Dirty Deeds by Lauren Landish (34)

Jake

I hate the smell of cigar smoke. Sure, it’s got the whole alpha male mystique attached to it, but damn if most cigars don’t smell like burning dirty undershirts.

Tell that to Nathan, though. “We’re looking at recouping our investment and turning a working profit within six months,” Nathan says over a haze of his cigar smoke. Thank God we’re up here where nobody except security is allowed and the air conditioners can deal with his disgusting habit.

“Show me the money,” I say, sitting back and rubbing my hands in relief that this is going well. I was half-expecting for us to fall flat on our faces. I knew the market. So many clubs fail. But everything is turning out better than I dreamed.

“We’re killing it, Jake!” Nathan says, grinning while sipping on some champagne, “And with karaoke night being a success, I think we should adopt it regularly. By the way, did your girl say yes about doing weekends?”

My girl. The thought is strange, but I like the sound of it. After I tasted her, after I filled her up and carried her to bed, I know that Nathan’s right. Even now, I can’t stop thinking about her.

“She said she would think about it.” I don't point out that she isn’t my girl. She will be soon enough.

“Think about it?” Nathan asks, surprised. “Didn’t you say she was crazy about singing? What gives?”

I think back to what she told me and what I saw in her room. “She has some hang-ups. She’s been burned before. But I think she’ll come through.”

Nathan shakes his head and puffs some more cigar smoke toward the ceiling. “Shit, I hope so. Those people were in fucking love with her! She rocked that stage like nobody’s business. Shit, Beyoncé who? Selena what? Fuck that skank bitch Miley Cyrus. I’m telling you, man, Roxy should be a household name! One name too. She’s gonna be so big if you say Roxy, the whole fuckin’ world knows who we’re talkin’ about.”

I sit back, sipping my own champagne and chuckling to myself. It’s funny how Nathan went from calling her a sleazy broad to this. But I don’t blame him. Part of that is Nathan. He’s always been one to do a lot of shit talking until he really likes you. Most of it is Roxy, though. Her taking this gig will end up doing big things for her. I can just feel it.

I chuckle. “Brother, I totally agree. She is pretty amazing, isn’t she?”

Andre’s voice crackles over the small walkie Nathan carries. “Hey, I think that creepy dude is back at his shit.”

My heart jumps in my chest as we both leap to our feet, Nathan just a fraction of an inch faster in snatching the radio up. “Where?” Nathan almost yells.

Andre’s voice crackles back. “At the bar. Near the bathrooms. He’s wearing a fucking purple blazer. Can’t miss him.”

We both take off, Nathan running ahead of me, pumping his shorter legs as fast as they will allow. I’m behind him simply because I don’t want to send him tumbling down the stairs. It’s early still, and the club isn’t quite packed since it’s just a Thursday night. We reach the foot of the stairs and I reach out, grabbing Nathan’s shoulder. “Wait!”

“What?” he asks, turning. “Let’s go bust this motherfucker!”

“No doubt,” I reply, “but we need to make sure we don’t freak everyone out. Go chill, okay?”

Nathan takes a big breath but nods. “Fine, I’m chill. Now where is he so I can go unchill?”

We look, and I see him first at the bar, that loud blazer making him stand out. He’s pressuring some girl who’s saying no in heavily-accented English.

The game is up, though, when the girl’s eyes flicker over to Nathan and me in desperation and the guy turns. Seeing us, he takes off. Nathan flies through the crowd while I cut at an angle. He’s so busy looking behind him for Nathan that I barely have to do anything to grab his arm and spin him around, locking him in an armlock with my other hand grabbing the back of his horrendous jacket. “Shouldn’t have come back,” I say in a threatening tone.

“Let me go, man!” the guy whines, squirming in my grasp. “I didn’t do nothing!”

“You’re full of shit, you . . .” Nathan yells before he lowers his voice, getting up close to the guy as I start pulling him toward the door. “You’re fucking scum of the earth,” Nathan rasps.

Nathan leads the way to the side door as we drag the guy outside. I see John, one of the security guys, covering our back, which I’m glad for. The former Delta Force operative can make sure we don’t take things too far.

“Is this your thing, going around and drugging women in clubs?” Nathan demands as I hold onto the guy. “How many?”

The guy sputters, trying to play it innocent. “I didn’t drug nobody. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re lying, asshole,” I rasp in his ear, jerking him around. “I drank one of your little spiked beers. So Nathan, what do we do to him?”

“You already know my answer. I say eye for a fuckin’ eye,” Nathan growls, cracking his knuckles. “He wants to drug and fuck women? I say we make him a bitch.”

Nathan’s threat makes the man struggle wildly, and he jerks his head back, catching me on the lip. I feel my lip split, and I grunt in pain as I pull my head back, loosening my grip just enough that the guy breaks free.

He takes off, trying to make a run for it, but Nathan’s quick for his size and tackles him around the knees, taking him down to the ground. Before Nathan can move, though, the guy kicks Nathan in the shoulder and tries to get up before my flying bodyweight drives him onto his back on the concrete.

I pop him once in the face, his head rocking back and hitting the concrete. I rear back again, but Nathan grabs me, pulling me off.

“He’s done, man!” he says. “His head went down pretty hard. You keep going and you’ll be talking with the cops.”

He’s right. Adrenaline just kind of took over. “John, call the cops,” I say.

“Just a second,” Nathan says, turning and punting the guy as hard as he can in the ass. He howls in pain, and I gotta believe that a size eight pointy wing tip up your ass has to hurt. “Get this fucking piece of shit outta here!”

After the cops come by, we go back in the club, where we’re both treated to a standing ovation and cheer from the patrons—the story’s spread that fast. “See, brother?” Nathan says, patting me on the back. “Take out the trash, and the people love you!”

It’s just after midnight when I walk into my apartment. I know I look like hell. I’m wearing another torn shirt, and I’ve got a bruised hand to go with my busted lip. Icing it helped some, but I’m going to look strange in the office tomorrow.

As I step into the living room, I surprise Sophie, who quickly flips her tablet face down on the sofa. “Jake,” she says, jumping up, her eyes looking furtive and nervous. “I didn’t know you’d be back so early.”

I’m sure I just caught her doing something, but my brain is too overloaded to consider what it could have been. “It’s after midnight, Soph. What were you doing?”

Sophie’s guilty look makes me more curious as she shifts from side to side. “I was just watching this gross video. You know, girl stuff, disgusting, really. You wouldn’t wanna see it.”

I can tell she’s lying, but I’m too exhausted and emotionally drained to push the issue. Instead, I remind myself to keep a closer eye on her. “Well, you’ve got school tomorrow.”

Sophie squints her eyes, peering at me. “Jake, your lip . . . what the hell happened to you?”

I shrug, not wanting to go into it. “Just some club business. Roughed up some douche.”

“What the fuck?” Sophie asks, shocked. “Jake, you got into a fight?”

I shake my head. “Remember when I said I got drugged? Same asshole came in tonight, trying the same angle on some girl.”

Sophie grins, going into the kitchen to return with a popsicle, which she hands to me. “Glad you got him.”

I take the frozen treat gratefully. “I am, too. We already called the police, and the girl he’d been stalking tonight gave a statement. His ass is going down for a while.”

I put the popsicle against my lip, sitting down on the couch. I pat the spot beside me, saying nothing when Sophie moves her tablet out of the way. She sits, curling her leg underneath her, and I give her a lopsided smile. “So what’s been going on with you?”

“Oh, you know, just school work, the usual,” Sophie says. “Oh, I got a B on that test you were hyping me on.”

“Did you? That’s great,” I reply, feeling a little bit bad. I haven’t been able to spend as much time with Sophie as I’d like. I’ve been so busy with the club, and when I have been home, I’ve been distracted so often by thoughts of Roxy. “And you’re getting along well?”

“It’s okay, really. I mean, I’ve been thinking of joining the track team, so I’ve been able to get along, make some new friends.”

Track, huh? That is new for Sophie. “Well, I want you to know that I love you and as soon as I get a hole in my schedule, we’re gonna do something special.”

That makes Sophie grin, and she gives me a hug. “Oh, thank you, Jake! You know, I was really hoping you could take me to—”

Before she can answer, there’s a buzz on my phone. “One sec,” I say, holding up finger. I pull out my phone to see a text from Roxy.”

Fuck it. I’m in. Next week?

“What’s that?” Sophie asks curiously.

I shake my head. I knew she couldn’t resist. I’ll get that spark to ignite in her if that’s the last thing I do. I quickly hit reply.

I knew you’d pull thru. Incidentally, we caught that creep. He won't be spiking anymore drinks. Talk details tomorrow at the club, nine thirty.

Buzz.

Thank God. I owe u 1. 9:30 OK.

“Jake?”

“Just some club business,” I half-lie to Sophie, sitting back and relaxing on the couch with a satisfied sigh. I wrap my arm around her shoulder. “Now, where were you saying you wanted to go? I’m thinking Sunday would be a great time for some ‘us’ time.”

Roxy

“Lalalala . . . la la lah lah-la,” I sing, doing my vocal exercises to open my throat. Standing in front of the mirror in my room, I know I look stupid, but it’s what I have to do. Ever since agreeing to perform, I’ve been getting my voice in shape, torturing Hannah and Mr. Felix with my late night and early morning exercises.

I’m going to have to change into my outfit soon. It’s my first night where I perform my own set, and I’m feeling the nerves. “Mimimimimi . . . eeeeoooahhhchchch—” I cough and start choking a little. I pushed that last low note a little lower than I really needed to. “Fuck.”

“Damn, girl, sounds like you’re gargling a mouthful of cock,” jokes Hannah. “Keep that up and Mr. Felix might decide to attack. He’s about to lose it in here. He’s rolling around and giving me faces.”

Going to the door, I look over to see Mr. Felix mean mugging me, looking like he wants to scratch my face off. I’ve already learned to avoid making the ‘ssss’ sound with my vocal exercises if he’s around. The last time I did it, he hissed back and nearly clawed my leg to pieces. This time, though, it helps. I place my hands on my hips and throw my head back and laugh. “Oh, I so needed that, thank you. I can’t believe I’m so nervous!”

Hannah chuckles. “If it helps, I am too. Still can’t believe you agreed to do this, but at the same time, I’m happy for you.”

I’m excited. I still can’t believe I’m getting to do it again. I’d given up on it. And I know I shouldn’t have accepted Jake’s offer because of everything it entailed, but being up there on stage brought me back to life. That place in my spirit I thought I’d lost forever is back.

“Thank you, Hannah. And thank you for being there tonight.”

“Don’t thank me, just please don’t sound like this on stage? The free drinks can only go so far.”

I laugh and go get ready. I already know exactly what outfit I want to wear. It was the same one I wore for my best performance ever at Trixie’s. With a frilly, lightweight skirt that’ll flare some when I spin and a sparkly red top that hugs my curves, I feel sexy. I pull up the thigh-high sheer stockings and boots that complete the outfit, giving myself a once-over in the mirror. “Oh, yeah,” I tease, shaking my hair side to side. “I’m gonna have them in the palm of my hand!”

You know what you want in the palm of your hand . . . and in your mouth, my inner voice says, and I blush, thinking about it. Kinda shaped like a microphone too, with a long, hard shaft and a flared head that you want to . . .

I curse myself to focus on the task at hand. Just as I finish lacing up my left boot, my phone rings. Checking, I see it’s Mindy. “Hey, babe!”

“Ooh, someone sounds excited. What’s going on?” Mindy asks. I bite my lip. I haven’t told anyone about this, but Mindy’s always been supportive of me.

“Well, I’m getting ready for an event,” I answer.

“Oh? Who’re you going to see? I’m glad you’re going out to have some fun.”

“Uh, it’s for me,” I say nervously, holding my breath while I wait for her to reply. “Min?”

“Roxy, I’m so happy for you!” Mindy exclaims, and I feel relief rush over me. “I always thought your totally giving up singing was too much. So tell me, what’s the gig?”

“Nothing big, just a local nightclub,” I reply. “It’s a bigger place than Trixie’s, but really, it’s just a once a week little gig. About an hour total.”

“Just a little gig,” Mindy mocks me, laughing. “So you’re going to tear up the stage and break hearts for an hour. Remember, I’ve heard you. You’re gonna have everyone eating out of the palm of your hand.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Mindy laughs. “Come on, don’t be nervous. Just go out there, Rox the place out, and tell me all about it tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay. I promise, we’ll Skype tomorrow or something.”

From out in the other room, Hannah yells. “Move your fat ass! You’re gonna be late!”

Mindy laughs. “Yeah, you two match up. Okay, Roxy, love you. Talk to you later.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

* * *

Club Jasmine is packed, with cars stretching all the way down the street from the overflow lot. The line out the front is enormous, and I’m so thankful that Jake arranged for Hannah and me to be brought around the back.

“Nice to see you again, Miss Price,” John the security guy says. “And you too, Miss Fowler.”

“John, I’m beginning to feel like you’re my personal bodyguard around here,” I joke, trying to allay my nerves. It’s not working. I can feel my chest get tight and I’m starting to pant.

“Hey, Rox?” Hannah says, patting me on the shoulder. “Just relax. Get it together. You got this shit.”

“It’s harder than I thought it would be,” I say. “It’s been so long since I did a real show.”

“If it helps, I think you have an amazing voice,” John says as he passes Hannah’s keys to the valet. “You’ll do just as well tonight as you did before.”

“Yeah, what James Bond said,” Hannah jokes. “You performed great last time. There’s nothing to be scared about.”

I gulp, taking deep breaths as John leads Hannah and me through the back of the club. He leads us to a dressing room, opening the door. Jake’s inside, and he gets up, looking so fucking handsome in his black suit, emerald green shirt, and blood red tie. “You look amazing,” Jake says, even though I’m wearing a trench coat. “But what’s wrong?”

“Can you please tell Miss Heart Attack here that she is beautiful and she can sing the face off any diva?” Hannah says. “She’s been gargling cock all afternoon she’s so nervous.”

Jake looks at me with concern. “Should I be jealous? Do I need to beat someone up?”

I smile, and he pulls me into him, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me gently. His lips pressed against mine cut off my worries in an instant, and I feel myself melt into him. He pulls back, looking me in the eyes, his voice low and comforting. “Go out there and kick ass. I’m rooting for you. I know you’re going to be great.”

Looking into his eyes, all I see is sincerity. He truly means it. His words and his touch and presence calm me down and my heart rate steadies. I feel safe in his arms. “I’ll do my best.”

“Oh, so that’s all it takes?” Hannah mock complains. “Fuck, next time, I’ll lay a kiss on you back at the apartment. It’ll save me some stress!”

I chuckle, looking up at Jake. “I don’t think so, Hannah.”

Jake smirks and lets me go. “Come on, Hannah. I reserved a spot in the VIP section for us to watch from. Let’s get up there and get ready.”

Jake and Hannah leave, John giving me a nod as he closes the door. I take off my coat and get ready, checking my makeup and sipping some water. Just as I finish stretching out, I can hear Nathan in the front of the house, getting everyone hyped.

There’s a knock on my door. It’s John. “Miss Price? You ready?”

I grin. For the first time, I see his face change expressions when he sees me in my stage outfit. “Let’s Rox.”

I go to the wings, swallowing my nerves as Nathan turns toward me. “And now, Club Jasmine, by popular demand . . . she’s baaack. Roxy!”

Swallowing my nerves, I go out on stage, waving to the lights. I can’t see shit. The lights are dazzling, and the crowd goes silent.

The crowd stares at me expectantly, and sweat beads my brow. Oh, my fucking God, I’ve never had stage fright in my life. I even worked the stage like it was nothing on karaoke night, but now I’m standing here like a petrified tree.

I clear my throat. I can see Jake and Hannah seated up above, Hannah giving me come on motions with her hands. I feel like I’m about to pass out when Jake gets up, strides to the railing, and calls out, “You got this, Roxy!”

There’s something in that voice, and I don’t know what I’m doing when I bring my mic up. “Okay, boys . . . hit it!”

The first song hits, and I feel lifted by the notes and by Jake’s eyes as I start with my first number, a club remix of the Tom Petty classic American Girl. The song’s fast. Even with a dance bridge where I shake my ass, it’s only four minutes, but it breaks the ice, and when the last notes hit, I feel it.

I’ve got the crowd.

“Okay, guys, thanks for the patience,” I joke, and they cheer as I grin out at them. “Now, I’ve been racking my head, thinking of good songs for you guys. I started thinking about my roomie. So this one’s for the second baddest bitch in the building, Hannah!”

It’s not as well-known as most of my set, but the pulsing bass and lyrics of the RnB classic Freak Like Me gives me plenty of chances to do my thing, and the crowd is digging it. It’s a little dirty, sure, but damn if they’re not singing along until the very end.

The crowd dances as I move through my set. About halfway through, I gesture to Jake and Hannah, waving them down to the stage.

Jake’s grinning ear to ear when I spring the little surprise that’s been buzzing in my head. I whisper in Hannah’s ear, and she grins, nodding as she runs to the side of the stage, pushing Nathan and Jake. Nathan’s grinning, and Hannah comes back with two chairs, plopping them down.

“Now, I want to dedicate this next song to the guys who bring us this wonderful club.”

The music starts, and the crowd cheers as Rhianna’s Rude Boy starts playing. It’s a little slower than some of the stuff I’ve done, but I pour myself totally into the performance, ignoring everything but Jake as I circle him, grabbing his tie and pulling his head between my breasts before practically giving him a lap dance as I sing.

He brings his hands up on instinct, but I wink and move away, teasing him and making the crowd cheer more as I catch Hannah giving Nathan almost as dirty a dance. He’s got to be ready to have a coronary as hard as she’s grinding on him. I get through the chorus again before I work my way back over to Jake, reaching down and pulling his shirt open, allowing the whole club to feast their eyes on his pecs as I go back to grinding on his lap. Oh, my God, he’s so hard. I can feel him pressed against my ass as I sing, and he’s got me so turned on, if I’m not careful, I’m going to be giving Club Jasmine another kind of performance very quickly.

Love me, love me!

I reluctantly climb out of his lap and drop it low to the floor, letting him see my hips sway side to side as the last notes fade away, and the crowd goes apeshit. I glance back at Jake, whose face is beaded with sweat, but at least he’s not as pink as Nathan, who looks like he might have come in his suit pants as he grabs both chairs and hurries off stage. Hannah gives me a smirk and a wink as I thank the guys over the mic for being good sports. Jake gives me a look too, one that leaves my throat dry for an instant before I remember . . . I’ve got one last song.

“Okay, Club Jasmine, now I’ve got a habit,” I tell them, looking out at the happy crowd. “I’m such a big sappy romantic at heart, I have to end on a ballad. So . . . enjoy.”

The first notes are almost soft and plaintive as they ring out over the club, but as I start the lyrics, everything goes quiet . . . I have them enthralled.

Maybe Celine Dion’s made a whole career off power ballads, and sure, it might not be her most famous, but Power of Love is amazing to me, honest and poetic. I sing my guts out, and as I hit the high notes, the whole club erupts into cheers and applause so thunderous it almost drowns me out as I wrap up the song.

It’s like a dream when I finish. The crowd is calling my name, wanting my attention. Suddenly, Jake is at my side, raising my hand and leading the applause. Getting off the stage, I’m almost swamped by people, Jake protectively next to me the whole time. People are coming up to me, giving me hugs, some even asking for my autograph. I’m barely aware, still wrapped in euphoria from my performance. Before I know it, Jake is taking me by the hand toward the back of the club. Luckily, I see Hannah is preoccupied and doesn’t notice, because by the way Jake’s moving, he has an idea in mind. The same fucking one I do.

Jake looks back at me, and the look he gives me is filled with need. I swallow, nodding as he leads me to the back, the same place where we were that first night. There’s something magical about coming back here, almost like we’re fulfilling an interrupted destiny.

I turn to Jake, who’s looking at me with so much intensity that my knees weaken, and I sit down, unable to look away from him as he shrugs off his jacket and undoes his tie.

“Now . . . now you can send me all the way to heaven,” he says, pulling his shirt off. He climbs onto the bed, urging me down, and I’m unable to resist, not wanting to either. His lips find my neck and I nearly melt into his arms. Should this be happening? I said it wouldn’t, but as his tongue flickers along my jawline, all resistance is futile.

“Oh fuck,” I moan, laying my head back as Jake runs his hand up my top and under my bra, his fingers finding my right nipple. His lips mash against mine again as we kiss hard, my hands pulling him down as he rubs his thumb over my nipple. I’m left moaning, my pussy throbbing as he holds me down on the bed, his greedy hands roaming over me and setting my skin aflame.

Suddenly, Jake rolls, pulling me on top of him. I blink, half-stunned, and look down at him. “What are you doing?”

“You said you could take me to heaven,” Jake teases, lifting my top. I raise my arms, shrugging out of it and my bra, leaving me topless but everything else on from the waist down. “I hope you weren’t lying to me.”

I grin, leaning down and brushing my nipples against his chest as I tease his lips with the tip of my tongue. “I never lie about that. Just be warned—once you’ve been to heaven with me, it’s all that will be on your mind.”

He smiles. “I have no doubt about that.”

I grind on top of him, feeling the bulge of his cock inside his pants as I roll my hips against him, nibbling on his neck. He brings his hands to my ass, squeezing and massaging my cheeks and making me moan. He pulls me up higher until my nipples are even with his lips, and I’m left breathless as he sucks and pulls on them with his teeth.

