Dual Desires: Triple Threat Book 7

By Bella Jeanisse

A Rockstar Romance of a different kind.

Crystal Atkinson has stayed faithful since committing her heart to her man. It’s painful to leave her best friend, Chad McLoughlin, behind. However, she refuses to let it get her down or affect her relationship with her fiancé.

The pressure of their new life makes things complicated for Giovanni. Temptation comes from every angle and it’s not easy to resist. Since they still have trust issues, he worries that Crystal will always fear the worst.

Their first tour looming ahead doesn’t allow for personal drama. That means they need to set things straight before it’s too late. Can they handle what life will bring them away from home?

This book has spoilers for the Gasoline and Wicked End series.

Warning: For those 18+. May not suitable for all readers. Prepare for a dose of reality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bella Jeanisse
• Release date: Apr 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370212279

Bella Jeanisse

Server tech by day, author by night, mom and grandma all the time. I'm always striving for something more.

Book preview

PREFACE

We are almost at the end of the band’s journey. The next two books in this series will be an emotional rollercoaster you won’t soon forget. As I was writing the end of the series, I went through the emotions with them all. It’s not easy to hold back when I am their creator.

Tommy’s New Year’s party is the opening scene. You had a taste of that in Chad’s book. Since members of Gasoline and Wicked End both plan to be at Tommy’s party, this book contains spoilers of each series. The party is full of names you know and a few you will get to know. It’s at Tommy’s place, so you know that anything goes.

The Reign of Fire tour is soon to begin. This means being away from home for an extended period. It will be a new experience for all the band members of Triple Threat. They have gone quite far since their start and don’t plan to stop for anything.

DEDICATION

My group of supporters keeps changing and growing. I’m quite lucky. Thanks to all of you. Paula (I miss your FB presence), Traci, Anita, Patricia, Donna, Christa, Naiana, Geri, Stephanie, Margo, Ruby, Jena, Sonia, Melissa, Sarah, Casey, Courtney, Coralee, Kathy, Doris, Lora, LaDonna, Mary, Nikki, Eva, April, Corey, Jennifer, Lashell, Needa, Lisa, the Donna and Stephanie duo, Jayne, and Michelle Sorry, if I forgot anyone! You know I’d be nothing without you guys!

My musical inspiration mostly came from: Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, The Offspring, 311, Seether, Nickelback, FFDP, Shinedown, Pop Evil, Papa Roach, Nonpoint, Skillet and Disturbed.

I can’t forget the man who inspired a dramatic scene in this book. There is a Nickelback song that gets to me any time I hear it, If Today Was Your Last Day. Every day we live is a gift. No one knew that more than my close friend, Charlie who lived life to the fullest, no matter what. He lived hard and died even harder. Never telling someone how you feel about them, is awful if you lose them. I won’t do that again.

Charlie’s death taught me that not living is what most of us do. I now live like today could be my last day, for the most part. I don’t put restrictions on everything like I used to. I’m open and honest, to a fault at times. Some may not understand my lifestyle, but that’s their problem. I am living the way I want to live and it makes me happy.

He was so much like Jimmy (The Rev from Avenged Sevenfold) that sometimes it freaks me out a bit. I bet they are in the afterlife, raising hell and having a great time together! Thanks for all you’ve given me, Charlie. Never forget, Southern Comfort, nothing but Southern Comfort!

RIP

Charles Beuther

7/11/74 - 5/15/96

MEET THE BAND

Chad McLoughlin - Lead Guitar

Chris Bradley - Vocals

Giovanni Saracino - Drums

Crystal Atkinson - Bass

Phil Ferris - Sound Engineer

Mark Steward – Crewmember

CHAPTER ONE

When my fiancé Giovanni Saracino and I stepped out of the elevator, I clung to his arm tightly. Tommy Fischer of Gasoline had invited us to his New Year’s Eve party.

We walked down the hall on the top floor as I reminisced about the place. I had lived there for a time, so I knew the secure building well.

