For a moment Charlotte looked at the pass just lying there in the sink. Carefully she reached over and picked it up with two fingers and hurried out of the bathroom before she really had time to think about the ramifications of what she was doing. She slipped it around her neck and headed for the backstage area. There was a different man at the door this time. She flashed her pass at him and he opened the door with a lewd smirk on his face. Loud music assaulted her senses and the first thing she saw was a half-naked woman dancing on a tabletop. “Oh sweet heavens, Viv, what have you gotten me into?”
Chapter Two
Travis Rexford stared at himself in the dingy mirror. He looked like crap. His reddish-brown hair was plastered to his head. His eyes were bloodshot and the dark circles made him look like he hadn’t slept for days. His black t-shirt was plastered to his body like a lovesick glove. When was the last time an acoustic concert made him sweat?
One more album, he promised himself. Then he could put this life behind him and, hell he didn’t know what he was going to do with himself, but it wouldn’t be this. All he knew was that he didn’t have any music left in him anymore. It died with Andy. He hadn’t written a song in ten years by himself. Andy had been there from the beginning. Now he was a lame ass musician pretending to be a rock star.
Andy was dead; Travis didn’t want to be a rock star anymore. Fucking Andy had to go and die on him. Of a brain aneurysm. What thirty-year old died from that? Mr. Vegan, yoga, and meditation blew a gasket. Fucking bastard left him. Travis’s gut tightened and he thought he was going to throw up. His best friend was dead. Where was he supposed to go now? There was a knock at the door.
“Hey, Travis, hurry it up. The beers are getting warm and the chicks are getting cold.”
Leave it to Gavin, the band’s drummer, to think of the important things. He would just stay an hour, do a little mingling, then go back to the house and curl up in bed with a six-pack and sleep tomorrow away. He took off his soaked shirt and put on a clean white button down. He ran a hand through his shoulder length hair and looked at his bloodshot blue eyes. He needed a shave, but shit, he didn’t have the energy for that. This would have to do. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself to face the backstage chaos. Showtime.
As he walked out of the dressing room he saw Shane, the band’s lead guitar player, whispering in the ear of a bleached blonde. Big tits and way too much makeup. Stripper or porn star, most of the time it was hard to tell with Shane. He had a black leather clad knee between the girl’s legs. His blond head next to hers as he nuzzled her neck.
Gavin was stuffing his face at the craft services table. As soon as he was full he’d start his hunt for a playmate for the evening. The man had priorities. His So Cal beach bum good looks had them lined up and ready to be his toy for the evening. Malcolm was in the corner with a cute girl in glasses, his hand under her black leather mini skirt. Those two looked like a nice little punk rock prince and princess with spiked black hair and a shit load of eyeliner. Declan, the lead singer, was on a black leather sofa, a girl on each knee. He had his hand up a brunette’s skirt and his face in a blonde’s chest. How a woman could be that skinny and carry those things around was a mystery to him. He liked boobs, but the woman had to have the body to go with them. Travis grabbed a beer from a table, popped the bottle cap, and took a long pull. Icy cold liquid bathed the back of his dry throat. A shudder went through him. He just wanted to be alone with this beer.
Looking around the back room of the club, there were a lot of pretty girls running around. He could have his pick, but hell, he could care less about that. Now this was a sad state. Surrounded by beautiful willing women and he didn’t feel like being with any of them. The only one he wanted to be alone with was Lurleen, the name of the beer he was drinking. How long had it been since he’d been with a woman? At least six months. He didn’t even want to have sex. He couldn’t fuck, he couldn’t write. What the hell was he living for? It felt like he was in this weird limbo. He walked to the couch and sat next to Declan. Fuck staying. He was bailing as soon as he finished this beer.
The blonde turned to him. “Hi Travis.”
“Hi yourself.”
She put her hand on his crotch. “I’m Honey.”
He forced a smile. “I am sure you are.”
She giggled and Declan pulled her into a kiss.
