Seven | ~ Serenity ~
Seven
~ Serenity ~
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E very time I turned around he was taking care of me. But why did I find that so awful? He had never once been patronizing about it. He wasn’t anything like Mick and it was so unfair of me to compare the two. Looking at his crestfallen expression made me even madder at myself. Thank God, I had managed to get control of my tongue because I had been mere seconds away from blurting his being a rock star and making tons more money than me did not give him that right.
“I’m so sorry for blasting you like that. I know you’re just trying to help.” I dropped my eyes to my lap. He didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of my exasperation.
“Hey.” Wrapping his arms around my waist, he lifted me up onto his lap. “It’s okay. Maybe I am overstepping boundaries. I’m new at this. And I just want to take care of you.”
“I’m just so frustrated.” I tugged a hand through my windblown hair. “Two days ago, I had to have two new tires put on my car and there was the towing expense then too. And you also helped me pay for that. I appreciate it and I’m sorry it doesn’t sound like I do, but I want to take care of these things like I’ve always done. I feel like I don’t have control over anything in my life anymore and it’s driving me insane.”
“I’m so sorry you feel like your life is turbulent right now. I wish I could fix that. But I can be here for you in whatever capacity you need. You don’t have to worry about things on your own anymore. We’re a team now. Think about this; you wouldn’t feel this way or argue with me about helping you pay your car bills if we were married.”
My jaw dropped open and since my face was right in front of his, I was sure he got a perfect view of my eyes widening as my eyebrows shot up to my hairline. “You didn’t bring me here tonight for that, did you? Because while I love being with you and am in love with you, with this shit going on I can’t think about that right now.” Oh God. I wouldn’t be able to deal with that question right now. My breathing sped up and my heart thundered against my chest. I would be so torn because I didn’t want to hurt him, but I just wasn’t ready for all that entailed. I needed to get my life put back together first. Even though I had no doubt about my feelings for him. It was everything else.
Cupping my cheeks in his palms, he pressed a gentle kiss to my lips. “No. That’s not part of tonight’s plans. Rest assured; you can calm down. You know, my ego would be badly bruised if I didn’t agree with you about only one minor detail. At this time, it wouldn’t be fair to ask you to make that formal commitment. But I can’t deny that’s where this is headed. I won’t pretend you’re not it for me. I don’t need the spoken words from your mouth saying ‘yes’. I love you and when the time is right, I’m going to make you mine in every way possible. I will be making you my wife. But for now, you are mine to love, treasure, and take care of. I don’t need a marriage license for that . . . for now. However, down the line, we will be making it official.”
My mouth curled into a content smile, despite the anxieties pounding me from every angle and trying to suffocate me. “You love me?” I had his love so everything else would find a way to work out. It had to. I just needed a good night’s sleep. Today had been too much. And I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. I couldn’t figure out how the accident could be connected to the other incidents, but I was growing weary of the entire situation.
“I do. So incredibly much.”
“I love you too. I promise to try not to snap at you. That wasn’t fair to you. And I’m not making excuses, but today’s accident really rattled me. I’ve never been in one before for starters. And with everything else that’s going on; I need a break from all of this shit.”
“You’re not making excuses; your nerves have to be completely on edge. I know mine are. Hopefully, they can find the person who stole the car which will be a good starting point since really only one thing points at you being a target. The other things could be interpreted as being random. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to add to your stress by talking about it.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I touched my forehead to his. “No. It’s okay. We can’t ignore it, otherwise I would. But on a happier topic. No, I’m not ready for the proposal. However, it doesn’t mean I don’t think about stuff like that with you.” While I was waiting at the hospital for him to pick me up, my mind whirled about all sorts of things dealing with our relationship. It was more pleasant than thinking about the condition of my car and the shit transpiring around me lately.
He shot me a boyish grin. “I was hoping I was reading you right. Today, when you called for me to come and get you, you said you wanted to go home. Not come to my place. You called my place home. And I’m not going to lie, I loved that.”
“Being with you, at your house, just feels natural. And even though the word did just kinda slip out; your place does feel like home to me.” Bringing my mouth closer to his, I slid my lips along his.
