His New Jam (9 page)

“I suck at being organized, which means I'm late a lot.”

He'd never been late for marching band, so she wasn't sure she believed him. She waited for more.

He shot her a look out of the corner of his eye. “I suck at math. That's why I chose history as my second major. I can't draw. My roommate, Adam, is an artist, so if I ever need a drawing, I go to him. I'd just embarrass myself.”

“I'm still not feeling the balance here.”

He drove down an alley and pulled up behind a brick building. Pointing at a green metal door, he said, “This is the back entrance. Jay and Lance are here to help unload. Sit tight.” He took out his phone and sent a text, then got out and opened the hatch.

Syd sat stunned for a minute. Sit tight? She got out of the car and went to the back to carry in the instruments. “If I'm part of the band, even temporarily, I should help. I can handle carrying in the drums.”

Lance and Jay came through the door. Lance held it open as she walked through carrying the bass. With the four of them moving, it only took a few trips. Jay brought his own guitar and Hunter brought the keyboard, his guitar, and the drums. He also had the amps and microphones. She wondered how he'd managed to accrue so much equipment. She made a mental note to ask him about it later.

They were the first band on for the night. As they set up onstage, Sydney's nerves returned tenfold. What she'd imagined as a small dive bar actually had a huge audience waiting for them. They set up the instruments and went to the bar to have a quick drink.

Lance downed a shot of whiskey. Jay and Hunter each had a beer. Sydney opted for water. She feared alcohol might not stay down.

Hunter ran a hand down her arm and leaned close. “You okay?”

“Nervous. I didn't think the crowd would be so big.”

“You'll be fine.” His hand slid down and he interlocked fingers with hers. “We'll start with ‘Bad Reputation.' You could probably play it in your sleep.”

She nodded and hoped he was right. They finished their drinks and went backstage to wait for their introduction. Hunter still held her hand and she let him even though it mostly broke every rule she'd set for them. She was too anxious to care.

Backstage, he pulled her down the hall, into a dimly lit space.

“Take a deep breath.”

She did.

“Look at me.” When she didn't immediately respond, he cupped her jaw and tilted her face up. “Nothing to be nervous about. Just like playing in my living room.”

When she looked into his eyes, it seemed simple.

He stepped closer and kissed her. A gentle lip lock and quick swipe of his tongue. She tasted the beer he'd drank, but was quickly swept up in the feel of him. Her stomach settled even though her heart continued to race.

Hunter pulled back. “Better?”

She smiled. “Just one more thing you're really good at.”

The smile on Sydney's face made Hunter's lungs freeze. It was better than the smile she gave other people because she was open and unguarded. With a sudden fierceness, he realized he wanted more of this. He wanted to capture this feeling, this moment.

“Would you prefer I tried to suck at kissing?”

She laughed and it echoed off the bare walls in the hall. “God no. I was making a point.”

“That's a relief. I like kissing you. You're pretty damn good at it yourself.” He pulled her hand and they moved back down the hall. “You ready?”

“I have to be.” She straightened her spine and lifted her chin.

He loved the way she could change herself like that. In a heartbeat, she could bury her vulnerability so no one saw. That she let him see made him feel even better. He'd finally gotten past some of her defenses and all it took was some kissing that he'd completely enjoyed.

They played their set, including an encore. Sydney was great. She blended in with the guys, and by the end of the night, they were all laughing and joking as they loaded his van. Once all the equipment was stowed, they went back to the bar for a drink.

“Can I buy you a beer?” he asked Sydney.

“No, thanks.”

“Crap. That's right. You have studying to do. We can get out of here.”

“No. It's okay. It's not too late. Have your drink. I can find my sister and get a ride with her.” She pulled her phone out as she spoke.

He took her phone. “I want to spend time with you. If all I get is a ride to your apartment, that's what I'll take. I drink with these guys all the time.”

Her face filled with suspicion.

“No games. Let's go.” He waved to Lance and Jay, who nodded and smiled at Sydney. “Do you want to find your sister and let her know you're going home?”

“If I had my phone, I'd text her.”

He handed her phone back. “Sorry.”

She sent a text and a minute later she looked up. “Trish is already gone. She said she stayed for most of our set but had a headache so she went home.”

