“No. I’m not the one who writes their paychecks. They belong to American Icon and they pretty much demand round-the-clock security on me. It’s a real pain in the ass.”
“Maybe we should just forget it. I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
I grinned. “You realize who you’re talking to, right?”
She laughed. “I suppose it would be odd if you stayed out of trouble, wouldn’t it?”
“Damn right, so don’t try and change me, woman.”
“Well,” she said stepping back. She folded her arms under her chest. “Looks like it’s too late.”
I turned towards the mirror, and nodded my approval. She’d trimmed the sides short and left it a little longer on top. If I got rid of the five-o’clock shadow, I’d probably looked more like a stockbroker than the hell-raising rocker who walked in earlier. I ran my fingers through the top of my hair, and smirked. “Damn and I didn’t think I could get any better looking.”
She snorted. “You’re such a goon.” She then sprayed something into the top of my hair and raked her hands through it. “This is a texturizing spray. It creates more a little dimension in the top your hair.”
“Are you saying I should buy this?” I asked as she handed me the bottle.
“Only if you want to keep your hair looking this way.”
I cocked my head to the side. “What if I hired you as my personal stylist? Then you could make sure my hair looks this way every day.”
“I’m surprised you don’t have a personal stylist already.”
I grinned wickedly. “I do but I much prefer your hands touching me instead of his.”
“Ah… Well, thanks for the offer but obviously that’s not even remotely feasible.”
“Why not?” I asked, the idea sounding better by the moment. “Seriously, I’d pay you triple of what you’re making here. Hell, I’ll even double that offer if you’d be willing to come to Europe with me when I tour.”
“Obviously that’s very tempting. But Ransom, obviously you know that I’m involved with the show right now.”
“Yeah, and so am I, but Taffy, there is life after American Icon. Don’t forget that.”
“I know,” she sighed. “My chances are probably pretty slim of winning the competition, anyway.”
“I’m not going to lie- the competition you’re performing against is stiff. There are some really talented artists you’re competing against.”
She studied my face for a minute and then raised her chin. “Ransom, tell me the truth - you don’t think I have what it takes to win, do you? That’s why you voted ‘no’.”
It was obvious that she thought I didn’t think so, and the wounded look on her heart-shaped face was wrecking me. Fuck, I hated being an asshole, but, it was for her good. “It’s not that you’re a bad singer,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. The fact was that her voice had taken me by surprise. It was strong, sexy, and had literally, made me speechless. There was no way I’d tell her that, however. At least not until the competition was over. If she was still interested in being a singer, I’d have her back, and help her make the right decisions. Until then, I’d have to lie through my teeth. “You’re better than most. But this is American Icon. The best of the best. Not only do you have to sing like an angel, but you need the confidence, and the stage presence to pull it all off.”
“So, what are you trying to say?” she asked, her eyes filling with tears.
I groaned inwardly.
Fuck.
“Just… think about my offer. Hell, more money and the chance to travel Europe? Come on, Taffy.”
She turned away, and I could tell that she was brushing at tears. Her sensitivity confirmed that I was right- she didn’t have a hard enough shell for this business.
“Taff?”
“I’ll definitely think about it,” she answered softly. “I mean, I’d be stupid to refuse the money and,” she turned back around, and managed a smile, “who wouldn’t want to travel around the world with a legendary rock star?”
“Legendary? I don’t know about that.” I stood up, and moved closer. “Listen, I’m sorry,” I said, pulling her into my arms. “You’re a sweet kid,” I murmured into her hair, which smelled like honey and vanilla. “Just don’t get your hopes up too high for winning this thing. It’s just a show, and doesn’t have to be the defining factor in your life. Hell, if I were you, I’d just drop out now, and save yourself a lot of heartache later.”
She went rigid and then pulled away from me. “Well, you’re not me, and I’m not one to give up that easily. Besides, you won the competition, and now you’re living larger than life. Is it so wrong that I want to see where this thing takes me?”
“It’s only wrong if you can’t face the end results without feeling like you failed the contest. This is going to be a stressful ride. You’re going to get criticized by everyone, the other contestants are going to start getting nasty, and the world is going to be judging you. I’m just trying to save you a lot of mental anguish.”
“I’m a big girl now, Ransom. I appreciate your advice, but I’ve got to try, and if I don’t win, so be it. But I’m not going to just quit that easily.”
“But why even put yourself through-.”
“I’m not finished,” she interrupted, her jaw set. “I know that you don’t want me in this contest, I’m not stupid, so don’t bother trying to talk me out of it. In fact,” she said, grabbing a broom, “my mom didn’t raise a quitter. If she was here right now, she’d tell me to keep my chin up, and not let anyone stand in my way, including you.”
“Your mom was a strong and thoughtful woman. I didn’t know her very well, but she obviously raised her daughter the same way.”
She smiled proudly. “Damn right. You know, she once told me that it’s not always about winning, but facing the challenges head-one with a smile, no matter how terrified you are.”
“Sounds like she may have had to follow her own advice,” I said, softly.
“She did and that’s why I have to do this. For her as well as myself.”
“I get that.”
