Page 48 of Final Serenade

“You’re a beautiful young woman, Cassy,” Frank said against my mouth. “I want to keep seeing you.”

He rendered me speechless. The offer was so simple yet so complicated.

“Do you mind refilling this?” I handed him my glass.

“Absolutely, but don’t blame me for the mean hangover.”

When the limo finally pulled into my apartment complex, I was pleasantly buzzed. Frank and I had been discussing the Zombie Annihilation set. Apparently, he’d watched several bands perform before leaving the venue and had been thoroughly impressed with some.

“I don’t believe the name does their music justice.” He took the empty glass from me.

“Speaking of music. I’ve been thinking about your demo…” my voice trailed off. My head felt like it was floating through a cottony heaven.

“Oh yeah?” Curiosity flashed in his eyes.

“I think ‘Awake’ would sound great as an acoustic version.”

Frank stared at me intensely.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to step on your turf. I’m not a songwriter. This is just my honest opinion as a fan.” My tongue didn’t seem to follow the commands of my brain. A mix of champagne and sexual tension had turned me into a blabbering mess.

“Fans’ opinions are important.” He motioned at the interior of the limo, adding, “As a matter of fact, those opinions are paying for all this. I’d hate to disappoint people who’ve been waiting for new music from us for over seven years.”

“You won’t. It’s going to be a hit no matter what you and your bandmates decide to do.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

I reached for my bag. Saying goodbye to Frank was going to be harder than I thought.

He leaned in for a kiss, and our mouths met. It was enough for me to lose what remained of my mind. “Do you want to come…in?” I asked.

He drew back, blue eyes studying me for a brief second. Then his hand grabbed a hold of mine and placed it against the erection straining under his tight jeans. “Yes. I believe Ineedto come in, Cassy.” The husk of his voice made the flesh on my arms and neck break out with goosebumps.

My head spun and my heart thundered. I thought about the insurance rumor. It made me wonder if the man was conceited enough to insure his cock.You’re drunk, missy. It’s not like he’s Ron Jeremy.

I withdrew my palm from his bulge to pick up my bag and pushed the door of the limo open. The air was warm against my skin. The street was quiet.

I heard the faint squeak of leather as he slid across the seat and stepped outside. The heat of his body engulfed me. His long fingers laced with mine.

“You gave me the wrong address?” Frank noted the building numbers as I quickly led him through the empty courtyard of my apartment complex.

“I’m careful,” I explained. “You could have been a psycho.”

“Who said I’m not?” He surveyed the property as we ran up the stairs to the second floor. “Who are your neighbors?”

“What do you mean?”

“Any chance they listen to my band?”

“I think a few people in this building might. The couple next door is retired. They’re more The Stones and Roger Waters fans. I did hear them listen to some Judas Priest once.”

We reached my apartment and I dropped my bag on the ground to unlock the door. Frank steered me to the wall. My back pressed against the rough concrete, keys still in the curl of my palm. Ravenous, he captured my mouth, his groin meeting mine. His rock solid chest brushed my breasts. My nipples hardened against the padded fabric of my Victoria's Secret bra. There was nothing gentle about this kiss and I loved it. I loved the adrenaline rush and the thrill of the danger of being caught. My tongue responded to the wild strokes of his with drunk, unrestrained ferocity.

“My apartment only has one bedroom,” I slurred, running my hand up his muscular arm.

“Number of bedrooms or their size won’t dictate the quality of our sex. I perform just as well in small spaces.”

His wet lips stretched into a smile against mine. He weakened his grasp to give me a chance to unlock the door, then pulled me back into the kiss. Our feet shuffled across the threshold. Our bodies were burning. On edge. I still couldn’t believe I’d had enough guts to ask Frank to come in. My place was a mess, full of useless stuff like posters and band merch. Plus, I’d been reorganizing the living room to prepare for Ashton’s arrival.

---