Monarchy of Roses

Chapter 24

"YouTube is blowing up with your videos, Nika. People love your playing, it's so different but very cool", said Clara as the plane landed in Sydney.

"I don't know how to feel, I don't want to be famous someone other than Dad likes my playing", she mused aloud.

"Attention for doing great is a positive thing, much better than being on an MTV reality show. Maybe you can get some gigs as a session musician", Clara suggested.

"Like doing movie scores?", asked Nika, intrigued.

"Yeah, not necessarily big films but indie ones. You can make money and get exposure", she said.

"Clara's right, I started out as a session musician and it helped me get my foot in the door", added Josh.

"I know, you were playing with all these bands and with Dad too", said Nika.

"Yeah, if you can play lots of different stuff, you get more gigs. I know some people", he said.

"I don't want to take advantage of you", she protested.

"Don't worry, I'm just helping out my girlfriend", said Josh, kissing her cheek.

Since it wasn't yet midnight when they arrived, Josh suggested they go out. John just smiled and gave her a hug as she went off with Josh, Clara going to her room since she claimed she had a headache. "She doesn't want to be the third wheel", he chuckled.

"I have no idea about Sydney, except about the bridge and the opera house", said Nika.

"I've been here a few times with the group, and with Gnarls Barkley. Brian and Cee-Lo took me to this underground dance club where the music was amazing, the DJ was spinning vintage Detroit techno. Let me check if they're open", said Josh as he took out his phone.

"Okay, they're open. Don't worry, I didn't take Ecstasy. I don't trust that stuff, John and i did go to raves back in the day after he got sober, he wouldn't bother with that stuff", said Josh.

Josh took her hand and led her downtown. The city was still up and vibrant as many neon lights blared and music seemed to come from every open door, touts trying to grab people and pull them inside. Josh led her towards a building which appeared to look like an old warehouse except guarded by a huge muscular guy with a shaved head. The big man's face lit up when he saw Josh as he let them in. "He recognized me from my previous time here", he explained.

A small corridor led into the massive interior of the club. The building had once been an old warehouse and the two levels of floors had been renovated so that it was now a big, cavernous empty space with lights up on the high ceiling that twinkled pastel lights on the crowd below. A DJ in a booth suspended above the crowd spun vintage Chicago house with its trademark squelching Roland basslines. The dancers were a motley group of older fans from the 80's, college students, hipsters and some very confused teenagers who were trying to dance to the unfamiliar music.

Josh led her out onto the dance floor and at first Nika was self-conscious since she had never danced to this before. He gave her an encouraging smile and started to dance, ,just moving along to the beat. Nika realized that none of the dancers were moving in formal steps and just moved along to the beat as she began to dance, moving her body along with the music. Josh gave her a thumbs-up and Nika smiled at her boyfriend while they danced. In spite of him being tall and skinny and wearing baggy clothes, Josh was completely unselfconscious as he danced, a grin on his face and his brown eyes sparkling.

Soon Nika began to let go of her self-consciousness and danced with more abandon as Josh laughed with delight. The music switched over to jungle as the deep bass seemed to throb from the speakers. Nika started dancing in a more sensual manner instead of shuffling and spinning as Josh's brown eyes turned golden with desire.

Nika was startled when Josh took her hand and led her away from the dance floor. She would have protested but the look of desire in his eyes made her understand. "I don't want to make a scene, Night Owl", he groaned.

It seemed as though it took forever to get back to the hotel but the two of them managed to look calm when they entered the lobby. The elevator seemed to take forever coming down and to their dismay, an old lady got on with them. They tried to remain calm when the elevator stopped at every floor to to pick up or let off passengers. Nika took a deep breath and remained calm when Josh squeezed her hand gently and rubbed circles on her palm with his thumb. The little touch sent a jolt of desire through her and she struggled to control the flush creeping up her cheeks.

Finally the elevator arrived at their floor and Josh took her hand to lead her to his room. To their relief, no one was up and about in the lobby as he opened the door. Nika shivered at the lust in his brown eyes as pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips. She groaned against his lips and her fingers tangled in the loose strands of brown hair at the nape of his neck. Josh groaned and deepened the kiss as his tongue parted her lips, his big hands on her waist.

Josh reluctantly broke the kiss and led her over to the bed. "First, take off the hat", she ordered, an amused look in her blue eyes.

"Of course, Night Owl", he said gallantly.

Josh removed his black beanie as his brown hair stuck out from the static. "Grandmere says you need a haircut", she laughed.

"So does my grandma, but I like having long hair", he chuckled.

Josh joined her on the bed and kissed her while his deft fingers unbuttoned her blouse. His lips left hers and moved lower down her throat as she moaned, her fingers running through his hair. "You like that?", he murmured.

"Yeah, it's my sensitive spot", she replied softly.

Nika saw how desire had turned his eyes a vivid golden-brown. Not a word was said as they finished undressing each other and their lips and hands roamed each other's bodies. Soft moans echoed in the room and sheets rustled on the bed. Nika sighed as she clung to him as he softly nuzzled her throat, his arms around her waist. 'We should move in together, I don't want us to be apart", he whispered.

"I live in the dorm, and I don't want Dad to get lonely with just the cats", she replied.

"I forgot, but I understand. It's the endorphins talking. We'll talk to John, since I live just a few houses away. Maybe we can hook up your Dad with someone", he chuckled.

"But who? Dad has been celibate since the 90's", she asked.

Josh kissed the top of her head. "Maybe with one of my artist friends, he might go for that. Or a mail-order bride", he joked.

"Hah, but I don't want him to get hurt", she warned.

"John is my best friend, I don't want him to get hurt either", he said.

"How are we talking about my Dad's sex life?", she giggled.

"Or lack thereof. We'll see if we can hook up John. But now, let's get some sleep", said Josh, turning off the light.