Groupie Love (A Rock Star Romance) (Love in Shades)

by Cassie-Ann L. Miller

  She nods, a smile tickling her lips.

  “Fine. You’re a pshyco. But, in all seriousness, you won’t have a reason for jealousy. I’m yours. All yours. As soon as you say ‘yes’ to me.” I touch her chin lightly. “I won’t be the guy to break your heart.”

  She steps back and pulls her fingers through her hair. “I – I –” She feels something for me; I know that. Maybe I’m moving too fast, pushing her too hard.

  Time to change strategies.

  “Okay, how about this – how about you let me take you on a date tonight? Dinner. Someplace nice.” I pout a little and bat my eyes comically at her.

  She giggles – I love the sound of it – but she still hesitates.

  “Look, I don’t want to pressure you but my tour is right around the corner. Nineteen cities in thirty-one days. So, I’ll be gone for a month. And by the time I get back, you’ll be getting ready to go back to New York. I don’t want us to miss out on the next few days. I’m desperate here ‘cause I feel that we could be something special, you and me. I may be wrong but I think you feel it too.”

  She chews on her bottom lip as she looks away, contemplating my offer. “Why are you so insistent on having me?” she says in a quiet, tentative voice.

  “Cause you’re fucking hot,” I say with a cheeky smirk.

  She doesn’t seem amused.

  She deserves the truth. She deserves to know how I really feel about her.

  I rake my fingers through my hair. I feel my muscles tensing. “When we first met, you had no idea who I was, which was awesome. And then, even when you found out what I do for a living, you didn’t throw yourself at me…You’re making me work for this and that just makes me want you more.”

  She looks skeptical. “So, I’m a challenge?”

  I shake my head, my hands bracing her shoulders. “You’re refreshing. And genuine. You’re a breath of fresh air. In my world, I can snap my fingers and get a woman to drop her panties. But, it’s next to impossible to find a woman that’s beautiful and smart and talented, who isn’t afraid to be real with me. That’s why I like you Mackenzie. You’re the full package.”

  Red rushes to her cheeks.

  I make one final plea. “So, will you go out with me tonight?”

  She diverts her eyes, fighting the urge to smile as she says, “Okay. Fine.”

  I laugh. “Your enthusiasm just about to knocked me over,” I say sarcastically.

  She laughs, too as she skirts around me, heading towards the stairs with her breakfast in hand. “I’m gonna go rehearse. I’ll see you tonight.”

  And I’m grinning like I just won the lottery. “I’ll see you tonight,” I echo.

  Just as she’s about to walk out the door, she turns back to me and says. “And, Everson?”

  “Huh?”

  “I think I like you, too.”

  Chapter 17

  Everson

  I throw my all-white Aston Martin convertible into park just outside of Prato, a hip new Portuguese restaurant that the executives from the record label took me and the band to a few months ago to celebrate the success of our first album. Apparently, everybody who’s anybody in L.A. has been spotted here.

  That’s why I want to take Mackenzie here. I want her to feel special.

  I toss my keys to the valet and glance over at Mackenzie. An ear-to-ear grin nearly splits my face.

  She looks so fucking hot!

  She’s wearing a little black top that bares her toned midriff and hot pink skirt that hugs her curves. Together with her tall, skinny heels, that knee-length skirt makes her legs look a mile long. Her hair is pinned back out of her face and falls in loose curls down her back as she stares at something that has caught her eye across the street.

  “You ready?” I ask, reaching out and pulling her hand into mine.

  She looks at me and smiles. “Sure.”

  I bring her hand to my lips for a quick kiss before I jump out of the driver’s seat and round the car to open her door. She steps onto the sidewalk and I hear camera bulbs popping. The paparazzi are here, of course, but I won’t let that stop me from enjoying my evening with the prettiest girl in town.

  The valet disappears with my car. Just as I’m about to guide Mackenzie into the restaurant, she slows and glances across the street again. “Everything okay?” I ask, already feeling slightly panicked. I don’t want anything ruining this perfect evening that I have planned for her.

  She hesitates for a beat. “That restaurant across the street – it looks good.”

  I squint over at the colorful awning bearing a cartoon drawing of a mariachi band and the name Taco Taco Taco Villa in big, goofy letters.

  I roar with laughter, tossing my head back and stomping my boot into the pavement. I try to simmer down when I notice that she looks a bit self-conscious.

  “You wanna go over there?” I ask, eyeing her curiously.

  She smiles broadly, confidently. “Yeah – it looks like fun. And you know what they say – Tex-Mex is the way to a girl’s heart.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “Let’s go, then.” I truly don’t care where we eat, as long as I’m with her tonight. The paparazzi go wild, hurling questions at us and snapping photographs as they follow us across the street. I stop momentarily to give a hug and an autograph to an adorable pre-teen fan who completely loses her wits when she spots me. Then, I hold Mackenzie’s hand protectively as I guide her into the little hole-in-the-wall restaurant. The place isn’t too crowded.

