Page 24 of Reverb (Larkspur Book 3)

Larkspur Love Fest??

Was there something in the water on the last leg of the recent Larkspur world tour? It appears that all four band members have found love in recent weeks. In early August, lead singer Jamie Larke and replacement drummer Kellet James revealed they had rekindled their relationship after being apart for seventeen years. James joined the band in late spring after full-time band member Mark Sullivan quit the band, citing health reasons. Larke and James are said to have been high-school sweethearts who broke up when the band was signed by Miles Cartwright, owner of MC Management.

Just a few days ago, MCM released a statement announcing the recent marriage of lead guitarist bad-boy, Seth Worthington to Mr. Callahan Stevens. Stevens was a recent addition to the backstage crew, assisting the management team. Pictures released on social media show the pair loved up and relaxing at Worthington’s Cold Water Canyon home.

Now, pictures have caught bass guitarist Liam Jones, and manager Miles Cartwright, sharing a romantic meal at The Orchard before escaping for a weekend at Cartwright’s beachfront estate. They were spotted jogging along the beach before indulging in a steamy embrace. Sources say the couple have kept their relationship on the down-low so as not to upset the dynamic of the tour.

YNG has reached out to MCM for comment.

Miles looked up from his laptop, seeking Liam, who was sitting next to Jax on the couch. They were both reading through the article, and he felt relief when Liam glanced up and gave him a tight smile.

“Huh. It’s not actually too bad,” Jamie said. “The picture quality is crap, but you can still see it’s the two of you.” Jamie shook his head at Miles, a teasing smile playing on his handsome face. “I am disappointed in you, though, Miles. You’ve told us countless times to be discreet and keep our liaisons out of the public eye, and here you are making out with one of your clients in full view of every Tom, Dick, and Harry.”

Miles rubbed the heel of his hand to his eye, trying to stave off the headache that was brewing.

“I know, I know,” he said, shaking his head ruefully. “Honestly, neither of us was thinking, but I thought I’d be immune on the deck of my own property. I’ve learned my lesson.”

“You okay, Lee?” Seth asked.

“Yeah. I was expecting worse.”

“Oh, really?” Seth said, his voice dropping low. “What else have you and Milesy boy gotten up to that would make salacious headlines?”

“Fuck off, Seth,” Liam said, shooting his bandmate the finger, but unable to bite back a grin.

Miles was relieved to see Liam relaxing and swapping banter with his friends.

“I’ve got the statement ready to go,” Jax said, tapping away at her laptop. A chime on Miles’s laptop notifying a new email, and he clicked it open.

Miles Cartwright, owner of MC Management (MCM) and Liam Jones, bass guitarist for Larkspur, wish to confirm they are in a committed relationship, as reported by some media outlets today.

While both appreciate the interest that this statement will generate, the couple wish to keep their relationship private and ask that people respect this.

MCM will continue to represent Larkspur, and members of the band are now resting after their recent world tour. They also request privacy at this time.

No further comment will be made.

“Short, sweet and to the point,” Jamie said. “You’re getting good at these, Jax.”

“Well, I’ve certainly had enough practice over the last few months,” Jax snarked back. “I don’t get paid enough for this shit.”

“Ha! Talk to your boss about that, not us,” Jamie retorted.

“Oh, don’t worry. It’s at the top of my list for my next review.” Jax shot him a wink, and Miles grinned back at her.

“I’ll take it under advisement.”

“Liam, is there anything else you want to add?” he asked.

Liam shook his head. “No. That’s all anyone needs to know.”

“Good. I’ll send it now,” Jax said. Looking up, she scanned the room. “I know I shouldn’t have to say this, but I will. The paparazzi will be all over this, looking for any opportunity to catch any of you in public. Please be vigilant, and for goodness sake, do not engage and make the words ‘no comment’ your favorite phrase.”

A chorus of “Yes, Jax” echoed around the room.

“Thank you, Jax. Release it and then you can all go home. I’ll be back in the office tomorrow, so we can handle anything that comes through from there.”

