Chapter Three

Groupie

 

 

When I woke up the next morning, I was surprised to see it was almost eleven. It’d been a while since I’d slept in so late. The best part was that I didn’t have to jump out of bed in a rush.

There were no cakes to bake or homework to do. I had to sketch some designs, but I already had some clear visuals in my head.

I grabbed my phone and burrowed back into my blankets to enjoy the rare opportunity to be lazy. I reviewed some waiting emails, but all of them were business that didn’t need to be taken care of right away. I clicked to check texts.

The first waiting message made me feel guilty.

Dana was one of the only people from my mother’s side of my life that I could stand. We weren’t close, but we were kind of friends. I’d been so caught up with cakes and school that I’d barely talked to her.

Dana: Wasn’t last night your date with the dreamy James? How’d it go?

Only Dana would describe James as ‘dreamy’.

Me: It wasn’t a date. Just dinner at my mother’s. We barely talked.

Dana: Are you seeing him again?

Me: He works for Thomas, I’m sure I’ll see him often.

Dana: You know what I mean. You’ve gotta hook him soon, Piper. I don’t even get how he’s still single. He’s young, he’s attractive, and he’s successful. Plus, he seems to tolerate your… you-ness.

Ahh, isn’t that what every chick dreams of? A guy who totally tolerates them for who they are. Excuse me while I start knitting booties for all the babies that we’re going to tolerate together.

Me: Yeah, he does seem to do that. Anyway, I gotta get in the shower. I’ll talk to you later.

Dana: We have to get together, maybe tonight?

Me: Probably not tonight, but soon.

Dana might be a friend, but hanging with her could be draining. She was competitive about everything and constantly needed to outdo everyone. Last time we’d had lunch, she’d switched between badmouthing her other friends, discussing her diet, and making constant mention of her money and shopping.

She wasn’t always the easiest person to hang out with but she’d never been quite this bad before. Unfortunately, she was unreceptive when I’d tried to gently broach the subject.

On my rare day off, I didn’t want to deal.

I switched to another message and did a giddy bounce when I saw it was from Jake.

Way to play it cool, Piper.

Jake: Mornin’.

Me: Yo.

Jake: Another wine filled date tonight?

Me: I was thinking I’d move up to vodka.

Jake: Cute. Wanna come party instead?

Me: On a Sunday?

Jake: What, you think we take Sundays off?

Me: Ain’t no rest for the wicked?

Jake: Rest is for the dead. Life is for the living, Piper.

His words hit me hard. I didn’t want to play it safe and live with regrets. I wanted to do what I loved and make the most of the life that I had. It’s what I’d been trying to do, what I’d been working for.

While I looked at his words, another message from him popped up.

Jake: So, plans?

As much as life was for the living, it was also for enjoying the rare, peaceful quiet. Especially when that included some chocolate and garbage TV.

Me: Just being lazy tonight, no work.

Jake: So that’s a yes then.

Me: No, it’s a me saying I’m being lazy, so maybe another time.

Jake: Would you change your mind if I said it was a party at our bud Jet’s house?

Me: Uhh, no?

Jake: What if I said that Jet was the X-ers drummer?

Me: No way! I saw them in concert once, they’re amazing. How do you know him?

Jake: We went to school together. They’re leavin’ on tour in a few days. Tonight is a goin’ away thing. In?

Me: Oh, I’m so in.

Jake: I see how it is. When it was just me, you were lazy. Now you’re goin’ for the band. Groupie.

Me: Damn straight. What time?

Jake: I’ll pick you up at eight.

Me: Awesome.

Jake: I gotta get some work done. See ya, babe.

Now how am I supposed to be lazy?

*******

“No, I’m sure this sketch would get approved. Who wouldn’t want a cake that looked like it was cut with a weed whacker?” I muttered to myself. Tilting my sketchbook to the side, I looked at it again. “Or maybe it was mauled by Satan’s cats.” Ripping the paper out, I crumpled it up and tossed it on the growing pile.

When it became obvious that my focus wasn’t on the badly doodled cake sketches I was working on, I gave up trying. Instead, I decided to make the most of my day off and pamper myself with a soak in the tub and all things girly.

Fearing a repeat of Friday night, I didn’t spend too long in the bath. Of course when I gave myself the time, my makeup only took one redo.

Even my hair cooperated when I used a barrel brush to blow-dry it wild. With my luck, I’d expected it to fall flat, become a snarled mess, or maybe even start on fire.