His right hand slips over my ass to tug my panties aside, and suddenly, he’s rubbing my pussy, lightning shooting from his fingers through the rest of my body and jolting up my spine. He rubs deeper, the edge of his hand parting my ass cheeks and his thumb brushing over my asshole as he slides two fingers into my pussy.

I’m caught between two unbelievable tortuous pleasures, Jake’s mouth as he switches between my breasts and his fingers pumping in and out of me as I ride him. “Oh, God . . . oh, Jake . . .”

“I’ve got you,” Jake says, wiggling his two fingers and sending me into spasms of pleasure. “I’ve always got you. You’re mine.”

His words release something in me, and I plunge back onto his fingers, feeling his thumb press against my ass but not go in as I kiss him hungrily. Am I his? I don’t know, but I want to be, and as Jake’s fingers and my hips roll together, he kisses me again hungrily.

I can’t take it any longer. My pussy clenches, and suddenly, I’m coming, and I moan deeply into his mouth. Jake holds me close as my body trembles, shaking over him as I ride out the waves of my orgasm, finally collapsing against his chiseled chest, gasping. “Holy fuck.”

Jake pulls his fingers out of me, bringing them up to his lips, licking and sucking them clean. He growls, pushing me down until my pussy rubs over the bulge in his pants, and a fresh wave of heat fills my body. “Get on your knees, Angel.”

“Fuck me, Jake,” I beg. “Please, fill me. I need it so fucking badly.”

I slide off him, getting on my hands and knees as he slides off the bed. I hear the soft sound of his pants zipper sliding down and he steps out of them, pulling me to the edge of the bed. I hear the crinkle of Jake tearing open a condom and sliding it on, filling me with anticipation. My panties are soaked, and he pulls them to the side again, lifting my skirt and rubbing the head of his cock between my pussy lips, the huge, steely hard tool leaving me breathless.

“We’re going to heaven together, Angel,” Jake growls, smacking my left ass cheek with his hand as he slides his cock into me. I can’t hold back my cry of joy and pleasure as his cock stretches me open, my pussy clenching around him with every glorious inch that disappears inside me.

Jake growls as his hips meet my ass, and I gasp as he smacks my ass again. Without giving me any chance to adjust, he pulls back and thrusts again. His hips slam into me, and I’m left breathless as he starts fucking me harder, his throbbing cock plunging in and out of me as he takes me. There’s no pause, no mercy in his body as he fucks me with everything he’s got.

I’m overloaded, my brain exploding in pleasure as Jake sends jolts up my body. I can’t make any noise. I’m left a raw, sex-crazed animal as he hammers my pussy, my body shaking with every intense, long stroke of his cock in and out of me. I’ve never experienced something like this before, and I love it. I thought last time was good, but this . . . oh, fuck, I can’t live without this anymore.

Jake grunts, grabbing my hair and pulling me back into him as he speeds up. “Now you know you’re mine, Roxy. I’m gonna have you every fucking night if I want, and you’re going to give it to me, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I moan, my eyes losing focus. All I can feel is the pounding of my heart in my chest and the pounding of Jake’s cock in my body. Everything else disappears, and I’m left in a world of pleasure. I squeeze his cock with everything I have, clawing at the bed to try and give him what he’s giving me, but it’s useless. I can’t resist. His powerful muscles drive his perfect cock so deeply into me that I can feel him reach places I’ve never thought possible.

Jake pulls me up, kissing and biting my neck as his hips pound me harder and harder, his hands reaching around to squeeze my breasts, pinching my nipples. My mind goes, and I can’t feel anything except the white hot pleasure of what he’s giving me. I’m not even sure I’m breathing. All I can feel is what he’s doing to my body.

Time loses all meaning. I’m left shaking and unable to do anything as I feel his cock drive into me deeply, again and again. I can feel him swell, his cock is throbbing hot and deep inside me, and suddenly, he’s coming, driving me insane with primal fulfillment and pounding the last sparks of consciousness out of me. I’m coming too, so hard that black stars bloom in front of my eyes as our bodies, slick with sweat, hot with passion, come together, and I know that I can’t be without him.

I don’t know if I passed out or not. All I know is that the next thing I’m aware of, we’re in bed, Jake spooned behind me, his cock still inside me but softening. His arms are wrapped around me, and I unconsciously reach up to stroke his forearm.

“That was intense,” he says.

“It was perfect,” I reply, sighing happily. I snuggle against him, and as he pulls me close, I realize something. It’s not just the sex I need . . . I’m starting to need him too. I’m starting to care about Jake.

A lot.

* * *

I blink, waking up. Jake’s still asleep, and I turn over, just watching him. At some point, we’ve stripped naked, and I take a moment to admire him in the soft light in the room. He’s got long, almost sensitive lashes. I know women who’d kill to have lashes like Jake’s. But his face is powerful, with a strong jawline and chin that leave me with no impression of him being weak. I reach out, tracing the thick swell of his chest muscles, down to the chiseled ridges of his abs.

He’s a moving, breathing, speaking human sculpture, a Michelangelo in the flesh. Best of all, I realize he’s done so much for me. Tonight, I felt more alive than I have in years. The club, the crowd, it was like I woke up from a long nightmare and found out that I’m not from Kansas. I’m from Oz itself.

And then, afterward, the way he took me. We’ve had sex twice, and each time, my body’s been left shaking with the intensity of how hard I’ve come. But both times have been different. The first time was mutual, almost tender in some ways. Tonight, he was powerful, conquering, taking me and making me his woman, and I loved it just as much.

But he’s done all of this . . . for me. No wonder I’m getting feelings for him. He’s done all of this for me simply because he believes in me. For the first time in my life, someone is reaching out, doing something for me out of a genuine desire to see me happy. He’s called me his angel, but I feel like he’s my guardian angel, descending from the heavens to pluck me out of a life I wasn’t supposed to lead. He’s reminded me of what I am, what I’m meant to be. He reached out and touched me, and in that touch, he’s laid a finger on my heart as well. Scared? Sure, I’m scared. But I’m more scared of not having him.

As I watch him, I hear the song in my head again, the same song I’ve been working on, and in a moment that shakes me to the bone, it all clicks. All the lyrics, all of them in order, the tone that I’ll use, even the notes. I think if I wanted, I could even tell you what each instrument will play, and who I want to play them.

I roll out of bed and see a pen and tablet of paper on the small bedside table. I start writing, my hand flying across the paper as I feel sweat dot my forehead again. I’m gripping the pen so hard my fingers ache, but it’s as intense a pleasure as when Jake was inside me.

“What are you doing?” Jake says softly behind me. He’s woken up. I turn, blinking. God, he’s so handsome. “You’re scribbling like a madwoman.”

“Maybe. I’m writing down how awesome you are,” I reply. I don’t want to tell him the song is about him. Yet. I don’t know if I should reveal how much he’s touched me.

“Really?” Jake asks, smiling. “Can I read it?”

I look down at the papers, and I see I’m missing just the final line. Still . . . “It’s not ready yet. But I promise it will be good.”

Jake sits up, grinning. “Oh, come on. Let me see.”

I toss the pad aside, reaching out and grabbing Jake’s hard cock. I can’t believe he’s so hard again already. I can feel it pulsing in my hands. Jake stops, moaning as I start stroking him, and I tug him to the edge of the bed as I get on my knees. Looking at his cock, I know I want to taste it. I want to give back to him since he’s given to me.

“You’ll see it when it’s ready,” I tease him. “Now, lean back and let your Angel see if she can get a treat out of this big cock.”

Jake

The last two weeks have proven to be a titanic struggle. My feelings for Roxy have only grown, but our relationship has been more or less confined to the club. We see each other at work, but we try to be on our best behavior. We talked about it, and we’re clear on things. It’s better if no one knows. She’s even tried dressing a little more . . . well, I’d say modestly, but it’s just not working. I swear I go home with a case of blue balls every day after work.

Thankfully, I’ve gotten to relieve them with her a few times after work. But an hour here or there of passion in the back room just isn’t enough. I want more. I want to be able to strut through the city with her on my arm like she’s my real girl. At work, as bad as it may look and sound, and at the club most of all. Rules be damned. The fact that I can’t bugs the shit out of me, and it’s getting harder to keep my desire under wraps.

Her last two performances for Club Jasmine have exceeded all our expectations, bringing in hungry crowds every weekend to hear the hot new voice everyone is talking about. It’s to the point where I feel like we should be cutting her a bigger check for the amount of business she brings in.

My obsession hasn’t taken long to start affecting my work and personal relationships, too. Some of my reports to corporate have been flawed because I’ve been devoting a lot of time to the club and helping get Roxy’s name out there. I know Elena’s probably feeling like I’ve lost trust in her. Even Sophie has begun to wonder what’s up.

I’ve made a pact with myself to do better and get control over my desire, but every time I see Roxy, I can’t stop the emotions. It wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t have to hide it. I love seeing her happy, seeing that spark in her eyes just after she gets off stage and taking her to the back and drowning in her. It’s like I’m addicted to her smile. And being with her pulls me deeper into the addiction. I find myself . . .

“Sir, your friend Nathan is on line two,” Elena tells me, snapping me back to the fact that I’m at work. It’s Thursday, nearly one week from Roxy’s last show-stopping performance. Already, I’m counting down the minutes until I can see her again. She said that she had some new songs she wanted to introduce to keep things fresh. If they’re half as sexy as most of her performances, I’m going to need to do that ice bucket challenge thing to keep myself under control.

“Thank you,” I say. “And can you get me the . . . uh, the report on the . . . oh, damn it.”

Elena stops, giving me a raised eyebrow. “Sir, are you okay? You seem really . . . off lately.”

“I’m fine,” I reply, knowing I sound like a lying asshole. “Just busy strategizing for next quarter.”

She knows it’s bullshit. “Well sir, sometimes a little break can help. But if you’d like, I have the quarterly projections from each of the divisions ready. Shall I get them ready for you?”

I sigh, nodding. “Thank you for that, Elena. I’d appreciate it.”

“Of course, sir.”

I white knuckle the desk when she’s gone, cursing myself for being a fool. She hasn’t said anything, but I can tell it’s obvious to Elena that something is going on between me and Roxy. Roxy’s been by my office too often. I thought we’d done a good job of being professional since that elevator incident, but it’s definitely getting harder to keep my hands to myself when I see her. So far, only Elena seems to suspect something, or at least she’s the only one I know of.

The flashing of my desk phone pulls me out of my thoughts. Shit! Nathan! “Yeah, Nathan.”

“Yo!” Nathan says, his voice filled with excitement.

“What’s up? You know I prefer not to talk at work.”

Nathan guffaws. “Dude, you’re not gonna believe this shit.”

“Spit it out,” I hiss irritably, wanting him to hurry up and get to the point. He might not take it seriously, but dammit, calling on my work line during work hours for something club related isn’t cool!

“A music exec’s assistant called me. He wants to come to Roxy’s next show.”

“The exec himself?” I ask, sitting forward. “Holy shit.”

“No, the assistant. He’s more like a talent scout. He wants to see the show first, and if he likes it, he’ll pass on the word. Shit, man, this is motherfucking big time!”

My heart thumps in my chest at the good news. It’s something that Roxy had given up on, and she hasn’t seemed like she thinks it’s a possibility anymore, even with performing at Club Jasmine. This news would excite her in ways she hasn’t been in a long time. “Roxy will love to hear this,” I say, glancing out the office window. I can’t see her in her cubicle. She must be out doing something.

“Ya think? Dude, she’s bringing in so much business. Listen,” Nathan says, his voice dropping, “When you told me about karaoke night, I was like ‘eh, it won’t hurt, and it’ll let my boy get his rocks off.’ Then when I saw her, I had ideas, but I never thought this would happen. If this continues to go well, we’re gonna have to start giving her more money, because she sure as fuck deserves it.”

“She does,” I confirm. “Okay, I’ll pass it along to Roxy, but I’ve got to handle some business here. So I’ll skip the club tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Sure, man. Actually, I’ll see you at the show. I’ve got some business of my own tomorrow. Bye.”

I hang up the phone. Other than the good news, Nathan didn’t say anything that I wasn’t already thinking to myself. I’ve been thinking about this the past week and started working on a surprise that should be finished any moment now. I’ll start by giving her the respect and station that she deserves. Something to show she’s important.

I guess I’ve now got a double surprise. A smile forms on my lips as I check my tie and leave my office, going out to the floor. I check Roxy’s cubicle, but she’s not at her desk again, so I go looking for Hannah. She always knows where Roxy is.

“Hello, Mr. Stone,” Hannah greets me politely. In all the times I’ve talked with her in the past two weeks, she hasn’t said anything. Roxy tells me that Hannah doesn’t suspect the sexual side of our relationship and she’s told her we’re being professional, though I’m not sure if she’s just saying that to calm my worries. I mean, I did lay a kiss on Roxy right in front of Hannah. She even joked about it.

Before I can ask where Roxy is, she smirks. “She’s down in the supply room getting something for—” She doesn’t get to finish her words, as a familiar and now thoroughly unwanted face walks over.

“Matt.”

“Yessir,” he says behind me in his slight Southern drawl.

“New policy. Get your own shit from the mail and supply rooms. Your co-workers have their own jobs to do. Thanks.”

He sputters, and I walk off, giving Hannah a little wink as I do. I walk down the stairs to the supply room, where I find Roxy struggling with an armload of junk that makes me wonder what is going on in Matt’s head. “Hey.”

She jumps in surprise. She was so focused on trying to find what’s on her list. “Mr. Stone, what—”

I reach out, taking the object from her hand, a red Swingline stapler, and put it back on the shelf. “Shh, you don’t need to be doing this,” I tell her. “He can get his own shit.”

A smile hits her face. “If you insist. Definitely not going to argue against that.”

I close the door, smiling. “I do.”

I approach her, her perfume filling my nostrils and making my head spin in that oh, so familiar and needed way. It’s been at least two days since I got in this close, and I can’t help myself. She arches her neck as I inhale deeply. “Actually, I have a surprise for you.”

“Please tell me it’s as big as the one in your pants,” she says huskily. “I . . . oh, God, we’re not supposed to do this at the office.”

“Not quite that big. But I still think you’ll be impressed by its size.” I take her hand and place it on my crotch, lowering my lips to kiss her. She melts into my touch, and I’m so tempted to take her here and now. But I can’t. She squeezes my cock through my pants before I step away, both of us breathing heavily. “So, are you impressed?”

“Your ego is showing,” she says, giving me some of that sauciness that I adore. “Careful it doesn’t get bigger.”

“You love it,” I tease. “And you need it.”

“I do,” Roxy murmurs before stomping her feet like a frustrated child. “Fuck, just tell me already!”

A grin curls the corner of my lips. “After work. I’ll take you out for dinner first. Think about it—we haven't had anything other than the club and the office.”

“Are you sure?” Roxy asks, and I nod. It’s been on my mind for a week. I want to take her out and treat her like a lady. “I mean, we probably shouldn’t fuel any suspicions.”

“Leave that to me. Be ready by eight, and wear something a princess might wear. I’ll be by to pick you up.”

She seems to melt at the promise of being wined and dined. “All right. But it had better be good.”

I smile, taking her hand and kissing it. “I promise, it will be.”

* * *

I pull up outside Roxy’s place right at eight o’clock. While I thought about hiring a driver for the night, I decided to give tonight a personal touch and drove myself instead. I’m glad, because as Roxy walks out, I’m stunned. She’s in a sparkling black gown, silver threaded through the fabric to create almost a waterfall effect. Her hair is sleek, her skin so enticing as she approaches me. She’s so beautiful that I can barely think, and I get out almost a beat late, coming around to the passenger side of my car and opening the door.

“You are truly a vision of beauty tonight,” I greet her, taking her satin gloved hand and helping her in. “You look like you’re ready for the red carpet.”

“You said dress like a princess, and when I dress up, I go all out,” Roxy says. “So thank you.”

I go around to my side and get in, still so drawn by her looks that she has to clear her throat and give me a raised eyebrow. “I hope you didn’t mean just getting dressed up to sit in the parking lot and make out. I don’t do back seats. Well, not anymore anyway.”

Her joke breaks my paralysis and sends blood to my cock, and I grin. The back seat—that sounds fun. But I turn my attention back to the road. “You’ll see.”

The drive takes a while. When I told her not to worry, I made sure of it. She’s giving me a look when we pull up and I hand my keys to the valet. “What’s this place?”

“An exclusive, private members-only restaurant,” I tell her, leading her through the plain, unmarked door. “We’re totally safe here.”

The maître d’ checks my ID against the reservation list and seats us. As we make our way through the small, ten-table place, Roxy stops. “Is that . . . no way.”

I glance over, seeing who she’s talking about. “Kevin? Yeah, he’s a member. Now, one of the rules is that everyone in here is equal, so he’s just a guy.”

“Okay,” she says uncertainly. We sit down, and she looks around. “Wow. The decor here . . .”

“Is what gives the place class. This is one of those places where you get what the chef prepares. You just have to trust his judgment. But I checked the menu, and we’re getting surf and turf with matching wines. So enjoy.”

“Thank you,” Roxy says, sipping her water. “So, Jake—”

“You can ask me anything you want,” I say, cutting her off. “Come on, I can see it in your eyes. You’ve got a thousand and one questions about me. Now’s the time for them.”

“Well, okay,” Roxy says, blushing. I understand. We’ve been having sex for weeks, and while I know a lot about her, she’s not heard my story as much as she might like. “Well, you told me about your sister and how she came to live with you, but . . . well, you don’t strike me as a rich boy.”

“I’m not, if you mean whether I inherited my money,” I tell her. “My mother came from a rich family. But she met and fell in love with my dad, who was a working-class guy. They defied my grandfather to get married in Vegas, and there were a lot of hard feelings for a long time.”

“Hard feelings?” Roxy asks, and I laugh.

“Well, actually, hard feelings as in a fist fight between my father and grandfather.” I chuckle. “They buried the hatchet after I was born, but Dad was stubborn. He never let my grandfather shower me with gifts or anything like that. He did let Grandpa set up a college fund for me and for Sophie, and of course, his name helped open some doors.”

Roxy nods. “Sounds like John, my stepfather. When he and my mom got together, I could have just mooched off him, but I had some good role models. I mean, after my biological dad died, Mom had to make it on her own for a long time. It taught me to be independent. What about you? What drives you?”

“Sophie,” I say immediately. “Our parents died just after I finished college, and it pushed me. I mean, Dad always made sure I knew what a real day’s work was. I did plenty of afternoons splitting logs for the fireplace, mowing lawns, stuff like that. But when I was literally a month after graduation and suddenly, I’ve got a little sister to take care of . . . it made me grow up a lot faster.”

Roxy’s eyes tear up, and I tilt my head, worried. “Are you okay?”

She nods. “Just . . . I can hear it in your voice. You miss your parents.”

I stop and have to look down at the table. She’s right. “There are times I don’t like thinking about it. I try not to remember the hard times. I just try to remember the stuff they taught me. My dad taught me how to be a man. My mom . . . well, if I’m not a total asshole, that’s her doing.”

“Well thank you, Mrs. Stone, then,” Roxy says. “Because I think you’re anything but an asshole. Most of the time.”

I laugh. “Most of the time.”

“Oh, yeah. You know, if you want to meet an asshole, you should see my boss. Always making demands of me in the supply room, calling me into his office . . . total asshole.”

I chuckle. Our food comes, and it’s as delicious as I expected. As she chews the last bite of her seared scallop, she sets her knife and fork down, looking directly at me. “Jake, thank you for letting me in more.”

I reach across, taking her hand. “You’re worth it. You’re pretty special, you know that, right?”

She blinks. I know I touched her, and it takes her a moment before she grins. “Yeah, well, you just remember that or else I’ll break a high heel off in your ass!”

I laugh. “Come on, time for dessert.”

“Wait, we’re not having dessert here?”

“No, the real dessert,” I tell her, taking her by the hand again. We drive to Club Jasmine, where I lead her in through the back.

“Here we are.”

“What’s this?” she asks, eyeing the door that has a star with her name emblazoned across the center. It hasn’t quite dawned on her yet.

“Open the door and you’ll see.”

She looks at me, looking like her heart is suddenly racing, and opens the door. The breath escapes her lungs as the door swings open. “Ooh.”

We step into her new dressing room. It’s equipped with a high chair, mirrors, a professional vanity for hair and makeup, and a clothing rack that is already filled with show dresses. “I checked your size and got you an entire wardrobe. Of course, you can pick and choose what you want. Roxy, you may not be a star yet, but you will be, and you’re already a star in my eyes.”

“Oh, Jake . . .” she says as tears fill her eyes. “How?”

“I had the crew paint and do all this during the day so I could surprise you. It only took them two days. I couldn't wait to show it to you.”

“Oh, my God,” she whispers. She turns and pulls me into a tight embrace. “This is so sweet of you.”

“Wait, that isn’t all,” I tell her. “I have better news.”

Roxy pulls back, staring at me. “Don’t fuck with me. How can it get any better?”

I tell her about Nathan’s call and the talent scout coming Saturday, and her jaw drops. “You’re kidding, right?” I shake my head. “I can’t believe it.”

“Believe it, darling, because it’s happening. You’ve got a shot.”

She presses back up against me, a tear escaping down her cheek. “Jake, all this . . . but what I want—I want to be with you. Your girl, and none of this hiding in clubs or private dinner restaurants, even if the food was orgasm-worthy. I don’t want to abide by the rules.”

