King of Rock (Lions of Pride Island Book 1) (5 page)

“What was that?” he asked, putting a hand on either side of her on the pool wall.

She gulped. “Nothing.” She couldn’t have been jealous over him. It had to be a bad reaction from breakfast or something.

He grinned. “It’d be totally natural if you were. Being my destined mate and all.”

She shook her head. “No. I’m not your mate.”

He came closer, until his perfectly straight nose was almost level with hers, those stunning blue eyes like glacial water staring right through her. “You could be.”

She pursed her lips and shook her head again. His body was so close she could see little droplets in the ridges between his large, defined muscles. A man like this would make any woman a lucky mate.

But he just wasn’t right for her. Almost as if she wasn’t controlling it, her hand moved up his slick chest, and she bit back a moan at how right he felt. How hot he was. Beau Hunt wasn’t someone to be taken lightly in the sexy department.

She’d thought she could stay aloof and sensible while spending time with him, but she was finding that not to be the case.

And it wasn’t just his sexy body. It was also his sweet personality, which was turning out to be much kinder and more genuine than she’d ever imagined.

“Beau,” she said.

“It’s all right to be jealous.” He continued. “I get angry just thinking about whoever might have looked at you. Even though I know I have no right.”

“That’s right. You don’t,” she said.

Then he cut her off with a kiss, and instead of telling him off, she wrapped her arms around his back, digging her nails in as he pressed against her in the water, their bodies coming together smoothly as the heat of their lips contrasted the cool flow of the water.

When she pulled back, gasping, he put his forehead to hers.

“Sorry, couldn’t resist,” he said.

“Clearly I couldn’t either,” she replied, unable to keep the frustration from her voice. One kiss wasn’t enough. She was out of control for him.

Needing to get some space, she pushed on his shoulders, and he stepped back, letting her swim out from around him.

He followed her to the other side of the pool, propping his arms on the edge as he watched her get out and grab a towel to dry off.

“Told you I could swim,” he said.

She nodded, still feeling like her blood was pumping a million miles a minute. She didn’t know what exactly she needed to do next. Maybe read or research a new project for work. All she knew was she needed to get away from Beau Hunt before he won her over in only one day.

“When I said beautiful ladies, I was referring to you,” he explained. “You’re the only one I’ve had in my pool.”

She flushed at that. Was that true? Could a man like him really have just been waiting around for a mate? Impossible. Still, he didn’t seem like he’d been the man whore she would have expected a rock star to be.

“I’m going up to my room,” she said.

“Jealous,” he said.

Damn the man. “I’ll see you at lunch,” she snapped, turning on her heel.

“Looking forward to it,” he said in a sultry voice from behind her. Dammit, the man even made meeting for sandwiches sound seductive.

She never should have agreed to this. But she would have to stay strong. She knew nothing good ever came of being weak.

T
hey had a late lunch together
, served on the patio in the backyard that looked out on the sprawling grounds and private lake. Lunch consisted of fancy, tiny sandwiches and homemade lemonade.

Beau seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself, stretching out on one of the comfy chairs and folding his arms behind his head, flexing the golden muscles there.

Stacy gulped and reached for another sandwich.

“So you work coordinating celebrity appearances for charities?”

She nodded.

His grin spread. “Using that lion charisma for good, right?”

She flushed. “I’m not sure I have any of it, not like you anyway.”

“Oh, I think you have some.
I’m
drawn to you anyway.”

She gave him a disapproving frown. “You were told to be drawn to me. You probably don’t feel like you have a choice.”

“I always have a choice,” he said, leaning back in his lawn chair. He was wearing a pair of relaxed, high-end sweats, having showered after their short swim. He wore a white tee that just set off his tan perfectly. Every part of him was perfection, where she felt self-conscious about a lot of things.

How nice it must be to be a man like him, with everything at your fingertips and all the confidence in the world.

Unlike her, who’d basically had to make her way in the world without her family, finding meaning in her career and not hoping for much more than that.

She’d never thought of all the lionesses at the oracle’s disposal, Stacy would be the one she chose.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, sitting forward and glancing at her.

She looked away, out at the grounds. It was late afternoon, and the sun was becoming more oppressive, but it was still a beautiful day. The sky was a bright, vivid blue, and small fluffs of clouds floated by high above them. “Why do you care?” she asked. “Nothing really matters except that the oracle chose me, right?”

He frowned, still looking handsome as he did so. “It’s not like that. I mean, I always knew whoever I was with would be chosen for me, but I’m glad it’s you. I couldn’t have picked better.”

“You don’t even know me,” she said.

