by J J Cobban
“Dude, he’s doing it for a reaction,” Mikey laughed “I’ve heard him say shit like that to Rissa too. She laughs along with him. You and Jo are too easily wound up.”
“He knows-” Jace was interrupted as Asher’s blonde ‘friend’ from out in the main area came in with two trays of drinks. She looked around us all, obviously confused as to why Seth and Jace were on the stage while we all stood around watching.
“Thanks, sweetheart.” Asher grinned, sending her a wink that made her cheeks flush with pink. The waitress put the trays of drink down onto a nearby table before she began to hand them out.
“I’ll come back to check on you in a short while. If there’s anything else in the meantime just come and find me.” I had a funny feeling that the latter part of her offer was aimed at Asher more than anyone else. She sent Ash a smile as she turned to leave the room, swaying her hips in a way that demanded male appreciation.
The lights dimmed further, signalling that something was about to happen.
“Here we fucking go.” Max shouted dropping down into an armchair at the front of the stage. Nico smirked as he dropped onto a sofa at the side of the stage beside Jace. We all found seats just as the edges of the stage lit up promisingly.
The music changed to from whatever slow, sexy pop song had been playing in the background to a more upbeat dance song. The opening sound of Sweat by David Guetta and Snoop Dogg began to play as the lights on stage continued to flicker from a startling white to a cool blue colour. As the vocals on the track began smoke covered the stage floor, creating a mysterious atmosphere. There was no more laughing and joking from the rest of the guys as we all watched in anticipation. Curious as to what we were about to witness. We were kept in suspense for another couple of seconds before the first dancer strutted onto the stage. She kept her steps in time with the beat and held her head up high as she swung her hips. Her slender body was covered in a skin-tight camouflage jumpsuit. She had a bandolier slung across her chest, resting at her hip, and a military style hard hat covering the top of her sandy brown hair. Her shiny lips were twisted into a seductive smirk as she reached the front of the stage, twirling on her heeled boots. Something about her tugged at me but with the aviator sunglasses and hat on it was hard to tell what it was. Before I could get a better look she was strutting back down the stage, stopping at one of the stripper poles. Her hands clasped the cool metal as a second female took centre stage. My eyes moved from the army girl to the newbie. Much like the first performer, this one had her face covered. The only difference being that instead of sunglasses, this girl had a black lace mask covering the top of her face.
Most of the guys now were getting rowdy. Propositions were being yelled as they clapped and cheered. As the second girl made a big show of coming from behind the stage the guys got even louder.
This time it seemed to be a blonde showgirl we were getting. She wore a black and blue lace corset style dress with a blue tutu like bottom that flared just below her ass. Where the first girl seemed to scream confidence, this one was all fire and sass. Her hips swayed with more exaggeration as she reached the front of the stage. Instead of a twirl, she simply cocked her hip, pouting as she did so, before bending slightly to adjust the small blue ribbons at the top of her black pin-striped stockings. The showgirl flashed a seductive smirk at Asher before dropping her hip dramatically and sauntering back down the stage. The feathers in her hair fluttering as she went.
“No fucking way,” Travis whispered from the chair beside me, a grin spreading across his face. I looked over at him, confused. Travis shook his head, leaning in closer to me.
“Top of the blonde’s leg.” He carried on shaking his head, highly amused. My eyes narrowed back at the stage, trying to get a better look at the blonde’s legs. It took me a minute as the girl made her way to the opposite side of the stage, reaching for the remaining pole. As she cocked her leg to wrap around the pole, I saw it. At the top of the girl’s thigh was a tattoo of a garter belt with a gun tucked into it.
Realisation slammed into me like a bulldozer.
I glanced around at the other guys, seeing that they were all still cheering and grinning, oblivious to what Travis and I had just discovered.
“You sure that’s the same as Lacey’s ink?”
Travis lifted the bottom of his button-down shirt, revealing an identical gun tattooed just above his hip bone.
