Evolving Urges (Gasoline Book 2)

by Bella Jeanisse

  Dominic waved a hand. “You can do that online now.” Then he grinned. “Jon’s actually looking to hire a few guys. Working in a music store, you’d be perfect. He wants to keep Demonfire going while we’re on tour.”

  “When’re you leaving?” Tony asked.

  Dominic looked up at him. “January. We get back in September.” He smiled. “I could use a housesitter. That is, if Noelle is coming with me.”

  “Of course I am.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not letting you be lonely all that time.” She hoped Jon didn’t have other plans for her band.

  Anthony sighed. “What type of experience would Jon need?” He was worried it would be over his head.

  “From what I heard, electrical, soundboard knowledge, instrument tuning.” Dominic was sure they could learn fast. “Stuff like that. Sam and Vince can teach you what you don’t know. We have a few months.”

  Excitedly, Tony nodded. “Cool. I used to play guitar, and a few of my friends have bands. I can work a soundboard.”

  “So can I.” Anthony felt a bit of relief. “If that doesn’t work out, maybe I can teach music at a high school or something.” He had a Master’s Degree in Music Education. At one time, he planned to teach.

  Noelle was in awe. “Is your whole family in the music business?”

  “Kinda.” Dominic kissed her hand. “Mom was a singer until Anthony was born. They planned him. I was kind of a surprise.” He smiled. “Dad plays piano. He taught me to play some, before I took official lessons. When I changed to guitar, he wasn’t too happy, but he got over it.”

  The back door opened and Faith appeared. “Hunter and Angela fell asleep on the love seat together. I put a blanket on them.”

  “Those two are inseparable sometimes.” Tony grinned, glad his baby sister didn’t shun the newest baby in the family. “Maybe I should make them a bed out of blankets or something.”

  Dominic stood abruptly. “No. I’m getting you guys hotel rooms. You’re not sleeping on the floor.” He held up a hand to the two men, who tried to protest. “No argument. Only thing is my Jeep don’t have a third row of seats. We’ll have to make two trips, or take a cab, too.”

  Noelle got to her feet. “I’ll stay here with the little ones if you like.”

  “Thanks.” Tony slapped his thighs and stood as well. “Can we go now? It’s been a really long day.” He fought exhaustion already.

  Dominic led them through the house, and they gathered all their bags. They had brought much more than he expected. Once they were stowed in the cargo space of his SUV, he asked, “Are you having the rest shipped?”

  “No.” Anthony sighed. “This is all we have.” He looked away ashamed to explain.

  Strangely, Dominic understood. He didn’t push. “Then we’ll get what you need when the time comes.” With Anthony in the passenger seat, Tony and Theresa in back, Dominic turned to Noelle, who was in the driveway. “I’m get them settled, then come back for the kids. Thanks for helping me through today.”

  She smiled and placed a hand on his cheek. “I’m always here for you, rock star.” She winked, comfortable with his fame, unlike she had been in the beginning. “Glad it all worked out.” She gave him a soft kiss on the lips. “Take them somewhere with room to breathe. They need a place that feels like home in a way.”

  He grinned. “I know just the place. Musicians are picky, so Jon knows all the hotels around here and in New York. There’s this place near Cherry Hill that has suites with nice beds and a living area. Like a studio apartment, almost.”

  “Perfect.” She threw her arm around him. “Let him have his pride, but don’t back down.”

  He nodded and stepped away. “I’ll be back.”

  * * *

  The ride was quiet. Once they had parked, Anthony looked up at the wide hotel and was surprised at how extravagant it seemed. He kept his reluctance to himself, though. Tony and Theresa were excited.

  “I need two double queen suites, connecting rooms, please.” Dominic smiled at the clerk behind the desk.

  Tori, the clerk, smiled back. “How long are you staying?”

  “Possibly a month or longer.” Dominic glanced at his brother. “I’ll pay in advance for 30 days. OK?”

  “Uh.” Tori looked around for her manager. “Let me see what we can do.” She disappeared into an office.

  Theresa looked around the fancy lobby. “Wow. This place is amazing.” She leaned toward her uncle and whispered, “Is it expensive?”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Dominic didn’t know the cost and didn’t care. “Distract your dad when it comes time to pay.”

