After Glow

by Autumn Jones Lake

  “That’s fine,” Z assures him. He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Let Willow know if you need something, I need to go check on things in the back,” Z says before taking off.

  Jonny takes a step back and nods at my ever-expanding belly.

  “You look happy,” he says, casting a glance at Rock.

  “No complaints,” Rock says.

  “When are you due?”

  It’s such an unexpected question from the rough, tattooed rock star that I stumble over an answer. He’s probably just being polite and not looking for details. “Soon.”

  “Congratulations.”

  We stare at each other for a few seconds. I’m afraid to ask if he’s seen Sophie lately or not. I can’t imagine they’re still together. He shifts and throws a glance at Rock, but not in a hostile way. More apologetic.

  I decide to go for it. “So, you’re here alone? I assume you’re still not with Sophie…” I trail off because it’s awkward. But come on, someone had to bring her up.

  He stuffs his hands in his pockets and looks away. “Nah, that blew up a while ago. You two still friends?”

  Now it’s my turn to do the awkward shifting-and-looking-away move. “We, uh, sort of had a falling-out.” Rock tightens his hold on me, silently offering his support. “Right before our wedding. I found out, some, uh, things.”

  Jonny nods as if he’s relieved it’s out in the open. “That’s what broke us up. When I found out she did that. I could’ve handled helping her through rehab. Fuck knows I’ve had enough friends go through it. But I wasn’t okay with the lying.”

  I’m not sure if he means Sophie lying to me specifically or lying to him about trying to seduce Rock or that they had other issues. Whatever it is, I don’t want to pry any further.

  He glances at Rock and shrugs.

  “Well,” I say, resting my hand on his arm, “I’m sure Z’s really happy you could come tonight. And it’s great to see you.”

  “Oh, I never miss a chance to hang out at Crystal Ball when I’m in town.” This time he smirks at Rock, who chuckles. “I am surprised you’re here, though.”

  I snort-giggle. “It’s an artistic show. Z assures me it’s different from the usual entertainment.” I nod at Trinity. “We’re all here to support him.” I glance over his shoulder, searching the crowd. “And I’m a fan of some of Stella’s other work. I’ll make sure to introduce you to her later.”

  His eyes widen and he smiles. “I’d like that.” He cocks his head. “You’re a cool chick, Hope.”

  “You sound so surprised.”

  He clamps his lips shut, but smiles, giving me the impression Sophie must’ve told him I was uptight.

  Rock takes my hand and leads me over to the bar. Willow shrieks and runs out to hug me. “Look at you! You look amazing.”

  “Thank you.”

  She and Rock also say hello, and then she focuses on me again. “I have extra cranberry juice and ginger ale just for you.”

  “That’s so sweet. Thank you, Willow.”

  She pats my hand and slips behind the bar again, bumping the other bartender out of the way.

  Rock’s hand slides from the small of my back to my butt. I turn and glance up at him. “What?”

  “Nothing.” He stares straight down the plunging neckline of my dress. “I have a fantastic view.”

  I glance down at my dress. “Too much boob?”

  “I don’t think that’s a thing.” He sighs and glances around. “I wish we’d stayed home now.”

  “We have to get out and do all the things we won’t be able to do after she gets here.” I hesitate and look away. “Well, all the things I won’t be able to do.”

  With two fingers, he turns my head to look at him. “I’ll be right there with you.”

  Maybe it’s his calm reassurance. Or his low, serious voice. Or the intensity in his steel-gray eyes, but a thrill runs through me.

  He narrows his eyes. “What’s that look?” The corners of his mouth twitch as if he knows what I need, but he wants to hear me say it.

  “This is extremely inconvenient.” I reach up on tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “Everything about you has me hot. I really want you. Right now.”

  “Want me to what?”

  Half amused and half annoyed, I huff out a breath. “Fuck me.”

  “How bad on a scale of one to ten?”

  “Really?”

  Yes, he’s serious.

  “Eleven.”

  He takes my hand and pulls me behind him.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Z’s office.”

  If Rock didn’t look so thrilled about my request, I’d have a twinge of guilt over using him to scratch this impossible itch.

