TableofContents
SomethingWicked
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
SomethingWicked
By
TheresaHissong
Allrightsreserved.Thisbookorpartsthereofmaynotbereproducedinanyform,
storedinanyretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformbyanymeans—electronic,
mechanical,photocopy,recording,orotherwise—withoutpriorwrittenpermissionofthe
publisher,exceptasprovidedbyUnitedStatesofAmericacopyrightlaw.
©2017TheresaHissong
AllRightsReserved
Disclaimer:
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Anyresemblancetoanyperson,livingordeadispurely
coincidental.Thenamesofpeople,places,and/orthingsareallcreatedfromtheauthor’s
mindandareonlyusedforentertainment.
Duetothecontent,thisbookisrecommendedforadults18yearsandolder.
Editingby:
HeidiRyan
AmourtheLineEditing
CoverDesign:
PinkInkDesigns
CoverModel:
AnthonyMattox
FormoreinformationorhowtocontactTheresaHissong,pleasevisit:
OtherBooksbyTheresaHissong
FatalCrossLive!
FatalDesires
FatalTemptations
FatalSeduction
RiseofthePride:
Talon
Winter
Savage
TheBirthofanAlpha
Ranger
BookforCharity:
FullyLoaded
Dedication:
ToAnthonyMattox…
“Itisoneoftheblessingsofoldfriendsthatyoucanaffordtobestupidwiththem.”
~RalphWaldoEmerson
Contents:
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
Epilogue
ChapterOne
Kit
Myeyesflutteredopenasthetourbustookasharprightturn.Irolledoverandchecked
myphone,groaningwhenthedisplaytoldmeitwasn’tevennoon.Theshowthenight
beforehadbeencrazy,andweendeduppartyingwithouropeningbanduntilitwastime
toleaveAlbuquerqueatthreeinthemorning.
Istillcouldn’tbelievehowmuchmylifehadchangedinjustashortamountoftime.At
twenty-fouryearsold,Iwaslivingmydream.Fiveweeksago,Iwashiredontobethe
newbassistfortheheavymetalband,SomethingWicked.Thetryoutswereannouncedon
socialmedia,andIhadbeenluckyenoughtobelivingintheirhometownofPhoenix,
Arizona,wheretheauditionsweretakingplace.
Thatmorning,mypieceofcrapcarandmyequipmentweremyonlyhopeinmakinga
lastditchefforttofitinsomewhereinthemusicindustry.I’dbeenintwootherbands
beforelandingthisnewgig.Oneofmybandshadsplitbecauseourdrummerandguitarist
decidedthattheyenjoyedpartyingmorethanworking.Thesecondone,Iwouldn’teven
havecalleditaband.Weplayedcoversofnumberonehitsfordrunksatashadybaron
thesouthwestsideofPhoenix.Imadethirtydollarsaweekendaftersplittingthefunds
withmyfourotherbandmembersandtheguywehadhelpinguswithmovingour
equipmentfromthevanintothebuilding.
SomethingWickedhadjustreleasedanalbum,andtheirfirstsinglewasrisingupthe
charts.Thistourwasourchancetospreadourmusictotheworld,landingaspotplaying
atseveralfestivalsduringthesummer.IwasatapointinmylifewhereIeitherneededto
gethiredwithabandthatwasactuallygoingsomewhereorfindajobincorporate
America.
AsIstaredatthebunkabovemyhead,Ichuckledsoftly,thinkinghowIwouldnever
fitinanywherebutthemusicbusiness.Iwasn’tsecretarymaterial.Withmymultitudeof
tattoos,piercings,andanewhaircoloreveryfewmonths,noonewasgoingtohiremeto
workinahighrisebuildingwithpeopleinstuffysuits.ThereliefofknowingI’dbeonthe
road,playingmusic,almostbroughtmetotearsthemomentI’dgottenthecall.I’dpacked
mybagsforthetouraweekafterlandingthejobandspentmylastdimeonclothesto
wearonstage.ThedayIloadedmybagsintothatbuswasthestartofsomethingbigfor
me…Icouldfeelit.
Now,Iwasperformingsoldoutshows.Beingthrustintothespotlighthadn’tchanged
memuch.Whenyouwereworkingforabandthathadbeennoticedbyseveraloutlets,
andtheinterviewrequestsstartpouringin,youkindofrealizedthatwhatyouhadgoing
onwasabigfuckingdeal.ThefactthatthevocalistforSomethingWickedwaswidely
knownintheindustrysealedthedealthatwhatweweredoingwasgoingtoexplode…and
soon.
AidenHawkefrontedourband,andheraneveryaspectofthebusinesssidefor
SomethingWicked.Thiswashisbaby…hisbrainchild.IadmitIhadbeenabitstarstruck
whenI’dfirstmethim.He’dbeenintwootherbands,oneofthemhittingnumberoneon
thechartsafewyearsago,throwinghimintoinstantstardom.Thatventurewentsouth,
andhedisappearedforaboutayearbeforecomingbackwiththenewband.Kade
LancasterandJudeOakleycamefromanothersemi-knownpunkbandafteraterrible
breakupandfallingoutwiththeirrecordlabel.Kadewasalreadypeggedasoneofthebest
upandcomingguitaristintheindustry,andJudehadalreadygracedthecoveroftwo
drummermagazines,showcasinghistalent.
I,ontheotherhand,wasbustingmyasstoamounttosomethinginthemaledominated
industry.Therewereonlyahandfulofwomenbassists,butIreallydidn’tgiveafuck
aboutstatistics.Ilovedplayingtheinstrument,andIwasgoingtomakedamnsurethatI
succeededinchasingmydreams.
Thehissofthetourbuscomingtoastopwastheonlyindicationthatwe’darrivedin
LasVegas.Todaywasourfirstfestivaloftheseasonand,fromtherumors,itwasgoingto
beabigone.TheGetRockedFestivallineuphadbeenthetalkofthecircuitoverthepast
fewmonths,andtheattendancenumberswereslatedtoberecordsetting.Thepasttwo
weeksontheroadhadgivenmealittleinsightintohowmynewlifewasgoingtogo.
Sleepforafewhours,thenhitthegroundrunninguntilitwastimetoloadupanddoitall
overagaininadifferentcity.
Islidoutofmybunk,carefulnottowakeanyofmybandmates.Itwasstillwellbefore
theirusualwakeuptime,sotheywouldn’tevennoticeIwasgone.AfterImadeaquick
stopinthebathroomandchangedintomyworkoutclothes,Itiptoedpastthebunksand
mademywayouttothefrontofthebus.Ourtourmanager,Steven,wasbrewingapotof
coffeeandcalledoutformetograbapassoutofamanilaenvelopethatwastossedupon
thedashofthebus.IfoundmylaminateandtuckeditintomyworkoutshortsasImade
mywaydownthesteps.Iturnedandshutthedoorbeforelookingaroundatthebacklot.
Foodtentswerebeingsetupbehindtheparkingarea,andbeyondthatwasanarea
reservedforVIPs.Iwalkedaroundafewoftheworkersandprettymuchignoredthe
stares.Yes,IwasachickwithspikedblondehairandcarriedabadgeindicatingIwaswith
theband,butIsureashellwasn’tabandwhorelikeIknewtheywerethinking.Isawthe
lustintheireyes,butIdidn’tletitbotherme.Icameintothisknowingthatsomepeople
wouldn’ttakemeseriously.I’dbeenthroughhellandbackinmyshorttimeinthisworld.
Notmuchbotheredmeanymore.
Iturnedleftatthefoodtentsandstartedmymorningjog.AsIran,Icheckedoutmy
surroundings,makingamentalnoteofthestageweweresupposedtobeperformingon
laterintheafternoon.Iwouldhavetostudythescheduleagain,butIwasfairlycertainwe
weresettogoonaroundfourthatafternoon.
Thevenuewasn’tscheduledtoopenforanotherhour,soIwasprettysafetojogaround
theentireareawithoutbeingbothered.AfewpeoplenoddedasIpassedthem,butIdidn’t
stoptochat.Ineededthismomenttomyself.ItwasmandatorythatIworkedmybodyto
itslimitssoIcouldbereadytothrowdownoncewewalkedonthestage.
SomethingWickedwasametalband.Wehitthestagehardanddidn’tstopuntilthelast
notewasplayed.Aidenwasaforceofnaturewhenhewasperforming,andhenevergave
anythingbelowtwohundredpercent.KadeandJudewerejustasfierce,andIhadno
problemskeepingupwiththem.IsmiledtomyselfwhenIthoughtofhowwellwe
workedtogether.IwasquicklyrealizingthatIwasexactlywhereIneededtobe.
AsImademyfinallapandheadedbacktothebus,afewbandswerestillarriving,and
theircrewswerejuststartingtodepartthetourbuses.Inoticedafewguysfromother
bandstalkingbytheirbus,butIwalkedawayquicklybeforetheylookeduptoseeme
pass.Iwasahugefan,butwasn’treadytointroducemyself.
OnceIwasbacktotheshelterofmybus,IpacedasIslowedmybreathing.Evenwith
thedryheat,sweatpebbledonmyskin.Mymusclesburneddeliciously,andIsmiled
whenIfelttherushovercomeme.Ineededashowerandsomebreakfast.
WhenIclimbedaboardthebus,AidenHawkewasjustcomingoutofhisbunk.Hisred
andblackhairwasindisarrayaroundhishead.Oneeyewassquintedshutashemoved
towardthehotpotofcoffee.HefrozeforamomentwhenImadeamovetowalkpast
him.Hisnostrilsflaredandhiseyesroamedovermyworkoutclothes.Isawthefireburn
inhisstarewhenhisgazepassedovermybreastsandthecolumnofmyneck.
Iwasn’toblivioustothewayhelooked,either.
Histattooedarmsflexedashereachedforacupfromthecabinetabovehishead.One
ofthetwohoopsinhislipmovedasherolledthethingwithhistongue.Isworemyright
eyetwitchedwhenhedidthat.ItwasallIcoulddonottoaskhimifIcouldtakeoverwith
myowntongue.
“Coffee?”hemumbledashepouredhisowncup.WhenIdidn’tanswerrightaway,he
tossedhistwo-tonedredandblackhairtothesideandoutofhisemeraldeyes.Holyhell,
hewashotasfuckandcompletelyofflimits.“Kit?”
“Yeah,”Ireplied,almosttooquickly.“Letmeshowerfirst.”
“Goodmorning.”Kadesmiledashepassedmeinthebunkarea,hisdark,short-
croppedhairglisteningfromhisrecentshower.Hewastall,almostfreakishlyso.
“Where’sJude?”Iasked,notwantingtoaccidentlycatchhimintheshower…again.
Thatmanhadnoshame.
“Helefttograbsomefood,”Kadelaughed.“Ithinkyouaresafetojumpinthe
shower.”
Ishookmyheadandgrabbedmybag,makingmywaytowardthebackofthebus.The
smallbathroomwasn’tmuch,butitwasallIneeded.Havingshorthairmyself,itdidn’t
takelongformetodomybusinessandgetout.Iwasdressedandheadingbacktothe
frontofthebusbeforeJudereturnedwithacardboardboxandtwoofourcrew.
“Goodmorning,beautiful,”Judesaid,pullingmeintohisarms.Ipattedhisshoulder
andkissedhischeek.JudeandKadewereconstantflirts,butIknewtheywouldnever
makeamoveonme.AidengrowledlowinhisthroatandnarrowedhiseyesatJude.
“It’salmostafternoon,Jude,”Isaid,rollingmyeyes.
“Morningforme,”hehuffed.“Here’ssomegrub.”Hesatatthesmalldinettetableby
thewindowandrestedhiselbowsonthetabletopashewatchedtheactivityoutside.Jude
pulledthehairtiefromhishairandshookouthisdarkblondcurls.Ialwayslovedto
watchhimbeatthehelloutofhisdrums,tossingthatwildhairaroundhisfaceashelet
themusictakeover.
Ipeekedintheboxandsighedinrelief.Amongthefoilcoveredbreakfastburritoswas
aplasticcontainerfulloffreshcutfruit.Ourtworoadies,ButchandLyle,satheavilyon
thecouchandreachedfortheirfood,givingeveryoneagruntastheytuckedintotheir
breakfast.
“Youmakemeproudsometimes,JudeOakley.”Itookmyfoodaftergaininga
mumbledreplyfromourdrummerandsatcross-leggedontheendofthecouchnexttoour
crew.Theguysdugintotheirheartattackfoodwithgusto.Theywereguys,afterall.
Ourdriver,Joe,camebackandhandedAidentheenvelopewithallofourpassesand
schedulefortheGetRockedFestival.Wewererequiredtogosignautographsforthefans
intheVIPtentattwo,butuntilthen,wewerefreetomeanderaroundthebackstageareas.
AsmuchasIwasexcitedtoseeallofthebands,IplannedonhittingtheLasVegas
Stripforsomefunafterourset.Ineededsometimeawayfromtheguys,andspendinga
nightonthetownsoundedliketheperfectexcusetobealonebeforeweweretoleave
earlythenextmorning.
ItwasimperativeIgotawayfromAidenHawke.We’dbeenstuckonthebusforthe
pastfourteendays,andhisclosenesswasaffectingmemorethanIeverwantedtoadmit.
We’dtouchedbyaccidentthefirstdayontour,andI’dfeltitinplacesIhadn’tbeen
touchedinmonths.Howcouldonesimpletouchsendfirestraightthroughmysoul?
Shakingmyhead,Ihadtodislodgethevisionsofhimandanyintimatemomentsthatmy
stupid,sex-deprivedbrainwasconjuringupeverysingletimeIwasnearhim.
Iftherewasanyoneonthefaceoftheplanetthatwasofflimits,itwouldbethelead
singerofSomethingWicked.Itdidn’tmatterthathe’dbeenexceptionallyobservantof
me.Italsodidn’tmatterthatwe’dalmostkissedlastweekwhenwe’dtriedtopasseach
otherinthebunkareaofthebus.
Itwasalapseofjudgementafterwe’dbothbeendrinkingheavilyafterashow.Iwas
headingtowardthebackofthebustogetsomethingfrommybag,andAidenwasheading
forthefront.Weweretheonlyonesonthebus,andwhenweturnedsidewaystopasseach
otherinthesmallspace,mybreastsrubbedagainsthischestandhishandsclampeddown
hardontomyhips.Wewerefrozenforamomentaswestaredateachother,notmovinga
muscle.
