Rock 01 - FRET (13 page)

The European tour kicked off in London at Wembley Stadium. I was working with the stadium’s security to keep the guys safe and Mac sent three of his best bodyguards to give me a hand.

The men had arrived the day before. Now they stood in front of us in the dressing room. Ransom’s eyes widened as they filed in. If he thought I was big, I have no clue what he thought of the three men standing in front of us. I gestured vaguely at each man as he was introduced.

“These are Buster, Hammer and Achilles. They will be watching your backs from the stage.”

I expected a giggle, a chuckle or even a snicker at the names, but the guys didn’t even bat a lash. Impressive. But I have to admit, all three men are awfully intimidating.

And that’s coming from me.

“Are those your real names?” Gareth finally ventured.

Hammer raised a brow.

“Mine is,” Achilles spoke up. “The other two would be a no.”

“Your mom named you Achilles?” Harley asked curiously.

“Yes.” Achilles crossed his arms and glared at Harley.

I had to chuckle. If anyone looked like an Achilles, it was
this man. Blond buzz-cut hair and massive biceps with Greek letters tattooed the length of them.

“As much fun as this is? We have work to do. These behemoths will be close by should anything happen. It’s about time you guys had some professional security. You’re not in the garage anymore, okay? You’re rock stars.”

The guys nodded and left to get ready. Hammer and Buster checked out the equipment while I walked the stage back and forth. Achilles followed me out and checked vantage points from all four corners of the stage.

“Mac said Gareth was almost taken out at the L.A. concert,” Achilles half asked.

“Yes.” I crouched to check the position of the pyrotechnics.

“You think they’ll try again?”

“Wouldn’t you?”

“Yes. If I was hell-bent on taking someone out.”

“You’re the Delta Force guy, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Sorry, we can’t all be SEALS,” I chuckled.

“Nah, we’re better.”

“I’ll let that slide for now.”

“You got a gut feeling on this one?”

“I do.” I stood up and crossed the stage to where Achilles was checking out possible vantage points for attempts on Gareth’s life.

“I can’t believe they’ve gone all this time without a security team. That’s fucking crazy.” Achilles took a wary look around. “Too many places to hide in here. We need to stay close.”

“I agree.”

“Well, let’s get our gear into place.”

~*~

The concert went off without a hitch. Thanks to the professionalism of the guys working with me, we worked like a well-oiled machine. We got the band out of the stadium and safely into their hotel rooms without incident. Of course, we had to deal with the long line of fans and VIP ticket holders before we were able to leave the venue. Gareth smiled the whole time, happily signing autographs for his fans. I stood behind him, arms crossed, impassive, alert to any sign of trouble.

Achilles posed behind Harley and Jinx in the same stance. Hammer and Buster watched over Ransom and Rebel. All in all, the guys were back to their usual happy selves.

Gareth walked out of the bathroom, a swirl of steam following him out like a magic genie. Until I get free rein to jump his bones, I’m really going to have to get him a big, frumpy robe to replace these sexy after-shower towels wrapped around his waist. He was rubbing the tips of his fingers and I took his right hand in mine. His fingers were red and the skin was raw. I ran my thumb over his index finger and looked into his eyes.

“Does this happen a lot?”

“Yeah, they just need to toughen up a bit. All part of a guitar player’s life.”

“You looked at home up there.”

Gareth took his hand back and sat down on the bed, sighing deeply.

“I love playing; I loved it before I became part of the band. Being in the band is altogether different. Sometimes I feel trapped, you know?”

“I guess I do.”

“You’ve been alone for most of your life, huh?”

“Yes.”

“No wonder you try so hard to stay at arm’s length.”

“I tried it at first with you,” I admitted. “The more time I spent with you, though, the more I saw the real man. You hide offstage, but you’re such a commanding presence on it. I’ve watched the concert footage from before you joined the band. Paul never had that stage presence, Gareth. You were born to shine.”

“You think so?” Gareth tilted his head in thought.

“I know so. You may have been born small, but
you
are larger than life.”

“That’s so cheesy!” Gareth chuckled.

