by Haley Travis
This was actually happening. A tiny buzzing ring flashed through me for an instant. It was finally the right time for sex, and thank goodness it was with Nate. In a moment of bravery, I wriggled out of my dress completely, standing in front of him in just my bra and panties.
"Jesus Christ," he muttered. "Trisha, you're more beautiful than my wildest dreams."
He fell to his knees before me, kissing across my stomach as he gripped my hips. It felt like he was taking hold of me completely, and I was surprised that I wanted him to. I needed to give him my body to do anything he liked.
Reaching up, he unhooked my bra, pulling it off and throwing it behind him dramatically. I giggled, then gasped as his teeth nipped my skin slightly as he traveled along my hip bone. He grabbed my ass, holding me against him with one hand while he slid my panties down slowly with the other. His lips trailed lower and lower.
Then the fabric hit the floor as he kissed along the very top of my mound in a slow arc. “If you want me to stop, just tell me," he murmured. "Otherwise, I really need to eat dessert now."
I began to giggle, but he grabbed me around the waist, tossing me onto the bed. Damn, how did he get so strong?
"Every inch of you is so gorgeous, baby," he murmured, stroking my thighs as he kissed along my stomach again. Then he moved lower, spreading my legs gently.
His eyes met mine for a moment, and I nodded. That was the only signal he needed, his thumbs spreading my delicate skin open as the tip of his tongue began lightly flicking and dancing everywhere. Placing his tongue over my opening, he dragged it straight through the center. My spine arched, and I pressed my lips tightly together, trying to hold back my moaning.
Nate looked up at me with a grin, then gave my hip a shake. "Don't you dare be quiet, baby. I've been dying to hear your little noises for a long time."
He spread me wider, his breath so warm as he began gently licking along every fold. He seemed to be exploring every inch of my skin, listening to what made me gasp.
Nate's thick middle finger began to circle my entrance, and he stared at it for a moment before looking up at me. "It is driving me crazy how wet you are," he grinned.
His finger began to sink inside me slowly, purposefully. His tongue flattened against my clit, making me cry out. It was so intimate. It was also strange that he was fully clothed, and I was completely naked. Being completely under his spell was a bit overwhelming.
I tried to control my breathing, as it had degraded into gasping little pants. His tongue began to flick upward across my clit, over and over. His finger pulled completely out, then slid inside me, making me moan again. His speed increased, as my head fell back, my eyes closed as I tried not to drown from the wave of sensations overtaking me.
"Look at me," he murmured. "Please, baby, let me watch you."
Rolling my head up, his eyes locked with mine. I couldn't believe the sexy view of Nate's gorgeous face between my thighs as he licked me harder. My hands gripped the back of his thick hair, trying to tell him through touch that I was already close.
The entire lower half of my body began to throb, as pressure built deep inside me. He must have added a second finger, because I suddenly felt even more full.
Nate was breathing slightly harder, his eyes glazed, as if this was the most exciting moment of his entire life. Fighting to keep my eyes open, I realized I was pulling his hair but couldn't stop. Pleasure began bursting through me in deep hot waves, making time seem to slow down.
My pulse hammered as I could suddenly feel every single inch of my entire body. A long, low wail filled the room as I came wildly, shaking as the waves overtook me. It finally began to subside slowly, until I was left in a boneless puddle of absolute bliss.
His tongue moved lower as he removed his fingers, lapping around my open pussy lips for a moment. I giggled as it turned a bit ticklish.
He moved slowly upward, crawling along my body with a trail of kisses until he sucked my nipple into his mouth again. Clutching him against me, I needed to try to make him feel amazing too. My body was sprawled across the bed like a blissed-out disaster.
Nate settled beside me, kissing along the side of my throat before meeting my lips. Then he moaned. “Every part of you is so delicious, baby.”
Turning more toward him, my hand gravitated to his chest again. I needed him naked. Both of us naked. It was like he had started a fire inside me and it would take both of us to put it out.
He leaned back a bit to stare into my eyes, and I couldn’t let him think that I was hesitating. “More,” I breathed, pulling him by the shoulder to kiss me again.
My hand slid down his chest to unbuckle his belt as a soft murmur escaped his throat. He obviously enjoyed it when I was slightly aggressive. I steeled myself to use that to my advantage, as I fought with his belt, then began to unbutton his jeans.
I honestly couldn’t believe that this was about to happen, and that I was so relaxed about it.
Chapter Twelve ~ Nate
* Phone Calls *
“Trisha, I’ve waited so–”
A loud series of beeps interrupted me. “Dammit, I’m sorry,” I muttered, jumping up and diving for my phone. “That’s Dave’s ring,” I explained. “He’s already back in California.”
She wrapped the comforter around herself. “It’s okay.”
