by Denise Marie
“Sorry, we have to do sound check. Will you be okay here?”
“Of course. Go.”
He kissed her cheek, strolled out to center stage with the guys, and shoved plugs into his ears. She needed to find some time alone with him and explain. The contentment on his face while they sang and played their instruments, over and over as people made corrections, told her now wasn’t the right time. They were good though. She took a step closer when Cole pivoted to the opposite side of the stage and shook his head.
“They can hear our directions in their earpieces.”
She jumped when the same strange man settled beside her and offered his ear bud. Thank goodness, he didn’t take it any further, and try to put it in. Gross.
She leaned in closer and listened to the strange instructions. Cole glanced her way and stuck his tongue out right before a guitar pick hit him in the back of the head. She laughed when a woman’s voice bellowed through the earpiece to scold them. The man shrugged and took off as if he feared a lecture as well.
Words couldn’t describe Cole’s effect on her. The others as well, if she were being honest. They were hot. She fanned her face with exaggerated motion, but dropped her hands at her sides when voices neared.
She needed to get back in control of her hormones. Being around him, she’d become fearless, untamed, lust filled…free from moral restraint. And she enjoyed it. She’d prepared herself for the time of her life but what she neglected to prepare for was a connection with him.
Sound check wrapped up in no time, but was still long enough to get the men sweaty. They bounced off the stage, and peeled off their soaked shirts.
“Hey Izzy, what d’ya think?” Brett put his arm around her while they sauntered back to their designated change room. The halls reflected the image of any arena she’d ever been in—concrete everywhere.
“It was awesome. I can’t wait to see the full show tonight. You guys are amazing. Girls must cry out proposals and throw their bras at you every night.”
They jabbed one another with eager grins and high-fives. When she glanced back over her shoulder, Cole trailed behind with his hands in his pockets. His gaze was locked to the floor as if he summoned it to swallow him whole. Did he think she’d be bothered by those girls?
****
She sat on the couch in the not so private room, while the guys showered and got ready for their interview at the radio station. People drifted in and out, the band opening for the Scandals included, whom she didn’t recognize. Lots of beer was poured as they reminisced with the guys about the last time they opened the show for them.
She stood up and politely shook her head when another man offered her a beer. She dug out a bottle of water from the cooler of ice instead and pinched the bridge of her nose on her way out the door.
“Hey, Iz.”
She stepped aside, dug her sunglasses out of her purse, and let the roadie in. Pills. Now. That would teach her to ignore a headache for too long. When a large, tattooed man vacated a stool along the poster-covered hall she sighed and sat down. The cold water hurt her head more, but she swallowed it down with the pills.
She relaxed her head on the wall behind her and closed her eyelids behind the shaded lenses. The rumble of noise around her faded, and her muscles loosened. Cole’s voice in the distance caught her attention.
She rotated her head a little too fast and could have sworn her brain came in contact with her skull. She rubbed her temple and stared in his direction.
He amused some female fans who managed to make it backstage. They weren’t shy in the least as they fondled his arms and chest. The overzealous giggles at whatever he said reminded her of what not to do if she ever encountered a celebrity.
Wait? When he put his arm around the brunette and spoke in her ear, Isabelle resumed her position on the stool, scared she would lose the little amount of food her appetite allowed today.
A breeze drifted at her side. “Are you okay? I couldn’t find you in the change room.”
He stood at her side, unaware his height offered some shade from the horrible florescent lighting.
“Just a headache, nothing to worry about. There are many people around to keep you entertained Cole, you don’t have to babysit me.” She kept her eyes closed, didn’t want to see his reaction to her clipped tone.
“I know I don’t. Are you sure there isn’t anything else bothering you?”
She clutched the top of her head with one hand and whimpered when a sharp pain radiated through her skull.
Before she could protest, he placed his hand gently on top of hers and anchored her head to his chest. “Baby, are you sure you’re okay? Can I get you anything?”
His heart raced against her chest and her muscles stiffened with worry, even more so from the angst in his voice. “I get migraines. I already took some medicine. It will kick in soon.”
She sighed and dropped her hand when he smoothed her hair back in the direction of her ponytail. He even loosened the elastic. Her heart swelled and her body relaxed while the pain faded. She didn’t know how long they stayed like before a kiss on the top of her head sparked her attention.
She peered up into his eyes; they were beautiful. The butterflies that stormed her stomach earlier while they performed, built once again. He raised his hands to her face, slid off her sunglasses and locked gazes with her.
He hesitated, battled with some unspoken thing, before he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. He eased her pain, and his attempt to do so very clear, but there was more to it. She tilted her chin up to catch sight of him and their gazes locked, the lure of a kiss drew them closer. So close, his breath touched her lips.
“There you are.”
They closed their eyes and he leaned his forehead on hers. “What do you want, Zander?” Now his tone was clipped.
“Derek’s bringing the car around. We gotta get to the radio station.”
With a growl, he laced his fingers with hers and started for the car. She tugged her arm, to yank her hand free, but he refused to let go.
“Cole. I don’t want people to get the wrong impression.” She whispered so no one else but he could hear.
