Redemption (Tattoos & Tears - Brody Book 1) Page 14

  “Ohhh Jesus!”

  The smoky look in his eyes and the ripple of his hard, tattooed muscles is enough to chase my orgasm to the finish line. With a few more expert strokes, it surges through me, like I’d imagine a fire tearing through a bush and in this moment, I’ve never wanted a man as much as I want Brody Hart… every damaged fucking inch of him.

  ***

  As the weeks go on, I find myself enjoying my time on the tour bus, which are words I never thought I’d be saying. I spend my days running lines with Gavin and Nick and learning what it takes to be a fully-fledged rock star from Sam and the guys, all in the name of art. I spent my nights wrapped up in everything Brody Hart. After our argument, a few weeks ago, Brody apologised, and I willingly forgave him after some explosive make-up sex.

  Two Weeks Ago

  We’ve been avoiding each other for the past week and the awkward, icy, atmosphere on the bus, you could cut with a knife. I’m running lines with Nick on the bus and Brody is glaring daggers at us. Nick looks up over his script and rolls his eyes. I smirk at his reaction and we both start to recite the script, by heart. It also happens to be a scene in which Nick’s character, Tripp and my character, Stevie, declare their love for each other.

  “I’m tired of sharing you with the world, Stevie, fuck, I want you for myself. Call me selfish, but I can’t stand it. Every man, who watches you out there, doing what you do best, every single one of them, is imagining you naked and in their beds, when the only person that should be in your bed, is me,” he recites his lines with genuine passion and conviction, that I almost believe every word he says.

  He folds his arms across his broad chest and places his script face down on the table. The next part of the scene involves us kissing and Nick bites his lip to stifle his wicked smirk. I school my expression and get right into character, placing my hand on Nick’s face.

  “Tripp, I’m done pretending I don’t want you, all the women that came before me are insignificant. Shit, you’re-everything.”

  Nick and I move closer to each other, aware that Brody’s eyes are trained on us. As Nick’s lips touch mine, I kiss him back and precipitately, I feel a firm grip on my wrist.

  “That’s enough, Raleigh. You’ve made your fucking point.”

  His tone is possessive, authoritative, and resolute.

  “You and me, we’re gonna have words, Slade,” Brody snaps menacingly, as he jabs his finger in Nick’s general direction.

  Nick cocks his eyebrow smugly and gets up from his seat. He flashes a cheeky wink at Brody.

  “I expected nothing less, Hart. My work here is done, next time maybe attempt talking to her, instead of childishly pretending she doesn’t fucking exist,” Nick declares obstinately and leaves us alone.

  “Was that really for my fucking benefit?” he spits, and I smile innocently.

  “Why on earth would you think that? He is one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors, I think we would make adorable babies.”

  I shrug sardonically and Brody growls assertively.

  “Don’t even fucking joke about that, Raleigh.”

  I stand up and even though he is a few inches taller than me, I feel small and inferior, as he crashes his lips forcefully to mine. His kiss knocks me breathless, and he tangles his large hand in my hair, pulling my head closer to him. His tongue wrestles with mine and he nips my bottom lip with his teeth, as if he is claiming his territory. He pulls away momentarily and presses his forehead against mine.

  “I’m incapable of staying away from you, Rae.”

  His voice is low and full of want.

  “I know I’m no good for you, but there’s something about you that makes me want to see where this goes. I’m sorry for acting like a dick, my feelings-overwhelm me sometimes and I don’t know how to deal with them. I’m trying so hard, but you make me feel-too fucking much, that’s a totally new and different concept for me. Be patient, don’t give up on me… on us.”

  I grasp his t-shirt and for the first time since we met, I see vulnerability in his stormy silver eyes.

  “I get it, those feelings are alien to me too, I’ve spent countless therapy sessions trying to make sense of it, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t-I can’t stop myself from wanting you.”

  He squeezes his eyes shut, as if waging an internal war with himself.

  “Raleigh,” he murmurs roughly, and I see the struggle in his eyes.

  “Take me to bed and show me, we can do our talking that way.”

  I pull away from him and lead him to the back of the bus, by gripping the front of his t-shirt. We pass Nick and I swear I hear him mutter.

  “About fuckin’ time.”

  I grin like a loon and as I push the door shut, he’s on me. He takes off his t-shirt and the sight that greets me, makes me lick my lips.

  “God, you’re hot!”

  He chuckles softly to himself and winks cheekily.

  “Clothes off,” he demands gruffly, and I don’t need asking twice, as I race to get naked.

  We’re both naked in record time and eagerly anticipating his body pressed against mine.

  “Jesus, you’re a sight for sore eyes, Raleigh Storm, how did I get so lucky?”

  His voice is soft, almost as if he is saying it to himself. “I need the words, Raleigh. Tell me what you want.”

  I’m practically panting with raw lust, I’m desperate for this gloriously anguished man and I don’t know how to stop myself from falling in love with him.

