Scandalous Beat (The Tempest Rock Star series Book 6)

by Michelle Mankin

  “You talked to any of the guys lately?

  “Not really. We’re all busy trying to get in as much normality as we can before we go back on the road. But I know that War’s in LA with Shaina. Dizzy’s here in Seattle with April. You know how tight Melinda and she are. Bry is with Lace at his mom’s place. Those three Tempest women were just starting to come together before we went on the European tour. Now they’re a brick wall of solidarity.”

  “Your pixie looks like she’s happy these days.”

  “Yeah, she makes me happy that’s for sure.

  “Bueno. She seems to be making good on her vow to me as well.”

  “Speaking of vows…”

  “¡No mames!” No fucking way, I exclaimed.

  “Yeah. I gave her the ring. It was a technicality anyway. She already had my heart. Everyone knows it. But she refuses to wear it until we have your blessing. She wants you to give her away. Things with her dad haven’t improved. Besides, she knows how important you are to me. And with how things have been between us lately I wasn’t sure about asking…”

  “You have it.” I cut in, my throat nearly fucking closing in on itself. “My blessing. My approval. My full support. Whatever you need.”

  “Gracias, Juaquin.”

  “De nada, mi hermano.”

  * * *

  Miriam

  “Mmm,” I protested. From far off I might have heard someone calling my name, but deep beneath waves that were warm and luxuriant, swimming toward the surface seemed unappealing.

  “Mi reina.” A firm pinch on my backside snapped my eyes open as the waters receded to reveal an irritated prince staring down at me from on high. “Damn, you are hard to wake,” he hissed low glancing at the other bed where Melinda slumbered peacefully. “Vengas aquí.” He held out his hand, and I threw back the covers to slide mine into it.

  He guided me from the room, down the short hallway and through the living room where the moonlight streaming in through the sliding glass doors ahead of us revealed the sofa and the bed linens folded in a pile at one end.

  “What time is it?” I asked as he slid the patio door open and led me out into the backyard.

  “One in the morning.”

  “Did you not sleep at all?”

  “Nope.”

  “Oh.” I pulled in a protesting breath when my bare feet encountered the wet grass. “Where are we going? It’s cold out here.”

  “I plan to fix that problem shortly.” We turned the corner and arrived at a narrow strip of side yard between the house and a fence. My mind registered the warmth first. Then I saw the outdoor space heater. And the pallet of blankets laid out on the ground nearby it. Understanding dawning, I smiled at him slowly. He grinned at me wickedly.

  “You’re a clever man.”

  “Migas, be damned,” he said, turning me into him. My palms landed on the center of his naked chest as he wrapped his arms snuggly around me. Juaquin stared down at me, his gaze intense. “I’d go through flames to have you.”

  He lowered his head. I lifted mine allowing myself the pleasure of cataloging the sensual features of his handsome face before I closed my eyes. Firm lips felt like fire, his technique just as devastating as he allowed me a moment to enjoy the pleasure of our connection before he coerced me into more. I opened my mouth to the gentle persuasion of his tongue, and he slid the spaghetti straps of my sleep tank from my shoulders. My arms became trapped at my sides. He had me where he wanted me apparently but not close enough. He curled his long fingers around my upper arms and yanked me closer. Crushing my breasts to his rock-hard chest, he deepened the kiss. When I began to mew into his mouth and rocked that part of me that throbbed over his straining erection he lifted his head.

  “You make me hot as hell, chiquita pero picosa.” His gaze was dark with devilish promise. “So fucking perfect.” He set me back to look at me. The moonlight shown down on both of us. All of Southside seemed to be holding its breath, or maybe it was just me.

  “I’d like to tie you up the first time I take you tonight.” His eyes searched mine. “Would that be alright with you?” My answer seemed very important to him.

  “Yes,” I whispered, my fingers tightening on his arms. I liked the idea of being restrained by him as much as I liked the fact that he knew even before he had me the first time that once wasn’t going to be enough. In truth, the idea of being completely underneath his control made me a little lightheaded, in a good way. “But why ask? Why not just do it? I thought you were the one always in command.”

  “Sí in the bed we share. But when it comes to my heart you should know by now that you have all the power, Reina.”

  “Juaquin. Please.” Emotion flooded my eyes.

  “Yes, I know what you need. Let me take care of you.” His warm hands stamped ownership on my lower back. “There’s something important here, a dynamic in our relationship that I want to explore. Something I feel might have been there way back at the beginning.”

  “What?”

  “A need and a solution. A question and an answer.”

  “Have you ever done something like this?”

  “Never.” He lent me a moment to absorb the truth of his answer. The significance of it. The fact that I was the only one. “You were there for me today when I needed someone. Now I need you to know that you can count on me.”

  Mesmerized by him and his words, I nodded my acquiescence.

  He whisked the tank over my head, but before my hair had returned to settle around my shoulders, he had pulled my hands together and secured them with a plastic cable tie.

  He was masterfully fast and artfully devious. It made me a little… ok a lot…breathless.

  “Where did you get that?”

  “The garden shed.” He pointed with his gaze.

