Sex God

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Sex God Page 7

by Katie McCoy


  It was a great song, and this version really put the emphasis on the lyrics, which were amazing. Soon, the whole audience was singing along. I glanced over at Molly, thinking she’d be doing the same thing, but instead, she was holding her clasped hands to her chest, her eyes nearly brimming with tears.

  “Sara, Sara” wasn’t really a sad song, so I didn’t fully understand Molly’s reaction, but when it was over, she wiped her tears away and hollered and clapped with the rest of the crowd.

  The set was amazing. Austin and Royce did a few more acoustic versions of Method of Madness songs. It was clear that everyone was hoping to hear some of his new music, but when the set ended without it, no one seemed disappointed. In fact, the energy in the room was that of awe and excitement.

  And I was right there with them. I had forgotten how exhilarating a show like this could be, and Austin was simply magnetic on stage. Even though I had written him off as a player and a jerk in college, the music nerd in me hadn’t been able to resist going to a few more of his shows. And then, just like now, he had completely captured the room.

  It was a little different now, though. There was something about Austin, about his performance, that was new. A new sort of maturity, or comfort in his own skin. He seemed completely at home on stage—which he always had—but now it felt like he was taking the time to savor it, to enjoy it. And the audience was doing the same. It was an experience we were all sharing together. And it was magical.

  “Want to head backstage?” Molly asked, after his set finished.

  “You know the band?” I was surprised.

  She smiled. “A little,” she told me. “Come on, I can get you in.”

  I held up my pass. “Actually, I’m invited as well.”

  Molly’s smile wavered for a moment as she read my badge—most likely the part that declared I was press—but she quickly recovered and linked her arm through mine.

  “Great,” she said. “Let’s go.”

  * * *

  There was nothing like the energy backstage after a successful show. Everyone was smiling and congratulating Austin and Royce. When Molly and I entered, Austin’s eyes immediately went to us. I saw him take in the fact that I was wearing Molly’s jacket, and I searched his face for any clues about how he knew Molly, and what their relationship was. But he was as inscrutable as ever as he came towards us.

  “Nice jacket,” he told me before sweeping Molly up in a hug that lifted her off her feet.

  Maybe I was just being hopeful, but it seemed more like the kind of greeting Luke and I would give each other, rather than two people who were having wild, passionate sex any chance they got.

  “Great show!” Molly said once her feet were back on the ground.

  Austin beamed at her. “Thanks,” he said.

  “Loved the opening number,” she added with a wink.

  Clearly there was something going on here that I didn’t understand. I desperately wanted to ask—purely for journalistic reasons, of course—but I sensed that this wasn’t the time or the place to dig deep into whatever pas—or present—Molly and Austin shared.

  He glanced over at me.

  “What did you think?” he asked.

  “It was fantastic,” I told him honestly, surprising myself.

  His eyebrows went up. Apparently he had been expecting something sarcastic or dismissive—the kind of answer I probably should have given. But the smile that followed made me glad that I had told him the truth.

  “Thank you,” he said, and it seemed, for a moment, that the rest of the room—all the noise and chaos and people—all just faded away. It was just me and him.

  Molly cleared her throat, and the moment was broken.

  “I’m going to go say hi to Royce,” she said.

  Before she could go, I made sure to give her back her jacket.

  “Thanks for the loaner,” I told her.

  “Anytime, narc,” she teased before bounding over to Royce, who gave her a greeting similar to the one that Austin had given her.

  “So, you met Molly,” Austin said. There was something cautious in his voice. Curious.

  “Yep.” I shoved my hands in my pockets. “She’s nice.”

  “She is,” he said, and I could tell he was waiting for me to say more. I didn’t. It was nice to catch him off guard once in a while.

  “So.” I rocked back on my heels. “No new music.”

  Austin shook his head. “Not tonight.”

  “Will we get a warning when to expect the new music?” I asked.

