by JN Welsh
“No, no, no, no.” She continued to pace. A year had passed since she’d been with a man and she gave herself props for not coming on Luke’s bed from a single touch. Her lack of sexual activity might be influencing her current considerations but so was Luke’s sorcerous power over her.
She regarded her image in the mirror. “Are you really considering having a fling with him? No. You can’t. How do you keep it a secret and out of the grubby hands of the press? What happens on the rest of the tour? What happens if you fall for him? What happens when it’s over?” Her voice echoed against the ceramic tiles of the bathroom, cloaking her with reservations.
Izzy’s voice popped into her head and yelled, “Calm the fuck down.”
“Why did you let your guard down with him? Now look where it’s gotten you,” Leona scolded her image with desire-glazed pupils.
If her relationship with Paul taught her anything, it was that getting involved with a client had potential catastrophe written all over it. She didn’t have any answers to her questions about Luke and there was still so much unresolved between them. All she knew was she craved him more than she had any other man. Caution signs flashed around her.
As she readied herself for Luke’s performance, the remembrance of his hands on her rear, how he’d caressed her breasts, and the imprint his fingers left on her insides influenced her wardrobe choice. She slunk into a thin, black, soft-leather backless halter top. The garment was attached to her body by an elegant, jeweled collar and a similar motif clasp at her lower back. The black jeans and peep toe booties with silver studded heels complemented her outfit.
“What are you doing, Leo?” She looked ready for war, but in very sexy battle gear. “So much for being careful.”
She wrestled her hair into a neat, side ponytail that hung on her shoulder to soften the style yet still gave off a “badass about business” presentation. She slid on a cluster of silver bracelets, and after she did her makeup, misted her floral perfume.
In the hotel lobby, Leona nestled into one of the white couches, cross-legged, and arms spread out along the top of the furniture. The contrast between her and the couch drew a few lingering stares, double takes, and whistles. The attention was unsettling but the thought of Luke seeing her like this elevated her self-confidence.
He was late and she spotted him sprinting from the direction of the elevator. He wore a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing his strong tatted forearms. A black fitted vest outlined the muscles she’d run her palms over, not even an hour ago.
“Oh, come on,” Leona mumbled. Luke excited her every sense. His black pants clung to his defined thighs and he topped the outfit off with his signature sneakers with white soles. And here I thought that I was giving off a sexy vibe.
His eyes found her and his pace slowed to a stop. His intensity glued her heels to the carpet. Waiting for him to reach her was like waiting to breathe. She finally did when he loomed over her sitting figure.
Luke offered her an outstretched hand, which she accepted with some reluctance and ascended to her feet. “Are you punishing me, Leona?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. The car’s waiting.”
The Florida weather was hot, but when Luke ran his hand down her arm, she shivered.
“Wow,” Luke said as she passed him.
Leona craned her neck to witness his appraisal of her exposed back. She smiled triumphantly and smoothed her hand around her hair but the cluster of bracelets snagged the clasp of her top. She gasped as the material loosened from her chest and the air wisped against her breast.
“Shit.” She stood awkwardly with her wrist connected to her neck.
Luke chuckled. “No doubt, karma is paying you back for fucking with me in that outfit.”
She spun around to meet Luke’s mischievous grin. “A little help, please?”
He stepped behind her and hands went to her neck where he tugged and jostled the tangled bracelets. She relaxed when she was released from the clasp and stretched to increase circulation to her arm.
“Thanks, I—” She stilled and her eyes widened when Luke’s hand slid seductively slow down her back. The panties she’d just changed into were drenched again.
“So sexy,” he said against her ear.
“Stop.” Her low command was vacant and inauthentic.
His hand stopped at her lower back where the other connection to her shirt rested before he spun her to face him and pulled her against him. She neither wanted to pull away from him, nor push him away but they were in the lobby.
Leona pinched his side.
“Ow!” Luke fake-winced. His hands slid down her arms to meet her wrists and he fastened them to his waist. He bent down, stopping inches away from her lips. “People are starting to stare, so make it good.”
Neither the concierge, nor the one lone hotel guest at the far end of the lobby, noticed them. People barely qualified the vacancy of the space.
“You—” His lips descended on hers.
Leona expected a punishing kiss for pinching him, but his tender lips drugged her into compliance. She gripped his waist and felt him smile when she opened her mouth to receive him.
Damn him.
Luke let go of her hands and grinned down at the arousal she was sure was scripted in cursive all over her face.
Leona glared at him. “You’re such an entitled ass.”
“If I’m such an entitled ass, then why are you still holding me?”
She cursed and let him go. “If you’re done making us the hotel spectacle, we should go.”
Luke slipped into his pensive pose. “I’m good.” He then extended his hand toward the exit. “Ladies first.”
Speeding past him, Leona hurried toward the waiting car.
* * *
Luke’s performance was an intimate affair. His fans were so close to him that he could touch them over the short partition.
“That was awesome. He played his classics,” a fan said as Leona made her way backstage.
