by Daiko, SC
“Of course.”
I bent my head and said to Phoenix, “Would you like to do some sightseeing?”
“I’d love that,” she said.
We rode the elevator up to our separate rooms to change into jeans and t-shirts while Mike ordered a car and driver from the hotel reception desk.
Shades over my eyes and a ball cap pulled down on my head, I met Firebird down in the lobby twenty minutes later. I noticed as she came up to me that she’d removed her makeup while changing. God, she was beautiful; I loved her sexy glammed-up look, but I also loved her fresh-faced and natural.
“Let’s go,” I said, taking her hand.
We needed to get out of here before I was recognized and ended up having to sign autographs, etcetera.
Mike was standing next to a chauffeur-driven black SEAT SUV parked out the front of the hotel. “Where to, boss?”
“Montjuic Hill,” I said, opening the door for Phoenix. We could have gone there by cable car, but I’d have rather sold a kidney than do that.
“I feel like a schoolkid playing hooky,” Firebird giggled. “Thanks for rescuing me from that douchebag.”
“He wanted to tap your ass?” I came right out with it.
“Yeah… can’t believe Jake set me up like that.” She paused, shot me a wide-eyed glance. “Did he do that to Ella?”
“She’d sit with him, mostly, when we went out as a band. He was protective of her, treated her like his little sis. All the guys did…” I scratched my chin. “I don’t think he deliberately set you up, baby. It was a publicity stunt, that’s all...”
I felt my face harden… I didn’t want Phoenix involved in such crap in the future and I fucking hoped Jake didn’t have any more tricks like that up his sleeve.
She fell silent, gazing out the window as the chauffeur drove up the steep, wooded hillside overlooking Barcelona. A full moon had turned the night almost as bright as day. I pointed out the Olympic stadium, where we’d be performing two sold-out concerts tomorrow and the day after. Speaking in Catalan, which I’d picked up during our family summers on the island of Ibiza, I asked the driver to make a stop at the fountain from where we could admire the panoramic view.
The SUV rolled to a halt. Mike got out, did his habitual risk assessment, then opened our doors.
“Wow. Just… wow,” Firebird exclaimed, standing next to me, my arm around her. “It’s so beautiful.”
I pointed out the major landmarks, the Sagrada Familia Church lit up like a fairytale castle, the long straight boulevard of Las Ramblas and the old buildings in the Gothic Quarter. “Shame we’re on such a whirlwind tour of Europe, sweetheart,” I said, holding her close. “You deserve to see everything properly.”
She turned in my arms, placed her hand on the side of my face, her eyes gazing deep into mine. “If I wasn’t touring with you, I wouldn’t have gotten to see it at all.”
I kissed the tip of her nose and she gave me a smile so genuine and powerful it could outshine the moon.
“Let’s go back to the hotel,” she whispered. “I think I’m gonna let you win that bet.”
“I called the bet off, don’t you remember?”
“You might have, but I didn’t.” She threaded her fingers through my beard. “I want you to fuck me, Axel.”
“I’m not going to fuck you, Firebird,” I said, lowering my mouth to hers. “I’m going to make love to you.”
I knew Mike would be discreet—he was my personal security guard, had been through a lot with me whereas Joe stuck with the guys—and, as I expected, Mike kept his eyes on the road in front as we headed back to the hotel. He always stayed in the room next to me, or in the second bedroom if I was staying in a suite.
Phoenix and I kissed during the entire ride, and I thought my cock was going to burst out of my jeans I wanted her so fucking much.
I kept my arm around her as we crossed the lobby, praying no one would recognize me, and, thank God, no one did.
The elevator arrived with a ping and then our mouths were glued to each other’s again, hot wet kisses full of promise.
I leaned away from her. “Your room or mine?”
“Mine. It’s so pretty…”
“As long as you close the curtains.” I bit down on her bottom lip. “You know why.”
