Chapter 14

14

A fter the show ended, Claire met Lonnie to be escorted out of the arena to the bus where they would sleep while they drove through the night to their next destination. Once there, the guys had a few interviews, but they had the evening off from having to perform, so they could all rest for a night at a hotel before the next show.

"How are you, Lonnie?" Claire asked.

Lonnie glanced at her before turning his attention to their surroundings, always keeping a watchful eye despite them being in the hallways where fans weren't allowed.

"I'm good. How are you?"

"I'm good. Are you actually good?"

Lonnie raised his eyebrow. "Yes? Should I not be?"

She laughed. "I realized I've never really asked anyone else how they're doing because I'm so focused on my situation. So, now I'm asking."

He smiled. "I'm doing well. Don't you worry."

"Good," she said.

They hurried out to the bus with an extra security member flanking them once they exited the building. The bus driver was already waiting and ready. Lonnie stepped back off the bus and waited outside of it while the other bodyguard went back inside to help get the guys out safely.

Claire moved to the back of the bus and waited. It didn't take long before everyone was inside and they were rolling out of the parking lot to screams of girls holding signs, hoping to get one glimpse of the guys. Claire stayed away from the windows, not wanting to be photographed, and knowing she wasn't who they wanted to see.

When Ben sat down beside her, she looked over at him. He looked tired, just like the rest of the guys.

"How are you, Ben? Are you okay?"

He smiled. "I'm good. Just exhausted. I might have to get to sleep early tonight… Or early for me."

She glanced at the clock. It was already midnight. The guys usually stayed up an extra hour or two once they got on the bus to help release some adrenaline.

"You sure you're good?"

"I'm good." He patted her leg and looked around at the guys who were lounging around and turning on the gaming system. Then he leaned in close and lowered his voice.

"Hey, how's Miranda doing after all that—" he gestured around them, "—stuff that happened earlier."

"Surprisingly okay. She said she was already considering it, but after talking to me she said she realized she needed to break up with him." Claire's face pinched. "I really hope I didn't influence her, and she doesn't hate me later once it settles."

Ben shook his head. "I don't think she'll regret it."

"Why do you say that?"

He shrugged. "She's been unhappy for a while. It was for the best."

Claire studied Ben.

Wait a minute…

"Do you like her?"

He shifted in his seat, suddenly looking uncomfortable.

"Of course I like her. She's my friend."

"That's not what I meant," she said softly. The last thing she wanted was to draw the attention of the other guys and have the conversation end immediately. Her interest was piqued, and she needed to know.

Ben shifted again and cleared his throat, speaking louder. "Hey, Liam. Got room for me?"

Claire glared. "Ben, I'm talking to you."

His eyes widened. "I just want to make sure I get in a round before I go to sleep. You understand."

Then he stood and moved to a different couch. She stared after him wide-eyed. This was his couch. The one he always sat on.

Everyone except Jake seemed oblivious to the exchange. Jake watched in amusement before moving couches and sitting next to her.

"What was that about?"

Claire continued to glare at Ben, who avoided all eye contact.

"I don't know for sure. But I suspect I know."

Jake raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"

She leaned in close to answer, and his soapy, clean scent immediately took over her senses. A need burned low in her belly, begging to be satiated.

A pitiful moan escaped her, and an amused smile crossed his lips. She sobered and straightened up, looking around the room, but the rest of the guys were now engrossed in their game.

Her face flamed. "You know. I think I'm going to go to sleep."

"Are you now?" Jake asked. That smile was still there, taunting her.

"Yep. Probably for the best."

She stood, and Jake circled his fingers around her wrist. He leaned in close so no one could overhear them and whispered in a low voice, "You know, I can help you with that."

Her face burned, and heat surged through her body.

God. Yes, I want that.

Her eyes flickered to Ben, but he wasn't paying them any attention. Would he notice if she mounted Jake right then and there?

Jake released her wrist, and she could feel him watching her with intensity as she retreated.

Claire slipped into the bunk area and slid the door closed behind her, cutting off Jake's stare. She gasped and clutched her chest once alone and considered going into the bathroom to take care of herself.

