Rock Me

by Alla Kar

  Because all of me loves all of you.

  Love your curves and all your edges.

  All your perfect imperfections.

  I had no idea how long he sang to me. The songs blended together into a blissful few hours of his voice in my ear, his fingers trailing my skin, and the heavy feeling of me falling head over heels for this man.

  I was so far gone that I didn’t care what time it was. I didn’t care if my dad caught me out here, or if he had caught us tangled up in one another. I was with Paxton and I didn’t give a crap about anything else.

  The wind became cooler as the time went by, and Paxton’s warmth kept me content.

  “Missy,” he whispered against my ear.

  “Yeah?”

  “You’re so beautiful.”

  I smiled into the darkness, knowing he couldn’t see me but I knew he felt it. “Do we have to leave?” I asked.

  He chuckled. “Yeah. But we have a bed calling our names.”

  I frowned. Going back to the bus meant going back to reality. And seeing my brother or my dad made me want to stay in Paxton’s strong arms on the beach forever. If I could have survived under the ocean away from my family, I would have.

  Paxton stood, helped me up and picked me up into his arms. “You don’t have to carry me.”

  “Shh, baby. I’m going to hold you as long as I can.”

  So, I let him.

  I rested my head into the crook of his neck and listened to the sound of his heartbeat. After several minutes our hearts began to beat in rhythm with each other. I felt silly holding my breath to hear it better, but it felt—perfect. Right.

  Once we hit the pavement of the parking lot where the tour bus was parked, Paxton lowered me to the ground and stole another long kiss before pulling away.

  The normal mischievous grin was gone. He was studying me so intently, so passionately that I thought I would melt into a puddle of goo in front of him.

  “Let’s go, because if we don’t now I’m going to kiss you again and I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop myself this time.”

  I knew exactly what he meant. I’d felt it the first night in the club. Hence the reason I went home with him. I smiled and followed him inside.

  The bus driver was passed out on the pull out couch and I sighed. No sign of Dillon or—

  “Nick,” Paxton said.

  Nick was shirtless, sitting at the table on his laptop. He narrowed his gaze on us, and clicked something on his laptop. “Where have you both been?”

  I swallowed the nervous lump in my throat and tried to keep my face from telling all.

  “We went down to the beach. Missy wanted to go and I promised your dad I’d watch her.”

  Nick eyed me. He’d know if I was lying, and was trying to decide whether to believe Paxton or not.

  Something crashed against the side of the bus and Dillon came storming in with a girl tucked underneath his arm. “Hello, band members!”

  He was clearly drunk. And the groupie with way too much make-up looked pretty wasted too. Nick scowled. “Get her out of here, Dillon. We’re leaving in the morning.”

  He flipped him off and pulled the girl toward the end of the hall where his bed was.

  Nick got up and started back toward him.

  Thank, God. Paxton turned back and winked at me. “We better make a run for it, before Scrooge gets back.”

  Paxton and I laughed on the way up to our room. We’d escaped the wrath of my brother, but we both knew he’d find out eventually. And that was one day I wasn’t looking forward to.

  My dad would ruin it for me. I knew it. But I knew I’d fight for him. Because I’d fallen so hard for him that I didn’t care if there was anyone there to catch me.

  ***

  Paxton wasn’t in his bed the next morning when I woke up.

  I moved and felt sand from the night before underneath me. And I didn’t care that I needed a shower or that my sheets were dirty. All I could think about was Paxton holding me close to him. Singing in my ear until I felt numb from bliss.

  Pulling on a robe, I walked downstairs and stopped when I saw my dad sitting across from Paxton with a newspaper.

  I felt sick.

  “You’re going to have to be more careful. I know you’re not used to having to make a great appearance, but it’s in the contract. And I’m sure as hell not complaining about you having sex. It keeps you boys happy, but do it more privately next time.”

  What was he talking about? Paxton’s gaze lifted and met mine. Dad turned and frowned at me. “Why are you eavesdropping, Missy?”

