Heartstrings (Rock With You #1) Rock Star Romance

by Hunter, Adriana

  Something in Logan’s tone made her clutch the receiver tightly. “What is it?”

  “The band…and Ashton. The band has threatened to boot me out, permanently. Ashton’s told them enough lies to make them believe I’ve left them. And in the midst of that, Aston called. He’d gotten wind of the lawsuit somehow and is furious. Claims it’s all something I’ve made up, which is a load of crap. But you know that…”

  She heard the frustration in his voice. “I’m sorry, Logan. This is horrible for you. Did Ashton say how he found out about the suit?”

  “No, just that he would see me in hell before he’d admit he’d done anything wrong. Claims he can ruin me before we even get to court.”

  Melody sighed. This wasn’t anything new; there had been cases before where the mud slinging started well before the case even got to court. She had always been professionally distant from the client’s day-to-day issues, but this was Logan and she felt his pain.

  “Well, I can tell you we’re filing tomorrow. Aston will receive a summons and have to make a formal answer to the claims. He may counter-sue then, most likely he will, by the sounds of it. But we’ve done what we can for the moment. The ball will be in his court and then, from there, we’ll know what his answers are to the complaints and what we’ll need to do from there.”

  “Thank you, Melody. I mean it. I can’t think of anyone I’d want in my corner but you, for many reasons. But I trust you, above all. Can’t say that about many people.”

  “I’ll do my best, Logan. You know that.”

  “Let’s have dinner. You never really got to have any last night, if I remember. I asked you out to dinner and then made it quite difficult for you to eat.” Logan’s tone had lightened and she smiled. She envisioned him from the night before, his easy smile lighting his eyes.

  “Yes. I’d like that.”

  “I’ll call…

  There was a knock at her door and it swung open, Ryan standing in the doorway.

  “Melody, I…” He stopped abruptly when he noticed she was on the phone, but remained standing in the doorway.

  “That’s fine. I’ll call you later when we have confirmation of the filing. I believe I have your contact information right here.”

  Without waiting for Logan to answer, she replaced the receiver.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but Hunter is waiting for those resumes, if you’ve had a chance to look them over.”

  “Just getting to that now. I’ll have them to him within an hour.”

  Ryan hesitated briefly. “Logan MacKenzie on the phone?”

  Melody resisted the urge to lie. Logan was her client, after all – she was allowed to speak to him on the phone.

  “Yes. He was looking for an update on the case. Seems the band has threatened to fire him and Ashton knows about the suit. I suspect he’ll file a counter-claim, but we’ll have to wait. I’m not sure if the band’s actions have any bearing on the initial claim. We may need to address that before we file.”

  “Yes, we should discuss that. I have a meeting now that will take me through most of the afternoon. Stop by my office after five.”

  Before she could answer, Ryan was gone.

  She quickly dialed Logan’s cell phone but it went to voice mail. She left an apology for abruptly ending the call and asked him to call her later, with a time and place. And that she was very much looking forward to dinner.

  An uneasy feeling dogged Melody for the rest of the afternoon. She read through the resumes in the file, heartsick at the thought of replacing Melissa. When she returned the file to Joe’s office, he seemed remote and cold, and Melody wondered if Ryan had had any conversations with him about her. She decided she was being paranoid and went back to her office, delving into her other cases.

  It was just after four o’clock and Logan hadn’t returned her call. She debated calling him before she went to see Ryan, but her phone buzzed, her heart skipping at the thought that it was Logan. But the digital display showed Ryan’s office number, and she frowned. She picked up, almost dreading the sound of his voice.

  “Come on up. I finished my meetings early. We can get this done tonight, Lori can make the changes tomorrow and it’ll be filed.”

  She took the stairs to Ryan’s office, her feet dragging. Get it over with and look forward to dinner with Logan.

  Ryan’s door was open and she knocked, hesitating in the doorway.

  “Have a seat.” He walked over to the small table, pushing the door closed. The sound of the latch made Melody jump.

