Lyrical Odyssey Rock Star Series: Box Set 1

by Charli B. Rose

  “Red,” I said, then kissed her lips which were red from the way she chewed on her lip whenever she was creating.

  When she pulled back, she took the pencil from me and said, “Dusty rose.” Then she tossed it in the direction of her sketch pad. It landed with a soft thud against the tile.

  I moved my fingertips over the slope of her cheek to brush the soft skin beneath her eye. Then I plucked another pencil from her hair, causing some of her hair to fall.

  “Green.” Leaning forward, I planted a kiss on each of her gorgeous eyes.

  With a grin, she said, “Shamrock.” Then she tossed it away.

  Shaking my head, I chuckled and tugged another pencil from her topknot. Calloused fingers ran along the skin at the top of her breasts. Skin that was flush from the heat of the water and my proximity plus her arousal.

  “Peach.” I held up another pencil.

  She shook her head with a faux expression of sorrow. “Salmon.” That pencil went the way of the others.

  Sliding my fingers to the nape of her neck, I found another pencil sticking out. I stepped backwards, tugging her with me. A few small steps toward the shallow end of the tub revealed more of her delectable flesh. As soon as her breasts bobbed above the water, I eagerly drew circles around one of her puckering areolas. I dipped my head and drew the tight peak into my mouth, laving attention on it with my teeth and tongue.

  When she moaned, I lifted my head and held up the pencil. “Brown.” Before she could take it from me, I sent it flying.

  “Russet.”

  Growling, I planted my hands on her hips and lifted her to the edge of the tub. I grabbed the last pencil which was already losing the fight to keep her hair up. When I tugged the lone soldier free, shimmery blue waves cascaded down to her shoulders.

  I traced the butterfly tattoo on her hip with my index finger, then traced it with my tongue. After giving it a little love bite, I held up the pencil triumphantly in front of her eyes. “Purple.”

  When she didn’t correct me, but instead wrapped her hands around my neck to draw my mouth to hers, I figured I’d finally gotten a color correct.

  Her tongue slid in between my lips, stroking against mine, making my blood boil. She scooted her body forward until she was barely on the rim of the hot tub. Slim legs wrapped around my waist as a small hand dove beneath the water to fist my cock. Before I could even slow her down to the pace I’d planned, she lined my aching dick up with her slippery entrance. As she lowered herself from the edge of the tub, she sank down onto me. When I was fully embedded in her, I stepped off the ledge I’d perched on so I could sit on the bench with her straddling my lap.

  After a few satisfying strokes, she tilted her head back to let out a low moan. I kissed the damp skin along her the smooth column of her neck.

  I gripped her hips, halting her movements. I just needed a minute.

  “I love you,” I panted as I pressed my forehead against hers.

  “I love you too.” She kissed across my scruff as she wiggled on my cock. When her lips reached my ear, she gave it a lick, then said, “Orchid.”

  “So many colors,” I panted, thrusting up into her. “Loving you makes me see them all.” And I planned to make her see them all in brilliant technicolor in a few minutes.

  Izzy brushed her hair then pulled part of it up to pin with some colorful barrettes she made. I was already dressed and waiting. I loved watching her get ready. It was such an intimate thing, observing as she selected an outfit then slid it on, seeing her put on the minutest amount of makeup, witnessing her do all the little things she deemed necessary to go out into the world. I’d never appreciated how deeply intimate something so normal and minor was until I’d had to live without it. It was a different level of familiarity than getting naked with someone or even joining bodies with someone. I planned to never take it for granted again.

  As if she could read my mind, Izzy turned from where she was now brushing her teeth and smirked at me. “Nothing better to do?” she mumbled around the toothbrush still in her mouth.

  “Never anything better to do than watching you. Unless it’s what we just finished doing and don’t have time to do again right now since you booked us all tickets to some secret show.”

  “It’s not a secret show. There will be other people there. It’s not exclusive for us. It’s just a secret for everyone because I don’t know that everyone would get on board with it,” she admitted, slipping her red and pink bracelet on.

