“Not always.”
He smiled. Their last night together in February, he lasted almost an hour. He was usually good for at least 20 minutes. With her, that was nearly impossible, unless they changed positions. That was not remotely doable in a tour bus bathroom.
“Who you got in there, Dominic?” Casey shouted from the other side of the door.
“I don’t fuck and tell.” Dominic leaned back and kissed Noelle’s soft lips. “Not unless you’re OK with it.”
“I’m not.”
“You ashamed of me?” He didn’t see the big deal.
She met his eyes. “No. It’s… What if someone tells Gina?”
“We have an open relationship.”
“Even with that.” Noelle touched his face, knowing he did care for the girl’s feelings. “If she heard from someone else what’s happening between us, she’d be…”
His face fell. “Yeah, she’d be hurt.” He looked away. “If I met you first…”
“But you didn’t.”
“I know. I’ll let her down gently. She’s nice. A bit too nice. It’s not easy for me to break someone’s heart. I know what that feels like.” He pulled his bottom lip in, trying to control his emotions.
She tugged him against her again. His softening cock was still lodged within her and that made the embrace that much more intimate. “Shh, I’m here.” She rocked him slightly and stroked his hair and back. “You don’t have to tell me.” She felt he was about to though, and she wasn’t sure she could handle it.
He gripped her tightly, appreciative of her caring gestures. He let Claire’s memory go quickly. The last thing he needed was her face ruining the moment. “I’m OK.” He pulled out of her and stepped back. “Thanks again.” After disposing of the condom and putting his shirt back on, he grabbed a towel. “This might cover more of you. We better hurry before someone comes looking for you.”
She nodded. That had happened the first time they had sex. She was gone for hours, which was very unlike her, and the entire band feared the worst. Covering her head and shoulders with the towel, she followed Dominic out the door.
He rushed past everyone who was awake, pulling Noelle behind him. As soon as they were outside, he paused, not wanting to let her go yet. “You going back home?” he casually asked, looking at his feet. The post-orgasm bliss had his head all mixed up.
“No. We’re on the tour with Hell Hounds and Ace of Spades.” Noelle had the towel in her hands. She shaded her eyes from the sun and looked up at Dominic. “We still have a lot more dates before the last show in September.”
Dominic heard footsteps and reluctantly backed away from Noelle. “Nice to see you again, Noelle.” He waited as Joey and Rich from Hell Hounds passed them. “Hey, guys.”
They eyed them both, but didn’t say more than a sleepy, “Hello.”
Noelle watched them continue on, nervously. Although she longed to be Dominic’s girl, he already had one. “Guess I need to go.”
A cab stopped nearby and they waited. Vince, Sam, Mark and Phil came out of it. “Dom, you see Jon yet?” Vince slowly walked towards them, before the others. “He told me to make sure we were here early.”
“Haven’t seen him yet.” Dominic kicked some invisible dirt under his feet, unsure how to make them leave.
Sam yawned and growled, “I’m goin’ to bed, then. Wake me when ya need me.” He quickly disappeared up the bus’ stairs.
“If you see Jon, tell him we’re inside.” Vince waved at Phil and Mark to follow him. “You ready for this afternoon, Dom?”
With a smile, Dominic nodded. “Yep, it’s only a short set.”
“True.” Vince turned and headed towards the nearby building.
Noelle waited until they were out of earshot. “What’s happening this afternoon?”
“A small acoustic show for Wounded Warriors.” Dominic grinned, proud they were able to bring a bit of joy to the heroes he respected. “A few local bands are playing, too. Wish you could stay.”
“Me too.” Winter Winds had to be in Kansas City for a show that night.
Dominic sighed. “Come on.” He went to grab her hand, but she pulled away and looked down. “Right, not a good idea.”
They walked in silence to her band’s bus. Both of them debated their non-relationship along the way. There were no signs of life on that side of the lot. When they reached the bus’ berth, they stopped, and both looked at the floor, still thinking.