I jumped on him and pushed him back on the bed, hovering over him. Gareth’s lips parted and he gasped. I slid my knee between his legs and rubbed his balls slowly. Gareth moaned softly and I leaned in and kissed him.

“What happened to no hanky panky?” Gareth panted.

“I’m just kissing you. Besides, we jacked off together.”

“You’re…rubbing my balls,” Gareth rasped.

“Oh, is that what I’m doing? Oops. Does it feel good?” I asked, nipping his bottom lip.

“Um,
yeah
. My dick really likes it.”

“I have something else it might like.”

I scooted down Gareth’s body and took the head of his dick in my mouth. God help me, I couldn’t help myself; I want more of that taste. Gareth’s stomach contracted as I took him down to his pubes. I want him to choke me with his seed and fuck my mouth. Gareth got the hint when I grabbed his ass in both hands and shoved him down my throat.

After that, he fucked my mouth in earnest — and the noises he made? I’ll never forget them as long as I live. Gareth’s fingers petted my hair before he yanked on it, shoving me down to the root again. I moaned around his girth as precome coated my tongue.

“Oh fuck… Axel! Gonna blow!”

I sucked harder and he rewarded me with a blast of salty/sweet goodness straight down my throat. I kept at it, coaxing more until he was limp beneath me, his chest heaving. He threw an arm over his eyes and let out a nervous laugh.

“Are you okay?”

“I’ve ever come that hard!”

“Good.” I crawled up his body and cupped his face in my hands. Gareth’s eyes meet mine and I searched his face. “What is it?”

“Are you going to realize you can do better?”

I stare at him, stunned. “Are you joking? That’s not even funny. If anything,
you
can do better. You’ll find a nice man who doesn’t kill people for a living. Let’s just take this one day at a time, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Now, what do you want to do tomorrow?”

“Funny you should ask.” Gareth grinned.

~*~

I groaned each time as my feet hit the pavement. We’d been out most of the day and Gareth dragged me everywhere from Big Ben to Piccadilly Circus to the Tower of London. He made me take a picture of his head on the chopping block. Eerie and somewhat morbid — Gareth was my kind of guy. We ate at McDonalds because Gareth was tired of fish and chips. I had to laugh at that. We sat and munched, people watching.

“How many times have you been here?” I asked.

“A few, but I never got to get out and sightsee.”

“Well, I’m glad I could take you then.”

“I really want to take a gondola ride in Venice.”

“We can do that, too.”

“Axel?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m glad you were the one chosen to watch over me.”

“Me, too.”

~*~

Germany was much of the same. The crowd went crazy as the band wrapped up their concert. Another long line of fans and VIPs. Gareth is itching to get to Italy but our next stop on the tour is Paris. I’m looking forward to the pastries.

Gareth and I walked around Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

“It’s weird to think that once upon a time, there was an East and West,” Gareth mused.

“Yes. It is. Families separated by a wall. So many people died trying to cross over.”

“I’ll never understand any of it.” Gareth shook his head.

“I stopped trying long ago to figure out why some people are fucked in the head, Gareth. It will drive you insane.”

“Kind of like trying to figure out why some people hate gays, right?”

“I really don’t give a flying fuck what people think about my life. I never have. You would do well to do the same.”

We spent the rest of the day shopping around Berlin before heading back to the hotel. The band had gathered in Ransom’s suite when we arrived. Mac stood in the center of the room and I nodded to him.

“Mac. Good to see you.”

“I came as soon as I could. We arrested Stan.”

“What?!” Gareth and the rest of the band shouted in unison.

“His shoe fit the mold taken at the treehouse after the fire. We found traces of gasoline on his shoes and a search turned up glue, paper and tweezers used to make the threatening letters. Stan lives two blocks from the post office stamped on some of the letters. We turned that place over with a fine-toothed comb. We’re confident we have our man.”

“But it can’t be,” Gareth spoke softly. “He’s gay. He said he would never hurt me.”

“He’s in love with you, Gareth,” Mac said seriously. “He knew you would never feel the same way. We found a letter he was starting. It said ‘if I can’t have you, no one can’.”

