Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I was introduced to a whirlwind of people with names and faces I barely remembered. Most started off with small talk about the art, the food, the drinks, until all chit chat inevitably turned toward music. I smiled and nodded politely, but didn't have much to contribute. Luckily, Nathan quickly noticed how out of my depth I was, and smoothly exited those conversations before I could get too uncomfortable.
"Thank you." I hugged his arm and rested my head against his shoulder for a brief moment, grateful that he understood how I'd been feeling.
A hush came over the room and I saw a young woman with messy dark hair come to stand on a small stage at the front. She looked nervous, her face pale, although I had a feeling that might have been her usual coloring. Everyone turned to face her. She cleared her throat.
"Thank you all for coming," she said.
I had to assume this was Cassie Blake, the artist and photographer.
She continued to thank everyone for coming out to support her, talked a little bit about her work, and took a few questions from the audience. The longer she stood up there, the less uneasy she looked, until eventually she was cracking smiles and making jokes with the guests.
I noticed a tall blond man just off to the side of her. He was staring at Cassie, his expression a mixture of satisfaction, love and almost bursting with pride. That must have been her boyfriend August, the drummer. I'd never seen someone look at another human being with such respect and reverence before.
Cassie finished speaking and stepped down from the stage. A relieved look crossed her face. August went to her and dipped his head so he could speak directly into her ear. A soft smile crossed her face at whatever he said. She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest, face now flushed pink.
"There's a power couple if I've ever seen one."
A young woman with red hair came up behind Nathan. It was a different sort of red from Cameron's. Not that bright, fire-engine red. More like a darker cherry.
That was when I recognized the women as Cerise Moreau, Gael's sister and lead singer of Cherry Lips.
"I don't think I know anyone more dedicated to their art than those two," she continued.
"High praise, coming from a workaholic like you," the man next to her said with a soft, teasing smile.
Cerise raised an eyebrow. "Pot, meet kettle?"
"Let's not start," Nathan said with a laugh. "We don't need to get into another fight over who's the most committed to our music." Nathan turned to me and nodded at them. "Becca, you recognize Cerise and Liam?"
Once he said the name, it clicked and I realized the man was Liam Knight, guitarist for Cherry Lips and Cerise's boyfriend.
"I saw you guys in concert," I said. "You were awesome on stage."
"Thanks." Cerise looked me up and down, a line between her brows as if sizing me up, then flicked her gaze to Nathan. I didn't know what she saw, but the tension in her eyes eased and she offered me a genuine smile. "Feel free to come watch us any time."
"Do you have more concerts coming up soon?" I asked, surprised. "I thought you were still in the studio?"
Cerise nodded. "We are, but the label's already planning our tour. We're going to be on the road for months."
"Months?" I looked to Nathan. "You're going to be gone for months?"
"We're not going any time soon," he told me. "Like Cerise said, we're still working on the album."
Months.
Nathan was going to be gone for months.
And this wasn't a one-time occurrence, either. He was a rock star. Touring was what they did. He'd even said it, hadn't he, that his mom had gotten Cleo to keep her company when he started touring.
Why hadn't I thought of it before now?
Why hadn't I realized?
"Becca?" Nathan prompted after I'd gone silent. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I think these shoes are just a size too small," I said, faking a smile. "Why don't we go see about buying that photo?"
I kept that smile plastered on my face for the rest of the event, even though inside my mind was whirling.
Months.
My heart squeezed in my chest as I squeezed Nathan's hand. He gave me a warm smile. I returned it weakly.
The event finally wound down and people started trickling out. Nathan said goodbye to the last of his friends and we headed to his car. I was quiet on the way back to his place.
"You sure you're feeling okay?" he asked as we rode up the elevator. I could hear the worry in his tone. He was still wondering whether I was upset that he had essentially ignored me as soon as that woman showed up.
But that wasn't what I was worried about.
"My feet are just a little sore from my shoes," I said.
"Maybe I could give you a foot rub."
My feet actually did hurt. It hadn't been a lie. "That would be wonderful."
We reached the apartment and I kicked off my heels with a relieved sigh.
"Why don't you go sit on the sofa?" Nathan said. "I'll be right back."
The cushions were so soft and fluffy I sank right into them. It would have been the perfect spot to take a nap. I closed my eyes, curled my feet up on the sofa next to me and rested my head against the back cushions.
Months.
My eyes popped open when I felt Nathan sit next to me. He had brought a small bottle of what smelled like peppermint oil and placed it on the coffee table.
"You have massage oil?" I asked.
"Comes in handy," was all he said. "Now lie back and put your feet in my lap."
He poured a few drops of oil onto his palms and rubbed them together to warm them. The peppermint scent filled the air, a pleasant aroma.
Nathan took one foot in his hands and began to rub. I immediately let out a groan. Nathan chuckled.
