♡LOLA'S POV♡

The comforting smell of fluffy eggs and crisp bacon floated into my nose, pulling me out of what had been one of the best sleeps of my life. I yawned and stretched in my luxurious bed, feeling like I was in heaven with these smooth sheets and plump pillows. Golden sunshine streamed in through a crack in the curtains and I dragged myself up into a sitting position, checking out my surroundings. I was in a simple, yet elegant bedroom with white and cream interior. I marvelled at how huge the room was; it was about the size of my old house's whole downstairs' floor. I gave one last lazy stretch then rolled out of the bed. I stumbled across the room to the mirror on the wall and stared at myself, seeing if I was presentable.

My usually poker straight blonde hair was in a disarray with strands flying all over the place making me like a homeless person. I was still in my clothes from the flight and they were crumpled from tossing and turning in the night. In short, I looked a mess.

But something about me was different. It might have been the smug aura that radiated from me, or the glint in my eye. I had to admit that I was feeling rather satisfied with myself. I would have never thought that I could travel to the other side of the world with Avenged Sevenfold. A newfound confidence had sprung from within me and it made me emit a glow of happiness, changing me from a messy bum into a dishevelled temptress. And i couldn't think of anyone better to tempt than the sexy man cooking in the next room.

I contained a squeal and padded through to the kitchen of the huge house, silently admiring the fashionable interior that adorned it. My stomach flipped when Brian's deep voice cut the peaceful quiet.

"Don't speak, no use for words. Lie in my arms, sleep secure."

I instantly recognised the song as 'Crimson Day' which was one of my absolute favourites, but the way Brian sang it was mesmerising. I turned the corner of the short corridor and my eyes finally were satiated with the tantalising view of him. He was stirring scrambled eggs whilst tapping his feet in a steady beat to his singing. His lean hips were swaying in a way that only a person who thinks they're alone can do. I watched in awe at this image of perfection as my muscles tightened with a fierce yearning. His voice was dreamlike: smooth but no less masculine and I found that I preferred his version to Matt's. It was softer and more intimate, and his voice was less trained than Matt's, giving it a powerful, raw element. I was enamoured.

Everything about him appealed to me. He wore a casual black, loose tank top that hung off of his lean yet muscular frame whilst revealing a thin strip of skin above the line of his shorts. His tattoos meandered across his body, myriads of pictures engraved onto him, telling a story of who he was. Even the way he stood was unique: his whole body was relaxed and he practiced guitar chords in the air. My hands were almost twitching in their desperation to take a hold of that sensual face and kiss him until both our lips were red and sore. My passion for Brian shocked me; the innocent little girl that still lived within me couldn't believed that I was so bold to be with an experienced man nearly twice my age. How could I not want to though? He was perfect.
I tiptoed across the gleaming kitchen floor so I was standing, grinning behind him. I waited until he had put the pan full of steaming eggs down, then I reached forward and twined my arms round his solid waist. He didn't flinch, instead he simply clasped my hand in his own and picked up a spoon to mix the eggs.

"How long were you going to stare at me for?" the rich voice that filled my dreams rumbled from his chest. His tone was teasing and he pinched my hand, causing me to leap back and pout at him.

"How long were you going to let me?" I raised my eyebrows at him when he turned to laugh at me, spoon in one hand and the other hand mimicking my current pose, lying mockingly on his hip.

He advanced on me with burning eyes, his whole posture speaking of a contained lust that was reflected in me. "Oh baby, you can stare at me for as long as you want."

We were near enough that I could see the golden flecks decorating his chocolate eyes, currently radiating a passion m fierce enough to make my knees weak. Wow, I couldn't even describe what that one statement did to me. My hand grasped the glass counter to hold myself up as Brian continued to bring himself closer, until every inch of him was pressed up against me. I didn't dare move a muscle, not even breathing in case I ignited the spark between us. His tongue darted out and ran across his lower lip, almost as if to tease me. His chest rose up as he took a deep breath in, rubbing my bosom against him as we were so close. My gossamer thin T-shirt did nothing to protect my breasts against his hard chest and I shivered as they were awoken by Brian's nearness. I needed him closer.

He groaned as I suddenly fisted my hand in his tank top and yanked his face to me. Our mouths were hot against each other and he wasted no time in slipping his tongue smoothly into me. I moaned into his mouth and he clutched me closer to him, as if he could meld us both together.

"I love it when you make that noise," he gasped out as he broke our feverish kiss, leaving me panting and flushed.

He didn't leave me for long however, and in the next instant he had his lips pressed up against the sensitive skin at my neck, as he trailed fiery kisses down my skin until he reached the hem of my T-shirt. My head fell back at the sensations that were shooting up and down my body as Brian's hips roughly pinned me to the kitchen counter. He grunted and slid his hands up my sides, bringing my T-shirt with them. As my T-shirt made its way off of my body, I felt Brian's hand catch on something behind me and then a scalding pain pierced my back.

