With her outburst, she’d brought attention back on herself.
“These reviewers are what’s wrong.” Cerise sat back in her chair with a heavy thump and a growl. “All the local music sites are blogging and posting about our last concert, but they’ve barely mentioned us at all.”
“Well, there were four other bands playing,” I said, trying to console her. “They probably want to give equal attention.”
“This is such bullshit.” Cerise buried her hands in her hair, squeezing her eyes shut. “We were so good that night. We fucking owned that stage. Didn’t we?” She opened her eyes and looked to me. It could have just been the dim lighting, but they seemed to be glistening. “We were good, weren’t we?”
“You were,” I hurried to say. “You guys rocked it.”
“If no one’s writing about us, if no one’s talking about us, we’re going to become old news.” Her expression turned anxious and her breathing heavy. “That label’s going to lose interest. They’re not going to sign us. Everyone’s going to know we lost a record contract.”
Cerise looked to be on the verge of hyperventilating. I looked around helplessly and found Gael at the pool table. I made a quick gesture, catching his eyes. I gave him a pleading look and nodded to his sister, currently in the midst of a nervous breakdown.
Gael rushed over and carefully detangled her fingers from her hair, where she’d been pulling at the strands. “Hey, hey, what’s wrong?”
“We didn’t get any reviews.”
Gael propped his hip against the table in front of her, holding her hands in his. “C’mon Cerise, it’s not the end of the world.”
“Why aren’t people talking about us?” she asked insistently, ignoring his attempts to console her.
“Because people have no taste.” Gael’s lips threatened to twitch upward. “It’s just one concert. There will be others.”
“But—”
“No buts.” Gael pulled Cerise into a hug, smoothing down her hair. She frowned but settled her head against his chest. “What have I told you about getting yourself worked up?” he whispered into her ear.
I picked up a still half-full glass and went over to the bar, pretending to wash it, giving the siblings some privacy. I watched them out of the corner of my eye. Whatever words Gael whispered seemed to be doing the trick. Cerise was nodding, looking less miserable by the second. After several minutes she was calmer, and even gave him the occasional smile. Gael certainly knew how to handle his sister.
When Cerise was breathing normally again he handed her his bottle of beer.
“Finish that,” he said. “You need to get a good buzz going on.”
“I hate beer,” she grumbled, but took a swig anyway, making a face as she did so.
He gave her one last quiet word and came to find me as I wiped down a sticky table. “Thanks for the heads up.”
“No problem. Is she always this...”
“Stressed? Uptight? Neurotic?” Gael let out a small, sad laugh. “Yeah, unfortunately. I don’t think she’ll be able to relax until we sign that contract.” A thoughtful expression crossed his face. “Actually, even then I don’t think she’ll relax. She’ll probably just switch her focus and worry about something else.”
“She always did seem a little high strung.”
“She used to be more laid back.” He glanced at his sister, who had gone back to her phone, frowning at the screen. “I guess it’s understandable.”
“What is?”
Gael looked away, his expression downcast, just like it had been the last time we’d talked about his sister. “I think she just needs to feel like she has control over something.” He gave Cerise one more look before shaking his head. “It’s not your problem, it’s mine.”
I cocked my head. “How’s it your problem?”
“I just gotta figure out—” he cut himself short. “Never mind.” He eyed me up and down. “You’re not wearing your leather corset today.”
Instead of my usual leather skirt and corset, I wore a little black dress with a handful of mesh cutouts in strategic places. It molded tight to my body with a plunging neckline.
“As it turns out, someone,” I gave him a pointed stare, “got carried away last time and ripped out one of the eyelets. I had to drop it off to get repaired.”
“If ruining your clothes means you wear more dresses like this one, I’ll have to keep doing it.”
Gael wrapped his arms around me and trailed his fingers along the cutouts. I shivered at the heat of his skin even through the mesh fabric.
“I can’t afford to keep fixing my clothes. Do you know how expensive it is to get leather repaired?”
“I’ll buy you new clothes.” He gave me a smug grin. “I’m going to be a rich and famous rock star, after all.”
“So the contract looks good?” I asked.
Gael tightened his hold on me, his eyes shining. “The band went over it line by line. Seems legit. We’re still going to bring in a real lawyer to look at it before we officially sign, but yeah, it looks good.”
“I’m so proud of you.”
“Do you remember when you said if I behaved I’d get my reward?” His hand trailed down my side to cup my ass.
I swatted his hand away even as heat pooled between my legs. “That wasn’t the reward I was talking about.”
“No?” He leaned down to press a soft kiss on my exposed collarbone. “Are you sure you don’t want to give me my reward?”
I shuddered as his hands curled over my hips, pressing our bodies together. Gael used his hands on my hips to guide me slowly backwards.
“I’m at work.” I glanced around. It was a slower than usual day and most of the guys seemed absorbed in either a game of pool or in their drinking contests.
“No one’s paying attention to us.” He continued backing me up, until we were past the bar and pushing through the door to the backroom.
I wanted to continue protesting, but I couldn’t deny the the throbbing between my legs.
