Chapter Eleven
Dear Diary,
My body was his to command…
Two hundred thirty one bumps in the road in three hours. Cole bounced with every one, counted them. The bus stopped in Portland, Michigan a half hour ago, yet he still lay there wide-awake and even more exhausted. He didn’t want to miss it, the sounds.
She talked in her sleep. The only explanation for missing it the night before, a crash much like sleeping pills, chased with a bottle of whiskey. Heated, ravenous sex as they’d had would do that. He clung to the edge of sexual frustration and her moans held him there. He contemplated finding his own relief but he’d experienced it, the real thing, her.
It would never be the same again. The rest of the guys made their way to their bunks a while ago, naps all around. They weren’t the only ones who benefited from the use of the hotel to all hours of the night. The details he listened to, of their Scandal-less behavior along with her moans drove him to the edge of sexual insanity.
He squeezed his eyes closed and raised his arm over her. He didn’t want to touch her beautiful curves too much, didn’t think his libido could handle the torture, but he needed her. With the tips of his fingers, he tickled her back.
Please let her be feeling better.
He didn’t have to move too far; she stirred so much in her sleep she darn near laid on top of him now. Not helping matters.
She bolted upright, well, until she hit her head on the top of the bunk. “Ouch.”
****
“Oh shit. Sorry honey.”
She scowled at him and rubbed the back of her head. “This better be good.”
He squinted as though he could feel her pain, but his smile gave away his lack of regret. They stared into each other’s eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Her painful haze cleared the second he gripped her tight and rolled with her, until she lay beneath him.
His warmth blanketed her, much like his luring scent. Her panties soaked with desire when she closed her eyes and inhaled. His male aroma filled the tiny space and she didn’t think another night of sleep above him was an option.
He held her face in his hands, and paused as if he fought his own resistance. He leaned in slowly, kissed her forehead, eyelids, cheeks, and with light pressure, her lips. She smiled at the desperation in his kisses.
“Sorry baby, pleeeasse let me make it up to you.”
His tender kisses continued to the side of her mouth, down her neck, lower. She moaned. The tender touch of his lips on her collarbone, combined with the feel of his hand as it roamed to the hem of her shirt and lifted, stirred the wantonness in her that only his touch produced. A spontaneity that he accepted, ’cause he craved it too. His plea struck her heart, and she’d drain herself of all sensibility to sate him.
She arched her back, allowed him to get her shirt loose and slide his hands up to the clasp of her bra. Alert now, she opened her eyes to his and the same desperation to be lost in one another’s devotion.
“I need you, now.”
“Then take me.”
She stretched for the hem of his shirt and lifted it up. He raised his weight off her. With one hand braced on the mattress, he freed the other hand from under her shirt long enough to grab behind his head and tug his shirt. It slipped over his head with ease and messed his hair in the process. He threw it aside and stilled above her with temptation in his eyes, to seduce her beyond the list. He didn’t have to fight it, not in this moment.
She bit her lip and admired his upper body, still not able to fathom his interest in her. The way he’d confided in her the night before only heightened her desire for him. For a moment possession flooded her emotions, hope that only she held a special place with the real, Cole Davies.
She couldn’t recall a need for something so bad, the way she needed him now. Images of last night flashed through her mind and the way he smiled at her, anticipation had hit him too. He crushed his lips to hers as if it was the last time he’d ever get to touch a woman. It excited her.
She forced him up with a shove of her hands, lacked patience, needed to feel his skin on hers. She scrambled for the hem of her shirt and yanked it up. When she arched, extended her hands above her head with her shirt and bra, his pupils dilated. He used one hand to stop the clothing at her wrists, firm. On his elbow, to balance himself without crushing her, he looped the shirt and bra around her wrists. It wasn’t too tight, but it held.
She gasped. The slight power he held over her excited her. She peered into his lust-filled gaze and relaxed into his dominance. She was safe to let him have his way with her.
He stared into her eyes and the corner of his mouth rose. “I figured your list was all the permission I needed.”
With a wicked smile, he urged her on with a slow thrust against her lower half. She let her eyes drift closed and took long, slow breaths, to regain control. When she focused on him again, everything else around them had faded. He traced down the side of her body with a feather touch of his fingertip and followed the path with his intense gaze. He lingered at the button on her pants. She shivered.
“Cold?”
