Liner Notes

by Madden, A. M.

  A carnal growl traveled from his mouth to mine as he filled me with his violent release. “Christ,” he hissed, lifting his hips with short, quick thrusts, spearing me over and over until I could feel every muscle in my body coil and clench as I came a few seconds later. The sexiest smile spread over his lips, causing my core to tighten around him again as if it had a mind of its own. “Holy shit.”

  “I know,” I said with a matching grin. “Do your wrists hurt?” I asked, concerned he’d been spread and bound for so long. Reaching up, I began massaging each hand to help the blood flow. “I’m sure your hands are very numb.”

  “With you in my life, who the hell needs hands?”

  I knew that he knew I was up when he began tracing the only tattoo I had on my back. My friends and I had all gotten one during Leila’s bachelorette party in Miami a few years ago. While the others had chosen hearts and flowers, I’d decided on a simple musical note. Cannon loved it and considered getting one as well, believing the universe had known our paths would be crossing eventually. It was tiny admissions like that that melted the ice around my heart.

  Having a busy day ahead, I appreciated this time, being wrapped in his arms until we had to get back to LA.

  Even with all we’d accomplished, there was still so much to do. One of the most important things was deciding whether I’d be joining him on tour. He still hadn’t pushed me into a definitive answer, but I knew my indecision bothered him.

  I really wanted to be there with him, and I could vividly imagine our time on the road together. But… every so often a flash of panic reminded me how determined I’d been when taking this job to not repeat old patterns. Of course it all seemed moot at the moment, since I was right where I avoided being for so long. But having said that, I couldn’t seem to regret him.

  Maybe Leila was right: third time was a charm.

  “Red?” he asked while twirling a strand of my hair.

  “Hmm?”

  “Promise me you won’t freak out.”

  Maybe it was the tone of his voice that caused concern, forcing me to shift my body until I lay across his chest. “I’ll promise after you tell me what you think I’ll freak out about.”

  His expression held nothing but steadfast determination in the way he earnestly stared into my eyes. “I love you.”

  Caught off guard, my shocked silence forced that adorable half smirk to lift the corner of his mouth. It wasn’t his claim that surprised me. I suspected, knew before I even knew myself, he had developed feelings for me. Unlike the coward I’d been, he’d never flinched as they developed, never shied away from showing me.

  What stunned me was his honest delivery. He could have easily created a fairy-tale situation, a show of sorts. But instead, after having had days of unguarded openness between us, he chose to tell me at that moment because it probably had popped into his mind.

  “Are you internally freaking out?” he finally asked after my long pause.

  “No. I’m not freaking out at all. Not sure why I’m not, though.”

  He traced a finger down my nose and over my lips. “I suspect it’s because you love me too.”

  “Do I?” As I tapped a finger over my lips, he bobbed his head up and down.

  “Say it, Red.” A small smile played on his lips while his eyes challenged me. “Tell me what you’ve been afraid to.”

  “I do. I love you too.” Relief was what I felt first, and a surge of happiness followed quickly after.

  “I know,” he said arrogantly before his lips crushed against mine just as my cell began buzzing on the nightstand behind me. “Leave it,” he said against my mouth before taking the kiss from zero to sixty in two seconds flat.

  But when it stopped only to start immediately again, my hackles rose.

  Breaking away from Cannon to reach for the phone caused him to groan. “It’s Jen.” This couldn’t be good. “Hello?”

  “Seriously, Lori.” Jen’s greeting sent an icy chill running through my veins. “What the hell is going on?”

  I hastily jumped out of bed to nervously pace Cannon’s hotel room. “What do you mean?” My pathetic question sounded ridiculous even to my own ears.

  “Okay, let me start with the fact there’s photos of you and Cannon sucking face that are on their way to going viral.”

  Shit.

  “What photos?”

  “Just look on any social media outlet; you’ll see what photos. Where are you now?”

  “San Diego. We’re driving back soon.”

  “Good, because tomorrow we’ll be meeting with Krista to discuss how to handle this. Be in the studio conference room by nine… alone.” She then hung up without another word.