Aiden’seyesroamedmyface,andwhentheylandedonmylips,Iautomaticallyswiped
themwithmytongue.Hiseyesheatedandmypussyachedwithneed.Ididn’tremember
whobrokeawayfirst,orifwerealizedatthesametimethatkissingwould’vebeenabad
decision,butwelookedawayandtheincidentwasneverspokenaboutagain.
ChapterTwo
Aiden
ThefaintscentofKit’ssweatybodycaughtmyattentionthemomentIsteppedintothe
livingareaofthebus,andmycockhardenedtothepointofpain.Ibusiedmyselfwith
makingcoffeesoIwouldn’tpullherintomyarms.
KitElliswashotterthanhell,andIfuckingwantedher.Therewasn’tanythingabout
thewomanthatcouldturnmeoff.Shewasbeautiful,fullofsass,andcouldrockoutas
hard,ifnotharder,thananyfemalerockerI’deverseenonastage.
Shehadbeenhiredonafterourlastbassistleftforalifewithhisnewfamilyandajob
thatdidn’tinvolvethemusicindustry.Ithadbeenforthebest.Johnjustwasn’tcutoutfor
thislife,andwedidn’tblamehimforleaving,butitsureputastrainonusrightbeforewe
kickedoffonthisnewtour.Thankfully,wefoundareplacement.Kitcameintothe
auditionswithherownequipmentandabadassattitudethatwouldfitourhardcoreantics
onstage.SomethingWickedwasmybrainchild,andIknewimmediatelythatshe’dmake
aperfectadditiontoourlittlefamily.
AndIcouldn’tkeepmyeyesoffofher.
Myfuckingcockhadamindofitsownwhenshewasnearme.ThefirsttimeItouched
her,myfingerstingledwithsomeforeignelectricitythatleftmecravingmore,andI’d
almostruinedeverythingbyputtingmylipsonhers.Thankfully,IcaughtmyselfbeforeI
didkissher,butthatnight,allIcouldthinkaboutwasherbodyandthefactthatfucking
hercouldruineverything.
Thewomandrovemewild.Kit’sskinwassmoothunderneathhersleevetattoo,and
damnifshewasn’tcurvedinalltherightplaces.Themomentshe’dpassedmeinthe
bunksandherbreastsgrazedmychest,myhandsautomaticallylandedonherhips.They
wereperfectformyhands.Hermuscleshadtensedasmyfingersdugintoherflesh.I
wantedtopushherintomybunkandhavemywaywithher,butIdidn’t.
Shewashalfafootshorterthanme,andhershort-croppedblondehairmadethefreak
inmewanttotanglemyfingersinthelongerhairontopofherheadsoIcouldholdherto
mylips…mycock.
“Fuck,”IgroanedasImademywayintothebathroomtodowhatIneededtodoand
brushmyteethassoonasshewasfinishedwithhershower.Igotafacefullofherclean
scentandthatjustsentmymindrightbackintothefuckinggutter.Therewasnoneedto
takecareofmyhardness,becauseeverysingletimeI’ddonethatsincethefirsttimeI
touchedKit,myneedforheronlyincreased.Itwasdamnnearimpossibletokeepmydick
fromswellinganytimeshewasnear.
Islidintomyfavoritepairofleatherpantsandsnaggedaclean…okay,somewhat
clean,bandshirtfrommybag.I’drippedthesleevesoffofitforeveragoanduseditmore
asatanktopthananythingelse.
Itwasstillearlybyrockstarstandards,ofcourse.Eleveninthemorningwasmorelike
fivea.m.toamanlikeme.WhenIwasn’tperforming,Ilikedtopartymorethanthe
others.Whothehellcouldblameme?Iwastwentysixandintheprimeofmylife,
leadingoneofthebestupandcomingbandsinthenation.Myonlyrulewasnottostepon
thatstageundertheinfluenceofanything.I’dseentoomanybandsfailbecauseofit.
SomethingWickedwasthebandI’dseenmyselffrontingfromthetimeIrealizedthatI
couldsing.Whenmymomrealizedmygift,shehadimmediatelyplacedmeinafterschool
lessonstohonemysingingvoiceandtolearnhowtoplaytheguitar.WhenImastered
that,shefoundaguytoteachmehowtoplaythedrums,bass,andpiano.BythetimeI
graduatedhighschool,I’dalreadyfoundmyselfabandandhadbeenperforminginand
aroundthePhoenixareawhereIlivedforayear.
Afterafewyearsofdeadendrelationshipswithpeopleandbands,Ifinallyfoundthree
otherguyswhofitmeperfectly,oursoundmatchingsowellthatitwasalmostscary.Now,
withourfirstsingleoffofthenewalbumclimbingthecharts,thebandhadsetoutonour
thirdtour.Wewerekickingitoffduringthefestivalseason,andthankfully,wehadbeen
abletogetaddedtoalmosteverylineupacrossthecountry.WhenJohnleftus,Ithought
everythingI’dworkedforwasgoingtobedestroyed,butKitcameinandsavedtheday.
“I’mgoingbackouttoseewhat’sgoingon,”Kitsaidwithasmile,droppinghertrash
intothebinunderthesink.Myeyeslandedonherassinthosetightblackjeans.Theblack
andblueleathervestsheworematchedhereyesanddarkmakeupandwastheonlything
coveringherlargebreasts.Thetattooofanowlstoodoutacrossherchest,anditwas
visiblealongwithhercleavage.Iwashonestlyworriedthatifshesneezed,thedamnthing
wouldriprightdownthemiddle.Thethoughtofothermenseeingherbreastssentmeinto
asnarlingfrenzy.
“Don’tgofar,”Igrumbled,narrowingmyeyes.Sheraisedabrow,teasingandtaunting
metogivehermoreorderssheprobablywouldn’tfollow.Thatalonemademewantto
takeherovermyknee.Kitpressedherlipstogetherandhurrieddownthestairsinsteadof
arguing.
“Youneedtohitthat,”Judelaughedthesecondthedoorofthebusclosedtightly
behindher.Hepulledabaseballcapoverhisdarkbrowneyesandleanedbackinhisseat.
ThefuckerhadacertainknackforknowingexactlywhatIwasthinking.
“Notcool,myman,”Igrowled,makinganothercupofcoffee.“She’sofflimits.”
“Sayswho?”Kadeasked,raisingabrow.“You?Orsomeunwrittenrockstarlawthat
isn’tmadetobebroken?”
“It’ssoobvious,”Judeteased,pullinghiscaploweroverhiseyesasifheweregoingto
takeanap.Thesmirkthatformedatthecornerofhismouthwasn’teasilycovered,
however.“EversinceweleftPhoenix,youcan’tkeepyoureyesoffofher.”
“Fuckoff,”Isnarled,knowingdamnwelltheywereright.“Iamnotlookingtohit
that.”
“Bullshit,”mydrummerreplied.
“Canwetalkaboutsomethingelse?”Iasked,blowingoutabreathoffrustration.
“LikehowKitisouttherealonewithallofthesebandboyswalkingaround?”Jude
teased.“Howthey’reprobablyundressingherwiththeireyesasshewalkspastthem
lookinglikeawalkingwetdream?”
“Seriously,guys?”Isnarled.
“Someone’sgoingtohitonher,andyou’regoingtoloseyourcool,”Kadewarned.
“Don’tendupinjail.Idon’thavethemoneytobailyourassout.”
“I’mgoingforawalk,”Isnappedatthemandwalkedtowardthefrontofthebus,
ignoringtheirsnickers.Isnatchedmybadgeandalistshowingthescheduleoutofthe
envelopeandleftKadeandJudeonthebus.Ineededsomefreshair.
Kithadbeenconsumingmyeverythought,andIneededtostopmywaywardthoughts
whenitcametoher.Shewasn’tminenomatterhowbadlyIwantedtoclaimher.
AsIwalkedaround,InoticedafewoftheotherbandsgatheredintheVIPtent,signing
autographsandmeetingwithfans.Weweren’tscheduledtobethereforalittlewhile
longer.Isawthehordesoffanswaitinginlinetomeetwhateverbandwasinthetent.A
girlinthelinecalledoutmyname,butIjustduckedmyheadandkeptwalking.IfI
stoppednow,they’dwantmetocomeover.Iwasonamission.
IneededtofindKit.IfIfoundhertalkingtoanotherguy,IwasworriedthatJude
wouldberightandIwouldbeattheshitoutofsomeone.Iknewninetypercentofthe
bandswhowereplayingatthefestival,andIalsoknewthatonehundredpercentofthose
guyswouldwantinKit’spants.JudeandKadewereright.Shewasn’tmine,butthe
thoughtofthosemotherfuckerslayingahandonhersentmybloodtoboiling.
Whatthefuckwaswrongwithme?
AsIroundedthelineofbuses,Icametoahalt.Kitwasleaningagainstabrickwall
thatblockedoffthebusesfromthebathrooms.Shewasonthephonewithsomeone,and
shelookedlikeshewasabouttoburstintotears.Myeyesnarrowedassheletoutastring
ofcursesandendedhercall.Shecoveredhereyeswithherfistsandsliddownthewall.
Myfeetmovedquickly,andthenextthingIknew,Iwasstandinginfrontofher.
“Whowereyoutalkingto?”Idemanded,holdingoutmyhandasIschooledmy
features.IknewImusthavelookedlikeIwasangry,butseeingherupsetsentmetoa
placeIdidn’twanttothinkaboutjustyet.“What’swrong?”
“Shit,Aiden,”shegasped,placingahandoverherheart.Herotherhandlandedin
mine.“Youscaredme.”
“Andyouhaven’tansweredme,”Igrowled,pullingonherhandsothatshewas
upright.Mybodyautomaticallyleanedin,makingherbackhitthebrickwall.Myother
handlandedjustaboveandtotherightofherear.Icouldsmellheragain,anditwas
drivingmycockinsane.
“Itwasnoone,”shemumbled,lookingtowardtheground.
“Thefuckitwasn’t,”Ireplied,sensingthelieasIhookedmyfingerunderherchinand
pulleduntilshelookedup.Ileanedforwardandbrushedmylipsagainsttheshellofher
ear.Sheshiveredinresponse.“Idon’tlikebeingliedto,Kit.”
“I’mnotlyingtoyou,”shesaid,hervoicebarelyaboveawhisper.“Itreallywasn’t
anyoneimportant.”
“Whyareyouupset?”Iasked,pullingawayfromherear.IstrokedherjawlineasI
waitedformyanswer.Iwantedtoknowwhohadputthosetearsinhereyes.Atthat
moment,ifIhadaname,Iwould’vefoundthesonofabitchandkilledhim.
“Aiden,”shesighed,slumpinghershouldersindefeatasIsteppedbackabitfartherto
giveheralittlespace.“It’sreallynothing.”
“Bullshit,Kit,”Isnarled,sendinghereyesbacktomine.Iscaredher,butatthat
moment,Ireallydidn’tcare.“Tellme,orIwillthinktheworst.”
“It’s…it’sthingsathome.”Shefrowned,lookingtowardthegroundforamomentto
gatherherthoughts.Whenhereyesraisedandlockedwithmyown,sheletoutacurseand
toldmewhatwasbotheringher.“Mymomisinjail…again.”
“Seriously?”Iasked,wide-eyed.“Whatthefuckfor?”
“Drugs,”shesaid,wavingahandoutinfrontofher.Acrewmemberwalkedby,
causingKittopause.Shewaiteduntilhewasoutofearshottocontinue.“Thisisn’tthe
firsttime.”
“Jesus,”Isaid,runningmyhandsthroughmyhair.“Doyouneedto…?”
“No!Fuck,no,”shesnarled,cuttingmeoffwithaslashofherhand.“Sheisagrown
asswomanandI’mdonebailingherout.Wewon’tbehomeforanotherthreeweeks.She
cansitinjailanddetoxuntilIgetthere.”
“Ifyou’resure,”Ipushed,restingmyarmbesideherheadagain.Imadeafistwhere
shecouldn’tsee,hopingitwouldmakemeforgetthatbeingthatclosetoherwasdriving
memadwithlust.
“I’msure,”shesaid,duckingundermyarm.“Ineedtocallthelandlordandmakesure
theydon’tevictus.”
“Us?”Iasked,shockedasIspunaroundtowatchherwalkaway.“Youlivewithher?”
“Yeah.”Shenodded,glancingoverhershoulder.Shelookeddownatthephoneinher
handandgrimaced.“I’llhavetowirehimsomemoneytocovertherentuntilIcanget
home.”Icouldseethatshewasthinking,calculatinginherhead,whenshestartedtowalk
away.
“Kit,”IcalledoutasIjoggedtoherside,reachingforherarm.Shestoodstillwhenmy
fingersmadecontact,hangingherheadassheturnedaroundslowly.Thelookofdefeatin
hereyesalmostbroughtmetomyknees.“Doyouneedmoney?”
“No,”shegrowled,firesparkinginherdeepblueeyes.“Idon’tneedhandouts,Aiden.”
Shejerkedherarmandjoggedaway,disappearingbehindoneofthefoodtentssetupby
thebuses.
“Fuck,”Imumbled,takingoffafterheratasteadyclip.Shedidn’tgofarbeforeshe
stoppedandspunaroundassoonasIgotclose.HereyesheldafireI’dneverseenbefore.
Shewasupset,butIsureashellwasn’tgoingtoletherrunoffonherown.
“Givemesomespace,Aiden,”shewarned,placinghertinyhandonmychest.The
infernoofhertouchburnedmethroughmyshirtwhenshepushedmeaway.
“Nothappeninghere,Kit,”Ireplied,noticingallofthepeoplerunningaroundtheback
lot.Shedidn’tneedtobeoutherealone.
“I’llmeetyouattheVIPtentinanhour,”shesaid,thensighedheavily.“Ireallyneed
totakecareofthingsathomewhileIhavetime.”
Somethingtoldmethatshewasn’ttellingmeeverything.Hell,Iknewnothingabout
herotherthanshewasabadassonstageandhadasharptongue…andwasfucking
beautiful.
“IfthereisanythingIcando,”Ioffered,softeningmyvoice.
“Thankyou.”Sherelaxed,hershouldersslumping.“I’llmeetyouatthetent.”
