Chapter Six
Mathewson
Tonight was... Wow. I’ve kissed many girls—too many—but that was...more. I’m not proud of the playboy reputation I’ve received simply by being in a band, but it is what it is. I can’t change it now. If I’m lucky, the rumors haven’t gotten to Caroline and my shot isn’t ruined. I don’t want her to ever think she’s just another girl, because she’s not. Tonight cemented it. She’s everything.
I adjust myself, desperately needing my own release. Helping Caroline get hers was almost too much. Watching her come was beyond my dreams. The pent-up need and massive blue balls she caused are unrivaled. Damn, the things she does to me, and she has no clue. The girl is unlike any other.
God, what I would do to feel her tight pussy around me, strangling my cock with its heat. Closing my eyes, I imagine it. I imagine what it would feel like to be thrusting in and out of her. Dragging myself through her hot, wet center. My cock aches for it.
Without a second thought, I lift my hips and push my pants down. Then I grab my dick in my hand, gripping myself tightly in the palm of my right hand. I’m fucking hard as a rock. The idea of feeling her quivering around me has me fisting myself from root to tip. I need to be inside her now. Shutting my eyes again, I imagine it. I imagine slipping the head of my dick into her slick entrance. Slowly, I fuck my hand as if it’s her. As if she’s tightly sheathed around me, I tighten my grip. It’s as if I’m actually sliding my cock through her damp folds. My hips rock up. My breathing accelerates to match the clip of my movements. It’s building. The sensation in my body reaches a high as my balls tighten and all the muscles in my back tighten and then with one final pump of my hand I come all over myself.
Fuck. That was amazing.
And fuck, did I make a mess. Reaching for a tissue, I wipe up the evidence.
A ping from my computer has me sitting down and opening my email. Shelby Wright has sent me a message, and I can’t help the pride that swells as I read. He’s one of the best agents in showbiz. Punch-Drunk Kids would be set with him representing us. I can’t open up the email quickly enough.
Matt,
I’ll see you guys tomorrow night. Knock ’em dead and blow me away. You play your cards right, and your future is secured.
Best,
Shelby
Your future is secured, the words I’ve been waiting my whole life to hear. He’s offering a life filled with happiness, doing what I love—something my father could never truly provide. A future and happiness.
I’d have all the money I need in the world working at my father’s company, but I’d never be happy. Shelby Wright is offering me both on a silver platter. All I have to do is have the performance of a lifetime. I can do it. I’ve done it every weekend night for the past five years of my life. Nothing has changed.
You’re distracted. Since the day Caroline Littrell walked into my Econ class, I’ve been a mess, and it’s no good. And now I have her coming to the show.
The distraction will be front-row. What the hell was I thinking? I’ve got to pull it together. I have to tune her out and concentrate. As much as I’d love to add a third thing to my list of life goals, it might be asking the universe for too much. Success, a future, and Caroline... I’d be one lucky bastard.
* * *
“Say it again,” Kip asks with excitement.
“‘Have the performance of a lifetime and our futures will be secured,’” I read once more.
All the guys hoot and holler.
“We have this in the bag. Just do like we practiced and have a good time. Show him that not only can we play our parts, but we can perform. We’re entertainment ourselves.”
Ian nods his head in agreement. “We’ve got this.”
As excited as I am, I can’t help but be nervous. I wish I could say it’s all about Shelby watching from the stage, but it’s not. Caroline’s here, front row. What is she thinking? Will she be impressed? If I’m being honest, the only thing I care about right now is her, and it’s a big problem. A big fucking problem.
“All right, kids. You’re up,” the stage manager calls from the side.
The guys head to their positions on stage. I do my nightly routine shaking off the jitters and feeling the microphone slide around in the palm of my hand. “You’ve got this. You’ve got this,” I repeat over and over again, hoping it’ll sink in one of these days.
No matter how many times I go on that stage, the nerves never cease to exist. It takes at least the first few lines of the song I’m singing every night before I’m really loose. Tonight, I hope to hell it happens more quickly. I enter the stage and place the microphone on the stand so my hands are free, allowing me to strum my guitar that hangs around my neck.
I told myself I wasn’t going to look for her. I wasn’t going to do that to myself, but I can’t fucking help it. Within two minutes I’ve spotted her, and damn if she isn’t perfection underneath these lights. She’s like an angel with the overhead lights reflecting off her golden hair, a huge smile plastered across her face that I pretend is just for me. The first riffs of the music pull my attention back to my job for the night. Before long, it’s my turn. I start crooning into the microphone.
From the first second I saw you I knew you were the one Despite what I have to overcome Our life flies before us, so I only have this chance Will you reach out and join me in this dance?
My eyes meet Caroline’s. Hers are wide, and a goofy smirk is on her face. I can’t help but wink in her direction. The girls around her freak, grabbing her and celebrating my affection. I continue the rest of the song singing to her the entire time. I hope she feels the sincerity in my words. Reach out and join me in this dance. We might never get another chance.
