by K E Osborn
I furrow my brows. “Sorry, what?”
Gran smiles and shrugs nodding in agreement. “I agree, Kaden,” Gran states.
“Kades, I’m going to be sitting here…” she waves her hands around, “… in a hospital bed. Doing nothing. Just having blood tests all the time. And what will you be doing if you’re here? Sitting at the end of my bed, texting Effa and wishing you were on tour, but instead you’re wasting your time here. I’ve spent so much of my life sitting around behind closed doors not living my life because I had to be locked away. I won’t let you be left behind and not living your life because of me, Kaden... I’ll be fine. I have Gran, and you can come home for Christmas, just like we always planned. By then I should be feeling better anyway, and you can see the new and improved me.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know.”
“Kaden, please. Don’t stay here for me. Effa needs you. She’s sick, too. Remember? I have someone, I have Gran. Who will Effa have if you’re not with her, being overprotective and overbearing as usual?”
Effa chuckles as I listen to Kiera’s words. I have my sister and my girlfriend, both with illnesses that need caregivers, but Kiera’s right. She does have Gran. Effa will have all of her crew and bandmates with her, but not someone who’ll be with her constantly and care for her like I do. Effa needs me. And as much as I hate to admit it, I want to go. I fucking love her. I need to be around Effa. It would kill me to be away from her not knowing if she’s doing the right things. And then there’s the whole Lighting Director stuff. Fuck! It’s a dream come true being in the rafters with Tank and Jay, and as much as I will miss being home in Ligonier, there is a reason that I left in the first place.
So I could see the world.
So I could be free and live my life.
Kiera’s giving me the freedom to do just that.
Exhaling, I shake my head. “I don’t like the thought of leaving you mid-treatment, Kiera.”
She smiles and tightens her hand on mine. “You’re not. I’ve had the procedure, now it’s all in the details.”
I scoff. “I think there’s a little more to it than that. I know there are still risks involved, Kiera. The stem cells could reject, you could get an infection, there are so many possibilities here Kiera. I don’t want to be away if something happens and you need me.”
She raises her brows and shrugs. “If we need you, we’ll call you. It’s as simple as that, Kaden. Go… please. It will make me happy knowing you’re off living your life and taking care of Effa rather than sitting here wasting your time watching me lying in bed. I mean how fucking boring.”
Everyone chuckles and I groan as I roll my neck and Effa runs her hand into mine. “The second she needs you, Kaden, you get on the band’s jet. Wherever we are. No qualms about it. Right, Luke?” Effa asks, and Luke nods.
“Absolutely. We will make the jet at your disposal twenty-four-seven, Mercs. You come with us, and we will have it on standby at all times.”
Kiera raises her brow, and I throw my hands in the air. “Okay, fine.” The room collectively cheers, even Kiera. “But, I want to check in with you every single day. I need to make sure your progressing according to the schedule.”
“Yes, every day. Morning and night if you have to.”
“Yes, I like that idea even more.”
Effa chuckles cuddling into my side. “Thank you,” she murmurs.
I glance down at her and sigh. “For what?”
“For coming back on tour with me. It means a lot. I know it’s hard leaving Kiera, and I would never have asked you to leave her,” Effa murmurs.
“No, I know, baby. If I could bring her with us, I would. But I don’t want to leave you either. It’s a difficult decision, but being with you is the right thing, Eff. Gran will care for Kiera, and I need to look after you. Plus, Tank can’t handle the lighting on his own.”
She snorts and pushes my chest playfully. “You’re so cocky,” she teases.
I smile and lean in kissing her lips playfully, and she kisses me back, and I feel like I’m making the right choice. It was a fucking hard one, though. Leaving Kiera is going to be difficult, there’s no doubt about it. But I also need to watch out for Effa, give her daily injections, and make sure her health is smooth with her new diagnosis. Plus, I need to start working again, because now that I don’t need to save for Kiera’s procedure, the money that I had put away—which doesn’t amount to much considering all the other costs Kiera’s treatments have incurred—I’m going to give to Effa to begin paying her back. So, I’m going to contact Hex and see if I can make partial payments rather than paying him in one lump sum.
