Wicked: Leather and Lace [Wicked Series Book 2] (6 page)

She'd promised Holly she'd not sleep with him. Their little tryst in the limo almost made a liar out of her. She'd been fully prepared to have her way with him until Curt's call.

If Holly only knew how hard that promise was to keep, she wouldn't have asked it of her. Why it was still so important was beyond her. She'd done as asked ... she'd played hard to get and Luke had asked her out. Wasn't that enough? Surely Holly didn't expect her to be chaste the entire week. She only had a few more days before she had to leave and return to her life in L.A. If she kept acting like a prude, she'd go home with nothing but a few stolen kisses and the memory of him on his knees with his head between her legs.

She shivered at the thought and broke the kiss. A cool draft blew across her wet lips and she glanced over Luke's shoulder. The elevator doors were open.

"This is my floor,” she said.

He made a sound deep in his throat acknowledging her, his eyes intent on her face. “Stay with me tonight.” He lowered his head again, his lips nipping her chin and crawled across her cheek to her ear. “I want you, Roxy."

She groaned inwardly and whispered, “I can't."

"Why?"

Why? Holly.
Roxy was glad her friend wasn't there at the moment. She'd probably beat the girl stupid if she were. Why had she agreed to this harebrained idea? “I just can't."

She slipped past him before he could say more and practically ran from the elevator. It was hard to think when he was so close.

"Roxy."

She stopped walking and stared at her hotel door. If she just kept going and ignored him, she'd be okay. She could go inside, forget seeing the desire in his eyes, and eventually fall to sleep. Maybe.

When he said her name a second time, she sighed and turned around.

Luke was leaning against the door of the elevator, holding it open with his shoulder. His right foot was crossed over his left ankle and that leather coat gaped in the front and showed her enough skin to make her
want
to lie to Holly.

"Come here,” he said.

"Why?"

He tilted his head, laying it against the elevator door. “Because I want you to."

Jesus, how can anyone be so sexy standing still!
Roxy walked back to him, keeping her eyes locked with his. When she stopped in front of him, he reached out, pulling her to him.

He didn't say anything for long moments, just stood there staring down at her with his arm around her waist. Roxy could barely breathe from the look he was giving her. The desire she'd seen earlier was still there but something else lurked behind it. A subtle tenderness she'd never noticed before. The longer she stared up at him, the more his facial features seemed to change. The harsh lines softened and he looked younger. The cocky, sex starved rock star slid away and someone else stepped in his place. A man who looked vulnerable. A man she wasn't expecting to be there.

When he leaned down and kissed her, it was a bare brush of lips. Long, lingering, gentle strokes of his tongue against hers and the intimacy of it was more intense than anything they'd shared in the past hour. It left her breathless.

The minute the contact was gone, she stood there, her eyes closed, letting the moment penetrate her memory. She wanted to remember that kiss. One she knew not many women had received from him.

When she opened her eyes, she watched as the cocky rock star slowly came back. The sparkle in his eyes returned and the tiny half smile curved the corner of his mouth.

"You can't fight me forever,” he said. “I know you want me.” His arm tightened around her waist. “I've tasted it."

Roxy felt a ripple of pleasure race up her spine at the memory of his taste, her vaginal muscles clamping down moments later. “Have you been able to seduce every woman you've wanted?"

"Yes,” he said. “Until you. Why is that?"

"I thought men liked a challenge."

"Most do."

"Not you?"

"I love a challenge,” he grinned. “Especially when sex is involved."

"And what makes you think you'll win this time?"

His gaze swept over her face, his hand sliding down her back and cupping her bottom. “I can see it in your eyes."

Roxy grinned. “That isn't my eyes you have your hand on,” she said.

He chuckled, leaning down to give her a quick kiss. “Are you coming to the photo shoot?"

She shrugged her shoulder at him. “I don't know."

"Do,” he said, letting go of her.

Stepping away from him, Roxy smiled before she turned and walked to her room. Unlocking the door, she opened it and turned her head back to the elevator. Luke was still standing there watching her.