Sheturnedandwalkedawayfromme.IttookeverythingIhadtokeepfromtakingher
intomyarmsandsolvingallofherproblemstokeepthatsadnessoutofhereyes.Ireally
should’velefthertotakecareofherownthings.ThelastthingIneededwastoget
involvedinherfamilydrama,butdamnifIdidn’twanttomakethingsbetterforher.
Whatthefuckwaswrongwithme?
AndwhythehellhadIbeenaskingmyselfthatrepeatedlyoverthepastfewweeks?
ChapterThree
Aiden
Thesunbeatdownontheasphalt,andtheheatrisingfromthepavementwasalmost
unbearable.Kithadarrivedatthetentwithdarkermakeup,givinghereyesasexy,smoky
look.Nowthatshe’dgottensomesunonherskinfrombeingoutsidemostoftheday,the
tattooonhercheststoodoutagainstthevestshewore.She’dputinanewnoseringthat
sparkledwhenthelighthititjustright.
“Let’sgetinside,”Judesaid,holdinghishandoutforustowalkintothetentbefore
him.Kadewhistledattheamountofpeoplewaitinginlinetomeetus.Severalfans
cheeredwhenwecameintoview.
Iwalkedovertomyseatbehindthetableandpulledachairoutforhertositdown.
KadeandJuderaisedaneyebrowatme,butdidn’tsayanythingelseaboutmysudden
chivalry.Fuckthemanyway.Sure,shewasabadass,butshewasstillawoman,andIhad
beenraisedtoberespectful.Althoughmythoughtswereanythingotherthangentlemanly
towardKitEllis,Istillhadsomegoodleftinmewhenitcametowomen.
“Areyouguysandgalready?”Stevenasked.Ourtourmanagerglancedathisphone
andlookedtowarduswitharaisedbrow.
“Yeah,man.Sendthemin.”JudepushedseveralmarkersovertowardKitandmyself.I
grabbedtwoandrolledthembetweenmyfingerstogivemyselfsomethingtodowithmy
hands.Itwasdrivingmefuckingcrazytohavehersoclose.Iwantedtotouchher.I
wantedtofeelherbodynexttomine…naked…underme.Fuck!Icouldsmellheragain.
Iwasthefirstonethefansmetassoonastheywereusheredthroughtheline.Several
guyscamethroughandtookalittletoomuchtimetalkingtoKit.Itgratedonmynerves
thattheywerelookingatherwithlustintheireyes.Oneguy,wholookedlikehewasa
partofabikergang,evenaskedKitifshewasgoingtobeoutonTheStriplater.She
wavedhimoffwithanexcuse,andtheguymovedon.
Twogirls,whowereprobablybarelyeighteen,giggledandaskedforapicturewithall
ofus.Kitdidn’tlookveryhappywhenoneofthegirlsplacedherhandonmystomachas
ourtourmanagertookthepicture.Igentlypushedbothofthegirlsawayandreturnedto
myseat.Kitdidn’tsayanything,andwecontinuedsigningautographsandtakingpictures
withthefansforanotherhalfanhour.
Occasionally,IwouldcatchKitwatchingmeoutofthecornerofhereye.Whenthe
nextfanaskedforapicture,Imadesuretopositionmyselfnexttohersothatwhenweall
squeezedintothepicture,Kit’ssidewaspressedagainstthecenterofmychestandmy
armsnakedoverhershoulder,hanginglooselywithininchesofherbreast.Atonepoint,
thedrunkguywewereposingwithstumbledtotheright,causingKittoreachoutfor
balance.Herhandlandedonthetopofmythigh,andshegavemeatightsqueeze.I
wasn’tsureifshedidthatonpurposeornot,butIwasn’tcomplaining.Thefeelofher
handsonmybodywassomethingIcraved.
“Youokay?”Iwhispered,notmovingfrommyspotaseveryonereturnedtotheirseats.
Isqueezedherhandandreleaseditjustasquickly.
“Yeah,”shesaid,smiling.Hereyesdarkenedwhentheyfellonmylips.“Thanks.”
“Iwon’tletanyonehurtyou,”IpromisedasIturnedawaytotakemyseat.
“Okay…Thankyou.”Kitnoddedandtookherseat,greetingthenextpersoninline.We
didthatforafewmoreminutesbeforesecurityropedoffthetent.Thestragglerswere
eventuallyescortedout,andwestoodupfromourseatsassoonaseveryonewasgone.
“Youhaveanhourbeforeyouareneededatthestage,”Stevenannouncedasweexited
theVIPtent.
“I’mgoingtograbsomethingtodrink,”Kadesaid,nudgingJude.
“Hey,Kit?”Inarrowedmyeyesasourtourmanagerpulledhertotheside.Stevensaid
afewwords,andonKit’snod,theybrokeapart.Stevenleftthetentandloopedofftoward
thelineofbuseswithKitfollowinghim.
Istuckmyhandsinmyfrontpocketsandheadedouttothebus.Iwasn’tgoingtodrink
beforeoursetbecauseIwasgoingtosavethatforlaterwhenthenightreallystarted
going.Wewereanewerband,andeventhoughweonlyhadonesongonouralbum
released,itwasclimbingupthecharts.Ifthenextfewweekswentaccordingtoplan,it
wouldhitthetopten.So,thelastthingIwantedtodowastobreakmyonerulebygetting
drunkandfuckingupoursetatoneofthebiggestrockfestivalsinthecountry.
JoeopenedthedoorassoonasIapproached.Hewassittinginhisseat,eatinga
sandwichandobservingthecrowdthroughthewindshield.Henoddedandresumedeating
afterclosingthedoor.WhenIenteredthelivingarea,Stevenwasjustgettingoffthe
phone;hisfacetoldmehewaspissedaboutsomething.
“What’sgoingon?”Iasked,openingthefridgeandgrabbingsomeleftoverChinese
foodfromthenightbefore.Itosseditinthemicrowaveandsetthethingtoheat.
“Kittoldyouabouthermom?”heinquired.Ourtourmanagerwastallandbuiltlikea
brickshithouse.Hisbeefyarmswerefoldedacrosshischest,andhisshirt,sportingour
band’sname,displayedhismultitudeoftattoos.Hishairwasshortcroppedintheback
andonthesides,buthisbangswerelongenoughtoreachhischin.Hekeptthemslicked
backwithgel,lookinglikehejuststeppedoffthesetofGrease.
“Yeah,”Icursed.“Ihadnoidea,man.”
“Itookcareofherlandlordsoshecanfocusonthistour,”headmitted,punchingin
somethingonhisphone.“That’ssomefuckedupshit.”
“Ihadnoideahermomwasadeadbeat,”Isaid,takingmyfoodtothesmalltable.
“Shewouldn’ttellmemuch.”Stevensighed,leaningagainstthecounter.“Ijusttook
careofgettingtheinformationforhertopaytherent.”
“Iaskedherifsheneededhelpandshebitmyheadoff,”Isaid,takingabiteoffood.I
lookedoutthroughthewindowandsawafewroadiespushingcasestowardthestage
area.
Ourcrewwasalreadyinplaceandreadytosetupassoonasthebandbeforeuswas
doneandclearedoffthestage.Oursetlastedanhour,andafterthat,wewerefreeuntilwe
hadtobebackatthebusbytwointhemorning.
VehicleofDestructionandSteelTotalDestructionwereafterus,leavingWickedEnd
tocloseoutthenight.Ihadeveryintentionofhangingaroundforalloftheir
performances,butIhadafeelingtheguyswouldwanttoheadouttothecasinosorsome
clubsassoonasweweredone.IhadnoideawhatKit’splanswere,butIdamnsure
wasn’tgoingtolethergooutintoLasVegasonherown.
“She’snotgoingtoaskforhelp,”Steveninformedme,takingamomenttolookoutthe
window.“KitEllisisn’tonetoacceptcharity.”
“Kit’satoughone,”Iagreed,bobbingmyheadinsomesemblanceofanod.
“Okay,”Stevensaid,grabbingasodaoutofthefridge.“It’sgoingtobefuckinghotup
theretoday,butwehavefansplacedonthestagetokeepyousomewhatcool.”
“MakesureKitandJudehavethem,”Iordered,pointingmyplasticspooninhis
direction.“Theygetthemostoverheated.”
“Gotit,”Stevennodded.“I’mheadingouttocheckonGilesatthemerchbooth.Call
meifyouneedme,anddon’tforgettobeatthesideofthestageatfour-fifteen.”
“Willdo,bossman,”Ipromised,givinghimashortsalute.
StevenhadbeenwithmesinceIwaswithmyfirstbandsixyearsago.Heknewthe
innerworkingsofthisindustrybetterthananyoneelseI’dmet.Whyhestayedonwith
me,Ihadnoidea,andIwasn’tgoingtoquestionhimeither.
Lookingatmyphone,wehadjustunderanhourbeforewehadtobeready.Ourcrew
wouldbesettingupforourperformanceinthenextfewminutes,iftheyhadn’tstarted
already.IneededtokeepmyheadclearandoffofwhateverwasgoingonbackinPhoenix
withKit’smom,butI’dadmitthatIwasworriedshewouldbetoofocusedonhometobe
readytotearupthestageforthenextfewweeks.
BeforeIcouldtakeofftofindher,thedoortothebusopenedandIheardtheclickof
herheeledbootsassheclimbedthestairs.Thosefuck-mebootssheworeonstagewerea
damnhazardifyouaskedme,butsherockedthemandneverlostherbalance.Theyhad
spikesalloverthetoes,andifshewantedtomakesomeguysinglikealittlegirl,allshe
neededtodowaskickhimintheballs.
“Haveyouwarmedupyet?”sheasked,droppingabandshirtfromWickedEndonthe
table.
“No,”Isaid,reachingintothefridgeforabottledwater.“Areyougoodtogoon
today?”
“Whythefuckwouldyouaskmethat?”shesnarled,herblondebangsfallingintoher
eyesassheleanedforwardandputahandonherhip.ShewaspissedthatI’dbroughtup
hermom.
“Justwanttomakesureyourheadisintherightspot,”Ireplied,walkingtowardher.
Thefireinhereyessentmythoughtsstraighttomydick.“Thisisabigeventforus.”
“Myheadisonstraight,Aiden,”shesnapped,hereyesroamingmybodyasImoved
intoherspace.“Iwantthisasbadasyoudo.”
“Whatisitthatyouwant,Kit?”Iasked,reachingouttowrapmyhandaroundher
waist.Ididn’tpullhertowardme,butfuckifIdidn’twanttojusttakeherlipsrightthere.
“Iwanttoplaymusic,andIwantSomethingWickedtocomeoutontop,”she
admitted,hereyessofteningassheinhaled.“Iwanttobeherewithyou…theband.”
“I’mnotgoinganywhere,”Isaid,tighteningmyhold.Thatmomentwasthereagain.It
wasthesameaswhenwe’dalmostkissedaweekago.Somestrangeelectricitycrackled
throughtheair,andIcould’veswornitwascomingfromher.“You’renotgoing
anywhere.”
“Weshouldn’tbedoingthis.”Shefrowned,butshedidn’tmoveawayfromme,either.
“Thistouching,andalmostkissing,isn’tthebestidearightnow,Aiden.”
“Iknow,”Isaid,stillwatchinghereyesastheysearchedmyface.“ButIdon’tcare
anymore.”
HereyesblazedwithheatasIleanedin,capturingherlips.Hertonguesnakedoutand
lappedoverthepiercingsinmylip.IfeltherbodyrelaxintomyholdasIdeepenedthe
kiss.Myhandsliduptocupherface,holdingherstillformydemands.IknewifIlether
go,shewouldrunfromme.
IwasshockedwhenKit’shandwrappedaroundmyforearmandheldmeinplace.She
didn’twantmetostop,andmaybesheknewthatIsureashelldidn’tplanonreleasingher
anytimesoon.Withmyfreehand,Iletitslideupthesideofhertightvest,stoppingather
breast.Icuppeditthroughthematerialandfeltmyselfhardenwhenshemoaned,closing
hereyesinbliss.Myerectionpressedagainsthersex,showingherjusthowmuchshe
affectedme.Ifelttheheatcomingfromherpussy,andIknewifItouchedher,I’dfindher
wetforme.
Myphonerangfromitsspotonthetable,causingbothofustojump.Icursedand
turnedaround,releasingmyholdonher.Stevenwascalling,wantingtoknowwhereI
was.Wehadlessthanfifteenminutesbeforewewereneededatthestage.
WhenIhungupthephoneandturnedaround,KitElliswasnowheretobefound.
“Fuck,”Igrowled,myvoiceechoingintheemptybus.
ChapterFour
Kit
Whenhisphonerang,Iusedthatasmyexcusetogetaway.Ididn’tevenlookbackasI
boltedfromthebus,grabbingmybackpackfromitsspotonthecouch.Iscurriedaround
thefrontofthebusthatwasparkednexttooursandmademywaytothewomen’s
restroombehindoneofthetents.Iignoredthetwowomenwhowerewashingtheirhands
andsteppedintoastall,throwingthelockassoonasthedoorclosed.Iputmyfeetupon
thetoiletandcroucheddown,coveringmyfacewithmyhands.Iinhaledslowly,hoping
tocalmmyrapidheartbeat,butIcouldn’tgethisfaceoutofmyheadorthetasteofhim
frommylips.
AidenHawkemadeeveryounceofmybodyturnliquidwheneverhetouchedme.
Therewasnodenyingthatwewantedeachother,andIknewitwasonlyamatteroftime
beforeI’dlethimburyhimselfbetweenmylegs.Ifeltallofmyinhibitionsdrainingaway,
andIwould’velethimfuckmerightthereonthetableifhe’daskedforit.Hiskisswas
electric.Hell,anytimehetouchedme,IfeltlikeI’dwillinglygrabbedalivewirewith
bothhandsjusttofeelthejolttomysoul.
Mypointofustogetherwasvalid.Wecouldn’tcrossthatline,butwehad.Beingwith
Aidenwassuretodestroymycareer.Itwouldmakethingsawkward,butdamnifIdidn’t
wanttolethimtouchme.Icouldn’triskbeingputoutofthisbandbecauseIfuckedmy
leadsinger.Icouldn’taffordlosingeverythingforanightofwhatwassuretobethe
hottestsexI’deverhad.
