by L. V. Lewis
“Guys, this is my girlfriend, Sky, and her best friend, Alyssa. Ladies, meet the rest of The Savages.”
Dylan stands to acknowledge the women like the gentleman he isn’t and nods his head in a greeting. When his eyes land on Alyssa, he moves closer, takes her hand and kisses it like she’s his queen and he’s just sworn his fealty to her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alyssa. I’m Dylan.”
“Hey, Dylan.” Any other girl would swoon, but Alyssa knows how to keep her cool. She flashes him a smile that says, I call your bullshit, but I might be willing to play with you.
He holds her hand a lot longer than necessary, as the rest of the band introduces themselves. I forget Dylan can lay on the charm like a pro. Guess things don’t change that much.
“What are you guys talking about over here?” Sky asks. I can tell she means it in jest, but it only brings the question they want me to answer back to the surface.
At this point, I’m not even sure I want to know what they’re talking about anymore and don’t know how to begin to explain this to Sky.
Six
SKY
I can see the tension rolling through Brody from the art gallery side of the building. I quickly cut off the meaning of art conversation with the artists from tonight and drag Alyssa over to the bar with me.
“Hey, what’s the hurry?” Alyssa asks.
“Brody needs me,” I say.
“Okay, and what does any of that have to do with me?”
“You’re my wing woman.”
“Do you know how close I was to having an artist to take home? Painter hands is what I need, Sky. Not all of us have rock idols to warm us up at night.”
I shake my head. “You’re too good for the tortured-artist type.”
“Beggars can’t be...damn. Who is that sitting next to your man?”
I turn back to Brody in the bar, and that’s when I recognize his band mates with him. They’re the ones I’ve seen behind him numerous times in the videos of them performing. I can just imagine what it was like for them at the height of their success and seeing them live.
I zone in on the one Alyssa mentioned. “That’s the former drummer from The Savages.”
“Nice,” she says. “I think you’re right. I’ve forgotten about the artist already and replaced him with drummer hands.”
I shake my head. Alyssa and her one-track mind.
When we arrive, I notice the tension isn’t just around Brody but all of them. None of them answer my question when I jokingly ask what they’re talking about, but I don’t push.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I tell them. “It’s great to meet the rest of the legendary band The Savages in person.”
The two men in the middle blush a little, but the other two seem elsewhere. Dylan appears to be infatuated with Alyssa and vice versa.
The guy on the far right stares at Brody with a look I can’t decipher. When he catches me staring he stiffens up. “We should go,” he says.
“Will you just think about what we said?” one of the others asks Brody.
“I hope you’re not leaving because of me,” I say. “You should stay. Better yet, why don’t you all come and see Brody perform. He’s amazing on stage, but I’m sure you know that. We’ll be in Chicago in a few days from now. You have to come. I insist.” I can’t help rambling, because meeting The Savages has me a bit star struck. Each one of these guys has more experience than I could ever dream of. It’s one thing to be a successful performer and an entirely different thing to be a legend.
They look at each other, and I regret saying anything. They probably hate the kind of music I sing.
“Thanks for offering, baby,” Brody says, “but I think they have other—”
“We’ll come,” the odd guy on the end says. “We’d love to see this new version of Savage.”
“Good,” I tell him. “Show starts at eight so get to the ticket booth early, and I’ll make sure they’re waiting for you.”
I hope the invite eases the tension I feel between them. If it doesn’t, I only hope I didn’t just make things worse.
“I need a shower,” Brody says as soon as we get back to our suite.
“Okay,” I say as I unhook my dress strap from around my neck.
It doesn’t take long for the shower to run and steam to billow from under the door. Brody was so quiet on the way to the hotel, and I wonder if he’s upset with me. Maybe I shouldn’t have invited his old band.
Instead of waiting and wondering, I go to meet Brody in the shower.
“Mind if I join you?” I ask him after I have the door cracked open.
He looks back at me with a smile. “You can always join me, Sky. No permission necessary.”
I slip into the large shower with him. I sigh out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I plant kisses on his back. My lips graze his warm skin, and I realize how much I miss being this close to him whenever I want. Since the tour started it feels like we have less time together. I want to tell him this but I’m afraid of how needy I might sound.
“You’re not angry at me?” I ask.
He turns and takes me in his arms. “My gorgeous, Sky. How could I ever be angry with you?”
“Because of earlier when I invited your band mates to the concert. I should’ve asked you first.”
His electric blue eyes pierce me, and his grin makes it seem like it’s only for me. A deep longing fills my center. No one else has ever made me feel like I’m cared for and loved with just one look.
“I’m not going to lie. It was a little awkward at first, but I’m over it. Hell, may be a good thing if they see me perform with you.”
“Why would it be?”
“They want me to come back to The Savages.”
“Oh.” I can’t think of anything else to say to that. I have always thought Brody should perform again, ever since he sang in my home studio to put my mom in her place for doubting his intentions with me. It breaks my heart to think that he’s keeping that gift from those who need to hear it. I suddenly regret inviting The Savages to the concert, especially if they have plans of taking Brody, but this is bigger than what I want.
