ROCK F*CK CLUB (Girls Ranking the Rock Stars Book 5)

by Michelle Mankin

  “I love you,” I said, then kissed him. How could I not? My scalp tingled, and my toes curled just from the simple touch of my mouth to his.

  But when he tried to penetrate my lips with his tongue, I stopped him.

  “No, Gale.” I pulled back. “Your kisses lead to me wanting to make love with you, and making love to you transcends this plane of existence. I need to remain here tonight.”

  “All of that from a single kiss?”

  From his teasing tone, I knew his mouth must have curved, but I couldn’t see it clearly. The light we’d left on in the bathroom wasn’t bright enough to illuminate all his features, but I heard his half smile in his voice.

  “Yes, from one of your kisses. I may be a hero in your eyes, but you’re the prince that rocks the realm in mine.”

  “So my kisses are irresistible.” His full-on smile blazed in the darkness, just like he did. “And I’m a transcendent love god.”

  “Tuck your ego away and go to sleep, Gale.” Now I was smiling too.

  “Okay, Jo. But I’ll dream of you.”

  I wouldn’t have to dream. I wrapped my arms around his strong neck and laid my cheek against his solid chest. The mortal man I held was more than a myth.

  He was my wish come true.

  I SLEPT RESTFULLY WITH the two people I loved most in the world, and I woke early in the morning before both of them. After slipping out of Gale’s arms, I sneaked into the bathroom and ordered room service. Simple fare for me and Dolly, and the fanciest thing I could find on the menu for Gale.

  Afterward, I sat on the edge of the tub and scrolled through my emails and text messages. There were a few significant ones. One was from the Gods of Rock tour, confirming the bus departure time for Napa. Another was from the Rock the Vine festival. With the Enthusiasts out of the lineup, there was now an opening on the main stage, and Joey’s Band was in it.

  Suddenly, I was wide awake.

  This was huge! We were scheduled to perform right before the final act, Anthem. My first gig as lead singer would be at one of the biggest festivals of the summer.

  Following that eye-opening development, the last remaining email was from Barbara Michaels to check on me. Her gentle reminder of my remaining commitments—three—to the Rock Fuck Club didn’t have quite the impact that it might have had before.

  It hadn’t slipped my mind. I only wanted Gale, but I knew there was no chance of a reprieve from the WMO exec on the ten-rock-stars stipulation in my contract. I loved Gale. He loved me. The world was a new and better place. But figuring out the practicalities of us as a couple going forward was going to be a challenge.

  A loud knock from the outside door to the hotel room made me jump to my feet. Room service was fast.

  Flying from the bathroom, I unbolted the door as soon as I reached it and opened it, but it wasn’t to a chipper hotel employee with a rolling food cart. Instead, there was an attractive middle-aged brunette in a severely cut but stylish business suit standing in front of me.

  “Who is it?” Gale asked sleepily from behind me.

  A glance over my shoulder revealed him in the bed, wearing only boxers, his hair rumpled as if urgent female fingers had fisted it.

  I wish.

  He whipped the sheet over himself, covering his impressive morning wood.

  “What time is it?” Mussed and adorable beside him, Dolly looked like the other part of her bed companion’s sex-capade as she slowly blinked at me from across the room.

  “Um, I’m not sure what time it is.” I shifted my attention to the brunette and narrowed my eyes. She looked familiar. “Who are you?”

  “Mary Timmons. Black Cat Records.” She ran her silver gaze over me, making me remember just how undressed I actually was in just my lacy bralette and boy shorts. “Are you Josephine . . . Poet?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “May I have a few words with you?” she asked politely.

  “Of course.” Holding the door open wider, I stepped back. “Would you like to come in?”

  “Yes. Thank you.” The CEO’s arched brows rose as she noted my bed companions, and the other bed that obviously hadn’t been slept in at all.

  “I’m sorry we’re not dressed for company. It’s early. We weren’t expecting anyone.”

