* * *

(1)

The first time lead singer of Willow Son - Colby - met a beautiful woman named Tessa, he was crashing at some hotel, in some city, because that’s just what rockstars did. He was hell bent on taking his anger out on the world that seemed to have a knife deep in his back that he couldn’t reach. Understanding the limits of the law all to well, Colby was left with one choice - to use music as his way to show how pissed off he was.

The night began three miles from the hotel at a hibachi restaurant.

The entire band who made up Willow Son - Colby, Jett, Ryker, Van, and Brantley - sat on one part of the long table with their manager, Harry, with a group of record executives and lawyers seated on the other side.

No matter what the conversation was supposed to be about, the concept remained the same. Willow Son was officially dropped from their label. That meant no support on anything. No studio time. No marketing. No touring. They were just a band now. Sure, they were a band that toured the world, sold millions of albums, and lived the truest of all rockstar lives, but they were now reduced to just a band.

Colby knew they could get twenty thousand people to come watch them play a show, but who would put the money up for it to happen? There was so much bullshit that went into running a concert. It wasn’t just five guys getting on stage and playing some tunes. That’s what Colby wanted, but that’s not how it went.

Willow Son ate, drank expensive saki, and was feeling good as the talks went on.

“We are officially out of all contractual obligations,” Harry said, sales pitching the band to the lawyers and executives. “The record company has been split into several segments. It’s just the way the business goes right now. Can’t control it, right? It’s the animal of entertainment.”

Everyone kept nodding, listening.

“Our concern,” one of the men said - was his name Jack or something?, “is that we need to see the proof. If you have all copyrights to songs and material previously published, that’s a pretty good way to sweeten the pot, so to say. Now I’m assuming there’s some kind of royalty structure, unless you bought it all out.”

“We didn’t pay a thing,” Colby said. “They screwed us over.”

Harry put up a hand. “We haven’t discussed anything final. I don’t think the new company will want any…”

“And if they sell their assets?” one of the lawyers asked.

“Who cares?” Jett asked.

“Bro,” Brantley said. “Look at the writing on the wall. Our songs will be up for sale. Someone could fucking buy them and get paid for them.”

“That’s not right,” Colby said.

“It’s the business,” Harry said. “And Brantley is right.”

That’s when Colby stood up. His chair fell back and hit the floor with a thud. All eyes were on him. He looked around the table, waiting to unleash some kind of hell.

“We just want to make music,” Colby said. “We make good damn music that people want to hear. We’re built for the road. The shows with Gone by Autumn proved we still have miles to go in this business. We’re not cashing in and walking away.”

“And your history?” one of the executives asked. “Need I say more?”

“You’ve never made a mistake in life?”

“I’m sure my mistakes compared to yours are far different, Colby.”

Colby made fists and started down the table. He was going to punch the cocky executive in the face and then blame the saki.

“Let’s just stay on course,” Harry said, trying to save the night.

“Fuck this,” Colby said.

He turned and walked.

Jett grabbed for his arm and Colby dodged it. Ryker managed to get him and Colby spun, showing the guitarist his fist.

“Want to do it?” he asked.

As Colby left the restaurant, he stopped at the bar and ordered a bottle of beer. The bartender asked for his autograph and Colby signed a napkin with the restaurant’s logo on it.

Once outside, he sipped on the beer.

It took all of a few minutes for the band to join him.

Van lit up a cigarette.

Colby killed the beer and threw the bottle against the side of the building.

“What are we going to do?” Brantley asked. “I feel trapped.”

“We’re not trapped,” Colby said. “We’re free. Really free. Maybe it’s time we just… we just play.”

Before anyone could object, Colby was on the move.

He ran to the front of the restaurant and whistled for a cab. He reminded himself that it was just a few months ago they were riding in black limos and cars that were paid for.

In some ways, this was better. This was honestly freeing.

Colby threw a twenty on the front seat of the cab and held the door open, waiting for the rest of the band. When they started to run toward the cab, Colby smiled. It took him right back to the time they all ditched the town they called home in a cab and headed for something bigger. The road had been windy and sometimes potentially deadly, but they were rockstars. It’s what they craved.

It was about music. About creating and sharing music.

Throw in some good nights and wild women and all suddenly became right with the world.

The cab stopped at the hotel (paid for by the record executives still sitting with Harry. Suckers.) and that’s when Colby saw her. He didn’t know her name was Tessa right then, but when he saw the business dress suit thing clinging tight to her body, with a small, black suitcase behind her, a phone at her ear, she had his attention.

Then she turned around and their eyes met.

Normally to Colby, a woman was a woman.

This was different.

This woman - very beautiful with her amber eyes, dark hair, cute little nose and thin lips - was crying.

Colby couldn’t look away.

A woman this beautiful shouldn’t be crying. Ever.

* * *

It wasn’t exactly the worst day of her life, but it sure damn felt like it. Tessa was glad the meetings were over and she could grab something to eat and then get some sleep. She had to be on the road again by ten tomorrow morning. Next stop was another beach town in California for more meetings. Being a pharmaceutical rep was sort of like a dream job for Tessa. She had once envisioned a life of traveling, just not doing what she did right now. Her dream had been to be some kind of traveling artist. Find some skill and just live a simple, easy life. Of course, reality dictated something much different, so she could make a living and support her family.

Tessa chased the stress away with music as she drove her rental car to the hotel. Anything loud. Anything with guitars and drums and something that had feeling to it. Nothing quite like a woman in a nice business dress reaching back and letting her hair down - literally - and jamming out to rock music in a rental car.

This was sometimes all Tessa had in life.

At a red light, her cell rang.

“Hey Christie,” Tessa said.

“Girlfriend. Let’s get a drink. Something fruity that makes all the decent guys look really hot.”

Tessa snorted. “I don’t know about that.”

“Why not? Just one drink.”

“I know your one drink…”

Christie had become Tessa’s best friend through work. They were usually stuck together traveling and going to meetings, making sales pitches, laughingly competing for bonuses when the end of the month or quarter came. Christie loved her fruity drinks and loved to sleep around. She wasn’t a whore, she just knew what she wanted. She also knew that her life was on the road, so why get involved?

“You know you want one,” Christie said.

Tessa wasn’t sure what her friend actually meant - a drink or a guy? Maybe both. Hell, it had been long enough for Tessa. If she were going to actually track down the last time she had some physical enjoyment, she would need to scroll through the calendar on her phone. That in itself was sort of sad because she loved to memorize dates.

“Where are you going?” Tessa asked.

“Little corner spot called Halley’s. Heard it’s good. Lots of guys.”

“We have to be on the road in the morning…”

“We don’t have another meeting for two days. All that stuff is just guidelines.”

“Let me get to the hotel and then I’ll call you.”

“Liar,” Christie said.

She hung up and Tessa smiled.

The light was green and Tessa drove. She glanced at her cell next to her on the seat a few times. There was nothing wrong with a drink or two. Or maybe flirting with a guy. Casual was okay. Casual worked. Casual could be fun.

Her cell rang again.

It was her younger sister, Wendy.

Wendy was the middle child of the three girls. Tessa was the oldest, Anna the youngest.

“Hey Wendy.”

“Tessa!” Wendy yelled, her voice crackling.

“What’s wrong?”

“I need help.”

“With what?”

“There’s a paper on my door. I have to move out.”

“Wait, what?”

“My apartment. I’m being kicked out.”

“Why?”

“I… I’m a little short.”

“Wendy…”

“Please don’t start yelling and judging me right now,” Wendy barked. “Scott left me hanging and I’m trying my best.”

“Thought you picked up a second job?” Wendy asked.

“I lost it.”

“How?”

“I never showed up.”

Tessa pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. She stared out the windshield and swallowed hard. “Wendy, that’s not good.”

“I don’t care anymore, okay? I’m just overwhelmed with life. It’s not fair. You wouldn’t understand, Tessa. You travel. You don’t have a boyfriend.”

Thanks for that reminder, sister.

“Okay, Wendy,” Tessa said, always trying to be the calming voice of reason. What choice did she have in this? She had been raising her sisters since she turned nineteen. “You need to take a breath and find out what is owed. Then figure out what you have and what I can do.”

“I have forty-eight hours,” Wendy said. “Okay? I need a thousand dollars. Well, two thousand because my cell is getting turned off next.”

“Where’s your money going?” Tessa growled.

“Don’t snap at me! You’re not…”

That’s where it always broke down.

Yes, Tessa was not Wendy’s mother. Tessa was well aware of that. But when her father left all three of his girls and never bothered to care, it put a lot of the world on Tessa’s shoulders. And when their mother got sick and died, the rest of it became Tessa’s problem. Being nineteen, dropping out of college, and staring at a sixteen-year-old sister and a thirteen-year-old sister… it was a lot.

But Tessa managed.

“Wendy, you need to figure things out. I want the name of your landlord so I can talk to them directly. Text me the login information for your cell so I can look at that.”

“Are you kidding me?” Wendy snapped. “What am I… in prison?”

“No. But you’re not responsible to take care of yourself, are you?”

“Oh, that’s real nice to say. I worked tonight, got cut early because the restaurant was dead, and have ten bucks in my pocket…”

Ten bucks after spending how much, Wendy?

“I’m sorry you had a bad night,” Tessa said. “Just do what I said, okay?”

“Yeah, fine.”

Tessa took a breath. “Have you heard from your sister lately?”

“I haven’t talked to Anna in two days.”

“Okay. I have to give her a call next then.”

“I have to go. Scott is calling me.”

“Don’t get involved with him!” Tessa yelled. “Please…”

The call went dead.

“Shit,” Tessa growled.

She climbed out of the car and walked to the front of the hotel. Once inside, she stood at the counter, desperate to get into her room and draw a hot bath. Lose herself in some bubbles, whatever booze was in the minibar, and then get a good night of sleep.

The woman at the counter ruined all that.

We don’t have your reservation. We apologize.

Tessa heard the words… twice… and just stood there.

Tired. Annoyed. Ready to explode.

“So what do I do? Sleep in my car?”

“I can call another hotel for you,” the woman said. “We work with two others in the area. I can assure you, I will do everything I can to help.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Tessa wheeled her bag out of the lobby and back outside.

She looked up to the sky and it was full of stars.

No, no, no…

That was one of the last things her mother told her. To look at the stars. That she would be up there, waiting and watching. That when things got hard, just look up. Remember she wasn’t alone, no matter what.

Tessa swallowed and felt the lump in her throat. It wouldn’t go away.

She exhaled, her bottom lip quivering.

Her cell went off, again, and it was the damn hotel calling her.

“Hello?”

“Hello. Is this Tessa…”

“I’m right out front.”

“This is Jane. From the front desk…”

“I know,” Tessa said.

“Good news! We found you a room! It’s at one of our sister hotels…”

Tessa felt tears fill her eyes.

She turned, feeling embarrassed.

But she also felt watched.

She blinked, and climbing out of a cab at the end walkway to the hotel was some guy staring her down. Maybe it should have been creepy, but it wasn’t. At all. The guy was sexy. He wore an off-white shirt that hugged his arms and shoulders in all the right ways, jeans that were ripped in all the right places. His hair was messy, the right way. He stared the right way. Everything… the right way.

But everything about the guy - who actually seemed a little familiar - screamed one word.

Wrong.

(2)

Colby heard nothing. He could only stare at the woman as she stared right back. Her eyes were still glossy and she slowly moved the phone from her ear. He had plans for the night, but there was an obvious detour in front of him.

And there was nothing wrong with it.

He approached her with the same confidence he approached everything in life. It wasn’t about succeeding or failing, or winning or losing, it was just about living. There were plenty of times in Colby’s life when he got a drink thrown in his face. Or slapped across the face. Or even punched in the face because he hit on a woman who had a guy.

That’s just life.

You take hits and you keep living.

“Are you okay?” he asked the woman, gently touching her arm.

She cleared her throat and blinked faster. “Yeah. Fine.”

“I don’t like liars,” Colby said. “Don’t have time for them.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“I’m calling you a liar.”

“Then you don’t have time for me. Good thing we don’t know each other.”

“That’s something we could easily fix.”

“Hitting on me now? Please.”

The woman turned and Colby touched her shoulder. “Wait a second, pretty eyes.”

The woman looked back, a grin on her face. “Really?”

“What? Your eyes are beautiful. I love amber eyes.”

“Something tells me you say that to every woman you meet.”

Colby shrugged his shoulders. “It got you to look back at me, again.”

“Fair enough.”

The woman then squinted a little, opened her mouth, then shook her head.

“What?” Colby asked.

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Okay. So why don’t you start by either telling me your name or why you were a little upset just now.”

“I was supposed to have a room here. They lost the reservation. Probably gave it away to someone who paid more.”

“Bastards.”

“Exactly. No worries. I have another room at a different hotel.”

“Well that’s not good.”

“Oh?” the woman asked.

“You leave this hotel and my night is ruined.”

The woman laughed. “You’re pretty good. I’ll give that to you.” She then nodded to her suitcase. “I travel for a living so I’ve seen and heard…”

“Colby!”

He looked back and saw the rest of the band approaching. And with the band came attention. There were a handful of people already starting to move toward them.

“Ah, shit,” Colby said. He looked at the woman. “Hey, pretty eyes, we gotta make a run for it.”

“Run for… wait a second…”

Colby got closer to her. Stared down those pretty amber eyes. “Do you know who I am?”

“I’m not sure.” She looked beyond Colby. Then to the people calling his name. (The people calling the entire band’s names.)

“Yeah, we’re Willow Son. Ever heard of us?”

“No freaking way,” the woman said.

“Look, these people are going to go nuts soon. I’ll stand here and take it if it gets me a few more minutes of talking to you. But when I start signing stuff, it’s going to take a while.”

“You’re crazy.”

“No. Colby. Lead singer.”

He winked and the woman blushed.

“Hey, man, we have to move,” Jett said getting close to Colby.

“We don’t have security right now,” Ryker said. “We need to get upstairs.”

“Colby! I love you!” someone shouted.

Colby looked around. “I love you all, too!”

People whistled and cheered.

“They’re coming for you too now,” Colby said, and put his hand to the small of the woman’s back.

“You’re serious right now,” she said. “You’re really Colby from Willow Son.”

“The question is this… do I look better or worse in person?”

The woman grinned. “I’ll never tell you that.”

Colby reached down and grabbed her suitcase. “Come on, pretty eyes. Let’s move.”

“Wait a second…”

“No,” Colby said. He started to move. He kept moving, taking the woman’s suitcase. There was a good chance she could scream for help. Or attack him.

But he had a way of just knowing things about people.

The woman hurried to catch up to him.

Hustling at his side, she said, “My name is Tessa. And I can carry my own bag.”

Colby looked at her as they charged into the lobby of the hotel. “Tessa? That’s a pretty name. But I like your other name better, pretty eyes. As far as the bag goes, let me be a gentleman… at least once for tonight. I’m a rockstar, so you never know what you’re going to get.”

He winked again and Tessa sighed. She was still blushing as she hurried with Colby, and the band. The elevators opened, and Colby got in first. He put his hand out, stopping the door. The rest of the band got on.

Then Tessa stood there.

“Pretty eyes, what are you doing?” Colby asked.

“You’re really serious…”

“Look behind you,” Ryker said to her.

Tessa looked back. There were thirty people rushing the foyer. Security was there, but the two men were quickly overruled, as fans of Willow Son shouted and yelled for them.

