Metal Urge

by Wilbourn, E. D.

  “Tea’s ready,” Thom shouted through the door. When he got no reply, he knocked loudly and called, “What’re you doing in there? You must be a shriveled prune by now, not to mention there won’t be enough hot water left to do the washing up.”

  Deanna turned off the faucets and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her petite frame. She used a corner of the soft cotton to squeeze the excess water from her hair. “Sorry!” she called out. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening the bathroom door. “Did you say dinner is ready?”

  Thom looked at the damp towel clinging to her shapely form and cleared his throat. “Yeah, um, everything’s in the cooker keeping warm. You might want to get dressed.”

  “Nothing will burn if it stays in the oven a bit longer, right?” She stepped closer to him and let the towel drop to her feet. The heat of his gaze almost singed her skin as she slowly ran her fingertips down his neck, slipping them inside the banded collar of his T-shirt to trace his collar bones.

  The bloody flat could burn to the ground for all he cared. At the moment all he could focus on was the beautiful girl standing naked before him. “Deanna,” he breathed as she slipped her hands under his T-shirt to caress his chest.

  Smiling impishly into his glowing blue eyes, she pulled the shirt over his head and tossed it aside, leaning in close to take his nipple between her lips and flick it gently with her tongue. Thom groaned when her tongue trailed across his chest to taste his other nipple, biting it playfully before running her tongue over the hard little tip. He grasped her head gently and lifted her face, covering her mouth in a deep kiss. Moaning softly, Deanna pressed against him, running her hands through his long, thick hair and over his shoulders and chest.

  Breathing hard, Thom pulled back and looked at her. “Are you sure you‘re physically ready for this?”

  “Dr. Hillman said I’m completely healed.” She nipped the side of his mouth gently and whispered, “No more talking.”

  Thom kissed her hungrily, groaning at the taste and feel of her lips as she pulled him towards her bedroom at the other end of the hall. Gasping softly at the sensation of his hands playing over her hot skin, Deanna pushed him roughly against the wall, kissing him fervidly, her fingers tangling in his long, thick hair as he fumbled with the bedroom door knob. Once inside, she tried to push him down on the bed but he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up. Laughing in surprise, Deanna wrapped her legs around his hips as he gently laid her down on the soft, thick comforter. While he pushed his jeans down, she ran her foot over his smooth chest and belly, teasing his navel with her toes. Thom grinned and grabbed her foot, kissing and nibbling the dainty arch all the way up to her toes until she jerked her foot away, giggling. He kicked his jeans aside and began stroking Deanna’s silky legs, working his way up to her knees where they rested against his sides. Smiling languidly, Thom’s eyes moved over her body, desire burning brightly in his eyes. Seconds later his mouth was on her, his lips and tongue working her into a fevered state. She didn’t know what day it was or what time it was as her surroundings shimmered and faded away leaving only the sensations of Thom’s thorough attention to her body. Moaning softly in protest, she felt Thom’s body slide away as the last waves of her climax washed over her.

  “God, you taste so good,” he murmured against her heaving belly as she groaned with pleasure at the touch of his mouth. His lips and tongue traced the curves of her hips and belly, making their way slowly towards the lingering heat between her thighs.

  “Kiss me,” she gasped when he pulled away with a satisfied sigh.

  Sitting up, Thom pulled her against his chest. Cradling her head he kissed her with all of the pent-up yearning and desire he had been forced to hide from her for so long. The power of his kiss startled Deanna, but she didn’t want him to stop---she loved the taste of their passion on his tongue and the luscious feel of his lips. It wasn’t long before Thom’s divinely skilled mouth ignited Deanna’s desire, and she begged him to make love to her again. Unlike Nigel, he was more than willing to lavish her body with loving attention. After what seemed like hours of sweet and gentle lovemaking, made even sweeter by Thom’s single-minded desire to pleasure her without a thought to his own gratification, they lay entwined and exhausted.

