Always Rayne (The ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Rock Star Romance Series) (14 page)

I heave a sigh and hand him my phone.

He looks at the display then dials. “Mrs. Leigh. This is Nic Rayne.”

When he looks over at me he registers the complete shock on my face and just grins in response. Another time I’d like to slap him.

“Yes, the actor,” he continues. “Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

Nic
glances over at me again. “The reason I phoned is because of the news reports. I’m sure you’ve heard some of the ugly gossip about me and Harper. I want to assure you that the reports are completely false. Your daughter has been completely professional. She’s a journalist with the upmost integrity.”

“I look forward to meeting you too,”
Nic says before he ends the call and hands me back my phone.

“You haven’t even met them and you’ve already lied to my parents.”

He frowns. “What did I lie about?”

“Well, I haven’t exactly been completely professional.”

“Shakes, you have more professionalism in your pinky than most journalists have in their entire bodies. It’s me that’s the problem. When I want something, I’ll stop at nothing to get it. It just so happens that what I want more than anything is you.”

We both look into each other’s eyes for a long moment. 

“You’re not the only one,” I admit.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, this isn’t completely professional for me either. Not anymore.”

He raises an eyebrow then moves in closer.
So close I can feel the heat radiating from his body. Or maybe it’s me that’s heating up. Either way, there is a lot of heat between us.

“Are you saying that you want me?”

I nod. I do want him. It feels almost necessary. Like I might spontaneously combust if he doesn’t take me. My entire body aches when I imagine him being inside of me.

“I want you to be sure, Harper. I need for you to be sure that this is what you want.
That I’m what you want. Because I’m not like Harvard. Once you’re mine, there’s no going back. I’m not going to give you up. I’m never going to give you up. It’s going to be me and no one else. So you have to be sure.”

Am I sure? My body is saying, “Hell, yes!” but my mind isn’t co
mpletely there yet. Being
with
Nic is one thing. I’ll join a huge club of girls who’ve been with Nic Rayne.

But
being his
is something entirely different. I get the feeling that’s a very small club…and I’ll be the only member.

He pulls me even closer so I can feel his erection pressing against me. There’s little doubt how badly he wants me and that’s making it much more difficult to think rationally about what we’re doing.
About what I’m doing. Or what I’m about to do.

He kisses me again. This time it’s needy and urgent.
Like he wants to devour me whole.

And my entire body responds with a feeling
of deep longing that I know only Nic can fill.

“We have to wait,”
he whispers.

Wait
? I’m not sure I can…or that I even want to. At least my body doesn’t want to. My mind, though, is telling another story.

“You’re right. We should wait. I’m still supposed to be writing a st
ory. Trying to remain objective.”

He
nods but he looks a little uneasy. Maybe my boss said something and Nic is afraid to tell me.

“What is it?”

“What do you mean?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “What did Luke say when you talked to him?”

When Nic starts to gnaw on his bottom lip again I have a feeling it’s not good news.

“What did he say,
Nic?” I urge.

“Here’s the thing…”
Nic looks like he’s going to bite his lower lip right off he’s chewing so hard on it. “I told you I was going to take care of it and I did.”

I eye him suspiciously. I can tell he’s not telling me everything. “What’s going on? What exactly did my boss say? Do I still have a job?”

He nods. “You still have a job. You’re still a reporter for Chatter.”

“But?”

He raises an eyebrow and tries to give me his charming little grin. “But what?”

“You’re smug little grin isn’t going to help you this time, Buddy.
Spill. I want to hear it all.”

“Smug?
Seriously? I can’t believe that smile doesn’t work on you. It works on everyone.”

“Except me.
Now tell me everything.”

He heaves a sigh.
“Fine. Luke isn’t your boss anymore. I am.”

“What?” I mutter. I feel like someone punched me in the gut.

He tries to grab my hand but I’m too quick for him and I pull away.

“I wanted to make sure you had your job and that you’d always have your job if you wanted it so I bought Chatter. I’m the proud owner of the premiere online magazine for arts and entertainment.”

