“Done,” she said, smiling.
“You are crazy,” Kieran said. “Thank you, this is very exciting.”
“Do you have anything to wear to a concert and for a night out in Vegas?”
“I…” Kieran stammered.
“That’s a no.” Memphis moved to get up. “Get up, get dressed—we need to go shopping.”
“Memphis, I don’t have money for clothes,” Kieran said, shaking her head.
“Well, you won’t need any. It’s my treat. Go get dressed!”
“I—I can’t, Memphis—”
“Don’t give me any shit, Kier. Just go get dressed—now!” Memphis said, her tone no-nonsense.
They ended up at the Beverly Center. Kieran absolutely refused to shop in any of the fancy stores; she would only go to Forever 21, because it was reasonably priced. Memphis acquiesced finally, taking her upstairs. Two hours later, Kieran had been coerced into two outfits, one a wraparound floral dress with a black fringe at the bottom and a matching choker piece, with knee-high black boots and a leather jacket. The other was a pair of opaque black jeans and an embroidered pink peasant blouse, with burgundy accents and black heeled booties.
“Okay,” Memphis said, “so now I’m betting that Oliver hasn’t even brought you to Diesel yet, has he?”
“No.”
“Figures.” Memphis rolled her eyes. “Well, I haven’t been up there in a while, so let’s go.”
They went to Diesel, and Kieran saw exactly why they had wanted Memphis to be one of their models. The store basically screamed her style. Memphis found a few pairs of shoes that she felt she had to have, and a couple of T-shirts as well as a $600 leather biker-style vest. She dropped an easy $1,400 at the store; she’d spent around $500 in Forever 21 as well.
“Do you always spend that kind of money when you shop?” Kieran asked as Memphis slid her credit card into her wallet and put it in her back pocket.
“Not every time,” Memphis said, smiling. “Mostly only if I come in here.” She glanced around the store.
“This place is very much you, though,” Kieran said.
Memphis grinned as she winked at the sales girl who’d been flirting with her the entire time they’d been there.
“Does every female in Los Angeles flirt with you?” Kieran said.
“No, just the ones that like my type.”
“What is your type exactly?”
Memphis looked back at her for a long moment, then shrugged. “I dunno. I guess kind of butch, kinda not…”
Kieran grinned. “Or just kinda hot DJ sound engineer…”
“That’s a type?”
“Probably not,” Kieran said, smiling.
“Probably not.”
The next day, Kieran rode with Memphis to the studio to meet the bus; BJ had sent an Escalade for them. When they arrived, Kieran was in awe of all the famous personalities she saw.
“Oh my God, that’s Jerith Michaels…” she said in a hushed whisper.
“Come on.” Memphis grinned as she took Kieran’s hand and led her over to Jerith.
“Hey, Kid,” Memphis said. “Got a fan here. Jerith Michaels, this is Kieran Haley. Kier, this is Jerith.”
Jerith smiled warmly at Kieran. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I…” Kieran stammered dumbly. “I have all of your albums, and especially Solo, that was such a wonderful album. You have the most beautiful voice…” She trailed off as she realized she was gushing like an idiot.
Jerith smiled modestly. “Well, thank you. That means a lot. You’re a friend of Memphis?”
“Yes.” Kieran wanted to die right then.
“Well, welcome.” Jerith smiled again and put his hand on her shoulder in a friendly gesture.
“Thank you,” Kieran said, trying to contain her excitement.
“Anyone seen Billy yet?” Jerith asked, his eyes touching on a few members of the group.
When no one said they had, he shook his head. “If she’s late, I swear…” He trailed off as he looked over at Memphis again. “I’ll give you permission to make her sound like shit.” He winked at her. Memphis laughed.
A few minutes later, Jordan Tate and her husband, Dylan Silver, arrived. Once again, Kieran was completely in awe. Jordan was such an incredible star—she couldn’t believe she was actually going to get to see her in concert.
“Whereabouts in London do you live?” Jordan asked when she heard where Kieran was from.
“Cricklewood.”
“Is that over near Childs Hill?”