In this moment, I want to give her everything she wants. The whole world. I nod, pulling her close and kissing her tenderly on the lips. “You are my girl. But we still have to try to play by the rules in the office, at least for a little while longer. At least while you’re working there.”

Roxy looks at me with hope in her eyes. “Oh, my God, do you think it can happen?”

“I know it can. I have faith in you.”

She shakes her head, tears swimming in her eyes. “I . . . I don’t know how to thank you. You’ve done so much for me. Thank you so much.” Roxy swallows, then wraps her arms around my neck.

She kisses me on the lips, and I pull her close. “You are more than welcome. Now blow their minds so I never have to see your ass around the office again.”

She grins, giving my ass a squeeze. “That’ll be one thing that’ll suck about getting a deal. I won’t be seeing your cute ass around the office either.”

“Nope,” I say, patting her ass back. “But you’ll get to see more of it.”

“Then they won’t know what fucking hit ‘em.”

Roxy

“Your own dressing room?” Hannah asks in disbelief as we step inside. She looks around, her eyes going to the clothes rack. “Whoa. This is fucking amazing.”

It’s Saturday, and my nerves are frazzled. I’m trying to get ready to perform. Except this time, the stakes are higher. I couldn’t believe when Jake told me about the scout. This is all happening so fast that I feel like my head’s spinning.

Hannah is in shock too. “It’s gorgeous!”

“Isn’t it?” I say dreamily. “I still can’t believe Jake had all of this done for me.”

“Hmm,” Hannah says, tapping her lips, her eyes flashing.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing, I’m just not surprised at all. Have you seen the number of people who are packing in here to see you?” She turns around, checking out the rack of dresses, and I can tell that she thinks there’s more to it than that. She’s just giving me time to come out with it.

My phone buzzes, and I see it’s Mindy. I’d texted her about my show. “Hey, it’s my sister.”

“I’ll let you two talk. Nathan’s got a great seat reserved for me. No way in hell am I dancing with you on stage tonight,” Hannah jokes. “Have fun.”

I give Hannah a quick hug as I pick up Mindy’s call. “Stick around. Min?”

“Hey, how’s my Grammy-winning sister doing?” Mindy asks. “You ready?”

“Fuck no, but hearing you helps,” I admit, relief flooding through me. “Can you believe this?”

“Nope. Hey, turn on your camera.”

It takes me a few seconds, but when I do, Mindy’s face pops on screen. Her face has a little more weight on it than the last time I saw her, but it looks good on her. “Heeeey guuurl,” I greet happily.

“Hey, mini me, what’s going down?” Mindy asks. “And who’s the babe next to you?”

“Mindy, this is my best friend, Hannah. Remember, I told you about her when I first moved here? She’s my roommate.” I put the camera on Hannah. “But you’re blind. I’m the babe.”

Mindy laughs. “How long do you have?”

“I don’t have long,” I admit. “You want to help me pick out my outfit?”

Mindy nods, and I hand my phone to Hannah as I go over, pulling out a tight black number with a cutout.

Both of them reject it, and I go through several more before we all settle on my outfit, red and silver, and I grin. Mindy’s grinning too. “Okay, I’ll let you get ready. Kick some ass for me!”

We hang up, and Hannah gives me a hug. “Kick some ass for me too. I’m gonna go get my seat.”

She leaves, and I quickly get ready. Just as I finish my vocal warmups and stretch, there’s a knock on my door. Jake sticks his head in, grinning when he sees me. “Hey, I don’t want to distract you, so . . . just knock them dead. I already know you’re amazing. Just show them what you show me.”

“Show them my boobs? I don’t think this is that kind of show,” I tease, and Jake blushes. “Thank you. I’ll see you afterward.”

Jake leaves, and three minutes later, I go to the wings of the stage. Surprisingly, I’m not nervous at all anymore. The DJ is supposed to play my music, but I’m getting a band soon. It’s a total pipedream, but I’d love to have my old one from Trixie’s.

I shake my head. I can hear Nathan out there. He introduces me with his normal gusto. “And now . . . she’s baaaaa-aaaaaaaack!”

The crowd goes wild. It’s like Nathan’s catchphrase now. “Here she is . . . ROXY!”

* * *

“I can’t believe how awesome you were!”

They’re the first words that Nathan says to me as I get off stage, and I can feel it. I had the whole crowd, and the place was so packed there wasn’t even much room to dance.

I grin, then bite my lip nervously. I was hoping he’d say something about the exec coming to watch the show. “Think anything is going to come of this?”

Nathan grins and pats me on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s go up and see Jake. He’s been charming that guy’s ass off.”

I laugh, some of my tension relieved. “So you think he liked it?”

“The guy is fucking deaf if he didn’t. You know, I don’t even like pop or any of that shit, but your voice . . . it’s hard not to enjoy it.”

Nathan takes me upstairs, where Jake’s sitting with Hannah and some guy who I assume is the talent scout. Seeing me, Jake gets up, so handsome that even with all of my nerves I’m feeling breathless watching him approach me to give me a kiss on the cheek. “You were amazing, Angel.”

The scout nods, standing up and shaking my hand. “Honey, you were hot—like fire out there. My boss is totally going to be in touch!”

He heads for the stairs, and I force a smile as Jake rubs my arm and talks softly. “See, you just had to have faith.”

It makes me feel better, but I’m not going to get my hopes up too much. If it happens, it happens. Hannah touches me gently on the leg, noticing I’m not quite jumping for joy. “Relax, I heard him gushing earlier. They’re gonna call.”

Before I can reply, there’s a huge commotion down below. Jake and Nathan’s heads whip around, trying to see what’s going on. I see it quickly, two guys fighting over a girl. She’s small, with coal black hair that to me looks like a wig.

“Hey, cut that shit out!” Nathan yells. It’s useless. We’re in VIP and there’s too much noise down below, but security is getting to them.

Meanwhile, Jake is squinting hard at the girl. “What the fuck?”

Without warning, he takes off, dodging people as he plunges down the stairs. The look in his eyes and the way he’s so in a rush fill me with worry, and I go after him. I don’t know what’s happening. Is the asshole who tried to drug me back?

I reach the floor of the club, gasping for breath, trying to keep up with Jake as he makes his way toward the commotion. He’s grabbed ahold of one of the dudes, and the other one’s disappeared off into the crowd. I’m sure security will get him.

Suddenly, Jake stops, and the other guy shakes his way free, right into John’s grasp, of all people. Jake, however, looks stunned as he reaches out and grabs the girl who was in the center of the fight by the arm. “Sophie?”

“J-Jake,” the girl says, pulling off her wig to reveal hair just like Jake’s.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“I . . . I came with a friend and—”

Jake looks furious, and he points at the guy John is holding. “How old are you? And don’t you dare lie to me.”

The guy struggles, but he sees something in Jake’s eyes. “Nineteen!”

Jake’s eyes go ice cold. “John, get him out of here.”

“Wait!” Sophie cries as they begin dragging him away. Thankfully, they’re dragging him toward the front door and not the back. She rushes off into the crowd after her brother but is stopped by another of the bouncers. I watch as she struggles violently against him. He’s not hurting her. He’s just not letting her pass.

“What the hell just happened?” Hannah says from behind me. I turn and see her and Nathan approaching, Nathan peeling off to talk to the security guy.

“A family squabble,” I said, not really knowing much else yet. I just know Sophie’s in high school and shouldn’t be in here.

Jake comes back, his face as serious as I’ve ever seen it, staring a hole at Sophie. Jake says a few quiet things to her and Nathan, who nods and starts leading Sophie toward the back of the club.

“Jake, what’s going on?” I ask when he gets close.

“I’m taking Sophie home,” he says, his eyes still burning, but he manages a smile. “You did great tonight.”

“Wait,” I say, grabbing his arm. “Can I go with you?” I can't let him go like this. I’ve never seen him this mad before.

Jake looks like he’s about to say no, but then he nods curtly. “Okay. Five minutes, grab your stuff. The car will be out back.”

Roxy

Other than the purr of his engine, it’s totally silent the whole way to Jake’s penthouse. This is my first time coming to his place. I would be ecstatic under normal circumstances, but this is like a dark cloud on my happy moment. In the rearview mirror, I can see Sophie fuming. Her hands are balled into fists, and they press hard into her thighs. She’s probably going to have bruises there tomorrow.

I want to comfort her, to tell her everything will be okay, but I know that to her, I’m a total stranger and it’s not going to mean shit. I don’t even know if Jake’s told her about me.

Finally, at a stop light, Sophie can’t take anymore. “I can’t believe you did that!” she snarls. “You didn’t have to treat Jax that way!”

Jake clenches his jaw. “Can’t believe I did that?” he asks in disbelief. “You snuck into the club with a nineteen-year-old boy with fake IDs. I had every right to throw him out on his ass. He’s lucky I didn’t call the police on him. Wait . . . Jax? That Jax? I thought you met him in school! What’s he doing at your school if he’s nineteen?”

She ignores that part. “He’s only two years older. I’m turning seventeen soon. It’s not that big of a deal.”

Jake’s grip on the steering wheel tightens but I see him take a deep breath to try and relax. “Do you realize what you did? Do you know what could’ve happened if you were caught with a fake ID?”

Sophie’s scowl softens somewhat. “Just a fine.”

“Maybe. But if they wanted to make an example of you, they could get you for a felony.” Jake says. “That’s not something you want on your record.”

“I didn’t know that,” Sophie says softly.

“Not to mention that if the cops know that you’re my sister, they’re going to assume I let you in on purpose. The club could lose its liquor license over that.”

I look into the rearview mirror, and I see her fidgeting. I think it’s setting in how serious this situation is.

“You need to think about—” he starts, but I interrupt him.

“Jake,” I say softly, placing a hand on his arm. “Let’s talk about this at home?”

He swallows and relents. I can tell he’s both upset and worried. It’s obvious Sophie means a lot to him. “Okay. At home.”

Sophie falls into sullen silence the rest of the ride. We reach his penthouse and go inside. I’m floored by how opulent it is. It’s like everything in my apartment has had the volume turned up to eleven with a sprinkle of fairy dust thrown on top.

“This is beautiful,” I begin to say, but I’m interrupted by a sharp cry. I spin around to see Jake grabbing Sophie’s purse that she just put down.

“What are you doing?” she cries as he opens it and takes out her phone.

“Taking away your phone for now. There has to be some kind of consequence. I can’t believe—”

“Give that back!” she yells, trying to snatch it away from him, but he yanks it back, stepping away and putting the phone in his jacket pocket.

“No. You’re going to have to earn it back, and I don’t want you talking to Jax. He’s a bad influence on you.”

“You can’t do that!” she says, struggling against him. She lunges, but he holds her back with an arm. I place my hand on my throat, unnerved by how Sophie is acting. I want to do something. Anything. But I don’t feel it’s my place. This isn’t my home, and as much as I feel for Jake, I’m not part of this family.

Jake holds his voice steely. “I can, and I will. You’re my responsibility.”

“Fuck you!” Sophie screams. “You’re not my daddy!” she says, running to her room, crying her eyes out. Her door slams, and a sudden silence falls over the room.

Jake’s shoulders slump when she’s gone and he looks despondently at the floor. Tears burn my eyes, and I go over and place my hand on his shoulder. “Jake?”

“She’s never told me something like that before,” he says quietly, and I can hear the pain in his voice. “I’ve never tried to be a replacement for Dad, but . . .”

“Jake, I’m so sorry,” I say. “I know you care.”

“It’s not your fault,” he says. “I haven’t been paying attention to what she’s been doing. I’ve just been so busy with . . .”

His uncompleted sentence hangs in the air, and I fill in the gaps. He’s been busy with his new job, the club, and me. “Let me go talk to her.”

“It’s pointless right now. Might as well let her cool down.”

I shake my head softly. “I can at least try. I’m a woman, and I’m a stranger. Maybe that’s exactly who she’ll listen to.”

He looks in my eyes for a moment before he nods. “Her room is down the hall, second door on the left.”

I walk down the hall and stop in front of her bedroom door. Even if Jake hadn’t told me, I would have known it was Sophie’s. She’s got a pink My Little Pony on the door.

My palms are sweating and I’m nervous. I’m sticking my foot in deep, and this could be a minefield. I take a deep breath and knock on the door.

“Leave me alone! I don’t wanna talk to you!” a harsh voice calls from inside.

“It’s not Jake. It’s his girlfriend, Roxy,” I say quietly before I pause. It feels weird to say that, but wonderful too. His girlfriend. I like the sound of it. “Will you please let me in?”

Silence greets me, and my nervousness increases. I stand there for what feels like forever, shifting from side to side as my feet start to ache like they always do after a concert. I’m just about to give up when I hear a small, “Come in.”

I open the door and go inside. Sophie is perched on the bed, her eyes red. Moonlight streams through the window, and there’s only a soft bedside lamp on as I sit down and the bed creaks. Sophie stares at me for a moment, and I reach out, stroking her hair. “You’re so pretty,” I tell her softly. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you and your brother are both beautiful people. You share a lot in common.”

She looks over at me and sniffs. “Thank you.”

Her voice is so small, like she’s disappearing. She reminds me of me when I was younger. “Your brother really loves you.”

She’s quiet, but she nods her head slowly.

“He’s not trying to be an asshole by taking your phone. He just wants to protect and look out for you.”

“But Jax isn’t a bad guy. I mean, he really likes me.”

I shelve that comment. I think Jake’s right. If he’s got her using a fake ID, what’s next? “That might be true, but he’s a few years older than you,” I say instead.

“So? Age ain’t nothing but a number,” Sophie says defensively. “I’ve heard it plenty of times.”

Did I sound this idiotic when I was sixteen? I was probably worse. “That’s true, but sometimes, numbers do count. I know a little over two years doesn’t seem like a lot, but you’re at that age where you do a lot of growing up fast. Besides, you guys were in a place you shouldn’t be. If Jax were really concerned about you, he wouldn’t have brought you there.”

“We just wanted to have fun,” Sophie says, and I can see her struggle with tears again. “Is that so bad?”

“Nope,” I agree, forcing a smile. “Honestly, I did a lot of stupid shit back when I was a teenager. I’m surprised my big sister didn’t kill me a few times. I’ll tell you something that I was reminded of tonight. The Bobby Gardner Rule.”

“The what rule?” Sophie asks, and I laugh quietly.

“Bobby Gardner. He was this big stud jock when I was a freshman in high school. He was a senior when I was a freshman, and my sister kept telling me not to get with him. She said he was bad news. Our age gap is just right so she knew him when she was in school too. Of course, I didn’t listen to her. So when Bobby asked me out, I accepted.”

“What happened?” Sophie asks, and I chuckle.

“He picked me up in a stinky as hell beat-up Camaro, we go to the winter formal, and during the second slow dance, he tries to cop a feel. I busted him in the nose with an elbow, and he cried in front of the whole school.”

“I don’t get it. What’s the Bobby Gardner Rule?” Sophie asks.

“Elbow in the nose trumps hand on ass,” I say, and Sophie laughs. It’s a good sign. “There you go. Feeling a bit better?”

Sophie nods. “A little. Um . . . girlfriend?”

I nod. “It’s my first time saying that, but yes. Listen, Jake feels like shit, too. He thinks he’s been ignoring you because he’s been spending so much time with the club and with me.”

“I guess Jake deserves it,” Sophie admits, but I don’t know if she’s just saying that.

“Don’t worry, you guys will work it out. Men are stubborn pains in the ass most of the time,” I say, trying to loosen her up. If I were Jake, I’d be worked up too.

Sophie smiles. “Can’t argue with that. I don’t have anyone but Jake, though.”

“I’ll come around more if you’d like,” I say. “I’d like to get to know you. Jake talks about you a lot, actually. He’s proud of you.”

“Okay . . . if you can teach me how to shake your ass like that?” she says, referring to what I was doing on stage.

I laugh. “I’m pretty sure your brother would kill me if I did that. Listen, you get some sleep, and try to talk to Jake about this, okay?”

“I’ll try.” Sophie nods. “I’m kind of tired anyway.”

I give her a hug and go back out to the living room, where Jake’s sitting on the couch, wringing his hands. The worried look on his face tells me everything I need to know, and I feel my heart swell as I sit down.

“How’d it go?” Jake asks.

“She’ll live,” I say. “At least she’s not wanting to take your head off. Anymore.”

“Good,” he says, relief flooding his body and making him collapse back into the couch, leaning his head back as he closes his eyes. “Thank you.”

“You’re more than welcome,” I reply, putting a hand on his knee.

“Was I too hard on her?” Jake asks, opening his eyes and looking at me. “You must think I’m terrible.”

I shake my head. “Not at all. I understand that you’re trying to protect her. Just give her time, and no, I don’t think you’re terrible. She’ll come around. She’s got a good head on her shoulders.”

He sighs, putting his hand over mine. “I’ve never had to deal with anything like this. We’ve always been close and she told me everything. She’s been perfect.”

I can understand his concern, and it touches me how much he cares for his sister. In a way, it turns me on to see a man who is so caring and kind. It sets my ovaries ablaze, talking to the deepest primal instincts. Here’s a man who would fight for me, protect me and his children . . .

Is he the one? I ask myself. Is he the man I’ve been waiting for? They talk about them in romance novels and I’ve sung about them hundreds of times, but I never really thought one existed. They’ve always been like unicorns, nonexistent.

Watching him, I see in him a father figure, a man who will be everything I could ever hope for. God knows, if I ever have kids, they’re going to need a strong father because they’re sure as hell going to inherit some of the Price hell-raising DNA.

“Jake?” I murmur, reaching over and taking his hand. He turns his head, looking at me with loving eyes.

“Yes, Roxy?”

“I have something I need to give you,” I whisper, my heart thudding in my chest.

“What?” Jake asks, and I shake my head.

“Not here. Take me back to the club.”

Jake

It looks different, pulling in after everything’s closed up. The sun’s just lightening the sky in the east, and I feel a little strange shutting down the engine on my Maserati, the silence deafening.

For the first time, I can say that Club Jasmine doesn’t look like a museum or a temple, with trash littering the parking lot. There are napkins, a few cigarette butts, and I see some glass from smashed beer bottles. I comfort myself by knowing that the cleaning crew will come in a few hours, making Club Jasmine a jewel again.

I don’t say anything, my head still swirling. After losing my temper a little with Sophie, and then the tension of watching Roxy somehow put a bandage over things, then now . . . what is it she wants to give me?

I turn to her, trying to figure things out. “You couldn’t have given me this back at my place?”

There’s something reassuring in her smile. “Nope. Plus, I didn’t want your sister to hear.”

I arch my eyebrow inquisitively. Now I’m really curious. “Okay, you got me. Let's go inside.”

She gives me a secretive smile that only increases my intrigue, and as I lead her up the steps and unlock the door, I feel like I’m being drawn into something that will change my life forever.

Hitting the lights, I see that the club’s mostly cleaned up. The early crew can get the last of the tables wiped down as they restock the bar. Roxy looks around, her eyes still wide. “It must be wonderful to have all of this,” she says with a sigh. “To know that this place is yours.”

“Half mine,” I remind her. “We’re off to a good start, but I’ve seen clubs do well at first and then fall flat. We can’t get complacent.”

“I have faith in this place,” Roxy says, walking up on stage. It’s dark up there. I can barely see her except the glint of sparkles from her outfit. “Where are the lights?”

“Off to the side. To your left.”

Roxy disappears, and I can hear her fumbling around in the darkness. “Found it!” she yells. There’s a click, and the LED floodlights come on, illuminating the stage. Roxy comes out, a pleased look on her face. “That’s better. Now, can you come stand over here please?”

I see where she’s pointing, and I climb up, chuckling. “What are we doing, reenacting a play? I’m telling you now, I’m horrible at remembering lines.”

“No,” Roxy says, going backstage again before returning with one of the microphones. “I know this isn’t turned on, but I just can’t do this without one.”

She points to a chair that’s in the middle of the dance floor, and I grab it, sitting down. “Okay, okay . . . so what’s all this about?”

“I’m calling this Heartstopper,” Roxy says as she lifts the microphone to her lips, and what comes out is . . . angelic. “It’s been too long, gotta get out, hittin up the new spot with my girl. Lookin’ sexy as hell, workin’ the floor, hoping to give this place a whirl . . .”

There’s no backing track, no instruments or sound system. Just the purity of Roxy’s voice as she sings for me. It’s slow, and I can tell that the song’s supposed to be faster, but as she starts the second verse, realization sets in . . . she’s singing about me.

“Your touch is electric, has been from the start. Give it to me, baby, or I’ma stop your heart . . .”

I’m grinning as Roxy finishes, smiling as she lowers the useless microphone away from her lips. “Well, now.”

Roxy’s face falls, and she blushes as she begins rambling. “It’s crap, isn’t it? I just wanted to write a song for you, and in my head, it sounds good. I just have to get everything right. I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t want to come off as a fucking cheeseball. I should have waited and prepared more. I’m sorry, every time I try and write something myself, it ends up coming out sounding like eighties shit-schlock . . .”

“I think it’s amazing.”

My quiet declaration cuts off her self-defeating rant before she can even get warmed up, and she looks up at me, her eyes full of hope. “You think so?”

I nod, getting out of my seat and walking up on stage. I reach out, taking her hand. “Roxy, it’s not a ballad, but I heard it. I heard the beat. I can see you singing that in front of like, fifty thousand people. It’s great. Two things, though.”

“What?” Roxy asks, and I chuckle.

“Let’s get a drink first. I feel like a good one right now.”

