by Penny Dee
“I know girls throw themselves at me because I am a singer in a band. They’re not really interested in me as a person. They’re interested in the showman, the guy up there on stage in the lights. And they think that because I get up in front of a few thousand people and entertain them for a set that it makes me something that I am not. I know that. I’m not an idiot. But I am a red blooded male and if they’re offering …” He shrugged and held up his hands. “Why does that make me so bad? I’m a twenty-two year old guy. I don’t lie and I never promise anything I can’t deliver … ever …”
By now she had fully turned to look at me and in the late afternoon light she looked so fucking amazing I couldn’t help but fuck her a million times in my mind. But it wasn’t enough. There was something about her that had grabbed my attention and now it wouldn’t let me go.
She walked forward. “I’m not judging you Heath,” she said sincerely. “It’s just that I’ve seen enough to know I should stay away from you.”
Her words gutted me.
I didn’t want that.
And I wasn’t prepared to give up without a fight.
“I know you don’t believe me, but I am one of the good guys. I don’t intentionally set out to hurt anyone. Let me prove it to you.”
She cocked her head to the side in the most adorable way that I wanted to take her face in my hands and kiss her.
“Why do you care so much about what I think?”
It was a good question, and one I couldn’t answer.
“I don’t know. But I do. And I would like a chance to know why I worry so much about what you think of me. If you’d give me a chance?”
She smiled but looked apologetic.
“Thanks again for dinner.” Her eyes glinted like precious stones in the dusk light and I could see a hint of wickedness there. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
Watching her walk away, gutted me. I took it slow riding home along the beachfront. The sun was setting but it was still warm. I rode up to my favorite spot on the Peninsula. It was a good place to think. To get some peace and quiet. I pulled my bike off the road and followed the rutted path down to the outlook. The sky was alight with the colors of sunset and the Pacific Ocean crashed onto the rocks below. I could taste sea salt on my tongue and inhaled a deep breath of ocean air. This was where God gave me perspective. This was where I felt humbled. Standing on the cliff edge with a wide blue ocean stretching out before me.
This was where God reminded you how fucking big the world was and how small you were in the grand scheme of things; how important it was to leave your ego at the door because at the end of the day, you were only as significant as your actions. It didn’t matter who you were, if you were a douche, you were a douche.
I didn’t plan on being a douche.
Heels to haunch I stared at the wide expanse of ocean. Something was happening inside of me. It was a feeling I’d never felt before.
I didn’t know why I was so hung up on this girl.
I just knew that I was, and it seemed I was prepared to do anything—anything—to get her attention.
And I wasn’t going to stop until I did.
Chapter Four
HARLOW
“Are you coming to the show tonight?”
The sound of Heath’s voice turned me around. He was walking up the street towards me.
“Now who’s stalking who?” I asked. I had just hopped off the bus and was heading towards work.
“I was on my way to see Fat Tony. Pure coincidence you’re going the same way.” He gestured with his arms to suggest the situation was completely out of his hands. “So are you coming to the gig at Lost City tonight?”
“Why would I?”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
I stopped walking; my eyes squinted against the Californian sun. “You’re not used to girls saying no to you, are you?”
“Why would they?”
“Or why wouldn’t they …”
“Good question.”
I frowned, confused, and Heath grinned.
Seeing his smug smile I gave up and started walking away from him. “God you’re annoying.”
He held his arms up again in an innocent gesture. “What?”
“Go away, Heath,” I said over my shoulder.
Not that he listened. In a second, he was trotting beside me. “I thought you might come along with Piper. Make some friends. Have fun. Hey, you could bring your cousin.”
“Bridge?”
“Yeah, the hot brunette,” he said with a grin.
I stopped, eyebrow raised. “She won’t have sex with you either.”
He gave me a sexy, mischievous half-smile. “You know I’m beginning to wonder about your obsession with sex.”
“I don’t have an obsession with sex.”
“You and I have probably had three conversations since we met and every one of them has involved you, me and sex. Is there something you want to tell me?”
“Yes. I will never have sex with you.” I paused to look at him. “And neither will Bridge.”
“Good. Then you can both not have sex with me together.”
I shook my head. He was rapacious.
“God you’re gross.”
“What?”
“Now you’re thinking about a threesome with me and my cousin.”
“Hey, you said it, not me.” He grinned. “But now that you mention it, I’ve never done cousins before.” He chuckled. “Well, not at the same time, anyway.”
I rolled my eyes and started walking again. “Thanks for the overshare.”
He jogged up beside me but was briefly distracted by a strawberry blonde in a tight skirt entering The Palace at the same time as us.
“Don’t let me stop you,” I said to him.
He looked at me blankly. “What? Her?” He waved off the idea. “I’ll get her number another time.”
I laughed at his arrogance and massive self-assurance. “Just like that.” I clicked my fingers. “You’ll get her number?”
He looked slightly perplexed. “Yeah, of course. If I want.”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure, Heath.”
“You don’t believe me?”
“No, I just don’t care.”
He eyed me and licked his lips. I could tell something devious was rolling over the cogs in his brain.