  I walked up behind her, unable to sit still any longer. Burying my nose in the crook of her neck, I inhaled deeply. Happily Ever After. It was what she smelled like and what I knew our future held.

  “Don’t start something we don’t have time for,” she scolded, planting her hand on her hip.

  Sighing heavily, I stepped back and adjusted my growing erection. “You’re right.” I glanced at my phone. “We better head downstairs. Or go round up the troops to make sure we’re not late.”

  After grabbing her purse from the dresser, she sashayed out of the bedroom, adding an extra tempting sway to her hips. Growling, I rushed to catch up to her and swatted one swinging butt cheek.

  She squealed. “What was that for?”

  “For tempting me, flutterby. Always tempting me.”

  Laughing, she blew me a kiss then stepped out into the hallway.

  Voices filled the corridor as the rest of the gang flowed out of their respective suites. Everyone was talking at once. It was great to be surrounded by friends. Even if they weren’t all here. The noise level rose once we were enclosed in the elevator. Quietly, I watched our friends. Sky, Tansy and Cleo were chattering like old friends. Gina was snuggled up close to Maddox but was talking animatedly with Jett. And Wilder stood close to Brittany, speaking too low for me to make out what he was saying.

  When the elevator stopped in the lobby, we spilled out. The mass of us reached the front of the hotel just as our ride pulled around the circle.

  Once we were all seated, all eyes turned to Izzy.

  “You gonna tell us where we’re going, Iz?” Wilder demanded with a raised brow.

  “All right, I’ll tell you. We have VIP tickets to Zumanity, the Cirque du Soleil show at New York-New York,” she said breathlessly.

  “You mean the show Yanis Marshall choreographed?” Brittany asked excitedly.

  “I don’t know who choreographed it,” Izzy said with a shrug. “It’s Cirque du Soleil meets Magic Mike. At least that’s how it was described to me,” Izzy explained.

  A chorus of groans rose from the guys.

  “Don’t worry, boys. There are female dancers in the show too. Topless,” Cleo said, peering intently at her phone.

  “Thank goodness,” Jett said loudly.

  “I know you guys had some aspirations of debauchery while we’re here. And some of you girls too.” Izzy raised her eyebrows at each person.

  I lifted our linked fingers to my mouth and placed a kiss on the back of her hand.

  “Strip clubs aren’t really my scene. And Dawson didn’t seem to want to go to one either. So I thought we could see this sexy show together as a group. Then tomorrow if you guys want to go see what goods Sin City has to offer, you can go and be merry without us. I’ve been told that I have plans tomorrow night anyway,” Izzy finished explaining.

  “I’ve been dying to see that show. Three different trips, I’ve tried to get tickets and couldn’t work it out. So, I’m happy you did this. And the rest of us girls can hit up Magic Mike tomorrow,” Cleo said, clapping her hands.

  “And we can hit up Sapphire or Crazy Horse,” Jett said, fist bumping Wilder as he said it.

  All of our friends nodded in agreement, even Gina and Maddox, which kind of surprised me.

  “Gah,” Gina squealed. “Sorry, babe. I can’t keep quiet about it.” She looked at Maddox, batting her lashes.

  He stiffened next to her as she held up her hand, flashing the diamond ring Izzy and I had seen already.

  “Maddo
x and I are engaged,” she shouted.

  Everyone fell silent as they looked at the couple. Gina bounced in her seat while Maddox sat quietly beside her, his arm wrapped around her waist.

  Sky stared at them in quiet contemplation.

  Finally, everyone offered their congratulations.

  “Gina, do you have a wedding date in mind?” Tansy asked.

  “Who knows? It just happened a little bit ago. Could be soon or maybe later.” Gina shrugged.

  Maddox didn’t say anything at all, just stared at Gina with a small, dopey grin.

  Hopefully, he knew what he was doing.

  The bus had come to a stop in front of a rainbow of colors. Each building of the New York-New York casino glowed a different color against the dark Nevada sky. The replica of the Statue of Liberty towered over where we climbed out of the car and onto the pavement.

  A woman in a crisp business suit walked over to where we gathered on the sidewalk.

