Provoke

by Rachel Van Dyken

  He didn’t turn around.

  Two could play this game.

  I took a big bite and yelled. But instead of Braden, I screamed, “Drew.”

  He turned around so fast he nearly dropped his guitar. “Oh, it’s like that, huh?”

  I chewed and then started to laugh, only to have him stalk toward me like the sex god he was. He pulled me against him, which was weird since I was still chewing, and then he turned my head to the side and very slowly licked up my neck. He finished the lick with a soft bite, moaning my name, then followed it up with, “Since you needed a proper demonstration.”

  I swallowed the last bite of my scone. “Of?”

  “What I’m thinking of when I eat my orgasmic scone. It will definitely be a tie between licking you and eating it. Then again, I could eat you too.” He left me staring at him slack-jawed and more confused than ever.

  Later, when I took my shower, I could still feel his tongue on my neck. My breasts felt heavy. My thighs decided they wanted to wrap around his lean body again and again. I was in way over my head.

  And I would be leaving in two weeks.

  Chapter Nine

  Braden

  Damn, I was losing my mind.

  I woke up thinking, hey, we should see where this incredible thing between us goes, only to be totally shut down when I realized that this was temporary. Duh, what did I think? That she’d fall madly in love with me? Possibly stay after the twenty-one days were over? I mean, shit, we were already past the five-day mark!

  She was attracted to me, I knew it. I also knew she was nervous about crossing lines. But what if I invited her to do just that? I eyed her again. I wasn’t giving up, not now, not ever. When I wanted something, I went for it one hundred percent. And I wanted her.

  I hated that she’d gotten distant. So, in pure jackass form, I did the same. Until I teased her again and realized I’d rather have twenty-one days of teasing, laughter, and kissing than nothing at all.

  Hadn’t the incident reminded me of that?

  I shuddered.

  I could still feel the texture of her skin on my tongue, and damn, she’d tasted sweet. I zeroed in on the coffee table and told myself to cool the hell down. I took a deep breath and walked outside with my coffee. I needed to literally cool my body so I didn’t propose sex instead of life coaching.

  “All right.” Piper nearly sent me over the edge of the balcony with her sudden appearance. She had on a black sundress with a leather jacket, paired with short black boots that were tied loosely around her swollen foot.

  Adorable, but not proper beachwear at all.

  I eyed her up and down. “Are we going to a seance?”

  She ignored me and pulled out a terrifyingly large—you guessed it, black—purse, then threw it over her shoulder. “We’re going to go have some fun, converse in large crowds, and then I have a really cool surprise for you.”

  My eyes narrowed as I pointed at her. “Yeah, that smile right there is a bit terrifying. It’s almost like you’re plotting to take over the world but do it in an evil way because you’re dressed like you’re headed to a funeral.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Put a shirt on. Let’s go!”

  I pouted. “But I like my abs.”

  “Yes, so does everyone else. If you want to get mobbed, by all means.”

  “Solid point.” I grinned. “Hey, does everyone include you, Coach?”

  She bit her lip.

  “Don’t be embarrassed. I’ll let you touch a bit more. Nobody has to know…”

  “Not tempted.” Her cheeks flashed red. “But thanks.”

  “Yeah you are. Come on, one hand on the ab, one hand squeezing the pec, a million times better than your scone.”

  “Pretty sure even I don’t have the self-control to squeeze a pec and an ab at one time and not change our plans.” She grinned. “Shirt. Now.”

  “So you’re saying I tempt you.” I winked. “Good.” I breezed past her back into the living room, then went to my room and pulled down a black graphic T-shirt and added a black beanie to match.

  When I got back to the kitchen, she looked like she wanted to say something but didn’t.

  “What?” I grinned. “Do I have too much black on?”

  She sighed in exasperation. “You’re impossible.”

  “Hey! I just wanted to match.” I swung my arm around her shoulders. “Let’s do this, Coach.”

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re annoyingly chipper in the mornings?”