I can feel my eyes go wide as I try to decipher what Nic is telling me. “You did what?” is all I can manage to say.

“I bought Chatter,” he repeats.

“How much?”

He hesitates for a moment.

“How much?” I repeat.

“One point five.”

Now my eyes are really popping out of my head.
“Million? Seriously?”

He nods. “I told you I would take care of it and I did.”

“But that’s a lot of money.”

“I had to make sure Luke accepted my offer.”

“I’m sure he didn’t hesitate a minute.”

I’m not sure how to feel. Part of me is flattered that he bought Cha
tter to save my job, but an even bigger part of me feels angry and even a little betrayed. “Don’t you think this kind of makes things worse? Now we definitely have to keep things professional. You’re my boss.”

He nods. “You’re right. But I want you to remember that I did this for you. I just want you to be happy.”

“But why didn’t you tell me?”

“I just did.”

“I mean before now. Before I kissed you. Before I threw myself at you!”

He swallows.
“Because I didn’t want you to be mad.”

“Too late.
I am mad. Not because you bought Chatter. I’m mad that you kept it from me. It’s kind of important information for me to know.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I should have told you.”

He reaches for me but I pull away again. “Not now, Nic. I just need some time alone. To digest all of this. My head is swimming.”

He nods. He looks like he wants to say more but he doesn’t. I know he wants to touch me but I just can’t. Not with everything happening. And definitely not now that he’s my boss.

Ten

“He what?”
Brooke practically screams into the phone.

“He bought Chatter. He’s now my boss.”

“But why?”

“He wanted to make sure I didn’t lose my job.”

“So he bought the company? Kiddo, you’re in big trouble. This is much bigger than flowers or even jewelry and the two of you haven’t even had sex yet. Have you?”

“Seriously, Brooke.
He’s now my boss. Of course we haven’t had sex. And I’m not going to even say yet because now I’m not even sure anything like that is ever going to happen.”

“You know you have to have sex before he pops the question. I know I’ve told you this before but it bears repeating. You’ve got to take the car for a test drive before you buy it.”

“I think you’ve completely lost your mind. Who said anything about getting married? Nic Rayne isn’t exactly the marrying type, and I don’t know about marrying an actor slash rock star even if he was. Besides we’re not even dating. Why would you even say that?”

“The guy just bought a company for you, Harper. He’s obviously crazy about you. Are you that dense?”

“He didn’t buy the company for me. He bought it so that I’d have a job.”

“Exactly.
He bought it for you. You do realize if the two of you ever do have sex it’s all over. He’ll completely own you.”

I sigh. “What does that mean?”

“Once you’re his, you’ll be his forever.”

“And just how do you know this?”

“Let’s just say I know the type.”

“You’re actually kind of scaring me a little.”

“Good. Maybe you should be scared.”

Time to change the subject.
“And how are you doing?”

“Great way to chance the subject.”

“I’m serious, Brooke. How are things?”

“And if by
things
you’re asking if I’ve been drinking, the answer is no. I have not.”

“Good. You’ll call me if you need me.”

“And you’ll do the same.”

***

Another concert, another city. It’s getting a little difficult to remember where we are. I can understand how people lose themselves while they’re on tour. Days turn into nights and nights turn into days. Each city is a little different, yet every city feels the same.

And every night is a party. The girls are all starting to blend together. Most of them are blonde, whether they were born that way or made themselves that way doesn’t seem to matter. And the same goes for their breasts. The best looking ones get to sleep with
Xander and Leo. And then the back-up musicians get their pick. And then the technicians and roadies.

Nic
hasn’t slept with anyone. Much to the dismay of many a large breasted blonde who thought she might have had a chance with him.

He hasn’t slept with me either. He’s given me my space like I asked. But it’s getting kind of lonely. I miss our talks until all hours of the night. And I miss just having him touch me. I miss waking up with him sleeping next to me.

“So what’s up with you and Rayne?” Xander asks as he hands me a glass of wine.