He was about to get up when he spotted this hot little brunette sliding along the red painted wall. It figured she’d been cornered by Bobby Vaughn, the bassist the record company hired to replace Andy. As far as he was concerned the guy had only one redeeming quality and that was his ability to play the bass. But he was a total douche otherwise. The brunette lifted her large black purse and held it up to her like it was a shield. She looked around the room and their eyes connected. He saw fear in her big brown eyes. Hell, she looked like the deer invited to family dinner as the main course. How could Vaughn not get that she was scared of him? Asshole probably didn’t care. “Hey, Dec, who’s that with Vaughn?”
Declan took a long hard look at her and then smiled, a predatory gleam in his blue eyes. “That, my friend, is a Bentley.”
Code for a classy hot chick. And she was. Travis felt a tightness in his jeans he hadn’t had in a while. He didn’t understand it. She wasn’t his usual type. She looked too sweet and innocent, but damn his boy certainly liked her.
Declan began to push the girls off his lap and Travis stood. “I got this.”
“But--”
“My turn.” Travis pointed to the two girls on Declan’s lap. “Besides, you have two.”
“I’m still auditioning.”
Travis smiled. Why Declan didn’t spot her right away was a miracle and his loss. Not that Travis was really planning anything; he just wanted to save her from Vaughn. He walked over and put his hand on Vaughn’s shoulder. “Thanks, man.”
Vaughn turned his angry gray eyes toward him. “For what?”
Travis smiled. “For keeping my girl out of trouble.” He reached out and wound a silky black strand of her hair around his finger. “Sweet Baby, you are late. I don’t know if I can let that slide.”
She smiled, relief showing in her expression. “I’m so sorry.”
“Did you introduce yourself to Bobby, the newest member of the band?”
“Ch-- Vivienne. I’m Vivienne.” She held out her hand.
God damn even her name was sexy and the way she said it with her soft Southern accent. It just sent a hot shiver of desire down his spine.
Vaughn rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” He pushed off the wall and walked away.
Now Travis had her all to himself. “You okay?”
Slowly the huge purse dropped to her side. “Thank you.”
He held out his hand. “My pleasure. Travis Rexford.”
She slipped her hand in his. “Thank you, Travis.”
Her hand was so soft he didn’t want to let it go. Travis took a long look at her. He let his gaze travel over her wildly sexy dark hair and her pale skin and beautiful face. She had Bambi brown eyes and soft, full red lips. She had this beauty mark right above her lip that was so damned sexy. He could write an album’s worth of lyrics just about that beauty mark. She smelled like spring flowers. Her body was heaven slender, but curvy. He didn’t know designers, but she looked expensive; classy, elegant, sexy. “What are you doing here, Vivienne?”
“I just love your band.”
Now if that wasn’t a lie, he was Jimi Hendrix and he was no Jimi. “You don’t look like a Scorned fan.”
Her eyes widened. “What kind of fan do I look like?”
A slow smile spread on his mouth. He’d smiled more in the last minute than he had in the entire year since Andy’s death. “Opera.”
She giggled. “I do love Puccini.”
He didn’t know who the fuck Puccini was nor did he care. “What’s your favorite Scorned song?”
Her elegant shoulders shrugged. “There are so many to choose from.”
&nb
sp; Evasive. Charming, but evasive. She was good. “I’m putting you on the spot, aren’t I?”
“A bit.”
He leaned in closer and whispered. “Indulge me.”
She bit her bottom lip and looked like she was trying to avoid his question.
He let his eyes wander down her body and he noticed that the tops of her creamy white breasts rose above the neckline of her dress and, for a second, he let himself wonder what it would be like to kiss her smooth flesh. “You haven’t answered yet.” He was kind of enjoying this game.
“The second to the last one you did tonight.”
He thought back over the playlist and remembered they did an acoustic version of Radiohead’s “Creep” –– one of Andy’s favorite songs. She didn’t belong here. “Did you win a radio contest or something?” Was she supposed to be someone he had to be nice to? Not that he was going to have to work hard at that. He wanted to be very nice to her.
“No, I have a backstage pass.” She lifted up the lanyard and waved it in front of his face.
