Rock the Heart (7 page)

“I knew you’d be here.” I slam the door shut and stand to face Riff. “The ladies never turn down the golden ticket.”  

Riff’s arm stretches above his head as he balances his weight against a top cabinet. He’s shirtless, and I can clearly see the tattoos across his arms and chest. Both of his nipples are pierced along with his bottom lip and his hair still stands in his trademark Mohawk. 

A slow grin pulls across his face as I pull at the legs of my shorts, hoping to cover some more skin. His eyes trace the curves of my body as he pulls his arm down and takes a step.

I hold out my hand palm up. “Stop right there.”

Riff reaches out for my hand, but I snatch it away from his grasp. “Baby, I told you. No need to play hard to get. I won’t tell anyone that you fucked me.”

My eyes widen at his audacity. “You’re really full of yourself, you know that?”

He smirks. “Only when it comes to women.”

I roll my eyes. “I hate to be the one to break it to you, but not every woman on the planet is willing to sleep with you, Riff.”

“Maybe.” He shrugs. “But I can tell that
you
want me.”  He takes another step toward me and I try to back away from his advance only to bump against the cabinets behind me.

I shove my hand into his chest and shake my head. “No, I don’t want you. I’m here with—”

“Shhhhhhhhhhhhh.” Riff strokes the skin on my shoulder. “No more talking.”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Riff?” Noel growls from the hallway, wearing a low-slung towel around his hips, while water beads speckle his chest. Riff jumps at the sound of Noel’s voice. 

Riff releases me and takes a step back. His eyes lock on my face. “You’re Lanie?”

I nod and glance at Noel. “I’ve tried to tell you. I told you I was with someone when you first tried to shove that ticket thing in my hand.”

Noel’s eyes narrow at Riff. “You gave her one of your fucking Golden Tickets? I’m going to fucking kill you.” 

Noel lunges at Riff, but he reacts just quick enough to stay out of Noel’s grasp and shove his hands away. 

I throw my hands against Noel’s chest. “It’s okay. Let it go. He made a mistake.” I point my stare at Riff. “Right?”

Riff stares Noel down. “Yeah, we wouldn’t want to accidently steal each other’s woman, would we?”

Riff’s tone makes me flinch. 

The muscle in Noel’s jaw clenches. “You stay away from her. Or so help me God, Riff, I will end you.”

I swallow hard. I’ve never seen a look of pure malice until now. Noel expression and body language clearly says he wants to rip Riff’s head off and spit down his throat. This tension between them can’t honestly be about me, can it? It feels more personal than just a case of mistaken identity. 

Riff and Noel continue to stare each other down. There’s obviously some bad history between these two, and I’ve just added fuel to the fire. Something has to give. I can’t let the band struggle because of me. This situation needs to be diffused.

I pull on Noel’s arm and he tilts his head and gazes down at me. “Come on, Noel. I want to show you something.” I grab his hand in mine and tug him toward the bedroom. 

Noel stares at Riff, like he’s debating on if he should just pummel him now and get it over with. Finally, he nods and follows me down the hallway, leaving Riff alone in the front of the bus. 

He sits on the edge of the bed while I close the door. He drops his head down and combs his hand through this thick, dark hair. The bed gives a little under my weight when I sit beside him. His back is smooth and clean as I run my fingers along it in attempts to comfort him. The smell soap lingers on his skin. He doesn’t respond to my touch—his gaze points toward the floor.

I stare at the star tattoo he has on his right shoulder. “It’s going to be okay. He didn’t realize who I am and I doubt he’ll do it again.”

Noel rubs the palms of his hands together. “You don’t know him like I do. Riff doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants, which includes women. I won’t let him use you like that.”

I want to laugh. Doesn’t he know me at all? “He’s not going to get me, Noel. I’m not like the random sluts he’s used to seeing you with.”