When I finished my hair and makeup, I pulled on dark gray skinny jeans and a thick, hot pink belt. After, I stood, for what felt like forever, staring into my open closet.

Okay, so apparently the perfect shirt isn’t going to catapult itself out at me.

Damn.

Jeans and my hot pink wedge shoes were a safe bet. The top was what would make the outfit casual or dressy.

The problem was that I had no clue what kind of party it was going to be. I could safely guess that it wasn’t going to be overly formal, but that still left a lot of options.

I reached for a fitted t-shirt when something towards the back caught my eye. Shifting hangers, I pulled out a corset style top.

Dark gray with pink detailing, the halter showed off my tattoos, accentuated my curves, and looked rocker glam. I’d bought it on a whim but had never worn it.

If there was any place to wear rocker glam, I figured a party at an actual rocker’s house was it.

I was putting on a gray bolero when there was a knock on the door. Opening it, I was surprised to see Jake.

“Hey, you’re early.”

Jake didn’t say anything, but his eyes swept over me, making me wonder if I should’ve gone with a more casual look.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“No, not really.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t suppose I could convince you to go change, huh?”

“Should I? I wasn’t sure what type of thing this was.”

“Got any sweats and hoodies four sizes too big?”

“Um, no?”

Jake shook his head. “Then don’t bother. You look hot, sweets.”

Sweets?

“Thanks, so do you.”

Which wasn’t quite true. He was definitely working a scorching look in motorcycle boots and worn in black jeans. A white t-shirt contrasted with his tanned skin and showed off his tats and strong arms. His hair was pulled back and I wondered again how it looked down.

And how it felt.

I was thinking I might be starting to get a tiny bit obsessed.

Starting?

Tiny?

Full-blown, baby.

“What happened to the other kind of thanks?” he asked, his voice low.

His arms went around me, pulling me closer as he lowered his mouth lightly to mine.

I liked gentle a lot but my body remembered the kiss from Friday night. Without thought, I used my tongue to trace the seam of Jake’s lips.

He groaned before deepening the kiss.

Too soon he pulled back, ending the moment. “We gotta go.”

“Okay,” I murmured from my haze.

“Fuck, really wanna kiss those lips again, but then we won’t be leavin’ at all.”

“Okay,” I repeated.

I’m sure there’s some appeal to leaving, but I can’t for the life of me remember what. Maybe we should stay here until I figure it out.

My face must have shown my thoughts, making Jake kiss me again, hard but much too fast.

“Let’s go, sweets.”

I locked up and followed him down the walkway, running my hand over the back of my neck. My nerves were on edge about tonight and I couldn’t shake my anxiety lately. I was worried about doing something embarrassing and having to avoid Jake and the guys.

As in, I’d be changing my name and moving to a remote town where the moose outnumbered the people.

I caught sight of Jake’s Fat Boy Lo Harley, pulling me from my heavy thoughts. I’d seen it briefly last night, but the close-up view was infinitely better. Black with chrome detailing, it was sleek and powerful without looking like a crotch rocket. Not that I minded crotch rockets on occasion, but my love was for cruisers.

As much as I wanted a bike, I figured delivering cakes on one might get a little messy, so I went with the van.

“Awesome,” I whispered reverently.

Jake’s lip twitched. He grabbed a helmet and put it on me, his fingers lightly brushing my jaw and neck. Straddling the bike, he took care of his own helmet before helping me on.

Under normal circumstances, even in heels, I’d have had no issue getting on the bike. After seeing him on it, however, I was finding myself a little weak in the knees.

As the engine roared to life, I wrapped my arms around Jake’s waist. He pulled them tighter, moving me closer in the process.

With my front flush to his back, I could feel each muscle ripple, each tendon tighten, as he moved. I rested my head between his shoulders as we took off.

I was disappointed when we pulled into a driveway. I loved the feel of the ride, the sights flying by as the wind whipped around us. It was invigorating. It was beautiful.

It was freedom.

Experiencing it pressed tight to Jake didn’t hurt, either.

Jake pulled up to the side of the house and cut the engine. Hopping off the back, I set the helmet with his and shook out my hair.

“Damn,” someone said from the porch.

I turned and barely contained my fangirl squeal when I saw Jet.

“Hey, baby, I’m Jet. Before anyone else sees you, how about you and I—”

“Too late,” Jake said. Curling his arm around my shoulders, we walked towards the steps.

“‘Be a drummer,’ everyone said. ‘You’ll get all the girls,’ everyone said. Everyone was wrong. Shoulda taken a fuckin’ shop class,” Jet sighed dramatically.

