Rock Star's Ballad (White Mist Series Book 3) (21 page)

“You made it!” Gwen shouted from the deck. “You guys can put your stuff in that cabin and change into your swimsuits.”

“Shit,” Demi muttered.
 

“Crap,” Regan echoed.
 

“Crap shit!” Chase hollered.
 

Brooks raised a brow. “What’s going on?”

“Swimsuit?” Regan asked with a grimace and Demi nodded.
 

“I totally forgot.”

Brooks took charge. “We’ll put the luggage in the rooms and I’ll take Chase. You two get swimsuits. You can’t be at the lake without going in the water.”
 

“That’s why I love you,” Regan said and handed Chase over and kissed Brooks.
 

They headed back to the car and Johnny was silent as they unloaded their bags and she and Regan got into the SUV.
 

“I’ll be back!” she called to Johnny who gave her an angry scowl. “Geez. He acts like I did this on purpose. I’ll make it up to him.”

“With a blow job.”

Demi glared at Regan who snickered as they pulled out of the lot and drove to the next town.
 

“This is gonna sound stupid, but I don’t even own a swimsuit,” Regan said and there was an uncomfortable note in her voice that made Demi stare at her in surprise.
 

“You’re self-conscious?” Demi asked in disbelief, scanning Regan’s body.
 

Regan shifted. “Stop looking at me like that.”

“Hello, do you not see me sitting here? I hate when skinny people say that,” Demi muttered. “I have a pooch and I’m almost six feet tall. Everywhere I go, people can’t help but notice me and my big bones.”

“You’re not big boned.”

“Yes, I am. I’m strong as an ox and I should’ve been able to tackle the hell out of Barry, but I was too shocked to do anything.” She sniffed. “Next time, he better be ready.”

“You think
you’re
big? Wait till you see Gwen’s sisters. They’re taller than you and worked in the hardware store their whole life. They’re muscular. Even I wouldn’t pick a fight with them. They could play pro football.”

Demi laughed as Regan drove to the mall. They went into the department store and tried on several bathing suits. Demi had a pooch, so she decided on a high-waisted lavender skirt and bikini top. Just as Demi suspected, Regan had nothing to worry about and looked good in everything. Demi glared at Regan until she decided on a scarlet bikini top and bottom. They were making their purchases when they saw a familiar face.
 

“Bethany!” Demi called.
 

Bethany paused with shopping bags in both hands. Her face went blank when she spotted Regan. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Had to get swimsuits for the lake,” Demi said and eyed the packages. “Shopping spree?”

Bethany gave a nonchalant shrug. “Big sale. Couldn’t miss out. I got a new swimsuit too.”

“Want to come to the lake with us? It’s a nice day,” Regan said.
 

Bethany blinked in surprise. “Oh, no thanks.”

Regan surprised both of them when she took a step forward. “I’m sorry about yesterday.”

Bethany was silent for a beat and then, “It’s okay.”

“No, I shouldn’t have done it without asking, but I know you need the right equipment to make a profit.”

Bethany nodded. “I know that. It’s just that I don’t think the store is stable and—”

“No talk about business today,” Regan said with a smile. “It’s lake day!”

“I don’t know…” Bethany trailed off, clearly ill at ease. “Is it just you two?”

“And a couple others. You should come.”

Bethany hesitated. “I don’t want to butt in.”

“You’re not butting in,” Regan said firmly, “and you already have a swimsuit. You’re set. You can ride with us since there isn’t a lot of parking.”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“You need a tan. You’re whiter than me and that’s saying something,” Regan said bluntly and Bethany frowned. “You should come, at least for an hour. Come on.”

“Okay,” Bethany said.
 

They walked to the parking lot and Bethany stopped by her car to unload her shopping bags.
 

Demi elbowed Regan. “What the hell? You lied to her.”

“She needs to get out,” Regan hissed, “and she needs a tan.”

“Why won’t you let her drive herself?”

“Because when she sees everyone, she’s gonna take a dig. She needs to get out and have some fun. She’s so responsible. She needs to relax.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Demi said and shut up when Bethany got in the car.
 

