The Roadie: Radical Rock Stars Book 7

by Jenna Galicki

Grunts and moans were the only responses she received. Three more hard pumps of his hips, and he finally came with a long deep moan.

  As Kira walked through the crowded coffeehouse, heads turned toward her. She smiled without making eye contact with anyone, knowing full well they heard the moans and panting from the bathroom, and she wondered if this was the so-called walk of shame. Feeling the exact opposite of shame, Kira’s heels clicked triumphantly on the floor as she pranced out the front door wearing a satisfied grin, grabbing her cup of coffee from the counter on the way.

  Thankful that the waiting Town Car was still parked out front, she apologized to the driver and settled into the back seat. She sipped her coffee and grimaced, realizing she forgot milk and sugar, and placed it in the cupholder. Applying a fresh coat of lipstick, she couldn’t help smiling at her reflection. Sex with a total stranger – in a public bathroom of all places – was a first for her and totally out of character. It couldn’t be further from the good girl her father had raised. You’re a badass, she silently teased herself through the mirror.

  Thankfully, the car navigated through traffic without any delays, but she still arrived at the recording studio an unprecedented 35 minutes late. She rushed into the studio, flustered, prepared to blame it on traffic which was the only viable excuse she could think of. “Sorry, guys. There was a fender bender on Michigan. It was total gridlock.”

  “As long as you’re OK,” Angel Garcia, Immortal Angel’s lead singer, said with concern. “We were worried.”

  Kira opened her mouth to thank Angel for his concern when her arm was suddenly yanked to the side, and she was pulled to a corner of the room.

  “Liar!” Audra, Kira’s sister, saw right through her excuse. “You just got laid. Details. Stat.”

  Kira’s jaw dropped open, although she really shouldn’t be shocked. She and Audra weren’t only sisters, they were best friends and as close as any two people could be.

  “I said, I want details,” Audra repeated. “Spill.”

  Kira needed little coercion and easily told her sister everything, leaving out only the most intimate aspects.

  “Oh my God!” Audra exclaimed. “In Starbucks? You’re so badass!”

  “I know!” Kira still couldn’t believe she let go of her inhibitions and acted so impulsively. Instead of being embarrassed about her promiscuity, she boasted about it. “I didn’t even ask him his name.”

  “What’s with the secrets?” Jimmy Wilder, Immortal Angel’s charismatic drummer, joined them and draped his arm over Audra’s shoulder.

  “None of your business.” Audra gave her husband a playful poke in the ribs.

  “I get it. Girl talk. But when you’re done, we’re ready to record some songs.” Jimmy left them with one of his killer smiles and returned to his bandmates.

  “Are you going to see him again?” Audra asked, once Jimmy was out of earshot.

  “I just told you I don’t know his name. I didn’t get his number. It was a quickie in the bathroom. I’ll never see him again.”

  Back at the hotel, Kira read through her notes on the songs Immortal Angel presented for their new album. Each one was incredible in their own right, but she had feedback. Just tidbits of constructive suggestions that would fine-tune them for the public.

  Her phone dinged with a text message and interrupted her train of thought.

  AUDRA: We’re all going to dinner. Meet us at The Lakefront in 30 mins?

  Kira thought about putting her work aside, but her conscience nagged at her.

  KIRA: Can’t. Need to finish my comments on today’s tracks.

  AUDRA: Do it tomorrow.

  KIRA: Another day, another band.  Stop by with the guys when you’re done.

  AUDRA: Want me to bring anything?

  KIRA: Wine!

  She loved her job, but it took up almost all of her time. Granted, it was by choice, but she was driven by inherent work ethic. While she would have loved to join everyone for dinner, she chose to work.

  She pressed the notebook to her chest and took in a breath. Sometimes it was hard to believe that she held the ability to shape today’s music. She worked really hard and traveled constantly. It was exhausting, but this was something she dreamed about since she was a little girl.

  Audra also had her dream job as Immortal Angel’s tour manager, which enabled her to tour with Jimmy instead of enduring months of separation. They loved their careers, but it pulled them in different directions much of the time, and Kira often missed her sister and the good times they used to share.

