THE BIGGEST STAGE (A Brothers of Rock - WILLOW SON - novel) (20 page)

(20)

Colby signed an autograph and took
a picture with the woman. They each held up their coffees and smiled big. That
was the third picture and tenth autograph. All of which Tessa watched from a
backseat kind of angle, seated at a corner table, hidden from the rest of the
world. Her eyes refused to leave Colby as he talked to Willow Son fans.

Not to mention how deadly sexy he
looked. His dark jeans, black boots, and leather jacket were way too hot for
his own good. Yet, each time he could, he looked at Tessa and smiled. And nodded.
And winked. And put up a finger, begging her to wait.

Of course she
’
d wait. She had nothing else to
do.

When Colby finally got to the
table, he pulled a chair out and spun it around. The way he straddled the chair
was just unfair to Tessa
’
s
womanhood. It messed with her heart, and her mind.

For a few seconds, they just stared
at each other.

“
Pretty
eyes,
”
Colby finally said,
again.

“
Yeah.
I
’
m here.
”

“
Fate
again, huh?
”

Tessa swallowed hard. There was a
fine line with fate as far as she was concerned.  Her need to see Colby again
seemed to be greater than whatever the hell fate had in store for them. Yet
here they were, across from each other at a small table.

“
Talk
to me,
”
Colby said.

“
I
don
’
t know what you want me
to say.
”

“
Can
I apologize for what happened before?
”

“
You
could do anything you want.
”

Colby stiffened.
“
You did your homework, didn
’
t you?
”

Tessa shrugged her shoulders.
“
What was I supposed to do? You
shut me out, Colby. You pushed me away. I felt like a whore
…
leaving that hotel
…”

Colby
’
s
hand shot across the table and grabbed hers.
“
You
’
re far from that. Trust me. You
’
re
…”

“
I
’
ve seen pictures of you. With
strippers. Partying.
”

Colby shook his head.
“
That
’
s all bullshit, pretty eyes. I can look you in
those pretty eyes and tell you I haven
’
t
been near a woman since you. And I have no urge
…”

“
Stop,
”
Tessa said.
“
I don
’
t know what we
’
re
doing. Just hooking up when the time is right?
”

“
Or
maybe there
’
s something
more to it all,
”
Colby
said.

“
So
you
’
re here getting a
coffee?
”
Tessa asked.

You know why he
’
s here. Stop
…
Tessa
…
stop
…

“
I
’
m going to my cabin,
”
Colby said.
“
Have a little time to myself
before the big show. We
’
ve
practiced. We
’
re ready. I
’
m trying to get away from it
all. Everything reminds me of you, Tessa.
”

“
Running
away then?
”
she asked.

“
Maybe
a little.
”

“
That
’
s never a bad thing.
”

“
You
’
re here on business?
”

“
Yeah,
”
Tessa said.
Liar. You dumb
liar, you.
“
And helping
Wendy get settled. She
’
s
living with Anna now. I
’
m
trying this thing where I don
’
t
control their lives. Letting them go a little.
”

“
You
could let them go a lot by coming with me to my cabin.
”

And there it was.

The offer.

The invitation Tessa had been
dreaming of for a couple days now.

The words were lingering there for
her taking.

Wendy stood next to the counter,
giving two thumbs up. Nodding. Smiling.

“
I
know your sister is behind me making faces,
”
Colby said.

Tessa blushed.
“
Sorry.
”

“
Don
’
t be. What do you want to do?
Because if you don
’
t want
to make a decision, I
’
ll
make it for you. I
’
ll throw
you on the back of my motorcycle and we
’
re
gone.
”

“
Motorcycle
…”

“
Yeah,
”
Colby said.
“
It gets a little chilly once we
get closer to the cabin, but that
’
s
okay. It
’
s worth it once
you
’
re there.
”
Colby smiled.
“
So
…
want to tempt fate again with me, pretty eyes?
”

Tessa swallowed really hard. She
stared at Colby, falling more in love with him.

Tempt fate?

Tessa was beyond fate
…
and Colby had no idea what she
had already done to move beyond fate
…

**

It was beyond insane and simply
amazing.

Colby had his bag strapped to the
motorcycle, along with Tessa
’
s.
Her hands were around his body, fingers locked tight. The motorcycle still
roared, taking them up into the mountains. Each minute seemed to get cooler,
which sucked while riding in it, but would be so worth it once they were at the
cabin and were able to get in front of a fire together.

After a quick stop for some
supplies, they were at the cabin a short time later.

