Gasoline Read online

  Gasoline

  by

  Bella Jeanisse

  a XynoAfterDark novel

  This title contains sexually explicit content and is only intended for Mature Audiences.

  © 2014 Bella Jeanisse

  published by

  Xynobooks, LLC

  *Publishing New Authors for the Next Century*

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  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in an entirely fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No claim whatsoever is made to the image credited to Joe Woodhead and 9/11 Memorial Foundation.

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  Table of Contents

  For Adult Enjoyment Only: Explicit Material

  Dedication

  I can’t forget my amazing and wonderful beta readers. Thanks for being there for me and for your honest critiques! Without you, I’d be just a writer. ;) Geri, Patricia, Donna, Liz, Fabby, Margo, Traci, Christine, Melissa, Stephanie… I’m so sorry if I forgot anyone!

  Since Dominic, main character, is an ex-paramedic with a caregiver’s mind, he made me think of how much people in that line of work mean to us. I lived in New York City in 2001 and learned to appreciate the sacrifices of first-responders and even more, our military. I am forever grateful to all who have served in any way.

  I dedicate this book to the 9/11 rescuers. Ash falling like snow, the eerie silence and fear of more violence made the city come together. It changed New Yorkers like me forever. Coming back to work with grey streets and a gaping hole to the south is something I will never forget. I show my appreciation on September 11th every year by going with my youngest child to our local firehouse, thanking them and bringing them a treat.

  photo by Joe Woolhead of the 2010

  9/11 Memorial

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Preface

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty One

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Chapter Thirty Three

  Chapter Thirty Four

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Chapter Thirty Six

  Chapter Thirty Seven

  Chapter Thirty Eight

  Chapter Thirty Nine

  About the Author

  Sneak Peek: Reckless

  Sneak Peek: Insatiable Appetites

  Sneak Peek: The Courier

  Sneak Peek: And Then Her Mouth

  Sneak Peek: Ladies of Market Street

  Preface

  Gasoline is an older group; somewhat grown up, yet still a bit on the wild side. You’ve seen the band members in other books, but I felt they needed a book of their own, since they touched so many lives.

  There are names you know and new ones as well. Triple Threat is part of the cast, and a few of the members of Wicked End make an appearance. Silverblade makes their debut as well.

  Dominic is not like my other characters. He is usually a voice of reason, and someone others look up to. Telling his story was complicated, but in a way, freeing. You’ll see why he doesn’t hit on Crystal or why he seems quiet and shy. I hope you enjoy his story and appreciate the glimpses into his bandmate Tommy’s life as well.

  As always, inspiration comes from all over for me. While writing this, I went to a few concerts, and each sparked ideas and stimulated more than just my mind. The bands that really did it for me this time though were: Evanescence, Disturbed, Papa Roach, Avenged Sevenfold (BTW, they kicked ass in Orlando!), Pop Evil, Heaven’s Basement, Nonpoint, Killed the Fixation, Adelitas Way, Halestorm, Sick Puppies, Pantera, Led Zeppelin, Unearth, Unparalleled Height, Five Finger Death Punch, Hellyeah and Mudvayne.

  Chapter One

  Gasoline’s tour bus, driven by crewmember T.J., headed down I-76 in Pennsylvania, on the road to Michigan. A free late August show at the military training center was the next day. There, Gasoline would meet up with Wicked End and several other bands.

  Dominic Spinelli, Gasoline’s lead guitarist, sat on the couch in the front room. His long, dark brown hair was in a ponytail to keep it out of his face as he watched the end of an action movie. At about five foot eleven, with a thin frame, he didn’t look like much, but girls seemed to be attracted to his green eyes and intellect.

  He was the only member of the band who had graduated from college. Sometimes, his slight geekiness worked to his advantage. Like when he needed to hold a real conversation with someone. His knowledge did reveal his age, though. At 38, he was the oldest of the group.

  The trip had been nothing but aggravation for him so far. He felt like the referee at a hockey game. Dean Johnson, their vocalist and rhythm guitarist, was one big reason why. Dean was conceited, childish and a bit sadistic.

  Triple Threat traveled with them. They were a band from the same southwest New Jersey town as Gasoline. Demonfire, a private record label co-owned by Jon Harris and Tommy Fischer of Gasoline, had signed them. Demonfire was promoting the band and a first album that was still in the recording phase. The title track to Trapped in the Middle hit the radio over a month ago. It did well in digital sales from day one.

  The two bands and 14 crewmembers were trying to make the best of what could have been a crappy trip. Everyone tried not to get in each other’s way or be annoyed at the cramped quarters. It was only for a half a day there, and then back home. Only one person got on everyone’s nerves.

  “Gimme another beer.” Dean put a hand out to Crystal Atkinson, Triple Treat’s bassist who was getting a bottle of water from the refrigerator. He leaned over the kitchenette table towards her, his deep brown hair falling in front of his eyes. His long bangs annoyed him at times, but he liked the way they made him look. “Now, baby.”

