Chapter 4
AUBREY
I double-check my phone again before tossing it back into my purse under my desk. Riff hasn’t responded yet. He probably thinks I’m completely lame now. I mean, I’ve never claimed to be witty, or someone who’s good with coming up with ideas on a whim, so I panicked a little last night. If I put more thought into what the rules were, maybe they would’ve been better—made this game between us more fun.
It’s not like I can call Lanie up either and tell her all about this. I don’t want her trying to play matchmaker while she’s on that damn bus because I don’t want a relationship with Riff. It’s a good thing I didn’t mention the kiss between Riff and me to her either. I would’ve never heard the end of it about how I let men walk all over me and how I always pick the wrong guy.
Sometimes she sounds like my mother.
I get so tired of hearing what people think is the right thing for me to do with my life and my relationships. People don’t get that I’m not looking for a guy to settle down with. Not really, anyway. I like freedom and being crazy if I feel like it. I like sex. I like slightly kinky sex even more, which is why I think Riff will be down to play a few naughty games if given the opportunity.
I open a new file on my computer and get busy typing up a memo about the Black Falcon charity that Isaac assigned me earlier in the day.
Speak of the devil…
Isaac gives me an easy smile as he strides up to my desk. “Hey, Aubrey. You got a minute?”
I nod as I take in his polished features. The skin on his cheeks appears smooth and soft, with no hint of stubble. He probably takes better care of his skin then I do. I bet he smells pretty great too.
I lean in a little as I stand before him and take a whiff, hoping it’s not obvious. I grab the things off my desk. Yep, there’s definitely some type of woodsy cologne sprayed on him, which is off because nothing about him screams lumberjack.
I follow Isaac into his office, and he shuts us inside once I’m seated. “How have you been?”
One of my eyebrows shoots up on its own accord. This is unusual. “I’m fine, and you?”
He shakes his head as he sits behind his desk. “Not so good. Diana’s breathing down my neck wanting preliminary details for the marketing plan. Did you get any information from Ms. Vance about the vision from the project?”
My lips pull into a tight line. “She just left this morning to meet up with them.”
Isaac sighs. “I was afraid you were going to say that. This project has to get rolling, and since we don’t have any information from Lanie, I have to move on without her input.”
I bite my bottom lower lip. “Do I still have to keep this secret from her?”
He nods. “Think of the damage walking out on a company like Center Stage will do to her career. I know she’s your friend, but the best thing you can do is keep this from her. If she gets upset, she won’t think rationally. Plus, Diana would probably fire me if this got back to Lanie and we lost the Black Falcon account.”
I slump a little in my seat. I hate that he’s right so damn much. Lanie Vance is one of the most hotheaded people I know. I’ve never met someone so willing to fight at the drop of a hat if she knows she’s right or feels she’s being wronged in some way.
I want to tell her, but I think maybe I need to keep this from her while she’s on the road because I don’t want her to go crazy. If she quits, Isaac and I will probably be fired for telling her. This is Diana Swagger’s company and she’s not known for being understanding.
I stare into Isaac’s big blue eyes. There’s concern in them marked by crinkles on the outer edge of them. In the two months that I’ve been here, not once has he shown me any real concern, merely been a friendly coworker.
I sigh. “That’s true. I just hate keeping things from her, especially since she’s my roommate, but I don’t want her to ruin her dream because Diana refuses to have faith in her work abilities.”
Isaac stands, his black suit hugging him in all the right places, and then walks around his desk. I stiffen a little as he gracefully takes the seat beside me. “I’m glad you’re being so reasonable about this. You’re a strong person who cares a great deal for her friend. That’s very attractive in a woman.”
I swallow down the lump in my throat and my pulse quickens. This closeness between us feels very intimate—like we’re entering into new territory. One that will end up with us spending late nights with me bent over his desk if I’m not careful.
I nervously tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear and curse myself for having these thoughts about my boss. I’m sure he’s just being nice and is in no way trying to flirt with me. I’m reading into him sitting next to me all wrong.
My eyes flick to his. “I understand. I promise I won’t mention this to her.”
He smiles, and still holds my gaze. “Thank you.”
I feel his eyes on me as I stand and walk out of the door, hating that I promised to keep this from Lanie.
Back at my desk, I fire up my computer and get to work on a couple projects Isaac gave me for the afternoon. An hour later I’m so totally absorbed in my work, the chirp from my phone causes me to jump a little.
