7. The Morning After
SEVEN
THE MORNING AFTER
L ily
I wake up wrapped in warmth, a heavy arm draped over my waist, and the unmistakable pressure of a dick pressed against my back. My eyes flutter open, and for a moment, I’m disoriented, trying to place where I am. Then it all rushes back—the events of the night before. I’m in Jax’s bunk, his arm wrapped around me, his body practically cocooning mine.
I shift slightly, trying to loosen his grip, but instead, his arm tightens, pulling me closer. A shiver runs down my spine as his hand brushes across my ass, dangerously close to places I know I shouldn’t let him touch. The warmth of his breath against my neck makes it hard to think straight.
“Lily...” His voice is rough with sleep, the sound vibrating through me as he stirs. Before I can respond, Jax shifts, rolling on top of me, his weight pressing me deeper into the thin mattress. His face hovers above mine, his green eyes still heavy with sleep but sharp, his gaze sweeping over my face, lingering on the spot where Enzo hit me last night. I try to stay still, resisting the urge to push my hips against his. His body’s already dangerously close to all the wrong places, and I’m struggling to keep my thoughts from going exactly where I know they shouldn’t.
“You okay?” His voice is soft, filled with concern, but there’s something darker there too, something intense that makes my pulse race.
I nod, unable to find my voice, the intensity in his gaze leaving me breathless. Jax’s hair is tousled, falling messily around his face, making him look even more rugged than usual. The tattoos on his arms peek out from under his rumpled shirt, briefly drawing my attention. He leans down slowly, his breath warm against my lips, and before I can stop myself, I tilt my chin up, closing the distance between us.
The kiss is deep and slow, sending a spark straight through me. His hand tightens on my hip, pulling me closer as my body responds instinctively, grinding against him in exactly the way I’ve been trying to avoid. My hand snakes into his hair, tangling in the strands, while the other rests against his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat under my palm. My heart races, pounding against my ribcage as the heat between us builds, a warmth spreading through me that has nothing to do with the fact that we’re sharing such a small space.
Jax’s lips move against mine with a desperate intensity, his hips pressing into me. The sensation sends shockwaves of pleasure through my body, making me moan softly into his mouth. My thoughts blur, consumed by him, by the feel of his body on mine, by the way his lips devour me, and I want nothing more than to lose myself in this moment, in him. Every inch of me is screaming for more, and I start to forget where we are, what this is. Nothing matters but the way his body feels against mine.
Suddenly, the sound of the other guys stirring in their bunks breaks the moment. Jax pauses, his lips hovering just above mine, placing a finger to his lips with a mischievous grin. I bite back a laugh as he leans in for one more lingering kiss, his hips still grinding into mine. My body responds and I release another soft moan, it’s impossible to hold it back. The sensation is overwhelming, and for a split second, everything fades—just the two of us, lost in this stolen moment.
But then, reality comes crashing back as Jax pulls away. I’m breathless, my lips tingling, my body aching with the want for more. His eyes search mine, and for a fleeting moment, I think I see something in them—a mix of regret and longing. But before I can figure it out, he slips out of the bunk, leaving me alone in the tangled sheets.
I lie there, staring at the ceiling of the bunk, trying to catch my breath. My body is still thrumming with the intensity of what just happened, and I can’t shake the feeling of his lips on mine, his body pressed against me. I want to reach out, to pull him back, to finish what we started and ease the ache of my body, but I know that can’t happen.
When it becomes clear he’s not coming back, despite my desperate hopes otherwise, I push the curtain aside and swing my legs over the edge of the bunk. Jax is already in the kitchen, moving around with his usual quiet confidence. His shirt is rumpled, and his hair sticks out in random directions—likely because of my hands. The sight of him like that, looking so casual and comfortable in his skin, makes my stomach twist with a mix of desire and frustration.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself and calm my raging libido. I need a minute to collect my thoughts, so I head toward the small bathroom at the back of the bus. Once inside, I turn on the shower, letting the cold water shake me out of my stupor. Reality filters back in as I stand under the spray. The events of the morning try to replay in my mind—the feel of Jax’s body against mine, the heat of his kiss—and it takes all my willpower to remind myself that this is a job. I’m here to manage the band, not get swept up in a romance. Besides, Jax is a rockstar. He’s unpredictable, reckless, and last night, he was with a groupie. This isn’t the kind of guy I need in my life.