The Savages are a part of who he is, but I’ve gotten comfortable with having him on stage with me. It’s a collaborative chemistry like I’ve never known before. Maybe that’s why I feel a pang of jealousy at the possibility of him rejoining them.
As if reading my mind, he says, “I’m not going to do it.”
My eyes widen with that revelation. “Why not? You can’t just not go back, Brody.”
“Watch me.” His arms circle around my shoulders as his bare chest brushes against my breasts. “If they see me sing with you, they may finally get it.”
“What’s that?”
“They’re my past, but you’re my future, Sky.”
I’m grateful for the steam and water masking my tears. This man in front of me has opened me up in more ways than I ever thought possible. It scares me sometimes how much I need him. He makes me feel like I’m perfect when I know I’m not. He allows me to believe in things I never would have thought possible to share with another.
My body, heart, and soul crave him on some incomprehensible level.
Brody kisses me and turns all of those parts of me into a big ball of need that only he can release from me. His lips start out soft and increase in pressure with each exploration. My nipples harden from the friction between us, and it feels like we’re still not close enough to relieve the ache building up inside me.
His fingers weave through my wet hair and pull back hard enough for me to sense both pleasure and resistance in the action. He licks and nibbles on my exposed neck, and it’s not enough. I need the roughness of his touch and attentions to make my body hum.
He senses my need and grazes his teeth along the sensitive flesh and ends it in a bite just underneath my ear. Not leaving the other side neglected, he traces the same hard pressure to the other side. I am left panting and moaning in his arms, and
he’s only on my neck.
When he moves back, I whine in protest.
He chuckles, and I realize he only leaves me to reach for the liquid soap and sponge.
“I love it when you’re wanting more,” he says. “I’m far from done with you, Sky. I’m going to take my time washing every inch of you.”
As good as it sounds, I need him to put out the fire that travels from my belly and straight to my core. It’s torture as he takes his time using the sponge on my shoulders in small circles and moves around to my chest without touching my breasts.
“Brody,” I whisper as he slides it between my breasts and down to my stomach. “Please.”
“Please, what?” he asks.
I’m so frustrated that it’s hard for me to process the question. “I need you.”
“What do you need me to do, Sky?”
“Touch me.” I’m begging now, not caring how it sounds.
“I am touching you,” he says. His smile turns mischievous.
“Not where I want you.” I grip his shoulders tight as he continues his slow journey over my body without going anywhere.
“Then tell me where you want me. In fact, show me.”
I take his hand and guide it to my breast. The gleam in his eyes says he’s far from done playing with me. He circles my breasts at a turtle’s pace, brushing against my nipple lightly. I’m about to scream at him that I need more, when he surprises me and pinches the other nipple with his free hand.
The shock of it forces the first orgasm from my body, and I hold on tight to his shoulders so I don’t fall. I don’t need to worry, because his muscular arms circle around me to keep me supported against him.
“I’m so not done with you yet, beautiful,” Brody growls in my ear.
My body still trembles from the unexpected orgasm. My eyes are closed as I savor the bits of release. I don’t know his hand is on the move again until he brushes it against my cleft, and my eyes open at the sensitive touch.
“I thought you were washing me from head to toe,” I say, chiding him.
“Apparently, plans change.” His fingers brush against my clit, and I push against him to get even closer.
Brody bends down, takes one of my perky nipples into his mouth, and I melt into him. His gentle sucks turn into a tight pull. His teeth lightly graze the tip, sending new prickles over my skin. Moans escape my lips as his fingers slip between my wet lower lips. In and out, he glides through me until I’m panting.
He pulls back from my breast with a soft pop. His lips brush against my ear. “Come for me again, Sky. I love when you come for me.”
Brody’s command is all it takes for me to shatter into tiny little pieces. If his hands weren’t supporting me and keeping me close, I would fall into a soaking wet heap on the shower floor.
He holds me up as he turns the water off. Then he carries me out and dries me off with the gentlest care. My man knows when to be rough at the right times as much as he knows when to take his time with me.
He lifts me back up in his arms and carries me to the bed. He pinches an exposed nipple and I arch up off the mattress. I’m still so sensitive and full of desire.
“Don’t worry, my beautiful Sky,” Brody says as he crawls over me. “I’m nowhere near done with you. Seems like we’re both still unsatisfied.”
This time he takes my mouth firmly and probes it with his tongue. He’s taking over, and I am happy to submit.
“I have to taste you,” he says. He slips down my body, tracing small kisses on his way down me.
I feel his breath on my heat as his fingers dig into my thighs. He’s taking his time, and my body squirms with expectation.
“Tell me what you need, Sky,” he demands.
“Your mouth on me,” I cry out.
He shakes his head. “I’ve got to hear the right words.”
He knows I’m not used to saying it, but I know he wants me to. The more I’m with Brody, the more I want to give him any and everything he asks of me.
“I want your mouth on my pussy. Please!” I don’t care about the words anymore as long as his mouth works me over, and I know he’ll do it only when he’s good and ready.
