Charmed (23 Strokes Series Book 1) Read online

  I hear Tall Girl and Wildfire both screaming at the top of their lungs and I have to admit, it is turning me on. It’s like some secret female battle cry and it has my soldier standing at attention, ready to go kill the enemy for them. He deflates when I hear her say there is nothing for me here. Wanna bet.

  I have news for you, Wildfire. I have my own battle cries and they’ve all gone double platinum. I may be an asshole rock star, but I’m not lost. I am finally home and I’m taking what is mine. Maybe I should bang on my chest like an ape or something. You know, to even shit out.

  I duck out of the hallway just before they both exit the office and find a dark corner to contemplate my next move. Yep, definitely creepy stalker thing happening here. I told her I would wait, and whether she wants me to or not, I’m staying put until the owner kicks me out. Desperate times and all that shit. She wants me gone. Well, too fucking bad. I walked away last time and I’ll be damned if I do it again.

  I make my way back to the stage and continue to play. I’m in my element and get lost in the music. It’s been a long time since I was on a stage by myself, and as much as I hate to admit it, it feels good. I’ve been approached countless times by managers over the years trying to get me to go solo, but I’m singer and rhythm guitarist for 23 Strokes and that’s where I’ve always wanted to be.

  Still, being here alone, playing for my girl, it feels right. I play every song I can think of to keep showing Wildfire what she means to me. I play for her the way I used to. I play for her the way I didn’t know I could, until I had her watching me.

  Before I met Wildfire, I didn’t really sing or play for anyone. Don’t get me wrong, I always had a crowd watching, but I was just throwing the notes out there and letting them hit where they hit. It’s a completely different experience to be on a stage and have her staring at you like you’re her whole world.

  Every show we played around Mills Point, Wildfire was right there, front row, standing and staring at me with her crazy eyes. She never sang along, never jumped up and down, or really moved at all. She watched me as if she was etching every word and every movement into her memory. It was intense and erotic and I don’t know how I’ve played without it for the past seven years.

  She never looks back over to me as she laughs, smiles, and flirts with the people at the bar. I’ve been up here for about thirty minutes and not one glance over to the stage. I know because I haven’t taken my eyes off her for one second. Hell, I’d take a snarl right now if it meant she was paying attention to me again. I’d laugh about it if it didn’t feel so much like a punch in the gut. She has never been able to resist my playing. I need a better game plan.

  I play a few more covers as I try to think of my next move. She’s moving around the bar, looking sexy as fuck, and I need her attention on me. I decide to give it a rest, standing up and stretching my back out, pulling my arms over my head. I pull my right hand over a little and then back to the left.

  I glance over to the bar again, still trying to come up with a way to remind her she’s mine. Wildfire and Tall Girl have both stopped what they were doing and are raking their eyes over every inch of me. I can see the whites of Wildfire’s knuckles as she holds on to the railing as if her life depended on it. I also see a few girls in the crowd are fanning themselves. Well, well, well.

  It sounds stupid, right? That stretching could have that big of an effect on women, but I’m here to tell you, a well-placed stretch or hand through the hair has gotten me laid more times than I can count. Add in the cocky smile and women are putty in my hands.

  So, I continue with my little stretching show, making sure I let my shirt rise, showing off the abs a little. I look upward as if I don’t know that at least five girls are close to fainting and just when they think they’ve seen it all, I throw out my smirk to seal the deal. Done and done.

  Wildfire does return to making her next drink, but I see a little head shake, and an all-teeth smile on her face, and with that, I have my new game plan. One that includes me turning on my sexy rock star she loved so much.

  Chapter 9

  7 years ago

  Kimber

  “Let me see those rock star moves,” I scream out as Evan stands on the bed playing air guitar to ‘Savior’ by Rise Against on the radio, jumping around and going crazy. He pulls off his shirt and swings it in a circle over his head. It’s supposed to be a joke but the heat is building within me as I take in his strong chest and six pack abs. When he starts thrusting his hips, making those jeans fall lower and lower, I lick my lips. Oh yeah, Evan, keep those hips moving all night long.

