Rosewood, Natalie - Octavia's Choice [The Klawinken 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Natalie Rosewood

  “Mathieu is out of town working, so the answer is no, nothing planned.”

  “How would you like to go to a concert with me at the Wachovia Center in Philly? We could spend the weekend.” Before she could ask who was playing, Katie continued, “I won free concert tickets to see Naked Dreamer and two nights at a hotel from the radio station, WKBZ. I was the tenth caller, do you believe it?”

  Octavia choked on the piece of hamburger that had become lodged in her throat. She took a quick swig of her soda to wash it down. She wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “Are you okay?” Katie looked on with concern.

  “Yeah, just let me catch my breath.” This conversation was crazy. She had never mentioned her dreams of Tobias Morgan to anyone. She knew it had to be a coincidence, but just hearing the name of his band from Katie’s lips had thrown her for a loop, to say nothing of being asked to go to his concert.

  “What about taking that guy you started seeing, Todd?”

  “He’s going to a bachelor party this weekend, and since he’s in the wedding, I didn’t even ask him. Besides”—she grinned—“seeing Naked Dreamer with you would be a lot more fun. We can carry on about the band and act like silly girls, something Todd would never understand.”

  “I don’t doubt it would be fun, but I have a few papers that are due and I don’t want to fall behind.”

  “Me, too, but this is like hitting the lottery. Like, when are we ever going to get a chance to do something like this again and have it completely paid for, including the hotel? Please say you’ll go, please.”

  Her first instinct was to say no. But then again, seeing the real Tobias Morgan on stage might help her put her dreams in perspective. She had heard it said that if one had a bad dream, the best thing to do was talk about it. Well, she couldn’t talk about her dreams with anyone, but seeing Tobias in the flesh might be just what she needed to ensure she never dreamed of him again. She would be forced to see that the real Tobias fell short of her dream lover, and that could be enough to end her fantasy.

  “Well, I would hate to miss it, and it’s really nice of you to ask me to go with you.”

  “So that means you’re going, right?” Katie clapped her hands like a five-year-old.

  Octavia couldn’t help but giggle. “Yes, I’ll go. So when is the concert?”

  “It’s Friday night. We can check into the hotel around three o’clock. The radio station said that they would have a car pick us up at the hotel. Pretty fancy, huh? And then the car will bring us back to the hotel after the concert. We’ll have all day Saturday to see the sights and they even said they would give me two hundred dollars for food.”

  “You’re kidding. That’s unbelievable. I listen to WKBZ all the time and I never heard anything about this.”

  “I know. I just turned on the radio in my car before I pulled out of my driveway this morning and they announced that the tenth caller would get this package to see Naked Dreamer. Something told me I should call. It’s crazy, but sometimes you just get lucky.”

  “My last class ends at one thirty on Friday, so I can be ready to go any time after that. Do you want me to drive?”

  “I don’t mind driving. You can help with the gas and tolls.”

  “That’s the least I can do.”

  At dinner that night, Octavia told her parents about Katie winning the Naked Dreamer package for the upcoming weekend.

  “She’s one lucky girl. I know how much you two loved that band when you were in high school. You must be thrilled that she asked you to go with her.”

  “I am.”

  That night when Octavia was brushing her teeth before bed, she had to wonder if she had made the right decision. She actually hadn’t dreamed of Tobias since the dream where he had told her to go back to Mathieu. Regardless of how many times she told herself he was a dream, he was never far from her thoughts. She could still feel his hands on her breasts, the way he had tugged at her nipples before his lips captured and suckled her nubs. She had to stop herself from moaning out loud with pleasure.

  She had to stop rewinding the vivid pictures of his naked body and hers entwined together, and his hard cock that enticed her to want to taste his orgasm. “Stop it,” she whispered for her ears alone. When I see him for real, I’m going to see he’s nothing like my dream.

  She climbed into bed and covered herself up to her chin. I will not dream of Tobias, she kept repeating over and over again, until she fell asleep. She didn’t dream of him that night, but she could have sworn she heard his laughter mocking her before she finally drifted off into the darkness.

