Come Undone

by Madelynne Ellis

  ‘Xane, I can’t.’ In his mind she was on her knees, her eyes shiny and bright when she looked up at him. ‘I do want to, but I can’t.’

  ‘One kiss,’ he coaxed. ‘I dare you. Just one dry press of your lips. You don’t even have to suck me. Just touch me. Draw your tongue along the slit.’

  If she even did that much, he’d probably explode.

  Desire and fear warred within her expression. ‘Like this?’ she asked. Her lips met the side of his shaft, then the underside. The tip of her tongue traced a vein upward to the tip. She didn’t suck him. She toyed with him, until he was nearly ready to grab hold of her hair and force the issue. If she’d only open her mouth instead of delivering all those infuriating kisses.

  Xane reached for her, only for Dani to rise to her feet. Still, her merciless tease continued. Now with her hand she clasped his shaft and rode up and down the length until his need became so maddening, he lifted up onto his toes.

  ‘Are you going to come over my belly?’ she asked.

  If she continued to stroke her thumb over his slit like that, he very well might.

  ‘Wouldn’t you like to feel how wet I am?’

  Greatly.

  She guided his hand, the one he’d been using to brace himself upright against the cubicle, between her legs, where he found her slick heat, and made her swoon in turn.

  ‘I’m all ready for you, if you’d like to come inside.’

  If he’d like to! ‘Babe, I’m desperate to.’

  ‘Then don’t wait.’

  He wouldn’t. He wasn’t.

  Their lips locked as his cock found its goal.

  Wet. Slick. Glorious heat surrounded him. She was slender and so tight it almost hurt too well to move. Not that he could stop himself, the motion as instinctive as breathing. His need was too strong. It overwhelmed him, drove him, so that he shouted out her name, over and over, and she called out too, pouring words of need and encouragement into his ears, begging him to go deeper, to give it to her harder.

  Even though he felt it coming, Xane’s orgasm still caught him like a whiplash. He roared as his cock jerked. The sound came from deep in his belly and he couldn’t seem to stop it, not until he was good and properly done.

  His legs buckled beneath him, landing him on his knees in the shower tray. Pain screamed inside his legs, but he paid it no heed. For several minutes he rested, forehead pressed to the glass wall of the cubicle, trying to suck a lungful of air out of the humid environment.

  ‘You sad fuck,’ he muttered when he finally managed it, while the taste of his own tears mixed with the water spray.

  When he eventually crawled out of the cubicle and through into the bedroom, it was on legs still composed of jelly.

  The patter of feet sounded on the stone stairs. Then Dani stood right by him. ‘Are you all ri –’ She bent, but he still had to tilt his head to see her properly. Her heavenly legs went on for ever.

  ‘I heard a noise.’ She briefly pressed the tips of two fingers against his shoulder, and then equally quickly withdrew.

  ‘What noise?’ A loud buzzing filled his ears, but he guessed she couldn’t hear that.

  ‘A howl. It sounded as if you were hurt. You were yelling for me.’

  ‘I stubbed my toe,’ he lied, which naturally accounted for why he was on the floor. She didn’t need to know the sordid truth. That he’d been screaming over a fantasy he’d constructed about fucking her, because screaming in passion beat screaming in pain.

  Xane got to his feet, using the foot of the bed for leverage. ‘It’s nothing. I’m OK.’

  ‘Um … Oh … All right.’

  His movement seemed to be causing her some problems.

  ‘What I mean is …’ She clammed up. Xane watched in appreciation as her tongue peeped out and swept across her dry lips. ‘Um, do you … that is … do you need a towel?’ She gestured to the one lying on the bed within reach of his hand.

  Xane picked it up and used it on his hair. He had no issues with showing a bit of skin, and he liked the way his full frontal nudity seemed to hijack her capacity for speech. ‘What?’ he asked innocently, in response to her wide-eyed stare.

  He liked distractions. Distractions were good. Distractions meant he didn’t slip into a vat of poisonous memories that would only make him sick with loss.

  ‘Nothing.’ She half-turned away. ‘That is … you’re blond.’ She blushed a furious and deeply appealing shade of red.

