Cover Me (Rock Gods #3)

by Joanna Blake

  "Thanks mom."

  She kissed her forehead and stood up.

  "It's true my little Kitty Kat. You are one of a kind. Now, I'm going to go and make dinner."

  ***********

  Bruce dropped to the sand and did another set of pushups. He'd already ran five miles down the beach toward Santa Monica. Now he was doing his sets before he ran back.

  With each thrust of his arms he felt his determination increase. He would bend this girl to his will. He would find a way to make her his.

  He would have her.

  His workout was particularly vigorous this Sunday. Yesterday he'd spent the day shopping for Kat. He'd turned down the cute little stylist, who was young enough to be his daughter. Then he'd come home and made himself dinner and watched a movie.

  Alone.

  He was getting tired of being alone, even if it was easier. Less complicated. Nobody to cause drama, or make demands, or expect him to be 'Bruce Harrison, Rock Star' at every moment.

  That was exhausting. Still, he had to admit, he was feeling particularly lonely this weekend. Because of her.

  Sometimes he wondered why he didn't take more women up on their offers. It wasn't like his sex drive was lagging. Judging from his reaction to Kat, it was through the roof. He just didn't want the same old cheap thrills that could be had by indulging in sex with strangers, no matter how attractive they might be.

  That sort of thing was much easier when you were drinking anyway.

  Or lying to yourself.

  Bruce had given up both after the accident.

  He sure as shit wasn't lying to himself about how badly he wanted his sultry little back up singer. He was going to win her over, no matter what the cost to his bank account or to his pride. To Hell with it. Maybe the little minx would even make him happy.

  He knew a certain body part that would be very, very happy.

  Ooops, better not think about that too much in public. Yeah, there was definitely nothing wrong with his sex drive…

  Bruce adjusted himself and jogged the five miles back to his beach house.

  6

  Katrina wasn't used to being away from Tommy. That's all it was. She dialed home for the third time today. No answer. Again. What if something was wrong? No. Her mom had the studio number and the hotel's number. They were probably at the playground or something.

  Still… she picked up the phone in the break room and dialed again.

  "Who do you keep calling?"

  Bruce was standing right behind her. Kat nearly jumped out of her skin. She hung up the phone abruptly.

  "Just home. I needed to check up on a few things."

  "You don't have a phone?"

  She ignored him.

  "Katrina. Do you not have a cell phone? You need one for this job you know."

  She turned to face him. Could the man seriously not take a hint?

  "If you buy me a cell phone I will never speak to you again."

  He grinned at her. She could tell he was going to ignore her wishes entirely. The man was infuriating!

  "I'm serious! I will get one with my first paycheck okay?"

  He held up his hands.

  "Have it your way. Most people would kill for a company phone… company clothes… a company car… where are those new clothes anyway?"

  Her face turned white.

  "Don't even think about it. Please… Mr. Harrison, I'm serious."

  He put his hands in his pockets and walked away whistling. Now she had a terrible feeling he was going to buy her a car. What on Earth was wrong with the man? She wasn't a lost puppy. He was treating her like some sort of project. Or a mistress. Hot tears started to form behind her eyes.

  "Katrina? We need you in here. Starting the next song."

  She nodded at Harry and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hands. They were dry thank God. Kat followed Harry into the studio.

  Scott handed out music sheets. When he got to the singers he pulled Kat to the front and put a different set on her music stand.

  "Another solo?"

  He shook his head.

  "No, this one's a duet."

  Kat stared down at the music. It was one of Bruce's most famous songs. It was about young love. In the original he'd sung both sides of the story. Apparently they were splitting it up. She was going to sing the woman's part. It was a full song, ten times longer than any other solo in the show.

  And she was going to be singing with him.

  It was a huge break in her career. The kind of thing that could get her discovered.

  It was a disaster.

  She could feel the other singers eyes boring into her back. Thank God she hadn't worn any of her new clothes yet. Then they'd know for sure. Then it would be stamped across her forehead.

  Tramp.

  She grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it, thinking furiously.

  She couldn't turn the duet down. She wanted the part. Of course she did. But singing with Bruce- singing to Bruce- about love was- oh God- that made her more nervous than she'd ever been in her life.

  ***********

  "There's no way she isn't banging him."

  "Great. Good luck getting any decent stage time with that hoochie around."

  Bruce stood stock still in the darkened studio. They had just finished up for the day and the door was open a crack. It was clear that Betsy and Linda hadn't realized there were still people in there as they passed by on their way out.

  Bruce and Harry exchanged a look. His manager made himself scarce without a word. He took a deep breath, sure he was about to deal with a weeping woman. It wasn't fair that the other girls were talking about Kat that way. Then again, it was just gossip. He'd make a joke of it, cheer her up somehow.

  Kat turned and slowly gave Bruce a look that could have frozen water. He inhaled sharply, feeling like he'd just gotten a swift kick to his gut. God damn if she didn't look gorgeous when she was angry!

  "Yes?"

  She narrowed her eyes and grabbed her threadbare jacket, thrusting her arms into it angrily.

  "Not speaking to me?"

