Page 30 of Tainted Love
“Please, Maya,” I beg. “I need your help to get him to leave me alone. What do I do?”
She groans. “I still think you’re crazy for not indulging in some fun, especially while your parents are away. But if you really want him to leave you alone, here’s what you need to do…”
Chapter 16
Bea
IT’S FRIDAY NIGHT and I walk into the Forum looking a hell of a lot more confident than I feel. I managed to avoid Elias last night and stayed in my bedroom today until I was sure he would have left for soundcheck. However, as I step into the venue after scanning the ticket I purchased online last minute, I start to doubt this plan. My two-hour phone call with Maya to plan this out seems a distant memory.
I tug on the hem of my black corset dress which barely covers my arse and feel slightly ridiculous. Elias doesn’t give a shit about me—except for torturing me with his mind-fuck games—so what makes me think this plan is going to work? For all I know, he won’t even bite, and I’m going to end up looking like an idiot.
How in the hell did I let Maya convince me this would be a good idea? To be fair, she was also the one telling me to stop complaining about his sexual deviancy and, in her exact words ‘go to pound town’ with my stepbrother.
DJ music plays over the speakers as the crowd trickles inside. I am here early enough to ensure I can get close enough to the stage to catch Elias’s eye.
My usually wavy hair is dead straight after an hour-long battle with my straightener and half a can of hairspray. And I’ve gone for the punk rock chick look with heavy eyeliner and a smokey eye.
Wanting to keep my wits about me tonight, and to ensure I do nothing stupid, I chose not to drink any alcohol. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help my nerves, and my entire body feels on edge.
The venue fills up quickly, and I allow myself to get pushed towards the front of the stage, remaining slightly off-centre. I don’t want to be the first person he spots—the plan is to throw him off his game when he least expects it.
Some of the male patrons throw me appreciative glances, with one particular group of guys not being subtle at all as they openly stare. They grin and elbow one another as if daring each other to approach me. I grin inwardly as I subtly move closer to the group, casting demure glances at them.
At least I know tonight’s outfit was the right choice.
The closer it gets to showtime, the more the butterflies take flight. I am so far out of my comfort zone, it’s not funny. One of the guys from earlier has stepped behind me. Not close enough to touch, but near enough for me to feel hyperaware of his presence.
Maya is the flirtatious one out of the two of us. She wasn’t one to settle down—until Matteo that is—and would happily dance with strangers and partake in the odd pash and dash, whereas I’ve had a total of one boyfriend. Even being here on my own has me sweating bullets, and I feel like there is a neon sign flashing above my head sayingimpostor.
Don’t get me wrong, I actually like Forever Summer’s music, and this is not even the first concert of theirs I’ve attended. However, my motivation for being here tonight is definitely not pure. I’ve come with one thing on my mind—payback.
Elias Vasilios is going to know that Ido notbelong to him. I don’t belong to anyone.
The lights go down and the crowd cheers as they push toward the stage. The guy behind me grows bolder, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me against his hard chest.
It’s pitch black, but I sense the moment Elias steps onto the stage, as if I am tuned into his frequency. My body tingles as feedback sounds through the speakers before the opening riff of their very first single “Only With You” starts and the lights go on, illuminating Elias and the band.
Ignoring the screams from the crowd, my gaze travels the length of the stage. Wyatt bobs his head along to the music as his eyes remained locked on the keyboard in front of him, his sandy curls frame his serious face. Killian has the biggest shit-eating grin on his face as he sets the beat, he throws in a few fancy tricks with his drumsticks which would have any girls’ panties growing wet. It’s too bad the cheeky drummer is not my type. I feel like we could have had a lot of fun together.
I don’t make it to Asher as Elias opens his mouth, and his deep, gravelly voice washes over the room and my eyes snap to him. He is dressed in dark denim jeans, a black T-shirt and leather jacket; with his white electric guitar slung over his shoulder, his stage presence is intense, just like him.
When they reach the chorus, the crowd sings along with the lyrics.
“Even in a crowd, I always felt alone.
Darkness was my only truth.
I tried to bury my pain,
but you drew me in like a moth to a flame.
I was free to be me, but only with you. Only with you.”
The moment those words cross his lips, his eyes connectwith mine. They freeze me in place. He stumbles on the words, but the crowd keeps singing, no one seeming to notice.
I channel my inner Maya, drawing my bottom lip between my teeth, and give him my most sultry look as I lean back into the guy behind me. The stranger drops his hands to my hips as we move to the music. My ass grinds against his hard cock, and he presses his lips to my neck while I keep my gaze locked on Elias. I run my fingers over my body, feeling the heat of his heavy stare. I’m going to need to shower after this, I feel so dirty.
But Maya’s plan is working. Elias is rattled. A mix of lust and something else wars in his stare—he almost seems … angry?
