Rock the Heart

by Michelle A. Valentine

  I bite my bottom lip just as Riff glances up and notices me. Every instinct in my body advises me to look away because this guy is trouble—the kind I’ve sworn off since the last bad boy I messed around with broke my heart. Guys like him aren’t good news.

  He holds my eyes with his for a few seconds and when I don’t break our stare, a slow, cocky smile spreads across his lips.

  Oh shit. Why do I have the feeling that look means I’m in for it?

  Riff leans over and says something to one of the security guards then claps him on the back before he stalks towards me alone.

  Security holds the crazed fans back. The girls behind him continue to scream out Riff’s name as he leaves them standing there still starving for his attention, but he never looks back. His gaze pins me as he heads right for me.

  I swallow hard and my heart hammers inside my chest. The moment is surreal. Since getting to know Lanie in college and learning about her connection to Black Falcon, I admit Riff is the one band member that’s always caught my eye. Everything about him that screams naughty sex on a stick, and I can’t believe he’s heading my way.

  My knees grow a little weak beneath me as he stops a couple feet in front of me. Riff smirks as his eyes trail over my body unabashedly, lingering a good while on my breasts beneath my form fitting halter-top. “Your tits are amazing.”

  I flinch and my mouth drops open. It’s not like I’m dressed like a skank, but this form-fitting halter doesn’t do anything to disguise that I have a large chest. It doesn’t give him the right to be so crude about it. “Excuse me?”

  His grin widens as he leans into me and braces himself against the wall with a hand beside my head. “I knew it. Redheads are always feisty, and they never disappoint in the sack.”

  Where does he get off? I’m not a prude. I’m down for having all kinds of fun with a random hottie, but just because he’s a fucking rock-star doesn’t give him the right to treat women like random pieces of rump-roast, especially ones like me. I’m not a usable doormat.

  Any other pick-up line would’ve given him better shot at getting in my panties. Now, he’s just pissed me off.

  “Um, ever heard of personal space?” I place my hand on his chest and give him a gentle shove.

  Riff’s hand shoots up and he wraps his fingers around my wrist. “Feisty and brave. I can only imagine what a night with you would be like. I bet you’re a regular wildcat. Here. Take this.” He reaches in his back pocket of his jeans and pulls out a golden piece of paper and slips it into my palm. “Meet me out by our bus. Let me have just one night to fuck you senseless. I guarantee I’ll have you speaking in tongues before the nights through.”

  I stare down at the paper, which looks like a pass to an amusement park ride. My fingers crumple the golden ticket in my fist. “What the hell is this?”

  He moves his other arm and places his left hand on the other side of my head, effectively pinning me against the wall. Both of his knees bump into mine as he leans into me. I feel my own lips betray me as they part when Riff dips his head low, like he’s about to kiss me. I close my eyes and my chest heaves with anticipation. Damn my stupid body for getting turned on by this beautiful asshole. This is wrong on so many levels, but a rational reason to not allow this to happen doesn’t enter my brain.

  The door across the hall startles me as it slams shut, and a very pissed Noel Falcon flees from the room. Riff watches the back of the lead singer of his band storm down the hall, obviously distraught as he grips handfuls of his own hair in his fists.

  Riff shifts his gaze back to me. “Use this ticket and come find me. Security will let you through as long as you have it. We aren’t done with this conversation.”

  I open my mouth to protest, but he leans in and kisses me so passionately my knees below me nearly give out. The warmth of his tongue gliding over mine causes a tingle in my belly that spreads down between my legs. Riff cups my face in the palms of his hands and gives me a final peck on the lips. “Find me.”

  Without another word he pulls away and heads toward the direction of his band-mate. I watch his retreating backside with my mouth gaping open.

  What the hell just happened? Did he really just offer to fuck me for sport and then kiss me breathless?