“You did, you just didn’t go. Pretty sure you spent a big chunk of your time in the nurse’s office.”

“Hey, Nurse Maggie and I had a real connection!”

“She was fifty!”

“That doesn’t mean she didn’t deserve love. Fuck, I still got a thing for nurses. Can’t even go to the damn doctor without gettin’ wood.”

I couldn’t hold back my laughter. Rock stars were supposed to be all ego and arrogance, but I’d always heard the X-ers were down to earth and humble.

“You must be the gorgeous Piper,” Jet said to me.

“That’s me,” I wheezed.

I just got called gorgeous by the drummer for the X-ers.

Be cool, Piper. No one likes a screaming groupie.

“Breathe, groupie,” Jake whispered in my ear, his voice amused as he proved he could read my thoughts.

I can be cool. I got this.

Right?

Maybe.

Jet lead the way into his house. “Let’s go get you two some drinks, huh? The night is young, but the party is already kickin’.”

The living room was full of people hanging out and dancing, the loud music traveling throughout the house. There was a drinking game going on in a dining room, everyone laughing and cheering.

I’d never been to a farewell party for famous rockers going on tour before, but this wasn’t what I’d expected. The rock ‘n’ roll vibe was definitely there, but it was relaxed and chill. Instead of a pretentious Hollywood-esque party, it felt more like a kegger.

Freakin’ awesome.

When we got to the back of the house, my inner groupie was dangerously close to jumping out and screeching.

The X-ers and some of the guys were casually sitting around a large table in the homey kitchen with open bottles of beer in front of them. Their loud conversation and laughter filled the room.

Sweet baby Elvis, I’ve died and gone to groupie heaven.

That feeling went into overdrive when Gage, the lead singer, looked up from the table at us. “Aww, you brought me a going away present. Jake, man, you know me so well.”

Jet shook his head. “I’ve already struck out. No way you’ve got a chance.”

“Maybe that just means she’s got good taste.” Gage threw me his signature bad boy smirk.

I knew from seeing an X-ers show shortly after my eighteenth birthday that he was tall. With lean sinewy muscles, black hair, and dark blue eyes, he always looked dangerous. From what I’d heard, it wasn’t a persona he put on to sell tickets and albums. He’d lived a rough life and still had demons that haunted him.

“Hey,” Kase said, coming over with a beer in each hand. He handed one to Jake. “Beer, Pipe?”

“Water?”

“Su—” Kase started before Jet interrupted.

“We got a full bar, Piper, and this is our last chance to get a hottie drunk. By the time we get around them on tour, they’re already shitty or close to it. Takes the fun out of things when all we see is sloppy, ya know? We miss the fun in between part. Get her something strong.”

I shrugged and gave Kase a smile. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to drink. I just didn’t want to get stupid.

I was having enough trouble with my inner groupie while I was sober.

When Kase went to grab my drink, Jet turned back to the table and threw his arm around my shoulders. “Piper, this is Gage, Ryder, Rocco, and Zeke.”

As if I needed introductions. As if I didn’t know.

Ryder was the guitarist, Rocco, the bassist, and Zeke, rhythm guitar and backup vocals. Zeke was also the baby of the group and the only one from outside of Massachusetts. He was a southern boy, with down-home charm and manners in a rocker package.

Unsurprisingly, he was also first to hop out of his chair and offer it to me.

Jet steered me over, once again not really giving me a choice. And, once again, I didn’t really care. Especially when Jake moved to stand close behind me.

When Kase gave me my drink, I took a tiny sip with the plan of making it last.

Reading my mind again, Jake leaned close to my ear. “I’m driving tonight and nursing this beer. Drink up, let loose, yeah?”

I nodded up at him before Gage grabbed my attention.

“So, why no cookies? You brought cookies for Rhys.”

“He placed an order for them. Let me know what you want, I’ll totally bake some.”

“No chocolate chip. I’m thinking oatmeal raisin.”

“Dude, no. Fuck no. That’s not a cookie, that’s breakfast. And a nasty one,” Rocco said, his expression making his disgust clear.

“I like them. And the fact that none of you fuckers do means I might actually get some of them.”

“I dunno,” Kase put in as he set a fresh drink in front of me, making me realize I’d finished the first one. “I’m willing to bet she can make even raisins taste good.”

“It’s true,” I confirmed. “I hate raisins, but even I like my oatmeal raisin cookies.”

