RUINED - The Price of Play: Everhide Rockstar Romance Series Book 2

by Tania Joyce

  Leaning his hip against the counter, he crossed his arms. “Can I help?”

  She skimmed over his long legs, broad chest, and solid . . . rock-solid . . . toned arms. Her pulse quickened, remembering how his naked body had felt against hers. That night, three weeks ago, was still too vivid in her head. But so was his rejection.

  Rib stitch. Knit two. Purl two. Knit two. Purl two.

  “Yes, you can help.” Her whole body went rigid. “Stay out of my way.”

  “Just offering.” He held up his hands and returned to the sofa.

  Breathing space was what she needed.

  After straightening Gemma’s hair and a much-needed cup of coffee, Kara carried the garment bags Adrian’s shop assistant had delivered to hang them on the clothes racks by the rear bedroom of the trailer. Before she made it to the short hallway, Hunter blocked her path.

  Her shoulders slumped. “Are you just going to stand there or move? Why do you have to be so irritating all the time?”

  He held out his arms. “I’ll help you.”

  “I don’t need your help.”

  “Kar, what’s wrong?” He pinched his brows together. “Is this about last week?”

  “Shh. Gemma and Kyle will hear.” She flicked her gaze toward the other end of the trailer. Gemma sat at the makeup counter putting on eyeliner, and Kyle stood behind her styling his hair. They were lost in their own private conversation. She spun back to Hunter. “Have you told them we slept together?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Don’t.” The guilt gnawed at her as much as his rejection. There were unspoken rules between girlfriends, and she’d broken a big one. He was Gemma’s ex.

  She rammed the bags against his chest, forcing him to take a step back. Her whole body shook. “Yes, I’m upset with you. Isn’t it obvious?” She seethed through her teeth. “You slammed the door in my face.”

  He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll admit I should’ve used more tact. I’m sorry. But you knew the rules when we slept together. We had a deal. One night. One night only.”

  She clutched onto the garment bags until her fingers hurt. “I didn’t think you were serious. I wanted sex, not a fucking marriage proposal.”

  The muscle in his jaw ticked. “This is an ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ thing. Our night together was great . . . really great. But that’s it.”

  She pushed past him and hung up the bags. “Why? Did you think I’d do something stupid and fall for you?” Distaste dripped from her tongue like she’d eaten an over-ripe banana. “I like my men mature and cultured, so there’s no chance of that happening. Ever.” She poked him in the chest. “And if being with someone only once is your approach to everyone you’re with, you’ll end up a very lonely old man.”

  Hunter’s eyes clouded over, but within a blink the hurt was gone. “I’m not lonely. I love my life. I don’t do relationships or need any complications.”

  She drew herself tall with as much regal elegance as her designer jacket. “Fine. I got it.”

  How could anyone block themselves from the prospect of finding someone to love? What a sad existence. But being rejected still hurt like a bitch.

  “Kar?” Gemma called out. She was still doing her makeup, applying smoky eyeshadow. “Everything okay?”

  “I’m fine. Hunter’s helping me with the clothes.”

  “Okay,” Gemma said. “I won’t be long.”

  Hunter folded his arms and leaned against the wall. “Kar, I don’t want anything to change between us. I like tormenting you. It’s our thing. I’ll make it up to you somehow. Just no sex.”

  Standing this close to him was having all kinds of effects on her pulse, her breath, and her heart. On the one hand, she wanted to curse and scream and hate him even more for making her feel so crappy. On the other hand, she wanted to tear his clothes off, throw him down onto the bed, and ride him until she saw shooting stars. Well, that’s not going to happen.

  If he liked tormenting her, she better strap on her battle armor, because two could play this game. “Are you sure about that? There’s a bed right there.”

  He drew in a long breath and held it. His Adam’s apple lurched. “Yes . . . I’m sure.”

  “Good.” She sensed a crack in his resolve, and could have pushed it, but she backed off. She didn’t want him to think she was into him. Because she wasn’t. Absolutely not. No way. “Now strip. Time to get dressed.”