"What's up?" I answered. I knew that he would be able to tell from my tone that this wasn't a great time to chat.
"Nate, I am so sorry. I know you said you have a date tonight. But you need to get on a plane in just over two hours."
My heart dropped like a stone. "What?"
"You know how the different departments in the Love Rockers show don't speak to each other? The promotions people set you up for an interview on the Scout Jemmons show tomorrow morning. They thought you were in California right now."
"Fuck."
"I know. I'm really sorry. Get packed and in a car as fast as you can, and bribe the driver to floor it. I'm emailing you tickets, and I'll get you in the express lane."
"Thanks, Dave, I–"
"Pack. Go. Now."
Dropping my phone, I felt my hands running through my hair. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." I looked up to see Trisha on her knees on the bed, looking terrified.
I ran to her, grabbing her in my arms and kissing her forehead. "I am so sorry, but I have to be packed and in a car immediately to fly to California."
She jumped up, and at first I thought she was angry. She certainly had every right to be. But she pulled her clothes back on at lightning speed, then instantly began throwing all of my belongings on the bed.
"Grab your suitcase," she ordered. Before I could even wrap my head around the fact I was leaving her, she had me packed, and had double checked every corner of the suite for forgotten notes or phone chargers. I adored how efficient she was when there was work to be done.
Trisha grabbed her purse and hurried downstairs with me. A black town car was waiting with the driver standing by the door. "Nate Roberts?"
“Yeah,” I nodded.
"Dave just sent me a hell of a tip to get you to the airport in half the time. Jump in and hold on." He was already tossing my suitcase in the trunk when I turned to Trisha.
Without even thinking, I grabbed her and kissed her. "I'm so sorry," I said. "I'll find a way–"
"Text me when you get there," she said quickly. "I understand. Work comes first. Go."
Giving her one more hot, deep kiss, I jumped into the car, looking back to see her wave as we zoomed out of the parking area. Feeling like a complete asshole, I sent her a text before I even had my seatbelt on, sliding across the leather as we took a turn at high speed.
Me: Thank you for understanding. Worst possible timing, right?
She answered me in seconds.
Trisha: Yeah. Or maybe it was the universe saying that we should slow down?
Me: NO. Not in the slightest.
Trisha: It’s odd. We know the old versions of each other so well, but in the present, we have to
get to know each other all over again.
Me: You’re right. And I’m looking forward to it.
There was a pause. I liked that she took her time, but I was dying of curiosity.
Trisha: So am I. But I’m worried that this version of me isn’t interesting enough to hold your attention.
Me: I think you’re incredibly interesting. Trust me, you’re everything I’ve ever wanted and much more.
Me: More than I deserve. More than I could dream of.
Trisha: I have to get on the streetcar. Have a boring flight.
Me: Boring? You’re wishing boredom on me?
Trisha: LOL
Trisha: A flight is where you want zero excitement. Everything totally normal, to the point of absolute boredom.
Me: Gotcha. Have a boring streetcar ride.
Trisha: ;)
***
The next morning, I somehow rolled into the TV studio running on three hours of awkward airplane sleep, and a massive coffee.
Even though this was one of the top-rated morning talk shows, Scout asked me pretty much the same questions as everyone else. Sometimes it depressed me that people who looked like they were at the top of their career were absolutely no more talented than the rest.
I fought to keep my energy up, trying to look as enthusiastic as possible about my big win. I was nearly bursting from wanting to tell the world that I’d actually won an even bigger prize.
The second I finished the rather bland but apparently well-viewed interview, Dave directed me into a room backstage where I spent a full hour taking photos and hugging excited fans who had won a contest to see me.
It was touching how much they loved my songs, but my eardrums wished they’d lower their voices a bit. The high pitched squeals were draining what energy I had left.
“Did you find her?” a petite girl with amazing natural red hair asked, her eyes wide.
I took a photo with her friend while I considered my answer. “Here’s the thing. If I do find her someday, I won’t be able to tell everyone and post pictures of us together. She’s really shy. And for all I know, she might be happily married.”
“No way,” she said, her eyes blazing. “You’re going to find her, and you’re going to write more songs about her. I just know it.”
She was so ridiculously cute that I reached out for a high-five. “I hope you’re right.”
Finally, I was led out the back door and into a car, with Dave taking care of my suitcase and coat. I was in a daze as I shuffled into my hotel room, but pulled out my phone.
Me: Interview went well, I think. About to faceplant into a bed. The only thing that could possibly keep me awake would be you here. Naked.
Yanking off everything but my shorts, I crawled into bed, then my phone beeped.
Trisha: Even if we were naked together, I’d force you to sleep right now. Sweet dreams, rockstar boy.
