Piper: A Last Score Spin Off
Page 17
My heart swelled in my chest at how pleased I was for their approval and I instantly felt all the tension I held ease out of my muscles. Nailing the range was a huge relief but having Simon there to witness it meant everything to me.
When the last note on Jeff’s guitar string died, Simon held my gaze and stood up shaking his head slowly like he couldn’t believe what he’d heard and his smile grew wide. Breaking our eye contact he turned to Otto and had a pretty intense conversation about something.
As I was still inside the soundproof booth, I couldn’t hear anything they said. Suddenly Otto smiled and nodded. Simon reached over and flicked the mic on Otto’s side.
“Piper, baby, that was fucking dope. Every single hair on the back of my head stood on end. Otto agrees with me that the song stays cut for the album just like that. No tweaks necessary. I’ve seen power ballad singers try songs that have the kind of complex arrangement that one has, and they’ve never done a better job than you just did.”
My heart pounded at his praise because I knew I had never sang the number better. Perhaps I had given a little extra because I had wanted to impress. Whatever the reason, I was happy with the result.
After the success of nailing the first song with no changes, the other two didn’t go quite as smoothly, and one in particular was due to Jeff’s mistakes.
Otto cut the number halfway through and Simon had a word then slid out of his seat and entered the booth.
“Dude, take a seat on the other side. You’re drowning her out,” he scolded and nodded toward Otto. Grabbing the spare electric Gibson guitar from its stand, Simon slipped the strap over his head.
Grinning widely at the shocked look on my face, he came close and whispered in my ears, “I’ve been hard since the moment you opened your mouth in here.” His words made my core pulse, and he quickly stepped back and fingered the scales in a mini warm up, tweaking the tuning again.
“Ready, baby. Let’s go one more time,” he told me before hitting the rig pedal at his feet and nodding to Grunt. Immediately, Grunt being the awesome technician he was on percussions, kicked in and followed his lead.
To say I was a little shy and freaked was an understatement because I felt nothing I did would have done justice to their awesome set of skills, but in truth I was scared to sing on a track with someone as accomplished as Simon. “No one’s recording this, let’s see how this arrangement feels for you.”
Without giving me any chance to back out he began to play the intro with Grunt, leaving me no option but to chime in as soon as the score dictated I should.
Nerves gave my voice a tentative sound in the beginning but worked well, bringing the right amount of vulnerability to the song lyrics. The overriding emotion in the words was anxiety, but by the bridge my vocals were settled and comfortable.
It wasn’t like it was the first time I had sung while Simon had played, but it felt very different. Apart from those on the other side of the glass judging our professional performance, I knew they were also watching how we were around each other.
By the time I recorded the number, the arrangement was hardly recognizable as the same song, but it was one I had written so I was happy with the changes. Simon knew my song well and had put the new arrangement in his head taking the song to a whole new level.
The look of delight on Otto's face made me realize just how musically gifted Simon was. We even wrapped up early for the day because there were only two more songs left to record to finish the whole project.
Otto questioned why I had never mentioned Simon and was impressed when I said I hadn’t wanted anything or anyone to sway his decision, but I did admit to knowing Simon for a couple of years through mutual ‘people’, which also was the truth.
Jeff’s suspicious eyes ticked from me, to Simon, to Otto, and back to me. Sitting next to Otto, he listened intently to everything being said but didn’t contribute to the conversation. When I spoke in familiar terms about Simon, Jeff’s eyes narrowed toward me.
It didn’t take a genius to fathom what he thought. That Simon and I may have been together when I was still a minor, so I decided to bring that point up before he had any more ideas about contacting the press again.
Excusing myself, I headed off for the bathroom and as I came back a few minutes later, I heard Simon shooting a vague warning to Jeff. “Funny how people think they’re smart, but they turn out to be the most stupid of fucks on the planet, huh, Jeff?”
“Sorry, Simon. I never knew you were tapping her,” Jeff replied.
