Always Rayne (The ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Rock Star Romance Series) (10 page)

“I texted her and told her to take the night off.”

I’m not sure why the thought crosses my mind but I wonder if Nic’s been with her too.

“She’s in her fifties,” he says. It’s uncanny how often I feel like he’s reading my thoughts. “She’s like the aunt I never had.”

“Do you need help with that?” I point to the cutting board and knife he places on the counter.

“I’ve got it.”

I can’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s a little hard to believe that
Nic Rayne is cooking dinner for me. How many girls can say that?”

“None,” he says and almost sounds sad.

“No way.”

He looks up at me. “I’ve never cooked for anyone before.”

“Not even Raven?”

He laughs.
“No, definitely not for Raven.”

I feel like someone just put a heavy weight on my chest. This is a
lmost too much. Not just being with Nic Rayne. But being in his house. And him cooking dinner for me.

If someone would have asked me a few weeks ago whether I’d image myself in this position I would have told them they were absolutely insane.

“I don’t date, Harper,” Nic says as he chops up some celery and a carrot. There’s a note of sadness to his voice.

“Why not?”

He gnaws on his bottom lip. “It’s just too hard. Always being under constant scrutiny by the media. Most people who aren’t in the business don’t want to deal with that crap. And anyone who does want to be in the spotlight, I have to question her motives. Does she actually want to get to know me or does she just want some publicity to further her own career as a model, actress, singer…fill in the blank?”

For the first time since I met him I actually feel a little sad for Nic. I guess there are a few dark and down sides to being a superstar.

“So is this a date?”

He glances up at me and when our eyes meet, there’s an exchange of energy between us. And I can’t believe I’m actually thinking about what it would be like to kiss
Nic Rayne. Like a million other women don’t have that same thought on an hourly basis.

But it’s not a thought I’m used to having. 

“Is that what you want it to be?” Nic actually sounds sincere. There’s no hint of his smug smile anywhere. “A date?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure.”

He gives me a quick nod. “Fair enough.”

He places the chicken in a sauté pan and begins to brown the
half breasts. After a few minutes he adds the sliced mushrooms and other seasonings. My mouth begins to water as I take in the aroma of the chicken. 

“Would you like some wine? It’ll be a few more minutes until
it’s ready.”

“What have you got?”

He smiles. “What do you want?”

I’m not much of a drinker so I try to think back to the times that Jackson took me out to a fancy restaurant for our anniversary or my birthday. What did he order?

“I like Merlot,” Nic suggests. “It’s fruity. Or I have Cabernet Sauvignon.”

“You know a lot about wine?”

“I’ve read enough to learn a few things.”

“What about school?” 

“We’ll save the interview for after dinner.” He grabs a bottle of Merlot out of the small wine cabinet on his countertop. He opens it and pours me a glass. Then he hands it to me.

“Aren’t you going to have some?” I notice he hasn’t poured himself any.

“I want to see if you like it first.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I’ll open something else.”

I take a sip of the wine. He’s right. It’s sweet and a bit fruity. “It’s great.”

He nods and pours himself a glass. “Let’s toast.”

I laugh.
“To what exactly?”

He puts his glass up and waits for me to do the same. We clink glas
ses.

“Wine is bottled poetry.”

“Robert Louis Stevenson.”

He smiles. “I haven’t been able to stump you yet.”

I shake my head. “You’re not going to.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Is that a challenge?”

“It’s not a challenge if the task is impossible.”

When he looks at me, his gaze is steely, resolute. “There’s nothing I can’t do, Harper. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”

I stop with my wine glass in midair.

“I always get what I want.” His eyes are now blazing right through me.

I can feel my chest tighten when I accept the realization that what Nic wants just might be me.

Eight

If I would have thought ahead of myself for three seconds I wouldn’t have stuffed myself with Nic’s absolutely delicious meal. I’m now staring down at the bikini that Nic had Brad buy for me wondering how in the world I’m going to fit into the thing after eating such a big meal.

There’s a light knock on the bathroom door. “Are you okay in there?”

Nic’s not impatient. He sounds more concerned.

“Fine,” I mutter even though I’m anything but. I know I’m going to absolutely humiliate myself wearing this bikini.

I hold up the stringy thing. There’s barely anything there at all. My only saving grace is that Nic is the only one who is ever going to see me wear it.

I put on the bikini and look at myself in the full length mirror.
“Oh, God.” It’s even worse that I thought it would be. I look completely ridiculous.

Another knock.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”

I slowly open the door and step back into Nic’s bedroom.

When his jaw actually drops I feel like I’m going to cry. I’m not sure what I was thinking. He’s been with the most beautiful women in the world. Models and actresses. I definitely don’t look like any of them.

He’s
got a strange expression on his face and it makes me extremely self-conscious. If there was giant hole anywhere close, I’d definitely crawl in it.

