“OK.” Sasha visibly relaxed. “Where should we go? Ernie’s?” It was a bar and grill they frequented.
She thought about it. There were some secluded corners, where no one would bother them, but it was in a busy shopping center. “That’s too visible of a place. Brandon would be mobbed in seconds.”
“I didn’t think of that.”
Brandon stood back as they mulled it over. Then he got an idea. “Is there any family places, where like yuppies go or something? Those kinda people don’t like heavy metal.”
“True.” Mackenzie thought of every restaurant she had ever visited within the county. “That’s it!” She cried out. “Do you know if Forest Glen had a lot of damage?”
Sasha shrugged. Then he pulled out his phone. “I’ll call. That’s perfect.”
“Uh, what’s perfect?” Brandon was lost. He had never heard of the place.
Smiling broadly, Mackenzie grabbed Brandon’s waist. “It’s a golf course where rich people play. Winston gave me a membership. Their restaurant is a bit pricey, but private as the club. No one will bother us there.”
“Like I’m worried about cost.” Brandon laughed. “As long as it’s not ten thousand a head, we’re good.” He returned her smile then kissed her lips.
“You are open, great.” Sasha handed the phone to Mackenzie.
“I need a table for Mackenzie Winters in a secluded spot.” She waited a few seconds.
The hostess replied, “You’re all set, Miss Winters. We will see you in 30 minutes.”
Brandon drove the Mustang there. He reluctantly handed over the keys to the valet who had definitely recognized him. The young man looked too excited to drive it. He watched as the valet peeled out and shifted gears quickly. Shaking his head, he hoped it came back in one piece.
“You’re seated in the rear as requested.” The woman from the phone led them through the restaurant.
Brandon looked around. No one was paying them any mind. He shed the baseball cap he wore and breathed a sigh of relief. It was nice to feel normal. When they sat down, he looked at the menu. The prices were high, but the fancy restaurants in New York City were twice as expensive.
“Order whatever you want,” Brandon announced. When Sasha peeked at him over his menu, Brandon smiled. “Seriously, this place ain’t too expensive. Enjoy it.” He grinned, knowing that showed his dominance as well.
Sometime later, after their food was served, Mackenzie looked up at Brandon. “Do you have any questions about our relationship?”
“Relationship?” Brandon almost choked on his shrimp.
Her eyebrows rose. “What would you call it?”
“I don’t know, affair, tryst… fucking maybe, but not relationship.” He studied her face. “There’s nothing more, for sure?”
She sighed in frustration. “What did I tell you like five times already?”
“That there isn’t. It’s only me.” He pushed his food around the plate, staring at it. “I’m sorry. I am trying to understand. I haven’t had another woman regularly since I started with the band. Just an hour or so then they’re gone.” He glanced up. Sasha had a look of horror on his face. “Sasha, chill out.”
Sasha put his fork down and stood up. “Maybe I should leave you alone. I feel like I’m intruding.”
“Sit down,” Brandon growled. He got instant compliance. “Is there anything you two haven’t told me?”
Mackenzie caressed his arm. “No, unless you want details about what goes on in the bedroom.”
“Some.” Brandon knew he would regret the words.
She glanced from one of them to the other. “Um, well… it’s mostly rough and a bit of force on both our parts.”
“What do you force him to do?” Brandon could not believe he asked.
Sasha flushed and hoped she didn’t tell.
“Uh, it’s a bit personal,” she relayed.
Brandon turned pale. “Your vibrator? The one you tried on me?”
“Holy shit!” Sasha could not believe his ears. “You like that too?”
The conversation was going where Brandon had not wanted it to. “Does it matter? God, I can’t believe we’re talking about this.” She had not told him that item on her list had been done already. Then he understood why. It wasn’t with him. “New topic.”
The rest of dinner passed without talk of sex. Brandon realized Sasha cared about Mackenzie, but not enough to steal her. They were too different to work out anyway. We have so much more than just sex. He smiled as he signed the credit card receipt.