  With quick hands, she unzipped the bags. Running her fingers over the beautiful coats, trousers, and shirts from Conrad’s latest ready-to-wear collection, the knots in her neck dissipated. The majority of the clothes were black. Soft cashmere, leather, twill, and denim slid beneath her fingertips.

  “I love these coats.” She sighed, rubbing a woolen sleeve, the smooth leather of the handmade toggles, and the little ridges of the contrast stitching. She always wanted to influence what people wore, create new trends. But that would never happen when she had to work within the constraints of Conrad’s creative directive.

  Hunter snatched it out of her hand. “Kara. Stop. It looks like you’re about to come in your panties.” He lowered his voice to just above a whisper. “And I know, because I’ve seen that look on your face. Three times.”

  She closed her eyes. Naked flesh. Hot kisses. Bodies entwined.

  Heat flooded her cheeks. She straightened her shoulders and looked him square in the eye. “Please don’t make me regret sleeping with you.”

  “You won’t.”

  Her head fell back and she groaned. Every word Hunter whispered frayed at the edges of her control. He’d never learn. Never change. This was Hunter being Hunter. “You’re impossible. You know that?” She selected a pair of trousers and a long-sleeved top and threw them at him. “Here. Put these on.”

  His eyes locked onto hers and dimples dented his cheeks. He slipped past her into the bedroom without closing the door behind him, reached over his head, and ripped his T-shirt off.

  Damn. He made that simple move so sexy. Her gaze ran over his six-pack abs, his broad chest, the arch of his collarbone, and his wicked tattoos.

  “Kara?” He unzipped his jeans and pulled them off.

  “Mmm?”

  “Stop.”

  “Stop what?” Her voice sounded distant, not her own.

  “Stop looking at me like that.”

  She drew herself up. “There was no look.”

  “Liar.” The corner of his mouth hinted at a smile. “You want what you can’t have.”

  “No. I don’t. Been there. Done that. Moved on.” She was getting better at this. She could handle Hunter.

  When he finished dressing, she grabbed a thin cashmere scarf and wrapped it around his neck. His soft stubble tickled her fingertips and sent tingles shooting up her arm. Her equilibrium wobbled.

  Shit. She really wasn’t well.

  He leaned in. “I prefer you taking clothes off me rather than putting them on.”

  She cinched the knot tight to his neck. Why did he always have to resort to jokes? “You had a second chance; you blew it. So tough. Now it’s my job to dress you, not undress you.” Her voice remained steady and firm, unlike her stomach that flipped. “Somehow, after everything that has happened between us, I have to go back to tolerating your existence. So for the rest of today, be professional.”

  “If I must.” He winked.

  The trailer floor creaked and Gemma shuffled toward them. She stopped in front of Kara and Hunter, her eyes ping-ponging back and forth. “What’s with all the whispering?” She slapped the back of her hand onto Hunter’s chest. “I don’t know what’s got into you two lately, but it has to stop. Hunt, be nice to Kar. She’s helping us out.”

  Hunter hooked his arm around Gemma’s neck, and drew her into a headlock. “I’m always nice.”

  Gemma tackled Hunter around the legs and tried to trip him up, but Hunter just laughed. She pushed and pushed, unable to budge him an inch. Kara giggled. These two were the biggest kids at hea
rt. It made Kara miss having fun at her own job.

  “Okay. Stop. You’ll muck up my hair.” Gemma punched him in the ribs. Breaking out of his hold, she flicked her hair back and smoothed it into place.

  “Are you two done?” Kyle jumped up from the sofa, clapped his hands and grapevine-stepped down the trailer. “What have you scraped together for us, Kar? Let’s get this shoot over with.”

  Yes. The sooner Kara got away from Hunter the better.

  ***

  Kara eased onto the stool at a high table in the hotel’s bar surrounded by Everhide and their entourage. Today’s video shoot had been long and tiring. She sipped on her iced water and rolled her aching feet. Her stomach muscles hurt from laughing so much. Everhide had filmed take after take, sang, and zipped through their choreographed moves. When they messed up, Hunter goofed off, danced around and made everyone laugh. When Kara changed his outfit, he posed and strutted his half-naked hot body around in the trailer, making her concentration lapse more than once.

  After a great afternoon, she could put having sex and being rejected by Hunter behind her.

