I stare at the hypodermics in his hand. “I thought you kicked that shit back in L.A.? What the fuck do you need needles for?”
“I don’t want to share with Vinnie. He’s been fucking everything with a pulse. God only knows what he has.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and tip my head back. This tour gets worse every day. “Is that what you and Garrett are up to? Speedballs with Vinnie?”
“Vinnie’s a generous dude. You should come party on their bus with us more often.”
“No thanks.”
I nod to the hypodermics he’s stuffing inside his coat. What the fuck am I going to do about this? “We could’ve, you know, stopped at a drug store or something. You didn’t need to steal from the free clinic.”
“The opportunity presented itself, so I took them.” He shrugs. “No biggie.”
“Yeah, sure.”
As much as Jacob pisses me off, this new development kills me. But I have no idea how to handle it without making things worse.
What can I do to stop my friend and bandmate from taking this long, casual stroll into the abyss?
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Mallory
“Cut!” The director yells.
My assistant tosses a robe my way, and I hurry to wrap it over my skimpy swimsuit.
Please let this be it for the day.
“Jesus,” Pamela mutters. “That had to be the longest shoot in history.”
“I know.” I sneak a look at the clock. “I’m hoping we’re done.”
“Big plans?”
The question’s full of the usual snark I’ve come to expect from Pamela. Working on the same show, our boyfriends both out on tour together, you’d think we’d be friends. But she’s treated me more like a competitor since the day the producers announced I’d now have a recurring role in the series. I don’t know why. She’s still the star. My face isn’t even shown in the credits.
“I’m flying out to see Chaser,” I answer without looking at her. I’d learned the first week the guys were out on tour she didn’t want to talk about anything related to Vicious Vandals.
“How cute. God only knows what you’ll walk in on.”
Chaser and I are way past the stage in our relationship where I’m insecure about what he’s doing out on the road. Despite the expense, he calls me every night after a show. On his days off, we’re able to talk longer, and he’s filled me in on everything.
“I’m sure it’ll be chaos.” I shrug and turn to leave for my dressing room. I have a flight to catch.
After several delays, my plane finally lands in Houston. I can’t push my way through the throng of people to find Chaser fast enough.
“Are you really finally here or am I dreaming?” he asks as I throw myself against him.
“I thought I’d never get here. Have you been waiting the whole time?”
“Baby, I’d wait for you forever.” He cups my face, tilting my head to the side. “How are you even more beautiful than when I left?”
The chance to answer is stolen when he leans down and presses his lips to mine for a deep, unhurried kiss.
When he releases me, I sway on my feet. All around us, people have stopped to stare. Whether it’s from our melting-hot reunion kiss or because they recognize him, I’m not sure. Chaser easily slides back into his give-no-fucks persona, ignoring the gawkers.
“Any bags?” he asks.
I hold up my one lone duffel. “Nope. I didn’t want to waste any time. I hope you’ll forgive the lack of makeup and dressy clothes this weekend.”
His lips curl. “You didn’t need to bring any clothes at all, little dove.”
Outside, he’s more serious. “I borrowed Darren’s car. It’s disgusting.”
“I don’t care.”
“And we have to sleep on the bus tonight. Actually, it’s rolling out at midnight.” He stops to check his watch.
“Chaser, I’ll sleep on the side of the highway as long as I’m with you.”
We arrive at the stadium parking lot quicker than I expected. Except for a few scattered cars, groups of random people loitering around, and three large tour buses, the lot is empty.
“How was the show?” Guilt that I’d missed another one of Kickstart’s performances gnaws at me.
“Incredible. The crowd was amazing. Most of them already had the new songs memorized. It was wild.”
“I’m so happy.”
He grins at me. “I can’t wait to play you some of the new things I’ve been working on.”
“Hopefully, we’ll have a little time tomorrow?”
We stop next to the red and black painted bus. Their top-hat wearing skull logo stares down at us with a sinister smile. When I saw the bus back in L.A., it had seemed huge. Now, that I’m planning to spend the next couple of nights on it, not so much.
