Rocking a Secret Book #3 of Corrigan & Co. By Crystal Perkins
Copyright © 2015 by Crystal Perkins Cover Design by Helen Williams http://www.allbookedout.com/ Ebook Formatting by Jesse Gordon http://adarnedgoodbook.com/ All trademarks are owned by their respective companies and are denoted by the use of proper capitalization of the company and/or brand. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. This contemporary erotic romance is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author ’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with, especially if you enjoy sexy, emotional, romance novels with alpha males. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author ’s work.
TABLE OF CONTENTS About Rocking a SECRET Other books by Crystal Perkins Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Epilogue Acknowledgements About the Author
About Rocking a Secret
A bombshell stylist who's more than she seems Stella’s a kick-ass stylist who takes no prisoners, in or out of bed. For her latest mission with the Corrigan & Co. Foundation, she agrees to investigate blackmail threats against a member of the boy band her mother works for. Blackmail she can handle, but falling for the sexy young boy bander will cause her to risk everything—and everyone—she cares about. A boy band singer who wants to make the bombshell his own Kace Reynolds may be young, but he knows what he wants. To sing without being singled out. To figure out who’s blackmailing him. And to convince Stella that he’s serious about wanting to be with her. But blackmail isn’t always what it seems, and he’s going to have to choose between being exposed and keeping the woman he loves. Bombshells are falling left and right, but will the biggest SECRET of all rock them both too hard?
Other books by Crystal Perkins The Griffin Brothers series Gaming For Love (The Griffin Brothers #1) Building Our Love (The Griffin Brothers #2) Creating A Love (The Griffin Brothers #3) Learning To Love (The Griffin Brothers #4) Designing The Love (The Griffin Brothers #5) Working On Love (The Griffin Brothers #6) Keeping Their Love (The Griffin Brothers #7) Corrigan & Co. series Fielding Her SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #1) Devouring the SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #2)
Publicly, The Corrigan & Co. Foundation has been supporting women for years. Secretly, five powerful women led by Jane Corrigan have recruited ten agents, sending them to rescue women and children in need, and take down those who exploit the weak. This secret society of women all have unique skills they’ve brought to the foundation. Additionally, they’ve all had training in weapons, etiquette, martial arts, technology, and languages. Helping out friends and family of their five mentors from time to time is something they were told to expect. What they didn’t plan for is falling in love.
About the Corrigan & Co. Foundation and the Society: • Mitchell Corrigan created the Corrigan & Co. Foundation for his wife as part of his company ten years ago. He stipulated that the foundation would continue as long as there is a Corrigan woman to oversee it. • Jane Corrigan, Cyndi Evans, Maggie Griffin, Mallory Daniels, and Helen Wilson are the founders of the secret society within the foundation. They focus on helping women and children, but take on other missions from time to time. • While they assist government and private organizations on a regular basis, they only take referrals for private missions. • Each founder has recruited, and mentors, two agents. • The company was founded in Chicago, but has now moved to Las Vegas, where Mitchell was born. On his deathbed, he asked his grandson to move the company headquarters to help revive the economy in his hometown. There are satellite offices all over the world. • Jane’s grandson, Matt, who is President and CEO of Corrigan & Co., knows of the society. His friends Nathan and Aiden, who he brought in when they all left the military, know as well. This was a decision by the five women when they needed help on a mission that went bad. They do not know all mission details, but help when they are asked.
This book is dedicated to my good friend, Samantha Boydman who loves boy bands more than anyone else I’ve ever met!
Prologue
Stella Gavin’s party is starting soon. He’s showing off the kitchen facility he had the Griffins build for his new culinary school. I was dressed and ready when Reina called to tell me that she and Jane needed me to come into the office. I know they wouldn’t call me unless it was important, so of course I came. I walk into Reina’s office and then drop my clutch on the floor with a squeal. “Mom,” I yell as I hug her. “What are you doing here?” “I need your help.” “Of course. Anything. What’s going on?” “Have a seat, Stell, and I’ll tell you.” I do as she asks, looking over at Reina. She shakes her head at me. They don’t know why she’s here either. We’ll help her, though. There’s no doubt in my mind. “As you know, I’ve been working for Storyside this past year.” “They’re that boy band all over the TV, right?” “Yes, Reina. When I started with them, they were just starting to get noticed. In the last few months, they’ve surpassed One Direction as the most popular boy band on the planet.” “Is something wrong with them?” “Not all of them. Just Kace Reynolds. He’s the most popular of the boys, and has always been the sweetest, until the last month. He’s started acting out. He causes trouble on photo shoots and appearances, and has even bad mouthed some of the more vocal fans who’ve criticized him. His mother is distraught, and the management team is beside themselves.” “Can’t they just kick his sorry ass out of the band? There has to be some clause.” “There is a clause. Many in fact. But despite his bad behavior—or maybe because of it—he’s still the most popular. The cash cow, so to speak.” “How do you think we can help?” Jane asks. “As I said, his mother is distraught. She raised him as a single parent, and his one goal when he made it big was to take care of her. She goes everywhere with us, even though Kace is twenty one now. She told me yesterday that she saw him crumple up a piece of paper and throw it out. Because he didn’t know she was there, she was able to grab it out of the trash can. Here it is.” My mom hands us the paper. Tomorrow you will make a scene at the culinary school opening the band is attending. Remember that if you try to tell anyone, or don’t do what I say, I’ll have the pictures to the media within the hour. There’s no signature and nothing distinguishing on the plain white copy paper. “So it looks like he has no choice in his behavior. Someone else is calling the shots.” “Yes, Stella. It all makes sense because like I said, Kace was always respectful and sweet in the past. He’s turned into a horrible young man, but it seems he has no choice.” “Whatever they have on him has to be pretty bad. We’ll of course help, but what did you have in mind?” “I need Stella to come work with me—the band is so big now that no one will think it’s unusual for us to have another stylist. And they’re about to start a special two month residency here in Vegas.” “I can do that.”
“It’s not as easy as me hiring you, though. The boys all agreed to be in charge one facet of their careers early on. So it’s in their contracts to have the final say for hiring in whatever area they chose.” “Okay. I can charm someone. Who’s over style?” “Kace.” “And he’ll be at the party tonight.” An idea starts to form. “I can be part of the scene he causes.” “He’s going to hit on you, Stella.” “And I’m going to put him in his place.” “Or fall in love with him.” “What? Are you insane, Mom? I’m not planning on settling down anytime soon, and even if I was, it wouldn’t be with some jailbait boy bander.” “He’s gorgeous, kind-hearted when he’s not being blackmailed, and worships his mother.” “So are half the guys I fu—I mean, sleep with.” “Don’t tone down your personality or language, even with me around. I’ve heard it all, and I need you to be yourself. It’s going to pull him in. When you’re as close as you feel comfortable with, you can work on earning his trust,” my mom tells me. “Are you sure you don’t want a job here because I think you just did mine.” “No, Reina. I’m not cut out for intrigue on a daily basis. That’s for you and my amazing daughter and her friends.” “We should head to the party. I don’t want to be too late. Not just because of Kace, but also because Faith and Gavin have worked hard for this.” Everyone agrees, and we all take off for the party. I was hoping to have fun tonight. Now I’m going to be babysitting a little boy. So the opposite of fun. * * * Kace Whoever’s pulling my strings is one fucked up bastard. This school is going to be helping underprivileged kids. The focus should be on that, not something I have to cook up in order to make a scene. The media already thinks I’m an asshole. How much further do I have to go? I see Sheila, our stylist, walk in. I start to look away, but do a double take when I see the bombshell standing next to her. There is no other way to describe her. Bomb-fucking-shell. She has platinum blonde hair pulled into a side bun with some curly strands hanging down. Her lips are the reddest of reds, and her black leather dress and strappy heels make me want to do very, very bad things to her. Things that we’d both like, and would make her scream my name all night. I’m still contemplating how to make my move when Sheila spots me and starts heading my way. With the blonde. And here I thought this night was going to suck. Well, maybe she will. “Kace, I wanted you to meet my daughter, Stella.” “Hi Stella.” “Hello, Kace.” “Oh, I just remembered, I actually need to go talk to the mayor. You two will be fine without me, won’t you?” “Yes, Mom. Go have fun.” She walks away and I put my best smile on for sexy Stella. It’s the one that makes panties drop around the world. She starts laughing, actually laughing. What the fuck? “Does that smile actually work for you, little boy?”
“Yes. It does. You know you want a piece of this. Of me. I could have you screaming all night.” “You couldn’t handle me.” “My cock’s never had a complaint, and it has a surprise.” “Let me guess, you pierced your cock, didn’t you? I’ve been there, done that. So that’s not enticing me, either.” “And I have this.” I lift the hem of my dress shirt to show her a hint of the shark below my belly button. “You need to pull your pants up. It’s really not attractive when you babies show off most of your underwear. A hint peeking out of your jeans—that’s hot. Saggy pants and jeans are not.” “You’re a bitch.” “Thanks.” “I wasn’t complimenting you.” “Yes, you were. You just didn’t know it.” “I don’t even know what to say to you.” “Good. I’m tired of your ‘lines.’ If you want to talk to me, talk to me. Don’t try to be sexy. I don’t fuck babies, so that’s not going to happen between us. We could be friends, though, if you can just try to speak to me like a person with a brain. And stop staring at my tits.” How am I supposed to ignore them? Her dress is an off the shoulder style that’s tight with a zipper down the front. She has the zipper pulled down a little, and her presents are practically begging for my tongue. “You should zip your dress up if you don’t want me looking.” “I didn’t say you couldn’t look. Just not all the time.” “I don’t get you.” “Do you want to?” “Yeah, I do.” “Then hire me as your second stylist. I’ll dress you sexy enough to draw the chicks in. And then I’ll impart my wisdom with you so you can keep them for longer than a few hours.” “Maybe I don’t want them for more than a few hours.” “You’re young. You should have the stamina for all night.” “With you, I bet I could go for days.” “We’ll never find out.” “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll hire you as long as you promise to give me a fair chance to get you into my bed. I’ll even let you impart all your wisdom.” “Deal.” “And I have to tell you, I’m really sorry about this.” Before she can react, I drop my drink and grab her zipper, pulling it down to her waist. Her tits are barely encased in a red lace bra, and her nipples are already hard before I grab a handful of each one. I kiss her hard and she fights me. It doesn’t last long. I’m tackled from the side and go down hard. When I look up, Zack Taylor from the Legions is standing above me. He looks like he wants to kill me. “You just put your hands on the wrong woman, asshole.” “She’s with you? I thought you had that little nerdy chick in your bed.” He pulls back his hand, but his fiancé grabs his arm. “You have a game tomorrow, Zack. He’s not worth it.”
“No he isn’t,” Stella adds, as she finishes zipping up her dress to glare down at me. “He’s just a little boy who can’t control himself.” “I’ll see you tomorrow, Stella. Make sure to wear something sexy for your first day of work,” I yell to her as security drags me out. I keep the cocky grin on my face until I get inside the limo. Then I hold my head in my hands. I had to do that. I had to. But now I’ve ruined any chance I may have had with Stella. And that’s just about as fuckedup as it can get. * * * Stella Well that was fun. I knew he had to cause a scene, and damn if he didn’t. Everyone’s clustered around me making sure I’m okay. I’m not, but they’d take it wrong if I said that. I’m not bothered by being exposed. Hell, I’ve shown off the girls on more than one occasion. I’m freaked out because I liked it. That boy turned me on, even before he kissed and groped me. He held his own with me, and that was hotter than anything. Most guys cave when I taunt them, but not Kace. He gave as good as he got. And when he kissed me…well, let’s just say that there was a flood in my nether regions. Tegan catches my eye, and hers widen. She knows me better than anyone else and has seen me turned on before. Hell, we’ve played together before when we were both attracted to the same guys. Since sex is just something fun for us, we never minded sharing. She can’t have Kace, though. The thought enters my brain, and I cover my mouth in horror. “Oh my God, Stella. Are you going to be sick?” Reina asks me. I shake my head, and Tegan comes over to rescue me. “I think she just needs to get out of here. I’ll go home with you since I got a ride with Isa. Everyone else should just keep enjoying the party. It’s for such a good cause.” “Yeah. I’m fine. Really. Please enjoy the party.” “You’re sure, Stell?” my mom asks, putting her arm around me. “Yes, Mom. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “After this? I mean…” “It’s really okay. They’re just my tits.” She shakes her head, but smiles. “I shouldn’t have had you around all those rock stars growing up.” “You’re the best mom ever. Stop worrying.” I kiss her cheek and head out the door. Tegan keeps quiet until we’re in my car. “Spill.” “Spill what, Teeg?” “Don’t play dumb with me. You liked that. You want him.” “He’s a mission. My mom asked us for help. That’s why I was late.” “Let me know what I can do. After you tell me why you were so hot and bothered.” Shit. She’s not going to give up. I know how she is. “Fine. I was a little turned on by him.” “A little? Oh no. The last time I saw a look like that in your eyes is when we went back to the hotel with the three French guys.” “That was a great night,” I tell her with a smile. “Yes it was. Now stop deflecting.” “He stood up to me, okay. No guy stands up to me. I talk shit to them, and they practically drop to their knees to worship me. And the kiss. Hot damn that boy knows what to do with his tongue. And hands.” “Okay. We’ve had fun on missions before. We can play with him.”
“Not we, Teeg.” That came out angrier than I intended for it to. But I mean it. Kace is only for me. I’ve never felt this possessive before, especially after barely meeting a guy. I’m sure about this, though. “Holy Mother of God. You like him. Like want the white dress like him.” “I wouldn’t go that far. But I-I don’t want to share him.” “Wow.” “Yeah, I know. Who would’ve thought, huh?” She just shakes her head. “Not me. But maybe it’s time we started getting serious, and stopped playing around with so many men.” “Maybe. You don’t have to change on my account. I mean, this could just blow over.” “Once you blow him?” “Teeg!” “What, we both know you want to. And he said he’d see you at work, so I know you’re going undercover as yourself. You’ll be handling his yummy looking package.” “I swear to God if you talk about his package again, I will shoot you,” I practically growl as I say it to her. “Oh yeah, you’ve got it bad. This is going to be good. Really good.” For her maybe. I’m not sure I can handle serious. Especially with some twenty-one year old kid. I’ve been on some pretty dangerous missions, but I think this is the one that could do me in.
Chapter 1
Kace I’m still pissed about last night, but not just at my blackmailer. I could’ve chosen to do something else to make a scene. But I wanted my mouth on Stella, and since none of my usual tricks were working, I went for the easy way out. I need to apologize to her, but I can’t. My puppet master sent me another message, telling me that I need to be an ass to everyone today. I don’t how he, she, or it knows what will hurt me the most, but they do. I’m not a jerk. That’s why I need to keep doing everything I’m told, in order to make sure those pictures never see the light of day. Today that will include continuing my asshole act with Stella. If she even shows up after what I did to her. There’s no fear of that as she walks in with Sheila a few minutes later. She’s looking sexy as fuck, even in the baggy sweater she’s got on. She’s paired it with skintight leather pants and ankle boots with chunky heels, all black, with her hair in a loose braid over one shoulder that makes me want to pull it. It takes some inhuman strength on my part to avoid coming in my pants like the kid she thinks I am. “You’re late. And I told you to dress sexy, Stella.” She smirks at me as she walks over, grabbing my junk before I even know what’s happening. “What I’ve got on is doing it for you, little boy. So stop pretending it isn’t.” “You should’ve raised your daughter better, Sheila. Disrespectful and late? What a great role model you must have been for her.” Stella strikes fast, punching me so hard I fall to the ground. She stomps a heel into my stomach as she pulls me up by my tie. “This is your first lesson. Don’t ever insult a woman’s mother. Especially mine. I will fuck you up so bad you’ll never sing again, and not even break a sweat while I’m doing it.” “Stella, let him go,” Sheila pleads with her, as I try to break her hold on me. “What the hell is going on in here? Get her off of him.” Shit. I don’t need my manager getting involved. And no one’s putting their hands on Stella. “Don’t touch her. She’s letting me go now. We just had a misunderstanding.” She lets go fast, causing me to hit my head on the wood floor of the photo studio. “Yeah. Just a little misunderstanding. We’re good now.” “Who are you?” Marvin asks her. “She’s my personal stylist. I hired her last night.” “Why’d you do that? Sheila’s not doing a good enough job for you? We can replace her.” If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now from the look Stella’s giving me. There’s no need. Despite what I just said, I love Sheila. If I ever get out from under this blackmailer, I’ll make it up to her. Somehow. “Sheila’s the best. I just wanted some personal care. It’s lucky that her daughter was available to help me.” “Keep her in line, Sheila, or you’re both gone.” Oh fuck no. “That’s not your decision. I told you we had a misunderstanding. Don’t threaten Sheila or Stella, Marv.” I’m so angry, I’m shaking. He knows it’s in my contract that I have final say on stylists. With the way I’ve been forced to act lately, he should be scared to piss me off. I think maybe he is when he speaks
again. “You’re right. Of course you’re right, Kace. I’m sorry ladies,” he says, his voice shaky. “It’s fine, Marv. I’m sure it was a shock to see Stella looking so aggressive with Kace. It won’t happen again.” I look at Stella and see barely controlled rage on her face. She wants to speak up, but she won’t do anything to embarrass her mother. Or jeopardize her job. I’m about to tell her to let loose when Chad speaks up. “How come you get a personal stylist and we don’t? Brett, Wayne, and I should have our own, too.” “This isn’t a fucking contest.” “Then hire us stylists,” Wayne chimes in. “Fine. Sheila, can you get me some recommendations and then call them in so the guys can handpick them?” “You’re really going to let us do that?” Brett asks, looking surprised. I feel like crap, knowing that I deserve his surprise. These guys have been my best friends for years. And I’ve been forced to treat them like they don’t matter. Unfortunately, I have to keep doing it. I can’t face them when I do, though. So I turn towards Stella. “No. I was just messing with you. I’ll pick who I think will make you guys look good. Or not.” “God, you’ve become such an ass. But two can play. I’m in charge of food, so expect some kale to be waiting for you backstage.” Well played, Wayne. But not well enough. Now I know to pack my own snacks for my dressing room. I can’t wait to see what the other guys have planned for me. I can’t dwell on it, I’ve got a photo shoot to get ready for. * * * Stella Kace got another order. I’m not just thinking that because I have an anti-douche fucking rule. I saw the pain in his eyes as he turned from his friends to look at me before telling them he was in charge. I don’t know why he felt he could show me what he was feeling. I’m just glad he did. “Let’s take a look at what I’m working with.” “You just had your hand on that, babydoll.” “I meant the clothes,” I tell him with an eye roll. “And don’t call me babydoll.” “Baby?” “No.” “Doll?” “Again, no.” “C’mon, you gotta let me call you something.” “Stella. You can call me Stella.” “I’ll think of something you’ll like. But for now, I’ll concede. Let me show you my clothes, Stella.” He says my name on a whisper, sending a chill through me. He was right when he said I know what he’s got under his clothes. And it was pretty impressive. Insulting my mom—even though I knew it was part of his act—cooled me off. But now he’s heating me back up again. Damn him. And me. As I step up to the racks of clothing, I immediately see the problem. Just like the suit they have him in, the rest of the clothes are more suited for a choirboy than a bad boy singer. I know he wasn’t always bad, but he is now and we need to capitalize on that.
“These clothes aren’t you.” “You’re just going to come in here and declare that without even knowing him? Your mother picked those clothes,” Marv says to her with a sneer on his face. “I picked those months ago. Stella’s right. They don’t fit him anymore.” “I’m not authorizing a big shopping spree.” “I’ll pay for whatever Stella wants me to have. We can do something with these.” “Donate them.” I see Kace’s eyes soften, but then he looks resigned. “Yeah, some lame ass kid will probably be happy with them.” “Sometimes I think you might actually have a heart…and then, you prove me wrong. Go take off that suit while I see what I can do for the photo shoot.” He salutes me before undressing right there in the middle of the room. I shake my head and start looking for something that will work. If he’s got to play the part, I’ll make sure he looks it, too. “Put these on,” I tell him, throwing a pair of jeans at him. “Settle them on your hips, with a little bit of your briefs sticking out.” He does as I ask, but it’s not quite right. Fuck. I’m going to have to touch him again. I walk over and adjust the jeans just how I want them. I can’t resist tracing the shark tattoo that’s peeking out above his boxer briefs with my fingers. He sucks in a breath, and places his hand over mine. “Where’s my shirt?” “No shirt. You do need something, though.” I think for a minute and then realize the bracelet I threw on today will work. It’s a guy’s chunky chain bracelet. It’s one of my favorite pieces of jewelry, but I know Kace needs it more than I do. I go to take it off, only then realizing that we’re still basically holding hands. I tug my hand from under his and take the bracelet off. I slide it onto his wrist and smile. “That’s all you need.” He leans over to whisper in my ear, “I think you just want to look at my killer abs.” “Killer is pushing it, but I will agree that the little girls are going to go crazy when they see you like this.” I’m totally lying. His body is amazing and I want to lick every inch of it. “I don’t care about them. I want the women in front of me to go crazy.” “Act like a decent human being, and we’ll see.” “You promised to give me a chance.” “That I did. Now go play nice with your friends.” “I can’t.” “Can’t or won’t?” He looks conflicted, but then answers me honestly. “I can’t, Stella.” I watch him walk over and act like a jerk. Seeing it makes me want to find his blackmailer even more. He’s a good guy, but if he has to keep acting like this, he’ll only have his mother left on his side. And me. Because like it or not, I’m on Team Kace, and not just in a work capacity. The photo shoot goes really well, despite Kace trying out for the Asshole of the Year award. His new look sets him apart from the other guys, but not enough to cause problems. Once my mom finds stylists for Chad and Wayne, she can concentrate solely on Brett. While they were taking the pictures, we talked about an overall vision for the band. It’s great to be working with her again. I just wish it was under different circumstances. Everything’s packed up, and I’m just about to leave when I feel a hand on my arm. I look up to see the object of my attraction—I mean, irritation—looking down at me with a smile. “Everyone’s pretty much
gone.” “Yeah, they are.” “I need to apologize to you for last night. I shouldn’t have done that to you. I’m really sorry that I did. Well, I’m not sorry about the kiss. That was epic. So are your tits. But I shouldn’t have done it like that. I would’ve preferred to have you be a willing participant when we kissed, and when I-I touched you.” He’s sincere. I can see it in his eyes. And what he said was really sweet. Except for the part about my tits. That wasn’t sweet. And I really need to get out of here now. “It’s not okay, but we’re fine. I accept your apology. I’ll see you tomorrow, Kace.” “Great. See you tomorrow, honey.” “No.” We’re both laughing as I get in the elevator. This is bad. Really bad. Or…really, really good. I’m still not sure. * * * Kace Stella’s even cooler than I thought the night we met. And hotter. I didn’t think that was possible. But every day she walks into the loft our hotel set up for us to use as our headquarters, I melt a little more. That sounds so fucking girly, but I don’t know how else to say it. Everything I feel for her has increased over the past week. I’m falling for her, and I need to show her that. But I can’t. My tormenter has ordered me to steer clear of her outside of work. I want to say the hell with it all, and just take her back to my place. If it was only me that would be affected, I’d do it in a heartbeat. It’s not, though. I have to keep reminding myself of that, especially when I catch her looking at me with heat in those beautiful blue eyes of hers. I can only give my all to one person, and unfortunately, she’s not the one I choose. I have to remember that and stay strong. Today’s going to be rough. Stella’s been shopping all week and has what she thinks is the perfect wardrobe for me. She’s insisting that I try everything on. I know that it’s just normal procedure, but having her hands on me will be torture. I’ve gotten used to it happening once or twice a day, but this will be constant as she checks the fit of every garment. I send up a prayer to the big guy, asking for strength I know I don’t have. When Stella walks in, I nearly lose it. She’s got on shredded jeans, a pink sweatshirt that’s falling off one shoulder, and black cowboy boots. Her hair is up in a high ponytail, and she’s wearing no makeup. Remember how I said she keeps getting hotter and hotter? Well, the natural look on her is the hottest yet. “You ready to try on your clothes, Kace?” “Umm, yeah, Sure.” “What’s wrong?” she asks, her face scrunching up as she looks at me. “You look beautiful.” “Thanks. But you didn’t answer my question.” “Yes I did.” “How is my looking beautiful a problem for you?” “Because I want to throw you up against the wall and kiss you until you can’t think straight. Or match an outfit.” “Oh.” “Yeah, oh.” “Work first. Then maybe kissing later.”
“I can’t kiss you.” She looks conflicted for a moment. Like she has something to say. I wait for it, wanting to know what’s going through her mind. I shouldn’t have said that because now she has to ask. But she doesn’t. “Let’s get started on the clothes.” For the next two hours, I play mannequin. Stella fusses over me, moving clothes around. Tucking and pinning them when she’s not happy with how something looks. I’m happy with everything. She’s transforming me into something awesome, style wise. It’s edgy, but with a little bit of softness to it. Like she knows the real me is still here, underneath the asshole I’ve been forced to become. This woman never fails to surprise me. “Well, all the work’s done. My mom won’t be here for another fifteen minutes with Brett. You wanna get to that kissing? The wall over there looks perfect for being thrown against.” Yes. Hell yes. Fuck yes. Absolutely, positively, yes. I want to kiss her. But I can’t. Or can I? No one’s here. And like she said, it’s not Brett’s turn yet. I grab her and move us both to that wall of hers, pushing her gently against it before taking her mouth. Her hands go to my hair, pulling and tugging as I sip from her beautiful mouth. Like a dying man in the desert who’s just discovered water, I lap at her lips. She tries to take over, but I don’t let her. I want to worship her mouth, and not rush to involve our tongues yet. I lose track of time, which means that we’re out of it faster than I would’ve thought possible. Just as I slip my tongue into her mouth, the elevator dings. I jump back from her, cursing myself for my stupidity. There’s no lipstick on her to mess up, but her lips are swollen. I’m betting mine are, too. It’ll be obvious what we were just doing to anyone who looks at us. I don’t have time to dwell on my mistake as Sheila and Brett step off the elevator. I keep my back turned as they greet Stella. I should be next to her, talking to them. In a perfect world, she’d still be in my arms, and I wouldn’t care who saw us. But my world’s not perfect, so I have to act like nothing happened. And that’s what I do, earning a glare as she hurries into the elevator. I should run after her. I want to run after her. But again, if I have to choose, it can’t be her. It just can’t.
Chapter 2
Stella I head to the Foundation offices after leaving the loft. I feel like I’m going to spontaneously combust, and all we did was kiss. With no tongue. I underestimated Kace. Maybe age really is just a number. I can’t about that now. I need to see if Ainsley or Tegan have found out anything useful. I say hi to Alex as I pass through the lobby. When I walk into the conference room, I’m pleasantly surprised to see my mentor, Mallory Daniels. I didn’t know she’d be here. “Mal, did you just fly in?” I ask, hugging her tightly. “Yes. I wanted to see how your mission is going.” “There’s not much for me to report. Kace is still acting like an ass, and although I get a weird vibe from the band’s manager, Marvin, I’m not sure if it’s just normal creepiness or something else.” “He’s come up clean in all of the checks I’ve run on him,” Ainsley tells me. “I wouldn’t say ‘clean’ is the word I’d use, since I unearthed some reports that were swept under the rug. They all had to do with sexual harassment and intimidation. Since Kace was playing nice in the sandbox before the blackmailer got ahold of him, I can’t see that person being Marvin. From what I can tell, he’s not one to give up his golden cow so easily.” “Golden cow, Teeg? Really?” “Look, we all know that boy has some sexy blonde hair going on. And he could be hung like a cow. You won’t tell me, which is really messed up since we used to tell each other everything. So I’m just using my imagination.” “Hung like a cow? Don’t you mean like a horse?” “Cow, horse. It’s all the same.” “You make a shitty cowgirl.” “I like the music and the look. No animals or any of that crap. Leave that to someone else.” “As much as I’m enjoying this conversation, we really need to get back to business.” I can tell Reina’s trying to hide a smile as she gives us one of her stern schoolmarm looks. “Sorry, Rei. Did you get anything from his phone?” I ask Ainsley. I’d cloned it for her on my first day of work. “No. The blackmailer hasn’t texted him, and he doesn’t really get any calls. He seems to use it to keep in touch with his mom, the other band members, and Marvin. He checks social media and has snapped some pics of you, but that’s it.” “Pics of me?” “Yep. They’re actually really sweet. You look beautiful, of course, but he picks times when you’re looking a little less predatory.” “I don’t know if you just gave me a compliment, or insulted me.” “I wouldn’t insult you.” “No, you wouldn’t.” These nine girls I work with are my extended family. We would do anything for each other. And we support each other unconditionally. What we do would be so much harder if we didn’t.
“Keep looking. Especially at this Marvin guy. If he makes Stella feel weird, we need to keep an eye on him,” Reina tells them. “Is the boybander giving you trouble, Stell?” Matt asks as he walks in the room. “I could beat his ass. He deserves it after what he did at Gavin’s party.” “No, he’s not giving me trouble.” “And she liked what he did at the party.” “Teeg!” “What? You did. Secrets can get us killed. You know that.” I do. I know that I need to tell them everything. It’s more than a little embarrassing to admit that I’m lusting after a twenty-one year old. Who’s in a boy band. What has my world come to? “You’re hitting that?” Matt asks me with a laugh. “No.” “No? But you always take whatever guy you want.” “So I can have anyone?” “Hell, yeah.” “Let’s go back to my place, then.” I hear Reina gasp, but I’m doing this for her benefit. I know he won’t take me up on my offer. He may act like he doesn’t love her, but we all know he does. He’ll protect all of us girls to the death, but he’d never sleep with us. It would be going too far, even for him. “Umm…yeah, no. Sorry, but I can’t.” He looks at Reina to get her reaction. She’s not giving him what he wants, though. I think she might actually be done with trying to convince him they’d be perfect together. “Why are you looking at me, Matt? I’ve never been a consideration in whether you’re keeping it in your pants or not.” Yes she has. Tegan and I know that. We’ve seen him out. When Reina and Matt have a rough day, or she makes him feel too much, he takes someone home. Since Reina started dating Rick, Matt’s ignored every woman. Every night that we’ve seen him out, we see him flirt, but that’s it. He’s taken no one home in almost two months. We’re pretty sure he knows that he might actually lose her this time, and it’s killing him. I won’t spill his secret, and neither will Teeg. The two of them are too important to all of us. And that information might just send us into our own version of World War III. The casualties would be too great, and I’m not sure we’d recover. They have to find their way to each other on their own. “Just go fuck your little doctor, Princess.” “He’s not little, Matt.” “Can he do you like I can? Make you come so hard you black out?” “Bastard.” “I didn’t think so.” Matt turns and walks out, dropping his cocky smile when he thinks no one can see him. I turn back to Reina, and watch her crumple into a chair. Damn the two of them. Maybe they do need help to make this thing between them really happen. I’m just not sure what we can do. “Ladies, I need to go see Jane. Maggie’s having a party for me on Saturday at her house. I hope you all can make it.” “Of course, Mal. I’m sorry you had to witness what just happened.” “So am I, Reina. Just remember that we can all see how much he loves you, even if he insists on denying it to himself.”
