Chapter 27
DAWSON
Iwatched Iain during soundcheck, knowing the guys were talking about us.
Not that I was close enough to hear what they were saying, but I knew them. And Iain was fooling nobody. Neither of us were. At least, nobody who’d been around us long enough.
For him, that wasn’t such a big deal, but for me?
It was a problem.
I didn’t want to be taken off his detail, but if I couldn’t focus when it came to his security, I needed to tell Regan. Not that she didn’t already know what was going on.
But if Iain decided that’s it, he and I weren’t going to fuck again, there would be nothing to tell. So, for now, I held off.
My phone rang, and I glanced at the screen: Unknown Number.
I had that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach again.
I stepped away from Van.
“Dawson Everly speaking.”
Silence. I quickly tapped record, just in case.
“Hello?”
“Leave him alone.”
The voice was low and raspy, but I didn’t recognize it.
“Leave who alone? Who is this?”
Then the line went dead, the telltale beep of disconnection.
Shit.
Regan was talking to Ace, and I waved her over.
“I think Iain’s stalker just called me again. They told me to ‘leave him alone’ and hung up. I recorded it just in case, but I didn’t recognize the voice.”
Regan regarded me with concern. “It’s not much, but we’ll take it. Send the recording to the PI.”
“Will do.”
“By the way, I talked to Greg about Harlow—about his comments to you and to me last night. Harlow apologized and said he’d be here today. Just a heads up, he’s arriving around seven.”
The rest of the day passed without incident. I put Lennie on Iain’s detail while I followed up with the PI back home. It made for a productive day. Iain could focus on his work and me on mine.
See, we could do this.
And maybe Lennie would turn out to be a permanent solution if Iain and I kept doing what we were doing. Admittedly, I wanted to be exclusive with Iain while we were together, but I didn’t know how Iain would react to that suggestion.
Only one way to find out. But that conversation would have to wait until we were back at the hotel, alone.
The concert got underway at nine, with Brodie and the boys doing their bit to get the crowd excited. Not that the fans needed it; they were already pumped up, as evidenced by the volume of their screaming and clapping.
“Is everyone extra horny tonight because it’s Valentine’s Day?” Brodie asked the audience.
The crowd yelled back, and articles of clothing were thrown on stage.
“Yeah, me too.” Brodie smirked and ran a hand through his curls. “What about you, Holls?”
Iain replied by strumming the opening riff to ‘Ruined.’ It was one of their raunchiest, loudest songs, and the crowd responded by screaming Iain’s name.
“I guess that’s a yes,” Brodie remarked and walked along the edge of the stage, touching people’s hands. “Well, all right then. This song is for all the lovers out there.”
Halfway through the show, Brodie called Van out on stage, and they sang Filthy Pain together. Iain was his usual high energy, wowing the crowd with his guitar solos and backup vocals.
Harlow arrived near the end of the show and got the interviews sorted. Unlike last night, he was subdued, almost apologetic. Not to me, but whatever. If he was mindful of Iain, that’s all I cared about.
While the guys were working their PR, with Lennie and Quinn on duty, I texted my mom and then video-called my son.
“Hey bud, Happy Valentine’s Day. Did you have a good party at school?”
“It was awesome, Dad. We had pizza and cake and exchanged cards. I’ll show you when you’re home. I made a card for you.”
“I can’t wait. And I have something for you, too.”
“How many more days?”
“One more week, bud. I promise.”
After I gave my son virtual hugs and kisses, I said goodbye.
Then, I got our entourage ready for the next event of the night.
We escorted the band to an afterparty held by one of the tour sponsors.
It was set in a swanky fashion boutique near the venue, with pink champagne flowing and plenty of stunning Parisians in designer outfits.
The guys were inundated with enthusiastic fans and did their bit, posing for selfies and signing autographs for almost two hours.
Iain drew attention from a ton of admirers, and as usual, he seemed to enjoy being in the spotlight. He hadn’t so much as made eye contact with me since we’d arrived here, and a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach sat like a heavy weight.
Maybe last night was all we’d have? And really, what did I expect?
Chastising myself for falling for the one guy who wanted nothing more than fucking, I forced my jealousy aside.
As soon as we got back to the hotel, his guitar was going back in his room.
If this was it, I didn’t want any reminder of him in my bedroom, or I’d never sleep.
Thank fuck we’d be checking out in two days. I didn’t want to see that bed again, either.
“Everything okay?”
I turned to find Brodie standing next to me.
“Fine.”
“He’s just doing his thing, you know. It’s part of the job.”
“Sure. Right.”
Ha.
“Look, we all enjoy the adulation; it’s part of what drives us to perform and why we put up with all the other shit. But he’s not really interested in any of those guys he’s talking to. I can tell. It’s just second nature for him to flirt. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because you look like you’re about to rip someone’s head off. And we don’t want to scare off our sponsors, yeah?”
“I’m monitoring the room as I normally would. Nothing else.”
“Don’t give up on him,” Brodie whispered.
“Excuse me?”
“I see the way he looks at you, Daws, and it’s more than a fuck. I know it, you know it.”
I took a deep breath. “Maybe Iain’s not ready for that.”
“Maybe. But I can also tell that you more than like him. Am I right?”
I nodded, suddenly unable to speak with a lump the size of a boulder in my throat. Even though I knew I was heading for heartache, I couldn’t help it.
Something about Iain just called to me.