I try to blink back the tears that I can feel starting to accumulate in my eyes. “This was a mistake.”

I turn to head back into the bathroom but Nic grabs my arm. He looks confused. “Where are you going?”

“To change,” I spit out.

“But why?”

I can feel the tears start to stream down my face.
“The look on your face. Like you can’t believe I’m even out here in a bikini. I get it. I know you’ve been with every model and actress in Hollywood. My body must be shocking after that.”

“You’re right. It is a shock.”

“Let go of me, please.” I try to wriggle free but he’s got a hold of my elbow pretty tight.

“No, not until you look at me.”

I try to wipe the tears from my face before I turn to look at him. His eyes are even more resolute. “You, Harper Leigh, have the hottest fucking body I’ve ever seen. And it was a shock. I had no idea what you had going on under those hippie librarian clothes of yours but ever since I saw you that first night, I’ve wanted to find out.”

I feel like I’ve been tossed into an ocean and I’m being battered around in the tumultuous waves of emotion. Did he just say I had a hot body? He might have even said it was the hottest body he’d ever seen.
Seriously?

“Would you repeat that?”

He laughs. “I’ve been thinking about what’s going on under your hippie librarian clothes since the first night I met you.”

“No, the first part.”

He drops my arm and takes a step back. He slowly looks me up and down taking in every inch of my body. “You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

I gulp. I feel like I’ve stepped into some alternate universe where all the nerdy bookworms are considered hot and models and actresses are
mocked.

“Aren’t you going to get changed?”

Nic is still in his jeans and T-shirt. He nods. “I’ll be right back.”

After a few moments he returns from his closet with some swim trunks. I expect him to go into the bathroom to get changed but to my surprise, he drops his jeans right in front of me.

I try to protest but no words will come out. My mouth is just opening and closing like a mute puppet.

“What’s wrong?”
Nic gives me that smug grin of his.

“You’re—um—” He’s standing in front of me with just his T-shirt and box
er briefs. He’ll need to remove the underwear to put on the swim trunks. I know I should probably turn around but I’m frozen in place.

Maybe I should close my eyes?

He removes his T-shirt and his chest seems even bigger and more muscular than I remember when he took his shirt off on stage. Maybe it’s just because he’s right next to me, but I can see the outline of his muscles and the way his tribal art tattoos seem to fit perfectly around them.

I’m so busy checking out his flawless chest that I don’t realize until it’s a little too late that he’s going for his boxer briefs.

“Don’t you want to change in the bathroom?” I mumble.

He shakes his head and grins at me. “No, I don’t want to get changed in the bathroom.
My house. My rules.”

He pulls down his boxer briefs and I catch a glimpse of everything before I manage to cover my eyes with my hand. Brooke was absolutely
right when she said he was well-endowed. That’s a rumor that has now been proven to be one hundred percent valid.

“You can take your hand from your eyes now.”

When I look back over at Nic I notice he’s got his swimsuit on. It’s one of those longer swim trunks with all kinds of crazy colors and patterns. They kind of make him look like a little kid going to the beach for the first time.

I actually like
Nic Rayne much more when he’s vulnerable.

Okay, maybe I like him a lot. But it’s still not something I’m ready to admit to anyone. Not even myself.

“You don’t usually wear swim trunks, do you?”

“Is it that obvious?”

I nod.

He
grabs my hand. “Come on. I’ll show you the hot tub.”

When
Nic turns on the lights to the pool area I nearly gasp. His backyard looks like a resort. He’s got a giant infinity pool with the most beautiful postcard mountain view I’ve ever seen. On one side of the pool is a large bar and outdoor kitchen area that looks like a party hub. On the other side is a large hot tub surrounded by a luscious waterfall garden.

“This is magnificent.”

“I tried to make it a show piece. Although I have yet to invite anyone here but the guys and Raven. I’m just too busy. When I’m not on the road with the band, I’m usually on a movie set somewhere. Not a lot of time to entertain.”

The sadness in his voice makes it sound like he has some regrets about his life—or maybe his lifestyle.

He pulls me over to the hot tub and turns on the jets. The interior hot tub lights come on and the water begins to bubble. Even though it’s hot outside, I can see steam rising up from the water.

“Looks inviting,” I say.

Nic opens a small closet next to the hot tub and removes two fluffy towels. He places them on the edge of the hot tub and then steps in.

“Ready?”

I nod and he helps me in with him.

The water feels like a warm blanket covering my body. And the bu
bbles feel so soothing I almost feel like I want to go to sleep.

“Do you like it?”

“No.” I laugh. “I absolutely love it.”

“I’m glad.”

Nic leans back and closes his eyes for a few seconds. Then he says, “I rarely do this.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

I can’t help but smile because I rarely do nothing either. I’m usually too busy with work and Brooke and trying to write the next great Amer
ican novel.

