Vegas, Baby: Complete Series

by Fiona Davenport

  They happened to be stopping in Vegas on their way to a remote island for their honeymoon. We met for lunch the morning of my last concert at The Lennox Hotel and Casino, and I asked them to make an appearance and reveal a big secret. They loved the idea.

  The crowd obviously loved the idea, too. Levi slung his guitar from his back around to his front as he came to a stop next to me. Brooklynn held a cordless mic in her hand, and Levi had a small one hooked over his ear.

  Once the noise died down, I handed my Gibson off to Louie, who gave me my acoustic. Then I went back to the standing microphone. “So, it’s supposed to be a surprise, but we’ve decided to let you be the first to learn about a collaboration we’ll be releasing on Rising Phoenix’s next album.” I paused as the crowd went wild and waited until they calmed before continuing. “You guys want to hear it?” Levi, Brooklynn, and I laughed at the mixed reaction of screaming, crying, and clapping. I was anxious to see how the audience reacted to the new song. I was headed back to LA. the next day to begin recording. By testing it out on the crowd now, I could make any tweaks that were necessary before Levi and Brooklynn showed up to lay down the track in two weeks.

  We cracked some jokes and got the audience riled up, especially when Levi bent Brooklynn backwards and kissed the hell out of her. Finally, I gave the signal, and a gleaming, white grand piano was wheeled onstage and positioned right next to Brooklynn. She sat on the bench and secured the mic before running her fingers over the keys a couple of times, which eventually morphed into a tune that was dark, heavy and thick with tension. Levi started strumming, and I joined in after a few bars.

  Brooklynn leaned in and began to sing in her smooth, smoky voice. She sang about love, about the pain of loving one man and breaking the heart of another.

  I joined her after a few lines, singing a contracting melody about loving a girl and not knowing if she belongs to me or another.

  When we finished, the three of us launched into a chorus about love drowning us instead of breathing love into our lives.

  This time, Levi started the verse, singing similar words to mine before Brooklynn joined him, confessing her love for him. We repeated the chorus, then I started the next verse. As I sang about the world falling apart when she left me for him, my eyes swept over the audience.

  The house lights were down, but they’d also taken the stage lights back up a notch, so they weren’t blinding. I stepped closer to the edge of the stage and dropped to my haunches so I could take a few of the hands reaching out to me. As I was standing back up, I glanced all the way to my left and my eyes locked on a black-haired beauty standing just inside the VIP area.

  My gaze was practically glued to her; I couldn’t seem to tear my eyes away. I wandered in her direction and when she realized I was staring at her, her perfectly plump lips opened in surprise. Her eyes widened, but it was still too dark for me to surmise the color.

  My verse came to an end, and Brooklynn played an interlude. I knew I needed to get back to them, but I wasn’t ready to look away yet, so I backed up slowly until I had no choice but to pay attention to where I was going so that I didn’t trip and make an ass of myself.

  It took everything in me to break the connection between us. However, when I closed my eyes as we started the chorus once again, it was her face I saw as I poured emotion into my performance.

  My voice blended with Levi’s and Brooklynn’s; our harmonies tight until we all broke off into different melodies.

  As the song came to an end, they faded out and it was just me singing about my hope to find a love like theirs. Something in me was whispering and despite the volume in the arena and the song streaming from my mouth, it was clear.

  It was telling me I’d found it. Her.

  The concert finally came to an end, and the normal after performance high was on a level I’d never felt before. I practically ran off stage but skidded to a stop when Brooklynn stepped in front of me, a giant smile plastered on her face.

  “That was amazing, Griff!” She yelled as she threw her arms around me. I didn’t bother trying to hug her back because a second later, she was gone, and I would have looked like a complete idiot hugging air.

  Levi had her tucked under his arm and tight to his side, and he was giving me a deadly glare. I grinned and winked at his wife, just to get under his skin. Normally, I would hang around and give him shit about being whipped, but I was on a fucking mission.

  “You two were incredible,” I said as I started moving again. “I owe you.” I threw the last part over my shoulder and jogged to the stage door that emptied out into the VIP area. But I needed to stay out of sight while I looked for her or I would be mobbed. I opened the door as much as I dared and tried to study each face in the crowd, but I wasn’t able to spot her.

  I was about to say fuck it and walk out into the slowly dwindling crowd when I heard Bex’s voice. “Hey, Griffith.” I felt a tug on my arm. I shook it off, intent on continuing my search. He repeated my name, and I turned my head to glare and snap at him, but he stood there with a raised eyebrow and his arms folded across his chest. “Meet and greet, man.”

  “Son of bitch,” I cursed. I’d forgotten about the fan get-together. “Shit, shit, shit.” Bex’s brow rose to his hairline. I loved the fans and was usually the first to head out to meet them. This little party had even been my idea since it was our last night.

  That was before I saw her.

  I really wanted to say fuck it and ditch out to find the black-haired beauty who would haunt my dreams. But I couldn’t do that to my loyal fans. “What’s going on?” Bex asked.

