“On his day off. Nice meeting you Elizabeth, ma’am, sir.”
Dev moved down several booths and the waitress followed. He wisely sat with his back to the teen and Cheri sat opposite him. Dev rattled off his order as Cheri peered at the menu. She ordered blueberry pancakes and the waitress left them alone. When she finally raised her eyes to Dev she found him watching her. She blushed at the intensity of his stare, which seemed to communicate just what he wished they were doing right now.
It wasn’t something that they could do in a restaurant.
Memories of the other night, when they’d been so close, flooded her and she shoved them away ruthlessly. She didn’t need to get all hot and bothered at breakfast, for God’s sake. The tour would probably be over before they had a chance to be alone like that again.
The thought made her cringe, but she pushed that aside too. She was going to enjoy the time she had with Dev, no matter how fleeting.
Cheri watched as the teenager excitedly typed into her iPhone and she wondered if and when her friends would descend on “The Wicked Skillet”.
“We may have to make a strategic retreat,” she said in a low voice. “Your fan is texting her friends right now.”
“The price of fame may be too steep if I can’t get breakfast.”
The waitress brought their food just then, and Dev gave her a thumbs-up.
“Is there a back door? You know, should we need it?” asked Cheri. She threw a look toward the teenager and the waitress nodded her head.
“Go back toward the restrooms. You’ll see it.”
“Great,” said Dev handing her his credit card. “I’ll pay now.”
“Sure, son. I’ll bring this right back.”
They dug into their food, and the waitress returned Dev’s card. They ate quickly against the possibility of a teen fan invasion. Just as they were about to take the last bites both Cheri and Dev’s phones buzzed with a group text from Richard.
I’ve booked us rooms at the local hotel tonight so we can all get a good night’s sleep. Check in is at 2:00 PM. Everyone has their own room, on my dime. You’re welcome. And don’t get used to it.
He sent a picture and directions.
“That was really sweet of him. Seems like he’s taking his new duties seriously,” said Cheri.
“I’m glad. After two weeks on the road, I could use some time off that bus. I’m not going to let him pay for all the rooms, but you’re right. It was a nice offer. He’s a good egg.”
“So what do you want to do until two?”
Dev arched his eyebrows.
“We’ll think of something.”
“Think fast. Teenyboppers on your six.”
Dev flashed a glance over his shoulder to see a group of excited young girls crowding the front door.
“While I hate to disappoint my fans, I think Operation: Get the Fuck Out of Here is in full effect,” he said standing swiftly. “Count to thirty to make it seem like I went to the restroom.”
“Twenty. They look determined.”
“Okay, fifteen.”
Dev lunged with feral grace down the hallway and Cheri watched with amusement as the gaggle of girls mobbed their friend. But Cheri stood before Elizabeth could direct them toward their booth, and followed in Dev’s direction.
The door was slightly ajar and, as she exited, Dev grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him. He kicked the door shut with his foot and crushed his lips against hers.
Dev’s heart jackhammered as he kissed Cheri. He held her tight, and ravaged her mouth with his tongue, taking everything she would give him.
As he explored her body with his hands, his problems fell away.
More. He needed more.
He wanted to see it as he entered her and feel her body clutching him. He wanted to make her cry out, to beg and plead for more of him, to have her shake and moan when they hit the heights of ecstasy.
“Dev,” said Cheri, “maybe we should find a hideout?”
“Hideout?” His desire-filled brain wasn’t registering her request.
“From the Teen Brigade? I’m sure they will fan out soon. They smell rock star and they will seek you out.”
Dev gave her another kiss, though a quick one, and released her. Then, he took her hand.
“Let’s go.”
He led the way down the alleyway to the street and looked both ways.
“Coast seems clear.”
“Across the street,” said Cheri. “A hunting store.”
“What? You propose we arm ourselves? I want to avoid them, not kill them.”
“No,” she said slapping his arm. “We can find some hats, and maybe jackets to disguise ourselves.”
Dev saw a young girl at the entrance of the restaurant looking away from them.
“Walk slowly across the street,” he said.
“What? Like ‘The Birds’?”
He grinned. “Oh, you remember that?”
“When you and Rory took me to the library when I was ten to watch horror movies at Halloween? How could I forget? I had nightmares for a month.”
“You did? That’s hilarious.”
“Go,” she said giving him a push.
Hand in hand, they walked casually across the street. Dev turned stealthily to peer back over his shoulder.
“Don’t look,” hissed Cheri.
Dev smiled. He was having fun with Cheri and their little hide-and-seek game. Who knew if those girls really were looking for them, but who cared? For once, he wanted to be free and not give a shit about anything, and he wanted to do it with Cheri.
Once in the store, they pawed through the racks of cheap clothing.
“Here’s a hat for you,” said Dev. He slapped a camo baseball cap on her head.
She looked in the mirror.
“No, Dev, not my color. Beige looks awful on me.”
“It’s not a fashion show, we’re on a mission.”
“Fine. Here,” said Cheri, handing him a black cap with the face of a wolf, part of the band’s logo, on the front.
“Aren’t we advertising if I put this on?” said Dev dubiously.