“I can’t remember that. If I do, I’ll never be able to move on. And I can’t wait forever for him. I would if I thought I had a chance, but we all know I don’t.” “That’s not true, Reina. There’s always a chance. Don’t give up on him.” Instead of answering, Reina just drops her head into her hands again. Ainsley tells us that she’s got her, so Tegan and I leave them alone. They’re super close, and we know Ainsley will take care of her. “That was intense.” “Yeah, it was.” “We need to go out and have some fun. You need to have some fun. You haven’t been out with me in over a week. If you’re not going to have Kace, you need to find someone else to go home with.” “I’ll go out with you, but I’m not sleeping with someone else.” “Seriously?” “Yeah. I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but we kissed today. It was so good.” “In the loft? I thought it was bugged?” “Yes. It is bugged, but I jammed the signal with my phone. I needed him.” “He’s got a magic tongue, huh?” “No tongue.” “Then how was it amazing?” “He pretty much paid tribute to my mouth. It was hot. Beyond hot.” She looks down. “It’s the cowboy boots. I told you guys can’t resist them.” “You’re delusional. Let’s go change so we can get you laid.” “You’re going to be the best wing woman ever.” “Hell yeah, I am.” * * * Kace I’m in the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio holding court with a group of women. Just like instructed. While I’m not really enjoying myself, it’s not exactly torture. Until the only woman I want walks in, taking my breath away. Like she always does. Stella’s got on a tight black dress that goes past her knees. There’s a little cutout in the top of the dress, with thin straps going over her collarbone. How does she always manage to be the sexiest woman in the room, even when she’s got twice as many clothes on? Oh yeah, because she’s her. Sexy should be her middle name. Or her nickname. I’ll try that next. For now, I have to sit by and watch the men in here immediately gravitate to her and her friend. I didn’t notice that there was someone with her when she walked in, but now I see the beautiful redhead next to her. She’s got on a low cut, very short dress. And cowboy boots. The guy leaning into her wants her to ride him hard. With the boots on. I can see it in his eyes, even from across the room. Stella deflects the guys who hit on her, but she does let them buy her drinks. I want to punch them all. Every last one of those fuckers who think they’re going home with her. And God help me if she actually does leave with one. “Kace, you’re ignoring us,” the blonde next me says in a loud, whiny voice. Loud enough for the whole bar to hear. I see Stella’s head whip around to look at me. And the girls I’m surrounded by. Her eyes narrow, and she throws back her drink before standing, and walking towards me. I’m glued to my seat as she approaches. “Hi Kace.”
“Hi Stella.” “I’d like to dance.” “So go dance. He doesn’t need some desperate ho hitting on him,” the blonde bitch says. “What exactly do you think screams ‘desperate’ or ‘ho’ about me?” Stella asks, spreading her arms wide. “I’ve seen you and your friend around. Always surrounded by guys. And always going home with at least one.” At least one? Seriously? That is never happening again. Never. I won’t share her. “Jealous, huh?” “Listen, bitch, don’t make me hurt you in front of all these people.” “I’d love to see you try. Now Kace, how about that dance?” “I can’t.” I see shock, then hurt, cross her face. Dammit. This is too much. The bastard who’s blackmailing me is asking for too much. But I made my decision, and I need to stick to it. “You heard him. Run along now.” I turn to tell the blonde to mind her own business, but before I can, Wayne is in front of me. He smiles at me before turning to Stella. “I’d love to dance with you, Stella.” “Sure, Wayne.” My blood is boiling as I watch them walk to the dance floor. He puts his arms around her as a slow song starts. My fingernails are digging into my palms as I watch them sway to the sexy music. I push the girls off me, and head for the door. I may not be able to have Stella, but I’ll be damned if I’m gonna sit by and watch her in someone else’s arms. I’ve just gotten into my limo when my phone rings with an unknown number. What now? I mean, seriously, what more does this crazy person want from me. I’m both relieved and disappointed when I realize it’s not my blackmailer. It’s some lady named Mallory Daniels. “I’m sorry to be calling on such short notice, Kace, but I wanted to invite you to a private party tomorrow.” “All bookings need to go through my manager.” “I don’t want to book you. I just thought you’d enjoy an afternoon out of the spotlight. With Stella.” “Stella?” “Yes. She’s like a daughter to me, and I’ve heard that she’s quite fond of you.” “Not after tonight, she isn’t,” I mumble. “There’s always tomorrow, young man.” “Not for us. Thanks for the offer, but I can’t be seen with her.” “You won’t be. The party is at Maggie Griffin’s house. It’s one of the most secure places in town. No one will know you’re with Stella.” “You’re really sure about this?” “I am.” “Give me the info, and I’ll be there.” It’s like I’ve been granted the wish I want more than anything. Well, not anything. Number one would be not getting blackmailed. That would allow me to fulfill the Stella wish anyway, so either way she’s part of my biggest wish. I just hope she’ll forgive me for tonight. I’m not sure how many times I can say “I’m sorry” and have her accept those words, but I think I may run out of chances soon. If only I could tell her what’s going on. How I have to act this way. Then she’d understand. And maybe help me. That’s just a pipe dream, though. I can’t take the risk I’d be facing by letting her know just how
fucked up my life really is right now.
Chapter 3
Stella Last night was a disaster. I let too many guys buy me drinks as I watched Kace get pawed by his groupies. Then, I let the alcohol convince me that it would be a good idea to walk over and ask him to dance with me. Only to get shut down. I’m done with him, like really done. Well, as much as I can be. I still have to do my job and try to figure out who’s blackmailing him. But no more flirting or kissing. I underestimated the kid—he’s got more play than I thought—and I won’t be humiliated by him again. Not when there’s plenty of other guys out there who want me. Like Wayne. Which is another problem. He wouldn’t leave me alone after our dance. Even after I told him it was just a dance to me. Tegan intervened and went home with him, but still. I have to see him at work. Which I guess I could use to my advantage; although, toying with guys isn’t really my style. Teasing and playing is fun. But I wouldn’t ever lead a guy on when I know nothing’s going to happen. At least today will be fun. Maggie always throws a great party, and since this one’s just for her family and all of us from the Society, we can just be ourselves and have a good time. My mom’s coming, too, and I’m looking forward to spending some time with her. We see each other every day, but things are so hectic with the band that we barely get to talk. I’ve only been here an hour, and I’m already having a great time. I’ve been playing with the Griffin toddlers while I chat with Yasmin Griffin. She owns a local bookstore and her style is very 50s and cool. I helped her husband, Scott, surprise her by having a Project Runway designer make her some dresses when we were all in L.A. last month. She gave us an impromptu fashion show, and Scott’s thanked me at least ten times already. I told him it was my pleasure because honestly, it is. Although I dress everyone for their missions, and sometimes for the parties and balls we attend, I don’t get to use my fashion degree or connections as much as I want. Especially not on someone who loves cool vintage clothes like Yasmin. “Who the fuck invited him?” Matt asks, interrupting me from my thoughts. I turn to see Kace walk into the great room, his hands in his pockets and a sheepish expression on his face. When our eyes meet, he gives me a half-smile searching my eyes for a reaction. I’m shocked, but I try to keep myself looking indifferent. “It wasn’t me,” I say. “I invited Kace,” Mallory says. I look over at her. She must have lost her mind. “I know what you’re thinking, but I wanted to get to know him a little better.” “After Gavin’s party, I know more than enough about this asshole,” Zack says as Kace walks closer to us. “I already apologized to Stella, but I need to apologize to you as well, Gavin. I wasn’t myself that night. I really didn’t want to cause a scene at your party.” Gavin’s not having it. “Yet, you did. No one forced you to maul Stella.” “No one held a gun to my head, no.” But someone did force him to make a scene. Not necessarily with me—I was just collateral damage. As angry as I am at him, I still care. And Mallory would’ve only invited him here if she had a reason. So I have to intervene. “I’ve accepted his apology and moved on. He knows he was wrong.”
“I do. I know you don’t need the money, but I’d like to donate. And I’ll do anything else I can to help.” “The kids would probably love it if you came to graduation. Our first class will finish their basics in two months.” “Sure, I’ll be there.” “It’s great that you apologized for the party, but what about last night?” Tegan asks him, glaring as he looks over at her. “Teeg.” “No, Stell. He can’t just pull that shit with you and then walk in here like some sad little puppy with his tail between his legs. That was fucked up.” “What happened last night?” Matt asks, standing and walking towards Kace. Shit. I step in front of him. “Nothing that I can’t handle myself.” “Not a good enough answer. What kind of guy needs a girl to defend him, anyway?” “You did not just say that,” Reina is shaking with anger, just as Matt realizes his mistake. “I didn’t mean it like that. You know I didn’t, Rei.” “Whatever.” He starts to go to her, but Rick stands up and gets in his face. “I don’t know why she’s upset, other than that she’s a strong woman. But you don’t need to come any closer. I can take care of my woman. I’m not scared of you.” “You should be.” “Why? She chose me. No matter how many times you look at her like you want to take her to bed, she goes home with me.” Matt clenches his jaw and storms out of the room. Reina starts to follow, when Rick grabs her arm. “Where are you going, Reina?” “I’m going to talk to my friend, who I don’t need you to say shit like that to ever again.” “Your friend? He wants to be more than your friend. What I said to him is long overdue. He needs to know you’re not his.” “Well, I’m sure as hell not yours. Don’t ever call me that again.” “If you walk out that door, I’m never calling you again at all. I mean it.” “Please don’t.” “So, that’s how it is? Really?” Reina doesn’t answer him, as we all hear Matt’s motorcycle revving outside. She just runs out the door. I hope she catches him. For both their sakes. We all glare at Rick before he gets the hint and leaves a few minutes later. “She caught him. They left on his bike,” Scott tells us looking up from his phone. I’m sure he has an app or something with the security cameras here on it. “That was…umm, yeah. Should I go, too?” Kace asks. “Yes,” Tegan tells him. “No. You can stay. I don’t know why you’re here, but you were invited. So, enjoy yourself.” I go back to the kids, while everyone starts talking and acting like we didn’t just see Matt and Reina practically declare themselves. Again. I’ve only just sat down when Kace drops to the floor beside me. “You look really pretty, Stella.” “Thanks.” I’ve got on a sleeveless dress that’s pink down the middle, with black, brown and white on the sides. It’s got a little flared skirt, so I’m sitting carefully. My hair is in a ponytail and I have black flats on. It’s fun, and almost sweet. Not my normal work look.
“I was hoping I could take you up on that dance you wanted.” “It was a one-time offer, I’m afraid. I’m not asking again.” “Oh.” “You could ask me, though. If you want.” “Will you say yes?” “You won’t know until you ask.” “Will you dance with me, Stella?” “No.” “I should go.” He says that, but he doesn’t get up. “Did you really think I’d make it easy for you after you embarrassed me last night?” “Maybe. I’m pretty loveable,” he says with that damn smile of his. “What you are is cocky. Although, I thought you’d realize by now that I won’t be falling at your feet.” “I know you’re not impressed with me. You’ve made that clear.” “God, you are such a little kid sometimes. Stop pouting and act like a decent guy. Then maybe you’ll get a dance. Maybe more.” “More. Like I can kiss you again, more?” he asks, his eyes twinkling as he runs his hands through his soft blonde hair. “That’s a distinct possibility.” Before he can say anything else, little Hope climbs into his lap. She cuddles into his shirt, sucking her thumb. Her eyes start to close as he wraps his arms around her. Then he plays dirty, he starts rocking her and singing her a lullaby. If those teenage girls think he sounds good belting out pop hits, they would probably faint hearing him softly sing to a toddler. I’m about to faint myself. It’s hot. Beyond hot, actually, seeing him sing to that little girl with such tenderness in his eyes and voice. Conversation in the room literally comes to a standstill as Erin and Dave climb into my lap and stare at him with wide eyes. I hug them close and rock them as we all watch it go down. When he’s done singing, all the kids are asleep, and my eyes have started closing, too. Scott, Ryan, and Owen come over to retrieve the kids and take them upstairs to the nursery here in the house. Their wives thank Kace. He just smiles and nods. “Ask me again, please.” “You wanna dance with me, Stella?” “Yes.” He hops to his feet and then reaches out a hand to me. I let him pull me up, and into his arms. A Sam Smith song comes on and as we sway to the seductive tune, Kace sings it to me. He changes the words in the chorus, saying that he knows he’s the only one. I smile at him as I hold him tighter. Our movements get hotter as the song continues, with him turning me around to grind on him as he slides up and down with his hands on my hips. When he turns me again, his face is right where I’ve dreamed of having him. I gasp, and he smirks as he works his way back up to standing. I’m ready to throw him up against the wall when he blows on my ear. “Sexy?” It takes me a moment to realize he’s offering that up as a nickname. “No.” “But you are. So fucking sexy, Stella. I can barely handle it.” “You’re handling me pretty well right now.” “More?” “I’m leaning that way.” “What else do you need from me to turn that maybe into a yes?”
“Why are you acting so different here with me? I mean I see glimpses of this sweet guy, but then you act like an ass.” “It’s complicated.” “Complicated doesn’t scare me.” His phone goes off before he can answer me. He pulls it out of his pocket and pulls back a little to look at the screen. “Son of a bitch.” “What’s wrong?” “I have to go.” “Just like that?” He closes his eyes and drops his forehead to rest on mine. “Yeah. Just like that. I’m so sorry, Stella. Really, I am. When you hate me tomorrow, just know it wasn’t my choice.” “What are you saying, Kace?” “Just…I’m sorry.” He kisses my forehead before letting me go. I’m confused until Ainsley catches my eye and holds up her phone. I get it. The blackmailer has upgraded to text messages, and Kace just got one. I barely listen to his goodbyes to everyone because I can tell from the expression on Ainsley’s face that whatever came through is very bad. As soon as he’s gone, I turn to her. “What is it?” She hands me her phone, and my heart sinks when I see what it says. Anonymous: (1/2) Where are you? You can’t really hide from me, even if you’ve somehow turned off your phone’s GPS. I hold all the power. It’s time you realized just how bad I can make things for you. You did a good job of blowing off Stella last night, but now it’s time for you to ensure that she never even thinks of you as an option again. (2/2) You’re going to go to Pure tonight and pick up at least 2 of your little groupies to take back to the hotel with you. I want it all over social media tomorrow that you took them back to the hotel and fucked them all. If not, you know what I’ll do. Have a great night. “Oh my God,” I say as I nearly drop the phone. “What is it?” Tegan asks. “He has to pick up more than one girl and take them all back to the hotel with him. The blackmailer wants it all over social media.” “That doesn’t make sense. If he’s trying to stop them from posting pics of him already, why would he take some more?” my mom asks. “His rep is already so bad now that pics of him going to the hotel with girls won’t look so bad. If there were pics of the actual acts, it would be different I think.” “I’m on it.” “What do you mean you’re on it, Teeg?” “I mean that I’m on it. Ainsley, can you shut off the hotel cameras long enough for Darcy to get Stella into his room?” “Yeah, sure. But what are you going to do about getting the other girls out?” “Connecting room?” Darcy asks. “Wayne on one side, Brett on the other.” “Shit. I’m going to put my tongue down his throat again? I need mouthwash in my purse. Lots of mouthwash.” “You’re not doing anything. None of you are. So he sleeps with some chicks. It’s not like we’re together.”
“You two are so together. I mean, come on. Lullabies, and then you two were practically making your own babies while dancing,” Isa tells me. “We were not. It was just dancing.” “While he was singing to you and your panties were disintegrating,” Audrey points out. “They were. God, they were. I’m so pathetic.” “No, but you are hot for that boy. Now do you want to be the one he’s in the room with tonight or what?” “Yes, Teeg. I want that.” “Then it’s all settled. I’ll go pity fuck Wayne somewhere else while Darcy uses his suite to get the girls out.” “I appreciate you taking one for me.” “You’d do it for me. Or at least you would’ve before you met Kace. And it’s just sex.” “True.” “Let’s get going. I’ll call my girls on the way.” We say our goodbyes before Darcy and I head to the hotel the band’s staying at while Tegan goes to Pure to find Wayne. This could all work out really great, or go horribly wrong. I’m hoping it’s the former. * * * Kace I was close. So fucking close to kissing Stella again. And maybe more. But of course nothing can go right for me. It hasn’t since I started being blackmailed. I don’t know how I’m going to get back on her good side after she sees the pictures from tonight. I really want to find the son of a bitch who’s doing this to me and kill him. Or her. Like seriously cause them bodily harm. I’m resigned to my fate, though, as I try to find some chicks I could get it up for. I’ve never had that problem before, but since I met Stella, it only answers to her. I guess I can just think about her when I’m with them. That’s what I’ve been doing while getting myself off lately. It’s no substitute for the woman who I know would rock my world, but it’s a passable solution. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t see the three women who’ve surrounded me. They’re all really hot, but again, not doing anything for me. But hey, at least now I don’t have to go looking. I plaster a smile on my face and do what I have to. “Good evening, ladies. Are you looking for some fun?” “We are,” says the blue haired woman in the middle, barley covered by the scrap of fabric she’s wearing. “Do you want to stay here for the next hour pretending we’re going to just hang out? Or can we just cut to the chase and go to my place?” “Your place.” “All of you, right?” The other girls nod, and I give them a small smile. As we leave, I make sure I’ve got my hands on two of them. The flashbulbs start as soon as we walk outside. The girls are true paparazzi champs, kissing my cheeks and groping me for the cameras. I don’t try to hide us all getting into my limo, sealing my fate even further. To my surprise, when we get in the limo and raise the partition to get some privacy, they all settle away from me. “You’re pretty far away.”
“We have a surprise for you when we get to your suite. We’ll play along for the cameras, but until we’re behind closed doors, no one’s touching you,” the brunette tells me. “Um, okay? Works for me.” It really does, even though they don’t know why. Maybe I can even get them to keep that no touching thing going. Their surprise may mean they’re into each other and just want me to watch. That would be the best scenario. With the way my luck’s been holding up, though, that’s not going to happen. I’ll just have to hope for the best and beg Stella for forgiveness. I get us up to my suite after more pictures inside my hotel. I wish I could’ve just taken them to a room while we were at Caesar’s, but that’s not what I was told to do. I don’t like bringing chicks to my private space. I’ve seen too many guys get burned by pics and shit when they fall asleep with random people around. But again, I’ve got to think about more than just me right now. I let them in and follow close behind, surprised when the door is shut for me. “Surprise,” says the redhead I saw—but didn’t have time to meet—at the party earlier. “I’m Darcy.” “Oh, um, hey. What are you doing in my room?” “She’s helping me.” I turn to see Stella in the doorway to my bedroom, looking as beautiful and sexy as ever. And also a little nervous. I don’t like that. She’s never nervous around me. “This isn’t what it looks like.” “So you don’t mind if Darcy gets them out of here, and it’s just us?” Fuck no. I don’t mind. But that damn puppet master will. “I really want that, but there are other things going on.” “I told you I’m good with complicated, Kace. You just need to trust me. Darcy will get the girls out with no one seeing. Unless you want them here, and not me.” Is she insane? “Only you, darling.” “No.” I laugh as the three chicks look at us like we’re crazy. “She said no to getting called darling, not being alone with me.” I turn to Darcy. “If you can get them out, that’d be great.” “I’m on it,” Darcy tells her. “You won’t say anything about this, will you?” I ask the girls. “No. We owe Tegan a favor. This is just the payment. You have fun with your girl.” She makes a phone call, and then leads them through Wayne’s suite next door. I’m not sure how she got his door open so quickly, but I honestly don’t care. I’m alone with Stella in my suite, which means I have more important things on my mind. Like getting her out of that dress. And understanding why she’s here. “What are you doing here?” She looks conflicted, but then answers. “Scott Griffin has crazy security and technology going on at his parent’s place. When you left so quickly, he checked his log and read your text.” “What the fuck? He can’t just do that.” “He can. He doesn’t normally invade our privacy—the way he explains it is that his program looks for threats, and that’s all he normally sees. Anything that could be a threat to his family. He made an exception this time. I-I asked him to. I was worried. You looked so upset when you got that text. And then you said those cryptic things to me.” “It’s not okay, Stella. If I wanted to tell you something, I would. You can’t just invade my privacy like that. I thought you were different. But you’re just like everyone else, wanting a piece of me that I’m not willing to give.”
“That’s not true. I only want you for you, Kace. Honestly. And I want to help you. Who was that text from? And why are they blackmailing you?” “If I knew the who or even the why, don’t you think I would have taken care of it by now? I don’t need your help. My mom and I have done just fine over the years, depending only on each other.” “Your mom’s awesome, but sometimes you need outside help. It’s okay to need it. Getting help from other people doesn’t make you weak.” “Oh, so you take help from other people on a regular basis?” “Yes. I rely on my friends all the time. And they rely on me for help, too.” “Good for you. And them.” “Let me help you. Tell me what’s going on.” “No. You need to go now, and you’re also fired. Your mom is more than capable of handling both Brett and me until I can find your replacement.” “Don’t do this. I’ll back off. Don’t fire me, though. I need this job.” “You should’ve thought about that before you stuck your nose where it doesn’t belong. I can’t have people working for me if I don’t trust them.” “You can trust me. I promise. I’d never spill your secrets.” I want to believe her. But I can’t. I’m already being blackmailed by someone, and I can’t afford to give my trust to someone who’s already betrayed it. Someone should’ve told me what I was walking into at that party. Instead they just took away the last bit of me that I had for myself. My privacy. “Just get out. And be glad your mom still has a job. She’s the best there is, and has always been nice to me. Otherwise, she’d be out too.” “I-I can’t leave. We didn’t have a plan in place for that until the morning.” “Which reminds me. How did you know Darcy and those chicks could get out through Wayne’s place?” “Tegan’s distracting him.” “Seriously? Your friend is off fucking my friend so you can sneak in here with me?” “Yes. She knew I wanted to be with you tonight.” “Well, that worked out really great for both of us, didn’t it? If you can’t leave, just pick another bedroom. There’s three.” “Can I borrow your shirt to sleep in?” “I have closets full of clothes in the other rooms. Just grab whatever you want. Take something with you, even, as a souvenir of the night you spent in my suite.” “I want the one you’re wearing if it’s going to be my souvenir.” “You’ve got to be kidding me.” “Please, Kace.” “Fine. Whatever.” I whip the t-shirt over my head, and toss it to her. She catches it giving me a small smile before I turn my back on her, walking into the master bedroom and slamming the door. I can’t believe I just turned down sex with Stella. No, actually, it’s more than that. I flat out turned down Stella. In every respect. And I’m pretty sure that’s going to be chalked up as one of the worst mistakes of my life. But what she and her friends did was wrong. And if I’m being honest, kind of sexy. It was like they were a band of secret agents or something. But the wrong outweighs the hot. It has to because I can’t afford for them to find out anything else.
Chapter 4
Stella It’s been a week since Kace kicked me out of his life. My mom says he’s been acting worse than ever. I’ve been trying to cope with everything while helping Ainsley and Tegan dig deeper into everyone’s backgrounds. There has to be something we missed. Anything that could give us a clue as to why someone wants to blackmail him. And what exactly it is that they have on him. “Are you going out with me, tonight?” “No, Teeg.” “How long is this pity party going to last? He’s just a guy. You didn’t even fuck.” “Please don’t remind me.” “Seriously, Stell. He’s an ass. Yeah, we violated his privacy, but you were offering him what he said he wanted. And he turned you down. No one turns you—or me—down. It just doesn’t happen.” “Maybe it should. Or maybe like you said a few weeks ago, we should stop whoring around.” “I never said ‘whoring.’ Who are you and what have you done with my friend?” “I’m just getting too old for the fuck and duck. I want more. And I know you do, too. No matter what you say.” “And you thought Kace was the one?” “Maybe. I mean, I know he’s young, but I just…I feel so much when I’m with him. Anger, frustration, happiness. A little of everything there is.” “Including love?” “It was heading that way, yeah.” “Bullshit. You’re past the ‘heading there’ if you can’t even go out and you’re crying yourself to sleep at night.” “I’m not.” She give me a pointed look. “Fine. I cry every night. Are you happy?” “Of course I’m not happy. You’re my best friend. I don’t want to see you hurting.” “The only thing that might do that for me now is us finding this damn blackmailer and making them pay.” “I think we can do better than that for your happiness, but for now, I’ll focus on the matter at hand.” “You said Wayne was badmouthing Kace. Do you think he could be behind it?” “He’d be my number one choice, but he keeps coming up clean. Ainsley and I have dug deeper on him than anyone else because of the sleaze that rolls off him. But there’s nothing. He’s obviously not an altar boy, but he isn’t an evil mastermind, either. A mediocre lay yes, but bad guy—not so much.” “I need to apologize again for that. I shouldn’t have let you get it on with him.” “He’s not my first bad fuck, although, I may be thinking he’s the last. And honestly, it wasn’t really bad. I just kept thinking about our talk, and the guy I was wishing I was with instead of him. He put in the effort to make me come, though, so I should stop saying it was bad.” “There’s a guy you want?” “Yeah.” “Since when?” “Oh, maybe the last twelve years.” “Teeg!”
“What? It’s not gonna happen. Or at least I never thought it would. You and Kace have me thinking there might be a chance.” “There is no me and Kace. You know this. He not only kicked me out, he fired me and told me to keep his shirt as a souvenir. I think it’s pretty clear that he never wants to see me again.” “Since when have any of us ever let something stop us?” “Since never,” Isabelle says, walking into the room. “Hey, Isa. Have you come to let us borrow your super brain?” “I’m here to see if I can help you, yes,” she says with a laugh. “Reina said you haven’t been able to find anything. She’s hoping I can look at the data from a different angle.” “If anyone can find something we’ve missed, it’s you,” Tegan tells her with a smile. She’s right. Isa’s a certified genius. She graduated high school at twelve and college at fourteen. She has a PhD, and more than one Master’s Degree. She’s one of the youngest of us all, but we’re all totally in awe of her. Especially because she never acts superior to us. If anything, she’s the most modest. We all look out for her because she’s also super shy. I’m waiting for the day she falls for a guy, and finally unleashes the goddess that’s hiding behind her glasses. Because while the sexy librarian look totally works for her, I want to dress her in the sexiest clothes possible, and watch that lucky son a bitch fall at her feet. Because he will. “Stella, did you even hear a word I said?’ “Sorry, no.” “Were you dressing me in your head again?” “Maybe. If you’d just let me dress you for real, I wouldn’t have to daydream about it.” “You dress me for missions sometimes.” “Just in practically the same clothes you wear every day. Or jeans and button down shirts.” “I’m comfortable in my clothes. I like them.” “I know. That’s why I never push. But I can’t help waiting in anticipation for the day when you finally let me sex you up.” “I’m sexy. The men in this building are always giving me looks.” “Yes you are. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you’re not. I just want to play it up.” Her lips tilt up in a half smile. “Maybe I’ll let you dress me for a party or ball.” She sees the excitement in my eyes. “Maybe.” “I’ll take that for now.’ “Good. Now that it’s all settled, you two can work.” “Where are you going, Teeg?” “I have something to take care of this afternoon. But I’ll see you in the morning?” “Be safe.” “Always.” She throws on one of her damn cowboy hats and saunters out the door. I love that girl to death, but I don’t understand how a born and raised city girl could grow up to be so obsessed with the country lifestyle. It suits her now, though. None of us can think of her without her boots, or hats. I’m not sure if she’s embraced it, or it’s embraced her. Either way, it works. Isa and I spend the rest of the afternoon working. She finds a few things she says look off to her. She won’t share until she has a chance to look into them further. It’s just her way. She always has to be sure of herself, never speaking or doing without thinking things through first. It’s a good balance, not just to me and Teeg, but for some of the other girls as well. I would say we’re almost evenly split here at the foundation, with thrill seekers and thinkers. Some people, like Reina and Audrey, have the qualities of
both and use that to their advantage. They’ve also been here the longest, so maybe learning how to balance it all is just something you learn with time. I head home, still processing some of the info I’d looked at today. And also thinking of Kace. He’s never far from my thoughts. I’m actually still styling him, even if he doesn’t know it. I have pics of him in all his outfits on my tablet, and I tell my mom what to put on him. She’s letting me do this, not because she can’t—she totally can—but because she knows I need it. I have to do something to stay close to him. And help him. Even though he doesn’t know. I make myself some dinner and watch a little TV before heading up to my room. It’s early, but I don’t want to do anything but be in my bed. I change into that damn t-shirt, because I can’t stop myself from putting it on every night. It’s all I wear because I know that once I start thinking about Kace, I’m going to have to take care of myself. I don’t use any of my toys or vibrators because I don’t have the memory of him inside of me to guide me. So I just fuck myself with my fingers. Every damn night. * * * Kace The shoot today ran long. We were supposed to be done at five, but it’s now eight. It’s all thanks to me. I was told to make it go over, and as always, I did as I was told. At least I’m being left alone at night. I can’t stomach the thought of going out anymore. I usually just go up to my room and drink some dinner before passing out. It’s the same every night because being drunk is the only way I can blank out the images of the one woman I can never have. I pushed her away, and now I have to take my punishment. When I walk into my room, I let out a little scream. “Fuck, Tegan, You scared the shit out of me. How did you get in here?” “The same way Stella and Darcy got in here a week ago.” “Is Stella here?” “Why would she be here? You kicked her out.” “Just checking.” “No you’re not. I saw the look in your eyes. The hope that she’d be here.” “Is that why you’re here? She sent you to ask me to reconsider?” “Hell, no. She doesn’t need to send me to do jack shit. You’re the biggest idiot in the world for letting her go. You and I both know that.” I don’t even try to deny it. Because she’s right, and we both do know it. “I’m here because I know you want her, and I can’t stand to see her so sad. No man has ever made her cry herself to sleep every night. I should be kicking your ass for it, but instead, I’m going to give you a chance to make it right.” “What if I don’t want to?” “You do.” “She betrayed me.” “She’s not the one who got a copy of your text message. Yes, she was shown it and reacted, but what guy wouldn’t want what she was offering? I’ve seen her naked, Kace. You made a big mistake that night.” Shit. Now I’ve got images of naked Stella going through my mind. I need a drink. Several drinks. “Well, it was my mistake to make.” “I’m giving you the opportunity to change your fate and get the girl.” “Is she really crying every night?” “Yes. She sleeps in that stupid shirt of yours, too. It’s pathetic. And that’s a word I never thought I’d use in relation to Stella. But you broke her.”
