Rocking a SECRET Read online

“A little? Oh no. The last time I saw a look like that in your eyes is when we went back to the hotel with the three French guys.”

  “That was a great night,” I tell her with a smile.

  “Yes it was. Now stop deflecting.”

  “He stood up to me, okay. No guy stands up to me. I talk shit to them, and they practically drop to their knees to worship me. And the kiss. Hot damn that boy knows what to do with his tongue. And hands.”

  “Okay. We’ve had fun on missions before. We can play with him.”

  “Not we, Teeg.”

  That came out angrier than I intended for it to. But I mean it. Kace is only for me. I’ve never felt this possessive before, especially after barely meeting a guy. I’m sure about this, though.

  “Holy Mother of God. You like him. Like want the white dress like him.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. But I-I don’t want to share him.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah, I know. Who would’ve thought, huh?”

  She just shakes her head. “Not me. But maybe it’s time we started getting serious, and stopped playing around with so many men.”

  “Maybe. You don’t have to change on my account. I mean, this could just blow over.”

  “Once you blow him?”

  “Teeg!”

  “What, we both know you want to. And he said he’d see you at work, so I know you’re going undercover as yourself. You’ll be handling his yummy looking package.”

  “I swear to God if you talk about his package again, I will shoot you,” I practically growl as I say it to her.

  “Oh yeah, you’ve got it bad. This is going to be good. Really good.”

  For her maybe. I’m not sure I can handle serious. Especially with some twenty-one year old kid. I’ve been on some pretty dangerous missions, but I think this is the one that could do me in.

  Chapter 1

  Kace

  I’m still pissed about last night, but not just at my blackmailer. I could’ve chosen to do something else to make a scene. But I wanted my mouth on Stella, and since none of my usual tricks were working, I went for the easy way out. I need to apologize to her, but I can’t.

  My puppet master sent me another message, telling me that I need to be an ass to everyone today. I don’t how he, she, or it knows what will hurt me the most, but they do. I’m not a jerk. That’s why I need to keep doing everything I’m told, in order to make sure those pictures never see the light of day. Today that will include continuing my asshole act with Stella. If she even shows up after what I did to her.

  There’s no fear of that as she walks in with Sheila a few minutes later. She’s looking sexy as fuck, even in the baggy sweater she’s got on. She’s paired it with skintight leather pants and ankle boots with chunky heels, all black, with her hair in a loose braid over one shoulder that makes me want to pull it. It takes some inhuman strength on my part to avoid coming in my pants like the kid she thinks I am.

  “You’re late. And I told you to dress sexy, Stella.”

  She smirks at me as she walks over, grabbing my junk before I even know what’s happening. “What I’ve got on is doing it for you, little boy. So stop pretending it isn’t.”

  “You should’ve raised your daughter better, Sheila. Disrespectful and late? What a great role model you must have been for her.”

  Stella strikes fast, punching me so hard I fall to the ground. She stomps a heel into my stomach as she pulls me up by my tie. “This is your first lesson. Don’t ever insult a woman’s mother. Especially mine. I will fuck you up so bad you’ll never sing again, and not even break a sweat while I’m doing it.”

  “Stella, let him go,” Sheila pleads with her, as I try to break her hold on me.

  “What the hell is going on in here? Get her off of him.”

  Shit. I don’t need my manager getting involved. And no one’s putting their hands on Stella. “Don’t touch her. She’s letting me go now. We just had a misunderstanding.”

  She lets go fast, causing me to hit my head on the wood floor of the photo studio. “Yeah. Just a little misunderstanding. We’re good now.”

  “Who are you?” Marvin asks her.

  “She’s my personal stylist. I hired her last night.”

  “Why’d you do that? Sheila’s not doing a good enough job for you? We can replace her.”

  If looks could kill, I’d be dead right now from the look Stella’s giving me. There’s no need. Despite what I just said, I love Sheila. If I ever get out from under this blackmailer, I’ll make it up to her. Somehow.

