Bang The Drummer (2 page)

Both times they’d been together he’d held her hand, stroking it lightly with his fingers. Lifting it to kiss her knuckles. Caressing her arm. She loved the way his black hair curled to his shoulders, framing a face that reminded her of a poet or artist. The excitement was there, she was positive, especially seeing the way his obsidian black eyes devoured her. She got all the necessary details out of the way. Tonight was all about seeing if the sexual chemistry worked.

She tried to squash the little niggling voice that kept asking if she was actually going to interview twelve drummers in bed. The physical was equally as important as the other stuff. And she had to make sure she wasn’t missing an opportunity. Maybe if she was lucky she’d find one before December that totally rocked her world. If not, at least she’d have a good selection from which to make her choice.

“Ready?”

She’d been so lost in thought she hadn’t seen Beats come up to the table.

“I am.” She gave him a smile. “Definitely.”

“What about your friend here?” He looked pointedly at Charlie.

“I’m just the chauffeur.” Charlie pushed back his chair and stood up. “You guys have fun.” He looked at Jill. “Got your cell?”

She nodded.

“She won’t need it.” Beats put an arm around her. “She’ll be too busy to make any calls.”

Charlie gave her one long last look before heading toward the door.

“All set?” Beats murmured the words in her ear, his breath soft against her skin.

Jill nodded, tamping down a sudden attack of nerves.

“Let’s go, then.” He linked his fingers with hers and drew her out the back door to his van.

She hadn’t thought to ask him where he lived, a bad mistake on her part, but as she scanned the streets during the drive, she saw they were in a neighborhood of older homes. Lots of mature trees. Cars in driveways, more parked here and there at the curb.

The house he pulled up to was a two-story with a small porch and lots of windows. A huge oak tree took up a big part of the front yard. Beats jogged around to the passenger door, opened it, and helped her out, a courteous gesture that surprised her.

“What?” He grinned. “I know my manners.”

He unlocked the door and drew her inside, into a small foyer. She had barely glanced around when he had her backed up to the wall, his body pressing hers and his mouth hard against her lips. One hand cupped her head, tilting it up to his while the other squeezed one cheek of her ass. Before she could think, he had his tongue in her throat and was grinding his hot cock against her pelvis.

Too much too fast!

Then he lifted his head, picked her up in his arms, and carried her down a short hall to a bedroom. Kicking the door shut, he stood her beside the bed and removed her clothes so swiftly and efficiently she wondered with a touch of hysteria how often he did this. Her blood was pounding in her veins, and she couldn’t catch her breath.

“Wait!” She tried to put some space between them. “Beats. Please. Wait, wait, wait.”

“For what? I’ve been thinking about this all day.” He closed his mouth over one nipple and sucked, hard.

Jill felt the pull all the way to her pussy, and for a moment, she lost herself in the sensation. But her fogged-out brain was telling her something wasn’t right here. Where was the build-up, the sexual tension, the teasing? She pushed hard until Beats was forced to take a step back.

“What’s the matter, princess?” He tried to pull her back to him, but she managed to sidestep.

“Can we, um, just take our time here a little? I mean, does the word foreplay mean anything to you?” This was not going at all the way she expected. Where were the candles and rose petals? The glass of wine? The soft background music? This felt more like sexual calisthenics.

“Why wait?” He looked at every inch of her from top to toes. “I like what I see, and I can’t wait to get at it with you. Feel my cock inside you.”

At that moment, the front door slammed, and loud voices infiltrated the darkness.

“What’s happening?” Jill grabbed her clothes and held them to her chest. “Who’s out there?”

“My housemates. Don’t pay attention to them.” He reached for her again. “Come on, princess.”

Jill pushed away from Beats, yanked her clothes on and rummaged for her purse. “This was a big mistake. I have to go.”

When Beats reached for her, she yanked away from him and ran for the front door. Pulling her cell from the pocket of her jeans, she speed-dialed Charlie.

“Come get me now,” she managed to gasp as she ran down the street.

****

February

“This band is a lot better than the last one,” Jill told Charlie as they parked in the small lot. “Anyway, it’s a lounge band, not rock.”

“Hopefully easier on my ears,” he grumped.

