Not Just Another Romance Novel (6 page)

* * *

I met Austin at Starbucks on Saturday morning for two very important reasons.

First, I needed coffee. I’d been up way too late reading a book about rock stars in preparation for my upcoming phone call with Dax.

Yes, I was a college student who stayed in on a Friday night reading a book.

No, I didn’t regret it.

Shannon had tried to get me to go out with her, but the book was getting intense and I had to know what happened.

Second, I needed Dax’s phone number. It was finally time.

So I scrapped my hair back into a messy, low bun, threw on my yoga pants, brushed my teeth, and headed out the door for a mid-morning breakfast date with Austin.

After we settled in with muffins and coffee, I finally blurted out what I’d been holding back since Austin had taken me to see MFB. “So when are you going to give me Dax’s number?”

His eyes rose up to meet mine, and his sparkled with merriment. Even as I thought it, I noted how the sparkle in Austin’s eyes was much different than the sparkle I’d seen in Scott’s the day before. I couldn’t put my finger on
why
it was different, exactly, but it just was.

He pulled up Dax’s contact info and slid his phone across the table to me.

“Use it wisely,” he said, and I giggled.

“He told you to give me his number.”

“I know. Just be careful with him. He’s fragile, and you’re…well, you’re you.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I asked, supremely offended.

“You’re a nice girl, Piper. And you’re my friend. Dax isn’t in a relationship kind of place right now. Just use your head and don’t let him hurt you.”

“You’re the one who introduced us.”

“I know. Don’t make me regret it. I did it to help you with your project, but I’ve seen the way he can be with women. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up where he’s concerned.”

I nodded. “Thank you for looking out for me. I promise to be careful.” It wasn’t the first time I’d thanked him for looking out for me where Dax was concerned, but it just added fuel to my very interested flames.

“Should I text him now?” I stared nervously at the contact information I’d just punched into my phone after I slid his phone back to him.

“Call.”

“Call? I’ll sound like an idiot.”

“Calls are more personal than texts. He’ll like it.”

“What if I wake him up?”

Austin glanced at the clock on his phone. It was a little before noon. “Then you’ll wake his ass up.”

“Fine.”

I clicked the call button before I lost my nerve. It rang five times and I was about to hang up when a very groggy but sexy male voice answered. “Yeah?”

“Dax?”

“Yeah?”

“Hi, it’s Piper Andrews. Austin’s friend?”

“Oh yeah. Hang on a second.”

I heard some rustling and some far-away mumbling, and then I heard him clear his voice before he spoke. “Hey, Piper.”

“Hey,” I said, suddenly shy as Austin stared at me from across the table. I fingered my coffee cup nervously, wishing I’d gone outside to make this call.

“What’s up?”

“I’m, um, just calling to see if you’re still free this Thursday.”

“Thursday is my only night off this week. Unless you’re up for going out after a show.”

“Thursday’s fine,” I said, opting for the one-on-one attention I’d get versus where his attention might fall after a performance.

“Text me your address and I’ll pick you up at eight.” I heard more mumbling in the background. It definitely sounded like a girl trying to get his attention.

“Perfect. I’ll see you then.” Was he taking me to dinner? Would I need a specific outfit? Where were we going? Should I be hungry? What were we going to do?

These were all questions I should have asked, but I didn’t ask even one of them. I was just excited I had a date.

With a rock star.

“Have a good week, Piper.”

The way my name rolled off of his tongue made me think really, really dirty thoughts. Filthy.

“You too, Dax.”

I hung up and grinned across the table at Austin.

“Well?” he asked.

“Thursday at eight.”

Austin smiled.

“But crap, I didn’t ask anything I should’ve and I have no idea what we’re doing or what I should wear or—”

“I’ll get you sorted, babe.”

I knew he would, so I focused on the fact that I had a date lined up with my rock star.

10

“Oh fucking dammit,” I cursed under my breath.

“What?” Scott asked, alarm all over his face. We were at his apartment, sitting at his kitchen table as we reviewed for our Stats test, which was inching closer and closer with every passing second. We only had three more days to study, and we scheduled meeting time as often as we could in order to ensure I passed. We both knew Scott would ace it with no problems.

“I set up my rock star date for Thursday night.”

“So?”

“Our midterm is Friday morning at eight.”

Scott gave me a look like he had no idea what the problem was.

“Scott.” I said it like he had to know what I meant, but he still looked confused. “A rock star invited me out on a date. We’re going out at eight. It might end up at his place…”

A look of realization dawned on my clueless friend. “So you might have a late night right before the stats midterm?”

“More like I need every available second to study between now and Friday morning. But I can’t cancel on Dax.”

“I’ve got you covered. We’ll have all of this shit down by tomorrow night, and then you’ll be free to spend all day Thursday getting ready for your date.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Thank you, Scotty. You’re the best.”

He nodded. “Obviously.”

