MERCS
Spending last night with Effa was incredible. And not because it was passionate, unbridled, untamed or lustful—it was none of those things—even though I was thinking about it constantly. Running through the thoughts of what I wanted to do to her. How I wanted to bend her in ways just to see how flexible her little body is, and fuck her so hard until she’s convulsing in ripples of pleasure.
But no, we kept ourselves in check and went back to her room to talk. We laid on her bed, embraced all night and simply got to know each other. It was a change for me to the usual way I do things and taking the time to take this—whatever it is—slowly, seems to be going well for us.
As the evening wore on, I had every intention of leaving her room, but I ended up crashing the night not wanting to let her go. The protector in me has kicked in, and even though I know those fans can’t get in here to hurt her, I wanted to be sure she was safe all night. Plus, sleeping in a bed and holding her all night long, well fuck, who could say no to that? Her fruity hair tickled my face as I spooned her from behind, just like we did on the sofa, only this time it was far more comfortable and relaxing.
We talked a lot about how our friendship might affect the tour, and how Effa’s positive Luke won’t be on board. Luke’s concerned that if things go ass up, then I might leave the tour. But I assured Effa that I would never be so unprofessional and I will always see out my contract.
Then I spent the morning eating room service in her suite like it was a normal thing for us to be doing together. Everything felt so fucking right. We were in our own little world, right until Luke showed up popping our bubble and making everything run ten times faster than I thought possible.
I knew changeovers were quick, but what I didn’t realize was just how fast everything’s taken from your room, and then you’re shoved from the hotel onto a minibus along with everyone else and driven to the airport.
From there, cue more screaming Luminati’s as the girls call them—the diehard fans of the band—who come and try to catch not just a glimpse of the five superstar rockers, but a mere touch to make their world complete. All this happened while I was requested to stand back with the rest of the crew and let the girls through with their security. I was a little put out at first, wanting to be in there to protect Effa, but Raoul and Cooper had her covered, and I watched the whole thing like a freaking stalker. No one got a single hand on Effa, and that’s the way I like it.
We boarded the band’s private jet and made the one hour and forty-five-minute flight from Phoenix Arizona to Denver Colorado. At least on the flight I was able to sit next to Effa and spend some more time getting to know her.
Once we arrived at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, I had to get to work. The stage set up here is just under half the average size, and the lighting is minimalistic at best. I had to come up with a whole new stage show design for this intimate one-time performance. It’s going to be recorded for a charity DVD, and all proceeds are going toward a woman’s shelter called Rosalie House. Apparently, they have an association with them through their old tour mates Recoil. Their bassist, Matt, is a primary spokesperson for the foundation along with his wife, and it’s something the girl’s feel strongly about, so I’m all for it. Helping women in need sounds like a great cause for Luminous.
But right now—right now I’m standing at the back of the amphitheater waiting for Effa and the girls to come on. The night sky is glistening with vibrant stars showing us a beautiful summer’s night glittering above the fractures of broken vast cliffs and rocks. The scenery here is breathtaking and no wonder people feel a spiritual connection. I can see why Effa chose to perform in the mountainous wonderland. I know she’s going to love being on stage, as this is a spiritual place that oozes Effa’s inner goddess.
The place is packed, and the general hum of chit chat echoes around the open expanse giving it a good buzz and feel. The area is alive and ready to go, and I’m really looking forward to seeing Effa in all her glory tonight. I know she’ll bring her A-game to this crowded amphitheater. She’s exceptionally talented and her voice mixed with the skill of the other girls, they’re an epic combination. No wonder they have made it so big, so quickly.
The pre-show music is gently wafting through the air indicating it’s almost time. I’m in my position behind the stage out of sight of the crowd, but in a good spot so I can see up to the back of the stage. I’ll be able to view Effa from here, and if anything goes haywire with the lighting, which it shouldn’t, I’ll be able to rectify it quickly. It’s all pretty much set to timers for each song, all Tank and I have to do is set them going. Pretty easy night’s work. It’s all digital these days. Gotta love technology.
