by Skye Turner
McKenzie is holding her phone and I can tell she’s Face-timing, because her arm is fully extended. We hear her say, “Yeah, Daisy and Summer are acting like children while we wait for the guys to get here… I know, but there is absolutely nothing to worry about.”
Oh, she’s talking to her boyfriend… Sands Murry…
I suppose the “hottest man in country…” has an issue with his girlfriend working with rockers.
He makes me want to hurl!
He can deal with it… The tabloids are always posting photos of him with women… just “friends” of his… Sure man, I mean my male friends always leave my hotel rooms at 2AM, too…
Yet, McKenzie believes him when he lies. She’s an adult though… I just hope she opens her eyes soon and drops that ego maniac who screws anything that wants him.
Fannie grabs the pillow from me to get my attention. I look up at her and she shakes her head at me. She can read the look on my face. My feelings for Sands are not secret. But she’s right. Not my issue to deal with.
Roman, our manager, walks in on his phone and smiles at everyone, but walks into the corner so he can continue his conversation. He’s always on his phone, laptop, or iPad.
Fannie smiles back at him and asks me, “Any minute now, right?”
I check my watch and nod jerkily. “Yeah, if they bother to show up on time.”
She smirks. “Lord, help them against the wrath of Daisy if they don’t.”
Summer nods and laughs. “Amen, sista. They’ll learn fast that she might be pretty but she likes things her way and can be mean!”
I glare at them both. “I’m not mean! I’m dedicated and like things done correctly and on time!”
They both laugh at me and nod. “Uh huh. We know. The wrath of Daisy Anderson is no joke! Grown men cower in their shoes.”
Before I can give them a smart ass answer, the doorbell rings.
Summer grins at me over her shoulder as she skips away. “One point for the boys. They’re punctual!”
I mutter, “Yeah… they are…”
Fannie and I stand in the threshold of the music room/recording studio and look toward the door. McKenzie soon joins us and we link arms.
Together… always together… we’ve got this.
Now, I just hope this time it’s true and we all come out of this unscathed!
Rafe
As I pull up to the front of the address punched into the GPS, I blink. This is a fantastic house. It’s old, but it looks new and someone spent a lot of money returning this home to its former beauty.
This is where these chicks live?
Not that four women couldn’t live in this place. It’s huge! And expensive…
I was just expecting some ranch style house with stars all over it or some shit like that. I bet their place in Nashville looks like that. This house looks like a real piece of history and I have to admit, I’m impressed. Though, I’m pretty sure that’s is definitely a barn in the far back left corner of the property.
Sean whistles and looks out of the window and up at the house. “Damn. This looks like a museum! Fucking awesome. This reminds me of my grandpa’s place in St. Francisville.”
I nod. “It’s something else, huh?” I pull behind a metallic silver Ford F-150 and park. There’s also an Audi and two Jeeps in the driveway.
These chicks don’t have a garage? Or they have company…
Did they forget we were coming?
Turning so I can see Sean in the passenger seat and Russ and Xavior in the backseat of my Chevy Silverado, I ask, “Y’all ready? Let’s do this shit.”
Russ nods and grabs his guitar from between them. Xavior taps his drum sticks, he always carries them in his back pocket, together and grins. They open their doors and hop out. Sean looks over at me while he reaches for his fedora on the seat between us. “Be cool, man. We’re going to write this song and it’s going to be bad-ass. These chicks are good and we have to believe the label knows what the fuck they’re doing here.”
I nod and grip the wheel. He reaches over and punches my shoulder before he grabs his beloved guitar and gets out. I’m left in the truck staring at the dark blue front door of this massive house filled with sweet ass virgins and mutter, “They better know what the fuck they’re doing, cause lord knows I’m clueless as to how exactly this is supposed to work!”
Grabbing my song book and lucky pen, I head to the stairs where the guys are all waiting for me. Walking around them, I press the bell. I can hear it echo through the house.