“Yes, quite close, actually. Just round the bend, as it were.” Kieran smiled, happy to have something to talk to the superstar about.
Jordan laughed. “I remember that area. And they’ve built it up lately, haven’t they?”
“Yes, my flat was one of the newer ones, luckily.”
Jordan smiled. “Well, welcome to America.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m from over in Hendon originally,” Dylan said.
“Oh, yes, I know the area. I love White Fish over there.”
“Oh, don’t talk about White Fish…” Dylan’s accent was still very clear after many years in the States. “I miss their food so much—you cannot get a decent plate of fish and chips in this bloody country.”
“Sorry,” Kieran said, smiling. “I didn’t mean to make you homesick.”
“S’alright, we’re headed back after the new baby arrives.” Dylan touched Jordan’s barely rounding middle.
“Oh my goodness, when are you due?” Kieran hadn’t even been aware that Jordan Tate was pregnant again.
“Hopefully right after this tour ends,” Jordan said.
“Or there’s gonna be a lot of drama at the end of it,” Dylan said, chuckling.
“Not funny, Silver,” BJ said as he walked up.
Dylan grinned. “Not kidding, Beege.”
“I hate you,” BJ said, even as he chuckled. “You two all set?”
“Yep,” Jordan said, smiling.
“As usual, we’re waiting for Billy,” BJ said, shaking his head.
“Why’s Sparks here?” Jordan asked, having seen Devlin McGregor across the lot.
“Well, we’re gonna do a song or two tonight,” BJ said. “If that’s okay with ya.”
Jordan rolled her eyes. “Showboat.”
“Uh-huh,” BJ said, his light blue-green eyes sparkling.
“And the wife came to see you off, I see,” Memphis said as Allexxiss Ramsey-Sparks walked toward them.
Kieran was fairly certain she was about to faint. Allexxiss Ramsey-Sparks was a world-famous movie star, and she was walking toward them. She was glamorous even in jeans and a T-shirt, with her long blond hair back in a messy ponytail and no makeup. She was still one of the most beautiful women Kieran had ever seen.
“Lex,” BJ called to his wife, holding out his hand.
Allexxiss took it and let him pull her over to him, smiling.
“This is Kieran,” he said. “I told you about her.”
Allexxiss smiled. “Hi. I understand you’re going to have to deal with this guy on a daily basis—I apologize in advance.”
Kieran smiled. “I’m actually looking forward to it.”
“That’s ’cause you don’t know BJ yet,” Allexxiss said, grinning.
“She’ll learn,” Tabitha said as she walked up to the group, holding Devlin’s hand.
“Do I need this from the women in my life?” BJ asked, looking over at Devlin.
“I have to put up with your ass too, so… yeah, I think so,” Devlin said, grinning.
“Ha ha,” BJ said, sounding anything but amused. “Dev, this is Kieran. She’s gonna be working for me.”
Devlin smiled, his deep blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “I’m sorry,” he said, extending his hand to her.
Kieran smiled, completely dazzled by the extremely handsome guitarist and thinking that Tabitha Sparks-McGregor was one very lucky woman.
“Don’t believe any of
them, Kieran,” BJ said, winking at her. “We’re going to make a great team, you watch.”
“Yes, we are,” she said, smiling.
She really liked her new boss, even if all of his friends and his wife and daughter teased him mercilessly.
“Oh, look who’s arrived…” Tabitha said, shaking her head.
“Always an entrance,” Devlin said.
“Ready to kill her at this point,” BJ said, which made Allexxiss laugh.
Billy Montague walked up with Skyler, who held his hands up to BJ. “Sorry, man, not my fault.”
“Never is, Sky, no worries,” BJ said, glowering at Billy. “Any time…”
“Hey, shit happens, Beege, ya know?” Billy said, batting her eyelashes.
“Yeah, shit like contracts getting canceled,” he said mildly.
“Don’t start,” Allexxiss said. “You know she’ll just get bitchier.”
“I heard that, Allex!” Billy cried.
Allexxiss grinned. “Imagine that.”
Tabitha laughed softly. Her mother was one of a kind, that was for sure.