I grinned. “You ready for Dr. Prestbury tonight?” I reached my arms into the air to stretch my torso. I felt like we’d been sitting in the same spot for hours…which we had been, actually.

I glanced up at Scott mid-stretch, and I saw his eyes flick down to my breasts. It was just for a second, but I definitely caught it. I looked away so he wouldn’t know I’d seen where his curious eyes had wandered.

“I’ve completed most of my research. I think Dr. P will be impressed.”

“You’ve completed it?”

“Dr. P suggested finishing before Thanksgiving.”

“Why?”

“So I can spend more time on data analysis. When are you finishing your research?”

“I’m going to ask Dr. P tonight. I’m guessing he’ll tell me it has to be done before winter break.”

Scott nodded. “That’s pretty standard.”

“I need to get a move on, then. I’ve got my CEO interview in two more weeks. I’ve got the rock star. I just need a few more for a good sampling.”

“Any leads on bikers?”

“No. And since I’m currently jobless, no boss, either.”

“Who else is left?”

I pulled my list out of my bag. It was starting to crumble. “Athlete, cowboy, teacher, dominant, stepbrother. There’s more, but those are the main ones.”

“Stepbrother? Seriously?”

“Google it, Scott. Step-books are all the rage.”

“Doesn’t that sort of…”

“Gross me out? Completely. My stepbrother just turned twenty-one. He’s been working out, he’s legal, and it’s not technically incest.”

“Oh my God, Piper. Did you two grow up together?”

I nodded. “Since I was ten.”

He shook his head, a look somewhere between disgust and hilarity playing out on his face.

It may have been unusual, but I couldn’t leave out one of my lead demographics.

“And teacher? You thinking about asking Dr. P?”

I rolled my eyes. “Gross. I was actually thinking about that cute TA in Stats.”

“Jones? I’m pretty sure he’s gay.”

I sighed, and then we got back to studying.

* * *

“Piper, you’re up,” Dr. Prestbury said after Scott, Austin, and Shannon had all given updates on their research. “And I have to say, I’m quite interested in how your research has panned out so far.”

“So far I’ve finalized my criteria, and I’ve managed to cross off the bad boy and the single dad.” I edited the title, therefore editing the part about wanting to fuck him.

“What happened with the single father?”

“Let’s just say he wasn’t over his ex.”

“A real shame. Who’s next?”

“I’ve got a date with a rock star lined up for Thursday. I managed to procure an interview with a young CEO, so I’m hoping to set up a date.”

“An interview with a CEO? That actually worked?”

I shrugged. “We’ll find out on November twenty-fifth.”

Dr. Prestbury chuckled. “What other categories are you looking to test?”

“The ones I’m having the most difficult time finding are a biker, an athlete, and a cowboy.”

Scott shot me a pointed look. I’d purposely phrased my response so as to leave out the fact I planned to hit on my stepbrother over Thanksgiving break. And I couldn’t admit to my teacher I needed a teacher for my list.

“I may be able to help,” Dr. Prestbury said.

Oh God. I didn’t think I wanted help from a professor. Seriously? He was almost triple my age. He was stuffy and old and full of mothballs. How could he possibly be able to help me with this?

“My nephew is a ball player at Oklahoma State.”

That literally meant nothing to me. So he expected me to go to Oklahoma and look up his nephew? It just didn’t seem very helpful.

“He’d actually technically help with two of your categories,” Scott interjected.

Two? What the hell was he talking about?

Dr. Prestbury grinned at Scott. I’d never seen him look so carefree before. It took twenty years off of his face.

“Good catch, Mr. Redland.”

“How?” I finally asked.

“Oklahoma State’s mascot is the Cowboys.” Scott said it like I was stupid, which truthfully I was when it came to college mascots. “And by ‘ball,’ he means baseball.”

I shot Scott a dirty look. When did he get so snotty?

“So cowboy and athlete combined into one?” I asked. It didn’t really work, but I wasn’t sure how else I would find a cowboy. “Interesting. And how am I going to meet this boy?”

Dr. Prestbury looked thoughtful for a moment. “He’ll be in town a week from Friday for a family wedding.”

Well that was certainly convenient.

“But as to avoid a conflict of interest, I must request that if I get involved, you have to be up front with him about this experiment.”

“I understand,” I said, even though it could compromise the integrity of my research. “Of course. Thank you for offering to help.”

“I’m fascinated by this project, so I’m happy to do it. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

I forced a smile I didn’t really feel. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or if I was the biggest idiot ever for even attempting this.

* * *

True to his word, Austin found out the plan for my date with the rock star. Dax had planned to take me out to dinner at some little Italian bistro, and then we’d see where things went after that.

Also true to his word, Scott spent as much time as he possibly could prepping me for our Stats test. I felt as ready as I’d ever feel.

So after my Thursday classes, I dug through my closet for something to wear. I truthfully hoped the night would end in Dax’s bed. Or mine. I wasn’t super picky. Apart from the time I’d spent studying and focusing on my other dates, I found myself thinking a lot about Dax. He was the total package.

