“Stop,” interrupted Charlie.
“Charlie, please . . .” Charlie held up her hand trying to silence me, but I got in, “I love you.” Terror crept up my spine as an array of emotions ran through Charlie’s eyes, before she came to some conclusion and nothing but determination stared back at me.
Another tear rolled down her cheek. I opened by mouth to speak, but she beat me to it. “Ditto.” That was all I needed to hear as I scooped her up in my arms pressing my lips to hers.
“Say it again.”
“Ditto.” She laughed as I tickled her.
“Again,” I demanded, as I turned in us circles, savoring the joyous laughter that fell from her lips.
“I love you Cage.” Surprise, warmth, love . . . I felt it all ten-fold as I squeezed her tighter to me.
“God, I love you too Charlie, so much.” I held her still, placing my forehead against hers.
“You really want me on tour with you guys?” The hesitancy killed me because I knew I put it there so long ago, and I resolved in that moment to do everything in my power to make it go away.
“Wouldn’t want it any other way,” I answered. “I want us always together from this point forward.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Charlie
“I can’t believe we are already a month into the tour,” said Double D, the lead singer of Sex Bruise as we walked to a spot backstage where we could watch Caged In perform. She got her name honest as her massive breasts bounced with each step.
“The longest month of my life,” added Jezebel, the petite, platinum blonde drummer of the band.
“Only because Shutter won’t leave you alone,” Ta-ta laughed. We all joined in as everything went black as Caged In began to take the stage. Random cat-calls sounded from the audience.
“I don’t think Shutter has ever had anyone tell him no before,” I said.
“Why would anyone tell that cocky asshole yes?” Jezebel countered. “He is so full of himself. I am surprised he and his ego can fit in your bus at the same time.”
“Oh come on,” argued Ta-Ta. “If I had that tattooed sex-on-a-stick flaunting his dick in my direction I would not hesitate to kneel before that rock god and worship it anyplace he put it.”
“TMI,” yelled Jez. “Seriously no one needs to hear that.” Again, we all laughed. I really enjoyed these women and loved the instant friendship that formed when I joined the tour two weeks ago once I finished the shoot in Boca.
“I don’t know Jez. I haven’t known Shutter for long, but word around the tour is he gets what he wants and right now he is focused on you, like laser focused.”
“Yeah sure he does. That’s why every night after I tell him no he leaves with a different girl under his arm. He seems totally crushed by my rejection.” I could not quite get a read on Jezebel just yet. The other two were simple. Ta-ta, aka Rita, was a sex fiend and did it every which way and twice on Sunday. She took male, female, single or in groups. She didn’t care. Rita liked sex and according to her, practiced as much as possible so that she could get really good at it. Double D was all talk. She liked to look, but was true to her husband of five years. He met us on the weekends whenever he could and they were a sight to behold when they were together. They could not keep their hands to themselves.
But Jezebel Shaw was completely different. Her tough exterior went pretty deep and I had no idea if Shutter could or would ever penetrate it. When he thought no one was watching, Shutter could not keep his eyes off of her. Just as I was Cage’s red target, Jez was Shutter’s.
Our dish session ended as Locke opened up their first song, with Shutter joining in and then Linc. The entire amphitheater went from crazy to insane when Cage opened his mouth and started singing their latest hit, “Limitless.” It was the finished version of the song he sang me our first day together.
Cage
“Thank you New York,” I howled as we took a bow after our encore. Every show was better than the last as Caged In fell back into our rhythm. Touring, our timing, it all was just like riding a bike and each show proved that. This was one of the first tours since the very beginning that I was completely sober, and I found that I was enjoying it more than ever. It didn’t hurt that Charlie was by my side and things were moving in the right direction. She promised no more running and I promised to put her first always.
I was the last off the stage, going straight into Charlie’s arms as I had done every night since she joined us. A deep breath gave me the “Happy” intake I needed to start unwinding after a performance.
“Hey baby.” I went for sexy and came up short with my raspy words.
“Drink this,” she said handing me a bottle of ice cold water for my scratchy throat. I downed it knowing I needed five more to replenish everything I lost out on stage.
