Rise by Cassandra Robbins

 

 

 

 

GIA

Past – Eighteen years old

Seattle, Washington

Holy fuck, the world is spinning and my lips still tingle from his kiss. My eyes devour the tattoos on his forearms as a wave of pure excitement flutters through my body.

He’s dressed all in black. As I cling to his strong hand, a large black man in a suit shields us, making sure we aren’t mobbed. This is out of control.

I knew the Stuffed Muffins were famous, but I had no idea how monumental this truly is. They love him—no, they worship him as if he’s not human but a god who can give them eternal life. Women and men reach out to touch him as he storms past, maneuvering us out into the cool, wet night.

I take a breath, trying to get ahold of my emotions. This is happening fast. From the moment I boarded the plane and landed in Seattle, it’s been crazy. I barely had time to panic I was so excited.

Nuke was actually on time picking me up. His genuine happiness that I’m here reassured me that this is right. All of Julianna’s doubts and fears that kind of stayed with me on the plane evaporated as soon as he grabbed me and swung me around.

Nuke and I are close. He’s the only one over the years who came and visited me and my mom.

He’d show up and crash in Axel’s old room, stay for a week or so, and go back. I used to ask him why he never wanted to see Axel. He’d give me that faraway smile of his and kiss the top of my head. He’s kind, and even though he tries to act tough, Nuke has a sadness in him. No matter how much fame he gets, or how many people tell him he’s the best, he can’t seem to shake it. Deep inside something’s chasing him, and unless he deals with it, he’s never gonna find peace.

It must involve his parents and the way he grew up. He rarely mentions them, and if he does, his words are not kind. But I’ve never been around a person who craves a family more than Nuke. Unfortunately, he has a major self-destructive streak and sabotages any relationship that might bring him happiness.

Aside from some of my brother’s friends, I’ve never seen a guy have worse taste in women.

He’s beyond hot, striking, really, with pitch-black hair shaved on the sides, so you can see his tattoos. Nuke is covered in tattoos and has been getting them for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I recall thinking he looked like a beautiful painting.

He’s loyal and supportive. Again, I push aside that nagging guilt because I might have also told him there was a scholarship involved…

“I’ve got Granger.” The bodyguard talks into his earpiece, bringing me back to the now.

I’m with Rhys.

And… he wants me.

His warm hand squeezes mine, causing a small shiver that has nothing to do with the cool, misty rain, and everything to do with the electrical charge that goes through me every time Rhys touches me.

“Come here, beautiful. You’re cold.” He graces me with his famous smirk and pulls me tight into his arms.

“Christ, can I have some privacy?” He shakes his head at the horde of paparazzi screaming and taking pictures of us.

“Granger, who’s the woman? Sweetheart, look over here. What’s your name?” They’re firing questions at me so fast, even if I wanted to lift my head from Rhys’s chest to answer, it would be impossible.

A large, black SUV pulls up and another man in a suit jumps out and opens the door, and it’s like I’m in a movie or something. I slide in, glancing around at the mob forming, phones, flashing, people screaming.

Mayhem.

“Go,” Rhys orders. His strong arm reaches out to protect me from flying forward with the jerk of the SUV. The driver holds his hand on the horn. I grab Rhys’s arm and press myself against the soft, buttery seat to keep from falling forward.

“Where to, Mr. Granger?” The bodyguard turns his head.

My stomach flips. Puffing out some air, I try to stay calm. Thank God I drank that champagne and had a couple shots of some kind of exclusive liquor that tasted like candy.

“The hotel,” he says, his voice gruff. I turn to look at him in all his glory. He’s shadowed but I can still see his beautiful features. He looks different. More mature and… hard.

Confidence radiates off him as his presence commands everyone to bow and know their place. He used to be a pretty boy. Scratch that. Both he and my brother were. He’s still pretty… but now he’s almost dangerous. Goose bumps pebble my arms, which I rub to no avail.

This is not some college boy I can boss around. He sits in the darkness with only the headlights from the passing cars allowing me to see him staring at me.

