29. Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Twenty-Nine
F ive days back on the road, after a two day break to make sure everyone had recovered, and Oakley finally had a real bed again. Granted, he was sleeping a bit better on the bus with Vanessa slipping into his bunk during the night, but the tight confines left both of them sore in the morning.
And not from anything fun.
Besides making out a bit in the limited privacy the bunk curtain allowed, time on the bus was spent behaving as though they were at work 24/7. Which they were. He reminded himself of that fact often. Mostly after Vanessa gave him one of those knowing smiles when she caught him watching her from across the room while he worked on setting up interviews and booking new venues.
He still couldn’t believe that someone like Vanessa, who was strong enough to snap a man’s neck, who was fiercely protective, who was easy to talk to and intelligent and made him smile and laugh no matter how stressed he was, wanted him. Despite the limited intimacy, every day with her had him wishing the tour never had to end.
Once it was over, would she still be standing by his side as they watched the sun rise, sipping the coffee they took turns making for themselves and the band every morning? Would they still have fun cooking meals together? Or sharing random videos they came across online that they thought the other would enjoy?
The way things were now, they were together all the time, but that would change once they finished the tour. And the band would be in the studio for months. Aunt Reese would have work for him, but what reason did Vanessa have to stick around? Being security on tour was one thing, but once the band was back home, they wouldn’t need her as often.
Besides, her family was in New Orleans and his was in Detroit. Neither of them had their own place. Obviously they hadn’t discussed moving in together, it was too soon. But maybe it wouldn’t be after the tour?
Groaning, he tried to bring his attention back to the files he’d saved on his laptop from the forum. They were still waiting to hear back from the detective about whether or not the group of stalkers had been caught, but since the forum had been moved he’d been searching for some way to find it. So long as it was running, there was a chance someone else would use the information to come after the band.
This was important, but no matter how hard he tried, his mind kept drifting back to Vanessa. He closed his eyes, picturing her pressed against him in the darkness of his bunk, her breasts in his hands and her lips on his throat. Every touch of her fingers on his flesh sent a sizzling sensation along his nerves that lasted long after a sound from someone moving around the bus had them both going still and eventually drifting off to sleep. Which left them both frustrated, but Vanessa never complained. She was patient with him, always going at his pace, agreeing that having sex in the confined space would be uncomfortable. He had a feeling she knew there was more to it.
As good as they were together, his lack of experience would be damn obvious once they took their relationship to the next level. If he was unsure of how they’d make things work logistically, he was even more worried about how he could possibly keep her happy in bed.
She’d been with soldiers. Big, strong men like Balthazar, or even Josh, both of whom were her match in every way. Fine, she wasn’t interested in them, but Oakley still needed to figure out how to give her what no one else could.
If only sex was as easy as computer programing. Enter the right code and everything would do exactly what it was supposed to.
Rubbing his hand over his mouth, he stared at his laptop, cheeks heating as a thought occurred to him. There might not be a code, but there were other ways he could learn what he needed to know. He clicked off the file he’d been reading over and opened a search engine.
An hour and ten videos later and he was starting to think this had been a mistake. Sure, he had some of the basics down, but watching different men going down on naked women and eating them out until the women were screaming had gotten him hard.
He’d never been the type to watch porn, the exaggerated moaning and uncomfortable positions didn’t turn him on. But focusing on the specifics of using his fingers and tongue, picturing trying the things he’d seen with Vanessa?
Yeah…that did it for him.
Another video started, this one with two guys both pleasuring the same woman. She was already screaming and one of the men rose up, letting the other man lick his dick as he rubbed it against her, slicking his cock before sinking in deep.
“Threesomes? I didn’t think you’d be into that.”
Oakley jumped, knocking over his laptop and the glass of water he’d set beside it on the coffee table. “Shit!”
In one swift motion, Vanessa snatched up his laptop, getting it out of harm’s way. She smirked at him as she sat on the sofa, drying a few drops of water with the hem of her black security T-shirt as she let the video continue to play. Tapping her finger on her chin thoughtfully, she glanced over at him.
He blew out a breath to cool his blazing cheeks and shook his head. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
“Isn’t it?” Her brow rose. “So you’re not watching porn?”
