Текст книги "Lyric"

Автор книги: Regina Frame

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 9 страниц)

Peyton

That night we sent one of the guards out for food. We all sat around the coffee table in the living room eating Chinese food from little boxes, while the guys shared stories about being on the road, and how all the groupies threw themselves at Levi because he had the Ken doll look about him. They were obviously trying to keep the mood light and lift his spirits, if that was even possible. It actually worked for a short period.

"Hence the tattoos, baby," he said, looking at me with a wink.

"You actually thought that would turn them off of you?" I laughed. He nodded his head and then shrugged.

"Boy were you wrong!" I laughed. "Babe, tattoos are chick magnets. Every hot-blooded woman loves a bad boy with tattoos."

"Amen to that," Honesty said, giving Linc goo-goo eyes.

"You can say that again," Honor said, flipping her pink and blond hair over her shoulder and then smiled at Chance, who was sitting across from her.

"I'm gonna head upstairs guys," Levi said, holding out his hand for me to take. I placed my fingers in his warm hand and said goodnight to the others before following Levi up the stairs.

"Goodnight, sweet . . ." His mouth crashed down on mine, he pulled me into his bedroom, and closed door with his foot.

"Need you in here tonight, babe," he said against my lips. I didn't argue. I started with the buttons on his shirt because he'd already stripped himself of his tie. Each open button revealed tanned, toned abs and as I moved my way up hard pecks with colorful ink across his broad chest. I slid the shirt from his shoulders and along his inked arms, until it hit the ground at our feet.

I placed a kiss on each of his flat nipples while my fingers worked their magic on his belt and the button of his black slacks. With one push, they landed around his ankles and he stepped out of them, leaving him standing in front of me in all his naked glory. Muscles upon muscles; ink upon beautiful ink. I traced my fingers over his pecks and then they feathered along the indentions of each well-defined muscle and straight to the deep-V that led me strait to glory land. I dropped to my knees and wrapped my small hand around his hard cock that stood proudly, begging for my attention. He sucked in a breath and his head fell back on a groan.

"Baby, you don't have to do this,” he breathed, but I could tell it was what he wanted.

"Shush. This is about you Levi, just relax, and enjoy," I said, gripping his muscled thighs for support as I slowly took him into my warm mouth. I worked him in and out, up and down. My fingers ghosted lightly up the insides of his thigh until I reached his heavy sac. I palmed his balls, lightly traced my fingers through the light sprinkling of hair there. I licked him from root to tip and then swirled my tongue around the velvet head, stopping long enough to lick the pre-cum from the tip. It tasted salty and so good. I lowered my head and licked his balls before taking each one into my mouth and flicking it with my tongue. His body stiffened and two strong hands landed on my shoulders, bringing me to my feet in one swift movement. For a moment, I thought I'd done something wrong, but his mouth crashed down on mine in a hungry, demanding kiss.

"Too many clothes." His hand went for the zipper at the back of my dress and when he got frustrated with it, he ripped it down the back. The dress lay on the floor in two pieces. How was I going to explain that to Honesty? He tossed me back onto his bed and stared down at me, lying there in nothing but my little, black thong. His hand slowly slid up my legs until he reached my underwear and slid his thumbs under the thin elastic on each side, snapping them in two. He tossed the ripped underwear over his shoulder and smirked down at me, causing me to giggle.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you more.” There went another little piece of my heart.

The moment his body entered mine, I realized that he was not fucking me. He was making love to me. Our bodies moved as one, in a beautiful rhythm of a love song. He'd become a part of me, a beautiful lyric that warmed my heart and made my soul sing. It was the most beautiful song I'd ever heard. That night we slept wrapped in each other's arms, or so I thought. The next morning when I awoke, the bed was empty, and Levi was nowhere to be found. I dug around in his dresser drawers, until I found his old sweat pants and a t-shirt. I knew all of my clothes were across the hall in the guest room and I didn't want to take a chance at someone seeing me run across the hall naked. I found the others sitting around the kitchen table, discussing something in a loud manner. Everyone stopped and looked up when I entered the room.

"Morning," I said, crossing the room to grab a cup of coffee.

"Morning," Honesty said. I looked around the room and the one person I wanted to see the most was not here either.

"Have any of you seen, Levi?"

"Come, have a sit with us." Honesty motioned to the empty chair beside her. I immediately knew something was up because the hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end.

