by Marlowe Fox
I just want to run my tongue down every inch of him. I inch my gaze upward counting the ten solidly defined packs of muscle, taking notice of the huge flying raven he has tattooed on his right ribcage. Before I realize it, my hand is reaching out and I brush my fingers over its wing that rests just below the outside of his peck. As my fingers brush his skin, he sucks in a breath and our eyes meet.
“He’s beautiful.” I whisper. Jaden takes my hand from his rib and I feel a jolt of rejection, that he doesn’t want me touching him. But instead he presses a kiss to my palm before setting my hand in the middle of his chest, where a large pair of black and grey praying hands rest.
The door to the bathroom pops opens and Jaden quickly drops my hand and he steps back.
“What, are you guys humping in the hallways now? Jesus, put that beast away man!” Ryker says pointing to the barely concealed “beast” in his towel.
"Fuck off, Brother." Jaden bites out going from warm and fuzzy to pissy.
I’m not sure what to do, so I decide I need some air and wait outside for them to finish getting ready. I grab my LV, and make my way down the steps of the bus. Ashton and Finn are waiting outside, so I head over to them.
"Wow, you look amazing. Has Jaden seen you yet? He might try to make you change."
"Yeah, after Ryker assaulted me. They are in there duking it out to see who gets me.” We laugh. “I love your pants, by the way." I say pointing to her black and white vertical striped skinny jeans. She has them paired with a loss blue tee shirt and heart stomping boots.
“Thanks.” She says with a shy smile.
"She’s right, you look really great tonight, Ash.” Finn says looking at her like it’s the first time. Her cheeks turn pink as she looks down at her boots and mumbles another thanks. Hmm, I wonder what going on there?
Jaden comes thundering down the stairs in big black kick your ass boots, dark jeans, and red tee shirt. His hair is shoved up under a backwards black flex fit hat, that read Oregon Ducks in bright yellow right over his dark eye brows. Could the man look like crap just once?
Meeting my gaze, he heads towards me. "Are you okay? He didn't freak you out, right? He's kind of a pervert but really he's harmless."
"Don't forget, he is an amazing guitar player, too."
"Yeah that, too." Clearing his throat he continues, "You look stunning." Meeting his gaze I smile, he returns it with a dimpled grin. The guy is so gorgeous that I just have to shake my head before I turn into a puddle of goo. I step around him when the black town car pulls up in front of our little group.
Ashton and I climb in first followed by Finn and Jaden. Ryker appears moments later, diving through the door landing on Finn and Jaden’s laps. They look at each other and together they shove him off to the floor.
“Oaf! Thanks Assholes.” He says getting up looking slightly disheveled.
"Where are we headed?" I ask them once we are all in and buckled.
"Uh... It's a place called Union Jacks." Jaden grumbles.
For some reason this causes Ryker to snort and Jaden reaches out to punch him in the arm.
"You know you really shouldn't be so mean to you very important guitar player." I say.
"Sorry Miss. Craven." Jaden sarcastically mutters while sending me a glare.
"Craven? Wait, your Gavin's daughter? You’re the kid in the pink kitten pajamas with blonde pigtails?" I hate that picture, "Well that's fucking convenient?"
"What exactly do you mean by convenient?" I ask glaring, my heckles rising.
"That your dad owns one of the biggest record companies in the world. Must have been nice growing up with everything, going to college, and a cushy job waiting for you when you’re done." Ryker says with an ugly sneer twisting his pretty face. “Tell me, is that what this tour manager job is? Just something that looks good on paper before they promote you into the next big position you didn’t earn?”
Stunned by his audacity and uncharacteristic about-face, I’m hurt and flinch at his hurtful words but quickly fire off, "My life hasn't been all puppies and fucking rainbows, you nippledicked asshole. I’ve working hard for every position at the label I have received and believe it or not, being my father’s daughter has had much more of a crippling effect.”
My heart hurts and tears flood my eyes but I dig my nails into my wrists fighting them back. Money doesn’t make someone love you, hell being born from their body doesn’t make them love you. It doesn't take away harsh words, the sting from her hand, or comfort you when the nightmares come knocking. Trying not to spiral any more than I was, I hit the button to lower the window, gulping in a deep breath.
"Hey Shithead, stop being a dick!" Jaden snaps fueling a warmth to spread. So many people think just like Ryker, that I was a rich girl whom had everything, never expecting the real story was riddled with abuse and abandonment.
"As much as you hated people looking down on you for that toxic swamp of a shit hole you grew up in, you can't sit there and do the same thing to Nell, just because she grew up with money. We’ve no idea about her life." Ashton adds while I continue staring out the window, allowing the silence to fill the car.
"Fuck, you're right, I’m being an asshole." He responds his head down in shame.
When he grabs my hand, I jump but don’t look at him, he just squeezes it until I do. "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn’t pass my hang ups on people I don't know. And so far you seem sweet and fucking hella smart. I'm sorry my past shit boiled up and I hurt your feelings." His eyes pled for forgiveness and I find that I apparently can't stay mad at him but before I can tell him, that mischievous grin is back and he leans forward into my neck, inhaling so lavishly I can practically feel my perfume being sucked off of my neck, "You also smell so fuckable."
