Superstar (6 page)

“Wow, that’s some amazing ink!” she said,
rising from the bed. She walked over to him and before he could say
a word she traced the large Storm Crow logo that covered his upper
back from shoulder to shoulder. The Gothic lettering and crow
itself were heavily inked in unrelieved black, so stylized it
looked almost tribal. He was amazed at the instant bolt of lust
that seemed to run directly from her soft hand to his groin. He
somehow managed to contain the groan, but nothing could stop the
shiver of response.

He moved away from her questing fingers
before he forgot all his good intentions.

“They say great minds think alike,” she
said. Before he could ask what she meant. She pushed down the
elastic waistband of her pajamas to reveal a pair of crow’s wings
tattooed right above her bikini line. Unlike his, hers was tiny and
delicate, with shadows and details done with almost microscopic
intricacy. It suited her perfectly, the ink standing out against
her smooth brown skin. Much as he wanted to, he couldn’t draw his
eyes away. When he finally managed to meet her gaze, he saw that
she knew exactly the effect she was having on him.

Without another word he continued into the
bathroom. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it. The
woman was determined to drive him insane. Sure he’d had plenty of
women proposition him for sex. He was in a rock band after all.
When he was younger he’d even taken a few, okay, more than a few of
them, up on it. But Sioux obviously was no groupie. Well, at least
not with him, anyway. He flinched still bothered by the whole
blowjob at the VMAs thing. And that was absolutely crazy. Hell, she
didn’t even know him then and it wasn’t like she was promising him
eternal love and devotion. No, all she wanted was a warm body
because she was lonely and horny. And maybe that was the
problem.

He walked over to the shower and turned it
on. The water heated quickly, filling the room with steam. Was he
really going to sleep with Sioux Dupree tonight? Platonically? He
looked down ruefully at his cock, which had risen to attention at
the notion. Well, not in this condition. He sighed and finished
stripping.

Thad stood under the streaming waters of the
shower. Even more than fifteen minutes after he left Sioux, his
body still throbbed with need. Leaning against the back wall of the
enclosure, he wrapped his hand around his erect penis, stroking his
fist up and down the length. Every cell in his body ached for her
in a way he’d never felt. God, he hurt. He closed his eyes as he
imagined Sioux in the shower with him, stroking his cock. He could
all but see the luscious fullness of her mouth surrounding his
length as she deep throated him time and time again. Teasing him.
Pleasing him. Testing him. Taking him to the cusp of ecstasy then
backing off. Seeing how much he could take. Challenging him to take
just a bit more as she slid her tongue along his length. Her cheeks
concave as she sucked at the head. Again and again she goaded him.
His fist moved faster and faster as his fiery imaginings got hotter
and hotter. He almost howled aloud at the unbearable pleasure. He
fisted his cock frantically, his hand a blur of motion as every
muscle tightened to the point that he couldn’t differentiate
between pleasure and pain.

Thad gritted his teeth and growled,
whispering Sioux’s name just as his body exploded into ultimate
release. He lowered his head, then reached over to turn the shower
controls to a warmer temperature. He stood under the water, his
mind playing her bold invitation over and over again in a repeating
loop. It was getting harder and harder to remember why sleeping
with her was a bad idea. He wasn’t convinced she was totally over
her last relationship, even worse, he wasn’t altogether sure he was
over his. But he knew one thing without a doubt, Sioux Dupree could
be more addictive than any narcotic, and had the ability to push
him even farther than his last relationship.

After showering and putting his pajamas on
he returned to his bedroom to find Sioux still there, only now she
was scribbling in a notebook.

“I’m not going directly to sleep. I’d
planned to watch the game,” he said, still hoping she’d change her
mind.

“Oh, that’s okay. What game?”

“The Galaxy.”

“That’s right, you’re a soccer geek, aren’t
you?”

He rolled his eyes at the use of the word
“geek”. “Amongst other things.”

“Well maybe you can explain the offside rule
to me.”

“Better men than me have tried to explain
the offside rule,” Thad said with a disdainful snort. He walked
over to the refrigerator. After pulling out a bottle of beer, he
hesitated and turned to face Sioux. “Will this bother you?”

