Breaking Free

by Alexis Noelle

  The lights are blinding when I first get on stage. I walk to middle and stand there, but the lead singer is nowhere to be seen. There are two other guys on stage—one at the drum set, and one off to the side playing a guitar. I know there is a third one, though. Nicole is always talking about how the singer is gorgeous.

  Everyone is cheering, and I would love to think it’s for me, but I’m not that naïve. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up and I’m about to turn around when I hear, “We meet again, James.”

  Oh my God. It’s him.

  The music starts the song that I’ve been singing along to on the radio for the past couple of months. I’ve never seen a picture of the band and had no idea that the asshole in the parking lot was actually the lead singer. My cheeks flush with embarrassment and when I look over at him he’s smirking at me. That damn smug bastard.

  He starts singing and I have no idea how I’m going to be able to do this now. I mean, I was nervous before I knew I would be singing with the guy that almost made me come in the back of a building with all of my clothes still on. While I’m getting lost in my own thoughts, he sneaks up behind me.

  I wanna take you away

  To a place where you’ve never been

  Do you like to play?

  I’ll show you how good it feels to sin…

  He moves toward the front of the stage, running his hand over my butt as he does. I get goose bumps all over. How can he do this to me? My hands are shaky but I raise the microphone to my mouth. I’ve heard this song a thousand times, I can do this. I put on my best sexy siren face and strut toward him.

  I’ve never met anyone like you

  Never needed anyone before

  I want to see what you can do

  Come on baby, rock me to the core…

  The lyrics are so cheesy, but singing them to him and having him look at me with his hooded eyes is so erotic. By the end of the song, the sexual tension between us is suffocating. I leave the stage and head straight for the exit. My mind is running a million miles a minute and I can’t believe everything that just happened. I’m about to hail a cab when I hear someone calling my name.

  “Holly!” Christen is running toward me. When she finally reaches me she’s out of breath and panting. “Why did you leave? You were absolutely amazing!”

  I don’t even know what to say to her. Before I get the chance to reply, a black SUV pulls up next to us. The window rolls down and he’s looking out at me. He doesn’t ask me to get in, nor does he even say a word to me. I stand there, staring, trying to figure out what to do.

  This is crazy. There is no way I’m getting in his car. I wave a cab down and jump in. As it pulls away, Christen is looking back and forth between me and the SUV with her mouth open. I probably should go home with her and the girls but I just need to get away and clear my head.

  I lean my head back against the seat and close my eyes. The music on the radio stops and the DJ starts talking. “Here is the newest hit that has been blowing up the charts from the group The Renegades.” The song that I was just singing with…it just dawns on me that I don’t even know his name. I let him feel me up against a wall and never even got his name. Real nice, Holly, can you say hoe? The cab pulls up in front of my house, I pay the driver, and then make my way in. Jason and Shawn, Nicole and Christen’s boyfriends, are sitting on the couch in the living room. I’ve grown up with them because they’re Carter’s best friends.

  I flop down on the couch and they’re both staring at me. “What?”

  Jason just looks at me and shakes his head. “You know Carter was flipping out ‘cause you went home on your own, right?”

  I’m just about to tell him off when the door flies open and everyone else walks in. “What the hell, Holly?! I told you I was picking you up. Anything could have happened to you.” Carter looks pissed.

  I let out a groan of frustration. “Like what, Carter?! Plenty of people take cabs every day, it’s not like I walked home. I’ve told you before that you’re not my father!” He opens his mouth to say something else but I cut him off. “No! I am going to make my own decisions and I’m done with you trying to micromanage me.” I storm past him and intentionally bump into him on the way. The doorbell rings, interrupting my dramatic exit.

  When I open it, my jaw drops. Standing in front of me is Mr. Rock Star. How the hell did he find me? “Hey there, James, long time no see.” He smiles at me and I want to punch him right in his smug face.

  “Oh my God!” I look behind me and Nicole is standing there looking dumbfounded. “You’re…Why are you…How did you…Oh my God!”

