Carmichael? Why is he calling me by Jen’s last name? Shit, I told him that was my house. What do I do now? I decide to just let it go; after all, it’s not like we are serious or anything. “There really isn’t much to tell. I just received my Associate’s Degree in Education and I’m taking some time off before I go back to finish my Bachelor’s.” In all reality, I’m taking time off because I can’t afford to go to a university right now.
“Education? That’s great! I love being around kids! One of the charities I’m starting is a summer arts camp for kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to go to camp. I also work with Make-A-Wish.” He does charity work? Can he possibly get anymore perfect? “So, I’m guessing that was your sister who answered the door earlier?”
People always assume Jen and I are sisters because we look so much alike. I might as well just make myself a Carmichael; it’s better than having to talk about my real family, or lack thereof. “Yeah, she’s usually a lot more personable.”
He laughs and smiles at me. “She was there with you last night, right?” I nod my head. “I didn’t expect to see you there. I honestly thought you didn’t know who I was when we met yesterday.”
“Oh, I didn’t. Jen won tickets from a radio station and when we got there she bought a shirt. She showed it to me and I put two and two together. I’m not going to lie and say that I didn’t get more nervous about tonight when I found out.”
“Well, I have to say that you’re handling it really well. I was hoping that you wouldn’t be different now that you know who I am; it’s a big reason why I didn’t tell you yesterday.”
If he had told me yesterday I don’t think I would’ve believed him, and I definitely don’t think I would have agreed to come tonight. “Your show was really good last night.”
“Thanks. I want you to know that there is nothing going on between me and Samantha. I’m sure the kiss last night looked bad, but that was just a publicity stunt she pulled. I had no idea it was coming, if you couldn’t tell.”
I laugh remembering the look on his face when she did it. “You looked really surprised!” I giggle again. “Jen had told me that she thought you guys were together. I was really surprised when you texted me last night.”
“The media will say anything just to sell magazines. Half the crap they post is only about ten percent true.”
The waiter brings us our food and we put both plates between us. Luke scoots over closer to me in the booth and my heart rate doubles. He smells so amazing and looks so hot! He has on a black pinstripe button up shirt, black dress pants, and his green eyes have been mesmerizing me all night. I pick up my napkin and utensils, trying to remind myself of my table manners in my head.
I look over at him and catch him staring at me. I’m really getting myself in deep.
Lucas
When I move closer to her I can see her blushing again, and it makes me smile. This is the easiest and most comfortable date I’ve had in a while. She isn’t prying for information that she can sell to the tabloids and she doesn’t look at me like I’m some cheap asshole for wanting to share food with her. I suggested that just because I knew it would give me an excuse to get even closer to her. As she’s eating, she’s making little sighs of appreciation and it’s adorable.
After we’re finished with the food and I take care of the check, I grab her hand and we start to leave. I pull out my phone to check the time and see that we still have about a half hour before I need to leave for the show tonight. “Do you want to take a walk by the river?”
She looks up at me and nods. I lead her away from the restaurant and we walk along the river. Being from Wisconsin, I have seen much nicer rivers, but being here with her when the sun is just setting is perfect. I can tell she’s struggling to walk in her shoes so I guide her over to a nearby bench. When we sit, I pull her close to me because right now it’s all I can think about.
She lays her head in the crook of my neck and we just sit here enjoying the silence. I really don’t want to take her home. “Hey, would you want to come with me to the show tonight?”
She looks up at me with a look of shock and confusion. “Like, go and watch?”
I laugh. “Yeah, I can get you a backstage pass and I kind of don’t want to take you home yet.”
I can see her struggling with something in her head and now all I can think is that maybe I’ve done something wrong. “Can I ask you a question?” she whispers.
“Sure.”
“What are we doing here?”
I have no idea how to answer that because I’m not really sure what she’s asking. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re this big star and I’m just a girl who helped you in the parking lot yesterday. You’re on tour and doing all these things that don’t fit in my life. I know you said you have a week off, but what happens after that? I don’t want to let myself get attached to you just to say goodbye when my time is up. I know it may seem crazy to be thinking that far ahead now, but I just don’t see the point in developing feelings just to be separated and miserable in a week.”
I take a deep breath in and digest what she just said. I can’t say the same things haven’t been going through my head already. We just met, though, and it seems too soon to be worried about where this is going. Honestly, right now all I want to do is spend as much time with her as possible. “I know where you’re coming from, and I’ve been thinking the same things all night. I like you, Becca. I don’t know what it is about you, but there is just something there that pulls me in. I’ve had more fun tonight than I’ve had on any other date and I just don’t want it to end. I know the fact that I’m only here for a week is bothering you, but no one said that I can never come back after that.”
She looks surprised. “I’ve had fun, too, Luke. If you want me to come with you tonight, I will.”
The wind blows some of her hair into her face and I reach up to tuck a strand behind her ear. She smiles at me and I do the only thing that feels right and lean in to kiss her.
Rebecca
When he starts to lean forward I feel like my heart is going to stop. I’m not a prude—I’ve made out with guys before—but something about Luke just feels different. When his lips touch mine my whole body seems to jolt to attention. He runs his tongue along the seam of my lips and I let out a moan. That gives him the space he needs and he slips his tongue into my mouth.
