He glanced up at the ceiling. “I lost control, Casey. I do that a lot when I’m around you.”
I make him lose control? That was the best thing anyone had ever said to her.
“Well, for the record,” she said saucily. “I’m a fan of losing control. So feel free to do so whenever you like.” She couldn’t believe how brazen she felt. But this was Nick, and he was the one guy she’d always been able to be herself around. No matter what happened in the future, she was determined to keep their friendship intact.
“Oh, I plan to,” he said seriously. “I’m going to lose control over and over again with you.”
“Promises, promises,” she whispered.
Chapter Ten
Nick had never wanted to rip anyone’s throat out more than he did Clayton, Casey’s rock star friend. They were in the driveway of the rocker’s palatial home, and the man had twirled Casey around in a big hug, kissed her cheeks and hair and he was fairly certain her neck—all of which were off limits as far as Nick was concerned. Casey was—well she would be his. Even if she didn’t know it yet, she should have pushed the fool away on principle. She was too damn forgiving.
“Hey, girl, you are the prettiest thing I’ve seen in a long time,” Clayton said as he held her out to get a good look at her. Expecting some longhaired skinny Mick-Jagger type, Nick was surprised by Clayton’s Marine-style looks. He had tattoos up one arm and around his neck, and a small piercing in his right eyebrow.
Nick wasn’t at all happy with the way the man’s gaze lingered over Casey’s perfect breasts, which were prominently displayed in the red lacey blouse Linc had sent her. Since Linc wasn’t taking his calls, something he would deal with later, he had no idea why Casey’s closet was full of the designer’s clothes.
It was only a matter of time before he found out, though.
“Oh, Clayton, you’re still the biggest flirt. How’s the album going?” She pulled herself out of the man’s arms and put her large tote bag full of art supplies between them. Nick thought it was the most sensible thing Casey had ever done. And it gave him a reprieve so that he didn’t have to commit murder. That was no way to begin a relationship, even one based on mutual lust.
“Hot, girl. So hot you wouldn’t believe it. Who are your friends? You runnin’ with a posse now?”
“Well, I do live in Texas.” She smiled. “This is my friend, Nick. He was on his way to L.A. and let me hop on his plane. These other peeps are his security team. They keep us – safe.”
Clayton raised an eyebrow. “That’s some friend you have there. Didn’t know you were running in your Uncle Ted’s circles these days.”
“It’s Aunt Teddie now,” Nick said as he shook the other man’s hand.
The man’s wide eyes made them all laugh. “Sounds like we need to catch up,” he said to Casey.
“That we do, but I need to get to work first. Can’t do that until I hear you play.”
“Well, come on, then.” The other man smiled. “You and your posse are welcome to join us,” Clayton offered, but the smile he gave Nick didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Oh, no. Nick has a busy schedule,” Casey interrupted.
“Well, I do, but we can stay for awhile,” Nick said. There was no way in hell he was leaving her side.
Casey gave him a strange look, but he shrugged.
“I’ve never been to a recording session, and you’re always saying I need new experiences.” The guy was a lecher. Besides, his most important job was to keep Casey safe.
“Awesome,” Clayton said, but it was obvious he didn’t think so.
The security team, except for Mason, stood outside the building, which had been built into the side of a hill. Inside was a state-of-the-art recording studio. Except for the large soundboard and all the equipment, it looked like a comfortable den with several couches and chairs that circled a small stage.
“Nice set up,” Nick said as he and Casey settled on a large couch. She scooted closer to him, and he wrapped a possessive arm around her shoulders.
“Thanks,” she said softly.
“For what?” he said near to her ear.
“For being here. I didn’t realize he’d be so—seems as though he’s between girlfriends at the moment. And, well, he sort of assumes that if you’re female, and sometimes if you’re male, you want to sleep with him.”
“I believe that ego comes with the job. But just so you know, if he manhandles you again, he won’t have a throat to sing with.” The threat was real, but she didn’t take it that way.
She giggled. He loved that sound.
After pulling out her journal and pen to take notes, she sat her pad and a pencil beside her on the sofa.
“I’m curious how this works,” Nick said. “Do you take notes and draw at the same time?”
She bit her lip. “It depends. I like to have everything ready because I never know when or how inspiration is going to strike. When I hear the music, then I’ll know and I’ll pick up one or the other. Sometimes both.”
“I’m not creative in the way that you are. It fascinates me the way your mind works,” Nick said honestly. “I’ve seen some the sketches you’ve done for different ad campaigns and you never fail to impress me.”
“Nick, that’s so sweet. Thank you. I didn’t even know you paid attention to my work.”
“If it concerns you, I always pay attention,” he said honestly.
She gave him the sweetest smile and it was if they were alone in the room. If the drummer hadn’t hit is drum, he would have kissed her—again.
That wasn’t a good idea. Not here in front of everyone. Control was a real issue when it came to her, and he had to find a way to get a handle on it if he wanted their relationship to progress. And it had to progress.