  “Hunter’s lined up several candidates. He’ll do the initial interviews and then you can have the top three to interview, along with Joe and I. That should get you someone within a few weeks, assuming they need to give notice.”

  Melody nodded, making a note on her pad. Ryan had Logan’s case file and he spread the documents out on the table, turning them toward her, before rising and walking behind his desk.

  The room had grown quiet and she was focused on the complaint, making notes in the margins.

  Ryan’s sudden presence by her chair made her jump. He leaned over, one hand on the back of her chair, the other on the table. Again, she felt pinned by him, as he looked over her shoulder at the complaint. She was overly aware of the scent of his aftershave, of the warmth of his body.

  “Very good…I like this.” He pointed to an area of her notes, tapping the paper with his finger.

  “I like this very much.” His voice was low and Melody could feel his warm breath on her cheek.

  “Ryan…” She didn’t even know what she wanted to say but before she could continue, he put his hand on her shoulder, his fingers moving upward, into the hair along the nape of her neck.

  “Shhh…just relax. You’re so tense. I can feel it. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Nothing here that you don’t want.”

  “Please…Ryan. Stop.” She wanted to get out from under his touch, but he moved closer, his body pressing against her shoulder.

  “I’ll stop when you do…you know you want this as much as I do. Ever since Patrick, you’ve been playing me, making it clear how this is going. And I’m just following your lead.”

  She shook her head. “But, not…not this.”

  “Not this? We’ve had this conversation, Melody. The same page, remember? I know what you want…you want partner. You want it so bad you can taste it. And I want it for you. And we can do it together.”

  The brush of his lips on her neck made her cringe. She pulled away, turning her head.

  Ryan stood, drawing in a sharp breath. “Have you changed your mind then? We’re not talking the same language anymore, are we?”

  He pulled out the chair across from her, sitting stiffly against the high leather back, hands folded in his lap.

  “I’m disappointed, Melody. Maybe this case isn’t for you?”

  Ryan was looking at her critically, and she saw reproach and a sneer of contempt on his face, something she’d never seen, ever felt from Ryan before.

  “Maybe you’re not the woman I thought you were. Perhaps partner isn’t for you either. There are others…” He rose, standing in front of the window, his back to her, hands clasped behind him.

  “You can go. We’re finished here, for now. Lori can make the changes and file in the morning.” He spoke without turning around.

  Melody gathered her notebook and pen, hesitating a moment, but Ryan didn’t turn around. She let herself out of his office.

  * * *

  In her office, Melody tossed her notebook on the growing chaos of her desk. Melissa’s absence was already creating havoc with her work, raising her anxiety level. She was afraid she was going to miss something critical, some deadline would slip by unnoticed and her client’s would suffer.

  And Ryan’s behavior wasn’t making her life any easier. In frustration she threw her pen across the room, watching it bounce behind a chair. Sighing heavily, she walked over and retrieved it from the floor. Everything was so complicated, so muddled.

>   Ryan was using her, no doubt. She’d wondered how women allowed themselves to become victims, to let themselves be used by men. She’d always thought the women were weak or really wanted the abuse.

  But now, in the midst of it all, with her own career on the line, she understood how a man in power could manipulate a woman into a situation like this. I’m in that situation; I’m that woman.

  She reached for the phone, dialing Logan’s cell phone. He answered and the sound of his voice, the accent, the hint of a smile…made her smile in return.

  “Dinner with you, Melody? Of course. And I’ll even let you eat this time.”

  * * *

  Melody met Logan at a restaurant near his hotel. He was waiting for her, a small group of fans gathered around him. She watched for a moment as he patiently signed autographs and posed for pictures. He was in his element, relaxed and casual, taking the time to sign a girl’s arm. She walked away with her friends, holding her arm as if it were somehow cast in gold.

  Logan saw her and his face lit up. He excused himself from the rest of the group, and took her arm. The maître d’ escorted them to a secluded table, leaving a wine list. Logan pushed it aside, taking Melody’s hands briefly, kissing her fingers.