Rightfully so, they were still fans of the band. It had been a hellish month already since the record company shutdown and split itself up. Just because Willow Son was out on the street didn’t mean they didn’t have fans. That’s what the record companies didn’t understand. They stuck their damn noses in spreadsheets and financial reports, forgetting that true bands and rockstars were built on the passion of music and power of their fans. What Willow Son put out on the stage was only given right back by each and every fan who cheered and sang back at them.

Colby reached for Tessa’s hand. “Pretty eyes, you have two choices. Get on the elevator with us or stay there. Either way, I’m keeping your bag.”

Tessa’s jaw dropped. “I…”

“Tick-tock,” Brantley said. “Pretty eyes.”

Colby hated to admit it to himself, but his heart was kind of racing right now. Of course he didn’t plan on stealing Tessa’s damn suitcase. He wasn’t exactly that crazy. Then again, he really didn’t want her to just slip away right now.

Kind of foolish, right?

But Colby looked at life the same - he went after what he wanted. No matter what.

Tessa finally stepped forward.

Once in the elevator, she rested nicely with her back ever-so-gently grazing Colby’s chest and front.

Van hit the button for the top floor and the doors shut just as the wild fans were there, smacking their hands, calling for Willow Son.

Tessa looked back at Colby.

He looked down at her and smiled. “We’re safe. I promise.”

She grinned.

Damn… pretty eyes. Pretty smile. Pretty woman.

* * *

Tessa stared at the blurry reflection of herself in the elevator doors. If she looked back she would see a band. A bunch of rockstars. Willow Son.

Had she not just listened to some of their music a few days ago? Had she not seen several articles posted online and social media about the band being dropped by their label? Rumors swirled that they were all in trouble again, led by the wild man front runner, Colby.

Colby… lead singer… and guy that was holding her suitcase.

Hadn’t she just been on the phone with Wendy? Dealing with Wendy’s personal problems of a life she couldn’t manage. And now she was on an elevator with Willow Son.

They were rockstars and their wicked pasts were nothing unknown or new. Of all people to casually run into, this had to have been the bottom of the list. It wasn’t anything but trouble behind Tessa. She figured they were probably the reason she didn’t have a room to stay in tonight. They probably showed up and demanded a room and got it based on celebrity status.

The elevators finally came to a stop and the doors opened. Tessa took a step forward and she felt Colby’s hand touch her waist. Any guy that dared to try such a slick move in a bar or something would have gotten an elbow to the gut. But Tessa let this slide.

Why? Because he’s famous? Rich? A rockstar?

“You guys go first,” Colby said. “Me and pretty eyes have to talk for a second.”

Tessa turned, moving Colby’s hands off her waist. She didn’t necessarily like the feeling of him not touching her, but it seemed very weird for him to actually want to touch her. There had to have been a hundred prettier and more willing women right downstairs in the lobby.

The band slowly filed off one by one.

Brantley, the drummer of Willow Son, stopped and eyed Tessa.

“Huh,” he said. “You do have really pretty eyes.”

Tessa felt her cheeks burning hot.

Brantley was gone, and the doors started to shut.

“Is this your floor?” Tessa asked.

“Yup,” Colby said.

The doors shut, and Colby reached out and hit the emergency stop button. The elevator made a jumping motion and then stopped. Tessa put her hands out and touched the walls. She sucked in a breath.

“What’s wrong?” Colby asked.

“You want the truth? I’m terrified of elevators and planes.”

“Wait,” he said. “And you travel for a living?”

“Yeah. That’s just how much I love my job.”

“What do you do?”

“I sell drugs,” Tessa said with a grin.

Colby raised an eyebrow and then backed up. “For real? You sell…”

“I work for a drug company,” Tessa said. “I travel the country attending meetings and selling to facilities, hospitals, blah, blah… trust me, nothing as exciting as what you do.”

“Yet you’re afraid of elevators and planes.”

“Exactly,” Tessa said.

Colby stepped toward her. “What about rockstars?”

“What about?”

“Are you afraid of rockstars?”

“I’ve never met a rockstar until tonight.”

“Lucky me.”

“Yeah, right,” Tessa said.

Colby put a hand to the elevator wall. “You know, if this were different circumstances, I’d be all over you.”

“Different circumstances?” Tessa asked. “Like what? Me being prettier? Skinnier? Already naked?”

Colby laughed.

He has dimples when he laughs. It’s so cute. But his face is so strong, stern when he’s looking and talking. I’m sort of captivated…

“There’s nothing I’d change about you, pretty eyes,” Colby said. “Just wanted to check on a woman who was crying. I don’t like to see that.”

“I’m sure you’ve broken hearts,” Tessa said.

Now it was her turn to try and be bold. She hit the emergency button and the elevator started to move down. It was on the descent now.

Tessa looked at Colby, waiting for the next move.

As much as she hated to admit it, this was kind of fun. If anything, it was a nice distraction from everything else in life as she rode in an elevator and flirted with a really sexy rockstar.

Colby walked to the doors and turned, crossing his arms. “Yeah, I’ve broken plenty of hearts. But I wouldn't break yours. Too pretty. Hate to see you cry.”

“What if I was crying over my husband?” Tessa asked.

“Then he’s an ass for making you cry. I would never do that to you. And I would never let you off the phone before fixing whatever was wrong.”

Shit. He’s good.

Tessa nodded. “And why aren’t you married?”

“I am,” Colby said. “To the band. To the road. I have a house. A really nice house. Up in the mountains in northern California. You’d never guess it, right? Up in the mountains, where it snows. Nice and peaceful.”

“Doesn’t match the get up,” Tessa said.

“Oh, so we’re judging by looks now?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Little miss business suit,” Colby said. He unfolded his arms. “You’re living a life you appreciate but don’t love.”

“And you?”

“What about me?”

The elevator dinged and stopped. The doors opened and a man stood there in a suit. He looked at Colby, then Tessa. He entered the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor.

That’s when Colby took Tessa’s bag and left the elevator.

She was in shock for a second, and then hurried after him before the doors shut.

Tessa watched as Colby walked down the hallway, holding her suitcase. She couldn't help but admire his ass in those jeans. Colby threw the suitcase and the handle popped out. The suitcase hit on the wheels and he kept going.

The elevator doors were shut, and it was on the move.

Tessa shook her head.

Am I really going to chase a rockstar down a hallway?

The answer was simple.

Yes.

(3)

Tessa caught up to Colby and grabbed for her suitcase. He let it go and Tessa was surprised. And confused.

“Look, I don’t know what you’re doing…”

“Just helping someone out,” Colby said.

“I don’t get it.”

“Nothing to get, pretty eyes,” he said. “Come on.”

They walked to the last door on the left and Colby took out a keycard. He flipped it between his fingers, looking oh-so cool.

“Here,” he said.

“What’s that for?” Tessa asked.

“Never been in a hotel before?”

Colby stuck the card in the slot and pulled it back out. He pushed down on the handle and the door opened.

“What…”

“I grabbed a room for myself,” Colby said. “Kind of something dumb I do.”

“I don’t follow.”

Colby grinned. He reached out and touched Tessa’s cheek.

Tessa begged for her body not to be on fire, but that was impossible right now.

“Look. I’m sure you know things about me. It’s actually kind of strange, you know? I meet someone who is a stranger. I know nothing about you except your name and your job. But yet you probably know tons about me. I’m standing here trying to figure you out, and you probably already have me figured out.”

“Not a chance,” Tessa said. “I’m in shock.”

“Okay.”

“Still doesn’t explain why you have your own room.”

“To bring someone here to sleep with,” Colby said.

Tessa felt her jaw almost hit the floor.

That made perfect sense. After all, he was a rockstar. He had the road. He had the band. And he had whoever he wanted, when he wanted. Like the women down in the lobby.

Yet he opened the door for Tessa…

“Oh,” she said. “Wait a second, Colby. I…”

Colby grinned. His thumb stroked her cheek again. “Pretty eyes, let me be blunt with you. If I wanted you in bed, we would have been there by now. I would have taken you to the suite upstairs. Talked about music and money. Offered you drink after drink. Played a song on my guitar and sung it so perfectly you’d be in awe. You’d jump at me and I’d casually walk down here…”

Holy shit…

Tessa felt her bottom lip quivering again. This time it wasn’t because she was going to cry. This time it was because she was getting turned on. Everything Colby was saying sounded so sexy. Definitely so wrong, but who cared?

“And you’re not doing that with me,” she said. “Because I’m…”

“How about I don’t know?” Colby asked. “You were crying. You were supposed to have a room here. You’re not from this town. Maybe you miss your friends. Family. Your husband, boyfriend, whatever. Take my room for the night. It’s all paid for.” Colby grabbed Tessa’s hand and put two keycards to her palm. “That’s both cards. No funny business. Just get some rest and whatever else happens…”

“Like?”

“How about I stop by in the morning and we have breakfast?”

Tessa nodded. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

“Good.”

Colby started to move. Tessa curled her hand around the keycards and then grabbed for Colby’s wrist. She missed and grabbed his shirt. Her fingertips didn’t mean to feel hard skin under his shirt, but she did.

“Just so you know… I’m not… anything…”

“What?”

“I don’t have a husband. Or kids. Or a boyfriend. Or…”

“That’s good to know,” Colby said. “I never walk away like this. Just so you know.”

“Well, now I know… and now you know… so what would you do right now?”

Am I really flirting with him? Am I really tempting him?

Colby looked down at her. His dark eyes were instantly addicting. She swallowed hard, no idea what to think or do.

“You trust me, pretty eyes?” he asked.

“I can’t answer that,” Tessa replied. “You know that.”

“What’s your first thoughts about me then?”

“No clue. I haven’t had a chance to think about it.”

“You don’t make quick decisions in life?”

“Sometimes,” Tessa said. “But that’s not usually… my situation…”

“I thought you didn’t have a situation,” Colby said.

Tessa cringed a little. She reminded herself that the sexy guy in front of her was a rockstar. He didn’t care about her life. He didn’t care about her sisters, them struggling, or that Tessa had been covering all the expenses for some time now. How Tessa wished she could just be free and work, and save, and spend, and whatever.

But it wasn’t that easy.

It was never that easy.

Just like when a guy like Colby stared at her, leaving her dangling on what was going to happen next.

“I have… whatever,” Tessa said. “I’m really tired. I was going to get something to eat, but I’m just going to crash.”

“There’s a room service menu next to the bed. Put it on the room.”

“Colby…”

“Pretty eyes,” he said. “I have no idea why I’m doing this. So just go with it. Promise me you won’t cry when I leave.”

Tessa smiled. “I won’t cry.”

“Are you going to take a shower?”

“Hot bath,” Tessa said. Her cheeks burned again.

“Damn. So that’s what I get to think about for the rest of my night?”

Or just stay here…

Tessa turned her head. Casual was definitely okay and definitely fun, but with a guy like this? What would possibly be casual with Colby?

“Whatever reason you’re helping me, thank you,” Tessa said. “It was a long day. And my night was pretty crappy. Up until… you…”

Tessa’s phone started to ring.

She cringed again.

“You need to get that?” Colby asked.

Tessa looked. “It’s the front desk again. Looking for me.”

Colby laughed. He slipped a hand to the back of Tessa’s neck. “It’s been fun, pretty eyes. I’ll see you for breakfast.”

Tessa opened her mouth to thank Colby again. What she didn’t expect was for Colby’s mouth to attach to hers. She saw him coming at her, but it happened so fast she couldn’t do a thing about it.

Not that it mattered.

Colby kissed her. His rockstar lips pressed against hers. They closed around her lips, and he lingered for a few seconds before pulling back. His forehead touched hers, and Tessa officially had no breath. She was in complete shock.

“Had to,” Colby whispered. “Just to see if it was worth losing my room for the night.”

Tessa nodded. “And…?”

Colby pulled back, took his hand from her neck, and started to move away. He looked at her one last time and grinned. “I’ll let you know, pretty eyes.”

Tessa watched Colby walk away, her heart pounding in her chest. Her hands were shaking and her mind was spinning.

She still hadn’t absorbed what had actually happened tonight.

What she didn’t know was that in just a couple short hours, the police would be charging down the hallway, looking for Colby and the rest of the guys in Willow Son.

* * *

Colby opened the door to the room and all eyes were upon him. Jett, Ryker, and Van sat on the couch with guitars, strumming chords. Brantley had a bass drum set up on the floor, his little obsession with making a drum set function anywhere he was.

The guys weren’t really writing anything. Or really doing anything.

They stared at Colby, waiting for him to say or do something.

“Drinks?” he asked.

“We’re stocked,” Van said. “Where’s your girlfriend?”

“Tired.”

“You wore her out that fast?” Jett asked.

“Take it easy,” Colby said. “Not like that. I wasn’t on the prowl. She was crying. So I checked on her.”

“She knew who we were, huh?” Ryker asked.

“Who wouldn’t?” Colby asked with a smile.

“We shouldn’t have walked out on that meeting,” Brantley said. “Not that I want to be an asshole…”

“I can’t hear it anymore,” Colby said. He approached the second couch in the large suite and sat on the arm of it. “I’ve hated the business for a long time. Suits and ties and lawyers… I just…”

“It made us famous,” Jett said. “And rich.”

“That’s the thing,” Colby said. “Does any of it matter if we can’t play? I mean, we’ve gone through hell and back, you know?”

Colby felt his heart plunge a little. He hated thinking about the past and dipping his toes in that water. He couldn’t go back and change anything that had happened. When they were young, they had been given way too much money and way too much power for their own good. How all five of them sat there right then, alive, was nothing short of a miracle.

“What’s our plan?” Ryker asked.

“I have no idea,” Colby said. “Wait for Harry to call. I don’t know what these companies want from us.”

“To change our sound,” Brantley said. “You know that. Offer something that will sell and be super friendly to everyone.”

“Which we don’t do,” Van said. “If we can’t do what we want, what’s the damn point then?”

“Yet we have fans out there,” Colby said and pointed to the doors that led to the balcony. “We were just chased to the elevators. People want to meet us, want our autographs, want new music.”

“Then we do it,” Jett said. “We just write and play.”

“Where?” Brantley said.

Colby stood up. He smiled. He pointed to the doors to the balcony. “Right there.”

“What?” Van asked.

Colby was on the move. “Right there. Right now. We go out on the balcony and play.”

“Dude,” Ryker said. “We’re eight stories up. How they hell are we going to have sound?”

Colby looked back. “How much equipment do we have?”

“Enough for an acoustic set,” Jett said. “That’s all we brought. In case those executives wanted to hear us.”

“Let’s do it,” Colby said. “Let’s get on the balcony and do something.”

“It’s too far up,” Brantley said. “The sound won’t carry.”

“Then we go down…”

Colby thought about it.

He could go back to his room and bother the hell out of Tessa. But she didn’t have a balcony. That room faced the other side of the hotel and didn’t come equipped with a balcony.

“It’s a good idea,”Jett said.

“Get on the phone with Harry,” Colby said. “We’re making this happen. I’m playing a goddamn rock concert tonight.”

Everyone started to laugh.

Van stood up and put his guitar down. “We’re going to end up arrested tonight.”

Colby snapped his fingers and pointed at Van. “Exactly. Live hard, party harder.”

And in the morning I’ll get to share breakfast with pretty eyes. With Tessa.

