AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is rated M.
On The Edge
Chapter 36
HYSTERIA
Knock, knock, knock
Zed moaned sleepily as he grabbed the edge of the blanket and pulled it up over his head. "Five more minutes..."
Knock, knock, knock
"What?" Addison mumbled from next to him.
He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her into him, nuzzling his face into her hair as he yawned. "Not ready to get up."
Knock, knock, knock "Casey, I know you're in there. I already asked Tracey."
Her eyes suddenly popped open. "Oh, shit! It's Bucky!" She sat up, pulling a still sleepy Zed up with her. "Baby, I need you to wake the fuck up!"
"I'm up, I'm up," he yawned.
Knock, knock, knock
Addison grabbed Zed's face so he was looking at her. "Bucky's at the door."
"Shit!" he suddenly looked around in a panic. "Um… closet?"
"It's that or the balcony!" she whisper yelled, already on her feet gathering his clothes that had been discarded the night before.
Knock, knock, knock
"I really fucking miss the adjoining rooms," he said quietly, leaning over to kiss her quickly as he took his clothes from her and hurried into the closet.
Addison took one more look around to make sure they hadn't missed anything. She grabbed her over-sized Seattle Prep sweatshirt and pulled it on before sucking in a deep breath and heading for the door. "What?" she snapped as she opened it.
"Good morning to you too," Bucky laughed. "Glad to see you're in a good mood."
She rolled her eyes. "I'd be in a much better mood if I wasn't woken up by you pounding on my door at the ass crack of dawn!"
"First off, it's like ten in the morning. Shouldn't you be in the gym with Tracey and Willa?"
"Are you all of a sudden my mother?"
"Ew… thank god I'm not..." He shook his head to clear it of the unpleasant thought. "You three are usually attached at the hip. That's all… Anyway, I thought you'd want these," he said holding out a large bouquet of black Queen of the Night tulips. "They were delivered to the front desk this morning."
She gasped and took them from him. "They're beautiful..."
Bucky laughed again. "Don't you think you're taking this 'boyfriend' thing a little far? And wouldn't something stereotypical like red roses be more convincing?"
Addison looked up with a confused look across her face.
"Sending yourself flowers? I mean, it's a bit much. Don't you think? And who sends black flowers?"
"OH!" she shook her head and smiled. "Yeah… you're probably right," she agreed quickly. "But, it keeps up appearances! Anyway..." she shrugged. "I better put these in water and then start getting ready for the day."
"You're acting weird… more so than normal."
"Who, me? No, I'm not!"
"If you say so..." He started to walk off but stopped and turned back to her. "Hey, if you're nervous about the show tonight..."
Addison held up her hand to stop him. "I'll be fine. I've told you… I've got this." She flashed him a reassuring smile and closed the door.
She rested her head against the back of the door and let out a nervous breath. That was a close one. She knew it was a risk to sleep in the same bedroom, but Zed and his 'no fucks given about who knows' attitude was rubbing off and making her a little more reckless. She had tried to upgrade their hotel again, but Bucky had refused to let her foot the bill for another hotel stay, arguing that the new sponsor was giving them money for lodging expenses. She looked around and sighed. It wasn't exactly a nice hotel, but it was certainly better than having to sleep on the bus.
She brought the flowers up to her nose and inhaled, smiling as a sweet realization washed over her. Zed was the only person that had ever sent her bouquets of her favorite flowers. With her smile growing even larger, she walked over to the closet door and opened it up.
"Will you be my Valentine?" Zed asked as he stepped out of the closet and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Baby! I love them!" she giggled, throwing her arms around him. "Yes! Of course!" She pulled him down for a kiss. "Like you even needed to ask."
"So, was I right in assuming that those are still your favorite flowers?"
She giggled again and jumped up, wrapping her legs around him. "What can I say, once I find something I love, I stick with it." Her free hand traced the black tulips that were tattooed on his arm.
"Are we talking flowers or me?"
She bit her lower lip and smiled even more. "You know I lo..." she caught herself. "I adore you."
"I love you, Addison. So fucking much," he whispered against her lips. "Forever."
"And after."
"We still have a few hours until we need to head down to the venue for soundcheck..."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah."
"However shall we occupy our time?"
"Hmm..." he pretended to ponder. "Wanna keep our Valentine's tradition going?"
"Horror and chill?" she asked excitedly.
"… Maybe order some room service too..."
"You sure know the way to a girl's heart."
"I don't know about that," he laughed. "But I do know the way to yours."
"Damn right," she smiled, pulling him back in for a kiss. "I'll take care of food, you pick out the movie!"
"Deal!"
A few minutes later, Addison hung up the phone and looked over towards the small couch where Zed was still scrolling through the movie options. "Find anything?"
He let out a frustrated growl. "No. Not a single decent movie. They're all sappy rom-coms!"
"Well, it is February…. As cute as you look when you're all frustrated, I think I have a solution," she giggled and stood up, walking over towards her suitcases. "How about we just watch one on my laptop?"
"Probably our only decent choice. Any luck with food?" he asked as she sat down next to him on the loveseat.
"Yeah… the options were pretty limited, but hopefully, it'll provide some sustenance," she sighed. "Should be up in about twenty minutes."
Zed grabbed her chin, guiding her face towards his. "I should really be taking you out somewhere nice… It's our first Valentine's Day back together."
She leaned in and kissed him softly. "Baby… you know I don't need that. Give me crappy food, a scary movie, and you naked any day!"
"Well, when you put it like that…" he chuckled kissing her again. "...I can't wait for tonight."
She smiled against his lips. "Me either… three whole days where we don't have to pretend." She kissed him once more and pulled away. She logged onto her computer, pulling up the file folder containing her movies. "Here," she said, handing it over to him and standing up. "You pick. I'm going to go slip into something a little less comfortable..."
