Bad & Bold - A 7 Book Bad Boy Romance Collection!

by Rhodes, Ashley

  And then there was the guitarist. Shirtless, abs on display, grey pants slung low on his hips just barely showing off the waistband of his black boxers. His dark complexion went well with his ever-present black leather jacket, complete with ornamental silver zippers. His fingers caressed the strings of his white guitar, the instrument glinting in the harsh spotlights of the stage, throwing off an almost blinding sheen. He scanned the empty concert hall, his full lips titled into a smirk as if he had a secret you were dying to know.

  Jayce.

  I had walked in on a rehearsal for Feral Silence.

  The barest hint of stubble graced Jayce’s strong jaw, lending him the air of a rebel, tough and wild. I watched, mesmerized, as his deft fingers flew over strings, fervent and fierce, his skin a contrast to the pure white guitar. His eyes wandered from one side of the venue to the other, as if he was enjoying the adoration of invisible fans.

  Those fingers. Those hands. Those lips. I’d spent many a night dreaming about them. I couldn’t help but wonder what those fingers would feel like on my skin, what sort of pleasures they could wring from me.

  I didn’t consider myself a hopeless groupie. I would never chase after a rock star, desperate to gain their attention—or more. There was something about Jayce, though. When he was on stage, he was much more than a musician, more than just a rock star. He had a brilliance to him, something that shone from within, something that managed to captivate and enthrall all those who saw him perform.

  His eyes fell on me and his wandering gaze froze. Jayce was looking at me. His warm brown eyes had turned hot, blazing, sending sparks through my body. I had caught his attention somehow. My heart fluttered, my nerves catching on fire. A slow, sweet throb pulsed through me, straight to my core. My thighs clenched unconsciously, and my lips parted. I inhaled a shaky breath, unable to look away.

  “Who are you?”

  I jumped and whirled around. Another person with a clipboard and headset was frowning at me.

  “Sorry!” My racing heartbeat continued to pound as I shouted over the loud music. The surprise of being caught didn’t at all lessen the sweet ache between my legs. “I’m supposed to be here.” I held up my staff badge. “I just don’t know where to go.”

  The woman eyed me up and down.

  “Name?” I could barely hear her over the noise. She spoke in a clipped, harried tone. She was on the short side, even with her black heeled pumps, dark hair pinned up in a messy bun, as if she hadn’t had the time to do more with it that morning. Her grey pantsuit looked a bit rumpled, but still professional. I’d tried to dress the same—professional but chic—in a black pencil skirt and white silk blouse. I wondered if I should have dressed up a bit more, maybe paired my shirt with a blazer or suit jacket.

  “I’m Ailey. I’m probably on your list as Aimee Lee.” She nodded, not even consulting her clipboard as she motioned for me to follow, leading me away from the stage and through a side door.

  I was still in shock. Even though I’d often attended their concerts, I’d never seen Feral Silence that close up before, almost touching the stage. I had been close enough to Jayce to see each individual hair on his stubbled chin.

  Had he really been staring at me?

  The woman continued walking without speaking, taking me through corridors that I assumed led backstage. I began to worry. Was the stage off limits during rehearsal?

  “I’m sorry if I wasn’t supposed to see the band practicing. I’m looking for Deena Malik.”

  “That’s me.”

  I cringed, shoulders hunching over my ears. I’d already made a mistake at my new job in front of the band’s manager, who was also my boss. I had screwed up on my first day. Anxiety pushed away the excitement Jayce’s gaze had stirred up inside me.

  She turned and gave me a smile. I relaxed, relieved I wasn’t in trouble.

  “You’re my social media intern.”

  I straightened up and held out my hand, determined to make a better impression. “Thank you so much for this opportunity, Ms. Malik. I look forward to working with you.”

  “Just Deena is fine,” she said as she shook my hand. “I was a bit surprised when I saw your email applying for the job. An internship seems a bit below someone with your online following.”

