Trouble in Disguise

by Sonia Stanizzo

  “I won’t tell you again—”

  “It’s okay. Let him in.” Jade stepped into the hall. She was a little worried her brother might pull out his gun and shoot Nate.

  Connor gave a stern look over his shoulder. “I can have him taken off your property in minutes.”

  She shook her head. “I think the neighborhood has witnessed enough drama on my front lawn lately.”

  “Yeah, that’s because of this piece of shit,” Connor sneered.

  “Let him in.” Jade’s voice shook.

  Connor blew out a frustrated breath and stepped aside, peering down his nose as he let Nate enter.

  For a moment Nate and Jade didn’t move, only stared at each other. She drank in the sight of him like she hadn’t seen him in months.

  Then her attention flicked to Connor who stood like security at the door. “Can you give us a minute please?”

  “I think I should stay,” he said as he scowled at Nate.

  “I’ve got this.” She wasn’t sure she did, but she didn’t need her brother scowling at them.

  When she stared him down, he huffed, “Fine, but I’ll be just outside if you need me.” He said this to Nate with a cruel grin on his face like he was hoping he’d have to come in and intervene.

  They watched him leave and slam the door behind him.

  “He’s pretty protective.” Nate smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  She wondered if he’d been as miserable as she’d been these past weeks. Probably not; he was the one who left. Now he was back. Why?

  “He cares about me.” She lifted her palms and shrugged. “Why are you here?”

  Chapter 30

  Jade was leaving town. The suitcase sitting by the door confirmed what Connor had told Nate. Thank God he made it back in time.

  Nate’s heart swelled as he gazed at Jade. Never had he seen anyone so beautiful. But when he looked closely, he saw that her eyes had lost the sparkle, and her face was missing her bubbly smile. He’d never forgive himself for putting the sadness in her expression. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss the sorrow away.

  “Nate, I have a plane to catch.” She shuffled her feet.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Tell me why you’re here,” she said instead of answering.

  He pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to her. “I need you to watch something.”

  “I don’t have time for this.”

  “It’s ready to play. Just swipe the screen.”

  She frowned at him and then at the phone but did what he asked.

  He stepped closer, watching over her shoulder, and breathed in her sunshine and floral scent. God, he’d missed her. But he needed to stay focused.

  The screen lit up, she pressed play, and his band, him included, filled the screen. She glanced over her shoulder at him, their lips so close it took all his self-control not to kiss her.

  “What is this?” she asked.

  “You’ll see.”

  She looked at the phone again. The interviewer thanked the band for their time, made a little small talk, and got down to why they were there.

  They stood in silence as they watched the clip. When the interview ended, her hand shook when she handed back the phone.

  “You’ve quit the band?” Her voice sounded a little high-pitched.

  He nodded.

  “Why haven’t I heard anything about this? This news is huge.”

  He slid his hands in his pocket; they itched to touch her, but he couldn’t—not yet. Maybe never. “It’s pre-recorded and airing tonight. I wanted to be the one to tell you before the news broke out.”

  “But the band is your way of keeping your father’s memory alive.”

  “I realized I didn’t need to dress up and play his kind of music to do it. There are other things I can do. I’m kinda going Graceland style and opening his house as a museum and displaying my parents’ stuff. I’ve had it in storage for years and constantly had offers from people to purchase it, but I never wanted to let it go. Now I can display his stuff for the fans, my mother’s fans too. Even for me when I feel the need to see it.”

  “Won’t people wonder why you’ve just disappeared?”

  “I’ll have to make the occasional appearance. A photo now and then will get leaked to the media. But it will eventually die down, and I’ll soon be forgotten.”

  “It’s a lovely idea, but for years it’s been your life.” She looked skeptical.

