9. Chapter 9

Chapter nine

F or the past three hours, I’ve been immersed in a blissful loop of drawing and rocking out to some high-energy tunes, with "Sin on Skin" by Those Damn Crows currently blasting through my speakers. I've lost count of how many times I've seen this band live, but their performances never fail to leave me in awe. Last year was particularly unforgettable, with concerts in both Chepstow and Tenby standing out as highlights.

In Chepstow, the band played at the historic Chepstow Castle, and the main singer, Shane, delivered a jaw-dropping moment by scaling to the top of the castle and leaning precariously over the edge during the concert. It was a stunt that seemed straight out of a rock star’s playbook, demonstrating just how fearless—and perhaps a bit reckless—he can be. Shane has a knack for these adrenaline-fuelled antics. At every show I've attended, he's pulled off some kind of daring escapade, whether it's climbing over the edge of a balcony, crowd surfing in an inflatable boat at the Tenby gig, or scaling structures he probably shouldn’t be climbing.

I've already got tickets for their next concert in mid-October, and I’m eagerly anticipating what Shane will come up with this time. Laelia, Ethan, and I will be there, though I’ve been trying to convince Laelia to skip this one since she’ll be heavily pregnant by then. However, she’s adamant about attending and insists we’ll be comfortable sitting in the balcony seats.

Since we started dating, Laelia and I have racked up quite a number of concert experiences, with our tally comfortably in the double digits. We’ve rocked out to Alter Bridge, Black Veil Brides, Those Damn Crows, Mason Hill, Tribeless, Valhalla Awaits, Halestorm, and several others. Our very first concert together was Alter Bridge, setting the stage for many more unforgettable nights of live music.

15th December 2018

The atmosphere in the AO Arena in Manchester is electric, a pulse of anticipation vibrating through every corner of the packed venue. The crowd's chants rise and fall like waves, each roar a testament to the shared excitement that fills the air. Flashing lights dance across the crowd, creating a kaleidoscope of colours that momentarily turns each face into a living canvas of exuberance. The strum of an electric guitar reverberates through the arena, a sonic wave that sweeps over the sea of eager fans, setting the stage for an unforgettable night.

From our vantage point, I watch as the crowd, a sea of enthusiastic souls, gathers tightly around the barriers, their pints held high in anticipation. The arena is a hive of energy, every seat occupied, a clear sign of the night's sold-out success. The crew on stage scurries about, their movements a blend of urgency and precision as they ensure every piece of equipment is perfectly tuned for the performance. Their frenetic energy is a prelude to the magic about to unfold.

Nestled in our seats, I glance over at Laelia, who has propped her feet comfortably on the seats in front of us. She’s indulging in a small tub of pick and mix, a treat that cost me nearly eight pounds but is worth every penny just to see her smile. Her laughter and contentment are my own personal symphony, and I find myself lost in the sight of her.

Tonight, Laelia has outdone herself. Her hair is elegantly curled, her eyes defined by a sultry line of eyeliner, and her lips painted a bold, passionate red. She’s dressed in black leather pants that accentuate her graceful figure and an Alter Bridge band t-shirt, a nod to the band we're here to see. She is a vision of effortless glamour and radiance.

As the lights dim around us, the arena transforms into a stage of ethereal beauty. Beams of light cut through the darkness, casting everything in a dreamy, almost cinematic glow. Time seems to slow as I watch Laelia’s face illuminated by the lights, her smile widening with each passing moment. Her eyes sparkle with excitement, and her cheeks flush with a soft, rosy hue. In that fleeting moment, it’s impossible not to feel overwhelmed by how stunning she looks.

She is mine, and the realisation fills me with a profound sense of joy. As her smile broadens, she swiftly moves her feet and stands, drawn into the growing frenzy of the crowd. I stand beside her, our hands intertwined, and we cheer together as Sevendust strides onto the stage. The band’s arrival ignites a fresh wave of enthusiasm, and the arena erupts in cheers.

In that moment, surrounded by the collective energy of the crowd and the magic of the night, it feels as though time has paused just for us. Every note, every cheer, every shared glance is a memory in the making, and I’m grateful to be here, sharing it all with Laelia.

An hour and a half flies by as the opening acts wrap up, and the excitement for the main act builds. I decide to grab a couple of beers to pass the time, so I make my way to the bar. As I wait in line, my thoughts are lost in the music and the night ahead when I suddenly feel a tap on my shoulder.

I turn around to find Heather standing there. Her long, blonde hair cascades in waves, and her blue eyes, deep and reflective like the ocean, lock onto mine. Her tattoos, a vivid display of ink that seems to tell stories of their own, adorn her arms and neck, giving her a striking appearance.

