On the far side a small living room area had been set up, with sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables. This venue didn't have a proper dressing room. That set up would have to do. The lack of dressing rooms meant a large portion of the backstage was curtained off to give the artists privacy when they changed. A few staff members were hovering nearby in case any of the artists had requests before they went on. Most of the crew rushed around with headsets, carrying out their tasks with haste.
The band members never knew how much work went on behind the scenes. They never thought about the personal assistant who handed them their towels. They never thought about the errand boy who had to run out at the last minute to replace bottles of expensive sparkling water.
They never thought about the intern who made sure they had the right sunglasses to wear on stage.
Except one rock star had.
I squirmed, remembering the way Ian had looked at me. Concentrating on my job was difficult with the phantom touch of his thumb brushing my lips.
I closed my eyes and took a slow breath in. I had to cool it or I'd end up a sexually frustrated mess before the night was over. The concert was over six hours long, a collection of artists performing for charity. Darkest Days performed second to last.
I resisted the urge to play with my phone. I was paranoid that would be the moment Janet came to give me more work.
That didn't mean I didn't have something else to occupy my time.
Even though I knew I shouldn't have, even though I told myself to put it out of my mind, I'd strategically placed the boxes so I'd have a good view of the stage from the side.
A perfect view of Ian.
Chapter Three
Ian and his brother stood face to face, hips and guitars canted towards each other. Four deft hands maneuvered wildly across strings for a mid-song guitar duel. The fans screamed until their lungs gave out. The Twins pulled on their whammy bars at the same time and jumped away to opposite sides of the stage with matching smug looks.
Their expressions weren't the only thing that matched. Both heads of light brown hair stood up in soft spikes. Identical leather wrist cuffs covered the backs of their hands and half their forearms. They wore the same band t-shirt, ever changing depending on their current favorite. The Twins would wear an Iron Maiden shirt one week, and a boy band shirt the next. Whether they were serious or not was up in the air, as always.
Their performance was something to behold. The frantic energy they exuded was both exhilarating and exhausting. By the time their set wound down, I felt like I'd been the one jumping and running around on stage.
"Hope!" My manager called. I swung my head forward, pretending I hadn't been watching the concert.
Pretending I hadn't been watching Ian.
"Don't let Damian wander off with those sunglasses or we'll never see them again," Janet said. "We didn't get one of the pairs back last time."
The encore concluded. The band members said their final thanks and farewells. Tomorrow morning Darkest Days would be back in the studio to continue working on their next album.
I stood, ready to intercept. I needed to get those sunglasses back.
August left first, not hanging around to bask in fan adoration. His thin white t-shirt stuck to his chest with sweat, clinging to every peak and valley. Tempting enough for fangirls to swoon over, not that he ever noticed. He took a towel from the outstretched hands of an assistant and handed over his drumsticks without glancing at her, an absentminded look on his face.
Cameron must have run out of souvenirs to throw to the crowd, because he was already tugging Noah off stage with an arm hooked around his neck.
"Would you shove off?" The lead singer gave the bassist a withering glare. His ever-present leather jacket fit his upper body like a glove. Messy black hair fell over his eyes, his brow furrowed in annoyance. Noah shoved an elbow in Cameron's ribs and tried to duck out from under him. Cameron was having none of it.
"Stop your scowling." Cameron tussled with him until Noah gave in. "You were awesome out there tonight. Let me shower you with praise."
Assistants followed behind them like ducklings. Cameron was too busy laughing and trying to jump on Noah's back to notice.
The Twins left the stage last, still pumping their fists to the crowd and raising two fingers in a rock on gesture. Their chests heaved as they panted, out of breath from the intense performance. They buzzed with energy, bodies practically vibrating. When they were out of sight of the audience, Ian leaned over and braced himself on his knees, limbs trembling.
Although their eyes were unreadable, hidden behind sunglasses, I saw concern on Damon's face. He placed a firm hand on the back of his brother's neck, bringing their foreheads together. His lips moved, murmuring. Ian shook his head, murmuring back, and got a satisfied nod in return.
The two of them looked back to the audience, still cheering and chanting. The sly expression that crossed both faces was unmistakable. They switched guitars, taking back the instruments they'd each started the concert with.
"I've got your towels, Damian." The assistant who'd previously given them their bottled water was immediately at their sides.
Damon tugged on one of the towels, using it to pull her close. She squeaked as he wrapped an arm around her waist. "You're doing a great job, sweetheart. So attentive to our needs." He whispered something in her ear. She gave him a dazed nod. He kept the arm around her waist as he led her further backstage.
I intercepted, making them halt in front of me. "Sorry, but I need your sunglasses back."
"No problem, sweetness." He tossed them at me with no warning. I fumbled to catch them before they fell. He sidestepped around me, giving me no further thought, all his attention on bottled water girl. She looked to be in a Damian-induced stupor.
Ian was still at the edge of the stage, busy toweling off the sweat from his hair. He didn't see me approach. I took a steadying breath. I wasn't going to let him throw me off balance like before.
"Can I have your sunglasses, Ian?"