  Cannon slipped out of bed, his hard, naked body distracting enough that my mind quipped, Who gives a fuck what Jen thinks?

  “What happened?”

  Instead of responding, I opened the first app my fingertip found and hashtagged Cannon’s name. Sure enough, post after post popped up, some regarding his release and most showing grainy pictures of us kissing in the parking lot last night after his show.

  “This happened,” I said, flipping my phone for him to see. But when he took a good look, absent was the fear, or apprehension, or even dread that coursed sadistically through me. He actually looked, dare I say, proud. “Why are you smirking like that?”

  “So what?”

  “Cannon.”

  “What?” he asked on an amused chuckle as he pulled me into his arms and in the process pushed his semihard erection against me.

  “Can you put some clothes on?”

  Ignoring me, he went on to say, “This was what you were so afraid of? The world finding out about us?” He nosed toward the sliver of blue sky and sunshine visible in the break of the curtains. “Seems pretty anticlimactic to me, Red. Doesn’t look like the world has imploded.”

  “Be serious. We don’t know how this will affect you.”

  “Isn’t any publicity good publicity?” I glared at him, only to crumble like a cookie when he grinned before planting a hard kiss on my lips. How could I be mad at this man when it really did all seem ridiculous?

  “Well, Jen is spitting mad, which means Armageddon is coming,” I tried to justify by blaming her.

  “Jen needs to get laid,” he retorted.

  “Yes, she most definitely does, but that doesn’t change what she’ll do to us. We need to get back. I’ve been summoned to meet with her and Krista bright and early tomorrow… without you.”

  “Okay,” he said casually and pecked my lips with his. “We can leave after we eat. I’m starved.” He then retrieved his boxer briefs from the floor and slipped them on like he didn’t have a care in the world.

  Chapter 32

  Lori

  I tried to take a page out of Cannon’s calm book, but as I sat across the table from Jen and Krista, that was easier said than done.

  I’d been warned, flat out told to not mix business with pleasure. Did I listen? No. Did I care? Yes… because just as I had worried all those months ago, if things didn’t work out between Cannon and me, it wouldn’t only be my heart on the line. His career could be affected, mine as well. All around, we’d lose.

  Krista smiled warmly, a complete contrast to Jen’s scowl. “Cannon’s album is on fire, but most of the chatter online today is how badly it sucks that he’s attached.”

  “He’s not attached,” flew out of my mouth. The way Jen raised a perfectly sculpted brow compelled me to lie. “He had a fantastic set, and we got caught up in the moment.”

  “I get it,” Krista said with a nod. Deciding to remain silent, she went on to say, “It’s not a problem. This could hurt him with a small percentage of his female fans, but when the object of their obsession is as good looking and talented as Cannon, they’re usually very forgiving. Right now, it’s just something we need to watch. We can always spin it a different way, but I have no concern whatsoever.” God love Krista for always supplying the silver lining. She looked to Jen.
“Do you agree?”

  Although she didn’t respond, it couldn’t have been more obvious that Jen was not convinced. My confidence plummeted as she continued to fume in her conservative snooty way. I’d seen this side of her many times over the years. Whenever Leila would bitch about Jen’s high-and-mighty attitude, I’d placate my friend by suggesting she should ignore her agent’s hissy fits. This was the first time one of them was directed toward me, and ignoring her was a tall order.

  “Krista, can you give us a moment?” Jen asked while staring at me.

  “Sure.” Krista collected her paperwork and threw me a sympathetic smile before closing the door behind her.

  “Are you fucking him, Lori?”

  “Jen… I don’t—”

  “Cut the shit, Lori,” she scolded as if I were a child. “Maybe it’s best we assign Cannon a new agent.” No beating around the bush, no sugarcoating.

  “What?” I asked just above a whisper.