“What did you say?”
“I said…”
“I fucking heard you. That’s my fucking woman you’re talking about, not a groupie,” he scolded.
“No offence, dude,”
“Mr. McLennan to you, dickhead,” he spat. “Let me give you a cliff notes version of what’s going to go down here from now on. You’re going to listen carefully if you want to work in ANY capacity as a musician. You fuck with my girl, I’m gonna fuck with your future, got me? And for the record, I’ve never tapped Piper. We’re very new as a couple, and she’s got more class in her little finger than you’ll ever have. She’s amazing girl and she’s going places. So… I’m a patient man and more than happy to wait.”
Simon glanced over to me and straightened his back. “You must be starving after all that work today. Come on, babe, I think a bit of pampering is in order. What do you say to a soak in a luxurious bubble bath and some gourmet food?”
“Sounds like heaven,” I replied, staring up into his gorgeous eyes like there was no one else in the room. He gave me a knowing smile as he slipped his hand into mine.
“And that’s my cue, guys, we’ll see you tomorrow,” he chirped as he led me out the studio door.
“What was that about?” I asked. I knew full well, but I had wanted to know how Simon saw it.
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with. I think that dirtbag’s got the message. It’s one thing fucking with a young girl who he thinks he can take advantage of, but it would be quite another if I picked up the phone and cut off his main earning stream. The dude would find himself working in Target instead of living a lifestyle where he gets to stay in bed for half of the day when no one’s recording.”
“There’s nothing wrong with working in Target,” I said in defense.
“Agreed, but last time I looked they didn’t hire musicians.” He smirked, wickedly.
“You’re not coming back with me tomorrow,” I informed him, picking up from the sentence where he said he’d see them tomorrow. “Don’t get me wrong, I was overwhelmed when you stayed and gave your input because it's ten times better for it.”
I was also thankful he had been with me when the story broke about us, but I knew I had to stand on my own two feet and take on the wrath of the press if Simon and I were to have any chance of a future together.
“But, babe-”
“No. I need to do this. Please don’t try to control me or pressure me into doing something I feel I need to manage alone. You know me well enough to know this by now. If you insist, it’ll only push me away.”
I watched his eyes narrow and scrutinize me as I told him what I needed.
“All my life I’ve been told how to behave by a man. Being deprived of basic decision-making skills was Colin’s way of maintaining his hold over us. If you really care about me like you say you do, you’ll understand how important it is that I show Jeff I am not afraid of anything he wants to throw at me. It’s the only way he’ll leave me alone. You can’t be in Santa Monica all the time.”
Simon kissed the top of my head and pulled me into his chest. He sighed heavily and turned me to walk toward the outer entrance door. I was so busy glancing up, waiting for him to agree that I almost fell over when he suddenly backed up and pulled me to the side.
“Shit. I knew they’d more than likely follow, but after five hours I’d have thought they would have had a break or found something better to chase.”
Adrenaline co
ursed through my body when I thought about facing the press again, but I knew if I was going to make it then it would be something I’d have to contend with in my daily life. After all, I couldn’t just be famous whenever I wanted to. All or nothing was how Gibson would have described it.
“What should we do?”
“That’s up to you, baby. Either we can give them a show and hope they’ll get fed up in a day or two or we get Otto to tell them we already left.”
“Well unless that was through the skylight window they’d laugh at that excuse.” I sighed. “I’m happy to deal if you are. The sooner we get it over with, the sooner we get home to eat.”
“You’re fucking awesome… and brave,” he mumbled.
“Or plain stupid,” I added, and he chuckled again.
Clasping my hand in his, he leaned in and pecked a small kiss to my temple. The look in his eyes said ‘trust me, you’ve got this’. “Big smiles, sweetheart,” he advised in a theatrical voice and led me chuckling purposely out of the door.