“Okay, I’ll make you a deal. If I get that girl’s number, you’ll come to the gig tonight.”
“And if you don’t?”
He laughed like the notion was absurd. “Then I will leave you alone and you won’t even know I’m around.”
I had to admit it; I was intrigued by his display of confidence. “Okay, fine. Why not.”
As Heath went off to talk to the girl, I put my handbag out the back and popped on my apron. It was quiet. Tony and Leo were in the kitchen chopping vegetable toppings for the rush on pizza later. Coralee was serving on the floor. Only three booths were occupied but that would change in an hour or so. Alice In Chains ‘Got Me Wrong’ played on the jukebox, near where Heath was talking to the girl in the tight skirt.
Although I couldn’t hear their conversation there was a lot of girlie giggling and hair twirling around well-manicured fingers. I aimlessly dried the same glass as I watched them, trying to ignore how irresistible Heath looked as he chatted up the girl. Aviators. White teeth. That damn smile that could melt the coldest of hearts.
Tight skirt girl wasn’t oblivious to it either. Her body language begged him to take her to bed.
When she leaned into him and put her hand on his chest and whispered something in his ear, I had to look away. I could only imagine what she was saying.
“Ooooh Heath, you’re so sexy, let me touch your dimples …”
“Ooooh Heath, you’re so funny and charming …”
“Ooooh Heath, look how big and strong your arms are … I bet you work out …”
I turned my back to them and replaced the over-dried glass into the rack. For some stupid reason t
he spectacle was really bugging me. Not that I cared if he went out with her. She was just one in a long line queuing up to be with him.
“Ooooh Heath, look at my big boobs. You can touch them later with your big hands, if you want …”
“Is that an invitation?”
My head shot up and I swung around. Heath stood opposite me, sunglasses up, his bright blue eyes twinkling. Heat rushed to my cheeks. Before I could say anything he held up a drink coaster, looking smug. I leaned in. There was a phone number scrawled across the cardboard. Anastasia was written underneath and the i in her name was dotted with a love heart.
“Ugh!” I rolled my eyes.
Heath grinned. He flicked his sunglasses down and he looked so damn hot I hated myself for thinking it. But it wasn’t the way he looked that caught my breath in my throat. It was the rich, raspy tone of his voice when he said, “Guess I’ll be seeing you tonight.”
His words fucked me right there on the spot and when he walked away I realized he had given me goosebumps.
And how relieved I was that Tight Skirt had given him her number.
* * * * *
This is not a date.
You do not like this guy.
This guy is a player.
This guy uses women.
This guy is trouble.
Get involved with this guy and chances are you will end up throwing a drink at him.
“What are you doing,” Bridge asked, wandering into my room. “You’re muttering away to yourself like a psycho. And if you yank through all your clothes anymore, they’re all going to fall off their hangers.”
I swung around, frustrated at the lack of clothes in my wardrobe. “I’ve got nothing to wear.”
“To?”
“Vengeance are playing at some club tonight. I’m going with Piper.” I held up a top and checked my reflection in the mirror. “You’re invited too.”
“I’m covering Coralee’s shift at The Palace tonight. Where are Vengeance playing?”
“Lost City.”
Bridge grimaced. “Home to Laguna’s finest,” she said sarcastically. “But don’t worry; you’ve been to Epic so you’ve already scraped the bottom of the barrel.”
“That’s so reassuring,” I said holding up another top.
She shook her head at my choice, so I held up another.
“With jeans?” she asked.
I nodded. After my shift at The Palace I’d gone jean shopping and bought three pairs.
Bridge shook her head. “No.”
Surrendering, I threw the top onto the stack of rejected tops piling up on my bed and bit my lip. I really needed a makeover. A Californian makeover. None of my clothes seemed right and looking at the pile of discarded clothes, I was amazed I had ever worn any of them.
Bridge held up a finger. “Wait.” She disappeared out of the room and returned moments later with a silky aqua blue halter top.
“Since I’m not going to be able to talk you out of going, I might as well help you look fabulous.” She handed me the top and I slipped it over the bra I was wearing.
“But you can’t wear a bra,” she said, helping to dress me as I removed my bra. She took a step back and whistled. “You look hot.”
I stood and turned to look at my reflection in the mirror. The top was perfect. Shiny and tight with a cowl neckline that occasionally showed the rise of my boobs. It was also short and did nothing to hide my belly. Against the gentle aqua my skin looked dark. It was a sexy top. Like nothing I had ever worn in my life.
“Are you sure?” I asked, wondering if I could pull something like this off. I’d never gone anywhere without a bra.
“You look incredible.” She smiled. “But I must need my head read letting you go out with Heath Dillinger when you look this hot.”
For some stupid reason I felt the sudden release of butterflies in my belly at the mention of his name. Which was stupid because he had heartache written all over him. Yet for some reason I wasn’t quite ready to stay away from him.
I gently shook my head. Nothing would ever happen between us. I was in California to have fun and in five months I would return to Georgia and start college in the Fall. I didn’t have time for romantic complications. Plus, after my break up with Colton, a boyfriend was the last thing I needed.
