Stricken Desire (4 page)

He nods. “I’ve never seen anyone stand up to
Johnathan like that. Most of us have wanted to kick his ass one
time or another. But you just did.” He smiles wide. “I just can’t
believe it. You’re seriously my hero.”

I snort a laugh and shoot back another shot
the brunette bartender slides my way.

I ride back in a different Mercedes smashed
between Keith and Duncan the bands drummer. It was a quiet ride
considering I think Keith was still in and awe and I’m sure Duncan
might be pissed.

“Where are your sex partners?” I ask them
both looking side to side.

“Mine is supposed to be meeting me back at
the bus. Didn’t have room for her in here and I don’t want to have
to find her a ride home.” Duncan answers.

“No sex for me.” Keith chimes in with a
smirk, kicking his black motorcycle boot on top of his knee.
Settles back into the seat of the car and stretches his arm over
the back.

The car stops right outside the bus and Keith
slides out first and Duncan gets out opposite of me. I wait for
them to enter the bus when I am grabbed by the arm and drug over to
the side of the bus by Stacy and he looks flipping pissed.

“Would you like to tell me what happened back
there?” he asks his mouth is firm I think he’s trying not to scream
at me.

“Why don’t you ask Johnathan? Or should I say
Mr. Womanzing asshole.” I shoot back.

“This little attitude you’ve got going on Em
has got to go.” He shakes his finger at me.

Jesus, I’m not in first grade here. Stop
treating me like a child.

“Listen Stacy I love you. I’m not trying to
be a pain. But I refuse to be treated that badly. I mean, come on
I’ve put up with a lot of shit from men over the years because I
won’t sleep with them but this it much worse. He taunts me and
degrades me and I warned him. And he wouldn’t stop so I taught him
a lesson.”

“Oh you taught him a lesson alright. You
nearly broke his nose.” He blurts his tone dripping in
resentment.

“But I didn’t, did I?”

“No you didn’t but I am sure it’s going to
swollen and black and blue. We have another show in two days in
Tucson I just hope it looks better by then.”

“And what if it doesn’t? Does it matter that
much? Women are still going to throw themselves at his feet. The
damage to his nose might make him hotter. Women like to nurse men
back to health” I state rather bluntly rolling my eyes.

“No it doesn’t that much. But you don’t know
him Em and what’s gone on in his life that makes him the dick he
is. If I were you I’d lay off.” His tone softens. Finally.

“I didn’t ask to be treated badly Stacy and I
didn’t start it. He did.” I point my finger to the back of the bus
where I know his room is located. “I am sorry he has been through
some shit. I can’t change that. Everyone has baggage. But just
because he’s been hurt doesn’t mean he has a right to treat me that
way.”

“I never said it did.” He shrugs with a sigh.
“All I am saying is if you plan on sticking around that you try to
be a little more understanding. Johnathan is the way he is because
of a lot of shit he’s been through and because he’s a rock god just
amplifies it.”

“Okay I will try to be nicer. I am sorry. I
shouldn’t have punched him.”

“Don’t tell me that Em, tell him.” He says
pointing to the same place I did.

I dismiss myself from my pissed off but very
handsome best friend and go back into the bus to dress for bed. I
step three feet into the living room and moans fill the air. Two
men’s and a couple women’s. Welcome to the world of living with
rock stars.

I find my bunk and pull out my bag. I pray I
don’t see any body parts. I know there are women in those bunks and
that’s where all the sex is coming from because I don’t hear any
noise coming from Johnathan’s room. So I stop by the bathroom and
take off my bra and slip into a pair of flower boxers and a baggy
orange t-shirt.

I tuck my clothes back into the suitcase I
have left sitting on the dining table by the kitchen and decide now
is as good as time as ever to tell Johnathan I shouldn’t have
socked him in the face. But do I want to? No. But I am only doing
it because it will make Stacy happy.

I walk over to his closed bedroom door. It
has a mirror on the back. So when I knock I can see myself
knocking. Kind of creepy I lightly knock three times.

“Hey what are you doing?” I turn around and
see Keith is talking to me.

“I told Stacy I would apologize for punching
Johnathan.” I shrug.

“Ok.” He whispers and the sex moans get
louder.

