The arrival of Wild Silence gets everyone’s attention. Conversations stop to welcome them. Jack and Mitch are the drummer and lead guitarist for the group. Anderson and Miles are the lead singer and bass guitarist. The guys take seats around the table to get acquainted with us. Anderson joins me at the head of the table, and we hit it off instantly. He’s a real down to earth guy.
“You ready for this tour, man?” Anderson questions with a grin. The grit of his vocals is impressive, so it’s crazy to hear how different his speaking voice is.
“Hell yeah, man,” I assure. “Where’s your back up vocalist?” I ask casually in regards to Ivy.
“Oh, she stopped by the ladies’ room first. You know women,” he says, nudging me.
When she finally walks in, she fucking commands the attention of the entire room. She’s wearing a Rolling Stones T-shirt that is knotted under her breasts with jeans ripped from thigh to ankle. No heels. Just Converse sneakers. Her look screams that she doesn’t give a fuck, yet her body has my dick throbbing. Finally. Someone else has his attention. I know right away that I will have her under me, even before her eyes meet mine, and she makes her way over to find a seat next to me. Sorry, Desiree. If Ivy gives me any indication at all that she is down, I’m going to fuck the shit out of her. I’m not a saint. I can’t keep forgoing temptation. My dick needs attention, and right now, it wants Ivy.
“Well, hello. You must be the infamous Phoenix I keep hearing about,” she states as she takes a seat next to me.
“You’re the infamous one,” I correct. What in the hell could she have possibly heard about me? “I’m just someone trying to get where you guys are.” Anderson pats me on the shoulder and lets me know that he will introduce himself to the rest of our band. Nobody has really ordered food yet because we were waiting for them to arrive. We’ve kept the bartender pretty busy, though. I’ve barely put a dent in my second gin and tonic.
“Oh. It’s nothing bad. Desiree told us about your band and let us listen to your sound.” She leans closer and picks up my drink. She looks me directly in the eyes—daring me to object. She takes a small sip before taking a bigger one. “Hmm. So good. Gin and tonic?”
“Uh, yeah,” I say without breaking her gaze. I’m caught off guard by her forwardness. She’s already giving me the green light. “So, what did you think?”
“Of what?” she challenges. She knows what I’m asking.
“Of our sound,” I play along.
“We’re touring together, aren’t we?” She winks. “I think you guys complement us perfectly. A perfect blend of perfection.”
“Agreed,” I grin. That means a lot coming from a member of a band that is already so established. We don’t even have the recognition yet.
“Make no mistake about it, Phoenix,” she adds. “You’re fucking hot as hell. This face and body are going help you guys climb the charts. But your vocals and your band’s sound is what’s going to make you guys rock stars. You have the total package.” I don’t know how to respond to that. I blame it on the lack of current blood flow to my brain because it’s all at the head of my dick.
“Glad you think so,” I finally manage to get out.
She moves in closer. “Oh, I do. And when all those women are lining up—just hoping for the chance to get a taste of your cock, I’ll enjoy knowing that I have you for the next four months.” I grab my gin from her and take a huge ass gulp. That was bold as fuck. Is she really going to do all the work for me?
“What do you mean you have me for the next four months?”
“I think you know,” she says, squeezing my leg under the table. That escalated fast. She is going to have to spell that shit out for me. I’ll let her think she is in control for a few more minutes before I yank that illusion from her.
“I don’t like to assume anything, Ivy. You’ve been so forward up to this point. Don’t play coy now.” I take another swig of my drink. I get a glimpse of Harlow at the end of the table, and her facial expression is telling. She can’t hear the conversation between Ivy and me, but I’m sure our body language says it all. Ivy is damn near in my lap, and she isn’t giving a shit who notices.
“That’s one thing I don’t do, Phoenix,” she insists. “I don’t play games. I see something I want, I take it. I’m calling dibs on this.” She tries to reach for my dick under the table, but I grab her wrist. I have no doubt that she is used to getting her way. She’s gorgeous, has a banging body, and a bank account with several trailing zeros and comas. None of that shit matters to me, though. I arch an eyebrow at her. She has no idea.
“Only one problem with that logic, doll,” I tsk. “This is my dick, and I say who can have a taste. I say who, and I sure as fuck say when,” I inform her. I shake my head because she fucked any chance of having me tonight. Her assumptions have earned her a lesson that I’m oh, so willing to teach. The waiters bring out the food, and I realize that everyone has ordered except us. I waved the guy off the first time he made rounds, but I thought he would be back. Oh well. I’d rather eat leftover chicken breast from last night.
“You don’t mean that, Phoenix,” Ivy retorts.
“It was nice meeting you, Ivy. I look forward to rocking this tour with you guys.” I’ll just have to show her how serious I am. I give her the same wink she gave me earlier, and her mouth drops. Perfect. Let that sink in. I rise from my chair and round the table to meet Miles, Mitch, and Jack. We exchange a few words before I tell them all I’m heading back to the bus. Harlow can’t even look at me. She probably thinks Ivy is on the way out with me. I will give Ivy what she wants if she tones that alpha female shit down. My dominant nature is itching to make her submit. The thing is, she is so far from being submissive, it’s comical. That’s the beauty of it. Ivy meet my alpha. Say hello to your match. You’ve never come across a man like me. I’m immune to your charms and wicked ass sex appeal. This alter ego of mine is the one that is in full control. I just need to make sure he stays present. I need to get him reacquainted with Harlow too. Not to make her submit, but to move past my desire for her. My dominant side demands respect, rewards the worthy, and above all, avoids fucking becoming attached.
I see Ivy hasn’t moved from her seat. She’s smirking with her arms folded. Checkmate.
“Night, everyone. See you in the morning.” I get the hell out of the restaurant and don’t look back. The bus is parked across the street in a paid lot. It’s plain black, so nobody has any idea it’s a tour bus or who’s inside.
Having the bus so close, I could have easily brought Ivy over and made use of that bed back there. Her loss. I heat what’s left of the chicken from last night and throw together another salad. I need to prep my shit before things get too hectic. Desiree calls me just as I sit down to eat to let me know that we have a photo shoot in the morning before rehearsal. The shoot is for a possible single CD cover and a front cover shot for the label’s leading rock magazine. The magazine will feature a promo to push the word we’re touring with Wild Silence.