Blue eyes meet mine. “No, you’re not.” He searches my face and his brow pulls in. He opens his mouth to say something, then closes it quickly and turns away. “You better get ready. One hell of a party is about to go down.”

I wiggle a bit between Noel and Riff in the back of the SUV on the way to this humongous afterparty for all the bands who performed at
Rock on the Range
this weekend. The A&R Music Bar here in Columbus hosts the bash to millionaire bad-boy rock stars, roadies, and of course, their groupies. 

It takes forever to get close to the building. Hoards of people surround the building hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite rock stars, and are blocking traffic half way down the street. 

When the vehicle finally stops near the back entrance, Mike, Noel’s bodyguard from the restaurant, hops out and opens the door for us. Trip and Tyke grin at each other before emerging into the mass of fans. They love the attention. They hug several of the screaming female fans and even stop to sign a couple bare boobs thrusting in their direction. 

Riff looks at me and winks before he jumps out.

I roll my eyes. Of course he would love this.

I slide over to follow Riff, and Noel lays his hand on top of mine. “Stay by me in here. Shit like this gets crazy. Don’t accept drinks from anyone other than me or Mike. There are real assholes in there that would love to get in your pants.”

I raise my eyebrow. “They can’t be any worse than you.”

His mouth pulls into a tight line. “You have no idea.”

Inside the club, it appears like something out of a music video. Bodies writhe everywhere to the beat of the rock song echoing throughout the room. Strobe lights flash in every direction, and women wearing bikinis dance in cages. One next to me reaches through the bars and strokes my arm with her fingertips. Her touch catches me off guard and I instinctively jerk away. Noel chuckles beside me. 

I narrow my eyes at him. “So not funny.”

His smile widens. “Get used to it, babe. When you’re with me, everyone’s going to want a piece of you.”

“Gross.”

He throws his arms around me and leans into my ear. “What’s it like to know you’re with the one guy in this room every woman wants to fuck?”

I shove him out of my ear. “Not every woman.”

I storm away from him. Even over the blaring music, I can hear his laugh behind me and I clench my fists tight. I don’t remember him being so stuck on himself.

I step up to the bar and order a beer. 

“Trouble in paradise?” I glance over to find Riff beside me, leaning against the bar.    

Great. I’m so not in the mood for another jackass.

I roll my eyes and take the beer from the smiling brunette woman behind the counter. “No trouble…and definitely no paradise. This is just a job for me.”

“Ah, the charity, right?” Riff’s brown eyes twinkle as he watches me. “How’s that going?”

I pick at the label on the bottle in my hand. “Pretty much non-existent at the moment. Noel keeps putting off hammering out the details about the literacy program. That’s the whole reason I’m here—to get the marketing off the ground.”

Riff nods. “He’s thinking ahead, I’ll give him that.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s going to string you along for as long as he can until he gets what he wants from you. The more information he gives you about the project the band has going on, the sooner you can leave and go back to New York. I know you two have some history, so you’re a challenge to him. That’s a game he hasn’t had to play for quite some time. He tends to always get what he wants.”

I shake my head. “Yeah, well, what he wants from me, he isn’t going to get.”

He smiles. “That’s good to know.” He nods toward the dance floor. “want to dance?”

I turn towards the sea of people and my eyes fixate on a couple practically molesting each other on the floor, right in plain view of everyone in the club. They grind their pelvises together, leaving little to the imagination of what a night in their bedroom would be like. How can people do that in public? I shake my head. “Um, no, thanks.”

He runs his fingers along my arm, and I tense. “Come on, Lanie. I won’t bite.”

I shake my head, and before I can answer, I’m being dragged away by the other arm. Noel’s eyes are hard when he looks back at Riff. The appearance of pure hate doesn’t seem to faze Riff, though. He simply lifts his beer in the air and gives Noel a small nod. Why do I feel like I’m in the middle of a childish game of tug-of-war? 

I yank free of Noel’s grip. “What the hell?”

