Dangerously Close

by Dee J. Adams

  “Look, Paula, let’s talk about this when I get back, all right. I’ll give you a call and we’ll have a nice heart to heart about us.”

  She laughed. He still didn’t see they were meant for each other. “You are adorable,” she said. “Either I come with you now, or I walk back to Ashley’s house and tell her about the real you. Choice is yours.”

  Mel stared at the brick driveway and shook his head. Finally he looked up, but he didn’t make eye contact. “Move your Goddamn SUV into the garage and get in the fucking car.”

  Elation sang through her veins. That was good enough for her.

  * * *

  Mel stood in the hotel lobby, hiding behind a large potted plant that had been decorated with tiny white Christmas lighting, Paula by his side. The plane trip had been worse than miserable. He’d never felt more trapped in his entire life. He’d hoped that first class would be full, but the opposite had happened. Coach had been full with the only remaining seats in first class. He’d had to shell out almost three grand for Paula to join him.

  If there hadn’t been two benefit dates for two different children’s charities, he’d have canceled in a quick minute. But people were counting on him and there was no way he could risk Paula telling Ashley about him. He planned to do that himself. As soon as he got back home. He’d already decided to tell her, but he had to do it his way and he needed time to talk to her. She’d be pissed. He wouldn’t delude himself into thinking otherwise, but they’d talk it out. He’d make her understand why he lied. They were friends first, weren’t they? Didn’t friends cut friends some slack?

  Greg walked up to him. Mel had filled him in on the current situation and Greg, being the master at fixing Seger fuck-ups, had gone to work. But now he shook his head, his steady gaze silently communicating bad news. “There aren’t any extra rooms,” he said.

  Paula looked from Greg to him and back to Greg. “I hope you’re not thinking about an extra room for me.” She smiled brightly. “I don’t need it. I’ll be with Mel.”

  Like hell. Mel gritted his teeth. He’d all but ground his molars into a fine pulp in one afternoon’s plane trip.

  “The sofa in the suite is a pull out,” Greg informed him stoically.

  Paula chuckled, a low throaty laugh. “Won’t be necessary.” Under other circumstances the sound might have been sexy, but it only made Mel’s stomach lurch. So did Paula’s implication.

  Greg shook his head and shrugged. He handed Mel a card key to the room.

  “I’ll take the other one,” Paula said, swiping the other card key from his hand.

  Greg held up his palm. “That’s mine, Cupcake,” he told her. “I always have access to Seger. I don’t know what game you’re playing with him, but you don’t change my rules.”

  Paula kept the card. “I’m sure you’re very good at your job and I appreciate everything you do for Seger, but if you want a key to his room, you’ll have to go back to the front desk. This one’s mine.” She glanced between both of them. “Mel will back me up on this, won’t you, sweetheart?”

  Mel didn’t especially want her coming and going at will, but this bitch had him by the balls. “Let it go,” he murmured to Greg. Just how far did she plan to take this blackmail anyway? The prospects made him sick.

  “I signed you in under M. Summers,” Greg told him. His quiet voice carried a nasty edge. Mel didn’t take it personally. Paula did that to a guy. “You’ve got a sound check in twenty minutes so drop your bag off in the room and meet me back down here in five.” Greg headed to his own room, leaving him stuck with Paula.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The police had come to the house and Ashley had told them everything she knew, which, granted, wasn’t a lot. But the timing certainly seemed suspicious.

  Now, alone in her house, she thought about the past twelve days. Twelve days of not telling Mel about already having had the eye procedure. She’d come close so many times and nearly slipped a few other times. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him to know, but she’d come to care for him so much that she’d put him in the same category with her mother, sister and Ellie. It was bad enough that she had to live with the constant dread of waiting to see if the shots would take effect, but she didn’t want everyone else going through it too. Because Mel had heard the call from the doctor’s office, he’d be waiting for results just like her. So she’d given him another couple weeks’ reprieve. Let him go through the holidays without worrying about the results. He deserved it.

  Besides, who knew if there would be any results? The thought depressed her.

