The Devil's Tattoo

by Nicole R. Taylor

  "That's all I can manage for now," I scowled. "The rest will come later."

  His eyes searched mine for a moment, then he sighed and went back to tuning his E string. "As long as you're okay."

  "We'll see how it goes."

  Will and I were at the start of a long road. We hardly knew that much about each other outside of music other than we were attracted to each other with a fire I never thought was possible outside of a romance novel. The fact that he wanted to stick around after the shit I'd pulled warmed my heart and rekindled my hope. The hope that said I could fall in love again.

  "So, is he a good kisser?" Dee asked wiggling his eyebrows.

  "Dee!"

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  ZOE

  When the lights went down and The Devil's Tattoo went on stage, it was a new Zoe the audience was getting that night. And Zoe mark two was amped up and raw. I hadn't told the whole truth to Will, I was far from ready, but I'd let him in more than anyone. Other than Dee, my saviour, he was the only one. He said he wouldn't hurt me and that was the one thing I wanted to hold on to. That, and his heart.

  Even when it came time for Walls and the words that described the painful memory of my past, I didn't flinch. I could feel Will's eyes on me the entire time, I didn't have to look side of stage to know he was there. All of our songs were about love and sex and I found myself singing them all for him.

  We were in the middle of country Victoria, the crowd was smaller than the Capital cities had been, but it was jam packed and close. A sweaty furnace of people pressed up against the side of the stage, singing along to our songs, taking pictures on their phones, cheering. The fact that people knew our stuff and loved it was a feeling beyond anything I could have ever hoped for, but having Will there made it euphoric.

  I didn't want this feeling to end.

  Bombard was the song Will had set his video to and all I could think of was the fact that he had been watching me. It sounded creepy, but he'd done it to please me. I didn't realise at the time, but sitting with him that day had melted something inside me. It was the beginning of the end.

  As I stood on top of the bass drum, the sound of my guitar reverbing off into nothing, our eyes locked. I stared down at him, hair plastered to my sweaty face, and if I hadn't been standing in such an awkward position, on stage no less, I would have thrown myself at him there and then. It was a miracle, when I jumped down, that I landed steadily on both feet.

  Dee pulled me to the front of the stage and people held out their hands and I shook as many as I could grab hold of. This was why we'd started the band. Not for the adoration, but for the knowledge that the things that we wrote spoke to someone.

  When The Stabs went on stage, I stood in the wings as I'd done so many times in the last few weeks, but this time felt like the first. I'd been so determined to fight my attraction to Will, I'd never really paid attention to him. The others, yes, but never to their infuriatingly sexy bass player. I leant against the wall and my eyes never left him. I didn't care one iota what I looked like anymore. Dee stood with me, but he may as well have been invisible for all the attention I paid him. We were all riding high.

  As each song went by, I took in everything. The way Will's fingers slid over the strings of his bass, the way he leant his mouth against the microphone, the way his hair fell into his eyes. Occasionally, he'd look up and see me watching him and a lopsided grin would invade his features. This time it was unguarded and full of the things he wanted to do to me.

  The stage was like a second home to him and I understood completely. It was the same for me. He said that the real Zoe was the woman who stood front and centre and gave her all to the music. I was more determined than ever to make that a reality off stage as well.

  It was like someone had flipped a switch inside me and now that the flood gate was open, there was nothing stopping me falling head first into this consuming passion I felt for Will Strickland. What made me reel was that he had said he felt it too. But, he didn't need to tell me, it was in everything he did.

  When their set finally finished, he walked straight off stage and crashed into me, his lips on mine, his tongue teasing. A whimper escaped me and he pulled away, cupping my face.

  "You drive a man to distraction, Zo," he said. "Looking at me like that."

  "You're welcome."

  "I'll see you in a minute," he said, brushing a thumb over my bottom lip and he disappeared with his bass into the band room.

  "If you're done sucking face," Dee declared beside me, "can we go get a drink or ten?"

