Seducing Wrath (5 page)

“Nah it’s okay. I’m fine watching or I can go polish my nails or something.” There—that sounded more like a groupie.

Flame laughed. “Sure, no problem and it’d be great if you happened to tell us his cards while you’re at it.”

“Fuck you, bro. She’s not going to fall for that. She’s not stupid.”

I stuck my tongue out and laughed. “Yup sorry, boys, not gonna fall for that one.” I squirmed a bit in Wrath’s lap and then got up heading over to the couch. He could still see me but I needed a little space to report on my progress.

I grabbed my backpack and pulled out my make-up bag pretending to check my face. Seeing they were more involved in the game than watching me, I pulled out my iPad and my cell. Double checking some of my notes—luckily I’d developed my own code so no one would be able to easily read them—I tried to figure out what information I should pass on.

My contact at Rolling Stone Magazine was Roy. I didn’t know his last name, just his phone number. He said if I did well with the story I’d have a job when I was done. I planned on knocking their socks off.

“Change of plans. On the tour bus. Will send update later.
Lots of news to report.”

I wasn’t sure how long it’d take him to get back to me, sometimes it was quick and sometimes it wasn’t. I made more notes about last night, the engagement, the new manager, and that Preston Mitchell was Cynda’s dad. This would be hot news if it hadn’t been released to anyone yet. I hoped it would show them I could pull it off.

While I was at it, I figured I should let Mom know I was okay and her car was toast. At least I wouldn’t have to actually hear her cry.

“Hi, Mom. Things are going great. We’re on the way to TN. Car broke down, sorry. Getting it towed. I’ll try to get it fixed and back to you. Love you. 3”

A second later my cell vibrated. Not sure if it’d be Mom or Roy, I hoped no one noticed the sound. I really didn’t want to be more deceitful than I had to be. Yeah I know it doesn’t make much difference in the long run, but it did to me.

“Aww, sweetie. I’m sorry to hear about the car. I guess it’s had a long life. Maybe we should let it go to wherever cars go when they aren’t needed anymore. Stay safe.
I miss and love you. Mom.”

Umm, no way. Mom isn’t having a hissy fit about her beloved car? The one she drove all over following the Grateful Dead on tour? Her hippie mobile? She babied the car like it was my sibling…so what’s gotten in to her?

“I’m still going to try to get it back home to you. You can decide then. You need some kind of car anyway. I’m careful, everything is great.”

“No problem, sweetie. Call me when you have a chance. Love you.”

Shaking my head I again wondered what was going on with her. She’d always been laid back, my flower child mother. Born too late to be a true hippie, she came as close as possible. All crystals and new age music, and way too much weed. Sometimes I wondered who the parent in our relationship really was. I’d never trade her for anyone though. When I went to college for journalism she hated the idea, still she made me the necklace for graduation and helped pay all my tuition.

Thinking about her had me reaching for my necklace. Just holding on to the stone was comforting, like it was a little piece of her with me.

Chapter Six

Wrath…

What was she up to over there? I hadn’t noticed but Rage did and kicked me under the table to get my attention. I was about to ask him what the fuck his problem was when he nodded in her direction. Not that it was really any of my business, but still I wondered who it could be. A boyfriend maybe? Nah, what guy would let his woman go off and fuck rock stars and not care? I sure as hell wouldn’t allow it.

“Hey, Blue, whatcha up to?”

Her head snapped up and she had a strange expression on her face, not quite guilt but something. “Everything okay?”

“Umm, yeah. I was just letting my mom know about her car.”

Her mother? Did I fucking believe that? I guess it’s possible, but not likely. “How’d she take it?”

“Not as bad as I figured, but I know she’s not happy.”

“I bet.” She shoved her phone into her backpack and then shoved it under the couch. Why was I being so fucking suspicious? She’s a fucking groupie for Christ’s sake not my freakin’ girlfriend. What the fuck do I care what she does? Of course the voice inside my head wouldn’t leave it alone. She affected me like no one else had in a freakin’ long time. Only one other girl ever had gotten to me like this, and it had to have been at least six or seven years ago. Fuck, I’d been in high school at the time. She was so cute and gutsy and shy all at the same time. Damn I’d wanted her, but I stayed away. I didn’t do girlfriends even then, hell, back then I didn’t do anyone. It was all about the music and only the music. Music wouldn’t leave me.

