Private Message (9 page)

The crowd really starts to pack in after the second opening act. With one arm at each of my sides, holding the barricade in front of us, James becomes my human shield. He never complains about doing this with me. One time I asked him and he told me he gets to see killer bands and shows, and spend time with his baby sister, even if that includes being slammed into and being dropped on. See why I love him so much?

The drummer beats his sticks above his head and the band jumps right into a hard fist-pounding song. And that's when my adrenaline kicks up a few notches. I begin to slam around and semi-head-bang. I am so not like the other girls at most of these shows. I don't come in wearing miniskirts and what look like bikini tops. I don't hop on shoulders and flash the bands. I am the girl in the jeans, Converse and a tank top. Simple. Clean and classic. I scream with the lyrics until I can no longer hear myself. I know I won't even be able to talk in the morning, but that's OK, because it's what I live for.

The band is halfway through their set and I reach into my top and pull out my camera while security is attending to a fistfight just left of the stage. But I'm being bumped into, and it's blurring my shots. If only I could be on the other side of this barricade with the other "press" photographers. One day, Tess. One day.

As I bob my head to one of my favorite slower songs, I see a great opportunity, so I whip out my little weapon and hold it out, only to find a figure right in front of me.

"You know you can't have that in here, don't you?" the tall figure asks.

It's Ben.

Oh. My. God. What is he doing here? And how is he in front of me?
Riiiight, he works for a music magazine dummy, you just talked about that.
But I was not expecting to see him here tonight. I actually haven't thought about him since I walked into this place. So to see him standing directly in front of me, at this moment, is blowing my mind.

He keeps eyeing me, waiting for me to say something, and then turns his attention above and behind me. That's when I remember that's where James is. Ben's eyes go from smoldering to ice cold. What is his deal?

"What are you doing here?" I ask him.

He looks back down at me. He has to speak up a lot more since the band has started a more upbeat song. "Work" is all he says.

Oh, this is how it's going to go down, is it? He's going to make assumptions? Well, guess what, buddy, you have no claims on me. We are not dating; I wouldn't even say we are friends. Just two people who have made out...

"Right, the magazine." I am not about to tell him that James is my big brother. Let him assume.

Talking even louder, he says, "Can I call you later after the show?"

Oh yeah, he's trying to make himself heard by James, trying to rile up some trouble, I am sure, or at least start a fight between James and I. I snort and roll my eyes at him.

"Text me" is all I say. And once more he looks from me to James, and he leans in and kisses me on the cheek, and nods.

OK, it was only a little kiss on the cheek, but that was all it took for me to reach my total high. I was there in my element: the music, the vibe from the fans, the heat in the venue, the scent that he was radiating in front of me, the smell of his sweet breath against my cheek. I am at a total loss. I can't control myself. The next thing I know I have my hands wrapped around the back of his neck, my fingers fisting the hair that grazes his neck, and I am pulling his mouth to mine. He didn't refuse me. Oh, thank god he didn't refuse me.

Pushing our bodies up against the metal barricade between us, he wraps his long toned arms around my waist. His tongue dips into my mouth and I can no longer hear or see anything but him. His tongue is hot, thrusting into my mouth with great force, and I think if he keeps kissing me like this I am going to come. And as much as I want that right about now, I don't want a venue full of people to witness it, let alone my older brother! SHIT! James is still behind me!

"Eh-hem," I hear come from behind me. I reluctantly pull away from Ben. His breathing is staggered and coming out harsh.

He licks his lips. "I'll call you later."

And he's gone. As he's walking back around the side of the stage, the band finishes their last song, everything begins to settle down and people start to leave the venue.

As James and I are walking out to the car, he speaks up. "Uh, you want to tell me what the fuck that was all about, Tess?"

I turn to face him "Oh, um…that was Ben." I shrug, trying to calm myself and not look like a little schoolgirl.

He eyes me and I can already sense his temper rising. Did I mention he's a very protective big brother? Oh crap, what am I going to say so that I don't sound like a slut, but to also to make sure he doesn't totally hate Ben?

"And who is 'Ben' exactly?" He's all macho.

Here we go. I suck in a big breath of cool Seattle air and tell him the story. Sort of. I end with: "So she left so we could talk. That's all."

His mouth has dropped open. "That's all? Are you sure?" He asks.

"Uh... yeah." I am not going to tell him about the make-out session.

"So, wait, you're seeing a guy who's a nude model?" He winces.

I can feel my cheeks heating up. "Uh, yeah…"

He throws his head back and laughs. "You really know how to pick 'em, Tess."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean, James? I haven't even had a serious relationship with anyone, and you know that, of all people. Why I can't."

He throws his hand up in surrender. "You're right, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that, but really, Tess, a model?"

I roll my eyes. I know he didn't mean to come off as so judgmental. "No, he's not a model, he works at
Tones
, that killer music magazine that I am obsessed with. That's why he was there tonight; he must be interviewing one of the bands there for a feature."

