“Multiple times,” Meggie adds. “What’d you do to her?”
I look at Meg. “Why do I have to be the one who did something?”
“Uh, because she gave you the finger so many times. We don’t do that unless we’ve been done wrong,” Megs replies.
“I think she took something the wrong way.”
“No shit,” Trace says.
“I think I’d take that song the wrong way too. Were you trying to be all so-long-I-gotta-move-on-here’s-a-song-see-ya?” Meg asks.
“Hell, no!”
Meggie shrugs. “That’s what I got out of that song. If I’d known it was something you wrote to a chick, I’d have told you exactly what she’d think of it.”
“It didn’t help that they had a weekend-long fuckfest before we left,” Kael informs everyone.
I sigh.
“You did not,” Meggie scolds.
“It’s not like that,” I defend.
“It sounds just like that,” Trace rebuts.
“It wasn’t,” I bite out.
Justin shrugs and raises his brows. “I can see how she’d think that, especially with the song. And then to go and record it and it hits number one for months? You’re lucky she didn’t track you down and cut off your dick.”
Meggie nods. “I’d have cut it off, julienned that fucker, and made you eat it.”
Trace smirks, and Kael chuckles.
“Harsh,” Justin replies, hands holding the family jewels.
“Imagine how she felt if that’s what she was thinking,” Kael interjects. “Harsh would be called for if that’s true.”
“Looks like someone’s got some explaining to do,” Justin points out.
“Hopefully, he’ll live through it,” Meggie adds.
Right. Hopefully, she won’t murder me on sight. Or maim me.
“Here she comes,” Gage tells me as he stands next to his brother.
“Holy fuckballs, she’s a looker. You messed up so bad,” Meggie notifies me.
“There wasn’t a choice.”
Meggie snorts. “There’s always a choice.”
Justin whistles, and Aria smirks. “Still a pervert.”
“Some things never change,” he replies.
“Lies!” Kael puts in. “He’s gotten worse.”
“Now that,” Aria points at Justin, “That I believe.”
“I wear that term with pride,” Justin defends.
“You would,” Aria teases. Then Justin walks up to her, embraces her in a hug, and lifts and spins her. Her laughter a twinkling sound, one I haven’t heard in far too long. It’s infectious, but I know better than to smile.
“Who’s this?” Kael asks.
“That is my bestie Lana,” Aria tells us. She watches Kael watch her friend. “Don’t get any ideas, rocker boy. I’m not sure you could handle Lana.”
Lana smiles.
“Oh, I could handle her… with Gage,” Kael claims.
“Come to mama,” Lana retorts, and everyone starts laughing. Everyone but me. Dread fills my stomach so much it feels like it’s full of lead.
Finally, Aria turns to me, stepping out of Justin’s embrace. I prepare myself. It’s not going to be pretty.
“You.”
I nod.
“You’re an asshole.”
I open my mouth to say something, and she shakes her head.
“No talking.”
Meggie snickers. I would, too, if I weren’t the one getting the tongue lashing in the worst possible way.
“I’ve tried to hate you. It worked for a while.” Aria walks closer, slowly. “Then I’d hear another one of your songs on the radio. I’d hear your voice whispering all the things to me you once said.”
Lana sneers at me.
“Then I’d hate you again for a little while. I refused to listen to rock music stations for quite some time, but then you went ahead and somehow crossed over to pop briefly. I wanted to murder you then. I wanted to cut your tongue out, so I never had to hear your voice again,” she says, calm as can be.
Me? I’m not feeling all that calm. In fact, I’m feeling slightly attacked and, maybe it makes me a pussy, but I’m also somewhat fearful. I know she’s just telling me the truth about how she felt, but damn.
“But I knew it didn’t matter what I did. I’d still have to hear you. You already recorded songs—albums. There was no escaping you.”
Now she’s standing in front of me in her tight top and shorts. Those boots. Damn.
“So I just accepted it for what it was—you doing what you left me behind to do. You living your dream.”