  14

  Brody

  Today is the last day of the UK leg of our tour. We’re playing our final gig at the world famous, iconic Royal Albert Hall, before we embark on our European and U.S leg of the tour. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind and Raleigh and I have been practically inseparable. During this time, I’ve got to know what makes her tick and I’ve come to the realisation, that she isn't the same woman I met in rehab. Yes, she’s still fragile, but not fragile like a flower. She’s fragile, like a bomb and at any moment she could self-destruct, but I’m determined not to let that happen. I have never met anyone like her before. She’s beautiful, smart, funny, and she accepts me for who I am. Despite my flaws, she still wants me. Her soul is equally as damaged as mine, yet we fit together perfectly.

  The feelings she evokes in me scare the living shit out of me, but the more I get to know the real Raleigh Storm, the more I find myself becoming attached to her. She spends her days running and perfecting her lines for her upcoming film with Peyton and Nick, and by night, I pleasure her, until the sun comes up. During the weeks that have passed, I’ve been teaching Raleigh how to play guitar. She wanted to make her film role more authentic, by being able to play for real. She’s a natural and tonight she’s joining us on stage to play with us. She’s dressed in tiny leather hot pants, a white vest - which emphasises her perfect, pert breasts - and knee-high leather boots, with black and silver accessories. She takes a deep breath and looks at me. The look she gives me, practically puts me on my knees, she’s so beautiful and she doesn’t even realise.

  “I’m so fucking nervous!” she laughs uneasily, and I press her against the wall.

  “Will this make you less nervous, kitten?” I say gruffly as I crash my lips against hers.

  She moans inaudibly and loses herself in our kiss. I briefly pull away.

  “Fuck, you’re a force of nature, Storm.”

  I run my fingers through her hair, and she chuckles softly.

  “Right back at you, Hart!” I laugh, as I make some last-minute adjustments to my guitar.

  “You’re gonna smash the shit out of this, kitten, trust me. See you on the other side!”

  I wink and steal one last kiss, before we make our way to the side of the stage.

  ***

  We’re in the middle of our set, and the crowd is lively tonight. Sam makes his way to the front of the stage and they go wild. The whole venue seems to vibrate with their enthusiastic energy. It's what I live for, the high is way better
than any chemical high I've ever felt.

  "How are you doing, London! Wow! So, I don’t know if you know, but for the past month, we've had a special guest, on tour with us, the very beautiful, Raleigh Storm."

  The crowd screams, as her name is mentioned.

  "She's been on the road with us, preparing for her brand-new movie ‘Rocked’ directed by the legend that it is, Damien Valentine. Whilst she’s been on tour with us, our very own Snake, has been teaching her how to play guitar. Our brand-new song ‘Rock Me’ is also going to be featured on the movie soundtrack and we're going to perform it for the very first time live, for you fucking lucky people tonight!"

  Sam sweeps his arm out to the side and I step forward to introduce her.

  "For the first time, please give a warm Vengeance welcome, to the extremely talented and honorary Rancid Vengeance member, Raleigh Storm!"

  She steps out onto the stage and the crowd cheer for her. She comes to a stop in front of me and I can see by the look on her face, she is terrified. I sling my guitar over her shoulder and let her adjust it herself. One of our loyal roadies, Donovan runs on stage, with my bass guitar and I fine-tune it quickly, as I lean in to whisper.

  "Remember what I taught you, kitten. Just relax, you're going to blow them away, I promise. I’ve got every faith in you, you fuckin’ got this!"

  I give her a wink of encouragement and she smiles nervously, as the opening strains of our new song 'Rock Me,' echo through the arena. Jax strums out an impressive opening riff and Raleigh joins in halfway through. She’s a total natural, it is as if she was born to play. That kind of talent is so rare. She fingers the fret board effortlessly, as Sam steps up to the microphone stand, gripping it with both hands and begins to sing.

  “Faster than a moving train, enraged like a hurricane. She's half woman, half American dream. Mistress of singing, I'm pulling your strings, twisting your dreams, and thrashing your drum. Rock me until the sun comes up. She’s blinded by me and you can't see the strings. Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream. Mistress, Mistress, just call me by my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream. Mistress, Mistress, rock me, until the suns comes up.”

  The spotlight moves on to her and bathes her in soft light, she looks almost ethereal and otherworldly. She struggled with this particular riff, but I know in my heart, she’ll smash the shit out of it. I give her an encouraging nod, to boost her confidence. I mouth ‘You can do this’ and she smiles softly. She grasps the opportunity with both hands, and she makes my guitar sing to her. She makes it her slave and for these four minutes and forty-two seconds, she is its master. I watch in awe, as her slender fingers, move lightning fast, up, and down the fret board and I can’t quite believe how quickly she’s took to playing it. The crowd grows more excited, and the atmosphere is electric. She strums out a solo, as if she were born to do it and the pride in my face must say it all, because she’s actually performing. She moves to the front of the stage, as the solo ends, Sam growls and begins to sing again.

