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

by Tania Joyce

  Giles guided her into the lobby and up to the ballroom of the Times Square Intercontinental Hotel for Conrad’s Silver New Year’s Eve Ball. She wanted to put the madness of the past couple days behind her and enjoy the evening’s festivities. Put Hunter out of her mind.

  Stepping into the crowded function room, Kara inhaled the fragrant air. White long-stemmed roses with silver glittered edges stood in tall glass vases on the banquet tables. Silver baubles, the size of large beach balls, hung from the ceiling. Crystal chandeliers, twinkle lights, and blue LEDs turned the room into a metallic palace. Huge TVs were mounted on the walls streaming the events happening out in Times Square. Although the DJ here was pumping out the tunes, Hunter and her friends would be visible on the screens later in the evening, right up until the countdown and ball drop at midnight.

  “Kara. You’re here.” Lexi, her best friend next to Gemma, appeared out of the crowd. “You look gorgeous. I love the dress.”

  Kara put her clutch and coat down at their banquet table and smoothed her hands down her flowing silver liquid lamé dress. “Thank you.”

  “You don’t look pregnant.” Lexi splayed her hands toward Kara’s stomach. “I can’t believe you kept this from me.”

  “I didn’t. It was too early to say anything.” It felt like the millionth time Kara had said that since friends and family had inundated her with calls and messages. “The media has been crazy, hasn’t it?”

  The world knew she was pregnant, thanks to the paparazzi. Gerard’s article had hit the Internet within hours of her scan. Other gossip sites were quick to follow. Hunter warned her not to read any of them, but she hadn’t been able to resist. The stories ranged from outrageous and hurtful, to the cold, hard truth, to hilarious.

  Hunter’s mystery girlfriend is pregnant. We have proof.

  Hunter Collins is going to be a daddy.

  Hunter sews his seeds in the fashion world.

  Lexi flicked a curl of her updo off her forehead. “What a nightmare. I saw a bunch of reporters outside your building this afternoon when I drove past.”

  “They still there?” Kara rubbed her arm. “After having this huge meeting with Hunt and his team, I was so frightened. They suggested I stay at his place until the security at my apartment is upgraded. Gem and Kyle have been staying at Hunt’s too, which is nice. Makes it less stressful and awkward.”

  “Tough gig having to stay at his penthouse,” Lexi teased as she stole a champagne from a waiter walking past. “Just so you can avoid a few paparazzi?”

  “A few?” Kara had to laugh, otherwise she’d break down in tears. “The ones outside his place are tame compared to the ones that were at work. Thank God Hunter insisted on me having a bodyguard. Giles has proved to be more than useful.” She should remember to say thank you, send Hunter an email if she didn’t see him before he left. “Yesterday I had to go into work to finish the decorations for this evening, and there were fifty reporters outside the building. They kept shouting, screaming and shoving cameras and phones in my face. They kept asking awful and stupid questions like, ‘Is it true you’re carrying Hunter’s baby? Is this a scam? Are you after his money? Is he really the father?’.”

  “That’s dreadful.” Lexi sipped her champagne. Sidling closer, meekness slid into her tone. “So . . . how are you two handling the situation? I didn’t think you got along.”

  “Hunter’s turned into Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One minute he’s tolerable, the next, he’s an utter control freak.”

  He’d turned into her father. Ergh. Men!

  “How’s he controlling?” Lexi asked, eying the waiters and their platters of hors d’oeuvres, and grabbed a cranberry and feta bite.

  Kara put on her best Hunter impersonation. “‘She will have security. Twenty-four/seven. She will have a new phone and private cell number. She will have surveillance cameras installed at her home.’ That’s what he insisted on at our meeting with his management team.” Kara hated how he made her baby feel like a business transaction. It was all lawyers, security and procedures.

  “Those things don’t sound too bad.” Lexi stuffed her food into her mouth, chewed and licked her fingertips. “What else has he done?”

  “He’s being . . . nice.” Her voice came out breathy and full of exasperation. “He had lunch delivered when I couldn’t get out of the office because of the reporters. And he even sent me flowers.”

