by Opal Carew
They stepped through the gate and it closed behind her. On the other side of the fence the bright lights that had turned on after the show so that people could see their way out were still blazing, but it was shadowy here. She gazed around, disoriented. Someone stepped toward her.
“There you are.” Storm grinned at her.
Her guard escort released her arm and disappeared through the gate again, leaving her standing alone with Storm.
“I thought they were going to arrest me.”
“For flashing me?” He chuckled. “That happens all the time. One of the hazards of the job.”
He stepped toward her and tucked his finger under her chin, then tipped it up. “You are becoming quite the naughty vixen, aren’t you? I never would have thought you’d do something like that.”
Her cheeks flushed, but thankfully he wouldn’t be able to see them in the dim light.
He turned and started to walk along the paved path and she walked alongside him, as they made their way through the small private lot behind the concert hall. There was only space for about fifteen cars, and none of the other people with access were mulling about just yet.
“I guess I got caught up in the excitement.”
He grinned. “Well, I certainly found it pretty exciting.”
“Seeing all those bare breasts, you mean?” she said.
He stopped and turned toward her. “No. Seeing your beautiful bare breasts.”
She stared up at his glittering eyes and couldn’t help herself. She grasped his broad shoulders and pushed herself onto her tiptoes, then kissed him.
His arms swept around her and he tugged her close to his body, then his tongue slid into her mouth and gently explored. She groaned and held him tighter, her breasts crushed against his solid chest.
“Fuck, Melanie,” he ground out.
Heat thrummed through her and she glanced around, then grasped his hand and guided him off the path and into the shadow of the trees.
“We can go to my trailer,” he suggested as she pulled him along.
She tugged him behind a big tree. “I like it here.”
Then she grabbed the hem of her top and pulled it up, revealing her breasts once again.
“I can’t see you here.” His words came out low and hoarse.
He shifted her a little to the right, still away from where anyone would see them, but where the moonlight filtered through the leaves. She could see his face as he gazed down at her breasts, his eyes blazing with heat.
She took his hand and raised it to her chest, then placed it over her naked breast. His fingers curled around her, cupping her, her hardened nipple pressing into his palm.
His gaze met hers and there was a ferocity in his blue eyes she’d never seen before.
Then she stroked over the bulge in his jeans and he groaned softly. He took his hand off her breast and grasped her wrist, but he didn’t pull her hand away.
“I want you,” she murmured. “I have for a long time.”
“Fuck, I’m going to wind up taking you right against the tree if we keep this up.”
Excitement flashed through her. “Yes. Do it.”
She sucked in a breath as he surged forward, backing her up against the wide trunk. He tugged off her top then kissed her neck, pressing her bare back against the rough bark. Then his lips found hers again and he stormed her mouth, his body pressing her hard against the tree.
“Oh, Storm,” she breathed against his ear. “I want to feel you inside me.”
He nipped her ear. “I want to take it slow. To explore every inch of you.”
“Later,” she murmured. “Right now, I want you to fuck me hard against this tree.” She stroked down his chest, over his tight abs, then wrapped her fingers around his denim-covered erection.
“Please,” she moaned, then nipped his lower lip.
“Fuck, Melanie.” He pressed her back against the tree again, then unzipped his pants and pulled out his cock.
She curled her fingers around his hot shaft and stroked. God, he was enormous. Her fingers couldn’t wrap all the way around him. He found the hem of her short denim skirt and tugged it up. She stroked his erection, up and down, and he moaned against her ear.
“At this rate, I won’t last long.”
She giggled, loving the power she had over him.
His fingers brushed her inner thigh, then traveled up and swept across the lace covering her mound.
“Fuck, you’re wet. I can feel it through your panties.”
Then he tugged the fabric aside and slid his fingertip over her slick swollen flesh.
His touch sent a rush of molten desire straight through her, and she gasped for breath.
His fingers slipped away, then she felt something hard and hot pressing against her.
He nipped her earlobe hard, sending heat thrumming through her.
“You want me.” He pushed against her, the tip of his hot cock dipping into her.
“Oh, yes,” she breathed.
“Tell me again,” he insisted.
“I want you inside me. I want you to fuck me hard.”
He eased forward, his cockhead stretching her. Exquisite delight shimmered through her.
She clung to his shoulders. “Deeper. Fill me up.”
As he pushed inside, his big, welcome cock sliding deeper, she moaned at the exquisite stretching sensation.
She’d longed for this for so long, and it was better than she’d ever imagined.
He surged forward, his cock driving all the way in, pinning her to the tree.
“I love your hot pussy so tight around me.” He captured her mouth and plunged his tongue into her in deep thrusts until she gasped for air. “Now I’m going to fuck you so hard, you’ll never forget this first time.”
He grasped her wrists and pushed them over her head, then drew back, his big cockhead stroking her inner passage. He drove deep again.
She pressed against his grip, moaning in delight.
He drew back and thrust, back and thrust, back and thrust. Joy swelled through her as he continued to fill her like a piston, pulsing deep into her over and over.
“Oh, yes. I’m”—she sucked in a breath—”so close.”
