The Backstage Series Box Set

by Dani René

  I lift her up, carrying her out of the building as her tears soak my shirt. I didn’t even realize she was crying. It’s as if I’m having an out-of-body experience. “Em, look at me, baby.”

  She does, but her reply is croaky and hoarse. “I... can’t…” Her sobs are muffled, and her hands tangle in my shirt, fisting it, holding me to her. She’s shivering, and the first thing I want to do is get her into a hot shower to wash the memories of the last few hours out of her mind.

  “Sir, we’re going to have to ask the lady a few questions.”

  I turn to find one officer behind us. His comment stops me in my tracks. Her body trembles in my arms and a sense of possessiveness overtakes me. “Can we come to the station later? She’s in no condition to answer anything right now.” I glare at him. I know he’s just doing his job, but I’m doing mine. Protecting what’s mine.

  “Yes, give us a call when you’re ready.” People are milling around, but I have one goal, and that’s to get her back to our room where she can feel safe. We head upstairs with her parents and sister following. I set Emma down in the living room of our suite and lean in to whisper in her ear. “Did you want me to run you a bath?” She nods, while she leans in to Tayla’s embrace.

  Heading into the bathroom, I turn on the tap and pour her peach-scented bath oil into the steaming water. Staring at the water, I realize with certainty that I love her, that I don’t want to live without her.

  So much has happened to her over the last few hours, and I wasn’t there to stop her from getting hurt. Would I ever be able to protect her? In my line of work, it’s not easy. We have stalkers and crazies that try stupid shit all the time.

  Something dawns on me, and I wonder if he touched her. The thought boils my blood. If he did, she will need to go for tests first. Shit, I didn’t even think about it.

  Emma

  “I’m so sorry I didn’t talk to you about what happened to me.” My sister’s big, blue eyes are shining with unshed tears. She feels as if this is her fault, but it’s not.

  “Tay, please, don’t blame yourself.” My voice is hoarse; it feels as if I’ve eaten sand.

  “Babe, I should have told you. Explained.” I glance up and find my mother and father standing behind Tayla. They’re looking at me like I’m about to break, shatter like a glass ornament. “We can talk, when you’re ready. I need to tell you everything.” I nod, seeing the guilt on my sister’s face.

  “I would like that. I need to get cleaned up for the wedding.”

  She looks at me in surprise. “No, I’m cancelling.”

  “You’re not! Please? Trust me.” We stare at each other for a while and when she nods, I’m relieved. I want to spend time with my family, to be around people who love me. It’s the only way I can get through this.

  “Okay. We’ll leave to get ready. See you downstairs.” She pulls me into a hug.

  Once everyone has left, I head into the bathroom.

  “Liam…” My voice is tentative, and he stills. I watch him turn off the tap and face me.

  “Peach…” The word effortlessly falls from his lips, and I can’t stop the grimace. “Sorry, I… It’s just… I mean…”

  “No.” My gaze settles on his as we stare at each other. “I like when you call me that. I just... it’s too soon. I can’t…”

  “I understand. I do. Did he…?” He motions to my body and I know what he’s asking.

  Shaking my head, I murmur my response. “No, thank God, he did manage to slice into me but stopped when he heard you outside.”

  He steps closer and I lift my matted hair to show him my wounds. “We were too late.” His words are barely audible.

  “You were just in time, Liam. I asked everyone to give me a few hours to clean up. I want the wedding to go ahead.” I peer up at him then and I can tell he’s shocked.

  “Baby, you’ve just been—”

  “I want to do this. I can’t let him win, and if I crawl into a corner and hide, that’s what happens. I want you there, beside me. Liam?”

  He stares at me for so long that I’m sure he’s going to walk away. “Let me get the incense. I’ll be back in a minute.” He doesn’t answer my question and as he passes me, I feel my heart splintering just a little more. I figured he wouldn’t want a broken little girl. As the click of the bathroom door echoes, I stand alone looking at my reflection in the mirror.