She glared at him. The seductive tone in his voice forced her patience, “If you don’t get inside me soon, I might—”
The rashness of his kiss cut her off. Their teeth knocked but it only spurred her on. He used the distraction to his advantage, undid her pants and slipped his hand down the front. He smiled, enjoyed how wet he made her. He traced around her opening with his finger, dipped into her heat with the tip but it wasn’t enough. She shifted her hips, to get his finger where she needed it.
“Patience, my love.”
The heat of his words sent tingles through her, like a tidal wave determined to make every tiny hair on her body respond. It did. The way he handled her made the impact of climax too intense to seek out. She pressed her butt into the mattress and away from his hand, but he pinned her tied wrists and kissed her into a trance before shoving two fingers deep inside her.
“Cole.”
Her body contracted as he kissed his way down her neck to just below her collarbone. She could feel his smile on her upper breast.
“I’m gonna come. It’s too much.”
At that moment, he latched on and sucked, hard. The combination of this, while his fingers curled to stroke her G-spot, made all her senses soar. Her body followed his command; she no longer controlled it. Her muscles vibrated as she fought off release, bound and at his mercy to please.
It built too strong, too fast. Her skin gave into the suction of his lips and the high of being marked by him intoxicated her. He let go and kissed up her neck. “My mark on you is beautiful,” he whispered in her ear and stroked her with more pressure.
She could no longer fight it, tease herself with pleasure. The power he used over her, in her, gave her no choice but to let go. The warmth of release exploded in her passage. She needed to move, ride out the wave his hand created, but she couldn’t. He held her in place and used his fingers to compel her to come so hard her body trembled beneath him. She closed her eyes and bit down on his shoulder to muffle her scream.
“God. Isabelle, you’re flooding my hand.”
Before she could come down from the most delightful high, he lifted off her as much as the space allowed and tugged her pants free from her body, followed by his own. She gathered her senses enough to open her eyes. He stared at her like a feral beast desperate to take its prey.
“Yes. Whatever it is you need, yes.” She relaxed and surrendered to him.
He spread her thighs with his knee, put his elbows down on either side of her head, and fastened his grip to her bound hands. The spasms of her climax still lingered while he moved his feet for leverage. He kissed the side of her neck and whispered. “Hold tight, baby. This isn’t going to last long.”
She spread her fingers enough so he could lace his through hers and squeeze. With one forceful thrust, he embedded himself in her, deep. Not given a moment to come down from the first orgasm, she startled when her body responded again, not as intense but enough to make her scream.
He pounded into her, hard. His feet braced at the end of the bed powered a force sure to leave her sore but she could see it in his eyes, he needed to be deep, needed all of her.
She threw her bound hands over his head and drew him in for a kiss. “I want to feel you explode inside me,” she whispered in his ear. Sweat beaded on his skin and his thrusts filled her at a desperate pace.
He drove in hard one last time, pulled at her stiffened arms to force his shaft in deeper yet. It was as if he wouldn’t be satisfied until his seed touched her core. He dropped his face into the crook of her neck, and panted while his body jerked with the last of his release.
“Isabelle. Mine.”
He didn’t scream. His words were soft and the intensity of them touched a depth in her she didn’t know existed.
He collapsed on top of her. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as he twitched inside of her, still affected by her even though the height of their passion had ended.
“Cole?”
“Hmm?” Her skin vibrated under his muffled, deep voice.
She giggled. “C-can’t breathe, again.”
Happiness washed over her when he rose up on his elbows, disheveled, satisfied. He tugged at her shirt and bra and relieved the tension in her wrists with the massage of his warm hands. “That was—”
She opened her mouth, intended to finish his sentence when the bite mark on his shoulder caught her attention. “Oh my God.” She touched it with her fingertip.
He raised his eyebrows. “Well, I do think I’m pretty damn good, but God?”
She smacked him on the bite mark and he flinched.
“Sorry.” She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.
“Believe me. You biting me only made me come harder.” He brushed hair back out of her face and kissed the tip of her nose. “I don’t think I have ever come that hard, or that much.” With a light touch of his finger, he traced her lips. “You may be dripping me for days.”
He eased himself from her body, renewed with excitement at his words, but she still winced.
“Sorry for being so rough, baby. Are you okay?”
An admission she’d held back surfaced to her mind, and no physical gesture alone could express it, only words. “Cole?” Her voice was quiet, close to a whisper.
“Yes?”
“With you, everything’s perfect.”
