by Desiree Holt, Lisabet Sarai, Lily Harlem, Elizabeth Coldwell, Wendi Zwaduk, Imari Jade
“Smile.” The photographer snapped their picture. “Now one with all three of you together.”
The three of them moved together for the picture.
“Smile,” the photographer coached.
Bryanna sighed. She knew then that only she could fix their cracked triangle.
* * * *
Collin took her to a cosy little Italian restaurant. Instead of hopping into the limousine with the rest of the band, he’d hailed a taxi and escorted her into it, much to the obvious chagrin of Jonathan and the other guys in the band, who weren’t used to Collin being so gallant.
Axil hadn’t even looked in their direction. She felt like she’d betrayed him, stabbed him in the back. But she couldn’t show favouritism just because she’d known him longer than Collin. She promised herself she would give him plenty of face time tomorrow on their date to see Los Angeles.
A waitress gave them menus after seating them in a private booth decorated with a red tablecloth and red tapered candles. All in all, it was a very romantic setting.
Everything looked so delicious and tantalising, including the man across the table from her, who impressed her to no end by ordering for them in fluent Italian. His private life was almost as mysterious as his past.
They’d met three years ago when Jonathan had held auditions for a lead singer for Simmer to offset her and Axil’s deeper voices. He’d stuck out even then, with his jet black hair and piercing blue eyes and just a hint of five o’clock shadow.
“If you keep staring at me, everyone around us will assume you like me.”
Bryanna looked around. A few people stared but she bet it had nothing to do with her. Collin Ripley drew attention everywhere he went. “Maybe it’s true,” she replied. “You are sort of cute.”
He smirked. “Sort of?”
Bryanna nodded. “You have your moments.”
“Is this one of those moments?” He rewarded her with one of those rare smiles.
“Yeah, you’re pretty cute at the moment.”
“So you’ve forgiven me?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t. The next time something I wear offends you, just tell me.”
He eyed her sheepishly. “I didn’t say the outfit offended me, just…distracted me. It’s hard to remember words to songs when you…” He paused.
“When you what?”
“When your eyes are focussed on your band mate’s behind.”
Bryanna chuckled. “I’ll remember to keep my butt out of your eye range on stage.”
He smiled at her again and the weight of his gaze reached all the way over to her and down her body to her crotch.
The waitress arrived with their food and she drew her eyes away from Collin.
The young woman popped the cork on the white wine and filled both their glasses and then she left them.
Collin lifted his glass in a toast. “To making decisions.”
Bryanna lifted her glass but did not comment. If his plan was to get her drunk to make her choose between him and Axil, he should give up now.
“I’ve always wanted to spend time with you like this but the opportunity never presented itself.”
“We’ve eaten dinner together thousands of times,” Bryanna told him as she cut into her veal Parmesan.
“Yes, with the rest of the band…but never alone.”
The food looked good but not better than the man seated across from her humbling himself.
“How’s the veal?” he asked.
“Delicious and very tender.” Bryanna put another piece in her mouth and chewed then washed it down with some wine.
As they ate, they continued to make small talk, skirting around their romantic situation. When they were finished, they left the restaurant and walked, talked and held hands like teenagers. After a while, Collin hailed a taxi to take them back to the hotel. They got out about fifteen minutes later, and he had to use his key card to gain entry into the hotel because of the late hour.
Collin pushed the elevator button and they climbed inside. Truthfully, she expected to find Axil waiting for them, but there wasn’t a soul around except for the hotel night crew.
“This has been fun,” Bryanna broke the silence, standing outside her hotel room.
“It doesn’t have to end.” Collin leaned over her.
Somehow she’d known the night was going to end something like this. Making a decision, Bryanna ran her key card through the lock then opened the door. She caught Collin’s hand just as he started to walk away. “No, it doesn’t.” She tugged him inside and closed the door.
Chapter Three
His lips were on hers before she could lock the door and seal it with the burglar bar. She did so blindly, reaching behind her in an awkward position, listening for the clicks.
Collin picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. They fell onto the bed with a thud hard enough to break the bed or disturb the neighbours in the room below them. In her haste to take him to her bed, she’d nearly forgotten that Axil had the room next to hers. Thank God they didn’t have adjoining rooms. Fuck it, she thought. She was going to have this night with Collin.
Collin planted kisses all over her face and the crook of her neck while opening the buttons of her blouse at the same time. “Pretty bra,” he said as he kissed a path from her chin down to her breasts. “Victoria’s Secret, front-locking, underwire.” He ran a finger down her sternum and then used two fingers to unlock the bra, exposing her breasts. “C cup,” he mumbled just before burying his face between the twin orbs.
Soft lips encircled one of her nipples. Bryanna arched her back, giving him better access.
Collin’s hands manoeuvred their way upwards to cup each breast.
Bryanna moaned loudly.
Collin ran a tongue against one of the nipples. Bryanna shuddered as his warm breath heated every inch of her body.
He helped her out of her blouse and the opened bra then went back to sucking her nipples until they budded and hardened.
Bryanna ran her fingers through his dark hair as he kissed his way down her stomach. Each touch added to the excitement.