  “Isabelle Clark?” she asked, looking at each of the girls.

  “That’s me,” Izzy said, stepping up to shake her hand.

  “I’m Margie. Luca called and arranged for me to meet you. He wanted to make sure you wouldn’t run into any problems or get held up by overzealous fans on your way inside.” Margie shook each of our hands in turn before she spun to lead us inside.

  We continued to follow her quick, efficient footsteps until she escorted us to a row of seats in the front row of the balcony. “Luca figured you wouldn’t want to risk being recognized and harassed by fans during the show. That’s why he didn’t reserve you seats down front on the couches,” Margie said.

  “These are perfect. Thanks.” I said, urging Izzy to a seat in the middle of the row. I sank down next to her.

  The theater was already pretty full, so we made an effort to keep our faces forward, hoping we wouldn’t be noticed. I glanced down at the stage. Only a sleek grand piano sat at one end of it. Nothing else was in sight to give me some idea of what this “sexy” show might entail. But I didn’t really care so long as Izzy had fun.

  When the lights dimmed and the show started, I was instantly enthralled, as was the rest of our group. Each element of the show was perfectly woven with the other parts to create not just a sexy, sensual bit of entertainment in Sin City, but also to really showcase the love they were trying to demonstrate with each musical number. We all belly laughed plenty, and I was certain I wasn’t the only one a little turned on. My arousal had little to do with the topless women or the simulated sex acts and more to do with imagining me and Izzy in the performers’ places.

  The ninety minutes ended much sooner than I expected. As we got to our feet, I wasn’t the only guy discreetly trying to adjust myself. Izzy’s skin had a light flush to it. I didn’t bother to look at the other girls. Mine was the only one I cared to know of her obvious arousal.

  Cleo, however, had no qualms about sharing her thoughts. “Holy hell. Is it hot in here or what?” she announced loudly, fanning herself with her hand.

  “It’s pretty hot,” Wilder agreed.

  “The AC must not be working,” Jett said.

  I chuckled as I tucked Izzy beneath my arm, copping a feel of her butt before my fingers settled on her hip.

  As we exited the casino, the cool air was a welcome relief against my heated flesh.

  The driver greeted us as we approached our ride. “Where to next?”

  “Light at Mandalay Bay,” Cleo answered immediately. “After that show, I need to dance and grind up against somebody.”

  “I’m down for some dancing,” Britt chimed in.

  A chorus of agreement followed from Sky, Tansy, Wilder and Jett.

  Maddox did just like me and looked to his girl to take his cue from her.

  “Hell yeah. Let’s go. I could go for a dance floor sandwich,” Gina said exuberantly.

  Maddox’s smile dropped very briefly, but as always, he instantly put it back in place. He’d always been the most giving and accommodating member of the band, never demanding we do what he wanted.

  Izzy gave me a slight shake of her head.

  “We’re going to call it a night. So, you can take us back to the Hard Rock,” I told the driver as we climbed inside.

  “What? You’re not coming dancing with us?” Brittany asked Izzy.

  “Not tonight. I’m starving and tired. And I really just want to cuddle up with Dawson until sometime tomorrow. I hate to be a party pooper, but I’m just not feeling it tonight,” Izzy offered apologetically.

  “Hey, in your shoes, I’d probably rather go back to my room with my man after that show than go get even more hot and bothered on the dance floor,” Britt said, squeezing Izzy’s hand reassuringly.

  “No kidding,” Cleo grumbled in agreement.

  Ten minutes later, we bid our friends goodbye as we were dropped off in front of the Hard Rock.

  Izzy

  Our stay in Vegas was half over. None of us had anything pressing during the day, so we decided to spend the first part of it hanging by the pool in the “Dear Universe” suite. The guys were cannon balling into the pool, while us girls tried to cluster in one corner out of the splash zone. We were judging the size of their splashes.

  When the other girls weren’t paying attention, I leaned toward Brittany and said, “So, Wilder has seemed awfully attentive to you during this trip. Anything you want to tell me?”

