Chapter 30 – Lumen
Chapter Thirty
Lumen
The number of bags the security team helps carry out of the clothing store is excessive. I didn’t get to see what was in the first few bags, but hopefully some of that over three thousand dollars in clothes was for himself.
Kincaid mentioned he wanted to buy the cutoff shirt for Mal, so that’s at least something that wasn’t spent on me.
All thoughts of obsessing about money disappear as we step outside into a crush of fans.
They don’t seem to be members of the paparazzi.
The crowd is mostly filled with beautiful women around my age.
Kincaid apparently knew this was coming, and that’s why he handed off all our purchases to the security team.
He keeps me close to his side, pulling a black permanent marker from somewhere.
Damn.
Does he have to carry those around everywhere he goes?
“I’m happy to do a couple quick autographs,” he says, keeping his tone polite but firm. “I can’t do personalizations at the moment.”
A woman shoves a printed picture at him and says, “Can you sign this? Can I get a picture?”
“Do you want a picture of me signing it? Or do you want a photo with me after?” Kincaid asks.
“A picture with you.” She pulls out her phone as he signs. The next thing I know, she’s shoving it at me. “Do you mind?”
“Not at all.” I take the device and make sure she gets a couple pictures.
Kincaid moves down the line, staying focused, but it doesn’t seem to help. No matter how many pictures he takes or autographs that he signs, more people keep popping up.
“Is that your girlfriend?” a woman around my age asks, resting her cheek against Kincaid’s chest as she smiles seductively, taking multiple selfies with him.
If I wasn’t here watching the whole thing go down, and I saw those pictures, I would most likely assume that they were much better acquainted than they actually are.
I file that away just in case.
I don’t want to let what happened with Theo destroy my ability to trust anyone else, and I hate the idea of accidentally taking my trauma out on any of them.
“That’s a work in progress on my part, but I’m doing my best to win her over.” Kincaid chuckles, stepping away from the woman. “I’ve got a show here in town tonight. I’m sorry. No more pictures. No more autographs.”
The bodyguard closest to Kincaid steps between him and the women, holding up a forearm as the other clears a path for us to move forward.
It’s crazy how fast the fans swarmed. I’m not sure how we would have handled this if the security team hadn’t been with us.
The next clothing store has more options that work for Kincaid. He jokes he got his fashion show in the first store, and I get mine in the second.
The way he fills out a pair of jeans is sexy as fuck, and I only objectify him a little.
Okay, a lot.
Seriously, though.
The man is packing a lot of dick, based on what I’ve felt when we cuddled and the view I get every time he tries on a new pair of jeans.
This store is evil, separating the women’s fitting rooms on one side of the store, while the men’s are on the complete opposite. I’d much rather see him try on clothes than try on my own, and based on the look on his face, he knows it.
“Damn, sweetheart.” He chuckles, pinning me against the wall just outside the men’s dressing rooms. “You keep looking at me like that, and I’ll never be able to pry myself out of these jeans.
” His pointer and middle fingers press into my jaw, tilting my face up until my eyes meet his while his thumb brushes over my lower lip.
“They are very nice jeans,” I say, my voice coming out low and breathy.
His blond hair falls around my face as he shoves his knee between my thighs, bending enough that he can kiss me. He guides my face with his hold on my jaw, and his other forearm comes to rest over my head.
Every gasping breath that I suck down makes my head fuzzy. His hazelnut scent is everywhere. His front is warm against mine as he pushes me into the wall, devouring me until I forget where we are.
My tits get tight, and my nipples ache.
The urge to climb him is strong.
A low, dangerous growl rattles out of his chest as he rakes his teeth over my lower lip, pulling back to breathe. My knees shake to the point it’s a good thing the wall is here to keep me upright.
I follow his mouth like a total weirdo, but damn, he’s got soft lips.
I want more kisses like that.
My eyes flutter open as my chest heaves.
Kincaid’s pupils are huge, and he looks as aroused as I am. His septum piercing tickles my skin as he brushes his nose against mine.
The air between us feels almost electrically charged. If it wouldn’t make me look desperate, I’d slide into the fitting room and beg him to fuck me.
“It’s about to get cold, and I saw you eyeing the jackets by the door when we came in.” He pecks a final kiss on my lips and pulls back. “Pick out one or two while I do battle with my dick to get these jeans down.”
I chuckle, dipping under his arm. Kincaid slaps my ass, and my core clenches around nothing as I bolt down the hallway.
There’s something so intense about him.
I’m growing addicted to the way he makes me feel.
Kincaid went way overboard on our shopping trip yesterday. It’s strange to be back on the bus, but I also kinda love it. That’s probably because I’m spoiled with the big bedroom.
Wren stands on the other side of the bed, pulling up her pantyhose. They’re black with white Xs, and they fit the tight black and white corset dress perfectly.
It’s a little crazy how she can transform from girl next door into the sexy alternative vibe that she’s currently rocking.
Her long hair cascades over her shoulders in beachy waves, with the top pinned back in a way that accentuates her face shape.
She has on dark mascara and a killer cat-eye liner.
She clips herself into her heels and says, “I’m going to run and grab my purse. Thanks for letting me get dressed in here. The bathroom is kinda claustrophobic.”
“You’re welcome to hang out in here anytime.” I smile as she heads out.
I’ve already told her she could use the wall storage on the right of the door because I don’t have nearly enough stuff to fill the cabinets on the left side.