With his hands still on my face, he tilted my head and didn’t hesitate to lick his tongue along my lips and then press in to tangle it with my own. My mouth opened to his invasion without a second thought. His tongue wrapped around mine before he sucked it into his mouth. While he devoured my mouth, the hint of peanut butter from his ice cream lingered on his tongue and I was sure he tasted my mint chocolate. His kiss sent shivers of excitement to my core and made my pussy tingle. And with the ocean waves as an enchanting back drop; this would have been a perfect place to make love. Even if a small part of me would be nervous about being caught. Although I didn’t need to concern myself with that issue today. Damn concussion. But I knew I had to take it easy, at least for tonight. But hopefully tomorrow or at the latest the next day, we could resume our erotic activities.
He released a growl as he broke our kiss. “I promise I will not push things too far tonight. But I will be sure to make things up to you when we can.”
“This wasn’t your fault, but I don’t mind you wanting to make things up to me. We both would reap the extraordinary benefits of that.” I shot him a flirty smile. And then figured this was the perfect time to talk about our future since he had brought it up earlier. “What happens with us when you go back on tour? I’m okay with a long distance relationship. I trust you. But do you think with our relationship being so new, it will survive it?”
His hands snaked around to the back of my head and he gently massaged my scalp.
The action pulling a quiet moan from me.
Then his face split into a huge ass grin. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking too. I was hoping because you do most of your job online that you would be able to go on tour with me. That even your weekly meetings could be done remotely while we’re gone. Now of course when we have kids, that won’t work. But my plans are to tour for maybe another five years or less and then start producing. That way I can be here for my family. And I can still write and play songs just not on this grand of a scale. And if you would want to and if an artist would need a logo for their album or something, you could help him or her design one.”
My hand drifted to my stomach. I could imagine having Teak’s babies. The thought sent a thrill through me as tears burned the backs of my eyes. Even surrounded by so much uncertainty, he managed to bring me so much joy. “You want to have babies with me? And you would want me to help you with your clients?” Why was I questioning every statement he was making? I was going to blame the head injury.
“I want you to be my wife first and then, yes. When we are ready for them.” He placed his hand on top of mine. “Well, what do you think? Do you think that’s a doable plan?”
“I think that’s a perfect plan. When I just concentrate on us, not everything else that’s going on, this doesn’t feel overwhelming. It just feels right.”
“That’s why I’m content with the way things are, for now. We’ll move forward when the time is right. But I will need to see some of your work before I can commit to having you represent the artistic side for my clients.”
Grinning from ear to ear, I smacked his chest. “I’ll draft something up over the next couple of days for you.”
“For me to see and review or something I can possibly use?” His eyes twinkled with his teasing.
“I’ll create a logo for you. You can use it or just hang the paper on the refrigerator.” My grin grew even more playful. “Like a little kid’s artwork.”
“You’re too cute for your own good.” He kissed my forehead. “I love you. And I might get accused of nepotism, but I’ll give you the job no matter how awful your art work.”
“You are so terrible. But that’s okay. I know my work is fantastic, so no one will accuse you of that.”
“I’m sure it will blow my mind. Because I was curious about more about you; I looked up the online store you create graphics for and they were outstanding. I figured you heard me sing and play guitar; I should get to check out your artwork. And you are incredibly talented. Ascher had said you were a great art student in high school. I can only imagine how much you’ve improved and enhanced your skills over the years. Do you ever do any sketching or do you strictly work with a computer program?”
“I prefer pencil and paper or a paint brush and a canvas. I learned how to use the programs so I could market myself to get a job. I’m actually going to enjoy making your logo, getting to do it old school.”
Shifting me on his lap, he wound his arms around my waist and snuggled me to his chest. We sat like that for a while, gazing out at the waves slowly frothing up the blue. Then before it got too dark, we walked back to the car, brushing off our shorts and legs to remove most of the sand.
“We’re going to make a mess of your seats.” I complained as I hopped in the passenger side.
“It won’t be the first time. I’ll vacuum them tomorrow. That usually takes care of a bulk of the mess. And then it’s just the usual; living by the beach you are never completely sand free.” He shot me a bright smile before turning on the car.
