Liner Notes

by Madden, A. M.

  “I’ll never forget the look on your sister’s face when I offered her the condom. And more so your mom’s face when she walked in. It’s bad enough we’re sleeping in the same room.” Still refusing to look at me, she grumbled, “You’re such a jerk.”

  “You thought I was a god when you came while riding my face this morning.”

  “Well, now I think you’re a jerk… and because of your stupid stunt, you can forget me riding any part of you tonight.”

  That was a lie, and she knew it. Once I got my hands on her, Lori couldn’t seem to deny me, regardless if she was mad. Instead, she used it to her advantage, putting angry sex at the top of my list.

  “I’m sorry. I promise not to mess with you anymore,” I countered with my own lie.

  Just as she gave me a side-eyed glare, the DJ announced, “You’re in for a treat, folks. In case you missed the debut this morning, we’re about to replay local boy Cannon Davis’s new single, ‘Better.’” It took a few seconds for me to realize the dude was talking about me. “Fellow Arizonians, we have a bona fide rock star to claim as our own. Lucky for us, we heard that he’s home visiting this week. If you’re lucky enough to run into him, tag us with a picture. We’ll pick a winner from those who do. The prize, VIP tickets to his Tucson show next March.”

  Holy shit.

  As I sat there stunned, Lori looked just as confused when my song began playing on the radio. How did they even know I was home?

  “What the hell?” I asked out loud. “Did you know the single was releasing today?”

  “No.” She began frantically tapping on her phone, stopping to read things in between. “Shit. I got an email from Jen late last night. She never emails me.”

  I waited out her pause, bouncing between excitement that I was on the fucking radio and annoyance that the label had stolen such a profoundly pivotal milestone by not giving me the proper notice.

  What if we hadn’t been in my truck on the way to Kate’s party? Who knew when I’d finally hear it?

  “Okay, so basically since the album is done, LRV decided to release you early,” she informed me while still reading. “Your song debuted coast to coast this morning at ten a.m.” Ironically, just about the time I was buried balls deep in her. “The label is giving VIP tickets and passes for the concert in the station’s area as a promotional tool. Because of it, Jen said to lie low for a few days.”

  “Lie low. Great. We’re heading to a party with most of the town attending.” I turned onto the main avenue, my eyes weirdly roaming the area for any signs of chaos. “Jen doesn’t know you’re here with me?”

  Lori didn’t respond, making me think she hadn’t heard me. And then she stared back and simply said, “No.”

  “Shit.”

  “There is no logical reason to be here with you this week, Cannon,” she added defensively. “Telling her I came would be admitting to our relationship.”

  “Okay, I get it.” Of course she was right. “Do they do this often? Change a schedule without notice?”

  “They can do whatever they want.” With each deep breath she took annoyance dominated her demeanor. “Goddammit! I’ve been so distracted I missed the email.”

  Meanwhile, “Better” continued to play on the radio, creating a very surreal situation. It was hard to wrap my brain around it.

  “I’m sorry, Cannon.” When I cut my focus her way, I could only guess the shimmer in her eyes was from frustration. “This is on me.”

  “Red. It’s fine. I’m on the fucking radio.”

  “No. I should’ve been on top of this.”

  “And? What would you have done differently? We heard it—no harm, no foul.”

  She didn’t seem convinced when all I received was a shake of her head. After pulling in and taking a parking spot on the far end of the lot, I cut the engine off and gave her my full attention, although hers remained elsewhere.

  “Look at me.” I gripped the base of her ponytail, forcing her to hold my gaze. “I’m in my beat-up truck, in my hometown, with the woman I’m crazy about, hearing myself on the radio. I just won the fucking lottery, Red.” Her expression softened before I pulled her toward me for a soft, chaste kiss. “We’re going into that party now and celebrating. Okay?”

  “Yeah, okay.” She cupped my jaw and kissed me the same way I had her. When she pulled away, the look on her face was one I’d never seen before. This woman loved me. I had suspected she did, but staring back at her in that moment left me with no doubt. “I’m so very proud of you.” A stunning smile spread before she kissed me again, a bit harder, a bit longer.