They stared at each other, lost for words.
Her pulse increased and her legs were restless with his weight. She snagged the first shirt within her reach, which happened to be his, and threw it on. “I’m going to go get cleaned up.”
Before he could respond, she opened the curtain and stumbled in her escape. When she stood up, Drew lay in his bunk at eye level, the curtain wide and a smile on his face. “Didn’t peg you as a screamer.”
****
Deep red blotches covered her dewy skin while she scurried to the bathroom. He glared at his best friend, but shrugged with a smile when the bathroom door closed.
“Fuck that was hot.” Zander shouted.
Brett laughed. “My hand and I get the bathroom next.”
He fell onto his back with a sigh, still buzzed from lust. He’d been there, alone and listening to one of the other guys get laid, so he was well aware of the effect it had. After all, they were human and men.
Drew laughed and closed his curtain, blocking the view of his best friend. He didn’t have to see his face to know what troubled him.
“Cole, my love, you have some ‘splainin’ to do.” His laughter trailed off into a quiet mumble. “Gonna get your heart broke, man.” Drew’s words hit him, hard.
He covered his eyes with his forearm. “I know.”
****
Isabelle stared at her reflection in the mirror, flushed, red, wild. She tugged the collar of his shirt down and covered her mouth with her free hand. A deep-red spot marked her. It seemed rather childish but at the same time, wonderful. Even when fully clothed, he’d be with her.
She touched the spot and something in her changed. No more need to analyze, just pure unadulterated fun. She’d be leaving friends behind, that was a given, but thinking of him as another friend, not too unbearable.
They would say goodbye either way. She considered herself somewhat lucky, thankful to have notice of death when others didn’t.
The shirt draped her body, the neck wide, showed his possession. She shrugged and opened the door with a liberated breath, lighter on her toes than she’d been in months.
She held out her hand and skimmed everything she could with the breeze of her fingertips. She was meant to be here. With her toes on the edge of his bunk, she hoisted herself up when he grabbed her ankle.
“Eeeek!”
He laughed. She could hear the sadness in it, but at least he tried.
“Where do you think you’re going? I haven’t changed my mind.”
She needed to get back to their light-hearted relationship. The phrase, “life is too short” couldn’t be truer. Time didn’t allow for deep-seeded connections, love. All of which she could see with him.
She practiced her smile, and then titled her head so she could see his face. “If I may have your permission, sir, I’d like to get a couple things before I return.”
“Wench.”
Deep male laughter filled the air. She rolled her eyes and gathered her phone and journal in one hand. When she crouched down to climb over him, a little revenge simmered in her veins. She smiled.
Let’s see how the smartass likes this.
A bout of clumsiness hit her while she kneed and elbowed her way in. “Oops. Sorry. Oops.” Not quite satisfied yet, she placed her hand over his face for leverage and climbed the rest of the way in. “I am sooo sorry. I don’t have a clue where this clumsiness is coming from, it is so unlike me.” For the first time, she could make light of her situation and the weight of the injustice she’d lugged with bitterness, lifted. “Must be the tumor?”
She stared at him, needed to know if she’d gone too far, if he could handle her way of coping. When he raised his eyebrows and smiled, she slouched and returned his beautiful expression.
“Then we must get you home now.” He arched his upper body out of the bunk. “Straight to the airport, Derek.”
She swung at him with a closed fist, but he caught her by the wrist. “Now, now, you know I can render you helpless.”
He glanced down at the items she entered his bunk with and raised one eyebrow up further. “Hmm, not my idea of sex toys, but we can always experiment.”
She picked up the journal and swatted him. The bus might appear large on the outside, but the male hoots that bellowed when the hard-covered book came in contact with his bare skin, made it seem like a tiny closet.
“Abigail’s idea. I have strict orders to write about my experiences, as well as text.” Her gaze fell to the items in her hands and a solemn stare stole her smile. “I wish they were here. I wish I could multiply myself, be with everyone.”
He twisted to the wall behind him, and lifted a crinkled piece of paper taped in place. For many years, by its appearance. She covered her mouth to muffle the gasp when he produced, with a grin, a box of cookies from the hole hidden by the paper.
“Cole.”
He held up a warning finger before he whispered. “I will share with you, but if any of the gluttons find out, I will know who told them.” His smile fell. “Sometimes we all need comfort.” He over exaggerated his movements to do just that, get comfortable. “And a way to replenish our energy after a round of hot, steamy sex.”