The drive home wasn’t as long as our scenic trip to the beach. And I was glad. I was feeling the effects of my accident. Muscles ached, my head was starting to throb, and I was really wiped out.
When we got home, he offered for me to shower first.
“While you get done, do you want me to make you anything to snack on before bed?”
“No. If it’s okay with you; I only want to go to bed.” It was only ten o’clock, but it would be a little bit before we were actually ready so I didn’t feel too bad about the early hour.
“Hmm, getting to hold you in bed longer. Do I like that idea?” His lips curled into an infectious smile. “I’m not sure I understand the question.”
“Well, I didn’t think rock stars usually went to bed before at least one in the morning.” I gave him my own playful smile.
“When we are on tour, you’re not off the mark there. But getting to cuddle up with you in bed is a big incentive for getting to bed as quickly as possible. Since you’re not hungry, I’ll munch on something while you get showered. And then I’ll quickly grab one and then join you in bed. If you’re asleep when I crawl in, I won’t disturb you.”
“What if I really want you to? I love having your arms around me while I’m sleeping. It makes me feel safe.” I wasn’t concerned with showing him that vulnerability. He would never use it against me.
“Then I’ll disturb you only enough to snuggle you to me.” He kissed me on the forehead before I headed back to his room.
I grabbed a quick shower and then tugged on my pajamas before crawling into bed.
He strolled in a few minutes later and stopped at the side of the bed to kiss my cheek, before continuing into the bathroom. The sound of the shower running lulled me into that state between consciousness and unconsciousness. When he crept into bed a little later, I barely registered his arms wrapping around me; his lips kissing my hair; and him whispering, “I love you.”
The next morning, we ate breakfast together before Teak disappeared into his office to work on his music and I plopped down on the couch to meet with my co-workers through FaceTime. After we caught up on how I was feeling, we dove into ideas for the shop. About an hour later, I pulled up the site to make some adjustments and then created a few new promos for our social media. By lunch time, my head was starting to ache and I was growing tired, so I emailed Corinne what I had accomplished and that I was going to take a half day. The sound of Teak playing the guitar and singing along still carried from his office, so instead of eating lunch, I curled up on the couch and took a nap.
That night we had an early dinner and then took a walk down along the beach behind his house. I was feeling a little better, but not one hundred percent yet. And once I recovered from this, I couldn’t help wondering what might happen next. However, I didn’t want those types of thoughts intruding on our night. Actually, I didn’t want to think of them at all, but I couldn’t help them trickling in. Although I did manage to shove them aside for a bit.
Hand in hand, we strolled along the water’s edge, the waves licking over our ankles and occasionally reaching our shins.
“Are you going to try to work again tomorrow; or just take the day off?”
As we walked, I leaned into his side. “I’m going to try again and hope I can put in a full day. If not, I better be back to normal by the next day. Don’t laugh. I know it’s only been a couple of days, but I miss having you make love to me.”
“Nothing funny about that at all.” He paused and tugged me into his arms, pressing a long kiss to the crown of my head. “I can’t wait to make love to you again either. But I want to make sure we don’t cause you further injury. I have you with me and we have all the time in the world to be intimate.”
“I love you, Teak.”
“I love you too, Serenity.” We resumed our walk along the beach.
When we returned to the house, I grabbed a shower before Teak and then the two of us curled up on the couch to watch a little bit of television before bed. And I was excited to discover that it didn’t bother my head.
The next day, we went through our normal morning routine. And much to my delight, by the time my stomach started to growl for lunch, I was still feeling pretty good.
Teak joined me at the bar while I was making us grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. I had planned to deliver his lunch to him, but it seemed he was ready to take a break.
Wrapping his arms around my waist, he leaned in and brushed a kiss along the side of my neck. “How did your morning go? Are you still feeling okay?”
“I don’t have a headache and I’m only a little tired. But I took the rest of the day off again so that I still feel good tonight.” Twisting my head around, I gazed up at him, my lips pulling into a flirty grin. “I want to be able to make love tonight. And I also think it might be a good idea to ease back into the computer time.”
