Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Luc
Angels Like You
Miley Cyrus
I slip in my in-ears, the world dulling instantly until all I can hear is the low thrum of my own pulse. One twist of the dial and the stage roars to life in my head—the crowd, the hum of amps, the bass warming up.
I roll my shoulders, stretching out the last of the tension. Strapped in, synced, untethered. No leash. No limits. Only sound. And I’m about to drown them all in it.
I love this part of the fucking show. The anticipation. The roar of the crowd when I step onto the stage. It’s what fuels me and keeps me going every night.
I sneak a glance at Lily. She’s got her lip clamped in her damn teeth again, and while I think it’s fucking adorable, I’ve come to realize it’s what she does when she’s nervous. I want her to feel welcome, at ease here behind the stage with me.
As soon as Kirk is finished wiring me up, I go to her. She’s like a magnet I can’t seem to ignore the pull of. And one that surprisingly, I don’t want to. I remind myself again, this is not the time to fall for anyone, ignoring my own advice as I snag her hand in mine.
I stop, kissing Lily with all I’ve got so she knows that no matter what happens out on that stage, it’s her I’m thinking of and can’t wait to get back to.
The house lights drop and the world detonates. A roar rises from the dark like a living, breathing beast, thousands of voices fusing into one relentless scream that rattles my chest harder than the bass ever could.
I step out into it, into them, and the spotlight slams into me. Heat, blinding and white, washes over my skin, but it’s nothing compared to the fire burning inside. My pulse thrums in sync with the pounding drums behind me, a heartbeat amplified until it feels like I own every vein in the room.
Hands shoot up. Cell phone lights flicker like stars scattered across a velvet sky. For a split second, the crowd is mine. Mine to command, mine to break, mine to lift higher than they’ve ever been.
I wrap my fingers around the mic, the metal warm from the heat of the stage, and I grin like the devil they came here to see.
Then I open my mouth. The first line tears out of me raw and sharp, slicing straight through the roar, and the place erupts.
The sound of my own voice, amplified, fed back into me with their screams. It’s pure gasoline.
Every note I spit is fire, every lyric a spark, and they burn for me, howl for me, beg for more.
I always thought that this—this—is the closest thing to heaven I’d ever get, but as I turn my head, find Lily, and flash her a grin, I know I may have found something even better. She’s the calm in a storm I didn’t even know I was caught in.
Her cheeks are lifted in the biggest grin, her body bopping to the beat, her arms raised in the air. Witnessing her jamming out to my music is a fucking high that surges a burst of energy into my performance. Every growl, every thrust of my hips, every song I sing tonight, it’s for her.
I love the fucking stage, but as we belt out our final song, I can’t wait to get back to her. I bow with the band, wave to the crowd and have to restrain myself from running in her direction as we leave the stage.
When I reach her, I wrap her in a hug, swooping her off her feet, swinging her in a circle, hoping she doesn’t mind I’m drenched in sweat. Doesn’t seem to be an issue as her arms loop around my shoulders to press herself tighter to me.
“You were-” She begins before I seal my lips over hers, stealing the breath from her. Her chest vibrates as laughter bubbles and she breaks our kiss, her eyes meeting mine. “Luc, seriously, you were amazing.”
I flash a wicked grin as I slide her down my body, onto her feet. “I told you.”
She swats me lightly on the arm. “Cocky much?”
“Nope.” I arch a single brow. “Don’t need to be.” I tilt my head toward the stage where members of the crowd are calling for another encore. “Listen to that.”
“It’s surreal.” She shakes her head, her hand lifting over her mouth as she stares out past the stage. “I can’t believe this is your life.”
“Not my life.” I nod in thanks when Jake walks by and hands me a towel. I use it to scrape the sweat from hair, face and neck, then wrap it around my shoulders. “It’s my job.”
“Pretty sweet job.” She muses, staring wide-eyed at the small crowd gathered backstage as our crew work on each one of us to strip us of our wiring.
“Not complaining one bit.” I flash her a quick smile, thank Jake as he hands me my phone, and then direct my focus back to her. “Ready to get out of here?”
“Is there another party tonight?” Her sneakered foot scuffs back and forth as she peers up at me. It was pretty clear what she witnessed last night was not her scene. And although she didn’t know it, I was so over it as well.