Commitment and I don’t get along. Ever. The closest thing I had to a family was these guys and the Shermans but other than Chaos I never really let any of them in. It hurt too much when they leave and they all leave. Or at least…

“Want some more coffee, babe?”

Sapphire startled me out of my fucking memories and her timing couldn’t have been better. I didn’t want to think about any of it. It was the past, fuck it, it didn’t matter now. I wasn’t poor little Chris anymore, I was Wrath the fuckin’ rhythm guitar player for the Raining Chaos Band. “Yeah, just like the last one.”

She brought me another cup and I pulled her onto my lap but this time I kissed her. Not some peck either. I caught her by surprise, and when her mouth parted I slid my tongue in to duel with hers. I was an addict and she was my drug. I could never get enough of her, not her taste or her touch.

“Fuck, bro, get a room, will ya? We don’t want to see that shit at the table.”

Pulling away from Sapphire, I laughed as I looked at the faces of my band mates. “You’re just fucking jealous. Too bad.”

Fury shrugged. “Maybe, or maybe we don’t want to show her she picked the wrong guy.”

I knew he was fucking kidding but it didn’t stop the anger coursing through me at his words. I wanted to get up and punch him. It was probably a good thing I still had her on my lap. “Fine. No worries. We’ll just go play in the cubby. Don’t mind the screaming.” Laughing, I flipped them the bird.

*****

Sapphire…

Wrath practically dragged me to his cubby. “What the hell is your problem?”

“Nothing.”

“Bullshit.”

He pushed me onto the bed and pulled the curtains closed. I moved over to the edge against the wall and looked at him. He was so freakin’ moody, since when are men moody? I thought it was reserved for us PMSing women…at least it’s what “they” say.

“Fuck,” he growled, as he ran his hands through his hair, making it stand up like the Mohawk he wore on stage. “I don’t fuckin’ know.”

I didn’t know what to say. When he turned toward me he had a lost expression, like a lonely little boy, and my heart melted a little. What had happened to him in his past? No one really knew. The background press releases on the band kept so much quiet. With all their success it was amazing nothing had leaked about their childhoods, but maybe it was because of the foster care system.

“Can I do anything?”

Instead of answering, he pulled me closer and ground his lips against mine. He kissed me hard, my lips pressed against my teeth, but when I slipped my arms around his neck, he relaxed and so did the force of the kiss.
Damn.
He tasted good and smelled even better. He had a scent all to himself. I wasn’t sure if it was deodorant, soap, and stale cigarettes but whatever it was, it was my crack. I couldn’t resist him—not that I wanted to.

When his hands slid under my t-shirt and he reached for my bra, I pulled back. Crack was one thing but knowing the guys were outside a thin curtain and could hear everything was another. He was trying to prove something to someone but I wasn’t some blow up doll he could screw whenever. Okay, maybe I’m wrong, isn’t that what I was ‘selling’ myself as when I came here as a groupie? Shit what a clusterfuck.

“Hey,” I whispered in his ear. “I think we need to talk.” I tried to pull back a little, but he wasn’t letting go.

“No talking, just fucking.”

“With them out there?”

“Yeah? What the hell is the big deal? Not like they haven’t heard fucking before or done it themselves.”

I hadn’t seen this coming. In the middle of the day? I should have expected it though. He was a horn-dog and never got enough. He pushed me back and lifted my shirt. His hands massaged my breasts through the thin lace of my bra. I’d never felt sexy before this man. Despite the audience, a sigh of pure pleasure escaped my mouth.

Sliding his body over mine, he sucked my already hardened nipple, and teased it through the lacey covering.

“Oh God,” I hissed through clenched teeth. I’d hoped to pull this off without the whole world—or bus—knowing what we were doing. Fat chance.

“Blue…” He moaned, releasing my nipple. Sitting up he opened my jeans and slid them and my G-string down my legs, pulling me into his lap. I slid my wet pussy against the bulge in his jeans. It was hard and ready and so was I. No denying it. Sex with Wrath was my drug of choice.

