Sweeter Than Chocolate: Valentine's Day Anthology

by Gina Kincade

  Hendrix pulled on some sweats as the knocking became more persistent. Both our phones chimed with a text. I picked mine up and frowned. “It’s Franklin,” I said, sitting up. “I’ve missed three texts, babe. It’s important.”

  Hendrix flew out of the bedroom and down the stairs. I rushed to the bathroom and grabbed my robe. Franklin’s deep voice carried to our room, and my pulse kicked into overdrive. There was nothing ordinary about him showing up at our house unannounced, especially at this ungodly time of the morning.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, hurrying as fast as my hungover body would allow me to move. Reaching the last stair, I came to an abrupt halt. Franklin was a carbon copy of Hendrix, except older and with short hair. His blue eyes flickered with worry. His hands were shoved deep in his jeans pocket as he remained quiet.

  My attention landed on Janice, Mac’s mom and Franklin’s wife. Her big brown eyes filled with gentleness. Hendrix cleared his throat, deep concern embedded in his features.

  Everyone was staring at me.

  “Janice?” I asked, approaching them slowly. “What’s going on?” I choked on my words, swallowing back the fear and anxiety. There was no way this was good news.

  “Hi, Gemma. I’m sorry we’re here so early, but we need to talk,” Janice dropped her purse on the couch and patted the back of it.

  My focus bounced to Hendrix. “What’s wrong?”

  “Talk to Janice, babe. I’ll be in the kitchen. I just think it needs to come from her.” Hendrix leaned over and gave me a quick peck on the lips. “Dad, let’s make some coffee. I don’t expect anyone will be going back to sleep for a while.”

  Franklin squeezed my shoulder as the guys left us alone in the living room.

  “You’re scaring me, Janice. What’s wrong?” I wrung my hands together as we sat side-by-side on the leather loveseat across from the couch.

  “Here.” Janice handed me her phone.

  My hand flew over my mouth while I stared at her screen. “Oh, God. No. No.” I dropped her iPhone on the floor and doubled over, clutching my stomach and sobbing.

  Janice pulled me to her and wrapped her arms around me, smoothing my hair. “It’s going to be alright, hon.”

  I clung to the only mom I had left, my hot, salty tears stinging my skin. “I don’t understand.” I sat up and wiped my face with the sleeve of my robe. “That’s not.” Pointing to her phone, I shook my head vigorously. “That’s not what happened.” I sniffled and attempted to contain my feelings.

  “Are the nude images not real?” Janice asked, taking my hand in hers.

  Anger erupted inside me. “Not that one. I had a photo shoot yesterday for Hendrix’s Valentine’s Day gift, but I wasn’t nude. There were a few that appeared that way, but I was covered with a blanket and wore a bikini bottom and pasties.”

  “Did you have a confidentiality agreement in place before you did this?” Janice asked.

  My head snapped up as horror consumed me. “Yes, she had a bunch of paperwork I had to sign, which was great because I’d not even considered a confidentiality clause.” I slapped my hands over my face and bit my lip. Hard. “But don’t people break those all the time?” I sniffled. “Shit. This sucks. I really liked her a lot and had even considered her for the band’s promo pictures…”

  “Hon, you’re famous. Some people will use you any way they can to make money.”

  My brow furrowed. “I didn’t do that. I didn’t pose nude or topless,” I hissed. “And, she was a recommendation from Cade. I never even considered that she’d betray me by releasing the images online.” I sank back into my seat, trying to contain my tears while I fiddled with the belt on my robe. “Mac was with me.” My gaze drifted to Janice’s again.

  “Franklin will take care of the photos, but it’s already gone viral. I’m really sorry, Gemma.”

  “My boobs aren’t even that big. Thank God.” I hung my head, the weight of the situation bearing down on me.

  “You guys have a public appearance tomorrow in Seattle. You should expect some rude comments and vulgar remarks from your fans.” Janice patted my knee in an attempt to soothe me.

  “Dammit. Dammit. How could I have been so fucking stupid?” I ran my fingers through my hair, secretly wanting to yank at it with all my might. It would be better than what I was feeling right now. “Those people think they’ve seen my boobs.” I hid my face in my hands, a new rush of tears consuming me.

  “Some of the pictures are fine. There are two of you topless and fully exposed.” Janice rubbed my back while she talked. “I know you and Hendrix are young and in love. You just have to remember that you’re both celebrities, and you have to be super careful when you do something like this.”

  My tears slowed down as I turned to look at her. “Do you think I’m a slut?” It would literally crush me if Franklin and Janice thought poorly of me. They were my family. My soon to be in-laws.

  “Not even a little bit.” Her eyes lit up with her warm smile. “When I was young, I dated a guy who had left for boot camp. I decided it would be fun to wear some very revealing lingerie and sent him a few polaroid pictures.”

  My brow quirked up. “What’s a polaroid?”

  Janice laughed. “It was an instant camera that held a pack of film negatives inside. You took a picture, it spit it out, then the reactive chemicals on the negative developed the photo in sixty seconds. You didn’t have to take it to a lab to be processed. They were all the rave back then.”