Noel’s expression darkens. “I told you to stay away from him.”

My arms fold over my chest. I’m ready for a fight. “I’m a big girl, Noel. I can talk to whomever I want.”

He turns away as he runs his hand through his hair. He opens his mouth like he wants to say something, then immediately closes it. I stare at him, waiting for his smart ass reply, but after a couple seconds, he turns back to me and holds out his hand. “Dance with me.”

I flinch. “What? Are you psycho? There’s medication for that, you know.”

Before I can think, he grabs me up into his arms against his chest. “Psycho…no…a little crazy…maybe.” He leans into my ear and says with a slight growl, “Dance with me.”

The words cause my stomach to clench. I know he’s trying to break me down. The minute I give into him and let him touch my body, it will want him. And I hate that he knows that. 

I shove his chest, putting personal space between us again, and take a long drink from my beer. Dancing with him definitely crosses the line. “No.”

His brow furrows. “No?”

Noel obviously doesn’t hear that word very often. “I’m here on business, not to…” I gesture towards the crowd. “Let you grind all up on me.” 

Before he can say another word, I walk away from him and take an empty seat at the end of the bar. Noel watches me for a second, like he’s debating whether to follow me or not, but I refuse to acknowledge his existence. Eventually, he gives up and heads toward the table the twins occupy. As soon as his ass hits the seat, a perky blonde plops down in his lap. He wraps his arm around her waist and takes a long pull from his beer bottle. She whispers in his ear and he nods and gives her that sexy-cocky grin I’m starting to hate. 

I tear my eyes away just as the girl leans in and kisses his lips. I grip my bottle a little too tight and narrow my eyes. Then it hits me on why I feel so angry, and I can’t believe it. I’m actually a little jealous.

I chug down the rest of my beer and try to drown out the thought. What Noel and I had was in the past, and I have no right to feel that way when he’s with someone in front of me now. 

A man who resembles a younger version of Steven Tyler takes the seat next to me and orders a beer before turning his attention to me. A blush creeps up my neck when I turn to find him watching me intently. His lips turn up into a smile, and I retrain my eyes back on the bottle in front of me. 

The man shoves a strand of his long, black hair behind his ear. “You need another?”

His accent is delicious. There’s something about a British accent that’s incredibly sexy. 

I nod. “Sure.”

Mr. Accent gestures for another beer, and I study his features. His black hair hangs nearly to his broad shoulders, and his tattooed hands poke out from the long sleeved shirt he’s wearing. Both of his ears are pierced along with one eyebrow, and his eyes are deep chocolate.  He’s obviously in a band, most guys in here are, but I can’t put my finger on which one.

He turns toward me and holds out his hand. “I’m Striker.”

Ah. That’s where I’ve seen him. He’s the front man of Embrace the Darkness.

I slide my hand in his. “Lanie Vance.”

The bartender returns with the drink and winks at the rocker as she sets it down in front of him. 

“Here you go, love,” he says and slides the bottle in my direction. “So, what’s a beautiful lady like you doing in here with this lot?”

I blush again and run my fingers through my hair. “I’m working.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Blimey! You’re a…”

My eyes widen as I realize his mistake. “No!” I nudge his hand. “No. I’m not a…you know. I’m a rep for Center Stage Marketing.”

“Right, I’ve heard of them—out of New York. My record label suggested we look into using them.” He nods and smiles. “Here to pick up new clients then?”

I lean closer to his ear so my voice doesn’t compete with the blaring music. “I’m actually working for Black Falcon on their children’s literacy campaign.”

“They make you travel to this shithole town in Ohio for that? Seems like rubbish to me,” he says in my ear.

I shrug. “Noel and I are old friends. He kind of got me this job.”

He touches my hand this time when he speaks. “Well, an old friend of Noel’s, can I get your name and maybe give you a ring sometime?”

