Stand (Black Addiction Book 3)

by T Gephart

  “That is so the right thing to say right now.” The words rushed out of my mouth so fast they almost hadn’t made sense. It was what I wanted to hear but had been too scared to ask. “You need to kiss me too.” My lips needed to feel him, to make this more real.

  “I think it’s adorable that you thought this was going any other way.” He chuckled as he brought my head in closer, his mouth inches from mine. “You weren’t getting a choice this time.”

  It felt as though the air was sucked right out of my body, his lips on mine as he wrapped his arms around me. His tongue explored every corner of my mouth as I gave up complete control. His hands on me made me feel like my skin was on fire, my body arching against him seeking more contact.

  I wanted him.

  I wanted to tear the clothes from his body and have him inside of me, and still it wouldn’t have been close enough. My mind completely disengaged as my body pressed harder against his, my tongue delving deeper as my fingers gripped his shirt so tight I was surprised it didn’t tear.

  “I like you, like this.” Max smiled against my mouth, pulling back slightly so he could look at me. “I don’t remember you so possessive.”

  “I was inspired.” I smiled back, my mind choosing that moment to remind me we were still in public. “I always had control issues with you.”

  “Beth. Is everything all right?” Patricia and her ozone layer threatening hairdo stepped out into the courtyard, my absence obviously missed. “You disappeared and—” She stopped midsentence, her eyes focusing on Max as her hand fluttered at her throat awkwardly. “Oh, you have company.”

  “Hi, I’m Beth’s boyfriend, Max.” He held out his hand politely like I hadn’t been dry humping him two minutes ago. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Hello.” She blinked, her eyes widening as her mouth dropped open. “I-I see.” She fumbled slightly as she accepted his handshake, her mouth opening and closing a couple of times unable to find words. Not that I blamed her, he was a lot to take in all at once, especially the first time.

  It was hard not to be slightly awed. Max had the ability to render women speechless, almost as if he had a force field that once you got close you were no longer able to think straight. It’s what had gotten me initially. And every single time after. No amount of time built up immunity to it, and if there was an antidote I wasn’t sure I wanted it.

  “I hope it’s not a problem that I take Jules’ place.” He moved his arm lower to my hip and brought me in close to his side. “It meant a lot for Beth to be here and I didn’t want her to be without a partner.” The beaming smile blinding us both.

  God, he was good.

  Just oozing confidence like it was no big deal. I had no doubt he could have probably convinced Patricia of anything, letting him bowl as my partner the least of it.

  “No, no that’s totally fine. We’d love to have you.” She shamelessly giggled, the blush creeping up her face. “To have you bowl with us.” She corrected quickly, her cheeks getting even pinker. Poor Patricia, that force field was a bitch.

  “Great.” Max grinned, unaware that he was reducing my vice principal to a puddle. “And it really is a pleasure to be able to meet the wonderful educators Beth works with. It’s such an important job.” The grin got wider.

  “Beth, you didn’t mention what a charming boyfriend you have.” Patricia’s hand flew to her mouth, her face about to spontaneously combust. “He’s just wonderful.”

  “He really is.” I nodded wondering if perhaps the charming boyfriend I’d recently acquired could bring it down a notch. It would be super cool if we could make it through the evening without every woman in a ten-mile radius wanting to bear his children. Pretty sure Patricia would be the first volunteer if her current display was anything to go by.

  “We should get started,” she said suddenly in a wave of lucidity. “Yes, please join us inside.” Her hands waved erratically as she gestured to the door.

  “After you.” Max moved to the side and allowed me to go ahead, his hand glued to my side as he followed close behind. “She seems nice.” The raised eyebrows a clue he knew exactly what he was doing.

  “You are terrible.” I laughed shaking my head as we reentered the crowded bowling alley. “You could have gone a little easier on her.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?” He laughed, each step taking us closer to the rest of the teachers, students and parents.