He smiled up at her, running his hands up the hem of his old sweatshirt she was wearing and grabbed onto her bare ass. "But I like what you're wearing now."
"You'll like what I'm putting on even more," she purred as she leaned down to steal another kiss. "Consider it a preview of what I have packed for this weekend..."
He bit her lip just hard enough for her to let out a soft whimper. "Hurry back to me."
"Always."
While she was in the bathroom changing, Zed perused her extensive movie collection. When he finally had it narrowed down to three, he had to laugh. He had managed to pick his favorite, Night of the Living Dead, her favorite, The Omen II, and the sequel to one of their favorite movies from Rob Zombie. Knowing how much they both loved his music and his movies, he opted for choice number three. He had just finished queuing it up when he heard the door to the bathroom open. He looked up just in time to see her step out. Strips of red lace crisscrossed her body, hugging her every curve, and enhancing her already perfect body. His jaw fell open. "Who is this irresistible creature who has an insatiable lust for the dead?"
Addison threw her head back and laughed. "Best reaction ever!"
He motioned down to the laptop, not able to take his eyes off of her. "The Devil's Rejects… I had Rob Zombie on the brain."
"No complaints here," she said as she walked across the room and sat down next to him.
He grabbed her and pulled her onto him so she was straddling his lap. "You didn't want to actually watch the movie? Did you?" he whispered as his nose brushed along the shell of her ear.
She shivered at the sensation. "If all you wanted to do is have your wicked way with me, you shouldn't have picked my second favorite movie…"
"If you wanted to actually watch the movie, you wouldn't have come out here wearing my second favorite thing on you…"
She pulled away and looked at him with a confused expression on her face. "Since when is LaPerla your second favorite? What's your first?"
"You in nothing at all," he responded with a smirk.
She rolled her eyes playfully. "Just start the movie… maybe if you're lucky you'll get to see me in that too."
"Maybe?" he chuckled, leaning in to nip her nose.
"Maybe…" she kissed him once more and slid off his lap as he reached out and pressed play on the laptop.
As they lay snuggled up together watching the graphic opening credits roll to the sounds of the Allman Brothers' Midnight Rider, his fingertips began to lazily trace her lace-covered tattoos.
"Mmmm…" she sighed contently, nuzzling into him further.
He placed a gentle kiss into her soft white hair. "Have I told you how incredibly sexy you look in this?"
She looked up and smiled. "Not in so many words… I think you let the Rob Zombie lyrics do the talking for you. Which I totally approve of, by the way."
His chest shook with silent laughter. "Well… in that case…" he whispered as a wicked smirk played on his lips. "Crawl on me, sink into me, die for me… Living dead girl..."
Addison blew out a slow breath. "You don't play fair. You know what his music does to me."
His fingertips dug into her skin, making her moan. The sound went straight to his already hard cock.
"Blood on her skin, dripping with sin. Do it again. Living dead girl..."
"That's it!" she exclaimed, suddenly standing up. "Pants off!"
"I thought you wanted to watch the movie?" he teased.
"Pants. Off. NOW!"
He shook his head and laughed as he stood up. "Yes, ma'am… so bossy."
"You love it."
"Damn right I do!"
"Less talking, more stripping."
His smile widened as he watched her eyes darken with lust as he purposely inched the waistband of his gray sweatpants down at an agonizingly slow pace.
A frustrated growl ripped from her throat.
Before he could say the smart ass comment on the tip of his tongue, she launched herself into his arms, knocking them both onto the floor. Teeth clashed, tongues dueled for dominance, and bites got harder.
"You weren't planning on wearing this again were you?" Zed asked breathlessly as he rolled them over.
"I learned a long time ago not to expect lingerie to last more than one round with you."
He sat back on his heels and gazed down at her. "Are you giving me permission to do my worst?"
"Always."
He ran his tongue along the tattoo of her name on his inner lip as he smiled. "I love you."
"I…"
A knock on the door broke through their intimate bubble.
"…need to get the door."
"Ignore it," he said softly, leaning down to kiss her.
Another knock sounded.
"It's probably the food…" She squirmed out from under him and stood up. "I'll be right back."
"You're answering the door like that?"
"Jealous?" she teased, with a flirty wink over her shoulder.
"Nope. I know you're mine."
She blew him a kiss and opened the door. "Bucky!"
"Woah!" Jacey stopped dead in his tracks as he was walking past.
"Do you always answer the door in lingerie?" Bucky asked disgustedly.
"I don't mind!"
Addison rolled her eyes and closed the door so just her head was poking out. "Keep moving, Jace."
"Can't blame a guy for looking," he replied with a wink before continuing down the hall towards his room.
"So," Addison said looking back to Bucky. "What do you need? I'm a little busy!"
"Not that I want details, but I was literally just up here like thirty minutes ago tops, waking you up. How did you manage to drag someone into your room that quickly?"
"Who said I was with anyone?"
"Um…." he motioned down to her attire or lack thereof.
She rolled her eyes again and smiled as she started to sing. "'Cause I just discovered. Imagination's taking over. Another day without a lover. The more I come to understand the touch of my hand…"
"And we can now add you singing a Britney song about masturbation while wearing lingerie to the ever-growing list of things I need to find a way to bleach from my brain," he answered while pretending to vomit.
"You're the one that knocked."
"Only to tell you to call your bitch of a mother."
"Why the hell would I do that?"
"Because she called me."
"Fuck me."
"Ew, no thanks."
Addison threw her head back and sighed dramatically. "What did she want?"
"No clue," he shrugged. "She just said, 'Have my daughter call me,' and then she hung up."
"Wonderful."
"Anyway… I'll let you get back to your… yeah…." he muttered, slowly backing away further from her. "I'll see you at soundcheck. Oh! And don't forget to go over the questions for the radio interview!"