IwasfinallymakingmoneydoingwhatIloved.Granted,I’djustsentallofmysavings
tothelandlordtokeepfrombeinghomeless,butIstillhadasteadyincomehittingmy
bankaccountonamonthlybasis.ThistourwasgoingtomakeitsoIcouldmoveoutof
thattrashyapartmentandfindmyselfsomethingthatwasn’tintheslumsofPhoenix.
Whenmyunclecalled,Iknewimmediatelythatsomethinghadgonewrongwithmy
mom.WhenIleftforthistour,allIdidwasdropanoteonthekitchentable,tellingher
thatIwouldbegoneforthenextfewweeks.She’dbeenpassedoutonthecouchand
neverwokeupbythetimeIclosedthedoor.Atthatpoint,Ihadtoquitworryingabouther
andlivemylifeforme.
Ididn’tknowhowlongIstayedtherebeforemyphonechimedforanincomingtext.
StevenwasthrowingafitbecauseIhadlessthantenminutesbeforeIwasdueattheside
ofthestage.HittingareplyandtellinghimIwasonmyway,Ihurriedoutofthestallto
usethebathroom’smirrortodarkenmymakeup.Igrabbedmycombandhairsprayfrom
mybagandhastilymademyhairstandupjustalittlemore.
Shrugging,IputeverythinginsideandwalkedoutintothehotNevadasun,turningfor
thestage.MythoughtsaboutAidenwouldhavetobeputonthebackburnerforthenext
hour.Isureashellwasn’tgoingtoletmyhormonesfuckupthisshow.I’ddealwithmy
feelingstowardhimwhenIwasalone.
Istoppedbesidethestageandrolledmyheadaroundtoloosenthekinkthathadsettled
inthebackofmyneck.TherewasnothingIcoulddoabouttheheatthatstillrolled
throughmycoreafterAidenhadkissedmeonthebus.Ourcrewwasjustputtingthefinal
touchesonthestage,adjustingourmicrophonestotheheightweneeded.
“Youreadytodothis?”Kadeaskedashecametostandbesidemewithasmirkonhis
face.Hejuttedhischinoutandlookedovermyshoulder.“Oh,thisisgoingtobefun.”
Iturnedmyheadandfinallygotagoodlookatthecrowd.Therehadtobeafew
thousandpeopleoutthere,bodiespulsingastheyallcrammedinasclosetothestageas
possible.Bodiesswayed,peoplewerebouncingbeachballsacrossthecrowd.I’donly
seencrowdslikethisfromtelevisedconcerts.
“Holyfuck,”Ibreathed,feelingmyheartthunderinmychest.
I’dneverplayedforthismanypeopleinmylife.Thepastweek,ourtourstopshad
beenpackedfulloffans,butthevenuesweplayedonlyheldaboutafifthofthepeople
thatwerewaitingatthisfestivaltoseeSomethingWicked.Thiseventwasbig…huge.
“You’reoninthreeminutes,”atechsaidashewalkedtowardusholdingAiden’s
microphone.
“Thanks,”Aidensaidfrombehindme.Ihadn’tevenheardhimapproach.Whenour
eyesmet,Isawthefireinhis,andthepullwasstrongerthanever.Hisgazeroamedmy
bodylikehewastakingstockofeveryinch.Likehewascalculatingtheminutesuntilhe
couldhavemealltohimself,andhelookedhungry…veryhungry.
Judemovedtomyrightandstretched,bendingfromsidetoside.Aidenwrappedhis
armsaroundus,pullingthebandintoacircle.WebowedourheadsandletAidendohis
preshowritualofremindingusthattheshowwouldnotbeasuccessunlesswegaveitour
allandthensome.Assoonaswebrokeapart,thetechnoddedandwewalkedupthestairs
tothesideofthestage.Istrappedonmybassandtookadeepbreath.
Itwastimetowork.
MyfeelingstowardAidenwouldhavetowait.
ChapterFive
Aiden
“HELLO,LASVEGAS!”Iscreamed,andthecrowdroaredaswerushedthestage.
Judewasalreadypoisedandreadybehindhiskittostartthefirstsong.OnceKitandKade
wereinplace,Igavemydrummeranodandtheshowbegan.
Ourfirstsongwasgoingtobethenextreleaseoffthenewalbum.Itwashardand
heavy,andfromtheroarofthecrowd,thesongwasahit.Theheatrolledupoffthedesert
floor,andIrippedmyshirtoffassoonasthesongended.Womenscreamed,andIsaw
Kit’sgazeflickertomychestbeforewestartedthenextsong.
Itwasn’tlongbeforeInoticedoneoftheotherbandsplayingthatweekendstandingin
thecrowd.Flixwasn’tscheduledtoplayuntilthenextday,butIwasn’tsurprisedtosee
themthere.
WhatIwassurprisedatwastheobviouslustintheirdrummer’seyesashewatchedKit
fromhisperchinthecrowd.Ifoundmyselfgravitatingtowardherasthesongended.Jude
startedthenextsongimmediately,andIbeltedoutthebeginning,myeyesfocusingon
her.Kitlookedatmewithanoddexpression,butIplayeditoffaspartofourset.Ileaned
mybackagainsthersasIsangthechorus,thenturnedaroundtoputthemicinherfaceso
shecouldsingherbackupvocals.Igaveherawinkandheadedbacktocenterstage.
Thecrowdroaredaswerolledintothefirstsingleoffofthealbum.Somegirlwas
surfingacrossthecrowd,andseveralguyshadstartedmoshingafewrowsbackfromthe
rail.Iraisedmyfistintheairandtoldthefanstosingalong.Kadejumpedofftheriser
andfoundhiswayovertoKit,lookingoverhershoulderassheplayedthedeepbassline.
“Ladiesandgentlemen,KitEllis!”WhenIpointedtoher,theaudiencecheeredand
swayed.Ismiledandgaveheranothersoftwink.Shenoddedandwalkedbehindmeto
standupontheriserthatJude’skitwassittingonsohecouldbeseenbythecrowd.She
didn’tstaylong,returningtohermictohelpmefinishoutthesong.Wedidthisforthe
nexthour,pushingourselvesuntilwewerenearthepointofexhaustion.
Aswecameoffthestage,ourcrewrushedinbehindustotakedownourequipment.I
grabbedatowelandwipedmyface,tossingitintoabasketbythetentthatwassetupfor
usbesidethestage.Kitfollowedalongafterme.Herfacelitup,andlikeallofus,shewas
feelingtherushofenergyfromthecrowd.
“Thatwasamazing!”
JustasIturnedaround,IsawtheguysfromFlixapproaching.Theirbandmanager,
Ryan,introducedhimselfandmadesomepleasantries.WhentheyaskedaboutKit,I
hardenedmyfeaturesandofferedtointroducethem.Iknewtheyweren’ttheretotakeher
frommyband,butthelookinthatdrummer’seyestoldmehewouldhavehernakedand
screaminghisname,giventhechance.
“Kit,”Isaid,takingmyhandandplacingitonherlowerbackasIsteppeduptoher
side.IfeltherbodyrelaxforamomentbutquicklystiffenwhensherealizedIwasn’t
alone.Herbodysignalstoldmethatshewantedme,butsheresisted.
Ryanheldouthishandforashake.Itoldherwhohewasandthatthey’dbeenvery
impressedwithherperformance.Shesmiledwidelyandblushed.“Ah,thankssomuch.”
“I’mWill,”thedrummersaid,pushingpasthisbandmatestogethishandsonher.“Can
Ibuyyouadrink?”
IfeltKadegraspmyarmwhenshenoddedandallowedWilltowrapanarmaroundher
lowerback,leadingherofftowardthebar.Therestofthebandandtheirmanagersaid
theirgoodbyesandleftusstandingtherealone.Iwatchedherasshewaitedforadrink.
Afterthat,shedidn’twastetimemovingtoatalltabletotalkwiththedrummerfromFlix.
Iwantedtokillthesonofabitch.
“Calmdown,”Judewhispered,makingamovetostandinmylineofsight.WhenI
madeamovetosteparoundhim,Kadewasrighttheretoblockmyway.
“Iamcalm,”Isnarled.“Iwanttomakesureshe’sokay.”
“Itoldyoutoclaimthat.”Kadeshrugged,handingmemydiscardedshirt.Ipulledit
overmyheadandimmediatelyfoundheragain.
“She’sfine,”Judesighed,givingKadeahardglare.“Wewillmingleandkeepaneye
onher,butdon’tyoudaredoanythingstupid.They’rejusttalking.”
IspentthenexttenminutestryingmyhardestnottogooverthereandclaimKitformy
own…andpunchthatdrummersquareinthefuckingthroat.Hewantedwhatwasmine.
“Drinkthis,”Kadedemanded,settingashotofwhiskeyandabeerinfrontofme.My
eyesneverwaveredfromherspotacrosstheroomasItiltedtheliquidback,swallowingit
downwithoutevenfeelingtheburn.
Kitwastalkingquietlywiththedrummer;andthankfully,shewasn’tleaningintohim
orlaughingatanythinghesaid.JudeandKademovedwithmeasImademywaycloser
tohertable.Iwantedtobenearher,becauseIreallydidn’tknowtheguyshewaswith,
andIwasn’tsureifItrustedhim.Mybodyvibratedashereachedovertotouchherhand.
Inoticedthemomentshelookedawayandoureyesmet.Therewasthatfireinhergaze
again.
Justasmyfeetstartedmovingtowardthem,IfeltKadegraspmyarmoncemore.I’d
hadenoughandwasgoingtogetherawayfromWillforgoodthistime.BeforeIcould
approachthetable,WillstoodupandnoddedtowardKit,leaningdownandplacingasoft
kissonhercheek.Theanimalisticgrowlthatcamefrommylipscausedafewpeopleto
turnandlookinmydirection.
Ireallydidn’tcareanymore.
Iwantedher.
ChapterSix
Kit
InoddedandacceptedWill’sinvitationforadrink.Hishandsettledonmylowerback
asheguidedmetothebaratthebackofthetent.ThedrummerforFlixwasverytall,his
armsheavilytattooed.Hisdeepbrowneyesandlightblondhairmadehimstunning,butI
wasmoreinterestedinaguywithmulticoloredhairandeyessogreentheywere
mesmerizing.
“WhatcanIgetyou?”thebartenderasked,givingmeaonceover.
“Whiskeyandcoke,please,”Ireplied,refusingtolookovermyshoulder.Ididn’teven
havetochecktoseeifAidenwaswatchingme,becauseIcouldfeelhisstare.
“I’llhaveabeer,”Willsaid,interruptingthebartender’screepyleerasheflashedhis
badgeindicatinghewaswithabandandourdrinkswerefree.Oncehesetourdrinkson
thebartop,Willshovedafewbillsintheman’stipjarandtookmyhand,pullingme
awayfromthecrowdthathadgathered.Wefoundabistrotable,andItookaseatafter
settingmydrinkdown.
“Youareanamazingbassist,”Willsaid,leaningagainstthehightoptable.
“Thankyou!”Ismiled,takingalargegulpofmydrink.Theburnfromthealcoholfelt
goodagainstmyparchedthroat.
“Howlonghaveyoubeenplaying?”hecontinued.
“Abouttenyears.”Ishrugged.“Myunclegavemehisoldbassformyfourteenth
birthdayandthenspenttheweekendsteachingmehowtoplayit.”
“Isn’tthathowmostofusstartedout?”heasked,lookingatsomethingovermy
shoulder.Hiseyesnarrowed,buthequicklyschooledhisfeatures.
“Prettymuch,”Ianswered,turningmyheadslightlytoseeAidenhadmovedcloser.He
heldabeerbetweenhisfingers,bringingittohislipsandtakingaswig.Thefireinhis
eyessentachilldownmyspine.Hewaspissed.
“IseethatIhavecompetition,”Willchuckledafteralongsigh.“I’mgoingtobowout,
Ms.Kit.Itwasapleasuretomeetyou,andIhopetoseeyouagain.”
“Thankyouforthedrink,”Iconceded.Willwasright.Aidenwould’veprobablykilled
himifhe’devenmadeamovetogetclosetome.
“IusuallygoafterthingsthatIwant,butIseethatwithyou,mycharmswouldgoto
waste,”hesaid,thenwinked.“IjustwishI’dmetyousooner.”Hewasteasingme,andI
knewit.Whenheleanedoverandkissedmycheek,IheardWillchucklebeforewalking
away.
AssoonasIwasalone,Aidenmarchedforward,histeethclenchedsohardthathisjaw
tickedrapidly.Ididn’tsayanything,justpickedupmydrinkandfoundmywayoutofthe
tent.Hefollowedmewithoutanotherword.JudeandKadehungbackanddidn’tmakea
movetofollowus.
“Doyouknowhim?”AidenaskedassoonasIclimbedthestepsofthebus.Looking
around,IcursedundermybreathwhenIrealizedthatwewerealone.Beingalonewith
AidenHawkewasabadidea.
“No,”Ireplied,drainingtherestofmydrinkanddroppingtheplasticcupintothe
garbagecanunderthesink.“That’sthefirsttimeI’devermetanyonefromFlix.”
“Hewantedinyourpants,”Aidensnarled,runninghishandthroughhismulticolored
hair.
“That’scrude,Aiden,”Iscoffed,takingastepback.“Reallyrude.”
“It’sthetruth,”hecursed,movingforward.“Ifhecould’vethrownyouacrossthat
table,hewould’vefuckedyourightthereforeveryonetosee.”
“And?”Ipushed.Iknewhewastryingtostakehisclaim;anddamn,Iwantedhimto
claimme,butnotlikesomeNeanderthal.Thetensionwasbuildingbetweenus,andI
wasn’tstupid.Webothknewthatwewantedeachother,butIwastheonlyonewhowas
thinkingrationally.Hewasactinglikeacaveman.
Aidenfroze,hiseyesblazingwithheatashesearchedmyface.Ikeptmyexpression
hardasstone.Itwasnowornever.Iwantedhim.Hewantedme,butinthatmoment,
AidenHawketurnedonhisheelandwalkedoffthebus.Onlyaviciouscursewasleftin
hiswake.
Myheartthunderedinmychest,theadrenalinmakingmyhandstwitch.Tearspricked
atmyeyes,andIcursedloudlytokeepmymindoffcrying.Iwantedhimtobetheoneto
throwmedownonthetableandfuckme,butIalsodidn’twanttoruinwhatIhadwith
SomethingWicked.
WheredidIdrawtheline?