  While she had said to him to be kind and not ignore her, the sweet gestures were not what she had expected. Not what she’d wanted.

  “So he’s controlling you . . . by being nice.” Lexi raised a cynical eyebrow. “What a prick.”

  “Yes, he is and no, he’s not. I just want to make my own choices. I don’t want to be an item on his check list. I feel like I’ve become just one of the many moving parts in the Everhide empire.”

  And she didn’t want him to make her think he cared.

  Because he didn’t.

  And that meant she couldn’t.

  “Sorry to say it, babe, you have.” Lexi stepped in closer to let a group of people pass behind her. “But Hunter sending flowers and food? That’s new. When did that change?”

  “At the baby’s scan.” Kara’s taste buds happy-danced when she plucked a crumbed cheese ball from a waiter’s tray and popped it into her mouth. After finishing her mouthful, she continued. “He was so against the baby until seeing the ultrasound. Now he’s gone googoo gaagaa and become overprotective.”

  Lexi laughed. “Hunter? Googoo? I can’t wait to see that.” She took a sip of her champagne and seriousness transformed her face. “Is there any chance of something developing between the two of you?”

  “God no.” Kara’s heart wavered. She wanted a man who would be around, not jet-setting and sleeping his way across the globe. Tomorrow, he’d be gone for months. That would give her time to get her spiraling feelings for him under control. She was counting down the hours until he left.

  “All right then. Put him out of your head. It’s time to have fun. Let’s go grab a drink.” Lexi took her by the hand and led her across the floor. At the edge of the four-people deep line-up, she stopped. “Stay here. I’ll get our drinks. You don’t need to be jostled and bumped by this mob. Gotta protect your little bub.”

  “Thanks. I’ll have a Sprite.”

  Kara hung back and felt dozens of eyes upon her. Conrad’s clients, suppliers, and celebrity guests turned in her direction. Fingers were pointed. Loud whispers rustled.

  “That’s Kara. The one who’s pregnant. To Hunter Collins.”

  Kara groaned. She shouldn’t have come tonight. She didn’t need to hear more gossip.

  A disturbance across the ballroom caught her eye. Conrad, dressed in a tailored silver brocade tuxedo, dashed toward her. With his blond hair sleeked into a Gatsby style, his hazel eyes glimmered as he came toward her with an exaggerated confidence. This was another conversation she wasn’t looking forward to.

  “Kara, my darling. You look absolutely stunning.” He kissed her cheek, one side then the other. “Love this color on you. It’s simply divine. And those stilettos are spectacular. Jimmy Choo Violas. Nice.”

  “Good evening, Conrad.” She clutched her hands in front of her.

  Conrad stepped closer, leaning into her ear. “Why didn’t you tell me about the baby? And of all people . . . Hunter . . . is the father?”

  “It’s none of your concern,” she snapped.

  “It is. I care about you. We need to talk.” He drew her over to a bar table in a small clearing at the edge of the dance floor. When he turned to face her, tension ticked in his jaw. “I could say so many things, one—how unprofessional of you to sleep with our client; two—I thought you hated each other; and three . . .” Kara followed his gaze to see Jasmine, the intern Conrad had dumped her for, standing at the bar. “I want to know what’s going on between you and Hunter. Is it serious? Are you in a relationship with that egotistical jerk?”

  Kara gaped. She’d never heard Conra
d talk about Hunter like this. He was always polite about his clientele. Especially Everhide. They were so easy to deal with compared to some of their other customers. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, we’re not in a relationship.”

  “Did you sleep with him to get back at me?”

  Her eyes widened. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Oh yes, Conrad. I went out and got knocked up by some asshole rock star who’s never going to be around for his child just to piss you off.”

  Conrad stiffened. “Don’t get upset.” He stroked his hands down his vest. “We tried to make a baby for months. We broke up and you fell pregnant straight away. How do you think that makes me feel?”

  She choked on her own breath. “Um . . . relieved? Don’t go feeling inadequate. You left. Remember? You weren’t in love with me.”

  “Oh Kara.” He placed his hand on her arm, but she flinched away from his touch. “I did love you. It just got too hard.”

