Wonderlust (Steel Roses #1)

by B. L. Wilde

  “Natasha is my new personal assistant.” Alex’s tone was sharp as he shot daggers at Adam. “You better take your seat, Adam. It looks like they’re going to start.”

  “I need to find my date anyway. Good talking with you, Alex. Natasha.” Gracefully, he disappeared into the crowd in search of his seat.

  “Wow,” I gasped, holding my chest. “I just met Adam Rider.”

  “Are you a fan of his?” Alex didn’t seem that interested in my answer. He was busy playing with the arm of his chair.

  “Who isn’t a fan of his? I heard he turned down the lead role in this film we’re seeing tonight.”

  “I wouldn’t know, but I’m not sure Westerns are his thing anyway.”

  “Do you see him a lot? Are you good friends with him?”

  “Straight Lace, do you have a crush on Mr. Hollywood? I do know him pretty well. We jam together from time to time.” He couldn’t hide his smirk. “Most actors are womanizers, though, and Adam is no different. I wouldn’t get mixed up with him.”

  “I’ve heard that about rock stars, too,” I quipped. “And you definitely live up to that.”

  “Maybe you need to find a more reliable source. You really don’t know me well enough to make that judgment yet.” His lips were inches away from my neck as he whispered in my ear. It didn’t help that the lights dimmed just as he spoke, either. In the darkness of a crowded room, all I could feel was his soft breath against my skin.

  “I know you well enough. I’ve seen you with countless women in the short time I’ve worked for you.”

  “That may be true, but I don’t chase women. Haven’t you noticed they come to me?”

  “That still makes you a womanizer.”

  “Because I sleep with them?” He was amused with my response. “I enjoy sex. There’s nothing wrong with that. Our bodies were made for pleasure, and nothing feels better than skin against skin. Surely you know that.”

  “I don’t understand one night stands. How can you feel connected?”

  “You’ve never had a one night stand?” The film had started, but neither of us were paying attention to it. With the surround sound, we did have to move closer toward each other though.

  “No. It’s never interested me.”

  “You can’t judge something you’ve never done then, can you?” Damn him. He was right! “Whoa! No counter attack this time?”

  “Watch the film,” I replied, shaking my head at him. As I glanced over at him a few moments later, I saw a smug look on his face in the dim light.

  The movie wasn’t the worst I’d seen, but it wasn’t the most original by any means. The plot was a little predictable; a wanderer came across a small town controlled by outlaws and ended up setting them free.

  “Are you both coming to the after party?” Diego asked excitedly as we made our way outside.

  “I won’t be,” I replied, looking at my phone. It was only ten thirty, but parties had never been my thing.

  “You’re not coming?” Alex frowned at me. He seemed disappointed. “The party is the best thing about these events.”

  “I’ll take your word for it. Goodnight, Alex. I’ll hail a cab to get home.”

  “Shane can take you. Diego will escort you to the limo.” He wasn’t going to argue about this?

  “I can find my own way. It’s fine, really.”

  “It will give me some peace of mind. I don’t want you wandering around alone looking like that.”

  “Are you worried I might get chatted up by a Hollywood star?” I couldn’t help myself. He was too easy to tease.

  “Maybe,” he grinned.

  “Order me a mojito. I’ll meet you at the bar,” Diego said to Alex before linking his arm with mine. “Let’s get you home, party pooper.”

  “Goodnight, Natasha,” Alex called as I was escorted away. The moment we were no longer beside him, he was surrounded by females. They didn’t like to waste time and had seized the opportunity to talk to him. Why did my heart feel as if it was deflating as I moved farther away from him? He was bound to take one of them home tonight.

  “Was that just an excuse to get away from him?” Diego asked once we were out of Alex’s view.

  “What?”

  “Oh, come on. Could the two of you get anymore obvious?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Sexual tension, that’s what I’m talking about. It radiates off both of you when you’re together.”

  “Diego, not this again!” I threw my arms up, irked that he was still talking about this.