She smiled and accepted the treat. Never in a million years would she have pegged Cole Davies as anything other than rugged, but the sheer joy on his face as he bit into the cookie was priceless. “You’re cute.”
He laughed and sat up, leaned into her for a light kiss. He tasted sweet, like vanilla cream. “Don’t forget it, baby. But, maybe think of something a little more rough around the edges when others are around?”
He winked and her stomach fluttered like a teenager all over again. There was something pure and genuine about him. He didn’t just care about the list; he cared about everything he set his mind to, even her.
He kissed the tip of her nose and stepped out of the bunk, hiked on his pants like he were on a mission. “You know, image and all. I’ll give you some privacy. I need to make some arrangements anyway.”
She bent forward while he strutted away with a gloat, sans shirt. His muscles flexed with every step and when she closed her eyes, she could still feel them use her body for pleasure. When she opened her eyes, Drew trapped her in his sight, but his face said worry, not joy. She plucked the edge of the curtain and closed it.
The tap of her pen to her book echoed in the confined space, but her gaze continued to drift to the curtain, in the direction where Drew lay. From the thump on the floor after she closed him out, he chased after Cole. She took another cookie from the hidden spot, their spot, and opened her journal. She needed to get things out of her head and if she were being honest, which she could on paper, she’d scared herself with that last blackout.
With the last of her messages to the girls sent, she slid the curtain back and climbed out. Cole, Drew, and Brett stood at the front of the bus with Derek, all on cell phones.
I wonder what’s up?
Her stomach chose that moment to growl. The four men jerked in her direction with raised eyebrows and smiles. She shrugged; she would never make a good ninja. He glared and pointed to the fridge, still on his phone.
Point taken.
There wasn’t much in it since the men ate like pigs. A bowl of cereal was the only decent option, unless she chanced the mysterious take out containers.
She jumped when Cole wrapped his arms around her waist. He laughed in her ear and kissed her neck. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. Is that all that’s left?”
She cocked her head at him as if to say, does that surprise you? He chuckled and nuzzled her neck. “We’ll send one of the roadies out for groceries later. We have a video to shoot today, interested? It’s going be more fun for us than it will be for you though, so I understand if you’d rather not.”
The milk she’d drained from the container spilled over the edges of her bowl when she spun too fast. “Duh. Of course I want to watch.”
She offered him bites from her spoon, and he accepted them with a smile, caressed her body with his hands while he did. He lifted the T-shirt she wore, his T-shirt, so he could feel her bare skin, and give the others a perfect view of her naked body. Her heart raced. The shared bowl of cereal not only made the start to her day perfect, but something about it combined with the erotic interaction in front of the guys, sparked her uninhibited desires.
****
She sat in the car and observed what she could only describe as organized chaos. With a subtle prod, the guys gave her privacy and entered the large warehouse without her. The last message she sent to the girls suggested an increase in symptoms, so if she didn’t let them know she was fine, they’d panic. More than anything, she should let her mom know she was okay. She’d avoided this call and the chance it would break her heart and make her regret her choice. Before she changed her mind, she sat back and held the phone to her ear. The ring on the other end didn’t last long.
“Isabelle Maureen Chambers, if it weren’t for the beautiful and caring women you have as friends, I would be calling the police to look for you.”
She winced. “Mom, I’m sorry. Katherine assured me she would keep you updated. I should have called sooner, I just—” She squeezed her eyes shut and pinched the bridge of her nose. She regretted nothing about the choice she made, but it took time away from her mom, which didn’t make it any easier.
“Isabelle, I get it. A mother wants nothing more than to see her child happy. If this is what makes you happy—”
The quiet sob through the phone was what she avoided until now. A knot formed in her throat, made it difficult to speak from the heart without the onset of tears. “Mom.” The one she held back slid down her face. “I wish I could be everywhere, with everyone. Yes, I am having the time of my life, I won’t deny that, but I miss you and the girls.”
“I hear there is a handsome, tattooed man wooing my daughter?”
Crap. I’m going to make Katherine pay for this.
“Mom. Wooing. Really?” The sound of her mother’s giggle confirmed what she needed to know; she was doing the right thing. Her mother’s voice, her acceptance, motivated her to move forward. She sized the warehouse with her gaze, the next direction she now itched to experience.