“Tell me the plan.” “That was easier than I thought.” “Really?” “No. I knew you’d cave. You have it as bad for her as she has it for you.” I do. As much as I want to pretend that she means nothing to me, I’m afraid that she could mean everything. If there’s a chance for us to work this out, I’m going to take it. We have some more talking to do, but I’m up for it if she is. We end up sneaking out of my room and taking a service elevator to walk through the hotel’s employee hallways. I’m technically an employee of the hotel, so Tegan has me put my arm around her and just act like I’m taking her with me for some fun. When we get out the back door, there’s a car waiting for us. I get in back with her, and she pushes my head down. “Why am I sitting like this?” “So no cameras pick you up on the way to our apartments.” “Good thinking.” I should’ve thought of that, but my mind is too clouded with thoughts of seeing Stella. And taking away her tears. Once we’re in an underground garage, I’m allowed to sit up and stretch. We take an elevator into a heavily guarded lobby, and then Tegan uses her eye to activate an inside elevator. “That was cool.” “You’ll get used to it if you stay around.” “Sure, because secret spy stuff is normal.” She doesn’t laugh when I say that, and I want to ask her why she’s not taking my words as a joke. The elevator doors open before I can, and she pushes the button to hold them open as she directs me to Stella’s apartment, telling me the door will be open. She says I should walk in, and gives me the layout so I can find the bedroom. I walk into her place, and stop short. It’s 100% Stella. There are cool metal sculptures and black marble floors. But the couches and chairs look comfortable and sexy. The color scheme is black, silver, white, and green. I didn’t know she liked green but there are splashes of emerald all over. I decide that I can take a tour of the rest of her place later. I climb the curved staircase to the second floor and follow Tegan’s directions to the bedroom. There are a couple of extra doors up here, but I don’t stop to check them out. I’m a little confused. Stella begged for her job, and yet she’s living in this sick apartment that I know had to cost a couple mil at least. We really, really need to have a talk. But first, I need to take care of her. When I walk into her bedroom, I realize that I’ll be taking caring of her in an entirely different way than I thought I would be. Stella’s spread out on the sexiest bed I’ve ever seen. It’s a few feet off the floor and has sheer strips of fabric and strings of sparkly jewels attached to the chandelier above it. They attach to the poles on the bed at different places. And hang straight down in other spots. There’s a tufted headboard between the two poles at the top. It’s not the bed that’s got my cock about to burst out of my pants, though. Stella’s fucking herself with her fingers, Her other hand is playing with her tits, while her head is thrown back. She’s biting down on my t-shirt, which is bunched up around her neck. My feet are moving before I can even think about what I’m doing. I jump onto the bed, pushing her hand out of the way as I fuse my mouth to her lower lips, sucking hard. I use both my hands to take her tits for myself. She bows up off the bed, fucking my face. “Kace, oh God.” I don’t answer her. I couldn’t form a coherent word right now if I tried. I’m lost in the taste and feel of her. I lick lower, swirling my tongue into her before moving back up to her clit. She’s out of control,
moving so hard that she almost dislodges my mouth from where it needs to be. I reluctantly let go of one nipple so I can use that hand to hold her hip down. She pulls my hair so I’ll look up, and I see she’s taken over, swatting my other hand away too. I know what she wants, and I give it to her, thrusting my fingers into her and twisting as I pump them in and out. It only takes a few times before she’s screaming. I lick her until she comes all the way down, and then I start again. “I came, Kace.” “I know,” I tell her, letting her clit go for a few precious seconds. “But you started that one. I want one that’s all me.” “I want you to come, too.” I give her a long lick before answering. “I will. We’ve got all night.” “I want you to come now.” “You wanna suck me off, sweetie?” “Yes. And no.” I chuckle against her as I flip around and then pull her on top of me. She immediately tears at the button and zipper on my jeans, not even bothering to take them off. She just reaches into my boxer briefs and lets me out. I nearly come from the first swipe of her tongue down my length. I can’t even tell you how many dreams I’ve had that involved her and her sexy mouth. She knows exactly what she’s doing as she licks, sucks, and nibbles on my cock, making sure to play with my piercing every time she gets back up to the top. I’m so dizzy with lust that I abandon what I’m doing for a moment when she sucks me all the way into her mouth. “God, Stella. Just like that, love. Just like that. Please don’t stop.” She does for just a moment so she can reply. “Yes.” As what she just said registers, I snap out of it, and attack her pussy. We’re both completely out of control as we take each other over. We lick and suck each other dry, and then I turn and pull her to me, kissing her with everything I have. She gives it right back to me, tugging at my hair as I run my hands up and down her body. “I want to be inside of you,” I tell her as I break the kiss. “No, I need to be inside of you.” “I think I could get used to this younger guy stamina.” “I told you once that I could go for days with you.” “Yes, you did. I don’t think we can get away with days, but I want you all night.” “Good, because I’m not leaving until you tell me I’m the best you’ve ever had.” She moves away to reach into her nightstand, pulling out a jumbo box of condoms. “Show me more of what you’ve got, little boy.” “We both know I’m not little, love. And you like my piercing. I know you do.” “Let’s see if you know what to do with it.” “Oh, my big cock and I definitely know what to do,” I tell her as I put a condom carefully over my metal and roll it down. I pull her knees up and thrust balls deep into her, causing her to cry out. “Now what was that about me being a ‘little’ boy?” I ask her with a laugh. She answers by grabbing my ass and pulling me deeper into her as we both moan. Oh, yeah. This is going to be the best night ever for both of us. Guaranteed.
Chapter 5
Stella I wake up wrapped in Kace’s arms. I’m blissfully sore, and still horny as hell. We did it in every position we could think of—and we both have vivid imaginations. I wasn’t lying when I finally told him he was the best. He may be young, but damn can he use his cock. Just thinking about it has me wanting to climb on for yet another ride. Or do something else I’ve thought about. A lot. I smile as I climb over him and lick his shark tattoo. I’m on my second time around it when he grabs me and pulls me up to him. We kiss for a few minutes before I pull back. “Why’d you stop me? I was gonna go lower.” “Oh, I know you were. But we both need to be at work soon, and if I only get one orgasm this morning, I want it in your pussy and not your mouth.” “I don’t have a job to go to.” “The hell you don’t. You’re mom’s the best in the business, but you’re the best for me. Besides, you’ve been secretly doing the job this last week. You might as well get paid for it.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “Uh-huh. Sure you don’t.” “You can’t prove anything.” “I don’t need to. And I love that you cared enough to keep making me look good.” “I do, Kace. I care.” “Is that why you’re letting me call you ‘Love’?” “Not exactly.” “Are you going to elaborate?” “I thought we were going to fuck again.” “I’ll make you scream once you tell me what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours.” God. Why didn’t I just say yes when he asked. “Fine. I mostly like it because no one’s ever called me that before. And it sounds both sweet and sexy when you say it.” “Guys have called you all the other nicknames I tried?” I nod, picking at an imaginary thread on the sheet. He puts his fingers under my chin so I’m forced to look up into his eyes. He raises one eyebrow at me. “I’ve been with a lot of guys, Kace. A lot.” “So? I wasn’t looking to sacrifice a virgin when I went down on you last night. I was thinking how I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have my mouth on the sexiest women I’ve ever met. And how I could convince you to let me do it all night.” Wow. Just wow. “You sing babies to sleep, then sing a sexy song to me, and now you just said the best thing anyone’s ever said to me. If you have any other tricks up your sleeve, I may just have to keep you.” “That’s the plan. I want to be kept.” “Kept men do whatever their sugar mama wants them to.” He bursts out laughing. “Sugar mama? I guess if you mean sugar like the kisses, that could work. If I get rewarded in kisses, I’ll do pretty much anything you want.” “Oh, I’m going to reward you. You can be sure of that.”
I move off of him, and grab one of the sheers I have around my bed. I tie it around his wrist as his eyes widen. I do the same with his other hand and then sit back to see him stretched out across my bed. Oh yeah, this is going to be hot. “So that’s why you have your bed like this, huh? To tie up unsuspecting men.” “Since you’re the first man that’s been in my bed that would be a no.” “What? Seriously?” “Yes,” I tell him as I roll a condom on him. “I don’t invite random guys here. My place is important to me.” He opens his mouth and then closes it. I can see that he’s fighting what he wants to say to me. He finally closes his eyes, and speaks. “You didn’t invite me here.” “I would have. Teeg knew that. She wouldn’t have brought you to me if she didn’t believe that I wanted you here.” “Yeah?” “Fuck yeah, K.” “K? I like it.” “You’re going to like this even more,” I tell him as I climb onto his cock, backwards. “Shit, Stella. Let me touch you.” “Nope. Just enjoy my ride. I know I will.” I lean forward and grip his ankles as I ride him hard, then slow, fast, and then just grind on him. It feels amazing, and I know he’s watching my ass, and seeing me take him in over and over. I’m so hot from just the thought of him submitting to me that it only takes a few minutes before I’m coming hard. Before I can even process what’s happening, I hear fabric ripping and I’m being flipped onto my knees. “I’ll pay for the curtains, but it’s my turn, love. You had your fun. Now hold onto the headboard while I fuck you hard enough to bring down this bed.” This bed’s not going to break, but I know what he means, and I’m dripping wet just thinking about it. I grab the headboard and arch my back. “Do it.” He enters me again, and the bed is actually shaking and creaking with the force of what he’s doing to me. I can barely hold on, he’s pumping so hard. I’m loving every second of it as I know I did this. I made him so out of control that he can’t even try to be sweet. He snakes one of his hands around to pinch my clit, and I swear I black out for a few seconds as I come again. A couple more pumps and he’s biting the back of my neck before he roars out my name. It’s animalistic, and arguably the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced. “Damn. Are you okay? I didn’t mean to be quite that rough, but you…God, you made me so out of control.” “I’m so okay that I’ll probably be coming for weeks just thinking about what you just did to me.” “What you did to me was pretty fucking hot, too. Definitely going in the spank bank.” “Have you not been tied up before?” “Nope. But you can do it whenever you want. I have to warn you that I’ll probably tear all your curtains down.” I look over and see that dangling fabric that’s still tied to his wrists. “Hearing that fabric rip was… yeah, I can’t even describe it.” “I felt what it did to you. Remember, I was still inside of you.” “Oh, I remember. Believe me. It’s going in my finger vault.” “Finger vault? What the fuck?” He’s laughing so hard, he doubles over. I punch him in the arm.
“I saw that online one day,” I tell him as I start to untie his wrists. “You’re so cute.” That makes me snort. “No one’s ever called me cute.” “Good. I like being the only one.” “I should go take a shower. You can use one of my other bathrooms or wait until I’m done.” “I don’t get to wash your back? You seemed to like it last night.” “I loved it, and if my boss hadn’t told me that I have to be to work soon, I’d totally drag you in there with me.” “Your boss could allow you to be late. Just this once.” “Later, K. We have tonight.” “Promise? You’re not going to get scared and shut me out?” “I won’t if you won’t.” “I’m all in, love. All the fuck in.” * * * Kace While Stella went into her giant bathroom, I got up to find another shower. The door next to her room opened into a room almost as big. It wasn’t another bedroom. It’s a giant dressing room with clothes, shoes, and accessories everywhere. I’ve never seen anything like it, and all I can think about is Stella in here picking out what to wear. It gives me an idea, but I still need to find a shower, so I move on. The next door I try is locked, but the one next to it is a guest room with a nice sized bathroom with that shower I need. I wash up, and then jerk off since I’m painfully hard just thinking about Stella in her own shower. I head back to her room after taking care of the surprise I thought of. I’ve just gotten everything where I want it when she walks out of the bathroom in a short robe with her makeup done, and her hair in a fancy bun with a braid in front, and curls hanging down in places. I really am a lucky man. “What’s this?” she asks, looking at what I’ve laid on the bed. “I thought I’d dress you today.” She steps over, and fingers the soft black sweater with white birds, the short black leather skirt with a ruffle on the bottom, thick cable knit black socks, and the sock garters I found. They’re black with silver studs and a heart. Sexy doesn’t even begin to describe how I know they’ll look on her. How it’ll all look. I have black Mary Jane shoes with thick rubber heels on the floor and dangling silver bird earrings. Oh, and a tiny black satin bra and boy short panties. I’m going to be hard all day thinking about her tits spilling out of the bra, and her ass peeking out of those panties. I’m biting my lip and bouncing on the balls of my feet as she just keeps running her hands over all of it. I want to her to like what I picked. And that I did it for her. She finally turns to me, but instead of speaking, she pulls me to her and kisses the hell out of me. “No one’s ever done that for me, except my mom. I love it all.” “Thank God. I wanted to do something special for you, and then I saw your dressing room.” “It’s a bit much, I know.” “It’s pretty spectacular. And so very you.” “It didn’t scare you off?” “Obviously not. I especially loved your lingerie closet in there. I’m hoping to see everything in there on your banging body.” “Banging body, huh? Was that your first thought when we met, and you were checking out my tits?”
I laugh because I’ve never met another girl or woman who would come right out and ask that. “Actually, the first thought I had when I saw you was ‘bomb-fucking-shell.’” “That’s hot. I like it. Maybe I should get a shirt with that on it.” “You’re hot. And I like you. You should totally get a shirt with that on it.” “I like you, too. I didn’t want to, but I do.” “Why didn’t you want to like me?” I ask her, as I put my arms around her and hug her tight. “Was it my reputation?” “No. You don’t scare me with your bad behavior. I want to punch you sometimes, but I can handle all that. It was our age difference. You’re so young.” “That worked out well for you last night.” “Yes, it did,” she tells me with a smile. “But seriously, you don’t mind dating an older woman? There’s lots of younger ones who’d love to be in your bed.” “Mind? Umm, no. It’s not your age that I want, Stella. I want you for you. You could be a hundred and I’d still want you. Because you’re you.” “I’m not quite one hundred yet, so I think we’re good.” “We’re really good,” I tell her as I nuzzle her neck. “Yeah, Kace. We are.” “So no more worries about the age thing?” “As long as your mom doesn’t kill me for corrupting her baby boy, we’re good.” “My mom has no room to talk. She’s not a saint. But if she doesn’t like it, we’ll just show her we’re serious and change her mind.” I kiss Stella, pouring all the love I feel for her into it. Yeah, love. I know I love her. It’s not time to tell her yet, but I will soon. We also still need to talk. About lots of things. Including how she can afford this apartment. Not now, though. Right now, I just want to be in the moment. So, I shut off my brain and just get lost in her. * * * Stella I really love my outfit. It’s beyond sweet and sexy that Kace picked out something for me to wear. We didn’t have time for me to thank him properly this morning, but I’ll make sure he knows how much I appreciate it tonight. We’re smiling and holding hands as we walk off the elevator into the loft at the hotel. Until everyone sees us. Conversation stops. Just literally stops as people stare at us with their mouths open. Wayne is the first one to recover. “Well, hot damn. This will be fun.” “This has nothing to do with you, man,” Kace tells him. “But it could. Tegan told me all about her and Stella and all the fun they’ve had. With lots of guys. I’m not into you, dude, but we could all play together.” I stop breathing. I can’t believe she told him. How could she do that to me? Oh my God, I think I may die right now. I’m snapped out of it as Kace lets go of me and lunges for him. “No. Stop, Kace. Don’t.” I yell as I pull him off of a bleeding Wayne. “He’s not going to talk shit like that about you with me here.” “You act like I was lying. I wasn’t. She’s done multiple guys before. With and without her friend. Haven’t you Stella?” “Yes. I have,” I tell him as tears roll down my cheeks.
I won’t deny it because I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done. At least I haven’t been until this moment. In this room with a guy I think I might love, and my mom. She’s seen it all in her job, but she doesn’t need to know I’ve done it all. I just have to get out of here before I’m forced to look at her and Kace. I can’t take either of them being disgusted by me. “Look at me, Stella,” Kace says. I shake my head, and he leans close to whisper in my ear trying to catch all my tears with his fingers. “I don’t care, love. What you did before doesn’t matter. All that matters is now. You told me I was the best you ever had and now that just means even more. No one’s going to mess with you about this. Not if they want to have all their limbs intact.” I look up at him and there’s no disgust in his eyes. Just concern, and God, love. His eyes are full of love. “Thank you.” That gets me a quick kiss and a smile. “Back to work everyone. The fucking show’s over. And if any of you even thinking of mentioning this to Stella or me, I suggest you don’t. She’s with me—that’s all you need to know.” Everyone turns back to what they were doing, except my mom. She comes over to me and hugs me tight. “I love you, Stell. I don’t care what you’ve done or plan to do in the future. I’ll always love you.” Kace moved away to give us privacy, so I’m able to tell her what I’m thinking. “Thank you. That means everything to me. I have to quit my job though, Mom. I can’t work with Tegan. I can’t even stomach the thought of seeing her.” “Talk to her. She’s your best friend. She wouldn’t just tell him those things.” “But she did. And she’s not my friend anymore. She’s dead to me.” “I’ll support you no matter what.” “I know. I love you, Mom.” We hug again, before she goes back to work with Brett and I walk over to Kace. He tells me I can leave for the day if I need to, but I don’t want to do that. If I leave right now, I’ll do something rash. I was serious when I told my mom that I can’t work with Tegan again, but quitting seems so wrong. I love my job. And my other friends. I need to think about this for a couple of days. I make it through the day, ignoring the stares. Because people are staring. They won’t say anything since Kace threatened everyone, but they can’t help but stare. I’ve never regretted my choices, or what I’ve done in the past, but today I feel dirty. And a little cheap. I can’t believe it’s my best friend that made me feel this way. By the time I fall asleep that night with Kace next to me, I have fifteen missed calls from Tegan, and twice as many text messages. I don’t look at them, or listen to the voicemails. I just can’t. It hurts to know she betrayed me. And I don’t even understand why she did it. I know I could ask her, but honestly, the thought of seeing her again makes me want to throw up.
Chapter 6
Stella I enter the Foundation offices a few days later and nod at Alex. I called an emergency meeting, so she knows I’m not in the mood for small talk. I wish I could say that I wrestled with my decision, but I didn’t. I just had to drum up the courage to actually go through with what I know I have to do. Kace only knows that I want to break off my friendship, and while he told me to talk to Tegan first, I just can’t. I just need to get this over with. Alex takes care of the phone system, and we enter the conference room together after passing the security scans. Everyone is already inside as I take my place next to Mallory and Darcy. I don’t sit down. Jane stands and addresses me. “Stella, you know that calling an emergency meeting is not something to be taken lightly. Please tell us why we all had to be here today.” “I’m not taking this lightly. I called this meeting because I need to quit.” “What? Stella, no,” Mallory says, jumping out of her chair. “I have no choice.” “There’s always a choice, Stella. You know that,” Jane lightly reprimands me. “I can’t work with Tegan. In fact, it’s taking everything I have in me to stand here calmly and not rip her fucking throat out right now.” “What, Stell? You’re quitting because you’re angry at me? For what? You’re my best friend.” “Angry doesn’t even begin to cover what I’m feeling. And you know why, so stop acting like you don’t. I thought you were my best friend. Until I walked into work a few days ago with Kace. And Wayne told everyone that I liked to be with multiple guys, sometimes with you participating too. My mom was there, Tegan.” “Holy shit,” Aiden says. “Shut up, A,” Matt tells him with a glare. “I-I…” “You what? You just had to tell him that? He forced you at gunpoint to tell him about my past sexual encounters? Why? Why would you do that to me? I would’ve never told someone something like that. And you had to know he’d tell Kace. You know I like him. He’s the first guy I’ve ever wanted to be with like this. Were you trying to ruin that for me?” “Yes.” I reel back like she’s punched me. “What?” “Ainsley’s in love, Faith’s in love, and now you—you’re maybe in love—and it’s too much. I kept thinking about who was going to go out with me to clubs? And be my best friend? Then I saw how sad you were, and how fast Kace said yes when I went to bring him to you. I was happy for you then, but it was too late. I’d already told Wayne. I’m so sorry. I mean it.” Damn it. I know her background, and I should’ve known she’d freak out. And now my anger has faded, and I realize my mom and Kace were right. I should’ve just talked to her. “I’ll still go out with you. I said I’d be your wing woman. I’m not going to abandon you just because I’m with Kace. But you can’t ever do anything like this again, Teeg. The way people have been looking at me…I’ve felt so gross. And bad.” “Kace said some shit to you? He’s dead!”
“No, Matt. He’s protected me, and told me the past doesn’t matter.” “Of course he did. I mean, damn, what guy doesn’t want to hear that his woman’s pretty wild?” Nate says. “You’re such an ass,” Jade tells him. I flip him off and tell them the rest. “He said all that matters is now, and us. And he said he’d fuck up anyone who messed with me about it.” “That’s so sweet,” Isa says. “Yeah. And he dressed me today,” I say gesturing to my clothes. This is the second day in a row. I hope he keeps it up. I can tell he really thinks about what he’s picking, and both times, he’s chosen a perfect outfit for me.” “He picked your clothes? And you let him? Damn, I knew sending him to you was the right thing to do. But, umm, does your mom hate me?” Tegan asks. “No. She told me to talk to you before quitting. I was just so mad. And hurt.” “I really am sorry, Stell. Please don’t go through with quitting. We all need you.” I look around and see everyone nod. I finally settle on Jane. “Can I take it back?” “Yes. But please just talk it out next time you think about leaving. Any of you.” She looks to Tegan. “What you did is not acceptable, Tegan. Not just as a friend, but as a sister. We keep each other’s secrets, not spill them to the some random man. Especially not with the intent to harm.” “I know.” “You’ll be off missions for at least two months, and will be expected to be here at the offices every day helping wherever you’re needed.” “Of course. I understand what I did and how bad it is.” “Good. Now, I’m actually glad that everyone’s here. Well, almost everyone. Alex, can you call Miles in here? I need to talk to all of you about something.” We all sit there quietly as we wait for Miles. Jane seems really serious, and a little sad. As I look around, we all look lost, even Reina. “Sorry it took a minute for me to get here, Gram. I was on a call.” “Not a problem, Miles. Please have a seat.” She takes a deep breath, and I’m even more scared. Especially when Mallory, Maggie, Helen, and Cyndi go to stand with her. She seems to gain strength from her friends and opens her eyes. “I’m not exactly a young woman anymore. And, well, I can’t continue to run both the C & C Foundation, and the Society. It’s too much. I’ve been feeling a little weak and tired the past couple of months. I want to stay on as a mentor and help wherever I can, but I need to give up control. This isn’t an easy decision for me, especially because it puts all of you at risk. “As you know, my husband had a condition written in when he created the Foundation. It will only continue to function if a Corrigan woman is in place to run it, unless there isn’t one available. This wouldn’t have mattered even a month ago, but now that Alex and Miles are married, things aren’t as simple.” “Because I can’t run the Foundation or the Society,” Alex says. “I love you my dear, but no, you can’t.” “It wasn’t a question, Jane. I know I’m not cut out for that.” “There’s only one other option. Matt, I need you to get married. It will only have to be for a year, and then you can get divorced, and the last name can be retained.” By Reina. She’s not saying it, but we all know that’s who she means. There’s no one else. And none of us would marry Matt in her place anyway. Not with knowing how much she loves him.
“Okay. I can do that for you. Of course I’ll do that for you,” we all know he’s trying to convince himself as much as he’s convincing her. He’s the biggest player in the room. “Do we draw names or something to see who the lucky girl is?” Reina stands so fast that her chair rolls back to slam into the wall. “You bastard. I hate you so much.” “Good,” he tells her, standing as she stalks towards him. “Then maybe you’ll really move on and stop looking like a sad little puppy when you’re around me.” “Really? You want me to fucking move on? Because you didn’t seem to enjoy seeing me with Rick.” “I was being selfish, knowing that I couldn’t have you in my bed when I needed you, Princess.” “Because that’s all I am to you isn’t it,” she screams as she gets in his face. “Just a body to help you when you need it. You couldn’t even give the ‘puppy’ a pity fuck when I told you I needed you. And I’ve put up with it, taken what you’d give me because I thought maybe one day you’d think I was good enough for more. But now I know I’m not. I’m just a piece of trash for you to use and throw away.” “Don’t fucking talk about yourself like that, Rei.” “It’s true. And I finally have to accept it. I’m nothing to you, and I never will be.” She staggers away from him, and I think she may fall over, but Matt grabs her. She immediately starts fighting him, but he holds her tight pulling her closer and closer to him, as she slaps and kicks him. When he fuses his mouth to hers, she stops fighting and puts her arms around his neck. She kisses him back until he pulls his mouth away. “Marry me, Reina.” “I won’t share you.” “I wouldn’t cheat on you when we’re together. Not ever.” “And you’ll be with me? Really with me, in every way?” “I’m a bastard for it, but yes. You have to know it’s only for a year, though. I can’t give you forever.” “I’ll take the year. For now. So yes, I’ll marry you, Matt.” “Perfect. We’ll get Candi to take the engagement photos and then release it to the press. It will take a few months to get everything together for the wedding since it will need to be big. Unfortunately, that means the girls can’t stand up for you.” “I can,” Ainsley says. “Me too,” Alex says. “Yes, the two of you can. I’m sorry that no one else can.” “It’s not real, Gram. It doesn’t matter who stands up for us.” “We all know this isn’t going to be a totally fake marriage, Matthew. The sooner you stop pretending it is, the easier it will be for you and Reina.” “Just tell me where to be, and when. I’ll do whatever I need to. In the meantime, I have a ring to buy. I’ll bring it by later, okay Princess?” “Oh, yeah. Umm…sure.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen Reina looking flustered. But then again, she’s never had the guy she loves tell her he’s bringing an engagement ring by her place later. I, for one, can’t wait to see what he picks for her. We all watch as he kisses her forehead and walks out. “Back to work everyone. We still have a blackmailer to find, and other missions to work on.” Everyone else start to file out. Tegan comes over and stands in front of me, looking nervous. “Are we really okay, Stell?” “Yeah, Teeg. We are. What you did hurt me. A lot. But we’re best friends, and I need you in my life. Just please talk to me next time you’re upset, instead of telling some asshole things he shouldn’t ever know about me.”
“I will. I promise. I love you.” “I love you, too.” “Go enjoy your baby boy.” “He’s not a baby—in any way—but I will enjoy him.” She laughs as I pull out my phone to text Kace. I invite him over later, and let him know I’ll have the guards let him in. He doesn’t respond right away, but I don’t worry. He’s probably busy. * * * Kace Rehearsal after our latest photo shoot was intense. Our residency starts in just a few weeks, so we all want the performances to be perfect. Especially opening night when the media and other celebrities will be in attendance. I smile thinking about having Stella in the front row while I sing to her, and then on my arm for the party afterward. I haven’t asked her yet, but I’m sure she’ll be there with me. My smile gets wider as I see a text from her telling me she’s set things up so I can go to her place when I’m done. And then I swipe to the next text. It’s not from her, and what it says makes my stomach drop and my blood boil. Anonymous: Blow off your blonde slut tonight. Go out clubbing or stay in your room. I don’t care. Just don’t show up for you date with her. And don’t call or text her to make an excuse. I’ll know if you do. Fuck. I’m going to kill this person if I ever find out who they are. Not just for blackmailing me, but for calling Stella a slut, too. It makes me think that the blackmailer has to be someone working closely with us. And that’s all I know. There were at least twenty people in the room this morning. My bigger worry is how Stella’s going to react when she doesn’t hear from me today. I’m sure as hell not going out, so at least she won’t see pictures of me partying it up while I ignore her. I decide to see if my mom is free tonight. Maybe we can hang out and talk. It’s been awhile since we did that. I catch her as she’s leaving. “Mom, wait up.” “Hey, honey. Did you need something?” “A night with my beautiful mother would be great.” “I thought you’d be with Stella, or is she otherwise occupied?” Whoa. “Excuse me?” “I heard about what Wayne said to everyone.” “First of all, I told everyone there to keep their mouths shut. And second, what she did in her past has nothing to do with our present.” “The past always catches up to you, Kace. Even when you think you’ve outrun it, it comes out of nowhere to rear its ugly head.” “I’m not afraid of Stella’s past, or anyone in it.” “You love her.” “Yes. I haven’t told her yet, but I do.” “She’s going to break you. A woman who looks like that and has done what she’s done won’t settle down.” “What the hell is wrong with you? I’ve never heard you say something so judgmental about anyone before. Yet you’re judging Stella because she looks hot. And had some fun before she met me. Why?” “Because she’s not good enough for you.”
“That’s for me to decide. God. It’s like I don’t even know you anymore. Forget hanging out. I can’t talk to you right now. Thanks for the support.” “Kace.” “Just go, Mom.” She gets into the elevator as I run my hands through my hair and down my face. How did my life get so fucked up? I just don’t understand it. I was a nice guy. I had a nice mom. Yeah, we struggled, but we never intentionally hurt anyone. Yet here I am, being blackmailed and having to listen to my mom badmouth the woman I love. It’s almost too surreal to be believable. But, I’m living it, so I know it’s happening. “Thank you, Kace.” I turn to see Sheila standing behind me. “For what?” “You just defended my daughter.” “You don’t have to thank me. I’ll defend her until the day I die.” “Because you love her?” “Yeah. I should probably tell her soon since everyone else is hearing it.” “You’ll tell her when it’s time. Just be good to her.” “I will.” Shit. No I won’t. But wait, I can do this. I lean in close to Sheila and pretend to kiss her on the cheek. “I can’t be with her tonight and I can’t call her to cancel. I wish I could tell you why, but can you please let her know?” “Goodnight, Kace,” she tells me with a nod. “Goodnight, Sheila.” “Aww, that was so touching.” “What do you want, Wayne? Haven’t you tried to cause enough trouble this week?” “Never enough, Mr. Big Star.” “Don’t. We’re all the stars here.” “That’s bullshit and you know it. They’ve always groomed you.” “And I’ve always resisted it.” “That’s why you’re acting up now and making sure you’re getting all the attention, huh? Those little jailbait chicks are eating it up.” “No. I’m not. I honestly don’t want the extra attention.” “Well, you’re getting it,” Chad says as he walks over to us. “I say, embrace it. Your fifteen minutes and all.” “Not interested in fifteen minutes. I want to stay in this business for a long time. With you guys by my side.” “Sure you do. C’mon, Chad, let’s go find us some company for tonight while lover boy sulks in his suite.” “How’d you know I’m staying in?” “Lucky guess.” “No, seriously man,” I tell him as I shove him into the wall. He’s been at the top of my suspect list since the beginning and now this. Plus, I’m still pissed that he embarrassed Stella. I’d love nothing more than to beat him until he confesses. But we need him. I need him—if he’s not behind this. We’ve been friends for years and I don’t want to lose that. I love these guys like brothers. “I heard you talking to your mom about spending the evening with her. I figured you didn’t have plans. Although if Stella was with me, I wouldn’t let her out of my sight.”
“Well, she’s never going to be with you, so it doesn’t matter what you’d do. I trust her, and that means that spending time apart isn’t a big deal.” “Whatever you say. See you around.” I watch them walk out, but instead of following them, I grab my guitar from the stand and start playing. Not anything of ours though. I’m feeling old school at the moment. I’m so into the song that I don’t notice Brett until he starts clapping. “Oh hey. I thought I was alone here.” “I was going over my clothes for tomorrow. Sheila’s been letting me help pick things out.” “That’s cool.” “Yeah. So what’s with the Duran Duran? Do you really need a prayer saved for you?” “I was feeling retro. But yes, I actually need lots of prayers.” “Can I ask you something?” “Sure.” “Why are you such an asshole lately?” “I don’t want to talk about that. Sorry, dude, I just don’t.” The reality is that I can’t talk about it. But if I use that word, I know he’ll try to get me to tell him what’s going on. He’s not only the most quiet of all of us, he’s also the most observant. And smartest. I’m honestly in awe of his brain. And don’t even get me started on how talented he is. His voice is similar to mine, but he seems to be able to hit the notes a little easier. Lucky bastard. Well, not really lucky when you think about his life. He was abandoned by his parents when he was a baby. He bounced around in foster homes until he ended up with some decent ones who put him in their church’s choir. That’s how Marv found him. I don’t know how he walked into a church without bursting into flames, but it happened. And Brett joined Wayne, Chad, and me. That was four years ago, and we haven’t stopped since. I wouldn’t change anything. Storyside saved us all in one way or another. Now if I could just find out who’s trying to take it all away from me. I could probably survive losing my career and friends. I don’t think I can survive losing Stella, though. In fact, I know I can’t. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I guess,” Brett says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Yep. See you in the morning,” I tell him, putting my guitar away before I head to my suite to order room service and think some more about my bombshell. And how badly I want to be with her tonight.
