Stolen Songs

by Samantha Armstrong

  My mouth is too preoccupied chewing the inside of my lip when I realize his finger has hooked the side of my panties. My heart races. And then he slowly tugs them down.

  I can't even fathom the embarrassment because the lust is greedy and it's taking over my body.

  When my panties are finally off, I don't see where he is, I don't feel him either, but I'm too scared to move, and I stare at the ceiling for a brief moment, until his hand grips my thigh, while the other squeezes my waist tighter, and I feel his lips on my stomach. Softly they press down against my skin, and each time they touch, the contact sends a searing jolt through my belly and ignites that flame between my legs. When his lips reach my breast, he caresses each one with the pure talent of his tongue, and the sensation between my thighs is boiling, so close to boiling over, I have to push him back. When he breaks free, goosebumps take over at the loss of his warmth. He’s breathing heavily.

  The stare I hold doesn’t last long when he breaks it and captures my mouth in more than just a kiss.

  The flick of his tongue conspires together with the finger I can feel dancing in between my legs. The closer it gets, the faster my heart is thumping, and the hungrier my kisses become. And then, it slips inside. I dig my nails into his back, and moan against his lips.

  My hands run through his disheveled hair, and I listen to his heavy breathing beside my ear. When he pulls back there’s a glint in his eye and it’s radiating the brightness etched across his face. I stare back at him with the same expression taunting mine, and in this moment, there’s nothing more I want than all of him.

  My hands fall from his bare chest to the top of his jeans. His breath catches and he shakes his head, groaning. There’s a slight tremble in my hands as I unbutton his jeans, and tug. One of his hands brushes over mine, stilling the nerves, and as we watch each other, I finally give in to the temptation and so does he. He shifts above me and removes his jeans and then, his boxers.

  Kingsley

  I press all of her to me.

  Fuck.

  I’m screwed.

  I can’t help myself as I run my hands up the curve of her hip, over her breasts, to her shoulders. And when I flick my gaze to her swollen lips, and bright blue eyes. It is my undoing.

  “My guess is you’re not on the pill?”

  “I haven’t been to the doctor’s in years.”

  I pause above her. “Are you serious?”

  She nods, and I shake my head. I reach over to the bedside table and pull out a condom before I really lose all control. I glance back at her and her skin flushes a deep, beautiful, innocent red. “Can we turn off the lights?” she whispers.

  “No way. How will I see what I’m stealing?”

  “You’re not meant to get caught.”

  “Maybe I want to.”

  She laughs and covers her face with her hands again. “I like it when you get all shy.” I remove her hands and kiss her cheeks. I kiss every part of her face. “You can’t keep up that tough facade forever.” I slowly trace kisses down her neck, her shoulders, her stomach.

  “Kingsley,” she gasps. God, my name’s never sounded so good before. “I’m new at this. What if I’m no good at it?”

  I pull myself back and look at her. “That’d be impossible.” I say, then wink. “I’m sure you’ll be stealing my virtue in no time.”

  She laughs, and I take it in. The sound sends my heart rate soaring. She’s beautiful.

  I watch her chest rise, and fall deeply. “I’m going to ask you one last time, Maddison. Are you sure you want to do this?” I don’t know how my voice comes out so sure, but it’s holding onto the thinning strings of whatever dignity is left over.

  She pulls my head down to hers, and as she kisses me she says, “I’m positive.”

  I smile against her kisses and hold her close. Her body is so warm, and smooth. Her breasts press against my chest, and it feels so damn good.

  “I trust you,” she whispers.

  I pull away, reaching for the condom, my hands shaking. God, she makes me nervous. I can’t look up at her. I find the condom and tear it open. I want to tell her what this means to me. This is no game. This is the most real thing in my life. I want to tell her how she’s got me under her spell but the words won’t come. Her hand touches my hip, and I look up. Her eyes are bright. “You afraid to break in now, huh?”

  How can she be so cool? So calm? This is no joke. I frown. “Maddy,” I take a breath. “I want you to know how much you mean to me.”