  “What happened?” I asked, sitting up.

  “His sergeant confiscated them. I was mortified that they’d ended up in someone else’s hands, not to mention most likely passed around.”

  “Oh. Shit.” I blew out a big breath.

  “I’d never think less of you, Gemma. Franklin and I adore you. You’re our daughter. You’re kind, loving, fun, and we’re so happy that you and Hendrix are engaged. Please don’t let something like this make you think it’s changed our opinion of you. It just couldn’t happen.” She tucked a piece of hair behind my shoulder.

  “Oh, God.” My mouth gaped open in horror. “Franklin. He saw them, didn’t he?” My heart plummeted into my stomach. Franklin had been one of the few men who had never looked at me inappropriately. Even our managers for August Clover leered at me. But never Franklin. And now? My body trembled as the realization fully dawned on me. “He’s seen me topless… Janice.”

  “Yes... We did. A call came in around five-thirty this morning. Apparently, your publicist for the band saw the pictures and contacted him immediately. Before we even came over here, Franklin made a few calls to begin tracing where they’d been posted from. But do you know what he did the second he saw them?”

  I shook my head.

  “He set the phone down and turned to me. He told me what had happened and said he needed us to go through them together because someone had taken advantage of our daughter. Gemma, tears streamed down my big, tough husband’s face. He knew there was more to the story, but the idea of him viewing you in that situation crushed him. We saw two, then he handed the phone to me and walked away. He said he’d have to rely on me to see the rest so we could figure out what legal action needed to be taken.”

  “My dad would have never treated me like that. When he found out that I was dating Hendrix, he broke my ribs.” I rubbed my side, still feeling the phantom pain at times.

  “Not this Dad. He’s fiercely protective of his family. He will talk to you about the course of action, too.”

  “I have to look at the rest of them, don’t I?” I slumped into the loveseat and groaned.

  “I’ll go through them with you. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed, Gemma. You did nothing wrong. Even if you had posed nude for Hendrix, that’s between you two. But for it not to be shared with the world, you need a legally binding contract that protects you. And even then, it’s risky.”

  “Babe?” Hendrix poked his head into the living room, his eyes filled with so much love and support I thought I’d fall ap
art again. “We’re going to get through this.”

  I stood as he closed the space between us. “We’re in this together.” He wrapped me up in his strong arms and placed a tender kiss on the top of my head.

  “I’m so sorry.” My voice hitched.

  “No.” Hendrix dropped an arm from my waist and tipped my chin up. “Don’t you dare. There’s nothing to apologize for.”

  “Your Valentine’s Day present is ruined.” My lower lip trembled. “I wanted to do something special for you, I just didn’t think Kami would sell or release them.” I shook my head and took a deep breath. How had this mess happened?

  “It wasn’t Kami,” Franklin said, joining the rest of us. He handed Janice and me a cup of coffee then retrieved his own from the kitchen. “My people have talked to Kami. There was a break-in last night at her studio, and all her equipment and computers were stolen. Apparently there have been a string of robberies, so we know for a fact that she wasn’t involved. She's horrified and upset and will call Gemma personally.”

  “What? Oh thank God. Not that she was robbed, but that she’s innocent.” I was suddenly relieved that Kami hadn’t sold me out or betrayed me.

  Someone wrapped firmly on my front door, and I cringed a little. Who else would be here so early?

  “I’ve got it.” Franklin opened the door a few inches. “Hi hon, come on in. Good morning, Cade.”

  “Bestie!” Mac flew across the room and knocked me backward on the couch with her hug. “I’m so sorry. This would have never happened if I hadn’t talked you into it.” Mac sat up and stared at me with her red-rimmed eyes. Her pigtails were uneven, and I suspected she’d jumped out of bed to rush over here.

  “Mac,” I said, my voice filling with compassion. “I’m not upset with you. At all. Please don’t think I am. This isn’t your fault.”

  “You’re not mad at me?” She sniffled and wiped her nose on her orange coat sleeve.

  “She’s been frantic all morning. The only reason she wasn’t here even earlier was that I wouldn’t let her. We weren’t even sure if you’d seen them yet,” Cade added.

  “Hey,” Hendrix said, nodding at Cade. “There’s fresh coffee in the kitchen, help yourself.”

  Cade patted Hendrix on the back and stifled a yawn while he walked over to the coffee pot, preparing cups for himself and Mac.

  “Thanks, babe,” Mac said, taking her mug and blowing on it.

  “How can we help?” Cade asked, sitting on the couch next to Franklin.

  “I’m waiting for a call to see if the IP address could be traced. We know some of the photos are fake,” Franklin explained.

  “Yeah, no kidding. Gemma’s tatas are so not that big. I’m just dumbfounded Kami would do something like this.” Mac shook her head in disbelief. “She seemed so nice and genuine.”

  My jaw clenched, and I delivered a sharp jab to Mac’s side with my elbow. I leaned over and whispered. “No tit jokes. At least not in front of Franklin and Cade, please.”