  “Did you notice his face when you said you weren’t coming to the party?”

  “Why would it matter? I’m his PA, not his bloody date!” Diego sniggered at me. “What is so damn funny?”

  “You sound so British.”

  “Duh! That’s because I am British.” Shane came into view and I sighed in relief. “You go back to Alex. Don’t let him drink too much please. He has meetings tomorrow.”

  “Are you sure I can’t persuade you to come to the party?” I shook my head. He’d need a miracle to do that. Liv gave up making me go to parties a long time ago because she knew it was useless. “Fine. I’ll see you later. Don’t wait up, Baby Cakes.” He kissed both my cheeks, and then strutted off, swinging his ass as he went.

  “Hey.” Shane touched my shoulder. “Alex sent me a message to take you home. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah. I don’t do parties, that’s all.” Helping me through the crowd, Shane led me to the limo.

  “How was tonight?” he asked, pulling into the traffic. Steve was back at the after party, keeping an eye on Alex.

  “Good. He’s amazing with his fans and the press. It was pretty effortless.”

  “You’re starting to see all his layers then?”

  “He’s pretty messed up, but I don’t think he’s beyond saving.”

  “He copes with his life the best way he can. I’d go a little crazy if I had to deal with all the shit that he does.” I shuddered, suddenly realizing I wasn’t wearing that much. “Are you cold? My jacket is on the seat next to you.” Stretching across, I picked up his jacket and slipped it on. “He gave me a grilling about being too friendly with you last week.”

  “He did what?!”

  “It’s okay. I set him straight.”

  “I…I…”

  “It’s okay, Nat. I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, but I am extremely attracted to you.”

  “Shane, you’re a great guy…”

  “Here comes the ‘but.’” As he pulled onto the driveway that led to the mansion, I gazed at him. The moonlight was caressing his face. He was a good-looking guy. Any normal woman would jump at the chance to be with him, but I’d never been normal. When it came to relationships, I seemed to like them as complicated as possible. Why else would I be single at twenty-nine?

  “I can’t see us being anything other than friends. I’m sorry.” He took my hand in his, stopping me from playing with my silver clutch.

  “It’s fine, Nat. I’m good with just being friends.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Do you feel up to a game of pool?”

  “Sure.” It would kill a bit of time until Diego and Alex got home later. They’d both be drunk and end up waking me anyway.

  “You’re pretty damn good at this,” Shane mused, leaning on his cue as he watched me sink a ball.

  “I played a lot at uni.” I hadn’t changed yet, but his jacket covered me better than my dress did, so I’d kept that on.

  “What did you study?”

  “Communication and Media in London. It was a great course. I joined Flavour Records right after I graduated.”

  “So this is only your second job?” Shane asked while I positioned myself over the table to hit another ball.

  “Yeah.”

  “What about your man back in London? Did you meet him there? Is he flying out to visit you soon?”

/>   “I seriously doubt it. Things between us are…complicated.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I assumed the two of you were…”

  “Working for Rock Records is my dream job. I had to choose this over him.”

  “But you got Alex as your boss. Maybe you should have stayed in London with your man,” he snorted. I missed a shot, thinking of David as my man. That would never have happened.

  “It didn’t turn out too bad. I’m here playing pool with you,” I grinned as footsteps came from behind me.

  “You’re still up?” Alex was at the doorway, and to my surprise didn’t appear drunk.

  “I was just playing a game of pool with Shane. You’re back early,” I commented, looking at the clock. It wasn’t even midnight.

  “I didn’t feel like partying so I left Diego there.” Oh! Why did I suddenly feel so uncomfortable standing between Shane and Alex? “I’ll leave you two to your game. Sorry for interrupting,” he muttered, walking away.

  “I should go and check to make sure he’s okay,” I whispered, dropping my cue.

  “No, finish the game at least, Nat. You’re not on the clock right now. You don’t have to chase after him.” That was true, but it didn’t stop me from doing just that.

