Starstruck (Heartstrings Duet #1)

41. wait for you there

[ 41 ]

WAIT FOR YOU THERE

BAXTER

“LIKE A STONE” BY AUDIOSLAVE

I take my seat in the conference room on the seventh floor, just like I did all those months ago when we first started working on my album. Except today, it’s to discuss putting the finishing touches on it and get everything finalized and ready to go for release in November.

Matthew worked his usual magic with mastering, and with each listen-through I do, I’m convinced even more that this album might just be my best one yet. Though I haven’t let Lennon listen to it all the way through yet—there’s one song in particular I’m not ready for her to hear—and until she does, I won’t know for sure whether it truly is or not.

She is my biggest critic next to myself, after all.

She’s here with me now to talk with my publishing team. I’ve always had the same people take care of publishing, but now that I have Lennon on my side, I wanted her input, too. I’ve already told everyone we don’t need to do another listen-through of the album, though, partially because I’m not ready for her to hear it all and also because if I listen to it anymore, I’m going to start finding things I want to change—like I always do. Right now, I think it’s perfect. I want it to stay that way for as long as possible.

I’ve also already decided on potential album art—something else I’m not ready for Lennon to see. I’m not sure how she’ll feel about it when I show her, so I plan on waiting as long as possible. In the meantime, we’re using a filler image for marketing and promotion purposes.

So far, people have been going crazy over the news of my upcoming album. As much as delaying the dates for the remainder of my No Promises tour was necessary and being away for those five weeks sucked, I do think it was a great way to get people talking about me again. It left people wanting more, so the buzz around my new album has been incredible.

We discuss plans for the singles’ releases, and Jeremy gives me the great idea to surprise people by performing two of the songs off Rockstars Never Die at the benefit concert in a few weeks. After finalizing plans for that, we also discuss the plans for a music video for one of them. Lennon takes the lead on my publishing plans, and Maria sets me up with a few interviews to help spread the word. Before I know it, we’re wrapping up the meeting.

At least until my touring manager enters the room, as late and as douchey as usual.

I grind my teeth. I know he’s here to start discussing plans for my RND tour, but seeing as I haven’t even been back for two weeks from my last one, talking about going out again is the last thing I want to do right now.

“Hey, Bax.” Nick grins in my direction, though he’s not looking at me. His eyes catch on Lennon. And she’s shooting her classic fuck me eyes right back at him.

I already don’t like the guy, but seeing the way Lennon is looking at him right now…that makes me hate him even more.

“Sorry, I don’t think we’ve met…” He holds his hand out to her, and she takes it, shaking his hand. “I’m Nick, Baxter’s touring ma nager.”

Lennon clears her throat. “Lennon. I work in publishing.”

“Ah, that explains it.” He smirks at her, holding her hand for much longer than necessary. I grit my teeth, balling my fists on the table as I fight the urge to punch the stupid grin he’s shooting at Lennon off his stupid face.

My Lennon.

She finally pulls her hand away, and out of the corner of my eye, I see her glance at me. She must notice my expression, because her smile falters.

Nick takes the seat across from me, still looking at Lennon as he says, “No Promises is finally done. How does it feel?”

“Good,” I grit out, which finally pulls his attention back to me.

“Good.” He leans back in the chair. “Well, now that your next album is nearly finished, we’ve got to start discussing your next tour. I’m thinking international this time. What do you say?”

“Whatever,” I huff, disinterested.

Nick rolls his eyes with a sigh. “Just a simple yes or no will suffice.”

“Fine. Sure.” I push my chair away from the desk. “We can finish this discussion later. You can all go now.”

“Bax—” Nick begins, but I interrupt him.

“No. You were late, and now I’m done. Get. Out.”

There are a few more murmurs of objection before everyone finally relents and heads out of the room.

Lennon moves to do the same, but I grab her hand and pull her back in, the door slamming shut as I do. “Not you.”

I release her hand and lean back against the table, my jaw working as I feel her eyes drill into me.

“What was that about?” she asks, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I shrug it off almost immediately and her face falls. I force myself to swallow down the words I want to say before I turn to her with white-hot jealousy coursing through my veins.

Yet again.

This is a new feeling for me, and I’m not sure I like it.

“You agreed to this arrangement until the concert. You’re only stuck with me for a few more weeks, so I’d appreciate if you could refrain from blatantly flirting with other men right in front of me at least until we’re through.”

The words are uncalled for and taste sour coming out of my mouth, but I’m blinded by the rage I feel after watching Nick and Lennon make eyes at each other.

“Flirting with other men?” Lennon’s brows pull together. She looks genuinely confused. “Bax, wha?—”

“I saw the way Nick was looking at you. The smiles you gave him right back. You think I don’t know what flirting looks like, Lennon?”

“Baxter, no,” she says frantically, shaking her head. “I was most definitely not flirting with Nick. I know what he’s like. Jeremy’s gay and practically family to me, and I’d still pick him over Nick.” She places a soft hand on my forearm. “Besides, I only have eyes for one guy. You .”

My eyes narrow as I try to read her. There’s no reason for me to not believe her, but like I’ve said a million times before, this whole relationship thing is new to me. I’m not used to letting people in and trusting them. I’m not used to opening my heart to anyone, least of all a woman. Yet I’ve done all that and more with Lennon. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with her in a matter of a few short months.

Which means feeling jealous has basically become my new default.

Despite how long this has already gone on for and everything she’s done up until now, I continue to worry that when I tell her how I feel after the concert, she’ll tell me she doesn’t feel the same way.

