Rise: A Second Chance Rockstar Romance (Rock God Book 1)

by Cassandra Robbins

  It’s weird that he hasn’t called or left a note. I take a deep breath. I’m being absurd. He hasn’t left the room in days, and he has to perform tonight. I’m sure he’s with the guys. Maybe he’s showing them his new stuff?

  I spit and rinse. “Everything is okay,” I tell myself. Exhaling, I sink into the hot tub. But now I’m getting paranoid. I can’t enjoy this. I need to wash up and go find him. I’m just reaching for the gel when I hear the door click open and I freeze.

  “Rhys?” Nothing.

  “Rhys?” I shout, standing. “Rhys?” I reach for a towel, glancing around for a weapon. What if it’s a crazy fan who’s somehow gotten in and is going to kill me because I’m not Granger?

  “Brat?”

  I scream as I reach for the edge of the tub. “What the fuck? You jerk.” I throw the towel at him. Of course, it misses him, not even getting close. He looks at it, then leans against the door. His dark eyes inspect my face, and he smirks as he stares at my breasts.

  “Stop it.” I sink back down. “I thought it was a lunatic fan coming to kill me,” I huff, leaning back until the bubbles are up to my neck.

  He watches with his arms crossed, his hair a mess, the dark strands making my fingers itch to run through them.

  Pushing off the doorframe, he enters, stopping at the edge. “Why are you all flushed?” His voice is deep, gravelly, and of course my nipples harden and my clit throbs.

  “What do you mean? I’m taking a hot bath,” I snip. He leans down, his hands on both sides of the tub.

  “Let me see,” he says, and I can smell the bourbon from here.

  My eyes narrow. “Where were you?”

  “Out.” He grins as his hand reaches into the tub and wraps around my ankle. “Rhys, stop it. I’m not in the mood.” I try to jerk my ankle away, but he holds on as water splashes up to my face.

  In one quick jerk, my ass slides toward him and he holds both my ankles. “Now, beautiful, let’s try this again. Show me.” His nostrils flare as he watches the bubbles around my breasts.

  “Show you what?” My voice tight. I have no reason to be mad at him, other than that he left to go drinking without me, and now he wants to get all domineering.

  He does nothing but smile as my heart flutters. I hate him right now. It’s not fair for him to be this perfect.

  “I want to see your cunt. Did you touch yourself?”

  “No.” That was way too fast. Now he’s gonna think I did. “I didn’t,” I say to his raised eyebrow. “I thought about it, but I didn’t.” I bite the bottom of my lip as his hand slides up my wet legs.

  “You look like you’re lying, Brat.” I gasp as he slides one arm through the water and stops right there.

  “Talk to me, tell me.” His voice makes me arch up, but he takes his hand out and I almost scream, because now I’m needy as hell.

  “I didn’t touch my—”

  “You didn’t touch my pussy.” He corrects me. “Now say it right.” He sits on the edge of the tub, his wet hand playing with the bubbles around my breasts.

  I take a breath. “I didn’t touch your pussy.” I whisper the pussy part.

  “Nah.” He grabs the back of my hair so that my head is held tight at the base of my hair. “This is my cunt,” he says, and my eyes grow wide.

  Blinking at him, I wonder if he’s been drinking tequila instead of bourbon.

  “Now, say it. Tell me what’s mine.” He brings my head up as the water drips down my chest.

  “I’m not saying the C word.” I’m trying to be outraged, but my breathy voice gives me away.

  Kneeling, he whispers, “Say it and I’ll give you what I trained my cunt to need.”

  “What the hell is happening?” I try to slap his hands away, but he’s already rubbing one of my nipples, his eyes like dark orbs.

  “These are my tits also.” His calloused hand and fingers caress and squeeze it. As I swallow back a moan, he smiles at me.

  “I want to pierce this nipple.” Leaning forward, he takes it in his mouth.

  This time I do moan as he sucks it almost raw, my core clenching.

  He looks over and bites it.

  Hard.

  “The fuck, Rhys?” He leans up and silences me with his lips and my sore nipple tingles as his hand leaves my breast to travel down to my clit.

  I’m spinning, trying to keep up, then let go because I’m coming.

  Hard.