  Xane glanced down at his body. Sure, he was blond, but he’d spent so long dyeing his hair jet-black he often forgot that other people didn’t know that. ‘Nice to see you’re taking a meticulous account of my assets.’ He laughed, actually rediscovering his sense of humour from somewhere. It made the salt tracks on his face pull against the skin.

  ‘It’s not easy to avoid,’ Dani snapped defensively. ‘Oh, God, what am I saying?’ She covered her face with her hands. ‘I think I’d better wait upstairs.’

  ‘You could help me dry my back.’ He turned, presenting her with a rear view, and held out the towel.

  ‘Um, I’m not sure I should do that.’

  What had ‘should’ to do with it? Fantasising wasn’t enough, Xane decided. He wanted to drown his sorrows with this girl. He wanted to know if she really was interested in him – Xane the person, not Xane the rock god. ‘My back doesn’t bite.’

  ‘The rest of you probably does.’

  True. Nice that she realised it.

  ‘I think I’ll leave you to get dressed.’

  ‘I wasn’t planning to. It’s late.’

  She straightened up. A startled gaze replaced her glow of embarrassment. ‘Yes, of course. I’ve stayed too long.’ She patted her outfit, but appeared to have left her mobile upstairs, so she couldn’t check the time. ‘I ought to get off.’

  Yep, he’d definitely never met a fan like her before. And he knew it wasn’t lack of attraction holding her back, because she’d admitted the desire was there, and he could see it in her eyes anyway.

  ‘I’ll go fetch your duvet for you and then see myself out.’

  ‘Wait –’ too late, she’d already scampered off ‘– you’re welcome to stay.’ He probably sounded desperate, but … if she left now, he was doomed to a lonely night in hell, with nothing to distract him from mulling over Steve and Elspeth’s happy union, and the hole it had torn in his gut. If he could just manage to work his legendary charm, instead of acting like a prick around her, then …

  Urgh! He bent over the sink feeling nauseous. A swarm of insane hornets had taken up residence in his skull. OK, he just needed to lie down a minute.

  Xane flopped down on the bed and rolled onto his back.

  Two seconds, and then he’d find some slouch pants and talk to her. Maybe she’d even listen and believe him when he told her what a bunch of arseholes the rest of the band were.

  Chapter 9

  ‘I brought you some water.’

  Xane lay spread-eagled across the centre of the bed when Dani returned with the duvet. He didn’t move to acknowledge her arrival. Just lay there exposed with – how had he put it? – all his assets on display. And pretty glorious assets they were too. Not just his … his male bits, but the rest of him, pierced nipples, washboard abs, the swirls of black ink tattooed across his right thigh and other parts, and his … his cock. OK, her attention kept focusing in that direction, but how was any red-blooded woman supposed to resist when their idol was laid out like a gift? Most would have their phones out by now, capturing pictures. Dani didn’t require a photographic reminder; Xane’s image was now burned into her brain alongside the memory of him kissing her.

  It didn’t matter that it hadn’t meant anything to him, because – oh, my fucking God – Xane Geist had kissed her.

  Nope, she corrected herself. He hadn’t just kissed her. He’d outright propositioned her, and even knowing he was a player – hello, rock star – and regardless of what he’d said when he’d first invited her into his place, she was still
ready to let him break her heart.

  Dani bit her lip, trying to suppress the urge to molest him while he slept. She particularly wanted to follow that fascinating golden line of hairs that led down from his navel to the thicker bush around his cock. In fact, damn if she didn’t want to push her nose up against him and breathe in his scent too.

  What the hell was wrong with her, thinking lewd thoughts about a comatose man? Remain calm, Dani. Keep it together. You’ve played it cool so far.

  She tiptoed to the bedside and set down the drink she’d brought him. What a shame he hadn’t stayed awake to swallow it. He’d have a thumping headache in the morning.

  ‘Here.’ She tucked the duvet around his body. ‘You’ll get cold otherwise.’

  Xane didn’t respond.

  Maybe she ought to roll him into the recovery position, in case he was sick.

  No. She’d leave him. That would be best. She’d go now and not touch him. Better that than for him to wake while she was manhandling him into position and had him across her lap.

