Blake sat on a lounge chair in the far corner of the empty VIP room on the third floor of the hotel, staring blankly at Michelle’s phone number on his cell screen. He’d been doing the same thing for the last fifteen minutes, unable to connect the call.

At the moment, he could convince himself that things would work out. He could give her whatever money she needed—he’d never had an attachment to the stuff anyway—and in return he would demand to have every image of him she possessed. Easy enough, right?

A middle-aged couple walked into his periphery, taking a seat by the windows. Shit. He bowed his head and sunk further into his chair. He was running out of time. The last forty-five minutes hadn’t been mentally productive. There’d been a shitload of wallowing in self-loathing while he fought the basic instinct to run and hide. Now he had no choice. He had to do this.

With a deep breath he connected the call and tried to ignore the way his chest tightened with each ring.

“Blake?” Michelle’s voice was rough, from sleep or drugs he didn’t know and didn’t care.

“How much do you want?” He didn’t have the stomach for pleasantries.

“It’s not just about the money—”

“How much, Michelle?”

“F-forty grand.” Her tone held a hint of remorse that he chose to ignore.

“Done.” Forty thousand dollars wouldn’t hurt his bank account. If that was what it took to rid him of the past, he would hand it over without reluctance. “I want all the photos. Everything you have on me. I don’t care what it is, I want it. CD’s, clothes, everything. Once I pay you the money, that’s it Michelle. I want you out of my life.”

She cleared her throat. “The money isn’t all I need, Blake.”

He clenched his teeth. He’d been on a roll, making demands and growing confident while she remained quiet. “What else?”

“I need…I need to pull my life together. I need you to help me.”

“How the fuck do I do that?” He pushed to his feet and ignored the stares from staff and entering guests. He was about to lose his shit. His shoes were too tight, the formal suit and tie weighing him down, choking him, making him yank at the collar.

“I want to get my career back on track so I can look after myself in the future. I need to be in the public eye so producers will be willing to hire me again.”

“No.” He didn’t need to hear anymore. The direction of the conversation was becoming too dangerous.

“That’s the deal, Blake—the money as well as your help. You’d only need to pretend we were dating for a little while. A few months max, just until people start taking notice of me again.”

No. Hell-to-the-fucking-no. “I can’t do it.” There was no way.

“Then I have no choice but to sell the photos. The gossip magazines will give me what I need. Both money and a temporary spotlight.”

Blake clenched the phone, squeezing so hard his knuckles hurt. “Don’t do this to me, Michelle. I’ve got a good thing going here. My life’s on track.” After you helped me fuck it up. “I can’t help you like that. I’ll give you more money. Eighty grand, a hundred. I don’t care. Just don’t blackball me with having to be around you again. I can’t do it.”

She gave a derisive laugh. “You can’t be around me? As if you didn’t enjoy yourself when we were? I didn’t force you to do anything, Blake. In fact, I seem to remember you being more than eager to please me back then.”

“Things change,” he grated, raking his fingers through his hair.

“Well things are going to go back to the way they were. For the sake of the public, anyway. You’ll take me to social events and help me build a new name for myself. Once I’m back on my feet, you can have your stupid photos.”

This was worse than money. Worse than having his bank accounts wiped clean. This would hurt Gabi, and the thought of doing that made a little piece of his soul die. “I can’t do it,” he whispered to himself.

This couldn’t be happening. He’d been so close to heaven. His love for Gabi had cemented itself in his soul. She mentioned moving to the US to be with him, which was more than he deserved, yet he’d been excited. Now all of his hopes for the future were crumpling. His life was nose-diving with no way to pull up.

“Fine. Good luck with the backlash—”

“Wait!” What choice did he have? Maybe, he could make a few calls and get her a job before he finished the Australian tour. Then he wouldn’t have to see her at all. Yes. That’s what he could do. He’d call in some favors. Make sure she had an acting position, then things would be over and done with. For good.

“I’ll help you get a job, Michelle, and I’ll give you the money. But you’ll have to wait until I get back in the US and speak to an attorney. I won’t let you blackmail me again after this.”

His phone released a muted beep, announcing an incoming message. Gabi must be looking for him.

“Whatever. Just be aware that I know when your tour finishes, and I expect to see you a few days later. I need that money.”

Yeah. He bet she did.

“And I expect you to stop hounding me until then,” he snarled. “No more calling or messaging. Leave me the fuck alone until I get back to New York.”

“Deal.”

His chest hollowed at the word. Caving in under her threats only endeavored to increase his self-loathing. He was so weak it made bile rise in his throat. Without a goodbye, he ended the call and strode from the VIP lounge.