He looked up briefly. I could feel him staring at me even through the shades. "One pair wasn't good enough for you?"
My stomach did flips at his teasing smile, but I forced myself not to show it. "My boss wants me to get all the accessories back."
He took off his shades and held them out for me to take. Our hands brushed. It sent a shock from my fingertips, up my arm and through my spine. Every nerve tingled. I yanked my hand back and stuck the shades in my bag for safekeeping.
"Anything else I can give you?" Ian asked. "My shirt? My pants? I'll gladly hand them over. All you have to do is ask."
I swallowed hard. "The sunglasses are fine."
The softly tufted spikes were now a tangled mess falling over his face. I unconsciously reached out and pushed the hair away from his forehead until his green eyes were visible again.
He paused with the towel still in his hand and gave me a puzzled look. I backed away, appalled at myself.
That look turned into a smirk. "Just can't wait to get your hands on me, can you?"
Of course he thought every girl was going to fall for him. It no doubt happened all the time. He probably expected it.
"In your dreams," I shot back.
"Sweetness, you wouldn't be saying that if you knew what kind of dreams I have."
"I'm sure I know exactly what kind of dreams you have, Ian."
That puzzled look was back on his face. He tipped my face up with a finger on my chin, making me look him in the eyes. My insides turned to jelly. Heat radiated from that single point of contact and flowed through my body, centering between my legs.
"Why do you always do that?" he asked.
"Do what?" I said, trying not to let my voice shake at his touch.
"Call me Ian."
I stared at him, confused and aroused at the same time. "Because that's your name…?"
He tilted his head, contemplating. "You're not like the others, are you?" he murmured.
I opened my mouth to respond, but didn't know what to say.
"You should come to our after party," he said, changing the subject.
An after party. With rock stars. Ian invited me to party with him. I was almost giddy at the thought, my mind clouding over. What sort of things did one do at a rock star party?
I remembered bottled water girl and the way she'd succumbed to Damon's attention so easily. I remembered the trail of his fingers along her waist, almost brushing against her ass. I knew exactly what happened at rock star parties.
My heart sped up, but it wasn't only excitement I felt. My body was flooding with nerves.
I told myself to get a grip and took a few steps away. I couldn't think when I was so close to him.
"Sorry, I can't. I've still got work to do. My boss is kind of a hard ass."
Ian blinked at me, taken aback. He started to say something, but before he could speak, the band's manager Naomi called to him.
"August, Damian." She motioned to them with a jerk of her chin.
Ian stared at me for a few long moments, then cracked a grin. "Alright. I'll let you get back to work, sweetheart. Wouldn't want your boss to fire you."
I watched his retreating back for a few moments, then ran my hands over my face, breathing deeply. I needed to get myself under control.
When I looked back up, Naomi had already pulled August and Ian into a discussion. They seemed to be discussing something important.
"We heard back from the music execs," she said. "They want to have another meeting to talk about the concept album."
The drummer nodded, but his gaze drifted back to the stage.
"Where are the others?" Naomi asked, looking around.
Darkest Days' lead singer and bassist were talking with a crew member. Noah frowned and gestured to something behind the stage.
"Cameron, Noah." Naomi called them over.
Cameron grabbed Noah's arm and hauled him away. Noah tugged his arm back, scowl firmly in place. Damon was still off somewhere with bottled water girl. The group put their heads together in a tight circle, conversation inaudible.
I turned my attention away from the band and went back to the boxes. I was supposed to be watching the accessories. Instead, I'd let Ian distract me. I did a quick inventory. Everything was where it was supposed to be.
When I was sure the boxes were untouched, I looked around for a crew member to help me carry them to the car. I turned to find Ian's eyes on me.
He appeared startled for a brief moment, as if he hadn't thought he'd get caught watching me. Long, dark eyelashes swept up and down as he scanned me from hair to toes. Our eyes locked. He winked and the tumbling in my stomach started up again. Even from this distance I could make out the radiant green color, could see the amusement shining in his eyes.
When he finally glanced away, I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes, trying to ignore the shiver running up my spine. I went back to the boxes, distracting myself with work.
But as much as I tried to put it out of my mind, I knew I would never forget the moments when his skin touched mine.
God, I needed to get laid.
Chapter Four
Back at the office the next morning, I made sure all accessories were put back in their places, sunglasses, belts, and all. I took another inventory. Everything matched up with my checklist from the night before. No one stole from Darkest Days with me on the job.
When it was all put away, I tried to sneak out for a break without anyone seeing me. My sister Faith was waiting for me on the first floor near the entrance so we could get lunch together. She called out when she saw me.
"Hey, Hope! You ready?"
"Shh!!" I waved my hands and looked around surreptitiously. "Come on, let's go before anyone notices." I pulled her onto the street.
"What's with the sneaking?" she asked. "Even interns are allowed a lunch break."
I made a face. "The moment I sit down is always when my boss Janet comes looking for me. I've taken to chugging a coffee and cramming a sandwich into my mouth in the women's washroom."
"Let's go to that cafe a few blocks away. It's kind of sketchy. No one ever goes there so your boss won't catch you sitting down."