Regan kept up a steady stream of inane chatter and Bethany responded every now and then. Demi shot Regan reproving looks, which she ignored.

“There sure are a lot of cars here,” Bethany observed when they parked.
 

“There sure are,” Demi said deliberately and made eyes at Regan.
 

Regan led the way between the cabins to the lake and they were assaulted by noise. There were people everywhere and for a moment, Demi was sure that all of White Mist had came out to the cabins. Kids of all ages ran from the cabins to the water in a steady stream, shouting for food or their parents. Adults leaned against the railing or lounged on deck chairs, soaking up the sun while they ate and drank alcohol.
 

“Oh my God,” Bethany whispered.
 

Demi left Regan to explain and walked up to the house Gwen designated for them. She paused on the deck to soak it in.
 

“Got your swimsuit?” Johnny asked.
 

She turned and froze when she saw him wearing a pair of swim trunks and nothing else. His skin was dotted with sweat, which made his tattoos gleam. She licked her lips and wrapped her arms around him.
 

“You’re hot,” she said and nibbled on his ear.
 

“I think I should help you put on your swimsuit,” he said and hefted her over his shoulder. By some miracle, she managed to hold onto the bag with her swimsuit.

“Johnny!” she shouted.

He laughed like a maniac as he hiked up the stairs with her. She had a blurred impression of rooms, low voices and then he stepped into a tiled bathroom. When he set her down, she had a moment to appreciate the rustic decor before Johnny backed her against the vanity and kissed her. He unbuttoned her capris and yanked them down her legs with her underwear and tossed both. Their lips parted so he could whip off her shirt and bra and then he whirled her around so she faced the mirror. His large hand covered her breast and the image of them in the mirror was so erotic, she swiveled her bare ass against his crotch.
 

“Johnny,” she said and her voice echoed in the bathroom.
 

“You can’t make noise. Brooks is up here with Chase,” Johnny whispered in her ear.
 

“Who?” she asked and reached back and grabbed him through his shorts. “I need you, Johnny.”

Johnny gave her a feral smile, brushed her hand away and rubbed his cock against her wet entrance. She pushed back and cursed when he deliberately pulled back.
 

“What do you want from me?” she hissed.
 

His hands gripped her throat and tipped her head back. “Everything, Demi.”

“I have!”

“You’re starting to give me what I need, but you’re holding some parts back. I need every piece of you. I won’t be satisfied with anything else.”

Her hands scrabbled over the slick counter. “I’m trying.”

Johnny’s eyes gleamed as they moved over her reflection, watching his hand move from her breast, over her rounded belly and then between her legs. She bit back a gasp as his hand touched her clit. She hunched over and panted as his thick finger slipped between her folds.
 

“You’re wet for me.”

“I’m always like this around you,” she snapped.
 

His teeth nipped her shoulder. “I like that. How much do you want me?”

“Too much,” she said and bucked, pinning his hand between her and the vanity.
 

“Do you love me, Demi?”
 

Her eyes opened and met his in the mirror. “I never stopped.”

He cursed and fit his cock inside of her. His thrusts were quick and powerful and she let out a stifled scream as each push ground her clit against his hand.
 

“Look at us,” he growled. “Watch me take you. You’re mine, Demi.”

She took in her pale form against his darker skin, the hand between her legs and the other wrapped around her chest, holding her in place as he claimed her. She went over the edge and her hand shot out, seeking something to anchor her. She accidentally turned on the water, which drowned out the sound of Johnny saying her name as he climaxed.
 

Chapter Ten

“Don’t think I didn’t notice
both
of you coming out of the bathroom,” Regan said as she joined Demi in the deep part of the lake.
 

Demi grinned and watched the intense battle taking place between Bobby and Luke who were perched on Max and Johnny’s shoulders. Gwen’s four nieces did handstands in the water and leapt off the dock. The lake houses swarmed with adults and kids. Regan and Brooks’ family joined in the fun and blended with the Harper’s. One of Johnny’s albums pumped on the stereo and laughter filled the air.
 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Regan,” Demi said coolly. “He needed something and I was changing.”

“He needed something all right,” Regan muttered and then smiled. “You two seem happy.”