“Think I’d recognise it.” He rolled his eyes, turning back to the stage, as the next girl breezed into the spotlight “If the showgirl is Lacey, I think we both know who that is.”
I turned back towards the stage as a girl dressed as a fortune teller began to sway down the stage. The purple velvet skirt reached the middle of her well-toned thighs, showcasing her long legs. My eyes drifted from her thighs to her high-heeled feet. The smile pulling at my face was involuntary as my eyes worked their way back up the woman’s body. A burgundy corset pulled her waist in and tied at the front. The ruffled white shirt she wore highlighted her chest, making them look bigger than they were. The shirt fell off her shoulders and hung loosely around her slender arms. My mouth watered as I got to her face. She wore a purple headscarf around the top of her head and a mask in the same shade of purple. Her red lips were in a similar pout to Showgirl Lacey’s and just begged for attention. As the third mystery girl reached the front of the stage she turned her head until she was looking over her shoulder, directly at me. As those green eyes bore into me lustfully all of my suspicions were confirmed.
Scout held my gaze for a second longer before winking and sauntering back down the stage. As she reached the back of the stage, Lacey moved away from the stripper pole and posed beside her. Scout placed her hands on her hips, tilting her head and pouting her lips like a model. Lacey smirked, raising an eyebrow, as she rested her arm on Scout’s shoulder while the other hand went to her cocked hip. My eyes narrowed on the soldier girl before I felt mild annoyance.
Jez.
They’d involved Jez in this? She was nineteen!
Jez moved away from her pole, that she had been working alarmingly well, and stood with her legs apart. One hand on her hip while the other was up at her temple in a saluting gesture, a full grin breaking across her face.
“Wait a second.” Seth got to his feet at the other side of the room as the music took another change. This time the main chorus of Rihanna’s S&M began playing.
The last performer took over the stage like it was her god given right to do so. She wore no mask though, no, this one wore a veil. It hung just below her chin and hid just enough of her face to hide her identity. Not that it mattered, as I looked around the room, I was certain a few of the guys had started to twig at what was going on.
The red-haired bride sauntered down the stage, her curled and teased red tresses bouncing as she went. The bodice of her white costume was sheer lace with what looked like a white bra on underneath. The skirt of her dress was shorter in the front, stopping at the top of her thighs, and longer at the back, reaching the back of her knees. I glanced over to Nico, feeling my mouth twist into a grin as I watched him smile and shake smiling and shaking his head. He knew damn well who was under that veil.
As the not- so- blushing bride reached the front of the stage the other three girls moved forward. Each of them strutting in their own way. My eyes fixed to Scout, finding her looking back at me with the same intensity. As the three girls reached the bride’s side they all stopped. Jez did another salute as her pose, winking and popping her leg back this time as she did so. Lacey dropped down onto one knee, resting her elbows on the propped-up knee and grinning lazily at us. Then there was Scout. She had her left hip slightly raised as she clasped her hands behind her head, smiling at me the whole time. I’d never seen anything fucking sexier in my life. I shifted in my seat uncomfortably, smirking when I saw her stifling a laugh. She knew exactly what she was doing to me.
As all of the girls did their poses, the bride did her big reveal. She swept the veil back, tu
rning to Nico and sending him a saucy smile.
“Hey chief,” Jo grinned wickedly, brushing her white skirt down.
Nico shook his head as everyone cheered, ribbing Nico about how he’d been caught out by his woman. The music quietened into the background again as Nico got to his feet, moving towards the stage.
“Should have known you had something up your sleeve,” He mumbled as he came to a stop in front of Jo. He reached up, gripping her waist as he lifted her down. Without another word, he sealed his lips over hers. I shook my head as Travis and I made our way to the stage. Scout moved closer, reaching out for me. She braced her hands on my shoulders as I lifted her down. Travis did the same with Lacey, obviously not trusting her in heels.
“You enjoy the show?” Scout teased, wrapping her arms around my neck. My hands slipped from her waist to her ass and back again.