I dig my phone up from my purse and can’t fight back the grin on my face.
Kitten,
I’m down with any rules you want to throw at me as long as the outcome ends up with me and you getting hot, sweaty and naked.
R
A thrill shoots through me. We both have exactly the same thing in mind. I’m so glad he’s not looking for more than sex with me. He’ll make the perfect one last hurrah before I start down my path to becoming a Soccer Mom—one last fling with a bad boy before I start looking out for a man like Isaac who won’t crush my heart.
RIFF
Crowds of women shove against one another in attempts to gain my attention. Cameras flash in my eyes as different arms are thrown around my neck, invading my personal space. I keep moving forward and push my way between them so I can make it up the steps backstage, where their access to me will be cut off.
A brunette yanks down her red t-shirt, effectively stretching out the neckline. “Will you sign me?”
She lowers the shirt enough for me to see a hint of her left nipple. This is her way of saying I can have her if I want. “Sure.”
I hand her Sharpie back and a frown creases into her face when I don’t say another word. I turn away and my eyes land on a fine piece of ass staring in my direction. My mind flashes back to that night in Houston when Kitten was looking at me with the same amount of curiosity. The brunette in cut-off jean shorts has killer legs, and I would love to get them wrapped around me. With any luck, she’ll have that same fire that drew me in with Kitten and I can get over this stupid obsession I have over a girl I don’t even know.
Security holds the mass of female fans behind me back and I lock eyes with Legs McGee. When she catches me staring, I give her my most cocky grin.
“Damn, you’re sexy,” I say as my eyes rake slowly over her body. She has amazing tits. Tits are totally my weak spot on a woman.
Her eyes narrow as I stare at her chest openly. I try to make it very clear to women what I want from them, that way there’s no misunderstanding between us. I don’t do relationships.
She’s glaring at me like she wants to kill me, which only makes me smirk. I love it when they play hard-to-get. I reach into my back pocket and pull out a ticket. She’s earned it, and she’ll make a great distraction. “This golden ticket grants you access into my pants when our set is over. Hold on to it tight and give it to security that guards the buses. They’ll let you through. I only give away one or two of those a night. Consider yourself a lucky lady.”
I stuff the paper into her hand, and she flinches at my touch.
Odd, that’s not the typical reaction I get from a girl.
Leggy Hottie shakes her head and attempts to hand me back the paper. “No thanks.”
“Not interested?” I laugh. She’s hot and funny. “Sweetie, that’s cute, but you don’t have to play hard to get. I know why you’re back here, and I can guarantee there’s no better time to be had than the one you’re going to get with me.”
Time to up the charm factor.
I lick my lips and allow my fingertips to trace the skin on her bare arm.
Suddenly, she slams the ticket into my chest with enough force I actually flinch. “I’m waiting for someone, you asshole. I’m not some random fucking groupie.”
Whoa. I raise my eyebrows. That wasn’t exactly the reaction I had in mind. This girl may not be playing. She actually seems kind of pissed, which makes the challenge of bedding her even more appealing. I allow my typical panty-dropping grin to return to my face as I relax and brush off her harsh words. “You’re feisty. I like that.” I tilt my head and study her. She’s stunning and would’ve made an awesome notch on my belt. “What a shame. We could’ve been pretty awesome together tonight. You know where to find me if you change your mind.”
I step back and allow the piece of paper fall to the ground in case she decides she wants to use it after all. It lands between us by our feet and I wink at her before I turn and walk away.
What are the odds of running into a woman who reminds me a lot of Kitten? I hope I’m not turning into one of those saps that try to make every girl in the world seem like the one girl they really want. That would be pathetic.
I shake my head and roll my eyes at my own thoughts as I continue backstage to get ready for my show. I need to get laid, bad. I’m starting to feel emotions, and I don’t like that shit. Emotions are bad, very bad. I have to get Kitten out of my mind.
After Black Falcon’s set we all hang out with the roadies and the opening act, Embrace the Darkness, backstage. That’s one thing about being a rocker. You’re never alone. There’s always people who adore you and hang on your every word around. Take this chick on my lap for example. All it took for her to come to me was a crook of the finger.
The blonde giggles as I slip my hand into the waist band of her jeans. This one, like most of the others, offered no challenge when I pulled out a golden ticket. She eagerly accepted and offered to drop to her knees and blow me on the spot, which was a little awkward considering we were in a crowd of people.