“There’s always another party.” I admit, noticing the slump in her shoulders almost immediately in response. “But I’ve got other plans for us.”
Her posture straightens, a small smile gracing her features. “Really? You don’t have to go?”
“Nope.” I drape my arm over her shoulders and lead her down the hallway we came from earlier. “I had Jake get me my own room.” I glance down to gauge her reaction, satisfaction washing over me when I witness the evident expression of relief on her face. “You cool just hanging with me.”
Her hair swishes against my arm as she nods her head. “Totally cool with that.”
“Sweet.” I already had Jake move all my shit earlier, not wanting to chance having to go to the suite and then getting pressured into staying. Jake had also already transferred the room key to my phone, making us getting up there a piece of cake.
We step onto the elevator and I press the button for the 23rd floor.
Not quite the penthouse, but I told Jake to get me a room to impress, so I’m sure it’ll be nice.
I have to swipe my key to get up to the floor, so I slide my phone out of my pocket and find it in the wallet app and scan it before the elevator finally starts to rise.
As we’re climbing, I notice all Lily has with her is a purse. Didn’t exactly know how the day, let alone this night, was going to pan out and realize my planning really isn’t doing shit for her.
“Anything you need I can arrange for you.” I tug her flush to my body and gleam wickedly at her. “Except clothes. I’d really prefer you naked for the next twelve hours.”
Her lips purse as she peers up at me, her eyes narrowing as she scans my face. When she speaks, her words are laced with sarcasm. “Oh, you thought I’d be spending the night again?”
“You bet your fucking sweet ass I do.” I palm her cheek, tilting her head back so that her mouth is more accessible.
I lean in and trace over her lips with my tongue, plunging inside when her mouth opens on a gasp.
I release her face to lift both her arms, locking them above her as I use my body to push her back against the mirrored wall of the elevator.
Her leg hooks higher around my thigh, pulling me closer, and I grind into her, the heat of her body scorching through the denim of my jeans.
My mouth devours hers until the elevator dings, doors sliding open on another floor.
She stiffens, but I don’t let her go. I kiss her harder, daring her to pull away, daring her to remember we’re not alone yet.
No one steps inside though. The doors close again, and I chuckle darkly against her lips. “Careful, Kitten. Elevators have cameras.”
I nip her jaw, tongue tracing down her throat as she arches, desperate for more. I keep her pinned, giving her just enough friction to wreck her, but not enough to satisfy.
“Patience,” I growl in her ear, pressing harder as the elevator climbs. “I promise to ruin you properly the second that door closes upstairs.”
When it finally dings on our floor, I don’t waste time. My hand clamps around her wrist, dragging her down the plush hallway. She laughs breathlessly, her tiny feet shuffling to keep up, but she doesn’t try to stop me. I flash my phone key over the scan, the lock clicks, and I shove the door open.
The second it shuts behind us, I press her against it, not to take, but to tease.
My mouth hovers a hair’s breadth from hers, my thumb stroking her bottom lip as she pants against me.
I could kiss her, devour her again, but I want the ache to build, so I can unravel her by inches. I want this time to last between us.
I skim my hand down her arm, over the curve of her hip, and stop just short of where she wants me most. Her eyes flash with need, and I grin wickedly.
“Bedroom,” I rasp. “Now. Unless you want me to fuck you against this door where the whole goddamn hallway can hear.”
Her eyes spark with fire at my threat, but instead of arguing, she slips out from under me, chin tipped high. She saunters toward the bedroom like she owns the place, hips swaying, knowing damn well I’m watching every step.
“You don’t scare me Luc.” She throws over her shoulder, her tone light but laced with challenge.
“You should be, Lily.” I warn, my voice low, rough, the sound echoing through the suite as I follow. I don’t hurry. I want her to feel my presence stalking behind her, every step deliberate, the air between us sparking with electric current.
She reaches the doorway to the bedroom and pauses, fingers skimming the doorframe. I crowd in behind her, pressing my chest to her back, my lips brushing her ear. “This is your last chance to change your mind.”
Her answering laugh is soft, daring. “You afraid of what might happen if I stay?”
I drag my knuckles down her arm, slow and teasing, before capturing her wrist, guiding her across the threshold. The lights glow soft and golden against the crisp sheets and sprawling king bed. I spin her to face me, pinning her with a look that leaves no room for doubt.