  “She’s fine,” Paxton said, his jaw tight. “I’ll keep it PG in public, Mr. King. Promise.”

  Dad sighed and nodded. “Okay. We have a long day of traveling. Go get some rest, and practice.” Dad exited the bus, and not two minutes after the door closed, we started moving again.

  “What was that about?” I asked.

  Paxton handed me the paper, leaned against the wall and took a huge bite out of an apple he grabbed from the table.

  I looked at the newspaper and my eyes widened. “Oh no …”

  “He doesn’t know it’s you. Asshole doesn’t even know his own daughter.”

  That made me happy and sad all at once. The picture was pretty clear for it to be nighttime and looked like it was taken from above where the bridge was.

  “God,” I moaned.

  Paxton smiled over his apple. “Don’t worry about it, baby. It’ll blow over.”

  He was right. I tossed the paper on the table. “Where is my brother?”

  Paxton looked over his shoulder at the driver. “He’s asleep.” He looked back at me, mischief in those too blue eyes. “Which means we have the morning to ourselves. I’d suggest you get your pretty ass back up to my bed before I take you here in front of Rodrigo up there.”

  “That’s his name?”

  He nodded. “You’re still here.” He reached out like he was going to pull my robe.

  I yelped and ran up the stairs with Paxton hot on my heels.

  Chapter Eight

  Paxton

  “He’s so cute.”

  I leaned closer to the closed bathroom door. My ear was pressed against the wood so I could hear Missy talking to Valeria on the phone. Feeling like an eavesdropper, I dismissed the thought and braced my hands on the door for support.

  “Yes, my legs shake. It’s so much better than doing it myself.”

  The image of Missy pleasuring herself made me want to rip the door down to get to her.

  “Yours haven’t shook? Is it normal? Oh, no. What if I’m weird?”

  I snorted and tried to cover my laugh. She was so innocent that it was adorable.

  “Oh, whew. I was scared for a minute. Of course my dad doesn’t know, Val. He’d rip me a new butthole.”

  Butthole? I smiled against the door. The girl didn’t cuss, and I admired that pretty mouth for staying pretty.

  “Paxton got me this phone.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “I know, he’s sweet. I really like him, and I’m so scared my dad is going to ruin it for me.”

  I had the same thought. I’d be out of the band and Missy would be half-way across the world from me in two minutes. Mr. King taking her away from me before I could get to know her, and show her how much I cared for her made my stomach hurt.

  The door swung opened and I took a step backwards.

  “Were you eavesdropping?” Missy asked, a smile on her face. She wasn’t wearing any make-up, her hair twisted on top of her head, and she was wearing a pair of too short cheerleading shorts. She looked even prettier in everyday clothes.

  I rolled my eyes. “Of course not. I was making sure you were okay.”

  “Right. Because I may have hurt myself in the bathroom.”

  I grinned, leaned forward and whispered, “It’s normal for your legs to shake.”

  She blushed and shoved my shoulder. “Butthole.”

  I snorted. “Did you really just call me a butthol
e?”

  She narrowed her eyes and pointed to my bed where my song book was opened. “Aren’t you supposed to be doing your work?”

  I looked over my shoulder and tried to grab her around her waist but she took a step backwards and pointed toward the bed. “Do your work and you’ll get a reward later.”

  I lifted a brow. “That sounds promising. I think I’ll go do my homework now, Mom.”

  She giggled behind her hand and sat crossed-legged on her own bed. Those shorts rode even higher up her thigh and the work was suddenly starting to seem even less important. “Focus,” she said.

  I did.

  When she wasn’t looking, I would ogle her soft skin and pretty blond hair. I’d relish in the memory of her taste on my mouth. She was so sweet.

  Grabbing my pen, I scribbled down a few lines.

  I miss your soft skin.

  Those too-blue eyes.

  The sweet taste of your mouth on mine.

  You’re my energy.

  My everything.

  Your mouth my salve

  For my broken soul.

  You’re my everything.

