Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

CRAIG

The crowd's energy feeds me. Pouring myself into playing, I move around my side of the stage, the lights catching the guitar strapped to my chest. My pre-show nerves are long gone, having worn off before the end of the first song. We're well into our set, and with every note played, I keep searching the crowd for Ty.

Every minute I spend with him leaves me craving more. Lunch together stretched into a full afternoon, then dinner together. If I hadn't had to head to the venue for sound check, we'd probably still be wrapped up in each other.

Holding a guitar, my first love, is an acceptable substitute, but I can't deny how much I enjoy holding Ty.

On the mic at center stage, The Fury's frontman, Luke, sings about love and loss. His powerful voice tears into every corner of the room and every heart.

I move forward for my guitar solo, shredding the fretboard. When I received the call from Luke, asking me to fill in for their guitarist who'd broken his arm, I hadn't anticipated anything other than a night of playing music with one of the first friends I made after moving to LA, but knowing that Ty is somewhere out there increases the pressure for an amazing performance. Losing myself in the music, I let it flood over me.

Light moves over the crowd, and three familiar faces come into view. Just off center stage, Ty stands with Slater and Noah. I catch Ty's gaze and electricity surges through my body. My heart beating faster, I move to the music, rolling my hips a tad more suggestively than my usual style, but I've never had such a captivating audience of one before, either.

Ty's gaze dips to the zipper on my jeans. His tongue peeks out to wet his lips and his focus holds on the sway and thrust. Groaning, I harden. That tongue and those lips wrapped around my cock were the focus of my fantasy as I lay awake, unable to sleep last night. That, and then doing the same to Ty, slowly unraveling him with kisses and caresses until he's breathless and sated and whispering my name.

When Ty's focus journeys back to my face, the naked desire in his eyes tempts me to jump off the stage, grab his hand, and drag him off to someplace where we can play and explore and discover each other's secrets.

Movement to my left jars me from the mini-fantasy. Luke sways closer. I end my solo, diving back into the rest of the hard driving song, and spin toward the singer. The way Luke smirks, I have zero doubt my friend caught me staring at Ty. Grinning, I shrug and go back-to-back with my buddy, playing the melody to accompany Luke's voice belting out the lyrics.

I can't help glancing at Ty again. The light beams over the audience once more, casting a pattern of soft white, then blue, then yellow, painting the people in rapidly changing hues. Wearing a smile, Ty nods along to the beat. He seems to be fully enjoying the show.

Several members of the audience, encouraged by Luke to sing along, join in with the final chorus. Ty is right there in the mix, singing as he bumps into Noah, then cheers at the song's end.

I strain my hearing, attempting to catch that one voice out of over a hundred. It doesn't work, but I still feel Ty's support, still see those brown eyes shining up at me, that brilliant smile, and those strong hands clapping together.

Ty is surprising in the best possible way. A breath of fresh air. Warm and inviting, friendly and sweet. Sexy and talented. And a damn good kisser. In all the hours we've spent together over the past day and a half, every minute is like unwrapping a new layer of an incredible present.

For the rest of the show, my focus keeps drifting to that spot in the audience, and almost every time, my gaze collides with Ty's. As much as I love playing music, impatience laces through my body, frustrated with anything keeping me from holding Ty, kissing him, talking to him, and exploring our connection. The knowledge that he is flying back home on Monday morning hangs over me like a ticking clock.

After the final song, Luke addresses the crowd. "We love you all. Thank you for being here. Put your hands together for Brendan Gallagher on drums, Landry Marx on bass, and filling in for our boy Zander, Craig Simms on guitar."

I take a bow and wave. Applause and cheers swell and drown out Luke's final message of thanks.

Backstage, I stow my guitar in its case, my movements quickened by my eagerness to get back out on the floor and find Ty. Behind me, the band's members joke and chat. Their friendship reminds me of the bond I share with my original bandmates. "Guys, it's always great playing with you."

Luke pulls me in for a hug. "Thanks for filling in. I owe you one. Want to join us back at my place, or are you heading out? "

"I have someone waiting for me in the bar, but thanks."

A knowing smile graces Luke's lips. "The blond guy you were looking at the whole show? New boyfriend?"

I exchange hugs with Brendan and Landry. "We, ah, just met yesterday."

Luke's smile widens. "So, brand new then. As soon as I saw you today at sound check, I knew something was up. You look happy. It's been a while since I've seen you that way."

"I am happy. Hey, tell Zander I hope he heals quickly."

"Will do. We have a three-week, mini-tour along the coast starting in a few weeks. We're hoping he'll be ready to play by then, but if he's not, are you free to fill in?"

