by Lily Graison
"Why was Delilah in your room?"
He was startled at her question but answered. “I don't know other than the obvious,” he said. “I didn't know she was there. I was just as shocked to see her as you were. You won't ever see her again. None of us will. I told Curt if I did, I'd walk. I'd quit the band and not look back."
She lifted her head and looked up at him. Her face was streaked with tears, her eyes bloodshot and puffy. He wiped her cheeks dry and laid his forehead against hers. “I never lied to you,” he said. “Everything I've told you was true ... and I do love you. I have from the moment I saw you."
"Christian..."
"Don't throw what we have away, Jessi. It's too new to just toss away. Please. Just give me a chance. Give us a chance. I want you more than I've ever wanted anything and I'll give it all up if that's what you want. The band, the fame, the money..."
Her eyes widened slightly and he smiled. “There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."
Neither said anything for a long while. Jessi laid her head on his shoulder and Christian couldn't have been happier. She wasn't trying to kick him out and seemed content to let him hold her. He ran his fingers through her hair, placing soft kisses on her head until she sighed heavily.
"I'm so tired,” she said.
"I know. I'm sorry."
She ran her hands up the length of his back, squeezing him to her. “Will you stay with me? Just hold me tonight?"
He could have cried but smiled instead, burying his face in her hair. “I'll stay with you as long as you let me,” he said, raising his head to look at her. “Forever if you'd like."
Her eyes filled with tenderness before she leaned in and kissed him. It was a small brushing of lips but it was the best kiss he'd ever had. It warmed him clean to the toes and made his heart race. When she pulled away from him and gave him a tiny smile, he watched her walk to the bed and pull the blankets back.
She crawled into the bed in her clothes and watched him before saying, “Come here.” He crossed the room and kicked off his shoes, crawling under the blankets with her and pulling her to him.
His eyes closed with a sigh, his fingers fisting in her hair. “I love you."
She snuggled in closer to him. “I believe you,” she said. “About everything."
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Chapter 9
Jessi sat in one of the lounge chairs at the villa and watched Devin and Holly in the pool. The entire day seemed like a dream as she thought back over it all. The wedding early that morning went off without a hitch and Jessi was happy her friend had found the love of her life. All anyone had to do was look at Joan to see how happy she was and for once, she didn't envy her.
Christian had spent every passing minute with her since their talk the day before, going so far as to crashing Joan's wedding, much to everyone's surprised. The bride and groom didn't mind. They had a celebrity as a wedding guest, which guaranteed them a spot in the society page of their hometown newspapers. They couldn't have been more excited if they'd invited him personally.
The reception was an affair she wouldn't soon forget. Between every female guest trying to persuade Christian to dance with them and his adamant demands that she lay her camera down and join him in the fun, it had been a day filled with laughs and excitement.
There was still some underlying tension between them. Too much had happened in a short amount of time for there not to be but she knew it would pass. It would just take time. Time she wasn't sure they would have.
"What are you thinking about so hard?"
She smiled and looked over at him. “Everything.” A shadow of doubt passed over his features and she reached for his hand, squeezing it.
"Are you sure you want to be here?” he asked.
"Yes. These are your friends."
"They're yours too, if you let them be."
"I know,” she said. “I just feel weird."
"Why? Your not the one who ran bare assed naked in front of all of them."
She laughed. “I'm kind of sorry I missed seeing that."
"Well, if you had stopped running from me, you wouldn't have."
A shadow blotted out the sun and Jessi looked up, smiling as Roxy grabbed one of the chairs around the table and pulled it out. She sat and leaned back, looking toward the pool. “I think we need to liven this party up a bit. What do you think?"
"How do you propose we do that?” Christian asked. “I've had enough of groupies to last me a life time."
"Not groupies,” Roxy said. She turned her head and looked at Jessi. “What about your friends from the wedding. Think they'd want to party with rock stars?"
Jessi grinned. “Oh, they'd love it."
"Great. Go call them and put your bathing suit on. I'll meet you in the pool."
Roxy stood and walked away, heading straight for Holly. She watched the two girls talk a few minutes before she turned her head to Christian. “So, want to help me put on my bathing suit?"
His face turned red and the smile he gave her caused things low in her belly to tighten. “Only if you return the favor,” he said. “I'm crippled now, you know.” He held up his still bandaged hand and waved it in front of her.
"I think I can manage. Let's go."
He followed her to the cottage, shutting the door behind him. It was like déjà vu seeing him stand there by the door. This was how it all started. How she'd lost her heart to a shy, quiet bass player from Kansas.
