Hard Rocked Read online

  HARD ROCKED

  LEE MAE

  Copyright ©2017 LEE MAE

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, brands, incidents, and places are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction. The publication/use of these trademarks is not associated with or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite book retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  1

  Kate couldn’t believe that she was about to see Gage Stevens again.

  After almost five years, she would finally come face to face with the man who had once been ready to give her the world.

  His world.

  Only this time, he was a mega-successful rock star and she was some down-and-all-but-out columnist working for a New York entertainment magazine.

  Kate Preston had been the stereotypical good girl. She’d had great aspirations for college and beyond, dreams of becoming a world-renowned novelist. Funny how she had fallen for the hip and cool rocker Gage Stevens without so much as a second thought.

  They’d met soon after she’d graduated. She’d been hanging with her friends at a local club where Gage and his band had been playing. Gage was the gorgeous lead vocalist who’d caught sight of Kate in the dancing crowd. After his performance, he’d sought her out and asked for a date.

  Back then he’d just been one of those indie band types who performed at a few local shows and bars every so often. He’d been charming and without question, the most handsome man Kate had ever met. He pursued her with a relentless zeal that had her succumbing in the end, even though she’d never have imagined them being remotely compatible.

  Kate had never met anyone quite like Gage. He’d swept into her world and turned it completely upside down. Well, swept was an understatement. He had crashed into her life like a destructive wave determined to crush even the smallest rock on the shore, consumed her very being, and before too long, he was all she could think about.

  The thing about Gage was that he was a true dreamer. He believed that nothing was as important, or worth worrying about, except your dreams. He’d also been very romantic, surprising Kate constantly with unexpected dates and thoughtful, heart-warming gifts. It had been so easy to fall for him. Especially when he was also such a thoughtful, generous and passionate lover. The nights she’d known in Gage’s arms had been impossible to recreate with anyone else – not that she’d dated many other guys after him in the past five years.

  The truth was that no man had ever come close to Gage since she’d left him all those years ago. And if she was honest with herself, Kate regretted breaking up with him – more so than ever in the last few months. Though… she wasn’t quite sure why.

  At the time of their breakup she’d thought she was being realistic when she’d told him that his dreams of being a rock star would get him nowhere and that he needed to get a ‘real’ job. She hadn’t thought twice about the words that slipped from her lips. It was only when she’d seen the hurt flash across his face that she’d realized just how cold she had sounded. She’d tried apologizing but the damage had been done and deep down, she really thought he’d been wasting his time.

  Apparently, he’d proven her wrong.

  Sucking in a deep breath she couldn’t help but laugh about just how things had changed. Gage was now a world-famous rocker, while her career in journalism was failing, with far too much competition in the marketplace. She didn’t need a soothsayer to tell her just how wrong she’d been about the entire thing.

  And now for the first time, Kate was attending one of his concerts. And even more shocking, she was going to come face-to-face with Gage Stevens in a backstage interview after the show.

  ***

  Sold out, Gage performed that night to hysterically screaming fans. His stagecraft had been breathtaking; his voice and music as powerful live as it was in studio recorded music. He moved so naturally, thrilling the watching crowd to a fever pitch. It was so easy getting caught up in the moment. The atmosphere in the arena was incredible and Kate could understand now why Gage was the rock star that he was. Even though she’d known him years ago when he’d just been a struggling rock act, she couldn’t help feeling star-struck. On the stage, above that crowd, he came alive like no other performer she’d ever seen.

  Song after song seemed to send the fans into more of a rock ‘n’ roll-induced fever. The roaring crowd knew every line of every song as they sang along. Songs of passion, desire, rebellion and heartbreak. Kate couldn’t deny, even to herself, that she loved his music. What was there not to love?

  The grinding beat and the thrash of the guitars, the frenzied drums and then of course, Gage singing in that deep, raspy voice that stirred the blood and left her heart exploding in her chest.

  Everything was pulsing in perfect harmony, kaleidoscopes of light bursting around from the screens around the stage. Such powerfully charged choreography and showmanship would impress anyone, even someone like Kate who went into the concert believing it would be nothing more than seeing an old friend. Now Kate understood what it took to be a mega-star. It didn’t look so easy from where she stood in the crowd. Gage Stevens more than earned his rock god status and after four hours of high-powered performing, the live show was over.

  Being literally forced to attend one of his concerts, and then meet him backstage for an exclusive interview, had been something Kate had been dreading for weeks. She’d done all she could to get out of the assignment. But, her editor had insisted. Especially after finding out that Kate used to date the Gage Stevens, so many years ago.

  That had been Kate’s screw-up. She had mentioned it casually to a co-worker, who obviously hadn’t been able to keep the tidbit to herself. So, when the chance came up to interview him for their magazine, her employers had easily chosen her. She was, after all, their direct connection to him. Only Kate didn’t feel that she had any real power when it came to securing special favors from Gage. In fact, she was surprised when the magazine heard back from his management team that he had agreed to the interview.

