Текст книги "Rock Hard"

Автор книги: Olivia Cunning

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Текущая страница: 23 (всего у книги 24 страниц)

Brian poked his head out of the recording booth and beckoned Sed over with a wave. When Eric tried to follow Sed into the booth, Brian shoved him out and closed the door.

“Trey and I got to talking last night and we think you should propose to Jessica this Saturday onstage in San Francisco. During the break, you can sing that song you wrote for her. Trey and I have some great acoustic guitar music worked out for it.”

Sed scratched his head in confusion. Why was Brian so insistent on him proposing to Jessica?

I do want to sing her the song, but why do I need to do it onstage?

Brian read the message and smiled. “She’ll love it. Remember how happy she was the first time you proposed publicly? And you didn’t even sing to her that time.”

“Come on, Sed,” Trey said, leaning against the door to keep Eric, who was banging into it repeatedly outside the booth.

I’ll think about it. The “slip the ring on her finger while she wasn’t looking” idea was still his favorite option.

“Well, don’t take too long to decide. We’ve only got a week to prepare.”

Yeah, okay, whatever.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, I’ll do it,” Sed rasped, his annoyance level increasing enough to prompt speech. Why had he refused pain meds again? It’s not like he’d fall into Trey’s pattern of addiction. And he could really use a reprieve from this agony.

“Don’t mention it to Eric,” Brian whispered. “You know he can’t keep a secret.”

Sed nodded. That was true.

“Will you just let me in?” Eric yelled.

Trey moved away from the door and Eric burst into the booth.

“Oh,” Trey said, “were you trying to get in?”

“What are you guys doing in here?” Eric asked suspiciously.

“Nothing that you need to worry about,” Brian said with a wicked smile.

Chapter 50

Even though Sed’s doctor had given him the okay to talk normally and to sing at Sinners’ concert the next night, Jessica insisted he keep writing on his dry erase board to save his voice for the concert. His throat was perfectly fine. Mostly.

They were in the car on their way to her surprise destination and she was still threatening him with canceling their trip. He continued to obey her, but once they were there, all bets were off. He was tired of writing on this stupid fucking board.

Where are we going? Sed wrote on the board.

“It’s a surprise.”

Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the unfamiliar driveway of a vast estate. At the gate, she gave both their names. The gate swung open and she drove up the lane.

What are we doing here?

She was too busy finding her way to the airstrip behind the modern-styled mansion to read his message.

“Jess?” he grabbed her arm.

“Relax, sweetheart. Flying will get us there faster.”

“Flying?”

“Shh. Dare said we could borrow his jet. And his pilot. Good thing. I don’t know how to fly. Do you?”

“His jet?”

“Well, it actually belongs to Exodus End, but they park it on Dare’s airstrip. Since they’re touring by bus this month, it’s not getting much airtime. He said we could use it.”

“Since when does Dare have an airstrip?”

“I dunno. Jace suggested it.”

“Jace?” Had Jessica ever even spoken to Jace?

“Yes, Jace. Apparently, Jace and Dare are pretty close friends. And your band mates have some kind of bet going. I’m not sure where Dare fits into their scheme.”

Sed’s brow furrowed. Bet? “What bet?”

She grinned. “Like I’d tell you that. I wouldn’t want Brian and Trey to win.” She winked at him and parked the car near the hangar. A black jet with Exodus End’s band logo painted on the side awaited their arrival. What in the hell was his woman up to?

* * *

Jessica sat in the beige leather airplane seat and stowed her purse under her feet. She knew she was gawking, but couldn’t help it. The six luxurious seats in the cabin were arranged so that each pair faced its partner. There was a sofa. A wide screen TV. Was that a wet bar? Her gaze darted from one extravagance to the next.

Sed took the seat across from her and fastened his seat belt. The pilot, dressed in ripped black jeans and an Exodus End T-shirt, looked less like a pilot and more like a roadie. Or a fan. He wandered through the cabin to speak to them. “It’s a short flight. We should be there in less than an hour and a half. The rest-room is aft.” He grinned at their clueless expressions. “Meaning to the back.”

Jessica spotted a door in a gleaming wood panel at the back of the plane.