  She glanced over Gemma’s shoulder. There Hunter stood at the bar surrounded by three gorgeous Kendall Jenner lookalikes. Her chest tightened. Her skin crawled with ants. She’d seen him pick up girls before. Why should she be bothered?

  He had his mischievous smile on, the one that drew his perfect lips into a broad curve and dimples highlighted his cheeks. His eyes glistened, looking at each girl vying for his attention. What was ticking through his mind? Was he assessing which one he would take back to his room?

  Kara’s eyes darted to the barman, to Sophie and Bec, to Gemma and Kyle, to her drink, but she always found herself drawn back to Hunter. He leaned in and talked in one of the girl’s ears. Laughed at another one’s jokes. Brushed his hand down someone else’s back. Kara’s skin itched, and she closed her eyes. Why did she want him to do that to her when she wanted nothing to do with him?

  If this was jealousy, she wanted to distance herself. She shuddered and turned back to Gemma and Kyle sitting opposite her. “I’m gonna go. It’s nearly ten o’clock, and I have to get up early for my flight back to New York.”

  “No. Staaay.” Gem had knocked back a few JD’s and swayed in her seat. “Have one more drink with me.”

  “No, thank you.” She had to get out. Away from Hunter. Fast. “I’m exhausted and need to go to bed. You stay and have fun.” She waggled her finger at Gemma. “But behave. You have a show tomorrow.”

  “Always.” Gemma sat straight, a defiant, blissed out grin on her face. “I’ll be fine.”

  “We’ll see about that.” Kyle scooped Gemma’s long brown hair back over her shoulder and rubbed her back. He was the sweetest.

  After hugs with Kyle and Gemma, Kara threw Hunter a quick wave goodbye and headed into the lobby.

  “Kar, wait,” Hunter called. His footsteps grew louder on the tiles. He caught her on the arm before she could hit the elevator button.

  She held up her finger and pointed it straight into his chest. “No. I’m done. Good night.”

  “What’s wrong?” He took a step back, splaying his palms toward her.

  “What’s wrong?” Her blood pressure shot skyward. “I’m tired and I don’t want to sit in the bar and watch you pick up girls.”

  “What?” Confusion rippled through his eyes. “I was just talking to them . . . well . . . okay . . . I was putting in some groundwork. What’s wrong with that? You’ve seen me hook up before.”

  “Yes. I have.” She glanced around the lobby. Other than a sole person at the check-in counter and Mick, the place was empty. She leaned in, so Mick couldn’t hear. “But that was me three weeks ago. Seeing you all over those girls reminds me of how I lowered my standards for one night of sex. I don’t want to watch you play your games and pursue your next victim.”

  His hands clenched at his sides. His eyes turned a frosty blue. “What are you going on about? We’ve talked about what happened in Philly. I apologized. Don’t tell me you’re hung up on me?”

  Hung up? She’d had a punch to the guts, not a knife through her heart. “Get over yourself.” She folded her arms. “I’m not hung up on you. You’re the last person on the planet I’d want to be involved with. I’ll be fine. To quote your words back at you, this is about me, not you. I want to put you behind me. Go back to the bar, your girls.” She waved toward the bar’s entrance. “Go and get laid.”

  Hunter lowered his chin and stuffed his hands into the back pockets of his skinny jeans. When he lifted his gaze, his eyes were hard like ice. “You’re nuts. You know that? I’m sorry if I upset you. Wasn’t my intention. But I’m not going to change. For you. Or anyone.”

  She shook her head. “I’m not asking you to.”

  “Good.” He blew at a strand of loose hair.

  “Some regard and consideration wouldn’t go astray though.”

  He wiped his hand across his face, erasing the tension. “That’s why I came after you.” His tone softened. “I wanted to say thank you for helping today. People who go out of their way for us mean a lot. When you come from nothing, you never take anything for granted. I wanted to let you know I appreciate what you did for us on short notice.”

  Wow. Where did nice Hunter come from? “Hunt, I had a good day. I loved seeing you work with Gem and Kyle. It was the first time I saw you could be a decent guy.”

  His grin broadened, and he tucked his long hair behind his ear. “What can I say? I’m irresistibly charming.”

