RockMySenses (12 page)

Now it was my turn to take a few relaxing breaths. “Mike,
you must have undergone something stressful tonight. What you’re saying you’ve
seen is not possible.”

“Allana—”

“Maybe you drank something laced with drugs and you
hallucinated. In fact, maybe I should drive.”

“I’m not drugged, Allana. Listen to me! This is real. It all
happened. And I’m not crazy. Or hallucinating. Or anything like that!”

“All right, all right.” I appeased him. “Tell me what
happened, from the beginning.”

Mike pulled out his phone. “I need music on for a minute. It
will help calm me so I can talk.” He noticed some texts. “The guys are asking
what’s up.” He dictated into the phone. “I’ll explain tomorrow. I’m taking
Allana home. I want to make sure she’s safe.”

Yes, he was out of his mind but I was starting to find the
way he wanted to protect me endearing. It made me feel special, different from
his catalog of women.

The more time I spent with him, the less I thought he was
this womanizing asshole everyone pegged him to be. The glimpses into his
considerate side made me wonder if the aloofness was a defense mechanism rather
than part of his character. Or maybe I was just a lucky one that he let me see
through the veneer.

But why me?

“Get away from that guy.” He finished dictating the text.
Then he plugged the phone in and pressed a button on his steering wheel. “Play
Spiders
,”
he commanded. Music came on.

“Pretty high tech,” I remarked.

“Of course.”

We listened to a song in silence. At the end of it, he said,
“It’s by System of a Down. Always calms me down.” He turned the music lower and
glanced at me. “Are you ready for this?”

Mike then explained how this man tried to manipulate his
mind. When it didn’t work, he explained how no human could have leapt the way Mike
had done. He told him he was a gargoyle and suspected Mike had some of his
traits. When Mike didn’t believe him, he showed him by transforming into a
stone creature. Mike freaked out and told him to leave him alone.

After he was finished, he asked, “You think I’m crazy now,
don’t you?”

I didn’t know what to say. “That’s a crazy story, but I
don’t think you’re insane. I think you’re telling me what you think to be the
truth.”

“Meaning what? That I’m hallucinating?”

“I don’t know what’s going on right now, but I can see
you’re pretty freaked out. What are you going to do now?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he said. “My primary concern is making sure
you’re safe.”

Another flutter of delight spread through me. Even in his
distress, he thought of me first.

He slammed his hand over his mouth. “Which is probably the
opposite of what I’ve just done.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I shouldn’t have told you anything. He said this is a closely
guarded secret. What if he comes after us since we know his secrets?”

I put my hand on his shoulder. “Nobody knows you told me.
Nobody knows you’re with me. It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay. You would not have been at the club tonight,
I convinced you to come. It’s my fault what happened to you out there.”

“No, Mike. Stop blaming yourself. I came here of my own free
will. That asshole did what he did out of his. You had nothing to do with it.”
I placed my hand on his thigh for emphasis. “Everything is going to be okay.”

When the tenseness in his muscles eased, I glanced to the
road. “Where are we going?”

“To drop you off at your place.”

I shook my head. “My roommate is there. I want us to be
alone.”

“You want to come to my place?” His brows furrowed in confusion.

“Yes.”

“I thought you had the one night rule.”

“Don’t mention that right now.” I rubbed from his shoulder
down his arm. “You took care of me tonight. Now let me take care of you.”

He pulled into his driveway and turned off the headlights.
As we walked up to his house, he draped his arm around my shoulder. After he
unlocked the door, he stepped aside to let me walk in.

“For a rock star, you’re quite chivalrous,” I remarked.

“That’s because I’m Marianna Harvey’s son. If she caught me
not holding a door for a woman, she’d smack me upside the head.”

When I entered his living room, it was with familiarity. I
knew where everything was. A comfortable sensation enveloped me on being back,
especially since I never thought I’d return.

“Why don’t you relax in the living room and I’ll make us
some hot chocolate or something?” I offered.

“No way.” He spread his hands. “Absolutely not. You’re a
guest in my house. You sit down and make yourself comfortable. I’ll make the
cocoa.”