I forgot about my plan to drink slowly when everyone began debating the best dessert, a surprisingly heated topic. From there the conversation, and the drinks, flowed.

It wasn’t long before the nervous tension left my body. Although I was sure the alcohol helped, the band acted like a group of regular guys and that’s how most everyone treated them.

I finished my drink and a new one appeared like magic in front of me. Unfortunately, the others I’d had were making themselves known.

When I stood up, Jake’s hand went to my waist.

“You good?” he rumbled close to my ear.

“Yeah,” I breathed. His hand often had that effect on me, but standing also made me realize I really had to pee.

Jake slid his hand down my side before letting me go and stepping back.

“Hey Piper, that your only piercing?” Rocco asked, dipping his head to my bellybutton ring. All the guys were tattooed, but Rocco was pierced multiple times.

“Uh, no, I have a few more.” Turning towards the doorway, I stopped when he spoke again.

“Where?”

Looking over my shoulder, I smiled. “Telling would take the fun out of it.”

I weaved in and out of couples going at it and pointedly ignored some less than friendly glares I was getting. Not that there were a lot of them here, but still my “Maximum Skank Occupancy Limit” had been exceeded. They were the only ones treating the band differently, and they didn’t look too happy about how that was playing out.

When I reached the surprisingly tidy bathroom, I silently thanked the party gods that there was no line. After I was done, I walked carefully, concentrating on my steps so I didn’t fall.

Why does walking always mean feeling drunker?

Or is it more drunk?

More drunkerer?

Wrapped up in grammatically measuring my level of intoxication, I got back to the kitchen to see Jake sitting where I’d been. I moved to sit up on the counter with Kase when Jake’s large hand engulfed mine. He tugged slightly and I fell back, landing on his lap with a yelp and a giggle.

With my crossed legs hanging over the side of his, I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and settled in happily. That happy became freakin’ ecstatic when his hand came to rest on my thigh, his thumb stroking.

“Piper, who did your ink?” Gage asked, watching us closely.

“My friend Ray owns a place called Exxxtreme. She’s done all my tats.”

“I’ve gotten inked by her,” Jet said, lifting his sleeve to show a Celtic knot covering his upper arm. “We’ve played shows at her man’s place.”

Ray, along with being one of the most talented tattoo artists around, was also one of the sweetest women. Her ever-changing hair was past shoulder length on one side and shaved on the other. Her ears were pierced multiple times, she had two lip rings, an eyebrow piercing, plus hidden ones. Both of her tattooed arms were covered in a whirl of designs and colors that showed her inner whimsical and romantic side.

While she wasn’t conventionally beautiful, she knew who she was and she rocked it.

Edge was a crazy hottie, emphasis on the crazy. Especially when it came to Ray. He was determined, unrelenting, and totally badass. He fell hard and fast for her.

It would be hard not to.

Ray, however, took her time. Her normally daring attitude flew out the window and skepticism took over when it came to getting involved with Edge. Thankfully he wore her down and her gentle temperament was the perfect match for his hard.

Edge owned Voodoo, a club in the area. Where Rye was known for being laid-back, Voodoo was a venue for high-energy live music.

“What do you have?” Gage asked.

I ran through my list, this time with no growl of annoyance from Jake. I did, however, get a whole different kind of growl when I moved on his lap to show my shoulder and back tattoos.

“Are the notes from a song?” Jet asked about my rib tattoo.

I used my fingers to tap the beat. “It’s the opening of Van Morrison’s ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’.”

Gage nodded his head. Putting his elbows on the table, he leaned forward. “As a bona fide rocker hottie, settle a bet… Boring drummer or world-renowned lover and massively hung lead singer?”

“Seriously?” Jake snapped, though his lips were quirked up.

Gage raised his hands and shrugged. “What? It’s a valid question. For research purposes, of course.”

“So you have the facts to make an informed decision, though, I’m bigger and not boring,” Jet said. “Inventive. Imaginative. It’s heart-stopping, really.”

“Yeah, ‘cause they die of boredom,” Rocco said, before dodging the empty cup Jet threw at him.

I’m at Jet’s house pervin’ on rock star hotties! How is this my life?

Shh.

Don’t question it.

Go with it.

“Well,” I started through my laughter, “as much as I love a sexy voice, and I do, I have a thing for men that work with their hands. So, sorry Gage, this round would go to Jet.”

Jet stood up to do a thrusting victory dance. “Ha! Told you. In your face, fucker! I get the best chicks, woo hoo!”

