My Only Regret (Twisted Fate Book 1) (32 page)

W
e were standing in front of a 60-foot motor coach at six o'clock in the morning, and Mel was already arguing with one of our drivers.

"Surely you don’t need this many bags for a short trip?” Paul grumbled, as she handed him three suitcases.

“A girl's got to have options Paul. Make it fit,” she snapped and turned to board the bus. I just shrugged my shoulders and handed him one large suitcase that I'd filled to the brim with my belongings. Jesse had never seen the new leather outfit I had purchased, and I couldn’t wait to surprise him. I followed Mel onto the bus and took a seat next to my man.

“
Ladies and gentlemen, this mini tour is officially on!
”
David announced. As he boarded the bus he fist-bumped Jesse before dropping into one of the sofas and giving Mel a loud kiss.
 

Twisted Fate had spared no expense on their transportation. The bus was custom made with built in leather seating, a full kitchen, two full bathrooms, a 65-inch television and enough beds to sleep ten, two of which were in separate enclosed rooms. Jesse had claimed one of those rooms for us, and Tyler and Stefani had taken the second. David and Mel would take one set of bunk beds, and Sam would get a set all to himself. The other bunks provided a place for driver Paul and Charlie, their Head of Security, to grab some shut-eye when they were taking turns driving the bus.

The tour was scheduled to take place in four cities. The first stop would be Sacramento, then off to Los Angeles for a two-night performance. From there we would head to Las Vegas for another two nights before wrapping up in their hometown at a local arena.
 

We spent the next three hours talking and singing while Jesse played guitar and Sam played the bongos. Everyone felt at ease with one another. I found myself laughing and singing along to every song. I felt so blessed to be here with all of them. Other than Mel, I hadn
’
t had many friends in my life and over the past four months these people had become my family. Having Mel with me just completed the whole package. The girls made lunch while the guys talked over their set and stage needs for tonight’s show. After we had eaten, everyone went off to do his or her own thing.
 

There wasn’t a lot of privacy on a tour bus but the guys seemed to make living in close quarters work. Tyler and Stefani went to take a nap, and Sam competed against David in a video game while Mel happily watched. Jesse was up in the front of the bus going over logistics with Charlie so I decided to spend a little quiet time reading. I found a cozy corner on the sofa and tucked myself in. I had gotten about a third of the book read when Jesse came over to give me a kiss, whispering that he wanted me to join him in our room. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he wanted to do more than talk. When the door closed he grabbed me and kissed me greedily. His tongue found mine and moved roughly against it as he backed me up to the edge of the bed.

“
I need to be with you before I perform,
”
he said, as he unbuttoned my jeans.
“
You help me relax. You center me. You
’
re like my compass, always pointing me back in the right direction,
”
he whispered, kissing along my jaw. “I have to warn you, it may be quick. I’ve been thinking about you for the past hour while I worked out shit with Charlie. I couldn’t get anything done. Couldn’t think straight.”

I grasped the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, pausing to trace the tattoo down his right arm while kissing him just below his Adam
’
s apple. I continued to move my lips across his neck while fumbling with the button of his pants. His hands roamed over my breasts and then grabbed my ass, pulling me up to his waist, holding me there while he kissed me silly.

“You are so perfect. I’m the luckiest man alive.” He lowered me down until my back met soft cotton. “I love you,” he declared as he pressed into me. I wrapped my long legs around him and held on tight, my heels pressing into his back as I kissed and sucked on his neck. No words were spoken, only soft moans of pleasure or approval filled the space between us. I could tell that he needed to get lost in me, and I quietly enjoyed the ride. This was what he tended to do when he needed to clear his head. I found myself wondering if this is what it had always been like for him before I became a part of his world. His body jerked against mine, and he collapsed with his head on my chest. This had lacked the passion that usually accompanied our lovemaking, but he had needed it. This was for him. Later, he would take care of my needs.
 

“
Oh baby, I needed that. I love the way you make me feel,
”
he groaned, as he steadied his breathing and feathered my lips with kisses. “I can’t seem to get enough of you.” He twisted to lie flat on his back and pulled me tight against him.

“
I
’
m here. I’m not going anywhere,
”
I assured, as I kissed each of his fingertips, biting down on the pad of his thumb. “I can’t wait to hear you perform again. I know you’ll be great.

“
I
’
m so glad you’re with me. I can’t wait to look over my shoulder and see you standing behind that curtain.
” His other hand stroked back and forth over my arm in semi circles. “Stay here with me while I fall asleep.”

“Okay,” I agreed, unwilling to break our bond. I must have dozed off too because when I woke the bus was no longer moving. I sat up and peered out through the small tinted window. We were in a large parking lot that was nearly empty. Jesse stirred beside me and reached over to touch the small of my back.

“What do you see out there?” he asked, groggily.

“Just a parking lot. Where do you think we are?”

He sat up and leaned over me. “Shit, we must be here already. Paul must have hauled ass.” He stretched, and then flopped back down, taking me with him. “Umm, you smell good,” he said, rubbing his nose on me.

“What do I smell like?” I asked, already knowing his answer because we often played this game.

“Sex, and me. That’s my favorite scent on you,” he said, nipping at my shoulder.

“Maybe you could bottle it for me so I could always wear it,” I quipped.

“No,” he replied, thoughtfully. “I’d rather be the one to make you smell like that. You don’t need a bottle when you’ve got the source baby.” His eyebrows wiggled and he gave me a goofy grin.
He got up and kissed me chastely on the mouth.
“
I
’
ll dance through the shower and then you can take one.
”

“Okay,” I called after him. I watched him head into the bathroom and remained under the blanket, excited to watch him on stage. He had given me the rundown on how the night would go. Mel and I would hang out backstage with Stefani while the opening act performed a series of five songs, then Twisted Fate would take the stage and perform for ninety minutes. He had told me that we would be in the center of the action while watching from behind the scenes. From that vantage point I would be able to see Jesse perfectly. After a few minutes, he came out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a huge grin that showed off both of his sexy dimples.

