Sinners On Tour 02 Rock Hard (9 page)

“So I guess this means you two are back together,” Eric said.

“Yeah,” Sed murmured, not caring that his dimples were showing as he grinned.

“No,” Jessica corrected.

He glanced down at her. “No?”

“Just sex, Sed.”

His arms tightened around her. “Yeah, that’s what I meant. Just sex.”

He’d take anything she was willing to give. His heart would just have to get used to that sinking ache inside until he could win her back.

Jessica listened to Sed’s heartbeat beneath her ear. She didn’t think he was feeling much for her. She couldn’t hurt him yet and that was okay. He’d eventually get tired of her using him like a piece of meat.

And what a delectable slab of prime rib he was.

God, she’d forgotten how perfectly their bodies responded to each other. She hoped it took a while to exact her revenge, because she was very much enjoying this little game.

“You want to go somewhere?” he asked.

A shiver raced down her spine at the sound of his deep voice. She looked up at him. “Like now? It’s late.”

“Isn’t Las Vegas the city that never sleeps?”

“I think that’s New York.”

“Right. This is Sin City.” He grinned wickedly and combed his fingers through her hair as his gaze caressed her face. “I thought you might like to take a walk down the strip with me.” His eyebrows lifted suggestively.

Her breath caught. “Sightseeing?”

“Maybe a little.” His gaze locked with hers and he grinned that sexy grin that made her body throb. “When our eyes are open.”

Her heart raced out of control. She hadn’t toured a city with Sed in over two years. The possibilities for public encounters in Las Vegas were endless. “I have a skirt in my car.”

She squirmed off his lap, scooped her clothes off the floor, and headed for the small bathroom near the back of the bus.

Eric wolf-whistled as she darted past him in the nude. She stuck her tongue out at him before shutting herself in the bathroom. She cleaned up in the sink and hurriedly dressed in her jeans and T-shirt.

There was a knock at the door. “I’m coming in,” Sed called.

Sed squeezed into the tiny bathroom and turned on the sink tap. She backed into the nook between the toilet and the shower. The man completely dominated the small room. He completely dominated everything. Jessica knew he couldn’t help it, but it still irked her. Since he’d become famous, his influence spread beyond his personal sphere, which made him more infuriating. She felt like a washed out shadow whenever she was near him. Except when she was fucking him. Only then did she feel his equal.

“You’re glowering at me.” He was looking at her reflection in the mirror as he washed traces of their joining from his body.

“No, I’m not.”

“Yeah, you are. What did I do wrong now?”

“Nothing you can help.” She moved to stand behind him and ran her hands up the contoured muscles of his belly and chest. “You’ve been working out.”

“Just some free weights and lots of push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups.”

“All those ups are really paying off. Sexier than ever.”

She rested her cheek against his back and inhaled the unique scent of his skin. Like everything else about this man, it never failed to turn her on.

“Maybe we should go sightseeing tomorrow,” he said, covering her hand with his. “We should get a hotel room for the night. There’s no privacy here. I want to be alone with you.”

“How about we tour a few places, get a room when we get tired, and then continue our tour tomorrow?”

He looked at her over his shoulder and smiled. “You always were brilliant.”

She kissed his shoulder and moved around him to exit the bathroom. “I’ll be back soon.”

Jessica left the bus and hurried to the parking garage where she’d left her car. From her trunk, she grabbed a suitcase of clothes and the bag that contained her cosmetics and personal necessities, and then hurried back.

Sinners’ fans had cleared out, and with them, the security guards. No problems getting around the barrier this time.

She found Sed leaning against the bus. His wide-brimmed hat was tilted low over his brow, his pretty blue eyes hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses. He wore black leather pants, a white T-shirt, and a long leather duster.

“It’s pretty warm out here for a coat,” Jessica said, an eyebrow lifted at him.

“I’m willing to suffer for style.”

She laughed. He reached for her suitcase, but she sidestepped him before he could take it from her. “I’ve got it.”

He sighed and followed her onto the bus empty-handed.

Eric wasn’t the only band member on the bus now. Trey rested on the sofa, watching TV with his sultry emerald-green eyes more closed than opened. He glanced up when Jessica walked past.

“Jessica?” he said incredulously.

“Hey, Trey. How have you been?”

“I’ve been better,” he said quietly. “Head is killing me.”