Holy fuck, he looks like he wants to eat me, devour me whole. His signature smirk tells me he must know my panties are drenched for him.

It’s so hot. He’s hot. Jesus, his whole persona screams nasty, filthy, sexy…

No wonder women lose their minds around him. He’s the most exciting man I’ve ever been around. And that’s saying something if you knew my brother’s friends.

I wish I had a cigarette, or something to help my nerves, because holy fuck, he’s everything I’ve dreamed about.

Clearing my throat, I cross my legs, knowing he’s watching. I search my mind for something dazzling to say.

He smiles as if he knows what he does to me, which kind of bugs me, but I can’t seem to speak. Until I can stop my pulse from racing in sexual excitement, maybe it’s better if I remain silent.

“How do you know Nuke?” His voice is seriously amazing. I’ve been listening to it since as long as I can remember, but tonight… tonight it seems more deep, intense, like caramel dipped in dark chocolate. Wait, did he just ask me how I know Nuke?

I turn slightly so I can see if he’s serious, willing my brain to work since the champagne is making me somewhat dizzy.

What the?

My mind races. I sense the power of his impatience as he waits for an answer. Is he serious? Does he seriously not know it’s me? The way his eyes hold mine in the darkened vehicle, I have my answer.

Shit.

I never dreamed he wouldn’t recognize me. Okay, there are two ways of handling this. I tell him the truth, or…

I smile and say, “We go way back.” He reaches for a strand of my hair and twirls it around his finger. His eyes scan my face, then dip to my breasts.

“Oh God,” I whisper. My nipples harden and I lean back into the cushioned seat again, this time to get ahold of myself.

“You a liar, beautiful?” He reaches for my breast, his thumb roughly rubbing my nipple and I almost moan out loud.

“No. I’m an old friend.” This time I do kind of moan.

As he continues to rub and pinch my nipple, his other hand wraps around my neck, bringing my face inches from his.

“I know all his friends, and trust me, I’d remember you,” he says gruffly, and if I wasn’t so freakin’ ready to grab his hand and shove it in my panties, I’d laugh.

Thankfully, the SUV saves me from myself and slows in front of his hotel.

“Granger, do you want me to clear the lobby?” The hot bodyguard turns to look at us and my cheeks turn hot. Rhys brushes my lips with his, then lets me go as he opens the door and steps out.

I clear my throat and pull down my dress. God, the bodyguard doesn’t look fazed at all. Clearly this is not the first time he’s witnessed this.

“I’ll take it from here, Ace. Thank you.” He holds out his hand for me.

I slide out and decide that if I’m going to make this work, I can’t be getting jealous. There are going to be a million women throwing themselves at him. Again, that voice in the back of my head makes me hesitate, if only for a second.

Am I doing this wrong? I feel like I’ve been telling a lot of white lies, starting with my mom. Is karma going to slap me in the face?

“Holy shit, it’s Granger,” a group of men in suits call out, making me push aside my thoughts and focus on my future. His hand lies firmly on the lower part of my back. Nodding, he moves us fast. I barely glimpse the gorgeous lobby when the elevator door closes on the few people brave enough to have followed him.

“This is crazy,” I whisper.

His tall, hard body pushes me against the glass wall. “Welcome to rock ‘n’ roll, beautiful.” In a moment, his lips are on mine and I cling to him, opening my mouth to let his tongue take mine. He tastes like smoke with a hint of citrus. My head is spinning, and every single cell is buzzing with need.

This goes beyond wanting him, or fantasy about the famous Rock God. I’ve never felt anything close to this before.

He grips my chin, forcing me to allow his tongue more access. His other hand roughly jerks my dress up, and my leg wraps around his thigh.

“Fuck,” he says into my mouth as he rubs his erection on my wet panties.

The elevator dings, but Rhys reaches over to stop it, and like the dark magician I suspect he might be, he pushes aside my underwear and thrusts two fingers into my wet core.

“Jesus, tight.” His eyes look into mine, and for a split second I think he might realize who I am. Instead, he captures my lips and slides his fingers in and out, finger fucking me hard and fast.