"What's going on? Where's Levi?"

"That's what we were just discussing." This came from Jinx. "He left early this morning. He said there was something that he really needed to take care of and that you'd be riding back with us." He said this like it was old news to me. It was anything but. I thought we were a team. Teams did things together. I thought we established that last night.

Oh. My. God. What if he was actually saying goodbye to me last night? I jumped from my chair and ran upstairs. I felt as though I was going to be sick. I entered his room and sure enough, all of his things were gone, even his guitar. How did he not wake me in the middle of his packing? I stared around the room, the room where just last night, we made love; the sheets still crumpled in the middle of the bed.

"There's something you probably should know about Levi," Jinx said from behind me. I turned slowly to face him and then sat on the side of the bed when he motioned me to do so. "Levi is a recovering alcoholic." I sucked in a breath. That explained the silent exchange between he and Levi yesterday before the funeral. I nodded my head.

"I had no idea."

"He went to rehab when he was twenty, spent almost a year there. ever since . . . since then he's drank a lot less. But, when he took that drink before the funeral, I knew we were in for trouble. He drinks to numb himself. I'm sure he would have told you in time, it's just not something he's very proud of. Levi is a strong man, but alcohol has always been his weakness. He woke me up early this morning to tell me he was leaving. He said you'd be riding back with us. I assumed you knew," Jinx explained. I shook my head in disbelief. I couldn't help it. I fell apart. When I say, I fell apart, I mean at the seams. Tears poured from my eyes and down my cheeks. I felt the bed dip on both sides and two sets of arms wrapped around me. Honesty and Honor. They held me and let me cry until I couldn't cry any longer.

Peyton

I entered the recording studio for the third day in a row, in hopes of seeing Levi. No such luck. No one had seen nor heard from him. I had promised myself that I wasn't going to call but after the second day and no word, I gave in and texted. No response. I called. No response. I was worried, sick. Visions of my mom drugged out of her mind and passed out on our old, ratty couch played through my mind on a constant loop. Those replays eventually turned into Levi's face. It was he I saw passed out somewhere, with who knows whom, taking advantage of him, or even worse, he could be dead!

"Has anyone been to his condo?" I asked as I sat my laptop on the wooden table in the conference/dining area for the guys.

"Went yesterday, but nobody came to the door. I walked around back and peaked into the garage and saw that his Camaro was gone," Chance said.

"I've called his cell repeatedly, but no luck. I can't believe he hasn't contacted you." Jinx looked at me with disbelief.

"Do you guys think we should call the police? I-Has he ever done anything like this before you know-when he was drinking?"

"He's done it once before, and if that's where he is, we'll never know until he makes it known," Jinx replied. I didn't know why, but I felt as if there was some kind of hidden message there. Something the guys knew that I didn't.

I flipped open my computer and began scanning through social media. There were pictures of Levi standing on his lawn, arms flung wide, as the photographers got their money shots of my broken-hearted man. There were nicer pics, ones of a candlelight vigil, outside the neighborhood gate where Levi lived. There were even well wishes for Levi and the band. I scanned through the usual Facebook and Twitter accounts. Each of the guys were thanking the fans for their condolences and reminding them to come out to support Levi's charity event, this Saturday. Damn! That was only a few days away. What if he didn't surface by then, and if he does, what if he wasn’t in any shape to play? When I came to Levi's page, the only words he'd written were; "Off the grid for a while." That was written early Sunday morning. There had been nothing since.

"Guys," I said, so quiet that I wasn't sure they heard me, but when I looked up from my computer, they were all looking at me. I told them about Levi's last update and they all agreed with me, when I suggested that we quite possibly needed to have a back up to play in his place, come Saturday night. Luckily, Honor agreed to do it. Linc would take back his position as bass player, just as fill in for the event. I thanked my lucky stars for multi-talented musicians.

Peyton

Friday night, Jules and I sat on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn, extra butter, and a tub of Ben and Jerry's Super Fudge Chunk ice cream. Ever since Levi disappeared without a word, all I'd wanted to do was eat ice cream and read my romance novels. Good guys didn't leave you in novels. I thought Levi was everything I'd ever wanted, better than any fictional boyfriend I'd ever had, and way better than B.O.B. ever thought of being, but I was wrong, once again. Real life boyfriends broke your heart when they left.

