as tense and strained as my mind was.
Lola was all I could see in my head. Her stunned face, her exquisite fingers. My ears flooded with the memory of the music she played. I was desperate to make her create a new song for me. A song made from the notes of her breathing, punctuated by her sobs and passionate moans.
I wanted to make Lola Cooper into a part of me. And I could have fucking resisted that, if I hadn't landed on her in that bathroom tub. If she hadn't caressed my head in worry.
If she hadn't cared.
Panting softly, I pumped my fist over my cock. The strokes weren't slow, they lacked the control I felt represented me. Lola was seeping into everything I was. Even now, in private, my composure was wrecked due to her.
My teeth barely bit off a grunt. If I'd just stayed away, not saved her, not helped or touched or seen or smelled or... or... or... A quiver of electric delight danced in my lower belly. It mixed with the last bit of my resolve.
If I had just never met Lola Cooper...
I wouldn't need to have her so badly.
Shuddering, the pressure built in my balls. My tight fist coerced me, demanding I crash over the edge of release. My muscles twitched, a spasm so strong it left me dazzled. As I sprawled there, sweat coating my flesh and sin tainting my thoughts, I had one final burst of clarity before toppling over into the tingling realm of orgasm.
I'm such a fucking idiot.
Crying out, muffling the sound with my pillow, I came all over my pumping fingers. The explosion was so violent I had to use my other palm to keep my sheets clean. Hot flashes thumped in my temples. The release was glorious, but it was missing something important.
Her.
In the backs of my eyelids, colors danced. Among the dots, I saw Lola's perfect face. She might not know what was in store for her, but I didn't care. Not anymore. All I wanted was her.
And I knew she wanted me.
I would do everything I could to make her mine. As long as she was in my band, there was security in knowing I had plenty of time to make it all happen.
Opening my eyes, I looked at the ceiling again. I imagined Lola, and I wondered if she was doing the same. Was I haunting her tonight, too?
When I fell asleep, I dreamed of sapphire eyes, bandaged elbows, and the first notes of No More Stars when played by someone who understood what the song really meant.
It was a song that began with a warning. If I'd done anything to Lola, any favor at all... I'd tried to warn her away from me. In every glare, in every brisk word, I'd shown her what was under my surface. What I was.
But it hadn't been enough. She'd gotten close to me whether she'd planned it or not.
Lola Cooper was going to be mine.
I just hoped she was ready.
- Chapter Eight -
Lola
I didn't remember falling asleep.
I barely remembered waking up.
The voices outside my room were hushed but frantic, making it clear they were trying to keep their volume low. Cracking my eyes open, I regretted my decision instantly. “Fuck,” I hissed, rolling onto my side. Had someone been punching my skull all night?
Tenderly feeling my way up my neck, I pushed my face into the sweaty blankets. No, not punched. I was tossed around by those asshole security guards.
Digging through the slowly clearing fog in my head was torturous. Alcohol and sneering dickheads were bad enough, but it was something else that invaded my brain.
Drezden.
Even when I first wake up, he's haunting me. Grimacing, I pushed my face into the pillow harder. Is that what I'm dealing with now? Instantly remembering his eyes, his smell, as soon as I regain consciousness?
Could I get no peace from that man?
Someone was shouting. Tugging the pillow off of my eyes, I dared to look around my tiny bunk. Light was struggling to break through the tinted window on the wall beside me. Through it I could see static buildings. It must be early, we haven't started driving yet. I was glad for that. Especially when I sat up and everything spun in my stomach.
Groaning, I held my forehead tight. My whole head felt like it was stuffed with bees. Hanging it between my knees, I traced the bandages on my elbows when they touched my bare thighs.
They reminded me