“Damn, that doesn’t count then. She’s obviously biased. She’s here with the master of workin’ his hand.” Gage used his fist to make an obscene motion.

Jake made his own obscene, one-fingered gesture at Gage.

“Damn me and my voice of a fuckin’ angel,” Gage sighed. “I even told Jake when he was opening Hyde’s that he’d get so much tail.”

I couldn’t stop myself from momentarily freezing, my body going tight, at Gage’s words. Not about how much sex Jake had; that he got laid was not a bombshell. He was hot, smart, funny, and, it was worth repeating, hot.

What was surprising was that Jake owned Hyde. The only person I’d seen or read about was Z, which was why I’d thought he owned it. I’d assumed Jake was the manager, just handling the day-to-day stuff of running the place.

I kept a smile on my face and forced myself to relax, hoping it wasn’t obvious that I was surprised.

Not one to miss anything, Jake’s hands tightened on my waist as he lifted me off of him. “Let’s go dance.”

I nodded, standing up and trying to think of an excuse. I didn’t want to admit I was a dingus, but my brain was drawing a blank.

With a hand at the small of my back, Jake led me to the living room. Looking around, I was able to see how the sound carried so thoroughly throughout the house. Along with the small speakers that were mounted around the room for surround sound, large speakers were set up near the stereo.

All of the furniture was pushed to the side, allowing people a place to sit while also opening up the majority of the space.

I was once again surprised to see how nicely the room was decorated. I wasn’t sure if it was more shocking that there were coasters on the coffee and end tables, or that people were actually using said coasters.

Between the music and the crush of people, the noise level was high. There was no way Jake and I could carry on a conversation.

My relief was cut short when the song ended and a quiet one began. I silently cursed the music gods because even with the volume up, we were able to talk.

Jake slid his arms around my waist as we moved. His head dipped down to the side of mine. “Sorry, babe. Gage doesn’t think.”

“Uh, it’s okay,” I murmured, confused about why he was apologizing.

“That shit about gettin’ tail. I’m obviously not a—”

I pulled back to look at him. “Totally fine. And totally not my business.”

His eyes searched my face, as if trying to determine whether I was lying. Seeming to accept my answer, he asked, “So what was it?”

“What was what?” I asked, playing clueless.

Just once I’d like to get away with it.

“One minute you’re smilin’ and laughin’… Christ, even not being able to see your whole face, you’re so fuckin’ gorgeous I can’t look away. Which is how I know that your smile changed.”

At his sweet words, my brain went to mush. Thankfully he hadn’t asked me anything too personal or embarrassing, because I’d have told him every last secret.

“I didn’t know you owned Hyde. I knew you ran it, but not that you owned it. I was just surprised.”

“You didn’t know I owned Hyde?”

I shook my head. “Nope.”

“Fuck me. Seriously?”

“No. Z’s always the one doing the publicity—”

“I just hate doing that shit. Z only works part-time in the shop. Interviews, advertising, and all that are the other half of his job. So you really didn’t know?”

I shook my head again. “Does it matter?”

Some people took it personally when others weren’t aware of their accomplishments, as if it was an insult to their giant egos.

Jake seemed to have the opposite reaction.

His eyes warmed as he leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. When the music grew loud again, he moved his mouth back to my ear. “Yeah, baby, it does.”

Before I could ask more, Jet approached us with drinks in hand. “It’s been a while since you’ve had a drink.”

“What is it?” I sniffed the shot glass. There were fruity undertones, but it smelled boozy enough to make my nose tingle.

“Dunno. Kase just said don’t get near any open flames with it.”

I shrugged and tossed the shot back, instantly grimacing at the taste. “Blech. Tastes like burning.”

“That face just screams you want another.”

“It actually isn’t bad after a minute. It tastes like fruit. If said fruit was soaked in lighter fluid, but still.”

“Since I’m pretty sure that beer was evaporating quicker than you were drinking it,” Jet said, handing the larger cup to Jake, “water.”

“Thanks.” Jake gulped some back.

Even the way he drinks is sexy.

I’ve officially lost my mind.

Jet grabbed the empty shot glass from me and handed it to a guy walking by, to their startled surprise. “Here, my gift to you.”

“Uh, thanks?” the guy said, before recognition dawned. A smile split across his face as he held the glass close like it actually was a treasure.

“Pretty sure you just lost that.” I watched the guy move away slowly, trying to look nonchalant as he slipped the shot glass into his pocket. “Yup, gone.”