  Deanna rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady, gentle rhythm of his breathing and heard him sigh in his sleep. Easing away from him, she got up and walked to the window. Gazing down at the moonlit garden, she shivered and briskly rubbed the goose bumps stippling her arms. Something completely unexpected had happened, and it planted a seed of doubt in her mind. Incredibly, Thom had re-awakened a part of her she thought was gone forever, but was it a terrible mistake? A mistake she couldn’t take back by apologizing, or laughing it off like she would a silly argument or an unkind word spoken in the heat of the moment. There was no doubt that what transpired between them had changed the dynamics of their relationship forever and whether she liked it or not, there was no going back.

  Chapter 24

  The club was crowded for a Thursday night forcing Nick Ramsay to push and shove his way to the bar to order a drink. He spotted an empty barstool and laid claim to it, annoying a drunken lout with a shaved head and multiple earrings. When the wanker attempted to get in Nick’s face, he stood up, his six foot frame towering over the yob’s badly scarred head.

  “Razor it yourself, mate?” Nick drawled. “You might try shaving with that blade. You’d be doing both of us a favor, yeah?”

  The angry man hesitated and gave Nick the finger before hurrying away.

  “Bloody git,” Nick grumbled and sat down, waving the stressed barman over to order a drink. He'd left Nigel unpacking his meager belongings back at the flat a couple of hours ago. His new flat mate was supposed to join him after he got settled in. The poor sod could certainly use a night out. He'd been moping about like some love-sick geezer after sussing out that his band mate, Thom McCordy, had moved in and made himself comfy with the little American bird, Deanna. He hadn’t met her, but he'd be willing to bet a quid or two that she was a grade-A fox, being American and all. That still didn’t explain what all the fuss was about. In less than six weeks they would be on their way to the States and Nigel would have his pick of lovely Yanks; a different bird every night if he pleased.

  Nick liked variety and as a strapping lad of twenty-four years of age, he had no desire to be tied down to some jealous little wife with a parcel of snot-nosed kiddies. Different strokes and all that he mused while downing his first Jack Daniels of the night. He scanned the thronging mass of bodies for interesting game and noticed a familiar looking blonde chap lounging in a booth not far from where he was sitting. He watched as the bloke turned round to greet a shapely blonde girl in a micro mini peasant dress, confirming that it was Thom McCordy. The girl bent down to give Thom a long kiss, affording him an X-rated view of pretty lace knickers barely covering her lovely, round cheeks. Nick laughed and took another sip of his drink as Thom stood up and helped the girl, who could only be the foxy little Deanna, slide into the booth. He watched them cuddle and snog for a few minutes before getting up to find a telephone. It wouldn’t do to have an unsuspecting Nigel walk in on this romantic little scene. Nick knew he could be a chauvinistic pig when it came to women, but he was loyal to a fault where his mates were concerned. Nigel loved the girl and for that reason he would make the call, although he didn’t think the poor suffering sod stood a chance in hell with her now. He spotted a phone near the entrance to the club and hurried towards it hoping he would catch Nigel at the flat.

  After a short conversation, Nigel yelled “fuck!” at the top of his lungs and slammed the phone in Nick’s ear. “That went exceptionally well,” Nick said to the droning dial tone and shook his head. What could he do? Nigel would have to face the fact that Deanna had moved on with her life after he tossed her aside. Nigel should do the same if he knew what was bloody good for him. A tap on his shoulder snapped Nick out of his
reverie. He turned sharply to see who it was, and looked straight into the sea blue eyes of Maggi Atwell, Trevor’s ex-girlfriend. Her dark brown hair flowed over her bare shoulders in lustrous waves. The tube top she wore was filled out very nicely by large, firm breasts, emphasizing her narrow waist cinched in further by tight bell bottom jeans that sported rhinestone stars scattered down each leg. Nick felt a stirring in his groin and grinned at her wondering if she knew the kind of effect she had on men. Once upon a time, his mate, Piper had made a play for her, but she remained loyal to that worthless git, Hampton, forcing Piper to slink away licking his wounds.

  “Hi, Nick,” Maggi purred in her delightful American accent.

  “Hallo, Maggi. It’s been a long time.”