“Fuckthis,”Isnarled,grabbingmybag.Therewerealineofcabsoutsideofthevenue.
IknewwhereIwantedtogotoletoffsomesteam.
Islippedoutofthebusandskirtedaroundthebackstagearea,hopingIwasn’tseenby
anyofmybandmatesornoticedbyanyfans.ThesunwassettingandIpulledonathin
jacketovermyvest.Ipulledthehoodupovermyblondehairandduckedmyhead.As
soonasIclearedthefence,Iwavedatacabandjumpedinthebackthemomenthe
stopped.
“TakemetoTheStrip,”Isaid,leaningbackinmyseatandfinallyreleasingabreathI
didn’tevenknowIwasholding.Ifiredoffatexttoourmanager,tellinghimIwouldbe
backintimeforustoleaveLasVegas.Ijustneededsometimealone.
ChapterSeven
Aiden
AfterI’dleftheronthebus,I’dfoundmywaybacktothetent.Judehadsatmeona
barstoolandfedmeafewshotstocalmmyself.Ichattedwithsomeoftheotherbands,
andwespentthebetterpartofanhourtossingbackthefreedrinksthatwereoffered.The
alcoholinmysystemhadn’tdulledmyneedforher,either.
Infact,ithadheightenedit.
Islammedtheshotglassdownonthebartopandmadeaswirlingmotionwithmy
finger,tellingthebartendertobringmeanother.Thebuzzinmyveinsjustwasn’twhereI
wantedittobe.Kitwasinmymind’seye,andIcouldn’tshakethefeelingthatI’dfucked
upwithher.
Ishould’veneverranoutonher.
Ishould’vestayedthereandclaimedher.
SeeingthatguyfromFlixtouchingKithadeveryprotectiveinstinctinsidemewanting
tomarkherlikeawildanimal.Shewasdrivingmeinsanewithlust.Now,Iwasjust
pissedatmyself.
Assoonasthedrinkwasplacedinfrontofme,myeyesroamedthearea.Ineededto
findKit.Thiswasgoingtoendnow.Myfeethittheground,andIturnedfortheexit.I
searchedthefoodtentfirst,butshewasnowheretobefound.JudeandKadewereoutby
thetrailer,helpingourcrewloaduptheequipment.“HaveyouseenKit?”
“No.”Judefrowned.“Ithoughtshewaswithyou.”
“Shewasn’tonthebus?”Kadeasked,settingaguitarcaseontheground.
“Ihaven’tlookedthereyet,”Ireplied.
“CheckwithSteven,”Judesuggested,handingoffatoteofmerchandise.“Ifyouneed
us,wewillstartlookingforher.”
“I’llcheckthetentsandthebus,”Isaid,leavingmybandmatestofinishloadingup.
Iloopedoffaroundthebusesandsearchedtheentirebackstagearea,evenaskingthe
guysfromFlixifthey’dseenher.Willofferedtohelpme,butIdidn’twanthimanywhere
nearher.Shewasmine.
MyheartthunderedinmychestasIsteppedonthebusandshewasn’tsittingonthe
couch.Shewasnowheretobefound.AsIpulledthecurtainbackonherbunk,Icursed
again.Herbagwasmissingandtherewasn’tanote.Herbasswasstillinthebackofthe
bus,soIknewshehadn’tleftusbyflyingoutoftown.“Wherethefuckisshe?”
“Sheleftaboutanhourago,”Stevenannouncedasheclimbedonthebus.
“What?”MyvoicehardenedasImarchedtowardourtourmanager.“Whereisshe?”
“Shetextedmeoutoftheblue.SaidshewasgoingtohitTheStripandwouldbeback
beforeitwastimetoleave.”Hehelduphisphoneformetoseethemessage.
I’mheadingtoTheStripforsomealonetime.I’llbebackbeforethewheelsturnonthe
bus.
Ididn’tsayanythingasIpushedpasthim.IgrabbedaworkerandaskedwhereIcould
getacab.Afterafewdirections,Ifoundmywayoutofthevenueandintoacab.My
fingersflewoverthekeyboardonmyphoneaswedrove.
Whereareyou?
Shedidn’tanswermeforagoodfiveminutes.
AtCaesar’s.
Itoldthedrivermynewdestinationanddidn’treplytohermessage.ShehadtoknowI
wascomingforher.Myprotectivesidewasonahairtrigger.Ifshewaswithanotherman,
Imayjustkillhim.I’dhadenoughofourconstantgo-arounds.ItwastimetoclaimKit
Ellisformyself.
Fucktheband.
Iwantedher.
Ipaidthefareandslidoutofthecab.Thedoormanheldthedooropen,andIcursed
undermybreathwhenhecalledmebyname.I’dbeenhereplentyoftimesbefore,andI
shouldn’thavebeensurprisedthatIwasrecognized.Aftermyoldbandhadhitnumber
oneonthecharts,we’dallflowntoVegasandpartiedatthisexacthotel,spendingmore
moneythananyoneshouldonliquorandwhores.
Myfirststopwasatthehotelcheck-in.Itdidn’ttakelongbeforeIwasgivenakeytoa
room,andthenmynextgoalwastofindKit.AsIwalked,myeyessearchedeveryslot
machineandcardtableinmypath.JustasIwasabouttostartyellinghername,Ifound
her.
Thebrightblondeinherhairstoodoutagainstthemulticoloredlightsoverthesmall
bar.Shewasseatedattheend,sippingonamixeddrink,andthankfully,shewasalone.I
didn’tknowifshesensedmeorwhat,butherheadjerkedtothesideandoureyesmet.
Sheblinkedtwiceandlookeddownatherdrink.Sheturneditupanddrainedtheglass,
settingitdownheavilyonthebar.Shespunonthestool,droppingherfoottotheground.
Afteraheavysigh,shestoodupandwalkedstraighttowardme.Imetherhalfway.
“Don’tyoueverrunawayfromme,”IsnarledasIpulledherflushwithmybody.
“Aiden,”shebegan,butmynarrowedeyescausedhertopressherlipstogether.
“Doyourealizethatthistownisn’tthesafestplacetoberoamingaroundalone?”I
tried…Ireallytriedtocontrolmytemper,butthethoughtofherbeingpickedupbysome
loseratthecasinosetmyteethonedge.
“Iwassafe,Aiden,”shehuffed,lookingaroundthebar.“Whyareyouevenhere?”
“Youleftme,”Isaid,watchinghereyesdarkenwithlust.
“Ididn’tleaveyou,”shesighed,hershouldersslumpingwithexhaustion.“Iwantedto
bealone.”
“Why?”Iasked,myheartdroppingtomystomach.“What’swrong?”
“Nothing’swrong,”shepromised,andasoftsmilepulledupthecornerofherfulllips.
“Youseemtohaveahabitofnottellingmeeverything,Kit,”Ipushed.
Somethingwasbotheringher,andIwantedtoknowexactlywhatitwas.Therewasa
deepseatedneedinmyguttoprotectandprovideforher.Why?Ihadnofuckingclue.
Shewasworkingherwayundermyskin,andIcouldn’tshakeit.Icouldn’tlethergo.I
wantedtoclaimherformyown.
“Ijustneededsometimealonetothink,”shesaidquietly.
“Comewithme,”Iordered,pullingheralongtowardthebankofelevatorsthatleadto
thehotelrooms.
“Thisisabadidea,”shesaidassoonasthedoorsclosed.
“No,thisisright,”Ireplied,turningtothesidesoIcouldcuphersoftcheek.We
searchedeachother’sfaceforafewsecondslikewewerelookingforasignthatthis
shouldn’thappen.Whenwefoundnone,Ipushedherintothecornerandtookherlips
withmine.
Assoonasweconnected,Ifeltthefireinsidehercometolife.Shewasn’thesitantwith
herreturnkisses.No,shetookeverythingIdirectedatherandshegaveitbacktomejust
asstrongly.Mycockhardenedpainfullywhenherbodymeltedintomine,andIsworemy
kneesalmostbuckledwhenherhandcuppedmyerection.
Thedingoftheelevatorwastheonlythingthatmadeusseparate.Theroomwasdown
thehallway,andIhadherupinmyarmswithherlegswrappedaroundmywaistbythe
timeIslidthecardinthelock.
Ididn’tevenbotherturningonanylightsasIwalkedustowardthebed;onlytheonein
thebathroomhadbeenleftonbyhousekeeping.Assoonasmylegshitthebed,Isether
toherfeetbesideit.Herjacketwastossed…somewhere.Minewasnothingbutaheapon
thefloor.
“Thisvestneedstobeburned,”IgrowledasIunsnappedthebuttons.Myeyesfellon
herlargebreastsassoonastheywerefree.
“Ilikethatvest,”sheteased.
MylipsfoundhersagainandIpushedherdown,coveringherwithmybody.There
wasnowayIwasgoingtogetundresseduntilshewascompletelybarebeneathme.Isat
backonmykneesandunbuttonedherblackdenimjeans,scootingbackuntilIhadto
standandremoveherboots.Withinseconds,Istoodoverhernakedbodyandtookinher
rawbeauty.
“Jesus,you’rebeautiful,”IgrowledasIpulledmyshirtovermyhead.“Openyourlegs
forme,Kit.IwanttoseewhatI’mabouttofeaston.”
Shewasn’tshyasherlegsfelltotheside.Herpussywasbareandglisteningwithher
desire.Mykneehitthebed,myeyesfocusingonherpinkflesh.Myshoulderbumpedthe
backofherthighandsheautomaticallyhookedherlegovermyshoulder.
“Fuck,”shemoanedasmytonguemethersex.Thoseskillfulfingersofhers,theones
thatplayedherinstrumentwithperfection,tangledintomyhairandshetightenedherhold
onmyhead,directingmetowhereshelikedtobetouched…tasted.Itookherdirection
welland,withinminutes,shewaswrithingbeneathme.
“Iwanttotasteyourpleasure,”ItoldherasIlookedupintohereyes.“Giveittome,
Kit.”
Itouchedheropening,pressingtwofingersinsideher.HerpussyclampeddownandI
felthershiver.Betweenmymouthandmyhand,Iworkedheruntilshescreamedmy
name,grabbingtwohandfulsofmyhair.Sheliftedherhipsandpulledonmyhead,
guidingmeexactlywhereshewantedme.Ismiledasshecameonmytongue.
“Condom,”shemumbledasIfinallyclimbedupherbody.
Shewasbeingsafe,andIknewit,butfuckifIdidn’thavetheoverwhelmingurgeto
comeinsideherjustsoIcouldmarkherwitheveryounceofpleasureIhadinsidemy
body.Yes,itwasanimalistic,butthiswomanbroughtthatoutofme.
Reachingformydiscardedjeans,Ifumbledaroundwithmywalletandgrabbedthefoil
packet,tearingitopencarefullywithmyteeth.MyhandworkedovermycockasItook
hermouthwithmyown.Iknewshetastedherselfonmylips,andIalmostcameinmy
handwhensheusedhertonguetocleanheressencefrommychin.
“Youareadirtygirl,aren’tyou?”Iteased,guidingmyselftoherawaitingheat.
“Youhavenoidea,AidenHawke,”shepurred,wrappingherlegsaroundmywaist.
Shewastight,andthepartofmethatwasselfishrelishedtheideathatshehadn’tbeen
withsomeoneinquitesometime.Noonehadseenthisbodythatwasbeneathmeina
longtime.Noonehadclaimedherpleasurerecently,either.No,KitElliswasmine.
Myhandtuckedbehindherear,andIstrokedmythumboverherbottomlip,pullingit
downandawayfromherteeth.ShemoanedloudlywhenIleanedinandtooktheplump
fleshwithmyteeth,bitinghard.
“Holdon,baby,”Igrowled,rotatingmyhipsuntilherbodysoftenedbeneathme.Her
breastspressedintomychestasIcoveredhercompletely.Myballsachedwiththeneedto
release,butIfocusedallofmypentupneedonkissingheruntilwebothforgottobreathe.
“God,Aiden,”shecursed,reachingdowntograbmyasswithbothhands.Iswore
whenhernailsbitintomyflesh.
“Yourpussyishungry,isn’tit?”Idemanded,notmistakingthetighteningofhersex.
Herwarmthsurroundedme,pullingmeinasdeepasIcouldgo.
“Fuckme,Aiden,”sheordered,movingherhandstomyhead.
Ourbreathingincreased;thesoundscomingfromourmouthsweresavage.Oneofher
handsmovedoutofmyhairandstartedtoslidedownbetweenus,butIgrabbedherwrist
andpinneditaboveherhead.
“Icontrolyourpleasure,”Isnarled,thrustingdeeptwicesosheknewIwasincharge.
“Please,”shecried,liftingherhipsformetogiveherwhatshewasneeding.
“No,”Ireplied,smirkinginthedimlylitroomasshecursedunderherbreath.
Iwasabouttolosecontrolovermyself,butIknewthatthiswasprobablytheonly
chanceIwouldgettostakemyclaimoverher.Theweekswe’dbeentrappedtogetheron
thatbushadmademewanthermorethanIhadwantedanythingelseinmylife.
KitwasfierceandsoftandallthethingsIwantedinawoman.Shewasnobunny.No,
thebassistforSomethingWickedwasadevil,andthefirethatcamefromhersoulcalled
tomeonsomanylevels.
“Ineed…”shebegan,butIshutherupwithmytongueinhermouth.
BythetimeIreleasedherlips,shewasbuckingagainstme,thepleasfallingfromher
lips.Ifinallygaveherwhatsheneededbyreachingbetweenusandpressingmythumbto
herclit.Iwantedheronedge.Ineededhertocome,becauseIwasgoingtoworkheruntil
shecouldn’tleavethebed.Themomentshestartedcryingoutmyname,Ipulledoutand
grabbedherlegsasIsliddownherbody.Hercursewasharshontheair,butIdidn’tgive
aflyingfuck.MytonguefoundhercoreandIletherrideoutherorgasmonit.Sheburied
thosefingersinmyhairagainandIlethermoveherbodyuntilI’dlappedupallshehad
togiveme.
“I’mnotdone,”IgrowledasIrolledoveronmyback,pullingherbythehips.“Come
here.”
“Aiden,”shebreathedout,obviouslyexhausted,butIdidn’tcare.LikeIsaid,Iwasn’t
done.
