His chest tightened as he pulled her into another kiss.
Chapter Ten
Julia couldn’t wait for Marissa to arrive. Not only hadn’t she seen her in months, but she was dying to see her reaction to meeting Ben and the rest of the band. When her phone rang, she assumed it was Marissa.
“Okay, I’m officially the boy who cried wolf.” Niles’ voice greeted her on the other end of the line.
Julia laughed. “What now?”
“This time I’ve got a real wardrobe emergency.”
“Oh really? Did you have another run-in with a seam ripper?”
“No, I got my trousers caught on some equipment during sound check. Some bloody git intern left it on stage. Think you can fix me up? I don’t have anything else with me at the studio.”
Julia looked at the clock. Marissa was due to arrive in half an hour. “Let me call my friend and tell her to come straight to the taping. I’ll be there as fast as possible.”
“I owe you.”
“I know.”
Julia rushed uptown sewing kit in hand. The guard checked her in and directed her backstage. She gave the guard Marissa’s name and rushed off to find Niles.
Lizzy greeted her in the hall. “Oh thank God. He’s a disaster. Can’t have him on national telly with his arse hanging out.”
Niles was leaning against the dressing room counter and even in the reflection of the mirror Julia could see the tear straight down the left side of his pants.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Sure that’s not the new look you want to try to cultivate? Could catch on…”
“You and Lizzy are quite the comedy team today.”
“You love the attention.” Lizzy stroked her hand over his cheek and kissed him. “Now hold still so Julia can try to make you presentable.”
Julia examined the rip.
“Is it fatal?” Niles craned his neck to look.
“Hold still,” she said, smoothing the fabric. “I can fix it, but you’re going to need to take them off.”
She expected him to go change but instead he unzipped and dropped his pants to the floor. He stepped out of them, revealing black-and-pink-striped silk boxers, which went surprisingly well with the black dress shirt and open gray vest he still wore.
Ben appeared in the doorway. “Tell me that’s not your new look.”
Niles flopped onto the couch as though he were home lounging on a Saturday afternoon. “Perhaps it should be. It’s rather liberating.”
Julia laid the pants on the counter and went to work stitching the tear. Ben came up behind her and kissed her neck.
“Stop distracting me or I might sew Boy Wonder’s pants too tight.”
Ben chuckled. “Is Marissa with you?”
“No, I told her to head straight here. She should be here soon.”
Julia was just finishing up Niles’ repairs when a very bug-eyed Marissa was ushered into the room by an intern. She was dressed all in black, which Julia knew was her security blanket. “You’re here.” Julia put down the needle and thread and rushed over to hug her. Marissa let out a manic laugh. “Calm down,” Julia whispered in her ear. “Here, let me introduce you. This is Ben.”
Ben strode over, hand extended. “I feel like I already know you. Glad you could make it.”
“Thank you.” Marissa looked as if she hadn’t taken a breath since she arrived.
Ben gestured to Niles. “This is Niles. Usually he waits ’til after shows to lose his pants but he’s mixing up the order today.”
“I can shuck them later as well, if I please.” Niles turned his attention to Marissa. “Best if I don’t stand at the moment, but pleasure to meet you. Julia never mentioned you were gorgeous.”
Every exposed inch of Marissa flushed, her chest turning a deep cherry red. Julia decided to rescue her before Niles turned his charm on full force. “Come, why don’t you have Ben show you to our seats? I’ll join you in two minutes. I’m just about done with my emergency repairs here.”
She threw Ben a grateful look. He winked at her then steered Marissa out the door.
“I think you’re all set.” Julia held up the trousers, examining them for further damage.
“Thanks, luv.” Niles ran his hand over the fabric. “Can’t even tell. Which is good, because some fans seem to really scrutinize my arse.”
“They’re not looking for ripped material. More likely they’d like to rip them off you.”
“True. Perhaps you can design us a line of tearaways. For everyone but Ben. Don’t imagine you’d want girls yanking off his clothing.” Niles eyes were narrowed, a mix of serious and his usual cheekiness.
“No, I don’t suppose I’d like that at all.”
“You are in love with him, right?”
Julia couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “Completely.”
“Good. Because he’s totally in love with you.” Niles stepped into his pants, turning to examine his ass in the long mirror. “You really are a miracle worker.”
Julia tossed her scissors and thread back into her bag. “It was just a tear.”
“I wasn’t talking about my pants.”
Julia found Ben sitting next to Marissa in the roped-off section of guest seats. The rest of the studio audience was filing in. They appeared deep in conversation and Marissa looked totally at ease. Ben’s hair swooped low over his eyes as he bent his head and laughed.
“Hey, you two,” she said, taking a seat.
“There you are,” Ben said. He stood, straightening his pants and stretching his shoulders. “I’d best get back to the band. Make sure Niles doesn’t get up to any more trouble. You ladies enjoy the show.” He bent and kissed Julia, just a light brush of his lips, but enough to leave her tingling from head to toe.
He disappeared off the side of the stage. Julia turned to find Marissa staring right at her.
“What?” Julia felt her brow pinch. She could sense a barrage of questions coming.