She nodded her head and closed the door. She rested her forehead against it as she blew out a breath to collect herself. "Did you hear all that?" she asked quietly. When she got no response she turned around, only to discover that Zed was no longer in the room. "Z?" She opened the door to the closet, but it was empty. "Where the…" The sound of laughter coming from the balcony caught her attention. She grabbed his leather jacket from off its hanger and slipped it on before grabbing her phone and heading towards the sound of voices.
"There you are," she said as she stepped out onto the chilly balcony.
Zed's eyes ran over her body as he exhaled the smoke he had been holding in. "Figured it was safer out here."
"Damn, I'd go straight for you for at least a night," Tracey called out from the neighboring balcony.
She spun around to find Tracey and Bonzo smoking a blunt.
"Can I hit that?" she asked.
Tracey passed it to her carefully.
Zed noticed the drastic change in her mood. "You okay?"
She took a deep drag and shook her head. "No."
"Did Bucky say something?" Bonzo asked.
Addison exhaled and handed the joint back across to him. "Just stopped by with a reminder for the interview and to say that I needed to call my mother."
"EEEEEEK!" Tracey shrieked with excitement.
A low growl tore from her throat as she glared across the balcony at him.
Tracey flinched. "Oops, sorry honey-bunny. I spent most of my life in total idol worship of that woman. I sometimes forget that she's the antichrist."
"Don't insult the antichrist like that," Zed deadpanned before pulling Addison in for a hug. "What does she want?"
"No clue," she sighed heavily. "Guess I should get this over with."
"Are you sure?"
"No. But I don't want her harassing Bucky anymore than she already has…" she took her phone out of Zed's jacket pocket and pulled up her mother's number. As the line rang, she nervously began to pace back and forth across the small balcony.
"Hello?"
She visibly recoiled when she heard Missy's voice coming from the other end of the phone. "You needed to speak with me?"
Missy let out a loud sigh. "Addison, darling… why is it that I have to contact that criminal in training to speak with my own daughter?"
Addison closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Did you need something or not?"
"Well, why else would I have called?"
"I don't know, Mother. I was rather enjoying not having to speak with you."
"Really, Addison. Aren't we past all of this hostility?"
"Not even close," she sneered. She could hear Missy scoff in response.
"Well, I'm busy at the moment. I have your number now, I'll call you back later." With that, the line went dead.
Addison pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at the screen for a moment. She bit the inside of her cheek and wound back her arm.
"Woah!" Zed shouted as he caught her arm and wrapped her up in a tight hug. "No throwing the phone off a seventh-floor balcony. We don't have the time to get a new one today."
"This is so fucking typical! Everything has been going great! And then she… she..." she buried her face into his shoulder and sobbed.
"Hey… Baby..." he whispered softly as he placed kisses into her hair. "Easy. It's okay."
Addison let out a shaky breath, allowing herself to melt into his embrace. "She ruins everything."
"I know, baby. But we're together again. Nothing and no one, especially that evil hag, is ever going to come between us again. I swear. Forever and after. Alpha and Omega."
"Wow..." Tracey said as he sat on the cold ground, "I've never seen you like this before doll-face…"
Addison peered around Zed. "Sorry… it's just the first time I've even given her a single thought since Christmas Eve. I hated her before then, but now that I know everything it's even worse."
"Do not apologize! My parents aren't nearly as evil as your mother, and I still get emotional every time I have to deal with them."
Bonzo took a puff and chuckled. "I wonder if there's any connection between having crappy parents and ending up with a career in rock music?"
"Don't you need to be collecting my best friend from the airport soon?" Addison asked as she dried her eyes.
Bonzo glanced down at his watch. "Oh, shit!"
"That's what I thought."
Zed shook his head and bit back a laugh as he watched Bonzo scramble to his feet. He glanced back at Addison. "Come on you," he said as he scooped her up bridal style. "I know just how to cheer you up."
"Need a third?" Tracey asked with a flirty giggle.
Addison looked over Zed's shoulder and smiled. "Sorry, he's all mine!"
"Holy shit!" Lacey exclaimed as she opened the door to their dressing room. "We have our own room! We don't have to share with those stupid mutts or those song stealing monsters!" She jumped up and down excitedly. "It's about time my talent was recognized for what it's worth!"
Addison and Tracey both exchanged a look as they tried not to laugh.
"I think I'm going to go check out the green room," Addison said slowly walking backward away from them.
Tracey looked on with horror as Lacey pounced on Jacey. "Right behind you Princess," he mumbled as quickly turned around and followed after her. "Do you have any clue what's going on with the two of them?" he asked her as they wound through the hall.
"Nope… I thought you would."
He sighed dramatically. "No… I can't get a word out of him and Lacey is being unusually tight-lipped. Usually, she'd be screaming from the rafters if she was shacking up with someone."
Addison shrugged and pushed a door open. "Honestly, whatever or whoever keeps Zed off her radar is good by...me… Holy hell!"
"That's a lot of Tequila…" Tracey whispered in awe as he walked in.
"I may not like this sponsor deal, but I will admit… It has its perks!" she said as she walked over to the expansive bar that was set up against one of the walls, fully stocked with La Meurta Tequila.
Tracey made his way over to an extraordinarily large bouquet of long-stemmed red roses and a large wrapped box that was sitting on the coffee table in the center of the room. "Well would you look at this," he giggled. "Ms. Jacobs, I do believe these have your 'name' on them."
"What?" she asked as she plopped herself onto the plush leather sofa and picked up the package.
"Ooh! There's a card…" he said as he plucked the small white envelope from the arrangement. "Let's see what Zeddykins wrote!"
She shook her head as she began to unwrap the box. "...They aren't from Zed."