“I want to see the rest of you,” Collin said hoarsely as he lifted his head. He peeled the skirt, hose and panties away from her body and looked down at her. “You are positively beautiful.”
The look of desire in his eyes made Bryanna shiver. Collin was so freaking hot.
Collin ran a finger slowly from her navel down to her hairline. The fingers dipped lower, teasing her but not exactly giving her what she desired.
“Don’t tease me, Collin,” she begged.
Collin looked deep into her eyes as his finger ran along the folds of her labia and then finally along the clitoris.
Bryanna trembled. The fingers entered her moist hole and Bryanna shuddered with need. Her stomach clenched as he delved deeper. Bryanna reached for his arm trying to control the movement but Collin had everything under control.
“You’re so wet,” he told her, his voice suddenly dropping an octave. He withdrew his fingers and moved to the end of the bed. He raised his shirt over his head and removed it from his body with one quick tug then turned and began crawling back up to her.
Bryanna slowly parted her thighs.
“Damn,” he replied. “The view from down here is breathtaking.”
Bryanna giggled.
“Oh, darling,” he said. “That sounds so sweet.” He lowered his head and ran his tongue along the same path his fingers had travelled.
Bryanna’s body lifted slightly off the mattress as he nibbled the clitoris. The muscles in her butt clenched when his tongue finally reached its destination. She gasped as he slowly began to wiggle his tongue into her moist folds.
Collin gripped both sides of her hips and pulled her closer. He was relentless, not giving her a chance to catch her breath.
“Oh, my God, Collin,” she moaned as the orgasm powered over her. Bryanna closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation until it ended.
Collin had already joined her at the top of the bed and watched her, appearing fascinated as she recovered. His lips were still wet with her juices. He leaned over and kissed her passionately.
Bryanna clung to him, not yet ready to give up the warmth from his touch.
“I’m not going anywhere, sweet darling,” he told her tenderly. He slipped out of her grasp. “Just making a costume change.”
Bryanna’s gaze moved from the beautiful sculptured face, down his bare chest and came to rest at the crotch of his trousers. His erection strained against the seam. Her lashes lowered and she ran her tongue across her bottom lip, as he slowly unzipped his trousers then eased them down his narrow hips. He kicked out of them and stood before her in just his briefs.
Bryanna moved to the edge of the bed and beckoned for him with her finger. When Collin moved closer, Bryanna took control, fingering the waistband of the tiny briefs and then dipping her entire hand brazenly in and cupping him in her palm.
Collin moaned and leant forward.
“Impressive,” she said as she looked up at him. His eyelids had lowered with just a hint of blue shining through.
Bryanna stopped groping him long enough to slide the briefs down his hips. Collin assisted her by lifting his feet and stepping out of them.
Bryanna was upon him before she had time to think, gripping his cock in her hand and slowly masturbating him until his knees trembled.
“Oh my,” he said as she gave attention to not only the staff but also the balls. She pulled him closer to her and lowered her mouth around the head. He tasted unbelievably clean, sweet and manly. She made slurping sounds when she released him.
Collin moaned with delight.
Bryanna went back down on him, truly enjoying his taste and the way he felt in her mouth. She came up for air and then kissed her way back up until she reached his lips.
Collin quickly reached for his trousers, pulled out a condom and slipped it on. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her on top of him. His manhood jolted between her legs. He lifted her, parted her and then slid into her.
Bryanna pushed herself upwards into a seated position.
Collin grabbed her hips with both hands and helped to move her up and down rhythmically. He thrust deep inside of her. With one hand, he reached up and played with her nipples in turn.
Bryanna’s head went back, and her hair spilled down her back and caressed her skin.
“You are one phenomenal young lady—beautiful, talented and sensual.”
He didn’t need to flatter her. She intended to give him her all…heart, soul and body. All he had to do was keep loving her and never stop.
Collin positioned them until she lay against the mattress and he was on top of her, parting her thighs and thrusting inside her. She didn’t even mind giving up control to him. Sometimes a girl had to step back and let a man lead. And how Collin did lead, thrusting in and out of her until her stomach clenched again.
Bryanna bit her bottom lip and tried not to scream out in pleasure. She raked his back with her nails to try to prevent it but the orgasm tore her up as it erupted deep within her. “Oh, oh, oh!” she screamed as she came.
Collin roared as he pumped his hips and maximised her pleasure. His entire body shuddered above her. “I don’t think I can hold back any longer,” he muttered as his body shook. He slowed his pace and began teasing her sore, wet opening with little thrusts. The movements became more calculated, precise. His back arched, and then he came, gripping her hips tightly and moving her body up and down.
Bryanna came again with him as his cock rubbed against her sensitive clitoris.
Collin slipped down upon her and kept thrusting deeply until their orgasm ended and then he just lay there exhausted, breathing hard on top of her. A few minutes later, he rolled off her, gathered her into his arms, kissed her on the side of the head and then drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Four
Axil furiously paced the carpeted floor in his hotel room, angry at himself for not voicing his opinion when Bryanna informed him she had a dinner date with Collin, and also angry for believing she would choose him over Collin. To make matters worse, Bryanna had brought Collin to her room and screwed him, knowing Axil’s room was right next to hers. What had that girly-voiced crooner done or said to persuade her over to his side?
