Between Love & Fire (Backstage #1) (9 page)

Fifteen minutes later we pulled up to the house. I pretty much live here now. Being in his home calmed me. Even with the flutter of staff and the music, it was homely. As if you are always welcome. No matter who you are or what you do.

The living room is desolate when we step inside. It’s so unlike the normal weekdays. I glance into the studio as we pass, and notice it’s vacant too. Everyone must have gone out. The weather was incredible.

“I guess there’s still leftovers. Unless you wanted something else? I am not sure what’s in the fridge.” I follow him into the kitchen.

“It’s fine. I remember there was pasta salad that Ki and I made yesterday.”

He nodded opening the silver door and peering inside. “Get plates, baby.” Grabbing the two plates, I set them on the counter. The large bowl was almost finished. Liam was at it again.

“So, Hayes, do you always take your staff out on romantic balloon trips?” I ask, taking glasses from the overhead cabinet.

“Only the beautiful ones.” A mischievous wink in my direction makes me blush.

“Callum…”

“Look, Petal,” he rounds the counter and saunters up to me. Circling his arms around my hips, he tugs me against his rock hard body. “I like you. You’re gorgeous. You are a cheeky little minx. I love your sassy mouth and I need to be with you.” Without another word, he leans in, his face inches from mine. “I want you. Say yes. You can't tell me you don't feel it. I can see it in your eyes.” His warm breath is sweet and I crave to taste him. I want to respond, but no words come out. “Give us a chance?” The pleading in his eyes tugs at my heart.

My slow nod confirms my agreement. With that, his mouth crashes on mine. His lips are warm and soft. I whimper with a yearning unknown to me. He could bend me over this table right now and I would comply. My mouth opens to him, giving him access I know he seeks. It’s instinctive. I need this. I need him. Against my better judgment, I let him take me.

His tongue slides in and out, fucking my mouth. The action causing me to squirm, squeezing my thighs together to dull the ache. The kiss is not hurried, but slow and sensual. Those strong hands wander to my hips, gripping my ass, hoisting me against him. Placing me on the dinner table, he steps between my legs. I tangle my fingers through his hair, tugging him closer.

A slight moan escapes my lips, and he swallows every whimper. The hard ridge in the front of his pants presses against my pulsing core. A rough growl rumbles in his chest. His hips thrust forward, and his cock rubs against my heated pussy. The aching eases at the contact. I want him inside me. I need him inside me. He steps back and breaks the kiss. “You feel so perfect, Petal. I don’t think I could control myself if that happens again.” His voice is low, raspy and filled with need.

“I know. I…” Glancing down, heat spreads over my face. Callum’s warm hands cup my face making me to look up at him. The soft pads of his thumbs swipe my cheeks softly.

“You’re beautiful. We can take it slow. I don’t want to scare you off.”

“Okay. Slow.” I offer him a smile. A noise from the living room startles us, and Callum jumps backward.

“Callum! Are you here?” Kierra calls out.

“In the kitchen.”

As soon as she walks into the kitchen, her face is one of excitement. A smile curves her lips, and she shakes her head in disbelief. “You two sneaky shits.” She strides to the fridge. Grabbing a bottle of icy water. We both watch her like she’s the entertainment.

“What do you want Kierra?”

“I needed to check on you. Find out how the songs are developing. How are you Tay?”

“Excellent. I uhm… Well, Callum and I were just getting something to eat.”

“I am sure you were. Just tidy up when you’re done on the table.” She offers us both a smirk and makes her way out of the kitchen.

“She took it well.” He shrugs and continues to plate our brunch. I can only gape at the handsome rock star standing next to me. I hop off the table, busying myself by grabbing forks. I slip into the chair, speculating what the hell just happened. Callum and I are out. Not in public yet, but Kierra knows. We chatted and ate, it was so easy with him. When we finished our salad, he cleared our plates and set them in the dishwasher. I swigged down my juice and added my glass to the tray.

“So, is there anything particular you want to do for the day?”

“You could teach me the guitar?” I peer up at his shocked, but pleased expression.