“Meh, that’s okay. I stocked up at Target. I’d have signed it for him if he was gonna steal my shit, though. Anyway, now that you’re hands are free but Jake’s aren’t, looks like it’s time for me to steal you for a dance.”

Jet pulled me to him, moving us closer to the crowd and further from Jake.

I knew it wasn’t about trying to get a better spot to dance. It also wasn’t about trying to hit on me without Jake hearing.

Which was why I wasn’t surprised when he said, “You really didn’t know he owned Hyde.”

It wasn’t a question. Still, I answered him. “Nope, no clue.”

Much like with Rhys, Jet held my eyes with his searching ones. And again I fought the urge to look away. I had nothing to hide, and as a smile spread across his face, I was glad he reached the same conclusion.

I held my breath as his smile faded and he opened his mouth to speak. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, a roaring loud song started up, making any conversation impossible.

The party had grown, a steady stream of people coming and going. The air, already thick and sticky from the humidity, grew increasingly warm as more people started dancing.

For tonight, please let me be one of those women that looks sexy and dewy when I sweat. We can return to my regular, splotchy faced sweating tomorrow.

Before the song finished, Jake snagged me around the waist and pulled my back against his chest. Reaching over my shoulder, he handed me his ice water before sliding his hands down to hold my hips.

Amped up and unable to stay still, I swayed and bounced as I drank.

Work and school may have temporarily taken over, but I’d still had some seriously awesome nights in my life. I grew up sheltered, but that didn’t mean I didn’t venture outside of that bubble.

Tonight was right up there as one of the best of my life.

Considering how awesome Rye had been, and ignoring Jake’s previous asshole attitude and dinner at my mother’s, the whole weekend was kickass.

It wasn’t about hanging out with a band. It wasn’t about the hot guy parade. Hell, it wasn’t even about Jake.

Okay, it wasn’t just about all that.

It was about being with fun people. My kind of people. No one was eyeing tattoos or piercings with distaste. No one was avoiding eye contact and moving away from anyone, their fear and judgment easily readable.

Hanging out with a rock band that I loved was cool.

The fact they were so chill and friendly was what made it awesome.

That said, being with Jake took the night from awesome to seriously freakin’ awesome. Especially since he wasn’t being a dick about what I was wearing or who I was talking to. Instead, he was casually affectionate with me in a way that cleared up any of the mixed signals he’d previously been sending my way.

When I finished drinking, Jake took the cup from me and set it on the window ledge. Pushing my hair to the side, he leaned down. “How drunk are you, sweets?” His mouth touched the skin behind my ear, sending goose bumps across my body.

“I’m not. A bit tipsy maybe. Why?”

“You ready to go?”

I was having a blast and knew the party was not even close to slowing down. Staying would mean playing hooky from classes tomorrow, which I was okay with. As long as I had copious amounts of caffeine, it would probably even be worth the rushing around I’d have to do to stay on schedule with my cakes.

However, I wasn’t stupid. Jake wasn’t asking because he wanted to get home and get some shut eye. I also seriously doubted he was asking with the intention of taking me home, giving me a chaste kiss on my porch, and then leaving.

I was willing to bet a dozen of my best cookies that if I said I wasn’t ready to go, Jake would be cool with that. He’d been focused on making sure I was having a good time the whole night. I’d never really had that before.

But, like I said, I wasn’t stupid.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

Jake’s grip tightened on my hips before he released me. He jerked his head towards the door at someone, but I couldn’t see over the crowd.

Using a hand at my back, we moved through the room, and once again Jake had no trouble maneuvering us around the crowd. We stopped in the entryway and I saw Jet coming our way.

“Taking off?” he asked when he reached us.

“Yeah.” Jake pounded his shoulder in a man hug. “Good luck, brother. Stay safe, yeah?”

Jet laughed as he returned the shoulder thump before stepping back. “Takes the fun out of being a rocker, but I’ll do what I can.”

“Good luck on tour, not that you’ll need it.” I ended on a yelp when Jet grabbed me, lifting me in a full hug.

“Holy shit, she smells like cake.”

“I know. Now put her down,” Jake said.

“But she’s so little.”

“I am not!” I huffed.

“Okay, you’re fun-sized.”

“That I’ll accept.”

“Great, we’re in agreement. Now put her down,” Jake ordered, his voice losing some of its amusement.

“Damn, Jacoby, cool your jets! Get it? Jets? I’m hilarious.”

“Yeah, Shamus, a laugh fuckin’ riot,” Jake grumbled sarcastically, clearly no longer enjoying the humor.

I, however, was amused enough for the both of us.

