“Congrats to The Sinful Seven for an epic album,” Caleb chimes. “It was a pleasure working with all of you. Let’s do it again real soon!” We all hold up our glasses for a toast and wash down the smooth champagne that Caleb was kind enough to send.
Laughter fills the room as everyone lightens up with a bit of bubbly.
All the while, our music softly plays in the background so everyone can enjoy the album before its public release.
A gentle hand on my arm has me spinning around to acknowledge my guest. “Arisha, I’m so glad you could come.” Leaning in, I brush my lips against her soft cheek. Not sure if it’s the proper thing to do, but hell I’m a bit tipsy if you want the truth.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Thanks so much for the invitation and for letting me sit in on some of the recordings. So many musicians, myself included, don’t like anyone staring and fawning all over them. I must admit, you’re the exception to the rule. Maybe it’s because you’re just starting out and it doesn’t faze you yet.”
“Or maybe I have an oversized ego and I like people watching me.” She’s momentarily stunned and then chuckles, but I know I’m not wrong in my assumption.
“Not at all, Lucas. There’s a big difference between ego and assuredness. You’re comfortable in your own skin and that’s going to work to your benefit onstage. If I were a betting woman, I’d wager you’ll hit platinum with your first album.”
I’m shocked she’d say this, but since she’s been in the business for so long, I hope she knows something that I don’t. “You flatter me, but thanks for the vote of confidence. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to rescue my girl from the likes of Greg.” You thought I was a womanizer? You haven’t met Greg.
“Now jealousy is a whole different ball game,” Arisha says. Nervous laughter ensues until she reaches out before I can leave. “When the festivities are over, I’d really love to talk to you. Alone.”
Okay, I didn’t see that one coming. She’s a beautiful woman but I hope to god she doesn’t proposition me. It might be a bit presumptuous of me, but I could tell you some crazy stories you wouldn’t believe. “Abby and I will come find you when we get ready to leave.” I don’t wait for her response, I walk away. It might be rude, but now I’m going to wonder what the fuck she needs to speak to me about.
The whole celebration is something right out of a movie. Almost like an Oscar party, but without all the fancy tuxes and dresses. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Everyone’s on cloud nine and we couldn’t be happier with the way the album turned out. Distraction is something we’re all very proud of.
When the guests begin leaving, we make sure to thank them for coming to celebrate with us. I can’t help tensing when I see Arisha approach in my peripheral vision. I never mentioned anything to Abby about it, in case she’d change her mind. But it’s clear she has her sights set on me and she’s determined to have that talk.
“Lucas, I realize it’s late, so we can always schedule our talk for another time,” she says. “I don’t want to take you away from your guests.” Oh hell no, I just want to get it over and done with.
“Unnecessary. Why don’t we go into the kitchen where we can have some privacy? Let me go grab Abby.” Once again, she squeezes my arm. Stopping me.
“With all due respect, Lucas, it’s best if we do this alone.” With sexual harassment being as rampant as it is, the last thing I want is to be alone with her. Especially since she’s being so cryptic and not giving me any pertinent information.
“Can I ask you a question?” When she nods, I continue. “Whatever you need to talk to me about, would you feel comfortable speaking to me in this crowded room?” When she turns a ghostly white, I have my answer. “I didn’t think so. Let me grab Abby.” This time she doesn’t try stopping me. Didn’t think so.
I stalk toward Abby and when she notices me, she excuses herself and meets me halfway. “What’s wrong?” My baby knows me better than she realizes.
“Arisha wants to talk to me, and it’s freaking me the fuck out. I have no idea what she wants, but I need you by my side.”
“You look worried. Should I get Quinn or the guys to come with us?” Why did I wait so long to make this girl mine? ‘Cause I’m an idiot, that’s why.
“No. She specifically asked to speak to me alone.” My gut tells me to run the other way, but curiosity has me moving in her direction. And if I can read her body language, she’s dreading this talk as much as I am.