  His words stung like a wasp bite. The hurt in her heart blistered. “Yeah well, I don’t need someone who walks away when things get tough. Hunter may be a lot of things, but he’s not a quitter. He fights me at every turn, questions my sanity with every breath, but he’s being as supportive as he can be.” Everything about Hunter rubbed her the wrong way . . . and the right. Got her pulse racing and her tearing her hair out. What was with that? “One thing I’ve learned out of all this mess is there’s only one person I can count on . . . and that’s me.”

  It scared her. But it was the truth. Each day she was getting stronger and better at being on her own. She didn’t care what people thought anymore.

  “Kar, you’ve changed. What happened to my little lamb?” Conrad looked at her as if she was a stranger.

  “I’ve grown up. That’s what happened. I’ve had to change.” She lifted her chin. “I’m raising this child by myself. I don’t need you, or Hunter, or anyone else. Now go back to your girlfriend.” Kara twinkled her fingers and gave a cold smile to Jasmine who watched them like a hawk from the bar. Kara spun back to Conrad. “You now know the news, like everyone else.”

  Conrad flicked the lapels of his jacket. “I wish you could have come and told me sooner. That’s what hurt, Kar. Why couldn’t you trust me?”

  “It wasn’t a matter of trust, Conrad.” She rested her elbow on the bar table, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. “I was waiting until after my scan. But all hell with the media broke loose.”

  Conrad’s expression softened. “I do care about you. Always have. Always will. If you need anything, all you have to do is ask.” He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I have to go mingle, my darling. Promise me you’ll have fun tonight.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Enjoy.” He turned and scooted over to Jasmine’s side.

  Kara wiped the remains of his kiss off her cheek and collapsed onto the bar stool. What a messed up few days.

  “Here.” Lexi placed her Sprite on the table and slid her arm around Kara’s shoulders. “Whatever Conrad said, ignore him. I know he’s your boss, and your ex, but he’s a dick. I can say that now you’re not together. He’s too up himself. Don’t you think?”

  Lexi might have been on to something. “I think he’s jealous that I’m getting more attention in the media than his fashion.”

  “Of course he is.” Lexi flicked her hand through the air. “He’s an egotistical shithead. You’re so much better off without him. He makes Hunter look normal.” Kara laughed. Hunter and normal did not go together. Lexi took a sip of her vodka and cranberry cocktail. “Let’s go sit for dinner. After we eat, we’ll hit the dance floor.”

  At the end of the three-course meal, Kara danced with Lexi and some girls from work. Her eyes kept darting toward the TV screens filled with Everhide singing. Although they were on mute, Hunter’s voice resonated in her ears, like he was right beside her. His onstage presence, wild and captivating, snared her heart. He’d be gone tomorrow for months. Why did it feel like she would miss him?

  As midnight approached, the TV volumes were turned up.

  The countdown began.

  The ball dropped.

  Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

  Happy new year.

  All around Kara, everyone cheered, and party poppers popped. Champagne disappeared down people’s throats and couples kissed.

  Kara twirled around in the center of the floor and caressed her belly. She had so much to look forward to this year. She would have her baby. Nothing could go wrong.

  By 2:00a.m., Kara’s feet ached. It was time to go home. But when she went to say goodbye to the girls, a shiver ran up her spine. It froze her to the spot. Lexi’s eyes widened, and she pointed over Kara’s shoulder. Kara had no time to turn. The air around her filled with his citrusy scent, interlaced with a whole lot of whiskey. It nearly knocked her out cold.

  Her heart wanted to clamber out of her chest.

  Strong fingers encircled her hips. His hard body pressed against hers, his chest against her back. His breath like fire on her neck.

  “Happy new year,” he whispered in her ear, and her knees buckled.

  “Hunter?” Butterflies turned to birds in her belly. “What are you doing here?”

  “Shh.” He nuzzled her hair. “Dance with me.”

  She closed her eyes. He should not be touching her like this. Every bone in her body screamed for him to stop, but somehow, he’d possessed her.