  Christ, this woman had me wrapped around her in every way.

  Forcing myself to swallow the words I love you that sat on the tip of my tongue, I molded my mouth over hers in a searing kiss… one that left no doubt of my feelings for her. One that would stay with her the next few hours while we had to slip back into the agent-client facade.

  After finally breaking the kiss, her eyes remained closed for a few seconds longer. Only once I had her attention again did I say, “Thank you for being here with me, Red. And I don’t just mean here in Surprise. I mean here… during all this. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than with you when hearing it for the first time on the radio.”

  And I meant every damn word.

  About an hour or so after arriving, Lori and I sat for the first time to have something to eat. “I’m starving,” she said before diving into her plate.

  “Me too.” The only thing we’d managed to consume until then was the champagne we’d been handed when we walked through the door.

  Apparently, being home when an album drops was like a match to kindling. Eventually, that pile of dry hay would have ignited at some point, but having it happen during my visit to Surprise sparked that blaze much, much sooner.

  Therefore, it took forever to introduce her to friends and family I hadn’t seen in a while. Mostly, it was the news of my song dropping that spread like wildfire that caused the ruckus. It hadn’t helped with all the over-the-top attention I received from those who had actually heard it. I felt bad for stealing the thunder at Kate and John’s engagement party.

  Voicing it out loud to them was a mistake. I should’ve known they couldn’t care less and were ridiculously proud of me.

  We had managed to get in a few bites when Kate plopped down beside me. “I have to tell you something. Don’t be mad.”

  “Never a great way to start a conversation, Kate,” I grumbled with food in my mouth.

  “Shut it. I had no idea Chris was with…” She cut her eyes to Lori and paused.

  “Red knows about Chris and Holly. Why is this coming up now?”

  “Well, I had invited him, but he said he couldn’t make it.” Suddenly her expression turned livid, and she smacked me. “This is all your fault, by the way. If you had told me I wouldn’t have invited him.”

  “He should’ve been invited. He’s still my best friend.” I shoved more chicken into my mouth. “Did he change his mind and come?”

  “Yeah… with Holly,” she added hesitantly.

  I could feel Lori’s eyes studying my expression, but that wasn’t the reason I shook my head and said, “So?”

  “I don’t want to ruin your day. I feel bad.”

  “Kate, this isn’t ruining my day.” I leaned closer and lowered my voice. “I have my hot girlfriend here with me, we’re going to play nice and smile until the last drop of champagne is sipped, and then I’m going to take Red home and…”

  “Don’t you dare,” Lori hissed through a hard whisper.

  “Well, you get the point,” I amended with a smirk. “You probably heard said point this morning since Mom’s walls are so thin.”

  “You’re so gross,” Kate said in disgust, exchanged an eye roll with Lori, and walked away.

  At that precise moment, Chris appeared alone and clapped a firm hand on my shoulder. “Here he is, Mr. Famous.”

  Despite the elephant in the room, the very one that
was at the moment greeting my mother, I stood and pulled him into a bro hug. “Good to see you, man.” We gave each other a few back pats before I directed his attention to Lori. “This is my agent, Lori Banzini. Lor, this is my best friend, Chris Wilson.” Lori mimicked my position with a beaming smile.

  “It’s awesome to meet you, Lori,” Chris said before pulling her into an affectionate hug that surprised her.

  “Great to meet you, too, Chris,” she said, nonchalantly pulling away. “I’m sure you’re very proud of your friend.”

  “Very. I never doubted he’d find success,” Chris admitted with pure conviction. Suddenly his eyes sliced over our shoulders and the smile on his face faded a tad.

  Seconds later, a female voice said, “There you are.” My gaze connected with Holly’s for a brief second, and then she focused on Lori.

  The silence between the four of us weighed heavily in the air. “Lori Banzini,” my girl said first, with enough confidence to fill the room.

