His New Jam

by Shannyn Schroeder

  When he let her go, he whispered, “Tomorrow night after the gig. Can you spend the night? Or will Trish come looking for me?”

  “Believe it or not, I’m an adult.” The thought of spending a whole night with Hunter sent a shiver through her.

  “I don’t want to cause trouble between you and your sister, but I want you all night long. Maybe all day Saturday, too.”

  “That’s a lot of time.” Her voice was husky and she wanted to strip right there and let him get started.

  “I have a lot of things I want to do. And I plan to take my time.”

  She nipped his bottom lip. “I look forward to it.”

  “Friday suddenly seems far away.”

  She chuckled.

  “Are you free for lunch tomorrow?”

  “Class gets out at eleven fifteen. Then I’m free till one.” She kissed his jaw. “Will that be enough time?”

  He groaned and stepped back. “Nope. I meant let’s meet for lunch. Hang out. Bitch about our professors and the crappy classes we’re happy to be done with.”

  “Like a date?”

  “You kind of cheated me out of one last Saturday.”

  “I don’t think that was cheating, but whatever.”

  “It was a hell of a way to spend my night, and I wouldn’t have traded it for a dinner in a restaurant, but I want more than sex, Sydney. I want to get to know you better.”

  Huh. She rocked back on her heels. He kept knocking her off her game, and she wished she could tell what was genuine and what was his charm wheedling its way past her defenses. “You know me well enough.”

  Grabbing the waistband of her jeans, he hauled her back into him. A rush flooded through her veins. She expected a hot kiss, but he gently brushed his lips on her cheek, then her jaw, and finally her ear. “No. You hold back. I answer all your questions, but you brush mine off and distract me with sex.”

  He released his grip and she wobbled. Again, off balance. Every time she was alone with him. He was right, but she couldn’t admit it. “I just want to get to the good stuff.”

  “You are the good stuff. But you still hold back.”

  She hated when he made her feel all warm and gooey.

  “So about tomorrow?”

  “I have to work. Help restock the bookstore for next quarter.”

  “Tomorrow night then.” He gave her another quick kiss and shoved her through the door.

  Sydney drove home with jittery emotions. Could she let Hunter in? What if telling him all about the real her, the one who let a guy take over her life, ruined everything between them? She wasn’t sure if her greatest fear was that Hunter would be more like Tony or that he would look at her like she was a ridiculous mess.

  On her way to bed, Trish stopped her. “How’d your finals go?”

  “Good. Better than good, I think. Hunter helped.”

  Trish snickered. “Orgasm afterglow helped with the test?”

  “Well, I definitely wasn’t tense. But seriously, he came over on Sunday and helped me make flashcards. It worked.”

  “He was here on Sunday?”

  Syd nodded. “He showed up with coffee and donuts while you were at the health club.”

  Trish narrowed her eyes.

  Syd threw up her hands. “He helped me study. I offered sex and he turned me down. He told me to get to work, much like he did Saturday night when he left here.”

  Trish crossed her arms. “So he’s putting school first? What kind of grades does he get?”

  “How should I know? Good enough that he’s graduating in May, which is on time, unlike me.” She didn’t want to be defensive, but she couldn’t help it.

  “Oh my God. You really like him. This isn’t some quickie fling to get your feet wet.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “If you were just in it for the sex, you wouldn’t be upset at my poking. You’d brush it aside. But you’re sticking up for him.”

  “He’s a good guy.” She sincerely hoped she was right. Her guy picker didn’t have a great track record.

  Trish smiled, but said, “Remember to be careful.”

  “I am. I’m fine.” Live carefully had become her life’s motto. Hunter was making things harder than she was used to.

  Friday night, the band played without a hitch. They played a double encore and Hunter would’ve played a third if it meant keeping the unabashed smile of pride on Sydney’s face. After they loaded the van, they went back to the bar for a celebratory drink. Hunter stuck with water since he was driving, but encouraged Sydney to have a beer. Or two. He wanted her to relax because tonight was going to be all about them. Band was over, classes and finals were finished, so she had no more excuses. They could date and be a couple for the world to see.

  He sat back on the stool and watched her get into a heated argument with Lance, of all people. Lance was probably the most laid-back guy he knew. In fact, Hunter couldn’t remember Lance ever fighting with anyone about anything.

  Whatever Sydney was trying to convince him of, however, she was animated about it. Her arms were waving and then she pointed, just short of poking Lance’s chest. Then Lance doubled over in laughter. It was such a great sight to have his girlfriend blend with his lifetime friends.

  He started at the words flowing through his head. Girlfriend? How the hell had that happened? He waited for panic to hit, but it didn’t. He liked the idea. He’d dated a lot, but he rarely brought those girls around his friends. Some came to the shows at The Garage, but they acted like groupies, and while some guys might get off on that, he preferred someone to fit in.

  Sydney definitely fit in.

  Just then, she turned to him with a broad smile on her face. “Your friend Lance needs a brain transplant.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “He’s trying to convince me the Stones had a greater impact on music history than the Beatles.”

  He shook his head, knowing better than to get involved in that argument. “You ready to go?”