  I'd forgotten he was there, and I don't even think he'd registered with Will either. With a giddy smile, I threaded my arm through his and we made our way into the crowd. When we found the others near the bar, Frank, Simone and Chris welcomed us with knowing smiles.

  "And Zoe Granger's back in the game with a bang," Frank chortled, pulling me into a bear hug.

  "She won't be in it for long if you don't stop suffocating her," I cried, my voice muffled against his chest.

  "Seriously, Zo," he whispered in my ear. "Glad you're feelin' better."

  "I'm sorry guys," I said with a grimace. I had to take some blame for what happened. After all, it was my reaction that had snowballed.

  "You've nothin' to be sorry for," Chris said.

  "Yes, I do. I'm sorry," I said firmly. "I let it affect the band and a gig suffered for it. I promise I won't let it happen again."

  "You know how annoying it's been watching you two pine over each other?" Dee said, puckering his lips at me, instantly lightening the mood.

  That earned him a sharp slap on the arm and loud laughter and cat calls from the guys. A grin spread across my face and the sense of euphoria that had been building inside, ever since Will and confronted me in the band room, surfaced. It was such an alien feeling, at first it felt wrong, but the look Dee gave me when he saw the smile on my face made me realise it couldn't get any more right than it was right now.

  Arms wrapped around my waist from behind and I caught sight of a black panther tattoo.

  "Hey," Will murmured into my ear as warmth spread through my body.

  Looking up at him, I said, "Hey."

  His lips brushed against my forehead. "This is nice."

  "What?" I asked, knowing exactly what he was referring to, but I wanted to hear him say it.

  "Touching you."

  A shiver ran down my spine and I felt his lips curve into a smile against my skin. "Likewise."

  "Ahh," he sighed. "This is bad."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I just want to kiss you and touch you…" I felt his hand run between us, over my ass and lightly press between my legs, "there."

  "Fuck," I hissed as I felt myself clench. "I'm thinking that was payback."

  "See it how you want, Zo."

  I remembered how he'd called me Zo, that night on the balcony of the pub in the middle of nowhere, how uncomfortable it made me feel. Now, he could call me whatever the hell he wanted, as long as he kept doing that.

  "You were… there are no words to describe how you were on stage tonight."

  I turned around, so we were face to face, so I could see into his eyes. "You make me feel alive, Will Strickland." There was no truer statement I could have made right then.

  "If I make you feel alive, then you set me on fire." He pressed his lips against mine, hands firmly on my waist.

  "You know, there are other people around," Dee said, the amusement plain in his voice. "Stop rubbing it in."

  I spun around with a laugh and thumped him playfully on the shoulder. Louie and Pete brought over a round of drinks and we tried to spend the rest of the night socialising, but it was difficult not to disappear back to the hotel. Will threaded his fingers through mine and hardly let go all night.

  Simone, I noticed, was talking and laughing with Chris and he was standing close to her, leaning in every time she said something. I caught his eye and he smiled slyly at me. I rose my eyebrows in question and
he nodded. Good for them. It looked like everything was beginning to work out.

  It was three am by the time Will and I wandered back to the hotel, his arm around my waist. Everyone else had broken off one by one and bailed until we were the last. We'd made a resolve to take things slowly, despite the deep sexual attraction. Still, we hovered outside of mine and Dee's hotel room, reluctant to part.

  "Tonight has gotta be one of the best nights ever," he said quietly.

  "It's definitely top ten," I joked.

  "Top ten?" he feigned offence. "What else is better than that?"

  "Um," I pretended to think. "Music. Being on stage. Christmas holidays."

  "Christmas holidays are better than me?"

  "I said top ten, I didn't specify the order," I laughed.

  He planted a kiss on the corner of my mouth, silencing me. "You're my number one."

  Unlocking the door, I peered inside, but the room was dark. I could just make out Dee's sleeping form and the pile of clothes he'd flung all over the floor.

