by Terry Towers
I groaned out loud, sinking into the sofa and closing my eyes. “You two are infuriating.”
“I wasn’t the one feasting my eyes. Just saying.”
Opening my eyes, I found him staring at me. He was just as hot dressed as he was undressed. The t-shirt was snug on his chest and torso, the fact that I knew how chiseled he was underneath the shirt only made him more drool-worthy. He was too damned hot, that was the problem. Sure, many of the musicians I’d managed before had been good looking, but Dylan and Zack had an extra something about them. It was like they had their charisma on an amplifier.
It suddenly occurred to me what the problem was. I hadn’t been laid in years. Hell, screw getting laid; I hadn’t even been on a date in years. I’d spent so much time working that I just didn’t have the time or inclination to try to get out there and meet someone. Dating also caused a challenge because in the back of my mind I always wondered if guys were with me for me or because of who my father was. It seemed wannabe musicians gravitated to me. More than once it had been due to who Dad was and what I could potentially do for them.
“Violet?”
Dylan’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
He laughed. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I thought I’d just come and see how you were doing. See if you needed anything and so on and so forth.”
“I’m good. I appreciate you coming by though.”
“I already met with Zack and we sort of worked things out.”
“Sort of?”
“I’m not sure.” I gave him a rueful grin.
Dylan laughed. “Well, the band got together and we discussed the situation and I promise you won’t have any issues. We know you’re an excellent manager and you’re just the person we need to keep us on top.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. I really do.”
“We’re partners in this. If we stay on top, you make a name for yourself as well; it’s a win-win.”
“I think so too.”
Silence overtook the room as we looked at each other. Despite the little hiccup we’d had when I first arrived this had been a brief, yet fruitful meeting.
“I should be going so you can get ready for the concert.”
He motioned to his wardrobe. “I’m ready already boss.”
Laughing, I stood. “Don’t call me boss.”
“It’s better than baby, isn’t it.” He stood with me.
“Don’t call me baby either.”
“What’s the fun in that?” he said, walking me to the door and opening it for me. “See you in the limo at six pm sharp…sexy.”
“For fuck’s sakes,” I muttered under my breath walking through the threshold, hearing his laughter behind me. “That wasn’t professional,” I called over my shoulder as I started my journey down the hallway.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” he called back before closing the door.
~*~ TT ~*~
Violet
Why am I spending so much time getting ready? It’s not like I’m going to be the one onstage. But I couldn’t help it. I had the insane need to make sure I looked perfect before going downstairs to meet the guys. Every hair had to be in place and my makeup had to be perfect. I had a weird natural wave to my hair that just wasn’t pretty so it took forever just to flat iron it to make it look good. And I just wasn’t all that great at putting together a smoky-eye look, so it took me three times longer than it would take a normal person.
One big advantage to managing Hypnotic was that it came with a fairly substantial pay bump. Maybe it was time to start getting fancy and hiring a makeup artist to make sure I looked good for the big-ticket events like this one. This was going to be my very first appearance with the guys as their new manager, so I had to look the part. At least that was how I justified all the fuss I was making over how I looked.
With my makeup and hair looking as good as it ever was going to, I turned my attention to my wardrobe. There were so many choices. After picking out several outfits, I finally decided that less was more. If the guys were all going to be wearing basic jeans and t-shirts, I’d look like an idiot wearing a fancy dress and heels.
Ultimately, I decided on a pair of black leather pants, pink tank top, and a pair of knee-high black leather, heeled boots. It was a classic look for a reason. Putting on the finishing touches of large, silver loop earrings and a simple silver chain, I decided I was ready. Looking at my silver analogue watch, it wasn’t a moment too soon. It was 5:50. I only had ten minutes to get my ass downstairs and into the limo. The last thing I wanted was to make a bad impression by being late.
Rushing out of my room, I made it downstairs and burst through the front doors of the hotel in record time. The boys must have been spotted because there were a number of screaming girls surrounding the limo. Hotel and band security were doing their best to keep the lookie-loos away from the vehicle.
The screaming fans spotting the guys wherever they were was going to be something I’d need to get used to. My clients of the past had fans, but none as rabid as the fans of Hypnotic. This was insanity.
“Welcome to the big time, Violet baby,” I muttered under my breath as I approached the car. Once I was a couple feet away from the car, one of the security people stepped forward and opened the door to the back of the car for me.
“Miss Hudson.” He nodded to me and motioned for me to enter.
“Thanks.” I peeked in and sure enough everyone was already there and waiting.
“Took ya long enough boss,” Flinn quipped.
“Come on. We don’t got all day.” Zack patted the empty seat next to him.
I made a face at Flinn and slid into the car, sitting next to Zack in the spot he’d offered. “Thanks.”
Zack looked me up and down. “Looking good. It was worth the wait.”
Rolling my eyes at him, I couldn’t help but feel secretly flattered he’d noticed the effort.
“Yes, I think we just might have the sexiest manager out there,” Dylan added, giving me a wink.
I wasn’t immune to his charms and felt a blush begin to color my cheeks, no doubt rivalling the color of my tank top. “Thank you, Dylan. Though I think you might be overstating a little.”