“That’s my girl,” he says right before he takes a long, lazy lick of me. His mouth is on me, licking and sucking all of me. His tongue dances between my folds before he even flicks at my clit. It’s a back and forth game that has my body on edge.
My fingers dig into the bed to hold on as Brody pulls me closer. I feel like a sexy feast made only for him. He knows the right combination of pressure to constantly switch between pleasure and pain until I don’t even know the difference anymore.
His deep suck on my clit is what pushes me into oblivion. Spots burst behind my closed eyes, and I feel him lapping up all evidence of my arousal.
He lies back next to me as his hardness stands up, begging for attention. As always I’m anxious to show him how much he’s taught me on how to please him in return.
“My turn,” I say.
The tip glistens and I lick at it before swirling my tongue around the thick head.
“Fuck, Sky,” Brody says, his voice deep and throaty.
I smile before I take more of him in my mouth and twist my hand at the base. Each groan pushes me farther and makes me pick up my pace. He tastes like man and everything Brody, a flavor I’ve become addicted to.
I’m enjoying myself tremendously when he pulls me up. “Keep doing that and I won’t get to be inside you at all.”
He tears the condom foil, but I take it from him. I like doing it myself whenever I can. I’m slow and methodical as I slide it over his length.
Brody smirks down at me. “If you don’t hurry, this will be over too soon. Straddle me, love.”
I smile as I comply. I enjoy this position so much. Brody’s knows how to take from me and let me take from him.
I guide his tip to my entrance and press down. Brody doesn’t take his eyes off me, although I can see he’s tempted to throw his head back from the connection.
I’m stunned for a minute when he slaps my bare ass.
“That’s what you get when you torture me and test my limits.”
He slaps my other cheek before I rise up and fall all the way back down on him, gripping him tight inside me.
“You devious little minx,” he says. “That’s not playing fair.”
“I only learn from the best,” I say, tightening my walls around him again before I move. My little game doesn’t last as long as I want, because I need him as much as he needs me.
I circle my hips and play with the movements as I go up and down on him. When his fingers dig into my hips, I know he’s close. The slight pain from his grip adds to the pleasure.
Only a few more strokes and I’m crashing right before Brody explodes inside me.
I fall on top of him, unable to move.
Brody slides me to the side as he discards the condom and throws the comforter over us.
I nuzzle his neck, smelling his skin and feeling sleep envelop me. “I love you, Brody.”
“I love you, too, Sky,” he says, his lips grazing my forehead. “Get some sleep. Long day tomorrow.”
I don’t need any more prodding to close my eyes.
Seven
Chicago, Illinois and Foxborough, Massachusetts
BRODY
Sometimes I need Sky to remind me how much of an ass I’m being. Whenever I’m close to her, I remember all the things that are important to me now. Things that weren’t important to me back then.
I couldn’t tell the guys yes or no when they asked me to come back. Part of me didn’t want to say no because of the guilt I felt for tearing them apart. I couldn’t continue singing with them after Kim’s death, because I knew it wasn’t going to be the same without her. What was the use of singing music I loved when the woman I loved was gone? But that’s the madness of it all. I loved Kim, but Sky reminds me that I am still capable of love, maybe more so. With her, I realize I’m not complet
ely broken.
It wasn’t the band’s fault I couldn’t keep my shit together. They got the cruelest part of the deal when I left, and I felt like I have owed them the past few years.
I’ll always be Savage Saban, but The Savages is my past. My future rests with Sky and, whoever I may be with her, whether it’s Savage Saban or Brody, I’m not sure which. I’ll figure it out as we go.
I have to tell them the truth. I can never go back. If I do, I’m not sure I would be able to pull myself back out of the hell my music career becomes when I’m immersed in feeding my rock addiction on tour again.
The Chicago audience is the wildest one yet, with people screaming and hollering before we even get on stage. They know Sky’s songs by heart. I even spot some fans crying tears of utter joy as she reaches out to touch their extended hands.
I don’t look for the guys in the audience. The last thing I need is to see them staring up at me with anything other than approval. All I need is the excitement flooding through my veins before each performance.
I focus all my energy on one person: Sky. She’s the reason why I’m back on stage to begin with, so I use her as my anchor as we go through two songs.
We end on a slow melody and watch as people sway and hold up their phones, which has replaced the sea of lighters I’m used to. The screams and applause explode around us. There’s no possible way it can get any louder, until I pull Sky in for a kiss. The noise becomes a thrumming that goes beyond sound and flows through us.
I told Malik prior to the show to allow Dylan, Finn, George, and Stephen back stage after we’re done. I don’t expect them to be right there when I exit the stage.
“Pretty good, man,” Dylan says. “You two make great music together.”
I pat him on the shoulder. “Thanks for that.”
“You wouldn’t happen to know where Alyssa is, would you?”
“Not happening,” I tell him.
“Come on. She’s hot.”
“She’s also my girlfriend’s best friend, and I’m not letting you hurt her.”