His hand moves and wraps around the back of my neck, holding me to him. I can’t help but move my hands from my lap and up his rock hard chest. I skim over every muscle on my way and finally wrap my arms around his neck. My heart’s beating out of my chest; I’ve never had a kiss like this before. It feels almost as if we’re in a movie and the entire background is frozen…until his phone rings.
He mutters a curse word and slowly untangles himself from me. Digging his phone out of his pocket, he scowls before answering it. “Hello?” I sit back, unsure of what to do with myself right now. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into him like I was before. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but I feel like I fit so well against him, almost like he was made for me. This type of thinking is what’s going to get me in trouble.
“Yeah, I know, I’ll be there in like a half hour.” He pushes the end button on his phone, slipping it back into his pants. When he tightens his hold on me, it makes me feel as though he doesn’t want to leave me. “That was my manager freaking out because I’m not there yet.”
“I’m sorry, did I make you late?”
“No, I’m usually there before any of the opening acts even start to go on but I really don’t need to be. Either way, though, I do need to start heading over there. You still want to come, right?”
“Yeah, sure.”
We drive to the center and when we get there it’s packed. Everyone is already inside so no one notices us driving around to the back parking lot. When we get out of the car the security guard sees Luke and immediately opens the door. Luke still has my hand in his and
I can’t help but notice everyone we pass by zeroing in on our locked hands. We finally make it to a dressing room that has his name on it. Am I supposed to go in there with him?
Luke opens the door and pulls me in with him. I notice an older guy sitting on a couch, eating a bowl of candy and looking like he’s about to have a nervous breakdown. When we enter the room, relief seems to flood his face but is quickly replaced with irritation.
“Where the hell have you been, Luke?”
“Nice to see you too, Mike. Listen, I’m here, Samantha is still on and all I need to do is get dressed. I do need a favor, though.” He pulls me closer to his side. “This is Rebecca. Can you grab her a backstage pass while I’m getting ready?”
Mike looks at me almost as if I disgust him. “Yeah, I’ll do that now.” When he leaves the room, I turn back to face Luke who is standing at the clothing rack picking out a shirt and jeans for his performance tonight.
“Do you want me to go so you can get dressed?”
“No, it’s not a big deal. It’s easier for guys because there really isn’t too much to see when we get dressed, not like with you girls.”
I walk over to the couch, dumbfounded that he’s okay with me being in here while he’s getting dressed. He lays his clothes on the chair and lifts his shirt off over his head. His muscles are so defined and look amazing as he pulls his shirt off. I hadn’t noticed before, but he has a number of tattoos. One is a tribal band around his right bicep, and there’s a more intricate one on his chest. The one on his chest is of a hawk that looks like it’s flying directly into the sun with the flames almost licking at its wing feathers. I can’t stop staring at it—like it’s hypnotizing me—until I hear him chuckle and it breaks the spell. I look up and he’s smirking at me. Now I’m gawking? How embarrassing!
I immediately look down at my hands while he slips the black V-neck shirt over his head. When I hear the sound of a zipper I know his pants must be coming off. As much as I try, I can’t stop myself from sneaking a peek in his direction. He has his back to me now, thank God, and from where I’m sitting I can see his perfectly shaped ass in his gray boxer briefs. I really think it might be a crime for someone to be this good looking, I mean, come on. He reaches down and pulls up a pair of dark, ripped jeans. Thank goodness they aren’t skinny jeans. First of all, I don’t think I can handle women ogling his perfect ass all night long and second, any guy who wears jeans tighter than mine is a total turnoff.
He turns back to me as he’s messing up his hair to perfection. “You ready for the show?” I just nod my head and smile, silently thinking that the show I just watched was so much better.
When we walk out of the dressing room, Mike’s coming toward us carrying my pass. Luke takes it from him and thanks him while grabbing my hand and leading me down the hallway, I’m guessing in the direction of the stage. When it comes into view he makes a quick turn and ducks into a nearby room.
It’s dark in here and he backs me up against the door as soon as he gets it closed. Before I know what’s happening, his mouth is on mine and his hands are in my hair. He’s kissing me like he needs me, like he can’t control himself. This is so different than our first kiss. There’s a passion—a fire—that has my insides clenching. I bring my hands up to his head and run my fingers through his hair. He presses himself up against me even more and I can feel that he’s hard.
He pulls away and looks at me; even though it’s dark, I can see his green eyes staring right at me. “I’ve wanted to do that since our first kiss got interrupted. I don’t know what it is about you, Becca, but you are driving me crazy.” He leans back in to kiss me again when we hear people calling him. It must be his turn to go on.
He lifts is hand to my cheek and strokes it with his thumb. “Stay with me tonight.”
It isn’t really a question, but I answer him anyway. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He groans at me and his mouth is on me again; tasting, biting, and devouring me until I feel like my knees are going to give out. “Think about it during the show?”