  I sighed and shook my head. Then, with one last longing look at the crush of people, I shut the door and reluctantly followed Bex to the lounge where everyone was waiting. When it was over, I was going to go through every ticket and every minute of security footage until I found out who she was. I’d even convince Drew, the hotel owner, to lend me his head of security to help. Drew would understand my instant obsession considering he’d felt that way about his wife when they met.

  We neared the room and despite the sound of talking and laughter coming through the doors, I had a hard time drumming up any enthusiasm. Bex threw me another questioning glance, and I just shrugged. I plastered a fake smile on my face and sauntered into the room.

  Cheers erupted, and my grin became a little more genuine. “That was an epic last show, Griffith!” Autumn, Drew’s wife, gushed as she threw her arms around me for a hug. Before I could reciprocate, I was left embracing air, and Autumn was tucked tightly under her husband’s arm while he glared daggers at me. I couldn’t help smiling cockily but took a respectful step back.

  Drew rolled his eyes, and a crooked smile tipped up one side of his lips. He reached out to shake my hand. “She’s right. Excellent show, Griff.”

  Autumn suddenly waved at someone behind my back. I turned to see who she was beckoning forward, but I got distracted when she spoke. “Aurora, Belle, Ariel! Come meet Griffith Thorne.”

  My eyebrows hit my hairline at the names she called out. Seriously? I almost laughed but didn’t want to be rude. I didn’t pay them much attention as they walked up because they were with Knox Dawson, the head of security for The Lennox. Maybe I could pull him aside after I said hi the girls.

  Knox and I shook hands, then he gestured to the trio beside him. “Griffith Thorne, these are my sisters.” His face, which was usually unreadable, was full of warning. I wasn’t sure if he was telling me to be nice to them or stay the fuck away.

  I slid my most charming fan smile on my face and turned fully to greet the girls. My eyes scanned their faces until I got to the last one. It looked like I wouldn’t have to talk to Knox later, after all. My heart rate skyrocketed, and the entire world faded away. The only thing I could see was my future standing right in front of me.

  Chapter 2

  Belle

  It shouldn’t have been possible, but Griffith Thorne was even more panty-melting in person than he was on stage.
My fingers itched to touch the scruff of his short beard and trace the diamonds sparkling on both ends of his black barbell eyebrow piercing. Ripped, black jeans, a black T-shirt with thin white stripes, and a black leather jacket did amazing things for his tall, sinewy body. His entire look screamed bad boy, and it only caught my interest even more.

  The front of his blond fauxhawk flopped over his forehead, but it didn’t block my view of his purpley-blue eyes—which were locked on my face. Unfortunately, my brother noticed where his attention was and ruined the moment by stepping in between us. “You heard me say ‘sisters,’ right?”

  Knox’s warning didn’t stop Griffith from offering his hand to each of us. He kept his distance and flashed a grin at Aurora and Ariel before quickly dropping their hands, but he stepped around Knox to get closer to me when it was my turn. “That must mean you’re Belle?”

  I felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment as I nodded. “Yeah, my mom has a thing about fairy tale princesses. Since our dad pretty much lives to indulge her, us girls ended up with names that sound like we should be starring in the next Disney movie.”

  His thumb slid against my palm, sending shivers down my spine. “If she’s as beautiful as you, I can understand why your father likes to give her what she wants.”

  With his deep voice, it sounded incredibly dirty. My cheeks felt like they were on fire as I imagined him giving me what I’d want if we were naked and alone. As if he knew what I was thinking, his eyes flared with masculine interest.

  “Do I need to repeat myself? A-fucking-gain?” my brother muttered. “Keep your grubby hands off my sisters.”

  Griffith glanced down to where his fingers were still wrapped around mine and reluctantly let go. “Grubby? I have a million-dollar insurance policy on these hands.”

  I appreciated Griffith’s attempt to use humor to diffuse the situation with Knox, but my big brother wasn’t one to let go of things when it came to his baby sisters. “Yeah, and it’d be a damn shame for your insurance company if I had to break your fingers because you can’t keep them to yourself.”

  “Knox, stop. Please.”

  Understanding how embarrassed I was, Aurora elbowed him in the side to emphasize my whispered plea. Then Ariel backed me up by adding, “You’re being way uncool, Bro. Even more than usual. How about you bring the macho level down a few notches before you ruin our night out?”

  “I’m not trying to ruin anything,” Knox huffed.

  “Maybe we all need to cut him some slack,” Griffith suggested. The four of us turned to him in surprise. “I bet he’s just jealous of his sisters since your mom didn’t love him enough to give him a princely name.”

  “Holy crap! You’re right,” Aurora gasped, narrowing her eyes at Knox. “It explains so much.”

  “Yeah, like the big ole stick he’s got shoved up his butt when it comes to us,” Ariel added with a giggle.

  With his focus on them instead of Griffith and me, my sisters each took one of Knox’s arms and practically dragged him away to go meet the drummer, Bex. After they were out of earshot, I turned to Griffith. “I’m so so so sorry. Knox can be a little over the top when it comes to guys hitting on his sisters.” His lips curved up at the edges, and I realized exactly what I’d just said. “I mean, not that you were hitting on me or anything. Just that my brother seems to think that you are.”