"Good night."

"It won't be,” he said.

"Why's that?"

"I'll be sleeping alone."

Roxy laughed and walked into her room, shutting out the temptation of Luke and his unforgettable touch.

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The photo shoot was organized chaos. People were bustling around the large loft setting lights, props, and shouting out demands that sent people scurrying across the room.

The guys were grumpily being fussed over, make-up artists and hair stylists working like busy little bees to make sure each of the band members looked as fresh and camera perfect as they could.

Roxy emptied a packet of sugar into her coffee cup, stirring it to dissolve the crystals, and picked it up once her hands were steady enough.

She'd woken from a sleepless night looking like she'd tied one on. Her eyes were puffy, her mouth dry, and a mood so ill, even
she
didn't want to be around her.

The reason for her sleepless night was currently watching her.

"I don't know why you're so mad at me,” Holly said, crossing her arms under her breasts. “You agreed to the plan. I didn't twist your arm, you know."

"You might as well have,” Roxy said.

"It's working, isn't it?"

"That's beside the point."

"No, its not,” Holly laughed. “You have Luke chasing after you now. It's working exactly like we wanted."

"Why is this so important to you?” Roxy asked, tilting her head to one side. “I mean, really? Whether I sleep with Luke or not doesn't affect your love life in the least. You still go to bed every night with Devin tucked in beside you and wake up with him every morning. Why is my non-existent love life even an issue?"

"Because,” Holly said, whispering as loud as she dared. “As much as you want Luke, there's no reason for you to let him fuck you silly and walk away thinking you're just another slut he banged."

Roxy stared at her friend, watching as a barrage of emotions crossed her face. She loved Holly like a sister. They'd known each other since high school and they'd always been there for each other. Looking at her now, she knew Holly was just doing what they'd always done for each other. They watched each other's backs and made sure they didn't make a mistake that would haunt them forever and she knew, no matter what she wanted from Luke, if he just walked away from her without a backwards glance, she'd feel like a cheap slut.

Roxy sighed before smiling. “I love you, Holls."

"I know,” Holly grinned, closing the distance between them and wrapping her arms around her. “And I promise you, all your torment will be worth it."

Holly stepped back and both girls looked to her left when Luke and Devin approached them.

"I didn't know you girls swung that way,” Luke said running a curious look over both of them. “Mind if I watch?"

"I mind,” Devin said, reaching out and wrapping his arm around Holly's waist. “You're not seeing my girl naked."

"I'm not seeing mine either, apparently.” Luke said quietly, his gaze sweeping over Roxy.

Roxy hid her smile behind her coffee cup as Luke stared at her. Her restless night had really been his fault, not Holly's. Thoughts of him kept her awake until well into the morning and when she finally dozed off, dreams of him left her grumpy and horny by the time the sun filtered around the edge of the closed curtains.

Her grumpiness was starting to ease off though, seeing Luke stand there in his leather. His hair was shining under the bright lights of the photographers studio, those incredible abs were peeking through his open coat, and the look he was giving her made her stomach tighten in the most delicious way.

"Let's get moving, people. I have other things to do today!"

Roxy turned to the photographer when she yelled, noticing the way people rushed to do exactly as she bid them to. The girl was young, pretty, and the way she walked spoke of her confidence. She directed people, barking out orders, and people followed without batting an eyelash.

Everyone but the guys.

They were still standing around talking, taking in the action with an uninterested eye, and it wasn't until Curt tried to gather them all together that the photographer turned and smiled.

"I appreciate your desire to be the most important people in the room,” she said, “but please understand ... you're not. I am. Now, if you four gentlemen would like to move your precious asses to the front of the room, we can get this over with quickly."

Roxy grinned, liking her instantly. That is until she spotted Luke out of the corner of her eye. His attention was suddenly on the petite girl in the center of the room. When he walked away without a backwards glance, she watched him while red-hot jealousy burned clean to her toes.

So, Holly had been right all along. Luke
would
have thought she was just another slut he banged. And it looked as if he'd already found his next prey. The asshole.

