Chapter 9
Beck
“Where are we going?” Gage asks as I drag him down the street.
“You’ll see. Once we get this one, the only thing left will be a wedding photo, so that’ll keep Royal’s team from getting any more at least.
When we reach V Theater, Gage pauses outside, and I have to tug him through the doors.
“Please tell me you’re not going to make me dance on stage,” he begs.
“I’m not going to make you dance on stage.”
“You’re lying, aren’t you?”
“Yup.” I grin back at him. “Please, this won’t be so bad, I promise. You’ll just hop up on stage with the burlesque dancers, do a little dance, I’ll snap a picture, and then we’ll bolt. It’ll be quick and painless.”
“Why can’t you dance, and I take the picture?” Gage suggests.
“Because I already did the flash mob. Plus, it’ll be more fun if you do it. Please.” I stick out my bottom lip in a little pout I know Gage won’t be able to say no to.
“Ugh,” Gage groans. “Fine, let’s get this over with.”
We push through the crowd to get near the stage where the burlesque dancers are putting on a show.
“What kind of dance do I have to do?” Gage asks, nervously eyeing the dancers as we near the stage.
“Anything you want. Do a chicken dance for all I care.”
Gage snorts a laugh.
“Seriously? That would be funny, think I should do it?”
“Hell yeah, but then I’ll need a video instead of a picture, so give me a second to get ready with my phone.”
Gage takes a deep breath and rolls his shoulders, and I try not to laugh at his super serious game face. I pull out my phone and get my camera ready to take a video. We’ll probably only have a minute or two before security comes to remove us, so I have to make it count.
“Ready?” Gage asks.
“Ready,” I confirm.
He heaves himself up on to the stage and the dancers barely miss a beat as they eye him warily.
I hold my phone up and hit record as Gage starts quacking his hands and then flapping his arms like chicken wings. The guys will have to be okay with a blurry video because I can’t stop laughing long enough to hold the camera still. And right on cue, a burly security guard starts making his way towards us.
I stop recording and make a wrap it up gesture at Gage who immediately stops and hops off the stage to massive drunken cheers from the crowd.
Grabbing Gage’s hand, I drag him down the hall with now two security guards on our tail. I spot a door and we push through it to find ourselves in an alley. I don’t frequently wish I’d skipped my heels, but right now running through a gravel-filled alley, I wish I was in flats.
“I think we lost them,” Gage says, tugging me to a stop.
I let out a breath and start to laugh. It only takes a few seconds for Gage to join in on my relieved laughter. I collapse into him, and we both laugh harder. Feeling his body shaking against mine, his chest heaving with the joyful sound spilling from his lips, an overwhelming love washes over me.
“I have a crazy idea,” I blurt, catching myself off guard. Gage looks down at me, his eyes burning with all the emotions I feel coursing through my own veins.
“Whatever it is, I’m in.”
Adam
The strip club is loud and packed, but everyone seems to be having fun at least. I’m trying to wrap my head around how we ended up hanging out with some mega famous rock stars, but I guess I’ll file it under life is strange.
Jude is flirting with some guy at the bar, pawing at the man’s leather clad ass.
“I’m like seventy percent sure that’s a prostitute,” Nox whispers. “Should we tell him?”
“Nah, let him figure it out himself,” Lando waves it off. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Jude already knows the dude is a prostitute.”
“The whole wild rocker thing isn’t an act, then?” Thane asks.
“We wish it was. He wasn’t always like this, but I think all the fame and money went to his head a bit,” Benji reveals, and then he goes a little pale. “Shit, please don’t sell this story to a tabloid or anything.”
“We would never do that,” I assure him.
“Cool,” Lando nods at us in thanks. “Anyone want a lap dance? It’s on me.”
While the strippers are hot, we all shake our heads.
“Come on, not even the bachelors?” Benji urges.
“I think looking is plenty,” Madden says, waving his hands as if to ward off the idea of having a half-naked man touching either him or Thane.
