A few minutes later, Nico and the other guys took the stage. They played some songs I recognized, including Let’s Fuck All Over Paris.
Note to self: Make Nico live up to that offer. I’d never been to Paris. Why not go there with Nico—and, well, you heard the song.
Ally and I bounced around near the front of the stage as we listened to them. Whenever I caught Nico’s eye and he sang looking directly at me, I froze. It wasn’t just how his black VC T-shirt and torn cargo shorts hugged his frame, making me remember running my fingers over each and every muscle in his body. It wasn’t only the way his fingers stroked the strings of his bass, reminding me how skillfully he touched me, playing my body as deftly as the instrument he was playing onstage. It was primarily his voice. I’d heard his voice before I’d seen him that first time at Vamps and the way he oozed sensuality in one song and then screamed in outrage in others shot something right into the core of me. Something that had settled deep within that I could never let go.
Ally frequently nudged me back into action when I froze and I’d resume dancing around with her. After several more songs, Nico spoke to the crowd.
“The last time we were here, we had a request to play a song for a beautiful woman. Tonight I’m going to play a song for another beautiful woman—my own. For my lovely Ligeia, my muse. My inspiration for our latest song Love Never Dies, based on Poe’s work.”
Ally turned to me excitedly. “He wrote this song for you! Come on. Let’s get closer.” She grabbed my hand and dragged me closer to the stage, but my feet felt as heavy as concrete blocks. The anticipation of hearing the song left me immobile once again and I was glad Ally was here to guide my actions because I really didn’t have a clue how to act.
Waiting, waiting for him to begin. Had I stopped breathing? I forced myself to inhale and exhale.
Nico leaned closer to the mic and sang in a voice scarcely louder than a whisper. “It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea. That a maiden there lived whom you may know by the name of Annabel Lee.” Leaning back, he shouted, “I know some of you know this. Sing the first part with us.”
After the narrator lamented the loss of Annabel Lee, the song turned into a darker, heavier tone. Nico’s voice grew louder, more frantic, urgent. He wailed for his lost love—a woman with gold in her eyes and gold in her hair—he promised anything to the gods to bring her back.
And then—she returns. The woman with gold in her eyes and gold in her hair returned to him—his wild, untamed, immortal love. He lingered on the final line, a love that never dies.
The crowd went nuts. They loved it.
I thought my statue reaction was bad enough when he sang to me. Now that he sang a song he wrote for me, I was incapable of speech as well; I couldn’t form a three-word sentence if my life depended on it.
I inspired him?
The first night I’d spent at his place, he played guitar and sang that song. When we had quiet moments together, he’d mentioned how he loved the gold in my eyes and in my hair.
After the song ended, Ally turned to me. “That was fucking awesome. Don’t you think?”
I nodded with my mouth half-open.
She laughed. “You’re a goner for him. I bet you jump him right here in front of the stage, not caring who’s around.”
“Ally!” She brought me back to my senses. “I try to avoid public displays of affection, thank you very much.”
“If a guy sang a song like that for me, I’d be arrested for public nudity before you could say ‘Spank me’.”
When VC finished their set, Nico walked over to Ally and me.
“You guys are great,” she said.
“Thanks.”
My eyes locked with Nico’s, silently telling him how much that song meant to me. I saw Ally watching us in my peripheral vision and broke the gaze. Her eyes darted back and forth between Nico and me as if waiting to see who would jump whom first.
“I think I’m going to excuse myself so you two can have some privacy. I don’t want to get entangled in this love nest. But first, Nico, would you do me a favor?”
“Of course. What is it?”
“Would you introduce me to Chee?”
Ally was brazen as hell. Gotta love her for that.
“Sure, come on.” He turned to me and said, “Be right back.”
I tried not to giggle as I saw Ally work her magic after Nico introduced her to Chee. She flirted like mad, fluttering her long lashes. It didn’t take long for Chee to take notice what a hot, fit little body she had from all her yoga and Pilates. Within minutes, their faces were very close and I’d place bets that they’d end up leaving together that night.
When Nico came back to me, he said, “I left them alone. Is she going to be all right?”
“She will be more than all right. If there’s anyone who can take care of herself, it’s Ally.”
“You better warn her about Chee. He’s my buddy, but he’s kind of an ass when it comes to women. He’s not the kind of guy who has relationships.”
I glanced over at them. Chee was nuzzling Ally’s neck and she had a look of absolute pleasure on her face.
“I don’t think that’s what she’s looking for tonight. But I’ll warn her. Thanks for looking out for her.”
Nico held my hand as he walked us over to the bar. One of the couples I remembered from the night I met Nico were talking. When the guy noticed Nico, he said, “Great show again.”
“Thanks. Glad you liked it. Tristan, this is my girlfriend, Lily Everett. Lily, Tristan Stone, the owner here.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said as we shook hands.
“Lily for the famous Ligeia,” Tristan asked.
I gave Nico a look and he grinned. “I like the name.”
Tristan said, “This lovely lady is my girl, Maya.”
“I’m a big fan,” Maya said to Nico.
“Thanks. Always nice to hear,” Nico said.
