by Emme Rollins
Gathering up every professional bone in her body, Kate finally started the interview. The questions seemed so mundane now that she had him alone, sitting there calmly and also keeping his own level of correctness and formality.
She asked him about a lot of things; about his glamorous lifestyle and whether it was all about play. He told her that yes, it was fun getting to travel around the world, play the best parties and shows, stay in the finest hotels and eat at the top restaurants. Hong Kong tonight, Korea tomorrow…playing to several hundred thousand or to just a thousand people…Different settings brought a different energy.
Sure, Gage confessed, it did feel great but it was also tough. Of course he worked hard, he assured her. Day and night, in the studio, or on the road. And now, doing an interview at ten to one a.m. in the morning. He grinned suddenly at that and Kate couldn’t help smiling back, inwardly glad they could relate without the poison of the past inching into the conversation.
“You’ve had four studio albums; cross-over collaborations with artistes like Katy Perry, Kanye West, Coldplay. How do you think your music has evolved?” Kate asked.
A grin slanted over Gage’s curved lips. “I’ve always believed that the older I become, the tastier and more refined I get – like a bottle of wine. I’m very spontaneous and it shows in my music. I don’t let anything hold me back and that’s why my fans can feel all of me in my music.”
At that, Kate had to bring up his fans; his 20 million Facebook friends, three million Twitter followers and then his videos on YouTube all getting countless views and subscribers.
“I believe the social media is a fabulous tool. I get to interact with my fans differently from when I’m on stage and they’re in the crowd,” Gage said thoughtfully.
“So…you have the lifestyle people only dream of. You travel in your private jet, you hang out with the rich and famous, and get to live like a king, adored by your teeming fans. How does that make you feel?” asked Kate.
“I’m happy to be making so much money doing what I love – and yet I know I’ll still be doing it even if I was making less than one percent of what I make now,” he said, and Kate bit on her lip as she realized it was true; even when Gage and his band had zero funds and sometimes had to play for free at shows, Gage had always been glad to just play, to share his music.
“Besides,” he went on with a shrug, “I have the best management who find great opportunities for me business-wise. So I’m all about the music but I still think of other ways to make my money. I’m a part of numerous endorsements but only those I feel suit my personality. I’d never endorse what I didn’t believe in, no matter the rewards.”
Kate nodded understandingly. “So, just what do you spend your money on anyway?” she half-teased. “Cars, yachts? An island or two?”
He grinned at that. “Yeah, I heard about that rumor where a tabloid claimed I’d bought up some tiny island off Fiji. Not true. I really don’t have that much time to spend money since I’m always busy working. Sure, I could rent an expensive yacht because it’s easier. And I do enjoy buying up houses – don’t even know how many of those I have. I should count them though,” he mused carelessly, and Kate shook her head with humor.
“Yes, you should,” she said wryly. “With the money and fame...did drugs ever become part of your life?”
She could tell the question had surprised him. Kate had never known him to even smoke but who knew what else had changed about him? He’d never seemed the womanizer type but now he was always in the news along with some latest conquest crying her eyes out for not being able to hold on to the rock star god Gage Stevens.
“Drugs have never been my thing,” Gage said seriously, folding his arms as he sat back in the couch. “And I think many new age rock stars focus on their career and stay clean. I certainly can’t afford to do drugs on stage. I tell myself I have one chance and one chance only – can’t detriment that with drugs. I find other ways to enjoy life and garner that high that drugs provide for other people.”
“And what other ways are those?” Kate couldn’t help asking.
“Well, for one thing, there’s sex,” he said, tongue in cheek. Kate’s face flushed. “Hot, hours-long sex helps ramp up the adrenal edge for me. That’s my mojo.”
Kate squirmed in her seat. That little tidbit certainly wasn’t going into the final feature, she decided, even as she asked, “You’ve dated some beautiful women; do you think you’d settle down any time soon?”
