Chapter 3
“Stupid, good-looking, irritating man!”I hissed as my pussy vibrated. Desire throbbed through my entire body, every nerve in me wound tight and alive.
People could say what they wanted about sex and how promiscuous my generation was. But honestly, if they’d had better sex, perhaps they wouldn’t be so uptight about how much I had. Because there was no better feeling than a good orgasm, and Cruz was a master at them. The little gift he’d given me before I came on stage buzzed again, and I stumbled. Tom peeked over at me, his eyebrows raised in concern.
“Clumsy,” I whispered, and he nodded, readily believing the lie. I’d be insulted if it wasn’t also true. “Can you hold this for a sec?”
I shoved my violin and bow into his hands before he could answer and reached down to untie the bows around my ankles so I could take off my heels. I preferred to play barefoot, anyway. Sweet little Tom gulped at my movement, and I realized I’d just flashed him a considerable amount of boob. Oops.
“There. Much better. I don’t want to fall off the stage or break an ankle.”
Tom swallowed and shook his head. “That would be horrible.”
I patted his cheek before I took my things, handing him the heels instead. “Can you put these somewhere safe for me?”
His cheeks flushed, but he nodded, taking the sexy shoes from my fingers. I smoothed down my dress just as another wave of vibrations came. My pulse pounded to the same rhythm as my pussy, my entire body creating a perfect backdrop beat for me. With each step closer to the main stage, the adrenaline increased as I neared my phantom. While I’d never spoken to the man or even seen his face, an undeniable connection had been forged between us through music and performance.
Phantom didn’t know this, but until I’d heard him play, I hadn’t picked up my bow or stroked any keys in years. Music had become a dead void inside of me that hadn’t been resuscitated until he gave me a reason to want to. Performing with Phantom was more than the notes we played; it was an out-of-body experience between two strangers—our souls connected in those brief seconds on stage, creating something so pure and beautiful.
I didn’t know his reasoning for playing incognito, but I could understand it. So while I wanted to know his face, I already knew his heart, so I allowed him his privacy. What we had was more important than my curiosity. Not that I didn’t try to get him to break each time. I just wouldn’t be me otherwise.
“It’s been a while since you two have performed, hasn’t it?” Tom asked, more collected now.
“Yeah. Life kind of got in the way,” I mumbled as I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to think or see Tom right now. This was Phantom’s time.
The song onstage ended, so I took a deep breath to center myself. The first notes were always the hardest, memories of my past wanting to steal the joy I now felt, reminding me of a time when music hadn’t been fun but a measure of my worth. Fuck that.
“You’re up,” Tom whispered, nudging me forward. My feet moved on autopilot as I walked around the heavy velvet curtain; the lights shined brightly on me, blocking out everyone else.
“I’m going to take a break, folks, but while I’m gone, you’re going to get a real treat,” Sebastian, the piano player dressed in white, said. He stepped back and took my hand, placing a kiss on it. The man was old enough to be my grandfather and meant nothing by the kiss but loved to rile up Phantom.
Right on cue, Phantom stiffened, his head snapping up in our direction. I couldn’t make out his eyes, hidden beneath his mask and hood, but I could feel them on me. I lifted my violin to my shoulder; the familiar weight of the wood was soothing as I placed my chin into position. I couldn’t look at Phantom yet; my nerves were too tight, and I’d end up running off stage. Closing my eyes, I strummed my bow across the strings, the first notes of the song ringing out into the club.
While I played, the tension left me as my body took over, my mind pushed to the side, and I became one with my bow, my arm just an extension of it. Slowly, Phantom joined in as he added notes to the song, letting me have this first verse to settle in. Our unspoken connection instinctively knew what the other needed.
Starting the second verse, I moved closer to his piano. My eyes bored into where his should be as I played, my body swaying to the beat. I’d wanted an upbeat song tonight, needing to feel alive after the day I had, and music was always the best medicine for that. My hair swished as I rocked back and forth, the happy notes of “Can’t stop the feeling” giving me life.
