She didn’t even seem that interested in eating.
His phone rang. His assistant. “Hey Roger. What’s the good news? The appointment still on for tomorrow?”
“Yes, you have an appointment with Perfumery Solutions at ten,” Roger said.
“Good. They understand that I want to be part of the process?”
“Yes, they do.”
“Good. Thanks. When is my appointment with the clothes designer? I can’t remember her name.”
“It was moved to tomorrow afternoon. Still waiting on confirmation on the time.”
“You’ll be here for that? I do like your input.”
Roger had good taste in clothing so if he was going to launch a line, he wanted his assistant’s opinion. If it were up to Colin, he’d go around in jeans and whatever clean shirt he could scrounge up. He never made anyone’s best dressed list and he was okay with that, but now that he was launching a clothing line, he was paying more attention to his appearance.
Despite not dressing well himself, Colin had always loved to dress his girlfriends.
“I’ll be there. Can I stay the night? I don’t want to drive back to the city if the meeting goes late.”
“Of course. I have room for an army here.”
“See you tomorrow, Colin.”
He disconnected the call and tucked his phone back into his pocket. Tamra’s gaze was still glued to her screen. The pasta had another minute then it would be done. He’d put a pesto and vodka sauce on top of it with meatballs on the side.
“Anything?”
“Not yet, but I have a few more minutes of footage to look at.” She frowned. “Wait.”
She clicked her mouse as Colin came around the island to look. He couldn’t see the person because they had a hooded sweatshirt on.
“We’re not going to get an I.D. on them because of the hood. I don’t see a car on the road so I don’t know if they walked or drove.”
“Hmm. What’s next?”
“Well, a stakeout of sorts. Kelly or I can keep an eye out on the front of the house until we see someone. Then we’ll catch them and talk.”
Tamra yawned.
“When will that begin?”
“Seeing as the notes have only been left during the day, we’ll begin tomorrow. I’ll stay until it’s dark here.”
CHAPTER 3
Tamra had no idea how she was going to stay awake. Maybe she should see if she could make some coffee. She was only staying until dark but that meant not sleeping as soon as she’d like.
After looking at the video with her, Colin gave her the letter.
“There isn’t anything that stands out about this letter. Just like the others. No special paper. Letters from the newspaper. Darn.”
“Darn?”
“It’s frustrating that this person is able to cover his tracks so well.”
He put a plate of spaghetti in front of her. Her stomach chose that moment to rumble.
“Guess I’m feeding you just in time,” Colin said.
He opened himself a Diet Coke and then slid onto as stool two seats from her. Giving her space she guessed. Her charming personality had probably scared him. Oh well, it happened. Kelly was way more personable.
Tamra was all business. She’d almost gotten involved with a client once. That had been a disaster. Her heart had been broken and the company had nearly lost a valuable client. “Did the person in the video look familiar?”
“No, not at all.”
“There wasn’t anything distinctive about him. This guy has done a good job of not leaving a trail. I still think it might be an inside job.”
“Yeah? Who of my employees do you suspect?”
“If I’d not known about your assistant’s prison record, he might be my first suspect. Since you were so forthcoming about it, I know he didn’t hide it from you.”
“Who else?”
“Your publicist has some odd pictures of you on Facebook. On her personal page. Like she’s a little obsessed with you.”
“We did date for a short time.”
“Do you often love them and leave them?”
“Not this time. She dumped me. She didn’t think she was secure enough to handle my lifestyle.”
“Your lifestyle?”
“My adoring fans, that is. And the photographers that sometimes follow me.”
“Paparazzi?”
“Yes, them. She’s private in her own life even though she deals with celebrities all the time.”
“Seems like an odd profession for someone who is so private.”
***
Colin didn’t want to talk about his publicist, Donna. She’d broken his heart. Sort of. In actuality, she’d bruised his ego. Looked like he was destined to be attracted to women who didn’t want him.
Evidenced by his interest in Tamra who didn’t even know he existed beyond being a client. He sighed.
“It probably is, but I’ve never asked her about it. Does she have something in her past that makes you suspicious? I mean besides the pictures on her Facebook page?”
“Not on the surface. Just a gut feeling. She dumped you?”
“You find that hard to believe?”
“I guess.”
“Why?”
Tamra shook her head as if her answer would be obvious. “Because rock stars get what they want.”
Colin laughed. “Nope. I don’t have people around me like that. If they think I’m being a jerk they tell me. I want it that way. You can never believe your press.”
She cocked her head. “Hm.”
“Hm? That’s it. I tell you about a humiliating story in my life and that’s your only reaction?”
“Yep.”
Wow. A tough nut. Was she worth cracking? She might be. She had no idea how beautiful she was. Her mocha skin offset her deep blue eyes. What an amazing combination. She didn’t wear any makeup, but she didn’t have to. Her skin was clear and smooth.
She went back to eating, her eyes still on her laptop.
“What else did you find?” he said finally.
