First Chance

Steele

Twenty minutes earlier...

I’m sprawled out on my bed, humming a tune that’s been stuck in my head for days, trying to coax the lyrics out.

Songwriting is a long process. How much of your inner struggles do you want to share with your fans?

How much do you want to expose yourself to judgment, to people thinking they know what your song is about?

You can pen down any battle you’ve fought in your life and dismiss any deeper meaning with a casual wave and a wink to a fan or reporter.

Many of the songs my band has performed and recorded, I’ve written, and every word is from experience.

But when asked about the meanings behind the songs, I always respond with some smart-ass fabricated story.

Our drummer Jason also contributes songs regularly, some we’ve collaborated on. I can hear every instrument playing in my head, but the lyrics just won’t come.

Giving up, I pull back my curtain and head to the ladder at the end of my bed. I’m three beds high in the air. Even at six foot two, I’m not jumping to the ground.

Fuck that. I’d rather look like a wimp than risk breaking a bone. That shit's not fun, and it hurts.

As I grip the ladder steps, a shrill scream rings out, nearly causing me to lose my grip and fall. It’s coming from the minx's bunk.

I yank open her curtain, and she’s lying there on her bed, sweat trickling down her face, body shaking. She’s breathing. That’s my main concern—the other being what the fuck scared her.

Without a word, she pushes me back and leaps from the bed, breezing past Liam like he’s a mere obstacle in her path. She bolts to the bathroom.

I’ll give her a few minutes. But that’s it. For some reason, her scream cut into my gut. I could feel the raw fear she felt.

Wanting to make sure she’s okay, I head to the bathroom. I try the knob, but it won’t budge. The minx locked it.

Screw this. There’s no way she’s locking me out. She must have known I’d come after her. I start pounding on the door, refusing to stop until she answers.

She yells out, “Who is it?”

Oh, my minx, you know who this is, I think to myself.

“What do you want?” she snaps, sounding more irritated now.

I don’t answer her. She’s playing a game. She knows who it is, and she knows I want to check on her.

Just as I’m about to knock again for the hundredth time, she flings the door open. I pull back my fist just in time to avoid hitting her in the face.

I’d never forgive myself if I accidentally hit her.

“What! What’s so urgent that you couldn’t wait until I was done?” She’s pissed. Probably because I saw a moment of weakness. A weakness that reveals how vulnerable she really is.

I nudge her back to make room to close the door. I don’t want everyone eavesdropping on our conversation.

I lock the door and turn back to face her. She looks like a deer caught in headlights. Frozen. Probably didn’t expect me to lock the door.

I’m not a pervert. Her virtue is safe with me, but she doesn’t need to know that just yet.

She goes on the defensive, accusing me of barging into the bathroom without permission, and something about invading her privacy. I tune out her rant.

I study her, taking her all in. She’s a spitfire, that’s for sure. She won’t just take it lying down.

Testing her boundaries, I step closer and closer, wondering how far she’ll let me go. When will she draw the line?

She is fucking gorgeous. Those pert little lips I’d love to run my tongue over. To taste her. Right now, all I want to do is pull her body to mine, feel her soft curves grind against me.

I need to get the fuck out of here, leave right now. Before I make a big mistake—a mistake the guys and I would never let me live down.

This minx seems to be an innocent, untouched by men yet completely broken. It’s not a wise or safe choice.

But I can’t help wanting to stir her emotions. Losing control of myself, I lean in as close as I can without touching her.

I whisper in her ear—also a sneaky move to smell her hair. “You, my minx, would do well to remember that this is my tour bus, so wherever I choose to be, whenever I want to be, I can.”

Fuck. Even I can hear the lust and implication in my voice. The scent of her hair, fruity coconuts, is making my mouth water.

If I didn’t think she’d put up a fight, I’d bury my nose in deep and inhale.

I pull back, daring to look into her eyes. I’ve rattled her—not enough to break her. But rattled nonetheless.

“Oh, Steele,” she says flirtatiously.

I hate that she won’t say my name. Her tone catches me off-guard. Did I push too far?

“Babe, it really would be best for you to remember that you are the manipulative asshole who forced me to be here.

“Just because I am here doesn’t mean in any way, shape, or form that I want to be here. Or that I want you or even like you. Just leave. Me. Alone.”

Liar! I want to shout, but she sidesteps me and exits the bathroom. I relock the door behind her, waiting for my hard cock to deflate.

What’s happening to me? Aggressive confrontations are turning me on?

I reach into my jeans and readjust my still semi-hard cock. I unlock the door. This conversation isn’t over between me and her.

Looking around the bus, I don’t see her anywhere. She couldn’t have left because we’re currently driving to our next show somewhere in upstate New York.

I see Gage lying on his bottom bunk. “Have you seen Natalie?” I ask.

“Yeah, she’s in the back bedroom with Liam,” he tells me.

“What the fuck are they doing in there?” I yell, blaming him for them being alone.