She slammed the door. “I told you last month. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I don’t need you casting gloom over my search.”

“How’s this?” He stretched his lips in an obviously fake smile. “I promise to be good.”

Jill blew out a calming breath. “It’s Valentine’s Day, Charlie. The day for lovers. Maybe tonight’s drummer will be The One, and I can stop looking.”

Charlie’s hands were warm on her shoulders as he turned her to face him. “I hope he is, Jill. But just keep in mind what happened with Beats.”

As if she could forget. What a bad error in judgment she’d made there. But her coffee dates with Bix, the drummer with Moonshine, had been so much more satisfying. They’d connected on so many levels, talking until it was time for him to leave for his gig. His thick blond hair fell in short layers on his head, his strong jaw accented a masculine face, and his hazel eyes looked at her with warmth and a glint of desire.

“This will be different,” she said as they entered the club. “You’ll see.”

A waitress hurried up to them. “You must be Jill.” She grinned. “Bix asked me to reserve a table for you.”

She led them to a small table in the center of the room and took their drink orders. Moonshine was in the middle of a rendition of an old Frank Sinatra tune.

“I didn’t think anyone played that stuff any more,” Charlie said. “I could listen to it all the time.”

She turned to look at him. “Really? How come I didn’t know that about you?”

“There’s a lot about me you don’t know. Even after all this time.” He pointed toward the stage. “Lover Boy’s looking at you. Smile.”

Sure enough, Bix was eyeing her from the stage, his mouth curved in a smile. His hands wielded the drumsticks expertly as he kept the beat to the longtime ballad. Lordy, drummers just did it for her. She could imagine those hands beating an erotic tattoo on her body, and a tiny shiver slipped over her spine.

“You cold?” Charlie asked. “I’d put my arm around you, but Lover Boy might castrate me.”

“I’m fine. Thank you. And be polite.”

Jill was watching the stage and almost missed the waitress when she arrived back at their table. Her eyes widened as she watched the woman set a small vase with one rose in the middle of the table, then scatter foil-wrapped heart-shaped candies on the surface before serving their drinks.

“Ohmigod, Charlie.” She pressed her fingers to her mouth. “Look. Isn’t that just the most romantic thing?”

“Yeah. Very romantic.”

What was up with him and the sarcastic tone in his voice? She thought he’d be happy Bix was paying so much attention to her. It boded well for afterward, as opposed to the disaster with Beats.

“Could you at least smile?” she asked. Why was he being such a prick, anyway? They’d talked about this, and he’d agreed to be her wingman. Happily, even. So what was his problem now?

Charlie picked up his drink and tapped her glass with his. “I’m smiling. And wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Jill studied his face. Was he really happy for her? Did he think this whole thing was stupid?

“It’s fine, Jill.” His smile was warmer this time. “Really. Let’s enjoy the music.”

Every time Jill looked at the stage Bix was sending her teasing looks, even as he never missed the rhythm of whatever song the band was playing. As she sipped first one drink, then another, she found herself relaxing. Idly, she fingered the soft petals of the rose, touched that he would think of such a romantic gesture.

And the candies! As she picked up each one, she realized there were sayings stamped on the foil, things like Be Mine or Let’s Kiss. She would have urged Charlie to taste one, but she wasn’t sure how appropriate it would be.

Finally, the evening was over, and Bix stood at the table. He held out his hand to Charlie. “Thanks for bringing her.”

Charlie nodded and stood up. “She’s a special lady.”

“Oh, I know that.” He winked at Charlie. “And I plan to make the evening very, very special for her.”

The pulse in her pussy that had been throbbing in time to the drumbeat throughout the evening ramped up in intensity, and her panties were suddenly very damp. This was going to be good. Better. Wonderful.

“Got your cell?” Charlie asked.

“Right here.” She patted her slim shoulder-strap purse then Bix led her out to the parking lot.

“I was afraid you might change your mind,” he said as they pulled out into the street.

“Really? Why? I got a good feeling when we had our coffee dates.”

“Oh, you know. Things happen. People change their minds. And I’ve really been looking forward to this.”

The pulse ramped up its intensity. “Me, too.”

