Torn (Connections #2)(54)

The band moves right into the next song but this time he takes a seat on a barstool. His black boots find their place on the rung and he rests his guitar on his thigh. He beams before he breaks into song, strumming the beautiful melody of "Five." Again I'm completely mesmerized. When he begins to sing, his focus slips further into the music as if he's the song. During the chorus some of the girls start screaming and standing, he gifts them with his sexy grin. Wild thoughts of us in bed together flood my mind and I feel myself flush as I stand there, watching him, wanting him. He drops his guitar again and raises both hands in the air. His shirt lifts and the glistening skin of his lower abdomen is bared for all to see. "Come on, everyone, sing along," he coos into the mic, and, of course, we all do.

5 years, 260 weeks, 1,825 days, 2.3 million minutes.

That was how long ago I met you.

If I did it all again. Would you come along for the ride?

If I did it all again. Could you play this game with me?

I'm not sure I've ever seen anything sexier than his bright smile backlit by the golden lights of the stage. Here, in this small familiar venue, River is in his element. When the last notes fade, the audience bursts into applause and the sound dances through me. "That's all for tonight. Till next time," he says as he lifts his guitar strap over his shoulder. He waves to the audience while they clap and yell for more. Some girls are even calling out their phone numbers while others make suggestive comments, but he doesn't seem to notice. The Wilde Ones talk for a few minutes and then each guy leaves the stage going their own ways.

I lose sight of him in the crowd and turn back toward Bell, who is also grinning from ear to ear. Then I sense his presence behind me before I see him. "Hey, beautiful." His warm breath travels down my neck and sends a shiver through my eager body. I lean into him and he wraps an arm around me.

Bell puts a finger over her lips and winks at me. "See you two later. I have to find Reston before he hits the stage."

"Reston? Who's Reston?" River asks then kisses my neck.

"Don't you ever pay attention? He's my boyfriend, the drummer for Scandalicious." When he looks at her quizzically she says, "Duh. They're the band onstage."

He lifts his eyes to check it out but keeps his lips on me. "Sorry Bell, I just can't keep up with all your boyfriends, but the band is rocking it."

"I really like this one," she says as she flutters toward the stage.

"Good luck," I call to her but I've already turned so I can really kiss him.

"You were amazing up there," I tell him, raking my fingers through his hair and holding on.

Leaning back he takes in every inch of me. Then he's got me flush against his body, desire consuming my every thought. His eyes are hooded and I can see a reflection of my desire in his gaze-the passion between us is about ready to erupt. "Amazing, yeah," he responds, but his breath catches on the words.



       
         
       
        

Skimming my hands down his chest, I circle his waist and tuck my hands inside his jeans. Pulling him closer, I softly brush my lips against his neck and his body quivers from our slight skin-on-skin contact.

His hands glide up my back as he closes the small distance I left between us. When he slips his tongue into my mouth, I gasp. But when he bites down on my bottom lip and sucks on it, I can't help but whimper.

I pull away before things escalate any further. "Take me home and finish what you started before we left."

He looks around and then over at the table where Ellie, Xander, and the other band members are all sitting, still doing shots and engaging in animated conversation.

"I can call us a cab."

My body is way too impatient to wait for a ride and I let him know it when I rock against him and say, "I want you now, not in an hour."

He steps back and surveys his options. Watching him, I lick my lips and run my hands down my body. "Fuck," he groans, hissing through his teeth. When he drags his tongue across his lip, he looks so freaking sexy I know I'd let him fuck me in the bathroom.

He motions to the left, ushering me into the crowd and I hope no one is watching us. As we're making our way through it, he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into him. Pointing to where he wants me to head, he leans in and whispers, "I'm so hard right now."

My brain is a bit hazy from the drinks I've had tonight but it's not in the least bit clouded when it comes to this-I know what I want. And I know he wants the same. At the covered archway with the sign POOLROOM above it, he looks around then lifts the sheet of plastic and motions to me to slip under it. He quickly follows.