Now he had to figure out how he was going to live with himself once he told another lie to the woman he loved.

* * *

Gabi touched up her eye shadow and ran her hands down the cream material of her dress to stop herself from hovering over her phone. Blake had been gone for almost an hour, without a word. He hadn’t even replied to her text message.

A knock sounded at the door and her stomach flipped, hoping it was him. She padded across the tile in bare feet, making it half way down the hall before she realized he had his own key and didn’t need to knock. Curious, she peered through the peep hole to find Mason, Sean and Ryan.

Where was Blake?

She opened the door and tried not to ogle. They were gorgeous. All immaculately dressed in black suit and tie, their hair done and faces clean shaven. Even Ryan.

“Hawt dayum, woman. You’re smokin’.” Mason jerked back in shock. “How the hell did you end up with Blake instead of me?”

She smiled and raised her brows. “Because Blake has a subtle way of complimenting a woman that makes her feel beautiful. Whereas your approach leaves a skanky aftertaste.”

Mason’s eyes gleamed with laughter and Sean sniggered, resting his shoulder against the wall beside the door.

“You look stunning, Gabi.” Ryan inclined his head with a soft smile. “Are you guys good to go? The others are downstairs making sure the limo’s ready.”

“Ah.” Gabi swallowed down the anxiety that started to bubble. “I thought Blake would be with you. He left about an hour ago and said he had things to organize.”

The men frowned and glanced at one another.

“I sent him a message over five minutes ago, but he hasn’t replied to that either,” she added.

Sean pushed from the wall and grabbed his cell out of his pants pocket. “I’ll call him.”

“You might want to get your shoes,” Ryan spoke softly. “We’re going to be late if we don’t find him soon.”

She nodded and let Mason hold the door open as she rushed to the bedroom. She grabbed her purse and her cobalt-blue high-heels by the ankle strap and strode back to sit on the couch.

“He’s not answering,” Sean mumbled. “What are we gonna do?”

The ding of the hotel elevator echoed into the suite. Gabi tilted her head to listen as she reached for her purse and stood.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Mason barked.

“Bangin’ your mom,” Blake replied.

Gabi let out a relieved breath and walked from the living room toward the front door. She entered the tile hallway, her heels clicking with each step as Blake strode into the suite and came to an abrupt halt.

He took her breath away.

He was transformed, all his bad-assness covered under the formal attire, yet nothing could hide the hungry gleam in his eyes. The suits made the other men look suave and confident. With Blake it was the opposite. He owned the outfit, working it with easy sophistication.

The mere sight dried her mouth. He blinked at her, his gaze roaming from the strappy blue high-heels, over her dress, to her face and all the way back down again.

“Wow.” He stepped forward, his eyes wide with admiration. “Just… Wow.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. “You’re stunning.”

“You’re looking mighty dapper yourself.” And his scent was divine, taunting her to lick the hollow at the base of his neck.

He placed a gentle kiss on her lips, then pulled back to run a finger along the top of her bodice, rustling the charms on her necklace. “You’re dressed in white.”

“Cream,” she clarified and narrowed her gaze on his face. He seemed different, and it had nothing to do with what he wore. His skin was pale, his eyes skittish, and his jaw tense.

“You look like…” He glanced down at his suit. “We look like…” He shook his head in dismissal.

“We’ve gotta go, buddy,” Ryan spoke from the door.

Blake kept staring at her. “Just give us a minute. We’ll meet you in the lobby.”

His lips thinned into a tight line, the seriousness in his expression making her heart stutter.

“I know you’re quick, Emo,” Mason called down the hall, “But we still don’t have time for your thirty second marathon. We’re gonna be late.”

Gabi pressed her lips together, struggling not to smile.

“Fine, pretty-boy, go get the elevator and we’ll be there in a sec,” Blake muttered.

He pulled her down to the couch so they sat side by side. Their fingers entwined, their thighs touched while the happiness faded from his features.

“What’s wrong?”

He peered over his shoulder and waited for the suite door to click shut. “I need you to trust me.”

Her chest filled with butterflies, their movements pounding like falcons’ wings in her lungs. There was nothing playful about his statement. Something had happened. Something important. “About what?”

He glanced at their hands and his Adam’s apple bobbed. Now they were close and the surprise at seeing him had faded, she noticed the fine sheen of sweat on his forehead.

“Something’s happened, and I need you to trust me to do the right thing.”

She frowned and shook her head in confusion. “I’ve always trusted you.”

