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

  I practically sprint down the hall to our room, having us through the door and naked in less than a minute. I then proceed to do exactly what I promised, to fuck her hard and fast. And as promised, I then feed her and now it’s time to devour her inch-by-inch.

  “Mmm…you taste like coffee and your mouth is so warm.” She says, after I kiss her slowly.

  “Yeah? You like my mouth warm?”

  She nods slowly. “What about when it’s ice cold?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I have an idea.” I grab my coffee and take a healthy gulp. I then lower myself between her legs and slowly drag my tongue through her.

  She lifts her hips and gasps.

  “More?”

  “Yes.”

  I take another drink and repeat the motion. I continue alternately drinking my hot coffee and devouring her with my mouth.

  “Jack, I’m close.”

  Her words cause my cock to stiffen to the point of discomfort. Once she comes against my lips, I move over her and kiss her deeply.

  “Next experiment will be with ice. I’m curious which feels better.”

  She nods with her eyes closed, otherwise not moving or speaking.

  “You just lay there, I’ll do all the work.”

  I nibble on her lips as she lies lifelessly beneath me. I can never get tired of just kissing her. I love the feel of her soft lips and the silkiness of the inside of her mouth. I love the smoothness of her skin, especially behind her ear and down the side of her neck. Tracing a path with my lips, I love how she moans every single time I make that journey. I love the swell of her breasts, the way her nipple is already rigid by the time I reach it. I love the way her chest rises and falls once I pull her taut nipple in between my lips. I love how she arches her back when I swirl my tongue around her before sucking her with my mouth.

  Moving my hand slowly down the center of her body, I love how her hands find my hair when I reach her clit. How her legs fall open allowing me to touch her, stroke her, feel every inch of her. I love how she says my name when I trace the path my hand made with my lips. How her one hand falls away from my hair gripping the sheets beneath her. How her other hand clutches my hair when I reach her with my mouth.

  I love how smooth she is, how she tastes, how she flinches when I touch her with my tongue, and how she bucks when I pull her into my mouth. I lose it when she clenches around my fingers and how she trembles once she climaxes. I come undone when she pushes against me, saying my name for the second time. I love when she sighs once she’s done and how her fingers stroke my hair lovingly.

  I look up at her while resting my chin on her belly. I love when she looks down at me completely sated and content. A small smile plays on her lips as I move up until I am hovering over her. I love when she stares deep into my eyes before pulling me down for a kiss. I love sinking into until I am entirely connected to the woman I love.

  “You own me…completely.” I say, before making love to her.

  But what I love the most is when she says, “I love you.”

  

  Three songs into our show, I finally address the crowd. I have a different agenda tonight, so I’m a bit worried on how it will be received.

  “Good Evening Boston!” A deafening roar fills the arena, supplying the instant adrenaline rush I’ve become accustomed to. “We are so happy to be here. Hey, so I’m a Mets fan and I hate that other New York team!” The crowd shows their agreement with another round of noise.

  “Ok, let’s not rub it in Leila’s face.” I cup my mouth as if telling a huge secret and whisper into the mic, “She’s a Yankees fan.” Boo’s echo and all two thousand fans sound like one voice.

  “Sorry, Leila, but please take a bow anyway. Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Leila Marino.”

  She smirks, feigning annoyance and curtsies to the crowd. I turn back to our fans to introduce the rest of the band, ribbing each of them like I always do.

  “Ok, Boston…This next song is a new one and I don’t normally sing solo. Since I got the approval of the three yahoos and lovely lady behind me, I wanted to sing a special song for a special city.”

  I am about to sing the song I wrote for Leila back when we weren’t even together. I’ll never forget coming home that night after spending a really nice time with her at her apartment, only to be wracked with frustration. I had no idea why I was feeling so unsettled, until I realized it was because I missed her and wanted to be with her. The love that I unknowingly felt for her even then fueled the lyrics and music in this song.