“I can do that.” With a small peck on the cheek, his hand slides in mine and her tugs me along with him. We make our way into the studio, it's closed off from the rest of the house. It’s a soundproof room, with an old comfortable sofa. The instruments are all packed away neatly against one wall. The mixing desks are empty of coffee cups and anything else that’s normally strewn across the desks.

“Sit down, let me play you something first.”

Crossing my legs under me, I get comfortable on the sofa. He sits on the stool and grabs his guitar. He’s directly opposite me, my special VIP experience. People pay hundreds of dollars to see him like this, and here I am about to have a one on one acoustic performance. He places the guitar on his thighs and I am jealous. It’s ridiculous, I know, but I can’t help it. Then he plays. A few chords. Quick. Soft. I am transfixed by his fingers strumming the strings as he tunes by ear. The sound echoes in the modest space. He cuts a brief glimpse to me. With a wink and smile, he faces down and plays.

My breathing hitches. I don’t move. My eyes are glued to him. My heart and mind filled with the haunting melody. His voice crashes over me like a wave and I am drowning in the lyrics. My favorite song. Damaged Angel. He’s haunted by the lyrics, just as I am. He’s not damaged. He’s perfect. In every way. When it ends, I am still. Silent. Afraid to break the spell that he's spun. It courses through my veins like the best drug. His glance locks on me. The talent seeps from his pores. I have heard that song hundreds of times, but hearing it played acoustically is an experience I can’t begin to explain.

“How was that?” Uncertainty flashed in his gaze, which was unwarranted.

“You reached into my soul. Gripped it, held on and squeezed until it became unbearable, but blissful. Then you released it and satisfaction swept over me.” The description is straight from my heart. From deep within the darkest part of me. There is no other way to express it.

His expression is melancholy, replacing the guitar on the rack. Rising from the stool he strides to me on the sofa. Flopping down, he reaches for my hand and draws it up to his mouth. With a gentle tender peck on my knuckles, I shiver. Overcome with emotion.

“Come here, Petal.” He tugs me over to him. Without thinking, I straddle his lap and grasp his shoulders. Those warm hands find their way under my top, stroking my back. At first I stiffen, hopefully he won’t notice how my skin feels under his fingertips. My eyes flutter closed, the sensation of his touch sends heat traveling to my core. My pussy aches and my hips rock against him. “I want to kiss you now.” His hoarse murmur brings a smile to my face.

I lean in and our lips crash together. Our kiss is sweet, but gradually becomes more urgent. A growl rumbles in his throat and I shamelessly rub myself against him. The ridge of his cock strains the front of this pants. His index finger strokes my spine, from my neck down over the tattoo he hasn’t yet seen. A shiver racks through my body. I am not ready for him to see it or the scars. The thought of him pushing me away, the way the others did, constricts my throat. I can’t show him. He wouldn't want the broken, damaged girl I am.

His hand drops to the hem of his T-shirt and he slips it over his head. The magnificent toned body I have seen in so many tabloid photos is in front of me. Every ridge and dip of his chiseled torso. His skin is smooth, and so silky. Placing my palms flat on his chest, the heat emanates from him. With slow caresses over his chest, I trace lines to his cut V muscles that peek at me from his hips. He grunts. “I need to be inside you, Petal. I want to fuck you.” The desire dripping from his words pulls at my core. My panties are soaked with arousal for this man.

“I am not ready. Not right now.”

His gaze drops to where our bodies are touching. A throb in his jeans makes the ache between my legs unbearable. “I will wait for you, Petal.” I realize what I can do. What I want to do. The decision in my stare must affirm my intentions. He draws away, and I step back off the sofa. My choice is natural, I drop to my knees, I peer up into those stormy blue eyes. They’re dark with hunger. “You don’t have—”

“Shh…” I make quick work of his belt buckle. Unzipping his pants, I stroke his cock through the thin black cotton briefs. His head falls back as he hisses my name. Again and again.

“No. Jesus, Tayla. Stop.” His harsh command has me reeling. He sits forward, pulling me up. He pulls his zipper up and tugs me into his arms. “This is not the way I want to do this. I crave you, like nothing I have before, but I need to do it right.” His smile is sweet.
He wants a real relationship?