"This is such bullshit!" Jules said, from her spot on the end of the sofa. "We should just get dressed up and go out. Have a good time." I gave her the evil eye over my spoonful of ice cream. "What? You could wear my red, spandex dress and black heels. I bet you'd be hit on in the parking lot before we ever made it to the door.

"I bet you're right!" I scrunched up my nose. "I bet I'd get arrested for prostitution too, because the guy would probably be an undercover cop!" I said, sarcastically. "I think I'm fine right where I am, but thanks though." I gave her a big, fat, fake smile and she flipped me off.

"Well, at least brush your damn hair!" She had a point. I hadn't brushed it all day. I just couldn't force myself into the studio today either, so I worked from home in a pair of old, ratty sweats, and an old Auburn university t-shirt that had seen better days. A knock sounded at the door, which put an end to our old lady bickering.

"You expecting anyone?" Jules asked. I shook my head no. Anyone making it to our door, either had to be let in by someone who lived here, or they had to have the building code in order to gain access to our floor. I uncrossed my legs, placed my eBook and tub of ice cream on the coffee table, and peaked through the peephole in the door. I gasped and turned to face Jules. Her eyebrows shot all the way up to her hairline and she grabbed her heart as if she were expecting the Grim Reaper. "Who is it?" she whispered.

"It's Levi," I mouthed, since I was standing so close to the door. He knocked again and Jules came to stand beside me, as if I needed back up for what was about to go down. I slowly opened the door and took a step back this time, so that he could come in. "What do you want?" I asked rather harshly.

"I deserved that."

"Yes, you do and more."

"Can we talk?" he asked glancing at Jules, who'd grabbed her bowl of popcorn and had settled in for the show. I sighed heavily and smacked my lips.

"Anything you have to say, you can say in front of Jules."

"Damn straight," she snarled and tossed a couple of pieces of corn into her mouth. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Levi.

"Just spit it out. I've got things to do." I glared at him. He looked around the room at my things on the coffee table and then back to my ratty, old sweats. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"Okay, have it your way." He paused and swallowed hard enough that I could hear it. "There's something about me that you don't know. I'm a recovering alcoholic. I've spent some time in rehab in the past, and had it under control until out last album hit the top of the charts. I started to drink a little here and there, and for a while, I could handle it. I thought maybe I wasn't an alcoholic after all, but I was only lying to myself. See, that's what we alcoholics do. We tell ourselves it's all good, until one day it isn't."

He looked down at the worn toes of his boots for several seconds, before bringing his tired, blue eyes back to mine. "I met you, Peyton, and I felt like I was on a constant high. Everything was wonderful. I didn't need the booze to feel high, to calm the pain in my heart. I only needed you. You, Peyton, made my heart beat again, it came to life when I met you in that dark hallway. When my mom died, the voices in my head wouldn't stop. I tried to fight the pain off, but I knew the moment that alcohol hit my throat before my mom's funeral, I was done for.

“It would be one of many drinks to come, and I just couldn't do that to you, not after what you told me about growing up with your mom. I'm not going to lie and tell you that I haven't been drunk since I left you in bed, Saturday night. I didn't tell Jinx where I was going, only that I had to leave, but I think he knew me well enough, to know what I was doing."

He shoved his hands into his front pockets and shuffled his feet back and forth. I could tell it was taking everything in him, just to admit all of this to me, and in front of my best friend. I was really wishing now, that I'd asked her to leave the room. I glanced in her direction, but she was staring down into her bowl of popcorn as if it were the most interesting thing she'd ever seen.

"So, where have you been? I've called you, and the guys have been by your condo. They said you weren't home."

"I checked myself into a hotel under a pseudo-name. I've spent my days and nights drinking, but that's not all. Yesterday, I went and spoke with my old sponsor. I told him everything. We both agreed that it would be best, if I went back to rehab, before things got too out of hand.

“He also knows how important this fundraiser is to me, so he agreed to let me wait until it's over, to check myself in. It's right here in town; the same one Linc went to a couple of years ago. When the lights go down tomorrow night, they'll be there, waiting. I'm not sure how long I'll be in rehab, but I can promise you, that I'll be there as long as it takes." He took a step forward and placed my small hands into his big ones, hands that were trembling from fear or withdrawal; I wasn’t sure which.