I’m fairly certain I hear a woman orgasm and
I hear who I am sure is Duncan saying “Oh yeah baby take it all.”
And she says post orgasm. “God, you’re so hot and so big.” I cover
my mouth holding back a giggle and I look up at Keith and he’s
doing the same. But when I gaze down, Keith has a boner a rather
big one attempting to break free of his jeans. He notices I am
looking and shoots me a sly smile before cupping his package so I
can’t stare anymore. What a shame. Okay not really. I haven’t seen
many cocks, so each one I do see is rather interesting. If that’s
the proper word to use. Shit I have no clue.

I rotate back around and Johnathan is
standing in the doorway behind me, hands gripping the top of the
door frame. I didn’t hear him open the door. Well with the moans I
am sure I couldn’t. Jesus his nose is all bandaged up and he’s
wearing nothing but a pair of black silk boxers. His entire torso
is ripped and the V at his hips is swoon worthy. I can’t help
myself from staring. Most of his chest and part of his stomach is
covered in more tattoos. Yep, even though he’s a jerk he’s still
hot.

“What do you want Emily? Are you here to
gloat?” Johnathan asks. His voice is hoarse and deeper than I
remember.

“No, can I come in and talk?” I ask playing
up sweetest voice I can conjure up. Damnit, looking at him all
banged up because of me is making me feel like a piece of shit.

“Do I have a choice?”

“Yes, Johnathan you have a choice.”

He smiles and it’s not a dick head one. “Say
that again.”

“Say what again?” I ask confused.

“My name.” He smiles again.

“Why?”

“Because, just do it.” He demands. And the
asshole is back.

“Fine if it means I can talk to you.
Johnathan.”

“Say it again.”

I so want to stomp my foot on the ground like
a damn five-year-old. This is getting ridiculous.

“Johnathan, Johnathan, Johnathan.” I repeat
and he sighs a big sigh and moves out of the doorway for me to
enter his bedroom.

“Now what do you want Emily?” he asks rather
nicely resting himself against the wall of his bedroom. Tucking his
arms across his broad chest. I plop myself down onto his rather
soft bed. The blue comforter is still tucked into place telling me
he hasn’t been sleeping yet.

“I, Johnathan.” I smile and so does he. “Want
to say I am sorry for hitting you. I know that wasn’t nice of me. I
am NOT sorry for being a bitch because you deserved it. But
punching you like that was uncalled-for and for that I am very very
sorry. I just hope we can get past all this and have a semi
functional working relationship.”

“What if I don’t want one?”

“One what?”

“A working relationship.”

“Oh…. Well, I can quit.” I slump. “I know
that’s what you wanted and I think after punching you. I probably
deserve that.” My lip turns down into a pout and I stare at the
floor, my hands resting on my knees.

“That’s not what I meant woman and you know
it.”

I glance up bemused. “Um… no I don’t and can
you decide what you’re going to call me Johnathan because one
minute I’m short stack, another minute I’m woman and occasionally
you use my name.”

“I like short stack. I think it’s a cute pet
name.” He smirks darkly.

“I’m not your pet asshole.” I mutter.

“See you want me to call you something nice
which I think short stack is better than Bitch, because that’s what
you’ve been to me since you walked through that bus door. But to
you I’m an asshole and a dickhead and all those other wonderful
things you’ve named me. Those are the worst terms of endearment
I’ve ever heard.” He chuckles.

And I have this sudden urge to slap him
again. Man my emotions around this man are like a freaking roller
coaster. He gets to me bad and it’s not in a good way at all. Now
Keith that’s a good way and Stacy well he’s my best friend so it’s
different but good. Now Johnathan. HELL to the NO.

“Listen I’m sorry I hit you. Don’t make me
regret saying that because Stacy will kill me. Call me whatever you
want. I don’t care Johnathan. But what I call you is never meant to
be taken in any nice way. Trust me terms of endearment will NEVER
be spoken to you out of these lips.” I point to my mouth while I
pop my lips together. “I like myself to much to sleep with or touch
you in any way shape or form. Let alone get to the point where I
want to call you honey or sweetie.” I cover my mouth and bend over
to prove a point. “Oh god please don’t make me sick.”

He laughs at me. Yep I think I proved what I
needed to.