The women buzzed around Luke like bees to honey, a scene now familiar to Leona. At every tour event, the women backstage pawed at him in the hopes of landing a VIP ticket to his hotel suite. Could she blame them? Luke’s music shot electricity through the hearts of his followers. Infatuation fever came with the territory. He appeared to take it in stride, walking a fine line between rejection and interest.
His popularity was growing and although he loved the closeness with his fans at these more intimate shows, he had to practice a level of inaccessibility. Leona wondered if any of them would have made it back to his hotel room if he weren’t prohibited by contract. That she cared ruffled her feathers.
Leona schmoozed with the owner of the club and the promoter for the event. It was important she and Luke kept a good relationship with them for future performances. However, the promoter she spoke with took “good relationship” to a whole other level.
“He has them eating out of his hands.” The promoter inched closer to her and led with his pelvis, putting her on the defense.
The club’s security escorted Luke over and his celebrity presence influenced the space to where all eyes were on him.
“Great show, Luke,” the promoter said. “Your lovely manager has informed us of your interest in the Xcelsior Hotel in Vegas. That’s a great venture.” As the man spoke, he targeted Leona’s breasts without so much as a veil to his intention.
“Thanks.” Luke’s jaw tensed and his shoulders squared toward the promoter.
Leona expected gawks and ogles due to her outfit but the way the man’s eyes undressed her was straight up creepy.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Wallace Entertainment has a lot planned for Luke. We’re doing a comprehensive package including new residencies. Luke is on target to achieve what no other DJ has done before.”
&n
bsp; The promoter touched her arm and she backed away, butt first. Luke’s head snapped around and his hawk eyes narrowed at the man’s hand on her.
The owner tapped Luke’s arm and ushered him a few feet away.
“You’re a shy one?” The promoter’s low-lid gaze searched for a more revealing area of her upper body.
Visions of kneeing the man in the nuts danced in her head, but for the first time tonight she exerted some self-control. “Not at all. I wouldn’t want anyone to misinterpret anything. You’re more professional than those other grimy promoters who can’t control themselves around women.”
“I am better than those other promoters, Leo. I have a lot of self-control.” The man leaned into her.
Ick. She stepped back and into something solid. When she investigated what blocked her retreat, she found herself face-to-face with Luke’s chest. She angled her head up to see him glowering down at the promoter.
“Everything okay here, Leona?” Luke kept his eyes on the man.
“Uhh, yeah,” she said, still surprised at how he had materialized.
The promoter widened the space between them. “I know you’re booked up with the tour but let’s see if we can get you back before the year’s out. I’ll stay in touch with Leo.”
Luke’s shirt grazed her arm. “Leona’s busy with the tour. All bookings go through Boombox.”
“Nice doing business with you.” The promoter grabbed her hand.
Leona slid her hand from the man’s iron grip to shake hands with the owner. She gave both men a few departing words.
She touched Luke’s arm, feeling the tension in him. “It looks like you’re all done.”
Luke bowed to speak close to her ear. “Yes, and we should go before that outfit of yours causes more problems between me and him.” Luke appeared to be seconds away from pouncing on the promoter.
Leona could handle the promoter like she did most overzealous creeps. What she couldn’t handle was Luke drawing negative media coverage. She agreed and tugged Luke in the direction of the club exit.
During the ride back to the hotel, Leona guarded her side of the vehicle. Things had gotten weird between her and Luke so fast, and though her insides desired a repeat interlude, her head spun with choices. She welcomed the silence between them and glanced over at Luke. The way he spread out and commanded his space, coupled with his potent manly scent, made her reconsider being with him.
They rode the elevator up and when they arrived at Leona’s floor, she hesitated. What was she expecting? What did she want?
“Well, good night. You were great.” She opted for the cowardly route and stepped off the elevator. The bell dinged and the doors slid shut, as did the door to her desire. A ball of loss formed in her chest as she walked to her room.
“Leona?” Luke advanced in what felt like slow motion.
“What are you—?” Her mouth was unable to form more words when his warm hand cupped her cheek.
“You didn’t give me a chance to say good night.”
“Oh,” she whispered, dizzy from her now shallow breathing. This is so wrong.
He was so close and she wanted him closer. Her hands held his forearms. Luke’s mouth moved toward her and his green-gray eyes met hers with a gentle request. She tilted her lips to meet his. So right.
His noticeable breathing revealed she wasn’t the only one affected and when his mouth tenderly melded with hers, her knees went weak and she drifted into him. Her lips felt deserted as he ended the kiss. “Good night, Leona.” He released her.
Luke left her to call the elevator and she stood unmoving in the middle of the corridor watching him. When she didn’t go anywhere, Luke’s smiling figure returned and rotated her in the direction of her room.
Oh shit. She blinked and craned her neck as the elevator doors opened, like her heart, and Luke disappeared inside.
Sitting on the bed, she pondered Luke’s effect on her. She had to think, evaluate and figure out how to steer herself through these new seas.
“Things might get a little rough.”