  The next day, Mathieu called her just as her film class ended. He really was devoted to her, and although she thought about telling him about the upcoming concert, something stopped her. What she did tell him was that she and Katie were going into Philadelphia for the weekend to do some shopping and walk around the historic area. He said he would be working all weekend. After they hung up, she knew she had been silly not to tell him about the concert. He knew nothing about her dreams, but she didn’t want to talk to him about anything that had to do with Tobias Morgan. He was her dirty little secret.

  Katie told her that she would pick her up around two thirty on Friday. They should arrive at the hotel around four thirty, and that would give them plenty of time to have dinner and get ready for the concert that began at eight o’clock. The week passed by quickly, and before she knew it, she was driving home from her last class on Friday. She felt the beginnings of butterflies in her stomach. Regardless of her dreams, she had always loved Naked Dreamer’s music. They had released a new album recently that had included at least two songs that had topped the charts. Tobias Morgan’s voice still had that velvety, sexy tone that set their songs apart from other bands that had tried to mimic them but fell short. It was going to be a weekend that she and Katie would talk about for weeks after. She just hoped that it would do the trick and exorcise Tobias from her dreams forever.

  She was ready and waiting when Katie picked her up at two thirty. They arrived at the hotel around four o’clock, a little earlier than they had planned. Traffic on the turnpike had not been as bad as predicted for a Friday afternoon. The hotel was located near Penn’s Landing. It was perfect for touring the historic district, but farther away from the concert venue. When they registered at the desk, Katie was presented with an envelope that held the tickets, comps, and a letter from the radio station. They were told by the desk clerk that their room had been upgraded to a suite.

  Katie was beside herself when they opened the door and walked into a foyer that opened onto a large living room with high ceilings and plush furniture. They dropped their suitcases and ran around what some would have considered a small apartment to explore every nook and cranny of the suite. They each had their own bedroom and private bath. Katie took the one off the living room and Octavia the one off the dining area.

  “This is absolutely crazy,” Katie said in awe. “It just keeps getting better.”

  Octavia couldn’t help but agree. “This contest must have cost the radio station a pretty penny and more. Are you sure this is for us?”

  “That’s what the desk clerk said, and she didn’t even ask for my credit card. I thought that was a little strange, even though we’re not paying. You know, just in case of damages.”

  “You’re right. But at this point, who are we to argue?” Octavia said, picking up her suitcase and heading for her bedroom.

  “Octavia, come back here a minute. Take a look at these tickets.”

  She turned and walked back to where Katie was staring at the contents of the envelope in confusion. “Oh, no,” Octavia said, looking over Katie’s shoulder. “Don’t tell me there’s something wrong with the tickets.”

  “Not wrong exactly, but tell me I’m dreaming or something. Look at what’s attached to each ticket.”

  Octavia picked up the tickets. “Oh my God,” Octavia breathed, her heart beating more rapidly. “These are backstage passes.”
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  “That’s what I thought,” Katie practically screamed. “But I wanted you to tell me that you saw what I saw before I fainted.”

  Katie turned to hug Octavia. “This is going to be the best concert I’ve ever gone to. And these tickets are for the floor. They look like they’re really close to the stage, if you look at this diagram that was in the envelope. I mean this is incredible. I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it,” she cried.

  Octavia was stunned. She wasn’t only going to see Tobias Morgan in concert. She was going to meet him after the concert. She closed her eyes for a moment, catching her breath. Katie was right about this being incredible. But what was really incredible, if not downright scary, was the timing. She knew there was no way this was planned or that she could have made this happen because of her dreams of Tobias. It was just one of those strange occurrences when all the stars were in alignment and everything just fell into place. It was a simple matter of fate at work. She felt a slight tremor run through her body. What else could it be?