"For you guys? Of course. Text me with details."

"I will. Thanks, man." Luke claps his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. "Appreciate it."

"Night, guys." With a wave, I leave the room.

Luke's voice calls out, "Have fun with your new man. Happy looks good on you, buddy."

Happy .

The word sticks in my mind as I make my way through the crowd of people dancing and drinking. I spot Slater's red hair right away. He, Ty, and Noah stand at the far end of the bar, engrossed in a conversation. Slater glances up, sees me, then nudges Ty.

Ty turns, our gazes collide, and he rushes toward me. I move fast as a flash in his direction, meeting him halfway. Amid a sea of dancers, his face lights with a smile that steals my breath. "You were amazing."

"Thanks." The energy from the show still flows through my veins. The desire to pull him someplace dark and private and use that adrenaline to bring him passion and pleasure is stronger than I anticipated. I reach for Ty, the reflex almost automatic, and he slips into my arms like he belongs there .

Long fingers stroke up my chest, over my neck, and into my hair. Then Ty pulls me forward, directing me down to meet his waiting lips. Instead of the brief brushing I expect, he captures my lips, slanting his head to take things deeper. The kiss is hot, wet, and tastes of whiskey. A thrill rushes through me, like an unexpected dip and spin of a rollercoaster ride.

Ty's tongue strokes the seam of my lips, demanding entry. Groaning, I open, clutching the artist's back. That talented tongue… Those firm lips… My body yearns for the promises Ty is making with his mouth.

Hard, aching, and breathless, I fight for control of the kiss. When Ty allows it, melting against me, I give back as good as I receive, with strokes of my tongue, a nip of my lips, and sliding our torsos together, showing Ty how desperately I want him.

And then I fight even harder to remind myself where we are and how we aren't alone. Gentling my hold, I ease the kiss from sexy to sweet and then made myself lift my head. Ty pulls back, eyes glittering with desire, and an answering call echoes in my blood.

I suck in a breath as scents and sounds of the room slowly come back into focus. Willing my system to level out, I wrap an arm around his waist. His presence, a solid warmth against my side, feels too good and keeps my pulse tingling. I can't let go, can't lose that amazing connection. Curling my finger through the belt loop on the side of Ty's jeans, I walk with him to where his friends wait and then greet Slater and Noah. "Thanks for coming."

A smile curling his lips, Slater glances from me to Ty and back again, then shakes my hand. "Great show, man."

"Can we buy you a drink?" Noah's tone is casual and friendly, but the protective way he and Slater both look at Ty makes it clear they intend to ensure their friend is in good hands.

"Sure." I understand. Hell, I'd do the same thing for any of my buddies. From everything Ty has told me about them, his friends are good guys. There is something about Ty, not quite an innocence, but something fresh and young and effervescent. Of course his buddies would want to look out for him. Even after only knowing him two days, I want to protect him at all costs.

Drinks in hand, we move to a high top table.

Ty sits beside me. His hand casually resting on my thigh is a welcome and comforting weight. "When you said you were filling in for a friend, I didn't know you meant The Fury. They're a huge band."

Multiple platinum records level huge, and now they've added the responsibility of creating and running a music label too, but they're still the guys I know and love. "Luke and I have been friends for years. We met when my old band opened for them on tour."

Smile soft, Ty moves his hand from my thigh to my biceps. His fingertips cover the narwhal's tail. "Is that when you got the tattoo?"

I take a long pull from my bottle of beer and rock the barstool onto its back legs. I've come a long way from the person I'd been back then, when I'd felt immense pressure to live up to the rock star persona. "Yep. Last night of the tour."

A bit of nerves hover on the edges of my concentration. Making a good impression on Ty's friends is important. Letting them sit in the Batmobile may be a point in my favor, but it's not enough. Sipping my beer, I stroke small patterns on Ty's shoulder as we chat with Slater and Noah about their trip, bands they like, my work with the foundation, their off-season training, and the comic book series. Music pulses around us, filling in the spaces as the conversation ebbs and flows.

When the guys finish their drinks, Slater stands and shakes my hand. "We're heading out. Thanks for inviting us tonight."

"See you later." Noah waves at me and then bends to hug Ty. I catch the whispered, "I like him," intended for Ty's ears.

Relief flows as fast as the frenetic beat pounding from the speakers. After the couple walks away, I lean into Ty, lengthening the caresses along his shoulder. "I like them."

"And they liked you." Gaze sparking fire, Ty cups my cheek and slowly strokes his thumb along my stubbled jaw. "I do too."

The words and touch are like a match to kindling. Banked desire flares bright. I slide into Ty's kiss and the flames stoke higher. "Another drink?"