  I looked up and caught Missy staring at me over her laptop. Her cheeks were flushed and her chest rising and falling hardly.

  Her small smile set my heart ablaze. How did I find her? A stupid one-night stand gone terrible. But the outcome couldn’t have been greater. She was opposite of me in every way possible but perfect for me all the same.

  I’m not sure how long I wrote and rewrote things on my pad. All the while we stole glances at each other from across the room. Grabbing my acoustic guitar, that I hardly used, I strummed along and sung gently.

  Before I knew it, Missy had come over and made camp beside me on my bed. She sat beside me and closed her eyes as I sung. I watched her chest rise and fall, wondering how it would feel to know she was mine forever.

  I couldn’t imagine her being anything other than min—

  The bus screeched to a halt and Missy flew from my bed with a thud. She popped up and giggled.

  “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I just wish they’d stop doing that.”

  “Fuck!” someone yelled from downstairs.

  Missy looked at me. “Looks like my brother is pissed about something, but that’s not really different from any other day, is it?”

  I grinned, put my guitar to the side and followed Missy downstairs. The bus doors were opened. Everyone was standing outside of the bus where the hood was popped open and steam was coming from it.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Nick screamed at Rodrigo. “You’ve got to fix it.”

  “I’m not a mechanic. I just drive the bus, Kid.” He rolled his eyes and shut the hood. “Looks like we need to call a tow. Where are we?”

  Mr. King, who had been on the phone, held the bridge of his nose and sighed, “We’re in some Podunk town in South Carolina. We’re in the middle of fucking nowhere!” he shouted.

  Nick jerked his gaze to us, and then to the roadies that help with the equipment. “Can’t anyone do something? We’re going to miss our concert in North Carolina.”

  Mr. King slapped his hands down on Nick’s shoulders. “I’m calling a tow truck now. Grab the things you need, and meet me outside in thirty minutes.”

  Missy followed me inside and erupted into laughter once we were in our room. “And what may I ask is so funny?”

  “The bus broke down.”

  “And that’s funny because?”

  She grinned. “If it messed up my brother and dad’s day, it’s funny.”

  Laughing, I pointed toward her bed. “Get your ass in gear before your dad comes up here and throws a huge fit. We mustn’t keep the king waiting, m’lady.”

  After we packed up our clothes and necessities, we met everyone down stairs. The roadies helped us load our things into Mr. King’s SUV and we packed ourselves inside.

  The town we were in was only three thousand people and Mr. King cussed every time we hit a stop sign and he looked around. “There are only two hotels in this entire town. Looks like we’re staying at The Howard Johnson tonight. Goddammit.”

  I rolled my eyes at Missy and she hid a laugh by biting her lip. Once we got our rooms, we all unloaded our things and settled into our rooms before we met in Mr. King’s room at the end of the hallway.

  “The bus will be ready by tomorrow morning which is going to put us missing our concert in North Carolina.”

  Nick cussed underneath his breath.

  “But, we’re going to send all the fans signed shirts and CD’s. And I’m setting up a video apology for you guys to record in a few. Just tell them you’re so sorry you missed the concert and love them all.” He flung his hand in the air and went back to his Blackberry.

  Dillon groaned and sat beside me on the bed, facing the laptop with the webcam in front of us. “I wish they’d fix the bus so we don’t have to listen to their bullshit anymore, damn. They complain like women.”

  I snorted. “I know women that do not complain as much as they do.”

  Nick waved his hand in front of us and we made a space for him in the middle. Mr. King stood behind the laptop and held three fingers up counting off to zero.

  Nick’s smile changed and he waved at the camera. “Hi, North Carolina!”

  I mentally gagged. “Hey, ladies,” I said, winking into the camera while Dillon grinned big.

  “We’re so sorry we’re not going to be able to make it. Our bus broke down. But we’re going to be sending you signed t-shirts and CD’s for the trouble.” Nick took on a completely different persona and it freaked me the hell out.

