Front & Center (Book 2 of the Back-Up Series) Read online

  “I promise.”

  I take her hand, pull in a huge breath, and lead her out to join Hunter, Scott, and Trey at the front of the bus.

  “Well, it’s about time. We’ve been dying to show you something.”

  I head right for the coffee maker in desperate need of my first of many cups, while Leila pulls a yogurt from the fridge and a spoon from the drawer. She moves to sit in the booth across from Scott.

  “What’s going on?” Hunter asks again as I’m preparing my coffee.

  “Nothing.”

  “Bullshit.” He touts annoyingly.

  “Really?”

  “Really. What the hell is wrong with you? Aren’t you curious what the reviews say?”

  “Of course I am. We got about three hours of sleep, and I desperately need coffee.”

  Hunter looks over at Leila not buying what I just said. “Are you two fighting already? Honeymoon over?”

  “Fuck off, Hunt.” I finally lose my cool.

  “You should be fucking stoked man. The reviews are awesome.” Scott speaks up.

  Taking a deep breath, I walk over to sit next to Leila. “First of all, the honeymoon is just starting. Second of all, I am stoked. Let me see.”

  Scott turns the laptop to show me what he was reading. I quickly scan the online article and nod. “Awesome.”

  Hunter watches me and shakes his head. Looking over at Leila he asks, “Honestly, what’s bugging him?”

  “He’s upset about the news regarding this Danny character,” she responds, without missing a beat.

  Hunter looks contrite as he remembers what I shared with him last night. “Oh, that.”

  Putting my arm around Leila, I pull her closer. My girl is so smart. She effectively shut him up with one sentence. Why didn’t I think of that?

  Trey has been lost in his own world and only now realizes he is sharing a bus with us. “What about Danny?”

  “Danny ran into Jessa. He is pissed he got fired and feels I robbed him of his career. He ran his mouth off about getting even.”

  “Is that why she showed up last night?” Scott asks.

  “Yep.” I avoid eye contact. I don’t want to tip them off to what’s really upsetting me. Hunter can usually see right through me.

  “Fuck, that’s not good.” The quick look of panic on Leila’s face causes Scott to retract. “Um, actually, he’s just a nut with a big mouth.”

  I watch Leila carefully and take her hand in mine. “We do need to take him seriously, but I won’t let him ruin our high. You guys were awesome last night. We couldn’t have had a better start to our tour.”

  “We made Page Six, man.” Scott beams at the open laptop. Leila moves it closer so we both can read the New York Post page that Scott has opened.

  “If any of you were lucky enough to see Devil’s Lair last night in New York City, you no doubt walked away exhilarated and maybe even a touch turned on. They opened with an exciting, rock the house, sexy as hell show to kick off the rest of their tour. Last night, they set the benchmark pretty high.

  No doubt all you warm-blooded girls are well aware of the sexual magnetism their lead-singer, Jack Lair, exhumes, not to mention the rest of his band. But now all you warm-blooded guys can sit and drool over their new back-up singer, Leila Marino, as well. She’s the perfect choice, if you ask me. She is sexy as hell, and the chemistry between her and Jack on stage is off the charts. If these two aren’t doing it…they should be. But then again, maybe that’s how Miss Marino cracked the code to this all male rock band.

  How she got in doesn’t matter once you hear her voice. This girl has the goods and brings it home. If she gets bored with her new band mates she can bring it to my home…I’m in love.

  Along with Miss Marino, Jack Lair is at his all-time best, accompanied by his drummer- Hunter Amatto, bass guitarist-Trey Taylor, and guitarist-Scott Mallone. All in all, Devil’s Lair brings back traditional rock with a new edge. As they begin touring from coast to coast, you need to find their itinerary and buy your ticket. While you are at it, pick up their debut CD-‘Committed’, a must have in your collection. Whoever said ‘sex sells’ said it with Devil’s Lair in mind.”

  Leila looks annoyed as she pushes the laptop closer to Scott.

  “What?”

  “It barely mentions my voice between all the sexual innuendos.” She’s right. The article was definitely written by a man sporting a hard-on.