People clapped along as they danced below, but they were a blur to me as I focused on the man at the piano. The song ended, and I breathed heavily, my heart racing from the exertion. But I felt alive and aroused ten times over. Performing always did this to me, but especially when I did it with Phantom. In a way, it felt like we teased and touched one another with the notes we played, creating the best foreplay.
Now that I felt braver, I slid my hand over his shoulders, his black hoodie soft beneath my fingers. Despite the fact it was a hoodie, it had to be made from the softest cotton in the world. It felt like cashmere; my body wanted to rub against the smoothness. Phantom’s shoulder trembled at my touch, but he kept his face forward. Each time, I tried a little harder to see if it would finally be the move to break him. So far, I haven’t been successful. But I wasn’t one to give up.
Sitting beside him on the bench, I leaned closer to whisper my next song and his intoxicating cologne invaded my nose, throwing me off kilter as I froze there.
“Ghost.” My voice came out husky as I swallowed to clear my throat.
He gave a slight nod before he started, his fingers moving at lightning speed across the keys. I jumped in, weaving my body back and forth as I played, brushing up against him. During a pause, Cruz hit the button and sent a vibration through me. Gasping, I clenched my thighs, waiting for the feeling to roll through me. As my toes curled on the ground, my eyes wanted to roll back in my head.
When it finally stopped, I stood and stepped onto the small platform in front of both pianos. A spotlight shined down on me as I lifted my bow into position; my body buzzed from an almost orgasm and was more on edge now than ever. I needed to move, or I’d combust on that bench. Stepping with the music, I danced as I spun and played, the music moving through me. By the time the song ended, I panted, my heart pounding harder.
I walked back over to Phantom, shocked when he reached out and placed a hand on my forearm. This close, I could almost make out his eyes, but they were still hidden by his mask. I could hear the unspoken question in his touch, “Are you okay?”
Nodding, I squeezed his hand, my fingers brushing against his palm before I let go and climbed up on top of the piano. I heard his breath hitch as my ass neared his face, a darker sound rumbling in his chest.
Yeah. I wasn’t playing fair, but I never claimed to follow any rules other than my own.
I dove into the harsh strokes for “Use Somebody,” keeping my eyes closed as I fell into the music; the piano joined, the notes vibrating under my butt and adding to the sensations coursing through my aroused body.
Opening my eyes, I played the rest as I stared at Phantom, trying to convey without words what I wanted from him. Together, we played the song, going back and forth as we volleyed the stanzas, an energy crescendoing between us.
We were one, breathing as one, playing as one, a true cadence.
Deciding to see how far I could push him, I moved my foot onto his thigh. He tensed, missing a note, but recovered quickly. I didn’t move my foot; I left it resting between his legs as we played. At first, I thought I imagined it, but as the number came to a close, there was no doubt in my mind—Phantom was hard.
As soon as the song ended, the piano bench scraped back, and he bolted off stage, leaving me a breathless mess on top of the piano. Carefully, I slid off and bowed before I made my exit. Phantom was nowhere to be found, his dark attire blending in with everything around me. My heart sank as I realized I’d pushed him too far. Shit.
“Meu Tudo,” Cruz called out in Portuguese from the other direction. His words caused my heartbeat to hitch. I didn’t know what they meant, finding it easier to pretend it was casual in my ignorance.
“Hey,” I said in my sultry voice, turning and giving him a sexy smile. “Did I pass?” I smirked, my eyes coy as I walked closer. My thighs rubbed together with each step, the slickness apparent and proving how wet I’d become. I could feel it dripping between my legs, coating me. Between the earlier tease, the vibrating panties, and my tête-à-tête with Phantom, my pussy had flooded.
Cruz’s strong hands gripped my hips as he pulled me closer, his lower half bumping into my belly. He ran his nose up my throat, licking me as he neared my ear. Goosebumps spread over my body as it trembled with need.
