Page 15 of Reverb (Larkspur Book 3)

Miles tapped his knee in annoyance. He hated being late, and he especially hated being late to the airport. Thankfully, he was flying in the company’s private jet, but they still had a schedule to meet. Beside him, Liam ran a hand up and down his thigh, leg jiggling.

“Liam. I need you to practice that breathing exercise we went through this morning.”

Liam threw him a dark frown. “What? Why?”

“Because considering the orgasm you had before we left, you should be pretty relaxed right now, but you’re showing signs of being stressed, and you’re supposed to be learning how to manage yourself.”

Red stained Liam’s cheeks at the mention of the hurried jerk-off session a few hours before. After Miles had fucked him the other night, they’d cleaned up, and, as requested, Miles had slid into bed with Liam. It had been a long time since he’d stayed the night with someone, and he enjoyed spooning Liam’s body.

Unfortunately, a call from one of his team woke him just after dawn, letting him know that one of their clients had been arrested after a run-in with the paparazzi. He had to leave the warm haven of Liam’s bed to deal with it.

Unwilling to wake Liam from what might have been the deepest sleep he’d had in months, Miles had left him a note explaining he’d gone to work, and that he would be in touch later in the day. Despite his best efforts to wrap matters up, he’d gone from one crisis to another, working late into the evening. He’d sent a brief text message to Liam telling him he would be home late and not to wait up.

This morning, a tense and irritable Liam had greeted him. Miles had made him join him in the gym, making him do a short workout before teaching him one of the easier meditation techniques he did daily. It had helped a little, and when Liam had quietly asked if he could join Miles in the shower, Miles had been unable to refuse him. He’d praised Liam, reinforcing the fact that asking for something he wanted was not a sign of weakness.

One soapy hand job later had left Liam more relaxed and in a better frame of mind. Liam had been a little disappointed that Miles had not gotten off and Miles had reassured him he was fine and he would get his reward later.

“Sir, we’re still about twenty minutes away. I’ve called ahead and let Jax know the situation.”

“Thank you, Brad,” Miles replied to the driver through the intercom. He had the privacy shield raised, as he was catching up on messages and emails, monitoring the situation from the day before.

“Miles?”

“Hmmm?” he murmured, glancing up from his tablet.

“How long are you going to be with us this leg?”

“Just for the Seattle show, and then I’ve got to get back to the office.”

“So I won’t see you until we get back to LA?”

Understanding dawned. This was why Liam was getting agitated again.

“No, baby boy, you won’t see me in person, but we can video call if you need to.”

“What are we going to tell the guys?” Liam worried at his lower lip, and Miles reached over to gently release it.

“Don’t do that to your mouth, beautiful.” He swiped his thumb along the fullness of Liam’s lip before settling back in his seat. “I don’t think we need to tell them anything just yet. I suggest we see how the next few weeks go while you’re away, and then, once you’re back, we can discuss how we see things progressing. If you want them to.”

“I do,” Liam says, picking at a loose thread on the seam of his jeans. “You’ve helped me a lot just this week, and even knowing you know what… that I’m—” he broke off with a shrug.

“Use your words, Liam. Me knowing what?”

“That I like it when someone controls me in the bedroom.”

“I’m glad I’ve been able to help. There are going to be times I’m not going to be able to take your calls or be with you, Liam, which is why you need to practice the breathing exercise. I’m also going to send you a couple of links to some videos I want you to watch.”

Liam threw him a smirk, and Miles couldn’t help but laugh in response.

“Not that kind of video.”

The sound of Liam’s laughter rolled through Miles. He hadn’t heard Liam laugh like that in a while, which was a positive sign.

Before he could say anything else, his tablet pinged with another message, and he groaned when he read it.

“Sorry, Liam. I’ve got to sort this out.”

“Do what you’ve got to do. I’ll just sit here and breathe.” Liam gave him a wink before closing his eyes and inhaling deeply.

“Brat!” Miles muttered, hiding his grin, before turning his attention back to his tablet.

When they finally boarded the jet, Miles was pleased to see that everyone else was there waiting to go. He greeted Seth, who, for once, hadn’t gotten into too much trouble during the week off. Maybe being secretly married was going to be good for the man.

He watched as Liam hugged his friends, pleased that he was once again relaxed. Despite his teasing, the exercises in the car had worked, and Miles would show Liam just how proud he was of him later.

As Liam buckled into his seat, their eyes met, and a dull flush tinged Liam’s cheeks. Miles turned back to stow his messenger bag, answering Jax as she brought him up-to-date on things in Seattle.

***

Liam propped himself against the raised drummer’s platform, twisting the lid off the bottle of water his tech had left for him. Soundcheck was going well, and for once, he felt relaxed.

“Hey, Lee. How’s it going?” Seth asked, walking towards him with his usual cocky swagger.

“Feeling good. I think we’re going to have a good show,” he told his friend.

“I’m looking forward to being back on stage.” Seth took a sip of his own drink. “What did you get up to over the break? I expected you to call and come over for dinner at least once.”

Momentary panic rushed through Liam, and he stumbled over his words.

“Oh. Yeah. Sorry. I… ah, was on a kind of retreat thing. I’ve been feeling quite stressed out lately, and ah… um… Miles suggested I go more or less off the grid for the week to try to relax more.” He could feel his cheeks heating, and he dropped his gaze.

He expected Seth to make one of his usual snarky comments but was pleasantly surprised when Seth clapped him on the shoulder.

“Hey, man. Why didn’t you say something? You know we would have all been there for you. I know I come off as an asshole most days, but I’m always here if you want to talk.”