Somehow in the next three days he had to convince Casey to become his wife. After their kiss last night he’d realized that there was no way he could ever let her go. No woman had ever touched his inner animal the way she did. It was if she reached down his throat and petted it. Only instead of soothing it, she got it so excited Nick lost himself. He’d almost bitten her in the middle of the art studio, and that would have been a huge mistake.
Introducing her to that side of him would take a great deal of patience, and probably some alcohol.
“So, explain it to me. How do come up with the ideas?”
The band warmed up and Clayton did a variety of vocal exercises.
“I don’t think about how so much as I just do. Some thought comes in my head and I start to draw or write. Sometimes I’m inspired by something I see. Other times by what I hear. I sort of follow whatever direction those thoughts take me.”
Clayton stood in front of the microphone. The guy definitely had the swagger.
When he started singing, his eyes zeroed in on Casey, who quickly ducked her head and drew small circles on her journal.
Nick bit back a smile.
The music was surprisingly good, and he recognized the band once he heard a few of their songs.
When they finished he glanced down at her pad and it was full of designs. She’d written several notes in her journal, but it was the old whiskey barrel with tattoos that had the band popping out of it that really caught his eye. It was funny, and at the same expressed the music he’d heard. Someone who looked at it would know exactly what they were getting—good southern rock.
“You amaze me,” he whispered.
She glanced up at him as though she’d forgotten he was there. “What?”
“Your creativity,” he said as he pointed to the whiskey barrel.
She screwed up her face. “It’s not quite there yet, but I like the concept. I’m worried it looks a little Sergeant Peppery. And that will drive Clayton crazy. He’s an Elvis man.”
Nick frowned. “What’s wrong with the Beatles?”
She giggled again. “Well, there’s this whole thing that if you like Elvis, you don’t like the Beatles. I like both. Have you ever seen those old Elvis mov
ies, the beach ones?”
He’d seen almost every movie ever made in the cinema since the late eighteen hundreds. “Yeah, but I also like the Beatles. Hey Jude, Blackbird. Come on, Yellow Submarine? It doesn’t get any better than that,” he said seriously.
“Exactly what I say. It’s nuts to separate the two. The Beatles said over and over again that they were so inspired by Elvis. That’s what’s wrong with the world. If people didn’t pick sides, everything would be so much better.”
Nick had been around for hundreds of years and the world had never been without conflict. While he appreciated the sentiment, it would never happen. His race was superior to the humans in intellect, strength and just about every other way. But still they fought.
“You two look cozy.” Clayton didn’t bother to hide the derision in his voice.
“We were talking about how great the music is.” She gave the man one of her sweetest smiles. Nick needed to remind her that those were reserved for him only. Or at least they would be. That smile could be dangerous if she went around doing that in public. She might start a riot.
“Yep. It’s feeling pretty good. Got any ideas for me?”
She nodded. “I do, but nothing I can show you right now. I’ll work on them and give you some options in a day or two.” She checked her phone. “Wow. I didn’t realize we’d been here this long. Nick, you’re going to be late for your meetings.”
“Yeah, Nick,” Clayton said. “You better get going.”
Nick smiled. “Are you ready to go?” he asked Casey. “Do you have enough?”
She gave him a wicked grin, knowing exactly what he was doing.
“I do. Will you give me a ride back to the hotel?” She gathered her things.
“Casey, what are you talking about? You know you can stay here with me.” Clayton wasn’t happy.
Nick was ecstatic.
“Oh. Sorry, I’d already—uh…”
“She’s staying at my home in Malibu,” Nick said. “I promised her we’d have ocean views so I had them open up the house.” He held out his hand. “I really appreciate you letting me hang out today. And it’s funny. I actually have a meeting with your record label tomorrow.”
The surprise on the man’s face made Nick’s day.
“Oh?”
“Yes, I have an entertainment division of Christo’s that produces film and television. One of my VPs has been looking at either buying out or starting our own label with a new business model.”
It had taken Mason two hours on the phone to find out everything Nick needed to know to make it sound like he knew what he was talking about.
Clayton held out his hand. “Well, Mr. Christos, it was a pleasure meeting you, sir.”
And that’s how you play the game.
Nick nodded and then steered Casey away from the rocker.
“No wonder you’re a bazzillionaire,” Casey laughed as she sat next to him in the large SUV. “Poor Clayton didn’t know what hit him.”
He stifled a grin. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, perusing his text messages.
“You’re so tricky. When, exactly, did you get into the record business?” She snorted.
The minute you said you were coming out to see your ex. He shrugged. “It’s a business that is changing faster than most of them can keep up. And I have the people who could turn them around and make them profitable in a few months.”
“Now I’m the one who is amazed. I don’t understand how the business mind works. I mean, I’m analytical when I have to be, as far as cost and things for clients, but I don’t really function that way.”
“See, that’s why we make a good pair,” he said. “I can handle the business side, and you can handle the creative. That’s what I call a good partnership.”
“Are we going into business together or are we dating?” Her eyebrows furrowed.
“Dating,” he said almost too quickly. She gave him a look that said she didn’t believe him. “Okay, honestly. You’ve been helping me for months with the creative side of what I do. I discovered that if you like something, it’s going to sell like crazy. You’ve been one hundred percent correct so far on everything from the wine the other night, to those new video games.”