“No.” Gareth shook his head. “I saw his face that day when Axel confronted him. He wasn’t like that…he wouldn’t…” Gareth trailed off, choking back a sob.

“Thanks, Mac. I’m taking Gareth to his room. Good work.”

I walked Gareth back to our hotel room and looked him over. Tears cascaded down his cheeks. He looked positively wrecked. I wanted to fix it, but I can’t.

“Are you okay?”

“He was so sweet and he helped us, Axel. Why? I can’t wrap my head around this.”

“As I said, no one knows why some people do what they do. I’m so sorry.”

“I just want to go to bed.”

I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my hands down my face. I hated this, I really did. There was a soft knock at the door and Ransom stood there when I opened it. He looked just like Gareth did — devastated.

“Are you leaving him now?”

“No. I’ll stay through the tour.”

“Thank you, Axel. I think he’s going to need you.”

I knew Gareth would need me.

Because the worst was yet to come.

Paris was a whirlwind of excitement but I didn’t feel any of it. I had trusted Stan, believed him. What did that say about me? That I’m so damn naïve I can’t tell when someone is lying to my face? I’m a shitty judge of character, that’s for sure.

Axel tried to raise my spirits with a tour of the city but even the paintings at the Louvre couldn’t pull me out of my funk. The overcast skies matched my mood. We walked along the Seine in silence. He was gobbling a fluffy pastry while I sipped coffee.

“Gareth.”

“Yes?”

“You need to snap out of this mood.”

“I played well last night, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but you weren’t your normal self. I could tell.”

“Are you going to leave now that Stan is in jail?”

“No. I told Ransom I would stay through the tour.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to, Gareth. I take jobs when I want. I don’t have a set schedule.”

“I’m glad. I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t here.”

“You could talk to Hammer,” Axel teased.

I snorted. “Hammer doesn’t talk, he grunts. Everything Buster says sounds like a threat. Achilles…well, he’s just too damned quiet!”

“Well, none of us went to charm school.”

“At least they use utensils to eat,” I joked.

Axel stopped and tugged me into his chest. I looked up at him and he ran his fingers down my cheek.

“I know this hurts, but I learned a long time ago that sometimes you can’t trust even the people closest to you.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“No? Why do you think I never get close to anyone? I was betrayed in the worst way, Gareth. Back in the day, one of my closest friends switched sides on me. I didn’t suspect a thing until he literally stabbed me in the back. He chose money over loyalty and when it came down to it, he was willing to kill me for it. That was the first time I had to look someone in the eye as I took his life.”

I gasped and searched his eyes. I could tell it still hurt him. That he trusted me enough to tell me this was huge. I held him and buried my face in his chest.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

“So am I, but it just goes to show you that even the people you trust with your life can’t be trusted, Gareth.”

“I trust
you
.” I backed away a bit and looked into his eyes.

“I’m the exception.” Axel grinned.

“I thought you said you never had friends.”

“SEALS are a team, Gareth, and friends by extension. You trust that team with your life. Let’s just say that was the day I left the team.”

I searched Axel’s face. I could tell it still hurt him.

“Ready to head back?”

“Yep.”

~*~

The Italy stop finally arrived and I was pumped! I pulled myself out of my doldrums about Stan and played like the rock star I was. We got multiple standing ovations and played four encores. By the time we walked off the stage, I was wiped out.

Axel took my hand as we walked back to the dressing rooms. People lined up by the back door as we headed in to shower, change and meet the fans. I noticed them, but I was distracted.

I was too excited about tomorrow. Axel and I were going to take a gondola ride. I heard they’re romantic as fuck and I wanted to talk to Axel about staying in my life for good. I don’t know how it’s going to work, but I wanted it more than I’ve ever wanted anything.

The guys and I signed autographs and took pictures with the fans for two hours. I was more than ready for bed by the time we got to the hotel. Axel still does a sweep of the room even though they’ve caught my stalker. Even now, I can’t wrap my head around it. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to. Strong hands slid beneath my shirt and lifted it up. I raised my arms as Axel took my shirt off, his hands sliding back down my chest.

“Do you know how gorgeous you are?” he whispered in my ear. “How many times I’ve wanted to kiss you and touch you?”