“But, I thought…”

“Be with me? Petal, you’re incredible. Amazing. Beautiful. Sexy as hell. I can see you. I see through you. Into your heart.” His words pierce me deep. “There is nothing more I wish for than to carry you to my bedroom right now. But I will wait till you’re ready.” Stepping back, he gives me a smile.

“Promise?” I don’t know why I need to hear him say it, but I do. The idea of a relationship scares me, but with him I can try. The public image he portrays isn’t the real Callum Hayes. This, right here, is the man I want to know. The one I crave to give myself to. The question remains, will he be able to ignore my scars of the past and accept me for who I am now?

“I promise.” I lean in and kiss her again, there’s uncertainty in her eyes and I wonder if it’s something I did. My hands roam her curves, lifting the delicate material of her shirt. She is toned, but soft. Supple. My cock is hard. My mouth is watering for her. Without warning, the door behind us swings open. My glance lifts and my blood boils at someone else looking at her body. “Liam. Jesus, can't you knock!” My voice is loud and booms through the small space.

“Well, it’s my fucking house too, I can go where I please. What the fuck is going on here?” My brother’s stare bounces between me and Tayla. My hands drop and I tug the hem of her top down, protecting her from his prying eyes.

“I was teaching Tayla the guitar.” When I twist to face him entirely, I can see his mind racing through the situation he caught me in only two months previously. I had one groupie in here and she was riding my dick on the sofa. That didn’t end well. Mainly because the poor girl jumped off my lap so fast to cover up and then when she realized it was my brother she assumed she struck the jackpot. She wanted a threesome with the Hayes brothers. Unlucky for her. I don’t share. Liam pounced on the idea and hauled the little slut out and I was left wondering what the fuck happened.

“I need to work. Why don’t you find another room to have your fun?” His voice is clipped, and I knew he didn’t like that somehow, Tayla had gotten under my skin. I was different with her. We have known each other for a week and I haven’t even gotten into her panties yet. Lacing my fingers through hers, I pull Tay towards the door. As we reach Liam, I lean in and mumble.

“Treat her with the utmost respect brother.” Before he could respond, I strode out with Tayla following behind me. I needed to take her to my bedroom, but I didn’t want her to think I expected anything. “Do you mind going to my room? Or…?”

“Sure. I am sorry your brother was so angry with me being in there. Liam has been amazing this week.” We walked to the far end of the house, and I open the door to my bedroom, letting her enter first. With a gentle click, it shuts.

“He’s not furious with you, Petal. Liam’s annoyed with me. Just ignore him.” I watch her eyes take in every inch of my room. My sanctuary. From the black sheets, to the floor to ceiling windows and balcony. I follow her to the window where she’s staring at the city beyond, with her arms wrapped around her. It’s as if she’s trying to keep herself together. That if she let’s go, she’ll break or fall apart.

Stepping up behind her. My arms circle her waist. Holding her against me. I rest my chin on her shoulder and inhale her sweet perfume. “Callum…” She speaks, but as quickly as my lips meet the tender skin on her neck, she trails off. I suck in the delicious taste of her and her body shudders against me making my cock hard. Tayla is so beautiful, so responsive. I tighten my hold, needing her closer. Her head drops to the side, granting me access. Taking advantage, I feather kisses from her ear to neck.

As I tug on the neckline of her shirt, she stiffens. “Callum, no.” Her tone is forceful and I step backward. Her eyes latch on mine, and instead of seeing anger that I assumed I would, I see fear.

“What’s wrong, Petal? I didn’t mean to… I…”

“It’s not you. I… There's things you don’t know. About me.”

“Then tell me?” My stare implores the truth from her. Those chestnut pools glisten with unshed tears and I want to wrap her in a cocoon and keep her safe. The anxiety is visible in her face and it tugs on my heart leaving me breathless.
What the hell has she been through?