At Miles’s less than subtle dismissal, everyone stood and said their goodbyes. Liam was on the receiving end of some prolonged hugs and murmured promises to catch up later in the week.

Miles shook each of their hands, grateful for Cal shutting Seth down when he started on a ‘you hurt him’ speech. With a sigh of relief, he closed the door behind them. He took a moment to revel in the silence before going to search for Liam.

He found him standing by the large sliding door overlooking the beach. Wrapping his arms around Liam’s trim waist, they both watched as the waves crashed onto the sand, the sound muted by the thick glass.

He inhaled the warm scent of Liam’s skin at the nape of his neck, nosing through the loose strands of silky hair to press a kiss to the skin.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

“I’m doing okay. I mean, our privacy being violated and a kiss becoming a news item has pissed me off, but I’m not spiraling about it. Jax has it under control, and the guys are all good with it, so, yeah, I’m okay.”

“I’m very proud of the way you’ve handled today, baby boy.”

“Will you take me to bed, Miles?”

Miles turned Liam into his arms, searching his face for signs of stress. Instead, he saw nothing but desire and want. “Of course.” Entwining their fingers, he led Liam to the stairs and up to his room.

***

Liam crossed the room and drew the heavy drapes. It wasn’t quite dusk, but they didn’t need anyone with a camera attached to a drone trying to get more pictures of them. The snick of the door closing had him turning to face Miles.

The older man leaned back against the door, observing him. It brought back the memory of the night of the wrap party where Liam had kneeled before him. Tonight, though, Miles was in a snug-fitted t-shirt and worn jeans, rather than the business suit he wore that night.

He crossed the room and caged Miles against the door, their bodies meeting chest-to-chest. He caught Miles’s mouth in a kiss, delving his tongue into the other man’s mouth. As he kissed Miles, his fingers tugged at the hem of the T-shirt Miles was wearing, the cotton material soft and worn. They broke apart long enough for them both to take off their shirts, moaning when heated flesh met.

He ran his hands over Miles’s broad shoulders, looping around his neck to bring them closer together, their mouths nipping and sucking. Miles’s hands found his hips, tugging him closer so their denim-covered erections rubbed against each other.

Liam groaned, pushing closer, seeking friction.

“I need you naked, baby boy,” Miles whispered hoarsely in his ear, hands fumbling at Liam’s zipper.

With a nod, Liam pulled away, and they both made quick work of shedding their jeans and underwear. Miles ran a hand down Liam’s chest before caressing his cock.

“So damn beautiful. You take my breath away every time I see you like this.”

Liam preened at the words, taking pleasure in the knowledge that Miles found him desirable. He caught Miles’s hand and led him to the bed. He tugged the edge of the covers away before falling back and dragging Miles down on top of him.

Their mouths met in another heated kiss as Liam spread his thighs to accommodate Miles. Cocks brushing together, they settled into a slow grind. Liam threaded his fingers through Miles’s short hair, holding him close as Miles nibbled and sucked at the tendons in his neck, fingers plucking at Liam’s pebbled nipples. Each touch, each caress, sent spikes of heat through his body, making him arch and writhe.

“I need you inside me,” he gasped, fingers digging into the small of Miles’s back, trying to get him closer.

Miles paused only long enough to reach for the bottle of lube sitting where they’d left it. Settling on his haunches between Liam’s thighs, he dribbled the viscous liquid onto his fingers before coaxing Liam to raise his knees and spread himself wide.

Liam didn’t hesitate, hooking his hands under his thighs and spreading his legs as far as he could. Desire darkened Miles’s gaze, and words of praise had Liam tilting his hips and presenting himself.

He moaned as a slick finger circled his hole, instinctively clenching against the intrusion before relaxing at the gentle ministrations and encouraging words.

“I can’t wait to feel you around my cock, baby boy. Relax and let me in so I can get you ready to take me.”

Practicing the breathing methods Miles had taught him, Liam willed himself to relax, and before too long, Miles had two fingers scissoring inside him. A brush against his prostate had him lifting his hips up off the bed as sensation screamed through him.