“I am, but it was… It’s stupid.” He reached out to take his laptop back, groaning when she gave him that look that told him he might want to reconsider his next move.
Why did her looking at him like that make him even harder? It was as if she’d taken control with a simple glance and his mind quieted, waiting for her next command.
No guessing required.
“Let’s try this, Oakley. You’re going to be honest with me, and I’ll do the same.” Her lips curved into a satisfied smile when he nodded. “Why in the world do you think watching porn is stupid?”
He sighed and lowered onto the sofa beside her. “The reason is stupid.”
“Which is?”
“To make sure I know what I’m doing. You know I’m a virgin and completely clueless about how to make anyone feel good.” He wasn’t enjoying this discussion, but she’d asked for honesty, so he’d give it to her. “When I’m with you I want to have something to offer.”
She closed the laptop and set it aside. “Come with me, Oakley. I want to show you something.”
Taking his hand, she led him to the bedroom. Then she nudged him backward until he was lying down and climbed over him. Her lips covered his in a long, deep kiss and she began to undo the buttons of his dark blue vest.
“One of the things I enjoy about you is this. How comfortable I feel with you, how easy it is to tell you exactly what I want. And that you’re able to do the same.” She moved on to his shirt, kissing along his jaw as she drew him closer and shoved the material off his shoulders. “You’re not pushy or demanding and you’re willing to let me take over. And when you weren’t ready, you let me know.”
“You deserve a man who’s always ready.”
“Now you’re not listening and that is not how things are going to work between us, Oakley.” This time her eyes narrowed slightly as her voice, still a little hoarse, sharpened. When he hissed in a breath at the throb in his dick, her lips curved. “There we go. You like it when I take charge, don’t you?”
No point in lying, she read him too well. “Yes.”
“Mmm, very good.” She leaned up on her elbow, black braids spilling over one shoulder, and trailed her finger down the center of his bare chest. “Instead of worrying that you don’t know all you need to, how about you consider that I’ll take a great deal of pleasure in teaching you? You don’t need to be the kind of man you think I’d want. You are the man I want.”
“So no more porn?”
She laughed and shook her head. “I didn’t say that. Taking the initiative is always appreciated. And I will keep in mind how hard you got watching those two men together with that woman.”
He frowned, not sure what to make of that. “I don’t need anyone else, Vanessa.”
“Good, because I don’t want a long term relationship with anyone other than you. It works for some, but I like how things are with just the two of us.” She traced a lazy circle around his nipple. “I’m thinking of moving to Detroit. The rest can be discussed later, but let’s just say you’re one of the few people I’ve ever imagined waking up next to every morning and not hated the idea.”
“I’ve been thinking about that too.” Warmth filled his chest, mingling with the tingling pleasure of her touch, his earlier doubts all but gone. Except for one. “What does that have to do with threesomes?”
“You bring up your lack of experience a lot, Oakley. There are many things I’d like to share with you. Nothing you aren’t comfortable with, but if you ever wanted to be with another man, I wouldn’t object.” Lightly grazing her nails down the center of his chest, she met his eyes. “So long as it was something we did together.”
Thinking back on the scene she’d caught him watching, he couldn’t deny that it would be fucking hot to try with her. His idea of what a relationship should be had always been two people, and he knew he’d be happy with it being only him and Vanessa.
But there was nothing wrong with a few fantasies. He closed his eyes as she undid his pants, breathing through parted lips. “I haven’t thought about being with anyone other than you, but if I ever do, I’ll tell you.”
“That’s all I want.” She freed his dick and began to stroke it in a loose grip. “You asked me once how I could want you when I’m surrounded by rock stars. Do any of them interest you?”
Distracted by the sensation of her slightly calloused hand moving over him, he shook his head. “I work with them and I was always focused on you.”
“Fuck, I love hearing that.” She brought her lips to his chest, tightening her grip on his dick as she stroked him faster. “I see them as people I need to protect and you were distracting enough.”
“If anything, I assumed you’d be attracted to Balthazar. Or maybe Josh.” Arousal was loosening his tongue, but he didn’t mind. He’d rather tell her than keep it inside, especially now that she’d told him why she wanted him instead of any other man.
Talking was getting more difficult as she changed her grip again, her palm going over the head of his dick, adding the perfect amount of pressure as it slid back down.
