Falling Into Us
One More Night Trilogy
Selene Chardou
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Table of Contents
Excerpt from A Summer to Remember (Seasons of Love & Lust)
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Table of Contents
Dedication
Falling Into Us Playlist
Chapter One – Miami Blues
Chapter Two – Rock Star Lover
Chapter Three – Back In L.A.
Chapter Four – Reach Out & Touch Faith
Chapter Five – Concert One: The Staples Center
Chapter Six – Viva Las Vegas!
Chapter Seven – Sexy Bitch In Heat
Chapter Eight – Concert Two: MGM Grand Garden Arena
Chapter Nine – The Afterparty
Chapter Ten – On The Road Again
Chapter Eleven – Next Stop: Seattle
Chapter Twelve – Seattle Lovin’
Chapter Thirteen – Concert Three: The Tacoma Dome
Chapter Fourteen – The Agony & The Ecstasy: Touring 101
Chapter Fifteen – Tonight I’m Lovin’ You
Chapter Sixteen – Madison Square Garden
Chapter Seventeen – Goodbye New York, Hello Boston
Chapter Eighteen – Intermission
Chapter Nineteen – Goodbye to the States…For Now
Excerpt from A Summer to Remember (Seasons of Love & Lust)
About the Author
Contact & Resources
Current & Upcoming Novels
Dedication
To my fans and bloggers out there for rockin’ this series. This one is for you…enjoy!
Falling Into Us Playlist
“No Ordinary Love” – Sade
“Destiny” – Zero 7 feat. Sia
“Lost Without U” – Robin Thicke
“Clocks” - Coldplay
“Talk That Talk” – Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
“Up in the Air” – 30 Seconds to Mars
“Sexy Bitch” – David Guetta feat. Akon
“Nothing Else Matters” – Metallica
“Blurred Lines” – Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell Williams
“This Love (Will be Your Downfall)” – Ellie Goulding
“She Sells Sanctuary” – The Cult
“Gauze” – Deftones
“My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light ‘em Up) – Fall Out Boy
“If The World” – Guns N’ Roses
“Turn Me On” – David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj
“Celebrity Skin” – Hole
“2 Wicky” - Hooverphonic
“Tempest” – Deftones
Chapter One
Miami Blues
Kasper “Kaz” Gillian paced back and forth on the balcony at The Setai Hotel in Miami. Technically, this had been a pre-concert gig but the adrenaline surged through his veins and he was truly pumped and couldn’t wait for the first “official” concert date at the Garden Arena in Las Vegas’ opulent MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. He smoked a cigarette and as the alcohol mixed with nicotine flowing through his veins, he’d never felt better.
There would be issues, of course. He could feel it in his bones. Jaden “Cocky” Cox was using coke and OxyContin again; if that wasn’t bad enough, he was also taking Seth Delvecchio, the lead singer of Winter’s Regret, along for the ride. If he truly cared about the health of his lead guitarist, he would tell his girlfriend, Faith, but it wasn’t his concern at that point and he had so many other issues on his mind.
Late spring changed his life and brought an amazing woman by the name of Sydney Landvik into his life. Scarlet Fever had played at her birthday party and who knew it would lead to an affair that would transform him as a person forever?
Although he had strong feelings for Syd, he still had feelings for and perhaps was still in love with his bitch ex-wife, Damira. She’d moved on and landed herself a beautiful engagement ring courtesy of the lead guitarist in Winter’s Regret, Kris Nieminen. He’d always liked the blond and thought he was great at what he did but that didn’t make it all right for him to be boning his ex or that he spent more time with their son, Xander, than he did.
Kaz finished his cigarette as he watched Sydney approach in a clandestine manner. He’d told her she had nothing to fear but she still was unsure how to act now that she’d decided to accompany him on tour after all.
He erased all her feelings of doubt as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close the second she was within arm’s reach. She always smelled good and that night was no different. She looked stunning with her hair pulled into a French Twist while she wore an asymmetrical black and white Versace dress.
Syd looked into his eyes before she kissed him quickly. “You were great tonight. Your voice sounds healthy and I have no doubt when you ‘officially’ go on tour, the band is going to rock!”
He smiled and realized while she was so worldly, in so many ways she was also sheltered. For instance, she didn’t have a clue about Jaden’s drug problem but Grant and Will knew and they both came from a lot less privileged background than her. He was shocked Faith hadn’t said anything because she had to know he was back on the drugs but perhaps it was something she didn’t want to see.
His thoughts were interrupted as Talia, one of the main song writers and now an official member of Winter’s Regret, approached him warily. He could tell her nervousness though she was so beautiful, and she hid it amazingly well behind those intriguing pale green eyes.
