“Max?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you understand where I’m coming from? At all?”
Max sighed. “Aye, lass I do. I don’t like it, but I do understand.”
“So, will you let me do my job?”
“Jury’s still out on that,” he grumbled.
“Max!” she admonished.
“You can do your job, lass.” He smiled. “But I want you all to myself tonight. I want to have a private dinner with you and maybe a movie in my room…or yours…but no work. Just us.”
“As long as that works with Kenna’s schedule, then I would love to spend time alone with you…no work.”
Max closed the distance between them and ran his knuckles down her cheek. “You know I’m ridiculously in love with you already, right? I hate being separated from you. Even for a minute.”
“I’m getting that message, Max. But don’t you think it’s a little fast?”
He shrugged. “Not for me.”
She dropped her head onto his chest. “You are such a paradox.”
Max lifted her chin. “How so?”
“I guess because you’re a notorious man-whore and I don’t know how exactly I’ll live up to the multitudes of glamorous women you’ve slept with. But then you hold my hand, or kiss me, and all those worries fly out the window, and I feel as though you would never betray me, but that’s naïve, right? That’s just me wishing to be enough for you.”
Max shook his head. “No. It’s all accurate. You are enough for me. More than enough. If I could erase my past, I would. But since I can’t, I just have to work that much harder to make you understand how I feel. Some days it’s easier than others. Today’s been a bit of a bitch.”
Grace chuckled. “You are a pain in the butt, Max, but, Lord above, I can’t resist you sometimes.”
He raised an eyebrow as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Sometimes?”
She slid her hands into his hair. “Yes, I have an easier time being logical when you’re not in front of me.”
“Well, then we just need to make sure I’m always in front of you.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “Good luck with that one, buddy.”
He smiled. “I should let you get back to Kenna.”
“Yes, you really should. Will you sit with us, or are you going to go all high school on me and sit as far away from Kenna as possible?”
“Since I can’t seem to stay away from you, I would very much like to sit with you. I will endeavor to keep my negative opinions to myself.”
Grace kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”
* * *
Arriving at the hotel in Anchorage, Grace was swamped with excitement. The rest of the flight had gone without incident and she’d been able to focus on her job. She had always wanted to visit Alaska, but never really had a reason…or the money to. She was in the black Towncar with Max and Kenna, and the other band members and crew followed in several large SUVs.
“Grace, you and I will get the room keys while the guys wait in the cars,” Kenna said.
Grace nodded. “Sounds good.”
Bruce pulled up to the back of the hotel, parked the car, and then opened the door for the ladies to exit. Max moved to follow, but Grace put a hand on his knee and gave him a gentle squeeze. She didn’t want him looking over her shoulder. He took the hint and sat back while Grace followed Kenna.
As they entered the hotel, Grace was taken with the charm of the nautical-themed building. Kenna had informed her that everyone in the band was booked under assumed names, and this trip’s theme was Peter Pan. Appropriate for the hotel décor.
They were led to a private office to meet the manager of the hotel, and they sat in the seats facing his desk to wait.
Kenna pulled out her iPad and brought up the list of band and crew, ready to assign names to rooms.
A short, portly man whisked into the room and smiled. “Miss McFadden, welcome.”
“Mr. Garrison,” she said, shaking his hand. “Thank you so much for accommodating us. I know this is a busy weekend for you.”
“It is, but we’re always willing to help when we can,” he said.
Especially when the guests are world-famous and the money has no limit, Grace thought.
“This is Grace Wilson,” Kenna said. “She’s my right-hand woman, and will be assisting with room assignments and the show.”
Mr. Garrison shook Grace’s hand then took his seat behind the desk. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Grace said, and smiled.
“As you know, we have a couple of conventions going on in Anchorage this week, and many people are staying through the weekend.” He smiled. “I have a feeling they’ll be attending the concert.”
Kenna chuckled. “That’s what we like to hear.”
“Unfortunately, it leaves us and many of the other hotels with a lack of accommodations, but this is what we’ve come up with. I’ll print the list now.” Mr. Garrison checked his screen and typed something out on his keyboard. He reached under his desk and pulled out two sheets of paper, handing them to Kenna. “As you can see, your band will have suites, and the crew will have regular rooms, as you requested. However, we’re three rooms short. How will they feel about doubling up?”
Kenna studied the lists. “Obviously, Max…sorry, Captain Hook, won’t share, unless he’s willing to take the two-bedroom and bunk with Peter Pan.”
Grace giggled. The names seemed a little too accurate for the brothers.