  My heart still hammers in my chest as I unclench my fingers and stare down at the golden piece of paper in my hand. That’s one man I need to stay far, far away from. I just know my sanity and my heart depends on it. Good thing this is the last time I’ll ever see him.

  I shake my head to wake myself out of the daze Riff just put me in and stare at the door across the hall. The way Noel came tearing out of it tells me Lanie’s little chat with him didn’t go well. Time to do a little damage control.

  The door creaks open, and I spot my friend with her head hung low. More than anything I want to comfort her. I know it can’t be easy facing a messy past head-on like she just did. She’s got some big lady balls, I’ll give her that.

  I rest my hands on her shoulders. “Did you get your answers?”

  Lanie nods, but she doesn’t turn to face me. She sniffs a little, trying to fight back her emotional pain. “Everything I needed to know.”

  My heart instantly breaks for her because I can tell she’s not referring to our job. This weekend jaunt hasn’t gone anything like what I imagined.

  RIFF

  What the fuck is wrong with me? Why am I chasing down the one person I hate, instead of working on seducing that fine piece of ass back there? Two more seconds and I would’ve had her heading back to the bus where she would’ve been happy to cash in that golden ticket.

  What a waste.

  I follow Noel out the exit doors into the Texas summer heat and watch as he paces in the parking lot. The cool demeanor he usually sports is gone, replaced by a wild look in his eye as he huffs and growls with his hands on top of his head.

  “What the fuck is your problem?” Not that I really care anymore. Anything that’s bothering him, he probably brought on himself.

  Noel glances up to the sky and bites his bottom lip like he’s searching for answers from up above. After a couple long moments he shakes his head but still allows his chin to be tilted up. “You ever wished for something so much that when it actually came true you ruined it without even meaning to?”

  I scrunched my brow. “I have no clue what the fuck you’re talking about. You’re not using again are you? Babbling like this was always a sign before. You know you shouldn’t be doing that with a baby coming and all. You need to keep your shit together.”

  Noel’s eyes meet mine. “You know I don’t touch that shit anymore.”

  I cross my arms over my chest. If it weren’t for needing to keep Black Falcon together, I would’ve told him to go fuck himself two months ago when I found out he fucked my girlfriend and got her pregnant.

  I actually do hate him for going behind my back. Sophie I expected that kind of shit from. I knew from the jump she and I were never going to be serious. She was merely the chick I kept around for a good fuck when I needed it. Finding a random groupie night after night gets pretty taxing.

  But Noel on the other hand, his ass was supposed to be my brother, and I never expected that shit from him. If he stabbed me in the back for a quick piece of ass, what else is he screwing me over with? The moment Sophie told me she was pregnant by him, the trust between us was gone. And so was our friendship.

  I stand here now, trying to talk to him out of obligation to the band, nothing more.

  Noel rubs his hand over his face and sighs. “Lanie Vance was at our show tonight.”

  My eyes widen. “The cold-hearted slut you dedicate Ball Busting Bitch to at every one of our shows?”

  He nods. “That’s the one. I never thought I’d see her again, and how the fuck did she end up backstage?”

  Things start to click. “Is that who was in there with you when you came flying out? No wonder you were pissed. The one chick that carries your balls around in her purse finally co
nfronts you for calling her ass out in front of thousands of people. Nice.”

  I laugh and his face twists. Karma is a bitch named Lanie Vance apparently. Life couldn’t get any fucking sweeter.

  Noel glares at me. “That’s not why she came after me.”

  “What other reason would she have? You haven’t seen her since high school, right? Keep your wallet in check, dude. Sounds like a gold digger to me,” I say.

  He shakes his head. “No. She isn’t like that. Believe it or not she needs me for a job.”

  Like that doesn’t sound like a load of shit. “What kind of job?”

  “She’s working for Center Stage Marketing. Apparently, I’m her first client.”

  “Fuck. That blows. Can’t you just hire someone else to handle your children’s literacy thing so you won’t have to deal with her crazy ass?” This band doesn’t need any more fucking chick drama to come between us.

