Deep Rocked (7 page)

I blanched. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I figured with all that stuff with his family he’d be in a bad place. But he’s fricking giddy up there. And stone-cold sober, too. Just isn’t like him.”

I shrugged. “No idea. Um…I’m gonna head in back. Give a shout over the headset if you need anything.”

“Got it. See ya later.”

It was really hard not to run away from him, but I managed to move at a normal pace. I was backstage basically hiding from everyone when the soundcheck ended. The guys crammed into the dressing room to hang out and I followed reluctantly.

“Nice place,” Joe said, smiling.

“Sorry, guys. But you knew this tour was going to be smaller than the last one back home. That means smaller clubs and tiny rooms.”

“Aw, we don’t really care. This’ll foster a little band togetherness.” He grinned again, the lopsided expression that made even my heart race a little.

“Oi, speak for yourself,” Dex piped in from behind me, his closeness obliterating any reaction I might have had to Joe.

I turned around, trying to control my face. “Be nice, Dex. You’re gonna spend the whole time up in the VIP section drinking anyway.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that right?”

“Don’t you always?”

“I don’t always anything. I’m an unpredictable man.”

“Uh-huh. Want me to show you the way from back here?”

He nodded. “Sure. But just in case.”

Everyone laughed and I breathed a sigh of relief. I could act normally in front of the rest of the guys. Maybe this would actually work.

“Anyone else want the tour?”

No one did, so Dex followed me out of the room. We climbed a set of stairs and went through a fire door up to a dimly lit catwalk that I’d been shown earlier. I was halfway across, glancing down at the stage below when he stopped me with a hand on my arm.

“Becca, wait.”

“What is it? Are you okay?”

“Fine. I just wanted to talk to you alone for a minute.”

“Okay.”

“I spoke with my Aunt Karen a bit ago. My father is still hanging in there.”

“Good. I’m glad. You’ll keep me posted?”

“Of course. I, uh, I should thank you again.”

“Dex,” I whispered, putting my hand on the side of his face. “You never have to thank me for anything.”

He smiled down at me. “No? But you didn’t know how I was planning to thank you.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Is it some way that’s going to get me fired from my job?”

“Perhaps. Willing to risk it?”

“For you? I’m willing to risk anything.”

He growled and grabbed me, slamming his mouth over mine in a kiss that I felt from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. He hadn’t shaved and his stubble tickled my chin. I grabbed two handfuls of his hair and pressed hard against his body. The temperature rose a good fifty degrees and my core flared to life, sending out waves of desire.

“We can’t,” I muttered.

“We are,” he replied, cupping my hips and pushing me against the wall.

I moaned and ran one hand down the length of his strong back. I could feel the muscles shifting and bunching under my fingers as he responded to my touch.

Dex trailed kisses down my neck and sucked at my throat over my thudding pulse point, right above the neck of my shirt.

“Don’t you dare give me a hickey,” I warned.

“Mm, I should.” He sucked harder. “Mark you as mine.”

My knees almost buckled at the idea. These little hints of him being possessive were a huge turn on for me. Surprisingly so, but still. “You can, but not there. Somewhere no one will see.”

He chuckled. “If I have my pick of places, it’s going to involve you getting naked up here.”

I slapped at his arm and buried my face against his chest, hugging him tight. “Behave.”

“Never.” He kissed the top of my head and then tilted my chin up. “How about a compromise?”

“Maybe.”

“Trust me. For ten seconds.”

I glanced across the catwalk quickly and nodded. “Hurry.”

Dex dropped to his knees and his fingers were at the front of my pants in a flash.

“Hey!” I said a little too loudly.

“Shh. Trust me.” He opened my fly and pulled my pants down about an inch. His mouth covered my belly button and he kissed it before sliding over to my upper hip. He licked and nibbled the spot, and then sucked. Hard. It was just a random strip of flesh, but the sensation shot right through me and I sagged back against the wall. He pulled deeply with enough suction that I could feel the mark forming. I sighed and closed my eyes, but just as fast as it had begun, it was over.

Dex stood up, refastened my pants and wrapped his arms around my waist. “There. Now you’re all mine.”

