Baby Surprises 7 Book Box Set

by Layla Valentine

  I took a deep breath and spoke. “Have you…ever thought of leaving your label?”

  “Huh?” he asked, turning his blue eyes away from the sunset toward me.

  “You know, going independent—getting away from the big labels and all their bullshit.”

  He playfully narrowed his eyes, picking up right away what I was suggesting.

  “Why?” he asked. “You don’t happen to know a beautiful and charming young woman who happens to own her own label, do you? Bonus points if she’s a good cook and killer in bed.”

  I blushed.

  “Seriously,” I said. “You sound like you’re miserable with Redemption. They’re taking you and the rest of the band in a direction that you hate, and that sound you’ve been working on is the opposite of what your manager wants. It makes perfect sense to go with someone who will actually give you the artistic freedom you want. Someone…like me.”

  He said nothing, turning his gaze back to the sun. I put my hand on his back and decided to make the sale.

  “Think about it,” I said. “Imagine—one year from now, and you’re coming back to the world after months alone in some cozy Oregon cabin working on your new songs. Now they’re ready, and it’s time to share them with the world. We record them, and you’ve got total control over the process—you pick the studio, the producers, the artwork, and everything else. When the album comes out, it’s you from top to bottom, start to finish.”

  “Go on,” he said, a twinkle in his eye.

  “Then the album comes out. It’s a limited release, but it sells out right away, of course, the first thousand or so autographed and turning into collector’s items as soon as the last box is out the door. Then it’s time to tour. You’re playing across the country, but not doing some insane stadium thing with a million stagehands and security guards and groupies everywhere—”

  “What about sneaky pretend delivery women?” he asked with a grin.

  “We’ll see about those,” I said, matching his smirk. “Anyway, no stadiums. Instead, you’re playing small clubs, coffee shops, secret shows wherever you want them. Hell, you could play in a park if you wanted. Crowds no bigger than fifty. Just like when you started out. Then when you’re done, the next album comes when you want. No rush to whip it up, no massive record label’s bottom line to worry about.”

  “And no K-Pop influence,” he said.

  “Not unless that’s where the muse takes you,” I said through a smile.

  “Sounds…really fucking nice,” he said, tucking his dark hair behind his ear. “Like a dream.”

  “Doesn’t have to be a dream,” I said. “It can happen with Avalon. It can happen tomorrow.”

  He said nothing as he took a slow sip of wine. My heart thudded in my chest as I awaited his answer.

  “I’d love it,” he said. “But it can’t happen.”

  My heart sank, despite knowing deep down what a Hail Mary it was. “Why not?”

  “You know that contract I mentioned?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It has words in it that keep me bound to Redemption for the next two freaking years.”

  “Can’t you break it?” I asked.

  “Maybe,” he said. “But there’s a forfeit clause in there.”

  “And what does it say?”

  “If I break the contract, then I lose everything—the rights to my music, the royalties, the payments for the tours. I’d be out on my ass with nothing to show for it. And not just me, but the rest of the band. I’d be totally screwing them.”

  “Figures they’d have you tied down like that,” I said. “Those big labels don’t leave anything to chance.”

  “Bet yours doesn’t lock artists in,” he said.

  “You’d win that bet,” I said. “Just like any relationship, both parties need to be free to come and go as they please. What’s a friendship or a romantic relationship if you’re being forced to stay in it?”

  “Right,” he said.

  “And the relationship between a label and the artist has to be the same way. I keep my bands on one-album contracts. They sign, do the work for that album, and if they want to stick with me, we sign another contract. If not, we go our separate ways. And I’d never imagine screwing them out of royalties. That’s disgusting.”

  “You’re making an even better case,” he said. “But like I told you, there’s nothing to be done about it. Unless I want to bring down the rest of Memphisto with me, I’m stuck with Rick and the rest of Redemption.”

  He shook his head. “Still can’t believe I signed that damn thing,” he said. “Back then I was a stupid kid with my first taste of fame. All they had to do was dangle the money and gear and girls and world tour in front of me, and that was it. Didn’t even bother to read what I was getting into.”

  “Jackasses,” I said.

  “But it’s done,” he said before finishing the rest of his wine. “Nothing to do now but see it through. Not like it’s all bad—I’m not deluded enough to forget that there are thousands of bands out there who’d kill to be in my spot.”

  “You’re right about that,” I said.

  “Maybe in two years,” he said. “If I’m not totally burnt out on music by then.”

  “Two years is a long time,” I said.

  “Yeah,” he said, leaning closer to me. “Which is why I prefer to think about the here and now.”

  “Is that right?” I asked with a sensual smile. “And what do you have in mind for the here and now?”

  “Come here and let me show you,” he said, bringing his lips to mine.

  Chapter 14

  Kendra

  There was something special about his kiss. It made perfect sense, considering how strong this connection of ours was. His taste, his touch, his everything worked in perfect tandem to send a rush of pure ecstasy through my body the moment his lips touched mine.

