B00BR2BOUU EBOK (29 page)

“Excuse me, everybody, I need
to inform you that Rural Science will not be playing tonight due to unforseen
circumstances.” A few people voiced their disappointment with boos and hisses.
“Now, now,” the manager said as he put up his hands to reassure the crowd. “The
replacement band—Live Trepidation—are very good, and they will be starting in
just a minute.”
Ah crap! I was looking forward to Rural Science.

Live Trepidation started to
make their way on stage. The lead singer repeated the aggravating microphone tap
and introduced the band. He looked somewhat familiar but I couldn’t place it,
I’d probably seen them before somewhere. The drummer tapped his sticks four
times, and they got straight into it, playing Vertigo by U2. I already liked
them, what a great song to kick off with. Everyone else seemed to think the
same, and the atmosphere in the room went from doubtful to relief almost instantly.
They played another six songs or so then took a break.

“I really like them, they’re
great! I wonder if they are local or from Melbourne?”

“I’d say they are from
Melbourne, Lex, they don’t look like a typical country town band,” said Carls.

“Yeah, you’re probably
right.” I reckoned Steph would like them too, so I made a mental note to look
in to it when I returned home, we might just have to become sad little
groupies! We spun our chairs back round to where the barman was already
standing before us, and waiting to serve the next round.

“What’s it going to be this
time, ladies?” He was sort of cute, a bit like the boy-next-door, but with an
edge to him. I thought he could be just the type of guy Carly might like to
have a bit of fun with. I looked at her, but she was fixated on someone across
the room, so I gave her a nudge.

“What do you want to drink,
Carls?”

“You pick, I’ve got my eye on
that hottie over there in the black shirt.” Jen and I both looked in the
direction she was pointing.

“That’s Leigh, sorry he’s
engaged.” We all spun back round to the barman who shrugged his shoulders
apologetically.

“Aw, shit. Right, I’m
scanning again.” Carly rotated once more and began searching the room. I smiled
and raised my eyebrows at the barman.

“What about you Mr. Barman,
are you taken?” He gave me a cheeky grin. Carls however, was oblivious to the
match making session I was having for her, so I kept my scheme alive by
gathering further information. “So, what’s your name?”

“Lucas.”

“Well, Lucas, are you single
or not?” Jen laughed, she seemed to be enjoying herself a little more now,
after I had convinced her to have at least one drink. She was no longer breast
feeding so there was no harm, and one drink would not lead to a hangover, not
even for her!

“Yes.”

Excellent!
“Hey Carls, meet Lucas.” She didn’t turn round;
instead, she hit me on the arm. The band started to play November Rain by Guns
and Roses, I recognised the song straight away because I loved it, it had to be
one of my all-time favourite songs, and whoever was playing the piano was very
good. I would’ve glanced over to them, but I was having too much fun with
Lucas. “Lucas, Carly is 35 and single, she likes dancing, beaches and long
walks in the sand...” Jen and I began to giggle even Lucas thought it was
funny.

“Alexis.”

“What, Carly? Now it’s your
turn, Lucas.”

“No, Alexis.”
What? It’s
just harmless match making.
I looked at her, but she was looking at the
band.

“I’m just having a little fun,
Carls. Anyway, he’s cute, what have you got to lose?” I winked at Lucas.

“No, Alexis, isn’t that
Bryce? Up on stage?”
What the fuck?
I spun round, too quickly mind you,
because if had it not been for my legs slamming into the person next to me, I
would have performed a complete 360. I frantically scanned the stage but didn’t
see him. The only people with spotlights on them were the lead singer and the
pianist, so it was the brunette sitting at the piano who I recognised at first.

“It’s Lucy, oh my god!” She looked up slightly and displayed
the smirk that Bryce and her must have inherited from someone in their family.
What
the hell?
My cheeks flushed, then I spotted Bryce standing on the stage in
shadow and my entire body reacted to his presence. There was no way I could mistake
that silhouette, let alone mistake the sensation that now pulsed in between my
legs, a sensation only he could render.

