by Joanna Blake
In Tempo was getting back together.
It was just for a limited reunion tour, true. And probably just to make some money. She wasn’t an idealistic teenager anymore. She knew that most of their careers were lagging, other than the lead singer Kendall Jackson. He was an even bigger star than he'd been before and always linked with one starlet or another.
The man was incredibly talented and freaking gorgeous, so it wasn’t a surprise that he was more famous than ever.
Okay, so maybe she paid attention a little.
She grinned at herself. She knew she was being ridiculous. She was a grown woman now. She was over her school girl crush on the lead singer of In Tempo, the biggest boy band in the world at one time.
Mostly over it anyway.
So what if she was only interested in guys who looked like him? Who could blame her for liking tall guys with gorgeous sandy blond hair and green eyes? It was always a pale imitation though. Nobody really came close to Kendall in the looks department.
Jess sighed dreamily, unable to stop the tiny flutter at the thought of him.
Kendall looked like an old-school movie star with his mop of wavy hair and impossibly green eyes. They practically glowed. Never mind all those muscles.
And the tattoos he’d gotten since the band broke up.
Hmmm… the tattoos….
She shook her head at herself.
Things were different now. Much different.
This time she had friends to go to the concert with. And this time, she could afford the ticket. The good seats even.
It had been years since she was that lonely, frightened teenager with nothing but lint in her pockets and an empty stomach. They had been so poor that the electricity being on meant it was a good day.
Still, she could hardly believe it. She was finally going to see the band that had gotten her through those difficult years, hiding in her bedroom with her Diskman turned up.
God, she'd been a disaster.
A late bloomer, and dirt poor with a drunk for a mother. She hadn’t had a chance in hell with a cute boy from a good family. Hell, she hadn't had a chance with anyone.
She’d even hated herself.
Jessica tugged the neckline of her top up. It was tighter than she remembered. She rolled her eyes, wondering when the last time she’d been out on the town. It wasn’t a habit, although her girlfriends did drag her out for karaoke once in a while.
She wore scrubs so much of the time that she hadn't been shopping in forever. This top must be five years old at least.
And she was falling out of it.
The bright blue v-neck fit well everywhere else. It fit her waist and her shoulders. Plus it looked great with her light blue eyes. It was just… her boobs. Her big, gigantic boobs were drawing attention to themselves. As usual.
Ugh.
She’d gone from pimply and scrawny to what was commonly referred to as ‘stacked.’ Her boobs had their own zip code. She’d skipped the dewy, slender, gazelle like phase that most teenage girls went through.
She’d gone straight from child to blow up doll. During medical school too. Not when it would have been actually helpful to look like sex on wheels.
Well, there was no hope for it. Her other clothes were all in the laundry. Unless she wanted to wear the scrubs with little bunnies on them to a concert on a Friday night…
Yeah, no. Not going to happen.
She pulled on her favorite pair of tight fitting jeans and a pair of ankle boots with high wedge heels. She was short so heels were her one concession to vanity.
The truth was, she wasn't just short.
She was tiny.
Until her boobs had made an appearance, Jess was often mistaken for a child. Even now, her new clients often reacted with shock when they found out that yes, she was the doctor who was about to treat their precious pets. Each time they quickly realized she was a damn good doctor. Her clients were very loyal to her after just one visit. Still, it was annoying as hell.
It also kept her from dating too much. She tended to attract creeps with little girl fetishes. Well, lately she'd been getting asked out a lot, by all kinds of people. She hoped they weren’t all gross.
But she had to keep her guard up. God knows, she'd learned early not to trust men.
Not to trust anybody really.
She applied a thin line of black liner to her upper lids. A little mascara, some lipgloss and she was done. There was no use in trying anything with her hair other than running a brush through it. It was naturally big and buoyant.
She'd tried everything over the years before giving up. Serums, gels, you name it. She pressed her hands down on it briefly but it was no use.
Yeah, Jess had been born with the hair of a country western singer.
Jess grabbed her bag and ran out the door into the warm Los Angeles night.
Chapter 3
Kendall
He had a weird feeling about this gig.
Kendall was circling in his convertible, looking for the best way into the backstage parking area behind the Hollywood bowl. It was impossible. There was no easy way in.
He passed the back entrance again and sighed. There was a big crowd back here already. He pulled over and raised the convertible top, mentally preparing himself to face the hoards. He didn't really want anyone to touch him while he drove by.
He didn't mind the In Tempo fans, exactly. He thought they were kind of sweet for the most part. And of course, he owed his success to them.
But in a crowd, something happened to them. They lost all sense of decorum. All their frenzy, their emotions, everything was amplified by a thousand.
No, a hundred thousand.
Hell, they kind of scared him to be honest.
One time he'd even had a hunk of his hair torn out. He ran his hand through it. Yep. Still missing a tiny bit of hair on the right side behind his ear. He grimaced.
It was nice to have people love your music.