  Her cheeks grew pink and she looked at him from under her lashes. “Yeah.”

  He grabbed her hand and waved to the guys. “Did you tell Trish you won’t be home tonight?”

  She rolled her eyes. “It’s fine.”

  He stopped walking and she crashed into him. “Uh-uh. Call her now or I take you home.”

  She released a long-suffering sigh.

  “She’ll worry about you.”

  “Fine.” She pulled her phone out and texted Trish. As they headed toward the door, her phone rang. She answered as they got outside and Hunter ushered her to the van to keep warm.

  “Hi, Trish.” Then she listened. Hunter tried not to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t help himself. “I’m fine. I’m staying with Hunter.” Another minute of listening. “I will.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  “If she’s mad, I’ll take you home.”

  “She’s not mad. And she’s not my mother. I can do whatever I want.”

  “But—”

  “Nothing, Hunter. She worries about me, but she’s not mad.”

  “If you’re sure.” He reached for her hand and interlaced his fingers. While they drove, she turned his radio up. He’d expected her to change the music, but she sat back with her eyes closed and listened to jazz.

  With every passing moment with her, he liked her more. When he parked, she grabbed her backpack and waited by the rear of the van.

  “Come on,” he said, pointing to the apartment.

  “What about the equipment?”

  “It’ll be fine until morning. Adam will help me then.”

  “I can help.”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the house. “Maybe I can’t wait.”

  He let them into the apartment and pulled her straight to his bedroom, where she dropped her bag.

  “I know you’re impatient and all, but I’d really like a shower.”

  “Let’s go.” He kicked off his shoes and str
ipped with her watching him.

  “As much as I enjoy that sight, I’m not following. What if your roommate’s here?”

  “He’s not.”

  “But he could come home.” She toed off her shoes and slid them next to the wall.

  Hunter led the way to the bathroom. He started the water and turned to Sydney. She reached for the hem of her tank top, but he stilled her hands. “Let me.”

  He removed her clothes, stopping to kiss her everywhere. By the time they stepped under the water, they were hotter than the spray. He held her close and ran his hands over her body, toying with her nipples, making her moan. Using his hands, he made her come the first time for the night.

  Then they washed each other without talking. As they dried off, he watched her rub her skin with his towel. “You were really good tonight.” Then he realized how that might’ve sounded, so he added, “At The Garage. You get off on performing, don’t you?”

  She dropped the towel and stepped close. She licked his ear before saying, “I get off on a lot of things.”

  “I’m going to see how many of those things I can hit.”

  “Ambitious, huh?”

  “Determined.” He backed her out the door. She squealed when the cold air of the hall hit them.

  “I’m naked.”

  “I know.”

  She turned and bolted for his room. He followed at a slower pace, enjoying the display. When he closed the door and locked it, she was bent over digging through her bag.

  “You won’t need anything you have in there.”

  She stood, holding a huge T-shirt.

  “Nope.” He walked toward her, backing her to the bed. He didn’t stop until she dropped the shirt and crawled backward onto his mattress. He started at her ankle and kissed his way up. As he neared her pussy, she spread her legs wide in invitation. He lay flat on his stomach and licked her. Flicking his tongue against her clit, he felt her thigh muscles jump in response.

  He thrust his tongue inside her on a moan. Her taste and scent surrounded him and he would’ve died happy to drown in her. He kept stroking and sucking and lapping until her hips bucked up. Gripping tight and holding her to his mouth, he continued until her thighs trembled and she whimpered his name.

  Rising up on his knees, he grinned at her.

  “Don’t look so smug.”

  “Can’t help it.” He kissed up her torso and spent a minute or two, maybe three, worshipping her nipples before reaching for a condom.

  He eased into her slowly. Once he was settled inside her, she wrapped her arms and legs around him. They moved together in slow motion until the orgasms soared through them. This time it wasn’t about getting to the finish line. He just wanted to be with her.

  Lying together afterward, he thought about making his move, but she started the conversation first.

  “What are you most worried about after graduation?”

  “Getting a job.”

  Her fingers tapped against his ribs in a quiet rhythm. “Besides that. Everyone worries about a job.”

  He sighed, but if he wanted her to open up, he had to be willing to. “I’m afraid I won’t be good enough. I worry that a student will ask something and I won’t know the answer. I worry I’ll get a boss who hates me. Or worse, doesn’t take me seriously.”

  She didn’t respond.

  “My adviser warned me that I’m too friendly and some instructors I’ve worked with in the past aren’t sure if I can hack it as a teacher.”

  “You’ll be fine.”

  He snorted and she tilted her head up to face him. “You joke around a lot. You want people to like you. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you know what to do when you have to be in charge.”

  “How would you know?”

  “Why do you think you were chosen for section leader?”

  He paused.

  She splayed her hand on his chest, drumming a different beat. “It’s because you’re good. Players respect you. You know your shit, but you don’t talk down to people. You’re also the obvious leader of the band. Lance and Jay follow you. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying what you do. Carry that into the classroom and not only will you be successful, but every kid will line up to take your class.” She kissed his chest. “Especially the girls.”