“Nearly there. Just a few more minutes. You’re doing so well.” Miles leaned over to kiss him, and Liam kissed him back hungrily. Breaking apart, Miles reached for a condom. Liam shot out a hand to still him.

“No.” The word was harsh in the quiet of the room.

“Liam?” Miles asked, concern etching his features. “Do you need me to stop? Give me a color, baby boy.”

“Gr… green. I want you bare, please, Miles. I want to feel your cum in my ass.”

Miles swallowed audibly as he stared down at Liam. “Are you sure? I told you I’m happy to keep using condoms until you’re ready.”

“Yes, I’m sure. I need to feel all of you tonight. I want to have all of you.”

“You do, baby boy. You do.”

Miles reached for the lube again, this time liberally coating his cock. Liam loved how it stood thick and proud against Miles’s belly, and his hole clenched in anticipation of having it inside him.

“How do you want to do this?” Miles asked, stroking Liam’s cock.

“Face to face. I need to see you as you fuck me.”

Even as he said the words, he knew he was mistaken. Tonight wasn’t about fucking. It was about making love. In the space of less than twenty-four hours, they’d moved from friends with benefits to lovers. He didn’t need to be taken out of his own head and pounded into the mattress tonight. No, he wanted to show Miles just how deeply he felt about him. How much he loved him.

The feel of Miles’s cock nudging at his entrance had him focusing on the gorgeous man above him. As he pushed into Liam’s body, Miles kissed him, and Liam tried to push as much emotion as he could into the embrace.

His breath caught as Miles fully seated himself, pausing to catch his own breath and to let Liam’s body adjust to the intrusion.

“God, you’re so hot and tight,” Miles ground out, his hips rocking. “I want to make this good for you, baby boy, but I don’t know how long I’m going to last.”

“It’s always good. Move, Miles. I need you to move.”

Miles pressed an open-mouth kiss to the heated skin at the base of Liam’s throat before bracing himself on his forearms. Sliding his pelvis back, he withdrew until only the tip remained inside Liam before slamming back in, forcing a grunt out of Liam.

He did it again and again, and each time, Liam could only hold on, arching his back to meet each powerful thrust. Miles slowed down, lifting one of Liam’s legs onto his shoulder, opening his hips up and the change in angle had Liam crying out as his body was lit up from inside.

“Right there. Don’t stop,” he whimpered.

Miles drove into him for several minutes before dropping Liam’s leg back to the bed, settling their bodies together. He changed the tempo to slower and smoother, dragging back and forth across Liam’s prostate. Liam whined as the heat of his orgasm retreated.

“I’ve got you, baby boy. Nearly there, I promise,” Miles crooned, smoothing Liam’s sweat-sodden hair from his face. They stared at each other; deep emotion etched in both their faces. Miles steadily increased his pace, drawing Liam’s orgasm near. Slipping a hand between them, Liam grasped his cock, catching the pre-cum dribbling from the slit, smearing it down his shaft as he met Miles thrust for thrust.

“I can’t hold on, baby boy. I’m going to come.” Miles’s face contorted as his orgasm hit. Liam felt the throb and kick of Miles’s cock as he released deep into his channel. He rocked his hips wildly, tugging at his cock, and then he was there, nerves exploding in white-hot heat as he came.

Liam hugged Miles close, not wanting to let go. Miles shuddered and panted against him, tremors wracking through his body. Liam clenched around Miles’s cock, making him groan.

Lifting his head from the crook of Liam’s neck, Miles kissed him.

“I love you, Liam. Although now may not be the ideal moment to say it, I have to. I need you to know how you make me feel. How I want to feel like this every day.”

Tears pricked Liam’s eyes at the sincerity of Miles’s words. Lifting a shaky hand, he cupped Miles’s face. “I love you, too.”

Miles went to say something, but Liam stopped him with a kiss and then a finger against his lips.

“No. I’m not saying it just because you have. I truly do. Today has made me realize how important it is to be honest with ourselves and those around us. I told you I was scared of what I was feeling, but the thought of not having you in my life, not having you show me how strong I can be, that scares me more.”

“I’ll always be here for you, baby boy. I promise.”