“Mom. Thank you. I love you so much, and will see you soon.”
She caught sight of a tall, familiar man at the side of the building and leaned into the window in time to see him scurry inside. Cole. The glances he gave her when convinced distractions held her attention were easy to read. Concern. Nothing came to mind about how to ease that for him. She’d have to give it more consideration later.
She stuffed her phone into her purse and rushed into the warehouse. Their success made sense now, and tired her out. How do they do it? City to city, one way or another, they performed. Concerts, public appearances, video shoots, and recording studios, wherever and whenever they were told.
Their manager must have one hell of a sequential brain to map this out. In five days, she’d traveled to four cities, with very little time to enjoy the amenities of their surroundings. But, they loved it. From where she stood in the open doorway, the commotion resembled the format of one of their performances. The set up for the video, so detailed you wouldn’t be able to distinguish between real and make believe, drew her attention away from the vacant areas off to the sides. Lights of all colors flooded the place and people scurried around to complete what was already, to her, finished. Instruments and speakers filled the stage while beams of light scanned what would’ve been the crowd, groupies nowhere to be seen. She smiled.
“Pretty spectacular isn’t it?” Zander wrapped his arm around her shoulder and squeezed.
She swayed in admiration with him. Being friends with such a unique group of men wouldn’t be possible in her everyday life. She crooked her head up at him, his face covered in perfectly applied make-up. Impossible to contain, she burst out in a howl and held her stomach without shame.
He winked, used his thumb to wipe away the dampness on her face she forgot about from earlier. “Way to bruise a man’s ego, hot stuff.” He slapped her ass hard enough to make it sting.
She rubbed her behind but still needed a moment before she could control herself enough to talk. “I’m so sorry. The make-up—” She covered her mouth with her hand, muffled her giggle as she righted herself.
Warm arms wrapped around her, not Cole’s. She took a deep breath, Drew. She liked knowing them so well. It wasn’t just Cole and Drew, whether by voice or scent, she could identify any of the men without laying on eyes them.
“Behave, little girl. Your turn is coming.”
With another smack on the opposite cheek, Drew and Zander strode away. Their superb backsides she’d expected, but their cockiness, didn’t match its usual form.
What does he mean by that?
****
Five hours later, Cole’s attention shifted to her, up from her chair again to pace.
Every so often their gazes met, and he’d mouth the words “you okay?” while they paused to change the background or before singing the song for the millionth time. When the director on set said, “I think we’ve got enough.” She sighed, but it didn’t faze them.
If anything, they could have continued, but he needed to get to her. That was the longest he’d gone without being close to her in days and he could feel his mood shift with the distance. The smile on her face made it difficult to focus; her beauty compelled his attention. Flashes of their pseudo private time together on the bus kept his libido at a low simmer. He could feel her, taste her. Her desire had drenched his fingers when he latched on and marked her. His leather pants, already too snug, became painful and didn’t accommodate the erection he still couldn’t control in her presence.
When they were cut loose, he strode to her with long even strides. Not easy in restrictive material. As he neared her, her hands twisted in her lap. “Bored?” He waited for his sham of an annoyed tone to make her jump. It did.
“Not at all. You guys are amazing. I can’t take my eyes off you.”
Something about her genuine admiration made the day’s hard work and distance from her a little more bearable. He leaned down and kissed her, but not hard; he was covered in sweat and make up. He didn’t want to get her messy—with make up anyway.
“I have a surprise for you.”
She shifted in her seat and bit her lip. His pulse sped with the direction of her mind. He’d be more than happy to fulfill any of her sexual needs.
“You’ll find out soon. We have to go wash up first. Do you mind?”
She shook her head and lifted her thighs one at a time, to place her hands on the chair underneath. The demands of his lifestyle didn’t faze her, not at all like the other women he’d seen fall apart over it. The rest of his life…he could do this, her, for the rest of his life. He took a step back and shoved his hands in his pockets, with his gaze at the concrete floor.
Where did that come from?
The guys shoved him aside to kiss her cheek, one at a time before they scooted off to the change room. The ritual developed on its own, all of them showed her affection. He smiled when the last loud smack landed. He leaned in for his own, held out his hand, and tugged when she placed hers in it. They strolled along with their fingers laced and swayed, their unbreakable hold between them.