“Oh my God,” I gasp as he roughly rubs my clit. Nothing about him is gentle. He’s powerful and primal. I groan into his mouth as my tongue twists with his.

“Fuck, this is the tightest cunt,” he says huskily, and my head falls back against the cool mirror.

I cling to his shoulders. Climbing as if I’m possessed, I rub my pussy on his hand.

“That’s it, beautiful, fuck my hand. Fuck it hard.” His nasty voice makes my core pulse.

“I’m going to come,” I say hoarsely, not even recognizing myself when I lift my head and dig my nails into the back of his neck.

“Yeah, that’s it, baby. Squeeze my fingers.”

“Rhys…” Vaguely I’m aware that I’m chanting his name as I orgasm. Wave after wave of life-altering pleasure spirals through my body.

“Fuck. I want this tight cunt,” he murmurs in my ear and I shiver. I’m gone, beyond caring about anything but him. His fingers slowly slide out of me, and I move to drop my leg.

“Tell me, beautiful, you think this tight pussy can handle my cock?” His fingers rub my swollen clit, hard and fast.

Jesus, he’s full-on nasty, dirty, and fucking amazing. I can’t answer, or maybe I do. I’m not making sense because I’m getting ready to come again.

“That’s it, just like that. Give it to me, beautiful.” His eyes penetrate me, and it takes my breath away.

I’m spinning, seeing stars as I cling to him and convulse, pulsing on those magical fingers. I’d almost be embarrassed that he’s seeing me come apart, but I’m floating, holding on to him while the world comes back into focus.

“Mr. Granger, is everything all right?” a male voice comes from outside the elevator door.

“Oh God, Rhys,” I whisper into his mouth. My eyes dart to his. Slowly, he smiles and again, I’m struck by how beautiful he is. He makes my heart hurt; he’s been my everything for as long as I can remember. But the real man who stands here with me… this is a feeling I’ve never had. It’s raw, brutal. Suddenly, I feel a bit desperate. I might not be okay if this doesn’t work with him. He’s that addicting. I might be ruined.

He cocks his head, his eyes caressing my face, then turns and presses on the intercom. “Yes, fine,” he assures whoever and returns his attention to me. “Let’s go.”

Thankfully, he holds my hand tight, since my legs feel shaky as we walk to the end of the elegant gold and silver carpet. Of course, he has the penthouse. The key card lights up the entry slot, and he pulls me into a room that is four times the size of my Venice bungalow. The blinking lights of Puget Sound tease through the airy glass windows.

“This is gorgeous,” I murmur, taking in the suite. The darkness and slightly wet windows make it almost romantic. I rub my hands up and down my dress, all of a sudden nervous.

“It’s a room. Most of the time, I can’t keep track of where I am.” His breath tickles my ear, but his tone is different.

I turn to look at his face. Half is shadowed, but he’s different. Everything about him seems to have changed. I’m at a slight disadvantage since the man standing behind me is dangerous in a detached, almost bored way.

The Rhys Granger I knew would have been thrilled to be in this type of hotel. Beyond grateful for anyone to even listen to the mad ramblings he had in his head and put into song.

“What are you looking for, beautiful? I can assure you I’m not half as interesting as you seem to think I am.”

“Wow.” I clear my throat, while trying to make my legs move. But the orgasms and champagne were making me almost sluggish.

He easily snakes a tattooed arm around my stomach and jerks me back into his chest. “Speak, and don’t worry—nothing you can say will make me not want to fuck you.” His breath tickles my ear and I gasp as he bites the tip and sucks on it.

I need to be outraged. I need to speak and tell him the truth. But all I can do is groan and think that I’m glad I forgot to wear earrings tonight while his tongue fucks my ear.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Oh God,” I hiss as his rough skin slides up my body to my breasts. He’s so forceful, so confident… it makes me feel secure.

“This needs to come off,” he grunts as he rubs his hard erection on my ass, and all thoughts of telling him anything are gone. It’s only me, his magical hands unsnapping the clasp at my neck, and his hard dick.