  “Sheila’s the best. I just wanted some personal care. It’s lucky that her daughter was available to help me.”

  “Keep her in line, Sheila, or you’re both gone.”

  Oh fuck no. “That’s not your decision. I told you we had a misunderstanding. Don’t threaten Sheila or Stella, Marv.”

  I’m so angry, I’m shaking. He knows it’s in my contract that I have final say on stylists. With the way I’ve been forced to act lately, he should be scared to piss me off. I think maybe he is when he speaks again.

  “You’re right. Of course you’re right, Kace. I’m sorry ladies,” he says, his voice shaky.

  “It’s fine, Marv. I’m sure it was a shock to see Stella looking so aggressive with Kace. It won’t happen again.”

  I look at Stella and see barely controlled rage on her face. She wants to speak up, but she won’t do anything to embarrass her mother. Or jeopardize her job. I’m about to tell her to let loose when Chad speaks up.

  “How come you get a personal stylist and we don’t? Brett, Wayne, and I should have our own, too.”

  “This isn’t a fucking contest.”

  “Then hire us stylists,” Wayne chimes in.

  “Fine. Sheila, can you get me some recommendations and then call them in so the guys can handpick them?”

  “You’re really going to let us do that?” Brett asks, looking surprised.

  I feel like crap, knowing that I deserve his surprise. These guys have been my best friends for years. And I’ve been forced to treat them like they don’t matter. Unfortunately, I have to keep doing it. I can’t face them when I do, though. So I turn towards Stella.

  “No. I was just messing with you. I’ll pick who I think will make you guys look good. Or not.”

  “God, you’ve become such an ass. But two can play. I’m in charge of food, so expect some kale to be waiting for you backstage.”

  Well played, Wayne. But not well enough. Now I know to pack my own snacks for my dressing room. I can’t wait to see what the other guys have planned for me. I can’t dwell on it, I’ve got a photo shoot to get ready for.

  * * *

  Stella

  Kace got another order. I’m not just thinking that because I have an anti-douche fucking rule. I saw the pain in his eyes as he turned from his friends to look at me before telling them he was in charge. I don’t know why he felt he could show me what he was feeling. I’m just glad he did.

  “Let’s take a look at what I’m working with.”

  “You just had your hand on that, babydoll.”

  “I meant the clothes,” I tell him with an eye roll. “And don’t call me babydoll.”

  “Baby?”

  “No.”

  “Doll?”

  “Again, no.”

  “C’mon, you gotta let me call you something.”

  “Stella. You can call me Stella.”

  “I’ll think of something you’ll like. But for now, I’ll concede. Let me show you my clothes, Stella.”

  He says my name on a whisper, sending a chill through me. He was right when he said I know what he’s got under his clothes. And it was pretty impressive. Insulting my mom—even though I knew it was part of his act—cooled me off. But now he’s heating me back up again. Damn him. And me.

  As I step up to the racks of clothing, I immediately see the problem. Just like the suit they have him in, the rest of the clothes are more suited for a choirboy than a
bad boy singer. I know he wasn’t always bad, but he is now and we need to capitalize on that.

  “These clothes aren’t you.”

  “You’re just going to come in here and declare that without even knowing him? Your mother picked those clothes,” Marv says to her with a sneer on his face.

  “I picked those months ago. Stella’s right. They don’t fit him anymore.”

  “I’m not authorizing a big shopping spree.”

  “I’ll pay for whatever Stella wants me to have. We can do something with these.”

  “Donate them.”

  I see Kace’s eyes soften, but then he looks resigned. “Yeah, some lame ass kid will probably be happy with them.”

  “Sometimes I think you might actually have a heart…and then, you prove me wrong. Go take off that suit while I see what I can do for the photo shoot.”

  He salutes me before undressing right there in the middle of the room. I shake my head and start looking for something that will work. If he’s got to play the part, I’ll make sure he looks it, too.

  “Put these on,” I tell him, throwing a pair of jeans at him. “Settle them on your hips, with a little bit of your briefs sticking out.”

