by Opal Carew
“No, it’s not that but … he’s tenacious when it comes to stealing women from me. If he turns on the charm full blast … Damn it, Melanie, can you really tell me you are not attracted to him at all?”
She drew in a deep breath, remembering the devastatingly sexy kiss she’d shared with Travis less than an hour ago.
“I don’t just fall into bed with someone because I’m attracted to them. Not if I’m in a relationship with someone else.”
“So you are attracted to him.”
She sighed. Obviously, that’s all he’d gotten from what she’d said.
“Storm, do you really think I’d let Travis steal me away to punish you for hurting his sister?”
“Fuck!”
She could just imagine him raking his fingers through his wavy hair.
“All I can say is…” Storm began, “if he steals you from me, he really will be punishing me. He’ll hurt me every bit as much as I hurt Jessica when I left.” Pain filled his words. “More. Melanie, I don’t want to lose you.”
His heartfelt words reached into her and plucked at her heart.
“Okay, then trust me,” she murmured. “It’s you I want to be with.”
* * *
When Melanie finally hung up the phone, she felt much better. Storm wasn’t happy that she was traveling with the band, but he seemed to understand. And he seemed willing to wait for her.
Right now, lying in bed alone, she wished he wasn’t so far away. She ached for him. She wanted his arms around her. She wanted to feel his touch.
After tossing and turning for a half hour, she finally got out of bed and went to the desk, then pulled out her pencil and an ATC. An hour later, she tossed two more cards into the desk drawer, both drawings of Storm. Big, sexy, handsome Storm. Totally naked. Yeah, these ones would have to be part of her private collection.
Morning came too soon. She glared at the numbers on the clock. Then she pushed the covers back and trundled to the shower.
Over the next few days, Diego asked her about her ATCs, reminding her of the artist trading card swap meet in Savannah. She didn’t want to admit that she’d only been drawing pictures of Storm, most of them X-rated, so once she finished breakfast, she pulled out one of the cards and sketched Diego over coffee. The next morning, she drew a picture of Travis. She started sketching the band members on the bus on the way to Raleigh, North Carolina. After setting up for the show, she would sketch the guys while they rehearsed. She’d intended to sketch fantasy characters, which she loved doing, but the allure of the sexy musicians was too much.
But at night, in her room, she only sketched Storm. She seemed obsessed with doing it. And finally she decided it was okay to just give in to the obsession. It helped her feel closer to him, as if a part of him was there with her. And with all the practice, her technique seemed to be getting better.
The last night in Raleigh, she was working on a sketch while the band played. A woman who came to the table to buy a CD noticed her sketch and asked to buy it. Melanie was going to refuse, then realized this was exactly what she wanted. To sell her art. Another woman saw it and asked if she had any more. Melanie brought out her stack of sketches—the G-rated ones—and they were snapped up by the starry-eyed women who were so totally taken by the sexy band members. She laughed to herself when she imagined how they’d react to her sketches of Storm au natural. She could probably make a fortune.
After the show, they all went to a local pub. Jimmy and Dan played some darts with a couple of women and soon disappeared. Travis asked her questions about her art and smiled at her enthusiastic responses. An hour or two faded by as she and Travis and Diego talked and she couldn’t help feeling close to them given the warm interest they showed in her and her art.
Finally, they headed back to the hotel, walking along the quiet streets in the warmth of the summer evening. As they strolled along, chatting and laughing, it almost felt like a date. Except she was with two men. Two hot, hunky men who played in a rock band. And who, right now, seemed to find her the most fascinating woman on the planet.
They reached the hotel and Diego held the door open for her. They stepped onto the elevator and rode it up in silence, Melanie intensely aware of their big, masculine bodies so close in the confined space. The doors whooshed open and she stepped out.
“You know, speaking of artwork, I’d still really like to see that tattoo you designed,” Travis said as they walked down the hall toward her room.
“Is that so?” she said, arching her eyebrow.
“Absolutely.” His gaze dropped to her breast and the nipple hardened under his not-so-subtle scrutiny.
She reached into her jeans pocket for her keycard. “I don’t think it’s the tattoo you want to see.”
He gazed at her, his blue-green eyes simmering. “I know you’re a talented artist and I really would like to see it.”
Heat washed through her. “Well, I guess I can show you if you’d really like,” she said, feeling a little wicked.
Travis’ smile widened, then he gazed at Diego, who grinned.
“What about me?” Diego asked.
She’d almost forgotten he was there.
“Sure. You can both see it if you want.” She smiled, knowing she shouldn’t be so mischievous.
She reached her door and slipped her keycard into the slot. “Want to come in?”
“Fuck, yeah,” Travis replied with a broad smile.
She pushed open the door and led them inside, then unzipped her leather jacket and slipped it off slowly. As she was draping it over the back of a chair, both men gazed at her with twinkling eyes, focused on her chest. She felt a little guilty toying with them like this, but she knew she’d never hear the end of their request to see her tattoo. And she had to admit it was fun.
She smiled, her fingers teasing the bottom of her black camisole top. The men almost seemed to hold their breath. Then she turned and walked to the mini fridge and pulled out a bottle of water she’d stashed in there earlier that day.