“I gotta say,” Memphis said quietly to her, “I do love your mom.”
“You and me both,” Devlin said.
“Alright, people,” BJ called. “Let’s mount up and get out of here.” He looked at Allexxiss. “We’re with Jordan and Dylan. Tabbie, where are you two going to ride?”
“I need to rub elbows with Remington LaRoché,” Devlin said.
“Groupie,” Tabitha muttered, which caused Devlin to grin.
“Hottest MMA fighter on the planet, babe. I’m just sayin’…”
Tabitha laughed. “Gay, I’m just sayin…”
“In love with my wife…”
Tabitha narrowed her eyes at him. “Better be.”
“Always, babe,” Devlin said, smiling.
They got on the bus, and Devlin immediately went to talk to Remington. She admired his talent as well, so it was an interesting conversation.
“Kieran, good to see you,” Remington said, nodding at her as she moved past her.
“Hi, Remington.”
“You can call me Remi.”
“Okay,” Kieran said, biting her lip.
“Come sit with us,” Wynter said to Kieran as Memphis went to stow their stuff in the back.
Wynter, Quinn, and Xandy were sitting together in the media area, an entertainment space with curved couches. When Memphis joined them, she lay down on one of the ends, her head right next to Kieran. It seemed perfectly natural to Kieran to put her hand on Memphis’ shoulder as they all talked. Memphis shifted at one point and put her head on Kieran’s thigh; Kieran smiled fondly. Remington walked into the area then and sat next to Wynter, sliding her arm around the singer and kissing her temple.
Quinn glanced over at Remington. “So, Devlin McGregor—big fan?”
“Yeah. It’s mutual, though—I’ve always been a big Sparks fan, and Devlin McGregor is one helluva guitarist.”
“I’ve always had Sparks’ posters on my walls,” Kieran said, smiling. “I have every album they’ve ever put out. Jordan Tate and Billy and the Kid too.”
“So essentially,” Memphis said, turning onto her back to look up at Kieran, “I’ve just made your whole life?”
Kieran laughed softly, nodding. “Well, you’ve definitely made my teenage dreams come true, that’s for sure.”
“Damn,” Memphis said, grinning. “You’re gonna have to tell me the adult ones, so I can work on those.”
Kieran shook her head, smiling down at her. Wynter and Remington exchanged a look; they both liked that the two girls were getting along this way. It had been noted how they’d danced at The Club a few nights before. Many in the group were hoping for a match.
When they reached Las Vegas it was 1:00 p.m. They were all express checked into the hotel by the concierge and made their way to their rooms. BJ told everyone that sound check would be at 3:00 p.m. at the Garden Arena. The room Kieran and Memphis ended up in was a Grand King with a view of the Las Vegas strip.
“Oh my lord…” Kieran said, staring down in awe.
Memphis chuckled as she hung her jacket in the closet, then put her duffle in it as well.
“Where do you want this?” she asked, holding up Kieran’s small suitcase.
“Oh, I’ll have it,” Kieran said, smiling as she took it.
A little while later, Kieran walked out of the bathroom wearing just her T-shirt and panties. She’d taken her jeans off to get more comfortable. She looked over at Memphis, who was on her laptop. As usual, music was playing on the Bose speaker Memphis had brought with her, which was connected to her iPhone. Memphis was sitting Indian style on the bed, her laptop in front of her. She’d type, then rub her index finger back and forth over her lips as she read. Then she’d type again and read some more.
“So what are you doing?” Kieran asked, sitting down on the other side of the bed.
Memphis glanced over at her, smiling. “I’m trying to research the sound system they have in the arena, to see if I can troubleshoot some of the problems ahead of time.”
Kieran looked over at what Memphis was typing in. It was basically a forum like the one she’d met Oliver in.
“I thought you said you didn’t chat,” she said, her eyes narrowed.
“I don’t,” Memphis said. “This is a forum for sound engineers. I’m not cruising the Internet for chicks.”
“Didn’t I just see someone tell you she loves you?” Kieran said, her voice deceptively innocent.
“I can’t stop the inanity,” Memphis said with a grin.