She rolled her eyes. “You shouldn’t have told me. Now I’ll feel all the pressure. What if I’m wrong? I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“Casey, that’s never going to happen. You couldn’t possibly disappoint me. Well, unless you decided to go the way of Aunt Teddie. And even then I would support your decision.”
She doubled over and he couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying. He pulled on her shoulder and discovered she was laughing so hard she couldn’t breathe.
“Breathe,” he commanded while patting her back. She did and then lost herself in another fit of giggles. He couldn’t help it. His belly ached with laughter. It was a feeling of elation he’d never experienced before and Casey had given it to him. She’d offered him so much with her unconditional friendship and kindness.
And now he wanted to give her the world.
…
As much as she hated to think it, Nick’s possessiveness had been flattering, even if he only wanted to protect her from the touchy-feely ex-boyfriend rocker. Again, she had the bizarre feeling that her life had taken a strange turn into the unknown. Men didn’t fight over her. Well, they hadn’t actually fought, but there was some posturing going on. And as awful a person as it made her, she was glad Nick was one of them. Clayton had thought she’d be an easy mark, but she wasn’t. She learned her lessons, and she moved on. She was forgiving, but she wasn’t stupid. Clayton betrayed her trust, and that was something he’d never have again.
She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and washed her face. She was in the guest quarters of Nick’s Malibu estate. If it weren’t a rude question, she’d ask him exactly how many houses he had.
This gorgeous home was constructed of stone and steel, but done in the color of sand so it looked as though it belonged on the ocean. They were up on a cliff overlooking the sea, and the cool breeze was heaven after the Texas heat.
Speaking of heat, Nick was a new puzzle. The man acted like he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her, but he’d given her a chaste kiss goodnight in the den downstairs. And then he’d gone off to his office to talk to Mason.
They’d grabbed In-n-Out Burger on the way to the beach house and had eaten it along with some cold beer out on the deck overlooking the ocean. From her balcony she could see him down in the office talking on the phone. He had his serious face on. The poor guy needed to have more fun. It was all business all the time for him.
Inspiration struck.
Never in her life had she thought she would wear something like it, but as she picked up the pink baby doll pinafore Aunt Teddie bought her, she figured a change might be in order.
She had three drawers of lingerie she seldom wore, and it was high time she put them into use. When she found out Nick would be in Los Angeles too, she’d packed a couple. At the time, she’d felt silly. But now—it felt different between them. Maybe she should let him know that she was at least interested in taking the next step. She wanted Nick to see her differently than he usually did in her sweatshirts and pajama pants. He treated her like she was some kind of china doll that might break. They hadn’t come anywhere close to the passionate kiss they’d shared at the gallery. Several times during their meal she tried to bring up the fact that she was okay if things were a little rough. She had a feeling he was holding back because he was worried of what she might think.
If he knew, he wouldn’t hesitate.
Determined, she slipped on the short gown and found his office.
“Nick?”
His head popped up from the papers he was signing. When his eyes focused on her, they widened. “I thought you’d gone to bed.” His voice sounded rough.
“Oh, I am.” She pranced—well as much as she could prance—into the office and sat down. “You�
�d asked me earlier if I could take some time off tomorrow.”
His eyes were transfixed on the pink bra that was under the sheer material.
“Nick?” She did her best not to smile. “Are you listening?”
He lifted his eyes and nodded.
There was desire there, so hot she squirmed in her chair and crossed her legs. He watched every motion like a big cat hunting its prey.
This is kind of fun. She’d never flirted before, at least successfully.
“So, I want to take tomorrow afternoon off.” She leaned forward so that he got a good look at her breasts. She dropped her voice to a whisper. “I have a big surprise for you, but you have to do everything I say. And you can’t question me. It’s going to be a fun game. Okay?”
He nodded again.
She stood then, and his eyes followed her up.
Leaning over the desk, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips. A low moan, almost a growl, escaped his throat, making her smile.
“Great. You need to be ready at two, if that’s all right. I’ll talk to Mason about specifics.” She clapped her hands together. “We’re going to have so much fun.”
She turned and sashayed, the way the models had taught her the other night. When she reached the stairs, a hand covered hers.
Nick stood there in the dark, his breath heavy.
Biting the inside of her lip to keep from smiling, she touched his face. “You scared me,” she said softly. “I didn’t realize you were so close behind me.”
“You should be scared,” he said, his gaze on her lips. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you?”
She couldn’t see his face well in the darkness, but he sounded angry.
“The surprise? Yes. You let me ride in your plane and I wanted to do something special for you.”
“This,” he said as his hand caressed her shoulders. A shiver slid down her spine as his hand slipped around to the small of her back and rested on her hip. “You don’t wear things like this. Was it for him? Did you want to drive him as crazy as I am right now?”
“Him?” Confused, she dropped her hand. “If you must know, I put this in my suitcase so maybe you’d think I was hot. But now I’m so not in the mood. Forget it.”
Take It Like A Vamp Page 9