"How do you know?"
"Because I don't send roses."
They both looked up to see Zed standing in the doorway.
"And what do you send?" Tracey asked.
"Queen of the Night Tulips," Addison replied as a slow smile spread across her face.
"Black flowers?"
Zed's shoulders shook with silent laughter. "They've always been her favorite," he responded as he walked over to where she was sitting, leaning over to steal a quick kiss.
"And he sent them to me this morning at the hotel."
"Awwww…" Tracey called out.
"So what's with all this?" Zed asked motioning towards the flowers and the still unopened box.
"Don't know yet…"
"I was about to open the card!" Tracey said exasperatedly. He lifted the flap and pulled out the small card. "Flowers are the music of the ground. From earth's lips spoken without sound…. S.S." He looked up to Addison. "Who's S.S.?"
Zed rolled his eyes. "Could he be any more cliché?"
"Salvador Santos," Addison answered as she lifted the lid off of the box. "Jesus… I haven't had this stuff since graduation..."
"What is it?" Tracey asked.
"La Muerta Dia de los Muertos, limtited edition…"
"English for us non-tequila drinkers?"
"It's a $400 bottle of tequila," Zed answered. "And it's not that great."
"Bullshit," Addison laughed as uncorked the intricately designed bottle. She brought it up to her nose and inhaled, moaning as the aroma filled her senses.
Tracey laughed. "Looks like you've got little competition, Zed?"
"There is no competition." Addison set the bottle down and stood up. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her. "It's this deep, dark love which I crave… not easily found and more rarely obtained…"
He leaned down and captured her lips in a desperate kiss. "Her full moon eyes, Her vampire lips,
Made him fall for her, when they were just kids.
His hell-bound eyes, His zombie heart.
She showed her fangs, to tear him apart…"
"I…" she panted breathlessly against his lips.
"I know… Forever."
"And after…"
Tracey let out a dreamy sigh. "Seriously,… how does anyone believe that the two of you are just friends?… Wish someone looked at me that way."
"Break it up lovebirds!"
Addison's head snapped to the doorway. "BREE!" she pushed past Zed and ran towards her best friend at the same time that Bree ran towards her. Both of them colliding in an embrace and falling to the ground.
Zed, Tracey, and Bonzo covered their ears in a vain attempt to block out the high pitch sounds coming from the two of them.
"I thought Bonz would never let you out of that room!"
"I didn't want to leave that room!" Bree laughed as she hugged her tight.
"What the hell is all the noise?" Bucky asked as he walked in. "Oh… should have known," he laughed as he spotted Addison and Bree still tangled on the floor. He looked around the room. "Wow… Sal really came through! Look at this set-up!"
"He sent Princess flowers and some expensive ass tequila, too!" Tracey giggled.
Bucky's eyes widened. "Really?"
Addison stood up, pulling Bree with her. "Yes. The tequila I'm keeping, because… well, I like good tequila. The flowers…" before she could finish Lacey walked in.
"Oh my god! Look at that arrangement! Who got flowers?"
"You!" Addison said quickly.
Tracey discreetly crumpled the envelope and shoved it into his pocket. "Yup. I read the card!"
Lacey walked over and snatched the card out of his hand, quickly reading it over. A smirk of a smile spread across her face as she turned towards Addison. "See, I told you he wanted me." She slipped the card into her bra and picked up the heavy vase. "I'm going to go put these in my dressing room."
"You mean 'our' dressing room?" Tracey asked.
Lacey just shrugged and walked out of the room.
"Still don't like her," Bree said under her breath.
"Join the fucking club," Zed laughed.
Bucky bit back a snicker. "Okay, that's enough… shouldn't you guys be getting ready for soundcheck?"
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
While Zombies were onstage for their soundcheck, Addison, Bree, and Tracey took over their empty dressing room.
As Tracey lounged on the couch shoving junk food into his mouth, Bree worked on Addison's hair.
"So…" Bree asked in a hushed tone, as she stuck a bobby-pin into the up-do she was creating. "Are we all set for this weekend?"
"The plane is already at the private airfield outside of town, and Niles is arranging for a van to pick us up at ASE. I just need to let everyone know when we're on our way."
"God I can't wait!"
"I still don't understand how I managed to get talked into this."
"Once again, your idea," Tracey laughed.
Addison sighed. "I haven't been back there since…"
Bree stopped working and wrapped her arms around her to hug her tight.
"Since when?" Tracey asked with a mouthful of Cheetos.
"I hid out there for a while after Daddy died… not exactly my finest hour."
"Oh, Honey-bunny!" he said as he stood up and walked over to her, joining the hug that was already in progress. "Are you going to be okay?"
Bree couldn't help but laugh. "You have seen Zeddison in all its glory, haven't you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Addison asked from underneath their embrace.
"It means, any and every time you have ever been around Z, nothing else matters."
"You know, I want to argue with you… but you're kinda right."
Bree pulled back enough to look her in the eyes. "Kind of?"
Addison giggled. "I can't help it. When I'm with him, every empty part of me feels whole."
"There are soooo many inappropriate jokes I could make right now…" Tracey whispered, making them all laugh.
A loud curse and the sound of tennis shoes screeching to a halt sounded just as the door of the dressing room flew open, revealing a frazzled Bucky. "There you are! What the hell are you guys doing in here?"
They all shrugged and answered "Lacey," at the same time.
Bucky rolled his eyes and focused his attention on Addison. "Did you forget you were singing during Zombies set?"
"No."
"Well, then why aren't you out there for soundcheck?"
It was her turn to roll her eyes. "Easy, B. We're just singing Love Is Madness. We've performed it on stage a few times already, and let's not forget the five-hundred times we sang it during the last few weeks of rehearsals."