“Good. So, you’re seriously not going to try and hoodwink me into dropping out of the contest?”
“Hey, if you want to go for it, who am I to stand in your way?”
“Just one of the judges.”
And the only person on the show who has your best interests at heart, I thought as her cell phone began to ring.
Chapter Ten
Tiffany
“Hi, what’s up Sinclair?” I asked, recognizing her ringtone.
“You still working?”
“Yes, for about another hour or so.”
“Is Ransom there?”
I raised my eyebrows. “Yes, but… how did you know?”
“Look, this reporter friend of Jesse’s just gave him a heads-up. The media is headed your way. Channel five, I believe. Apparently, someone called, and leaked that Ransom was getting his hair trimmed at Tangled.”
I groaned. “Oh no.”
“Oh no is right. They catch you two together, you’ll probably get disqualified.”
I closed my eyes. “I’m sure.”
“You know, it’s kind of fishy that he wants you off of the show, suddenly decides to pay you a visit at the shop, and now the media has been tipped off. Sounds like a setup to me.”
I turned towards Ransom, who was watching me closely.
Would he actually stoop to that level and tip off the media just to get me kicked off the show? “Okay, thanks. I’ll call you later.”
“Damn right you will, girl. Call me back as soon as you can.”
I hung up, and shoved my phone into my purse. “Ransom, you have to leave. Now.”
Before he could respond, Felicia, who was ringing up Mrs. Conway, stuck her head around the corner. “Girl, we got reporters coming this way.
Ransom’s face darkened. “Reporters?”
“Yeah, surprise, surprise,” I answered, dryly. I walked aroun
d the partition and glanced outside of the large plate window. A news van, Channel Five KSLA, was sitting outside of the shop, and standing next to the vehicle was a blonde reporter, powdering her face. “Crap. Can you stall them somehow?”
“Don’t worry. I got this,” she answered.
“What about them?” I whispered, nodding towards the teens who were both still on their phones.
She cleared her throat. “Yo, boys. You hungry?”
“Always,” replied the dark-haired kid.
“I’ve got a box of white chocolate-chunk cookies in the break room. You can have them if you want. Just go on back there, and help yourselves.”
Smiling, they both stood up and walked towards the back.
“Back there,” I said, pointing towards the break room door. “Feel free to turn on the television too. We’ll let you know when we’re ready for you.”
“I guess we’re out of here,” said Ransom as his security guys joined him.
“Where’s your back door?” asked the taller bodyguard.
“The exit is straight back, to the left,” I replied.
Ransom grabbed my hand. “Come with us. Like I mentioned before, I’ll buy you dinner, and we can catch up.”
I snatched my hand back. “No. Now listen to me Ransom, you may not care about the contest anymore, but I do. Seriously, you’ve got to get out of here.”
“Go away!” hollered Felicia from the front of the store as the reporters tried to enter. “No, I’m not unlocking the damn door, fool, we’re closed!”
“Please go,” I repeated. “Before someone else sees you.”
He sighed. “Fine, but-.”
“No buts.” I answered, walking towards the exit. I opened the door and stuck my head outside. The back parking lot was empty, save for mine and Felicia’s cars.
“It’s clear,” I said, turning around.
Ransom walked towards me.
I moved aside, to let him pass, but he stopped, and stared down into my eyes. “Thanks for the cut,” he said, with that sexy grin that still made me tingle, in spite of the current circumstances. “And, good luck.”
I still wasn’t sure if he was responsible for the media showing up. I prayed that he wasn’t and didn’t want to believe he was that much of an asshole. “Well, thanks.”
He motioned towards his security guards, and they stepped outside, leaving us alone. He then turned back to me. “Taffy,” he murmured, stepping closer. “I want you to know that if you need anything, anything from me, all you have to do is ask.”
I raised my chin, prepared to tell him that all I really wanted was for him to stay away, but before I could answer he leaned forward, and kissed me.
I forgot about everything else, and kissed him back. Closing my eyes, I melted into the guy I’d fantasized about for the last decade, even before he was a rock-star. I forgot about my anger, the media, even the contest as my heart thumped loudly in my chest, and his tongue moved inside of my mouth, hot and demanding.
I slid my hands around his neck and into the back of his hair, pulling him closer. He cupped my buns with the palms of his hands, grinding his hips into mine and the tingling between my legs grew into a desperate ache of desire.
“Mm…” he groaned pushing me back gently. “Fuck, I’m so sorry, Taffy. I don’t know what got into me.”
“It’s okay,” I said in a hoarse voice.
He averted his eyes and backed towards the door. “I, uh, I’d better go.”
“You should.”
Our eyes met again time and then he left.
“Now what was that?” asked Felicia from behind.
When I turned around, my cheeks were on fire. “How long have you been back there?”
“Long enough to want popcorn,” she smirked. “Damn, girl, I was about ready to turn the hose on you two.”
I smiled sheepishly. “I… I don’t really know what happened.”
“Celebrities. They think everything is theirs for the taking. You be careful, Tiffany. I don’ know what he’s up to, but don’t let him try and manipulate you.”
At that moment, I wanted him to manipulate every single part of me, but wasn’t about to give that information up. “I know,” I said, walking past her. “So, is the news van gone?”
