Legendary Rock Star: Enemies to Lovers Romance (Steel Series Book 1)

by Victoria Pinder

  Then he turned toward me again. “And for a soulstress such as yourself, the labels are going to want the first song to be pop. Once we establish you’re a team player, they’ll let you record those power ballads your talents are so suited for.”

  That silly smile of his caught me off guard. I glanced at Phoenix, whose face was red, as I said for both of us, “We can swing that.”

  These two clearly knew each other well, as they had some silent language going on. Mark finished his coffee and said quickly, “Perfect. See you both soon. Good luck with the show. Winning will get you higher offers, but I’m on your side no matter what happens.”

  I jumped up to walk out with them as Phoenix said, “We’re on it.”

  At the door he hugged me and Phoenix together and said, “I have to get going.”

  “See you soon, Mark,” Phoenix said, and held the door for him.

  For an agent, he seemed nice. I walked back to the studio with Phoenix and grabbed a still-warm roll and wished I wasn’t under a stupid contract to avoid carbs. Luckily, Phoenix brought over a fruit tray and another coffee as he said, “We’ll get you back to the studio in a few minutes.”

  I bit into an apple and grabbed a banana slice from the plate. Once I’d finished, I relaxed back in my seat and said, “I’m glad I came here.”

  Phoenix put his plate on the table as he said, “Mark’s honest. He tells me no, bad idea, all the time. Even if you don’t win, he’ll get you the stadium tours. He loves those because you both make more money.”

  I saw that he had goosebumps. My own skin started to radiate heat as he said, “Trust me.”

  My mind raced as I tried to process everything that had happened. My legs were pressed together as I said, “I do, but it’s a lot to deal with. I’m not sure how we’ll pull this off when my parents are still pressuring me to go back to Kansas City.”

  He pivoted closer and his knees brushed against mine as he said, “You can stay here, with me. I’ve plenty of room.”

  Move in. His Beverly Hills estate was the dreamiest place I could imagine and he had a studio I never wanted to leave.

  My stomach twisted as I tried to imagine how I could explain this to my parents who had done so much for me.

  They’d never banned boys, just wanted me to be open with them and to respect myself.

  My heart beat faster and I wasn’t sure what to say. Finally, I said, “I’d like that …”

  His eyes widened and he asked, “But?”

  “I didn’t say that.” I lowered my lashes. I wasn’t sure what I’d do, yet.

  I craved Phoenix’ touch, and we hadn’t even had sex.

  This was a big deal.

  He knelt in front of me and said, “Let me guess.”

  I tilted my head and my forehead wrinkled as I asked, “Guess what?”

  He nodded like he understood everything and said, “Your parents are old fashioned, and your dad’s a minister.”

  I let out a breath. He was right. This was about my parents. I squeezed his hand and said, “He is. And he’d worry about me.”

  A blush seemed to grow on Phoenix’s cheeks as his dimples appeared and he asked, “Would it help if I asked you to marry me?”

  I swallowed but couldn’t move. My pulse began to race. I said, “Wait. What?”

  He came closer and traced my naked finger as he said, “It can be in a year or so, to give you plenty of time to settle in, but I had this ring sent over this morning.”

  And then he took out a box he’d had in his back pocket.

  How had I missed a box like that?

  He opened it and revealed a princess cut diamond. I trembled as I asked, “You what?”

  He held it in front of me and said, “Okay, I had Mark bring it over.”

  I’d been sleeping on the couch last night, while Phoenix had fallen asleep on the floor. I vaguely remembered waking for a moment and seeing that he had his phone in his hand. He’d been texting Mark about a ring when we’d been exhausted from hours of singing and writing.

  I saw the light of the sun making the diamond sparkle as I asked, “How did I miss that exchange? He must have slipped it to you when you opened the door.”

  His face grew taut as he asked, “So, will you?”

  Phoenix was on one knee, asking for my hand. This was better than I’d ever imagined, but I asked, “Will I what? Did you ask me a question that needs an answer?”