My dress falls, stopping at my hips, and I arch back into him. The slightly cool air makes me shiver. My hard nipples ache for his touch yet he doesn’t oblige. He turns me by my hips and steps back, his eyes raking over my body. The rain must be feeling the energy from us. It pelts the glass windows harder.

I lick my lips and straighten my shoulders. At this point, I need everything I’ve got to give me confidence, or at least match his arrogance.

He flashes me his signature grin and crosses his arms, allowing me access to admire his chest and biceps. They’re large; everything about him seems large. I smile back at him and try not to sway. I feel like Alice in Wonderland, except I’m getting ready to go down the Rhys Granger rabbit hole.

Clearly, I’m drunk. But whatever. This is it. I’m in Rhys Granger’s room.

And he’s freakin’ hot. No, he’s perfection.

My eyes trail up and lock on his. He’s almost too intense. It’s intimate and scary. I open my mouth to speak but he thrusts his thumb inside.

“Suck,” he snarls and jerks the rest of my dress off my hips so that I’m standing in nothing but my black G-string and heels. Clinging to his arm so as not to fall, I suck hard and let my tongue twirl around his thumb. It tastes like smoke and liquor.

“Fuck.” He pulls my hair back, forcing me to lock eyes with his fierce ones. I’m connected to him, and it kind of throws me for a second. I like to think of myself as a free bird, someone who loves to experiment. Sure, I’m still a virgin in the traditional sense, but that’s because I’ve been saving it for him.

Yet as he stares down at me, I realize that all my experimenting was child’s play compared to him and how he makes my body respond. As if I’m his instrument, he brings me alive. And now I know that there are boys and then there are men. Apparently, the guys I’ve been messing around with were boys. Either that or Rhys Granger truly is a god.

He pulls his thumb out of my mouth with a pop and trails the wetness all the way down my chin and neck to rub one of my nipples. His eyes hold mine hostage as I try to breathe. Screw that, I’m trying hard not to pass out.

“You’re fucking beautiful.” His raspy voice makes my skin feel as though it’s on fire, yet goose bumps emerge on my arms and thighs.

I reach for his shoulders. “You are.”

He doesn’t smile and merely cocks his head. It’s dark, but the lights from outside let me see his glorious smirk as he jerks me up to his mouth.

And then he kills me.

Damages me for anyone else. His mouth takes mine in a kiss that can only be described as my awakening. I groan and let him guide me. Slow and deep, his tongue plays with mine. What’s happening to me? This is not at all how I played this moment out in my mind. I never imagined he wouldn’t recognize me. Or that he could make me feel like this. I never even knew I could feel like this.

“Take off your panties” he growls. I blink at him, then quickly slide them off and step out as he reaches down and lifts me up. My legs easily wrap around his waist as he starts to walk. Vaguely I notice a fireplace and white couches. The smell of flowers clings to the suite.

All at once, he tosses me onto the bed and my back lands on the white down comforter.

God, I shouldn’t have drank this much. It’s clouding my judgment. Somehow I thought I would tell him that I had been saving myself for him and it would be magical. Instead, he’s getting me off in the elevator only moments ago and doesn’t even know my name.

Is that bad?

Fuck it, I’m rolling with this. I’ve come this far. Plus, I came all over his fingers in a matter of seconds. Without a doubt, this is going to be the best night of my life.

I scramble to sit up, my heels giving me traction. They dig into the comforter, and I swear I hear a rip but don’t care because Rhys Granger is taking off his shirt and that’s all that matters.

Even with the lights off, I can see his numerous tattoos, but it’s his freakin’ lean eight-pack that’s making me take small breaths so as not to hyperventilate. Although I might be making myself worse, considering the room is slightly spinning.

I lick my lips and watch him roughly jerk his zipper down and kick his jeans off. Of course, he’s commando.

“Holy shit, are you… oh my God.” I answer the question myself and sit up farther to see the silver piercing on his dick.

