Dark Temptations Volume I: A Collection of short stories

by K. A Knight

  “Any last words for the ladies before we go?” I address the boys. Kingston offers his hand, and I pass the mic.

  “I just want to say thank you for joining us on your Valentine’s Day, you have been an amazin—” He cuts off as Emmett leaps forward and pulls his underwear down, revealing him in all his naked glory.

  I have to bite my lip to hold in my shout as his cock falls out. Jesus Christ, I am so dead. Teasing yes, but actual full-frontal nudity is prohibited, and they know that. I am so fired. Emmett takes the mic as Kingston drops to the floor, tangled in his trousers, laughing as he tries to put what the boys call ‘the snake’ away.

  “Well, ladies, I thought you could use a snapshot to spice up your night a bit.” I arch my eyebrow at him and try to hold in my scowl. I don’t have time for jealousy, I just hope this little stunt doesn’t get back to the head office. We have been doing so well recently, getting the boys’ bad reputations for misbehaving back on track, but something like this could set us back again.

  I quickly take the mic as Kingston manages to cover up, making the crowd boo.

  “Thank you, ladies, you have been an amazing crowd. You can bet The Wild Boys will be back next year! Grab your calendars and meet us in reception!” I tap my leg in cue and the speakers blare to life as the lights come up. An automated message informing the crowd the show is over and to head to the lobby starts up. I wave as I walk off stage, all the while a quiet fury burns deep in my gut—one the boys are going to feel later on.

  Clutching my clipboard to my now ruined blouse, I stalk backstage, the catcalls of the crowd and joking of the guys following after me, still obviously on a high from the show. The anger from their prank on stage is stewing in my gut, and I know that it’s stupid, but I’m feeling jealous tonight. Not because they are dancing like that for other women, I get that, it’s all an act, but it’s Valentine’s Day, and instead of spending time with my boyfriend, boyfriends, like a normal person, I’m watching them spend time with other women. That and the fact that the show is all about teasing. In Blake’s words, it’s all about making the audience believe they can have their every desire, their every fantasy. They show them what they want, but only tease at the full package. Well, not tonight. It’s stupid and crude, but I figured the crowd only gets to see so much, whereas I’m special because I get to see it all.

  The logical part of my brain tells me I’m being overreacting, I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to be in a relationship with them, but whenever I have heightened emotions... let’s just say that bad things happen. There is a reason all my friends call me crazy, but I prefer the term open-minded.

  “Baby girl, you are clutching that clipboard pretty tightly. Are we still on schedule?” Blake teases, his grin that usually has me in a puddle of desire not working on me tonight, and my usual habit of always being on schedule goes out the window as my emotions burn bright and hot ,and I have to stop myself from letting it take control. They might be my boyfriends, but this is still a job and I have been doing a well controlling my crazy—okay, sort of a good job, there was that time… wait, no never mind.

  Since I became the tour manager of ‘The Wild Boys,’ I’ve always been on them about the importance of sticking to a schedule. They were a mess before I came in and sorted them out, they needed someone to take them to hand and organise them. They now see that I’m right and how well they are doing because we work together. They still tease me about my clipboard though. One of the stagehands heads my way, he’s one of the usuals who travels with us, and he takes one look at my face, spins on his heel, and scurries away.

  Usually, I would make a jokey comment and carry on, tonight though, is not the night for them to tease me.

  “What the fuck was that out there?” I demand, trying to keep my voice low so the stagehands and crew don’t hear us arguing, it doesn’t help morale when they see us fight. The guys stop in their tracks and various expressions of shock reach me.

  “What? You mean the pants thing? That’s nothing, Gabs, just a little joke,” Emmett comments, his playboy grin firmly in place. It’s enough to make the knees of most women go weak. Not this woman.

  The urge to hit him with the clipboard is really hard to ignore, so I try to count backwards from ten, like my mum used to make me do when I was little. A pang runs through me at the thought of my mum, and I quickly push it away before I can fall down that rabbit hole.

