The Fall Up (The Fall Up, #1)(45)

“Sorry. I need to finish you up. They’re calling for you back in wardrobe.”

“Right,” Levee said, stepping away. Glancing down to my cock bulging in my jeans, she whispered, “What a waste of a perfectly good hard-on.”

I laughed, adjusting myself. “Later. I promise.” I pressed a chaste kiss to her lips then closed my eyes and started alphabetically listing types of wood.




Watching Levee perform was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. Sure, she put on one hell of a show, complete with dancers, wardrobe changes, and pyrotechnics, but even without the fanfare, she was mesmerizing. The way she commanded that stage, owning every note that escaped her sexy mouth, was cock hardening. I couldn’t have dragged my eyes away even if I hadn’t been utterly falling for her.

I’d heard Levee’s music on the radio. I recognized the beats and the melody. But, after having gotten to know the woman who’d written them, I realized that the words were the most beautiful of all. Through her songs, it was clear Levee had been struggling for a while, but the most staggering part was how much hope and fight were woven into her lyrics as well. And, because of that fight, I found hope as well.

She’s going to be okay.

And so would we.

I still didn’t know why Levee had been on that bridge night after night. I’d gathered that her life was stressful, but when I saw the way she came alive the moment she stepped on stage with a mic in her hand, I couldn’t imagine her wanting to escape it all. I was well aware that life wasn’t always what it seemed to an outsider. Something else had to be going on with her, and as her eyes continuously found mine in the front row, I had a sudden and burning desire to figure out exactly what that was.

As the concert drew to an end, Devon retrieved me from my seat and escorted me to Levee’s dressing room. As usual, he was pissed the f*ck off about something, but I was starting to believe that that was just his natural disposition rather than it having anything to do with me. The sound of Levee’s encore was blaring into the room as I relaxed on the small couch and propped my feet up. Closing my eyes, I breathed in deeply and began replaying the last twenty-four hours in my mind. Before I realized it, my cheeks were aching from the huge smile that covered my face.

I was so f*cking happy.

And, if the twitch of my cock was any indication, I was horny too. The memories of Levee strutting across the stage had spurred that.

When the last beat of the drum finally fell silent, I began to stare holes in the door. The concert had been surreal, and I was desperate to get my hands on Levee and remind myself just how real we really were.

I jumped to my feet when the door swung open and people filled the room. Probably only five or six others came in, but the moment Levee entered the room, it felt like we were still in the middle of that sold-out arena.

We’d agreed to keep this thing with us on the down low for a while, so even though she was standing directly in front of me, she was completely unreachable in the room full of people.

Her face was slicked with sweat, and her makeup had begun to melt away. Tiny curls were frizzing from the top of her hair, boldly escaping what could only be described as hairspray’s death grip. But, as she stood in front of me in a tiny, black dress with desire filling her eyes, she was more gorgeous than ever.

It took every ounce of self-restraint I had not to pull her into my arms, but since my eyes were glued to hers, I had no idea who else was in that room or if they knew about us.

I did know they needed to get the f*ck out.

“You were incredible out there,” I whispered, and a shy smile pulled at her lips. Dropping my voice so low that it was barely audible, I buried my hands in my pockets and bent toward her, saying, “Now, get rid of these people so I can strip you naked and show you what watching you on stage did to me.”

I backed up just in time to see her eyes darken, and a silent breath breezed through her parted lips. That simple reaction sent blood rushing to my cock and an intoxicating feeling I wasn’t ready to acknowledge yet spreading throughout my chest.

Levee held my heated gaze as she shouted, “Everyone out! I need a few minutes alone.”

The crowd continued to talk amongst themselves, but without a single question, the room cleared.

If we wanted to keep up the fa?ade, I probably should have followed them out then snuck back in, but I was more focused on the woman I was about to maul than devising an actual plan.

My heart raced.

Her nipples hardened.

My nostrils flared.

Her teeth grazed her bottom lip.

My fists clenched at my sides.

Her eyes flashed to my cock.

The door clicked.

Our bodies slammed together.

Her hands were in my hair as my mouth dominated hers. Moans and growls mixed in a symphony of desperation around us. I couldn’t wait a second longer. Palming her ass, I lifted her off her feet and backed her against the wall. Her legs wrapped around my hips and her arms folded around my neck in a frantic need to be closer. There was only one way to possibly do that though, and it required me to let her go and roll a f*cking condom on.

I’d have given anything to rip her panties down and bury myself inside her wet heat bare. To lose myself in the moment and show her exactly how ravenous I was for her. I wanted raw and rough to quell the visceral need she made me feel when we were together.

However, I wasn’t putting her in that position yet. No matter what f*cked-up pattern my chest was banging out for her, it was too soon to ask her to trust me that deeply.