Page 60 of Exactly What I Needed
“In your reign of my heart, princess of allure. My soul’s bound and forever secure.”
I swallowed stiffly, knowing. Knowing exactly what he was meaning and wanting. Jaxon and Drake danced around me, enticing the crowd while Asher remained frozen in place, building the music to a perfect bridge.
Which came, and he screamed hauntingly into the microphone, his note sliding perfectly into a guitar solo for Drake. I stared at Asher, who left his microphone and stalked directly toward me. I didn’t move; my heart raced as his hands gripped my face, and he hovered his mouth directly above mine.
My chest rose and fell rapidly, brushing against his as he slowly tipped his head to one side. “Hey, Princess,” he whispered.
My brows twitched, screaming to reach out and kiss him. I desperately wanted to touch him, but wouldn’t that look too suspicious? Then Asher let me go and walked back to the microphone, timing it perfectly to resume singing. I placed a trembling hand against my chest and turned around. Facing Sydney, I widened my eyes as she squealed.
Waving at her, I silently gave her permission to come onto the stage. She shrieked and hoisted herself up. Running over to me. Throwing an arm around my shoulders, she jumped up and down and then faced Asher again.
He paused his singing for a moment and looked at the other six girls plus Elysia that stood in a huddled circle. “You girls can come too,” he said before resuming singing.
My friends immediately jumped onto the stage, and we lost ourselves in the music.
Two songs later, (6, 7) I was caught on the edge of the group. I’d allowed myself to forget, for just a moment, the hurt that was in my heart. I could figure things out with Asher after. Right now, I had to pretend for Sydney and my friends’ sake that I was perfectly happy. That nothing was wrong. The fact that I really was enjoying their music made things a little easier.
As the next song began, (8) I giggled as Sydney squealed in absolute delightful mess since this song was not one of their family-appropriate songs. Jaxon sidled over and began grinding on one of my friends, and Drake joined in, closer to me. Sydney grinned and scooted over, rubbing up against him along with Katie.
Suddenly, a hand slid across my waist, warmth engulfed my back, and I could smell him. That citrus and bergamot scent mixed with his sweat swallowed me whole. Heat rushed through my entire figure, pooling in my core as he pressed up against my body, still serenading the crowd. His free hand slid to my belly, and he dug his fingers in, gripping me tightly. I didn’t dare look at him, for fear of the heartbreak I might see in his eyes.
Sydney’s gaze, however, held a subtle amount of jealousy as Asher grinded up against my backside. I could feelexactlywhat he wanted. It seemed, despite everything that happened that fateful night, he still desired me.
Breath washed over my ear as his lyrics paused and his hand slid down. Closer and closer to my center. A pulsing began, that familiar ache as his fingers brushed between my legs. Seduction dripped from his lips when he sang the next verse directly beside me, shoving me back against his body.
Then his hand rose, sliding across the rest of my stomach. It continued to rise, and I couldn’t help but close my eyes and lean into him. His fingers brushed lightly across the bottom of my braless bust, wrapping his entire arm around my chest. Gripping me tightly, he held me against him.
The lyrical portion ended, and he let his thumb sweep away from my side and quickly across my breast. I shuddered involuntarily, moving with him. A quiet growl left his throat, only for me to hear as his lips hovered above the side of my neck.
Then he raised the microphone and finished the song, removing his arm and body from mine.
I opened my eyes, meeting the intense stare of Sydney. Her gaze was green with jealousy, but she hadn’t crossed the line to mad—yet. Tera’sface flashed over her shoulder, giving me a warning stare before she danced away as the song ended.
That was a blatant display of possession, but I had to believe it was because it was my birthday, and I prayed that Sydney would interpret it as such. Because it was my birthday, Asher had felt it was okay to do that. Or was he toying with me?
Chapter 21
Because it was a private concert, the setlist had been smaller. My girls and I were standing on the grass again, mingling. Well, with each other. Everyone was gushing about what had happened while Void went and cooled off for a moment. Sydney was scrolling through her phone, looking at every picture, selfie, and video she’d taken while on the stage.
I, on the other hand, remained quiet. Watching for when they would return and desperately hoping to find a moment alone with Asher.
“That was amazing!” Sydney sang, spinning in a circle. She stopped, faced me, and narrowed her gaze. “Why don’t you seem happier? The Dark Banshee danced with you, and you seem mopey.”
I sucked in a deep breath of air, pausing to give me time to lie.
Except I didn’t have to as a voice I dreaded spoke behind me. “What in the world was that inappropriate display?” Danny snarled.
I rolled my eyes as Sydney groaned. “Can you not take a hint?” she shot back.
“A hint? Is that what that was? You hire some random band to try and tell me off?”
“They’re not a random band! They are the most famous and popular alt metal band right now!” She threw her hands on her hips, as frustrated with him as I was. If not more because he insulted her precious Void.
“Their music is nothing but crap with some coarse language and sexual stuff. The members are—”
“You better watch what you say next about them,” she hissed, and I slowly turned around.
Raising a brow, I crossed my arms in disgust.
