by Arell Rivers
I glance at Rose, who looks incredulous. I’m so used to this type of behavior that it barely registers anymore. I check her nametag and begin, “We’re starving, Deanna. We’ve been working all day. Can you please bring us a pepperoni pizza and two bottled waters?”
“Sure thing, Mr. Manchester. I’ll get this for you right away. Let me know if there’s something else I can do for you. Anything.” With that, she licks her lips and walks toward the kitchen, never once checking in with Rose. Oh boy. Cautiously, I glance at Rose.
“You seriously deal with this all the time?”
I shrug. What can I say? Since Rose is now my girlfriend, she’s going to get a first-hand glimpse at this type of behavior. This was pretty tame, actually. Thank fuck she didn’t ask me to sign her tits.
“This place is usually pretty good since I’m sort of a regular. I don’t get harassed too much when I come in here.”
“Good to know,” she says dryly.
“Why, Miss Bloomer, are you jealous?”
“Of course not!” She looks affronted, but I know it’s just a façade. “It’s just so weird. For me, that is. I deal with publicity all the time, but usually from behind the scenes.” She tips her head toward the waitress. “Does that sort of thing bother you?”
“They’re my fans. They’re the reason I’m able to make a living playing music and writing songs. The day they stop acting like this will be the beginning of the end of my career. In that sense, I’m grateful for their stares, stutters and innuendos. I hope you’ll get used to it, too.” I want to grab her hand, but I know we can’t do that in public. Not yet, anyway.
“I know you’re right. I did admire how you addressed her by name to make her feel special. Honestly, I’ve always respected how you take time out for your fans. And what you did for that boy Josh, setting him up with violin lessons all those years ago, really changed his life.”
“When I met him and his mother at the meet-and-greet in Phoenix, I knew I had to help them out. He reminded me of me, so taken by music, and I was happy to sponsor his lessons. I just wish I could do more.”
“You’ve already done so much.” Rose’s eyes drift toward the stand where all the restaurant’s workers are gathered. “In any event, our waitress can go tell all her friends that the Cole Manchester knows her name.” She adds teasingly, “All her high school friends, that is.”
Our conversation is interrupted by Deanna returning with our food. We both devour the pizza.
“This is really good, Cole. Not quite New York City pizza, but good. Much better than the place near my rental. Thanks.” With a giggle, she adds, “You know, I would kiss you, but don’t want to keel over dead from Deanna’s bad juju.”
“Yeah, I think I’d be pulling pins out of a doll for weeks if you did,” I reply with a smirk.
Depositing some bills from my wallet on the table, I wave good-bye to our teen waitress as we exit. “Now I’m ready to go christen your place.”
About thirty minutes later, I put my car in park and rush around to open Rose’s car door. As I close it, I hear, “There you are, girlie! I’ve missed you around here. And still with Mr. Hot Stuff, I see.”
We both turn and give Grandma Gertie a big smile. I blow her a kiss.
“Looks like you two have worked things out. Well, good for you! Remember to treat her right and we’re all good.”
I give her a big thumbs up, while whispering “Is she always that protective, Ro?”
She nods. “She’s amazing despite all the hardships she’s had to endure. I’ll tell you her story sometime.” Rose collects her mail from the mailbox and we go to her front door, where I grab the package from Gruesome. Rose opens the door and turns off the alarm.
We walk into the living room and Rose immediately opens the packet, filled with photos, what looks like a police report and hospital forms. Sighing, she looks up at me. “This will probably take me some time to digest, Cole. I need to speak with Brandan, too.”
I give her a kiss on the forehead. “No worries, doll. I’ll get my guitar out of my car and work on my new song. I think I’ll take over your bedroom.”
When I come back inside a few minutes later, Rose is hunched over the documents at the dining room table. Deciding not to interrupt her concentration, I make a beeline for her bedroom, guitar case in hand. I open it and pull out my favorite guitar as well as a small bag that I had picked up yesterday. I’m excited to use my new gift on Rose. Placing the bag on the side table, I resume working on my new song.