Ty shakes his head. He nips my lower lip and walks his fingers over my chest. "Actually, would you mind if we got out of here?"

Those fingers roam lower, teasing over my stomach, and come to a rest at the top of my jeans. Ty raises a single brow.

Hot and hard, I suck in a breath and capture his hand to hold it in place. "Do you want to go to my place?"

"Yes."

We're kissing before we get through the front door. Distracted by Ty's lips and tongue, I wrestle with my keys, and then my guitar case. I manage to get the door closed and locked and the case propped against the wall, and then Ty is back in my arms .

Darkness surrounds us, but I don't want to stop for a light. Holding him close, I back the artist through my apartment.

In my bedroom, I draw him onto the bed, the mattress creaking under our weight. Muted light from an outside streetlight filters through the edges of the blinds, painting our bodies with a pale wash of gray. I need more, need Ty in full color. Blanketing the long, lanky body, I tap the bedside lamp. A soft, warm glow spills over the bed.

Ty lays under me, lips parted and eyes darkened, and so beautiful. He traces his finger along my jaw. "Kiss me."

Blood buzzing, I shift my weight to my forearms and bring our mouths together. Long moments stretch out as we kiss. Every brush of lips and tease of tongue stokes desire higher. Rock hard, I thrust my hips into Ty's, groaning at the feel of his arousal pressed against mine.

With seeking hands and whispered promises, we move together over the mattress. I can't get enough. Ty is everything warm and giving and wonderful.

Shifting my weight to one arm, I gaze at him. We smile at each other in the dim lighting. "I like you here, in my bed."

"Me too. With you right now, there's nowhere else I want to be."

The soft words touch something deep inside me. They make me yearn. I stroke a possessive path down his torso, from his chest to the bulge in his jeans. With a groan, he rolls his hips into the touch. He tugs my head back into kissing range and his lips and tiny nips of teeth graze along my jaw. Desire flashes fast. I expose my neck for more. My hand tightens over the denim beneath my palm as the scrape of teeth shoots sensations to my cock. "Ty."

"Take your shirt off so I can touch you." Ty ends his order by capturing my lips. He deepens the kiss, thrusting his tongue to mimic the thrusting of our hips .

Breathless, I break the kiss, lean back, and tug my shirt off one-handed. The moment of self-conscious worry if my lover will like what he sees fades at Ty's brows rising in appreciation as his gaze wanders along my body. He reaches out his hands slowly, so slowly, and I hold my breath in anticipation. The touch of his fingertips to my bare chest feels huge. Earth shattering. Random patterns roam over my chest and stomach. Closing my eyes, I moan and revel in the slow strokes. When they move to my nipples and pinch, I arch into the touch. "So good. Harder. Please."

"Like that?" The pressure increases to a burn. Sucking in a breath, I nod. Then fingernails skate across the sensitized areas.

"Oh, fuck." Those zings nearly make me come in my jeans. Biting my lip, I fight for control.

The grazing pauses. "Too much?"

I open my eyes and meet Ty's hesitant gaze. Occasionally, bed partners haven't been comfortable with my wanting pleasure with a little side of pain. Being honest about what I want, what I need, puts me in a vulnerable position, but with Ty, I want to be myself. Nerves quiver, dampening my desire. If Ty rejects me… I take the chance. "It's perfect. So perfect that I?—"

The scrape of nails resumes in twin blades of exquisite sensation across each nipple, stealing my breath. Mouth open, I pant, gaze locked on Ty's eyes, my hands curling into the sheets.

All hesitation disappears from Ty's face, replaced by a look of hunger. "You look so sexy with your head thrown back like that."

Lost in pleasure, for a moment, I can't speak, can only feel. My hips move against his, increasing in speed as my heartbeat quickens. The spurt of pre-come is a warning. Drawing back, I rise onto my knees. Straddling Ty, I push his shirt up his torso. "I need to touch you. This needs to go."

He shifts to sitting and pulls his shirt off. He tosses it on the floor, and then lays before me, a long, lean column of subtle muscles, smooth, pale skin, and low-slung jeans.

My fingers ache to explore. I stretch out beside Ty and draw the man into my arms, gliding my hands over skin that burns hot under my touch. Chest, arms, back, every inch I encounter elicits a response. A gasp, a moan, an intake of breath, a whisper of my name. When I trail my fingers over his stomach, he sucks in a breath and contracts his lower abs as though to help me move closer to the waistband of his jeans. But I'm not ready to rush. I want to savor.