  “It’s a joke that could cost you your reputation and me my job. We have worked so hard, and you could have thrown it all away. Not to mention get me fired!” I whisper-shout the last, and I see a few eyebrows raise. Emmett’s face drops and I feel a little pang of guilt, it’s like kicking a puppy.

  Grabbing a fistful of hair, I spin on my heel and march away, needing some fresh air before I do or say something I’ll regret in the usual Gabby style. I hear footsteps chase after me as I round the corner behind the curtain. I turn to see Liam there, with a concerned look on his face. For all his joking, he does have a sweet side, but right now I’m not feeling very sweet.

  “Angel, we’re sorry. Will you just come and talk to us?” he asks, that sincere smile on his face. He knows something else is going on, he always does.

  “No. Go get ready for the signing, I have some things to sort out.” I turn and march away again, this time with no footsteps following me.

  I manage to hold it in until I smash through the back fire door, the tour bus is parked metres away with the lights off and the engine cold. I quickly look around, and when I spot no one, I fling the clipboard at the side of the bus and let out a yell. It doesn’t break, so with laser focus, I pick it up and start smashing it into the side of the bus.

  “Motherfucking asshole, big cock, twat loving, donkey screwing men!” I scream as I smash it into the black paintwork. Until it snaps into little pieces and I’m left panting, with my hair everywhere, and my anger retreating a little.

  I hear a noise, and my head snaps up to see a bewildered looking Emmett, standing open-mouthed, gawking at me, with his hand still propping open the door.

  “Erm, wow. That was colourful,” he finishes lamely, eyeing me like I’m crazy.

  Standing up straight, I slick my hair back and straighten my outfit. “You should be getting ready for the signing,” I murmur.

  “Er, yeah. I wanted to say sorry.” He steps out and lets the door shut behind him with a bang, leaving us in the quiet back car park of the venue. “Gabs, I am so sorry. Please don’t be mad at us.” I hold up my hand, and he steps forward again. “Let me finish. It was a stupid prank, one we shouldn’t have done, but you know we won’t let you get fired and they will have to give you a break, you can’t watch us all the time and you have managed to get us on the sort of straight and narrow when no one else has.” I cross my arms and look away as I grind my teeth. “Gabs, I really am sorry, but I know it’s not just about our reputation and your job. I saw your face. Talk to me sweetie, you know I’m always here for you.”

  Crap. I really don’t want to tell them that this all stems from me being a jealous girlfriend. It’s not my usual style, and working as their manager, I have probably lasted a lot longer than most girlfriends would have if they had to watch their boyfriends strip. I mean, I did but we aren’t talking about Kelsey. His apology does melt a part of me though, and I give him a small smile to know that I don’t hold his antics against him. That’s why I love him after all, and part of how we became friends in the first place.

  “I’m fine. Let’s get back to it before the fans tear this place apart looking for you.” Ignoring his hurt look, I step up to the door but he blocks it with a muscly arm. Stupid, big strong men.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day to my best friend. I know sometimes I’m an ass, one who doesn’t think about other people’s feelings, but Gabs, I don’t know how I lived before you.” My heart pounds in my chest as I look to him to see the truth written across his face, while his other hand is curled up and outstretched to me. He opens it slowly to
reveal my necklace, the one that got broken and lost in that nightmare of a show that nearly cost me everything, one that I started nicknaming the black night. Covering my mouth, I look from it to him. It’s the last reminder I have of my brother.

  “Em, you didn’t. How?” I cry, not daring to touch it.

  He shrugs and holds it out again, the metal circle warped a little bit from the fire. “I knew it meant the world to you, and you might not know this, but some women actually find me charming, I just used that to my advantage.”

  I can’t drag my eyes away from it, my neck has felt bare ever since I lost it that night, especially after wearing it for five years straight.