He shoved his hair back. “Sure, I’ve dated, but I don’t have much of a social life – or private life for that matter. It’s hard to have one when I’m focused so much on my career. A lot of my friends are married and have kids, and it’s got me hoping that in the future, I can have a private life. Like everyone out there, I’d love to fall in love, get married and have beautiful children,” he said deeply.
Kate nodded, but inwardly didn’t like to think how much it wrenched her heart to imagine Gage falling in love or marrying anyone else, and having undoubtedly gorgeous kids with the lucky woman. Ground down by an acute sense of loss, Kate decided to round up the interview by asking what advice he had for upcoming rock artists like him.
“Fight for every chance you get,” Gage said simply. “It’s all about a lot of hard work, a bit of talent, the right music – and a great mindset. I believe so much in fighting for your dreams, and that’s why I try to support any new acts I can by letting them open up for me at gigs. I’ve also got various charities focused on young adults and kids. So though I might be living a life of glamour, whether playing with hip-hop’s Kanye West at a private party or meeting supermodel Kate Upton at a beach show, I’m more than my lifestyle.”
“I think your fans know that,” Kate said sincerely, before finally switching off the recorder. He nodded, acknowledging her words with a small smile as he rose to go over to the bar. He mixed some drinks and brought a glass over to her but she shook her head.
“Any more alcohol and I’ll be falling asleep where I am. And I need to get going – it’s almost two am.”
“It’s a non-alcoholic cocktail – or a mocktail as it’s called,” he said drily, holding it out to her with a compelling look. “Drink.”
Kate sighed and then obediently took a gulp. It had a refreshing taste of the Mojito without the alcohol. Realizing she really was thirsty, she took more sips, glad she could relax even if for a few more minutes before she had to go. She rose from her chair to pace over to the picture window. For the first time, she took in the view and saw how beautiful the city looked from here. She thought of going back to her dreary though homely apartment – her overall dreary life. But wanting to stay, she knew, would be the biggest mistake.
“It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?” Gage asked from behind her. She didn’t turn around though she felt him standing just inches away. “It was in a hotel suite like this one that I wrote my latest album. Recorded all twelve songs holed up in a hotel in Brussels within a month. It was crazy.” He chuckled.
Kate had remembered reading about that. She also knew that his newest album was also his most successful to date. People couldn’t seem to have enough of Gage Stevens. Not that she could blame them…
She turned slightly when she felt his arm reach round to take her empty glass. Seconds later, his hands were on her shoulders, the fingers digging into her flesh. Kate closed her eyes, and inhaled…exhaled.
“It’s late. Why don’t you stay? With me.”
His famously raspy voice sent a rush of sensation over her nape and made her whole body tingle with the want. It had been so long for her…months even. She hadn’t met anyone lately that she was interested in dating, and she definitely wasn’t into one-night stands with strangers or hook-ups.
But here, with Gage, it wouldn’t be so bad, would it? At least they’d know the score. At least, she’d know that she was simply taking the place of whichever groupie or groupies who would have been the ones lucky to be alone with Gage right now.
“You mean, stay and share your bed, right?” Kate asked with a trace of bitterness.
“If not for old times’ sake…then because it’s the right place and time,” he said huskily. “And because you want to. It’s all you’ve wanted since we kissed in my dressing room; I know. It’s certainly all I’ve wanted since you walked in the fucking door.”
Kate gasped as his hand now closed around her throat in a possessive grasp, his lips close to her ear.
“You look the same…you even smell the same,” he whispered, his sweet breath teasing her nostrils. “Now I’m dying to find out if you feel the same, too.”
There was a buzzing in Kate’s every nerve cell as she felt Gage’s tongue tease her lobe while his fingers deftly unbuttoned her blouse. In seconds, he was pushing down the cups of her bra and letting her bouncy tits spill into his hands. He groaned deep in his throat and Kate couldn’t hold back her whimper of pleasure even as she said his name in protest.
He merely squeezed harder, pushing her tits together as he massaged the full flesh. His breath had quickened and for a few moments, Kate let herself savor the sensation of Gage’s hands on her; his lips pressing to the sensitive skin beneath her ear. The feelings made her tremble.