  “No need to apologize. I assure you, I have seen more than”—her gaze went to the bed and then back to me as if she were tabulating a number in her head—“three scantily clad rock stars sharing a bed.”

  Something crystallized in my brain. A solution to the RFC problem. A one-two-three-and-done solution. Suzanne wouldn’t be pleased. I would need Barbara’s help to sell the WMO exec on the mathematics. I only hoped Gale would go for it.

  “Mr. Lafleur.” Mary crossed to him, holding out her hand as if this was a business meeting rather than an awkward discussion in a hotel room. “I wasn’t expecting to converse with you again so soon after your recent phone call about Joey’s Band.”

  “It’s good to see you again, Ms. Timmons.” Gale might be flustered by the powerful CEO, but if he was, I couldn’t tell.

  “I’m Dolly Byron.” My bestie bounded over to Gale’s side of the bed and reached over him to offer her hand to the executive. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Timmons.” She smiled as her hand was shaken, flashing both her dimples.

  “The former lead singer, now at drums.” Mary dipped her head. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

  The coolness in her gaze warmed significantly. Dolly’s unaffected cuteness was difficult to ignore.

  “I just came from the hospital. I met your bandmates there.” Mary closed her eyes. When she reopened them a moment later, it was apparent she wasn’t unaffected by that meeting.

  “I haven’t spoken to Lark or Linnet since last night.” My brow creased. “Are they okay? Did they stay at the hospital all night?”

  “They are doing better than Mr. Anderson. Jagger.” Mary shook her head. “All three have been at the hospital since yesterday. Tyler too, of course, under doctor’s orders. But apparently, no one could convince Mr. Anderson to leave the body of his dear friend.” She tucked a strand of her bobbed shoulder-length brown hair behind her ear. “I took care of that this morning.”

  “Oh no.” My eyes rounded. “How did you do that?”

  “I took Mr. Anderson aside and spoke with him privately. I’m not unaccustomed to dealing with such matters. Professionally or personally, sadly.” She blinked quickly as if holding back tears. “I appealed to him along both lines, and then brought him and the twins back to the hotel with me. I’ve secured several adjoining suites, large enough for the band, your bandmates, and Ms. West to stay in. Hopefully, together they will be able to rest comfortably.”

  “You flew all the way from Vancouver to take care of a band you manage?” I asked.

  She nodded. “They’re a Black Cat Records band. I take responsibility for all my artists, even if they are only potential ones. You and your bandmates are my other reason for being here.”

  “Really, why?” Curious, I tilted my head.

  “I want to be certain you feel secure. After the accident, I assume Ms. Byron is nervous about bus transportation. If she would like, I will fly you to Napa at my company’s expense. It’s only an hour flight into San Francisco, and then a short drive by car to the venue.”

  “Yes, please.” Dolly nodded, her green eyes wide. “I’d like that very much.”

  “Of course.” I bobbed my head as well. “I’m sure Lark and Linnet would like that too.”

  “Then it’s done. I’ll have my VP, Beth Tate, make all the necessary arrangements. She’ll be your contact for anything you need up until your performance. Afterward, I would like to meet with you again briefly. If you are half as good as your father was onstage, then I shall sign you on the spot.”

  My jaw dropped. “How do you know who my father is?” I whispered.

  “I make it a point to know everything about the artists who I wish to join the Black Cat Record label. And in yo
ur particular case, there is also a personal connection. While your father has always been a disappointment to me, your half sister, Melinda T. Belle, is not.”

  “This is a lot to take in.” My fingers curling into fists at my sides, I swayed. I knew my father had another family. One he accepted. One he had claimed. What I hadn’t realized was that Mary Timmons knew about me.

  Gale abandoned the sheet, and apparently his modesty. Pulling me into him and his strength, he held me steady while the floor tilted beneath me.

  “Obviously, I don’t want any connection to my father,” I told Mary, “or I would’ve used that connection as leverage to gain a contract for my band before now. He’s been more than a disappointment to me my entire life. I’m ashamed to be his daughter, the same way he’s always been ashamed of me.” I clasped Gale’s hand tighter.