Roxy nods, and I lead her over to the bar, going behind to start mixing. “I’m not a bartender, but I know my way around a kitchen or bar.”

“I’ve noticed that,” Roxy says, her eyes full of curiosity. “What are you making?”

“The evil version of the Little Mermaid,” I say, adding in a second shot of Curacao. “When Nathan first tried it, it knocked him on his ass.”

I add a splash of maraschino cherry juice, and Roxy hums. “That’s not gonna be blue.”

“Nope,” I agree, shaking up the mix and pouring it into two martini glasses. It comes out just the right shade of purple, and I grin. “We call it The Ursula.”

Roxy laughs and lifts the glass. “So I was so bad that you need to get me wasted to numb the pain?”

I shake my head and raise my own glass. “No, a toast. To you and to Heartstopper.”

We clink glasses and sip, and the drink is just as strong as I remember. Roxy gasps, setting her glass down. “Shit, now I know why you only give a martini size. Whooo!”

“Yeah, I’m not trying to get you sloppy drunk,” I agree, setting my glass down. I come around the bar, sitting down on the stool next to her. “So, about the song . . .”

“Yeah?” she asks, and I reach out, putting my hand on her warm, smooth thigh, my body thrilling as the feeling of having her so close sweeps over me.

I pull her closer, taking her hand and putting it over my heart. “You have to know something. You’ve stopped my heart, too. In fact, you’ve captured it.”

Watching Roxy’s face, I can tell when it hits her what I’m saying. “You mean . . .”

“I mean I’ve fallen in love with you, Roxy. You want my heart? It’s yours.”

I place my hand on Roxy’s chest, just like in her song, and I feel the rapid thrumming of her heart. She feels as fragile as a hummingbird. Roxy steps closer, pressing her body up against me. “Jake . . . I love you too.”

I stroke my hand over Roxy’s breast through her top, her nipple quickly hardening as I lower my head, kissing her soft lips. There’s a hint of the curacao and cherry on her breath as our tongues wrap sinuously around each other, Roxy moaning into my mouth as I stroke her nipple through her dress, her body pressing against me as our hunger rises.

“Oh, God, Jake . . . I need you,” Roxy whispers, and I can hear in her tone that she means more than just for a good fucking. I lift her up. She’s so light that putting her on the bar is easy. “What are you . . .?”

“Having dessert,” I tease, kissing along her neck. I find the zipper on Roxy’s dress, and I love the tension that builds with every click of the tiny teeth as I ease it down her back, my fingers exploring and stroking her sensitive skin. “Mmm, never done this before.”

“Done what?” she half moans, sighing as I suck on the hollow at the base of her throat.

“Sex on a bar,” I joke, pulling her dress down her body. As soon as her breasts are exposed to the soft light, I devour them, sucking hard on her right nipple as I pinch and tug on its twin, Roxy gasping and clutching my head to her as I feast upon her curves. “Lie back.”

Roxy looks at me in wonder as she leans back, but it’s not quite wide enough, so I twist her body, glad we’re on a corner of the bar. Laying her back, I lift her skirt, enveloping my head in shadows as I kiss up the inside of her thighs. Roxy trembles, and I love that she can’t see anything, just feel, as my tongue traces over her skin, moving higher and higher until I’m licking the edges of her panties.

She groans as I trace around them, moving closer and closer to where she wants “Jake . . .”

The first touch of my tongue to her pussy makes her jump, and I’m ravenous as I taste her, my cock throbbing in my pants as I pull the cloth to the side and slide my tongue inside her.

Her hips are shaking, thrusting against my quick tongue as I trace up and down her slit, sucking in between. I slip my tongue as deep as I can inside her, wiggling it and feeling her pussy clench around me before I pull out to flick the tip of my tongue over her clit. Roxy reaches down, grabbing my head again as she grinds her pussy against my mouth, pulling my hair. It’s another thing I love about her. She’s a woman who knows what she wants when it comes to sex, and she isn’t going to just lie there for me.

“That’s it, baby, that’s how I like it,” Roxy moans as I nibble and lick her clit. “Oh, Jake, oh, fuck, right there . . . oh, fuck, right there . . .”

I find the spot that she’s looking for and lick faster, but with feather light strokes I devour her, my body aching as my cock presses against the fabric of my pants. I want to fuck her so badly.

Suddenly, Roxy’s hips lift off the bar, her thighs clamping around my ears as she comes. I hold her close, my hands reaching up to take hers as her body shakes like a leaf in the wind.

When she comes down, she’s still gasping, her face covered in sweat as I pull my head out from under her skirt and she strokes my face. “You sure do like going down on me, don’t you?”

“It’s a gift,” I tease, pulling her closer. “Now . . .”

“Your turn,” she says, glancing around. “This is way too high for you to fuck me though.”

I look and realize Roxy’s right. I pick her up off the bar, looking at a nearby table before she squirms and turns around, bending over one of the barstools as she grabs the thin chrome railing that goes around the whole thing. I can’t help it, I grin. “You know just how to look sexier every time.”

Roxy looks back, giving me a saucy grin. “Well, are you going to fuck me or compliment me?”

I growl lightly, lifting her skirt before smacking the upturned curve of her ass, Roxy gasping at the flat crack of my hand on her skin. I can just see her glistening pussy lips from behind the way she’s bent over, and my cock pulses to my heartbeat as I pull my shirt off and reach into my pants pocket, taking out a condom.

“No,” Roxy whispers as she sees the package. “Please, Jake. I love you. I want to feel you. All of you. No condom.”

I nod and let the condom tumble from my fingers to the ground, instead running my hands over Roxy’s ass. I undo my pants the rest of the way and take my cock out, letting it bob to my heartbeat as I line myself up. I take her hips in my hand as I thrust my hips slowly, letting her juices coat my cock as I slide between her lips, my cockhead rubbing over her clit as she moans.

I line up my cock with her pussy, pausing. “You sure?”

“I am,” she says softly, looking over her shoulder. “Never been surer.”

I nod, pushing forward. My cock stretches Roxy open, and the feeling as I thrust into her in one long, deep stroke sweeps away all thought in a wave of static. I can’t think. I can only feel as I grab her by the waist and pull back, thrusting harder and deeper into her.

My body is on fire, and I stroke in and out quickly. I can’t take my time. There’s no way I can hold back as she drives me wild. I’m grunting, sweat dripping down my face as I spank her ass, Roxy yelping and pushing back into me, meeting my thrusts with her ass, our hips smacking together with sharp slapping sounds. I pound her body, driving deeply into her with each hard stroke of my steely hard dick. I pull her harder into me, grabbing her elbows and fucking her harder, each moan and cry from her lips pushing me faster and faster.

I feel my cock swell. I can’t hold out much longer, but I don’t care. I’m going to fill her up. With one more stroke, I’m pushed over the edge, and I cry out harshly, slamming my cock deep into Roxy. She cries out too, her pussy clamping tight on my cock as she comes with me, the both of us frozen as I hold her, unable to let go.

When our bodies relax again, I slide her off the barstool, gathering Roxy in my arms as she wraps her legs around me, burying her face in my neck. “I’ve got you, my love.”

“Love . . . I never thought I’d hear a man say that to me,” Roxy whispers. “Jake . . . even if it’s secret, I have to have your love.”

Her words hurt, and I set her on the barstool, stepping back to shake my head. “No.”

“No, what?” she asks, and I hear a hint of fear in her voice.

“It’s not going to be a secret. Roxy, I don’t care about the rules anymore, consequences be damned. Nathan won’t care. It’s only the office. Well, you’re more important than being Regional President of Franklin Consolidated.”

Roxy beams as she looks around and finds her top, then she grins. “I guess I’m pretty special?”

“The most special,” I reassure her, finding my pants and pulling them on. “Now, there is one thing we still need to do before we get out of here though.”

“What’s that?”

I chuckle and point behind Roxy. She turns, gasping when she sees the glint of light on the camera lens. “We were on camera?”

“Yep. Unless you want to run the risk of becoming Internet infamous, I think we should stop by the security office and delete the past hour or so of tape.”

Jake

I feel like a new man Monday morning as I get ready for work. The shackles that constrained me? I’ve released them. I no longer feel the need to play by the rules. I’m going to proudly have Roxy on my arm. Let the whole world see that I’m the luckiest man in all the world.

Of course, I’m still going to do my best to uphold decorum at work and keep it professional, but I’m not going to deny anything if I’m approached about it. It’s my business what I do when I’m not at work, and there’s no way I’m going to let anyone dictate anything to me. If Corporate wants to throw a piss party about it, let them.

I finish buttoning up my shirt, the classic blue with white collar, and tighten my tie before I get my coat and leave my room. I pause in the hallway, admitting to myself that I’m not looking forward to going to Sophie’s room after the other night. We haven’t talked much since. Sunday had about three words, and Sophie only came out of her room when it was time to get takeout. She wouldn’t even let me cook her breakfast but instead took a couple of packets of Pop Tarts into her room.

I try her doorknob, but it’s locked. I lean my head forward and almost rest it against the wood. I want to bang on the door, demanding she let me in. We’ve been lucky. We haven’t had anything like this happen before. Instead, I remember what Roxy told me, and I take a deep breath. Knocking softly, I force myself to talk normally. “Sophie? Time to get ready for school.”

Her door opens so quickly that I don’t even have time to lower my hand. “Already am,” she says sullenly, brushing past me as I take a stunned half step back. She stalks down the hallway, and I follow her into the kitchen, watching as she half slings her backpack onto the table.

“So what would you like . . .”

“Not hungry,” she says before I can set my coat aside and grab a skillet. “Already had a Pop Tart.”

I can’t lie, her words really sting. I’ve cooked her breakfast every morning that I’ve been home for as long as I can remember. Now, she’s eating goddamn Pop Tarts, of all things. But at least she’s talking.

“Okay,” I say, mixing up a meal replacement smoothie of my own. It’s green and tastes like I’m licking the inside of a lawnmower, but it’s quick. Just as I choke down the last of the gloop, Sophie crosses her arms over her chest.

“Can we go?”

I grab my jacket, fishing out a breath mint as we go downstairs. On the way to school, she’s silent, staring out the window as the city rolls by. Finally, when we’re about a half mile away from school and stopped at a red light, I can’t take it anymore. “Look, I’m sorry about what happened. And you’re right, I’m not Dad, but I can’t allow you to break the rules or the law, no matter how much that makes you hate me.”

“I don’t hate you,” she says quietly, still looking out the window.

I snort. “Sure have been acting like it. We’ve always been close.”

Sophie turns, looking at me, and I see the same stubbornness that I swear must run in our family. “I just didn’t think it was fair. Jax is not a bad guy.”

I could argue the point. “It might be true,” I say, “but the fact that he’s going out with a minor and thought it was okay to bring you to a club says he doesn’t think.”

“Jake—”

“Hang on, I’m not done,” I say quietly as the light turns green. “Sophie, I’m only going to say this once, and I don’t have a lot of time. First, I love you. I’m kind of learning as we go on, so I’m nowhere near perfect. But I know guys like this Jax. Maybe he does care about you. But if he does, then he should care enough not to be doing the things he did. He should respect you. Don’t settle for a guy who won’t.”

Sophie says nothing. I pull up in front of her school and look over at her. “I’m on your side in this. I know I’ve been lax and haven’t been paying attention to you. I promise I’ll do better.”

“Right,” she says sarcastically. Shit, most of my talk didn’t get through to her. “Have a nice day at work.” She gets out and shuts the door hard, just short of slamming it.

I sigh. With all the good things going on, I guess everything in life can’t be perfect.

* * *

“And that's how I’m going to bring the Franklin division back to profitability within two quarters,” I say. It feels a little strange to be doing a presentation when most of the board of directors aren’t even in the room. “By shifting focus toward the emerging biotech markets and out of the old markets, things are going to turn around.”

“What about layoffs?” one of the members asks. They don’t have the power they used to have, but they still have advisory and speaking rights in meetings like this.

“Thanks for asking,” I reply. I hit the button on my laser pointer and continue. “I’ve spoken with the union representative for the non-salaried employees, as well with various senior management. By limiting new hires and encouraging an accelerated retirement program for workers who are reaching that age, Franklin will reach appropriate manpower levels within one fiscal year. We might need to shift some workers to different departments and trim a little fat, but our losses should be less than 1% of employees, and even with severance packages, we’ll reach all of our transition goals.

“The fact is, we need a strong workforce at Franklin. While cutting the workforce with broad-scale layoffs might have the corporate shareholders happy for the next quarter, we’d be shooting ourselves in the foot if we do. We need to have happy, experienced workers in key positions. We owe it to the employees who stayed with Franklin through this transition to make sure we do everything we can to take care of them. If we do that, they’ll work their asses off for us because they’ll be working their asses off for each other.”

I can see nods and even a few smiles as I continue, and by the end of my presentation, I’ve done what I thought would be the impossible a month ago—make both sides of the Franklin merger happy with the changes we’re going to make. Corporate is happy that I’m turning around a non-profitable division, and the Franklin people are happy I’m not going all slash and burn around here.

There are several more speakers, but I zone them out as I go over my notes. When it’s all over, I’m pulled to the side by Tom Powers as I walk out of the room.

“Jake,” the white-haired man says, clasping a firm hand on my shoulder. Over the past month, we’ve had meetings, as he’s preparing for his retirement and the handing over of Franklin to me. “I’ve never witnessed such fire and passion.”

Falling in love will do that to you, I think to myself. I’m not ashamed to admit it now. I’m in love with Roxy. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about another human being. “Thank you, Tom. I’ll do my best to fill your shoes.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that,” he says, smiling. “You’ve done a phenomenal job with the division since starting here. But I have to say, I was getting a little bit worried for a second. You stumbled there for a week, and I had doubts, especially with your . . . other business. But you’ve pulled it out remarkably.”

I smile, relieved. “Thank you, sir.”

He grins. “I’m leaving this place in good hands. Thank you, it’s an honor.”

He offers his hand, and I shake it. “It’s an honor for me as well, sir. So I guess I’m still invited to your retirement party on Friday?”

Tom laughs, nodding. The party’s been Elena’s big project this past week other than helping me with this presentation, and she’s even roped herself an assistant, Hannah. “Of course. Just don’t let me see your back while I’ve got the knife for my cake.”

I laugh and head down the hall back to my office. It’s a little after quitting time, and I feel a slight pang in my chest when I don’t see Roxy, but I understand. She’s busy, and she’s gone home. No reason for me to stay either.

I head downstairs and get in my car. It’s early, but I figure I can stop by Club Jasmine on my way home and see how things are going. Nathan’s really enjoyed being hands-on with it, although Andre’s doing a great job as our assistant manager. And of course, Nathan will want to show me the new numbers after Roxy’s most recent performance.

I don’t even get in the door before Nathan’s coming across, grinning ear to ear. “Yo, man, what did I tell you? The exec called. He wants to see Roxy’s show live.”

I stop, a stupid grin on my face. “You serious?”

Nathan nods, laughing. “Hell yeah, man! Looks like we’re gonna have a star on our hands.”

I shake my head and head toward the bar. “That’s amazing. When’s he coming?”

“Two weeks from Saturday,” Nathan says. “Just think about it, Jake. Roxy performing at our club, it’s so going to raise our status to have our own in-house pop star. We gotta get her signed to something ASAP. My God, the money’s going to roll in!”

I’m not sure if I like Nathan’s idea. I get it, he’s thinking about the business, and he doesn’t realize the feelings I’m having for her. If Roxy gets her big chance, I want her to be free to do what she wants. If she’s content with performing on the weekends, even better. “Two weeks? That’s great, man. We’ll have plenty of time to promote it and Roxy will have time to rehearse. She’ll be amazing.”

“Hell, she always is. By the way, is everything going okay with Sophie? I know you were stressing when you two left Saturday night. I still feel like shit that it happened. John and Andre are already going through the door staff, making damn sure we don’t fuck up like that again.”

“She’s better. She’s still sort of pissed at me, but she’s coming around I think. We’re talking some more, and I’m gonna make sure I have some more one on one time with her.”

“Yeah, well, if you need to back off here to do time with her, you do it, okay? I’ll keep the Club on lock for you, Jake.”

I nod, making up my mind. “You know, I think I might do just that. Email me the numbers if you want, but I’m gonna skip tonight.”

Roxy

“Jake seemed happy today,” Hannah says as I use my hip to bump open the door of our apartment. I stroll in and kick off my heels, immediately stretching my toes out to their widest, unsexiest stretch and padding around in what I call “Hobbit Style.”

“That’s because we’ve decided to not hide our relationship,” I announce cheerfully, walking to the kitchen, rooting around for that bottle of herbal tea I put in the fridge this morning. It always helps before I start my vocal exercises.

“What?” Hannah says, kicking off her shoes. She must have really put some oomph into her left leg, because I turn to watch as her heel lands dangerously close to Mr. Felix, but an instant later, he’s safely under the couch with his tail hanging out under the end. Hannah, however, is staring at me in shock. “What the fuck?” she asks, placing her hands on hips. “You have a lot of ‘splainin’ to do.”

I flip the cap on my tea, taking a deep swig and swirling it around my mouth before answering. “What? You had to know that I was still seeing him. After all this time, the number of times I was at the club late, all that.”

Hannah rolls her eyes. “I figured. I just didn’t want to argue with you over it. I hope it doesn’t cause a problem at the office.”

“Whatever happens, happens. It’s not like we’re gonna start screwing on his desk in his office during work hours,” I say, though thinking about it, that would be fucking hot.

“Mmmhmmm,” Hannah says, unconvinced. “I notice you added in ‘during work hours’.”

“Seriously. I just mean we’re not going to deny it if anyone asks. We don’t care who sees us.”

Hannah gives me a look. “I can smell the hormones from here. You‘d better get a grip on them.”

“Look, it’s more than just great sex. I really care about him. He’s the first guy in a long time who’s made me feel this way. He’s more than just a big wallet with a big dick. I give zero fucks that he’s my boss.”

She gives me a neutral look. “You don’t have to convince me. I have your back no matter what. I’m just looking out for—” she says before she suddenly jumps up, looking panicked when her phone buzzes. “Oh, shit! I’ve gotta go.”

I frown, confused. “Huh?”

Hannah doesn't respond, snatching up her purse and jamming her feet into the Nikes she keeps next to the front door. She yanks open the door, and I’m still confused. “Hannah!”

Before I can move, she rushes out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her. “The fuck was wrong with her?” I mutter in puzzlement. The way she looked at her phone and rushed off was bizarre. I look over at Mr. Felix, who’s just starting to emerge from under the couch. “You got any ideas?”

He gives me a look. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Face it, Felix, be glad you’re a cat because bitches be crazy.”

I finish off my tea and rinse out the bottle. I’m just putting it in the rack when there’s a pounding on the door. I wipe my hands off. It must be Hannah. She must have forgotten something.

“What did you forget, your pocket rocket?” I ask, about to grill her on her odd behavior, swinging open the door. It’s not Hannah, and my breath catches in my throat. There, standing in his suit, looking hot as hell with a happy smirk on his face, is Jake.

“What are you doing here?” I rasp. Never mind the fact that I was thinking about dropping by the club to see him so we could roll around a little bit in the back. It’s the first time he’s come to my place unannounced. I guess I should expect more things like this since we’re officially ‘out’, but I just wasn’t expecting it after Hannah’s weirdness.

“I brought this for you,” he says, “Caymus Special Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a very special wine for a very special person.”

I take the bottle from his hand, looking at it. I know the winery. My stepfather has some, and I’m shocked that Jake just dropped a few hundred dollars for a bottle of wine. “Thank you, but what’s the occasion?”

Jake grins silently for a moment, drawing it out. Just when he’s starting to really get me anxious, his handsome face breaks off into a huge grin. He steps in and grabs me in a big hug, swinging me around before setting me down. “That record executive is coming to see your show in two weeks. How’s that for an occasion?”

I gawk, nearly dropping the bottle of wine between my shock and the huge hug. “You’re shitting me!”

Jake shakes his head, stepping inside and closing my front door behind him. “Nope, just came from the club where Nathan told me face to face.”

I manage to set the bottle down, glad that Hannah and I have a table next to our front door, before I let out a squeal of happiness and jump into Jake’s arms, kissing him hungrily. “You amazing, wonderful fucking man! You did this for me!”

Jake kisses me back. His tongue is hot in my mouth as we stumble toward the couch. I can hear Mr. Felix run out. I guess he knows what’s going to happen, but I don’t care. Jake picks me up in his arms, and I wrap my legs around his waist.

“No, you did this all yourself,” he says as his hand cups my ass and squeezes. His fingers slide lower, and I can feel the tip of his middle finger sliding lower and lower. “You have the talent and the heart. I only gave you the canvas to paint your masterpiece on.”

“You’re a poet yourself,” I smirk, gasping when his finger comes to rest on the edge of my pussy. “Mmm . . . and your canvas is my body.”

“My Angel,” Jake growls, sitting down on the couch, letting me straddle his lap. I can feel the bulge of his cock pressing into me through his suit pants, and I can’t take it anymore.

“I fucking want you,” I snarl, yanking his tie down and ripping his shirt open. “Now!”

I’m torn between trying to get his pants open and the hungry, passionate kisses we’re exchanging, but my body is burning, needing him. I don’t know where the fuck Hannah went, but right now, I don’t care if she walks in while I’m impaled on Jake’s cock!

“Come on,” I growl in frustration, fumbling with his belt buckle. “Get them the fuck off!”

Jake chuckles, grabbing my wrists before I rip his pants open. “Damn, you’re acting even more cock hungry than the night we first met.”

