DIRTY ROCKER: A Rock Star Romance
Page 18
Heart thudding, I stepped into a wide rehearsal room.
Holy shit.
I stifled a gasp.
I hadn’t seen any pictures of ChiMera since they’d come out of rehab.
Wow! They’d changed.
My eyes widened. No longer the scrawny-looking guys they’d been while using, they were standing in front of me, so beyond ripped they were freaking shredded. They must have been working out; they’d bulked up hugely... tight t-shirts hugged their pecs and bulging arm muscles.
But it was Axel Wainwright who drew my full attention. He was so beautiful I forgot to breathe… not something anyone, let alone a singer, should ever forget to do.
Dirty collar-length blond hair all mussed up.
A close-cropped beard.
Smoldering dark-brown eyes.
Eyes that were trained on mine.
Tormented eyes…
“Phoenix.” He caught his lower lip with his teeth as he unleashed his sexy trademark smile, the smile that made women all over the world swoon. “I like your name.”
The breath I’d been holding left my lungs with a whoosh, and I felt my cheeks burn. “I hope you like my voice too.”
He stepped forward, his Gibson Thunderbird guitar slung across his broad chest, and I caught his masculine scent as he handed me a mic. “Let’s make a start, then,” he said in a curt, businesslike tone.
Okay…
In the background, Pierce slammed four trash beats on his drums before he played a roll. Rhys’ guitar started singing a keening note above Pierce’s pounding. I recognized the start of ChiMera’s big hit, ‘Live, Love, Lose,’ and remembered to breathe.
This was it.
Do or die.
This whole gig was an awesome opportunity for me. If I fluffed it now, I’d regret it for the rest of my life.
I’ve got this.
One hand clasping the mic, I smoothed down my hair with the other and came in at exactly the right moment.
Axel
Phoenix had done her homework; she sounded so like Ella I almost broke down. It was as if my sister had fucking returned from the other side. I shook my head to clear it of dark thoughts and leaned into the silvery microphone on its stand, playing a low beat on my bass.
I turned my head to gaze at Phoenix as I sang. She was staring at the opposite wall, her entire attention focused on the music. Only twenty-two, three years younger than Ella. And she was doing a great job, matching my vowel sounds. She was the third girl we’d played with today, and she was by far the best.
My chest ached as I thought about my sister. No one could replace her, no fucking way. I’d loved her so much; I’d never get over her loss. We’d been on the same wavelength our entire lives. Being siblings, our voices harmonized perfectly but Ella was always careful not to let hers stand out. Phoenix was doing the same. The guys all sang backup, but I didn’t have to push my voice so hard when a woman harmonized with me. Ella never wanted to be in the limelight. Would Phoenix be happy with that?
Ella had been strictly off-limits to the guys, resulting in them treating her like their kid sister as well as mine. If Phoenix joined the band, we’d have the same arrangement. No sex with the backing singer or it would rip us apart.
Bending into the mic, I raked my eyes down her smoking hot body, lingering on her gorgeous ass encased in those skin-tight jeans. Her t-shirt hugged what looked like a luscious pair of tits. I wondered if they were real…
Not that I’d ever find out.
Not with her.
Anyone else, and I’d have already scored a hit.
I liked women, and they liked me.
I liked to fuck.
Hard, and often.
Apart from singing, writing songs, and running CM Records with my bandmates and management team, fucking was the only other thing I was good at… even when I was high on coke. Never used anything harder, unlike Ella. By the time we found out she was on H, it was too fucking late.
I stopped staring at Phoenix and swiveled my gaze to where hers had landed on the opposite wall, imagining a vast arena filled to capacity. The vision injected a spark into my performance. Rhys was doing what he does best on his guitar, his musical rawness taking us to the killer bridge I’d written.
“I want it, I need it,” I sang with Phoenix, who was maintaining perfect pitch.
If only Ella had lived…
I focused on the music, to stop my baritone voice wobbling as a result of the sadness invading my spirit, and I got to the end of the song without breaking down.
It would become easier with more practice.
Easier but not better.
“Thanks, Phoenix,” I turned to her with what I hoped was an encouraging smile. “You did good. The guys and I will make our decision asap. Jake will call you...”
My smile had made her nervous, I could see it in her beautiful green eyes. She handed me the microphone, her fingertips brushing mine as her flowery perfume invaded my senses. Heat filled my body, going straight to my balls.
Fuck, my bloody dick had hardened.
Phoenix picked up her bag from where she’d dropped it by the door and I stared after her as she made her way out of the room.
I whirled around and caught all the guys’ eyes hooded with lust and glued to her ass. “Band meeting. In the boardroom. Now,” I growled.
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Acknowledgments
So many people have supported and helped me with “DIRTY ROCKER”.
As ever, I’d like to thank my lovely content editor, Trenda, for being so helpful and incredibly fast with her feedback. Another book, lovely lady, thank you again!
Once more, I’d like to thank Helena Gant, my wonderful PA, for all that she does for me. You’re amazing!
My awesome beta readers, April, Fiona, Helena G, Joy, Michelle, Nanette, and Nico, thank you for sharing Hayley and Pierce’s journey with me and for your invaluable critique.
Mayhem Cover Creations, thanks for the gorgeous cover design. I love it.
The amazingly talented photographer Wander Aguilar for the image of Andrew Biernat, who is just how I picture Foxy.
Huge thanks to ZiLlah for managing my street team, as well as Debra, Helena H, and Nancy for tirelessly promoting me on Facebook.
To the members of my Facebook group, Siobhan’s Courtesans, thanks for keeping me company while I write, and for joining in the takeovers and giveaways as well as spreading the word about my books. Love you lots xxx
I’d like to thank my fellow authors and the bloggers, PAs and promotors who support me. You are amazing!
Finally, and most importantly, I’d like to thank you, my reader. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my books.
Siobhan xox
About the Author
SC Daiko, aka Siobhan, is a bestselling British author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. When she isn’t writing or looking after visitors, she loves to swim in the sea, travel around Europe, sample different food and enjoy local wine. Siobhan has worked in the City of London and taught languages in a Welsh high school before moving to Italy, where she now lives with her husband, a Havanese puppy, a rescued kitten and two elderly cats. Nothing makes her happier than connecting with readers and fellow authors. You can find her at https://scdaiko.com/
Other Books By SC Daiko
BDSM MENAGE
Two Three Four: The Complete Trilogy
STUDENT TEACHER ROMANCE
Game On
VIRGINS MENAGE SERIES
Their Virgin Nanny
Their Virgin Brat
Their Virgin PA
MAFIA LIGHT SERIES
BRUTE
BEAST: A Mafia Romance
Nanny and the BRATVA BOSS
BRASH
ROCKERS
ROCK STAR
STEAMY MENAGE
Filthy Italians
SC Daiko, DIRTY ROCKER: A Rock Star Romance