“I’m ready for the break.” And I meant it. I saw the other three nod as I slung my arm around Charlie. We were granted the rare three-day break as we made our way to Chicago from New York. I loved the Windy City and could not wait to take Charlie to some of my favorite spots.
“Me too.” There was a hint of lust in her eyes. One I was getting used to seeing after each one of my performances. I found out that whenever I sang, it put Charlie in a feisty mood. “Let’s get out of here,” I growled in her ear. She nodded, giving me the okay to make a hasty exit. I knew the guys would cover for me in our fan meet-and-greet, as I had done for them plenty of times. I took her hand, leading Charlie out of the side door. Two body guards came to flank us as we practically ran from the door to our bus before any of the fans got wind that we went out another door besides the back one.
With the bus door locked behind us, Charlie took off running as I chased her to our room at the back. Wasting no time, we ripped each other’s clothes off, collapsing onto the bed in a tangle of arms and legs. My hand reached between her legs to find her wet and ready. Foreplay was not in the cards tonight with Charlie mounting me, impaling herself on my engorged cock. Rocking back and forth, we both moaned as her pussy gripped me tight.
“Feels so good,” she sighed, picking up the pace.
“So fucking good,” I agreed. I used my hands on her hips to grind her against me as she continued rocking. As she got closer she leaned forward taking my lips with hers. Her hair fell around us cutting off the outside world.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too baby.” And I did with every fiber of my being. Addiction and shame kept me from the one person I loved for too long. I was never going to allow myself to be caged in like that again. I was now free to make my own choices and I knew I would choose her every time.
EPILOGUE
Cage
“You are so full of shit man.” Linc loved riding Shutter. I laughed as I watched the miles roll by as we rode to Chicago. I loved this time with the guys as Charlie napped in the back.
“She wants nothing to do with you,” continued Linc.
“Bullshit,” argued Shutter. “She wants me. She is just fighting for some fucking reason. There is not a woman out there that doesn’t want me.”
“Charlie doesn’t want you,” Locke pointed out.
“That’s because Cage got to her first. Brainwashed the poor thing into thinking he is the fucking man.”
“Fuck you Shutt. Charlie wouldn’t want you. Never has, never will. Plus my girl has a mind of her own and came to the conclusion I am fucking awesome all by her lonesome. And if you ask me . . .”
“Nobody is,” interrupted Shutter. I gave him a double middle finger, and continued.
“Your girl, Jezebel. I like the name by the way,” I said.
“Amen brother.” Linc chimed in.
“Has a mind of her own and from what I have seen has determined that you are not worth the gum on the sole of her knee high boots.”
“Fuck you. She is just playing hard to get.”
“Well whatever she is playing, she is beating the shit out of you,” laughed Linc.
“Oh r
eally?” Shutter questioned.
“Absolutely.”
“Wanna make a bet?”
“I am not going to compete with you for a girl.” Linc was probably the prettiest mother fucker in this band. No one could resist his easy charm and brown, puppy dog eyes. Shutter knew better than to make that kind of bet.
“Naw man. A monetary wager saying I can bag her before Thanksgiving.”
“That is in three weeks.” Locke stated what we were all thinking. No fucking way!
“How much?” inquired Linc. If he were a dog, he would be licking his chops.
“Ten thousand.”
“For a fucking feek?” yelled Locke.
“Yes for a fucking gorgeous girl,” blasted Shutter.
“I don’t think this is a good idea.” I wanted to be on the record that I was against it in case Charlie ever found out.
“Of course not because you are pussy whipped,” Shutter sang, before making the joke drumroll sound.
“Hilarious,” I deadpanned.
“Seriously, are we doing this?” Shutter looked right at Linc.
“It’s your money,” Linc said as they shook on it.
“Damn straight. And I am so fucking tired of being shut down.”
OTHER WORKS BY J.D. LOWRANCE
Available on Amazon. Free on Kindle Unlimited
Logan’s Reaper, Soul Reapers #1
Campbell’s Reaper, Soul Reapers #2
Dylan’s Reaper, Soul Reapers #3
Available on Amazon, iBook, and Nook
My Ranger Weekend
Caged In Page 8