  Of all the people he’d expected to give him a pep talk, he hadn’t thought of her. After the serious ego boost, he was ready to understand her better. “Where were you before you transferred here?”

  She turned her head to rest on his chest again, and when she spoke, her breath whispered across his skin. “I told you. I took some time off school. Did a year at community college.”

  “You actually didn’t tell me anything. You always dodge. Why’d you take time off?”

  She didn’t answer and he wondered if she was trying to come up with a lie.

  “I’ve told you everything. I talk about music and teaching. Hell, I even told you about Shelly.” He traced her spine. “I want to know you.”

  “I don’t want to tell you,” she whispered. “It’s embarrassing. I screwed up so bad.”

  “We all screw up.”

  “Not like this.” She stroked his belly and played with the patch of hair on his chest. “In high school, I went out with a guy. His name was Tony. Star quarterback. Everyone loved him. But he chose me. We dated for two years. I was deep in love.”

  “Was he?”

  “I think so. At least at first. He made me feel special. Like I was a prize. I hated the looks and comments I got from everyone else, though. No one understood how he could want me. But I sucked it up because he convinced me that none of them mattered. Only us.”

  She turned her head so she could prop it on her hand. “And that’s when the stupid took over. I wanted to go to New York for school. He was already accepted to Southern. He told me he couldn’t go without me. He’d never make it. So I followed him to Carbondale.”

  Hunter’s stomach sank. Somehow, he knew this was going to get bad. He clenched his jaw and waited for her to continue.

  “Once we were there, things changed. He was even more of a star and he kept telling me he had an image to uphold, but he wanted me for himself. He didn’t want to share me.”

  Crap. Hunter knew this story. This asshole was busy sharing himself. Still, Hunter said nothing. He just continued to caress her back.

  “Everything was a party. Then he needed my help with his classwork, even if it meant mine suffered. I started missing class and failing. He didn’t care.” Her gaze held his, but her eyes filled.

  “Then I found out about the other girls. The ones who fit his image better. I lost a year of college and I was broke and flunking. All I wanted was to go home. So I sold my drums to pay off my tuition balance and left.”

  Hunter’s heart broke for her, but so much made sense now. Her reaction about missing class, not wanting band members to know about them, it all clicked.

  “Tony was a prick.”

  She laughed and a tear leaked from her eye. Using the pad of his thumb, he brushed it away. “He didn’t deserve you.” His fingers found the dragon tattoo on her shoulder. “What’s the story about this?”

  She glanced at her shoulder as if she didn’t know it was there. “I got a little rebellious after Tony. Defiant. Angry. So I did what everyone does when they act out. I got a tattoo.”

  “Why a dragon?”

  “Dragons are known for their wisdom and the ability to see the big picture. They’re fierce and strong.” She licked her lips. “Everything I wanted to be. Everything I wasn’t with Tony.”

  “I think you’re wrong.”

  “About what?”

  “You were always strong and fierce. Tony was just a prick.”

  “You said that already.”

  He rolled her over so he was on top, covering her body with his. “Don’t hide from me anymore, okay? I couldn’t watch you fall and not try to catch you. Trust me to not be like him.”

  Her vulnerability filled her
face. She didn’t speak, but she nodded.

  As she did, he knew he was falling for her unlike any other woman he’d known.

  Chapter 12

  For days after her late-night confessions to Hunter, Sydney suppressed her confused emotions. Hunter had asked her to trust him to be different from Tony. She already knew he was, but allowing him to see her ugly mistakes was scary, so she pushed the feelings away.

  They slept together, played together, and hung out. Christmas came and went, and they did separate holidays. It was way too early for meeting family, so Syd was okay with a little distance there. Not having to worry about school or work helped. With the exception of Jay and Lance, though, she and Hunter were very much a couple alone. He still hadn’t introduced her to his roommate or his other good friend Free. He talked about them often, but never suggested they get together.

  Part of it felt like her early relationship with Tony. As if he didn’t want others to know about her because she didn’t fit his image. Part of her, maybe even most of her, knew it was bullshit. She was the one who insisted no one know about them and he was just following her rules, but that small part of her, that bit of complete insecurity, couldn’t help but wonder.

  Weeks ago he’d asked her to come to his New Year’s Eve party, but he hadn’t brought it up since. New Year’s was this week.

  They were having band practice on Monday night for a change because of the holiday. They practiced “Auld Lang Syne,” but Sydney couldn’t imagine anyone at The Garage wanting to hear it.

  As they packed up, Lance said, “See you Thursday.”

  “I thought we weren’t practicing because of New Year’s Eve.”

  He looked at her like she was dense. “We’re playing.”

  “What?”

  “Fuck me. Hunter didn’t tell you? He’s having a party like he does every year. We’re the entertainment.”

  “Oh.” Her brain scrambled to make sense of why he wouldn’t have mentioned it. Maybe Kevin was coming back from break early.

  Lance shook his head, and when Hunter came back into the room, he said, “Great communication skills, dork.”

  “Huh?”

  Lance shook his head again and left, which Sydney found funny. Lance didn’t talk much, and after making a statement like that most people would’ve explained, but not Lance.