Chapter 7
Stella I still haven’t heard from Kace when I get the message that Matt’s arrived with Reina’s ring. I give them a little time to be alone for it. Even though they say it’s fake, we all know it’s not. They love each other, and I hope this marriage will make them realize that they need to be together. Like me and Kace. Who hasn’t called me or come over yet. I head up to Reina’s apartment, and find I’m the last to arrive. The girls are gathered around her, while the guys are slapping Matt on the back. He looks really pleased with himself. “Hey, Stella. Go look at the ring and give me the stylist stamp of approval.” I flash him a smile as I push my way through to Reina. The smile momentarily drops from my face when I see the ring. I look up at her, and she gives a slight shake of her head. So I plaster another smile on my face and pretend to be studying the giant yellow diamond on her finger. Yellow. As in the color she told me to never dress her in because she hates it. She won’t even sit on a yellow chair or use a yellow plate when she’s out if she can help it. “Well?” Matt asks me. Shit. “It’s stunning.” That’s not a lie. The oval center stone has to be at least fifteen carats, and is surrounded by white diamonds which also completely cover the band. For someone who likes the color yellow, it would be the perfect ring. For Reina, it’s the worst choice he could’ve made. And yet, she’ll smile and pretend to love it. Because she loves him so much. “I knew I did good. Only the best for my fiancé.” Reina smiles and goes over to kiss him. “Thanks again.” “Everyone get out so we can have a private celebration.” We laugh while filing out. As we’re waiting for the elevator, Ainsley gets an alert on her phone. “Stella, you need to see this.” I lean over to read the text message. Damn it. I’m going to strangle this fucking blackmailer when we finally figure out who it is. “You still haven’t been able to trace it?” “No. But if they keep using the same burner phone, we will. I’ll need to go into the office and check to see if it’s the same.” I feel bad because she should be going home with Zack to plan her own wedding. But because her second in command betrayed us on the last mission, she isn’t trusting anyone else to take care of things. And because I’m involved, she’s putting in extra time. “I’m sorry. You should be going home with your man.” “He understands. He doesn’t love it sometimes, but he gets it,” she says as we get on the elevator. “I hope I have that someday.” “You will. You have to remember that we didn’t have an easy road to where we are, but we made it.” “True. I thought you might kill him sometimes.” “You’re the one who pointed a gun at him.” “No one messes with my friends.” “Or mine. I’m going to get this person for you.”
“If anyone can, it’ll be you.” We hug goodbye as I get off on my floor. I’m honestly a little bothered. Kace should’ve found a way to get a hold of me, somehow. He doesn’t know that his phone is cloned. And he’s choosing to protect himself over me. I mean, we haven’t declared ourselves or anything, but there’s something more than sex between us. At least on my side. When I walk into my place, my mom is sitting on my coach, watching reality TV. “Hey, Mom. I didn’t know you were here. I would’ve come back down sooner.” “It’s fine. The guys downstairs told me there was something big going on, so I said not to bother you.” “Yeah. Matt brought Reina her engagement ring.” “They’re engaged. It’s about damn time.” “Yeah. It really is.” “Is it beautiful? What am I saying—the man has more money than God. Of course it’s beautiful.” “Yes and no.” She raises an eyebrow at me. “It’s a giant yellow diamond. And Reina hates the color yellow.” “Oh no. He doesn’t know her favorite color is blue?” “Apparently not,” I tell her with a laugh. “How did you know that was her favorite color?” “She always has something blue on, even if it’s just a pair of earrings.” “If only he would’ve noticed that.” “She’s pretending to love it though, huh?” “Oh yeah.” “Well, good for her. The fact that he gave her one at all is enough. And speaking of giving, I have a message to give to you.” “Oh, okay. What is it?” “Kace asked me to tell you that he can’t come over tonight. He said he couldn’t contact you or tell you why. I’m guessing it’s the blackmailer.” “It is. Ainsley just told me about the text.” “Ah, that explains it.” “Explains what?” “Why you looked upset when you walked in. I knew the two of you would hit it off, but I didn’t realize you’d become so serious this fast.” “I was upset because I wanted him to get a message to me. And he did. He’s great, Mom. Really great. I just worry that once this is over, he won’t be able to accept me. He already accepted my sexual history, but how much can a guy take?” “There’s no limit on love, Stella. What you and your friends do is amazing. He’ll realize that.” “Will it be too late, though? I was talking to Ainsley and I remembered how upset Zack was when he found out she’d been undercover. And she wasn’t invading his privacy as much as I’m doing to Kace. When he finds out we cloned his phone, he’s going to be angry. And I’ve been putting off planting the cameras in the loft, hoping we’d find something. But I have to do it. It’s my job, and I’m currently sucking at it—because I’m afraid of hurting the guy I’m in love with. I mean like, I’m in like with.” “Love was the correct word, and we both know it.” “But it’s affecting my work. I’m not being fair to him, and I’m not being fair to Reina and the girls. I just can’t choose.” “You don’t have to choose, Stell. You can have both.” “What if I can’t? What if he doesn’t accept my job and what I’ve done, and am going to do?”
“You’re doing it to help him. If he can’t accept that, then all the love in the world won’t be enough to make things work.” “You’re right.” “I usually am.” “Will you stay here tonight with me?” “Of course,” she says opening her arms to me. “I love you, Mom,” I tell her as I curl up next to her on the couch and close my eyes. “I love you, too.” * * * Kace I fucked up last night. I realized it when I woke up in the middle of the night, when I got another text. I should’ve never had Sheila tell Stella I couldn’t see her. Whoever’s messing with me is expecting a reaction, and a fight. When they don’t get one, I’m going to be in trouble. Shit. “Thanks for standing me up last night. I thought you were different Kace,” Stella says as she walks in. Either Stella didn’t get a hold of her, or she somehow knows to help me. I’m just grateful this is happening. “I didn’t know I had a leash on me.” “Common courtesy isn’t a leash, Asshole.” “You’re just a cheap lay, Stella. We all know it.” I see the hurt flash in her eyes, but I had to do it. I was told to do it. To hurt her as badly as I could. I’m hating every second of this, but I can’t back down now. “Fuck you, Kace. Or better yet, I won’t. I should’ve known a little boy couldn’t handle me.” “I handled you quite well the other night. Don’t pretend I didn’t. You said I was your best.” “I quit. Do you hear me, you little bastard? I fucking quit. And if you come near me again, I will make sure you’ll never walk on stage again, much less sing.” She turns and runs from the room. It takes everything in me to not run after her. I’m so lost in that thought that I don’t see the slap coming. My head whips to the side as I see Sheila standing before me, crying. “What you did is unforgivable. I won’t quit because there are three other people in the band who I happen to like. But I want you to know that I think you are the lowest piece of scum on the Earth. How dare you do that to my daughter?” “Get to work, Sheila,” I tell her in a flat voice. I’m dying inside, but I can’t show it. Hours later, I’m the last one left in the loft. I can’t put one foot in front of the other and leave. Not after what I said and did. I just want to curl up in a ball and cry. “Hello, Kace.” I look up and see a girl walking towards me. She could be around eighteen, or she could be my age. I can’t really tell. I do know she looks a little familiar, but that happens to me quite a bit. Too many fans. Her hair is dark blonde, and she has glasses on. She’s wearing a t-shirt from our last tour, and tight jeans. “Who the hell are you?” “Is that any way to greet a fan?” she asks as she walks around the room, touching a bunch of shit. “Who let you in?” “Does it matter? We could have some fun.” “No, we can’t.” “C’mon, I can show you a good time,” she says as she takes out her phone. She pushes a few buttons as I just glare at her. After a minute, she smiles. “No? I’ll leave then, I guess.”
“Please do.” She laughs as she walks out. I don’t even know what to think. That was definitely weird. I should be used to weird by now, but I’m not. I have too many other things to think about. I know I need to have someone analyze the pictures for me to see if they can find anything. I’ve just been worried about trusting someone. But I need help. I can’t live like this forever. I lost Stella. I can’t lose anyone else. Like my mom. That would be too much. So, I’m going to bite the bullet and go see the investigator my lawyer found for me. I told him I needed someone who was amazing at their job, and would be discreet. He wanted to ask more, but when I just stared at him, he didn’t. He found me someone, though. I call her, and she says she has an hour free right now. When I get to her office, a stunningly beautiful woman greets me. “Hello, Kace. I’m Mel. Please come on back.” “Oh hey.” Damn. I wasn’t expecting my private investigator to look like her. If I wasn’t hung up on Stella, I’d probably try to go for her. But I am. Even though I know she hates me, I still want only her. “Are you going to stand out there and stare at my ass, or are you going to come into my office and tell me why you called me?” “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be. The day a man doesn’t look at my ass, is the day I’ll start worrying.” I laugh and take a seat in front of her desk. She takes the seat next to me instead of going behind her desk. I’m going to like this woman. I know it already. I tell her everything, except what the pictures I’m being blackmailed with contain and the text messages I’ve received lately. I want to make sure she’ll take my case and agree to a confidentiality agreement before I show her. “Yes, Kace. I’ll keep everything confidential.” I take a deep breath and pull out my phone. Before I can swipe out of the lock screen, I hear her gasp. I look over at her and smile. “My girl’s pretty hot, huh?” “Your girl?” “Stella. She’s my—well, for about a day she was my girlfriend.” “Only a day?” “I’ll show you the texts, and then actually, I want to talk a little bit about her with you.” Mel looks uncomfortable, but nods. I show her the texts and her mouth hardens into a line. “This person is evil. I can’t believe they had you do that to Stella. I mean, I’m guessing you followed orders.” “Yeah, but I went too far. I said things I shouldn’t have.” “So you want me to help figure out a way to make it up to her?” “No.” It’s my turn to look uncomfortable. “Some things don’t add up with Stella.” I explain things to her. How Stella’s friend invaded my privacy and how she has an apartment that she shouldn’t be able to afford when she was practically begging me for a job. I tell her that Sheila has never said anything about family money, and we used to talk all the time. Granted, she never really talked about Stella, which is weird, but I think being rich would’ve come up. “What do you think she’s hiding? Actually, let me rephrase that. What are you afraid she’s hiding?” “Honestly, my biggest fear is that some guy’s paying for everything.” Anger flashes through her eyes so fast I almost miss it. She takes a few deep breaths before she speaks. “I’m assuming you’ve slept with her.” “Well there wasn’t much sleeping going on.”
“And you think she’d do that with you if another man was paying her bills? And have sex with you in her apartment he was funding?” “I hope not, but I need to know.” She opens her mouth to say something, but then closes it. I can feel her anger, but I just don’t get it. Shouldn’t I be suspicious? I think I’m having a normal response. “Fine,” she says. “I’ll look into Stella for you. Are you ready to show me the blackmail pictures now?” “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I tell her, pulling them out. She looks at them, and I see the shock on her face. “These aren’t what I expected. At all.” “Now you understand.” “Yes.” “Do you think you can help?” “I hope so. I have some friends I’d like to involve,” she says, putting up a hand when I start to protest. “They’ll keep your secret. I promise. I’ll need to keep the pictures to show them.” “Okay. But only if you think they can help and won’t tell anyone. I’ll want to meet them if this goes on much longer.” “They like to work behind the scenes, but I’ll try and see if I can get you a meeting.” “What are they spies or something?” “Something.” I can tell she’s not going to elaborate. Why do I keep finding women who keep secrets? At least with Mel, it’s her job to keep them. It’s not Stella’s job. And that’s why we have a problem. One I really need to discuss with her. If she ever speaks to me again.
Chapter 8
Stella I’m in one of the small conference rooms at the Foundation waiting for Jane, Reina, and Mallory to arrive. I know why they called me in. I had no right to quit a job tied to my mission. No matter how badly my feelings were hurt. The mission comes first. I know that. I’ve been trained. And I’ve also been called a lot worse than what Kace said to me. I’ve just never been in love on a mission—or anywhere else for that matter—so I reacted badly. Now I have to face the firing squad so to speak. Mallory’s the first to enter. She comes over to hug me, but I can see that she’s worried. “I’m sorry, Mal. I didn’t mean to do this to you.” “I know. We’ll get through this.” Reina and Jane enter a moment later. There are no hugs from them. I know they care about me, but the needs of the Society have to come first. And we all know I screwed up. Bad. “I’d like to give you a chance to explain to us why you quit, Stella. I’m sure you’re aware that by doing that you’ve made our job much harder. And just because it’s your mother we’re doing this for, doesn’t mean it’s not still a real mission,” Reina tells me. “I know it’s real. It’s just the things he said.” “You knew he had to embarrass you. Ainsley said she told you about the text he got.” “I know. But what he said…I…he-he said I was just an easy lay.” “I’m sorry, Stella. But you’ve had worse said to you. I’ve heard it. And you’ve always maintained you cool.” “I love him,” I tell them quietly. “We really are turning into a dating service.” “I’m sorry, Rei.” “Don’t apologize. You can’t help who you love. I’m the poster child for loving the wrong man.” “It’s working out for you now,” I remind her. “Maybe,” she says looking down at her ring, before looking back up at me. “But we’re not here to talk about me.” “I know. I can try and get my job back.” “That’s the only acceptable outcome,” Jane tells me. “Isa got the bugs planted.” “Yes, Stella, but we need you there in person. I’m sorry, but unless you want us to abandon the mission, you need to get your job back.” I’ve never abandoned a mission. Never. It’s rare that any of us do. We’re not quitters. “I’ll get my job back.” “Good. I’m glad this is settled. I know this will be hard for you, but you wouldn’t be working for us if you wanted an easy, carefree life.” “Thanks for going easy on me, Jane.” “I’m not a mean ogre,” she says with a chuckle as she comes over to hug me. “No, you’re not. You just have to keep us on track.” “Not for much longer. Reina will be taking over fully soon.”
Reina starts to speak when Alex buzzes in. “Sorry to interrupt, but Mel’s here. She says it’s important that she talk to all of you. She specifically asked for Stella to be included.” “Send her in,” Reina says, looking at me. I shrug because I have no idea what Mel wants to see us about. Mel was once slated to be a Society girl, but she decided that she’d rather work on her own. She still helps us from time to time, even teaching a couple of the classes for our new recruits. For the last few years, that’s meant our support teams. We haven’t had turnover in any agents for a few years now. We’re all really happy with our jobs. “Hey, Mel. What can we do for you?” Reina asks when she walks in. “I got a new client yesterday who I thought you might be interested in. His name is Kace Reynolds.” My eyes widen. “Kace hired you?” “Yes he did.” “What did he ask you to do?” Reina wants to know. “Find the person who’s blackmailing him—which I’m guessing you knew about. And, well, he also wants me to see if Stella has a Sugar Daddy she’s hiding from him.” “What?” Is he insane? I’m going to kill him. He thinks I’m fucking someone else on the side. Or I guess he’d be the one on the side. I want to throw up. “He said you practically begged him for a job, yet you live in a fancy apartment and wear expensive clothes.” “So, obviously I’m getting money from some guy. While fucking Kace. This is just great. The icing on the damn cake.” “Stella, calm down.” Mallory tells me. “Seriously?” “Yes, seriously. We just talked about how you need to get your job back. Again. You can’t punch him the next time you see him.” “If it’s any consolation, he was really upset when he was talking about you. And he showed me the texts about ignoring you, and then embarrassing you. I’m assuming you know about those, too.” “Yes. We know. Did he tell you anything else?” “Actually, Reina. I think I may know something you don’t. I did tell him I was asking for outside help from friends who wouldn’t spill his secrets. So, he knows about me talking to you. Of course he doesn’t know it’s ‘you.’” “Show us what you’ve got.” She reaches into her large purse and pulls out a folder, sliding it to the middle of the table before taking out the pictures and spreading them out. “Holy shit,” I say. “He’s not protecting himself.” “No. He’s not.” No wonder he’s been doing whatever the blackmailer wants. It’s not to keep pictures of himself from surfacing. It’s much worse. The pictures are of the very married Marvin…and Vivian, Kace’s mom. Things just got a lot more complicated. * * * Kace I’m alone in my suite, thinking about Stella, as usual. I need to come up with a plan on how to get her back once this mess is all taken care of. I have faith in Mel. Of course I also have to see what Mel finds
out about Stella. If there’s some other guy involved, I’m out. No matter how much I love her, and want her, I will not share her. It would kill me. I’m still thinking about this when there’s a knock at my door. I go over and look through the peephole. It’s Stella. It’s like my thoughts brought her here—well, not exactly. She’d be naked if I manifested her. Not in this black and white tank-top and pants pajama set she’s wearing now. They’re loose and hide most of the curves I know and love. She’s still the most beautiful and sexy woman I’ve ever met. I take a deep breath and open the door. “I wasn’t sure you were going to open it,” she says, biting her bare lip and walking in when I step back. Damn if she’s not hotter when she’s like this. With no makeup, and her hair all loose and natural around the shoulders. I love her when she’s all bombshell, but this…this is when she’s devastatingly beautiful. I close the door before answering. “I’m the one who was wrong. I know it. What I said…I didn’t mean it, Stella. I swear I didn’t mean it.” “That’s what everyone thinks when they see me, you know? That I’m just some chick who sleeps with every guy she meets. Even before I started making my hair more blonde, or wearing red lipstick. I’m smart, but no one cares. And yeah, I’ve been with lots of guys. But most of those guys have been with lots of girls. And no one calls them a ‘whore’ or ‘easy.’” “You’re not those things. I don’t think of you like that.” “A part of you does, or you wouldn’t have said that to me. I’ve been called those things a lot, Kace. But until you said them to me, I never felt like they were true.” Her lips are trembling and I see tears forming in her eyes. No. Just no. “You’re not. At all. Come here, love.” I gather her into my arms, pick her up, and carry her to the couch, holding her on my lap as she cries. I kiss the top of her head and whisper reassurances until she finally stills and just wraps her arms around me, holding tight. “I’m a mess.” “You’re beautiful.” “I came here to seduce you into giving me my job back.” “So I should hold out and not tell you that I don’t want anyone else dressing me until you give me a nice blow?” “Ass,” she tells me as she swats my arm, before looking up to glare at me. “And my mouth on your cock last time was just ‘nice’? Really?” “I almost lost consciousness, so that would be a no.” “I’m waiting.” “For?” “You to better describe my mouth on you. Sucking and licking…” “You’re evil. Pure fucking evil.” I stand up fast and toss her over my shoulder. I walk into my bedroom and throw her down on the bed. “Are you going to fuck me good now, K?” “No. What I’m about to do to you is going to be bad. Very, very dirty and bad.” I pull my shirt and jeans off, letting my cock spring free since I’m not wearing any underwear. As I lean over and rip her pants down, I see I’m not the only one going commando. Her pussy’s glistening, and I lean down for a quick lick. She arches off the bed, and moves her hand beneath her shirt. “What are you doing?” “Playing with my tits.” “Did I say you could?”
Her eyes widen, and she licks her lips. “No.” I raise an eyebrow, and she pulls her hands out placing them at her sides. “I let you tie me up in your bed. In my bed, I’m in charge. You’re going to do exactly as I say, or I’ll have to punish you.” “Maybe I want to be punished.” I flip her over, and smack her ass. She moans, and I almost come. “You liked that, didn’t you? You want it harder?” “No. Just like that. Please.” That right there is another reason why this woman is so fucking hot. She’s going to tell me when I go too far. And not let me go farther than she wants. I pull her up onto her knees. “Fingers, tongue, or cock for your first one, love?” “All of the above.” “You’re a greedy girl, aren’t you?” “With you? Hell yeah. You have the stamina for it.” Oh yeah, I do. “I think you need to ride my face first. Then maybe you can have my cock.” “We can 69. I loved it when we did it like that.” I smack her again. “I told you I’m in charge. Maybe later I’ll let you suck me off, but right now I need to make you scream.” I look around and know just how I want to do this. I pull her to the end of the bed and wrap her legs around me as I walk to the chaise lounge by the window. I stand her up as I lie down, my head at the bottom. “Take off your top and bra. Then kneel down over my head, facing the window.” She does as I ask, and I reward her with another lick. Her hands clench into fists at her sides, but she keeps them there. For now. Soon she’s going to want to touch—me or her. I grab her ass with one hand and my cock with the other. I stroke myself as I suck and lick her clit and pussy. I feel it happen. She starts to reach for me. I knew it. “No touching,” I tell her as I smack her ass lightly. “Me or you.” She groans, but moves her hand back to her side. I caress her ass, and then move my fingers inside her cheeks. As I run my finger lightly over her puckered skin, she grabs my wrist, hard. “No, Kace.” I immediately move my hand around to the front and pinch her nipple. She arches her back as her hand goes back where it belongs. She’s close, but so am I. I need her to come first, or for us to come together. “I’m going to let you play with your tits now, because I want you to come,” I whisper to her as I snake my fingers into her. I can’t see what she’s doing, but I know it’s working. She’s drenching my fingers and moving faster. I feel her come as she screams my name. I come right after, shooting my load all over both of us. She leans forward, but then stops. Good girl. “You can have a taste.” She places her hands by my sides as she leans down and licks my stomach. Watching her do that has my cock growing again. I lift her up before she can have any more because I won’t be able to take it, and I want to clean us both up. “Kace.” “I said a taste. Now I need to clean us up.” I carry her into the bathroom, and place her on the counter. She kisses me before I can do anything else. I pull back and smile at her as I grab the washcloth and soap. I wash her off first and then start to clean myself. “I love your ass.”
“Thanks.” “I want it.” “I said no.” “Not even fingers?” “Is this going to be a problem, Kace? Because I won’t change my mind.” “You’ve never done it?” “I have.” What the fuck. “But you won’t with me? Really?” She pushes me back and jumps off the counter, walking back into the bedroom. She starts pulling on her clothes, and I grab her arm to stop her. She yanks it free and keeps getting dressed. “I sometimes manage to forget how young you are.” “What does that have to do with anything? I thought we were over the damn age thing.” She stops and looks at me. “Just because I’ve done something, doesn’t mean I enjoyed it. I’ve done pretty much anything you could think of, Kace. Because I wanted to try it all. I know what I like, and what I’ll never do again. I told you I won’t change my mind.” “Okay. I’m sorry. I just haven’t done it, and they do it in the…umm…well, stuff I watch.” “You watch porn and like seeing women get fucked up the ass?” “Yeah.” “You’re a guy. That should turn you on. I’m sure one of your groupies would let you do it.” She’s dressed now. And walking out of the room. I can’t let her leave. “I don’t want them. And I won’t ever try it with you. I promise. Don’t go.” “I have to, Kace. I-I don’t feel safe with you here.” I reel back from her words. “Excuse me?” “It’s just…this is your place. Your band is doing a show here, so you could ask for whatever you want. Do whatever you want—and they’d look the other way, or help you even. I don’t want to wake up and find myself in a situation I don’t want.” “I wouldn’t ever force you,” I say through gritted teeth. She leans over and kisses my cheek, not letting me pull away from her as she holds my face so I have to look in her eyes. “I want to believe that, but you were really angry right now. And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still a little hurt by what you said to me, and that I feel like we just argued right now because of you still believing it. We haven’t known each other long enough for me to trust you unconditionally. So I’m going to leave. I’ll see you tomorrow at work, and then we can go to my place after.” “Your place?” “Yes.” “So you’ll feel in charge. I get it. I’m really sorry that I made you distrust me. I was being a jerk by getting mad. I understand that no is no. I promise. And I honestly don’t believe what I said. I’ll need to keep showing you that, though, and not just say the words. I get it.” She kisses me on the mouth. Running her fingers through my hair. “We can both be in charge tomorrow. I just feel more comfortable there.” “Then that’s where we’ll go.” I get a few more kisses before she leaves, and she also thanks me for being patient with her. I don’t want her to go, but I won’t stop her. I do understand that how I reacted was wrong. I was just jealous of the guys who got to do everything with her. But I shouldn’t be. They had her for one night, and I’m getting more. If I can work this right, I might even get forever.
Chapter 9
Stella I know I made the right choice last night, but I hated leaving. I had to stand up for myself, though. If I’d done something I didn’t want to, it could’ve been the end for us. And I definitely don’t want that. Today’s one of the biggest photo shoots the guys have, so I need to be in clothes that are comfortable. I didn’t feel like wearing pants, so I’m in a sleeveless cropped shirt and a long flared skirt that goes past my knees and has a zipper up the front. It’s still winter, so I throw on an electric blue motorcycle jacket. My hair is up in a ponytail, and my makeup is in place. Shiny blue flats complete my look. I hope Kace likes it. Because yes, I am becoming that girl. The one who dresses for her boyfriend. Or whatever he is. He smiles when I walk in and comes over to give me a kiss. “I thought I’d get pants today. This outfit is so much better. You look gorgeous.” “Thanks. I…never mind.” “Nope. Tell me,” he says as he lifts my head. “I was hoping you’d like it.” A smile lights up his whole face. “You dressed for me? Now I know I’m the luckiest guy in the world.” “Don’t forget it.” “I won’t.” “Are you planning on working today, Stella? Or did you come here to flirt with Kace?” Marvin asks me with a glare. Kace starts to move towards him, but I grab his arm. “I can do both. I’m very good at multi-tasking.” “From what I’ve heard, you’d have to be.” “Don’t,” I tell Kace as I step in front of him. “He’s not worth the trouble.” I know it’s not just me he wants to punch Marvin for. I’ve seen the pictures he’s protecting. His mom and Marvin were pretty wild, even by my standards. Like seriously, BDSM to the extreme. “We need good pictures today, Marv. Waving the red flag in front of the bull won’t be a good thing,” Chad tells him. “And jealousy isn’t a good look on you Marv,” Kace adds with a smirk. “You think I want her?” “You’re a guy with a heartbeat. You want her. But she’s mine. So back the fuck off.” “You’re his, huh Stella?” “Yes. I am.” “Just get to work. All of you.” Well, that was interesting. Kace was right. Marv was practically undressing me with his eyes. I kind of wanted to hurl. I would never. Even if I wasn’t with Kace. I may have slept around, but I have standards. Smarmy creeps are definitely not my thing. I walk over to the clothing rack, picking things out, and Kace tries to control his anger. “You should’ve let me punch him. No one’s going to talk to you like that with me around.” “I appreciate it, but you’d be fighting all day and night. He’s not the first, and I can pretty much guarantee that he won’t be the last.”
I hand him some jeans, and he drops the ones he’s wearing to put them on. Damn, if my mouth doesn’t water. “My eyes are up here, love,” he tells me with a laugh. “A couple of weeks ago, you wanted me to look at your package,” I tease. “Oh I do. But only when I can do something about it.” “Later.” “Oh, I know. Believe me, I’ve been thinking about it since you left last night.” I smile, until he takes off his shirt. Then I’m consumed with lust again. He’s not crazy muscular, but he is built. The guys all work out for a couple of hours each day, and I totally appreciate the time he puts in. His shoulders, arms, chest, and damn, those abs he’s rocking. I can’t wait to lick them later. That, and the glorious V I always partially cover up. Little girls don’t need to see that. Okay, they want to see that, but they can’t. It’s bad enough that they get to see at least part of his tattoo. “Are you going to give me my shirt?” he asks, his eyes twinkling. I hand it to him and roll the sleeves up a little after he puts it on. I adjust his jeans and briefs. That little hint of his tattoo and a sliver of his underwear above his jeans really is going to drive the girls wild. The shirt isn’t right, though. I motion for him to take it off as I pull a short sleeved one off the rack instead. We trade, and I see I was right. His arm muscles are straining against the sleeves with a hint of his guns popping out of the bottom of them. Hot. Like really hot. “Perfect.” “Why thank you.” “I mean the clothes.” “No you didn’t. Well, not totally.” We both smile because we know he’s right. I get a quick kiss on the collarbone before he heads over to the make-up chair. As I sift through the clothes for his next outfit, I feel someone next to me. I turn and see Brett. “Hi, Brett.” “Is he nice to you?” “Kace?” “Yeah.” “He is, but that’s really none of your business.” He’s a nice guy but this conversation is a little weird. “I’ve always thought he was a nice guy. I just wanted to make sure.” “You’ve been friends a long time, haven’t you?” “No. Marv added me right before we went into the recording studio.” “Oh, I thought you went to high school together.” “He wanted people to think that. Marv even paid someone to plant records of me at the same school as them, and other stuff.” That’s interesting. Very interesting. “I guess it makes the story better if you were all friends.” “Yeah. I guess. I better get over there,” he says, motioning to where Kace is watching us from his chair. “Probably.” I shrug at Kace when he raises an eyebrow at me. I don’t know what that was about. I take out my phone and text the info to Tegan, Ainsley, and Isa. We need to know who Brett really is. The shoot goes really well. The guys all bring it and there’s no fighting. My mom and I got to sit and chat for most of the time. It’s really nice to work with her. The other stylists give me a wide berth, which sucks. But it is what it is. Kace and I are just getting ready to head out, when his phone buzzes. “Motherfucker,” he says. My stomach drops. I know who it’s from if he’s reacting like that. And it can’t be good.
* * * Kace Today has been great. The shoot was actually fun, and I had my girl to eat with on our break. And now I’m planning on going back to her place to make love to her all night. Pretty much the perfect day. So of course my damn blackmailer has to go and ruin it. I read the text again, as Stella tries to catch my eye. She knows something’s up by the way I reacted. I couldn’t help but react. And I won’t do what it asks. I can’t. I need to talk to my mom. Tell her what’s going on. Because this will affect her, too. But I just can’t do what I’m being told to. It’s too much. “I need to talk to my mom. Can I meet you at your place later?” “Yeah. Is everything okay?” “No. And it’s only going to get worse.” “Can I help you? Let me help you, Kace.” “I wish you could,” I tell her honestly as I kiss her. “I promise to be over later, okay?” “Yeah. Call if you need me before then. I mean it. Anything you need, K.” “Thanks.” She gets a text as she waits for the elevator, and her gasp makes me turn around. She meets my eyes and smiles. “Go see your mom, Kace. I just got a message that shocked me a little.” That makes two of us. I nod and turn back around, walking up to my mom as she’s packing up her ereader. “I need to talk to you, Mom.” “Of course. What’s up?” “Not here.” “Okay? You’re scaring me a little.” “Something’s been going on. And it’s pretty bad. I was trying to keep it from you—I wanted to protect you. But I can’t anymore.” “You don’t need to protect me. It’s my job to protect you.” “Will you go with me, somewhere?” “Of course.” I take her hand and we walk out. I drive to the Corrigan & Co. building. When I texted Mel, she said I should meet her there at the Corrigan & Co. Foundation offices. I’m not sure why, but she’s the professional. The guards are expecting us, and we’re waved through to the parking lot. This place is like a fortress. The receptionist gives us badges and activates the elevator for us. There’s no button for me to push inside, and when it moves on its own, I feel like I’m in a spy movie. Kind of like at Stella’s place. The receptionist in the foundation offices is Alex Griffin. “Hi, Kace. It’s nice to see you again. They’re expecting you in the conference room. I’ll take you there.” She introduces herself to my mom and shakes her hand. She has to have her eye and hand scanned to open the inner door. Serious spy stuff around here for sure. She opens the door and then walks back to her desk. I shake my head as I walk in. Then stop in my tracks. Jane Corrigan is at the head of the table. Mel’s to one side of her and Stella’s friend, Reina, is on the other. Tegan is also here, along with the girl who showed up at the loft that day, and Zack Taylor’s fiancé is next to her. “What the fuck?”