“I don’t think so.” Zack, reached out and twirled a lock of my hair around his index finger. I inhaled sharply as I looked over at Zack, my heart skipping a beat.
Don’t fall for his charms, don’t do it! I warned myself. The problem was that they were just so damned charming, it was easy to forget that I couldn’t fall for them. But when it came right down to it, we were business associates. Not friends. Not fuck buddies. Business associates and that’s all it would ever be.
~*~ TT ~*~
Violet
The car pulled up to the back of the stadium. A section was roped off with security men on both sides awaiting our arrival and holding back the fans. Once the car was parked, a guard stepped forward and opened the door for us. I stepped out first, followed by the band. The screams were deafening the moment the fans caught sight of Zack, who was the first of the band members to step out behind me.
Once everyone was out, we began to walk as a group toward the door leading into the stadium. The fans weren’t screaming for me, but a part of me felt energized just being with the guys. I’d grown up around musicians and fans, but I’d never actually been part of a group that was so iconic.
“What? You’re not picking up some chicks from the crowd,” I teased Zack.
He grinned, looking down at me. “Maybe I’m turning over a new leaf.”
“Hmm. We’ll see about that,” I replied with a smirk.
“Have faith. We’re all capable of change, sweetheart.”
Once inside, we were led down a maze of hallways until we came to a series of dressing rooms, awaiting the guys.
Feeling someone put an arm around my shoulders, I yelped. It was Dylan, who said, “Get used to it; your life has just taken a wild turn.�
��
Chapter 6
Zack
Fuck! Why’s that goddammned alarm going off? I was having a wicked dream and was sporting a hard-on that could break bricks to prove it. Why did the alarm always have to interrupt the best of dreams? Rolling over to the edge of the bed, I shut the fucking thing off and then fell back onto the mattress naked and spread eagled.
I wanted to fall back to sleep, and with any luck get back to the dream I was having, featuring our sexy new manager, but I couldn’t. The ache in my dick was demanding I either rub one out or use the bathroom.
With a sigh, I rolled out of bed and gave myself a second to stand and steady myself before walking to the bathroom. After finishing my urgent business and giving my hands a thorough wash, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I looked exhausted, but considering the badass concert last night who could blame me. It was a rare thing for me to perform a concert 100% sober, but I had last night. I was surprised at how much I’d enjoyed it. I enjoyed it even more once the initial nerves were overcome.
Violet didn’t know what it was like to be the center of attention; maybe if she knew she’d be a little more sympathetic. It was then that it struck me…I was supposed to meet her in the gym.
Fuck and double fuck. Running on a treadmill was the last thing I wanted to do this morning. But I’d promised and the last thing I wanted was for her to throw it in my face that I couldn’t even get up to meet her on our gym date.
Well, not exactly date, but meeting. Yeah, let’s call it a meeting.
Going back into the bedroom, I opened my suitcase and grabbed a pair of black Adidas shorts and matching shirt. Once dressed, I checked the hotel map that was placed under glass on the desk and made a mental note of the gym’s location. Hopefully, with it being so early the gym wouldn’t have many people in it. Grabbing a ball cap, I pulled it on my head; it wasn’t much of a disguise, but it was better than nothing.
Ten minutes past the time we were supposed to meet, I entered the gym. There were a few people working out, but Violet was nowhere to be seen.
Hmm. Maybe she forgot?
Her forgetting shouldn’t have given me so much pleasure, but it did. A large smile spread across my lips. Maybe she wasn’t quite as perfect as she let on.
So now what? I was tempted to go back to my room and go back to sleep. I was here. She wasn’t. It wasn’t my fault she’d ditched our plan. But there was a larger part of me that wanted to rub her sexy little nose in the fact I’d shown up while she’d forgotten. She was most likely counting on the fact that I wouldn’t. It was possible she showed up and left, but I’d bet a dollar to a donut that if she did show up and left that she’d have come to my room to piss on me.
So that’s just what I was going to do to her. Fair’s fair, right?
It only took a few minutes to locate her room and I didn’t hesitate to knock on her door. Oh, it was going to be nice to see the “oh shit” look on her face when she realized I’d remembered and gotten up early and she hadn’t.
No answer. Hmm.
I knocked a second time, this time a little louder in order to wake her if she was a heavy sleeper. Still no answer.
It was then that I caught sight of movement from the corner of my eye. Turning, I grinned when I noticed a young housekeeper grabbing some linen from her cart. With any luck she’d know who I was. Pulling the cap from my head, I folded it and shoved the bill into the deep pocket of my shorts.
“Excuse me, gorgeous,” I said approaching the young woman. When she looked up the first thing I noticed was how pretty she was; she had large blue eyes and her dark hair was tied up in a bun at the top of her head.
The moment she spotted me, her blue eyes went as wide as saucers and her mouth dropped open.
Bingo! She knew who I was.
I came to a stop roughly a foot away from her.
“Oh wow. You’re…. You…”
Chuckling, I put my arm around her shoulders. “Hi, I’m Zack Wyatt.”
