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              They nod their head up and down and break in to the third song on their set. Finally, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Eric’s little pep talk is working. Sweet Jesus.

              My phone begins to buzz in my pocket. To my pleasant surprise it’s Bree. I had texted her earlier to see how her job was going. When she didn’t answer me I got a little nervous. “Hey there, angel.”

              “Hi. Is this a bad time?”

              I look to the stage and it seems to be coming together...for now. “No. I’m good. How’s the job?”

              “Good. I got my assignments for this week. I wanted to see if any of the bands were yours.”

              God. I hope so. Any excuse to see Bree will work for me. “Rattle them off.”

              “Kay. Tomorrow night I got The Nora’s. Wednesday night I got Wreck. Friday night I got PSMar19.”

              I try not to sound too excited. But, I am.  “Lucky you. Two of them are mine... The Nora’s and PSMar19. Wreck is a pretty good band but I don’t produce them. Looks like we will be seeing a lot of each other this week.”

              I hear her sigh. “Yeah…about that. I just want you to know that I can totally be professional and keep it casual when I’m around you. Don’t feel obligated to be nice to me because we...well...you know.”

              I snicker. I can tell she is having a hell of a time labeling our little sexual escapade. It’s so fucking charming. “You mean because we dry fucked?”

              She makes a sharp noise that almost sounds like a groan mixed with a cough. I can tell I’m stirring her up. “Umm. Yes.”

              “First, I don’t doubt you can be professional. Secondly, I want to be nice to you. Third, you need to become comfortable with the sexual acts we commit. I plan on performing many acts with you.” There’s that groaning cough again. “Bree, I don’t play games.”

              There’s some sort of sigh mixed with a groan on the other end of the line. “I’ve never been a fan of games. So…I’m glad we got this little talk out of the way.”

              Jesus. Professional Bree is still trying to assert herself. I have to say something to get the Bree that was grinding herself against me the other night to talk.  “Now that you know where I stand is it fair enough to ask where you stand, Bree?”

              Another sigh. It was a risky question. I know it. After all, we just met each other. But, I’m nothing if I’m not honest. I like Bree. A lot. To be honest, I never saw the point in hiding my feelings for someone. Putting each other through the agony of not knowing where a relationship is going seems pointless.

              “You’re too good to be true. You say the right things at the right time. You’re a gentleman but you ooze a dangerous sexy vibe. You’re confident and honest. And if that isn’t enough you’re driven and talented. Wait. Did I mention that you’re crazy cute? It scares the living hell out of me.”

              “If I’m all those things, why does it scare you? They are good qualities. Right?” Hell, my head should be swelling at this point. But, she sounds so frightened.

              “They are awesome qualities. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better guy. But…ugh…we are being honest with each other, right?”

              Shit. This didn’t sound good. “Right.”

              “Maybe…I just…maybe I have been programmed in to thinking that I will screw this up. What if we have to see each other when I’m working and you don’t like me anymore? What if you get tired of me being around? What if I fall for you? But…you don’t fall for me?”

              I hate the guy who did this to her. Her head is filled with self-doubt and jaded memories of a toxic relationship. If she could just see that I am the guy who is about to change all that. “I want you to fall for me, Bree. That’s the plan. Don’t worry about me falling for you. I’m already tripping my way to you…just a couple more clumsy steps.”

              She’s silent for the moment. I ask her if she is still there. I am pretty sure she mumbles that she is. “I won’t hurt you. Kay? Permission to go Twilight?” I ask. All chicks love Twilight right? I had to find a way for Bree to get how I feel about her but also get the conversation back to a comfortable level.

              “Twilight? Like Edward Cullen…Twilight?” she giggles.

              “Depends. Are you a Jacob or Edward fan?” I’m getting in to my role.

              “Both.”

              Shit. She had to make this really hard for me. “Okay…here it goes. You remember the first movie when Edward says he feels very protective of Bella?”

              “Classic line. Of course.”

              “I feel very protective of you.” I’m pretty sure I got the Edward line down. I had to really search my brain for a Jacob line. Suddenly, it hits me. I got the perfect line but I’m not sure if it was the second or the third movie. I take a risk. “I’m exactly right for you, Bree.”