“The galley is only partially stocked,” the pilot continued, “but there’s beer in the fridge. Maybe some pretzels and nuts in the cabinet. I dunno.”

“Ice?” Sed asked hoarsely.

Jessica scowled. She still didn’t think his voice was up to doing an entire live show. He should be in bed. Resting. Not gallivanting around San Francisco so she could surprise him with some over-the-top marriage proposal.

“Yeah, there’s crushed ice in the freezer. Dude, I heard about what happened to you onstage last week. Is your voice okay?”

Sed nodded resolutely.

“I’ll get you some ice.” Jessica stood and moved to the galley area near the front of the jet. It had marble countertops, for crying out loud. Apparently, Exodus End was doing very well. Jessica dispensed some ice chips into a clear plastic cup, which had their band logo on the side (for crying out loud), and returned to Sed’s side.

He smiled in gratitude when she handed him the cup, and then he shook some ice into his mouth. His eyes drifted closed in bliss.

Poor baby.

“…so they decided if they’re going to tour the world next year, they might as well buy a jet. Plus Dare is dating some chick in Hawaii. Like there aren’t enough gorgeous women in California for him to bone. So we’re in the air whenever he stops by home and Max keeps getting pissed off ’cause Dare’s using the jet for his personal entertainment,” the roadie/pilot jabbered. “I never thought I’d be flying a jet for Exodus End. And now for the Sed Lionheart. Fuckin’ sweet!”

“Is Max going to be pissed that Dare let us borrow the band’s jet?” Jessica asked. It felt kind of strange talking about the lead singer of Exodus End like she knew him. She didn’t. Like most people on the planet she knew of Maximilian Richardson, but that wasn’t the same thing.

“Dare won’t give a shit. It’s Dare.” The pilot spread his arms wide as if that explained everything. He burst into laughter, which eventually ended in a snort. “Besides, vocalists and lead guitarists always butt heads. It’s some unspoken rule. I think it has something to do with their enormous egos.” The guy’s eyes widened and he glanced down at Sed. “I didn’t mean you and Sinclair.”

Sed shrugged and shook more ice into his mouth. “We butt heads on occasion.”

The dude checked his watch. “Time to hit the road, or the sky, I suppose,” he said. “Where the fuck is Jordan? You can’t fly a plane without a pilot.”

“I thought you were our pilot,” Jessica said.

“Copilot. I don’t have enough flight hours. No worries. Jordan is awesome. She used to fly a Harrier in the Royal Navy.”

She used to fly a Harrier?

An attractive blonde dressed like a pilot (thank God) in a trim blue skirt suit and doofusey pill-shaped hat entered the plane and poked the copilot in the shoulder. “Did you do the safety check, Lee?” She spoke with a strong British accent.

“Yep, this bird is ready to fly.”

“Good.” Her eyes met Sed’s and then Jessica’s. Her brusqueness vanished as she smiled warmly. “Sit back and relax, friends. We’ll have you to your destination shortly.”

Jordan turned and strode to the cockpit at the front of the plane. Jessica returned to her seat and fastened her seat belt.

“I’ll close off the cockpit and give you two a little privacy.” Lee winked at Sed and offered his palm for five. “Mile high club, baby.”

Sed indulged the guy by slapping his hand and then shook more ice into his mouth.

“You’ll need to keep your seat belts fastened during takeoff,” Lee informed them and then headed for the cockpit. He slid a wooden panel shut, sealing the cabin from the front of the plane.

“Is the ice helping?” Jessica asked Sed.

He blinked.

“Are you up for this?”

He checked his crotch, adjusting his jeans to allow room for expansion. “Give me a couple of minutes and I’ll be all the way up.”

She shook her head at him. “I meant this day trip. You should probably be resting up for your concert tomorrow. I feel guilty.”

“You feel guilty for fulfilling all my fantasies?”

“Yes. Please rest your voice.”

He picked up his dry erase board. U R 2 far away.

She stretched out one leg and could just reach his toes. “I agree.”

The engines roared to life at the back of the plane.

Sofa? he wrote and cocked his head toward the sofa.