  With the brilliant sunset in front of us, we kissed long and deep. In that moment I forgot all about my label and the fact that Johnny was going to be gone soon. All I thought about was the sensation of his lips on mine, his big, strong hands on my body. His touch was enough to make me feel strong and safe and sexual.

  Soon his hand was under the hem of my shirt and moving up, up, until it reached the bottom of my bra. A tight, aroused feeling took hold of my down below, my heart beating faster and my flesh tingling.

  I did some exploring of my own, my hand coming down on his inner thigh and moving up until I could feel the outline of his manhood through his jeans. He let out a soft, pleasured growl at my touch, and I knew that meant he wanted more.

  “We’re about five minutes away from putting on a little show here,” he said.

  “You’re right about that,” I said back.

  “Want to move inside?” he asked.

  I glanced around me, seeing that there were no windows around us close enough for others to get a look at what we were about to do.

  “Nah,” I said. “The weather’s perfect.”

  “What the lady wants,” he said, echoing his earlier words. “The lady gets.”

  “Then come here and give it to me.”

  We went right back into kissing, taking piece after piece of clothing off. Johnny had the presence of mind to take the blanket that we’d brought with us and unroll it, and soon we were lying next to one another, our lips locked as we embraced.

  It didn’t take long before we had each other down to our underwear, and then nothing after that. Johnny took his lips from mine for long enough to look me up and down.

  “You’re so damn gorgeous,” he said. “I’ve never been with a woman like you before.”

  “High praise,” I said with a grin.

  “I’m serious,” he said. “There’s something about you, Kendra—something I can’t ignore. And I don’t know what it is.”

  “I feel the same way,” I said.

  But there was nothing else to say. Talking about it would just lead us to the same dead end about how we were about to
be out of each other’s lives for good. And there were more fun things we could be doing than talking about that.

  Johnny kissed me again, his warm, rough hand moving along the gentle curve of my thigh. I could feel the callouses on the tips of his fingers as he touched me, rough bits of skin earned through hours of playing the guitar.

  Soon his touch was between my legs, then higher, then higher, until it was right where I wanted it. I took in a quick gasp as he lightly stroked my clit, the warm tingling spreading as soon as his hand was there. Then he spread me open and entered me, pleasure shooting out as he did.

  I grabbed onto the smooth, solid muscles of his back and pulled him close as he stimulated me, his erect manhood rubbing against my leg. I reached down and took hold of it, stroking him slowly as he moved in and out of me.

  “More,” I purred. “I need more.”

  His fingers were wonderful, but they weren’t enough. I needed more and knew that there was only one thing that could fill me the way I wanted.

  But I wasn’t willing to wait for Johnny to do it. I placed my hands on his broad, strong shoulders and rolled on top of him, my breasts right in front of his face. He quickly took advantage of this view, leaning forward and covering my nipples with hot, wet kisses.

  Pleasure running through me, I licked my palm before reaching down and wrapping my hand around his solid, massive member. I pulled my hips up and positioned myself right above him. Then, his manhood wet and ready, I slowly lowered myself onto him.

  “Oh, God,” I moaned as I filled myself with his many inches.

  Soon, he was buried inside of me. I held fast for a moment, leaning forward and resting my hands on his square, ink-covered pecs. A small, sexy smile curled his lips, and I could tell that he was loving what was happening.

  I started slowly, rocking my hips back and forth and, as before, giving myself some time to adjust to how damned big he was. But soon I was wet and wrapped around him, gripping him tight. Johnny’s hands moved down from my breasts, coming to rest on my hips, holding me firm and guiding me up and down onto him.

  He knew just how to touch me, just how to hold me. I leaned back, letting my hair fall down my shoulders as I rocked gently on top of him. Johnny’s eyes eagerly scanned over the sight in front of him, and I could tell that he was very, very much enjoying the sight of my body on full display. And knowing this turned me on even more, knowing how much he wanted me, how much he desired me.

  Moans of pleasure began to escape from my lips as I rode him. Soon my pace picked up, and I went from gentle rocking to hard riding, my breasts bouncing wildly as I brought my hips down onto his member over and over again.

  Johnny’s hands went from my hips to my ass, grabbing it hard and continuing to guide me. How he wanted me was exactly how I wanted him, and soon I felt ready to cum, and cum hard.

  “Yeah, baby,” he growled. “Just like that.”

  “You like that?” I asked.

  “You know I do.”

  And I did.

  My riding took on a fevered, frenzied pace as I continued. And soon my climax was right there, feeling so close that I could’ve sworn I was able to reach out and touch it.

  Before I could think too long about it, however, the orgasm burst through me, I moaned and screamed, my hips still bucking on top of him. Then Johnny came, unloading himself inside of me, the small, pulsing explosion pushing me to new heights of pleasure.

  Soon it was done, and all I could do was collapse on top of him, my body sheened with sweat and my hair draped over him like a blanket.

  We said nothing while we recovered. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close. No words were necessary. Our bodies had said all that needed to be said.

  Chapter 15

  Johnny

  After our fun on the roof, the two of us gathered up our clothes and snuck back into the apartment.

