by Anne Mercier
Duet
Rockstar 8.5
Anne Mercier
Contents
DUET, ROCKSTAR 8.5
COPYRIGHT
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
SNEAK PEEK
DUET PLAYLIST
WHERE TO FIND ANNE
OTHER AVAILABLE TITLES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DUET, ROCKSTAR 8.5
A Sera and Cage short story.
Sera and Cage in Vegas: MMA, a formal gala, and a hot steamy night of sexin'.
*Previously published in the Alphas & Fairytales: A New Year's Eve anthology.
This edition is revised and expanded.
All proceeds will be going to St. Jude's Children's Network.
COPYRIGHT
Duet, Rockstar Book 8.5
©2017 Anne Mercier
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-9971000-1-3
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are products of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.
The use of actors, artists, and song titles and lyrics throughout this book are done so for storytelling purposes and should in no way be seen as advertisement. Trademark names are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement of the respective owner's trademark.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and please purchase your own copy.
PERSONAL NOTE: The only pirate I like is Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Morgan, which means I'd appreciate if you'd keep my books to yourself. Pirating shows a clear lack of respect for the author—me. I'd rather not meet you on bad terms, so let's not do that, let's not meet that way. Let's meet at a signing or conference instead, or let's go have a cup of coffee or a drink—maybe some of that Captain Morgan! Thank you for respecting the time and effort put into each book. I appreciate it very much.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Duet was previously published in the Alphas & Fairytales: A New Year's Eve Anthology, which is no longer in print. This version has been expanded and revised slightly. All proceeds from this Rockstar short novella will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Network.
Xander's book will be coming out very soon! The announcement as to when will be made on social media, via my newsletter, and also on my website. Links to all of these are at the back of the book.
I hope you enjoy this story about Sera and Cage who are one of my very favorite couples. They are the easiest to write because their love is so pure and true and they never have any secrets.
Thanks for reading the Rockstars! I can't say it enough.
Anne xoxo
DEDICATION
For the Sera and Cage lovers.
Chapter 1
SERA
It's New Year's Eve and we're at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for an MMA fight, a charity gala, and a night of paradise with my husband, Cage.
“Where are our seats?” I ask Cage.
“Ringside, of course.”
“Please say not the first row. I don’t want any blood staining my dress,” I tell him. I don’t mind blood on my jeans when I’m taking care of business but not on a ten thousand dollar Donna Karan dress.
Cage leans in over me from behind, his breath whispers against my ear. “It won’t matter. Your dress will be off very soon.”
I turn and see those eyes have gone black. “Mmm, promises, promises,” I tease.
“I always deliver on my promises, my darling Fee.”
I turn more so I can meet his lips. It’s just a press of our mouths together, but it ignites the spark that always burns for my husband. He pulls away too quickly for my liking.
“Let’s go find our seats,” Cage says, steering me down the aisle in the arena.
I knew MMA was popular but I had no idea it was like this. The main event tonight is Gavin “The Ripper” Jones versus Johnny “The Bone Crusher” Rodriguez. Falling Down is going to play Johnny’s entrance music. Falling Down consists of five guys: Jesse Kingston on lead vocals, Ben Kingston on lead guitar, Kennedy Caldwell on rhythm guitar, Ethan Ashcroft on bass guitar, and Xander Mackenzie on drums. Cage Nichols, my husband, produces and manages Falling Down. He also produces and manages Blush, the band I’m in.
How we all met is a long story, but I’ll try to condense it for you. Cage works with my grandpa, Giovanni Russo, in our “family business”. Lucy, my sister and Jesse Kingston’s wife, and I fell for Cage seven years ago after we moved to LA from Chicago. Lucy was chasing an acting career—one that she was pretty much forced into by our mom—and I chose modeling.
Lucy had a schoolgirl crush on Jesse, watching as Falling Down won some music show and went on to make it big. At the age of seventeen, when we were in the Chicago airport waiting to catch our flight to LA, we met Jesse. In the short amount of time we had to spend with him, Lucy and Jesse clicked on a whole other level.
But she was too young, being seventeen to his twenty-three, and Jesse wasn’t ready to settle down.
As luck would have it, we ran into them again six years later on the set of the making of the new Falling Down video. As Lucy and I both were very successful at our chosen careers and we loved music, Cage hired us to dance in various music videos over the years. This one he kept secret, and when Lucy and I were playing their instruments on the faux stage, they caught us.
That was the beginning for Lucy and Jesse—and that’s what inspired us to form Blush. Lucy’s lead vocals, I’m lead guitar, Jace Warner (a lifelong friend) is bass guitar, Meggie Melody (also a lifelong friend) is rhythm guitar, and Trace Styx (one of the biggest names in drummers) is on drums for us.