His eyes danced with humor and his grin grew wolfish. “You make a very valid point. And because of that, I don’t know that I can argue with your thinking. And I really love that I will get to reap the benefits of it.”
“I plan to spend the rest of the day relaxing on the deck and probably take a short nap.” I intended to work on his logo too, but I wanted that to be a surprise. Even though he did know I was going to create one; he didn’t need to know when.
When we were finished with lunch, he retreated to his office and I stepped out onto the deck for a bit. As I stared down at the ocean, I got more and more excited about creating his design. Ever since I had mentioned it, I had some ideas popping into my head. Convinced he was going to be busy in his office for the next several hours, I headed inside to get to work. After grabbing my sketch book and case of pencils, I settled myself at the bar and started drafting. Absorbed in my enthusiasm and drawing, I was surprised when I glanced at my phone and discovered almost three hours had passed. But it wasn’t time wasted. The final design was stunning. I couldn’t wait to show it to him. However, I was going to wait until after dinner to surprise him with it.
Deciding to lounge on the deck until it was time to make supper, I padded down the hallway and ducked into our room – first saying home now thinking our room , the thoughts gave me good shivers – to hide the drawing in my drawer before stepping outside.
About an hour later, Teak walked out onto the deck and pulled a chair up beside me and sat down. “You never seem to grow tired of watching the beach.” Leaning over, he feathered his lips along mine before cupping my cheeks to angle me so that he could deepen the kiss. A swipe of his tongue and he licked his way inside my mouth and conquered.
Loving his mouth on me, I easily surrendered.
When he ended the kiss, his hands kept my face in his palms and he traced his thumbs over my cheeks. “Did you take it easy today? You don’t look like you’re in any pain.”
“I napped and lounged around all day.” A little fib, but it wasn’t like I did anything strenuous. “Which means, I can help you make dinner and clean it up. Like a couple.” I shot him a silly smile. “And then later tonight, I want to do something much more vigorous and carnal with you. Like a couple.” My smile morphed into a sly smirk.
“You know the perfect words to say. Maybe you should write racy poetry.”
“How about I just whisper those words into your ear while we are naked and loving each other’s bodies?”
“Damn, girl.” He pressed a hard kiss to my lips. “Let’s go take a short walk along the beach before we make dinner. Otherwise I’m going to have you for dinner. But you need to eat so you have your strength for tonight’s vigorous carnal activities.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Grabbing our shoes which were right inside the back door, the two of us then headed down to the beach.
Later that night, after dinner and I had showered and slipped into my pajamas, Teak stepped into the bedroom while I was retrieving the paper I had slipped into my drawer earlier in the day.
“Hey, whatcha got there? Is it something I can see?” Walking over to me, a curious glint lit up his eyes. “Did you make my logo today?” His entire expression grew animated with his little boy excitement.
Grabbing his hand in my free one, I tugged him over to sit on the edge of the bed. “I did. I think it turned out incredible, but I didn’t really think about your initials until I was working on it today.” Grinning at my amusement and my accomplishment, I handed him the paper.
His eyes widened and a huge smile split his face. “This is freaking phenomenal. I love how you made the T into a microphone and its stand and the P into an upside down guitar. You even have the bright blue and black colors like mine on the instrument. And the shadowing gives the impression that the letters are thumping to a beat. It’s outstanding.” He wrapped his free arm around my waist and tugged me closer to press a kiss to my cheek.
The action was so adorable and yet it still managed to set my panties on fire and a sappy smile stretched across my own cheeks. “I’m glad you really like it. But I’m not so sure about your initials. Maybe I could add in your middle name.”
“My middle name is Alan. But what’s wrong with my initials?”
“TAP wouldn’t be much better. But T P, like toilet paper.” Clamping my lips tightly together, I tried to stifle my laugh, but my body shook with my giggles.
His eyes gleamed with devilish intent. “My name reminds you of toilet paper?”
“No. Just your initials.” Another giggle slipped out.
After setting the paper onto the floor by the bed, he pushed me down onto the mattress and prowled up my body. “I think I want to hear moans falling from your beautiful lips instead of those snickers. You’re still feeling okay?”
