Chapter Five
Aiden
“HELLO, LAS VEGAS!” I screamed, and the crowd roared as we rushed the stage. Jude was already poised and ready behind his kit to start the first song. Once Kit and Kade were in place, I gave my drummer a nod and the show began.
Our first song was going to be the next release off the new album. It was hard and heavy, and from the roar of the crowd, the song was a hit. The heat rolled up off the desert floor, and I ripped my shirt off as soon as the song ended. Women screamed, and I saw Kit’s gaze flicker to my chest before we started the next song.
It wasn’t long before I noticed one of the other bands playing that weekend standing in the crowd. Flix wasn’t scheduled to play until the next day, but I wasn’t surprised to see them there.
What I was surprised at was the obvious lust in their drummer’s eyes as he watched Kit from his perch in the crowd. I found myself gravitating toward her as the song ended. Jude started the next song immediately, and I belted out the beginning, my eyes focusing on her. Kit looked at me with an odd expression, but I played it off as part of our set. I leaned my back against hers as I sang the chorus, then turned around to put the mic in her face so she could sing her backup vocals. I gave her a wink and headed back to center stage.
The crowd roared as we rolled into the first single off of the album. Some girl was surfing across the crowd, and several guys had started moshing a few rows back from the rail. I raised my fist in the air and told the fans to sing along. Kade jumped off the riser and found his way over to Kit, looking over her shoulder as she played the deep bassline.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Kit Ellis!” When I pointed to her, the audience cheered and swayed. I smiled and gave her another soft wink. She nodded and walked behind me to stand up on the riser that Jude’s kit was sitting on so he could be seen by the crowd. She didn’t stay long, returning to her mic to help me finish out the song. We did this for the next hour, pushing ourselves until we were near the point of exhaustion.
As we came off the stage, our crew rushed in behind us to take down our equipment. I grabbed a towel and wiped my face, tossing it into a basket by the tent that was set up for us beside the stage. Kit followed along after me. Her face lit up, and like all of us, she was feeling the rush of energy from the crowd.
“That was amazing!”
Just as I turned around, I saw the guys from Flix approaching. Their band manager, Ryan, introduced himself and made some pleasantries. When they asked about Kit, I hardened my features and offered to introduce them. I knew they weren’t there to take her from my band, but the look in that drummer’s eyes told me he would have her naked and screaming his name, given the chance.
“Kit,” I said, taking my hand and placing it on her lower back as I stepped up to her side. I felt her body relax for a moment but quickly stiffen when she realized I wasn’t alone. Her body signals told me that she wanted me, but she resisted.
Ryan held out his hand for a shake. I told her who he was and that they’d been very impressed with her performance. She smiled widely and blushed. “Ah, thanks so much.”
“I’m Will,” the drummer said, pushing past his bandmates to get his hands on her. “Can I buy you a drink?”
I felt Kade grasp my arm when she nodded and allowed Will to wrap an arm around her lower back, leading her off toward the bar. The rest of the band and their manager said their goodbyes and left us standing there alone. I watched her as she waited for a drink. After that, she didn’t waste time moving to a tall table to talk with the drummer from Flix. I wanted to kill the son of a bitch.
“Calm down,” Jude whispered, making a move to stand in my line of sight. When I made a move to step around him, Kade was right there to block my way.
“I am calm,” I snarled. “I want to make sure she’s okay.”
“I told you to claim that.” Kade shrugged, handing me my discarded shirt. I pulled it over my head and immediately found her again.
“She’s fine,” Jude sighed, giving Kade a hard glare. “We will mingle and keep an eye on her, but don’t you dare do anything stupid. They’re just talking.”
I spent the next ten minutes trying my hardest not to go over there and claim Kit for my own…and punch that drummer square in the fucking throat. He wanted what was mine.
“Drink this,” Kade demanded, setting a shot of whiskey and a beer in front of me. My eyes never wavered from her spot across the room as I tilted the liquid back, swallowing it down without even feeling the burn.
Kit was talking quietly with the drummer; and thankfully, she wasn’t leaning into him or laughing at anything he said. Jude and Kade moved with me as I made my way closer to her table. I wanted to be near her, because I really didn’t know the guy she was with, and I wasn’t sure if I trusted him. My body vibrated as he reached over to touch her hand. I noticed the moment she looked away and our eyes met. There was that fire in her gaze again.
Just as my feet started moving toward them, I felt Kade grasp my arm once more. I’d had enough and was going to get her away from Will for good this time. Before I could approach the table, Will stood up and nodded toward Kit, leaning down and placing a soft kiss on her cheek. The animalistic growl that came from my lips caused a few people to turn and look in my direction.
I really didn’t care anymore.
I wanted her.