Claimed by the Alpha Celebrity (Rockstar Romance, Alpha Male Erotic Romance, Billionaire Romance) (The Star Struck Trilogy) (14 page)

“You don’t seem very excited Gia. Did you hear me? We’re going to the Justin Timberlake after party, whooo!” Amber shrieked.

“Sorry, I’m just a little distracted.” I shook my head back and forth to clear my thoughts. “Whoo! Let’s do it!” I bounced up and down and clapped my hands.

We piled into Amber’s Lincoln Navigator. Amber and Peyton sat in the front, and Clarissa, Brandon, Andre and I sat in the back. The Navigator was white and gol
d, with a tan leather interior. Amber insisted on not having a driver when she went out, she liked her independence. But there were two of her security guards tailing us in a black town car. Not many of the people I knew in Chicago had all of the bells and whistles that came with living in L.A. I liked the glitz and glam. I was happy to be back if only for a couple of weeks.

“Hey, who were you talking to in there?” Amber glanced at me in the rear view mirror as she navigated through traffic.

“You literally wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”

“Try me.”

“I was on my way to the ladies’ room when I stopped at the bar to get some water, and you would not believe who was at the bar?”

“Who? Who was it?” Clarissa piped in.

It was kind of funny, even celebrities got excited about celebrity sightings. Andre and Brandon leaned in to hear what I was about to say.

“It was Trevor Dunaway, the billionaire music mogul, from Alpha Deity,” I revealed.

“Trevor Dunaway is a brilliant producer. I really respect his work. That guy’s a genius,” Peyton interjected.

“I’m not into that kind of music but he is pretty sexy... and rich too!” Clarissa gushed.

“I actually like Alpha Deity’s music, but I’ve heard around that the guys from that band are messed up,” Brandon added.

“Isn’t every
one in L.A. kind of messed up?” Andre quipped.

“True story.” Clarissa and I laughed in unison.

“Well yeah, but those Alpha Deity guys are really bad news. I’m glad I came in there and saved you,” Amber said protectively.

“Actually, I was really hitting it
off with Trevor, believe it or not, but his asshole guitarist Vin interrupted us,” I ranted.

“Who? Vin Casey? I hate that guy. We were at the same party once, and he was just destroying shit and picking fights with people. That guy is worthless,” Brandon
chimed in.

“Yeah, I’m not a fan of Vin, but meeting Trevor made me giddy. There is just something about him.” I sighed.

“Wait, hold on. Gia, I’m pretty sure I know where he’s going to be tonight. I think his band is doing an unannounced show at an underground club called The Catacombs, off of Hollywood Boulevard. Let me double check my information,” Brandon said, pulling out his cell phone.

My heart fluttered. I really wanted to see Trevor again tonight, sans Vin that is. I held my breath and crossed my fin
gers while Brandon was texting. It felt like time stood still while I was waiting for a response.

Brandon looked up. “Yep. My buddy says they are doing a show there tonight, and he says the band allegedly booked a few rooms in the hotel upstairs from the c
lub. If you wanted to check out the show I would go with you. I have a few friends going.”

“Yeah! Let’s do it. Amber pull over, we’re going to get a cab.” I tapped Amber’s arm.

“Are you sure Gia? If you go with us you’ll get a chance to meet some really cool people. I don’t know what kind of weirdos you are going to find at The Catacombs,” Amber responded.

“I’ll take my chances.”

“Okay. Make sure you text me if you need me.” Amber pulled over and let Brandon and me out of the SUV.

“Clarissa, Andre, I’ll s
ee you guys back at the house.” Brandon saluted as he called back.

“Amber, I’ll try to catch up with you tomorrow night if you’re around. Wish me luck!”

“Good luck Gia. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She shook her head.