  “That would be the easy thing to do, but the thing of it is, man, she knows me. She knows all about my struggle with dyslexia, and as much as I hate to admit it, she’s actually the best person for the job.”

  I stare at this pussy-whipped douchebag in front of me and know exactly what he’s trying to get at. He’s told me all about how this woman was the great love of his life. I know Noel Falcon well enough to know he has a side agenda for keeping her around. God knows he’ll screw anything that walks at the drop of a hat, why not fuck an old flame that crushed you once just to prove you still can. If I was him, that’s what I would do.

  I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the thoughts. Who he sleeps around with is none of my concern. It just makes him look like a jackass even more if he starts stringing along this Lanie chick while he knows he’s got another woman knocked up. “Well, good luck with all that.”

  “Whatever you’re thinking, don’t. I’m keeping my word to Sophie. I will be there for the baby. Lane coming back into my life won’t change the fact that I’m responsible. I’ll take care of her and stick by her side throughout the pregnancy just like I promised.”

  I hold up my hand. “I don’t give a flying fuck what kind of arrangement you and Sophie have worked out. All I know is that neither of you can really stand the other. How you two are delusional enough to think you’ll be able to come together as some sort of cohesive family unit is beyond me. Thoughts like that prove to me how screwed up your concept of family is.”

  “You don’t have to understand it—”

  “And I don’t have to listen to you talk about it either. Like I told you before, the days of our personal friendship is over. You ruined that when you couldn’t keep your dick out of my girlfriend.”

  “I told you I don’t remember sleeping with her. I didn’t do it on purpose, I was drunk. It happened. I’m sorry—”

  “Save it. I’ve heard this song and dance from you before, and frankly I’m sick of it. You did it. Man up and admit it. Don’t play the victim card here.”

  “God, Riff, are you ever going to accept my apology? I didn’t mean to hurt you, man.”

  Hurt me? He has no fucking clue how much it actually takes to hurt me. My life has never been sunshine and rainbows. I learned a long time ago in order to keep heavy shit away you don’t let people in. They can’t hurt you. Things are so much easier when you can keep the caring part of you locked away from the rest of the world. The idea of Noel hurting me is laughable, and it pisses me off that he thinks he has that much influence over me.

  “Whatever. I hope she rips your heart out again for fun and I’m there to laugh when she does.” A little harsh I know, but it gets my point across.

  Noel flinches as I turn around, not giving him a chance to reply. I trudge toward the security of our bus, Big Bertha, and I whip out my phone to check the time. The night’s still young. I hope that fiery, wild cat doesn’t make me wait too long. I need a good fuck to take my mind off shit.

  Chapter 2

  AUBREY

  A couple days after the concert in Texas, I’m back in my comfortable little cubicle at Center Stage Marketing working away. Sometimes the work as an assistant is a little tedious, but typically, I don’t mind. My new boss, Isaac Walters, and I seem to be hitting it off.

  Isaac is an up and coming hotshot at the firm. Even though he’s fairly green to the marketing world, he’s proven that he knows his stuff. Already, he’s landed major accounts that the old bloodhounds around the firm would kill to represent. I can learn a lot from him, and hopefully one day this place will give me a shot to run a few jobs on my own.

  I stare at my computer screen. Ever since that crazy-random kiss from Riff, he’s been constantly hoarding every spare minute in my brain. I’ve tried to convince myself that he’s a total jackass and to forget about him, but I can’t.

  Stupid body for getting turned on by him.

  After a few simple clicks, I pull up a social media site. It feels a little creepy and a slight bit stalkerish, but my curiosity is intense. I type in Zackary Benjamin Oliver, the name behind Riff’s stage persona, and hit search. Two seconds later a few names pop up, but none of them are the man I’m looking for, which disappoints me.

