“I’m going to be off the grid Thursday and Friday,” I said, hoping like hell he didn’t ask too many questions. “Can you hold down the fort?”
Perking up, he leaned back in his chair, giving me the once over. “Where you gonna be?”
I snagged a piece of toast off his plate to avoid making eye contact. “Just some personal shit I gotta take care of.”
“What personal shit?”
Logan was like family. Even closer. We didn’t keep secrets. But we were competitive. And women were an Olympic sport for us. Fortunately, no woman had ever been important enough to come between us.
My stomach roiled at the thought of him with Lily.
Before I could think up a plausible excuse, a booming voice floated from across the room.
“Cameron Noble!” Grateful for the reprieve, I swung my gaze to the guy in the suit, heading in our direction with a wide grin. He stopped at our table, offering his hand. “You look just like your brother. I’d recognize you anywhere. I’m Greg, the manager here.”
I slid my palm against his. “Nice to meet you, Greg.”
His attention shifted to my left, his smile fading when Logan didn’t look up from his plate. And yeah, I got it. The last thing we wanted was to answer questions over breakfast, but Greg did us a solid.
Motioning toward the empty chair on the other side of the table, I said, “Join us.”
Greg eagerly dropped into the seat. “Thanks.”
“Nice place you have here,” I said, as he nodded to the server who rushed over to drop off a cup of coffee.
“I’m glad y’all are enjoying yourself.” Adding cream and sugar, he stirred them in slowly. “I’ve got tickets to your show. Not the best seats, but…”
And there it was. Time to pony up for the posh accommodations. “How many tickets do you need?”
“Just two.” Looking down at his cup of coffee, a smile hitched up one corner of Greg’s lips. “You know how it is. I’m trying to impress a girl with my connections.”
“I wouldn’t think that would be a problem,” I said with a chuckle. “You’ve got a great events coordinator on site.”
“Since the events coordinator is the girl I’m trying to impress, it would kind of ruin the surprise.”
I paused with the cup halfway to my lips. “Isn’t that kind of taboo? Propositioning your employees?”
Well, shit. That had sounded better in my head. Either Greg didn’t notice, or he was too embarrassed about being caught with his hand in the cookie jar to protest.
“Technically, it’s a little sketchy,” he agreed. “But Lily’s already given her notice. She’s graduating in May.”
Nodding, I choked down a sip of coffee. Last night, Dave had told me all about Lily finishing her fine arts degree at Southern Methodist University. That’s the reason I was dropping $10K on the package.
The package…
My ace in the hole.
Eyeing Greg, I tried not to smirk. If the dude had his sights set on impressing Lily, he’d need to up his game. Bringing her to one of my concerts after I’d dropped a small fortune for a couple of dates wasn’t likely to do the trick.
“Let me see what I can do about the tickets,” I hedged. “We’re not exactly on speaking terms with our manager, and she controls that shit.”
It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the truth, either. I could get Greg tickets to the show. Front row. But I wasn’t down to watch him grinding on Lily while I serenaded them from the stage if our dates didn’t turn out the way I’d planned.
“Awesome.” Greg extended his hand for another shake, and begrudgingly I reached across the table, squeezing a little harder than necessary.
Game on.
Poor chump had no idea.
Something behind me snagged Greg’s attention. Or someone. He licked his lips, and I swear his pupils dilated. I knew it was Lily even before I heard the click of high heels on the polished travertine. Resisting the urge to piss on her leg to mark my territory, I eased back in my seat.
Greg jumped up to pull out a chair for her when she strolled up, but Lily waived him off, all her attention on me. “I think there was some mix-up with your personal shopping order, Cameron. I’ve placed another order, and it should be delivered this afternoon.” When I nodded, she shifted her gaze to Logan. “Chloe gave me the list of items you requested, Mr. Cage. She’ll call once they arrive.”
A coy smile curved his lips. “You can call me Logan, darlin’. And tell Chloe she doesn’t need to call. She can drop by my suite anytime.” Setting his sights on the leggy redhead at the breakfast bar, he tossed his napkin on his plate. “Never mind, I’ll tell her myself.”
