My One and Only: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Second Chance Romance

by Weston Parker

  Dom’s eyebrows hiked up, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “There wasn’t anything right about it, either. We’re just not ready yet, and if Jared doesn’t shake off his hangover, or whatever it is that’s causing his lag, we are not going to be ready today.”

  “Come on, Dom.” Nick laughed, rolling his eyes. “Get off his ass. Everything’s good.”

  My baby brother’s eyes flashed with annoyance as he took Dom’s side. No surprise there. “Dom’s right. Jared’s lagging. He’s definitely not giving it his best, and we need to get the song nailed perfectly before we can record it.”

  Fuck, he was annoying sometimes. Very few people got to me, but he was one of them, and I was a bit fucking irritated that Caleb was now joining Dom in calling me out with this shit.

  Sensing the tension building in the room, Nick stepped into the center of the space. “Maybe we just need to take a break.”

  “Yeah,” I muttered. “Let’s do that. I’m hungry.”

  Grabbing my brother’s arm, I dragged him aside. “What the fuck was that for?”

  Caleb’s dark eyes cut to the soundproof ceiling before they met mine. “Your head hasn’t been in the game this last week or so. That’s what it was for. I don’t know what’s going on with you, but get it together. Now isn’t the time to get lazy.”

  I shot him a disbelieving look as laughter rumbled up from my belly. “I think you and Dom just need to get laid. You’re both wound way too fucking tight.”

  Not wanting to listen to any more of his lame complaining, I turned on my heel, and I marched away from him, my fists clenching and unclenching at my sides. “I’m out of here. I’m going to go grab lunch. Someone better get Caleb and Dom laid before I get back. This is a steaming pile of bullshit.”

  Four sets of eyes followed me as I ripped open the recording studio door and let it slam shut behind me. I hated when those guys got so uptight. We were in a rock band, for Christ’s sake. It wasn’t like we were working on solving the world’s problems with famine or poverty. The songs sounded fine to me, and I didn’t get what the fuck they were crawling all over my ass about.

  If we were still where we were just over two years ago, I would have understood the attitude. Back then, we were all a little anal about every small detail, but these days, the only anal that I cared about was that of the sexual variety.

  We’d worked our butts off for years, went hungry, played the smallest, shittiest venues, and put up with everything that the pursuit of a real career in music threw at us. We’d more than paid our dues, and we could easily afford to slow down just a little bit.

  Captain Purity and Perfection didn’t have to agree with me, but it would’ve been nice if my own goddamn brother had my back. I was at a stage where I wanted to reap the benefits of our hard work, and have some fun in the process. Why was that too much to ask?

  They had to chill the fuck out, both of them. A frustrated sigh parted my lips as I walked down the long hallway on the second floor of the studio.

  On the walls were pictures of all the greats who had recorded there, and it still humbled me that we were sharing that same space as they’d been in. It also pissed me off that Dom and Caleb seemed to think that I didn’t respect the music anymore and that I would ever be lazy or purposefully not give it my best.

  Nothing could be further from the truth, and they both ought to know it. There was a difference the size of South America between relaxing a little and losing respect. I definitely fit into the former category.

  Running a hand through my hair, I decided to take the stairs down to hopefully burn off some of the excess frustration caused by that little showdown back there, and I took them two at a time. The stairwell was quiet, and the rubber soles of my black Converse sneakers squeaked on the floor on my way down.

  I burst out the door that led to the front of the building and found Gerry, an immediate look of concern crossing his features when he saw my thunderous expression. My attention wasn’t on him for long, though, since he was talking to a hot little blonde woman who I wouldn’t mind dragging right back into that stairwell to fuck off my frustration.

  Hell, that actually wasn’t a half bad idea. It’d been a couple of days since Melanie or Madison or whatever, and we’d been so busy recording that I hadn’t had time to hook up with anyone.