“I can’t. Not yet. You will look at me differently. Can we forget it?” Her gaze drops to her feet, and I take a step towards her. My arms open. She needs to come to me. It has to be her decision. With a gradual movement her hungry stare roams up my body. Her eyes drinking in every inch of me until they lock on mine. A slight smile curls her lips, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. There’s something she’s hiding. I can’t force her to reveal it. I can only be here and hope to fuck she tells me soon.

“I am here Tay, if you ever want to talk. Don’t be scared of me.” She falls into my arms then and the contented sigh she exhales doesn’t pass unnoticed. Her body shakes and I realize she’s crying. I have only known her for a short time, but I can see behind that tough exterior is someone shattered by memories. Suddenly she steps back, swiping at her tear-stained cheeks.

“I have to go. Take me home, please?” Up come the walls and I have no alternative but to surrender to her wishes. “I need space Callum. I’m sorry.” She walks past me and her perfume washes over me. The soft sweet scent of fresh apples, reminding me of my childhood. I follow her out of my bedroom, closing the door.

Once we’re in the car, she seems to settle down. I am dying to say something. Anything to make her feel better. To reassure her I will wait. But I am a pussy when it comes to this girl, so I sit. We drive in silence to her apartment. When I pull up to the curb, she peeks at me through her thick eyelashes. Her hand touches on my knee sending a jolt of pleasure through my body. “I’m really sorry.” Her whisper is filled with worry.

I nod. Watching her get out of my car, it takes every ounce of my strength to resist going after her. My stare doesn't leave her, until she’s stepped inside and disappeared. That's when I tear my glare from the emptiness and frown the road ahead of me. My hands clutch the steering wheel so tight I am positive it will shatter.

She fucking walked away. From me. Callum fucking Hayes. The tortured expression on her face is seared behind my eyelids. Fuck this. Opening the door of my Jeep, I hop out and round the front. I bound up the stairs to her building. As I reach the entrance the gate opens. An old lady smiles up at me. “Afternoon ma’am. I am here to see my girlfriend. Do you mind if I go inside, please?”

She beams at me. “You’re a naughty fellow. Always bring flowers. You’re forgiven this time.” She chuckles and lets me past her.

“I promise to remember that next time.” I offer her a cheeky wink and she shuffles off. Running up the stairs, I reach Tayla’s door. I inhale a heavy breath, leaning my head against the entrance to my girl's apartment. With my eyes closed, I knock twice.

“Who’s there?” Her voice is quiet, gentle. The pain is gone. She’s weary now.

“Open the door Tayla.”

“Cal, just go home. Please?”

“I will talk to the door Tay, but I am not leaving. Your neighbors may not want to listen to this. But they will if you don’t open this goddamn door woman.” My tone is rough, but low and I know she can hear me. I am not giving up on her. There is something wrong. I can be a dick, this time, it's different, I am choosing to be a gentleman. Fuck it, Liam was right. I am going soft.

The click of a lock makes me smile. With a creak it opens, her big brown eyes peer up at me. She opens it further allowing me inside. As soon as I step through the door, I am assaulted with her scent. It’s so fucking incredible. I can’t help moaning.

“What do you want?” Her question catches me off guard. With my back to her, I fist my hands to keep from grabbing her, slamming her against the living room wall and devouring her.

“You.”

One word.

No explanation.

Just her. The gasp behind me is a delicious sound.

“This is—”

“Petal, if I look you in the eye and you give me an excuse why I shouldn’t be here, then I'll lose it. So when I turn around, you need to accept that no matter what happened, I am not going anywhere.” She’s silent for a beat and I spin on my heel. Her gaze is latched on my movement. I take a step forward; she takes one backward. Fuck, this girl will be the death of me. I advance again, and she steps back. With her body now flush with the wall, she has nowhere to go. I press a hand either side of her head. Caging her in.

Her soft breath hitches and I inhale her scent. My cock is rock hard behind my zipper and I am hanging on by a thread. “You, sweet Petal, will not push me aside. I always, and I mean always, get what I want. Now, tell me.”

