Chapter Twenty-two
We drive in silence for thirty minutes out of Minneapolis. I have no idea where we’re going. Every once in a while, Tristan glances over at me. The little buzz that I did have is fading now.
Finally, we pull up to this little shack outside of the city. It kind of reminds me of a bar back home. I don’t mean Ann Arbor, where I spent the last eight years, but home where I grew up in Northern Michigan. There are a few pickup trucks parked out front and even a couple of bikes. Some people are hardcore still riding them around in the middle of October, especially in these colder states. One day it could rain, and on the next it could snow.
Phil pulls up to the door and asks, “Do you want me to wait around awhile, Tristan?”
Tristan, grabbing the door handle, shakes his head.
“Nah. I’ll call you when we’re ready.”
I wonder what Phil will be doing while we’re inside. And how long will we be inside, too? Scooting over the seat, Tristan reaches for my hand. I shiver on the inside at the sweet gesture. Taking hold of his hand, I jump down from the SUV.
“Where the hell are we?” I ask, covering my upper arms with my hands, my forearms crossed over my chest.
“It’s cool. Just this little place I know. Just the locals usually. Not like the crowd you get in the city.”
Tristan places his hand on my lower back and leads me to the door. Suddenly I feel self-conscious. If I would have known we were going to a small town bar, maybe I would’ve just put a T-shirt on and not some corset with the tops of my breasts bulging out.
147 Tristan uses his other hand and swings open the wooden door. Music is blaring in the background. I know it must only be around six, seven at the latest. To my relief, they’re not playing country. Stepping inside, I scan the room: a few men sit at the bar, a couple plays pool, and only one of the tables has a group.
“What do you think?” Tristan grins at me.
Smiling back, I shrug my shoulders and say, “It works.” He shakes his head, grinning, and leads me to a table that’s more
in the center of the tiny bar. Checking it out, it’s pretty “hills style” in here. The walls are made of cedar, I think, with different kinds of beer paraphernalia decor on them. There are mounted deer and bear heads and some fish. The bar wraps around in a U shape around the perimeter with the one side having some tables laid out and a jukebox in the corner. The other side of the bar has a few more tables with a foosball and pool table pushed off in the corner.
Grabbing a hold of the chair, I pull it out from underneath the table. A couple of men turn to look at me. Yep, I might have to grab Tristan’s jacket later. Oh wait! I think he left it in the SUV. Shit!
Well then, I need a drink. And, besides, I doubt that anyone will try anything. I showed up with the sexy version of Paul Bunyan, so I should be okay. Tristan bends down, holding the table.
“Going to get us a round. Beer good?” Nodding to him, I smile and turn my face away. This is so insane that I’m having a casual night with Tristan.
I watch him stalk over to the bar. There’re no servers at this place, just one little old man. Tristan slides some money across the bar at him and looks to me as he speaks.
The little old man grabs a pitcher from the shelf and goes over to the tap and begins to fill it. I doubt it’s Coors light, but I don’t really care right now either. Being around Tristan when he’s not being a jerk, or um . . . fucking me, is different, but I like it. I have so many butterflies in my stomach right now with anticipation on what tonight will bring. I’m down with having a good time and getting to know him. And I’m also anxious to see what tonight will bring after we’re done with here. My smile on my face is huge now, starting to make my cheekbones hurt.
Tristan carries over the pitcher, smiling back at me.
“What?” he asks, as he sets the pitcher down. In his other hand, he has two glasses clasped between his fingers.
Peering up at him, I shake my head and say, “Nothing.” “Don’t lie to me, Sophia. What?”
He sits down in the chair next to me and starts pouring our drinks.
“Nothing, I swear. It’s just nice being in a place like this. Reminds me of home.”
I kind of lied, but hey, I’m not going to say “hanging out with you and possibly fucking later.”
“Oh, I know. I hate the city scene sometimes. I came across this place the last time I was touring through Minneapolis. Dave and I found it. The best part is you can get hammered and someone will bring you back where you need to go.” His smile spreads further across his face.