  She reminisced about their teenage years when they’d spend weekends following Immortal Angel to all of the dive bars in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Music was ingrained in their DNA. If they weren’t front and center watching their favorite band with their fists in the air, they were at another live show on the indie music scene. Ah, the good old days, she mused to herself with a smile.

  Done with the short break, she turned her attention back to the tracks she recorded on her phone at the studio today and finished her work. A while later, Jimmy and Audra arrived with a much-needed bottle of wine and a six-pack. Damian Diamond, the band’s bassist, showed up right after them, his gravity-defying bright blue Mohawk bouncing with each step. A man of few words, Damien simply nodded at Audra and Kira in greeting and fist bumped Jimmy while offering a short “S’up?” He plopped down in one of the chairs and crossed one booted ankle over his knee.

  “Where’s Alyssa?” Kira asked, inquiring about Damien’s spitfire of a wife.

  “With Jessi. They took the kids for ice cream.”

  A few minutes later, in walked Tommy Blade, Immortal Angel’s guitar player, and the room got a whole lot sexier. Holding hands with his husband, Angel Garcia, Tommy flashed a white smile and brightened the place with his big blue eyes. Angel, ever the gentleman, kissed both Kira and Audra on the cheek and gave Jimmy and Damien a bear hug before sitting next to his husband.

  Tommy was more laid back and gave everyone a quick wave and a, “Hey. What’s up?” That’s all the man needed to melt panties across the nation. Sometimes, Kira imagined what it would be like to be Jessi Blade, married to Tommy since the beginning of time and then to Angel in a three-way commitment ceremony. Just thinking about it made a smile spread across her cheeks. Jessi was a lucky girl.

  “So, tell us, Kira,” Angel inquired, impatiently. “What did you think of the songs we recorded today?”

  “I’ve been listening to the four tracks nonstop. Three of them are still in my head. They’re catchy and perfect compositions, filled with energy. But that last one . . .” She trailed off and shook her head. “It needs work. Tommy, we know what you can do on the guitar. You need to bring it more on that last track.”

  “Really?” He wasn’t pissed off, just surprised.

  “Yes. And Angel,” Kira continued. “You were holding back. Your voice was restrained.”

  Angel took his critique to heart and contemplated her remark with a furrowed brow and nod of his head. “You’re right. I kept thinking about it over dinner. I should have put more passion into it. More grit. More swagger.” He was his own worst critic.

  “Don’t beat yourself up, A.” Tommy placed a reassuring arm around Angel and gave him a little hug.

  “No. She’s right,” Angel replied, lips pressed together in a thin straight line. “I didn’t give it my all.”

  Kira continued with her critique. “Jimmy, you were your usual whirlwind on the drums. A wildfire of beats. No complaints.”

  Lastly, she turned to Damien. His jaw stiffened and his brows pinched together when he realized that he was being scrutinized next. The hard-as-nails exterior didn’t faze Kira. Most people would have cringed or backed down, but she knew that, on the inside, Damien was a pussycat with a heart of gold. “It was a little one-note. The bass needs to be a little more grungy. Other than that,” she lifted her shoulders, “we’re good. Just think about stepping it up and we’ll be back in the studio next—”

&nb
sp; The ringing of Audra’s cell phone interrupted Kira’s commentary. “It’s Felix Osbourne.” Audra looked up with surprise and walked a few feet away to take the call in private.

  “Felix Osbourne?” Tommy sat up straighter in his seat. “Why is Bulletproof’s manager calling Audra?”

  There had been some conversations back and forth about a collaboration between Immortal Angel and members of heavy metal sensation Bulletproof doing a re-release of Sex & Greed, one of Immortal Angel’s biggest hits. They had performed the song together at the Get Rocked Festival in Vegas a few months ago and had blown away a crowd of a hundred-thousand people, including professionals in the industry. The idea that this fusion of talent might finally come to life and record together made Kira buzz with attention.

  She watched her sister speaking into the phone with a professional demeanor, but saw the excitement emanating from Audra’s facial expression and in the way she paced back and forth. Audra made eye contact with Kira as she spoke, and the sisters beamed at one another as they shared a broad smile.

