Heartstrings (Rock With You #1) Rock Star Romance

by Hunter, Adriana

  “Okay. First, let’s get started on the case. That’s here, in front of us, something tangible. We can sort out the rest later.”

  Logan smiled. “Later…I like the sound of that.”

  Melody had no choice but to smile. Logan was nothing if not charming and charismatic. That she remembered well from their night together. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all, she mused.

  She shook her head. Concentrate, Melody. You’re working here, not planning a date.

  Logan and Melody spent the next hour going over the details of Ashton’s involvement as Logan’s manager, the relationship between Ashton and the band, and Logan’s solo career. She’d filled several pages of her legal pad with notes before she was satisfied.

  Melody finally tossed her pen on the table, sitting back in her chair, looking over the case file.

  “I think we have enough to get started. I’ll have Melissa send you a list of documents you’ll need to produce, and we’ll need to contact Ashton’s legal counsel.” She flipped through the file. “Good…we’ve got that information here, I see.” She tossed the file on the table.

  She absently rubbed her left hand, easing out the writer’s cramp she always got from gripping her pen. Logan reached out, taking her hand, gently massaging her palm with strong fingers. This time she didn’t pull away…didn’t want to pull away. She closed her eyes, leaning her head against the back of the chair.

  His touch on her hand somehow seemed right and it puzzled her. Here, in the bright light of day, after listening to his solemn recital of Jack Ashton’s business dealings, she almost felt closer to him than she had during their night together. You’re supposed to be angry with him, not enjoying this. And you can’t sleep with a client.

  She opened her eyes, watching him as she concentrated on her hand. He was still looking down as he spoke, his fingers sliding over her bare ring finger. “Have dinner with me tonight, Melody. No pressure, just to talk. About the case, if you must.”

  Logan looked up at her, grinning. “Although I’d rather talk about us, or the weather, or anything else except Jack Ashton…tonight.”

  He’d stopped massaging her hand, but still held it, his finger drawing slow circles on her palm. As much as she wanted to still be mad at him, she couldn’t hold her anger at Logan. He was here, in the flesh, apparently sincere and honest in his intentions toward her. And able to kindle a flame inside her with the merest touch of his hand on hers, even here in a boring, staid conference room at work. She sighed.

  “Alright. Dinner. That’s all…and no Macallan.” She smiled, waving a finger at him. “I think you used it like some Scottish magic potion or something, got me all confused and took advantage of me.”

  Logan shook his head, the corners of his mouth turning up in a roguish grin. Melody noticed how his smile reached all the way to his eyes. It was infectious and it made her roll her eyes, her own smile deepening, his accent broadening for a moment.

  “Aye, ye discovered my secret then. But I’ll not ply ye with the Macallan tonight. I’ll let you order your own drinks and not try to influence you unduly.”

  Melody laughed. “Fine. Dinner tonight then.”

  There was a knock at the door and Melody swiveled her chair around. Ryan opened the door, taking a step into the room. He stopped abruptly, his eyes darkening, looking back and forth between Logan and Melody. A muscle twitched in his jaw. She felt Logan’s grip tighten on her hand. A strange undercurrent of tension suddenly sprang up in the room, catching Melody off guard.

  Then Ryan smiled, his face relaxing and the tension was gone. He walked into the room, resting his hands on the back of a nearby chair.

  “I see you’re done with the initial interview. Melody, I’ll need to meet with you, so we can formulate our initial game plan.”

  Melody realized Logan was still holding her and she extricated herself from his grasp, pushing away from the table. The look on Ryan’s face had startled her; it was an odd mixture of anger and what Melody thought was jealousy. But then it was gone, replaced by his usual smooth professional demeanor.

  Gathering her legal pad, she rose from her chair. Logan stood as well and she felt his hand on the small of her back, a warm, solid presence. Or someone staking a claim?

  “Yes, we’re finished, for now.” She turned to Logan. “I’ll have Melissa contact you about the documents and I’ll be in touch in a few days.”