“Hello, Kace. Please take a seat.” “No. Why am I here? Did you tell them, Mel?” “I told you I was having friends help me.” “How are some chicks who work at a foundation going to help me?” “Because we’re the best,” Stella says, walking into the room and looking pissed. “And I don’t have a Sugar Daddy. I know you were wondering about that.” Well, fuck. “I just needed to know how you could afford all that.” “And of course you immediately thought I got it from some guy. While I was fucking you, in my bed that you thought someone else paid for. You’re such an ass.” “You came to my room last night.” “I have a job to do.” “Fucking me is just a job?” “Aww, did you really think I wanted it from you?” “Stella. This is not the time or place,” Reina tells her. “You can kick his ass later. And do not suggest you slept with him as part of your job. That is not something we do.” “Sorry,” she says, looking vulnerable and sad. “I’m not sure what’s going on here,” my mom says. “You told my mom that you needed help because you found a blackmail note. So, she came to us and got help,” Stella says. “You knew?” I ask my mom. “I found a note in the trash. That’s all I knew. What did you do that you need to hide?” I don’t answer her as I sink into the closest chair and put my head in my hands. “It’s not me.” “What?” “The pictures aren’t of me.” “Stella?” “I met him after you saw the note, so that would be a no. Although pictures of him pulling my dress down and groping me are pretty much everywhere.” She turns to look at me. “Thanks for that, by the way.” “Stella,” Reina warns her again. “He hurt me. Why can’t you get that? I already went and begged for my job back, even when I wanted to just punch him. How much more do I have to suck up to him, or suck his cock, before it’s enough?” “Go to your office. We’ll talk later,” Reina tells her as I just sit there in shock. “Yay. We can be on probation together,” Tegan says and they high five. “What’s going on here? You’re on probation, Teeg? And Stella’s gone off the rails? I helped train you better,” Mel says. “This mission’s messed with both our heads. I got worried she’d ditch me to hang out with asswipe over there, and I told some tales I shouldn’t have. Then she actually fell for him and got her feelings hurt, so she quit her job and had to get it back because none of us could take her place,” Tegan tells her. “But they’re both on track now. Or they will be.” Reina looks stressed, and I don’t blame her. I’m holding onto Tegan saying Stella fell for me. That means it was real—she wanted me, even though she just said she didn’t. Or maybe Tegan’s lying. It’s too much right now, and I need to get back on track. “The pictures are of you and Marvin,” I tell my mom. “Oh my God.” “Why were you with him? I mean, you could do so much better, Mom.”
She doesn’t want to answer. I can see that she doesn’t. But then she does. “I got drunk one night when we first met him. I slept with him and told him some things. Things I’d never told anyone else.” “So he blackmailed you?” “Yes and no. I mean, I kind of love him. So I wanted to be with him. I just didn’t want him recording it. But he said he wanted to watch us later.” Oh God. I’m going to throw up. My mom and Marv? Disgusting. But if she loves him, I have to support her. “Does he love you?” “He says he does. I know he’s an ass with you and everyone else. But he really is good to me. And he’s furious about your behavior. So I don’t think he’d be the one blackmailing you.” “Well someone got their hands on the tapes. We may need to bring Marvin in on this,” Reina says. “You’re still going to help me?” “Yes, Kace. We don’t give up on missions once we take them on. But I’m only going to tell you this once. Stella is amazing. And if you can’t get your head out of your ass and treat her right, you need to move on because there are nine women and at least five men who will tear you apart if you keep hurting her.” Wow. I just got threatened by a sexy super spy. That went so much differently in my teenage dreams. Real life blows sometimes. And not in a good way. “I understand.” “Good. Now we have to decide how to proceed. I’m going to suggest again that we bring Marvin in. Then he and Stella can fake your latest demand.” “You know about that?” “Stella cloned your phone.” “And I planted lots of bugs that day I came to your loft,” the young girl says. “You did a good job, pretending to be a teenage groupie.” “Thanks. I’m Isabelle, by the way. If you make up with Stella, you can call me Isa.” “I’ll remember that.” “Speaking of teenagers, you need to get back to working on your cover for your upcoming mission.” “Roger that,” she says as she salutes and then walks out. Reina rolls her eyes. “Why am I doing this again?” “Because you were made for this, Rei,” Mel tells her. “There’s no one better to take over for Jane.” Jane nods her agreement and then looks at my mom. “We’ll need you to call Marvin now, Vivian.” My mom makes the call, and we’re just waiting for Marv to get here. He said he’s about thirty minutes away. I can’t just sit here and wait, knowing Stella’s somewhere in the building. My knees are bouncing and I’m biting my lip as everyone just chats with each other. “Come on,” Tegan says, standing up. “I’ll take you to her.” “Tegan.” “Reina.” “Fine. We’ll call you when Marvin gets here.” “She’s intense,” I tell Stella when we leave the room. “You have no idea.” We go to the end of the hall, and Tegan opens the door. Stella’s curled up with some guy’s arm around her as she leans into him. Another guy’s holding her hand. Zack Taylor, Gavin Harris, Matt Corrigan, and a bunch of girls are spread out on couches and chairs in the biggest dressing room/closet I’ve ever seen. There’s a desk in the corner. This is Stella’s office. And just like her apartment, it’s so very her. “What the fuck is he doing here?” Zack asks, standing up.
“It’s okay, Football,” Stella says. “No, Stell. It’s really not,” the guy holding her hand says. He lets her go and stands up, too. Oh fuck. He’s big. Bigger than Taylor, and that’s saying something. I’m a dead man. I might as well just go ahead and get myself killed. “I need to talk to Stella. Alone.” “I don’t think so,” Matt says. Here we go. “Well, I do. Everyone out.” Thank God Stella just said that. I wasn’t quite ready to die yet. “Seriously? You’ve been in here crying over him and how you may lose your job because of him, and now you want us to leave you alone with the bastard?” the guy with his arm around her asks. “Yes, Aiden. We need to do this. I appreciate you all. You know I do. But get out.” They all glare at me as they walk out. I lean against the closed door, staring at the woman I love. The woman who was secretly helping me, and who I hurt. But I’m hurt too. “What was real, Stella?” “Everything with us.” “You said in there that you just came to me last night to get your job back. Is that why you left?” “No. I told you why I left. And yes, I needed my job back, but as Reina said, sex isn’t part of my real job.” “You’re in trouble.” “That’s an understatement.” “How can I help?” She looks me in the eye, and what I see scares me a little. She looks so scared and vulnerable, and not like my fierce and sexy bombshell. “Can you hug me?” I’m on the couch in seconds, pulling her into my arms. “What else do you need?” “Just this. Just you. You make me so angry sometimes. But so happy, too.” “Does the happy outweigh the angry?” “Usually, no.” “I’ll have to work on that. Although, ‘Angry Stella’ is fucking hot. I wanted to throw you on that conference table and fuck you hard when you were insulting me.” “You’re so ridiculous.” “And you love me for it.” “I do,” she says softly. “I love you, Kace.” “I love you too, Stella.” “Good. Because I may need you to be my Sugar Kid for a while if I get fired.” “Anytime, love. But I don’t think they’re going to fire you. They called Marvin so he can play along with my latest order. Which I’m guessing you know about.” “Yeah, I do. You weren’t going to do it, were you? That’s why you called Mel today.” “I would never do that. It’s too much.” “Thanks. Why aren’t you angry, though? You got mad about Scott. Why aren’t you mad that we bugged your place and I cloned your phone?” “Because I know my mom asked your mom for help. And that’s what all of you have been doing— helping me. And also because one of my teenage fantasies was that a female spy would seduce me. So, thanks for making that happen.” “I aim to please,” she says as she leans over to kiss me. We make out for what seems like seconds, but must be longer because Ainsley’s voice comes over a speaker in the room. “The cameras are off, but I know you’re both in there. Marvin’s here now so Reina
wants you back in the conference room.” “Thanks for turning off the cameras. We’ll be there in a couple of minutes.” “I don’t want to let go of these,” I tell her as I run my thumbs over her nipples. I love holding her tits in my hands. “And I don’t want to let go of this,” she says, giving my cock one last squeeze before pulling her hand out of my pants. “But I’d rather not have Reina come in here and get us. Which she will. Or worse, she’ll send Matt.” “Fine. But I want custody for at least an hour later.” “Custody?” “Well, they are twins,” I remind her, giving them both one last squeeze before I fix her bra and pull her top back down. “True enough,” she tells me with a laugh. “And they’re all yours whenever you want them.” “Same for me and my body, love.” “Unless you’re feeling bossy again, Kace.” “Or you tie me up again, Stella.” The door bursts open before we can say anything else. “Sorry to interrupt, but Reina wants you. Now.” “I told you she’d send Matt.”
Chapter 10
Stella Marvin’s livid when he hears what’s been going on. He’s also apologetic. To both Vivian, and me. He tells me he’s sorry for the way he’s treated me. He just thought I was out for a piece of Kace. “I want all of Kace, actually,” I tell him. “It looks like the feelings are mutual.” Kace and I walked in holding hands, and haven’t let go yet. It feels nice to hold hands, especially when he runs his thumb over my hand every once in a while. I know he’s doing it to show me his support; I love him even more for it. “You don’t have any idea who could’ve gotten their hands on the tape?” Reina asks him, trying to keep everyone on track. “No. But when you find them, I’m going to kick the shit out of them. That tape was for me. No one else should’ve seen it. Or pictures from it. Especially not Kace. I’m sorry, son.” “Me too. I never wanted to see you, or my mom, like that.” He shudders a little, and I’m the one rubbing his hand now, leaning over to kiss his cheek. Reina gives me a look, and I roll my eyes. It’s just a cheek kiss for God’s sake. We work out the details for the night. Kace and I are going to meet Marvin for drinks at the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmo. Marvin and I will go up to a room, and after a half hour, I’ll come back down with my hair a little messy and my lipstick off. Kace will have to do a good acting job. He assures us he can look relieved and sad, thinking about sending me off in order to protect his mom. And I can act hurt. We all start to file out, when Reina stops me. “Stella, you can meet Kace once we’re done here.” “You want me to stay, love?” “You can’t. I’ll see you soon.” “I love you.” “I love you, too.” He kisses me hard and long, only stopping when Reina clears her throat. I sigh and turn to her as he closes the door and leaves. “Have a seat, Stella.” “Just go ahead and fire me.” “Is that what you want?” “Of course not.” “Then please sit down so we can talk.” I sit down, and look her in the eye. “I really am sorry. He just makes me crazy.” “I know what that’s like. Matt and I have caused many a scene,” she reminds me with a smile. “I just need to know that you can complete this mission. You know the blackmailer may ask for worse from him before we can track them down. You have to be able to handle going along with whatever comes up.” “I will. We talked a little earlier, and we’re both on the same page with our relationship. Knowing that makes me feel more secure.” “Okay, I trust you—and so does Jane.” “That’s it?” “Do you want it to be harder?”
“No, but Tegan’s on probation and all.” “She betrayed your trust. You just acted a little inappropriately. There’s a big difference between the two.” “She’s really sorry, too.” “I know. And she won’t be on probation forever.” “Especially since Isa may need her for her mission. Which is crazy, by the way.” When Isa went to Kace’s room, acting like a groupie, she was approached by an actual teenager. He offered her a job. Yeah, that kind of job. He was wearing a jacket with the crest from a local private school. Isa thought fast, and told him she was starting at the school in a couple of weeks, once her parents were settled into their new house. She said she’d think about his offer. She brought the info to Reina and Jane and asked to go undercover. This is totally in our normal mission wheelhouse, and they couldn’t pass up the chance this guy gave them. Some friends of the Society agreed to act as Isa’s parents, and Ainsley’s team has been perfecting the cover. She’ll start at the school in a couple of days. It’s crazy to think of kids running a prostitution ring, exploiting their classmates. Adults doing it is bad enough. “Yeah. The fact that the kid came up to her in public like that tells me they think they’re above the law. But no one’s above us.” “She’ll get them. I’ll go pull her clothes before I leave just in case something else happens.” “Thanks. And Stella…I’m happy for you. I hope this works out with Kace.” “Me, too. And I know it’s going to work out for you and Matt. A year where you’re living together? He’s going to have to face his feelings.” “It could be perfect or it could go really, really bad. I do need a wedding dress if you have time, though.” “Of course. I’d love to do it. I’ll pick out a few things I know you’ll love.” “No.” “No?” “This isn’t real. I can’t walk down an aisle in a dress I’d dream about knowing the man at the end doesn’t really want it. I don’t want something I’ll hate, but I can’t wear something I’d love, either.” “Got it. I’ll find you a dress you like.” We hug, and then I head to my office to get things done before my “date” tonight. * * * Kace I’m sitting in the bar, waiting for Stella to come back. I’ve made sure to keep a pissed off look on my face while she’s been gone. It’s not hard. I’m very pissed. If Stella hadn’t been who she is, and Marv hadn’t agreed to this, pictures of my mom would be all over the internet right now. How can someone do that to another person? “Hey, man. Fancy seeing you here. Alone. Where’s your hot woman?” Wayne asks as he takes the seat next to me. “She’s in a meeting. She’ll be back soon.” “A meeting, huh? In a hotel? Think I could join in?” I want to grab him and slam him onto the bar, but there are too many people with cell phone cameras giving us looks already. “I will kill you if you don’t stop saying shit about Stella.” “Touchy.”
“When did you become such an ass?” “When did you?” “We were such good friends. You, me, and Chad. I want that back man. With Brett, too.” “And what the star wants…” “Is that what this is about? I can’t help it that they keep putting me up front. You’ve heard me tell them not to single me out. I don’t need that attention.” “You really don’t care? Even just a little bit?” “Nope. I just want to sing, and hang with you guys. And my girl.” “You really like her, huh?” “I love her.” “Well, shit. I’ll stop acting like a bastard to her, then.” “Thanks. I really don’t want to have to kill you.” “I’d like to live. Speaking of living, there’s your girl.” I look over to see Stella walking back. She’s pulling at her clothes, and biting her lip. Playing her part perfectly. She walks over and stands in front of me. “Can we go now, Kace?” “We should stay and have a drink with Wayne now.” Her eyes widen. “I really want to go.” “Are you okay, Stella” Wayne asks, looking concerned. “She’s fine. We’ll catch you later.” “Yeah. Later.” We do the half hug thing and I pull Stella after me, acting annoyed. We both keep up the act until we’re in my car, heading for her place. Then I reach over and squeeze her knee. “You’re okay, right? He didn’t try anything?” “No. And I would’ve taken him down if he had. My acting was pretty good though, huh?” “Very stellar Ms. Stella.” “No. Just no. You’re such a dork.” “You know what a dork is right? A whale’s penis. Nice of you to finally admit how big mine is.” “Idiot.” “Sexy.” “Umm, I just insulted you and you complimented me back.” “Yep. I’m just that kind of guy. You know, thoughtful and shit.” “I think you may just be perfect for me.” “I am.” Just wait until we get to her place and she sees what Tegan and their friend, Faith, helped me plan. I found Tegan before I left the Foundation earlier and told her what I wanted to do. Everything should be in place by now. We walk into her apartment, and it’s even better than I expected. There are fresh flowers, and lit candles everywhere. I can smell the pot roast Faith said she’d make for us, too. “Kace?” “I had some help.” “But you planned this for me?” “Yeah,” I tell her feeing shy all of a sudden. “It’s perfect.”
I lead her to one of the big cushioned love seats she has around her custom dining table. “I’ll get the food. You relax. It’s been a hard day for you.” “For both of us.” “Tonight’s for you, love. All for you.” She smiles at me as I lean down and kiss her. “Thank you, K.” I grab us food, and then settle next to her. We eat in silence, stealing kisses here and there, but just really enjoying that we can be together. Once we’re done, I pick her up, and carry her to her bathroom. Tegan drew the bath for me, and activated the tub warmer. Yeah, I know. Who has a tub warmer? Apparently Ainsley can create almost any technology a person can think of. I undress Stella, making myself behave, and then lift her into the tub. She slides under the bubbles and rose petals with a sigh that goes straight to my cock. I try to will it down, but it’s no use. I guess I’ll just be singing with a raging hard on. Not like I haven’t done it onstage before. Being a teenager and having women and girls throw their bras at me, then flash me…well, yeah, I got hard. But it was nothing like it is when I’m around, or in, Stella. She gets me so hard I think my cock might break sometimes. Which really isn’t as bad as it sounds. It’s actually really good. I pick up the guitar Tegan stashed for me, and start to strum. As I sing the first notes of Love Me Tender, Stella’s eyes open and she smiles at me. She sits up and rests her chin on her hands as she watches me serenade her. When I finish she claps and blows me kisses. “Why don’t you ever sing your songs?” “You didn’t like that?” “I loved it. I was just wondering. With the kids, and now with me, it always seems to be other people’s songs.” “I give my songs to the world. I want to give you something else. On opening night of the show, I’ll be signing to you, though. Only you, love.” “Are you taking requests tonight?” “I’ll play you anything you want. As long as I know it.” “Sexual Healing.” Fuck yeah. “Okay,” I manage to croak out. As I begin to play, she stands up in the tub, flicking the plug so the water starts draining. She starts moving her hands over her body as I sing the words to her. She’s taking time with her nipples and her clit, pinching and rubbing as I fight to keep my composure. I manage to finish the song without coming in my pants, and I’m pretty damn proud of myself. I place the guitar to the side and stand up. “I told you tonight was for you,” I say, leaning over to lick her nipple. “I did that for me.” “Sure you did.” I lick her other nipple, and slide my hand between her legs. She’s so wet and ready for me. I slide my fingers in and out of her and over her clit a few times as she moans. I tamp down the urge to take her right here, and pick her up instead. I think I shock her when I put her down outside the tub and don’t carry her to her bed. “In here?” “No. I just need to dry you off. Then we’re going to that sexy bed of yours.” I grab one of the fluffy green towels and thoroughly dry her off. Then I kiss my way up her legs and beyond until I’m standing before her. “I’m loving this, K. All of it.” “This is just the beginning,” I remind her with a smile. “You have too many clothes on.” “You wanna see my hot bod, huh?”
“Mm-hm. I love your body.” “Any specific part in particular?” I ask as I kick of my shoes and start undressing for her. “Your throat.” What? “My throat?” “Yep. It’s where those sexy words you say and sing to me come from.” I let go of my shirt as I grab her and kiss her, picking her up in the process. Her legs wrap around my waist as I walk us into her room. “How and where, Stella?” “Get on the bed and lean against the headboard. I need to ride your cock.” Oh yeah. If I’m sitting, she’s going to do it differently. And I’m going to love every second of it. I can’t wait. I sit like she wants me to, and she slides down on me. Instead of moving right away, she swings her legs around and hooks them over my arms. The new position pushes me even farther inside of her. I hold her legs while placing my hands on her hips. She nods and I start to thrust while holding her down. She grabs the headboard, putting her nipples right where we both want them, and I take one in my mouth and suck hard. As I bite down, she starts bucking. She’s pumping on me, but it’s not enough for her. She pushes her legs back down to straddle me and starts riding me hard, making me almost slide out more than once as she completely loses herself in me. It’s possibly the most erotic thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I should hold her down again, but I can’t. I’m transfixed by the sight of her taking me how she needs to. Harder and harder, her tits jiggling in front of me. When she screams my name, I come right along with her, thrusting hard into her as she clenches around my cock. And then I realize what was so good and different about this time. I wasn’t wearing a condom. “Stella, love, I didn’t have a condom on.” “I’ve seen your files. You’re clean. I’m clean and on birth control. You said tonight was for me, and I needed to feel you.” “God, I love you,” I tell her as I turn us on our sides and nuzzle her neck. “You’re getting hard again, already.” “You sound surprised.” “Just in awe of your youth.” “That’s all that you’re awed by?” “Do I really need to say it?” “It’d be nice. I need my ego stroked sometimes.” “I’m in awe of what you and your big cock do to me. Now let me stroke that,” she says, taking me in hand. Hours later, we’re cuddled up under a throw on her couch. We came downstairs to blow out all the candles, and then we realized that we hadn’t christened any of the lower floor yet. Now, we both have a few extra bite marks, and neither one of us are moving very easily. So, we’re just cuddling. Which is pretty fucking awesome. “How did you become a secret agent?” “It’s not an exciting story, really.” “Go on.” “I was styling for an actress who was filming in Chicago. There was some shady stuff going on with the producer of the film, and the Society had someone undercover. I ended up helping her figure things out without knowing she was there officially. When it was all over, Mallory came and talked to me. She said she was impressed with what I had done and told me she had an opening for someone who was smart and unique. No one had ever wanted me for my brain before, so I said yes. Five years later, here I am. Oh, and
the person undercover was Audrey. I don’t think you’ve met her yet. Which is probably good. You’d probably want to leave me for her. She’s the sexiest of all of us.” “I want you for your brain. Just so you know. Your body, too, but I love your sexy brain. So, I’m not leaving you for anyone else.” “Thanks. That means more than you know.” “Have you ever slept with someone on your mission before?” “Yes. But not like this. Sex used to be fun.” “It’s not fun with me?” “You know what I mean. That’s all it was. With you, it’s just an added bonus of awesome.” “It is very awesome.” “But?” “But I want you guys to figure this out, so I can show you to the world as mine.” “I want that, too. I won’t be able to go on many missions once that happens, but I can work behind the scenes.” I keep my mouth shut. Because what I want to say is that I’m glad she can’t go out anymore. That she won’t be undercover and sleeping with other guys. But I know that would be bad. And wrong. From what I’ve figured out, she helps people. “I wouldn’t, Kace.” “Wouldn’t what?” “Sleep with some other guy on a mission. That’s what you’re thinking about, isn’t it?” “Kind of.” “This is important to me. You’re important to me. I wouldn’t jeopardize that.” “Me either. I’m not going to sleep with anyone else if we go on tour again.” “Good. Now let’s go to sleep so I have enough strength to suck you off in the shower before work tomorrow.” Oh yeah. I’m a really lucky guy.
Chapter 11
Stella The blackmailer has been quiet since my night “with” Marv. Kace told me about his conversation with Wayne in the bar, and now we’re wondering if it really was him, and he’s decided to give up now that Kace assured him he doesn’t want to be the “star” of the band. Everyone’s still painting him that way, and as the opening show draws closer, fans have been flooding the hotel. We haven’t been able to go to my place for a week now. Teeg brought me clothes, and I’ve just camped out with Kace in his suite. I trust him now, and know I’m safe. He told me he’s more than satisfied with what we do and apologized again for making me uncomfortable. We spend most nights talking, watching our favorite TV shows, and, of course, making love. It’s really nice. I wish we could stay this way forever. But I’m afraid something bad is going to happen, and that this is just the calm before the storm. We’re making out on the couch when Kace’s phone goes off. I know he wants to ignore it, but we both know he can’t. Especially when mine goes off a minute later. We both know what that means. It’s the blackmailer. He pulls away to look and lets out a string of curses. “What now?” “I have to get falling over drunk and then go out to see the fans.” I can tell he’s not saying it all. He knows I’ll have the text, so I don’t know why he’s hiding it. I pick up my phone and let out my own curses. “You have to convince me to go down and get you, then make out with you in front of them.” “You don’t have to. I can say I couldn’t convince you. They’ll hate you if you do it.” “They’ll hate me anyway if you’re still planning on me being your date for opening night.” “Of course you’re my date. It’s going to be pretty bad. I won’t lie to you. I’ve seen what they’ve done to the girlfriends of other singers.” “I can handle it as long as I know you’ll be there with me.” “Always,” I tell her leaning over to kiss her. “I guess I should start drinking.” We get him good and drunk, and Nate, who’s been posing as a new security guy, takes him downstairs. He’ll text me when it’s time for my appearance. I do my makeup and hair like I’m going out to a club. I step into the shortest and tightest dress I have with me and put on my heels. They’re going to hate me no matter what I wear, so I might as well do it up. Five minutes later, I get the text. Nate tells me to hurry since Kace isn’t going to be upright much longer. I get off the elevator and see him leaning on two girls. “Baby, there you are,” I say as I get off the elevator. “Stella. I love you,” he says stumbling over to me. He’s kind of adorable when he’s drunk. I grab his mouth and kiss him hard. He wraps his arms around me, and I use my hands on his face to help hold him up. We kiss for several minutes, until the fans start booing and screaming out insults at me. Nate and hotel security get us back into the elevator and up to the suite. I tell them I’ve got it covered, and help him flop onto the bed, bringing the trash can over. I sit with him all night as he pukes up the alcohol and curses the damn blackmailer. We both finally fall asleep after the sun has risen, only squeezing in a quick nap before we’re up and getting dressed for work.
Nate comes to the door and tells us it’s really bad. We’re all over the news, and the fans are tearing me apart on social media. It’s okay. I’ve got Kace. Nothing will get to me as long as he’s here with me. He takes my hand before we step out of the elevator and holds it tight as we fight through the crowd of journalists and fans just to get to the employee hallways. “I’m so sorry, love. So, so sorry.” “It’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re opinion’s the only one that matters.” “My opinion is that you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.” “See? Then all is good.” Dress rehearsal sucks, which is generally a good thing in any theater performance. Kace is still hung over, Brett’s battling a cold, and Wayne and Chad just keep glaring at everyone and missing their cues. The stage manager is about to have a heart attack when Marv tells them to break for lunch. The hotel brought in a buffet for all of us. Kace and I sit with the guys to eat. Chad doesn’t like it, and he makes sure to tell me. “Do you need to be attached at his hip, Stella? Have some self-respect.” Wayne comes to my defense before Kace can. “Chill out man, Stella’s cool.” “Whatever.” “Hi Kace.” We all turn and I see a young girl around Kace’s age walking towards us. He stiffens next to me while Chad stands up. “What are you doing here, Cam?” “I came to see Kace.” “Umm, hi Cameron. Why are you here to see me?” “I saw you with her,” she says, shocking me with the sneer on her face. “This is my girlfriend, Stella. Stella, this is Chad’s sister, Cameron.” “I was your girlfriend.” “That was a long time ago.” “My friends don’t believe me.” “He’ll tell them. Do you want him to record a video or something?” I ask her. She looks so sad, and I want to try and help. “Can he say he’s my boyfriend now?” “No,” Kace tells her. “It’s fine, Kace. You can do that for her. I don’t mind.” “Well, I do. You already broke her heart, and then just went on with your life like it was nothing. Like she was nothing.” I’m getting a bad feeling about this. I make eye contact with Nate, and he nods. He can feel it, too. “Stop babying me, Chad. Kace just needed to go out and have fun before he comes back to me.” “I’m with Stella now, Cameron.” “For now. You’ll get bored with her. You got bored with all the other girls.” “I love her.” “You said you loved me.” “I-I thought I did. Like I said, that was a long time ago.” “I came here to be your date for the show.” “Stella’s my date.” “You could take her.” I want to go with him, but this girl is on the verge of losing it, and I don’t know what’s going to happen when she does. “No. I can’t. I’m sorry, Cameron, but I’m planning to be with Stella forever.” “It’s because she’s a slut, isn’t it? I can learn to do all the things she can.”
Okay. I’m done playing nice now. And so is Kace. “Get your sister the fuck out of here, Chad.” “You can’t tell me what to do. Just because you’re the star and no one cares how you behave doesn’t mean you have more say than I do.” “He doesn’t have more say, but your sister can’t come in here and insult his woman like that,” Wayne tells him. “He fucked my sister, feeding her bullshit lines about love and marriage. He broke her.” “I was sixteen. She was the first girl I’d ever been with. Of course I thought I loved her.” “No. You don’t understand. No one believes me and I told them you’d be my date for my birthday party next week.” “We’re singing at your party, but I never said I’d be your date. Never.” My phone pings with a text. The text I knew was coming. “Chad’s your blackmailer, Kace. Ainsley just confirmed that the text messages came from a phone in his pocket.” “You bastard,” Kace says lunging for him. Brett and Wayne try to intervene, but Nate and I hold them back. Marvin comes running in with more security. They pull Kace and Chad apart. “What’s the hell is going on?” “He’s the blackmailer,” I tell him. “It’s Chad.” “You little son of a bitch.” “You’re the one who was fucking his mom. In all kinds of disgusting ways. She’s just as big of a slut as his new girlfriend.” No one was ready for Marvin to lunge for Chad, so he gets a few good hits in before he’s pulled back. “Don’t ever talk about Viv or Stella like that ever again.” “Can someone please tell us what the hell is going on here?” “Let’s sit down, and I’ll explain it all to you. At least the parts I know.” * * * Kace I can’t believe it’s Chad. We’ve always been good friends. I mean I kind of get it after seeing Cameron. I didn’t know she was still hung up on me. It’s been almost five years since she was my girlfriend. And it was only for two months. After we tell them everything, Wayne and Brett look like they want to beat Chad up, too. “Seriously? You blackmailed him with pictures of his mom and Marvin? What is wrong with you?” Wayne asks him. “I wanted him to get knocked down a few pegs. My sister’s not the only girl whose heart he’s broken. But no one cared because he’s the star. I thought if he got a bad reputation, the fans would turn on him. But they didn’t. They loved him even more. And then Stella came along, and she’s a badass as well as being smoking hot. But you fell under his spell, too. I mean, what’s he got, a magic cock?” “It’s very nice, but ‘magic’ is going a little far,” she tells him, trying to ease some of the tension in the room. I love her for it, but nothing’s going to calm me down at the moment. “But why my mom, dude? There were a few things I really didn’t want to do, but I couldn’t have those pictures leaked.” “She sacrificed everything for you. I knew there was nothing you wouldn’t do for her. Including giving your girlfriend to Marvin. How was she, by the way?” “Wait, was that why you were at the bar at the Cosmo looking all pissed off that night?” Wayne asks me. “Yes, but no. It was an act. They went upstairs together and stayed up there long enough to make it seem like they’d done something.”
