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The Monday blues clawed their way into Asher’s mind and gripped him hard.
They’d flown back to Chicago from Rhode Island the night before. He’d dropped Heather off at her apartment with a kiss he didn’t want to end.
And then she’d been gone.
These in-between tour promotional gigs were always the hardest to recover from because they were so sporadic and scattered across the country. Not to mention, it had been a while since the band had gone out on the road. It would take him a little while to adjust.
He was sitting in Burt’s office downtown, flanked by Lucas and Trevor. Burt folded his hands in front of him on the desk and narrowed his eyes.
“We have to slay the crowd tonight, boys. It’s essential. We really want to boost sales on this new album, and you’re on your home turf. There is no room for errors and no excuse to not to make the fans lose their minds.”
Burt paused and waited for a reaction.
“Don’t ever say slay again. Promise me. Promise me you’ll never say it again.” Lucas’ face scrunched with amusement.
Asher kept a smile from his face. Burt didn’t look in any mood for teasing today. You never know what you were going to get with him, but one thing was for sure. You knew when he wasn’t in the mood for taking any shit.
Henry pursed his lips into a thin line. “If you don’t like the way I talk, perhaps you should find yourselves a new manager.”
It may or may not be an empty threat, depending on just how crabby Burt was. He made too much money representing Infinity Prism.
“We’re going to tear the house down, Burt. Don’t worry.” Trevor placated him.
“Good.” Henry seemed pleased enough, at least temporarily.
He stood up; his formal gesture to let them know the meeting was adjourned. Asher couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
He drove his own car back home and called Heather as soon as he parked in his garage.
“Hello?” She said. Her voice was a cheery breath of fresh air, just what he had needed. Ever since she sucked him dry that night back at the Providence hotel room, he couldn’t stop thinking about her.
He wanted to reach his hand through her wet panties and push his fingers inside of her warm slit. He swallowed hard as the visual nearly knocked him over.
“Hi, Heather.” His voice cracked with desire.
“I heard about your show tonight,” she said.
“Really?” He asked.
“I saw posters up on the brick buildings by the arena,” she mentioned casually.
“Good. Then come with me tonight.”
“Only if I can have front row.” Her voice was light and teasing, but hell, he would probably give her whatever she wanted.
His heart flipped. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Just tell me when to be there,” she said.
“You can meet us backstage at seven. Just wear that same press pass from the lanyard I gave you,” he instructed.
“I’ve still got it tucked away in my purse.”
“I can’t wait to see you.” He ended the call, reluctantly. Tonight couldn’t come fast enough.
His mood throughout the rest of the day improved. Heather had some kind of magical spell over him. He closed his eyes and imagined her lips wrapped around his manhood. He had a warm sensation that splashed through his stomach to the rest of his body.
She was delicious. Thank goodness he was hungry with a bottomless appetite for sexy women. Heather absolutely knew how to rope him in.
***
LATER THAT NIGHT, ASHER scanned the crowd until his eyes locked in on Heather. There she was, just as promised, smiling at him from a sea of fans eager to have a taste of their new album. He had met her backstage and given her a private kiss in his dressing room. It had been enough to get him through the show at least, but his body ached for her.
After the show, she draped her arms around him when they had a moment alone. “You were amazing,” she crooned.
“Be careful,” he said and took a step back. “I am dripping with sweat.” He didn’t want to shrug her off, but he didn’t want to soak her either.
“I don’t mind it,” she whispered delicately into his ear. “I think it’s sexy.”
If he didn’t change the subject in a hurry, he’d probably push her against the wall and— “Did you know that there have been many legendary stars who have played in this arena?”
“Really?” Heather seemed genuinely curious.
“Yep.” Asher nodded and then pointed to a picture down the hall. “The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, just to name a couple.”
“Wow.” Heather looked at the pictures on the wall. Asher knew by the way her mouth parted that she was impressed. “Do you think your band will ever be on this wall and referred to as legendary?”