When they parked in front of Jesse’s building, Sasha got out. “Well, it was great meeting you, Brandon.” They shook hands. “Guess I should head home.”
Brandon tilted his head up. “Nice to meet you, too. I’ll be back, so we’ll meet again.”
“Cool.” Sasha couldn’t help but get excited again. “We’ll talk next week, Mackenzie.”
As soon as he was out of site, Brandon asked, “Are there any others I need to meet?” He looked at her unsure expression. “I found like twenty guys in your phone. You promised I could meet all the ones you want to continue seeing.”
She sighed. “Truthfully, none of them mean much to me. I could try to keep it just to two other men. Would you be all right with that?”
“Sasha and who?”
She looked away. “Jesse?”
“Oh.” A smile formed on is lips. “Him, I trust.” He felt relief. “So, only two, you promise?”
Her mouth opened a little. “You don’t trust me?”
“It’s not gonna be easy being apart you know.”
She nodded. “That’s true. What about you?” She imagined him keeping two girls on board for the rest of the tour. They wouldn’t stand a chance. Jake would be all over them in seconds.
“I don’t need it as much as you do.” He paused, knowing he couldn’t keep to the same restrictions. “How about I’ll only be with someone if we’ll be apart for two weeks or more?”
She shook her head. “That’s not fair. How about you promise to only do one at a time and not let them think it’s gonna be more than just sex?”
“I can handle that.” It wasn’t much different from his usual anyway. If he had been like Jake or Scott, it would be much more complicated. “So what are you going to tell the others?” He cringed, hoping he didn’t have to listen to her call all of them.
She put her hand over his. “I don’t have to. I only contact them if I want… uh…” She blushed slightly. “They’re not allowed to call or text me.”
“Good.” He liked that idea.
Chapter Thirty Nine
Brandon stepped out of the car and looked at the tall office building. Then he shut the car door. “How’s it so hot already?” He had not brought any shorts. The tour mostly stayed in the north where September wasn’t as warm.
“This is Florida, Brandon.” Mackenzie laughed. “We’re going shopping later, remember?”
He nodded. They planned the trip to replace some of what Mackenzie lost. “I got nothing else to do today. Maybe I’ll check out Macy’s or something.” He always shopped at higher end stores, because he could.
She walked around the car and took his hand. “You said you were going to check out houses.”
“Oh yeah, but I could do both.”
All in black, with leather jacket, he looked like he was about to go on stage. That was when he was his most confident. His hair spiked, chains hanging from his pants, heavy boots on his feet. All his jewelry was on display, except his black crystal that adorned Mackenzie’s neck. He had dressed the part that day, to scare away the men she had told him were relentlessly pursuing her.
She checked the parking lot to see if she recognized any vehicles. Winston’s BMW was there and a few other familiar ones. The flashy blue Mustang Brandon rented fit right in. She was nervous about being able to settle back into working again. After taking in a shaky breath, she suddenly coughed.
Panicking as usual, Brandon held her clo
se. “Are you sure you’re up to this? Just last week you were very sick.”
“I’m OK, baby,” she assured him. “But I’ll take it easy. I will.”
He smiled and softly kissed her lips. “I can’t help but worry. I thought I lost you, Tink.” He took a deep breath, fighting his emotions. How was it possible to love her so much, I can’t let her go?
“I love you, and I’ll never leave you. I’ll fight for my life again if I have to. Your love kept me going.”
He couldn’t respond, just hugged her. When he had gotten himself together, he noticed stares from those passing them. They were not the type he usually got. It was not curiosity, but fear. He stood out in the corporate park.
Stepping back, Brandon looked Mackenzie over. She was dressed in her business suit, laptop bag in hand. She fit in. He grinned. He loved how different they looked sometimes. If they only knew, she was a wild, sexy rocker chick in disguise.
“I have to get this over with.” She sighed. Going back to normal was not what she truly wanted, but she had to work to support herself. She would not let him pay her way.
Brandon pulled her towards the building. He was looking forward to making an appearance at her office. It was always interesting to watch everyone get up and stare at him while he walked the halls heading to her office. He had not been there for a year, so there were probably a few new people to shock.