  “You’ll make the fans jealous, if they see you holding my hand.”

  “I suppose I will. But they’ll have to get over it. You’re my only girl now.”

  “Was it hard to get used to that…being recognized? Asked to sign body parts?”

  Logan laughed, letting go of her hands. “Aye, at first it was a bit odd. I was always shocked that someone knew my name, especially after we were out of Scotland. Everyone knew me there, but the first time it happened somewhere else, I was completely thrown. But now, I’m fair used to it.” He sighed.

  “Signing arms though…that’s a first. She said she was going to get it made into a tattoo.” He shook his head in disbelief. “That’s a new one on me. I asked her what would happen if she decided someday she didn’t like my music. She said she’d always love me anyway.”

  Melody grinned. “The price of fame, your name forever tattooed on a girl’s arm.”

  “I’d rather have it etched on someone’s heart.”

  Melody felt a rising blush in her cheeks and grew suddenly shy as she looked at Logan over her water glass. The waiter arrived, taking their order, returning with a bottle of wine. Logan poured them each a glass. Melody toyed with hers, wishing she could push the afternoon out of her mind.

  “You’re distracted. Is something bothering you?” Logan was watching her closely, for once his eyes serious, no playful smile lurking at the corners of his mouth. He’s worried…about me, or about us?

  She kept her eyes down, debating just how much to reveal. “Just work. It’s been…busy. Melissa was let go so…it’s been hard.” She raised her eyes to his.

  Logan was looking at her, a frown creasing his handsome face. “I feel I’m letting you down somehow. You’re so focused on me, the case…and I don’t know what’s going on with you.”

  “Oh, Logan. You can’t think that way. I don’t think that at all. Please don’t feel you’re neglecting me.”

  She reached across the table for his hand. “You have to admit this hasn’t been a very conventional relationship so far. Please…don’t for a minute think you’re lacking in any way. You have so much to think about, with the band, with Ashton. I’m fine, really.”

  Logan’s lips curved up in a smile. “It’s just my manly pride that makes me think I should take care of you, in every way, all the time. And I should know how. But you’re right. This is anything but conventional.”

  He squeezed her hand. “And I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  They made small talk for the rest of dinner, Melody artfully avoiding any further conversation about work. But on the short walk back to Logan’s hotel, he held her hand and she told him an abbreviated version of Melissa’s firing.

  “It was just such a shock. I thought everything was going well. But I guess I have a lot to learn about managing staff.”

  “You’ll be fine. You’re good with people. Are you sure it was really Melissa and not something else? Something from higher up?”

  In the soft darkness, Melody tensed. Did Logan suspect there was more happening at work? Or was she that paranoid? There was no way she could explain what was happening with Ryan; she didn’t really understand it herself.

  “No, nothing else. I guess I grew too dependent on her and now I’m paying the price.”

  They took the elevator to Logan’s room. There were several bouquets of fresh flowers in the room and Melody bent to an arrangement, inhaling the sweet scent of the blooms.

  “From adoring fans?” Logan’s arms were around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. She leaned back against him and he nuzzled her neck.

  “No. They’re for you. I want to send them to your office, but I didn’t think it would be the right thing, you know? So, they’re here, for you to enjoy.”

  She turned to Logan, her lips parted to speak, but he caught her in a kiss. He held her gently, and she melted against him, her words forgotten, all thoughts of work and Ryan pushed from her mind.

  Eventually he broke the kiss, leading her solemnly to the bedroom. With gentle fingers he undressed her, carefully placing each item of clothing on a chair. He held her hands when she reached for the buttons on his shirt, gently walking her backward until her legs brushed against the bed. She sat down, sliding back, pulling her legs up onto the mattress.

  Silently Logan climbed beside her, lying next to her, his legs wrapped around hers. With slow fingers he brushed the hair from her forehead, tracing a line down her cheek, her throat, down to the tops of her breasts.

