by K E Osborn
Lunar chuckles and pulls back. “What’s gotten into you?”
I lift my shoulders in excitement. “We’ve actually been a little more productive today. Gotten a few more lyrics down and more of the tune.”
“Oh, you did? Amazing. Can I hear?” she asks excitedly.
“Sure,” Effa says.
“No!” I blurt out.
Lunar jolts her head back as she looks at me scrunching her brows together in confusion. She takes in a deep breath and swallows hard. “Okay,” she exhales.
Slumping, I rub the back of my neck. “It’s not that I don’t want you to hear it, Candy. It’s just I want it to be the best it can be when you do finally hear it.”
She purses her lips. “Why? It’s not like it’s about me or anything?”
Her words cut me deep and make me feel like everything I worked on today was for nothing. “No, I wouldn’t write about you,” I reply as Effa looks at me, winces, then she stands up.
“I’m gonna go. Good work today. I look forward to breaking down some more walls with you,” Effa says.
Lunar scoffs under her breath, but I don’t miss it.
“Thanks Effa, you’re a great help.”
“Bye Lunar,” Effa offers nicely and Lunar simply waves Effa off as she walks out the hotel door.
Taking a deep breath, Lunar looks at me and stiffens her stance folding her arms over her chest and tilting to one side. “I’m gone for two hours and you guys are practically all over each other?”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I walk in and you’re against each other, heads practically touching, bodies aligned in every way. You’re half naked too by the way. How am I supposed to take this?”
“Well, for starters we were harmonizing when you walked in, you know, matching pitch. If you bothered to learn anything about my world you’d understand singers have to get in sync with each other, Lunar, it doesn’t just magically happen. And secondly, you should try some trust, like I trust you!”
“Right, so if you saw me like that with a half-naked Nate you’d be fine?”
“No, I would not be fine, because he’s purposely trying to find a way to break us up. But maybe you’ll do that all by yourself.”
She stops, slumping her body, her eyes welling with tears. “You wanna break up? Already?”
Sighing, my chest aches and I close my eyes. “No, I don’t. But Lunar, Effa and I are just friends. That’s it, I swear.”
“You better bloody swear!”
My cock strains in my shorts and I smirk as my chest heaves in appreciation for my woman. “Fuck I love it when you go all Aussie bogan on me.”
She laughs and walks over, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Why is your shirt off?”
“Because it’s February in Australia.”
She laughs. “Fair call, it is hot today. Okay, big guy, you’re forgiven.”
“Well, thank fuck for that, even though I didn’t do anything wrong.” I laugh.
She leans in pressing her fruity lips to mine and I smile against her mouth. I hate Lunar’s jealous side, but at the same time I love it. It lets me know she truly cares about me, something I haven’t felt from a woman in a long time. Not even from Ella. I always felt second best, played second fiddle. But with Lunar I feel like I’m her number one and that makes me feel fucking amazing.
Pulling back, I smooth some hair behind her ear. “How’s the fam?”
She smiles so wide it makes my chest hurt. “So good, they’re getting some in-house support from the foundation, and Mum said she couldn’t be more proud of me.”
“I’m proud of you too, Candy. You’re doing so well.”
“Well, between my jealous fits of rage.”
I laugh. “Yeah, between those.”
We both chuckle as I step her backward toward the bed. She grins and then falls down to the mattress and I move in on top of her.
My arms holding me up either side of her body. “You do know how beautiful you are, don’t you?”
She shakes her head. “No, why don’t you show me?”
Chapter Nineteen
LUNAR
THE TOUR BEGINS
Danger and Effa still haven’t finished their duet, so they’re going to keep working on it during the tour. The buzz around them is growing, and they’ve been doing plenty of television interviews along with radio to hype it up. The first show is tonight in Melbourne at AAMI Park, which is nestled between the Yarra River and the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground. The arena is huge, and we’re all backstage in the green room preparing.
I glance over to Danger and notice while he sits on the couch his knee is tapping up and down in quick succession like he’s nervous as he guzzles down a beer. Sighing, I walk over to him and sit down. I should be out at the merch stand, but for the first night I wanted to be here with him for support. And now I’m glad I am, he seems unsettled.
“Should you be drinking before a show?” I ask as I slide in next to him, the couch dipping under my weight. The sounds of Luminous ending their set echoes quietly through the room.
“Lunar, I’ve done this before, I think I know what I can and can’t handle.”
Jolting my head back, I purse my lips at his blunt reply. “Okay… geez, I’m just trying to help. You don’t have to be a prick about it.”
He slumps his body and nods, turning to look at me. “I know, I’m sorry. This is my first headline, I’ve always been the backup. This is my night to shine, and I don’t want to fuck this up in front of a twenty-one thousand capacity crowd… you know what I mean?”
Nodding, I half smile and reach forward taking the beer from him. “Then lay off the booze, and just breathe. You know your songs, you know the order, and you know you can do this. This is only the beginning for you and Recoil, Danger. Only the beginning…”
He nods and rushes forward pulling me unexpectedly into a hug.
I smile and embrace him back giving him all the comfort he’s seeking. “You got this.”
“I’m so glad I have you!”