  She saw Logan’s brows pull together and she held his gaze a moment longer. “Why don’t you give me your contact number as well, so I’ll be able to reach you, if I need anything before that?” She took a business card from her pocket and slid it toward Logan.

  He took her pen, scribbling on the back of the card. He handed it to her and she glanced down before tucking it into her pocket. She recognized the name of a restaurant and a time, along with a phone number.

  “Let me walk you out, Logan.” Ryan was already inserting himself between Melody and Logan, sliding his arm around Logan’s shoulders, ushering him toward the door. Logan looked back and Melody gave him a smile and a nod.

  “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Lawson.”

  Ryan turned back. “Melody, meet me in my office and we’ll see where we’re at.”

  Melody nodded again, following the men out of the conference room, Ryan steering Logan toward the elevator, deep in conversation. Instead of heading to Ryan’s office, she took the stairs to her own floor, slipping into her office and closing the door.

  She fished the card out of her pocket and counted to a hundred, then dialed the number. It rang once and she heard Logan’s voice.

  “Are you alone?” She whispered and instantly felt silly. She heard Logan’s rich laugh on the other end of the line.

  “Aye, he was in a hurry to see me gone. Will you meet me tonight then?”

  “Yes. I’ll be there at eight. Listen, I have to go now. I’ll see you tonight.” She hung up, gathering her legal pad, heading back up to Ryan’s office. He was at Lori’s desk when she came around the corner.

  “There you are. Come in. We’ve got some things to discuss.” He motioned Melody into his office, closing the door behind her. She sat at the small table, opening her notes, ready to give Ryan the details of the information Logan had told her.

  Ryan sat down across from her. “First, let me start by saying we’re not getting off to a good start here. I’m going out on a limb here by giving you this case. I’m not sure if I was clear earlier. The other partners don’t feel you’re ready for this, and frankly, after your actions today, I’m think I might agree with them.”

  Melody felt as if someone had thrown cold water in her face. “I’m not sure what you mean, Ryan. It was your idea to give me this case, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, based on your performance here. But today…between being late and your inappropriate behavior with the client, I have my doubts.”

  Ryan stood, moving around the table toward Melody. He sat on the edge of the table, his body blocking Melody from standing. She felt pinned in her chair, Ryan looming over her. Ryan leaned toward her, his face close to hers.

  “Same page, remember? I’m going to have a hard time explaining your behavior to the other partners, unless we can come to an understanding.”

  Ryan reached out, his fingers beneath Melody’s chin, tilting her face to his. He leaned further and before she could react, his lips were on hers, hard and insistent. She tried pulling away, but his fingers gripped her hard, holding her fast.

  When he broke the kiss, he still held her. “I do want you to succeed, Melody. And I think you know how to make sure that happens. There is a lot I can do for you here, with this case, in you making partner…”

  Melody looked up at him, afraid she really did understand what he meant. He leaned back, letting go of her chin, calmly folding his hands on his leg.

  “You want me to sleep with you to keep this case…and to make partner?” She sputtered out the words, pressing herself back into the leather chair.

/>   “It’s pretty clear to me, Melody, that’s what you want. You’ve been making advances toward me, remember? In the bar. Here, earlier today in my office. Now. It’s obvious…not only to me, but others. Lori even commented about your behavior.”

  “But…you…I didn’t…that’s not how it happened!” Melody was aghast, looking up at Ryan in disbelief. “You…not me. You just kissed me!”

  Ryan laughed softly. “You think anyone will believe you? I have an impeccable record here…and you’re in a rather vulnerable spot right now, with this big case just given to you. Let’s just say…we can help each other. You want something from me and I can give that to you, along with helping you with this case. We both win. The firm wins.”

  Melody shook her head. “No, I don’t play that game.” She tried to stand, but Ryan remained perched on the edge of the table, not giving her room to stand.