“Are you sure?” Chad asks, taunting me. “I’m about to punch you myself. Why are you goading him when you know he already wants to kill you?” Stella asks him. “So, you knew about my fun. Did you think it was Wayne? I bet you did.” “He was a suspect, yes.” “But I wasn’t, was I? No one pays any attention to me or Brett. We’re just the filler.” “That’s bullshit. You’re crazy talented, and Brett, well Brett’s pretty much a genius, musical and otherwise.” “The fans don’t see it that way. Our stuff sells way less than yours.” “Maybe if you’d focused your energy on trying to get more exposure instead of blackmailing me, you’d have more fans. Or if you’d just come to me and talked.” “I can’t believe you hurt my Kace, Chad. How could you do that?” Oh sweet Mother of God. We all forgot she was still in the room. Cameron needs help. Like serious help. When she puts her arms around me, I jump up. “Cameron, I am not yours. We were together five years ago. For two months. We’re not getting back together.” “If I can’t have you, neither can she,” she says, pulling a gun from her purse and pointing it at Stella. “Put the gun away before you hurt yourself, sweetie,” Stella tells her standing up. “I’ll shoot you. I swear I will.” “No you won’t.” Stella moves so fast, I almost don’t see it happen. She pulls the gun from Cameron’s hand and elbows her in the chin, knocking her over. “You have to cock the gun if you want to shoot someone. Otherwise nothing will happen.” “Damn, that was hot,” Wayne says. I shoot him a glare and he shuts up. “She needs a psych evaluation, Chad,” Stella tells him. “I know. She hasn’t mentioned Kace in a couple weeks so I thought she was getting over him.” “I got her, Stell,” Nate says, pulling Cameron to her feet and walking her out the door. “Now, we need to figure out how to get past this,” Marv says. “I’m not getting past this. He tried to destroy my life. And the group.” “We have a contract with the hotel. They’ll sue if we break it.” “Chad going to jail should be a good enough reason to break it.” “You don’t really want to press charges, do you?” “The hell I don’t. I’d rather give up all my money and move in with Stella than let him walk free so we can do some shows.” I turn to Stella for confirmation. “I can move in with you, right?” “Yes.” “What about us? Are we moving in with Stella, too?” Wayne asks. “I’m fine with whatever Kace wants,” Brett says. “You would be,” Chad says with a sneer. “How many of the shows would we have to do?” “All of them,” Marv tells me. “I can’t commit to that right now.” “So take it one show at a time,” Stella tells me, rubbing my back. I look up into her eyes. She’s going to get me through this. I can do anything—including getting up on stage with the guy who blackmailed me—if she’s with me. “Okay. But when we’re not on stage or doing press, I don’t want him anywhere near me. And every copy of those pictures—and that tape—better be destroyed.”
“Fine. I guess I should say thanks,” Chad says. “Don’t. I’m doing this for Wayne and Brett. I could care less about what happens to you.” Everyone finishes eating in silence. After, we go back out to the stage, but none of us are into it now. We decide to just quit for the day and rest before opening night tomorrow. Stella and I go back to my suite. “How are you holding up, K?” “I’m not.” “What can I do? Or I should say, is there anything I can do?” “Just be with me.” “Always.” A few hours later and we’re naked on the couch. I realize that I need to apologize to her. “I’m sorry about Cameron.” “You don’t have anything to apologize for. You couldn’t have known she’d been so obsessed with you for all these years.” “She pulled a gun on you.” “It’s not the first time I’ve had a gun on me. And all your fans would love to do it, so it probably won’t be the last.” “I don’t want you to be in danger because of me.” “I’m not going anywhere. Unless you want me to.” She sits up, her hair falling over one shoulder as she leans on her hand. God, she’s so beautiful. I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I’m not letting her go. “I don’t want you to leave. That’s the last thing I want.” “Good. Now stop worrying and kiss me.” I smile as I pull her back down to me. I do more than kiss her. All night. I know I should be resting for my show tomorrow, but I need her. All of her. Because I have a bad feeling about letting the show go on. And despite recent events, my instincts tend to be spot on.
Chapter 12
Stella I’m getting ready in the suite while Kace finishes some interviews. I wanted to look sexy, but not over the top for tonight. I chose a sleeveless white top that’s high in front, but drapes low in back. Rhinestones drape over my shoulders on each side. I paired it with a short black skirt that has a fringe overlay in different lengths. Sexy, blinged out high heel boots with a peep toe are on my feet, and my hair’s in a messy bun with strands hanging down all over. “Hello, gorgeous,” Kace says, walking into the bathroom. “Hi rock star.” “You look amazing, love.” He puts his arms around me and kisses the nape of my neck. I lean back into him and we smile at each other in the mirror. “I can’t wait to see you up on stage tonight.” “You’ve seen me on stage all week.” “Not with hundreds of girls screaming for you.” “You want to hear that?” “No. But I want to be able to sit there and know you’re going home with me.” “Sit? You’re going to sit through the concert?” “What do I get if I stand?” “Hmm…an extra orgasm?” “Just one?” “You’re so greedy—but I love it.” “And I’m standing without the extra ‘o’ so no worries there. I just had to mess with you.” “I love you so much.” “I love you more.” “Not even possible.” “We could be here all day, so let’s just say we love each other equally.” “That works.” I turn in his arms and we kiss for several minutes. Until Nate knocks on the door, letting us know we need to leave in five minutes. I put on my lipstick—I knew better than to put any on before Kace got back —and grab my clutch. We hold hands all the way down and through the crowds again. I make sure everything’s set for him backstage. My mom’s handling his changes, along with Brett’s for tonight so I can be in the audience. I thank her again, and go out to my seat in the front row. “Oh look, it’s the slut who thinks she can keep Kace,” the girl to my right says to her friend. I ignore her. And the girl to my left. And then the ones behind me. Oh yeah, this is going to be a really fun night. They’re forgotten when the lights go down and the show begins. I stand up with everyone else, and sing along. Kace catches my eye and smiles as he sings to me. I smile back, and continue to sing right back to him. When the first song is about to end, he grabs a white rose from a stage hand and brings it to me. I take it from him as he sings the last note and then leans over to kiss me. “Lots of extras tonight, Stell. Lots.”
I laugh as I step back and he goes back over to the other guys. They talk to the crowd and launch into another song. I hold onto my rose. I know if I set it down, one of the girls will grab it. Kace surprises me with another rose and kiss after this song, too. I’m sensing a pattern, which lasts through the whole show. When the last note is played, I have eighteen roses and eighteen kisses. I can feel the glares of every woman in the theater, but I don’t care. I’m feeling loved and cherished by my man. Who could ask for more? I carry my flowers to the backstage entrance, past all the girls lined up trying to convince the guards to let them in. I see a young teenage girl with her mother. She’s not yelling or screaming. Just hanging back, waiting patiently. “Would you like to meet the band?” I ask her. “You’re Kace’s girlfriend, Stella.” “I am.” “She’d love to meet them,” her mom tells me. “Let’s go then.” I lead them to the front and tell the guard that they’re with me. We walk back and into the large green room. Kace runs over as I walk in the door, picking me up and spinning me around. “Hi, love. Did you like the show?” Before I can answer, he notices my companions. He raises an eyebrow at me. “I brought this beautiful young lady back to meet you and the guys. And I loved the show.” “Hi. I’m Kace,” he says holding out his hand. “Hi,” she says timidly. “Oh give her a hug for God’s sake.” Her eyes widen as he does just that. “Guys, come on over and say hi to our fan. What’s your name, honey?” “Kayla.” “Come say hi to Kayla.” All three guys come over to hug her and take pictures. They also sign the tour shirt she bought and give her some extra merchandise. “Thank you so much,” her mom tells me. “You’re welcome.” “That was very sweet of you,” Kace says, nuzzling my neck as he hugs me. “She wasn’t acting crazy out there. She was just waiting for a glimpse of you.” “The girls were pretty mean to you, weren’t they?” “Nothing I couldn’t handle.” “You shouldn’t have to ‘handle’ anything.” “You forget that I grew up around rock stars and pop stars. I know this life, Kace.” “And you still want me?” “I do. I want you very much. I love you very much.” “I thank God for you every day, Stella. I really do.” “Same here, K.” “Aww, isn’t this sweet. You two lovebirds are so freaking adorable,” Chad says, putting his arms around us. “What part of stay the fuck away from me did you not understand?” Kace asks him through gritted teeth. “Smile pretty for the cameras,” he replies just as a flash goes off. “Catch you later.”
I pull Kace into me again, and rub his back. “Don’t. He wants you to react. He never got what he wanted from you. He’s going to keep baiting you, hoping he can get you to snap. But you’re not going to because you know what he’s doing.” “Sexy brain.” “Throat.” “Tits.” “Magic cock.” “Delicious pussy.” “Biceps.” “Ass.” “Abs.” “Eyes.” “Smile.” “Best girlfriend ever.” Before I can respond, his mouth is on mine. We stay wrapped up together as flashes go off around us. It’s not until a reporter clears her throat several times that we pull our mouths apart. We don’t let go of each other, though. “Yes,” Kace says to the woman with a glare. “I want to interview you, Kace. We had such an amazing interview last year in Houston.” He slept with her. I’ve never been a jealous woman, but I want to scratch her eyeballs out. Instead, I just grip Kace’s hair a little harder. He smirks at me before turning back to her. “I’m busy. Go see one of the other guys.” “You’re turning me down?” “Yeah, I am.” She storms off as Kace looks back to me with that smirk placed firmly on his face. “Jealousy looks good on you.” “I’m not jealous.” “You shouldn’t be, but you are. And it’s sexy as hell.” “You’re mine.” “I am.” “And I’m not interested in sharing.” “That’s good, because neither am I.” Kace does a few interviews, but doesn’t leave my side. Photographers ask for pics of him alone, but he tells them we’re a package deal. I tell him he doesn’t have to do this, but he says that he wants it to be very clear that we’re together. We sneak out as soon as we can. We’re both horny as hell and he takes me against the wall as soon as we clear the door of his suite. It’s hard, fast, and dirty with me bracing myself on the wall as he fucks me hard and whispers naughty things in my ear. After we both come hard, he carries me into the shower and I face him when he takes me this time. By the time we collapse into sleep, I’ve lost count of how many positions we’ve been in. All I know is that I got all those extras he promised me, and I may be crawling for a week. But it was so worth it. * * * Kace
Stella had to go into her real work today, so I’m here at the loft for our recap meeting on my own. Well, my mom and Sheila are here, too. I know they’re on my side. Everyone else is up in the air. Except Chad. Chad definitely hates me. The feeling’s mutual. “What the fuck was that with the roses and kisses last night? We’re a boy band. The fans are pissed.” “You wanted more fans for yourself, Chad. Maybe mine will all go to you now.” “Actually, for as many angry social media posts there were, there were twice as many posts that thought it was romantic and sweet,” Marvin says. “And bringing that girl backstage was brilliant on Stella’s part.” “She didn’t bring her back for publicity,” I tell him with a glare. “Well, it worked out well for you, and us. The fans saw she’s not just a gold digger, and they like it.” “Un-fucking-believable. How does everything always work out for you?” “I’d say things are working are pretty well for you, Chad. I mean you’re sitting here with us instead of in a jail cell.” “Marvin and your mom don’t want me in a jail cell, do you?” “Those tapes are supposed to be destroyed.” “Oh, they are. But I still know what’s on them.” “You are a sick bastard.” I mean, seriously? What’s he going to do, tell everyone my mom and Marvin had some BDSM sex. Would people believe him? I guess it really doesn’t matter. It would hurt my mom either way, so I have to suck it up. I don’t have to listen to him run his mouth, though. I stand and start to walk away. “Where are you going, Kace?” Marvin asks me. “I’ll come back when Chad learns how to act like a decent human being again. Until then, I’m out.” “Wait up, man.” I turn to see Brett coming towards me, with Wayne right behind him. “We’re with you.” “Yeah, totally,” Wayne adds. “No one should be messing with your mom.” “Thanks guys. You wanna order some crappy food and play video games like we used to?” “Yeah. That’d be cool,” Brett says. We all go upstairs and chill for the rest of the afternoon. We eat and play games, but we also talk. About everything. I tell them about how into Stella I am, and they tell me what I’ve missed in their lives the past couple of months. It’s really nice to get back to just being friends again, without all the fame bullshit. We all head down to the theater together, and that’s when I realize that I haven’t heard from Stella all day. She probably had a lot to do at the foundation. I still can’t believe I get to go to sleep every night with a spy in my bed. I realize that she’ll have to keep secrets from me, and that I’ll have to be okay with that. I will be. I love her enough to know that she’ll tell me what she can. When we get backstage, we all split up to go to our dressing rooms. I walk into mine, and know something’s wrong immediately. Stella’s there, but she’s not. She’s wearing a loose Storyside t-shirt and sweat pants—I didn’t even know she owned sweat pants. Her hair is messy and she has no make-up on. And then there’s her feet. She’s wearing flip flops. Something’s really wrong. “Stella, love, what’s wrong?” “Oh hi Kace. Nothing’s wrong. Why are you asking?” “You’re…umm…dressed down.” “Yeah. I wanted to be comfortable while I’m backstage.” She’s not meeting my eyes, and so I know whatever’s going on has to do with me. Is she bored with me? Are we done? No. She said she loved me, and I know she meant it. “You won’t even look at me. I need you to look at me, Stella, and tell me what’s wrong.” “I can’t tell you, Kace. That right there is the problem.”
“You would if you could though, right?” “Yes. In a heartbeat. I swear I would.” “Then it’s okay. We’re okay. I know what you do for a living, and that it means you have to keep secrets from me.” “It’s not okay, Kace.” I pull her to me, and hug her close. “It is. I promise you it really is okay. I love you, Stella.” “I love you, too.” “I need to get dressed and go out on stage in a few minutes, or I’d stay here and hold you all night.” “I know.” “After the show, though, it’s cuddle time. Okay?” “I’d like that.” “Me too.” I’m not lying. Yeah, I want to ravish her every time I see her, but I also love to just hold her in my arms. I can tell that’s what she needs from me tonight. So that’s what she’ll get. I have to do after show interviews and take pictures with high rollers from the hotel, but I get back to my girl as soon as I can. I saw her during wardrobe changes and gave her quick kisses, but I can’t wait to have her in my arms. Even though I’m still sweaty from the show, she hugs me tight and doesn’t want to let go. Whatever she’s keeping from me has to be bad. But I’ll help her through it. We make it upstairs without too much trouble from my fans, and I carry her to the couch. “Are you hungry?” “A little.” “You want your usual?” “Yes, please.” “So formal. Where’s my dirty girl?” That gets me a smile. “I’m sorry.” “For what?” “Being sad and emotional. You just had another great show. You should be celebrating.” “Any time I’m with you is a celebration. And I don’t expect you to be happy all the time. We’re for real, Stella. That means I’m here for good, bad, and everything in between. Always.” “Me, too.” “You can do one thing for me, though, if you don’t mind.” “Sure. What do you need?” “Can you leave that shirt on? It’s all kinds of hot to see you in my band shirt.” “Yeah. I can do that.” She leans up and kisses me softly, before settling back into the couch. I order food and then wrap myself around her as we wait. The night is quiet and sweet, and honestly, there’s no place I’d rather be.
Chapter 13
Stella The secret I’m keeping from Kace is eating me up inside. It’s been a week since I found out. A week of me trying to act normal around him, and failing. He’s been amazing through it all, which makes me feel even worse. After the first night where he just held me, we’ve gone back to making love. But it’s slow and sweet now, nothing like how it used to be. He’s treating me like a piece of china that might break, and honestly, I feel as if I could. This secret is too much. It’s too wrong. I begged Reina, and then Jane, to let me tell him. I know they sympathize with me, but since he’s not our client I can’t tell him. His mom needs to do it. She’s been avoiding me since the day we told her we’d seen the whole tape and we knew what she was hiding. She can’t hide forever, though. Kace needs to be told. All within a matter of weeks, I almost quit my job and then was worried about being fired. I was being rash then, but I’m not now. I will tell him soon if Vivian doesn’t. I have to. There’s no future for us if he doesn’t know. “I know what you’re thinking, Stella,” Mallory says as she walks into my office. “You cannot tell him.” “They called you in to convince me, huh? You’ve been racking up the frequent flier miles with me lately.” “I’ll be here whenever you need me. For anything. You know that.” I do know that. Mallory has been like a second mom to me since I was recruited. I love her, and I hate to disappoint her. But I know I’m going to. “I can’t live with this secret. It’s too much.” “You’d risk the possibility of bringing down the entire Society in order to keep one man from leaving you?” “Don’t do this. Don’t try and make me feel guilty for being in love.” “If you’re feeling guilty, it’s because you know I’m right. Vivian has said that if you tell Kace, she will expose us.” “Kace could do the same thing when he finds out. He’s going to hate me.” “Yes. He will. I’m not going to try to sugarcoat this, or lie to you. But I don’t think he’ll give away our secret. And that has to be what’s most important for us. You know that.” Oh yeah, I know it. It’s not bad enough that Reina and Jane have hammered it into me, or that they had Mallory fly in. Every single one of my friends has come to me and told me that the whole is more important than one. So, I get it. Really, I do. But it doesn’t make it any better for me. “Just go, Mallory. You being here isn’t going to convince me one way or the other.” “One, Stella. I want you to think about the fact that even one woman or child could be harmed because we couldn’t function if we’re exposed. And then you decide if telling Kace what you know is more important than that life.” And that’s the crux of it. I couldn’t live with myself if the Society was exposed. But can I live with myself when Kace hates me? There’s only one right option, but it’s still wrong for me. I don’t hug Mallory when she leaves, and I don’t smile at any of my friends when I walk out of the building a few hours later. I need to find Vivian and convince her to tell Kace. He’s going to be angry at
her no matter what. But she could save me if she wanted to. When I corner her at the loft, I realize that she has no interest in helping me. “You have to tell him, Vivian.” “No. I don’t.” “How can you keep this from him? From both of them?” “This isn’t your business.” “I love him. And I’m going to lose him when he finds out I knew about this and didn’t tell him.” “So go ahead and tell him. Then Marv and I will hold a nice little press conference and tell the world about you and your friends.” “We help people. Lots and lots of people. You’d destroy us out of some crazy pretense of revenge? Because it wouldn’t just be me you’d hurt.” “I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep what you learned from Kace.” “Like convince him to keep Chad in the band? That bastard blackmailed him with pictures of you. Kace protected you, and now he has to sing alongside him. And all because you refuse to tell him the truth.” “I love my son, Stella. I can’t lose him.” “So sit down with him and explain it. You have to know that Chad’s a loose cannon. He could tell him at any time and then we’d both be collateral damage.” “I’m keeping Chad happy.” “Oh my God. You’re sleeping with him?” “Like I said, I’ll do whatever I have to.” “Vivian, no. Don’t do this to yourself. Kace loves you. He’ll forgive you.” “I can’t take that chance. And it’s just sex. You have no place to talk when it comes to sex.” “I never slept with someone because I was forced to. You shouldn’t either. I can’t believe Marv is going along with this.” “He doesn’t know,” she tells me quietly. For the first time, I hear the pain in her voice. It was missing when she talked about the secret she’s keeping from Kace, but it’s there now. Because she’s in love with Marv. Who coincidentally just filed for divorce, because he loves her, too. “This is going to be so bad when it goes down.” “And now you know why I can’t tell Kace. If I did, Chad would make sure I’d lose Marv, too,” she says as she slips by me and goes out the door. How can she not see that it’s all going to happen anyway? Chad is the last person on Earth that any of us can trust. He’s going to tell Kace the secret, and he’s going to tell Marv that he’s fucking Vivian. It’s just a matter of when. Heaven help us all when he decides to bring down the queen on our little chessboard full of lies. It’s going to be game over for us all, with no one winning. I go over and open the boxes of new clothes that were sent for Kace. He has a few formal events coming up, and I find that several of the designers have sent gowns for me, too. I guess they’re assuming I’ll be going with him. I hope I will. “That’s hot,” Kace says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around me, as I’m holding one of them up. It’s long sleeved and black, with sheer panels swirling all over the top from front to back. Basically my nipples would be covered, but the rest of my breasts and most of my stomach and back would be exposed. “What’s it for?” “Some of the designers sent me things, too. In case you decide to take me as your date, I guess.” “Of course you’ll be my date. And I definitely vote for that dress. If I have a vote.” “You always have a vote, K. Although I do love to surprise you.”
“I love all of your surprises.” I set the dress down, and turn in his arms to face him. “I haven’t been much fun lately.” “Honestly? No. You really haven’t. But if I was only interested in fun, I’d still be grabbing a different groupie every night.” “Do you want to go bowling?” Their show is dark tonight, and I want to give him some fun. He deserves it. And I need some more good memories to file away for when it’s all over. “I’d love to go bowling with you. Are we betting?” “We could,” I tell him with a smile. “I’m a really good bowler. I think I need to disclose that before we make our bets.” “Are you now? Well, I’m pretty good myself.” “So we may be equally matched. This should be fun.” “Definitely.” “Oh. I just thought of something. Not to brag or anything, but we might get mobbed if we go to a bowling alley.” “We would most definitely get mobbed at a public alley, Mr. Rock Star, but I was planning on taking you to the one in my building.” “You guys have a bowling alley?” “Yes. We have a movie theater, basketball court, and even an ice skating rink, too.” “How did I not know this?” “We’ve been holed up here, hiding from your fans and the press.” “I’m sorry about that.” “I’m not. It’s been nice. I just miss my own bed.” “I miss your bed, too.” “You mean you miss being tied to my bed, don’t you?” “I’ll answer that later. After I beat you at bowling.” “You wish.” “I wish for lots of things. But let’s get serious. How is the wagering going to work?” “Hmm. We could do it by pins, or strikes.” “Holy shit. I just realized we can play strip bowling. If you can get the cameras turned off, that is. I’m assuming there are cameras.” “There are cameras, but, yes, Ainsley can shut them off for us. So, a frame by frame loss of clothes?” “Oh yeah. And then a game by game winner.” “Deal.” We shake on it, and then of course, we kiss to make it official. My wish would be for this to last. I know it won’t, but that doesn’t stop me from wishing. * * * Kace I’ve been bowling all my life, but never like this. We’re almost done with our first game, and both of us are in just our underwear. I’m ahead by one pin going into the final frames. Stella’s bent over the ball return, trying to distract me. It’s working as I only hit three pins. I make myself concentrate, even though it’s tough with a raging hard on. I manage a spare and then a strike. “Beat that, Bombshell.”
“I approve of that second nickname, just so you know.” “Duly noted.” I try to distract her by pulling my briefs down far enough for my cock to pop out as I lay on the lane next to ours. She glances over and smiles, but doesn’t let me faze her. She gets two strikes in a row, and then knocks down seven more pins. I can’t even be mad because she looked so hot doing it. “I won.” “You did,” I tell her as I start to stand. “I didn’t tell you to get up.” I lay back down and smirk at her. “I haven’t lost my briefs yet.” “So you won’t take them off for me if I ask you to?” “Are you taking off your thong?” “Why yes I am.” Instead of speaking, I whip off my briefs and toss them towards the chair where the rest of my clothes are. She shimmies out of her little scrap of lace as she walks over to me. I put my hands behind my head and cross my ankles. “Have your way with me, love.” “Don’t mind if I do,” she tells me as she straddles me, rubbing her fingers over my piercing before she slides all the way down. Fuck is she wet. “I love this. Being inside you, and feeling how much you want me.” “And I love knowing you’re this big and hard just for me.” “Only you. Always you.” Her eyes get sad for a few seconds, but then her smile is back. She gets into the rhythm she knows does it for both of us. I pull her down so I can play with her tits. I lick and suck until her movements get erratic. “Kace.” “I got you,” I tell her as I hold her hips and start thrusting into her. She comes hard, and I follow right after her. I pull her to me and kiss her until we’re both gasping for air. “That was a great prize.” “Mine will be better,” I tell her, smacking her ass before lifting her off of me. “Let’s get cleaned up and play.” She groans, but lets me pull her to her feet. “I don’t think I’m 100% capable of playing a good game after that.” “I’m counting on that,” I tell her as I walk us to the bathroom. “Cheater.” “Don’t be a sore loser.” “I haven’t lost yet, but I am hoping to be sore.” “Naughty vixen.” I look over at her when I don’t get a response. I drop the paper towels in my hand when I see her crying. I pull her into my arms and rub her back. Since this has been happening a lot lately, I know she won’t want to talk yet. Or maybe ever. “I’m a mess,” she says after a minute. “Let’s go out there so I can beat you again.” “You know I love you, don’t you?” “Yeah. I love you, too. So much.” “We can just go upstairs and cuddle if you want.” “What I want is to have fun. Lots and lots of fun. And sex. With you. Only you. Forever.” “I’m totally down with that.”
“For now you are.” “Forever. I want that, too.” “You won’t always feel that way. I guarantee it.” “Is this about that secret you’re keeping?” “Yes.” “You told me you’d tell me if you could. That’s all I can ask of you.” “You’re going to leave me when it comes out. I have no doubt about that.” “But you’re doubting me. Don’t do that. I’m a good guy. There’s nothing so bad you could be hiding that would make me leave you.” “I wish that were true.” “Have some faith in me.” “I do.” “Then let’s go out there, so I can beat you and claim my prize.” “Good luck with that.” There she is, the sassy woman I love. Not that I don’t love her when she’s crying. But it’s starting to scare me. She’s so sure that this damn secret is going to tear us apart. I won’t let that happen, though. I’m going to hold onto her and give her my strength because I can tell she needs it. This game is going much faster, because we’re both trying hard to distract each other and win. We started out naked, so it’s been working out well for both of us. She licks her lips while squeezing a nipple. I stroke myself and play with my piercing. It’s the sixth frame, and we both have a score of zero. “We should put the bumpers up so we’ll knock something over,” she says with a laugh. “Or just abandon the game and go directly to the prize.” “Let me guess, we’d be doing your prize, right?” “Oh Bombshell, we both know that no matter who ‘wins’ we’re both going to score.” She laughs so hard she snorts. She’s doubled over and snorting. “Oh my God. That sounds like something they’d say in a cheesy 80s movie.” “I love cheesy 80s movies, and so do you.” “Yeah, yeah. I’m not forfeiting though, so bumpers up or not?” she asks once she composes herself. “Down. I don’t need them. I’m done letting you distract me.” “Oh really,” she says, directing a look at my fully erect cock. “It’s better that way. It can help guide me.” “No. Just stop. This is your new tactic, isn’t it? You’re going to cheese your way into a win, since you couldn’t do it with sexy times.” I honestly wasn’t, but now I so am. “I can definitely do ‘it’ with sexy times. Any time you want it.” Instead of answering, she starts singing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” Badly and way off-key. She’s dancing all crazy and practically screeching out the words. I sincerely hope she’s messing with me. I grab her, silencing her with a kiss. “Please tell me you were kidding with that.” “Sorry, but there’s a reason I work behind the scenes.” “You’re killing me. My ears are literally dead, but the rest of me isn’t doing so well, either.” “I would think my other talents would outweigh my musical shortcomings.” “They more than make up for your screeching. But the dreams I had of us doing a duet have just gone up in flames.” “When did you ever dream of us doing a duet?” “Two nights ago?”
“Really?” “Yeah. I know it’s stupid, but I though it’s be cool to have you onstage with me.” “Autotune?” I ask. He raises an eyebrow. “Sorry?” “Don’t be. I have lots of other dreams—and fantasies—that involve you, me, and no singing.” “Me, too.” “Yours will have to wait because I’m about to win this game,” I tell her as I grab my ball and throw it, hitting a strike. “We’ll get to them later. I promise.” “Well, shit.” She tries, but I’m on fire. I want it my way. I know she’d let me do it later, but winning is so much better. I end up winning by eighteen points. I do a victory dance as she rolls her eyes. “Lay it on me. What are we doing?” I pretend to think about it, but I already know. I’ve known since I walked in here tonight and saw the retro ball return systems. She’s going to love this as much as I am. Maybe even more. “Straddle that empty ball return over there.” “You want me standing.” “Yes, bent over, and with your lips over the fan thing.” “You want me to kiss it?” “I want you to feel that warm air on your clit while I’m fucking you from behind.” “You weren’t kidding when you said we’d both score tonight.” “No, I really wasn’t.” She positions herself like I told her to, her back arching as she feels that air blowing on her like my mouth usually does. I come up behind her and gently push her down so that her arms are bent, and her ass is in the air. I grip her hips and thrust into her as she cries out. “You like this don’t you? Feeling the air at the same time as you’re feeling my cock. It’s like there’s two of me.” “Yes.” “No other man’s ever going to be with us, Stella. So this is the closest you’re going to come to this with me.” “I only want you,” she says with a gasp as I pinch her nipples. “I want it to be better than when you were with those other guys.” “I already told you you’re the best.” “I’m better than two?” I ask as I move one hand down to spread her open and let the air hit her more fully. “God, yes.” “I love making you come, almost more than I love coming. Did you know that? Most of my fantasies are about how I can make you come harder and better.” “I dream of sucking you dry, with my pussy and my mouth.” “Are you going to suck me with that sexy mouth of yours later? And play with my barbell?” “Yes.” “We’re going to have to 69 so I can lick you.” “Please.” “I want to make you pass out from the numbers of times I’m going to make you come tonight.” “You’ll pass out first,” she says, starting to move back against me as she gets closer. “With my cock still hard inside of you so I can wake up fucking you.” “Kace—Kace—Kace!” she screams as she shatters around my cock.
“Fuuckk!” I yell as I come so hard my legs give out and I have to grab the sides of the machine to stop from crushing her. “Once you can stand, we should take this upstairs for rounds three through ten.” “If you think it’s only going to be ten, you’re forgetting who you’re working with.” “You have a show tomorrow.” “Are you really forgetting how young I am?” “I prefer to focus on what you do to me.” “My youth is what makes that happen, love.” “Stamina is my new favorite work, K.” “Let’s go before round three happens in here.” I stand up and help her off the machine. We get dressed in silence, and hold hands as we walk out. This was hands down the best time I’ve ever had in a bowling alley. And I already know it’s only going to get better and better.
Chapter 14
Stella I wake up to little kisses all over my bare back. “No. I need sleep.” “No rest for the wicked.” “I’m not fully wicked, just a little bad.” “Well, my bad Bombshell, we have to be at the theater in an hour.” “I’m too old for this.” “You weren’t complaining last night. Or this morning.” “I’m not really complaining now,” I say, lifting my head to smile at him. “Best night of my life, hands down.” “Same.” I pull him down to me, and we kiss for several minutes. Sweet and sexy kisses where we sip from each other’s lips and dart our tongues out for small tastes. Neither one of us tries to take the kisses deeper. It’s perfect, and I want to stay right here in this bed with him forever. “We have to go.” “I wish we didn’t.” “We’ll be back here after the show.” “Promise?” “Promise.” I shower quickly and happily take the coffee and toast Kace hands me before we walk out the door. “Thanks for breakfast.” “I’d have done more, but I was out of time. There’ll be food backstage when we get there.” “Trying to keep me fed and happy?” “You know it.” I do. Especially this last week, Kace has shown me that he wants to be with me for the long haul. To say I’ve been a mess is an understatement. I really have no control of when and where Chad is going to tell Kace. And I need more memories. Ones like last night. Good memories to hold in the pieces of my heart when it breaks. “You’re getting quiet on me, love.” “Just thinking about what to plan for our date tonight.” “It’s my turn to plan.” “You want to plan our date?” “I’ve done it before, and very well if I remember correctly.” I do remember the night in my apartment that he planned. It was romantic and very, very hot. “It was amazing.” “Tonight shouldn’t disappoint you, either.” I would tell him that he’ll never disappoint me, but that would be a lie. Even though I know what’s coming, I’m still going to be disappointed in him. Knowing what his reaction will be doesn’t make it any easier to accept it. “You’ve already planned?”
