Jay and I breathe a sigh of relief. Crisis averted. At least for now.
I tie an Irish flag around my waist and wrap a green bandana across my forehead as we get ready to go on. Gotta enter into the spirit of things for our national day. The Vanquished comeoffstage, and we greet one another briefly as the MC announces us, and then it’s game on.
The assembled audience roars its approval as we start off with a crowd-pleaser from U2. A sea of green, white, and orange greets us, and it truly is a sight to behold. Hordes of revelers dance and jump around as I hug the mic and lean down into the row of screaming girls up front. Most all the faces are ones I recognize, but I scan the crowd looking for the only face that matters. I purposely skim over Aoife and Breda without acknowledging them. Both girls are right up front, dancing side by side, looking more like friends than rivals, but I don’t give a fuck about either of them.
My heart pounds harder when I find Vivien dancing near the front, on the other side, with Ash and her American friend Audrey. Audrey is the redhead from the framed photo by Vivien’s bed. I was introduced to her downstairs, and she seems cool. Apparently, Vivien told her Toxic Gods are good, and I’m determined to prove it. So, I put in extra effort to deliver a killer performance, ensuring we don’t disappoint.
We move fluidly through songs that are a mix of classic covers and our own music. Hearing your own words being sung back at you from an enthusiastic crowd is overwhelming in the best possible way. Being up here is the most incredible feeling in the world. Getting to perform onstage is my life’s dream, and I don’t care if I’m performing to one hundred fans or one hundred thousand fans. Experiencing this in any capacity is magical. My soul is only truly happy when I’m singing my heart out, playing my heart out, and entertaining a crowd.
My fingers skillfully pluck the strings of my guitar in a familiar rhythm as we play a popular Foo Fighters number, and I belt the lyrics into the mic, buzzing off the excitement and vibes emanating from the crowd.
My eyes never stray far from Vivien. She looks so fucking sexy in skinny jeans and a tight green shirt. In honor of St. Paddy’s Day, she’s pinned a sprig of shamrock above her chest and painted little Irish flags on both cheeks. Somehow, she manages to be adorable and sexy at the same time. Her hair is pulled into a messy bun on top of her head, showcasing her stunning face, and it’s hard not to just stare at her all the time. I want to get down on my knees and serenade her for the entire show, but I doubt it’d go down well with the masses. I’ve spotted a few girls in the front row noticing where my attention is straying, and I don’t like the looks being tossed her way.
Vivien looks happy, bobbing around and singing her little heart out. Warmth spreads across my chest. I love seeing her like this, and I love that she appears comfortable in my world.
A bra flies over the crowd, landing at my feet. It’s a common occurrence. Conor has a whole box load of sexy undies that have been thrown at us on stage. I’m not gonna think about what he does with them, though I’m hardly in any position to criticize. Vivien’s virginal white panties are my most treasured possession, and they have a starring role in my best fantasies.
I kick the bra in Jamie’s direction, and the crowd goes wild when he picks it up and puts it on his head. Clown.
We finish our set to cries of “more,” but it’s a multi-band event today and the schedule is tight, so that’s it folks. Besides, I have singular focus and the worst twitchy hands. After offloading my guitar to Conor, I jump down off the stage, into the crowd, and make my way towards Vivien. Hands reach out, grabbing me, but I ignore them, making a beeline for the woman who has enchanted me.
Being onstage makes me come alive in every sense of the word. There’s a reason rock stars fuck groupies. I’m always on a complete high when I come offstage and usually fucking horny.I might have told Ciarán that ego and rock stars go together, but so does rock stars and sex.
Need swirls in my veins as I push closer to Vivien. I need to put my hands on her before I explode. Longing burns in my eyes as I draw nearer. Ash and Audrey are laughing, and I hear Viv saying, “I’m not sleeping with your brother!” just as I reach them.
I press my mouth to her ear as I come up behind her. “Is that a challenge?” My hands land on her hips as I push all up against her, nibbling her earlobe and struggling to hold on to my self-control. Her floral, fruity scent invades my senses, and I grind my hard-on against her arse while moving a hand up under her shirt.
Her skin is warm to the touch, and my dick is jerking like crazy as she pushes back against me with zero hesitation. I’m so turned on being close to her like this. “Well?” I ask.
“Well, what?” she rasps, moving against me as we dance to the music pulsing around the room.
A chuckle tumbles from my chest. She’s too cute for words. “Is that a challenge? Because you know how I feel about those.” I trail my hand across her flat stomach as we grind and dance against one another, and it feels like the most natural thing in the world.
Ash stares at me in silent question, and I nod confirming I will take care of her friend. Seemingly satisfied, Ash leaves, taking Audrey with her.
“It’s…not,” Viv says, stumbling over the words.
Brushing my lips against the elegant column of her neck, I commit the taste, feel, and smell of her skin to my memory bank. “You don’t sound sure,” I whisper, holding her tighter when she sways in my arms.
“I’m not one of your groupies,” she says, looking back at me with a little frown.
I’m instantly serious. “I know you’re not. But you can’t deny we have chemistry.” My fingers caress the soft skin of her cheek.
“I won’t lie about that.”
Yes! Finally.
She stares deep into my eyes. “But I’m still not sleeping with you.”
Still somewhat delusional, I see. I lean into her face until there’s only a small gap between us. “Yet,” I say, flicking my tongue lightly against the seam of her lips.
Her hand lifts to my face, and I’m in heaven as she sweeps her fingers across the stubble on my jawline. “Hmm.” I lean into her touch, briefly closing my eyes, just wanting to savor the moment and everything I’m feeling. But the crowd won’t let me have it, jostling and pushing into us, so I move back a little, keeping her pulled in flush against me, finding a space that isn’t as congested. Vivien’s back is pressed against my chest, and I hold her tight, unwilling to let her go, as we dirty dance in sync with the music. Our bodies fit against one another perfectly, and we find a natural rhythm as we dance and touch each other.
I never want this moment to end.
My hands explore the exquisite curves of her body while I nuzzle her neck, licking, nipping, and kissing her skin. I wish we were naked, in a bed, so I could do all the things I want to do to her. Her hands glide up and down the sides of my legs and the backs of my thighs as she presses back against me, and every part of my body is straining with need. This is everything but not enough at the same time.
I need more.