I looked up at him and smiled before presenting my lips for another kiss. This one was as passionate as the last and left me breathing heavy.

“My god, Becca.” Dex brushed the back of one hand along the side of my breast. “You are so fucking gorgeous right now.”

I bit my tongue to gather some control. “We need to get out of here. Right now.” If my face looked anything like his, it would be evident to anyone who saw us what was going on.

“Okay, okay. But after we’re done tonight I’m coming back with you. And I don’t plan on leaving your bed until tomorrow’s show.”

“It’s a deal.”

Chapter Seven

The show went perfectly. And I managed to keep from drooling while I watch Dex play. Having had his talented hands and mouth on my body made every motion on stage erotic to me. When he closed his eyes in concentration I thought of how he’d done the same to keep from reaching climax with me before he wanted to. Each complicated maneuver on the frets of his bass reminded me of how he’d coaxed my arousal, made me ready for him.

In the middle of the set I had to stop watching. It was too much. I noticed Joe’s girlfriend Liss in her little hiding space by the stage and smiled at her. She waved and came over to talk to me.

“Damn, it never gets old, does it?”

“What?” I asked.

“Watching them up there. It’s like magic. Four drunk idiots on the bus turn into rock gods. Incredible.”

I laughed as we walked back to the dressing room together. “That’s exactly right. Maybe they should change the name of the US tour to that.”

“I agree.”

“They’d probably like it, but I doubt the label would.”

She shrugged. “You know a lot more about the business side than I do.”

“Thanks. But I’m lucky. Been around this business my whole life.”

“Ah. Yeah, not me. Before I met Joe my life was…different.”

“I’m sure. But you seem to be making it work.”

She smiled. “We are. Somehow. I’m worried about the fall. When I start school full time I won’t see him for months. But, we love each other. It’ll be hard, but I have faith in us, you know?”

“Sure. It’s nice to hear that.”

“Talk to me in October, I might tell you a whole different story. But you’ll keep an eye on him for me, right?”

“Are you worried about groupies?”

“Not really. As hard as it was to accept at first, I know he loves me and only wants to be with me. It’s more that I want him to be happy, even away from me. And I don’t want him to be lonely. They’re always surrounded by adoring throngs, but that can be as isolating as being alone.”

I nodded. “I’m sure. And yes, of course. I’ll keep an eye on him. Assuming I’m still with the tour.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Why wouldn’t you be? From what I’ve seen you’re doing a great job.”

“I hope so. But this is my trial run. Right now Ryan could let me go as soon as we get back to the States.”

“You have a contract, right?”

“Yeah. But while I’ve agreed to be available for the whole tour, there’s an out if I don’t perform well.”

She patted me on the shoulder and plopped down onto a couch, opening a beer. “I wouldn’t worry. The guys seem to like you, the crew adores you, and you’re working hard. Hell, I couldn’t imagine Ryan letting Dex leave the tour with anyone else. He must really trust you.”

I blushed and looked away, but she noticed.

“What is it? Did something happen when you and Dex left?” Liss’s eyes were full of concern. A big part of me wanted to tell her. There was an ocean between me and my girlfriends, and I was bursting to talk about it. But I couldn’t.

“No. I mean, it was difficult for him. But he did fine.”

“Okay.” She seemed skeptical, but didn’t press the issue. “So are you done for the night?”

“I wish. Got a bunch of things to do and then I have to supervise the load-out. After that stuff got missed in London we’re being extra careful.”

“Isn’t tomorrow’s show here?”

“Yes, which is nice. Less stuff to move, but some things have to go with us.”

“Bummer. Well, Mia made some friends and they’re dragging us all to a bar after the show. Do you think you’ll be able to come along?”

“Sure. Text me the info and I’ll meet up with you.”

“Okay, great.”

“Well, I should get back to work. You need anything?”

“Nope. See you later.”

“Bye, Liss.”

She smiled, took a drink and pulled out her phone.

I left the room and went down to the club floor to rush through the rest of the things I needed to do, wondering about going out later. I mostly wanted to go back to the hotel, but people would notice if Dex bailed on the party and I didn’t want to raise any suspicions.