Not that Heath was boyfriend material. He had said it himself. He was a master at one night stands. And I didn’t care how good he was, I didn’t do one night stands.
Bridget disappeared to her room, returning with lip gloss and shoes.
“Try this lipstick.” She passed me the vial of gloss. It was pale pink and a perfect match to go with the aqua top.
She also handed me a stunning pair of heels. Stiletto. Black and chrome. And way too sexy for their own good. They raised me four inches taller and made my legs go on forever.
After a little accessorizing with silver bangles and a choker, the outfit was complete. I stood in front of the full length mirror and shook my chocolate mane to mess it up a bit.
The girl looking back at me didn’t look like a nineteen year old from Georgia; she looked like a hot, twenty-one-year-old Californian girl ready for a good time.
And that’s exactly what she was looking for.
* * * * *
HEATH
Goddamn! I was in serious trouble. As soon as she walked in wearing that seriously smokin’ top, I knew I was in a whole world of trouble.
I was onstage singing to a club bursting at the seams with fans. The crowd was lapping it up. Then she walked in and I forgot the words to the song I was singing. A song I’d sung a million times. Because when she walked in all my brain knew was her.
She smiled at me and I came fucking undone. I tried to focus. After all, these people had hauled their cookies out there to see us and I wasn’t about to disappoint them. But damn, that girl had me distracted.
We had three songs left in the set before we were due to take a break and in all honesty, I just wanted them over and done with so I could go and talk to her.
It was torture seeing her across the room and not being able to stand next to her. Usually I loved performing, but right now it was getting in the way of the only thing I wanted to do; be with her.
Christ, I bet she smelled amazing. I bet her flawless brown skin was smooth and polished. I bet her amazing long hair was fragrant and would feel like silk against your skin. God, I bet she felt amazing to touch. Damn, was she braless? The thought went straight to my crotch. Christ, I needed to get off stage and take a cold shower.
As she moved through the crowd she cast those big green eyes in my direction and it took everything I had not to dive in there and chase after her. She made her way towards Piper and Kelsey, who were across the room in a VIP seating area, but she swung around as a guy tapped her on the shoulder.
Recognition lit up her face and the next thing I knew, she was fucking hugging the guy. Goddamn, why did that make me feel like punching something?
In three seconds I had him pegged. Clean cut and rich. Was this her preppy ex-prince from back home?
I knew I was distracted. And it wasn’t fair to the fans. So I tried to shut her out. Tried not to think about who he was and why she had her slender arms around him. Granted, it was only brief, and it was him who pulled her into a hug. And judging by her reaction, she didn’t really know this guy too well so it wasn’t her ex-boyfriend.
But it was obvious he wanted to know her. And why the fuck wouldn’t he? I noticed how he kept her engaged in conversation for a little bit. She was trying to keep it friendly but distant. Every time she put distance between them, he would close it and step closer. That’s when I recognized him. Dean. A regular at Fat Tony’s. A regular player. Good looking. Very popular with the co-eds who frequented The Palace. And a real douche.
Damn it, Dillinger. Focus!
I ripped my eyes off them in time to belt out a signature roar into the microphone, and stomped across the stage so I’d stop obsessing about her and Mr. Handsy.
Thankfully, by the time I looked back, Dean was gone and Harlow had joined Piper and Kelsey in the VIP lounge.
It seemed like it took forever to finish the set. But I was careful not to let the crowd know how keen I was for a break because they deserved better. But I was hardly subtle when I leapt off the stage and almost ran across the club towards the VIP lounge as soon as the set ended.
When Harlow smiled up at me I knew it was all over for me. She looked so damn good I just wanted scoop her up and keep her.
Yeah. I was in serious trouble.
* * * * *
HARLOW
I’d be lying if I said just the sight of him didn’t do things to me. It did. Big time. My stomach fluttered with a million butterflies as soon he came over to where I was sitting with Piper, Kelsey and the band’s two favorite roadies, Topher and Bandit. Straight away I was pleased I had come. The way everyone was looking at me in this top and jeans made me feel like I was Sandy in Grease and Heath was my Danny Zuko.
When I arrived at the club, I had run into Dean, the hottie I’d thrown beer over at Fat Tony’s. Distracted by Heath on stage, it had taken me a moment to recognize him when he tapped me on the shoulder. He was friendly and we giggled about my superior waitressing skills. He reminded me of our coffee date the following day, which kind of made me wonder what his intentions really were.
But as soon as Heath arrived at our table I pushed Dean from my mind. Heath’s attention didn’t waver from me all night. He was oblivious to the girls who tried to get his attention. Even the brazen attempt by a girl in gold hot pants who tried to wrap herself around him as he walked to the bar was met with a preoccupied rebuff. He simply untangled her with a smile and kept walking.
As soon as he finished each set he would rush back to our table. Then at the end of the night he leaned in and whispered, “Come for a ride with me?”
“Now?” I asked, trying to ignore how close his lips were to mine.
“I’m ready if you are?”
He had ridden his bike to the show and it was securely parked behind the club in a small alcove. Again, when I climbed on the back he took my hands and wrapped them around his waist.