  “We’re just friends having fun. Nothing more,” she said. But the tips of her ears turned red as she said it, making me think there was more to it than harmless fun.

  “Friends, huh? So, nothing happened between you two after the AMA after-party?” I lifted my brow at her in question.

  “I didn’t say that. But I am saying that Wilder and I are just friends. We have fun together. But it’s nothing more than that. He’s a rock star for goodness sake. He’s got a new girl in his bed every week. And you know I don’t do relationships. I promise there’s no drama or anything brewing between the two of us,” she explained as she glanced his way.

  When he met her gaze, she didn’t drop her head shyly or act coy. She simply smiled at him then turned her attention back to me.

  “OK. Just know that if you ever do start to like him, you can talk to me. I’ve dealt with the drama of their lifestyle for a while now. I could help you navigate it.” I squeezed her hand.

  “Speaking of drama, any truth to the headlines that you and Dawson have been visiting an underground sex club?” she whispered discreetly.

  “No,” I exclaimed, smacking her shoulder with the back of my hand. “I swear those people make up all kinds of crap.”

  “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with exploring things if you’re both into it and do it safely,” Britt said with a smirk.

  I blushed deeply just imagining all the crazy things I’d read about taking place in one of those clubs we’d been accused of attending.

  “I’m not judging anyone who plays like that. But for now, I’m pretty thrilled and satisfied with the way Dawson and I already are,” I stammered out.

  “I’m just kidding you. There is definitely a lot of variety out there. I’ve certainly encountered some in my revolving door of one-night stands. Some of it, I was open to try with the guy if he wasn’t creepy. Other stuff I vetoed immediately.” She shrugged then leveraged herself up onto the edge of the pool. “So, what’s up with that Gina chick?” she asked, changing the subject.

  I turned around to look for her discreetly. She had disappeared. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve only hung out with her a few times. Maddox seems smitten by her. But I’m not sure it’s reciprocated. I hope it is for Maddox’s sake. He deserves to find a love that lasts.”

  Britt scoffed. “Not everybody wants to find a love that lasts or even love at all. Good, old-fashioned, no strings attached sex is a lot less complicated.”

  “Humph,” I said, crossing my arms. “We’re just going to have to agree to disagree on this one my friend.”

  “I know. And
because we can without fighting is one of the many reasons I love you.”

  Wearing a cute, flirty cobalt dress, I emerged from the bathroom to find Dawson in black jeans and a collared shirt in the same shade as my dress. His hair was styled in that purposefully messy style that always made my knees weak.

  “Don’t you look handsome?” I ran my palms up his torso to his collar and straightened it.

  “Had to look my best going out with you. Can’t let anyone think I’m not good enough for my girl.” He held open my coat for me to slip on.

  I shook my head at his logic. Somehow, this sexy rock star who countless women fantasized about still thought he wasn’t good enough for me. Even after all these years of him owning my heart.

  Once he’d put on his own jacket, he pressed his palm to the small of my back and steered me to the door of our suite.

  The hallway was quiet as we moved toward the elevator. Everyone was probably still down in the casino. They all wanted to win big on our last night here. Then they were heading to enjoy adult entertainment. We probably wouldn’t see them again until tomorrow. Part of me felt bad that I wasn’t spending more time with my friends. But they all seemed cool with Dawson and me doing our own thing tonight.

  Dawson had been tight lipped about our plans for the evening. I couldn’t complain since I’d kept the Zumanity tickets a secret myself. But I was dying to know what he had up his sleeve.

  Joe stood by a black SUV parked at the curb. When he saw us, he opened the back door so we could quickly slip inside. I clutched Dawson’s hand as I stepped up onto the running board. His free hand went to my butt to give me a boost.

  “Maybe we should’ve requested a car,” Dawson mumbled as he settled beside me.

  “It’s fine.” I patted his knee. “Maybe someone shouldn’t have bought me a dress with such a short skirt,” I teased.

  With Mireille’s help, he picked out our outfits for tonight. I had no idea why. But I wasn’t going to complain about such a beautiful dress. Even if the likelihood of me flashing someone as I climbed in and out of the vehicle was high.