  “Are you asking for you or for ChatBuzz?” he wanted to know.

  “Just assume that everything I’m asking is for ChatBuzz,” I responded. “They’re the only reason I’m here.”

  Austin gave me a long look. The kind that had my toes curling in my floral flats and my heart beating in my chest.

  “Are you sure that’s the only reason?” he asked.

  “No, I guess not. There is one other reason I’m here,” I said, gesturing for him to lean towards me. He did, and I lowered my voice to a husky whisper. “I’ve always wanted to bang a drummer. Is Royce single? I was hoping you could make it happen for me.”

  Austin pulled back, and for a moment I couldn’t decipher the expression on his face. Had I gone too far?

  “Naw,” he finally said, smiling. “Drummers aren’t your type.”

  My eyebrows went up. “Oh? And you know what my type is?”

  He gave me a long, lingering look. “Oh yeah,” he said. “I know exactly what your type is.”

  “I doubt it.”

  He sidled up next to me. Even though the room was crowded, we were pretty much alone in the corner. His shoulder brushed against mine and every single nerve in my body stood up and paid attention.

  “Your type is tall,” Austin said.

  “Royce is tall,” I reminded him.

  “He’s a human beanpole,” he pointed out.

  “Maybe I like skinny guys,” I teased, even though I didn’t.

  “Nope,” he said. “You like a guy whose strong enough to pick you up.”

  “Are you saying I’m fat?” I laughed, even as my brain was working overtime imagining Austin picking me up and putting me on a table, a counter, a speaker, and stepping between my legs, pressing himself against me. I could still remember how he had felt, how his hips had leaned into mine in the most enticing way.

  “You’re just the right size,” Austin told me, his voice husky.

  The room felt very, very hot.

  “So my type is tall and strong,” I somehow managed.

  “And not a drummer,” Austin added.

  “Why not?” I asked. “I’ve heard they’re good with their hands.”

  “Not as good as guitarists,” he countered with a devilish look on his face.

  Oh boy. This was getting dangerous fast. Austin was close enough that if I wanted to, I could just turn my head and our mouths would meet. And I really, really wanted to.

  Just then, as I was considering turning my head, one of the roadies called out to him.

  “Hey, Austin,” he shouted. “What do you want me to do with the groupies lined up outside to meet you? Send them in single file or in twos?” he asked with a dirty leer.

  It was as good as a bucket of cold water.

  I jerked away from Austin. How could I have forgotten the kind of guy he was? Sure, he was talented, but he was still a player, through and through.

  “I should go,” I said, backing away.

  “It was a joke,” he told me, but he wasn’t smiling.

  “Ha, ha, ha.” I turned to go. “So funny.”

  “Wait! You’re really leaving?” Austin looked surprised.

  “I’ve got a long drive ahead of me.”

  “You can’t drive back to the city tonight,” he told me.

  “Watch me.”

  Then, before he could stop me, I headed towards the door and fought my way through to the exit. Outside, the air was crisp and cool, and I looke
d around, trying to spot Ruthie in the parking lot.

  “Mia, wait,” Austin’s voice came from behind me, and then his hand was grabbing my arm.

  I whirled to face him. “What?” I demanded, my stress exploding. “This all might be a game to you, but I’m trying to do my job. And as you’ve so kindly pointed out to me, I’m not doing exactly what I was hoping to do at this point in my life. The last thing I need right now is some player rock star trying to make everything into a joke. If you want to feel like a big-shot by snapping your fingers and having me come running, then fine. Get it out of your system. All I want is to get this interview—and this assignment—over with, so I can go back to my life. Is that OK with you?”

  My voice had gotten louder and louder, but we were alone in the parking lot, no one but Austin listening as I unloaded onto him. Because yes, I was mad at him, but I was mostly mad at myself. Mad at myself for wanting what I couldn’t have, despite knowing better.

  “Are you finished?” Austin asked calmly.