“The best way to hide is in plain sight.” She selected a black jacket with the same patch. “Try this on.”
She helped him with the jacket, smoothing her hands down the front in a way that made Dev’s abs flex.
The jacket fit perfectly. “Do you know all my sizes?” he said quirking an eyebrow at her.
“Oh, yeah, big guy,” she said in a seductive whisper. “From top to bottom.”
Fuck. Her words zinged from his brain to his cock immediately.
“Wicked woman,” he said. “I may have to punish you for teasing me. Do they have dressing rooms here?”
“What for?”
“So I can spank your bottom in privacy.”
“No. No dressing rooms,” said Cheri. “You’ll have to put your spanking plans on hold. But you never have been good at carrying a grudge. So I think I’m safe.”
Dev was about to say, “Don’t be so sure”, when he spotted a teenage girl about to open the shop’s door. Dev pulled Cheri, who was holding a similar cap and jacket, behind a curtain that shielded the back room of the shop.
Cheri opened her mouth to speak, but Dev clasped his hand over her mouth.
“Did a man and woman come in here, Will?” asked the girl.
“Yeah. But they aren’t here now,” replied a masculine voice. “You can see for yourself.”
“Did you see where they went?” she asked hopefully.
“No. I’m not in the habit of tracking people.”
“Ha ha, very funny, Will. I’ll tell dad that you admit that you suck at tracking.”
“Get out of here, brat.”
The door slammed shut.
“You can come out now,” said Will. “You’re safe from my sister.”
“Sister, eh?” said Dev poking his head cautiously out of the curtain.
“I know who you are,” said Will. “The brat
’s done nothing but go on about your concert tomorrow night. You’re sold out, you know, and she couldn’t get tickets. She’s been insufferable.”
“Dev, go stand with Will there.”
“Why?”
“So I can take your picture. This will make a great blog post.”
“Woman, can’t you stop working?”
“No. This is a great story because we are going to cap it off by giving her backstage passes. If she’s any kind of fan, she’ll be reading our blog and find that we’ll have her name at the gate with the passes.”
“Oh, man,” said Will, “you’re killing me here. She’s going to be insufferable.”
“We’ll give you passes too,” said Dev. “I’m sure you have a girl to take that would love to come backstage at a rock concert.”
“Yeah, that would make me a hero in the eyes of one particular girl I’m thinking of.”
Cheri snapped the pictures, did a quick blog post on her phone, and sent Gina the information, along with Will and his sister’s name for Gina to set up the passes.
“That was nice of you,” said Dev, giving Cheri a quick kiss on the top of her head as they left the store with their newly purchased gear.
“Being the object of my brother’s teasing for years gives me an appreciation for the plight of the younger sister.”
“I suspected as much. Are we being followed?”
“Not yet. But we need to find a new hideout.”
“Perfect,” said Dev as he spotted a sign down the road.
“What?” said Cheri.
“Twenty-four-hour Monster bash at the Capitol Theater.”
“Monsters? Are you trying to psychically scar me?”
“It’s perfect to hide in.” He winked at her. “I’ll protect you.”
“You’re an evil man.”
Cheri’s phone buzzed with a text. She groaned.
“We better seek the darkness soon. Gina loved the blog post so much, she started a ‘Dev Hunt’.”
“She didn’t.”
Cheri showed him the text.
“Fuck.”
It wasn’t quite noon, and the movie house had just opened, so they were alone in the theater. Juggling popcorn and drinks, Dev led her to the topmost row of seats and to the darkest corner.
He set down the snacks and took off his jacket.
“Come sit,” he said.
“You have this look like you are planning something evil,” said Cheri.
“Well, I had thought about giving you your spanking, but I’ll save that for a special occasion.”
The house lights darkened, and trailers for future movies flashed across the screen.
“Sit on my lap,” said Dev.
Cheri gave him a skeptical look, but she lowered herself onto Dev’s thighs. He put his arms around her.
“There. That’s much better.”
“You’re comfortable like this?”
“Honey, anytime you sit your sweet ass on my lap is heaven.”
He pulled his jacket over her legs.
“What are you, oh--”
Dev unzipped her jeans and slipped his hand under her panties until he reached her mound and her sensitive nub. The heat and wetness of her pussy sent Dev’s libido into overdrive.
Dev curled his fingers to reach her opening. He couldn’t believe how slick she was.
“You’re so fucking wet. I know you want me.”
“I do,” she breathed. “I’ve always wanted you.”
“Soon, baby, soon. We will go to the hotel and have the whole night. But right now, I’m going to make sure you’re ready. You’re going to have to be very quiet, though, because we aren’t alone.”
“We aren’t?” squeaked Cheri.
“Some people just came in. Just put your arms around me and don’t make a sound.”
“Oh god,” she murmured.
Oh god was right. The tour was almost over, and unless something changed, so was his time with Cheri. He was going to make the most of it.
Chapter 16
By the time they got to the hotel a couple hours later, Cheri was shaking with need.
Whatever fear she had of monster movies was long gone now that Dev had replaced those old memories with oh-so-sensual new ones.