  What if she’d been giving too much credence to all the sex they’d been having? Maybe Mel didn’t feel the same way about her that she felt about him. Just because she’d classified him with the people she loved most didn’t mean he returned the sentiment.

  What if Mel moved out? What if Seger fired him or they parted ways? Sure, they’d always be friends, but would someone else housesit? Would Seger move in after all?

  After everything Mel had told her about Seger, she almost felt as if she knew him. As if they might even be friends if they ever met. It was odd considering he was the man who owned the house next door. Seger really was her neighbor, but if Mel was right about him not showing up to most of his homes, she might never meet him. Not that it mattered.

  All she could do was concentrate on now. Knowing Paula wouldn’t be back gave her spirit a truly needed boost and at this point, she’d take any boost she could get. In fact, maybe it was time to bring in the big guns. Christmas was only a handful of days away and she not only wanted her mom, she needed her.

  * * *

  Mel came out of the bathroom after putting on the Seger Hughes wig and stopped cold. He’d been dodging Paula for two full days. He’d hardly spent any time in the room and when they were alone, he ignored her. She hadn’t pushed him…until now.

  Now she stood at the end of the bed. Wearing absolutely nothing. She struck a pose and it was obviously something she’d worked on for a long time. She had her hands on her hips and flaunted a perfect body. No sexy underwear or pretense of teasing. She went straight for the jugular.

  “I think it’s time you paid me a little attention.” Not a hint of teasing in her voice.

  Mel swallowed. He had to play this right or risk Paula calling Ashley as soon as he left. He had one last gig to play then he was done. He had to hold Paula off one more night. “I told you I have a sound check.”

  “Someone else can do your sound check,” she said, advancing on him.

  “You know, Paula…” Shit. What could he say to stall her? It was crazy to think that not so long ago he wanted a woman who looked like her. But that time was gone. Now he wanted Ashley and only Ashley. “I think you should put your clothes back on.” He headed for the door, but she stopped him the same way she did in his driveway. Mel’s pulse revved faster…and not in a good way.

  Paula grabbed the lapel of his jacket. “You’re going to fuck me before you go.”

  The hell he would. He wasn’t coming back after this. Once he got out the door and played this gig, he’d grab the first flight out of San Francisco. Time for a little reverse psychology. Being honest with her hadn’t gotten him anywhere. “I tell you what, baby.” It made him sick to call her that. He wondered if she even heard since she hadn’t been listening to a thing he’d said since she’d faced him in the driveway. “I’ll come back here tonight right after the benefit, and you and me will have a going away party. Just the two of us.”

  “I want it now,” she said. She reached for his crotch and Mel grabbed her wrist.

  “Don’t—” touch me. Somehow he managed to keep the words in. “Don’t…get me worked up,” he said instead. “You don’t want me to have to do this benefit with a hard-on the world can see, do you?”

  She gave him a coy smile. “I just feel like you’re taking me for granted,” she murmured. “I can’t wait for you any longer.”

  “Yeah, well…I’ve just been preoc
cupied with work,” he said, edging toward the door. “Stay in the room like a good girl. Keep the bed warm for me and I’ll see you right after the show.”

  “It’s not just these last few days, you know,” she said, her eyes bright, her focus intense. “I’ve been waiting for you since junior high.” She grinned at the disbelief on his face. “You still don’t remember me, do you?”

  Holy shit. This was someone he knew from school? Someone who knew his past?

  “Remember when you went to McKinley in Ohio? Remember the day a few of the guys from the football team tortured a fat girl with curly red hair? They bumped her against the lockers and all her books and papers went flying and you helped her gather everything up. She was so shy she could barely look at you or say thank you…” Her smile turned dreamy. “I fell in love with you that day. I followed you. I learned your schedule. Then two months later you were gone. Just didn’t show up to school anymore. I looked for you. I knew where you lived because I’d followed you home. One day, I just got up the nerve and knocked on your door. But some strange woman answered and told me she lived there…that the old tenants had moved away. You were gone and I was afraid I’d never see you again.