“I have.” “I love you so much, Kace. Please don’t ever forget that.” “I won’t. You have forever to show me, remember?” “I remember.” I kiss him before I start crying. This is different than how we kissed in my bed. I can feel my desperation, and I think maybe he can, too. When we break apart, I look up and meet Nate’s eyes in the rearview mirror. He gives me a sad smile because he knows what’s coming. It seems like everyone but Kace does. We’ve barely walked into the theater when Vivian runs over to us. “Stella, I need to talk to you.” “Alright,” I tell her. “Is everything okay Mom? You look a little frantic.” “I just need a favor from your girlfriend.” “I’ll help you if I can,” I say, ignoring the way she almost sneered that last word. Bitch. “Oh you can. And you will. We both know you will.” “Be nice, Mom. Stella’s not at your beck and call.” He turns to me. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” “I know. You go get ready, and I’ll be there soon to check on you.” He kisses his mom on the cheek, and then gives me a long, lingering one. “See you soon.” I smile at him, and then turn to Vivian once he’s gone. “What do you want?” “It’s not what I want, it’s what Chad wants.” “I could give two fucks about that little bastard and what he wants.” “He’s going to tell Kace if we don’t do it.” “He’s going to tell him, anyway. When are you going to get that?” “How many times do I have to tell you that as long as he’s happy, he won’t tell?” “You’re delusional, but what is it you want me to do?” “He wants us both. Together.” This woman has lost her mind. “Fuck no. I am not having sex with him. With or without you. And with you is just disgusting. I mean, you’re my boyfriend’s mother.” “You have to. It won’t be so bad.” “Are you insane?” “You know what I can do. You’re not going to let that happen just because you’ve all of a sudden discovered your morals?” “I’ve always had morals, bitch. And you need to tell your son the truth. I mean, seriously—if Chad wants this now, what’s he going to ask for next?” “I don’t know, but whatever it is, I’ll give it to him.” I make my voice softer because fighting with her isn’t working. “Don’t do this to yourself. You’re a good person. I know you are because Kace is a good man and you raised him that way. He will be mad at you for keeping the secret from him, but he’ll forgive you because he loves you. I’m not saying this for me right now. You know my job. I’ve seen and helped countless woman who thought using their body would get them what they want. It never does, in any situation.” She crumples, then, and I barely have time to catch her and lower us both to the floor. “I know you’re right. But I’m so scared.” “I’m scared, too. I know I’m going to lose him, and I’m powerless to stop it.” “I should’ve told him when you begged me to. I also shouldn’t have threatened you.”
“I wish you would’ve told him. It’s too late for me now, though. I’ve known too long. Just promise me that you’ll take care of him. And tell him I love him every day. Even when he doesn’t want to hear it or believe it.” “I will. I promise. I am so sorry, Stella.” “I know.” I stand up and go into the bathroom to fix my makeup the best I can. I need Kace to go out on stage and perform without worrying about me crying. Chad is too much of a fame-whore to tell him before the show, and I want my last couple of hours with the man I love to be happy. “There you are. I was afraid you wouldn’t make it before I had to go out there,” Kace says as I walk into his dressing room. “Of course I’m here. I have to give you your nightly good luck kiss, don’t I?” “Always. And I need my good morning kiss from you every day, too.” “You’re so fucking sweet.” “I try.” “You’re really coming over tonight?” “Of course I am,” he says with a confused look on his face. “I told you I planned our date. Plus, I promised, and I don’t break my promises.” “I can’t wait.” “I love you, Stella. Forever and always. No matter what.” “I love you, too. No matter what. Don’t forget that.” “I won’t.” The lights flash and I give him that nightly kiss before he runs out to drive the teenage girls crazy. Once the door is closed, I sink down to the floor holding my head in my hands. I hear the door open, and then Tegan’s sitting on the floor next to me. “Vivian called. She said you’re both pretty sure that tonight’s the night Chad is going to tell all.” “He wanted me to join in on sex with them, and I said no. So yeah, we’re pretty sure.” “Eww. I may throw up. He’s gross on his own, but to do it with you boyfriend’s mother? That’s just nasty.” “He’s definitely twisted.” “Kace may not take it out on you.” “We both know better than that Teeg. He’s going to be angry at his mom, but she’s his mom. I’m just… well, me.” “’Well, you’ is pretty damn awesome. Don’t you dare forget that, bestie.” “Thanks, Teeg.” I manage to smile and kiss Kace through his wardrobe changes. Tegan stays with me, which makes Wayne happy. He really likes her. And I like him. He’s still a little too forward, but I know he’s not a bad guy when you get past all that. When the guys come off stage, Kace pushes me against the wall and kisses me senseless. “All I could think about out there was getting back here and taking you home,” he whispers in my ear. “Can we go now?” “I wish. I have to do two interviews. But that’s it. I told Marv that I’m not hanging around after those are over.” It doesn’t work out like that of course. The hotel owner brings some people backstage again. They’re not high rollers this time. The guests are people from Opportunity Village. It’s a local organization that supports those with special needs and even gives them jobs to do so they can feel like they’re part of
society. It’s a beautiful organization and when Kace looks over at me, I immediately nod and smile at him. I’d never ask him to leave, or rush them. Even when I know that the longer we stay, the better the chance is that we won’t be going back to my place together. Because I’m pretty sure that’s a promise he won’t keep when Chad tells all. * * * Kace I am without a doubt the luckiest guy on the planet. Probably the whole universe, too. Stella has patiently waited while I spent time with all the guests who are here, even though I said we’d leave a couple of hours ago. When I’ve glanced over at her, though, I’ve noticed that she’s getting a little more freaked out as time passes. Tegan’s even holding her hand now. As everyone files out, I make my way over to her, sitting on the arm of her chair and kissing her lightly. “Thanks for letting me spend time with everyone.” “Of course. I’d never take you away from any fans.” “Even if they were kissing me?” “You wouldn’t let that happen.” “No, I wouldn’t.” “I would,” Wayne says as he walks over. “Would you stop that, Tegan?” “No. I have no claim on you.” “We had fun.” “Yes, we did. I’ll give you that.” “And I’ll take it.” “I hate to break this up, but it’s time to go Stella,” Chad says. What? “She’s not going anywhere with you.” “Vivian, you didn’t convince her?” “No, Chad. She won’t do it.” “You know what that means?” “Yes. I do.” Stella is practically breaking my hand, she’s holding it so hard. “What the fuck is going on?” “There was more on that tape I saw than just sex, Kace. Your mom’s been giving me some good fucks in order to keep me quiet, but since she couldn’t deliver your girlfriend to me, I’m afraid it’s time for me to tell all.” “You’ve been sleeping with him, Viv?” Marv asks her. “I had to keep the secret.” “You slept with him to keep some damn secret?” I’m squeezing Stella’s hand hard now. “It’s not just one secret, my friend. It’s two. And they’re so big you’ll never recover from them. Just like my sister has never recovered from you.” “I’m not your friend. So go ahead and spill what you know. I can handle anything.” “I love you, Kace,” Stella says as she looks up with me with tears in her eyes. Why is she crying? “Marv’s your dad.” Chad says it like it’s nothing, breaking me away from my thoughts. I pull away from Stella to stalk over to Marv. “How long have you known?” “Your mother told me when I found you, Wayne, and Chad in that talent show.” “And you didn’t think I should know. Neither of you thought I should know?”
“We hadn’t seen each other in years, and I thought Marv was happily married. You and I have always been good with it just being the two of us.” “You had no right to keep this from me.” I look down at my mom and see the tears running down her face. I’m angry, really angry. But she’s right. We’ve always been good on our own. She made sure of that. I can’t forget what she’s done for me. I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. “I’m so sorry.” “I know, Mom. It’s okay. I mean, it’s not. But I understand. And hey, now I get to have every kid’s dream —my parents together.” “That’s not going to happen, Son.” “What do you mean? You said you were divorcing your wife because you’re in love with my mom.” “Did you not hear that she’s been sleeping with Chad? And me. All to keep you from finding out, even though we all knew he was going to tell you eventually.” All? Oh my God. That’s when I know. This isn’t just my mom’s secret. This is the secret Stella’s been keeping from me. The one that’s been eating away at her the past couple of weeks. Ainsley would’ve looked at the whole tape before destroying it, and she told her what was on there. “Stella?” She closes her eyes when I look at her, and I can see that she’s shaking with the force of the sobs that are wracking her body. “Yes. I knew.” “You kept this from me?” “It wasn’t my secret to tell.” “It wasn’t your secret to tell? Are you fucking kidding me?” I ask her as I push my mom aside and go for her. I pull her to her feet and shake her. “You could’ve told me. You should’ve told me.” “I couldn’t.” “There’s more,” Chad says. I look over and he looks like the cat who swallowed the fucking canary. What more could there be? I let Stella go, and turn to him with my arms crossed, waiting. “You were born a twin.” “No I wasn’t.” “Oh, you were. Why do you think Brett sounds so similar to you?” Brett? Our eyes meet, and I see the horror I feel reflected on his face. We do sound the same, and now that I know, I can see it. I can see how we look different, but the same. “You put me in an orphanage, while you kept Kace? You raised him, while leaving me behind to fend for myself,” he says to my mom. Our mom. “How could you do that to me?” “I could only take care of one of you. I was barely able to keep Kace fed.” “So you just threw me away? Why me? What was it about me that was so bad?” “There was nothing wrong with you. I had to choose and so I just closed my eyes and picked. I thought you’d get adopted right away. You were so beautiful. Both of you were.” “I wasn’t adopted, though. No one wants a baby who fusses all the time. Or a genius kid who can’t sit still because of all the thoughts running through his head.” “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I swear I thought you’d be fine. Marv found you as soon as he could. And then it all worked out.” “Except we didn’t know we were brothers. How the hell is that working out for you, Brett?” I ask. “I don’t even know. I’m glad you’re my brother, but I’m pissed that no one thought we needed to know.”
“Yeah. Me too. I mean, you and I are cool. But our dear sweet parents might as well be dead to me at the moment.” “You don’t mean that, Kace.” “But I do, Mom. I really do.” I’ll calm down, I know I will. I love my mom too much to stay mad at her forever. Marv—I don’t know about. I’ve never been too close to him, and I don’t all of a sudden have feelings of love towards him just because he’s my sperm donor. The other person who knew—I’m definitely done with her, though. I turn to find Stella curled up on the couch, with Tegan rubbing her back. “You said you loved me.” “I do. I love you so much,” she says as she stands on wobbly legs. She still crying and shaking, and I almost go to her. I want to pull her into my arms and tell her that it’s okay. That we’re okay. But we’re not. “If you loved me, you would’ve told me. This isn’t a matter of national security and no one would’ve been hurt by you telling me. So there was no reason for you to keep this from me. None.” “I swear to you that I would’ve told you if I could have. I wanted to tell you. You know I’ve been upset these past couple of weeks.” “And I’ve done everything I could think of to cheer you up and make you feel better. All while you were lying to me.” “I didn’t lie.” “You just kept important things for me. That’s just what should happen in a relationship, right? Was it even real to you, or was this just one of your games?” “You know it was real, Kace.” “Bullshit. I know nothing when it comes to you. Nothing. You’re a complete stranger, and I can honestly say that I hate you right now, you selfish bitch.” She gasps and collapses as Tegan catches her. Nate’s on me before I even see him coming. He grabs my neck and raises me off the ground. “I have no problem ending you, little boy. Call her a name—any name —again, and I’ll do it right here in front of your new-found family.” “Let him go, Nate. Please.” He does as Stella asks. I rub my neck while I watch him pick her up, carrying her from the room. Tegan gives me a hard look, letting me know that I’m not safe from her, either. I don’t have it in me to give a fuck. “I want him arrested,” I tell Marv. “Nate?” “Chad. I want him arrested for blackmailing me and my mom.” “Yeah, right,” Chad says with a laugh. “He’s not kidding, asshole,” Wayne tells him. “Without me, there’s no Storyside.” “So the three of us will re-invent ourselves,” Brett says. Before Chad can argue any further, the off duty police officers we hire for the show enter and read him his rights. Watching him get handcuffed has been the only satisfying part of this evening. He puts up a fight for a minute, but when they tell him he’ll be charged with resisting arrest, the cocky smile falls from his face and his body goes still. “We need to go away and regroup,” Wayne says when he’s gone. “The three of you will be great on your own. The fans will follow you,” Marv says.
“And we can make some great music. We should find someplace that’s chill where we can just jam out and won’t get bothered.” “Well you do have that party in Austin in a few weeks. You promised to sing at that charity event. The one that provides music education for sick kids. You could hide out there,” Marv tells us. “I love Austin,” Wayne says. Brett looks conflicted, but then he says what’s on his mind. “Will you go with us, Vivian? I’d like to get to know you. I’m still angry and hurt, but you’re my mom, and that has to mean something. I need to hear more about what happened all those years ago. And also why you still wanted to keep me as your dirty little secret even now. I don’t know if I can forgive you, but I want to try.” I don’t want her anywhere near me right now, but if that’s what he needs, I’ll go along with it. It was hard not having a dad growing up, but at least I had her. I can’t imagine what it was like for Brett. I can bite the bullet and tolerate her if he needs me to. She looks at me, and I nod. While still glaring at her. “I’d love to. And I promise to tell you whatever you want to know. One thing you can always count on with Kace and me is that we keep whatever promises we make.” Shit. We do keep our promises. And I made one about tonight. I have to go keep it. Not the way I’d planned, though. “I’ll be back in an hour or so. Can we get a jet tonight?” “Yeah, that’s no problem. Where are you going, Kace?” “To keep a promise, Marv.” Thankfully no one’s told the guards to keep me out when I get to Stella’s building. I walk towards her door and stop a few feet away. I don’t know if I can do this. How can I do this? I have to, though. I promised. I square my shoulders and walk to her door, turning the knob because I know it’ll be unlocked. I should’ve expected the scene before me. But I wasn’t thinking that far ahead. “Kace, “Stella says, a smile breaking across her tear-stained face. “You’re here.” I don’t dare look at any of her friends who are gathered there. I know they’ll see what she hasn’t yet. I’m not staying, and I want to walk out of this apartment with all my parts attached. “I promised you I’d come here after the show.” “For our date.” She reaches for me and I step back. “Don’t touch me.” “I don’t understand. You’re here?” “I’m here because I promised I’d come here. I came, now I can go with a clear conscience.” “No. Please. No,” she cries, grabbing my shirt. “I have never hit a girl before, but if you don’t get your fucking hands off me, I will do whatever it takes to make you do it.” “And then you’ll die,” Reina tells me. I look over and see the women all standing while the guys sit back and watch. They’re all smirking because they know as well as I do that any one of these women could end my life in seconds. “Someone better get her off me then, because I’m leaving one way or another.” No one has to come for her. She lets go of me and stands up straight. “I’m not completely pathetic. No one has to get me off of you. Just know that if you leave tonight, you won’t be able to just walk back in here again. You’ll be on your knees begging before you ever come through my door again.” “I promise you that I will never beg you for anything.” “Then go.”
I turn and walk out the door. I don’t even make it to the elevator before I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and shrug off Zack Taylor’s hand. Gavin Harris is in the hall with us, too. “What do you guys want?” “Stella’s an awesome woman. Anyone would be lucky to have her feel even a tenth of the love she feels for you,” Zack tells me. “She has a funny way of showing that love.” “They can’t tell us everything. Even if they want to. When Ainsley and I met, she thought I might be the one sabotaging the Legions. If I would’ve been, she’d have taken me down in a minute. And then I would’ve still proposed. Because I respect who she is and what she does.” “I almost lost Faith because I wasn’t sure I could be okay with some of the things they have to do. I ended up realizing that they do what they have to for a reason. Sometimes they can’t tell us that reason.” “This was a secret about me, Gavin.” It’s Zack who answers me. “I don’t know all the details, but Ains did tell me that Stella really couldn’t tell you. But she wanted to, and she’s been a mess because of it.” “She has been a mess, but I have to come first with the woman I love. And I obviously didn’t. You don’t mind the Society coming before you?” “Honestly, no. In every single way that matters, I’m first. In Faith’s heart, and her soul, it’s me. When I’m kissing her or we’re making love, that’s all me. I don’t care that she suspected me of being a traitor, and she can’t tell me much about what she does every day. When we’re together and even when we’re apart, I know she’s mine. Always. Stella’s that kind of woman, too. You’ll be first in all those ways with her if you give her a chance,” Gavin says. I have to get out of here. They’re confusing me. And I have a plane to catch. Besides, what they said doesn’t change what she did, or what she kept from me. That’s what’s important—and unforgivable—to me. I shake my head and get into the elevator without saying another word.
Chapter 15
Stella It’s been two weeks since Kace walked out of my apartment. I make myself go into work every day and go through the motions of doing my job. I’m trying to act normal, but I know my friends aren’t fooled. Tegan stays in most nights, keeping me company as we watch 80s movies and eat lots of ice cream. She says she wants to stop partying so much, so my self-imposed exile is actually a good thing for her. That’s what she says, but I know better. She’s scared to leave me alone. They all are. My new assistant, Kevin, has been doing a great job of picking up the slack when I zone out. He used to work for the Griffins, but Chloe said he’d be a great fit for me, and she was right. He’s fun, stylish, and an all-around great guy. The girls have been trying to find another great guy to hook him up with, but all of his dates have been duds. I have an idea for someone, but I’m not sure how I’ll work that out. Vivian had been keeping me updated about what’s going on in Austin. I know she was doing it because she feels bad. She says the guys are making some great music and bonding all over again. She usually texts me at least once a day. It’s been four days now, and I’m guessing her guilt is waning. It’s probably for the best. “Hey gorgeous, Reina wants to see you in the small conference room.” “Thanks, Kev.” A meeting in the conference room means a new assignment. I didn’t think she’d send me out again so soon, but I guess whoever it is needs what I can offer. I walk down the hall and knock before going inside. Along with Reina and Mallory, there’s a striking woman in maybe her forties or early fifties, and a hot nerd sitting at the table. The guy doesn’t look traditionally hot at the moment, but I can see his potential. With a little hair gel and some cooler clothes, women would be dropping at his feet. I’d keep the glasses, or maybe not. “Thanks for meeting with us, Stella. This is Courtney and her son, Chris. They need your help.” “Okay. Sure.” “You should probably hear their story before you say yes, Stella,” Mallory says, glaring at Reina. Uhoh. “Maybe you’re right, Mal. Can you tell me why you’re here?” “I run a charity in Austin that brings music education to terminally ill children. My daughter had cancer, and even when she was weak, she wanted to try and play the piano. When we lost her, I realized that the best way I could honor her short life was by sharing her love of music with other children. Many times we focus on the dying and not on the life that’s left. I wanted to change that for as many children as I could.” “That sounds great.” “It is. My mom’s really awesome.” “I feel the same way about you, Chris. Which leads us to why we’re here. A few months ago, I called in some favors and booked the band Storyside for our annual gala. I’m sure you’ve heard that one of their members was arrested right here in Vegas.” We all nod, and I try to act normal as I grit my teeth and dig my hands into the arms of my chair. “The other three young men agreed to still perform. They seemed like some nice boys, until that Kace one stole Chris’ girlfriend.”
It’s taking everything in me to not scream and run from this room. I might also faint. It’s only been two fucking weeks and he’s already moved on. I want to kill him. How dare he pretend to love me? Because if he’s already dating again, he was obviously pretending. And he had the nerve to accuse me of playing games. Little boy bastard. “Mom,” Chris says, breaking the silence that had descended on the room. “You know Brooke’s behind it all.” “Who’s Brooke?” I manage to ask in what I think was a calm voice. “She’s Tami’s best friend, supposedly, but she’s more like a worst friend. She’s jealous of Tami because she’s beautiful, smart, and just plain awesome. She hated it when we started dating and has tried to break us up over and over again. When we all went on a school trip last year, she climbed into my bed while I was sleeping and almost got Tami to believe I cheated on her.” “She sounds delightful.” “She’s a bitch, and so are the other girls in their circle. The guys are bastards who all hate me because I’m richer and smarter than them. Plus they all want Tami, too.” “What is she, some sort of magical being?” “Stella,” Reina warns me. “I’m just asking. I mean, every girl in Austin wants to be her, and every guy wants her. Including some asshole boy bander.” “Kace isn’t an asshole. He’s really cool. He’s spent a bunch of time with the kids, and he lets me hang out with him and the other guys all the time.” Of course he did. He’s just a saint. And I’m the sinner. Shoot me now. “So, what? You want me to go back to Austin with you and try to make him jealous so he leaves your girl and she comes running back to you? Sorry, but it won’t work. Kace hates me now.” “You know him?” “Um, yeah. We dated a few weeks ago.” “You didn’t tell us that, Reina,” Courtney says. “You asked for a stylist for your son. Stella’s our stylist.” A stylist. They didn’t want a date, they wanted a stylist. Well, fuck me. “I’d love to help you, Chris.” “You’ll be my date for the gala?” “What happened to needing a stylist?” “Well, I need that, too. But Brooke will know who you are if you dated Kace, and she’ll freak. Wayne doesn’t want to get with you by any chance, does he?” “Wayne wants to get with anything that’s moving. Why?” “He and Brooke are hooking up. She lords it over everyone, thinking she’s the shit.” “Call Tegan,” I tell Reina. “Who’s Tegan?” Chris asks. “Wayne’s kryptonite.” “Seriously?” “Oh yeah. If she walks into the room, he won’t even remember that this Brooke chick is there. I have a question, though. If Tami’s with Kace, how is she not the Queen Bee?” “She’s not really with him.” “Chris, we’ve talked about this. He’s gone with her to the club several times for dinner.” “They don’t hold hands, and I’ve only ever seen him kiss her cheek. When they dance, it’s not close— he holds her very formally. They’re both pretending.”
“And you want her back? She up and dumped you to pretend to date a rock star, but you’re going to take her back, just like that.” “Don’t you want Kace back?” “No.” “You’re lying. I saw you gripping your chair when my mom mentioned him.” I smile for real, my first one in a long time. “I think I like you, Chris. Yes, I want Kace back, but that’s not an option. I’ll help you, though. I can see the hottie peeking out from your bad clothing and hair choices. When I’m done with you, Tami will be begging for it.” “’It’? Oh my, I think I love you, Stella,” Courtney says with a laugh. “Calm down, Mom. I’d never make her beg for me or…or…that.” “That’s one of the things we’re going to work on. You need to be all alpha and claim her. Especially if you’re walking into that gala with me. I already know what I’m wearing, and those little bastards who’ve tormented you are going to fall at my feet, and those catty bitches are going to fall at yours. Then we’ll walk right over them.” “You’re pretty confident.” “I have reason to be.” “This is going to be the most talked about gala in our history.” “Isn’t that what you came here for, Courtney?” “Honestly, I just wanted a makeover for my son to show that girl what she’s missing. But this, well this is so much better.” “The first step is still the makeover. Let’s go down to my office, Chris, and we’ll plan out your transformation. And don’t worry, I still want you to be ‘you,’ we’re just going to enhance the good looks God gave you a little. And help you be a little bolder.” This is going to be fun. Really, really fun. Chris is a nice guy, and I’m not sure this Tami chick deserves him. He’s not going to be the meek guy she left behind when I get done with him. I may even let Tegan help. * * * Kace Austin has been great for the most part. Until Wayne hooked up with that bitch, Brooke. She’s definitely no Tegan, and Tami is nothing like Stella. I guess that’s why I’m playing along with her. I know there’s no chance of anything happening between us. I just want the bombshell I can no longer have, and she wants the nicest guy on the planet. Who she’s currently fucking with. I really shouldn’t be participating in this. I like Chris. “You thinking about Stella again, bro?” “No.” “Yeah, you were. You should call her and give her a chance to explain.” “There’s nothing to explain, Brett. She kept the truth about us from me. I can’t get past that.” “You forgave Mom and Marv. And they kept the secret for longer.” “Mom sacrificed almost my whole life to make sure I was fed and clothed. She thinks I don’t know about the nights she went without food so I could eat, but I do. I can’t just turn my back on her. And she’s a package deal with Marv, now that they’re working on their relationship. I still can’t believe he can forgive her, though. I guess being in love with someone for over twenty years makes you a little more open to that.”
“But you can turn your back on the woman you could be with for even more than twenty years if you were willing to work on it? The woman you love.” “Loved. Past tense.” “Love. Present tense.” “I’m with Tami now.” “Bullshit. That girl’s so hung up on Chris it’s a wonder she hasn’t accidentally strangled herself. And you aren’t fucking her, that’s for sure.” “Wayne’s fucking her friend.” “So, what? We’re supposed to just hook up with her friends in a show of solidarity? I wouldn’t touch one of those guys with a ten foot pole.” I don’t blame him. They’re a bunch of pompous assholes. If they weren’t so dumb, they’d have figured out by now that Brett’s gay. And then we’d have to kick their asses because they wouldn’t take it well. And I wouldn’t go for anyone saying shit about my brother. Even before I knew he was my brother, I would’ve thrown down for him. Any day, anywhere. I know Wayne feels the same. Before we can talk any further, Tami comes in looking like someone kicked her puppy. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” “I miss Chris.” “Well of course you do. He’s awesome. I keep hoping he’ll decide he swings my way and I can have him for myself,” Brett tells her. “He doesn’t. But he’d accept you.” “He already does. We hang out sometimes.” “So you know where he is? He won’t answer my texts anymore.” “You’re texting him? Should I be jealous?” I ask sarcastically. “Shut up. You could care less.” “Actually that’s not true. I like Chris, too. Not in a play for the other team kind of way, but he is pretty cool.” “I know. That’s why I miss him so much. I know Brooke thinks he’s just a nerd, but I think he’s hot. He has muscles, and I practically melt when he kisses me. He always says such sweet things to me, too. Or at least he used to before I started acting stupid and pretending to be into you.” “Wow. First you’re texting your ex, and now you’re saying it’s stupid to be with me. Are you trying to totally annihilate my ego?” “You know you’re hot and could have any girl you want. I still don’t know why you’re going along with this for me.” “Because he’s too stubborn to go after the girl he wants,” Brett tells her. “You never answered my question. Do you know where Chris is?” “Yes. I do in fact know. And no, I’m not telling you. I will tell you that he’s not coming back as the same guy he left here a week ago.” “But he’s okay?” “Yeah, and he’ll probably be better than okay when he gets back for the gala this weekend. So you should be prepared to beg if you want him back.” “He wouldn’t make me beg.” “The old Chris wouldn’t have, but new and improved Chris most definitely will.” “I don’t want a new Chris, I want my sweet boyfriend back.” “Then you shouldn’t have messed with him like you were doing. All for some bitch who pretends to be your friend so you’ll spend your money on her.”
“I know. I need to get him back and stop hanging out with Brooke.” “Then do it. Don’t just say it. I’m not kidding about him changing. It’s happening. He still wants you, but he’s not going to be a meek little puppy who plays dead for you anymore.” “I will. I’m going to take him back at the gala.” “His date might have something to say about that.” “He has a date?” Who?” “Someone who you’re no match for. And I say that as someone who’s come to love you, Tami.” She leaves soon after that, and I look over at my brother from well, my mother, and say what I’ve wanted to for the last half hour. “You’re pretty wise.” “Yes I am. Which is why you should listen to me, and call Stella.” “For the last time, I’m not calling Stella. I’m never calling Stella.” “Then you’re an even bigger idiot than I thought you were,” says a voice from behind me. I turn to see Mallory Daniels standing with my mom. Mom’s wringing her hands together and looking on the verge of a breakdown. Oh, hell no. We’re still working on our relationship, but I won’t let anyone mess with her. “What the fuck are you doing here, upsetting my mom?” “She’s not upsetting me. I’m upset because there’s something I should’ve told you a few weeks ago. I was too much of a coward then, and, honestly, I’m still feeling cowardly. But I don’t want any more secrets between us.” “What more could you possibly have to tell me? Do we have a triplet?” “I need to tell you the truth about Stella. About what I…and others did to her to make her keep my secret.” They did something to her? She kept saying she couldn’t tell me, but I thought she was lying. Even when she was collapsing and crying, begging me to listen to her, I didn’t. I sit back down and put my head in my hands. “Tell me.” “Maybe Brett should leave,” Mallory says. “I’ve told him everything.” “And I talk to Stella or her assistant, Kevin, every day.” “You do?” I ask him, shocked that he’s been doing that. “Yeah. I wanted to make sure she was okay, but not too okay, so that when you got your head out of your ass, she’d take you back. Since our mother stopped calling her, I felt like someone should, and besides, I really like her.” “Is she okay?” “Not even close. But I want to hear this story. We can talk about how she’s doing later.” I nod, and motion for my mom and Mallory to sit down. Brett moves over to sit next to me. No one speaks for a couple of minutes, so I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow at my mom. She takes a deep breath and looks me in the eye. “When Reina told me they’d analyzed the tape Chad gave them, I knew I was in trouble. As soon as I saw the pictures, I knew what night that was. Marv and I had argued about telling both of you the truth. I ended up winning the argument, by…umm…persuading him. Anyway, I couldn’t let you find out. I knew you’d hate me. And I knew Stella would tell you. So I had Reina call a meeting and I told them all that Marv and I would hold a press conference and expose the Society if Stella told you.” “Are you fucking kidding me?” I ask, jumping from my seat to pace around the room. “They do good things, Mom. They save people.” “I know. And I’m not proud of what I’ve done. Because it wasn’t just that. Stella came to me and begged me to tell you. She said Chad would eventually tell you, but I wouldn’t listen. I was horrible to
her and, again, threatened her with exposure. You don’t know how badly I feel.” “Not as badly as I do. Or the other women at the Society,” Mallory says. “What the hell did you do to her?” “We used guilt to ensure her submission. At one point, Reina was sure that she was going to tell you so I flew in and asked her if she’d be able to live with herself if we failed to save people just so she could hold onto a relationship with you. We had to protect ourselves, but sacrificing Stella was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. She loves you so much, Kace.” “I hate you. I fucking hate all of you. How could you do that to her? How could I do that to her? I should’ve known. I should’ve listened to her. Why the hell didn’t I listen to her when she needed me?” Oh God. I hate myself most of all. The things I said to her. The image of her curled up and shaking as she cried. All the times I told her it didn’t matter if she had to keep something from me. The way she made herself stand up to me at the end. I can’t take it, so I grab the lamp next to me and fling it across the room. Then the vases and decorative things. The chairs and end tables are next, but it’s still not enough. My mom and Mallory have left the room—and probably the house—but Brett’s still here with me. I flip the couch over and fall to my knees. He kneels beside me and holds me as I cry for what I’ve lost. Who I’ve lost. I had the most amazing woman in the world, and I gave up on her. On us. She said I’d have to beg if I came back, and I’ll do it. I’ll crawl on my fucking hands and knees to her door and beg. I know I promised her that I would never beg, but this is one promise I have no problem breaking. I hug Brett, and stand up. Before I can tell him my plan, Wayne and Brooke walk in. “What happened in here. Did ya’ll have a rave or something?” “Get the fuck out of my house, bitch.” “I’m here with Wayne.” “Get out,” he tells her. “Wayne.” “Bros before hos. If he wants you gone, you’re gone.” “What about the gala?” “He’ll go with you to the gala, but don’t come around before or after,” Brett tells her. She storms out, and we both look at Brett. Wayne speaks first. “Why would you say I’d go with her?” “Because it’s going to be fun when you leave her for Tegan.” “Tegan’s going to the gala? Why? How?” Wayne asks. I wanna know, too. “Because she likes Chris, which means she hates Brooke. So, she’s coming to teach her a lesson. You’ll play along, right?” “Fuck yeah. I’d do anything Tegan wanted me to do.” I’m confused. “How does Tegan even know Chris?” “He needed a makeover so I hooked him up with the Foundation.” “You mean you hooked him up with Stella.” “Well yeah, and I’ve seen pictures. He’s looking even hotter than you. And Kevin says she’s also turning him into a confident alpha. He even told off Matt Corrigan the other day.” “Is Stella going to the gala?” “She’s his date. And I’ve seen what she’s wearing, too. You’re going to be on your knees, begging, even if you weren’t planning on it.” “I was actually planning to get on a plane to Vegas and beg her for another chance. This will be so much better.” “And he’s going to be doing more than begging when he’s on his knees,” Wayne says.