“Ontopofme,”Idirected,helpingherthrowalegovermyhips.Shedidn’tprotest,
andwhenshegrabbedmycockwithherwarmhand,Itossedmyheadbackandgrittedmy
teeth.Hertouchwasgoingtodrivemeinsane.
Herbodyopenedup,takingeveryinchIhadtooffer.Kit’shandslandedonmy
stomachandmyfingerswrappedaroundherwaist.Ihadtoguideherforamomentbefore
sherecoveredenoughtotakethelead.
Myhipsbucked,sendingherbodyforward.Insteadoffallingagainstmychest,she
grabbedaholdoftheheadboard,sendingherbreastsrightintomyface.Myhandslidup
andcuppedherasmytonguesnakedoutandblazedapathoverherdarknipple.Whenmy
teethgrazedher,shegrowledlowinherthroat.
“Giveittome,Kit,”Idemanded,feelingmyballstightenfromthefeelofheraround
me.Ineededherwithmeonelasttime.
“Aiden,”shemoaned,rotatingherhips.“I…can’t.”
“Yes,youcan,”Isnarled.
Ipushedupward,makingsureIhitthespotIknewmadehercome.Withinseconds,
shecriedoutmynameandIletgo,comingharderthanIeventhoughtpossible.
Fuck,sherockedmyworld.
ChapterEight
Kit
WhathadIdone?
Isleptwithmybandmate.No,Ididn’tsleepwithhim.Ifuckedhim.Iscrewedtheman
whohiredmetobeinhisband.I’djustmadetheworstmistakeofmylife.
Ireachedformydiscardedclotheswhilehewasintheshower.Ididn’twanttodothe
walkofshamebackonthebuswithhimatmyside.Ineededtogobackalone.JustasI
slidintomyboots,Iheardthewatercutoff.Afewsecondslater,Aidenopenedthedoor
andwalkedoutinjustatowel.
IthoughtI’dbeabletoresisthimafterI’dgottenhimoutofmysystem,butseeinghim
standingtherewiththelightfromthebathroomathisback,Iknewoncewouldneverbe
enoughwithAidenHawke.
“Wereyouabouttorunawayfromme?”heasked,onedarkeyebrowraisedin
question.Hiswethairfelltooneside,coveringtheothereye.Damn,hewasgorgeous.
Whydidmystupidhormonesgohaywirewheneverhelookedatmelikethat?
“Thisshould’veneverhappened,Aiden,”Isaid,tryingtofittheseweirdfeelingsinside
myheart.
“Itwasboundtohappen,”heretorted,movingtowardme.“Youknowthat.”
“Still,”Ibegan,buthisharshstarestoppedmeinmytracks.
“Justdon’t,Kit,”hewarned,droppinghistowel.Hiscockstoodout,hardandthick.
“Whyareyoufightingthis?”
“I’mnotthewomanforyou,”Ihedged.Aidenwalkedtowardmeslowly.Hishand
snakeddownhisabsandwrappedaroundhiscock,squeezingthetipashegrowled…
again.Whydidthatmakemewanttowhimperandfallathisfeet?
“Sayswho?”hescoffed.“You?”
“Yeah.”
“Youarenotleavingthisband,”hewarned.Myeyeswidenedashevoicedtheexact
thoughtthathadbeenrollingaroundinmyheadforthepastfewhours.Icould’vesworn
atthatmoment,AidenHawkecouldseeintomymind,readingitlikeanopenbook.
“Aiden,”Isighed.Ineededtotellhim.Heshouldknow.“Ineedthisjob,andwhatwe
justdid…yeah,thatcomplicatesthings.”
“Complicatesthings?”hepushed.“Youhavethisjob,Kit.Nooneisgoingtotellyou
togohomeforfuckingme.”
“Idon’tthinkyouunderstand,Aiden,”Ibegan,feelingtearsprickthebackofmyeyes,
butIwouldn’tcry.No,I’dlearnedtohidethatemotionfrommanypeopleovertheyears.
Cryingshowedweakness,andweak,Iwasnot.
“Tellme,”hesaid,takingaseatonthebed.
“Ihavetokeepthisjob,”Istarted,butpausedtobitemylip.Itwashardtosaythe
words,butheneededtoknow.“MybabysisterisallIhave,besidesmymom.Hell,my
motherissofargoneinheraddictions,I’mnotsureevenrehabwouldhelpher.”
“Youhaveasister?”heasked,hiseyeswideningatmyconfession.
“She’ssix.”Iswallowed,tryingnottobreakdown.Shewaseverythingtome,andI
wantedhertohavesomuchmorethanI’dhad.“Myunclehascustodyofher,butIstill
payforeverythingsheneeds.Thisjobisthebestthingthathashappenedtomeinseveral
years.Idon’tknowhowtodoanythingelseotherthanplaymusic.It’stheonlywayI
knowhowtotakecareofher.”
“Whatishername?”heasked,hisvoicesoftening.
“Kylie,”Ireplied,thinkingofherlongbrowncurls.ThewayIusedtolookbeforeI
decidedtogiveintomyneedtobedifferentfromeveryonearoundme.“Shelooksjust
likeIdidatthatage.”
“Yoursisterwillnothavetoworry,”hereplied,touchingthesideofmyface.He
tuggedslightlyandIturnedmyheadsoIcouldlookathim.Thedeep,greenpoolsofhis
eyesdarkenedashesearchedmyfaceforsomething.“Icansendyourunclemoney.”
“No,”Isnapped,turningmyheadsohishandwouldfallfrommyface.“Itoldyou!I
don’ttakehandouts.”Myfeethitthefloor,andIstoodupsofastmyheadspun.Aiden
reachedoutforme,butIslappedawayhishand.“Don’t!”
“Kit,don’tyoudare!”hesnarledasIgrabbedmybag.Icouldn’tletthesefeelingsIhad
forhimjeopardizemyfuture.Ihadanotherpersontothinkabout.Mymomwasinjail,
andKyliehadnoonebutmyuncletocareforher.Sheneededclothes…food.Iwouldn’t
lethergrowupintheslumsofPhoenixlikeIhad.Icouldn’tlosethisjob…nomatterhow
hardIwasfallingforAidenHawke.
“She’smyresponsibility,Aiden,”Isaid,feelingthetearspushtowardthecornersof
myeyesasmyhandfellonthedoorhandle.Ihadtogetoutofthere.
“Butyouaremine,”hesaid,slamminghishandonthedoorsoIcouldn’tleave.
“I’mnotyours,”Iwhispered,turningaroundinthebracketofhisarms.Hisfacewas
setinahardscowl,andIknewthatbeingthisclosetohimwasabadidea.
“Themomentyouopenedyourlegsforme,KitEllis,wasthemomentyoubecame
mine,”hestated.“Ifyourunfromme,Iwillcomeafteryou.”
“Letmego,”Ibegged,droppingmyeyestothefloor.
“Never,”hevowed,tuckinghisfingerundermychinandpullingmyfaceupsohe
couldcapturemylips.
IknewIwasdoomedthemomentIdroppedmybagonthefloorandlethimcarryme
backtothebed.
ChapterNine
Aiden
“Callheruncleandgetmeanaddress,”IbarkedthemomentStevenpickedupthe
phone.PacingseemedtobetheonlythingIcoulddoasmyworryincreased.
Kithadfinallyopenedupandtoldmeaboutherlife.Well,themostimportantparts,at
least.God,howdidsheliveeverysingledayworryingaboutwhereherbabysisterwould
findhernextmeal?Howthehelldidshesurvivelivingwithadrugaddictforamother?
“What’swrongwithKit?”heasked,worried.“Issheokay?”
“She’sfine.”Isighed,pinchingthebridgeofmynose.“Didyouknowthatshehasa
babysister?”
“No.”Stevenpaused.“Shenevertoldmeanythingaboutherfamily.”
Thankfully,Kitwasintheshower,takinghertime.Ineededafewminutesaloneto
figureoutwhatIneededtodotomakesurehersisterwastakencareofsoKitdidn’tneed
toworryaboutanythingathomewhilewewereontheroad.
IlaidoutmyplanforsendingsomemoneybackhomeforKit’sfamily.Hersister
wouldn’twantforanythingaslongasIhadsomethingtosayaboutit.Steventookthe
informationIgavehimandpromisedtogetintouchwithheruncle.Itoldhimwe’dbe
backatthebuswithinthehour.
“I’mready,”shesaid,walkingoutofthebathroominapairofshortsandablackand
whitebikinitopthatshould’vebeenillegal.Mydickhardenedinstantly,andIhadtotellit
tocalmthefuckdownbecausewehadtogetbacktothebusandheadoutforournext
stopinafewhours.
“Comeon,”Isaid,takingherbagandslingingitovermyshoulder.Shetookmyhand
whenIoffereditandwalkedquietlytotheelevators.
Theridebacktothevenuetookabouttwentyminutes,andthecabdroppedusoffby
thebackstagegate.Weshowedourbadgesandwalkedtowardthebus.Whenshemadea
movetoreleasemyhand,Iheldontighter,pullinghertomyside.
“Ithinkwebothneedadrinkandsomethingtoeat,”Iofferedasweapproachedthe
bus.Shelookednervous.Ididn’tneedtobetoldthatshewasstillhavingsecondthoughts
aboutusbeingseenasacouple.I’dalreadyresignedmyselftotellthebandandourcrew
thatshewasmine.“Let’ssetyourbagdownandhitthetent.”
“Okay,”shesaid,nodding.Iboardedthebusbehindherandwaiteduntilshereturned
fromherbunk.Ourdriverwasjustwakingupfromhisnap,sippingoncoffeeatthesmall
dinette.Hegavemeashortnodwithareminderthatwehadtoleaveinlessthanthree
hours.
Thetentwasbustlingwithactivity.Almosteverybandthathadplayedthatday,and
othersthatwereduetoperformthenextday,wereraisinghellastheymingled.Someone
wasbuyingaroundofshotswhenweapproachedthebar.Kitorderedamixeddrink,andI
didthesame.Shedidn’tsipherdrinkpolitely.No,sheturneditupandswalloweddown
thedarkliquid,droppingtheemptyplasticcupinthetrashbinattheendofthebarbefore
orderinganotherone.
Iwantedtobeclosetoher,butIhadafeelingshewantedsomespace.I’dcomeather
likearagingbull,notgivingherachancetothinkthroughwhathadhappenedatthe
casino.I’dpaidforaroomforthenight,butonlyendedupusingitforanhourandahalf,
leavingthekeycardslayingontherumpledsheetsasweleftaftergettinglostineach
other.
Itookaseatonatallstoolasshewaitedforherseconddrink,turningaroundtolean
herbackagainstthebartop.Shesippedherdrinkslowerthistime,hereyesroamingthe
area.Shedidn’tsayanything,butIhadafeelingshewascalculatingherwordscarefully
beforeshesaidsomethingtopissmeoff.
“Aiden,”shebegan,butmyhardglarecutheroff.
“Notnow,Kit,”Iwarned.
“Thenwhen?”sheasked,hereyesnarrowing.
BeforeIhadachancetotellhertostopoverthinking,herphonerang.Icursedunder
mybreathwhenIheardhersayheruncle’sname.Iknewthathewascallingaboutthe
littlesurpriseI’ddroppedinhislap,andIfelttheangerrollingoffofherwhensheturned
herhardglareonme.
“Whatthefuck,Aiden?”sheroared.Ididn’tmistakethetearsthathadgatheredinthe
cornerofhereyesasshetossedtheremainderofherdrinkinmyfacebeforesheranaway.
ChapterTen
Kit
“Hedidwhat?”Igasped.Myunclehadcalled,tellingmethatAidenhadtransferreda
shittonofmoneyintoanaccountforKylie.LikeaLOTofmoney.
“Kit,calmdown,”UncleRogerurged.“Thatmanwantsyoutoconcentrateonthetour
andnotbeworriedaboutus.”
“Idon’tlikethis,”Iadmitted,staringoutthebuswindow.Aidenwasoutside,talkingto
StevenandJude.They’dstoppedhimwhenI’dboardedthebus,wipingtearsawayfrom
myeyes.
“Youdeservethis,Kit,”hesaid.“Iwantyoutofollowyourdreams.Youaretooyoung
totakeonasixyearoldbyyourself.”
“No,”Isaid,shakingmyheadasIturnedawayfromthewindow.“Ineedtoworkfor
this.ThelastthingIneedistobehiswhore.”
Therewasn’tanythingIcouldn’ttellmyuncle.IfIhadafather,hewouldbeit.My
mother’sbrotherwastheonlyoneinmydysfunctionalfamilythathadabraininhishead.
Themanworkedhardforwhatlittlehehad.
“Youarenotawhore,”Aidenbarked,causingmetoyelpfrombeingstartled.
“Fuckyou,Aiden,”Ireplied,narrowingmyeyes.Aidensighedandranhishand
throughhishair.Herefusedtoleave,takingahardstanceinfrontofme.Hecrossedhis
tattooedarmsacrosshischestandwaited.
“GetoffthephoneandtalktoAiden,”myuncleordered.“Don’tdoanythingstupid,
Kit.”
“We’llseeaboutthat,”Imumbled,hangingupbeforeRogercouldtalkmeoutof
takingAidendownanotch.
“Kit,”hepled,butpausedwhenmyeyesnarrowed.
“Wouldyouliketoexplaintomewhyyousenttengrandtomyuncleandputitinan
accountformysister?”Idemanded,placingmyhandsonmyhips.
JudeandKadewalkedontothebusaboutthetimethosewordsleftmymouth.Both
menfrozeandlookedatAidenlikehe’dgrowntwoheads.Aidensnarledandfistedhis
handsathissides.“Ididitforyou.Itakecareofwhat’smine,Kit.”
“What’sgoingon?”Kadeasked,walkingaroundAidentostepuptomyside.The
protectivestancehetookwasn’tmistakenbyeitherofus.
“Isentthemmoneysoyouwouldn’thavetoworryaboutyoursister,”Aidenexplained,
ignoringourbandmates.“Now,whydidyoutellyourunclethatyouweremywhore?”
“What?”Judegrowled,placingahandonAiden’sshoulder.“Whatthefuckdidyou
do?”
“Nothing,”Aidenanswered,shruggingoffourguitarist’stouch.“Ididnothing.”
“Nothing?”Iexploded,throwingmyhandsintheair.“Nothing?Aiden,justbecause
youfuckedmedoesn’tmeanyouownme.”
