by MJ Carnal
He fixes his pants and helps me out of the hammock. He pulls me into a hug and his body is trembling. I hug him tighter. Just like that, he’s my world. I don’t know when the shift happened but I’m so thankful it did. He sighs into my neck and holds me so tightly, it’s hard to breathe.
I pull away slowly and put my hand on his chest. Looking up at him, I smile. “Are you all right? You’re shaking.”
He nods his head and lies back down in the hammock. When he reaches for me, I don’t hesitate. I curl up next to him and rest my head on his chest. I can hear his even heartbeat. His skin is warm and I run my hand in circles over his stomach.
“You’ve wrecked me, King. I’m never going to be the same.” He gently pulls my head to his and kisses me softly on the lips. There’s no hunger in this kiss. It’s pure adoration and my heart swells. He’s wrecked me, too. I’m just not ready to tell him that.
Chapter 21
My hands glide over the four strings of my bass guitar as I try out a new song with Harley. For as long as I live, my favorite memories of Harley will always be our jam sessions before the rest of the guys come to practice. We used to have guitar duels on the streets of LA and people would go nuts. Those were the days we’d come home with a ton of tips. There are days that I miss that.
“Last concert.” Harley stops playing. “It’ll be nice to be home for a while. I love you guys but I need some Laney time.”
I think about what will happen now that the tour is over. Will I see Katrina? Will she want to continue whatever this is we’ve started? I’ve never had a relationship and I’m not entirely sure how any of this works. Her career has taken off since she joined us on the road. What if she takes a job in another city?
“Earth to Chance,” Harley snaps his fingers at me. “You alright?”
“I slept with Katrina.” I wait for his disapproval but it doesn’t come.
“And?”
“I don’t know,” I sigh. “I’ve never known what it feels like to love a woman. Not in this way anyway. I’m out of my element here.”
Harley’s eyes are wide. “Do you love her?”
“I don’t know. How will I know?”
“Would you rather be with her right now?”
“Yes,” I chuckle. “I’d rather be with her than anywhere. I’ve spent so many nights with her just holding her while we slept. That’s chick shit. That’s why I’m thinking I might love her.’
Harley laughs. “A few weeks ago when she was a total bitch when you were around, we all knew something was happening. You were clueless because you were just pissed. But she watched you constantly and just the mention of your name sent her into bitch mode. It’s like the elementary kid that has a crush on the girl so he pulls her hair and calls her names. Same principal.”
“I just thought she was a crazy bitch. A fine one, though. I never missed the fact she was smoking hot.”
“That she is.” Harley puts his guitar away and looks over at me. “Think you’ll ever be ready to tell me what happened to you as a kid?”
“I have a hard time even admitting it to myself. The only person I ever told was Dell. Even Katrina doesn’t know and she was with me back then. Sorry, man. I just can’t.” I follow suit and put my guitar away.
“I miss her.” Harley sighs. “I miss having that one person who everyone confided in. She knew so much about each of us and never repeated a thing. She never told me anything any of you told her in confidence. She really held us together. I miss having someone like that.”
“We have Max. Is it weird he reminds me so much of Della?” I smile thinking about how their spirits were so similar. “He’s got that same zest for life. It’s hard to explain.”
“I see it, too. When she first died, it was so hard to be around him. Everyone assumed it was because he admitted he loved her. It wasn’t that at all. I’d always known that, I think. It was that he reminded me so much of her.”
I hug him and slap him on the back. “We’ve got a good life, man. We’ve seen some shit and certainly caused our share of it. But we’ve each got a nice place to go home to. And you guys all have women and someday, there’ll be kids. We’ve come a long way, brother.”
“Let’s nail this show tonight. Last one.”
“Best one.” I hold the door open for him and he heads out first. Time to head to the theater and rock this town.
“Hello Honolulu,” D’Rey yells into the mic and the crowd goes crazy. “This is the last stop on our US tour. We’ve had a blast.”