Maybe that’s the way to go.
See if I can talk him into paying it off over time.
I have no idea what he expects.
All I know is I need to be working. So going back on tour is definitely the right thing to do. Because having a bookie like Hex riding my ass, well, that’s not something I want coming out of the woodwork, and I have no idea how much longer I can keep this secret under wraps if he doesn’t accept my terms.
Chapter Nineteen
EFFA
Four Weeks Later
Watching Mercs say goodbye to Kiera just over a month ago was so freaking difficult. Hell, saying goodbye to her myself was one of the hardest things for me to do, but she was adamant that we continue on with our lives and not let her recovery get in the way of us getting back out there. She’s really an amazing young woman, and I know she will do something outstanding with her life.
Watching her say goodbye to Raoul was sweet. They certainly seem to have formed a bond, and I know he will be keeping in close contact with her as well.
News of what happened to me circulated through the press and it only served to make us even more popular. Whereas the downfall of Swift Division was fast and painful. Jett has been torn to shreds in the media, and more women have come forward with allegations of him bringing them a drink and then them having no memory afterward. Let alone the incident with the knife and Cooper. It’s one hell of a shit storm. He’s in for a world of hurt through the court system, and I can’t say I’m not happy about it. The good part is he didn’t make bail, and he’s stuck in jail until his trial. There’s also a number of restraining orders that have been issued on him, so I doubt we will ever see him again.
Health-wise I feel fine. Sure, I’m not as strong and energized as I was pre-coma, but we did a bunch of rehearsal shows before we kicked off the tour again, just to make sure I could handle it, and I’d managed that without a hassle.
We took Doctor Wakefield’s advice and threw a few more ballads into the mix, so I could slow down the pace and stop dancing to take a break while concentrating on singing only. I either take a seat on a positioned stool near Alana’s DJ deck, or sit on the speakers at the front of the stage depending on the crowd, and how amped up they are.
But, all in all, the fans are loving our return to the stage. We’ve been making up time for the lost concerts, and Fort Affliction is a huge success with the crowds. They love them, and I have to admit, the guys are so easy to work with. They’re a breeze compared to Swift Division.
But right now we’re at an after party, and it’s alive and buzzing. The crew is happy to be back and working again. The Luminati’s are on fire and dancing up a storm on the dance floor. Kristy is missing as always, and Casey has taken to a new hobby of roller skating everywhere as she flies past me on the dancefloor. I guess roller skating is way better than getting high like she usually does at these parties. But she’s having fun, which makes me undeniably happy as I sit back in the booth and people watch.
Alana and Luke are in another booth looking over pictures from tonight’s show for the website. Andi and Tank are at the bar, and Raoul and Cooper are guarding the entrance to the VIP room as per usual. Things are just as they should be. Smiling wide, I let out a long contented sigh and relax back into my high backed seat as Mercs’ hand runs up my thigh.
“How are
you feeling?” he asks and I look at him and grin.
“Amazing. On a high actually. Performing tonight was great, as it has been for the past month, and everyone’s fitting back into tour life perfectly. I’m so happy right now,” I reply honestly, and he smiles wide.
“Good to hear. You’re getting stronger every day. And I have to admit, I’m enjoying being back at work. I’ve missed being up in those rafters, looking down and watching you perform…” he looks at me through his lashes and grins, “… it’s sexy.” He waggles his eyebrows, and I chuckle while rolling my eyes at him.
Turning to face him, I run my hand up his thigh, close to his cock and watch as his eyes bug open. Electricity pops and sizzles through the air. That insatiable lust scorches through us knowing we’re both burning for each other right now. The need to be with one another coursing through our veins as we look at each other both panting for breath while I lean in closer to him. “You know what’s sexy, Mercs?” I murmur, my tongue darting out and licking my bottom lip seductively as he looks down and shifts slightly in his seat.