  Mary tilted her head, studying Gale and me. She took her time, digesting my words, reminding me of the considering manner of the man I leaned on.

  “If you wish your background to remain unknown, it will remain unknown from my end. I cannot say what will happen down the line. If you reach your full potential as an artist, your lineage and other items that have been overlooked related to it are unlikely to remain so.”

  “At this point, I have enough to deal with.” I lifted my chin. “If I have your word to keep silent about what you know, I’ll put my signature on an intent-to-sign with Black Cat Records right now. The other we can just acknowledge as contingencies to set aside to address another day.”

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT, an intent-to-sign with Black Cat Records.”

  With a copy of the document in her hands, Dolly sat back on the edge of the bed that served as her dining chair. Gale and I were side by side on the other bed.

  Room service had come after the CEO had left. The cart was unfolded into a table between the two beds. I watched my best friend peruse the details of the very short, simple contract.

  “I think Black Cat Records is the best choice for us,” I said, using my fingers as I listed my reasons. “One, her company is one of the most well-known and respected. Two, her artists say she’s a hard-ass.” My father had said so many times. “And I like the idea of her using her stubbornness on our behalf. Three, she means what she says, good or bad, no BS. Like with me and the drumming. I respect that. I respect her. And lastly, an all-girl band should be with a record label run by a woman. It just feels right.”

  I nodded in response to Dolly’s agreeing nod and reached for my ice water from the breakfast cart, glancing at Gale to see if he had an opinion.

  “All the things you just said about Mary and Black Cat are true.” Gale tapped his bearded chin. “Brutal Strength, Rush McMahon, and Tempest are with her label. Your father was when he was with Reverb. Your half sister is with Black Cat as a solo artist.” He shook his head. “Melinda Belle sings like you, Josephine. She looks a lot like you too. I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection.”

  “So it’s settled,” I said.

  I didn’t have enough headspace to address how I felt about the half sister I’d never been given a chance to know personally. But in that locket deep inside me where all my treasures were stored, a longing to meet her stirred.

  “Joey’s Band is with Black Cat. It’s done, unless I’m a total flop at lead and she decides to un-sign me.” I gulped. “I can’t believe we’re on the main stage where everyone can see me screw up.”

  “You’re not gonna screw up. You’ll blow them away.” Dolly set the contract aside. “You’re ready for this. We’re ready for this.”

  “I hope so, doll.” I watched her snag the last slice of bacon from my plate. My lips curved, despite my nerves, as I noted that Gale had eaten every bite of his fancy frittata.

  “Don’t worry about the size of the audience.” Gale took my hand and threaded our fingers together. Large and masculine, his hand engulfed mine. “Just remember every person in that crowd is there because they love music. Connect with them on that level, remember what we talked about, and it’ll end up becoming the beginning of a mutual love affair.”

  “Speaking of love affairs.” The segue into my idea wasn’t as smooth as I wanted it to be, but neither were the knots that bound me to the RFC. “Would you be willing to do a three-way—you, me, and Dolly—to complete my remaining obligations to the show?”

  “Hell yes!” My bestie immediately and very enthusiastically agreed. “Three rockers in a bed. It’ll be just like last night, only sexier.”

  Gale didn’t speak for a long moment. I knew he wasn’t quick about making major decisions.

  “Dolly,” he said, his considering gaze moving to her. “Could you give Jo and me a minute to talk about this alone?”

  “Sure.” She gave me a worried look that made the non-fancy fried eggs inside my stomach scramble. “I’ll just go out in the hall.” Her cell in hand, she jumped off the bed and moved quickly across the room.

  “Have you had this idea in mind for a while?” Gale asked as soon as the door clicked closed.

  “No.” I shook my head. “Just since this morning. The three of us in bed started me thinking. Plus, the emails I read that came from Barbara. The Rock Fuck Club isn’t going to go away. But I want us to go on without it. I don’t want it to be a remaining strain on our relationship like it was for my predecessors.”