He threw his hands in the air and sat down on the leather couch. "New tour. First night…" he grabbed Tracey's Cheetos and shoved a few into his mouth. "Get your ass out there and check your marks."
"Hey! Those are mine!" Tracey complained.
"Um… can I finish first?" Bree asked with a pop of her hip. "I'm trying to get my girl ready for her first radio interview."
"You do know no one can see her on the radio..." Bucky answered as Tracey grabbed the chips away from him.
Bree shot him a death glare.
"Fine… but hurry the fuck up."
She turned back around and placed a few more pins before spraying it all with setting spray. "...and voila!" she announced, spinning Addison around to face the mirror.
Addison let out a gasp. "Oh. My. God!"
"Do you like it?" Bree smiled from behind her as Addison inspected the up-do and makeup that she had just spent the last hour carefully perfecting.
"Bree, you've seriously outdone yourself!"
"I know I'm good," she replied smugly.
Tracey looked up from the nearly empty foil bag. "Dammmmn. You're always hot, but… dammmmmn."
Bucky looked between Addison and Bree for a moment before giving a quick nod. "Any interest in joining the tour as a stylist?"
Bree threw her head back and laughed. "Yeah, okay. Like you could afford me. Besides, I have a salon to run."
He shrugged his shoulders and stood up. "Well, the offer stands. Casey… let's go."
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
Addison stood anxiously in the wings of the stage. The house lights had yet to dim over the smoke-filled room, giving her a perfect view of the crowd that awaited. She let out a nervous breath.
"You okay?" Wyatt asked from behind her.
"I'm fine."
He let out a sharp laugh and began to massage her shoulders. "Liar. It's okay. We've all got first night jitters."
She rolled her neck back, enjoying the temporary distraction.
"Paws off, Wyatt. The Acey's are off-limits, especially that one, and you've got a girlfriend," Bucky snapped as he walked over to them, checking the crowd for himself. "Damn good turn out for a Thursday night…"
Addison tensed again. "I need a drink… and a cigarette… and… and… I'll be back." She abruptly turned around and walked into the hallway and towards the exit. The cold night air hit her like a slap in the face. She rested her head against the chilly bricks and pulled out a cigarette. Before she could even get her lighter out, the door swung open.
"Hey…" Zed's voice washed over her, easing the growing panic she felt in her chest. "You okay, Baby? Wyatt said…"
She didn't give him a chance to finish, cutting him off in a flurry of frenzied desire. Her hands wrapped around his neck, her legs around his waist, and her lips smothered his instantly.
Pushing forward, he pressed his body against hers, her back slamming into the bricks behind her. His erection pressed against her core, making her moan into his mouth as he pulled her black leather bustier down. "I don't know why you insist on wearing bras. Your tits are too fantastic to keep hidden from view."
She giggled against his lips. "You want me to show my tits off in public?"
He didn't laugh in response. Instead, he thrust hard between her legs and leaned down, capturing one of her hardened nipples between his teeth. "Good point… these are mine."
"Always… Just you," she moaned.
The heat between them magnified as he kissed her again, taking her breath away. She shifted so her hands could travel down his well-toned body to the clasp of his pants, making quick work of his button fly and freeing him into her hands.
His mouth moved to her neck, sucking and biting, increasing the burning need they both felt.
She guided him towards her entrance, gasping as he thrust deep inside of her. Holding him tightly to her, she moved with him, against him, despite him, because of him. Every cell in her body feeling alive and craving more. "God, please," she begged. "I need you."
"You've got me."
Time was lost to kisses and strokes, thrusts, and moans. Thrusts went from gentle and rocking to harder and erratic, uneven like his breath in her ear. "You feel so fucking good… so close..."
She nodded her head, encouraging him to keep going, letting him know she was right there with him.
"Shit!" his words were harsh, but his hands were gentle as he cradled her face, kissing her fiercely as they came undone together. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth and he laughed lightly. "I love your stress management techniques."
She giggled and kissed his swollen lips. "You always have."
He nipped her nose playfully before gently setting her back down on her feet. "So…" he said as they readjusted their clothes. "What's got you so nervous?"
She shrugged her shoulders and stepped into his waiting arms. "It's just everything right now. I feel like we're on the edge of something big, and I just…" she exhaled and nuzzled into his shoulder. "Between the video that went viral, and the promotional shit we've been doing…and that crowd we have waiting for us..." she pulled back and looked up at him. "What if someone recognizes me?"
He smiled and ran his hand down the side of her face. "So what if they do?"
"But I…"
"Adds, you should be proud of the work you've been doing. You've turned The Acey's from a marginally talented whiny wannabe band into an emerging rock powerhouse! And that's with Lacey still dragging the band down!"
She snorted back a laugh. "No, Casey Jacobs has been doing that."
"Look at me…" he said, grabbing her chin and making her look at him. "Casey Jacobs, Meg Jacobs, Milo Taylor… They're all YOU. And YOU are Addison Donnelly. You're incredible."
"You make it sound so easy…"
"Because it is," he said with a wide smile. He leaned down and captured her lips in a desperate kiss, not pulling away until they were both panting for air. He rested his forehead against hers, "Come on, Gorgeous. Let's go watch The Pack warm the crowd up for us."
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
"When these pillars get pulled down
It will be you who wears the crown
And I'll owe everything to you
I can't find the words to say
When I'm confused
I'd travel half the world to say
You are my muse…"
Addison watched in awe as Zed wooed the clambering crowd at his feet with his sultry voice. He'd always managed to have Zombies work together in complete synchronization, but the benefit of having a few weeks to rehearse and perfect every chord and every move made them even more spectacular to watch. The bright lights glinted off his hair, making it shine like emeralds as he lost himself in the music, completely unaware of the crowd idolizing him at that moment.
"How much pain has quacked your soul?
How much love would make you whole?
