Sahara (A Night Fire Novel Book 3)

by Watkins, TM

“Sure.”

  The door shut quietly and the baby didn't even stir. She was such a good girl and her father didn't deserve her. What he deserved was a child that was the offspring of Satan himself.

  I sat on the edge of the bed with a huff, pulling out my phone and sending the freak a text.

  Eden: Did you put the formula away?

  There was a slam of a cupboard door and I chuckled.

  Eden: Don't let him go in the laundry, the washing machine is full of baby clothes.

  Door slammed, Eden chuckled, Fraser freaked out. Life was good.

  Chapter Five

  I pressed my ear to the door trying to hear what was going on out there. Oh to be a bug on the wall. I could watch and listen and never be detected. My phone was on the bed, lit up with a ping as I received a message.

  “Shit.” I whispered, rushing to it.

  I turned the volume down and read the message from Jerry. He was asking if I knew what day Curtis and Frankie were getting back from their honeymoon. That information was on my laptop which was still sitting in the lounge room.

  “Aww total hell.” I whispered as I madly typed a text to Fraser.

  Eden: Laptop

  As I pressed my ear to the door I heard his phone ping and as I heard the overly cheery voice of Evan, I knew it was too late. I would have to sneak through the house and hope that I didn't get caught. Why Fraser had to be secretive was beyond me. Instead of just saying, hey I fucked up big time and now I've got a kid, he has to hide and pretend it's not real.

  My hand was on the handle, I closed my eyes as I prepared myself to become a ninja with stealth. Quiet as a mouse, slipping through the shadows and avoiding detection. The handle slipped in my hand and the door opened, slamming into my head.

  “Ow.” I hissed.

  Fraser stared at me, eyes wide as I gripped my forehead.

  “What are you doing behind the door?” he whispered.

  “About to go and get...”

  “Fras, where's your beer?” Evan called out.

  “Here.”

  Fraser pushed my laptop into my arms, his eyes darting to my forehead.

  “Sorry about the...” his finger twitched at my head, no doubt there was a mighty bruise forming.

  “Fraser?”

  He huffed and closed the door, leaving me with the laptop in one hand and my aching head in the other. I dumped the laptop onto the bed and turned to the mirror that was on the back of his door. Wary of getting hit on the head again I pushed the button lock to stop the freak from trying to knock me unconscious.

  A minute had barely passed and I was already getting a bruise, a long egg like shape that was central on my forehead.

  “Well done idiot.”

  I returned to my laptop, opening the band schedule. Curtis and Frankie would be back on Friday, their location was unknown. For all we knew, they could still be in their house but I doubted it. Frankie's mother was still in Las Vegas, in particular their house. Her parents and brother were moving to Nevada now that it was officially out there that she was pregnant.

  With a glance to the baby asleep in her temporary cot I wondered why Fraser was getting so bent out of shape trying to keep her a secret. It's not as if he was the only one in the band that was a father. Maybe it was the way that she was conceived and then dumped on him. At least with Curtis and Frankie they loved each other and they got married.

  As I sent the response to Jerry the baby started to stir. I lifted her from the cot and checked her nappy, clean. Dummy wasn't working and I knew what she wanted. I put her onto the bed and madly typed a text to her darling father.

  Eden: Need a bottle now or your little secret will start screaming.

  I picked her up and tried to comfort her as best I could, letting her suckle on my pinkie knuckle. Not sure if it helped any but it was all that I could do. A minute later there was a thud at the door and a complaining Fraser. I'd forgotten to unlock the door. Slowly I clicked it open so that there was no noise, Fraser was on the other side rubbing his head. Ahh, life is sweet.

  He passed the bottle to me, scowling as he continued to rub his head. I pointed to the bruise on my head with little sympathy for him. It earned me a shake of the head as he turned back to the corridor but half way down he turned back with a smile.

  I closed the door before someone stuck their head around the corner and ended this farce once and for all, before little babe started screeching so loudly that the entire neighborhood knew of her and before I combusted from that smile.