  I shouldn’t have been surprised she had checked me out, but it made sense. She would want to know whether I could do what I said I could. “Lots of online followers doesn’t always translate to employable skills.”

  “It does in this industry. As a new music label, we need someone like you. Traditional PR isn’t enough these days. We need to be social. It’s your job to be our online hype girl. Give people a taste of our inner workings, help our musicians interact with fans, tease at our upcoming events and releases. That sort of thing.”

  Deena led me to a private office, maneuvering through the dozens of people milling about, most with headsets, all with staff badges around their necks. I glanced around, trying to be discrete, but I didn’t recognize any other rock stars or artists.

  When we were alone, she shut the door and handed me a stack of papers.

  “Standard non-disclosure agreement. You agree not to blab about things you’re not supposed to, et cetera, et cetera.”

  “What things am I not supposed to talk about?”

  Deena tapped the papers and handed me a pen. “Sign and you’ll find out.”

  I quickly signed, not bothering to read it. I didn’t even care if I was selling my soul. It would be well worth it. I handed the papers back.

  “Perfect.” She filed them away in a folder. “Sit down.”

  I sat.

  “Feral Silence is holding a secret country-wide tour this summer.”

  I shot up straight in my chair, trying to calm my fangirl heart.

  “What about their next album?” I asked.

  “That’s a misdirection. They’re already finished. They’ll be doing secret shows in a variety of cities. We’ll release clues online the days of, and it will be up to fans to puzzle out where and when the concert will be.”

  “That’s awesome!” I blurted out. “This is all to drum up attention for their new album, right?”

  “Exactly. There will also be a film crew following them around. We’ll be filming the concerts and some backstage footage. At the end of the summer, we’ll compile it all together into a great behind-the-scenes video for our fans.”

  “I’m sure they’ll love that.” I knew I would.

  “We’ll probably release it online for free.”

  “That’s some awesome promo.”

  Deena nodded. “This summer, your job duties will be as follows. One: post our secret clues and tease our fans with the answer. We need to make sure people actually figure them out in time for the shows. No one wants an empty venue. Two: Post teaser pictures to get our fans excited. Pics of our boys practicing, getting ready for rehearsal, hell, even sleeping in the back of the tour bus. Give fans a real behind-the-scenes look. Get creative with it.”

  “Wait. I’m going to be with them on the tour?” I’d thought I’d mostly be sticking around the studio offices and attending the occasional concert.

  “Of course. You’ll be following us around all summer.”

  I swallowed heavily. Following Feral Silence as they toured across the country?

  “Job duty number three: Monitor user posts about the band and respond when appropriate. Let’s say someone asks Kell a question. If it’s interesting enough, ask him to answer it and reply for him.”

  “Ask him? Directly? I’m allowed to talk to the band members?”

  Deena gave me a funny look. “Definitely. You’ll be working closely with them. You’ll be the band’s connection to their fans.”

  I tried not to choke on my own tongue. I thought I’d be lucky to get a glimpse of Jayce even once all summer. Now it turned out I was going to be interacting with him every day. Taking pictures of him. Asking him questions.

  Maybe I really had died back ther
e in front of the stage.

  @POINTSHOOTNEIL: SO HOW goes your first day?

  @AudioAiley: It’s awesome so far.

  Do anything cool?

  I can’t say.

  You working for the CIA or something?

  No, I just had to sign an NDA. I can’t even tell you where I’m working.

  So you’re a super secret spy, huh? That’s cool.

  Even better.

  Better than being the next Bond? Wow, you must have scored a sweet gig.

  You don’t even know.

  How busy are they keeping you? Can I still message you?

  Of course! I’m not going completely MIA.

  See, you’re already using code words. You sure you’re not a spy?

  If I told you, I’d have to kill you.

  I was dying to tell Neil all about my new job, but I risked being fired if I told anyone. The tour, the filming, all of it was hush-hush until the label decided to do a big marketing push.