  He took a deep breath and then nodded and said, “Right. Okay. Maggie Carrigan, you’re the light of my life and I want you in it for the rest of my days. Marry me and I’ll work hard to ensure your dreams all come true.”

  My lips pressed together and I pulled my hand back as I said, “I don’t want that.”

  His entire face and body went red and he started to stand as he said, “Oh. I understand.”

  I grabbed his arm as I jumped up with him and said, “No! I mean, well … Yes. I want to marry you. I just screwed that up.”

  He took the ring out of the box for me as he asked, “You do?”

  “Yes.” I slipped it on my finger quickly as I said, “I meant, you don’t have to work to make my dreams come true. I’ll do that. I just want you as my partner.”

  A smile grew on his face and he held me tight. I melted into him as he said, “I can do that, too.”

  Then he kissed me. And damn, he could kiss.

  My left leg went up a little as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  This was better than a show. I had my own real-life fairy tale, without the cameras in my face.

  I was living my dream. I’d come to L.A. for a chance at stardom. Now I had the love of my life too.

  And his kiss made me ache for more.

  19

  Maggie

  I couldn’t believe this. Any of it, to be honest. We were backstage again, in the same room where we’d met.

  The final eight were all here tonight and I had goosebumps seeing Phoenix again.

  Sawyer, Wyatt, and Joe were joking about starting their own modern-day boy band. Phoenix had turned down an offer to join them. Now they were plotting to find some of the semi-finalists who hadn’t made it as far as the rest of us but were back for the finale.

  Rihanne and Jane had just left to go get ready to perform.

  I’d go in a moment, too.

  But for now, Phoenix and I were alone. His muscular body captivated me.

  I took a sip of water as I said, “Rihanne made the top three. I’m so excited for her.”

  Phoenix tilted his head and said, “She’s good. But I’m cheering for you”

  My eyes met his and I raised my eyebrows. We had everything together. Those royalty checks were real. Now I just needed to prove that I had what it takes.

  But with Phoenix, I just wanted us to be happy. I playfully pinched his arm and asked, “Want to make a wager?”

  His brown eyes had a gleam in them, and he hugged me as he said, “I didn’t know you were a gambler.”

  I laughed as the stage music came on for the former finalists who had been eliminated side-by-side with us again, and I said, “I’m living dangerously.”

  He crossed his arms as the eliminated finalists sang a song together and he asked me, “So what are the terms?”

  I sucked in my lips as my adrenaline rushed through my veins. Honestly, I had it all and didn’t need anything. However, Phoenix was super proud of his studio. I clicked my tongue and said, “If I win, you let me buy a bright red couch to replace the black leather one in the studio.”

  “Red?”

  I didn’t really want it, but having something crazy in there would mess with how proud he was about it. So I said, “Yes, red.”

  He shook his head like I’d asked for a million dollars in cash as he said, “I can’t let that happen, but I want you to win. So, no bet.”

  We swung our hands in tune to the theme song before the host speaks and then I said, “I have to go soon.”

  The host interviewed the contestants who�
�d just finished singing. And then the show went dramatically dark. I tapped Phoenix on the shoulder and went up on my toes while I said, “You only have one more commercial— “

  Then he showed off his dimples like he was thinking something mischievous and he snapped his fingers. “Got it.”

  “What?” I asked and held still.

  He hugged my waist and whispered so only I heard him. “No bet, but I want to see you sing absolutely naked in the studio while we record our next song.”

  My eyes widened. That certainly took my mind off singing live next. He wanted me to sing naked at his—our—house? I asked, “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  The idea of sitting on that chair with nothing on beside Phoenix made my blood warm. I had never imagined this. I shrugged like I wasn’t shocked and said, “We’ll see.”

  “So confident,” he said as the show came back on. He sipped his water and said, “Now get out there and sing.”

  I rushed to my spot in the backstage lineup with Jane and Rihanne.