“Iain’s dad gave up on living when his mom died. He gave up on Iain. So naturally, my friend tries to keep people at arm’s length. He doesn’t want to get hurt again.”
“I would never willingly hurt Iain,” I murmured.
“Iain will deny this, but he’s got a big heart and a shitload of love to give. He just needs to feel safe enough to let you in.”
“I’m worried.” I paused and licked my lips. “If I tell him I want more, if I stake my claim, he’s gonna run.”
“Yeah, he probably will.”
“And then what?”
“If he runs, you do what you do best—go after him.”
I glanced at Brodie and nodded. “Thanks.”
Brodie patted my shoulder. “My pleasure. Now, I gotta go and find my husband before some beautiful man or woman tries to steal him from me.”
I snorted. “Yeah, right. Like Van looks at anyone but you.”
“Yeah.” Brodie gave me a cocky grin. “I know. I’m a lucky SOB.”
Brodie sauntered off into the crowd, and I finally caught Iain’s attention.
He was staring at me with a strange expression on his face, and before I knew it, I was cutting through the packed floor and heading right for him.
“Everything okay?” I asked as I reached him.
“I’m done. Can we go back to the hotel?”
“Course. Let me just check in with my team.”
The rest of the guys were staying at the party, so it was just me, Lennie, and Iain who returned to the hotel.
We said goodnight to Len at his door, and once Iain and I were alone, I gently placed my arm around his waist. “Is this all right?”
“Yeah,” Iain whispered as he looked up at me.
I was highly aware of the security cameras in the hallway, so I resisted kissing him. But I held onto him until we reached my room.
When I finally got us inside, I leaned back against the door.
“I want to ask you something.”
“Anything.” Iain slipped his jacket off his shoulders, then toed off his boots.
When he reached for his sweater, I held his arm to stop him. If he got naked right this minute, any conversation that didn’t involve “yes,” “harder,” or “more” would cease.
“I don’t want to sleep with anyone else,” I blurted out.
Iain’s blond eyebrows nearly hit his hairline. “Okay.”
“I mean, while you and I are doing… this… I want to be exclusive. That’s the way I am. I’m monogamous. I don’t share.”
Iain pulled away from my touch, and I felt my heart drop down to my stomach.
Until he reached for his sweater again, yanking it off and throwing it away, then quickly unzipping his jeans.
“Are you going to get naked too, or just watch me?” Iain quipped. “Not that I’m opposed to the latter, but I do prefer partner participation.”
“Did you hear me say I want to be exclusive?”
“I did. And yes, I want that too.”
I was too shocked to move.
“Didn’t expect that, did you?” he asked, teasing me with a sexy grin.
I shook my head. “Why?”
“Let’s see,” he licked his lips and gave me a slow once-over. “I can’t think about anyone but you. I don’t see anyone but you. I don’t want to fuck anyone but you. It all comes back to… you.”
“Are you sure?”
“No. I’m scared shitless. But I’m trying anyway.”
My heart pounded so hard that I could barely think.
“A word of warning.” I grinned. “I’m possessive as fuck. I nearly pulled you out of that party tonight.”
“That was business.”
“That’s what Brodie said.”
Iain shook his head.
“No more talking. I need you to touch me.”
Then he shoved his jeans and briefs down, his hard cock jutting out. Before I knew it, I pushed off the door and reached for him, slamming my mouth over his, taking what was mine.
I swallowed his surprised groan and sucked on his tongue, the need for him so overwhelming in its intensity that I began to shake.
“Take my clothes off,” I demanded, my voice hoarse with desire.
Iain reached for my shirt and teased my abs with his fingers before removing it completely. Then he reached for my jeans, unzipping them and pushing them down. When he grabbed the base of my throbbing cock, Christ, the feel of his callused hands on my body was better than good. Unreal.
“Kneel and suck my cock,” I growled.
Iain moaned and obeyed my command, dropping to the carpeted floor, never losing eye contact.
I pushed my hands into his thick hair and pulled it out of the bun, letting it fall all around his shoulders. He leaned forward and licked the crown of my dick, swiping around the head.
“That’s it,” I urged, guiding him forward.
He swallowed me all the way down until my cockhead hit his snug throat. He gagged once, and I paused. Until Iain moved one stealthy hand to my ass and gripped my cheek hard, urging me on. Then he sucked and licked my cock, torturing me with every swipe of his talented tongue.
“I want to fuck your face,” I panted as Iain’s muffled groans grew louder. “If you need to pull off, tap my thigh.”
I gripped his head and pumped my hips harder, faster. And fuck, the tight, wet heat of Iain’s mouth was so addictive that my eyes rolled back in my head.
He cupped my heavy balls with one hand and ran one of his skillful fingers over my taint, then my hole. His insistent touch sparked the nerve endings in my ass, and I groaned out loud. Iain could play with my ass any time he wanted.
“Fuck, every time with you… I… I can’t last. What are you doing to me?” I moaned as the pleasure spiraled higher and higher.
Iain continued to tease my ass and my balls as he sucked harder, pulling me under.
I jerked hard as my orgasm imploded, and I unloaded in his mouth. He continued to swallow, and I could only pant and stare as my cum dripped out of the sides of his mouth and down his face.
I was lightheaded from coming so hard, so fast. Like I had no fucking control.
My spent cock slipped from his pretty lips, swollen and covered in my cum. He licked them as he panted for air.
Iain stood up with my assistance, and I pulled him in for a long, possessive kiss.
“Dawson?” he whispered.
“Yes?”
“Make love to me.”