Fame & Obsession (Lords Of Lyre Book 1)

by Cora Kenborn

  Parker just grinned, his arms spread against the back of the couch. “I would, but he has a point.”

  “Oh hell!” I threw up my hands in exasperation.

  “If it’s any consolation,” he offered, “if I played for your team, you’d have me on my knees.”

  That earned him a giggle, but Gage pointed a finger. “Watch yourself. Besides, if we crossed to the dark side, you’d never stand a chance.”

  Parker raised his eyebrows. “Oh really?”

  “Really,” Gage retorted. “I’d have Pheebs under me so fast, we’d be on our second box of condoms before you could stutter your name.”

  I was laughing so hard tears threatened my makeup. “What makes you think I’d be attracted to you, lover?”

  Gage looked at me like I was crazy. “Everyone is, baby doll.”

  “Oh my god!” Parker and I groaned in unison.

  “What?” Gage asked, as if he were truly oblivious to his narcissism.

  The smile faded from my face as my mind scrambled with what to say. I had exactly three minutes to prepare Gage for the stroke he was about to have. I should’ve told him before now, but I didn’t know if he’d be calm or try to dry-hump Julian like a Saint Bernard.

  Gage clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “I just remembered, I finally get to meet this mystery man.”

  I let out a nervous laugh and fluffed my fingers along the length of my hair.

  Gage’s face fell. “Shit! What is it?”

  My brow furrowed as I walked across the room and started wiping down a counter so pristine you could lick it. “What’s what? I don’t know what you mean.”

  “First, you play with your hair, and now, you’re scrubbing the counter like some tweaked-out truck stop waitress. Baby doll, I hate to break it to you, but those are your two telltale signs of freaking the fuck out. What gives?”

  I kept scrubbing. “I need to tell you something before he gets here.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Continue.”

  Why hadn’t I told Julian to meet me somewhere? I was such a dumbass. But I was a dumbass with two minutes and counting. “This guy, he’s not just some ordinary guy. He’s…well, he’s special. Shit, I don’t know how to tell you this.”

  Gage regarded me intently. “You’re freaking me out, Pheebs.”

  “It’s nothing bad or anything,” I assured him. “It’s just…”

  “Damn it, baby doll! What’ve you done now?”

  Irritation snapped my nerves. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  Gage and I were so busy miscommunicating that we didn’t hear the doorbell ring. We didn’t see Parker get up to answer the door, and we sure as hell didn’t see Julian walk in.

  “Uh, sorry for interrupting, but I’ve got a double-parked Corvette out front, Phoebe.

  Gage turned around and all the color drained from his face. “Holy shit! You’re Julian Bale! Julian Bale is in my living room!”

  Julian grinned. “Gage, right?”

  Gage about pissed himself. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you know my name?”

  Julian held his hands up and had the decency to look sheepish. “It may have been on the Google search when I looked Phoebe up.” He shot me a cautious stare.

  I’d watched long enough. I stepped in between them, my arms crossed over my chest. “Gage, this is my stalker, Julian.” Old habits died hard, and I was still miffed about the blog column.

  “Baby doll…” Gage warned disapprovingly.

  I stuck a hand in front of his face. “Let me talk.” He nodded, and I continued. “I said he was kind of special, but I couldn’t get the rest of the words in my head out of my mouth.”

  “You said I was special?” Julian smirked.

  I briefly glanced his way. “You’re on my shit list, so it’s not a compliment.” His smile faded, and I turned my attention back to Gage. “I didn’t want to tell you beforehand because I didn’t think you’d believe me. I’m not sure I believe half of what he says anyway,” I said, hooking my chin in Julian’s direction.

  “Your confidence astounds me,” Julian said sarcastically.

  “I wasn’t talking to you, was I?” I snapped. “You’ve done nothing but trick me, push me against walls, and shove your tongue down my throat.”

  Julian leaned against the doorframe. “I’m waiting for the not talking to me part.”

  He didn’t get it. My picture in that column could ruin my life…or end it.

  I shoved his chest. “Go home, Julian, I’m mad at you.”