Jesse and Lucy got married one drunken night in Vegas. That was epic! Their story is just as epic. The story of Lucy and Xander searching for the "real" Elvis is priceless.
Xander's wife (we just found this out), Tera, is here and so is Ben's wife, Nicole. She met Ben when she was working as the Blush Baby—though he didn't give in easily. Nothing about Ben Kingston is easy. Well, except for his possessiveness. That's on a hair trigger.
Jace, his soon-to-be wife, Summer, and Jace's daughter, Kadence, didn't come along. They're celebrating their first New Year's Eve as a family. I think that's what Meggie and Trace are doing as well since they're not here either. It's kind of weird and nice at the same time not having the entire gang together at an event.
"They're all set up?" I ask Cage.
He nods. "I checked in with them earlier."
I snort. "No, you stopped by earlier, Mr. I-have-to-make-sure-things-are-done-the-way-I-like-them."
One side of his mouth tips up in a smirk. "You love that about me."
"I do. I love everything about you." I love my husband more than I ever thought I could. He is the other half of my soul.
His eyes darken. "You can show me just how much soon."
I rub my thighs together. Just that look gets me hot. "We have the gala," I say, almost pouting.
&nb
sp; He runs a finger along my jawline and over my lips. "We won't stay long. We'll make our appearances and go to our suite."
"Mmm," I purr, leaning in to the hand now cupping my cheek. "I love how you think."
"Let's sit," Lucy interrupts. "They're getting ready to introduce the fighters." Tera follows behind her and we take our seats—third row.
I listen to the announcer, loving the cadence of his voice, as he announces the first fighter.
"Johnny 'The Bone Crusher' Rodriiii-gueeeeez!"
The crowd erupts and so does the music.
It's all drums and cheers and riffs and chaos—and then it's Jesse Kingston. He looks fierce up there with his aviators on, tight jeans, and black Metallica t-shirt. His voice is a growl and gravely. It's enough to get a girl to scream, and scream they do—even in their formal gowns.
I know who you are
I know where you come from
I know where you've been
I'm gonna stop you from where you're goin'
I'm going to break you
I'm going to crush you
I'm going to rape you
I'm going to annihilate you
You won't see me comin'
I'm stalking my prey
You won't see me comin'
I'm the bone crusher, hey!
You think you know me
You think I care
You think you're the shit
You think I’m fuckin' scared
Dream on, you won't rip me
Walk on, you don't grip me
Go on and think what you want
I'm comin' for you
I'm going to break you
I'm going to crush you
I'm going to annihilate you
I'm going to conquer you
I'm!
Going!
To crush!
Yooooou!
Yeah, I'm gonna crush you
I'm gonna grind you down
I'm gonna crush you
I'm gonna crush you
Crush! You!
The cheers erupt for both Falling Down and The Bone Crusher.
"Wow. That was really intense," I mutter.
"I am so hot for my husband right now," Lucy tells me and I laugh.
"Did they play that for you before tonight?" I ask her.
She shakes her head. "Nope. All secretive and stuff, but it's going viral right now."
I nod and turn to Cage. "You heard it, though?"
"I did."
"It's heavier than they've been in a while."
He nods. "It is, but it's them. It's what they're known for and it's refreshing to see them going back to their roots."
"It is." I rest my head on his shoulder as the next fighter enters to In This Moment's Adrenalize. Nice.
Both of these fighters are incredibly ripped. Muscles on top of muscles, so well defined you just know they work hard to look that good.
"They look like a good matchup," I murmur to Cage.
"They are."
"Did you bet on one?"
He nods.
"Well, which one?" I ask.
He merely smirks.
"You're so frustrating sometimes."
"I'll help you with that very soon, Fee."
Yum.
Chapter 2
CAGE
"That was very bloody," Sera mutters as we exit the arena.
I rest my hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd.
"Too much?"
She looks over her shoulder and smirks. "Not for me." Her eyes slide to Tera and Lucy, who look disgusted.
I smirk despite myself. I shouldn't make light of their aversion to violence and blood, but given my occupation, it's an everyday occurrence. And Sera is no stranger to them either. I've seen her do more damage to someone than those fighters did to one another.
"I'm going to find Jesse. Hopefully he can fuck that image out of my head," Lucy says with a shudder.
Tera nods. "Just… yuck."
"Oh come on," Sera teases. "Didn't you look past the blood and see those hot male specimens?"
"Who could see past the blood?" Tera squeaks, and then the two of them disappear.
Sera laughs.
"You, dear Fee, are a naughty girl," I tease, sliding my finger down her jaw, over her shoulder, down her arm, and then I take her hand in mine.