“Do you need me to take you to the hospital?” Sed asked. “That dickhead bouncer really whacked you a good one.”

“I’m all right,” Trey insisted. “I just need quiet. The other bus is too noisy. I feel a little better already.”

Jessica bent to kiss Trey’s cheek. “You sure, sweetie? We can take you to the E.R.” She ran a finger down his lightly freckled nose.

“I’m good. I just need to rest. Quietly.”

“Eric will keep an eye on him,” Sed said.

“Eric? You’re kidding, right?” Jessica said.

“Well, Brian’s not here and Jace keeps taking off, so who else is there?”

“Dare? He is his brother.”

“Guys, I said I was fine. Just shut up, get the fuck out of here and leave me alone.”

Jessica and Sed looked down at Trey. “He’s fine,” they said in unison.

“I’ll go change clothes now.” Jessica carried the suitcase to the back bedroom and knocked on the door. A moment later, Eric opened it.

He wore nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs and a smile. She tried to keep her eyes from drifting down to where the sexy V of his hipbones disappeared into his underwear, but failed.

“Yes, you can join us.” He pulled Jessica into the room by the arm. The girl on the bed covered herself with the heavy red comforter, but not before Jessica saw the huge vibrator she was plunging into her body. Eric still liked to watch, apparently.

“I need to change clothes,” Jessica said.

Eric nodded in agreement, settling both long-fingered hands on his hips, drawing her attention again to where it did not belong. This man was all cord and muscle. And in those low slung boxer briefs, one hundred percent distraction.

“Without you in attendance.” Jessica nodded toward the door.

“Hey, I was here first.”

“The only thing you should be watching right now is Trey. I’m worried about him.”

Eric’s teasing expression turned serious. “What’s wrong with Trey?”

“Brian said Trey was dizzy on stage tonight. And now, he’s lying around with a headache. I think he’s hurt pretty badly. Sed and I tried to talk him into going to the hospital, but he insists he’s okay.”

Eric grabbed his pants off the floor and hopped into them. “I’ll take care of him.”

He left the bedroom.

The girl on the bed growled in frustration. “What does a girl have to do to get laid around here?” She dropped the industrial-sized vibrator on the floor, climbed from the bed and searched for her clothes.

Jessica tossed her ancient hard-shell suitcase on the bed and popped it open. “It’s not usually this crazy around here.”

“Hey, aren’t you that bitch who yanked Margo’s hair for sucking Sed?”

Jessica riffled through her suitcase until she found the flowing skirt and form-fitting top she sought. A little wrinkly, but it would do. “You might as well spread the word. Sed’s mine for the next two months. I won’t put up with any of you slutty groupies touching him.”

The young woman slid into her lilac-colored thong and matching tiny bra. “I think that’s his decision, not yours.”

“He likes it when I’m possessive. Run along now.” Jessica removed her T-shirt and contemplated if she should wear a bra. The twisted styling of her top’s bodice had plenty of support and it had a single tie around the neck. Her straps would show and she had no idea where she’d packed her strapless bra. Deciding against
any
undergarments, she slipped the green form-fitting top over her head.

The other girl had finished dressing and left the room, slamming the door soundly behind her. Jessica shrugged and changed into her bold-patterned, loose skirt. She topped off the outfit with three-inch strappy sandals, several bangles, and an anklet. She was putting on her make-up when Sed entered the room.

“What’s taking you so long?”

“Almost ready.” She applied tinted lip-gloss with her little finger.

“Always worth the wait. Damn, you look hot.”

She grinned at him. “You’re the one who looks hot. Are you sure you want to wear that coat?”

He winked at her. “I’m sure.”

She fluffed her hair with her hands and checked her reflection in the mirror before approaching him in the doorway. “Let’s go.”

He grabbed her hand and dragged her through the bus. They passed Eric sitting on the couch with Trey’s head resting on his thigh. Eric pressed a finger to his lips. Trey was fast asleep.

“We’ll be back sometime tomorrow,” Sed whispered.

Eric winked at them as they hurried past. Jessica stumbled down the steep bus steps, but Sed caught her before she fell flat on her face.

“Slow down,” she complained. “I can’t keep up with you in these heels.”

“I’ll carry you.” He scooped her into his arms and smiled down at her. “Where to first?”

“I’ve already seen all the casinos. You pick.”

Still carrying her, he cut across the parking lot, headed toward the wide sidewalk along the Vegas strip. His long strides covered ground quickly.

