Front & Center (Book 2 of the Back-Up Series) (33 page)

“Just sayin’,” s
he nods towards a small crowd of people all pointing their phones at us.

Jack clenche
s his jaw in frustration. “Come,” he drags me by the hand off the dance floor and towards our table.

A few scantily clad girls brazenly follow us. “Are you Jack Lair?”

“No,” he responds, not turning to look at them.

“Yes you are…and she’s Leila.”

The louder this chick gets, the more gather around our table.

“Get out of the way,
” Lori nudges her way towards our corner. A leggy blonde elbows Lori as she nears and Lori barks, “Bring it. I’m from fucking Jersey.”

The girl startles and backs up, looking at Lori as if she escaped a mental institution.

“Let’s blow this joint,” Lori shouts as Juan stands guard in front of our tiny table. I feel like a circus animal. Girls are blatantly taking our picture, calling out to Jack so he would turn in time to get his gorgeous face in the shot. He pulls out his phone and calls Oscar.

“Hey, we have a situation
in here…Ok, text me when you pull up.” He hangs up and says, “Oscar said the limo had to circle around the block. He’s on his way back.”

Lori decides Juan needs her help and stands in front of our table, shoulder to shoulder with him.

“What is she doing?” Alisa asks me while looking at Lori’s back.

I shake my head not bothering with a response. My head is now pounding as if
someone hit me over the head. And then there is the unfortunate condition of my libido, which has shriveled as if a bucket of ice water was thrown in my crotch.

Jack possessively has me on his lap on the tiny couch, his arms wrapped around my waist in a
death grip. “Jeez, this is ridiculous.”

Lizzy looks at her brother incredulously. “I’ve told you
…while you all have been living in your metal bubble, things are happening out there for you. You guys are wanted men.”

He shakes his head as if in denial.

“Where are the rest of the guys?” I ask directly into his ear.

He responds into mine, “I left them at the bar. I told them I
was coming to get you guys.”

Jack’s phone buzzes and he
announces to our group that our limo is out front.

A
n intimidating bouncer makes his way to our corner. “Ok, move it people,” he barks. Making his way through, he gently pushes female bodies aside and shoves the male ones.

“I’m with them,
” Juan announces when they come toe to toe. The bouncer looks past Juan at Jack and me. Recognition changes his scowl to a smile. “Devil’s Lair?”

Jack nods hesitantly. “Our limo just pulled up. Can you get us out of here?”

“Sure, come with me.” He and Juan create a people plow, pushing and moving bodies as we move towards the entrance.

The presence of Juan and the bouncer prompt people to m
ove back to their own partying, making it much easier to get to the door. Once outside, we quickly scatter towards the limo and close the door to all the curious eyes watching our departure.

Jack lets out a sigh of relief. “Fuck, that was crazy.”

“Thanks for ruining our fun, Lair.” Lori quips with an attitude.

“Sorry. I just wanted to see my girl.” He kisses the top of my head as I watch Lori scowl at him.

“I was having a great time ‘til you showed up.”

“I came to get you girls. The guys are all waiting for us in a private room at
a sports bar. They miss you all.”

Lori’s features change to a smirk. “Ok, you’re forgiven.”

I wonder if it’s the thought of Trey or Matt that put that smirk on her face.

W
hen we make eye contact, she winks.

The drive is short
, and we are at our destination a few minutes later.

Juan and Oscar escort us into the bar and back towards a closed door. The noise filters out of the sliver of space between the bottom of the door and the floor. They are almost as loud as the crowd in the sports bar behind us.

“Well, it’s about time,” Hunter yells from across the room. He and Mandi meet half way in a sweet embrace. Patti and Scott connect. Lizzy and Evan connect. Alisa and Logan connect. Lori looks at Matt and walks over to Trey.

Oh, fuck.

The look on Matt’s face is priceless. Joe is also not paired off, since his girlfriend couldn’t make it. He puts his arm around Matt and says, “I don’t put out on the first date.”

“Get off me, ja
ckass.” Matt pushes him away, grabs his beer and leaves the room.

“He ok?” Jack asks me.

“No, I don’t think so.”