  Ginger and Missy walked into the room while Nick was jabbering about something crazy. Missy’s gaze caught mine and it was near impossible for me to look away.

  Until Nick nudged my leg. “Oh, sorry ladies. We were looking forward to singing you to sleep tonight but we hope the merchandise is worth the while.”

  We all said our goodbyes and Mr. King shut the laptop. “Great. That’ll go live any minute and we’re set. So today won’t be a complete waste, the hotel clerk has given us permission to practice in the abandoned barn behind the hotel. Now go, everything has already been set up.”

  Rolling my eyes, I followed everyone out of the room, slightly pinching Missy’s side as I walked past her. Her flowery scent hit me, and I wished I didn’t have to do anything but lay with her all day.

  Damn practice.

  The abandoned barn was old and full of horse stalls and hay. Nick scowled when we walked in but Dillon hooted and raced toward a giant rope swing hanging from the top. “This is the shit. I want to live in South Carolina,” he said, climbing the ladder.

  “Get your ass down,” Nick said. “We’re supposed to be practicing. Are you crazy?”

  Dillon scoffed and swung from the top of the barn to the other shouting and fist pumping. I laughed and shook my head at him while getting my guitar ready.

  “We should go over the playlist for Virginia.”

  I cleared my throat and pulled out the sheet of paper I’d been writing my song down on. “Can we try this?” I asked, handing Nick the paper.

  His eyes roamed over the page and he eyed me. “When did you write this?”

  I narrowed my gaze. “A long time ago.” Lie.

  And he knew it. He looked over it again. “We can try, sure.”

  I was actually surprised, but by the way he eyed me I knew he knew it wasn’t an old song. I’d just written it about his little sister.

  Once Dillon climbed down from the loft, he settled on the drums and we went over the sheet music for the song. It was soft and different from what we normally did but it sounded great.

  And I was going to sing it to her. Because I wanted her to know this was real for me. I was falling for the innocent girl next door that I promised myself I would stay away from.

  ***

  “Come on before your dad sneaks into Ginger’s room and catches us.”

  M
issy pulled at her shorts and shut her door behind her. The shorts she was wearing were short, showing me those long legs you could run. She turned and smiled up at me. “I wish you would have told me where we are going so I could dress appropriately.”

  A door creaked open at the end of the hallway. I grabbed Missy around her waist and tossed her over my shoulder and ran. She giggled until we were behind the hotel. “You’re such a girl,” I said, dropping her. “You look fine. We’re going to be alone, Sugar. No one to impress but me, and I’m always impressed by you.” I kissed her cheek and intertwined our fingers.

  Her blush darkened as I led her further behind the barn and through a trail in a wooded area. She frowned. “What in the—Paxton. Where are you taking me? This is ‘The Hills Have Eyes’ creepy.”

  I pushed branches back and let her step through. “No inbreeded people are hiding in these woods. I’ve already checked. They’re safe in their rooms for the night.”

  Missy smiled. “Are we almost there?”

  I nodded. The woods started to thin and we walked into the open space where the fairground equipment was.

  Missy’s mouth popped open. “Oh my God! It’s a freaking fair. But no one is here? Why is it here?”

  I started walking forward and she followed beside me, taking in the completely empty rides. I’d already come and made sure they were hooked up before I drug her out here. We stopped at the fence. “They have a fair a few times a year, so they leave it here.”

  “There’s a fence.” She frowned.

  I smiled, dropped down to my knees and pulled out a bobby pin I took from Missy’s makeup bag earlier. “And that’s why you should be happy I’m here. I wasn’t always such a goody goody.”

  She snorted. “Is that what you call yourself now?”

  I smiled and pulled the bobby pin out once it clicked and swung the gate open. “You’re starting to wear off on me.”

  She smiled and twitched her hips walking through the gate. It was a ghost town but the silence made everything worth it. Missy stood still looking around, her eyes wide and a smile on her face. “You want to ride?” I whispered into her ear from behind, wrapping my arms around her small waist.

  She gasped. “They work?”