Tommy had told me there would be mostly big name musicians and other celebrities there. I was nervous as hell that I would get star struck. Yet I was excited to be on the guest list.

Our band, Triple Threat, had recently released our first album. I played bass and Giovanni drums. We were well-known in our town, but were not remotely famous like Gasoline.

That day was also Gasoline’s lead guitarist, Dominic Spinelli’s, birthday. We had gotten him a set of custom guitar picks with his name on them. I hoped he liked them.

He had become somewhat of a mentor for me. Dominic was laid back and fatherly. He made me feel at ease no matter the circumstances.

My hands shook. I knew there would be many I did not know. Strangers made me anxious. Although I had come a long way since a fan had attacked me, I couldn’t help but step back when a man I didn’t recognize approached.

Crystal, it’s OK. Giovanni took my coat. They’re just people like you and me. I took a deep breath as he knocked on the door.

Tommy opened the door with his girlfriend, Hailey DeCort, on his arm. Subtly, I looked Tommy over. It was a black-tie event. At least the invitation had said so. However, he wore dress pants and a button-down shirt, opened at the collar. His tattoos enhanced the look.

He never wore a tuxedo. Then again, neither did Giovanni. He had dressed quite the same, except with boots on his feet.

Glad you guys could come. Tommy stepped back into the foyer. Holy shit! You look hot in that dress. Hailey glared at him for a few seconds. What? She does. You think I’m blind? Her eye roll was almost funny. You think she’s hot, too. Don’t even pretend.

So do I. Giovanni was glad to be able to show me off that night.

Hi, Hailey. I smiled at her, and she looked me over, as always. I finally started to relax.

When Giovanni had seen the dress I wore at the store, he insisted I try it on. I had been hesitant because of how much skin it showed off. He had been adamant about it, so I bought it.

It was deep blue, like my eyes. With a plunging neckline in front and back, spaghetti straps and a very close fit. As soon as I stepped out of the dressing room, I knew it was perfect. His jaw dropped, and so did the husband of another customer.

At a party with celebrities, I knew it would give me an edge. That way I fit in.

Really shows off your tits, babe. Tommy kissed my cheek and whispered, Wanna fuck you in this dress. He and his girlfriend had an open relationship as Giovanni and I did. We’ll talk later. Tommy and Hailey quickly headed toward his bedroom.

Chad, the lead guitarist of our band and my best friend, came over to us with Maggie, his new girlfriend. Hey, baby. Giovanni. He held her hand but did not stand too close. You look absolutely beautiful.

Thank you. You look stunning. I didn’t usually use that word, but he looked more handsome than ever. In a tuxedo, he blew me away. It took all of my willpower not to allow desire to build for him.

Maggie’s fingers wove into his long, blonde curls. He does, doesn’t he?

I smiled at her. He really knows how to dress. Didn’t mean to overlook you. Your dress is elegant, Maggie. And it’s nice to see you again.

Thanks. You, too. But that dress makes the rest of us look like little girls. You’re drop dead gorgeous.

I blushed slightly. Wow! Thanks.

She pulled me aside. Tyler Gunn from Brass Monkey is here. Oh my God. I love him! He was their vocalist.

With a slight laugh, I replied, You sound like me when I met Craig and James. They were Brass Monkey’s rhythm guitarist and drummer respectively.

Crystal. Chad put a hand on my arm. Walk around and talk to people. Everyone’s pretty cool.

Giovanni took my hand again. Come on.

We walked into the huge living room, which had chairs set up all around. Whoever had organized the room for the party, made the most of every square foot.

I spotted Jon Harris, Gasoline’s drummer, and Dominic in the kitchen. Noelle Young, singer of Winter Winds, held Dominic’s hand. It was nice to see him happy.

Jon had his arm around Emma Price’s shoulders. She was his new girlfriend and the mother of his teenage son, Sean, who was not in attendance.

After we had met everyone there, we both got a drink and sat near the front door. I found it a bit odd that Giovanni had passed on alcohol and had ordered an energy drink. He did have to drive, though.