  I can’t believe she is so enamored with him. Sure, he’s gorgeous, but come on. An arm wraps around my shoulders. When I look next to me, it’s Carter. Let go. “Who the hell are you?”

  The rock star seems confused and looks back at me. “Boyfriend?”

  I shrug Carter’s arm off of me. “No, brother.”

  He smiles at me and reaches for my hand. “Let’s go.” Go where? Is he serious? I don’t even know his name. I’m about to object when Carter chimes in.

  “She isn’t going anywhere with you until you tell me who you are.”

  I shoot him a dirty look. I am so tired of him ordering me around. “You know what, Carter, I am going and you can’t stop me.” I look back up at whatever his name is. “Come on.”

  We walk to the same SUV he was in before. He opens the door and climbs in. So much for chivalry and holding the door for a girl. I climb in after him and flip Carter the finger before closing the door. Take that.

  Chapter Two

  As I close the car door, the realization sets in that I don’t know this guy at all. I turn to look at him and he’s staring at me with so much intensity that my insides tighten. “So, what’s your name?”

  He chuckles at me until he realizes that I’m serious. “You don’t know?”

  “No, I had no idea who you were until you snuck up behind me on stage.”

  Within a couple seconds, he’s so close to me that if he were even an inch closer he would be on top of me. He lowers his head and runs his nose along my neck. “You smell fucking delicious.” He kisses my neck and I let out an involuntary moan. His hand that is resting on my hip tightens and he bites my neck. It’s painful but full of pleasure at the same time.

  He reaches for the hem of my shirt and it’s like a reality check. I don’t even know this guy’s name, or anything about him. I push him off of me and he looks back at me with a mix of confusion and irritation written on his face.

  “There is no way that we are having sex in the back of this car. I know absolutely nothing about you.”

  He studies me for a minute before relaxing against the seat. “Okay, what do you want to know?”

  “How exactly did you find out where I live?”

  “You can find out anything for the right amount of money.” He’s being really short and I’m getting more irritated by the minute.

  “Why did you show up?”

  He raises his eyebrows at me. “Isn’t it obvious?” My blank stare must tell him that it isn’t. “I wanted to finish what I started.”

  Oh my God. Is he serious? “Excuse me!” I yell to whoever is driving—all I can see is the back of a guy’s head. “Can you pull over?” The car pulls over and I reach for the door handle.

  He grabs my hand and I look up at him. “What are you doing?”

  “I may have had a lapse in judgment before the show, but I am not some groupie slut that you are going to bang in the back of your car.” His hand tightens around my wrist. I jerk my hand free and slam the door without giving him a chance to say anything.

  Looking around, I notice that I’m not that far away from the house. I start to walk and think about how the hell I got myself into this situation. When I look back, the SUV is still there. I wonder what he’s doing. It pisses me off that he thought I was going to have sex with him in his car. Well, you did let him feel you up within a minute of meeting him.


  I let myself remember what it felt like to have his hands on me. What the hell is so special about him? Why am I okay with him touching me? As I turn the corner, I look back to see the car still sitting there.

  It surprises me how quiet the house is when I return. They must have all gone to the boys’ apartment or Carter’s house. I head up to my room, completely exhausted, change into some pajamas and crawl under the covers. My phone dings as I’m drifting off to sleep. For a second, I debate whether or not to get it, but I’m too curious to not see what it is. It’s a Facebook message. When I open up the app, I have a message from someone named Drew Walker. Who the hell is that? I click on his picture and I think my heart stops. It’s him.

  Drew: I’m coming back to pick you up.

  Is this guy serious? He isn’t asking me, but basically ordering me around. I already have Carter acting like my father, I definitely don’t need this guy doing it, too.

  Me: Don’t bother I am not interested in having a boyfriend or dating anyone right now.

  I have enough crap going on in my life without him getting thrown into the mix.

  Drew: I don’t want to be your boyfriend.

  Me: Okay, well in that case I don’t need any more friends either.

