by Julie Archer
I nodded eagerly. “So?”
“He’s organised a room in the hotel you stayed at for the Roccia dinner in Manchester. Instead of coming back with us after the gig tomorrow, you can stay there.”
“Is he going to be there too?”
The corner of Darren’s mouth quirked up. “I couldn’t possibly comment.”
A sense of overwhelming relief washed over me. Perhaps everything was going to be okay after all.
16
Tris
With the help of Jonas’ PA, I had managed to secure the exact same room at the hotel in Manchester which we’d had for the Roccia dinner.
There was some kind of strange symmetry with Saff finishing her tour there and it being the place where we had first realised what was between us wasn’t fake.
I wanted to find out from her what had gone on with Scott Lincoln.
I didn’t want to read the gossip columns. I needed to hear it directly.
Darren had been my co-conspirator in this scheme. He’d given me the information about their schedule and told me how much time they would have before heading to sound check. If everything went to plan, there would sufficient making up time. I had to hope there weren’t any delays on the motorway.
Strange that after all this time, it was my dad who had convinced me I needed to do this.
To fight for the woman I loved and not let it slip like he had.
I didn’t know what to make of his revelations about the night Mum died. His jealousy causing the actions leading up to her death. Ultimately, I think I was glad he’d told me the truth at last.
“Hello, Mr Judd, lovely to see you again.” I didn’t recognise the receptionist from our previous stay. Jonas’ PA had probably reminded her we’d been there before, and I assumed she was putting on the charm to impress me. She was too put together for my liking: her nails and lip gloss matching, the regulation shirt and scarf combo pristine. If I was honest, I preferred my women—sorry, woman—to be a little more haphazard.
Keeping up the pretence, I flashed her a smile. “You too, Laura.” I read her name from the badge pinned to her regulation blouse.
She tapped some details into her computer, then rifled through a box on the counter to find the key card before sliding them over to me. “Everything’s been paid for and I guess you know where you’re going.”
“That’s great, thanks.”
“Be sure to let me know if you need anything.” I didn’t miss the look of hope in her eye.
“Will do.” I grabbed my holdall and headed for the lifts, pressing the button for the top floor.
Entering the suite, it was everything I remembered.
It sparked delightful memories, and I couldn’t stop the shit-eating grin growing on my face. Saff had told me to kiss her even though there wasn’t anyone around and it all went from there. My dick started to harden at the reminder. Willing it away—for now at least—I sat on the sofa and checked my phone. There was a message from Saff saying she was around fifteen minutes away. While I waited, I debated whether to get a bottle of champagne and have it ready for when she arrived. Nah, too cheesy. Plus, I wasn’t sure whether we would be celebrating after we discussed her and Scott.
Twenty minutes later there was still no sign of Saff. Although, I shouldn’t have been surprised, she was incapable of being on time for anything. As I was starting to get concerned she’d stood me up, there was a knock on the door.
“Hey.” Saff stood in front of me carrying an overnight bag. Dressed in leggings and Converse, an oversized hoodie hid her body. Her hair was pulled back in a half ponytail, pink strands framing her face.
“Hey.” I itched to pull her into my arms. Until we’d spoken, I wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do.
“Shall I come in?”
“Sorry, yes, of course.” I stepped aside and she brushed past me.
There was a strange formality between us which made my insides churn. Was I going to like whatever she was going to say? I shut the door behind her and took a deep breath to steady myself before turning back.
She sat cross-legged on the sofa and I went to join her, sitting just out of reach, trying to control the contradicting emotions raging inside me. Part of me wanted to kiss her, part of me wanted to kill her for being so unobtainable the past few days.
“So…” I began.
“Tris, I…” she said at the same time.
We both stopped speaking and I gestured to her to continue.
Saff nibbled on the skin around her thumbnail, a habit I noticed she had when she was nervous. My stomach dropped as I wondered what she was going to say.
“These past few days have been weird. Being on tour with the band, in close proximity to someone like Scott,” she sighed. “My head’s been all over the place.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Maybe left me a message or something instead of calling and hanging up.”
“It didn’t feel right.”
“Yeah, I guess saying ‘we’re over Tris, I’m with Scott Lincoln now’, is a pretty harsh message to leave.” I pushed a little, although I wasn’t ready if that was what she was going to say. I wasn’t ready for us to be over; didn’t want to hear her say I wasn’t right for her, but Scott Lincoln was.
Her eyes widened. “God, Tris, that’s about as far from the truth as you can get!” She swiped a hand across her face, brushing away tears. “I have absolutely no interest in that jerk. He’s the one who’s been trying to get with me this whole time, not the other way around. I’ve no idea why the fuck he posted the stupid picture. I told him to take it down, but he refused. I hated the way he was trying to make it look, like he and I were something we weren’t. It’s not like he needs the publicity right now, he’s got the music press hanging off his every sentence.” Her words tumbled out as she tried to explain “I’ve missed you so much. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so alone. I’m so sorry.” Her shoulders sagged and she swallowed hard as she apologised.