She giggled. “I know. I’m stunned. Wow.”
“No need to be surprised or shy. I’m just an average person.”
“I love your band! You have no idea how much your music means to me.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.” I gave her the smile I reserve for women I wanted to woo. Her face flushed a bright pink and she giggled again. “Listen, I need for you to do me a favor, can you do me a favor?”
“S-Sure…”
I nodded to Violet’s room. “Can you let me into that room. I’m wanting to surprise someone.”
Her smile faded. “Oh, I don’t know. Is that your room?”
I was about to say no but changed my mind. She didn’t need the truth, she just wanted assurance that she was doing the right thing. “Yes, it is.”
“Can I have a selfie first?”
“Of course you can, sweetie.” I waited for her to get her phone from her apron pocket and posed for a number of pictures with her. A few pictures was a small price to pay for the satisfaction I was about to feel.
Once done, she led me to Violet’s door and was about to swipe the lock when she paused and looked over her shoulder at me. “I could get in a lot of trouble. Are you sure this is your room?”
“I promise.” Okay, I was a liar, sue me. I had my fingers crossed so the lie didn’t count.
She nodded and swiped the card into the lock. The door beeped and she opened it.
“Thank you, I owe you one.” Leaning down I placed a kiss on her cheek, before walking into the room and closing the door behind me. I could hear her excited squeals on the other side of the door and grinned. Another lady satisfied.
Her room wasn’t nearly as big as mine, perhaps six hundred square feet, so not overly bad, I suppose. I found her sound asleep on her back in the center of the bed, her red hair was spread around her head on the white pillow like a flaming halo. Sometime during the night she’d kicked the blankets off herself and was lying there on the bed, wearing a skimpy lace baby-doll nightie that had bundled up around her waist, revealing her red lace panties.
Jesus Christ! My cock went into instant alert just looking at her. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. I’d envisioned her to be more of a Snoopy pajamas kind of girl, not to be wearing something sexy like that. Who was she wearing something like that for anyhow?
I was standing there trying to decide whether I was going to wake her up or not when I saw her stir. She moaned softly and suddenly her eyes sprang open and she screamed. With catlike speed she leaped from the bed and pulled the blanket toward her to cover herself.
We stared at each other for the span of a few beats before she yelled, “What are you doing in my room?”
“You weren’t at the gym.”
“Didn’t you think to call?” Her eyes narrowed at me and I’m quite sure I heard a little growl come from her.
“No, not really. Not when you were just down the hallway.”
“How’d you get in?”
With a shrug, I grinned. “I have my ways.”
“Have you no shame? You sweet talked one of the maids, didn’t you?” She wrapped the blanket around herself and tucked it in under her armpit.
“Perhaps. You really don’t need to go to the effort of covering up, I’ve already seen your lacy red panties. Very sexy I might add.” I knew I shouldn’t antagonize her, but dammit if I didn’t love watching her get angry. Seeing the fire in her eyes was intoxicating.
“So explain to me why you’re here again?”
“The gym. It was your idea. It’s now…” I looked down at my watch. “Twenty-five minutes past our meetup time.”
She looked down at the clock next to the bed to verify for herself. “I suppose you’re right.” With a sigh, she ran her hand through her hair, smoothing out the stray locks. “Sorry, I was just so exhausted, I must have hit the off button and went back to sleep.”
Walking over to the king-size bed, I plunked myself down onto it and reclined back onto my elbows and stared
up at her. “Well, this is what I’m thinking. You have two options. You can either get dressed and we go do what we’d planned on doing…. Or…” I rolled over to my side and patted the bed beside me. “You could come and lay down beside me. We can nap together…”
Damn, this hard-on in my shorts was troublesome. Hopefully she didn’t notice, but then again, maybe a show would be enough to get her to take a ride on my stick. My cock jumped in response to that idea.
~*~ TT ~*~
Violet
I really didn’t know what to think. What kind of nerve did you have to have to just invite yourself into someone’s room while they were sleeping? And the bastard was just standing there watching me sleep. What kind of psycho does that? But I knew it wasn’t craziness, not in the least. He was Zack Wyatt, and what Zack Wyatt wanted Zack Wyatt got.
So there he was, a rock-and-roll superstar reclined on my bed, offering to be my sleep partner. Yeah, right. There wouldn’t be a damned bit of sleep going on if I got back into that bed. He’d made it perfectly clear on numerous occasions that he wanted to have sex with me. Not going to happen, no matter how appealing he was lying on my bed with a blatant open invitation.
“I really don’t think me laying down with you in bed would be a good idea.”
“Why? You don’t think you could control yourself around me?”
“I’m more concerned about you controlling yourself.”
He chuckled, looking me up and down like I was a piece of meat. “Coward.”
“Uh-huh.” Planting my hands on my waist, I gave him the best stern look I could muster. “We have a professional relationship. Nothing more. And it’ll never be anything more than that. Your charm may work on other women, but I’m not just some woman.” I really hoped he couldn’t see through my false bravado, because I wasn’t feeling nearly as confident as I was trying to convince him.
“You’re right. You’re not. Which makes you even more appealing.”
