Page 61 of Ravaged For You

“Goodnight, Mr. Stoll.”

27

AXEL

“We’ll go again but this time from the top.”

We all nod in agreement with Drake as we ready ourselves for restarting the song. It’s one of the new ones from Staying At Her Place. We’re in the same arena in LA we performed at the other night, but this time it’s midday, and the place is completely deserted except for our band and a few techies. We’re practicing for the world tour we’re about to embark on.

Drake pulls the microphone close to his lips like he’s about to kiss it and starts to sing.

You didn’t forgive me, no

You did not forgive me

when I treated you so bad

But I swear down to you, girl,

That you’re the one light

in the darkness

That keeps me going at night

I don’t need no words,

no songs,

no promises

I just need you, oh

I just need you

Drake gestures for us to halt the song. Caspian immediately stops the beat. We wait for what Drake has to say. Our lead singer is all about the music, that’s for sure. This is both an art and a craft for him, and he won’t accept any result unless it’s perfect. That’s probably why we’ve got to where we are. We’re an unbreakable team. We all need each other. When we come together to perform, we’re unstoppable.

But, right now, we’re not performing up to scratch. And we all sense it.

“I’m not feeling it,” Drake mutters, spinning back around to us to gauge our reactions. “There’s not enough… energy, and that’s from all of us. We need to get this song right. We need to make our audience leave with the breath still out of their lungs. We need to beat Tainted Lives on release day.”

He’s right. I know it. Bishop and Caspian know it. But we’re all so damn tired. We’ve been rehearsing non-stop for hours now, and it really takes its toll on both our bodies and our minds.

I woke up this morning feeling strange. Knowing that Maddie was in the room next door scrambled my head last night. I didn’t know how to act around her this morning when I ordered breakfast to the room. She was sweet and nice about everything, which just confused me more. I’ve never spent a morning with a girl I haven’t – or not even allowed to have - fucked before. Last night tested the limits of my willpower. I had to restrain myself from kissing her as we said goodnight. Man, how I desired that so much in the moment. It was the next logical step, and one I would’ve taken if it weren’t for all the fucking… complications around us.

I had to stop myself from sneaking into the room after dark. Slide into the bed. Touch her in places she doesn’t let anyone touch.

Fuck.

The thought of that makes me hard.

Oh, I could see her admiring my body as I undressed to sleep on that fucking couch. I’m no idiot. My cock was so goddamn ready for her when she ate up my tattoos with her eyes. I just know I could’ve whispered sweet nothings in her ear and made her mine, just as I fantasize in my deep dreams.

But I won’t jeopardize the deal we made, though.

All of my band mates have commented on the fake relationship plan to me in private. Surprisingly, they’re all behind it. They see the merit in me changing my shitty public perception.

I just need to make it the next few months not kissing Maddie Leaver except on official business. And, after last night, I know it’s gonna be hard.