But as I dry off and get dressed, I know it’s not that simple. The lines between professional and personal are already blurring, and I’m not sure how to stop it. I keep telling myself I’m reading too much into his actions, that I’m just another woman in his orbit. But every time I think I’ve convinced myself, the memory of that kiss sneaks back in, clouding my judgment.
Staring at myself in the mirror, I go through a stern self-talk session. Jax is just good with women, and I needed to be firm, so this morning did not happen again. It could not happen again.
I step out of the bathroom, feeling slightly more composed. The bus is already bustling with activity. Dylan and Marcus are out of their bunks, loudly teasing each other as they move through the small space. Jax is still in the kitchen, sipping his coffee, his expression thoughtful.
He looks up when I approach, giving me a small, easy smile. “Morning.”
“Morning,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart is still racing from earlier. It feels like he’s already moved past what happened between us, and maybe that’s for the best. “Thanks for... last night. For being there.”
Jax nods, his eyes softening. “Anytime, Lily. Just let me know if you need anything.”
I nod, torn between gratitude and something else. Maybe a little irritation at how easily he seems to move on, while I’m still trying to shake the feeling of him against me. I grab a cup of coffee, glancing at him over the rim of my cup. His muscles shift under his shirt as he moves, and I can’t help but admire the way his body looks so... effortlessly perfect.
I tear my eyes away from him, scolding myself silently. Jax doesn’t need me to fix him, and I can’t let myself get wrapped up in thinking I’m special. He’s a rockstar. People fall at his feet. He’s used to this attention, and I’m just another woman in his orbit. Nothing more.
The guys’ conversation breaks through my thoughts, and I glance up as Dylan and Marcus join us in the kitchen. Dylan’s smirk is immediately aimed at me. “Well, look who’s up early. Surprised you look so well rested, considering.”
Marcus chuckles, sliding into the conversation easily. “Yeah, wasn’t sure if you two would ever leave that bunk. Jax not living up to the hype?”
I feel the heat rush to my cheeks, but before I can respond, Jax rolls his eyes, his expression unbothered. “Knock it off, guys.”
Dylan laughs, but there’s an edge to it. “Just saying, boss. Save some of that energy for the stage, yeah?”
Jax’s jaw tightens. “Don’t start, Dylan.”
“Who’s starting?” Dylan’s tone is mocking now, like he’s trying to get a rise out of Jax. “Just saying, maybe if you focused more on the music and less on?—”
“Enough,” Jax snaps, cutting him off.
The room goes tense, and then Enzo’s voice cuts through the silence, dripping with sarcasm. “Dylan’s got a point, Jax. We wouldn’t want you to trade one distraction for another. Maybe focus on the job for once.”
Enzo’s eyes flick toward me, scanning me up and down before he dismisses me, turning his full attention back to Jax. The tension in the room thickens, so heavy it’s suffocating. I can see the anger flashing in Jax’s eyes, his body coiled tight like a spring ready to snap. His fists clench, knuckles turning white. Marcus and Dylan go quiet, but even they seem uncomfortable with how far Enzo’s pushing it.
“Shut up, Enzo,” Jax growls, his voice low and dangerous.
“Or what?” Enzo leans back, his smirk widening. “You gonna run off and pout? Maybe ditch us for something better?”
Jax’s body is vibrating with anger now, his fists trembling at his sides. He growls, “We agreed to focus on the tour. Leave this shit alone.”
Enzo shrugs, his smirk never faltering. “Seems ironic coming from you now, Jax. Maybe you should take your own advice. Focus on the music, not on distractions.” His eyes flick back to me, and I feel a wave of heat rush through my body—half embarrassment, half anger.
Jax takes a step forward, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles are turning white. “I said enough, Enzo.”
Enzo’s grin widens, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Why don’t you make me, Mr. Rehab? Gonna storm off and get high again, or do you think you can actually keep it together this time?”
I wince as the words register. The rest of the room goes deathly silent, the tension so thick it’s like the air is pressing in on all of us. Anger flares in Jax’s eyes, raw and untamed, but there’s something else there too—hurt. The words sting, and even I can see that. Enzo’s crossed a line.