You're my guiding lightning strike
I can't find the words to say
They're overdue
I'd travel half the world to say…" he looked over to the wings of the stage, locking eyes with Addison as he stood in front of the piano and began to play the outro.
"I belong to you."
She sucked in a ragged breath. He was a complete rock god, and he was all hers.
Bucky's voice broke through her Zed induced stupor. "Are you just going to stand here all night or are you going out there?"
She reluctantly tore her eyes from Zed and looked at her brother. "What?"
"Um… the song. You're supposed to be out there for the next song!"
"Oh shit!"
"Yeah! Go!"
She stepped out onto the stage, the bright lights temporarily blinding her.
Zed grabbed her hand unexpectedly and took a few steps back to the center of the stage. "Now this is the time in the show where I'd normally get to sing a duet with the lovely Ms. Jacobs from the Acey's…" he said into the microphone as he pushed his sweaty hair back out of his eyes. "But tonight I thought we'd change it up a little."
"Wait, what?" Addison asked looking up to him with large eyes.
Zed smiled and mouthed the words "Happy Valentine's Day." He looked over to the side of the stage, ignoring Bucky's frantic attempts to get his attention. "Bree?"
Right on cue, Bree walked out onto the stage with Addison's cherry red Les Paul.
"You knew about this?"
"Surprise!" Bree said as she handed over the guitar.
Addison took it from her and looked back over to Zed. "What is going on?" she whisper yelled while trying to keep a smile on her face despite the rising panic she was starting to feel.
Instead of answering her, Zed stepped back up to the microphone. "The music for this next song was written by this gorgeous creature standing up here next to me…" he looked over to Addison and flashed her the smile he knew made her knees buckle. "I hope you don't mind, but I added some words."
"What song?!" she asked, careful not to be overheard on the microphone.
He took a few steps back and leaned in closer to her. "Christmas Eve during that jam sesh in your music room back in Malibu, I had so much running through my head while we played. I had to try to get everything I was feeling onto paper. I've been dying to share it with you… I've just been waiting for the perfect moment. Happy Valentine's Day, Baby."
Addison smiled wide and bit her lower lip. "Trouble. You know that."
"You love it," he teased. "Hurry up and tune."
She rolled her eyes and focused on tuning her guitar as quickly as possible.
To fill the silence, Zed began to strum out a poppy tune while they waited.
"I've been dancing on top of cars and stumbling out of bars
I follow you through the dark, can't get enough
You're the medicine and the pain, the tattoo inside my brain
And, baby, you know it's obvious…"
The melody changed.
"I'll keep you my dirty little secret (Dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone…"
She looked up and smiled as she shook her head in disbelief. "Obvious much?"
He took a step away from the mic again. "I told you, I don't give a fuck. You ready?"
"I'm ready."
He threw her a wink and turned to look at Bonzo, giving him a nod.
As Bonzo began to build the intricate bass line, Zed looked back to Addison. "All yours, Baby."
"You or the song?"
"Both," he answered with a smile just as she cut in with an earsplitting chord dragging out on the whammy bar.
Eliza pounded out a slow beat on her kit, adding the perfect addition to the tune the three of them had worked to create.
As the tempo suddenly quickened, Addison looked up from her guitar and flashed Zed a sultry smile as she ripped into a full-on assault of frenetic notes.
Zed picked up the rhythm and the two guitarists engaged in a chaotic, sensual audio dance.
Addison was so lost in the music that she was completely caught off guard when Zed's raspy voice sounded out.
"It's bugging me
Grating me
And twisting me around…"
She quickly composed herself and focused on the strings of her guitar.
"Yeah I'm endlessly
Caving in
And turning inside out
'Cause I want it now
I want it now
Give me your heart and your soul
And I'm breaking out
I'm breaking out
Last chance to lose control..."
Back and forth, the music flowed between them effortlessly. Zed's lyrics combined with her music brought them both back to that day. Their complicated past, the uncontrollable pull towards one another, and the chaotic frenzy of emotions they were both feeling.
"Yeah it's holding me
Morphing me
And forcing me to strive
To be endlessly
Caving in
And dreaming I'm alive
'Cause I want it now
I want it now
Give me your heart and your soul
I'm not breaking down
I'm breaking out
Last chance to lose control…"
Zed watched as Addison lost herself in the complex solo she was effortlessly weaving. His breath caught in his throat.
As if she could sense him, she opened her eyes and looked up at him through her lashes.
It didn't matter how many times he'd seen her this way. Whenever they played together the music bound them further together, igniting something beyond love within them both. She was his past, present, and future. His everything. His emotions were overwhelming and quickly reaching the point of hysteria. He held her gaze and stepped back up to the microphone.
"And I want you now
I want you now..."
Addison gasped at the sudden lyric change.
"I feel my heart implode…
The sexual tension coursing between them was palpable as they subconsciously moved closer together. The strings of their guitars practically touching as he sang directly to her.
"And I'm breaking out
Escaping now
Feeling my faith erode..."
When the last chord was finally struck. They were both panting and breathless, their chests heaving for oxygen. Zed licked along the inside of his bottom lip, making her bite hers. They were both completely oblivious to the sound of the crowd erupting into cheers for more, lost in each other's eyes.
It wasn't until Bonzo lifted Addison into a hug from behind that either of them remembered that they were standing on stage in the middle of a concert.
"I knew it would be fucking epic!" Bonzo exclaimed, setting her back on her feet. "But that was… was…"
"Everything…" she breathlessly whispered.
Bonzo rolled his eyes and smiled. "Alright, get the hell off the stage so Z can focus on the rest of the set," he teased, nudging her towards the curtains.
Zed shook his head, finally letting his surroundings catch back up with him. "Ladies and gentleman, Ms. Casey Jacobs…" he said into the microphone, still holding her gaze. "Isn't she incredible?" he threw her a wink and started to strum out the opening chords for the band's next song.