  He does as I ask, but it’s not quite right. Fuck. I’m going to have to touch him again. I walk over and adjust the jeans just how I want them. I can’t resist tracing the shark tattoo that’s peeking out above his boxer briefs with my fingers. He sucks in a breath, and places his hand over mine.

  “Where’s my shirt?”

  “No shirt. You do need something, though.”

  I think for a minute and then realize the bracelet I threw on today will work. It’s a guy’s chunky chain bracelet. It’s one of my favorite pieces of jewelry, but I know Kace needs it more than I do. I go to take it off, only then realizing that we’re still basically holding hands. I tug my hand from under his and take the bracelet off. I slide it onto his wrist and smile.

  “That’s all you need.”

  He leans over to whisper in my ear, “I think you just want to look at my killer abs.”

  “Killer is pushing it, but I will agree that the little girls are going to go crazy when they see you like this.” I’m totally lying. His body is amazing and I want to lick every inch of it.

  “I don’t care about them. I want the women in front of me to go crazy.”

  “Act like a decent human being, and we’ll see.”

  “You promised to give me a chance.”

  “That I did. Now go play nice with your friends.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  He looks conflicted, but then answers me honestly. “I can’t, Stella.”

  I watch him walk over and act like a jerk. Seeing it makes me want to find his blackmailer even more. He’s a good guy, but if he has to keep acting like this, he’ll only have his mother left on his side. And me. Because like it or not, I’m on Team Kace, and not just in a work capacity.

  The photo shoot goes really well, despite Kace trying out for the Asshole of the Year award. His new look sets him apart from the other guys, but not enough to cause problems. Once my mom finds stylists for Chad and Wayne, she can concentrate solely on Brett. While they were taking the pictures, we talked about an overall vision for the band. It’s great to be working with her again. I just wish it was under different circumstances.

  Everything’s packed up, and I’m just about to leave when I feel a hand on my arm. I look up to see the object of my attraction—I mean, irritation—looking down at me with a smile. “Everyone’s pretty much gone.”

  “Yeah, they are.”

  “I need to apologize to you for last night. I shouldn’t have done that to you. I’m really sorry that I did. Well, I’m not sorry about the kiss. That was epic. So are your tits. But I shouldn’t have done it like that. I would’ve preferred to have you be a willing participant when we kissed, and when I-I touched you.”

  He’s sincere. I can see it in his eyes. And what he said was really sweet. Except for the part about my tits. That wasn’t sweet. And I really need to get out of here now.

  “It’s not okay, but we’re fine. I accept your apology. I’ll see you tomorrow, Kace.”

  “Great. See you tomorrow, honey.”

  “No.”

  We’re both laughing as I get in the elevator. This is bad. Really bad. Or…really, really good. I’m still not sure.

  * * *

  Kace

  Stella’s even cooler than I thought the night we met. And hotter. I didn’t think that was possible. But every day she walks into the loft our hotel set up for us to use as our headquarters, I melt a little more. That sounds so fucking girly, but I don’t know how else to say it. Everything I feel for her has increased over the past week. I’m falling for her, and I need to show her that. But I can’t.

  My tormenter has ordered me to steer clear of her outside of work. I want to say the hell with it all, and just take her back to my place. If it was only me that would be affected, I’d do it in a heartbeat. It’s not, though. I have to keep reminding myself of that, especially when I catch her looking at me with heat in those beautiful blue eyes of hers. I can only give my all to one person, and unfortunately, she’s not the one I choose. I have to remember that and stay strong.

  Today’s going to be rough. Stella’s been shopping all week and has what she thinks is the perfect wardrobe for me. She’s insisting that I try everything on. I know that it’s just normal procedure, but having her hands on me will be torture. I’ve gotten used to it happening once or twice a day, but this will be constant as she checks the fit of every garment. I send up a prayer to the big guy, asking for strength I know I don’t have.