I screamed and shoved Brian aside, jumping forward as I tried to escape whatever had caused the burning pain. I leaped up and down on the spot, clenching my teeth as I yanked my T-shirt off the rest of the way so I could peer round and see what was wrong. I twisted my head back and forth maniacally but I couldn't see the spot that was still burning. I felt Brian come up behind me and lift me gently.

"What are you doing Brian? What's happened?" I yelped as he carried me over to the sink and somehow manoeuvred me so that I was lying with my back facing the tap. He switched he tap on and I sighed with blessed relief when cool water hit my back and soothed the ragged burn.

"Shit, Lolly I'm so sorry. I knocked you into a boiling pan and it's burned your back. I don't think it's bad though," his voice was filled with remorse and I rolled my eyes at his melodramaticy. Was it really necessary for him to have carried me over to the sink? Even if it wasn't, my back was quite sore, probably because I had been burned over the injuries my Dad had inflicted on me. I had stopped gauzing myself up because it had started to become a nuisance but my back was still tender from the beating I had taken. My broken ribs were healing nicely and I just took loads of painkillers every so often so I didn't feel the pain.

I let the water run for a minute more until the pain had subsided. I tried to wriggle out of the sink but Brian had wedged me in such a way that I couldn't get out without his help.

"Brian, I'm ready to get out now. I feel fine," I told him, bracing myself for him to lift me.

However, no hands came to my rescue and I was left squirming awkwardly as I attempted to free myself.

"Brian? Get me out," I pleaded but was again met with silence.

I twisted my head round in a very uncomfortable position and Brian was standing with his shoulders rigid and his expression stony, staring at my back.

"A little help here," I joked, tensing at Brian's murderous face. His hands curled into fists and he looked to the ceiling, as if trying to restrain himself from doing something.

"He's fucking scarred you, Lola. That bastard has scarred you," his voice, thick with rage, choked out.

My face crumpled in confusion at his sudden changed of mood. Then it hit me what was wrong. He was seeing my back for the first time in days. It had begun to heal over but I had known the instant that belt struck me that it was going to scar. Five ugly slashes marred my back now, overlapping the previous scars that had gruesomely decorated the skin there from previous beatings. None had been so bad as this most recent belting; it appeared that my Father had a lot of rage contained within him that night.

That rage couldn't have contended with the destructive storm that twisted Brian's face at this moment. He bit his bottom lip and I winced when he cracked his knuckles aggressively.

"Brian, I'm fine now, so please calm down and come and help me," I enunciated carefully to him in the most soothing voice I could muster, watching as his brown eyes bore into my scarred back. He was unresponsive, too caught up in his anger.

"Brian!" I yelled and his eyed finally snapped to mine, brimming with emotion. "Please help me," I begged him, waiting as he stared at me.

I sighed and dropped my head, when he finally came back to life and started towards me. I felt his trembling hands wrap round me and carefully manage to get me on my feet again.

"Hey, Bri," I whispered as I hugged him close to me, feeling him slowly stop shaking. "You know, I'm fine now. And I'm far away from my Dad now. You saved me, you know that don't you? You know you saved me?"

Brian's eyes met mine and the rage drained from them, leaving his familiar soulful brown depths. I breathed out and placed my forehead against his, inhaling his sweet scent.

"What did I deserve to get you?" he wondered to himself, as a small smile tugged at his mouth.

"I am pretty brilliant," I admitted modestly, giggling when he gently pushed me onto one of the seats at the island in the middle of the kitchen. With the tension from his meltdown broken, I finally got the chance to eat some breakfast,after seeing on a wall clock that it was after 11am.

"So is this your place?" I asked him through a mouthful of creamy scrambled eggs, some of the best I'd ever eaten. Brian sat opposite me on the island, tucking into his own monstrous portion of eggs and bacon.

He swallowed his heaped mouthful then replied, "Yeah. I actually haven't owned it for that long. I've had it for about a year, maybe just under that."

"Is that why it looks so unlived in?"

He chuckled and said, "If I lived here as much as I wanted to, this place would be full of guitars and shit like that. As it is, I keep all my gear at Zack's house," he shifted uncomfortably as he chewed. "I don't t like living alone and Zacky always keeps a room for me."

I picked up on his fragile tone and realised we had reached a touchy subject. It sounded like he was never in this house because he was scared. Hey, who was I to judge? My nightmares used to take over my life, so what if Brian can't sleep alone?

"Where is everyone else?" I subtly changed the subject and saw his posture relax when the spotlight moved on.

"They're all staying at Zack's. He has a huge house so sometimes we all crash there. I took you here though because I thought you might appreciate a bit more privacy," he looked up, searching for approval from me that he made the right choice.