“Would you like some water? I only have one cold one, but one of you could grab some ice.”
“No,” they both almost barked at the same time.
Diego smiled. “We’d just like to see the tattoo.”
She laughed and took a sip of her water, then she put it down and walked to the desk. She grabbed her sketchbook and opened it, then flipped through. When she found the right page, she held it in front of her, over her tattooed breast, and turned around.
“This is it.”
The men stared at her, then at the picture of the bird.
To their credit, they did their best not to look totally disappointed, but they failed miserably.
“You didn’t really think I was going to whip out my breast, did you?”
Diego shrugged. “A guy could hope.”
Her lips curved up in a half grin. “Come on, guys. You’ve know that I’m with Storm and being on the road hasn’t changed that.”
Travis stepped closer, a gleam in his eyes. “But Storm’s a long way away.”
She frowned. “But that doesn’t mean I should cheat on him.”
“Who said anything about cheating? My point is that if you’re here, and he’s back there doing whatever it is he considers more important, then maybe you two aren’t meant to be together.” He stepped close and glided his hands along her bare arms, sending tremors through her. “If you weren’t attached to Storm…” A devilish smile crossed his lips. “Diego and I could show you some things that you’d never forget.” He stepped closer, his face mere inches from hers. “We could bring to life fantasies you never even knew you had, but will wonder how you ever lived without.”
Desire shot through her and her pulse pounded with the heat of the images he evoked. Like her sandwiched between the two men, their bodies in intimate contact. Travis’ strong arms around her. Their hard cocks inside her.
She sucked in a breath, needing air desperately. Then Travis’ mouth dropped to hers and his to
ngue glided into her mouth. Without thinking, she melted against him. She could feel his hard cock pressing against her belly.
Oh, God, she shouldn’t be doing this.
The phone rang and she jerked back with a small gasp, then raced to the bedside table and snatched up the phone.
“Hello?” she said.
“Melanie, it’s Storm. What’s wrong? You sound out of breath.”
“Oh, nothing.” Her gaze slipped to Travis and Diego, her cheeks hot. “I … just got in and had to race to the phone.” Well, it was mostly true.
Diego grabbed Travis’ arm and nodded toward the door. Travis gave her a long, hard look, then finally turned and followed Diego. When the door closed quietly behind them, she felt some of the tension drain from her.
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” Storm asked. “You seem distracted.”
She sat down on the bed, stroking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “To tell you the truth, Diego and Travis were here. They just left.”
“They were in your room?”
Her fingers tightened around the receiver. “Yes…”
She felt a surge of guilt at what had just happened, and wondered if she should tell him.
No, not now.
He’d freak out and torture himself for the rest of the tour. She would just have to make sure it never happened again. She could admit her mistake after she got home, but in the meantime, she didn’t want to create any more strain between them.
“They wanted to see my tattoo.”
“And you showed it to them?” he asked in a tight voice.
“Yes.” She paused, waiting to see if he would blow up. When he said nothing, she continued. “I have a picture of it in my sketchbook.”
To her total surprise, he chuckled. “I bet they were pretty disappointed when you whipped out your sketchbook instead of your breast.”
She couldn’t help laughing, too. Especially since he’d phrased it the same way she had.
“I’m glad you’re being so calm about it.”
“Calm might not be quite the right word, but I know I have to trust you, or this won’t work.”
She smiled. “Good. I’m glad.” She leaned back against the pillow and stroked her hand over her breast. “So, speaking of my tattoo…”
“Yes?”
“I’m touching it right now.”
“Really?”
“Well, my top’s in the way, but I could take it off.”
“Definitely take it off,” he said, his deep voice rumbling over the phone line.
“I think you should take off your shirt, too.”
“That’s a little inappropriate, since I’m in the office.”
She smiled. “But having phone sex isn’t?”
“If someone walks in on me talking on the phone, that’s one thing, but if I’m sitting at my desk naked…”
“Naked, at your desk. I like that image.”
“So what are you doing about it?”
She pulled off her top and tossed it aside, then drew the lace cup down and outlined the tattoo with her fingertip.
“I’ve taken off my top and I’m touching the tattoo now.”
“Have you taken off your bra?”
“No, I’ve pushed the cup down. Do you want me to take it off?”
“Oh, yeah.”
She laughed and put down the phone while she reached behind and unfastened her bra, then tossed it aside. She wiggled out of her jeans before she picked up the phone again. “I’m practically naked now. I’m just wearing a tiny pair of panties.”
“Damn. I wish I could see you. We could Skype?” he suggested hopefully.
She glanced at her laptop on the desk, yearning to see Storm’s naked body, too. “I don’t have it installed right now,” she said with regret. “Oh, but just a second.”
She grabbed her phone and took a picture of herself, her hand cupped under the tattooed breast, then she e-mailed it to him. “I just sent you something.”
She heard the click of keys, then he whistled.
“God damn, you’re beautiful. You’ve got me so hard.”