  I was allowed to continue posting on my own account, though, as long as I didn’t talk about anything I shouldn’t. I was infinitely glad I’d never fangirled too hard about Jayce online. I liked to think I kept it mostly professional. I doubted I would have gotten the internship if they knew I was half-way in love with one of their rock stars.

  “Here’s your new phone and tablet. It’s already set up with all the apps and accounts you need.” Deena handed me the latest model of both, shiny and sleek.

  “These are for me?”

  “You’re only allowed to use these devices for work. Your own device is for personal use. No overlapping. We can’t risk a personal post accidentally ending up on the band’s account.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “We’ll be doing a show tonight, and then taking off for our next city in the morning. The secret posts have already been sent out. You don’t officially start until tomorrow. We need you to show up at our offices at six a.m. sharp. We’ll be loading up the tour buses and taking off at seven. You know where we’re located?”

  “Downtown at Queen and Front,” I nodded. “How much traveling will we be doing?”

  “We’ll try to stay in each city for a few days, but we’ll be on the road for weeks at a time. I assume the travel is okay with you?”

  “Yes! Yes, of course. I’m totally cool with traveling.” I got a little car sick on buses, but there was no way I was telling Deena that.

  “I think we’ve covered everything important. If you have any questions, just ask. I’d rather you ask than do something wrong and have to fix your mistake. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that sending the wrong post at the wrong time could be a PR disaster.”

  “I completely understand. No such thing as a stupid question, right?” I shoved the phone and tablet in my purse. The tablet barely fit. It was one of those huge, laptop-sized ones, not a mini version at all. I’d have to buy a new bag before tomorrow.

  Deena stood up and adjusted her headset, tilting her head, eyes unfocused as if listening to something. “Okay, rehearsal’s over. Time to meet the band.”

  I let out a small whimper. Deena paused and gave me a reassuring smile.

  “Nervous?”

  “Just a little.”

  “Don’t worry, the guys are cool. They’re not popular enough to have inflated egos—yet. Well, except for Kell. He’s always had a big head.”

  I stifled a laugh because that’s exactly what the rumor was online. Typical frontman.

  Deena took me to a closed, unmarked door and knocked twice before entering. The scene inside should have been casual, laid back, with clothes and bags thrown everywhere, hair products and styling tools strewn about. The people I found inside made sure I felt anything but laid back.

  The members of Feral Silence were lounging on sofas and armchairs. The drummer Morris and the bassist Ren were sharing a sofa, drinking beers. Morris wore the same clothes he’d worn on stage, but Ren had taken off his suit jacket and was sitting in his black pants and white shirt. The tie was off, and the first few buttons of the collar were undone.

  Kell slouched in an armchair, flipping through a stack of papers, his running shoes resting on a coffee table. I glanced around quickly, but didn’t see Jayce.

  “Guys, this is Aimee Lee. Oh, sorry.” Deena glanced at me. “You prefer Ailey, right?”

  “Either is fine.” They could call me Oscar, I’d be only too pleased to hear it from their lips.

  “She’s our new social media coordinator.”

  “Awesome, the internet girl!” Kell grinned, setting the papers on the arm of the chair. His million-watt smile eased some of my fears. Kell seemed just as friendly offstage as he did in interviews. Morris and Ren raised their beers in greeting.

  “Welcome aboard the crazy train,” Ren said. His long black hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Morris silently nodded his head. He had a reputation for being the quiet, scary one. He didn’t seem scary to me, just large. Very large. He was even beefier up close and in person. I was glad he was sitting down because I was sure he would tower over all five-feet-four-inches of me.

  “I look forward to working with you all.” I was happy to hear my voice was steady.

  “Ailey’s going to be the one following you around like a little shadow, so treat her nice. None of your stupid pranks, or she’ll post pictures of you asleep with your bedhead and drool.”

  “Just so you know, I sleep naked.” Kell smirked.

  “What did I just say about teasing the intern?”

  I fought back the blush that threatened to surface.

  A voice behind me spoke up. “You’re going to be following our every move?”

  Jayce.