(4)

It was no shock that Harry flipped his lid when the band called and wanted to perform a show at the hotel. So it took a little finagling to get what they wanted. Simply put, Colby knocked on a hotel door and offered to trade rooms. Lucky for them, the couple in the room were on an anniversary trip and were fans of Willow Son. They traded their standard hotel room for the luxury suite on the top floor.

Who wouldn’t, right?

Willow Son signed some autographs, took pictures, wished the couple a happy anniversary and then told them to open their doors to the balcony suite and listen for the music.

It was close to midnight by the time they were on the balcony, ready to do something insane and probably illegal.

They ran extension cords in from the room to the balcony. Colby had a small stage speaker pointed out to carry his voice from the balcony. Jett and Ryker had small wattage amps, but the sound would do for now. Same for Van and his bass. Brantley had himself set up with his bass drum, an amp, and a mic. A snare stood between his legs and the rest was a makeshift drum kit. Not exactly what he would have preferred for a show, but it was all they could manage.

The balcony overlooked the front lot of the hotel.

Colby already saw people gathering, wondering what the hell was going on. A few were smart enough to realize it was Willow Son. They cheered and yelled for the band.

“Hey!” Colby yelled, his voice actually echoing into the night.

He looked back at the guys and nodded.

“We’re going to play some songs,” Colby said. “We don’t have a record deal right now but that doesn’t mean we can’t jam!”

What started as maybe a dozen people quickly turned into a large group within thirty seconds of the band starting to play. People were flooding from the hotel to see the band. Those with balconies near the band were out on them, watching.

Willow Son played through two songs.

When they stopped, the crowd cheered.

Security was out in the parking lot, pointing and shouting at the people. The entire thing was a big liability and fire risk. But it was rock n’ roll. It was what Willow Son did for a living.

Behind Colby he heard someone pounding on the hotel door to their room.

“We have to keep going,” he said to the guys, his voice half carrying into the mic.

The crowd started to cheer and chant for Willow Son.

They wanted more.

Colby looked off the balcony. Yeah, it was a small crowd, but it was something. They were getting attention. They were going to take some major shit for it, too. But it was worth it.

“Ready for more?” Colby yelled into the mic.

People cheered. The pounding on the door behind the band ensued. It was wild, crazy, and it was everything Willow Son had known.

Willow Son went right into another song. Jett and Ryker were able to take the electric sound that made Willow Son famous and turn it into authentic and beautiful acoustic music. Van carried the song with a heavy bass line, allowing Jett and Ryker to find their balance between main riffs and chords. Then, of course, in the back of it all was Brantley on the drums. He was a guy who could turn over paint buckets and turn them into an actual drum set. Colby thought this because he’d seen it before.

The band was great. The band was the dream.

They still had purpose and reason to be writing and playing.

Colby eyed the band, smiling. The hotel room door busted open as he turned and started to sing. He expected to hear all power get cut from the song. But he was able to keep going. The band stayed right with him. The people down in the parking lot held up their cell phones, taking pictures and videos of the surprise show.

When the guitar solos started, that’s when the power was cut from the show. The thing was… just because the power to the amps were dead didn’t mean the guitars were dead. Jett and Ryker kept playing. So did Van. So did Brantley. Their sound was next to nothing, but Willow Son wasn’t done yet.

Colby started to sing again, needing to really belt out the lyrics. He turned and saw two guys from security, two people in suits with name tags, three police officers, and Harry all standing there. Colby gave a wave and Harry crossed his arms, shaking his head.

“You have to stop!” one of the officers yelled.

Colby held up a finger. “Not yet, man.”

The officer pulled out a set of handcuffs and dangled them in front of the band. “Want to leave the room for the night?”

Colby had no choice but to succumb. He stopped singing and turned, leaning over the balcony. He waved his arms at the fans in the parking lot. The rest of the band stopped playing too.

“We have to stop,” Colby shouted. “Thanks for hanging with us!”

They guys threw their guitar picks and drumsticks off the balcony.

Colby retreated into the hotel with his hands up. “What did we do wrong?”

“Seriously?” one of the hotel employees said. “Disturbing all our guests this late at night.”

The officer put a hand out. “Simple question. Are you kicking them out of here for the night?”

The hotel employee - maybe some kind of manager - shook his head. “No more noise. Last chance.”

“Get that, boys?” the officer asked.

“We got it,” Colby said.

“Look, I personally apologize,” Harry said, stepping between the band and the police. It was what had been happening for years. “I was out at a meeting. I should have been here.”

“If we get called again,” the officer said, “everyone will be arrested. I’m not in the mood. Celebrities or not, I don’t care.”

As fast as the room seemed to fill up, it emptied out.

When the door shut, Harry locked it and spun around. He crossed his arms and let out a long sigh.

“What the hell am I supposed to do?” he growled.

“What?” Colby asked. “We wanted to play some music, Harry. It’s our job.”

“You don't have a goddamn job right now.”

“The meeting,” Brantley said.

Harry shook his head. “They’re not interested. They wanted the copyright on the old stuff. They were going to promote you, throw together a few Best Of compilations and just cash in. No talks of new material or touring.”

“Christ,” Van said.

“How the hell did you get this room?” Harry asked.

“Negotiated for it,” Colby said.

He went to the minibar and started to clear it out. He tossed small bottles of whiskey and vodka all around, including Harry.

“I don’t drink,” Harry said.

“You do tonight,” Colby said.

They all twisted off the small caps and Colby led the way, holding his bottle to the middle of the group.

“Come on,” he said. “We’re not giving up. We’re playing shows. If I have to use my own money, I will. I’ll go broke doing what I love to do. I didn’t trust those guys from the second they walked into the restaurant.”

“Yeah, I got that vibe,” Harry said. “We need something new and fresh. Where someone will listen to you guys. Actually hear the music and just…”

“Just get us in a studio,” Ryker said.

“Exactly,” Colby said. “We’ve been messing around with so much stuff lately. If we got some time to just stop and really write it all out…”

“Well, we have another meeting,” Harry said. “Two nights from now. Little beach town party thing going on. Kind of fancy or whatever. But the guy that’s going to be there heads up his own label. Not exactly huge, but he might be what you guys are looking for. I mean, the days of huge advances are gone.”

“What do we care?” Colby asked. “We could fade into the night and live comfortably. We want the road, Harry. We want to play, tour, and write. The whole thing.”

“Then be ready,” Harry said. “It’ll be the biggest meeting of your lives. Just don’t get hurt or arrested in the meantime.”

“I don’t think we can promise anything,” Jett said with a smile.

“Christ,” Harry said. “Got anymore of those little shots?”

Colby laughed and went back to the minibar.

He grabbed another handful of the small bottles.

It’ll be the biggest meeting of your lives.

Colby kept grinning. Maybe for the band that would be the biggest meeting but Colby personally looked more forward to the morning and having breakfast with Tessa.

* * *

Tessa was up and ready before seven. Even with the music, the police, and the entire Willow Son ordeal, she couldn't really sleep in. It just wasn’t what Tessa did. She knew how things usually went. There was a little bit of time in the morning for Tessa to have time to herself. That was before the emails started. The phone calls started. Her boss back in Seattle would start his nonsense of quarterly numbers, sales reports, leads, products, and the usual word dump he provided to make sure he was doing his job. And it was Tessa’s job to just listen and take it all in.

The coffeemaker in the hotel room didn’t work. The room itself was small and cramped. There was no balcony, just a window looking out to a beautiful morning.

Nothing wrong with getting on the road early, right? She and Christie could meet up and take a little road trip. Find somewhere to grab breakfast and then get to the beach a little early. They could soak up some sun before their meetings.

That was if Christie was sober and actually in her own hotel room bed.

Tessa packed up and then paused, wondering if she should wait for Colby.

Colby.

The night played through her mind again and it made her smile. Kind of fun and cool, right? To have a rockstar kiss her. To meet up with Willow Son. Not that she had any proof of what had happened, but what did that matter? It wasn’t like it actually mattered at all. She’d never see the band again, unless they were on TV, online, or on stage somewhere.

Tessa waited another few minutes and then finally left the room. She shut the door and went to the front desk in the lobby. She handed in the key cards and told the woman at the desk that the room was Colby’s. The woman gave Tessa a set of judging eyes.

“I didn’t sleep with him,” Tessa caught herself saying, again, not that it mattered.

The woman smiled and nodded. “Enjoy your day. Feel free to stop for a complementary breakfast.”

Tessa turned and walked toward the corner area where there was a buffet style of breakfast foods. She peeked around, waiting to see if Colby would be sitting at one of the tables.

Nope. No sign of him.

Which wasn’t shocking.

He was a rockstar. He probably either stayed up all night drinking or was actually arrested.

Tessa left the hotel and promised she’d check her phone when she got some time to see what happened last night.

One thing was for sure.

Tessa met Willow Son. She kissed the lead singer.

And it was damn cool.

The smile on her face faded as her cell started to ring.

It was Wendy calling.

Shit… she needed rent money…

The fantasy of the rockstar was now shattered as reality pushed through and won.

(5)

The car stopped in front of what looked like a garage. The driver hurried to open the door and Colby climbed out. He took off his sunglasses and looked around. It was quiet, desolate, a hint of salt in the air from the beach so close. He swore if he listened hard enough he’d probably hear the waves hitting the shore or crashing into the rocks.

“This is it?” Colby asked.

“My directions were to bring you here,” the driver said. He then looked around. “I’m a really big fan of yours. I mean, the band and everything.”

“Thanks. I - we - appreciate it. This is all just temporary. Shopping around some record companies until we figure out what to do next. I promise there will be new music and some shows soon. Willow Son will survive…”

Am I convincing this stranger or myself?

“Um, I really feel embarrassed here,” the driver said. “I could lose my job…”

Colby grinned. He held up a hand. Reaching into the backseat, Colby grabbed a guitar case and two bags of clothes and supplies. He opened one of the bags and took out a notebook. On a clean sheet of paper he wrote: Thanks for the ride! Keep rocking! and then signed his name. He tore the page from the notebook, folded it up, and stuck it in the driver’s breast pocket of his buttoned down white shirt.

“That’s…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Colby said. “You have any idea where the rest of the band is?”

“No, I’m sorry,” the driver said. “I was told to drive you here.”

“Okay, my man. You can take off.”

The driver got into the car and slowly started to pull away. Colby grabbed his stuff and walked it to the garage. He put the bags and guitar down. He grabbed the handle and tried pulling, but the door was locked.

“Figured,” he whispered.

He turned and reached down on the ground for the guitar case. There was never a bad time to strum a few chords and see what came to mind with things. Inspiration was a funny beast, showing up whenever the hell it wanted.

Part of the problem with Willow Son was that companies didn’t want to take the risk on a band that had been around for so long… because of the reputation… but they wanted a band that had something to offer. A double edged sword for sure.

As Colby strummed the guitar, there were a million things to think about. Every decision he ever made in life. From surviving a rough upbringing, to the night he got into a car that would end up wrapped around a tree with one of the passengers not surviving. That was the kicker in the Willow Son grave for a lot of people. The way it all played out. The only saving grace was that it happened long before the instant news of social media.

None of that was as important to Colby as what happened at the damn hotel.

He’d gotten up late and hated himself for it the second he rolled off the couch and scrambled to find a clock. The band ended up scattered across the hotel room, Harry getting the bed. Somehow, between clearing out the minibar of three rooms and jamming out - acoustic, to keep the management and police away - Jett, Ryker, and Van ended up making some new friends and had those friends in the room for the morning.

But Colby didn’t care. He hurried to change and get down to the room he gave Tessa. After knocking for a few minutes, he rushed to the elevator and went to the lobby. There he asked for a copy of the keycard. A woman gave it to him and warned him that someone had checked out earlier in the day. Refusing to believe that, Colby went to the room and found it empty.

Damn empty.

Tessa had left because he had been late.

The room was empty, and it bothered the hell out of Colby. There had been so many missed opportunities in his life that it didn’t really matter anymore. But that one did. Mostly because he never found out why she was actually crying. What put her outside that hotel at the exact moment. The way she turned around and looked right at him. How she pushed back at him and flirted.

And her eyes.

Pretty eyes.

That was the end of it all though.

Colby had touched the pillows on the bed, shook his head, and left the room.

Now he was miles away. Far from the hotel, the restaurant, and the entire scene with the balcony, the show, and almost getting arrested.

After playing a few more minutes, another black car pulled up. Both back doors opened and out poured the rest of the band. Harry got out of the front passenger seat. Jett, Ryker, and Van each had a bag over their shoulder, a guitar case in their hands. Brantley had a big, black suitcase and pair of drumsticks sticking out of his back pocket.

Colby stood up. “What the hell is this? I feel like I’m in a mob movie and I’m going to get killed.”

“Maybe,” Harry said. “My family has connections…”

“Shut up,” Jett said with a laugh. “Your family lives in Tampa, Florida. Aren’t they all vegans, too?”

“Killer vegans,” Harry said.

Colby whistled. “What are we doing here?”

“Little present for you guys,” Harry said. “Because when we get signed by Portis Millersen tonight, this will be something like home for you all.”

“A garage?” Colby asked.

Harry stuck a key in the handle and turned. He then opened the garage with a big grin on his face. “Not a garage. A place to play and live. To write some new music…”

Colby looked and had to blink ten times to make sense of it all.

It was indeed a garage, at least on the outside. The inside was fully remodeled and looked just like a loft apartment. It had a small kitchen, two beds, and it was wide open complete with everything Willow Son needed. All their equipment was there and set up.

“How the hell did you do this?” Van asked.

“I know a guy,” Harry said. “It’s yours for the year.”

“We’re just a couple hours from my place,” Colby said.

“Who the hell wants to write rock music in the cold and snow?” Brantley asked.

Colby did. There was nothing like a chilly night with a fire. Especially if he had company up there, too. But, hell, how long had it been since he had company up at his place?

“This is amazing,” Colby said.

“Tonight’s your night,” Harry said. “We’re going to the party and we’re going to meet with Portis. I have songs, demos, everything.”

“What happens to our old music?” Ryker asked.

“You can do what you want for now,” Harry said. “I hear rumblings that there’s going to be an open bidding for the copyright. I’m doing everything I can to fix it. To get it all back to you five. So it’s right and fair.”

“Everyone good with that?” Jett asked.

“With what?” Colby asked.

“Five equal shares,” Jett said.

“Why wouldn’t we be?” Brantley asked.

“He’s right,” Van said. “Right now, we agree to it again. No bullshit with copyright and creative efforts, okay?”

Colby got in between everyone. “No. This is not even a conversation. Willow Son has been the five of us from day one. I don’t care if it’s a lyric, a chord, or a drumbeat. It’s all part of the sound. The five of us created the sound, the five of us will get paid equally.”

They put their fists together and agreed on it.

That’s how they became a band in the first place. Agreeing to stick it out, no matter what.

Colby couldn’t wait to write in the place. With the door open and nobody around, it was like an oasis. Add to that the gentle sound of the beach, it was serene.

“Let’s hit the beach,” Ryker said. “See what’s there.”

He grinned.

The rest of the band agreed.

“Don’t get drunk,” Harry warned. “And don’t get lost. We have to be there tonight.”

“We rarely get lost,” Colby said. “And when we do, we always find our way back.”

“Usually in handcuffs!” Harry shouted.

They were on the move already. The five of them, Willow Son, off to hit the beach. Whatever waited on the beach, Colby couldn’t wait to see. There was nothing like the sight of a beautiful woman in a bikini.