  Jane was the first to sing. I watched her in the purple leather jacket that she favored and I said to Rihanne, “Jane is seriously great.”

  She winked. “So are we all.”

  Then it was her turn and she sang her heart out. Everyone clapped like she’d wowed them. Jane stood next to me now and said, “Good luck. Rihanne is good.”

  Rihanne was awesome. So was Jane. I had to be better.

  My turn. I stepped forward, closed my eyes and imagined Phoenix was in front of me as I started my first lyric.

  Then I belted out the tune at the top of my lungs and gave my performance everything I had.

  As the song ended and the lights dimmed, for a moment there was silence.

  I took a breath, unsure what to do now, and then the crowd went wild.

  While the applause continued, the other finalists returned to the stage to sing the same final eight song we had done the first night. As Phoenix appeared beside me, I said, “You were the real mentor to every finalist. We’re all better for knowing you.”

  He rested his hand on my lower back like he’d protect me as he said, “You blew everyone away tonight.”

  I hoped so, but I’d be okay whatever happened. I had him. I held up my finger and showed the diamond I’d tucked in my palm, as I said, “I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” he said.

  We took our spots and the song began.

  This time no nerves stopped me as I sang my few lines and performed my second-half dance number with Phoenix. Lights flickered and the stage went black as we finished the routine.

  The song was over. Phoenix left the stage in the darkness and I rejoined Jane and Rihanne.

  “It’s almost time!” Rihanne said.

  Jane added, “Good luck, both of you.”

  “You too.” I squeezed their hands. “The tour is going to be fun.”

  The lights were on for the cameras. I could see Phoenix with the others on the side of the stage. My heart lurched. This was it.

  The judges all spoke to the camera, but I didn’t hear.

  Torturing us, the lights went off. Phoenix winked at me as he and the others headed backstage to the lounge where I’d meet him later.

  A moment later, the lights were in our faces again.

  The host came over and said, “Only one of you will be our final winner tonight. Are you nervous?”

  “Yeah,” we all said, pretty much in unison. Then I said, “Jane and Rihanne are like the sisters I never had, right now.”

  “And you’re dating Phoenix Steel.” The host put it in my face.

  I sucked in my breath. I nodded and said, “Yes, but I’m here to compete for the album and the tour.”

  The host said, “Well, Maggie, step forward.”

  My heart beat a mile a minute. This was crazy. And then he said, “We’ll need you to sing your song again now … because you’re our winner, Maggie Carrigan!”

  I turned around and hugged the others. “I love you both.”

  I could see on the monitor that Phoenix was clapping wildly in the back room and I took a breath.

  I’d done it. I was the headliner.

  I closed my eyes, and I swear my fingers felt Phoenix holding my hand as I sang again.

  The love song came from my soul.

  As the notes ended, the lights went out.

  It was done.

  I walked off stage and Phoenix grabbed me and hugged me. I was in tears as he lifted me off my feet. When he put me down, I said, “I love you.”

  “I love you, too” He turned to me and his shoulders slumped as he said, “So you won. You get to buy your red couch.”

  I’d been a pile of nerves when I said that, and honestly, it was only because I couldn’t come up with a better idea on what to actually bet. As we walked through the set, I looped my arm in his and lifted my chin and said, “I … it was a bad joke.”

  His lips were thin. He shook his head and said, “You won. And you live there now, so you can do what you want.”

  No way would I mess up his Zen respite in the house, but I batted my eyes and said, “I’ll decorate some other time, maybe after our tour.”

  As we made it out of the building and into the night air, his limo came toward us. His forehead wrinkled and he asked, “What do you want to do now?”

  “We’re skipping the party tonight and going home.” The idea of singing naked next to him was now a thought I could see in vivid colors in my mind. I said, “We’ll head into the studio—and we’ll keep the furniture sterile and black.”

  “Okay,” he said and the color came back into his face again.