“Do you know what it does to a man? To feel these beautifully heavy breasts in my palm…to inhale the sweet scent of cinnamon and rose oil in your hair…Your sensuous perfume…Unforgettable, comforting – and yet maddening all at once. I swore I would never feel this way…not for you, Kate. I never believed I could ever want you again. Like this – like I could rip your clothes off and fuck you where you stand. Just back you up against the wall, wrap your legs around me and…”
He broke off with a harsh breath, his fingers suddenly hitching on her nipples. Clamping them both in his thumb and index finger, he pulled, making her moan out loud in sensual torment.
“I want you to stay,” he said, a feral edge to his firm tone. “I want your passion, your moist, hidden heat. I want you to give yourself to me like the past five years never happened.”
“But it did,” Kate said, her voice cracking with anger at herself and him as she brushed his hands away and scooped her top together, whipping round to face him with glowering eyes.
Ignoring the tingling ache in her breasts, that begged for his touch, his lips, she bit out, “I guess because you’re a rock star, gorgeous and available, I should automatically jump into your bed after five whole years? I told you many times before, Gage. This is just a job to me. I can’t…I can’t let it be anything more. Not when I know it could have been anyone. It’s not truly me you want; you just want a body to satisfy your needs with. I’ll be just another faceless lover, forgotten even before you woke up the next morning and find me gone.”
“Same old Kate,” he said drily, pushing his hands through his hair in that way that sent the long dark locks tumbling with even sexier disarray around his handsome face.
“You just have to intellectualize everything. It isn’t enough for you to know that even after the way you left me…even with what happened between us, I still want you so bad I’m shaking with it.”
Sighing harshly as if angry with the admission, he gritted out, “But you’re right; this is a bad idea. And far be it from me to force you or anyone into my bed.” He nodded briefly, then turned away and headed for the phone. “I’ll get the chauffeur to take you wherever you want to go.”
*
Kate didn’t want to go.
Gage’s back was turned to her and she drank in the picture of his broad, tall frame with that gorgeous dark hair tumbling over his shoulders. His hips in those jeans and that tight, manly ass…an ache as strong and old as time ripped through the juncture in her thighs. She took a step forward, and then another as she saw him pick up the phone and thumb a few numbers.
Her hand fell tentatively on his back, and she felt him stiffen. He twisted around to look into her eyes, and she heard his breath catch as he noted the fiery invitation she could no longer conceal.
With a low growl, he tossed aside the phone and grabbed her in his arms. His lips found hers in an eating, open-mouthed kiss filled with wet, hungry fire.
He swore underneath his breath, his arms like steel bands around her waist as he lifted her off the ground and walked her backwards, straight into the bedroom beyond. Kate gasped out loud as he suddenly tossed her on the bed. Rising off her back, she bit on her lip as he started to rip off his clothes.
“Strip, Kate. Now. Or I swear I’ll fuck you straight through those jeans,” Gage rasped. Fingers trembling, Kate quickly complied by unbuttoning and shoving her jeans down her legs. She saw his eyes blaze as he saw her silky red panties. Gage had always loved her wearing red silk. Had she subconsciously worn this particular pair in the hope that this would happen? It seemed far-fetched even for her but the lust-bitten Kate couldn’t rule out that possibility.
She shrugged off her unbuttoned top and next, tore off her bra. Now left in just her panties, she leaned back on her elbows and watched Gage kick out of his boxer briefs, leaving his lithe, sexy frame naked.
Kate had never seen a man with a body so beautiful. Like it was lovingly carved from marble, his every muscle stood out in ripped perfection. His skin glowed in the golden lights from the lamps in the bedroom. There was symmetry in his ever line and the dark hairs dusting his lower belly led a tempting trail to his cock, which sprung thick and long with a slight upward curve that made her mouth water.
He was soon pressing her down into the mattress with his welcome weight. His hands linked with hers and were pinned on either side of her head.
