Gone for You (Sixth Street Band #1) (9 page)

“How could you ever be a disappointment?” As I sifted through the golden strands, I felt her shudder.

“M-my stutter, for one. My dad kinda felt bad about that. But my mom—she thought it was my fault,” she said while peering up at me, “that I didn’t try hard enough to be n-normal.”

Normal
.

“You’re not normal. Why would you want to be?” Gripping her tighter when she stiffened, I kissed the top of her head. “You’re special.”

“Special, huh?” She chuckled. “I hate that word. My m-mom used to tell everyone about my ‘s-special’ classes. Getting accepted to SMU and maintaining a stellar GPA still wasn’t enough to convince her I’m not stupid.”

I barked out a laugh.

“You’re far from stupid. Just because you do that cute little thing when you get nervous?” Looking up at me in disbelief, she studied my face, stripping away layer after layer of my defenses. I shifted uncomfortably before continuing. “I barely graduated. My dad hauled me around to every bar in Austin until he left my junior year. Even got me my own fake ID.”

“Why would he do that?” The disbelief in her eyes softened to concern, prompting me to continue. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I blew out a breath.

“Because my old man didn’t give a shit if we grunted like animals as long as we did it with a guitar in our hands.”

I shrugged, trying for casual to avoid the next emotion that crept over her face. Pity. I didn’t do pity. But then I didn’t do sharing, and here I was naked on the floor telling this woman the Cliff Notes version of my life story. But somehow, I couldn’t help myself, so I continued.

“He shit a brick when Chase got accepted to Stanford. Thought it was a waste of time. He left after that. Just didn’t come home one day. I didn’t see him again until my first single hit the charts.”

Burying her head under my chin, she pressed her cheek to my chest. Truthfully, I expected more questions. But I was jaded. People were always pumping me for information. Looking for a story.

“Do you miss him?” she whispered.

“My dad?”

She nodded against my chest.

“Fuck, NO.” I snorted. “He was an asshole. My brother did more to raise me than that man ever did.”

“I miss my parents. Not all the time, but Christmas…and my birthday.” Pulling away, she looked down, her hair falling over her face, so all I could see was the tip of her nose. “Last Christmas I ordered a turkey from the grocery store. I had to eat turkey sandwiches for two weeks. I blew my budget on that damn bird.”

Sliding my hand to the nape of her neck, I titled her face up to me.

“When’s the last time you saw them?”

“A couple months ago. The Tennison Foundation dedicated the new library at SMU. I didn’t talk to them.”

The Tennison Foundation?

“You’re a Tennison?” My hand froze, my fingers still twisted in her hair.

Lily slapped my chest. “I know you have a lot of women, but you could at least act like you remember my last name.”

“I know your last name.” My back went stiff in defense. “I just didn’t know you were—”

“Marcus Tennison’s daughter?” she finished, looking up to gauge my reaction. “Why? Because I drive a beat up Honda and work at The Mansion?” She arched a brow. “Yeah, I could see how that would throw you.”

The Tennisons were Texas elite. Hell, they were elite, period. To think Marcus Tennison, land baron and philanthropist, had anything in common with Tyler Noble, a washed-up drunk who abandoned his family. Marcus may not have left, but he abandoned Lily just the same. At least I had Chase.

Her hand went to my face, startling me out of my thoughts.

“What’s the matter?” Her eyes were full of concern.

“Nothing. I was just thinking.” I smoothed away the crease on her forehead. “You don’t have any brothers or sisters?”

The smile on her face was wistful.

“No, just me. Although, my mom told me plenty of times she wished
that
was different. I thought if I could be successful, do something with my art, maybe,” she shrugged, her voice dropping to a whisper, “she’d like me more.”

I knew that feeling. Knew it all too well. Drowning myself in music and the adoration that went with it—I pushed it aside most of the time.

Lowering her to the floor, I placed her arms over her head, holding both her wrists easily with one hand. She arched her back to meet my touch as I skimmed her breasts, her stomach, and her creamy thighs. My stomach coiled with want. For all of her. The vulnerable girl that was just curled on my lap ,and the one below me now. Her knees fell open when I reached between her legs.

I swallowed her gasp, caressing her tongue gently as I pushed a finger into her slick core. Her wrists strained against my restraint as I bent to take her nipple into my mouth. Coaxing her legs wider, I slid a second finger inside, teasing her clit with my thumb as I pumped them in and out gently. My name tumbled out of her mouth, her hips moving to meet my thrusts.

I could lose it right here, climb on top of her, and fling us both over the edge.

“Let me taste you, Lily.” The hoarse whisper was almost a plea.

She nodded, her eyes screwed shut as she ground against my fingers. I released her wrists, and she whimpered softly when I withdrew and reached behind me for a pillow from the bed.

Moving between her legs, I bit back a groan at the sight of her completely spread out in front of me.

“Lift your hips, baby.”

Shoving the pillow under her, I dropped to my stomach, just inches from her. The carpet was rough against my throbbing cock, but I couldn’t think past her silky skin. All for me. My hand splayed over her stomach, holding her in place when my tongue swept her clit. I circled her slowly, and she cried out when I pushed one finger and then another deep inside. Threading her fingers in my hair, she slammed against me with every thrust. I moved my hand from her stomach, letting her move freely. Finding her other hand grasping the pillow, I pried it free, lacing our fingers. She looked down with wide eyes, panting and moaning through parted lips.

“Cam—I’m going to—fuck.” Squeezing her eyes shut, she threw her head back, her groans incoherent and guttural.

I stroked her deep inside, sucking her clit until every muscle clenched. Her fingers tightened in my hair, pulling me farther into her as she broke apart, calling my name. My name. As she relaxed against the pillow, I drew out a final wave, making a long sweep over her center as I withdrew my fingers. I rose to my knees, taking her other hand to pull her into a sitting position.