The room has TVs mounted on
two of the walls. Both are muted, one is on a female volleyball game in Malibu and the other is on a surfing competition in Hawaii. The music from the bar is being piped in. It’s classic rock and hard not to sing along to. The guys are running a tab, and the flowing drinks are making us all loose and relaxed. It’s not long after when my buzz returns and my horniness resurfaces.

Jack and I are
dancing to
Light My Fire
, by the Doors. His voice is a smooth perfect match to Morrison’s. Once the chorus starts, some of the others start singing along. Jack’s hands are on my ass, pushing me into his body as we seductively sway to the long musical interlude in the middle of the song. He bends and pulls my bottom lip in between his own.

“I love you.”

“Me too.”

We dance through
every song that is played…
Witchy Woman, Rhiannon, The Night Owl
. Some of our friends are dancing around us, some are loudly singing along with the music, and some are just drinking while listening.

Jack sings each
song to me. His voice is doing things to my insides. As we sway to Journey’s
Faithfully
, I can’t take it any longer.

“You’re driving me wild
.”

“What? My kisses, my hard-on?”

“Well, yes, but mostly your voice.”

H
e swallows and his eyes become hooded with lust. “I can’t wait to get you to our room,” he says while watching my lips. We start making out like teenagers. After several long minutes, I suck in a much-needed breath.

“Ok, I’m ready.”
I admit.

Jack announces we are leaving. The rest
of our friends enthusiastically agree that it is time to head back to the hotel. Obviously they have also worked themselves up while we weren’t paying attention.

The short drive back is quiet. We split up into two
limos. Ours include Evan and Lizzy, Logan and Alisa, Scott and Patti, Hunter and Mandi. I wish I were a fly on the wall of the other limo, though. Matt never returned. Lori and Trey are sharing the ride with Joe, Will, Juan, and Dylan. Poor guys.

We grumble quick
goodnights and all head to our rooms. It’s late. Tomorrow is a big day. The studio is hosting a luncheon for us with our friends and families. Then we have our normal concert scheduled. The following day is the music festival. Then we all separate and continue on with the tail end of our tour.

But at the moment, sleep is the last thing on my mind.

“Alone at last.” Jack says, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me into his body. He nuzzles my neck, his lips sucking on the sensitive spot below my ear.

“Mmm. Let me freshen up. I have a surprise for you.”

He turns me around to face him. “I hope you didn’t pay a ton for it. It’s going to be on the floor in a few minutes.”

“I can’t take this one off.” I walk away, leaving him confused.

After quickly freshening up, I open the door to find Jack completely naked on the bed.

“Oh, yum.” I admit as I lean against the door jam.

“
Oh, Christ.” He quips back. I am wearing a black lace bra and matching panties.

I
unhook my bra and remove it, throwing it on the floor. “That was in the way.” He caresses me with his gaze. When his eyes come back to mine, I move forward and lie next to him on the bed.

He pulls a nipple between his lips
, swirling his tongue around its stiff peak.

“Is this my surprise? I think I’ve seen these before.”

“No.”

He moves lower, kissing along the way. He skims the lacy edge of my panties with his tongue from end to end.

“Is this my surprise?”

“No.”

He hooks two fingers under the narrow side straps, easing them off my body in super slow motion. His eyes are glued to mine as he removes them, until he shifts his gaze to my sex.

“What’s this?”
he asks, touching the narrow white gauze bandage covering his surprise.

“Open it and see.”

He peals off the bandage and gasps. Below my panty line dangerously close to my pussy, is my new tattoo,
The ONLY Mrs. J.H. Lair
, in a delicate script ending with a tiny red heart.

“Holy fuck.”

“You like?”

“I fucking love it.” He blinks repeatedly, touching the skin above and below, but not the tattoo.

“Did it hurt?”

“A little. This is why I insisted we separate tonight. The girls all got one too.”

“Who did this?”

“I knew you were going to ask
me that. A really hot guy covered in tats.”

He levels me with his gaze. “Lei.”

“I’m joking.”

“That’s not funny.”

“A girl named
Tamara. I totally planned ahead. However, she is a lesbian.”

“Her loss.”

The tat is about two inches above my clit. No one will ever see it, except Jack…and my gynecologist.

“So, do you like it?”

He spreads me wide, planting a whisper of a kiss on the mark that forever brands me to him.