  She threw him a look and grabbed her purse, heading for the door.

  "Are you mad because I gave you the part Kat? Or because of two jealous busybodies?"

  She stopped and turned, backing him into a corner as she hissed at him.

  "It's not funny! You heard them! You've just given me a reputation- one that I didn't earn."

  He smiled at her lazily. Yes she was mad, but it wasn't really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. He'd find a way to make it up to her.

  "I'll say."

  "What?"

  "I think I would remember if you earned it."

  Her eyes flashed and she lifted her hand to smack him. They both froze. He watched as all the blood rushed from her face.

  "Oh my God."

  She looked horrified. As anyone who'd been about to slap their boss probably would. He gave her a twisted smile.

  "Go ahead. I probably deserve it."

  She lowered her hand slowly and backed away from him as if he was a keg of dynamite.

  Which in a way, he was.

  "Kat-"

  She had her hand on the door handle when she spoke. She wouldn't even look at him. When she spoke her voice sounded strained.

  "I apologize for my outburst Mr. Harrison."

  "It's okay."

  "No. It's really not."

  And then she was gone.

  7

  Katrina woke up early on Saturday. They left for Vegas on Monday and she had a lot to do before then. She had to make sure Tommy's prescriptions were all filled, that his clothes were clean, that he'd been keeping up with his reading.

  He was too sick to attend his classes but his school had provided them with everything he needed to keep up. It was blind optimism at it's best, hoping that a kid with recurring cancer would make it to the next grade.

  But he was doing so much better with the supplements they'd started giving him. Even t
he doctor at the free clinic said so. Turmeric and something called Essiac they gave people with cancer in Canada. Who knew?

  And once she started getting paid she was taking him to a real doctor. One who could tell them if he needed to start chemo again or not. She'd be able to pay for the treatments and the scans.

  She was deep cleaning the kitchen later when she heard it. The rev of a muscle car out front. For some reason she just knew that it was him.

  Bruce Harrison was in Canoga Park.

  Her mother ran into the kitchen with a wild look on her face.

  "He's here!"

  Kat stood slowly and wiped the back of her forearm across her face. Her hair was tied back and covered in a faded pink bandana. Her clothes were dusty and dirty. She looked awful.

  But she didn't care. She was too angry to care.

  "What the hell does he want now?"

  "Trust me, you'll want to see this for yourself."

  "I swear to God…"

  "Katrina! You will be gracious!"

  Kat rolled her eyes and went to the front door, flinging it open.

  Her heart skipped a beat.

  She had been right. He'd done it. He'd actually done it.

  Bruce was leaning against a shiny black Audi convertible. There was a big red bow on the hood.

  Bruce Harrison had bought her a car.

  Her mouth was open. Again. How many times could he shock the hell out of her? The man was infuriating. He was high handed. He was arrogant.

  He was incredibly generous.

  But why?

  What was his interest in her anyway?

  It's not like he couldn't have his pick of gorgeous women.

  Kat tugged her t-shirt down over her ratty old jeans. She felt self-conscious suddenly. And she definitely had no idea what to say.

  One thing was certain, she was not keeping that car.

  One step at a time, she walked slowly down the front path to the street.

  "Hi."

  "Hi."

  "What are you doing here Mr. Harrison?"

  "Isn't it obvious?"

  "I asked you not to do this."

  He shrugged and grinned at her.

  "I'm not very good at following rules."

  She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. She knew she should invite him inside but then he would see Tommy.

  "How about a drive?"

  "I don't know, I was kind of doing something."

  He smiled at her in a way that made her insides clench up.

  "I can see that."

  With a shock her hand went to the bandana in her hair. How had she forgotten what a mess she was? The man had a way of twisting her up in knots.

  "Mom?"

  She turned and her heart sank. Tommy was standing in the open doorway. He wasn't as pale as usual today.

  "Who's this big guy?"

  Oh God, now Bruce was talking to him. She glanced at him over her shoulder, a clear warning in her eyes. He just raised his eyebrows expectantly.

  "This is Tommy. Tommy this is Mr. Harrison, my boss. He was just leaving."

  "Wow, you are that singer guy!"

  Bruce laughed.

  "Yes, I am that singer guy."

  "Cool."

  "Tommy go back inside."

  "Hey Tommy, have you ever been to Disneyland?"

  "No."

  "Maybe we could all go sometime. I have kind of a lifetime pass."

  "Really?"

  "Yeah. I get to skip the lines and everything."

  "Whoa. Can we Mom?"

  "We'll see. Now go back inside. You still have three chapters to do before I leave."

  Tommy waved and went back inside, looking more buoyant than she'd seen him in a long time. She turned to face Bruce, expecting to see censure in his eyes. But he was just grinning at her expectantly.

  "Any more secrets?"

  "No. And I swear it won't impact my job. My mom looks after him most of the time and-"

  "I never said it would."

  "Okay. Great. Thanks. I just- it's easier if I just-"

  "Don't mention him?"

  She nodded, feeling miserable suddenly.

  "Look, I really appreciate everything you are doing. I just can't accept this."