  "Dee's already asleep," I whispered.

  "I was hoping we could boot him out," Will murmured, hooking his fingers through the belt loops on my jeans.

  "We can room tomorrow."

  "Tomorrow."

  He pressed me into the door frame and kissed me, slow and deep, making my insides twist with desire. My hands fisted into his shirt as his crept underneath mine.

  The one thing I suddenly hated with a vengeance about being on tour was the lack of privacy.

  "Good night," he sighed against my swollen mouth.

  "Good night."

  "I saw you dry humping against the doorframe last night," Dee whispered into my ear, making me choke on the bottle of water I was trying to drown my Will hangover with. We stood beside the bus, getting ready to jump on for the next leg of the tour. We only had three shows to do before we got back to Melbourne for the final two.

  "You were awake?" I spluttered, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

  "You woke me up."

  "Dee!"

  "Don't worry, Zo," he elbowed me with a sly grin. "I already arranged a room swap with Pete."

  "Uh, thanks?"

  He threw an arm around my shoulder and laughed. "You need to get some."

  To his surprise I said, "Yeah. I'm so bloody horny."

  "Bloody hell, Zoe! Too much information. My ears, they burn!"

  "You started it."

  "You continued it."

  "They're at it again," Simone laughed as she passed us.

  Before she went any further, I ran forward and pulled her to the side. "So?"

  "So what?" she asked with a small blush.

  "Simone?" My good mood was infectious as her face split into a grin.

  "He kissed me."

  "When?"

  "Last night," she sighed.

  "Good," I said, firmly. "I'm glad."

  "I think you inspired him, you know after everything."

  I grimaced. "Well, at least it all worked out, huh?"

  "I'm happy for you too, Zoe. I know I don't know the full story, but you deserve it after everything."

  "Thanks."

  She gave me a small wave as she moved off towards the car where Dean was arranging the remaining boxes of our merch.

  "You're beautiful, Zoe Granger," Will whispered into my ear.

  The fact that he'd remembered his promise from the night before sent shivers down my spine. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me towards the bus. As I climbed into a spot towards the back, he dumped his jacket on the seat across the aisle and slid into the seat next to mine. "I can't sit next to you, Zoe."

  "Why not?"

  "You know why."

  "Sorry," I shrugged. "You've lost me."

  He wound a hand into the hair at the nape of my neck and pulled me roughly towards him, his lips crushing against mine, sliding his tongue deep into my mouth. Just as abruptly, he pulled away.

  "That's why," he said through a heavy breath.

  "No funny business on the bus," I gasped.

  "This is a G rated bus," Dee called from the seat in front, making everyone laugh and whistle. Bob thumped a fist down on the horn and we collapsed into each other, unable to control our laughter.

  So, this was what being happy was like. It was a nice feeling and I hoped it was going to stick around for a while.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  ZOE

  We had a show that night in a country town in Victoria. The venue was small, but nice. It had a good layout, the bar along the side, a small stage and a large open area. There was no barrier from the crowd as some larger places had, and the stage itself only came up to my waist as I stood looking up at it. Intimate shows like this one were fast becoming my favourite. I didn't know how those huge stadium bands did it, to be honest. They were so separated from the people who'd come to see them, it must feel at least a little alienating.

  Playing at a place like this was like playing with everyone, not playing at them. It was the way I liked it.

  I found myself liking going out into the venue afterwards and talking to people. I couldn't pinpoint the moment my attitude had changed, but I didn't want it to change back. After so long hiding away, I felt like I was coming up for fresh air. Dee had helped me, but Will had sealed the deal.

  And the way he treated me made me feel amazing. He really had been telling the truth when he said he'd do anything for me. As each hour passed, I didn't know why I'd been so afraid. Still, it was early days and that honeymoon period was still well underway. I hoped that it would never end. The happy ever afters didn't and I wanted this to be one of those.