  ‘Well, goodnight, Xane. I’ve enjoyed meeting you.’ She bent and pressed a dry kiss to his brow. ‘I won’t forget this.’

  No, she’d be reliving tonight on a daily basis, imagining how things might have gone if he hadn’t passed out, and if she hadn’t been so timid. If she’d only touched him after he’d kissed her, or followed him into the shower, or even dried his back for him instead of standing dreaming of licking the water droplets from between his shoulder blades …

  Damn him for sleeping. She wanted another chance. It wasn’t enough to say she’d met him, or that the sensation of his kiss had been imprinted onto her lips.

  Maybe he’d forgive her for stealing one last keepsake. It wasn’t as if she intended to take anything that hadn’t already been offered.

  Dani kissed her fingertips, meaning to blot them against Xane’s lips. But as she leaned towards him, she recalled the soft trace of his tongue and the odd pressure of his lip ring, and somehow her mouth met his. Even then, she meant only to press lightly before slipping away into the night.

  One taste and her resolve broke. A tight spasm gripped her pussy. If only he’d awaken and kiss her back.

  A mournful groan escaped her throat.

  Xane stirred. Half-opened an eye.

  Dani’s cheeks flamed and she tried to step backwards, but Xane’s hand slid into her hair and drew her closer again. ‘Hey,’ he drawled sleepily. ‘That’s not a proper goodbye kiss. Not that I know why you’d be giving such a thing.’ His lips parted beneath hers and sucked her with a firm but gentle pressure. The barest hint of his tongue tickled her senses. This is bad, she thought, even as she continued to fall deeper into his embrace. Her insides were molten. Dani longed to sink down on top of him so their bodies met, to feel his skin against hers. She wanted him to roll them both over so that he laid on top and his dark hair fell around them like a shroud. She wanted him. All of him. Wanted to know what bliss felt like, and not to be ashamed that she’d sought it out. Most of all, she wanted him to desire her as much as she desired him.

  Xane took control. Sucking. Teasing her with tender nibbles.

  Somehow, even though she knew this wasn’t sensible and though she tried – well, a little – she couldn’t pull away from his embrace. They might only have met for the first time tonight, but Dani couldn’t escape the belief that this man knew her. He understood. And the way he was kissing her, that wasn’t meaningless. It wasn’t only lust. He felt something, didn’t he? He kissed as if he was desperate, as if he was determined to cling on.

  ‘Stay,’ he urged. ‘Please.’

  Dani took a deep steadying breath. She needed to get her brain switched on again.

  ‘I don’t know.’ Did he even properly remember who he was with? He was acting as if the love of his life were trying to leave him.

  ‘I do.’ His lips tipped upwards into a smile that showed just the tips of his eye teeth. ‘Just lie down beside me. If it’s what it takes, I’ll even promise to behave.’ He rolled, pulling her with him, so that she landed on her side in the middle of the bed. They faced one another, nose to nose. His hot breath puffed against her cheek.

  ‘Do you even know how to behave?’

  ‘Do I need to? Can you swear, hand on heart –’ he clasped her hand and pressed it to her chest ‘– that you want me to be … good?’

  No. No way.

  She guessed her lack of answer, or the sheen in her eyes, gave her away, for Xane pulled her tight against his body.

  ‘Wait,’ she gasped, before he devoured her. ‘Earlier you were adamant you didn’t want this.’

  ‘I never said that. I said, I didn’t want to be groped by someone who didn’t know crap about me.’

  ‘I don’t know you.’ She didn’t. Not really.

  An irritable scowl briefly contorted his expression. ‘Don’t you? You seem to know me more than most.’ He coaxed her under the covers, where he sucked on her lips again, this time stealing both her breath and her senses. ‘Stay.’ He rolled onto his back, pulling her with him so that her head rested upon his chest. His hand remained in her hair, combing through the silken strands in a reassuring manner. ‘Please.’

  Dani lifted her chin in order to look at him and caught another glimpse of his inner sadness. She knew then that she couldn’t leave. She’d always wanted to know the real him. The man behind the stage mask; the person responsible for all those impassioned lyrics she related to on so many levels. How could she not take the opportunity to know him better, even if she wasn’t entirely sure he was completely himself?

