"I'm not sweet. I'm Noah Fucking Hart."
Despite his words, he wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his cheek on the top of my head.
"How exactly do you know those guys anyway?"
I could hear the frown in his voice.
"Jealous?" I said coyly. "Don't worry. You know you're the only rock star for me."
"Just wondering," he said, sounding surly.
"Two of my friends are dating members of the band," I explained. "They'll probably be at the concert, too, if their boyfriends are going to be there performing." I lifted my head with a grin. "We should do a group date."
"No."
I pretended to pout. "It doesn't have to be anything fancy. We can go to that dive bar of yours for a drink."
"I don't do couple dates."
My heart jumped. Did that mean we were officially a couple?
Noah and I hadn't talked about our relationship status yet. Over the last few weeks, we'd spent almost all our time either working, having sex or sleeping. We hadn't gone on anymore "outings" to Walt's bar as Noah liked to say — or "dates" as I privately referred to them.
Ivy and Natalie had always joked about me getting a rock star boyfriend of my own.
Did I finally have one?
I didn't dare bring up the topic. Not yet. Noah was still so prickly, so touchy. If I went too far, too fast, he'd push me away. Going slow — at least emotionally — was the key to a successful relationship with Noah.
Still, my heart beat a small thrill at the thought of Noah being my boyfriend. Of Noah being more than my boyfriend. Although he was still a bit of an ass, I'd gotten to know the man he was inside underneath all that snark.
His Royal Highness liked to keep people at a distance. Somehow I'd managed to find myself on the other side of his castle walls. Now I needed to figure out how to make my way across the moat.
Or figure out a way to get him to lower the drawbridge.
Noah had to be at the concert venue early again, so I decided to team up with Natalie and Ivy and attend the concert as a trio. I'd been so busy working, I'd had to cancel our last few lunch dates. I knew they were dying for more information about Noah, especially Nat, being the ultimate fangirl she was.
When it was just sex with Noah, I hadn't known what to tell them, so saying nothing was easier. Now that there was the possibility of something more, maybe it was okay to talk about it.
At the very least, saying that Noah and I were kind-of sort-of dating was less embarrassing than admitting I was letting a rock star use me as his sexual muse.
"I can't believe I get to watch Darkest Days perform from the front row!" Natalie brought her clenched fists to her flushed cheeks.
Despite the rock star boyfriend, Nat had never gotten over her excitement at seeing her favorite bands perform.
"Who's playing first?" she asked, shouting so we could hear her over the noisy crowd of people surrounding us.
"Does it matter?" Ivy shouted back.
"I need to save my energy for Morris," she said, referring to her boyfriend Morris Edwards, Feral Silence's drummer. "but I'm afraid if Darkest Days goes on first, I'll end up fainting from sheer awesomeness."
"You might end up fainting from the heat." Ivy scanned the concert venue. "Ren said it's going to be a full house. It's already cramped and it's probably going to get very hot. Why couldn't we watch from backstage?"
"Because!" Natalie and I both insisted.
"Being in the audience is a million times better," Nat explained.
"The viewing angles are all wrong backstage," I said. "You don't get the full concert experience."
"It's not as much fun if you can't cheer and scream and dance and rush the stage."
"There's nothing better than being in the middle of a rock concert surrounded by the energy of thousands of fans."
"If it's that important…" Ivy looked befuddled.
Ivy wasn't a rock music fan like Nat and me. Her preferred instrument was the cello. She was only here because her childhood sweetheart and current boyfriend Ren Sada was the bass guitarist for Feral Silence. Her first rock concert had been where she'd met Ren again after five long years.
"And what about you?" Nat grinned at me. "Are you going to be saving your energy for Noah Hart?"
I stammered, not knowing what to say.
"You're blushing!" Nat pointed an accusing finger at me. "Is there something to blush about? Have you been holding back on us? Is there something going on between you and him? How dare you not tell your best friends every detail of your life!"