“Me, too, baby.” He picked up speed and she gasped at the potent pleasure pummeling her.
Then he thrust hard, pinning her to the tree again and she felt him pulse inside her. The feel of his liquid heat filling her sent her over the edge. She moaned, arching against him as pleasure spiraled through her. He began to move again, filling her with his hard length. She pushed against his restraining hand and moaned, then exploded in orgasm. Bliss washed through her as she moaned into his ear.
Finally, she relaxed, collapsing against his big, strong body. He released her wrists and his arms enveloped her as she listened to his accelerated heartbeat. She luxuriated in his nearness.
He kissed her ear, then drew back. His eyes glowed as he gazed at her.
“Melanie, that was incredible.” A glint of uncertainty flashed in his eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay with … what just happened?”
She just smiled, and he leaned in and kissed her again.
“Good.” He grinned. “I was going to take you to meet the rest of the band, but if you get that excited around all musicians, I’m not sure I should.” He leaned in close and nuzzled her temple. “I don’t want to share you.”
She stroked over his shoulders. “It’s only you who excites me like that.”
As he stared at her, his smile faded and he drew her close and kissed her again.
“I know a nice hotel not far from here. Instead of going back to the city tonight, let’s get a room.”
She just nodded, while her heart quivered in anticipation. The thought of spending the night with Rafe, cocooned in a soft bed with his arms around her, filled her with joy.
Once they straightened their clothes, he took her hand and led her back to the path, then to the parking lot. She held his big hand tight, loving the
feel of his warm fingers enveloping hers. As they approached his bike, heat coiled through her at the thought of the two of them climbing into a big warm bed together, then him prowling over her and—
“Hey, Storm. Diego and I are headed out for a drink. Want to join us?” The tall, sandy-haired man smiled at her, a twinkle in his blue-green eyes. “Your friend can come, too.”
She recognized him as the lead singer of Savage Kiss, and the one who had introduced the band. The other was the drummer, who’d had a wicked solo near the end that had left her breathless. Both had on faded jeans, and Diego wore a black leather vest with silver studs while Travis wore a long-sleeved charcoal T-shirt. Diego’s thick black hair was cropped short but what there was rose in spikes, while Travis had longish, unkempt sandy hair that was parted on the side and tapered, brushing his collar at the back. Travis was taller than Diego by about five inches, but both were muscular, and sexy as sin.
A shiver danced through her and she realized she was a little starstruck by these men. Both had killer smiles, and a glimmer in their eyes like they were looking for trouble, and just might have found it.
Oh, God, could they tell that she and Storm had just had sex? Had they seen them? Her cheeks heated, but she realized she was just being silly.
“This is Travis and Diego,” Rafe said. “And this is Melanie.”
“Melanie?” Travis smiled and offered his hand.
When she shook it, he held hers in a tight grip.
“You’re the one who helped my sister, Jess, when she moved to Philly.”
“You’re Jessica’s brother? It’s nice to meet you.”
Melanie hadn’t realized that Savage Kiss was the band Rafe had been a part of back in Bakersfield when he’d met Jessica.
“Jess really appreciated your help. She worried about leaving Bakersfield, but it helped that she found a close friend so soon. Thanks for helping out my baby sister.”
“It was my pleasure. I love Jessica.”
“We have something in common then.” He grinned and drew her hand to his elbow, then tucked it around his arm. “You can’t say no to a drink now.”
She glanced helplessly over her shoulder at Storm as Travis led her across the parking lot.
“Hell, no. You’re not stealing my girl.” Storm strode after them and grasped her other arm.
Her stomach clenched. Were they going to fight over her?
But Travis just laughed. “I could if I wanted to, man.” He winked at Melanie as he let her go. “Meet us over at The Saloon. Same place as last night.”
She followed Storm to his bike, then pulled on the helmet he handed her. He fastened the clasp under her chin and then drew her in for a deep kiss. “Just remember, you’re mine.” Then he winked and mounted the bike.
Was he really jealous, she wondered as she wrapped her arms around his waist? Or just teasing her? The bike roared to life and fifteen minutes later they pulled up in front of a rustic tavern with a sign that read THE SALOON.
When they stepped inside, they saw Diego and Travis already at a solid wooden table, with four dark beers in glass steins in front of them. They sat down and Storm grabbed one, then took a deep sip.
“Maybe Melanie doesn’t want a beer,” Storm said.
Travis grabbed the handle of Storm’s beer and pulled it toward himself. “Those are our beers. Get your own, you mooch.”
Melanie pushed the beer in front of her toward Diego, but they all broke out laughing.
“It’s okay, belleza,” Diego said in a sexy Spanish accent as he pushed the beer toward her again. “They always kid around like that. Do you want me to get you something else?”
His dark brown eyes glowed warmly as he smiled at her, sending shivers down her spine.
“No, this is fine, thanks.” She wrapped her hand around the cold glass handle and took a sip. “Mm. This is good.” She liked the deep, rich flavor of the dark beer.
“So Jess tells me you work for my future brother-in-law,” Travis said.
Melanie glanced at Storm who just sipped his beer. Did Travis not know that Storm was really billionaire business mogul Rafe Ranier, and that Dane and Rafe were related?