Sometime later, I put my guitar back in its case. The song is nearly finished. I need to talk with Russell and Jon about adding it to my album. Not right now, though. Now it’s time to play. I take the vibrator out of the bag and bring it to the small bathroom across the hall to prepare it for Rose. Grinning, I wash it and put in new batteries. Then I return to the bedroom and place it on the side table beside the lube.
Feeling predatory, I stalk out to the living room, finding Rose on the phone. I make a big show of removing my shirt and throwing it over my shoulder. Her eyes light up and she acknowledges me with a smile. She says, “I will, Mom.”
I take a seat next to her on the sofa and begin to nibble on her throat. My hands knead her boobs through her clothes.
Frowning, I whisper, “You’re overdressed.” I try to pull up the bottom of her shirt, but she swats my hands and gives me a dirty look. Is that a challenge? Game on.
“I’ve put an ad on Craigslist for a new roommate,” she says into the phone.
Moving my hands to her calves, I run them up her legs. I’m less than pleased to hear this news – especially since I’m the second person to hear it – so I lean over and nip her free ear to express my displeasure.
“I’ll keep you posted, Mom. Well, I better go. I have to deal with this mess with Brandan. Love you!” She disconnects the call.
“How’s your mom?”
“She’s good.”
“Does she know about us?”
She looks down and shakes her head.
What did I expect? We’ve only just begun to date, but I can’t hide my disappointment. “You’ll tell her soon, yes?” I reach out and raise her chin with my fingers so that I can look into her eyes. “Promise me.”
“I’ll let her know when the time is right, Cole.”
What the hell does that mean? Not letting her chin go, I ask “Any idea when that might be?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Why? Because you’re my publicist?”
“That too. I’m nervous how my mother will react given her history with my father. And . . . Please, let’s drop it for now, okay?” She kisses my fingers, then continues, “I finished tying up all the loose ends in the paparazzi situation and confirmed this evening’s plans with Brandan and Jessie. We’re meeting them at The Ice Lounge at 10:30 tonight. They’re getting there at ten, and will text me when they’re settled.”
“Fine, we’ll put your mother on hold. I know we can’t go public right now because of Gruesome, but I’m not happy about being your dirty little secret.”
Rose leans in and gives me a kiss, which I know is meant to soothe my ruffled emotions. I’m still prickly. “Let me go through my mail, and then I’m free until the club tonight.”
She can’t be embarrassed to tell her mom that she’s dating me, can she? Rose has been responsible for all the publicity surrounding my public image for years, so at least she knows the truth about my so-called relationships with many of the women I’ve been publicly linked to. Maybe she needs to explain that all to her mother. And what could she have meant by that comment about her father? What else don’t I know about her? This sucks.
“Oh my God! Not again!”
I rouse from my funk to look at my girlfriend, who is shaking. “What, Ro?” I’m immediately on high alert.
She extends a letter toward me in a trembling hand. I take it and stare in disbelief. Written in red lipstick, the note reads, “I SAID TO STAY AWAY YOU SLUT! HE’S
MINE!”
“Fuck!” Who the hell sent this to my girlfriend?
Resolutely, she picks up her cell and places a call. “Hello, Detective Mahoney, this is Rose Mor-Bloomer.” Seeking comfort, she leans against my body now that I’ve settled in next to her. I encircle my arms around her, all thoughts of my sulk erased.
“I’m so sorry to bother you on a Saturday, but I just opened a piece of mail that you should be aware of.” She reads the message to the cop. “Yes, I’m at my place. See you soon.” Ending the call, she drops both her cell and the letter, and embraces me tightly.
“I’m here, Ro. You’ve got me.” I place a light kiss on her cheek. I pull back and offer her what I hope is a reassuring look. Her eyes reflect so many emotions: fear, annoyance and trust. The trust, I know, is for me. Fat lot of good it has done for her so far, but I intend to rectify that situation immediately.
“I’m going to hire a private investigator to look into this. Maybe he can find out something that the cops overlooked.”
“Cole, I appreciate that, but—” Before she can utter another word, I put my finger across her lips.