Here we go…
A minute later, the door is opened and a very pretty brunette is standing there. She’s smiling at us and she has a playful look in her eyes. She opens the door wider and says, “Hello, gentlemen. Welcome to our home. I’m Summer. Come on in.”
I blink. This was not the welcome I was expecting. I thought they’d be opposed to working with us, but this chick almost seems friendly. Going through the list in my head, I remember Summer is the sister of the lead singer, Daisy. My research on the band gave me the impression she was the jovial one. Of course she’d be the one to open the door.
Russ and Xavior introduce themselves and walk past her. Sean looks at me and I can see from the expression on his face, he’s very happy with her appearance. He grins at me and winks. I frown at him and try to send him a message with my eyes.
Hell no, Sean! Not going to happen! We are writing, recording, and touring with these girls… that’s IT!
There is not going to be anything else happening here!
Fuck that!
Hell no.
He smirks at me and I know he got my message, he just chooses to ignore it. He leans up and holds his hand out to Summer. “Hey, pretty lady. I’m Sean. Happy to meet you and I’m really looking forward to spending some time with you.” His hand is covering hers and he’s doing that thing where he rubs their hands with his thumb really lightly. That move usually has his bed filled every night. Or the side of the tour bus… or the couches… Really, wherever he can get their panties off…
I’m going to beat his ass.
She blushes and tucks a curl behind her ear as she smiles again. “Nice to meet you, Sean. Come on in. The rest of the girls are in the music room.”
She looks over at me and says, “You must be, Rafe.”
I nod and glare at Sean over her shoulder. He sticks his tongue out at me as he looks her over from behind. He licks his lips and waggles his brows as he thrusts his hips and pumps his arms.
My eyes flash and he winks at me.
I try to reign in my temper as I look at the pretty girl in front of me. I nod harshly and mutter, “I am Rafe. Thanks for inviting us over here to do this. Should we head back?”
Her eyes widen at the brusqueness of my tone, but she nods. “Of course, come on back. Just follow me.”
Russ and Xavior are waiting just in the hall, looking around at everything.
Summer walks past all of us and gestures that we should follow her.
I grab Sean’s arm before he can move and yank him back. Russ and Xavior look back and nod at me before following Summer into the back of the house. I can see the corner of Xavior’s lips twitch.
Sean turns and asks, “Sup, friend?”
I glare at him and growl. “You know damn well what’s up. I see the way you’re looking at her. And you can just forget it. No way. No fucking way.
“You are not going there, dude. Do you see her? She’s about as innocent as an infant.”
Sean jerks his hand out of my arm and glares at me. “Oh yes, I can see her perfectly fine. And that woman is not an infant. Relax, dude! I’m not going to push her against the wall and fuck her senseless. At least not right now.” He points at me. “But, I am going to do what I want. She’s a grown ass woman, not a child.
“You’re faith in me is so uplifting. Thanks, dad!”
He turns on his heel and stalks down the hall the same way that the guys disappeared with Summer.
Well, mothe
r fucker!
This shit hasn’t even started yet. We only got here twenty seconds ago and it’s already causing issues!
Son of a bitch!
I look at the ceiling where a crystal chandelier is hanging and roll my eyes. Then with a deep sigh, I walk down the hall and prepare to get this shit over with.
Chapter Three
Daisy
Summer walked back into the room with pink cheeks a few minutes ago followed by three of the rockers. They all introduced themselves to us and I recognize them from our Google searches. The lead singer is not with them though.
Did he not come?
I look around their shoulders and try to see into the hall. One of the guys, the one holding drum sticks, introduces himself as Xavior and says, “Rafe is coming. He’s right behind us.”
I nod and gingerly twirl a piece of hair that’s escaped my ponytail. “Ok, great. So, did the label inform you about exactly what they want from this collaboration?”
The guy with the fedora and the piercing blue eyes, Sean, looks at me and smirks. “Yes, Ma’am. We’re up to speed.”