  Drew: I don’t want to be your friend.

  I haven’t even talked to this guy that much but I swear it’s like he talks in riddles.

  Me: What do you want from me then?

  Unlike the other replies, this one isn’t immediate. For a short time, I think that he isn’t going to reply at all. I’m just about to close my eyes and give in to sleep when I hear the doorbell, surprising me and making me jump. I get up, start to walk down the steps, and am suddenly brought back to that night.

  I was so excited and hopeful for something to work out with “Josh” that I was a fucking idiot. I open the door and there he is. Drew Walker. It’s ridiculous that I only know his name because of Facebook. In my defense, I did ask him, but he pounced on me like an animal in heat. He hasn’t said anything to me and his penetrating gaze is starting to make me squirm.

  “Why are you here?”

  He smiles. “I told you that I was coming back for you.”

  “I told you not to.”

  He walks toward me and I back up until I am pressed against the wall behind me. Coming closer to me, he kicks the door shut with his foot. “I never got to answer your question, though.” I suck in a deep breath, overwhelmed by his proximity to me. “Ask me again.” Ask him what? I can barely think with him this close to me. He reaches up and threads his hand through my hair, grasping my neck and making me look up at him. “Ask. Me. Again.”

  Shit. What the hell did I ask him? I suddenly remember and my body heats up. “What do you want from me?”

  He’s staring at me with hooded eyes. “I want to own you in every physical way possible.” His mouth crashes against mine, his tongue immediately entering my mouth and overpowering me in every way. I melt into him, my legs too unsteady to support me. His hands move down, cupping my butt, and lifting me up as I wrap my legs around his waist. At this point, I’m ready to throw my morals out the window.

  Someone screams and I look up to see Christen standing in the doorway. Her hand is over her mouth and her eyes are huge. I bury my head in Drew’s shoulder, wanting to disappear.

  “Get your fucking hands off my sister!” My head shoots up and I see Carter standing there. Kill. Me. Now. I look back at Drew but he isn’t paying attention to anything but me. He lowers his mouth, presses it against mine, and for a minute I forget anyone else is here. “Do you have a fucking hearing problem?” When I open my eyes, Carter is coming closer to us.

  Drew eases me down to the ground and the steps in front of me as if he is protecting me. It should really be the other way around because Carter looks like he is ready to kill him.

  They are now face to face and I’m preparing myself to duck if I need to.

  “I said get your hands off of her.”

  Drew chuckles and then turns his back on Carter. He leans down and places another kiss on my lips. “See you soon, James. If you decide to follow me, I’ll wait outside for ten minutes.”

  He moves past Carter, not even acknowledging his presence. I’m smiling like an idiot as he climbs back into the SUV that’s parked in our driveway. Carter is now standing in front of me, looking like he is about to explode. “What is going on with you?” It sounds more like an accusation than a question. However, I really have no idea how to answer that question.

  Drew is dangerous for me, I can tell just because of the couple of interactions that we’ve had. For some reason, he’s able to touch me, and in a strange way, bring me comfort. For the second time today I make a decision that is really out of character. I make my way up the steps to my room and grab a duffel bag.

  My door slams open. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?! You are NOT going with that asshole.”

  I pull out my phone and send Drew a message, asking him to wait for me. Completely ignoring my overbearing brother, I continue throwing stuff into my bags. I know Carter is just looking out for my best interests, but sometimes he pisses me off so much. Is what I’m doing impulsive? Yes. Is it insane? Possibly. But it’s what I want to do and I am damn well going to make my own decisions.

  I grab my bag, walk past Carter, and down the steps. “Holly, wait!”

  I turn around. “What?”

  Carter looks like he has no idea what to say. I hate that he’s so upset right now, but he needs to learn to let me live my own life. “Please don’t go, I’m sorry. You’ve made your point.”

  “It’s not about making a damn point, Carter. Maybe at first it was just to piss you off, but I want to go.” I give him a kiss on the cheek. “Love you.”