Asher pushed his hands into his pockets and sighed. “I don’t know, but the prospect certainly sounds amazing.”
“You are really talented,” Heather mentioned with a heartfelt smile. “You all are.”
“I love that you think so.”
Her eyes shimmered. “Your teacher was smart to pay for your lessons.”
The admission touched him. “I wish he was still around, so I could thank him just one last time.” He glanced at the floor. “I thanked him all the time. It never really felt like it was enough though.”
“I’m sure he appreciated how grateful you were.” Her voice was soft; her eyes seeming to stare into his soul. Her eyes stared through Asher with a pulse of seduction.
“You have an incredible story,” Heather blurted out impulsively.
“I’m just one of the guys,” Asher shrugged. He didn’t need to be made to feel special. Everyone in the band had worked damn hard to get where they were.
“No...” Heather argued. “You are different.”
He caught her eyes. Saw a spark of determination there.
Heather studied him. “How would you like it if I suggested a story to my producer on your rise to fame?”
Asher took a step back. Her request surprised him. “Why would you want to do that?”
“I just think the average fan would love to hear about what you went through to achieve your goals. Everyone loves an inspirational story.”
“Would you be the reporter?” Asher didn’t mean to sound cynical, but she had told him before that she was a Production Assistant.
“Probably not,” Heather said regretfully. She leaned her back against the wall and was quiet.
“The guys and I are a team. It wouldn’t be right to only showcase me. Everything we do, we do together.”
Heather shrugged as if she was willing to drop the idea. “I understand. It was just a thought, really.”
“I can talk to the others,” Asher promised. “If it would mean a lot to you.”
“To be honest,” Heather chuckled. “It might help my career.”
“Well, anything to help—”
“Although I want to be clear,” Heather interrupted. She placed her hand on Asher’s arm. Her touch sent tingles of pleasure up and down his spine. “I am not suggesting it for my own benefit. I just thought that people might be interested in the Asher Quest story. You know the history of where it all began.” She held her hands up for a wow factor.
Asher set his jaw. “There are things about my past I don’t like.”
Heather squeezed his arm. “Don’t we all?”
She had a point.
“You’d be willing to do a story including the entire band?”
“Of course. If they’re willing to show a little bit of themselves that are raw, emotional. Good for winning their fan’s hearts.”
He visibly relaxed.
“I’ll ask the other guys what they think about doing a coverage story,” he promised.
“Awesome.” That seemed to satisfy her.
“Do you want to see something cool?” He asked as an idea came to him. He wanted to change the subject. He didn’t want to feel suspicious, but something about Heather’s request to do a story didn’t sit well with him. He needed to let the offer settle a little before he even attempted to bring up the subject with the rest of his band mates.
“Absolutely.” Heather beamed.
“It’s back at my house,” he admitted.
Heather’s stare sizzled through him and rocked him to the core. “Okay.” She sounded slightly apprehensive but nodded. “Sure. I’m not doing anything tonight.”
“I promise it will be worth your while,” he said and gave her an enhanced smile that he hoped she would find charismatic and charming.
She blushed and shifted her weight. “Well...I’ve already spent the night with you in a hotel room...” she trailed off as if she was justifying the situation for herself, but it somehow felt different this time.
He clasped his hand over hers and gently tugged. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course.” Heather’s eyes sparkled with wonderment. She didn’t even hesitate.
He surged with passion. He had to kiss her. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. There was that perfect cinnamon taste again. She was perfection.
They trotted down the hallway towards the back of the arena. It was a balmy night, which would work perfectly for the activity he had planned for them. The ride over to his apartment building was thick with sexual anticipation that Asher was itching to fulfill.
“You enjoy living on the edge, don’t you?”
He glanced over at Heather. Her eyes pierced through the darkness as she stared at him with an earnest smile.
“Are you calling me a daredevil?” He laughed.
