Page 17 of Within Shadows

Knox

I yank my mask over my face as I sprint through the door to the backstage, flashing my pass to the guard in a hurry.

Al is sitting on the black couch on the far wall, arms crossed and glaring at me with his mask in his lap.

I ignore him as I grab the body paint, covering my hand in red before slapping it hazardously across my bare chest.

“You’re late.” His tone is more than a little irritated. I only grunt in response, already prepared for the lecture as the rest of the band passes through, heading onto the stage to make sure everything is ready.

“Were you with her? Or just lurking outside her window like a coward.” Al stands as I turn to face him, dropping my mask only to pull on a blonde wig and tuck my hair inside.

“If you’ve got something to say, then spit it out. We don’t exactly have time for this conversation.” I snatch my mask up and slip it into place. I realize a moment too late that I just smeared a red handprint over the pale skull, but I don’t have time to fix it.

“I’ve been saying this is a fucking mistake, Knox! You’re just not listening. Maeve is a smart girl, and she’s going to figure out what’s going on. Jess is already asking me questions about Garrett.” He huffs, and I wipe my hands off on a towel, dropping it back onto the vanity without looking.

“She is my soul, Al. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew that she is everything I will ever need or desire in this world. I crave her, just as much as she craves me,” I tell him, gripping his shoulder and pleading with him from behind my mask to understand.

The moment his face softens and he returns my hold, I know that Al mirrors my feelings.

“That was probably the lamest confession of love I’ve had to endure. Next time, tell her.” He smiles, pulling his mask into place as he shoves me towards the stage.

Sweat has dripped into my eyes more than once, but as the music fades, I still scan the crowd.

Bright lights obscure my vision as I raise my hand, waving to the crowd as they cheer for us.

Something pulls me to the left, my soul searching for the only light I need.

She’s there, somewhere, with her eyes on me.

I can almost hear her voice, smell the perfume she used the first time we met.

My lips curl upwards as I tilt my head, knowing that she specifically used the same one while getting ready for tonight.

We all file off stage and I stop next to one of the stagehands to lean in close to their ear so they can hear me over the crowd.

“There are only two guests tonight with backstage passes. Bring them back immediately.” He nods once, rushing off as I mutter a thank you.

Al has already cleared the rest of the band, and they’re off in their own rooms, with their own problems to deal with tonight.

I snatch a water bottle out of the fridge and pull my mask up while twisting off the lid.

I down the entire bottle, chugging to chase away my overwhelming thirst. Soft footsteps catch my attention and I pull my mask back into place, nearly groaning when I catch sight of her in the mirror.

Even though I already know exactly what she’s wearing, Maeve still manages to rip the air from my lungs.

Seeing her so nervous, hands clasped tightly in front of her as she peers at me through her eyelashes, only excites me even more.

Jess runs towards Al, leaping into his waiting arms as he spins her around.

I turn to face Maeve and open my arms. “Don’t I get the same greeting?

” I ask, my voice gravelly from singing.

She opens her mouth, eyes wide as Al carries Jess to his dressing room.

Jess gives Maeve a thumbs up over his shoulder, nodding her head towards me with a wink.

Maeve clears her throat, but that doesn’t stop the blush from crawling up her neck.

“You guys were great, again,” she says awkwardly, looking everywhere around the room except at me.

I drop my arms with a chuckle and drop onto the couch, motioning for her to join me.

Maeve waves her hands. “Oh no, thank you. I’m fine standing.

You should rest, though, because you’re probably exhausted after all of that. ” She laughs nervously.

“Maeve, come sit with me.” My tone is stern, and her eyes widen.

After a moment, her feet finally move, bringing her closer to me as if against her will.

She tries to sit away from me, but I grab her waist and pull her to drop onto my lap.

Maeve falls onto me with a squeal, grabbing onto my shoulders to catch herself.

“You can’t just grab me!” She stares at me with wide eyes, her chest rising and falling faster with each breath.