“What?” he asks, his voice breaking slightly with the tension rippling through the air.
“You… me… in a bathroom stall.”
He grins looking around the room to see where everyone is, then he glances back to me. “You wanna fuck in the toilets?”
I laugh. “You’re the last of the romantics.” Grinning, I stand up casually, my clit already throbbing with the thought of him taking me there, while everyone’s oblivious. The hormone injections are working wonders for my libido, and since they have been taking effect, Mercs and I are back on track in the sex department. But normally it’s contained to our hotel room, so changing it up and fucking in the VIP section is exciting for the both of us.
After my little meltdown when Doctor Wakefield gave me my diagnosis, we discussed birth control and what we were going to use, since using the pill is not generally acceptable with my treatment. We both decided it was best to use nothing. Neither of us care if I get pregnant right now because after this tour it’s likely we will be back in the studio, and considering the chance is high that I won’t conceive anyway, we are willing to take the risk. What will be, will be.
I reach out grabbing his hand as he stands up and we walk across the dance floor of crew and groupies, toward the back of the room. We don’t rush or look suspicious to draw attention. We casually stroll as I lead the way.
Sure, a bathroom isn’t the best place to fuck, but it will do. We enter the hall, and I smile leading him to the door of the ladies, but his hand in mine tightens pulling me another way. I glance around as I’m drawn in another direction, and we enter a dark room through some swinging doors. I giggle as he grabs me, forcing my body up against a bench.
It’s dimly lit in here, but beside the bench is a wine rack and opposite us are a bunch of barrels. This must be where they store the alcohol. To my left is a big glass-doored fridge, with a small hue of light emanating from behind it, giving out the only light in the room. It’s almost romantic as Mercs leans in, his body pressing against mine completely as he steps in between my legs, hoisting me up on top of the granite bench. The coldness makes me shiver slightly, but the rest of my body is heating up as he runs his hands up the sides of my thighs, hoisting my leather dress up my legs.
I shuffle on the bench, letting the dress move up over my ass, as he moves in grabbing the band of my G-string and pulls my panties off me making me wince at the coldness on my bare ass. He grins, grabbing my legs and yanking me forward. I gasp as my ass slides on the bench, so I’m just on the edge. I feel like I’m going to fall off, as he suddenly drops to his knees and hoists my legs over his shoulders giving me support. I grin, my teeth clamping down on my bottom lip as he positions his head between my legs.
His lips press against my thigh, moving in torturously slowly as he kisses feather light all the way up. My hands move into his hair as his teeth graze my skin making my head fall back in delight as I let out a small moan.
The thought of someone walking in here at any moment is only heightening the experience for me. His tongue flicks out connecting with my clit, and I jolt in satisfaction as I let out a heavy breath.
My fingers thread through his hair as I hold his head between my legs. His tongue circles around my clit, flicking and rotating, working me up. Pressure starts building inside me as my hips slowly rock against his face.
He is a magician with his tongue, and he knows exactly how to work me up. My nipples tighten, forming small buds as I moan in delight. He flicks his tongue again, and I rock back and forth feeling that all too exciting pressure building slowly inside of me. His fingers tighten on my thighs as he caresses my skin. My head falls back, and I let out a soft whimper as his tongue flicks against my delicate bud once more making me jolt in ecstasy.
Mercs’ hand slides down between my legs as his tongue continues its assault on my clit. He slides a finger inside of me, making me clench down on my bottom lip with my teeth. My hands in his hair hold him to me tighter as he continues to work me up. Bringing me closer and closer to the precipice. The heat building and building. My body coating in sweat beneath my leather dress. My skin riddled with goosebumps as I pant harsh and heavy, my hips rocking against his hand and mouth as he works me higher and higher with such ease. Heat ignites my blood, sending me red hot. I gasp as I clench my eyes shut, lights dance like fairies behind my eyes as I quiver and shake around him, and with one more flick of his tongue, he sends me over the edge into carnal bliss.