She rested a hand on my chest, and my heart thudded like a motherfucker under her palm. Her eyes glowed with warmth. “Don’t worry. You won’t feel any vertigo.”
The elevator pinged and she retrieved the keycard from her purse. I checked the corridor to make sure no one was around, letting out a breath when I saw it was empty.
She opened up and we almost fell into the room, so desperate were we to get our hands on each other.
Firebird faced me, and I pulled her toward me.
She reached between us and wrapped her delicate fingers around my denim covered cock.
My eyes rolled back in my head. Fuck. I could almost have come on the spot.
“Please,” she begged.
“Are you sure?” I had to ask.
“Yeah,” she said, lifting her chin.
The feel of her hot body against mine and the sound of her breathless voice made my balls tingle. I crushed my mouth down on hers again and took possession, penetrating her with my tongue and only stopping while I pulled her t-shirt off her.
“Axel,” she moaned.
I grabbed her ass and lifted her off the floor, our mouths fused, our tongues dancing.
She wrapped her legs around my waist and her hands pulled at my hair. “Axel, oh Axel.”
“I know, baby.”
And I did. I’d never felt like this with anyone before. Like she was under my skin and I was under hers.
It.
Was.
Insane.
I toed off my shoes and carried her to the bed.
Laid her down.
Kneeled between her thighs.
I unzipped her jeans and she wriggled her butt so I could ease them down her legs. She reached behind and unclipped her bra.
My pulse jumped in my throat.
I placed my hands on her tits, remembering they were a perfect fit when I’d washed her in the shower the other night. It was as if they’d been made for me. Nothing fake about them, just like there was nothing fake about Firebird. It wasn’t that I begrudged women enhancing their assets, but my personal preference was for authenticity.
I couldn’t wait to give Firebird’s breasts the attention they deserved, but first I needed to get naked. I made short work of shrugging off my t-shirt and jeans.
I’d gone commando underneath, and I caught her eyeing my cock. “Like what you see?”
Her cheeks colored so prettily... she was fucking adorable. She raised her gaze to mine, and the way she was staring at me hit me in the pit of my stomach.
I knew Phoenix wasn’t a quick fuck, that she was inexperienced, but I hadn’t prepared myself for the unguardedness of her expression.
Like I mattered to her.
Emotion tightened in my chest, making my lungs burn and my heart pound.
Then, my dick pulsed, throbbing against my belly, reminding me of the task at hand.
I crawled up Phoenix’s body and brought my mouth down on hers. Her lips parted on a soft moan, and I slid my tongue inside. I took control and deepened the kiss, enjoying the feel of her but wanting more.
Wanting her tits.
I kissed my way down her neck and chest to arrive at my destination, sucking a nipple into my mouth, licking and biting it until she was moaning and writhing under me.
I rested my weight on one hand and slipped the other into the apex of her thighs.
She was fucking soaked.
I moved away from her. “Take off your knickers, baby.”
She did as I’d asked, slid them down her legs, her eyes holding mine.
I stared at her pussy.
“You’re beautiful,” I said, and it was the truth.
I buried my head between her leg
s, ran my nose up the small landing strip of blond hair, and inhaled.
I loved her smell. Loved her taste. Fucking loved her, although I knew I couldn’t say it.
I parted her with my fingers and ran my tongue up her center.
Her hips jerked.
I sucked her clit into my mouth, and she grabbed hold of my hair, tugging on it.
I plunged my tongue inside.
So fucking tight.
She rocked herself against me, and I dry humped the mattress in time with the movement of her hips, our eyes locked together.
With a squeal, she exploded in my mouth, but I kept on licking and sucking until I’d swallowed every last drop of her cum.
“Oh, Axel,” she breathed.
“I’m not finished yet, baby.”
I rolled off the bed and grabbed my jeans from the floor, extracting a condom from my wallet.
She watched me sheath myself, her eyes huge.
Back on the bed, I kneeled between her legs. “Is this what you want, Firebird?”