“Are you saying you want me to get hammered?” I quirk my eyebrow up at him, teasing.
He laughs, rubbing his hand over his scruffy face.
“Well, that’s up to you. I’m just saying, it’s nice to let go and not having to worry about the people around. I don’t know if you know this, Sophia, but eventually photos of you will start getting out everywhere. When you’re at a low-key place like this . . . ” He leans back with his arms out. “You don’t usually have to worry about that bullshit.”
“Yeah, I guess. I just really haven’t been thinking that far ahead. I just thought it would take years for it to come to that.”
Grabbing my beer, I take a long drink. When I place the glass back down, Tristan is staring at me with his arms draped behind him. He shrugs and leans back toward me, resting his forearms on the table.
“You may think that, but you guys are killing it. I don’t think it will be that long Sophia. Your voice is very compelling. Shit.” He pulls back and continues. “Haven’t you been reading what they’ve been saying about you?”
Oh yeah, I forgot to check that out. Shaking my head no, I reach for my beer again.
After taking another drink, I say, “No, not yet.”
I shrug my shoulders glancing down at the table.
“I guess I was too scared.”
Peering up at him through my lashes I see him sitting there still with wonder and amusement in his eyes. Tristan reaches over to take a drink of his beer and mumbles something to himself. Giving him a look, I reach for my drink again. He sets his drink down, which is almost gone already with just the one gulp.
“Well, believe me. It’s mostly good shit.”
Mostly? I jerk my head a little. What the fuck does that mean? “Huh?”
“Oh, you know. Some people are gonna hate. I mean, you got talent and your looks are drop-dead gorgeous.”
He gestures his hands up and down my body. And the butterflies are now storming around in my stomach.
“Give yourself some credit. A lot of people can’t sing that well naturally with all this computer shit they have going on nowadays. Just jealous is all.” He presses his lips in his mouth and glances over to the jukebox. I follow his stare and wonder what kind of tunes they have going on that thing.
Leaning over to my side, I reach in my back pocket for a bill. It’s time to play DJ. Pulling out a five-dollar bill, I point at Tristan.
“I’ll be right back.”
Getting up to my feet, I make my way over to the jukebox. I was feeling Tristan’s stare on me the entire time. This feels good. Tristan is showing another side that I never knew existed. Before, I was intimidated and pissed. Now I actually like hanging out with him. Plus, he’s some good fucking eye candy. And just knowing that, maybe later, something might happen . . . Damn. It’s awesome.
Flipping through the songs they have to offer, I see a lot of nineties and big eighties music on here. Not really a whole lot of modern. That’s okay though. I love nineties music, so I select bands like Bush and Stone Temple Pilots.
After I’m done with my selections, I twirl on my heels and see Tristan leaning back in his chair. Watching me and smiling. Once I get back to the table, I pour myself another drink.
“What was there?” He nods over to the jukebox.
“Shouldn’t you know? Weren’t you here before?”
“I never paid attention to it.”
He licks his lips before taking another drink, finishing it off. We sit there for a while laughing about casual shit and joking around. Finally I notice my music starting to play. First choice: Bush’s “Mouth.” This song sends these tingles through me, especially with Tristan and I sitting so close to each other right now. And knowing exactly where his mouth has been . . . And mine, too. The images of us begin to make me feel carnal.
The little, old man bartender is on his game tonight too. He must have noticed that Tristan poured the last drink of the pitcher and comes right over making us another round. Staring at Tristan’s full lips as he runs his tongue on them makes me want to do the same with them. Only with my own tongue . . .
“So,” Tristan pauses and gazes at me.
“So,” I say in return. Kind of mockingly.
The little, old man sets down the pitcher and gives me a quick smile. Feeling pretty good right now, I smile back, showing all my teeth. Taking hold of the pitcher, I pour myself another drink.
“You’re a good little drinker, aren’t you?”
