"If you needed a favor."
I lean in to his touch. "Yeah."
"Then why can't you rely on someone someday?"
The words fall off my lips without passing through my brain. "They wouldn't be you." I pull back enough to look into Kit's deep eyes. "I know I can trust you." My chest gets light. My stomach too. "I know you won't abandon me the way other people have."
He stares back at me. There's something in his dark eyes, but I haven't got a clue what it is.
His gaze goes to the side of the stage. Mine follows. Mal is watching us. It's not in a particularly guard dog kind of way. It's more curious. Well, by Mal's standards. He's always protective.
I wait until Mal's attention turns to Joel screwing around on his drums.
Then I move closer to Kit.
His eyes meet mine. "You'd call your brothers to help you."
I nod.
"You can count on them."
"You're not going to convince me there's something wrong with wanting to stand on my own two feet."
"It's not that." His voice gets soft, sweet. "I want you to feel like you can trust somebody to stick around."
"I trust Mal and Ethan."
"To stick around?"
Not exactly. I love my brothers, but they choose music over being around every time they go on tour. I don't begrudge them their careers or their success, but I can't fight that sting of abandonment every time they leave.
My voice is a whisper. "No."
"You trust me to stick around?"
"I don't know. You go on tour too, but I'm used to that."
He nods. "Who would you call if you needed someone?"
"You." I look up at him. "Who would you call?"
"You."
"Really?"
"I did promise." He runs his fingers through my hair. He leans closer. Close enough to kiss me. But he doesn't. He pulls back. "I'm starving. You want to order delivery? We can get pho."
I'd much rather spend the next few hours doing something else, but I am hungry. I try to keep up my smile. "I like things besides pho."
"You want something else, name it."
I want you. "Pho is good."
"I'll send someone to get it." He looks around the stage. "Give me ten minutes."
I nod then watch him make his way to one of the roadies.
Kit isn't exactly a nice guy, but he is someone I could rely on. Not just emotionally but practically. Financially even.
Not now. But if I lived with him and he wanted to pay more than half the rent.
If he was my boyfriend.
My fiance.
My husband.
I'm way too young to even think about marriage, but one day...
I want to be able to trust someone that much one day.
I want to love someone that much one day.
I want to rely on someone for anything one day.
And I want that someone to be Kit.
Chapter 12
Kit
Between Violet riding with us and Mal being more controlling than usual, the first few weeks of the tour are a headache. I'm happy for Ethan and Violet when they finally get back together officially, but I'm more happy for Piper. She's getting her surrogate big sister back.
She needs that.
And I need her happy.
The rest of the tour is different. Piper and I text all day and talk all night. My nights alone in my hotel room aren't lonely anymore. I don't miss the company of my bandmates. When I'm talking to her, I don't miss anything about partying—not drinking, or drugs, or casual sex, or laughing with my friends.
This is exactly where I want to be.
Our late night conversations are intimate. She tells me about her plan to start auditioning this summer. I tell her about all sorts of ugly shit that happened in the past. The way she listens without judgment really makes me believe that shit belongs in the past.
That somebody will love me one day.
But that person can't be Piper.
This still can't happen.
I should pull back. I should talk to her less. I should encourage her to start dating guys from school.
I should certainly stop fucking myself thinking about her every night.
But I can't stand the thought of her with anyone else.
I can't stand the thought of my life without her in it.
I practically float off the stage. The last show of a tour is always bitter sweet, but this one takes the cake on sweet.
The crowd's screams flow to our spot backstage.
"Fuck, that was amazing." Ethan's eyes get lovesick. "How many days till I fly back to New York?"
"Still two." Joel plays irritated but his smile shows through. "Never thought anybody could be so annoying miserable and happy."
"Ethan's the annoying one?" Mal raises a brow.
"Excuse me?" Joel plays offended. He looks to me and calls me by the nickname Violet gave me. "Rhythmic One, back me up. Ethan's more annoying than I am."
"Tossing a coin won't break this tie." Ethan looks to Mal. "Admit that show was amazing."
Mal smiles. "It was good."
"Good? All I get is good?" Ethan shakes his head.
Mal chuckles. "It was great. You were great."
Ethan beams.
"You're not supposed to admit that." Piper moves out from behind a roadie. She winks at Mal then she slides her arms around Ethan. "Your ego is already so big, Ethan."
Ethan laughs. "It's not ego if I am as amazing as I think I am."
"See what I mean?" She looks to Mal then Joel then me. "He's awful."
I nod.
Mal too.
Joel gives Piper a once over. "Shit, where are you going after this?"
She does look amazing in her tight black dress. It's cut low enough to show off her lacy bra. Her hair is hanging over her shoulders in careful waves. Her makeup brings out her blue eyes and her soft pink lips.
Fuck, the places those lips could be...
"Isn't there an after-party?" she asks.
"You look cute." Mal hugs her hello. "But you can't stay too late. It's a school night."
She laughs. "I hate to admit it, but Mal is right. I have a test tomorrow. Anyone know where I can find coffee?" Her eyes fix on mine. "You have any secret java, Kit?"