His tattoos are covering both arms from his wrists to where the muscles disappear under the sleeves of his shirt. More tattoos are peeking out of the neckline of his shirt and are on his neck to his hair. His hair looks to be the same color blue as his eyes.
Dear lord, what the hell? I’ve never been so close to anyone so heavily tattooed before. I mean, I don’t mind tattoos. I even have one… but you can’t see any skin on him. It’s all color and designs. He’s also wearing a ton of jewelry and his lip is pierced!
I see Summer glancing at him from under her eyelashes and her cheeks are still pink.
No way! Girl, stop it!
You cannot be attracted to him! He’s nowhere near your type!
Stop looking at him!
Oh my God. No way can my sister be interested in this rocker?!
She catches my eye and quickly looks away, but then she’s glancing at him again.
Sweet Jesus.
A man walks through the door and my mouth drops open. My heart also starts racing.
Well, there he is. Rafe Rider. Lead singer and bad boy extraordinaire.
I quickly recover and address him. “Nice of you to decide to join us.” His brows rise and his arms cross. He’s holding a worn songbook and pen. “So, everyone is introduced. Let’s get started.”
He doesn’t move, but his lips twitch. He says sarcastically, “That isn’t true, princess. Everyone has not been introduced. Who are you? I just walked in.”
I gasp. He’s in my damn house and he’s acting like he doesn’t know who I am?!
What a jerk!
Roman quickly crosses the room to diffuse the bomb that is my temper. He holds his hand out to the guys and shakes them one by one. “Hello, I’m Roman. The girl’s manager. Thank you for coming today. I know this was short notice.” His eyes flash to me to warn me to cool off.
I glare at him and roll my eyes before staring at Rafe. He’s looking back at me and the look on his face has my teeth clenching. He’s casually standing in the middle of my music room looking like he’s bored. My eyes glance over him in disdain. He’s tall. Probably right at six foot. He’s slim, but I can see he’s in shape. His hair is dark brown and spiky. It’s sticking out everywhere and I suppose it’s meant to look like he doesn’t care. His eyes are light blue and rimmed with jet black liner. It really makes them pop in his face. His face is angular and not unattractive. He looks like he hasn’t shaved in a few days and his ears are pierced with two holes each.
His arms are crossed over the plain black t-shirt he’s wearing and it fits him really well. The skin that’s exposed from the sleeves appear to be covered with different flame and smoke tattoos. He even has some on his neck. His shirt is slightly pulled up from his crossed arms and his abs also seem to be tattooed with more smoke and fire until the skin disappears into the denim of his jeans. There are chains on the clasps of the pants and one looks like it’s attached to his wallet or something in the back pocket of his jeans. His feet are covered in very scuffed black boots.
My eyes raise back up and stop on the amused expression of his own. He smirks, “Done checking me out there, princess?”
I sputter as my face burns. “I was not checking you out!”
He laughs and says, “Yes, Daisy Anderson, you certainly were checking me out. But it’s fine. Most women do. I didn’t expect you to do it quite so frankly though.”
My head feels like it’s going to explode as rage and mortification fill me. I hear snickers around me and even hear the girls giggle.
It makes me ever madder.
Pinning him with my glare, I say flatly, “I wasn’t checking you out, Rafe! Not even close. You are not even remotely the kind of man I’m attracted to!
“Besides, with that ego, no one needs to pay you any attention, you seem quite in love with yourself!”
He laughs. “Well, I am a sexy mother fucker.”
I choke on my rage as Roman gasps and sputters, “Oh shit…”
Rafe ignores us both and walks past me and sits on my couch. I can’t move. The audacity of the man just flabbergasts me!
He looks around the room and says, “Hey, everyone. I’m Rafe. In case that wasn’t clear. Since we’re doing this, let’s do this. Shall we get started then?”