With a quick wave and bow to the audience, Addison hurried back into the wings and straight into the arms of The Pack.
As Wyatt, Willa, and Wynter jumped around hugging her tight, Bucky pulled her away. "That was fucking… Oh my god!" he shouted over them. "I'm pissed as hell he called an audible, but god damn! That was some amazing shit! You wrote that?"
She nodded her head, still in shock.
"That was… god damn… That was the best fucking thing I've ever heard!" he pulled out his phone and continued mumbling to himself as he walked back into the hallway, clearly on a mission.
Willa slung her arm around her shoulders and hip-checked her. "I always knew you and Zedward would do it!"
"Do what?"
Wyatt laughed and hugged them both. "Write a hit."
As the limo bus turned down the long stone gateway, Wynter let out a low whistle.
"God damn, Pom-Poms! I knew you came from money, but this is some next-level shit!"
"You get used to it," Zed chuckled.
When the bus came to a stop outside of the impressive dark wood and stone house, Addison stood up. "Okay, let's review the ground rules…" she said eyeing each of them. "Fuck my house up and I'll fuck you up… other than that… have fun!"
Zed scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder. "And don't disrupt us!"
"Like we'd want to," Bree laughed.
"Speak for yourself," Wyatt smiled, nudging her arm.
Addison rolled her eyes as they stepped off the bus.
"Ms. Donnelly!"
She lifted her head and peeked over Zed. "Niles!" she squirmed out of his arms and over to the elderly man, throwing her arms around him. "It's so good to see you!"
"Likewise, Miss."
"I apologize in advance for this crew," she whispered into his ear.
He let out a soft laugh and patted her head affectionately. "This place has had its fair share of raucous parties. It'll be nice to have some life in here again."
"Careful what you wish for," she teased as the rest of the group walked up to the door.
"Ah, Ms. Jefferies, Mr. Jacobs, always a pleasure. Welcome back… As for the rest of you, please enjoy your stay."
"Thank you, Niles," Zed said, shaking his hand.
Niles turned back to Addison. "If you need anything, my dear. I'm just next door."
"Thank you."
He opened the door and stepped aside.
As they all stepped into the house, Addison took off her leather jacket and tossed it onto the over-sized sofa that looked over the expansive floor to ceiling windows. "Kitchen is that way, skis and boards are in the rec room in the back. Trace, Winnie… you guys are second floor, last two doors. Wy and Wills, second floor, first door on the right. Bree, you know where you're going… and you…" she said turning around as Zed wrapped his arms around her.
"I think I remember the way…" He grabbed onto her ass and lifted her, walking them down the hall and into the large master suite. He tossed her onto the middle of the extra-feathery down comforter covering the bed before jumping on to join her. He grabbed her wrists and brought them up above her head, holding them tight. His eyes locked on hers as their breathing deepened. His lips brushed against hers unhurriedly, his voice low and intimate as he whispered, "I want you, all of you. I want to be inside of you. I want to taste you again, like a secret or a sin…"
Pushing her head further into the soft pillowy blanket, she pulled her arms forward and stroked his cheeks. "You say the most romantic things."
He rubbed his nose along hers, closing his eyes as she held him. "I know it's after midnight, but will you still be my Valentine?"
The only answer needed was her mouth on his.
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
They lied in bed, limbs still tangled together under the blankets, staring into each other's eyes. Every touch, every whisper, every gentle kiss, seeping into their souls. Neither of them willing to end the moment and give into sleep.
The sharp shrill of Addison's phone cut through the otherwise quiet night.
"Ignore it," he whispered, pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear as he kissed her softly.
She nodded and continued her feather-light exploration of the tattoos on his bicep.
The phone rang again.
With a sigh, she reluctantly sat up. "I really should have turned that thing off." She hung over the side of the bed and picked up her jeans from the floor, pulling her phone out of the back pocket. "Hello?"
"Oh, good. You answered."
"Mother?"
"Emergency board meeting, tomorrow at nine. Be there or you forfeit your vote."
"Wait, what?!" she shouted into the phone as she suddenly sat up straight. "You couldn't have told me that earlier?!… Hello?… Hello?" She pulled the phone away from her ear, but the call had already been ended. She stared at the screen, trying to process what had just happened and what could have possibly happened to result in an emergency meeting being called.
"What's wrong?"
"I have to be in LA tomorrow morning."
"For what?"
"They called an emergency board meeting at Bamm!… I don't know why… shit, I need to call my brother…" she mumbled, still in a daze
"Wait, why?"
"Because he needs to be there too, it's part of the conservatorship… Fuck…" she stood up and grabbed the blanket off the bed, wrapping it around herself. "I'll be right back…" She opened the doors to the wrap-around balcony and stepped into the frigid night air. Her hands shook as she dialed Bucky's number. Whether it was from the cold or her nerves, she didn't know.
"Addie-loo?" Bucky answered after only one ring, sounding out of breath. "Is everything okay?"
"Um… sorry to interrupt your night, but um… we've got a problem."
"Fuck! What sort of problem?"
"The 'we need to be in LA for a board meeting in the morning' type of problem."
"But the board isn't scheduled to meet until April."
"I thought the same thing, but that's what my mom was calling about."
"Shit..."
"Yeah."
"You don't think she finally has enough votes to sell, do you?"
"I don't know!" she snapped. "Fuck!" She let out a shaky breath, trying to calm herself down.
"We don't have time to book a flight… Uh, do you know how long it would take to get the plane to Denver?"
"I already called," she lied, quickly trying to figure out just how long it would take the plane to re-fuel and for her to get back to the airport. "Um… three, maybe four hours… they've got to staff and fuel up."