He couldn’t get enough of her; his days centered on her. She chose to sit on a chair in the hall and wait, which helped. He needed to get his head on straight, and being close to her made it impossible. He rushed through his shower and threw on a black T-shirt and faded jeans. The lust in her eyes whenever his tats were exposed amused him. He smoothed his still damp hair back, put his ball cap on backward and smiled as he rushed to the door.
“Cole.” He spun around at the sound of Drew’s voice.
“What?”
Drew took a step back with his hands up. He squeezed his eyes shut. “Sorry, didn’t mean to snap.
What’s up?”
“You’ve planned things to happen pretty fast from here on out. Is there something more we should be aware of?”
Drew stared at the floor, hands in his pockets and voice uncertain. The sight damn near killed him. He was falling for her, hard, but he hadn’t considered the impact of her presence on the rest of them.
“I think it’s worse than she’s letting on, but I’m not a doctor, so unless she admits it, we won’t know. What I do know is she will finish her list.”
He blew out of the room with his palm on the top of his head, and mood a little deflated until he spotted, her. Gabrielle. What he’d planned could go wrong so many ways, inviting a woman you’ve slept with back into your life with your current girlfriend.
He smiled, and his heart raced. Girlfriend. Gabrielle was dressed to kill with long legs that wrapped around a man’s waist just fine. That’s what lured him in the first time. And the second, if he was being honest. But this time, nothing.
“Gabby, thank you for coming.” He held out his hand, but she leaped in for a hug.
“Hey, handsome.”
He rolled his eyes and squirmed out of her embrace. A quick glance in Isabelle’s direction revealed what he’d expected, given Gabby’s ability to draw attention to herself with enthusiasm. Isabelle’s gaze was fixed toward them.
“It’s been a long time, Cole Davies. I was surprised to hear from you.”
She clung onto him, but he ignored it and waved at Isabelle to join them. “Gabby. You are here for a favor for my girlfriend, not the usual. It will never be that again, sorry. My heart belongs to her.”
As Isabelle neared, the pieces of the puzzle had connected together from the fake smile on her face. The temper behind it scared him, and he would have to fix things quick if she were going to enjoy what he’d planned next.
“Isabelle, I would like you to meet Gabrielle.” He stepped beside Isabelle and put his arm around her shoulders, gave her a little hip check. “Gabrielle, this is my girlfriend, Isabelle Chambers.”
The tension in her shoulders deflated and she smoothed her hand around his lower back, to pinch his side until it pained him. He used his free hand to lift her chin and kiss her before he addressed Gabrielle.
The smile Isabelle tried hard to maintain softened when she stepped forward and shook hands with her. “Hello Gabrielle, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The unease was written all over her face; it was adorable. She was jealous, had a right to be. His reputation, his past, wasn’t spotless. He forced her hand out of its curled up fist and laced his fingers with hers. Linked tight, he raised their joined hands up to his mouth and kissed the back of hers, hoping to calm her. “Gabrielle is your surprise, sweetheart.” Yes, he laid it on thick. “She’s here to teach us how to tango.”
The deer in the headlights expression on her face couldn’t have been mimicked even if she tried. And for sure, he would have fun with the wicked things he could do to make it happen.
“T-tango? N-now?” she sputtered.
When the sound of laughter erupted behind her, she whipped around to see Zander, Drew, and Brett with grins like they’d just gotten away with something sneaky. She whirled around so fast she lost her balance and grasped his hand when he offered it. “Wait. Us?”
He leaned into her ear and nipped at it. Her instant tilt into him, with her eyes closed, aroused him so much that a slight breeze would make him come in his pants. He checked his watch and winced. Excusing themselves to another room wasn’t an option.
“The guys have this crazy idea it may help them with the, ladies.” He winked, gripped the hem of her shirt with his fingers, and tugged her into his chest, to face him.
“And you?”
“Well…” He kissed her and the scent, her mixed with spicy vanilla, stirred his addiction for her. How could he let her know he wanted her forever without too much pressure? Life never seemed so calm until she entered the picture. He could balance the rock star image and still have a relationship based on trust and love. Not experience more chaos and hurt, like the past with Alexis.
He didn’t want to think about Alexis while he kissed the woman he was falling in love with. Although, he’d have to tell her soon if they had a chance at something more committed. He deepened the kiss, explored every inch of her, and enveloped her in an intimate embrace so loyal it’d leave no doubt in her mind that he was here for her alone.
“Ahem. Cole, we should really get started.”