He humped against me, bringing me close to the edge just from the roughness of his jeans rubbing against my aching clit. Then he stopped. Just like that he pushed me off his lap and focused eyes hardened with anger on me. I felt a chill run down my spine and I had no idea what was coming next.

“Who were you texting with?”

“My mother, I told you already. I had to tell her about her car.”

“I don’t believe you. I think you’re playing me.”

“I’m not.” Crossing my fingers behind my back, begging forgiveness for the lie about to come out of my mouth, I answered, “It was my mother, I swear. I’m not playing you.”

“No fuckin’ way. You can’t tell me any mother would freakin’ allow her daughter to go on the road as a fucking groupie.”

“You haven’t met my mother.” I breathed a sigh of relief. He was jealous. Wait, he was jealous?

“Fuckin’ explain it to me then. Or you’ll be off this bus as soon as we stop.”

“You’d leave me in the middle of nowhere? With nothing?”

“Hell yeah. If there’s a chance you’re hurting this band—my family—in any way, you’ll be lucky if I don’t fuckin’ kill you.”

Trying to swallow passed the lump in my throat, I didn’t know what to say. I was lying to him, but not with the intention of hurting any of them. If it went right they’d be on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and it would help them all. At least that's what I believed when I took this chance. I knew them…him, and I’d never do anything to hurt him.

“I swear to you, Wrath, I would never intentionally do anything to hurt any of you. I’m here because I’m a huge fan and you’re the biggest turn-on ever. I hoped to get to meet you, but this…” I gestured around the cubby, “this is just fucking amazing, a dream come true.”

Leaning back against the wall, he watched me with such intensity I felt like I was in an interrogation room with the bright light and everything. Any arousal I’d felt was long gone. No worries about keeping quiet I guess. Shit, now I was sounding like my mom, always looking for the silver lining.

He still didn’t look convinced. I had to take a chance and hopefully he wouldn’t call my bluff. “Do you want me to get my cell so you can check my messages?”

Oh yeah he didn’t expect that response. The tension in my shoulders eased as he considered it. I watched as different expressions played across his face before he went back to his normal smirk. “No you don’t have to. I’d rather not have you out there like that.” Reminding me I only had a t-shirt and bra on. Ahh no that wouldn’t have been a good thing.

I giggled, I couldn’t help it. It was mostly from relief but some of it came from the look of jealousy that reappeared on his face when he thought about me going out into the bus with no bottoms. He was a conundrum—a confused, hurt little boy, wrapped in the middle of a thick-skinned rocker who wanted no one to get close. Except now there were cracks in his exterior and it looked like I was getting to him. It’d be a dream come true if the person causing the cracks was Teresa and not Sapphire. I knew any chance I had with him wouldn’t last as soon as he found out the truth. He’d never forgive me, but it was too late to do anything about it.

Chapter Seven

Sapphire…

We pulled into Nashville around two a.m. It’d been a long day. Joe only stopped once for dinner. We had everything else we needed on the bus. Still, after the episode with Wrath, I felt off balance and very insecure about what I was doing. I’d been afraid to check my cell for a response from Roy. I didn’t need to get Wrath more riled up.

I was looking forward to a shower and bed. A little of my Wrath crack would be nice too but I wasn’t sure he was over his anger enough to want me. He’d kept his distance the rest of the time except at dinner. He’d snuggled up close to me, making sure no one else got near. I really wish I could see into his head and figure out what the hell was going on in there.

The buses parked at the Bridgestone Arena and there were limos waiting to take us all to the hotel. I didn’t care where we went as long as there was a bed involved. All the stress wore me out and I needed some down time, although how much I’d get, since I was rooming with Wrath, would be debatable.

The hotel was beautiful and Joe had reserved an entire floor for the band. I heard Wrath mention to Rage that it’d never happened before, I guess their previous manager hadn’t taken very good care of them. Probably why they’d ditched him. I was still trying to find out the story behind it, but not tonight. After maybe two hours of sleep last night and the long bus ride, I was worn out.

Walking in to the room I swear my jaw dropped. It was freakin’ huge, bigger than Mom’s whole apartment. The huge living room had a view of downtown Nashville through the wall of windows, a wet bar, and a balcony. The bedroom was just as amazing and the bed looked so inviting I wanted to curl up on it and go to sleep, but I needed a shower first.