  Before I can recover, he pulls me out, carrying my wet, slippery body to the glass shower door. I wrap my arms around his muscled shoulders. His mouth attacks mine as our tongues twist, and I definitely taste the bourbon.

  I feel his hand unbutton his jeans and my feet help push them down past his ass. In one fast thrust, he’s inside me.

  He doesn’t move, only pulls back to look at me. Our eyes lock and I see everything I will ever need.

  “I love you,” I murmur into his mouth as I kiss him. His hands move to the top of the glass door and he thrusts into me fast and hard, his piercing rubbing me over and over as my back slides up and down from the water, and now, our sweat.

  He’s not even trying to hold back. He needed me. I throw back my head and he bites my neck as I shiver and moan loudly.

  He’s inside me, and I never want it to end.

  “That’s it, Gia. Talk to me, baby.” He grunts his approval and my core pulses and contracts as his hips slam into me.

  He’s primal, almost intimidating. I’m climbing, my core contracting, and he doesn’t stop. My eyes close, but dots still appear as I orgasm. I think I scream. My pulse races and I see stars as wave after wave of addicting pleasure fills me.

  “Whose cunt is this?” he hisses in my ear, still fucking me hard while I scream his name.

  “I’m gonna fill my sweet cunt up.” His body jerks and he comes undone.

  Steadying our breaths, neither of us moves. Finally, he pulls out and backs up. My legs shake and I grab his arm.

  “Take a shower and get ready.” He kisses me.

  “Aren’t you going to join me?” I look down at his wet, slick cock that still stands proud. I almost tell him to sit on the toilet so I can ride him, but he’s right—I need to get ready.

  “No. I want to smell us and my cunt when I play tonight.”

  “God, Rhys, you are so… vulgar.” He grins, then throws his head back and laughs.

  “Vulgar?” He rolls the rrrr. “I like that. Hurry up.” He slaps my ass and I roll my eyes, stepping into the shower. There goes my relaxing bath. The way my legs feel like rubber, I could use it.

  Sighing, I raise my face to the water and try to figure out what’s going on with me. It’s not like I’m in a bad mood. How could I be? I’ve had numerous orgasms already today. It’s more an unsettled feeling.

  I grab the shampoo. This has to be because we’re in San Francisco. I wish I could skip tonight’s concert, snuggle in bed wearing one of his black T-shirts, and wait for him to come home.

  Yet I can’t and I’m being ridiculous. Just because he hasn’t said what we’re doing next, doesn’t mean I should get weird. I hurry, washing and turning off the shower. I need to look fantastic, especially tonight. No clue why I feel this way, but I do.

  RHYS

  Past – Twenty-seven years old

  San Francisco, California

  I take a deep drag off my cigarette, barely registering that it’s raining. Leaning forward, I let the rain soak my head. Some asshole paparazzi is probably zooming in on me but fuck it—I need some air.

  I look up at the sky. It’s gray and dark.

  Angry clouds.

  I haven’t gotten the phone call saying we’re postponing, so I assume this will let up. Not the first time I’ve gotten wet playing outside, but it always casts a strange unease over the band.

  My phone vibrates, and my heart races so fast my temples pound.

  Rafe: We might have to postpone until tomorrow. This fucking rain.

  Me: Do you want me to wait here?
r />   Rafe: No.

  I pocket my phone and breathe out deeply, letting my heart rhythm return to normal. A woman I dated almost a year ago called Rafe yesterday demanding I pay her money. She claims she’s pregnant and that I’m the father. The chance that this is real is zero. This happens all the time, women saying they’re pregnant. It’s always some desperate groupie looking for a handout.

  But this time, I have Gia. Something tells me this would not go over well.

  Renee.

  I shake my head. Can’t even remember her face. Nothing but a name. I’ve racked my brain trying to remember. I recall a Renee, but her face blends in with the faces of countless women I’ve fucked.

  Taking a deep drag, I close my eyes and let the rain soothe me. If I had anything to worry about, Rafe would have found out. The fact that he hasn’t mentioned it and is concerned about the rain makes all the drama go away.

  I open my eyes as a zigzag of lightning streaks across the sky. Maybe I need to buy a house. Living out of hotels is getting old. And now I have Gia to look after, care for, and we need a home base. Fuck, we can have houses all over the world for all I care.

