Page 9 of Bulletproof
“Is that what you wanted to show me?” Travis asked, referring to the three-way happening on the couch.
“No.”
“Then why are we watching them?”
That fucking teasing smile on Travis’ face tested Derek’s willpower. He lowered his voice to a raspy whisper that oozed sex, and played Travis’game. “I want to show you my Klipsch.”
Travis smiled wider. “I’d love to see your Klipsch. Where is it?”
Derek wanted to grab his crotch and thrust it at Travis, but something made him stop. The alcohol had numbed his brain, and he couldn’t remember why he was hesitating.
“Are you gonna show it to me, or not?” Travis asked, impatiently. “Because I reallywant to see it.”
Derek gulped as he stared into those expressive brown eyes, so filled with mischief and taunting rebellion. He reached for Travis’ face, intent on kissing him so hard the guy would need dental work, but Travis turned his head.
“I see your Klipsch, and it’s beautiful.” Travis gazed lovingly at the powerful speakers that were responsible for Corey Taylor’scrystal clear vocals filling the room withSong #3from Stone Sour’s Hydrograd album – silly name for the track, but a rad fucking song. Travis ran his hand along the black cabinet that housed the twin eight-inch copper-spun IMG woofers, and gave Derek a devilish smile. “Your Klipsch is a beast.”
A rush of energy and heat covered Derek’s chest, and he smiled back. They slowly rockedtheir heads to the tune of the song as their eyes remained locked on one another. Derek wanted to touch this man. Kiss him. Push him to his knees. Holding back and exercising restraint were foreign things to Derek. He hadn’t bothered with something like that since before he was famous, a mere teen utilizing the archaic ritual of courtship and flirtation. A rising star in his own right, Travis wasn’there with the intention of fucking a famous rock star. Travis was here for drinks and a good time, like they were sharing right now, and obviously to torture Derek with mixed signals.
Pantera’sWalkfollowed as the next song on Derek’s playlist. The powerful speakers pulsed the contagious beat of the classic song through Derek’s veins, which pushed the dilemma about what to do withTravis from his head. Instinctually, his hands clutched an imaginary guitar, working the chords on an invisible fret board and running a fictitious pick over the spot where guitar strings usually sat across his hip. The momentum of the music carried him away, and he jumped on top of the coffee table and rocked the hell out of his air guitar.
Using a beer bottle as a mic, Travis jumpedonto the coffee table next to Derek and sang along with the lyrics. Eyes locked and connected by the music, they held each other’s gaze like they were the only ones in the room. Derek bit his bottom lip and jutted his hips forward, pulling on an imaginary whammy bar, while Travis leaned toward Derek as he delivered a killer rendition of one of the most covered songs in heavy metal. When the songcame to an end, the room erupted into a thunderous round of applause.
As they stepped down from the coffee table, Travis slung his arm around Derek’s neck, a wide grin plastered across his face. “That was fucking awesome.” As if someone flipped a switch, Travis’ eyes turned serious and intense. “You’re really cool, man.”
“I’m cool?” Derek raised his brows. “Who had theballs to climb up to the Hollywood sign the other night, drunk as fuck at four in the morning?”
“I guess that would be me,” Travis bragged. “But you were right there alongside me. And you’re the one who started a fire.”
“I’m no angel.”
“Good.” The cutest crooked smile spread across Travis’ face. “I like bad boys.”
“Derek! I need you!” Felix’svoice sliced through the room like a buzz saw. The impatient manager looked exasperated as he raced toward Derek. “The audio tech wants to speak to you.”
“Now?” The curl in Derek’s upper lip conveyed his annoyance.
“Yes, now. It will only take five minutes.”
“You got the worst fucking timing, Felix.”
“I know. I’m sorry to interrupt.” Felix glancedat Travis. “It’s important.”
“Let’s make it quick.” Derek’s gaze softened as he rested his eyes on Travis, not wanting to leave the man. “Sorry. I’ll be right back. Don’t disappear on me. I didn’t finish the grand tour.”
Travis nodded. “I’ll be around.”
Felix took Derek by the arm and led him away.
“Thanks a lot, Felix.” Annoyed, Derek shookhis arm free. “It couldn’t wait until sound check tomorrow? This is a party.Myparty. Onmytime.”
Felix stopped walking and looked sharply at Derek. “I’m going to be blunt about this, and I don’t care if you get mad. I don’t think you should get involved with Travis Fontana.”
“That’s none of your business. That’s my personal life.”
“When you’re on tour,it is my business. We only have a month left on the road, Derek. Don’t screw things up now.”
“Nothing’s going on. And even if it were, we don’t need your permission. We’re adults.”