She didn’t know if it was the safest place to be during a takeoff, but it had seat belts, so it must be okay. She unfastened her seat belt and darted across the aisle just as the plane began to taxi. She secured herself to the sofa and Sed settled beside her, his cup of ice in one hand, dry erase board in the other. She fastened his seat belt for him and snuggled up against his side, finding his solid warmth comforting, yet unsettling. He set his board aside and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Yes, this was much better. She wondered if Jace and Eric were on their way to the Golden Gate Bridge yet. A flutter of nerves danced through her belly. She mustn’t let herself think about what was in the works for sunset. She and Sed still had an entire day to enjoy together and she refused to be distracted by something that wouldn’t take place for another ten hours.

Oh, who was she kidding? She was a wreck. What if Sed wasn’t ready to get engaged again?

“Please make sure your cell phone is turned off through the entire duration of the flight,” Jordan announced over the intercom.

Sed dug his cell phone out of his pocket and flipped it open, then pointed to the screen, showing Jessica that he had a message.

“It will wait until we get to San Francisco.”

So that’s where we’re going, Sed wrote.

Sed turned off his phone, shoved it back into his pocket, and drew her closer. He kissed her hungrily, his mouth cold from the ice. She clung to his collarbone, her entire body hot from the man.

Before the plane even left the ground, he had her dress half off and her senses fully ignited. She checked to make sure the door concealing the cockpit was still closed and then unfastened his pants. As promised, he was all the way up.

“I’ve never done it on a plane,” he whispered in her ear, his eyes glassy with excitement, his face flushed.

“Until now.”

Her fingers trailed lightly down the length of his cock. He sucked a breath between his teeth.

“Tell us to take off our seat belts,” he chanted. “Tell us to take off our seat belts.”

Jessica continued to tease him while his hand kneaded one bare breast gently. His fingertips plucked at her nipple. More kneading. More plucking. Not nearly enough fucking. She groaned.

“Ah God, Sed, hurry. I need you.” She grabbed his cock to show him how much.

“Jess. Jess.”

As the plane gained altitude, her ears popped. The plane dipped as they hit a pocket of turbulence.

“Hold tight, folks,” the pilot said over the intercom, “and please remain seated through this rough patch here.”

Sed’s hand moved to Jessica’s other breast. He tossed more ice chips in his mouth and sucked a cool trail along the side of her neck.

His hand moved to the hem of her dress and slid it upward to reveal her mound. She spread her legs and closed her eyes. She wouldn’t be able to handle watching his hand bringing her pleasure. His fingertips separated her swollen flesh and slid over her clit. She shuddered violently. Or maybe that was the plane hitting turbulence again. He quickly sent her senses spiraling high above the earth and it had nothing to do with the miracle of flight.

“Ah God, Sed, I can’t stand it.”

“We are now at cruising altitude,” Jordan said over the intercom, “feel free to move about the cabin…” The rest of her words didn’t register.

Sed released both their seat belts, flattened Jessica on her back upon the sofa, and plunged into her body with a groan of torment. Jessica cried out as her body strained against his, taking its pleasure instantly in a deep, pulsating orgasm. His hard, quick strokes carried him to join her seconds later. He held her hips while he erupted inside her, his cock buried as deeply as possible, his face contorted in ecstasy. He took a gasping breath and collapsed on top of her, cradling her body in his arms.

He chuckled, his body quaking above her. “Sorry about that, sweetheart. I didn’t realize you had me that worked up.”

She cupped his face to get him to look at her. “I liked it. It was exciting.” As she stared into his sky blue eyes, she knew he never got that worked up over any other woman. Just her.

“You want to try again?”

“Many, many times,” she said, “but later. While we’re sightseeing.”

His cock twitched inside her. “If I didn’t already love you, Jessica Chase, I’d fall in love with you all over again, every minute of every day.”

She kissed him, emotions stealing her breath. She gazed up at him, brushing her thumb along his cheekbone. “You can be so sweet sometimes.”

He rolled his eyes. “That secret dies with you. Promise me.”

“I promise.”

He grinned, both dimples making an appearance. “So what are we going to do today in San Francisco?”

She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “What aren’t we going to do?”