“I know. But this time I want to handle things on my own. I can’t involve you.”

A shiver ran down her spine and spread through her limbs. “Blake, you’re scaring me.”

“Christ, Gabi, I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention. I just couldn’t keep this from you. I also can’t drag you into it.” He made eye contact, and the dark brown of his eyes pierced her with apology.

“Why? I don’t understand. Is it drugs? Is that why you don’t want to tell me?” She was rambling, her mouth voicing all the random thoughts that shot into her head.

“No. God, no.” He squeezed her hands. “My stance on drugs will never change. You’re the only high I need, Gabi. But this is something I want to do for myself, without the help of you or the band.”

The front door thundered from someone’s fist. “Hurry the hell up.”

Blake growled, his eyebrows closing together in a tight frown. “I promise that you have nothing to worry about. I’ll sort it out. I just don’t want to feel like I’m hiding anything from you.”

“Right…because telling me you’re withholding secrets is entirely different than hiding things from me,” she whispered and turned her attention to her shiny shoes.

“Gabi.” Blake’s hand came to her chin, dragging her gaze back to him. “I always want to be honest with you.” He let out a defeated sigh. “I just…damn it! I shouldn’t have said anything.” He closed his eyes and massaged his forehead.

Gabi was beginning to wish the same thing.

“Blake!” Mason shouted.

Christ. She knew from experience that new relationships were often filled with turmoil, however, this was ridiculous. “We better go.” She stood on numb feet, wanting to distance herself from whatever the hell that evasive conversation was about.

Blake followed her to her feet and tugged on her hand, bringing her body into his. “You mean the world to me, angel, you know that don’t you?”

She nodded, half-heartedly. She knew it, or had known it until a few moments ago.

“Thank you.” His low voice was rough.

“What for?”

“For not pushing.”

Gabi moved closer, placing a chaste kiss on his lips. “I never want you to keep things from me, and I hope one day soon you’ll tell me what all this is about. But for now, I just want you to know I’m here if you need me.”

What else could she say? She could tell he was hurting, had noticed something wasn’t right when she came back from shopping. She would never push him to tell his secrets, though. Their lips met, and his hand came to rest at the top of her neck, possessively holding her close. He kissed her with intensity, like the world was crumpling around them, and she clung to him, needing the reassurance of his passion.

“You two better not be fucking!” Mason yelled.

Blake’s chest rumbled, and Gabi broke away with a laugh. “Come on. We better hurry.” She grabbed her purse off the couch, and they rushed from the suite.

“Nice of you to join us,” Mason muttered, striding forward to the elevator that Sean held open.

The suite door shut with a bang as Gabi and Blake walked hand in hand into the elevator. Blake leaned against the side wall, pulling her into his side, while Ryan and Sean rested against the back wall and Mason stood poised at the buttons.

“Everything OK?” Ryan asked.

“Apart from Blake being unable to keep his dick in his pants when we’re in a hurry?” Mason growled.

Blake squeezed her fingers gently as he glanced down at her. There was a storm of emotion erupting in the dark brown depths. The hurt emanating from him sank under her skin, gnawing at her from the inside out. She wanted to beg him to let her in, but she wouldn’t. He didn’t owe her a free pass to all his troubles. He was entitled to his secrets.

“Angel, have I ever told you about the time Mason took a walk on the bi-side?”

“Oh, fuck off.” Mason snapped and whacked his hand across the lobby button.

The misery left Blake’s eyes. He was hiding again, masking his pain behind a cocky smirk and the arrogant tilt of his head.

“No, sweetheart.” She smiled, continuing the pretense that everything was apples. “What do you mean?” It was a flat-out lie. He’d told her the story months ago, but enabling him to make fun of Mason would lighten the mood.

“Well, we were at an after party for the release of our last album, and Mason starts hitting up a hottie in a red, low-cut dress at the bar.”

“You’re really going to tell that story?” Mason asked, glaring. “After all the shit I have on you?”

Sean sniggered and Blake didn’t pause. “The two of them hit it off and end up disappearing. Half an hour later I find pretty-boy here in the bathrooms, slumped over a toilet, puking his guts up.”

Gabi smothered a laugh behind her purse-filled hand.

“Turns out the hottie had more than a nice rack. Didn’t he, Mace?”

“Suck my dick,” Mason snarled.

“You’re not my type,” Blake bit back. “And besides, I think the moral of the story is that you don’t like your pole smoked by a guy.”

Ryan shook his head. “It never ends, Gabi. They’ll go on like this all night long until Mason concedes defeat or starts sulking.”