So, Jet’s real name is Shamus? Hot, and explains the giant Celtic knot. And Jacoby? Double hot.

“It was cool to meet you, Piper,” Jet said, ignoring Jake.

I grinned up at him when he set me down. “You, too.”

“I know, I’m awesome.”

After our goodbyes, Jake grabbed my hand and turned to leave.

“Don’t forget about those cookies!” Jet yelled.

“I’ll drop them off at Hyde’s on Tuesday,” I called over my shoulder.

*******

Fifteen minutes later, we pulled up to a nice condo complex and Jake cut the engine. I got off the bike and removed my helmet, handing it to him.

“Jacoby, where are we?” I asked, unable to resist using his real name. He looked down at me with a brow lift, one side of his mouth quirked up. “What? It’s a hot name.”

“Fair enough.”

“So, where are we?”

He opened the front door. “My place.”

I walked in first, stopping as Jake punched his code into the beeping alarm.

Minus a coffee mug and a small stack of mail, the room was clean. As in, really clean. It was dominated by a plush looking couch and large flat screen TV on the wall. That was it. There were no personal effects. No framed pictures or hanging sports memorabilia. None of the write-ups about Hyde or any of the awards they’d won.

Before I could look around more, Jake grabbed me and pulled me to him, his mouth covering mine. Light and teasing, his tongue danced with mine.

I pushed myself against him, needing more.

His hands traveled down my back to my ass, cupping it as he lifted me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, gasping at the hardness of his very evident arousal.

He carried me through a doorway and set me down on a soft bed. His mouth left mine, kissing down the curve of my neck as he pushed my bolero down my arms.

I pulled it the rest of the way off and tossed it to the side before reaching behind his head. Gently tugging the hair tie, I freed his hair and finally, finally ran my fingers through the softness of it. It was better than I’d thought it would be, and I’d put a lot of thought into it.

He lightly kissed the top of my chest. An intense pleasure grew low in my gut, taking my breath away.

“Jacoby.”

“Hmm?” The noise vibrated against me.

“Please, I need more,” I pleaded.

“More what?”

“More of you, touching me.”

Jake sat up to pulled my shoes and pants off, throwing them to the side.

I grabbed the hem of his shirt and yanked it over his head, exposing tan skin and defined muscle. An intricate tattoo of gears, pistons, and other mechanical parts covered his shoulders and down one arm, giving the illusion that his skin was split open to show a robotic inner. The left side of his stomach was covered in a colorful swirled design that I wanted to explore with my tongue.

The definition of his pelvic muscle leading into his pants would require a month, at least, to explore.

Drawing my attention from the ink to something much better, Jake went up onto his knees and undid his belt. Opening the button and zipper, he pushed his pants partway down. A pair of dark blue boxer briefs covered, but did nothing to hide, his hard cock, though I’m not sure anything could have.

I knew my face gave away my thoughts when Jake’s voice grew rougher. “Shirt off.” Shifting to his side, he kicked his jeans the rest of the way off.

I sat up and undid the tiny hooks down my side, peeling away my top.

“Fuck, you weren’t kiddin’.” He covered my body with his.

“What?” I asked hazily as I laid back.

“You show up in my shop lookin’ good and wholesome in an outfit that should’ve turned me off but made my dick hard, thinkin’ of ways I wanted to corrupt you. Now I know under all that prim and proper was rock ‘n’ roll. Ray?”

“Yeah. She was nervous about doing them. Her hands are solid and she never shakes, so I knew she could do it. It was our awkward and very personal bonding experience.”

He leaned down to lick around the barbell in my nipple.

“Please, I need more.”

His mouth closed around my nipple, his tongue and teeth working together to torture me. Stretching out on his side next to me, he trailed his long fingers down my stomach.

A shiver of anticipation ran through me.

Jake’s large hand covered me over my panties, his middle finger firmly tracing up. He released my nipple and sat up, taking his hand away from my aching pussy.

I whimpered at the loss, raising my hips to follow his hand.

He hooked his thumbs into the side of my panties and slid them down, kissing as he went. He positioned himself between my shaking legs.

I tried to close them a little, but his hands on my inner thighs pushed them further apart.

“Perfect, baby.” Jake moved his eyes to mine before returning them down. “Everything about you is perfect.”

This is why I’ll never settle. I deserve someone who thinks I’m perfect, not someone who tolerates me.

He bent low and licked slowly up, his groan vibrating through me. My hips moved unconsciously as my hands fisted in the sheets.

“Please. More.”

