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Xane flopped down on the bed and rolled onto his back.
Two seconds, and then he’d find some slouch pants and talk to her. Maybe she’d even listen and believe him when he told her what a bunch of arseholes the rest of the band were.
Chapter 9 (#ulink_9d4cf8c1-808c-565f-9251-98494341fcb0)
‘I brought you some water.’
Xane lay spread-eagled across the centre of the bed when Dani returned with the duvet. He didn’t move to acknowledge her arrival. Just lay there exposed with – how had he put it? – all his assets on display. And pretty glorious assets they were too. Not just his … his male bits, but the rest of him, pierced nipples, washboard abs, the swirls of black ink tattooed across his right thigh and other parts, and his … his cock. OK, her attention kept focusing in that direction, but how was any red-blooded woman supposed to resist when their idol was laid out like a gift? Most would have their phones out by now, capturing pictures. Dani didn’t require a photographic reminder; Xane’s image was now burned into her brain alongside the memory of him kissing her.
It didn’t matter that it hadn’t meant anything to him, because – oh, my fucking God – Xane Geist had kissed her.
Nope, she corrected herself. He hadn’t just kissed her. He’d outright propositioned her, and even knowing he was a player – hello, rock star – and regardless of what he’d said when he’d first invited her into his place, she was still ready to let him break her heart.
Dani bit her lip, trying to suppress the urge to molest him while he slept. She particularly wanted to follow that fascinating golden line of hairs that led down from his navel to the thicker bush around his cock. In fact, damn if she didn’t want to push her nose up against him and breathe in his scent too.
What the hell was wrong with her, thinking lewd thoughts about a comatose man? Remain calm, Dani. Keep it together. You’ve played it cool so far.
She tiptoed to the bedside and set down the drink she’d brought him. What a shame he hadn’t stayed awake to swallow it. He’d have a thumping headache in the morning.
‘Here.’ She tucked the duvet around his body. ‘You’ll get cold otherwise.’
Xane didn’t respond.
Maybe she ought to roll him into the recovery position, in case he was sick.
No. She’d leave him. That would be best. She’d go now and not touch him. Better that than for him to wake while she was manhandling him into position and had him across her lap.
‘Well, goodnight, Xane. I’ve enjoyed meeting you.’ She bent and pressed a dry kiss to his brow. ‘I won’t forget this.’
No, she’d be reliving tonight on a daily basis, imagining how things might have gone if he hadn’t passed out, and if she hadn’t been so timid. If she’d only touched him after he’d kissed her, or followed him into the shower, or even dried his back for him instead of standing dreaming of licking the water droplets from between his shoulder blades …
Damn him for sleeping. She wanted another chance. It wasn’t enough to say she’d met him, or that the sensation of his kiss had been imprinted onto her lips.
Maybe he’d forgive her for stealing one last keepsake. It wasn’t as if she intended to take anything that hadn’t already been offered.
Dani kissed her fingertips, meaning to blot them against Xane’s lips. But as she leaned towards him, she recalled the soft trace of his tongue and the odd pressure of his lip ring, and somehow her mouth met his. Even then, she meant only to press lightly before slipping away into the night.
One taste and her resolve broke. A tight spasm gripped her pussy. If only he’d awaken and kiss her back.
A mournful groan escaped her throat.
Xane stirred. Half-opened an eye.
Dani’s cheeks flamed and she tried to step backwards, but Xane’s hand slid into her hair and drew her closer again. ‘Hey,’ he drawled sleepily. ‘That’s not a proper goodbye kiss. Not that I know why you’d be giving such a thing.’ His lips parted beneath hers and sucked her with a firm but gentle pressure. The barest hint of his tongue tickled her senses. This is bad, she thought, even as she continued to fall deeper into his embrace. Her insides were molten. Dani longed to sink down on top of him so their bodies met, to feel his skin against hers. She wanted him to roll them both over so that he laid on top and his dark hair fell around them like a shroud. She wanted him. All of him. Wanted to know what bliss felt like, and not to be ashamed that she’d sought it out. Most of all, she wanted him to desire her as much as she desired him.