His pace increased, and he clenched his jaw. “Izzy. I don’t give a damn what people think.” His whisper was firm.
Chapter Six
Dear Diary,
I held on to keep from falling…
From her seat behind a window, she was intrigued. The Scandals’ stage presence astounded her, but wow, what you see is not always what you get. The radio interview proved that. They exuded sexuality to the listeners, needing to maintain their image, but they were different. Yes, raw sexuality added to the package, yet there was so much left unrevealed, so much more to them than they let on.
She startled when the vibration in her pocket signaled a message, long overdue.
The 3 of us are at the Pub, Izzy, drinking to you. Holy shit he is hot. We have all made your picture our new wallpaper on our phones. It would appear you’re having fun and we assume from his message, have made an impression. Katherine—momma bear—wants me to tell you a couple things.
1. Be careful, protect your girl parts and your heart. LOL
2. There are some rather interesting pics on the Internet and don’t think she wouldn’t have known. LOL
Cheers to you, country girl gone wild, Taryn
When she peeked up, she caught him in a fixed stare, at her. He glanced down at his phone, which he hid under the desk as he answered questions at the same time. Her phone vibrated again and she laughed when the picture of the two of them appeared saying, Hey hot stuff. She laughed at his sneakiness, even more so when Zander slugged him in the arm after he missed a question. The pretty brunette with headphones, opposite the table from him, didn’t register to him as she flipped her hair and asked rather intrusive questions.
Isabelle focused out the window on the way back to the venue while the men talked about the interview. Katherine always snapped her back to reality when s
he needed it. The inevitable pictures. Maybe she’d check them out when she gets home. It would be too easy to get consumed with how others viewed their time together, and lose sight of her purpose.
The list.
The evening raced by in a blur, but the meet and greet was rather up close and personal. She sat off to the side with Derek while the guys signed autographs and had their pictures taken with fans. More time was required to get ready for the show than she’d anticipated. Rocker clothes, hair gel, and a little makeup took finesse.
That surprised her. Her heart swelled when a woman ignored the other men and groped Cole’s ass. He sought her out in panic, raised his hands in the air, and shrugged his shoulders to suggest I can’t help it if they adore me.
The show blew her away, and yes, bras were thrown. She danced in the same spot from earlier, even sang along to some of the songs. Taryn’s influence, of course. She shimmied in a circle and tapped her thigh with her hand, surprised by the amount of flurried activity that continued while they were on stage.
She assumed that would’ve been the time for everyone to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. She was wrong. People flew around with guitars, and handed them off to the guys when they passed off ones with broken strings. Frantic talk shifted from person to person about an issue with the lights and a busted peddle? There were many flaws fixed backstage but out in the crowd, it appeared to be nothing more than a perfect performance.
Drew joined Cole at the front of the stage, wrapped his arm around Cole’s shoulders, and offered him a guitar pick. They both hurled the tiny pieces of plastic out into the crowd, and the chant from the fans increased beyond a pitch she could tolerate. She rotated away from the noise, to the many relieved smiles from the roadies, and even greater frantic behavior about plans to tear down the stage and move on to the next venue.
She swiveled back in the direction of rowdy footfalls behind her, stiffened with surprise when three of the four men kissed her on the cheek while they paraded by. She placed her hands on her hips and laughed at the guys, but she was confused. The first off stage was always Cole, if she remembered right from their banter during cards last night. Where was he?
She caught him as he lingered at the bottom of the stairs, his gaze locked on her. He stalked toward her. She could see the sweat that dripped down his face like the others, but he didn’t wipe it away. His focus on her never wavered.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her in the air. His sweat-drenched face touched the side of hers and he whispered, “I have a major adrenaline rush right now, and all I can think about is kissing you.”
A rush of air escaped her. “Cole.”
The current between them shifted when she no longer cared to check for onlookers. Her folds dampened at the mental image of him claiming her in front of everyone.
“I will kiss you. Not now, the moment isn’t right, and I am disgustingly sweaty, but it’s going to happen.” He put her down. “We’re gonna get cleaned up and head back to the bus. The after party is just us on the road tonight, no fans.”
Cole strolled away with a very confident swagger. She held up her finger and opened her mouth to argue. Nothing. “Crap…”
“Ahem.”
She glanced over at Derek and offered him a hesitant smile.
“Come on darlin’, let’s go back to the bus.”
“Okay.”
She smoothed her clothes down in front and followed his lead. Has he been there this whole time?
Groupies already crowded the barrier outside. After parties were a known occurrence, and the anxiousness in the young women’s eyes told her they’d join in a heartbeat. She stumbled up the stairs of the bus and grabbed onto the handrail, thankful she held no interest for the swarm of fans.
“The seat’s always open if you need to talk.” He smiled at her and sat down. He didn’t pressure her for more and that in and of itself, lured her into the seat. Her muscles relaxed, were more exhausted than she’d expected.
“I don’t know specifics, but have you told them yet?”
She whipped her head around with her mouth gaped open and no words composed in defense.