“This can’t happen again.” Noelle refused to be the other woman. “You know what I went through.” Her tear-filled eyes met his shocked ones. “I can’t make someone else go through it.”
He touched her face. “I would never cheat. I’m not like him.” He took a deep breath. “I told you it’s open between us.”
“She sleeps with other men?”
“Um, well, I don’t think so.” He wore a pensive expression. “Maybe when I was on tour last time.”
She exhaled loudly. “It’s not even, then. She probably does it just to hold onto you.”
“If I leave her, will you consider us?” He looked hopeful. “It’s not working anyway.”
Noelle glanced down. “Don’t break up with her just for me.” She paused, finally ready to ask, “Why are you with her if you’re so willing to drop her?” His willingness to be with them both really bothered her.
He looked away, unsure how to explain his apprehension with Gina. “She’s a nice girl.” He took a deep breath. “And I guess I got used to her.”
“So you string her along?”
“I guess.” He never thought of it that way, but he was. Why didn’t I have the balls to leave her like all the others? Maybe because I want something more, finally, although she can’t give me what I want. Only Noelle can.
She lifted his hand. “That’s not right.” Her fingers ran over his skin for a few seconds. “Are you breaking up with her?”
“Yeah… Somehow.”
She sighed. “You need to sort this out before Boston.”
He looked up, eyes wide. “I can’t see you till then?”
“I need time. Dom...” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “I can’t do this and leave all the time. It hurts.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I care...” She needed to reign in her emotions before she got hurt even more.
“So do I.” He pulled his bottom lip in, holding back how he truly felt, and not wanting her to run. “You get me.” He lifted her chin. “And you didn’t ask.”
She met his eyes. “It’s not my place to ask. I’ll listen if you want to tell me, but that’s up to you.”
“I can’t.” His hands started to shake. He was scared that would be her condition, for him to explain.
“I know and I see it’s something big. It’s OK.” She hugged him.
He held back the tears, barely. “Maybe you need to know.” His voice was shaky.
She feared what it was again. Could it be something so terrible she couldn’t be near him anymore? “You’re not ready.” Am I ready?
Relief washed over Dominic. He wasn’t ready, but he would do anything to hold onto her. “But...”
She put her finger over his lips. “Not until you work it out with her.”
He glanced all around; to be sure they were alone. They were, so he pressed her to the side of the bus. “This is not the end.” His mouth met hers and he kissed her passionately. “No matter what you say.” Reluctantly, he pulled back and quickly walked away.
Noelle stood there stunned. The kiss had almost knocked her off her feet. Dominic had never kissed her quite like that. Her fingers brushed over her lips. She could still feel him. How could he affect her like that? I don’t want a serious relationship again, do I?
Shaking her head, she boarded the bus. There were a few voices coming from the bunks, but the front room was empty. Most had probably gone to the party and would soon be coming back. She sorted through her things stored in a closet and grabbed a change of clothes. Just as she turned to head to the showe
r, Mitchell came down the hall from the rear lounge.
He looked into her eyes. “You fucked him again, didn’t you?”
“No.” She couldn’t meet his eyes.
After rolling his eyes, Mitchell scowled at her. “You’ll fuck him, but you won’t even go out with me? What’d he do, buy you a tropical island?” He knew Dominic was loaded and hated him for that, among other things.
“No.” She brushed past him.
He followed her and put his foot in the bathroom doorway before she closed it. “Just give me a chance. I swear I won’t make things weird for the rest of the guys.”
“It’s not that.” She sighed and tried to push his foot out of the way. “You’re just a friend.”
“Ouch.” He grimaced. “You had to go there.”
She met his pained gaze. “Rather me lie to you?”
“Yes… Well, maybe just a little.” He looked down. “His dick bigger?”
Noelle blushed instantly. She had seen all of her bandmates naked at least once. “You really want the answer?”
“Um, maybe not.” Mitchell put his hands up on the doorway. “Does he really care about you?”
“There’s nothing between us.” She looked down. “There never can be.”
