Oblivion Series Book 2
highlight_author
Lumi Daoi
highlight_reads
46.1K
highlight_chapters
17
Prologue
Book 2: Unexpected
London
The bar was filling up more than steadily. It was the same old, same old when Oblivion was back in town…or so I was told.
The beers flowed and the cash register rang—everyone was excited to have the boys home, even if it was just for a few short days.
I was working my first ever shift at King’s, and it just so happened to be the busiest night.
I knew who Oblivion was—who didn’t? The guys were huge; there were always stories about them in the tabloids and the internet. I’d just never met them—not that I would be some starstruck fan if I did.
“Okay, so the guys will be here soon. They like pitchers of beer. Put them on that table over there.” Tania pointed it out to me.
Jacob was busy serving other customers and had left her to show me the ropes.
“I’ll be serving the guys all night, so you just have to keep on top of the main bar here,” Tania said.
“You want me to run the whole bar on my own?” Horror reflected on my face.
It’s not that I wouldn’t be able to do it. It’s just that it was my first night, so a little slack should have been allowed, surely?
“It’s fine. It’s only going to take me a couple of minutes to sort them out…unless Zeke wants me,” she said, wiggling her eyebrows.
I just shook my head and continued to serve the regulars, praying to the almighty to help me through the first night. It couldn’t be that difficult, surely?
As soon as the band began doing their thing, the serving of drinks went down slightly—enough that I could have a breather and go to the bathroom real quick.
A cover of Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses” echoed throughout the hall.
I couldn’t help but smile; it was the first moment I actually got to listen to the band without fighting to understand what everyone’s drink orders were.
Risking a quick peek, I saw Caleb serenading us with the lyrics. Zeke and Jay were playing their hearts out, both smiling and loving the moment.
I looked toward the back, and there he was, the band member I crushed on the most—Blake Johnson. Even though he had a twin, Blake was the only man who could make me drunk on stupid.
Our eyes connected at one point, and everything around me washed away. It was as if we were the only two people in the room. My breath caught in my throat as we staring into each other’s eyes.
A small smile appeared on his face, yet he never missed a beat of the song he was playing.
Breaking eye contact, I lost myself in work. I couldn’t dare to look up and deal with the intensity again.
I probably looked like some horny teenager with eyes so wide that her crush smiling meant she’d drop her panties and let him take her virtue—no questions asked.
“Okay girls, it’s about to get crazy,” Jacob yelled, bringing me back to the here and now.
I worked non-stop, serving everyone their beers. Tania took a couple of pitchers to the band, leaving with a smile but returning with a frown. I shrugged it off, guessing Zeke wasn’t giving in to her tonight.
“Can I have a little service?” A rich tone sent my body into overdrive.
“I’ll be with ya in a sec,” I yelled, not looking up.
I finished serving the couple I was attending and made my way to the spot where I knew the voice came from. “Hey, what can I get ya?” I finally looked up and was met with the darkest of eyes.
My jaw dropped open at the realization of who was standing before me. It took me everything not to scream and jump around like some crazed fucking fan.
“Your number?” Blake asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“My number? What’s one of those?” My brain failed to comprehend what he was really asking for.
“You have a cell phone?”
I nodded in response.
“So, what’s your number? I’d like to call you and take you on a date,” he said with such ease.
“Excuse me? I’d like to order,” another customer screamed from my left.
I stood with my jaw wide open, knowing I wasn’t hearing him right. He’d never call me and take me on a date. The guy was known for being a player and having a couple of different girls a night.
“Erm… I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” I served the paying punters who wanted something I could actually give them.
“I don’t give up. I will get your attention before the end of the night.”
I risked a look at his smug face. Oh God, he was dreamy…and that ass…hot fucking damn.
I kinda got how guys felt when they saw a hot ass. It caused you to bite your lip, hold your breath, and pray to God you were not gonna die right there and then.
Was it hot in here, or was it just me? I squeezed my thighs tight as my core heated for the action.
Oblivion started up the second half of their set, and I was glad for the slow line of punters still wanting a beer. It allowed me to get myself under control.
I felt someone watching me, eyes burning my skin into an inferno. Taking a deep breath, I looked and found those big browns watching my every movement.
A few more songs, bottles of beers handed over, and aching feet later, I was glad for the night to almost be over. It was close to 1 a.m., and I was more than ready for bed.
Jacob signaled last orders, and everyone pitched in to get the hoard of people served and out of the bar by 2 a.m.
Tania passed me two pitchers of beer. “Take them over to the band. I’m too pissed off to go over there again.”
Swallowing, I did as she asked, telling myself over and over to calm down. As I got closer, I noticed only Caleb and Jay were sitting in the booth.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I smiled, placed the beer on the table, and collected the empties. I was about to move when a pair of hands touched my hips, bringing them flush with someone’s groin.
Waves crashed in my stomach and caused a slight light-headedness. My skin prickled with heat, a tingling feeling spread all over. Lips moved toward my right ear.
I just held my breath, not trusting myself at this moment in time.
“My queen,” he whispered.
I burned with heat.
“Uh huh.” It was all I could communicate. Useless, I know, but what was a girl to do when some hunk of a man seductively whispered in her ear and made the Earth shake from just two damn words?
“I’m sure you can muster up something more than that.” He laughed, still close to my ear.
Closing my eyes, I willed myself to control everything that was happening. My body betrayed me, shuddering at his touch. Oh God.