“Balthazar is off limits and I’ve never seen him that way. And Josh is very gay, which would spoil the idea of sharing.”
“Is there anyone else you’d like to play with?”
Vanessa laughed, coming in for another kiss as though rewarding him for something he’d done right, even though he wasn’t sure what that was.
“I’m already corrupting you. This is fun.” She flicked her tongue over his bottom lip. “North could probably teach you a few things.”
His dick twitched and he groaned as she ran her thumb over a bead of precum that gathered at the tip. “He’s with Tate.”
“Which is one too many I suppose.” She lifted her shoulders, though her eyes still held some mischief as she moved down his body, sucking the slickness off her thumb, then brushing her lips over the head of his cock. “Besides, I’m not sure I could handle you with that much bad influence.”
“I’m sure you could get them to behave.” He fisted his hands in the sheets as her mouth covered him. “Fuck, that feels good.”
Lips soft and wet, Vanessa took him in deep, her tongue gliding along the underside of his dick, stimulating the glands with each pass until he was panting and fighting against the urge to thrust into her mouth. Before long she had him on the edge, but he tried to think of anything that would keep him from going over. His first time with her couldn’t end this fast.
He’d been watching the videos for a reason and he still wanted to show her what he’d learned. He brought his hand to her cheek and she lifted her head, brow raised. There was no way to say what he wanted to do without sounding lame, but he could show her.
Sitting up, he curved his fingers under the hem of her T-shirt and tugged it up and off, tossing it aside, then going to work on her bra. The snug, dark blue sports bra was a little tricky to figure out, but once it joined her shirt on the floor, he got to enjoy the sight of her beautiful breasts which were always kept tightly concealed until she was alone with him.
Vanessa’s breasts were smooth and soft, weighed down slightly now that they were freed. The areolas were a dark, rosy brown, with small, erect nipples he couldn’t wait to feel under his tongue. He moved over her as she laid back, cupping her breasts in his hands, brushing his lips along the outer curve of one. She let out a soft moan as he brought his mouth down over one nipple, drawing it into his mouth and savoring the taste of her as he teased the hard nub with light sucks.
Shifting to the other breast, he used his fingers to continue stimulating the first, lifting his gaze to Vanessa’s face as she gasped and her legs shifted restlessly on the bed. Her fingers delved into his hair and he didn’t resist as she guided him down her body, licking over her ribs and the center of her stomach.
He undid her black jeans and peeled them off her legs with her panties, kissing his way back up as he positioned himself between her thighs. When he kissed above her mound, Vanessa gave his hair a little tug.
“Don’t tease me, Mister. I was already fucking ready to go when you were fighting not to fuck my face.” She hissed through her teeth as he used his thumbs to part her labia, tipping her head back when he ran his tongue over the slick, hot flesh he’d exposed. “Oh, fuck, Oakley. That’s good. Very good.”
Her reactions spurred him on, but he kept watching her face as he flicked his tongue over the swelling nub of her clit. Too much pressure too often and he could see the discomfort, but light strokes, shifting to licking along either side of her clit, then moving down to thrust his tongue inside her drew passion-filled cries from her lips. As he adapted her thighs began to tremble and she gripped his hair as though needing this not to end.
Having his mouth on her was pure fucking ecstasy. Precum seeped from his dick as he got lost in the taste of her, in the sounds, the way her body flowed with the pleasure as though she could feel it over every inch of her. He’d never been sure he’d like having his mouth on the most intimate part of anyone, but with Vanessa he could happily spend the rest of the day and all night right here.
Opening his mouth over her clit, he focused his attention on keeping it stimulated and eased one finger, then two, inside her. Hot and wet, she tightened around his fingers as he began to slip them in and out. Her back arched and she jerked her hips, crying out as he withdrew her fingers and replaced them with his tongue.
Gasping and laughing, Vanessa grabbed his arm and pulled him over her. “If you learned that from watching a bit of porn, it is now required viewing.” She kissed him, sucking her own juices off his bottom lip. “I have condoms in the side pocket of my jeans. Hurry up because my next orgasm is going to be with that beautiful dick inside me.”
His lips curved at the last, not sure what to make of his dick being called ‘beautiful’, but more than willing to follow her instructions. He leaned over the bed, found the condom, and covered himself before settling over her.