“Thanks for the drink,” I take a small sip even though I’m not really in the mood for alcohol.

“I’ve never seen him like this.”

“What do you mean?”

Xander shrugs. “I thought the two of you were going to be together at night, but I haven’t seen that happen. And Rayne hasn’t fucked anyone in—like—forever. That never happens.”

“Forever is a little bit of an exaggeration isn’t it? It’s been a few days.”

Xander smiles. “Like I said. Forever. Rayne is not one to go without.”

“And what about you?
Where’s your pick for the night?”

He shakes his head. “I’ve got Raven all to myself tonight.” He points over to Leo who is talking with two girls who look like they could be sisters. “Leo’s going to nail those best friends and I’m not into it t
onight.”

When Raven joins us she puts her arm over
Xander’s shoulder. “What lies has this guy been telling you?”

“Just trying to figure out what’s going on with Rayne.”

“Are you sure you haven’t been trying to get into Harper’s pants?”

Xander
frowns. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wear pants. She’s always wearing a skirt.”

“It’s just an expression. Besides, I think Rayne would kill you if you even touched her.”

I laugh. “I doubt that.”

Raven looks me dead in the eye. “I think he would kill anyone who tried to touch you, Harper.”

“Not Xander and Leo.”

“Especially
Xander and Leo.”

That sends a wave
of shivers right through me. She’s just confirmed that things with Nic are just as serious as I think.

“Excuse me,” I say as I leave
Xander and Raven and head in Nic’s direction.

“So what was
Xander saying?” Nic asks as soon as I’m standing next to him.

“He wanted to know what was going on with you. I guess he’s a little worried that you haven’t been screwing anyone lately.”

When I glance up at Nic his face is stone. “There’s only one person I want to be with and I’m waiting for her to decide if I’m the one she wants to be with.”

“Oh, really,” I tease. “And just who is this mystery woman you want to be with?”

He leans down and whispers in my ear. “You know exactly who I want.”

My entire body is already heating up with
Nic being so close to me and he hasn’t even touched me.

Yet.

I guess that means I do want him to touch me.

“Can we go somewhere a little more private?” I suggest.

Before I even know what’s happening, Nic has my hand and he’s pulling me into his bedroom.

All sorts of thoughts begin to race through my head.
Most of them concerning Nic and his lips and hands.

But instead of him taking me into his arms like I imagine, he’s han
ding me a large manila envelope.

“What is this?” I mumble. “Are you firing me?”

Nic’s eyes go wide. “Why would you think that?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know.” I hold up the paper. “
Why are you handing me papers?”

“You need to sign those.”

“But why?”

I feel like
the kid who just got her candy bar stolen right from her hand. I thought I’d be kissing Nic and instead I’m signing legal documents.

He runs his thumb along my jawline. “Because I want to be with you and this is apparently the only way it will happen.”

“I don’t understand.” I still feel confused.

“These are documents signing over complete ownership of Chatter to you. That way I won’t be your boss. And you’ll be completely in charge of all of the stories you write. If you don’t want to write about me and the band, you don’t have to. The advertisers all have their money back. You can make Chatter into whatever you want it to be.”

I can’t help but smile. “You made it so you’re not my boss and I’m also not compromising any ethics by sleeping with you if I don’t have to write the story. You’ve thought of everything. You really must want to get laid.”

He laughs. “I want to be with you, Shakes.
Whatever it takes.”

“How about not rhyming?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Do you have a pen?”

He scrounges around in his backpack for a pen. When he finally finds one, he hands it to me. I sign the documents then hand them back to him.

He places a kiss on my cheek. “You’re now the proud owner of Chatter, the premiere online arts and entertainment magazine.”

It’s hard to believe. Less than I week ago I thought my boss would fire me if I didn’t go on tour with Always Rayne and now I own Chatter because I went on tour with them.

And apparently because
Nic likes me…a lot.

“I really don’t know how to thank you.”

“You can start by giving me a kiss.”