Xane took control. Sucking. Teasing her with tender nibbles.
Somehow, even though she knew this wasn’t sensible and though she tried – well, a little – she couldn’t pull away from his embrace. They might only have met for the first time tonight, but Dani couldn’t escape the belief that this man knew her. He understood. And the way he was kissing her, that wasn’t meaningless. It wasn’t only lust. He felt something, didn’t he? He kissed as if he was desperate, as if he was determined to cling on.
‘Stay,’ he urged. ‘Please.’
Dani took a deep steadying breath. She needed to get her brain switched on again.
‘I don’t know.’ Did he even properly remember who he was with? He was acting as if the love of his life were trying to leave him.
‘I do.’ His lips tipped upwards into a smile that showed just the tips of his eye teeth. ‘Just lie down beside me. If it’s what it takes, I’ll even promise to behave.’ He rolled, pulling her with him, so that she landed on her side in the middle of the bed. They faced one another, nose to nose. His hot breath puffed against her cheek.
‘Do you even know how to behave?’
‘Do I need to? Can you swear, hand on heart –’ he clasped her hand and pressed it to her chest ‘– that you want me to be … good?’
No. No way.
She guessed her lack of answer, or the sheen in her eyes, gave her away, for Xane pulled her tight against his body.
‘Wait,’ she gasped, before he devoured her. ‘Earlier you were adamant you didn’t want this.’
‘I never said that. I said, I didn’t want to be groped by someone who didn’t know crap about me.’
‘I don’t know you.’ She didn’t. Not really.
An irritable scowl briefly contorted his expression. ‘Don’t you? You seem to know me more than most.’ He coaxed her under the covers, where he sucked on her lips again, this time stealing both her breath and her senses. ‘Stay.’ He rolled onto his back, pulling her with him so that her head rested upon his chest. His hand remained in her hair, combing through the silken strands in a reassuring manner. ‘Please.’
Dani lifted her chin in order to look at him and caught another glimpse of his inner sadness. She knew then that she couldn’t leave. She’d always wanted to know the real him. The man behind the stage mask; the person responsible for all those impassioned lyrics she related to on so many levels. How could she not take the opportunity to know him better, even if she wasn’t entirely sure he was completely himself?
‘What are you so afraid of?’ he asked.
That their entire relationship would be played out in one paltry night, or even an hour. That he’d hurt her without ever meaning to. And that she’d be found out and punished for it.
‘I’m not actually a prince of darkness. That is, unless you want me to be.’
‘I’d rather you were just you.’
‘Would you?’ he whispered into her hair, so low she strained to hear him. ‘Then you’re the only one.’ He swept a hand down her arm, until he found her hand and clasped it tight. ‘Hold me, Dani.’
‘I’m not sure I …’ Daringly, she spread her fingers wide across his chest. Xane smiled encouragingly. He squeezed her arm. ‘Kiss me.’
She dropped a kiss upon his nose; rained soft kisses upon his face. Xane caught her, supped upon her lips. Boy, did this man know how to kiss. He turned her insides to jelly with only the curl of his tongue.
Dani shrugged aside her normal reserve. The skin across Xane’s chest was smooth and firm, warm too, animated by the persistent thump of his heartbeat. He seemed to like the way her caresses skittered over his body. Leastways, he did nothing to stop her exploration, until her attention wandered below his navel, stroking that slender line of golden fuzz. Then his stomach muscles abruptly twitched.
‘Careful,’ he warned.
Dani snatched her hand away.
‘I didn’t say don’t. Put your hand back. Just be aware of where you’re headed, that’s all.’
‘I am aware.’
‘Sure about that? Then you’d better know that I’m wide-awake.’
Dani rose up on her elbows so that she could look down at his face. ‘You don’t seem very awake.’ Actually, while his eyes still possessed a slightly glazed sheen, he did seem significantly more conscious than he’d been a few minutes ago.
‘Some bits are more alert than others.’
‘Then maybe I shouldn’t touch you there.’
‘I think you definitely should.’
He stroked a hand through her long hair until his palm rested over her lower back. The pressure set Dani’s tensed nerves ablaze.