  An hour had passed and in that time I had fed, changed and settled the baby back to sleep. She had made noise, her cries were soft and subdued which I think was probably because I had dealt with her needs before they became an issue. As time slowly ticked on I gnawed at my fingers in an attempt to fight the hunger pains, debated searching through his draws for a morsel of food and did the I really don't need to use the bathroom dance. That was until it became too much for me.

  Eden: Hungry. Worse yet I need the bathroom. You've got one minute before I come out.

  Fraser: In lounge room. Use it but be quiet, don't flush.

  Eden: Omg, you cannot be serious. I am not leaving it there.

  Fraser: Deal with it when he's gone.

  Eden: And if he wants to use it?

  Fraser: God you are a pain in the ass. Use it and text me when you want to flush. I'll fake using it.

  Eden: I might be a pain in the ass but you're a freak. Tell him that you've got a kid.

  Carefully I opened the door and closed it again, tiptoeing to the bathroom. I sat there feeling the sweet relief and the bliss of different surroundings. Shame it was the toilet. An island paradise would have been nicer. When I was done I sent the freak a text.

  Eden: Need my ass wiped, come do it bitch.

  I didn't really need him for that nor did I want him to but I was in the mood to create a little fun for me. Warily I opened the door, hearing his heavy footsteps moving across the wood floors.

  “Hurry up.” he whispered.

  With a press of the button I walked out and washed my hands, feeling him close in on me. I looked up to the mirror as I turned off the tap, my hands sliding onto the edge of the vanity as I watched him lean to my ear from behind.

  Strands of his fringe fell into his eyes, marring the view of what had to be a pair of stunning eyes. He hadn't shaved this morning and it made me want to squirm. Thoughts plagued my mind of all the places he could rub those sharp little hairs. Of how sensitive the inner thigh was, especially when the anticipation for oral sex was at an all-time high. I really wanted him buried down there.

  “You're a freak Eden Hurley.” he whispered in my ear, far too close.

  His eyes looked up to the mirror, mischievous and full of his own mayhem. I gulped hard and felt the strain, wanting to do something but fearing the worst. The worst was that he'd laugh at me and tell me that he wasn't into women like me. Women that were seen as cold and domineering, bitches and man eaters. That was me, it was true. I had to be like this, I couldn't be a push over in this industry.

  “And for the record, I don't wipe the asses of grown women.”

  The words breathed warm into my ear, the scent of beer lingered around me. I wanted to crumble, to cave to the emotions and desire that was building in me. It didn't help that when he whispered the words his lips gently moved over my ear.

  “I fuck them.” he growled low as he grinned at me in the mirror.

  He then walked out and left me staring at my reflection. Never had I been so turned on by a few words. I gripped the vanity as I wished that Evan wasn't here. That whole few seconds of beer laden words would have ended so differently. Who was I kidding? I didn't have the guts to take that leap. Fear ruled my life. I didn't want him laughing at me. I didn't want him to say that he'd never fuck someone like me. It sucked but I was better off not saying anything and carrying on as if nothing was wrong.

  But it was wrong. He said things like that and caused me all sorts of
grief. I don't know if that's the way that he was or if he was teasing me but it really wasn't fair.

  I returned to the bedroom, finding a packet of chips and a beer on the bedside table. It wasn't the ideal lunch but it wasn't as if I hadn't eaten this for lunch before. The life of a rock star's assistant, eat what you can find and do it while you can otherwise you might not get another opportunity for a while.

  Time melted away, Fraser returned with another bottle of milk and an apology. It seemed that Evan was settling in for an afternoon of watching a football game and being friendly. Worse yet, Jaxon had turned up. Keeping the baby quiet was a real task, her father was lucky that she was a quiet baby. Though the television was turned up rather loud, I suspect he feared getting caught out and was doing his damnedest to ensure they were oblivious.

  I sat on the bed and went through the emails, deleting offensive material and generally trying to keep myself occupied. Thoroughly frustrated at the situation and maybe even a little cabin fever, I vented to the freak.