“We want to thank you guys for buying our albums and coming out tonight.” Max’s voice is crystal clear. Damien and I have developed a rasp and I’m ready to be done singing every night.
“So, Chance wrote a song.” Damien points at me and the crowd screams. “It’s going to be on our next album but we thought we might play a little of it for you. What do you think?”
I laugh when the screams become louder. Our fans are incredible and they’ve made our dreams come true. They have no idea how much we love them.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Redemption.”
Max starts the beat and Harley’s guitar starts the melody. It’s a haunting song but the fans respond to it. We’ve all got something we need redemption for.
“Save me from evil, from wrath, from sin. Redemption I pray fore I wrong again. I left you in darkness, my cross to bear. Loneliness blankets a soul so fair.”
When I wrote these words, I was thinking about my past. How fitting that it walked back in and forgave me. I remember every minute I spent with Kat all those years ago. They’re permanently etched in my mind. How does any man get lucky enough to have a second chance to do things right?
I search the front row for her but I don’t see her. Maybe she decided to skip this concert. I know in my heart that’s not possible. It’s the last concert. I look again and still nothing. I glance over to where Joshua stands every concert and there she is. My Katrina. My heart pounds harder, my smile is brighter.
Joshua has his arm around her and they’re both staring out at us on stage. He’s a good looking guy. We’re going to have to talk about the half hug later. For now, I want to finish this beautiful song I wrote for the gorgeous girl in the bedroom next to mine growing up. I wonder if she’ll ever realize this is about her.
“Goodnight Hawaii,” Harley yells as the lights go out. The crowd wants more and the adrenaline kicks in. I’m going to miss this.
I jog offstage and make a straight line for Katrina. She smiles at me and I fall a little more. I push my guitar onto my back and take her in my arms. I’m sweaty but I don’t care. I need to hold her.
“You were amazing,” she beams.
I kiss her. I love this woman’s mouth. It’s perfect. Her lips are full and beg for mine. Just a simple kiss and all is right in the world. Her tongue begs for entry and I open without hesitation. The touch of her tongue on mine is electric. If this is all I ever get in my life, it will be enough.
“Want to head back to the hotel and work out some of this energy?” She winks at me.
“You know exactly what I need.” I put my arm around her and lead her back to the dressing room. We can’t have sex here. Too many of my conquests happened in my dressing room. She’s better than that. Let’s hope this is one of the nights the guys move their asses so we can get the bus rolling.
Chapter 22
I stand in the bathroom mirror looking at my reflection. It’s been a long few weeks on the road and living in hotel rooms is not my favorite thing. But, tonight’s concert was amazing and knowing it was the last one, made me incredibly sad.
I’ve changed so much since I left Los Angeles that morning. Getting onto the plane, I was nervous but optimistic. Max was an instant friend, despite being so raw after his confession. Harley was hilarious and quickly became someone I looked up to. Damien was slower to warm up to me but he’s come around and I feel like he’s accepted me. Joshua was a surprise. I expected all business from him and although he’
s very serious, I’ve noticed him relaxing and having a little more fun the past few weeks.
Then there’s Chance. Who would have known that when I stepped on that bus, he’d steal my heart? I’d made a judgement about him from everything I’d heard or seen. He’d been the subject of quite a few articles at the newspaper. He’d never done anything to make me think he was any different than the rumors predicted. It took one minute, one that was feverish and full of germs, for me to see him in a new light. Sitting at that breakfast table, flushed and sweating, I wanted to take care of him. I’d loathed him and caring about him in that instant confused me. He needed me and I wanted to be there for him.
Then he walked into that elevator, chilled from the pool and dripping water onto the floor and life shifted. His kiss a few days before had been surprising. My heart had responded and my eyes had opened. But when I saw Lorenzo, life went back to normal. Something happened when he was sick. Seeing him shirtless and suffering changed me at my core. Then he told me he was cold and asked me to lie down and it was total clarity. The reason I felt so protective was suddenly obvious. It was Lenny and I was going to get it right this time.