  “The guy who wrote this is an ass, but it’s a good review.”

  Scott and Hunter look confused. They don’t know that Leila’s biggest fear once we go public with our relationship is that they will think she got the job for the wrong reasons. One day into our tour and it’s already loud and clear and in black and white on Page Six of the New York Post.

  Now’s not the time to explain it to them and they wouldn’t get it anyway. Anyone who knows Leila or has heard her voice knows how deserving she is to be part of our band. Hell, she’s too good to be our back-up singer. She deserves to be front and center.

  Watching as Hunter tosses the last bit of Fruit Loops into his mouth directly from the box, I use it as an excuse to change the subject. “You ate a whole box already? You seriously need help. How can you eat that shit?”

  He looks at me wide eyed while chewing and ignores my comment.

  “Hunter, what’s with you and the Fruit Loops?” Leila asks amused.

  “I wasn’t allowed to have them when I was a kid. Cheerios only household, so I’m still rebelling.”

  “That’s pathetic. You’re a grown man. The way you pound that crap down makes me nauseous.” Turning towards a smiling Leila, I pucker my lips for a kiss.

  “Ugh. Watching you two is making me nauseous.” Hunter says with another mouth full.

  “Get. Used. To. It. Consider it payback for all those nights I had to watch you and Mandi making out on the couch.” I respond arrogantly before pulling Leila in for a real kiss. The sound of three grown men gagging snaps Leila back to reality.

  She pushes me away while shaking her head.

  I smile devilishly as I look out the window. “Where are we, anyway?”

  “Bumblefuck, USA.” Trey deadpans.

  I almost spit out my coffee from his comeback. “Well, as long as we are in Bumblefuck…” I look down at Leila, and she warns me with a pointed finger.

  Leaning into her ear I whisper, “You are so hot.”

  “You are so dead.”

  “Is it time yet?”

  She gives me a threatening look and I shrug, feigning innocence. “Hey Steve, how much longer until we get there?”

  He meets my gaze through the rear view mirror. “A few more hours or so. We would have arrived by now if there hadn’t been that huge delay last night. We’ll get to the arena in time for rehearsal.”

  When we sat in the arena parking lot last night for hours, I had no idea why we hadn’t left yet and at the time, I really didn’t care.

  “Why were we delayed?”

  Hunter looks at me like I’ve lost a screw. “The bus wouldn’t start.”

  “Why?”

  Steve responds first. “Strangest thing, the fuel line was punctured. It looked like an animal gnawed on it. Must have happened as the concert was going on.”

  A quick shot of suspicion runs through my mind. Deciding that would be too convenient, I dismiss it.

  “Well as long as we have a few hours, I need a nap. Lack of sleep and all.” I hold my hand out to Leila. “Join me?”

  “Jack, we just got out here.”

  Turning towards my band I ask, “Would you guys prefer me to make out with my girlfriend out here or in private?”

  All three simultaneously yell, “PRIVATE!”

  Shrugging, I take her hand. “Majority rules.”

  Leila shakes her head refusing to budge. I bend and pick her up, carrying her over my shoulder towards the back room.

  “Jack, put me down. Jack!”

  Tightening my grip as she squirms and kick
s, I call out behind me, “I apologize in advance for Leila’s loud…um…snoring.”

  Chapter 2 - Leila

  Damn him!

  As soon as he shuts the door and puts me down, I shove him onto the bed. He dramatically drops while laughing.

  “What the hell?”

  “What?” He asks with an adorable smirk, while I shoot daggers at him. Sitting up he shrugs, “Don’t be mad.”

  “I’m beyond mad!”

  He reaches for my hand and pulls me closer until he is able to reach my breast, which is conveniently at the same level as his mouth. He gently bites my nipple through my t-shirt and bra. I become instantly aroused from his sexual exploit, then remember what he did and quickly step away.

  “I’m serious. I’m pissed at you.”

  “Why?” He asks with complete seriousness.

  “Really?”

  He shrugs like he truly doesn’t have a clue.