  I am nervous to debut my ballad. I secretly shared it with the boys a few days ago and they all loved it. Of course, Leila has no clue I wrote it or that I’m about to sing it.

  I sit on the stool provided for me center stage, taking my guitar from the roadie who ran out with it. Looking back at Leila, she looks confused and raises her eyebrows questioning what song I’m referring to. I give her a quick smile before beginning my new song.

  I quietly say into the microphone, “This one is called, The Reason I am.”

  The stage goes dark, except for a single spot light that shines down on me. Closing my eyes while strumming the acoustic intro, I can clearly picture the woman I love.

  My life was on track. Knew all of my plans.

  I knew of my purpose. The reason I am.

  But life has no rules, of this I am sure.

  Just one glimpse of you, I wanted much more.

  Baby, you’re the reason I am.

  Oh, baby you’re the reason I am.

  I need you to breathe, to walk on this earth.

  You’re my sole purpose, my cause for rebirth.

  You are the reason I am.

  It just took one kiss, to claim me as yours.

  I see no one else, you’ve closed all of my doors.

  If you were to go and leave me alone,

  I couldn’t exist. I couldn’t go on.

  Baby, you’re the reason I am.

  Oh, baby you’re the reason I am.

  I need you to breathe, to walk on this earth.

  You’re my sole purpose, my cause for rebirth.

  You are the reason I am.

  Stay with me, baby. Please don’t leave.

  My love for you is endless. You’re my reason to be.

  I know I deserve less than your soul and your heart.

  But I’d rather die now than for us to part.

  I can’t guarantee a life free of pain.

  But I’ll protect you always, every second each day.

  There isn’t a doubt, my love runs too deep.

  With my blood in my veins, it controls my heartbeat.

  Baby, you’re the reason I am.

  Oh, baby you’re the reason I am.

  I need you to breathe, to walk on this earth.

  You’re my sole purpose, my cause for rebirth.

  You are the reason I am.

  You are the reason I am.

  At the end of my song the spotlight goes out, briefly leaving me in the dark. I wish I could see her face at the moment. I wish I could bring her front and center and kiss her over and over.

  Seconds later the stage is lit and the cheers and applause become deafening. “Thank you Boston! You like that one?” More applause and screams follow. “Yeah, me too.”

  I turn towards our bass guitarist and joke, “Trey, now you know how I truly feel about you.”

  Hunter hits a sequence on his drums just as Trey flips me off.

  I shrug sheepishly. “Jeez, I guess the feeling isn’t mutual”.

  As the crowd bursts into laughter, I turn my back to them to remove my guitar. Finally braving a look, I lock gazes with Leila. She stands stunned, her eyes glistening, a small smile on her beautiful face. I mouth the words, “I love you.”

  “Ok, Hunt. Take us into the High Life.” Hunter’s drumbeat fills the arena, followed by the rest of my band’s instruments. Elation takes over and I’m having the time of my life. I’m engaging th
e crowd, busting on the guys, and singing side by side with Leila. It’s a really good night. I will never forget the rush I feel here at this arena. The only thing missing is being able to show this crowd who that song was truly for.

  The minute our feet leave the stage after our final encore, Leila leaps into my arms and kisses me passionately. This is unlike her. There are many eyes back here and it’s not exactly private. I can’t help but worry that we shouldn’t be doing this if she isn’t ready to expose our relationship. But her body pressed up against me, her hands in my hair, and her lips on mine irresponsibly squelch all my conscious thoughts.

  A few minutes later, Jen’s voice breaks our moment like nails on a chalkboard. “What the hell is this?”

  Leila pulls away, wide eyed and panting.

  As I turn, I notice a small audience gathered around Jen.

  Damn it…

  I know Leila is not ready for the wrath of Jennifer or exposure. We both lost our minds for a few minutes. I feel more responsible though and I should have stopped her.

  Turning towards Jen, I quietly resign, “Let’s go to the holding room. I’ll explain.”

  The minute we enter the room and I close the door, Jen turns on me like a madwoman. “How long has this been going on?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s been a while.”