Faith was right. The place was kind of sketchy, with rickety tables and mismatched chairs, but that just meant the line to order wasn't long. We had our coffee and sandwiches within minutes. I was surprised my sister would set foot into a place like that, but I took one sip of my coffee and understood.
"This coffee is amazing," I said.
"It's pretty good. Better than you can get at most cafes. Still not as good as a traditional french press espresso, though."
"Coffee snob."
"It's called having refined tastes." Faith sipped at her drink, looking at me intently. "I don't want to sound like a bitch, but you look utterly destroyed."
I ran a hand through my hair, smoothing down the flyaway strands. Although we shared the same dark features, with brown eyes and long brown hair, mine was always tangled while hers was smooth and sleek.
"I feel worse than destroyed. I had to be up at five o'clock in the morning yesterday and I worked until nearly dawn. I'm running on empty."
Not to mention, I'd spent the rest of the night thinking about my encounter with Ian.
Faith made a sympathetic noise. She understood my kind of work all too well.
"Enough of my whining. How did your event go?" I asked. I didn't know exactly what she'd been doing the night before, but she was always throwing one corporate event or another.
"It went pretty well. The client was peeved we didn't have sugar free desserts, but all in all it was great."
"Faith, I'm shocked," I said with a fake gasp. "I can't believe you let something slip through the cracks like that."
She made a face at me. "I told my boss about it three weeks ago. She said it wasn't in the budget. Sugar free cupcakes are more expensive." Faith shook her head. "If I was in charge…"
"Give it another six months and you will be." My phoned pinged. "Sorry, I've got to check this. Janet's always messaging me with stuff to do."
"She messages you on your lunch break?"
"She messaged me twenty-four hours a day." I snuck a quick glance. "Never mind, it's just my CHATTR app."
"I thought you weren't the social media type. I can't stand all that stuff."
"Neither can I, but everyone's on it now. It's a good way to keep up with music and fashion industry trends."
Faith laughed at me. "Keeping up to date with industry trends? Really? That's why you're on it?"
"Why else would I be?"
She grabbed at my phone and read aloud. "Hot new pictures of Damian with up-and-coming runway model. Will The Twins ever settle down?"
I reached for my phone to grab it back but she held it out of my reach. She continued reading. "Video of wild Darkest Days' bash proves rock stars really know how to party."
Faith stared at me. I squirmed.
"Those sure seems like important industry trends," she drawled.
I gave up. "Alright, fine. I set up notifications whenever anyone mentions Darkest Days."
"Of course you did."
"I need to keep tabs on the guys and their music. For my job. You know."
"Right. For your job." Faith poked me in the ribs.
"It's not like I follow their every move or anything."
"Of course not."
"I'm a fan but it's not like I'm obsessed."
"Mmm-hmm." She sipped her coffee, staring at me over the rim.
I kept digging myself deeper and deeper into the hole. "I just want to know when they release a new song or music video. Or when they announce a new tour or media appearance. Or when one of them changes their hairstyle or has half-naked selfies leaked online."
Faith raised a single eyebrow.
I conceded. "Okay, so maybe I'm a little obsessed."
"Well, you wouldn't be the only one. Half the girls on the planet are in love with Darkest Days."
"With good reason. They're rock star gods."
She shrugged. "They've got good songs, I guess."
"You guess?"
"You know rock music isn't really my thing." Faith handed me my phone back. "Do you really like getting notifications every time one of those guys trashes a hotel room or bangs another girl?"
I looked down at my coffee, not answering. There was definitely some news I didn't like to get. I hated the idea of Ian sleeping with a bunch of girls. I couldn't pretend it didn't happen, though. The Twins were notorious flirts. They could get any girl they wanted into bed with just a few words.
Faith got tired of teasing me and let me finish my lunch in peace. When we were done she stood up and grabbed her purse.
"I've got to get back to work. Thanks for lunch, Hope. We should do this more often. Even though we live together, I feel like I never get to see you anymore."
"I know. It's not like when we were in school. Having adult careers sucks, doesn't it?"
Faith gave me a squeeze and left. I still had a bit more coffee to finish so I stayed behind. The cafe was empty, leaving me to my thoughts. Ian's words came back to me.
You're not like the others, are you?
I took a sip of my coffee, resisting the urge to flush. I hadn't known what to make of it last night. I still didn't. Ian didn't think I was like the others. Other what? Other girls?
I shook my head and scoffed inwardly. I shouldn't read anything into it. It was probably a line he said to all his female fans.
A jingle announced the cafe door opening. I looked up.
My lungs stopped working.
A tall, gorgeous man with messy brown hair walked in. His eyes were hidden behind sunglasses, but I knew exactly who it was. I sat, frozen, my hands clutching my coffee cup.
Ian didn't see me at first. He ordered a coffee and leaned against the counter, flirting with the barista. "Think you could give me an extra shot of espresso, sweetness?"
She blushed and ducked her head. He tilted her chin up and whispered something in her ear. I couldn't hear what he said, but she squeaked and rushed away. She would no doubt give him exactly what he wanted.
Hard Rock Fling: A Rock Star Romance Page 2