  “Seth Breller. He started with us about a year ago and is ready to move into a junior agent position.” As I sat there stunned, she pulled out a contract and slid it across the table. “He’s on trend and not afraid to do the grunt work for a client. We’re far enough into the game where he can step in without causing any disruption. The album is done, and all promotional and marketing tasks are set and scheduled. That leaves the tour, which he’s had substantial experience in having just toured with country singer Abel Huff. Seth will ultimately report to you but will deal directly with Cannon.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am very serious. This is the best option. I went ahead and drafted this up to present to Louis. It would be easy to explain; he’s aware of the photos that surfaced. Cannon came on to you and due to the circumstances you decided to not join him on tour.”

  “You’re blaming Cannon.” It wasn’t a question.

  “He’s a warm-blooded twenty-four-year-old man. Louis will probably get a good chuckle out of the boy thinking with the wrong head. As far as LRV is concerned, Seth joining our team is a promotion of sorts for you. It’ll give you the opportunity to grow your client base. We have our eyes on a young pop star who’d be a great fit for you.” She shoved yet another folder my way. “This is Heather Stark.”

  She had definitely done her homework. So detailed was her argument that I found it hard to believe she’d thrown it all together in a matter of hours. For all I knew, this little plan she’d concocted had sat on her desk waiting for me to fuck up. And I didn’t have a doubt in my mind Jen had known it was only a matter of time before I did.

  It felt like someone had shoved a fist down my throat and stolen my voice. Meanwhile, she proceeded to pull out a headshot of Heather, my new prospect.

  At my silence, she folded her hands before her on the table and gave me a taut, victorious smile.

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “That’s right. I’m his agent, and I will continue to be.”

  “I think, based on your history, that’s no longer a good idea. I was hopeful this would give you the opportunity to show LRV…”

  “I have shown LRV!” I barked, enjoying the way she jumped at my outburst. “He’s killing it in album sales, in ticket sales. Do you think that’s by accident? I’ve worked my ass off for him.”

  “All the more reason for you to understand how much is at stake.” What in the serious fuck? “Think about it, Lori. You’ll come out of this with a raise, and Cannon’s tour will go on to be a success. I’m doing you a favor. I don’t think Louis would take the news well if the bottom fell out before we knew how high Cannon could climb.”

  “Is that a threat?” A tiny crack in her confidence revealed itself through her widened ice-blue eyes. “Everything you claim can happen is just that… a claim. You played the same card with Jack and Leila. Raised all sorts of red flags claiming their relationship would ruin their success. We both know how that turned out. What is it with you, Jen? Are you so unhappy in your personal life you need to sabotage others?”

  “I’ll ignore that,” she said tightly before gathering all the pathetic tools she had spread out on the table and shoving them back in the folder. “As your boss, I feel you’ve crossed the line of professionalism. Doing so also affects my career and my success. I worked too hard to sit back and wait for it to possibly crash. Yes, it is only a possibility, but one that supplies enough risk to my future.”

  “This has nothing to do with your career. It has to do with your ego.”

  “Lori, I like you. I know you can achieve great things in spite of your poor decisions. But if you can’t find it in yourself to play by my rules, you leave me no choice but to replace you. I have no doubt once given the reasons Louis would support my decision.” She leveled me with a death stare and dropped the folder a few inches from my edge of the table. “Congratulations on your promotion.”

  All I could do was stare at the manila file while she grabbed her bag and stalked out of the room.

  I felt sick to my stomach.

  Jen had promptly put me in my place, reminding me I had ignored her advice. She had me trapped, and she knew it. By proposing it as she had, I had no case. I wasn’t being harassed or discriminated against. In LRV’s eyes, I was being rewarded for a job well done. If I contested it, she’d tell Louis everything. That was where I lacked faith my side of the story would hold any weight.

  In a nutshell, I was involved with my client in the most unprofessional way possible.

  It didn’t matter that I had admitted nothing. She had proof. Those dark, awful pictures provided just what she needed. Looking back, and the way she’d seemed so smug over this whole thing, it was probably what she’d hoped would happen. It gave her the right to hold it over my head, and Jen was the type of person who’d thrive on me being indebted to her.