Heather and I split up just a week before I reunited with Laelia. Despite her undeniable beauty—one that could easily turn heads—her personality is a different matter. She’s always been a cheat and, in many ways, a gold digger. If I wasn't splurging on the latest luxury she desired or taking her to the upscale restaurants she deemed worthy, her interest faded.

I’ve poured countless hours and money into our relationship, choosing places she approves of and attending concerts we both enjoy. But for all my efforts, she’s rarely present. When she is around, it often means she’s involved in some new fling, leaving me as just another name on her list of conquests. Her betrayal cuts deep—not only emotionally but practically. She once slashed both tires of my motorbike in a fit of rage, and to top it off, she’s taken my favourite hoodie, a memento of better times now lost to her whims.

“Hi Killian!” she squeals, throwing her arms around me like I’m some kind of human teddy bear.

I awkwardly wiggle out of her embrace and look down, trying to muster a half-decent smile. “Hi…Heather,” I mumble, my enthusiasm matching that of a damp sock.

Heather beams as if she’s just won the lottery. “I had a feeling I’d run into you here! I know this is one of your favourite bands,” she says, practically vibrating with excitement.

“Well, I would love to say the same, but honestly, I was kind of hoping I wouldn’t run into you. Ever again,” I reply, not even bothering to mask my disinterest.

Heather’s smile doesn’t waver. She reaches out and squeezes my arm, her eyes glinting mischievously. “Oh, come on, Killian. What we had was special. And let’s not forget the… chemistry.” She bites her lip, her fingers trailing up my arm like a cat sizing up a particularly interesting piece of yarn.

I grab her wrist and gently but firmly drop it, making it clear I’m not up for a trip down memory lane—or anywhere near her for that matter.

Heather opens her mouth to say something else, but then her gaze shifts to someone standing behind me. Her face contorts into a look of distaste. “And you’re eavesdropping on our conversation, why?” she demands, her tone dripping with condescension.

I follow her gaze and turn to see Laelia standing there, her presence instantly brightening my mood like a personal sunrise.

“I was just wondering what was taking you so long, and now I see why,” Laelia says, her eyes locked on Heather with a look that could freeze lava.

Heather, not missing a beat, thrusts out her hand. “I’m Heather,” she announces with the kind of self-importance that could only come from someone who spends way too much time in the mirror.

Laelia barely glances at Heather. “And I’m uninterested,” she shoots back, her tone sharp enough to cut glass.

Heather’s face morphs into a sneer as she assesses Laelia from head to toe. “Well, whoever you are, you’re clearly not wanted here,” she says, turning back to me with a sickly sweet smile. “Now, where were we?”

Laelia doesn’t miss a beat. “You were about to leave and stop bothering my boyfriend,” she says firmly.

Heather’s laughter bursts forth, a harsh, incredulous sound. “He picked you over me? Talk about a downgrade.”

“If I were you, I’d take my leave now before I’m forced to make a new hat out of your hair extensions and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine, Hazel,” Laelia retorts.

“It’s Heather,” Heather corrects her, though it’s clear she’s rattled.

“Hazel, Heather, Bitch—it’s all the same to me. Now skedaddle and find someone who actually wants your attention. Maybe try the local care home; I hear they’re looking for some new entertainment,” Laelia says, her voice dripping with disdain.

Heather glares at me with a pout. “Killian, you’re not just going to stand there and let this… this tramp talk to me like that, are you?”

“Oh, I am actually. But if you’ll excuse me, Hazel,” I say, deliberately misnaming her. Her eyes widen in shock. “I mean, Heather.” I chuckle. “I’m off to enjoy the rest of the concert with a beer and, hopefully, without your company. I’m sure there’s a wealthy guy with an inflated ego somewhere who would love your attention. Good luck with that.”

I grab Laelia’s hand and we make our way towards the bar, eager to get away from the confrontation.

“Who was that?” Laelia asks, as we join another line.

“My ex, Heather Grayson,” I answer.

“She’s a peach,” Laelia mumbles, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“She’s a real piece of work,” I clarify.

“And you figured that out when?” Laelia giggles.

“As soon as I realised she wasn’t anything like you,” I say, squeezing her hand affectionately. “Laelia, you’re one in a million. No one could ever compare to how amazing or beautiful you are. And I love you more than I ever thought possible.”

Laelia’s cheeks flush a soft pink, and she bites her lip, clearly touched.

“I love you, too, Killian,” she says, leaning in for a kiss. Before I can even fully respond, she pulls away with a mischievous glint in her eye. “How about instead of a beer, we sneak off into the disabled toilets before the band starts? I’m sure we can find some time for ourselves before the show.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice,” I say, grinning ear to ear.