"Nat, calm down," I hissed, batting her finger out of my face. I looked around surreptitiously. We were surrounded by throngs of fans. "Noah and I—"
Nat and Ivy leaned in close, eyes wide.
"I think we're sort of, maybe, in a kind of relationship," I hedged.
Nat gaped at me, astonished.
"What's a maybe, kind of, sort of relationship?" Ivy asked.
"We're sleeping together," I admitted.
Nat threw her arms around me with a cheer. "Jen's having sex with the lead singer of Darkest Days!" She pulled back and looked me directly in the eye. "Please tell me it's amazing. Please tell me it's kinky. Please tell me he has an enormous—"
"Nat!"
The lighting in the concert venue dimmed and cheers rose up.
"You're going to tell us every single detail after this concert is done," Nat demanded.
An explosion of lights and sound dazzled us. Every fan in the audience held their breath with anticipation. Nat gave me one last look and turned back to the stage as a four member band was revealed, instruments in hand.
Feral Silence's lead singer and front man Kell Pierce, with his curly blond hair flopping over his forehead, grinned madly at the audience as they cheered the band's name. He brought his hand to his ear and leaned forward, teasing the fans, indicating that we should scream louder, to which the crowd dutifully obeyed.
"Ohmigod Morris is so hot!" Nat squealed.
Although almost hidden behind his drumset, Morris's large frame, with a wide torso and chest, made him visible from the front row. He practically dwarfed Natalie in person. On stage he seemed larger than life.
Ivy's mouth popped open as a spotlight hit Ren, lighting up the long, black, glossy hair that fell over one shoulder and illuminating his sharp cheekbones and exquisite jawline. I'd wondered if he'd be playing violin for the first song, but he was holding his bass guitar loosely in his hands, long fingers caressing the strings. I saw Ivy flush and I knew she was having naughty thoughts about those fingers.
The last member of the band Jayce Evans, lead guitarist and world renowned sex god, scanned the audience with a heated gaze, causing spontaneous orgasms as his dark eyes passed over each fan. His shirtless abs were on display, causing a flurry of swoons and sighs of delight. It wasn't that Jayce only got by on his sex appeal. He was an accomplished musician. It was just that his movie star good looks didn't hurt.
I swooned and squealed and fangirl'd along with the rest of the audience, enjoying the concert as much as I always did, but some small part of me was distracted.
The last time I'd seen Noah on stage, I'd been overwhelmed by his musical prowess. I'd started having second thoughts. I didn't want that to happen this time. I wanted to enjoy his performance without drowning in self-doubt.
I just had to remind myself of all the times Noah had called me talented. I had to remember that Noah trusted me, that he had opened up to me. Noah was counting on me to help him write a song that reflected his heart and spoke to his fans.
I wasn't going to let him down.
When Feral Silence's set came to a close, Nat and Ivy turned to me, their faces shining with excitement.
"That was so awesome," Nat gushed.
"Ren's amazing," Ivy sighed happily.
"You guys are lucky," I agreed.
"Who's the lucky one?" Nat raised an eyebrow. "I think I remember you saying something about having kinky sex
with the lead singer of Darkest Days."
"When did I ever say anything about kinky?"
"I've listened to his lyrics as much as you have. That man has got to be into some weird stuff."
"You can't tell that from song lyrics."
"Are you saying the sex isn't kinky?"
I felt myself flushing.
"Come on, dish. It's fine. I'll go first." Nat gave me a smug grin. "Morris likes to tie me up."
"What?" Ivy squeaked.
"It's not that weird. Noah just…" I mumbled the last few words, "likes to have sex in public."
Nat nodded appreciatively. "Nice."
"And make me beg."
Ivy looked appalled. "Oh my god."
"And do you?" Natalie asked with a naughty grin.
I flushed. "Yeah."
"Can we not be having this conversation right now?" Ivy's face was flaming.
Nat patted Ivy on the head. "Poor innocent soul. I'm sure Ren's been having a lot of fun teaching you things bit by bit, hasn't he?"
Ivy looked like she wanted to die on the spot.