“Then you and I could bunk together in the one-bedroom suite, if you don’t mind, Grace. That would open up two more rooms.”
Grace shook her head. “I don’t mind at all.”
Kenna nodded. “I think we’ll be able to make this work, Mr. Garrison.”
“Excellent,” he said. “I’ve taken the liberty of coding all the keycards. The room numbers are written on the outside. The suites are indicated in red.” He handed Kenna the envelope with the keys. “I have a few of my hotel staff ready to assist with luggage. Do you need storage for anything?”
Kenna shook her head. “No, the truck will deliver the gear to the venue in the morning.”
Mr. Garrison rose to his feet. “Excellent. If you’ll follow me, we’ll get everyone settled.”
The made their way back to the cars. The band and most of the crew stood outside the vehicles, some on their phones, some talking, and a few who’d stepped away to grab a smoke.
Max caught Grace’s eye and smiled. She loved the way his face lit up when he saw her, regardless of how long they’d been separated. Kenna motioned the band over and they huddled in a group to talk.
“We’re short three rooms,” Kenna explained.
“Why?” Max asked, a scowl on his face.
Grace gave his arm a gentle warning squeeze and then focused back on Kenna.
“Remember how I said there were several conventions going on right now?” Kenna asked. “We were lucky to get what we got.” Kenna gave Max a pointed stare and waited for him to nod his understanding. “This is my suggestion. Max, if you and Nye can take your two-bedroom suite, then Grace and I can take Niall’s one-bedroom suite. There’s a pull-out that one of us can sleep on.”
“Ollie and I can bunk together,” Henry said. “My family’s not coming this trip.”
“Kind of cramps my style, brother,” Ollie retorted.
“Why? Planning on having an orgy?”
Ollie laughed. “Fine, but you’re taking the couch.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Henry shrugged. “You’re horrible to spoon with anyway.”
Kenna nodded. “Right. That gives us three extra rooms. Perfect.”
“I have a different idea,” Max said. “Grace can stay with me. She’ll have a separate bedroom, of course, and Niall can stay where he is…as can you, Kenna. Josh and Tom can bunk together. Ollie and Henry are bunking together. There you go. Problem solved.”
“I can’t stay with you,” Grace said.
“Why n
ot?” he asked.
“Excuse us,” she said, and grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the group. “Max,” she whispered. “It would be really inappropriate if I stayed in your room. We’re not married…we’re not even engaged.”
“We can rectify that right now, if you like,” Max retorted.
Grace rolled her eyes.
He smiled. “Look. It’s a big suite, love. Two bedrooms. It would mean you and I can have some uninterrupted time to get to know each other. All above board. I will stay in my own bed. I promise I’ll fully respect your privacy. Plus, it means Kenna can have her own room.”
Grace raised an eyebrow. “You’re doing this to be nice to Kenna?”
“Would it help sway you?”
She giggled. “Actually, yes, it probably would.”
“Please, Grace. I promise I will be the consummate gentleman.”
She sighed. “How can I resist?”
He grinned, lifting her palm to his lips. “Thank you.”
They made their way back to the band and once the new arrangements were approved and organized, Grace and Kenna handed out room keys, and the rest of the group headed to their rooms.
Before Kenna stepped off the elevator, she faced Grace. “We have nothing on the agenda until ten tomorrow, so relax and try not to kill our lead singer, okay?”
Grace nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
“Max,” Kenna said, with less warmth.
“Kenna,” he responded with much the same tone.
Kenna stepped out of the elevator, and as soon as the doors closed, Max wrapped his arm around Grace’s waist. “Finally alone.”
“Yes.” Grace smiled. “So, how are you going to woo me today, Max the man, not the rock star?”
“Oh, you want me to woo you, do you?”
“I’d like to give you the chance to try.”
He kissed her nose. “Well then, I think I’ll surprise you.”
“I don’t need Paris,” she said. “Just so you know.”
Max chuckled. “When I give you Paris, sweetheart, it will be the real one, and no one will interrupt us.”
Grace bit her lip. The thought of him and Paris was almost enough to forget her upbringing. Oh, how easy it would be to just fall into his arms and forget about common sense. She allowed him to pull her close, the music of the elevator echoing in the small space.
Max chuckled. “Well, that’s one interpretation, I guess.”
Grace glanced up at him. “What do you mean?”
He pointed to the speaker in the ceiling. “It’s a Fallen Crown song.”
“Really?”
“Aye.”
She frowned. “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize it.”
He kissed her temple. “I’ll forgive you as soon as you catch up on our library.”
“But only the last forty years, right?” she retorted.
