“They got lucky,” she told me. “A video from one of their shows went viral. The guys were all incredibly dynamic on stage. Listening to them play was a rush. I even ended up in the mosh pit at a couple of their shows.”
“Yet you don’t like rock,” I mused.
“I do,” she argued. “It’s the other stuff that seems to go along with it I hate. The last time I saw them play, I hung out with the guys for a little while after the show. They were all drunk off their asses, and two band members even tried hooking up with me—one tried right before puking on my shoes. That was the last time I saw them play. I didn’t spend any time with Lex after that night. We even avoided visiting my parents at the same time.”
“You seem close now,” I remarked.
“We reconnected when Lex was in prison,” she began. “It wasn’t easy. Part of me was angry with him, the other part felt guilty. Again, I know it wasn’t my fault, but guilt doesn’t always make sense.”
“You’re right about that,” I agreed.
“How’s your mom doing?” she asked.
“She’s doing okay,” I replied. “They say she has dementia on top of everything else. Some days, she doesn’t remember what year it is. I had her ask me how school was going recently.”
“That must be hard,” she told me, reaching over to place her hand on my thigh.
“She asks about you,” I added.
“She does?” Bentley looked genuinely surprised.
“Yeah,” I replied with a smile. “The other day, she asked if I was taking you to prom.”
“What did you tell her?” she asked with a laugh.
“I told her you’re the only girl I want to take to prom but you haven’t agreed yet,” I replied.
“You haven’t asked me to prom,” she accused.
“Give me some time,” was my response. “I’ve got to build up my courage. I told her I’m going to bring you for a visit as soon as I convince you to go steady with me.”
“You didn’t actually tell her that,” she insisted. “Did you? No one uses that phrase anymore.”
“I didn’t use those exact words, but that is the gist of what I told her,” I replied.
“I honestly thought you’d give up by this point,” she admitted as she parked in front of my house.
“Not gonna happen,” I told her. “Would you like to come inside?”
Bentley looked away nervously. “For a drink?” she asked.
“No,” I replied, deciding I didn’t need to explain my reasons for inviting her in. Bentley knew damn well what I wanted from her. It was the same thing she wanted.
Her eyes met mine, and she replied, “Yes, I’d like to come in.”
Chapter 40
Bentley
With his hand on my lower back, Gage guided me to the front door. I was glad I’d decided to buy my condo when housing prices were down. I couldn’t even guess what Gage was paying in rent. Rental prices had skyrocketed after the crash. I let out a nervous laugh as I walked into his home.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“I just realized I must be losing my mind,” I admitted.
“Why’s that,” he asked as he slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer.
“I’m with the hottest guy I’ve ever met, and I’m thinking about the real estate market in the Bay Area instead of how good you look naked,” I confessed.
“Wanna know what I’m thinking about?” he asked with a wicked grin.
“What’s that?” I purred.
“How good your pussy tastes,” he rasped out.
“Oh,” I breathed out. “We should definitely talk about housing in this area later.”
“Much later,” he uttered before his mouth claimed mine.
Gage had been teasing me with innocent kisses. Tonight, he was finally giving me what I needed. With one hand still on my lower back, his other tangled in my hair to hold me in place while his tongue explored my mouth. My hands slid under his shirt, gliding along his abs and up to his chest.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he breathed against my lips before pulling back to strip my shirt over my head.
“Your turn,” I told him, pointing to his shirt.
Gage quickly obliged, tossing his shirt across the room and pulling me into his arms again. His mouth moved against mine, hard and commanding. In that moment, I was his. My fingers were already working at the fastenings on his jeans. I needed to touch him. It had been too long.
“You taste so good,” he praised, his hands moving to the fastening on my bra to free my breasts. Gage pulled back to cup my breasts, staring down at them as he tested their weight. “Gorgeous.”
Leaning forward, I flicked one of his small nipples with my tongue, enjoying the way he shuddered. “I’ve missed you,” I confessed. “I kept telling myself I’d eventually stop wanting you, but I can’t.”
“Good,” he rasped out, cupping my chin with one hand. “I have no intention of letting you go.”
His lips moved along my jaw as he pressed closer to my body. When I reached for the fastenings on his jeans, he caught my hands and pinned them behind my back. My irritated scowl made him smile.
“I want to touch you,” I complained.
“I want that, too,” he replied. “It’s just been too long.”
I struggled to free my wrists and moaned when Gage kept them secured as he leaned forward to take one of my nipples between his lips. He continued to suckle my nipple until I was whimpering and writhing in his arms.
“Undress for me,” he commanded when he released my hands.
Licking my lips, I nodded and reached for the button on my jeans as I kicked out of my boots. When I was standing in front of him naked, Gage’s eyes drank in the sight of me before taking my hand and guiding me further into his living room. He stopped with me standing against the back of his sofa and dropped to his knees in front of me. I gasped when he fingers spread my pussy open so he could run his tongue along my clit. Reaching back, I gripped the sofa for support and spread my legs to give Gage better access. He took full advantage, licking and sucking my clit until I was certain my legs would give out on me.