The lights dimmed again, giving Ivy a reprieve. Five shadowy figures made their way on stage. I held my breath as Noah took position at the front.
Spotlights hit every member of the band as the music started with a crash of drums and heavy bass.
My heart expanded in my chest as I watched Noah sing, his expression open, eyes full of sorrow, voice filled with pain. This Noah Hart, the one on stage, was the Noah I'd first fallen for all those years ago as a teenager. Now that I knew the real man underneath, I couldn't help falling for him even further.
He thought of himself as a sell out, but I knew that wasn't true. There was no way the Noah Hart I was seeing on stage was anything except one hundred percent authentic.
I just had to figure out a way to show him that he needed to let this Noah out of its cage more often.
And I didn't know if I could do it alone.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After the concert we headed backstage, flashing our passes to prove we weren't a bunch of groupies trying to sneak in.
Ivy and I followed Natalie's lead as she weaved and darted through event venue staff and bodyguards. I assumed she'd been backstage at enough concerts by now to know the drill.
We ended up in front of a closed door with the words artist lounge.
"Are we allowed in there?" Ivy asked.
"No," Natalie said as she pushed the door open anyway. Her face lit up as she ran inside, throwing herself at a large, muscled man with short brown hair, clinging to him with both arms.
"Morris! You were amazing! I can't believe how hot you are on stage, all the other girls in the audience were probably picturing you naked and it's not fair because you're all mine and they can't have you."
Nat babbled at her boyfriend as he gave her an indulgent look. Natalie had been worried at first that her exuberant nature would annoy someone as solemn and stoic as Morris Edwards. He found her adorable and charming instead.
A tall man with long black hair tied back in a low ponytail approached Ivy from the side and kissed her cheek.
"Hey beautiful," Ivy's boyfriend Ren murmured in her ear. "Did you enjoy the show?"
"It was loud."
Ren gave her a soft smile. "I'll buy you earplugs next time."
"It's okay. I don't want to miss a second of your performance. You were great on the violin tonight."
"It's all that duet practice with you."
"It has nothing to do with me. You've always been amazing."
"You're the one who's amazing."
They gazed into each other's eyes as Ren pressed a kiss to each of her fingertips. I left the two of them alone to be sickeningly sweet together before I threw up rainbows and kittens.
An arm caught me by the waist and swung me around, nearly sweeping me off my feet. I smiled to myself, happy that Noah was being so openly affectionate.
"You looking for a good time, gorgeous?"
Cameron swung me into his view until we were face to face. His bright red hair fell over his eyes, which were heavily rimmed with black eyeliner. He gave me a sultry look, full lips titled upward as if he knew a secret and I didn't.
I pushed at his bare, sweaty chest. He had taken his shirt off on stage again. Those abs of his were even more impressive this close up. No wonder all the girls swooned.
"If I was looking for a good time, it wouldn't be with you."
"Ouch," He faked a wince and squeezed me tighter. "Shot down again. If you keep on rejecting me, I might start feeling unloved."
"I'm sure you can find dozens of girls willing to give you their love."
"But we always want the ones we can't have, don't we?"
"What are you doing?"
Noah's flat voice rang out from behind me. I turned in Cameron's arms to find him glaring at us. Noah was dressed in his rock star best, all black, mesh top, leather pants, and the barest hint of kohl around his eyes, much more restrained than Cameron's heavy gothic look.
My insides fluttered, heat pooling between my legs at the sight. Noah was already an attractive man, but the primal sensuality of Noah in leather pants and eyeliner was going to be my undoing.
"Just getting in some snuggle time with my favorite girl." Cameron threw Noah a smug grin and he cuddled me close to his chest.
Noah's expression twisted as he marched over.
"Hands off," he growled.
Cameron's smug grin grew wider, until it nearly took over his entire face. "Do you object to me putting my hands on this gorgeous young lady?"
Noah clenched his fists at his side, his lips pressed firmly together.
"If I recall," Cameron continued, "the last time I saw her, she was crying because you'd been acting like your usual bad-tempered self."