  “Hi, I’m Holly Nolan.” She smiled meekly at me and added, “Hi, Cannon. How are you?”

  “I’m great. You look good.” Her hairstyle had changed from its natural curly state to a smooth sleek bob, but otherwise she looked no different than the last time I saw her.

  “You too. Congratulations on your success, so well deserved.”

  “Thanks.” I draped a possessive arm across Lori’s shoulders, a move that earned me a subtle wide-eyed look, and added, “I owe it all to Red here. Lori’s my agent.”

  Besides the term of endearment, the way my fingers affectionately wrapped around Lori’s upper arm before I removed my hold on her left no doubt of the message I wanted to send. I’d deal with Red’s disapproval later.

  Where a knowing smirk had spread over Chris’s lips, a slight frown dipped Holly’s. “Baby, I’m going to grab a drink. White wine?” Chris asked.

  “Yes, please.”

  “You guys need a fresh drink?” Lori and I shook our heads, prompting Chris to walk toward the bar.

  Without delay, Lori looked up at me with a purposeful smile. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.” In other words, I’ll give you guys some privacy.

  Once alone, an awkward silence again fell. But before I could say a word, Holly placed a hand on my arm and said, “I miss you, Cannon.”

  It was impossible to hide the shock over her claim. “Seriously?”

  “Yes. I hate how things ended between us. I’ve been trying to find the nerve to tell you—”

  “Not now, Holly,” I rudely cut her off. “You said everything you needed to the day you ended it. I’m happy for you and Chris—”

  “I still love you, Cannon,” she said, cutting me off—and in the process slicing me open and allowing nothing but pure anger to seep out.

  Why was this even happening? I had nothing else to say to this woman, except one last thing.

  Grabbing her arm, I dragged her out of the party, aware of my mom’s and sisters’ eyes following our path. Not until I had her out in the hallway did I ask, “Are you fucking kidding me? What game are you playing, Holly?”

  “I’m not playing a game.” Fearful eyes locked on to mine. “I’m not saying I don’t love Chris. He’s been wonderful to me, and I know he’s…”

  “Better. He’s better for you,” I hissed, spewing out loud the bone of contention that had ended our relationship. “And that’s fine. But I also deserve better than you. What we had really was nothing but a big fat lie. The truth was you could never take the white trash you dated for three fucking years back to your uptight family. You knew that all along. I was a placeholder for your better to come along.”

  “I never thought of you that way.”

  “Doesn’t matter. You allowed what your family would think of me to control your actions… all good, though. You did me a favor, thank you.” I glanced toward the party room with a dry chuckle. “Now you get to take home Chris, who fits your father’s bill perfectly… from his race to his profession.” Leaning a bit closer, I stared directly into her eyes. “But know this… I love that man you’re dating like a brother. What you just confessed means you replaced our dishonest relationship with the one you now have with him. He deserves better than that.” I leveled her with an unsympathetic glare. “You tell him what you just told me, or I will.”

  Before she could say another word, I turned and left her standing in the hallway in stunned silence, only to run right into Lori.

  Shit.

  “You heard all that?” I asked repentantly.

  “Yeah.”

  Taking her hand, I led us toward the hotel lobby and into a private corner. Both hands gripped her upper arms when I shook my head and admitted, “Red. I do not have any feelings for—”

  She placed her fingers on my lips. “I know.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah. And you’re right. Chris needs to know.”

  “It’ll kill him.”

  “Maybe,” she said softly. “Or it could make them stronger. You have no way of knowing, but you do know what she admitted, and keeping that from him is contributing to her deceit.” The resigned look on my face caused her to add, “You know telling him is the right thing to do. It’s who you are, Cannon.”

  Chapter 31

  Lori

  I loved every moment spent with Cannon in Arizona. Besides getting to know him on a new level, like as a loving son and ball-busting brother, I got to know what he treasured in life.