Seeing the pain in her expression, he stepped back. He couldn’t add to it. “Sorry.”
Noelle closed the door and leaned on it. She felt like she always toyed with Dominic’s feelings. It wasn’t intentional. When they were making love, she forgot all their obstacles. Then when her head cleared, she remembered he wasn’t able to be faithful. And he lived thousands of miles away. Those two things were deal-breakers for her.
While tears started to fall, she undressed and ran the shower. The narrow stall soon helped her block reality out. She closed her eyes and let the water fall over her hair. Taking deep breaths, she pushed Dominic from her mind. A memory soon replaced him.
Excited, Noelle had rushed home from her meeting with Samson & Delilah’s manager. They had finally gotten a headlining tour. The entire band was there except her fiancé Stephen. She left him at home, sick in bed.
She walked into their apartment as silently as possible. He had been asleep when she left. She smiled at the boxes of wedding favors and decorations that consumed half of the front hallway. Their wedding was in eight days. Their dream honeymoon to Hawaii started the very next day. Could their life get any better?
Hearing muffled sounds, she tilted her head to figure out where they were coming from. It sounded like soft moans. A newlywed couple had moved in next door, so it could be them. Slowly, she opened their bedroom door, and then froze in shock.
Stephen was not asleep. He was pounding his dick into a girl who lived in their building. Noelle didn’t know her name, and she hoped she never learned it. Not able to look away, she stared at her soon to be husband fucking like an animal. He never screwed her like that, with so much intensity. Unless he was feeling guilty.
The girl cried out his name, and then noticed her. “Holy shit! Stephen, she’s fucking home!”
Stephen snapped his head around, looking like a deer in headlights. He quickly pulled out and grabbed a sheet to cover his dick. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He scrambled off the bed and walked towards the door.
Noelle backed up, still in shock. “You fucking asshole.” It was all that came to mind.
“Baby, I was weak. I’m sorry. I’ll never cheat again.”
She ran to the kitchen and he chased after her. When she could form words, she turned to him. “How long?”
“How long what?”
“How long have you been fucking her?” She put her hands on her hips.
Stephen shuffled his feet and chewed on his bottom lip. “A while.”
“How fucking long?” She was screaming at that point.
He met her gaze. “A year.” Guilt written all over his face.
Tears started to fall down her cheeks. “You promised me this would stop! You told me I was enough for you. You swore to me you gave up…” Her voice trailed off as sobs racked her body. Nothing was real. It was all a big farce. He never stayed faithful. “Get out!” she yelled. “Grab your whore, and get the fuck out!
He looked at her one last time and walked to the bedroom with his head hanging.
Noelle cried out with rage as the pain hit her. Stephen had broken her badly. How could she trust Dominic would be faithful with all the temptation he faced?
“You OK, Noelle?” Mitchell knocked on the door.
She opened the shower door. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“I’m here if you wanna talk.” He tried to be as good a friend as he could be so she would see how good they could be together. So far it hadn’t worked. “Even if it’s about him.”
“Thanks.” She leaned her head on the wall and let the water cascade down her back. “Make me forget,” she whispered. Her mind drifted to making love with Dominic. It was what she had always wanted, but it could never work in her eyes.
Chapter Seven
Dominic had reached Gasoline’s bus, but he had not gone inside yet. He was leaning on the side trying to concoct a plan to sweep Noelle off her feet. There had to be a way to convince her he was serious about them. He knew about her insecurities. If I had her, I wouldn’t need other women. Would I?
“What’s up, Dominic?” Giovanni called to him as he and Crystal approached the bus.
Looking up, Dominic couldn’t help but notice the smiles on both their faces. They obviously had a good time the night before. “Where’d you disappear to?”
Giovanni blushed. “Um, we hung out with Brandon and Mackenzie.” He still hadn’t stopped thinking of Mackenzie squirting in his mouth.
Crystal visibly shuddered. Dominic wasn’t sure to take that as a good thing or bad. When she looked up at her man and grinned, he decided it had to be good.