Some women will do anything. Even though most of the time their willingness is welcomed, lately I haven’t been feeling the whole groupie scene. I’m twenty-six fucking years-old. I should be having the time of my life, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something missing.
I blame the redheaded vixen that’s gotten her hooks into my head.
Ever since her ass messaged me, all I’ve been thinking about is that kiss and what it’ll be like to fuck the hell out of her. That girl earlier tonight reminded me a lot of Kitten. She would’ve made a good distraction if she hadn’t told me to basically go to hell.
“Can I cash in that ticket now? You’re so fucking hot,” the tipsy blonde says into my ear, taking me away from my thoughts.
I pull back and gaze into her face. She’s attractive with her platinum hair and dark eyes, but she doesn’t have that spark I’m looking for—that thing that’s sometimes in another person that can light you up and remind you that you’re alive. This chick is here for the ride, which is fine, and I’ll happily give her what she craves, but it’ll only be instant gratification for me. That few seconds of bliss that makes me forget about everything else, but the here and now. I’m addicted to forgetting. My life is something I would love to sometimes forget.
She leans in and runs her tongue across my lips. “I want you.”
She’s persistent. I’ll give her that. The quick flicks of her tongue against mine causes my dick to grow hard and strain against my jeans. “Come with me.”
I nearly toss her off my lap before I take her hand and pull her into the next room. It’s a cleaning supply storage closet, but there’s enough room in here to get the job done.
Blondie is eager. She goes right to work on freeing my cock from my jeans. It springs up once she shoves my jeans and boxers down a little. She wraps her fingers around me and gives me a couple quick tugs.
I suck in a quick breath. “Jesus.”
She’s done this before. You don’t get great hand job skills without some practice.
She drops to her knees, but I pull back. “Not without a condom.”
I never let random hookers lick my dick without one. It’s probably not the most pleasant experience for them to basically suck rubber, but I don’t have any sexually transmitted diseases and I would like to fucking keep it that way. I don’t know where the fuck her mouth’s been. I don’t even know her name for fuck’s sake.
I tear the foil package with my teeth, pull the rubber out and then roll it onto my cock.
She runs her tongue up and down my length. “You have a huge cock. I want you to fuck me with it really hard.”
I know this is a further ploy to turn me on, but I hear the same lame ass lines from different chicks every night. I stare down at her as she swirls my dick around her lips, before taking me into her mouth.
She’s slow at first with a nice, steady rhythm, but I know I don’t want to be trapped with her very long, so I grab a handful of her hair and coax her into sucking faster.
I close my eyes and try to forget where I am, and even who I am, focusing only on how good I feel. That’s when I’ll be damned if Kitten doesn’t pop back into my mind. I can see her leaning against the wall where I first spotted her. The feel of her smoking hot body shoved against mine, and the little moan she let slip into my mouth when I kissed her plays in my thoughts. Suddenly, I imagine us naked against that wall, with me driving my cock balls-deep into her.
“Fuck!” A tingle takes over my entire body and I clench every muscle in my body as I come hard.
A couple shudders ripple through me as I untangle my hand from the blonde’s hair.
“Can you go again? I didn’t get anything out of this,” she whines.
I shrug. “Better luck next time, sweetie. I’m done with you, so you can go ahead and go.” I nod towards the door.
She stands with a scowl on her face. “Fuck you!”
I shake my head, but refuse to make eye contact because I’m actually kind of embarrassed. I didn’t mean to lose my shit so fast, but I have to play it off. No one wants to be thought of as a one-minute man. “No thanks. It was hard enough coming for you the first time. Now leave.”
“Asshole!” she shouts before she slams the door, leaving me alone finally.
Fuck. I rub my forehead. What the fuck is wrong with me? I feel like I’m losing my fucking mind.
Exhausted from the mind-fuck I just went through, I drag my ass inside of Big Bertha, ready to pass out. When I reach the top step, the sight in my kitchen stops me dead in my tracks. Bending over going through our cabinets is the hot brunette with nice tits and legs. Her presence is surprising considering her reaction to the ticket when I gave it to her. She must’ve decided to use it after all. There’s no other way she could’ve gotten on this bus.
“I knew you’d be here,” I say and she stands instantly and stiffens. “The ladies never turn down the golden ticket.”
I grin as I balance my weight against the top cabinet and peer down at her. Her eyes rake over my shirtless chest, lingering a couple seconds too long on my tattoos and nipple piercings to hide her interest. I flick my lip ring between my teeth a couple times and she attempts hide some of the bare skin on those sexy legs by tugging at her shorts. A slow grin pulls across my face as I inspect every curve on her voluptuous body. She shakes her head vigorously as I pull my arm down and take a step towards her.