  In all the past few years or so that Gage’s career had skyrocketed, Kate had not attended any of his concerts…not once. And now that it had been part of the assignment to do so, she was glad she had done it. Although, the next part of the assignment terrified her and she had to force herself to calm down for fear that she might hyperventilate.

  Talking quietly to herself, she muttered about how this interview would be over quickly. That Gage wouldn’t hold resentment towards her. Or that it would not be at all awkward. All she had left to do was meet up with him for the interview; get it over with as soon as possible. Then escape back to her ordinary life. If she were lucky, everything would be wrapped up in an hour or less.

  And… if luck were on her side, at all, he wouldn’t even acknowledge any past connection to her. She could carry out her job professionally and quickly.

  One could only hope.

  Now, heading backstage armed with her pass, Kate squeezed through the sea of eager female groupies in their scanty get-ups, all hoping for a chance to gain access to Gage, or any of his band members, who’d exited the stage just half an hour ago.

  Hefty security guards had their hands full keeping away the mob of beauties. Once Kate was cleared, one of them let he
r through and led the way to Gage’s dressing room.

  Kate’s heart started to beat faster as the time drew near to come face-to-face with Gage again.

  You can do this.

  She went through the maze of corridor after corridor, following the muscle-bound security guard, her head in a whirl. For days, she’d racked her brain on how she could handle this. Friendliness and humor, or professional charm and poise? They hadn’t exactly parted enemies but Kate couldn’t help having a wary feeling Gage Stevens might still hold a grudge. After all, she’d dumped him and probably at the very worst time of his career.

  2

  Kate’s mind wandered back to their last moments together. The last time she’d seen him; he’d been at an all-time low in his life. His band hadn’t found a paying gig in weeks and yet Gage had stayed hopeful that things would get better. That was the one thing about Gage - he never gave up on the idea that they’d get picked up by a major label. He always believed that he’d hit it big-time.

  “We can’t go on like this,” Kate had said with anguish as they’d sat in the half-filled eatery having breakfast.

  Smart, confident and good natured, Kate knew that Gage could be anything he put his mind to. Instead, he held on to his musical dream with a band that couldn’t even seem to keep itself in the studio for the time needed to make their first album “demo”.

  “Babe, I know what you’re thinking,” Gage had replied, his curvy lips slanted in that gorgeously winning smile. “But you’ve got to have faith. If not in my music, then in me. I’m not going to fail.”

  “Maybe…maybe if you put this same enthusiasm in some other endeavors,” Kate remembered saying hesitantly as she tried not to make him feel too bad. “You told me you were studying programming in college before you dropped out to focus on your music. What if…what if you tried to complete your degree? Or get another job? At least till this music thing can get off the ground.”

  A frown had marred Gage’s smooth, broad forehead. “Music thing? Kate, rock is my life. I live and breathe it. Sure, I’m good with computers, but I’ll never be happy cooped in some cubicle for the rest of my life. When I play, and sing, that’s when I feel the most alive. I’m not going to start slaving over a desk or a bunch of computers just to get by. It takes passion to succeed and I can’t see myself having passion for an IT career, or whatever else you think I should be doing.”

  Kate noted his irritation from the way he dumped his napkin on the table and pushed his half-eaten plate away.

  A shuddering sigh escaped her. “You’re wrong, Gage. It takes more than passion to succeed. It takes a sense of responsibility, of knowing when to grow up. I can’t be with someone who doesn’t even want to see when it’s time to change the dream for something real, and worthwhile. I’m thinking we should just…part as friends before this gets any deeper and one of us gets hurt.”

  Even now, five years later, Kate could remember the bottomless, shadowed look that had taken over Gage’s whole expression. He’d seemed shocked, dismayed, angry, and betrayed, all at the same time.

  “You’re breaking it off, like this?” he asked, looking around at the surroundings with its low buzz from the few other clients in the trendy food bar.

  “Don’t make it sound like that,” she said in a hushed voice. “If you could just…agree to at least consider trying something else…”

  “Then what, you’ll give me a second chance?” he asked, suddenly smiling wryly. He took her hand, pressed it warmly with his fingers. Kate felt warmth, and still, an ache at the same time. It was then she knew that though she still loved him, she couldn’t continue to be with him.

  “You know your problem, Kate? All work and no play,” Gage admonished, thumb rubbing on the sensitive curve between her thumb and index finger.

  A rush of sensual awareness shot up her arm at his caress, and she quickly pulled her arm away. Gage might be the sexiest man she’d ever met; but there was more to life than hot sex, a handsome face and a charming personality. Futures could not be built on that.

  “You on the other hand, are the exact opposite,” she said calmly, gathering up her things. “You’re all about play, aren’t you?” Kate sighed raggedly.