She raises her chin in defiance and glowers at me. “I am not one of your damn groupies, Callum. You can't deal with me like one. You can’t come storming in here demanding me to bend to your will. Just because Callum fucking Hayes wants me to, doesn’t mean I have to.” Her voice is loud and suddenly I don’t care what the fuck she’s saying. I grasp her shoulders, haul her against me and my lips crashes down on hers. She tries punching my chest, but I draw her nearer and my tongue plunges into her mouth with unrelenting force and she surrenders. All the fight is gone, and she molds to me. She's made to fit next to me.

Her fingers tangle in my unruly hair and pull me closer. The electric current shooting between us is tangible. When our bodies move together, it sparks like the lightning during a storm. My blood is on fire, coursing through my veins with need and lust for her. My hands travel down her back and she shivers. Once I reach her sweet pert little ass, I grip it lifting her up against my body. I realize she can feel my erection. Her legs wrap around my waist and I carry her to the sofa.

Without breaking our connection, I lay her down tenderly. I trail up her body, nudging her top up, until I find the thin material of her bra. Another growl rumbles in my throat and she whimpers into my mouth. Her hips lift towards me and I notice my girl is letting me in.

Her hands on my chest push gently. “Callum.” She breathes my name. I break the kiss, but I don’t move. “I am sorry for running. If this is your choice. To be with me we have to talk.” Her voice a low murmur. There’s a soft rasp to it, and I know it’s because she’s turned on.

“Do we have to talk now?” I chuckle, pressing my erection into her. Showing her why I don’t want to talk. The soft whimper from her tells me she would rather do something else. Without another word, she reaches for my belt. “Petal.” She shakes her head, silencing me. I sit backward and watch her. The grin she offers is wicked. “No.” My tone is harsher than I wanted, but I am so turned on that I won’t last much longer. She peers up at me. The challenge in those chestnut eyes begs me to stop her. “I need to do this right.” Scooping her up, I walk into her bedroom. Gently laying her on the bed, I straighten and pull the T-shirt up and off, dropping it on the floor.

Her hungry stare heats my skin. “Your turn, Angel.” As she pulls her top off, her long blonde hair tumbles over her breasts and back. Pulling my boots off, then my socks. When my jeans drop, I peer up at her. I am standing in front of her in only my black briefs. A smirk tugs the side of her mouth. “What?”

Her lips part and I hear the sigh as her gaze rakes over me. “You are sort of beautiful.” I chuckle at her confession.

“Only sort of?” She nods. I point to her pants. “Off.” She complies and unbuttons and tugs them down her smooth silky legs. As she leans backward, my cock throbs. I can't get any harder. “Fuck.” She’s wearing bright pink silk panties with lace edges. Her bra is the same color, and it offsets her creamy complexion perfectly.

“You don’t like it?” The apprehension in her tone gets my attention and I frown.

“Petal, you’re perfect.” Her body trembles at my words and I can’t help wondering why.

“I’m not perfect. Nobody is.” I lean forward and peck her plump rose colored lips. They’re swollen and bruised from our earlier kiss.

“Shh…” I kneel beside her, and plant kisses over her chest lightly, then leisurely to her toned stomach. She has a tattoo running from one hip to the other just below her belly button. No longer fragile, but still a Damaged Angel. “Tayla.” My eyes latch on hers and I see the tears brimming. Without question, I brush my lips along the ink. Whatever they mean to her I will know soon enough. I hope. Her little pussy smells incredible. “Jesus, you smell so good.”

When I cut a glimpse at her, she’s blushing. She's so beautiful. It hurts to look at her. I make quick work of her bra. Her breasts are round, heavy and her pink nipples are tight with arousal. My mouth is watering to taste her. And I do. Lapping at her left nipple, my fingers find the other. She moans her approval of my attention on the hardened buds. My mouth moves to the right pebble and I lave at it, tasting her sweetness. I pull myself away and hook my thumbs into the waistband of her panties. Once they're on the floor, I hold both her ankles. I feather kisses, from her feet up to her knees. The goose bumps that rise on her skin has me grinning. She’s as affected by me as I am by her. “Callum.” My name on her lips is a soft pleading whimper.

“Yes, Petal?” My lips whisper on the delicate skin of her inner thighs and she squirms. Her back arching up towards me.