Tank moves in and plonks down on the red rock beside me with a heavy contented sigh. I glance at him to see a cocky smile on his face, and I don’t want to ask, I really don’t want to know the details, but my stupid mouth is talking before I can stop it. “That’s one heck of a smile you’ve got there, Tank,” I quip.
“Sure is. It’s fucking awesome to be the guy on call for one of the girls. I know she’s a grouch, but man, when she takes her frustrations out on my cock, Andi’s a fucking spitfire. The things she does with her tongue—”
“Okay, yeah, yeah. That’s enough imagery for one night,” I interrupt.
He chuckles, cracking his neck from side to side and bumping his shoulder into mine. “Heard you stayed with Effa last night. How’d that go?”
“Nothing like what you’re thinking. We just talked. Completely innocent.”
He looks at me and raises his brow. “Hmm… you didn’t make a move? You gay or something?”
Shaking my head, I check over the timing switches one more time. “Nope, we have an understanding.”
He chuckles and reaches down between my legs grabbing my cock through my pants firmly with his hand. I swat his hand away as I stare at him, my eyes wide in disbelief while his bellowing laughter fills the back of stage area.
“Easy, tiger… I just wanted to check you still had your cock and balls. Like they hadn’t shriveled up and fallen off or something.”
I push his shoulder while he continues to chuckle. “Fuck you! And for your information, my cock and balls are just fine. We’re taking it slow.”
He lets out a loud snort like he’s having trouble believing my words and shakes his head. “Effa? Going slow? What the hell world have I stepped into? You must be a special kind of ass. Either that or she’s repulsed by you, and doesn’t want to hurt your pussy feelings.”
I tilt my head. “She’s worried if we fuck things up then I’ll leave the tour. They don’t want to risk me bailing on them. What they don’t get is I’m a professional and will always see my contract out.”
He stops laughing, and his face takes on a serious look. “Wow! She’s actually thinking logically. If she’s talking like that, then she does like you for more than just your cock. Fuck, Mercs. You’re the first guy... no, the only guy, to take Effa’s eye emotionally that I’ve seen in the two years I’ve been with them. Everyone else has just been a matter of convenience.”
I’m not sure why that means so much to me, but it does. I like that I’m the only guy to have caught her attention.
“Fuck man, you’re smiling like a Cheshire cat. Anyone would think you like her, too?” he says more like a question than a statement.
“I do, man, I do. She might be a little weird with her hippy shit, but she’s cool, and I appreciate how attuned she is to everything. She cares about things more than most people, and I like… her. She’s pretty fucking incredible. I’m looking forward to getting to know her more.”
Tank grips my shoulder. “Well, just know that I’m all for you two bumping uglies and making the sweet love. But… if you hurt her, I’ll be the first to smack you out. Fair warning and all.”
“It’s early days, very early, so don’t go popping champagne bottles or planning anything just yet. But I don’t intend on letting her down. We’re nothing official, just hanging out.”
He closes his eyes with a wide smile and raises his hands like he’s feeling the air for energy or something weird. “I feel happiness in your future. A wedding fit for a rock star… and babies, lots of babies,” he jests in a voice you hear when people try to tell ghost stories.
I punch his hands away. “You’re a fucking idiot.”
“Hey, don’t knock it. That’s what Effa does, right? Feels the energy around people and shit. I was just tapping into that or… some crap.”
I stifle a laugh and look to my left to see the girls being escorted to the stage. Jumping from the rock, I move forward hitting the right buttons to set the lighting into action, initiating the first sequence. The lights dim, and the crowd erupts into a fit of cheering and applause.
I watch Effa who’s in a different outfit to her usual leather dress and thigh high boots. Tonight she’s wearing a long flowing summer dress, and she mustn’t be wearing heels because she seems shorter than usual. She looks stunning. Her hair is down, flowing around her face in long smooth blonde waves, and circling her head is a white floral headband. She seems very in tune with her surroundings and less the rock chick vibe she usually portrays.
She looks beautiful.
The other girls have changed up their usual attire too, going for more casual wear.