“What do you think?” His erection rubbed against me, and my eyes rolled back at the contact. His dick was so good. Top ten of dicks, and I was a hussy for it. No shame in my game.
He lifted me into his arms, my violin and bow still in my hands. Cruz growled when he realized and turned us toward the end of the stage where my case was. He sat me down for a second to secure it before he grabbed me again. His hands didn’t stop moving over me as he touched every inch he could.
“Ensure Everly’s violin is taken care of,” he ordered, pointing to Tom.
“Hey! Don’t boss him around,” I muttered as I narrowed my eyes. “And he has a name.”
Tom froze as he glanced between us, his eyes widening as he reached for my violin and bow.
“It’s okay. I was coming to get it anyway,” he said, swallowing. “Your shoes.”
Tom held them out to me, but Cruz snapped them up, a feral look crossing his face. I didn’t think he liked Tom holding his favorite shoes. I rolled my eyes, not enjoying the jealousy. This was why I didn’t do relationships. I wanted to be free and unhindered. No mess, no stress.
“We both know that’s not the real reason,” a dark voice whispered in my mind, but I ignored it like usual, focusing on the heat between my legs and the orgasm I desperately needed.
Yes. Orgasms. Focus on the orgasms.
Cruz didn’t say anything else to Tom or me before he picked me up like I didn’t weigh over 200 lbs. His muscles flexed against my body, his bronze and tattooed skin on display as his arms wrapped around me.
The first time he’d picked me up, I’d tried to get down. He had only scowled and told me to trust him and that it was offensive to myself and him to believe he couldn’t carry me. I’d realized he was right. I’d fallen back into my old thoughts that I was too heavy to be carried.
I might be heavier than some girls, but that didn’t make me too heavy or worth any less. And that was a significant distinction for me to make. As well as acknowledging that, yes, some men might not be able to pick me up—which was also okay—but others were. I couldn’t make that decision for them any more than they could for me.
Cruz knew his body and ability, and I was reverse-size shaming him by telling him what he was capable of based on my perceived notions.
So, I kept my mouth shut and let him.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice where we were headed until the noise of the VIPs surrounded us. My forehead creased as I took in the scene.
“I thought we were avoiding VIP?”
“No, you said it was a bummer about VIP. If you don’t want to be here, I can take you back onto the dance floor.”
He lifted his eyebrow in question as he waited. There was so much unsaid in his message.
Are you going to let others keep you away?
If you walk down there, I’ll tease you all night, but never let you come.
Trust me, and I’ll make you feel good.
Glancing out at the sea of models, I realized I was being dumb. Fucking in VIP was our thing, and I wouldn’t let others keep me from it. I did trust Cruz, and my body yearned for him. If I went back downstairs, I would be in agony all night as he edged me until I couldn’t breathe.
“Fine. I’m curious how you plan to pull this off.” My voice had grown husky again as the desire returned.
Cruz smirked, his eyes shining as he placed me on my feet and pulled me onto the smaller dance floor. If there was one thing I could count on, it was that Cruz would make me feel good and put on a show. The man was an exhibitionist and loved to push the limits, reinforcing my own kinky needs. The confines of VIP gave him enough protection, making it our go-to destination most nights.
His hands landed on my ass as he drew me near, his head falling to my neck as we danced. With each swipe of his fingers over my skin, he sent me flying. When he added the vibrations of the panties as the music crescendoed, I could barely stand as my body fought off the waves of an orgasm. Each time I got close, he’d pull back and leave me stranded on the cliff.
“I thought you weren’t going to edge me,” I whined, the need so powerful I was about to go rub up against a bar stool. Cruz smirked as he bent his head closer.
“Beg me, Meu Tudo. Let me pretend for one second you are mine.”
I licked my lips; my words stuck in my throat. Shit. Shit. Shit. Why did that word sound so sexy, sending my pulse racing and my pussy throbbing?