"Fuck… okay… Um… Do you want to book the hotel or do you want me to?"
She sighed and pulled the blanket around her more, trying to keep the snow from hitting her skin. "It's already after one. By the time we get there, it's going to be damn near dawn and I have nothing board appropriate to wear and no time to shop. Let's just stay at the house."
"Good call… I guess I'll meet you in the lobby in a couple of hours?"
"I'll just meet you on the tarmac."
"You're not here? Where are you?"
"You're the one that said you didn't want to see anyone until it was time to leave Sunday night… Hey, why don't you bring Eliza?" she suggested, hoping it would distract him from asking further questions about her whereabouts.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I mean, I'm sure I interrupted something. She could lounge by the pool or go to the beach while we're at Bamm!, then you could take her out somewhere nice after. Make it up to her."
"That's a great idea!"
"I'll see both of you there then." She hung up the phone and dropped her head down to the railing of the balcony. All she wanted was a romantic weekend away with her boyfriend without having to worry about hiding. Of course, her mother would find a way to ruin things once again. She stood up straight and fired off a quick text to her pilot informing him of the change in plans before heading back into the house.
When she walked into the bedroom, Zed was already dressed.
"What are you doing?" she asked as she sat back down on the bed.
"Figured we were leaving as soon as possible."
She smiled sadly and pulled him back down onto the bed to join her. "Just because I have to leave, doesn't mean you do."
"Adds, without you here…"
She pushed him back and straddled his lap."You'll still be able to enjoy a few days with the pack without having to hide the fact that you've known them since you guys were toddlers."
"True, but…"
She kissed him, cutting him off. "But what? As much as I want to have you with me, I don't know what fresh hell is awaiting me when I step into that board room. I have no idea if this is going to be a quick in and out vote or if I'm going to be stuck in negotiations for days."
"You shouldn't have to deal with this on your own," he said, sitting up and running his hands through her hair.
"I'll make you a deal," she purred. Her hands grabbed onto his hair and she pulled him in for a kiss.
He smiled against her lips. "I'm listening."
"Let me figure out what this is all about. If it looks like I'll be out there longer than 24 hours, you can fly out and we'll check into a hotel together."
"Why not just stay at the house?"
"My step-brother," she whispered.
Zed swallowed loudly. "You know… I've been in active combat… yet for some reason, the thought of meeting him still terrifies me."
She couldn't help the laugh that slipped out.
"I'm serious!"
She composed herself and pulled him in for another kiss. "I know you are baby… Do we have a deal?"
He pretended to ponder for a moment. "One condition."
"Anything."
"You at least let me drive you to the airport."
"Z, you don't have to. I can have…"
It was his turn to cut her off with a kiss. "I want to spend as much time with just you as possible… and…" he smiled and pushed the blanket off her shoulders as he stood up, taking her with him. "The simulation just went bad, but you're the best I ever had…" he started to sing as he gently set her feet on the ground and began to sway with her. "Like handprints in wet cement, you touched me it's permanent…"
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him softly. "I love it when you serenade me."
He smiled and held her closer as he continued to sing."In my head, in my head… I'm laying naked with you, yeah."
She giggled as he fell back onto the bed with her, kissing her neck and nipping at her collarbone.
Painfully slowly, he continued the torrent of kisses along her soft skin. "In my head, in my head… I'm ready to die holding your hand."
Addison squirmed under him, desperate for more. "Zed..."
He looked up. Meeting her eyes, he bit down on her hip hard, making her back arch off the bed and a moan fall from her lips. He continued his slow descent until he reached the apex of her thighs. He flattened his tongue, licking her slit. His eyes rolled back into his head as her taste hit his tongue. "I know, you've got to go, but you might just miss the flight…"
"Zed!" she pulled hard at his hair until he looked up.
"What?"
"I need you!….NOW!"
He let out a small laugh and crawled up her body, kissing her. "We can't stay forever, but let's play pretend and treat this night like it'll happen again…" He grabbed onto her ass and rolled them over so she was on top. "You'll be my bloody valentine… tonight."
She reached for the hem of his shirt, pulling it up. He sat up enough for her to get it off of him.
As he laid back down on the bed, he looked up into her eyes. The light filtered through her snow-white hair, making her glow. She was so achingly beautiful. He lifted his hand up, gently caressing her cheek. The urgency they had both felt just moments ago, suddenly gone, replaced with a deep slow-burning desire. "I can't hide how I feel about you inside. I'd give everything up tonight if I could just have you be mine... Be mine, baby. Be mine…"
Her breath caught as he held her gaze. A look of complete love and devotion filling his eyes. "Give me your phone," she whispered.
His brow arched in question as he dug into his pocket, pulling it out for her. "What are you doing?"
"I want to remember us like this always...You still want an update to replace that old video we made back in high school?" she asked as she pulled up the camera app on his phone.
"Seriously?!"
She nodded and unbuttoned his pants. "Yes or no?"
"Hell yes!"
She giggled and pressed record. "Happy Valentine's Day, Baby."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm sure that won't come back to haunt them…
Thank you so much for sticking with this story. I'm trying to find the time to write more. But honestly, I'm burnt the f out right now. I promise I am (slowly) working on the next Watch Us Shine chapter as well as the next Call To The Wild chapter. The next Where I Belong chapter will hopefully be posted later this week!
SONGS USED IN THIS CHAPTER:
Touch Of My Hand, Britney Spears
Living Dead Girl, Rob Zombie
I Belong To You, Muse
Sucker, Jonas Brothers (WildFlowerChildGrace asked me to include this song FOREVER ago)
Dirty Little Secret, All American Rejects
Hysteria, Muse (Seriously, this is my favorite song of all time and I've wanted to use it since I started this story!)
Bloody Valentine, Machine Gun Kelly