“This isn’t up for debate. I should have done this a week ago.” While we wait for the detective to arrive, we make a copy of the letter and envelope it came in to show whoever we hire.
“Please, come in.” I usher Detective Mahoney into the living room. “Can I offer you a drink? I think all we have is water, though. We’ve been spending all our time at my house.”
Why am I compelled to explain our whereabouts to him? I frown at the obvious answer—I’m staking my claim. These emotions are still so new to me.
His response brings me back to the matter at hand. “No thanks, Mr. Manchester. Nice to see you again, although not under these circumstances.”
He turns to Rose. “Miss Bloomer, may I see the letter, please?”
Before he takes it from Rose, he puts on gloves and inserts it into a baggie marked “Evidence.”
“I’ll have forensics dust for fingerprints, and we’ll look into the manufacturer of the lipstick. May I have the envelope, too?” He puts that into a separate evidence bag.
“We brought in your roommate’s ex-girlfriends and they all had alibis that checked out in regards to your car. I don’t think this has anything to do with Mr. Stone.”
Confused, we look at each other and then at the officer. Rose says what we’re both thinking. “What do you mean, Detective Mahoney? Who could be responsible for this, if not one of Tommy’s exes?”
He clears his throat and looks at us. I’m standing protectively behind Rose, my hands on her shoulders. “Well, we need to finish our investigation of your past, Rose, but I doubt we’ll find anything. This feels like a female stalker to me. Not to get personal, but are you two dating?”
I nod.
“My theory is that the stalker is yours, Mr. Manchester.”
Well, hell.
ONCE DETECTIVE MAHONEY leaves, I give Rose a reassuring hug. The detective’s theory is tearing me apart. I want to be the person who protects her, not the one responsible for her needing protection.
“Let me reach out to Dan and Russell for some private investigators’ names, Ro. Why don’t you go pack up more of your things? We’ll get out of here.” I brace myself for her refusal.
“Sounds good. Thank you.” She goes into her bedroom, leaving me staring at her with my mouth open.
Shaking my head, I reach for my cell and pull up Dan’s number. Before I can press “send,” Rose shouts, “Cole!”
I race into the bedroom. “What?” I’m frantically surveying the room for signs of trouble when my gaze lands on Rose, who is holding the vibrator in front of her. “Oh.” I smirk. “You found your present. I was planning on giving it to you later.”
Rose’s icy blue eyes become a shade darker, but she doesn’t say anything. I approach her with slow, cautious steps. “Hey, it’s okay. We’ll bring it back to my place.”
She clears her throat. “I think it could be fun using it with you. I’ve never done that before.”
“My brave Ro. Believe me, I’ll blow your mind.” I lean toward her and capture her lips. Despite the letter, she responds beautifully to me. But I’m anxious to get us out of here and back to the safety of my house.
“Pack it.”
I physically turn her toward her closet and swat her ass. Not waiting for her reaction, I return to the living room and place my calls to Dan and Russell, running my finger over the one framed photo left on the bookcase. It’s of Rose and an older version of her, presumably her mother.
Rose rolls her suitcase into the room, stopping next to me. “Got everything you need?”
“Yes. Including your new present,” she smirks.
“Why, are you smirking at me, Miss Bloomer?”
“Looks like it, Mr. Manchester.” I’m grateful she’s able to be so lighthearted with me despite the dark turn our day took. I smile at her and together we return to my house.
“ARE YOU READY?”
“Almost. I ran this by Jessie and Brandan already, so now I need your attention.”
“I love it when you get all bossy.” I say, nibbling on her neck.
“Stop it,” she says, pushing back against me.
“C’mon, Ro, wouldn’t you rather neck?”
“Neck?!” She starts giggling uncontrollably.
Giving her an exaggerated sigh, I say, “Fine.” She goes over the details she spent the day crafting.
“Impressive. If I were wearing a hat, I’d be tipping it to you right now, sweetheart.”
Tracing my dimple, she asks, “Any questions?”
“Yes. Once I’m done rehabilitating Brandan’s reputation, at the expense of mine, I might add, what’s next for me? I don’t want to squander our time with more publicity appearances.”