“Why can’t I? My lap is much more comfortable than this couch, and my only goal at this moment is to please you.” The intention behind my words isn’t missed as we stare at each other. I lean close, taking a deep breath through my nose. “You smell incredible, Thalia.”

She stiffens, eyes flashing to mine.

“What did you just call me?”

“A fitting name for my muse.” I sit back, keeping one arm wrapped around her hips to anchor her in place.

“How did you find out my name? Did Jess tell you?” I can see the wheels turning as she searches for a rational explanation. I keep watching her, my fingers inching their way beneath her shirt.

“We’ve made a mess already.” I sigh, reaching out to pull on her shirt. Maeve looks down and frowns at the red smears that now stain her shirt.

“Is it washable?”

“Take it off, and I’ll have it washed and dried before you leave.” I tug at the hem, but she grabs my hands.

“Nice try. You just want me to take my top off.” Her voice is borderline annoyed, but there’s something more. A challenge.

“If I’m being honest, I’d like you to take everything off. Except the blue thong.” I watch as her eyes widen and she pulls her shirt lower, thinking I’ve caught sight of it somehow. Her willingness to excuse away everything makes me bolder.

“I’ve got a spare clean shirt, you can get changed in my dressing room.” I wrap my arms around her and stand, easily lifting her. Maeve’s arms whip around my neck as she clings to me in surprise.

“I can walk.” Her protest is half-hearted as I step into the room, kicking the door shut behind me as I let her legs drop to the ground.

Maeve’s eyes are locked on my mask, as if they can see my lips behind them, and her arms are still wrapped around my neck.

I take slow, measured steps as I back her into the wall, one hand braced above her head and the other gripping the curve of her hip.

“What are you doing?” Her voice is a whisper, and I lean close until my mask brushes her nose.

“I’m dying to taste you, muse,” I groan, my very obvious erection rubbing the front of my jeans.

“We can’t do whatever this is. I have a boyfriend,” she says, and a flash of disappointment has her leaning away from me, pressing to the wall as her arms drop. I drop my forehead to hers as I sigh.

“Garrett?” I say his name with a bitter tone, and her eyebrows raise.

“I was worried you were going to think I was some kind of stalker for constantly showing up backstage. Here you are, knowing far too much about me.” There it is, finally. A trickle of hesitation, maybe even fear.

“I don’t see him here tonight. What kind of man stays home while sending you out, unguarded and into my arms?” I ask. Maeve shoves at my chest, and I take a step back, crossing my arms as I stare down at her.

“Garrett doesn’t control me or decide what I can and can’t do. He’s sweet, smart, and knows that I can take care of myself.” Her voice rises as she defends him, but I can only scoff as I turn away, grabbing a shirt from my bag to hold out to her.

“You don’t want kind or gentle, Maeve. You need somebody who will protect you.

Somebody willing to burn the world to keep you warm with the flames.

A man that would kill for you. Not somebody who refuses to touch you, as if you’re the sweetest forbidden fruit they can never have.

” I turn my back, waving for her to change.

“Let me guess, you think you’re that man?

You are just a singer with an ego. You don’t know me or Garrett, and I’m not going to be your flavor of the week.

” Her tone is mocking, and I whip around.

Maeve launches her shirt at my face and I catch it, tossing it aside as I step chest to chest with her.

Her hands are pinned between us as she clutches my shirt to her chest, covering her bra as she glares at me.

“You are the only flavor I will ever taste, I knew that from the moment I met you. My heart beats for you, muse. I’ll happily kill Oliver right this moment for you; just say the word, and he’s as good as dead.

I know what kind of man I am, and I know Garrett.

He’s not who you think he is, but I’ve never tried to hide what I am.

” I grip her jaw, tilting her head back as I shove my knee between her legs.

Feeling her scorching heat against my thigh makes me groan as I crush my mask against her lips.

I curse this piece of plastic that separates us, and Maeve shares the sentiment.