This dinner was a business one. Not what he had in mind. He’d hoped to get to know Tamra a little better.
She was all business. Would he ever get past that façade? He was usually good at breaking through people’s barriers. Tamra’s seemed higher than most. That made him more curious and more determined. What would she be like when she finally surrendered to him?
Would she go down fighting or would she just give it all up at once? Would she hate him for it? That he didn’t want. He doubted he’d tire of the chase. Nor would he tire of her once he caught her. No, he figured Tamra had many layers.
She’d be interesting for a long time.
***
Tamra finished her dinner. She wanted Kelly to see the note. In her mind, the stalker had escalated things. Not only was the note delivered personally, but the verbiage was more desperate. She hadn’t wanted to alarm Colin, but she needed to talk to Larry first.
How much should they share with Colin? She was all for full disclosure but technically Larry was paying the bills. Or at least he’d signed the contract to pay the bills.
Twilight was upon them so Tamra felt she could leave. She packed up her things, cleared her place then walked out to her car.
That chose not to start. She knew she’d needed to have it in for service, but she’d put it off. “Damn.”
“Problem?”
Colin was at her window.
“Won’t start.”
“Hm. The garages are closed at this point. You want to call a tow truck?”
“I can use my phone.”
“Fine but don’t wait out here in the dark.”
This was a nice neighborhood. The only crimes were domestic violence and burglaries. Neither would put her in any danger. “I’ll be fine.”
“No, come in and I’ll keep you company while you wait.”
This was all so exasperating. Tamra wanted to be home in bed. She didn’t want to b
e dealing with a car that didn’t work. She sighed. She dialed the number for a tow truck. The person said he’d be there in two hours.
Okay, she didn’t want to sit in her car for two hours so she climbed out and went into Colin’s house. He’d left the door open for her. When she entered, he sat on a couch in the living room, his feet up on the coffee table.
“Change your mind?”
“The tow truck won’t be here for two hours.”
“Then I’ll drive you home.”
“No need. I can call Kelly.”
“She said her daughter was home tonight. Why disturb her? I can drive you.”
Tamra didn’t like the idea of a client knowing where she lived. How would she get around this? She’d figure out a way.
“Might as well get comfortable,” he said.
She sat, but on the edge of the sofa. She didn’t want to get comfortable. Nor did she think she could be in front of Colin. Something about him knocked her off-kilter.
“That doesn’t look comfortable,” he said.
“I’m okay.”
“Sit back, I’ll get some dessert.”
“No thanks.”
“Who doesn’t like dessert?”
“I don’t.”
***
“Well I’m getting myself some even if you don’t want it,” he said.
He wasn’t going to argue with her. She did at least sit back on the couch. He didn’t want every interaction with her to be filled with strife. Why did she dislike him so much?
He cut a slice of peach pie - his favorite - then put the piece on his plate. He decided not to cut Tamra a piece. It might go to waste and piss her off even more.
This was just a car. He could drive her home. He didn’t mind.
Her posture had relaxed by the time he came back into the room. He chosen ice cream for the top, but heated the slice in the microwave. The transaction took him longer than expected.
He didn’t notice that she was asleep until he sat. At least he hadn’t spoken to her and woken her up. She looked as if she’d literally fallen asleep. Her head was against the back cushion. Her arms were splayed out to her sides. Her mouth hung open.
This was Tamra unguarded.
She still looked sexy even though he couldn’t see those amazing eyes. Even with the light snores that emanated from her he still found her attractive.
Oh crap. He was a goner. How was he going to work with her? He would always want to test her, question what she did. Get a reaction out of her. Too bad up to this point he’d only made her angry.
Would she show that much passion in bed? Would she keep up with his appetite?
Maybe he just needed to get laid but he doubted that. Impersonal encounters had been part of his youth but he didn’t want them anymore. He’d rather not have sex than have meaningless sex.
Who would have thought someone in his position would think that? He could have anyone he wanted, or so Roger told him all the time. Why didn’t he take advantage of that anymore?”
Because he’d grown up. He finished his pie, putting the plate carefully on the table.
When he looked out the window, he saw the tow truck. He went out to meet the guy.
“This your car?”
“My girlfriend’s.”
The man didn’t recognize him. That was okay.
“Where am I towing it to?”
“The closest dealership,” Colin said.
Most of the time he was insulated from these mundane tasks. If his car broke down Roger, took care of it. Colin took a guess as to where Tamra would want her car to be towed.
The man hooked up the car to his truck, then took down Colin’s contact information and then left
When Colin entered the living room again, Tamra was still asleep. He found a blanket in a closet and put it over her. He turned off the light before he went to bed.
***
Tamra awoke with a start. The dream. She’d probably screamed.
Someone was holding her down so she struggled half of her mind still in the dream.
“Tamra, it’s Colin.”
Colin? She had to think for a minute. Colin? Why was he in her bedroom? Then her tactile senses came alert. This wasn’t her bed. Where was she? Finally she could open her eyes.