Still standing, the cabin brought
an instant smile to Colby
’
s
face. He had a truck parked up there too, just in case it snowed too much and
he couldn
’
t use his
motorcycle. Or if he needed to get a ton of supplies and couldn
’
t ride with them on his back or
on the motorcycle.

He took Tessa by the hand and
walked her to the door.

Unlocking it, he said,
“
Your castle, my princess.
”

Tessa laughed.
“
I
’
m
cold. This is crazy up here.
”
She looked around.
“
But it
’
s so beautiful.
”

Colby touched Tessa
’
s cheek.
“
No, pretty eyes, you
’
re
beautiful.
”

He kissed her - something he
’
d been waiting to do for what
felt like forever - and then opened the door.

To Colby, it was just
the cabin
.
Lots of windows for sunlight and views. A huge main floor with plenty of
furniture, including a couch and chair that faced the large stone fireplace on
the back wall. The main floor was open with a set of steps on the opposite end
of the cabin, which lead upstairs to the master bedroom and bathroom. The
downstairs, following under the steps, had another bedroom and a half bath. It
wasn
’
t meant to accommodate
much, but it was big enough for space and small enough for comfort. A doorway
next to the steps led the way to a kitchen, which had a table that rested next
to a window that looked outside. Off the kitchen was a side door that led
outside.

Colby held Tessa
’
s hand tight as he gave the
tour.

Outside, he pointed to the flat
part of the land before it dropped off down the mountain.

“
Looks
worse than it is,
”
Colby
said.
“
We can hike down
there and back with no problem.
”

“
You
go down there?
”
Tessa
asked.

“
To
get some firewood or just to mess around. Guy things. I have a shed over there
”
- Colby pointed -
“
and have a few ATV
’
s. We come up here sometimes and
raise a little hell.
”

“
The
rockstar who spends his time in the mountains,
”
Tessa said.

“
Surprise,
right?
”

“
How
many groupies or strippers have been up here?
”

Colby gritted his teeth.
“
Get it off your chest, pretty
eyes.
”

“
You
hurt me,
”
Tessa said.
“
Like you said you would. And I
’
m mad that you were right about
it. But the thing is
…
I don
’
t get why you hurt me. I don
’
t even know why I
’
m hurt. Because I asked a
question about your past? Something I heard about a few times? Then you
disappear and show up online with strippers. Topless women. Smiling.
”

“
Whoa,
”
Colby said. He sucked in a
breath. He never felt like he had to defend himself to a woman before
…
but Tessa was so different.
“
That was promo stuff.
”

“
Strippers?
”

“
Portis
owns the club,
”
Colby said.
“
It was dumb. We were
having a few drinks and he was paying for everything. He wanted a picture of
the band and the first one was clothed. The second one
…”

“
You
were smiling.
”

“
That
’
s what you came up here for?
”

“
I
don
’
t know
…”

Colby faced Tessa.
“
I swear to you. I haven
’
t touched another woman. And it
makes no sense to have to say it to you. You made it clear we were friends. But
yet I can
’
t get you off my
mind. I don
’
t want
anything, anyone, but you.
”

Tessa pulled back a little.
“
I can
’
t just
…
I can
’
t just accept things,
Colby. I need to know everything.
”

“
You
’
ve read everything,
”
Colby said. His heart pounded
and cracked.
“
You said you
wouldn
’
t, but you did.
”

“
I
saw you with strippers and got pissed. I had to go through hundreds of emails
from people wanting to know who I was.
”

“
I
’
m sorry,
”
Colby said.
“
I
’
m sorry. I never intended
…”

Colby sucked in a breath. He looked
away from Tessa.

“
I
’
m sorry,
”
Tessa said.
“
It
’
s been such a weird week for me.
And seeing you, but not seeing you
…”

Colby nodded.
“
You know what?
”
Colby looked Tessa in the eyes.
“
I was convicted as a
murderer. Is that what you want me to say? That I hurt someone? That I killed
someone? That I was a damn fool when I was younger? Too rich for my own good
…
and I hurt people
…”

The air felt colder.

They stared at each other.

Colby wanted to scream. Wanted to
be so angry that his decisions of the past were going to haunt him forever.
More than that, he was angry he finally found a woman he could love and his
past threatened his future.

But then Tessa slowly reached up
and touched his face. Her fingertips grazed the scruff of his five o
’
clock shadow.

“
I
’
m freezing,
”
Tessa whispered.
“
And I want you to make love to
me.
”

(21)

Tessa felt her back hit the bedroom
wall and she let out a groan. Colby
’
s
hands cupped her ass as he kept her propped up so they were eye level. The tip
of his nose flirted with hers for a second before he kissed her. Turning his head,
parting his lips, he commanded the kiss.

