by Claire Adams
A look of absolute contentment spread across her face, making her absolutely breathtaking. Carefully, she exited the stage, a broad smile on her face as she headed to a table where a friend was waiting. I simply sat and watched her in silence, still in awe of her amazing, soulful performance. Just when I had thought she couldn't surprise me anymore, she had done just that.
Without hesitation, I headed straight over to her, slipping my arm around her waist and pulling her toward the dance floor as music began to play. Her friend let out a gasp and stared after us, but I paid her no mind. I pulled Nalia against me, moving in rhythm with her as a slow song played. She stared up at me in shock.
“What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see you,” I told her honestly, as I slipped my arms around her waist. She narrowed her eyes at me but slid her arms around my neck. “I didn’t know you played the piano so well,” I smiled at her. “What else can you play?”
A slow grin turned up the corners of her perfect lips. “You.”
Chapter Eighteen
Nalia
I couldn’t believe that Owen had shown up. He was saying all the right things, and I was feeling pretty high from the elation of playing my heart out on stage—not to mention kinda buzzed from the drinks I'd had—but that still didn’t mean I was just going to give in to what I was fairly certain he was there for.
With a smile, I shook my head as he tried to get me to dance, and I pulled away from him and headed back toward the table and Grace, who was staring at me wide-eyed. She was apparently in as much shock as I was that Owen was there. I didn’t have to look back to know he was right on my trail. Why had he driven all the way to my side of the city? Judging from the time since I'd responded to his message and when he'd shown up and surprised me, he must have left soon after receiving my text. The question I wasn’t quite so sure about was...why?
When I reached the table, Owen saddled up next to me, taking the seat across from Grace. I introduced them to each other, and they both shook hands. “Grace Nelson, actress and best friend, meet Owen Young, rock star and boss.”
“I’m a big fan of Bleeding Heart! Seriously. I'm super excited to hear some new stuff from you guys,” Grace told Owen. I frowned at her for gushing at him. She was supposed to be backing me up, helping me stand my ground, not boosting his ego.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Grace,” Owen smiled at her. “So, you're an actress, huh? What area do you work in, film or television?”
“Oh, just a daytime soap.”
“Which one?”
“Ha, if you watched them, you'd know!” she laughed.
He laughed in response. “True, I guess you’ve got me there. I really don't have much time to watch TV these days. Although, now that Nalia is doing such an amazing job, maybe I will find a little time to check out a TV show or two. Maybe I'll even see you on your daytime soap.”
She chuckled. “Please don’t feel obligated. If I have my way, it’s just a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Kind of like my girl here,” she changed the subject. “Did you enjoy Nalia’s performance up there?”
“Immensely.” Owen’s gaze flickered to me.
I kept my mouth in a hard line, trying to ignore the shiver that moved through me as his eyes brushed over me. He just wants sex, I told myself. Don't fall for this sweet guy routine. It's just flattery to soften you up, win you over, and get you into bed. Still, it wasn’t like that was such a bad thing. I mean, I’d had fun, too. Hell, if I was going to be completely honest with myself, it had been mind-blowing. Amazing. Seriously, some of the best sex I'd ever had.
No, I mentally slapped myself. Quit thinking about it. You are not going to give in to him and just get used like he probably does with all of the girls he takes home. You're here to do a job, not just hop into bed with a rock star.
“Would you ladies like another round?” Owen asked.
“Sure,” Grace answered before I could say anything in protest. “Let's get this party started!”
As he walked to the bar, I narrowed my eyes at her. “What the hell are you doing, Grace?”
“What? Come on, Nay. He obviously likes you. You already shot him down, but he still showed up here anyway. If nothing else, he’s certainly persistent, and you should really give him a few points for that. Besides, he's so hot.”
“Seriously? Come on, Grace, I thought you were on my side,” I frowned at her.
“I am, I am, but it is okay to have a little fun, too, ya know. Jeez, most girls would totally kill to be in your shoes right now!” She gave me a nudge in the side. I started to respond, but Owen returned before I could, so I just shut my mouth and smiled as he slid a drink in front of each of us.