Justin clears his throat. “So, wait. You don’t hate him?”
“No. I don’t hate him.”
Justin gapes at her.
“But…,” she begins, “I hate that fucking song, and if I ever have to hear it again, I’ll puncture my eardrums with an ice pick.”
Justin laughs, and everyone else has no idea how to react—including me.
“You just had to go and record that,” Lana scoffs.
“It was recorded before—”
Meggie elbows me in the ribs. “You might want to quit while you’re ahead.”
“But—”
Meggie throws me a look, and I close my mouth. But it wasn’t meant to be portrayed like that. I meant to tell her she was my air, and without her I can’t breathe. I sigh inwardly. She doesn’t want to hear it, and I don’t want to argue.
“Why did you summon me back here, Lucian?” Aria asks.
“I wanted to make things right between us.”
She shrugs. “Things are just fine between us.”
But they’re not. Seeing her, hearing her voice, smelling her—I want more.
“Time to head back to the hotel,” Gage calls out. He reaches for Lana’s hand, and she giggles. Kael grabs the other hand.
“Looks like I’m coming with,” Aria announces.
“I’m sure Lucian has no issue with that whatsoever,” Justin taunts.
Absolutely none. If I get a chance to have her alone in a room with me, maybe she’ll give me the time I need to talk to her… maybe we can hash things out.
“There’s going to be a big crowd out back. Head straight for the car. Don’t stop, no matter what. The fans have been rowdier than usual lately.”
“I blame it on Styx,” Justin throws in.
“It’s always Styx’s fault,” Meggie teases. “He’s so big and bad and sexy.”
Justin snorts. “Even the ring doesn’t deter them.”
“They’re groupies. They wouldn’t care if we were married. They’d still grope him. Remember what I told you happened to Jesse when Falling Down and Blush were touring together?” Meg reminds me.
Jesse Kingston, the lead singer of Falling Down, married Luciana Russo, actress and the lead singer of Blush. Well, not anymore. Meggie and Trace left Blush due to personal reasons, so Blush broke up. But when they were touring together, the groupies were all over Jesse, right in front of Lucy. They’d gotten married in Vegas and didn’t bother trying to keep it a secret. For one, it’d get out anyway. For two, they were in love, and they didn’t care who knew. That’s what it’d been like with Aria at one time.
I still think I did the right thing leaving her behind so she could live her life. The life she’d have lived if I’d have brought her with me, she’d have resented me. She’d have had no freedom—just a tour bus for months, and then a studio on the break. The band vowed to dedicate themselves to music to get to the big time, and we did just that—sacrifices be damned.
Now, I feel a sense of regret, even though I know it could have never worked. But we’re slowing down on the touring. After thirteen years, we can take the time we want and need for ourselves, knowing when we put out an album, the fans will be there waiting.
Aria hid from me for years. Not anymore. I’m going to do what I have to do to hold onto her this time. No matter what it takes.
Aria
“We missed Falling Down,” I chide Lana.
Lana, who’s doing some weird finger-licking with the twins. Gross.
“I’d say I’m sorry, but it’d be a lie,” Lana admits.
I scoff. “You owe me.”
“Uh-huh. I do.”
“I’m recording this,” I tell her.
“Recording what? Don’t put this on camera, you kinky girl,” Lana scolds.
I snort. “Yeah, not that. Just you telling me you owe me. Big time.”
“We don’t mind videos,” Gage purrs into Lana’s neck as he licks along her pulse point.
Damn. Is it hot in here? Their sexiness is making me hyperaware of Lucian sitting next to me, his leg resting against mine, the heat flaring from our skin’s closeness.
“I need a shower, but we could get something to eat when I’m done?” Lucian asks.
I nod. “I could eat.” Eat Lucian up like a giant old cupcake. Lick him like a popsicle. Bite him like the bad boy he is. I know without having to look that my nipples are hard. That’s the first signal that I’m aroused. The second is the wetness between my thighs—and it’s so very wet right now. Oh yes, I’m going to fuck Lucian long and hard tonight.