They arrive at the back of stage, and I watch Effa as her tiny frame takes the stairs one by one. They’re off to the rear, so the crowd can’t quite see them properly yet. But as if to feel me watching her, she turns and looks right at me. When her eyes meet mine, it’s like a pulse of energy slams through the air around me, and my heartbeat quickens. She smiles giving me a quick wink before she turns and continues to walk up the stairs followed by the rest of the girls. It’s amazing how one look from her and I feel like a fucking schoolboy. I know I have an effect on her, but fuck if she doesn’t affect me just as much.
She makes my pulse race.
“Fuck me! You should see how far your tongue is hanging out of your mouth right now, brother,” Tank teases, bringing me back into the now as I look to him while he fiddles with the lighting cues.
The crowd erupts into a frenzy, finally seeing the girls as they make their way to the front of the stage with their lighting cues.
“Shut up and do your job,” I reply while I take a deep centering breath and look to the control panel to get to work myself.
“Hey, Colorado. How you all doing tonight?” Effa asks.
Alana spins a Jungle on the DJ set effortlessly. She’s so talented as it takes loads of skill to get the sound perfect. It’s basically a rearrangement of two copies of the same music to form something new and different.
The crowd erupts into a flurry of excitement, cheering and stomping, and while it isn’t the same deafening noise when they play to a packed out stadium, it’s still loud enough. Smiling as they scream for the girls, I can’t help but feel proud to be a part of this. Proud of them.
“I think you might have heard of us? We’re a little band called Luminous, and we’re here to rock your fucking socks off tonight. So hold on to your seats, ‘cause we’re about to blow this joint,” Effa cheers as Alana leads into their first song Falling.
The lights dim, and Kristy starts with the heavy percussion at the same time as Andi and Casey come in with their guitars. The music lighting up the amphitheater with a massive electric rock beat—one that Luminous has perfected so well. The vibration of the loud music beats through me as I continue to work, glancing up occasionally to watch Effa sway and move to the beat of the introduction of the song. The way her body glides with the notes is effortless, and I wish I were up there with her, wrapping my body against hers. Her hair flowing so perfectly over her shoulders as she picks up her guitar and hoists it over her, makes her only look sexier.
I need to fuck her and make her mine.
Effa starts to strum along to the song, the added electric guitar only making the essence of the song more intoxicating. She steps up to the microphone, and I take a breath, holding it, waiting for her husky, sensual voice to belt out the first verse. She opens her mouth letting the words caress the nighttime air, and they hit me like a ton of bricks. It shocks me just how stunningly beautiful her voice really is. It washes over me, caressing my body and wrapping me up in her silky smooth mezzo-soprano tone. Moving from the low to high notes with ease, it’s almost operatic vibe suiting her.
Effa’s stunning, and as the music encompasses me, I find myself stopping and just watching her in her glory. Her body moving, flowing, and dancing in an ease that comes naturally to her. My endorphins kick in, and I stand in awe taking it all in. Watching her from the rafters is different, it’s dark, and I can’t see properly, but this, gaining a view from behind the performance is pretty fucking epic.
The lighting is working wonders for their performance, illuminating her in just the right way to highlight her legs through her summer dress, making her look all the more tempting. She heads into the bridge of the song, the percussion deepening, the bass becoming louder and thumping harder with every beat, my heart along with it. She really is a storm, and I’m fast becoming swept up in her wake.
“Mercs… Mercs, fuck! I know you have a raging boner right now, but fuck, bro, we have a job to do,” Tank jabs, working double time on the lighting while I just stand here staring.
I turn seeing him working frantically, and it’s enough to bring me back. “Shit, sorry man.” I rush forward and make quick work of the task at hand.
The song continues, and I have to control myself not to listen or look. Tempting as she is, my job needs to take precedence right now. Tank was right, I do have a raging boner. I didn’t even realize I was getting hard watching her. Fucking hell. I’m going to have to control that shit.
Attempting to take in the music for my lighting cues and nothing else, I focus on the task at hand and get on with my job—this is what I’m here for, this is what I’m paid to do. I need to keep focused when I’m working. Otherwise, if I fuck up the lighting, I might not have to worry about them losing me, I might need to be more worried about them firing me.