“I love it. Thank you.”

With his eyes still pinned to mine, he lowers his mouth over me. All the sexual frustrations I’ve pent up all night bubble up to the surface. Jack uses his tongue masterfully to bring me an instant orgasm. He doesn’t pull away, instead repeating the process…twice more.

When he stretches beside me, he kisses me deeply. I can taste myself on his lips. “Straddle me, baby. I don’t want to rub up against your tat.”

“Aw, you’re so sweet.”

“In a few minutes, I won’t be.”

He impales me, no pomp, no circumstance. The fullness I feel takes hold of my already sensitive nerve endings. I clench and he groans.

“Can I move? Jack, I need to move.”

His eyes are closed and his mouth is gaping open. He nods and says in a voice filled with lust, “Go, baby.”

I take control, stabilizing my shaky body by holding onto his shoulders. He grips my hips, rocking his hips up when I move down. He flexes his fingers, emit
ting a groan with each thrust. I can feel him move his hand. I can feel his fingertip skim over my swollen bud ever so lightly. That’s all it takes. I’m done. Completely unhinged. Totally falling.

When my internal muscles grip him, he mutters, “Fuck.”

He uses both hands to keep me lowered over him as he viciously spasms inside of me. The benefit of climaxing first is I get to watch this gorgeous man lose his shit while he comes apart at the seams.

The first thing
he sees when he opens his eyes is my love encompassed smile.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”

Not wanting to break our connection just yet, I lower my upper body over his. I can feel his pounding heart against my breast. He buries his hands into my hair, holding my head in place when he kisses me.

“Thank you.”

“For rocking your world?” I tease.

“For loving me.”

“Baby, are you almost ready?”

“Two minutes.” She calls out from the bathroom.

“We’re gonna be late.”

“That’s totally your fault.”

She’s right. I couldn’t keep my hands off of her today. Granted, I always have a problem keeping my hands off of her, but what she did for me last night was such a turn on. I can’t get the image of my name on her body out of my fucking mind. Especially because of the location of where her tattoo is.

The bathroom door opens and I’m stunned into silence.

She frowns adorably and asks, “You don’t like it?”

“We’re not going.”

“What? Why?”

“I need to have you again.”

She smiles wide and walks towards me. “You like?”

“I love. Leila, you look beautiful.” She always looks beautiful, but she just took my breath away. She is wearing an incredible dress that skims her curves in a pale pink colo
r. Her hair is loose and wavy. Her lips are begging to be kissed. “Fuck.” I mutter as I adjust myself inside my jeans.

She runs her hands up my chest towards the collar of my shirt. “I also love. You look so handsome in a button
down.”

I pull her into my arms and skim my hands up her back into her hair. When I tilt her head back, her lips point towards me and I simply can’t resist. I pull her bottom lip between my teeth, groaning in the process.

She kisses me deeply and pulls away. “We really need to go.”

“You’re right. I know Jen went through a lot of trouble for us.”

“I’m really amazed she organized such an elaborate engagement party.”

“Yeah, so am I actually.” She spared no expense. We are heading to one of the trendiest clubs in South Beach. The label has rented the space out for our friends and family. They even went so far as flying them all down at their expense. Besides our engagement, it’s also a party to celebrate the tour’s success. We’ve sold out in every venue, and the fans are begging for more dates to be added. Our
two singles are still top ten on the charts. Leila’s single is now, as well. My song to her is top twenty. We have just about a month left to the tour. I can’t believe how fast it went. It feels like we just left New York a few days ago. On the other hand, so much has happened, I feel like it’s been years since we’ve been home.

“Ok, I’m ready.”

“You really look beautiful, Lei.”

“Thanks, baby.”

I bend to gently kiss her lips. I can’t let it get any further than that, or I really will not let her out of this room. She looks too gorgeous to keep her here locked up for myself. She doesn’t say much on our way down to the lobby and while in the cab. Juan sits stiffly in the front seat, Oscar is with Lizzy and Evan.

“You ok? You’re so quiet.”

“I’m just really happy.” She says while gazing into my eyes. Hers are moist with emotion. I squeeze her hand in mine. “I can’t believe what has happened in my life these past four months. It’s crazy how things have changed for me.”