Sydney turned in her direction and smiled. “Hey, Tal, you were great. When is Seth going to stop hogging the microphone and allow you to sing?”
She smirked and replied, “Try never. I would have a better chance of doing a duet with your lover boy here than mine. He honestly doesn’t want the competition or the attention taken off him.”
His girlfriend—wow, that was a strange thought because they were definitely more than just fuck buddies—wasn’t slow on the uptake. She drained her fluted champagne glass.
“Wow, looks like I need a re-fill already. I’ll leave you two to talk in private.”
Kaz watched as Sydney walked off in her fuck-me Christian Louboutin high-heels and sighed loudly.
“Must be nice to be in a natural symbiosis with another human being.”
He looked Talia’s way and noticed the sadness etched in her eyes. “Yeah, it’s nice but it’s the early days and I have no idea how she is going to act when we go on tour. It is a rough life. She likes it right now because it’s private jets and Cristal champagne but will she adjust so well when it’s freakin’ Heineken and a tour bus?”
“I think you underestimate Syd, Kaz. I know she might come off all spoiled and pampered but you have changed her in so many ways you’re not aware of. She’s different around you and she cares about you. Then again, you stay clean and your only kinks come in the bedroom so what’s not to love?” Talia explained in a no-nonsense voice.
He turned his attention to her and crossed his arms defensively against his strong masculine chest. “What’s on your mind?”
“Listen, I told Jerri I wouldn’t say anything to you—”
“—that hot chick with our new financial advisor?”
“Yeah, her name’s Jerrica but I mostly call her Jerri.”
“As in Peterson? Jude’s baby sister?”
Talia nodded her head. “Anyway, I can’t really assert myself and let her know I have any power since I am in a rock band surrounded by a bunch of hot guys. She thinks I am a total submissive and scared to approach you but…we gotta talk about Seth and Jaden. Their co-dependent drug habit could really become an issue when we get out there
on the road.”
His blue-green eyes glared at her harshly but they both knew he was upset with the situation and not her. “Yeah, I was just thinking about it. It’s a major fucking issue because we are talking about my lead guitarist and the lead singer of your band.”
“I could take over if he were ever too far gone but the fans would hate it and I don’t want to cause any issues. Technically, we’re just the warm up act for you guys but we also have a lot of fans who overlap and I would hate to see the tweets about me trying to take over Winter’s Regret. It’s Seth’s band but he won’t be able to sing for shit if he keeps shoving that shit up his nose and coming down with OxyContin.”
Kaz tried to think of retort but there wasn’t much he could say. True, Jaden was a member of his band and he was touring with Seth; he considered both men close friends but they were also adults. He could attempt to shame Jaden into trying to get clean like he did the previous time but that obviously hadn’t had the lasting effect he thought it would or the guy would still be clean.
Unlike Kaz, Jaden came from a background of low lives, crooks and thieves.
Jaden had grown up as one of five kids to Desmond Cox, President of Lucifer’s Saints MC—also known as a Motorcycle club—in Reno, Nevada. Both his birth parents were still married but had serious Jerry Springer issues with infidelity, alcohol, drugs and physical as well as psychological abuse. He’d been his father’s punching bag once his older brother had grown taller and stronger than their old man. He was also his sister’s salvation along with his fraternal twin brothers who were younger and looked up to him because he had successfully left that way of life behind.
He was tough and hard-working, and could play guitar with precision and ease whether he was high or dead sober.
However, rock stars with substance abuse issues often had short shelf lives and the last problem he needed was a dead guitarist on his hands.
“Listen, I will talk to them both but it won’t be tonight. I want to spend some quality time with my woman. This has to be brought underneath control before the start of the tour, okay?” Kaz finally said.
Talia kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Kaz. I wouldn’t have said anything if this was just recreational but…both them are out-and-out addicts. We both know that it won’t end well and I can’t deal with having a druggie as my boyfriend.”
“Is that why you have taken a liking to Kris Nieminen?”
“What are you talking about? We’re just friends. He’s engaged to marry your ex-wife for Christ’s sake!” she exclaimed as her face turned beet red.
“Listen, what happens between Kris and you isn’t my business. Seriously, if he cheats on her then it’s just desserts. She fucked him while we were married so I have zero respect for her except as the mother of my child. She is a good mother when she bothers to be a mother but her personal life is her own.”
Talia’s eyes darted from Kaz’s to the floor and back again. “Well, I have never been a cheater and I would never sleep with anyone who was in a relationship. It has always been my policy.”
He only looked at her before he raised curious eyebrows. “Sometimes the unexpected happens and your beliefs and what you hold on so dear to and call ‘principles’ change. Don’t ever say what you will or won’t do because we are all capable of something that could potentially damage us as human beings. Have a good night.”