He thought about Tessa right then. What she looked like in a bikini… that dark hair and pretty eyes… her body…

He gritted his teeth and sucked in a breath, coming to terms with reality - he’d never see Tessa again.

* * *

“Can we please go to the beach now?”

Tessa hurried to type. She had ten more emails and at least two conference calls she should have taken care after this email. Christie somehow just didn’t care about anything at all. She had the sales numbers to back it up. Then again, Tessa did too, but she liked to play along with the company. Her dream was to get bumped up into a management level where she could stay put in one place and make more money. Then she could send out emails and demand replies. She could sit in her air conditioned office and have conference calls. Bitch, yell, scream, and collect a really nice paycheck.

Tessa hit SEND and then cracked her knuckles.

“A hotel on the beach without going to the beach is wasted,” Christie said.

“Then go down,” Tessa said. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

“Yeah, right. If I leave you, you’ll work until tonight.”

Tessa looked at Christie, wanting to argue, but she just shook her head.

Christie was right.

Tessa set her eyes back on the screen. An email popped up from Wendy’s landlord. Some woman named Jane who worked for the management company that owned the building Wendy lived in. There was a laundry list of problems with Wendy right now. She was on the verge of being kicked out, even with Tessa sending in the past due rent payment.

As Tessa hit reply and started to formulate some kind of begging email, Christie’s hand appeared and she tried to shut the laptop screen.

“Wait,” Tessa said.

“No. What’s so important… wait, who is this?”

Tessa looked up at Christie and sighed. “Wendy. It’s her landlord.”

“What? Again?”

“She and her boyfriend had some problems. She needed help with money.”

“Again?” Christie said. “You can’t support her. She’s, what, twenty-eight?”

“She has nobody,” Tessa said. “It’s always been me.”

“She has to survive on her own. You know that.”

“I know.”

“If she can’t pay, she gets kicked out. That’s life, right?”

Tessa shut her eyes. “If she goes out on the street, she’ll get in more trouble. There was a time I really worried about her.” When Tessa opened her eyes, she felt that boulder of emotion rolling up through her chest. Only this time there wasn’t a rockstar coming to her rescue.

“I’m sorry,” Christie said. “I should just keep my fat mouth shut sometimes. I know that’s a lot for you to carry on your own. Can I do anything?”

“Find a decent guy for Wendy,” Tessa said.

“I can’t find a decent guy for myself.”

“You’re not even looking. Just playing.”

“Well, I can’t even try to look from this hotel room, can I?”

Tessa snorted and laughed. “You’re a hell of a saleswoman, Christie.”

Christie grinned, showing off her perfect white teeth. They were only complemented by her bleach blonde hair and really nice (and expensive) chest. And as she leaned down a little, those paid-for-tits (as Christie called them) pressed against her bikini top, ready to spill out.

“Yes, I am,” Christie said. “And now I want to go sell myself to the sun. On the beach. With you. We have about three hours of sun time before we have to shower and get ready for the dinner thing.”

The dinner thing was a company sponsored gathering between clients and salespeople. It was a huge buffet of too expensive food with some cheesy music and an open bar. It was a way of getting some high profile customers and potential customers all in the same room. Tessa and Christie’s job was to slowly work through the crowd, dropping hints at new medications, approvals, and what’s coming soon. That meant tomorrow would be a crazy busy day of answering emails again with lots of questions, answers, and follow ups.

“Three hours,” Christie whispered.

“I know.”

“Is the rent paid?”

“Yes.”

“Then Wendy is fine.”

Tessa gave up. She put her hands up and the laptop was closed. She went to her bag and found her bathing suit. It was a one piece with an open back. Not that Tessa worried about her body image (too much), but she didn’t feel like walking around the beach half naked.

Once dressed, Tessa found Christie out on the balcony, texting on her phone. She looked down to the beach and the water. The horizon looked endless. Nothing but water. Waves that crested, reflecting the sunlight. It was like a postcard or something.

Wish you were here for this sunny weather!

Tessa grinned.

Then something caught her eye. She looked, blinked, stared, blinked, and put her hands to the balcony railing. She leaned forward and squinted.

The sun had to be playing a game on her eyes.

Because if she was right, Colby was on the beach right now. Colby and Willow Son. The five of them walking in shorts and no shirts on. Yeah, forget the rest of the band, her eyes couldn’t look away from Colby’s chest, stomach, arms.

She shook her head.

“Hey,” she said. “Christie. Look at the beach.”

“What?”

“Is that… Willow Son?”

“The band?” Christie looked. “Holy shit. Look, it is. Oh… my… those are five really good looking men. I wouldn’t mind getting the rockstar treatment from one of them. Or all five.”

“Ew, stop,” Tessa said.

“Ew? Hello muscle… tattoos… rockstars…”

Tessa felt herself blushing and warming up. Not for the same reasons as Christie though. While Christie was fantasizing, Tessa had a little more than that. She had Colby’s kiss somewhere on her lips.

“Come on,” Christie said. “We should go get their autographs. And numbers.”

Tessa wanted to say something but held back. She just went for the ride.

In the back of her mind, she couldn’t care about an autograph. She wanted to make up for lost time between her and Colby.

If he remembered her.

(6)

Colby needed a drink. Bad. The room was too dark and at times it got too damn loud. There was a mix between a band and a DJ. The banquet room wasn’t exactly all that big either. What it was though, was a bunch of music people hanging around, getting drunk, trying to figure out what band was the greatest band in the world.

Portis Millersen had already introduced himself twice to the guys, and promised Harry some time to talk three times. It was almost sad and feeble watching Harry chase the guy around. And it was all for show. Portis knew he had something Harry wanted and liked the attention. That alone pissed Colby off to the point where he wanted to just say fuck this and walk out.

An idea struck him though and he went to round up the guys.

Ryker and Jett were sitting at a table, talking to women. Big shock there. Not that Colby could blame them. The women at the place were simply gorgeous. All wearing glittering dresses that were low-cut in the back, the front, sometimes both. A few of the black dresses were pulled up so high, it was impossible not to stare and wonder if you were going to see the bare curve of a woman’s ass.

Van walked to the table with a fresh beer and Brantley stood with his arms folded.

This was definitely not the scene meant for Willow Son.

“This almost makes me want to scream,” Brantley said as Colby approached.

“You and me both,” Colby said. “We need to stir things up a little.”

“How so?” Brantley asked.

Colby pointed to the stage and nodded. “Right there. We gotta get up on that stage and play.”

“In the middle of the DJ’s set?”

Colby laughed. He looked back and nodded to the rest of the guys.

They were quickly huddled up, all agreeing on storming the stage. Welcomed or not, it didn’t freaking matter, now did it?

The house band was good, playing some solid covers and keeping the guests entertained. But this was Willow Son. Another surprise performance. The one at the hotel had come close to the band ending up in jail, but what it did on the positive side was get the band plastered online. Fans uploaded pictures. Bloggers devoured the few videos available and shared it across the ‘net, making it known that Willow Son was still alive, well, and still playing music.

Now they needed Portis Millersen to sign them so they could get into a studio and out on the road.

A long time ago Colby learned a valuable lesson in life. If you want it, take it. If you fail, try again. Be crazy. Be insane. Dream. So if Portis wasn’t going to take five minutes to talk to Harry or the band, then Colby would make it happen. He would take Portis’ time right now.

There was a minute lag between the house band getting off stage and the DJ taking over for his set. That was all the time Willow Son needed to make their voices - and music - heard.

Colby led the way, and the band took the stage. They were set up in a few seconds, Ryker and Jett with guitars that did not fit their usual rockstar style. These were big jazz-like guitars, with semi-hollow bodies. One was a cherry color and the other a yellow-burst kind of color. But they were guitars and Rkyer and Jett were guitarists. Van wore the bass way too high up his body, looking foolish, but he smiled. The drum kit was half the size Brantley normally used.

But this wasn’t a rock show at an arena.

“Hey!” Colby said into the mic.

That got everyone to look at them.

“Do you know who we are?”

That’s when Colby saw Harry. He was waving his hands and shaking his head. Colby also saw Portis standing with a drink in his hand, looking surprised.

“We decided to play a couple songs for you,” Colby said. “I hope that’s okay.”

Everyone started to cheer.

Colby nodded.

“We know that Portis is a busy man. But we’re a busy band. We need to get on the road. We need to be rockstars. Sound good… Portis?”

Colby was calling the guy out right in the middle of the party.

Harry looked ready to have a heart attack. Portis was stout, eyeing the room. He then lifted his glass and gave a nod.

Colby looked back and nodded to Brantley.

“What are we playing?” Jett asked.

“Whatever you want,” Colby said.

Ryker hit a chord and the crowd started to cheer again. He then started playing a riff and Jett came in a few seconds later. Van and Brantley were right there next, the song in full swing.

Colby faced the small crowd and started to clap. He was used to commanding twenty to forty thousand people a night. There were maybe two hundred people in the room. Better than nothing. And they were all getting the phones out ready for more pictures and videos. It worked for the balcony show at the hotel. It would work now. Willow Son would keep themselves alive this way.

It was actually kind of fun.

When Colby started to sing, he scanned the room. There wasn’t a single person sitting or looking away. They were all looking at Willow Son. At the chorus, Colby sang hard and heard the crowd singing back to him. He sang the second verse and chorus, then backed up, and pointed to Ryker. Ryker balanced the wide bodied guitar on his left leg and started to rip a solo. It didn’t quite have that classic Willow Son screaming sound, but it was smooth and had plenty of gain to give it a good crunch sound. Ryker then stood, hit an open chord, and threw his hands up. The guitar rang out and started to slowly screech from feedback.

Jett and Van followed Ryker’s lead. Brantley stood up from the drums but kept his foot slamming against the bass drum.

Colby went to the mic. He then plopped down on the edge of the small stage and waved for everyone to get close.

“We’re going to sing together,” Colby said.

The people actually listened to him. Most of the people were all dressed up for the party. Men in suits. Men in nice clothing. Women in dresses. Some elegant. Some just plain sexy, borderline slutty. But they all came close to the stage, wanting to be near Colby and the band.

Brantley carried the beat with the bass drum.

Colby started to sing the chorus, looking at all the people around him.

Ryker hit the open chord again. Jett started to softly play the guitar riff for the chorus. Van came in with the bass a few times.

After singing the chorus twice, Colby then turned the mic around and let the people sing it to the band. Colby sang with them, but his voice didn’t carry into the mic. They sang it over and over, five times, before Colby took the mic back. He kicked back on the stage and stood up.

The band then exploded as loud and as hard as they could with the equipment they had to sing the final chorus three more times. They hit the last chord and let it ring out. Then as fast as they took the stage, they were finished.

Willow Son jumped from the front of the stage to a cheering crowd. Everyone tried to grab at them, pat their backs, take pictures. It wasn’t exactly the swarm they were used to on the road, but it was a great feeling. It left Colby’s heart racing, proving that the passion for music still existed in his body. The last time he felt this good was flirting with Tessa in the elevator.

Ahh… Tessa… pretty eyes…

Colby knew there were plenty of pretty eyes around him, but one stuck in his mind for some dumb reason. Maybe it was because he wasn’t used to not having everything when he wanted it. He should have just kept at Tessa that night and slept with her. Gotten it out of his system and moved on.

That was all the past though. It didn’t matter.

Colby had a one track mind right now. Nothing more. He went right to the bar, even breezing by Portis. He did it to be a complete dick to the guy who could possibly help save Willow Son’s career. But Willow Son was a band built on bad attitudes and good music. They weren’t going to just be pushed around by anyone.

Colby ordered a drink, and the band was right there with him. They ordered drinks too. They all just stood there, casually looking at each other, waiting for Portis to make his move.

When Portis did finally stand next to Colby, they exchanged head nods.

“That’s quite the move,” Portis said.

“That’s what we do,” Colby said. “We play music. The business talk is left for Harry. But we’re ready to record and hit the road.”

“Nobody said I was ready to sign,” Portis replied.

“Nobody said we were either,” Colby said. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to finish my drink and get back on that stage.”

“Not without my approval.”

“I don’t give a shit about your approval.”

Portis raised an eyebrow. “You don’t give a shit…”

“Never have and never will,” Colby said. He downed his drink and faced Portis. “Look, I’m not going to sell you the band. Or myself. I’m not a whore. I’m a rockstar. I’m going to write music and play music. You want to be part of it, that would be amazing. But I’m not going to grovel for anything. I never have and I never will.”

“Pretty ballsy thing to say,” Portis said. “From a guy who killed one of his best friends.”

Before Colby knew what he was doing, he threw a right fist.

Portis was then on his ass, looking even more surprised.

Ryker grabbed Colby. “Fuck, bro!”

Colby shook Ryker away and walked away.

From a guy who killed one of his best friends…

How long was the past going to haunt him?

* * *

Tessa did her best to carry Christie out of the room to get her some fresh air. The three hours on the beach turned into four, along with a couple fruity drinks to match. That meant once Christie got to the party, it only took a few drinks to send her over the edge. There was a fine line for Christie between being buzzed and stumbling drunk. That line was long since crossed and Christie was now stupid drunk. Beyond stumbling now. She was barely able to walk, and Tessa feared she was going to throw up in the middle of the business party or end up in bed with someone she would regret.

Worst part? By the time they got to the beach, Willow Son was gone. Disappeared somewhere else. Which made Tessa think that maybe she and Christie were just imagining things. Rockstars walking the beach? Yeah, right.

“Come on, we need to sit you down,” Tessa said.

“I’m… happy…”

“I know you are,” Tessa said.

She sat Christie down and let out a sigh. Tessa grabbed the end of Christie’s dress and pulled it down. She had no idea how drunk she was, and the last thing Tessa wanted was for Christie to show parts of her body off.

“You need some water and air,” Tessa said.

“I’m good,” Christie said. She looked at Tessa, her eyes almost rolling in circles. “I need… there’s talking…”

“We’ve done enough talking.”

“Never enough.”

“Just relax,” Tessa said. She looked around the hallway. “Stay here, Christie. I’m going to get you some water.”

“Yeah.”

Tessa went back into the party. She was basically done with it all right now. They had met people, talked, exchanged ideas and business cards. The usual stuff. Tessa would follow up tomorrow or throughout the week.

She got two bottles of water and rushed back out of the hall.

Christie was on her back, on a leather couch, giggling. One leg was on the floor, her dress wide open. There was a guy standing there, too.

Tessa rushed over just as the guy reached down and touched Christie’s leg.

“Don’t touch her,” Tessa said.

The guy looked back. “I’m fixing her dress so nobody else sees her…”

Tessa met eyes with the guy, and she dropped the bottle of water.

“Hey,” he said. “Pretty eyes…”

Holyshit… Colby is here…

(7)

Colby left the room and just kept going, down the hall, trying to catch his breath a little. Trying to calm his nerves and trying to chase away the shit comment Portis had made to him. Sometimes people were best off keeping their mouths shut when they didn’t understand the truth.

When Colby saw a woman obviously drunk swaying back and forth on a couch, he went to her rescue. Truth, he went to see just how drunk. Maybe drunk enough for some fun, but not drunk enough to get sick.

“You okay?” he asked the woman.

She looked at him and reached for him. “I know you.”

“You know me?”

“You’re famous.”

“Yeah, I am. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

The woman tried to plant a foot to the ground and slipped back on the couch. She fell to her back on the couch. She wiped hair out of her face, laughing. Her legs were then spread wide open. Her dress pulled right up, showing off a neon green pair of panties.