But when they started to love him, it got weird.
Fast.
He didn’t need to be put on a pedestal the way the fans did. Certainly, it was not a basis for a healthy relationship, other than a one night stand. And even those could go horribly awry.
One time a girl had locked herself in his bathroom and refused to leave. That was almost four years ago and the last time he'd brought home a groupie. It had just been a hotel room but still, he'd learned his lesson.
Rule number 2 of being a celebrity according to Nick and Bruce: keep your distance from people who aren't in the business.
It was just too risky, and they should know.
The girls always expected too much, or not enough.
It all came down to self respect. If a fan didn’t have it, it was hard to have good boundaries. So he steered clear. He had always separated work and fun, almost since the very beginning.
Of course, his family and childhood friends were exempt from that rule. Basically, anybody who'd known him before he was famous was a safe bet. He loved hanging out back home in Split Rock, Colorado.
Fuck, it almost made him feel normal.
Kendall Jackson was not normal.
He'd been catapulted to fame at the tender age of fourteen. A cute face, killer dance moves and a decent singing voice had landed him the lead spot in a boy band. He was still living in the shadow of In Tempo after all these years.
He knew that he probably would forever.
It was hard to complain about something that made all the cool things he'd done in his life possible. He'd travelled extensively. Base jumped off mountains. Surfed the best waves in the world. Eaten the best food.
And most importantly, bought his mom a car and a house. And then a second house. Bought both of his grandmothers houses. Paid for his sister to attend private school and college. Dated some incredibly beautiful women, even though it never seemed to last.
It seemed like the more gorgeous the women he met were, the more they wanted to vibe off his cache, increase t
heir own visibility. But still, swimsuit models were fun to go out with.
Fame was a good thing.
Mostly.
He pulled his baseball cap lower and locked the doors before making a u-turn and heading for the gate.
Chapter 4
Jess
"Come on… don't be a wuss!"
"Yes, my little Jessalina, do it!"
Jessica was doing her best to ignore Cathy and Lisa, her two best friends from the Animal Hospital. Cathy was a vet tech and Lisa was the assistant to the owner Dr. Pendleton, which meant she basically ran the place. No small feat for someone who'd dropped out of college sophomore year. She was street smart though. They all were. That's part of the reason they were friends.
"You guys. That's stupid. I am not waiting for the band."
"It's not stupid! It's a right of passage!"
"Yeah, come on, isn't this your childhood dream or something?"
"Um, kind of. I mean, other than not having a disfunction alcoholic family and being taller than an Oompa Loompa."
Cathy and Lisa looked at each other and then back at Jess. Cathy crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyebrow.
“Oh you are going.”
“Oh… no I’m not.”
They stood off, toe to toe. Cathy was stubborn. But Jess was, um, stubborner.
Yeah, pretty sure that’s not a real word Jess.
"I dare you."
Lisa chirped up behind her.
”So do I."
"Buck buck buckAW!"
They started flapping their elbows and making chicken noises. Jess hushed them, immediately embarrassed.
Ugh! Damn it.
They knew she had a weakness for dares. She hated being called a chicken. Anytime anyone called her on something, she immediately stepped up to the plate. Jessica loved a challenge.
Even a stupid one.
"Fine! This is ridiculous though. Just please, no more squawking”
They waved and giggled as she stormed away. Jess followed the steady stream of fans toward the back of the amphitheater. There - across the street and just up ahead a crowd was forming.
A big crowd. No screaming teenagers though, these were all women her age and older. And they looked… like cougars on the prowl.
Cougar groupies obviously.
Coupies.
Yikes.
She stepped into the street, determined to at least stand in the crowd for two seconds before rejoining her friends. If they wanted her to get caught up in the madness, she would.
But only for a hot minute.
The car slammed into her before she even heard it. Jessica had the strangest thoughts as she flew through the air.
This must be how a dog felt when it got hit by a car.
She hit the ground and blinked, trying to determine how bad it was. She must be in shock. It didn't even hurt.
“Oh my God! Are you okay!??"
Jessica was laying on her back, staring up at the sky. And then she was staring at him, one of the most gorgeous men on the planet.
Kendall Jackson.
She blinked once. Twice. Three times.
Nope, not a mirage. He was still there. He looked… concerned.
"Miss? Are you alright? I'm so sorry- I didn't see you."
Jess took stock of her body, wiggling extremities one by one. All good. Though she had taken a knock to the head when she hit the ground. She sat up slowly, holding her head.
"Ouch."
“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. Jesus."
"No, no. I'm fine. No need to take the name of the lord in vain."
He was staring at her with a funny look on his face.
She shook her head, feeling like an idiot.
"I'm just kidding. I'm fine. Seriously."
"Are you sure? Here, let me help you up."
He held out his hand and she stared at it stupidly, then up at those ridiculously beautiful eyes.
Kendall Jackson wanted to hold her hand.
No Jess, he’s trying to help you up.