  Her eyes glisten, and her fingers dig into my arms. “Okay. I’m really ready.”

  I pull the condom on, and before I even look up, she pulls me onto her. I hold myself up on my elbows, looking into her eyes, and push into her.

  She sucks in a breath, and I let out one.

  Fucking hell. Maybe she is the devil.

  I hold her close. “How did I get so lucky?”

  “Obviously a shoddy security system.” I laugh, and she shakes her head. “That was so cheesy. God, I’m spending too much time with you.”

  I snicker and bring my hand to my heart. “Ouch.” I see her grin. I kiss her head. Both of us are content to stay in our worlds forever. I can’t believe she shared her body with me. I want to protect it forever. Fuck. I realize I’m more fragile than anything she’s stolen. I never want to lose her.

  I hold her head against my chest. Her finger begins trailing up and down my skin, until it stops on my scar. I stiffen, and then she leans forward and presses her lips to it without knowing what it means to me.

  Maddison

  I wake up to Kingsley kissing my face. “Good morning, beautiful.” His lips move to my neck, and I smile as the touch takes me back to the best night of my life. Those hands, his touch, that tongue. . . Holy shit. The memories are too much, and I’m getting flustered. “Are you ready for today?”

  “What’s happening today?”

  He pulls back with a cheeky smile across his face. “A lot.”

  I pull myself away from him and find my clothes sprawled across the floor. “I really should be practicing.”

  “I can think of a few things we can practice.” Now my cheeks really do flush. I shoot him a glare with a smile adamantly taking over. He chuckles.

  “I’m being serious, Kingsley.” He’s still laughing as he falls back into the bed, and when he stops he props himself up again, and with the way he’s looking at me, I really do want to take him up on those lessons. “What?”

  There’s a brightness to him that I can feel burning into me. “Maddison, you are amazing. There’s not much more practicing you can do.”

  I grunt as I button up my jeans. “There’s always practice to do if I want to get into Juilliard, and I need to go see my brother and sisters.”

  “Let me just have the morning then, please? And sorry to disappoint, but we won’t be getting any practice in.” He winks, and my body’s fully overheating, craving that unspoken pleasure. “I’ve got other things planned.”

  I pull my top down to see him staring at me with big puppy eyes. “Oh, fine.”

  He jumps from the bed, in his boxers with a big smile on his face, and as he passes me, he slaps my ass. “You may want to put that bikini back on.”

  “Why?”

  “We’re going back out on the water. Unless you want to go au naturel.” He winks and I roll my eyes. “I like that look.”

  “Yeah right,” I mutter.

  “Come on.” He’s leaning against a sailing boat, shirtless. He looks like a fucking angel. His light brown hair is messy and brushing his forehead. His skin is a beautiful tanned color that my pasty white skin envies, and his smile is just purely unfair. “I’ve been on the sailing team since I was like ten, I’m pretty good.”

  “You better be, or you’re rescuing me. I can’t swim, remember?”

  “Maybe that’s my plan.”

  I shake my head as I hesitantly make my way into the water. When I reach the side of the boat, I rest my hands against the s
mooth, polished wood.

  “Here.” I turn around, and he pulls a life jacket over my head and fastens it. “Do you feel safer now?”

  “No.” I gulp. He kisses my forehead, then chucks me on board before I can protest. I squeal as my heart leaps out of my chest. The boat rocks from side to side, and I’m holding on for dear life.

  He pushes us out, then jumps on, working the ropes and guiding us out into the bay. The further we get, the more my muscles begin to relax. I’m lying flat on my stomach at the front of the boat, looking out across the bay. It is purely magical. The morning sun glistens across the water, the cool breeze brushing my hair back out of my face. I glance over my shoulder and watch him. He looks so peaceful, and my stomach dips from the sudden rush of butterflies. His gaze meets mine and he smiles. I want to freeze time. The way he’s watching me, with so much affection burning deep behind those green eyes . . . I want nothing more than to hold onto that for the rest of my life.

  Maddison

  “I don’t feel like babysitting you tonight, Cynth, let’s just go home.”