Colby looked away, not wanting to look and take advantage of the woman.

“You need to get home,” Colby said. “You have a phone I can use to help get you home?”

The woman kept giggling.

Colby reached down to touch her leg. He went for her dress to pull it down and keep anyone else from seeing her panties.

That’s when he heard her voice.

“Don’t touch her.”

Colby looked back. “I’m fixing her dress so nobody else sees her…”

He smiled when Tessa realized who it was. She was holding a bottle of water and dropped it.

“Hey,” Colby said. “Pretty eyes…”

“Colby,” Tessa said. “What are you doing here?”

“Getting into trouble. Is this your friend?”

“Yeah. That’s Christie.”

“She’s a little drunk, huh?”

“Just a little.”

Colby grabbed the water from the floor and helped to sit Christie up. He made her drink the water.

She took a few mouthfuls and then said, “I love your music. And you. You’re sexy.”

“Thanks,” Colby said. “I appreciate that.” He looked back at Tessa. “You’re staying local?”

“Five minutes away,” Tessa said.

“Okay. She just needs to sleep it off. She’ll be fine.”

Colby stood back up. Christie sat there, drinking the water.

“How much did you have to drink?” Colby asked Tessa.

“Why? Want to take home two drunk women?”

Colby raised an eyebrow. “Hmm… now that you mention it…”

“Ew,” Tessa said.

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Everything,” Tessa said. She pushed by Colby and looked down at Christie. “Come on. We have to get a ride back to the hotel. I’m done with tonight.”

Colby easily sensed how annoyed Tessa was. It was actually kind of sexy. Along with the black dress that hugged her body in all the right places.

“Tell you what,” Colby said. He gently touched Tessa’s arm and turned her around.

“What?” Tessa snapped.

Colby put his hands up. “Feisty tonight.”

“Sorry,” Tessa said. She let out a shaky sigh. “I’m just…”

Colby took Tessa by the shoulders. “Look at me, pretty eyes.” Tessa did. “I’ll have one of my guys take her to the hotel. Make sure she gets into bed and falls asleep. That way you can stay here with me. You can come to my party, if I’m still allowed in.”

“Why wouldn’t you be allowed in?” Tessa asked.

“Well, we’re supposed to have a meeting with a guy who could possibly sign the band to a new deal. But he pissed me off and I punched him in the mouth.”

“What?”

Colby laughed. “I’ll tell you about it over a drink. Deal?”

“I can’t leave her,” Tessa said.

“Pretty eyes. She’s going to crash. She’s going to wake up and feel like shit. She’s fine. Something tells me you’ve dealt with this before.”

“Yeah, I have,” Tessa said.

“Then don’t deal with it tonight. I have guys waiting outside for the band. Private cars. The drivers do what we say. It’s nothing they haven’t handled before.”

“Transporting drunk women for your enjoyment?”

“I’m not going to enjoy your drunk friend, Tessa. I’m going to enjoy you.”

“You called me Tessa. You never called me my name the first time we met.”

“I guess I’m full of surprises.”

Colby still couldn’t wrap his mind around running into Tessa again. Hundreds of miles away. Looking more beautiful than the first time he saw her.

“Fine,” Tessa said.

Colby hurried to make one phone call. He then helped Christie to her feet and they got her out to the car. She was already starting to feel somewhat better. Still drunk but not stupid drunk. Amazing what water and a breather could do.

“What am I doing?” Christie asked.

Colby looked at her in the backseat of the car. “Go back to the hotel and get into bed.”

“Are you joining me?”

“You never know. Just do that, okay?”

Colby shut the door and called the driver over. He gave the guy strict orders. Get Christie into bed. Get her some water and medicine for her pending headache. And wait for her to fall asleep. Colby warned that if the driver even thought about touching Christie, he’d cut his hands off.

The driver knew better though.

A few seconds later, the car was driving out of the parking lot.

Colby turned and smiled. “There. Problem solved.”

Tessa smiled. “I can’t believe this.”

Colby took Tessa by the hand. “Neither can I. The first thing I want to know is why you bailed on breakfast.”

Standing under the lights of the front of the building Colby saw color rush to Tessa’s cheeks.

“I… thought you were arrested.”

“Almost. I was really annoyed when you weren’t there. It’s been driving me crazy.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I gave you my room for the night. All I thought about was breakfast with you the next morning.”

“Colby… you don’t have to play games with me.”

“I’m not,” Colby said. “If I was playing games, I’d be in the car with your friend right now. But I want to be right here, right with you. We’re here again, pretty eyes. Together. I’m not wasting tonight. Come on.”

“Where are we going?” Tessa asked.

Colby grinned. “I should probably apologize to the guy I punched. Then I’m going to get up on a stage and play a song for you. Front row at a Willow Son show. Just for you.”

Colby knew it was going to take balls to walk right back into the party like nothing had happened. But that was okay with him. No matter what, he wasn’t going to lose tonight. Before it was all said and done, Tessa would be in his arms. It would all work out perfectly.

The band waited for Colby, along with Harry.

Harry was red faced and looked ready to hit Colby.

“How’s Portis?” Colby asked.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Harry yelled.

“What the hell was he thinking?” Van said, sticking up for Colby. “You don’t say shit like that…”

“I’m not going to change who I am,” Colby said. “Sorry, Harry. If you want a paper cutout band that does what they’re told, then call it quits with Willow Son.”

Portis appeared behind Harry, a black towel to his mouth. When he moved the towel, his lip was a little swollen.

He’s lucky I didn’t really get him, Colby thought.

“Back so soon?” Portis asked.

“Wanted to play another song,” Colby said. “Provide good entertainment for your party.”

Portis nodded. “Do you always punch people in the face who are interested in helping you?”

“Do you always ask shit questions that you know nothing about?”

“We’re going to have a wild ride, aren’t we?” Portis asked, looking at Harry.

“Rockstars,” Harry said.

“Tell you what,” Portis said. “I’m going to go finish up another drink. Finish a few conversations. Willow Son can take the stage again for one more song. After that, we all sit down at my apartment - overlooking the water - and discuss some things.”

“Deal,” Harry said, before anyone could mess it up.

Colby just stood silent.

He looked at Tessa. “Guess I’m going to play now. You ready for tonight?”

“It’s just one song,” Tessa teased.

Colby inched closer, his lips grazing her cheek up to her ear. “No, pretty eyes, that’s where you’re very wrong. This night is just beginning with one song…”

* * *

How’s it going to end?

That’s what ran through Tessa’s mind as she stood frozen like ice, shivering on the outside but raging with fire on the inside.

Colby gently pressed his lips to her cheek, kissing her, then pulling away. He stared at her for a few seconds, which to Tessa, could have been hours.

"So are we going to do this?" Ryker asked.

"I'm ready," Colby said.

Tessa stood there, very much out of place, but very excited to be in the middle of a group of rockstars.

Her mind was racing as fast as her heart when Colby took her hand and pulled her into the room. It was full of people, and the second they saw Willow Son walking toward the stage, they started to cheer. While it was only a hundred people or so in the room, their voices and cheers echoed all around.

Colby looked back at her twice, smiling each time.

Tessa still couldn’t believe all this was happening. It was just a couple days ago she met Colby. And it was just a couple days ago she left the hotel with a little sting of loneliness in her heart that she didn't get to finish the night or the morning together the way he wanted and the way she fantasized.

If there was one thing Tessa truly believed in, it was fate. Her mother taught her about fate a long time ago. And after everything that happened in Tessa’s life she could only believe in fate. Even with it didn't make sense. Like right then, holding hands with a rockstar, being led toward a stage.

When Colby let go of her hand, Tessa made a fist, as though she could savor the moment and memory of holding his hand. She watched him climb up on stage and grab the mic. The rest of the band took to their instruments, and in a matter of seconds, Willow Son was ready to perform.

Tessa hated to admit it to herself but she was crazy turned on. Just the fact that in her mind Christie was far more beautiful – and willing - yet Colby couldn’t stop staring at Tessa. The fact that Colby helped to make sure Christie was safe meant something to Tessa. He cared. He had a decent heart. It made her wonder if all the rumors and stories she read about Colby weren’t as true as they seemed.

"We're back,” Colby said into the mic. "Is that okay with everyone?"

Everyone in the room started to cheer louder than before. That also included Tessa.

"The louder you all get, the louder we are going to play," Colby said.

Everyone clapped and cheered.

Colby looked down at Tessa, pointed to her, and smiled.

Tessa couldn't believe the rush of heat that went to her cheeks and quickly flowed down her body. Her mind paused racing for a moment just to flash some wicked images of her and Colby together. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like in his bed. After all, everything was just casual, right?

Before Tessa could think of anything else – naughty or nice – Willow Son started to play.

It was a surreal moment because Tessa knew the song they were playing. It wasn't the first time Tessa had been to a concert, but it was definitely the first time she had garnered attention from a guy like Colby. A rockstar. The lead singer of Willow Son.

She quickly started to move with the music, getting into the awesome sound. She hoped whatever was happening with the band, it would all work out to their benefit. They were crazy talented and within a minute into the song, it was obvious they were meant to be together as a band, and to be on stage in front of people.

Colby kept looking at her as he sang. There was something killer sexy about him when he ran his hand through his hair. He was definitely a true rockstar, singing as though he was in front of a much bigger crowd than what was in the banquet room.

The guitar solos were loud and awesome, and at the end of the song, while the guitars faded out, the drummer – Brantley - his own little solo. Then the band came back together and finished the song.

Just like that, they were done.

Colby yelled “GOODNIGHT!” and jumped from stage.

The stage was only a couple feet off the ground, so it wasn't that dramatic of a jump. What made it dramatic – to Tessa - was that Colby went right for her. With his hands touching her waist, he pulled her close. She felt the heat from his body, something hotter from his eyes. Everyone around was cheering loud, but the voices inside Tessa's mind were cheering louder.

She promised herself in that moment she would not hold back… No matter what.

That's when Colby got even closer, his lips barely an inch from touching hers.

He said, "Let’s get the hell out of here, I've had enough of being a rockstar to all these people. I want to be a rockstar just for you."

Tessa lost her breath, lost feeling in her legs, and bit on her bottom lip.

I'm never going to forget tonight…

(8)

Colby held Tessa’s hand again. He pulled her through the crowd of people. They were cheering louder and getting braver this time. Colby blamed the booze for loosening everyone up. Everyone wanted a piece of Willow Son.

Rightfully so.

Portis would be a smart man to learn that and scoop the band up as soon as possible.

“That was pretty awesome,” Harry said with open arms, wanting to hug the band.

Colby slipped by Harry without hugging him and went straight to the bar. “What would it take to get a bottle of vodka?”

“Excuse me?” the bartender asked.

“Quickly,” Colby said. “I have to get out of here.”

“I can’t…”

“You can do anything you want. Name your price.”

“Sir…”

“Fuck it,” Colby said. He reached into his pocket and took out a single hundred dollar bill. He put it on the bar. “Take this. Put the vodka on the counter and turn your back. Now.”

The bartender nodded and actually listened.

Colby then had a bottle of vodka in one hand and the hand of a pretty woman in the other. The night was shaping up just fine right now.

Just as Colby was about to bust through the open doors and give a quick goodnight wave to the banquet room, Harry appeared from nowhere.

Hands out in defense, a worried look on his face.

“Colby.”

“Harry, move,” Colby said.

“You can’t leave. What about Portis?”

Colby looked back and saw Portis at the bar. Laughing and drinking, pointing to his swollen lip. It pissed Colby off that him punching Portis was going to become some kind of story now. It wasn’t meant like that. What Portis said was a shit thing and he deserved more than a smack in the mouth.

“I’m not on his time,” Colby said. “You could be. I promised the beautiful woman a night.”

As he passed Harry, Harry grabbed him. “Please…”

“Look. You have the demos and CDs. You have the history of Willow Son. He’s seen and heard what I can do. He’s already made his decision on the band. Now he’s just trying to be a prick. I don’t have time for it.”

Colby shook Harry away and left the room.

“Sorry about that,” he said to Tessa.

“Are you in trouble?”

“I’m always in trouble, pretty eyes. It makes me charming.”

“You punched that man…”

“He had it coming.”

“Why?”

Colby eyed Tessa. He really wondered how much she already knew about him. “Tell you what. When you tell me about yourself, I’ll tell you anything you want to know about me.”

“I’m seriously boring compared to you,” Tessa said.

Colby led the way through the parking lot. They were skipping cars and everything tonight. They were walking right to the edge of the world. At least Colby’s version of it, which was the ocean.

The night was a little warm with a soft breeze. The sky wide open with stars.

A perfect night with a beautiful woman.

“If I’m boring to you then that means you’ve read about me,” Colby said.

He helped Tessa up over a small barrier that separated the parking lot to a side street.

“Do you know where you’re going?” Tessa asked.

“Not a clue. Just following the sounds and smell.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the water. Hope you’re not afraid to get that dress a little wet.”

Tessa laughed and tugged at Colby’s hand.

They stopped walking, somewhere between two buildings.

“What?” Colby asked.

“What’s your stance on fate?”

“Fate? I don’t know. I believe in this.”

“What’s this?” Tessa asked.

“Whatever I’m looking at and enjoying. Right now, that’s you.”

Colby watched Tessa nibble on her bottom lip again. He wasn’t having it this time. The first time watching it was damn torture. This time he slipped his hand to the small of her back and pulled her close to him. He pressed his lips to hers. Their first real kiss… and it was, in a weird romantic way, kind of fitting. They were almost strangers in a strange town between two strange buildings.

They kissed for a few seconds, and then Colby pulled back. “Let’s finish that up on the beach.”

“I think I can handle that,” Tessa said.

“Oh, pretty eyes, you don’t know what you can handle just yet.”

Colby watched Tessa gasp and then he started to walk again.

They got to the beach a few minutes later. Tessa took two steps in the sand and then stopped to take her heels off. When she bent to take them off, Colby watched the way her dress tugged up her body. The way it inched up the back of her legs. Her calves looked smooth and sexy.

Calves? Colby thought to himself.

He had no idea he had interest in a certain part of a woman’s leg. Then again, no woman he’d met in a long time was as interesting so far as Tessa. Just the fact that they met up again by accident meant something.

Yeah, fate. Right.

Tessa held her heels and stuck her hand through Colby’s arm. They walked up over a sand dune and onto the beach.

Colby took Tessa right to the water. He kicked off his socks and shoes and put his feet to the wet sand in the water. They stood there, letting the water splash up to their ankles.

“This is my favorite,” Colby said. “Of all things, right? A guy like me who loves the road, the noise, the fans. This… this just works.”

“The ocean?”

“The everything. The end of the world for me. Something about it is cool to think about.”

“You know this isn’t the end of the world,” Tessa said. “The world is round, rockstar. It just keeps going.”

Colby looked down at Tessa. “You know, when I usually give that line, most women lose their mind. It’s romantic, isn’t it? The end of the world. And you’re standing here with me. You want to kiss me again.”

“Your taste in women is wrong.”

“What does that say about yourself?”

“So I fit the bill?”

The breeze tried stealing a few pieces of Tessa’s hair. Colby reached out and tucked the hair behind Tessa’s ear. He then touched her cheek.

“Actually… you’re the opposite of fitting the bill. And it’s driving me mad.”

“Well, there is one thing that’s right,” Tessa said.

“What’s that, pretty eyes?”

“I want to kiss you again.”