“I’m starting to feel even better than okay.” My teasing smile grew flirtatious.
“That’s all I needed to hear.” His blue eyes darkened with his lust right before his lips captured mine in a searing kiss. His tongue swept across my lips and I opened on a sigh. He thoroughly explored my mouth, tracing the ridges along the roof of my mouth, smoothing the inside of my lower lip before sucking on my tongue. The sliding of his lips along mine and the demanding thrust of his tongue became my only awareness and I savored every bit.
His hands made their way to the waist band of my shorts and he drew them down my legs along with my panties. Then he grabbed the bottom of my cami and tugged it up over my head. After he tossed my pajamas onto the floor, he touched his lips to mine again before trailing them along my jaw and back behind my ear.
A low groan, that had started in my toes, crawled up my throat and tumbled from my lips.
“Your sounds make me crazy. And while I do love your giggles, your moans and sighs are my favorite.” He gently bit my lobe before taking it into his mouth and sucking lightly.
He ripped more of those sounds from me as his mouth traced down the side of my neck to my chest. And when he pulled one of my nipples between his lips and sucked, my groans intensified and grew louder while my hips rocked up into his body. His tongue swirled around my nub before he latched on, pinning the turgid nipple to the roof of his mouth as he drew on me hungrily. My entire body strained upward to give him more. Needing more. Loving his mouth on me. Loving him. While his mouth worshipped my breast, his other hand palmed my other one, kneading the firm flesh. His attentions sent tingles of pleasure racing along my nerve endings. When he bit down lightly on my nub and pinched my other one, a shock of electricity raced down my spine and I screamed his name as my orgasm washed over me.
“I love the sound of my name on your lips when you come too.” His expression grew predatory as his mouth trailed down my stomach and he kissed my mound. “I want to hear it again and this time have your taste on my tongue too.” He ran the tip of his tongue up my slit before circling my clit.
Each pass had me moaning and I shoved my hips up into his face shamelessly, wanting and needing more. “Oh God, Teak. More. That feels so good.”
“Tastes delicious too.” He lapped all around my folds and then grazed my clit again. Each pass building the pressure inside of me. Bolts of excitement surged across my body as the tension multiplied, growing exponentially.
When he thrust his tongue inside and fucked me with it, I shoved my hands into his hair and hung on for dear life. His next plunge had the tremors ripping along my body zeroing in on my core and I detonated.
Opening my eyes, I stared down at him like I was drunk.
“I didn’t get my name this time, but your taste is delectable. Maybe next time I’ll get my name and your taste.”
Before I had a chance to completely come down from my high, Teak put his mouth to my opening again, his tongue working overtime and a finger joined the fun. Each plunge of his finger and lick of his tongue had my pussy coiling tighter. When he added two more digits in his pursuit of ripping another climax from me, a wave of unending sensations raced across my nerve endings and the tingles erupted in an explosion of ultimate bliss. “Teak!”
“That’s what I needed.” He stalked up my body, his lips slick with my release and his eyes gleaming with satisfaction yet hunger for more. “I’m so ready to feel you around my cock.”
My pussy walls clenched in anticipation. “Then make love to me.”
Taking my mouth in a tender kiss, he nudged his erection at my entrance and pushed inside. The two of us groaned at the feeling of magnificent unity.
“I love you so much, Serenity. You are my world and I plan to love you for the rest of my life. And right now, I’m going to take you to the stars.” He pulled out and then slowly drove back in, grazing my clit with his plunge.
Those familiar tingles were firing along my lower belly and intensified with each stroke. He kept his leisure pace for a few moments, causing my body to quiver with the need to explode.
“Please, Teak. More. You feel so good, but . . .” My words drifted off as his ministrations were taking me to a pinnacle so high I thought I might shatter into a million pieces when my climax finally struck.
As his thrusts sped up, the sensations sprinting along my limbs and down to my core increased and when they finally merged at my center in a colossal fusion, my orgasm crashed over me, leaving me limp and sated.
Three thrusts later, Teak followed me into that heavenly state, moaning my name. Ducking his head, he rained kisses along my neck, collarbone, and the top of my breasts before he dropped to the bed beside me on his side and gathered me to his chest. “You still feel okay? That was really intense.”