  “As your agent, THIS is my business. Is this the real reason you want security? Did your female fans get wind of this and want to hurt her?”

  “Oh shut up, Jen! I told you I want security because of Danny.”

  Leila watches the exchange between us silently. I didn’t tell her I asked Jen to request security from the label. I didn’t want to scare her. At the time, Jen said we would discuss it in Boston. I kept it from Leila only because I really didn’t have any info to share yet.

  Trying to placate our agent, I choose my words carefully. “Jen, Leila and I are in love. This is more than a fling. No one knows except the guys and now you. We aren’t ready to go public yet. When we choose to, we will discuss the methods with you to decide the best way to handle it. In the meantime, we would appreciate your support and silence.”

  Jen looks at me as if I lost my mind. “Are you crazy? The two of you haven’t exactly been discreet with your attraction towards each other, and that little song you performed tonight was an announcement by default. Not to mention the dozen or so people who just witnessed your make-out session.”

  “Knock off the drama.” I’m beginning to lose my patience. I’m getting tired of her attitude. If I didn’t feel so indebted to her, I’d replace her ass.

  “Jack, that song along with a ton of speculation will be all over the Internet tomorrow.”

  “So?”

  She gives me another bug-eyed look. “I’m disappointed in you if I have to explain why it’s not a good thing.”

  Leila interrupts, “Jen.”

  Our agent levels Leila with her gaze. “We’re sorry we didn’t tell you. That was entirely my fault. I wasn’t ready and I convinced Jack to hide our relationship. If this caused you problems, I apologize.”

  Jen looks surprised by her apology for exactly two seconds. She then turns towards me, essentially ignoring Leila’s presence and points a finger at me. “You should have told me.”

  “Jen, do not treat me as if I’m invisible.” Jen blinks slowly, crossing her arms defiantly. Her face betrays her shock with Leila. Leila has never spoken up towards Jen. In an eerily calm voice she adds, “Like I said, Jack kept this from you because I asked him to. It was my choice to keep our relationship a secret.”

  “Until now? Jumping him backstage doesn’t help your plan,” Jen bitchily replies.

  “I lost myself for a minute. It wasn’t planned.”

  “I’m sure no one we need to worry about saw us,” I add.

  “Jack, don’t be so naïve. If the label gets wind of this, heads are going to roll.”

  “Why would the label care? It’s not their business.”

  “It is their business and we need to thoroughly think this through. Jack you were single and available when we signed with the label. You have a persona to live up to. A sappy love-struck relationship isn’t part of that persona.”

  “Why are you being such a bitch?”

  “It’s because I am a bitch, that got you where you are right now. I need to think clearly since you obviously aren’t.”

  “Screw you, Jen.” Clenching my fists, I am now beyond angry. Jen shakes her head and turns to storm out. As she exits, I call after her, “Oh, and get me security...please!”

  The minute she is out of the room, I turn to face Leila. “Do not listen to a word she said.”

  “I’m sorry I screwed up. It’s that Jack Lair voodoo that gets me every time.”

  Smiling at her admission, I shake my head stubbornly. “You did not screw up.”

  “Yes, I really did. It was stupid.”

  “Babe, stop.”

  After a heavy sigh, she shrugs. “I guess we should have expected that from her.”

  “No. There is absolutely no excuse for her to act that way. She still works for us.” Bending to kiss her gently, I ask, “Did you like your song?”

  “You couldn’t tell from my sexual attack backstage? Jack, that was so beautiful. I loved it! Thank you.”

  “I wrote it after the night we hung out in your apartment. Even then, I knew.” Leila wraps her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

  “Well, I love it. Thank you.”

  Kissing the top of her head, I quietly say, “Everything will work out. Let’s get out of here.”

  We aren’t on the bus five minutes before Jen and Dylan show up. Dylan looks like he just found out his best friend died. Confirming my suspicions that our tour manager does have feelings towards my girlfriend. This shouldn’t be news to me. I knew he wanted more than friendship based on what Leila admitted to me in New York.