“For the better, I hope.”

“Jack, I would never have imagined finding my dream job and man all at the same time. Yes, definitely for the better.”

“Me too. I thank God every day for you.”
I finger her engagement ring before bringing it up to plant a kiss on it.

When our cab pulls up, Juan opens Leila’s door and holds his hand out to help her out. The way his eyes skim her body does
n’t go unnoticed by me.

Prick.

I follow her out and possessively hold her to my side. Once inside, our friends and family rip us apart from each other. Leila is pulled into her father’s arms while my parents take hold of me.

“Son, you look well. How are you?”

“Good, Dad…real good.”

My mom wipes the lipstick off my cheek. “I can’t wait to get you two home. You look too thin.”

“Mom, I’m fine.”

My eyes follow the path of my fiancé’s. My mom notices and smiles warmly. “I am so happy you have found her. She’s a delight, Jack.”

“She is.” My mom returns my wide smile and pulls me in for yet another hug.

“Have you discussed the wedding?”

“We think June. Small and intimate.”

“Oh, that sounds perfect. Dad and I want to help with all expenses. We have spoken to Anthony and he declined. We understand. But anything else that you guys need is on us. Ok?”

“Thanks, guys.”

Leila comes over with a beer for me and wraps her arm around my waist. “Hi Mr. and Mrs. Lair.”

“Leila, darling. Please call us Peter and Renata, or Mom and Dad.”

She smiles shyly. “Ok. I’ll try.”

“We were just telling Jackson, we would like to help you out in any way. I know it’s hard to plan a wedding while on the road. Please use Lizzy and I for anything you need.”

“I will definitely take you up on that, since I have no clue how to plan a wedding. Thank you.” She looks up at me and asks, “Can I introduce you to someone?”

“Sure, baby.”

She pulls me towards her dad and a pleasant looking woman beside him. She looks familiar.

“Barb, this is Jack.”

“Jack.” She wraps her arms around me in a crushing hug. “I am so happy to meet you.”

“Same here. I’ve heard such great things about you.” Anthony tilts his drink towards his lips, keeping his eyes on mine.

“Mr. Marino. It’s great to see you.”

He doesn’t respond. A few long torturous seconds later, he impulsively throws an arm around me bringing me in for a hug.

Leila smiles at us as he pats my back affectionately.

“Can I have a few minutes with you?”

I swallow and nod. The look on my face prompts Leila to say, “Dad, be nice.”

“I will. I just want to chat with my son-in-law.”

From the corner of my eye
, I watch Leila introduce my parents to Barb. In the meantime, Anthony leads me to a quiet corner in the back of the club.

He motions for me to sit across from him.

“Ok…here’s the deal. I love that girl more than anything in this world. I will not apologize for my behavior. Put yourself in my shoes. My only child is traveling the country on a bus full of rock stars and one of them got another woman pregnant.”

The way he depicts our story causes me to cringe. He nods at my reaction. “Yeah. Sounds as bad as it is
.”

“Mr.
Marino, I…”

He holds up a hand and says,
“Let me finish. I also put myself in your shoes. I’m sorry for what you went through. I never considered how the situation was affecting you, and I apologize. I’m sorry for how things ended. In spite of the circumstances, a life is a life. You were assumed guilty and I apologize. No one should ever have to go through the nonsense that woman put you through.”

“Thank you.”

He nods. “I now get it. I now know how much you love my daughter. I now know how she has altered you and your world. I now trust that you will take good care of her.”

His words shock me. I was prepared for a full-blown lecture.
He watches me closely, waiting for my response.

All the words I want to say are clogged in my throat. It means so much to me that he accepts me. I think mostly because it will make Leila so happy.

“Sir, I also love her more than anything in this world. She’s my life.”

H
e measures me up before nodding, “I know.”

He offers his hand across the table. I earnestly accept and make peace with my father-in-law.

“Ok. Let’s go before she thinks I’m burying your body out back.” A nervous laugh escapes, and he shakes his head, “Just kidding.”

As
we rejoin our friends and families, I feel a weight has been lifted. I was dreading the chat I knew was inevitable. Having had it, I now feel much more relaxed. Anthony Marino is a good man. Leila has an incredible heart. She may look like her mom, but she is who she is because of her dad.