“I did but I quit recently. I’m working as a barista now.”
“You left a job in a big company to work in a coffee place?” Diego asked. “Your boss drive you to quit or something?”
His raised eyebrows indicated he was kidding, but Melanie’s stomach churned at just how close he’d come to the truth. She shrugged, trying to keep her expression neutral. “I wanted more freedom.”
“Freedom?” Diego chuckled. “Like freedom to be broke?”
Her cheeks heated and she stared at her beer.
“Sorry, belleza, I didn’t mean to make fun. I’m just trying to understand you better. There must be a reason you gave up benefits and a good salary for this freedom.”
She nodded. “Well, just like you, I want to do what I’m passionate about.”
His eyebrows arched. “And you’re passionate about coffee?”
“No. I’m still trying to figure it out. But I knew I didn’t want to be confined by the rules of an office job anymore. I got restless and needed a change.” She shrugged. “I might take some classes, or maybe do some traveling.” She shook her head. “I don’t know yet. I just wanted to get out of the same old routine and experience new things.”
“Actually, she’s quite an artist,” Storm said. “And she wants to live a little more on the edge. She even designed her own tattoo.”
“Can we see it?” Travis asked.
“Afraid not, boys,” Storm said. “Only a special few get to see that one.”
Diego grinned. “And you’re one of them?”
Travis laughed. “And the thousand other people standing around when she flashed him.”
Her gaze shot to his as her cheeks blazed with heat. “There weren’t a thousand.”
Diego and Travis both chuckled.
“Maybe not,” Travis said, “but Diego and I got a quick peek from where we were standing helping the crew.” He winked. “Nice. I didn’t really get to see much of the tattoo, though.” He grinned. “Maybe sometime I’ll get a better look.”
Storm said nothing, but she could sense the tension in him. He drained his glass. “You almost finished?”
She glanced down at her mug, still half full, then took a big sip and pushed it aside. “I’m good.” She smiled at Diego and Travis. “Thanks for inviting me along.”
“Anytime,” Travis said.
Diego took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Our pleasure, belleza.”
She followed Storm out the front door toward the parking lot. At his scowling face, she frowned.
“Are you mad at me?”
He glanced at her. “No, of course not.”
“You don’t seem very happy.”
He took her hand and pulled her into his arms for a kiss. “Sorry. I guess I got a bit jealous back there. Travis and I are good friends, but if he could steal you away, he would. It’s just a weird rivalry that started between us when we were on the road.”
“After you dumped his sister? Maybe he was trying to prevent you from moving on in hopes you’d go back to her.”
Storm shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe he wants to punish me. But even though she’s hooked up with Dane now, I don’t think it’s changed between Travis and me.” He stormed her lips again. “And I want to keep you for myself.”
Her heart thundered in her chest at the passion of his kiss and she sighed when he released her lips. Then they continued to walk.
“I’m surprised that Travis doesn’t know you’re Dane’s brother,” she said.
“This week is the first time I’ve seen him since I left the band. I just haven’t mentioned it yet.”
She gazed at him. “Are you sure that’s all it is?”
Storm shrugged. “It’ll be strange when they find out I’m Rafe Ranier, owner of Ranier Industries. It’s not really consistent with the ima
ge they have of Storm.”
“You’ll have to tell them sometime. Her brother, at least, will be at the wedding.”
He opened the storage compartment on the back of the bike.
“I’ll figure that out later.” His eyes glittered as he gazed at her, sending heat thrumming through her. “Right now, I just want to get you into that hotel room.”
He handed her a helmet and she climbed on the back of his bike. Within moments, they were on the road.
***
The vibration of the bike between her legs and the heat and hardness of his body tight against her had her almost panting when they pulled up in front of the hotel.
The stone building looked very elegant, with tall columns at the entrance, beautiful arches, and detailed stonework. When they stepped inside, she drew in a breath. Shiny marble floors, carved columns, high ceilings with crystal chandeliers, and scattered sitting areas of supple leather couches and glass tables all added to the elegance of the huge lobby. She breathed in the lovely scent from a huge floral arrangement they passed as Storm led her to the reception desk.
The man they approached watched them with disapproval in his eyes. Melanie glanced around and realized that their attire did not fit with that of the more upscale guests moving through the grand space.
“I’d like a room,” Storm said.
The man pursed his lips. “I don’t believe we have anything available, sir.” The man hadn’t even glanced at his computer screen.
Storm’s eyebrow arched. “Really? If you don’t have any rooms, then how about a suite?”
“I’m sorry, sir. All we have is the Presidential Suite and that’s fifteen hundred dollars a night.”
“I’ll take it.” He tossed his credit card on the counter and the man picked it up reluctantly.
When he saw the card, he seemed to deflate. Clearly, he recognized the name. “Oh, Mr. Ranier, I am so sorry. I didn’t realize …” His cheeks tinged with red as he tapped on his keyboard. “Would you like me to have a bellman collect your luggage?”
“No luggage. We’ll just be staying the one night.”
“Very good, sir.” He handed Storm a keycard. “If there’s anything you need, let us know.”