  “I think we should schedule some time to go over the file, don’t you?” Ryan glanced at his watch. “It’s late, almost quitting time…how about coming back tonight? We could go over your notes…”

  “No…” Melody was still shaking her head. What was this? This wasn’t the Ryan she’d known, the mentor she’d grown to trust.

  “Why are you doing this?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  “I want you…to succeed.” Ryan slid off the table, opening the door to his office. “Think about it, Melody. Let me know tomorrow how you want to proceed.”

  Melody shuffled her papers together with shaking hands, dropping her pen in her haste to leave Ryan’s office. He bent to retrieve it, holding it out to Melody. She regarded it warily, as if it might bite, clutching her files to her chest. Ryan laughed, setting the pen on the table.

  “We’ll start tomorrow then. I see you’re not really in the right mind-set for my help right now. I want a willing partner on my team, not someone who’s indecisive.”

  Ryan placed a hand on Melody’s back, guiding her toward the open door. For a brief moment, his fingers slid lower, caressing her hip with firm fingers.

  Melody was suddenly aware of the sounds of the office outside Ryan’s door, the others who were leaving for the day, walking past the open door. She saw Lori at her desk, holding her purse, watching as Ryan and Melody walked past her cubicle.

  “See you tomorrow, Ryan.” Lori caught Melody’s eye, a frown passing briefly over her face. “Good-night, Melody.”

  “See you bright and early, Lori. We’ll have the MacKenzie case to work on tomorrow so you can plan for that.”

  Ryan walked Melody to the elevators. “You know, I’ve been thinking. We should use Lori for this case, not Melissa.”

  Melody opened her mouth but Ryan went on. “She’s more experienced and lately, well, Melissa’s been all over the place. And she’s clearly ineffective when it comes to working with someone of Logan’s magnitude.” Ryan shook his head. “Sad…I thought she had promise.”

  The elevator arrived and Melody hurried into the car, pressing the button for her floor. She panicked briefly, thinking Ryan was going to ride down with her, but he remained on his floor. She watched him disappear behind the doors of the elevator, finally taking a deep breath.

  Melissa was already gone when Melody got back to her office. One less confrontation for today, thank heavens.

  How was she going to tell Melissa she was off the case? Melody’s head was swirling. She sat at her desk, the case file spread in front of her. Logan’s case.

  “Oh, god. Logan…dinner.” She glanced at her watch. It was still early, she had time to get home, change out of her business suit and get a cab back to meet Logan. She gave a rueful laugh. Never thought I’d be looking forward to seeing Logan MacKenzie.

  * * *

  Melody was still late, arriving breathlessly at the restaurant. She stood at the maître d’ station, restlessly scanning the dark restaurant, looking for Logan among the seated diners. She jumped when someone touched her arm, as a warm breath brushed against her cheek.

  “You’re late, but still a welcome sight.” His voice was soft against her ear.

  She turned, looking up at Logan. “Oh…you scared me.”

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to. You’re a bit skittish, no? Is it me, or something else?” He nodded over her head, steering her after the retreating back of the maître d’ as the man lead them to their table.

  She waited until they were seated before she spoke. “Surprisingly, it’s not just you.”

  Logan glanced at the wine list, ordering something Melody didn’t catch. The waiter returned with the bottle, pouring Logan a glass of the deep, red win. He took a sip, nodded and the waiter poured a glass for Melody. She took a long swallow of hers, scowling as Logan grinned at her.

  “On your way to getting wrecked again? I’ll not be responsible for you…or what I might do to you…if you do.”

  Melody shook her head. “No, if you mean am I getting drunk. It’s been a long, strange day. I needed a drink, and this is really good.” She set the glass on the table, noticing there was far less in it than when she’d first picked it up.

  Slow down, Melody… or you’ll be right back to where you were last time.

  “And I suspect I was the start of it?” Logan took a sip of wine. “Couldn’t have been easy for you to find me at your office, knowing how you feel about me.”