I removed my boots and placed them on the boot tray, smiling
when I remembered the saucy way I’d dropped my thong there last time. A blue
and brown afghan lay over the back of the couch so I wrapped it around me as I
sat down. A stack of magazines lay on an end table and I flipped through them.
Guitar
World, Wired
, computer magazines, comic books, and one surprise,
This
Old House
. I smirked as his collection reflected his personality. I flipped
through
This Old House
to see if there was anything I’d find
interesting. Some construction projects I’d never attempt when I could just buy
them, but some gardening tips that would come in handy if I one day had a place
with a garden.

Mike returned with two steaming mugs and a plate of
chocolate chip cookies.

I waved the magazine. “I’m surprised you read this.”

“I own a house so I need to fix things. Besides I like to
work with my hands.” He put down the plate of cookies. “We had a rough night.
We can indulge in some comfort food.”

“You don’t have to convince me.” I took a sip of the
soothing hot beverage and then helped myself to a cookie after he set it down.
The chocolate melted in my warm mouth and I savored the flavors on my tongue.
“So good,” I said.

“A bakery down the street. One of my weaknesses. But I’m
surprised you didn’t scold me. You’re a fitness professional.”

“I’m not one of those kinds who never eat dessert. I eat
what I want, just in moderation.”

“Whatever you doing, keep doing.” He eyed me covered with
the afghan. “You’re fuckin’ gorgeous.” His voice came out a low, smoky growl
that sent vibrations rippling through me.

I watched Mike as he walked over to the stereo system. The
view of his backside afforded me a chance to study him without him noticing and
I took advantage of the opportunity. His hair fell in loose waves past his
shoulders in a wild, untamed way I loved and I longed to run my fingers through
them. The loose white button-down shirt was untucked but clung to his shoulders
and arms, giving me a glimpse of muscles toned from endless hours of practice.
Sexiest of all were the black leather pants, the quintessential article of rock
star clothing he pulled off effortlessly, making countless women swoon as he
played on stage.

But tonight he was mine. And only mine.

I’d seen him in work clothes with his hair pulled back and
glasses on and I’d seen him in a social setting at the New Year’s Eve party.
Although he projected a sexy vibe no matter what he wore, none had hit me more
than the way he looked now, comfortable in his habitat. I hadn’t planned on
coming here tonight. The circumstances that led us here were beyond anything I
could have concocted. But now that I was here again I would use whatever time I
had with him tonight to the fullest.

Mike found a song he liked and he turned it up, humming the
tune. “Richie Sambora.”

“From Bon Jovi? He sings?”

“Yeah. His solo stuff isn’t as well known, but he’s a great
guitarist. I love this tune.”

“What‘s it called?”

“
You Never Really Know
. Listen to the guitar. The
soul in his voice.”

A deep, sexy voice crooned from the speakers with some sort
of haunted guitar riffs, but I was more fascinated by the man approaching me.
He was a conundrum in so many ways. From his day job to his role in the band,
from his public persona as the aloof, womanizing rock guitarist to the
considerate man who set up my studio to be more efficient than I ever could
have imagined. And someone who repeatedly tried to keep me safe from harm.

He sat next to me on the couch and we leaned back, sipping
the cocoa in silence, listening to the music. This was something he clearly
loved to do, just sit in his living room and listen to music. While I listened
to the song, I was more aware of how close Mike’s thighs were to my own. The
heat from his body was electrifying, lighting all my senses with a smoldering
flame.

Who knew how long we had? I had put up a barrier to keep
from getting hurt, but it hadn’t withstood the strength of our attraction. But
there was no way anything between us could last for long. Not between our
different lifestyles, not to mention how busy we both were. And no matter how
much I was drawn to him, I had to learn from my past mistakes or else I was a
fool.

Forcing the inevitable end out of my mind, I focused on the
present. We were here now, together, and worrying about the future wouldn’t do
any good.

I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for
watching out for me.” I smiled to show my appreciation. “You might be out of
your mind, but I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

He ruffled my hair and kissed the top of my head. “I don’t
know how you always seem to find trouble, lady, but I’m glad to be the one to
help you out of it.” He opened an arm and motioned to his shoulder, inviting me
closer.

