Page 32 of Enjoying the Band in Lockdown

“Yeah, as long as you are.”

“I’ll never admit it outside lockdown, but I’m looking forward to it. How many women get to enjoy five sexy men? Like, I’m the luckiest woman alive and from tonight, the competition is all about my satisfaction.”

“Well, when you put it like that, I’d better up my game to make sure you know whose bed is yours.”

“Oh, Xav.” My hands found his promise. How the hell could I resist him until after Chase. “You, always you.”

I blamed it on the breakfast that lasted half the day, but when it came to dinner, I couldn’t eat a thing. Truthfully, it wasn’t because I wasn’t hungry. No, I didn’t want Chase to see me with a bloated stomach. I wanted Chase to see me at my sexiest, thinnest and tannest.

In a crazy way, I wanted to reward Chase’s devotion by being the best version of me.

After a leisurely dinner sharing jokes and anecdotes from touring, we all moved to the beer garden to watch the sun go down. I didn’t need to clock-watch, not with Xavier and Chase keeping time. Still, once we all headed inside, I stole a goodbye kiss with Xavier at the base of the wooden staircase.

“I’ll see you soon.” I reassured Xavier, as much as myself.

“Not too soon, remember I want to win this competition.” Xavier’s joke fell flat, and I hurried upstairs before either of us made it worse.

Insanity ruled my brain and heart as I got ready for my date with Chase. Fingers fumbled and I started second guessing everything from nail polish to perfume.

Ridiculous, really. I knew Chase. I knew his hands. I knew his heart and yet this was like a first date. But still, I snapped two hair ties before giving up and letting my hair fall free. The curling wand adding volume. Dark charcoals and heavy mascara helped accentuate my eyes against the nude lip gloss.

Not wanting Xavier to jump to conclusions, I’d decided to wear the same dress for each night of the competition. A simple lemon print sundress falling above my knees. Easy access for the guys, and easy to wash and dry overnight.

Also, it matched well with my white satin bra and bikini pants, making my tan seem darker and hair blonder.

One last look in the mirror and my nerves gave way to confidence. This competition had been my idea. Each of these men were my choice of lovers and as lucky as I was to be enjoyed by them, they were lucky to have me.

I steeled myself again before knocking on Chase’s bedroom door. Trying to ignore the laughter and music coming from downstairs, and trying not to feel like a hooker meeting a client. To hell with waiting for Chase to open the door, less than a second after knocking, I entered.

Chase’s room overlooked the beer garden. Something I should probably have known given how many hours I spent down there playing online poker. His room was about the same size as the one I shared with Xavier, bland furnishings in beige and browns. One door to an ensuite, and I assumed the other door was to his wardrobe.

Chase pulled one of the ear buds, his face broadening into a smile. My graceful feline of a drummer looked like every woman’s wet dreams. His black cotton or linen shirt unbuttoned enough to tease, hanging loose over fitted black jeans. He’d made an effort to dress up even though I doubted he had packed a shirt of this quality for the tour. It was more like something my brother would wear going out to check on one of his clubs.

“What’s this?” I’d expected Chase to start off the competition at pace. I’d expected him to throw me down onto the bed, instead he offered me the spare earbud. Two people attached to his phone. Chase pulled me close, not to fuck or grind, but to dance. One hand gently around my waist, fingers edging the curve of my hips as we slowly rocked in time with his playlist. Sensual. Building me slowly, but slow wouldn’t win him the competition.

“Shouldn’t we?” I nodded towards the bed, but Chase shook his head.

“I’m not going to win the competition, Sydney,” he said proudly.

“Not by dancing you’re not.”

“No, I’m not even trying to win the competition.” He cupped my hands to his chest. Thump, thump, thump. Strong, like the man his heart belonged to.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m trying to win you.”

We swayed and danced around his bedroom to a playlist filled with songs about unrequired love.

“Chase, I—” I stammered before he pressed a finger to my lips.

“I’m not crazy. I know at the end of lockdown we’ll all be free to go on with our lives. You just need to know that he’s not your only option.”

“But, I—”

“Look, I get that he’s your man. You and Xav have made that clear. But, if it isn’t enough, if he isn’t enough, you don’t have to stay with him.”

I couldn’t face Chase, hiding my face into his chest as he continued, “Sydney, you don’t even have to stay with him after tonight. You say the word and we find a hotel. We can come back for the concert, or not. You and me.”

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