  He’d appeared in the doorframe behind me, a bottle of water in one hand. His leather jacket was off, and he’d put on a tight white t-shirt. My breath hitched. The body sweat he’d worked up during rehearsal made the cotton fabric cling to every deliciously muscled ab. I had the sudden urge to lift up that shirt and reveal his toned stomach to lick every inch of it.

  Let’s reiterate: I wasn’t a groupie. I wasn’t just taken with him because of his good looks.

  Jayce was a musical genius. The songs he composed were brilliant. His guitar solos were unparalleled. His stage presence was magnetic. He was destined to be the next rock star god. I just knew it.

  But his unbelievable good looks didn’t hurt.

  “It’s bad enough having camera crews in our face all day,” he continued, full lips turned down in a slight frown. He looked uncomfortable, like something was itching under his skin. I rushed to reassure him. I didn’t want his first impression of me to be a negative one.

  “I’ll try not to get in your way. You won’t even notice I’m here.”

  Jayce raised an eyebrow in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected me to talk back.

  “And what about snapping photos of us when we think we’re alone?”

  “When you’re off stage, I’ll only take photos of you with your permission. I promise. No secret shots.”

  Jayce looked doubtful.

  “On stage is another matter, of course,” I added. “But you must be used to having cameras flashing in your face during concerts anyway.”

  He didn’t say anything, just lifted the bottle of water to his mouth and took a swig, keeping his eyes on mine the entire time. The muscles of his neck rippled as he swallowed. My mouth went dry.

  “Ailey’s an expert,” Deena said. “You do your job and let her do hers.”

  “An expert?” Kell laughed. “You’re just a baby.”

  “I’m twenty-one,” I replied, indignant. I was just about to turn twenty-two, and I knew for a fact the members of Feral Silence were only a handful of years older than me. Kell only laughed harder.

  “Ailey’s been doing this stuff online for years. She has over a hundred thousand followers. More than your personal account, I might add.” Deena gave Kell a pointed look.

  Kell threw his hands up. “I surrender, I surrender. Tur
ns out our little internet girl is pretty badass. But be careful.” Kell grinned wolfishly. “Guys like us love to eat up pretty little girls like you for breakfast.”

  I gaped, mouth dropping open, too shocked to be embarrassed.

  “No corrupting the intern,” Deena said.

  “Not unless they like it.” Kell’s eyes glinted with good humor.

  “What about quotes?”

  “Huh?” I blinked at Jayce’s question.

  “Are you going to take the stuff we say in private and broadcast it all over the internet?”

  If I hadn’t seen him melt the panties off hordes of fangirls about a dozen times with his flirting and break a thousand hearts with his smoldering stares in on-camera interviews, I would have said he sounded almost nervous.

  “Absolutely not,” I said, voice firm, trying to comfort him. I didn’t want Jayce to get the wrong impression. I wasn’t some sort of paparazzi trying to make money off his private life. I was there to promote his band and his music. I was there to make him look good. “If you want, I’ll show you any message I post on your behalf before I hit send.”

  Jayce nodded, looking me up and down slowly. I wondered what he thought of the sight. I was much shorter than him, even with my heels. In fact, all the members of Feral Silence were taller than average. I wondered if my neck would be perpetually cramped from having to look up all summer.

  Jayce’s eyes traveled from my face down my neck, and I remembered feeling self-conscious when I first bought my blouse, wondering if the neckline was too low. A slow heat burned through me as Jayce’s eyes settled on my chest. All the hair on my arms stood on end. My nipples hardened into peaks under that gaze. Could he see them? Did he know the effect he was having on me?

  Jayce took another swig of his water and looked away. I felt like I could finally breathe again.

  “She’s signed an NDA, so she can’t talk about anything she sees or hears all summer. Your private lives will stay private.” Deena gave them an admonishing look. “This is for your own good. We’re doing great so far, but the public’s attention wanes so quickly. We need to keep people talking about us, and if that means posting your every move all summer, then so be it.”