Tristan starts laughing and takes hold of the pitcher from me.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been watching you every time we go out. For how tiny you are, you sure can hold your booze.”
Tristan takes a drink but stares at me as he does.
“This coming from the man that betted against me a few weeks ago?”
I quirk my eyebrow at him, pressing out my lips so it looks like I’m puckering a little. Maybe it’s a little Zoolanderish, but oh well! I’m drunk!
“I only did that to piss you off ”
He gives me this cocky grin. Son of a bitch. I knew it!
“Well, I hate to admit it. But it did. Just a little.”
Tristan starts laughing, and he rests his hand on my thigh. Instantly, the touch does things to me. My body starts to feel this electricity run through my veins, making it feel hot everywhere. Just a simple touch, I know; but when it’s Tristan’s hand on me, I only crave more of it. When he releases his hand, the area becomes suddenly cold. His eyes grow a bit darker when he stares at me, but he still has a half smile playing on him. I better start up another conversation, or we’ll probably end up fucking right here on this damn table. I just know it. Taking another drink, I clear my throat.
“So . . . ”
What to say, what to say? Being kind of fuzzy-headed right now, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“I know you said before you were pissed about the previous band and shit, but that still doesn’t give you an excuse to treat me like shit.” Holding my glass, I stick out my index finger, pointing toward him. “I mean . . . It’s not like I’m a bad person or something.”
Shit! I really have to start focusing a bit. The alcohol is starting to consume me. Just after he tells me that I can pretty much hold my own.
Tristan rolls his eyes, shaking his head. Taking a drink from his beer, he sets it down and gives me this hooded gaze. He pulls out his cell and texts someone. Placing the phone back in his pocket, he takes another drink. Not saying anything.
“What?” I ask.
Did I say something wrong? Damn booze confidence. Maybe I crossed some stupid line or something. Tristan looks right at me, not showing any emotion but the dark look in his eyes.
With a really quick, sharp answer, he growls, “No.”
Um . . . Okay. Whatever. I’m just going to brush it off. I thought we were becoming friends, at least while on the tour. So I should be able to speak my mind comfortably. It’s funny. Stone Temple Pilots is playing now. And the lyrics to that song go “Time to take her home, her dizzy head is conscience laden.” I kind of feel like that right now. I giggle to myself at the thought. Tristan sits up straight.
“What’s funny?” he says almost agitated.
The tone in his voice kind of throws me off guard. Sitting up straight, I blurt out, “The song.”
Using my thumb, I point toward the jukebox. Tristan looks at me funny and asks, “What about it?”
It’s almost like he’s intrigued.
Laughing again I say, “‘Time to take her home.’ I’m pretty buzzed and it just seemed funny, I guess.”
I shrug my shoulders and take another drink.
Just then, Tristan’s phone went off. He reaches down and pulls it out of his pants, not looking up at me, and says, “Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Okay? I take it that he must’ve texted Phil earlier when I saw him on his phone. Standing up too quickly, I feel a rush spread over me. It could’ve been from the beer, or it could’ve been how dark Tristan turned and ordering me what to do. And for the fact that I’m actually following along.
I start to move and quickly lean on the table. Damn it! I’m really buzzed. What the hell? Laughing at myself, Tristan says nothing and puts his arm around my waist so that I’m leaning against his hard body. Mmm . . . I like this.
Tristan bends down to whisper in my ear, “Are you okay?” Nodding to him, smiling I say, “of course.” He finally smiles again but it fades quick. Leading me through the door, he helps me into the SUV. And I feel his hand directly on my ass when he does. Oh my god! He’s not playing coy at all. Climbing in after me, he scoots right up on me. On the way here, he put a little distance between us. But now, he’s holding me close to him with his one arm and using his hand to tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear.
I look up at him and I see that he is just staring down at me. With his mouth in a tight line. Breathing hard.
My body starts to react. Feeling hotter than it did moments ago and tingling where he is touching me. My core is starting to throb a little at the anticipation of what maybe or hopefully is to come.