  Slipping the dress down my bruised body, I take in the purple and blue marks on my ribs. He made sure that I would remember him for days, even weeks after. My body aches, but surprisingly, all I want are Liam’s strong arms holding me, keeping me warm. The cold has seeped into my bones, and it feels as if I will never be warm again. The hot water has steamed up the room, and I tentatively step into the scented bath.

  Sitting back, I feel the muscles in my body ease and the pain slowly subside. Heat envelopes me and calms my racing heart. I’m safe. Lowering into the water, it splashes over the cuts, burning them. Tears sting my eyes and I shut them tight, hoping for a reprieve from the memory, but it assaults me, leaving me a sobbing mess.

  “The pretty little Emmy, isn’t it funny how I watched you grow up, and here I am, about to take what I wanted.” His fingers trace my spine. They’re cold and calloused. Rough, like sandpaper. The blade moves over my skin, sending a wave of fear through me. “You see, your sister took your place. She took your punishment. Now that I found you, I intend to give you the same treatment she got.”

  “What did you do to her?” My whispered words fall on deaf ears as he continues his tirade.

  “You made me want you. You acted like a little whore with that boyfriend of yours that your daddy didn’t like. I tried to make enough money to take you away, but your daddy couldn’t shut his mouth. So I got caught.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re mine Emmy, all mine. I will mark you and wherever you go, whatever you do, you’ll remember me. Just like your sister.” That’s when the burning starts as the blade slices into my skin.

  “Emma, Em, baby?” A deep voice pulls me from the nightmare, and I glance into hazel eyes. They’re filled with emotion—fear, anguish, love. My heart stutters as soon as I recognize it. Love.

  “Liam?”

  “You were screaming so loud, I could hear you in the living room.” With strong arms, he pulls me up and out of the tub. Wrapping a towel around me, he lifts me in his arms and carries me to the bed. “Baby, I shouldn’t have left you alone. I’m sorry.” His lips on my forehead feel warm, familiar.

  “Promise me…” I stare into his eyes, hoping I am conveying my feelings with a look. I need him. I want him.

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t leave me again.” Warm arms hold me and when I close my eyes, I calm. This is what I need, what I want.

  “Baby, I don’t want to, but I couldn’t protect you.” Whoever thought up that stupid saying—sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me—didn’t know what it feels like to have someone you love tell you they want to leave you.

  Pulling back, I tighten the towel wrapped around me and gaze into those caramel eyes that disarm me. “If you don’t want to be here, then I suggest you leave. Now.” Pushing up, I stalk over to my luggage, pulling out a dress that I wanted to wear to the reception dinner.

  “Emma, please, I didn’t mean it like—”

  “Liam Hayes, I don’t want you here because you obviously don’t want to be here. So save me and you whatever fucking heartache that will come and walk out the door.” Spinning on my heel, I head to the closet.

  It’s as if I can feel the frustration emanating from him. “Emma, I am not fucking leaving you. I meant that I feel like I failed you.” His words have me turning to see pain etched so clearly on his face. He stalks to me, grabbing me with his strong hands, pinning me against the wall. “Do you understand how powerless I felt not being able to protect you? It’s fucking with me. When the one person you fucking love is being hurt and everything is o
ut of your fucking control.” He’s shouting now, but the only thing I took from his whole tirade was the word love.

  “You love me?” Everything around us stills. We’re staring at each other, but he doesn’t answer me. Even though I know that’s what he said, there’s a part of me that doesn’t believe it.

  This isn’t real. How can he love me?

  He leans in, our mouths inches apart, his hot breath fanning over my face. Cupping my cheeks in his big, strong hands, he grins. “Yes, I fucking love you. With my heart, mind, body, with every breath I take.” The man before me, the man who makes my body come alive under his touch, his kiss, his heated, amber stare, loves me.

  My heart gallops in my chest, every nerve in my body ignites with electricity, and a giggle tumbles from my mouth, skittering across the air between us. The soft sound of my laugh becomes a loud chuckle, which has my body shaking against his. Caramel eyes bore into me as his dark brows crease in confusion. “I fucking love you, too.” The words fall effortlessly from my lips. His mouth crashes down on mine, and as scared as I should be about him pressing against me, I’m not. I know he won’t hurt me. The kiss isn’t hungry or demanding like our others, it’s filled with loving. Like he’s pouring all his feelings into me with his lips, filling me and leaving me overflowing with emotion so strong that my heart feels as if it’s about to burst.