“
What?
” I smiled, wickedly.

“
I haven
’
t had a hickey since I was eighteen! Look at how you
’
ve marked me woman,
”
he teased, pointing to a large purple bruise on his neck.

“
Oh wow, sorry about that, must have gotten caught up in the moment,
”
I shrugged, innocently.

“
Uh huh,
”
he laughed, shaking his head and swatting at my ass as I scooted off for a quick rinse. “You’re just trying to mark me to let the ladies know I am unavailable. I’m down with that.”

“You bet your sweet ass you are,” I retorted. I finished my shower and dressed quickly before we made our way across the parking lot and into the auditorium.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

T
he opening act was a group of five young men who played raucous music that vibrated throughout the building and hurt my ears. They had loads of energy and their enthusiasm brought the audience to its feet. Regardless of how I felt about them, it appeared the crowd loved them. According to Stefani it was a great way to kick off the event. She was standing between us and as Twisted Fate took the stage she grabbed each of our hands and squeezed tightly.

“This is it ladies. Be prepared to rock out!” she yelled, happily.
 

She wasn’t kidding. From the very first guitar lick Tyler belted out the crowd went wild. They had kicked off the set with a popular song from their last album. I knew the song well, and soon found myself caught up in the lyrics, singing loudly right along with my man. Mel jumped up and down, screaming at the very sight of David strumming out the bass line. Their sound was amazing. Jesse’s voice echoed right through me, electrifying all my senses. He moved comfortably around the stage and engaged the crowd by encouraging them to sing along. Each time they started off a song from their new album the room would go quiet as Jesse introduced the new material and began singing. By the time the song was over the words were now familiar and the noise level would multiply as everyone joined in. When they finished their set the audience demanded more. Shouts of “Encore” could be heard throughout the auditorium, and after the obligatory three-minute delay they took the stage for one final song. The clapping and stomping continued until Jesse sat on a stool in front of the microphone, but rather than singing, he started talking.

“This is a song from our upcoming album. I wrote it when I was at a pretty bad place in my life. See, I was a man that had everything, but at the same time I had nothing. I was in a downward spiral of lust and greed, and my world had gone upside down, until a special lady came into my life and turned everything I knew right side up. She showed me what it was to love, and be loved. We’ve had some good times, and some rough times, but the good always outweighs the bad. Now she’s pregnant with our first child, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life taking care of them. This song is for you, my beautiful Rhyann. I love you baby.”

Driving to another town,
 

standing on another stage

The crowd cries out for one more song,
 

Another hotel room and one more nameless face.

So many memories running through my head

A different girl in every town

Trying to make sense of it only drives you insane

You take another drink to try and drown the pain

Letting go, of everything that I thought to be real

Take my life back, regardless of the sacrifice or cost

The chains that used to hold me, now lying on the floor

And what I see before me beats all that I have lost

You look so much like an angel that you must be from above

Cause you’ve shown me what it means to fall in love

You came into my life and saved me

Gave me your heart to have and hold

But then I took your trust and broke it

And made the love in you turn cold

And now I’m standing here before you

A greater love I can’t recall

Tore down the fences that surround me

To win your love I’ll freely fall

I'll freely fall, fall, fall, fall

For your love I'll fall, fall, fall
 

I'll freely fall

Letting go, of everything that I thought to be real

Take my life back, regardless of the sacrifice or cost

The chains that used to hold me, now lying on the floor

And what I see before me beats all that I have lost

You look so much like an angel that you must be from above

Cause you’ve shown me what it means to fall in love

The song was a ballad that had the audience mesmerized. I looked out and saw bright lights above the crowd where people held up their cellphones and lighters. The lights seemed to sway along with the music. The song was beautiful, and it had been written for me. I was overwhelmed at the honesty of the words he sang. He loved me, and now everyone else would know that as well. The impact of that reality made me cry. They were not tears of sadness this time; these were tears of sheer joy.

The band stepped off stage and Jesse came to me with open arms. “Are those good tears or bad tears,” he asked. “Did you like it?”

“They’re good tears, and yes, I loved it. It was so beautiful. I had no idea you were going to do that. Thank you. It was a wonderful surprise.”

“Thank you. You inspired me.” He kissed me firmly on the lips. I grazed the tip of my tongue across his dry lips.

“You need some water,” I admonished, sweetly.

“Yeah, it gets pretty hot up there. Come on, let’s head back stage, we have a small party set up.” He led the way to a dressing room. “Just let me change first, I’m burning up in this leather.” He shut the door and began stripping out of his clothes. I handed him a towel and he wiped himself off. “Don’t worry, I’ll shower right after,” he assured me.

“I’m not worried. I don’t mind if you’re a little dirty,” I smiled and playfully ran my hand over his abs.

“Oh sweetheart, don’t start now. We have to join the others,” he grunted.

“Hey, I can’t help it, it’s the hormones you know. I promise to keep my hands to myself,” I replied, holding my hands up to demonstrate.

“I didn’t say not to touch me,” he grabbed my waist. “I just said we needed to wait. That doesn’t mean I can’t have a little taste though.” He brought his lips to mine and kissed me deeply. He slowly broke the kiss, but kept hold of my bottom lip with his teeth. He nibbled on it before pressing his lips against me for one final kiss that made a loud smacking sound. “Let’s go, wife,” he teased, swatting me on the ass as I stepped in front of him.