“Thanks,” I said into my drink, still keeping my eyes on him. He frowned, watching me. I considered that it was possible I might have been being a little hard on him, and maybe Grace was right. Owen and I had had fun the last time things got intimate between us and, oddly enough, things hadn't been weird between us afterwards. It wasn’t like he was using me if I enjoyed it as much as him and didn’t expect any sort of attachment or conditions from it. I mean, we were two, mature adults just enjoying ourselves and each other, right?
He leaned in close and whispered into my ear. “You were absolutely stunning on stage. Your passion up there seriously set me on fire. And when I say that, I mean totally on fire. All over.”
I tried to force back the smile that threatened to spread across my lips. Instead of smiling or saying anything in return, I simply directed my gaze up, and was immediately met with a stare that churned every butterfly I hadn’t even known was in my stomach. “Thank you,” I mouthed, my eyes never leaving his.
“I think you'll regret it if you don't spend the night with me,” he whispered back. “We could have a truly amazing time together tonight. Trust me on that.”
From the corner of my eye, I could see Grace raise a questioning eyebrow at me and flash me a cheeky smile.
I didn’t say a word. I only searched his stare and nodded my head.
“I’m guessing you two are gonna be going soon?” Grace asked, holding out her hand for my keys. I flushed, a little embarrassed, and fished my keys out of my purse for her. In my state, it was probably best if I didn’t drive, anyway.
“I’m sorry to steal her away,” Owen said to Grace, placing a palm gently on my lower back. Warmth pooled in me at the light touch of his hand, and my cheeks flushed once more. “But I promise you, she's in good hands. Very good hands.”
She waved a dismissive hand at both of us. “It’s no problem. You two get out of here and go have some fun,” she said with a grin.
“You sure, Grace? You'll be fine here all on your own?” I asked. She simply gave me a knowing smile and waved me off toward the door.
“I think that’s our cue to go. Come on.” Owen’s fingers intertwined with mine as he led me to the exit. Giving up, I followed.
We are just having some fun, I told myself. It's not going to be anything more than that. Just some fun between two people who happen to be attracted to each other.
He led me out to his Porsche and opened the door for me. Before he loosened his grip around my waist to allow me to get in, he gave me a slow, teasing kiss, flicking his tongue into my mouth. When he pulled his lips away from mine, they lingered barely a breath from my mouth. My heart raced. He then placed a soft kiss on my forehead before helping me into the car.
As he settled in on his side of the car, he flashed a pleased, content smile at me. Yes, he really had driven all the way there because of wanting me. I found myself wondering what he had meant when he had said it was lonely sometimes being him.
Owen started up the car and pulled out of his parking spot, then put his hand on my knee, gently caressing.
“I know I already said it once, but you were amazing up there on stage,” he said, letting his hand slide a little higher up my thigh. A light shiver ran through me. As we stopped at a light, he leaned over to
kiss me, one hand brushing up my arm and against my breast. I couldn’t say for sure if it was intentional, but it definitely sent my pulse into overdrive.
“You looked and sounded like an angel up there. You’ve got a lot of talent, you really do. It was easy to see that the music was everything to you. And watching you perform with such passion and intensity was possibly the hottest thing I’ve ever witnessed.” His breath tickled my neck as he spoke.
“The light’s green,” I giggled. He laughed and pulled away, but he quickly placed his hand on my thigh once more, a little higher this time, brushing just under the hem of my skirt.
“God, your skin’s so soft, and you have killer legs. You know when I like them best, though?” He flashed me a sideways glance, giving my thigh a gentle squeeze.
“When they’re in heels?” I guessed.
“Not a bad guess, and that is quite impressive, but no. They're definitely my favorite when they’re wrapped around my head.” A devious smile crossed his lips, and I blushed a little as heat pooled between my thighs at the mental picture that embedded in my mind. Yeah, I liked my legs like that, too. His hand began to slide slowly higher up my inner thigh, the tips of his fingers brushing softly against the outside of my panties. At the thrill this touch stirred up, I let out a small gasp. His devious grin only grew.