  Placing my hands on his chest, pushing back, I stare at him. “Liam, I’m not ready for anything… I mean… I just want you to hold me.”

  “I’ll do anything for you. Whatever you need, just tell me.” His words warm my heart. He loves me. “Baby, you’re incredibly beautiful, you’re kind, caring, and you’ve changed me. You’ve made me want to have what Callum and Tayla have.”

  “Liam Hayes being romantic, never thought I’d see the day.”

  “There are times I will surprise you, and it seems today is one of many.” He stares at me like he’s trying to read my mind. We’re new to love, to being in a relationship, but there’s certainty in my heart that we’ve been woven together in fate’s intricate pattern. One night turned into more, and I almost lost him. The cuts on my body burn, but they’ll fade. It’s the wounds in my mind that I have to work on. His eyes rake over me, and his expression hardens when he sees the bruises and scars. A man who has been fractured by life’s harsh reality now takes my broken pieces and mends them, making me whole.

  Liam

  Callum and I are at the end of the aisle. The police had just left after questioning Emma and confirmed that there’s no chance that sick fuck will ever see the light of day again. She still chose me, and I am trying to come to terms with the fact that this beautiful woman wants me beside her.

  “Liam, she loves you. Just remember that.”

  Nodding, I turn to face the doorway. The music stops and there’s silence for a moment before a familiar tune starts. I recognize Lana del Rey, her song Young & Beautiful plays as my girl walks down the aisle.

  She’s got her long, chestnut waves loose down her back with a few strands pinned back. Her makeup is light, and her lips glisten. The dress she’s wearing offsets her creamy skin. The bruises are hidden by a small shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

  A shy smile that tugs on her mouth makes me ache to hold her. To show her how much I love her. No matter what the world throws our way, I want her. Nothing will stop me wanting her in my life.

  Emma comes to a stop opposite me, and we all turn to see Tayla and her father. She’s radiant. I sneak a glance at Callum. His eyes are filled with unshed tears. All my life, my brother has never cried. He’s never let emotion get the better of him, but seeing him now I realize he’s truly in love.

  Dragging my gaze over to my girl, I find her staring at me. Cocking my head to the side, I give her a wink and the blush that pinks her cheeks makes me smile. She’s incredibly strong, both sisters are, but something about Emma strikes me as resilient. I love her. I know I do.

  “Take care of her.” Mr. Quinn hands over his elder daughter’s hand to my brother, and my heart fills with joy for him. I have always wanted to see him happy, to find true love, and now I am watching him get married, and I wonder if I will be allowed such a luxury. The thought has my gaze flitting back to the brown-haired beauty on the other side of the altar.

  As the minister starts his sermon, I am distracted by her. By brown eyes and chestnut hair. By the smile that lights her face with the softness of an angel. The sweetness that I want to wake up to for the rest of my life. Will I be able to give her a forever she deserves? Yes, I fucking can. I know I can be that man for her. Because she’s that woman for me.

  The reception dinner is in full swing, and all I can think about is pulling Emma to the side and having a heartfelt conversation with her. Well, okay, not that heartfelt, more like pulling her off to our bedroom and showing her exactly how I feel about her.

  I did say I would be worshipping her body, and I plan on doing just that, for hours. The family is all here, my mother is chatting to Mr. Quinn, and I can only imagine they’re talking about grandkids. Since Callum and Tayla are married now, I am sure the pressure is on to produce a few kids.

  “Mr. Hayes, I think you’re needed back in the kitchen.” I glance up at the waitress and frown. She offers me a small smile, and I shrug.

  “I don’t go into the kitchen, darling.” With a cocky wink, I turn to the dance floor.

  “No, I mean, you need to go to the kitchen.” I must have looked as confused as I felt because she pointed to the small door to the side of the building, and I caught a glimpse of a soft peach dress. Understanding dawned on me. My girl was playing a game, and what she didn’t realize is that I love games.