  Crossing the hall to get to them, I gave Blondie a long onceover, and my cock stirred in my jeans. She was even hotter up close. Her body was slim and petite, clad in a professional-looking, black pencil skirt and fitted top that didn’t show any cleavage, but hinted at a decent pair of tits beneath it.

  It wasn’t a stretch to imagine fucking her wearing only her sky-high heels while her crystal blue eyes clouded over with pleasure and she begged me to take her harder. With that in mind, I flashed that grin—the one that almost always worked—hooked my thumbs into the pockets of my jeans, and cocked my head. “Hey there, beautiful. How would you like to go have some coffee with me?”

  Her eyes narrowed a bit at my invitation, which confused me since I wasn’t used to that kind of reaction from women, especially not with that smile on my lips. She stuck out a tiny hand in my direction and spoke in what I assumed was supposed to be an authoritative tone. It was actually kind of cute. “My name is Alicia Diamond, not beautiful. I’m your new public relations agent. It’s nice to meet you, Jared.”

  Staring at her hand for a second, I raised mine to meet it, and my dick twitched at the feel of her soft palm against mine. It was an interesting juxtaposition to her firm grip. If there was a chance she gave hand jobs like she shook hands, I was definitely interested in signing up for an exploratory mission.

  “Nice to meet you, Alicia.” Her name rolled off my tongue smoothly. Turning my eyes to Gerry—although they left Alicia’s face reluctantly—I asked, “What happened to Brad?”

  Gerry sighed and shook his head slightly. “He retired, Jared. We told you he’d be gone after the tour wrapped.”

  “Of course. Now I remember.” I didn’t.

  We’d been drinking pretty heavily most nights after our shows on that last tour, and they must have told us during one of those times. Since none of the others had mentioned Brad’s retirement, I thought it was safe to assume that they didn’t remember, either.

  The fact that she technically worked for us didn’t deter me. Instead, I squeezed her hand one last time before letting it go, having already held onto it for a second too long. I didn’t miss the flash of heat in her eyes when I did it. “So now that we’ve been introduced, what do you say we go get that coffee?”

  Alicia shook her head, earning an approving nod from Gerry. “It would be better if I met the whole band together. That way, we can be sure that we’re all on the same page.”

  “They’re all assholes. Come have coffee with me instead. I’ll tell you everything you need to know and more.”

  My tone suggested what more would be, but to my surprise, Alicia gave me a cool professional smile and shook her head again. “They might be assholes, but it really is quite important for me to meet with you all together.”

  “Sure, but meet with me first,” I urged her, intrigued that she was rebuffing my advances and sure that I could get her to cave.

  “Sorry, but I can’t,” she said sweetly. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, there is something that I need to check on.” She spun around without another word and sashayed her tight ass away from me. Her hips swung as she walked, a tiny swing from side to side as her hair caressed her back. My dick was loving the view.

  “Where did you find her?” I asked Gerry, noticing that I wasn’t the only one watching Alicia walk away. Not that I blamed the man. I was sure that heads turned wherever she was. What I wasn’t prepared for was the unfamiliar stirring of some possessive instinct that was supposed to live in every man, but had always lain dormant within me.

  “She’s the best,” Gerry said smoothly. “You know I only hire the best when it comes to you guys.”

  He p
icked an imaginary piece of lint from his impeccable suit. It was all the man ever wore. The guys and I had a bet going that he probably even slept in a suit. We tried to get closure on our bet a couple times during the tour, but no matter the time you knocked on his door, he was still dressed—in the suit.

  “She’d better be,” I muttered as she rounded the corner, thinking back to some of the things that we’d gotten up to and Brad had to deal with. “She going to be around for a while, then?”

  Gerry nodded, then gave me a warning look. “Unless one of you fucks it up.”

  I raised an eyebrow. He knew that I loved a challenge, especially when it came to women, and that sounded like a challenge to me. Gerry, however, put his hands up, palms out. “That wasn’t a challenge Jared. You guys need her.”