“Their manager did a background check on you, procedure and all. I know this bucket list is the real deal. I see the way Cole looks at you when your back is to him. You seem like a wonderful woman, but I have to caution you to be careful. He’s been in a rut up until now. What’s happening between you and him seems to be changing that. I don’t want to see him get hurt, or you, for that matter.”
Cole wasn’t kidding when he said Derek was like a father.
“I don’t know what to say. Yes, it is the real deal. No, I haven’t told any of them.” She sighed. “I’d hoped not to, but I know I can’t lead them on. After this, I will be heading into surgery. The odds are not in my favor.” A tear spilled down her cheek.
“I didn’t expect Cole, and I’m trying hard to keep my distance. He could have any woman he wants. I’m sure you don’t have to worry.”
Hoots and hollers alerted them their heart to heart was over for now. Derek had moved the bus closer to the exit, planned for their departure and what she imagined would be a scene to leave behind for fans to remember. The door opened and the female shrieks deafened her. Heavy footsteps rushed up the stairs.
“Derek, have you seen—”
She swiveled in the seat and the corners of her mouth rose a little. Drew kissed the top of her head as he passed by. “She’s in here.” He spun, still on his way to the bar, backward. “Cole has been searching everywhere for you. I suggest you hide.” Brett winked and Zander air-kissed her, also on their way to the bar.
She glanced at Derek, who stared at her with furrowed brows. He raised his finger and opened his mouth to say something, but dropped his hand and adjusted back to the wheel instead. He was tuned in to everyone’s needs, even the ones kept secret. She straightened her back to convince more than just herself she had everything under control.
“There you are.”
Her resolve faded when Cole raced up the stairs. He leaned over the seat, held her face in his hands, and kissed her on the lips. Her eyes drifted closed. She forgot about the tear that’d managed to fall until Cole brushed it away with his thumb.
“You okay, babe?”
Yep, she was in deep. She shoved at his hands. “I’m fine.” He stepped aside as she bypassed him, and the tear, to join the others. “Whatever you guys are making, I need one, too.”
She stood at the bar beside Zander and glanced back at him, while he glared at Derek, pissed. Derek only shrugged, faced the windshield, and started the bus.
It was clear all four men suffered from an adrenaline rush after a show; the provocative banter hit an all-time high. She smiled at a few of their comments, held back her laugh in order to spy on Cole.
“Ever been to Virginia?”
She shook her head at Zander, who handed her a shot of tequila.
“No virgins allowed. Are we going to have to take care of that before we get there?”
Her cheeks warmed. He tapped his shot glass to hers and tipped it back. “Pfft.” She followed suit, swallowed the liquid, and slammed the shot glass down on the counter. “I have no cherry to offer you, but I am sure we just left some behind if you would like to go back.”
He flicked his tongue between two fingers and continued to the back lounge. “Nah, the women without cherries are way more fun.”
She followed the three men to the back. Familiar hands seized her at the hips from behind. She twisted in his arms to face him and sighed when he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed.
“Come on, beautiful.”
When he loosened his hold to follow the others, she enveloped him with her arms and held tight. “Not yet.” She inhaled his scent.
He tugged her hand free and coaxed her to the back of the bus. His failure to cave to her pout didn’t appear too difficult. “There’s something I want you to be a part of.”
She
perked up. “Well, get going then.” With a light nudge, she urged him to pick up the pace.
“About time.” Brett handed them both a shot of tequila. Awestruck, she ignored the shot in her hand as the four men raised their glasses in unison, and hollered “years behind us, years ahead” before downing the drink. When all eyes were on her, she tipped the liquid back and did a little jig with her eyes closed as it burned its way down. Someone mumbled hot damn, but only coy shrugs greeted her when she opened her eyes and glared at the men.
****
Cole sat on the couch after a quick shower, a beer in one hand, and his arm around her. The guys reminisced about the show. Life was perfect or close to it. The fantasy of her underneath him, naked, made it difficult to hide the raging hard-on in his pants. He should just give into it.
When the football Drew lobbed from hand to hand fell to the floor, she stood and bent to pick it up. His groan at the view of her backside wasn’t the only one. “I need something sweet to lick now, and it’s all her fault. Derek, can we stop at a convenience store?” He slapped Zander and shrugged when she straightened herself and glared at him.
The bus jerked when Derek downshifted to veer off the highway. She stumbled and landed on Cole’s lap, straddling him. “Fuck.” He held her by the hips and thrust into her once. When one of the guys let out a low whistle, he lowered his hands to the seat beside him. He expected her to run. She didn’t. Instead, she rubbed herself on him, and her eyes drifted closed. The guys left the room without a word, left him to battle the tease that now bordered on torture. He couldn’t recall the last time it took so much work to get into a woman’s pants.
They both startled at the sound of the air breaks.
“I need to go in and get something. You coming in?” He needed to get the blood in his body to flow back to the rest of his extremities. It took every ounce of control to stand up alone and not with her in his arms on their way to his bunk for the night.
She followed close behind him on the way to the door. He forced his feet forward, away from the temptation to halt so that she’d collide into him. Give him a reason to touch her again.