Pressing my thighs together to dull the ache Tristan notices my squirming.
He licks his bottom lip slowly and all I can think of, is how his tongue would feel on my most delicate area again.
153 I’m breathing heavier now too. It’s hard to do wearing such a tight top. I see his eyes go from my face down to my chest. Watching my breast move up and down with my breathing.
Suddenly he bends down and slowly licks the top of my left breast. Holy shit! I know I should be thinking about Phil being right there, but all I can think about is Tristan. Tristan touching me. Licking me and hopefully soon be fucking me.
I press my lips to his neck and slowly lick up toward his ear. Every once in a while stopping to lay a gentle kiss along the way. He growls in my ear and reaching up tugging my hair. Pulling my lips away from him. Ouch! What the fuck?
He leans down and whispers on my lips. “Don’t!” Then he kisses me briefly before softly growling at me again. “I didn’t say you could do that.” Huh? Okay my spinning head is a little confused right now. My body is aching to touch and kiss him everywhere. And he doesn’t want me to? He can lay his hands all over me and expect me to just calmly sit there?
I try to pull my way out of his arms but he just pulls me closer to him. Crashing in to his firm chest.
“Don’t!” he says to me then he crashes his full lips down on to mine. Kissing me hard. Like he’s starving for me. I taste the sweet taste of beer on his breath and the salt on his lips. I open my mouth up partially letting him in. He uses his tongue forcefully though and crashes deep into my mouth. His hands start caressing my body and I let him. Feeling every inch of me. Cupping my breast and gripping it as we make out here in the back of the SUV. With Phil right there.
But I don’t care. I’m too built up right now to even give a damn. I hesitantly press my hands against Tristan hard chest. Thinking he might pull away again. But he doesn’t and I begin to caress his chest, feeling every hard inch of him. His chest moving up and down heavily.
Now it’s my turn to be a little tease, I pull back some, removing my hands from. I feel my swollen lips and see his in the hints of light that we pass by as we make our way back into the city. He growls low and crashes down at me again, but I pull back aw
ay. I don’t know why I’m doing this, but seeing Tristan’s reaction turns me on even more. I lazily peer up at him through my lashes and bite down on my lower lip. And that’s all it took to throw Tristan over the edge.
“Pull over!” he yells at Phil, and Phil instantly pulls off to the side of the road. Dirt and rocks flying behind the vehicle as we quickly pull off. What in the hell is he doing?
“Come back here in twenty.” Tristan commands him and then yanks me by my arm hard. Shit it feels like he pulled it out of socket. Slamming the door hard, Phil quickly pulls out, and the last thing I notice is the headlights fading away in front of me. We’re not right in the city yet, but the outskirts. There’s only a few street lights around and warehouses. Tristan grabbing my arm tightly, he pushes me into an alley and my back hits the cold concrete wall hard. The chill of the October night cools my already on fire skin. Tristan grabs my neck and with one hand and the other grabbing my chin firmly pushes it upward.
“What the he—” He crashes his entire body onto mine, stopping me dead in my tracks. He rips away from me, with a carnal look his eyes he growls, “Shut up! Just shut the fuck up.” His lips find mine again, Massaging them with his, roughly. I know part of me, the feminist part is screaming for me to stop this, but I’m way too hot right now at Tristan’s dominance to give a shit. I let him take me. Whatever I did to send him over the edge was well worth it as of right now.
Tristan grabs the top of my corset and rips it open, sending the buttons flying everywhere. Hearing the clinking noises of them when they hit the pavement. My breast are fully exposed right now and Tristan groans real quick before he leans down and takes one nipple his mouth. Sucking forcefully his other hand has my right breast cupped. The chill in the air and how hot I am, make my nipples like pebbles right now and my breast feel heavy with need.
My head falls back and I begin to moan, stroking my fingers through Tristan’s thick soft hair.
I’m letting him take me like this. And I don’t care.
Everything I Want Page 17