Ah, the life of a rock star, I thought.
After we all shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, Nico said, “Thanks again for having us play tonight. We really like the vibe of the club.”
Tristan replied, “I should thank you. The last time you played was one of the best nights of my life.”
Maya smiled at him and they communicated silently, probably remembering something special between them.
“Mine too,” Maya said.
“Come on,” Nico said. “Don’t leave us hanging like this.”
Both Tristan and Maya laughed. Tristan said, “After you played the song I requested for Maya, I asked her to move in with me.”
“What was it again? Oh yes, #1 Crush,” Nico said.
“I’m guessing she said yes,” I said.
“Best decision of my life,” Maya said. “So far.”
“Splendid,” Nico said. “Must have been the song,” he teased.
Maya laughed. “It didn’t hurt.”
Tristan said, “You guys should come back in a few months. The crowd loves you. I’ve heard great things from some of our regulars.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll tell the others. I see you have some other good gigs coming up.”
“Yes, we do,” Tristan said. “Maya is good with finding undiscovered talent. She’s been helping me listen to demos and figure out who to book.”
Maya said, “Next weekend we’re having a band play for the best and worst of the eighties week. It’s this hot band I’d never heard of, but some regulars have recommended them. They’re called Bloodlust Diamond and they play a lot of rock and heavy metal covers, especially from the late eighties. I saw some YouTube videos of them and they’re fun as hell. The lead singer is gorgeous and she can sing like the devil.”
“Sounds like fun. Maybe we’ll come back,” I said. “Do you work in the music business, Maya?”
“Oh no.” She waved her hand. “I’m just doing this for fun right now to help Tristan bring in new bands. I’ve always loved this club. And now I’m rather fond of the n
ew owner.” She raised an eyebrow at Tristan and he smiled. She turned her attention back to me. “When I’m not here, I’m putting out fires. Literally,” she added and laughed. “I’m a firefighter.”
My mouth must have dropped partially because she laughed. “Not what you picture a firefighter to look like, eh?” She ran her hands from her bright fire-engine-red wig down to her skintight black dress with little red skulls printed over it.
“No,” I said, laughing with her. “Can’t say it was what I was expecting you’d say. Maybe something more creative, I’d guess.”
“What about you, Lily?” Maya asked. “We all know about wonder boy here,” she said, nodding at Nico. “Computer geek by day, rock star by night. Not a bad combo, I might add.”
“Not bad at all,” I agreed. “I’m far less interesting. Just a marketing and communications director.”
Nico said, “Don’t listen to her. She’s far more fascinating than she lets on—and full of surprises.”
I looked at him in horror. He wouldn’t tell, would he?
He just smiled at me.
Tristan looked at Maya and said, “They always are, aren’t they?” Then he turned back to me. “What kind of marketing do you do?”
“Pretty much all aspects of marketing and communication at my company.” I waved a hand as I rattled off some of the projects, “Public statements, brochures, social media, press releases, websites, photo shoots, all that jazz.”
“Are you looking for any more work?” Tristan asked.
I was busy enough as it was at work, but had been thinking about leaving my company and going into consulting on my own. Better play my cards right.
“I’m always open to hearing about new opportunities.”
“Good. We should talk. Vamps has always relied on word-of-mouth advertising. We have a website, but we don’t update it often and it could use someone who knows what they’re doing. Now that we are offering live music, we need to get the word out better.”
“Let me give you my card and we can talk next week.” I looked around the club from a new angle. How would you sell it? Who’s the target audience we’d need to reach? One thing was for sure—advertising bands playing in an underground club sounded like a far more interesting concept than marketing pharmaceuticals. “Are you using social media?”
“No,” Tristan said. “We have regulars who come in each week and post some flyers or leave postcards around funky stores in the area. Yes, let’s talk soon. Monday?”
“Sounds good.” I shook their hands. “It was nice to meet you both,” I said.
“Same here,” Maya said.
“Lily’s being modest,” Nico interjected before I walked away. “She’s bloody amazing with a camera. You should see her work. She could capture this place,” he waved his arm to indicate the club, “like no one else can.”
Tristan nodded. “I’d like to see that.” He looked at my card. “I’ll call you on Monday.”
After we walked away, I said, “Thanks for the plug.”
“I meant every word. What do you think?”
“About the opportunity?”
He nodded.
“I’m intrigued. I’d like to learn more.”
“Cool. Then if you decide you like it, maybe you’d like to start promoting VC as well on the side.”
“Hmm. Wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest since I’m sleeping with the lead singer?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.
“To me that sounds like it would be a very enticing interest,” he said, pulling me close. “How about shooting some photos too. I like your style. Think you can get some terrific shots of the band?”
“Oh, I don’t do many people shots. Mostly objects, landscape. You know, you’ve seen my work.”
“But Lil, you’re so good with a camera. I’m sure if you took shots of people, you’d capture those same killer angles with the light and shadows.”
“I don’t know, Nico. Maybe.”
“You can practice with me. In your boudoir later. Some tasteful nudes, perhaps?” He titled his chin up in a model pose.