“See? You need me.” He put an arm around her shoulder and waited for her usual slide away, but she allowed the casual touch.

He led her out the back door and into the alley where his van sat. He unlocked the door and opened it for her. “You were good tonight. Was it what you expected?”

She sat and waited for him to get in. “It was different. I've never played for a real audience. You know, people who came for the music, not family members who feel obligated, like at school concerts.”

“Did you like it?”

“Are you kidding? It was a total rush, everything a little kid dreams of when she thinks about rock stars. I can't imagine playing in a stadium. This was a pretty small venue, but amazing.”

“That rush is hard to find in other places. People who don't perform don't get it.”

“You really want to give that up to teach a bunch of snotty kids?”

“I enjoy the rush, but it's fleeting. There's no stability. Working with kids is a different kind of rush.”

He drove through the city on what he hoped would be the busiest streets to prolong the trip. They talked about the bar and Jay and Lance. The trip was shorter than he wanted.

When he pulled up in front of her apartment, she said, “I know I said I'd introduce you to Trish, but since she has a headache, she's probably in bed. Tomorrow night?”

“Sure. Get some studying done so you won't be distracted when you're with me.”

She leaned across the console and gave him a quick kiss. “I can't imagine anything that would occupy my mind when I'm alone with you.”

And just like that his dick was hard again.

She pulled the handle to open the door. “Hey, how were you able to afford all the instruments and equipment? That's a lot of stuff you're hauling around.”

As soon as she asked, her eyes widened. “Sorry. That was nosy. You don't have to answer.”

He smiled at her nervousness. “It's no big deal. My parents divorced when I was in high school. I took ample advantage of their guilt.” He pointed over his shoulder. “What you see back there is a lot of parental guilt.”

She laughed and slapped a hand over her mouth. Through her fingers, she said, “You're terrible.”

“It's not like they didn't know I was taking advantage. They didn't care.”

She shook her head almost like she didn't believe him and slid out the door. “See you tomorrow,” she called as she closed the door. At the entrance to the building, she turned and waved at him.

Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough.

Chapter 9

S
aturday was a whirlwind of a party. The football game was one of the best of the season, which was a great way to end the last home game of the year. They played a post-game victory set for the players. The entire afternoon, Hunter did everything he could to avoid looking at Sydney. On field or off, he made a point of talking with other tenors. They invited him out for pizza and beer after the game, but the only thing on his mind was a date alone with Sydney.

As soon as he got into his van, he texted her to ask what time he could pick her up.

He could hear her snickery comment as if she sat next to him. He checked the time. Allowing for the hellacious drive home and a shower and then the drive to her apartment, he texted back,
I'll be there at seven.

He liked the idea of her waiting for him. He wondered if she was as excited as he was. He hadn't felt this way about a date in years. He had a tendency to keep things casual, and while what he had going with Sydney wasn't necessarily serious, it had the potential to be. He felt it. Keeping their attraction a secret added a layer of hot lust he'd never experienced.

At home, he showered and changed. Adam was out again and he wondered what was going on with him and Reese. For a guy who swore he wasn't into her, he sure spent a lot of time with her.

Sydney hadn't mentioned where she wanted to go for dinner, but since she seemed like she preferred to keep it casual, that's how he dressed. At seven, he rang her bell and she buzzed him up.

At the second floor, she waited in the door to her apartment and he lost the ability to think. She wore a black barely-there skirt that rode so high on her thighs he wanted to crawl on his knees and beg for the chance to look up it. Her top was a purplish blue that shimmered and accented the colored tips of her hair.

“Are you just going to stand there all night and stare or are you coming in?”

How the hell could she be so calm?

“You look gorgeous.”

Her cheeks flushed and, without thinking, he reached out to stroke one to feel the warmth.

“I promised you a tour and an introduction to my sister.” Her voice was suddenly husky and he realized she wasn't as unaffected as she'd acted. She grabbed his hand and pulled him through the door, kicking it closed with her bare foot.

She pointed at a tall blonde. “This is my sister, Trish.”

He shook Trish's hand. Even if Sydney hadn't been there to introduce them, he would've known they were related. They had the same warm brown eyes. “Hope you're feeling better.”

“I am.” Her smile was quick and genuine. “Sorry I didn't get to meet you yesterday. What I heard was great.”