I growl demonically, staring into his eyes. “You ain’t seen nothing yet. Your Angel’s gone. Just a cock hungry devilslut is left.”

“Bring it the fuck on!” Jake moans into my lips, his hands getting his belt open and his pants undone. I can see it in his eyes. Tonight, I’m going to get exactly what I want, when I want it, and oh, my God, what I need is—

Bang! The front door to the apartment flies open just as I wrap my fingers around Jake’s cock through his boxers, about to pull it out.

“Good lord, I ain't seen something like that since Johnny came back from Vietnam and we got to get down and busy for the first time in a year,” a familiar voice says. I jerk my head up to see my grandmother, Ivy Jo, smirking. “You could club a baby seal with that thing!”

I feel like I’ve been punched in the chest. I can hear Mindy’s unmistakable voice calling out, “Grandma, cover your eyes!”

Jake jumps off the couch and pulls his pants up. I rise to my feet in shock, my eyes going wide with recognition at the women in front of me and the barking dog at their feet.

“Mama?” I whisper in horror. “What are you doing here?”

* * *

“Layla and Rita couldn't be here,” Mom says, sitting on the couch and gesturing at me, “but they send their regards.”

I nod, still half numb. I'm not thrilled that my cousin and aunt didn’t come, especially Aunt Rita, but I’ll live. If I can live through my grandmother seeing me about to yank my boyfriend’s boxers off, Rita not being here is small potatoes.

I'm just glad to see Brianna, Mom, Mindy, and Grandma all in the same place. All four women are seated on the couch wearing pleasant expressions with the exception of grandma, who is scowling murderously at Bertha, my mom’s dog. She takes her everywhere, it seems. “That’s okay, I’m sure I’ll see them,” I begin to say when furious barking and yowling interrupts me. “Shit.”

“Why the hell did we bring that furball with us, Mary Jo?” Grandma complains to my mom while Bertha chases Mr. Felix around the room. Hannah is doing her best to separate the two, but she’s giving Bertha looks that says she agrees. “We didn’t even bring the grandbabies out of the hotel room, but you bring the dog.” She rises to her feet, brandishing her wooden cane as a weapon. “I swear, I’m gonna crucify that ball of fur!”

“I’ve already told you a million times,” Mom says pleadingly. “Leah needed her sleep and the sitter didn’t want Bertha to disturb her and Rafe.”

“That’s why you should have left her at home!” Grandma growls. Instantly, her expression changes like someone flipped a switch. “Bah gawd, that cat’s beautiful. What’s his name? Reminds me of my precious Esmeralda.”

“Mr. Felix,” Hannah supplies before I can answer. She suspiciously had come back with my family and is now standing off to the side watching us, having given up trying to chase Felix and Bertha around. Felix has had enough of the canine, and he turns on her, giving her one good swipe before he jumps on top of his play tower. Grandma is entertained, at least. “Go on, Mr. Felix, box that hoe!”

“Grandma” I say with a gasp, shocked by her words. “Where’d you learn to talk like that?”

Grandma doesn’t turn her head away from the soon to emerge Animal Planet smackdown, but she at least gives me an answer. “I’m on Instagram.”

“Which reminds me,” Mindy says wryly, keeping her voice low enough that Grandma can’t hear. “I need to take her phone from her. She’s been putting up pictures she has no idea that she’s putting on there. I’m scared she’s gonna end up with a picture of her bags. And not the grocery store kind either.” Dressed in shorts and a floral shirt, Mindy looks like she’s ready to step onto a plane for summer vacation in Hawaii, but most of all, she looks happy.

“Get ‘em, Mr. Felix!” Grandma crows, cheering them on with her cane in her hand. “WORLDSTAR! WORLDSTAR!”

“Worldstar? What the hell?” I ask.

Mindy facepalms. “Oh, God, yes. She’s on YouTube watching those damn videos, too.”

“Damn, she’s like a ninja with that cane,” Jake remarks with a chuckle, and I have to give him an apologetic sorry, my family is crazy look. He gives me a small shake of his head, and I feel myself relax just a fraction. After what they walked in on, maybe we needed this to ease the tension.

“Mama, sit down!” Mom pleads. “You’re embarrassing Roxy in front of her friends!”

“Oh, don’t stop on my account,” Hannah says with a laugh. “This is the most fun I’ve had in weeks. And it explains so much about Roxy.”

Mr. Felix lets loose a yowl that comes from the depths of his saber-toothed ancestors, and Bertha whines a little, backing up. “Hannah, please get him! I don’t want to have Bertha going to the vet.”

Muttering under her breath, Hannah walks over and grabs Mr. Felix and disappears down the hall. I hear the door shut, and Hannah comes back out, minus Felix.

Now that the commotion has died down, Grandma’s eyes fall on Jake. “So who’s this handsome young man?”

“Ladies, this is Jake Stone,” I say, blushing but still proud. “My boyfriend.” It feels good to be able to call him that. Glancing at Jake, I can see he feels the same way. “Jake, this is my mom, Mary Jo, my sister, Mindy, her best friend, Brianna, and my Grandmother, Ivy Jo.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Jake says. Getting up, he crosses over and shakes hands with each of them, giving Grandma one of his heart-melting smiles. “I see where Roxy gets both her sassiness and her beauty from. Did she get her voice from you too?”

“My daughters sure know how to pick ‘em,” Mom says proudly as Grandma giggles, of all things. “Handsome and a bit of roguish charm too.”

“So Jake, what do you do?” Brianna asks. Like Mindy, she’s added some weight, but it looks good on her also. I’ve only met her a few times, but she and my sister are practically inseparable these days.

“I’m the Regional President at Franklin Consolidated,” Jake says. “The corporation I work for absorbed it.”

“He’s Roxy’s boss,” Hannah adds.

“Hannah!” I protest, but Hannah gives me a look that says suck it up, buttercup. She’s right.

“Oh, don’t worry about it, honey,” Grandma says. “Getting down with the boss has been going on since . . . well, long before my time. And I went to school with Abe Lincoln.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Please forgive her,” I plead to Jake. “She probably hasn’t taken her meds yet.”

“I heard that,” Grandma growls.

We all pretend we don’t notice Grandma as each of the women takes turns asking Jake questions. They ask him what his favorite color is, his favorite food, even what movies he likes to watch. I start to feel warm sitting next to him, and I’m not even the one in the hot seat.

To Jake’s credit, he’s the consummate gentleman, answering each question with patience and a pleasant smile on his face.

Mindy is in midst of a particularly tricky question when Hannah interrupts. “Uh, excuse me. I don’t mean to be rude, but Jake, would you like to give these ladies’ husbands a tour of the Club? Gavin, Oliver, and John are waiting at the Pancake House just down the street from Jasmine,” says Hannah innocently. “They said they were hungry.”

I look at her suspiciously, remembering how she ran out. “You were in on this!”

Hannah manages to look guilty but doesn't say anything.

Jake chuckles. “I’ll be fine. I’ll meet up with them and let you guys play catch-up.”

I cross my arms and scowl. I know what this is. They're gonna interrogate Jake.

“Don’t let them intimidate you,” I tell him in his ear. “Gavin’s huge, but he’s actually a nice guy.”

“Are you kidding?” he says with a smirk. “I was born in the jungle. I can handle myself. It was nice meeting you ladies. I’m sure I’ll see you again?”

“You sure will,” Mindy says. “We’ve got nowhere to go, and if we do, I’m going to be back.”

When he’s gone, I place my hands on my hips and scowl at everyone.

“Now, which one of you is going to tell me just what the hell you were thinking, surprising me like this?”

Roxy

I pace back and forth, nervous energy filling my legs as I try to clear my head. I came to Club Jasmine early just for this purpose, to try and get my head right.

It’s not working. “Come on, this is just another performance, just another performance,” I mutter to myself for what has to be the thousandth time.

“Roxy.”

I don’t pay the voice any attention as I keep trying to go over stuff in my head. “Quick little talk with the crowd, then Shake It Off . . . no, shit, we decided to change the lineup to show my range . . .”

“ROXY!”

I stop as two hands grab my shoulders and I look up to see Mindy shaking me, staring into my eyes. “What?”

“You’re freaking out,” Mindy says, giving me a smile. “Come on, you’ve been going over this for an hour now. You know your set backward and forward. Even that old school track you’re putting in for Mom.”

“Hey, I’m not old school!” Mom complains. “I mean, Madonna’s still touring!”

“Yeah, and looking more worn out than I do!” Grandma adds. “Roxy, your sister is right. Sit down. If you keep this up, you’re going to wear out your legs!”

I take a deep breath and sit down, Brianna moving over quietly to help with my hair. While she does that, Mindy sits down in front of me and starts doing my makeup. “Okay, now listen,” Mindy says quietly. “I can see what’s going through your head. You’ve been trying to give yourself a pep talk, saying if this goes badly, it’s no big deal. But you see, you don’t need that talk. It isn’t going to go badly. Look to your right. Let me get your cheek.”

I turn, seeing Grandma. She’s gotten herself dressed up in an outfit I can only call geriatric hoochie mama. Mom looks a bit more conservative, but Mindy herself looks like she’s about ready to tear up the stage as one of my backup dancers . . . if I had backup dancers.

“All of us here know you’re going to knock them dead. All the men know it, which is why the only one sweating is Nathan, and that man seems to sweat everything.”

I chuckle. She’s right. “He’s made his money being a worrywart.”

Mom gets up and comes over to me, kissing me on the forehead. “I’ve always been proud to have two wonderful, beautiful daughters. And I’ve never been prouder of you than tonight, Roxy. You look amazing, but most all, you’re showing the world your heart. Do that, and they’ll love you just as much as I do.”

I blink, moved. “Mom . . . don’t make me cry. Mindy just got my makeup done!”

“She’s right, Roxy,” Grandma says. She gets to her feet, coming over. “You look beautiful, and you’re going to be the hottest thing since Brenda Lee.”

There’s a knock at the door, and Brianna stops messing with my hair long enough to open the door to my dressing room. She gives a low whistle, and I turn around to see Jake step in the room. He’s dressed to the nines, a full tuxedo with bow tie, looking like he’s ready to be the next James Bond. “Well, well, you dress up nicely.”

“Thanks,” Jake says, giving Hannah a wink. She’s been a godsend, playing it cool at the office as I’ve gone through ten days of absolute performance boot camp. She even did the laundry the past two weekends.

Jake comes up to me, looking me in the eyes with those soulful, love-filled eyes that make my life complete. “You look beautiful.”

“Second-best looking girl in the room,” Mindy teases, fixing the last crystal on my face. “There. Now you look like a superheroine.”

“I feel better,” I admit, looking up into Jake’s eyes. “So the guys are ready?”

It was Jake’s biggest gift for this important performance, flown from Summerfield last Sunday, my old backup band from Trixie’s, The Roxxers, Jeff, Gregg, and Wes. We’ve been rehearsing together for the past week, getting back in sync just like we used to be. “They’re ready.”

“Then it’s time to go,” I say, giving Jake a kiss on the cheek. “We’ll kick some ass out there. You get these bitches to their seats, okay?”

I head backstage, where I see Jeff, Gregg, and Wes already in their performance gear. I smile, but Gregg, who is rail-thin with short hair, looks concerned as he gestures at Jeff, a tall blond with spikey hair. “Dude, I’m worried about the pyro.”

“What? We’ve worked this to the bone!” Jeff complains. “Practices were great with it.”

“Yes, but that was in an empty house with half the security staff standing by with fire extinguishers,” Gregg retorts. He’s always been the more level-headed one while Jeff wants to blast out. “With a packed house, if things go wrong, it’ll be a nightmare.”

“Nothing’s going to go wrong,” Jeff says dismissively, getting a little heated. “Rox needs to impress the record exec tonight, don’t you, Rox? And pyro’s part of that. We had it perfect from the first rehearsal. There’s nothing to it.”

I place my hands on my hips, biting my lower lip. I want to use the props, but now that the heat of the performance is on, it’s only adding to my anxiety. “Let’s just not use them,” I decide. “It’s too risky and we don’t need it.”

“But . . .” Jeff starts to protest.

“No pyro, and that’s final!” I snap, harsher than I intend to.

Gregg grins as Jeff looks like he wants to argue, but he looks away when I scowl fiercely at him. “All right, Rox, it’s your show. No pyro.”

“Thank you,” I say, feeling butterflies flitter in my stomach. “I’m sorry, guys, I didn’t mean to be bitchy. I’m just nervous, and I really didn’t need the bickering right now.” I motion to my bandmates, and we huddle, saying a quick prayer. Just like old times.

We’re just finishing when I hear Nathan take the mic on stage. “Club Jasmine . . .”

The DJ, who’s going to be taking over after the concert, hits my ‘introduction music’, and the crowd starts to roar. Nathan lets the sound build for a few moments, and I can see through the side curtain as he grins. “Tonight, we’ve upped the ante for you. First, let’s give a hot Club Jasmine welcome to The Roxxers!”

There’s a roar of applause as my bandmates take the stage.

I feel like I’m going to faint as Nathan’s voice booms.

“And now, the woman you’ve all been waiting for. The hottest sensation to hit this part of the country in a decade. She puts the pop in pop princess, the work in twerk. Ladies and gentlemen, and special guests . . . she’s baaaaa-aaaaaaack!”

The crowd’s roar is like a physical wave, and I can feel it filling my body with energy. You can do this, girl. Everything’s going to be fine. “ROXY!”

Nathan walks off stage, and as he passes by, I grab his arm. “Nathan!”

“Yeah?”

“Nix the pyro! Tell them, no pyro!”

I don’t have time for more. The crowd is chanting my name, but I see Nathan give me a nod, and I feel a bit of relief. The moment I step out on stage, I’m swept away. I grin, all of my nervousness falling away as I wave to the crowd. “Club Jasmine, let’s get Roxed!”

The crowd roars again as Wes starts the synth notes for Toxic, and I stalk toward the front of the stage, my ass swaying side to side as I start.

Everything goes perfectly. I have them in the palm of my hand by the chorus, and I work it, spinning and twirling while singing my heart out. I’ve been training hard for this, and all those morning runs and dance practices after work have paid off. I’m not winded at all when the final notes hit, and the crowd eats it up.

“Thank you!” I cheer, not even pausing as Gregg switches over to the percussion introduction to Rockabye. This is a new one for me at Club Jasmine, and the crowd loves it, especially as Jeff does his reggae-style verses while jamming on the bass guitar. I planned this song for the fact that it is a duet. It gives me a chance to catch my breath before going high-energy for the next few songs.

It’s the performance of my life.

I walk to the center of the stage, blinded by the spotlight, sweat trickling down my forehead and sides. Despite being sweaty as hell, I feel more alive than I’ve felt in a long time, energized by my performance. “Club Jasmine, are you having fun tonight?” A resounding yeah roars back at me. “I can’t hear you!” I yell, cupping my ear. “Can I get a hell yeah?”

“Hell yeah!”

I laugh. “All right, this next song is for some very special guests tonight,” I tell the audience as I look out into the crowd. Through the glare, I can make out the women I love, all of them looking at me with pride in their eyes and smiles on their faces. “I won’t embarrass them by saying their names, but they know who they are.”

I turn my back to the crowd and raise my mic hand in the hair. “Hit it!”

The song starts, and I start jamming, dropping it low to the floor and bringing it back up again, pumping myself up for this high-energy song. Just as I’m about to sing the opening bar, I’m surrounded by a shower of sparks that blots out the entire stage, and a loud popping noise assaults my ears.

Followed by the blaring of a fire alarm.

“Everybody OUT!” the DJ screams, and suddenly, I realize someone used the pyro anyway and started a fire! I’m frozen in shock as I watch the audience descend into chaos.

Flames are racing up the curtains and there’s a rush of screaming people trying to get out the doors. I let out a cry when something falls near me, flames whooshing from it. Almost numbly, I see Gregg, Jeff, and Wes abandon their instruments to head for the fire exit on the side of the stage.

After a moment, I shake off my shock and start to head that way. But before I can cross the stage, one of the speakers falls, sparks and flame erupting in front of me as it hits the stage. Crying out, I hurl myself out of the way just in time.

I roll off the stage to land in the middle of what feels like a stampede, people kicking me, and I can feel someone stumble, stepping on my back as they rush for the exit. I scream, worried that the next step is going to be someone breaking my leg or worse, when suddenly, strong arms are around my body, lifting me up. It’s Jake, and he pulls me toward the exit as the flames continue to grow.

We get outside, Jake setting me down as thick, black smoke rolls out the doors of Club Jasmine. I look around, trying to find my family, and at first I’m panicked. I see Mom and Mindy at first, then everyone else. Except Grandma. “Where’s Grandma?” I look around frantically, my heart pounding within my chest like a jackhammer, growing dread twisting my stomach.

“I’m here!” a familiar wavy but powerful voice crows. “It’d take more than this to knock me out! Now set me down, you big gorilla!”

I see Oliver, Mindy’s husband, with Grandma in his arms. “Sorry, I took the other exit. Everyone was headed to the same one.”

“What the fuck was that?” calls a fresh voice, hacking. “Honestly, what the fuck were you thinking?”

I turn to see an older man, his eyes ablaze in fury. “Who—”

“I’m the person you were trying to impress,” the man hisses, coughing. “I came to watch you sing, and you try to put on a pyro show like you’re a goddamn pro wrestler? Fucking amateur hour!”

I can see Jake wants to say something, but Nathan comes up, grabbing him, and he’s running back into the building, Gavin and Oliver on his heels. I want to rush after them. They’re trying to save the building, I guess, but I’m frozen as the man rants. “I swear, between the bad stripper dancing and the horrible caterwauling . . . I didn’t think it could get any worse!”

“You know what, you bastard? Take your bullshit and shove it!” Mindy yells, getting in his face. “It was obviously a fucking accident!”

The man gives her a look and turns on his heels, stomping away. He disappears into the crowd just as the sound of fire engines approaches, and Mindy holds me as I feel like I just destroyed my life. Everything was going great. Until that.

“Oh, my God, Min, I can’t believe this,” I sob into her shoulder. I’m too weak to look over to see which one of my bandmates looks guilty, though I have a pretty good idea which one it is. But it doesn’t matter. I feel like I’m responsible for this. “This is all my fault.”

“Shh,” Mindy reassures me, stroking my hair until a new set of arms wraps around me. It’s Jake, and he drops a fire extinguisher on the pavement before he pulls me into a hug.

“We got everyone out. The fire’s mostly under control and it looks like no one is hurt,” he says, coughing lightly. “But the roof . . . the roof . . .”

“The club?” I whisper, and Jake shakes his head slowly. I feel my heart break. I’m sure he hates me. I burned down his dream! “Jake, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Before I can finish, Jake’s phone rings and he pulls it out. He listens, his face going white underneath the streaks of black. “No . . . no!”

“What is it?” I ask as Jake hangs up, and he starts to walk away. I follow him, grabbing his arm. “Jake! What is it?”

“There’s been a . . .” he whispers, seeming to lose his voice, his eyes unfocused. “Sophie . . . she’s been in an accident.”

Jake

The cabin of Hannah’s car is silent as we make our way to the hospital. I’m riding in the back because, as a heaping helping of extra suck on tonight, my car was parked in the back of Club Jasmine . . . right where a back window blew out and turned my Maserati into a wreck.

This night has been something nightmares are made of. It started off with so much promise, with the chance for a brighter future for Roxy, for Club Jasmine. Now, the club’s a wreck and from what I hear, Roxy’s career might have gone up in flames right along with it, and to top it off, I’m terrified about how Sophie is doing because they wouldn’t tell me much on the phone.

“Jake, I’m so sorry,” she says quietly. After getting the call, I turned over everything at the club to Nathan while Hannah drives Roxy and me to the hospital. “You must hate me.”

The guilt in her voice tears at my fucking heart. She’s said it about a half dozen times as we ride, and each time, I haven’t responded. To be honest, I don’t know what to say. Instead, I look out the window, wishing that Hannah could drive faster.

“Jake . . .”

“Don’t worry about what happened right now,” I tell her quietly, reaching out and taking her hand. “Everything is going to be okay.”

Even as I say it, my stomach twists in knots. Things aren't going to be okay. The club being burned hurts on a lot of levels. We’re going to lose a lot of money over it. Sure, we had insurance, but that will cover repairs, maybe. It won’t cover the operating losses, the fact that nobody’s coming through the door, or that I owe the staff something during the time the club’s closed. And there’s no insurance in the world that’s going to cover the damage to Club Jasmine’s reputation. There’s no guarantee that even if we do get it repaired quickly, people are going to come back.

I just hope Nathan won’t lose his shit. He’s really taken personal pride in it, and it’s the first business venture he’s done that bears his real fingerprints and isn’t just transactions being shuffled around on a computer.

Honestly, though, my number one concern right now is Sophie. If something bad has happened to her . . . I feel like hell. I said I was going to start spending more time with her. But outside of breakfast and our school rides, we haven’t had a lot of time. Now she’s in the hospital after an accident of some kind, and if something’s happened to her, I’ll never forgive myself.

We reach the hospital, and before Hannah’s even got the engine shut off, I jump out of her car, storming toward the doors and practically charging through them. The safety glass slides open at what seems like a snail’s pace, and I turn sideways to slide through as narrow a gap as I can, crossing the reception area to the desk. I barely notice that Roxy’s caught up as I plant my hands on the desk so loudly that the guy on duty jumps slightly. “Where’s Sophie Stone?” I pant, knowing I look like a dirty, crazy man. “I’m here to see her.”