  Eden: Do you realize how annoying this is?

  Fraser: Suck it up princess.

  Eden: Maybe I could do an opinion poll of the other members. See what they think about how their hard earned money is being spent. Hmm, how is it being spent? Babysitting a secret, hiding in the bedroom of one of their members all fucking afternoon.

  Fraser: What do you want me to do? I can't kick them out.

  I hated how he could be right like that. It would be odd for him to kick them out without reason and he didn't really have one.

  Fraser: They're discussing how it's odd they haven't heard from you today. Do you talk to them?

  Eden: Crazily, yes I do. It's a bizarre situation I know but I get paid to be an assistant to five men and I try to do my job as best as I can and it means that I talk to all five of them on a regular basis. It seems that while they have the appearance of being functioning adults they really aren't and can't live without my assistance. Some of them even appreciate the effort I go to, how crazy is that?

  Within seconds of sending the text my phone lit up with an incoming call from Jaxon. My heart dropped as I stared at my phone. I never not answer my phone, with the exception of being in the shower or in the bathroom. Taking a deep breath I answered the call.

  “Hello Jaxon.” I said as quiet as I could without being obvious.

  “Hey mommy two, where you been all day?”

  “Oh, here and there. You know getting ready and whatnot.”

  I could hear Evan cheer, both on the phone and through the door. Crap.

  “You should come over to Fraser's, we're watching a game.”

  “Sports bore the shit out of me.”

  “Don't be ridiculous. I'll swing by and pick you up.”

  My heart thumped hard, why it was doing it I don't know. This wasn't my lie, this wasn't my problem.

  “I can't, got stuff to do. Gotta go now, bye Jaxon.”

  I hung up the phone and felt like utter shit. I just lied to him for no valid reason. There was a special place in hell waiting for me.

  Chapter Six

  Jaxon and Evan stayed long enough to warrant ordering pizza for dinner and having someone come and drive them home. Because crashing here was no longer an option, not when Fraser had two secrets that he seemed determined to hide from the world. And hide us he did. Somehow he had managed to hide us so well that he gloated that he'd gotten away with it. He didn't appreciate that I told him it was not something to be proud of. He had effectively lied to his friends, another thing he didn't like being told.

  After that he grumped his way into the bathroom to ready for bed and barely spoke to me. Which as strange as it sounds it was a great thing. I wasn't impressed at spending the majority of the day in his bedroom, bored out of my brain.

  To spend the day in his bedroom would be a dream, that is if he was in there with me and we were both naked. Oh and no child, that would be beneficial for a day of debauchery. Nothing says mood killer like a screaming baby. Maybe she might go off with one of her father's friends that don't know about her.

  I stared at the ceiling in my new bedroom. The bed was pretty comfortable, the sheets smelled like lemons. All in all this was a pretty good situation.

  I had contemplated unpacking my bag considering that I was going to be here for two weeks. Maybe tomorrow if I get a chance. Hopefully I won't be trapped in his bedroom again. I think I'd end up ripping my hair out from boredom if that were to happen. If his friends had called first I could have gone out but they didn't and they never had before. Fraser said he couldn't tell them to start doing it, it would make them suspicious. And god forbid we make them suspicious.

  Indigestion was plaguing me, the cold pizza hadn't gone down well. Fraser had brought several slices in on a plate with a sheepish look on his face, offering another beer and another trip to the toilet. There was no toying with me in the bathroom this time and I returned to the bedroom to eat the cold pizza. The baby was an angel, barely whimpering with her feeds and nappy changes.

  I got up to search my toiletry bag for an antacid, almost crying with the relief it gave. Someone needed to reward the person that created these little lifesavers. I'd have to look this up on the internet. I sat on the edge of the bed thinking about the state of my life. It was good, I wasn't complaining.

  The guys were a handful but deep down they were great people. They were just young, cashed up and a little wild. I could live with that. Money was certainly flowing well for me, past jobs had always been good. It was a lucrative job because the environment and hours weren't that great.