She whimpers, melting in my hands for a breath, until she tugs a hand free and reaches for my mask. I catch her wrist and force myself to step back, shaking my head. She rips her hand from my grip and pulls the shirt over her head with anger.

“Professing your obsession with me just to get into my pants is really romantic. Truly, bringing up my ex is the cherry on top.” She runs her hands over her hair, smoothing it down as she starts to pace. “What is Garrett hiding from me?” she asks.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” I cross my arms and watch her as she works through everything.

“Are you stalking me?” she asks.

I snort a laugh. “Define stalking.”

She stops walking to turn and pin me with an incredulous look, motioning between us.

“You know everything about me, Knox. Why is that?” She snaps her mouth shut, brows crinkling as an idea forms. My heart starts to speed up, and I clench my fists when she looks at me again. For a moment I think she’s figured everything out.

“Jess is a blab when she drinks, I bet she told Al everything after we met up at the bar. I’m such an idiot.” She smacks her forehead. Nope, never mind, not even close. But I don’t correct her as she takes a small step closer to me.

“Knox, I’m not sure why you’re so interested in me, but I’m in a relationship. I didn’t think you would even remember me, to be completely honest. I just assumed you flirted with all the fans that way.” She bites her lip and I reach out, tugging it free from her teeth.

“I’m not just interested, muse. You’ll see.” I drop my hand and turn back to the door, opening it and motioning for her to follow me. Jess pops her head out of their door, catching sight of Maeve and me as we stop halfway to the couch.

“You okay? I heard shouting.” She glares at me, with a shirt clutched to her bare chest.

“Yeah, just a disagreement.” Maeve smiles, and Al peers through the crack in the door, his body paint smeared and mask halfway off his face as he raises a brow at me.

I shake my head once and he glares at me, grabbing Jess and yanking her back as he shuts the door.

Her loud laughter quickly turns into a deep moan, and Maeve snorts as she drops onto the couch next to me.

“A disagreement, huh?” I say, casually draping my arm over the back of the couch as I lean closer to her.

“Yes. You think you’re in love with me, I disagree and think you’re just horny.” I can’t stop the laugh that comes out from behind my mask as I turn to face her.

“You’re half right. At night I imagine you in my bed, begging for me to touch you, to savor you.

Each time I stroke my cock, my mind conjures you, with your hands gripping me instead of my own.

I think about how fucking delicious you’ll taste when I can bury my face between your thighs and devour you for hours.

But not once did I say the word “love”. I won’t, until you’re ready to hear it.

” I reach out, rubbing my thumb over her lower lip as her jaw hangs open.

“You can’t say shit like that to me when I made it clear that I’m not interested.” She pushes my hand away and shifts, clenching her thighs together.

“Did you make it clear you’re not interested?

Because I heard you say that you’re committed to another, with nothing more than morals standing in our way.

I’d be willing to bet those pretty blue panties are soaked, and that you’ve imagined me when you pleasure yourself.

How many times have you called out my name, late at night, alone in your bed?

Be honest, you haven’t said his name. Not fucking once. ”

Maeve is pissed, and it makes my cock twitch. Her eyes catch a drop of sweat as it travels from my neck, down my chest, to continue until it hits the waistband of my pants. She stares, very obviously, at the outline of my dick, and I raise my hips a little to taunt her.

“You don’t have a pearl necklace to clutch, but I’d love to give you one.

” The awful pick-up line is out before I can stop it.

Maeve snaps her gaze to mine a second before she slaps a hand over her mouth as she bursts into laughter.

The sound is more beautiful than any melody I’ve heard before, and my heart thunders to the beat.

I want to reach up to rip the mask off, to kiss her as I am and let her see me. Just as I’m on the verge of it, Al and Jess leave their room, smiling at each other like a couple of idiots. My mood sours instantly. I want Maeve to look at me the way she does Garrett. But I’m not him. Not truly.