“Oh,”Judegasped.Kadegavehimanod,understandingthatthey’djustwalkedinon
somethingmoreseriousthananyonecouldimagine.“Wewillgiveyoutwosometimeto
talk.”
Iwasfuckingpissed.
Aidenwaiteduntileveryonewasoffthebusbeforewalkingtowardme.Iheldoutmy
handtostophimandnoticedthattheyweretrembling.Hedidn’ttakethehint,takingmy
handsintohislargerones.Hebentmyarmssohecouldsecuremyhandsatmyback.I
washelplesswhenhebumpedhischestagainstmine.Iwantedtokickmyownassforthe
sighthatleftmylips.Thismanhadmymindrunningincircles.
“You.Are.Not.A.Whore.”Hisvoicewascalm,evenifhiseyestoldmesomething
different.
“WhatamIthen?Aconquest?”Ibarked.WhatsurprisedmewasthemomentAiden
releasedoneofmyhandsandgraspedmyarmtightly,butnotenoughtohurt.
“Youaremine,KitEllis.Nomatterhowhardyoutrytofightit,thisthingbetweenusis
morethanasimplefuck.”Hegrowledandpulledmeagainsthischest.Beingthatcloseto
himphysicallyhurt.Iwasfallingforhim,butIneededtohavemyspace.Ineededtobe
somewherethatIcouldthinkwithouthiminmyface.
“Aiden,”Iwarned,tryingtopullaway,buthisholdwasjusttoostrong.
“YouneedtounderstandthatItakecareofmyown.”Hepaused,releasinghishold.
“Iwasdoingfinebymyself,”Ireplied,raisingmychin.“Idon’tneedhelp.”
“WhatabouttheafterschoolcareforKylie,huh?”hequestioned,butkeptspeakingsoI
couldn’tinterrupthim.“Whatabouttheextramouthyourunclehastofeed?Whatabout
herclothes?Whatabouttherundownapartmentyousharewithyourmom?Explaintome
howinthehellyouaregoingtoaffordthat?”
“I’msendingthemeverythingImake,”Ireplied,myvoicecrackingfromtheemotions
hewaspullingoutofme.“Hesaysit’senough.”
“Well,it’snot,Kit,”Aidensaid.
“Whatthefuckdoyoumean?”Iyelled,takingtwostepsawayfromhim.Thelastthing
Iwantedwastobethisclosetohim,becausehistouchscrambledmymind.Iwantedto
keepmywitsaboutmeforthisargumentthatIknewwasgoingtoendbadly.
“Rogertoldmethathe’dtakenanextrajobtosupplementthecostofhavingcustodyof
Kylie.”Aidenmovedtothecouchandsatdown.Wewerestillcloseintheconfinesofthe
bus,butatleastnowhewasgivingmesomespace.“Yourmotherwasnohelp,because
shespentallofthemoneyshehadondrugs.Yourunclewantsyoutosucceed,sohehas
beenworkingatthehardwarestorebyhishouse.”
“What?”Iwhispered,myvoicesuddenlygone.
“Kit,”Aidensighed,reachingoutandtakingmyhand.“Isentthemoneynotonlyfor
yoursister,butsoyourunclecouldquithissecondjob.”
“Ifeellikeyouarepayingmeforsex,”Iadmitted.
Aidenshotupfromhisseatandmovedtowardmeagain.Isteppedback.Myassmet
thedinettetable,andheleanedforwardtoputhishandsbesidemyhips,blockingmefrom
moving.Hisscentwasdrivingmecrazy.Whatevercologneheusedmingledwithhis
naturalscent,andthatalonewassomethingI’dcometoenjoy.Infact,itcausedalowache
inmysex.
“IfIeverhearyousaythatagain,Kit,Iwillblisteryourass,”hewarned,pressinghis
foreheadtomineasheloweredhisvoice.“Don’tquestionmeonthis.Iwantedtohelp.”
“Help?”Isnorted.
“Yes,help,”hereplied,steppingback.Iwasthankfulforthereprieve,butitdidn’tlast
long.Aidenusheredmetothebackofthebuswheretherewasalittlemoreprivacy.The
backroomwasusedmainlyforaquietspaceforustorelax.Therewasalong,black
leathercouchagainstthebackwallthattheguysusedwhentheywantedtowatch
televisionorplayvideogames.
“Idon’tneedyourhelp,”Icomplained.
“Well,yougotit,”hesaid,andhiswordswerefinal.“Andstopbeingsostubbornabout
this.”
“I’veneverhadsomeonetofallbackon,Aiden,”Iexplained,hangingmyheadinmy
hands.“Thisissohard.”
Acommotionpausedourargumentwhentherestofthebandandcrewboardedthebus.
Idecidedtogiveup…fornow.Aidenwasn’tgoingtobudge,andinallreality,hewas
right.Myuncleneededhelp.Ihadnoideahe’dtakenasecondjobtotakecareofKylie.
Ipushedpasthimanddidn’tspeaktoanyoneasIleftthebus.Thankfully,noone
followedmeasIfoundmywaybackouttothedrinktent,flashingmybadgeandordering
adrinktocalmmynerves.AssoonasIwasfinished,Imademywaytothesideofthe
stageandwatchedWickedEndperformafewsongs.Igrabbedanotherdrinkandwalked
aroundthebackstagearea,talkingtoafewofthebandmemberswhowerealsomilling
about,butmymindwasonwhatI’ddonewithAidenandhowIwasgoingtohandleitin
theweekstocome.
BythetimeAidenfoundmestandingatthebar,Iwasmorethanslightlybuzzed.The
bartenderhandedoveranotherdrink,andItookahugegulp,knowinghewasstanding
behindme.Ineededjustalittlemoreliquidcouragetogetthroughtherestofthenight.I
plannedoncallingmyunclethenextmorning,buttonight,Ijustwantedtonotthinkabout
everythingathomeandhowIshouldjustpackmybagssoIcouldgobackthere.
Aidenwalkedupbehindme,hiscallousedfingertracedthetopofmyshoulder.I
squeezedmyeyesclosed,notbecausethefeelingwasforeignorunwanted;rightthen,it
wastheopposite.Iwantedhim.IttookeveryounceofpowerIhadinmybodynottoturn
aroundandfallintohisarms.
TheproblemIhadwasthatIcouldeasilyseemyselffallinginlovewithhim.Aiden
waseverythingIeverwantedinacompanion.Hegotme.Heunderstoodmylifeonthe
road.Therewasn’tanythingthatwouldcauseaconcernbetweenuswhenItraveled,
becausehewouldbetherewithme.
“Kit,”hewhispered.Ishookmyheadanddidn’tturnaround.Ineededtimetosortout
thesefeelingsIhadforhim.
AideneventuallygaveupandleftwhenJudepushedhimtowardtheexit.Inoticed
themspeakinginhushedtonesforamomentbeforeAidendisappearedfrommysight.
Judetookaseattomyrightandorderedadrink.Hedidn’tspeaktome;justsattherein
silence.
IlookedatmyphoneandcursedwhenInoticedwehadtwentyminutesleftbeforeit
wastimetorolloutofLasVegas.Iflaggeddownthebartender,askingforadoubleshot.I
stayedatthedrinktentuntilthelastpossibleminute,lettingthealcoholwarmmyblood
andrelaxmymuscles.WhenIstoodfrommystoolwithshakylegs,Judewastherewitha
steadyarm.“I’vegotyou.”
“Thankyou,”Islurred.Wewalkedinsilenceuntilwewereoutofthetentandmoving
towardthebus.
“Heworriesaboutyou,”Judeofferedoncewewereoutofearshotfromanyone.
“Iknow,”Isighed.Eventhroughmydrunkenfog,IrealizedthatAidenwasagood
guy.Evenwithhisbadassappearanceandtoughasnailsstagepresence,thevocalistfor
SomethingWickedtrulywantedtohelpmeandmyfamily.Iwasstupidtoevenconsider
leaving.“God,I’vebeensuchanasstohim.”
“Oneofthesedays,”Judechuckled,“youtwoaregoingtorealizethatyou’reperfect
foreachother.”
Iwantedtoletgoandbehis…butcouldIbalanceworkandlove?
ChapterEleven
Aiden
Kitwasdrunkasshemadeherwayontothebuswithonlyminutestosparebeforewe
werescheduledtoleave.Judehelpedherintoherbunkandclimbedintohisown,
mumblingsomethingaboutcheckingonheratfirstlight.
Mybunkwasacrossfromhers,andIfoundmyselflayingtherewithmycurtainpulled
backsoIcouldkeepaneyeonher.Thelightsweredimmed,butthesmalltracklightingin
thefloorilluminatedtheareajustenoughthatIcouldseeherglassystareasshelaidon
herside.
“I’msorry,”shewhispered.
“Don’tbesorry,”Ireplied,keepingmyvoicelow.
“Ialmostleft,”shesaid,causingmyhearttostopbeatingforasecond.
“Iknow,baby,”Ireplied.
Sheshuffledaround,tuckingherhandunderhercheek.Iwatchedashereyesfluttered
closedonasoftsigh.Ithoughtshewasasleep,butafteramoment,hereyesopened.This
time,thereweretearspoolinginthecorners.Sheblinkedonce…twice,andtheyspilled
over,makingacrystaltrailoverhernoseandcheek.
“Scoot,”Iordered,droppingoutofmybunkandliftingmyselfsoIcouldslideinwith
her.Shebackedallthewaytothewall,allowingmetoslidebeneathhersoftblanket.Kit
wassmallenoughthatIcouldpullhertomychestandstillfitcomfortablyinthebunk.
“Idon’tknowwhattodo,”sheadmitted.
“Letgo,Kit,”Iurged,strokingherjawlinewiththebackofmyfinger.
“I’mscared.”
“I’mnot,”Ireplied,kissinghersoftlyonthelips.Shedidn’tresist,butshedidn’t
respond,either.Herbodyrelaxedintomine,andIknewrightthenherhardexteriorwas
crumbling.“Gotosleep,Kit.”
Imust’vetakenmyownadvice,becausethenextthingIrememberedwaswakingup
withKitstillnestledagainstmychest.Istrokedherhairandsighedquietly.Shefeltright
againstme…likeshewasdesignedtofitperfectly.
Iwasfallingforher,andfallingfast.
Atthatmoment,IrealizedshewaseverythingIwantedandneeded.Nootherwoman
appealedtomelikeKitEllisdid.
“Gobacktosleep,”Imumbledwhenshestartedtostir.“Wedon’thavetobeupyet.”
“Ineedtogetup,”shegroaned,coveringhereyesfromthesmallamountoflightthat
filteredinthroughtheslightlypartedcurtain.
Shecrawledovermeanddroppedtothegroundbeforehersoftfootfallsdriftedaway.I
rolledonmysideandbroughtherpillowcloser,inhalinghersweetscent.Thiscouldbe
mine…foreverifIclaimedherforgood.
KadeandJudeexitedtheirbunks,mumblinggreetingstoKitasshereturnedtothe
bunk,climbingbackinsidethecomfortofmyarms.“Jude’smakingcoffee.”
Welaidthereforseveralminutes.Itracedtheowl’swingswheretheypeekedoutofthe
flimsytanktopshewore.Herhandslidacrossmystomachandstoppedatmyhip.She
rubbedherthumbontheexposedskinabovethewaistbandofmyshorts.Thesoftness
causedmycocktorespondthesamewayitdidanytimeshetouchedme.Judehollered
thatthecoffeewasready,butwedidn’tmoveforafewminutes.Isighedandreluctantly
removedmyhandsfromherskin.
“Okay,”Isaid,pushingmyhairbackfrommyface,“I’llbeback.”
Ifoundmywaytothebathroom,brushingmyteethandhairbeforeIopenedthesmall
closetholdingmyclothes.Ishookoutanoldbandshirtandpulleditovermyhead.The
bushummedasitcontinueddowntheroad.IfoundmyphoneandgroanedwhenIsawit
wasn’tevennoon.SomuchforsleepingmostofthewaytoSeattle.
Asolidideaformedinmyhead.Ipulledupareservationsiteontheinternetandfound
whatIwasneeding.Aftertuckingmyphoneaway,Imademywaytowardthefrontofthe
bus.Kitwassittingatthesmalldinette,sippingcoffeeandthumbingthroughherphone.I
whisperedsomethingtoJoe,givinghimtheinformationformyplan.Hesmiledwidely
andgavemeanapprovingnod.
WhenIreturned,nooneaskedmewhatIwasdoing.Imadeacupofcoffeeandturned
aroundtoseeKitwasstilllostinwhatevershewaslookingatonherphone.Shefrowned
atsomething,thenslappedherphonefacedownonthetable.
“What’swrong?”Iasked,immediatelytakingaseattoherleft.
“Mymomisoutofjailandmovedeverythingoutofourapartment.”Shecursedand
coveredherfacewithonehand.Shetookadeepbreathandthensatupstraighter,swiping
herhandthroughtheair.“No,I’mnotgoingtoworryaboutthatuntilIgethome.”
“Youcanstaywithme,”Iblurted,realizingIhadjustofferedheraplaceinmyhome.
“Ican’t,”shereplied.
“Why?”
“Idon’twanttoimpose,”shesaid,lookingatmefromthecornerofhereye.
Myknucklebumpedherchin,causingKittoturnherheadinmydirection.Ileanedin
andtookherlipswithmine,tastingthesweetnessfromthecreamersheusedinhercoffee.
Ididn’treleaseherlipsuntilthetensionfledherbody.
“Whenareyougoingtoacceptthefactthatyouaremine?”
“Isthatwhatthisis?”shewhispered.Hereyesdarkenedashertonguesnakedoutand
ranalongherbottomlip.
“Yes,”Ibreathedout,capturingherlipsforanothertaste.
ChapterTwelve
Kit
Callmewhenyougetthis.Maggieisoutofjailandmovedeverythingoutofthe
apartment.
IstaredatthemessagefrommyuncleafterAidenhadfinallyreleasedmefromthekiss
thatcalmedmemorethanitshould’vewiththenewsI’djustbeengiven.Theconviction
inmymindtoleavemymothertoherviceswassolid.She’dmadeherbed,andIrefused
tolethertakemedownwithher.Shewasonherown.
“Excuseme,”Imumbled,standingupfromthedinette.Aidenstartedtofollowme
towardthebackofthebus,butIwavedhimoff,leavinghimstaringaftermeasIpushed
pastthebunkareaofthebus.OnceIenteredthebackloungeroom,Islidthepocketdoor
closedandhitthenumberformyuncle.