When Brandon and I arrived there was
no line. It was still pretty early. The bouncer recognized Brandon from his reality show, so he didn’t check our IDs. We were escorted behind a heavy velvet curtain and down a long corridor. It was obvious why this place was called The Catacombs. It didn’t look like a club or a concert venue at all, just a maze of dark, winding tunnels and a spiral staircase. It looked like we were on the main level. There was a level above us and a level below us. The bouncer informed us that the show would be upstairs. I wondered, was Trevor already here setting up? If he had left The Standard right after we did it was possible that he beat us there. I couldn’t wait to find him or maybe he would find me. My thoughts were interrupted by screams coming from down stairs. It was a male voice.

Brandon and I looked at each other silently. I saw the curiosity in his eyes, and it was clear he saw the same in mine. He nudged me and we quietly followed the sound down the stairs. We stopped when we got to the bottom of the staircase.
There was a dimly lit tunnel in front of us. The screams echoed off of the low ceiling and narrow walls. We silently navigated our way down the corridor by following the sound of the screams. At the end of the tunnel there was a room to the left and a room to the right. Neither room had a door. The room to the left had an eerie red light spilling out of it. We crept stealthily to the left. Brandon stood on one side of the threshold and I on the other. We craned our necks to see what was going on inside without being seen.

There was a shirtless man chained to the wall, with a ball gag in his mouth. A woman with a short black wig cut into a bob, and a black leather cat suit, was beating the man with a leather whip. He moaned and grunted every time the whip cam
e in contact with his flesh, but he seemed to be enjoying it. The woman drew her hand back as if she were about to strike him with the whip again but she hit the wall next to him instead. She removed the ball gag from his mouth. A devious smile spread across his face.

“Oh you’re such a tease,” he chided.

“I’m not a tease, I just like to hear you beg.” She laughed. “But I think you’ve begged enough tonight.” She shut off the red light. I couldn’t see what she was doing but I heard the man let out a guttural scream followed by an intense moan. It sounded like he was in pain but that he was also aroused.

I was both shocked and intrigued by what we had just witnessed. What kind of place was this? I’ve heard about underground BDSM clubs but I had never been to on
e. My mind wandered with naughty thoughts about Trevor’s sexual proclivities. Perhaps he could teach me some things. My thoughts were interrupted by Brandon’s touch. He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the staircase. We climbed the stairs back up to where we entered.

“Oh my gawd! What the hell was that? What have you gotten me into Brandon?” I playfully slapped his bicep.

“Hey, you’re the one who wanted to come here. It’s your boy who’s staying here,” Brandon teased back.

As if on cue, Trevor came down t
he stairs from the bar area. He was walking quickly and he seemed preoccupied. I stared at him in awe. An exhilarating heat washed over me and I became light-headed. He quickly brushed by me, then he turned around and doubled back.

“Hey, Giavanna? Is that
you?”

“Hey Trevor, what are you doing here?” I asked as nonchalantly as possible.

“We were supposed to do a short set tonight, but my bandmates are totally inebriated. We can’t go on. Vin is completely out of his mind, and my drummer is puking in the bathroom. I’m kind of having a fucked up night, but now that you’re here, I’m feeling a little better.” He looked me up and down with an impish grin on his face. I loved the twinkle in his eye.

“Glad I could help,” I uttered, barely able to breath.

“Hey, who’s this?” Trevor pointed at Brandon.

“This is my friend Brandon, from the reality show L.A. Life.”

“Hey, Trevor Dunaway! I love your work man.”

“Thanks.” Trevor and Brandon bumped fists.

“It sounds like you had a rough night man. Can I buy you a shot?” Brandon asked.

“Thanks, but for once in my life I’m going to have to pass. I’ve already had too many.”

“No problem. I know how that goes.” Brandon chuckled, pulling out his phone. “Hey Gia, my buddy is texting me. He’s up by the bar. You going to be alright?”

“Y
eah, I’m good. Maybe I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Cool. Later.” And with that Brandon disappeared up the stairs, leaving Trevor and me alone.