“Let me taste of you again,” he gruffed with lips tangling against hers. “Like I’ve only done in my dreams. You’ve haunted me, Kate. Just when I think I’ve finally got you out of my mind…you come back. And once again you wish to bring me to my knees.”
Kate tried to shake her head, only to gasp as he bit gently into her bottom lip. He ground into her with his lower body, and she felt the surging pulse of his cock against her inner thigh. Instinctively, she pushed her legs further apart.
“Yes,” he said on a groan, settling within her thighs. Plucking away from her mouth, his mouth trekked its way down her throat to her breasts which were upturned and rounded by the way her arms were pinned up on either side of her.
“Beautiful. So…beautiful,” he breathed against the swell of one breast, before running his tongue to trace the crinkling coin of her nipple. Kate gasped and arched against him. “Peaches…” he murmured, biting lustily into her flesh, before running the flat of his tongue over the same spot, “…And cream.”
Kate could hear herself moaning, unable to stop while he journeyed further down to the gentle swell of her belly. His head was soon settled in the midst of her thighs and he inhaled deeply, a shuddering sigh escaping him.
“Ambrosia must have been made of what lies within these pink, swollen petals,” Gage said, right before he began to feast upon her like a man possessed. Kate clawed at the sheets as his tongue slapped even more slickness unto her sodden folds. He sucked on her clit and tugged upon the lips of her vulva, groaning deep in his throat.
“Let me make you come, baby,” he commanded, and Kate instinctively lowered her fingers to her wetness, parting her lips in the way she remembered so well how he liked.
Her middle and index fingers formed a ‘v’, spreading her apart so that the pink, moist flesh glistened into sight.
“So pink and perfect,” Gage groaned, as he lapped the soft, inviting tissues with his tongue. Kate’s pelvis bucked, her nerve endings coming to life with lightning quickness. His tongue jabbed deep inside her, bringing her arousal to a swelling, melting pitch. A warm current of lust wafted back and forth within her walls as Gage tongue-fucked her, plucking at her mound and flickering at her clitoris in turns. She was breathless from screeching.
“Oh, Gage, you’re…oh God, that’s…” She babbled, feeling him tease her core with masterful enjoyment.
“Th
at’s it, baby,” he said hoarsely, running his tongue along her slit from top to bottom and then from side to side. “You taste so damn good. I want to drive you crazy with just my tongue.”
“Yes, please…” Kate moaned, her hips undulating helplessly till he clamped her thighs with each hand, holding her down as he expertly sent the blade of ecstasy slicing her almost in half. She was screaming his name through gritted teeth as she suddenly came, spraying her juices of delight upon Gage’s waiting tongue. He groaned deeply in approval, lapping up every drop and making her spasms even more intensified, as his tongue never stopped dancing over her pleasure points.
“You’re so damn beautiful,” he growled, nuzzling the softness of her sex with the lower half of his face. “You can be my drug, Kate. I wouldn’t mind getting strung out on you.” He gave her pink inner lips one last, lingering kiss before he straightened his frame over hers, seeking and finding her mouth.
Still half-dazed by her monumental climax, Kate whimpered as her musky taste was injected into her from his lips and tongue. She sucked on his wetness, hearing his feral groan of pleasure and feeling an answering jolt of arousal tear into her. Already, she was on fire for him, again. After five years, they were now naked, together – in bed. And her body just couldn’t seem to get enough.
“Do you want me, rock star?” she giggled breathily, her mouth open and sultry against his. His harsh breathing filled her ears like music. She remembered well how he liked her to talk dirty. Back then she’d been too shy, but now…she was a grown ass woman and she wasn’t the strait-laced Kate Preston he used to know. Not tonight, anyway.
“Hell, yeah I do,” he groaned low and deep, burying his face in her throat and nicking her with his teeth before sucking hard on the same spot, making her squirm. “I could never resist you, Kate. You’re damn right I want you.”
“I want you in my mouth,” she moaned, biting on her lower lip sensuously as her body rippled beneath his hard, heavy heat. “It’s my turn to taste you, Gage.”