My mouth went dry, warmth expanding through my chest. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I don’t know. I kept trying to call you and we never seemed to be able to talk at the same time. It was hard.” Saff gaze swept around the hotel room. “And then you arranged this.”
“If you want to stay here tonight, you can.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Sounds like you don’t want me to. Or you’re not going to be here.”
Slowly, I shook my head. “There’s nothing I want more than for you to stay with me. Tonight, forever, I don’t mind.” My hand snaked across the sofa to reach for hers. She gripped me tightly, her grasp almost crushing my fingers.
“Forever works for me.” Carefully, she shifted closer until our thighs were touching. “Scott Lincoln means nothing to me. You’re my everything.” Her lips hovered inches from mine. “You said I could stay, right? And there’s still some time before the gig?”
Instantly, I knew what she was insinuating. And who was I to turn her down?
17
Saff
Tris’ lips crashed against mine, days of pent up frustration coming to release. His kisses were frantic; his tongue darting in and out of my mouth as he entwined his hand into my hair, the other pulling my body towards him. I drew back momentarily to pull the hoodie off, revealing only a bra beneath, before straddling him. His fingers traced the lace on the edge of the cups before sliding beneath and brushing over my nipples, which instantly hardened in response. I shivered. I’d missed this. Missed our closeness. Missed him. One of his hands snaked around to the small of my back, pulling me towards him and I could already feel his erection. I rocked against him arching my back, letting my head fall, wanting to feel him inside me. He continued to torment me, and I wriggled on his lap, the wetness growing between my legs.
“Wait,” I breathed.
I stepped back and kicked off my Converse before stripping off my remaining clothes. Tris followed suit and pushed me back on the sofa, covering me with his body, warm ski
n on mine.
I could barely breathe.
His lips brushed my temple, weaving a delicate path down the side of my jaw, along my neck and shoulder, peppering the line with tiny kisses. As pleasurable as it was, I ached to have him buried deep and squirmed underneath him, trying to hook my legs around his waist.
“Someone’s needy,” he whispered in my ear as he nibbled the lobe.
“Please, Tris…” I begged.
With a sigh, he adjusted his position before his hand glided down the curve of my middle, over my hipbone until it reached the place I wanted him the most. I shifted my body, showing him what I wanted. His hazel gaze bored into mine, as he slid one finger in then another, right up to the knuckle, pupils dilated so much they almost eclipsed the iris.
“Oh!” I gasped as he crooked the tips, hitting the exact spot, and I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by absolute intoxication. He possessed the ability to press every single button I had, making me come totally apart with the tiniest of touches.
When he withdrew his fingers and moved away from me, I felt empty, still needing more. I opened my eyes to see where he’d gone and lifted my head off the cushions to see him fumbling with a condom wrapper.
He paused then placed his knees either side of my hips, a smile hovering on his lips. “God, I’ve missed being with you.”
“Less than a week, Tris, less than a week,” I reminded him.
“Feels a hell of a lot longer when you’re not communicating with the one you love.”
I kind of felt I deserved that, but I didn’t want to think about it, not with him hovering above me, ready to fuck me into oblivion. Not wanting to talk any longer, I reached up and slid my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him towards me.
“Let’s not talk,” I murmured.
Without another word, he obeyed and thrust straight into me. My insides contracted and I revelled in the feeling of his cock filling me up. Whatever had happened over the past few days was obliterated by every pleasurable sensation now coursing through my veins. Every touch, every caress, every stroke was geared to complete gratification. We climbed together, rocking, quivering towards the crest, the intensity consuming us.
“I love you so much.” The words burst out right before the climax did.
Less than romantic, Tris grunted in response as he came with one final thrust.
But I knew he loved me too.
“Do you want to come and watch tonight’s set?” I asked, a while later.
We’d moved upstairs after round two and were snuggled up in bed on the mezzanine floor, limbs tangled together as if we couldn’t get close enough.
“Can’t we stay here?” Tris kissed the top of my head, his fingers sliding along the curve of my breast.
I arched my back in response. Every fibre of my body wanted to never leave this bed, to stay ensconced in this bubble and block reality out.
“I like your way of thinking, but there’s a sold out show at The Matchbox waiting for a support act to show up.”
“Pretend you’ve lost your voice,” he cajoled. “Surely that’s a good enough reason to miss the gig?”
“You.” I kissed his forehead. “Are.” The tip of his nose. “Incorrigible.” His lips. His soft, full lips.
He locked me in place as his mouth met mine, his kisses sending new spirals of ecstasy through my body. “You bring out the worst in me,” he murmured.
“I know,” I whispered back.
Much as I wanted to stay exactly where I was, Darren, Barney and Tommo would never forgive me if I didn’t make the gig. Reluctantly, I slithered out of Tris’ grasp and headed for the stairs. “I need to get a shower and get ready.” I could feel his gaze on my naked body as I padded down to the bathroom.