  “It’s hard enough to be living on this bus with you guys, but I don’t need them thinking I’m your fuck buddy who is at your beck and call.”

  “First of all, I’m your fuck buddy at your beck and call. Second of all, they don’t think that.”

  “Yeah, ok.”

  “If they are thinking anything, it’s how lucky I am.”

  Rolling my eyes, I retort, “Because you have a fuck buddy living with you.”

  He reaches for me again and pulls me onto his lap. “No, because I have my girlfriend living with me. They are jealous it’s not them traveling with their girlfriends.”

  Ok, they probably are jealous, but still...

  “You need to stop teasing me.”

  “I can’t promise that.” He immediately responds, while shaking his head.

  “Jackson. I’m serious.”

  He holds my chin while staring into my eyes. “Jackson? You really are pissed!”

  “Ya’ think?” I say, folding my arms in total frustration.

  “I’m sorry.” Jack softly kisses the side of my neck and works his way towards my earlobe. “Am I forgiven?” He murmurs against my skin. When I don’t respond, he moves down my neck. “How about now?” Shaking my head, he moves towards my lips. Pulling my bottom lip in between his own, he releases it and asks, “Still mad?”

  “Yes,” I sigh, and my eyes close on their own accord.

  He sucks on my bottom lip, and I groan while his thumb makes small circles around my erect nipple. The desire I feel whenever he touches me is now spreading like a slow moving fire.

  Damn it!

  He makes it impossible for me to be mad at him.

  Smiling, he looks into my eyes. “Let’s talk about the teasing. I can’t promise I won’t do that, because it’s so much fun. But I can promise I will always make it up to you.” He unleashes his full CCDS smile. The one that shows off his dimples and causes my crotch to clench, thus causing me to shift uncomfortably on his lap.

  Jack moves his hand between my legs and slowly strokes me over my shorts while smiling knowingly. “Clenching?”

  “Why did I ever tell you that?” I should have never told him how his dimples do things to my lower region. I’m sure he’s going to gloat over this for a very long time.

  “Hey, I love that you told me that.” Softening, I smile at him and he smiles back. “And I love you.”

  See what I mean? Who’s pissed?

  “So am I forgiven?”

  “Damn you, just kiss me.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Jack holds my head, slowly leaning in until our lips touch. He repeats the motion that caused me to groan and pulls my bottom lip into both of his, sucking lightly. He continues with his kiss, soft, dry, and slow. It’s my favorite kiss. It’s the same one he gave me on the rooftop at his party. It always leaves me panting. It always leaves me wanting to consume him, and it’s never too long before I attack.

  Opening my mouth, giving him complete access, I practically climax from this one kiss.

  He traces a line with his fingertip from my jaw, down my body to my breast, and circles my nipple slowly. My body is writhing from his touch, but my brain remembers the guys.

  Somehow my brain becomes the chaperone at this party.

  I pull away completely out of breath. “Jack, I lied. I’m still not ok. This is really embarrassing, because they all know what we are doing back here.”

  “So?”

  “Jack…”

  “Babe,” he huffs out and adds, “we are going to be on this bus for months, and the guys know we are in love. You are just going to have to get over your embarrassment and get used to the fact they know what we are doing back here.” He raises his eyebrows expectantly with his hand still on my breast.

  I purse my lips and process his words. He’s right. I’ll have to learn to deal with it, or abstain. There is no way that’s an option. You may as well cut off my oxygen supply. It would be a less torturous fate than staying away from Jack. One night without him and I feel like I haven’t had sex in months.

  As Jack decides to convince me of his logic, by continuing his erotic massage on my breast, I bargain with myself and conclude that I can worry about this tomorrow.

  I fumble with the button of his jeans clumsily, while having absolutely no success.

  Jack grins, showing me he knows he won this argument. “I adore you.”

  “I know,” I grump, as I still struggle with his button.

  “Need help?” He asks with his lips against my neck.

  “Shut up,” I pant, showing my cards way too soon. I’m such a hypocrite.

