Ballad (Rockstar #5) (18 page)

“H
I BEN,” MISTY
says, running a hand across my chest. What the hell?

“What’s up?” I ask, taking a step back only for her to follow, stepping even closer, her tits pressing up against my chest. Now I’ll admit there was a time I was attracted to this woman and I might have thought for a while that I wanted to start something up with her—until she changed. She went from the sweet Misty to this aggressive predator who tried way too hard to be sexy. I think it was because she tried so hard that she failed. She did succeed in turning me
off
instead of on.

“Nothing really. I just thought maybe you’d want to have a drink with me.”

I’m tempted to roll my eyes. I do roll them on the inside. I mean, I don’t want to be a total dick. She’s traveling with us, but this shit has to stop.

I put my hands on her shoulders and not-so-gently push her back away from me.

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“Are you serious right now?” I ask.

She looks at me dumbly.

“You know what I’m talking about. You were there when Lucy and I were talking about Nicole and me being together—in a relationship.” My tone isn’t exactly nice. Because she’s playing stupid, I’m getting pissed.

“So?” she says.

“Are you fucking kidding me?
So
?” I run a hand through my hair. “I’ll tell you ‘so’. You trying to step into Coley’s zone is a total dick move.”

She pouts. God. Why do women like her always do that? Do they think it’s attractive? It’s not. The way they purse their lips—just no.

“That’s not a very nice thing to say.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to
do,
” I rebut.

She just stares at me, then looks down before turning to the side. Then she does it. She lets down that veneer I knew was there. She huffs and turns to face me, venom in her features leaving no trace of the ‘nice’ Misty.

“What the hell is it going to take to get you to fuck me already?” She rolls her eyes. “It’s not like you don’t go around fucking random chicks all the time, so why not me? I’m someone you know and I could use a good, hard fuck.” She tries to make that last part sound enticing and seductive—tries.

“It would take you being someone else. It would take you being Nicole. I’m not interested in fucking you or anything else for that matter. Hell, I’m not even sure I want to be your friend anymore now that I know you’ve been duping Lucy. Playing my sister isn’t something I’m going to stand for,” I inform her.

“And what are you going to do, huh?” she scoffs, putting her hands on her hips. “You gonna go tell little Lucy that you don’t like me? You know what she’s going to say to you if you do? She’s going to tell you to get over yourself.”

“You think so?” I ask, noting Sera and Cage standing nearby, listening intently. Something’s up. Something more than Misty trying to bang me.

“I know so,” she says with a sneer.

I nod. “Interesting. You think Lucy’s going to like you better or side with you? I wasn’t aware we were in a competition.”

She laughs. “There is no competition. I’ve got Lucy right where I want her.”

“Yeah?” I ask, stepping closer as I start to see red. “It’s too bad you can’t get anyone else where you want them, huh? How many of us have you tried to fuck? I think all of us, including Jesse, right? How’s that working out for you?”

“Fuck you.”

“I don’t think so. You offered, I declined. And as far as Lucy goes, you better watch yourself and step back. You have no idea who you’re up against,” I warn.

She snorts. “You think I’m afraid of you?”

“No, because I don’t beat the hell out of women.”

“But I do,” Sera says from behind Misty, her eyes going wide with that whole deer-in-the-headlights look.

Misty pastes a fake smile on her face and spins to Sera.

“Sera! I think you misunderstood—”

“I didn’t,” Sera says, inching closer to Misty, intimidating the hell out of her as she invades her space. I just cross my arms over my chest and watch the show. “I know what you’re up to. You’re not very good at this game. I, however, am the
master
.”

They’re nose to nose now as Cage and I look on.

Misty’s scared stiff. The color has drained from her face and I wouldn’t be surprised if she pisses her pants a little. Sera has a way of making people do that. She’s one scary chick when she’s pissed and someone’s threatening her family.

“I knew there was something ‘off’ about you from the beginning but I could never put my finger on it. No one is that nice all the time,” Sera states. “We’re going to go on that bus over there and we’re going to have a nice long chat. Then we’re going to call your sister, Kimberly, and brother-in-law, Roberto, and they can come pick you up.”

Misty’s eyes get big and I lift a brow. Obviously they’ve done their homework on Misty and it looks like she wasn’t expecting that. That’s what I love about Sera and Cage. They make sure to dot their i’s and cross their t’s before going in for the kill. Cage’s fingers fly across the keys on his phone. I imagine that’s not good for Misty either.

“But—”

“No. There are no more ‘buts’. That time has long past. Tell them to pick you up in New York in two days. Either they pick you up, or you’re on your own. You’re no longer welcome on this tour,” Sera tells her.

“And, until we get to New York,” Cage begins, “you’ll be riding on the same bus as Damian.”

Misty swallows hard.

“Did you get all of that?” Cage asks.

Misty nods.

“Good. Now get out of my sight,” he bites out. He sends a quick nod to Damian where he’s waiting.

Holy fuck. A pissed off Cage Nichols is really fucking scary.