"I thought about our time together and I couldn't imagine myself without you. I stand before you, a broken man, a man trying to keep standing, while falling apart at the same time. You're my glue, Peyton. I can't make it without you. He dropped his forehead to mine and blue eyes met my gray. Everything that needed to be said was said with our hearts. I crawled up his body and wrapped my legs around his waist. I didn't care if I looked like shit. I loved this man and he loved me. His mouth crashed down on mine in a hungry, demanding kiss.

"Don't mind me," Jules mumbled from the kitchen counter, where she picked up her keys. "I was just leaving." We never broke our kiss. I heard the door close, as Levi walked us into my bedroom and kicked the door shut with his boot.

"I love you,” he whispered against my lips.

"I love you, so much." I gasped when he kissed that spot just below my ear. The spot he knew made me wet in an instant. I pulled the back of his t-shirt and we broke our kiss long enough for me to pull it over his head and toss it to the floor. I shamelessly rubbed my pussy against the crotch of his jeans, needing as much friction as I could get.

He slid me down his hard lean body until my feet hit the floor. My fingertips brushed over his abs, causing them to contract until I stopped at the waistband of his jeans. I looked up at him and bit my bottom lip. I couldn't wait to have him inside me. I flicked open the button on his jeans and slid the zipper down. His cock sprang free, standing proud, and waiting for my attention. "I see you still have a thing against underwear."

"It's too confining. My boys need room to breathe," he grinned and looked more like the Levi that I knew and loved. "Now stop teasing me baby. I've missed you." We made quick work of the remainder of our clothes and then we were on my bed, tangled in the sheets. His tattooed body hovered over mine as our tongues danced together, making my head spin. His right hand trailed down my body in a feathering touch. He played my body like a finely tuned instrument.

"Your body is fucking beautiful." His tongue swirled around my navel and then inched lower toward my wetness. "Fucking sweet." He smiled against my lips before flattening his tongue against my clit and flicking it back and forth. My back arched off the bed and I moaned loudly, while I knotted my fingers into his hair.

"Your mouth, oh, god. You're a very talented man." I panted and his tongue continued to work on me.

"I'm a man of many talents, sweet cheeks, and I'm about to show you them all." His tongue dipped into my sex and I shattered into a million pieces. His big hands cupped my ass cheeks and he buried his face deeper between my folds. He licked, sucked, and flicked his capable tongue, until I couldn't take it anymore.

"Please." I sagged against the mattress.

"Please what, sugar?" He grinned up at me, clearly pleased with himself.

"I don't think I can take anymore." My fingers dug deeper into his blond locks and I tugged until he moved up my body and lingered there, gazing at me with deep pools of blue. Oh, fuck it. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and pulled his inked body against mine. I licked a trail down his neck and I could feel his big body shudder above me. My legs wrapped around his waist and my fingers curled around his strong biceps. Nothing had ever felt this good, this right. His mouth moved over my stomach and up my side until he took one of my rosy nipples into his mouth and sucked hard causing it to pebble between his soft lips. He looked up at me with molten blue eyes.

"What?"

"I love you,” he whispered just before his cock slid inside me. I took a deep breath and my eyes rolled back in my head. No one could make me feel the way Levi Cross did.

"I love you," I whispered back, buried my nose in his neck, and inhaled his musky scent. The scent I'd come to love so much. Our bodies moved together in a steady rhythm, one that rocked the headboard against the wall. I expected the neighbors to pound on the wall at any second, but I didn't care. There was no stopping us now. We were one, and we were destined to be together.

Levi

Saturday Fundraiser

This was probably going to be one of the hardest fucking things I'd ever done, but it was what I had to do. Take the first step and then one day at a time. This party had been rocking since nine this morning, with a different band on each of the stages at all times. I hadn't a clue as to how many people were there, because there wasn’t any seating. People moved from stage to stage and stood all day long, just to hear their favorite bands and now, here we were. It was midnight, we were the closing act, and I was looking out at an endless sea of people. From the looks of things, this year's fundraiser was the best yet. I'd added something to it this year. I didn't discuss it with the guys or Peyton, but I was sure they would be okay with it.

"How the hell are ya, LA?" I growled into the microphone and the sound of the crowd was deafening, to say the least. I glanced to my right and saw Peyton, standing just out of sight, with a big smile on her face for moral support. I thought I saw tears in her eyes. Damn, I loved my girl.

"I've got something I need to say before we get this show started." Everyone grew eerily silent, considering this was such a large concert. "As most of you know, I've had a drinking problem in past and well, it's resurfaced. You see, my mom died a few weeks ago of cancer, and it was more than I could handle, or so I thought. Tonight's my last show for a while, I'm headed back to rehab to get this under control, before it gets me by the balls again."