“I’d have enjoyed it a hell of a lot more if you’d shown me a little more.” I smirked as my hand slipped below her miniscule skirt. My fingertips brushed her panties, making her breath hitch.
“How about I give you your own show back at the hotel?” I felt myself harden at her promise. If we’d been out for any other reason than Nico’s bachelor, and now Jo’s bachelorette, party I would have bailed. I’d have been carrying Scout back to the hotel so she could fulfil her promise.
“How the hell did you guys manage that?” Max asked from beside Lacey.
“You’re all welcome.” A cocky voice came from the stage. Everybody turned to see Kasia grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“Yours truly may have close connections with Carson, the owner. I figured you assholes were not getting the last laugh.” Kasia jumped down from the stage with astonishing grace considering she was in stilettos and a skin-tight dress.
“I’m amazed you weren’t up there,” Jace smirked.
Kasia rolled her eyes, “Had my big brother not been here, I would have been.”
Asher looked heavenward.
“Thank God for small mercies,” He muttered.
Everyone then sat back down as more drinks were ordered from the bar. Laughter filled the room as the girls filled us in on how Kasia had arranged the whole thing. Apparently, Jez had been determined to be involved and the army jumpsuit was the least revealing thing they could get her to put on. I was at least relieved for that, I may have flipped if she’d come out in a mini-dress.
“I’m shocked you did it, boss lady.” Seth called from the other side of the room, “Isn’t this the kind of behaviour you hate?”
“What can I say, you guys are rubbing off on me,” Scout raised a brow at Seth “however, during working hours I expect you all to do as your fucking told, clear?”
“You got it.” Seth laughed. He turned back to Jez and Mikey, leaving me to win back some of Scout’s attention.
“How about we give this another hour then head out?” I whispered in her ear, enjoying the little shiver she gave as my breath tickled her neck.
“How about we give it thirty minutes?”
My mouth sealed over hers at her breathy request. Nico and Jo would be lucky if we managed to stick around for another fifteen minutes, never mind thirty. Scout’s hand reached up to cup my face as her tongue snaked out, teasing my own. My own hand gripped down harder on her thigh.
“You better be quick, asshole, this is your party,” Asher called as Nico and Jo headed to the back of the stage. Nico shot Ash the finger as the two of them disappeared backstage.
“Maybe we could take a leaf from their book? Get creative?” I mumbled against Scouts lips, “Whatcha think?”
“I think we already established you’re in charge in that department, so lead the way, Mr Jackson.”
My body roared to life at the submissive look in her eyes. My woman wanted to get sexually creative? Well her wish was my fucking command.
I was about to make her wildest fucking fantasies a reality. My mind was already racing with possibilities. Tonight was going to be a wild one.
Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ Ｓｅｖｅｎｔｅｅｎ
Ｓｃｏｕｔ
“Darlin’?”
My sleep clouded mind tried to block out the deep, familiar voice trying to break through my consciousness. I snuggled back into the warmth that had cloaked me during the night, only to feel the source of the warmth shaking with gentle laughter.
“Darlin’, you need to get up.” The voice tried again.
I groaned as I pulled the comforter tighter around me. Now that I’d been woken up, my body was all too aware of the dull ache bouncing around my tired limbs. We ended up staying out longer than we’d planned when Seth and Alex decided to show us their ‘skills’ on the poles. I’d danced until my legs hurt, laughed until I thought my sides would quite literally split and then Drake had taken me home and fucked me into exhaustion.
As I buried my face into my warm pillow I felt a slow smile tug at my lips.
A week ago, I would have never pictured myself here, feeling as deeply as I did about Drake. In fact, my whole life had done a quick one eighty in the short time I’d known the drummer. From the second the tour started my head had been a mess. First the incident with Jace and the additional bus request, then there was the mess with somebody dragging Drake’s name through the mud and on top of that the band had been photographed brawling in the street. Even thinking about it gave me heart palpitations.
A loud vibrating brought me back to the present.
Shit, my phone.