Tessa dug her fingers into Colby
’
s hair and pulled, sighing in
between breaths and kisses. Her ankles were locked around his back. She pulled
at him, her hips thrusting, her body demanding more attention.

Why was there so much fucking
clothes on right now?

Tessa put her head back against the
wall. She felt Colby kiss down her chest. He then spun her, leaving her cry
out, as he took her to the bed.

Dropping her down, he hurried to
grab at her shirt, wanting it off. Tessa allowed Colby to take her shirt off
and then she slithered up to her feet, her hands darting under his shirt. As
she felt the hardness of his muscle, her body was quickly set even more on
fire. The chill from the outside was long since replaced by the heat of the
rockstar she was in love with.

With Colby
’
s shirt off, Tessa gripped at his shoulders tight.

He pulled her close and his fingers
touched the clasp of her bra. One flick and it was undone. His hands slipped
down her body, touching her jeans, quickly coming around. He wanted her naked;
she wanted to be naked.

When he opened her jeans and slid a
hand into the front of her lacy panties, she felt him trail down and around.
Following the curve of her body, right to her wet core. His fingers touched,
pressed, gently penetrating, bringing her desire to life even more. As Colby
pressed, Tessa moved to her toes. She was turned on, jumpy, her needs aching.

Colby took his hand away and guided
her jeans and panties down. He dropped to one knee before her, leaving Tessa
gasping at the wild sight. Colby worked easily as he touched the back of her
leg and made sure she kept her balance as Tessa stepped out of her shoes,
socks, jeans, and panties.

The entire thing was so sensual and
romantic.

Her body was on fire. Her heart raced
to where her mouth felt dry.

Colby came forward and kissed just
above her sex. His lips and tongue then trailed up her smooth body, hands at
the curve of her hips, holding tight.

Colby stood, his nose grazing over
one of her nipples. Then he attacked her neck and worked up to her mouth.

They kissed hard, wildly, the
passion growing by the second.

Tessa hurried to grab at Colby
’
s jeans, opening them, forcing
them down. Before she could touch his hard and thick sex, Colby pressed against
her and took her to the bed. His hands slid down to her ass again, lifting her
lower half. Tessa grabbed at Colby
’
s
neck, pulling herself up. That allowed Colby to climb on the bed and move her
to the top of the bed.

There, he softly placed her down
and lowered his body to hers.

She felt him
there
, pressing
to her center. Their lips touched, kissed, their tongues battling for a second,
and then it stopped. Colby stared down at her as he entered her. Thrusting with
a gentle yet needy movement, breaking her open again, filling her core and
desire.

Colby held there for a few seconds,
his body throbbing. Tessa rocked slowly, wanting more, but unable to leave this
moment. Their eyes locked, lips inches away from each other. It was the hottest
moment of Tessa
’
s life, and
a far cry from the night in the hotel room, in the bathroom. That was pure
lust. And this
…
this was
pure love. Love with a man who was a rockstar. Who had a past. But he had a
heart. A beautiful heart.

And he was just so damn sexy.

Tessa put a hand to Colby
’
s face. Her nails dug at his
cheek.

“
Fuck,
”
she groaned.
“
It
’
s
…”

“
I
know,
”
Colby whispered.

He kissed her and then pulled back
and thrust forward. The bed shook, the headboard tapping against the wall.
Tessa reached back with her free hand and tried to press against the headboard
to prevent the noise.

But what did it matter? They were
in the mountains. The middle of nowhere. No sounds mattered
…

A few minutes later, the headboard
smacked against the wall harder, louder, with each powerful movement of Colby
’
s perfect body. He touched her
everywhere. His hands at her hips, her ass, the back of her legs. Then he moved
up to her sides, her breasts, the back of her neck.

Everywhere he touched left traces
of fire burning on Tessa
’
s
body.

Her climax was warm, explosive, and
it never seemed to end. Colby was right there with her the entire time. Moving
and loving her body. His lips caressed down her neck, to her chest. He engulfed
her breast, suckling hard, until Tessa cried out. Then he became suddenly
gentle, softly pulling back.

Kissing back up her neck, Colby
found Tessa
’
s lips again.
She hurried and put a hand to the back of his head and held him there. Kissing.
Tasting. Digging her heels into the bed and thrusting up at him. Matching his incredible
speed. Wanting to feel him
…
all of him.