  Z’s office has changed a lot since the last time I visited. It looks nothing like Rock’s old office, which is good.

  “I’m sorry I’m so needy lately.”

  “My hot-as-sin wife wants me to fuck her. Trust me, I’m not complaining. That’s what I’m here for.” He spins me to face the wall.

  “Well, that’s not all I want you for.”

  “I know.” He kisses my cheek and runs his hands down my sides, slowly lifting my dress.

  “Rock,” I whisper, desperate to have him inside me. “You can skip the seduction.”

  Laughter rumbles out of him and abruptly stops as he encounters the Spanx. “Hmm.” He locates the zipper and peels the shapewear down my legs, tossing it on the arm of the couch.

  His belt clinks and the ticking of his zipper has me biting my lip with anticipation.

  “Hurry.”

  His grip is gentle but sure as he steadies me by holding my hip with one hand while slowly rocking into me. He lets out a low groan against my ear. “Don’t move,” he warns.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You’re so fucking tight.”

  I snort, then full-out giggle. “Not really comforting when I’m supposed to push a baby out of there in a few weeks.”

  He rumbles with laughter, burying his face in the curve of my neck. “Always something sassy out of that mouth,” he murmurs.

  “No, what’re you doing?” I whine when he pulls out and grabs my hips.

  “I want to see your face.”

  “I’m too big.”

  He rolls his eyes and lifts my ass. “Knock it off. Wrap your legs around me.”

  I barely kick off my shoes before he slides into me. His eyes darken with desire. “Pull your dress down. Free your tits for me.”

  “So bossy tonight,” I mumble, slipping the straps off my shoulder.

  “That’s better.”

  I wrap my arms around his neck and hang on while he hooks one arm around my waist. His other hand fits into the crease of my thigh as he rocks me up and down his length. While we started out frantic, hard, and crazed, he’s gentle and careful.

  “Love this, baby doll.”

  “I’m scared we won’t do stuff like this after.” I nod to my belly.

  “You have any idea how much babysitting time Heidi and Murphy owe us? We’ll still do plenty of this.”

  The door rattles and we both glance over.

  “I locked it,” Rock assures me. “Ten minutes!” he shouts.

  “Ten whole minutes of passion, huh?” I tease.

  He thrusts into me a little harder. “I’ll give you whatever you need, baby doll.”

  I curl my fingers around the back of his neck, drawing him closer. “Kiss me.”

  Whoever happens to be on the other side must give up, because we’re not interrupted again. Or maybe I’m just so consumed by our frantic thrusting, wild grinding, and hushed whispers that I don’t notice.

  Ten minutes? Twenty? Who knows, I cry out in stunned relief as white-hot bliss washes over me. Rock follows maybe two seconds later, groaning and breathing hard.

  “Fuck, you’re gonna kill me,” he whispers, then kisses my forehead.

  Gently, he sets me down and searches the office for something to clean up wi
th.

  “Is there a mirror in here?”

  He points to the wall behind the desk and I duck-walk my way over there.

  “Holy hell. Hand me my bag? Please?”

  He chuckles as he makes his way over and holds out my purse.

  “You look good freshly fucked.”

  I squint at him. “Not helping.”

  He stands behind me, quietly watching while I drag a Q-tip under my eyes to collect smudged mascara. I carefully run a brush through the ends of my hair and smooth down a few pieces that came loose from my braid, then swipe on some gloss.

  “Do I look okay?”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  I sigh. “Do I look like I just snuck off to fuck my husband?”

  “Yes, but it’s a good look on you.”

  I smack him with my clutch, and he laughs. “You’re terrible.”

  He helps me back into my Spanx, which is completely unsexy, but necessary.

  Finally, we’re both presentable. Rock tilts his head, asking if I’m ready to return to the party, and I nod.

  A stunned Z stands on the other side of the door, mouth hanging open. Wrath’s behind him silently laughing.

  It only takes a few seconds for Z to recover from the shock. “Why is everyone always using my office to fuck?” He wags a finger between us, finally landing on Rock. “Aren’t you afraid of giving the baby a concussion this late in the game?”