  “My father’s life, not mine. He shouldn’t have manipulated his young son with scraps of time and rare expressions of affection and make him promise to give up his life for something he didn’t love. I have a new life now. One I hope you’ll be a part of.” His stomach quivered. God, he hoped he wasn’t too late. “I screwed up big time. I’m sorry I walked away from you when you asked me to stay. It was the biggest and dumbest mistake of my life. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

  Her eyes filled with tears. Please let that be a good sign. He risked taking hold of her hands. They trembled in his, but she didn’t pull away.

  “I love you, Jade. I’m pretty sure I fell for you the second you ripped off my wig and saw through my disguise. You saw past the rock star. Hell, you didn’t give a fuck about him. You just saw me.”

  Tears spilled down her face, and he cupped her cheeks, wiping them away with his thumbs. He rested his forehead on hers.

  “I’ll never walk away from you again,” he promised. “You are home.”

  “What if you change your mind and miss the spotlight?” Her voice trembled.

  “Not a chance. It was never what I wanted. It’s you I want—need. And I’ll never change my mind about that.”

  She nibbled her bottom lip and searched his eyes, then a slow smile spread across her face. “You love me?”

  At seeing her smile, he wanted to sag on the floor with relief. “Yes.”

  A gush of air escaped her lips, like she’d been holding her breath. Then she placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away.

  Shocked, he could only gape at her.

  “I’ve been miserable for weeks!” She slapped her hands on her hips, and her eyebrows slammed together.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve been feeling like crap too,” he said.

  “I’m leaving.” She pointed to her bags.

  His gaze flicked to the luggage sitting by the door. “I’m hoping you’ll stay. Your family and friends are here. They need you here. Please don’t walk away before we can try to work this out.”

  She frowned. “I’m booked on a six-week European tour. I’m sure they won’t miss me that much.”

  “But Connor said…” Nate shook his head. Her brother had made it sound like she was leaving for good. But she was only going on a holiday. The tight knot in his gut loosened. “I’ll go with you.”

  “What if I don’t want you to?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I’m hoping you will.” His heart pounded.

  The smile was back, and she ran a couple steps toward him. Red curls bouncing around her head, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist.

  “Does this mean I’m forgiven?” he asked.

  She planted a long, hard kiss on his lips. “You’re forgiven.”

  Those words were like music to his ears, but there were three little words he’d give anything to hear. “Is there something you’d like to add?”

  She sighed as he ran his lips along the sensitive skin on her neck. “Get your clothes off?”

  “I can arrange that, but I’m thinking you might have something more important to say to me?”

  Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she grinned at him. “You’re hot when you look so serious.”

  He shifted and made to put her down.

  “Okay, okay. I love you,” she said, stopping him. “God, I’ve never said that to another man before. I’ve never even come close.”

  “Then I�
��m one lucky guy.”

  “If you kiss me, I’ll make you even luckier.”

  He didn’t mistake the invitation in her gaze. Carrying her, he moved closer to the wall and pushed her against it.

  “Oh, for Christ’s sake. My fucking eyes.” Connor’s annoyed voice boomed behind them. “You two will put me into therapy,” he grumbled as he slammed the door behind him.

  “Poor Connor. He’s seen things no brother should.” Jade made a face.

  Nate laughed, but it turned into a groan when Jade tightened her grip around his waist. But he restrained himself from ripping off her clothes and taking her up against the wall.

  “Jade, I mean it when I say I’m never leaving you. I love you. I’m in this for life.”

  Her eyes misted. “For life.”

  Epilogue

  Eighteen Months Later

  Heavy rock music pounded all around Jade. It even vibrated up her feet and into her chest. She stared at the musicians on stage. The lead singer of Harvey’s Territory was doing a good job entertaining the crowd.

  Firm, strong arms wrapped around her waist, and a hard body pressed against her back. Nate’s lips touched her ear, and his warm breath sent goose bumps over her skin.

  “You better not flash your boobs at the lead singer to get a backstage pass.” He spoke loud enough for her to hear him over the music.

