by Tara Leigh
“Please.” The word emerged ragged, a breathless sound of appreciation.
What came out of Dax’s mouth was a long hiss, sharp and savage. He looked at me, that beautiful brow of his furrowed, skin pushing into an indent just above his nose. “You sure?”
Right then, I’d never been as sure of anything else in my whole life. “Yes,” I breathed, my hips already quivering with expectation.
Dax’s jaw twitched with tension, his teeth grinding together. He reached a hand between us, his frown smoothing, his eyes darkening with a fresh wave of lust. “Jesus, you’re so fucking wet.”
Another shiver, this one vibrating up my spine as his fingers swept inside my crease, his thumb flicking my clit. Moaning, I bit down on the hardness of Dax’s bicep. I was a feverish collection of bones and muscles and crazed nerve endings, completely at Dax’s mercy.
If he didn’t fuck me soon, I would die. I was sure of it.
Either Dax took pity on me, or his own desire was just as strong, because he choked out another curse, positioning himself dead center, then slowly, so slowly, began pushing into me.
My eyelids fell closed, my back arching so that my breasts pushed against Dax’s chest. God, he felt good. The pressure of him invading my slick heat, burrowing into the deepest part of me. It was dark and dirty and delicious.
And I still wanted more. So. Much. More.
Dax made it only a few inches before pulling out and starting over, this time with my slickness coating him, allowing for an easier entry. I hadn’t been with anyone in so long and never with anyone like Dax. He was making sex feel old and new at the same time. Like I’d done this dance before, but only in preparation for this exact moment.
Dax was holding himself back, I could hear it in the ragged edge to his breaths, see it in his muscles that quivered from restraint. He was taking care, going slow. And I loved it.
But I wanted to watch his control shatter. I wanted to be the reason his control shattered.
My hips bucked upward, meeting his latest thrust, and I felt him bottom out deep inside me.
Dax’s eyes squeezed shut, his face pinching into a scowl. “You’re so fucking tight.” He groaned. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
After what I had told him, Dax was treating me like a porcelain doll. But I was no one’s plaything. Not anymore. I could have reassured him, but I was so sick of words. Instead, I wrapped my hands around his back, curling my nails into claws.
And I dragged them from the base of his spine to the blades of his shoulders. Hard.
Dax grunted, his eyes flying open in surprise.
“I hurt you first,” I growled.
One corner of his mouth kicked up. “So that’s how you want to play this, huh?”
“You’re not going to break me, Dax.”
His stare burned right through me, and he gave a shallow nod. “You know you can stop this at any time, right?”
With him buried deep inside me, I fought not to roll my eyes. “There’s nothing to stop if you don’t get started.”
A chuckle rolled up his chest. “Oh, Verity. You have no idea what you’re in for.”
His gaze devoured the whole of my face as one hand snaked its way into my hair, pulling just enough that every nerve ending on my scalp woke up. He splayed his other hand across my throat, my pulse pounding against the pads of his fingertips.
Dax’s hips retreated, my body mourning the sudden emptiness. But it didn’t last long. His mouth descended on mine at the same time as his hips lunged forward, driving his entire length inside me in one thrust, his balls slapping my ass for just a second before he pulled out again.
I gasped into his mouth, his tongue darting against mine in a powerful kiss. Sensations rolled over me, every inch of my body tingling. In between kisses and thrusts, Dax’s throaty whisper filled my ear.
You’re so fucking beautiful.
I’ve wanted to fuck you, exactly like this, hard and raw, for so goddamn long.
I’m going to break you tonight, so fucking bad.
And then I’m going to put you back together, piece by piece.
His words were hot. His cock hotter. In an instant, I was burning up, everywhere.
“Not yet, princess,” he warned, flipping me over and arranging me so that my hands were braced on the hearth, my knees spread apart, sinking into the rug. Staring into the flames, I felt Dax’s hands run over my ass, studying my shape through his palms. Fingers dipped into my crease, running over the tight pucker, which jumped in surprise. But he only lined himself up with my wet slit, dropping a kiss at the base of my spine. “Another time.”