He took the pass and looked it. His eyes went wide. There was an A, E, B and the number 3. Holy shit, he thought. This was code for all the things she’d done to get backstage. She had done anal, exhibitionism, a blow job, and a threesome. Fuck, how she could walk after all that was beyond him. He knew girls did a lot of shit to get backstage and he’d reaped the benefits, but for some reason, he didn’t want her to be like that. Some ordinary groupie who wanted to score with any guy in a band. There was something soft and sweet about her. He didn’t know why he picked her out, but she flipped his switch and he just wanted to be with her. And frankly, she gave him a boner beyond reason. Lately, he thought he was dead from the waist down. He wanted to hang out with her. Who was he kidding? He wanted to take her home and fuck her brains out. Fucking security. “Who gave you this pass?” Whoever it was, his ass was out of here.
Her eyes went wide and she blushed. “I-I…” her head dropped and she mumbled something.
“Who?”
She still couldn’t meet his eyes. “I stole it. I’m sorry. I just wanted to meet the band so badly.”
Travis breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t understand why, but he was glad she wasn’t like that. “It’s okay. It happens. Do you want to leave?”
She smiled. “With you?”
He laughed softly. “Yeah, with me.”
“That would be delightful.”
Delightful. He thought no woman ever said dating him? would be ‘delightful.’ How old-fashioned. He kind of liked that. “Give me a second. Don’t move and don’t talk to anyone else. Okay?”
She frowned, but she nodded.
Damn, but she was a honey. He dug the keys to his bike out of his pocket and looked around for Gavin, but didn’t see him. He walked over to Declan. “Hey Declan I’m going to take the car.” He threw his bike keys on the couch next to him. “Tell Gavin to bring my bike home… in one piece, I’m all out of bail money.”
Declan lifted his blond head from nuzzling the brunette’s neck. “She doesn’t look like the back of the bike type.”
“She is a Bentley.”
“Need any help?”
“I’m good to go solo.” He turned to looked at her one more time and she smiled at him. He groaned. His jeans got just a touch tighter. She was going to break his heart. “I’ll send the car back when I get to the house.”
Declan laughed. “You do that.”
“See you later.” He turned to leave.
“Hey Travis,” Declan said.
Travis stopped and turned back. “Yeah?”
“Have a good time.” Declan winked.
Travis smiled. He intended to have an excellent time. He walked back to her. “You ready to go?”
She nodded.
Dear God, please don’t let me shoot my load before we get out of the club. He slipped his arm around her waist and led her to the back entrance of the club.
“Wait.” She stopped.
Damn he was losing her. “What’s wrong?”
She lifted up the plastic lanyard off her chest. “I have to return this.”
“You know some people keep them for souvenirs.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t earn this.”
Thank God, he thought, she wasn’t bailing on him. But then again the night was young. He escorted her to the backstage entrance. He didn’t know what to say as he watched her from the door as she walked over to this blonde crying at the bar. She took the lanyard off and handed it to her. The woman threw her arms around her. Vivienne stood there with a shocked expression on her face. Finally, she eased herself away and walked back over to him. A sense of relief flooded him.
He got her into the limo and she sat across from him. Part of him wanted to just jump her, but she looked like a queen sitting across from him with her straight back and her ankles crossed. He couldn’t seem to talk during the short drive to the rental house. He just wanted to stare at her, but he felt like the local farmer going to see the princess in the castle. Thankfully the ride to the house was short and sweet. He helped her out of the car, because he did have some manners. “I’ll be right with you.” Then he watched her walk up the sidewalk. She paused and took one of the flowers between her fingers and bent to smell a bloom. He turned to the driver. “Wait here for twenty minutes. If she comes out, take her wherever she wants to go. Then go back to the club.”
The driver gave him this knowing smile. “Of course, sir.”
Did everyone in the free fucking world know he was havin’ trouble with his mojo?
He reached out and took her elbow.
She raised her head. “This is one of the most beautiful houses in the city. The gardens here are sublime. Have you seen them in the daytime?”
Was she asking to spend the night? His best tactic was to ignore that request. If she did spend the night, they weren’t going to be checking out the flowers. He unlocked the door and led her inside. “Would you like something to drink?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine, thank you.”