Rose counters, “Why don’t you think of it as an adventure? Look how Jessie and Amanda handle it. They find it humorous.”
“Actually, that’s not a bad suggestion. Maybe I’ll talk with Amanda about that tonight. Or we can get together with them tomorrow?”
No sooner do those words escape my mouth than I remember Dan’s invitation. “Wait, we can’t tomorrow. Unless you have other plans, Dan invited us over for a BBQ. I want to introduce you to his wife, Suzanne, and my adorable goddaughter, Emma.”
A smile lights up her entire face. “I’d love that. I remember seeing Dan with you in college.”
I run my knuckles down her cheek. “Done.”
Rose looks down.
Uh-oh. “What?”
“It’s just that this is moving so fast. Maybe we shouldn’t go to your best friend’s house.”
“It will only be them and us, and they won’t talk with the press. It’s safe, I promise.”
“Thanks for including me.” I can tell she wants to say something more, but this evening’s drama is fast approaching, and she’s the puppet master.
“I’m proud to take you.” I check my reflection in the mirror. “Am I ready for my close-up?”
She smiles, and smooths my shirt. “Perfect.”
“Then, let’s go hit The Ice Lounge. The sooner this is over with, the sooner I can get you naked and under me. Again.”
“WHY CAN’T WE AT least walk in together?” I’m whining and I know it.
“Stop it, Cole. You know why. Drop me off before you get in the valet line. I’ll see you inside.”
A long line of people extends around the side of the club. This could pose a bigger problem than Rose realizes. “Um, sweetheart, look at the line. If you want to get in before I leave, you may want to rethink your strategy.” I drive past the building.
Rose sighs. “I’ve got it covered. I’ll see you inside.”
I quirk my eyebrow at her, and she looks confident. And slightly annoyed. At me. “What?”
“You’re not the only one who can get doors to open for them in this town, Cole.”
Shit, I’ve riled her independent streak without e
ven trying. “I didn’t mean anything by that. Of course you have connections. I wasn’t thinking.”
“Don’t underestimate me.”
“Believe me, I don’t.” I park the car in a strip mall parking lot a block away from The Ice Lounge. This is our last alone time before Operation Save The Ass a.k.a. Brandan, and I don’t want to go in there on bad terms with Rose. The night is going to be awful enough.
Turning to face her, I say, “Look, Ro, I don’t want to go in there with us fighting.” No use beating around the bush.
Her face softens. “Sorry I was short with you. I’m anxious. I hope everything goes according to plan.”
This I can easily handle. “Give me a kiss and I’ll reassure you.”
Rose gives me a half-hearted smile as she leans forward with lips puckered. I capture her lips, my tongue seeking and gaining an invitation into her mouth. She comes alive under my gentle persuasion. My cock starts to respond in kind, and I pull back. It won’t do for me to walk into the club with a woody. I suck in a breath when I look into Rose’s eyes, relishing the happiness I see there.
Clearing my suddenly dry throat, I ask, “All better?”
“Yes.” She leans in and gives me another, tender kiss, as if reassuring me that everything will be fine. Wasn’t I supposed to be the one offering her reassurance? “Are you ready, Cole?”
I glance down toward my cock. Rose’s eyes follow mine and a delightful smirk crosses her kiss-swollen lips. “I promise to take care of that for you. Later.”
“You better, since you’re responsible for it,” I retort.
I put the car back into drive and get into the long valet parking line. “See you in there,” I say as she discreetly exits the car and melts into the crowd.
As I hand my keys to the valet, my name erupts from the crowd. Showtime. I plaster a smile on my face. Cell phone cameras start snapping from all directions. “Cole! Cole! Can I get a picture with you?” Knowing how important this night is for Rose, I walk into the outskirts of the line and pose for some photos while fending off groping hands. The paparazzi are having a feeding frenzy too, but I ignore their pleas for photos and pretend not to hear their comments about Jessie and Brandan being inside. If not for the paps, I would be balls deep in Rose right this very second.