When he sauntered across the room to greet the redhead, I shifted my focus to Lily and Greg. “That’s Logan’s valet?” They nodded. “And I’m guessing that Sean has an equally fetching assistant?”
Lily’s flush neared crimson on the color matrix. “I told you before, Cameron, we don’t f-fetch,” she snapped. “But I’m sure Sean is quite satisfied with my c-choice.”
Ignoring the tension swirling around us, Greg’s gaze volleyed from Lily to me. “And which one of our valets did Lily choose for you?”
“Dave Salsida,” I deadpanned, looking directly into Lily’s cornflower blue eyes. “I’m not complaining, though. His knowledge of the property and the staff is enlightening.”
“Of course,” Greg said. “Dave is the best.”
I bit down a smile when Lily squirmed. She may have been acting disinterested, but I wasn’t buying it. Not anymore. If she truly didn’t give a shit, I’m positive she would have chosen someone other than Dave to stock my refrigerator and bring me my messages.
“I should be getting back,” Greg said, as he finished off his coffee. “Can I walk you to your office, Lily?”
Nodding, she glanced at her phone as he pulled out her chair, a self-satisfied smile curving her lips. “I just got the last confirmation for your package, Cameron. The limo will pick y’all up at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. Dave will bring over your itinerary by tomorrow afternoon.”
I pushed out of my seat, shaking my head. “No can do. I have a radio interview.”
“That’s fine. He’ll leave it on the desk in your bungalow. Or slip it under the door, if you prefer.”
“Nah, I’m not comfortable with that. I want everything to be perfect. Why don’t you drop by Thursday morning to make sure it’s all set?”
Lily glared at me, her tongue poking the inside of her cheek. “Of course, C-Cameron,” she finally said, irritation threading her tone.
Greg tore his attention from our standoff when his phone beeped. “I’ve got to go see about something off property,” he said, dropping a hand to the small of Lily’s back. “I’ll see you tonight.” She continued to glower at me, seemingly unaware of the poor sap trying to get her attention. “Lily?”
Snapping out of her haze, she turned to her boss. “I’m sorry, Greg. What d-did you say?”
Uncertainty flashed across his features. “I’ve got a meeting off property. I’ll see you tonight?”
She nodded. “Sure. Tonight.”
Appeased, Greg clapped me on the back. “It was nice meeting you, Cameron. I’m sure I’ll see you before you leave.”
“Thanks,” I said, my eyes on Lily the whole time.
“Hot date?” I asked once he was out of earshot. “Thought you didn’t have time for fun?”
Lily shifted her feet. “I don’t. It’s a w-work thing. There’s a new pianist Greg’s thinking about hiring for the lounge. He w-wants my opinion.”
It sounded like a date to me. Or a way to get in Lily’s panties. Since I had a plan to get there first, I didn’t appreciate Greg cock-blocking me. I was only here for a few days. He lived here. He could always hit her up for a date after I left.
Letting the wretched thought die, I shrugged. “Have a good time.”
But instead of heading for the bungalows, I took a hard right and marched to the front desk
.
The clerk looked up, her eyes widening to the size of saucers. “Can I help you, Mr. Knight?”
Relieved that I hadn’t completely lost my touch, I pushed all thoughts of Lily aside. Resting my forearms on the marble desk, I leaned forward and gave the clerk a sexy smile. But the grin slid right off my face when the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Chancing a peek over my shoulder, I deflated when Lily strolled right by without sparing me a glance.
“Mr. Knight?” Snapping my gaze back to the desk clerk, I found her staring at me with a crinkled brow. “Is there something I can help you with?”
Remembering what brought me here in the first place, I asked, “What’s the dress code in the lounge?”
“Business casual.”
I didn’t own anything business, and my casual was too casual for the lounge. I thought briefly about contacting Lily so she could place another order with the personal shopper. But I feared it was only an excuse to hear her voice.
“Then I guess you’d better tell me where the nearest mall is around these parts.”
