by Annie Green
“Where will you stay?” Deidre asked. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“Oh, it’s not a problem. I’m sure I can make something work,” Temperance said sweetly, turning to glance at me. My cheeks flushed, quickly feeling guilty once again. But before I could dwell on it, Temperance stood up, grabbing Deidre’s hand and pulling her to her feet.
“Come on. I’ll show you around. Do you have anything with you?” When Deidre merely nodded, Temperance pointed to me. “Could you grab it, Damien? And bring it up to my room?”
“Um…you don’t have to…I can get it…” Deidre stammered, but I cut her off.
“It’s fine. I can get it. Your keys?” I said quickly.
Deidre shoveled around in her purse for a moment and handed me her keys. I was thankful for the reprieve. As I made my way out the door, I turned to see Temperance smiling at Deidre like she was her new best friend. I wish I could be that open, but things were weird between my sister and I. She had made sure of that. I wasn’t really pissed anymore, just weary. All I wanted to do was wrap myself around Temperance and lose myself in her for a while.
Then maybe I could figure out what the hell I was supposed to do with my sister back in my life.
***
“You’re a life saver,” I told Temperance as she snuck into my room that night. Deidre was apparently tucked away in her room, oblivious to the fact that Temperance and I were sharing a bed next door. We’d have to make sure we were extra quiet when we did it. To be honest I was getting tired of keeping it down because of unwanted guests staying over. I liked Temperance loud.
“I try,” she whispered, pulling her pants off quickly. I watched as her long legs made an appearance before they disappeared beneath the sheets. It was pretty cold in the house, which meant Temperance would most likely end up sleeping on me tonight. Not that I minded. I was coming to find that I loved her near me.
Temperance’s head rested on the pillow next to mine, her eyes on me. “So what happened between you two that made it so weird? And any details would be appreciated since I totally saved your ass today.”
I stared at the ceiling. I didn’t want to tell her too much. It would make everything way too personal. I preferred to keep it as casual as possible. Plus I hated sharing my story. It exhausted me.
“My dad set up trusts for me and my sister. He was a dick, but he did do that for us. I needed the money, but when my dad found out I was dropping out of college, he pulled it. I couldn’t figure out how he found out about my plans because I didn’t let many people know, but then I realized it was Deidre. She told him. He pulled his money. Having that would have made everything a lot easier.”
Her brow furrowed. “So this is over money?”
There was a lot more to it than that, but I didn’t feel like getting into it. “Yeah, basically.”
“Did you ask why she’s here?”
I rolled onto my side so I could face her. “No. Didn’t get that far. I’ll ask later.”
Temperance’s head shook slightly and she said with a hint of sarcasm, “Yeah, sure. I’m sure you’ll do that.”
We laid there like that for a few moments, letting silence wash over us. I was coming to realize that I liked just looking at her. She was incredibly beautiful, even when she was hidden in the night’s shadows. I wanted to wrap my arms around her, but that would have broken the moment. Because once I started touching her, I’d inevitably end up inside her.
Finally Temperance’s voice broke through the darkness. “You sure you’re okay with me staying here with you tonight?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
I could feel her eyes on me. “You don’t think this will make it weird between us?”
“You slept over here last night.”
“Yeah, that’s because Nik was in my room.”
I rolled to stare at the ceiling. I really didn’t like that guy. I hated that she brought him up when she was half naked in my bed. “Don’t remind me.”
I heard her giggle softly. “You make no sense to me, Damien.”
The way she said my name all soft and sweet caused my heart to constrict painfully in my chest. I wanted her to talk like that to only me, not to anyone else. But that wasn’t possible right now. I was already crossing a line by letting her sleep in my room for a while. It would make this whole thing harder to end, but at the moment I couldn’t bring myself to care. I was sure I’d find a way to justify it away.
My phone vibrated on my bed stand and I reached over to see who was texting me. I glanced down and saw Jonathan’s name and text message flashing across the screen.
“Jonathan wants to know if you and I can make it to band practice tomorrow,” I asked Temperance after reading the message.
“What time?”
“Five to probably around seven,” I replied.
“Sure, yeah I can do that. I can come straight over after class.”
I texted Jonathan back before turning to Temperance. “So you still thinking about quitting your major?”
She sighed heavily. “Yeah, but I haven’t built up the courage to tell my parents yet. It’s scary to think of having to be all on my own.”
“Well, you won’t be all alone,” I replied before I could stop myself. “You’ll be living here with me.”
Her eyes shot to meet mine and she looked a little sad. “Yeah, probably, but you never know what life’s going to bring. By next semester I may be living somewhere else, dating someone else, working somewhere else.”
Just the thought had my stomach churning. We both knew it couldn’t last. I mean, we’d discussed this. Why the fuck were we keeping this up? I knew the answer. Because the sex was too good to end it just yet. We were both relatively smart, but we weren’t thinking with our brains at the moment. And that was okay with me. I could do this for a little longer before we went our separate ways. Right?
“But I don’t want to think about that,” Temperance said quietly, scooting over to me. She rested her hand on my thigh, slowly sliding it up, up, up. My heartbeat quickened at her soft touch. I had been waiting for this moment all afternoon and now that she was here I was going to take full advantage of her presence until we were both spent.