  He stops and leers down at me with hunger in his eyes. I must have said that out loud, because he slowly kneels, taking my shirt and pulling it over my head. He lowers himself over me and takes my mouth in a kiss that ignites the heat and makes it explode. I grab his hair tight, holding him against my mouth, our bodies rocking into each other.

  He breaks away and sits up on his heels. “I’ve never seen anything as perfect as you are right now, Wildfire.” The desire rises to an unbearable level as I start tugging at the button on his jeans. I need this man and I need him now.

  “Need you too, Wildfire.” But he gets off me and I pout. “You better put that lip away or I’m going to suck it right off.” My breathing is up to almost hyperventilating levels at that statement. “I’m going to give you everything you need. Let me just go lock the door. I don’t want the guys busting in again.”

  “I will wait here for you,” I breathe out. He smiles back at me as he makes his way over to the door. This has become our way of saying I love you without actually saying I love you. It’s kind of like our own version of The Princess Bride. Ok, I guess I say it more than he does, but I don’t need him to say it, I know how he feels.

  Evan doesn’t seem to mind my fairy tale view on life. He once told me that he was proud to be my Prince and he’d make sure all my dreams came true for the rest of his life. I thought he was joking with me until I looked at his face. It was no joke.

  Penny keeps claiming that it is impossible that someone like Evan would love me after only three weeks. She thinks he’s using me until his tour a few months from now. But I know he does. The expression on his face as he is walking towards me is more than lust. His heart and my heart belong together and even though he likes to move from town to town, I have no doubt he’s coming back to me. Our souls are forever connected.

  “What are you thinking about, Wildfire?” he asks, lowering himself back on me, desire and love dancing in his eyes. I know what he wants to hear and I’ll gladly say it for the rest of my life.

  “You, Evan. Always only you.” He attacks my mouth again, our teeth clashing at the force behind it, and then he gives me everything I will need for the rest of my life.

  Chapter 10

  Present Day

  Kimber

  I want to stay mad at him but he makes it so hard with all the sexiness he’s throwing around. I mean, I am a woman, after all. I’m trying my best to act annoyed as he plops himself at the only seat open at the bar, which happens to be right where I’m standing.

  “So, Wildfire, did you enjoy my show?” he asks, raising an eyebrow and smiling like he’s going to eat me for dinner. The heat rises in my cheeks remembering him putting that glorious body on display right under the spotlight. I almost had to call in the paramedics as the collective woman population all stopped breathing at once.

  As for myself, I had to grab the railing tight to make sure I didn’t rip off my jeans and panties and offer myself up on a platter. Because unlike the other ladies here tonight, I know exactly what this man has to offer. Regardless, he knows I saw him and I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of me stumbling for something to say

  “Actually. Most people sound better. Maybe the acoustics were off,” I quip, shrugging my shoulders. Ok, it’s not the best response, but it’s something, right? Plus, I don’t know what’s happening right now, but this is a different man than was here be
fore. He seems to be radiating sex and my girl parts are begging me, may I, may I? Pretty please. But I will persevere, I think, holding a mental fist in the air.

  “Maybe I should give it another go somewhere else. I’ve heard the stock room has amazing acoustics,” he says, giving me a 100% panty-dropping smile.

  Oh shit. He’s not playing around anymore and I’ve got a full on face flush and my chest starts heaving. I think I heard him growl a little, but I can’t be sure because my head gets fuzzy as I remember him taking me right against the wall of the stock room. We were so loud, and our grunts and screams were bouncing around the room only fueling the fire. Penny had to come warn us my parents were pulling up, so they didn’t walk in on something their ears couldn’t unhear.

  Evan is breathing heavy looking like he is about to jump over the bar and make good on his promise from earlier. I’m trying to find some words to stop him when Penny comes over and breaks the lust-filled tension.