“I don’t think she’s hungry for food,” Kael mutters.
Lucian looks at my nipples and lifts a brow. “I don’t think she is either.”
I lift a brow, not backing down, not being shy or ashamed. I’m just going to let everything happen how it’s supposed to.
When we reach the hotel, the crowd is insane. Security helps us through, but that’s where we split. Gage and Kael take one elevator, we take another, and Justin takes a third. Where did Justin’s “strange” come from? He works fast. I suppose they all do. A snap of their fingers, and they can have any girl they want.
Not that I’ve gone without my share of lovers.
The elevator opens to a luxurious suite. The windows are floor to ceiling along the sitting area, and I make my way over.
“Would you like something to drink?” Lucian asks.
“I can get it. Why don’t you go shower?” I suggest.
He walks over to me, standing behind me, his body flush against mine. “Are you going to let me touch you tonight, Aria? Will you let me get reacquainted with your body and bring you pleasure all night?”
I turn to face him. He’s a good head taller than I am, even with the heels on these boots. He looks down into my eyes, his that icy blue that shines so bright.
“Yes,” I whisper.
He leans down and presses his lips to mine. He’s hesitant, but that doesn’t last for long. He opens my mouth with the force of his tongue, devouring me like a starved man. My hands grip his ripped t-shirt, and I bunch it in my hands, holding tight, so I don’t slide to the floor in a puddle.
Only Lucian can kiss me this way. Only Lucian can make me feel this good with just a kiss. He pulls back, his eyes closed, his lips a breath away from mine.
“I need to go shower. Then I’m going to devour you. We’ll order in after.” With one last press of his lips, he turns and walks away. He’s all calm, cool, and collected, and I’m a panting mess.
I make myself an amaretto and sour, then pour Lucian some scotch. I make my way to the bedroom, set the drinks down, and start to strip. Lana and I planned this perfectly—including the perfect bra and panties set. Lace but see-through.
I’d just gotten done arranging myself on the bed when Lucian stepped out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel wrapped at his waist. My tongue stuck on the roof of my mouth. He’d always been hot as hell, but now? He grew up, filled out, and is now all man. Holy fuckballs.
“As pretty as those panties and bra are, they’ve got to go. I need you naked, Aria. It’s been a hell of a long time,” Lucian tells me.
“Take them off if you want them off. And just so you know,” I purr, rubbing the sole of one foot up and down the other leg in a way I hope is sexy, “my body is yours for the taking. Any way you want.”
“Hell, yes.” He drops the towel, and mother of all that is holy, I missed that cock. Thick, long, and pierced.
“I changed my mind.”
“Oh?”
“Mhm. You can have me any way you want after you fuck me stupid,” I demand.
“Your wish is my command.”
Lucian pulls my panties down my legs and tosses them aside. He crawls up next to me on the bed, reaching behind me and unhooking my bra before running his hands all over my body.
“Condom?” I question.
He reaches over to the bedside table and grabs a foil packet.
“No, foreplay?” he asks.
“Not this time. You’ve got me all worked up, Mr. Cordero.”
“Is that so?”
“Mmm. Yes. You need to ease my pain,” I demand.
He rips the foil, then sheaths his dick.
“That’s not latex, right?” I ask. I don’t need to go into anaphylactic shock. I need orgasms. Multiple. Many.
“No. I remember.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
“Thank me after your third orgasm, or fourth. You can decide.” Lucian turns me so my head’s on the pillow, and he’s between my thighs. He positions himself at my opening and wastes no time before pushing inside me.
My breath catches. My entire body tingles. How is it that Lucian Cordero, author of the Dear Jane song, is the only man on Earth who can reduce me to a writhing mess?
Lucian leans forward and kisses me. No niceties right now. It’s all lust and need as he thrusts hard and steadily into me. I lift my hips meeting his motions, orgasm number one hovering right around the corner.