“Do you have any classes to teach this week?”
Mackenzie shrugged. “I don’t know, guess I should’ve asked.”
As Brandon expected, the office went silent when he entered with Mackenzie on his arm.
“Brandon Knight, I assume.” Brett stood in their path. Sizing Brandon up, he wasn’t sure if he should laugh or step back.
Mackenzie rolled her eyes. “Obviously.” She tried to walk around him. He moved to the side.
“Don’t you want to introduce us?” Brett gave his best smile. “This way he can get to know his competition.”
Brandon chanced a glance at her. He already knew it was all in Brett’s head. Mackenzie had complained about him almost harassing her. He pretended he had no clue, so Brett would be caught off-guard. “I’m Brandon. She didn’t tell me about you.” He extended his hand.
“Hiding me, huh?” Brett grinned and took Brandon’s hand. “She’s been after me for months. Not so sure I should give in though. You look like you could give me a run for my money, literally.”
Smirking, Brandon put an arm around Mackenzie’s shoulders. He knew Brett’s type; rich and expected women to fall for him instantly. “Doubt you could keep up with her. She’s all over me, day and night.” He leaned closer. “She sucked my dick so hard on the way over here, I almost ran into the car in front of me when I came.”
Brett flushed quickly. Then he saw Mackenzie lick her lips. “Um, OK, I guess I’ll catch you later.”
Just before he walked away, Brandon grabbed his arm and quietly growled, “Hit on her again, and I’ll cut your balls off. I don’t like anyone near my woman.”
Scared for the first time in his life, Brett noticed the knife Brandon had pulled off his belt. He wondered how many he had carved up with it. The six-inch blade glinted as he tilted it.
Brandon chuckled as Brett almost ran away from them. Hearing a groan from Mackenzie, he turned to her. She had her arms folded, angry. “It worked, didn’t it?”
“The knife was a bit much.” She rolled her eyes and started for her shared office, pulling him by one of his chains.
“Hi, Brandon!” “Hello, Brandon.” He got many greetings from women as he walked the halls, “Oh, God, Brandon Knight.” He waved to them all, winking, smiling and holding onto Mackenzie’s side, so they all knew he belonged to her. Even Terri gave him a shy smile with a wave.
Travis looked up at his officemate. “Hey, Mackenzie.” He stood when he noticed Brandon, who he had not met yet. “Um, hi.” Mackenzie didn’t seem the biker or rocker type. He wasn’t sure if Brandon was one of those or both, although he looked familiar.
“I’m Brandon.” He put out his hand.
Nervously, Travis took his hand. “Um… uh, I’m Travis. I’m not fucking her. I swear.”
“Holy shit, Tink.” Brandon laughed. “I think this worked a little too well.” He could see Travis was terrified. “Dude, I’m Brandon Knight. I’m not gonna kill you.”
Travis stared while his brain processed Brandon’s words. “Wicked End Brandon Knight?”
“Yep, the one and only.” Brandon grinned as he laughed softly. “I think I better go back to Jesse’s and change, or the mall trip’s gonna be a disaster.”
Mackenzie loved the reactions he was getting, either excitement or fear. “Yeah, that could get hairy. You better get a new hat.”
“That one was my favorite too.” He sighed. “I’ll hijack one of Jesse’s baseball caps. He has a few.” He glanced at Travis who had not moved. “You OK, man?”
Nodding, Travis was trying to find words, but not many came to mind except, “You’re a god.” He was a huge Wicked End fan.
“Do you want an autograph?” He watched Travis scramble to his desk to find something to write on. As he penned his name, Brandon smiled. “I guess I gotta get you tickets to the concert in October too.” He stood and pulled Mackenzie into his arms. “Two weeks without you is gonna suck.”
She looked up. “I’ll get there as early as I can.”
“Mackenzie, Brandon, good to see you.” Winston entered the room. “How’s the housing situation?”
Brandon quickly replied, “I got it covered. Don’t worry.”