I was excited to see where things could go with us despite the fact that I may have roused him from a bed he’d been sharing with another woman when I called.

He was allowed to sleep with whoever he wanted pre-Piper. But once the two of us started our thing, he wouldn’t want any other women.

That’s what I kept telling myself. I was pretty sure I wasn’t worthy of him, though. He was a sex/rock god, and I was just a Psychology major/bookworm.

I finally settled on a dress. I chose a black and low cut one, and it gave him good access should he feel the need to fuck me in an alley somewhere. Not that I thought that would happen.

It would probably be on a bed.

I slipped on my favorite heels, spritzed on some perfume, and I was ready to go. Forty-five minutes early.

I ran over to Starbucks. I’d need fuel for my date, especially if he planned to work me over in his bed for the rest of the night.

To say I had high hopes for this date would be a complete understatement.

After I placed my order, I stood next to the pickup counter and fiddled with my phone while I waited.

“Piper?” The voice didn’t belong to the barista.

I glanced up and my eyes met Scott’s. His eyes looked extra blue against his black shirt. The shirt went well with his glasses. He looked smart, but he also looked somehow… Sexy?

He’d never looked sexy to me before.

Never.

And suddenly he was.

Just like that.

I had to get control of myself. Perhaps I needed to stop reading the book I’d been reading. It was a good one, but the girl had fallen for her best friend even though there was zero chance of it working out. I couldn’t put my finger on why I’d chosen that one to read, but as Scott’s eyes locked on mine, I had a sneaking suspicion my subconscious had been working overtime.

I sighed. “Hey, Scotty.”

“You’re…” He paused and shifted on his feet. “…beautiful.” His voice drifted softly over to me, and it made me feel all fluttery.

“Thanks.”

A tiny smile turned up his lips. “So the rock star is the lucky recipient of this dress?”

I nodded. “He’s picking me up at eight.”

“And you’re fueling?” He nodded to the pickup counter.

“Of course.”

I heard my name again, but this time it was the barista calling me. My coffee sat on the counter. I picked it up and tipped my cup in Scott’s direction. “Have a great night. Don’t stay up too late.”

“See you bright and early for the test. You’re ready for it, so don’t even think twice about it.” His voice wasn’t the usual cheery voice I’d grown used to. Something seemed to be bothering Scott. He seemed almost wistful.

I turned to leave, but then I realized I’d dwell on what was going on with him for the rest of the night if I didn’t ask. So I turned back to my friend.

“Everything okay, Scotty?”

He nodded, but the grave look in his eyes betrayed his words. “Yeah. Everything’s fine. See you in Stats.”

I grinned and walked out the door.

I couldn’t help thinking even though he’d nodded and his words had confirmed he was fine, his eyes told me the truth. He wasn’t fine.

But he lied and said he was, and I had a rock star to get to.

* * *

I finished my coffee and brushed my teeth, still marveling at the chance encounter at Starbucks with Scott. I wasn't sure why I couldn't get him out of my head.

I'd been looking forward to this date with Dax since the first picture Austin had shown me. And now that it was about to happen, Scott was on my mind?

Ugh. Stupid blue eyes and dumb black shirt.

I forced him out of my head. It was ridiculous, anyway.

A knock sounded at my door and it matched the pounding drum of my heart. It was time. I was actually going on a date with my number one favorite type of book boyfriend: The Rock Star.

I checked myself one last time in the mirror, smacked my lips together, and turned my head upside-down to shake out some extra body. Then I opened my door.

And my breath got caught somewhere in my throat.

Good Lord, this man was a perfect male specimen. All thoughts of friends with sparkles in their eyes, other men, other dates, other…anything…completely flew out of my mind as my brown eyes met his blue ones.

It's cliché to say his eyes were deep and soulful and had this depth to them I could find myself completely lost in. It may even be cliché to say they were the same blue color as the San Diego sky over the ocean on a cloudless day. But those were both accurate descriptions.

I thought about just grabbing him into my apartment by his button down charcoal colored shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, but I controlled myself. I didn't want to be overly aggressive, but holy smokes. A woman had needs. And he had the type of body that could satisfy every single one of them.

I smiled warmly at my date, trying to banish the naughty thoughts I was having about him.

“Hey,” he said, his voice gritty and husky.

“Come on in,” I said. I was ready to go, but I wanted him inside me.

I mean inside
my apartment
.

I opened the door wider for him to enter, suddenly really glad I didn't have a roommate. Every surface in my tiny apartment suddenly seemed to be the perfect place for a sexual encounter with a rock star. Couch, kitchen table, counters, floor, bathroom sink...

“I'll just be one minute. Make yourself at home.”

He smiled and walked over to my couch while I headed to the bedroom. I really didn’t have anything to do in there, but it had gotten him in my door. I wasn't really sure what I was doing. I decided to just go with it.