Chaser’s guitar tech Darren holds out his hands for the keys. “Hey, Mallory,” he greets in a low voice. “We were starting to worry you weren’t coming back,” he says to Chaser.
“Her flight got delayed a couple times.”
“We’ll probably roll out in twenty. Drive straight through and find somewhere for breakfast.”
“Sounds good.”
The bus is mostly dark and quiet as we climb aboard.
“Wow.” I glance at the bunk beds near the back of the bus. Two on each side, separated by a narrow aisle. “You can reach out and high-five each other.”
“We do, frequently.” Jacob pokes his head out from behind his curtain. “How you doing, Mallory?”
“Hey, Jacob.”
Something taps my head, and I glance up to find Garrett leaning out of his bunk. “Welcome to the madhouse.”
“Seems tame tonight.”
The two of them grin at each other, and Jacob answers, “Don’t worry. That can always change.”
They disappear into their bunks, and I glance at Chaser. “That’s not ominous,” I whisper.
“Ignore them.”
“What are the chances of me taking a shower before bed? I reek of delays and desperation.”
“Desperation?”
“To get to you.” I tap his chest.
“Oh, puke!” Jacob moans from behind his curtain. “Can you two go do that romantic shit somewhere else?”
Female giggles from both upper bunks follow Jacob’s demand. Chaser lifts his middle fingers in the air and jerks his head toward the back of the bus.
He slides a small door open, revealing what passes for a bathroom. “We’re not the neatest.”
His apologetic tone prods me to try not to wrinkle my nose in disgust.
He places his hands on my waist, sliding them up, until he’s cupping my breasts. I glance down the hallway, but no one’s paying attention to us.
“Everyone’s busy.” He kisses my neck while nudging me into the bathroom.
Inside, there’s just enough room for me to perch on the edge of the sink if we’re both going to occupy the tiny space.
The heat of the bus and our close proximity heightens his unique, masculine scent. I rest my head against his chest for a moment, inhaling him. “I love the way you smell.”
He chuckles softly, his hot breath grazing my shoulder.
“Tomorrow,” Chaser mutters in between kisses. “We’ll check into a nice hotel, and I’ll worship you properly.”
“All I want is you. Any way I can have you. Anywhere.”
He kisses the crook of my neck, nuzzling and rubbing his bristly cheek over my skin. “Let’s take this off.” He slips his hands under my shirt, lifting it out of the way and tossing it over the shower door.
He sucks in a slow, deep breath as I work his jeans loose. “Going right for it, huh?” He winks, then groans when I stroke my hand over his cock.
“You have no idea how much I want you inside me.”
“Let me see you first.” He unhooks my bra and drops it in the sink. “You’re so pretty,” he murmurs, gazing at my breasts. He strokes rough fingers over my nipples then lowers his head to flick
his tongue over the tips.
“Oh!” I gasp when he sucks one nipple is his mouth and pulls hard. He gives my other breast the same love. I rake my fingers through the soft strands of his hair, holding him in place. He pulls back and blows a breath over my damp nipples, gazing up at me with smoldering eyes.
His mouth finds mine again, hot and wet. I wrap my arms around his neck, holding on while he works my pants and underwear down my legs.
He growls when they get stuck on my sneakers. “That’s good enough.” I part my knees, unable to wait another second. “Come here.”
He slides his hands down my back, holding me still as he rolls his hips, brushing his thick erection against me.
“Don’t tease.” Desire fires through me, leaving me hot all over.
He pushes my thighs wider and rubs his fingers through my wetness. “You want it bad, don’t you?”
“Chaser.” Instead of the stern tone I was aiming for, my voice quivers as a flood of heat rushes between my thighs. “Please.”
Finally, he thrusts inside me slowly, hissing with pleasure. “Fuck, you feel good. I missed you so much.”
“Me too.” I pull him down for another kiss. “But please fuck me harder.”