  “We’re on official business, remember?” He narrowed his eyes.

  “Our official business is all over Blogosphere Daily.”

  He grinned. “You saw that too, huh? Great camera angle. I may frame it.”

  His arrogance grated on my last nerve. “Do you not care that my privacy has been annihilated since the release party, Julian?”

  The voice of non-reason broke in. “Wait, you two hooked up at the Lords of Lyre party?” Gage shot me a look and I averted my gaze. “Pheebs? I thought you didn’t feel well.”

  I glared at Julian. “I didn’t. I felt sick to my stomach. Like I do now.”

  “Then how did you two…Jesus Christ!” Gage pointed to Julian. “You ran off stage after her?”

  “Her?” I broke in. “You make me sound like a disease!”

  Gage leaned against the wall with a sneer. “Now I’ve got the why, but not the how.”

  “What?” I snapped.

  “Well, don’t get me wrong, you’re hot, Pheebs, but to jump off a stage just because you have a nice rack and a smokin’ ass? Nuh-uh.” He shook his head.

  “He’s the guy from Club Vanquish,” Parker said as if he were rattling off stock market totals.

  “Huh?” Gage questioned.

  “Remember when I asked if the flowers were from the guy from the patio?”

  Gage’s mouth dropped open and he turned back to Julian. “That was you? Why?”

  I smacked him across the chest. “What do you mean why? Is it that hard to imagine?”

  “That’s not what I meant, baby doll. I just meant that he could have any…I mean he’s Julian Fucking Bale, he could get—”

  Julian snickered. “Dude, I’d shut up if I were you.” Ending Gage’s love-fest, he took two steps until he was brushing up beside me. “Are you ready to go?”

  I grabbed my clutch again. “I can’t believe I’m being forced into this.”

  Sex radiated from his fingertips as he trailed them up my bare arm. “Where’s your sense of adventure, Miss Ryan? You’re really giving up an opportunity to humiliate me in front of your entire company and hundreds of paparazzi?”

  “Fine.” I smiled sweetly. “Let’s get this over with so I can write the stupid book and then we can never see each other again.”

  I can’t risk being found, not even for him.

  He chuckled low in his chest. “Like there’s a chance in hell of that happening.” Turning away, Julian stuck his hand out to Gage. “It’s been a most memorable meeting, Gage.”

  Gage blushed and took Julian’s hand, holding it longer than necessary. “Likewise, Julian. You’re welcome here anytime.” His eyes flashed to a darkened hue. “But if you hurt Phoebe, I’ll take a Louisville Slugger to your ass.”

  “Duly noted, Harlow.” Julian nodded to Gage in respect and put his hand at the small of my back, guiding me out of the door. “Come on, princess, we’re going to be late.”

  I’d taken a few steps toward the elevator when hands tightened against my waist and pressed me roughly against the cinder block wall. Gasping, my eyes locked with jade-filled fire as Julian cupped each side of my face. He sealed his mouth against mine and within seconds we were a mass of bruising lips and tongues. My hands wound tightly into his hair and his hips pushed into mine, pinning me against the wall.

  I couldn’t stop a lusty whimper from escaping as desire pooled between my legs in response to his assault. The minute it left my mouth, Julian g
roaned and raked his hands down my torso, his mouth dipping to my neck. His fingertips feathered on the outsides of my breasts and settled under my ribcage. Pulling his lips away, he eyed my heels and my gown’s mid-thigh split, lazily traveling his gaze up every inch until settling back on my face.

  I was supposed to be mad at him but for the life of me I couldn’t remember what the hell for. I also knew I was staring, but I couldn’t help it. The pressed black tuxedo fit him in all the right places and left my mouth dry. His hair still held that “just fucked” look, and his shave left just enough of a five o’clock shadow to burn any skin it grazed. The corners of his mouth lifted in a half grin that made my stomach free-fall to my toes.

  “You. This dress, princess. You look like sin,” he said with a growl.

  “Well, I recall someone told me to look the part.”