  “Thank you,” I whisper. “I mean it, thank you, Em, and I’m sorry too. I let my emotions get the better of me. You know you’re my best friend.” He motions for me to turn around and I do. He lifts my hair and drops the necklace onto my neck, the metal cold against my skin.

  “Good, remember that when I’m being an idiot.” He drops my hair and wraps his arms around me from behind, and a warm feeling starts in my chest. People ask me if I’m not drawn to Emmet, if I don’t want to fuck him. The truth is, ever since I met him, I’ve always felt this bond between us, not a sexual one but one you feel with a sibling. One I haven’t felt since Tommy, my brother, died all those years ago.

  “Come on, crazy girl, let’s keep to your schedule and get that signing done so you can enjoy your Valentine’s Day.”

  I should be embarrassed he witnessed my little outburst, but honestly, he’s seen me in some compromising positions over the last few months. I guess when your every waking minute is with six men, you soon lose your embarrassment.

  He glances back at the bus and the mess that now litters the ground.

  “We also need to get you a new clipboard. What are you going to do without one?” he asks with mock horror, and I wish I still had one because I would so bash him with it. The anger has retreated a little, but I still need some time to think and sort through everything that happened tonight.

  Chapter 2

  The After Party

  Luckily, I manage to avoid being alone with any of them during the signing, I thank the room full of horny women clambering for their attention for that. I stay to the sides to make sure nothing goes wrong at the same time as starting the crew in packing up.

  I’m super busy, and by the time I realise we are down to the last couple of women with their calendars eagerly clutched to their chest, I notice it’s getting really late.

  I touch the mic in my ear. “Time to wrap it up,” I murmur, and get a chorus of replies from the crew.

  I watch in amusement as the two middle-aged women stutter and blush, before thrusting out their calendars to be signed. Blake teases them and makes them blush more, Liam then makes them laugh before Damon makes them feel comfortable. They are amazing, I know that much already, but watching them make their fans at ease while maintaining their composure, especially when I can see the exhaustion lining their faces, only seals that for me. This is the tenth show this month and I know they are looking forward to the well needed break they get for the next two weeks, and I am as well. Though I haven’t told them yet that I’m going home for a while. I’m not sure how they will take that news.

  My eyes flicker around the venue, running through the list in my head, when I spot two young girls no older than twenty, standing to the side and making eyes at my men. Rolling my eyes, I decide to be mature and help escort them out, after all, I’m used to this by now. Heading their way, I nod at the staff bustling about packing, before stopping in front of them. They are pretty, if not very similar looking. Both have long, blonde hair and cute little faces. Their clothes are tight and almost see through, and they teeter on massive heels. I wish I could say this isn’t normal, but I always see young girls dressing like they are older, trying to land themselves in one of the guys’ beds. It was a big issue when I first started, crazy fans do crazy things, but I have learned how to handle them since then.

  “Hey guys, did you enjoy the show?” I ask, smiling at them.

  They look at each other before the one on the left flicks her hair over her shoulder and looks me over from top to bottom. Great, snobby bitches.

  “We did, we are just waiting for Blake and Kingston. They mentioned we could …” She looks around before lowering her voice. “Come with them for the night.” Her friend giggles and I arch my eyebrow.

  “Sorry girls, I’m the show’s manager and the boys know better than to invite guests back. The venue is starting to close so why don’t you head home?” I request politely.

  “Look, lady, they invited us back,” the one on the right starts. I’m just going to start calling them ‘Thing One’ and ‘Thing Two.’

  “Ladies, what seems to be the issue?” comes a deep, smoky voice, which has me shivering. Damon drops his sweaty arm around my shoulder and pulls me close, not the least bit bothered about the rules. I risk a glance at him and have to control my hormones. He’s older than some of the guys, in his mid-forties, but bloody hell does he own it. What my friends back home would call a rocker, with slicked back, messy black hair and a penchant for tight, ripped black jeans and leather jackets. He is less defined than the others as well, more normal looking, but there is something about him. Maybe it’s the twinkle in his eyes or the sense of power he gives off, but I find myself leaning into him.