  “If you say so, man. We’re delightful little choir boys. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  At that, Gerry chuckled low and shook his head again. “Whatever helps you sleep at night. Just try to keep it in your pants. It took me long enough to replace Brad. The last thing I need is to have to find a new PR agent because one of you had a hard-on for the best one I could find. See you later, Jared.”

  “See ya.” I waved and made for the door myself. It hadn’t taken him that long to replace Brad. We’d only been back for a couple of weeks, and besides, as long as she was clear on what she was getting into, there wouldn’t be any harm caused to the band by my making a play to fuck her.

  Grabbing lunch from the in-house caterers on the lot, I sat down with my bacon cheeseburger, our new public relations agent never far from my mind. The way she’d said my name, that flash of heat in those clear blue eyes, and her trim little body had me all riled up, and even if it was just to myself, I had to admit that that play was probably going to be made.

  My attraction to her wasn’t even purely physical. She was the first woman who’d shot me down in the longest fucking time, which told me she was different. Women never stood up to me anymore, and I was surprised to find that intrigued me about her.

  CHAPTER 4

  ALICIA

  Holy mother of… Jared was, without a doubt, one of the most attractive men I’ d ever met. No, not attractive. Attractive was the word you used to describe the guy who moved in down the hall or sat next to you at work. The one with the nice teeth and easy smile, he was attractive.

  Hot wasn’t even the word I was looking for when it came to Jared. The guy who’d served my coffee this morning, he was hot. The guy whose eye you caught while going on that Saturday morning jog you’d been promising yourself, he could often be described as hot.

  Jared was, well, he was stunning. He had that extra something that most men, and women really, just didn’t.

  Starpower. That was what my younger sister Kelly would call it.

  And Jared had it.

  By the bucketload.

  He was-.

  I was ripped from my thoughts when I smacked right into something squishy. Jumping back, I blinked away my musings about one of my newest clients.

  Because yes, Alicia, you’re going to have to remember that he’s your client and you’re going to have to be professional here.

  I looked up at what I’d hit, surprised to find the curious, piercing eyes of my predecessor staring out at me when I finally managed to focus on something other than the memory of Jared Larsen and the forcefield he seemed to emit.

  “Mr Kelly? Hi.” Could I sound any more like a blubbering idiot?

  I stuck my hand out, trying to regain some semblance of professionalism. “My name is Alicia Diamond. I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

  “Alicia Diamond.” Recognition sparked in his kindly blue eyes. “Oh. Yes. Gerry told me about you. You’re their latest victim.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You’re the new me.” It was a statement, not a question. He didn’t look offended or jealous at all. If anything, there was sympathy lining his soft features.

  Brad Kelly was well- known in my industry. He’d been around for a long time and there were words like “legend” being thrown around when his retirement was discussed. A slight exaggeration if anyone would’ve bothered to ask for my opinion about him, but I respected the man nonetheless. As did many, if not most, others in my line of work.

  He looked like a grandpa with his sparkling blue eyes and curly gray hair and it made you want to make him proud. The effect he had on people wasn’t only limited to his peers, even most members of the media were susceptible to his particular brand of charm. Which was why he was so very effective in his job.

  He wasn’t only effective, however. What made him remarkable, known, was how he used his appearance and demeanor to mask that he could be a real shark when he needed to be. Rumor had it there weren’t many in this town who didn’t owe him a favor or two and he always collected eventually.

  I swallowed, the size of the shoes I was expected to fill slowly dawning as I looked into his knowing eyes. “I guess I am the new you.”

  Dents appeared at the corners of his lips as he pursed them, a flash of his infamous disapproval in his eyes as he studied me. “Godspeed darlin’, heaven knows you’re gonna need it.”

  Ice crept into my tone, into my veins. I was tired of people looking at me like I couldn’t handle doing my job when it came to this band. “I know what I’m doing.”

  “Didn’t mean to imply that you didn’t.” He said, the slight Southern lilt in his accent more pronounced as he held up his hands. “Gerry called me about you when you first got recommended to him. I looked you up, saw good things.”