  Licking his lips, he looked her over. With her small frame and large breasts, he knew he could make her do whatever he wanted, if the rest of her band would only let him. They jumped all over him whenever he made a move.

  With layered hair and sometimes-scary dark brown eyes, Dean’s model-like good looks brought women to their knees. Groupies were a bad habit for him. He could care less about who he fucked, he just needed it often. He usually lied about being 37. Girls believed anything he said.

  Crystal rolled her eyes as she handed Dean a sixth brew. “You had enough.” Her eyebrows went up when she saw his black fingernails.
She had not noticed that.

  Dominic shook his head and said, “She’s not your slave, asshole.” He was tired of Dean expecting Crystal to do everything for him. “Giovanni, Jon… Dean’s using Crystal as his gofer again.”

  “She won’t let me fuck her,” Dean announced. “The least she could do is show me a little pussy, and bring me my drinks. Come sit on my lap and—” A big hand hit him on the back of the head, and he choked. “Hey!”

  Jon Harris, Gasoline’s drummer, glared at him, towering over Dean at about 6 feet, 8 inches in height. His physique scared many, including the much smaller Dean, and Jon looked more like a football player than a musician. He kept his head shaved because his hairline had receded at a young age. However, it suited him as much as his signature black goatee. He, too, was 37 and tended to stick to women close to his own age, but he didn’t deny any young woman who wanted him.

  With a growl, Jon shook a finger at Dean. “For the last time, hands off!”

  “I didn’t touch her,” Dean protested.

  Jon looked to Crystal, and she shook her head. “Then stop asking her to do shit.” He grabbed a soda and returned to the back where he, Mark (one of Tripe Threat’s roadies) and a few others were watching a Sylvester Stallone movie.

  Dominic laughed. He loved when Dean was put in his place. The 15-hour ride was not even half over, and Dean had barked orders for half of it. He said, “Just keep drinking.” If Dean drank himself into a stupor, at least he would shut up.

  Tommy Fischer, Gasoline’s bassist, was lying in his bunk. Well, it wasn’t really his bunk. He won it, in a way, since they had only brought the road crew’s bus. A movie played on the DVD player. He wished he had Crystal to fuck instead, but Giovanni didn’t want everyone to know she and Tommy still fooled around.

  He ran a hand through his freshly dyed hair. Every time his natural light brown showed through, he had it dyed black with blonde tips. It took a bit of work to get it how he wanted. His hairdresser was good, though.

  That morning he had thanked his hairdresser with a quick fuck in the back room. She didn’t care that he wasn’t six feet tall or didn’t have a nine-inch cock. All she wanted was the pleasure she knew he could deliver. She liked to stare into his nearly turquoise eyes and toy with his dimples as he fucked her hard. He always wondered if she knew he was 35, not 25, as most assumed he was when they looked at him.

  In the front room, Crystal sat beside Dominic. She felt kind of achy and tired. The symptoms made her nervous, since she had yet to begin her monthly cycle. Although, it had been a long day, and she’d stood in boots for most of it. “Do you guys have aspirin or anything?”

  “You can’t take that!” Chad McLoughlin, Triple Threat’s lead guitarist, shouted as he walked into the main cabin. His blue eyes opened wide when he realized everyone had heard him. “I heard it can cause stomach problems.”

  He knew there was still the possibility she was carrying his child, something they wanted no one else to know. The night, more than a month before, in Rosario’s rental car, was burned in his brain. Several pregnancy tests had shown inconclusive results, but he knew there was still a chance.

  Glaring up at Chad, Crystal replied, “Then whatever—something for my back.”

  Dominic noticed the staring contest, but decided he should ask in private what was going on between them. “Giovanni, can you grab my bag back there?”

  “Yeah!” Giovanni Saracino, Triple Threat’s drummer and Crystal’s boyfriend, yelled back from the edge of the front room. Soon he came down the hall with the red bag in tow. “What happened?”

  Dominic searched through the pockets of his medical bag he had carried around since first becoming a paramedic many years ago. “Crystal has a backache. Maybe one of the guys’ll let you sleep in a bunk instead.”

  Because they were over capacity, they had brought sleeping bags and airbeds. Some had already gone to bed, taking shifts in the bunks. Even their support truck had two extra people. Usually one of the crew crashed on the mattress in the rear of the cab while they were on tour.

  It was getting close to midnight, so most were getting sleepy waiting for their turn. Giovanni and Crystal were set to sleep on a small airbed in the back room. Dominic was almost sure that if she did, she would wake up in pain. He pulled out a bottle of acetaminophen. “I think this is all I got. Most of the guys use alcohol. You’re off your meds. Have a beer.”

  Chad pursed his lips and kept his eyes on her. He wanted badly to say something, but he didn’t want to reveal their secret. Giovanni would beat him to within an inch of his life if he knew he had fucked her again. Never mind that he came in her.