  Unable to resist, she swayed with him to the beat of the music. She reached up and cupped the side of his face. The whiskers on his cheek. His soft long hair. His warm skin. Oh God, he felt so good. Every cell in her body sparked with electricity.

  One dance. Just one.

  His hands brushed down her arms and left goose bumps in their wake. He slid them over the silky fabric of her dress, across the curve of her hips. Down. Lower. Slower. Swirling on the top of her thighs.

  Heat skittered beneath his touch. His strong fingers dug into her leg, dragging the skirt of her dress up just an inch or two, nothing more. Her knees weakened. Oh wow. He was turning her on. Being in his arms made her dizzy. Intoxicated. She leaned back against his chest to steady herself. Gliding his hands upward, he shimmied up her sides, and settled them on her belly.

  On Ryan.

  It was the first time he’d touched her tummy. He splayed his fingers wide. With slow circles, he caressed their baby. Tears welled in her eyes as she placed her hands over his and entwined their fingers together.

  “I’m gonna miss him.” Hunter’s voice snagged in his throat.

  Oh crap! He left her lost for words.

  Her eyes fluttered shut as the warmth from his body enclosed around her. He kissed beneath her earlobe, her neck, her shoulder. She forgot how to breathe. How long had she wanted him to kiss her again? Have his hands on her?

  But not like this. Not when he was drunk.

  He shouldn’t be here. Everything was so fucked up. Her heart couldn’t handle Hunter anymore.

  His arms wrapped tighter around her, and every muscle in her body seized. Pain erupted in her heart. This had to stop.

  Now.

  She stepped out of his hold, turned, and met his bloodshot eyes. Even with his hair a disheveled mess, he looked like he’d walked out of the pages of Vogue. “What are you doing?”

  Hunter shrugged. Swayed on his feet.

  She glanced around. A dozen sets of eyes were on them. She lowered her voice. “Why aren’t you with Kyle and Gemma? I thought you had a party to go to?”

  “We did. But I left. I came here.”

  Lexi and the girls danced near her and Hunter, but they weren’t really dancing, they were more intent on the scene unfolding before them. Necks craned past other people’s heads. Others whispered into ears, their eyes on her and Hunter. Kara groaned. She didn’t need more gossip about her and Hunter in the headlines tomorrow.

  She stormed past him and made her way to her table. As she stepped off the dance floor
, he caught her on the arm and spun her around. “Kar, wait.”

  “How did you get in here anyway?” Her mind blazed with confusion, with things she shouldn’t be thinking and feeling.

  He brushed his finger over the tip of her nose. “You forget who I am. I think I was on the list anyway.” He studied her face and zoomed in closer. “What the hell?” He cupped the side of her cheek. “You’ve been crying. What’s happened?”

  She pulled her chin away and brushed a tear from her cheek. “Everything. You. Conrad. The baby. It’s been a long day. I’m going home.”

  “But I just got here.” Disappointment clouded his eyes. “It’s time to party.”

  “Do it without me. I’m done.” She went to charge past him, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her escape.

  “No. I came here to see you.”

  “Why?” She looked him square in the eye. Her heart was crying. “Why, Hunter? Please tell me, because I’m not a mind reader.”

  He sashayed forward and placed his hands on her hips. “Because . . . I thought we could have some fun together. It’s New Year’s Eve. Let’s party.”

  “You’re drunk.”

  “That’s never stopped me before.” He waggled his eyebrows and grinned.

  “I can’t do this, Hunt.” Another tear slipped to her cheek. “Stay away from me. Please?”

  His arms fell to his sides. “I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you’re having my baby. Our baby.”

  She tilted her head back and stared at the crystal chandelier. Why couldn’t life be all glitter and sparkles? Exhaustion weighed on her shoulders. “I know. But we have to keep everything between us black and white. All the mixed signals you’ve been sending me over the past few days have to stop.” Her head spun like a carousel. “Has something changed? Do you like me? Do you want to be with me?” The notion was so ludicrous she wanted to laugh. But her heart hammered. What if he said yes? What would she do? Because she doubted every one of her beliefs and dreams about what she wanted in a man when she stood in front of him.