“Probably the same amount as I’ve wanted to do the same thing to you.”

I turned in his arms and he kissed me. It was different from the last time. His mouth devoured mine; his strong hands gripped my hips as he plunged his tongue in to taste me. I looped my arms around his neck as he picked me up and carried me to the bed.

Axel pulled my zipper down and grabbed my hard dick. I whimpered into his mouth and wound my legs around his hips as he stroked me.

“I want to feel you.” I gasped as he pulled his own dick out and rutted against me.

Axel’s larger frame dwarfed me as his body moved over mine. Our dicks, slick with precome, slid against each other as we continued to kiss languidly. Axel’s movements slowed to the tempo of our kiss and I couldn’t catch my breath. I was so fucking turned on, I was about to blow all over both of us.

Axel broke from the kiss and smiled down at me, still rocking into my hips. I stilled him and scooted down until my face made contact with his dick. I took him in and almost gagged at his length and girth. Axel’s breathing turned ragged as I proceeded to suck him off, jacking myself off as I did it. He planted his hands on the bed and fucked into my more-than-willing mouth.

My eyes watered and my jaw began to ache, but fuck it, I wanted this! I want Axel to lose his entire load in my mouth. His hips began to buck wildly as I teased the rim of his dick, sliding my tongue into his slit before taking him again as deeply as I could. His dick rubbed against the lining of my throat and the head flared, constricting my airway. I somehow managed to stick a finger in my mouth, wetting it and then running it around his hole as I sucked harder on his dick. Axel cried out, his hips plunging into me repeatedly as he unloaded hot and hard into my mouth. I sucked at him greedily, my finger still playing around his asshole as my own orgasm began to subside. Finally, Axel stopped moving and the only sound in the room was his heavy breathing.

“Jesus, Gareth!”

I licked my lips and smiled as I crawled back up the bed. Sweat covered Axel’s face; droplets ran down his chest as well. Damn, he looks good glistening like that!

“So, it was good?” I asked hesitantly.

“That was your first one?” Axel’s eyes widened in amazement as I nodded tentatively. “Well, fuck! Hell, yes! It was damn good!”

I smiled, pleased with myself. Axel kissed me slowly, tasting himself on my tongue.

“We should rest. We’re going to be doing a lot of walking tomorrow. Are you excited?”

“I am! I’ve been wanting to do this for years.”

Axel rolled off me and pulled me into his arms. His lips brushed my forehead and I sighed blissfully.

“Night, Gareth.”

“Night.”

~*~

“I can’t even imagine being a prisoner and having to walk this bridge.”

Axel and I were crossing the Bridge of Sighs. We had just hit Doge’s Palace and now we’re crossing the bridge to the other side. Axel seems as excited I am to be taking in all the tourist stuff. I love stuff like this — I was always a history buff.

“You know the lore, right?”

“I don’t believe I do.” Axel grinned wide.

Well, I’m not going to tell him. I think that ruins it anyway. I smiled and took his hand

We head to the square and I’m in absolute awe in front of Saint Mark’s Basilica. Pigeons covered the square as we stood there in silence. The sky was slightly overcast, but the sun was trying its best to peek through. All around us, tourists laughed and snapped pictures and painters set up easels to capture the beauty.

City lights illuminated the canal as the sun set. Axel paid for the gondola and we glided down the canal. It was breathtaking, and so peaceful. The soft lapping of the water was as soothing as a lullaby. I nestled between Axel’s legs as we drifted along, the sounds of the city humming around us. The Bridge of Sighs was up ahead and I was waiting for the perfect moment.

Axel put his lips near my ear as we got closer. “If two lovers kiss on a gondola under this bridge, they’ll be granted eternal bliss.”

I swiveled to look at him, a look of shock on my face.

“Did you really think I didn’t know the legend?”

“I didn’t —”

Axel kissed me just as we passed under the bridge. His warmth spread through my body as I leaned back against him; he gently cupped my left cheek as I lifted into the kiss, resting my right cheek against his shoulder. I’ve never been kissed like this. It was as though Axel was trying to tell me without words what I already felt, one of those rare moments in life where everything was absolutely perfect. Even though we haven’t had sex yet, I couldn’t care less. I was thrilled just to be with him.