“Oh, Gage,” I moaned when he lifted one of my legs over his shoulder. He slipped two fingers into me and began to thrust them in and out of my body while his tongue worked its magic on my clit.
His mouth was perfect, and it didn’t take him long to bring me to the edge. I wanted him in me when I came undone. I’d missed him.
“Not this way,” I pleaded. “I need you in me.”
Gage quickly stood and stripped out of his remaining clothes before grabbing a condom from his wallet.
“Bend over the back,” he rasped out, and I immediately obeyed.
I practically sighed with relief when I felt the head of his cock at my opening. As he pushed into my body, small spasms moved along my core.
“Fuck,” Gage hissed. “You feel incredible. I’ve missed you so much.” His movements started out slow as he bent his knees to find the best position to press against the front of my channel.
My moans and needy whimpers echoed across the room as I pressed back to meet his thrusts. I was desperate for him to fuck me hard and fast, but he held back, moving slowly in and out of my body. I’d been on the edge of my climax when he’d first slid inside me. Now, my body was strung so tightly, I was ready to scream. Gage kept my orgasm just out of reach for what seemed like an eternity.
Reaching one hand behind me, my fingernails raked across his thigh, drawing a ragged breath from Gage’s throat. “That’s it,” he praised. “Show me how much you want me.”
One hand gripped my hair so he could turn my head until I was facing him. His expression was fierce as he struggled to remain in control. When my nails dug into his thigh, Gage growled low in his throat and released my hair so he could grip my hips with both hands. He thrust into my body so hard my feet lifted off the ground.
Loud mewling noises came from the back of my throat. My
body continued to coil tighter until the first ripples of my orgasm flowed through my body.
Just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, my orgasm hit so hard I screamed. With the blood pumping in my ears, I distantly heard Gage find his own release.
Chapter 41
Bentley
I hadn’t planned to spend the night at Gage’s place, but he’d been very convincing. Each time I’d said I was going home, he’d distracted me with sex, not that I was complaining. His distractions were amazing, but I was going to be late if I didn’t hurry home to shower and dress.
“I have to get up,” I insisted.
Gage had me pinned to the bed with his large body as he held my hands above my head. Wiggling under him, I was surprised to find him hard again. Before Gage, I would have argued no man had this much stamina.
“I’ve got a much better idea,” he whispered as he rocked against my core.
“Gage, I need to go to work,” was my weak protest. “I still have to go home to shower and get clean clothes.”
“What if I keep you in my bed forever?” he asked.
“Your brother will never forgive you if I don’t show up for work,” I reminded him.
“I’ll let you leave under one condition,” he began as he leaned forward to take my earlobe between his teeth and bite down gently.
I practically whimpered before responding. “Are you saying I have to negotiate with you to leave this bed?”
Did I even want to negotiate with Gage to leave his bed? I really liked the things that happened in Gage’s bed, and in several other places in his home. I was amazed my voice wasn’t hoarse from screaming. Somehow, I’d managed to convince myself I’d been wrong about how good the first night with Gage had been. I’d started to believe I was simply building it up in my memories, but Gage really was that good in bed.
My phone began buzzing, a warning that I needed to be out of bed soon. I was going to be late even if I got up now. Gage wasn’t helping me focus on leaving. He slid down my body and took one of my nipples into my mouth.
“I have to go,” I said with no real conviction.
“I know you do,” he murmured, his warm breath caressing my nipple. I arched to get closer to his mouth, and he chuckled. “All you have to do to get out of this bed is promise to come back tonight.”
“I’m not sure I want to get out of bed,” I admitted.
“But you do want to spend another night in my bed, don’t you?” he prompted. “Promise to come back and spend the weekend with me.”
“Yes,” I breathed out as Gage suckled my nipple. One could easily argue I was agreeing under duress, but I would forgive him for his technique.
Gage rolled off of me with a triumphant grin. “I can’t wait to finish what we started tonight. Don’t work too late.”
I climbed out of bed, my body pulsing with need. I was tempted to stay in bed a little longer, but I prided myself on being a good employee. That had always seemed like an admirable quality. Now, it just seemed frustrating. It was going to be a very long day, but at least I had my weekend with Gage to look forward to.
Chapter 42
Gage
We were getting set up for practice in the studio space owned by our label. Unlike in Los Angeles, this space wasn’t in the same building as the main offices. We weren’t the record label’s only Bay Area based band, so we’d had to schedule around the other bands. I’d been excited to see Floating Darkness wrapping up their practice upon our arrival.
“Are you sure Ginger Ann’s brother can play?” Xander asked.
I shrugged. “If not, you can play bass like we’d originally planned.”
Xander was a genius when it came to music. He could play any instrument. That had helped out more than once when a member of our band was sick or injured. Despite all his talent, Xander preferred to focus on singing and interacting with the crowd.
“He’s a nice guy,” Austin chimed in as he twirled his drumstick around.
“I don’t care how nice he is if he can’t play,” Xander shot back.