“No, they’re still parked in front.”
I crossed my arms under my chest. “I wonder where Ransom and his security guards parked.”
“Davenport’s Steakhouse, the next block up. I overheard them talking about it.”
“Oh.”
“Let’s get those kids finished up so I can head out of here,” said Felicia, looking down at her watch. “I could really use a drink. You sure you don’t want to tag along, tonight?”
I smiled. “No. Seriously, I’m just going to go home and take it easy. If I make it through the next round of auditions, I’m not going to have a chance to relax for quite a while.”
“I hear you. Hey boys,” she said, stepping into the break room. “We’re ready for you.”
I walked to the front of the shop and looked out of the window just as the news-van pulled away from the curb. I wondered if they’d just given up, or if someone called them off. I thought of Ransom and how adamant he’d been about me stepping away from the contest. If he had anything to do with the media showing up, I’d never forgive him. I still wasn’t sure what his motives were, or why he was so determined to talk me out of continuing on. Regardless, I decided that it would be in my best interests to stay far away from him, at least until the contest was over.
Chapter Eleven
Ransom
After leaving the salon I followed my security guys down the alley and back to the Mercedes.
“Where to now?” asked Bowzer, who was driving.
I rubbed a hand across my face. “I need a drink. Let’s hit Bastion’s.”
Bastion’s was a very exclusive bar in West Hollywood, one that I frequented with my band during our downtime. I grabbed my phone and sent a text to Vance, to see if he’d meet me there.
“What about Sonia?” asked Jimmy, turning back to look at me. “Aren’t you supposed to meet her for dinner, tonight?”
I groaned. “That’s right. Fuck. I’ll just turn off my phone. I’ll tell her the battery died and that I forgot all about dinner. I really can’t deal with her shit right now.”
“She’s going to be pissed,” chuckled Bowzer, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t want to get on that woman’s bad side.”
“Oh hell, I’m used to it,” I answered, my mind drifting back to Tiffany, who didn’t have a bad side to her. In fact, every side was pretty fucking fantastic.
I laid my head back against the seat and closed my eyes.
What in the hell had I been thinking with that kiss?
The purpose of my visit had been to talk her out of continuing with the contest, not trying to fuck her in the back room. But looking down into her angelic, wholesome face had triggered something inside of me. I wasn’t sure if it was the fact that she wasn’t trying to seduce me, didn’t care that I was famous, or reminded me of the life I’d given up after winning Icon. She definitely represented my past, and the things I’d taken for granted, like a young girl’s crush on her friend’s older brother, which was much different than the groupies who now threw themselves at me, just because I was a celebrity. This was no longer an adolescent teenager, however. Taffy had grown up into a sexy, young woman and I had to admit, when she returned my kisses, it had turned me on so much, I was still hard.
“So Bastion’s then?” asked Bowzer.
I opened my eyes. “Yeah. I need a drink.”
***
“Do me a favor and hang back,” I told my security guys when we reached Bastion’s. “I don’t want to draw any attention. If I’m lucky, nobody will recognize me, and I’ll have some time to myself.”
They both agreed and while I entered the V.I.P. lounge first, and sat at the bar, they seated themselves at a booth farther away, but still in eyeshot.<
br />
“What’s your poison?” asked the bartender, a hot brunette who’d served me many times in the past. She tilted her head and squinted. “Ransom?”
“Yeah.”
“I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Part of my plan. I’m incognito, tonight.”
She put her hands on the bar and nodded. “You know what? I really like this new look of yours. It makes you look more… mature.”
“Mature?” I chuckled. “Are you saying I look older? I don’t know if that’s exactly a good thing for someone in my profession.”
“Hey, I didn’t mean it as an insult. You just seem a little more sophisticated with the shorter hair. You looked more like a pirate before. Like Johnny Depp’s character, from that movie, you know which one I mean?”
“Argh… you mean Jack Sparrow?”
She hit the top of the bar with her palm. “That’s it. You reminded me a little bit of Jack Sparrow before you had your hair cut.”
I rubbed the stubble on my chin. “So who do I remind you of now?”
She studied me intently. “I’d say you look a little like Colin Farrell, only,” she smiled saucily, “hotter.”
“Why Shelly, if I didn’t already know you were a lesbian, I’d think you were hitting on me.”
She put a hand on her hip. “I’m bi-sexual I’ll have you know and… a flirtatious bartender,” she said, lowering her voice, “which is always good for tips. But I’m faithful to Janice, so I guess you could say that I’m also a little bit of a blue-baller.”
“I’ve met Janice and I don’t blame you. That woman is as sweet as they come, and definitely a keeper.”
“Damn right. So,” she tossed her hair over her shoulder, and gave me a flirty smile. “So, what’s your pleasure tonight, Ransom?”
“I’ll have the usual,” I answered, motioning towards the liquor bottles lined up behind her.
She nodded, and then filled a glass with ice. She turned and reached up for the bottle of Gran Patron Tequila Platinum, which was on the top shelf. “So, why this sudden change?” she asked when she returned with the bottle.
Tangled Mess Page 7