Guests continued to arrive, and the place had become quite loud. I finally relaxed and was able to talk to most of the band members with ease, with a few exceptions, Tyler Gunn included. The well-known actors, not so much.

Babe. Tommy was suddenly next to me with a hand on my bare back. Craig’s been looking for you.

I glanced at Giovanni, who was with Dominic and Vince, Gasoline’s Production Manager. Then I turned to Tommy and whispered, You know I can’t.

He picked up my hand and pulled me to his room. So ask Giovanni. He let me do you. If Hailey didn’t show, I’d ask him if I could fuck you right now. Damn that pussy of yours.

I walked over to the window and looked out at the beach. I don’t think he’d agree to that tonight.

Agree to what? Giovanni asked.

Quickly, I turned around to see him in the room with us. Tommy was just being Tommy.

A horny bastard? Giovanni grinned. Are we ringing in the new year with a threesome?

My mouth opened. However, I lost my train of thought, surprised Giovanni was almost on the money. Um, kinda.

Craig wants to fuck her, Tommy blurted out.

Giovanni’s eyebrows rose. Craig Hansen? Damn!

She wants him, too.

Tommy! I shouted angrily.

What? You do! Tommy shrugged his shoulders. Just let him fuck her once and get it outta his system.

Giovanni sighed. I can’t just let him have her. She’s gonna be my wife soon. We were to be married on Valentine’s Day when the Reign of Fire tour stopped in Las Vegas.

So what? Tommy put a hand on his shoulder. "You let me fuck her."

I’m there, too. It’s not the same thing. Think he’d do a threesome?

I looked from one of them to the other and hoped for a yes. My core clenched from just the thought of it. Will he? I cried out after what felt like forever with no response.

You really want it, don’t you? Giovanni came to me and pulled me into his arms. I’ll convince him. OK? But I’m getting your ass, got it?

I lifted my head and looked into his eyes. You sure?

I can deal with almost any guy… but Chad. With him there’s a connection. With the others, there ain’t. Anyway, I’d love to be able to tell someone like him what he can and can’t do to you.

Then I heard footsteps. Mr. Fisher, the buffet is set up in the dining room. There was a man in a tuxedo in the doorway.

Thanks, Tommy responded. Hey, I’m the host of this thing. Gotta get back to flirting and stuff. He smiled widely.

The dining room was the one room I spent very little time in when I lived there months prior. The bar was set up in the spacious room as well. After we got plates, Giovanni and I found Chad, Chris Bradley and their dates in the living room, close to the kitchen. Chris was our singer.

I’ll be back. Giovanni put his plate on the nearby table and walked to Craig.

I sat between Chris and Chad. Both seemed to have had a few drinks already. Tommy had karaoke set up near the far wall. James Keloha from Brass Monkey sang Gasoline’s On the Front Line.

You gonna sing? I asked Chad.

He laughed. Baby, I can’t sing.

I like the way you sing. I touched his arm. Only you think you’re bad.

He sighed. I’m not embarrassing myself.

I will. I took another sip of my beer. When I drink enough that is.

Maggie leaned forward. I’ll do it with you. If you want.

OK. I was not sure why she offered but was glad I wouldn’t be humiliated alone.

After several more men and a few girls sang, Maggie jumped up. Come on.

I drained my third bottle and followed her. Immediately, we got whistles and cheers. I smiled and curtsied as a joke. Maggie just blushed. We looked at the list of songs.

Kick some ass, girls, Jon shouted.

Phil, our sound tech, called out, We wanna see kissing afterward.

I glared at him and gave him the finger. He smirked and whispered something in Sam’s ear, who was next to him. Mark was on his other side and punched Phil’s arm.

Most likely, Phil had bragged about when I kissed a groupie he screwed once. Sam worked for Gasoline as Vince’s assistant on tour, and Mark was our band’s other crewmember.