Colby smiled. He turned and faced Tessa. He pulled her right in. Never a man to miss an opportunity or hesitate. Especially when he finally tasted Tessa’s sweet mouth. Her thin lips pressing to his lips, her tongue trying to dart into his mouth, but only losing control to Colby’s. He was in control and would stay in control.

But Tessa was fierce. She fought back, turning her head, groaning. She moved to her toes and dug a hand to the back of Colby’s head.

Colby had to admit it to himself how much it turned him on. To have a woman try and take charge like Tessa did. Normally women just went along for the ride. The only time they took any sort of control was when he told them to do so.

Tessa was damn different and it was intriguing.

As Colby felt his hand sliding down Tessa’s back over the curve of her ass, she pressed forward to him. Her other hand touched his chest and clawed. But then she started to push at him.

Ah, hell no, pretty eyes… I’m not having that…

Colby reached up and grabbed Tessa’s hand and tore it from his chest. He interlocked his fingers to hers and he was the one who broke the kiss.

“You pulling away from me again?” he whispered. “Leaving me hanging?”

Tessa looked at him, her lips looking so beautifully delicious. She then looked down and around.

“Shit. My heels…”

Colby looked and then pointed to the water and laughed. “Sorry, pretty eyes. They’re going for a swim.”

Tessa groaned. “I’m going to get them.”

She took a few steps into the ocean. Colby considered the sight of Tessa in that black dress, soaking wet. How it would hold to her body, showing damn near everything.

He stopped her. “You’re going to ruin your dress to save your shoes?”

“I don’t know what the hell I’m doing right now.”

“Do they mean something to you? Those shoes?”

“They’re not shoes. They’re heels. And yes, they mean something.”

Colby shook his head. He then tore his shirt up over his head and tossed it to Tessa. He took out his cell and wallet, putting it in her hand. He dove headfirst into the water, through a small wave.

What the hell am I doing right now? Jumping into the ocean for this woman…

Behind him, Colby heard Tessa yell, “Wait! I was…”

* * *

“… just joking…”

But it was too late. Colby was already in the water. He grabbed the heels, turned, and stood up. He could easily reach the bottom from where he was. The water was just below his waistline, leaving the top half of his body - no freaking shirt on - glistening with water against the moonlight.

Tessa begged to not let her jaw literally drop.

Colby walked from the water with a sense of confidence that made him impossible to refuse. The way water dripped down his body was like a dream to Tessa. It was like he had been cut from stone. His chest perfect, his stomach muscles endless. They darted down into his jeans, leaving Tessa’s eyes and imagination running wild.

Colby stuck his hand out and said, “Here. They’re soaked but they’re not lost.”

“You know what I paid for these?” Tessa asked.

Colby ran a hand through his wet hair. If he looked sexy on stage doing that move, it was ten times hotter with him shirtless and soaking wet.

“I don’t know,” he said. “How much?”

“Five bucks,” Tessa said. “I was just kidding. I didn’t think you were going to…”

“Great,” Colby said.

He grabbed his shirt, cell, and wallet. He turned, reached down for his shoes, and then started to walk away.

Tessa froze for a second.

Was he pissed off?

After a few seconds, she chased after Colby. She grabbed his arm. “Wait. Are you mad?”

“Why would I be mad?”

“You jumped in the water…”

“That would make me mad? What kind of guys have been you messing around with?”

“Not many,” Tessa blurted out.

She winced and blushed.

“Oh?” Colby asked.

“I mean, I travel a lot. So I don’t really…”

“Ah, I get it. You don’t get to know them. Just one nighters.”

“No!” Tessa yelled. “I’m not…”

Colby laughed. “Pretty eyes, I’m a rockstar. I think I can understand the idea of a one night stand and not judge anyone by it.”

“Is that what this is?”

Colby stopped walking. “I don’t know. Are we sleeping together tonight?”

“You don’t seem like the type to make those kinds of plans.”

“If I’m with you… there’s plans.”

That would have been a good moment for Tessa to push away from Colby. Maybe slap him. Maybe tell him he stood no chance in hell.

But the truth was that it was Tessa who stood no chance in hell. From resisting her urges for Colby. Because whatever was going through the rockstar’s mind was the same thing going through her mind.

Shit…

They walked for another couple minutes and Colby stopped next to some rocks. He looked around and then plopped down on his butt to the sand. He quickly pulled Tessa down. She almost collapsed on him, which wouldn’t have been such a bad thing, right?

Then again… she was almost on her side, her right leg over Colby’s. His elbows were in the sand, his sexy body still glistening with water. She touched his chest and their eyes met. It could have been the millionth time looking at Colby, but one thing was for sure - there was something there. Some kind of wild spark.

A spark so wild that Tessa bit her bottom lip and made her move.

She climbed on top of Colby.

(9)

Colby knew he didn’t need hesitate in that moment, but he kind of just wanted to savor the fact that Tessa was on top of him. Her legs open, that dress pulling up, a hand on his chest, pushing him back, the other hand in the sand.

So Colby just smiled, wondering what Tessa was going to do next.

She didn’t do anything else though. She was just there, leaning forward a little. Colby eyed Tessa up and down. Her breasts pushed hard against the tight, black dress. Her hair danced forward along her cheeks, making her look even more beautiful.

Colby touched Tessa’s back with one hand and pulled at her. He then sat up a little more so he could kiss her. There was no more time to waste for tonight. It would end soon, just like all nights did. Then Willow Son would be writing music, figuring out their damn future. Chances were obvious the meeting with Portis wasn’t going to happen tonight the way he wanted to. That would definitely set Harry off, but oh well.

Their lips met and lingered. Their eyes were open. Colby couldn’t believe how damn pretty Tessa’s eyes really were. Maybe the best eyes he’d ever seen in his life.

Colby kissed her harder, faster. Letting the moment slip away, finally. His hand slipped down to Tessa’s ass. His fingers pulled at Tessa’s dress, bringing it all the way up. For a second Colby wondered what color her panties were. He had seen Christie’s panties, not wanting to do so, and they were a green color. Tessa seemed a little more tame. Then again, sometimes the tamest in appearance were the wildest elsewhere.

As his fingers felt bare skin, Colby groaned. Tessa’s mouth pulled away from his for a second, the tip of her nose cutting left to right against his. Colby chased her for another kiss but Tessa kept pulling back.

Colby’s hand cupped the back of Tessa’s leg. He moved up and felt the tight edges of something lacy. That made Colby smile. Tessa wore tight, lacy panties. He traced the lines of the panties as far as he could reach, down and around, his fingertips digging at warm flesh.

“Colby…”

“Tell me the truth, pretty eyes,” Colby said. “One chance.”

Tessa’s eyes burned at Colby’s. “Don’t stop tonight. No matter what. Don’t stop.”

She put her other hand to Colby’s chest and put her head back. She pressed her chest at Colby, leaving him getting harder by the second. Colby kissed Tessa’s chest, from her sweet neck to her ample cleavage.

They were getting messier by the second. The sand was gritty and annoying. Colby’s wet body attracted the sand too easily.

So Colby sat completely up. He put both hands to her back. Tessa put her arms around Colby’s neck. They then kissed wildly. Like the sun was going to rise behind them in just a few minutes. Colby pulled at Tessa’s lower back, making sure their bodies were lined up. He felt himself throbbing, wishing he could get the hell out of his wet jeans.

Right damn now.

He touched her leg again, this time the top of her leg. Turning his hand, he moved right between Tessa’s legs. Touching those lacy panties, feeling the curve of her sex, the warmth pouring off her, was almost too much for Colby to bear. With his other hand he moved up her body, cupping her breast over the dress.

That’s when Tessa started to move. Gently rocking her body at his touch.

In the background, the ocean and waves were a soothing soundtrack to the night.

Colby slid up over Tessa’s breast and kept going. He touched the back of her neck and kept her close to his mouth. Their tongues were fighting one second, flirting the next. They would stop kissing for a second only to hurry and kiss again.

Tessa’s left hand clawed at his chest and started to move down. Her fingers felt so great against his body, all the way down to his jeans. She tugged at the button, opening them.

“Oh, pretty eyes,” Colby said, his lips gently touching hers. “Let me take you somewhere. I have to get out of these wet jeans.”

“Yes you do,” Tessa whispered.

Just as fast as Tessa climbed on top of him, she climbed off. Colby hated the feel and sight of it. He then hurried to stand up. Tessa did the same, too. Colby felt his back all grainy with the sticky sand. He grabbed his shirt and used it to wipe his hands off.

He then grabbed Tessa’s waist and pulled her close again. He then turned her around so she was facing the water too.

“Walk,” he whispered, as his lips touched her ear.

They walked down to the edge of the water. Right where the water barely covered their feet.

“Tell me something about yourself,” Colby said. “Then something you think you know about me.”

“I don’t want to ruin the night,” Tessa said.

“Then don’t. Trust me.”

Colby slid his right hand down the front of Tessa’s body. He flirted with her dress again, pulling it up so he could touch her bare, sexy leg. He couldn’t get enough of touching her. Of being near her. And, hell, he actually wanted to know something about her.

“My life is… just there. I take care of my two sisters. Our father left when we were young and my mother passed away when I was just nineteen. That left me to take care of my sisters. They’re grown up now, but they can’t take care of themselves. I think that’s half the reason I keep traveling. My job keeps distance. And sometimes distance is a good thing.”

Colby brushed his lips to Tessa’s cheek. “I’m sorry you lost your mother. That seems cruel.”

“Maybe it is,” Tessa said. “But I can’t dwell on it, can I? I can’t change things. I can’t go back in time or forward in time. I can just be here.”

Colby’s left hand, holding Tessa’s waist, gripped tighter.

Where has this one been my entire life?

“Tell me something about me,” Colby said.

“Well, I know you punched that guy in the mouth,” Tessa said. She looked back at Colby. “But I don’t… why? Wasn’t he supposed to help you?”

“Yeah,” Colby said. “He’s interested in signing the band. But you know what, pretty eyes? I don’t do what anyone says to do. Ever. I’m not going to be pushed around as a man or a musician. Plus, he made a real shitty comment to me. Hurt my feelings.”

“You can have your feelings hurt?” Tessa asked.

“My feelings were hurt when I saw that hotel room empty,” Colby said. “You were gone. I thought I lost you forever.”

Tessa reached back and slid her fingers through Colby’s wet hair.

“You don’t do anything anyone says to do? Ever?”

“Ever.”

“I’m breaking that rule right now then,” Tessa flirted.

“How so?”

She moved up and gently kissed Colby’s lips. Those pretty amber eyes shined so beautifully against the soft moonlight. But there was a fire behind them. A wild fire. The kind that kept Colby right there, waiting for the next move.

“Colby… I want you to touch me. Right here. Right now. And don’t stop…”

* * *

The words poured from a deep and sexy place inside Tessa’s body. She never did this kind of thing. This was the stuff of fantasy. Easier to think and dream about than actually have happen.

Colby was so different though. Not just the rockstar and famous thing either. He had a darkness and pain in his eyes that attracted Tessa.

“Sorry, pretty eyes, but that doesn't count,” Colby said.

“What?”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do either.”

Tessa felt her body shivering. She was aching for Colby in a way she hadn’t felt maybe ever.

“I…”

“Listen,” Colby growled. “I’m going to take care of you tonight, Tessa. So whatever you just tried to tell me to do… it was already planned on happening. Nobody tells me what to do.”

Tessa felt her knees slowly buckle. She leaned hard into Colby. She was completely his in the moment and it felt good to be like that.

Looking down, she watched as Colby lifted her dress. Right there in the open of the night, in front of the ocean. They were secluded and hidden enough that it didn’t matter; nobody would see them, but that didn’t mean Tessa wasn’t insanely nervous about it all.

The touch of his hand to her leg set Tessa on fire. She took a few shaky breaths, desperate to keep calm, but that was impossible. She was in the arms - and touch - of a rockstar.

Colby was gentle as he touched between her legs again. His fingers pressed to her center, over her panties. He made his presence known and then he kissed her neck. The flicker of his tongue, the feel of his lips. Tessa couldn't figure out what to focus on more… because as Colby kissed her neck, his fingers slipped up and into the top of her panties. His touch was smooth and fast. His fingers curled, pulling at her sex, touching her warm softness.

Just the feel of him down there made Tessa’s toes curl in the wet sand. The water rushed up and over her feet only to be pulled right back out.

“Holy shit,” she managed to whisper.

Colby pressed two fingers against her silkiness. He made circles, easing to open her folds. When he thrust a finger, penetrating her, Tessa lost herself to what her body so desperately demanded. She thrusted to Colby’s touch, wanting more of him, wanting him deeper. She pressed her back harder to his chest, stepped forward a little, arching her back. She offered herself to him, reaching back with her hands, gripping at his head and neck.

She knew Colby was just getting started, but Tessa was already getting ready to finish. She felt the touch of another finger, resting gently to the nub of her clit. Colby was masterful, the way he could be so soft with his touch, perfect and sensual, yet the allure of his bad side, the rockstar side, just lingering around like blanketing fog.

He continued to touch Tessa, moving so easy with her body. Letting her thrust at him, working with her body. Tessa was so engaged with herself and how good it felt, she felt the intense warmth building into what had to be the fastest orgasm of her life. She bit her bottom up and whimpered as the uncontrollable rush hit her.

“Ohhh,” was the only sound her body was able to offer Colby.

That’s when he plunged his finger deeper into her sex. That’s when he pressed his finger harder to her clit, making small circles. The sudden change of pace was too much for Tessa to handle. Her heels sank into the wet sand and her knees bent again. Her craving for relief was matched with the wild feeling of pleasure as she came.

Colby put his other hand around her stomach and held her tight.

His lips and tongue were back at her neck, kissing up to her ear.

“Fuck, Tessa, everything about you is beautiful,” he whispered. “The way your lips taste, the feel of your body. Your eyes… just… fuck…”

Yes, Tessa thought. That’s what I want now… you, Colby. Fuck… me…

The moment was then interrupted by Colby’s cell beeping on the sand behind them. They both looked at the same time.

“Shit,” Colby said.

“What?”

“That number… that’s the driver who took your friend back to the hotel… there’s something wrong with her.”

(10)

Getting back to the hotel was a real treat, but Colby managed. He put his shirt on and it instantly clung to his body. When he called the driver, at first, there was no answer. But the guy finally answered. As it turned out, he was just calling to say that Christie had gotten sick, but she was fine now. She was in bed, finally sleeping.

It pissed Colby off a little to be taken from the beach with Tessa for nothing. Then again, they had to get off that beach. The fire between them was growing too hot, too fast. And the sand was getting really damn annoying.

The driver came to get them from the beach. Lucky for Colby, he had years of experience on the road. Traveling meant finding ways to get through nights that were unplanned and crazy. He had a spare bag of clothes in the car waiting for him. Tonight was going to be very simple - he was going back to the hotel with Tessa. They’d pick up wherever the hell they wanted. There was still hours before sunlight and that meant hours for Colby to explore and enjoy Tessa’s beautiful body.

When they got to the hotel, the first thing Tessa did was check on Christie. Making sure she was okay. Breathing. Sleeping comfortably. Had a bucket and water. Everything as though Tessa was her caretaker. Colby just hung back, standing in the doorway to the bathroom, watching it all happen. The way that black dress kept clinging to Tessa’s body. The way her hair fell forward when she bent forward and how fast she tried to tuck it behind her ear, only to have it fall forward again.

The scene was too much for Colby to handle.