  Kendra chuckled as we sat down on the couch, both of us still naked. Her laugh made her breasts shake in a way that I couldn’t help but notice.

  “Something funny?” I asked.

  “Nothing,” she said. “Just imagining opening up some gossip blog tomorrow and seeing you and me on the front page.”

  I winced internally, but the idea was pretty funny. I’d been caught in some indecent situations before, and this would be one more for the books.

  “We looked pretty isolated up there,” I said. “Hopefully no one was watching with a telescopic lens.”

  “I guess we’ll find out,” she said.

  The evening was well on by this point, and even though I hated to admit it, I was tired.

  “What do you say we get into bed, throw on some crappy movie, and chill out?” I asked.

  “Sounds good,” she said. “But I was just wondering how long it’d been since you’d taken a nice, long bath.”

  Now there was a question.

  “I can’t even remember,” I said. “I’ve got a hot tub at my apartment, but I can’t think of the last time I’ve used it.”

  She smiled.

  “Then it sounds like you’re due,” she said. “Besides, we’re both already naked. And I’ve got three screws worth of sweat on me, and so do you.”

  As much as I liked the idea of her sex scent lingering on my body, she was right. I’d be feeling pretty grimy come morning.

  “You relax, then,” she said. “I’ll get the bath going.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  She got up, planted one more soft kiss on my forehead, and headed to the bathroom. I watched her go, my eyes on her perfect, heart-shaped ass.

  Soon the tub was running.

  “Come on in,” Kendra said.

  I stepped into the bathroom just in time to watch her slip into the water.

  “Big tub,” I commented.

  “Small apartment, big tub,” she said. “Not sure how that happened, but I’m not complaining.”

  “Me either.”

  I climbed in, the bubbles surrounding me right away. The hot water was like heaven on my muscles, which were sore from all the activity of the day.

  “Oh, man,” I said, the water doing its work. “This was absolutely the right call.”

  She flashed me a smile.

  “Part of my job is watching out for my talent. You creative types sure know how to work yourself to the bone, and sometimes you need someone to step in and tell you to take it easy.”

  “Hope that doesn’t mean you’re taking baths with all of your bands?”

  She flicked some bubbles at me. “Only you get that special honor.”

  And what an honor it was. Her blond hair hanging wet and heavy on her delicate shoulders, her face glistening with water, she looked like something out of a damn dream. I felt like I could’ve written an entire album about how damn beautiful she was and not even have scratched the surface.

  Maybe I’d give it a shot. Nothing like a gorgeous muse to get the creative juices flowing.

  We soaked for a long while, and by the time we were all pruny and clean, she and I were both ready for bed. No sooner had we dried off, Kendra and I curled up under the covers, got comfy, and I was out.

  The sleep was better than any I’d gotten in as long as I could remember, but it went by far too quickly. It seemed like as soon as I closed my eyes and nuzzled up to Kendra, I was out and back up, my phone blaring in the other room.

  I slipped out of bed and checked it. Three missed calls from Rick, followed by a block of frantic texts.

  “Where are you?????” the last one read. “We need to be in Salt Lake by three!!!”

  I checked the time, shaking my head in annoyance when I saw that it was only a little before nine. We had plenty of time, and Rick was just being an obnoxious worrywart.

  I fired back a text.

  “Was spending some time with a friend in the city. I’ll be at the hotel in an hour.”

  The response came a second later.

  “Don’t leave like that without letting me know where you’re going!! This i
s my tour too, you know!”

  Yeah, I knew—the dick never passed up the opportunity to remind me.

  I didn’t bother to respond to Rick. My thoughts were more focused on the fact that there was a girl in the other room, still sleeping, who I was never going to see again.

  My clothes were in the bathroom, and I slipped into them, going back to the bedroom after I did. I stepped over to Kendra’s side of the bed, where she still lay curled up and sleeping.

  Damn, she looked like an angel. I’d planned on waking her up and giving her a proper goodbye, but now that I was here and ready to do it, I couldn’t bring myself. The idea of looking into her eyes as I told her goodbye, knowing there was a very good chance that I’d never see her again, was too much for me to take.

  So, I made a decision—I’d let her sleep. I leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, drank in the sight of her one last time, and left.

  As soon as I shut the apartment door, the lock automatically clicking behind me, I felt an instant melancholy.

  I’d told Kendra that our time together would soon be nothing but a memory. And now it officially was, I wished it was anything but.

  Chapter 16

  Johnny

  Two Days Later

  “Thank you, San Francisco!”

  I slung my guitar over my shoulders and looked out over the packed stadium. The place was a zoo, the crowd roaring for yet another encore. But after this show and the one in Salt Lake the day before, I wasn’t in the mood.

  Stone stepped over to me, leaned in, and spoke.

  “You feel up for another?”

  I shook my head.

  “No way,” I said. “Two encores are all I got in me.”

  I turned my attention back to the crowd, spotting some wide-eyed kid who couldn’t have been more than ten in the front row. His eyes were fixed on me, and once he’d noticed that I’d spotted him, his mouth dropped open a little bit.