“Well, I hate to spoil your nothingness but you did promise me an interview.”

“You’re right.” He turns to face me. “You can ask me anything you want.”

“And you’ll answer no matter what the question?”

He laughs. “I never said that. I said you could ask me whatever you want. The answers cost extra.”

“Oh, really?”
I tease. “And how would you like me to pay for these answers?”

“I’m sure we can work something out.”

“The first question I have is how you got together with Leo and Xander and formed the band.”

Nic
leans back again and I do the same. The sky is turning dark and soon we’ll be able to see the stars on display in the night sky.

“My mom died when I was eight and I was raised by my dad, if you can call it that. He was a jazz musician and tended to
be gone a lot. If he wasn’t playing local gigs until all hours of the night he was on the road for weeks at a time. So I spent a lot of time with my aunt, my mom’s sister, and her kids, my cousins Leo and Xander. My aunt was mentally ill. Bipolar. So we were left on our own a lot. Especially when she was in a down cycle and stayed in bed for days at a time. We didn’t have much but we had a lot of instruments. Leo and Xander’s dad was in a rock band before he died of a drug overdose. So we played music because we didn’t have anything better to do and it kept us off the streets.” He laughs. “It kept us off the streets until we were old enough to figure out how much fun it was on the streets.”

“It sounds like all three of you might have had music in your blood. Your dads were musicians.”

He nods. “We started our first band when we were in our teens. Xander and I were sixteen and Leo was fourteen. We called ourselves Tuna Casserole.”

I laugh. “That’s ridiculous.”

“I know. It’s a cheesy name. But we were just kids having fun at that point. We met Raven about a year later. She just kind of attached herself to us. Her mom and dad were drug addicts so she fit right in with our motley crew. She’s actually the one who came up with Always Rayne for the band. And as soon as she said it, the moment the words came out of her mouth, it was like we all looked at each other and just knew that we were going to hit it big.”

“They’re really important to you, aren’t they?
Leo, Xander and Raven.”

“They’re my family. My dad died of a heart attack a few years ago. Leo and
Xander’s mom killed herself a year after we graduated high school. And Raven’s parents are both in prison for dealing drugs. We’ve only got each other.”

“I always thought my parents were a little eccentric. Not many people I went to school with had a writer and an inventor for parents. Most of the kids in my high school had lawyers or doctors for parents. But they definitely aren’t mentally unstable and the last thing they would do was drugs. My parents rarely even have wine with dinner. My life was pretty uneventful growing up.”

“And that’s why you’re you.”

I’m not sure if he thinks that’s a good thing or
a bad thing. “Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever be able to write anything great because I’ve lead such a relatively sheltered life. I’ve never really suffered like most great writers. And I didn’t have a dysfunctional childhood. I don’t have any demons that need to be exorcised.”

“I don’t think it’s necessary to suffer to be a great artist. I think you just need to be passionate and intellectually curious. You’ve got both of those down.”

“And how do you know that?”

He looks into my eyes. It’s a serious look.
Almost like he’s looking right through me. “Because I know you, Shakes. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”

“But how?
I feel like I barely know you at all.”

“That’s because you already had your mind made up about me before you eve
r got the chance to know me.”

That stings. Have I really been that closed minded towards him? “I’m sorry. You’re right. But you have to admit that you’ve got a bit of a reputation and I haven’t seen a lot that disputes that.”

“And what reputation is that?” He gives me another one of his smug grins. I can’t believe he’s going to make me say it.

“That you’ve slept with every actress in Hollywood.
That you’ve made your way through every model as well. That you’ll sleep with anyone who offers.”

He laughs. “I haven’t slept with Katie Lawrence.”

I wait but he doesn’t say anything else. “One actress? That’s all you can come up with? And she’s America’s sweetheart. Of course you haven’t slept with her.”

“It’s not like I haven’t tried. She’s in love with some cop. I can r
espect that.”

“Don’t you want to fall in love? Have a real relationship?”

“You mean like the one you had with Harvard?”

Another sting.
He’s really good at that. “Don’t you want something more than just one night stands?”

“They usually last a little longer than one night. I like to go until at least noon the next morning.”

Just when I think I’m getting somewhere with him he’s back to being cocky as hell.

But then his expression turns serious.
A lot more serious. If we weren’t in a hot tub I think his look would chill me. “There’s nothing wrong with enjoying sex. Especially when it’s something you’re really good at.”

“That is another part of the rumor mill.
And also something about you being well-endowed.”

He grins.

“Not that I’m interested in confirming those particular rumors.”

He gets closer to me. “You’re not interested at all?”

My entire body feels like it’s melting and not just because of the hot tub heat. I can’t believe I’m actually thinking about what it would be like to be with Nic. I can feel my entire body ache when I think about him kissing me, putting his hands on my body, being inside of me…