  “So when you had your first single, I knew it was you. I knew one day I’d find you and we’d be together. I know you had to leave Ohio and it wasn’t like you were going to be interested in me back then. But I’ve worked hard to be the perfect woman for you. I know what you like. I even keep my hair color dark for you. I straightened it the way you like too. We were meant to be together.”

  Jesus, she’d completely gone off the deep end. He had no memory of the incident at the lockers. The scene so deeply engraved in her brain hadn’t even dented his.

  “I love you, Seger,” she said breathlessly, her eyes bright.

  “I know, baby.” He opened the door. “You just hold that thought.” Mel escaped and headed toward the elevator. He pulled out his phone and called Greg. He needed to get the hell out of Dodge. Fast. The phone rolled over to voice mail. “Greg, it’s me. Get me a charter flight out of here tonight. I know I said I’d take the bus back with the guys, but there’s no way I’m doing it with psycho Paula around. Look, just meet me at the sound check. We’ll talk then.” Mel ended the call.

  Twenty minutes later, Greg stormed into the sound check. He had on his damage control face. “I need to talk to you,” he said. “Take five everybody,” he shouted to the crewmembers in the large hall.

  Why the hell did he tell everyone to take five? All Mel wanted was a charter flight back to L.A. What was the fuss?

  Greg took his arm and walked him to the side of the room. “What the fuck were you thinking when you made that video?”

  What? Mel shook his head. “What video? What the hell are you talking about? I haven’t made any fucking videos since that fiasco ten years ago.” One sex tape could ruin a guy’s career.

  Greg looked incredulous. “You mean you really don’t know about this?” The man was starting to freak him out.

  “Know about what? What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Oh, fuck.” Greg ran his hand through his hair. “I thought you were pulling some kind of stunt to prove to the record label you could find a fan base.”

  “Greg, what the hell are you trying—”

  “The song you recorded last week is on YouTube.” Greg spit it out so fast Mel almost didn’t understand him.

  “It can’t be. I didn’t record it.”

  “You didn’t, but someone else sure as hell did. It’s got almost half a million hits already.”

  What the fuck? Holy shit. Half a million hits! That song was never meant for the public’s ears. It was his private song. His diary.

  The day he told Ashley the truth, it was for her.

  “Who the fuck recorded it?” Mel asked stupidly. Then he remembered the kid in the studio. “I’ll bet it was that fucking intern. He looked guilty as hell when I walked out the door.”

  Jesus, what if Ashley saw it. No wait. Ashley couldn’t see it. Relief swept through him. Even if she heard it, which was unlikely because she hadn’t used her computer since she lost her vision, she’d think it was Seger singing. She wouldn’t have any way to tell it was him. At least he didn’t think so. More than ever, he had to get home. Had to see her and tell her the truth before the guilt ate him whole…before she found out through someone else.

  “Seger,” Greg said, snapping his fingers in his face. “The record label found out and they’re talking about suing you for breach of contract. They have first right of refusal on your music. This video could cost you your career. It could wipe you out.”

  “What?” Shit, did he even care about his deal anymore? The only thing that mattered was getting to Ashley before she found out. “Did you get me a flight?” he asked.

  Greg put his arms out, unbelieving. “Did you hear a word I said?”

  “I don’t give a fuck. Did you get me a flight?”

  Finally, Greg nodded and sighed. He’d clearly given up. No doubt he saw his own career headed for the crapper. “I found a private jet. After the meet and greet you can take off.”

  “No.” Mel shook his head. “Sorry, man. I can’t stay for the M and G. I’ve got to get back. Tell ’em I’ll come back and play again, I don’t care, tell ’em whatever you want, but I have to get out of here. I’ve got to get back. It’s important.” Mel turned, but Greg grabbed his arm.

  “What about Cupcake?” Greg asked.

  “She can go back on the bus with the guys tomorrow. Just stall her tonight.”

  Shaking his head, Greg clenched his jaw. “I’m not a fucking babysitter, Seger. She’s your problem.” He took a deep breath, let it out slowly. “Look, I’ll do what I can, but don’t expect much.”