***
I drove to meet the guys at our usual practice spot. It was a warehouse in Santa Cruz that Asher’s parents had purchased a few years ago. Recently they had given it to him to use for whatever he wanted. He’d decided to pad the walls to make it soundproof so that we could practice whenever we were able to get together, even if it was late in the evening. It was a lifesaver because for the longest time we had been practicing in Jonathan’s garage. Much to the neighbors’ dismay.
I parked my truck in the parking lot out back before grabbing my guitar and striding into the brightly lit room. Equipment and instruments were set up in a somewhat organized fashion in the corner of the room. This place had become a catalyst for my creativity and a facet for my thoughts. Just knowing that my words were going to be sung tonight had my chest expanding with pride. But a part of me shook with fear. Temperance was going to hear what I’d created. Would she like it? Or would she think I was a joke?
“Hey man, wasn’t sure you’d make it,” Asher said dryly as he plugged in a large amp, pulling my thoughts away from Temperance.
“Why’s that?” I asked, setting my guitar down. I’d known Asher for a little over a year, but I liked him. He was straight to the point and an incredible drummer. He had more tattoos than I did and a few piercings in a few places I didn’t ever want to see, but he was a super nice guy once you got past his sarcasm.
“Because Jonathan says you have a girlfriend now and have been banging it up with her all day and all night.”
I glanced over to the doorway as Jonathan and Jude made their way toward us. Jonathan might have been my best friend, but he could be a total dick sometimes. Recently he’d been enjoying sharing my personal life with everyone we knew.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” I said loudly, c
ausing Jonathan’s blue eyes to meet mine. He shrugged his shoulders, like he hadn’t meant to let it slip that I was seeing someone…or as Asher put it “banging it up” with a girl. I knew better.
“So you’re fuck buddies then?” Jude asked, his dark eyes twinkling as he stopped in front of me.
“What the hell have you been telling these guys?” I asked Jonathan, frustrated my personal life was up for grabs. I liked my private life private.
“That you’re moving on,” Jonathan told me, unrepentant for sharing my personal shit with Asher and Jude.
“We’re happy for you,” Jude said, brushing his shoulder length brown hair behind his ears.
“Yeah, bro. It’s about time,” Asher piped up before adding. “Heard she’s coming today too. Can’t wait to meet her.”
The way he said it made it sound like he was going to swoop in and take her from me. I didn’t like that thought at all. I knew Asher would never intentionally hurt me, but he was a good-looking fucker and girls gravitated toward him unintentionally. What if Temperance ended up liking him more than me? He didn’t have the same baggage as me. He could offer her something I couldn’t.
Jonathan seemed to read my mind because he stopped right near me and said lowly, “She’s all yours, man. Don’t worry.”
I shot him a look that told him mind his own business even though his words were a slight relief.
As we were setting up our equipment, a familiar feminine voice floated over all of us, causing the four of us to stop what we were doing and glance up. Temperance strode into the large space looking like a freaking sex god and I immediately regretted telling her about practice tonight. I could basically see each guy, including Jonathan beginning to salivate over her.
Fuckers.
“Hey guys,” Temperance said sweetly as she stopped in front of us. We all stood there stupidly while she fidgeted with her outfit that was way too revealing. Her tight jeans looked painted on and her shirt was way too tight. I was totally going to start bringing a sweatshirt for her whenever we went out so guys would stop eye fucking her.
To make it worse, I could see Asher and Jude trying desperately not to look at her chest, but to no avail. Their eyes traveled over her torso as Asher blew out a breath.
“Shit,” he muttered, glancing over at me. I could see the appreciation in his eyes and I bit back a possessive growl. Frowning deeply, I took a step toward her. She was mine. At least for the time being.
“Well, we’re glad you’re here,” Jonathan managed to say, smiling widely at her. At least he managed to play it cool. He wasn’t eye-groping her as obviously as Jude and Asher were.
“Yes, we are,” Jude said, finally extending his hand and introducing himself. “I’m Jude.”
“Nice to meet you,” Temperance replied, seemingly not knowing that he’d just been admiring her tits.
“And I’m Asher. I play the drums,” Asher said, letting his hands linger way too long on hers. Touchy bastard.
“Nice to meet you too,” Temperance said sweetly as she removed the large encased cello from her back and set it on the floor. “I’m really excited to be here. Thanks for letting me come and check you guys out.”
Asher and Jude’s eyes met and I knew what was going on in their heads. That I was one lucky bastard and that if she ever left me, they’d be the first to swoop in. Bro-code be damned.
Traitors.
“Well, should we get started?” Jonathan asked, his eyes meeting mine. He knew that if I didn’t get my mind on something else I’d end up punching Jude and Asher in the face.
I nodded and helped Temperance carry her cello over to the mic Asher had set up for her. I was glad she was finally away from my friends’ groping eyes. She looked so damn good I had to tell her.
“You look really hot,” I whispered in her ear and watched as she flushed deeply. If we were alone I’d end up taking her right then and there.