The clock on the nightstand beside the dishevelled king-sized bed read eight a.m.—time for Jonathan’s breakfast meeting. Axil stopped pacing, sat down on the bed and put his face into his hands. He had to get his mind together and get his emotions in check. Tears welled in his eyes but he refused to let them fall. He shuddered. He loved Bryanna and had from the moment she’d moved into the house next door to his and come over to introduce herself.
Axil got off the bed. He’d show them. He’d march right on down to the restaurant in the hotel lobby for breakfast and pretend like he hadn’t heard a thing. He grabbed his jeans jacket, pushed his wallet into his pocket and left the room.
He spotted first Jimmy and then Kurt. Kurt waved him over. Jonathan and a few of the roadies were already seated, and he spotted Damon coming out of the men’s restroom and heading towards the long row of tables.
Collin and Bryanna were noticeably missing.
Kurt made the point known when Axil arrived at the table.
“Where are the other two parts of your trio?”
Axil shrugged. “Haven’t seen them since last night.”
“They’re probably still asleep,” Jimmy replied. “I think they got in real late last night.”
How did Jimmy know, unless he was waiting up for them to return? Had he seen the two of them when they came in? He couldn’t ask Jimmy without seeming jealous.
“I ran into Collin around five this morning when I came down for a newspaper,” Damon replied. “He came down to the lobby to get some juice from the bar. He looked pretty drained.”
Axil sighed.
Collin entered the restaurant a few minutes later, looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for someone who was surviving on just a couple of hours of sleep. Brown corduroy jeans, a tan and brown checked short-sleeved shirt and dark brown boots completed his ensemble. And dark sunglasses.
“Now the only one missing is Bryanna,” Damon replied.
“She’ll be down,” Jonathan replied. “I’ve never known her to miss breakfast or a meeting.”
Axil frowned. Apparently none of them knew Bryanna as well as they thought.
The doors to the restaurant swung open and Bryanna entered wearing dark sunglasses, with her hair tied back in a ponytail. She had thrown on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and wore a pair of thong sandals, looking less like a pop princess than usual.
“Good morning, everyone,” she said, flopping down in the seat next to Axil.
“Good morning,” everyone replied except for him. He didn’t trust his voice.
Bryanna elbowed him. “What’s up with you this morning?”
“Nothing,” he grumbled.
“Sounds like you got up on the wrong side of the bed,” she teased.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night. The people in the room next to me were very noisy.”
She shrugged but didn’t comment.
The waitress arrived before he could goad her into confessing.
“What would you like, miss?”
Bryanna opened the menu without removing her sunglasses. “Everything looks so good.” She looked over the breakfast menu before selecting. “I’ll have oatmeal, fresh fruit, and a couple of strips of bacon, scrambled eggs, toast and coffee.”
“Wow,” Kurt said on her left. “Usually you have a bagel and coffee.”
“Not this morning,” Bryanna said with a yawn. “I’m starving and tired. I need something to energise me.”
“You should try going to bed at a decent hour,” Axil replied.
Bryanna lowered her glasses, revealing bloodshot eyes. “What?”
“You got in pretty late last night.”
“Not especially,” she said. “I was in bed by three.”
Axil strummed his fingers nervously on the table.
The waitress made it to him. “What will you have, sir?”
“Just wheat toast, fresh fruit and coffee.”
“Are you dieting?” Bryanna asked.
“Not really, “Axil replied. “I don’t really have much of an appetite.”
Bryanna lowered her glasses and looked at him. “Have I done something to insult you?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
Collin was the last one to order. “And you, sir?”
“A breakfast steak, hash brown potatoes, scrambled eggs, a biscuit and black coffee. I’m feeling kind of hungry and tired too.”
The waitress left to fill their orders.
Collin slid his glasses down the bridge of his nose and stared over at Bryanna, who was staring right back at him.
Collin blew her a kiss.
Axil’s blood pressure shot up but he refused to let Collin’s actions get to him.
* * * *
So he knew. Big deal. It wasn’t as though he didn’t know they’d been out on a date or how she felt about Collin. What happened last night didn’t change anything, and she still hadn’t made a decision.
Bryanna walked out of her hotel room and took the elevator down to the lobby. No Axil. She waited a couple of minutes past their scheduled rendezvous time, but he still didn’t show. His loss, she thought as she donned her dark glasses and headed out of the door. She hailed a taxi.
“Where to, miss?” the driver asked as he opened the door for her.
“The Los Angeles County Museum of Art,” she replied. She’d always wanted to see the popular tourist spot. The driver was just about to shut the door when a big, booted foot came through the open door, followed by a leg and then the rest of a tall male body…Axil.
“Women are sure impatient,” he said as he slid the rest of his body into the seat.
The driver closed the door.
“You said one o’clock,” Bryanna replied as though she wasn’t surprised and glad to see him. “And it’s…”