Page 40 of Bad Habits
His hands curled around the back of my head, bringing my face up to meet his while his body took us on the most heart-stopping ride of my life. It was raw and passionate, almost animalistic as I sunk my nails and teeth into him while he pounded me, a raw cry on my lips when I finally gave up what he demanded.
The minutes stretched on while he continued his relentless quest, tearing me apart with vicious thrusts before piecing me back together with soft strokes. It was the perfect chain of firm and smooth, gentle and ruthless, taking me to the dirty depths of hell before delivering me to the Promised Land.
I was falling in love with my best friend. As I got lost in his kiss, I realized I didn’t just love him. I wasinlove with him. He had my heart. My only fear… what the hell would he do with it?
Chapter 13
Knox
My girl was deep in conversation with my opening act and I was slowly losing my mind. We’d just rolled into Raleigh and the venue’s caterers were laying out a food spread when my drummer slapped me on the back and grinned.
“Cece’s lookin’ hotter than hell tonight, huh boss? Still can’t believe you still haven’t tapped that.”
I gripped my phone a little tighter, wanting to spill the truth to a man that had been one of my closest friends since our teen years, but bit my tongue instead. So hard I could practically taste the blood mixed with frustration. I wanted the world to know about me and Cece, but I had to let her set the pace. If she wasn’t comfortable letting our crew in on our secret yet, I had to respect that.
“Why risk a solid friendship, right?”
I rolled my neck, trying to work out the kinks when Cece laughed at something Auden said. It ate me up, knowing she’d been intimate with him, that he’d topped her list of lovers, before I claimed that honour. She hadn’t told me in as many words, but I knew no one could make her feel the way I had. And no one could love her the way I did.
“I guess.” Catch grinned. “But she and I are friends and that doesn’t mean I haven’t tried.”
I could feel my pulse rate kick up a notch as I stared him down. “You made a play for Cece? When?”
He tipped his water back before a sly smile surfaced through his dark beard. “After she dumped the loser. We were alone in the dressing room after a show one night and I…” He shrugged. “I figured, why not, right? Worst she could do was shoot me down.”
“And did she… shoot you down?” If she didn’t my buddy and I might have a problem. It was bad enough, knowing she’d hooked up with my opening act. If I learned she’d been with one of my friends, I’d have to mess him up, and I’d hate like hell to do that.
“I was moving in for a kiss and she shut me the hell down.” He chuckled. “Gave me the whole friends’ speech.” He rolled his eyes. “Just what every guy wants to hear, huh?”
“Yeah, right.” I released the breath I’d been holding when I realized my baby cut bait. If Catch had been the one lucky enough to nail her down before I admitted my feelings for her that would have haunted me for the rest of my life.
“Looks like she’s into that dude though,” he said, gesturing towards Auden. “I guess he’s more her type.” He smirked as he looked down at the ink decorating almost every surface of his skin, including his neck.
“I don’t think she’s into him.” Anymore.
He drained his bottle before tossing it in an empty bin. “I don’t know about that. I overheard him talkin’ to one of the guys in his band. Said they hooked up back in Austin. According to him, Cec rocked his world and he can’t wait to go another round.”
I was done. Done listening to my friend spew off about the dudes who wanted my girl. Done watching her chat up guys she’d slept with. Done pretending we were nothing.
I crossed the room, eyeing Auden over her shoulder. He could tell I wanted a piece of him because he took a step back, trying to distance himself from Cece.
She turned just before I reached them and smiled, making her dimples pop, when she spotted me. “Hey you.” She reached for my hand, clasping it between both of hers.
Damn. This woman knew exactly how to read me. I brushed my lips over her temple, but never took my eyes off my competition. “Hey.”
“We were just talking about how crazy the next ten days are going to be.” She leaned her head on my shoulder. “I’m tired just thinking about it.”
Us being touchy-feely wasn’t gonna raise any eyebrows with our crew, we were always hugging each other, but when I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into my chest, I was sending a message to the man next to me.Mine. Back the hell off.
“Do you, uh, ever get tired, Knox?” he asked, obviously trying to avoid a confrontation. Smart man. It was a battle he couldn’t win. “I mean, you’ve been hittin’ it hard the last five years. Barely takin’ enough time off to write material for a new album, right?”
“I write while I’m on the road,” I said, trying to keep it civil. We weren’t gonna have a problem as long as he kept his mouth shut about what happened with Cece in Austin and didn’t expect a repeat. “Besides, this is all I ever wanted to do. I’m sure as hell not gonna start complaining now.”
“No, of course not.” He raised a hand, his eyes meeting Cece’s when she turned to face him, my arm still around her neck. “What’s to complain about, right? You’ve got it all.”
I knew he was talking about Cece now. Good. He’d gotten the message. “I’m a lucky man,” I said, drawing his attention back to me. “And I don’t ever intend to forget that.” I released her, letting my hands drift to her hips. “And I’m starting to realize there are things a hell of a lot more important than money and fame, and I sure as hell didn’t think I’d ever hear myself say that.”
Cece tipped her head back to look at me, a smile teasing her lips.
