Gasoline

by Bella Jeanisse

  Rolling his eyes, Dominic replied, “You seriously don’t know who I am?”

  “Sorry, Dominic.” Rick stood in the doorway to the back and nudged the large man aside. “Rocky, get outta the way.” When his path was clear, he clapped Dominic on the shoulder. “So nice to finally meet you. Come meet the guys.”

  Heather stood glued to the floor, gaping at Rick. She was trying hard not to scream like a 12-year-old, but it wasn’t easy for her. When Rick touched her hand, she squealed. Then she did the worst. She threw herself at him.

  “I love you!” Her arms wrapped around his waist and she buried her face in his hard chest.

  Rick laughed. “Wow. Your chick’s a fan, huh?”

  “I guess.” Dominic nervously backed up so he was in the shadows. “Come on. People’re looking again.”

  Seeing she couldn’t move, Rick lifted her effortlessly and carried her backstage. “I think I freaked her out.” He chuckled, amused by the situation. “Does she know you’re way more famous than me?”

  Dominic was just glad they were away from the nosy crowd. “I doubt she knows anything right now.”

  Once in the small room Souls Afire was using as a dressing room, the singer, Gabriel stood. “Who’s the babe?” He licked his lips, hoping to get his hands on her. “She’s cute.”

  Rick set her on a couch next to Frankie, the bassist. “She came with Dominic.” He jerked a finger in Dominic’s direction. “You know… from Gasoline?”

  “Holy shit!” Gabriel cried out. His mouth stayed open while he tried to find something to say. Instead of something cool, he stammered. “I… I… Holy shit.” His hands went into his hair. “You… You’re why I got into guitar.” He paced a few seconds, overwhelmed. “Shit, sorry.” He put his hand out. “I didn’t mean to flake on you.”

  With a wide grin, Dominic shook his hand. “It’s cool. I’m used to it.” He gestured to Heather. “I brought her here to see you guys. She’s a huge fan. Think you could give her an autograph or something?”

  “Sign my tits.”

  Dominic’s mouth dropped when Heather exposed her chest to the room.

  “All of you. Please.” She was oblivious to anything but the band at that point. “I’ll get it tattooed.”

  Still in shock, Dominic watched as every band member fondled her breasts while signing her skin with a black marker. Gabriel going last, whispered in her ear when he was done. Then he took both of her breasts in his hands and sucked on one nipple. Dominic looked away, slightly embarrassed. She was a fucking groupie. Damn, so not my type. He was surprised Gabriel didn’t have his dick buried in her already. She’d probably go for it.

  Heather looked up and noticed Dominic. “Maybe later,” she told Gabriel. He wanted to hang out some more.

  “After our set, meet me at the back door.” Gabriel scanned her body and reached into the back of her pants. “I got something I wanna give you, alone.” He squeezed her ass cheek. “I think you’re gonna like it.”

  She fixed her clothes and walked to Dominic. “I’m sorry. I lost my head.”

  “Come back later.” Rick could see there wasn’t much between the two of them. “We’ll all hang out.” He hoped she came alone, but maybe Dominic shared his women.

  They walked back into the club to a wall of screaming. The next band was playing. He couldn’t help but feel slighted. She had acted as if he wasn’t even there. Granted, he didn’t cling to her or tell her they were exclusive, but it was because of him they were there in the first place.

  Meanwhile, Noelle walked through the crowded room, not sure it was a good idea anymore. Maybe he’s not even here. Plans change sometimes. She sighed when yet another young man grabbed her arm, trying to get her attention.

  “Fuck off.” She tugged away from him.

  The plain black top and denim skirt helped her blend in well. She wore her hair up and had minimal makeup on, trying to downplay her look so no one recognized her. It was working so far, although the men at that place all seemed interested in her. She shouldered her way around the left side of the mosh pit, hoping to catch a glimpse of him at least.

  Months ago, before she and Dominic had their fling, Tommy had given her his number hoping to hook up. She was glad she had kept it. Having a free Saturday night was rare for her. Their gig at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut was rescheduled due to a wall collapse near the stage. The band decided to head to New York early, to get in some sightseeing. She called Tommy to get Dominic’s address, wanting to surprise him. Meeting him at a club in Manhattan was even better. She took the subway for the first time and didn’t get lost.