“What are you doing?” Chance moves my hair over my shoulder and kisses my neck. I watch him in the mirror. He’s absolutely stunning. His dark hair is still damp from the shower and his eyes are tired from tonight’s show.
“I was just thinking about the last few weeks.” I turn toward him and give him a hug.
“About how wrong you were about me, Princess?” Chance laughs and kisses me softly.
I laugh with him and lose myself in his kiss. His perfect lips move against mine like they were made to be there. The heat coming off his body always surprises me. His hands hold me at the waist but it’s not close enough. I wrap my arms around him and pull him closer to me.
“Make love to me,” I whisper against his mouth. He growls and picks me up to carry me into the bedroom. He’s such a caveman and I love it.
“Get naked, woman.” He winks at me as he unbuttons his jeans. He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I practically rip my dress over my head. He moans when he sees I’m not wearing anything underneath. “You have to stop that. No one else can see this body. It’s mine, you understand me?”
“We’ll see,” I giggle and he lunges at me. He pins me to the mattress and just like that, anything he says, goes.
“That’s not up for discussion. This body belongs to Lennon Chancellor and if I have to pin a sign on it, I sure as shit will.”
He pinches my nipple and I bite my lip. “My body is yours.”
He bends closer and blows at the hardened peak he just pinched. My body responds instantly. My cheeks flush, my hands shake in anticipation and moisture pools between my legs. He runs his hand down my chest, my stomach, and stops to watch me. When I shake my head, he inserts two fingers into my wetness and my legs fall open even further. He rubs gently against my G Spot. He owns me and he knows it.
“I’m yours, too.” He kisses me passionately as he steadily tortures me with the promise of extreme pleasure. His fingers move so slowly and I want more.
“Chance, please, I need you.” I try to push harder against his fingers but he shakes his head. “Please.”
“Like this?” He pushes hard and fast against the spot that will soon make me explode with the most intense orgasm of my life. I pant and bite his shoulder. I ride his fingers without shame. I’m so close already. He changes the intensity and reaches down with his other hand and runs lazy circles over my clit. “Or like this?”
“Oh, God.” I flutter my eyes shut.
He pulls his hands away and slams his cock into me. “Or like this?”
It’s too much. He rolls under me and pulls me on top, never breaking our connection. He fills me so completely at this angle and I arch my back, feeling every inch stretching me, filling me like no one ever has. He grabs my hips and sets the pace. It’s almost punishing and I explode. Stars burst behind my eyes, I scream his name as my orgasm pours from my body, soaking us both.
He runs his fingers through the moisture and licks them clean. He almost growls as he rolls me back over and pins me with his body. He angles my knees so they’re against my chest and slows down his pace. He watches our connection and it’s so hot. Seeing his cock, covered in my orgasm, easing in and out of me, the sound of how soaked I am echoing through the room, it’s almost too much.
His eyes lock with mine and he stops moving. He takes a deep breath and brushes my hair off my forehead. “You’re so beautiful. I love doing this with you. It feels so incredible.”
I reach for him as he bends down to kiss me. His lips are gentle. He reaches his hands under me, cupping my ass and putting all his weight on me. His body is so close that each stroke causes him to rub against my sensitive clit. It begs for more and Chance gives it to me with each thrust.
The friction is all-consuming and I begin to pant against his mouth. He picks up speed as my legs begin to quake. His lips leave mine and he makes eye contact again. The emerald color is so vivid. He doesn’t look away from me as my orgasm starts. Staring into his eyes as I come apart is powerful. I’m mesmerized.
He keeps his slow pace as he moans. I know he’s close and I can’t wait to see him shatter apart in my arms. His grip tightens and his breathing becomes labored. He struggles to keep eye contact as he empties himself inside me, quivering and shuddering as his orgasm surges from his body.