“Maybe.” She shrugged. “I like your style. I appreciate a guy who acts on things without giving it too much thought.”
Asher pondered her analysis of him and whether or not she was on target. In some ways, she had him figured out, but he was much more than that inside.
“I only think things through when it really counts,” he clarified.
It must have been the right answer. Heather smiled and squeezed his hand.
The driver stopped in front of Asher’s apartment building and pulled up beside the curb. They exited the car and hurried into the lobby. He was relieved there weren’t any paparazzi in sight.
“We got lucky there aren’t any sharks in the water,” he said and glanced over at her as they rode the private elevator up to his floor.
He unlocked the door and was instantly hit with a blast of air conditioning fresh air. He preferred to keep his house cool. His eyes wandered over to Heather’s chest. She smiled when he got the reaction he wanted. Her nipples were perky and showing through her shirt. He wanted to peel her shirt off and pull a hard nipple into his mouth and suck.
“Would you like a drink?”
“Only if its water,” she purred back. “I’d better keep my wits about me until I know what you’re up to.”
He grinned. “Fair enough.”
Handing her a cool bottle of water, he curled his finger. “Follow me to the roof.”
“Ooh, the roof. Sounds promising!”
The headed up a double set of steps. “Watch your step.” He took her hand and guided her up. Pushing open the door to the roof, Asher moved aside to let her out first. Her face lit up as her mouth parting in awe.
“Wow,” she said and did a slow spin. “This is breathtaking!”
“You can see the whole city,” Asher mentioned proudly. “I love it just like this at night, when everything is glowing.”
Heather glanced over the rooftop. “The lights look like little floating fireflies from all the way up here.” She smiled.
Her hair billowed around her against the gentle breeze. Her beauty suspended the air in his lungs. Heather turned around to glance at the reflecting pool in the center of the rooftop slab. It was shimmering in an inviting turquoise color, all lit up and wonderous.
“I have to share this swimming pool with an older couple,” Asher mentioned. “They hardly ever come out here, especially if they see me and my friends are utilizing the space, so we don’t necessarily have to worry about them coming out here. Besides, I’m sure they probably go to bed at seven o’clock anyway.”
Heather tucked a strand of loose black hair behind her ear. She didn’t seem bothered. “Can I dip my legs in the water?” she asked and peered up at him.
“Of course, you can.” He smiled and took her hand. “Come over here.”
Heather’s forehead wrinkled. “You aren’t going to toss me in when I least expect it are you?”
“Asher laughed. “No, I’d like you to keep seeing me.”
Heather gave him a playful grin. “Well, well, you’re smarter than I gave you credit for.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Those might be fighting words, ma’am.”
“Oh, really?”
He moved as if he might throw her in after all. Heather diverted with a squeal of delight. He put his palms up in a sign of truce.
“Do you mind if I jump in though?” Asher asked.
Heather made a grand wave with her arm. “After you, sir.”
He started to strip, fully aware that her eyes widened.
Asher grinned. “What? You don’t expect me to dive in wearing my clothes, do you?”
He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it, along with his jeans and boxers onto one of the lawn chairs beside him. He dove in on the deep end, creating a loud splash. The water was warmer than he expected. He reemerged above the surface and wiped the wetness from his eyes. He smiled as he watched Heather’s reaction.
“The water feels amazing. It’s super warm. “He continued to tread water. “You should join me,” he said. “It will be worth your while.” It was a promise that he hoped she’d take advantage of.
“You seriously want me to go skinny dipping with you?” Heather pointed him to him as if he was crazy.
“Of course, I do.” Asher chuckled and swam closer to her. He held onto her ankles but loosely. She shrieked and stumbled backwards but didn’t fall.
“You’re beautiful, funny, great company. Why wouldn’t I want your gorgeous naked body in the water with me?”
She did a double take as if he’d stunned her with his admission. “You really are a bad boy, aren’t you?”
“Get in the pool, Heather and I’ll show you just how bad I can be.”