Noah's dark expression turned vaguely shamed.
"We worked things out." I wiggled out of Cameron's hold. He let me go with minimal fuss. "Besides, Noah said he's sorry."
Cameron laughed in my face. He stopped when he saw my confusion. "You're being serious? This asshole actually apologized?"
"I was as shocked as you are. He's not the apologetic type, is he?"
Cameron leaned close, fake-whispering in my ear. "Whenever His Royal Highness goes on a bitchy rampage, he usually sulks for a few days then pretends nothing happened."
"I'm standing right here," Noah snapped.
Cameron gave Noah a toothy grin before throwing his arms around his neck. Noah jammed an elbow in Cameron's ribs to fight him off. The bassist pulled his head down and placed a kiss on his lead singer's forehead.
"No need to be so pissy."
"Get off," Noah grunted and punched Cameron in the side. Cameron backed away with a chuckle.
"Is that why he's so touchy about me trying to feel you up?" Cameron asked me before flicking his gaze to Noah with a smirk. "Have you staked your claim?"
"Keep your goddamn hands to yourself."
Noah put an arm around my waist and led me away from Cameron and out of the artist lounge.
"Where are we going?" I asked. "I haven't even said hi to August or the twins yet."
"You can say hi later. Right now I need to get inside that sweet pussy of yours."
My heart fluttered at his possessive tone even as a pulse of arousal spiked through me.
"So you are staking your claim?"
"If that's what you want to call it."
"You think you can just drag me off like a caveman and I'll drop my panties for you?"
"Yes."
Considering the damp state of said panties, I couldn't really contradict him.
Noah opened a door that said staff only on the front. He tugged me inside and closed it. We were in an office with papers piled on every available surface, including the desk, office chair and bookshelves.
"I don't think we should be in—"
My protest was muffled by Noah's mouth devouring mine. I let my body mold against his as our lips pressed toge
ther. His tongue slipped inside, battling with mine. Any protests I had fled with the taste of his lips and mouth and tongue.
The leather of his pants pressed into the bare skin of my upper thighs exposed by my short hem. I grasped at his mesh top, tugging on it to pull it over his hand so I could press my breasts against his bare chest. He buried a hand in the hair at the nape of my neck, angling my head for a more thorough kiss.
The smell of leather and sweat and spice had me reeling. In my mind's eye I was still watching Noah on stage, his eyes alight with a dark fever, passion exuding from every pore. The spotlights had lit up his dark hair, shining down on his shoulders and creating a halo, as if he were an angel from heaven.
But this man was no angel. He was a devil, a demon in human disguise, sent to tempt me and tease me. And I eagerly, willingly succumbed.
With two hands on my hips Noah backed me up until my ass was pressed against the edge of the messy desk. With a swift motion he tugged the hem of my dress above my hips and over my head, tossing it aside. He cupped both breasts in his hands, plucking at the nipples until I was gasping and squirming.
"Take off your panties and spread your legs," he demanded.
"Someone could walk in," I said, but I did as he commanded, blushing the entire time. I was dripping wet and he'd barely even touched me.
"I don't care."
Noah dived between my legs and immediately sucked my clit into his mouth. I fought back a shriek, digging my hands into his hair. He licked and sucked at me, playing with me expertly. God, singers had talented mouths.
He parted my folds with his thumbs and delved between my lips, circling my entrance with his tongue. I tugged on his hair, pulling him closer. He darted his tongue inside me, probing deeply. I moaned, my legs trembling. He returned to my clit for long moments, then went back between my folds. I panted heavily as heat pooled in my belly.
"Come for me," he murmured. "Come for me while I fuck you with my tongue."
His words were my undoing. I groaned out loud as pleasure washed over me, my limbs going weak. I couldn't keep myself upright. Noah continued playing with me throughout, easing me through my climax. His firm grip on my hips was the only thing keeping me from falling.
Hard Rock Tease: A Rock Star Romance (Darkest Days Book 1) Page 14