She smiled and walked to him, lifting the bottom of his shirt. “Do you think anyone would notice if we went missing for a while?"
"Probably not,” he said, grinning. “What do you have in mind?"
Her fingers danced across his stomach before crawling up his chest. She fingered his nipples, watching his eyes flutter closed. “I let you in my bed last night and you didn't even touch me."
He stared at her and tilted his head slightly. “We'd just had a fight. I didn't think you'd want me touching you."
She smiled and shook her head. “Don't you know make-up sex is the main reason people fight?"
"So, you got mad at me just so you could have sex with me?” He laughed. “I'm not seeing the logic here. All you have to do is ask."
"It's not any fun to ask for sex."
"I'll disagree. I had a damn good time the first time I asked you."
She popped the button on his jeans and unzipped them, reaching inside the fabric to find him already hard. “So, I should ask first?"
He groaned and said, “I think you just did."
He kissed her, forcing her lips open with his thrusting tongue. Her grip on his cock tightened, his strangled moan all the answer she needed. He leaned back and whispered, “Please tell me you're going to come on the road with me."
She smiled and slid his jeans down over his hips. “I'll let you know after you've sent me screaming to orgasm."
"Well, prepare to wake half of Vegas."
She looked up, running her hands over his thighs until his eyes fluttered. “Then I guess you already have your answer."
The End
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The Wicked Series
The four men who make up the rock band, Wicked, the hottest act to hit the scene in years, have earned their wicked status without much help. They're bad, sinfully delicious, and a temptation to every woman they meet.
Gearing up for a worldwide tour, the guys are about to come face to face with the only women strong enough to tame them. But it'll take more than a few smooth words to win the hearts of these ladies. When you can have any woman you want, how do you convince the one you can't live without her?
Wicked: Tempt Me Not—Book 1
Devin Shaw, front man for the band, Wicked, is forced into seclusion by his manager after his destructive behavior almost destroys the band. Sent to a remote cabin alone isn't Devin's idea of fun, but to save his career, he'll do what it takes.
Holly Baker, escaping the hassles of her big city life, arrives in t
he mountains of Tennessee and awaits the arrival of her friend, Roxy, to start their two-week vacation. Their plans change drastically when Roxy is called away at the last minute, leaving Holly to fend for herself.
Devin and Holly's worlds collide when a mix up strands them in the same cabin. Alone with nothing but each other for companionship, how will Holly react when she realizes she's trapped with none other than the hottest lead singer the country has seen in years? Will Devin be able to work with a constant distraction the pretty brunette offers? Or will the two discover that sometimes temptation is a wicked dessert best served hot.
Wicked: Leather and Lace—Book 2
Roxy Carlisle is on a mission. She's been in lust with Luke Harris, lead guitarist for the band Wicked, for two years. When her best friend, Holly, hooks up with the bands lead singer, and asks her to tag along to New York with her to meet the band, Roxy couldn't pack her bags fast enough. The chance to meet Luke in person was a dream come true. Even better if her ultimate fantasy of finding herself in his bed were to happen. One way or another, she was determined to have him. That is, if Holly's hair-brained idea of playing hard to get doesn't backfire in her face.
Luke Harris loves women and they love him. All he ever has to do is speak to them and they fall all over themselves to be the lucky lady of the night. That all changes though when a feisty brunette comes barreling into his life and changes all the rules. She's immune to his usual charm, or so it seems, but something in her eyes tells him otherwise.
Has Luke finally met a woman he can't seduce? Can Roxy follow her plan and not give in when Luke sets his sights on her? When sex is all you're after, can you walk away when your heart demands more?
Coming September 2009
The Final Installment of The Wicked Series
Wicked: Sweet Temptation [Book 4]—Mick's story
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About the Author
Lily Graison started creating original characters at an early age when her vivid imagination and love for adventure was the strongest. Growing up in a small town in Western North Carolina, she shared her journeys with friends in imaginary play. The love for extraordinary places and people never changed, and in 2002 she took pen to paper and started her first novel.
Published in 2005, her debut novel, A Touch of Heaven, won a Reviewers Choice Award and since then, Lily has made the Bestseller list on Fictionwise.Com numerous times, the latest in December 2008 when her holiday story, That First Christmas, was the #1 Bestselling Holiday book. Writing mainly in the contemporary romance genre, Lily also dabbles in the erotica, fantasy and paranormal genres.
Visit Lily's website: lilygraison.com
Or email her at [email protected]
An Alinar Publishing Publication:
www.alinarpublishing.com
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