Manage Me (Toven's Circus #1) (4 page)

Looking at her the other day in her work clothes, I never would have guessed that most of her upper body was covered with ink. Her right arm is delicately decorated with a black lace pattern with bright colored realistic roses, a gypsy sugar skull, and butterflies. Beautiful black and grey waves peak out her left side where her skin is left exposed at her hip. Her left sleeve is an octopus and jellyfish in a bright watercolor design with very little outline. A steampunk owl wearing a top hat and monocle carrying an old book in its claws is perched on her right thigh. My eyes eat away at her exposed skin making me want to stripe off the rest of her clothes and devour the skin underneath.

When my eyes finally lock on to hers, she is grinning like she fucking knows that she has shocked me, as she slides up next to me knocking my elbow playfully with hers. "Come on, grab something so we can get out of here." Her grin grows into a full blown smile making her eyes twinkle with amusement.

Shaking my head for the second time in less than 5 minutes, I turn around grabbing the first thing I see. It's a giant case with God knows what in it but it makes every muscle taught to lift it.  This gives me an idea, so I set the case down, pull off my leather jacket, and toss it on my bike. My black t-shirt is tight around my biceps and chest. Let's see how she likes it.

I pick up the case just as Nell is bounding back out of the trailer again. She trips slightly, skidding to a stop, her jaw nearly hits the ground as I pass her on the ramp. It's my turn to smirk until she says, "You know, that has wheels." She laughs as I drop the case, pushing it in, but turning around I catch her eyes checking out my ass.

I walk back out grabbing another big case, but rolling it in this time.

"So why are we moving equipment? You know we pay the roadies to do this job right?"

Cocking a hip she replies "Now who’s the Princess?"

Turning to respond, I'm interrupted by the roar of Ashton riding up on her white and black Victory Hammer S.  Jumping off the bike and yanking her helmet off, spilling her long black hair to her shoulders, she squeals in excitement, and jumps on my back. I spin her around laughing. I set her down putting her into a headlock, and she starts punching my kidney several times in rapped succession.

"Ow!" I shout letting her go. She pushes her hair out of her face and laughs. "Fuck, why did I ever teach you that?"

"Cause you said I needed to learn to defend myself against Finn and Ryker, remember?" She laughs. She notices Nell, looks at me with a smirk, then back at Nell. Stepping forward, she reaches her hand out meeting Nell half way.

"Uh, hi, I'm Ashton. You must be the new tour manager." Ashton's smile turns malicious as she adds, "And so you know, not all of us are pigs that are betting you won't make it a week."

I can't help but make a strangled sound. She's trying to get my ass in trouble already, the devious spawn of Satan. Grabbing Ashton in to another headlock, I rub my hand in her hair messing it up, causing her to buck and shriek, which of course causes me to laugh.

"Oh no, I messed up your pretty hair!" I mock.

"Jaden, I'm going to fucking kick your ass! You know how long it takes to fix this rats nest!" Now that she's spitting mad, I let her go, stepping out of arms reach just in case she takes a swing. She stands and I can't help but start cracking up again. Her hair is the most perfect equivalent of a rats nest.

"Hey, are you going to play with your hair or help us load this shit." I ask chuckling as she glares at me.

"Don't we have roadies to do this?"

Shrugging, I turn around to find a confused look on Nell's face. "Everything okay?" I ask her.

"Oh, yeah great. I was just enjoying the show." She spins around heading off to put more equipment in the trailer. I figure I won’t dig for now since we hardly know each other, but I will get her to tell me eventually.

Chapter 7

Nell

Watching the easy camaraderie made me feel a little awkward and a lot jealous. As an only child I missed out on the sibling front. My mother was so invested in my music that I was home schooled, so I never got to play with other children. It was only after she died that I convinced my father to let me go to a private school. Not knowing that I would be tortured by the other girls. In fact, I had never had a friend until I met Gemma at UC Berkeley.

Putting the last of the cases in and helping Ashton and Jaden secure their bikes, we were ready to head out. Ryker and Finn were pulling up just as we were securing the trailer doors. Ryker driving a big black and chrome Mercedes G65 and Finn jumping out of a jacked up bright neon green Jeep Wrangler. They parked next to my Tesla while we walked over, Jaden introduces me to everyone and we all shake hands.

Being with the whole group was overwhelming to say the least. I obviously had seen the band members on TV, but up close they were all so damn gorgeous.

Ryker's hair is so dark brown it’s almost black, with shaved sides leaving it long on the top. He brushes the long part back with his tattooed hand a lot when he is nervous. His beard is the kind you just want to bury your fingers in and drag him close. I wonder if he would let me touch it. His dark mahogany eyes should be illegal; they are warm and inviting like chocolate. Wearing a V-neck t-shirt, he is the only member of the band without any tattoos that I can see anyway.

Where Ryker is all dark, Finn is the exact opposite with his dark ginger hair, freckles and beautiful emerald green eyes, he looks like he just walked off the Highlands of Scotland. At 6’8” with shoulders like a linebacker and legs resembling tree trunks, Finn was a great Jamie Fraser of a man.  And just Jaden, he is covered in tattoos. Old school traditional styled artwork stretched up both arms, he even has several on his neck and I was curious to see if he had them elsewhere.