My fingertips brush down the sides of the cream-colored dress Kincaid must have picked out at the first store.
It’s not as edgy as what Wren’s wearing, but I feel pretty, and it’s crazy soft.
Though the top of this dress falls lower than the navy blue one I tried on in the store, it’s a similar style, just with two bows on either strap rather than one in the back.
I pair it with dark gray heels and a chunky charcoal cable-knit cardigan. I might not fit in, but I’ll be comfortable, and that’s what matters.
I head to the door, looping my finger in the handle to pull it open, but freeze at the sound of Tennyson’s voice.
“I swear to fuck, Wren,” he growls, sounding nothing like he has the times we’ve talked. “Hand me your purse.”
“No,” she says simply.
“You’re not going to sell at one of our promotional shows,” he whisper-hisses back. “Do you know how bad that would look if someone puts it together that you’re with me?”
Shit.
This is definitely a private conversation that I should in no way be listening to. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to get past them while they’re blocking the hallway.
“I know what I’m doing,” she says, laughing mirthlessly.
“Not all of us have parents at the ready, just waiting to transfer five grand when our bank account is running low. Rhys didn’t have any cash to leave me, but he did have excess product, and that’s really the same thing.
I lost my job two months ago after everything that happened with your—”
“I’ll buy it,” Tennyson says, cutting her off. “We’re going to need it anyway, and I don’t want you carrying that kind of weight out in public. That’s distribution charges at the least and trafficking at the fucking worst. You know how strict the laws around here are.”
“You’re insufferable. You know that, Ten?” She laughs, and I pull the door open.
It sounds like Tennyson grew up wealthy, while Wren’s life was a little closer to my own. Maybe that’s where the disconnect comes from. Their argument has nothing to do with me, and I probably was being nosy.
I should have done this two minutes ago, but better late than never. I rip the door open, not even trying to be quiet about it.
Tennyson looms over Wren, who has her back to the bunks.
“Sorry, can I slide by you guys?” I ask.
“Sure,” Tennyson says, smooshing Wren against the bunks even more tightly.
I turn sideways and make it past them with my back dragging against the bunks on the other wall.
The energy in the hallway was tense, but it lightens up as soon as I step into the living room area on the bus.
Parish sits on the floor, cutting up lines.
Riser, Mal, and Kincaid are already dressed and waiting.
Malcolm pops up when he spots me, smirking as he comes to greet me. “Jesus, baby doll. I just got heart palpitations.”
“Might be time to lay off the coke,” Riser says under his breath before coughing to cover his words.
Malcolm stretches a hand back, flipping him off while his other sneaks around my backside, pulling me into his chest. “Tonight is the best kind of night. We do a short as fuck set, then we get paid to party.” He bends down, getting close to my ear. “I promise, we’re going to have a blast.”
“I believe you.” I smile and stretch up to kiss his cheek. “The last time we were at a club, we didn’t get to dance. That means you owe me a dance or two.”
“Oh, baby doll,” he purrs. “Just wait. We’re going to date the fuck out of you tonight. All three of us.”
A shiver runs down my spine.
Maybe I’m greedy, but I don’t care.
Being spoiled by all three of them is the shit my dreams are made of.
The club is packed to capacity, and the energy backstage is stressful. The label security team was needed around the front of the stage, which leaves me and Wren with only Benji to keep an eye on us.
I’m not stressing too badly since there are very few people watching from backstage. Tangled Desires apparently got to chill on their bus tonight. I’m still riding the high of that win.
Unfortunately, the guys are kind of in the process of freaking out on their manager. If I wasn’t sure it would make them more upset, I would offer to wait in the greenroom they were given.
I technically don’t have a key card to get into it, since this place is super fancy, but I could ask Mal for his. I’m sure he would give it to me.
Kasey watched Wren and I last night, and everything went smoothly during the last show in Columbia. This venue just doesn’t have the same level of staff, and it shows.
“You were supposed to be out there ten minutes ago,” Benji says, throwing his hands up into the air. “That’s why the crowd is getting restless. Go do your twenty-minute set. I’ll watch the ladies myself.”
“Nah, fuck that,” Tennyson says. “I’m not letting Wren out of my sight unless she has a trained bodyguard watching her. She’s too good at getting into trouble.” She huffs, but Ten steps over, grabbing her arm and pulling up his bass. “Plant your ass between the guitar and my chest.”
“Jesus, Ten. It’s not like I’m going to rob the place if you’re not watching me,” she says, but she doesn’t fight him as he gets the instrument settled in place.
Parish just laughs, shaking his head. “The hate sex is coming. I can feel it.”
Kincaid quirks an eyebrow at me, and I jab a finger at his chest.
“No way, buddy. The lead singer is the focal point for everyone’s attention,” I say firmly. “I’ll be fine. I’ll link arms with Benji and not leave his sight. I’m very well-behaved.”
Riser chuckles an ominous sound that I’ve never heard come from him. “You’re totally with me, beautiful. I’ve always wanted to try this.”
Kincaid nods, spinning out from behind the curtain to take the stage.
“I see now.” Malcolm pokes out his lower lip dramatically. “This is war. I’ll be faster next time.”
“Next time,” I scoff, but Malcolm winks, swipes his hair back, and steps out to the screams of the audience. “This time isn’t happening.”
Only, Riser chuckles that dark, sexy sound again as he wraps his hands around my shoulders and gently pushes me toward the stage.