"Ever had a foot massage before?" he asked.
"Never like this," I said with another soft moan. I relaxed back into the cushions, letting Nathan's fingers perform magic on my sore toes, heels and instep.
But before long, his fingers moved up from my feet, to my ankles, and then began massaging my calves. When his thumbs began to dig into the backs of my knees, I knew where this was going.
"I thought this was a foot massage," I teased.
"I can go back to your feet if you want," he said slyly. Even as he said it, he slid his hands up past my knees and skimmed along my inner thighs.
A warm, wet heat began to burn inside me. I took Nathan's hand and brought it under my dress. He squeezed my upper thigh. I parted my legs, my knees on either side of him, and let him crawl between them to press me down into the sofa. His length was already stiffening and pressing into my hip.
"Does this mean the foot massage is over?" I asked.
"I'd rather put my hands somewhere else right now."
He gripped my hips under my dress, his fingers a hot brand on my skin. He dipped his head and captured my lips with his. The hot tangle of our tongues was enough to send liquid passion soaring through me. I clamped my thighs down and bucked my hips, wanting to feel that delicious friction. Wanting to feel that now-familiar pleasure. Wanting to forget about my worries, my fears. All I wanted right now was Nathan's touch.
He grabbed the hem of my dress, lifting it up and over my head. He did the same to his shirt. My hands reached for his naked chest unconsciously, wanting to feel his firm, inked muscles under my fingertips. I explored the peaks and valleys, feeling him flex as I found his sensitive spots.
I trailed my fingers down his torso until I reached that tempting V just above his belt buckle. I traced the lines with my fingers, making him shiver. I relished the effect my touch had on him.
Nathan returned his lips to mine in a ferocious kiss. I fumbled with the buckle of his belt and quickly unzipped his jeans. He kicked them off, leaving him in his boxers and me in my panties.
We exhaled into each other's mouths, taking a moment to catch our breath. I was already wet with desire, aching to be filled. His cock was stiff against my stomach and weeping at the tip.
"Bedroom," he murmured into my mouth.
We dragged each other from the sofa and hurried to his bedroom. Nathan tugged me into his arms and began to lower me to the bed. I squirmed, pulling back. He looked confused.
I turned around and crawled onto the bed, getting on all fours. I arched my back and turned my head to look at him. The heat in his eyes turned blazing, his eyes darkening.
"Like this," I murmured.
He wasted no time. His boxers were long gone, and my panties soon followed as he practically ripped them from my hips. He dove into his nightstand and rolled on protection before returning to me. He plastered himself against my back, the head of his cock nudging my entrance.
"Take me," I urged him. "Take me like this."
He moved his hips in a circle, dragging the tip up and down, rubbing against me but not yet entering.
"What's that?" he said in a darkly amused tone. "I didn't quite hear you."
"Give it to me," I begged. "Now."
"Hm?" He pressed a sucking kiss against my neck and chuckled. "I don't think I understand what you mean."
"Fuck me!" I demanded.
With one smooth thrust, he entered me. I gasped out loud at the intrusion, my body quivering under his, trying to accommodate his length. I always forgot how big he was, and this position only made him seem that much larger.
He held himself there, letting me get used to him. I let out a slow breath, the tension in my shoulders easing, then nodded my head for him to continue. He pulled back and slid in again, slick against my slippery inner walls. I moaned at the sensation, as he hit that perfect spot inside me.
"Faster," I breathed. "Faster."
He did as I wished, grabbing onto my hips and slamming into me. I cried out with each rapid thrust, my breath coming in fits and starts. On and on it went, never-ending, for what seemed like an eternity, until I was nearly mindless with pleasure, lips parted and eyes unseeing.
Nathan reached around me to play with my clit, and I was already so close I exploded with just that touch, sparks flitting across my vision, a kaleidoscope of colors. My inner muscles clenched and squeezed, working his cock until he, too, came with a long groan of his own. He twitched inside me, pulse after pulse until eventually his grip on my hips loosened.
"Fuck, gorgeous, you're fucking amazing." He rested his forehead against my back, panting heavily.
I flopped down onto the bed and pulled him down to curl up next to me. He gathered me into his arms and tucked my head under his chin.
Our breaths evened out, our chests no longer heaving with exertion. Nathan ran a hand up and down my back, along that sexy curve he loved so much. His movements began to slow, then stop. I sensed Nathan slowly slip into sleep.
But I couldn't follow him. My mind wouldn't quiet down.
Months.
Nathan was going to be gone for months.
My mom had quit her job to take care of me. I'd always needed someone to be there, just in case. I always would need someone to be there, for the rest of my life.
But Nathan couldn't guarantee that. Not with his job.
And I could never ask him to give that up for me.
What kind of future did that leave us?