I tried to step away, but he gripped me tighter, refusing to release me.
“Please,” I begged weakly, needing some air so I could breathe straight…well, get myself straight.
“My queen, how I love to hear you beg me…it makes me want to do many things I think you’d enjoy.” His lips touched my neck as he kissed me in a spot I never knew could cause me to burn. “Let me make you mine tonight.”
My head cleared as his comment bounced in my mind. Anger bubbled within me from the fact that he thought it would work.
Yes, he was hot, but I wasn’t fucking dumb. I wouldn’t just drop my panties for anyone, regardless of them being famous or not. I wasn’t that kind of girl.
I spun around on my heels, poked a finger into his chest, and looked up into the eyes that made me melt. Wavering slightly from the heat of them, I scrounged all the energy I could muster.
“Listen here, bucko. That might work with all the hussies you’re used to, but not with this girl.
“You might be all that, Mr. I Can Just Smile And Have A Line Of Girls Bent Over Waiting To Be Taken, but I’m no slut. So move along and find some cheap tramp. Tania seems to love coming over here. I’m sure she’ll let you rock her world.”
I stormed off and got back to work, avoiding his gaze. My blood still boiled that I almost fell for his stupid lines.
***
The bar had closed a while ago, and the last of the stragglers were just about leaving. Jacob was talking to the band whilst I finished putting all the clean glasses on the shelf.
I was more or less done and even more than ready to get home and get some sleep. My feet felt as if they were about to drop off. I was done.
“Hey, can I talk to you?”
My body shuddered at his voice. It annoyed the piss out of me that I had this reaction to him. I mean, he was a God…it was just a shame his mouth let him down. He’d be perfect eye candy.
“What?” My tone was icy. I had my hands on my hips as I stared into those dark eyes. Le sigh.
“I was wondering if we could take a walk. I want to apologize, and I’d like to get to know you a little better. I didn’t mean to sound like a dick. It’s just an act, and I don’t want it to be an act with you.
“I know it’s the early hours of the morning, and you’ll probably wanna go home and rest, but I leave to go back on tour tomorrow. Now is the only opportunity I have.” He looked lost.
I wasn’t completely sure what game he was playing.
I was fighting a battle…one where if I went, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to stop myself from kissing him. And second, I wasn’t sure if I could trust him not to try anything.
That thought alone disappointed me even more.
Hurt flashed through his eyes as I remained mute. He lowered his head and turned to leave. I reached out and touched his arm. Holy shit, he works out.
“Okay,” I whispered, not truly believing what I’d agreed to.
He kissed my cheek and indicated with his finger to give him a minute.
I smiled to reassure him that it was okay, then took in a deep breath and prayed I wasn’t making the biggest mistake of my life.
***
We walked around for a while and talked about small things. He asked me every question he could to know about me, my life, and what I wanted for the future.
It wasn’t exactly warm out; I welcomed being so close to Blake when a blast of cool air brushed against my skin.
He’d brought a blanket with him, and I was thankful for it when we finally sat down in a grassy field. He lay straight on his back, watching the stars above us. I followed, happy that I was no longer on my feet.
My hair was fanned out behind me, and Blake took my hand in his. Our fingers interlocked together. I was lost in this beautiful moment.
Both of us watched as the stars winked at us from the endless arch of the black void beyond the moon’s corona. In places, they reminded me of a birthstone—blue and beautiful, all a glitter in their heavenly finery.
The ones furthest away, almost outside the span of human comprehension, were like flashing pinpricks in a veil of darkness. They had a faint silver tint, and they looked like they were the distant, glittering sparks from angel fire.
All were beacons of hope for the lost souls of the world—or so I thought. It seemed to me that there was a snowfall in outer space, and I felt privileged to witness it—even more so with Blake by my side.
I was feeling slightly awkward as I stared up into the night sky. Blake hadn’t uttered a word, and I felt as if I was holding my breath for a lifetime.
I was beyond nervous; I couldn’t believe I was here with the Blake Johnson.
“My queen,” he whispered, and my heart pounded. “Not even all the beauty in the night’s sky can overshadow the purest silk that you are. Never once have I been in the presence of such purity, and I’m a bastard.
“I just want to taste the essence of you, the smallest taste to satisfy my devouring need to mark you mine. Your eyes glisten as you watch the power sparkle above you. Your lips are the perfect shape to mold with my own.”
My heart pounded. Our eyes, at some point, had found each other’s. Our fingers were still entwined, his body slightly raised over mine. His left hand gently caressed my cheek, and I was a goner.
I needed his lips to touch mine. I wanted to feel the promises his eyes made…I needed to have this connection… Fuck the consequences.
Would my heart break when he left to go back on tour? Hell, yes. Was I being stupid for responding to his presence right now? You bet your ass I was. But did I really, truly care? No. Not for one second.
Right now, I was a girl, looking at a guy, wanting to be swept off her feet with a single kiss.
With no more hesitation, Blake lowered his mouth to mine. Sparks flew, angels sang, and I fell down the rabbit hole. This man owned me, body and soul. I was destroyed…forever.
“One universe, nine planets, two hundred and four countries, eight hundred and nine islands, seven seas, and I had the privilege to meet you,” Blake whispered against my lips, before claiming me once more.
I pulled him closer. His body now lay over my own. Our hands wandered over each other’s, and the rest, as we say, was history.