  “More like crazy.”

  “I’m all kinds of crazy.”

  A smile quivered on her lips. He’s so infuriating. “We had fun today. Let’s not ruin it.”

  His gaze bordered on being innocent and he grazed his teeth across his lower lip. Her nipples hardened. Those same teeth nipped and bit her flesh. Damn it. Why did her body react like that?

  “Good night, Hunt. Enjoy tour.” She pressed the elevator button. Once. Twice. Three times. Hurry up.

  “See ya, Kar. Have a safe trip home.” He stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek.

  Her breath hitched, and her hand shot to her face. The elevator doors pinged and opened. Dashing inside, her knees wobbled. She shut her eyes until the doors closed.

  In her room, she fell onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. Touching her forehead, her fingers trembled. The ache in her chest threatened to escape. Turning on her side, she punched her pillow. All day she’d been adamant about not letting Hunter get to her. Then he went out of his way to thank her and give her a kiss. Why? Why did he have to kiss her? It was only a friendly gesture, but it did her head in.

  He was hot, then cold. Flirtatious, then a jerk. Arrogant, then modest.

  Why did he rile her?

  Grrr. She missed having a boyfriend. She wanted a new guy, but who’d want her after her operation? She had to get her mind and body under control because someone like Hunter was not the man for her. He was a rock star from the gutters of New Jersey; she’d been born into one of New York’s elite families where tradition and bloodline mattered. Like polka dots and stripes, Hunter and Kara would never mix.

  Placing her fingers over her lips, she closed her eyes and fought back the urge to vomit. Her nausea had lingered most of the day. Unable to stomach food or face alcohol, she must have a bug. When she got home, the first thing she had to do was see the doctor. Being sick had gone on for long enough. She didn’t need illness to delay her operation.

  After the rollercoaster day, there was one thing she was adamant about. She had to get Hunter out of her head. Put their night together behind her. It meant nothing to him. It was time for her to see it the same way. Thank God he was on tour. She didn’t have to see him, talk to him, or work with him. The longer he was away, the better. With him absent, temptation was gone.

  Chapter 5

  “Kara. You’re pregnant.”

  “I’m what?” Kara’s heart dared not take another beat. She blinked a hundre
d times in the span of a second. “What did you say?”

  “Pregnant,” her doctor repeated.

  “It’s not possible. I can’t be. There’s no way—”

  Oh shit! The color drained from Kara’s face and her heart barreled up her throat. The wall clock’s soft tick clanged like church bells in her ears. Her breath seesawed in and out of her lungs. Crap. She was hyperventilating.

  “Well . . .” Dr Lloyd handed her a sheet of paper detailing her test results. “Your blood and urine samples say otherwise. That’s why we called you back in.”

  Kara clutched at her belly. Tears stung her eyes. “No. No. No. No. NO. They can’t be right. There must be a mistake.” She’d visited the doctor two days ago after arriving back from LA, thinking she had a stomach bug. Not this. Her period was late, but not that late.

  Dr Lloyd swiveled on her chair and furrowed her brow. “Kara, what’s wrong? Isn’t this exciting news? This is what you and Conrad wanted, right?”

  Kara closed her eyes and swallowed the dry lump in her throat. “Conrad and I broke up about three months ago. It’s . . . not Conrad’s.”

  “Oh . . . has this happened too soon with your new partner?”

  Bile swirled in Kara’s stomach. Her whole body shuddered and ached. She wanted to curl into the fetal position and cry. “I don’t have a new partner. It was one night. But the guy I was with . . . we used a condom.”

  Her doctor took on a lecturing tone. “Although condoms have a very high success rate, they can fail. Age, storage conditions, improper usage . . .”

  Flashes of Hunter digging around for a condom in his drawers and slipping it on flicked behind her eyelids. He of all people should know how to use a condom.

  Kara wrapped her arms around herself. “Even if it failed, how did I fall pregnant? I have endo.”

  “Many women with endometriosis, like yourself, have trouble falling pregnant naturally. If you used contraception, I would say this is nothing short of a miracle. Since breaking up with Conrad, your body may not have been under so much stress. Along with the right timing, it is technically possible.”