I take a sip of my drink. There’s nothing wrong with giving him my number, right? It’s not like I’m dating anyone or anything. Besides this guy seems cute and genuinely interested in getting to know me.  “I’d like that.”

The rocker picks up his beer and clinks it with mine after he stuffs my cell number in his front, jean pocket. “To new friends.”

“There something you need, Striker?” Noel says behind me. 

I turn on the stool. Noel stands there with his arms across his chest as he stares at the back of Striker’s head.

My eyes flick to Striker, and he lets out a slow breath as he turns around and stands. He chugs the last of his beer and sits the bottle on the counter, like he’s in no hurry. “No, mate. I’ve got all I need right here.” He pats the front pocket he slid my number into and promptly turns his attention to me. “Lanie, love, it’s been charming. We’ll be in touch.”

Striker shoulders past Noel without another look in his direction and blends into the crowd of people in the club. 

“What the hell are you drinking?” Noel grabs the beer out of my hands and chucks it in a nearby trash can. “I told you not to take drinks from anyone but me.”

 “You’re infuriating. You know that.” I jump off the stool and head towards the exit in desperate need for space, but he grabs my arm. “Let me go.”

He shakes his head. “You want to leave? Then we’ll go together.”

I yank away. “Fine. Let’s go, then.”

Mike holds the crowd off so we can hop into the SUV. Noel slams the door shut and the vehicle quivers a little. His mouth pulls into a tight line and he runs his fingers through his hair. He seems frustrated.

I know the feeling.

Neither of us speak the entire ride back to Big Bertha. The minute we step on to the bus, Noel flops down in the sitting area near the door and picks up his guitar. He strums out random chords and does his best not to make eye contact with me. 

After watching him for about twenty seconds, I finally get that he’s not going to talk about what happened at the club and why he feels like he has the right to dictate who I talk to. A harsh breath escapes me, and I storm into the bedroom. Once inside, I take off my top then grab an oversized t-shirt from the drawer I stuffed all my clothes in earlier today and yank it over my head.

Where does he get off being such an asshole to me? If he doesn’t want me here, he shouldn’t have made it mandatory for me to come.

I burst through the door and then go directly into the bathroom, without a glance in Noel’s direction, to scrub the make-up from my face and get ready for bed. I tug a brush through my unruly, dark waves and pull it up into a high bun on the top of my head. 

When I return to the back room, I freeze in the doorway. Noel lies on the bed with his arms tucked behind his head, while from the waist down he’s under the covers. The tattoos on his naked chest and arms are beautiful. They make him look so anti-authority and bad-boyish. I wish it wasn’t so ridiculously sexy. 

I throw my hands up. “Hello? What are you doing back here?”

He furrows his eyebrows like I’m not speaking English. “What do you mean, why am I back here? It’s my room.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Yes, but when you told me that earlier that I’d be sleeping in your bed, I didn’t think you meant with you in it.” 

Noel shrugs. “I told you there wasn’t any room in the foxholes. I thought I made the sleeping arrangements very clear.”

“I’m not sleeping back here with you!”

He raises an eyebrow. “If you want to sleep in on one of the seats out front, be my guest. But I warn you, the other guys never come home alone, and most of the action takes place right up front.”

I turn and peer down the hall at the two swivel seats and tiny love seat and shudder. No way do I want to witness the guys’ sexual escapades out there. I sigh and drop my arms. “Fine. But so help me, if you touch me, I’ll punch you square in the balls.”

He laughs and pats the spot beside him. “I’ll be a gentleman. I promise.”

Reluctantly, I walk over and slide under the covers next to Noel. The full size bed doesn’t exactly leave much space between us, so I scoot as close to the edge as I can get and roll on my side away from him. 

The light flicks off, and the bed shakes as Noel settles down on his pillow. It’s quiet. Too quiet actually. With nothing to distract me, all I can think about is how close his body is to mine. How if I wanted, I could roll over and have amazing sex with this man.