  Chapter Two

  Octavia didn’t think she would be able to eat a thing, but Katie insisted that they should have something, even if it were only a salad. They decided to go down to the restaurant in the hotel where they could use their food credit that was attached to the room. Katie ordered a Caesar salad, and Octavia followed suit. However, when Katie ordered a white wine, Octavia decided to stick with water.

  “I’ll tell you one thing that I’m going to do when this is over,” Katie said after taking a sip of her wine. “I’m going to write a nice thank-you note to the radio station.”

  “That’s a good idea. Thanks again for inviting me to share this with you.”

  ‘Thanks for coming with me. And to think you were even debating on whether or not to come.” She laughed.

  “I know. I would have really missed out.”

  They finished their salads and went back up to the room to relax. They decided to try and take a nap for a half hour or so. Octavia closed her eyes but couldn’t keep her mind or her heart from racing. Tobias Morgan was so close that she could almost feel his breath in her hair. The man of her dreams, not the real Tobias Morgan, she reminded herself. She finally decided to just get up and get dressed. When she walked out into the living room, Katie was already dressed, sitting on one of the sofas watching the big screen television that was tuned in to one of the entertainment news shows. And of course, Octavia thought, who would they be talking about but Tobias Morgan? He was caught by one of the interviewers as he was coming out of what looked like a charity event. He had a woman on his arm who was smiling at the camera with pouty lips and perfect white teeth. She was petite with long, dark hair, big eyes, and a beautiful body that left little to the imagination in a very short, tight blue dress. She was exactly the type of woman one would expect him to be with.

  Octavia sat down beside Katie, who said, not taking her eyes off the screen, “He’s one sexy man. And tonight, we’re going to get to meet him.”

  “Yes, we are.” Octavia’s eyes were also glued to the couple walking away with Tobias giving a smile and a wave to the camera. He looked delicious, but hopefully not so good in person.

  “Is that what you’re wearing tonight?” Katie asked, giving Octavia a once-over.

  “That’s the plan. Why?” She thought she looked fine in her jeans, sneakers, and long-sleeved sweater blouse.

  “Don’t get me wrong. You look great. You always do. But I thought you’d want to dress a little less casual tonight.” Katie’s statement came out more like a question.

  Octavia then really looked at what Katie was wearing. She had on a halter-type top that pushed her small breasts upward and outward and didn’t quite reach her midriff. Her jeans were tight and her heels were the same ruby red as her top. She had combed her brown hair away from her face and into a ponytail that hung straight and long down her back. She was wearing more makeup than Octavia had ever seen her wear before.

  “You look great. But aren’t you going to be cold in that?”

  “We’re going to be inside, and there’s a lot of body heat at concerts. Besides, I have a jacket. You know, we still have enough time if you want me to do your makeup, and I did bring a few different outfits.

  “We’re not exactly the same size.”

  “Bottoms, yes, tops not so much, but I still think I have something that would fit you.”

  “I don’t know. I think being comfortable works, too.”

  Katie just made a groan and said, “Octavia, tonight is our night. Come on and let me do you up real nice. We’re going to meet the band for god’s sake, and besides, I feel kind of funny dressed like this while you’re dressed like that.”

  This was Katie’s party, and she was her guest. The last thing she wanted to do was make her uncomfortable or take away from her evening in any way. “Okay. Lead the way.”

  Katie worked on her makeup first and then pulled out a very sexy, low-cut aqua-blue top with tiny little sequins along the neckline from the closet. Octavia realized she wouldn’t be able to wear a bra with it and said as much to Katie, who just shrugged. “At least try it on, okay?”

  It was snug, very snug, and she felt exposed. Her nipples were outlined through the material.

  Seeing the concern on her face in the mirror, Katie said, “You can wear a jacket all night if you want to, but you look fantastic. I wish I had breasts like yours. They’re perfect.”

  Octavia felt herself blushing. “Thanks, but yours are just fine. This feels quite indecent.”

  Next, Katie handed her a pair of black pants that were tight but not uncomfortable. They were followed with a pair of black heels that also fit.

  “Now you look like you’re ready for the concert.”