The thought of him sitting at his desk, gazing at the naked picture of her, stroking his long, hard erection, made her blood boil. She longed for that cock inside her. Her fingers slid down her stomach, then touched her slit. She was dripping wet.
“And the thought of your cock all hard and ready has made me really wet.”
“Fuck, Melanie, I wish I was there.”
“Is your hand around your cock? Are you stroking it?”
“Yes.” His voice was tight with sexual tension.
She stroked over her slick flesh.
“Are you looking at the picture of me?”
“Fuck, yes.”
“I want to see a picture of you.”
But Storm swore under his breath, then said, “Hold on a second.”
Really? Now?
“Dane, I didn’t know you were still here,” she overheard him say.
She covered her mouth in surprise. God, Dane had walked in on Rafe? Had he seen what he was doing?
Oh, God, had Dane seen the picture of her?
“I’m just talking to Melanie right now, then I’m going to finish up the notes for the meeting tomorrow.” He was obviously still talking to Dane.
“Melanie, Dane says hi.”
“Hi,” she said weakly.
“Listen, I’ll call you back. Dane needs to discuss something before tomorrow.”
“I’d like to … but I need to be up early tomorrow. We’re heading to Savannah.” God knew she wanted to finish this, but she also knew a meeting with Dane would take at least an hour, probably more.
“Yes, of course. But I can’t say I’m not disappointed to be interrupted like that. Can we talk tomorrow night?”
“Probably not. The show goes pretty late, then we usually go out afterward. That means probably after two.”
“Okay, I’ll try in a couple of days. But I’ll be thinking about you, Melanie. About all the things I’d do to you if you were here.”
“Storm, um … before you go … Dane didn’t see the picture of me, did he?”
“Of course not. I closed it as soon as he came to the door. But believe me, I will be looking at it later.”
“I’d really like a picture, too.”
“Well, right now isn’t opportune, but I promise I’ll send you something soon.”
“It’s a deal.”
After she hung up, she lay in the bed, frustrated and totally turned on. She stroked her breast, wishing Storm was here to touch her like that. She stripped off her panties and tossed them aside, then stroked her slick flesh.
As much as she tried to stay focused on images of Storm, she needed to feel a man’s touch, so her mind kept drifting back to the feel of Travis’ arms around her. Of his lips on hers, and his tongue exploring her mouth.
Storm was being understanding and attentive. And he seemed to have control of his jealousy. He was being everything she needed him to be.
Except here.
So when she touched her body to satisfy the aching, physical need he’d help build within her, it was actually images of Travis and Diego who brought her to release.
* * *
“So why aren’t you there with her?”
Rafe glanced at his older brother across the conference table in Dane’s office. “What are you talking about?”
“You should be with Melanie.” Dane leaned back in his chair, staring at Rafe with that keen gaze of his. “Touring with the band. That’s where you’ll be happy.”
“I thought you wanted me here, helping with the company.”
“Of course I do. But you know, we can always conference call and interact over e-mail. I just want you to be a part of this company.” Dane leaned forward. “And I want to be a part of your life. But I know you’d be happier being with the band.” He smiled. “And with Melanie. I’ve never seen you as happy as when you’re with her. Or talking ab
out her.”
Dane put down his pen. “Rafe, I know we’re making up for lost time, but that doesn’t mean the company has to be your only focus.”
Rafe stared at Dane, barely believing his older brother was suggesting that Rafe go on tour with the band. His heart ached at the thought that Dane actually wanted Rafe to do something that would make him happy.
His whole life, Rafe had believed that Dane was just like their father, but he’d recently come to realize that Dane had simply had a different way of coping with their father’s tyranny.
Right then, Rafe wanted to say something to let him know how glad he was that they’d reconnected, but he couldn’t find the words.
“I’m glad you came back,” Dane said, sparing him the trouble. “I know we haven’t been that close in the past but…” Dane cleared his throat, then his eyes darted away as if he was uncomfortable. “You mean a lot to me.”
“Thanks, man,” Rafe said, then put his hand out. When his brother extended his, Rafe pulled him in for a hug and clapped him hard on the back. “I used to think you were like Dad, but I know now that’s not true. You’re nothing like him.”
* * *
The next morning, Melanie finished packing her backpack and carried it with her when she went down to breakfast. She had an hour to eat before they got on the bus to drive to Savannah. When she walked into the hotel restaurant, she didn’t see any of the guys, so she sat down at a table by the window and pulled out an ATC and pencil while she waited for the waitress to come and take her order.
“So did you and Storm have a nice talk last night?”
She glanced up at Travis’ voice.
“Um … yeah.”
At the curl of his lips, she knew he assumed she and Storm had had phone sex last night. He was right, but wrong at the same time. She certainly wouldn’t tell Travis that it was thoughts of being in his arms that had finally given her the release that she’d craved. He already knew she’d needed that release because he had triggered her craving in the first place.
But let him think that Storm had actually satisfied that need.
He sat down beside her and signaled for the waitress, who arrived at the table with coffeepot in hand.
“Two coffees,” he said. “We’ll have bacon and eggs. One order scrambled, and the other over easy. Right, Melanie?”