“You look so fucking tempting in that dress,” Gael murmured in my ear. “Just makes me want to tear it off you.”
“Please don’t. I like this outfit.”
“If you don’t want me ripping it to shreds you better take it off.” His eyes flashed dangerously. “Now.”
I hesitated for a brief moment before giving in. As much as I objected, the ache between my legs was only getting stronger. Gael was looking at me as if he wanted to throw me down and consume every inch of me. And I wanted him to.
I reached down for the hem of my dress and slowly peeled it off my body, leaving me in only my black lace bra and panties. My nipples peaked through the lace, stiff with arousal.
Gael immediately zeroed in on my breasts, his eyes burning with heat. “I suggest you take off the rest if you don’t want me ripping those panties in two with my bare hands.”
The shivers that went up and down my spine had nothing to do with the cool air and everything to do with Gael’s eyes burning into me.
I removed my bra and panties, leaving me in only my black high heels. I began to take them off too when Gael growled.
“Leave them on.”
I flushed and stood before him, naked.
He hummed in satisfaction. “And now I get to have my reward.”
Without another word, he knelt between my legs and spread my thighs with his hands. My limbs trembled, anticipating his next move. He looked up at me one last time, smirking, before he delved between my legs and sucked my clit into his mouth.
I bit my lip to muffle a shriek. White hot pleasure seared through me. He attacked my clit with his lips and tongue, licking and flicking and circling. I buried my hands in his hair and whimpered. I tugged him closer, wanting more of him.
He spread my lower lips with his thumbs and dipped his tongue into me, tasting how wet I was for him. He thrust in and out, mimicking the motions of sex. My breathing sped up as he delved inside me as deep as he could go.
H
e went back to my clit, latching on with an exquisite suction, then returned to licking at my entrance. I let out soft moans, trying to keep as quiet as I could considering the pleasure racing through me. I was getting close, so close.
Gael plunged two fingers into me, crooking them upward, and I came with a shriek. My fingers pulled at his hair painfully. My legs went weak and shaky. I could barely keep myself upright.
He eased me through it with his tongue, until it became almost painful. I let out a moan and he stood, catching me in his arms before my wobbling legs fell out from under me.
“That was a delicious reward,” he said.
“I think I’m the one who got the reward,” I mumbled weakly.
“Nope.” He kissed the top of my head. “Getting to taste you, making you come on my tongue and fingers? There’s no better reward than that.”
A naughty thought came to me. “I can think of one or two things that might be better.”
I slid my hand to the front of his jeans where I could feel his hardness pressing against the zipper. He hissed as I traced the outline of his length through the rough fabric. I knelt down on my knees in front of him and peeked up through my lashes.
His eyes were blazing hot. “You want to take me in your mouth?”
I unzipped his jeans, not taking my eyes off him. His cock fell into my hands, thick and hard and god, so big. My hands looked comically small wrapped around something with such a large girth.
“Yes.”
I shivered in delight and pressed a kiss to his weeping tip. A pulse of arousal shot through me at his words. Despite my orgasm minutes ago, I was already getting worked up again. Already getting wet again. I pressed my thighs together and squirmed.
He buried his hand in my hair and nudged me until my lips were right at the head of his cock.
“Then wrap your pretty lips around me.”
I did exactly as he commanded. I opened my mouth to take the tip of his cock into my mouth, applying suction. He let out a groan as I flicked at the underside with my tongue. I bobbed my head up and down, taking him a few inches further each time, letting myself get used to his length. I used my other hand to caress the part of him I couldn’t yet fit in my mouth, stroking with a soft touch.
Gael cupped the back of my head and urged me closer. I inhaled sharply as wetness flowed down my thighs. I let his hand on my head guide me down, making me take more and more of him. My slick lips slid down his shaft, getting closer and closer to the thick base.
Arousal throbbed between my legs. I moaned as he pulled out and whimpered as he pushed back in. The heavy weight of him on my tongue as he continued entering me was delicious. The friction of my lips against his stiff length was electric. I continued sucking and licking, letting him go deep and then pull out, again and again until his cock began to twitch and harden even further.
I whined as he pulled out, wanting to taste him as he came. I looked up at him, confused.
Gael fisted his cock, his eyes on fire. “I’ve been wanting to come on those gorgeous tits for weeks.” He stroked himself once, twice. His cock pulsed and he found his release, spilling himself all over my chest, warm, sticky liquid covering my breasts. Gael squeezed himself and tilted his hips forward. He dragged the head of his cock over my nipples, using the tip to rub at the stiff nubs, spreading the wetness all over my chest.
“Want to see you fucking covered in it,” he growled.
I flushed and looked down. I had to admit, seeing myself covered with his release was goddamn hot.
“Is this why you wanted my clothes off?” I teased. “So you could come on my tits?”
“It’s one of the perks.”
Our lust satiated, I pointed to a box in the corner. “There are napkins and wet wipes in there to clean up with.”
When we were put to rights again, Gael pulled me into his arms and kissed the breath out of me.
“If that’s the kind of reward I get, I’ll have to act like a good boy from now on.”