Chapter 51

Sed’s woman was awesome. They’d enjoyed a soft-food lunch in Chinatown followed by hot, uninhibited sex against a wall in some back alley. She’d taken him to the top of Coit Tower in all its phallic glory and they’d gazed out over magnificent views of San Francisco with his cock buried inside her from behind. His black leather duster was undoubtedly the best clothing investment he’d ever made. After hiking up several hills from hell and getting “lost” in some bushes for about an hour, they’d gone to an art museum. He didn’t remember much of what they’d seen there. The most interesting and beautiful thing in the place had been the woman with him. And how was he supposed to concentrate on art and culture and refinement and all that bullshit when she kept rubbing her succulent ass against his ever-attentive cock? She’d driven him so mad with lust, he’d eventually pulled her into a supply closet and she’d given him the best blow job of his life.

He had no idea where the limo was taking them now, but realized he enjoyed letting Jessica run the show. She was damn good at it.

“Are you tired?” she asked.

Exhausted, but he’d never admit that to her. “I’m fine.”

“We can relax on the boat.”

His interest perked. “Boat?”

“A romantic dinner and sunset on the bay.”

“Sounds wonderful. Why did you go to all this trouble?”

“Because I love you.”

“And how did you afford it?” Not that he was unwilling to pay for it. If she put it on his credit card, he was perfectly okay with that. He just wondered.

“Myrna paid me. And I got my scholarship back, so I had some extra cash to blow.”

He stared at her in disbelief. “You were irresponsible with money for me?”

She scowled, that wonderful hair trigger temper of hers exploding. “I wouldn’t call it irrespons—”

He cut off her words with a hungry kiss. When she went limp and compliant in his arms, he pulled away and stared into her lovely jade-green eyes. “The best day of my life used to be the day I asked you to marry me onstage in Pittsburgh, but as memorable as that was, today has been even better.”

She smiled at him. “It’s not over yet.”

“It can’t possibly improve.”

“I’ll consider that a challenge.”

Oh yes, please do. His cock stirred in his pants again. Before he could make good use of his excitement, the limo let them out at Fisherman’s Wharf. The crowd buzzed with curiosity in their wake. He didn’t know if it was because people recognized them or because they’d been riding in a limousine, but no one approached. Jessica took his hand and led him to a large sailboat near the end of a dock. The captain greeted them, handed Jessica a picnic basket, and within minutes they were on their way across the water. He needed to call Brian to tell him he was already in San Francisco. They wouldn’t be riding to the venue together as they’d planned.

“I need to use the restroom,” he told her and kissed her gently.

She glanced out at the western horizon anxiously. “Hurry back,” she said and started removing things from the picnic basket, carefully arranging them on the small round table on the deck.

In the bathroom, Sed turned on his cell phone and it beeped. New message. Three of them. All from Brian.

The first message said, “Sed, you need to stay home today. Eric and Jace are up to something. Call me.”

Eric and Jace?

And the second, “Dare told us you’re on your way to San Francisco with Jessica. I hope you check your messages soon. I have something important to tell you. Call me. Immediately.”

The final message, “Sed, whatever you do, don’t get on that boat!”

Sed’s heart sank to his toes. Too late for that. He was already on the boat. Was Jessica planning to kill him and then dump his body overboard before sailing off into the sunset with his drummer and bassist? And how did Brian know about their plan? Was he in on it or trying to save Sed’s life? Palms sweating, Sed dialed Brian and waited for him to answer.

“Finally. I’ve been waiting for you to call me back all day.”

“What the fuck is going on, Brian?”

“Please tell me you’re not on the boat.”

“I’m on the boat.”

“Shit!” Brian then spoke to someone on his end, “He’s already on the boat.”

“Shit!” Trey said in the background.

Brian spoke into his phone again, “Okay, moving on to plan B.”

Sed scratched his head behind his ear. “Plan B. What was Plan A?”

“You’ve got to do it today, buddy. Like, right now.”

Sed was not following him. Like, at all. “Do what?”

“Propose to Jessica.”

“Yeah, tomorrow during the concert. We already planned the whole thing.”

“You can’t wait. Go do it right now.”

“Now? What’s going on, Brian?”

Brian hesitated and then sighed loudly. “I can’t say.”

“Tell him,” Trey said loud enough for Sed to hear.