  I found Alex out by the pool with a glass of whiskey in his hand. “What was all that about?” I questioned, sitting next to him on the same wooden sunbed.

  “What?” he snapped. “I didn’t want to intrude on you and lover boy.” Was he sulking? “Now I understand why you wanted to get home so quickly. You’ve had the place all to yourselves.”

  “Do you know how ridiculous you sound?”

  “You’re going to deny it?” he spat, turning his ice-cold stare toward me.

  “Deny what? The fact that I was playing a game of pool with a friend?”

  “If Shane is who you want, that’s fine! Just don’t lead me on as well!” What the hell was he talking about? I wasn’t leading anyone on!

  “Leading you on! When the fuck have I ever done that? I’ve made it quite clear from day one that I don’t want any kind of relationship with you. Jesus, Alex, I have never met a bigger asshole than you. You really think no female can resist you, don’t you?”

  “You’ve been giving me mixed signals since the moment you arrived. Your mind might be telling you to stay clear of me, but your body has other ideas.”

  “Oh, please. Do you really think I haven’t heard that line before?” He shook his head, downing his whiskey. “I know exactly what my body and mind want, and it’s not you.”

  “Are you willing to prove that?”

  “Yes!” Shit. I was so angry, I answered without thinking. What had I just gotten myself into?

  Placing his whiskey glass down on the floor, he stood up. “Lay back.”

  “What? Why?”

  “You’re proving your point.” I didn’t trust his smirk. “I’m going to hover over you. I won’t touch you, I promise, but if you’re not affected by my closeness after three minutes, you win. Your point is proven.”

  Crap! “Three minutes seems like a long time.” How did I get out of this? I couldn’t be that close to him; I’d crumble gazing into his pure blue eyes and I knew it.

  “Backing down already?” Huffing, I lay back against the lounge chair. Taking deep breaths, I tried to contain myself. Alex moved, placing his legs either side of me. He leaned down so our lips were inches apart. “Are you going to count or should I?”

  I closed my eyes for a brief second, basking in the warmth of his body over mine. His breath didn’t stink of alcohol either like I had hoped it would. “You count.” I needed to focus on controlling my breathing.

  “Nervous?”

  “No.” I glared back at his obnoxiousness. Remembering that he was an asshole might help me get through this.

  “You’re shaking, or is that the adrenaline?” He was so close, too close. My body was beginning to tingle from his proximity. Why did he have to be my childhood crush? It complicated everything.

  “You’re meant to be counting!” I yelled. He was infuriating!

  “Easy, Straight Lace. We’re not even at one minute yet.” Opening my eyes, I gazed into his cool blue orbs. They looked so alive, almost as if there was a storm brewing in them. “Are you having any urges yet?”

  “Other than wanting to knee you in the balls for making me do this…no.” I smiled sweetly up at him.

  “You always bring conversations back to my balls.” He moved closer, his lips almost brushing my chin.

  “I do not!” I protested, becoming immobile as he ran his hand down the side of my face. “You said you wouldn’t touch me.”

  “What does it matter? You’re not interested in me anyway. A minute and a half left.” This was the longest three minutes of my life! “We could have such a good time together, you know. All you have to do is loosen up.”

  “You don’t know me at all. I don’t do loose!”

  “I didn’t mean it in that way. You should learn to live a little. Let your hair down once in a while.”

  “I like my hair up, thank you very much.”

  “Yeah…I’ve noticed,” he chuckled, taking a stray strand of my hair in between his fingers. “You’re too beautiful to hide the way you do. Live dangerously for a while.” Hide? I wasn’t hiding from anything or anyone. “I could open your eyes to the world, Baby. All you have to do is let me in.” My breathing was becoming embarrassingly loud. I wasn’t sure how much restraint I had left. I wanted his lips on mine and to feel his breath consume me. “Let me in, Nat. We could be so good together. I’ll have you screaming my name within minutes.” Images of him with all his previous bimbos flashed through my mind, giving me the escape I needed to break the hold he had over me.