The rest of our luncheon is filled with laughter, reminiscing, and celebration.

Jen makes a speech on our behalf. She informs our guests of the success we’ve achieved so far and the future plans of the band and goes as far as congratulating us on our engagement.

I watch my girl among her closest friends. She is completely relaxed, comfortable, laughing. Every so often our eyes meet and she gives me her incredible smile.

I saunter over and casually drape an arm around her shoulders.

“Hey, baby. Having fun?”

“Yes. Evan was just telling me about a bar they played in a few weeks ago.”

Lori jabs, “Stop complaining, Miller. Blah, blah, blah. Exposure is exposure.”

“You could have warned us, is all I’m saying.”

“And miss the looks on your faces? That was the best part.”

I watch them argue back and forth, clueless as to what their issue is.

“What are you talking about?”

“Lori booked us at a gay, biker bar. We had no clue, until we took the stage.”

Leila giggles uncontrollably and Lori bites her lip to contain her mirth. “Priceless.”

The look on Evan’s face is beyond funny. Leila buries her face in my chest to cover her laughing, and I lose control. Lizzy covers her mouth with her hand to contain her giggles from escaping. Evan realizes he lost the battle and shrugs.

“Whatever. It was worth seeing Matt getting manhandled, literally.”

We all fall into hysterics. Our response draws a crowd, and before long, half our party is now hearing details of the night that Cliffhangers played at “The Man Cave”.

“The nam
e alone should have been a clue,” Leila reveals.

Evan shoots her an irritated look. “What? A man cave is a cool place that men hang out.”

“Ugh.” Joe covers his eyes and responds, “Can we puhleeze change the subject?”

“Hey, everyone,
” Jen’s voice interrupts our private party. Based on the time, I’m sure she’s about to remind us to all get back to work…ever the agent.

Once all heads turn towards her
, she continues. “I just wanted to thank you all for coming. I have tickets and passes for each of you for our last show in New York. I have one more announcement to make. We are all aware of the semi-monthly publication,
Rolling Stone Magazine
. I’m happy to announce, Devil’s Lair will be interviewed for the first May issue.”

We all gape at each other in shock. Hunter, Trey and Scott come closer to where
Leila and I are standing frozen in disbelief.

Applause erupts, and still Hunter, Trey, Scott,
Leila and myself stand with our mouths hanging open, immobilized by Jen’s statement.

Jen laughs and adds, “I can see my band is in shock.
Jack, did you want to say anything?”

“
Um…How about holy shit!”

Laughter fills the room as the rest of us slowly come out of our stupefied states.

I shake my head as if to clear the haze. “Wow. First I want to thank you all for coming down and supporting us. It means so much to the guys, Leila and me. We kind of forget the outside world while traveling the country, and you all keep us grounded and humble…so thank you. I also want to thank my band. These guys are tireless in their trade. They eat, breathe, and sleep Devil’s Lair. I couldn’t be surrounded by a better group of humans.”

I look down at Leila by my side. “I also want to thank my fiancé. She has been a rock to me. She has had my back. She has shown me nothing but support, love, and understanding. I adore this woman and I can’t wait to make her my wife.”

Applause erupts as she looks up at me. Her eyes are misty with emotion. I smile at her and kiss her chastely. “I love you.”

“Me too.” She smiles and squeezes me tighter.

“Ok, enjoy the show tonight, as well as the festival tomorrow.” Jen dismisses us before coming to stand with Leila and me.

“Congrats, you
guys,” she smiles warmly.

“Jen, how long have you known?” Hunter asks what we are all thinking.

“A few days.”

“Thank you,
” I bend closer to kiss her cheek.

“You’re welcome.
I’ll see you after the show.”

“Yes, boss,
” I kid, as she walks away.

“I can’t believe this,
” Scott says. “I feel like we should be dancing on the tables, but I’m still in shock.”

“Fucking Rolling Stone!” Trey
confirms. Lori comes over and snakes her arm around his waist. “Fucking Rolling Stone, Lor.”

“I know. I’m so happy for you guys. Don’t forget to mention your up and coming rock band friends named Cliffhangers.” She points a finger at each of us.

“Always working it,” Leila says, while shaking her head.

“You know it
, Marino.”