  I cupped his face and came closer to smell his woodsy cologne. “And …”

  He rested his forehead on mine and said, “I’m in if you want to go to the party.”

  Seriously, he was a keeper and that was why I wore this ring, but I let out a small sigh and said, “That wasn’t what I wanted to say.”

  He held me and asked, “Then what?”

  I bit my bottom lip and decided to be daring. I ignored the butterflies in my stomach and said, “Let’s sing naked in the studio. But you have to be naked too.”

  “Deal,” he said, and his smile grew to show off those dimples of his.

  Bubbles of happiness were around me and I hugged him closer and said, “You’re too easy.”

  “Only because I love you,” he said, and then he kissed me.

  My left leg lifted of its own accord. Winning on the show was amazing. But what was even more amazing was that I’d won Phoenix. With him, I had everything I’d ever want. There was nothing better and I was happy, here, in his arms, always.

  Thank you so much for reading. Having your attention this long is an honor and I hope you find time to leave your review for this book. Also book two in my Steel family stars Georgiana Steel, single mom… she takes her son to a baseball game and finds out that the father of her child is a professional player. She had no idea… Read what happens in Rocking Player.

  Now for your bonus, where you can read the one year later epilogue, please grab the bonus scene now!

  Or if you’re into freebies and reading a completed series, start with Secret Crush as the Morgans always had a special place in my heart and more are coming soon.

  And if you sign up for my newsletter you and I can stay in touch. Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE novella.

  Have an amazing day.

  Rocking Player Preview

  Georgiana

  Life wasn’t like it was in the movies.

  I tugged my brown hair into a pony tail, reminding myself that as a single mom, I had zero interest in dating. My son, Jeremy, was all that mattered since the day I had him.

  Well Jeremy and peace. I liked my life orderly and calm.

  Once in a while, like today, I wondered what my vacation romance, that transformed me into sudden mom, might react if I ever saw him again to tell him about his son. No other man since Michael had ever
made me forget myself.

  I was about to go to a professional baseball game. Jeremy had begged me to take him. My son was all about the cards and getting better at catching for his little league team.

  My dad, not my mom, had taken me to one baseball game as a girl, though I’m sure I talked his ear off about my paint brushes I’d loved.

  Nothing stirred, not even a leaf on a tree blew outside the windows on our cul-de-sac. Silence in the house wasn’t good, though at six years old, he was now old enough that maybe the quiet was okay, and it didn’t mean disaster was brewing. My big ears usually heard everything, and quiet ricocheted through my spine. Time to stop my wandering thoughts. Old habits kicked in and I moved faster to get ready to take him to the game today. I checked myself in the mirror of my en-suite bathroom in my two-story home. Jeans that weren’t mom jeans and actually flattered me had been a gift from my sister, Ridley, after I’d cooked dinner for her last week and my high cheek bones were bare as blush seemed silly for a game.

  I never wore makeup anymore either, but all my sisters had agreed I needed to stop hiding. I wasn’t, but I just wasn’t interested in anyone, not since Michael and that dream vacation.

  Jeremy was at his desk by the window overlooking our quiet street reading his baseball cards like he’d one day like to be stamped on one of them.

  I backed out of his room and closed my eyes in the small hall next to the linen closet. Today I imagined Michael close and his kiss still made me tingle. Sounds so stupid when I think it, but it’s true. I opened my eyes. After Michael, no other guy had made me feel anything. And I had our boy who looked like him with those blue eyes and squared chin, so I knew whatever it was between us had happened.

  Time to finish and get to the day game on time. Now. Jeans were heavy so I paired it with a plain white t-shirt as baseball games were hot just sitting in the sun. At least I would imagine so because I don’t remember many details from the one time as a girl with my dad.

  Jeremy had begged and I’d do anything for my son. Unlike my mother who often hid herself away as a wallflower, never taking me anywhere except the grocery store where I’d been the one to fill the cart with the list as she’d claim some headache and need to sit down, I made time to take Jeremy where he wanted.