The decision ended up out of my hands. Everyone went to the pub. It was only a few blocks from the hotel. Smallish but welcoming, the place was packed. The band was greeted warmly, but there was no gushing or thousands of photos being taken. A small mercy.

At first I just sat on the edge of the group, sipping a soda. But as Dex drank shots with the guys, his glances over to me grew longer and more heated. I couldn’t say anything for fear of making it worse, so I ordered a glass of wine and let it calm me down a little.

Unfortunately, it calmed me so much that I was soon returning the heated glances and making myself insane. Eventually I excused myself and went outside for some fresh air. But within a minute he was there.

“You okay, love?”

I nodded. “Just needed some air.”

Dex looked around, but the few people on the street didn’t seem to be paying us any attention. He stepped close to me, reaching behind my head, and tugged my hair down. “Mm. Much better.”

“Don’t,” I said playfully. “We both know what happens when the hair comes down.”

“We sure do.” He brushed his thumb across my lips. “I can’t take this anymore, Becca.”

“What?”

“Looking at you and not touching you. I’m going mad. I need you.”

I sighed. “Thank god it’s not just me.”

“Let’s get out of here. No one else is at the hotel yet except Ryan and I’m sure he’s fast asleep.”

“We can’t just leave.”

“We have to, or I’m going to tackle you right in front of everyone.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“I might.” His finger dipped inside my pants and pressed against the spot where he’d marked me. “When it comes to you, Becca, there’s no telling what I might do.”

Blushing, I kissed him softly on the lips.

But when the door of the pub opened I jumped away from him, crossing my arms in front of me.

Mia, the tour’s blogger and Ryan’s niece, walked out with two other girls. “Oh hey, guys.”

“Hi,” I said. “What’s up?”

“Not much. This is Kate and Sarah.”

I nodded at the other girls, but they were ignoring me and staring at Dex. Something primal in me wanted to growl, scratch at them. I guess he wasn’t the only one with a possessive side.

“Are you all leaving?”

Mia shook her head. “Nah. Just waiting with them. They’ve got some friends coming to join us.”

One of the other girls nudged her.

“Oh yeah. Um Dex?”

“Huh?” He looked a little surprised and distracted, but finally turned his attention to her.

“Kate wants to ask you something.”

“Okay.”

The girl stepped forward, twisting a lock of long, dark hair around her finger. “I was reading an interview you gave. Said you are half American?”

He sighed. “Sort of. I’m an American citizen, but I was born outside London and I’ve lived all over the world.”

I thought back to when we were heading to catch up with everyone. I’d mentioned going home and he agreed. More than most people, I understood that home isn’t always a place. Sometimes it’s the people you feel the most yourself around. But I didn’t imagine the drunk girl was capable of understanding that, and she certainly didn’t know that this was not the best time to make Dex think about his parents and his upbringing.

“That’s really interesting,” she continued, still rolling that piece of hair in what she probably thought was an alluring manner, but struck me as a nervous habit. “I bet you have a woman in every city.”

He shrugged and cast a quick look over at me. “I meet a lot of people.”

“Well, if you’re in need of a tour guide, I’ve lived here all my life. Never been nowhere.”

“Well, thanks. But we’re only here another day and a half. Not much time for sightseeing. But if you like, I’d be happy to hook you ladies up with tickets for the show tomorrow.”

The girl pouted prettily, batting her eyes at him. “Is that all?”

Dex slipped into flirting with her naturally. “Is it?” He leaned against the wall, letting a lock of hair fall over his face.

She giggled and glanced over at her friend before moving closer to him. “There could be more. If you want. I could show you around my neighborhood. And my place.”

My fingers curled into fists and stung where my nails dug into my palms. I tried to remind myself this was part of his job. And covering both of our asses. But I’d had enough.

Oblivious, Dex kept chatting playfully with the girl, Kate. “Now what could we possibly do in your neighborhood? Is there a good pub?”

“No,” she said, smiling. “But I’ve got a stocked liquor cupboard. I can make anything you want.” Her hand finally left her hair and moved to play with the strip of flat stomach exposed between her halter top and denim mini. “I am very good with my hands.”

My eyes narrowed. I was going to explode. “Well, if you all will excuse me, I should get back inside.”