She giggles, pulling me along with a sense of purpose. As we make our way through the crowd, I can’t help but think: God, I love her.

Hastily pulling me into the disabled restroom, she lets go of my hand and slams the door shut, locking it with a decisive click. Her eyes blaze with a fierce, insatiable hunger as she leans against the door.

We both gasp for breath, our gazes locked in an electric exchange before our lips crash together with a fervent urgency. I grip her hips and guide her backwards towards the sink, our mouths merging in a demanding kiss.

As her back meets the sink, I lift her effortlessly, her legs instinctively wrapping around me. I hold her tightly, her arms encircling my neck, her fingers tangling in my hair. Our tongues intertwine, and her taste—sweet and spicy like cinnamon—only intensifies my desire.

“Ten minutes until the show starts,” a male voice announces over the speaker, causing our lips to part momentarily as we both catch our breath. She looks at me with a smirk.

“Ten minutes,” she murmurs, her voice dripping with challenge. “Think you can handle that?”

I chuckle, breathless. “Oh, I can handle anything.”

Her lips curl into a teasing bite as I pull her closer. “Unbutton your pants and pull them down,” I command, and she obeys without hesitation, quickly lowering them. I pull her towards me, our mouths crashing together as her leather pants slip to her ankles.

Without wasting a beat, I tear away her lace thong, tossing it aside. “You won’t need these,” I growl against her lips, and she doesn’t object.

Trailing kisses down her neck, I nip at her skin, eliciting a moan that vibrates through her. I maneuver her away from the sink, pressing her against the wall as my lips journey lower.

On my knees now, I look up to see her eyes filled with raw, unfiltered desire. Her flushed skin and wild grin send a rush of adrenaline through me, making my own need painfully evident.

I yearn to feel her fully, to lose myself in the sensation of her around me, but time is tight. That indulgence will have to wait for another day.

Carefully removing her feet from her pants, I admire her naked lower half. My hand glides up her leg, caressing her tenderly, and her breathing grows more ragged, her body reacting to every touch.

Leaning in, I kiss and nibble her thigh, prompting another soft moan. “Killian,” she breathes, her voice thick with need, as she spreads her legs wider, begging for more.

My fingers explore her slick folds, and her head tilts back in pleasure as she moans softly. My sole focus is to bring her unparalleled pleasure, to make her scream my name in ecstasy.

I slide a finger into her, feeling her heat engulf me, and add another, quickening my pace. I lower my head, taking her clit into my mouth, sucking eagerly as I continue to finger her.

With my free hand, I lift one of her legs over my shoulder, increasing my rhythm. Her moans become louder, her body writhing in response as she grabs my hair, riding my face.

As her sounds of pleasure intensify, I know she’s nearing her climax. “Killian,” she moans, her voice breaking. I look up at her, her eyes squeezed shut, body convulsing.

“Come for me, beautiful,” I urge, and her scream of release echoes through the room as she shudders, her body clenching around my fingers. I don’t stop, even as she tries to push me away.

Standing, I bring my drenched fingers to her mouth. She eagerly sucks them clean, her eyes never leaving mine. The sight of her tasting herself drives me wild with need.

“Say it,” I command, my voice low and demanding. Her eyes smoulder with desire as she answers.

“Fuck me,” she breathes, her voice heavy with longing.

Without delay, I lift her, her legs wrapping around my waist as I sit her on the edge of the sink. She quickly unfastens my pants, freeing me. Her hand wraps around me, stroking with a practised rhythm, driving me to the brink.

Settling between her legs, I tease her with my tip before thrusting into her. Her moans fill the room as I push deeper, her legs locking around me, hands exploring my back.

I quicken the pace, my thrusts growing more intense as her body responds eagerly. Her eyes lock onto mine, a fire burning in them, and her nails dig into my back, making me lose a bit of control.

Our bodies move together in a desperate dance, and I reach between us, rubbing her sensitive clit. She grabs my hand, pulling it to her throat. “Choke me,” she gasps.

I comply, squeezing gently, her smile widening with pleasure. “I’m going to come,” she murmurs, her body trembling.

“Hold it,” I command, and she cries out, her body convulsing around me. “Come for me, beautiful. Let everyone out there know who’s making you feel this way.”

She screams my name as she shatters, her body clenching around me. I follow, moaning her name as I release inside her. We collapse together, our breaths mingling in a slow, tender kiss.

Pulling away, I see her flushed cheeks and hear the announcement over the speaker. “Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. The show is about to begin.”

“That’s our cue,” she says, smiling at me.

“Looks like it,” I reply.

“Round three when we get home?” she asks, a teasing glint in her eyes.

“Definitely,” I reply, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “I don’t plan on you walking tomorrow.”