  “I’ve always thought Knox was pretty damn observant,” Griffith drawled with a smirk. “And it’s actually a relief to know that he’s been watching after you all these years.”

  “Um, you’re going to have to be a little more direct with me. I feel like maybe you’re saying you’re hitting on me, but I’m not sure and I don’t want to make a complete fool of myself here.” I reached out to trace the zipper on the sleeve of his jacket. “Or at least not more of one than I already have.”

  Griffith moved in close and tipped my head back by pressing one of his long fingers under my chin. With his eyes locked on mine, he confessed, “Will it make you feel better to know that I almost didn’t make it to the meet and greet because I raced off the stage to search for you?”

  “Me?” I echoed softly, my eyes going wide in surprise. “I don’t understand. We don’t even know each other; why would you go searching for me?”

  He brushed his thumb across my lips and groaned when my tongue flicked out and swept across his skin. I was shocked at myself for doing it, but it had seemed like a natural instinct. “I saw you when I was doing the last song with Levi and Brooklyn.”

  “I know. I caught you looking at me, but I figured it was just a thing that you do when you’re on stage.” I took a step back and dropped my gaze. “Like maybe you find a girl to sing to at every concert or something?”

  “Fuck no,” he growled, pulling me close and bending low to whisper in my ear. “After I spotted you in the audience, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. My reaction wasn’t part of the act. It was genuine.”

  I nodded jerkily but still didn’t look up. With the intensity of my attraction to him, Griffith could easily talk me into things I wouldn’t normally do. I was trying hard not to just suggest we go up to his room, but he must’ve taken it as me being reluctant to believe him because he asked, “Does the whole rock star thing scare you?”

  “A little,” I admitted softly. “Your life is so glamorous, and I’m just a normal girl who spends her days surrounded by flowers.”

  A couple in their mid-twenties with VIP badges hanging around their necks tapped Griffith on his shoulder to ask for a picture. They interrupted my story about I was in charge of the flower shop at The Lennox’s on-site wedding chapel. After I snapped it for them and handed the phone back, Griffith tugged me over to a darkened corner of the room where it would be harder to spot us. He positioned me with my back against the wall and caged me in with his arms on either side of my body. “Now that we have a little privacy, I wanted to talk about us more.”

  “Us?” I beamed a smile up at him because of how much I liked the sound of that.

  “Fuck yeah.” He grinned back at me and pointed between our bodies. “I hope you don’t have a problem with that because you and I are definitely going to be an us.”

  “Look at you tossing around words that make us sound like a couple when we only met like five minutes ago.” If it’d been any other man besides Griffith, I’d probably have already run away screaming for my brother to kick his butt. But Griffith was the guy I’d drooled over ever since the first poster of him went up before he started his gig at The Lennox. I was finally right where I wanted to be, so I brushed off my non-existent flirting skills and tilted my head to the side. “Do rock stars always move this fast?”

  A lock of his hair fell against his forehead when he leaned closer. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never acted like this with anyone before.”

  “Never?” Griffith was a super-hot rock god. I found it difficult to believe that he hadn’t moved fast with women when they threw themselves at him on a daily basis. Or at least that’s what I’d heard when I did some low-grade stalking of him online to feed my new obsession.

  He eased back a little and offered me an apologetic smile. “I did a lot of stupid shit when I was first starting out, but I was young and dumb back then. I learned my lesson early on, and I’m a fuck of a lot more careful nowadays.”

  Considering my lack of experience with men, his response wasn’t super comforting. My tone was much less enthusiastic when I said, “Okay.”

  “Fuck, that didn’t come out the way I wanted it to,” he groaned. “What I meant was it’s been a long damn time since I’ve been interested in a woman. I got tired of the shit people expect with a rock star and decided to focus on what’s important—the music. It’s part of what helped to catapult Rising Phoenix to where we are today. But as thankful for that as I am, it’s not what I was thinking about when I saw you standing there in the audience.”

  I liked that response a whole lot more. “What were you thinking about, then?”

  �
�That I was happy I hadn’t wasted my time with other women because I’d finally found the only other thing besides music that matters to me.” His lips brushed over mine as he whispered the last word against them. “You.”

  Chapter 3

  Griffith

  I lifted my head and licked my lips, tasting a sweetness that I instinctively knew was natural to Belle. My eyes were locked with hers, and I smiled as I tucked some wayward strands of her dark hair behind one ear. It was hard to remember where we were with her curvy body so close to mine. My hands were itching to discover every peak and valley.

  Her head was tipped backwards so she could look up at me. She only came to my chin and despite her mouthwatering curves, she looked small and delicate to me. I had a brief moment of worry that I might not be able to get my large girth inside her. The thought was fleeting because I knew in my soul that this woman was made for me, which meant we would fit together perfectly.

  I was devising a plan to get the fuck out of there and take her to bed when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I almost growled in frustration as I whipped around. But it was another group of fans who’d paid to spend time with the band, so I plastered on my smile and greeted them jovially. When I sensed movement in the corner of my eye, I glanced over to see Belle moving away. My hand darted out to take hold of hers, and I dragged her back to stand by my side. Then I returned my attention to the fans, though I made sure to include Belle in the conversation.