We met up with Ransom and the others at the Venice Jazz Club. I’m not normally into jazz, but when in Rome — well, Venice. Axel sipped water beside me as the others told us about their jaunt around the city. Achilles, Buster and Hammer stood off to the side, arms crossed, looking threatening. As usual.

“Do they ever relax?” I asked Axel.

“Can’t afford to,” he replied.

“Jinx found an Italian girl.” Ransom nudged Jinx.

“Yeah, but she doesn’t speak any English,” Rebel laughed.

“We spoke French.” Jinx waggled his eyebrows. “Get it?”

I rolled my eyes as the rest of the guys ribbed Jinx on his womanizing ways. We had one more day in Italy before heading for the next concert. I know one thing for sure: I’m coming back to Venice.

We spent the next day in Rome, taking in the Colosseum. Axel is as much a history buff as I, which shocks the shit out of me for some reason. I thought I was the only geek in this group who loved that shit. We walked hand and hand as the sun dipped below the horizon. I realized where we are and looked up at him. He’s smiling at the fountain in front of us. Neptune, flanked by his tritons, was emerging from the fountain.

“You know what they say about the fountain?” I asked slyly.

“Yep. If you throw coins from your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain of Trevi, ” he said, “three things will happen.” He held up a finger. “One, you’ll return to Rome. Two,” he held up a second finger. “You’ll fall in love with a sexy Roman. And three,” he held up a third finger. “You’ll marry that Roman.”

“Wow. You really are a nerd,” I laughed.

“History and culture fascinate me. I’m always surprised at how many times we repeat the mistakes of the past.” Axel turns to me and drops three coins into my hand. “Come on. Do it.”

I turned my back to the fountain and held the coins in my right hand. I closed my eyes and threw them over my left shoulder.

“So, you’ll be back to Rome in the future.” Axel took my hand.

I hope it’s with Axel because even though he’s not Roman, I want to marry him.

~*~

Greece welcomed us with arms open wide. Our concert was sold out, and I was ready for a week off. Axel took me to the Parthenon and I proceeded to go fangirl all over his nerdy ass. He should have been a history or humanities teacher. His face was so animated as he talked about ancient Greece. If he had been my teacher in high school, I would never have fallen asleep in class.

I would have been drooling over his ass.

Unlike my actual history teacher, who reminded me of the teacher in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” Axel had a way of telling the story so that you actually felt like you were there in the middle of it all. I wonder how he would be in all the other countries. I know a lot of history, but I love hearing Axel’s voice. We wound up going out to eat and Axel ordered a bottle of Ouzo. I don’t normally drink, but it smelled so good I had to taste it.

“You like it?”

“It’s different.” I nodded, savoring the aftertaste.

“I don’t eat lamb very often, but you might have noticed a lot of Greek recipes use it.” Axel eyed me closely. “Don’t drink too much of that.”

“Why? It’s really good.” It really was. I didn’t feel too fucked up, either.

“Ouzo sneaks up on you. Trust me.”

The rest of the group eventually joined us, drank Ouzo and laughingly regaled us with their escapades in the city. Normally, we don’t get too wild. Ransom doesn’t want us to end up in some rag magazine naked or trashed. Besides, none of us wants to spend a night in jail — especially in a foreign country. The guys were getting rowdy as we left the restaurant and I laughed at Harley as his shirt flew off and he began running down the street.

“Oh, shit.” Ransom hid his face in his hands. “How much Ouzo did he drink?”

“I got him.” Achilles headed after Harley, who was now running around in only his boxers. I was surprised that a man as huge as Achilles had such a soft voice. I’ll be honest; I’d have bet against that. My thoughts were interrupted by Harley’s antics.

“Oooh!! The big Trojan warrior is coming to get me!” Harley sing-songed as he laughed and scampered around half-naked.

I felt a little sorry for Achilles. If he was going to be a permanent fixture in our lives, he was going to be running after Harley a lot. I feel a little tipsy from the Ouzo, but I’m holding my own. Thank God, I’d eaten quite a bit.