  “You’ve been busy tonight.”

  “Not yet. But I plan to be,” he rumbled, whisking my skimpy sleep shorts off in a flash. “Now lay down.” His voice changed like a switch from dark and playful to something edgier and completely irresistible. “Was I unclear?” He lifted a brow when I hesitated slightly.

  I shook my head and scurried to do his bidding. I was on my back on the pallet completely nude when the second command came.

  “Lift your arms over your head.” He joined me on the blankets, naked as well, his cock flagpole erect and already sheathed. My mouth went dry. He was glorious. I licked my lips. His gaze dropped to them briefly.

  “Kiss me,” I begged him, heat unfurling low in my abdomen, heat that seemed directly connected to my pussy.

  “In a moment.” His gaze swept over me. “You’re so beautiful. So strong. So very powerful. Teasing men to the brink when you dance. Teasing me even now with your hands tied.” His eyes hit mine. “I think it’s more than just titillation when you’re on that stage. I think you’re sending a message. The way you move your body. Giving an opening then taking it away. A challenge,” I held my breath as he stepped closer. “To the man who can see and understand that you need someone strong.”

  “It does. You’re right.” He knew so much. “But I don’t want to be overpowered.”

  “It’s not about taking anything you don’t want to give me, my queen. It’s about you surrendering. It’s about me earning the right to your submission. Just me, though. No more dancing for anyone else anymore.”

  “But I need that job.” I was spread out before him, but I lifted my chin. If I could extract myself from the Campanella mess that job would be the only way I had left to pay the bills.

  “You’ll find another way. We’ll find another way. Together.”

  “My body. My life. My choice what to do with them.” Tears pricked my eyes. I started to sit up. He dropped to his knees in front of me. My servant and my master. He placed one hand on the center of my chest stopping me gently. He lifted his gaze. Our eyes met. I knew in my heart I was safe with him, but never in my life had I felt more vulnerable.

  “Ah, we have arrived at the crossroads. You have a choic
e to make now before we go any further. Do you trust me? Trust that what’s between us will be enough?”

  “Why? Why are you doing this tonight?” I shivered.

  “Because it’s time. Because circumstances are chaotic. Because I think we both need to see and feel and lay hold on what is right there in front of us. What we both need.”

  “What do you think we need?”

  “I need to prove I’m strong, that I’m worthy of you just as much as you need to release yourself fully to me. The reasons why are more complex and full of deeper meanings. Control and Submission. Two sides to one coin. You sense my need, and you want to fill it. You’re tired of always being so strong for everyone else. You want to be vulnerable, but only with someone you know deep down inside would never betray that trust.”

  “Juaquin, I do trust you.”

  “Miriam.” His eyes ignited like a wildfire, and his nostrils flared. “You honor me with that trust.” His palm flexed on my chest reminding me that he was in control. “Lay back again.” I nodded. Obeying now was easier. “Let me show you what you mean to me.” As I lowered myself he followed me down. A dance, one that felt choreographed though we had never practiced it before. Arms on either side of me, he crawled over me, his hard thigh becoming a rough intrusion between my legs and his sculpted chest teasingly close to the tips of my breasts. I clamped my knees around his thigh and arched my back. I needed stimulation of my breasts and my clit, but I felt a sharp tug at my wrists that prevented further movement on my part. I glanced away from him, turning my head to try to see what he had done.

  “You’re tied to the fence post, Reina. You must hold still or the neighbors will hear you struggling.”

  “Alright.” I gulped, imaging what he might do to make me struggle within my bonds. My gaze met his. As if he could read my mind, his lips curved slowly. He lowered his head. He blew a warm gust of air over my lips. They tingled as I licked then parted them. He ignored my invitation. His head lowered to a new target. Another humid current of air fell from his mouth. I pulled in a broken breath as the tip of my breast peaked even tighter. Desperate now to feel the weight of his body bearing down on me, eager to have him move things along faster, I tested the surety of my restraints but only managed to rattle the plastic bonding my hands to the metal post. I drew in another shuttering intake of breath as he subjected my other breast to the same torturous treatment. A rush of hot anticipation slicked my inner thighs as he moved lower. I throbbed. I ached. I lifted my hips closer to his hovering mouth.

  “Hold still,” he ordered, and I did, but the effort made me tremble.

  “Please. Please.” I pleaded. “Please put your mouth on me.”

  “I might. It depends.” His lips still hovering too far from where I needed them, his gaze lifted. “How long can you hold out, my queen? One beat?” His eyes melded with mine. “Two?” His gaze dipped to my breasts. I preened for him. Lifting them. They felt so full. So sensitive. I might come if he only just strummed the aching tips. “Three?” He lowered his head slowly, slowly, slowly. “You’re incredible,” he breathed over my pussy. I shuddered when he finally gave me the dark kiss I desired, and then I came only a moment later. Like the tide, I erupted in a flood of pleasure, and he rode the wave with me licking every single drop from me.

  * * *

  King

  I’d never been more turned on watching the way she looked as she came. That’s why I already had the condom on and why I had placed the switchblade right beside where I had tethered her. Tremors were still rolling through her when I cut her loose from her bonds and split her legs wide with my knee.