I leaned in, snuggling in the crook in his arm as he
enclosed me in a protective embrace. I covered us both with the afghan.
Whatever crazy events had led me to this place were worth it. A warm glow of
happiness lit me from within.

My mind registered all the areas our bodies touched and a
greater awareness of him spread through me. The happiness that enveloped me as
snug as a cocoon made way for other pleasurable sensations. My nipples
tightened, yearning for attention, and heat pooled between my thighs, making me
squirm and readjust.

I reached up to kiss his neck and tasted the salty remnants
of sweat from his energetic performance on stage. Breathing him in, I scented
that alluring aftershave, so damn delicious.

“I didn’t bring you here to seduce you. I just wanted to
make sure you’re safe.” The way he tilted his neck to grant me more access to
his neck betrayed his words.

“Do you want me to stop?” I murmured.

“God, no,” he rasped.

“Then let me do what I want to do.”

Tossing the afghan aside, I climbed onto his lap to face
him. His eyes darkened with a fiery inner blaze as he scanned my face. All
traces of fury and bewilderment from earlier gone, replaced by hunger in his
predatory gaze. All my self-admonitions not to get too close to him evaporated,
I wanted him more now than ever. Each time we’d met, I discovered things about
him, fueling the desire to learn more. No matter how I lied to myself that it
was just to scratch a lustful itch, I knew I was getting in deep. Damn, I was
falling for him and it was a dark, dangerous descent. With his track record and
mine, it could only end in disaster. The sensible course of action was to run,
but instead I sank deeper onto his lap, yearning to get closer still.

My lips parted instinctively as I ran my fingers through his
soft hair. My pussy quivered with need as it brushed against his growing
erection. I leaned forward to touch his lips with my own. He groaned with
appreciation and pulled my head closer, capturing my mouth. His tongue found
mine, caressing and tasting. We savored each other slowly. He tasted of warm
chocolate, utterly delicious, the lingering sweetness of the cocoa and cookies.

As our kiss deepened, so did my desire. I unbuttoned his
shirt frantically, running my hands over the hard planes of his chest while his
hands traced down my back.

“What is it about you, Allana? I can’t get enough.” He
unzipped my dress.

“I know what you mean. I promised myself I’d stay away, but
I can’t.”

“Then don’t.” He pushed the dress down to my waist and
kissed my bare shoulder. “I’m not the bad guy you think I am.”

His mouth moved to my neck and I tilted my head back to
grant him more access. His hands found my breasts and molded over my bra. My
clothes felt too restrictive. I needed to remove them, I needed to have him
inside me soon.

“One sec,” I said. I climbed off and stood before him half
undressed. His eyes bore into mine, emanating adoration and pure lust. I had
forgotten the music playing, but now I took note.

“Is this the Stone Temple Pilots?” I asked.

“Yes.
All in the Suit that You Wear
.” His voice
sounded ragged. “You should dance as you undress.”

I swayed as I moved the dress down my hips. His eyes
widened, never blinking. I let the dress drop to the ground.

He inhaled sharply. “You’re so damn hot.”

Since he watched me as if entranced, I continued to move
with the music. He looked irresistible on the couch with his shirt unbuttoned,
hair mussed and lips puffy from kissing. “You look pretty damn delicious
yourself.”

“Every guy in that club wishes they were in my place right
now.” He reached a hand to me. “I’m so fuckin’ lucky to have you here.

I took his hand and he pulled me to him. Somehow we ended
tangled on the couch with him above me. I tugged off his shirt and reached for
his pants. Once I unfastened them, he pulled them down, standing to remove his
boots and clothes. His cock jutted out proudly and I sat up, reaching for his
thighs to pull him closer. I kissed the tip, licking the salty pre-cum that
pooled on the head, and a deep groan emanated from his throat. I licked from
the tip to his balls and around each one, then let their weight rest in my
hand. Taking the head in my mouth, I flicked it with my tongue while I caressed
his testicles. Then I took him in my mouth nice and slow while he moaned in
satisfaction.