Leaning back, I stared up into his concerned eyes, even as traces of hunger still colored the gorgeous blue. “I feel wonderful.” Running my fingers along his scruff, I smiled. “I love you. And I really needed you to make love to me tonight. It was just as incredible as the last time and I needed the reminder of it.” I didn’t want to ruin the moment by bringing up my anxieties over my current situation, but I was well aware he knew where my thoughts had headed.
Tugging his hand gently through my hair, he kissed my forehead. “I’ve got you.”
He could’ve said more, but I was glad he didn’t.
We both understood it was my reality and we also recognized it had no place in our bed.
“How about we go again, just to make sure the reminders stick?” He shot me a wolfish grin before he rolled me to my back and hovered over me.
“Yes, please.” My giggle transformed into a moan as Teak loved my body again.
The next two days, I resumed my normal work schedule without any issues. On Saturday, we met up with Ivy and Ascher for some miniature golf and then dinner. Once again, the guys were swarmed by fans for autographs and pictures, but after happily getting their treasures, they were content and allowed the guys to return to their dates.
Ivy hadn’t admitted anything to me, but I got the sneaky suspicion things with Ascher were growing as serious as my relationship with Teak. They might not have discussed the future, but I could tell in their actions and words that this wasn’t a fling to either one of them. And I was so excited for her and wondered when she’d confide in me.
The following week, Teak and I were easily falling into a normal routine, like we had been living together for months rather than just a few weeks. Since my car was still getting worked on, I met with my co-workers through FaceTime again. However, my online time was back to my usual hours.
Saturday morning, Teak and I had a big breakfast since the concert started at one. Even though he was the last act, he still needed to be there by noon.
“Are you sure you’re okay with watching me from the sides? The seats are for ticket holders only so they could get the most profit for this fundraiser.” Teak scooped a bite of eggs into his mouth.
“It will be fine. I’m actually closer to you then.” Smirking, I took a sip of my coffee. “Besides, Ivy and Ascher will be there keeping me company. And I don’t know anyone coming to the event anyway. There’s no point sitting out there since it’s not like I’d have someone to talk to.”
A roguish grin crawled across Teak’s face as he eyed me mischievously.
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking about last night.”
“Uh huh.” I mean he could’ve been. He was a guy after all. But I didn’t buy it.
When we were finished eating, we headed back to the bedroom to get dressed. I put on a pair of pink capri pants and a flowery halter so I could wear sneakers. I was going to be on my feet for several hours so I wanted to be comfortable. Teak pulled on a pair of light colored dress pants and a light blue short sleeved dress shirt. The blue made his eyes pop.
Once we were dressed, guitar in his hand, Teak led me out to his car. After he pulled into the back lot at Choco Hall, the two of us headed inside. He flashed his pass at the back door to a bald headed guy wearing a security uniform. The guy studied me intently with his brown eyes before allowing us entrance.
“That was really weird.”
“I wonder if he thought you were a groupie, even though this isn’t that type of concert. And if so, I’m going to be pissed.”
“It is wrong of him to label, but it is pretty commonplace and maybe that’s all he’s seen.”
Taking my hand in his free one, Teak led me to the staging area. Four other musicians were expected to perform, so it was starting to get packed. And busy. As more people arrived, the hustle and bustle of organizing and setting up grew a bit crazy. I was relieved when Ivy and Ascher showed up about fifteen minutes later. It helped calm my nerves. Maybe because I wasn’t involved in the activities, it made me feel wildly out of control. The chaos didn’t wind down until almost show time.
The first musician, a country singer, took the stage.
“Are you as excited about this performance as you were about the last one we went to?” Ivy’s eyes twinkled as she shot me a teasing grin.
“It’s a different type of excitement. I think now since I’m not just a fan, the entire experience is special. I’m here to listen to the man I love sing and do something he loves and support him in that.”
Ivy’s eyes grew comically wide. “You said you loved him. Did you realize that?”
“Yes. And I already told him that.”
She tugged me into a tight hug. “I’m so happy for you. I knew it. See, aren’t you glad you have a mischievous meddlesome bestie?”