The light in the hallway was on, but not in this room. Colin loomed over her.
“You okay? You were screaming.”
Tamra was thankful for the darkness. And being dark skinned. She would be blushing right now. “Uh. Yeah.”
He sat next to her though he kept his hands to himself. She needed another minute to shake off the dream. Damn.
This was all so unprofessional.
“You must have had a bad dream.”
That would be an understatement. “I fell asleep? On your couch?”
“Yes.”
She looked out the front window. “What happened to my car?”
“The tow truck took it to the dealership.”
“Oh.”
She still wanted to crawl into a hole. This was not her style to be this vulnerable in front of a client. How would she recover and get the relationship back on the right keel?
“Can I turn the light on?” Colin asked.
“Go ahead.”
The light would help chase away the demon from her dream.
He did and she squinted until her eyes became accustomed to the light. That’s when she noticed what he was wearing. Plaid boxers and nothing else.
She averted her eyes but she wanted to stare at him. He was an amazing specimen of a maleness. Just enough muscles to make him attractive with a smattering of dark hair on his chest. The snake tattoo she’d seen part of was all revealed for her. The head of the snake looked over his shoulder.
As if it were looking at her.
Damn. Was the room hot all of a sudden?
Maybe not, but Colin certainly was. What was wrong with her? She’d never had such an instant reaction to a man. “Can I get you some water?”
“Yes, please.”
His absence would give her a moment to recover.
***
Colin had heard her screams from upstairs and truly thought someone had entered the house. He’d never run so quickly in his life. At least he’d had the foresight to keep his boxers on. He usually went to bed naked.
For some reason having Tamra in the house made him a little more modest. He probably would have walked down here naked, but she might not have liked that despite his hopes that she would.
He filled a glass with water then took a deep breath. His pulse had been racing when he reached Tamra. Then she’d tried to hit him until she woke up and realized who it was.
She’d managed not to injure him. But now he stood in his boxers and handed her a glass of water. He felt naked which was not a feeling he was used to. He wasn’t the type to do a sex tape, but he also wasn’t shy about his body.
He’d done some slightly racy photo shoots in his life, but he’d always had something on his body.
Tamra gulped down the water but didn’t make eye contact with him. Was his state of undress bothering her?
“You awake now?”
“Yes, thanks.”
He sat down next to her but not close enough to touch. He did want to take her in his arm and soothe away the after effects of whatever dream she had. “What did you dream about?”
“I don’t remember now.”
She was lying. He knew it, but he chose not to pry. It was her dream. “You feel better?”
“Yes, thanks. I hope I can get a cab this time of night.”
“No need. I’ll drive you home,” he said.
Did she really think he was going to make her find her own way home?
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
Her gaze took him in and he realized she was referring to his current state of undress. “I can put some clothes on and drive you home. I just don’t want to rush you out of here.”
“I’m sorry. That was very
unprofessional of me to fall asleep.”
“You clearly needed the sleep. You’ve been out for hours. You can take one of the bedrooms upstairs if you want and I can drive you in the morning.”
She bit her lip, clearly decided which was the lesser of two evils. “No, please drive me home now.”
“Let me put some clothes on and I’ll be right back.”
He threw on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt and found Tamra pacing by the front door. She looked a little ashen but he didn’t think she would agree if he insisted she stay.
He did have an unfounded reputation as a hound dog. She might know little about him but he bet she knew that. Damn his younger self and his propensity to be a man-whore.
“I’ll bring the car around.”
She was waiting on the front porch when he drove up. She looked over the car then climbed into the low vehicle. “You drive this all the time?”
“No, just when I get out of the city.”
*
The car sat so low that Tamra thought that she was sliding on the road instead of riding on top of it. It was an Aston Martin but she wasn’t sure why she knew that. She wasn’t a car person at all. It was transportation from one place to another.
She only noticed it when it wasn’t working.
Like right now. When she had to have a world-famous rock star drive her home after falling asleep on his couch like she was four and hadn’t had her nap.
“I need directions.”
“Oh, right.”
Of course he would. She’d been so busy looking around the car and feeling uncomfortable that she’d forgotten he had no idea where she lived.
“Left or right out of the driveway?”
“Left.”
He took the turn and bulbs flashed. “Do those people not have lives?”
She didn’t look out the window, but put her hand up hoping she’d been looking away when the pictures were taken. The last thing she needed was to be in the spotlight.
“Who are they?”
“Paparazzi. Guess they figured out where I’ve been recording.”
He punched the accelerator and she was pinned to her seat. He took a sharp turn at the end of the block then another one.
“Do they always follow you?”
She could see his frown in the dash lights.
“I welcomed them early in my career and gave them plenty to photograph. I was out of control. Now I wish they’d leave me alone.” He looked in the rearview mirror. “I don’t think they followed.”
Rock Your Body: A BWWM Romance Page 5