“Hey,Kit,”Rogergreetedsadly.Hesoundedtired.
“Howbadisshe?”Iasked,pinchingthebridgeofmynose.DidIevenwanttoknow
whathappened?
“She’sgone,”heanswered.“Shedidn’tevenleaveanotethistime.”Jesus!
“How’sKylie?”Ihadtoknowmybabysisterwasokay.Shewassoinnocentinallof
this.Howcouldamotherrunoffonherownchild?
“Kylieisgoingtobefine,”hepromised,hisdeepbaritonevoicestrongandsteady.
“She’ssomuchstrongerthanyourealize,Kit.Sheremindsmeofherbigsister.”Wehad
tobestrongintheenvironmentwelivedinwithher.There’dbeenseveraltimesI’dhadto
kickoutherdrugbuddiessotheywouldn’texposeKylietothatlifestyle.ItwasamiracleI
didn’tfallintothesamepitasmymother.Iguesswhenyou’vegrownupinthattoxicity,
youlearnwhatnottodoinlife.
“Ihopeyou’reright.”Ismiled,knowinghewastryingtocheermeup.Therewasa
longpauseovertheline.IknewRogerwasworkinghimselfuptoasksomething,butI
could’veneverguessedatwhatheaskednext.
“Doyoulovehim,Kit?”Aiden…hewantedtoknowifIlovedAiden.
“Idon’tknow,”Ioffered,knowingIwaslyingtonotonlymyself,buttheonlyfamilyI
hadotherthanmysister.
“Ithinkyoudo,”hechuckled.“Thatmanobviouslylovesyou.”
“Howcanyouknowthat?”Ichuffed.IfIcouldrollmyeyesanyharder,they’dhave
beenstuckinthebackofmyhead.
“Nomanwouldsendtengrandtothefamilyofawomanheisjustfriendswith.”He
paused,thensaid,“Iwantyoutobehappy.”
“Youandmeboth,”Ireplied,leaningmyheadbackagainstthecouch.“Doyouneed
metocomehome?”
Ihadnoideawherewewere,orhowcloseweweretoSeattle.Ournextfestivalwas
thatnight,andasbadasIwantedto,Icouldn’tleavethebandtorunhome.
“No,”heanswered.“Ihaveeverythingcoveredhere.”Rogerwastakinggoodcareof
Kyliewithmymomoutofthepicture.Thelegaldocumentsweresolid.Thatreallydidn’t
matter,becausewebothknewshedidn’twanttheresponsibilityofraisingherownblood.
She’dmadeherdecision.
Now,itwastimetomakemyownpathinlife.
“Youthere?”Rogeraskedaftermylongsilence.
“Yeah,”Ianswered.“Justthinking.”
“About?”hepushed.Rogerhadalwaysbeentheonewithalevelhead.Hecould
explainthemeaningoflifeinawaythatmadesenseandyou’dbelievehiseveryword.
“WhatIwant.”Ichuckled,pushingastrandofblondehairoutofmyeyes.
“Didyoufigurethatout?”helaughed.
“IthinkIdid.”Ihungupandstaredatthecloseddoor.IknewwhatIwanted.Iknew
whatIneeded…andhe’dbeeninfrontofmetheentiretime.Iwasjusttooworriedabout
whatIcouldlose,insteadofwhatIcouldgain,toseeitclearly.
ChapterThirteen
Aiden
Kitreturnedtothefrontofthebus,asoftsmileonherlips.Myheartdroppedintomy
stomachasIrealizedshewascomingtowardme…willingly.ThemomentIopenedmy
arms,shefellintomyembrace.Itiltedherheadbackandtookherlips,notcaringtohear
anythingshehadtosay.Iwantedtheconnectionwithhertobephysical.Therestcould
waitforlater.Iheardathroatclearandpulledawayfromher,lookingtowardthefrontof
thebus.Ourdriversmiledbroadlyashestoppedataredlight.“Fiveminutes,Aiden.”
“Thanks,”Ireplied.
“Fiveminutes?”Kitasked,hercutebrowpushingforward.Ireachedupandsmoothed
theskinthereandsmiled.“It’sasurprise.”
“Aiden,”shesaidcautiously,butIshutherupwithanotherheatedkissrighttherein
themiddleofthelivingareaofthebus…withmyentirebandandcrewwatching.
Noonespokeasthebuscametoastop.KitstartedtoprotestwhenIpulledhertoward
thefrontofthebus,butmyhardstarebroughtherupshort.Shepressedherlipstogether
andlookedoutthefrontwindowofthebus.Ididn’tevenrespondtohergaspwhenshe
sawthatwe’dpulleduptoahotel.
“Youhavefourhourstogettothevenue,”StevenwarnedasJoeopenedthedoor.
“Don’tbelate.”
Theweatherwasovercast.Adrearydaywasuponus,butIwasn’tgoingtoletitputa
damperonmyfeelingstowardKit.Whateverhadbeensaidonthatphonecallcausedher
moodtolightenenoughtoforgettheabsenceofthesun.
Weenteredthelobbyhandinhand,neitheroneofuswantingtoletgoofthe
connection.Imademywayovertothecheck-incounter,acceptingthekeytotheroomI’d
alreadyreservedonline.Withinafewminutes,weweretakinganelevatoruptothe
seventhfloor.
“Aiden?”KitquestionedwhenIpushedthedoortotheroomopenwide.“What’sgoing
on?”
“Weneedprivacy,”Ireplied,tossingthekeycardonthesmalldeskbythedoor.
“For?”sheasked,takingaseatontheedgeofthebed.Shewasn’tafraidofme,andI
wasthankfulforthat,becauseinthatmoment…Ineededher.
Itwastime.
Droppingtomykneesatherfeet,Itookherhandsintomineandlookedupintoher
beautifulblueeyes.“Kit,Ineedyou.Idon’tknowwhatthehellisgoingonwithus,butI
feelsomethingwhenyouarenearme.Ifuckingcraveyou.”
“Aiden,”shegasped,squeezingmyhand.“I’vebeenacompletejerktoyou.”
“Becauseyouthoughtbeingminewasforbidden,right?”Iasked,alreadyknowingI
wasright.Sheplayedbytherules;somuchmorethanIeverdid.
“Yeah,”shesaid,hervoicecrackingattheend.
“It’snotforbidden,Kit,”Ipromised.“I’vefoughtmyattractiontoyouforfartoo
long.”
“SohaveI,”sheadded,thensmiled.
“Tellmeyou’llbemine,”IbeggedasIliftedmyselffromthefloor.I’dneverbeenone
tobegatanyone’sfeet,butI’ddoiteverysingledayfortherestofmylifeifitmeantKit
wouldbemine,andminealone.
“Iwanttobeyours,”shesaid.
ShemoanedwhenIlungedforher,pushingherbackonthebedandtakingherlipsina
tangleoftonguesandgrowlsofneed.Hernailsscoredmybackasshedraggedmyshirt
overmyhead.Myhandsfumbledwithherpantsand,beforeIknewit,shewascompletely
barebeneathme.
“God,you’resobeautiful,”ImoanedasIpressedagainstherpussy,feelinghowwet
shewasforme.Ididn’tevenwaitforhertoadjust,pullingherlegsupandovermyhips
onlyasplitsecondbeforeIthrustdeepinsideher.
“Fuck,Aiden,”shemoaned,liftingherhipstohelpmesinklowerintoherwarmth.
“Idon’tknowwhattomorrowwillbring,”IbeganasIslowedmymovements,“but
whatIdoknowisthatIwantyoubymysideineverything…musicandlife.”
Herbodytrembledbeneathme.Thesoftmoansthatfellfromherlipsweremadejust
forme,andIgrowledasIfelthertightenaroundmycock.“Don’tyoudarecome!”
“I…please…need,”shestuttered,rollingherheadfromsidetoside.Thosesharpnails
dugintomyforearmsandtheburnregisteredaspleasureinsteadofpain.Fuck,shewas
perfectforme.
“No,”Ismirked.“I’mnotdonewithyou.Wehavehours.”
“Fuckme,”shesnarled,buckingagainstme.Mylittlehellcatraisedupandrolledher
shoulderagainstmine,throwingmeofftotheside.Shedidn’twastetimeclimbingontop
ofmeandgraspingmycockwithherhand.“Myturn.”
Airhissedthroughmyteethwhenshetookmebackinside,placingherhandsonmy
stomachandrollingherhips.Thesensationcausedmyballstotightenalmosttothepoint
ofpain,andIhadtogritmyteethtokeepfromspillinginsideher.
“Fuck,”Igrowled,grabbingKit’shipstostophermovements.“Weforgotcondoms.”
“I’monthepill,”shepurred,anaughtysmirktiltingatthecornerofherlip.“Now,shut
upandfuckme,AidenHawke.”
“Yes,ma’am,”Ireplied,chucklingasIpulledherforwardsomycockslidcompletely
freefromhersex.Shestartedtocurseatmeagain,butwhenItuckedmyarmsunderher
legsandpulledherpussytomyface,mylittlesassybassistshutthehellup.
However,shedidscreammynameeachtimeImadehercomeforthenextfewhours.
“I’mgoingtomakeyoucomeoverandover…untilyoufinallyadmitthatyouare
mine.”
“I’myours,Aiden,”shepanted,fallingtomyside.Ipulledheroversoherheadwas
restingagainstmyheart.“IthinkIwasyoursthefirsttimeyoutouchedme.”
“Iknewyouwereminefromthemomentyouwalkedintotheaudition,”Iadmitted,
kissinghersoftlyontheforehead.“Iwantyoutomoveinwithme.”
“IthinkIwantthattoo,”shewhispered,tiltingherheadbacksoshecouldlookintomy
eyes.“Iwassostupidtopushyouaway.”
“Areyougoingtoletmehelpyourunclewiththethingsheneedsforyoursister?”I
asked,hopingshewouldn’trefuseme.“Ifyouaretrulymine,KitEllis,youwilllearnthat
Iwillprovideforyouineveryway.Thatmeanshelpingoutwithyourfamily,too.”
“Iwasafooltothinkhecoulddoitonhisown,”shesaid,tearspoolinginhereyes.I
reachedupandwipedawaythefirstonethatfelloverandtraileddownhercheek.
“Raisingakidishard,”Ioffered.“Mymotherworkedtwojobstosupportme.”
“Whataboutyourdad?”sheasked.
“Nevermettheguy.”Ishruggedandtouchedthesideofherface.“Ihadmymomand
that’sallIeverneeded…untilnow.”
“AidenHawke,”shesmirked.“Yousureknowhowtotellagirlyouloveher.”
“ButIhaven’tsaidityet,”Iteased.ShehadtoknowthatIlovedher.“Idoloveyou,
KitEllis.”
“Iknow,”shemurmured,touchingthesideofmyface.
Glancingattheclock,IsmiledwhenIrealizedwehadanotherforty-fiveminutes
beforewehadtocatchacabtothevenue.Kitranherhandsthroughmyhairandcaptured
mylipsbeforeIcoulddothesame.Hertonguetracedoneofmytwopiercings,andI
growledoutmypleasureasIsunkbackintoherawaitingheat.
Itwasdone.
Kitwasmine.
Epilogue
2YearsLater
Aiden
“Youready,baby?”Iasked,givingKitawink.
“I’msoready,”shelaughed,rufflingoutherhairthatwasnowahotpink.
IwaitedforJoetoopenthedoorbeforetakingKit’shandintomyown.Foursecurity
guyswaitedforusoutside,andaswesteppedoffthebus,theymadeabarrieraroundusto
escortustothestage.Peoplestaredwhenwemovedasonethroughthelineofbusesand
towardthemainstage.
Nighthadfalleninthedesert.Theroarofthecrowdcausedarushofadrenalinto
coursethroughmybody.Thousandsofpeoplechantedournameaswesetouttoheadline
theGetRockedFestivalinLasVegas.Haditonlybeentwoyearssincewewerehereasan
opener?Somuchhadchangedsincethattime.Wewerenowatthetopofthecharts,
sellingoutarenaseverywherewetoured.
“Twominutes,”atechinformedmeashesteppeduptoourside.“Goodluckout
there.”
WatchingmybeautifulwifeprepareforourheadlinedebutoftheGetRockedFestival,
IrealizedhowthankfulIwasthatshe’dcometotheauditionandblewmeawaywithher
talent.WemarriedayearandahalfagoattheJusticeofthePeaceindowntownPhoenix.
HeruncleandbabysisterweretherewithJudeandKade.Theyweretheonlyfamilywe
hadandneededtowitnessourvowstoeachother.
Kyliewasnowenrolledinaprivateschool,gettingthebesteducationwecouldbuy.
Herunclewaslivinginourguesthouse,workingformeasthecaretakerforourhome.It
waseasierthatway.Kitcouldtourandnotworryaboutherfamilyanymore.
Hermotherdiedsixmonthsago,succumbingtotheevilsthathadplaguedher.We
buriedherproperly,andKitsteppeduptotheplate,puttinghersister’sfutureaheadofany
heartacheshefeltoverthewomanwhogaveherlife.
“Youready?”Kitasked,bringingmebacktothepresent.
“Yes,ma’am.”Ismiled,placingaquickkissonthecornerofherlips.
Judeslippedouttohiskitunderthecoverofdarkness.Oncehewasinplace,Inodded
towardKade.Heraisedhisknucklesinourdirectionaswebumpedthemforgoodluck.
Whenwebrokeaway,IwaitedforKittotakethethreeshortstepsuptothestagebefore
followingher.Thelightsfloodedthestageasthespotlightcenteredonmyface.Ismiled
widelyandraisedmyvoicetotheair.
“HELLO,LASVEGAS!”
TheEnd…
AboutTheresaHissong:
TheresaisamotheroftwoandthewifeofaretiredAirForceMasterSergeant.After
seventeenyearstravelingthecountry,movingfrombasetobase,thefamilyhassettled
theirrootsbackinTheresa’shometownofOliveBranch,MS,wheresheenjoyshertime
withfamilyandfriends.
Afteralmostthreeyearsofmanagingaretailbookstore,Theresahasgonebehindthe
scenestowriteromanticstorieswithflare.Sheenjoysspendingherafternoons
daydreamingoftheperfectloveaffairandputsthoseideastopaper.