He looked disgruntled at that. “Not even a little? I seem to remember meeting.”

She shrugged. “I doubt it. I mean, you met a lot of the kids on the island, but I doubt I would make an impression.”

“Well, you did,” he said. “I knew exactly who you were when the oracle gave me your name. Though, I didn’t know how great you’d grow up.”

She felt blood burn up her neck at that. Why did she have to have such good chemistry with him?

“Well, I’m flattered, but I still don’t think we’d be a good fit,” she said. “I’m just normal. I want a normal life. Nothing sparkly.”

“Sparkly?” he asked.

She waved her hand at his grounds, his mansion, his entire life. “Sparkly. Everything about you is just… something else. You know? No, I’m not sure you ever could, because your life has been so good.”

His expression hardened, but he continued to listen.

“I mean, you were born to it. I’m not saying I blame you, but yeah, we don’t have anything in common.”

“I wish you’d give us a chance,” he said. “You may find we have more in common than you think.”

“Well, that’s why I’m here,” she stated.

“I mean, I know we’re both involved in charity work. I’m going to be doing some tomorrow if you want to come along.” She raised an eyebrow, and he coughed and corrected himself. “I’d
like
you to come along.”

She shrugged. “I guess so. But I have to be honest so I don’t feel like I’m leading you on. I really don’t see this working. Can the oracle pick someone else? I’m sure basically anyone would be thrilled. Anyone who didn’t want to forget lion society I mean.”

He scooted his chair slightly forward, and she felt the hairs on her arms lift at the subtle increase in heat. “Why
do
you want to forget lion society?” he asked. “We aren’t that bad, are we?”

“Depends who you ask,” she said.

“If we weren’t in charge, someone would be. Someone worse.”

“Again, all a matter of opinion,” she said.

He sat back, folding his arms, looking flustered. “I don’t get why you care about it. As far as I know, you aren’t part of any of the families that would like to take power.”

She sighed. “You’re right. You don’t know why I care.” She wasn’t about to tell him, either. “But I mean, it’s just everything. Like that stupid challenge that came earlier. By the way, did you accept that?”

“Of course,” he said. “You’re my mate.” He scratched the back of his neck. “Well… you know. My… responsibility? I scheduled it for later this week. No one else will challenge until that one’s over, and hopefully by then, you’ll know what you want.”

She bit her lip. “Maybe.” She already felt like things were more complicated than she’d ever thought they’d be. Because deep down, despite her reservations, she really did like Beau. She liked how he treated people, how he seemed to have no real ego about what he did for a living, and how funny he was at times.

But she still couldn’t let her other issues with the whole thing go.

“I really wish you didn’t have to do that.” She folded her arms. “I don’t see what fighting accomplishes.”

“It protects what’s important to you,” he said. “That’s what I see as the point, anyway.”

She blinked at him. His blue eyes were serious, lit by the sinking sun, glittering as he looked over at her meaningfully.

How could he care about protecting her yet? How could he look at her in a way that made her joints melt, making them incapable of supporting her.

It made no sense.

It was just a government thing. Just political. And no one said she had to go along with it.

“Well, thank you,” she said despite herself. He was still watching out for her in his own twisted way and was just reacting to the way he’d been raised, too.

Looking around this place, she realized Beau had been trapped by his circumstances just as much as she had. But with very different results.

And sure, he had screaming fans and all the money and fancy things in the world, and he treated staff and friends well, but other than that, his life was empty.

The house was very empty. And quiet. She supposed it was because he’d always been waiting for the next thing to happen. For the oracle to speak or for his brother’s command. Suddenly, the loneliness came into sharp focus, and she caught her breath as she thought about it.

She wasn’t the type to empathize with rich, privileged guys, but somehow, it came naturally with Beau.

The longer she was with him, the more she saw behind the happy, carefree shell to the harried guy underneath. A guy who cared intensely. And if he’d been lonely, it made sense why he was so gung-ho once he finally had a mate and a purpose to pursue. Someone to be with.

She hadn’t ever thought about how that would feel. Never knowing who you would be with but knowing someday it would just be told to you.

She rubbed her hands over her arms as a cool breeze blew through.

“Want me to get a jacket?” he asked, standing.

She shook her head, tucking her hair back. “No, I’m thinking of going in for a nap anyway.”

He nodded, disappointed, but let her go.

She needed time alone. She was enjoying being with Beau Hunt too much. Starting to see things from his perspective. And she’d sworn long ago she wasn’t going to have anything to do with that family or that island.

Any momentary happiness with him would be ruined by the knowledge of what his family had done. There was no point in pursuing it.