  The hostess’s eyes go wide as she recognizes me. “Coal – Mr. Coal. Ohmygod – it’s you!” Her voice rises above the Enrique Iglesias tune blasting through the tiny space.

  I give her a small smile and lean in close to her. “Hey there. We’re not trying to draw any attention to us tonight. Think we can get a quiet table?”

  “Of course,” she says as she ushers us to a small table at the back of the restaurant. Still looking star-struck, she leaves us with the menus and a pitcher of iced water.

  “So, this is your kind of restaurant?” I ask, evaluating the strange, beautiful creature sitting across from me.

  She nods with conviction. “Yeah – nice and laidback. First dates are stressful enough as it is without having to worry about whether I’m using the right fork for my salad or if I’ll attract raised eyebrows for grabbing at a piece of chicken with my fingers. I just wanted to be able to relax a bit. I hope you don’t mind.”

  I hold my hands up in surrender. “I love a tasty burrito as much as the next lad. And as long as you’re good, I’m good.”

  She smiles wide. “Good.”

  When the waitress comes back, Mackenzie orders a virgin strawberry daiquiri and a platter of Texas-style baby back ribs. My heart feels happy knowing that she’s comfortable enough in her own skin to order a meal that is guaranteed to get messy. I like this girl more with each little quirk that I uncover. I request a Santa Fe chicken burrito and a beer.

  I turn my attention to my beautiful date as the waitress walks away. She leans in close, cups her hand around her mouth and whispers. “Let me warn you right now – I’m starving and I tend to be a bit of a piggy when I get going.”

  I laugh. “I look forward to seeing that.” I swirl my glass of water around, the ice clinking about at the top. “It’s not everyday that I go to dinner with a girl who’s actually willing to eat.” My mind floats back to the many times I spent hundreds of dollars to wine and dine Tasha at upscale restaurants only to have her take two small nibbles then remind me of the restrictions of her diet du jour. It’s a relief to know that Mackenzie is the opposite.

  She laughs to herself. “My sister is constantly scolding me about my lack of table manners. Apparently, I’m unladylike when it comes to food.”

  “That’s okay. As long as you enjoy yourself tonight, I’ll be happy,” I assure her.

  “I’m rambling on a bit. I know. I’m nervous.” Her confession takes me a bit by surprise.

  I reach over and snatch her hand up off
the table. I lean in close and drop my voice to a whisper. “I’m nervous, too.” We both laugh a little before I say, “I’m really happy to be here with you, Mackenzie. I would have spent the entire tour kicking myself if I hadn’t asked you out.”

  A gorgeous, shy smile touches her lips and in the dim light of the restaurant, it’s hard to tell, but I think she’s blushing.

  “Tell me about your family,” I say to break the ice.

  She pulls in a sharp breath as she reaches for her napkin. She folds and refolds it in front of her. “I’ve got two brothers and a sister. I’m the youngest. My siblings are all lawyers. Like our dad.”

  “Ah – a family of lawyers,” I comment with a small nod.

  Something dark crosses her expression. “Except for me,” she says in a small voice. “I’m the Moretti family rebel. I chose dance while law school was a no-brainer for all of my siblings.” There’s a note of dejection in her voice when she says the words.

  “Let me guess – your parents aren’t too happy with your decision?”

  She pushes a sigh as her gaze falls to the table. “My mother, mostly. She wants me to give up on dance. Get serious. Go to law school.”

  I crane my neck, coaxing her beautiful blue eyes to mine. “And how do you feel about that?”

  “Becoming a lawyer is not an option for me,” she says, shaking her head vigorously. “I’d die a slow death. Sitting at a desk all day in a stuffy suit, worrying about other people’s problems. I’d die.”

  I smile sympathetically. “Well, we can’t let that happen, now can we?”

  Her shoulders slump forward. “I applied to the country’s top dance program and I got rejected,” she spits out mirthlessly. “My options are limited now I guess, but law school…I just can’t.”

  I reach out and touch her hand. “I’ve seen you dance. You’re amazing, Mackenzie. You have real talent.”

  She gives me a smile that tells me she thinks I’m full of shit. I know I’m laying it on thick but I mean every word I say to her.

  “No offense and I really appreciate your kind words but you’re not a professional dancer. You don’t really know what you’re talking about.”

  I give her a pointed stare. “The professionals think you’re pretty impressive. Georges LeBoeuf said that you’re the next Misty Copeland.”

  She gives me a cautious glance. “How did you know that?” she asks warily.

  I chuckle. “You’re not the only one who knows how to use Google, Mackenzie.”

  She gives me a playful kick under the table as she laughs. “Touché, fine sir. Touché.”

  I grab my glass. I need the icy water to cool me down. This girl has me all worked up. “God – you’re beautiful…” I mutter as I bring my glass to my lips.