  She grimaced and sank down in her seat. She pretended to zip her lips and offered me an apologetic smile.

  “As I was saying, we know some of the images aren’t Gemma,” Franklin continued.

  “The ones with clothes on are mine. I did a few that looked like I wasn’t wearing anything, but I was, it was just the angle of the camera.” I glanced over at Hendrix, his face unreadable. Was he angry with me and just saving it for later?

  “My big concern is the autograph signing and performance tomorrow in Seattle. Fans are going to react differently. I know the record label supplies your security, but I’d like to call Pierce and see if he and one of his guys are available. I’d just feel better.” Franklin leaned forward, his expression remaining serious.

  Mac nearly bolted out of her seat. “Yes! I mean, they know us and…well, I think we would all feel better with the extra layer of protection. Right, Gemma?

  Mac’s shoulders slumped forward, and she plunked back in the seat. “I just can’t believe this happened.”

  Pierce Westbrook had been the first bodyguard I’d ever had. He’d also trained me in self-defense and martial arts. We had a special friendship, and I missed him dearly. At the same time, until recently, our relationship had caused some friction between Hendrix and me. Hendrix had sworn Pierce was in love with me. I argued to the contrary. Now, Pierce had reunited with his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, and I couldn’t be happier for them. I adored Sutton. She was just as badass as Pierce but had him wrapped around her little finger. Sutton loved him with all of her being and protected him as much as he did her.

  “I’d like to have the guys with us tomorrow,” Hendrix admitted. “Gemma’s not been through this before, but I’ve seen a lot of things happen with bands, and the crazies come out of the woodwork. I want her safe.” He walked over to me, sank to his knees, and I took his hand in mine. “I’m not saying that to scare you, but I want us to be alert. I think the extra security is a good idea.”

  “All right,” I agreed, trusting his experience.

  Franklin’s phone rang, and he excused himself to our office down the hall.

  “Are you going with us tomorrow?” I asked Mac.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Mac leaned her head on my shoulder and took my other hand in hers. My heart ached at the situation we were in, but at the same time, I couldn’t ask for better people in my life. At least Kami hadn’t betrayed me. I’d really liked her.

  “The pictures have been removed from the internet,” Franklin reported, entering the living room again. “It didn’t stop the millions of people who already saw them, but they’re down.”

  “How?” I asked, grateful for Franklin’s many powerful connections.

  “I know a guy who knows a guy…” He smiled, his attention never leaving me. “All right, let me talk to Pierce, and let’s get you guys ready for tomorrow. I’m sure the record label will get in front of the photo situation. They will explain the theft and editing of the pictures to make the nudes appear to be Gemma, but I’m still investigating what happened. We’ve made headway, but as far as I’m concerned, you don’t come after my family and get away with it.”

  “Get ‘em, Dad!” Mac threw a punch into the air for emphasis.

  Franklin and Janice hugged us all goodbye, and Hendrix closed the door behind them.

  “Fuuuuccckkkk.” Mac sank dramatically into the couch. “What a day, and it’s only nine in the morning. I’m like … I don’t even know. Tired. Exhausted. And this didn’t even happen to me. I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now, Gemma.”

  I rubbed my forehead, wishing this lousy nightmare away. Tucking my feet beneath me, I played with a strand of Hendrix’s hair. After telling his parents goodbye, he’d sat on the floor by the love seat again. “Are you sure you’re not angry with me?” My voice sounded paper-thin. The whole mess had already worn me out.

  “No. I’m actually really proud of you.” His blue eyes found mine, and I melted in my seat. “I know what a huge step this was for you.” He turned my hand over and placed a gentle kiss on my palm.

  “I don’t have another Valentine’s gift for you.” My chin trembled with my words. It was supposed to have been a special day, and now it was all fucked up.

  “We’ll do something special with the pictures. Kami should have them backed up in a cloud somewhere anyway,” Hendrix assured me.

  I frowned. “But they’re not on the internet anymore for other people to see, right?”

  “Correct, but it doesn’t mean I didn’t screenshot my favorites.” Hendrix flashed me a warm smile.

  “I love you for that, but it also just reminded me that every other male and female that liked them did the same thing.”

  “Gemma, I don’t want to overstep here, but the best thing you can do is let Franklin continue the investigation and move on. It wasn’t your body, I mean, ya know.” Cade glanced at Hendrix, the awkward moment written all over his face. And for the first time sinc
e I’d known him, he blushed.

  “He’s right. You’re going to have to come to terms with the fact that you didn’t do anything wrong. But, if you ever decide to surprise me like that again, speak to Dad, get his opinion, and have him be the one to draw up the legal documents to protect you, babe.”

  I swallowed hard. “Franklin?”

  “Talk to Mom,” Mac added, understanding how uncomfortable that would be for me.

  “I can do that. Would anyone care if I crawled back into bed? We were up until three, and this morning has been packed with more excitement than I wanted to deal with. I’d love to take a shower and crawl back under the covers. Plus, we have a big day tomorrow.”

  Cade stood and took Mac’s hand. “Yeah, I think it’s a good idea for us, too.”