The elevator jolted to a stop and the doors slid open. She walked into the lobby beside Blake, her heels clicking with each step. She spotted Alana and Mitch hiding in an alcove beside the reception desk, body to body, staring into each other’s eyes, oblivious to the attention from guests who strode past.

In a burst of noise, screams erupted from outside, startling her, almost sending her stiletto heels flying out from underneath her. Then the cameras started, flashing in a fury of blinking light.

“Bloody hell,” she gasped and huddled into Blake’s waiting arms, hiding her face from view. The thought of fans and paparazzi had slipped her mind. Entirely. And no, she wasn’t thick, she had anticipated the first class flights, chauffeured cars, expensive suites, and screaming, crazy people. However, being here and experiencing it firsthand was…overwhelming. Especially when Blake’s presence had gone unnoticed to most of the Australian public until now.

“Mason and Mitch can’t go anywhere without a tail,” Blake murmured into her ear. “We’ve got those guys, though, so don’t worry.” He pointed to a team of six burly men standing next to the reception desk. Their attention was focused on Leah who stood before them, her chin high and her expression confident as she rocked a skin-tight, mauve dress with sparkling silver shoes. The material hung low on her back, showing a mass of flawless, soft tanned skin, while her stiletto heels emphasized her calf muscles.

“Damn, is it wrong to want to tap that?” Sean asked, and then pierced the air with a wolf whistle.

“Yes,” Mason and Blake replied in unison.

Leah peered over her shoulder, fixing Sean with a cheeky glare before turning back to the security detail. Moments later, they disbanded and Leah strode toward them, the hem of her dress sticking to her toned thighs. Mitch and Alana followed, bringing them all together in the middle of the lobby, causing the crowd outside to burst into another mass of screams.

“Let’s do this.” Leah smiled and discretely winked at Mitch who gave a jerky nod.

Three security guards led the way, holding open the glass doors to let the delirious noise enter the building. Outside, metal barriers held back the crowd, making a path toward a stretch limo with the back door open and waiting.

“Are you OK?” Blake paused in the middle of the lobby and squeezed her hand.

She nodded, even though nervous tension wracked her body. People were everywhere, waving their arms, bouncing up and down, becoming louder with hysteria. And the flashing, god, the flashing of cameras was driving her nuts.

“You’re shaking.” Blake raised his voice over the screaming crowd.

“I’m fine.” She smiled and held her breath as he led her outside. The noise grew, the mixed chanting of the guys’ names echoing all around them. Someone shouted for Blake, and he turned into her body to glance over her shoulder. He smiled, gave a lazy wave, all the while holding her close, protecting her. She followed his line of sight, stopping at a group of women who squealed in excitement.

An uncharacteristic spark of unease siphoned the adrenaline in her veins, replacing it with something cloying and weak. Bloody hell, there was a river of cleavage before her, undoubtedly tempting to even the strongest man.

“Stop thinking whatever you’re thinking,” Blake spoke against her cheek before placing a fleeting kiss on her lips. “I love you.”

Camera flashes bathed them in a bright white glow while gasps and screams and cries answered to the public display of affection. It was a declaration, a statement to his fans and admirers—I’m taken. Reporters with notepads shouted questions at their backs, while they continued to the limo and waited for the others to climb inside.

“After you, milady.” Blake waved his hand forward, ignoring the mass of people vying for his attention, and devoured her with his gaze.

For a moment, she stared, transfixed by crazy love and wonder. What a man. What a gorgeous, talented, sweet and funny and caring man. There was no use. She was lost to him. Forever.

Dipping her head, she slid along the back seat to the far wall. Holy shit. The interior of the limo was huge. Deceptively so, and once Blake slid along beside her and a security guard closed the door, it was a whole heap quieter too.

Pink, white, and purple lights marked out an aisle on the floor and along the bar running down one side of the vehicle. Mason, Ryan, Sean, and Leah sat along the seats opposite the bar, helping themselves to the liquor, while Alana and Mitchell sat at the far end wall, snuggled against one another.

Leah leaned forward from her position at the closest end of the wall seat and mouthed Gabi’s name. “Did Blake fill you in on what’s happening?” she whispered.

Gabi glanced at Alana who was currently occupied by Mitch’s mouth, before nodding. “Yeah. Do you need me to do anything?”

Leah sat back and shook her head. “It’s all under control. Well, until he—” she jerked her head in Mitch’s direction, “—screws it up, anyway. It’s inevitable.”

“You never know, he might surprise you.”