“I love you for many more reasons than that.”
We shifted our attention to the performers and by the time it was Teak’s turn, butterflies were fluttering around in my stomach. I didn’t think that I was nervous as much as thrilled at this new experience. When his name was announced the crowd went wild.
He took the stage from the opposite side from where I stood with Ivy, but he shot me a wink before he played his first song. He played three hits from his most recent album before addressing the crowd. “I have been working on songs for our next album and I wanted to know if you guys wanted to hear one of them today? Only one other person has heard this outside of my band members, so you guys are getting a special treat.”
The audience cheered for him to play the new one. When his fingers strummed the familiar melody and he started to croon the words he had written for me, my eyes welled up with tears. I had gotten a little emotional when he had first played the song for me, but hearing him play it for others just made it all the more real to me.
Ivy bounced beside me, unable to contain her excitement. She knew who the song was about.
When he finished, the crowd’s cheers exploded inside the hall. After they died down a little, Teak smiled out at them. “Would you like to meet the special girl who inspired those words?”
Those earlier butterflies erupted into pandemonium inside of my stomach.
At the crowd’s emphatic ‘yes’, he twisted to lock his eyes with mine before motioning with his finger for me to join him on the stage, his smile lighting up his entire face. The value he placed on his love for me, evident in his entire being. This was another time for him to shine for his fans, but I was someone of indescribable worth to him. As he was to me.
But my panic at being the focal point he wanted me to be had me shaking my head slightly, but his grin only widened.
“It seems she’s a bit shy. Maybe she needs some encouragement. How about you guys chant her name . . . Serenity?”
When without hesitation, the crowd started to repeat my name, my hands flew to my mouth and the tears that had been pooling in my eyes, rolled down my cheeks. Before I knew what was happening, Ivy had pushed me up the few stairs to the edge of the stage.
“Get your ass out there. If I drag you out there, you’re really going to be embarrassed.”
Knowing she wasn’t kidding, on shaky legs, I walked out to stand beside Teak.
As soon as he wrapped his arm around me and pressed a kiss to my forehead, my nervousness melted away. “This is my girlfriend, Serenity Hayes. Well, someday soon she will be my fiancée and then wife, but here is the beautiful girl I fell in love with and who is the inspiration for that song.”
The crowd’s cheers intensified.
“Holy shit, Teak.” I whispered near his ear.
“I know, Serenity. I think they approve of my choice.” He kissed my cheek before I scampered back down to the side of the stage.
Teak raised his arms to his fans and then blew them a kiss before walking off to the opposite side of the stage.
“Wow. Serenity, that was so freaking awesome.” Ivy wrapped me up in another hug.
“I expected a bit of jealousy.” One person in particular came to mind, but I quickly squashed that. “But yeah, that was quite the adrenaline rush.” I was anxious to get home and celebrate with my boyfriend. “I guess it’s meet and greet time for many of them and stuff. Maybe we should head out so we’re there when he’s ready to leave. You guys will hang around with me until he’s done, right?”
“Of course.” Ivy took my hand and we followed Ascher out into the back area to wait.
However, the after-performance part of the event wasn’t as organized or probably more chaotic since there were five performers fans wanted to meet. When we stepped into the huge space, a surge of people practically knocked us over and I got separated from Ivy and Ascher. The rush of people spilling farther into the area shoved me down to a corner where it met another hallway.
Feeling a bit off balance and a lot frustrated, I crossed my arms over my chest and waited out the disorder.
A few minutes later, the security guard who had allowed us entry earlier, stopped at my side. “Ms. Hayes. I can get you to a safe spot to await Teak. Follow me.” He took my arm and led me down the hallway.
As we moved farther from the commotion, you would think my nerves would settle at the prospect of heading toward Teak. However, vines of trepidation slithered up my spine and in the next instant my instincts kicked in, but not quickly enough. I opened my mouth to release a shriek, but his beefy hand clamped down on it as his other arm wrapped around my middle and lifted me like I weighed nothing. I kicked and flailed, trying to wrench myself free or get his hand to slip so I could scream for help.