“Shouldn’t you be paying attention to the road?” I asked, a little breathless as his fingertips continued to caress me teasingly through the silky fabric.
“I’m good at multitasking,” he told me, and then let out a gruff, sexy laugh as we hit another red light. He took the opportunity to slide two fingers under my panties. The heat between my legs was growing more and more intense. I was more than a little wet. I spread my legs a little to allow him more access and bit my bottom lip, stifling a whimper as his fingers began to work their magic on me.
As the waves of pleasure started to build inside me, growing more and more with every second that passed, I reached across and began caressing the crotch of his jeans where a large bulge was already starting to press against the fabric.
“Mmm, now that might make it hard for me to focus on the road,” he smiled that crooked grin of his.
Just as a tease, I leaned over toward him. He moved his arm to give me access and started to fuss with his zipper. Clearly, he thought I was leaning over to give him head.
Instead, I leaned over and brushed my lips against his neck then softly eased them up to his ear and whispered. “Light’s green,” I smiled playfully.
“Humph. Tease,” he grumbled jokingly and returned his attention to the road.
“Oh, a tease, am I?” I raised an eyebrow at him.
He glanced over and nodded. “Yes. Yes, you are. Don't try pretend like you aren't.”
My smile widened into a mischievous one. I leaned back in my seat, then moaned as realistically as I could, “Ohhh, Owen, mmmm! Don’t stop!”
The car swerved to the side before Owen recovered, his cheeks flushing this time.
“Shit! Not while I’m driving,” he laughed nervously, then swallowed hard. His hand returned to my thigh, kneading the flesh there with playful pressure. “As much as I love the sound of you moaning my name, that’s enough to make us end up in a ditch. And I'm sure neither one of us wants the night to end like that, now do we?”
“Maybe you shouldn’t call me a tease, then.” I cocked an eyebrow.
“Point taken,” Owen grinned. He leaned over, kissing me hard at the next stop light. “I do hope to hear you moan like that in a little bit, though. You have no idea what that does to me.” He pulled my hand to his crotch, where I could feel a rather impressive bulge had formed.
“Oh, I think I might actually have a pretty good idea what that does to you,” I said, pulling my hand back as one of his started to caress my breasts. “By the way, light’s green again. Why do I have to keep reminding you of that? I thought you said you were good at this multitasking thing. You weren't telling lies to me, were you?” I laughed cheekily.
“Shit.”
I laughed again, and he pulled away again as a car honked behind us.
“I can’t help myself around you. You’re so distracting. Man, I can't get my mind to focus on anything else.”
He kept his hand on my thigh as he drove, caressing, kneading, and teasing me with his fingertips at nearly every stop until the gates around his house came into view. He gnawed at his lip, giving me a smoldering glance as he parked the car.
I licked my lips, tugging the bottom one between my teeth just thinking about what was to come. He smiled broadly at me and shook his head, coming around my side of the car and opening the door for me. “Don’t let me fall for you, Nalia,” he said, breathless. “Seriously.”
I raised an eyebrow, staring up at him, and grinned. “Maybe you already have.”
He laughed, mumbling, “Cheeky little thing, aren’t you,” before picking me up and pressing me against the side of the car, grinding his hips into me, his growing erection rubbing against my panties with delectable pressure.
I smiled, brushing my lips against his earlobe and moaned, low and sweet. “Ohhh, Owen, mmmm!”
“Oh, hell yeah. That’s music to my ears,” he groaned, his dick stiffening with a throbbing tightness against me. He pulled his mouth away from mine and then moved, throwing me over his shoulder, carrying me caveman-style to the front door as I shrieked and laughed. “You’ve done it now,” he chuckled, swatting me on the ass as I squirmed and wiggled playfully. “I warned you about that moaning.”
“Put me down!” I giggled, still squirming. His hand squeezed my ass.
“All that wiggling around isn’t helping your case any, young lady,” he added as he laughed and tossed me onto the large, plush sectional in his living room. It had a huge ottoman in front of it. It made the sofa nearly as big as a regular bed.