  Jack chuckles at my flustered condition and stands us both up, to kick off his shoes and to strip completely naked. My eyes focus on his abs and slowly move lower, taking him in, inch by inch.

  I don’t think I’ll ever get used to his beauty. My brain turns to mush, my heart pounds, my skin warms, and my nerves tingle at the sight of him. This man controls every part of me.

  As I stand blatantly gawking at his nakedness, he takes control and peels off my clothes, leaving me completely bare for the taking. He then lifts me and places me dead center on our bed. I trace his lips with my fingertips, and he kisses them softly. He intensely stares into my eyes, his expression becoming somber.

  “I missed you. I came in here last night and watched you sleep for hours.”

  “You did?”

  He slowly strokes my cheek and nods. “You were so restless.”

  He reminds me of my anguish last night, and the pain I felt alone in this room. I was so mad at him while still wanting him so badly. Yesterday I felt nothing could stop us. Today I have no idea how this is going to play out. Our relationship is so new and can easily become victim to this situation, and it terrifies me.

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Ok.”

  He stares into my eyes, while continuously stroking my cheek with his thumb. His expression becomes mischievous. “I do miss you. It’s been too long since we made love.”

  “It’s been a day.” I respond, although my brain agrees and quips, “Way, way too long.”

  “Like I said, too long.”

  Smiling, I ask, “Well, what are you waiting for?”

  “Finally.”

  We make love like it’s our first time…slow, sweet, and gentle. The combination of staring into his beautiful eyes and his deep thrusts commences another earth shattering orgasm. Every encounter with him surpasses the one before. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve told myself, “This time was the best by far.”

  I completely forget we are at the back of a bus, separated by a thin door from the rest of the band, or that we are barreling down a highway with cars and trucks surrounding us, or that damn woman and the news she so cruelly dumped on us, because Jack is able to obliterate the outside world every time we are together.

  Biting down on my bottom lip to stop myself from screaming out, I whimper as my entire body spasms viciously from my release. His hands hold my head in place, and his eyes
hold my gaze.

  “Leila…” he whispers, as I feel his whole body responding to his release. He continues his sentence through his pants, with so much emotion that he causes my heart to literally ache. “…I love you so much.”

  We are so good together, and it’s not just the sex part. He gets me, I get him, and we deserve happiness.

  “I love you, too.” I wrap my legs around him even tighter, not wanting to break our connection and let him go…ever. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I really could get used to making love every day and singing together every night. I really don’t want to take one second of being with him for granted, especially now.

  It’s as we lie together afterwards, lounging lazily in the back bedroom and no longer immersed in the throes of passion, when I remember the three men sitting right outside our door. “Jack, we really shouldn’t lock ourselves back here and ignore the guys.”

  “Why the hell not? I’d much rather be here, alone with you.”

  “Don’t be mean.”

  Jack moves to my ear to whisper, “If we stay back here, I plan on getting you off again while you’re on your back and I’m on my knees.”

  Holy fuck…

  “You did not just seriously say that to me.”

  “What?” he asks innocently.

  “We need to interact with our band.”

  “Says who?”

  “I say.” I lift to kiss his lips and add, “And you love me and you want to make me happy.”

  He lets out a deep sigh and responds grumpily, “Fine…” The sour look on his face makes me laugh.

  As I try to get dressed, he keeps kissing me and it’s driving me wild.

  “This is not interacting with our band.” His response is to pull me closer and probe my mouth open with his tongue, stroking the inside of my mouth so sensuously that he causes me to gasp for air.

  “That’s low.”

  “What?”

  “You can’t let every kiss lead to sex.”

  “Who says I can’t?”

  “You are impossible. Get dressed.” I turn to leave, and Jack grabs my hand and stops me from leaving the room.

  “I love you.”

  “I know.”

  His smoldering eyes set me on fire. So much so that I decide to stand and watch him get dressed. My eyes slightly unfocus, and my mouth gapes open awkwardly. As he slowly adds articles of clothing, he stands smirking, completely aware of his effects on me. He’s the only person who can make dressing as sexy as stripping. I should have left, because now I’m all hot and horny again.