  “Well everyone, we have a last minute substitution.” Patricia announced, all eyes moving towards us. “Beth’s boyfriend Max has very generously offered to take Julie’s place, who unfortunately can’t make it this evening.” She turned around and beamed. “Thank you, Max.”

  “Boyfriend?” Rita’s eyes widened as she looked between us; her plans for the evening obviously foiled as they locked onto his arm around my waist. “You said you weren’t dating.” The words fired out of her mouth with little regard to who was around to hear them.

  “Beth was just trying to be considerate of my private life,” Max answered Rita, not seeming to care that the next things out of his mouth would probably be tweeted and posted on the internet by the incidental other ears who were listening. “We are very much together.”

  And there was tomorrow’s headline. Max Reynolds, Black Addiction’s bassist officially off the market. The couple’s happy announcement made at Pin’s Bowling Alley where he celebrated his newfound status with watered-down soda and tattered rented shoes.

  Seriously, it didn’t get more glamorous.

  “Wow, Miss Hart is dating a rock star?” Kyle, one of my students looked up at Max with awe. “You’re super famous.”

  “Sweetheart, that’s not polite.” His mother, Brooke, tapped him on the shoulder, a whispered sorry directed at Max.

  “Hey, little dude.” Max smiled and sunk to his hunches, meeting Kyle at eye level. “We don’t really call ourselves rock stars but you can call me whatever you like. You’re a little young to be a fan.”

  “Nah, my mom loves you.” Kyle shrugged ignoring the mortification on his mother’s face. “We listen to you all the time in the car; she says Rusty is her favorite, though.”

  “Kyle!” Brooke shook her head, not sure what would be coming out of her son’s mouth next.

  “Yeah, Rusty usually gets most of the attention.” Max laughed before winking at Kyle’s mom. “Guitarists are such sensitive souls.”

  And judging by the look on her face, she might have been evaluating who was her new favorite; another victim of the famous Reynolds’ charm claimed.

  “I’m going to be a guitarist when I grow up too and play in a band.” Kyle continued oblivious to his mother’s inability to tear her eyes away from Max’s chest. Not that I blame her, it was pretty impressive, even with the shirt still on.

  “That’s awesome, but make sure you finish school first.” Max gave Kyle a pointed look, no doubt raising him to Jesus-status as he held out his hand and waited for him to shake.

  “Deal.” Kyle slapped him a high five before curling his hand into a handshake and yanked his arm up and down a few times, thrilled beyond measure.

  “I think you’re really great too.” Brooke shyly smiled, her eyes struggling to meet his gaze as her son ran off to choose his ball.

  “Thanks, you’ve got a great kid.” Max grinned, watching Kyle informing all the other kids of who the tall guy was. “And I applaud your taste in music.”

  “Thanks.” Brooke bumbled again. “I should go get a ball too.” She put her head down and almost sprinted to where her son was animatedly explaining how big a deal Max was.

  “Okay, you can stop now.” I playfully jabbed Max in the ribs, rolling my eyes.

  “Stop what? I’m not doing a thing.” He shrugged his shoulders acting like he had no idea what I was talking about.

  “Don’t pretend you don’t know the effect you have on women; I’m surprised I haven’t been deafened by the sound of exploding ovaries.” I shook my head. The threat was real, my own struggling to
stay whole.

  “Is that what the noise was?” Max threw his head back and laughed, thoroughly amused. “Huh, learning something new every day, thanks Miss Hart.”

  And lord help me, I was going to have to change my name, the timber of his voice sending a shiver right through my core.

  “You’re killing me.” I bit my lip, thankful no one could read my thoughts—all of them involving the two of us naked.

  Max was gracious, saying hello and answering questions from both students and parents. Everything from “do you have your own private plane?” to “do you need assistance on your investment portfolio?” The latter asked by a father who was doing his best to ignore his wife’s swooning by his side.

  We also bowled eventually too. No surprises, I still sucked at it. Max however fared a lot better, knocking all the pins down a couple of times, the kids cheering on his efforts.