  “Oh, hi Damon,” Thing One says, flirty as she flutters her fake lashes at him.

  “No issue, just seeing the last of the guests out. Have you finished up?” I question him without even looking.

  “Yeah, we’re heading back to shower. You going to finish up so we can get ready to blow this joint?” he inquires, not even addressing the girls.

  “Sounds good, I’ll meet you on the bus in twenty,” I reply.

  “Okay darlin’.” He drops a kiss on my head before addressing the two girls who are looking angrier by the second.

  “Thanks for coming tonight girls, we hope to see you at the next show.” With that, he turns and walks away, taking his heat with him.

  “Sorry girls, time to go,” I say, watching as they look behind me, the disappointment clear on their faces as my men leave to go clean up. I nod my head at one of the security guards and he steps up next to them.

  “Come on, I’ll escort you to the door,” he offers. I nod and turn to leave. Fuck, being polite is hard.

  By the time I get back to the bus, it’s over an hour later. Pack up always takes so long, especially when one of the stagehands decides to get drunk and disappear, meaning I had to pitch in. Dragging my feet up the steps of the bus, I rub my exhausted head. I can’t wait to crawl into bed at the hotel, thank God it’s only a ten minute drive. Stopping in shock, I blink as I look around what I call the living room. Sofas line one wall and finish in a corner seat, while the other wall boasts a small kitchen. It’s not that which has me blinking, though, but the naked men waiting for me. I don’t know where Emmett is, and I don’t care, as I take in the expanse of skin just lying around for my viewing. All five of my men are naked, and obviously just got out of the shower and decided to wait for me like that. Damon is lounging on the floor, his phone held above his face. Blake is sprawled on the sofa, posing, even though his eyes are shut. Kingston is sitting up reading, and Liam and Leo are playing a game at the table.

  “Er, hi?” I say, confused.

  They all stop what they are doing and look up at me.

  “Hey, pretty lady,” Liam offers with a grin and a wink.

  “Any reason you’re all naked?” I ask, as I drop my coat on the chair and make my way to the sofa. I drop my tired ass down next to Kingston.

  “Ah, well, you see, it’s Valentine’s Day, and we know how hard you’ve been working, so we thought we could do something nice.” Liam stops when something hits his head.

  “What he’s saying is tonight, we are all yours. Whatever you want us to do to you, or do to us,” Blake finishes, his eyes now open and fo
cused on me, they are quickly heating, and I find myself looking around at all of them again.

  “Huh,” I say, unsure what else to add.

  “That’s it. Huh?” Damon teases, as Kingston drops his book and starts playing with my hair.

  Liam looks at Leo and nods. Popping up onto his hands and knees, he grins that sexy little smile at me as he sensually crawls across the floor. There is just something about the way he moves, whether he’s dancing, walking, or fucking. He moves so smoothly and every little twist, pop, or stride is sexy as hell and he knows it.

  Stopping in front of me, he runs his hands up my calves to my knees, before thrusting them apart.

  “It’s our way of saying sorry. We’re all yours,” he whispers, as he climbs up my body using the sofa, until his hard cock is level with my face. I can smell the strawberry soap he stole from me, and I grin a little. All my guys they need to wash before they touch me, let’s just say it is a huge turn off when you smell some other woman’s perfume on your man. Using the sofa back, he starts to grind and wind his hips, his body moving in a sexy as hell way. I tip my head back to see him watching me, that look in his eyes letting me know tonight will be a night I’ll always remember. I jump when hands grab my ankles. Looking around Liam, I spot Damon on one side and Leo on the other. They quickly shed my shoes and socks, and start to massage my tired feet, making me groan. Liam, obviously feeling left out, grabs my hair, tipping my head back again.