  “Well, I’ll be damned. Look what the groupie whores dragged in,” she pops off as she sets a beer in front of him, smiling.

  “Why, thank you, Tall Girl,” he answers, grinning, taking the beer and bringing it to his mouth. He tilts his head back and takes a long drink. We both watch as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down his long slim neck. He lowers his head back down, slowly pulling the bottle away from his mouth. His tongue licks his bottom lip slightly at a drop resting there, followed by raking his teeth over the same spot. Then, he gives a sly knowing smile. Oh, he’s good. He’s real good.

  “Tall Girl, I didn’t think you could get more beautiful, but you’ve proven me wrong. You are a vision,” he compliments, turning that devil’s face to her and she giggles. I mean, seriously giggles like a teenager with a crush.

  “Excuse us, Evan.” I grab Penny’s arm, pulling her out of his earshot. “What the hell was that?” I shout at her, seriously doubting her ability to help me out of this situation.

  “Shit. You nearly pulled my arm out of the socket, Kimber,” she whines, rubbing her shoulder. But then starts fanning herself. “I don’t know. I went over there to give him hell, but then he took that drink and whew, I might need a cold shower. I seriously don’t know how you are not jumping his bones.”

  I want to scream but speak as calmly as I can, “One, don’t ever say jumping his bones again. You are not a thirteen-year-old boy. Two, we just talked about this and you are supposed to be keeping me on the straight and narrow. Not fanning over the guy who broke my heart!”

  “Yes, you’re right, sorry. We are women. Hear us roar.” She holds her fist up for a bump. Rolling my eyes, I push her back towards Evan. “Just get over there and help me get him out of here!”

  I walk back in behind the bar and Evan is talking with a group that has come up around him. He is listening attentively, signing things, saying thanks, taking pictures with them. It’d all be really sweet if I didn’t know the lingering asshole underneath.

  Penny is beside me with her game face on. She is trying so hard not to smile her lips are tucked all the way in her mouth. She looks like that girl from the Twilight Zone that has no mouth because her brother wanted her not to talk. Wait, was it her brother? Yes, I think so because he did something to the mom and dad and everyone ended up in the TV. Maybe it was a teacher and not his sister. No, a teacher found his sister? Well, it’s something like that and I shudder a little thinking what a creepy movie that was. I still can’t get on a plane without thinking something is going to be out there and…

  “What are you thinking about, Wildfire?” Evan asks, interrupting my zone out.

  He barely gets it out before I blurt, “Twilight Zone.”

  “Movie or TV show?” He has removed the womanizing smirk and replaced it with a teasing grin. He’s making fun of me but damn, it makes me happy that he even asks me that question. Not many I know would even know there was a difference. My woman hear me roar-front is cracking again. But speaking of Twilight Zone, “Movie, but I’m going to lay it out there, I feel this would make a good TV episode.”

  He beams outs, “Yeah, I guess it would” before taking another sip of beer and although he does it like a normal person this time, it’s still way too sexy.

  Penny comes over and, I guess in an attempt to help me out, tells me, “Hey, babe, you can get out of here if you want. It’s dying out around here now that Evan only has eyes for you. I can handle the rest of the night.” Then she winks at him. Traitor.

  I scan around the room and she’s right. Men are pulling their girlfriends out the door in a steady stream as the girls keep their eyes trained to the bar where Evan is sitting. “Yeah, thanks. I’m going to go grab my purse from the office. Call if you need anything.” I turn to Evan. “Goodnight, it was good seeing you.” I hope I see you again, I think to myself. I look at him for a few seconds. Yes! I kept that one in my head.

  I round the bar and head to the back. I pull my elastic band from my bun and give my scalp a good finger rub, shaking out my hair, letting it fall to my waist. I hear footsteps behind me and pause, turning my head around, but before I can even register what is happening, Evan is on me, pushing me forward into the office.