He lets out a strangled groan. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t.” Sweat glistens on his chest, highlighting his beautiful ink and muscles. He throbs inside me, so hard and thick. I don’t mean to, but my nails dig into his shoulders, struggling to draw him closer.
His quick, measured drives tighten my body.
“So good.” My back bows, and I slam my palm against the wall to hold myself up. “I love how you feel inside me.”
He kisses me again, his hands clutching my hips, as he finds a steady rhythmic pace. I gasp and moan, not really caring if the whole bus can hear me as I tighten around him.
“There.” I shiver with pleasure, climaxing with gasping, shuddering breaths.
“That’s it,” he coaxes. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful.”
His pace quickens and turns erratic. He throws his head back, squeezing his eyes shut when his orgasm hits. I watch every beautiful second. His large, powerful frame trembles as he groans my name.
He releases his bruising hold on my hips and nuzzles his sweat-slicked forehead against mine.
“I can’t feel my legs,” I whisper.
Slowly, he returns to himself. “Sorry that was so quick.”
“I loved every second.”
No matter how skilled we are at sharing tight spaces, there’s no way for both of us to fit in the shower. We take turns cleaning up under the weak spray. Chaser wraps me in a towel, he swears is clean, and leaves for a minute, returning with one of his shirts. “Wear this for me?”
I hold the shirt up against my body. “It’ll be a nightgown on me.”
“I want it to smell like you, so when you go home…” His soft, dark eyes watch as I slip on the shirt. “I’m going to stuff it in my pillow and pretend you’re still here.”
“Chaser.” That is both the sweetest and saddest thing he’s ever said to me. How am I supposed to leave him to go back to L.A. in a few days?
“What can I say?” He shrugs. “Your junkyard dog needs the scent of his woman on the road.”
“Please don’t talk about leaving,” I whisper. “I just got here.”
“You’re right.” He holds out his hand. “Ready for bed?”
The fatigue hits, leaving me yawning and nodding at the same time.
“Come on.”
We step out of the bathroom into the mostly darkened bus. I try not to speculate what sticky substances my feet come into contact with on the way to Chaser’s bunk. Something crinkles and crunches under my toes. A half-eaten bag of chips?
Finally, we reach the bunks. He pulls his curtain back, and I peer into the darkness.
Sensing my hesitation, he unhooks a miniature flashlight from a hook on the wall and shines it into the space. “It’s safe,” he assures me.
“You’re all set up like a boy scout here, huh?” I nod to the flashlight.
“Nah.” He shines the light under his chin. “Alvin and I were telling ghost stories the other night.”
Not sure if he’s kidding or not, I crawl into bed.
“Hey, Mallory,” Alvin calls out from across the way. “Welcome home.”
“Aw. Thank you, Alvin,” I whisper back.
“Home away from home,” Garrett mumbles from above us.
“Home is wherever you are,” I whisper in Chaser’s ear, when he settles in next to me.
“Same.”
Chaser
“Where’s Chaser? I got a present for him.” Andrew’s sneaky voice floats down the center of the bus, jarring me out of sleep. Female giggles follow.
Why the fuck is he on our bus at this hour?
We’re not moving anymore, but it still has to be pretty early.
“I wouldn’t man,” Alvin says. “Hey, hon. How you doing?”
“Hi, Alvin,” the girl coos.
“Come on, I thought you wanted to meet Chaser?” Andrew persists.
“He’s sleeping,” Alvin warns.
“That’s the problem.” Andrew’s version of a whisper is bound to wake up the whole bus any minute now. “He hasn’t had any fun on this tour. I’m worried about him.”
“He’s fine. I’m warning you, man. He won’t appreciate it.”
“What’s going on?” Mallory whispers.
“Nothing. Go back to sleep. It’s still early.” My body coils, ready to strike the second someone invades our space.
“Chaser,” Andrew sings. “Where you hiding, bro? I’ve got a surprise for youuu.”