Joel looks from her to me then back to her. Something flares in his grey-green eyes—some realization I don't like.
He keeps his voice even. "The hotel's around the corner. Some of the crew is already hanging out. Why don't you meet us there?"
"Okay." She looks up at me. "Anyone else coming?"
"Yeah." I bite my tongue. I have enough self-control to walk her to the hotel.
Piper's eyes light up but she plays cool. "Joel? Mal?"
"Nah, I want to catch the headliner's set." Joel looks to me. "Don't you?"
"I'd rather have coffee," I say.
Joel stays incredulous, but he doesn't call us on anything.
After a few rounds of goodbyes, Piper and I make our way to the side door.
The air is warm. The sky is dark except for a big, silver moon.
Piper walks next to me. The back of her hand brushes mine. Her eyes are nervous but her voice is even. "Do you know the way?"
"Yeah. It's a few blocks." I direct her around the corner. "How is school?"
"Almost over. I can't wait for it to be over. There's a lot I want to do this summer."
There's a lot I want to do right now. No. Just her. But there's a lot I want to do to her.
I want her against the wall of that building, her dress at her waist, her legs wrapped around my shoulders—
Fuck, I need to get laid.
It's been six months now. Maybe seven.
I've had chances. A lot of them. But every time a woman propositions me, I think of Piper's earnest blue eyes and her sweet smile and—
Fuck, I need to stop thinking about her like this.
I shake it off as we walk into the lobby. It's a nice pl
ace, sleek and modern with egg shaped furniture in shades of grey.
"I missed you." She bites her lip. "I mean seeing you. Texting and talking on the phone isn't the same."
I nod and lead her into the elevator.
"What floor?"
"Penthouse." I wave my room key and hit the button.
"We have the penthouse suite?"
"How else can we party like rock stars?"
"If the four of you are any indication, playing video games and watching monster movies all night is about right."
I laugh. It's true. For a while we all partied too much, but now we spend more nights watching movies than we do going out.
Piper leans against the mirrored elevator wall. Her blue eyes fix on mine.
Damn, we're alone in here and there's barely any space between us.
And the way she's looking at me—
I don't trust myself alone with her right now.
But I only have to make it another fifteen minutes.
Finally, the elevator arrives. Its doors slide open slowly. Very slowly.
It's three steps to the suite's door. I open it for Piper then lead her inside.
Her eyes go wide as she takes in the room. "This is insane."
It is bigger and showier than usual. The main area is as big as my entire apartment and it's stocked with sound systems, TVs, a dance floor, a wetbar. There's even a jacuzzi on the balcony outside.
Piper barely notices the room, or the two roadies shooting the shit on the couch. She goes straight to the kitchen and gets to work fixing more coffee.
"That's what you notice?" I tease.
She nods. "I have needs. And my man, Mr. Coffee is the only one who knows how to fill them."
Fuck how I want to be the one filling her needs.
She runs her fingers over the coffee maker as it sputters on. "Yeah, baby, that's just how I like it." She winks at me as she slides her purse off her shoulder. "I should set up in a quiet room." She motions to the coffee maker. "I'll give my lover time to get ready for me."
"This way." I motion to the empty bedroom to our right. It's on the other side of the living room, past the roadies hanging out on the couch.
I nod a hello to the roadies. They nod back, like it's normal I'm here with Piper.
Right now, it is. I'm her escort. They don't know we've been talking nonstop for five months now. They don't know my head is filled with thoughts of her coming on my face.
I take a deep breath and lead her to the empty bedroom.
Once we're inside, she flips on a light and takes a seat on the king bed. In that sleek black dress, she looks like she belongs in this fancy hotel room.
Only, I want her out of the dress and tangled in those soft cotton sheets.
I shouldn't sit next to her.
I do it anyway.
Her eyes bore into mine. "We're alone in here."
"We are."
"The roadies aren't paying attention to us."
"They're used to us."
She moves closer. "I should probably study."
"You should."
Her fingers brush my thigh. "I can't think about anything when you're this close."
Fuck, my body is on fire.
She slides her hands around my neck. She shifts onto my lap so she's straddling me. Her voice gets soft, vulnerable. "I don't want to think about anything else."
Me either.
Fuck, the tone of her voice—
Her soft body against mine—
I have a million objections, but every one of them evaporate as she runs her fingertips up and down my neck. Then one hand is digging through my hair, tugging at my hair, and the only thing I want is her tugging at my hair like that as she comes.
Fuck the consequences.
Fuck what happens tomorrow.
I need to make her come. Now.
"Do you want this?" Her blue eyes fix on mine.
I press my palms into her upper back and pull her into a kiss.
Her eyelids flutter together.
Her lips press against mine.
She's hungry, eager. Her lips part to make way for my tongue. Her thighs squeeze my legs.
Fuck, she tastes good and the way she's moaning against my mouth and tugging at my hair—
I need her moaning like that.