  Tori and her manager, Candice, appeared and soon stood in front of him again. Candice put out a hand. “Glad to have you with us, Mr. Spinelli.”

  Dominic had no idea Tori had recognized him. “Thanks, but it’s my brother and his family who will be staying. I’m just paying for it.” He winked and grinned.

  “OK. Mr. Spinelli?” Candice nodded at Anthony, who stood at Dominic’s other side.

  Anthony looked up. “Yes?” Then he laughed. “Wait. Which one of us?”

  Candice let out a brief chuckle. “This time, I meant you. Do you have a preference of floor or side of the building? I can move a few things around.” They had rooms that were rented for the next day, but they would make arrangements for a rock star’s family. They knew word traveled fast when people were treated right.

  “I’m not particular, but rooms together would be best.” Anthony felt even more weight lifted off his shoulders. “Some of our children are under age.” He glanced at his brother who held up a black credit card. If Dominic could get through losing everything and thrive, I can, too.

  Tori checked them in while she spoke. “Breakfast is served every morning. The pool and fitness center are at your disposal. We have free wi-fi and cable television.” She took the offered credit card and ran it.

  “We’ll also need a crib.” Dominic turned to Tony. “Right?”

  Tony shrugged. “Good idea.”

  Dominic elbowed Theresa. “Distract him.” He nodded at Anthony. Then when he and his daughter walked away, Dominic took the receipt for over $5000 and signed it without blinking an eye. “You can charge any room service or extra charges to this card as well. I don’t want them paying for anything.”

  “Very well.” Candice nodded. “We’ll keep it on file until they check out.”

  Anthony picked up a brochure on room options. Then he saw the price of the rooms they rented: $160 per night. “Dom, don’t. This is too much. We’ll go somewhere cheaper.”

  “Too late.” Dominic met his brother’s eyes. “It’s done. Pretend it’s an extended vacation.”

  Anthony rolled his eyes. He knew he had lost. “Fine.” When Dominic led them to their rooms, minutes later, he was floored. “This is like a little apartment.”

  “Exactly.” Dominic sat in a recliner. “You need a bit of normalcy.”

  Tony looked around each of the rooms. They had a refrigerator, a microwave, a desk and recliners, plus two queen-sized beds. The rooms had a homey feel to them. “Angela and Frankie’re gonna love this. And Hunter can’t escape easily.” He was quite a handful.

  Dominic sighed. “How about food shopping next? We can get coolers, too if you like. Or an extra refrigerator.”

  “A cooler is fine.” Anthony finally admitted to himself that he needed his brother’s help and wouldn’t fight it. “Thanks for all this.”

  With a broad smile, Dominic replied, “Any time.”

  The food-shopping trip was done within an hour. They were able to find many non-perishable items, so the refrigerators weren’t over-filled. Ice, soda cans and juice boxes went into the coolers. They had everything they would need for at least a week there.

  “I don’t know if I can thank you enough.” Anthony sat on a bed, overwhelmed by the day’s events. “I didn’t know how we were gonna do this.” He had worried his kids would go hungry a bit, but he didn’t want to burden his parents.
“I’m… I—I… I don’t know.”

  Dominic lifted his head. “It’s OK. Family sticks together. The past is the past, and we’re moving forward now. Enjoy this as much as you can.” He got to his feet. “Let me go back and get the kids. Noelle can help me.” He walked to Tony who sat at a desk. “Did you bring a car seat?”

  “Yeah.” He sighed, exhausted. “It’s behind the couch. Hunter likes to play with it. I left his bag of toys there, too. Uh… I think in the dining room.”

  A hand on Tony’s shoulder, Dominic said, “I’ll find it. You’re a great dad.”

  “Thanks.” Tony got up and hugged his uncle. He was a few inches shorter, like his father was. “Thanks for everything.”

  Dominic pulled back and grinned. “If you need anything else just ask.” He pulled his phone out. “What’s your phone number?” They exchanged numbers then both put their phones away, Dominic dug in his pockets and gathered all the cash he had on hand. He checked behind him. Anthony was in bed, eyes closed.