“Now, take off that little skirt of yours,” he commanded. “It’s been driving me nuts all day. Distracting as hell. All I've been able to think about is what I know lies under it. God, girl, you have no idea how crazy it's made me seeing you in that.”
I smiled up at him and hooked my thumbs into the top of my skirt, wriggling out of it like a snake shedding its skin, revealing the silky, red panties I had on. He let out a pleased sound at the sight of them and stroked the outside of his jeans, his erection straining against the denim. I squeezed my knees together and bit my lip, sitting up on my elbows as I watched him.
Owen kept his gaze glued to mine, pulling his shirt over his head to reveal his fit, chiseled abs and those perfectly shaped pecs as the muscles shifted in his arms. I let out another soft moan, unable to help it at the sight of his body, including those cut lines going down his hips on each side.
Without prompting, I pulled off my own shirt to reveal my tanned skin and a matching red bra. His breath hitched as his gaze burned over me. He undid his jeans and shoved his pants and boxer briefs down, stroking himself as he stepped out of them, his gaze staying on me all the while.
“God, you’re beautiful, Nalia,” he groaned before he climbed on the couch, his erection dragging against my thighs and my stomach as he hovered over me. His mouth tenderly covered mine, and our tongues began a slow, tantric dance. I reached my hand between his thighs, caressing his hot, fully erect hardness, swallowing his moans against my lips. My blood was so hot in my veins now that it felt as if I might burst into flames at any moment. The moisture between my thighs was almost dripping down my legs.
No, there was nothing wrong with this. Nothing at all. We had an amazing sexual chemistry, we were both attracted to each other, and sometimes it was nice to feel the touch of someone else’s body. It was that simple. There was no reason to let this get complicated. There was nothing more to this than two people simply having a good time, right?
I reached behind me, unclasping my bra. He groaned as it fell away from my breasts. Taking one nipple between his lips, he gently began sucking. His hand kneaded my other breast, with the p
ad of his thumb stroking my nipple. I arched my back to meet his touch. This time, I moaned, but the sound was quickly swallowed up by his mouth as he kissed me again.
“God, that sound,” he whispered against my lips. “I want to hear more of it, I have to hear more of it. It's driving me absolutely fucking wild.”
With that, he kissed me harder, stroking my tongue with his and tugging my bottom lip between his teeth before kissing his way down my body. He stopped just above my panties, letting his hot breath tickle my stomach, making me wet with anticipation. Owen rubbed my thighs with his hands, then curled his fingers around the sides of my red panties, slowly tugging them down, planting gentle, teasing kisses against my skin along the way. I arched my back off the couch, spreading my legs as he pulled my panties out of the way.
For a moment, he didn’t do anything — just sat there, looking with warm, appreciative eyes over my nakedness, and my legs spread out before him. It was almost as if he was studying a piece of art in a museum. Those beautiful eyes of his full of awe and wonder. If nothing else, I knew this man wanted me.
I watched him, my chest rising and falling hard with shallow, anticipating breaths. His gaze met mine momentarily, and he smiled a sweet, gentle smile. Reaching between his legs, he gently began stroking himself with one hand as he admired me. I tilted my head at him curiously, turned on by whatever was going on, almost ready to beg him to touch me. But he leaned forward, still touching himself, and spread my lips with his other hand, ever so gently flicking his tongue against my clit.
Immediately, my head fell back at the teasing lightness of his tongue. I moaned his name, shivering it out, pleading with him to do it again with one simple sound. His tongue flicked out again, tasting my wetness and circling my clit as light as the wisp of butterfly wings. It drove me crazy with desire, and wave after wave of pleasure gushed through my entire body every time his tongue touched me. I reached down, slipping my fingers through his hair and trying to push him down, but his hand came up, catching me by the wrist and holding my hand against my stomach, his mouth moving, hungry. His tongue lapped at me, and he sucked at my clit, driving me close to the edge until I felt dizzy with lust.