She shook her head firmly. “I’m an addict.
I’m bothered twenty-four hours a day. You drinking a beer won’t
make it any worse.”

Thad nodded and popped the beer open against
the granite countertop with the flat of his hand. Sioux was propped
up against several pillows, which she’d piled high against the
padded headboard of the bed. He did the same after pulling back the
fluffy comforter. Then he flopped down on the bed, picked up the
remote and began watching the game. Sioux continued to scribble in
her book, though she’d look up occasionally to watch the game, too.
She would comment from time to time on a particular play, but for
the most part she watched silently. He enjoyed her presence and the
fact that she didn’t chatter. Nothing annoyed him more, sometimes
he couldn’t even stand the commentary from the announcers and would
mute the sound, but she seemed content to just watch the game.

“That’s one thing I miss,” she said. “I
always liked watching the game and having a beer with my dad. We
both enjoy baseball.”

Thad glanced at her. “You’ve been clean for
a while. Maybe you can do it now.”

Sioux shook her head vehemently. “No. I can
never use again. I’d rather die first.”

“You know, you throw that whole dying thing
around just a bit too casually for my taste,” he said.

“It’s the truth. Getting clean was the
second hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

He’d lost all interest in the game now.
“What was the hardest?”

“Maintaining my sobriety.”

He turned back to the game, mainly to keep
from staring at her. “Does it get better?”

She shrugged and looked up at the ceiling.
“Tough question. Tonight was a bad night.”

“Is that why you wound up in here?” He felt
even better now about turning her down. If he ever slept with her
he wanted it to be because she wanted him and for no other reason.
Not because she just needed a warm body and a dick.

“Amongst other things,” she said.

“Does it ever get better?”

“Some days are better than others.”

“How do you know?”

“When I hit a new town and don’t
automatically start thinking about where I can make a connection.
That’s a good day.”

“How often does that happen?”

“Including today?” He nodded. “Not
ever.”

“After two years it still happens?” he
asked, amazed by the revelation and the strength of character it
must take to resist.

“I told you it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever
done. And sometimes in the dark of the night I get scared wondering
if I’ll be able to do it. And I know that if I don’t I’ll die. I
can’t live that way again. I think fear of death, or even worse,
the living death that’s my life when I’m using keeps me cleaner
than anything.”

“What do you do? I mean, back in L.A. You
said you weren’t dating anyone and I assume you don’t roam around
Santa Monica looking for somebody to sleep with.”

“Of course not. I call my sponsor or go to a
meeting.”

“Have you gone to meetings since we’ve been
on tour?”

“Sure. I go to meetings every day.”

“But how do you find meetings on the road?
Don’t tell me there’s an app for that,” he said.

“Actually there are several, they help me
keep track of my sobriety and find meetings and support.” She
picked up her phone from beside her on the bed, tapped on it a
couple of times then tossed it to him.

He scrolled through the app for a few
minutes. “Damn. How do you go to meetings though? Everybody on
earth knows you. The paparazzi follow you everywhere.”

“I’ve gotten quite good at disguising
myself, and I know how to use diversion, slipping out the backdoor
of boutiques, coffee houses. You name it.”

“You’re not worried about somebody taking a
picture of you in a meeting and selling it to TMZ?”

“That’s why it’s called anonymous. Most of
the folks in these meetings have been to hell and back. They’ve got
much bigger fish to fry than a burned out pop star. Besides,
everybody already knows I’m an addict. What good would pictures be?
Hell, half of Hollywood is in a twelve-step of some sort.”

Thad stretched and yawned. “I’m getting
sleepy. Are you really going to stay in here?” he asked as he
tossed the empty beer bottle into the trash.

Sioux gave him a shy smile. “If you don’t
mind?”

Of course he minded, but he could hardly
kick her out after what she’d shared. “Doesn’t seem I have a
choice,” he said as he got off the bed and went back into the
bathroom to brush his teeth. When he finished, he pushed the
comforter off the end of the bed, then pulled back the sheet. After
they climbed in, he pulled the sheet over both of them and turned
off the light. He turned to face the wall and Sioux immediately
cuddled up against his back. He was instantly enveloped in the warm
sweetness of her scent. He paused then sighed down into the pillow.
At first he thought he’d be too aroused to sleep, but for some
reason her presence was actually soothing. His body relaxed against
hers and before he knew it he was asleep.