CHAPTER SIX
* * *
Cameron
“What are you doing here?” I asked Logan when I pulled open the door to my suite.
He shouldered his way past me and headed for the fridge. After grabbing a bottle of beer, he plopped down on the sofa with the remote.
“Dude, no porn,” I muttered, examining one of the ties I’d purchased on my trip to the mall. “And you still haven’t told me why you’re here.”
But I knew. When I got back to the Mansion this afternoon, I’d spotted Logan by the pool with Chloe. They looked awfully cozy.
Logan wasn’t a total dick, but he wasn’t stupid either. We were here until Saturday, and Chloe might get the wrong idea if they spent too much time enjoying each other’s company.
“Just hanging out,” he said, his nose wrinkling as he watched me try to figure out which tie to choose. “What are you getting all decked out for?”
Ignoring his question, I draped a tie over each shoulder. “Red or grey?”
“Do I look like Heidi Klum?”
Scowling, I retreated into the bedroom to finish getting ready.
“Are you going to tell me where you’re going?” he called after me.
Cringing, I pulled on a pale blue dress shirt. “I thought I’d go to the lounge.”
After a moment, Logan appeared in the doorway. “Who’s the girl?”
Fumbling with the tie. I didn’t look up. Whatever I said would come out wrong. If I told Logan I was stalking Lily for a sport fuck, he’d make it a competition. On the other hand, if I admitted I couldn’t stop thinking about her, I’d never hear the end of it.
When I didn’t answer, he stomped across the room and grabbed my shoulder, spinning me around. “If you ever tell anyone I helped you tie your tie, I’ll make sure the world knows you cried like a bitch the first time you rode the Texas Giant.”
Slapping his hand away when he was about to pull the knot tight, I turned back to the mirror. “That roller coaster is a beast. And I was twelve. Don’t forget to mention that when you relate the story.”
Grabbing a magazine, Logan dropped onto the bed. “Whatever.”
When I noticed he was settling in, I snorted. “So, what, you’re just going to hang out here all night?”
“I hate to break it to you, dude. But if you’re going through this much trouble to catch this chick’s eye, she ain’t going to be following you back to your room.”
Though I feared he was right, I’d never admit it. I shot him a self-assured smile. “You never know.”
***
Tipping my chin to the bartender, I held up my glass for a refill. My third. He smiled and nodded.
While I waited for my Jack and Coke, my gaze flicked to the mirror above the bar. From my vantage point, I could see anyone who walked through the door without looking like I was waiting around. Pathetically. In a coat and tie.
I tugged at my collar as a curvy brunette slid onto the stool next to me. Our eyes met briefly in the reflection and I smiled.
She must’ve liked what she saw, because she inched closer. And when the bartender ambled over to get her drink order, she said, “Whatever he’s having.”
He grabbed the bottle of Jack from the shelf, stealing glances at the two of us while he fixed her cocktail. I’m sure he’d seen this ritual play out a hundred times. Daily.
After she got her drink, and gulped half the contents, the brunette turned to face me. She crossed her legs, revealing the lace at the top of her black, thigh high stocking. It was kind of cliché. But I was intrigued. With my tats covered and my long hair combed back in a respectable fashion, I looked like an average guy, stopping in for a drink after work.
“I’m Tiffany.”
“Cameron.”
When I made no attempt to further our conversation, Tiffany surveyed the room. She looked kind of sad. Or bored. Like she’d done this a thousand times, and she was over it.
Finding no other hot prospects, she turned her attention back to me. “So, Cameron…are you waiting for someone?”
“Not really,” I said truthfully, my gaze sliding to the door.
She perked up. “Are you from around here?”
“Austin. Just here for the week.”
When music floated from the piano in the corner, Tiffany sealed her lips around her straw, looking forlorn as couples paired off, heading for the dance floor. I felt a little bad. Not that I wanted to take the chick up to my room, but since we were both here a conversation wouldn’t kill me. Just as I opened my mouth to make small talk, a guy slid onto the barstool on the other side of Tiffany. We exchanged glances, his brow arching as he angled his head towards her. I shrugged, in the universal “go for it, she ain’t with me” gesture, and then looked away.