They’d each checked-in to their own rooms, but agreed to meet up in Dev’s shortly after. Now, she stood before him, just a few steps from his king-sized hotel bed, on shaking legs.
This was it. The moment she’d been waiting all these years for, and there was no one and nothing to stop them now.
His lips touched hers and she gasped as tingles shot through her body. Then his tongue swept into her mouth, stealing her breath. His lips pressed harder against hers, demanding and commanding her to yield to his desires. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as her heart raced.
Dev. Dev. Dev.
The beating of her heart thrummed to his name. This moment, this time, was all she dreamed of since she was a teenager. The ache of the lonely nights, years spent waiting for Dev, finally dissipated. Wild need woke inside her, and she pressed her body into his as he leaned into her. And she could feel he was ready. Dev's hard shaft ground into her stomach as he pulled her tighter to him. His tongue curled around hers in an intimate dance, and a moan escaped her.
More. She needed more.
Wordlessly and with a sweep of his arms, he lifted her off the floor and carried her to the bed. Cheri was lost in his strength, floating, high on being near him, breathing in his masculine scent, feeling the pull of his muscles as he moved.
He stumbled slightly as he made contact with the hard barrier of the bed frame but recovered quickly, and bent to let her slip to the bed. Another gasp escaped her as her body connected with the softness of the hotel mattress.
Dev lowered his body to hers and he slid her cotton tee over her breasts. He buried his face between them, squeezing them together as he breathed deeply.
Was it supposed to be like this? So slow and tender? So far, it had been all hot and fast. This was new, and it was scary and amazing at the same time.
"I could stay like this forever," Dev said so quietly that she barely heard him, "and die a happy man."
Cheri's heart melted into a puddle of goo.
"Let me show you what it could be like between us now that we have time.”
He swept his fingers over the front clasp of her bra, letting her breasts spring free. With a sigh, he rained kisses over the tender flesh until he found the peaks. He sucked one into his mouth, and her back arched as white heat shot through her. That sweet ache that had been building all morning exploded into a firestorm as he held her breast in his palms while he licked and sucked.
She whimpered as a new need rose inside her. She wanted to please him as much as he was pleasing her.
Maybe if I get it right, he won't need another woman.
It was an impossible thought, a desperate one born of her decade-long love for her brother's best friend. But what was left of her reason soon fled as Dev unzipped her jeans, and pulled them off her hips, inch by inch.
As he slid them down her legs, he kissed the inside of her thighs, one side and then the other. His warm breath feathered the place that ached for him most, and she bucked her hips.
Dev chuckled, a low sound that came from deep in his throat. Cheri couldn't stand the fire between her legs, and she hesitantly touched her fingers to her clit, desperate for some relief from the torture of the aching tension between her legs.
But Dev pushed her hand back.
"No," he said a low sexy voice. "I'll get to that when I'm ready."
Cheri mewled, wanting so much more than he was giving.
"Dev, please," she whimpered.
"I like that," he said. "You sound like you need me."
"I do," she murmured. “So much.”
"Soon, very soon," he promised. He cupped her mound, grinding his palm against her needy clit while he licked the insides of her thighs once again. She pushed her hips into hi
s hand, but he held down a thigh with his arm, pinning her to the bed.
"Trust me," he said. "You'll like this better eventually if you don't move."
Eventually? Fuck eventually. She wanted now.
He tugged her panties off and tossed them to the floor. As the air of the cool hotel room hit her overheated core, she whimpered. But then his tongue snaked out to cover her there, swirling heat against the sensitive bundle of nerves in a way that had her whole body tensing.
“Oh my god, that feels so good,” she whispered, her hips fluttering toward his face, urging him to lick and suck harder.
"You taste so delicious," he said huskily.
How could he be so patient? Every part of her was desperate for release, and she reached down to clutch his broad shoulders.
And then his tongue found her entrance, and he thrust it inside. She bucked against his face, overcome with sensation. He pulled out and began lapping at her, licking and sucking before thrusting his tongue in again, and every muscle in her legs and hips tightened. She rocked against his mouth, seeking more fiction, hunting for the way to release the fire that burned through her body.
He groaned his approval and his long, firm tongue moved faster. In and out, in and out, fucking her deep and slow. It wasn’t enough. She needed him. His thick cock deep inside her. But just as she was about to tell him that, he parted her slick lips with both thumbs and swirled them around her clit. The tender tissue was swollen and aching, the feeling so sublime, it drove her over the edge in one mighty push.
She screamed, calling his name, urging him to continue. He renewed the assault with his mouth, plunging inside her even as he worked her clit. She gripped his hair, using it as an anchor to keep herself on earth as she shattered around his tongue.
She was still shivering when Dev pulled himself up and gave her a searing kiss. She tasted herself on his lips and groaned at the heady combination of his mouth and her essence.
This was it.
This was love. If he hadn’t known it today when he and Cheri had spent one of the happiest days of his life doing not much of anything at all, he knew it now.
He’d had good sex before, and plenty of it. But this? The chemistry they had was out of control, and the fact that it made him feel almost as good to make her smile as it did to make her come?
Hard Sell: A Bad-Boy, Rock Star Romance Page 30