  “No,” I answered honestly. “Because I don’t do random sex, so there’s no one to wake up to and annoy.”

  She stopped walking. “What?”

  I frowned. “Are you seriously shocked I don’t do random hookups?”

  Her lips parted and then closed, and she shot me a considering look. “Maybe?”

  “Not all rock stars are manwhores with drug addictions, Piper. When I have sex with a girl it’s because I’m committed, not because I’m using my fame to get laid.”

  “That’s…” She shook her head. “Very mature of you.”

  “I want love,” I explained and then smirked. “I think I have my next vision board post.”

  “Make sure to put it far, far away from the glitter dick.” She patted me on the shoulder.

  “Noted.” I laughed. “All right, you wanna take the Jeep or the R8?”

  “Jeep.” She didn’t even hesitate. I was half in love already. It was a test, always a test with women. Do you want the status or the fun? Not that a sports car isn’t fun, but it’s the beach, not LA.

  “Jeep it is.” I grabbed the keys from my garage and opened her door for her, then handed her a scarf. “Before you jump to conclusions, I keep this in here for my mom, not for my harem. It will keep your hair from sticking to your lip gloss. My mama raised me right.”

  Before I could pull away, Piper grabbed me by the arm and then leaned up to kiss me on the cheek. Our eyes locked. “Thank you.”

  Damn, I wanted that mouth on mine. “Coach, I’ll buy you hoards of scarves if that’s the result.”

  “It’s not the scarf, it’s the unnecessary explanation. I appreciate it. I’m not very, um, trusting. And we aren’t even in a relationship, so thank you.”

  “Not yet, you mean,” I said with a challenging grin.

  She smiled. “Many have tried, all have failed.”

  “Clients?”

  “Boys,” she corrected.

  “Good thing I’m all man,” was my response as I helped her into her seat and then walked over to my side.

  She had no idea the motivation behind it, but she made me feel something I hadn’t felt in quite a few months.

  Lucky to be alive.

  * * * *

  I drove us around Seaside, which was always calming. My mom had taken us there every year for Labor Day weekend, and I remembered walking by the beach house thinking, one day I’m going to be famous enough to buy that house and fix it up.

  I was able to buy it when I was nineteen.

  It helped that Seaside was somehow this hidden vacation spot for celebs and musicians. It did rain, but the thing about Seaside precipitation was that it never took away from the beauty of the white sand beaches or the ocean waves as they crashed onto the shore.

  “You’re quiet,” Piper pointed out as I pulled into downtown and parked on the street.

  I shrugged. “I mean this as a total compliment, so don’t get that look girls get when they want to chop off your balls and feed them to you—but you’re easy to be quiet around. It’s not forced or awkward, I can just be alone with my thoughts.”

  Her face broke out into a gorgeous smile that I wanted to kiss until my mouth hurt, the same way my heart did just to touch her. “Thank you.”

  I grinned. “Did we just have a moment?”

  “And you were doing so good, Rock Star.”

  “Sorry, Coach.” I winked. “So I’m parked downtown. What’s this fun we’re going to have?”

  “
Follow me.” She held out her hand and then seemed to realize this was work and not a date. But I was quick enough to catch her hand and squeeze it, holding it as she led us along the semi-busy sidewalk.

  I never thought holding hands with someone would make me smile like an idiot, but here I was, swinging our arms back and forth thinking, I’m so fucking glad I’m here right now.

  What a frightening thought.

  That’s what therapists didn’t tell you about depression. That the good days are almost more terrifying than the bad days because you’ve been given the gift of feeling free for a few hours and are petrified that you’re going to lose that happiness. So it’s almost like you can’t enjoy it.

  Depression is sort of self-sabotage at times, and I knew I was my own worst enemy, because the minute I started to enjoy myself, I felt guilty about it.

  “Hey!” Piper gripped my hand tighter. “Focus on me, okay?”

  I exhaled, not realizing I’d been holding my breath. “Okay.”