  “What is it, then?” My feathers were ruffled, I couldn’t deny it. Brad had retired of his own free will. It wasn’t like I’d stolen the job from him somehow and I hadn’t been appointed for any reason other than merit, so why did it feel like both Brad and Gerry were expecting me to prove something? To fail?

  “This band,” he rubbed the graying scruff of his jaw contemplatively. “They’re unlike anything you think you’ve seen, is all.”

  “What makes you say that?” The man no idea what I’d seen or handled.

  He chuckled, dropping his hand back to his side as he tilted his head, blue eyes friendly but dark at the same time. “Because they’re unlike most I’ve ever seen before, and I have to have at least four decades on you in this business.”

  Jutting my chin out, I folded my arms. “I may be young, Mr Kelly but I assure you I’m not a rookie.”

  “No, you’re not.” He agreed, surprising me. “You’re talented, which is why I gave you my stamp of approval when Gerry called. But no, Ms Diamond, at risk of sounding like a teenager breaking up with you, it’s not you, it’s them.”

  “They can’t be that bad.” Seriously, most of what I’d learnt about them was amusing. Tiring to deal with, no doubt, but nothing too far out of the box. With his reputation, Brad must’ve seen a thousand things worse than the antics of Destitute.

  Those you’ve been told about, I reminded myself.

  Inclining his head in agreement, Brad looked straight into my eyes. “They’re not bad guys, I grant you. It’s more that they think they deserve it.”

  “And most other celebrities aren’t entitled brats sometimes?” I wasn’t following what he was trying to say. Most of the famous ones I’d worked with or for acted like they deserved the world on a silver platter.

  “Won’t argue with you there, but these guys don’t only believe they deserve to do whatever they want, they also believe they deserve whatever comes their way as a result. That’s what makes them dangerous. And different.”

  “Dangerous?” I lifted an eyebrow, angling my head to one side. People swarmed around us in the hallway, some carrying equipment or papers and others barking into phones. Brad took my elbow and led me off to the side where we could talk without the withering stares of those whose path we were in the way of. Heaven forbid they actually had to walk around someone.

  “Dangerous, yes.” Brad said once we were saf
ely out of the stampede zone. He was leaning with his hip against the gray wall, his hands in the front pockets of his slacks. Standing like that, he looked like a much younger man.

  If not for the lines and creases on his face telling the stories of the battles he’d fought and the nights he’d burned the midnight oil, I wouldn’t have guessed that he could possibly be retiring already. But he was, and my new band was the biggest contributing factor to that decision.

  “Why?” The question jumped out before I could stop it. Why would a man like him be retiring because a couple of rockstars stole a car?

  “They’ve accepted whatever consequences come their way because of what they get up to. It makes them impossible to control.” Brad’s eyes were unwavering on mine. “The only thing they’re afraid of, not that they’d ever admit it, is losing their music. And that’s the one thing we can’t exactly take away from them or threaten them with to keep their behavior in line.”

  “The public can.” I countered. “If they go too far, they’ll lose fans.”

  “The way they see it, the fans come because of the music.” Brad sighed, straightening up. “And those boys are talented, so they’re probably right for now. Problem is, there are many talented people out there that fans can follow if they lose respect for their idols. The guys don’t seem to understand that.”

  “And that makes them dangerous?”

  “For us?” He smoothed his jacket, his eyes starting to stray to a point behind my shoulder. “Yes, that makes them dangerous. It means they believe people will love them until they don’t and when they stop, that’s okay too because they’ve built up enough of a fan base for their music that the rest doesn’t matter.”

  “I’m still not sure I’m following.”

  Smiling from the corner of his mouth, Brad shook his head. “You will. The music’s all that matters to them, Ms Diamond. Makes keeping them out of trouble very hard when they know nothing they get up to will change the fact they’re talented and have enough fans that only care about that.”