My eyes roamed the area absently. Dominic and Tommy were talking to Dean Johnson, their vocalist, in the back hallway loudly. Dean had recently been at what I think was a detox center. I heard he had gotten clean yet again. He still worried me, but I put it out of my head.

I winked at Giovanni, who stood against the doorway to the kitchen as he watched me. He glanced at Dean every once in a while, with an odd look on his face. I didn’t want to know why, since it might ruin the party for me.

The music began to Getting Over You by Silverblade, one of my favorite bands. I had met Kyle, the drummer, and the new bassist, Zack, that night. However, I had not seen the other members.

Maggie and I put our arms around each other’s backs when the song got slow and swayed together. It was fun. We both sang badly, but the guys clapped and shouted for us anyway.

That was horrible, I admitted to Giovanni when the performance was over.

He pulled me into his arms. I sing worse.

Well… I put my head down, not able to admit I agreed.

He rubbed my bare back. I know it’s true. Don’t worry. This is why I’m behind a drum kit and not a mic. His hand traveled down and squeezed my ass. You gave more than half the room a hard-on with that dance you guys did.

I blushed and laid my head on his chest. I seem to be good at that.

Yes you are. He moved a bit. I want you to meet someone.

With a hand on my back, Giovanni led me to the sectional, which was in the corner. Gently, he pushed me to sit between Craig and a guy next to him. He looked very familiar, but I couldn’t place him.

You know my fiancé, Craig, right? Giovanni’s eyebrows rose.

Craig leered at me. His eyes roamed up and down my body. Not well enough yet, he whispered as he leaned toward me. You’re da hottest chick here tonight.

You must be Crystal, the man on my other side said. I’m Shane. He extended his hand to me.

My mouth opened a bit. He was the singer of Silverblade and hotter than even Tommy.

Um, I—I—I am. I took his hand. Wow, I seen you guys play dozens of times. I didn’t know you—Damn. You look nothing like your pictures. My focus shifted back and forth from his short, dark goatee to his blonde hair.

I know. Shane showed off a dazzling smile. I grew out my hair and changed the color. You like? He rubbed his facial hair.

I bit my lip. Uh, yeah. Looks great.

I’m just having trouble with it frizzing up. Feel this. He picked up my hand and let my fingers slide over the strands on his shoulder. I bet you’d know how to tame it. His other hand touched my thigh, right where the slit in my dress ended.

I was at a loss for words and couldn’t move a muscle. The testosterone between the three men overwhelmed me. My loins became wetter by the second. I wished I could have them all. Sometimes I wondered where the nervous girl afraid to try new things had gone.

When a finger trailed up my spine, I turned my head. It was Craig’s index finger, and Giovanni was whispering to him. I wished I could hear what he said, and I hoped Chad didn’t notice us.

Then my face was turned. Shane’s lips touched mine as he placed my hand on his neck. My eyes closed while his tongue caressed my lip, and his hand inched under my dress.

I wanted to run my hand down his arm but was paralyzed. Slowly, I started to return his kisses. When he slipped his tongue past my teeth, I sighed and moved my other hand to his shoulder.

Not here, Giovanni suddenly uttered.

Shane pulled back. Oh, sorry. Tommy told me you share.

"Well, yeah. But her ex is here, and she doesn’t like him knowing about our… um… openness. If you guys wanna take this someplace else…"

I looked at Giovanni, shocked that he had called Chad my ex. Then again, what else could we call him?

Shane touched my cheek. We could go to a hotel if you want.

My eyes met his. I felt like I was about to fall apart. What is it about rock stars that does that to me? Sure, wherever you want.

We can’t make it obvious. Giovanni pulled me to stand. Maybe after some people go home? You guys good with that?

I looked down at them and noticed for the first time that their cocks practically bulged out of their pants. Both of them seemed to be very well endowed, even more so than Giovanni, which made my nether region clench with need.

I didn’t want to wait to get fucked by one of them. However, I had to let Giovanni lead to be fair.