  “Thanks, man. I owe you so big.”

  “Yeah, that’s for damn sure.”

  * * *

  Paula surveyed herself in the mirror. She looked damn hot. Because she’d seen his other concert already this trip, not to mention all the others she’d gone to over the years, she skipped out on tonight’s show to get ready for the main event. She’d spent almost six hundred dollars at the spa, getting a massage, having her hair done, getting a mani/pedi, and charging it all to Seger’s room. Her skin glowed, soft and healthy. Her makeup was perfect. She’d bought a gorgeous ivory teddy at the lingerie shop downstairs, also charged to the room. She looked perfect. Tonight was going to be perfect.

  She came out of the bathroom and checked the room one last time. Rose petals covered the bed, just like they had on a music video he’d once made, and candles flickered softly. Seger would love it. He’d love her. Once he made love to her, he’d forget about Ashley and when they got back to L.A., she’d convince him to buy Ashley’s house. Who cared if it wasn’t for sale? He was Seger Hughes, he could do anything he wanted. They’d be rid of that blind girl once and for all.

  Paula checked the clock…almost midnight. The show would be over by now and Seger would be at his meet and greet. He did one after every show. She’d been with him last night and she’d been so proud. He was generous with his fans but didn’t lead on any of the women. He just smiled for their pictures and signed autographs. He belonged to her and he knew it. The feeling set her free in a way she hadn’t anticipated. She couldn’t wait to begin their life together. It all started tonight when he made love to her. She’d given him the whole trip to know her, to get comfortable with her. She hadn’t realized what a quiet man he was, but it didn’t bother her. He spoke through his music and he’d speak with his body tonight. She flushed thinking about his hands on her, his mouth on her.

  An hour later, she was still waiting. Maybe the line was longer since it was his last show. Maybe this was normal. He should have warned her though because now the candles were getting low.

  Paula paced the room and after another hour, her frustration turned to worry. Something had to be wrong for him not to have come back by now. She tossed off the teddy and pulled a sun
dress over her head. After shoving her feet into her new Jimmy Choos, she headed downstairs. It wouldn’t look right if she wasn’t dressed great. Any woman with Seger had to look great all the time. Only one of the reasons why Ashley didn’t deserve him.

  The show room was deserted. The bar only had a few people left in it as well. The lobby was empty. Where was Seger? Maybe they’d passed each other on the elevator. That was it. Paula laughed at herself. She was being ridiculous.

  But back in the room, there was still no sign of Seger.

  Instead of calling Greg, Paula went to his room and knocked. Hard. Seger’s manager would know where he was. In fact, Seger was probably with him, talking business. A rush of relief washed over her.

  Greg opened the door wearing a T-shirt and sweats. His room looked empty. He squinted in the hall light. “Yeah?” He sounded groggy. He’d been sleeping.

  “Hi, I thought Seger was with you. I can’t find him anywhere.” Any relief at thinking he was safe vanished and worry took over. “I think something’s wrong. We should call the police. He should be back by now.”

  Greg cleared his throat. “I’m sure he’s fine, Cupcake. He probably went out for a drink or something.”

  “He wouldn’t have done that. He knew I was waiting for him. Tonight was supposed to be special. We had plans. I know something’s wrong.” She turned to go. “I’m going to call the police. Anything could have happened to him. He’s famous for God’s sake, someone might—”

  “Hold up there, Cupcake.” Greg pulled her back. “He’s safe. Don’t call the police.”

  “How do you know? He could’ve been kidnapped or mugged or—”

  “He’s not any of those things,” Greg said. He rubbed a hand over his head. “Look, he left, okay?”

  “Left? What do you mean ‘left’?”

  “I mean he’s gone. He went back to L.A. after the show.”

  She laughed. “No he didn’t. He was coming back to the room.” But seeing the look on Greg’s face took the smile off her lips. Nausea simmered in her stomach. “He wouldn’t have just left me here. He wouldn’t. Besides, how could he? We’re taking the bus back with the band tomorrow. He told me that.”