Max laughed. “You’re not interested in anything prior to the seventies?”
“I feel as though if I answer this, it won’t go well for me.”
“Good answer.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE ELEVATOR PINGED and the doors opened to their floor. Max guided Grace to their room and opened the door, stepping back so she could precede him inside.
Grace hummed in appreciation as she stepped into the room. The furnishings were rich in luxurious reds and golds, with floor-to-ceiling windows that provided a great view of the Cook Inlet. She found the bedroom with her luggage already inside, and smiled when she saw it was the one with the best view. She joined Max in the living room.
“This place is gorgeous,” she said.
“Yes, it’s surprisingly nice. I was informed it’s the best room in the hotel.”
“Are you the reason we have the nicest one?”
Max set his wallet and cardkeys on the table. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.”
Grace giggled. “Thank you.”
He smiled. “It was no trouble.”
The table by the window held a bottle of champagne and a large basket filled with goodies. “The hotel wants to impress you, it would seem,” she said, as she investigated the treats.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed the back of her neck. “So long as they impress you, that’s all that matters.”
“You impress me,” Grace said, and turned in his arms, sliding her fingers into his hair. “I have never stayed anywhere this nice. You should’ve seen our hotel in Scotland.” She chuckled. “Five of us shoved into two small rooms. Me and Maggie in one room, sharing a bed, mind you and Mom and Dad in the other, with Spence on a roll-away. But we were happy to just be there together.”
“Where did you stay?”
“Down near the Mile. It was expensive, but really nice.”
“Tourist trap.”
Grace smiled. “Probably. I don’t even want to know what Mom and Dad spent. They wouldn’t let us contribute, other than the trinkets we wanted to buy ourselves. It was very generous of them.”
“I haven’t been into Edinburgh in a while.”
“Do you have much reason to go there?”
“Not really. Niall lives there and he and I store several instruments in a warehouse close to his home. My buddy runs the vet side of the family pharmaceutical company there, so I’ve consulted on occasion.”
“Consulted?” she asked. “Are you also a vet?”
He shook his head. “No, but I own horses, and Connall and I train thoroughbreds. It’s part of the reason we don’t tour as much.”
Grace’s mouth gaped open. “I love horses.”
“You do?”
She nodded. “Yes. Charlotte and I rode a little when I was younger, did a few English shows, but when I moved out and found out just how much horses cost, I realized it was probably not something I would do again. Not for a while anyway.”
“Charlotte? Is she the one you sing with at church?”
“No. That’s Kris. Charlotte’s more like a sister. We were born in the same hospital, fifteen minutes apart, me at 11:53 p.m., her at 12:08 a.m., which means I’m actually a day older than her.” She giggled. “She can sing rings around me and is trying to get into acting. Everything about her is just…so…cool. Her name, her looks…everything.”
“What’s so great about her name?”
Grace shrugged. “I’ve always loved girls’ names that can be boys’ names. Charlie’s just awesome. I call her Chuck.”
“I love Grace.”
“But it’s just so girly. I would love to have a boys’ name.”
Max chuckled. “How about I call you ‘Greg’?”
“Ew…that’s almost as bad as Gary, which is what Charlotte calls me when she’s irritated with me.” Grace laughed. “Never mind, I’ll stick with Grace.”
Max grinned. “Does Charlotte live close to you?”
Grace shook her head. “No. She lives in L.A. at the moment, which absolutely sucks for me. While she’s trying to ‘make it,’ she’s working at Disneyland.”
“She should come to the UK. I have a few connections.”
Grace rolled her eyes. “I don’t doubt it. But for now, let’s you and I focus on this and we’ll drag Charlie into the drama on an as-needed basis.”
“Fair enough,” Max said with a chuckle as he took her hand and led her to the sofa, pulling her down beside him.
“Tell me about your horses,” she said.
“I have branched out to different breeds, as I like a more settled horse. Thoroughbreds can be temperamental. Friesians are my focus now.” He smiled. “I can’t wait to take you home.”
Grace set her elbow on the back of the couch and leaned her head into her hand. “I leased a really sweet Arabian for a year. He was amazing. I also took lessons on a quarter horse when I was about ten. He was so calm, which is probably why I learned to ride on him.”
“Have you never owned your own horse?”
She shook her head. “We never had the money. Mom and Dad did lease a couple
over the years, but school came first, so I usually did most of my riding during the summer. I remember being disappointed about not owning one, but not devastated. Maybe it was because I never fell in love with any of the horses I leased. Music was always my passion, anyway.”
Bound by Song (Cauld Ane Series) Page 13