  Pushing up, I glance at the waitress and nod. Making my way to the open door, I find a dimly lit storeroom. Emma still wants me after what happened, and I want to make her forget, to make her only think of me.

  When I push open the door, I find the woman who’s embedded herself in my heart. Who has effortlessly made me want to be a better man for her. To stop fucking around and focus solely on her pleasure. Her body and her heart.

  “What are you doing in here, baby?” Her smile is downright devilish and mischievous, and I can’t help chuckling. I know she’s still scared; it flickers behind her eyes. The anger that raged through me at seeing her hurt is something I have never felt before, and I will be damned if that ever happens again.

  “I wanted you to make me forget. After what happened, I want to feel you and only you. I know there will be more for me to work through mentally, but tonight, I need you, Liam.” Her whisper is raspy and filled with need.

  “I want to be there for you. You have no idea how much I want you right now, and if you’re willing to let me show you how much I love you physically, it will be my pleasure, baby.” Stalking toward her, I tug her into my arms. For a moment, I bask in her warmth, in her soft peach scent, and I know I can never let her go. Running my hands down the soft skin of her bare arms, I feel the goosebumps rise in the wake of my touch.

  Big doe eyes peer up at me, and her lips quirk into a small smile. “Show me, Liam.” My name on her lips sends a jolt of desire directly to my hardening dick.

  “Are you absolutely sure, sweetheart? You don’t have to do this. You know that right?”

  She nods and cups my face in her delicate hands. “I want you.” That’s all I needed to hear. I leave her and head over to the door, making sure it’s locked from the inside. With a quick glance around, I find exactly what I am looking for.

  “Baby, I want you sticky, wet, and ready for me.” I slowly unzip her bridesmaid dress, and as soon as it pools at her feet, I suck in a deep breath. Her lingerie is a soft cream color, and I can see her puckered nipples pushing against the material of her bra.

  She’s so fucking beautiful.

  Kneeling at her feet, I gaze up at her and I can see the confusion, desire, and lust dancing in her warm, chocolate eyes. Hooking my fingers in the waistband of her panties, I slide them of
f. Once she steps out of them, I rise and so does my cock.

  My hands grip her pert, sexy little ass, and I lift her up and place her on the freezer in the corner of the large storage room. “Take your bra off, too, baby and open your legs.” She obeys, while she watches me intently.

  “Liam, what are you doing?” Popping the cork of sparkling apple juice, I ignore her question and drizzle the golden liquid on her nipples. Time for dessert. I lick the wet trail of sweet juice, and her hands fist in my hair, tugging and twisting as she mewls and moans my name.

  “Mmm fuck, you taste so good, so sweet, baby,” I growl up at her as I work my way down her stomach. I flick my tongue over her belly button and slowly move to her bare little pussy.

  “Please, oh God, Liam.” Her moans are getting louder, but I don’t care if anyone hears her at this point. I am overcome with lust for this woman. Drizzling more over her bare pussy, I place the bottle down and open her legs farther.

  The sweet scent of her and the apples combined is like a drug shooting directly into my veins, alighting my body with desire I have never felt before. As I open her with my thumbs, I just about come in my slacks at the sight of her glistening for me.

  Flicking my tongue over her honeyed center, I suck her clit into my mouth and bite down gently. Her hips buck and she rides my tongue as I slide it into her slick folds. Her eyes flutter closed, but I want her to look at me.

  “Open those pretty, brown eyes, Peach. Watch me eat your sweet little cunt.” My filthy words have her riding my face. Her hands grab my hair, holding me against her as she watches me eat her with lust shimmering in her glazed eyes.

  Fuck, I need to be inside her.

  “Fuck, oh fuck…” Her moans are becoming incoherent as I slide my tongue in and out, slow, torturous and when I feel her tighten, I bite down on her clit, and she unravels before me. It’s a beautiful thing to watch as her body spasms and writhes and her sweet release drips into my mouth, and I drink like a man in need of sustenance.