On the drive to his apartment complex, he reached over and rested his hand on her thigh, sliding it under the edge of the short skirt she was wearing. His touch was electric. Sizzling. She wanted to squeeze her thighs together to trap his hand in her heat, but he spread his fingers to keep her legs apart. In a moment, the tips of those fingers stroked her pussy through the satin of her thong.

“You smell so good,” he said in a low voice, lifting his hand to his nose for a moment. “Everywhere.”

Jill wriggled in her seat, sure she was blushing in the dark. She wanted to grab his hand and put it back where it had been. He laughed as if reading her thoughts and, with an eager touch, squeezed her soft outer pussy lips.

“You are so hot, Jill. Tonight is going to be outstanding. And here we are.” He removed his hand as he pulled into his apartment complex.

“I’m on the third floor,” he told her. “But we’ve got an elevator so no hoofing it.”

He took her hand again, leading her through the entry to the elevator. As soon as they were inside the car, he pulled her against him, his lips pressed to hers, his tongue stroking inside her mouth. His hand was back beneath her skirt again, this time slipping between the satin and her skin to stroke the soft curls on her mound. One finger found its way into her slit and unerringly pressed on her throbbing clit.

“Whoa!” Jill tried to push back, although, as good as it felt, it took a lot of her willpower. “Let’s not rush things.”

“Are you kidding?” He nibbled her ear and slid the tip of one finger into her waiting channel. “I could hardly control myself all day thinking about what we were going to do tonight.” He lifted his finger and licked it. “Can’t wait to get my tongue inside you.”

At that moment, the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Jill was glad Bix had his arm around her because her legs were shaky.

“Right here,” he said, leading her a few feet to a door.

She waited for him to take out his key to unlock it, but the door was yanked open, and Jill froze in place. Framed in the doorway was a woman of medium height with luscious curves and generous breasts. She was also completely naked, with rings dangling from her nipples and her pussy shaved completely bare.

Jill reached out to clutch the door jamb to steady herself. “Bix? What the hell?”

His smile was hot and hungry, his eyes glinting with some dark need.

“This is Serena. She’ll be joining us for the evening.” He tried to urge her inside. “You can’t imagine how I’ve looked forward to this. How many women I interviewed to find the right one for Valentine’s Day.”

“Come on in, honey.” Serena’s voice was smoky and sultry. She reached to a little table in the hallway and held up a large dildo. “I’ve been polishing this just for you. Can’t wait to slide it into your sweet little cunt while Bix fucks your ass.”

Jill managed to pull away from both of them and raced for the elevator.

“Hey!” Bix came after her. “Don’t run away, lovely lady. We have a hot Valentine’s Day planned for you.”

Frantic, Jill kicked off her shoes and picked them up, raced down the hallway to the stairway door, and ran down two flights to the lobby. She ran until she was out on the street and a block from the apartments, ignoring the detritus cutting into her bare feet. She yanked her cell from her purse and speed-dialed Charlie.

“Come get me,” she pleaded. “Right now.”

****

March

“What did you say this guy’s name is?” Charlie asked, adjusting his green tie in the mirror in Jill’s hallway.

“Aiden,” she told him, slipping on her shoes. “Aiden Killian.”

“And he’s a drummer in an Irish band? I didn’t think they had drummers.”

“That’s how much you know,” she grinned, flipping the end of his tie. “This band has a damn good one.”

She reached for her tiny purse on the hall table but stopped when Charlie closed his hands over her arms.

“Jill. Stop a minute. Take a breath.”

She blew out a breath and stared at him. “What? I told Aiden we’d be there by the third set.”

“I know. But please. Take a minute here.”

His hands were warm against her body, the heat of them penetrating through the green silk of her blouse. When she looked in his face, she saw lines of worry and something in his eyes. Concern? Disquiet? Something else she couldn’t quite put a finger on?

She tilted her head. “What is it, Charlie? You aren’t getting queasy about this, are you?” Then an idea popped into her head. “Oh, wait. Dumb me. I’ve been so focused on myself. Am I keeping you from a date? Were you planning your own St. Paddy’s Day celebration?”

And why should it bother her if he was?

Because I won’t have my wingman with me. That’s it. That’s all it is. Nothing more.