  “What the hell are you…” I try to get out but next thing I know, I’m being turned around, back pushed into the door, Evan slamming his lips over mine. I gasp and he thrusts his tongue in my mouth without permission, making me moan.

  I grab his hair tight and give him every kiss I’ve wanted to give him since the day he left. My hands move up under his shirt next and, on their own, claw at his back, leaving my mark. He arches into me, groaning, and the kiss becomes frenzied and manic as we both take what we’ve been without for too long.

  Evan slows down the kiss but keeps his body pressed tight against me, letting me feel how much he wants this. I feel the heat of his hand slowly making its way up my side, just grazing the underside of my breast with his thumb. I shiver at the touch and nip at his lip, showing my approval.

  He pulls away slightly so his hand can run over my breast, kneading it over my tank top, making me moan out again. His other hand has deftly opened my jeans, sliding down where I want him most. My breath hitches as his fingers begin moving down my center, circling pressure on my opening and I feel myself already wanting to fall over the edge.

  As his finger slides into me, I moan out again, breaking the kiss and putting my head against his chest, not trying to hide how much he is affecting me. My breath comes fast as his finger pumps into me.

  I feel his heart beating just as quickly as mine as he puts a hand around my head, holding me to his chest. He adds another finger, hitting that spot inside over and over until a burning sensation starts building inside my core, threatening to consume me in every way. His thumb barely circles that bundle of nerves when I cry out his name, pleasure exploding from every part of me. I’m breathing heavy, leaving my head against his chest as he continues to work my body, letting me ride out every second of ecstasy.

  But all too soon, reason starts creeping in and I ask, “Evan, what are you doing?”

  Chapter 11

  Evan

  What am I doing? Hell if I know. I followed her down the hall because I wanted to have an actual conversation with her. Maybe try and fix all this shit. But when I saw her hair come down, all I could think about was wrapping it around my hand as I pounded into her, making her scream my name. There were no other options, I had to have her, take what was rightfully mine and I’ve never felt something so right in my entire life. Hearing my name tear from her lips sealed her fate.

  I know I need to say something, but I don’t know what that is. I don’t know what I need to do to keep her like this for the rest of my life, so I stay silent.

  “Evan?” she asks again, pulling her head away from my chest. I try to kiss her but she turns her head away. Shit, I waited too long and now she’s even further in her head. I watched her zone out earlier and for a minute she looked just like the girl I knew so long ago. I didn’t know what wa
s playing in that little brain of hers, but I’ve never forgotten what that expression means. I had hoped it was about me, but when she said Twilight Zone I could only smile to myself. My same Wildfire.

  She begins to push against me, trying to put some distance between our bodies but I’m not letting her go. “No.” I don’t know what else to say. I need to feel her body up against mine so I lean even closer into her.

  “Evan, let…” she starts, but I know I need to take control of this situation before I’m shut out forever.

  “Wildfire. No talking.” With that, I take her mouth again, forcing her to accept me. I move my hand away from her wet heat and pull her leg up over my hip, waiting for the bomb to drop as I press myself against her.

  But it doesn’t come. She starts moving against me and I almost lose it as she grinds against my rock hard cock. I grab under her other leg and she wraps around me, still moving, taking from me what she needs, our kiss becoming desperate once again. My God, how have I lived the past years without her wrapped around me just like this?

  I move us from the wall over to the desk, laying her out, fearing that if I break the kiss it’ll all end again. I put my hands on either side of her, slowing down again, nipping and teasing her lips. I finally raise up and am taken aback by her beauty. She’s lying there, blue eyes holding mine with blushed cheeks, hair splayed around her face, and before I know what I’m doing, I blurt out, “I love you, Wildfire.”

  She blinks hard. Twice. She starts to get up from the desk and away from me, but I still have my arms on either side of her, boxing her in. Shit, I did not mean to say that but fuck it. Why pretend I don’t love this woman.