She exhaled and took it. A flash of electricity leapt from his hand to hers. She could feel his huge, calloused hand enveloping hers and he pulled her up- nearly into his arms. She blinked again and took a hasty step backwards.
Kendall Jackson was grinning down at her.
"You're a cute little thing, aren't you?"
She grimaced. Cute. Great. Her childhood obsession had just called her cute.
"Yeah, I'm short. It's easy to miss me."
He looked horrified.
"No, no- God, that sounded wrong. I just meant that- I'm so sorry I hit you."
"It's totally not your fault. I am short. It's okay, I'm used to it."
"Get in the car, let me take you to a hospital."
"I don't need a hospital. I'm fine. You should probably- um- go and do your concert anyway."
He tilted his head quizzically, as if he was trying to figure her out.
"We have a doctor on staff. Or at least there should be a nurse backstage. It's standard procedure. Let them take a look at you."
"Really, it's okay. I'm a doctor."
He gave her a doubtful glance.
"Very funny. At least get in the car. You can watch the show from backstage and then I can be sure you don't keel over."
"I don't want to be any trouble."
"It's no trouble! I insist. Please, it would keep me from worrying about you all night."
She did feel a little bit out of it to be honest. And it would be fun to watch from backstage. Now, that would be a good story to tell her friends.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I’m sure. Come on. Let me take care of you.”
He held the passenger side door open and she shrugged, climbing in. He climbed into the drivers seat and smiled at her.
"Put on your seat belt sweetheart.”
Oh God, Kendall clearly thought she was a kid. This couldn't be more humiliating. Then again, she was in a car with Kendall Jackson.
"Okay, dad."
He gave her that quizzical look again. The look that said he found her mildly amusing at best.
"What were you doing back here anyway?"
"My friends- they dared me. It was a stupid idea obviously."
"Do you always do what people dare you to do?"
"Kind of. I don't tend to back down from a challenge."
He gave her an odd look as he put the car in drive.
"That's funny. Neither do I."
Her cheeks heated up as she realized what was happening. Her forever crush thought she was underage. But he was still flirting with her, in the most innocent way.
He might think she was a kid, but he had no idea he was giving her the thrill of her life. She stared at his hands as he gripped the steering wheel.
Then again, maybe he did.
Chapter 5
Kendall
Kendall checked to be sure that her seat belt was on. The last thing he needed was for her to get hurt again.
He shook his head. What a mess.
The girl he'd nearly killed was adorable. She was going to be a heartbreaker when she grew up. Hell, she already was.
The cutie next to him would have driven him crazy when he was a teenager. She was a total babe. And surprisingly unimpressed with his fame.
He had to keep himself from staring at her. Her face was a striking combination of exotic and pretty. With her big blue eyes and pouty lips she was cute, but in a sexy Lolita way.
The truth was, she looked good enough to eat.
This is how you end up in the tabloids, Kendall.
He smiled reassuringly at her and put the car into drive again. He pulled up to the gate. Almost immediately the car was surrounded by screaming fans.
Women. As usual, it was all women.
"Hold on, it might get bumpy."
The girl looked appalled as she stared out the window. Slowly he inched forward, being careful not to hurt anyone.
"Is it always like
this?"
He glanced at her and nodded.
"Jesus, it's like being in a war zone. I never imagined…”
He looked at her again. She wasn't star struck by him. She felt sorry for him. That was a first.
"What's your name?"
"Jess- Jessica."
"That's pretty."
"Um, thanks- look out for the blond!"
He laughed as she helped him navigate through the sea of fans. Finally they were through the gate with it firmly shut behind them. He pulled into the lot and parked near the stage door.
He was getting out when he noticed her rubbing her head.
"Shit- you aren't okay are you? I knew I should have taken you to the hospital."
She climbed out of the car and leaned against it.
"I'm fine. I really am a doctor you know."
He rolled his eyes.
"Very funny."
"Not a people doctor- a vet. I'm a veterinarian."
He honestly did not know what to make of this girl. She had a weird sense of humor. Then again, she was more entertaining than anyone he'd spoken to in a long time.
Definitely more entertaining than any of the women he usually dated or took to bed.
Where did that come from?
Get your mind out of the gutter Kendall. Jesus. She's sixteen years old at best.
"Okay doc, what's your diagnosis."
"Just some bumps and bruises. Possible mild concussion."
"Concussion?!? That's serious, isn't it?"
"Well, the only thing they would do at the hospital is keep me from going to sleep over night. I can do that on my own. It's no biggie, really."
He stared at her, her gorgeous blue eyes peeking up at him. And then he said something incredibly stupid.
"I'll make sure you stay up."
She raised her eyebrows at him incredulously. He raked his hand through his hair distractedly.
"No- I mean- Jesus. I'm not a child molester! I just meant it's my fault you got hit in the head, so I will keep an eye on you. It's the least I can do. We can watch movies or something."