“Well yeah, but I also owe her a date,” I tell them with a smile.
Chapter 16
Stella Tonight’s the night. Chris is going to unleash his inner alpha on the unsuspecting assholes in his life. And I’m going to see Kace after almost a month apart. We’re both ready to go into battle. I’ve dressed him in a black suit that’s tailored to hug all the muscles he’d been hiding. The boy’s built. Not like Matt or Nate, but he’s rocking some awesome biceps, pecs, and abs. Under the suit, he’s got on a deep blue shirt that makes his eyes pop. I convinced him to wear no tie, and unbutton the top two buttons of his shirt. I have his hair spiked and messy so that it looks like he just rolled out of bed after fucking a woman hard. To complete his look, I’ve given him a new pair of glasses. He’s totally embracing the smart mixed with the sexy, and Tegan and Kevin both looked like they wanted to climb him when we walked out of the guest house bedroom. I’m looking hot, too. I can say that since it’s mostly the dress. I had the designer alter the black dress Kace liked. The long sleeves and length are gone. So it’s short and deliciously sheer. My tits look great, and it’s doing all kinds of favors for my ass. I have high heeled booties on that are shiny black with a sheer panel in the middle. My hair’s up in a twist with a little cascade over the back of my head that just brushes my back. If he doesn’t beg when he sees me in this dress, then I don’t know what to do. He has to beg, though. I won’t settle for less. Even if it means he has to break a promise for the first time in his life. I’m worth at least that much. We let Tegan walk in ahead of us. She goes right up to Wayne and sits on his lap. He wraps his arms around her and kisses her like he wants to eat her alive. Which he does. I can tell exactly who Brooke is because she looks like she might literally explode. And when Tegan leads Wayne to the dance floor, she does. “What are you doing, Wayne? You said you didn’t want to dance.” “I don’t want to dance with you. I’d do anything for Tegan, though. Anything.” “Yes you will, baby,” Teeg says as she grinds on him. She’s laying it on thick and we’re loving every second of it. “Damn, Stella. I shouldn’t have enjoyed that as much as I just did, but it was pretty awesome. He didn’t even hesitate.” “Kryptonite,” I remind him with a smile. Brooke sits back down and tries to look like she doesn’t care. That’s our cue. We walk in and I see her mouth drop open. Tami looks like she might faint. Kace looks happy to see me. He should. Chris does exactly what I told him to. He walks me over to where they’re all sitting. “Hey, Kace.” “Hi Chris. You’re looking good.” “I know.” Kace almost spits out the beer he just took a sip of. Then he’s smiling at me. “You’re good.” “You already know that.” “I do indeed.” “You look desperate in that dress,” Brooke tells me with a sneer on her face. “He doesn’t want you anymore. Did you not get the memo when he dumped you in Vegas?” “But I’m not desperate. That’s where we differ. I didn’t come here for Kace, I came here to make sure you leave my friend Chris alone. He’s a good guy and doesn’t deserve shit from you just because he didn’t
fit into you neat little country club mold. Have some dignity and stop being a bitch.” “I don’t have to listen to this. So what if you dressed him up, and did his hair? He’s still the same loser as always. Come on Tami, let’s go.” “I want to stay here. With Chris. If he’ll have me. Will you? I’m so sorry. I know you have a date, but would you please dance with me, so we can talk?” Instead of speaking, he grabs her from the couch and kisses the fuck out of her. Just like I told him to. When they break apart, he takes her hand and looks over at me. “Thanks for everything, Stella.” “Anytime, Chris.” “Oh my God. You poor slut. First Kace dumps you, and now nerdy Chris just left you standing here alone.” “It’s really none of your business, but I’m going to respond to you anyway. Yes, Kace dumped me. And I’m Chris’s stylist, so my job was to get him and Tami back together. But even if this had been a real date, I’d be happy to send him off with the girl he loves. Oh, and the woman with Wayne? She’s my best friend. I brought her here because he can’t resist her and you need to be knocked down a few million pegs. Anything I forgot?” “Me,” Kevin says, walking up and kissing me on the cheek, before going to Brett and kissing him on the lips. The guys in the group all look like they want to run. “Oh yeah, my assistant Kevin is here for Brett. Have a nice night.” I’ve only gone a few steps before I feel Kace’s hand on my waist and his breath on my neck. “I’m going to beg. Don’t doubt that for a second. And it has nothing to do with the fact that you’re wearing my dress. Or that I’m about two seconds from blowing my load right here in my pants because I’m touching you,” he says as he rubs my hip. “Maybe you should let me go if you can’t handle touching me.” “We both know I can handle you, love. My mom and Mallory told me everything, but I shouldn’t have needed them to. I should’ve believed you. I’m so sorry that I didn’t. I was ready to get on a plane to Vegas until Brett told me you were coming here.” “That’s all really nice, but it didn’t sound like begging, and you’re not on your knees.” I should let it go. He just said everything I wanted to hear. But he hurt me, and I deserve him begging. “That wasn’t the begging, but it is coming. And then, if you forgive me, you’ll be coming all night. While I’m on my knees some more.” “We’ll see.” I pull away from him and go hang out with Courtney. She loves the “new” Chris. He’s really the same old Chris with a little more confidence and better clothes. I liked him too much to totally change him. When Brooke and her little coven realize that no one’s paying any attention to them, they leave. I’m pretty sure they won’t be back since Tami and Chris aren’t going to allow themselves to be bullied or bossed around anymore. My work here is done, but I’m not leaving. I want to see Kace sing. The trio takes the stage, thanking everyone for coming out and supporting such a great cause. They talk about how they’ve been enjoying Austin as they get ready to re-launch the group. They tell the crowd how sad they are to be leaving, but know it’s time to get back to their stage show in Vegas. I know the hotel had given them a month long hiatus, but wanted them back to fulfill their contracted number of performances. I, for one, am very happy about it. “Before we sing our songs, I want to take it back to the 1980s and sing a song to the woman I love. I was an idiot and walked away from her. But I want her back, and I’m willing to beg.” The crowd parts for him as he walks up to me. As the first notes of the song start, he drops to his knees singing about how hard it is to say he’s sorry. Of course, he chose a song by Chicago, and not one of his
own because this was just for me. When the song’s over, he says the words I need. “I’m so sorry, Stella. I really and truly am. I was the biggest asshole, and the biggest idiot in the world combined when I walked away from you. Please give me another chance to show you how much I love and need my Bombshell.” I bend over and kiss him, while everyone cheers. He stands and holds my hand as he walks us back to the stage. I stand in front with Tegan, Kevin, Chris, and Tami. We all sing and dance as they perform. Just like the first time I watched him, I get a rose and a kiss between each song. When they’re done, we mingle for a little bit, and then he sneaks us out to his car and drives to the mansion the guys bought here in Austin. I stop inside the door and just stare at the destruction before me. “Did you get robbed?” “No. A few days ago, I was told about what other people did to make the woman I love keep a secret from me. I went a little crazy.” “You left it like this, K?” “I wanted everyone to remember to never mess with us again.” “That’s a little twisted, and somehow very hot.” “Are you feeling horny, Bombshell?” “I haven’t had your cock inside me in almost a month. What do you think?” “I think we need to get to my room so I can get on my knees and take care of you.” “Let’s run.” We end up walking rather quickly, and I make sure to lock the bedroom door leading her to where my musical instruments are in the attached sitting room. In the middle of them all is a slab of granite on top of some short table legs. I thought it looked cool when I saw it, and I use it now as a writing surface when I’m composing. It’s the perfect height. I lift her up and push her down. “I’m going to take this dress off later, but not yet. Right now just your wet panties are coming off.” “How do you know they’re wet?” “We’re in the same room together which means I’m hard enough to break things with my cock, and you could cause a river to flow.” “That’s so poetic. Maybe you should write it into a song.” “You laugh now, but you’ll be screaming soon,” I tell her as I get on my knees. I reach under her dress and tear the thong from her body. Then, I grab her ankles and place her feet on my shoulders, so her heels are digging in to my shoulders through my suit. “No.” she tells me. “No?” Seriously? She doesn’t want this? “Take your jacket and shirt off first.” I kiss her ankles, one at a time, and then lower them down to hang off the table. I do what she wants, and then put her feet back where they belong. Leaning forward, I suck her into my mouth, darting my tongue out to find her clit. “Kace.” I smile against her as I continue to drive her crazy with my lips and tongue. I bite her gently, and she flies off the table, digging her heels into me hard. That’s going to leave some marks, and I can’t wait to see them. To see what I made her do to me. “More, Kace. More.” She wants my fingers. If this was my show, I’d make her wait a little longer. But tonight is all her. She came back here with me, but I know I still need to work for it, for her. I slide three fingers into her and feel how close she is. I curl my middle finger, making sure to hit her spot. “Yes. Oh my. God. Just like that. You know what I need.”
Fuck yeah, I do. I keep my fingers moving, but remove my mouth, replacing it with my thumb. I use my other hand to spread her legs wide on the table as I climb over her. I’m off my knees for the moment, but I can’t do what she needs while I’m on them. She’s biting her lip and watching me as I place my hand by her side to hold myself up a little. I lean over and use my teeth to move the fabric of her dress enough for her nipple to make an appearance. I lick it, and then suck it into my mouth through the sheer fabric. I give the other one similar attention when I free it, and I start to feel her clench around my fingers. My name falls out of her mouth before she screams. She’s thrashing on the table and I can barely hold onto her as she keeps coming and coming. Damn I’m good, but I’ll also concede that our time apart may have had a little to do with it. Just a little. “You came so hard, love. I’m going to do that again.” I start to move my head back down, but she stops me. “Give me your cock. Now. I need to suck you off.” No guy on the planet is going to say no to having his dick sucked. And I’m most definitely a guy. My pants are off in seconds and I climb over her until I’m straddling her neck. There’s no fucking way I’m having her get on her knees for me tonight. Or maybe ever. Just not gonna happen. “You want to be in control of it, huh?” “No. I just won’t let you get on your knees for me.” “You know that by saying that, you’re making me want to get on my knees.” “Not tonight.” “I thought this was my show?” “It is. That’s why I’m letting you put your mouth on me, when we both know I shouldn’t get even one ‘o’ tonight. I don’t deserve it.” “You just made sure that you did,” she says as she sucks my piercing into that perfect mouth of hers. I lean back and let her have her way with me. It feels even better than how I remembered it. Her mouth, and tongue, and oh God, a little bit of teeth. I fight to not thrust into her mouth as I get closer. I almost came when I was going down on her so it doesn’t take long before I’m yelling out her name and falling forward to grab the edge of the table behind her. “I think I just saw God,” I tell her when I can finally speak. “Did not,” she tells me with a slap on the ass. “You just experienced the awesomeness of a sinner.” I move off of her and pull her up to sit with me. “What the hell are you talking about?” “We both know who the saint is in this relationship, and it’s not me.” “Really? Because I seem to recall you being a bad ass spy who saves women and children. And how exactly am I saint when I just had my cock down your throat. I hate to break it to you, but pretty much everyone on Earth is a sinner. We all sin in one way or another. Well, maybe not the Pope. He’s pretty cool. But anyone who tells you they’re a saint is lying, and anyone who disparages you as a sinner is condemning themselves.” “You’re pretty wise for a young kid.” “I’ve been hanging around Brett. A little must have rubbed off.” “He’s a great guy.” “Yeah he is.” “His brother’s not too bad, either.” “I’m a work in progress.” “Me too.”
“I’m sorry I brought you up here for sex before we had a chance to really talk. I just needed you so much. I missed you so much. Not just this way. I mean…I miss everything about you, not just your hot body.” “I don’t believe I was complaining at all during any part of what just took place. We can talk now, or after you ravish me a few more times. As long as we get to it, eventually.” “A few times, huh.” “Well, you do have that yummy stamina thing going for you.” “My cock just loves your pussy. But I do have something to ask you. I don’t want to wait.” “As long as there’s no ring involved, you can ask me anything.” Ouch. “You don’t want a ring from me, Stella?” “Not yet. We’re not ready for that yet. But I’d say yes if that’s what you’re going to ask me. I do want to marry you one day. We just need a little more time together.” “That’s a relief. I was worried you just wanted me for my body.” “That’s just an added bonus. It’s your heart and soul I want.” “They’re all yours. Which brings me to my question. The guys and I will probably have to tour and shit after we record our next album. I was hoping I could make Vegas my home base, though.” “Would you like to make my home your ‘home base’?” “Yeah. But if it’s too soon for that, too, I can find an apartment close by or something.” “I would love to share my place with you. We can make it less girly.” “Oh no. Your apartment is sexy. I love it.” “At least let me give you a man cave.” “I’m not hiding out from you when I’m there.” “A music room?” “Okay, that I’ll agree to.” “I’ll have Chloe get started on transforming the guest room.” “Not your dressing room? I mean, that room’s bigger and has really good acoustics.” She goes still, and I see the emotions pass over her face. Shock, sadness, a little anger, and then defeat. “You-you can have that room if it would be better for you.” “Never. I would never take that room from you. My Bombshell needs room for all her pretty things. I was just messing with you.” “Thank God. I mean, I love you, but that room is my happy place.” “I’ve done some very happy things to you in that room.” “Yes, you have.” “I’m about to do some of them to you in this room,” I tell her as I lay down and pull her on top of me. “Not if I do them to you first,” she says as she slides onto my cock.
Chapter 17
Kace We spent all night and most of the early morning making up for the time we lost with each other’s bodies these past weeks. Today, I’m going to start to make up for the lost time of being romantic and in love. I have the perfect day planned for us. “Are you ready for our date today, love?” “Date?” “I owe you the perfect date to make up for the one I ruined.” “Oh. You don’t have to do that. I thought we’d go home today. I was going to hang out with my friends tonight.” I’ve already taken care of those plans, but I’m not going to tell her about it. Why she hasn’t told me it’s her birthday today is a little beyond me, though. I almost told her “happy birthday” when I made her come right after midnight, but I figured she had a reason for not letting me know. Hopefully, she’ll either tell me —or I’ll figure out why she won’t—before tonight. I only know because Brett told me. “Umm…okay. I guess we can go back to Vegas if you don’t want to spend the day with me here.” “That’s not it, K. Of course I want to be with you. I’ve just had plans for tonight for a long time.” “I get it. I wouldn’t take you from your friends. How about if we do most of the date? We’re two hours ahead here, so if I get you on a plane by 7, you’ll be in Vegas around 8. Is that too late?” A big smile lights up her face as she reaches over to kiss me. “That’ll work. I’ll tell Tegan to let the girls know. I’m assuming she’s here in the house with Wayne.” “Fuck if I know. I’ve only been concerned about the whereabouts of one woman.” “I haven’t been out of your sight for more than a couple minutes since the gala.” “I know. It’s been perfect.” “Yeah. It really has.” “We should get in the shower so we make it out of here in time for breakfast at Kerby Lane.” It’s an Austin institution, and I know she’ll like it. “I don’t take that long to get ready,” she says, clearly offended. “I know, but I’m planning to make you come at least two more times before we leave. And I know how much you love it in the shower.” “I do. All that water running over your sexy muscles and cock. And your ass. I don’t talk about your ass much, but I really do love it.” “Why thank you. I enjoy watching the water run over all of you, too. It’s one of my favorite things.” “So what are we doing out here?” she asks, hopping from the bed to run to the bathroom. “Vixen. That’s your third nickname. Vixen,” I say when I walk in and see her already under the water. “Nope. Two is enough.” “Two is never enough,” I tell her as I join her. Forty-five minutes later, we’re in my car headed for the diner. Stella rests her head on my shoulder and I keep my hand on her thigh. We don’t have a long wait, but we keep our hands connected, regardless. It’s like neither one of us wants to let the other one go, ever again. I’m totally fine with that.
After we’ve thoroughly stuffed ourselves on specialty pancakes and omelets, I drive us to our next stop. I park on the side of the road and lead her into the park, smiling as I look over at her. Stella looks adorable today. I told her she needed to wear boots, jeans and a long sleeved shirt. She had two of the three, but had to borrow one of my button downs. I love seeing my plaid shirt on her. She has her hair in a ponytail, and I reach out to pull it lightly. “What was that for?” “I always want to pull your hair when you have it up.” “Then why haven’t you?” “I’m not really a hair guy, so I think of it but never have an overwhelming need to do it.” “Even though I pull your hair?” “I love when you pull my hair. It usually means I’m driving you wild and you’re about to come.” “Yeah, it usually does.” “What do you think?” I ask as I turn her around to see where we are. “Wow? This is cool. Really cool. What is it?” “Graffiti Park. I thought you’d like it. We can climb all the way to the top, but we have to be careful to watch for poison oak. That’s why I needed you to be covered up.” “Let’s go,” she says, pulling me behind her. Stella climbs the walls like it’s nothing. I don’t know why I’m surprised, but I am. And also really turned on, which is my default state when she’s around, but still. I love that she just adapts to anything. She can go from designer clothes to an old flannel and jeans and be just as sexy and comfortable in both. When I finally catch up to her, she kisses me hard before pulling out her phone for a selfie of us with the city in the background. “Best bi-I mean day ever. Best day ever.” Why won’t she tell me it’s her birthday? I don’t get it, but I continue to play along. When we get back down to street level, I walk her over to an artist working on a piece. She gasps when she sees what it is. “Kace, you did this?” “I hired him, if that’s what you mean. Do you like it?” “I fucking love it. Oh my God. Can we get a picture?” “Yes. We definitely need one.” I hand my phone to the artist, and he snaps a pick of us in front of “us.” Owen Griffin helped me find the artist. I commissioned him to draw our caricatures inside a heart with the words “The boy and the bombshell forever” written above them. It came out great, and while I know someone will come by and paint over it eventually, I love that I could give this to her on her birthday, even if I’m not supposed to know. My next surprise is a change of clothes. I’d been told that we might get muddy, so I packed stuff for myself and asked Tegan to bring me clothes for Stella. She’s known about all my plan. All of Stella’s friends know. They don’t know she hasn’t told me it’s her birthday, though. I’m not as cool about it as I want to be. It actually hurts a little. Okay, a lot. And I really just don’t get it. * * * Stella Today is my best birthday ever. Starting with the awesome orgasm I got after midnight, and continuing through all the cool things Kace planned for us so far today. I can’t wait to see what’s next. We just changed clothes and I am loving the outfit Tegan packed for me. I’ve got on my favorite skirt, which is black and covered in chains. A soft white tee and one of my black leather jackets complete the
look. I taught her well, and she did good—except for the damn boots. Yes, she packed me rhinestone encrusted black cowboy boots. They do look cool with the outfit, but I’ll never tell her that. “Of course she packed you cowboy boots. They look great, though. You look great.” “Thanks. So do you.” He really does. He has on dark wash jeans, and an emerald green tee under a brown leather bomber jacket. He’s the best part of my birthday, even though I haven’t told him that’s what today is. I want to, but then he’ll feel obligated to buy me a present or change his plans. I want to just have fun, and not put any pressure on him. He’s already cutting our day short to fly me back to my friends. “Are you ready for our next adventure?” “Yes.” He surprises me by taking my hand and leading me down the street instead of into the car. As we turn at the next light, my eyes go wide. There are all kinds of funky looking boutiques and restaurants. I want to go into them all. That’s exactly what we do for the next few hours. I go crazy in the vintage stores, and end up having a ton of things shipped back to Vegas. Kace insists on paying for everything, and since most of the salespeople recognize him and ask for autographs and pictures, I let him because I don’t want to cause a scene that will end up on YouTube. I’m going to pay him back, though. We can fight about it in private. We’ve just had an amazing meal at one of the cafes, so now I’m ready to keep looking. Kace looks at his watch and gives me a sad smile. “We’re going to have to head back to the house for Tegan now if you want to make your flight time.” “Oh. Yeah. We better go.” I don’t want to. I want to stay here with Kace, shopping and laughing before going home to make love all night again. But I made plans, and while I could’ve canceled them, I didn’t. And it wouldn’t be fair to my friends if I canceled now. I know it’s not fair to Kace that I’m cutting our magical day short. Or that he didn’t know it was my birthday, but I’ll tell him later how special it’s been for me. We pull into the driveway of his house and see that only a few lights are on. Kace starts to get out, but I have to clear the air on something first. “I’m paying you back.” “What?” “For all the stuff today. I can’t let you pay for all of the things I got. It’s a lot of money.” “I fucking have a lot of money, Stella. I wanted to spoil you today. What am I going to do with it if I’m not spending it on the people I love?” “This isn’t a negotiation, Kace. I’m paying.” “Whatever. I’m not in the mood to go inside right now, so just go do what you need to.” “Kace.” “Please just go, Stella. I need a few minutes to calm down because I’m really, really pissed right now.” “Okay. I’ll be back soon since I don’t really have anything to pack.” He doesn’t respond. And here I thought today was my best birthday. Now I think it may be my worst. I walk up to the front door and push it open. All the lights go on as my friends yell “surprise.” Oh my God. No. I turn and see the tail lights of Kace’s car leaving the driveway. He knew it was my birthday and did everything he could to make it special, including having all my friends flown in. And now I ruined it all. Again. “Are you okay, Stell? Where’s Kace?” Tegan asks me I turn and put a smile on my face. “I’m great, just really surprised. I can’t believe you’re all here. Kace had to take care of something. He’ll be back.” Maybe.
“Let’s go upstairs so you can put on the cool dress he bought you,” My mom says to me. “We’ll be back soon. Well, maybe not soon. So just have fun.” I should’ve known something was wrong when she rushed me up here. She’s barely closed Kace’s bedroom door when she turns to me with a death glare. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” “Don’t hold back, Mom” “Just tell me why.” “Why what?” “Don’t play dumb. You didn’t tell him it was your birthday? Even after he was doing things, and buying things for you all day? And then you said you were going to pay for the things he bought you—for your birthday— and that he had no choice in the matter.” “I didn’t know they were for my birthday.” “Because for some reason, you didn’t think you should tell him.” “I didn’t want him to feel obligated to do something special for me.” “He would’ve done all this for you, even if it wasn’t your birthday. But it is, and he wanted it to be special for you. He wanted to share it with you. He planned a pretty awesome day for you, and bought the dress you’ve been wanting without anyone even telling him you wanted it.” I turn to see the dark green dress on the bed. Oh my God. I’ve wanted the dress for months. I could’ve bought it, but I wanted something to wear it for. Something special. “You didn’t tell him?” “No.” “Kevin?” “No. When he asked me to put it out for you, along with the accessories, I told him and he was so happy.” “Shit.” I’ve screwed up. Really, really screwed up, and I have to find a way to fix it. There’s a knock at the door, and then he’s walking in the room. “Hi. I just wanted to grab my suit so I could change in the guest room. I’ll be out of your way in a minute.” “Kace, I’m sorry.” “No worries. It’s not like we’re serious or anything. We’re just having fun, right?” No. Please no. “You asked to move in with me.” “I’ll find something else,” he says with a shrug. I can see the hurt he’s trying to hide cross his face, as he tries to pretend that this is nothing. That we’re nothing. It kills me that I put the pain there. And this time I have no one to blame but myself. I walk over to him, and hold his face so he’ll look at me. “I love you, Kace Reynolds. I didn’t keep my birthday from you to hurt you. I did it so you wouldn’t feel like you had to do something for me. But you did everything for me anyway. All I could think about all day was how this is the best birthday I’ve ever had. Starting at midnight, and going until I got out of your car.” “Your friends are here for you. You’ll have a great time.” “Only if you’re next to me, holding my hand and trying to cop a feel without my mom seeing you.” “I haven’t left the room yet.” “Nothing shocks you, remember?” “Leaving now.” “So you want our date to continue?” “I want it to never end. Please give me another chance.” “I’ll give you a million chances as long as realize that this is real, Stella. What we have is real. There’s no ring yet, but there will be one day. Along with a wedding. It can be in a drive-thru chapel if you don’t
want a big white one. But one day, you’ll be my wife. At least I hope you will.” “Oh, I definitely will. And just so you know, I want the biggest wedding in the history of the world.” “Whatever you want, love. Did you find your present?” “The dress? I can’t believe you picked it out on your own.” “Well, I did. It’s cool to know you’ve been wanting it, though. I guess I know you pretty well.” “I guess you do.” He walks past me, and I see him pick up a box from the bed. A beautiful Tiffany blue box. “I thought you’d like this, too.” I take the box from him and open it. My mouth falls open as I stare at the most beautiful bracelet I’ve ever seen. It’s a cuff made up of different panels. Each one has a different pattern. Some round diamonds, some square, and some rectangular with small round diamonds in rows between each panel. I don’t even want to know how much it cost. Because I really don’t care. I love it. “Stella? Do you like it?” “Like? I love it. I more than love it. It’s beautiful and amazing.” “Yes! I aced the birthday test.” “Test?” “Yeah. You know, the ‘is he really a good boyfriend’ birthday test.” “No, I don’t know. But if there is indeed a test, you definitely got an A+.” * * * Kace Stella’s birthday party was an overwhelming success. Her friends all had a great time. The girls went crazy over her bracelet, which got me a few glares from the guys. What can I say? I know my woman, and I’ll always make sure she has what she wants, even if she doesn’t know she wants it yet. A couple of months ago, I was dealing with a blackmailer and a different girl in my bed every night. Now I have love in my heart and a Bombshell in my bed. Plus a brother, a father, as well as the coolest future mother-in-law ever? Yep, life is good and it’s only going to get better.
Epilogue
Mason When I told my friend Luke Griffin what I thought was going on at the private school I teach at, I never expected to be sitting in a conference room at the Corrigan & Co. Foundation. Luke swore me to secrecy and told me about a Society that’s part of the foundation. He said it helps women and children, like the foundation does publicly. Just in a different way. Since a high school prostitution ring covers both women and children, he convinced me to come here for help. He said they’d contact the police if they find anything concrete. “Thank you for coming in Mason. Luke said you think there’s a prostitution ring at your school,” the woman he introduced as Reina says to me. “Yes. And I’m pretty sure it’s student run.” “What clued you in?” “I teach history, and wanted to do something to engage the students a little more. I gave them a chance to write anonymously about something that’s happened in history, or what they’d like to see in the future. I got fifteen papers about why prostitution should be legalized. And four that said it shouldn’t. Those four talked about girls being intimidated and threatened if they didn’t turn tricks.” “I can see why you might be alarmed.” “I started paying more attention to what was going on, and I think I know who the leader of all this is. His name it Kurt, and his dad’s one of the wealthiest men in the city. I’m sure he has no problem finding clients.” “Since you’re coming to us, I’m going to trust that you’re not involved and confirm that Kurt is indeed the person in charge.” “How do you know that?” “We’ve actually had someone undercover for over a month.” “What? Who?” “Me, Mr. Wells,” my favorite student says as she walks into the room. Favorite because I can’t stop fantasizing about her while she sits in my class twirling her pencil as I teach. I’ve been beating myself up for lusting after a student. But apparently she’s not a student. “Isabelle,” I say, sounding way too relieved for even my own ears. “You sound relieved to see me.” “I am. I mean, I…” This is so not going well. “Oh my God. You want to be the Ezra to her Aria, don’t you?” Luke asks, looking at me with a smirk on his face. “Shut up, Luke. And how do you even know about them? You don’t teach high school.” “Olivia loves that show.” “Can someone please clue me in,” Luke’s mom says. When he told me she was part of all this, I told him I already thought his mom was cool, but now I had even more respect for her. “Ezra and Aria are characters on a TV show, Pretty Little Liars. He was her teacher, and they’re in a relationship,” Isabelle tells her. “So basically, Mase wants Isa,” Luke tells her.
I want to die right now. Like seriously die. After I kill Luke, of course. “I didn’t come here for this. I’m glad you know and are taking care of it. I’ll just be going now.” I get up and walk out of the room, stopping to lean back against the wall. Imagine my shock when Isabelle walks into the hall after me. “Is it true? Do you want me?” * * * Isa I can’t believe I followed Mr. Wells—Mason—out into the hallway. But I needed to know. Because I want him. I never understood the term “hot for teacher” until I walked into that classroom and saw him. Honestly, I’ve never been “hot” for anyone before, so I’ve been so freaked out every time I walk into that classroom that it’s a wonder I could answer anything when asked. Thank God for my super brain. “Do you want me to want you?” “What kind of question is that?” “The kind that won’t get me into trouble.” “I’m 23, and not in high school.” “The school doesn’t know that.” “So we won’t do anything there. Or anywhere else where someone could see us. If you do want me, that is.” Who is this bold girl, and where the hell did she come from? He leans in close, so his mouth is only about an inch from mine. “Your lips make me crazy. Especially when you bite the bottom one while I’m lecturing.” “Then kiss me.” His eyes widen, and I think I may have gone too far. I’m not usually so forward, but Tegan and Stella have always told me I need to just go for it. So now I am. When his lips meet mine, I silently thank them for making me bold. And then I shut my mind off, and just let myself feel. He holds the back of my head as he licks at my lips. I open for him, and his tongue darts inside my mouth. It’s better than I imagined it would be. For all these years I’ve wondered, and now I know. My first kiss is amazing.
Acknowledgements
As always, a big thank you to Dominique and Gabi for being the best daughters ever. Helen Williams, Jesse Gordon, and Ally Murphy-Thanks again for everything! Guil Claveria-Thanks for taking me out shooting and teaching me a little about guns so I can try to be realistic in the books! Alesha Claveria-Thanks for your friendship, and taking me to the amazing place with mac and cheese in a bread bowl! The Friends of the Society-You ladies are AWESOME! Thanks for the support, and for always wanting the next book! To all the readers who pick up the books, I couldn’t do this without you! Thanks for reading!
About the Author
Crystal Perkins has always been a big reader, but she never thought she would write her own book, until she did. She lives in Las Vegas, where you can find her running author events and selling books at conventions when she isn’t reading, buying too many Sherlock t-shirts online or finding a place to put all of her Pop! figurines. A mac and cheese connoisseur, she travels the country looking for the perfect version, while attending book conventions and signings as a cover for her research. The Griffin Brothers series are all International Best Sellers, and she’s thankful to the readers who made that happen! Find her here: www.crystalperkinsauthor.com facebook.com/crystalperkinsauthor @wondermomlv
[email protected]