She leans in close, lifting our joined hands and pressing against my chest.
"I think I deserve a spanking."
"You'll get that and so much more, my impertinent wife," I promise. Her eyes twinkle and I take a deep breath to steady my control. This woman, my wife, the love of my life, is my match in every way—and because she is, she tests my resolve.
She can test it now and later I'll break it.
Chapter 3
SERA
The gala is beautiful. The room is decked out in black and white. White linen tablecloths cover large round tables with seating for eight. Small floral centerpieces with holiday greenery surround large Hurricanes housing white candles. New Year's Eve party favors are randomly placed within and around the centerpiece. Perfect.
The dim lighting with the white fairy lights surround the edges of the room create a romantic ambiance. We'll be eating by mostly candlelight and I love that extra touch they added to the event.
The proceeds of tonight's events will be going to St. Jude's Children's Network. It's an amazing non-profit organization. As the keynote speaker begins, my mind drifts to Nicole, Ben's wife. Nicole was first diagnosed with leukemia as a teenager. She managed to beat it, even while in foster care, but then she relapsed. It was bad, so very bad. We didn't know if she would make it or not, but someone was looking out for her because just when they thought she wouldn't find a bone marrow donor match, they did. That bone marrow saved her life. She is, once again, in remission.
"What's on your mind, Fee?" Cage asks.
I look up at him. "It pisses me off that there isn't a cure."
He nods.
"If only they didn't have to go through what they do. If only it were as simple to cure as the common cold," I murmur, a tear slipping free.
Cage reaches up and wipes it away with his thumb. "Fee."
I shake my head and force a smile. "I'm all right. I promise. It just makes me sad to know how hard they fight and suffer. Children, Cage. It's the children that hurt my heart."
"We'll give back as best as we can. It's never enough," he tells me, "but it's all we can do."
I nod as he cups my cheek.
"Such a warm heart."
I smile softly. "It can be cold as ice at times."
"How well I know. But mostly it's warm and soft, just like you."
"I would say you're the same, but you're not soft. You're hard. Your body is strong, muscular, ripped. You're so much sexier than those fighters, Batman," I tell him with a wink.
He chuckles. "Good to know. Are you still up for dinner? We can skip if you'd like?"
I shake my head. "No. Let's go support the cause."
He presses a kiss to my forehead. "Do you know how much I love you?"
"I do. I love you, too, Cage."
Now he rests his forehead where his lips have just been. "You undo me, Fee."
"I hope I always will."
***
We sit down to dinner and I note there's only one table of us—they squeezed all ten of us onto one, thankfully. Me and Cage, Lucy and Jesse, Xander and Tera, Ben and Nicole, Kennedy, and Ethan. It's so weird not having the entire family here, but things change.
Jesse bites into his lamb and my lip curls.
"Baaaaah."
He looks up, brows furrowed.
"Baaaaah."
Now he raises one of his brows as he chews thoughtfully.
"Mary's missing her little lamb," Xander says and I nod.
"Totally is because Jesse's eating it! Baaaaah!"
"What about you over there? You're eating Nemo. Or maybe it's Dori. Maybe it's Nemo's d
ad?" Jesse mocks.
"Whoever it was should have just kept swimming and they wouldn't be on my plate," I snark. Everyone laughs.
"And Mary should have taken the key and locked her up and the lamb wouldn't be on my plate," he retorts.
"That's London Bridge, but I'll give it to you. Well done, brother-in-law. Well done," I concede.
He fakes a bow, still sitting. "Thank you. I'll be here all week. Not really, but… really, how does that go? Mary had a little lamb?" He forks a piece of meat into his mouth and I shudder.
"Nasty."
"You should know your nursery rhymes by now, Kingston. What the fuck?" Xander taunts.
"There are way too fucking many. You've seen that stack of books in the baby room. No way can I remember that shit," Jesse replies.
"Yet you can remember your locker combination from freshman year in high school," Xan chides.
"Damn straight. It's 34-15-12."
"Freak," Kennedy mutters.
I look over at Lucy and Xander whispering between the two of them, Tera smirking.
"Uh-oh," I mutter and Jesse sighs.
Kennedy laughs. "They're going Elvis hunting again."
"And taking Tera with them," Ethan announces, brows raised.
"Did you think I'd just sit here when there's a mission to be accomplished?" Tera asks.
I haven't got a good read on her yet. She's been here less than a week and a lot of that time she's spent in seclusion with Xander. I inwardly shake my head. Xander has a wife. Who woulda thunk it?
"Sister of mine, I'm turning my phone off and getting my kink on with Batman tonight, so if you need bail money, you're gonna have to call someone else," I tell Lucy.