  Tony’s eyebrows knitted together when Dominic handed him a wad of large bills. “What’s this for?”

  “That’s for emergencies.” Then he gave him a group of smaller bills. “This is for tips. Don’t tell your dad.”

  Chapter 14

  After Dominic and Noelle had gotten the younger children to the hotel and everyone was settled in, he handed Tony the Jeep’s keys. “We’ll go car shopping tomorrow.”

  “You sure?” Tony felt bad.

  Dominic smirked. “I’ll just have to drive the Jaguar for now.” He winked.

  “Wow. Nice.” Tony glanced at his father asleep on the first bed. “He hasn’t slept in weeks. This’s been a shitty month.” He sighed. “I have to get Angela and Frankie registered for school.” He had run the household with Theresa since things went to hell. His father was a basket case for a while. “Not sure where, though.”

  Noelle whispered, “Don’t worry about that until next week. They need time to recoup and get used to the changes. Kids are resilient, though.” She and her brother had been through much worse and turned out just fine. “Do you need anything else before we go?”

  Tony took a deep breath. “No. I think we’re good for now. I’ll unpack, and we can act like this is home for a while. The kids’ll love the pool. Um…” He hesitated, not wanted to be greedy. “Do you have games or anything? We had to sell everything to pay off the debt Mom left us with, including Frankie’s Playstation.”

  “Yeah, I’ll have it dropped off.” Dominic stepped toward him. “You’re all grown up now.” He embraced his nephew, barely able to hold back his emotions. “Glad you guys came home. I missed you.”

  Tony swallowed. Tears stung his eyes. “Me too. Glad you’re happy now.”

  “I am.” Dominic stepped back.

  Noelle moved to Tony and hugged him tightly. “You call if you need anything.”

  “I will.” Tony smiled when she held his shoulders and looked into his eyes. “Take care of my uncle.”

  “Always.” Noelle walked around the room and placed a kiss on everyone’s cheek. They were all asleep. “We’ll be back tomorrow.”

  Dominic tugged her from the room and closed the door quietly. “Gonna be a rough few weeks for them.”

  “Yes, most definitely.” She took his hand and held onto it until they were in the lobby again.

  He asked the clerk for a taxi service, and they called for him. Then they sat in the lounge and relaxed. He took his phone out and searched for game systems online. When he found a reliable website that had a next business day delivery option, he purchased a tablet, a game system and more than 10 games, to be delivered to the hotel.

  Noelle knew he was up to something, but the smile on his face told her it was a good thing. “Are you buying them something?”

  “Maybe.” He had added some toys and a few other things to the cart before he decided his brother would be upset with much more. “The kids need stuff to do.” His smile widened as he looked over the list at check out. “They’re acting like it’s no big deal, but I’m sure deep down it hurts to have nothing.”

  She put a hand on his thigh. “You’re a wonderful uncle. I’m amazed they were so well-behaved. I didn’t see many toys.”

  “I think they’re worried about Anthony. So am I. He’s holding it together. At least he relented and let me help.”

  “Yeah.” Noelle leaned her head on his shoulder and watched him purchase a long list of things on his phone. “Now they have us, too.”

  * * *

  By the time the taxi arrived, the confirmation email had come. The estimated delivery was Monday morning. He hoped the kids liked what he chose. It didn’t feel how he expected. He had thought his brother and his family back in his life would change things. It seemed natural instead. Maybe that’s good.

  Dominic unlocked the door to his apartment, with a smile still on his face. The emotional day had exhausted, though. “Do you mind if we go to bed?”

  “Good idea.” Noelle soon led the way to the bedroom.

  After they had both showered and gotten in bed, Dominic spooned Noelle from behind and held her close. Memories from the day floated by, both good and bad. She was there for it all, to support him.

  “Thanks for butting in,” he murmured into her hair.

  She quickly turned and kissed his lips. “Always.”

  “Glad it didn’t blow up like I expected.” He grinned as she moved closer. Her breasts pressed against his chest. “You have a way with words and men; especially me.” He kissed her hard. Her naked body rubbed his and kick-started desire.