Facing around thirty-five photographers was pretty daunting, but I didn’t want to create the impression I was some kind of bimbo, especially since Gibson’s assessment of the original comment of Simon being my sugar daddy. Even the thought of that terminology made me cringe.
Squinting against the sun, I quickly dropped Simon’s hand to fish into my oversized purse for my Armani sun specs and slipped them up my nose and over my ears. The tiny barrier created a modicum of privacy and let me watch them in return.
Seconds later, Simon’s warm palm slid against mine again and he pulled me closer into his side.
“You okay, baby?” he asked, wrapping his other arm around me even though there were lots of people watching us.
“Not really, but unless I learn to face this I’m never gonna manage to control the press,” I admitted.
“Good girl, you got this,” he replied proudly, giving my hand a protective squeeze.
“Simon, when are you going to introduce us properly to your girl?” one shouted, but Simon ploughed through the group of mostly male reporters and led me over to his car. Opening the passenger door, he waited for me to get in, closed it, and wandered around the hood toward his side.
“Simon, we know you helped Piper with her record deal, but does she have any talent or…” his voice trailed away when I saw Simon’s body stance change and I figured he was glaring at the reporter much in the same way as he had with Gibson when they were at odds the previous day.
“How long have you known Piper? We saw you with Jess Barrington on your arm only two days ago. Is this thing with Piper still casual? Piper, has Simon explained himself regarding the photographs of him with Jess Barrington?” asked another.
“For the record, I wasn’t with Jess. We merely accompanied each other to the same event we had been invited to. As we were both alone and had flown in at the same time, we arranged to keep each other company.”
“As for Piper,” glancing around to look at me in the car, he gave me the most slow and sexy smile then turned back, “It could never be casual with Piper, look at her. Have you ever seen anyone more beautiful or appealing? I doubt any man in their right mind would see a princess like Piper as a casual arrangement. Speaking of which, this is where I take my leave and pay my gorgeous girl some attention.”
Walking the rest of the way around to the car, he opened his door, slid behind the wheel, and closed the door softly. Reaching over, he lifted my hand and kissed it then glanced longingly into my eyes.
“Ready to go, baby?” He asked as he leaned in and planted a small kiss on my lips. Flashbulbs and cameras clicked in rapid succession as I tried not to freak out, but as if Simon knew how I felt, his hand tightened firmer around mine.
“Stay this cool around them and you’ll have them eating right out of your hand,” he whispered into my ear.
Glancing out through the windshield he shrugged, “Fuck it, let them look. I gotta have a better taste than that.” Placing his hands on each side of my face, he drew me close and took what he wanted. And boy did he ever.
His kiss was loaded with intent and totally possessed me. Separating our lips as quickly, I sat slightly dizzy, body fully charged with expectation of what else he could do to blow my mind.
He pulled his head back just enough to catch my gaze and hold it. “All I want is for you to be safe, Princess. Anyone fucks with you and I’ll tear them apart with my bare hands,” he said with a gruff tone that let me know I should never doubt his words.
Immediately following his declaration, a warm glow filled my body from the inside out, all the way from my toes to my head. It should have been hard to believe he cared enough to feel this way, but in that moment, it was the easiest thing in the world for me.
“You got to give them just enough to let them think they won the hunt, when all they’ve done is walk into the trap you control,” he advised, and when I turned to look at the salacious and smug grins of the reporters all standing staring back at us as if we were laboratory rats, I knew without doubt how right he was. I was in the best of hands with Simon.
“Thank you for being with me today and for protecting me the way you have. I found it very sexy how you dealt so confidently with the news hungry paparazzi and how you defended my honor,” I said with a genuine smile.
“Glad you mentioned that honor… the way you sang today made me so fucking hard I was scared I was gonna sling that fucking guitar out of the way and ram you up against the nearest wall. Do you know how turned on I am when I hear you sing like that?” His comment made me chuckle because it was the very thing I had said to Gibson and he’d thought it was funny.