  He stared at her for a moment before sighing deeply. He was giving in! It was hard to believe but it was true. Thank goodness.

  "Fine. Consider it a loan then. You need a reliable ride. I won't take no for an answer."

  She shook her head at him and grudgingly smiled. She couldn't help it. He was really too much.

  "Okay, a loan. Thank you."

  "Don't you want to try her out?"

  She took a deep breath.

  "Why not?"

  He tossed her the keys and watched her walk around the car to the driver's side. She climbed in, inhaling the new car smell.

  She'd never had a new car in her life.

  "I'm too dirty for this car."

  "You look fine to me."

  She gave him a look of disbelief and slid the key into the ignition. Then she pulled on her seatbelt and put her hands on the wheel.

  "Where are we going?"

  "Malibu."

  She stared at him.

  "What? You're not going to give me a ride home?"

  "Right. Of course."

  Kat pulled out into the street.

  ***********

  Bruce was trying not to stare but it wasn't easy. Kat was wearing a whisper thin t-shirt and tight jeans that were torn in several places. The kerchief on her head completed the look.

  She might think she looked like a mess, but the effect was effortlessly cool. Well, except for the kerchief. That just made her look adorable. It was a drastic change from the rock and roll girl he was used to at work.

  He liked it.

  He liked it a lot.

  Hell, he liked her a lot. More than he could remember liking anyone. And he hadn't even gotten her into bed.

  Yet.

  Now that he knew about the kid he had a better idea of why she was so damn skittish around him. It made sense that she'd be protective. Maybe she'd lighten up if he made it clear the kid was a non issue for him.

  "So how is it possible that Tommy has never been to Disney Land?"

  "He grew up on the East Coast mostly. We just got back here. It hasn't been that long really."

  "What's on the East Coast?"

  "Nothing. I mean, I was just following the gigs. Our last place was in Brooklyn."

  "What kind of gigs?"

  She swallowed. He knew he was making her nervous. Good. Maybe he'd actually get a straight answer. And since she was trapped in the car with him so there wasn't much she could do about it. Maybe if he kept her off balance she'd be less defensive all the time.

  And more likely to tumble into bed with him.

  "Indie bands mostly. The last one I was in almost got a record contract but it fell through."

  "Playing bars, that sort of thing?"

  "Yeah."

  "It's good. It gives you the chops to hold your own on stage. And you learn fast how to hold a crowd's attention."

  She didn't say anything, but he saw her hands clench on the steering wheel.

  "Am I going the right way? I've never been to- um- Malibu."

  "Yes. Our exit isn't for another twenty minutes or so. I'll tell you."

  She nodded and focused on driving. God she was a serious little thing. She'd probably had to be tough all these years on her own, with a little boy at home.

  Especially looking the way she did. The woman was the equivalent of a God Damn ice cream cone. He just wanted to lick her.

  Well, that wasn't all he wanted to do… he leaned back in his seat and let himself contemplate what he would do when he got her back to his place.

  First he'd get her inside with the offer of food. Then he'd watch her eat. God, he loved watching her eat at the studio. She was delicate, like a cat. But watchful, wary. Kind of like she couldn't believe she had so much to
eat. The first day he'd watched as she'd snuck a treat into that cheap handbag of hers. At first he'd been afraid she was really too broke to afford dinner. Now it was clear that it was for the kid.

  He frowned. Why was she so afraid though? Had somebody hurt her? He turned his head slightly so he could watch her. Her profile was stunning. A delicate blush started to light up her cheeks and throat. She knew he was watching her.

  He smiled and leaned back again. If he pushed the seat back far enough, he could stare at her legs instead.

  ***********

  Kat's eyes widened as they pulled up the private road to Bruce's place. There had been a heavy gate at the bottom. Bruce had been very casual about showing her the secret code to get in. Casual, but deliberate.

  Why was he doing that? Did he really think she'd be coming back?

  He smiled at her as he got back into the car and his eyes slid down to her lips.

  Oh God.

  He definitely thought she'd be coming back.

  Often.

  Bruce got out and started walking toward the house. He turned back and stared at her quizzically.

  "Coming?"

  She took a deep breath to steady her nerves and got out of the car. What else could she do? It wasn't like it was a date. She would just go inside, make some small talk, and leave.

  Easy peasy.

  There was another keypad at the front door. Once again, Bruce made it very easy for her to see the code as he punched it in. She looked away deliberately, staring at the stunning old trees that surrounded the house.

  "We built around them."

  "What?"

  "The trees. Seemed criminal to cut them down. There's even one growing straight through the center of the house."

  Then he opened the door.

  She'd never seen anything like this in her life. Ahead of her, about fifty feet away, there was a sheer wall of glass. Beyond that was the blue of the Pacific Ocean. Bruce gently took her arm and guided her inside, but she barely noticed.

  The decor was simple but opulent. The sort of utilitarian look that was very, very expensive to achieve. Everything had a masculine feel to it, with a slight Western touch. Navaho blankets covered the low, comfortable couches and there were woven baskets here and there. A enormous sculpture of a horse made out of drift wood. But it was the ocean that had her attention.