  “You think so, huh?” Octavia twirled around and had to admit she looked a lot different. Katie had applied smoky eye shadow and dark eyeliner to highlight her eyes. They looked larger, and her lashes were thick with mascara.

  “It’s time to go,” Katie said over her shoulder, walking out of the bedroom. Octavia followed, hoping she didn’t pop out of Katie’s top during the concert.

  Katie went directly to the concierge’s desk to inquire about their driver and was told he was waiting for them in front of the hotel, near the taxi stand. They walked out into the cold night air, both buttoning their jackets.

  * * * *

  The concert started with Antiqua opening for Naked Dreamer. They were a decent group that knew how to warm up the crowd. Octavia still couldn’t believe they were sitting front row center to the stage. She had imagined their view would be obstructed by people who would stand in front of them to get closer to the stage, but a low level barricade had been placed around the stage along with security guards who were roaming back and forth to prevent anyone from getting too close. They had a perfect view of the stage and the band members. She had actually caught one of them staring at Katie when she had bent over to pick up her water bottle that had fallen. Katie had laughed, unembarrassed. “He’s adorable. I can’t wait to meet him. We’ll get to meet Antiqua, too, don’t you think?”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised.” She had to admit that she was starting to catch the fever of the crowd that had become louder and louder in anticipation of Tobias Morgan and Naked Dreamer. Finally, Antigua left the stage and the lights were turned out. Because they were so close, she could see the crew running on and off the stage before everything went still. With a flash of light, the music started and the strobe lights began to sparkle. The melody of the song “Everywhere but Here” filled the arena that now sparkled like a sky filled with a million stars. Octavia felt flushed. She couldn’t take her eyes off the man captured by the floating lights as he ran out to join his band to the roar of the crowd.

  Tobias Morgan grabbed the standing microphone and stood before her, tall, dark, and incredibly sexy. He began moving his hips to the music, his voice pouring over her like liquid velvet warming her body. The visualization of his body covering her
s was so real it startled her, forcing her to look away from the stage. Katie was already on her feet screaming, her hands in the air above her head, clapping to the beat of the music while she gyrated her hips with wild abandon.

  It was as if he were willing her to look at him, to watch him, and she didn’t have the strength to fight the pull to look up at the stage where he was moving with an abundance of grace and energy. It was like no one existed but him. She was so close to the stage that she could see his long lashes and beautiful dark eyes that held her attention. She felt like his eyes were sucking her into him, but she knew it was only an illusion. Every woman there probably felt the power of his presence. His black shirt, unbuttoned down his chest to reveal his chest hair, was tucked into a pair of tight jeans. She couldn’t take her eyes off the muscles that were visible beneath his shirt, rippling and flexing as he moved across the stage. She was mesmerized by his every move.

  “Oh my God, he’s gorgeous,” Katie yelled into her ear. Octavia just nodded her head. Yes, he was gorgeous. He was supposed to be a disappointment, but so far, he was anything but that. In fact, she was beginning to think that if it were possible, her dreams had not done him justice. Song after song poured from his beautiful lips, and in between he spoke to his audience about the inspiration for his songs with tidbits of humor about the band members. He worked the crowd like a magician who knew exactly what was needed to bring them with him inside the magnificent show that was Naked Dreamer live and uncut. He was an excellent performer. And from the look of pure adoration on the faces of his audience, she wasn’t the only one feeling the electricity of his performance.

  At some point, Octavia stood up beside Katie, who had not sat down all night between dancing, singing, and screaming. She was the perfect fan, Octavia thought as she smiled at her friend. Katie’s lack of inhibition inspired her to take off her own jacket. She was overheated, and at this point no one was looking at her anyway. Nothing mattered except the music that surrounded them and the man that she couldn’t take her eyes off of as he continued to entertain them. The band played for two and a half straight hours without a break. They gave their fans an incredible show, especially Tobias, whose entire body was dripping in sweat by the time he sang his signature song, “Only When You Can’t See Me.”