He looks at me where I’m still just standing in the middle of the room glaring at him. “Coming to join the party, princess? Or are you just going to stand there all day and try to catch flies.” He glances over me and smirks. “Maybe you should get some air. You look a little peaked. Wouldn’t want you to pass out.”
I hate him.
Dear God, I just met him five minutes ago and I hate him.
There is no way we are going to survive this process. One of us is going to kill the other.
What in the hell were they thinking?!
Rafe
I can’t help riling her up.
Her reaction to me is just too good and too easy to pass up.
She can say what she wants, she was checking me out. I know what female appreciation looks like and whether she knows it or not, her eyes were liking what they were seeing.
Ha! That’s probably why she’s so pissed off.
Heaven help her if Taylor Swift over there finds a man with tattoos and piercings attractive.
Good girls don’t like bad boys like me.
I’m sitting on the couch of Sweet Southern Sass’s music room and I have to admit, this is a really nice ass setup. It looks like they even have their own recording studio in their house!
This room is top notch, too. It has every instrument imaginable. I can see guitars, a fiddle, a keyboard, and a piano. From the glimpse into the next room, I can also see top of the line recording equipment. Maybe we can look into building our own studio soon.
Daisy is still standing in the middle of the room just glaring at me like she hopes I get hit by a bus. The rest of the girls are scattered around us and we’re bouncing ideas for this compilation around.
Finally, Summer asks Daisy, “You going to sulk all day or you coming over here? You’re the brilliant song writer of this group, so we kind of need you. Come on, sis.” She’s looking earnestly at her sister and Daisy bites her lip as indecision crosses her face.
I can’t look away from her. She’s pretty. About five and a half feet tall with a lot of womanly curves. Her face is heart shaped and her chest is ample. Her waist is trim and her hips and ass are curvaceous. She’s bangin’.
Her hair is brown, but it has hints of red in there and even in a ponytail at the back of her head, the waves are touching the middle of her back. I happen to really like long hair on a woman.
Whoa… what now?!
No. Fuck no. No way.
Snap out of whatever that was. That thought can just go fuck itself.
No way. No how.
Not happening!
Finally, she raises her head and her gold
en brown eyes glance over the whole group gathered at the couches and table, except me. She purposely ignores me. That makes me smile.
Can’t handle the attraction there, princess?
She nods jerkily and moves to sit by her sister on the couch across from me. I catch her eye and wink. She scowls and quickly looks away.
I can’t hold in the smile that covers my face.
Damn, goading her is going to be epic.
She asks what we’ve come up with and we admit that we don’t really have a lot.
She looks at me and says, “You’re the songwriter of the group, right?”
I nod and grin. “I am. I write most of them, yes.”
She sneers, “Ok then, let’s do this, Mr. Rider.”
My brows rise and I smirk and lean over so I can rest my elbows on my knees and meet her eyes. “By all means, let’s do this, Miss Anderson.” Reaching for the pen over my ear, I click it and wink at her, “Let’s make some magic, princess.”
The room is quiet as everyone stares at the two of us. Finally she sighs and leans over grabbing a pencil and standing, she rounds the table. Russ gets up so she can sit next to me.
She starts writing furiously in my songbook and humming a melody. I read over her work and insert a few things, adding my own twist. Without looking up from the paper, she asks the room at large, “Can someone grab my guitar? I want to try some chords with this.”
Someone hands her a guitar and I take Russ’s from him to change a few notes. Eventually we find a nice rhythm. The guys and girls make a few suggestions here and there, but other than that, we work furiously… all of us focused on getting this song out. No one speaks for a while as they just watch Daisy and I work and listen to what we come up with. A couple of times, someone will get up and walk around or grab a drink. Someone hands me one when I ask and I never even know who it is. We’re so engrossed in creating this song.
Eight hours later, we lean back and I stretch my back. It’s all cramped from not really moving except to scribble a change here or there on the song or play a few chords on the guitar.
Daisy looks over at me and grins.
I can’t help it, I grin back.