“Don’t be a dick,” Harley told Xander.
“He’s also good,” Austin added. “At least, he was good.”
“How do you know?” I asked.
“Ginger Ann didn’t drive me home, and you made me promise not to mess around with her friend, so I had plenty of time to research Lex. I found some videos of his band. I can see why they got signed.”
“He’s going to need to learn our stuff before the show. We’ll have time to figure out if we like his style or not,” I reminded Xander.
“It was still an asshole move to make this call without discussing it with the rest of the band,” Xander accused.
“You’re right,” I agreed with a sigh. “I’m sorry for springing this on you.”
“Come on, Xander,” Austin began. “This will work out fine.”
“Okay.” Xander agreed. “I want waffles out of this. Really good waffles. Harley may have to bring waffles from Los Angeles. The places up here all suck.”
“Let’s talk about waffles after we practice,” Harley suggested. “I don’t need the practice, but you losers were all off the last time we played.”
“Off, my ass,” I shot back as I grabbed my guitar.
Chapter 43
Bentley
My morning had been insanely busy. I’d been either on the phone, answering emails, or running down to talk to staffing all day. I also had to remember to refer to them as Talent and Acquisitions or they got touchy. We’d recently gotten a new contract with a big firm who had very specific needs. Since these temporary jobs would become permanent if the people worked out, the company was also doing some recruiting from recent graduating classes. I needed to approve all travel set up by the talent and acquisitions support staff since the supervisor who normally oversaw the recruiters was out on family leave. As If I didn’t already have enough on my plate.
“How are you doing today, Marie?” Colin asked as he passed my desk on the way to James’ office.
I did my best to hide my shock at his presence. Colin hadn’t mentioned coming in. “Busy, as always. How are you today? I didn’t know you were coming into the office.”
“Neither did I,” he admitted. “My internet went down, and I had too much to get done.”
“Did you drive here?” I asked.
Colin’s anxiety was at its worst when he drove, so I suspected he hadn’t.
“I did,” he replied, looking pleased. “I took side streets, so it was a long drive, but I’m here. How are things going with my brother?”
“Fine,” I replied.
“I see,” Colin said with a smirk. “Tell him I said hello.”
Without waiting for a response, he disappeared into James’ office.
“I need a break,” I muttered. Looking at the time, it was already three. I’d been in the office since nine, so it was long past time to get up from my desk. First, I dialed my back-up to let her know I was sending my calls to her desk for the next hour. I’d only take a thirty-minute lunch, but this would give me time to check on a few other things without having to worry about the phone. Since it was so late, I decided to grab a smoothie so I wouldn’t spoil my appetite for dinner.
As soon as I stepped into the elevator, I checked my phone. It had been buzzing in my purse all day. I already knew who was so determined to get in touch with me. Sure enough, I had a long text string from Cami. Rather than reading it all, I decided to just answer the question I was certain she’d asked ten different ways.
Bentley: I drove him back to his place and stayed the night.
Cami: That’s my slutty little groupie! I’m so proud of you!
Bentley: LOL! Groupie? I’m definitely not a groupie.
Cami: You are addicted to Gage Addison’s wonder pole.
I had to bite back a laugh as I stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby. This conversation was going to require all my attention, so I ordered my mango smoothie before responding.<
br />
Bentley: Wonder pole? Where did you come up with that term?
Cami: Austin used it.
Bentley: Did Austin stay behind to show you his wonder pole?
While Cami had mentioned finding Austin attractive before, I hadn’t detected much chemistry between them. There’d been some flirting, but it had seemed innocent to me.
Cami: Of course not. I totally thought he was hot before. Now that I’ve spent time around him, it would be like kissing my brother.
Bentley: You don’t have a brother.
Cami: Fine, it would be like kissing your brother. Both are hot, but neither does anything for me. Such a pity. Maybe you can introduce me to Xander.
Bentley: I’m sure you’ll meet him.
Cami: I guess Gage finally wore you down.
Bentley: A girl can only handle so much stalking before she gives in.
Cami: Are you okay with dating him?
I hesitated in responding because I wasn’t certain I was ready to say we were dating. We were, so refusing to admit to it was ridiculous.
Bentley: I guess we’ll see how things go.
Cami: I need to go. I have a patient coming in. Are you free for drinks tonight?
Bentley: Sorry, I have plans with Gage.
Cami: To ride his wonder pole?
Bentley: You are such a dork. I’ll call you later.
I’d just taken my first sip of my smoothie when my phone buzzed.
Gage: How’s your day going?
Bentley: Busy. Colin came in to the office. He said to tell you hi.
Gage: I’ll message him later. I can’t wait to see you tonight.
Gage: What are you wearing?
I shook my head at his question, wondering if he was teasing me or if he was honestly hoping to sext with me. I decided to play along.
Bentley: Since I’m at work, I’m wearing nothing but a thong and shoes with four-inch heels.
Gage: Now that is a very nice image. I may need to visit my brother at work.
Bentley: I’m positive he’s wearing more than a thong. Maybe you can catch him in a thong later.
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