“Or the marriage proposals, apparently.” Kieran laughed as she pointed out someone who had asked Memphis to marry her.
Memphis gave a frustrated sigh. “Ever since New York…” She shook her head.
“Women have been coming after you?”
“It’s not funny.”
“It actually is rather funny,” Kieran said, her eyes sparkling.
“Why?” Memphis asked, glowering.
Kieran laughed. “Because you are absolutely adorable when you’re mortified.”
“I don’t like you right now,” Memphis said, her tone low, her blue eyes narrowed.
Kieran pressed her lips together in an attempt to look circumspect, but the humorous sparkle in her eyes spoiled the effect. Leaning over, she bumped Memphis’ shoulder.
“Quit it,” Memphis muttered stubbornly.
Kieran did it again.
“Quit. It.” Memphis’ words were measured, and her voice trailed off as she narrowed her eyes, stubbornly refusing to smile, though it was obvious she wanted to do just that.
Kieran moved to bump her shoulder again, and Memphis shifted back at the last second, which had Kieran ending up in her lap. Kieran gasped and laughed at the same time. She turned her head up toward Memphis’ with an expression of mock anger.
“That was uncalled for,” she said.
“Was it?”
Kieran started to sit up. Memphis’ hand on her shoulder stopped her. “Nope,” she said, her expression pointed.
“Nope, what?”
Memphis regarded her, one eyebrow raised.
Kieran opened her mouth in shock. “Is this some version of ‘you’ve made your bed, now lie in it’?”
Memphis laughed, nodding. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Well then,” Kieran said, shifting her head and closing her eyes. “I guess I’ll just take a nap.”
Memphis gave her a mildly surprised look, even as she picked up her laptop and set it aside. “You’re just going to lie there?” she said, amused.
Kieran didn’t open her eyes. “I am.”
Memphis bent her right knee, grinning down at Kieran. “You’re asking for it, you know.”
“Asking or begging?” Kieran asked, her tone dropping an octave. Her expression also changed.
Memphis saw it, and was immediately drawn to her. Leaning down, she kissed Kieran’s lips softly. She pulled ba
ck, looking down at her, her eyes searching Kieran’s.
“Not sure which,” she said, grinning.
Kieran reached up, sliding her hand around Memphis’ neck and pulling her head down to kiss her.
When their lips parted, Kieran said, “I was willing to beg.” She sat up, pressing her mouth to Memphis’ again.
Memphis slid her hand through Kieran’s hair, pulling her closer, her lips moving over the other girl’s sensually. As they kissed, Kieran straddled Memphis’ hips, leaning closer to her as the heat between them increased. She was pressing against Memphis’ jean-clad pelvis, and the friction was incredibly exciting. Memphis’ hands slid over her bare thighs then back to her ass, pulling at her, grasping her closer as she deepened the kiss.
Kieran moaned against Memphis’ lips, her hands around Memphis’ head, grasping at her hair, her neck, anything to keep her close. To Kieran’s complete shock, she felt her body on the verge of orgasm, and Memphis was still just kissing her. When she came, gasping and groaning out loud, her entire body felt like it was exploding, and she held onto Memphis’ shoulders as she trembled in the aftermath.
“See how much better that sounds,” Memphis said, her voice low. “When you come for me…”
“I know how much better that felt.” Kieran pressed Memphis back, her lips brushing over hers. “And now I want to hear you come for me,” she said, her voice still husky.
Memphis’ hands grasped at her waist as they continued to kiss. She pulled Kieran against her, her hands sliding up under Kieran’s shirt, touching bare skin. She moaned softly at the feel of it.
“Jesus, your skin is so soft,” Memphis murmured, only to capture Kieran’s lips again.
She was surprised when she felt Kieran’s hand at the waistband of her jeans and her fingers deftly unbuttoning them, then sliding inside. When Kieran touched her, Memphis could feel the heat and wetness of her own body against Kieran’s fingers. She was coming a moment later, moaning and breathing raggedly against Kieran’s neck.
In Plain Sight (WeHo Book 11) Page 12