My heart started pounding in my chest as I realised he was
on that stage for me, but it wasn’t until the lead singer began his vocals, that
I also realised, this song was chosen to deliver me a message, a message contained
in the song’s lyrics. I listened to the very words Bryce was delivering through
the song. He was telling me that when he looked into my eyes he could see my
love for him was now restrained. Which it was, and I hated that it was. But, he
had gone behind my back, and when I had given him the opportunity to confess what
he was hiding, he had chosen not to. I desperately wanted to close my eyes so
that he could not read me so easily, but I couldn’t, I couldn’t take my eyes
from his shaded figure which looked as sexy as hell. I knew he was looking at
me, too, because I could feel it. I could feel the heat that radiated from his
shadowy, burning gaze as he watched my reaction to the message he was
delivering.

Jen raised her voice just enough to ask Carly which one he
was.
“That taller one. Over there, with the
guitar.” Carls quite obviously pointed directly at him.

“I can’t really see him, it’s
too dark.”

“Just wait Jen, you won’t
miss him, I promise.” Carly was spot on, there was not one woman in this room
that would miss him when those lights switched on, he was like a magnet that
drew you to him, and right now I was magnetised to his message that continued
to convey his understanding of how I felt. He knew it was hard for me to love
him now, but I had done it before and I could do it again, and he would wait
for me and give me the time on my own if I needed it.
Geezus, he’s good, he
knows just how to communicate with me.
The lights came on and he began to
play.
Oh, Holy Fuck, he is sensational. He is up on stage, playing the
guitar in a song that gives me chills, and he is playing it for me.

Jen made a noise. “You’re
right Carly, I know what you mean.” I could see her fanning her face from the
corner of my eye, then stopping abruptly when she realised what she was doing.
Feminine wolf whistles started sounding throughout the room, along with a few
shout outs about the ‘hotness factor’ of the guitarist. He, as per usual, was
oblivious to the salivating women around him, and only had eyes for me as he
made his way off the stage, casually playing his chords and heading my way.
Oh
shit!
I watched as the amp cord connected to his guitar started to unravel
as he made his way toward me. A security guard made sure the extra-long cord
did not get in anybody’s way as it dragged along the ground behind him. The
muscles in between my legs started to tremble, and wake up from their many days
in solitude, and as I watched his damn sexy as hell, slow, and seductive walk in
my direction, my heart skipped a beat. “He’s coming over here,” Jen whispered
to Carly.

Everyone in the room seemed
to follow him, as this was an unusual display from a pub band. It was also due
to the fact he looked unbelievably hot, and everyone knew the guitar solo was
not too far away. He stopped his sexy walk directly in front of me, and gave me
one hell of a smirk. I held my breath and offered one back then watched as he
played the solo. Again, I was in awe and sheer pleasure at how he held the
guitar when he fingered the longer notes, and how they moved with fast precision
up and down the finger board, like they were simply put on this earth to do
only that. Of course I knew that was not the case, as his fingers were quite
capable of performing many other wonderful things, things that I knew I had to
experience again, and in order to do that, I had to forgive him.

He finished the first solo,
stood back, and eyed me ferociously.
Oh, Mr. Clark, you know I will cave for
you, and you know just how to make me do it.
I remembered what that look
meant the last time he finished playing for me, and I desperately wanted it to mean
the same thing. Just the thought of it had me aching for his cock to be inside
me, it was simply uncontrollable.
I hate you right now. I hate you.
I
let out my breath, a breath I was not sure how long I had been holding, I’m
assuming it was a while though because my chest was hurting and I was panting
for the need of more oxygen.
Fuck, I must look like a bitch in heat. Stop
panting like a dog, Alexis!