  ‘What are you so afraid of?’ he asked.

  That their entire relationship would be played out in one paltry night, or even an hour. That he’d hurt her without ever meaning to. And that she’d be found out and punished for it.

  ‘I’m not actually a prince of darkness. That is, unless you want me to be.’

  ‘I’d rather you were just you.’

  ‘Would you?’ he whispered into her hair, so low she strained to hear him. ‘Then you’re the only one.’ He swept a hand down her arm, until he found her hand and clasped it tight. ‘Hold me, Dani.’

  ‘I’m not sure I …’ Daringly, she spread her fingers wide across his chest. Xane smiled encouragingly. He squeezed her arm. ‘Kiss me.’

  She dropped a kiss upon his nose; rained soft kisses upon his face. Xane caught her, supped upon her lips. Boy, did this man know how to kiss. He turned her insides to jelly with only the curl of his tongue.

  Dani shrugged aside her normal reserve. The skin across Xane’s chest was smooth and firm, warm too, animated by the persistent thump of his heartbeat. He seemed to like the way her caresses skittered over his body. Leastways, he did nothing to stop her exploration, until her attention wandered below his navel, stroking that slender line of golden fuzz. Then his stomach muscles abruptly twitched.

  ‘Careful,’ he warned.

  Dani snatched her hand away.

  ‘I didn’t say don’t. Put your hand back. Just be aware of where you’re headed, that’s all.’

  ‘I am aware.’

  ‘Sure about that? Then you’d better know that I’m wide-awake.’

  Dani rose up on her elbows so that she could look down at his face. ‘You don’t seem very awake.’ Actually, while his eyes still possessed a slightly glazed sheen, he did seem significantly more conscious than he’d been a few minutes ago.

  ‘Some bits are more alert than others.’

  ‘Then maybe I shouldn’t touch you there.’

  ‘I think you definitely should.’

  He stroked a hand through her long hair until his palm rested over her lower back. The pressure set Dani’s tensed nerves ablaze.

  What was she doing, pretending she could flirt with this man and in any way hope to win? He had the potential to burn her so badly there’d be nothing left but a melted gooey blob.

  ‘You’re trembling,’ he observed.

  ‘Am not.’ She
cuffed him lightly, although it was true.

  ‘I dare you.’

  ‘You dare me to what?’

  ‘Act on the naughty thoughts you’re thinking.’

  Dani put her hand back where it had been on his stomach, which caused Xane to suck in air between his teeth. His eyelids closed, as she began tracing concentric circles around his belly button. She knew this wasn’t what he’d meant, but she’d never really done this before. She’d hardly dared to move with the other guys she’d been with.

  ‘What do you want me to do?’

  ‘Whatever you’re comfortable with. It’s nice being with somebody who actually wants me.’

  Dani rubbed her cheek against his chest. Even after his shower, the scent of his body proved enough to intoxicate. OK. She was going to take him at his word and seize this opportunity. She leaned over him and tongued the silver hoop through his nipple.

  The ring turned beneath her mouth.

  ‘Yeah,’ he groaned. ‘Again.’

  ‘You like that?’

  ‘I like you.’

  ‘How much?’

  His hands skimmed over her lower back, coming to rest across the top of her ass. ‘Keep doing that and maybe I’ll demonstrate.’

  ‘Only maybe.’ She sucked harder, tugging at the cool metal. Xane’s hips bucked right off the bed, lifting her too.

  ‘All right, definitely. Now come up here.’ He bucked again, trying to nudge her up towards his head.

  ‘I like it here.’

  ‘You’re torment, lady. I’ve another bit that needs your attention a whole lot more than my nipples.’

  ‘Let me guess, it’s long and thick and …’ And somehow she was saying things that normally she only ever thought, and never actually voiced.

  Xane traced a heart-shape over the pulse point in his throat. ‘Come and kiss me here.’

  Dani shimmied upwards a fraction to reach.

  ‘Mmm.’ His appreciation rolled through his body. Shivers of ecstasy chased through his limbs, and he tightened his arms, holding her against him. ‘Harder. Go on, mark me.’

  Mark him!

  ‘Claim me.’

  Dani had never understood the appeal of love bites.