I nod because I’m really not sure I can form words right now. He backs away from me and I smooth my hair and clothes so that, hopefully, it’s not too obvious what we’ve been doing. I move away from the door and Luke opens it and we both slip out. He places my pass around my neck and bends down to give me one last quick kiss.
“Mr. Masterson, it’s time for you to go on now.” A girl with a headpiece is standing next us, looking back and forth between the two of us as if she knows what we’ve been up to.
“Okay, no problem. Will you please show Becca where the area is that she can stay to watch the show?”
“Sure, no problem, sir.” She turns to me. “Follow me.”
I follow her toward the main area, and when I sneak a glance back, Luke is still staring at me. I decide I should watch where I’m going before I end up falling and embarrassing myself. The girl leads me to an area that’s right in front of the stage, and behind me there’s a metal gate where the people who have purchased the pit tickets are on the other side. I know they must all be wondering who the hell I am to get to be up here. Funny, I’m wondering the same thing, actually.
The lights go down and I know that must mean Luke’s going to be coming out. The guitarist starts to play and is quickly followed by the drummer. The spotlight zeroes in on Luke standing at the top of the stairs and everyone goes crazy. It seems so surreal to me that the normal guy I had just been eating dinner with is now on stage in front of thousands of people. He walks down the steps, singing the first lines of the song, pausing every time the beat does. I can hear the girls behind me, all screaming dirty things that they would do to him, and I’m shocked that they’re so up front about it.
I find myself singing along to the songs when I feel someone come up next to me and notice a guy standing there. He looks familiar but I can’t place where I know him from. I smile at him when I see him looking me over. He leans in closer to my ear. “I’m Jackson Stone.”
I turn to him. “Hi, I’m Rebecca. Are you friends with Luke, too?” I don’t know why I assume that, I guess because he’s out here watching his show. From the look on his face, though, I think I guessed wrong; he almost seems offended. I look back up to the stage where Luke’s in the middle of one of his songs. He sees me, and then Jackson, and I think he might be mad. What the heck’s going on?
“I’m actually on the tour, too; I go on first.”
No wonder he looked so offended; he had probably expected me to know who he was. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. I don’t really keep up with stuff like that.”
“So, what’s your story, beautiful?”
I look over at him and all I can think is how that is exactly the type of cheesy line I was expecting from Luke that first day. Thinking about Luke brings me back to our last kiss, and I start to blush. Dammit, I hate that it happens so easily; I feel like such a little kid. The music stops and Luke starts talking to the crowd. He’s so mesmerizing that I almost forget Jackson’s next to me and that he’s just asked me a question. I’m just staring up at Luke and lost in reliving our night together.
“I’m guessing you’re here for Lucas, then?” I look back over at him and smile.
“I’m sorry, but yes, he asked me to come and see the show tonight.”
“Are you guys together or just friends?”
I gaze back up at Luke and try to think of how to answer that question. He’s giving Jackson death looks right now. Luke and I never actually said that we were together but I have a feeling that he wants to be more than friends. “We’re just hanging out right now and getting to know each other. I met him yesterday when his car broke down.”
“Do you mind if I hang out with you here while I watch the show?”
“No, that’s fine.”
“You know, I heard you singing when I walked up; you have a beautiful voice. Are you in the industry, too?”
“No, I only sing when I think no one could hear
me.”
Jackson leans in close and puts his hand on my lower back. “That’s a real shame.” I step to the side, feeling uncomfortable with how close he’s gotten.
The music starts back up and Luke is moving and jumping all over the stage. It’s amazing to watch him perform because I can see that he’s putting everything he has into it. I can tell, though, that it’s bothering Luke every time he sees Jackson talking to me or leaning close to me; he seems to get a sort of fire in his eyes. Jackson’s nice for the most part, although there are a couple times where I have to remove his hand from my leg, back, or arm. Some people are just really friendly; maybe he’s one of those. Luke had told me which song would be his last so I would know when to go looking for him.
Once the song is over, I start to make my way backstage again. Jackson grabs my arm, though, and I turn around to face him. “It was really nice talking to you, Rebecca. If Lucas screws it up, let me know.” He gives me a hug and I’m instantly uncomfortable. I have a feeling that Jackson is one of those guys who doesn’t like to be told he can’t have something.
Lucas
I can see Jackson and Becca from where I’m standing and when he hugs her I want to go over there and rip his arms off. The bastard sees me and actually fucking winks at me. I want to go get her but the center is still pretty full and I know it would only cause pandemonium. Becca pulls away from him and when she turns and sees me she smiles. Her smile seems to almost instantly calm my rage. It doesn’t matter if Jackson wants her, there is no way in hell I’m going to let him have her.
She walks up to me and gives me a hug. “The show was really good, Luke!”
Jackson’s still watching us so I decide to show him exactly what’s going on with us. I bend my head down and give her a kiss, and I have to say, she’s one of the best kissers I’ve ever had. She has a sweet innocence about her but when she gets into it she lets out little sighs and moans. I’ve never gotten hard just from kissing someone, but with her I do. Her lips are so soft; it’s like having silk pressed against my mouth. When I pull back she smiles at me and I look back at Jackson; he looks so pissed I can’t help but chuckle.
Surrender to Me Page 3