  “So, tell me a small goal you have, something you’re going to focus on or accomplish during our little trip of fun.”

  “Hmm, how about we trade?” I teased. “Small goal for a small goal?”

  “Ah, he thinks he can negotiate.”

  I gave a playful shrug. “Probably because he’s so sexy.”

  “Ha!” Piper burst out laughing.

  I put my hand on my chest. “You wound me, fair maiden.”

  “Oh please,” She tugged me a bit harder as we picked up our pace then crossed the street onto the boardwalk. “You know you’re sexy. It’s practically oozing from your pores.”

  I frowned. “See, I want to see that as a compliment but then you said oozing and pores, and it kinda killed it for me. I’m sure you understand.”

  She looked around us. “You really don’t notice all the stares we’re getting or all the cell phones that keep getting pointed in your direction? I swear one girl looked ready to pass out.”

  I gripped her hand as she led me down toward the aquarium. “Honestly, I don’t notice it anymore, especially when the only girl I want to pass out, or swoon if you will, has been holding my hand for exactly four and a half minutes.” I winked. “I counted.”

  “So you were counting during our conversation. I must be boring.” She laughed.

  “Multi-tasker.” I pointed at myself with my free hand. “Just tell me when I’m supposed to stop and oomph—” I ran right into her as she stopped in front of the aquarium and gave me a triumphant look. “The aquarium?”

  “The aquarium,” she repeated. “Come on, let’s go, the day’s burning!”

  I followed her inside. “Yeah, I hate to be the needle that bursts the balloon at a toddler’s birthday party, but…I’ve been coming here since I was like ten. I know the seals by name, not by choice, out of necessity so I don’t get splashed.”

  Piper just smiled her sweet smile and paid the six-dollar fee for both of us to get in and get fish to toss to them. I had no choice but to follow her.

  Maybe this was just her idea of fun?

  Not that it was boring since she was with me, but still.

  I took my cup of raw fish and went to the corner. The seals swam around then flipped over and splashed.

  Piper laughed and tossed in some fish, and then she started to speak. “I know you think everything we do is juvenile, but I promise it has a purpose. You see that seal over there? The one lying on the cement sleeping?”

  “It would be hard not to see him,” I said. “He’s ginormous.”

  “He’s sleeping, not eating,” she pointed out.

  “He’s probably full from all the food he already ate.” I countered.

  “Possibly.” She tilted her head. “Who’s your favorite seal?”

  “Seriously?”

  She elbowed me.

  “Fine, I like Kona over there. She’s a bit smaller than the others—” I stopped talking when what looked like a bus full of teens came barreling into the aquarium, purchasing tickets at record speed and joining us over by the seals.

  I immediately started sweating.

  The guy at the incident, the one who’d caused it, had been in high school, and suffered from some pretty deep psychological issues. He’d thought I was sending him a message in my music to kill everyone at my concert because I was tired of fame.

  It was a song about love.

  My chest tightened, and I suddenly couldn’t breathe.

  “I like Kona,” Piper finally said. “I think I agree.”

  “Right.” My eyes darted around, trying to focus on something to anchor me so I didn’t freak the hell out.

  And then a hand touched my back, slipped around me, and clung. It was Piper’s hand.

  I instantly relaxed and wrapped a protective arm around her.

  “The thing about people and crowds,” Piper said as the seals swam in circles, “is when we go through something traumatic, when it’s related to lots of people, we always look inward. We imagine everyone’s looking at us, judging us. Maybe they’re hiding a knife, perhaps they’re insane, maybe they’re going to charge. The thoughts become so chaotic that all you can focus on is the maybes and the what-ifs.”

  I exhaled a shaky breath. “Not really helping, Piper.”

  “But,” she continued, “is anyone even looking in your direction?”

  I frowned. “Give it time.”

  “Hey!” she shouted. “Holy shit, is that Braden Connor?”

  All attention turned to me.