Crystal! Tommy called from the kitchen. I turned and found him waving me toward him. Need your help.

Giovanni noticed him and held onto me as we wove through the crowd. Once in the kitchen, I understood why he needed help. He had a large birthday cake on the kitchen table, with no writing on it. Several tubes of icing and tips were next to the box.

Why didn’t they do that for you? I asked. It made no sense.

Tommy sighed. Because I’m a dumbass and let Hailey distract me so long in the bedroom that the bakery closed. I had to get this at Sam’s Club. How do you do this?

I tried not to laugh but let out a short chuckle. Gimme. I’ll do it. He handed the first tube to me.

Slowly, I used the smallest tip to write Happy Birthday on top then Dominic at the bottom. Next, I drew a guitar in the middle, with as much detail as I could. It wasn’t easy in the least. When done, I smiled. It was good enough.

He’s gonna love it. Giovanni squeezed my shoulder. Didn’t know you could decorate cakes.

I shrugged. I learned from Chad’s mom. Since I was as close to Chad’s family as my own, Valerie had taught me many things.

The three of us worked together to place 39 candles strategically around the words and guitar.

Tommy stuck one more in the guitar’s hole with a wink. One for good luck. It was a chore to light them. Damn it! He had just gotten the last one lit when a few on the other side went out.

That time I held my laughter in. Carefully, Tommy and Giovanni brought the cake into the next room. They set it on the coffee table in front of Dominic and Noelle.

Dominic blushed deeply as the whole place started to sing. He held onto his girlfriend’s hand and eventually blew out the candles with her help.

He looked up. Thanks, guys.

I stepped toward him and placed a kiss on his cheek. There’s presents, too.

Uh-uh. Dominic put up his hands. Please. I don’t need anything.

Tommy put his hands on his hips. Shut up and let us do something for you for once. You give and give and give. Sometimes you gotta let us give back.

Dominic frowned but nodded. He sat back and opened gifts. His face showed his shock at the thought put into each one. Next to him, Noelle’s smile never faltered.

I brought you something too, Brandon Knight, lead guitarist of Wicked End, carried a guitar case toward us. He gave his girlfriend, Mackenzie, a quick kiss then set the case in front of Dominic. Bit of a thank you for the pep talk years ago.

As he blushed yet again, Dominic smiled. You were a punk back then. Glad you smartened up.

After he had glanced at Mackenzie for a few seconds, Brandon said, That I was. Kenzie wants to marry me anyway. He winked.

Congrats! Dominic stood and gave Brandon a brief hug. Then he took a deep breath and opened the guitar case. You’re kidding me? He looked up. How the hell? His eyes moved to the Randy Rhodes signature. You remembered?

Brandon grinned. Yeah. Another off your list, right?

Yep. Dominic turned to Noelle. Did you see this?

I leaned my head on Giovanni’s arm. Glad we weren’t the only ones who brought him something.

CHAPTER TWO

After a few hours, I was surprised the party was still tame. Most of Tommy’s parties had some sort of debauchery. Giovanni and I were having fun so far. Dean even seemed calm.

Unlike Tommy’s birthday party, everyone kept their clothes on as well. Shane and Craig winked at me once in a while, though.

I’m going to the bathroom, I told Giovanni.

He nodded. Let me know if Dean bothers you. He had watched Dean often. Most likely, he expected Dean to cause a scene as he had the day we were engaged. Seriously. Since Giovanni had revealed that he was once a drug addict also, I understood why he worried.

I will.

The hall bathroom was occupied. I knocked on Tommy’s bedroom door. There was no response, so I went in. It was empty, thankfully. After I had used the toilet, I heard an argument. Slowly, I opened the door and peeked into the master bedroom.

Mackenzie glared at Dean. What you did was inexcusable!

I know. Dean put his hands together, almost in prayer. I’m sorry. I was high. I swear I’m clean. Never again. I won’t touch you.

Her fist connected with his jaw. No you won’t. Dean hit the floor, and my mouth dropped.

Then the door opened, and