              I can sense her amusement on the other end of the line. “Wow. I am so impressed. The fact that you saw the movies and remember some of the lines…is just remarkable or scary. She must have been worth it.”

              “She?”

              “There had to be a chick involved. Right? You must be a great boyfriend to have endured the whole series.”

              Suddenly, I’m a bit embarrassed. Eric and I watched the first movie out of curiosity. Sure, we could have stopped there. But, I found myself oddly interested in the fate of Bella and Edward. Eric was happy to go along my fascination. Plus, the ladies seemed to like the fact that we were knowledgeable of such an important topic. “Err…her name is Eric.”

              “Eric. Like as in your roommate?” she laughs.

              “Yep. Eric and I have seen all of them,” I admit.

              “ Wow.”

              “Now that I have driven you away with my dorkiness…All joking aside, I mean what I say, Bree. I don’t know what this is that we have going on. But…damn…it’s unreal.”

              “I like your dorkiness. And, Josh?”

              “Yeah?” I breathe out slowly letting all of my air out. Putting it all out there and exposing my feelings for her is a risk. She can react in a positive way or totally write me off. But, if the connection is affecting her way it is affecting me…she can’t deny it. “I feel it too.”

              I smile to myself. I can breathe again. “I will see you tomorrow, Bree.”

              “See you tomorrow.

BREE

              Lena and I arrive at the show about a half hour early. We make our way to the media reserved section and take our seats at a round pub table. A waitress makes her way to us and we order sodas. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited until the band we are reviewing is done performing.

              I quickly scan the stage area to hoping to catch a glimpse of Josh. “You’re looking for your guy, huh?” Lena grins and then takes a huge gulp of her soda.

              I’m embarrassed. I should be focusing on my job but instead I’m stalking Josh. And, I got caught doing it. “It’s that obvious?”

              “Umm…yeah!” Lena doesn’t hold back. “Why so shy, girlfriend? You look hot!”

              Hot. I don’t feel hot. I am rocking a black vintage Bush t-shirt with a denim mini skirt and fishnets. My hair is flowing down my shoulders as usual. The only effort I made in to looking different tonight was my makeup. I vamped it up a little with heavy smoky eyeliner and red lipstick. Nick hated when I wore my makeup heavy. He said I looked like a tramp. I am doing my best to push his comments far my head and own my newfound confidence. “Thanks.”

              “I can’t wait to see him. He’s gotta be a hottie if he has you hunting him like an animal.” Lena is finding way too much joy in teasing me. “Holy Shit. Is that him? He’s fucking gorgeous.”

              I see Eric making his way over to us. Once he reaches me, he kisses me on the cheek like a brother would kiss his sister. “Hey, doll face. You look beautiful. Nice fishnets.”

              “Hey, Eric,” I blush. Eric stares too long in Lena’s direction. Uh oh. I know where this is going.

              “Who’s your friend?” he asks.

              Lena looks relieved that it is not Josh. I smile noting the love connection happening right before my eyes. “Eric, this is Lena. She’s my co-worker. The kind of worker I need to spend a lot of time with,” I warn. “Lena. This is Josh’s roommate and business partner.”

              Lena falls forward to grasp Eric’s hand. Eric gives her a lopsided grin. “Hey.”

              “Hey,” Lena blushes.

              “Have you seen Josh?” I interrupt.

              “He’s backstage giving the girls hell before they go on,” Eric tries to look away from Lena to give me his attention but he’s pulled right back to her face.

              I can see why Eric can’t take his eyes off of Lena. A simple black tank top covers her petite figure just hovering above her breasts. Her black skirt lingers to her calves where it meets her laced up black boots. Various silver ornaments and accessories finish her effortless appearance. I can’t help but hope that Eric has met his match. “When you see him, let him know I will catch up with him after the show.”

              Eric smirks and pinches my cheek. “Doll face, his Bree senses are tingling. He will find you before the show ends. Trust me. There is no holding him back when it comes to you. I gotta get going. When you are off the clock, don’t make plans on going home. Y’all are hangin’ with us tonight.”