“Spread your legs, gorgeous,” his voice rumbles. Though I try to focus on his face… his cock is huge… and thick… and pierced.

“Rhys, I need to tell yo—” I whisper something that doesn’t even make sense to me. Again, his cock is fucking huge and juicy to the point that it’s distracting. He reaches down to cup his balls, making it grow bigger, and I moan as my face floods with heat. Suddenly I’m not as brave as I thought, because holy shit.

“Spread,” he demands and before I can even compute what I’m doing, I obey. This time I do hear the rip as the spikes of my heels dig into the comforter. Jesus, I have to pull myself together… but his cock is pierced.

He reaches down and wraps his large hands around my ankles. He’s warm, and my skin feels sensitive to his touch. I blink up at him. I swear I see feathers now as he jerks me to the edge of the mattress.

Time and the world have stopped. The soft light from the fireplace fades away. Feathers dance around us. It’s like we’re in an enchanted world and he’s a mystical beast sent to be my knight in shining armor.

Then he kneels. “Fuck, look at this pretty pussy.” His thumb rubs my clit and I almost scream at how good it feels.

“I’m gonna eat this pussy.” His thumb rubs back and forth on my clit causing me to grab hold of the comforter, and this time I do moan, loudly.

“Then I’m gonna fuck this tight cunt hard.” I groan, horrified at how wet I am. I had no idea he could be so filthy.

“Oh. My. God.” I lean up on my elbows, panting, then fall back as his mouth goes straight for my clit.

He wasn’t kidding.

He’s fucking sucking it as if it’s nectar that he needs to survive.

“Rhys,” I whimper as I grab his thick dark hair and spread my legs farther. Whatever he’s doing, I never want it to stop.

Ever.

I’m climbing, literally. Lifting his head, he inserts two fingers and starts to fuck me again with them. Deep. Hard.

“This cunt. Goddamn, it’s tight,” he murmurs as I go over, splintering into blinding white lights as my body pulses.

Before I can focus, maybe even know my name, his giant, pierced cock is rubbing my clit and I orgasm again.

In one fast, blinding moment of pain he’s inside me. I think I scream, or maybe it’s just him cursing… but my head is no longer floating from pleasure. This freakin’ hurts.

“You can’t be a fucking virgin,” he groans, holding himself still as if he doesn’t trust himself to move.

I stay mute. Seems to have worked so far, so why start talking now? I’ll only burst into tears. I want to scream the truth that I’m fucking on fire down there, and that I’ve been saving myself for him. But the more pain I have, the clearer I become. I should have told him the truth. His mouth takes mine and it’s gentle, causing everything to fade but him.

“That’s it, baby. Relax and let your body adjust and take me.” Then he kisses me slowly as he pumps in and out.

“So tight.” His voice, a gravelly melody that I love, makes my nails dig deeper into his shoulders.

I’m his.

As he moves in and out, his breathing is harsh. He pulls out and jerks himself off.

“Fuck,” he groans as he shoots his wet, warm seed on my breasts, then covers my pussy with it, emptying himself on me.

“Stay here.”

I almost say, “Where would I go?” But I’m tired. My eyes blink open when a hot cloth covers my breasts. I take a breath and realize I must have passed out and Rhys is cleaning me up. He’s frowning. The light from the bathroom allows me to actually see him.

“Who are you?” His voice isn’t mad, it’s more matter of fact, as if he’s going over everything in his head.

Our eyes lock. His narrow, and for a second I think I see him piece it all together.

“Nothing? Staying quiet?” He tosses the wet washcloth and reaches for my heels, which I’m horrified to find I’m still wearing.

Jesus, I must be way more intoxicated than I thought. I curl under the sheets and he crawls in.

I don’t know what I should say, and I’m so tired, too tired to get into any of this now. He smells fresh, clean. I guess he took a shower while I slept.

“Keep your secrets, beautiful.” He pulls me into his arms and I sigh, because all is well. He’s not mad. If anything, he seems tired himself.

Tomorrow I’ll tell him everything and we can start fresh. Everything will be wonderful.

Then I pass out.