  When Stella walks in, I nearly lose it. She’s got on shredded jeans, a pink sweatshirt that’s falling off one shoulder, and black cowboy boots. Her hair is up in a high ponytail, and she’s wearing no makeup. Remember how I said she keeps getting hotter and hotter? Well, the natural look on her is the hottest yet.

  “You ready to try on your clothes, Kace?”

  “Umm, yeah, Sure.”

  “What’s wrong?” she asks, her face scrunching up as she looks at me.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks. But you didn’t answer my question.”

  “Yes I did.”

  “How is my looking beautiful a problem for you?”

  “Because I want to throw you up against the wall and kiss you until you can’t think straight. Or match an outfit.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah, oh.”

  “Work first. Then maybe kissing later.”

  “I can’t kiss you.”

  She looks conflicted for a moment. Like she has something to say. I wait for it, wanting to know what’s going through her mind. I shouldn’t have said that because now she has to ask. But she doesn’t.

  “Let’s get started on the clothes.”

  For the next two hours, I play mannequin. Stella fusses over me, moving clothes around. Tucking and pinning them when she’s not happy with how something looks. I’m happy with everything. She’s transforming me into something awesome, style wise. It’s edgy, but with a little bit of softness to it. Like she knows the real me is still here, underneath the asshole I’ve been forced to become. This woman never fails to surprise me.

  “Well, all the work’s done. My mom won’t be here for another fifteen minutes with Brett. You wanna get to that kissing? The wall over there looks perfect for being thrown against.”

  Yes. Hell yes. Fuck yes. Absolutely, positively, yes. I want to kiss her. But I can’t. Or can I? No one’s here. And like she said, it’s not Brett’s turn yet.

  I grab her and move us both to that wall of hers, pushing her gently against it before taking her mouth. Her hands go to my hair, pulling and tugging as I sip from her beautiful mouth. Like a dying man in the desert who’s just discovered water, I lap at her lips. She tries to take over, but I don’t let her. I want to worship her mouth, and no
t rush to involve our tongues yet.

  I lose track of time, which means that we’re out of it faster than I would’ve thought possible. Just as I slip my tongue into her mouth, the elevator dings. I jump back from her, cursing myself for my stupidity. There’s no lipstick on her to mess up, but her lips are swollen. I’m betting mine are, too. It’ll be obvious what we were just doing to anyone who looks at us.

  I don’t have time to dwell on my mistake as Sheila and Brett step off the elevator. I keep my back turned as they greet Stella. I should be next to her, talking to them. In a perfect world, she’d still be in my arms, and I wouldn’t care who saw us. But my world’s not perfect, so I have to act like nothing happened. And that’s what I do, earning a glare as she hurries into the elevator. I should run after her. I want to run after her. But again, if I have to choose, it can’t be her. It just can’t.

  Chapter 2

  Stella

  I head to the Foundation offices after leaving the loft. I feel like I’m going to spontaneously combust, and all we did was kiss. With no tongue. I underestimated Kace. Maybe age really is just a number. I can’t about that now. I need to see if Ainsley or Tegan have found out anything useful.

  I say hi to Alex as I pass through the lobby. When I walk into the conference room, I’m pleasantly surprised to see my mentor, Mallory Daniels. I didn’t know she’d be here.

  “Mal, did you just fly in?” I ask, hugging her tightly.

  “Yes. I wanted to see how your mission is going.”

  “There’s not much for me to report. Kace is still acting like an ass, and although I get a weird vibe from the band’s manager, Marvin, I’m not sure if it’s just normal creepiness or something else.”

  “He’s come up clean in all of the checks I’ve run on him,” Ainsley tells me.

  “I wouldn’t say ‘clean’ is the word I’d use, since I unearthed some reports that were swept under the rug. They all had to do with sexual harassment and intimidation. Since Kace was playing nice in the sandbox before the blackmailer got ahold of him, I can’t see that person being Marvin. From what I can tell, he’s not one to give up his golden cow so easily.”

  “Golden cow, Teeg? Really?”