Octavia's Choice [The Klawinken 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (3 page)

Octavia picked up the tickets. “Oh my God,” Octavia breathed, her heart beating more rapidly. “These are backstage passes.”

“That’s what I thought,” Katie practically screamed. “But I wanted you to tell me that you saw what I saw before I fainted.”

Katie turned to hug Octavia. “This is going to be the best concert I’ve ever gone to. And these tickets are for the floor. They look like they’re really close to the stage, if you look at this diagram that was in the envelope. I mean this is incredible. I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it,” she cried.

Octavia was stunned. She wasn’t only going to see Tobias Morgan in concert. She was going to meet him after the concert. She closed her eyes for a moment, catching her breath. Katie was right about this being incredible. But what was really incredible, if not downright scary, was the timing. She knew there was no way this was planned or that she could have made this happen because of her dreams of Tobias. It was just one of those strange occurrences when all the stars were in alignment and everything just fell into place. It was a simple matter of fate at work. She felt a slight tremor run through her body.
What else could it be?

Octavia didn’t think she would be able to eat a thing, but Katie insisted that they should have something, even if it were only a salad. They decided to go down to the restaurant in the hotel where they could use their food credit that was attached to the room. Katie ordered a Caesar salad, and Octavia followed suit. However, when Katie ordered a white wine, Octavia decided to stick with water.

“I’ll tell you one thing that I’m going to do when this is over,” Katie said after taking a sip of her wine. “I’m going to write a nice thank-you note to the radio station.”

“That’s a good idea. Thanks again for inviting me to share this with you.”

‘Thanks for coming with me. And to think you were even debating on whether or not to come.” She laughed.

“I know. I would have really missed out.”

They finished their salads and went back up to the room to relax. They decided to try and take a nap for a half hour or so. Octavia closed her eyes but couldn’t keep her mind or her heart from racing. Tobias Morgan was so close that she could almost feel his breath in her hair. The man of her dreams, not the real Tobias Morgan, she reminded herself. She finally decided to just get up and get dressed. When she walked out into the living room, Katie was already dressed, sitting on one of the sofas watching the big screen television that was tuned in to one of the entertainment news shows. And of course, Octavia thought, who would they be talking about but Tobias Morgan? He was caught by one of the interviewers as he was coming out of what looked like a charity event. He had a woman on his arm who was smiling at the camera with pouty lips and perfect white teeth. She was petite with long, dark hair, big eyes, and a beautiful body that left little to the imagination in a very short, tight blue dress. She was exactly the type of woman one would expect him to be with.

Octavia sat down beside Katie, who said, not taking her eyes off the screen, “He’s one sexy man. And tonight, we’re going to get to meet him.”

“Yes, we are.” Octavia’s eyes were also glued to the couple walking away with Tobias giving a smile and a wave to the camera. He looked delicious, but hopefully not so good in person.

“Is that what you’re wearing tonight?” Katie asked, giving Octavia a once-over.

“That’s the plan. Why?” She thought she looked fine in her jeans, sneakers, and long-sleeved sweater blouse.

“Don’t get me wrong. You look great. You always do. But I thought you’d want to dress a little less casual tonight.” Katie’s statement came out more like a question.

Octavia then really looked at what Katie was wearing. She had on a halter-type top that pushed her small breasts upward and outward and didn’t quite reach her midriff. Her jeans were tight and her heels were the same ruby red as her top. She had combed her brown hair away from her face and into a ponytail that hung straight and long down her back. She was wearing more makeup than Octavia had ever seen her wear before.

“You look great. But aren’t you going to be cold in that?”

“We’re going to be inside, and there’s a lot of body heat at concerts. Besides, I have a jacket. You know, we still have enough time if you want me to do your makeup, and I did bring a few different outfits.

“We’re not exactly the same size.”

“Bottoms, yes, tops not so much, but I still think I have something that would fit you.”

“I don’t know. I think being comfortable works, too.”

Katie just made a groan and said, “Octavia, tonight is our night. Come on and let me do you up real nice. We’re going to meet the band for god’s sake, and besides, I feel kind of funny dressed like this while you’re dressed like that.”

This was Katie’s party, and she was her guest. The last thing she wanted to do was make her uncomfortable or take away from her evening in any way. “Okay. Lead the way.”

Katie worked on her makeup first and then pulled out a very sexy, low-cut aqua-blue top with tiny little sequins along the neckline from the closet. Octavia realized she wouldn’t be able to wear a bra with it and said as much to Katie, who just shrugged. “At least try it on, okay?”

It was snug, very snug, and she felt exposed. Her nipples were outlined through the material.

Seeing the concern on her face in the mirror, Katie said, “You can wear a jacket all night if you want to, but you look fantastic. I wish I had breasts like yours. They’re perfect.”

Octavia felt herself blushing. “Thanks, but yours are just fine. This feels quite indecent.”

Next, Katie handed her a pair of black pants that were tight but not uncomfortable. They were followed with a pair of black heels that also fit.

“Now you look like you’re ready for the concert.”

“You think so, huh?” Octavia twirled around and had to admit she looked a lot different. Katie had applied smoky eye shadow and dark eyeliner to highlight her eyes. They looked larger, and her lashes were thick with mascara.

“It’s time to go,” Katie said over her shoulder, walking out of the bedroom. Octavia followed, hoping she didn’t pop out of Katie’s top during the concert.

Katie went directly to the concierge’s desk to inquire about their driver and was told he was waiting for them in front of the hotel, near the taxi stand. They walked out into the cold night air, both buttoning their jackets.