“You’ll always have me. Now go and rock out like you know you can.”
He pulls back then leans in kissing me briefly, but forcefully. Danger stands up taking a deep breath and heads over to Ryan and the guys who seem all fired up and ready to go.
Smiling, I chew on my bottom lip, so proud of my man for coming this far. Standing up, I walk behind the band who are now laughing, and he seems to be a little more relaxed now I’ve had my pep talk. Danger going on stage with a bundle of nerves wouldn’t have been good for anyone.
We step around to the backstage area, and the sound of the crowd talking amongst themselves is almost deafening. I can’t wait to hear them all cheering for my boys. I’ve seen them perform in bars and the bigger clubs, smaller arenas, but nothing like a packed out stadium. I have a feeling the roar of this crowd is going to knock me off my feet.
I can’t wait.
Luminous are gathered around the back and seem to be on a high. This is the biggest crowd they’ve ever performed to, and I’m so happy for these girls. They really are a great bunch, even if Effa is a little too friendly and spiritually connected to my guy. Danger looks over to me, and I wave as he takes a deep breath and smiles back. He mouths ‘it’s show time’ and I nod and give him two thumbs up.
“Good luck,” I call out.
Ryan, Matt, and Nate all race up the stairs. Blackness engulfs the stage as the crowd cheers even though they can’t see the guys running on. I listen on as Ryan strums his guitar, and the crowd erupts in a manic screaming fit. The ground beneath me vibrates, and I smile so wide it makes my eyes water. I turn back to Danger and he’s grinning the biggest I’ve seen him smile since I said I was leaving the club. His chest heaves in pure adrenalin-fueled excitement, and it fills me with so much happiness to see him in his element.
I stand up on my toes excitedly as the neon lights flash brilliantly and strobe down onto Ryan and Matt as Nate kicks in with the drum beat.
The powerful beats flowing through the stadium make every inch of me tingle. The reverb and heavy bass filling me with a deep vibration through my very soul only heightening the excitement running through my veins. I take one last look at Danger as he cracks his neck to the side and jumps on the spot a couple of times before he looks at me, winks, and then turns running up on to the stage.
The shockwave of noise that erupts from the crowd makes me lose my balance as I stumble on the spot. I almost have to bring my hands to my ears, the screams and cheers so loud it’s practically deafening. I can hardly hear the music over the ruckus, and my eyes well with so much pride that the hot salty water seeps from my eyelids and runs down my cheeks as he runs to the middle of the stage soaking in the appreciation from the crowd.
They love him, just like I knew they would, just like he deserves, and with the sheer volume of noise echoing through the stadium right now I’m sure it can be heard from the other side of Australia.
Shaking my head as I chuckle in excitement, Danger opens his mouth to sing the start of the song. The cheers erupt again and they stomp their feet as his deep sensuous voice flows around my body, tying me up in knots and pushes through my veins. Every inch of me litters in goosebumps at the way he makes lyrical love to the words, and my muscles clench at how every time he sings he manages to turn me on.
Chewing on my bottom lip, I clench my thighs together as my breathing increases, and I stand in awe of my man rocking it out like the greatest performer I’ve ever seen. And right at this moment I wonder how the hell I got so lucky to score him. Sure he’s damaged, sure he needs time to work on things, but hell if I’m not going to help him in every way I can. He’s worth it, and as he thrusts his hips on the stage in time with the music, I know that every girl out there wishes they were with him and every guy wants to be him. Danger doesn’t know how amazing he is and I want to show him.
I find myself singing along to the hook of the first song, just as the crowd is doing, they’re only halfway into their first song and already I know this concert is going to be a smashing success. Bouncing along in my own little world, I get a sense of someone watching me as a presence appears right next to me.
“Excuse me are you Annalise or Lunar?” she asks loudly over the music.
“Umm… both,” I say turning to face the woman who’s appeared out of nowhere. She’s wearing a dress suit and kind of looks like she should be working as a PA or something. She so looks out of place here.
“Can I ask you a few questions about your relationship to the band?”
Shrugging, I nod. “Sure, I guess.” I have no idea who she is, but I guess answering a few questions won’t hurt, right?
“How did you meet the band?” she asks with a slight smile like she’s happy to be talking to me.
Tensing, I decide to tell the truth. Well, a limited version of the truth. “Danger came in to where I worked and we became friends.”
She nods and pushes her black rimmed glasses higher up her nose. “Mm-hmm, and where did you work?”
“At a bar.” I’m not lying Strapless is a bar, I just happened to strip there not work behind it serving drinks like I’m implying.
“And you sell the band’s merchandise, is that right?”
“Yes. They also helped me form a foundation which they support to help raise awareness for Autism.”
“That’s very noble of you,” she says raising her eyebrow.
Shrugging, I tilt my head. “Well, it’s not noble, just something I want to do.”
“And Annalise, what’s your full name?”
“Annalise Sheffield.”
“And do you prefer Annalise or Lunar?”
“Either is fine.”
“Thank you, dear, you’ve given me plenty.”
Furrowing my brows, I wonder what that means as she walks off.
Given her plenty?
Plenty of what?