  My last job was for a four piece band that were the same as Night Fire though they weren't as famous as them. On the exterior they were troublemakers and loved the life of being a musician. The problem with them was that on the interior and behind closed doors, they were a train wreck. They were being used by the leeches, management did little to stop it. Worse yet they were aiding their narcotic habit, something that I did not agree with.

  I had been in San Francisco at the time, I had come recommended to Jerry from a friend of his daughter. She was from his first marriage and lived in LA somewhere. One of his representatives had found me in a crowded function room where the band was supposed to be performing and offered me a placement as the assistant for a band, one that was far better than the one I was currently working for. It didn't take much to convince me, I was already sick of the job. I actually feared to sit on a lounge, scared that there might be a needle sticking out between the cushions. No one needed to live with that kind of fear so I agreed.

  Jerry had confessed after I had signed all of the employment and confidentiality agreements that he had run out of people to babysit the band. Because essentially that's what my job is. My predecessors had quit for varying reasons. One had been that he couldn't handle to pace, another couldn't keep up with the odd hours. Then there were the ones that Jerry had to relocate. The last one had been infatuated with the band, something that wasn't ideal. Jerry made it quite clear that being obsessive over them wasn't on my to do list. It made my fascination for Fraser a little risqué but I always tried to maintain a respectable distance and do my perving when no one is looking.

  Hearing the baby whimpering I got up to see what she needed. Fraser's door was open, I padded along the small stretch of corridor to his room. He was out of it, tanked up with beer and lying flat on his stomach.

  “Typical.” I huffed and leaned over to pick the baby up.

  As I stretched down to pick her up I heard the rustle of bed sheets and the chuckle of a drunk man.

  “Taking me up on the offer Eden?”

  “I don't remember being offered anything other than cold pizza and warm beer, both of which have given me indigestion.”

  I turned as I stood upright, holding the baby against my chest as her whimpers increased. Fraser had sat up on his bed, the sheets covering the lower half. The top half was something else, the light from the moon showed off the curves of his muscles
, shadowing lines and definition.

  “Maybe you should make your daughter a bottle so we don't have to discuss how you managed to trap me in this room all afternoon.”

  Fraser turned his feet out of the bed and stood up, letting the sheet fall back to the bed. He wasn't naked but he was pretty damned close. All he was wearing was a pair of tight fitting shorts that left little to the imagination. I darted my eyes away, turning out of the room. It's not as if I was dressed any better, my bed clothes were rather lacking as well. A pair of boy shorts that sat far too high on my backside and a tight fitting camisole, one that needed to be covered. Except that I had forgotten about my dressing gown in my sleep deprived state. I don't even know where it is.

  I inwardly sighed and walked out to the kitchen, we were both adults, we had both been with other adults and what we had was nothing that either of us hadn't seen. Except that he liked to tease me and I couldn't help but wonder if it really was a monster.

  The light to the kitchen flicked on, I turned and saw Fraser staring at me. Luckily I had a fussing baby covering my barely covered breasts, otherwise he probably would have seen far too much. Tomorrow I was searching for my dressing gown.

  He hadn't even bothered with a pair of jeans or shorts, roaming the kitchen in his tight shorts. Bastard. With a smirk he wandered to the cupboard and opened it, tilting his body in a way that allowed me to check the goods without him seeing. Fuck. There was a monster and it seemed to be growing.

  I quickly darted my eyes up as the door shut, Fraser seemed to distract himself by reading the instructions on the formula. Like he didn't really know what needed to be done. The baby was crying louder, the angel was suddenly settled in her new environment and was happy to let the world know about it. I tried to settle her but it seemed she wasn't interested. The louder she squawked the faster her father moved.

  Trying not to watch was difficult, his body stood in the one spot as his muscles contorted with the movement. I found myself biting my bottom lip, enjoying the view far too much. Turning away from it was for the best, it was a view that wasn't for me.