“Okay well short stack. I accept your apology
and I too hope we can get along in the future. Now get out of my
bedroom so I can stroke my cock and go to sleep.”

I get up and leave. He nearly slams the door
shut behind me and I can’t help but smile. I’m not fired and I
think we’ve come to some sort of rather fucked up agreement. The
sex noises are gone and I can hear a few snoring sounds. I don’t
even think to bother Keith or Stacy. So I ready myself to climb up
into my bunk which of course isn’t easy for me being so damn short.
I should have requested a bottom bunk. I step up on the edge of the
bottom bunk to hoist myself up and a person grabs my ankle and then
pulls back the red privacy curtains. It’s Mr. Drummer. With his
brown hair and chocolate brown eyes and who would have guessed he’s
naked as a fucking jaybird.

“Hey bunk mate.” He winks.

Man, could my night get any worse?

“Hi, D can I go to sleep now?” I try to tug
my ankle out of his grasps. It doesn’t work

“Why don’t you sleep down here with me? I can
keep you extra comfy.” He pats his free hand on his mattress. I
stare at his face. But his cock is hanging out and it hard and it’s
rather big. Well not that I’ve seen many to compare it too. Only
two naked in my entire life. His makes three.

“No D I think I will sleep in my own bed. But
thanks for the offer.” I lie because I am tired of the night’s
drama and because if he lets me go I can go to sleep. I am suddenly
beyond exhausted. He still won’t let up.

“So I hear you punched the big man
tonight.”

“Yep, now let me go.” I try to tug away again
and his grip tightens. Man, I am starting not to like this asshole.
Are all the men in the band womanizers?

“That’s really hot. You know sticking up for
yourself and punching him. It makes me hard just thinking about
it.” He winks rather disgustingly and fists his cock with his free
hand.

“That’s really great D but I want to go to
sleep. Stroke yourself and go to bed too okay. I’m sure we have
lots of things to do tomorrow.” I say nicely, staring at the
ceiling. I can’t look down at him. It is just gross. I could scream
or make a scene but I don’t want to wake the rest of the men up. I
will just have to deal with the perv alone.

“I’d like to do you tomorrow. You’re feisty
and hot. Why don’t you come down here and let me show you what I
can do with my cock.”

“I’d rather not.”

The bedroom door beside me slams open and I
turn my head and find myself staring at Johnathan again and he’s
still in his boxers and headed towards the bathroom. I don’t say a
word to him. He enters the bathroom and a second later sticks his
head out.

“What’s going on here D?” he chastises his
band mate, peering down at his grasp on my ankle.

“Nothing. Just about to go to sleep.” Duncan
answers quickly.

Yup, he’s guilty. We all know it.

Johnathan steps out of the bathroom and walks
towards us. D still won’t let go of my ankle. It’s like he’s glued
to me.

“Yeah right D.” he scolds again.

“Is he trying to get you into bed?” he asks
me. I don’t say a word. I don’t need more shit tonight, especially
from him.

“See we’re fine here aren’t we sweetie?” D
says his tone is fogged with lust.

“Her name is Emily” he shoots him a wicked
glance.

“And is everything alright here short stack?”
he asks kindly, looking at my face, his eyes are soft and it’s like
I am seeing a totally different person. But I freeze and bite my
lower lip. Confused on what to do.

“Listen short stack I promise not to be a
dick. Just tell me if everything is okay.” He adds. I look down at
D and back up at Johnathan.

“I want to go to bed, that’s all I want to
do.” I mutter.

“Will D let you go to bed?” he asks me and I
shake my head.

“Listen up fucker. She’s an employee now so
you let her leg go and find a different women to fuck. She’s not
going to suck you off or let you between her legs. She’s obviously
not like that. So you leave her alone or I will be sleeping in bed
next to you until this entire tour is over. Kapish?” he spits out.
It’s harsh but not rude. I am just glad I didn’t have to make a
scene and he saved me. The misogynist actually helped me. Talk
about a brain fuck.

“Fine.” Duncan mutters out of clinched teeth
and throws the curtains back over for privacy.

“Thanks.” I say and without thinking reach
over and touch his arm to show my appreciation. He flinches and
steps back like I just burned him.

“Yep, gotta go take a piss. Night Em.” He
says and turns and dashes back into the bathroom I climb back up
into my bed and its lights out.