I decide to ignore the weirdness that was the last three minutes of my life, and turn back to the stage to watch my boys rock out on their first official headline act. They’re on fire and the crowd is loving them.
***
The encore finishes and the crowd erupts again as the lights dim and Danger runs off the stage. I stand back, but in line, so he can see me as soon as he runs down the stairs. I thought he’d make a beeline straight for the table with refreshments, but he spots me, smiles widely as he bolts straight for me and grabs my body and hoists me up in the air, spinning me round in a circle making me squeal from the force. He pulls my body flush with his as we both laugh at his enthusiasm, and he slides me down his body and presses his lips to mine hungrily. His body presses against me as his sticky forehead leans against mine.
I pull back and screw up my face jokingly. “Urgh… you’re all sweaty.”
He laughs and shakes his head, droplets of sweat fly from the ends of his loose hair smacking me on my face, arms, and chest. I groan stepping back and slapping his bicep playfully as he chuckles at me.
“So what did you think?”
“I think you’re truly a voice to be reckoned with, Danger. You guys are so ready now. I know you’re going to make it really big.”
“Yeah, we are! We’re not the bridesmaids anymore now, baby!”
Opening my eyes wide, I smirk. “Baby?”
He shrugs. “Yeah, just roll with it.”
I nod with a great big smile. Being called baby by your brand new rocker boyfriend is not a bad thing, not at all.
“After party?” he asks.
I nod as he takes my hand and we head back toward the green room with the crowd still chanting ‘Recoil’ in the distance. The halls to the green room are dimly lit, but the smile on Danger’s face could easily be seen from the space station, I’m sure of it. He’s on such a high from finally being the main act, and it makes me so happy that he’s happy. We round the corner and enter the room to see Matt, Nate, and Ryan all packing up. We have one more show here tomorrow night and then we move on to Queensland.
Ryan spots me and smiles wide. “I thought you were supposed to be selling our shirts not wearing them. Were you even on the merch stand tonight, little miss lazy bones?” Ryan quips, and I look to Danger, who smirks and shrugs.
I have no comeback, so I simply grab the hem of my shirt and lift it up flashing him. He cracks up laughing as Danger groans and shakes his head while Matt chuckles and Nate stares at me a little too much.
“If I can’t wear your shirts I’ll just take them off then, hey?” I quip out.
Ryan throws his hands in the air in appraisal giving out a loud “whoop” as Danger grabs my shirt and pulls it down.
“Okay, that’s enough. Please don’t flash my band mates,” Danger warns with a glare in his eyes.
I smirk and nod. “Sorry, Ryan just makes me wanna take my clothes off.”
“Hell, yeah,” Ryan quips.
“Only because he makes me feel so dirty I need to shower,” I add in, and he frowns as the others laugh at his expense.
“I will get you back for that one, little miss, don’t you worry.” He chuckles and I look at Danger noticing he seems a little less annoyed now. I probably shouldn’t have flashed my bra covered boobs to his band mates, but Ryan brings out my teasing side and I can’t help but provoke him, he’s such a loveable character.
“Okay, let’s get to the after party. I need a drink,” Danger announces.
The guys all nod and walk toward us.
He turns to me and looks me in the eyes lowering his voice. “Keep your clothes on. I’m not asking, Lunar, I’m telling you, okay?”
Chewing on my bottom lip, I nod. “Sorry, won’t happen again.”
“Good, ‘cause if it did I’d have to spank your ass so hard you wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week.”
Swallowing hard my nipples bud and my thighs clench together while a dull ache forms low in my stomach. The threat of rough play in the bedroom with Danger isn’t a deterrent for me, it only turns me on more.
“Jesus baby, why you gotta go and turn me on when we have to go out?”
Pulling back, I smirk and look deeply into his eyes. “Because, I can be a tease to not only Ryan but you too, big guy.” I run my hand over his chest and trail my fingers down his stomach, then grab his bulging crotch making him squirm, then I turn and head out the door after the rest of the guys.
“Lunar! Oh man. Lunar, can’t we stay in the green room for a little bit? Just five minutes?” he calls out as I head down the hall with a giant smirk.
“No can do, the car is waiting.”
His deep throaty growl echoes down the hall and I chuckle to myself as I walk with a swagger behind the other guys who are oblivious to me tormenting their lead singer.
Thunderous footsteps pound the concrete behind me, and I grin from ear to ear wondering what his reaction is going to be when he catches up. He leans into my side wrapping his arm around my shoulders pulling me to him. “You owe me a blow job,” he whispers in my ear. I smirk with a giggle and turn kissing his stubbly cheek.
Nate opens the door to the back of the complex and the night air hits my face, it’s still warm and I can’t wait for the cooler months to come in, but I guess it’s not all bad. We slide into the back of the car ready to head off to Vengeance, one of Melbourne’s most upmarket clubs with a terrific VIP section. Luke has a new security team on us, but Vengeance also has added security too. So it should be a good spot for our first party. I’ve only really been to biker parties, so going to a rock star after party is something new to me. I’ve only ever heard bad things about them. That they’re full of sex, drugs and all that jazz, but that’s not what these guys are about, so I’m expecting just drinking and dancing mainly.