“Thanks, Seth. Yeah, I know. One of the things I learned this week was to not be afraid to ask for help.”

“You and me both,” Seth muttered. Liam frowned at him, but before he could ask what he meant by that, Larry, their tour manager, called for them to reset.

“Beer after?” Seth asked over his shoulder as he headed back to his spot on the other side of the stage.

“Always,” Liam replied. For once, he was looking forward to catching up with the guys.

Several hours later, Liam followed the guys out to the waiting SUV, feeling high from the rush of performing. He slid into his seat next to Seth, who was tapping away at his phone, a small smile playing on his full lips. Liam glanced behind him to where Jamie and Kellet were sitting, both fully engrossed in each other, murmuring dirty sweet nothings.

Liam pulled out his own phone but had no interest in scanning social media for reviews like he normally did after a gig. He wanted to message Miles, but he was concerned that Seth might see it, and it would lead to more problems.

A familiar faint itch edged under his skin, and he took a few deep breaths to get it under control. He hadn’t seen Miles since leaving his room in the early hours of the morning after the Seattle show. They’d spoken every day, and he’d done the ‘homework’ Miles had given him by watching the videos on Tantra. He reluctantly admitted that they were helping, but somehow, tonight, he didn’t think some breathing exercises and stretches were going to be enough.

His eye caught the discreet logo of the hook up app he used. The urge to tap it and see if there was a place nearby that could help him out was strong. But the idea of breaking his agreement with Miles, seeing the disappointment in those steely-gray eyes, had him pressing the icon hard and deleting it when the trash can symbol came up.

He glanced at Seth to see if he’d seen what Liam was doing, but Seth was well involved in a conversation with whoever was on the other end of the phone, and oblivious to everyone else around him.

Angling his body toward the car so neither Seth nor the other two could see his phone, he tapped out a message to Miles.

Liam

Hey. Finished the show and on the way to the hotel. Are you busy?

There was a brief pause before a reply flashed up on his screen.

Miles

I’ll be available in about an hour.

Liam

May I call you?

Miles

Business or personal?

Liam

Personal.

Miles

Have you been doing what I asked?

Liam

Yes, but I need more tonight.

Miles

Thank you for telling me. I’ll message you when I’m free.

Liam tucked his phone back into his pocket, his body now thrumming with anticipation.

“Good show tonight,” Jamie said from the back seat.

Liam turned to look at him. “Yeah. It was. Have to admit, though, I’m looking forward to the last two shows.”

“Can’t argue there,” Kellet said. “I’m exhausted, and I’ve only done this for a few months. I can’t imagine how you guys are feeling after doing it for almost a year.”

“I’m going to suggest a shorter tour next time,” Seth said, surfacing from his phone. “I mean, I love what we do, but man, I’m over being away from home for months on end.”

Liam blinked at his bandmate. “Who are you, and what have you done with the real Seth Worthington?”

“Hey, come on. You’ve got to admit you’re just as sick of it as I am. Back in Seattle, you admitted to me you have been feeling stressed out lately. We’ve all seen how quiet you’ve been, especially this last leg of the tour.” Seth nudged his knee with his own. “Talk to us, Lee.”

“What’s stressing you out, Liam?” Kellet asked, his tone gentle.

“Silly stuff. Nothing important. Um… Miles and I had a chat when we had our week off. I went to see a new act with him, and he… ah… put me onto some stress relief methods. They’ve been helping a lot.”

“Well, don’t forget, we’re always here for you, Lee. We’re a team. Always have been and always will be.” Seth glanced out the window. “And we’re here. I’m looking forward to a long hot shower, a steak dinner, and a good night’s sleep.”

“Really? Who the fuck are you?” Jamie asked as they clambered out of the SUV. “Where’s party Seth? Mr.—I’ll fuck anything that breathes—Worthington?”

Seth just gave them all the finger as he stalked toward the elevators. Liam shrugged at an equally dumb-founded Jamie and Kellet before they followed him.

“Wanna join us for dinner, Lee, seeing as Seth is being all adult and responsible like?” Jamie asked as they rode up in the elevator.

“No. Thanks, though. Don’t ever tell him I said this, but Seth’s plan sounds great.”

“Never heard a word,” Jamie assured him with a grin. “Even if I wholeheartedly agree!”

With a chuckle, Liam left the lovebirds and headed toward his room. Once inside, he wasted no time stripping out of his stage clothes, tossing them into the large laundry bag hanging on the bathroom door. In the morning, one of the wardrobe staff would collect it, get it cleaned and return it to him by the time they arrived in LA.

He ordered some room service before heading for the shower. Before he stepped in, he tapped into one of his music apps, and let the muted tones of meditation music fill the air. Once in the shower, the warm water sluiced over him, and he took a moment to calm his mind, focusing on the sensations of the water falling onto his shoulders. The steam enveloped him, and he drew it deep into his lungs. He imagined drawing calmness into his body, letting it flow through his veins, into his muscles. He started at the top of his head, moving down each part of his body, deliberately relaxing each muscle. Not wanting to focus on his groin, he bypassed it, instead moving down his thighs and into his aching calves and feet.

Reaching for the new body wash he’d bought, he soaped up a loofah, the scent of orange, lavender, ylang ylang, and frankincense surrounding him. In addition to the videos Miles had recommended, Liam had done some research himself, and gone down a rabbit hole about essential oils and their many properties. He’d ordered a sample bottle from a small company online, and he thought it was helping ease some of his stress and anxiety.

He leisurely soaped himself, ensuring he stayed relaxed. He gave his cock and balls a cursory wipe-over, resisting the urge to fondle himself to get to full hardness. He had to wait.