For the second time in less than a half hour, Ryker flies away from me, as Jaden roughly forces a seat change. I cannot help but laugh at the ridiculousness. I know Ryker is just doing all this to mess with Jaden but I kind of love the possessive, alpha behavior that comes to the surface.
Chapter 10
Nell
The town car pulls to a stop outside of the nightclub and the bouncer steps over to open the door. Ryker bounces out, followed by Ashton and Finn but Jaden doesn't move. He twists his hands like he has something to say but shakes his head, flips his hat around, and slides out of the car. The bouncer reaches a hand down to help me out. Apparently some men are still gentlemen, unlike the group of asses I am with, who are already walking through the door.
The outside of Union Jacks is the last thing that I was expecting. I assumed we were going to a restaurant that the band frequented, but this couldn’t be. The building is a huge southern plantation house, huge while pillars, long porch starching the length of the front of the building, intricate carved door, the whole works. I check over my shoulder to make sure we are still in the city and not in the bayous of Louisiana. Besides the large sign reading Union Jacks, there are no other indicators of what the place might be and I’m not going to embarrass myself by asking the bouncer.
I catch up to the group at the coat check, no one is wearing a coat. When I see the coat check girl, I get it. She has big eyes, blonde hair, and boobs so large, it looks like a couple of cats curled up in her barely there shirt. Ryker is leaning over the counter talking to her but when I walk up, he reaches back and grabs my hand tugging me forward. Passing Jaden I hear a groan escape his lips.
"Nell, this delicious bit is Candy, Candy, this is our new tour manager, Nell."
I smile and wave, adding, "It’s nice to meet you Candy. These guys must come in here a lot, huh?"
Candy giggles behind her hand and nods. "Whenever they are home.” She leans around us, “Jaden, are you going to come say hi to me? I've missed you." She whines while pushing out her chest and pouting her lips. Jaden walks up to the counter and appears to lean over to kiss her on the cheek but she turns her head landing her gross poison injected lips on his.
Before I can think, I grab Jaden’s arm, pulling
him back, and stepping between him and Gross Barbie.
“Get your nasty self off of him, I will only warn you once!” I growl. Jaden slips his arms around my middle, attempting to calm me or restrain me, I am not sure but it does little to settle my anger. Gross Barbie just stands there mouth gapping, like a gust of wind blew in and knocked out her circuits.
"I need a damn drink." I pull away from Jaden and stomp through the door that I hope leads me to a bar. I charge into a hallway, it’s lined with large windows lite up from within, and pulsing music pumps from hidden speakers. I peek into the first, and come to a dead stop as my eyes zero in on a pair of huge naked fake tits. Jaden plows into my back catching me around the waist before I tumble over.
“Beauty…” he starts.
“Nope, I don’t want to hear it.” I interrupt, squirming out of his arms and continuing down the hallway. I don't want him to realize how upset I am because I have no right to be, I have no claim on him. Sauntering down the hall I peer into every window, faking interest but sharing a seductive smile with each girl.
At the last window, I find someone more to my liking. A half-naked man, with muscles piled on top of muscles. His shoulders are wide, his hips narrow, and his thigh muscles make me bite my lip as I watch his move and sway dancing to the pulsing music. His long hair is pulled up into a messy manbun, half of his face is hidden by a sexy lumberjack beard, but it’s his bright blue eyes that capture me, rooting me in my spot to watch him seduce me.
A low growl emits beside me, my elbow is grabbed and I'm pulled away. I laugh into my hand, bad mood forgotten as lusty thoughts with Mr. Manbun replace them. Jaden continues pulling me down the hall before tugging me into an alcove.
Being shoved up against the wall is the last thing I expect as Jaden's hard body molds into mine. His teeth graze my neck causing tingle bunnies to erupt. He lifts me and I wrap my long legs around his hips. His hands slide up my thighs pushing my already short skirt up, palming each bare ass cheek in his large hands. I cannot help releasing a breathy moan when he bites my ear. I’m lost in the moment, Gross Barbie somehow forgotten in my need for him.
"Holy shit!" Comes Finn's surprised voice causing Jaden to jerk back and my legs to unwind, dropping to the floor. I pull my skirt down before flashing my bits to the world.
"Fuck." This from Jaden as he steps quickly away from me. My body feels the loss of his warmth and I feel a tug in my chest. He quickly turns and escapes up the stairs.
"So uh, I hate to butt in here but uh, do you think sleeping together is the best idea? You know for the tour?" Finn asks me.
Before I am able to respond, Ashton steps forward grabbing my hand, "We will be downstairs, something tells me we will enjoy ourselves more. Text me when you are ready to leave." I realize then that there are two sets of stairs before us, one leading up and one heading down. On the wall to the upstairs is a neon pink sign reading girls, girls, girls, and guys, guys, guys in neon blue pointing downstairs on the opposite wall. Looks like Ashton has the right idea about downstairs.