He finished the second solo,
leaned in, kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear. “I will give you
time on your own, if you really want it.” He pulled away and searched my eyes.
I could see his sorrow and hope that I did not need the time he was offering
me, so I shook my head ever so slightly and mouthed the words ‘kiss me’. He
didn’t hesitate and grabbed my face, planting a passionate but quick kiss on my
lips. He pulled away with the biggest smile and basically jogged back to the
stage ready for the end of the song, with the security guard frantically
scooping up the amp cord behind him.

I turned to Carly who had
nearly fallen off her seat, and then looked at Jen who resembled the big mouth
at Luna Park. “He is good, really good.” Jen said, simply stunned. I did try to
warn her of the enormity that was Bryce, but I guess she hadn’t taken me seriously.
Lucy began to emphasize the piano lead up to Bryce’s finish. He stepped up onto
a chair then on top of the piano just like Slash had in the song’s film clip. I
laughed and clapped my hands at his showmanship. Then right before he began the
coda to the end, he pointed to me, winked, and played the absolute shit out of
it. I was in love, it was one of the best performances I think I have ever
witnessed, and that wasn’t because his performance was for me. It was simply
because he was brilliant. Everyone cheered for the spectacle he had just put on
in front of them, but they also cheered at the sheer brilliance of his guitar
playing ability. He was fantastic, and everyone loved it. He held that last
note till it died down, then jumped off the piano and put his Les Paul Guitar on
top of it. He turned around and made his way toward me.
What do I do?
I
knew exactly what I wanted to do, and couldn’t help myself. I pushed off my
stool and ran to him, jumping and wrapping my legs around his waist.

I swear the room went
completely silent as our lips met, and as they met, the unbearable torment of
waiting for their reunion together with the desperate craving and withdrawal I
had felt over the last few days, vanished. At first it felt like we were the
only two people in the room, but that was until I realised the room was not
silent at all, in fact, the roar and applause were deafening. I had been
physically and mentally empty the past few days, but now as Bryce thrust his
tongue into my mouth, and clenched my arse with force, he filled the void,
making me feel somewhat satisfied again and he seemed to do it so easily. He
walked me out of the room and into the area the band went for intermission.
Oh
Holy Crap I have missed this.
We continued the reunion of our mouths, desperately
and aggressively ravaging each other. I ran my hands through his hair as he
pressed me to him tightly, and if it weren’t for the fact that as humans, we
need to inhale air, I probably would not have pulled away. Our noses were
resting on each other’s as we caught our breath, and as he went to revive our
kissing again, I stopped him.

“Wait, Bryce, we need to
talk.”

“Then talk my love.”

“Not here.”

“Where?”

“Upstairs.” I caught his
fiendish smile. “It’s not what you’re thinking Bryce.”

“It’s only a matter of time,
Alexis,” he said confidently. I had to agree, it would be only a matter of time
before we were fucking each other senseless again. Our cravings and need for one
another was just too strong.

I unwrapped my legs and
walked back into the still cheering and crowded room. As I led him to the bar,
he signalled the band with his ‘thumbs up’, they all reciprocated, even Lucy.
We stopped in front of Carls and Jen, and as per usual no one could find any
words.

“Jen, this is Bryce. Bryce
this is my younger sister, Jen.” He took her hand and kissed the top of it. She
went crimson and looked to me in horror. I smirked.
I think that fucking
smirk is now contagious.
“Carls you’ve met Bryce.”

“Yes, I most certainly have”.
She shot her hand out ready for it to be kissed too. Bryce humbly obliged her
forwardness.

“We need a few moments upstairs.”
I looked at Jen apologetically, but she knew exactly what I wanted to discuss
with him. Carls on the other hand had her mind well and truly in the gutter.

“Yes, it appears the two of
you definitely need a room.” I glared at her as Bryce hastily led me upstairs.

“Do you know where we are
going?” I asked as he practically dragged me out of the room.

“Up.”

“Yes, I gathered that, but
where?”

“Anywhere.”