“No big deal. Glad to meet you now.”

“Trish is heading out to dinner with her boyfriend.” Sydney tugged on her sister's sleeve.

“Nice to meet you.” She waved at Hunter and then pointed at Sydney. “Don't stay out too late. You still have finals to study for.”

“Yes, Mom,” Sydney replied in a snotty voice.

Trish rolled her eyes and put on her jacket. The scene was obviously one they'd played out many times.

As soon as the door closed behind Trish, he pulled Sydney close. “Band is officially over.” She smiled up at him, which he took as an invitation. He pressed her close and lowered to kiss her.

What he thought would be a brief hello kiss quickly morphed into blood-pounding lust. Sydney's hips wiggled in his hands and bumped into him, making him hard again. He thrust a thigh between her legs, making her skirt slide dangerously high.

Heat from her pussy permeated his jeans so he pressed harder. She moaned into his mouth and fisted one hand in his hair. She held tight, just shy of being painful.

He tore his mouth away from hers, but didn't remove his leg. “We're supposed to be doing a tour and then going to dinner.”

She narrowed her eyes. Then she pointed over her left shoulder. “Kitchen. We're standing in the living room. And if you follow me, I'll give you a detailed tour of my bedroom.”

His dick twitched. His brain was losing blood too fast. “What about dinner?”

“Not hungry. For food at least.” She stepped back and crooked a finger at him.

He didn't need to be told twice. He followed her to her bedroom. She flicked on the light, but completely lied about a detailed tour. As soon as they crossed the threshold, she slammed the door and pinned him against it with her entire body.

She began unbuttoning his shirt. Licking her way down his chest with each inch of exposed skin. He tried to grab her shirt, but she moved too fast for him to get a grip. She slid his shirt off his shoulders, but the cuffs stuck on his wrists. She grunted in frustration. “Tell you what,” he said. “I'll get this off. You get rid of yours.”

As he unbuttoned the cuffs, she whipped her top off, leaving her standing in a black bra and her skirt, which was no longer keeping her decent. Hunter stepped away from the door and slid his hands up her thighs. He stroked her through a scrap of silk, causing her breath to shudder. Her panties were damp and he wanted her all wet. He shoved the skirt up and peeled away the panties, dropping to his knees to get them off her feet.

Her trim pussy was at face level. He elbowed her thighs wider and buried his face between her legs. He kept one hand braced on her hip and the other reached around for a handful of her gorgeous ass, which pressed his shoulder into her thigh, lifting it, giving him better access.

She leaned back and gripped the footboard of the bed for balance, but didn't move away from him. Her other hand dove deep into his hair, all the way to the scalp and held him to her.

“Oh, fuck,” she moaned.

He knew he'd hit the right spot, so he flicked his tongue faster. She was so fucking wet, he just wanted more. He moved his hand from her ass, and thrust two fingers into her. Curling and stroking those fingers while his tongue worked had her bouncing on his face.

“Don't stop. Don't stop,” she kept repeating. As if he'd even consider it.

Her body stiffened and her hand on his hair tightened. Her thighs trembled and he lapped at her, loving the taste of her come. She started to slide away and he knew it was totally worth losing a handful of hair if he got to do that again. He crawled up her body and pushed her onto the bed, scooting her back from the footboard.

Her arms flopped out at her sides. She breathed heavily and looked at him below hooded lids. “I think you ruined me.”

“I'm nowhere near done ruining you.”

“I'd return the favor, but I don't think I can move yet.”

“You just stay right where you are.” He covered her body with his and slid a hand beneath her to release her bra. He pulled it away and took a moment to look at her tits. They were on the small side, but fit his palm nicely. He squeezed and licked and when he pinched her nipples, she responded with a low moan and a roll of her hips.

Fuck, he loved the way she responded to everything. How had he ever thought she could be icy? When she thrust her hips up to his, she ground painfully into his hard cock. He needed to get rid of his jeans and push inside her.

Her fingers were already fumbling with the button as he rose up to free himself. Hunter got off the bed and finished stripping. By the time be climbed back, she had a condom waiting. He reached for the rubber, but she pulled it away.

“Let me touch first.” Her cool fingers wrapped around him and stroked.