This bullshit’s gone on long enough. Two or three times a week, he sends some random, unsuspecting groupie onto the bus in search of me. I’ve either sent them away in tears, because Andrew assured them I was a sure thing, or one of the other guys eases her disappointment. Andrew pulling this stunt when Mallory’s here is too much.
Time to put an end to his childish antics.
Stealthy as a panther, I reach up and unlock the secret compartment above my bunk. Mallory was partially right earlier. It was the biker in me, not the boy scout, who fitted out my space with whatever I might need on this tour.
The weight of the revolver in my hand is like reuniting with a faithful friend.
The screech of the curtain above us being pulled back is punctuated by a squeal and Garrett’s hostile, “What the fuck?”
“Sorry, looking for Chaser. Howdy, my lady.” Andrew giggles like a little kid.
One…two…three…
Our curtain whooshes open, revealing Andrew’s maniacal grin. “Ha! Found ya, motherfucker—”
I point the revolver dead center to Andrew’s forehead, digging the metal into his skin. His gleeful expression morphs into shock. “What the fuck, bro!?”
“I tried to warn you.” Alvin doesn’t even bother to hide the glee in his voice.
The half-naked girl at Andrew’s side shrieks and runs for the front of the bus.
“What did I tell you about bringing girls to my bunk, Andrew?” I ask, slowly sitting up, but keeping the gun pointed at him.
“To stop doing it.” He backs up into the bunks on the other side and puts his hands in the air.
“Knock it off,” Jacob mutters.
“Then why are you here?” I ask.
“I was worried about you, bro. You gotta be lonely by now.”
“Andrew, have I given you the impression I can’t take care of myself?”
He scratches the side of his head. “Huh?”
“Chaser?” Mallory’s soft voice dials my rage back to a simmer.
“Oh, shit. Hey, Mallory. Didn’t realize you were here.” Andrew cranes his neck to peer into the bunk. “Could you ask your boyfriend to stop pointing his gun at me? It’s making me nervous.”
Mallory chuckles. “What’d you do to piss him off?”
“Get the fuck off our
bus.” I take a step toward him, and he backs away, hands still in the air. “Your band’s got two fucking buses full of all the entertainment you need. No reason for you to be over here.”
“Okay. Okay. It’s cool, Chaser. Everything’s cool. We’re cool.”
He backs all the way down the aisle and stumbles off the steps, hitting the pavement ass first.
The girl he brought cuddles up to Alvin and runs her fingers through his hair.
Alvin flashes me a thumb’s up.
Our driver’s crashed out in his captain’s chair and snorts in his sleep. Apparently, he missed the entertainment.
Shaking my head, I tuck the gun in my waistband. Garrett thrusts his hand out of his bunk, and I slap it as I walk by.
“Nice job, Chaser.”
“I’ve had it with that overgrown fucking toddler,” I grumble. Jesus Christ, my MC brothers love playing pranks on each other. Did all sorts of deranged shit to me when I was prospecting for the club. I still never put up with the sort of bullshit Andrew comes up with almost every single night.
I throw myself into my bunk and tuck the revolver back into its hiding spot.
“Chaser, what was that all about?” she whispers.
“Nothing, little dove. Andrew thinks he’s a prankster.” I hold out my arm for her to snuggle against me.
“Does he bring…women to you when I’m not here?”
“Every chance he gets.”
“Why?”
I turn my head, but with the curtain closed, it’s hard to make out her face in the darkness.
“I told you a long time ago, most guys fuck around out on the road. Apparently, it annoys him that I don’t participate.”
“He cheats on Pamela?”
“I don’t want to talk about them.”
She pinches my nipple.
“Watch yourself, woman.” I lean down and growl against her throat, making her laugh.
There’s some truth to that old saying; be careful what you wish for.
I can’t wait for this tour to finish.
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Mallory
The buses pull up to an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet a few hours later.
Blow My Fuse (Hollywood Demons Book 2) Page 29