  I always see myself in Los Angeles. It’s home, and I need the warm weather, but can I deal with my mom? We can always buy in Malibu, or the Palisades. I’ll let Gia decide. I take one last drag of my cigarette and put the butt out in a potted plant.

  Time to go. My cock is getting hard.

  “Gia?” I look around, making sure I’m not forgetting anything. “With the rain, traffic might be shit, babe.”

  “I’m ready.” I look up and freeze.

  There she stands. My goddess. My heart aches at the fear that this thing we share can be ruined by any bad mistake. She sashays by me. Her vanilla perfume fills me, calms me as I watch her get her bag.

  My eyes take in her body. Black skinny jeans and high-heeled boots showcase her long legs. Her see-through sweater leaves little to the imagination.

  “You’re fucking stunning.” She smiles as she lifts her arms to pull her hair back in a low bun.

  My hand goes to rub my burning heart.

  Hunger.

  Grabbing her, I pull her into my arms. She bats her long eyelashes at me. She’s got the smoky-eye makeup thing going on that makes the green of her eyes look like glittering emeralds. Her bag falls to the floor with a thud, and she wraps her hands around my neck.

  “Have I told you that I really like you?” I say, my voice low.

  She laughs. “You have.” She purses her red lips.

  My nose dips to her neck. “Have I told you you’re my life?”

  She leans back to look at me. “Kind of.”

  I straighten and take her hand and put it on my chest. “Feel that?”

  “Yes,” she whispers, her chest rising and falling in perfect rhythm.

  “That’s my heart beating for you.” I have no idea why I’m doing this now. Maybe it’s because of the phone call earlier, or maybe it’s time.

  “What’s wrong?” Her eyes search my face.

  “I want to tell you.” I cup her face. “You need to know how I…” My phone interrupts with a loud buzz. She looks down.

  “Ignore it,” I demand. “Fuck the rest of my world, Gia. I love you.” It’s raw and not smooth, but it’s the truth.

  “Rhys,” she whispers, blinking back the tears as she laughs, her whole body shaking.

  “I should have told you earlier. I thought it was clear.” I frown. Why am I stumbling like this? She places her fingers on my lips and cocks her head as she watches me.

  “I love you, Rhys. I’ve loved you forever.”

  I stare at her. She’s fearless, always has been. It rolls right out of her mouth. I can write the fuck out of a song. Perform in front of thousands of people. But she knows me, sees past all the fame and wealth. Gia sees the man that I am. She knows my demons, has seen me bleed.

  She traces my lips and I lightly bite the tip of her finger and suck it. When she smiles, my heart squeezes.

  “We need to go, Rhys.” The room is thick with all our emotions and things that need to be said. But that can wait.

  “You ready?”

  She leans down for her bag. Wiping under her eyes, she smears her eyeliner, so now she’s got the Cleopatra look going. I take her hand and open the door. Ace and three other bodyguards wait.

  I wink at her and the madness begins.

  “I’ve got Granger. We’re on the move.” Ace speaks into his earpiece. I squeeze her hand as we take the stairs, trying to avoid the crowds that must be waiting for me.

  “Get the limo. We’re coming in three, two, one.” Ace throws open the door that leads to the lobby.

  “There he is.” A man tries to block our way, his damn camera in Gia’s face. I fucking know this scumbag. He stalks me all the time.

  “I’m warning you, Bob, get that camera out of her face.” He swings it toward me right as Ace pushes him back.

  “Granger, man. Who’s the beauty with you?” He laughs as we pass and ignore him. “You gonna reschedule because of the rain? Granger?”

  I flip him off. He keeps smiling the whole time. The crowd that was waiting at the lobby entrance and elevators runs toward us.

  “Granger? Rock God, can you sign this, please…”

  “Granger, I heard the concert is postponed until tomorrow… Granger?

  “This is insane. Get more guys and clear them out,” I tell Ace who is talking into his earpiece.

  “Rock God… I love you!” A woman grabs ahold of my shirt.

  “What the hell?” Gia explodes as Ace calmly removes her hand and pushes the crowd back. Jesus, this a big fucking mess, and the rain seems to have picked up. It’s pouring and still, people are outside waiting.