What was she doing, pretending she could flirt with this man and in any way hope to win? He had the potential to burn her so badly there’d be nothing left but a melted gooey blob.
‘You’re trembling,’ he observed.
‘Am not.’ She cuffed him lightly, although it was true.
‘I dare you.’
‘You dare me to what?’
‘Act on the naughty thoughts you’re thinking.’
Dani put her hand back where it had been on his stomach, which caused Xane to suck in air between his teeth. His eyelids closed, as she began tracing concentric circles around his belly button. She knew this wasn’t what he’d meant, but she’d never really done this before. She’d hardly dared to move with the other guys she’d been with.
‘What do you want me to do?’
‘Whatever you’re comfortable with. It’s nice being with somebody who actually wants me.’
Dani rubbed her cheek against his chest. Even after his shower, the scent of his body proved enough to intoxicate. OK. She was going to take him at his word and seize this opportunity. She leaned over him and tongued the silver hoop through his nipple.
The ring turned beneath her mouth.
‘Yeah,’ he groaned. ‘Again.’
‘You like that?’
‘I like you.’
‘How much?’
His hands skimmed over her lower back, coming to rest across the top of her ass. ‘Keep doing that and maybe I’ll demonstrate.’
‘Only maybe.’ She sucked harder, tugging at the cool metal. Xane’s hips bucked right off the bed, lifting her too.
‘All right, definitely. Now come up here.’ He bucked again, trying to nudge her up towards his head.
‘I like it here.’
‘You’re torment, lady. I’ve another bit that needs your attention a whole lot more than my nipples.’
‘Let me guess, it’s long and thick and …’ And somehow she was saying things that normally she only ever thought, and never actually voiced.
Xane traced a heart-shape over the pulse point in his throat. ‘Come and kiss me here.’
Dani shimmied upwards a fraction to reach.
‘Mmm.’ His appreciation rolled through his body. Shivers of ecstasy chased through his limbs, and he tightened his arms, holding her against him. ‘Harder. Go on, mark me.’
Mark him!
‘Claim me.’
Dani had never understood the appeal of love bites.
‘Please,’ Xane whimpered, then grew stiff as she obliged. ‘Make me yours.’
Even now, when he turned his head to better expose his neck, and his sighs took on the heat of orgasm, she didn’t entirely get it. Tomorrow the mark would be a solid black bruise for the whole world to see. Yet there was no denying the impact on Xane’s libido. The harder she bit, the more he seemed to like it. ‘Yes! Harder. Yes. Don’t be afraid. Give it to me.’ He’d lost all hint of civility. ‘Touch me,’ he begged.
Dani didn’t need to ask where. She understood before his hand found hers and guided her downwards. He filled her palm with his heat, while she nibbled and licked at the bruise she’d made.
He showed her how to move, how to draw her hand all the way up from base to tip and curl her thumb over the head, using the drops of moisture leaking from his body to lubricate the journey.
‘Is it only on your neck you like to be bitten?’
‘I might have a few other sweet spots.’ He lifted his hips in time with the slide of her hand.
Dani stretched upwards, seeking out his mouth, which opened eager to devour her.
Whoa – he was super-eager. His hands were all over her, making a frantic attempt to find a way inside her clothing.
‘Hands off,’ she insisted, holding his wrists still on either side of his head. ‘Slow down, you’ll get your turn. Now, me first.’
He sought her gaze, clearly comprehending her intentions.
‘Let me do this for you, Xane.’
‘You don’t have to do anything.’
No, she didn’t, but he wanted her to regardless of what he was saying. She could see it in his eyes: bold excitement, and a hint of desperation. If she didn’t touch him, he’d die, but it would be no little death. ‘I’ve dreamed about doing this.’
Without further prevarication, Dani shimmied down the bed so that her head lay level with Xane’s hip.
Whore! She could already hear her mother wailing in despair over how dirty she’d become. It’s not wrong, she wanted to yell back. It’s not. It’s perfectly normal to want to do this. Especially for him.
Xane was every fantasy she’d ever had made flesh.
‘You’re pretty big.’ No way was she going to fit all of him in her mouth.