I never even considered doing that with anyone, but it wasn’t a question in my mind that I would do it for Dax. Just like I had no doubt that he would make it feel as good as everything else. But my thoughts scattered like confetti when he slid into me again, slowly at first. This time it wasn’t out of restraint, but because he knew I was so close to the edge. And I was. My breaths fell fast and shallow. I was making all kinds of noises I’d never heard before, little whines and whimpers, thrusting my ass with absolutely no shame whatsoever. I wanted this. I wanted him. I wanted.
It could have been seconds or minutes or hours. I was so tense and tight, just barely hanging on to the smooth, cool marble when his movements changed from slow teasing to well and truly fucking.
That control of his finally obliterated.
Dax’s powerful strokes invaded my body, each one deep and delicious. His hands were curled around my hips, his fingertips digging into my flesh. The slap of his skin meeting mine, the grunts dripping from his mouth, the dance of the flames in front of my face. My orgasm came on strong and fierce. I held on to the marble ledge for dear life, screaming Dax’s name as my entire world split apart. Behind me, though, Dax was still moving, still pounding into me, his movements drawing out my climax in an impossible assault of ecstasy that went on so long my arms began to tremble.
I was losing my grip on the marble.
I was losing my grip on reality.
Just in time, Dax grabbed me around my waist, pulling me up so that my back was flush with his chest, giving a final roar as he squeezed me tightly within his embrace, the wet pulse of him inside me sending another wave of aftershocks racing across my overwrought nerves.
I trembled, feeling a bone-deep contentedness I’d never known existed. My head lolled back on Dax’s shoulder, reveling in his strength, in his stamina, in his infinite, exquisite skill.
“I was wrong,” I whispered on a shattered breath. “You broke me. I am ruined.”
He chuckled, squeezing me just a little tighter. “That’s the point. You are beautifully broken. Ruined for any other man but me.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Dax
I’m down here,” I called, knowing exactly who had slammed my front door. I was sprawled on the sectional, staring into the fire that had been burning since last night. Not sure if I was in the burning pit of hell or if this was what heaven looked like: a shag rug topped by a tangle of pillows and blankets, the scent of sex in the air.
Travis’s shoes slapped the stairs in rapid procession. Tearing my gaze away from the flames, I immediately noted his reddened face, set off by a crisp white shirt and immaculately tailored navy suit. “What the fuck, Dax.” It wasn’t a question.
Verity had left just a few minutes ago, off to meet Piper for something—the details of which Travis obviously knew, hence his perfect timing.
Travis wasn’t glaring at me, looking for an answer. But he sure as hell wanted an explanation.
I didn’t have one.
Against all reason and judgment, I’d fallen for Verity Moore.
Hard.
I glanced up at him just in time to see his eyes slide to the fire, to the pillows and blankets, to the water and wine and the empty box of graham crackers we’d polished off during the night.
A deep sigh rattled his lungs. “Seriously, Dax. What the fuck are you doing?”
/> This time he was ready for an answer. If only I had one to give.
An image from last night burrowed its way to the forefront of my consciousness. Verity, her eyelids heavy but her eyes contented and glowing, lit from within. Orange light licking at her creamy skin. Lips swollen and dark from our kisses. Her features soft and sweet and angelic.
An angel who’d been well and truly fucked—and was damn pleased about it.
Glimmers of hope, of possibility, came at me like rain. I was drenched in them, wanting a life filled with nights like the last one. But the clouds above could just as easily mete out daggers of lightning as a gentle mist. Lightning that would leave me treading on scorched earth, seeking shelter inside a house on fire.
Guilt stirred inside the pit of my stomach, pitching and clawing at my intestines. Making me sick. Completely disgusted with myself for wanting something—someone—I didn’t deserve to have. Not when I was still legally bound to another.