Chapter Seven
Caroline
Our bodies sway rhythmically to the music. They’re amazing. Better than I could imagine. It’s as if they are possessed by the music. They are one with the music. Each lyric touches me. Each beat entrances me. I’m transfixed.
I stare longingly at Matt onstage. This is where he comes alive, not in the classroom, not as Mathewson, but here. It’s obvious this is his passion.
He’s a whole new person, a person I want to know, spend time with, a man I want to taste again and again.
The need I feel for him is palpable; I’m so lost in him that eventually, I feel a tugging on my arm.
“They’re done.”
“What?” I’m still watching him onstage.
“The show, Caroline. It’s over. Are we going backstage?”
As if conjured, a security guard walks up to us and hands us badges.
“Matt said to meet him in the back. Just walk down the hall, second door on the left,” he says.
We’re escorted through the door backstage and left to our own devices to find the room.
I’m so excited to see him. To tell him how amazing I find him. We pass the first door, and as we’re about to turn in the second door, I hear people talking. I lift my arm, then halt its descent and put my finger to my lips, indicating we should be quiet and not intrude.
I can’t make out every word but from what it sounds like, there is a scout in there with the band and they were just offered the opportunity of a lifetime. A contract and a ton of new gigs. He’s rattling off dates of gigs when my stomach drops. One date rings in my ear like a sucker punch. The day the auction closes.
There is no way they’ll say no; this could be the concert of their lives.
Why does it have to be on the same night? What if someone outbids him at the last minute? I feel sick, but I still understand.
I care about him enough that I’m not even mad. This is a game changer and I’m just the girl he’s with for the moment. With a tight smile, I nod to the girls and walk through the door, announcing my presence right away.
“Great show, guys!”
Hoots, hollers and cheers ring out from the band. Matt smirks as he comes up to me, kissing my cheek.
“You came.”
“Of course I did. It was part of the bet, right?” He chuckles. “You were fantastic.”
“He was, wasn’t he?” the guy who must be the recruiter says as he pats Matt on the back. “These guys are going places.”
“We sure are,” Rocky shouts. “Shots all around.”
Shots are passed around, but I shake my head, declining the alcohol.
“Come on, Carol,” Rocky chides. “You can’t turn down a celebratory shot.”
“Leave her alone, man. If she doesn’t want the shot, she doesn’t have to take it.” Matt comes to my rescue. I beam up at him. He looks down at me with an affection that can’t truly be there after only going on one official date. But it’s there. I can’t be imagining it.
“I’ll have one. To celebrate you,” I say, smiling.
He winks. “Only one.”
I nod.
We celebrate, and the disappointment I felt fades for the time being. Grabbing a bottled water, I chase the aftereffects away from the tequila. I don’t want to be drunk. I want to spend time with Matt. Alone.
An hour goes by and the band tells stories of their beginning with Punch-Drunk Kids. I get to know the other band members a little better. Rocky is the loudest of them all and clearly a player with a capital P, but I love him already. Kip has an Australian accent, which leaves me questioning when he came into the mix. They all went to high school together, but Kip is definitely not American-born. He’s outgoing and fits right in. Ian is the strong, silent type, sitting in the corner watching everyone. He’s a hard nut to crack, but nothing like Tyce, who hasn’t spoken a word. He seems shy, which is out of character for the rest of these guys.
Matt walks past me, motioning with his head to follow him out the door. I do, eagerly. He moves at a clipped pace and I’m having a hard time keeping up.
“Where are we going?” I call out to his back.
“Hurry. I don’t want them to see us,” he says without turning around. He gets to a door, pushes it open and steps into an empty room. I follow, allowing the door to shut behind me.
“Taking what I want for once in my life,” he practically growls, pinning me to the wall.
“And what is it you want?” I choke out.
“You.”
His mouth crashes against mine as his hands wrap around me, pulling me toward him. I let out a mewling sound at the sensation and he uses the opportunity of my mouth opening to slip his tongue inside. He tastes amazing. I can’t get enough.
Our tongues swirl together in a perfect rhythm. His hands lower until he’s grabbing the globes of my ass, pulling into him until I feel the hard ridge of his erection against me.
“More,” I moan. “I need more.” My voice sounds desperate and needy. I press closer into him and rub myself wantonly.
He separates from me, panting heavily at the heavy makeout session.
“I think”—he inhales deeply trying to calm himself—“we need to slow down. I don’t want to go farther than you’re ready for. I want things to be right for you.”
“Oh, shut up.” I drop to my knees before him and pull him out of his pants. His thick, veiny cock is weeping at the tip.
My tongue sweeps at his skin, licking the moisture that’s collected. My hand reaches out and follows the ministrations of my mouth. Gripping him. Stroking him. Licking him. Up. Down. Root to tip. I suck him hard, sliding him down my throat. Bobbing my head all the way to the base until he almost makes me gag. I love it.
I love the feel of him inside me, almost choking me.
I fuck him with my mouth, his hands pushing into my scalp as he climbs closer and closer to release. And then it happens. He erupts. He explodes in my mouth. I taste his salty essence on my tongue and swallow.