“Are you of relation?” asks the staffer. The logical side of my mind tells me that he’s just doing his job, but there’s another side of me, the scared, instinctive brother side, that wants to grab him by the scrubs he’s wearing and jack him against the wall.

Instead, I bite down on my words and reach into my tuxedo jacket, finding my wallet. “I’m her brother,” I say, showing him my driver’s license. “And I’m her legal guardian. Now where is she?”

The guy looks, then nods. “She’s in the ER, one of the exam rooms. I’ll have someone come to escort you.”

“I’m not waiting,” I growl, rushing down the hallway, Roxy hot on my heels. I see a sign for the ER and turn, sliding slightly in my dress shoes on the linoleum. I see the doors up ahead, and as I reach them, a nurse steps out.

“Mr. Stone, come with me,” she says, not fazed at all to see a man in a soot-stained tuxedo come running down the hallway. She leads us through, not saying much until she stops outside an exam room. “She’s in here. We’re waiting on some tests.”

I nod and slide the curtain back, relief sweeping through me as I see Sophie. Thank God she’s awake, leaning back on the exam table as another nurse finishes wrapping up a gauze bandage around her head. She’s got the bandage and a bruise on the side of her face, but other than that, she honestly doesn’t look all that bad.

“Okay, Miss Stone, just lie back and wait for the docs to come back with the results of the tests,” the nurse says. Seeing me, she gives me a professional smile. “Just a precaution. The doctors had your sister do some head X-rays. They should have them back shortly.”

She leaves, and I walk over to the side of Sophie’s exam bed, worried. “What happened?” I ask, wincing inside at the anger in my voice. I don’t want to sound angry. I’m just worried. “Sophie?”

“I got into an accident,” she says, sulking. I reach for her hand but she brushes me away. “I’m fine, they say I just hit my head pretty good. The doctor thinks I might have a mild concussion. They’re letting me go if the X-Rays look okay.”

“Shit, I’m so sorry,” I whisper, wanting to hug her but not wanting to be rejected again. Instead, I’m forced to cross my arms over my chest to keep from reaching out. “I’m just glad you’re okay. How’d it happen?”

Sophie turns her head and stares at me tight-lipped. With each passing second, the dread in my stomach grows. “Please don’t do this. Tell the truth, Sophie. Were you driving? Were you . . . drinking?”

Sophie’s lip curls, her eyes flaring in hurt anger. “No, but Jax was,” she admits. “It was just one beer though!”

Her admission hits me like a punch in the gut. “What?”

“Jax!” Sophie half yells. “We were going out. He took a wrong turn and hit a pole.”

Anger flares in my chest. I can’t believe this. A dark thing twists deep in my heart, an evil thing that I can’t control, and I grab the railing on Sophie’s bed, squeezing the metal so tightly that it starts to creak. “I thought I told you not to see him anymore!”

“Yeah, well, you also told me you were going to spend more time with me, remember that?” she shoots back. “So sorry, Jake. I got bored when you kept going out all the time. You’re never around lately,” she says, not looking at Roxy but making her point. “He was giving me the attention I want. He at least would listen for longer than the ten minutes it takes to make eggs and hash browns!”

I almost see red, and my hands pull harder, the railing on Sophie’s bed whining in protest. I hear Roxy gasp in hurt, and I stare at Sophie, my jaw clenched so hard my teeth ache. I could’ve lost my sister because of this fuck nut. I warned him last time, and then he goes and drinks before taking her out? I want to choke him with my bare hands.

“I don’t give a fuck . . .”

“Hey,” Roxy says softly, trying to place a calming hand on my shoulder, but I shrug her off, my temper on the edge of losing control.

“That guy doesn’t give a shit about you!” I hiss at Sophie. “I could’ve lost you tonight!”

Sophie stares at me coldly, unmoved. She looks at Roxy, then looks away. “You have a woman in your life. You don’t need me anymore.”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. And it fucking hurts because lately, it’s true. I’ve been putting everything first but Sophie. “You know that’s not true,” I whisper. “You’re one of the most—” I catch myself. “You are the most important person in my life.”

Sophie snorts. “Don’t lie to yourself, darling big brother. I’m at least number four or five on your list. But it’s okay, I know I’m a burden.”

I open my mouth, about to yell at her, but Roxy tugs on my arm desperately. “Not here, Jake. This isn’t the time or the place for this conversation.”

She’s right. Fuming, I spin on my heel and stalk out of the room. When I get out, I slam my fist against the wall, Sophie’s words echoing around in my head. She can’t understand. All of this has been for her, too!

I turn to storm down the hallway. I need a drink, and I saw a Coke machine on the way here. Roxy is on my ass though, and I can hear her rushing to catch up with me. “Hey, wait up!” She grabs me by the arm, and I stop. “I know you’re mad and upset after everything that happened, but your sister has a point—”

“That I put you before her?” I growl, staring at Roxy. “Yeah, she has a point. That I’ve just risked everything, rolled the fucking dice on my future, her future, Nathan’s future, everyone’s future on some stupid fucking fireworks. And I watched it all go up in smoke. I risked it all because I let my dick overrule my brain. Everything’s all fucked up right now. We’re all fucked up. I’m all fucked up. And to be honest, I don’t want to hear any shit about how terrible of a brother and guardian I am!”

Roxy’s face goes white, and I hate myself for what I just said. I shouldn’t be talking right now. There’s so much emotion running through me that I don’t even know what I’m saying. “If that’s how you truly feel.”

She turns and runs down the hall, bursting through the double doors and knocking an orderly out of the way. “Roxy,” I yell, trying to chase her. “Wait!”

“Mr. Stone?” a voice calls behind me, and I turn to see a doctor with an obviously concerned expression on his face standing outside Sophie’s exam room. “Is everything okay?”

I can see that the doc wants to talk about Sophie, and as much as it tears my heart out of my fucking chest that I can’t run Roxy down, I turn and slump against the wall. “No, everything’s not okay,” I whisper, rubbing furiously at my watering eyes. “But what’s going on with Sophie?”

The doctor starts talking, but I’m having trouble focusing on what he’s saying.

I shouldn’t have said what I said.

Now both of the women I love most hate me.

Roxy

“It’s all my fault,” I wail, my eyes burning as I rock back and forth on my bed in my sister’s arms. “I nearly got you guys killed.”

Mindy brushes my hair out of my eyes and gives me a comforting look. “Hush, baby girl, we’re all fine. I think Grandma even had fun.”

“But I wrecked the club!” I cry. I don’t bother telling her that it was one of my band members who caused the fire, because it had been my idea to practice with the pyro in the first place.

Mindy rubs my back, shaking her head. “So? They’ve got to have coverage. Nathan strikes me as the kind of guy who’d make sure of that.”

“And Jake hates me!” I sob, collapsing as I ignore her attempt at practicality. I feel warm arms wrap around me, and I turn, burying my face in my sister’s chest as hot, bitter tears scald my eyes. “He practically said that I’ve wrecked everything!”

“Hush,” Mindy says, stroking my hair. I have to hand it to Hannah. She knew exactly what I needed when I fled from the hospital, nearly sobbing already. She sent a few text messages, and less than ten minutes after we got home, there was a quiet knock and Mindy was there, changed out of her club wear. Without a word, she bustled me into my room, stripped me down, and helped me into my fuzziest, fluffiest pajamas.

Now, she’s doing what she does better than anyone in the world—comforting me. “It’s going to be okay, Roxy.”

Mindy hugs me tighter, and I hold her close. “He hates me though. I’m sure Sophie hates me, too. I took him away from her, and that’s why she was out with Jax.”

“Give him some time,” Mindy reassures me. “As for Sophie . . . I think we both know she didn’t see this Jax just because Jake wasn’t spending time with her. An older guy showed her attention and she liked it.”

I sob. “I still fucked up everything. I feel so fucking shitty.”

Mindy pushes my head back, looking me in the eyes with a stern but loving expression. “Don’t you dare put all of this on yourself, Roxy. Sophie’s young and was taken advantage of. If anyone is to be blamed, it’s that perv Jax. I’m of half a mind to have Oliver and Gavin pay him a visit.”

“It’d just make everything worse.” I sigh, laying my head back on Mindy’s chest. “Min . . . I’ll never get another chance. I thought that this was going to be my big break. I’m so sorry, Mindy.”

“Sorry for what?” Mindy asks.

“That you came out here to see all of this mess.”

Mindy chuckles and kisses me on the cheek. “Roxy, I seem to remember dragging you through a nest of lies for an entire week, all the way to the altar of a wedding, only to tell you that the whole thing was a charade. If that’s not an absolute mess, I don’t know what is.”

“True, but you didn’t burn anything down,” I protest. “And you still ended up marrying Oliver.”

Mindy laughs softly. “Baby, I don’t care if you blew up half the city. You’re still my baby sister and I fucking love you. You hear me? I fucking love you. And if Jake really loves you, he’ll get over his anger. He’ll realize that he’s wrong and come here crawling on his hands and knees to apologize for talking like an ass to you.”

“I just don’t know . . . I really don’t,” I whisper. “It feels like my life is over.”

“Well, if it is, then I’m ending your life in style. I noticed it before—you’ve got some Chocolate Cherry Garcia in your fridge, and I’m thinking the two of us need to carb up before catching some Zs. Oliver already knows I’m going to be staying the night, so you can’t chase me out.”

I swallow my fresh tears, nodding. “Okay . . . if you say so.”

“I do. Now let’s go get some chocolate.”

Jake

“What?” Nathan yells into the phone. “Listen, you stupid bitch, I already fucking told you four times that it was an accident. You know what? I’m done talking with you. Put your fucking supervisor on the line.” He shakes his head, growling deep in his chest. “What do you mean they’re unavailable? I don’t care if you have to route this to the fucking CEO. And yes, I’m saying it’s a fucking accident! Huh? Go fuck yourself.”

Nathan slams down the phone, shaking his head angrily. “Jesus, and I thought those assholes at the SEC were bad. These insurance pricks make the SEC and IRS look like Mr. Fucking Rogers goes to Sesame Street.”

I sit in my chair, gripping the glass of mineral water I’ve been sipping, wishing it were something stronger. We’re sitting in the back room of the club on two of the smaller couches that were saved from the mess that was the VIP section.

The fire gutted a lot of the main room of Club Jasmine. The bar is a total loss, the marble top cracked and soot-streaked. As Nathan put it the first time we walked in yesterday, “Holy shit, there’s a fuckton of damage.”

We’ve already started, financing everything through our own names and funds. It’s not much right now. I can hear the workers out front, a half-dozen guys clearing out the mess. While they do that, Nathan and I are back here, running numbers and trying to get the insurance company to get off their asses. If they don’t, a good chunk of our fortune is gonna go down the tubes and it’s all going be because of . . .

A hard, bitter lump forms in my throat at the thought. I won’t let that angry, stupid fucking idea enter my head again. It’s not true. I’m just grateful that Nathan isn’t playing the blame game. Still, despite Nathan being my bro, despite all we've been through, I’d happily tell him to go fuck himself if he tried. I’m dealing with enough between Roxy and my sister.

“Shit, man. I really hope they come through,” Nathan says after a moment in a calmer tone. When I don’t say anything, he glances at me and sighs. “It’s gonna fuckin’ hurt if they don’t.”

“Did they?” I ask, already knowing the answer. I’m just still in a haze. I should be at Franklin Consolidated, but I talked with Elena this morning. She’s going to send all the files I need to look at electronically and keep me up to date on what I need to be there for. Right now, that place is the least of my damn worries.

Nathan snorts. “Fuck, no. They’re dumb as hell. They’re saying they want the fire marshal’s report, and I told them five times I don’t have it. For fuck’s sake, I talked with the guy this morning, and he said that even a rush job would take him another week to get together. In the meantime, I’ve given them the video footage. We just need to get the fucking repairs underway.”

I rub my face, feeling the unfamiliar rasp of stubble. I forgot to shave this morning. My head is pounding with a headache that should be in the fucking Guinness Book of World Records. Looking around the room, I sigh at how depressing it all is. I don’t even know why I came in. There’s nothing for me to do. At least Nathan can do his trading with his tablet. I can’t do half of my fucking job sitting back here.

But while Franklin is my job, Club Jasmine was my dream. My way out. It was the thing that said I was working for myself, not for some nameless, faceless mass of shareholders and some board of rich assholes who wouldn’t understand what I’ve had to do to get to this point. Club Jasmine might have been just a nightclub, but it was magical when it was open. It’s my baby, and I feel compelled to check on it. Every day we’re closed is like a knife in my chest . . . and other than bleed money, there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.

“How’s Sophie holding up through this?” Nathan asks after a moment. “I mean, the situation between you two.”

“She’s not talking to me,” I say. “I was making progress before the accident. I mean, I thought I was. Sure, I’d spent a lot of time with Roxy and getting this place ready, but . . . now she’s down again. Maybe I said some things I shouldn’t have. I got so mad when I found out she was with the same asshole who brought her in here.”

“You want to pay the fucker a visit?” Nathan asks. “I gave him a little speech before I let him go, but maybe he needs a little more convincing.”

I think about it, then shake my head. “No. I’m still debating on it, but if I do, I’ll handle it myself.”

Nathan snorts, shaking his head. “Teenage girls, man. Shit, even when we were teenagers, I preferred them older. I wouldn’t wish that death sentence on anybody. All hormones and Lifetime Channel bullshit.”

Despite my sour mood, I have to chuckle at his crude way with words. “Sophie’s actually not that bad. In fact, up until now, she’s been practically an angel. I guess it was gonna catch up with me sooner or later.”

“Actually, I’d say you’ve done pretty damn good with this.”

I turn to Nathan, so exhausted and hurting that I speak my mind. “Nate, about the fire . . . I mean, you’ve gotta blame me some.”

“Bullshit,” Nathan says with a harsh laugh. “I’m not a damn child. I agreed to the fucking pyro idea. Hell, I’ve spent days kicking myself over it, too. Roxy told me as they were getting on stage that they wanted to nix the pyro. I swear I passed it along. I even talked to the stage tech. He says the same. Nobody can find the damn pyro tech though. Someone didn’t get the fucking message.”

“Sounds like there’s more than enough blame to go around and we all get to take a bite of the shit sandwich,” I whisper. “Thank you for telling me.”

There’s a knock at the door, and I get up, swaying as the room spins. Nathan’s up in a flash, patting me on the arm. “Yo, you go home, Jake. I got this shit. You go take care of Sophie.”

I nod as Nathan leads me to the door. Opening it, we see John, who’s been acting as crew chief. He looks different in his old army pants and combat boots, good for the work at hand. “Nathan—”

“Just a moment, John,” Nathan says. “Call Jake a cab, and then tell me what’s on your mind.”

John nods and disappears, and I give Nathan a grateful but exhausted nod. “Thanks, man. I owe you.”

Nathan shakes his head. “Don’t sweat it.”

* * *

We pull up to the address that I got from Sophie’s phone, a medium-sized house in what looks like a middle-class neighborhood out in the burbs. Luckily for me, Jax is already sitting out on the porch with a blonde girl on his arm, talking, laughing, and carrying on like he didn’t just almost kill my sister. I know I told Nathan I was still thinking about this, but I can’t stop myself.

Seeing him laugh and joke around makes me even more mad. I jump out of the car and shut the door just a little too hard before telling the cabbie to wait, stalking up the sidewalk to the house.

Be careful, a little voice warns in the back of my head. You don’t want to do anything that you’ll end up regretting.

“What’s up?” I ask casually as I walk up.

Jax’s grins slowly fades from his face as he recognizes me, and he turns a little pale. “Nothing much,” he says finally, a cool note entering his voice. “Just chilling with my girl, Erica.”

I sneer. “Your girl, huh?”

He nods, trying to act hard when I know he’s a scared little bitch. “Yeah, my girl.”

That little smirk pisses me off and I can’t help it. Without warning, I snatch him up by the front of his shirt and slam him against the wall.

“Hey!” Erica cries, getting up from her seat, startled by my violent behavior. “Stop it!”

I ignore her, set in getting my point across. “You might not have been legally drunk, so the cops might be done with you, but you could’ve seriously hurt Sophie. I’m just going to say this once. Stay the fuck away from my sister or I’m going to come back here, and next time, I won’t be so nice. You won’t need a girl, because you’ll be missing a set of balls,” I growl menacingly in his face. “You understand me?”

Jax gasps, his face turning a dark shade of red as he nods violently. “Yes, I understand! I won’t touch her, I swear!”

I hold him in place for a moment longer, letting him feel true terror, then let him go. He comes away with a gasp, grabbing his throat. “Good,” I growl. “I don’t want to have to come back here again.”

“What the hell was that for?” Erica demands as I step away, running forward to wrap her arm around Jax’s shoulder as he wheezes.

“Dude’s an asshole, and I’ve had enough of him getting my little sister into things she shouldn’t be in,” I say. “Ask him about last weekend.”

With that said, I turn and walk back to the cab. Behind me, I hear her demand of Jax, “What the hell is he talking about?”

As I get in the cab and he starts the engine, I witness the two arguing, gesturing wildly at each other. The cabbie turns back and gives me a questioning look, but he doesn’t say a word. Before we pull off, I see that Erica’s had enough. She slaps Jax across the face, spins on her heels, and walks off.

Chuckling, we drive off, and I can’t stop the smile that forms on my face.

* * *

The apartment is silent as a tomb when I walk in, and except for the hum of the fridge in the kitchen, I can’t hear anything.

“Sophie?” I ask, pulling off my suit jacket and draping it over the empty sofa. The remote for the TV is untouched, right where I left it this morning to check the news, and I grow more worried. I dropped her off this morning but sent a driver to pick her up after school. I didn’t hear anything about a problem, but still . . .

I check my home office. Sophie uses my desktop computer from time to time. Nothing, and I grow more worried. Walking down the hallway, I stop outside her room, relief rushing through me as I hear something inside. I almost decide to let her be, but instead I knock softly. “Sophie?”

There’s no answer, and I’m about to turn away when there’s a soft reply from the other side. “Come in.”

I open the door and see her stretched out on her bed, watching one of the stupid Real Housewives shows. Way too much unneeded drama for me. “Hey.”

“Hey,” she says, sitting up, and to my relief, turning off the TV. “You’re home early. For you, at least.”

I think of making a wiseass remark, but instead I stop. This isn’t the time for it. “I came home because I wanted to see how you were doing. Whatcha been up to?”

Sophie flops back, waving a hand at the TV. “Just watching TV. Jax tried to call me but I didn’t answer.”

I step into her room, sitting on the edge of the bed and raising an eyebrow. “Why not?”

Sophie looks embarrassed, and deep down, I see a little bit of hurt, too. “I saw him with some chick at a party on Instagram. I know of her. She’s a total skank.”

“Oh,” I say quietly, glad that Sophie figured out that Jax is no good for her but sad that she’s hurt.

Sophie reaches over, putting a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry, Jake.”

She starts trembling, and I pull her up, giving her a hug. “I’m sorry too, Sophie. Because you’re right—you’re my sister and I should have given you more attention.”

Sophie hugs me back. “I should’ve listened to you. You were right. He’s a piece of shit.”

I hold in my grin. I’m happy I paid the little fucker a visit, though she doesn’t need to know that. “We all make mistakes,” I reply. “I think I’ve made one or two in my life.” It feels good to be hugging her again, like we’re back on the right path, the two of us against the world like it’s always been.

Sophie chuckles, and I notice that I haven’t eaten. “You hungry? How about I make dinner for us?”

“I could eat,” Sophie says, letting go. “I’ll help.”

We go out to the kitchen, where I pull out some kale and bell peppers while Sophie roots around in the fridge. “Pork chops?”

“Anything would be delicious for me,” I reply, washing the greens. Sophie nods, and silence falls over the kitchen. I want to make sure everything is smoothed over, but I don’t know how to start. Finally, I clear my throat. “Sophie, you’ve always been my number one priority, and as much time as the club and work take me away, I do it for us so that we can have a good life. I’m trying to do right by Mom and Dad and give you the life they’d want for you. But I don’t know what I’m doing, so I need you to help me here. Talk to me because I sure as fuck don’t know the first thing about teenage girls.”

Sophie takes out the kitchen knife and starts butterflying the chops. “I know you’re trying your best, Jake. You’ve done well by me. I mean, you took me to get my first training bra. How many brothers can say that?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Yeah . . . but seriously, Sophie, you are number one to me. Listen, I’m gonna promise you now that I’m going to spend more time with you. Just the two of us, like it used to be.”

“But what about Roxy? Have you talked to her?” she asks.

Just hearing Roxy’s name hurts, and I shake my head. “After I left your room, I said some pretty stupid shit to her in the hallway. I basically told her that all of this was her fault. I don’t think she wants to hear from me.”

Sophie sets the knife down, turning to look at me. “You haven’t tried to talk to her since? What the hell are you waiting for?”

“Oh, I tried,” I say quietly. “She’s not picking up her phone, and she wasn’t in the office today.”

“And you just give up?” Sophie asks, turning back and picking up the knife. She butterflies the other chop, shaking her head. “That’s not like you, Jake. You could do more.”

I glance over at Sophie. She’s dead serious. She puts the knife back down and goes to get the skillets. “You think so? And you’re okay with that?”

“Me?” Sophie says, looking down. “Of course I am. I said some things I didn’t mean, too. I was talking out of anger and I’m sorry. I’m turning seventeen soon, Jake. I’ve got a year and some change of high school left, then hopefully I’m going to college. You need someone you can spend the rest of your life with. If you think she’s it, stop wasting time. You deserve it.”