  “Thank you, Mr. Osbourne. We’ll see you tomorrow.” Audra ended the call and rejoined the group, who were all waiting to hear what transpired on the call. “It looks like we’ll be in Chicago a little longer. Kira, can you change your flight? You need to be here for this.”

  Spur-of-the-moment changes in plans weren’t out of the ordinary in Kira’s line of work. There was always new talent popping up that needed to be scouted before the competition swooped in and procured a record contract, and she prided herself on signing the most sought-after bands before anyone else. She checked her calendar and saw no conflicting appointments that would prevent her from returning to New York in a few days instead of tomorrow. “I can do that. What’s going on?”

  “Bulletproof is in town. They finally have a break in their tour and can get into the studio. We’re recording Sex & Greed tomorrow at nine a.m., featuring Brandon Bullet on guest vocals and Derek MacAlister on guitar.”

  Everyone arrived at the studio early, anxious and excited about working with members of the nation’s top heavy metal band. True to his reputation, Felix Osbourne, renowned as a stickler for punctuality, showed up at five minutes to nine with the members of Bulletproof and an entourage of bodyguards in tow.

  Kira was used to seeing Immortal Angel with security, but it was nothing compared to the flurry of commotion that Bulletproof brought with them. She had assumed it would only be Derek MacAlister, Brandon Bullet and their ever-present manager arriving at the studio. Instead, all four bandmembers arrived with four bodyguards.

  Even though they met in Vegas a few months ago, Audra re-introduced the men to Kira. “You remember Bulletproof’s lead singer, Brandon.”

  Brandon Bullet was as iconic as Tommy Blade. With his long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, the two were basically mirror images of each other. Kira eyed their combined good looks and determined that it should be illegal for this much sexiness to be in one room. “Of course.” Kira shook Brandon’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

  Audra went down the line and introduced the other members of Bulletproof, as if they needed an introduction. “Jeremy Kagan, bass player. Derek MacAlister, joining us today on lead guitar. And Alan Delgado.”

  “Master of the double bass,” Alan proclaimed, with a smile, offering his own accreditation.

  “I’m very excited that this juncture has finally come together,” Kira said. “This is going to be a phenomenal collaboration, and I look forward to future endeavors between the two bands. I think we can all agree that the re-release of Sex & Greed is going to be a huge success.”

  While the two bands got reacquainted with one another, Kira joined the audio engineer to go over a few things. They barely had a five-minute conversation before Audra pulled her away.

  “You need to see this,” Audra whispered. “Bulletproof is bringing in their own equipment instead of using the house amps.”

  Kira rolled her eyes, accustomed to the outlandish demands of musicians. “Rock stars are such divas.”

  “It’s not that. You need to see some of the roadies Bulletproof brought with them. They’re really hot.”

  Audra was always trying to fix Kira up with someone, which was sometimes appreciated since Kira’s career kept her constantly on the move, and she had zero free time to meet anyone. Music came first though, and, right now, she was working on the production of a mega-star union. “Thanks, but I’m a little busy. And why are you checking out guys?”

  “I’m married. Not dead. Besides, I’m only looking out for my little sister.”

  “I’m fine, Audra.”

  “When was the last time you were on a date?”

  Kira thought about it and was embarrassed to admit that it had been well over two months. Luckily, her life was full, and she was an independent woman. She didn’t need a steady man in her life. Her heart didn’t always agree, though, and she turned a little melancholy. It would be nice to have someone to come home to at the end of the day sometimes. Or not always being the single one at gatherings. “I’m concentrating on my career. I don’t have time to date.”

  “There’s no harm in looking. It’s fun. Like old times.” Audra looped her arm through Kira’s, and they turned so they faced the doorway. “Look,” Audra urged. “One of them is coming in now.”

  The large amp blocked the view of the person pushing the noisy dolly across the room, but a tattooed hand hugging the amp caught Kira’s attention. She studied the artwork as he approached. It looked familiar, and then she recognized it. Her fingers flew to her mouth, and she gasped when she spotted the skull tattoo on the back of his hand – the same hand that had caressed her naked breasts the day before. “Oh my God. It’s him.”