Chapter Eight
Mathewson
The weekend flew, and now I’m sitting here ten minutes early for Economics to start. I queue up my computer and log in to the Beta Kappa Nu auction and there she is. I find her profile right away. She might have used a pseudonym and it might only be an image of half her face, but I’d know those lips anywhere. I feel instantaneously sick. I can’t make the concert happen and now I won’t even be around for the closing bids. The longer I stare at her profile, the more the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach turns to anger.
There is no way in hell my girl is auctioning off her virginity. I’ll have someone else run my bids for me, but no other guy is touching her. Ever. Fuck that. Just seeing her face on this makes me fucking livid.
I slam my computer shut and will myself to calm down. Five guys have driven up the bid on her to over two hundred dollars. I had no idea this whole thing would piss me off this much. It just goes to show I care for Caroline far more than I allowed myself to believe.
Five minutes go by before she walks in the door. All the air is sucked from the room.
Her head is lowered to the ground, but as she walks past me, she lifts her chin and offers me a small smile. Damn, is she beautiful and that pisses me off even more. Of course, she’ll go for a high bid. She’s fucking gorgeous.
The professor comes in and rattles off something that I don’t even hear because I’m too busy thinking about her and another guy’s hands all over her. I’m seeing red.
“Hey. Hey,” I hear again. I look up to see Caroline staring down at me. “We’ve been paired together for a project. The professor dismissed class and told us to get started on it.” Caroline’s smile is wide, but I can’t return it. It’s not her fault, but my anger is quickly becoming misplaced.
I’m angry at her sorority. I’m angry at her for agreeing. I want to hunt down the five guys who bid on her, but mostly, I’m angry at myself for not knowing when I’m going to find time to hold this fund-raiser that I agreed to. It’s a no-win situation and I’m struggling to contain my rage. Not much gets me riled up, but the protective instincts I have for her are coming out in full force.
“Everything okay?” she asks with doe eyes.
I nod, afraid that I might explode.
“Ooookay,” she says, clearly not buying it. “You want to head to the library?”
“Yeah,” I say gruffly. Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t say another word. I grab my things and stand, motioning for her to go ahead. We walk for a few minutes in silence, headed toward the library, when she finally speaks.
“What’s going on? You’re acting strange.”
“Nothing. I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”
She bites her bottom lip, looking uneasy and it makes me feel like a complete ass. I can’t be angry at her for this. If my band decided to do something ridiculous for a good cause, I’d go with it, too. We’re a team and so is Beta Kappa Nu.
“Listen, I need to talk to you,” I start, but she butts in.
“I overheard that guy talking to you about another concert the same night as the auction. I’m not angry. I completely understand. I know it’s your chance at a big break,” she rambles.
I grab her hand, wanting to make things better. “I’m so sorry you overheard that. I wanted to tell you myself, Caroline. I can’t help feeling like I’m letting you down.”
I hang my head. I’m in a no-win situation. My future in music rides on this concert.
“Nah. I mean, we hardly know each other anyway, right?” I frown, not loving where this conversation is going.
“What’s that about? I feel like we know each other a little bit better than you’re making it out to be. What happened between us wasn’t just a random thing, Caroline. I care about you.”
She shuffles back and forth on her feet, looking uncomfortable. “You know what I mean. It’s your dream and you need to go for it. I’d never get in the way of that.”
&nbs
p; Such a strange thing for her to say, and stranger yet, I want to tell her I’d choose her.
But I don’t, because that would be fucking stupid. We haven’t known each other long enough for me to feel that way. Right?
We make it into the library and find a seat. “I’m going to go look for a couple of books that we can use for research,” she says, walking toward the stacks.
I watch her go, and something inside me panics. Why? I have no idea. She’s just going for books, but something tells me I need to make her see how much I like her. I can’t let her push me away. I sit there for a couple of minutes, hating this awkwardness that we’ve gotten into. I have to end it.
I stand up and stalk after her. She’s up on her toes reaching for a book when I sneak up behind her. I step up so I’m flush against her back. Reaching up, my fingers slide against hers. I grab the book, bring it down, and she turns around so she’s facing me.
“What if you weren’t a virgin? Would they still make you do the auction?”
“Mathewson?” she says like a question.
“Would they?”
She shakes her head. “I’m not sure. I’d still have to find a way to contribute. And—”
I lean in and seal my lips to hers, cutting off her words. Her hands come up into my hair, and a moan escapes me. I pull her tighter against me. Our kisses become frenzied as our tongues collide. I’m so entrenched in her, I completely forget that we’re in the middle of the library. My hands roam her curves, and fuck if I’m not hard as stone. When a throat clears behind us, I hardly register it.
“Excuse me, but this is not a brothel. Take your shenanigans elsewhere.” I turn to see the elderly librarian shooting daggers in our direction. Caroline’s cheeks are aflame, and I have to fight to keep the smile off my face. I couldn’t care less about getting caught, but I don’t want her to feel embarrassed, and she clearly is.
“Come on, let’s get out of here. We can finish this at my place,” I say, grabbing her hand and leading her away from the scowling woman.
Star Crossed Page 4