He turned and snuck into the bathroom, closing the door halfway.

He grabbed his cell and checked. No calls. No texts. He figured by now Harry had to have been meeting with Portis. Probably the rest of the band, too. Colby knew he was going to take some hell for ditching on the night, but it was so worth it.

“Hey.”

He turned and Tessa stood in the doorway to the bathroom, smiling.

Yeah… so fucking worth it.

Tessa was holding the bottle of vodka that Colby had taken from the party.

“I think we forgot about this,” Tessa said. She stepped into the bathroom and shut the door.

“Yeah, we did.”

Colby moved toward Tessa and took the bottle out of her hand. He opened the cap and took a drink. When he gave it back to Tessa, she took a drink and the sight turned him on.

“I’m going to jump in the shower real quick,” Colby said. “Wash the sand off me. It’s kind of getting into all the wrong spots.”

Tessa put the bottle down and then made a move to the shower. She turned it on and steam started to rise up in a few seconds.

Colby grabbed the bottom of his now damp shirt and started to lift it.

“Wait,” Tessa said. She was right there, almost pressing against him.

“What?”

“Let me do it…”

Tessa grabbed the shirt.

Without a protest, Colby let her take the shirt off his body. She let it fall to floor with a wet thunk, and then her hands were against his chest. Her nails were teasing, tearing down to his stomach.

Top that off with her pretty eyes burning at him and Colby had his own little slice of heaven standing before him.

For the second time that night, Tessa opened Colby’s jeans. Her hands fought against the wet denim, one hand sliding right into his jeans and cupping his thickness. Colby let out a soft hiss, his hands tight to Tessa’s waist. He slowly reached around and worked his hands up her back, finding the little black zipper that would help to take off the little black dress. He tugged on it, unzipping the dress all the way down to the small of Tessa’s back.

Her hand teased at Colby, staying over his boxer briefs, making him impossibly hard and actually uncomfortable as his thickness pressed against the boxer briefs, wanting out.

Tessa took her hand out of Colby’s jeans and slowly turned around. There was something about the sight of her back, the dress unzipped, the allure of so much temptation. Lucky for Colby he loved temptation.

He slid his hands along Tessa’s slender shoulders and brought the dress down her arms. Watching it fall forward left him gritting his teeth. When he unsnapped her bra and knew her breasts were exposed, it left him doing everything in his power to hold back and savor the moment. Somewhere in the close recess of his mind he knew they were going to depart in opposite directions tomorrow. And as much as he wanted to give pretty eyes Tessa a night she’d never forget, he also wanted to give himself a night he’d never forget.

That game played with the strings of Colby’s heart he wasn’t used to experiencing.

He ran his hands down her back and into the dress again, pushing it down. The lacy panties he had been playing with at beach were black. Tessa gently bent forward and let the dress fall to her ankles. Two quick steps and she was finally out of it. That left her completely naked except for the panties.

Colby took quick care of that next.

Along her sides, feeling the sexy yet subtle curve of her body, Colby grabbed the edges of Tessa’s lacy panties and dropped down behind her to take them off her beautiful body. At the curve of her ass, he gently kissed just above, making her shiver with surprise. Once her panties were off, Colby placed his hands to her sides again. He kissed the small of her back and inched his way up. At her shoulder blades he allowed his hands to explore again, around and up, seeking her breasts. When he found them and cupped them, Tessa put her head back and groaned. Colby looked down at her, their eyes meeting - again - and that spark shooting between them.

I’m in trouble here, Colby thought, but he wasn’t able to stop himself.

He released his hold on Tessa’s right breast and gently touched her neck. It was a subtle move of control and Tessa quickly put her hand to his, but she didn’t move his hand out of the way. She was succumbing to him and it was wildly turning him on.

With his left hand, Colby brought his fingers together and rolled Tessa’s thick, erect nipple. Tessa sucked in a shaky breath.

She reached back and hurried to shove Colby’s jeans and boxer briefs down. They were still wet, still hard to move, but she worked them down hard enough for Colby to pop free.

The second Tessa’s hand gripped Colby’s cock, that was it. He felt himself throb, ache, and as much as he hated to admit it, he could have come right then. The only way he was able to hold himself back was to kiss Tessa. To focus on her lips and tongue. To take command of his body and the scene all around him.

But Tessa threw another wrench into his plan.

Her hand didn’t just stroke his hard dick, she took her hand away and then pushed her back to his. That left his erection stuck between his stomach and her back. Warm, cozy, and it was Tessa’s movements that made him throb.

She slowly stepped to the right and Colby went with her. She touched the counter of the bathroom and thrust back at him. His hands were quickly off her body for a second.

Colby touched her ass, squeezing her soft flesh, his thumb digging to get between her legs and feel her true warmth. When he looked up, the mirror was completely fogged by the running shower. Tessa looked back at him. No words were needed with the look in her eyes.

“Ah, pretty eyes,” Colby growled.

Colby gripped the root of his shaft and guided himself to her sweet center. He touched, pressed, feeling her tightness. She thrust back, welcoming him, wanting him to fuck her. And that’s what Colby tried to convince himself that’s all this was. A good fuck. A really good fuck. Definitely not what he was used to on the road. And definitely not that kind where he would just go at it.

“Pretty eyes,” Colby said as he teased her center. “Are you okay with this? It’s all me…”

“Yes,” Tessa purred. “I’m fine. I’m taken care of. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Colby had heard that dozens of times on the road. A lot of women would have killed to get knocked up by a rockstar. Like scratching off the million dollar lottery ticket.

But for some reason Colby trusted Tessa. That, and he was so lost in the moment, nothing mattered.

He thrust forward, breaking her open, welcoming himself inside her body. He gripped her hips with both hands, pulling at her, making sure he was as deep as allowed. He pulled back and thrust forward again.

She was so good. So precious. So fucking beautiful.

And she was so sexy.

If it couldn’t get any better, Tessa reached forward and wiped the mirror.

The clear spot didn’t last long, but long enough for Colby to see her eyes and see her supple breasts dangling over the bathroom sink.

It was hot… literally and sexually.

Colby wondered if anyone had ever been this good in his life.

He slipped a hand around Tessa’s body and pulled at her, keeping her close and tight to him.

He thrust at her, entering her harder, loving the way she groaned…

* * *

Tessa was so full, she wanted to cry out but couldn’t find the breath. It took all her damn strength and might to reach forward and wipe off the mirror. Yeah, that lasted all of a few seconds, but they were an amazing few seconds. Seeing Colby behind her, his eyes on fire, the muscular detail of his chest, gently flexing as he thrust forward, burying his manhood inside her.

Pulling back, thrusting again. And again. And fucking again.

The feel of him, so natural, thick and hard, made her body ache and tremble even more. She never let men inside her like this. She was taken care of, that much wasn’t a lie. Her daily pill allowed her to enjoy Colby’s company like this. But it was more than that. She trusted him. Whatever the hell that meant.

His right hand touched just above her sex, fingers digging and teasing at her. He came forward harder and faster, making it impossible not to resist her deepest need to let go. To just be held and fucked by someone else. The need to always care was hard to let go, even in moments like these.

But then Colby touched her clit. The soft nub of her magic button, something that a lot of men seemed to be intimidated by.

Not Colby.

He went right for her. Touching, rubbing, his cock still working beautifully in and out of her body.

Tessa threw her head back and let out a long overdue cry of pleasure. When she sucked in a deep breath, it was all steam from the shower. There was something sexy about the hot water running and the steam, but it was making it harder to breath.

She dug her palms into the sink and thrust back at Colby. The steam made the porcelain slippery though. There was just so much to damn focus on. Let alone what was already the greatest sex of her life.

But it was for one night. One time. One night.

Colby put his other hand to her shoulder and gripped tight. Tessa turned her head and saw his big, strong fingers holding her. Of all the things happening around her, on her, inside her, this was the one thing that finally sent her over the edge.

As she started to climax, she bit at Colby’s hand, groaning as her deepest core throbbed with a burning pleasure that made everything tingle.

She bit harder than she intended, but Colby didn’t take his hand away from her shoulder. Instead, he thrust at her, harder, deeper, faster. Tessa felt her body becoming all his for the taking.

Then Colby slowed with a hiss. His chest curled around to her back, his lips pressing to her neck.

“Ah, fuck, pretty eyes…”

That was all Colby said before grunting and reaching his own climax.

The feeling inside her came almost as a shock.

The passion ran wild between them and became some kind of togetherness.

Colby held her, thrusting deep within her core.

Then exited her body… but he wasn’t done.

Instead of just being done and walking away, Colby spun her around. A hand was then at her cheek. A thumb grazed her lips. Tessa was so exposed to the rockstar, but she didn’t mind. It scared the hell out of her, but she wanted it.

Colby put his forehead to hers.

His lips fluttered, like he had something to say.

That’s when the bathroom door opened.

Christie stood there. “Tessa… I think I’m going to be sick again.”

(11)

The water rushed over Colby’s body. The smile hadn’t left his face yet. It was impossible not to smile right now. Right outside the shower, Tessa was taking care of Christie. The sound of her getting sick was like an animal dying. And each time she was done, she cried and apologized to Tessa. Kept saying she hated herself and she was never going to drink again.

Colby shook his head. He figured everyone made themselves that promise when they drank too much.

“Okay, time for bed again,” Tessa said.

She had managed to get a towel on her body… right after she pushed Colby away. He had jumped into the shower and just stayed there to get cleaned up.

Something had been brewing in his mind and Christie had fucked it up.

Then again, what was he about to say?

How good Tessa was? How perfect that had been? How he didn’t want it to be a one night fling?

Colby buried his face in the water with the hopes it would chase away all the thoughts.

It didn’t work.

But at least the shower felt great. Wash away the sand and the smell of the ocean. Not to mention the smell of Tessa. Her body. Her desire. Everything that was sweet and sultry, an addiction to his senses. That was something he couldn’t take along tomorrow.

Colby opened the shower door to find Tessa standing there in a towel.

“How’d that go?” he asked.

Tessa grinned. “She keeps asking if there’s a guy here. And that if she slept with him. And that if he’s hot.”

“She end up in bed with strangers a lot?”

“Probably more times than I care to know.”

“At least tonight she’s okay.” Colby nodded to the shower. “Shower is still hot.”

He moved toward her and Tessa put a hand to his chest. “Thank you for tonight. But we should probably… I mean… what’s done is…”

“Done,” Colby said. “No worries, pretty eyes. I’m not going to propose to you or anything crazy. Enjoy your shower.”

Colby hated leaving the bathroom. He hated that he didn’t sneak a quick peck to Tessa’s cheek. And he hated that she didn’t drop the towel before he left either. Just to see her body, again.

If only there was more time. Or maybe a little more of fate that Tessa had been talking about.

In the room, with Tessa’s friend passed out again on the bed, Colby looked around. He couldn’t make more time, but he could make the best of the time they had.

The second he saw the balcony, an idea struck him.

Yeah, he was about to cross some fragile lines, but who cared? That’s what he did. He was a rockstar… and rules were meant to be broken.

So were hearts… be careful, man…

* * *

Tessa enjoyed the shower, but she didn’t want to be in it alone. But she knew she couldn’t let the night turn into a free-for-all, right? She wasn’t that kind of woman.

Colby somehow left her teetering on being that kind of woman though. If they had some more time together then things would be different. Very different. But that wasn’t the case right now.

Turning the shower off, Tessa grabbed her hair and squeezed it, letting the water fall out of it. She then ran her hands down her body, feeling her own touch. Colby unleashed something deep within her. He made her feel good. Really good. He made her feel sexy and alive.

Outside the shower, Tessa wiped the mirror. “At least for one night.”

She knew tomorrow would be back to normal.

Christie would be drinking water and taking pills to try and kill off her headache. She’d wear big sunglasses and complain about feeling like shit. Tessa would have to deal with Wendy’s landlord, again, and then at some point get in touch with Anna. All that with a day of traveling, too.

That’s the reality that waited.

Tessa dressed and opened the bathroom door to find Colby standing there.

It wasn’t fair.

How the hell could he look so good?

His hair damp, his eyes like gorgeous stone. No shirt on, muscles in all the right spots. Wearing a pair of black jeans with a tear in the knee.

Tessa was instantly turned on, quivering between her thighs, her body tempting her to go for more of what Colby had to offer.

She knew all she had to do was grab at him. Touch him. Kiss him. He was a rockstar… he’d take complete charge of it all, again.

“You ready to catch some sleep?” he asked.

“Yeah. I, uh, I can crawl into bed with Christie. If you want the second bed…”

Colby grinned. “Now that’s quite the offer. Seeing you in bed with another woman.”

Tessa rolled her eyes and swatted at Colby’s shoulder.

Stop touching him…

“But… did you hear her yet?”

Before Tessa could respond Christie let out a long snore. Her head then thrashed left to right. Her lips smacked together, hard, and she sucked in a breath with another snore.

“I’ve slept on a tour bus for a long time, pretty eyes,” Colby said. “With the band, some of the crew…”

“Groupies?”

Colby grinned. “It is what it is.”

“Is that what I am right now?”

Colby put a hand out. “Wait a second here. I’m making a point. I’ve spent a lot of nights on a tour bus… but that sound your friend is making scares the hell out of me.”

“Well, what do you suggest?”

Tessa thought she was calling Colby’s bluff for once. Putting him on the spot and seeing what he would do.

What he did do was take Tessa by the hand and lead the way to the balcony door. She then realized that Colby had stripped the other bed in the room and put the sheets, blankets, and pillows on the balcony.

“Not bad,” Tessa said.

“You’re welcome.”

“One question.”

“Shoot.”

“Where are you going to sleep?” Tessa asked.

Colby frowned. He looked taken back. He looked down at the makeshift bed and then to the door.

“Fair enough,” Colby said. “I guess I’ll just cuddle up with your snoring best friend. Wonder what she’ll do when she wakes up and finds a rockstar in bed with her…”

Colby stepped and Tessa shot her arm out. Her hand felt comfort at Colby’s stomach, feeling his strong muscles. He turned his head and looked right at her. Their eyes locked tight, again.

“I was just kidding,” Tessa whispered.

“I know,” Colby said. “I just wanted to see what you’d do. You’d get jealous, wouldn’t you?”

Tessa shook her head.

Liar.

Of could she’s get jealous. There had been a lot of times when Christie was the life of the party and the wild one of the night who would take the hottest guy back to her room. Now it was Tessa’s turn, for once, to have a guy who was as sexy as Colby looking at her. The memory of their bathroom fun was still so fresh in her mind and making her body tingle.

“Don’t make a move on me,” Tessa warned.

“Like you’d stop me,” Colby said. “Want to go back to the bathroom again?”

Tessa’s hand curled around his pants. She pulled, wanting him close.

Colby came at her, taking command, again. His hands slipped around to her back, pulling her close, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

“You’re special, pretty eyes,” he whispered. “Come on, let’s get under the covers.”

The hottest moment of Tessa’s life had occurred that night in the bathroom. That was a complete no brainer. But the moment Colby gently helped her down, pulled the covers up to her shoulders, touched her cheek, her hair, smiled at her, that was the most romantic moment of Tessa’s life.

Yet it was a one night thing. Nothing else. How could that be romantic?

Tessa forced the thoughts away. This was just her and Colby enjoying each other’s company. He’d bolt in the morning and so would she.

That’s how this thing would work.

Tessa shut her eyes.

“Hey, Tessa…”

She opened her eyes. “Yeah?”