The look on his face tells me something just clicked. "Wait, Ben Mitchell?" he asks me.

"Yeah, have you read his articles in the magazine?" I ask.

He bobbles his head from shoulder to shoulder. "Yeah, that, and I have heard he has quite the reputation when it comes to women, Tess."

"Look, I'm not asking your opinion about the guy, I can take care of myself."

"I know you didn't ask for my opinion, sis, but you know I am always going to be defensive about you and anyone you might be seeing."

I give him the tightest hug I could give. "I know and thank you, but please don't worry. If I have an issue with him or any other guy I will let you know so you can introduce your fist to their face, OK?"

"You got it." He gives me a wicked grin.

Who the hell was that guy with his arms around her sides tonight? Her boyfriend? She never mentioned anything about a boyfriend. Then again, I never did ask. She knows that I have a bad rep with the women at the bar, but fuck, I'm not seeing anyone. I haven't even slept with a girl since that night I first saw her. Granted I have had a lot of offers, I just don't want them.

Just thinking about her with that guy pisses me off. She says she's a virgin, so maybe it wasn't her boyfriend. He didn't try to stop me when she was sticking her tongue down MY throat. Ugh, just thinking about that kiss is making me hard. Fuck, it feels like forever since I did anything with a woman. Since meeting Tess, I find myself taking a lot of cold showers and reuniting my hand to my own dick. What am I, back in high school?

She told me to text her when I asked if I could call her, but I don't care. I need to talk to her. I need to hear her voice. It's been two hours since the show ended, so if that were her boyfriend, then maybe he would be gone by now…I hope.

"Hello?" Her voice sounds sleepy.

"So, how did you enjoy the show?"

She lets out a soft yawn. How can a yawn sound so sexy? "I loved it. I love that band and being able to get up front was the most amazing thing ever."

Ever? "So not even our little public display of affection could top that?" I tease.

"Ha, I think it was a combination of both, actually." Her voice sounds a little more seductive now and I wish I were there. I picture her in a form-fitting tank top and panties on her bed.

"What are you wearing?"

She sighs. "Nothing special."

"Oh, come on, anything you wear would be special on you."

"My favorite T-shirt and boy shorts," she says, and my cock twitches.

A low growl escapes me. "Nice." And as much as I don't want to bring it up, I have to ask her.

"So, was that your boyfriend behind you tonight? If so how did he enjoy OUR little show?" OK, I know that sounded a little bitter, but I had to throw it out there.

She snorts. I can't believe she actually snorts, and she doesn't even try to cover it up like most girls would. "No. That wasn't my boyfriend, Ben." Fuck, I love it when she says my name.

"Well then I hope it was a gay best friend or something, because I am not in the mood for competition with a straight guy friend who secretly has feelings for you, or whatever little teen drama show you have set up." OK, now I'm rambling, she's rubbing off on me.
hmm…that's sounds good right about now…

"That was my brother James," she says.

Thank fucking God! I still have a chance with this girl. "Ah, that's good to know. I am surprised he didn't punch me for making out with his sister in front of a few hundred people."

"Nah, James is cool. He knows that if I need him to rectify a situation I'll let him know." She sounds like they're a Mafia family or something.

"Good, he should want to protect his amazing sister."

"Pfft" is all she lets out.

"When can I see you, Tess?" I'm in a hurry, but what can I say? I get excited around her.

I hear a wine bottle open when she replies, "Your call."

That's all it takes and I am on my way.

Frankly, I was hoping he'd call and want to come over. I want to get some answers about his so-called reputation. I know it's a little late, but I am wide awake, knowing he's on his way over here. SHIT! I better change. I don't want to be wearing my tiny shorts when he gets here! I run to my dresser and pull out a pair of black yoga pants and leave on my black T.

He must not live too far from me, because about ten minutes after we hung up, he's knocking at my door. I set down a half-drunk glass of wine that I had already poured to steady my nerves. Instead it's only making me horny, and knowing I am about to have Ben and his sweet ass and sexy accent filling my tiny apartment is not helping any. I open the door to see him holding a bouquet of flowers. Where on earth did he find a place open at this hour? And they are my favorite: peonies.

"Hi," I say when I meet his warm eyes.

"Hi," he replies. Scanning my body, he says, "Nice shirt."

He comes into the main room, takes off his black leather jacket, and lays it on the back of a chair.

"Have a seat. I'll pour you a glass."

He walks over to me instead. "Sounds great." He takes the bottle and pours his own glass and tops mine off. Taking my hand, he leads me to the sofa.

We talk about the wine, and I want to know what my favorite wine tastes like on his lips. But if I kiss him right now, I'll never get the answers I am looking for, but instead wake up in the morning no longer a virgin. I can't say no to this man. That excites me and terrifies me to my core.