Travis’s eyes drilled holes into my skull, seeing the mess inside. Reading the situation I’d gotten myself into, he rocked back on his heels, his eyebrows arching as he switched tactics. “You and Verity, huh?”
I wanted to deny the truth staring us both in the face, tell a lie that would put an end to this awkward conversation, but even if my tongue could shape the words, my brain was fried. Too panicked by the truth to successfully deceive a poodle, let alone Travis Taggert.
“What about it?”
Travis exhaled a deep sigh and perched on the arm of the sectional, smoothing a nonexistent wrinkle from his pants. “First of all, I was quite clear that I expected all of you to keep your dicks in your pants when it came to Verity. I’d like to get through one tour—just one fucking tour—without the whole damn thing exploding in my face.”
He jumped to his feet, walking to the window and staring out at the ocean as he rubbed at the back of his neck. “And second, Verity’s the real deal, Dax. As her manager, I don’t want her distracted. But as a human being, this girl has been through the ringer. Are you planning on being just another douchebag in the long line of them she’s had to step over to get to where she is now, where she wants to be?”
It was the same question I’d been asking myself, practically since I first met her. The same question she’d asked me last night. An old-fashioned one. What are your intentions?
The only thing I knew for sure was that I would never hurt her. Never again, anyway. “No.”
At the barely audible syllable I managed to push through my lips, Travis spun around, his expression as if I’d dropped a bomb. “No?”
I licked my lips, cleared my throat. “No,” I repeated, louder this time. “Not goin’ to be just another asshole in her life.”
Travis merely stood by the window, his posture expectant.
Damn him.
“I’m serious. I don’t want to fuck things up. Not with Verity. Not with the tour. Not with the band.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I hope you can juggle as well as you play guitar.”
Could I? I’d never been able to before. Not sure I should expect things to be different now.
Except—Verity was different. She wasn’t like any woman I’d ever known. Not even Amelia. Especially not Amelia. And I was different, too. Older. Maybe even wiser.
Travis walked back into the living room, reclaiming his seat. “When Delaney became more to Shane than just another woman in a long line of them, I wasn’t happy about it—at all. I was downright furious, if you want to know the truth. I thought you four needed to have complete allegiance to each other, and to me, in order to remain at the top of your game.”
I angled my body toward Travis, giving him my full attention. To say that he was the least introspective person I’d ever met would be an understatement.
“But I was wrong.” The words skated through his mouth on a gritty chuckle. “Shane is as focused on NBT as he’s ever been. And he’s happy. Meanwhile, Landon nearly destroyed his career with that drunken stunt of his and has been hiding in rehab for the past couple of months. Jett is fucking his way through the entire female population of L.A., and trying to pretend that that’s all he wants out of life.
“Dax, if you can find some joy in this crazy life we’ve all signed up for, you should grab it with both hands and not let go. Apparently being happy isn’t a career killer.” He tossed a wry smile my way, lifting his shoulders in a shrug. “Who knew?”
Choose happy. I blinked at Travis now, wondering if Shane had shared the advice his brother had given him. “Who are you and what have you done with my shark of an agent?”
“I know. I’ve gone soft, and it’s all Shane’s and Delaney’s fault.” His voice turned almost wistful. “Hard to be around them without wanting a little bit of what they have.”
I nodded. Love. Mutual respect. Happiness. I had felt the warmth of their genuine affection coming off them in waves that night in New York, each one hitting me hard. “Yeah.”
“Think you and Verity have a slice of that?”
A groundswell of emotions rose in me, and the similarity to what I’d seen between Shane and Delaney was unmistakable. “Yes.” My answer was immediate.
“Then maybe you should take the crap you’ve gone through as warning sign, not a roadblock.”
Appreciate the road taken and go where you heart leads you.
Maybe that damn horoscope had been right. Maybe my heart had led me to Verity.