  I’d assumed my two worlds colliding would have made more of a mess. My past and present melting into each other as the common denominator Max moved seamlessly through it.

  Though I probably shouldn’t have worried. While the school I taught at liked to radiate a super-conservative image, the parents were well equipped at dealing with celebrities. Some even had their own claims to fame, while others who happened to be single parents sometimes dabbled in the TMZ end of the pool.

  Even the other staff seemed surprisingly okay with it, their attitude ranging from a polite indifference to an enthusiastic interest. Lots of closet Black Addiction fans as it turned out. Who knew?

  And when he took me home, it was to his bed. The hours of being so close and wanting him made the sweet release even more delicious. It didn’t stop the craving though, my body seeking his out through the night. Not that he seemed to mind, his husky laugh filling my ears as he moved his hands over me.

  It’s where I fell asleep and where I woke up, the smile on my face threatening to split my face apart as his arms gripped me tighter.

  He didn’t need to worry though; I wasn’t going anywhere.

  ***

  It was funny really.

  Not just ironic but laugh out loud funny, that while I had been busy keeping Max at arm’s length I was starting to feel something more. Or maybe there was no starting about anything, and I felt that way the whole time. I’d been too caught up with my master plan of not being together that I couldn’t see I was falling in love with him. That deep down, I’d always been in love with him and that was why I couldn’t stay away.

  It was silly. None of it really made sense, we were both so different from when we first met, and yet the core attraction couldn’t be denied. And it wasn’t just sex. As much as I knew that body of his would do wonderful things to mine, I wanted more than just the nights with him.

  Could he actually be my forever?

  This whole time right under my nose and now I’d finally woken up?

  It was Saturday when it I finally hit me. It honestly felt like I’d been in a dream this whole time, and now I was suddenly seeing clearly.

  The day had started normal. Shower sex—which was normal when you woke up with Max Reynolds—and then I went back to my apartment to kill my roommate.

  We’d had a good couple of years, so I was honestly going to be sad to see her go, but unfortunately vendettas must be exacted. What I hadn’t counted on was my revenge was going to have to be chilled for a while, Jules having already left for the day.

  Well, that sucked. And more so because I wasn’t sure if I should kiss her for pushing me and Max closer, or watch her bleed slowly for forcing my hand. The emotions fluctuated wildly so I couldn’t be sure which was the one we were ultimately going to go with. I guess we were both going to be surprised.

  So, there was that. My murderous rampage—or tearful, heartfelt thanks, it really was a coin toss—was postponed. Which gave me the day to fill until Max’s gig.

  Sure, I could have gone upstairs again and been with him, but I wanted to wait. Why? Maybe it was because I was overwhelmed. Wondering if he felt what I had been feeling. Or if I was on the ledge on my own.

  The day passed slowly, which was great—insert sarcasm. It gave me so much time to obsess.

  Obsess and worry.

  Also panic, there was that too.

  So, by the time I finally made it to his gig, I was just a big ball of nerves. Which was stupid because of all the things I should be feeling, nervous shouldn’t be one of them. Try explaining that to my amygdala. Emotion center my ass, mine was currently the freaking the fuck out center.

  Jules was still AWOL, promising to meet me at the venue in an earlier text message but had yet to show. Which made it so much worse; yelling at her would at least take the edge off things. It was actually really inconsiderate to be honest, after all this was all about me.

  Then the wait was finally over.

  Having played two gigs under pseudonyms, people had started to catch on. Most had already guessed that Sleight of Hand was really Black Addiction. Worst kept secret in town. Not that it mattered, the crowd still went crazy the minute the first note blew out of the speakers.

  It was while I was in the middle of the mayhem that I had my moment of clarity. Max was my forever.

  As I looked at him on that stage, the years flashed by in memories. Every year, each hour, each minute—and I couldn’t think of one single reason why he couldn’t be.

  Nothing.

  We made sense.