  Wrath throws his head back and laughs even harder. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  Cheeks burning with embarrassment, I straighten up and try to retain some dignity. I give my hair a casual toss over my shoulder. “That’s not possible, Z.” I cast a glance Rock’s way. “Trust me, he’s asked the doctor. Multiple times.”

  Rock grins and doesn’t bother to deny it. Wrath just keeps laughing while Z shakes his head.

  “Swear to God the next time we remodel, fuck the stage, I’m adding a fucking room,” Z grumbles. “A room for fucking,” he clarifies in case we didn’t catch his meaning.

  I jerk my thumb toward the VIP area. “Isn’t that what the VIP rooms are for?”

  “Not cool, Hope,” Z scolds. “You know I run a clean club.”

  “Not that clean anymore.” I press my hand to my mouth to hide my laughter.

  Rock pulls me closer and squeezes my ass. “You’re full of it.”

  “Actually, yes I am, Mr. President.” I giggle into my hands.

  Wrath and Z groan. “You two are sickening,” Z says.

  “Hello again,” a sultry voice greets from the back door.

  Z’s face lights up, and he meets her at the door to take her bags. “Hey, Stella.”

  Jeez, this woman’s stunning in person, and I doubt it took two friends and three hours plowing through her closet to make her look so good.

  And my husband stood around watching her have sex all day. I hadn’t given it a lot of thought at the time.

  I tune back into Z’s conversation in time to hear him say. “These two were busy defiling my office.”

  Her smile’s wide and genuine as she shakes my hand. “Your husband glows when he talks about you.”

  Okay. I guess that’s oddly sweet.

  Too bad I can’t forget that she asked my husband to star in a porno with her. “Oh, do you mean when you asked if he wanted to be in a movie with you?”

  Whoops!

  Stella flinches and seems genuine when she says, “Sorry about that. I didn’t realize he was married.”

  Because you missed the thick wedding band I placed on his ring finger? Thankfully, that comment doesn’t make it past my lips.

  The guys won’t stop staring at me. Tense irritation practically radiates off Rock. I don’t think it’s directed at me, though. Wrath’s twitchy, ready to explode with laughter any second. Z shifts from foot to foot like he’s dying to be elsewhere or maybe he’s wishing he’d never invited me to the show.

  An eternity ticks by.

  “I read your column regularly,” I say to smooth over the awkwardness. “It’s really thought-provoking.”

  “Thank you.” She opens her purse and pulls out a book with a red ribbon wrapped around it. “Um, Rock said you were a fan of my writing. I, uh. This is coming out next month. I brought you an advanced copy. I can sign it later if you would like me to.”

  “Oh.” Now I feel awful for snapping at her. “Thank you. That’s so sweet. Yes, I’d love that.”

  Fireworks over, Wrath excuses himself.

  Rock keeps his hands on my hip while he talks to Z. I continue chatting with Stella like a civilized human.

  She whips a pen out of her giant bag and cracks open the book. Dear Hope, Thank you for the support. Stella. She inscribes.

  “Thank you so much,” I say when she hands it over. I glance at my tiny clutch and think of our table with all the drinks on it.

  “You can leave it in my office, Hope,” Z offers.

  Stella’s gaze darts his way. “I should get ready.”

  “Sorry to keep you,” I say.

  “No, no! I enjoyed this.” She flutters her hands in front of her. “I always get so nervous before shows. And usually it’s a bunch of guys who are wondering if I’ll perform nude or not. So this was nice. Thank you.”

  “Of course.” Despite my annoyance over her proposal to Rock, I like her. A thought sparks in my head. “Hey, before you go. A friend of mine is here tonight. He’d really like to meet you, if that’s okay? Jonny Cage, he’s a singer—”

  “Oh my God, he’s one of my favorite singers. Yes, I’d love that. After the show? I’ll definitely be too nervous now.”

  “Oh great. I think he’s sitting at our table, so I’ll let him know.”

  To my surprise, she gives me a quick hug before Rock and I leave the hallway. As we’re walking away, I realize she’s the first person I’ve met in a while who hasn’t asked me anything about when my baby’s due. It was refreshing for a change.