Guiding his dick to the slickness where his mouth had been, he pressed into her slowly. The snug heat wrapping around him had his pulse racing and every breath coming in a rush. Once his hips were flush against her spread thighs, he held still.
She wrapped her hands around the back of his neck and rose up to claim his lips. Not waiting for him to regain control of his body, she began to undulate beneath him and he groaned, framing her hips with his hands as he pulled back, then thrust in.
“There, just like that.” Vanessa lifted every time he slammed into her, urging him to go faster and faster, sweat beading on both of their flesh. “ Yes .”
The rhythm sent him into a lust induced haze, his balls lifting as every pistoning motion threw him closer to the release he’d denied himself before. He curved one hand under Vanessa’s thigh and eased it back, the other hand on her stomach as he worked his thumb over her clit.
Around his dick the muscles inside her tightened even more and she screamed, pressing her fist against her lips to cut off the sound, her eyes pressed shut.
Seeing her lose it was more than he could take. Pleasure slammed into him, erupting from a billowing core and shooting through him so hard he forgot how to breath. He came with one last driving thrust and held his body against her as heat from his come gathered in the condom, the feel of it on his over-sensitized dick almost more than he could take.
But as his blood cooled he relaxed above her, in no rush to pull away. Keeping his weight off her with his elbow on the bed, he gave her a long, deep kiss. Her legs closed against his hips as she kissed him back, smoothing his sweat slicked hair away from his face.
Her lips curved slightly. “Do you think you could do this on the bus now?”
He laughed, reaching down to hold onto the base of the condom as his dick began to soften and gently slipped out of her. “I’d probably give myself a concussion on the top of the bunk and you’re very loud, but we could probably manage.”
Smacking his shoulder, she grinned at him. “I’ll keep you in one piece. And I’m capable of being very quiet.”
“Not sure I want to find out. How will I know if I’m doing it right?”
“Believe me, I’ll let you know.” She rested her head on the pillow as he tied a knot in the condom and used some tissues from the box on the nightstand to wad around it before tossing it in the small trash can below. As he lay beside her, she turned to face him. “Can you promise me something?”
Her tone was serious, so he immediately nodded, not sure he cared what she’d ask of him.
“You’re a grown man, so I can’t stop you from doing whatever you want to do, but for fuck’s sakes, Oakley…” She shook her head and sighed. “You scared me. Don’t ever do anything that dangerous again.”
In the days since she’d killed Ray, Vanessa had shown zero interest in discussing anything about it. He’d been worried about her, but hoped she’d talk to him when she was ready.
He hadn’t expected the discussion to start with his actions, but maybe he should have. She wouldn’t have had to kill the bastard if Oakley hadn’t been grabbed by him. He’d know that was a risk, which was why he’d sent Balthazar the duplicated copy of everything on Ray’s phone, but the level of danger he’d put himself in hadn’t really occurred to him.
Brushing his fingers down Vanessa’s cheek, he nodded. “My focus was on making sure you didn’t have to do anything drastic to protect Tate or North. You ended up having to…to do it because of me. I’m so fucking sorry, Vanessa.”
“Don’t be sorry, just…” She chuckled and shook her head. “Never leave my sight again.”
“Which won’t be difficult since you plan to have a lot of bunk sex.”
“If it’ll keep you safe?” Raking her fingers into his hair, she closed the distance between them, whispering against his lips. “I’ll have you naked in that bunk whenever you’re not working, too worn out to get yourself in any trouble.”
He kissed her and grinned. “I’m strangely okay with that.”
“Joking aside, I mean it. I love you too much to risk losing you.” Her brow furrowed and she swallowed. “Damn it, look what you made me do. Now I’m confessing to loving you way too soon because I like you being alive.”
The words hit him in the center of his chest and for a minute, all he could do was kiss her again, trying to share the intense emotion she’d just given him while soothing away the fear that lingered in her eyes. That fear would probably be there for a while, but he’d do everything in his power never to be the cause of it again.
Until then, there was only one thing he could say. “I love you too, Vanessa. I don’t care whether it’s too soon or not. And…thank you.”
She framed his jaw with her hand and met his eyes. “For what?”
“I like being alive too.”