  She put a hand behind his head and held him as she upped the passion. On instinct her leg wrapped around his and pulled him closer. She gasped when his half-hard cock slid over her swollen folds. Her entire body shivered. His fingers threaded through her damp hair. That sent tingles to her spine. Every touch was amplified. That happened to them sometimes. She gripped his hair and tilted her head. Then she pushed her tongue further into his mouth, with a moan.

  A frenzied hunger had taken over, Dominic couldn’t hold back. He rolled on top of her and kissed her jaw, neck, ear and throat then her lips again. He needed her just as frantically as she needed him. A hand ran up and down her side. He caressed her, to urge her desire.

  “Love you,” he gasped.

  He moved his almost full erection between her thighs and found her pussy dripping wet. Without hesitation, he lined it up and pushed into her, forcefully.

  She clutched his shoulders and whimpered. It had stung just a bit.

  “Sorry.”

  Her hands moved to his arms. “I’m fine.”

  Slower, he worked deeper. All the while he kissed and caressed her skin. With each inch he gained, the pleasure increased. She held him loosely. So he knew there was no more pain. His arms went around her, his cheek to hers. His breath was too erratic for kisses. He strained for control. She felt so good, he had to fight going over the edge. If he didn’t look at her, it was easier.

  She wrapped her legs and arms around him. He was still gentle, but she felt his need for more. “Don’t hold back,” she whispered to him.

  Those words were just what he needed. His strokes came faster, harder. The intensity built naturally. He lifted his head and pressed his lips to hers, to show her how much he loved her. Their kisses became desperate. Their breath came quickly as they tried to hold each other closer.

  Suddenly, Noelle shuddered. Her body stiffened. Then it felt like multiple explosions went off all at once. The intense orgasm continued. Her body constantly reacted. Her vision blurred as he continued to pound her. It forced the orgasm to be prolonged even more.

  Dominic felt wetness on his balls and smirked. She had never done that before. Her internal walls pulsated around him, which impeded his thrusts. Then he held her close, caught off guard. “I can’t stop it.” His eyes rolled back as he came deep inside her. Waves of pleasure consumed him. “So glad I found you,” he mumbled into her neck. “I lo
ve you more than anything.”

  Unable to speak, Noelle clung to him, her womb contracted as the rest of her body twitched and seized every few seconds. If she had known sex with him could be so good, she would have jumped on him the day they met.

  As her body settled down, her fingers explored his back and ass. She felt a few scars from the accident that she had not noticed before. He was not what most would consider drop dead gorgeous or hot as hell. However, he was more than that in her eyes. He gave her all of himself. She felt like the only woman in the world when they were together. His love was all she would ever need to trust him. That she was sure of.

  “You awake?” Dominic softly asked, shocked she hadn’t made a sound in a while. “You all right?”

  She nodded. Tears that she didn’t know had formed spilled from her eyes. “I’m fine. Just thinking.” She closed her eyes, glad she could let go of the petty jealousy that sometimes plagued her. “I love you with everything in me, too.”

  He was too tired to figure out what that meant. “ ’Night.”

  “ ’Night,” she muttered. Then a minute later, his weight settled onto her, and she gasped for air. “Dom. Dominic… Get off.” She pushed his shoulders up and took in a deep breath. He was too heavy for her to move in her exhausted state. “Please, Dom.”

  “Huh?” Dominic’s eyes opened a bit.

  She squirmed. “Can’t breathe.”

  “Sorry.” He tried to hold her as he rolled off but couldn’t. When he landed on his back, he promptly fell back to sleep.

  Slowly, she turned and threw and arm and leg over him. “Glad you can sleep now.” She gradually moved her hand until she cupped his cheek. Her head rested on his chest, and she listened to his heart and breathing.

  The first time they had sex, he held her and shook. She didn’t understand, because she went through her own emotions. He was the first man she slept with that she was not in a relationship with. Sex with Dominic was nothing like with any other man. Her entire body hummed with pleasure even after he had pulled out. While she cuddled into his side, he kept an arm around her but didn’t say anything. She was sure he stayed awake as she drifted in and out of sleep, drained physically and emotionally.