  For him, it wasn’t about the rewards that would come with stardom, but more about sharing his music. Yes, he looked forward to making money, but only to be able to give his mother and sisters enough to set them up for life.

  His one and only desire was to replace his truck with a brand-new one. He didn’t even care where he lived. The man was a walking rock star anomaly… and I fell for him even more.

  Since getting back to LA, the weeks have been flying by, bringing us closer and closer to his tour… closer and closer to each other.

  Cannon’s single flew up the charts, and when the rest of the album released a week later, it was no longer Cannon who? Krista, his PR rep, took advantage of the hype, booking him at colleges up and down the state of California. Most of the time I’d go with him, watching from the sidelines as the audience he played for went crazy over his performance. And it never failed to amaze me how well he handled the deluge of attention.

  Krista was a mass media expert. She knew just how to spin things, hint and tease, enough to cause a frenzy. Cannon now had his own website and social media accounts to which she posted several times a day. It was amazing to watch the number of his followers climb from hour to hour. Our job was to send her candid photos and selfies of him whenever we could.

  Out in the public eye, Cannon exuded confidence with a touch of humility. He was respectful of the females who pushed the envelope in trying to get his attention. When interviewed on the university’s radio station, a brilliant idea that Krista had, he injected humor and wit while remaining modest. It caused students to flock to his show the next day, creating sold-out situations at every campus thus far.

  While behind closed doors, our love affair sizzled beyond anything I’d ever experienced. Even when I was with Trey, who happened to be a kinky son of bitch, there was something missing. That ingredient I seemed to have in spades with Cannon, because it made sex with him the best I’d ever had.

  A few hours ago, Cannon had played an impromptu/planned walk-on set at a huge music festival in San Diego. Watching him on stage had made me horny as hell for him. Because of the late hour, we’d decided to stay in the area and head back to LA in the morning.

  It had been fun sneaking around, donning pseudo disguises. We’d check into hotels five minutes apart, always getting adjoining rooms of which one of them we never used. I’d become accustomed to having sex before we slept. To sleeping against his hard, warm body, waking up to his gorgeous face. And to starting our day the same way we’d ended it.

  I
loved to be controlled during sex and missed the pleasure that came from ditching all inhibitions. I also happened to love controlling my partner at times as well. Like a genie in a bottle, Cannon had managed to resurrect the old Lori, and now that she was out, there was no shoving her back in.

  I finally felt like me again, and I owed it all to him.

  But right now, he wasn’t very happy with me. My sickly sweet smile was met with a scowl.

  “If you even look at it, I’ll come.” From where I sat facing the bed, his golden-brown eyes blazed with a mix of anger and smoldering lust. “Stop fucking around, Red.”

  I grinned at his ire. “I thought that’s what we were doing?”

  “No. You’re torturing me, and I’m pretty sure that being this hard for this long can cause permanent damage.” Undeterred, I continued to masturbate as Cannon helplessly watched from where I had him handcuffed to my bed. “You’re evil.”

  “This is a great way to test your stamina,” I quipped before slipping the vibrator inside and moaning from the jolt of pleasure it gave me. A very poor substitute for the man who I could be fucking, but after the way he’d tortured me a few nights ago, tit for tat. “You need immeasurable stamina once you perform night after night.” My words sounded breathy and clipped, and the moaning resumed when I skimmed over my clit with slow and deliberate circles.

  “Fuck.” He squirmed in frustration, his cock bobbing from the slight movement. “Goddammit, Red!”

  Knowing I was pushing him to his absolute limit, I conceded, “Fine.” Dropping the toy, I then climbed on the bed and impaled myself with his suffering hard-on.

  “Oh, fuck,” he gritted through clenched teeth. Not even waiting for me to be fully filled, he barked, “Baby, you need to move.” On his command, I rode him faster, harder. “Fuck, I’m close, Red. Don’t stop.” Determinedly, I pumped him, building my own orgasm with each rise and fall of my hips. Planting my hands on his chest, I bent to kiss him deeply.