  “Mi reina. Open your eyes.” Her lids fluttered. I recaptured her hands. They remained well above her head. “Look at me.”

  Her eyes still pleasure glazed, she didn’t even try to break free. Satisfaction blazed through me as she stretched lazily and gifted me with a slow sublime smile.

  I rewarded her and myself by aligning my cock and sliding it into her.

  “Juaquin,” she breathed. “You feel so good when you’re inside me.”

  “Good can be even better.” I threaded our fingers together. I wasn’t going to be able to draw this out long. Lucky for me she seemed to be with me.

  She let out a low moan of protest as I pulled almost all the way out and then released a hiss of pleasure as I plunged deep inside her. I did it again, pulsing our palms together while I rode her.

  “Mmm.” She shivered. “Don’t stop.” I had absolutely no intention of stopping, but I was past talking. I repeated what had earned her moan before, slipping out and sliding in. She felt so wet. So hot. So tight around my cock.

  Shallow fuck. Deep fuck. Grind. Repeat. Take her here. Take her hard. Take her fast. Frantic now, I started hammering my cock inside her. She chanted my name.

  “King. Oh King.” She was where I wanted her. And I was just where I wanted to be, inside her so, so deep. The burning tension at the base of my spine unraveling, I gave it to her rough. Her body strained to keep pace. I thrust hard a final time. My cock stiffened. I spilled into the condom. She opened her mouth to scream her own release. I covered her mouth with my own, swallowing the sound of her pleasure as I kissed her deeply.

  After our tremors receded, I pulled out, disposed of the condom, fell to my back exhausted and tucked her into my side. She placed her hand on the center of my chest and let out a contented sigh. I grabbed a blanket and threw it over us. She snuggled closer.

  Captivated by her and by the fact that she made me feel so much just holding her like this, I sifted my fingers through the thick layers of her silky hair. “Miriam,” I began.

  “Hmm,” she replied sleepily.

  “What I said earlier, I meant it. Every word. You’re mine. I’m yours. I don’t want you going back to the jobs you had before or worrying about money from now on. Ok?”

  I felt her muscles tighten.

  “You and me, that’s all that matters.”

  “I don’t disagree. But I’m tired, Juaquin. Can we talk about this later? I just want you to hold me for a while.”

  “Alright, Reina. Shhh,” I soothed willing her stiff body to relax. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Miriam

  I woke up back in King’s room. He must have scooped me up and carried me back inside at some point. I must have been completely out of it. Melinda was gone, her bed made up. The midday sun streamed in between the slats in the metal blinds making an interesting pattern on the red roses that adorned every available surface in the room. The nightstand. The two footlockers at the head of each bed. The floor. The dresser. I sat up. The mirror atop it reflected my astonishment. I pulled my hair away from my eyes and blinked through the tears that sprang into them. As if last night hadn’t already been beyond incredible, now he had gone and done something this. How, how was I ever going to let him go?

  No immediate remedy came to mind.

  I shuffled down the hall to the bathroom. The house was silent. When I returned to the bedroom after my shower I noticed a handwritten note I had somehow missed before.

  Miriam,

  Gone to the hospital with everyone to check on my father.

  You slept through migas. I’ll take you out to dinner tonight to make up for it.

  Be back soon,

  Juaquin

  Swoon.

  My cell jangled where I had plugged it in to charge on top of the dresser. I set the note aside, scooped up my phone and answered it assuming it would be who I hoped it to be.

  “Hello, Miss Jackson.”

  It wasn’t, and it took me a moment to place the voice.

  “Miss Pennington?” Vincenzo’s personal assistant.

  “Hold please,” she said. “I’m putting on Mr. Campanella’s attorney now.”

  Shit.

  “Hello, Miss Jackson. Rob Wiley. Mr. Campanella wanted me to speak with you before we proceed with the charges.”

  “Charges? What charges? Against
who?” My empty stomach clenched.

  “Assault charges against Mr. Juaquin Acenado.”

  “No.” The room swayed. I dropped to the bed. “He didn’t…” Well, he did I guess. “But there were extenuating circumstances.”

  “I already did a little preliminary work.” He ignored my paltry and inadequate protest. “Unfortunately, it appears that Mr. Acenado has a prior record of this type of thing.”

  “As a juvenile.”

  “Yes, but given his recent arrest and a conviction for possession of an illegal substance.” He made a tsking sound. “A good lawyer can convince the court to have those records unsealed.”

  “No.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t understand. Do you doubt our ability to do so?”

  “No. But you won’t need to do that. I’m giving Mr. Campanella what he wants. Remind him of that. I don’t understand why he’s doing this.”

  “Mr. Campanella hasn’t forgotten the affront to his person, and you’re in no position to dictate what he might or might not do, Miss Jackson. I’ve only phoned you as a courtesy. And to advise you that further association with someone so prone to violence may result in rather unpleasant personal ramifications.” Juaquin or Vincenzo. That thinly veiled threat could have applied to either man.