“Boudoir? What are you talking about? I have a condo. A very tasteful and utterly too expensive condo.”
“No, really. Let’s play with the camera. You and me.”
Hmm. A flurry of images flashed through my mind. Sexy photos of Nico. That could be interesting. Nico taking naughty photos of me. Nah, I couldn’t do that. I’d never done that before.
I took a last sip of my drink. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Let me just tell the guys we’re taking off.”
“I have to say bye to Ally too.”
Ally and Chee were all over each other at the bar and I felt self-conscious as I interrupted.
“Ally, can I talk to you for a second?”
Trying to hide her frustration, she pulled herself away from the guitarist. “Be right back,” she whispered in a sultry voice I hadn’t heard from her before. Guess I’d never seen her in action like this until now.
“What’s up?” she asked as we walked to a quiet spot.
“I’m leaving now with Nico. Do you want a ride home?”
“Hell no. I’m going home with Chee.”
“You sure? I heard he’s kind of an ass, a womanizer.”
“I’m not stupid, Lily. It’s only for one night. He’s in a rock band, duh. I wouldn’t dream of getting into a relationship with a guy in a band unless I was begging to get my heart broken.”
Noticing me flinch, she said, “I don’t mean Nico. I’m sure he’s different. No, wait. I know he’s different. I see how he’s so into you.”
“I just wanted to check on you, make sure you’ll be okay.”
“Yes. I plan on having a night of hot monkey sex with a rock ’n‘ roll guitarist and then go home. That will be the end of it. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a boyfriend and I’m looking forward to a night of simple lust. No strings attached.”
“You’re a big girl.” I hugged her. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Um, how about a condom? Just in case he doesn’t have one. That would suck.”
I reached into my purse and discreetly handed it to her. She on the other hand held it upright without any qualms and cheerfully said, “Thanks!” before she shoved it into her purse.
Chapter Thirteen
Back at my place, I snapped photos of Nico goofing around in my bedroom. He grabbed scarves and tied them around his waist before he jumped behind my bed, pretending to fight off an imaginary enemy with a sword.
“En garde, you rogue!”
“Stop! You’re killing me!” I dropped the camera to my side as I wiped tears of laughter away.
He then wrapped a scarf around his head and tied it on the side of his head before giving me his best Captain Jack Sparrow imitation from Pirates of the Caribbean.
“I can’t get a steady shot because I’m laughing too much.”
He turned away from me and snapped his head back, giving me a model duck-face pose. “All good fun.”
Then Nico put on a serious and smoldering game face. He removed all the scarves and took off his shirt so all he had on were his camouflage shorts and combat boots. With the short buzz cut, he looked like he was in the military; if that was the way men looked in the service, sign me up and ship me away. He approached the camera, staring steadily into the lens, as if daring the viewer to come forth.
I watched him move closer through the camera view. Momentarily breathless, I snapped away. This was too good a moment not to capture. He unfastened the top button on his shorts, staring at me the whole time.
No, it is the camera. He is staring at the camera. Not you.
He slid the shorts lower on his hips. My gaze followed as he exposed the V cut leading downward. I snapped some more photos.
He broke the gaze to sit down and untie his boots. Even the slow gesture of unraveling the laces was heightened with sensuality. Once he pulled the boots and socks off, he finished sliding the shorts of
f his legs. He stood before me in black boxers with that smoldering, intense look back in his eyes. The one that made me forget common instincts like breathing.
I snapped another photo.
He approached me, eyes locked on mine through the lens.
I snapped another one.
He stood inches away and reached for the camera, putting it down by his side. The device no longer separated us and I froze, just as I had when he sang to me from the stage earlier. He grabbed the back of my neck with his free hand and planted his lips on mine. I heard a sigh escape my lips involuntarily. His tongue caressed my lips and then ventured into my mouth, exploring further. My lips reacted before my brain did and I bravely explored his lips, his mouth, with my tongue until he pulled back.
No. Why is he stopping?
“Photo shoot isn’t done, my love.” He lifted the camera. “Now it’s my turn to take some photos of you.”
“Oh,” I said, unprepared. “I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Which makes it even more exciting, don’t you think?”
“Um.” Yes, a part of me was excited. Another part of me was anxious as hell. “I’m not used to being on the other side of the camera.”
“It’s just for fun.” He aimed the camera at me.
I stared at him like a deer caught in headlights.
“I don’t know about this, Nico. Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”
“Just trust me.”
When I gave him a searching look, he asked, “Do you trust me?”
“I, uh, I don’t know, Nico. That’s a big question. I’m not used to trusting people.”
“You can trust me, Lily. With your heart, your life, your secrets.”
My lips parted before I found the words to reply. “I don’t know if I can.”
“Trust me, Lily.
I hesitated before I came up with a reason. “Trusting people means you get hurt.”
He put the camera down and met my eyes. “It doesn’t have to. Not with the right person. I would never hurt you. I couldn’t. Not with the way I feel about you.”
“The way you feel about me?”
“Yes. I trust you, Lily. I feel closer to you than I ever have with anyone else.”
RockMeTonight Page 18