She’s right. No more waiting for her to answer the phone.

Roxy

“Get up, Roxy!” I hear someone say. In the near week that I’ve been calling off work, I’ve rarely left my room, preferring instead to spend as much time as I can wrapped in the blackness of my blanket and sleep.

I groan from underneath the covers, barely awake. “Leave me alone,” I moan. “I took a shower yesterday!”

“No!” snaps the voice, whom I finally recognize as Mindy. “I’m not going away. I have to leave in a few days and you’re being disrespectful to your family. Now get up!”

I look at Mindy, but my tirade dies on my lips as I see her. She’s standing there, her hands on her hips, pissed like I haven’t seen her in a very long time. “Look at you. You look a hot mess. You’ve fallen apart. I already checked with Hannah. You won’t go to work. You haven’t eaten in three days. And why?”

“Because I—”

Mindy cuts me off. “Because you feel sorry for yourself! I know you feel bad about what happened, but you can’t let it control your life.”

Her words hit me hard, and I look down, catching a whiff of myself. I am a fucking mess. I feel so horrible, guilty and ashamed that my family came all this way to see me, and here I am avoiding them because I can’t deal with the shame and hurt I feel. “Mindy . . .”

Mindy won’t relent. “The past five days, every time we called, you wouldn’t answer. I called your home phone and even talked with Hannah, trying to get you to come to the hotel. Then I come by today, only to find out that Hannah hasn’t even been able to get your ass out of bed? Your room smells like the zombie apocalypse, and I’m not putting up with it anymore!”

I feel like the worst person in the world. I swear I’ve almost had a mental breakdown over what happened. Starting a fire in the club, feeling responsible for Sophie getting in a crash, the music guy telling me I was done, and I feel like I’ve lost Jake. I’m just ready to give up. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, tears trickling down my cheeks. “I just feel terrible for causing a shit storm.”

Mindy reaches down, pulling me to my feet. “Well, we’re changing everything starting now. Do you know what today is?”

“What?” I ask, and Mindy wipes a tear from my cheek with her thumb, just like she used to do when we were kids.

“The day you said you were going to the studio to record that song you wrote.”

I immediately shake my head, trying to pull back. “No way, not that. What’s the point? That’s a waste of time.”

Besides, the man I love and wrote it for won’t even be there. He’s never going to hear it. It hurts to even think about Jake. When Mindy says I haven’t eaten, that’s why. I think about Jake, and my stomach hurts so much that I can’t even imagine food.

“Yes, you are. You’re going to shower and eat, and we’re heading downtown to record that song.”

“There’s no point!” I protest. “You heard that asshole. That was my one and only chance!”

Mindy grabs me by the shoulders, looking into my eyes. “The point is, you owe it to yourself. Do it for you. Fuck everything and everyone else. You go in there, and you put that thing on disc for you. Or so help me God, I’m going to introduce you to realms of pain you can’t even imagine!”

Her corny line breaks through, and I smirk. “Oh, how’s that? I’ve already heard you sing.”

“Yeah, but you’ve never heard Gavin sing,” Mindy says. “Don’t make me get ugly on you.”

* * *

You better bring it, boy,

I’ve only got tonight

I’m leaving town tomorrow, I can’t stay the night

Have places to go, Catching an early flight

If you want me to stay, you gotta come correct

My heart’s almost yours, take that final step

Heartstopper, Heartstopper

Can you feel it in my chest?

Heartstopper, Heartstopper,

Fingers on my breast

Your touch is electric,

Has been from the start

Give it to me, baby,

Or I’ma stop your heart.

I let out a breath, gasping for air as I sing the last note and the club banging beat plays in the background. I don’t know how they got the music mixed so perfectly so quickly, but it’s amazing.

Maybe I’m wasting my time. Maybe this is nothing more than a final middle finger to anyone who’s doubted me. But for the past hour and forty-five minutes that I’ve been in the recording booth, I’ve felt a change coming over me. All the worries and pains I’ve been going through fell away. It was just me, the music, and my heart.

“That’s the one!” Oliver shouts in elation to the studio engineer, a nerdy looking blond guy with tiger-striped wide-rim glasses sitting beside him in the system room. “You got what you need. Get to work!”

I tilt my head, watching as Gavin and Oliver start chatting together excitedly while the studio engineer gets his computers together. Scowling, I pull off my headphones and talk into the mic. “What the hell are you two so excited about?”

I seriously don’t know what these two are up to. They’re nearly buzzing as they come into the studio.

They both grin at me like a pair of mischievous school boys, not saying a word.

“Spit it out!” I beg as their smiles become infectious. “Or I’ma make Mindy come up in here and sing Barney.”

They both laugh at me, but Oliver is the one to speak. “Gavin and I have decided to invest a little in you using what I like to call ‘fuck you money’. Tomorrow, in ten different time slots on the local radio, Heartstopper is going to be played.”

“Yeah,” adds Gavin. “Not only that, but we’re going to release it on iTunes, Amazon, all that. You don’t need a label to self-publish.”

I blink, shocked. “You two . . . you’re batshit crazy!” I exclaim heatedly. “You realize this isn’t going to sell shit, right?”

“Who cares?” Gavin says with a shrug. “This isn’t about the sales.”

“I care!” I protest. “Guys, I tried iTunes already. I put a whole album on there. It sold exactly one hundred copies, and I suspect five of them were you guys!”

“Seven,” Gavin says matter-of-factly. “I wanted it to be a round number.”

“See!” I say. “You prove my point!”

“Girl, stop with all that fussing. You’re amazing,” Mindy, who’s been out in the hallway and talking with the sound guy, says, coming in. “It’s going on there or so help me God, I’m going to turn into Iggy Azalea and treat you guys to my first rap song.”

I throw my hands up in immediate surrender. “Oh, hell no. You win!”

Everyone in the studio laughs and Mindy says, “Girl, I promise you, Leigh’s going to be singing all the lyrics and copying her auntie’s twerk routine by lunch tomorrow.”

I grin, the first one I’ve had in awhile. It feels unfamiliar on my face—that’s how down I’ve been over the past few days. “Well, someone has to teach your daughter some life skills.”

Everyone laughs while we close up the studio, turning in the keys to the front desk.

“Mindy,” I say as we leave the studio. “Wait up.”

“Sure,” she says, waving Oliver and Gavin on. “You two go. We’ll see you at the hotel.” The guys leave, and she turns to me, smiling. “What’s up?”

“I can’t go back to my job,” I say, shaking my head.

“Is it the job or is it Jake?” Mindy asks, and I shrug. She pulls me in for a hug, and I gotta admit, it feels good. “I see. Well, if you find that you can't, why don’t you quit your job and come back home with us?”

“After what happened, I feel so guilty. I can’t face Jake. I just can’t. Not only because of the club, but it will just be so awkward after what we had going.”

Mindy nods. “We can help you back on your feet. Hell, I might even have a job for you in the cafe.”

When I think about it, what is here for me if there’s no Jake? Work is going to be so awkward. I just can’t imagine it. I want to go to Jake, but now I can’t bear to look at him, not after destroying his hard work and his relationship with his sister.

“I think I might take you up on that offer. Give me the weekend to think about it.”

Jake

Coming into the office Friday morning, the first thing I do when I get off the elevator is look over at Roxy’s desk.

Empty.

Again.

I sigh and go into my office, setting my briefcase down on my desk before slumping into my chair. I rub at my temples. It’s only eight forty-five and I’ve already got a headache. I know why, too. Sure, Sophie’s talking to me and the club’s cleaned out now, but there’s an aching hole in my chest. The same hole that’s in a cubicle just outside my office.

Elena drops off something for me to look over. I don’t really give a damn. A familiar figure goes by the office, and I look up, but it’s just Hannah. I can’t stand this any longer. I pick up my phone. “Elena?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Have Hannah Fowler report to my office immediately, please.”

“Of course, sir,” Elena says in that tone of voice that says Great, he’s doing something crazy again. FML.

Still, Elena’s a professional, and fewer than five minutes later, Hannah knocks on my office door. “You wanted to see me, sir?”

I nod at the chair. “Relax, Hannah. I think you know what this is about. How is she doing? I haven’t seen her all week and she isn’t answering my texts. I miss her.”

“There isn’t much I can tell you,” Hannah says. “Mindy dragged her out of the apartment Wednesday, and she hasn’t been back since. Honestly, I’m sort of glad she’s out for a while. Her room was getting funky.”

I nod, and it breaks my heart to hear that. “Do you have any idea what she’s doing?”

Hannah shakes her head. “Sorry. She sent me a text last night saying to keep my ears open and that she’d have more information for me today, but that’s it.”

I swallow, leaning back. “Okay. Well, if you see her, talk to her, whatever . . . tell her I’d like to get in touch?”

“Of course,” Hannah says. “Will that be all?”

“Yes, thank you,” I say, when suddenly, my office door opens, and Elena’s there.

“Turn on the radio!” Elena says, running over to the old-fashioned FM radio that came with my office. “You have to hear this!”

She switches on the stereo, punching in 97.3, the local pop station. She cranks the volume and turns, giving me a look as the DJ goes on. “ . . . so after the recent fire, Roxy decided she needed to say she was sorry for the incident. And as a thanks to her fans from Club Jasmine, here’s the song that she was going to debut a week ago. Heartstopper.”

I jump to my feet as the background track that I’d heard only once before starts bumping and thumping on my stereo. Seconds later, Roxy’s pure, sensual voice fills my office.

The final notes fade away, and I stare at the radio as smooth silence drifts over the radio for a few seconds before the DJ comes back on. “Wow. You know, I’ve been in the radio game for a long time, going on twenty years now, and I haven’t heard a song this hot from a new singer in—well hell, I’m going to get in trouble with my bosses, but fuck it, let’s play that every hour!”

“That’s Roxy?” Elena says. “I mean, I heard she was a singer but . . .”

Suddenly, my cellphone rings and I pick it up. It’s Nathan. “Nathan, not now.”

“What the fuck do you mean, not now?” Nathan says in my ear, sounding as breathless as the rest of us. “Roxy was just on the radio.”

“I know,” I gasp, looking around my office. My body is burning, my chest tight and my stomach twisting. I know what I need to do. “But I need to think.”

“Look, just listen up for a moment,” Nathan says, laughing. “I just got off the phone with the insurance company. They got back to me, and they’re cutting us a check. All of it, full policy value.”

“That’s great, Nathan, but right now, I need you to do something else,” I say, grabbing my suit coat and pulling it on. Elena and Hannah are still staring at me, trying to figure out what the hell I’m doing. “Is there anything we can do to escalate the cleanup? Triple the amount of workers if we need to, get the club cleaned and patched up. If we can’t do that, then we’re doing this thing in the fucking parking lot in front of the fountain. That still works, right?”

“Uh, It works, but what are you talking about?” Nathan asks.

“I’ve got a woman I need to win back. And she’s got a concert to put on. Roxy’s going to sing Heartstopper live for her fans. No matter what.”

I hang up my phone and head for my office door. As I reach the handle, Elena calls out. “Sir!”

“What?” I ask, turning back.

“There is a board meeting in forty-five minutes,” Elena says. “You’re supposed to be there.”

I button my suit coat, nodding, and head back, grabbing my laptop and briefcase before I turn back around. “I forgot, but I’m still leaving. Tell them I had something very important to attend to. If they don’t accept it . . . well, they can fire me.”

Roxy

“And now, that local artist who’s shooting up the charts. She’s reached number twenty-five on the iTunes download charts already . . . here’s Roxy with Heartstopper!”

I look over at the radio, shaking my head as I reach over and turn it off. While I’m amazed and shocked that my song has gained so much traction, I don’t need to listen to it again. I suspect that most of the buzz in downloads is from locals who saw me at the club, but it still feels good.

Mr. Felix is sitting in my lap, purring. It helps, even though I still feel a little down. Looking around the apartment, it’s hard. In packing my stuff up, this place just doesn’t look at all like the apartment I’ve shared with Hannah.

Some of the things are the same, the voice in my head says. This sofa is the place you and Jake first had sex.

I run my hands along the cushion, sighing. Setting Felix aside, I glance at the clock. It’s nearly five thirty now, and Hannah said she’d be home around six. I promised her that I’d get some delivery Chinese food for us to share. I feel like hell, running out on her, but she said that she’s already got people lined up to share rent with her. I think she’s trying to make me feel better about it, but I hope it’s true.

There’s a knock at the door, and I set Felix aside. Going over, I look through the peephole to see that it’s Mindy, and I open up. “Hey, Min, what’s up?”

“What’s up?” she asks, grinning. “I just heard you on the radio again, and you ask what’s up? I see you’ve got the jaded pop star act down already.”

I smile slightly, letting Mindy in. She looks around, whistling. “Wow, you got packed quickly. Is Hannah upset?”

“No, she says she understands, and we’re going to have some girl time later. I mean, I still haven’t turned in my resignation to the office. I’ve got another three days of vacation time built up.”

“That’s good,” Mindy says. “So where is your stuff, anyway?”

“I packed up what I’m going to take. It’s in my room. Feels strange to be living out of a suitcase again. Well, partially. I gave Hannah a lot of my office clothes. If I ever have to put on a professional pencil skirt and those damn heels again, I’m going to scream.”

Mindy chuckles, nodding. “The advantages of owning a cafe. I wear New Balances to work most days. The only heels I have I wear when Oliver and I—”

“TMI!”

Mindy laughs. “Come on, let’s get the hell out of here.”

“Where?” I ask. “I mean, I promised Hannah dinner!”

“Send her a text. She’ll understand. And if she is upset, tell her Oliver Steele will pay for her to go out to dinner tomorrow anywhere in town.”

I can’t help it. I smirk. “More of his ‘fuck you’ money?”

“Something like that. Come on, the whole family’s waiting for you.”

* * *

I wake up with a start, surprised that I dozed off. Part of it was that I’ve been getting over my depression, and part of it has been that my body clock is still so screwed up. I blink, looking around. “Where are we?”

Mindy, who’s driving, glances over. “Ha, you don’t recognize it?”

I sit up some more, looking out the side windows. Unfortunately, Mindy’s got some of those dark tinted windows and it takes me a minute. “We’re heading downtown. I thought you said we were getting together with everyone. The hotel’s out near the airport, right?”

“Right both times, but I didn’t say that the rest of the fam was at the hotel.”

I’m immediately suspicious, my shock growing as we make a right turn and I see Club Jasmine. “What the hell are we doing here?”

“Trust me,” Mindy says, parking out front. The amount of work that’s been done is amazing. There’s still some scorch marks on the front, but all of the fire smell is gone. Mindy leads me up the steps, opening the door. It’s dark inside, and I blink, trying to adjust to the gloom. “Well, here we are.”

“Mindy, this is so not cool,” I complain. “I mean, why remind me . . .”

“She’s baaaa-aaaaaack!” an electronic voice booms out of the darkness, and suddenly, stage lights blossom. The floor is still a mostly scarred wreck, but they’ve swept and cleared out an area in the middle, where the bare concrete is surrounded by lights.

Hannah steps out of the shadows, grinning. “Our guest of honor has arrived. Have a seat.”

“Mindy, what is going on?” I ask as the lights come up and I see Mom, Grandma, Brianna . . .

“Hit it!” Hannah says as Mindy leads me over to a chair and sits me down. Hannah moves out of the light as bumping dance music starts up. There’s a silly little curtain, nothing more than a rope with a sheet hung over it, and Hannah giggles as she gets on the mic again. “Welcome to the Club Jasmine Gentlemen’s Revue!”

Suddenly, the curtain twitches, and Bertha comes running out, yapping furiously. “Goddammit, Mary Jo, if you don’t stop dragging that thing with you everywhere, I’m not going with you anywhere anymore!”

Mom gets up and chases Bertha down while I lean over to Mindy. “What the hell is this?”

“Just enjoy. Think of it as more fuck you money,” Mindy says, patting my shoulder. “Trust me, you’ll enjoy it.”

Mom gets Bertha under control and sits down, grumbling to Grandma. “You know, you’ve had pets too.”

“Whatever,” Grandma says. “Bring on the flesh parade!”

“Up first,” Hannah says, trying not to laugh, “is our very own superstar, former All-Pro running back, Gavin ‘Anaconda’ Adams!”

Brianna, of course, claps the loudest as Gavin emerges, clad in what I can only call a stripper’s version of a Navy uniform. Skintight white pants are underneath his cheap white tunic as he adjusts the bill of his cap. Lifting a microphone to his lips, the music changes, and I groan.

Gavin starts to sing Up Where We Belong by Joe Cocker, and even Brianna has to clap her hands over her ears.

“I love you, but never again!” she screams as Gavin shrugs and drops his microphone. Ripping off his tunic top, the music changes into a techno/club remix of the classic Joe Cocker song, and he gives his wife a lap dance that leaves Brianna in a fit of laughter before he sashays offstage.

Mindy’s laughing her ass off as Brianna wipes her forehead with a hand towel. She looks over at Mindy and me, chuckling. “I didn’t marry him for his singing.”

Hannah chuckles, shaking her head. “And now, for our second act . . . Oliver Steele!”

Oliver comes out, and my jaw drops as he comes out dressed in perhaps the most ridiculous outfit I’ve ever seen him in, a leather set of hot pants and a motorcycle vest. “What the hell do you and he get up to?” Grandma asks. “That sure as hell ain’t what I expected!”

Mindy’s beet red as Oliver picks up the mic and starts singing Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? As he sings, he dances, and he’s even worse than Gavin, Mindy blushing and laughing uproariously as he caterwauls his way through the song. “Brad would love this!” I laugh as Oliver peels off his vest to show off his chiseled torso.

Mindy’s flushed herself as Oliver retreats behind the curtain, and Hannah takes a minute to laugh. “Don’t quit your day jobs. Either of you.”

“So who’s next?” Grandma asks. “I love those men, but damn if my ears aren’t bleeding.”

“Next . . . a very special performance,” Hannah says. The music slows, not the silly club mixes, but I’ve heard this in clubs before.

The voice I hear next shocks me. I’ve never heard it like this before.

I watch in pure amazement as Jake comes through the curtain, stripped to the waist, his body gleaming under the lights as he approaches me with pure love in his eyes, singing Take My Breath Away by Berlin.

The song finishes, Jake saying nothing as he lowers the microphone, and I feel tears in my eyes. “Jake . . .”

“HIT IT!” a booming voice comes from the back, and suddenly, Gavin and Oli are back, having changed clothes, thank God, this time with Nathan joining them as they suddenly break into the Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way.

“My fucking ears!” Mindy screams in laughter as Gavin and Oliver both sing their parts. Nathan’s even worse, but he’s a good sport as he swings his hips in front of Grandma and Mom.

I barely notice, my eyes on Jake as he sings, reaching out for me. I lift my hand to his, not even realizing it until he pulls me to my feet. I look in his eyes as he sings the final lines.

The music fades away as the other ladies clap, but I can’t do anything but look at Jake. “Roxy, my sweet, beautiful Angel,” he says softly, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I can’t live without you. When I heard your song . . . I’m sorry. I was wrong. I was an idiot . . . please don’t leave. Stay here. Stay with me. I need you. I love you. I didn’t mean what I said. You were blameless. I was angry and scared for Sophie and took it out on you.”

I nod, putting my arms around his neck and pulling him into a soft kiss. His tongue caresses mine, and I hear cheering behind me. I turn to see Mindy and Brianna in their husbands’ arms while Grandma and Mom wipe away their tears. Even Hannah is wiping away a tear or two, and Nathan looks like he’s got some allergies going on.

“Looks like I’m staying,” I tell Mindy, who grins and gives me a thumbs-up.

“But what about the apartment?” Hannah mock whines. “I’ve got two potential roomies wanting to see the place tomorrow!”

“Well, I’ve got a spare bedroom,” Jake says, “and Sophie would love to have you around.”

“Deal!” Hannah says, grinning. “Roxy, you’ve got twenty-four hours to get your shit out!”

There’s laughter all around, and Nathan disappears to the back to return with four bags of Chinese food. He starts divvying it out, and I turn to Jake, looking into his eyes. “You’d really want me to move in?”

“I want to start with you moving in,” Jake says quietly. “And Mindy already told me you want to leave Franklin. If you still want to, that’s fine. You can pay your share another way.”

“How?” I ask.

“Next Saturday, we’re doing an outdoor concert for Club Jasmine. Know of a hot pop act who can work the stage and has a song that’s rocketing up the charts who can sing her ass off for us?”

I blush, giving Jake a raised eyebrow, and he nods. “Only if you want to,” he adds.

I nod and jerk my thumb over my shoulder at Nathan. “Talk to my manager,” I say, giving Jake a huge smile. “He’s the brains of the outfit, remember?”

Jake

I grin at the happy, exuberant guy looking back at me in the mirror, stunned at the image. I can’t help myself and start humming Heartstopper, even dancing a little, popping my hips. The world seemed so dark a few days before, and now everything is looking up again.

“Oh. My. God.” Sophie laughs quietly behind me, and I turn around. “Next thing I know, you’re gonna pull out those hot pants and start doing the YMCA.”

For this first time in my life, I think I blush. Sophie comes over and pats me on my chest, grabbing my tie and pulling it around my neck. “Now you’re dressing me?”

“You always take forever with your tie,” Sophie teases. “And this is your special tie.”

I glance down at the cornflower blue tie and lift my eyebrow. “Really?”