Shifting down the length of Ty's body, I retrace the path of my hands with my lips. Soft kisses to his neck, nuzzling the line of collarbone, and sucking up a small mark in a sensitive spot I discover where his neck and shoulder meet. Gooseflesh dots his skin and he frazzles my concentration with teasing touches of his own. Adorning his chest with kisses, I play with his nipples, gauging his expression to see what he likes best. Kisses and licks and the barest hint of teeth.

I rake my fingers down the center of his torso, following the trail of hair a shade darker than the light dusting of pale blond on his chest. His stomach muscles quiver under my touch and heat radiates from the man. I undo the button and slowly lower the zipper on his jeans. His erection pokes through, covered by light blue boxers. Tracing a single finger over the darker, wet patch on the cotton straining beneath my hand, I bend my head and trail my lips over the soft happy trail.

"Please." Voice desperate, Ty arches his hips.

I ease the jeans and boxers to mid-thigh. Ty's arousal springs free. Shifting further down his body, I lower my head and wrap my hand around his cock. Watching his face, I swipe my tongue along the length from root to tip. Then do it again, slower, teasing my tongue over heated skin as my lips journey higher. When I reach the crown, I lave the area with my tongue, tasting pre-come, and linger on the spot that makes him toss his head back and clutch the sheets. His legs, trapped in denim, move restlessly. His hips flex, and I detour to trace my tongue along the indentation near the hipbones forming the V.

He moans and tangles his hands in my hair. "Please," he says again, "more." And gently pulls me back to his cock.

I swirl my tongue around the head once again. Watching Ty's face, I wrap my hand around the base, then take the head into my mouth and suck. His lips part, panting, and his eyes mist in pleasure. Ty's hips buck and his fingers tighten, pulling my hair.

The bite of pain spikes my desire. I tighten my fist and hollow my cheeks, sucking harder. When the grip on my hair slackens a bit, I pull off his cock, range over his torso, and place my index finger on swollen, parted lips. "Get it wet for me."

Seconds pass while I wait for Ty to process my words. Pupils fully blown, he takes my finger into his mouth. He sucks hard and works his tongue around the digit, and I ache to feel that mouth around my cock. My jeans grow impossibly tight. I pop the button and ease the zipper down, gaining some relief. When his fingers graze my cock, I shift out of reach and withdraw my finger. "If you touch me now, I'll explode."

I slip back into position straddling his legs. Stroking his cock, I close my lips over the head. My other hand plays with Ty's balls before moving farther back to rub circles over his rear entrance, then ease my wet fingertip inside him. His gasps and moans and muttered words are a guide and a turn-on, amping up my desire until it feels like I'm walking a tight rope on an electrical wire.

Groaning, he tugs my head closer, pushing himself deeper, and arches his hips over and over. "So good," pant , "so close," pant , "Craig," pant . The words huff out and he tosses his head into the pillow. Then his grip on my hair tightens and he releases one hand to tap my head in warning. "I'm there."

I clamp both my hands onto his hips and take him deeper. Relaxing my throat, I swallow around the head and hum. The air fills with Ty's steady moans. The mattress moves as his arms fling out and his body jerks. Salty release floods my mouth.

Tightening my hold, I drink him down, and then gently suck on the softening cock, coaxing more tremors and moans from the lanky, sexy man. When Ty's body finally calms and his grip on my hair shifts to caresses, I ease back. He looks shattered, in the best way. Clamping hold over my own desire, I kiss my way up his body.

The lamplight catches his glittering gaze. He traces his fingers along my cheek. "That was… wow. And I didn't even get my jeans all the way off."

"I can take care of that." Shifting to the foot of the bed, I tug Ty's socks, jeans, and boxers off, and then strip out of my clothes. I grab a bottle of lube from the bedside table, hand it to Ty, and resume my place by his side. "Whatever you want."

"I want to start by touching you. Sit up for me." Ty moves behind me and after a moment, the weight of his hands presses into my shoulders and kneads the muscles. The massage continues over my back, alternating between rough and soft touches .

"Oh, that's nice." I lean into the long strokes and sigh when Ty trails kisses over my neck.

"I love your muscles. Love watching them jump and flex under my hands."

At Ty's words, pleasure and pride lace through me. The man's touch is addicting. "I love feeling your hands on me."

Ty slips his arms around my torso, locking us together, back to front. I lay my hands over his, trapping them in place and try my best to absorb every sensation, scent, and feeling of being wrapped in his arms and commit it to memory.

Releasing my hold lets me move my hands to rest on Ty's thighs. The massage continues. His roaming hands trek over my chest and stomach. Clever fingers tweak and roll my nipples. Anticipating his hands where I long to feel them most, I stroke my aching cock. He continues the kisses along my neck, graduating to nips of teeth.