“It’s not a fair win if we tell him. It won’t count.”

“I’m not getting the tattoo of Eric’s choice on my ass because you’re being some honorable douche bag,” Trey said. “Give me the damn phone. I’m telling him.”

Sed held the device away from his ear as his two guitarists wrestled over Brian’s phone. Loudly. Apparently, Brian won.

“You have to ask her to marry you before sunset. Okay?” Brian said breathlessly. “Just trust me on this. You know I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”

“I’m not asking her until she hears her song. It’s the only reason I haven’t proposed yet.” Well, that, and he was nervous. Also putting the ring on her finger in her sleep hadn’t worked out so well.

“So sing it to her.”

“Without music? Don’t be stupid, Brian. You and Trey have been rehearsing her song all week.”

“What about the recording you guys made a couple years ago?” Sed heard Trey say in the background.

“Yes! I forgot about the recording. Perfect! Sed, if I play the song for her over the phone, will you ask her? We can still play it for her live at the concert tomorrow.” Brian made a sound of desperation—half whine, half groan. “Please.”

Brian never asked Sed for much and he owed the guy a lot. Sed sighed in annoyance, knowing he couldn’t refuse. “If you send me the song, I guess so.”

Brian released a sigh of relief. “Thank God. I hope I still have it. I’ll check my files and call you back A.S.A.F.P.”

“Fine,” Sed said. “You know, if you crazy bastards would quit making stupid bets…”

“You’ve made your share of stupid bets.”

Sed couldn’t deny it.

“I’ll try to find it,” Brian continued, “but if for some reason I can’t, promise you’ll ask her anyway. Before sunset.”

What was the big deal with sunset? Was she going to turn into an ogre or something?

“I’ll ask her. When I’m ready.”

Trey was hollering, “What did he say? Is he going to save our asses? I mean literally. Brian?” when Sed disconnected.

Sed still didn’t completely understand the bet or what Eric and Jace had to do with anything. Maybe Jessica could explain it. He set his phone on vibrate and stuffed it back in his pocket. Before returning to deck, he used the bathroom facilities and washed up in the little sink. He no longer thought Jessica planned to kill him (well, probably not), but he was a bit leery of her intentions now that he knew she was in on some stupid bet his band mates had devised. No telling what he was in for.

On deck, he took the chair across from her and she smiled sweetly, the sinking sun making her strawberry blonde hair glow a pale gold.

“Canned peaches? They should be easy on your throat.”

His throat really wasn’t bothering him at all, but he nodded, unlikely to ever refuse her coddling. “What happens at sunset?”

She dropped her fork in the big container of peaches. “The sun goes down.”

He shook his head at her. “Smartass,” he murmured with a crooked grin. After she retrieved the fork, he watched her lick peach syrup off her fingers.

“Why did you ask me that?” she asked suspiciously.

“I just talked to Brian on the phone. He seemed to think something significant was going to happen at sunset. Something involving Eric and Jace. You aren’t planning to murder me, are you?”

Her initial stunned expression quickly turned to uneasy laughter. “Murder you? Eh, no, not exactly.”

“Then what exactly are you planning on doing?”

“It’s a surprise. A good one. I promise.” She offered him a peach with her fork. “Just relax, okay? You’re making me nervous.”

He slurped the peach down his throat. “Making you nervous?”

“Look,” she said, pointing at something over his shoulder. “There’s Alcatraz.”

Why was she pointing out one of the most horrible prisons in existence? Maybe she was just trying to distract him. They were sailing away from Alcatraz and closer to the Golden Gate Bridge over her shoulder.

“And there’s the Golden Gate Bridge.”

She glanced behind her and turned a sickly shade of green. “Already?”

The closer they got to the bridge, the greener she looked.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded slightly. Fed him another peach.

Sed’s phone vibrated in his pocket. His heart skipped a beat. He hoped it meant Brian had found the music file. At the same time, nerves were getting the better of him. They should just wait until tomorrow.

The sun sank lower, appearing as a glowing red-orange ball on the horizon.

His phone vibrated again. He took a deep breath and pulled his phone from his pocket. It was Brian.

“I need to take this, sweetheart. Excuse me.” He turned his back on her and answered, “What?”