  After walking around the place twice, she found him. He was with a woman. It must be her. She seethed with jealousy. Closing her eyes, she knew she had no right to feel that way. It was her fault they weren’t together. She glanced at them. He had a hand on her shoulder, but nothing more. They were like six inches apart. That was weird.

  Dominic had an odd feeling. It was like the time Noelle was watching him on stage. The hairs on the back of his neck went up. He could almost smell Noelle’s perfume. Wishful thinking, that’s what it is. She wouldn’t be in New York until the next day. He shifted his weight and tried to shake the eerie feeling.

  “This is so cool!” Heather turned around and shouted. She got on her tiptoes and kissed Dominic’s lips. “Thanks so much.” The band playing was another she liked, just not as much as Souls Afire.

  He nodded and forced her to turn around. Then he saw Noelle. Her face was pale. She looked devastated. His eyes open wide. She saw the kiss. Shit, shit, shit! Then she bolted. No! He went after her, but Heather tugged on his arm.

  “Where you going?”

  He put up a finger and pried her fingers from his arm. Then he chased Noelle through the crowd. “Please, stop! Noelle, it’s not what you think!”

  She didn’t care what he had to say. It hurt more than she wanted it to. She felt like he ripped her heart out. She was panting and crying by the time she reached the edge of the audience. With a quick look behind her, she could see Dominic was closing in on her. Scanning the area, she could see only one place to hide, a dark hallway.

  Dominic didn’t stop until he lost her. Then he jumped up a few times to see if he passed her. “Where the fuck are you?” He couldn’t let her leave without explaining. Well, or at least letting her know Heather meant nothing compared to her. He wandered around until he heard faint sobbing.

  Noelle started when someone touched her arm. “Get off!” She lifted her head and relaxed. There was a dim light nearby. It was Dominic.

  Unsure where to start, he held her face in his hands and wiped at her tears with his thumbs. “I’m sorry.” He took a breath. “If I knew…” He pulled his bottom lip in. “If you called, I would’ve cancelled.” His face screwed up. “Wait a minute. How’d you find me?”

  “Tommy,” she whispered. “He didn’t tell me you were with her.”

  He checked out the ceiling. “Fucking asshole,” he muttered. “He has this plan to get us together for real.” Meeting her eyes, he whispered, “I want that… us… please.”

  “But…”

  He cut her off with a kiss. “No more excuses, please.” She didn’t answer, so he continued to kiss her, wanting her to feel the way he did.

  She sensed it and gave in. “OK.” Her fingers wove into his hair and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss.

  Dominic couldn’t resist anymore. She had him hard as a rock already. “I need you, sweetheart,” he breathed in her ear. “We’ll talk later.” He leaned her against the wall and grabbed her ass.

  When he lifted her with a grunt, she clutched his neck, nervous. “Here?”

  “Yeah.” He sucked on her bottom lip. “No one’ll catch us. They’re all watching the band.” He brushed her ear with his lips. “You on birth control yet? Please say yes.”

  “Yes.”

  He gripped her thighs and spread them a bit wider. “Seriously?”

  She gasped as he kiss
ed her neck. “Yes. Got an IUD a few days ago.”

  He groaned. “Good, ’cause I need to feel your pussy when I explode.” He should have thanked her, but his cock was doing all the thinking. “Get these off.” He pulled at her panties. They didn’t stretch enough. He tugged harder and they tore. Another hard yank and their crotch was gone. “That’s better.”

  “Been a while?” she teased him.

  He smiled. “Yeah, my woman’s been away.” He leaned against her as he fumbled with his jeans. “Who the fuck invented clothes?” He sighed when his cock was free.

  With his free hand, he directed the tip of his dick to her entrance. “How’re you so wet?” He moaned and toyed with the moisture.

  “God, Dominic.” Her fingers gripped him harder. “I been thinking about fucking you for hours.” He teased her, making her wetter still. “Please… I need you, too.”