Winston understood to not mention it. “Travis has been handling most of your accounts.” He stepped forward. “I have a new client for you to help me with today. He’s right up your alley.” He winked, hoping she would work a bit of her seductive magic. She drew clients in with a look sometimes.
Brandon quickly interjected, “Please make her take it easy. She’s only on her feet a few days.”
“What do you mean?” Winston did not know she had been sick. “What happened?”
Mackenzie took a seat, starting to tire already. “I was in an accident a week ago.”
“How badly were you hurt?” He looked her over. She seemed fine.
Brandon sat on her desk. “It’s a long story. She just got over pneumonia. She could relapse if she’s not careful.”
“Wait a minute, how did she get pneumonia from an accident?” Winston was confused. It didn’t make sense. “Tell me what happened.”
Brandon looked down. “One of my asshole bandmates let go of her in the pool.” He had to put his hands on the desk to steady himself. “She died,” he whispered.
“But Brandon brought me back,” Mackenzie gushed, knowing he couldn’t say any more without getting emotional. “He saved me.”
Shocked, Winston was at a loss for words for several minutes. Then he touched Mackenzie’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re alright now. If you need anything, let me know.” He patted Brandon’s arm. “Thanks for being her hero.” Travis followed Winston out, leaving them alone.
Mackenzie took Brandon’s hand in hers. “You are my hero, you know.” She squeezed his fingers. “You always have been.”
By the time Brandon had left Mackenzie’s office, he was satisfied everyone knew she was taken… and his. He headed back to Jesse’s and changed into something less conspicuous. Then he added a baseball cap and sunglasses.
The mall wasn’t too crowded, most of the kids were in school. He browsed several stores, but found only surfer-type clothing, definitely not his style. Then he stopped in what he thought was just a T-shirt shop. He looked at the shirts then found body jewelry and a lot more.
“Hey, if you want I can give you another in your lip so you got snake bites.”
Brandon looked up at the guy behind the counter, whose name tag said Nate. “Nah, I like having just one side. It don’t get caught on as much.” He turned to the display of tongue barbells. “You ever trying the vibrat
ing ones?” He had seen the guy had his pierced as well.
“The ladies love that.” Nate’s eyebrows rose. “If you really wanna make her squeal, I can put one in your dick. I get no complaints.”
Not willing to pierce that part of his anatomy, Brandon shook his head. “No thanks. I like my dick just the way it is, and so does she.”
“You look familiar.” Nate swore he had seen him before.
Thinking about leaving, Brandon turned away. “I get that a lot.” He headed for the exit.
“Wait, man, I wasn’t coming onto you.” Nate trailed him.
Brandon laughed. “I didn’t think that.”
Nate looked up at the wall of T-shirts above Brandon’s head. “Holy shit, you’re Brandon Knight,” he calmly said. He glanced up at the Wicked End T-shirt and back at Brandon again. “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you right away. You’re a talented guy.”
“Thanks.” It was the first time in a while he didn’t expect the worst from a fan. “I came here to get some summer clothes, but they got all this surfer boy stuff.”
Nate laughed. “Yeah, it’s a conspiracy. They want us all to dress like those lame asses. I got some cool shorts in the back if you want.”
Brandon nodded and let Nate lead the way to the rear racks of clothes. “Glad I found this store.” California had the same type of clothes, but there, he knew where to shop to get what he wanted.
“How about these?” Nate held up a pair of black shorts with small tears in them.
“Those are cool.”
They looked at different styles of clothing. Brandon picked up several pairs of shorts, a few t-shirts, including a new Wicked End shirt. He was sure the guy worked on commission and was helpful without being overbearing. Then they checked out the jewelry again. Brandon chose two vibrating barbells.
“You think Macy’s would have decent sneakers?” Brandon asked, trusting his opinion. “I only brought my boots. It’s too fucking hot here.”
Nate looked at Brandon’s large feet. Then he pointed across the walkway to a sportswear store. “You’re better off going in there. Macy’s only goes up to like size 12.”
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