  “Oh, no way, sista. You bailed on me last week. We’re partying!” Her arm tightens around mine, and she quickens our step.

  We walk down Kingsley’s street. Each house we pass is so far from the other, it takes us forever to reach the venue. And the entire time she won’t shut up. It pisses me off that she’s high, but there’s nothing I can do about it now, and there’s no way I’m leaving her.

  As soon as we enter the foyer, we’re greeted by a waiter who offers us a drink. Behind him a mob of rowdy teenagers occupy the space.

  “Gotta love those snotty-nosed rich kids,” she says as she takes a wine glass from his plate and raises it in the air.

  “Come dance with me!”

  “Ah, no thanks.”

  She rolls her eyes, and moans. “Fine, I’ll be back.” She smacks a kiss on my cheek. “Love you,” she says as she disappears into the mob of people.

  “Ugh.” I elbow my way through the crowd until I find a seat at a bar. I down the first thing that’s served to me. The bartender doesn’t seem to judge. He just pours me another. I guess everyone is getting off their face wasted.

  Familiar lips press against my neck, and a shiver runs down my back. I lean into him. It feels so good. “I missed you,” Kingsley murmurs, and I smile.

  He spins me around to face him. He’s wearing a loose white shirt, khaki shorts and a pair of leather loafers. He is the perfect pretty boy—my pretty boy. I grab him by the neck of his shirt, which seems to widen his eyes, and pull him towards me. His hands find the small of my back. His face is just inches from mine, and we take the time to stare at each other. I breathe him in and sigh. He’s a mixture of his soap and spicy cologne. His mouth quirks and his eyes flicker down to my lips. I lick them, and he groans.

  Dear God, I’ve never asked anything of you but please don’t take this man away from me.

  “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

  I roll my eyes and smile at the same time. He laughs and leans forward when I bring my finger up to touch his lips and stop him. “There’s no way I’m kissing you here.”

  He frowns. “What? Why not?”

  “Because!” I gesture around the crowd, and he throws his head back laughing. He lets me go then leans against the bar with a coy smile spread across his face.

  “What are you drinking?”

  “Whatever he’s serving.” I turn back to the bartender, and he’s pouring me a drink of some kind. I smile at him. He’s my type of friend.

  Kingsley stares at him for a moment, and the bartender just stares back. “Why don’t I get special service?”

  “Because you rich pricks are fussy,” the bartender says casually.

  Kingsley brings his hand to his heart and winces. The bartender and I lock eyes and laugh. Kingsley smiles. “Just get me whatever you’re giving her.” The bartender nods and starts filling up a tall glass. I think it’s vodka and juice.

  “Not nice being left out in the cold, huh?” I tease.

  He shakes his head. The song in the background comes to an end, and it’s just the sound of screams, laughs, and heavy conversations thudding in my ears before the next song picks up. I glance around the crowd to see if I can find Cynth, but she’s nowhere to be seen. I shouldn’t be worried about her, but when she’s wasted like this, I can’t help it. She goes all kinds of crazy.

  “You okay?”

  I let out a heavy breath and turn back to face him. “Yup.”

  “What’s wrong?” He places his glass down.

  “Nothing,” I say quickly and his eyes narrow.

  I jump in my seat when a guy with a beer in his hand engulfs Kingsley from behind. His beer spills all over Kingsley’s shirt. “So this is the chick, huh?”

  “Toby,” Kingsley says under his breath, but there’s a small smile on his face.

  “What, dude? Just thought I’d introduce myself since you’re too much of a pussy to do it.” He lets go of Kingsley and steps towards me holding out his hand. “The name’s Toby.” He winks. I take his hand and he squeezes. It’s large, rough and sticky.

  I know of him, well, I’ve seen him hanging around Kingsley at school.

  “So, you’re the one who’s got Kingsley’s panties in a twist, huh?”

  Kingsley brings his hand to his head and starts rubbing it meticulously.

  “I see why. You are beautiful.”

  Kingsley shakes his head. “Okay. That’s enough, Toby. She’s my girl, so go pick up someone else’s.”