Chapter Four

Sioux looked over at Thad who was sprawled
on his back, one arm thrown across her body as he snored lightly.
She glanced at the clock on his nightstand. It was well past eight
o’clock. Clearly Thad wasn’t a morning person. Then again they had
been up awful late last night. Room service would be there soon.
She remembered him telling them to bring breakfast at nine. She
carefully slid from under his arm. He rolled over and faced the
wall, snuggling more deeply into the cover. Quietly as she could
she slipped out of bed and into the bathroom. When she was finished
she came back out and sat down on the edge of bed careful not to
wake him. After picking up her phone,she began scrolling through
her text messages. Just as she’d expected after last night’s
performance her phone had blown up. She hadn’t had a chance to
respond to anyone. She fired off a quick text to Kwai, her best
friend.

U up?

Fuck yeah. Rehearsal kicking my ass.
Kwai texted back.

At this hour?
It was only half past
six in California and Kwai rarely got out of bed before noon.

Benny had to fit me in. Every1 is talking
ABTu last night. Wish I was there.

Sioux sighed, really missing her friend.
Benny was their choreographer. Kwai had always been a better dancer
than Sioux. Her new show was very dance heavy. Sioux couldn’t wait
to see it.

I was terrified. Wish you were there
too.

Did u nail our fave Guitar Geek yet?

Heat flooded Sioux’s face. She’d forgotten
the nickname they’d stuck on Thad years ago.

Don’t call him that.

Why? Have you seen him naked yet?

Sioux rolled her eyes. Kwai was obnoxious
even in text messages.

WTF are u talking about?

Please. It’s obvious there’s something
between U2.

Obvious to who?
Sioux asked.

Everybody who’s ever seen
U2 together. So come on. Give up the deets.
Kwai insisted.

How do you know there are deets?

Who tried to drown me in the pool when we
were three? I know you.

Sioux gave up. Kwai had known her since they
were in diapers. Keeping secrets from her was damned near
impossible.

He turned me down.

WTF? Is he gay?
The
lightning fast response made Sioux smile. It was great to have
loyal friends.

No, just not interested.

Not possible.
Kwai
texted back.

Sioux’s smile evolved into a soft
chuckle.

K, I think he’s interested, but for some
reason he turned me down.

That’s strange. Did you ask why?

He said it’s because we’re
on tour.
Sioux replied

I would think you’d be fucking because
you’re on tour. Isn’t that how it works?

Apparently not in his world.

He’s such a geek, but it’s kinda sweet.

What?
Sioux asked.
Kwai’s thoughts were rarely linear.

I mean, I think he’s got it for you.

Got what?

You know,
feelings
.

Sioux rolled her eyes as though Kwai could
see the gesture.

That makes perfect sense. He doesn’t want to
sleep with me because he has feelings.

If he has feelings he
might not want to sleep with you because he wants you to have
feelings too.
Kwai
insisted
.

That’s fucked up. Look I gotta go. Need to
let Mama know I’m still alive and get something to eat.

K I’m back to rehearsals. This shit is
brutal.

Sioux finished her conversation with her
friend then sent a quick text to her mother. She didn’t expect a
response. Her mama wasn’t big on texting and would probably call
later in the day, as was her habit. Thad rolled over on the bed as
she finished her last text.

“What time is it?”

“Nearly nine. Breakfast should be here
soon.”

“Great, I’m starved.” He pulled back the
covers and walked into the bathroom. Though he was more than
adequately covered in a faded gray vintage Storm Crow t-shirt and
low riding pajama bottoms, something about the way the man moved
made her want nothing more than a long slow bout of morning sex
followed by a huge breakfast. Apparently she was going to have to
settle for just one of those. Just as he returned there was a knock
announcing room service. Sioux listened as Thad answered the door
of his suite. She climbed out of the bed and walked into the living
room as the waiter was leaving. Thad was removing the covers from a
huge breakfast.