  She’d always been teased by him and his friends as being much too serious; a pessimistic who hardly saw the bright side of things. Kate loved to have fun like everyone else but she also knew what it was to not have a stable life. Her father had been so much like Gage.

  Kate’s father had got on in life with his looks and personality for as long as he could. But he’d been unable to cater for his family while sticking to his dead-end vocation as a writer. Kate’s mother had ended up working two jobs and sometimes three just to keep the family going. And now, Kate wasn’t about to make the same mistake by falling for someone just like her father. The Dreamer. Dreams didn’t pay bills and they certainly didn’t provide for the future. Kate felt she deserved more than that.

  That sunny day, she’d risen from her chair to gaze down at Gage, her eyes filmy with moisture even as her chin squared with resolve. “I’m sorry we weren’t good for each other.”

  And she’d meant it. She was sorry that she couldn’t be the happy-go-lucky, rock band-supporting, carefree Kate Preston that Gage, and his pals, wanted her to be. And she was sorry he couldn’t be the normal, everyday-working guy ready to earn a proper living, the way she thought he should.

  Gage’s eyes had narrowed and she could see his hands clench on the tablecloth before he stretched the palms flat as if to deliberately calm himself. At last, he said quietly, “If you walk away from me now, I hope you know it’s for good. Because there’ll be no going back. It’s over. But if you stay, and sit down and talk, and work at this, then we still have a chance.”

  Kate shook her head, smiling as the glitter of tears finally faded and she could see clearly. “That’s just it, Gage Stevens. We never stood a chance to begin with.”

  She’d walked away that day and didn’t regret it. Because she told herself that from the start, Kate Preston and Gage Stevens should never have happened. They were too different. People say that opposites attract, but in their case, Kate couldn’t keep blinding herself to the truth. If they stayed together, they’d end up hating each other. So it was best to break up before discontent on either side poisoned them both.

  It had been a few months later that she heard about his record deal. The one he’d been hoping for. Before the end of the year, Gage Stevens was a name on everyone’s lips. His first album turned him into an overnight success. Afterward, when she turned on the TV, there he was on one of those fancy talk shows or someone was talking about him on the news. Gage Stevens, ‘the new rock sensation’. Suddenly, everyone wanted to work with him. His singles were the fastest selling on any platform. His songs were playing all over the airwaves and Kate couldn’t flip the damn radio on without hearing one of his chart-topping hits.

  And now, years after, he’d lost none of his allure – or gifts. He’d released his latest album just a month ago and already it was top of the charts both home and internationally. Somehow, he managed to keep his music relevant, worked with the right industry people, and kept himself in the limelight as much as he could.

  This meant his management must have a lot on their hands ensuring that his face got on every major endorsement deal. Also, every little thing in his personal life certainly drew attention from the media. There was always something in the tabloids about his involvements with some supermodel or the newest young female Alister. Gage Stevens had turned into some kind of sex symbol and he was always ranking high in all the “sexiest men” lists.

  So now here he was; a rich, famous, sought after and successful rock star. How did all this happen in such a short space of time?

  That’s what Kate’s magazine wanted to find out.

  3

  It’s just a job, Kate, she told herself as she exhaled deeply. All she had to do was focus and get it done.

  She smiled slightly as the s
ecurity operative turned to her once they stopped in front of a door.

  “Here you go. Gage’s dressing room. You have a camera on you? He doesn’t really like pictures after he’s done with a major concert,” the brawny bodyguard said, his eyes regarding Kate’s frame admiringly.

  She tried not to squirm as wondered if he actually wanted to do a body search to make sure. From the way he was staring at her chest, Kate knew he’d start there.

  “No cameras,” she assured him, her smile still in place. “Any pictures we need for the interview will be taken in a few days, once Gage can spare the time. Right now, I just need a few moments with him. Just me and my trusty recorder,” she assured, tapping the satchel over her shoulder.

  The guard nodded briskly. “Well, he’s ready for you. You’d better go in.” He knocked briefly on the door in front of them.

  For a moment, Kate couldn’t help but wonder about the man who was on the other side of that door.

  Gage Stevens.

  He had always been the unconventional kind of heartthrob, although he now sported a large tattoo over part of his chest and shoulder, which she was curious about. But, other than that, he never got into piercings or crazy hair styles. Sure, she knew he did like to sport a lot of black and some jewelry but from what she’d seen in pictures and on TV, he always kept things at a minimum.

  Overall, it could be said that Gage Stevens was a pretty laid-back, un-diva type rock star god who didn’t get too caught up in the lifestyle. The only excess that he seemed to enjoy, it seemed, was women.

  Oh, Kate knew all about those. His trysts with groupies, as well as his cocky attitude, which came across even on the screen, had warned Kate that Gage was not the same guy she once loved.

  So just how much had he changed? Kate saw the guard twist the knob and then push the door open and then she knew she was just moments from finding out…