I stretched out onto my back as I reached out blindly with my left hand. My fingers brushed over where the phone sat on the bedside table, gripping it tightly as it continued to vibrate. Drake chuckled once more as I looked at the phone screen, seeing a number of text messages and emails awaiting my attention. I dropped the phone back down, turning to look at Drake.
His spiky hair was dishevelled from sleep but his eyes were bright and carefree.
I rolled onto my side, sliding my hand across his bare stomach as the last dregs of sleep left my body. Drake’s lips tipped into a lazy smirk as the arm under my head moved, pulling me closer until I was draped over his chest.
“Morning, darlin’,” his deep voice rumbled through his chest, “You’re fucking hellish to wake up sometimes, you know that?”
I sat up slightly and swatted his shoulder in mock offense.
“You know, I at least had the good grace to wake you up in a more stimulating manner.” I raised both brows at him, glancing down to his crotch before looking back up at his face. Drake threw his head back into the pillows and laughed heartily. His body shook as he shook his head at me.
“As subtle as a motherfucking shotgun,” He muttered.
My phone vibrated once again, reminding me that I had texts and emails to answer. As if reading my mind Drake crushed me against his chest before placing a chaste kiss to my forehead.
“I’m gonna grab a shower while you get your phone under control.”
“Tease.” I joked as he rolled out of bed, weirdly making me feel a little sad.
“Darlin’, a tease wouldn’t follow through. You know damn well I’ll come back and give you exactly what I promised.” Drake stood naked and proud beside the bed with one eyebrow raised in warning.
My mouth watered as my eyes drifted down his naked form as all thoughts about my phone disintegrated. Drake winked at me before swaggering towards the bathroom. I sighed wistfully as his glorious body disappeared into the bathroom. I gave another stretch before searching for my phone in the comforter. I’d put off the inevitable for too long already. I unlocked my phone and felt my eyes bulge at the first text that was previewed on my screen.
“Oh fuck.”
I opened my father’s blunt and vague text message, my heartbeat spiking for entirely different reasons now.
Its live.
That was all his message said. Just below his alarmingly vague message was a link to a website. I chewed my lip as I clicked on it, waiting for the screen to load. I was suddenly glad that Dra
ke had taken himself away to shower. He didn’t need to see me as nervous as this.
The website flashed onto my phone screen making a fresh wave of nerves strike me.
It was a review page on the interview that Drake and the others had given yesterday. A review page? Nothing made me more nervous than a review from the public. Drake and the bands image rested on the public’s opinion. It just took one negative opinion to taint the water. I scrolled down the page until I came to the comments section. I took a deep, steadying breath before beginning to read.
‘I don’t buy it. The guy gets put under a microscope and all of a sudden he’s got daddy issues? I call bullshit. He’s just looking for sympathy.’
My heart sank at the first review from ‘anonymous’. It didn’t bode well. I scrolled further down, looking at a longer review this time and hoping it had some positives going for it.
‘I think this was so brave! Not enough celebrities speak out about their hardships, it’s nice to see that somebody is down to earth. It sucks that it took him this long to own it though, was he embarrassed?’
Okay, that wasn’t terrible. I chewed my lips again. That one was better than the first. Surely they only got better? I carried on scrolling down the page, reading the reviews as I went. Much like any review page there was mixed opinions. There seemed to be more sympathising with Drake than judging him though. I felt myself smile a little when I caught a glimpse at a conversation between two Rayne of Glory fans and somebody throwing serious shade at Drake. The fans defended Drake valiantly. I almost wanted to add my own comment on the end of it to encourage them. My professionalism won out though. I may have slept with a member of the band I was helping but that didn’t mean I’d thrown the rule book out of the window completely.
As I reached the bottom of the page I came to a comment that instantly had my attention.
‘I’m grateful Drake’s speaking out. My dad beat me, my mom and my sister for years and everybody looked the other way. I blamed myself for years for not doing something about it and I carried that burden alone. I hope Drake speaking out makes other people stop and think. Don’t just turn away. Face up and act, just like Drake’s doing. Keep it up, bro.’