I must focus only on the job at hand and not fucking the gorgeous angel on stage.
I’m on a high.
The crowd has all but dispersed, and the music has dulled to a slow, barely noticeable wind down instrumental, while I finish packing up the gear with the crew. The girls are off with Luke in the Red Rocks Music Hall of Fame, doing a small meet and greet with some VIP’s and ticket winners.
The concert was a huge success, and the crowd loved them. It’s hard not to, they exude confidence, they have a stage presence that captures your attention, and they draw you in. Luminous is the only name they could have, it suits the band perfectly.
My skin is still prickling from the electro-charge of the concert, feeling the energy from the stage, teamed with the ambiance of the outside atmosphere, this is something I will never forget. Tonight was a first for me. I’ve never seen a concert done in the middle of a mountain range, but I’m so fucking glad I experienced it.
We’re almost packed up, and I have no idea what the plan for tonight is. We’re a little under half an hour away from Denver and the hotel, so I’m not sure if we will go back there as we have our flight first thing, or if there’s some sort of after party. Who knows? I’m sure someone will tell me what the plan is. I’m new to the way they do things around here.
Suddenly, a round of whistling and cheering echoes through the back of the amphitheater and I turn to see the girls, and Luke, walking through with big smiles. Effa looks stunning, her hair not as perfect as before the show being now slightly tainted by a thin layer of sweat at her hairline, but still, she looks incredible.
“Whoa, you girls were on fire out there tonight. This Colorado air agrees with you,” Jay calls out, his hand racing out and slapping Kristy’s ass, a resounding whack filters through the air as she grins at him.
“Why thank you, Jay. You’re looking mighty hot yourself,” Kristy coo’s leaning in close like she’s about to kiss him. He closes his eyes and puckers up and just as they are about to kiss she laughs breaking off and leaves him hanging. We all laugh as he falls forward but catches himself.
“Soon, Kristy… soon my love,” he calls out as she walks off turning back to him and putting her two hands up to form a heart shape. We all smile as he sighs like he’s madly in love, and blows her a kiss. She catches it with a smile then turns around and keeps walking with the rest of the girls.
“He’s going to end up being one of those guys that appears mysteriously naked in your bed one day when you walk in,” Casey speculates as Tank nods emphatically.
“I wouldn’t give him that idea, ‘cause yeah… he would,” Tank replies.
Effa walks up to me, and everyone else disperses.
“Hey…” I reach out for her hands, taking them in mine.
She smiles wide as warmth spreads through my hands moving up my arms and into my chest. “Hey, you. Thanks for the superb lighting tonight. It was stunning, absolutely perfect.”
“Thanks. I had great music to time it to.”
She giggles. “Smooth talker. Now come with me, I need to wind down.”
Effa grabs my hand and begins to walk off, dragging me with her. We head off behind the stage toward a giant rock formation.
“Effa, I’m all for hanging out, but I’m needed to help the guys finish packing up,” I admit, then mentally kick myself instantly for saying it.
“Mercs, I love that you’re dedicated to your work, but Tank can handle one night. Surely? I mean you were practically done, right?”
“Yeah, true, he knows what he’s doing.”
She jumps up on her toes and smiles wide. “Great, ‘cause it’s late, the stars are shining, there’s not a cloud in the sky and I want to climb some rocks.”
I look her up and down, taking in the flowing long summer dress she’s wearing. “Umm… in that?”
Effa giggles. “That’s why I need you… and your amazing company, of course.”
“Of course…” I chuckle, and she leads me over to a giant formation of rocks. I glance up at it and take in a deep breath.
She grins wide. “Yes, this will be perfect.” She walks to the side and feels up the edge of the rock. “Okay, so I’m thinking you go first.”
The rock has got to be three or four times taller than me. I’ve never rock climbed in my life and to be quite honest I never thought I would. Especially, not without safety gear—in the damn dark. I turn to Effa. “I’m not sure this is such a great idea—”
“Why? You chicken?” she asks poking me in the ribs.
Fuck!