“What can I do to prove it to you?” She takes a step closer to me.

My eyes darken as I glance from where her hand rests on my arm to her lip pulled between her teeth.

“I think you already know, Trouble.”

Her grin turns wicked. “This what you were talking about?” she purrs, her fingers coming up to unbuckle my belt.

“Lennon…” I grab her hands to stop her, caught between wanting nothing more than to fuck her mouth in this conference room and also not wanting her to think I’m just using her.

“C’mon, Lover Boy.” She continues fidgeting with the buckle, the clank of it undoing echoing in the otherwise silent room. “I want you.”

The words fall from her mouth effortlessly. After all the times I’ve had to beg her to say them in the last few months, hearing her say them by her own volition means more than I ever could’ve asked.

I hold her gaze, my jaw clenched, as she frees my button and zipper, her hand slipping in the waistband of my boxers. Her fingers brush against my tip, and a groan slips past my lips. Her smirk grows, my response to her hands on me fuelling her.

Before I can even blink, Lennon gets on her knees before me. Just watching her down there has me growing harder.

She tugs my pants down, her eyes darkening with lust as my cock is freed from the confines of my jeans. She licks her lips, running her thumb over the seam before stroking the shaft, and that alone has me close to bursting.

I hiss at the sensation and brush her hair out of her face as she looks up at me with the same fuck me eyes she was shooting at Nick ten minutes ago, which reminds me of why we’re in this situation.

“You gonna put your mouth on it, or am I gonna have to choke you with my cock, Trouble?”

She smirks before sticking her tongue out and dragging it along the underside of my cock. When she reaches the tip, she wraps her plump, pink lips around it and sucks.

“ Lennon ,” I moan, my head falling back.

She hums in appreciation, and the vibration urges me forward, forcing her mouth open wider. She grins with her mouth wrapped around me until I’m hitting the back of her throat. She makes a gurgling sound as she tries to force me in deeper, and I swear I’ve never seen or heard anything sexier than Lennon Thorne with her lips around my cock.

“ Fuck , Lennon. You’ve never looked better than you do right now.”

My fingers grip her hair as I fight taking control and just fucking her face. She flutters her lashes at me as if my praise is exactly what she needs. She brings a free hand to the root, running it up and down the part of me she can’t quite fit in her mouth.

She bobs her head, licking and sucking and working every inch of it—I feel myself getting closer and closer to boiling over with each thrust of her mouth around me. My eyes fall shut, so I almost don’t notice when her spare hand disappears beneath her skirt—until I feel her whimper around my cock.

My eyes flash open, and I smirk. Gripping her by the back of the head, I thrust fully inside of her.

“Nuh-uh, Lenny girl, let me see your hands.” She brings her hand out from under her skirt, and I take it in mine, trapping her in place. “Today, you don’t get to come until after I do.”

I push in a bit deeper and hold still, her golden irises becoming glassy. “Flirting with Nick right in front of me? It’s like you were asking me to punish you.” A tear spills out as my cock hits the back of her throat. “Is this what you wanted, baby? For me to fuck your face?”

Her watery smile grows around me again as she nods. So I tangle my fingers in her hair to hold her still and begin to do just that. And I don’t go easy on her.

“That’s right, baby. Choke .”

She does. But Lennon, my perfect girl, takes it like the champ she is, moaning and sucking as my cock goes deeper. Her nails dig into my upper thighs where both her hands rest, her hair mussed, her cheeks flushed, and her mascara beginning to run.

When she brings one of her hands up to cup my balls, I explode.

“ Lennon ,” I roar. I hold myself still until every last drop has been spilled, and even then, I don’t move until she swallows it all.

Her lips make a pop as I pull myself out, her chest rising and falling in an attempt to catch her breath. But I don’t give her a chance before I’m pulling her to her feet and slamming my lips against her, revelling in the taste of myself on her tongue.

“That’s my good girl,” I whisper as I break our kiss. “ Now it’s your turn.”

Lifting her by the thighs, I set her down on the table. I wedge myself between her legs, but just as I lean over her, her phone rings.

“Ignore it,” I beg, meeting her eyes. She nods, letting the call go to voicemail, and I press my lips to hers.

But when it rings again not even thirty seconds after the first one stopped, I groan, my head falling to her shoulder in annoyance. I pull back, and she tosses an apologetic grin at me as she moves off the table to grab her purse from the floor. When she finds her phone, her brows pull together.

“Who is it?” I ask, moving to stand next to her.

“I’m not sure.” She glances at me sidelong before swiping her thumb across the screen. “Hello?” she says to the person on the other end.

I hear muffled words coming through the phone as Lennon’s eyes widen and she freezes.

I make quick work of buckling my jeans, sensing that this call has ruined the mood. Then I ask, “Lennon, what’s wrong?”

She says nothing, continuing to listen as her eyes begin to water.

When whoever called finally stops speaking, a stuttered, “Okay, I will. Thank you,” comes out of her as a whisper, and she hangs up the phone.

“Baby, talk to me,” I urge, both scared and confused as to what could cause this reaction in her.

“Th-that was the crown attorney,” she mutters, unblinking. “Logan Jameson’s trial has been scheduled for Thursday…” She pauses for a beat, staring at the phone in her hand.

My stomach drops at the mention of his name.

That’s six days from now. And I still haven’t told her about my connection to him.

Fuck.

I open my mouth, but before I can speak, she adds, “They want me to testify.”