  I walk out to the SUV still parked in the driveway and open the door. When I look back at the house, Carter is standing in the doorway. I wave goodbye to him and then get in the car. He acts like I’m leaving forever, I’m just going for the…it dawns on me that I have no idea what I’m doing.

  As the car pulls away, I have a mini panic attack. What the hell am I doing? I packed a bag but how long does he expect me to stay? Does he even want me to stay or just go to his hotel? Oh my God, his hotel. I hope he doesn’t think we’re having sex tonight. Shit, he probably does. What else would he think when I agree to come with him?

  I look over at him and he’s examining me. “What?”

  “Just trying to figure you out.” He shakes his head and then turns his attention to his phone.

  I need to figure out what the hell I’m going to do. I’m such an idiot for coming with him. Carter was right; this was all about me proving a point to him. Just as I open my mouth to tell Drew that this is a mistake and ask him to take me home, he grabs my hand. My whole body stands at attention. How does he do this to me? Why is it okay for him? I have asked myself this at least two dozen times since I met him.

  He tugs my arm, pulling me so I’m against his side. “You think too much.” His hand lifts my chin as his mouth touches mine. When he kisses me everything else fades away. I’m always so worried about what people will think of me, and what everyone else will say. It’s exhausting and I’m done with it.

  I turn and situate myself so that I’m now straddling him. I want Drew Walker and I don’t care what anyone thinks of it. I pull away from him. “Where are we going?”

  “I told the driver to just drive around. Where do you want to go?”

  Can I really say this to him? Do I really want this? His hand skims up my backbone and my whole body breaks out in goose bumps. Hell yes, I want this. I thread my hands through his hair and crash my mouth into his, making my intentions completely clear.

  He pulls away from me. “Marco, take us to the hotel.”

  Marco doesn’t answer, but he does turn the car around. I’m really going to do this. My phone beeps, and when I look down at it I have over ten text messages. Most of them are from Carter telling me to come back,
not to do something I’ll regret, and to text him and let him know I’m okay. I love my brother so much, but sometimes he makes me crazy.

  I text Carter to let him know I’m okay and then my phone is snatched right out of my hand. I look up at Drew and he’s staring at me. “You’re mine right now.” He runs his hands up and down my sides, tracing my curves. “Say it.”

  I look at him in confusion. “Say what?”

  “Say you’re mine.”

  Is he serious right now? I just met him. “No.”

  His fingers flex into my hips. “Say it.”

  “No, I’m not yours. I barely even know—”

  He kisses me and simultaneously flips us so that he is now on top. His hand quickly travels down my body and under my pajama pants. Before I can protest, he pushes two of his fingers inside me and I let out a guttural moan. His fingers quickly and roughly stroke me while his thumb is rubbing circles on my clit. Fuck, this feels good. I arch my back, the pleasure is almost unbearable. I’m so close to an orgasm. I dig my nails into his shoulders.

  Then he stops moving completely and I look up to find him smiling at me. “Say it, James.”

  What? So that was his angle. His thumb rubs another circle against me. “God, please.”

  He shakes his head. “Say it.”

  Really? He is out of his fucking mind if he thinks— His mouth descends upon my neck and chest—licking, sucking, and biting every piece of flesh he can find. I need him to get me there, this is fucking torture. “Okay.”

  “Okay, what? I want to hear you say it.”

  He’s a damn control freak. “I’m yours.”

  “I know. Don’t fucking forget it, either.” I’m just about to tell him to go screw himself when he starts to move again. His tongue is slowly tracing the line of my cleavage while his fingers go back to work. My insides clench and I topple over into one of the most intense orgasms I’ve ever had.

  We pull up outside the hotel and he looks at me with a pleased smile on his face. “Perfect timing.”

  His driver gets out and I try to make myself look presentable and less like I’ve just been manhandled in the back of this car. He throws something at me. I catch it and see that it’s a black sweatshirt. I look up at him as if to ask what this is for.