Chapter Fourteen
Leona was grateful for the compacted tour dates because everyone was either busy or passed out from fatigue. In either case, she hoped no one noticed that something had changed between her and her client. She waited with the crew for Luke to arrive for sound check when Abe called.
Leona didn’t even allow Abe to get in a greeting. “Hey, I’m doing sound check. Let me call you back.”
“This can’t wait, Leo.”
At Abe’s stressed tone, Leona notified the crew she’d be back and found a more private space.
“What’s up?”
“I need you on a plane to New Orleans tonight. We have an opportunity to get some good recovery press,” came Abe’s hushed tone. “I’ll have you back in time for the Kansas show.”
“Yeah, no. That’s not going to work. Things are crazy here. I can’t leave. What’s this about?”
Abe let out his big request sigh.
“Oh no. What are you getting me into?” Leona mentally locked in her rollercoaster harness.
“Paul is working with a client and...”
“No.” Leona raised her voice and, though in a private area, could have easily been heard by passersby. “I want nothing to do with it.”
“Leo, he’s going to show the media we’re on friendly terms again. The artist—”
Click.
She couldn’t recall the last time she’d hung up on Abe. Had she ever? It didn’t matter. Paul was working Abe and dragging her along. She pressed hard on a tranquil pressure point on her ear and took several deep and long fire breaths she’d acquired from yoga.
Her phone buzzed and she let it go to voice mail. She wasn’t done centering herself and before she even thought of picking up again, Abe would have to wait until she re-centered.
On Abe’s fifth try she picked up.
“Okay, I deserved that, darlin’, but can you hear me out?” Abe pleaded.
“Go ’head.” Leona couldn’t believe she was even entertaining the call. Helping Abe with clients was one thing. Kowtowing to Paul was altogether different.
“Paul is producing an artist who’s embarking on a solo career. The artist wants to work with you.”
“Who?” She pressed her palm to a hot forehead.
Abe was silent longer than made sense. “The artist has chosen not to disclose that information until the meeting, but Paul assures me he’s big time.”
“You’re dragging me away from Luke’s tour and you don’t know?” Leona questioned.
“Reese has the upper hand here, Leo. He mentioned needing to keep this hush-hush from the media.”
“That’s BS. Paul doesn’t have that kind of discretion.”
“Well, he’s keeping a tight lid on this one.”
“Can I do it remotely with the artist? Without Paul?”
“No, darlin’.” Regret laced his words.
She squeezed the phone so hard the equipment creaked. “He’s only doing this because it benefits him. If this goes sour, he’ll cut us off and flap his gums. I can’t go through that again, Abe. You’re the face of Wallace Entertainment. You’ll have to be enough.”
“Neither Paul nor the artist will do it unless you’re present. This can further help our cause.”
“Don’t make me do this.” Her heart raced and sickness turned her stomach. Her last falling out with Paul had cost her a year of recovery.
“I’ve been trying to figure out a way to do this without you, but unless I dress up like an attractive, black woman, I don’t see another way.” Abe’s comic relief did nothing for her nerves. “I promise. I’ll protect you from Reese. Will you come out to New Orleans, darlin’?”
Leona bit back tears of frustration. Again, she felt handled. She had said, “no” and it coun
ted for nothing. “Fine.”
She was about to respond to Abe when Luke rounded the corner and halted. Leona blinked and blew air to recover. Luke evaluated her for a moment and his chest inflated, loading up to question her.
“The crew’s waiting. I’ll be there in a minute.” Her words stopped any possible inquiry.
Concern etched the corners of his eyes.
“I’m okay,” she mouthed.
He lingered a moment longer, nodded, and then departed with hesitant steps.
Shit! “Oh no. He has to release me.” Her eyes slid closed.
“What are you going on about, darlin’?” Abe asked.
“The conditions. By contract, Luke has to agree to let me leave for New Orleans. He has a thing about Paul. Remember?”
“Do you think you can convince him to agree?”
“I don’t know.” Leona wasn’t sure that she could convince Luke to do anything. He either did something or he didn’t.
“Well, the artist is flying you privately, so you can get back. Sara has the details. I know you’ll do your best to make this work. I have to run.”
“But...” Leona started but in typical Abe fashion, he dropped a bomb on her and then split.
Leona returned to sound check. Luke gave the crew his suggestions as he slouched against a speaker. His body called to hers from every angle. As the lights outlined his biceps, she longed to trace his tatted skin.
Luke’s one-off performances during this southern portion of the tour had been scheduled close to the tour venues. This conveniently placed them with the team at tour hotels for all performances. As a result, neither she nor Luke, though tempted, technically had an opportunity to finish what they’d started in Florida. That didn’t erase the fact that she wanted Luke more than she allowed herself to believe, and she doubted any contract would truly stop them. That man had her open. But she’d been down this road before. Giving in to her feelings for Luke could be disastrous. He was her client. Her conversation with Abe had only reminded her about the destruction her breakup with Paul had had on her career and reputation.