"It's a great house. Thanks for letting me stay," I blushed and dropped my gaze.

"Are you kidding? Thanks for leaving your home and making me happy," he told me honestly and my heart swelled at his sincere tone.

"Speaking of the others actually, Matt called me earlier and asked if we could have a pool party. Just the band and you and El of course," he added when he saw my face tighten.

I relaxed and smiled, "That actually sounds fun. But who has a pool?"

He grinned and swept his hands to the set of double doors overlooking a huge garden. And a pool.

"Oh my god!" I squealed as I leaped off my seat to go and see it up close. "You have a pool in your garden, that is the coolest thing ever!"

Brian chuckled at my enthusiasm as I peered out of the glass and said, "If I'd known all it took to get you this excited was a pool, I'd have taken you swimming on our first date."

My face suddenly fell as I realised something. "I don't have a swimming costume."

Brian grinned and slipped out of his seat, disappearing into another room and then emerging with a ton of shopping bags.

As I jumped up and down clapping my hands, Brian explained.

"I went out this morning and bought you a couple of things. We'll go out together and get you more stuff soon, but I wanted you to have something to get you started. There's a couple of bikinis in there as well."

I ran up to him and threw my arms round his neck, squeezing him tight.

"Thank you, Brian. You're the best," I whispered thankfully in his ear then gave him a quick kiss on his stubbled cheek.

This pool party might turn out ok if it's as good as my morning has been so far.

---

Turns out Brian isn't that good at estimating sizes. All of the tops and jeans fitted great but the bikinis he got me were a size 34B and I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was a 34C. An hour before the band and El were due to come over, Brian told me to get my kit on so we could have an hour in the pool by ourselves. I went to try on a pretty flowery bikini he got me and groaned when I saw what size it was. I slipped it on and looked in the mirror, praying that it wasn't too bad.

I looked like a prostitute.

My boobs were too full for the skimpy top and it barely covered my nipples, leaving nothing to the imagination. The bottoms weren't much better as they were more of a thong than a bikini bottom. Brian would obviously love it but I felt self conscious and the other guys would have to see me in it too. Plus my scars were clearly visible and while I didn't mind too much about showing them, Brian might see them and flip out again.

I deliberated but eventually decided that I would let Brian see me in it then go and change for when the others arrived. I sashayed out into the garden, feeling moderately sexy and rebellious, until I strolled out right in front of five dudes.

Avenged Sevenfold were in their swimming shorts in Brian's pool, having arrived earlier than expected. I bit back a yelp and ducked behind a bush before anyone saw me in my near naked appearance. Brian looked really hacked off that his friends had come early, most likely because they had prevented a really hot make out session between the two of us.

"Lola? Is that you?" El's voice called out from the pool and I cursed her keen eyes.

"Eh yeah," I mumbled as I stepped out from behind my safety bush, looking down as I came into sight, scared of Brian's reaction.

A hushed silenced fell over the garden as I stepped out, and I didn't dare look up.

"Gates if you ever grow tired of Lola, I'll happily take her off your hands," Johnny's awed tone broke the quiet and I giggled in relief as Brian punched him and told him where to go.

I walked over to the group where they lounged in the pool and went to climb down the small ladder at the side of it to get in. I turned so my back was against everyone as I shimmied down into the pool.

"Shit," I heard Zacky breathe and I remembered that my scars were exposed for them all to see. Uh oh.

I sank back into the pool and quietly swam over to Brian, who pulled me to his side and puffed up his chest, daring anyone to say something against me. The group treaded water for a moment as we waited for someone to react.

"Gates. Dude. Where is the fucking drink?" Johnny lifted his hands up in mock disbelief and we all laughed, breaking the tension once and for all.

"I'll go and get it in a minute. Just wait a moment," Brian told him gratefully then turned to me and pulled me into a toe curling kiss.

Even the wolf whistles and clapping couldn't distract me from Brian's mouth. His hands ran up and down my slippery skin and our wet bodies rubbed together in front of the rest of Avenged.

We finally seperated after Zacky said he was going to leave if we didn't stop, but our hands remained clasped under the surface of the water.

Brian turned his head a fraction so his mouth was pressed against my temple then he whispered , "You're so fucking beautiful."

I didn't stop grinning until I looked away and saw Matt staring daggers at Brian and clenching the side of the pool. He saw me frowning at him and dropped his gaze, but I didn't miss the flash of cold anger in his usually blank eyes. What was that about?

Notes

Sorry! I'm trying my best but all I can say is sorry that I haven't updated sooner! I'm working on it!:)

So what do your think of Lola's first day in Cali? Brian's sexy breakfast, a pool party and Matt's weird moods? What is everyone thinking?!:):)