I lean up and place the softest of kisses on Nic’s lips. He tastes like spearmint and it makes me wonder if he’s been chewing gum. I love spearmint and I love that
Nic tastes so delicious.

Before I know it,
he has me wrapped in his arms. “I wasn’t sure how much longer I could wait to hold you. You nearly killed me.”

“You have me now,” I remind him.

“And I’m not going to let you go.”

He pulls me so close that I can feel his erection hard against me. His desire is like an aphrodisiac for me. I crave the connection between us. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want Nic. The yearning is almost overwhelming.

He leans down and kisses me but this time his kiss is hard and full of need. All of the air seems to get sucked out of my lungs as I’m reduced to feeling like a rag doll that can’t stand on its own.

When he grabs my ass and pulls me into his erection I can feel myself get really wet.

“Can you feel how badly I want you?” Nic whispers.

He kisses my neck then works his way toward my earlobe. As he ni
bbles on my ear it sends a wave of electricity right through me. 

When our mouths meet again it’s almost like we can’t get enough of each other’s lips and tongues.

“I want you too Nic,” I manage to get out when we stop kissing to take a breath.

He looks at me and his expression is serious. “Are you sure about this? I want you to be absolutely sure. Because once we do this there’s no turning back. I already told you I’m not like Harvard. If you’re mine, you’re mine. I play for keeps.”

Am I sure? Do I really want to take this step? My body has absolutely no doubts but my mind has a few. It sounds like Nic is talking about a long-term thing. I’m not sure how to even think about long-term with a celebrity. It makes me wonder how much Nic has thought this through. But knowing him, and knowing what everyone has said about him, he’s probably already thought about every possible scenario for the rest of our lives.

“I thought we were going to wait until after the tour,” I throw out just to see what he’ll say.

He gives me his little grin. I guess he can see right through me. I really don’t want to wait any more than he does.

“I’ll wait as long as you want,” he teases. “How long do you want to wait?”

“About five seconds,” I say as I reach for his shirt buttons.

He takes in some air as I start to unbutton his shirt, his eyes never leaving mine. I feel like I can’t get
the thing off fast enough. After the last button is undone, he removes the garment and I take in his muscled chest. Everything that was ever said about Nic’s body is completely true. He’s a near perfect specimen of the male form.

When I place my hands on his chest he finally exhales the breath he’s been holding. I run my hand over the ridges of his muscles and when he looks at me again his eyes are burning with desire.

“I can’t be the only one standing here topless,” he teases.

I gulp. Plenty of people have
seen Nic without his shirt. He struts around the stage sans shirt at nearly every concert. But only one man has ever seen me without my shirt on. I suddenly feel nervous, almost panicked.

Not only am I going to be with a man other than Jackson, I’m going to be with
Nic Rayne. But the Nic Rayne I know and care about is so much different than the celebrity. Nic is deep and sensitive and really cares about the people he loves.

As if he can sense my apprehension,
he takes me into his arms and just holds me. I breathe in his masculine scent and melt into his tight embrace.

“We can take it slow,” he whispers.

“No, that’s not what I want.”

“Tell me what you want.”

“You promised me something else.”

He laughs. “I’ll give you whatever you want.
Anything. You just have to ask.”

“I want you, Nic.
Just you.”

He slowly unbuttons my blouse and I can feel my heart start to flu
tter in anticipation. Once it’s unbuttoned he removes it and lets it drop to the floor. I’m glad that I at least wore a black lace bra and panties. Nothing too sexy but at least it’s something pretty and feminine. Not the plain white that I tend to wear.

The smile on his face lets me know that he’s pleased with what he sees. And when he caresses my breasts I can feel my nipples respond under the lace material of my bra.

After a few seconds, my skirt comes off and lands on the floor with my blouse. I know I shouldn’t feel awkward. He’s already seen me in a bikini but somehow this feels a little different.

But the way Nic’s looking at me melts my apprehensions away. He’s got a look of complete and utter satisfaction on his face.

Then in one quick sweep he lifts me off the floor and carries me over to his bed. He places me on his pillows and I pose for him.