  His hand slid down my thigh until it found my own and entwined our fingers. Part of me was relieved, while the other was infuriatingly disappointed he didn’t reach for more.

  “What’re you doing?” I looked up at him curiously.

  “You ask too many questions. Anyone ever tell you that?”

  I smiled. “Yeah, you.”

  “You should listen to me more often.” He had a wicked gleam in his eye.

  “Said the snake before devouring the mouse.”

  A devilish grin broke out across his face and he pulled me toward the elevators. “Don’t play hard to get, princess. Good things don’t come to those who wait.”

  “I think that’s backward, Julian.”

  “Backward does have its advantages too.” He grinned as the elevator door closed.

  ***

  It was like pure sex.

  A 6.2L V8 DI, amped-up, full-throttled sex machine that grabbed curves and thrusted like it was built for fucking.

  The road, that is.

  Julian’s Laguna Blue convertible Corvette Z51 Stingray was powerful, smelled like an expensive showroom, and cost more than I’d see in three years of working. The rock god business must pay well.

  “We didn’t take a limo because she’s my only indulgence. I drive her whenever I get the chance,” Julian said, sliding his eyes from the road to my face.

  How the hell does he do that?

  I shot him a side glance. “Um, excuse me?”

  “My road-woman.” He shifted into third gear and floored it.

  “I’m not sure I want to know any more.”

  He chuckled. “My Vette, Phoebe. She’s the other woman in my life.”

  “Oh.” Was there a correct way to respond to that?

  “She was a gift to myself after we got our signing bonuses. Stingrays are badass cars. Hendrix owned one. So did Slash. Why the hell not me, right?”

  I snorted. “Sure, why not?”

  “Ah, Phoebe disapproves.”

  “It’s your life, Julian.” I glanced at his profile. “Ninety large on a car just seems a little excessive.”

  He placed his hand across his heart. “That hurts, princess.”

  “What hurts? And I told you to stop calling me that.”

  He draped a hand across my thigh. “That you think so little of me.”

  I moved his hand back to his own lap. “I don’t think of you at all.”

  He smiled. “I saw the blog picture too, remember? Lying doesn’t become you, Phoebe.”

  “Who says I’m lying?” I said, defending myself.

  Revving the engine, he turned his upper body to face me. “I do. Look me in the face and tell me you don’t think of me. Tell me I don’t crawl into that beautiful mind…maybe when you’re alone.”

  My voice lodged in between my stomach and throat as he continued.

  “You’re constantly in my head, Phoebe. In my mind, I picture you in that leather miniskirt from the album release. And I think this criminal outfit…” he said, running his finger down the front of my dress. “This one is going to cause me some sleepless nights.”

  “Julian…”

  “I’ll ask again,” he said, lifting my chin. “Do you think of me when you’re alone?”

  I considered lying to him to bruise his gigantic ego. However, maybe a little honesty would blindside him.

  “Yes, are you happy?” My voice cracked. “I wish I didn’t, but I’m not going to sit here and say that you don’t invade my brain.”

  “When would that be?” His stare smoldered. The air in the tiny car suffocated me.

  “At work, maybe. I’m not sure.” I fought for air.

  “And?”

  Was that sweat that just trickled down the middle of my bra?

  “Random places.”

  He bit his lip, sliding it through his teeth. “In bed?”

  Paused at a red light, he leaned in so that our lips almost touched. Chest heaving, I waited for the kiss that I knew was coming. I wanted it. I closed my eyes and licked my lips, ready for his familiar onslaught.

  I waited…and waited. Finally, I opened my eyes to Julian’s half-cocked grin.

  Damn him.

  I tried to cover my embarrassment by flipping the visor mirror and pretending to fix my hair. My cheeks sported a vibrant shade of red. Snapping the mirror back into place, I flung myself into the bucket seat and pointed to the road.

  “We’ve been driving over half an hour. How much longer?”

  With a chuckle, Julian returned both hands to the wheel as the light turned green. “Another twenty minutes or so. This is New York City traffic, princess. You don’t get anywhere fast. Don’t worry, I’ll have you back before sunrise.”