  Trinity waves at me from the bar where she’s talking to Willow. My feet are killing me, which I try to mime to her through a bunch of hand gestures before taking my seat.

  Rock sits to my right and drapes his arm over the back of my chair. We’re touching from knee to thigh under the table, and he settles his hand on my leg, slowly drawing my skirt up until his fingers caress my bare skin.

  I lean into him. “What are you trying to do to me?”

  “Getting in some afterglow cuddles with my girl.”

  I can’t help laughing. “In the middle of your strip club?”

  “Baby, I’ll take ’em any way I can.”

  I sigh with contentment and rest my head on his shoulder.

  “Are you okay? Tired?” He leans close and kisses the top of my head.

  “No, I’m having fun.”

  “Hey, you mind if I take this seat?” Jonny asks.

  I reach over and pat the chair. “Nope.” When he’s finally seated, I turn slightly. “I talked to Stella; she’d really like to meet you after the show. She says you’re one of her favorite singers.”

  He brightens up. “Really?” This is one of the things I always liked about Jonny. He’s humble, a regular guy when he’s not on stage. “Thanks, Hope.”

  The lights dim.

  A dancer I don’t recognize descends from a dramatic swath of red satin in the middle of the stage. Bending, twirling, and working the fabric between her legs in ways that don’t seem humanly possible.

  Rock leans over. “Z’s not going to be happy with you,” he says against my ear.

  “Why?”

  “He’s got the hots for Stella if you didn’t notice.”

  I search the crowd for Z’s tall, tattooed frame and find him standing by the side of the stage talking to Stella. “She’s not right for him.”

  “Why’s that?” A teasing smile plays over his lips. “Because she writes feminist essays?”

  “Well, yeah, that too. But did you notice how she never once asked me about the baby?” I tip my hea
d in Jonny’s direction. “Even he asked.”

  “So?”

  I roll my eyes, surprised I even have to explain this to Rock about one of his best friends. “Well, Z told me he wants a family, and she doesn’t have any interest in babies.”

  He stares at me without answering and I shrug. The silks performance is short, but beautiful.

  Trinity and Wrath join us as the lights dim for the next act. Dramatic music flows from the speakers. Purple smoke billows over the stage and when it clears, a blue velvet Victorian couch sits in the middle.

  “Wow, Z must have gone all out on the props for this show,” I say to Rock.

  More of the smoke lifts, revealing Swan. Wearing a sparkling white leotard, she sits on the couch in a full-split with her back to the audience. As the beats of the music intensify, she executes a backwards roll off the couch, still in the split, landing on the floor.

  I lean over and whisper in Rock’s ear, “I bet that move would make getting this baby out easier.”

  He chokes on his scotch and sets his glass down, shaking his head.

  Swan’s performance is just that, a performance. It’s part ballet and part gymnastics. She grabs the pole and spins gracefully around it until she reaches the top, making it look effortless.

  Jonny leans over. “This is way different from the usual.”

  I laugh softly into my hand. That had been the entire point. I wonder what Z said when he invited Jonny. Although, on closer inspection, Jonny doesn’t seem disappointed in the performance. More like mesmerized.

  When Swan finishes, the room erupts in cheers.

  Trinity sits forward so she can see past the guys. “As soon as you pop that baby out, we’re so trying pole-dancing.”

  “Like fuck we are,” bursts out of my mouth in response to that absurdity, making Trinity howl with laughter.

  Rock leans over. “You can dance on my pole anytime you want,” he says against my ear.

  I narrow my eyes, but can’t keep the laughter out of my voice. “You’d think that joke would be old by now, but it’s not.”

  “Nope.”

  “Did Rock say the only pole you’re dancing on his is?” Trinity shouts over the music.

  Wrath reaches over and takes her glass of champagne away, setting it in front of him. “That’s enough for you.”

  “Oh, good, we’re just in time for sex jokes about you two,” Teller says from behind us. “Can’t get enough of those.” He leans over and kisses my cheek. “Hi, Hope.”