Lost Weekend (A Rocked Story) by Clara Bayard Page B

could see the effect it had. But I knew the truth. This was his public smile, the one that charmed the masses. But it was nothing on the real smile he rarely showed to anyone but those closest to him. It seemed some things would never change, and that made me very happy.

    Upstairs in our suite, my giddy excitement had completely overwhelmed how tired I was. Looking out over the view of the Park, I could barely believe it.
    “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy, Liss.”
    I turned and stepped into Joe’s embrace. “I’m so happy.”
    “All it took was a swanky hotel. So much for the regular girl waitress, eh?”
    I smacked him softly on the chest. “Shut up. I’m happy because I’m with you. And sure, this beautiful place doesn’t hurt. But we could be in the diner or a bus station or the mouth of a volcano and I’d be just as pleased.”
    “Good. Want a drink?”
    “Nope. I just want to stay right here with you holding me.”
    “All weekend?”
    “All my life.”
    Joe smiled and kissed me on the cheek. “Is that a proposal?”
    I blushed. “No! I didn’t mean…”
    He guffawed and pulled away enough to look into my eyes. “I’m just fucking with you, Liss.”
    “As usual.”
    “You love it,” he said playfully.
    “I love you .”
    “Good.”
    I laughed. “Good? You’re supposed to say it back, dummy.”
    “Bossy. I love you being bossy. And silly. And happy. And everything you ever are. I love you, babe.”
    Even after all this time, just hearing that made my stomach flip. The lead singer of Dream Defiled loved me. Diner waitress and soon-to-be college student, me. And even better than that, Joe loved me. The real Joe. The sweet, sexy, sensitive, funny, supportive Joe. And he was all mine. The rest of the planet could enjoy his handsome face and fantastic voice. His stage presence and talent. But his heart was just for me. And mine for him.
    I shook my head, overwhelmed, and pinched myself on the arm.
    “What the hell did you do that for?”
    I looked away, embarrassed he’d noticed. “I just wanted to make sure all of this is real.”
    “It is. But if you want to get pinched, please allow me.”
    “What? No.”
    He leered comically, waggling his fingers in my face. “Come on. You know you want it.”
    “Do not pinch me.”
    “I’m gonna. You can’t stop me.”
    I giggled and ran away. Joe followed, and chased me around the living room and dining area, through to the bedroom. I was steps from the massive bathroom when he caught me. But instead of pinching, he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulled me tight against his body, and kissed me deeply.
    With a sigh I sank into it. His slim frame belied the strength in him. Tightly muscled all over, I could feel him flexing against me as his hands roamed my back and his tongue drove between my lips.
    “Now it’s perfect,” I murmured against his mouth.
    “Come to bed. It gets better.”
    And it did. When we went over to the bed Joe started undressing. Even after all this time together I had to stop and watch. His body was all lean muscle. In loose clothes he looked skinny, but he was so strong. From the sculpted line of his shoulders to his flat stomach and all the way down to his taut calves.
    “Am I doing this alone?” he asked playfully as I sat and stared.
    “Not a chance.”
    “Good.” After shedding his pants and releasing the thick evidence of his arousal, he helped me tug off my clothes. When I was down to a bra and panties he tumbled us down onto the bed, slipping naturally between my thighs.
    Joe kisses me on the lips lightly, but I could feel the desire building in him and he didn’t stay there long. His mouth roamed down my neck to the deep hollow between my breasts. He licked me there once and then pulled the cups of my bra down on both sides before swiping a calloused thumb over each tip, making each pucker and my back arch.
    “Fuck, babe. I can never get enough of you. Every inch of soft, creamy skin so