  Dylan joined us this evening and will be traveling with us for most of the remainder of the tour. Now that he knows, it’s going to be awkward to say the least. Thankfully, he’s on the other bus with our drivers and roadies.

  “So much for keeping it to yourself.” I grumble at Jen.

  Without any preamble or remorse, Jen says, “We need to figure this out, tonight. I may have to do some damage control soon, and we all need to be in sync with what our statement is.”

  “Damage control? Aren’t you overreacting?”

  “Yes, damage control and no, I’m not overreacting. You are on the way to being the hottest rock stars in the nation. I’ve worked my ass off to get you there. Relationships this new to the game can cause damage.”

  The guys all sit uncomfortably during our exchange. I’m sure they are wondering how this will affect them and their own significant others. I, on the other hand, have no doubt Jen is not referring to their love lives. She’s always seen me as a sex symbol and has made no secret about it. The old Jack loved it but the new Jack…not so much.

  I know we are supposed to be heading out to Hartford as we speak and I turn towards Tom, our driver to ask, “Will it screw you up if we pull out in an hour?”

  “Nope, that’s fine.”

  “Thanks, Tom. Jen, you have one hour.”

  No offense to my buddies, but I’m not having this conversation on the bus. This is way too personal to be discussing it in front of an audience. “We’ll be back soon.”

  I lead Leila, Jen and Dylan off the bus to quickly find an empty holding room in the arena.

  Once inside, Dylan speaks first. “You both need to be comfortable with the statement we need to prepare.”

  “Why do we need to prepare a statement?”

  “Because, Jack, if we don’t control the info we want everyone to know, rumors will be running rampant.” Jen speaks to me like I’m a two year old.

  “The rumors have already been running rampant. Where were you when all those posts were appearing from the Leila haters? Suddenly you are concerned about rum
ors?” Dylan flinches at my words while Jen sighs impatiently.

  Turning towards Leila I ask, “I worry about you. Are you ready to go public?”

  “Jack, don’t worry about me. I’ll do whatever is best for the band.”

  “Too late,” Jen quips.

  “Jen, I’m warning you. One more comment and we’re out of here.”

  “Jack, she does have your best interest at heart.” Dylan tries to pacify me. While glaring at Jen, he adds, “Even if her methods suck.” She dramatically rolls her eyes and makes it difficult to appreciate all that she does for us.

  Ignoring her, I choose to focus on Dylan. “We are getting nowhere. How do you think we should handle this?”

  “I think…”

  Jen abruptly cuts Dylan off. “We will say that Jack was in a relationship, misses her terribly, and wrote her a song. Leila is jealous and is trying to seduce you. The allure and drama of a love triangle will spark curiosity, but in a good way.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?” Jen throws her hands up annoyingly.

  “Besides the obvious, which makes me look like a wacko, I thought relationships could cause damage?” Leila asks what I’m thinking.

  “Not vague ones. The mystery will cause interest. Knowing you two are together may upset people.”

  If we insinuate I was seeing someone at home, it’s only a matter of time before Jessa appears with a healthy baby bump, claiming she is the one. I am not ready to admit that to Jen or Dylan, but then again in a few weeks, I may have to anyway.

  “This is ridiculous. Why would admitting we are together have people turn on us?”

  “You are a hot commodity, Jack. Realistic or not, people connect with you and want to be with you. It’s always a fan’s fantasy to envision themselves in a relationship with the object of their desire.” Dylan patiently explains, remorse in his eyes.

  “Plus, the Leila haters will multiply,” Jen adds.

  My eyes move over to Leila. “Fuck.”

  “So, now I have your attention?”

  “Jack, I don’t care. I’ll deal with my haters.”

  “Well I care.” Ignoring her frowns, I turn towards Jen and Dylan. “Ok. I get it. We should be prepared. You can call the label and let them know the situation. Leila and I will call you tomorrow before our show to discuss this nonsense.”