Chapter 11
Jaden
Seriously, what the fuck was wrong with me? She was just another chick, I had pilfered through hundreds before. So was it because she was off limits, making her forbidden fruit? And why was I acting so possessive and crazy about her? God damn, she smelled good and having her legs locked around me made me think of all kinds of dirty things I wanted to do to her.
Stepping through the door at the top of the stairs, I'm smacked in the chest by the deep bass throbbing through the club. Pink’s, which is what we call the girls part of Union Jacks, may be a stripe club but inside is pure elegance and class. With its Grecian styling, cream and gold color pallet, and huge crystal chandlers, UJ rivals most of the clubs in Vegas. The main stage has a double balcony entrance, a white marble stair cases descends from each to meet at the main stage, where three silver poles stand.
Before taking two steps into the room a squealing, scantily clad, ball of blonde energy launches into my arms. And I am not able to keep from smiling, as I swing Natalie around making her giggle.
"Mmm, you always smell so good, Baby." She purrs, nuzzling into my neck.
In an attempt to remove Nell from my mind, I bury into hers. "Yeah, I like your scent, too." But I really don't, it is too flowery and I had a deep craving for some fruit. "How about you grab us a couple Blue Moons and a bottle of Gran Patron Burdeos Anejo?" I whisper in her ear.
"Anything for you, Daddy." She sashays away and I cringe, I've never understood why a woman interested in sex with a man, would call him daddy. Fucking and Daddy's just shouldn't reside in the same thought.
I head back to our usual table, waving to a few girls I know along the way. We'd been coming here for years and had even played several shows on the main stage when we started to become known to the locals. The girls knew us well, too well in some cases. Like Natalie, she was a personal favorite of mine and despite there being a "no sex in the champagne room" rule, it didn't apply to all, especially once you hit rock star status.
A vast collection of half-naked woman are scattered through the room. The dancers wore upscale lingerie and expensive heels with the red soles. There were no cheap costumes or hooker heels at Pink’s. The music pulsed though out the room as I watched a pretty red head spin around like an acrobat on one of the stage poles. She was down to just her tiny black thong and that wasn’t going to be there much longer.
My mind drifts to what just happened with Nell. The kiss with Candy surprised me, so much so that I didn’t pull away right away. Candy had been trying hard to get at my dick but she’d slept with Ryker. I might be a bit of a man slut, but I wasn’t into laying my cock where my brothers have already been, well unless all are present. Nell stepping in and being possessive should have pissed me off but it didn’t, no it fucking didn’t at all, in fact, I fucking loved it. I wanted to grab her up caveman style and take her back to the cave for some wild beast sex.
That sexy mouth was going to haunt his dreams, and the spitfire sassy attitude was going to make me lose my mind. Damn, she felt good pressed up against me. I wanted her there again. Maybe we could have a fling and not get too serious. But then I remember how she looked at that dude in the window. Anger grumbles in my stomach and my jaw clinches, I won’t share her.
Natalie has returned with our drinks and is trying to distract me, she bends over and has her ass in my face, to set the drink tray down. She wiggles her ass suggestively and I can't help but to reach out to touch it. She unloads the tray and sits in my lap. Swishing her hips to rub against my groin. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I run my hand up her leg, I nuzzle her shoulder. Ryker and Finn chooses that moment to flop down on the bench making me jerk back like a kid caught with a cookie.
"Woo! Someone's feeling frisky tonight!" He cheers knocking back a shot.
"I'm always feeling frisky." Nat giggles, continuing her assault of my junk. My non-responsive junk. What the fuck was wrong with him.
“Dude, do you think it’s a good idea that you and Nell start hooking up?” Finn leans over to mumble to me.
“We aren’t hooking up.” I dodge lazily, grabbing a shot, and throwing it back, chasing it with a chug of beer.
“Yet, Asshole. Try to keep it in your pants. She seems like a nice chick. She doesn’t need you fucking her world up.”
“Ouch Brother, tell me how you really feel.” My feelings aren’t hurt, I’m just an asshole trying to make him feel guilty. I refill my shot glass and shoot it back. But Finn just laughs, taking his own shot.
“I checked out this Gemma chick Nell wants us to hire. She owns her own photography business and has some serious skills. She does mostly weddings and shit but has some modeling shots, too.” Ryker tosses out. “Ash and I have talked about it and we both agree that we should do it.”
“Are you sure, Ryk?” asks Finn. “We stay tight lipped because of your family history.”
“Personal shits off the table. We can have it in the
contract, the second she asks anything person, she’s gone.” I throw in and Ryker nods his agreement.
Finn still looks unsure and says, “I’d still like to meet her first before deciding. Feel her out.”
"Oh fuck no! I call dibs!! She has a couple self-portraits on her site. I want to get in that sexy little chicks pussy like tomorrow."
Finn shakes his head laughing before tossing head back to take his shot.
"You know sometimes you come off really creepy." I say to Ryker taking another shot.
"Ha, you’re just jealous that I get more cake than you!" Shot.
"Cake, hmm, that's a new one." Pondering the term before letting out a laugh. Shot.