Misty all-but runs away and Cage dials his phone. Sera smirks and I, well, I just blow out a steadying breath.

“There’s more to this than I know, isn’t there?” I ask.

“Oh yeah. Lots more,” Sera tells me.

“Like Manzinis more?”

She nods.

“And we’re not telling Lucy?”

She shakes her head. “Or Jesse.”

“Shit. If they find out, they’re going to be pissed.”

“That’s why they’re not going to find out. Not until we get to New York.”

“How will you explain Misty not cooking?”

Sera smirks. “She’s sick. It’s not a lie, not really. Misty is sick, just not the way Lucy’s going to think she is.”

“And Lucy won’t be allowed to see the sick Misty because of the babies,” I say, cluing in.

“Exactly.”

Cage closes his phone and walks over. “We need to get ready for the show.”

I nod.

“What time is it?” Sera asks, looking at her phone. “Oh, shit. Spenser is going to kill me. I’m so late.” She stands on tiptoe and gives Cage a kiss. “I love you!” she shouts over her shoulder as she runs toward the building.

“Damn, she’s fast,” I mutter.

“And, apparently, very afraid of Spenser yet she can face down the most ruthless people without batting an eyelash,” Cage says with a smirk.

The shows were kick ass, crowd packed to capacity, and backstage there were people milling around everywhere. I need some fresh air so I step outside and lean back against the wall, tilting my head back, thinking of Coley. I want her—fiercely. I want to kiss her and touch her and make her mine.

I let out a frustrated breath. Shit. I can’t just take her. She’s sick and I don’t know how experienced she is. Fuck. I don’t know if I can hold back but I know I have to. I have to take her slowly and not bang her against the wall like I want. I just want—no, I
need
to be inside her. To make her mine.

The door opens and Coley comes walking out with Justin and Lucian. Fucking Lucian. I grind my teeth and restrain myself from grabbing her and pulling her to my side. She’s
mine
.

“Hey there,” she says, giving me a wink and hugging me to her. I pull her in close and bury my nose in her hair.

“Hey.”

She looks up at me and I kiss her lips. When I pull back she’s grinning and there’s that sunshine again, taking away the darkness.

“What are you doing out here all by yourself?” she asks.

I look and note Justin and Lucian walking away.

“Just getting some air.” I bury my face in her neck again, holding her, loving the feel of her in my arms.

“It seems like you missed me.”

“Mmm. I did.”

“Then you should have found me. I’d have come out here to get air with you.”

I kiss her cheek, then her forehead. “I didn’t know how long you were going to be. Photo ops can take forever.”

“I’m really glad this one didn’t,” she purrs as she kisses my neck. I let out a groan because, damn it, I’ve waited to feel her touching me for so long.

“So?”

She sucks on my earlobe and a shiver runs down my spine.

“When we get to New York, are we going to have some alone time?” she asks.

It’s my turn to kiss
her
neck.

“Yeah, honey. We’re going to have lots of alone time. We’ve got four days in New York and only one of those days we have to work. I want to take you out,” I tell her, kissing along her jaw.

“Like a date?” she sighs, leaning into my embrace.

“Exactly like a date. Maybe you’ll even let me get to first base, if you’re feeling well.”

Her hands frame my face and her smile lights up the night sky. She wiggles her eyebrows. “I’ll let you get a whole lot farther than that if you play your cards right.”

My cock comes to life at the thought of being inside her, of her touching me. “Why don’t we shower and grab some z’s. You’re going to need your sleep.”

She grins up at me. “Sounds like a plan.”

“By the way,” I add. “From now on you’re on whatever bus I’m on. No more Lucian.”

Nicole nods. “Does that mean you’re going to sleep with me?” Her tone is so hopeful I want to kick my own ass for denying her.

“Nothing can keep me away anymore.”

“Promise?” she asks, vulnerability shining in her eyes.

“Promise.”

After my shower, I go to crawl into my bed and there he lies, waiting for me. Shirtless, tattoos decorating his muscular flesh. I stand and stare a minute and he winks.

“You just gonna stand there all night?”

“Uh-uh.”

“Then come on over here,” he tells me, pulling back the covers on the narrow bed and patting the spot next to him.

I walk forward, almost zombie-like. I’ve wanted this for so long, it’s hard to believe it’s come true. Ben Kingston in my bed. Ben Kingston with me. Ben Kingston and me, together.

“Come on, honey, before you catch cold,” he urges and I snuggle in next to him, immediately putting my ice cold feet against his legs. He doesn’t even flinch, just pulls me closer, blanketing me in his warmth and his scent. I know that scent. It’s not just the cologne he wears, it’s so much more than that. He smells like musk and soap and something sweet I can’t put a name to. I inhale deeply and hold the breath until I need another.

“You don’t mind my cold feet on you?” I ask.

“Nope. Whatever you need, honey, it’s yours. You have cold feet, I’m going to warm them. You want me to hold you, I’m going to wrap my arms around you. You want me to kiss you, I’m going to press my lips to yours. You want me, I’m yours,” he whispers and tears well in my eyes.