The kiss started to become sloppy
now. The harder Colby thrust, the more Tessa felt like she had no control over
her own body. She was there, pleasured, ragged, loving every second of it all.
Her hands clawed at Colby
’
s
back, hanging on tight to him. She put her head back to the pillows and let out
a long cry. Colby
’
s tongue
again moved down to her breasts. He was somehow seemingly everywhere at once.

Tessa felt Colby
’
s hand slip to the back of her head.
He pulled at her, his tongue moving up her throat, around to her neck. His lips
grazed her ear as he let out a small groan.

“
Ah,
pretty eyes,
”
he whispered.
“
You
’
re perfect.
”

“
Don
’
t hold back,
”
Tessa groaned.

She meant so much by it.

Colby looked at her again. Their
eyes both on fire. He gritted his teeth and hissed as he reached his pinnacle.
Tessa felt him pulsing and thickening deep inside her. And when the final
thrust came, Colby let go. The feeling was enough to bring Tessa to the edge
again. Her toes curled, her mouth opened, and she wanted to scream as loud as
possible.

Nothing came out.

Colby stole her breath. Colby stole
her heart.

She
’
d
fallen in love with a rockstar.

But she feared what he
’
d give back to her.

They came down from the passion
together, Colby gently moving from her body. He touched her face, touched her
hair.

“
I
’
m going to build a fire,
”
he whispered.

“
You
already have,
”
Tessa said.
She took his hand and placed it to her chest.

“
Oh
…
pretty eyes
…”

“
Colby,
I
…
I love you.
”

Tessa felt the words slipping out
of her mouth, out of her control.

Before she could say anything else,
Colby hurried from the bed. He grabbed his jeans and stepped into them. Tessa
sat up, grabbing for the covers to cover her exposed body.
Everything was exposed
now, including her heart.

“
Colby
…”

He was at the door. He looked back.

Are those tears in his eyes?

“
You
can
’
t love me,
”
he said.
“
I should have never brought you
here.
”

And then he was gone.

**

Colby brought the ax down with a
grunt. He didn
’
t need
anymore firewood, he needed to get rid of his anger. Three more pieces smashed
in half and Colby dropped the ax. He stood in the cold, breathing heavily,
seeing his breath dancing in front of his face. His body shivered, his bare
torso with sweat from chopping wood and having sex.

The cold air ripped at him, but
Tessa got to him more.

He looked to the cabin and shook
his head.

Gathering up some of the wood, he
walked into the cabin. Tessa stood there wearing the sheet from the bed. He
looked at her and then went to the fireplace. Crouching down, he put together a
pile of kindling. Once that was lit, he put a few bigger pieces of wood on and
gave them a minute or two to catch.

The heat from the fire felt good.

He stood, turned, and saw Tessa
still standing there.

“
Booze
or hot chocolate?
”
he
asked.

“
The
way I feel
…
both,
”
she said.

Colby nodded.
“
Have a seat. Warm up.
”

“
Am
I allowed to stay?
”

Colby took the shot and nodded.
“
Yeah. You
’
re not going anywhere.
”

“
Just
checking. In case I have to put my clothes on and leave. Like the hotel.
”

A second shot.

Colby gritted his teeth.
“
Maybe we should start with the
booze.
”

He walked to the kitchen and opened
the cabinet. There was whiskey and a box of hot chocolate mix.

“
Fuck
it,
”
he groaned.

He grabbed a small cooking pot and
filled it with water. He put it on the stove and turned on the burner. Waiting
for the water to heat up bought time.

Colby knew he couldn
’
t keep going like this. Sharing
deep moments with Tessa and then exploding and leaving because she wanted to
know more about him. She
’
d
already looked him up online.

What more did she want?

The truth.

From his own mouth.

The water was steaming hot enough
and Colby took it off the stove. He poured it into the mugs and then stirred up
the hot chocolate. He carried the two mugs - one red mug with a Christmas tree
on it and a white mug with a chipped forest on it - to the living room.

Tessa was on the floor, cuddled up
in the blanket. The sheet still around her body.

Colby approached and Tessa looked back
and up at him.

“
Hot
chocolate?
”
he asked.

“
Perfect,
”
she whispered.

“
Look
…”

“
Forget
what I said,
”
Tessa said.
“
That was just the moment
…”

“
No
it wasn
’
t,
”
Colby said.

“
Don
’
t
…”

“
I
am. You love me. You
’
re in
love with me. And
…
I
’
m in love with you, Tessa. I
love you. And now I
’
m going
to tell you the truth. I
’
m
a murderer
…”