***
Abby
The way her eyes dart back and forth between Lucas and me is a telltale sign that she’s nervous. Without a doubt, Arisha doesn’t want me in here. I’ve no idea why she insisted on talking to him alone, but we’ll soon find out.
“First, I’d like to start off by saying that your father and I go way back,” Arisha says. “In fact, we met when I was very young, singing in some seedy dives. He promised to make me a star…” The tormented look on Lucas’s face stops her mid-sentence. He looks devastated, but why?
I don’t understand what’s happening, but when Lucas holds up his hands in surrender, my heart bleeds. “Just stop! If this conversation is heading where I think it is, then I don’t want to hear another word. I’m fucking sick and tired of all the lies and deceit. You don’t need to continue, since I can read between the lines. Now it’s clear why you wanted to talk to me alone. Come on Abby, let’s get the fuck out of here.”
Everything happens so fast that I’m taken aback when he grabs my hand, rushing me out the door. But I freeze in my tracks when Arisha pleads, “I’m your mother, Lucas. I’ve waited so long for this moment and I know you’re upset, but please listen to me.”
Mother?
Goosebumps dot my flesh when he spins around and stalks over to her. He’s furious, and his wrath is frightening. Lucas hangs his head, and without realizing it I wrap my arms around him. He’s shaking so badly that I desperately try to hold him together. Did he know? One minute he’s insecure in my arms and the next he rips free. I watch in horror as he gets in her face.
“Are you the reason we won this record deal? Tell me or I swear I’ll…”
“Absolutely not. It was a unanimous decision. I had no idea when Caleb reached out, asking if I wanted to be a judge. I swear to you, I didn’t know the bands who were auditioning until the day I stepped foot into the building. I’ll admit, I was so damn proud when I realized you were one of them. You deserved a fair chance just like any other band. Whether I was on the panel or not. Caleb has no idea I’m your birth mother. The Sinful Seven is going to be well-known without any help from your father and me. This is all you.”
I’m still in shock…. I can’t believe any of this is happening. Arisha, the queen of pop, is Lucas Knight’s mother? What about Mrs. Knight? Where does she fit in?
“I was hoping you’d come find me when you turned eighteen, but I didn’t realize you didn’t know until I confronted your dad. I’m so sorry you had to find out the way you did.”
“Bullshit! If you loved me half as much as you claim, why did you leave me in that house filled with hate? Didn’t you stop to think for one minute that it would be a toxic environment for a child to grow up in? I grew up thinking my mother detested me because she hated the fact that I wanted to be a musician. Only after learning the truth did I realize she hated me. Every time she looked at me she saw YOU! The bastard child that no one wanted. I’m so done. We had the talk, so my answer to you is leave me the fuck alone. I don’t want to ever see you again!” Storming off, he grabs my hand and pulls me along with him.
Sobs fill the room as she breaks down, and a part of me wants to console her. But the other part of me holds back because the man I love is hurting and he needs me more than Arisha does.
Silence greets us when we round the corner. Everyone’s staring at us as Arisha’s sobs fill the quiet space. Caleb rushes past, he doesn’t speak, but his glare is enough to kill Lucas dead in his tracks. Lucas twirl
s his index finger in the air, gesturing for the party to continue, but I think the joyous occasion is over. All three of his band members join us.
“We heard every damn word. What the hell’s going on?” Jet’s fuming, but there’s also compassion in his eyes.
“Good, now it’s out in the open and everyone knows how I feel,” he says. “Don’t let me spoil your good time. I’ll call an Uber.” I give them an apologetic look as I walk past, but I’m not surprised when all of them follow. We proved that we’re a united front, and by doing so they just solidified that they all have his back.
We barely make it outside before Lucas punches the brick wall of the building. Jet stops him from doing it again. “Are you fucking crazy? If you bust your hand, there goes the concerts and everything we worked toward for so long. Talk to us, Lucas.”
