Hard Rocked Read online

  “You wrote with such heart and soul,” Ursula, the editor-in-chief, purred in her nasally voice. “I could feel your connection to him in every line. I’m very glad that we made the decision to assign you to this project. You showed more spunk in this one article than in all your other writing for this magazine combined. Which is the basis of why you’re getting this next assignment, of course.”

  “What assignment?” Kate asked, already dreading what was coming. Turned out her every misgiving was correct.

  “Oh, you’re going to love this.” Ursula grinned, her yellowed teeth flashing behind overdone red lips.

  The next assignment was worse – much worse. She was to travel on tour with Gage, documenting the experience.

  Kate’s first, spurring instinct was to simply refuse the task – an option she knew she dared not attempt. For one thing, Ursula was taking the Gage Stevens project very seriously. So seriously, that she was asking Kate to drop every other project and focus on getting ready for the tour that was to kick off in a week’s time.

  “I’ve talked to Gage Stevens’ people and they’re willing to let you board the entire tour. They loved the article you did and fully intend to give you – and our magazine, exclusive access to the band. Do not mess this up, Kate.”

  “Ursula, for personal reasons, I…”

  Ursula held her gaze shrewdly before cutting in. “Kate, how much do you value your career? For months now, we have been wondering as to whether you are someone who really fits in with this team. This assignment is your chance to finally prove yourself. Don’t turn it down. Trust me, if you do your career in this business will be over. No other magazine will touch you if they catch wind that you couldn’t separate your personal life from such an opportunity. You know for yourself that this is a competitive and unforgiving industry, Kate. You understand that you have to do whatever it takes to make this Gage Stevens project a success. You do understand, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I understand,” Kate replied weakly, her voice nothing more than a whisper lost in the blowing winds of Ursula’s desire to exploit the chance to use their connection to her advantage. Whatever it takes…Kate understood that phrase quite well, but had never had to actually be subjected to obeying it. Looked like she was about to face even more work-related as well as emotional challenges.

  Most tormenting of all was the thought of having to face Gage again, considering how much he occupied her every thought. In her dreams, he made love to her with intense passion, always bringing her to complete surrender. His musician hands played her fleshly strings with delicate ferocity.

  All her past memories of lying in his arms had intensified to sense-numbing clarity now that the years had turned full circle. How would she be able to stand being close to him in the next few weeks? How could she attend show after show, deal with the groupies galore, the drinking, and the partying? Kate had a pretty good idea of how wild a tour could get; she had been giving a glimpse into that world the one night when she’d met Gage again for the first time in years. And now she was going to have to not only bear witness to it, but become a part of it night after night…

  11

  If this is a dream, please, dear God, do not wake me up.

  Gage knew he was staring at her like a damned fool, but for the life of him he couldn’t look away.

  Kate, in a tight-fitted skirt. Her long, stocking-clad legs elegantly stepping out of the limo that had picked her up and brought her to meet them where the tour bus was waiting.

  In broad daylight, her creamy complexion, curves in all of the right places and dazzling red hair made her look absolutely stunning.

  A real woman with natural beauty.

  Gage had dated them all: movie stars, Victoria Secret Angels, and international beauty queens. But Kate stood out for her lushness; her obvious cluelessness of just how truly gorgeous she really was.

  He was surprised to see she’d made it. He’d been so sure she’d refuse to do the assignment. Why would she want to be holed up with him and his entourage for the next month of touring city-after-city? She wasn’t that much of a rock fan he knew – and she was certainly no fan of his, he thought wryly.

  Obviously, her employers were very persuasive in convincing her that this assignment would be good for her career. It was the only way that this made any sense at all.

  Regardless of why she was here, there was no denying that there was still incredibly passionate tension between them. It wasn’t something that could be wished away no matter how hard he tried. And God help him, he’d tried. He didn’t need the hassle of wanting a woman like Kate. She infuriated him with the way she seemed to look down her nose at him, even now, when he was worth more money than he knew how to spend.

  She had a tentative smile on her face as she walked up to him, and he drew in a calming breath. He was done being crazy over Kate Preston.

  Sure, she’d dumped him in cold blood and never looked back. He could still remember how angry he was…and how hurt. Back in those days when he and his former band had tried to make demo EPs that would hopefully catch a label’s attention. When they’d spent nights opening for other bands, sleeping on the floor of tour buses of the main acts and just doing anything to get themselves out there – to be seen. Gage would never forget having to cook food off a gas grill while in an empty warehouse and not being bothered by the hand-to-mouth way of living, because well, he had chosen it. He couldn’t let anything bring him down – even though each night had him groaning silently in pain at the thought that he’d lost Kate and that she’d never even cared enough to stick around and give him a fair chance.

  After Kate had left him, it had been really rough for a while. He’d felt the pain, like shrapnel permanently lodged in his heart. But, that agony had soon spurred his creative juices and one night, half-drunk and unable to sleep, he’d started writing. And didn’t stop till forty-eight hours of no sleep and food had passed.

  A week later, a couple of those written songs were performed at one of the house gigs his band usually played at.