“That’s what I’m praying for.” Leah smiled. “And didn’t I say you’d look fabulous in that dress?” Her smile turned into a saucy grin. “I bet Blake loves it.”

“Blake does love it,” he replied, sliding closer to Gabi so they were touching, and rested his hand on her thigh “He loves it very much. He’d love it even more on the floor of our bedroom.”

Gabi crossed her legs and clenched her thighs together to ward off her arousal. His idea made warmth spread through her nipples, and the slide of his palm along the soft material of her dress sent a potent wave of goose bumps over her flesh.

Leah chuckled. “OK. OK. That’s enough. Don’t scandalize my virginal ears, or eyes for that matter.”

Blake leaned into Gabi, grazing his teeth along her earlobe as his hand rose higher on her leg. Her pussy clenched, needy and persistent. They weren’t alone, and still, her body screamed for her to crawl on top of him and take him, right here, right now.

Leah cleared her throat, and his palm paused at the top of Gabi’s thigh.

“You need to stop,” Gabi murmured under her breath. Her body wasn’t equipped to handle the sudden spikes of adrenaline, anxiety, and arousal. Underneath her ribs, her heart palpitated, threatening to burst from her chest.

She needed a distraction.

“Where were you?” she asked, tilting her head to look him in the eye. “When I was getting ready, where did you go?” It was a diversion tactic. One she should’ve thought through. She didn’t mean to pry. She only wanted to get her mind off stripping him of every article of clothing to see the bare, tattooed man underneath.

He stared at her, his brows pulling together slightly. “I needed space to think.” His hand slid from her leg, placing a field of distance between them.

“I didn’t mean to poke my nose into your business.”

Talk about a one-eighty. Her insides felt shredded from whiplash.

Blake didn’t respond. He sat there, his expression turning to concern, or maybe he was anxious, she wasn’t sure. They’d been open and honest for years, and although she promised she was all right with his secrecy, the thought of him keeping something from her now, when they were face to face, hurt like hell. She knew the darkness in his life, knew his fears, and had helped him through his weakest moments. Yet now, he had something to hide from her?

She shook her head. No. She was being selfish. The last thing Blake needed to do was placate her insecurities.

His breath brushed her neck, making her betraying body burst into tingles. “I went to the VIP area on the third floor so I could think without worrying you.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded, not meeting his gaze. “OK.”

“No,” he spoke softly, gripping her chin and softly guiding her attention back to him. “You’ve been my protector for years. You’ve fought my battles, dealt with my demons, and been the one to keep me strong.” The firm line of his lips and intense gaze brooked no argument. “I want to stand on my own two feet for once. I want to fight my own battles and prove to myself that I’m not weak anymore.” He stroked a hand through the hair at her cheek, his gaze following the movement as he placed it behind her ear. “Everything’s fine, angel. You don’t need to worry.”

She grabbed his hand, resting her cheek into his palm briefly before bringing it to her lap. “I really didn’t mean to pry.” She leaned into his shoulder. “You were making me…hot, so I asked the first question that popped into my mind to distract you from your little game.”

He chuckled. “Well you should be proud, because it worked.”

She winced. “I’m sorry.” Why couldn’t they find a balance? They were either on a high or on a low. There was no in between. Maybe this was what life with a famous rock star would be like—never-ending drama and excitement.

He placed a soft kiss on her lips, stealing her breath with his tenderness. “You never, ever need to be sorry for caring about me. I appreciate your concern more than you’ll ever know. It’s because of you that I can now stand on my own two feet.”

The corner of his lips lifted in a grin, and he leaned in again, placing his mouth against hers. His tongue licked across her lips, demanding entrance to devour her completely. A hand moved into her hair, clutching, until she was at his mercy, while his other hand, oh, his other hand, slid up her leg, to the apex of her thighs.

Leah cleared her throat, loud, startling Gabi from her fast descent into slutty whore-ishness. She pushed at the hardness of Blake’s chest, breaking the scorching connection.

He chuckled, releasing his dominant hands and sat back in his chair. “Leah, you’re no fun.”

“Don’t worry, Blake,” Mason called from the other end of the limo, raising his scotch glass in salute. “I enjoyed the show.”

Heat crept into Gabi’s cheeks. She didn’t blush. She rarely got embarrassed. So why all of a sudden was she feeling like a teenager? Oh, yeah, probably because she was acting like a hormonal adolescent.

“I think I even glimpsed a slice of tiny, white panties.”

Gabi groaned and focused out the window. They were teenagers trapped in the bodies of men, she was sure of it.