  Will had consumed me so fast, it took my breath away. I couldn't fathom how it was possible, but it was. This was reality. My past was gone and only my future remained.

  I never understood when people said they couldn't stop looking at their partners. How the whole world dropped away and only they existed. I could never see it. Right now, I got it. I stood in the middle of the venue, watching as Will leant over the bar, talking to the owner of the place. I wondered if the guys were annoyed at me for ignoring them so much. It wasn't like I meant to do it. I couldn't help it.

  "Do you need a tissue to wipe up the drool on your chin?" Dee whispered in my ear, making me jump.

  "He really does have a nice ass, don't you think?"

  To my amusement, he almost choked. "Ugh, Zoe. I'm straight. I don't look at other guys asses." He feigned throwing up, but stopped suddenly, elbowing me sharply. "Uh oh."

  "Uh oh, what?" I frowned.

  "Blonde shorty shorts zeroing in on your man."

  As Will waited for the bartender to pour his drinks, I watched as the girl Dee'd noticed sidled up towards him. My eyes narrowed as jealousy flared up inside me. She was a typical young girl and one of the ones who he would have flirted with before me. Even though he'd said he'd done it to make me jealous, it was still his type. I wasn't his type, but I broke the mould.

  "Well, if this isn't a test, I don't know what it is," Dee said, waiting beside me.

  She started talking to Will, leaning towards him, obviously flirting. When he smiled at her, I felt the jealous beast inside me rear her ugly head. Dee threaded his arm through mine, stopping me from going over and doing something stupid. It reminded me of that night at the pub in the middle of nowhere, when Will had almost got himself into a fight over some guy trying to chat me up at the bar. I'd ripped strips off of him for doing it, so if I ran over there now, how much of a hypocrite would I be?

  He leant away slightly and said something to her and her expression seemed to fall. Picking up the drinks that the bartender set in front of him, he turned away and walked back towards us.

  "That's all the confirmation you need, Hot Legs," Dee planted a kiss on my forehead and wandered off.

  Will strode across the room, aiming straight for me, a hungry smile on his face.

  "She looked disappointed," I smirked as he handed me my drink.

  "T
oo bad," he said, wrapping an arm around my waist. "I'm taken by this tough, tattooed rock goddess."

  "Really? Do I know her?"

  "Shut up," he laughed, kissing me lightly on the lips.

  "I understand now," I said and took a sip of my drink.

  "Understand what?"

  "When you almost thumped that guy who was trying to crack onto me."

  His eyes narrowed, but his lips twitched, signaling he was finding this funny. "You'd protect me from aggressive groupies?"

  "Will."

  "You told me off. Big time. Should I be telling you off?"

  "I wasn't yours then," I said, threading my fingers through his. "But now you're mine."

  "Oh, I see how it is." Leaning down, he caught my lips in a kiss, teasing me with the tip of his tongue.

  "Mine," I said as he pulled away.

  With a smirk, he let his lips trail along my flushed cheeks, stepping into me.

  "What do I keep telling you guys about public places?" Dee exclaimed, pretending to stick his fingers down his throat.

  With a laugh, I downed the rest of my drink and murmured into Will's ear, "Wanna blow this popcorn stand?"

  He grinned wickedly at me and replied, "Thought you'd never ask."

  We were staying at a motel at the edge of town near the highway. It wasn't the Ritz, and it smelled a little of old moth balls, but it was nice enough for a night. We had a separate room, one queen bed, which was just two king sized singles pushed together and a lovely floral doona that matched the curtains, a tiny bathroom and the stock standard electric kettle with the cheap no-name tea bags.

  As the door closed behind him, Will sighed, sliding his thumbs into the belt loops of my jeans. "Alone at last," he breathed, tugging me towards him.

  My arms snaked around his neck, coaxing his lips towards mine.

  "That was a great gig tonight," he murmured.

  "It was okay," I shrugged, lying through my teeth. It had been an amazing gig.

  "Only okay?"

  "Well, I can think of better things."