  “Him who?”

  “The guy from Starbucks,” she whispered, under her cupped hand.

  Audra grabbed Kira’s arm, eyes wide as saucers. “You’re joking, right?”

  Kira shook her head, the memory making her cheeks flush.

  “Holy shit. Here’s your chance.” Audra gave Kira a small push forward. “Go.”

  “My chance for what?” He still hadn’t seen her, and she didn’t want him to. Embarrassed because she knew he had the wrong idea about her ethics, she wanted to run out of the studio before he saw her, but she couldn’t. She had a job to do, and above all, she was a professional. She stood tall, shoulders back, head held high, both hands now resting on her hips, and waited.

  Seconds later, those piercing black eyes came into view. His full beard reminded her of the erotic scrape against her cheeks and breasts, and it robbed her of her breath.

  When his head moved to the side to look ahead and make sure the path in front of him was clear, he spotted her. Recognition made him stop dead. His eyes opened a little wider and his mouth drew back into an illuminating smile. He hurried over to her, pushing the amp at a quickened pace. “What are you doing here? I thought I’d never see you again.”

  That was the plan. She leaned closer and whispered against his ear, emphatically. “Do not say anything to anyone.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “What’s your name?” she countered, raising an eyebrow.

  “Brett.”

  A sexy name for a sexy man. She held out her hand in a formal introduction, as if she just met him for the first time. “Kira. Abelman.” He brought the tips of her fingers to his lips, shattering that charade, and she held her breath as a trail of fire traveled up her arm.

  “Kira. That’s a beautiful name.” He tilted his head slightly, still holding onto her hand, as the connection clicked. “Abelman? Kira Abelman? As in heir to the Falcon Records empire?”

  “Yes,” Kira said, proudly. “Ron Abelman is my father.”

  “Fuck. I didn’t know.”

  She realized that he might be in trouble if the band he worked for knew he had slept with a record mogul’s daughter, the label attached to the artists they were working with. Then again, knowing rock stars
, they’d probably raise his arm in victory for nailing the only single Abelman daughter. “How could you know? I never even told you my name.” Casual sex, without exchanging names, made her feel like such a naughty girl, causing a row of goosebumps to rise on her arms, and she had to fight to control the smile blossoming on her lips.

  “Do you want to get some coffee or something when we’re done here?”

  She scowled at him. Did he think she was a quick lay because they had spur-of-the-moment sex? The excitement of feeling like a naughty girl disappeared, and now she just felt immoral.

  He quickly realized he offended her and clarified his statement. “I didn’t mean it like that. I want to get to know you better. That’s all.”

  “I thought Bulletproof was only passing through Chicago on tour. I’m heading back to New York tomorrow. Why would you want to get to know me if we’re both leaving?”

  “Because I like you. And Bulletproof isn’t leaving until tomorrow evening. I’m free until then.” He smiled while his eyes grazed over her body. “I thought it would be pretty cool to spend some time with this hot-ass chick I met.”

  Her smile returned, even though he looked at her as if he wanted to eat her alive. Surprisingly, she wanted to spend more time with him as well. She was drawn to him, and not just because of the sexual energy that passed between them. She genuinely wanted to know more about him, especially since now she knew his line of work. Although on totally different scales, they were both in the music industry. “I really don’t think there’s time. I’m going to be here late tonight going over the recording.”

  He cocked his head with intrigue. “Are you the music producer? Is that what you do for a living?”

  “No. I’m an A&R executive for Falcon Records.”

  “That’s awesome. I’m thoroughly impressed. I’d love to hear more about what you do.” He displayed an irresistible smile. “Over dinner.”

  She really wanted to say yes, and he was making it so hard to decline, but it was a bad idea to get involved with someone who lived on the opposite side of the country. She’d tried long-distance relationships before, and they didn’t work. She always ended up getting her heart broken. They’d had their one-night stand. That’s all there could ever be between them. “I don’t think so.”