She holds out a shaky palm up. “Stop right there.”
I reach for her hand, craving contact with someone real, but she snatches it away from my grasp. “Baby, I told you. No need to play hard to get. I won’t tell anyone that you fucked me.”
Her eyes widen like she can’t believe I would say such a thing to her. This only excites me more. “You’re really full of yourself, you know that?”
I smirk. She’s one hell of an actress. “Only when it comes to women.”
She rolls her eyes. “I hate to be the one to break it to you, but not every woman on the planet is willing to sleep with you, Riff.”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “But I can tell that you want me.” I take another step towards her and she backs away, trying to put distance between us. She bumps against the cabinets behind her and I close in.
She shoves her tiny hand into my chest and shakes her head again. “No, I don’t want you. I’m here with—”
“Shhhhhhhhhhhhh.” I try and sooth her while I stroke the soft skin on her shoulder. I want her to show me she wants me. No more games. Time to be real. “No more talking.”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Riff?” Noel growls from the hallway, wearing a low-slung towel around his hips, while water beads speckle his chest. Oh shit. Is this his piece of imported ass? How the hell did he get so fucking lucky?
I pull my hands off the woman and gaze into her eyes. Now I know why he’s so crazy over her. She’s hot, but what makes her even better is she’s Noel’s one big heartbreak. “You’re Lanie?”
She nods and glances at Noel. “I’ve tried to tell you. I told you I was with someone when you first tried to shove that ticket thing in my hand.”
Noel’s eyes narrow at me. “You gave her one of your fucking golden tickets? I’m going to fucking kill you.”
Noel’s face twists with rage and he lunges for me, but I’m quick enough to avoid him and shove his hands away. I don’t know why he thinks he owns this chick. She left him, and obviously we have no guy code between us, so as far as I’m concerned she’s fair game. Matter of fact, I love the idea of paying him back by sleeping with his girl.
Lanie throws her hands against Noel’s chest. “It’s okay. Let it go. He made a mistake.” She looks over at me like she wants me to apologize to defuse the situation. She has no idea that isn’t going to fucking happen. “Right?”
I stare Noel down. If he thinks he’s scaring me off right now, he’s got another fucking thing coming. To drive it home, with as much sarcasm as I can muster, I say, “Yeah, we wouldn’t want to accidentally steal each other’s woman, would we?”
Lanie flinches at my tone. I’m sure she has no clue what’s gone down between us. As much as I would like to spill the beans, and tell her all about the secret I’m sure Noel’s hiding from her, I keep my mouth shut. He’ll eventually hang himself.
The muscle in Noel’s jaw clenches. “You stay away from her. Or so help me God, Riff, I will end you.”
It takes everything in me not to laugh in his face. He may be sporting a look of pure malice, but that shit doesn’t intimidate me. He and I both know we’re pretty evenly matched. If he comes at me he better be ready for a fight.
Noel and I continue to stare each other down, neither of us ready to be the first one to back down. Lanie being here ups the stakes between us, and he knows that. He knows I can pull chicks and this girl already hates him, so snagging her away will make a fun game. He just added fuel to our never-ending feuding fire.
Lanie pulls on Noel’s arm and he tilts his head down and gazes at her. “Come on, Noel. I want to show you something.” She grabs his hand when he doesn’t immediately respond. She obviously doesn’t want us to come to blows and she’s doing her best to diffuse the situation.
Noel stares at me, like he’s daring me to let everything out—to tell Lanie his secret and ruin his chance getting her back.
Finally, after he sees I’m not going to say another word, Noel nods and follows Lanie down the hallway, leaving me alone in the front of the bus.
I lean back against the cabinet and sigh. Jesus can my life get anymore fucked up?
My cell buzzes in my pocket and fish it out to read the message.
Riff,
Hot, sweaty and naked? Really? That’s the best line you got? I expected more from one of the world’s biggest players? I guess I can cross ‘has suave game’ off the list of your qualities. I can’t believe women respond to that lameness.
You want to bed me? Impress me.
Aubrey
I laugh and shake my head. Kitten is really headstrong. What I wouldn’t give for her to be here right now so I can show her how well lines like that can work when whispered into a horny woman’s ear. I bet I would even forget my own name when I’m with her. She’s exactly the distraction I need.