“Remember when I told you I was a bastard child from my father’s affair? Well, now you know who he was fucking! Arisha is my birth mother, but she didn’t have the balls to keep me. I seriously can’t do this right now. I need to go home.”
“Holy shit, Lucas. Yeah, let’s get the fuck out of here.” No one dares breathe a word all the way home. And I’m afraid if they did, Lucas would lose his shit. Now that we’re on our way home, he looks lost and alone.
When Trevor pulls up to the loft, Lucas opens the door. I start to slide out, too, until he directs me to stop where I am.
“Do me a solid and make sure Abby gets home safe and sound.” I protest, but he continues. “I need to be alone, baby. I’ll text you later.” When he slams the door, I’m the one who feels lost and alone. Trevor doesn’t blink an eye, he just honks and off we go.
“Have you guys lost your fucking minds?” They flinch and Willow turns around with tears in her eyes.
“When he gets like this, it’s best to just leave him alone. He’ll be fine in the morning.”
“Stop the car. Now!” I shout. “He just found out about his mother after twenty-three years. I don’t think he’s fine, I think he’ll lose his shit. You witnessed him punching the wall, right? I’m going to be there to pick up the pieces whether he likes it or not. Let me the fuck out now, Trevor. Seriously, you don’t want to mess with me!” He skids to a stop and I dart out the door.
I’m winded by the time I run the six blocks. Christ, I didn’t think he had driven that far but I’m gasping and I know I’m not that out of shape. I’m pissed when I see the out-of-order sign on the elevator once again. Great. Four flights of stairs just might do me in.
Soft music emanates from his loft as I stand in front of the door. I take a minute to focus on the lyrics and the sultry voice, but then I know it’s Arisha. Why does he torture himself this way? I don’t bother knocking, I try sliding the door instead. And when it opens, I breathe a sigh of relief.
30
Lucas
I often wondered what people meant when they said they were broken. All I could picture was the nursery rhythm about Humpty Dumpty and how he couldn’t be put back together again. Well, I guess now I know, since that’s how I’ve been feeling since I overheard the conversation between Landon and his mother. And, if I had any more pieces left, tonight just crushed them all. My birth mother chose her career over her own flesh and blood, and that hurts me to my core. No one wanted me, so my father was forced to raise his bastard child. The ironic thing is, I look exactly like her, but never in a million years would I have put two and two together. How could I?
To add fuel to the fire, I popped up her songs on Spotify and have been torturing myself ever since walking through the door. I know. I’m a glutton for punishment. What can I say?
Her voice resonates around the high ceilings and bounces off the walls when I scream at the top of my lungs, “Why didn’t you love me enough to keep me?”
I startle when Abby whispers, “It’s her loss, Lucas.”
Abby? What the fuck is she doing here? I’m sitting on the sofa and I can’t turn around because I know if I do, I’ll lose it. “Remind me to thank Trevor for taking you home.”
“Well, don’t be too harsh on him. He tried, but when I opened the door while the car was still moving, he really didn’t have a choice.” This time I glance up and see her creeping toward me. Baby steps, but she’s slowly making her way into my space and then does a three-sixty toward the kitchen. Hmm, okay. But I hide my smile when she struts out with a bag of frozen veggie mix. My baby wants to take care of my hand, because god knows she’s already jumpstarted my heart.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I blow out a breath. “I’m not very good company. I just need some time alone to figure all of this shit out, and I can’t do it with you here.”
“I think that’s where you’re wrong. We don’t need to talk, but I’m not leaving until the swelling in your hand goes down. If you’re a good boy, I have a real quick cure for the pain.” Yeah, I bet she does. It would take my mind off of all this BS, for sure, but for only a short window of time.
“Abby, don’t. Tonight’s not the night to poke the bear.” Why did I think she’d listen to me? She gets closer and closer, and in one swift motion she’s straddling me. And placing the frozen bag against my hand. She’s so gentle. So Abby.