  “You’re the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen. I’ve told you that but it’s true. The first time I saw you, I thought you were magical, even if you were insensible.”

  He was looking down at her, his eyes serious, his mouth quirking up at the corners. “Insensible or not, you’re mine now. For as long as you’ll have me.”

  His lips were on hers again, firm and gentle at the same time, his tongue dancing across her lips. She opened her lips and his tongue found hers, the kiss deepening, intensifying.

  For Melody, everything seemed new, yet somehow familiar. The giddy sense of excitement, of discovery, now came with the feeling of comfort and growing ease. She ran her hands over his body, not with the rushing eagerness she’d felt before, but with a slow purpose with the pleasure of knowing she felt safe with Logan. Her fingers trailed lightly over his body, caressing him softly, moving on to touch and fondle, caress and hold.

  Logan leaned on one elbow, looking down at her, his fingers slowly drawing circles on the soft skin of her breast “You’re different tonight…softer, slower. Relaxed. I like it.” He kissed her forehead, her eyelids.

  “I’m happy.” The words slipped between her lips before she realized she’d spoken. But as soon as she heard them, she knew it was true. She smiled at Logan, who had an amused look on his face.

  “I’m glad. It’d be a terrible shame if you weren’t. I’d feel very guilty being the only one here who’s happy.”

  He leaned over, claiming her breast with his mouth. Melody ran her fingers through his hair, holding him against her. As he moved lower, kissing a wandering path down her body, she sighed, shifting as he moved between her legs, his hands resting beneath her, cupping her to him.

  The rest of her body felt weightless and as he used his mouth and tongue to slowly drive her crazy, she felt as if everything was concentrated down to her core, to the searing sensation of fire between her legs. The fire that grew, surging up through her body, rising as she writhed and twisted on the bed.

  Her cries were muffled in the pillow, her body arching against Logan as he took her over the edge.

  He held her for a long time, his head resting on her hip, his breath soft across her stomach, as her breathing slowed, as her heart stopped t
hudding in her chest. She ran one hand through his hair, and he looked up at her, a slow smile spreading on his lips.

  Without a word, he moved up her body, the weight of him slowly pinning her to the sheets, pressing her down as he settled between her legs. When he took her, it was slow and focused, each movement fanning the fire he’d started.

  She was breathless as she watched him, his face close to hers, his eyes moving over her face, taking in every detail.

  When Logan came, he buried his head on Melody’s shoulder. No soft words this time, no murmurs against her skin. She felt his mouth open against her neck, an exhalation as he let go and then a sound so primal, so full of lust and passion that it sent a shiver down her spine. He shook and trembled and she held him to her, the power and force of his release so evident in his body.

  After a long time he pulled away, rolling onto his back. Again, he searched for her hand, holding it fast in his, bringing it against his chest.

  When he spoke his voice was soft, far away. “Ye remind me of home, Melody. Of hills and green and sudden storms that cover the mountains, wild with thrashing wind, and then it’s calm with a rainbow. And the sun comes out and it’s warm again.”

  He turned toward her. “I’d want to take you there sometime, to walk in the heather, and see the lochs. It would be grand, just us.”

  “I’d like that. Just us.” She smiled, sighing. “Just us and no one else.” Curling against his shoulder, she let herself enjoy the fantasy of running away to Scotland with Logan.

  It was much later, after they’d come together again, that she heard him murmur the Gaelic words he’d said before. She didn’t need to ask this time what they meant. They settled on her heart, etching themselves there.

  “I love you too, Logan.”

  She searched in the dark for his hand, holding it against her heart.

  * * *

  Even with the lack of sleep, Melody was at her desk well before anyone else. She wanted to keep off of Ryan’s radar, do her job and concentrate on Logan’s case. But she found herself drifting into thoughts of her night with Logan, his hands on her skin, the combination of gentle and forceful. The Gaelic words she now recognized as he spoke them softly while making love to her. She caught herself sighing more than once, idly tapping her pen against her teeth.