Ashton has a mane of raven black hair and smoky blue eyes, she is just a stunning beauty. Her hair is now pulled up in a messy bun, and wearing worn boyfriend jeans with a white t-shirt and black leather jacket. She doesn’t have on any make up but doesn’t have a need for it either. I cannot see any tattoos but I know from photos that I have seen that she, too, is covered.

And Jaden, while I find everyone in the band attractive, no one sets my body on fire like he does. His mossy green eyes make my insides melt, while that damn smirk makes me want to rip his clothes off with my teeth. He’s tall, well over six feet and solid muscle from the looks of things. His dark brown hair is cut short on the side and left long on top. He runs his hands through it pushing it back from his face, a sexy habit he picked up that I enjoy watching. The ink that covers his arms is all heavy black and grey. One arm leaning towards an Asian inspiration with a koi fish, a peony, maple leaves, and water and the other forearm has a Día de Muertos skull and roses on it. All of it is beautiful.

Ryker, Finn, and Ashton are talking about Portland and I realize I am ogling the band about the same time Jaden notices. He nudges me with his elbow, turning my attention to him and he gives me a dazzling smile. His smile is so devastating, that an intense shiver cruses through me. His eyes lock on my lips, his smile fades and his eyes become seductive. His tongue jets out to lick his plush bottom lip and I can’t help but bite down on to my own. He steps forward into my personal space, reaching his hand forward. I try to step back but my traitorous legs are not cooperating. He grabs my chin, popping my lip from between my teeth once again.

Shaking his head he leans in even closer but veers to the right and whispers, "I told you to take better care of this lip." The last half of the sentence coming out in a soft growl, blowing his warm breath on my ear, sending tingle bunnies shivering through my body. Putting his nose at the base of my neck, he inhales my scent, and once again, my panties are wet. Jaden pulls back, his eyes have darkened to a deep green. A snort causes him to jump back. Ryker, Finn, and Ashton have paused their conversation to stare at us. Ryker and Finn start howling, while Ashton looks concerned.

"Say hello to sexual tension!" shouts a grinning Ryker.

"Shit, I got turned on from that little show. I might need a minute in the bathroom before we head out." Finn adjusts himself in his jeans and receives a smack in the stomach from Ashton as she rolls her eyes and walks off towards the bus.

Ryker slaps Jaden on the back. "Sweating the new manager, huh?"

"Nah, she's hot but too innocent for me." He joins in on the laughter watching me closely. I feel a blush of humiliation and disgust rush into my cheeks. I spin toward the bus,  walking away before he can see the hurt in my eyes.

Ugh, what is wrong with me? Damn it, I don't even like the asshole. Why do I feel so rejected? I am here to do a job, not swoon and cry after the lead douche hole. Stomping up the bus stairs, I meet Ashton's stare as she lounges on the couch with a video game controller in her hands.

"So you seem nice, so I'm going to give you a heads up. Watch out for Jaden. He’s a good guy but don’t get your hopes up." Her assumption pisses me off even more.

"I have no intention of falling into that assholes wake of casualties and while your concern for me is a nice gesture, it's unnecessary. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"Hmm prickly, I'll be sure to remember that." With a wink, she turns towards the tv where her game is starting. I wonder through the kitchen to the back of the bus, where the six bunks that will be our beds for the next few months are. They are stacked three on each side of the bus. To the left, after the bunks, is a bathroom the size of a closet, then a door leading into the bedroom that takes up the whole back end of the bus. A king sized bed sits on one side of the room, where several dressers line the wall under the opposite, along the back is a full size glass and tile shower. If someone was in the bed while someone else was in the shower, the show would be pretty fantastic.

Stepping back into the hallway, I decided to pick a bunk. I go for a top one since they have a bit more head space and hopefully will feel less coffin like. I head into the kitchen to grab some masking tape and a pen. Ripping off a piece, I stick it by my bunk, writing my name in it. With my bunk secure, I also decided to assign everyone else their bunks too, mainly so I can avoid being on top of The Asshole. I put him on the very bottom of the other stack of bunks, Ryker above him, and Finn on top, since he was so tall. There, girls on one side boys on the other. I felt like a pre-school teacher and the band might get pissy, but oh well, I was the boss, kind of.

I hear the guys enter the bus and we are pulling out of the security lot. When we go over a speed bump, I lose my balance, letting out a tiny scream, falling over and landing on my ass. Jaden rushes back, concern written all over his face, with Ryker and Finn on his heels.

“Are you okay?” He asks.

“What happened?” from Ryker.

“I’m fine, my knights, I think I just bruised my ass.” I grumble, reaching out a hand for someone to help me up.

“Would you like me to kiss it better?” Ryker flirts with a smirk.

“Shut it and go away.” Barks Jaden, thumping him on the chest before reaching out to help me up.

“Thanks.” I say to him, trying to pull my hand from his grip but he hangs on tight.

Cupping my cheek in his big hand, his thumb is brushing back and forth. His gaze rests on my lips and when his are just a breath away he pauses. "Every time you chew that lip it makes me jealous...I want my teeth to be sinking into that soft... pink… flesh." Dropping his forehead against mine, he lets out a groan. But I push him away with a glare.

“Back off, Asshole. I’m too innocent for you, remember?” I seethe at him before turning and stomping into the bathroom, slamming the small door behind me.