  He caught my eye and winked, completely unaware of my revelation, his mouth at the mike as he sang back up with Rus. I recognized the song; it was one of their older ones and I had been there when they first played it.

  Angie sung the chorus. “And if this should end tomorrow, it will be worth it all the same. Because I would rather have one night with you, than a lifetime without pain.”

  And I suddenly couldn’t breathe.

  I’d heard those lyrics a hundred times before, and they’d never meant as much as they did at that moment.

  I loved him.

  I’d always loved him.

  And even if it didn’t last forever, there would never be a moment I’d regret it.

  I loved playing.

  I loved the feeling I got when I plugged in and let go—the music, the way it flowed through me—it was the greatest high. But knowing there was someone waiting for you when you got off that stage, amplified it all by a million.

  “Hey, beautiful.” My mouth was on her the minute it got close enough. “You enjoy the show?”

  “Always.” She snuggled up closer, my arms pulling her in tight.

  Fans made their way to the bar, the band standing around shooting the breeze. No matter how many platinum albums lined our walls we’d never forget where we’d come from and kicking it at a grassroots level was where we were most comfortable.

  Of course, just because I was conversing with others it didn’t mean my hands left Beth. Nope, not a fucking chance, the weight of her body against mine made me feel invincible. There were some concessions I just wasn’t willing to make; not touching her was at the top of that list.

  It was a rare occasion when everyone had made it to the show. Ali was there; Rusty’s arms locked around her while they chilled at the bar. Both of them relaxed and happy as they chatted with Angie and Jason. Jas wasn’t so relaxed, his focus completely on his woman as he contributed to the conversation. If Angie hadn’t already told us she was in the family way, the dude’s protective vibe would have been a huge tip off.

  And not to be outdone with the PDAs was my BFF and his wife, Joey and Kenzie were lip locked oblivious to who was watching. The rare night away from baby duties being put to good use as they enjoyed each other’s company.

  “How long do you want to stick around?” I whispered into Beth’s ear, my quota for chit-chat met about twenty minutes ago.

  “You got a date?” She laughed, her hands reaching up to where my arms had wrapped around her chest. “Somewhere you need to be?”

  “Yeah, actually.” I kept
my voice low, the conversation tight between us. “In you.”

  Well that got her attention, her body stiffening against me. And that wasn’t the only thing getting hard. My dick was ready to make good on that promise.

  “There somewhere we can go to make that happen?” Her eyes lit up as she bit her lip seductively.

  Yep, now it was her who had my attention.

  “You feeling nostalgic?” Big-ass grin spread across my face as I considered the possibilities.

  It had been a while since I’d had backstage sex. A long while. Firstly, because it was completely cliché; I preferred to get a girl home and take my time with it. And secondly, because I wasn’t particularly interested in having a photo of my junk on the internet, the chance of some asshole with a camera phone capturing the moment almost guaranteed.

  But in the early days I had most definitely partaken in the rite of passage, Beth more than just a willing participant.

  “Some things haven’t changed.” Her hand wandered down to my ass. Well, I guess some things hadn’t.

  “Follow me.” I grabbed Beth’s hand, ready to ditch the crowd.

  One thing was for sure, it had been a whole lot easier to sneak away the last time I’d done this. Every two steps we took, someone wanted to stop and have a conversation. No one even seemed to notice the bulge in my pants, advertising the hard-on that was begging for attention, each passing minute stretching my ability to be polite.

  “Through here.” My hand pushed open the door that led to the backstage area, thankfully spitting us out into a deserted hall.

  The other differentiating factor from my last foray into club sex was that this particular establishment didn’t really have a band room. It hadn’t been a big deal with us, happy to chill in the hallway until we went on stage but it was a big fucking deal now. The lack of privacy threatening to derail our plans.

  “This is the best I can do.” The area that stored the road cases, only partially exposed. As long as no one decided to get curious, it would do fine. The alternative of waiting, no longer an option as she slung her arms around my neck.