“A lap dance sounds fun, but not by any of those guys,” I whisper to Nox, throwing in a pointed look at him so he catches my drift. It takes a few seconds, but a lecherous grin spreads over his lips.
“That could be arranged. Why don’t we head back to the hotel, so I can give you a proper lap dance without an audience?” he suggests, standing up and reaching for my hand.
“We’re out guys, see you in the morning.”
“Already?” Benji complains. “We’ve only been here like an hour; there are a lot more naked men to ogle.”
“Yeah, the only naked man I’m looking to ogle wants to go back to our hotel room, so that’s where I’m going.”
Benji’s expression softens.
“Ah love, must be nice. It was good meeting you, and you’ll be hearing from me about some ink.”
“Looking forward to it.” I clap a hand on his shoulder and then turn and do the same to Lando. Jude seems to have disappeared with the man who may or may not have been a prostitute.
Outside, we hail a cab to take us back to our hotel, and as soon as the car is moving, Nox climbs into my lap.
His mouth is hot and demanding against mine, his tongue sliding between my lips with a groan from both of us. I knead his ass as he grinds his erection against mine through our jeans. One of my hands sneaks up the back of his shirt and skirts over the rough skin on this stomach. He doesn’t flinch under my touch like he did when we first got together. I wasn’t sure I could tell him enough how much I loved every single one of his scars for him to believe me. But over time, he’s come to accept it when I tell him every inch of him is perfect, inside and out. My heart feels like it’s too large to continue to beat normally. I may die from how much I love the man in my arms, and I would die happy.
“I love you so fucking much, Bird. I don’t understand how I got so lucky to deserve you in my life, but I never want to let you go.”
“Me too, Adam. I can’t believe you love me, but I’m never letting you get away,” he agrees, nibbling down my throat as I try to work up the courage to reach into my pocket and make it official.
“We’re here,” the cabbie announces in a mildly irritated tone. We can’t be the only couple who’s made out in his cab. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s had people full on fucking back here.
“Thanks,” I throw a wad of bills onto the front seat, more than enough to cover the fare and a generous tip, and then I haul Nox out of the car.
His fingers twine with mine as we hurry through the lobby and up to our room.
As soon as the door to our room swings closed, Nox is stripping his shirt over his head and turning to face me as he unbuttons his jeans.
“Why aren’t you getting naked?” he asks breathlessly.
My cock takes interest in his suggestion, but my heart is beating too wildly for me to ignore. I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment, but I’m not sure what that means exactly. How would I know when the perfect moment is? What if I miss it? What if the perfect moment is right now, with my beautiful bird naked and looking at me like I hung the moon.
“Bird—” The affectionate nickname gets caught in my throat as I reach into my pocket, my fingers brushing the smooth metal of the ring I’ve been carrying around, waiting for this exact moment.
“Adam, is something wrong?” Nox’s brow is scrunched with worry as he takes a tentative step toward me.
“Everything is perfect,” I assure him before dropping to one knee and pulling the ring out of my pocket. “I love you more than my own life. I was waiting for the right moment to do this, but I think any moment with you is already perfect. So, what do you say, will you marry me?” I hold the ring out and his eyes go wide.
“I’m naked and you’re proposing to me?” he asks with an amused laugh.
“Uh...shit, I didn’t really think about it. Do you want to put your clothes back on, and I can ask again?”
Nox laughs and then drops to his knees beside me.
“No.”
“No?” My heart cracks.
“Oh my god, I meant no don’t ask again. Yes, I’ll marry you. Of course, I’ll marry you, I’d be insane to say no.”
“Thank fuck,” I sigh with relief and reach for his left hand. I slip the ring into place and his face lights up.
“Can I get you a ring, too?”
“Anything you want.”
“Can I tattoo a ring on you?” Nox asks, shuffling forward on his knees until we’re nose to nose.
“Bird, you’re going to be my husband, you can brand my ass if you want.”
We both laugh until I press my lips to his, and we get lost in this incredible moment.