  With a flick of his hips, Dominic sank into her pussy a few inches. “Oh God, you feel good.” He grabbed her thighs, and then withdrew to the tip. “Noelle.”

  His face was in her neck, as he thrust again. So tight… how is she always so tight? His entire body shuddered. Another stroke and he gasped. It was so much more intense than with a condom. He plunged into her again, moaning softly. How can it feel like this?

  Noelle was shaking as well. She had never had sex without a condom. He felt different, and so did she. Every stroke tugged on her heart as well. Her mind was devoid of everything but them. Feeling, smell, emotion, passion, that’s all there was. She felt Dominic’s pleasure, his confusion and his emotions.

  Dominic couldn’t put into words how good it felt for him. “Ah, Noelle.”

  His rhythm sped up. Over the newness of her raw pussy, he was ready to really please her. After adjusting her body just a bit and widening his stance, he drove into her a bit harder. Instantly, she clenched within and whimpered. His arms complained, but he ignored the ache, knowing she loved that position.

  “Dominic…” She was scared to say it too loud. So as not to attract attention. “God, Dominic.”

  He stroked her sweet spot over and over. It felt like she was about to explode. Another soft cry escaped while she trembled within. He prolonged it as usual by continuing to stimulate her. Another cry and she bit her lip to stay quiet. It wasn’t easy. His rhythm was perfect.

  “It’s too good. Sorry.” He clung to her legs and groaned, grinding into her deeply. “Fuck,” he mumbled.

  His entire body shivered while he filled her. His eyes rolled back and he nuzzled her neck. When he was spent, he leaned on her, overwhelmed by the unexpected emotional result. He had not felt that way in… No way I’m in love with her. Am I?

  “So you can have sex with her, but not me?” Heather had followed Dominic’s voice and could not believe what she found.

  He turned, and his eyes widened. “I’m so sorry you saw this.”

  Noelle hugged him to her, jealous again.

  Heather walked away and headed backstage to be a groupie again.

  Feeling guilty about the entire thing, Dominic kissed Noelle’s lips. “I told you I didn’t fuck her.” He kissed her nose. “It’s only been you. We came here just to see the band.”

  “You like them?”

  He sighed. “No. She does.” He paused. “I took her to meet them, and she had them sign her tits.” He frowned and mumbled, “Fucking groupie.”

  “Bet you’ve signed lots of tits.” She watched his face, but it wasn’t easy to make out his expression.

  He shrugged. “I guess.” He pulled out and groaned. “I miss your pussy already.”

  After setting her on the floor, he tucked his wet cock away. His arms felt like he had been lifting weights for hours. Unconsciously, he rubbed his right forearm. It was always well worth it.

  “Sorry about the panties.”

  “It’s OK. They were in the way.” She laughed as she fixed her skirt. “Um…” She felt something weird. “It’s falling out.”

  He was confused. “What is?”

  She leaned towards him and whispered, “Your cum. I never…” She hesitated. “No one ever came in me before.”

  His face lit up. “You mean... I’m the first? You never let… Only me?” He felt special. “But, why me?” If she hadn’t let her fiancé have her raw, did that mean he was more important to her?

  “Because.” She said it like that explained it. Then she looked up. “I need the ladies’ room.”

  He smiled and led her right to it, waiting outside the door for her. Taking a deep breath, he knew their relationship had just taken a big step. No, a flying leap from the week before. There was no turning back. Then he realized what she told him. She got an IUD put in? That was a big deal. Did she do that for me or for her?

  Noelle soon stood in front of Dominic. “I don’t want to go back to the hotel.” She put her hands on his chest. “Can we go somewhere?”

  With the biggest smile he’d worn in a very long time, he whispered, “Yeah, my place.”

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Dominic opened the passenger door and put out a hand to help Noelle out of his Jeep. She smiled and gave him a shy smile. There wasn’t much chivalry in her world. Only Mitchell treated her like a woman, and not one of the guys. It was nice to feel special sometimes.

  After shutting her door, Dominic grinned and squeezed her hand. “Like I told you, my place is kinda small, but it’s got three bedrooms.”