Liam is irresistible. I mean, I’ve been with more women than he has, but that’s only because he’s so damn picky. He’s got standards that most women can’t meet.

Liam’s a choosy bastard, and I swear, if he decides Natalie is his type...

“I have no idea, Ryan. Why don’t you just kick the door down and see for yourself?” Gage teases.

“I can’t just leave her alone in there with him,” I say, heading for the back bedroom door. I push it open, and the sight that greets me sets my blood on fire.

Natalie is wrapped up in Liam’s arms, and it’s clear she’s there willingly. I feel a sense of betrayal that freezes me in place. Why am I reacting like this? She’s nothing to me. Absolutely nothing.

If she wants to sleep with Liam, wants to be just another groupie, that’s her business. Let them have their fun.

I’m not getting caught up in some fleeting sex fling, because that’s all it’ll ever be with Liam.

I look at her, feeling a surge of anger, and then I leave the room. Quietly this time.

She just met him, and she’s already in his arms. It’s a wonder she even resisted coming on this tour.

I walk into the kitchen area, where Gage is making breakfast. The smell of bacon and eggs fills the air. I sit down at the table, waiting for the food to be served.

I pull out my phone and start looking up things to do at our next stop. We have two shows at the Time Union Center.

That’s good news, because it means we’ll be staying in a hotel.

I text Mel to ask what hotel we’ll be at, so I don’t have to bother the driver. That way, I can plan a little downtime for the guys and me.

Maybe there are some local bars we can check out. I could use a new hookup, something to get Natalie out of my head.

Every time I think about her, my body reacts.

Mel texts back just as Gage sets plates of bacon, eggs, French toast, and sausage on the table. We’ll be at the Hilton in Albany for three days.

We’ll get there the day before the show and leave right after the meet-and-greet, then it’s on to Buffalo, NY.

I notice that everyone has joined us at the table. I look at Natalie. When she sees me looking at her, she looks away.

I can’t help but wonder what they might have done while I left them alone.

If she’s trying to piss me off, she’s doing a good job. But two can play at that game.

“We’ll be in Albany tonight, and we don’t play until the day after tomorrow. I thought we could go out and find some new company,” I say, keeping my eyes on her.

She flinches as if I’ve hurt her. Deep down. But she hides it as soon as she sees that I’ve noticed.

Ignoring her, pretending I don’t know how she feels, I look around the table. Liam’s mouth is set in a tight line. He looks annoyed, maybe even a little angry.

Zepp, Gage, and Jason are all in, nodding their agreement. I look at Liam, wondering if he’s coming with us.

“I think I’ll pass tonight. I’m not feeling great.”

I’m surprised. I know he’s lying. I hate to admit it, but I’m starting to feel jealous.

I can’t understand why Natalie would want to be around me when she clearly can’t stand me, and yet she’s so comfortable with Liam, who’s my best friend.

It makes me want to ruin whatever they have going on.

“Yeah, you don’t look so good, Liam.” I turn to Natalie. “I don’t think it’s your scene, but you’re welcome to join us if you want.”

With that, I get up from the table, ending the conversation. I go to the back bedroom to grab my clothes. I need a shower.

Nothing has made me this angry in years. It’s unbelievable that this girl, who I just met a few days ago, can get under my skin like this.

As the hot water pours over me, I close my eyes and picture Natalie, the way I saw her in the bathroom earlier today. Her eyes full of desire.

I imagine her opening her mouth, running her tongue over her lips. Teasing me, begging for me to fill her mouth. I slowly move my hand down to my hardening cock.

I wrap my hand around my length, the water acting as a lubricant, and start to stroke myself. I picture her on her knees, her mouth watering, pleading for me to fuck her face.

I can’t resist her, I need her mouth too.

I thrust my cock into her mouth, over and over, only letting her take short breaths, stroking myself furiously. I’m harder than I’ve ever been.

I’m so close—so, so close. I pull my cock out of her mouth and tell her to stand up and bend over. She does, eagerly.

I lift her skirt, push her panties aside, and grip her hips. I thrust my entire length into her wet pussy. I can feel her muscles clenching around me.

I’m on the edge of orgasm, about to explode inside her. I reach around and start rubbing her clit frantically.

I open my eyes as my cock starts to pulse, my seed spilling over my hand.

I’m disappointed, but I have to admit, it’s the best sex I’ve had in a long time. I’ve made up my mind: I have to fuck Natalie out of my system.

There’s no way she could ever live up to that fantasy, even if she had a hundred nights to try.

I dry off, and someone starts pounding on the door. It’s becoming a habit around here. I wrap a towel around my waist and open the door.

Of course, it’s Natalie.

“See anything you like?” I ask, catching her off guard.

She opens her mouth, then closes it. “Please, I’ve seen much better.” She rushes out, trying to convince either herself or me, I’m not sure.

“So, how can I help?” I ask, struggling to keep my hands at my sides. The urge to pull her into the bathroom with me and have her against the wall is almost too much to resist.