  “Just like all the women that have visited your sex pit? What number would I be, Alex?”

  “That’s history. I didn’t bring anyone home tonight, did I? Doesn’t that tell you anything?”

  “I heard you talking to Diego the first night I arrived.”

  “What?” That made him move away so he could look at me.

  “You’re going to break my heart, are you?” I snorted. “You really think you’re God’s gift.”

  “That was the first night, Nat. I didn’t know you then. These last few weeks…I’ve loved spending time with you, even when we’re arguing.” He laughed in disbelief at his words.

  “This is all a game to you, isn’t it?”

  “You don’t believe me?” He pulled away, finally moving off me. “The three minutes are up. You win.” Before I could respond, he stormed off. Alex could be such a child at times. I just lay there, gazing up at the night sky. Watching the stars had always relaxed me since I was a child.

  The more time I spent with Alex, the more complicated things seemed to get. We needed to talk about this at some point. He couldn’t keep walking away.

  Chapter Nine

  “Two more coffees please, Natasha.” Alex didn’t even look at me while I collected the empty mugs. I was covering for Mary because she was still having issues with her daughter, but she was due back next week.

  “Coming right up.” Diego was in the kitchen in hot pants and a skimpy top, dancing to an old eighties track. I held in a giggle as he spun around and noticed me watching him. “You’ve got some moves. You sure know how to work that booty of yours.”

  “You’ve got to shake what God gave you, girl.” Taking the mugs from me and placing them on the counter, he took my hand and began to spin me around. “Shake it, girl!”

  “I have to make coffee,” I protested, but he still didn’t stop spinning me around, grinding his hips against mine. “It’s a good job you’re gay,” I teased, finally giving in to the music.

  “Alex and Mr. Producer can wait five minutes for their coffee. Damn, you’ve got rhythm!”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “You’ve got some serious sexy pelvic motion going on. If I wasn’t gay, I’d be dry humping you right now.” Both laugh
ing, we carried on dancing until the song finished.

  I was still giggling about Diego’s comment while I took the coffees in for Alex and his producer. They’d been in his studio all morning.

  “Something funny?” Alex quirked an eyebrow at me as I placed the mugs down.

  “Just Diego. I’ll leave you to it.” I was about to walk out when he called me.

  “Nat, can you pencil in a trip to New York next month please? Jazz and I will be finishing the new track there.“ New track? I didn’t realize he was working on a new song.

  “Sure,” I mumbled, frowning at him. He gave me a sexy, lazy smirk before looking away.

  “Did you know Alex was working on new material?” I asked Diego when I walked back into the kitchen.

  “I know he’s written a few lyrics down. He hasn’t quite got a song yet, but what I’ve seen so far is pretty good.”

  “How long has it been since he’s written anything?”

  “Years, Nat. It’s been years.” He had a goofy grin on his face, watching me intently.

  “Oh, okay.” I tried not to blush, knowing what Diego was getting at. This wasn’t because of me. I did not hold some power over Alex Harbour. That was insane!

  “Right, I’ve got to head out for my pedicure. I’ll see you later, Baby Cakes.” What was it with him and Alex and bloody nicknames? Though, I preferred Straight Lace to Baby Cakes. What did that even mean? Babies couldn’t eat cakes. Not young babies, anyway.

  “Have fun!” I shouted after him as he grabbed his bag and started to walk out.

  “You should come with me next time. You deserve to be pampered.”

  “Maybe.” I liked the sound of that. Since I’d arrived in LA, all I’d done was work. An afternoon of relaxation would do me some good.

  “I can tell you’ve got something on your mind. Spill.” Alex seemed to be able to read me pretty well lately. Was that a good thing?

  “How long have you been writing new material?” We sat at the breakfast bar, eating the chicken and pesto salad I’d made for dinner.

  “About a month. Why do you ask?”