I smiled up at him, shooting him a coy look. “I think I prefer you bad.”
He snorted. “I’m sure my sister wouldn’t agree.”
I pulled out of his arms. “We should probably check on her. I’m sure half the guys out there are dying to hit on her.”
“She can handle herself.”
“I’m more worried for the guys.”
Gael laughed. “She can be a hard ass, it’s true.”
I gave him a thoughtful look. “For someone who acts so tough, she can get a little overwrought sometimes.”
“That’s just Cerise. Like this latest thing. She’s so upset we’re not getting reviews.”
“I’m sure it’s not that big of a deal.”
“To her it is.”
I snuck a peek out of the backroom doors before leaving, making sure no one was watching us. The coast seemed to be clear.
Cerise had joined in on a game of pool and was laughing and jeering along with the rest of the guys.
“She’s made herself at home,” I noted. “Maybe she’s done freaking out.”
“For now. I’m sure tomorrow she’ll be back to her usual self.” Gael ran a hand down his face. “I just wish I had a way...” His gaze went soft and faraway, as if he were thinking hard.
“Gael?” I prompted.
His eyes focused on mine. “I gotta go.”
“That’s fine, my shift’s over in ten minutes anyway.”
He shook his head. “I’m gonna head home alone. I’ve got some stuff to take care of.”
“Okay,” I said, trying not to sound disappointed. We’d been spending so much time together, it hadn’t even occurred to me he might not want to go home with me.
He patted his pockets, checking for his phone and wallet. “You mind making sure Cerise gets home okay?”
“Am I officially her babysitter now, too?” I teased, trying to make him smile.
He gave me an absentminded nod as if he hadn’t really heard me, his mind a million miles away. “I’ll catch you later, okay?”
“Sure,” I said, confused by his rapid change in mood.
Gael left without giving me a second look. He stopped by the pool table to speak with Cerise, hugging her before he left. She seemed less overwrought, but still disgruntled. She must have read more of the reviews that left them out. I wondered if it annoyed her more that the other bands got mentioned or that Cherry Lips didn’t get mentioned at all.
Cerise had ordered a few more drinks by the time I’d finished my shift. After I’d gotten my bag I told her I was heading out and that I would be taking her home, as per Gael’s orders.
“He’s so overprotective,” she grumbled.
“I thought that was you.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m not overprotective. I’m bossy. I’m always telling him what to do, what not to do. I’m a pain in his ass.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t see it that way. He knows you’re just looking out for him and the band.”
“I’m looking out for myself.” She seemed to be despondent. “I want to get this record contract so bad.”
“Gael does, too.”
“He doesn’t act like it. I think he’d be okay playing at small shitty clubs for the rest of his life, banging hot girls and partying it up.”
My heart clenched in my chest. I didn’t want to think about Cerise’s words, no matter how true they were. Gael did like to party and sleep with lots of different women. For the past few weeks he’d only been sleeping with me, but who knew how long that would last.
He did say I was the only woman he wanted. And this morning, he hadn’t even qualified it by saying right now. I didn’t know if he meant what I thought he meant. Maybe he hadn’t even realized what it sounded like.
“You’ve gotten to know Gale pretty well, haven’t you?” Cerise asked as she wobbled over to my car. I’d finally gotten it fixed with the money from “babysitting” Gael.
“Why do you ask?” I tried not to sound nervous. Did
Cerise suspect?
“I’d like to think Gale has managed to make friends with a girl without sleeping with them. He tends to just go through women like tissues, you know?”
“Yeah. I know.”
“It would be nice for him to have a friend he could lean on when I’m not there for him. I’m always the one he relies on, but sometimes I feel like he needs someone aside from his baby sister to confide in.”
“And you think that someone could be me?”
“You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. I can’t imagine you giving into his so-called charm.”
“You seem sure of that. What if I’m just like the other girls and I fall for him?”
“You’re not, though. You’ve always had a level head. I’ve known that from the moment I first met you. I don’t think a guy like Gael could turn your head.”
“Yeah. I avoid guys like Gael.” Or, I used to.
“But you’ve gotten to know him, haven’t you?”
“A bit,” I hedged. “I’d like to think we’re friends.”
More than friends. After all, friends didn’t sleep with each other. But friends also confided in each other. I wondered whether or not Gael would consider me a friend, even if we weren’t sleeping together.
Maybe if I had resisted him for a little longer I wouldn’t be having all these doubts. We would have gotten to know each other without all the sex stuff in between. That was always going to be the elephant in the room that I couldn’t ignore. Why had I given in? Gael might have ended up being a good friend, instead of just a fuck buddy.
“The only woman I want is you.” That’s what Gael had said.
Maybe there really was something more between us.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
* * *
The next morning I woke to my phone ringing non-stop. It was all the way across the room. I was warm and comfortable wrapped in my fluffy duvet. It wasn’t until the person on the other end had hung up and called again three times in a row that I managed to lumber out of bed. Cerise’s name flashed on the screen.
Rock Star Romance Ultimate: Volume 1 Page 160