The mystery man proceeded to chat Tiffany up, offering to buy her next drink. Ratcheting up her enthusiasm, she sprinkled in a little laughter. But it was as fake as her smile. If this is what the singles scene was like for your average Joe, I wasn’t missing anything.
And what the fuck was I doing here anyway?
I was on my feet, about to close out my tab, when a prickle of awareness washed over me. I didn’t have to turn to know Lily was there. It was like I could sense her. Feel her under my skin.
Reclaiming my seat, I watched as Greg led Lily to a table in the corner, his hand at the small of her back. She slid a hip onto the high stool, then looked around, confusion lining her brow when our eyes met in the mirror. I don’t know what I was expecting, but fifteen minutes later and Lily hadn’t so much as smiled at me. Though, I did see her eyeing me over the rim of her glass more than once.
Time to go.
Pulling the tie loose from my collar, I cast one last look in Lily’s direction. Greg had scooted several inches closer to her, and she didn’t seem thrilled by his proximity. When his hand landed on hers, she jumped to her feet like a scalded hound. Her lips moved a mile a minute as she backed away. His ass rose from the seat but she turned and dashed for the bathroom before he could stand up.
Maybe the four drinks had clouded my judgment. Or those damn blue eyes that had sought me out the moment she walked in. But I followed Lily into the dimly lit hallway. Propping myself against the wall, I waited outside the ladies’ room like a desperate stalker.
LILY
Leaning against the door in the bathroom stall, I stared at the ceiling while Tess wrapped up her “I told you so” speech.
When she paused to take a breath, I seized control of the conversation. “I’m not s-stupid, Tess. I flat out asked Greg if this was a date. He said it was strictly business. And he’s my boss. I c-couldn’t just refuse.”
A frustrated sigh from my best friend. “Why? Because it wouldn’t be polite?” When I said nothing, she added, “That’s your mother talking, Lily.”
She was right. Sort of. Unlike me, my mother had readymade excuses on the tip of her tongue for every occ
asion, so she never would have gotten herself into this mess to begin with. And if she did, she’d suffer through with no complaint. Abigail Tennison was nothing if not polite. To the people that mattered, that is. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in the club.
“Just come home,” Tessa said through a yawn. “It’s late.”
It wasn’t. But Tess worked two part-time jobs and carried a full load at SMU. If she had a spare moment, she spent it tucked in her bed.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll see you in a bit.”
Dropping my phone into my purse, I slipped out of the stall. Under the harsh lights, the little crease between my brows looked more pronounced. It always popped out when I was nervous. Or concentrating. My mother had tried to convince me to get Botox, but I didn’t see the point.
Sighing, I applied a coat of lip gloss and then headed for the door.
My eyes bugged when I stepped into the hallway and came face to face with Cameron Knight. He’d been at the bar since Greg and I had arrived, and given the way he was dressed I figured he was meeting someone.
“C-Cameron…what are you d-doing here?”
I sucked in a breath as he pushed off the wall and closed the small gap between us. “Waiting for you.”
“B-but…”
It was hard enough to form words under the best of circumstances. But with Cameron so close that I could feel the heat pouring off his body, and count every golden fleck in his hazel eyes, I was done. So I pressed my lips together and blinked at him.
“Come on now, you’ve been staring at me all night.”
What the hell?
Even if it were true, what kind of arrogant jackass would point it out? My cheeks went up in flames I could feel all the way to my hairline. “I was n-not.”
I brushed past him but before I made it two steps, he caught my arm. His grip was light. Barely there. And I could easily shake him loose. But I didn’t even try.
“You were,” he insisted, dipping his head to speak close to my ear. “I don’t mind, though. How’s your date going with Greg?”
Slanting my gaze to his, I frowned. “Awful. He keeps t-trying to touch me.”
Rock Star Romance Ultimate: Volume 1 Page 57