  That was it. I was going to throw her over my shoulder and march out of here then tie her to my bed.

  Way better idea.

  A few people nodded in my direction, while a couple of girls took pictures. Then one approached, at a safe distance. “Hi, I know you’re with your girlfriend, but can we take a selfie?”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her no, but then I realized it was because I was petrified of a sixteen-year-old girl with braces.

  How’s that for a come-to-Jesus moment?

  “Sure.” I nodded and gave her a warm smile. “I always have time for fans.”

  “Awesome!” She bounced up on her Converses and then held up her phone. She snapped a few shots while making a peace sign.

  Slowly, a few others drifted up until most of them just moved into a different part of the aquarium.

  “So,” Piper said when they were all but gone, “what’s the verdict?”

  “You mean before or after you nearly gave me a heart attack and made me want to tie you to my bed as punishment?”

  “Really? That would be a punishment? Something I don’t know, Braden?”

  I let out a little growl, grabbed her by the hand, and pushed her up against the wall of the aquarium. I captured her lip between my teeth before kissing down her neck and then back up, tasting her skin, only to find her mouth again. I parted it with my tongue and wished I was parting something else.

  She moaned into my mouth and then threw her arms around my neck. I lifted her up against the wall, pressing her into it, pinning her there with my body as I deepened the kiss, only to pull away and murmur against her ear, “That was a thank-you kiss.”

  “I liked it.” Her chest heaved while her blue eyes searched mine. “It’s okay to be afraid, Braden. What’s not okay is letting that fear take away what makes your heart beat.”

  “You make my heart beat,” I whispered.

  She cupped my cheek with her hand. “I was talking about music.”

  “Can’t it beat for both?” I asked.

  She nodded, not saying anything, and then kissed me again.

  Behind us, a throat cleared, and I broke away from her only to see a few of the high schoolers from before holding up their cell phones with grins on their faces.

  I burst out laughing. “Ah, caught red-handed. Thanks, guys.”

  They all chuckled and then went back to their business while I slowly let Piper go.

  I hated every second she wasn’t in my arms.
>
  Piper gave me a huge grin and then whispered, “Time for the rest of your surprise.”

  “You naked?”

  “Be serious.”

  My dick strained against my jeans, reminding me that one of us, at least, was serious. “Coach…”

  She just sighed like I was impossible, which I was because I was me, and she was her.

  “Let’s go, Braden.”

  I held out my hand. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

  She took it and smiled. “How could I? It’s all I keep thinking about, holding your hand in one hand and trying to calm my racing heart with the other.”

  “How’s that working out for you?”

  She placed my hand on her chest and whispered, “What do you think?”

  I stayed quiet, allowed my mind to wander as I registered the heavy thud-thud of her heart beneath my palm. And then I said, “I think I want it to beat for me more than I want anything else.”

  Tears filled her eyes as she gave me a small nod.

  We walked in silence out of the aquarium and then headed downtown. We covered all of Main Street until we hit one of my favorite restaurants. The Seaside Grill, home of the best fish and chips a person could ask for—and also a really cool place to hang outside with their outdoor patio, heaters, and firepits.

  The minute she led me up the stairs, I paused.

  The entire band was there.

  All of Adrenaline, Ty, Will, Drew, and Trevor. And the guys from AD2 who were also going on tour with us, Demetri and Alec. Finally, Zane. They were without their wives and girlfriends, which was just about as easy as asking for world peace.

  I gaped. “Are we having…bro night?”

  “Huzzah!” Demetri lifted a cider and then said, “The wives did put forth rules, however.”

  I laughed. “Let me guess, only chick drinks and bring home fries?”

  “Basically,” Zane grumbled and crossed his arms, staring at his cider like it was going to attack him.

  For the most part, none of the guys drank because it was too easy to make it a crutch on the road, and also because most of them had dealt with a lot of heroin and cocaine addictions over the years. Ergo, they just stayed clear of it entirely. The fact that they were out here with me? Miracle.