do? I feel a small hand rest on my chest and I open my eyes to see bright violet eyes staring up at me.
“Can we talk,” she presses up on her toes to say.
I lean down to her ear to reply, “Yeah.”
“Did…did I do something wrong?” She quizzes in my ear.
I groan and shake my head. “No Kitty, it’s not you,” I tell her.
“So we’re okay,” she asks nervously.
“Yeah Kitty, we’re fine,” I smile tightly and step around her.
This is going to be a long night.
~B~
No matter what he said something is not right. I watch him disappear into the crowd and feel so confused. The rest of the night goes by in a blur. Our set was decent but not the greatest we have ever had. Things were off between me and Rage on stage as well. I covered it up as best I could; playing things up with Mitch to make it look good.
That really didn’t help much because it seemed to piss Rage off. I was at a loss after a while and decided to tune out everything and just finish the last few songs. When the set was over Rage stormed over to the table ignoring everyone. That is until a little blonde showed up at his side.
It looked like he was going to send her away at first but then he looked over her shoulder and spotted me. He whispered something to her and they left together. Rage made his point. I am not his type and there is no us. He was just doing what he said from the start, creating chemistry for the band. Well he did a really good job of that.
He does not have to worry, I will be professional from here on out and he will get his chemistry on stage just like he wanted. This time I mean it. Chaney brothers are off limits for Kitty. They know how to cut me in just the right way and I don’t know why, but I end up not being able to get them out of my life after.
~B~
What was I thinking? I’m laying here with this blonde with her big fake tits and little waist and I can’t get it up unless I close my eyes and think about Kitty. Kitty and her bronze skin that was soaked with sweat tonight while she shook and shimmied her hips to the music. Those curves that won’t quit and those breasts she refuses to put in a bra. Yeah that has me hard as a rock and ready. I can do this, I just need to pound this blonde into the mattress and I’ll forget about Kitty.
“Much better,” the blonde purrs in my ear as she reaches for my erection.
NO, no, no, her voice is all wrong. My arousal starts to fade the moment she speaks and when her too large hands touch me my body knows instantly it is not Kitty’s tiny hands. This is not going to happen tonight and a part of me really doesn’t want it to. I saw the look on Kitty’s face when I left with this girl.
“Shit,” I growl. “Listen, you’re a hot girl and all but I have to go.”
“But wait,” she whines. Yeah, this is not going to work. Kitty would never whine like that. Grrr, I have to get Kitty off my mind. I should stay here and try but I can’t. I pull my shoes back on and get out of her apartment as fast as I can.
When I get to the house I am excited to see Kitty’s bike parked out front. I will just talk to her and tell her why we can’t be together but that I want to be so bad. Maybe we can talk to the guys together and make them under
stand. Anything to have my girl back in my life, I can’t treat her like just one of the band because she is more than that to me.
I walk in the door and Kitty is nowhere in sight, neither is Crush. I hear laughter coming from his bedroom followed by the strumming of a guitar. Kitty’s laughter rings out again and more guitar playing. I start to see red. I take a step to storm into the bedroom door, but I stop myself. I started this. I hurt her first. Crush is my brother. I can’t fight him over a girl. The band said Kitty is off limits to everyone. Crush wouldn’t do that to me, would he?
CHAPTER Eight
Men suck; they are all a bunch of babies. Linc hasn’t talked to me in two months. He won’t return my calls or my texts and he has tried to have his mom lie to me about him not being home but Melody would never lie to me. She just gives me a sad smile and tells me he is still not ready to see me.
I hate it when he does this crap. I have known about his crush on me for over a year and have not changed my mind once. Why is it such a surprise to him every time I say no? I just don’t understand him. Why can’t we just be friends and move on?
I know I might sound cold but Linc is a manwhore. He makes the boys in the band look like saints. He changes women like I change underwear and that is saying a lot. I won’t risk our friendship for what he thinks he wants because I know him too well. Two months is just mean and he is just being a baby about this.
His text on my birthday made up for nothing. He should have been with me, as my friend. I blame him for the screwed up relationship I have with Rage. If he were around this would have never happened. He would have been able to warn me that Rage was no good for me and kept my head on straight.
Then there is Rage himself. He is a total dick. Whenever we are at the bar for a gig he is over protective and overbearing. I used to envy Mandy for having older brothers. That was until I met the real Nolan. Since the night he left with that groupie he has changed so much. He won’t come too close to me himself but he makes sure no one else does either.