  Toby swings his arm around Kingsley’s neck and brings him into his chest. “I’m just messin’ with ya bro, but if she’s down—”

  Kingsley shoves him off, and Toby raises both hands into the air, grinning as he takes a mocking step backwards. I laugh to myself.

  “Oh, come on, bro. I’m just kidding.”

  “Yeah, right,” Kingsley murmurs. His gaze is back on mine.

  Toby’s arm is back around Kingsley, and the rest of his beer is spilled down his shirt. “Come party with us!”

  Kingsley shakes his head again. The annoyance clear on his face.

  “Oh, westy got you whipped, huh?”

  “Shut up, Toby,” he snaps. But I feel guilty.

  “It’s fine, go hang out with them,” I say.

  Kingsley frowns, but I insist. “I have to find my friend anyway, I’ll see you later.” I jump from the chair, smile at the bartender and he nods at me.

  “Oh, I like her already!” Toby shouts and my smile grows.

  Before I leave Kingsley grips my wrists and brings his lips to mine, then whispers in my ear. “Don’t get yourself into any trouble.”

  “Woo! Bex is gonna love this!” Toby laughs from behind.

  I quickly pull away. I forgot about her. Shit. Toby tugs him away, and I decide it’s time to go. Especially if his ex is going to show up. But only after I do something first. I’m not losing a good opportunity when it’s thrown at me. Even though I now have Kingsley’s credit card, I hate feeling like charity. As soon as this audition is over, I’m going to find a way to earn money so I don’t have to steal anymore. In the meantime, I’m getting some jewelry and we’re out, Cynth, wherever you are.

  She’s in either two locations: the dance floor, or in a room doing lines. I suck up my pride and dare to enter the slut show. The music is blaring, and every single person is drunk—tragically drunk. I accidentally shove people out my way.

  It’s hard to see, so every time I see a short girl with horribly dyed pixie-like hair, I yank her around, but each time I’m mistaken and hit with a scowl or a complaint. After looking for about ten minutes, I resort to option number two. I have to maneuver my way out from the sandwiched sweaty bodies and start at one wing of the mansion and hope she doesn’t move for the next few hours.

  I don’t know why I didn’t put my foot down when she showed up wasted.

  I move through halls, up the stairs, passing more than one
couple or threesome showing way too much PDA. I want to tell them all to get a room; I’m sure there’s enough here to occupy the entire party.

  The first room I stop at is a bathroom. I do need to use the toilet. I take in the large vanity. There’s a bowel of new gold-flecked soaps, so I have to tip the whole lot in my bag. Souvenir bonus at rich homes.

  The next room is a library. Tall, dark wooden bookshelves line the walls, all jam-packed with books. A large desk sits at the back of the room with ornaments and papers sitting neatly on top. I scan it quickly. There is nothing that looks of significance to me, but then again, how am I meant to know? I throw in as many ornaments as I can, then hit the hallway on the hunt for Cynth.

  I thought the further I walked into the depths of the house, the fewer people I would be surrounded by, but I was wrong. In fact, the further I walk, the more people there are, and they all seem to be streaming in and out of one room, and I know that’s the room. She is in there.

  I open the door, and sure enough, people are lining tables. My eyes dart around the room, but I can’t see her. They’re all wasted. There is another door on the other side of the room, and I make my way towards it. She better be in there.

  A guy stumbles out the door, his eyes glazed over. I grit my teeth and shove past him. As soon as I enter the room, I’m hit with the smell of pot and the sound of laughter. I quicken my step until the smoke haze fades and that’s when I see her.

  My heart drops.

  She’s lying on the floor.

  Oh, God.

  No.

  “Cynth! Cynth!” A sharp spasm shoots up my knees as I crash to the floor and pull her towards me. Her body is limp, and everything convulses inside me when I see her face. Her lips are purple. Her skin is a pasty white. Her eyes are closed.

  My heart is pounding so hard. I press my fingers to her neck, and wait.

  There is no pulse.

  I scream.