  I stood, breathing hard. I could feel that my face was flushed, burning hot in the cool spring night air. “For now.”

  “You’ve changed,” he finally said.

  “How?” I demanded. “Because I’m actually standing up for myself?” I pushed the hair out of my face. “Fine. Maybe I have changed. But so have you. You’re nothing like the guy I used to know.”

  “Don’t say that,” Austin said, his voice quiet. “Some things are the same.”

  “Oh yeah?” I demanded. “Show me one thing that’s the same.”

  And then, without warning, he kissed me.

  8

  Austin

  I had kissed a lot of women in my life. But not one had ever lit me up the way that Mia did. Everything about her made me crazy. The simple touch of her mouth, the sweep of her tongue against mine, the mere taste of her—tonight mixed with cheap beer and something sweet. Something that was all Mia.

  The kiss had surprised her. I could feel the way she went still when our lips touched, but it didn’t last long. In less than a second, she was kissing me back, pouring in all the anger and passion that had been flashing in her eyes as she had yelled at me across the parking lot.

  It had been a long time since someone had yelled at me that way. I had meant what I said to Mia. She had changed.

  But I liked it.

  She had always had attitude. But now she had something else. Something new and powerful and utterly intoxicating.

  And I felt it all in her kiss.

  Cupping her face, I angled her head so I could kiss her deeply. And she responded in kind, wrapping her arms around my waist, pulling me close. My fingers tangled in her soft, silky hair, my thumbs stroking the line of her jaw.

  Our tongues tangled together, our bodies pressed tightly against each other’s, but it still wasn’t enough.

  She let out a soft, sexy moan against my lips and I was five seconds away from grabbing the keys from her hand and taking this whole party to the backseat of her car. Until I remembered whose car it actually was.

  Luke.

  My best friend.

  Immediately, I pulled away from Mia.

  Fuck. This wasn’t right. Once again, I had let my dick do the thinking when it came to Mia, and I had come within a hair’s breadth of betraying my best friend. There weren’t many rules I followed in life, but the bro code was one of them. And the bro code was pretty clear about when it was acceptable to bone your best friend’s younger sister.

  The answer? Never.

  So I stepped away from Mia, trying not to notice how fucking gorgeous she looked with her lips red and swollen, and her eyes all dreamy. I wanted so badly to keep kissing her. To kiss my way down her neck, to strip off her shirt and keep kissing downward, between her breasts, across her stomach and down, down, down.

  Shit.

  I turned away from her just as the soft, dreamy look left her eyes.

  “That was a mistake,” I said, immediately regretting how harsh I sounded.

  I half expected to get a slap in the face, or another angry rant, but instead, I glanced up to see Mia shrug.

  “I guess it was inevitable,” she said, now looking completely casual. “But at least we got it out of the way. Now we can just continue on, both of us being professionals.”

  I was disappointed, but that was stupid. After all, I had been the one to pull away. Not just tonight but the night back in college too. It was all for the best, but I was a little insulted that she didn’t seem to be affected by it. If a stranger were to look at her, there wouldn’t have been any sign that we had just shared an incredible kiss. My cock, on the other hand, was still very, very aware of what had happened.

  “I’m going to go,” Mia finally said, jingling her keys.

  Luke’s keys. It was a good reminder that I needed to do exactly what Mia suggested. Keep things professional. I could do that. Couldn’t I?

  I watched as she got into Ruthie and drove away.

  Royce and the others would be expecting me back inside. No doubt everyone would want to go out and celebrate, but I wasn’t in the mood. The set had gone well—really well—but the high from the performance had faded. So I went back to my hotel room. Alone.

  I tried not to think about Mia, but it was hard not to. I even took a shower, as if I could scrub the memory of her from my skin, but no matter what I did, I could still taste her. Feel her.

  I still wanted her.