It may have sounded crude but unbeknown to Simon it was probably the best compliment he could ever have given me. It was definitely a boost to my confidence, especially as the press had been hounding me earlier in the day about how I’d arrived at my recording contract.
Firing up the car, Simon shifted the stick into drive and pulled us slowly away from the waiting press. As soon as we’d cleared the pack and turned into the open road, he slammed his foot on the gas and we tore away from them at speed.
Chapter Nineteen
Gibson and Chloe had gone by the time we arrived back at my apartment. I guessed it was weird for Gibson to see me with Simon, but knowing I didn’t have another evening of awkward and challenging conversation made me sigh with relief.
As soon as I opened the door, the smell of garlic and fresh basil filled my nostrils and my stomach rumbled. “Thank God for Chloe,” Simon offered in praise. She had obviously thought ahead and had some warm food and a beautiful healthy salad waiting and it was obvious Gibson had sent Jerry or Jonny, one of his bodyguards, to organize some supplies.
Wandering over to the oven, I saw it was on the 'keep warm' setting and opened the door. A mouthwatering lasagna with a crispy cheese topping was cooked to perfection. Simon came up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist, kissed my bare shoulder and rested his bearded chin on it, peering into the oven.
The way he held me brought an instant smile to my lips. “Fuck, that smells amazing, but I can’t tell which smells better, the food or you.” He sighed, and his warm breath fanned over my sensitive skin. “What’s that you’re wearing? It’s been driving me insane all day,” he asked.
“Only deodorant. I forgot to put any perfume on this morning before we left, but if you can smell me above this garlic odor, then the smell must be anything but alluring,” I replied with a chuckle.
“Maybe we need to get you naked and into the shower then,” he replied. Slamming the oven door shut, he spun me around to lean against the counter. Pressing his body against me, he slid his hand down and clasped my butt.
“You know how long I’ve been waiting to get you alone?” he asked, peppering small delicate kisses all over my neck. The unmistakable bulge at my belly made my body betray me and I wiggled my hips because I had found it increasingly impossible not to want more. His eyes burned with desire as
his hands moved sensually over my butt.
“Since yesterday?” I asked, playfully.
“In the near past yes, before that… months,” he whispered huskily as his teeth began to nibble at my ear. Suddenly he pushed away from me and grabbed my hand. Leading me around the other side of the counter he lifted me up and sat me on a stool. Walking back around to the other side of the counter he stared pointedly at me and sighed.
“Sit right there. Don’t you dare move. We’ll get nothing to eat… well you won’t if I don’t make some space between us,” he told me as he turned and pulled the food out of the oven before I could speak. I was in awe as I watched him place the hot pottery dish on the granite counter and it had nothing to do with his skills in the kitchen.
His crude comment made me feel a little self-conscious and every word he had uttered turned my bones to Jell-O. I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams Simon McLennan would want me as much as he did.
Moving fluidly, he reached up into one cupboard and pulled out two glasses, then crouched down low opening and closing others until he found the flatware.
Placing two plates on the countertop he then pointed at drawers until I nodded at one. Opening it, he took out two place settings of the silverware, a large serving spoon and some salad tongs.
“Tell me something I don’t know about you, Piper,” he said and began to serve up the food. He didn’t look at me. Being caught off guard by his demand, I sat quietly for a minute watching his strong muscular arms flex and relax as he added salad to both the plates.
“So you know my mom’s ex-partner isn’t my real dad? I’ve never met him, and I guess I never will.” Simon stopped what he was doing and dropped the clear plastic tongs to the salad bowl slowly.
“I’m sorry,” he offered, his voice sounding full of sympathy.
“Don’t. I don’t want you to ever feel sorry for me. For years I clung to the fact I had a real father and Colin wasn’t my blood,” I replied. “You have no idea how sane that kept me when that bastard verbally, physically, and psychologically abused my mom and me. But who knows, if I hadn’t been subjected to his wrath I may never have discovered how much music means to me.”