Ignoring my pleas, Jake added his thumb to my torment, rubbing my clit. When the tension had built to near unbearable levels, he went up on an elbow, pulling his mouth and thumb away.

My whimper of protest turned into a gasp when his finger began to enter me.

“Fuck, you’re tight,” he growled, working in a second finger.

My body tightened, the discomfort of being so full turning to flat-out pain. I flinched and instinctively pulled back.

Before I knew what was happening, Jake abruptly sat up and moved away.

Far away.

He clenched his jaw, his whole body tight. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?” I tried, and failed, to play clueless.

“You’ve never done this before, have you?”

I sat up, staring at the unconcealed anger, and what looked like disgust, on his face.

“Answer me!” he roared.

I jumped at his outburst. “Uhh, no,” I stammered, freaked out and confused.

“What have you done?”

“Not… much.”

Growing up the way I did, it was hard enough to sneak out for a backseat make out, much less anything more. Even if I’d had the chance, there weren’t many people I wanted to spend regular time with let alone naked time. Once I moved out, school and trying to get Piper’s Cakes off the ground took over my life.

Everything else just seemed like it could wait.

It wasn’t like I’d never had an orgasm. There was a reason my showerhead was so high-tech, and why I happily paid my steep water bill every month. Coffee might be my lifeline to get me through the day, but it wasn’t what woke me up in the morning.

That’s not even counting the drawer of assorted sized Battery Operated Boyfriends.

I wasn’t unknowing. Just unpracticed.

“I can’t do this,” Jake said, moving further away to sit on the side of the bed. His long, muscular body bent as he put his head in his hands.

Of course he wouldn’t be interested in my inexperienced fumbling.

Maybe he thinks if he fucks me, I’m gonna get clingy and follow him around. Like I’m holding onto my virginity while I wait for Prince Charming and a happily ever after.

If that was the case, it would be me, my virginity, and my showerhead for life.

Whatever. All I know is I need to go.

Now.

I got up and started looking for my discarded clothing. I picked up my panties. “I’ll just… I’ll call a ride.”

Smelling him, seeing him, still feeling him everywhere, I wanted to curl up and hide. To curse my upbringing and my virginity. Most of all, though, I wanted to scream in severe sexual frustration.

How could someone turn from so hot to so cold that quickly?

“No.” Jake stood up, pointedly not looking my way as I scrambled around trying to locate my clothes. “I’ll give you a ride home. I’ll just be…” He turned towards me while I was getting my shirt on, his words trailing off.

I’m sure there was a time in my life when I’d been more embarrassed. Like in third grade when I kissed Billy Mason and then threw up on his brand new sneakers. They were the expensive ones, with the pump on the tongue and everything. After that, all I wanted was a new school.

Or when I grew boobs before anyone else and Mandy Plose started a rumor that I stuffed my bra. It was bad enough to have everyone analyzing my chest, but when a bunch of kids filled my locker to overflowing with tissues and toilet paper, I’d put some serious thought into changing schools and my name.

However, standing in the middle of Jake’s room in my panties, my chest bare as I awkwardly fumbled with the tiny hooks on my top, I couldn’t remember ever feeling so mortified.

I’m never wearing anything but t-shirts again. Ever.

Jake cleared his throat. “I’ll just be in the other room,” he muttered as he left.

Blinking back tears, I quickly finished dressing.

I thought riding on the back of Jake’s bike again would be torture. As we started towards my place, though, it became obvious how preferable it was to taking his car. There was no uncomfortable silence, or worse, awkward conversation.

I’m sure the conversation would’ve been awesome. He’d probably just grunt at me while I discussed my vow to maintain a monogamous relationship with my showerhead and plans to adopt a cat.

Or ten.

Unlike the ride to Jet’s, I didn’t hold on tight or enjoy the view of the city passing by. I let the cool air whip around my overheated face as I blocked the world out.

When we arrived at my place, Jake still walked me to my door even though I didn’t want him to. I bit my lip to stop myself from saying something stupid to break the tense silence.

Thankfully, Jake spoke first, though we both knew there wasn’t anything to say.

“Piper, I—”

“Just… don’t.”

“Yeah.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’ll… I’ll see you around.”

Unlike last time, I knew his words were a blow off.

I gave him a small, tight smile. “Yeah, Jake. Bye.”

I hurried in, locking the door behind me. I leaned my back against it, listening as his bike roared to life. A minute later, he took off.

Dropping my head back, I couldn’t help feeling like there was more wrong than I knew.