  The feeling was clearly not mutual. Even though she had responded to my kiss, she had also recovered from it with astonishing speed. Not that I could blame her. She was a smart, beautiful, driven young woman. Why the hell would she be interested in a guy like me? I was only good for two things—making music and making love. And I liked variety with both.

  A girl like Mia deserved someone stable. Someone who would stick around. I didn’t even know what that meant. My parents certainly hadn’t taught me about that. All I knew was that putting down roots was a waste of time for someone like me. Because no matter what, I’d eventually want to leave. The way my parents did. After all, it was always better to be the one who left, rather than the one who got left behind.

  I got out of the shower and ordered room service. I was tired but I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep. It was always hard to sleep after a show like tonight’s. Adrenaline was still coursing through my body, though I knew some of that was due to my encounter with Mia.

  The phone rang. It was late, but there were only a few people who knew where I was, and even less of them would ever call me.

  “Hey, bro,” Luke greeted me, like he knew something was up.

  I felt a stab of guilt, then pushed it down. I had nothing to feel guilty about. I’d stopped the kiss.

  And started it, too.

  “Hey.” I poured myself a glass of whiskey and settled onto the hotel couch.

  I took a long drink of the cheap stuff, wishing that the burning I felt would also wash away the taste of Mia. Especially considering I was talking to her older brother. The last thing I wanted was to continue to entertain dirty thoughts about Luke’s little sister right now.

  “Where are you?” I asked.

  “Australia,” he told me. “It’s fucking gorgeous here. And the women . . .” Luke let out a whistle. “They are most accommodating.”

  I’d toured Australia once with Method of Madness, and Danny had said the same thing. Of course, Luke was single and Danny had made an art form out of cheating on his girlfriend back then.

  “Sounds like you’re having fun,” I observed, taking another sip of whiskey.

  “Whenever I can,” Luke said. “I’m busy, but I always find time to check out the wildlife. All kinds of wildlife.”

  Just hearing his voice made me feel guilty again. And the timing of the call made me a little nervous, as if he knew what Mia and I had been doing that evening. As if he could sense my impure thoughts for his little sister, halfway around the world. Because they were very, very impure thoughts
.

  “How’d the show go?” Luke asked.

  “Good,” I told him. “We did some covers of the old music but the crowd seemed to dig it.”

  “I bet,” Luke commented. “How many panties got thrown in your direction tonight?”

  “None,” I said quickly.

  “Bullshit,” he responded.

  “Mia was at the show,” I blurted out, not quite sure why I was saying anything.

  “She was?” Luke sounded surprised.

  “She’s doing an article for ChatBuzz,” I told him. “Didn’t she tell you?”

  “Is that why she borrowed Ruthie?” Luke wondered.

  “Guess so,” I said, feeling even guiltier about that.

  I had texted her about the show, half-hoping that she wouldn’t have been able to make it. But when she had arrived, I had been relieved. Glad that she had come. Which worried me. In fact, everything about Mia worried me. In what world had I thought that asking for ChatBuzz to send her to interview me had been a good idea? It was by far one of the worst decisions I had made in recent years. I had put myself right in the path of temptation.

  “That’s great that they’re finally letting her write the kind of stuff she wants to write,” Luke was saying. “She’s wanted a big profile for years.”

  “Yeah.” I took another sip of whiskey.

  I could tell myself that it was Mia’s ambitions that inspired me to ask for her. That I had her best interests at heart. But that would have been total bullshit. I had wanted her on this assignment for selfish reasons, and now it was going to bite me in the ass.

  “I wonder why she didn’t say anything to me,” Luke mused out loud.

  “She knows you’re busy,” I reminded him.

  “Sure, but I’m never too busy to hear how things are going with her,” Luke said. He paused for a moment. “Will you do me a favor?” he finally asked.

  “Anything.”

  “Will you keep an eye out for her?” Luke wanted to know. “I know Mia is tough, but I also know how things are in your scene. I don’t want anyone giving her a hard time.”

 

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