“Let it go. Come for me, Aria. Let me feel your pleasure,” he coaxes.
I’m not the type of girl who can come on demand. Is that even possible—outside of romance novels, I mean? I work for mine, only it’s not so difficult with Lucian.
We move perfectly together like we’d never been apart. But we have been. And it’s his fault.
I move faster, harder, reaching for the orgasm that’s about to hit. He tips his hips at a different angle, and I go flying. I’m soaring so high, the absolute bliss flowing through me, my entire being shuddering and shaking from the orgasm’s strength.
“Holy shit,” I gasp as the orgasm recedes.
“That was fucking beautiful. I want to see it again.”
“Lucian. I can’t—”
“Oh, Aria, but you will. We always got you there, didn’t we? And right now, you’re so fucking responsive, it’ll come naturally.”
“Mmm,” I hum.
“How horny are you?” Lucian asks.
“So horny I plan on fucking all night with short breaks for food and water. You up for that? I mean, you are thirty now,” I taunt.
His nostrils flare. “Baby, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
He’s as good as his word.
• • •
“Oh my god, this pizza is so good,” I moan. “I’m starving.”
Lucian smirks at me. “Good to see your love of food hasn’t changed. When’s the last time you ate?”
“Too long ago.” I take a sip of my soda and reach for another piece of pizza. “If you want your usual share, you better get to eating.”
I made it to five slices. Lucian got seven.
I need a shower. I’m all sweaty and not feeling the least bit sexy. I slip out of bed.
“Time for a shower,” I announce, leaving him to finish his pizza. I really need a minute to collect myself. Lucian Cordero is all kinds of hot and sexy, and he’s got all the right moves. The bastard.
I turn the water to warm, a little bit cool, and start to scrub my face clean—all of this makeup. Next, I wash my hair and body, turning the water warmer, enjoying the water’s strumming as it beats against my flesh, relaxing and trying to put myself back together. I need to keep my heart in the lockbox. There is no room for Lucian in there, not after he broke it last time.
I turn the water off and dry myself. I use Lucian’s brush to detangle my hair. I wonder what he’s doi
ng out there. It’s so quiet except for the music playing softly in the background.
I walk into the bedroom, and there he is. Big, bad, and sexy Lucian Cordero lies on the bed, asleep, snoring softly. I stand in the doorway and stare at him. If only our lives could meld, but they can’t. I’m not the type of woman who could be involved with a musician knowing how readily available the groupies make themselves.
Even if I were the type, I haven’t found a way to forgive him in the thirteen years we’ve been apart. I don’t know what it would take either. All I know is I’m not ready.
I’m going to take the easy way out. I put my clothes on quietly then find my purse. I find the paper and put it on the pillow next to Lucian. I’d like to give him one last kiss, but I can’t chance it. I may not be able to sneak out later. It’s now or never.
Never.
No. Not never. No. It just won’t work, and I hate that it makes me sad to know that.
“Take care, Luc,” I whisper before walking out the door.
You, you left me behind.
So cruel and unkind.
Fame and fortune you’ll find.
All thoughts of me free from your mind.
Life was good. I was happy with you.
We had a love, I believe to be true.
If you felt the same, you’d have made it work.
But instead, you walked away like a total fucking jerk.
One last hurrah, one last fuck.
I’ll say goodbye and good luck.
I wish success for you and your band.
Go on back to your adoring fans.
You’re just a man to me.
You need to sing and be free.
I need to let you go.
So you can put on your show.
Your fans adore and worship you.
That’s what you need, I know it’s true.
It’s time to move on and start to live.
I once gave you all I had to give.
Now, mine is mine, and yours is yours.
I will see you no more.
What’s meant to be is how it is.
Thank you for one last fuck and kiss.
Take it easy, Singer Man.
Go on and enjoy your fans.
It’s time for me to find me.
My Night with a Rockstar Page 28