  She slipped her arm through his, directing him to an empty table that seemed to be waiting just for her. Nick could feel the envious stares of the other blokes as they glided towards their table. While they sipped their drinks and talked, Maggi pushed a stray strand of Nick’s long, chestnut brown hair away from his face, and he saw the promise of what was to come in her eyes. He hoped his stiffy would ease up because he didn't want to disappoint this incredibly sexy lady who would give him only one chance to impress and to satisfy her.

  “When are Jayson and Penny supposed to get here?” Deanna asked Thom who was busy nibbling the soft skin just below her earlobe.

  “You know Jayson has no concept of time.” Thom continued kissing his way down the side of her neck, causing Deanna to giggle.

  She lightly squeezed his crotch and he gasped. “If they don’t get here soon I think we should go home,” she murmured into his ear, her moist lips tickling his earlobe. “I feel like going to bed.”

  Just as Thom grabbed his leather jacket off of the back of the seat, Jayson called out to them in greeting. He and Penny slid into the booth and Thom gave Jayson a disapproving look.

  “You always have had the worst timing, mate.”

  “Huh?” Jayson said, looking at Penny helplessly.

  The girls started to laugh but Jayson shrugged, oblivious to Thom’s sarcasm.

  “I have to go to the loo,” Deanna said, nudging Thom so she could get out of the booth. “I can order drinks while I’m up,” she offered.

  Thom handed her several bills, and everyone told her what they wanted to drink. She was sorting out the money on the way to the bathroom when she bumped into someone. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she began and then quickly backed up in shocked surprise.

  Nigel stared at her with a look she had never seen on his face before. He glanced over her shoulder and frowned. “Has he told you that I never stop asking after you?”

  “What?” she said, her voice barely audible over the noise.

  Nigel grabbed her arm and pulled her towards a dark corner of the club. “He refuses to tell me if you're alright or where you've been staying, but I never stop asking even though he threatens to bash my face in.”

  Deanna tried to pull away but he wouldn’t let go. “I’m not interested in anything you have to say Nigel. Please let go of me.”

  Nigel grasped her upper arms gently and pulled her closer to him, looking deeply into her eyes; so deeply she could feel his gaze probing her bruised and tender soul.

  “Do you love him, Deanna?”

  She twisted and pushed at him but he held her fast.

  “Do you love him? If you can look me in the eyes and tell me that you're in love with him, I'll walk away and never bother you again.”

  She stared at him, lips trembling and tears shimmering in her eyes. “Say yes!” her mind screamed over and over but her voice refused to co-operate causing her to utter breathy, whimpering noises which mortified her.

  Nigel pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m so sorry, baby. Please forgive me for ambushing you like this, but I had to know.”

  Deanna relaxed into his embrace, the familiar scent of his body calming her. He slid his finger under her chin and lifted her face, touching his lips to hers, tentatively at first and then more insistently as she responded to his kiss. After a few moments the kiss deepened causing Deanna to moan softly. Reluctantly Nigel pulled away and caressed her face. “I lo…,” He started to say before Deanna pushed him so hard he fell back against the wall.

  “I love Thom,” she cried. “Do you hear me, Nigel? Just leave me alone!”

  People were pointing and whispering about the heated exchange in the corner as Nigel pushed away from the wall and adjusted his jacket. Deanna had disappeared into the women’s loo. He had no intention of following her or causing another scene. Ignoring the snide comments and soft snickering as he brushed past the crowd, he headed for the front entrance and stood outside, breathing in the fresh summer air while remembering their kiss. “You’re lying to me and to yourself, Deanna,” he said under his breath as he strode up the street. Slipping on his leather gloves, he hopped on his motorbike feeling more confident and hopeful than he had in weeks.

