Page 18 of Everything After

“But we didn’t have sex then,” I argued.

“No, but the anticipation was off the charts for me. That beer bottle stunt you pulled had to be one of the hottest, most spontaneous and ingenious ideas you’ve ever had to taste me.”

My eyes narrowed. “So you want me to fuck you with a beer bottle?” I teased.

“That wasn’t the point. I put some restrictions in place, and you rose to the challenge,” she admitted.

“Right. That might have been a turn on for you, but my cock almost burst out of its skin in frustration with my little antic. I’d regard that as one of the most frustrating nights I ever had with you,” I confessed.

“But it was probably the one that taught me the lengths you had been willing to go to in order to prove to me you were serious about us,” she replied.

ALFIE

Within half an hour of being home, Lily and I had reconnected by bathing together. Nothing relaxed me more than when she was laid with her back against my chest, and I had her silky skin beneath my wet, soaped-up hands.

“God that feels good,” she mumbled. Her bunched-up, messy bun tickled my nostrils as she glanced adoringly over her shoulder and rolled her eyes like she was in ecstasy.

“It does,” I admitted, bending to place my lips to her temple as the tension between us ebbed away. I relished in those sacredskin to skin moments, times where we weren’t Alfie Black of Crakt Soundzz and Lily Parnell of XrAid, just Alfie and Lily, husband and wife, friends and lovers.

It had been ages since we’d chilled out and enjoyed that much-needed downtime from the pressures and strains on our home life that came with fame.

“Missed you,” she muttered while she pressed a soft kiss beneath my chin. It was as close to my mouth as she could reach, and it brought a smile to my lips.

“About what Drew said to Lennie… I am taking time off… a whole year away before taking on any more band commitments,” I disclosed, excited to share the decision our band had taken together. Turning, she repositioning herself onto her knees between my legs, and appeared horrified.

“Are you sick?” she asked, frowning and cupping my cheeks.

“Of touring, yes. Of being at everyone’s beck and call… of not spending more time with you, absolutely, but I’m perfectly healthy,” I admitted.

“But I’ll still be working,” she muttered deadpan. “XrAid can’t afford to take time off right now. Shouldn’t you have discussed this with me?”

I groaned. “It’s a decision Crakt Soundzz made as a band, Lily. My world might revolve around you, but the rest of my bandmates’ lives don’t. Drew and Elle have two kids he’s hardly ever seen.”

She sat back on her heels so abruptly the bath water sloshed over the sides of the tub. “You knew XrAid was booked for a writing retreat, and we have enough good material already. We’re supposed to be recording our next album,” she accused, sounding hurt. A stormy look darkened her usually bright green eyes, and I knew immediately she believed I was pressuring her.

“Why have you taken this personally? No one’s disrupting your schedule.” I was usually sensitive to her needs but in that moment, I felt mine were being ignored.

Feeling my temper rising, I held her upper arms, gently set her aside in the tub, got out of the bath, grabbed a towel from the towel warmer, and left the bathroom.

“That’s right, run away,” she snapped after me. “I’d almost forgotten how well you do that.”

Stepping back into her view, I cast her a warning look. “You’re unbelievable sometimes. I’m not running, but I think I might need to walk. After your response just now, I’m wondering if there’ll ever be time for me. I’ve given you everything you asked me for, space, time, support, guidance, love and understanding. Where’s yours for me? We hadn’t even gotten home before you accused me of doing something I’d planned to do without telling you. And now that I’m telling you what’s going to happen, you’ve managed to make that about you as well.”

“Listen, let’s talk,” she muttered. I heard her make a huffing sound before the water sloshed and she began to get out of the bath.

“Don’t. Stay where you are,” I barked, louder than I’d intended. “I’m not in a talking mood right now. In fact, I am taking that walk, or I might say something we would both regret. I haven’t had a proper break from band work for almost fifteen years, Lily.”

“The only break I’ve had was when I had an accident that almost cost me my life,” she countered.

“There you go again. That may be so, but this isn’t about you, it’s about me. In case you’ve forgotten, I was doing the same shit for years before you started college. Unlike you, I didn’t fall into a ready-made band with a growing following and a network of famous people around to help me.”

“Are you implying XrAid are where we are because of you… I earned my spot with the band.”

“Your level of fame isn’t only because of your talent, and I’m not saying you’re not a great musician because you deserve to be there. But when the co-lead singer acts like he’s in heat whenever he sets eyes on you, maybe how you look had as much of an influence on their decision to choose you as well.”

She lifted a water-laden sponge and chucked it full force toward me. I let it slap against my chest, soaking my body before it fell to the floor. “Huh! Enough about Cody already. I strongly suggest you go take that fucking walk,” she spat through gritted teeth.

“Fuck it. I’m tired of pussyfooting around this. I’ve changed my mind. I’m going ashore for the night.”