  She turned in his arms, putting her lips against his ear. “He’s cute. I wonder if you could get his phone number for me?”

  Growling, Nate nipped at her earlobe. “Over my dead body.”

  She laughed, then asked, “Do you miss it?”

  He glanced over her shoulder at the band. “Not one bit.”

  And she knew he meant it. She could see no longing for what he gave up in his expression. In fact, he looked happy—at peace with his decision.

  Jimmy from Sonic Sound had taken over Nate’s position. He’d already accumulated a big fan base with his previous band, and they were happy to follow him. The transition had been smooth. Although Jade would always believe Nate had done a better job.

  “Do you think they like it?” He nodded his head toward a bunch of kids jumping up and down and pumping the air with their fists.

  Jade turned to look at the seventeen and eighteen-year-old boys and girls Nate had taken to the concert. They were students at his new music school he’d opened in Brimland Point. From playing at Jovi’s Pub and teaching at Jade’s school—which she was also back doing—word of mouth spread. And as soon as doors opened, all his classes had booked out. She was so proud of him. He was wonderful with kids, and they loved his lessons.

  “Absolutely. You’ve made their day. They’ll never forget it.”

  “I’d like to make your day.” He once again nibbled at her ear. Her knees shook. If they weren’t in the middle of a concert, she’d climb him like a tree.

  Nate had made more than her day. He’d made her week, her month, her year. And in two months’ time, he’d make her his wife.

  Jade was truly, madly, crazily in love.

  About Sonia Stanizzo

  Sonia Stanizzo is a contemporary romance writer living in the beautiful South Coast of New South Wales, Australia with her husband and their three children. When she’s not dreaming up stories about couples and their road to finding love, sometimes bumpy but always a lot of fun, she can be found taking pole fit lessons, reading, and writing.

  Sonia’s Website:

  www.soniastanizzo.com

  Reader eMail:

  soniastanizzo@gmail.com

  More Beachwalk Press Titles by Sonia Stanizzo

  The Trouble with Mr. Pretty

  Chasing Trouble

  The Trouble with Mr. Pretty

  When the man you want to avoid is the one you really want, trouble is sure to follow.

  Gift shop owner Lauren Moore’s motto is ‘never trust a pretty face.’ Following a disastrous affair with a handsome celebrity, she’s vowed to never fall for anyone like him again.

  But when Australia’s sexiest ex-football player, Jack Henderson, barges into her shop late one night, displaying all the charismatic characteristics she wants to avoid, Lauren is unwillingly drawn to his seductive good looks and bad-boy smile.

  When Lauren is forced to accept a job offer from Jack to pay her blackmailing sister, Jack shows her that he is more than just a pretty face. But as the two grow closer, Lauren remains resistant to Jack’s attempts to break down the barriers around her heart.

  Can Lauren let go of the past and trust in love again?

  Content Warning: contains sexual content

  Chasing Trouble

  Love is worth the chase, even if it means trouble.

  When Ava Cardona returns home after being away for ten years, she plans to visit with her younger sister then get out of town fast. There are too many painful memories she’d rather not relive. But when a storm hits and she’s stranded on the side of the road, she has no choice but to accept help from the man who hurt her the most—Nick Williams.

  Nick isn’t happy to see Ava either. She had been the love of his life, and she ran away without any explanation. Now he’s stuck with her on his family’s farm, and old feelings are racing to the surface. While the weather rages outside, the air is just as turbulent inside. But even though they both want to keep as far away from each other as possible, old attractions keep pulling them closer.

  As the days pass, their icy dispositions begin to melt, and once they begin talking, they finally start to let go of past hurts. A relationship could even be in their future…or at the very least, a friendship with benefits.

  But when Ava learns of a family secret that devastates her, and she discovers that Nick has known about it for years, she does what she does best…runs. Will Nick let Ava run from him again, or will he be strong enough to chase her and fight for her love?

  Content Warning: contains sexual content