I moan out loud, not caring if anyone walking past can hear as he chuckles against my pussy, pulling his finger out of me and flicking his tongue once more making me jolt and gasp as he pulls back, stands up while wiping his mouth and grins at me. “You taste so fucking good,” he says moving his hands to his jeans as he starts to undo them.
I grin wide, still coming down from my high as he pulls his cock from his jeans, after yanking his pants down around his ass just enough so they don’t fall down, as he steps in front of me. I move my hands out sliding them around his neck as he pushes his hands in under my ass and pulls me up toward him. My legs wrap around his waist, and the tip of his hard cock presses right in line with my pussy. I chew on my bottom lip as he inches forward looking into my eyes.
“You’re mine, always.”
“Always,” I reply as he thrusts forward, his hard length slamming into me. I moan as he pushes me against the bench for support. My fingers dig into the back of his hair as we join together. Reaching up, I press my lips to his in a forceful kiss as he pulls back and thrusts into me again, deeper, harder.
“God yes,” he murmurs against my lips and starts up a rhythm—thrust, rotate, withdraw, thrust again. It’s hard, it’s fast, and it’s fucking heaven. Our frantic kissing as we work together is making this even hotter as he bites down on my bottom lip, hard, not painful, but enough to send a spike of pleasure through my body and straight to my clit. It throbs as he continues to thrust up inside of me against the bench, working me higher and higher.
Suddenly, he spins with me attached to him. I squeal as our lips break contact and he walks with me still joined to him. I wonder what the hell he’s doing when he pulls out of me, drops my feet to the floor and spins me around. I turn to look back at him, but he pushes my back making my stomach fall forward over a wine barrel, my ass out and proud to him.
I grin as I turn my head and plant my cheek on the wine barrel, opening my legs as he steps in behind me. One hand on my back holding me down, the other on my hip. It’s hot, it’s dominant and controlling. His foot moves out smacking my boot, so my leg slips out a little wider, and I giggle as his cock presses against my ass. My breathing comes in hard and fast as he lines himself up with my pussy. His hand on my back pushes me down harder, and my hands move up clenching the sides of the barrel as he thrusts up inside me without warning. I gasp as my face slides against the woodgrain texture, and I groan as he fills me completely.
“God, y
ou look good like this,” he murmurs as he pulls back, his hand against my hip digging into my flesh, my dress riding up around my stomach as his fingers dig into my skin so tight I’m sure it will bruise. But I don’t care, I like it when he’s rough. He pulls back and thrusts up into me again.
Hard.
Relentless.
Unwavering.
He moves at a fast rhythm, my body shifting up and off the barrel with every thrust. The pressure building rapidly inside of me. I love our hard fucking, and I love it even more when he’s dominant with me.
Thrust, after thrust, after thrust. He’s coming in hard and heavy, and sweat is pouring off me as he fucks me from behind, ravishing me like the master he is. The energy coursing through me is undeniable.
I love this man. No doubt. The anger in him, the love in him, the unwavering loyalty. Everything about him brings the energy he’s showing me right now. The dedication to his family. The dedication to me. These things prove to me over and over again the type of man Mercs really is.
As he thrusts up again, I can feel it, his commitment, his devotion. He may be dominating. He may be controlling. He may be overbearing. Yes, he’s all of those things. But he loves with his whole heart, and even though at this moment he’s holding me down, thrusting inside of me hard and fucking fast, I feel the love. His hand might be squeezing into my side tightly, but his thumb is also gliding up and down my skin in a tender way showing that side of his affection.
So, yes, he’s all of those things, but he does it with a good heart, by meaning well and doing everything with only the thought of protection. And as he thrusts up inside of me again it’s the thought of how much he loves me that ignites my desires. It sends a wave of energy flowing through me so insatiable that I burn red hot.
His hand moves from my back up into my hair in his usual way, gripping on tight as his fingers lace through my hair and I smile clenching my eyes riding the waves of pleasure rippling through me as I pant for much-needed breath.