* * * *

The concert started with Antiqua opening for Naked Dreamer. They were a decent group that knew how to warm up the crowd. Octavia still couldn’t believe they were sitting front row center to the stage. She had imagined their view would be obstructed by people who would stand in front of them to get closer to the stage, but a low level barricade had been placed around the stage along with security guards who were roaming back and forth to prevent anyone from getting too close. They had a perfect view of the stage and the band members. She had actually caught one of them staring at Katie when she had bent over to pick up her water bottle that had fallen. Katie had laughed, unembarrassed. “He’s adorable. I can’t wait to meet him. We’ll get to meet Antiqua, too, don’t you think?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” She had to admit that she was starting to catch the fever of the crowd that had become louder and louder in anticipation of Tobias Morgan and Naked Dreamer. Finally, Antigua left the stage and the lights were turned out. Because they were so close, she could see the crew running on and off the stage before everything went still. With a flash of light, the music started and the strobe lights began to sparkle. The melody of the song “Everywhere but Here” filled the arena that now sparkled like a sky filled with a million stars. Octavia felt flushed. She couldn’t take her eyes off the man captured by the floating lights as he ran out to join his band to the roar of the crowd.

Tobias Morgan grabbed the standing microphone and stood before her, tall, dark, and incredibly sexy. He began moving his hips to the music, his voice pouring over her like liquid velvet warming her body. The visualization of his body covering hers was so real it startled her, forcing her to look away from the stage. Katie was already on her feet screaming, her hands in the air above her head, clapping to the beat of the music while she gyrated her hips with wild abandon.

It was as if he were willing her to look at him, to watch him, and she didn’t have the strength to fight the pull to look up at the stage where he was moving with an abundance of grace and energy. It was like no one existed but him. She was so close to the stage that she could see his long lashes and beautiful dark eyes that held her attention. She felt like his eyes were sucking her into him, but she knew it was only an illusion. Every woman there probably felt the power of his presence. His black shirt, unbuttoned down his chest to reveal his chest hair, was tucked into a pair of tight jeans. She couldn’t take her eyes off the muscles that were visible beneath his shirt, rippling and flexing as he moved across the stage. She was mesmerized by his every move.

“Oh my God, he’s gorgeous,” Katie yelled into her ear. Octavia just nodded her head. Yes, he was gorgeous. He was supposed to be a disappointment, but so far, he was anything but that. In fact, she was beginning to think that if it were possible, her dreams had not done him justice. Song after song poured from his beautiful lips, and in between he spoke to his audience about the inspiration for his songs with tidbits of humor about the band members. He worked the crowd like a magician who knew exactly what was needed to bring them with him inside the magnificent show that was Naked Dreamer live and uncut. He was an excellent performer. And from the look of pure adoration on the faces of his audience, she wasn’t the only one feeling the electricity of his performance.

At some point, Octavia stood up beside Katie, who had not sat down all night between dancing, singing, and screaming. She was the perfect fan,
Octavia thought as she smiled at her friend. Katie’s lack of inhibition inspired her to take off her own jacket. She was overheated, and at this point no one was looking at her anyway. Nothing mattered except the music that surrounded them and the man that she couldn’t take her eyes off of as he continued to entertain them. The band played for two and a half straight hours without a break. They gave their fans an incredible show, especially Tobias, whose entire body was dripping in sweat by the time he sang his signature song, “Only When You Can’t See Me.”

The audience held up their cigarette lighters and glow sticks while chanting “Naked Dreamer” over and over until the band ran back on the stage and played for another fifteen minutes. When they left the stage for the last time, the overhead lights came on and the magical spell Naked Dreamer had woven around them was broken. Octavia sat down to catch her breath. Katie gave her a hug. “Was that unreal or what?”

“They’re great. There’s nothing like seeing them live, that’s for sure,” Octavia said, turning to grab her jacket. “Did you see my jacket?” she asked Katie.

“No. I can’t find mine either. Don’t tell me someone stole them,” Katie said, disgusted.

“Why would anyone want our jackets? They weren’t expensive, at least mine wasn’t.” Octavia looked behind them to see if possibly they had been pushed through the chairs. They weren’t to be seen. She looked back up onto the empty stage and wished the concert were only just beginning and not over. She felt a chill in the air.

“Mine wasn’t expensive either. Luckily I kept our stage passes in my purse,” Katie said, pulling out their passes. “Let’s ask that security guard next to the stage where to go. We can worry about our jackets later.”

The guard who checked out their tickets and their scantily clad bodies kept them waiting near the stage for almost a half hour. Just when Octavia was about to tell Katie to give it up, he came back with a cup of coffee, looking at them like he had just seen them for the first time. Katie pulled out their passes again, and this time he led them back through a maze of props and corridors before he stopped and knocked on a door that looked no different than the other doors they had passed. Octavia stood waiting for the door to open, feeling very nervous and wishing she had her jacket. She wasn’t cold, but she wished she had something to use as a cover-up. The way the guard’s eyes kept returning to her breasts that were out there for his viewing pleasure, she knew she was giving off the wrong kind of message—one that, if she wasn’t careful, could get her into trouble.

Wordlessly, they followed the guard through the door and into a very large room that was full of people. She leaned into Katie. “Whatever you do, stay close. We could very easily lose each other in here.”

Katie nodded and squeezed her hand. “I’ve never seen anything quite like this. Who are all these people?”

“Who knows? I guess the people that travel with them and the stage crew along with people like us.” Octavia felt a bit jostled and realized her top was giving her more attention than she wanted. Pulling her hair around so that it hung down her chest at least afforded her a little modesty. Katie on the other hand didn’t seem to mind the attention. In high school, Octavia had never partied that much, but Katie had been known for throwing some fun parties when her parents were away. Obviously she still knew how to have a good time, but hopefully, with a little more maturity. There was a long table of food and drinks ahead of them that she steered Katie toward. All she wanted was a bottle of water.