  “Yes, I know about that.”

  “From Ivan’s point of view?” I asked.

  “And Tyler’s. Sure, yeah.” Releasing my hand, Gale raked it through his hair. “I have bus call in a couple of hours.” His gaze turned steely. “When were you proposing we do this?”

  He didn’t say no. I tried not to get my hopes up.

  “Before bus call. Are you not saying no?” I asked him.

  “I’m not saying yes.” His handsome features were set.

  “Okay, so it’s mainly a logistical concern.” I rushed ahead. “You have to go soon, and so do I, but the film crew is always on standby. One call from me, and they’ll be here. Dolly is just outside, probably with her ear to the door. And me . . .” I swiveled on the bed so I could place my hands on his chiseled chest. “I can go right now.”

  His eyes flared as I spread my fingers wide. My pulse raced as my entire body registered the connection of my skin to his.

  “I can go off anytime with you,” I said, my throat going dry. Touching him and staring into his eyes was all it took for me.

  “It’s more than logistics.” His voice deepened, the rumble resonating in those Gale-only zones. “Desire isn’t the issue. I love you, Jo, but putting the three of us together? You with your history with Dolly, and me being a guy who wants only one woman . . .” He sighed. “I’m certain of you and me. I just don’t want to agree to anything that might threaten that.”

  “Ah.” Warmth unfurled in two places—my heart and my pussy. My heart wasn’t empty anymore, but full because of him. My pussy was empty, though, and it throbbed for his cock.

  “I love you,” I said. “These scenes with the RFC are about me and my journey. Dolly was part of me becoming myself, a precursor to you. Your love is the culmination of my journey. It’s right, good, and perfect for you to be last.”

  My eyes burned bright with the truth, my unique truth, as I focused on him.

  “I understand your relationship with Dolly,” he said. “I understand you.”

  “So you can trust me with this, like I trust you.”

  “I can.” His response without a bit of reservation brought tears to my eyes. Our first test as a couple, and in my mind, we already passed it.

  So I told him my idea.

  • • •

  “Like a ceremony,” he said when I’d finished. “Like us taking vows. Like we did in the desert.”

  “Yes.” I should have realized he would get that aspect. “An unusual ceremony.”

  “An extraordinary one,” he said, correcting my word choice. “Exceptional to a very marked degree. Like you, Josephine.”

  He got
up while I marveled at him. Turned toward the door, he didn’t see me gawking at him. Loving him, I also had the privilege of enjoying the show of him and his tight ass in his black boxers as he crossed the room to let my best friend back inside.

  “This is going to be awesome!” Grinning, Dolly tumbled inside. She’d been listening.

  I smiled at her and Gale. Excited too, I found my phone and called the RFC crew.

  Within thirty minutes, the room was filled. Barbara with her laptop. Ignacio with his camera. Ernie with his sound equipment, and Les with his lights.

  “Your turn.” Dolly exited the bathroom, looking incredibly beautiful, though still in the pink PJs she’d worn all morning.

  My idea was for the three of us to wear what we’d had on for bed. The feelings we had were important. We didn’t need formal wear for that.

  “C’mon.” Carla waved at me. It was my turn with the makeup artist.

  Gale had been first. When he’d emerged, I couldn’t tell what she’d done. I only knew that it had made him look even more handsome.

  Taking a seat where she indicated, I returned to where I’d started my morning on the edge of the bathtub. Quickly and quietly, Carla worked her makeup magic. Mascara, eyeshadow, liner, blush, and lipstick, stuff I rarely wore except during a performance.

  And this, this would be a performance. But it was also me acknowledging my love for the two people who meant the world to me.

  I stepped through the doorway when she was done. The hotel room was dimmed along the periphery, but the middle was brightly lit by Les’s lights, and even more so by Gale’s eyes.

  “Hey, Jo.” Dolly moved to stand with me. “You look so pretty.” She took my hands and tugged.

  “Thank you,” I said. “You make me feel that way. You’ve always made me feel that way.”