  “Relax.” She leaned on his arm as they walked towards his building. “I’m not into material things. I live a simple life.” That she did. She had a one-bedroom condo back in Seattle that she finally no longer had to struggle to pay the mortgage on. “It’s gotta be bigger than my place.”

  Dominic took a deep breath. He had only let a few women see his apartment. The risk of them finding Annabeth’s room was too great. However, he trusted Noelle. That night, he might even have the courage to tell her everything. She was worth the pain of reliving the most painful night of his life.

  Noelle nervously shifted her weight from one foot to the other as Dominic fumbled with his keys. He seemed out of sorts as well. She put a steadying hand on his arm.

  “You OK?”

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “This is a big deal for me.”

  “What is?” She looked up, waiting for his response.

  He exhaled loudly, and his shoulders slumped. “I don’t take women home much. It’s hard to explain why I live so simply.”

  “Why? Just say because you want to.”

  His walls were crumbling. “But that’s not why. It’s because I have to.”

  That confused the shit out of her, but she held her tongue. It was obviously hard for him to admit. She stayed silent as he opened the door. When they walked into the living room, she was surprised. The furniture was not quite his style. It was definitely a bit aged, the floral print couch in particular. A woman obviously decorated the room.

  They went on to the small dining room that was actually part of the living room. It had a small wood table with four simple chairs. The kitchen was limited on counter space. Well, and floor space, too. It was barely large enough for two people to work on dinner together.

  “This is nice.” Noelle thought it was cozy.

  He sighed. “If you saw Jon’s place, you wouldn’t think that.” He wished he could move on. “Tommy and Dean have great places, too.”

  She moved in front of him. “Dominic, with me you don’t have to compare. It doesn’t matter where you live or how much money you have.” She tapped his chest with a finger. “What matters is what’s in here. That’s most important to me.”

  His heart swelling, Dominic pulled her into a tight embrace. Emotions running high, he tried to stop the thought, but he couldn’t. She’s so much like you, Claire. Did you send her to me? He liked to believe she could hear his thoughts. Claire always made him feel good about himself and told him love was all she needed. That was when they were struggling to pay bills. She never t
old him to give up school or the band. She wanted him to be happy, no matter what.

  A tear slid down Dominic’s cheek. He quickly wiped it away and stepped back. “Come see my music room.” Not as many memories in that room. It had changed significantly in the past 15 years.

  Noelle was awed at Dominic’s guitar collection. “Do you play any of them?” She was afraid to touch anything.

  “Not the signed ones,” he replied. “The others I do, from time to time. Each one has its own sound.”

  She nodded, understanding, since she played. She ran a hand over the piano. “This is nice.” When an open notebook caught her eye, she moved in that direction. “Do you write in here?”

  Dominic saw what she was going for and quickly closed it. “Yeah, I’m working on something that’s not really ready yet.” It was a lie. Her song was finished, lyrics and guitar music, including a heartfelt solo. “I’ll let you hear it sometime.” Yeah, when I have the balls, that is.

  “What’s the other bedroom used for?”

  She admired a custom Gibson hanging on the far wall. When she got no response, she turned. Dominic had leaned on the door frame and looked sick to his stomach.

  “Hey.” She crossed the room to him. “What is it?” Her hands rubbed his shoulders. “Dom, look at me, please.” When he did, she saw the pain. The same one he felt when he broke down the first time. “Talk to me about it, please.”

  He shook his head and sucked in a shaky breath. Not now, please, he begged. The memories always came at the wrong time. Flashes of Annabeth’s life came to him. The night she was born, umbilical cord wrapped tightly around her neck, played before his eyes. She had almost died then.

  Claire was unaware of the seriousness of the situation, but Dominic watched the doctor frantically try to free her as she shouted at Claire to stop pushing. However, Claire’s body had other plans. She unintentionally made it worse. When the doctor’s face relaxed, so did Dominic. Annabeth was monitored for 24 hours in the natal ICU just in case, but had no ill effects from the incident.

  Noelle could see Dominic was fighting tears. She hugged him, and whispered, “No matter what it is, I’ll understand.”