Kaz walked away and returned to the soiree happening inside. He was tired of socializing and all he really wanted to do was take Syd back to their suite, which was only several floors up, and fuck her senselessly until she was calling out his name and begging him to stop.
Fate had other plans as he watched Damira approach him and she didn’t look pleased at all.
Jesus fucking Christ, I can’t get a goddamn break tonight, he thought to himself before he plastered on a contented look for his ex-wife.
“Why were you talking to that little tart outside when you have your blonde bimbo over there just panting to get you upstairs? Jesus, Kasper, you sure do know how to pick them.” She crossed slender arms against a small bosom and glared at him with pure hatred.
And just to think, one time, we were so in love…or maybe I was in love and all she wanted was my pocketbook.
“Damira, I don’t feel like fighting with you so I won’t. Isn’t your fiancé waiting for your or something?”
“Kris is talking to that little man-stealing bitch, Talia, outside. I am so sick of her and now that she’s joined the band, it’s ‘Talia this’ and ‘Talia that’. I really can’t stand her. She thinks she’s fooling everyone but I can see right through her.”
Kaz breathed deeply and silently counted to ten.
He’d heard these kind of diatribes from his wife before and to be honest, he was sick of them. She constantly accused him of cheating every time he went on tour because after the first year of their marriage, she lost interest with being on the road with him. He’d been a good boy…well, most of the time. He remembered a couple of incidents with groupies but it never went past a blow job and he always waited patiently for her to visit him. She would a few times but being on the road, constantly surrounded by gorgeous women, didn’t help his situation.
It seemed a lifetime ago and now he was a changed man. He didn’t do drugs except for the occasional joint—chronic had always been a weakness for him; rarely drank until he was wasted and kept his libido firmly in check. Plus he had Sydney and since she would be there for him, the temptation to stray wouldn’t exist because she was all that and more. He was perfectly satisfied with her although he couldn’t wait to introduce her to his vast arsenal of games and the kind of pleasure she’d never known before. Underneath his carefully concealed veneer was a rock star after all and he was not ashamed he was into kink. She still didn’t know what awaited her and that is what made the whole process so exciting.
“Kasper, are you listening to me?” Damira wondered in an exasperated tone. “This is the precise reason why our marriage didn’t work out because all you care about is yourself. Your needs, your career and your fame. You never gave a damn about me or Xander!”
He suddenly grabbed his ex-wife by her upper left arm, careful not to squeeze too tight. “Don’t you dare accuse me of not caring about or loving my son! That was just a low fucking blow to get a rise out of me and it’s not gonna happen. Not here, not right now and certainly not in Miami.”
“Then I would let go of my arm if I were you before I charge you with physical abuse and I will pursue full custody of my son!” she exclaimed in anger.
Kaz let go. “Listen, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that but sometimes you get me so worked up and you know all the right buttons to push. I feel like a different person when I am around you—”
“—is that the reason why you slapped the shit out of me that time? Does your little girlfriend know about your domestic violence past?”
“There you are!” Sydney exclaimed as both he and his ex-wife turned her way. “Baby, I am so tired. Do you think we can retire to our suite now?”
“Actually I think that is a perfect idea.” He glanced at Damira again, barely acknowledging her presence. “This conversation is over! If you have issues with your fiancé then take them up with him, not me.”
Kaz slipped an arm around Sydney’s waist and they left the party not a moment too soon as far as he was concerned.
Chapter Two
Rock Star Lover
There was no way to describe how I felt about Kaz and the longer I knew him, the more difficult it was going to be to end what ever it was we had. We both knew it but neither of us would acknowledge it.
I laid in bed with my rock star lover after a night of mind blowing sex and although he was fast asleep, my mind was still racing.
These last few weeks between us had been sheer bliss but I knew it wasn’t going to be like this once the tour actually started. There would be no more private jets because it was simply easier to use tour buses.
The first
three months would take us across the states. We would kick off in Las Vegas before they played Seattle. Then we would head south yet again where there were dates in Phoenix, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta, and Orlando. Then we would go north up to Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, New York City, and Boston. There were also dates in the Midwest as well but Boston would be our last stop before we left for Europe.
After that, the tour went international with dates in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Russia, and Scandinavia. There were also dates in China, Japan and Malaysia not to mention Australia and New Zealand. Then the last month would be focused on Canada where there were quite a few dates and the tour would wrap up in Montreal which was Kaz’s favorite North American city in the world.
Latin America was still up in the air as far as the record company was concerned but if it did happen, it would be after a three month break. I knew Kaz, Jaden, Will and Grant were against adding a Central and South American leg to their tour because they wanted to begin work on their sixth studio album as soon as they got back to L.A. There would be a six to eight week rest period after the tour was over but all the guys were anxious to get back into the studio to record.
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