  I hold up my hand as I plow through. Rock God, I love you. Rock God, over here. Granger, I’m pregnant… the words just blend together as I hold up my hand and go straight for the limo.

  “Christ.” I shake my head, water dripping down my face and neck. Leaning back into the leather seat, I pull a wet Gia next to me.

  Ace slides in and slams the door. “Move,” he yells at the driver.

  “What the fuck, man? Who leaked that we’re staying here?” I glance out the window, then over to Ace.

  The limo pulls out, horn blaring.

  “Cash was at the bar last night, and Nuke stopped to sign autographs earlier.” Ace looks out the window, then back at me as we glide down the street slowly, the wipers going at full speed.

  “You can’t play in this rain, Rhys,” Gia says, almost dazed as she looks out the window.

  “Pull over.” I tell the driver, raising my hips to get my phone out of my pocket.

  “Christ.” There are at least twenty missed calls from Rafe. The last one reads 911. “Did you hear anything about tonight?” I look at Ace as I push on Rafe’s number.

  “My main priority is your safety. I haven’t checked my phone,” he snaps, which is very un-Ace. He always stays cool and collected, but even he must feel the ominous vibe.

  I rub the back of my neck waiting for Rafe to answer as I kiss the top of Gia’s head.

  “Hand me that bottle of Jack, brother.”

  Ace grabs it, passes it to me, and pulls out his phone.

  I’m almost ready to hang up when Rafe answers. “You still at the hotel?” Loud noises filter through.

  “No, we just left.”

  “Go back. I’m already at the hotel. Meet me in my suite. The show has been postponed for tomorrow. It’s not safe.”

  “The fuck, Rafe! You could have told me earlier.” My head pounds as I crack open the bottle.

  “Bring Gia.” The line goes dead. I take a breath, because I’m getting ready to lose my shit, and that’s not gonna help anything right now.

  “Rhys?” Gia looks up at me, confusion on her face.

  “It’s not happening tonight. Go back.” I bring the bottle to my lips and drink, swallowing the spicy burn like it’s water.

  �
��Concert postponed, and Rafe wants to talk for a few minutes in his suite.” I spit it out as I take another swig.

  “Why?” she demands.

  “I guess we’ll find out.” It comes out harsh, causing her eyes to narrow as she looks at the bottle and leans her head back on the seat.

  “God, please tell me it’s not Axel. Do you think my mom told him? Or worse, he saw a picture of us?” Her leg starts to bounce. I look at her. I’d fucking give anything for it to be Axel.

  “I told you I’m not hiding.”

  She rolls her eyes at me, then looks out the window as the limo pulls up to the hotel again.

  “Okay, I’ve had my guys clear most of the crowd out. Let’s go nice and easy.” Ace is back as he opens the door and I climb out, holding my hand to Gia.

  Two cop cars are parked on the side, and people are still yelling and taking pictures, but the crowd has definitely thinned out. We head toward the stairs.

  “Are you gonna drink the whole bottle before we even find out what’s happening?” Gia exclaims, passing me as she takes the stairs like a pro. Her ass looks amazing. I must be feeling no pain as my cock hardens and I’m almost ready to blow Rafe off. He can deal with whatever shit this is. That’s what I pay him for.

  “Fuck this.” I stop at the third floor and open the door leading to the rooms and elevator. “Rafe can handle whatever it is.”

  Gia and Ace stop mid-climb.

  “No, we’re going to Rafe’s suite.” She puts her hands on her hips, barely out of breath. I grin at her as she shakes her head. “Whatever, you stay here and finish the bottle. I’ll take care of whatever drama is happening.” She leaves me, her boots clinking as she takes the stairs two at a time.

  Ace nods approvingly. “Gia kicks ass, man.” He follows her while I watch, knowing I need to follow.

  It can’t be. I would never fuck without a rubber. Aside from Gia, it doesn’t happen. I bring the bottle to my lips. The few times the rubber has torn on my piercing, the women have taken the Plan B pill, right?

  I stumble out the door into the lavish hallway and push on the elevator button. Clearly, I’m not gonna catch up with her, but at least I should make it to Rafe’s suite first.