Cruz’s eyes bored into mine, the dark whiskey shining golden with want. I pressed my eyes closed as emotions I didn’t want to think about overwhelmed me. Cruz’s body deflated, and he dropped a kiss on my forehead.
“I’m sorry, Meu Tudo. Sometimes I get caught up. Come, I’ll give you what you crave.” I ignored how sad he sounded and how my heart hurt a little at it, too.
He spun me and lifted me in his arms. My eyes stayed closed, too worried I’d see more than I could handle on his face.
Or, you know, say something I’d regret in the morning.
A door shut before my feet were placed on the ground, and my body pressed against a hard surface. I moaned as his hands skimmed over my ass, and he snatched the panties, dragging them off my legs, my feet still bare. I kept my eyes closed as he plunged two fingers into me, pushing me over the edge I’d been teetering on all night.
I opened my eyes and gripped the arm of the couch I was bent over, the smooth leather soft to my touch. Cruz pushed up my dress as his hands roamed over my ass in adoration. Moaning, I wiggled back as he grazed his knuckles over my pussy and sent flutters through me.
“Ready, Meu Tudo?”
“Yes,” I moaned, knowing he wanted my words.
Two seconds later, I felt the tip of him at my center, the cold metal of his piercings sending shivers through me. I didn’t have time to think as he pushed in, the metal balls rubbing against my walls in the most splendid ways.
The past few hours of arousal for both of us had our movements sloppy as we moved together toward climax. I lifted on the arm, bracing my elbows to arch my back. Cruz’s hands gripped my ass as he railed me, his cock hitting me in all the best ways. It was like finally getting to itch that unreachable spot.
“Yes, yes,” I moaned. “Right there. Fuck, I’m so close.”
“Foda, Meu Tudo. Você é tudo para mim,” Cruz rambled right before he surged forward and grunted, hitting me so deep I saw stars, galaxies, and fucking planets.
“Ahh, yes. I’m coming,” I shouted, my fingers clawing at the leather as my body levitated off the ground.
Cruz stilled behind me as he shook, his release filling me as he came, his moans hearty and deep. The smell of sex filled the air, our heavy breathing the only sound. We both stayed still for a few seconds as we gathered ourselves. My brain was finally quiet for a few seconds.
“Merda. I forgot to use a condom,” Cruz cussed as he pulled out.
My body was too blissed out to care. I knew he hadn’t given me anything, and I was covered pregnancy-wise. If it had been anyone else, I would’ve gone straight to get tested, but not with Cruz. I should probably look at that closer, but my brain was too mush to at the moment.
“Mm, good,” I mumbled as he helped fix my dress. His eyes assessed my face before nodding.
“When will I see you again?” he asked, dropping his hands and stepping back.
I shrugged one shoulder. “Not sure. I need to find another job and a place to live. So, things are kind of up in the air at the moment.”
“You could stay with me,” he offered, but I shook my head. While I had stayed with some fuck buddies, I couldn’t with Cruz. Again, I didn’t ponder on the why too much. But I knew it was because then I’d never want to leave and I refused to be trapped ever again.
“I’m good. But thank you.”
I kissed his cheek before leaving, only remembering I didn’t have my shoes as the door shut. The thought of going back inside to ask had my skin breaking out in goosebumps. I could only say no to Cruz so many times before I gave in, and I was closer than ever to doing that.
It looked like I was leaving barefoot. Pulling out my phone, I sent a message to a coworker to ask if I could stay over. On the weekend, I worked at a local coffee shop and hadn’t overused my couch privileges yet. I sighed in relief when she said yes; one less burden to carry tonight.
Jonno noticed me when I arrived outside and waved over a car for me. Kissing his cheek, I climbed in and gave the address as I fell back against the seat. Thoughts of Cruz and Phantom swirled together, and I decided I needed to stay away from Howlers for a bit. My heart and vagina disagreed, but they weren’t in charge of me.
Hello, denial, my good old friend. Let’s just pretend that was true.