“You playin’ matchmaker these days?”
Travis reached over, slapping my knee as he stood up. “Yep. And don’t worry, I’ll invoice you for my services.”
I grunted. Travis was the best at what he did, but he didn’t come cheap. “I’m sure you will. And make sure those services include severing all ties to Amelia, once and for all.”
“Consider it done.” He started for the stairs, turning back to face me when he was about halfway up. “Does Verity know?”
There was so much I still hadn’t told Verity, I needed Travis to be more specific. “Know what?”
“That you’re in love with her.”
Panic clutched at my chest. That four-letter word was terrifying. L-O-V-E. And the most terrifying part about it…it was one hundred percent true.
Travis’s mouth twitched once before lifting into a full-fledged grin. “Thought so. You might want to fix that, by the way.”
I barely heard the front door close over the roar in my brain.
I loved Verity Moore.
It was the ultimate irony.
I’d fallen in love with a pop princess.
That’s “disgraced pop princess” to you.
I’d fallen in love with a gorgeous redheaded wiseass. A woman whose powerful voice was exceeded only by her bravery.
My attraction to Verity went beyond skin-deep, burrowing into every corner of her soul. Even the parts she’d exposed to me and the dark places she wasn’t quite ready to reveal yet. That was okay…We had time.
Because I wasn’t going anywhere.
Last night the connection between us had been obvious, a heat that melted all of our edges just enough to leave us fused together. A connection that had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with…everything. Every. Fucking. Thing.
I’d spent half the night just staring at her. Watching her eyes flutter in sleep and wanting to know what was going on inside that pretty little head of hers. Running hot hands over her body, memorizing each curve and hollow, savoring every sweet moan and soft sigh.
We showered together this morning, and even knowing she’d be back in a few hours, it had been painful to watch her walk out my front door.
I finally got up. I couldn’t sit around my house and mope all day. I didn’t feel like surfing or writing songs, either.
I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
Verity
“You’re really going to eat pasta in front of me?” I stared incredulously across the table at Piper after she placed her order. I’d left Dax’s
house early to tape a segment with one of the morning radio shows, and now we were meeting Delaney for lunch before an afternoon meeting with a designer to begin planning my costumes for the tour. In an hour I would be naked, every inch of my body measured. It was bad enough that I’d eaten hot dogs and s’mores with Dax last night. I could not indulge in pasta today.
Piper leveled an apologetic smile my way as she rubbed her swollen belly. “Sorry. Firefly loves the gnocchi here.”
Truthfully, I was in too good of a mood to be annoyed about eating a bowl of lettuce dressed with lemon juice. Last night had been amazing. Better than amazing. I’d had so many orgasms that I was still feeling little zings of pleasure every time my thighs brushed together.
The salad Delaney ordered wasn’t quite as boring as mine, but nowhere near Piper’s choice. She pointed a finger at me and made a circling motion. “Okay, I want to know what that smile is all about.”
“It’s been on her face all day,” Piper interjected. “I thought she would have burst open and told me everything already, but so far all I’ve gotten is that smile.”
I couldn’t help it; my grin only grew wider. Trying to conceal it, I bit down on the straw of my iced tea—unsweetened, unfortunately. “What, I can’t be in a good mood?”
Piper and Delaney exchanged a look, then stared back at me. “You were chatting with that radio show DJ like he was your long-lost cousin. The man is probably planning a Verity Moore marathon and setting up a shrine to you right now.”
Delaney laughed. “You might want to let him down easy, seeing as you’re clearly wrapped up in someone else.”
“Fess up,” Piper added. “Firefly wants to know.”
“What are you going to do when you can’t use your pregnancy as a reason for everything?”
Piper shrugged, not a drop of remorse on her flawless face. “I’m thinking lactation might be effective.”
I grimaced. “Seriously? Blech.”
She pointed at me. “See. That’s exactly what I’m going for. No one’s going to argue with me when I have nipple power.”