“Let me make you feel good, Lucas, and then you can return the favor.” When I grab her hips, the bag slides to the floor with a thump. “Well, I guess we’re going to start with the pain management before the swelling.” A sexy wink has her grinning from ear to ear.
“Something else is swollen and needs your undivided attention,” I command, before my mouth crashes into hers. If I have my way, this girl’s never going home. Ever!
Grabbing the back of her neck, I take back control. Thrusting my tongue inside of her mouth like I’m going to do to her sweet pussy in just a few minutes. She just fuels the fire when her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer. Hearts beating, blood pumping, and she’s grinding against me. Instinct takes over and my hips thrust against her mound even though we’re fully clothed. When she moans into my mouth, I lose it. I grab her ass and stride over to the bed while our mouths are still fused together. Hot, pulsing need runs through my veins.
Her chest is heaving as we break apart. Air rushes into my lungs as I use one hand to yank off her shirt and the other to unbutton her jeans. She’s a big help when she wiggles her hips to slide out of them. Her bra and panties are next, and when she parts her silky thighs, I bury my face right where I want to be.
“Oh god. Don’t stop.” She’s foolish if she thinks for one second that I will. I’m going to make her scream so many times tonight, she’ll lose her damn voice.
“I’m just getting started, baby.” She moans when I slide two fingers inside of her hot hole while sucking on her hard clit. She bucks underneath my mouth and begins riding my fingers and face, just like a naughty girl. I love it and I let her grind away until I can feel her clench around my swollen fingers. Her orgasm outweighs my pain by leaps and bounds.
I kiss her parted thighs, give one more swipe of my tongue before tasting every inch as I work my way up her gorgeous body. I stop when I get to her ample breasts which are begging for a bit of attention. I flick my tongue over one hard nub while using my thumb and forefinger to pinch the other. She seeks relief as she grinds her pussy against the hard bulge inside my jeans. She’s desperate for my cock, and I hate that I’m fully clothed.
“Do you need my cock buried inside you, baby?” She answers with a needy whimper. “Then take off my jeans.” Her hands make quick work of freeing me from the confines, and when her hands dip inside I come undone. Sitting up, I push them over my hips and in one thrust I’m buried to the hilt. Her eyes are wild and I know what she’s thinking, I’m bare, but I just needed to feel her. This one time. I knew she’d be fucking perfect. “Lucas, I…”
“I’m grabbing a condom now, Abby. I just needed to feel your wet heat just this once.” When I go to stand, she uses her legs to hold me in place.
“I have an implant and I’m clean, so…”
She bites on her bottom lip and leaves it up to me. I want this so desperately with her and I’ve always worn a condom. This is the first time I’ve ever been bare.
“I haven’t slept with anyone since you, baby. And I was tested before that. You trust me?” She nods, and in a second I’ve undressed and started impaling her with my bare cock.
Fucking heaven, and I’m so glad we have another first.
***
Abby
I’m so tired after the night we had, but I can’t sleep. Apparently neither can Lucas. Understandable under the circumstances. I can’t even imagine how lost he’s feeling right now, and if I can bring him a little bit of peace, then I’m going to do my best.
Rolling over, I snuggle up against his solid chest. Resting my hand over the place where he says is black as night. Not true, since it’s beating beneath my fingers. It feels like its breaking. I’d love to tell him exactly how I feel, but I know those three little words aren’t what he needs right now.
“I’m here if you want to talk. I’m a good listener and it might be good to get it off your chest.” He snorts, dismissing my offer, so I don’t push it. I know he’s the one who needs to want to talk about it.
“Thanks, but it’s a hard pass for me. There’s nothing to talk about.” His hand presses against mine and I glance down to see how it looks in the light of day.
Lucas: A Rockstar Romance (The Sinful Seven Series Book 1) Page 18