“He wants to get married,” Demi blurted and glanced sideways at Regan who didn’t look surprised in the least.

“What’d you say?”

“I just made a week in White Mist.”

Regan nodded sagely. “I know what you mean. Within two months of coming back, I was married to Brooks after being gone ten years. It was unreal. With you and Johnny, it’s an even bigger gap and he’s proposed within a week. Brooks is gonna be jealous that Johnny’s upstaging him.”

Demi pushed her. “It’s not funny.”

“Well, how do you feel about him?”

Demi watched the girls crawling over him, wanting his attention. Johnny grinned and she wondered what the girls were talking to him about. Probably dolls, makeup and boy bands Johnny had no idea existed. Even at this age, girls were drawn to him. He was sweet and patient with everyone but her, apparently. The interlude in the bathroom was
hot
and remembering the way he watched her in the mirror made her squirm. Only Johnny could make her feel like this. Needy, scared, elated. She was content when her family was alive—she wasn’t happy, wasn’t sad. With Johnny, it was a roller coaster of emotions and she couldn’t imagine going back to a bland life, but…

“I love him,” Demi sighed. “Always have, but Johnny’s… Johnny.”

“What are you afraid of?”

She watched one of the girls climb onto his shoulders and scream at the top of her lungs. “He’s always been driven and restless. He falls in and out of love with food, clothes, music, colors…”

“And you’re afraid he’ll get over you,” Regan surmised.
 

“At some point he’s going to tour again.” Demi bit her lip. “He’s going to meet women. I’m not a supermodel. I’m not—”

“You’re what he wants,” Regan interrupted firmly. “Do you know why Johnny married those women?”

“He was lonely.”

“Yes, and he wanted to belong to someone, even temporarily. You’d never believe it, but Johnny needs a home base more than anyone I’ve ever met. His parents sure did a number on him.”

“They’re harsh people,” Demi said with a grimace. “It’s amazing Johnny didn’t turn out like them.”

“You know him better than most.”

“I know him as a teenager, not as a man and as a man he’s very… worldly. I don’t know. He thinks he loves me, but he could have anyone. Why me?”

“Watch that video of him singing to you. The cameras were mostly focused on you, but when it cuts to him, look at his eyes. He’s not even aware of the audience. He’s completely focused on you. He bared his soul to you and the world. He didn’t even try to protect himself and confront you in private. That’s Johnny—in your face, honest and emotionally open. I worry about him,” Regan confessed. “He comes to White Mist a lot and he’s always surrounded by people. The locals are used to him now, but some of them still make a fuss. He likes to perform at the cafe or bar every now and then. Everybody likes him. But, I noticed he’s been kind of distant lately. Then he brought you home. He’s not distant now, he’s focused and present. He wants you as close as he can get you.”

“That doesn’t bother me.”

“Good.”

“I told him to give me another week.”

“Sounds reasonable,” Regan agreed. “I bet he hated that.”

“He did.”

“Regan Lee!” Bethany shouted.

“Uh oh,” Demi said.
 

Bethany made her way towards them. Her normally pristine appearance was demolished. Her slick bun was gone and her long, wavy hair cascaded behind her like a veil. Bethany’s hair was startlingly long, a fact the little girls noticed immediately when it began to slip out of her bun. They ganged up on Bethany and begged to see her hair loose. Bethany cast an embarrassed look at their audience as the begging turned into whining. Bethany reluctantly tugged her hair out of the bun and the girls were speechless with admiration as it fell around her.
 

“You look like a mermaid,” Regan said in greeting.

Bethany’s eyes were hostile as she paddled up to them. “You lied to me!” she hissed.
 

Demi held up her hands. “I had nothing to do with this.”

Bethany switched her glare to Regan, who didn’t bother to act guilty.
 

“Hey, you needed a tan, we were coming here. I don’t see what the problem is,” Regan said.
 

“The problem is you said there was only gonna be a couple people here.” Bethany pointed to the crowd on shore. “
That
is not a couple people. There’s nearly fifty people here.”

“So?” Regan said, enjoying seeing Bethany riled.