  I quickly dialed Leila, only for it to go to voice mail. She could be anywhere. Not wanting to leave what I had to say on a message, I hung up, intending to try again later.

  Cannon had wanted me to call him after my meeting, but I wasn’t ready to see him yet. Mainly because any way I tried slicing it, the outcome remained the same. Jen was my boss, and my unprofessionalism gave her the right to reassign me.

  Hours later, I opened the door to a very concerned Cannon.

  “Why haven’t you called me?”

  “I’m sorry.” I moved aside to allow him access while steeling myself for the heartbreak I was about to unleash. With him there, any molecules of bravery I had held on to dissipated into thin air. It was hard to remain calm when my insides were screaming out in frustration.

  But in the hours since I got home, every pained thought all led to the same outcome. He needed to go on tour without me and accept Seth as his new agent. There was no other way.

  Apparently, every shaky breath I took left no doubt I was hanging on by a thread. One look at me and I was instantly in his arms. He took hold of my chin, forcing me to return his gaze. “What happened?”

  “Everything I knew would happen, that’s what.” His cognac eyes searched mine for an indication of what would come next. I was sure that it was killing him, but he remained silent, waiting for me to elaborate. “You have a new agent.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Having his arms around me, his eyes studying me, made me feel like an animal trapped in a cage. I pushed away, forcing distance. Otherwise we’d be there all night… me in denial, him refusing to let me go.

  His eyes tracked me as I crossed the room before sitting on the couch. He remained standing, hands on hips in an unintentionally defiant stance. Unknowingly, he sent the message he was predicting a fight and was ready for it.

  Slipping into my detached persona, the one I’d hid behind for so long, I robotically gave Cannon the shortened version of my meeting with Jen. Not once did he interrupt or move from where he remained glaring at me.

  Once he knew the gist of it, a full ten seconds of silence passed before he finally spoke. “She c
an’t do that.”

  “Yes, she can, Cannon. In fact, she can do worse.”

  “She’s bluffing.”

  “And you think I should call her bluff?” His arrogance infuriated me. Did he not know she could easily make his life difficult, and ruin mine? “You’re willing to have her go to Louis and tell him your agent crossed every professional line I could cross?” In the way he drilled me with his eyes, I suspected he would absolutely take that chance. “Well, I’m not!” I barked. “Success or not, if he wanted to terminate your contract after this tour he can take his millions and walk away, ensuring your career won’t go any further than LRV.”

  Finally, through the slight pucker in his forehead, I knew he heard me… really heard me.

  “Cannon, to a man like Louis Vassler, this is all a game. He loves making stars, getting rich off them. But I witnessed him dismantling bands that showed signs of disobedience as quickly as a felon dismantles a stolen car for parts. All part of the business, he’ll claim.”

  “So that’s it then? You forget everything we built between us and walk away?” The hurt in his voice twisted my insides, taking with it the hope that he understood. “You’re such a coward, Red.” When he furiously raked his hands through his hair while cursing me, I wanted to both comfort him and tell him to go fuck himself.

  “Really, Cannon? I’m a coward because I’m protecting you?”

  “No, you’re a coward for letting her bulldoze you. She throws out a threat and there you go running behind that big-ass facade you so carefully erected. I can’t blame Jen for holding up a mirror and forcing you to see the real you.”

  “Well, I can’t help who I am. You never understood my reservations starting a relationship with you.”

  “I can sure as fuck agree on that,” he replied sarcastically.

  “I knew this would happen, and I warned you it would.”

  “Yeah, you did. Part of me hoped you would realize that I was being condemned for sins two other men committed.” He came to stand over me and huffed, “But… I guess I’m the idiot here. Every part of me knew you were waiting for any excuse to prove we’d never work… and to prove your concerns were right… and once we got together I tamped that shit down, because I fell in love with you.” His head slid from side to side in defeat. “I’m done, Red. I’ve done all I could. It’s on you now. You claim you love me… well, I call bullshit. If you did, you’d be fighting for me like I did for you,” he said condescendingly, leveling me with both his words and his eyes.