I had to pause when the crowd went wild with shouts of encouragement and praise. "Thank you, guys, for that! It means more to me than you know." I slapped my tattooed hand over my heart and hung my head. It was all I could do to keep it together. I swallowed hard and looked back out at the crowd. "Thank you all for coming out tonight and supporting the families of LA's finest who have been killed in the line of duty. I've added another cause to tonight's benefit," I said, glancing around at the guys, and received nods of approval from them all.

"If you'll log onto our band website, you'll find a link to donate to cancer research, in honor of my mother. I would appreciate it very much, if you'd all do that for me," I choked out and the crowd cheered. Jinx counted down the first song and then Honor's bass along with Chance's guitar floated through the night air. Everyone played their heart out, and as I sang, I thought about my mom's words—that I was destined for big things, I had the voice of an angel, and tonight, I sang for her. I gave it my all.

When we were down to the last two songs, I signaled the guys to stop playing. I turned to the crowd and said . . . "I've got a surprise for someone special in my life." I glanced to my right, and Peyton's eyes were as big as saucers. "Come on out here, sweet cheeks." I motioned with my hand for her to come to me. She shook her head furiously, but I nodded and gave her my devilish grin. "Come on, baby." She crossed the stage, against her better judgment, and stopped by my side. I wrapped my arm around her and kissed her temple.

"I'm going to kill you,” she whispered.

"Baby, thousands of people just heard you threaten me," I said, cocking my head toward the microphone in front of us. She blushed feverishly.

"I have a special surprise tonight. My girl, Peyton, here," I tilted my head in her direction. "She loves Brad Paisley." People in the crowd clapped in appreciation, but Peyton looked up at me through thick lashes. "You know country is not my style, but being that I'm going to be gone for a while, I'd like to do a couple of songs just for her," I said. Tears sprang to her eyes as I turned to face her. I sang the ‘Perfect Storm’ and ‘She's Everything.’ When the last song ended, I dropped the microphone, wrapped my arms around her, and pulled her small body tight against mine.

I glanced at the crowd to find people with their cell phones out, but this time using the flashlight function or lighters held high in the night sky as we moved together. Both our hearts pounded out a beat in perfect rhythm. We swayed back and forth, dancing to our own heart’s tunes. Somewhere in the distance, I heard Jinx’s voice thank everyone for coming out tonight, and reminded them to login to our website to donate to help fight cancer.

"It's time," I heard someone say from behind me. I turned to find Linc, standing there, offering his hand to me. I shook it and gave a quick nod. I took Peyton's hand and led her from the stage and across the parking lot, where a black SUV waited for me. All the guys were also waiting for me.

"You got this, man," Chance said, giving me a fist bump.

"Ditto," Honor said, tipping her chin in an upward motion.

"Don't worry about a thing, man. We'll be here when you get out. Take care, and just think about what you got waiting for you when you get out," Jinx said, smiling at Peyton, where I had her pulled against my side.

I wrapped my arms around her neck and inhaled the fresh, floral scent of her shampoo. Fuck, I was gonna miss that. I’d miss holding her in my arms, her warm body molded against mine.

"Don't over think it," she said. I watched, as the tears streamed down her face. "I'll be here when you're ready." She gave me a weak, watery smile.

"Baby, you're the answers to all of my prayers." I kissed her lips, tasted the salt from her tears, turned, and slid into the SUV with Linc. He was now my approved sponsor for the recovery house; he'd be the only one that was allowed to visit, and even that would be limited. At least he could keep me updated on Peyton, and things with the band.

"You're doing the right thing. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know.”

"There’s something I need to tell you before we get there," he said. I nodded, encouraging him to go ahead.

"Marcus Little, OD'd tonight." My heart sank. I immediately thought of Jules, Peyton's best friend. What would this do to her? How would Peyton handle the added stress of a grieving friend, when she was grieving herself?

"Do me a favor, man," I said, because it wasn't a question.

“Keep an eye on Peyton for me and check in on Jules. She and Marcus had a thing. I think she puts on a strong front, but I'm not so sure she's that strong.”

"Anything for you, man. Stay strong," he commanded. The SUV pulled to a stop in front of the resort-like rehab center. This was it. One day at a time.