“He’s amazing.”
“Yes, I realize that.”
“Do you?” Marissa’s eyes searched hers. “I mean I expected him to be great, but he exceeds all expectations. Julia, he’s the one.”
“What one?”
Marissa took a deep breath and exhaled. “This is the guy you’re gonna marry.”
Julia’s throat tightened. “How do you—”
“Because I know. And he knows. He’s completely woven you into all his future plans. Are you joining them on tour?”
“Well, we talked about me going out for a show or two.”
Marissa nodded. “And then you’re going to England to meet his family.”
“Probably for the holidays, but—”
“Julia.” Marissa placed her hands on Julia’s shoulders and Julia wondered if she might start actually shaking her. “He’s going to ask you to marry him. For real.”
Julia felt goose bumps scatter across her arms. “Did he say that?”
“Not in so many words, but he may as well have. It was obvious. Please tell me you’re going to say yes.”
“I don’t know. I don’t even know if he’s going to ask.”
Marissa shook her head. “I realize that motherhood has made me far less tolerant of bullshit, and I should probably be more patient with you, but I can’t. I’m going to say this until you hear me. Don’t fuck this up. He’s the one.”
Julia could feel tears prickling behind her eyes. Marissa was right. Julia had been feeling it for a long time but it was too scary to contemplate. She didn’t want to get her hopes up and then have things turn sour.
“If he asks you—” Marissa started but Julia cut her off.
“I’ll say yes.” Saying the word out loud made Julia lightheaded.
“You will?”
Julia nodded, feeling more excited and more scared as the realization set in. “I will.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Marissa beamed at her and squeezed her hand. “Oh my God, I’ll get to go to the wedding.”
“If it ever happens you’ll be in the wedding, you big goof.”
The warm-up act came out to start entertaining the audience as the remaining seats filled. “You’d better design me a great dress.”
“When have I ever not?”
Watching Ben perform was still something Julia hadn’t gotten used to. It was simply mesmerizing. She’d always liked the intensity with which he played but now every beat seemed to stir up something inside her. She could feel his rhythm pulsing through her, electrifying her with its potency. She loved the way his hair whipped back and forth across his face and he immersed himself in each song. The fact that half the women in the audience were just as taken by him no longer bothered her. She wasn’t jealous or threatened. She just felt lucky.
When the taping was over, Julia and Marissa made their way backstage, following one of the interns. Ben was toweling dry his hair, the damp spikes hanging low into his eyes. He looked unbearably sexy.
“You were awesome.” She wound her arms around him, going up on her toes to give him a kiss.
“Thanks.” He grinned. “Careful, I’m all sweaty.”
“I kinda like you sweaty.”
His eyebrows rose, his eyes sparkling like mad. “Oh really?”
“As a matter of fact…” She glanced over her shoulder, noting that everyone, including Marissa, was busy chatting, and took Ben’s hand, leading him out of the room.
“Where are you taking me?” he asked, following without hesitation.
She opened a door marked fitting room and tugged him in, closing the door behind them. Her fingers were already working against his rapidly hardening cock. He leaned back against the door, holding her close. She wriggled away enough to undo his pants, freeing his thick erection. She stroked, squeezing the tip on each pass as Ben moaned into her mouth.
Julia kissed her way down to his neck, loving the salty taste of him.
His breathing was hard and fast. “I don’t have any condoms,” he whispered into her hair.
“Not a problem.” She dropped to her knees and took him into her mouth.
A muffled groan escaped him and she saw his hand flatten against the door. She sucked, hard and fast, spiraling her hand in synch with her tongue. His breath came in raspy puffs as he wove his fingers into her hair. His cock swelled inside her mouth, impossibly stiff. She rode her tongue along each enticing ridge, spending extra time swirling around the sensitive tip. He let out a deep breath and she knew he couldn’t hold out much longer. She took him as deep inside her mouth as she could, pulling her cheeks in tight against him. He tensed and throbbed inside her. She swallowed, continuing to pulse her tongue against him until he finished.
“Christ,” he whispered, pulling her upright. His eyes were only half open, his lips parted.
“Good?”
“Unreal.” He kissed her, long and slow, his tongue licking against hers.
“Let’s get you back together before people wonder where we are.”
Ben began to straighten his clothes. “Yes, people. For a minute there I forgot we weren’t the only ones on the planet.”
Chapter Eleven
Julia got a single text from Marissa the next day.
Thanks for the best night, ever. PS If you don’t marry Ben, I will.
Marry. The idea both thrilled and terrified Julia. She knew she loved Ben and that he loved her, but she couldn’t wrap her head around the idea of him proposing for real. It seemed like a fantasy.
Julia was packing for a two-day shoot in Philadelphia. She made sure to include the outfit she planned to wear to Ben’s concert on the day she returned. The band was kicking off their tour with a sold-out New York show. Depending on how the shoot went, she might have to head straight to the performance from the train station.
She was heading out on a late-afternoon train so Ben came to see her off. “I’ll miss you,” he said, nuzzling her neck in his irresistible way.
“It’s only two days.”