  I lean back in my chair and tap my bottom lip. He must only use his nickname on these types of things so his fans can follow him. I try again, only this time typing in Official Riff. The person with the most followers lands at the top of the list. It’s him. I could spot that signature, crazy hair anywhere. His page fills my screen after a few clicks and I study his profile picture. The green in his eyes is striking, and I lean in to study the rest of him. His strong jaw line, prominent nose paired with his kind eyes give him that I’m very approachable vibe, but all the tattoos scream rocker badass, quickly reminding me of his true nature. His plump top lip curls into a slight snarl, almost like he’s growling, while his hands grip his guitar in a suggestive pose.

  I bite my bottom lip. Damn it! Why does he have to be so sexy?

  If only things had gone better between Lanie and Noel, I wouldn’t have missed out on what I can imagine would have been an amazing one-night stand. All the what-ifs flow through my mind. If he fucked half as good as he kissed, I know it would’ve been mind blowing.

  I sigh. Maybe it was for the best I didn’t hook up with him. A night like that would’ve probably ruined me for all other men and it would’ve meant nothing to a man of his stature. I’m sure he sleeps with models, actresses and any other beautiful women he wants. Compared to them I would only be a blip on his radar.

  The mouse in my hand hovers over the ‘Friends’ button. I debate on opening a can of worms by connecting with him, but decide to click it anyway because what are the odds that he’ll actually remember me?

  The phone on my desk rings. “Yes, Mr. Walters, what can I do for you?”

  “Aubrey, can you please come to my office for a quick meeting.”

  I start grabbing my tablet and pen as soon as he mentions needing to see me. “Sure, I’ll be right there.”

  I shake my head. It’s best if I forget about Riff. As much as I would love to experience a night with a sexy rock star, that’s one pipe dream that will never happen.

  My mother is probably right, I need to find a nice respectable man with a good job—a man that’s good for my future. She’s been on me for years to leave the bad boy types alone. They always break my heart, and she’s always been there to pick up the pieces.

  I hook my pen into my legal pad and stand up just before an audible ding from my computer attracts my attention.

  RIFF

  My eyes widen as I spot my redheaded wild cat on my laptop screen. I didn’t think I’d ever see her again after she stood me up the other night, so I’m totally caught off guard when I see her picture pop up as one of my new friends on one of my fan sites.

  I click on her photo and it instantly fills my entire screen. She’s just as beautiful as I remember, long auburn hair trailing over her shoulders, complimenting her green eyes and fair skin. She’s the absolute model of fucking
perfection—one I’m desperate to bed. Everything I like in a woman she has: sex appeal, and fire. Those things combined are a rare find and my libido drives me to possess it.

  This request excites me. It’s another shot—a do over—for me to try to get her. She doesn’t hate me, that’s clear, or she would’ve never sent me a friend request. I minimize her profile picture and click on her personal information section. The name Aubrey Jenson rolls off my tongue as I read her name aloud. I finally have a name to go with the beauty I’ve been dreaming about the past couple of nights.

  It says she lives in New York, which throws me off a bit because I met her in Texas. I shrug it off and continue reading about her and then my heart pauses for a beat.

  Fuck!

  She works for Center Stage Marketing? That’s the same company that Noel’s heartbreaker came down to talk to him about. Holy Hell.

  Things start clicking as I think about the few stolen moments with Aubrey in the hallway. Noel flying through the door in a rage after arguing with Lanie flashes before my eyes. My dream girl was there on business, and I treated her like one of my random groupies that was just looking to get laid because of that shirt showing off her tits.

  No wonder she stood me up. She’s probably not the type of girl who sleeps with rock stars who ram their tongues down her throat on a whim. This chick is different from the rest. She’s classy, not some hooker that will suck my dick on command.

  But then again, she did just search me out. Maybe she’s down for a night of hot, sweaty sex after all.

  I chew on my thumb as I debate over what to do. The fact that I want to bang her doesn’t change, but my approach will definitely need to be different. This will take more finesse than I’m used to shelling out in order to get laid.