by HELEN HARDT
“Only proves that men are pigs.”
Susie didn’t appear to be listening. Her gaze was glued on Zane, the keyboardist, whose gaze was in turn glued on the two women cavorting in the middle of the floor. She turned to me. “Let’s make out.”
I squinted at her, as if that might help my ears struggling in the loud din. I couldn’t possibly have heard her correctly. “What?”
“You and me. Kiss me.” She planted a peck right on my mouth.
I stepped away from her. “Are you kidding me?”
“It works. Look around. All the girls do it.”
“I’m not a girl. I’m a thirty-year-old woman.”
“Don’t you think I’m hot?” she asked.
“Seriously? Of course you are.” Indeed, Susie looked great with her dark hair flowing down to her ass and her form-fitting leopard-print tank and leggings. “So is Angelina Jolie, but I sure as heck don’t want to make out with her. I don’t swing that way.” Well, for Angelina Jolie I might. Or Lupita Nyong’o. But that was it.
“Neither do I—at least not long-term. But it’ll get us closer to the band.”
“Is this what you do at all the after-parties you go to?”
She giggled. “Sometimes. But only if there’s someone as hot as you to make out with. I have my standards.”
Maybe I should have been flattered. But no way was I swapping spit with my friend to get some guy’s attention. They were still just men, after all. Even the gorgeous and velvet-voiced Jett Draconis, who seemed to be watching the floor show.
Susie inched toward me again. I turned my head just in time so her lips and tongue swept across my cheek.
“Sorry, girl. If you want to make out, I’m sure there’s someone here who will take you up on your offer. Not me, though. It would be too…weird.”
She nodded. “Yeah, it would be a little odd. I mean, we live together and all. But I hate that you’re just standing here against the wall not having any fun. And I’m not ready to go home yet.”
I sighed. This was Susie’s scene, and she enjoyed it. She had come to LA for the rockers and was happy to work as a receptionist at a talent agency as long as she made enough money to keep her wardrobe in shape and made enough contacts to get into all the after-parties she wanted. That was the extent of her aspirations. She was living her dream, and she’d no doubt continue to live it until her looks gave out…which wouldn’t happen for a while with all the Botox and plastic surgery available in LA. She was a good soul, but right now her ambition was lacking.
“Tell you what,” I said. “Have fun. Do your thing. I’ll catch an Uber home.”
She frowned. “I wanted to show you a good time. I’m sorry I suggested making out. I get a little crazy at these things.”
I chuckled. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
“Please stay. I’ll introduce you to some people.”
“Any producers or directors here?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Mostly the band and their agents, and of course the sound and tech guys who like to try to get it on with the groupies. I doubt any film people are here.”
“Then there isn’t anyone I need to meet, but thanks for offering.” I pulled my phone out of my clutch to check the time. It was nearing midnight, and this party was only getting started.
“Sure I can’t convince you to stay?” Susie asked.
“Afraid not.” I pulled up the Uber app and ordered a ride. “But have a great time, okay? And stay safe, please.”
“I always do.” She gave me a quick hug and then lunged toward a group of girls, most of them still dressed, thank God.
I scanned the large room. Susie and her new gaggle of friends were laughing and drinking cocktails. A couple girls were slobbering over the drummer’s dick. The two beautiful women putting on the sex show had abandoned the floor, and the one with dark skin was draped between the legs of Zane Michaels, who was, believe it or not, even prettier than she was. The other sat on Jett Draconis’s lap.
Zane Michaels was gorgeous, but Jett Draconis? He made his keyboardist look average in comparison. I couldn’t help staring. His hair was the color of strong coffee, and he wore it long, the walnut waves hitting below his shoulders. His eyes shone a soft hazel green. His face boasted high cheekbones and a perfectly formed nose, and those lips… The most amazing lips I’d ever seen on a man—full and flawless. I’d gawked at photos of him in magazines, not believing it was possible for a man to be quite so perfect-looking—beautiful and rugged handsome at the same time.
Not that I could see any of this at the moment, with the blonde on top of him blocking most of my view.
I looked down at my phone once more. My driver was still fifteen minutes away. Crap.
Then I looked up.
Straight into the piercing eyes of Jett Draconis.
* * *
Continue reading Misadventures with a Rock Star…
Message from Helen Hardt
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Breathless. If you want to find out about my current backlist and future releases, please like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HelenHardt and join my mailing list: http://helenhardt.com/signup/. I often do giveaways. If you’re a fan and would like to join my street team to help spread the word about my books, you can do so here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hardtandsoul/. I regularly do awesome giveaways for my street team members.
If you enjoyed the story, please take the time to leave a review on a site like Amazon or Goodreads. I welcome all feedback.
I wish you all the best!
Helen
Also By Helen Hardt
The Steel Brothers Saga:
Craving
Obsession
Possession
Melt
Burn
Surrender
Shattered
Twisted
Unraveled
Breathless
Ravenous (October 29, 2019)
Insatiable (January 28, 2020)
* * *
Blood Bond Saga:
Unchained: Volume One
Unhinged: Volume Two
Undaunted: Volume Three
Unmasked: Volume Four
Undefeated: Volume Five
* * *
Misadventures:
Misadventures of a Good Wife (with Meredith Wild)
Misadventures with a Rock Star
* * *
The Temptation Saga:
Tempting Dusty
Teasing Annie
Taking Catie
Taming Angelina
Treasuring Amber
Trusting Sydney
Tantalizing Maria
* * *
The Sex and the Season Series:
Lily and the Duke
Rose in Bloom
Lady Alexandra’s Lover
Sophie’s Voice
* * *
Daughters of the Prairie:
The Outlaw’s Angel
Lessons of the Heart
Song of the Raven
* * *
The Cougar Chronicles:
The Cowboy and the Cougar
Calendar Boy
* * *
Collections:
Destination Desire
Her Two Lovers
* * *
Non-Fiction:
got style?
Acknowledgments
Readers clamored for Marjorie’s story from the beginning, so I had my work cut out for me. I hope it meets and exceeds your expectations. I worried about writing it, but once I started, the words flowed better than they have in a while. Not since Craving have I enjoyed crafting a story so much. I loved revisiting the Steels, and we’re only just beginning. You’ll see more of Marj and Bryce in Ravenous, coming soon!
As always, no book is ever the result of only the author. Massive thanks to the following individuals whose effort and belief made this book shine: Jennifer Becker, Audrey Bobak, Dana Bridges, Haley Byrd, Yvo
nne Ellis, Jesse Kench, Robyn Lee, Jon Mac, Amber Maxwell, Dave McInerney, Michele Hamner Moore, Keli Jo Nida, Jenny Rarden, Chrissie Saunders, Scott Saunders, Celina Summers, Kurt Vachon, and Meredith Wild.
Thanks also to the women and men of Hardt and Soul. You all are my rock!
To my family and friends, thank you for your unwavering support.
And most importantly, thank you to my readers. None of this matters without all of you.
About Helen Hardt
#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.
* * *
For more information, please follow Helen Hardt at:
www.helenhardt.com