Groaning and rock hard, I press my head into the crook of his neck and shoulder. "Ty, you're killing me. It's so good."

"Sit with your back against the headboard." The low command feathers over my cheek before Ty draws away.

I quickly comply, desire ratcheting as I scramble over the mattress.

Ty kneels in front of me, between my splayed legs. With a smile, he leans in until we're sharing breath. "That's better."

Before I can respond, he takes my mouth in a sultry, sexy kiss. The meeting of lips is so intimate and intense, I could gladly spend hours on this act alone. Our tongues tangle, and soon, the sensation of his fingertips grazing my inner thighs join in, raising my anticipation as those talented fingers edge closer to my weeping cock. It points straight up, curving toward my stomach.

"Touch me." I'm not above begging.

Smile wicked, he pours a small amount of lube and works my length with both hands. With a tight grip, he pulls one hand then the other from base to head, over and over again. My head tips back and my eyes fall closed. Ty's touch is amazing. Then he switches to a twisting motion at the head of my cock that brings me to the edge of my control.

Holding tight to his shoulders, I buck my hips. "Ty…"

He kisses me again and draws my bottom lip through his teeth. "I'm going to make you feel so good. Just hang on for me for another minute."

After drizzling more lube over his hand, he continues with his just on the right side of rough grip along my throbbing cock. That twist at the head focuses on my most sensitive spot. Then he switches to a dual assault, working one hand up and down the shaft while the other concentrates on the head, exploiting my every curse and sigh, every moan and gasp—twisting, gliding, rubbing—driving me higher and higher. I strain toward him, ready to burst. And then Ty presses his thumb into my slit.

"Just like that." Pleasure spiraling through me, I arch into his touch. "Don't stop."

The scrape of teeth at my neck and the slice of a fingernail across my nipple join the rushing sensations and push me over the edge. I yank him against me, writhing as my release shoots onto our chests. He keeps jacking me, sucking kisses on my neck, absorbing my quakes with a sexy moan about how good I look coming apart under his hands.

Floating through sensations, I become aware of his hand stroking my hair. Caring caresses have never been a part of any hookup I've had. Everything with Ty is unique, and better. My breathing evening out, I rest my head against the headboard and adjust my arms around Ty's shoulders, keeping him close in my embrace. "That was amazing."

He kisses my temple. "It was. You are. "

We exchange kiss after kiss. Stickiness on my chest finally forces me from the bed. I pad to the bathroom, clean up, then run a washcloth under warm water and return to the bedroom with it. Ty takes the cloth with a thanks, and wipes himself down.

After tossing the cloth in the clothes hamper, I climb into bed. Ty welcomes me with a smile. I stretch out beside him, slip an arm around his shoulders, and he raises his face for a kiss. Our lips meet and I linger, soft and slow, trying to pour all of my feelings into the kiss. Happiness, gratitude, and a contentedness I want to feel always.

When we part, he traces a finger along the scar on my chin. "How did you get this?"

"During a show. We had another band on stage with us for the finale. Their guitarist swung his guitar without looking and it caught me."

He presses a kiss to the thin line. "That must have hurt."

"So freaking bad. It bled a lot, and I needed a ton of stitches. I'm just grateful it happened at the end of a show." The memory isn't a pleasant one, but I smile, touched, because Ty kisses the scar again. A kiss to make it better.

He shivers and cuddles closer.

"Cold?" Without waiting for an answer, I tug the blanket from the foot of the bed over the sheet. "I like to keep the air conditioning turned low when I'm sleeping. Nothing worse than trying to sleep in a too hot room. But I don't want you to be cold."

He smiles as I tuck the blanket around him. "I'm fine with the blanket. It's even better with your arm around me."

I resume my original position and wrap an arm around him again. "How's that?"

"Perfect." Stifling a yawn, he tucks his head into the crook of my neck and snuggles in. His body slowly sinks as he falls asleep.

I turn off the light. It's late, but sleep isn't coming. Tracing my hand along Ty's spine, I let myself wonder what things could be like if he lived in LA. How things would be if we had more than one weekend together.

Maybe we can keep seeing each other long-distance and fly out to visit each other every few months.

But would Ty even want to keep in touch when he gets back to Buffalo? And if he does, would the demands of real life step in and have us drift apart? The connection with this man is deeper than anything I've experienced with anyone. The idea of not having it leaves a hollowness in my gut.

Nothing lasts forever. I've always done my best to enjoy what I have while I have it. But Ty is too perfect, too special, too amazing to only be in my life for a mere two days. Fate wouldn't be that cruel, would it?

Ty is more than a one weekend type of guy. He is a forever type of guy. And I'm not anywhere near ready to say goodbye.