  “I don’t like Heineken.” Crystal took the pills and a swig of water. “Thanks.”

  Chad sighed with relief. “Why don’t you go lay down? Are any of the bunks free for a few hours?”

  Tommy quickly texted Giovanni:

  Mine is.

  Dominic stood and walked down the row of 12 bunks, checking them all. Then he came back. “All full.” He thought about giving her his, but he was sharing as well, and it wasn’t empty.

  Chad shrugged. “I’ll go fix the airbed for you.” He walked to the back.

  Giovanni felt his phone vibrate. After reading the message and answering, he took Crystal’s hands in his. He pulled her up to him, and, then whispered, “Tommy said you can sleep in his bunk.”

  Dominic pretended he didn’t hear and sat down again. He looked up at the latest Marvel superheroes video game that Vince, Gasoline’s production manager and Crazy Mike, their head sound tech, were playing. It was one he had planned to buy, but never got around to it.

  Sometimes he wished things were like they used to be. Before they were famous, he and Tommy were best friends. When Tommy started fucking every groupie who got within arm’s reach, they drifted apart somewhat.

  Dominic didn’t think sex should be an outlet or the only reason to talk to a girl. He felt it was a way to connect, but only after getting to know them pretty well. Sometimes, there’s a spark right away. He learned how to build on that. It made sex more intense for him and a lot more satisfying.

  In the bunk, Tommy had a huge grin on his face as he read the reply:

  Great thanks.

  Sex is why he always chose a top bunk; more head room. He hoped he got some before they arrived in Michigan. Since Crystal was the only female, she was his only chance.

  “It’s all set.” Chad put a hand on Giovanni’s shoulder. “I’m gonna catch some sleep, too.”

  Dominic had hoped Chad was staying up so he could ask him what was going on. He frowned when Chad wedged himself into a sleeping bag in a corner. Then he sighed. He would have to ask the next day. He had talked to both Chad and Crystal about their need to tame things between them. He hoped they had listened. At least there weren’t any more obvious looks of longing.

  When Crystal and Giovanni disappeared down the hall, Dominic reached his hand out. “I got next.” Crazy Mike had just lost. A controller was passed to him, and he started choosing characters. It was something mindless that he hoped would calm him.

  Crazy Mike opened the refrigerator and saw it needed to be restocked. There were only two cold beers left. “You want a beer, Dom?” He reached up to the cabinet over the refrigerator and took down two more six packs.

  “Yeah.” Dominic took the offered bottle and drained half of it while Vince continued to build his team. “How come you always pick Ghost Rider?”

  Vince grinned. “I like him.” That was his favorite hero, because Ghost Rider wasn’t all hero.

  Sometime later, Giovanni pulled back Tommy’s curtain, then leaned on the edge of the bunk. “You really don’t mind if she sleeps here for the night?”

  “You know I’m sleeping here too, right?” Tommy whispered. He got a nod. “Any restrictions?” He hoped for none.

  After a look at Crystal, Giovanni sighed, a bit unsure. “No fucking without me.” He looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to th
em. He didn’t want anyone to know what they were doing. Everyone seemed to be falling asleep or busy.

  “No fucking,” Tommy repeated. “Will do… Well, or not do.” He helped her up and over him, and, then gave her part of his pillow. “So anything else is on, right?” He scanned her body, which was clad in a short, lacy nightgown that covered too much of her for Tommy’s tastes.

  Giovanni looked around to make sure no one heard. “Yeah, I guess… If she wants.” He kissed Crystal on the lips. “Good night, my love.” Then he closed the curtain.

  “ ’Night,” she replied.

  Crystal was suddenly very tired. She lay on Tommy’s chest, hoping it would ease the throbbing pain that had started in her head. When he put an arm around her and squeezed her ass, she closed her eyes and pretended he was Giovanni so she could sleep. Her left hand was near his neck. When he moved a bit, she felt the three hoops in that ear against her finger. If she hadn’t been so tired, she’d play with them, since he liked it.

  Dominic watched Giovanni for signs of a jealous fit. He saw none. It didn’t make much sense. When it came to Chad, Giovanni went ballistic, but he allowed Tommy to hold her in bed? He knew Tommy was holding her, trying to push her into sex. Had Giovanni really made that much of a change? If it was real, then maybe they could actually make it as a couple.

  Dominic’s phone went off, and he groaned. He wasn’t in the mood to talk to his girlfriend. He got up and headed to the bathroom. With 22 people on the bus, it was the only room with some privacy.

  “Hey, Gina, I called, but I got your voicemail.” He’d promised to call before they left.

  She shook her head. “I know. I’m sorry. I was at Bethany’s school.” She paused as she sat on her couch, finally home from her second job as a hostess at a restaurant. “I wanted to say goodbye in person.”