Before Jax can react, Marcus steps between them, placing a firm hand on Jax’s chest. “That’s enough, both of you. This isn’t going to help anything.”
Dylan shifts awkwardly, shooting me a glance like he’s trying to lighten the mood. “So, Lily, what do you do in your spare time? When you’re not stuck babysitting us?”
I can feel the tension between Jax and Enzo still simmering, but I force a smile, trying to go along with Dylan’s distraction. “I read a lot, mostly. I’m a bit of a bookworm.”
Dylan grins, his teasing demeanor returning. “A bookworm, huh? Didn’t expect that. Thought maybe you’d be more into, I don’t know, keeping journals of your rockstar conquests.” He winks at me, his usual playful charm back in full force.
I’m about to respond when Enzo pipes up again, leaning back in his chair, his gaze piercing. “Yeah, Lily. You writing down all your dirty thoughts about us? Maybe just about one of us?”
My stomach clenches at the insinuation, but I force myself to stay calm, shrugging off his comment. Enzo’s been prickly since the second I met him, but today he’s taking it to another level.
Marcus groans, clearly done with the tension. “Enzo, give it a rest, man.”
Jax, who’s been leaning against the counter, ignoring Enzo’s taunts, finally softens his gaze as he looks at me. “Reading seems like the perfect activity for the bus.” His voice is calm, a direct contrast to the storm brewing with Enzo. He reaches across the table, refilling my coffee cup. The brief brush of his hand against mine sends a spark through me, and I swallow hard, trying to ignore the effect he has on me.
I nod, unable to find the words to respond. The room feels stifling, and I know I need to get out of this tension-filled kitchen. I take a sip of my coffee, focusing on the warmth of the mug rather than the simmering atmosphere.
Marcus tries to shift the conversation, asking Dylan something about their setlist for tonight, and I tune them out, lost in my thoughts. I keep reminding myself that this attraction to Jax can’t go anywhere. He’s a rockstar—a player—and I’m here to do a job, not fall for him. I glance up at Jax again, though, and our eyes lock. There’s something in his gaze that makes my heart race, something deeper than just the usual charm he shows to everyone else.
But I can’t let myself get sucked into that.
I’m about to slip away when Enzo leans forward, his gaze still fixed on me and Jax. “You two need some alone time?” His sneer is unmistakable, and it makes the heat in my cheeks flare again.
Jax snaps his head toward him, his voice a low growl. “What’s your problem, Enzo? Jealous?”
Enzo scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Of you? Yeah, right.”
Without waiting for a response, Enzo pushes away from the table and strides back toward his bunk, ripping the curtain aside with enough force to make it clear just how pissed he is. The sound echoes through the bus, and I wince, the tension snapping in the aftermath of his exit. No one follows him. No one speaks.
Jax lets out a long breath, rubbing the back of his neck. His anger is still simmering just beneath the surface, but he’s doing his best to push it down. Marcus strums a few chords on his guitar, messing with the tuners, pretending nothing happened.
Dylan plops down beside me with a sigh. “Ignore him, pretty girl. Enzo’s always been kind of an asshole.” He shoots me a grin, but his eyes are soft, like he’s trying to make sure I’m okay. “You good?”
I nod, cheeks flushing over his use of “pretty girl”. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
Dylan smirks and throws his arm across the back of my chair, his fingers brushing my shoulder as he grabs the remote and flips on the TV. The bus starts to bounce beneath us as we pull onto an uneven road, and I lean back, forcing myself to relax even if it means my body rubbing against his. Dylan’s easy charm helps, and I try to focus on his banter rather than the tension that still lingers from the argument.
“Chill out, read your book or something,” Dylan says, pulling me closer as he teases. “We’ve got a long drive ahead.”
I smile despite myself, grabbing my phone to open my reading app. As the guys’ conversation fades into the background, I lean into the warmth of Dylan’s arm, feeling the bus hum beneath me as we move toward the next city, the next show. But no matter how much I try to lose myself in the pages of my book, I can’t shake the lingering tension between Jax and Enzo, or the pull I feel toward Jax himself.
This tour is becoming complicated.