“Oh, yes, I want it.” Her voice was husky. “I want YOU.”
“And you will have me,” I smiled.
I took both her hands and moved them up over her head, pinning them to the bed. I lowered my mouth to hers, our lips barely touching. “I’m not going to fuck you, Phoenix. As I said earlier, I’m going to make love to you.”
“Make love to me, Axel. Please…”
I’d never made love to anyone ever. Yes, I’d fucked plenty of women, but they were nothing compared with Phoenix.
She parted her legs and I fitted myself between them.
With a moan, she raised her hips and pressed her pussy against my cock.
I dropped her hands and took hold of her thigh, lifting it, opening her up.
Her eyes stared into mine as I pulled back then eased myself into her.
She was squeezing me like a fist.
I reared back on my heels, grabbed her and pumped.
I stared down at the both of us. At her long blond hair spread across the pillow. At my dick sliding in and out of her.
“Can you feel how perfectly we fit together, Firebird? The most beautiful song I’ve ever heard.”
“Yes, Axel, yes…”
I pressed my thumb to her clit, circling it, telling her how gorgeous she was, how special she made me feel, until she cried out, “I’m coming.”
Her muscles clamped down on me, and I lowered my body to hers, thrusting in and out of her as I rode out my own orgasm.
I’d come harder than I’d ever done in my life, and I was still twitching with aftershocks.
Insane.
With a growl, I brought my mouth down on her sweet lips and kissed her deeply.
“That was amazing,” she said, coming up for air.
I quirked a brow. “Only amazing?”
She smirked. “Okay, it was more than amazing.”
I slid out of her, removed the condom and tied it off. “I want to stay with you tonight,” I said, getting back into the bed and spooning myself around her back.
I felt her stiffen. “What about the guys?”
“I’ll leave before anyone wakes up. No one will know.”
She turned around and faced me, held me with her eyes. “I don’t want anyone to think I’m trying to screw my way to success.”
“Christ, Phoenix. No one would think that of you.” I heard my shocked tone. “You’re not that kind of girl.”
“But we have to keep it secret.” Her bottom lip trembled. “I don’t wanna be accused of being like Yoko Ono with the Beatles, ripping the band apart.”
I lowered my face and rubbed the tip of my nose against hers. “Not going to happen. You and I are going to make beautiful music together.” I nudged my already hardening cock against her thigh. “In more ways than one.”
She ran her fingers through my hair, and I saw the need in her glowing green eyes.
I snaked my hand down her goddess body, eliciting a moan. “Make love to me again, Axel,” she pleaded.
“Hell, yeah,” I laughed, sliding off the bed to get another condom from my wallet.
15
“Take a look at this, Mom,” I said, stepping onto the terrace of my hotel suite and turning my second-hand, reconditioned iPad so she could admire the view of the Eiffel Tower. “Isn’t it stunning?”
We’d arrived in the early hours, having flown direct to Paris after our second Barcelona concert, and had gone straight to our rooms and to bed. It was almost mid-afternoon now and my stomach was rumbling, but I’d wanted to check in with my parents before ordering room service.
“It’s beautiful, sweetie,” Mom said softly. “So happy for you…”
“How are you?” I inquired like I always inquired.
“Fine,” she replied like she always replied.
It was her default answer, and it meant nothing. Mom never complained about her illness, never admitted to being sick. I’d need to have a separate conversation with Dad to find out how her treatment was working, but he was always with Mom when I called, which made it impossible. He’d phone me if anything was seriously wrong, I told myself while I carried on chatting, but guilt gnawed at my gut for not being there with them.
I perched on a chair, gazing at the Parisian skyline. Warm spring sunshine heated my bare arms, and the scent of roses mingled with the traffic fumes tickling my nostrils.
“How did your second concert in Barcelona go?” Dad asked, coming into view on the screen. He already knew the first one had been hugely successful as we’d talked when I’d gotten back to the hotel from the gig the other night.