“Yeah, it was fun.” Her eyebrows rose, remembering just how much fun. Waking up to Giovanni and Brandon surrounding her was perfect. Their hands stroking her skin. Her wanting them both to fuck her hard. “Can’t wait till next time.”
Dominic patted Giovanni on the back. “You’ll see a lot of Brandon on the tour.”
“I need to go.” Crystal hopped on the balls of her feet to kiss Giovanni’s lips. Then she ran up the bus steps.
Giovanni watched her go. “Rules are better. You were right.”
“Guess you guys had an interesting night.” Dominic couldn’t stop the smirk. “Her eyes scream ‘well-fucked.’ ”
“You could say that.” Giovanni’s eyes were unfocused with visions of hearing Crystal screaming in ecstasy as he fucked Mackenzie. It was nothing like their threesome with Tommy. Having another woman there opened possibilities. “Was different.” Then he looked down. He made a promise to Crystal he hoped he could keep. Well, several really. He was in an orgasm-induced daze. “Have you ever promised not to fuck groupies?”
Dominic’s mouth dropped. “Wow, you guys musta had some night if you had to make promises.” He had never made that vow. No woman had ever held his heart… Except Claire. “I was completely faithful once.”
“Hope I don’t fuck-up.” Giovanni shrugged and walked up the steps.
With a sigh, Dominic hoped the same. If Giovanni cheated on her, she would run to Chad. That he was sure of. He pushed off the bus and followed Giovanni into the bus. The general volume had risen, meaning most were awake. Music came from the back room. A video game was on the television in front. He headed towards his shared bunk, suddenly tired.
Giovanni stood outside the bathroom door. “Let me in.”
“I’m not done,” Crystal answered.
He folded his arms over his chest. “Hurry up.”
Involuntarily, Dominic’s eyes drifted down to the large bulge in Giovanni’s pants. So that’s why he was rushing her. Then the door opened and Giovanni closed himself inside as well. He shook his head with a smile. They made a cute couple. Then he heard voices. The walls were made of paper.
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“Did you really mean it?” Crystal asked.
Dominic didn’t want to be nosy, but it wasn’t as if he was intentionally listening in.
Giovanni replied, “Yeah, I promise. No groupies, unless you bring her to our bed.” Kissing sounds ensued. “And I won’t cum with anyone else. I swear.”
Knowing Giovanni had vowed something stupid, Dominic shook his head. That was a promise that would surely be broken. He had no idea Giovanni had put such restraints on himself. In an open relationship, one-sided limits could become resentful.
His eyes widened when he heard a thump. He walked towards the back, intent on asking if they were all right. Then Crystal moaned and the bathroom door shook.
“God, yes!” Crystal cried out.
Dominic turned as he heard dragging footsteps and walked away from the passionate sounds.
Tommy was slowly making his way to the back. “ ’Sup.” He nodded his head at Dominic.
“Wow, you had some night.” Dominic laughed. Then Tommy took his sunglasses off, and Dominic saw his eyes were bloodshot. “Too good of a night.”
Tommy gave him a half smile. “You should see the rest of me. Those girls tore me apart. I woke up in the middle of the night with one on my dick, and the other with her fingers up my fucking ass. Never met a woman I couldn’t handle till last night. Glad we’re leaving.” He slid his torn shirt off and winced. Scratches and bites covered his entire torso.
“Damn, Tom.” Dominic whistled at the mess of marks all over. “Did they draw blood anywhere?” He started to worry, switching to paramedic mode. “Maybe I should…”
Holding up a hand, Tommy stopped him. “I’m sore and exhausted… Later.” He climbed into his bunk and sighed when his body hit the mattress. “Fuck,” he mumbled.
He had been awake most of the night. After maybe an hour of sleep, the twins woke him. They had exhausted Jon and Chris. He was helpless. When he told them he had enough, one of them held him down and the other fucked him yet again. His dick was sore by the time he left. It still was. Quickly, he pulled the rest of his clothes off and lay still, hoping for sleep to come.
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