“Okay.” They just stood there for a moment, neither one of them speaking. Actually, he was just staring at her mouth. He moved in and touched her lips with his. For a brief second her mouth was still, then she opened her lips and Travis pulled her into an embrace devouring her mouth. She pressed herself against him, fitting her soft curves into him and he was lost. She tasted so good he was a goner. He could feel himself ready to explode. How was he going to make it up the stairs to his bedroom? Vivienne sank her hands into his hair and moved her body against his. She didn’t have the practiced skill of woman who did this a lot. He didn’t know why, but that turned him on even more. Travis slid his hand down her back over the curve of her ass, pushing her into his crotch. She deepened her kiss, and he wasn’t sure, but he thought he heard her sigh. Hell, he was ready to blow his load right now. He pulled away from her, took her hand, and hurried up the stairs to his room. He closed the door and just stared at her.
“Is something wrong?”
Travis ran a shaky hand through his hair. “No.”
“Why did you stop?”
He took a step back from her. How was he going to tell her he needed to jerk one out so he could perform properly for her? “Ah--”
Her lips trembled. “Don’t you want me?”
She had to ask? He couldn’t even remember wanting a woman this much. “God, yes.”
Her eyes widened in question. “What’s wrong?”
“I need it to be good for you.”
She tilted her head, confusion written all over her face.
Dragging a hand through his hair, he searched for the right words so he wouldn’t humiliate himself in front of her. “After a show, I’m really wound up and I’m not at my best so I need a little quite time to take care of things, because I really need it to be good for you.”
“I don’t understand.”
He felt himself blush. Oh shit. How did he tell this sexy woman that he n
eeded to go beat off or he was going to lose it about five seconds after he got his pants off? She wasn’t your average groupie and he didn’t think that she would just drop to her knees and blow him so they could get on to business. Frankly, he sensed this wasn’t a normal day for her and she didn’t get that she should just be impressed that he was a rock star. He liked that. He hitched a thumb over his shoulder pointing to the bathroom. “I’m going to go take a shower and take care of things by myself.” Held up his hand. “I just need about five minutes.” Who was he kidding, he’d be done in two. “Do you understand?”
She looked puzzled for second as if she was trying to figure out cold fusion or something. Then her eyes went wide and her pale skin pinked. “Ohhhhhh.”
That was uncomfortable. He toed off one of his motorcycle boots and pushed it aside and then he lifted his leg and took the other one off. He was going to give her another chance to change her mind. “I’m going to be five minutes, tops. And when I come out and if you’re still here, I’m gonna fuck you.”
“Okay.” She dropped down and sat on the bed.
Travis whipped his shirt off and tossed it to the floor. He liked the way her eyes moved over his body. Her sexy mouth lifted slightly at the corner and there was a hungry glint in the brown depths of her eyes. He was glad she liked what she saw. He unbuttoned his jeans and he saw her bite her bottom lip. This was really strange. He was performing for her; usually it was the other way around. It made him feel … sexy. He smiled and turned and headed to the bathroom. He opened the glass door and turned on the cold water. He eased his jeans over his raging boner and got in. Quickly, he soaped down. He took a deep breath and took his dick in hand and began to stroke. In his head he was already inside Vivienne. He closed his eyes and just let nature take its course; he didn’t even have to work hard. Bracing his hand against the wall he moved his hand over his cock. His breathing was rapid and shallow when he felt that familiar tingling heat engulf him, he was seconds away. Jerking harder, he bit his lip as his balls tightened and he exploded. The sound that came from him nearly scared him as he shot his cum all over the shower wall. His legs were shaking and he could barely stand. He washed himself quickly then reached over and turned off the water and opened the shower door. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Pushing his wet hair out of his face, he looked up and saw that Vivienne was sitting at the end of the bed with her big purse on her lap. She’d seen the entire thing. Travis refused to be self-conscious about beating off in front of her as he stalked out of the bathroom. Stopping just in front of her, he pulled her to her feet and kissed her. Her mouth opened under the onslaught and he felt her big bag between them. He didn’t break the kiss as he pulled it out of her hands and dropped it at their feet. Vivienne slid her hands around his waist and he pulled her in closer. Travis had forgotten how much he liked kissing a woman. And Vivienne's kiss was so sweet. Her body trembled in his arms and her heart raced next to his. He could just kiss her forever. Slowly, he felt her hands move up his body, leaving a trail of fire. His head was swimming in desire. He just had to get inside her. He broke the kiss. “We need to slow down.”
You Shook Me All Night Long Page 2