“I found it. Put Jessica on the phone and I’ll play it for her.”

Sed took a deep breath and handed her the phone. This was it.

She gave him an odd look as she took the phone from his hand.

“Brian has something you need to listen to.”

She glanced at the bridge behind her. It loomed larger and larger with each passing moment. “Can it wait?”

“Please.”

She held the phone up to her ear. “Brian?”

He said something to her, Sed could only guess what. Her expression changed from curiosity to wonder, and then her eyes filled with unexpected tears.

“Oh no, don’t do that,” Sed said.

“You wrote this song?” She covered her lips with trembling fingers. “For me?” she asked, her voice cracking.

“Yes, I wanted you to hear it before—”

“It’s beautiful.”

The time was right. Certainty replaced his nervousness in an instant. He removed her ring from his pocket and went down on one knee before her. “Jessica,” he said, his heart full to bursting, “will you mar—”

Her eyes widened. “No. No, don’t do that. Not now. You’ll ruin everything.” She dropped his phone, stood, and pulled him to his feet by his shirt.

Her verbal slash to his heart stole his breath.

No? She’d said no. How could she say no?

Jessica turned and waved vigorously at the bridge overhead with both arms. She took Sed’s hands in hers. He felt it. He saw it. Her love. It was there in her eyes. So clear he could reach out and touch it. Why had she refused him?

Why?

The ring. It was too small. She deserved better. What had she said when she’d thrown it at him two years ago? Hock that cheap piece of shit. But even if that was her reasoning, he could not accept it. Would not. She loved him. He knew she did. So why? Why had she said no? What could he have done differently? He couldn’t let her go again. He just couldn’t. She had to—

“Sed, sweetheart. Look up at the bridge.”

Sed obeyed, too stunned to argue. He could barely hear the roar of a motorcycle on the bridge far above and then an enormous white banner unfurled over the edge of San Francisco’s most famous landmark. Will was written on the banner in huge red letters. A few seconds later a second banner opened. you. And then a third. marry. Someone (Jace?) was riding a motorcycle across the pedestrian walk of the bridge and opening the banners one by one. me. And the final banner fluttered open: .

“Pez?”

“Oh no, they got the last banner upside down.” Jessica laughed and then looked up at Sed. “It’s supposed to say Will you marry me, Sed?” She smiled anxiously. “Well? Will you?”

Her beautiful face blurred as ridiculous, sentimental tears filled his eyes. He wiped at them with the heels of his hands. She was asking him? For real? Yes, yes, God yes. He lifted her left hand, pressed it to his trembling lips, and then, at long last, slid her ring on her finger.

She glanced down at it and gasped. “This is my ring. The one you gave me in Pittsburgh.”

He nodded, incapable of speech. His heart clogged his throat.

“You kept it? You didn’t hock it to fix your tour bus?”

“It never left my pocket. It’s yours, Jessica. Always has been, always will be,” he said breathlessly. “And now it’s back where it belongs. On your finger.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I can’t even tell you how much this means to me.” She clutched her hand to her chest, pressing the ring against her heart. Now her eyes were filling with ridiculous, sentimental tears. But they looked good on her. Sed cupped her cheek and kissed her tenderly, glad that insignificant trinket meant the world to her as it always had to him. After a long moment, she drew away from his caressing kiss.

“You never answered me,” she whispered. “Will you marry me, Sed?”

Unable to catch his breath, much less form words, he did the only thing a singer without a voice could do: he blinked.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Jessica grinned and tackled him to the deck. She made short work of his shirt and feverishly pressed her lips along the hard ridge between his pecs, down his quivering belly to his belt buckle. “I’m feeling incredibly naughty, Sedric. How about we consummate this engagement, right here, right now?”

He smiled, knowing both his damned dimples were showing, but he was too giddy to care. “I accept your terms, counsel.”

She straddled his hips and pulled her dress off over her head. Her naked skin glowed like honey in the final rays of sunset. He covered her breasts with both hands and her eyes drifted closed in bliss. Dear God, this woman was awesome. His woman. His heart. His Jessica. His.

Sed was the happiest man on the planet. Life could not have been more perfect.