Nevertheless, my time ran out, when he kicked open a side door and marched me outside to a waiting car. The woman standing beside it sent a shock of terror ripping through me. Her dark cold eyes met my terrified stare and a cruel smirk crawled across her face. Instead of a black body clinging dress today, her outfit consisted of tight jeans and a gray t-shirt. She wasn’t on the prowl to seduce this time; she had malicious intentions planned.
I tried to swallow my fear, but it was difficult to do with the obvious staring right in my face. Two against one; and one of the two foe was a huge muscled mass.
“I’ll see you later tonight, Naomi.” The man dropped me to the ground, but before I could react and do something to save myself, he slammed my head against the side of the car, hard.
Stars burst before my eyes and the edges of my vision grew dark. I fought to shove the blackness back. I couldn’t lose consciousness. I had to find a way to fight back. If I blacked out; I was surely dead. Although I wasn’t sure my odds looked really good at the moment anyway. After ripping open the car door for the back seat, he tossed me inside. I landed in an ungraceful sprawl along the seat. Two taps on the roof and then the car sped out of the parking lot.
She drove like a maniac and I prayed she got pulled over. The bitch didn’t even slow down at the turns, but instead took them at full speed whipping me across the seat. Her actions were intentional since the motion sent me slamming into the door which only served to worsen my head injury. The pain began to radiate down my neck to my shoulders and I was slowly losing the battle to remain conscious. My fingers tingled as I desperately tried to get my arms to cooperate so that I could reach up and jerk her out of her seat. Doing so was sure to cause her to crash the car, but I believed I would fend better with that outcome. Hell, the prickles from the near constant whacking of my head against the door even had my ass vibrating.
Wait.
That was my phone in my back pocket. If only I could will my hands to grab it.
My efforts didn’t produce any victory on that front. Hopefully she didn’t notice my phone before I was able to call for help. When she finally slammed on the brakes, I tumbled to the floor, striking my head off of some metal box. My brain function was going to be severely fucked up after this. If I survived.
Naomi jumped out of the car and I sluggishly scrambled back onto the seat so I was ready to attack. She ripped open the door, her dark eyes full of hatred.
When she leaned inside, I summoned up every bit of strength I had and shot out my legs to kick her right in the gut.
She stumbled back briefly, but instantly gained her balance and flew at me in a rage. I used my hands as best I could to block her hits, but I was growing lethargic from the abuse my body had already taken and adding that to the fact there was a good possibility I was still recuperating from my concussion. When a searing hot pain shot through my stomach, I gasped in agony and then shock when I glanced down and realized she had stabbed me, multiple times.
“Let’s go bitch.” Grabbing my legs, she jerked me out of the back seat, my head connecting soundly with the car and then the ground. While she dragged me, I frantically tried to get my arms to cooperate; to grab my phone; to tug myself free; anything. Although with the amount of blood I was losing, I wasn’t sure how far I would get – or if I could even run – or how long I was going to survive. I tried to force down my panic, but it was also a losing battle. The nightmare I had been plunged into had immeasurable fright taking up residence inside my chest. And it didn’t show any sign of ending soon. At least not in the way I wished. At some point I was positive my phone slipped from my pocket. I didn’t feel the bump anymore. Although I wasn’t feeling much beside the intense pain burning my insides.
She dumped my body in a pile of broken branches. I was vaguely aware she had lugged my body into the woods somewhere. “You just couldn’t take the hints.” She spat at me, while I curled up to hopefully ease the blistering pain blazing me from the inside and staunch the blood flow. It poured from my wounds like a broken spigot.
“You couldn’t stay away from him. You would have ruined him for everyone. He would have eventually quit writing his music and sharing it with us. You are a selfish bitch to want him all to yourself. Well, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. I hope you die before a wild animal catches the scent of your spilled blood. I wouldn’t want to be torn apart by a wolf or a bear. Sucks to be you.” She shot me a cruel smile and then walked off.
When I couldn’t hear her footsteps crunching along the leaf and twig cluttered ground anymore, I tried to crawl in the direction I hoped my phone had dropped. I wondered if I would even get a signal out here. Wherever here was. But I didn’t get to ponder long as darkness engulfed me.