“It was epic,” I said. “The band was on fire, their music set the crowd alight and Axel radiated the most incredible energy.”
“Wish we could have been there.” Dad’s face looked wistful, and I remembered Axel’s offer to fly my parents out for one of the shows.
If only Mom was well enough…
“I’ll ask Thea, the lead singer of our support act, to video part of the Parc des Princes gig for you both,” I offered.
“We’d love that,” Dad’s smile lit up his whole face.
“I’ll call ya tomorrow,” I promised before signing off.
My eyes prickled. I missed my parents so much. It had been over a week since I’d seen them in the flesh… the longest we’d ever been apart.
A tear ran down my cheek, followed by another.
I stumbled into my room as a knock rapped at the door, and I went to open it.
Axel was standing there, a Martin D-18 acoustic guitar slung across his chest. His gaze raked over my face. “What’s wrong, baby? Why are you crying?”
I sniffed, feeling like such a doofus.
Twenty-two-year-old women don’t cry because they are missing their parents.
“I’m being silly,” I sniffed again. “But I miss my parents.”
He lifted off his guitar, put it down on the beautiful antique chair in the corner of the suite, and put his arms around me. “Shh, it’s to be expected with your mum so ill.” He kissed the top of my head.
I buried my face in his chest. “I’m worried they aren’t telling me the truth about how bad she is. That they’re keeping something from me so as not to ruin my chances.”
“Hey,” he raised my chin and looked me deep in the eyes. “I totally get it that you’re concerned. Is there anyone in your family or a friend you trust who can go see your parents and find out the score?”
I shook my head. “There’s just the three of us. Mom and Dad are both only children like me. We left all our close friends behind when we moved from Pasadena. My parents were too embarrassed at our change in lifestyle to keep up with them. And I was working so hard to put food on the table that I didn’t have time to socialize.”
He chewed at his lip. “I’ll ask someone in our management team at CM to organize a visit to them, if you like. Put your mind at ease.”
I teared up yet again, this time from gratitude. Underneath his bad
boy rock star image, Axel was a good man and I truly loved him.
Not that I would tell him.
He’d freak.
Instead, I stroked his beard. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“No need,” he said, brushing away my tears with his thumbs. “I’d do anything for you…”
I nearly spoke the words in my heart but held back in time. “What’s the plan for today?” My voice trembled.
He tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear. “The others have gone to pay their respects to Jim Morrison.”
“Didn’t he die?”
“Yeah. Here in Paris. They went to put flowers on his grave.” Axel’s dark eyes glowed. “He’s kind of like an inspiration to us… the lizard king.”
I took a step back from him. “Didn’t you wanna go with them?”
He shook his head. “Went there years ago, so I managed to persuade them that I needed time out to work on a song with you.”
I stared at his acoustic guitar on the chair, heat radiating through my chest. “Awesome.”
Wow. It was really gonna happen. Me and Axel working on a song together.
“But before we do that, baby, I’ve got to have something to eat. Mind if I order some food from room service?” he winked.
“Go ahead,” I laughed. “I’m kinda hungry too.”
Then, it occurred to me that maybe going to a cemetery to pay his respects to an icon who, by all accounts had probably died from an overdose, was a little too close to what had happened to Ella, and Axel had used the excuse of writing music with me in order to get out of it.
We ordered ham omelets followed by fresh fruit salad, and, while we ate, Axel told me about his family.
“I guess you’ve heard my parents aren’t in a conventional relationship.” He wiped his close-cropped beard with a starched white napkin. “Motherfucking journos dug deep when we had our first hit in the US.”
I remembered the shitstorm in the rag press. Axel’s mom was in a poly partnership with his dad, Blake Wainwright and another dude, Declan Lombardi. “Yeah,” I said, waiting for him to continue.
He stared at the far wall and I stared at him. I longed to reach across the space between us, run my fingers through his tousled hair and kiss the crease that had appeared on his forehead. “Please, tell me what’s wrong,” I finally asked.