Me: xox
***
When I woke up, it looked like sunset out the window, but I had no way to be sure. Without even checking the time, I grabbed my phone and called Trisha.
"How did it go?" she asked. I was so relieved that she didn't sound irritated. I couldn’t imagine a woman being thrilled at a man having to take off at the ring of a phone.
"It was pretty good, I think. The production assistants were a lot friendlier than the host, which seems to always happen," I laughed.
"But you've got to promote your new band, and the new Love Rockers album?"
"Yes, although it's still not a hundred percent clear whether I'm doing the album. Dave has a lawyer going over the deal."
“Why wouldn't you want to do it? Wouldn't it have some automatic sales just because of the show? Brand recognition is huge."
I grinned to myself. "I love that you know about this stuff. The thing is, they have some say in the content of the album. It has to be all love songs to stick with the theme. I just don't know whether that would be boring for ten songs in a row. You know?"
"Maybe. But did they specify what kind of love songs?"
"What do you mean?"
She paused for a second. "Well, they don't all have to be a love song about a girl, do they? You love coffee. You love going out to see live bands. You love living in the city. Maybe one or two of the songs could be inspirational and uplifting, which is what they’re probably really looking for. Just a slightly different topic."
"Holy shit,” I muttered. "You're right."
"Also," she said slowly, "I don't know if this is a stupid question. But when you do an album for the show, you would have a band playing the other instruments in the recording studio, right?"
"Yes."
"Who chooses the musicians?"
"I'm not sure." I pulled my notebook over to make a note to ask Dave. "They had amazing house musicians for the live show, and I think the winners of the first two cycles used that band for their albums. But I don't know if it's set in stone that it has to be them."
"Why couldn't you use your band?" she asked. “Or even split it up, and have the show’s house band play on the songs you've already done on the show, and have your band play on the rest? Is there any reason you can't mix it up?"
"Huh." My pen tapped against my book for a moment. "People don't usually do that, but they might not have a problem with it."
"They’re probably getting worried that you haven't decided yet," she said. "So if this is the thing holding you back, why not make them a deal? They’ll make money. The house band doesn't feel slighted. Your band gets the promotion. The world gets an album of love songs."
I laughed. "You are going to get along with Dave so well."
She snickered. "I tend to think like a machine. What are all logical options, what will work, what will break?"
"You're amazing," I said.
"Hey – I'm just making suggestions as a total outsider," she said.
"You're hardly an outsider," I chuckled, sitting up and stretching a bit. "As soon as we get everyone together, you are going to be in the inner circle."
I would have bet a hundred dollars that she was rolling her eyes at me. "The inner circle sounds a bit conspicuous. I'll just hang out around the outer ring," she laughed.
“It’s so amazing just being able to call you can talk to you whenever I want,” I said, finding myself turning from light to serious in a blink. “I still can’t quite believe that I found you. I searched everywhere for you. I didn’t think you’d be on social media anywhere, but I scoured every site I could find.”
I could almost hear her grin. “I’m only on one site.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,” she laughed softly. “It’s a book review site. But I’m under the name Queen Grey Tea.”
I paused until she laughed louder, then I chuckled with her. “If Earl Grey tea is so amazing, tea for the Queen would be even better,” I laughed.
“There you go.”
“I love the way your mind works,” I said.
Hearing a tap at the door, I yawned. “Sorry. Dave’s here. I have to go.”
“Have a good night.”
“You too, baby.” I hung up, then hollered, “Come in.”
Dave came in and set a huge coffee down on the coffee table as he sat on the couch. “Drink up. Tonight and tomorrow are going to be interesting.”
Knowing that was his way of warning me that the schedule was brutal, I flopped down beside him and started chugging.
Eventually his list would make sense. But for a full minute, I enjoyed the taste of deep, smoky caffeine, and the knowledge that my sweet girl was never going to be more than a phone call away ever again.
Chapter Thirteen ~ Trisha
* Trips and Gifts *
Wednesday afternoon I was actually ahead of my work. Gary had asked me to create a manual that explained exactly what I had set up for the live broadcast system, but then I lost most of a day with that sudden live stream. I finally finished the first draft, but stopped him when he was coming back from lunch.
"Hey, Gary, you didn't tell me why you wanted this manual created. It would help me with some of the details if I knew who it was intended for. Is it so that someone else could take over if I caught the flu?"
He sighed heavily, then shook his head. "No, actually, it's for my brother Warren."
"Oh." I couldn't camouflage my obvious surprise. "Do you want me to send it to him so that he can duplicate what we have?"
“That was my first thought.” He cocked his head, giving me his best smile that instantly implied he was about to ask for a favor. "But now I'm hoping that you can set it up for them. I already sent the gear list you had given me last month. They are going to start setting it up, and you're going to fly there to oversee it, make sure it works, and get it running."