  “That’s comforting,” I muttered. “Good thing I’m a law-breaking rebel girl who packs heat.”

  He grinned. “I’ll protect you.”

  “The stunner is for you, genius.”

  “I’ll be a perfect gentleman this time. No promises next time.”

  “There won’t be a next time.” I purposely turned my focus away from his face. “I’m not going to be media gossip again. From now on, it’s strictly phone business.”

  “We’ll see,” he said confidently.

  “No, there’s no ‘we’ll see.’ This is it, Julian.”

  He tilted his chin, giving me an indecent stare. “Then you can take that gentleman shit and shove it.”

  My mouth fell open. “What?”

  “You heard me. If you’re going back on your word, then so am I. It’s sunrise and a hell of a lot of making out.”

  “In your dreams, sweetheart.”

  “Aw, a pet name. I accept, princess.”

  I groaned in frustration and turned away from him. After fifteen minutes of silence, I began pressing random buttons on the CD player. I jumped as a heavy guitar riff blasted from the speakers. Within seconds, a familiar voice growled its way into my ears.

  Turning the volume down, I faced him, laughing. “Oh my god, really?”

  “I’m sorry?” Confusion blanketed his gorgeous face.

  I pointed to the CD changer. “You listen to your own voice in the car?”

  “It pleases me you can pick out my song after a few notes,” he teased. “But to answer your question, no, I don’t listen to myself. Ty and Tanna were in here to see how a new track would sound with airplay.”

  “I’ve never seen a girl in an all-guy hard rock band before,” I mused, eyeing him sideways.

  The ghost dimple popped out as he smiled. “What can I say? We’re progressive dudes. Tanna’s young but she’s a beast on the strings. She’s been with us six months. She’s one of the guys.”

  I asked the question he’d been avoiding. “Six months? Did someone leave?”

  His jaw tightened, and all emotion wiped from his face. “Yeah, something like that.”

  If I was going to write his autobiography, I had to know these things. I pressed on.

  “What happened? Did you have a falling out with someone?”

  Over a girlfriend, maybe?

  “Our friend, Billy, died.” He turned his attention to the road and closed th
e subject. “So, pageant girl, you ever walk a red carpet before?”

  There was more to the story, but he’d shut down. I let it go for the time being and contemplated my answer. “Just for my friends’ debutante parties.”

  He busted out laughing. I watched him steal a look at my emotionless face out of the corner of my eye, and his amusement stopped. “Oh god, you’re serious? I thought that was something made up in the movies.”

  I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. “You’ve never spent any time in the South, have you?”

  “Not really.”

  “It’s a real thing. Sort of a bat mitzvah for hoop skirts—real rite of passage type shit.”

  Julian grinned and bit his lip again.

  “What?” I clenched my teeth. I couldn’t stand being made fun of.

  “You just make me laugh, Phoebe.” He trailed his hand down my arm. “Your level of sarcasm is unbalanced.”

  “Are you calling me crazy?”

  “Are you?”

  “What if I said yes?”

  He winked. “The good thing about music? There’s a song for everyone.”

  He pushed a few more buttons and within seconds the car was filled with the hard guitar riffs of Buckcherry’s “Crazy Bitch.” In that moment, all tension broke and we both laughed.

  The amazing thing about song titles was sometimes they were a self-fulfilling prophecy.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Julian

  A lesser man would’ve turned the car into an alley and thrown her seat back.

  The thought still crossed my mind, especially when that split in her dress opened while she tried hoisting herself out of the bucket seat. I tossed the keys to the valet and leaned into the car, offering her my hand.

  We’d just arrived and she was already torturing the hell out of me. Standing by her side, I tucked her arm into mine. My lips traced the outer shell of her ear.

  “You ready to do this?” I asked in a low voice.

  “No,” she said, her hand trembling.

  I laughed. “You’ll be fine. Don’t let them intimidate you. Answer what you want to, ignore what you don’t. You’re in control, remember that.”

  “How do you stay calm around all this?” She clung to my arm, her fingernails slightly digging into my skin.