“You look nice too,” she replied, glancing over her shoulder to make sure we were alone. When she was satisfied that we were far enough away from prying ears, she whispered, “I actually really want you right now.”
Holy hell. Those words. I instantly became hard.
“I actually…you know…touched myself in the car before I came inside,” she added shyly and I nearly came in my pants. How the fuck was she so sweet and yet so dirty? The things that came out of her mouth made me crazy.
“Shit, Temperance. You can’t say that to me,” I said, adjusting my now hard cock in my pants. If I was going to make it through practice I needed her to tone that shit down. Or else I’d have to excuse myself and rub one out outside.
“I wanted you to know,” she said, glancing up at me with those big green eyes. “I wanted you to know that I was thinking about you while I did it.”
Jesus. Christ.
“So you guys ready?” Jonathan asked, cutting off our conversation. I didn’t feel like being here anymore. I just wanted to take her home and screw her silly.
I didn’t want to be a total caveman so I grunted, “Yeah.” I hoped my erection wasn’t visible through my jeans because if the guys saw it they wouldn’t let me live it down. I felt like I was a fifteen-year old guy all over again. One dirty word from Temperance and I was as erect as a flagpole. What the hell? This was going to be a long fucking night.
***
Practice went better than I thought it would. Temperance ended up listening to a few of our songs before deciding to jump in. And when she did, she was phenomenal. I knew she played the cello. I’d even heard her practicing a few times, but it was always classical music coming from her room. It was never anything contemporary. So even though I’d never doubted her skills, I wondered what a great addition she’s make to the band.
I didn’t doubt it any longer. The way her cello harmonized with Jonathan and at times with me, made all the difference. Our songs went from good to great. And when Jonathan told us we had a show in two weeks, I knew that without Temperance we’d be half as good as we could be.
I knew she liked us and could tell she was surprised at how good we were. She probably thought she was walking into a metal band because of the music I usually listened to. Little did she know the music we played was softer and a lot more ethereal than she was expecting. I could tell she liked it because her eyes darkened when she looked at me and I knew I was so getting laid once we were alone.
I had been worried she was going to get all sentimental on me once she heard the lyrics to the songs I’d written, but she didn’t. She actually didn’t act much different, which was a relief. The only thing I noticed was how her gaze would linger on me a little longer and the look in her eyes was a little more intense. I just attributed it to her being incredibly turned on.
“That was amazing,” Asher said after we played our last song. He walked up to Temperance and threw his arm around her shoulders. I could tell he had a huge crush on her already and I stifled the urge to peel his hands off her.
She smiled shyly. “Thanks, I wasn’t really quite sure what I was doing.”
“Could have fooled us,” Jude said. “You were amazing.”
“Thanks,” Temperance said, blushing. She looked so damn adorable. If only my friends knew what came out of that mouth I’d have competition. Any of these guys would probably be willing to give her what she’d most likely come to want. I just couldn’t give it to her. Being in a relationship with someone wasn’t something I could justify away.
“So you going to join us on stage in a few weeks for our show?” Jonathan asked her.
She plucked at the end of her shirt. “Yeah, if you guys want me.”
“Hell yeah we do,” Asher said loudly before glancing at us. “Right guys?”
The three of us nodded as Jude pulled beer out of the cooler and passed it around. Temperance took one, but didn’t open it. I was glad. Watching her mouth move over the neck of the bottle would have pushed me over the edge. I was already close to losing it.
I cracked open m
y beer and took a long swig. Even though it was cold outside, playing always left me thirsty. The cool liquid was a balm to my dry throat. I hadn’t been much of a beer drinker until I traveled around Europe with Sophia. It was there that I developed a taste for it because it was cheaper than soda or water.
“You guys want to hang out here or take off?” Jonathan asked, lowering himself onto an old couch Asher had picked up from Goodwill last month. Usually I’d want to stick around, but all I’d been able to think about since Temperance arrived was getting her home.
“I think he wants to leave,” Asher said.
“Don’t blame him,” Jude muttered and I shot him a look. They were so unsubtle it was embarrassing.
“I’m ready to go,” I said quickly, hoping Temperance didn’t want to stay. I didn’t know if I could make it another few hours without having her. I could feel a headache beginning to form behind my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.
Temperance caught the movement and nodded. “I’m ready too.”
Thank the Lord, sweet Jesus.
The four of us watched as Temperance walked to the other side of the room and bent over to pack up her cello.
“Fuck, man. She’s hot, like seriously hot. If I were you, I’d never leave my room,” Jude said.
“That’s what I said,” Jonathan said.
“No wonder you’ve been in a better mood,” Asher chimed in. “Lord all mighty.”
“Stop checking her out,” I warned.
None of them listened, their eyes glued to her ass. I didn’t blame them. She looked damn good in those jeans.
“Heard she has a tattoo under those clothes as well,” Asher added after a moment.
Hell yeah she did. Just thinking about that ink on her skin made me want to throw her over my shoulder and carry her home.
Temperance took that moment to peek over her shoulder and much to my annoyance, Jude and Asher didn’t even bother to divert their gazes, causing her cheeks to darken. I hated that other guys were checking her out, but at the same time I felt a little bit thrilled that she was mine for the moment.