              Lena rests her head on her hand and sighs. “Tell me he is single.”

              I laugh. “I’m pretty sure he is. You should go for it. He is a cutie.”

              “You don’t have to tell me twice. Eric is my goal tonight.”

              The Nora’s hop on the stage tuning and adjusting their equipment. Random sounds of guitar chords fill the air. Suddenly I feel warmth and comfort surrounding me. I sense Josh closing in on me. It’s crazy how my body involuntarily responds to him. It’s like it wakes up when he is around. Josh’s decorated arms envelop me from behind. I lean in to him and I am home.

              He sighs with satisfaction. My head drops back and he leans down gently brushing his lips against mine. “Bree,” he whispers in to my mouth. I extend my arm and reach behind his neck moving my fingers through the hair on the base of his neck. I pull him back to me to get more of his mouth. He groans with approval. His guttural sounds only make me want him more no matter who is around.

              Lena coughs and we are brought back to our surroundings against our will. She extends her hand for Josh to take. “Sorry to interrupt. I’m Lena. You must be Josh.”

              He squeezes my shoulders and then extends his hand to Lena’s. He snickers to himself. “Sorry ‘bout that. I forget where I am sometimes when I’m with her.”

              Lena laughs. “I can see that. The show is about to start. Should we get a little closer, Bree?”

              Josh interrupts before I can respond. “I actually have all of this planned out. Lena, since you take the pictures, Eric is going to get you right up front so you can move unrestricted. He’ll make sure you have the angles you need. As for you, Bree…well…I’ve got plans for you. Follow me.” Just as I’m about to protest, Eric retrieves Lena and I am being led to the backstage area by the hand.

              Josh stops dragging me and points to an isolated chair sitting near a black curtain separating me from The Nora’s. I sit down knowing he is aware the show is about to start. He wouldn’t make me miss my first assignment, right? He pulls a silky bandana from his pocket and begins to wrap it in the formation of a blindfold.

“What are you doing with that, Josh?”

“I plan on blindfolding you, love.” He gives me a lopsided smile that makes me want to drop my panties right then and there.

But, I’m also scared. I don’t know what is running through his mind or why I’m about to be sitting blindfolded. “Why? This isn’t some sort of kinky foreplay game is it?” I tease.

Josh laughs but continues towards me. He stops and drops to his knees in front of me. He takes my face in to his hands. His right hand slides from my cheek and travels down to my neck. He leans forward and lightly sucks and then bites where his hand found its resting place on my neck. I cry out, “Uhhh.”

Again, he chuckles and I feel his breath lingering on my neck. “When you make sounds like that, I go fucking insane. It’s taking everything in my power right now not to tie you to this chair, blindfold you, and suck every spot on your body that will make you fucking scream. But, love, you have work to do before we play together.”

I suck in as much air as I can because his words stole every last breath I had in my body. He gently ties the blindfold around my eyes caressing my head as he does so. “Now, be a good girl and leave this on.”

I panic. The panic isn’t because I can’t see or I have given all of the power to Josh. The show is about to start and I’m supposed to be working. I’m finding way too much pleasure in what Josh is doing to me.

Josh finishes tying the blindfold around my head. I can feel him in front of me again. Both hands are on each side of my face. I feel his breath lightly touch my lips. As his lips press against mine, he coerces my mouth open so he can explore it with his tongue.  I moan in to his mouth. He breaks free and snickers with satisfaction. He must like torturing me. It’s cruel.

“I have to get back to my seat. I have work to do.” I plead.

Josh sighs, “You haven’t been paying attention, love. See, in order to really listen to music, you must dull all of your other senses. You have to feel the music. Music is raw and primal and inherent in our nature. Music is instinctive and it's not rigid and bound by rules and constrained by principles as everyone thinks. It's manipulating sounds to portray the emotions that resonate through you.” He slides his hands from the sides of my thighs and slowly moves them up to rest on the side of each breast.

“I blindfolded you so you can listen to the music. Feel the music. Do you understand, Bree?”