He broke away first. He didn’t like to ignore the sting of disappointment in Gabby’s voice, but his past was behind him.
“Sure thing, Gabrielle.”
****
The entire stage vanished, dismantled by experts in no time. A few lights and one lone tripod stood untouched. Did they forget it? Now, it resembled the warehouse she’d expected when she entered. The men ribbed each other about dancing, called each other “twinkle toes.” They surrounded her with their bodies while Gabrielle set up her music. Huh. Whether they shielded her on purpose or by unconscious effort, their natural vigilance to protect their own was a lot like home. She missed the girls. Some of the backup dancers hung around, and strolled over to join as partners for the other guys. She giggled at Brett, who’d already hit on the young girl beside him.
When everyone stood with a partner, he guided her over to the other side of the temporary dance floor. Did Gabrielle affect him that much?
“Why are we moving?”
He shrugged. “The lighting is better over here. I love looking at you.”
The sensual music played and Gabrielle jumped right in with their first instruction. She delivered the lesson tough, critiqued their form, and made it obvious she had a successful career in dance. Isabelle scanned the group, in awe of the tattooed rockers gone ballroom style. She leaned back and laughed as the girls screamed the occasional “ouch.” when the guys stepped on their toes.
As seriously as Gabrielle took her job, the group before her didn’t. Everyone poked fun at her instructions with exaggerated motions, and made fun of Gabrielle, to her back. Being a nice person most of time did get tiresome, so Isabelle found herself in the midst of the not so hushed banter as an active participant.
The petty behavior eased the slight sting of anger over her suspicion Gabrielle and Cole once hooked up. There were only a few people who straggled in and out while they laughed and danced. She glanced over to the man beside the camera. He fixed something on it. She searched the group of them, to ensure no one bumped into it while they fooled around. Synchronizing this group of amateurs would take a lot more than one lesson. They were all over the place, beyond help.
The sexual nature of the dance drove Cole insane and she loved it, took advantage of it. She rubbed her body against his with a devilish grin, again. He broke form, wrapped his arms around her waist, and hauled her in for a kiss, tender and soft. The world around them slowed and melted away as their lips continued to dance. She massaged her hands up his hard and defined chest. A mold of perfection.
“Ahem, Cole?”
His muscles tensed around her, not pleased. He solidified his annoyance, and loyalty, when he broke the kiss. The slight distance he allowed between them was only enough to speak. He stared at her with seduction in his eyes, as if they were alone. “Yes?” His gaze didn’t wander, not once.
“I am all done with the lesson. My purse is in the other room if you want to come with me, we can figure out payment?”
Even though he made it obvious he was not in the least bit interested, it troubled her to think he gave up things in his life he found joy in before her. She squirmed to get space, but he wouldn’t let her.
“Gabrielle, Derek has your money. You should be able to find him on your way out. Thank you for the favor. We appreciate it.”
She melted a little at the sound of that word, we. Gabrielle huffed and stomped away on her ridiculous high heels.
She smiled. “Thank you. I will never forget this. So, what’s next on the agenda? Are we due back at the bus?”
The smug grin on his face, displayed his self-satisfaction. “Actually, our tour manager was able to knock back a couple of our public appearances.”
She bent her back over his arms, still wrapped around her. His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
“We now have a few days off.”
He laughed when Drew appeared beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. “I am sure we can think of a few things to keep us busy for three days, don’t you think?” Her body heat surfaced, sure to make blotches cover her skin. He slapped her on the ass and joined the, “still amused with their new moves” men, with a pompous sway. They were all so damn confident.
He whispered in her ear. “Will you go on a date with me, Isabelle Chambers?”
She couldn’t understand the nervousness in his voice. I’m sure he dates all the time. She squirmed out of his embrace, put her hands on her hips, and raised an eyebrow but he only smiled like a teenager asking a girl out.
“Fine. I’ll say it. I haven’t gone on a real date in years.” He scooped up her hand and yanked her back to him. “There’s never time on the road for more than, well, anyway. Then we’re in the studio to record during our off time.”
He shrugged his shoulders when she raised her other eyebrow. She didn’t like how his life sounded so limited; it wasn’t what she expected. He asked for something that sounded like a rare occurrence, to be done with her—how could she say no?
She stood on tiptoe and scrunched her nose, still not able to get close enough. With the help of his collar, she jerked him forward, smacked a kiss on his lips, and sighed. “Yes.”