Chapter 15

Paisley

I have no idea what possessed me to send Zeke the first message.

After spending the last few days in a tangle of limbs, it just felt right to let him know how I was feeling. Not that I’m sure what my feelings are toward him.

I mean, we’re having fun. He’s a rock star on a break, and I’m a girl who no longer has any desire to be part of a committed relationship.

So why not have some extra fun? Not that if what I was doing before even ranked in the same category. I’m not even sure if I was doing it right.

London dragged me out shopping, and I couldn’t resist Victoria’s Secret. There were so many choices. Everything I looked at had me thinking about how would Zeke react.

I sent the first picture, then the second, and the third. I don’t know what I expected, but what I got…wow. Hot doesn’t quite describe it.

The song, though, brought me to my knees. I was panting in the changing cubicle. I reached down inside my panties. I was soaked. He was nowhere near me and still I reacted to his words.

Now, I snap a picture of where my hand is. I sink my finger as deep as I can into my pussy, then pop it into my mouth, snapping another picture.

“Pails, you ready? I need to get back to the bar,” London shouts, interrupting my fun.

“Just a sec.” I rip the tags off the lingerie set I’m wearing and put my own in my purse.

“Find something you like?” She wiggles her eyebrows.

“Oh, yeah.”

We both walk to the register. I explain to the clerk I couldn’t resist keeping a set on and hand her the tags. We pay and walk arm in arm to catch a cab.

“Can you help out in the bar again this afternoon?” London asks. “The guys are there today sorting through some stuff, and I have no energy to deal with Blake.”

“Sure.” I feel excited. I get to see Zeke soon.

When London isn’t looking, I send the last two pictures to Zeke, then I pay the fare, step out, and meet London on the sidewalk.

“Okay, deep breaths,” she chants to herself.

I laugh at her, and she scowls at me as we make our way into the bar.

My heart is beating a thousand beats per second. I feel nervous but also excited to see how Zeke has reacted to the images.

As soon as we step through the doors, the atmosphere changes. I seek Zeke out with my gaze and find him looking at his cell.

He gulps loudly, and his eyes widen. After a second, he turns to face me, face strained and eyes dilated. His chest heaves and his muscles are taut.

Abruptly, he stands, stalking over to me like the beast seeking his prey. I’m a sitting duck, frozen to the spot.

Everything around fades to nothingness, and as soon as he’s a couple of steps away, he licks his lips.

My eyes flicker shut as Zeke takes my face between his hands and his mouth descends on mine, branding me with a ferocious kiss. All I can hear is the blood pounding within my ears.

At some point, I drop my bags and grip his shirt as though it’s my only lifeline. Zeke sucks my bottom lip into his mouth and our eyes lock onto one another.

The world comes back into focus a while later and the catcalls send heat rushing to my cheeks. This is a pretty intimate moment to have in a bar full of people.

“Big man hasn’t lost his touch! Woo-hoo!”

“Ooooff! Ooooof! Ooooff! Yeah, baby! Can I get some of that?”

“What happened to sucking my lollipop?”

I can’t help but laugh as Zeke pulls me into his arms, flipping off our audience. I risk a look at London, who’s standing with her mouth hanging open.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asks, hurt lacing her tone.

“There’s nothing to tell, we’re just having fun.” Zeke freezes for a second, but I shake it off.

“C’mon, you better officially meet the pack of bastards.” He laughs.

I shoot London a weak smile, but she heads into the back room. I follow Zeke to meet the rest of the band.

“So, let me see if I got this.” I stand watching them all. “Blake and Jay are the twins… Blake is the joker and gives my friend shit.” I point at him and almost scowl.

“Guilty, but she loves it,” he replies.

“Jay is the quiet one unless he’s with you.” I grin, pointing at Blake. “Then y’all are impossible to be around.”

“We’re not impossible. We’re fucking awesome. Why you gotta be hating?” Jay fake sulks.

“That leaves Caleb, the moody one. You’re like the father of the group,” I tell.

Caleb raises an eyebrow. “The moody one?” He glares at Zeke.

“Well, aren’t you? I mean, I’ve just met you, and you make me feel moody being around you.” Everyone laughs. Even Grumpy Gus himself smirks.

“Oh, I like her.” Caleb slaps Zeke on the back, and I smile.

“So, you guys made any progress on what’s next for the band?”

All eyes turn to me.

“Are you trying to sell a story?” Jay squints and looks me up and down.

“What the fuck, Jay?” Zeke steps in front of me.

“What? Who asks questions like that, unless they wanna sell a story? We ~all~ learned the hard way on that one.”

“Erm…sorry. I was just wondering if you guys got done with what you planned. Nothing more, nothing less. I’ll leave y’all to it. I’m going to give London a hand.” I smile before walking off.

“Pails,” Zeke calls after me, and I give him a wink to say I’m okay.

I glance at them as little as possible for the next hour. But they get involved in heated discussions and there aren’t many other people in the bar to keep me occupied.

At one point, I feel my ears burning, which couldn’t have been anything good. Deciding to call a truce, I head over with a pitcher of beer.

“Thought you guys might need this?” I set four glasses and the pitcher on the table. A round of thanks along with a smile from Zeke come my way.

I smile back, then turn to leave. But Zeke grabs my hand, and his warmth fills me. I feel like a teenage girl suffering from her first crush.

“Paisley, I wanna apologize… I didn’t mean to sound like I don’t trust you,” Jay speaks, his head slightly lower, as if he is embarrassed or just that shy about talking to the opposite sex.

I nod, and Zeke pulls me onto his lap as London walks over to see how we’re all doing. She’s nervous to be near Blake. I notice him watching her when he thinks nobody’s looking.

“It’s fine, y’all don’t know me, and I get it.” But I want to know them. “Have y’all got plans for tomorrow?”

I look around the table.

Zeke’s hold on me is firmer than I would like, but I appreciate the silent support.

They all shake their heads in response to my question.

“We’re hosting a party, but apart from that, nope. What do you have in mind?” Jay smiles, and I wink at London.

“How do y’all feel about me kicking your asses at go-karting?”