  “Stop it! Stop it!” she says with a bashful giggle, waving her hand to shoo me away. “You’re fucking me up. I can’t think straight when you’re looking at me like that and saying those things to me. You’re making it hard for me to breathe.”

  I yank at the collar of my black button-down shirt. The air conditioner in here is doing nothing to ease the heat crawling across my skin. “Sorry – I got a little carried away.” I give her a sheepish chuckle.

  “I feel awkward now,” she says laughing.

  I laugh too. “It is a bit awkward, I guess.” This girl has me bumbling like a pimple-faced teenager who managed to get his crush to the prom. I’m a goddamned rock star and here I am flailing about with no lifeboat in sight.

  Just then, the music changes to something slow and sensual. My Spanish isn’t that great but I think that the singer is crooning about being in love with a woman who broke his heart. I sit quietly and listen to the smooth melody, my eyes lingering on the beauty in front of me.

  “I know what to do,” she says as she pushes her chair back and stretches out a hand. “Dance with me.”

  I chuckle as I spin my glass around on the wooden table. “What?”

  “Dance with me,” she insists as she rises out of her chair. “There’s nothing that I love more than dancing. When I dance, I feel centered no matter what else is going on in the world. Please, Everson. Let’s dance.”

  Even though I have two left feet, there’s no way I can refuse her when she sets it up like that.

  I stand and stretch my hand out to her. I use my foot to push a few chairs and a table out of the way, clearing an impromptu dance floor for us. My fingers curl around her hips as she rests her head against my chest.

  I wonder if she hears the racket of my heart pounding against my ribs.

  The restaurant’s other patrons toss us furtive glances. I should feel silly, standing here in this restaurant, swaying awkwardly to the beat of a song that I don’t even understand. No one else is dancing except Mackenzie and me.

  But I don’t care. I’m the luckiest guy around – I’ve got this pretty girl tucked under my arm, a smile gracing her lips, her arms cinched around my waist.

  Everything else just fades into the background.

  She looks happy. And my heart is full, knowing that I had something to do with that.

  And just when I think that this moment couldn’t get any more perfect than it already is, she leans back, eases onto her toes and presses her lips to mine.

  Chapter 18

  Mackenzie

  Everson flips the turn signal on right as he’s about to swerve into his driveway. That’s when we notice that his yard is full. There are more than half a dozen cars crammed into his front yard. Music blares from his house and there are a few smokers hanging out on the front porch as they puff away.

  “Having a party?” I say facetiously as I peer up at the house. “I’m offended. I wasn’t invited.”

  “Apparently, neither was I,” Everson says, frustration clear on his face. “Looks like the band took the liberty of throwing a party while we were out. Story of my life. Random people just show up at my house every night looking to get drunk and get laid.”

  I touch his shoulder lightly and feel a flutter in the pit of my stomach. “Hey –“ I say softly, drawing his attention away from the commotion taking place at his house. “You can park in my driveway,” I offer earnestly.

  His eyes sparkle mischievously, his tone laden with innuendo. “I’d love to park in your driveway.”

  I guess I walked right into that one, didn’t I?

  “Stop it, you perv!” I laugh jostling him in the shoulder.

  “Sorry – couldn’t resist,” he says as he throws the car into reverse, reorienting it towards my empty front yard.

  He parks on the driveway under the palm tree and we both sit there in silence. I don’t want this date to be over and from the way he’s looking at me, I’m guessing that neither does he.

  “Tonight was awesome,” he says quietly.

  My lips curl into a smile. “Yeah. I had a great time.” I expected it to all go down hill after I suggested that we go to that low-key Tex-Mex restaurant instead of the high-end establishment where he had made reservations. But he took it in stride and the food turned out to be great. And the atmosphere. And that dance.

  And that kiss.

  That kiss. I don’t know what the hell possessed me to kiss him like that. He was just so close and he smelled so good. The memory of the way his lips feel on mine was rioting through my brain. I just needed to feel it again.

  So I took it.

  And I wouldn’t undo it if I could. It was amazing.

  “So, you don’t regret going out with me?” he asks with an irreverent smile.

  I throw my head back against the leather headrest and laugh. “No, I don’t regret it.”

  We sit there and stare at each other again, the air heavy with desire.

  “So, your tour starts in two days?” My voice is husky and low, cracking with anticipation.

  He nods slightly. “Two days.” His gaze is transfixed on my lips.

  He’s so handsome. So masculine. So there. Every part of me is aware of every part of him. And I’v
e never felt the urge to fuck a man so strongly.

  “Come in for a drink,” I blurt out before I’ve had the chance to think the proposition through.

  His eyes dart up to mine. “Really?” I think that instinctively, he knows that I’m offering more than a gin and tonic for the road. I don’t say the words, but he knows I’m offering him my body.

  I clear my throat as I nod. “Really.”

  His tongue darts across his top lip as he opens his door and rounds the car to help me to my feet.