Her groans get heavier. Louder. She arches her back to push her breasts into my hands.
My body takes over.
I push her bra out of the way so I can cup her breast. She feels good against my hand. So good I can barely manage to tease her.
No matter how badly my cock is screaming now, I can't rush this.
I rub her nipple with my thumb. Harder. Harder. Hard enough she has to break our kiss to gasp.
Fuck, that sound is magic. "I want to make you come, Piper."
"Kit," she breathes. "Yes."
The way she says my name makes me harder. I swear I'm about to rip a hole in these jeans.
I press my palms against her ass and lift her body. Then I drag one hand up her thigh. Her eyes fill with need as my fingers get closer.
Closer.
She nods please.
I rub her over her panties. That's enough to get her teeth sinking into her lips. But I need more.
She gasps as I push her panties aside.
Slowly, I stroke her with my thumb.
"Fuck." She pushes my shirt aside enough to dig her nails into my shoulder.
I watch her eyes go wide as I tease her with one finger. I haven't asked Piper how she fucks herself. I don't know if she's been penetrated with her fingers or with a toy.
But I do know this is the first time anybody else will be inside her.
Slowly, I slip one finger inside her.
Then two.
Pleasure spreads all over her face. There's something in her eyes, this satisfaction.
I need more of that.
I push her panties to her knees. "Get on your back."
She groans as she shifts onto her back.
I tug her panties off her feet and position myself between her legs. "Spread your legs."
She does. Her expression gets needier, hungrier.
Fuck, that's Piper with her dress at her waist. That's Piper spreading her legs for me, trusting me with her body.
"Kit," she groans. "Please."
Fuck, I love the way she says my name like I mean something to her.
I drag my lips up her calf, over the inside of her knee, up her thigh.
She arches her back and lets out another low, deep groan.
She's never done this before. I have to go slow.
I nip at the skin at the apex of her thigh. Then it's my lips on her skin.
Fuck, she tastes good.
Slowly, I lick her from top to bottom and back again.
She groans. She squirms. Her knees knock into my arms.
I do it again. Again. I do it until she's groaning loud enough to wake the entire fucking block.
There are no thoughts of danger in my head.
In this moment, the only thing I care about is Piper coming.
I taste her and tease her everywhere. She pants and groans as I suck on her lips, as I plunge my tongue inside her, as I flick my tongue against her clit.
When she's digging her hand into my hair and groaning like she's desperate to come, I change my stroke so my piercing taps her clit.
The first time, she gasps with surprise. Her thighs press against my ears. She groans a yes.
I do it again. Again. Again.
I bring her right to the edge. I look up, just for a moment, just to note the pleasure spreading over her beautiful face.
Then I'm back between her legs, licking her hard and fast. Her groans get louder. She tugs at my hair.
"Kit."
She screams my name again and again as she comes.
I give her a minute to catch her breath. She looks down at me, her expression one of pure satisfaction. Fuck, that feels as good as anything. I can't re
member the last time I was this proud.
I'm about to lick her up and down when there's a knock on the door.
"Hey. Your coffee is ready."
The door opens.
Piper scrambles to pull her dress down.
The roadie stands there slack-jawed. "Kit... Oh, Piper... I mean, Miss Strong. I thought... of course...." He looks at me like he's not sure if he wants to pat me on the back or punch me.
All the crew has been around since Piper was sixteen.
They see her as an innocent girl.
And they see me as a manwhore with a troubled past.
"We're going to need this room clear," he says. "Kit, could you help me set up?"
I push myself off the bed.
Piper looks up at me. "Yeah, um..." Her eyes fill with confusion.
I motion to the roadie. "I'll be there in a minute."
He shakes his head, but he does close the door.
Fuck.
I want to stay in this room with her forever.
I want to make her come all fucking night.
But the way that roadie looked at me makes this clear. Nothing has changed. She's still a sweet girl with a bright future. I'm still a dead weight around her neck.
And the band, her brothers— this is going to fuck up both our lives.
It's already gone too far.
My body is begging me to stay.
My heart too.
But my head knows better. With my blood back in my brain, it's clear as day.
I can't bring myself to look her in the eyes. I take a step backwards.
"Kit." Piper's voice is weak. Hurt. She slumps into the bed. All that joy, pleasure, and satisfaction drains from her face. "Oh."
"I should go."
She shakes her head, but she still whispers. "Yeah."
Chapter 13
Piper
I'm numb all night.
When I wake up, I only have the energy to brush my teeth, get dressed, and drag my ass downstairs.
Coffee gives me enough energy to text Kit.
Piper: Can we talk?
I fix another cup and stare.
I make oatmeal and stare.
I finish my food, make even more coffee, and continue to stare.
Ethan bounces downstairs, hugs me good morning a thousand times, makes coffee and eggs, gushes about Violet.
I continue to stare.
Mal joins us, eats his cold eggs, makes tea, teases Ethan about how much he's gushing over Violet.
Dangerous Crush: A Rock Star Romance (Dangerous Noise Book 2) Page 11