“Hope to see you soon,” he said. “But if you are still resting and you don’t want to come down, you’re always welcome to call down for service to your room.”

“I can do that?” she asked.

He nodded. He was thoughtful as he watched her go and then turned to walk to the edge of the patio and stand there with folded arms.

It seemed as if he had a lot to think about as well.

* * *

S
tacy looked
up from the book she was reading when she heard the sound of music.

It was emanating from the patio below her, and she got up and went to the window, opening it to look down. She saw Beau, out by the pool, in relaxed clothes, with a guitar on his lap. He had sheet music on a small stool in front of him and was making notes with a pen he kept behind his ear as he played.

He’d strum a few notes, mark them down, nod in satisfaction, and then play for a while, eyes closed. Even from the second floor, she could make out every detail clearly. The sun had long set, and like a coward, she’d hidden in her room, afraid of his effect on her.

She didn’t know what she’d do if things kept up like this every day. Her growing closer to him, more intrigued by him, more turned on by him.

If she were one who could believe in that kind of stuff, she could almost really believe fate had picked them for one another, because they’d be perfect. Things just flowed so easily.

She sat on the small, cushioned window seat and let cool air blow in while she listened to the beautiful sounds of his voice.

She couldn’t even make out the words of his song, but she still felt drawn in by the melody, the husky, raw quality of his singing, the sheer masculinity that came through.

A shiver went through her as she realized how much she wanted him. She could just walk down there now, take anything she wanted, and he’d give it to her. The lioness inside her roared. It had been pacing, making her anxious, for the past few hours. Or past two days. Ever since she’d gone to his concert. Damn him.

Why did life never end up like you planned?

She stood, pulling her dressing robe around her, since she’d already changed into a shabby pair of plaid pajama pants and a loose tee shirt to sleep in. Then she walked out of her room and down the stairs. She crossed over the cold marble floors in her bare feet and walked out onto the patio.

He stopped and looked up at her as she approached, probably hearing her easily with his superior senses. He set aside the guitar and just looked at her, and the serious longing there took her breath away.

He really wanted her. He—Beau Hunt—wanted her.

And it didn’t feel like it had anything to do with the oracle. In his blue gaze was just a bone-deep lust the lioness in her answered. The animals within them had already decided this was going to happen.

But the human in her wasn’t sure where it would lead. Maybe she would allow herself a taste of him. A few, even, just to settle the cat inside.

But she would still choose the future. She could be sensible there at least.

“I heard you singing,” she said quietly, walking forward, feeling awkward at how aware her body seemed to be of him.

“Ah,” he said. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“Would you be sorry if you did?” she asked, boldly walking in front of him and standing between his spread legs.

He tilted up his jaw to look at her. “I’d be sorry to have bothered you. But not sorry if it resulted in you coming down here, no.”

She grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck and straddled his lap. She nuzzled in and felt his body freeze in shock.

She knew it was a quick turnaround. It was more that she was just tired of fighting it. And something that had been building all day had snapped as she’d looked down at him while he sang.

It was impossible to think about a distant past or his family or her prejudice when she watched him like that. He was just a man, singing along in the darkness, and damn if she didn’t want to be with him, exploring all he had to offer.

When she’d accepted this week, she thought he was stupid and he was the one who’d lose out. But now she was thinking she had it wrong for thinking she’d outwit Beau Hunt and the very hungry woman inside her who craved him as much as anyone if she really allowed herself to admit it.

She played with his hair at the back of his head, which was surprisingly soft and thick, and he let out a small grunt.

“Um, I didn’t expect this,” he said.

“I know.” She agreed, leaning back and looking into his eyes, which were hooded as if he were hiding his expression. But she could feel the tension in his body. He wanted her, but he was holding back. His wide hand splayed over her back, fingers spread to give maximum support.

“I mean, I like it, but I need to know you’re really on board.” He raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t eat anything funny at dinner, did you?”

She shook her head with a laugh. “No. I guess I’m just more attracted to you than I want to admit. Don’t think this means anything, though.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” he said in a teasing tone, pushing his hair off his face. “Can I kiss you?” His tone then was serious.

She frowned. “You aren’t supposed to ask.”

“Hey, it’s my mate. I don’t want to mess up,” he said, moving his other hand around her. “Can I take that as a yes?”

“Yes,” she said in exasperation. “You stupid man.”

“Hey,” he said, pulling back. “I resent that remark.”

She laughed and leaned in, and he surprised her by catching the sensitive spot at the curve of her neck with his lips, biting gently. She gasped. “Beau…”