“The answer to your question is No.”

“No?”

Colby nodded. “You asked if you were a groupie. The answer is No. You’re not a groupie. I’m not exactly sure…”

“That’s good enough for now,” Tessa said. “Don’t fuck up the night.”

Colby laughed. “Oh, pretty eyes, you already fucked up my night. Maybe even more.”

Tessa smiled back and wanted to ask what that meant. But her eyes were so damn heavy. She just needed a little sleep.

The waves crashed to the shore as a soothing soundtrack to the entire night.

Tessa reached out and touched Colby’s shoulder. It was comfortable. But the truth… would Colby be there in the morning?

* * *

Tessa opened her eyes.

“No.”

She had her hand out across the bed.

Colby wasn’t next to her.

The sun was up, blaring and blazing. It felt like it was way too early to be awake. Reaching for the other pillow, Tessa had full intentions of hugging it and trying to smell it for anything that reminded her of Colby. The next time she’d see the rockstar would be online in some kind of article… or maybe in concert… or…

“No way. That one was complete bullshit.”

Tessa rolled to her right and popped up.

She had seen some strange things after hanging out with Christie for the night. Many awkward goodbyes. Many silent and smiling breakfasts. Hell, if she had a dollar for each time a fake phone number was given out following one of Christie’s wild nights, she’d be a rich woman.

Tessa wiped her eyes, forcing her mind to make sense of what she was witnessing.

Christie sat at the small breakfast table with Colby across from her.

Christie and Colby.

Christie… her friend who had gotten piss drunk last night. Who threw up how many times? And Colby… the lead singer of Willow Son. The rockstar. The bathroom scene.

Tessa shivered with a wicked warmth and pushed herself up.

Colby was still here, obviously.

She opened the balcony door and entered the air conditioned hotel room.

All eyes were on her as she hugged herself against the chill the of the room.

“Good morning,” Christie said.

“Hey there, pretty eyes,” Colby said with a grin. “Coffee?”

“Wait,” Christie said. “You call her pretty eyes? What about my eyes.”

Colby leaned over the table and stared as Christie kept her eyes open very wide.

They weren’t exactly close, but maybe close enough.

Tessa felt her hands clawing at her own shirt.

Another one of her questions from last night was answered.

Yes, she was jealous. Because Christie knew how to flirt better. Because Christie had picked out and purchased her own chest. Because Christie had a fiery personality.

All Tessa had was herself. She didn’t know what worked and what didn’t.

“Nah,” Colby said. “Sorry, sweetie. I mean, blue fits you. But Tessa… she’s got the pretty eyes.”

Christie pouted and blinked fast.

Tessa had to hide the urge to smile.

“Here,” Colby said. He stood up. “Sit, pretty eyes. I’ll get you some coffee.”

Tessa took a seat and Christie’s eyes were wide. She mouthed What the fuck? and smiled big.

When Tessa shrugged her shoulders, Christie laughed.

“How the hell are you standing?” Tessa asked. “I mean you were…”

“I threw up,” Christie said. “That’s the trick. If you drink too much, get it out of your system.”

“She’s right,” Colby said as he returned to the small table.

“Oh?” Tessa asked.

“Experience,” Colby said. “Not that I’m proud of it.”

“That’s why you stole that car,” Christie said.

“What?” Tessa asked.

“Your friend seems to know a lot about Willow Son. And me. It’s kind of creepy.” He looked at Christie. “The story of me stealing the car is a lie. A complete lie.”

“Online…”

“Lies,” Colby said. “I didn’t steal the car. The doors were unlocked. The keys were in the ignition. The car matched the car I thought I had bought.”

“You thought?” Tessa asked, not interested in the story.

“I wasn’t drinking or anything,” Colby said. “Just dead tired. We spent four full days and nights in the studio. I left the studio at two in the morning. Got in the car and drove away. Got to my place and the garage door opener wouldn’t work. Thought the batteries were dead. Got out of the car, started to open the door, and then I heard the sound of a police car behind me. Got arrested for stealing a car.”

“Holy shit,” Tessa said.

“Yeah,” Christie said. “The story online is way different. I read something about a high speed chase.”

“High speed,” Colby said. “The car was idling.” He laughed. “We worked it out.”

“How?” Tessa asked.

“It was the producer’s car,” Colby said. “So he stuck up for me. Nothing happened.”

“Wow,” Tessa said. She sipped the coffee. “This is, uh, good coffee.”

Colby laughed. “You don’t have to be shy around me. You weren’t last night.”

Colby touched Tessa’s shoulder and she felt her face and body burning. The color rushed to her cheeks at the look on Christie’s face.

“Wait,” she whispered. “I remember… the bathroom… I thought there was a guy…”

“Stop,” Tessa said. “Stop.”

Colby laughed.

His cell went off.

That was the cue that the night - now morning - needed to end.

“They’re going to send a search team soon,” Colby said. “I have to meet up with the band. Write some songs, find a label. Just another day in our life.”

“Sounds much more exciting than ours,” Christie said.

“Can you check on the ocean for a second?” Tessa asked.

“What…” Christie looked between Tessa and Colby. “Oh, yeah, sure. You two need a quickie to finish up?”

Tessa groaned. “Just…”

“Go,” Christie said and stood.

She went outside.

“So,” Colby said. “My car is waiting for me. Has been for two hours.”

“You didn’t leave?”

“Not until I saw you.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“You were sleeping,” Colby said. “And I wanted to take a shot at your friend.”

“What? Seriously?”

Colby winked.

“You’re an asshole.”

“Yeah. But she’s way too easy.”

“Ugh, right?”

Colby touched Tessa’s waist. “I like you better. So much better, pretty eyes.”

“I’m leaving this afternoon. Going north.”

“Safe travels then, right?” Colby asked.

“Yeah,” Tessa said. “I, uh, we… uh…”

Colby leaned in and kissed Tessa. She feared her breath would be rancid or her mouth wouldn’t taste appealing, but Colby didn’t seem to mind. The simple lip lock quickly turned into more. Colby touched the back of Tessa’s head, commanding their mouths to open.

They kissed for a few seconds and Colby pulled away. “See you around.”

“Yeah?”

“Fate, right?”

“Sure.”

Colby walked to the door and looked back. “Not that I want to mess with fate here… but I put my number into your cell.”

Tessa watched Colby leave and felt her heart tug. She knew the morning would come. She knew they’d split up like this. But she didn’t think it would actually… hurt.

Grabbing her mug, Tessa went outside.

The warm air smacked her in the face.

Christie looked at her. “You slept with him.”

“Yup.”

“A rockstar. The lead singer of Willow Son.”

“Yup. Yup.”

“I… I’m jealous.”

“Yup,” Tessa said and smiled.

“Just… it’s good he’s gone, you know?”

“Why?”

“The stories,” Christie said. “That band is all trouble.”

“Why? Because he stole a car once?”

Christie shook her head. “No, Tessa. That’s the fun story… the truth? He paid his way out of a pretty serious thing once.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

Tessa felt her heart racing, like she was ready to fight Christie. To defend Colby’s honor. It was a strange feeling.

“Not my business,” Christie said. “You could look it up. But he was charged with murder.”

(12)

“Walk of shame?” Jett called out as Colby climbed out of the car.

“More like walk of fame,” Colby said. “How many of you ended up with two women in a hotel room last night?”

“Bullshit,” Ryker said.

“Why would I lie?”

Out of nowhere, Harry came pushing through. A finger pointed at Colby. His face red. Sweat collecting at his hairline.

“You son of a bitch,” Harry spat. “You really fucked things up last night.”

“How was your meeting with Portis?” Colby asked.

“We weren’t allowed to go,” Brantley said. “So we came back here and wrote a song.”

“What?” Colby asked.

“He wanted you and me,” Harry said.

Colby shook his head. “No way. Never. This isn’t a lead singer thing. No.”

“Colby,” Harry growled.

“We’re a band,” Colby said. “The five of us or nothing. Let me hear the new song.”

“Wait a second,” Harry said. “We need…”

“Let me hear the new fucking song,” Colby ordered.

He walked into the converted garage and the band followed.

“Bro,” Van said, walking side by side with Colby. “I appreciate the love here, but if there’s a chance to get signed…”

Colby froze.

He was already damn grumpy. The last thing he needed was everyone up his ass. Seeing the look on Tessa’s face when he left stuck with him. He knew he should have just woken up and left. But then Tessa’s friend started bugging him. And each time he looked back and saw Tessa sleeping, he wanted to stay. To see her when she woke up. To see her hair a little messy. To see her sleepy eyes. To kiss her one more time, taste her mouth.

Fuck.

Getting close was a big mistake.

At least she was leaving today. There would be no more chances of running into her. If she called or sent a text, that was one thing. That was fine. But soon enough, Willow Son would be back on the road, in the studio, and all of these caring feelings would just fade away.

Plus, if Tessa got too close… if she wanted to really get into knowing the truth…

“You hear me?” Ryker yelled.

“What?” Colby asked.

“Bro, did you hear me?”

“No. What?”

“We recorded the song. Just to get a feel for it. I want to work on the solo a little more. But it’s totally solid. Jett really killed it with this riff… listen…”

Ryker hit a button and sound poured from speakers throughout the garage.

Colby stood, listening. His head quickly started bobbing. The song was explosive. Almost like a big middle finger to anyone who doubted the band. A minute into the song, Colby walked to a table. He grabbed his bag and took out a notebook. With a pen to follow, Colby was quick to start writing some lyrics. The pen flowed as fast as the words did. Yeah, it was going to be choppy as hell, but the song was still in its infancy.

The last chord rang out and Ryker killed the sound.

Colby was still writing.

Words were easily coming to him. The annoyance and slight anger worked magic sometimes. Annoyed that his night with Tessa was gone. Angry that she could type his name into any computer and get fed a lot of bullshit lies. Annoyed and angry that Portis wanted to talk to just he and Harry. As if the rest of the band didn’t matter.

Pulling the guys apart would keep them apart. That’s not how Willow Son functioned. When the world turned away on Colby all those years ago, the fours guys he called brothers - Van, Rkyer, Jett, and Brantley - were right there with him. Through the trial, lawsuit…

“Fuck,” Colby growled.

He put the pen down and was almost shaking. He stood up and the chair flew back.

“What’s wrong?” Jett asked.

“Get your bass,” Colby ordered. “Brantley, get on the drums. Ryker, Jett… it’s time.”

“Can we talk for a second?” Harry asked.

Colby looked back. “No. If Portis doesn’t want to meet with Willow Son, then he’s not signing Willow Son. I’ll pay for a show myself. Find a venue. Start planning it. Whatever we need to do. I’m not going to beg for anything. Want to know why?”

“Why, Colby?” Harry asked, crossing his arms.

“This is why…”

Colby got on the practice stage.

Jett and Ryker fired up their amps. Their guitars were already growling. Brantley hit a few beats. Van slapped a few heavy notes on the bass.

“From the top!” Brantley shouted.

He gave a four count and they started to play the new song.

It sounded better, tighter right now than on the recording.

Colby held the notebook and started to sing. The words that were so easy to write were now so easy to sing. A few words and lines really didn’t mix in with the entire song, but it was a good start. A damn great start.

Standing there, Colby used a pen to circle and scribble parts he didn’t like. A few lines mentally connected with him that would work with an acoustic song. Suddenly there were two songs in Colby’s mind. This was just how things went. This was why he couldn’t afford to spend time with a woman. No room for a relationship. Time right now was going to be spent bringing Willow Son back to the front of the world. They were rockstars, they were rich, but they weren’t done yet.

As they finished up the new song, Colby launched from the stage. He grabbed an acoustic guitar and plopped down on a chair and started to pick at the strings.

“What are you doing?” Jett asked.

“I have something here,” Colby said. “These lines don’t work with that song. Something slower. Something raw. Give me something, guys.”

There was silence for a few seconds and then Ryker started to pick at his guitar. The clean, electric sound with an echoey reverb effect worked.

Colby nodded, wanting more.

He watched Ryker’s fingers and started to play what Ryker was playing.

“Yes,” Jett yelled. “Go with it.”

Jett came in with a soothing and subtle bass line, adding more life.

Colby started to belt out the lines that didn’t work with the first song.

They worked with this song though. Goddamn, they worked.

The even newer song only lasted all of a few more bars before Colby ran out of lines. He waved the song off and stood up. He put the guitar down and ran a hand through his hair.

“That’s good.”

“That’s great,” a voice added.

Colby spun and saw Portis standing in the open door to the garage.

“You here to sign the band?” Colby asked.

“No.”

“Then get out.”

“Colby,” Harry said. “Take a goddamn breath, man.”

Colby walked toward Portis. Dressed in a suit, looking killer sharp, Portis had that look of businessman asshole that pissed Colby off.

“What do you want?” Colby asked.

Portis touched his jaw and lip. They were still swollen from where Colby punched him. “I came by for two reasons. First, I wanted to apologize for my comment. I deserved to get smacked for what I said.”

“Okay,” Colby said. “And?”

“Second…” Portis looked around, looked at the rest of Willow Son. “I have an offer for you. For Willow Son. I don’t think you’re going to want to refuse it. Want to hear it?”

Colby looked back at the band. They were all nodding.

“Yeah,” he said. “What’s the offer?”

* * *

“When did you move up here?”

Tessa tried to remember the last time she talked to Anna. It hadn’t been that long. Last time they talked, Anna was in Colorado. Working and saving, waiting for ski season to start where she claimed she could make a killing working at the resorts.

Now Anna sat across from Tessa in a small corner coffee shop an hour north of Sacramento. Anna looked strikingly beautiful with her dark blonde hair pulled to the left in some kind of sloppy yet cool artsy looking fashion. She wore black glasses that were too big for her small face, but, again, they looked cool on Anna.

Anna was always the smart rebel. The one who could mouth off, skip school, and still become valedictorian. The one who could have gotten any scholarship she wanted - to any art school across the country - yet she decided on just traveling and making friends for a while. That for a while stage was still going… Anna was now twenty-five. She was a grown woman. Simply beautiful, yet still a wanderer.

Part of Tessa dreamed of Anna going to school, settling. Finding a good guy and having a good life. The death of their mother was hard on everyone, but Anna was the youngest - the baby - and that terrible void of not having a father or mother lingered in her.

She was a free spirited woman for sure, but there was always a sense of hurt in her eyes. The worst part? Anna would never talk about it. She just went along with life and waited for the next opportunity to present itself.

Anna sipped her coffee and grinned. She had the same damn dimples as their mother did.

“Last week,” Anna said. “My friend, Carlie, got the chance to stay here for six months for free. We have no rent.”

“How?”

“We’re painting some murals. For a local park project thing. They’re restoring some stuff and Carlie got a call from a friend of her family. She suggested I come too and when they saw my work…”

“Anna!” Tessa said. “That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.”

“Yeah,” Anna said. “So I should get this done and then go back to Colorado for ski season.”

“That’s not going to happen though,” Tessa said. “You never go back.”

“I know,” Anna said. “I’ll see where I go from there.”

“You know how uneasy that makes me.”

“That’s why I didn’t tell you about it.”

“So you just surprise me by asking to meet for coffee?” Tessa asked. “I had to GPS this place and you’re just sitting here, waiting.”

“Hey, you travel more than I do.”

“I get paid to travel, Anna.”

“I’m getting paid for this.” Anna then smirked with devilish eyes. “At least you don’t have to worry about me calling for rent money.”