His entire body went rigid. “Syd.” He forced her name out, hoping she'd understand.

But she liked to play, so instead of giving him the condom, or even putting it on him herself, she ran her tongue down the length of him. She hummed on the return trip.

He gripped her shoulders and forced her away. “Not now.”

She giggled and handed him the condom. Leaning back on her elbows, she watched him slide it on and licked her lips as he did.

She'd pay for that.

He covered her and settled between her legs. As he guided himself into her, she wrapped her calves around his hips. He sank deep and groaned with the pleasure. She met his every thrust. Everything about her was fantastic.

She pulled him close for a kiss and their tongues tangled as their bodies collided. He picked up the pace and she growled, “Deeper.” He lifted her leg and drove in, burying himself to the hilt. Her muscles gripped him and he knew she was close again.

So he slowed and didn't thrust as deep or as hard.

Her eyes flew open.

He rocked gently.

“What are you doing?”

“Enjoying myself.” Yeah, he was enjoying this payback.

With both hands, she grabbed his ass and pulled him into her. “Stop playing games, Reed.”

He lowered his mouth to her ear. “Like you played with me?”

“Okay, I'm sorry.” Her hips wiggled against him. “Just finish.”

He splayed her thighs wide and went deep again. He found a sweet spot he wanted to live and die in, but he couldn't hold out anymore. Driving into her until every muscle went rigid and she screamed, Hunter pressed his face into the soft curve of her neck. As her body milked him, he emptied into her and collapsed.

Her soft limbs slid away, boneless, but he didn't lift his head. He loved the smell and taste of her. After catching his breath, he rolled off her and removed the condom. Sydney didn't even move.

“Uh, where's the bathroom?” His voice was rough and craggy.

She raised her arm and waved in the general direction of the door. “Hall. Left.”

He disposed of the condom and returned to the bedroom. Sydney hadn't left the spot where she lay. “Are you okay?”

“Uh-huh.”

He stared at her a minute and tried to decide what his next move should be. Her naked body was one hell of a distraction, though.

“Could you maybe not stare?”

“Sorry.” But he wasn't. Not even a little bit. He nudged her leg. “Hey, let's get some dinner.”

She swung her legs off the bed. Standing, she smoothed her skirt back into place and then bent to retrieve her top. He grabbed his jeans and did his best to not think about the fact that she no longer had panties on under the skirt.

“Where do you want to go?”

She turned and watched him dress. “We don't have to go anywhere. I'm sure I can make some sandwiches or something. Maybe a frozen pizza.”

As boring as the food sounded, being alone with her made the decision easy. “Sure.”

He shoved his arms into the sleeves of his shirt and thought he heard her sigh when he pulled the front together to button it.

“Meet me in the kitchen.” She left the room and he finished dressing, leaving his shoes off.

When he found her, Sydney had the oven on, a pizza on top of the stove, and peanut butter and grape jelly sitting on the counter. He was suddenly starving.

As she unwrapped the pizza, he stepped to the counter and pulled bread from the bag for sandwiches. “PB and J for you?”

“Sure. Light on the jelly, though. The pizza shouldn't take too long.”

“So you live with your sister. Where's the rest of your family?”

“My parents live in a small town in central Illinois.”

“Why aren't you going home for Christmas?”

“I am. Just for a couple of days, though. For me, this is home. I love being in the city.”

She slid the pizza into the oven and he handed her a sandwich. She took a bite and studied him.

“Did I actually screw up making a sandwich?”

She shook her head. “It's good. What about your family?”

“My mom lives in Naperville with her new husband, and my dad lives on the far northwest side.”

“So you have multiple Christmases to attend.”

Not that he looked forward to any of them. Except for going to Adam's mom's house. “I speed through the holidays as fast as I can. Even after all these years, there's an undertone of animosity my parents have for each other. I like going to Bonnie's house. Adam's mom. She makes a huge meal even though it's just her and Adam. And me.”

Sydney swallowed the lump of bread and peanut butter. Something about standing in her kitchen, sharing a cheap meal with Hunter and talking about family was more intimate than having sex with him. It made her uncomfortable. He seemed totally at ease telling her anything. He never backed off any question she tossed out.

He finished his sandwich before she'd eaten half of hers.

“Another?” she asked.