“Come to bed, pretty girl.”

She was stunned into silence, and I almost laughed at the innocent look on her face.

“Okay.”

She pushed to her feet, and I steadied her when her knees wobbled, scattering the pillows when I threw the covers back and nudged her between the sheets. I crawled in after her, turning to flip off the light.

All night. She was going to be here all night. Excitement coursed through me with a hint of something else. Fear. Trepidation.

Reaching for me, she wrapped herself around me in the dark, seeking out my mouth with hers. I pulled her on top of me, deepening the kiss until my cock throbbed, begging for release.

Her hair brushed my face as she sat up and fumbled around on the nightstand. I could just make out the foil package when she brought it to her mouth, ripping it open with her teeth. Jerking my hips in surprise when she took me in her hand, I felt the condom slide down my length. My arms fell around her when she lowered herself on top of me.

“How do you want me?” Her warm breath danced across my lips.

In one movement, I reversed our positions so I was above her. Pressing my forehead against hers, I tasted the honey of her lips.

“Any way I can get you.”

Chapter 10

Y
ou can’t cancel!” Lily whirled around the room, long strands of her wet hair sticking to her face. “Where’s my bra? I can’t find my—”

Pulling it from beneath the bed, I held it up, arching a brow at her. “Calm down, darlin’.”

Stalking toward me with her arms crossed over her chest, she stopped when her knees hit mine. “Give it to me.”

Wrapping my arms around her, I fell back against the mattress.

“I’ll give it to you all right.” I nipped her neck, holding her tightly as she squirmed.

When I found the spot right below her ear, she giggled, kicking her legs out.

“Stop…Cameron…stop!” Her giggles gave way to shrieks of laughter.

Loosening my grip, I sucked her moist skin, the rumble in her throat vibrating against my lips.

“I’d rather just stay here.”

Sliding my hand to her ass, I felt myself stir. Any pursuits outside this hotel room had suddenly lost their appeal.

“There’s no way.” She looked down to where our hips were joined. “Not after last night and this morning.”

Grinding against her, I proved just how wrong she was, but I released her anyway.

I was surprised myself. Twice last night and once in the shower this morning was a record, even for me.

“Believe me, I could.” I dipped my fingers in the waistband of the boxers she was wearing. My boxers. “But I won’t.”

I stroked her back when she sat up and was disappointed when she slipped the bra over her shoulders.

“You know,” I said as I twisted a strand of her wet hair around my finger absently, “I only bought that package to impress you.”

“You did what?” She turned to me in shock.

“Sue me.” I fell back on my elbows, giving her a sly smile. “I wanted to spend some time alone with you. Totally worth it.”

Standing, she snatched her jeans off the floor. “You could have asked,” she said, teetering as she pulled them on. “You didn’t have to spend ten thousand dollars to get me to go out with you.”

“That’s good to know.” Sitting up, I snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her between my legs. “I’d have to cancel all our dates in Dallas if I had to drop that kind of cash every time I’m passing through.”

I bit my tongue as soon as the words left my mouth.

She blinked, her expression going blank, except for the telltale crease on her brow.

“Lily…”

Turning, she grabbed her purse and headed for the bathroom. “Get dressed, mister,” she called over her shoulder in an overly cheery tone. “I’ve never had someone spend that kind of cash for the pleasure of my company. I’m not going to miss a single minute of it.”

Dropping my head in my hands, I groaned.
Stupid, stupid.
I glanced at the clock for the hundredth time. It started last night when I woke up with Lily pressed against me. I looked at the damn clock and unease settled over me. When I rolled her over and buried myself inside her, I chased it away.

My phone lit up, Nirvana’s “All Apologies” filling the room. Sighing, I swiped my finger over the screen.

“What’s up, Logan?”

“You still in your room?”

“Yeah. We’re…I’m heading out soon.”

“Who’s we?” He snorted a laugh. “Never mind…ditch the bitch, we got to head out to Arlington.”

“I told you, I’m out today,” I muttered. “I did the interview with Wendy, and—”

Laughter erupted on the other end. “That’s fucking perfect, man. Is Wendy still there? I had to cancel a shit load of interviews today to get this sound check done. If Wendy can come and do an on the spot promo, that would be great. Plus, you could probably nail her in the limo on the way back.”

I winced, my stomach roiling at the thought of Wendy. “Dude, it’s not Wendy.” I lowered my voice when Lily walked in. She got down on her knees and lifted the dust ruffle on the bed. “I told you I have plans today.”

I reached down and cupped her ass. She swatted my hand away.

“You’re going to have to cancel,” he said. “That fucking stadium is a beast. There are lighting issues, acoustic issues. The Jumbotron alone is the biggest one in the country.”

Raking a hand through my hair, I looked down at Lily, seated on the floor putting on the pink Converse she must have been searching for.

“All right,” I muttered, “but this isn’t an all-day thing. I’m not doing interviews. Don’t even ask, Logan.”

She looked up at me, her concern growing deeper by the second.

“Do you want to share a limo? Chloe said—”

“No,” I snapped, “I told you I’d be there, and I will.”

Hitting the end button, I threw the phone on the bed and paced with my fingers laced behind my head.

“What’s wrong?” Lily was on her feet, standing in front of me.

Blowing out a breath, I shook my head. “Lily, I’m so sorry,” I began.

Stepping back, she crossed her arms.

“I’ve got to go to Arlington. There’s a sound check. Something isn’t right with the acoustics. I really wanted—”

Placing a hand on my arm, she cut off my rambling apology. “It’s cool. I’ll cancel it.” She winced. “There’s going to be a penalty. I’ll try to talk them out of it, but I don’t know.”