  “Seeing you at the office was certainly a surprise, yes.” She took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of the wine radiating through her limbs. For the first time that day she relaxed.

  “But…it’s nothing.” She waved her hand. There was no way she could explain to Logan Ryan’s behavior…she didn’t think she even understood what was happening.

  “The rest is work stuff and you said you didn’t want to talk about that.” She resisted the urge to take another gulp of wine, instead toying with the wine glass, twirling the stem between her fingers.

  “Tell me about your band, Logan. I don’t know much about the type of music you play. I’ve only heard the one song on the radio since…well, since that night.”

  Logan laughed. “That’s what you call our night of passion, together? ‘That night?’”

  Melody grimaced. “I don’t know what to call it, because I don’t know what it was…is.” She pulled her glass closer, finally giving in, taking another swallow.

  Logan sat back, watching her for a moment. “Alright…the band…Revival. We’d been mates in school, messing around in garages and playing for our friends. Got the idea we were good…started playing for free in the pubs, although we got in more than one stramash…” Logan caught Melody’s puzzled look. “Bar fight, I guess you’d call it. But failin’ means yer playin’, so we kept playin’. And we got better. Enough so we were getting paid.”

  There was a wistful smile on Logan’s face as he spoke. “It was good back then. Sleeping on the road, writing songs in the wee hours of the morning, playing out that night and singing the same, the words on a paper stuck to the floor so I wouldn’t forget them. But it was us then, only us, and we were happy.”

  “And that’s all gone now? Because of Jack Ashton?”

  “Aye. It is…or it’s going fast. Me striking out on my own wasn’t so bad, but Jack’s made it seem as though I’m leaving the band. And that’s not what I’m doing. The band is my heart; the solo stuff’s just messing about. I’d leave that in a heartbeat, to be honest. But Jack’s driven a wedge between us and I don’t know if it can be pulled out.”

  Logan looked across the table at Melody. “And then you, not knowing if you’re mad at me or hate me or what. It’s been tearing at me, Melody. I thought I’d lost you before I even had you.”

  Melody laughed, shaking her head. “You haven’t ‘had me’ yet, Logan. You slept with me—once. That does not make for a relationship. And now you’re my client.”

  Logan shook his head, that charming smile of his playing around the corners of his mouth. He reached across the table, taking her hands in his. “I know. But I’d like the chance to mak
e it something more.”

  “You would? After just one night?”

  “Don’t you believe in love at first sight?” Logan rubbed his thumb briefly across the knuckles of her hands, before turning them palm upward.

  “Do you?” she whispered. It seemed to Melody the room had gone completely still, leaving just her and Logan.

  His dark eyes met hers and she saw the same passion she remembered from their night together. Her breath caught, and in that instant she wanted him again, wanted to go with him to see if there was something more…if there could be more to this than just one night of lust. But he’s your client.

  “Aye, sometimes I do. I just might believe it happened to me…at least I want the chance to find out. Do you want the chance to find out, Melody?” Logan’s voice was low, the smooth voice she remembered, the one that did magical things to her.

  Logan was still holding her hands when the waiter arrived with their dinner. Logan spoke without looking away from Melody.

  “Have dinner sent to my room, please. And a bottle of Macallan, the best year you have.”

  Melody was unable to hold back a laugh. “I should have known you’d pick the restaurant in your hotel. I was too distracted by being late to even notice.”

  Logan smiled as he rose, pulling her up from her chair. “You can’t fault me for trying. And unless you’re starving, I think there’s a better use for our evening, don’t you?”

  Impulsively Melody stood on tiptoe, kissing Logan. “I do at that, Mr. MacKenzie.”

  It was Melody who reached back for the half-empty bottle of red wine.

  “Never leave the wine, even for a handsome wanton man. I heard someone say that…or something like that…not too long ago.”

  * * *

  Logan let them into his room, tossing the key on a side table. Melody set the wine on the coffee table, surprised at the modest size of the suite, just a small sitting area with a bedroom visible through a door to her right.