Page 66 of Totally Off Limits

As they began playing a heavy rhythmic song, Sierra allowed herself to look at Mickey. The man was playing his bass, focused on his fingers. In the past, she’d seen plenty of videos and pictures showing him looking at the audience while playing, but this was new material, possibly needing more attention for accuracy. But it allowed her to really gaze upon him without feeling self-conscious.

Even with his shorter haircut, the man was a sight to behold. His biceps looked fuller, his tattoos brighter and darker on stage; his expression seemed lighter as he played, reminding Sierra of the one thing that had always attracted her to him, even as kids. Even though he’d had a shitty life, he’d always hung on to hope—and it was something she could see in his eyes, on his face.

It made her love him.

Stop it.

The song was brutal and pounding, and the crowd loved it, already throwing up metal devil’s horns and shaking their fists. Sierra only hoped there would be no moshing, because there was no room for it. But the audience really lost their shit when Johnny started playing a solo that had his fingers flying over the fretboard until ending close to the body of the guitar as the final notes screamed, beautiful in the poignant feeling it evoked.

As Johnny stepped back from the stage a bit, Katie said, “That’s my man!”

Not to be outdone, Heather shouted back, “Yeah, well, there’smyman.” The timing was perfect as Kiefer began pouring his heart out into the final verse of the song.

Sierra tried not to look at Mickey, but the two women’s words made it difficult. Fortunately, even her blushing couldn’t be seen in the dimmer lighting offstage.

Heather, however, wasn’t content in letting it lie right there. “In another year, you’ll be saying the same thing, girl!”

Trying to hide the sudden apprehension she felt, she wondered if her adoration of the rock god in front of her was that obvious. If her mother saw her right now, what would the older woman think?

Did that even matter?

At an attempt at appearing casual, Sierra laughed and nodded, returning her eyes to the band—specificallynotMickey. But one thing she knew for certain was that she’d missedthis—the companionship of women.

Offriends.

If you chose Mickey, you could have that.

Pushing all thoughts out of her mind, Sierra grinned at her temporary friends before turning her gaze back to the rockstar she’d soon be waving goodbye to.

For good, no matter what the little devil on her shoulder had to say.

CHAPTER23

“Babe, I loved having your eyes on me all night.”

“Egotistical much?” Sierra teased, touching Mickey’s shoulder with her fingers.

“You can deny it, but I saw you.”

On a whim, Sierra got on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek—but he pulled her close and when his lips met hers, a fire flamed inside her. “Maybe I peeked a little.”

“Yeah, I know.” Rubbing his nose against hers, he said, “This was a pretty mellow gig, but I still got sweaty. I need to shower.”

“I guess I’ll get out of your hair then.”

With a devilish grin that made his eyes twinkle, he said, “I was hoping you’d join me.”

Just one more night. That couldn’t hurt, right? Sierra shrugged a shoulder as if she couldn’t decide.

“Is that ayes?”

Sierra really thought about it then. Whispering, she asked, “Do they even have showers here?” The last thing she wanted to do was get naked backstage. Knowing there were burly bikers and a bar full of drunk idiots wasn’t conducive to arousal—even though Mickey looked good enough to eat.

But it was as if he could read her mind—or, perhaps, it was the expression on her face. “Not here. This place ain’t good enough for my girl.” Straightening his spine, Mickey turned from their spot in the doorway to inside the room where his bandmates and a few close friends were talking. “Guys, Sierra and me are outta here.”

“What? We’re too boring for you?” Kiefer asked, a grin on his face.

“Yeah, that’s it.”

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