“Kat,” he moans as he takes my mouth, his tongue demanding entrance and owning me. He angles my head to get even deeper as he kisses me as if his life depends on it. He cups my cheeks, making me feel loved and safe. His tongue dances with mine in perfect harmony. Never has a kiss been so powerful. “I was born to kiss you, Katrina.”
My heart melts. He’s such a surprise. Who knew Lennon Chancellor was such a softie? I hug him tighter and lose myself in the feel of his mouth on mine. I want to spend every minute doing this, for the rest of my life.
Chapter 23
It’s the last night on the island. Our time here has been incredible. Our concert was the best one of the tour. I’ve spent three mornings surfing and just as many nights making love to Katrina. I don’t know what will happen when we go home tomorrow but I’d like to kidnap her and take her home with me. I’ve fallen hard for her. It happened so fast but I didn’t even try to fight it. It has been everything the guys said it would be. It’s hard to remember what life was like before her. I’m not even sure I had one.
The breeze picks up and I pull my hood over my head. I love the nights here. The sky is loaded with stars, each one shining brighter than the next. I never see this many at home. The coqui frogs sing their evening song and the waves echo in the background. The breeze is magical despite being cool as the sun dips below the horizon.
I stretch out on the hammock. It was just a few nights ago that I made love to Katrina for the first time in this very spot. It was physically challenging but worth every second. Her body is incredible and I could get lost in it forever.
“Chance?” Her voice is like music to my ears.
“Hey, beautiful.” I open my arms for her to climb in with me.
“I’ve been looking for you.” She snuggles into my side after almost tipping me out of the hammock.
“Missed me bad, huh?” I laugh as she thumps me on the chest.
“I actually did. Is that ok?” She’s quiet as she waits for my answer. Knowing she missed me means everything. It’s only been a couple of hours since I left a pebble on her pillow and snuck out to meet the guys for dinner.
“Kat, that’s more than ok. I miss you when I’m not with you.” I sigh. This woman has changed everything. I don’t know what to do next.
I roll onto my side and she does the same. Her brown eyes are wide and happy. I tuck her hair behind her ear and she leans into my hand. She smiles at me and I’m a goner.
“I’m falling in love with you.” The words are out of my mouth before I realize it. Panic takes my st
omach hostage. My palms begin to sweat.
“I’ve already fallen,” she kisses my neck, my jaw and then my mouth.
I will never forget this moment. Lying in our hammock in our little private corner of the beach, the woman I would take a bullet for has confirmed everything I’m feeling. The hammock has brought us luck.
“I need a machete.”
“What?” Her laugh makes me smile. “Why?”
“I need to cut this hammock off these trees. It needs to come home with us. We’ve had some pretty important moments lying in this thing.”
“Or attempting not to fall out of it.”
We both laugh. She’s my world. I’ll spend forever proving it.
“It’s about damn time,” Max yells from the back of the plane as I step aboard. “I tried to get Seymour to leave without you.”
“Sorry,” I throw my bag under the seat. “It’s been a rough morning.”
I chuckle to myself. The alarm didn’t go off and when we saw what time it was, Katrina was out of bed like a bomb had gone off. She yelled at me to get moving and ran around the room shoving everything back into her suitcase. I couldn’t stop watching her. Her hair was a mess and her face was completely makeup free and I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life. When she saw I was still lying in bed, she got so frustrated. She threatened to leave without me and that’s exactly what she did.
“Jesus, woman. What do you have in here? Rocks?” Harley hands Katrina’s suitcase to the baggage handler.
Her face reddens and I belly laugh. “As a matter of fact, yes.” I can’t help myself. I have to answer.
Her eyes widen and she glares at me. She’s perfect. “When we get off this plane, I’m kicking your ass. For that and for this morning.”
“Don’t hurt him.” Harley smiles as he takes the seat next to her and looks at me. “I need him to be my best man next weekend.”