Knowing every emotion she felt was showing on her face, she put her back to the room, busying herself with refreshing her coffee.

She listened half-heartedly while little miss sassy pants barked out orders. Getting the guys into position was proving to be more work than the photographer wanted.
Good.

"Push his hair away from his face and open the coat. I want to see that six-pack he's sporting."

Roxy rolled her eyes at the comment and resisted the urge to turn around. She could just imagine the look on Luke's face. That cocky grin was no doubt in place, his head tilted to one side while he gave the girl his best, “I want to fuck you look."

"What the hell is that? Make-up!"

She did turn then. Everyone's attention was on Luke. And the huge, purple bite mark on his neck. A mark
she
had put there.

Roxy's eyes widened at the sight of it.

Like synchronized swimmers, every member of the band, Curt, and Holly turned to look at her.

"What?” she said innocently, her gaze darting to each face before landing on Luke's. She was right. The smirk was there, even the head tilt, but he wasn't looking at the photographer. He was looking at her.

"My girl likes to play rough,” Luke said with shrug of his shoulders.

Holly appeared beside her, grabbed her arm, and hissed quietly, “Roxy! You told me you didn't sleep with him."

"I didn't!"

"Then how did he get that?"

Roxy grinned when Luke winked at her and she turned, putting her back to the room. “How the hell do you think he got it?"

"What did you do?"

"I'm not telling,” Roxy said, pulling her arm free.

Holly stared at her, her brows knitted in concentration. The corner of her mouth twitched, a smile trying to form, and Roxy laughed. “I swear to you I didn't have sex with him."

"That bright red blush covering your face tells me you're lying,” Holly grinned.

"I'm not,” Roxy said. “But things did get a little ... intense."

"As in?"

"As in none of your business,” she said, remembering the previous night in perfect clarity. “I didn't sleep with him, though. Wanted to, but I didn't.” Roxy saw Holly turn her head back toward the guys and laugh.

"You should see the smug look on Luke's face."

"I can imagine,” she said. “Those guys probably already know what went down."

"Care to elaborate?"

Roxy snorted a laugh. “No.” The fact Luke seemed to enjoy a little pain and was a naughty boy wasn't anyone's business.

"Hey!” Holly said. “Do you realize Luke called you his girl?"

Roxy turned to look back at Luke. He was getting fussed over by the make-up artist who was trying to cover the bite mark. He was talking to Mick, and she could tell by the look on his face he was bragging about something.
He isn't the type to kiss and tell, is he?

"He did, didn't he?"

"Twice, actually."

A glance back at Holly and she raised one eyebrow. “Does this mean I can finally give it up?"

Holly gave her a lopsided grin. “That's all you've thought about since we boarded the plane in L.A. isn't it?"

"Of course. Was getting naked with Devin not on your mind?"

Holly laughed. “Look at the man,” she said, nodding her head in Devin's direction. “Wouldn't you?"

Roxy turned, facing the guys. They were all worth getting worked up over. They were as different as night and day, but each one was a scrumptious piece of eye candy, and their personalities made people want to be near them.

Devin—the life of every party. He was the guy who drank too much and ended up playing the bongos naked while a crowd of onlookers cheered him on.

Luke—the lover. The man oozed sex and every woman he set his sights on found her happy at the end of his cock ... or tongue.

Christian—the quiet, sweet, boy next door. He was tall and lean and had the face of an angel but the devil lurked in his eyes. That boy was hiding a bevy of dirty little secrets that just begged to be explored.

Mick—the rocker. Multiple tattoos, a host of body piercings, and a harsh attitude. He was the one your mother warned you about. The bad boy everybody wants but is too afraid to go after.

Yeah, they were all worth it in their own little way. The band name suited them to a T. They were wicked. Every last inch of them.

When the make-up artist finished and stepped away from Luke, the photographer grabbed her camera, snapped a few pictures, and studied the guys. Within minutes, loud music filled the studio and the whole atmosphere in the room changed.