  “A demon nestled somewhere in time. No warnings, no sign. My pretty little judgment day and slowly the villain arrives. Eventually, they all commit their crimes. Just call my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream. Mistress, Mistress, just call me by my name, 'cause I'll hear you scream. Mistress, Mistress, rock me, until the suns comes up. Yeahhh! Rock me, til’ the sun comes up.”

  Jax moves fluidly across the stage to stand back-to-back with Raleigh, as he normally stands with me.

  “Let’s give ‘em a show, sweetheart!” I hear him whisper to her.

  “Two-three-four!” he counts her in, and Raleigh didn't just play my electric guitar, she fucking rocked it and she didn't just rock the guitar; she rocked the whole venue.

  As the song draws to a close, the crowd goes wild, cheering, screaming, and stomping their feet. There’s no feeling like it, Raleigh jumps up and down and she launches herself at me. I catch her, hyper-aware that this moment will be captured and printed in tomorrow’s press. But I don’t care, I’m so fucking proud of her.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Miss Raleigh Storm!” Sam says gruffly, and she beams as she blows the crowd a kiss.

  “Thank you! Thank you so much London!”

  Donovan runs back onto the stage to swap our guitars and I sling my guitar over my head.

  “London, you’re looking so fucking beautiful out there tonight! Now, we're going to take you on a journey back to the very beginning of Rancid Vengeance. Back to when we were four young and fucking stupid teenagers, who had suddenly become famous. It's been a hard thirteen years, but you guys have kept us going, coming out to support us, buying our albums, you all make it all worthwhile and we can't thank you enough."

  The crowd begins their familiar chant.

  “Vengeance, Vengeance, Vengeance.”

  Sam laughs.

  "Yeahhh! We want everyone in this fucking room to get their phones out. Come on, all of you, get your phones out. We want every single one of you to start recording, live streaming, going live on social media, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, because right now, we're going to make a fucking moment!"

  The sea of people all do as Sam says, and it never fails to amaze me how he has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. There is a soft glow of light as the crowd hold up their phones to capture this iconic, defining moment. It is uniquely beautiful. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end and I feel goose bumps begin to form on my entire body. There’s no feeling like it and every time, feels like the very first time.

  "Let me hear Corrupted, Flash."

  The opening riff of our first single, which launched our career, fills the room and I feel so fucking high on adrenaline. The crowd go wild and the whole venue seems to vibrate with their enthusiastic energy, this is what I fucking live for.

  “Let me see those fucking hands in the air. I need to hear you scream for me, London!”

  Jax strums out the impressive, complex introduction and I join in. This truly is a defining moment, because it’s the moment I conclude, that I’m in love with Raleigh Storm. Fuck it all to hell.

  15

  Raleigh

  Everything was going great and today was the final day of touring, with Rancid Vengeance. A part of me didn’t want this tour to end, because I had fallen hook, line, and sinker in love with the enigma, that is Brody Lennon Hart. Earlier on this evening, I performed live on stage with the boys, and I understand what Brody meant when he said it’s better than any chemical high. I came off stage buzzed and unusually horny. I have some time to kill, before the boys come off stage, so I decide to call Liv to distract myself. I enter the empty dressing room, shut the door behind me and drop down onto the sofa. I pull my phone out of my bag and dial her number, she answers on the third ring.

  “Hey Liv!” I greet her enthusiastically.

  “Hey, hey Miss Rocker-knickers!”

  I laugh at her ridiculousness. God, I miss her.

  “How’s it going, girl?”

  I lean back in my seat and sigh heavily, “it’s been-eventful to say the least.”

  She laughs melodically. “Uh-oh, you’ve fallen in love with him haven’t you?”

  I chuckle softly at how well she knows me, and I squeeze my eyes shut briefly, willing the shameless ache that settles in my chest to subside.

  “Head over heels and I don’t know what to do, he makes it so easy for women to fall at his feet, Liv. He won’t let me inside those impenetrable walls, it’s impossible. I can’t stop fucking thinking about him, he’s-everything. Shit, I can’t stop myself from feeling with him, all those years of therapy and it all gets fucked to hell by a damaged rock star.”

  She pauses for a second. “Wow! His cock must be huge!”

  We both burst out into hysterical laughter, her blunt honesty is what I need right now and I’m so grateful she answered my call.

  “I’m assuming that’s a yes, by your awkward silence?” she asks curiously.

  “Hmm, tatt
ooed and pierced too!” I indulge her, and she shrieks.

  “O-M-F-G! You lucky bitch! You’ve hit the jackpot! I’ve been trying to convince Jens’ to get his cock pierced!”

  I close my eyes and think of Brody’s thick, pierced member. I feel myself getting wet just thinking of him and I bite my lip. Behave, Storm.

  “Let’s just say, it’s fucking amazing, Liv! Multiple orgasms all round and I haven’t had to fake it once!” I admit brazenly as she laughs dirtily, and I find myself laughing right along with her.

  We catch up for a while longer, shooting the breeze and catching up on our eventful and hectic lives.