Trevor placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me away from the staircase and around a dark corner. His touch was warm but it sent chills up my spine. We stood alone in the shadows of a long, dim corridor. I rested my back against the wall to brace myself. It seems every time Trevor was around I had trouble doing basic things like standing and breathing. He literally knocked me off my feet and took my breath away.

“What are you doing here? This doesn’t seem like a place you would frequent.” Trevor stared at me intently without averting his gaze.

“My friend Brandon dragged me here. I figured I’d see someplace new while I was on vacation.” I was certain he could see through my lies. He seemed to have an all-knowing power.

“Hmmm... I see.” He let me off the hook.

“I believe that nothing happens by accident. Maybe it was meant for us to bump into each other here.” I smiled nervously.

He placed both of his arms on either side of me so I was pinned between the warmth of his body and the coolness of the wall. “Now, I don’t know about that. You probably shouldn’t be here. Unless you want to get me into trouble.”

He glanced downward and I followed his gaze below his waist. I could see he was starting to become aroused from standing so close to me. My heart raced. I felt as if I was melting into the wall. I instinctively pushed my hips forward to meet his. I could feel him through his jeans. A volatile warmth started between my legs and spread throughout my entire body. He pressed into me, hard.

“I’ve never been one to shy away from trouble,” I teased playfully as our eyes locked. I held my breath and waited for his li
ps to meet mine. He brushed my hair behind my ear and leaned in slowly. I closed my eyes, not quite sure of what he was going to do next, but I knew it was going to blow my mind. I arched my back in anticipation of more of his body coming into contact with mine. I felt his lips graze mine and for a moment it felt is if I defied gravity and I was floating outside of myself. I started to kiss him when he pulled back and pressed his cheek against mine.

“Giavanna, I can’t,” he whispered, with his cheek still pr
essed against mine. I crashed down from my lucid dream. I’m certain he felt my energy shift.

“Trevor, what’s going on?” My voice came out in a tone I didn’t recognize.

“Giavanna, you’re stunning, and charming, and cute and quirky, all rolled into one. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t attracted to you. But I don’t think this... what we’re doing right now is a good idea. You and I are two different people from two totally different worlds. And I’m not talking about money, I’m talking about lifestyle. I can tell we run in totally different crowds. I have to be honest. You’re awesome, and please forgive me for totally jumping the gun here, but I don’t know if anything between us could ever work out. Besides, you’d probably be better off not getting involved with someone like me. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

“Well isn’t that noble of you?” I asked sarcastically. I looked at him squarely. “I’m a big girl Trevor. I don’t need you to protect me. I know what I want and I know you want it too.” I pressed my body ag
ainst him and leaned in close, practically begging for him to kiss me. I felt his muscles tense. He leaned in, and just as his lips were about to touch mine he sighed and backed away again. He took my hand and guided it between his legs. His body told a different story than the words coming out of his mouth. I could feel his desire for me aching in the palm of my hand.

“Look, there is no doubt that I want you. The body never lies. But it’s not a good idea. Trust me. And I can’t anyway. I’m kind of seeing s
omeone and she’s here with me tonight. No one too serious, but I don’t want to be disrespectful to her. One of my business partners introduced us, and everyone is really hoping we become official. My business partners are all married so they have been pressuring me to meet someone. And my publicist insists that I need to have a woman on my arm for the sake of my image. I wish that she and I weren’t under the microscope, but that’s show biz. You always have to put on a show whether you’re on stage or not. It’s complicated. We’ll talk about you and I later at a better time. I don’t want to jump right into something physical with you. If we’re going to do anything at all I want to get to know you. I can tell there is so much to you. You’re worth so much more than a quick hook up in a hallway.” He opened his mouth to continue speaking but I cut him off.

“Okay, Trevor. You don’t want to do anything with me. I get it.” My voice cracked.

“That’s not what I said, Giavanna.” His words came out strong and firm.

“
Whatever.” I pushed him away from me.

“Don’t be upset. I’m definitely not worth being upset over.”