  Somehow, a video of it got uploaded to YouTube. Next thing Gage knew, he was getting a call from Theo Banks, who co-owned Bankable Records, Inc. He told Gage someone had referred him to the video of the performance and he’d like to meet him right away. Just Gage, not the band.

  It all seemed like part of some fantasy now. Gage could never forget how it had felt, finding out that Banks wanted to sign him on, only him, as a solo act. When Theo discovered that Gage had written all the songs, he was sincerely impressed. He promised to set Gage up with a carefully selected band set of his own. But he had to break off from his group, make a fresh start.

  Gage had had to fight down the guilt for having to let go of his old band. After all, they were his best friends, his brothers. But even the group had known that artistically, they’d reached their collective dead-end. They finally agreed to split up and find their own way, and from what Gage later heard of them, a few had gone on to form other bands and one or two had thriving solo careers in the Indie circles.

  In the end, Gage’s decision to go solo paid off. He recorded the album and in less than a year it was certified gold, had topped every list and spawned a few imitators that still hadn’t managed to reach even his waist-level of success after five years in the business.

  Music critics had called that first album a game-changer that could be considered a soundtrack, not just for the Indie rock set, but for the other music genres linked to punk, metal or classic rock. Nothing could compare to being respected for his art, which Gage took very seriously. He’d been able to prove to himself that his dream had been worthwhile after all. He’d also shown his parents, and all those who’d doubted him including Kate, how far one could go if you just believe.

  Meeting Kate’s guarded expression, Gage now wondered what it was about her that still drew him, after so long. That night of his last show had been eye opening. Asking her to stay, to give him her body and take them back in time to when it had all
felt like magic…Gage knew he must have been crazy. And yet he’d wanted her so bad it had made him almost forget what she’d done to him. Almost.

  Deciding to pick on her cue, he strapped on a charming grin that made her blink in the sunlight that burst behind him.

  “Kate. Ready to hit the road?”

  “Yeah, I guess. Live hard, rock on, and all that,” she muttered, that fixed smile still on her face.

  As she strode past him to speak to a few of the roadies who were loading up the bus, Gage got a whiff of her perfume.

  It almost had him staggering on his feet and he felt like he needed to sit down for a moment.

  Fuck, fuck, and fuck!

  How could she still do that to him? How could just her scent make his cock so hard it could rip a hole in his pants?

  He shoved a hand through his hair and gritted his teeth. There was nothing he could do but bear it. This demon inside him had to be exorcised. It was obvious that he and Kate Preston had a lot of unfinished business, and there was only one way to finally get her out of his system, once and for all.

  Come hell or high water, Gage decided; he was going to get Kate into his bed. And hopefully then, he’d be free of this fixation he had with the one woman who’d ever made him bleed…

  12

  Kate was far more comfortable with her conservative side – the one she let out for the public. She knew that people generally thought her uptight, but she wasn’t really. However, even she knew that for this assignment, she’d need a total wardrobe upheaval. Even if it was for just a few weeks touring with Gage in six major cities, she certainly wanted to look the part and not stick out like a sore thumb.

  Being a magazine journalist meant she was used to working behind the scenes, so to speak. She’d only just started reporting in the music and entertainment section, and after that night of Gage’s last gig, she was being thrust into the limelight in the most unexpected way. Now she was getting a bird’s eye view of fame and what it took to live the rock star life on the road and then, getting to witness the glory on the stage.

  Every show brought a different story. She watched Gage perform and each night she was treated to the brooding masterpiece that was his music. She caught glimpses of him she didn’t expect.

  When he wanted to, he could play the demanding rock star with his perplexing requests required for each venue they arrived at during his tour. He had to have this and that, to be done this or that way. His “rider”, or contract, included requests that Kate had to admit, didn’t seem too bizarre compared to other rockers out there in the same industry. True, Gage liked to have particular wines and liquor available, from bottles of Californian Merlot or an Italian Borolo in terms of red wine, and Chardonnay or European Pinot Blanc for white. For his liquor, his rider stated that it had to be Chivas Regal, Stolichnaya vodka or Martell Cordon Bleu cognac.

  He also had to have his fine cheeses, high quality chocolate, expensive champagne such as Cristal and Moet. And then there were the aromatherapy candles, and fresh papaya juice. And, of course, a rock star couldn’t well do without his liters of glacier water from Australia, right?

  Kate knew that the rock venues understood the essentiality of catering to a rock star’s intricate needs. After all, keeping a mega-successful musician happy before, during, and after the gig ensured quality performance.

  Kate already found out that each venue, at which they appeared, was investing millions of dollars per appearance. The sheer amounts always made her stagger as she realized exactly what it took to be Gage Stevens. But then everyone knew he deserved the superstar treatment.

  Tickets for the tour had sold out within fifteen minutes of going live. When they arrived at their venue in New York, Kate felt like one could easily get trampled to death by the sheer number of fans waiting at the packed arena for their favorite rock star. And when there was talk, by Gage’s management team, of booking more dates, Kate had to fight down the urge to scream. She was already finding the schedule harrowing. The month-long trip was to involve two-night engagements in New York City, Chicago, LA and Seattle. Anyone in her position would think she’d be over the moon to be spending more time on tour with a well-loved rock star.