  The drive to Chelsea was taking entirely too long, and it was wreaking havoc on Deanna’s nerves. She hadn’t said much after returning to the booth with a tray of drinks. She knocked back three shots of Tanqueray gin before assuring Thom that she was just fine. There was no way she was going tell him about her awful confrontation with Nigel. The last thing she wanted to do was cause problems for Metal Urge. On the way home, Jayson told them about a free concert in Hyde Park on Sunday. Penny cut in, inviting Deanna and Thom to join them for the afternoon, hinting that there would be much more than music to get them high. Deanna wasn’t really into drugs although she enjoyed taking a few hits from the occasional joint Thom smoked “to unwind” after a hard-hitting night of rehearsal and song writing with the boys. After coming face to face with Nigel tonight, she would consider ingesting just about any substance that promised to make her forget the look on his face and the lies slipping so easily from his mouth. And their kiss…God, she had kissed him! While the others were discussing their upcoming outing, Deanna heard the melodic strains of a song wafting from the Mini’s tinny car speakers. She fumbled with the tiny knob to switch the radio off, trying not to hear the words the vocalist sang. “I can’t get it out of my head,” he crooned over and over making her want to scream and sob in pain and frustration.

  “Oi! What're you doing?” Thom pushed her hand away and turned up the volume. “I think this is a bloody good song.”

  “Yeah, it’s totally Beatlesque,” Jayson chimed in and added, “It reminds me of my gorgeous Penny Laine 'cause I can’t get her out of my head.”

  Penny threw her arms around him, kissing his face and laughing.

  Thom stared at Deanna incredulously as she quickly turned away to stare out of the side window, wrapping her arms around herself like a protective shield.

  “What is it, baby?” He reached over to stroke her trembling arm.

  “Don’t call me baby!” She snapped, pushing his hand away. She wanted to scream right into Thom's reddening face that Nigel had called her baby right before taking her in his arms and kissing her at the club just a few hours ago. “What do you think about that my sweet guitar man?” she asked him silently. “Bet you couldn't handle knowing the bastard kissed “your girl,” and she kissed him right back. Eagerly, hungrily, and desperately.” She leaned her throbbing head against the window and closed her eyes hoping to block her memories of the awful evening out of her mind. How could she be so stupid and pathetic? How could she do that to Thom?

  Everyone went silent as Thom switched off the radio. “Jayson, I think it would be best if I dropped you and Penny off at your flat. We‘ll have that night cap another time.”

  “Yeah, of course. No problem, mate.” Jayson cuddled Penny, shaking his head when she started to speak.

  Turning the car around, Thom drove towards Camden Town where Jayson and Penny now shared a flat. They rode in silence, and Thom could feel his temper rising. It was one thing for Deanna to act childish and moody in front of him---he knew the hellish nightmare she had been
through. It was quite another for her to throw a tantrum in front of their friends. He was hurt, embarrassed, and completely mystified as to the cause of her sudden, bizarre change in mood.

  Thom said nothing until they were inside of their flat with the door locked and bolted. He grabbed Deanna’s arm before she could run upstairs to the safety of her bedroom. “Would you care to tell me the reason behind your Jekyll and Hyde episode tonight?”

  “No. Now let go of me.”

  He pulled her into the living room, forcing her to sit on the couch. He sat beside her, his arms crossed, waiting for an explanation, but Deanna refused to speak or to look at him. “I don’t want to get angry with you love, but you’re really pushing it.” He waited a few minutes for her to speak but she sat as stiff and unmoving as a stone statue, tears rolling down her face, dripping onto the bodice of her dress. “What the hell happened at the club, Deanna? You were fine until you came back from the toilet.” Thom sighed and leaned back against the plush sofa pillows. He didn’t want to be cruel but he had to snap her out of this disturbing fugue. “Did you see or hear something that reminded you of Nigel or the baby or what?”

  She flinched away from him, making him even angrier.

  “Come off it, Deanna. This is bollocks!”

  She began to laugh, a mad, shrill sound that made him cringe. He didn’t try to stop her when she launched herself off of the couch and up the stairs still laughing and crying like she was having some sort of breakdown. Thom rubbed his face wanting desperately to believe that her strange behavior was the result of too much liquor. Perhaps it had lowered her defenses causing her to have flashbacks of the night she lost her baby. He was grasping at straws but something had freaked her out. If only she would talk to him... “Piss on it,” he grumbled as he stalked angrily to his bedroom.

  A strange noise woke Thom. He struggled to push off the heavy bed clothes and sit up, but a pair of arms wrapped tightly around him pulling him back down.