No. No, she wouldn't do that. She couldn't do that. Not when her brother was on the bus.

It had been so long since she had been with anyone she was attracted to. It had been a long time since she truly loved Charles, but she still slept with him since they were together. The last time had been when she got pregnant. Over three whole months since she had had sex. And it hadn't even been good sex.

But with Jake, she knew it would be good. He would make sure she was taken care of before taking care of himself.

She swallowed hard and made her way to the bathroom where she brushed her teeth, washed her face, and changed into her light cotton shorts and T-shirt before going back to her bunk and crawling inside.

Claire sighed. Lately, she was always exhausted, but getting comfortable while pregnant wasn't easy. And after the exchange with Jake, there was no way she would fall asleep anytime soon. She shouldn't have said she was going to sleep, but she couldn't stay back there for fear she would crawl on top of Jake and get the ride of her life… despite the other guys in the room.

Gross.

Ben was in there.

But if Ben wasn't, she was sure she wouldn't care if the other guys watched.

What is wrong with you, Claire?

"God damn these hormones," she muttered.

Jake's low chuckle had her freezing. She hadn't even heard the door open. Claire peeked outside the curtain of her bunk to find him leaning against the opposite side with his arms crossed. That look. That feral look on his face. She had seen it before.

It was the same look that led them to sleeping together four years ago. The one that started the downward spiral of their friendship falling apart—or so she thought—and caused her to flee.

She looked him up and down. He had changed into gray sweatpants and a T-shirt, and she couldn't miss the prominent bulge in his pants.

She swallowed hard, and when her eyes met his again, she licked her lips.

He took the short step to her bunk and slid inside with her, tugging the curtains closed. Were his closed? She didn't know, but she didn't care.

His mouth descended on hers, and he muffled her moan with his lips. It felt as if no time had passed between them. His lips were exactly as she remembered—soft, perfect.

Their mouths moved together, and his hand remained firmly planted on her hip, not moving despite her wiggling to get him to shift it south.

He pulled back and whispered. "I want to get you off. Is that okay?"

She pulled a lip between her teeth and nodded vigorously.

He huffed out a laugh. "You have to be quiet."

She nodded again.

Jake didn't waste any time as his hand slipped into her shorts and past her panties. When his fingers found her clit, her eyes rolled back, and she dropped her head against her pillow. He hovered above her, dropping a knee between her legs to avoid crushing her. He watched her, and the need on his face grew with each passing second.

His fingers glided easily over her with her growing arousal. Her panties were already damp, and she would need to change them after this.

A moan slipped past her lips, and she immediately clamped a hand over her mouth as she stared up at him. His lips were slightly parted. With every writhe, moan, and gasp she made, his pupils would dilate.

He slipped a finger inside her, and she just about went limp beneath him. But it wasn't until he pressed down on her clit that her hips thrust against him, sending her over the edge.

Claire didn't know if she moaned or kept quiet. Her own hand was still clamped over her mouth, but she was in euphoria, floating above on a cloud and unaware of anything going on around her except the pleasure coursing through her.

When her body finally stopped rolling and she opened her eyes, Jake had already pulled his hand out of her shorts and smiled down at her.

With his clean hand, he brushed the hair out of her face before leaning down and pressing a kiss to her lips.

He excused himself, slipping out of her bunk and coming back only a moment later with a damp cloth. He quickly cleaned her up before heading back to the bathroom.

Anyone could have come out of the back lounge area and seen or heard anything, but she didn't care. She was in heaven.

When he slipped back into the bunk and pulled the curtains closed, he tucked her back against his chest. His erection pressed into her ass, and she reached down between them, grasping him through his shorts.

He pressed his face into her shoulder and groaned.

"Claire, don't."

"Why?"

"If you touch me, I'm going to end up fucking you until morning."

"So?"

He chuckled and thrust himself into her hand, where she still held him.

"We can't do that here. Let's wait until the hotel, but you need to be sure you want it."

"I want it."

He chuckled again. "Just think about it, okay? Let's get some sleep."

She gave his cock one last stroke, which had him groaning into her shoulder once again before she released him and relaxed against him. Feeling safe and satiated, she fell asleep almost instantly.