  But for Kate, it wasn’t all about Gage’s magnificent, powerfully delivered performances. It was also about the hard partying, the brazen groupie chicks, and the booze.

  Kate tried to stay objective as a journalist but she had to admit it hurt to see Gage in that image. It was one that she knew the public expected of him. And yet, she’d always thought she knew the real Gage, the man behind the façade. Unfortunately, he never let her see a glimpse of that man she’d fallen in love with years ago. This new Gage was controlling and dominating on top of everything else…

  13

  A new city.

  Countless fans lining up for autographs before the night show.

  Kate met a charming venue intern named Carl. He was very good looking and an enthusiastic rock music fan in his mid-twenties. He was always glad to help, no matter how silly Kate’s request might seem. For one thing, she had zero sense of direction and always seemed to be getting lost in the massive grounds around the arenas. Especially during the time when things were being set up for an upcoming show and everything was crazy.

  One night, she and Carl both got talking backstage and he’d shyly asked her out for drinks after the show ended.

  The truth was, she’d been looking forward to spending some time with a local, and away from the band’s entourage and travelling groupies. She gladly agreed, and Carl’s youthful face breaking in a happy grin was a nice reward. He was just a few years younger, after all, so she didn’t feel like some shameless cougar.

  Besides, what was one date?

  She’d be back on the road soon enough with the band, so what was wrong with a little harmless flirting? Especially, with a gorgeous intern who obviously liked her.

  Unfortunately, things didn’t work out the way she’d planned.

  An hour before the show, she couldn’t seem to find Carl anywhere. She asked one of the roadies, who’d been putting finishing touches on the stage, about him. He informed her that he was gone. Fired.

  “What? Who’s responsible for that?” Kate asked, aghast.

  The roadie shrugged. “You’ll have to ask Gage.”

  Kate was bristling. Why on earth would Gage have anything to do with it?

  Confused and angry, she found her way to the band lounge where Gage was having a beer with a few of his band mates, obviously relaxing before their upcoming show.

  “We need to talk,” she said shortly, eyes pinned on Gage as she stood in front of him defiantly.

  His eyebrow rose triangular-fashion at her stance.

  His band members took one look at the situation and decided to give them some privacy. Everyone had caught on to the tension between Kate and Gage ever since the tour had begun. They just didn’t know what it was about. Kate had done all she could to avoid anyone knowing about their past relationship, or how hard it was working with Gage, especially knowing what she still felt for him. Sharing the tour bus, being in close proximity with him for hours on end, and yet knowing he was out of her reach… it was a strain she’d borne well over the past few weeks. But now, she’d had enough.

  “So, talk,” Gage said once they were alone, sitting back casually and looking at her.

  Kate drew in a breath for calm. “Did you get Carl fired?”

  Gage tilted his head. “You mean that geeky intern?”

  Kate rolled her eyes. She’d known Gage had noticed them chatting all through yesterday, which was day one of their two-day stop in the city. And so what if Carl was geeky? Sure, he wore spectacles and had dressed like too much of a preppy type for her taste, but Kate liked geeky. Especially when it came packaged in a charming, handsome frame as Carl’s. But of course she couldn’t tell Gage that.

  “Yes,” she bit out. “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those insufferable ego-maniacs that take pleasure i
n just offing minions. What did he do? Spill coffee over your designer leather pants?”

  Gage huffed and took a swig from his beer can. “Maybe I just didn’t like seeing him getting fresh with my press aide. He had a job to do. And, need I remind you that… so do you?”

  Kate glared at him.

  He continued. “I think you should focus on that instead of seducing some dimple-faced intern into your bed.” He smirked as her cheeks burned.

  “Wow! Are you serious?” Kate said with an affronted gasp. “I’m not the one fucking a handful of groupies at every stop!”

  Christ, he infuriated her. And she hadn’t forgotten about the two well-groomed hostesses he’d demanded to be available at each venue – supposedly to assist in serving food at band meals, but whom she knew very well served Gage’s other needs when required.

  “Is that what this is about?” he mused, eyes narrowing speculatively. “I mean, you’re a grown woman; obviously you’ve got urges like anyone else. And lord knows that a week or two constantly on the road can take its toll. Everyone needs a distraction.”

  “You’re unbelievable,” Kate snarled, unable to fess up and tell him that her hormones were well used to getting neglected – thanks to her several months of celibacy. No… it was her constant exposure to him that was pushing her desire into overdrive.

  “Carl just wanted to be friends and you had no right to make him lose his job!” she snapped, angrily.

  “Friends?” Gage snorted. “Oh well, obviously you hadn’t heard Carl bragging to a few of the roadies earlier that he planned to bed the “juicy journalist” he was taking out after the gig. So, I guess you should be thanking me. Unless, you did intend to make his night,” Gage said with a smirk she so longed to smack off his handsome face.

  Her cheeks burned pink, but she lifted her chin in defiance. “And what if I did? How is that any of your business?”