“I know. I can miss you in far less time than that.” He kissed her softly, rubbing his nose against hers. “Oh, I’ve arranged for a car to pick you up in Philly on Thursday.”
“What? That’s silly. I’ll take the train. Even if I get the later one I’ll still make it to the show.”
“I know, I just feel better about having a driver get you. You don’t have to rush, and you don’t have to juggle all this luggage.”
Julia shook her head. “That’s not necessary.”
“Will you stop being stubborn just this once and allow me to do this one small thing for you?”
“Fine.” It was impossible for her to say no to anything when she looked into his eyes.
“Good.” He kissed her again.
Julia had to admit that the thought of a car was more appealing than the train and he was right, she wouldn’t have to worry about carrying everything. She just wasn’t used to being treated so well. It felt decadent, just like everything about Ben.
* * * * *
Ben was exceptionally nervous the night of the show, not because of the performance but because Julia was late. The limo company had called to confirm the driver and he knew she should be on her way, but the band was going on and she had yet to arrive.
“Focus,” Niles said. “We need you onstage tonight. Come on.”
Ben knew he was right. He was overreacting. Surely Julia was fine or he’d have heard from her. He tried her cell one last time but got her voicemail. She’s fine. She has to be. His stomach pitched as he took his seat behind his drums.
During every break, he glanced toward the side of the stage. Tina, the PA, shook her head, indicating there was still no word on Julia. Panic began to boil inside him. What if the car never arrived? What if there was an accident? The thought made him positively green.
Niles prodded him through the show with warning looks. As the final curtain closed, Ben strode straight backstage. Tina rushed toward him. “She just arrived. They had a little accident, that’s all.”
Accident was the only word Ben heard. He rushed down the corridor. Julia was nowhere in sight but a driver in a uniform stood next to one of the dressing room doors, holding an ice pack to his wrist. “Jus-a-fenderbender.” His words were slurred together. It was clear he was drunk.
Ben grabbed the guy by the jacket collar, slamming him into the wall. “Where is she?”
Tina’s voice was a feathery echo in the background. “She’s fine, she’s right here.” All Ben could hear was his own blood pumping hard and fast against his eardrums.
“Hey, lissen,” the driver continued to slur, barely able to get the words out. “She’s okay, it was just a li’l accident.”
“You son of a bitch.” The thoughts of what could have happened to Julia flooded into Ben’s mind and all he saw was red. He slammed his fist into the side of the driver’s face with enough force he crumbled to the ground. Ben yanked him upright with one hand and went at him again.
It took Niles, Paul and one of the bouncers to pull Ben off the guy. Ben’s knuckles were split and pouring blood.
“Enough,” Niles said. “Look at me. It’s enough.”
Adrenaline was still coursing through him and he might have taken a swing at Niles had he not caught a glimpse of Julia’s face. She was staring, eyes wide, face ashen. The moment they made eye contact she turned and ran.
“Julia, wait.” He struggled to follow her but Paul must have thought he was making another go for the driver and held him back. “Let me go, you bleeding bastard, I don’t give a fuck about this wanker, I need to get to Julia.”
He broke free and tore down the hall after her but by the time he made it out onto the street he could see her slamming the door of a taxi. She was gone.
“Let her go, mate,” Niles said.
“I can’t.” All the anger had ebbed out of him, all he felt was need. He hailed a cab and got in without another word.
The lights were on in her apartment and he saw her pass near the window. Relief washed ove
r him knowing that at least she was home and safe. He bounded up her stairs and knocked several times but got no answer. He slumped against her door. “Look, I know you’re listening. At least I hope you are. I just want to explain why I went so completely ballistic.”
He raked his hand through his hair, cringing as his bloodied knuckles cracked and stung. “I know you know Sheila died in a car crash, but I’m not sure you know the details.” It hurt to remember that night, but the thought of losing Julia hurt too, so he forced himself to continue. “I’d wanted to send a car for her that night. She was six months pregnant and I didn’t like the idea of her driving alone at night, but she’d insisted. She didn’t want us to spend the money. When she hadn’t arrived by the time the show started I was worried, but I figured there’d been traffic because of the rain. I got caught up in the performance.”
He closed his eyes, seeing it all play out again in his mind. “It was one of our best shows ever. Biggest venue we’d ever played. We did two bloody encores before we finally headed backstage. I was laughing when I saw the police, joking with Paul about who was getting busted. Then the officer sat me down and told me what had happened.”
He pinched his fingers hard against the bridge of his nose, trying to block the feelings that came along with his words. “While I’d been reveling in the glory of being onstage, Sheila had been driven off the road by a drunk driver. I lost everything that night. And I never thought I’d care about anyone that way, ever again, until I met you. The thought of anything happening to you makes me absolutely mad. I can’t go through that again. I thought I was keeping you safe by hiring the driver tonight and instead I’m the one who put you in danger. I’m so sorry Julia. I’m—”
She opened the door so fast he fell into her apartment. When he looked up, her cheeks were red, eyes glistening with tears. “I’m sorry about your wife. I didn’t know.”
“I never told you.” He struggled into a standing position, but the minute he approached her she took a step back. Watching her cower from him was killing him. “Julia, please.”
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