“Sure is. You only seem to wear it when you’ve got stuff planned or you’re really happy. So which is it?” she asks as she starts wrapping the silk around itself. “I think I know.”

“What?” I ask, and Sophie laughs.

“My big brother is in loooove!” she teases, tugging on the knot that’s magically appeared. “Now, fix your collar, and you can fix me some eggs. And I don’t want to see that with your hips ever again!”

This is what being in love gets me, I think as I tug at my collar and find myself snapping my fingers as she walks out. Doing things I would never do. It’s pretty awesome.

I thread my belt, and as I adjust my fly, Sophie sticks her head in again. “Hey, eggs?”

I look up, glad I had things mostly done. “Don’t you ever knock?”

Sophie shakes her head. “You leave your door open all the time. Nothing to knock on.”

“Huh,” I think. Point, Sophie. “Okay, well, how’d you like some bacon in your eggs?”

“Always up for the fine swine,” Sophie says with a grin. “I’ll help.”

* * *

The first half of the day flies by, and as I get ready for the monthly meeting with the advisory board and corporate, I still feel like I’m walking on clouds. Elena knocks on my door, and I call her in. “Yes, Elena?”

“Miss Price has asked to see you,” she says, smiling a little. She knows, but she seems to actually be pleased by the whole thing. Maybe Elena’s a romantic at heart. “Shall I show her in?”

“Please,” I answer, but before Elena can, she’s practically pushed out of the way as Matt bursts into the room, along with Byron and Maria Bennett, the woman corporate sent down to talk face to face with the Franklin Consolidated board today. She’s from human resources and was going to talk about the changeover of retirement and health insurance plans next fiscal year.

“There he is!” Matt says, stabbing a finger at me. “I told you he’s been breaking Rule 34(b) of the Corporate Code of Conduct!”

I sigh, giving Maria a look. “What’s he talking about?”

“Don’t try to play innocent!” Matt says, his reedy voice grating on my ears. “They’ve been carrying on an affair. As the regional president, that’s a clear conflict of interest. I’ve watched them!”

“Watched me do what?” I ask as I see Roxy slide in the back of the office, her eyes blazing. I hold up a hand, and she nods, keeping her peace. “Have any of you seen me or Miss Price do anything unprofessional in the office?”

Sure, it’s a gamble—we did have the elevator . . . and the supply room—but nobody was there either time. Matt blusters, then points at Roxy. “She’s singing at your nightclub, and you two have been seen cavorting there!”

“Is this true, Jake?” Maria asks. “You know the rule applies regardless of time or place.”

Anger burns in me, but before I can respond, Roxy steps forward.

“It doesn’t matter,” she says, staring Matt in the eyes. “I was just asking to see Mr. Stone so I could personally turn in my resignation. This was my last day here. So you see, no conflict. On the other hand, I can think of some people in violation of Rule 72(f) . . .”

I don’t even know what the rule is, but Matt and Byron, who’s just been a spectator, both immediately look guilty. Maria gives them a once-over, then she shakes her head. “Matt, I think you and I need to have a talk later about wasting HR’s time with baseless accusations. Jake, I’ll see you in the boardroom in fifteen?”

“Sure,” I say, giving Matt and Byron a raised eyebrow as Maria turns on a heel and walks out. “You two . . . I suggest you both start polishing your resumes. I think Franklin Consolidated could use some manpower reductions. Now get out of my office.”

They leave, Elena laughing softly as she watches them. She gives me a nod and leaves as well, closing my door behind her. Roxy looks adorable as she shifts from side to side, giving me a shy smile. “Sorry, I hadn’t really planned on doing that. But since we talked about it, I figured I’d drop the bomb a little more dramatically.”

“Well, that’s how you divas are,” I tease, crossing my office to take her hand. “So, you get invited to move in, and now you’re going all Hollywood on me. What’s next, gonna want that condo in Beverly Hills?”

Roxy laughs, stepping in closer. “No, I want to sing for love. Jake, I’m gonna sing at Club Jasmine because I love it. You and my family are the number one priority in my life, and singing is number two. I don’t care if I get a Grammy or sell a single CD. I’m going to sing because I love it, make the music I like, and sing the music I want. Whatever happens, happens.”

“So, me and your family are tied at number one?” I tease, and she lifts my hand, kissing my knuckles.

“Mindy likes you, so yeah, you’re tied. She already asked me when you’ll officially join the fam.”

I blink and grin. “Tell her we’ll see, but it might be damn soon.”

Roxy grins back. “Well, then, you go do your executive ish, and I’ll go clean out my desk. See you later at home?”

Without waiting for an answer, she turns and walks out, swaying her ass and humming Heartstopper under her breath. I grin and would probably still be grinning if Elena didn’t knock on my door again. “Sir? The meeting?”

“Oh, yeah,” I say, grabbing my report folder. “You have everything prepped?”

“Of course. Have a good meeting, sir.”

* * *

I stare at my computer, wishing the meeting had gone more quickly. Everyone and their brother on the board had questions about the new retirement system. Of course they would. Most of them are over fifty-five. I’m surprised they didn’t ask if that came with a golden ager discount at the local steakhouse.

Everyone left—even Elena said goodbye as the sun went down—and now I’m left trying to handle this last bit of busy work before I go home.

“What are you still doing here?”

I look up, seeing Roxy at my door. “Just wrapping up a last email. What about you? Figured you’d be out the door long ago.”

“Cleaning my stuff out took longer than expected,” she says. “Hannah insisted on running out and getting red velvet cupcakes for the floor to share as a parting gift. Everyone but Matt and Byron got one. So . . .”

She pulls the plate out, and I see a pair of red velvet cupcakes with what looks like vanilla frosting on top. “You want to share?”

I smile as I click and send off my last email, shutting down the system and closing up. “Looks delicious.”

She brings the plate over and sets it on my desk. As she crosses my office, I watch her seductive smile and the way her hips sway as she walks in her high heels. “I thought you said you hated pencil skirts.”

“One more day won’t matter,” Roxy says, handing me a cupcake. “A toast. To the future.”

“May it be as sweet as this,” I say, touching cupcakes with her. I take a bite, but I’m distracted as Roxy’s sensuous lips wrap around the soft, rich cake and she bites down, crumbs dropping down onto her chest and a smear of frosting staining her lips and cheek. “You missed some.”

I lean in, kissing Roxy and licking the sweet vanilla frosting off her mouth before pulling her closer, letting our kiss deepen more. “Mmm, well, it’s almost the fantasy,” she teases when our lips part. “I’ve wanted to be seduced by my boss ever since seeing you.”

“Well, isn’t it lucky for you that your resignation form won’t get turned into HR until tomorrow morning then?” I reply, reaching up and cupping her breast through her blouse. “So you still work for me, Miss Price.”

Roxy moans as I squeeze her left breast, massaging the soft flesh as she presses herself up against my body, my cock quickly hardening in my pants as she grinds against me, and I growl, kissing down her neck as I feel the few crumbs of leftover cupcake smear against my dress shirt. To hell with it. I need her now, and I turn her around, pushing her against my desk as I lift her up to sit on the edge. “Oh, sir,” she whispers as she runs her fingers through my hair. “God, I’m glad I’m quitting this job. I’d need this every night if I stayed.”

“I’m glad too,” I growl as I pull open her blouse, buttons flying everywhere. Fuck it, someone will clean it up later. Roxy’s breasts rise and fall with her gasping breath as I feast my eyes on her flushed skin, and a naughty thought comes to me. Reaching next to her, I take the uneaten half of my cupcake and smear the frosting over her breasts and bra. Roxy grins as she realizes what I’m doing.

“Hungry, sir?” she asks, her words torn from her throat as I lick and suck at her skin. The sugary frosting adds to the sweetness of her skin, and I suck her nipples clean through her bra, biting and pulling on them as Roxy cries out gently, her fingers pulling at my hair as she fights the sensations swirling through her. “Sir . . . oh, fuck, Jake . . . oh, God.”

I kiss back up to her lips, stroking her hair and looking in her eyes. “Roxy, I love you.”

“I love you too . . . but my fantasy isn’t done yet,” she jokes, pushing me back. Taking me by the hand, she leads me over to my office chair and pushes my shoulders down, making me sit before she sinks to her knees. “Now, Mr. Jake Stone, sir, I think I need to show you just how devoted I am to my boss.”

My hands tremble as Roxy has me grip the arms of my chair and pushes me back, leaning back as she undoes my pants and takes out my throbbing cock, cooing as she takes it in. Turning around on her knees, she grabs the other cupcake and lets the tip of her tongue swirl through the frosting for a minute before she scoops the rest of it off with her fingers and traces them down my cock, covering my pulsing skin with the creamy white sweetness.

“An appetizer before dinner,” Roxy says, reaching out with her tongue and tracing up the whole length of my cock. I moan. Her touch is electric as she swirls her tongue all around my cock, licking it glistening clean before spreading her lips and swallowing me.

“Oh, God, baby,” I moan as she slowly sucks my cock deeper and deeper between her magical lips, rolling my balls between her fingers as she scratches her other hand down my chest. Feeling Roxy work her lips up and down my thick cock, I lean back, relishing the warm, wet prison of her lips as she pleasures me. “That’s it, show me what you love, Roxy.”

She bobs her head up and down, soft whimpers and moans coming from her chest when I put my hand on her head and force more of my cock down her throat, taking over. I don’t jam myself down her throat. I just don’t let her up until she’s gagging, choking on my cock before I pull her off and pick her up, kissing her lips hard and lifting her.

I put her down on the edge of my desk, pulling her skirt down hard enough that I hear fabric rip. Fuck it, she didn’t want to wear this thing again anyway. Roxy gasps as I pull her panties down and rub the head of my cock between the wet, pink lips of her pussy. After all the teasing and erotic torture of her lips and tongue on my cock, I can’t hold back, and I thrust into her with a single long thrust. I bury myself deep into her, and Roxy grabs my forearms, hissing in pleasure and digging her fingernails into my skin. The pain is delicious, and I grind against her, feeling her clit rub against the base of my cock as I stare deeply into her eyes.

Pulling back, I lightly put my hand on Roxy’s throat as I thrust again harder, our hips slapping together as she wraps her legs around me. I don’t squeeze. I just pound her pussy harder with the throbbing heat of my cock, both of us soon gasping and crying out as our hips slap together sharply.

“Fuck me, baby, oh, fuck, yes,” Roxy groans as she squeezes me, massaging my cock as she tries to give it back to me. I thrust harder and faster, long strokes as I swirl my hips, grinding inside her tight body until I’m trembling, lost on the edge again. Roxy sees my eyes roll back and scratches my forearms again, digging her thumbs in and pulling me back from the edge.

I grunt my thanks as I let go of her throat and push her knees up and apart, hammering her body on top of my desk as hard as I can. Sweat runs between our bodies as our hearts race, and I give everything I can to my angel, shuddering as she starts to tremble.

“Roxy . . .” I barely get to gasp before I’m on the edge again, and this time, there’s no holding back. With a hard gasp and a scream that I’m sure can be heard all the way to the parking lot, I slam my cock as deep as I can into her as I come, filling her. Roxy wraps her legs around me and throws her head back, crying out her own climax as her pussy squeezes me tighter, drawing out my orgasm.

When I can focus again, I gather Roxy into my arms, holding her trembling body as my cock softens before slipping out of her. I kiss her soft lips again, Roxy wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her head in my shoulder. “I’m going to miss this office.”

“Yes, but now we have a whole apartment to explore,” I remind her.

Roxy thinks, then starts laughing. “An apartment, huh? We’ve never had sex in bed at your place.”

I laugh, holding her close. “Nope. Weird, isn’t it? I hear some people actually like it that way.”

“Fucking perverts,” Roxy jokes, unwrapping her legs from around my waist and standing up. “Next thing you’re going to tell me is that you’re going to want to actually start naked too.”

“It does happen.”

Roxy shakes her head, laughing. “What sort of weird shit are you getting me into?”

Roxy

The day is exactly as I’d dreamed it’d be for the past six months. It seems impossible that I could have such a picture perfect day, but I do. The sky is blue, the weather warm but with a light breeze off the ocean for our ceremony, and now . . . now comes the cherry on the sundae.

“You ready?” Mindy asks me as we wait in the back of the hall. She can’t believe that I’m doing this, but ever since Jake got on his knee in front of all of Club Jasmine and asked me to marry him, it seemed like there was only one way that I could start off our reception.

“I’m almost ready,” I say, adjusting my top. Sure, I’m singing a pop song on my wedding day, and sure I’m doing it in front of a ton of people who have seen me shake my ass in a lot less, but that’s what’s going to make this special. I fidget with the long skirt, tugging on my garter. That’ll come after the song, and I’ve already promised Nathan that I’d have Jake try to toss it in his direction. He is my business and investment manager, after all. “How are Mom and Grandma?”

“Grandma’s happy as hell that you banned Bertha from the church and the reception,” Mindy says with a laugh. “John’s consoling Mom, but she’ll be fine. Hey, you sure you want to do this before the cake cutting and all of that other stuff?”

“Why?”

“Well, it is kind of untraditional,” Mindy says, turning red when I give her a raised eyebrow. “Okay, okay. I know, I’m the last person in the world to talk about non-traditional. But a musical revue before the reception begins?”

“The reason is simple,” I say with a chuckle. “Once that cake is cut and the champagne starts to flow, I plan on dancing my ass off with my husband and then seeing if we can get to some baby making.”

“Planning kids already?”

I nod. “You know that Jake and family are more important to me than my singing. Although, Club Jasmine would flip the fuck out if I made an announcement that I’m pregnant.”

Mindy laughs and kisses me on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you, Roxy. I’ll go take my seat.”

Mindy leaves, and I quickly warm up my voice. There’s no need to stretch out. This performance is like only one other, and I’m quickly ready. I nod to John, who gives me his quiet little smile and nod before he opens the door and I enter the reception hall.

All the lights are off, the only illumination coming from dual spotlights, one on me, one on Jake as he sits in a chair in the middle of the dance floor. The tune is familiar but slowed down, acoustic as I start singing. “It was too long, I had to get out, hitting up the new spot with my girl.”

Of course, I adjust the lyrics just for this performance. Jake smiles as I serenade him, and there’s a few whistles when I straddle his waist, the high slits on my skirt allowing me to do so. “Heartstopper, Heartstopper, can you feel it in my chest? Heartstopper, my husband, showing me the best, your touch is electric, I was yours from the start. You gave it to me, baby, and now you have my heart.”

Jake pulls me closer and kisses me tenderly, his fingertips just resting on the curve of my jaw as our assembled friends and family applaud. I can hear my old friend from Trixie’s, Brad, in the background blowing his nose, his distinctive lisp reaching out over the crowd as he cheers me on, “Yaass bitch! Work it!”

The reception starts, and true to my promise, Nathan catches the garter and Hannah gets to catch the bouquet. Later, I’m stunned as the caterer brings out a five-foot-tall cake. “What is this?”

“This is your stepfather insisting that he gets to do something for you,” John says from the far side of Mom, smiling. “Enjoy.”

There’s enough cake for triple the amount of people who are there, and I make the caterer promise that they’re going to send large chunks home with everybody who works at the hall today. I just can’t imagine seeing this much cake go to waste.

Speeches are hilarious, as everyone from Grandma on down has something to toast me with, and I’m quickly left red-faced as Brad tells everyone about my first time in Trixie’s. “So here was this sassy little thing getting up there and doing the world’s worst twerk and singing her ass off. Thankfully, she had two things going for her. First, she could actually sing. Second, and more importantly, she had me to show her how to move her ass. Jake, you can thank me later, and Nathan, I want my one percent!”

The dancing starts with another surprise, as Jake says he’s got something special for me too. Oliver and Gavin get up as well as they set up three chairs in the middle of the floor in a wide triangle. “My bride, will you, Mindy, and Brianna have a seat, please?”

I glance at Mindy and Brianna, but they’re clueless as we sit down. Jake, Oliver, and Gavin disappear for a minute, and I start to get worried when the lights dim again and the music starts.

“Oh, my God,” I groan as I hear the familiar grinding electronic bass beat. “They’re not.”

“They sure as hell are!” Brianna says as Jake, Gavin, and Oliver come out dressed as male strippers. They’ve got the moves down pretty well too, and Magic Mike is left in the dust as Jake grinds on me, turning around to rub his ass in my lap before taking my hands and making me grab his crotch. My body’s on fire by the time he moves off, and I feel sweat trickling down my neck to disappear between my breasts as the three guys reach for the waistbands of their banana hammocks before stopping and giving the three of us naughty smiles. Jake shakes his head, and the three of them dance for us a little more, Gavin actually hitting the splits. “Whoa, I didn’t know he could do that!”

“It’s useful,” Brianna says, her voice sounding breathy as Gavin bounces back up. The song comes to an end, and while the three of us heartily applaud, Brad is having a fit behind us. I bet he’s thinking he’s died and gone to heaven watching the three handsome men.

Dinner starts, and as we eat, I lean over to Jake. “So tell me, my husband, just what inspired that?”

Jake chuckles. “Well, the guys knew you were going to sing for me, and they wanted to return the favor. Unfortunately, we all know that Gavin and Oli—”

“Those two boys can’t sing to save their lives!” Grandma cackles.

After dinner, the dancing starts, and I feel like I’m in heaven as Jake takes me in his arms and we have our first dance as husband and wife. “So when did you know?”

Jake thinks, then smiles. “I knew I wanted you long-term the first time you sang Heartstopper for me. But marry you? When I first heard you on the radio. It was like from that instant, it wasn’t just about giving you your dream. That was when I realized you are my dream. I’d do any and everything possible to stay by your side, to have you with me. I knew I wanted to be more. I wanted to be your husband.”

“You waited another two months to ask me, though,” I tease as we slow dance.

“I wanted to have a chance to ask you on stage,” he says, grinning. “Took the workers that long to complete the repairs.”

“I—” my eyes are drawn over to a commotion where someone’s trying to teach Grandma how to breakdance.

Jake takes my chin in his fingers and turns my eyes back to him. “Hey, I thought I was doing a good enough job of dancing?”

I feel the thick bulge of his cock press up against my hip, and I tremble, grinning. “You do more than enough to keep my attention.”

“Cheers, you two,” says a voice behind us, and I turn to see Hannah standing there with several glasses in her hand, one of which she holds out to me.

“What’s that?” I ask, taking the glass from her.

“A little surprise,” Hannah says behind a little sip. She gives Jake a look. “Can I talk to your bride for a moment? I know y’all were getting your bump n’ grind on, but it will only take a sec.”

Jake chuckles, stepping away. “Sure.”

Hannah winks at him as I give her a playful scowl over the rim of my drink. “This had better be good for sending my husband away like that.”

“I’ve decided to quit my job at Franklin,” Hannah announces suddenly, causing me to gawk in shock. “I just . . . watching you, Roxy, I realize I want to be more than an office drone too. And with you gone, it just isn’t fun anymore. I’ve already talked to the landlord. I’m gonna move out and downsize to something more affordable, chase my dream.”

“What is it?” I ask, and Hannah grins.

“Not too sure yet, but I’ve always wanted to travel the world and take pictures. Maybe I’ll figure it out along the way. I’ve managed to square away a little nest egg until I get it sorted out, I think.”

I raise my glass, and we toast each other. “Well, then, to Hannah Fowler, who’s going to be the sassiest bitch traveling the globe.”

“And to Roxy Stone, who’s the baddest bitch on stage. I love you, babe.”

I sip my drink and look across the floor. Jake has already found a new dancing partner in his sister, Sophie. She looks gorgeous in her pink gown, her arms wrapped around her brother’s neck, staring up at him with love. I can’t hide the smile on my face. I’m never going to be her mother, but big sister? I feel like that already.

“I love you too, babe,” I say, returning my gaze to Hannah. “And hey, don’t be a stranger, okay?”

“Damn right. I’m couch surfing with a pop star!”

I laugh and take a longer sip of my drink. “Yeah, well, this pop star is going to finish her drink and then find her husband so she can go consummate this union. You’ll never guess what we’re taking to the honeymoon.”

“What?” Hannah asks, and I grin.

“I’ll send you pics,” I say, giving her a wink.

At that moment, the music cranks up. Unlike the normal moldy mix of old pop classics that are ‘safe’ for some of the older crowd to listen to, Jake and I flew in our DJ from Club Jasmine, and as the bass fills the floor, we’ve got plenty getting down and dirty. This is my wedding, after all, and I give absolutely zero fucks if someone doesn’t like it.

Laughing, I stand there, bobbing my body to the music, watching the room as Hannah waltzes off in search of a dancing buddy. I’ll let Jake get in a few more moments with his sister, knowing that after they’re done, he’s mine for the night.

For the next several minutes, my heart is filled as I take in all the people I love under one roof, having the time of their lives. Mom is dancing with John, Brianna with Gavin, and Mindy with Oliver. Even Hannah has finally found a guy to grind on, Oliver’s younger brother, Tony. It’s weird. They don’t even know each other, but they look like they’re having a good time together.

All feels right with the world.

Feeling like it’s time, I make my way over to my husband, desire heating my core. Jake looks up and separates from Sophie as I approach, a giant grin on his face.

“Hey, Jake, you big stud,’ I say softly, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Take me to bed or lose me forever.”

“Your wish is my command.”

Jake pulls me closer, growling lightly as he sweeps me off my feet, and to the hoots, hollers, and cheers of our family and friends, he carries me from the reception hall and into the rest of our lives.