“Wanna go see the fountain at the Bellagio?” he asked.

She’d hoped he’d make that request. She loved the giant fountain. With its water jets choreographed to music, it was a moving work of art. Romantic. She knew from experience that it was lonesome to watch it alone. But tonight, she wasn’t alone.

“I’d like that. Can you put me down, please?”

He paused and lowered his head to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him in return. When they drew apart, he set her on her feet and took her hand.

“Let me know if you get tired,” he said, as they started up the sidewalk. At the far southern end of the strip, the crowds were relatively thin. They’d make good time for the first few blocks.

“It’s only about a mile and a half to the fountain.” She loved to walk along the strip, look at the extravagant casinos, and watch the menagerie of ever changing people. “

“A mile and a half is a long way in those shoes.”

“If you weren’t so tall, I wouldn’t have to wear them.”

He wrapped an arm around her back, his fingers pressing into her waist. “It’s times like these I wish I was shorter like Jace. We’d be more height compatible then.”

Height compatibility did have distinct advantages, but so did the strength of a big man. She admired the wide cut of his shoulders for a long moment before the name Jace sank into her addled thoughts.

“Damn. Speaking of Jace, I’m supposed to give him a message from a friend of mine. I keep forgetting.”

Sed fished a cell phone out of his pocket. “Do you want to call him?”

Jessica shook her head. “I’ll tell him tomorrow. I don’t think Aggie is working tonight anyway.”

“Aggie?”

“She’s a dancer at the club I used to work for.”

“Dominatrix chick with long black hair?” Sed pointed to his head. He also had black hair, though he kept it very short—like a military recruit.

“How’d you know?”

He laughed. “Lucky guess. A thousand bucks says Jace already picked up your message in person.”

Jessica grinned. “Don’t expect him to be able to move for a couple of days then. When’s your next show?”

“Not until Tuesday. We’re heading to Phoenix.”

“We’ll have to go sightseeing together there, as well.”

His hand flattened over her belly as he drew her closer to his side. “We’ll go sightseeing in any city you want. Let’s catch a cab. I don’t want you to wear yourself out with all this walking.”

Was he thinking of her comfort or her sexual stamina? It didn’t matter to her either way. She smiled. “Okay.”

Inside the cab, he took her hand. When had he gotten so affectionate? Tender kissing. Holding hands. He’d never been like this when they’d been engaged.

“So how’s school going?” he asked, a little too nonchalantly.

Her heart skipped a beat. Why did he want to know? He’d never wanted her to go in the first place.

“It’s all right. I do have this one professor who hates my guts and won’t give me a break.”

“Why would anyone hate your guts?”

Jessica shrugged. “She just doesn’t like me. She
failed
…” Jessica cringed. “She failed me on my final paper. Totally has it in for me. That’s what Beth thinks.”

“She’s probably jealous of your gorgeous legs.” He slid her skirt up to reveal her thigh. A little further to expose her mound. His fingers brushed over the curls he found there.

Jessica tugged her skirt down and rolled her eyes at him. “Give me a break.”

“And who’s Beth?”

Jessica smiled. She hoped Beth was having a nice summer. “My roommate.”

“You have a roommate?”

She couldn’t figure out why he looked so astonished. “Why wouldn’t I?”

He shrugged. “Too proud to split the rent.”

She scowled at him.

He scratched behind his ear. “Forget I said that.”

“I’m not too
proud
to split the rent. Splitting the rent is fine.”

“You’re yelling.”

Of course she was yelling. Why wouldn’t she be? “No, I don’t want someone to take care of me like I’m incompetent and boss me around and tell me how to live my life, but—”

He covered her mouth with one hand. “You’re still yelling.”

She slapped his hand away. “Let me finish.”

“Don’t be mad.”

“Don’t tell me how to feel.”

He pulled her onto his lap and sank a hand into her hair to tilt her head back. His mouth claimed hers. She stiffened and tried to twist away, but his free arm tightened around her body and pinned her against his chest. He kissed her until she was clinging to his shoulders like a drowning kitten.

He drew away and looked down at her with a self-satisfied grin. “That’s better.”

God, she hated him sometimes. She gulped several deep, calming breaths. She needed to get a grip and quickly. He was turning her game against her and playing by his own rules. She had to regain control of this situation before she lost herself to him.