Underneath the jets of the shower, I closed my eyes feeling the water sluice over my heated skin. Rough fingers grazed my hipbones and I turned to face Tris. When he dropped to his knees in front of me, my legs threatened to give way. He clutched my buttocks and buried his face between my legs, the water cascading over the pair of us. His tongue found my clit, teasing it to arousal once again and my muscles began to shake.
I gasped as he slid a finger into me again, my wetness combined with the shower making it easy for him. Grabbing his shoulders to steady myself, I arched against him, my head falling backwards as his tongue tantalised me into total submission. The orgasm was building, the familiar twitch of my insides, nipples tightening and then a burst of fiery stars bringing my body to a quivering peak. “Jesus,” I breathed as he sat back on his haunches, his gorgeous eyes pleading with me to let him carry on. “Afterwards,” I sighed bending over and kissing the crook of his neck. “And all night. I want this more than you know.”
His hand swept along the length of my spine and I shivered, overwhelmed with physical and emotional sensations. I didn’t know how I was going to get through the night.
18
Tris
It was disappointing to have to leave the hotel. If I’d had my way, we would have stayed there all night.
Despite The Matchbox being in walking distance, it was quicker and easier to take a cab, particularly as Saff was already gig ready. Which meant little clothing and stripper heels. Not that I minded too much, she looked fucking incredible.
There were a few people hanging around outside the club when we arrived, mostly women. As the car drew up their heads snapped around expectantly, but their expressions dropped when Saff and I got out.
“Where’s Scott?” one of them called out to Saff.
She shrugged in response. “Why would I know?” She took my hand as if to make a point. “I’m here with my boyfriend.”
My heart swelled at her words.
The bouncer put an arm across the door as I tried to enter. “You’re not in the band. I can’t let you in yet.”
“He’s with me.”
“I don’t care. I don’t have anyone else on the VIP list for tonight except for a couple of people Mr Lincoln has personally requested.”
I almost scoffed at the way he said ‘Mr Lincoln’. Clearly Scott was highly thought of around these parts.
Saff shook her head. “That’s not true. Tris Judd should be on there. Darren arranged it.”
The bouncer mimicked her head shake. “Sorry, love. I don’t see it.”
“For fuck’s sake,” she hissed. “Surely you can let him in? He’s with me.”
“Everything okay here?” A voice came from behind the doorman and, sure enough, Scott Lincoln appeared, looking every inch the indie rock star. Scruffy, unkempt but perfectly styled hair. His skinny jeans and a Led Zeppelin t-shirt, coupled with a self-assured expression, completed the look.
I hated him so much right now.
“Scott, why did you have Tris taken off the guest list?”
Scott’s gaze raked me up and down, as if assessing the competition. “I didn’t think he’d be coming along. You know, not after everything that’s happened between us.”
My hands balled into fists. I knew he was saying it to get a rise out of me. And I couldn’t let him get to me. No matter how much I wanted to protect Saff.
Saff let out an angry breath. “How many times, Scott? Nothing happened between us. Nothing. And nothing ever will.”
He cocked his head to one side. “Really? Not even tonight? It is my homecoming after all.”
“Fuck off, Scott.” Saff barged past him and pulled me after her. “Tris is with me and no-one is stopping him coming in.”
Scott tailed us as we headed into the club. “You ready to sound check straight away? I don’t want to dismantle Trash Gun’s kit now, then have to set it up again after TheSB have done their check.”
Saff stopped abruptly at the door to the main room and Scott barrelled into the back of me. “When have I ever not been ready?”
“Then let’s do it.”
As the two of them found their way to the stage, I spotted Darren, Barney and Tommo at the bar and went to join them.
“
Tris!” Darren slapped me on the back. “Guess everything went to plan?”
A wide grin spread over my face. “Ha, yes. I’ll tell you about it, if you like.”
Darren grimaced. “No, you’re all right, mate. I don’t need that level of information.”
We laughed and I realised I’d missed Darren almost as much as I missed Saff. He really was a good friend.
A screech of feedback filled the hall and I winced, my attention drawn to the stage.
Saff had a mic in one hand, the lead wrapped around her hand as she prowled the floor to one side of the drum kit. Scott was the other side, in an almost identical pose.
He counted them in and began singing.
In fairness, the song was amazing and, if I was honest, Wasted By My Side was actually my favourite Trash Gun track. I wasn’t particularly in love with their music and sound, but it had been this song which had drawn me in the most. Hearing Saff sing the female part filled me with pride. I was so pleased for her, even if it had led to the issues with Scott in the first place. The tour would no doubt get TheSB much more publicity and if all went to plan, their rise to stardom could be just as rapid as Trash Gun’s.
Did I want that though?
Did I want Saff out on tour for weeks on end?
Did I want her being in close proximity to Scott Lincoln and other pretenders to his throne?
But I couldn’t stand in her way.
I wouldn’t.
“This really works, doesn’t it?” Darren nudged me. “Probably been the best received song every night.”
It didn’t surprise me. A popular song, given a new twist by an up and coming artist. What’s not to love?
My gaze went back to the stage, watching Saff and Scott play off each other, singing the lyrics with what seemed like restraint. I’m sure in the real performance later there would be much more to it.