Fallen for Rock (10 page)

Chapter Seventeen

‘Whoa. Where did all the people come from?’

For the second time that day, I was shell-shocked to find myself confronted with a crowd where I had expected none. Mike had pushed open the door to the VIP lounge, and the place was rammed.

‘What do you mean?’

Mike had to lean close to my ear to make himself heard, and I relished the waft of aftershave and fresh laundry that enveloped him.

‘Have you had a shower?’

‘What?’

I blushed to my roots. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to be crass. It’s just…’

‘Just what?’ Mike had caught on to my embarrassment and teased me mercilessly.

‘Nothing. Only, you smell fresh out of the shower, that’s all.’

Cue belly laugh. ‘Of course. I wouldn’t mingle with the high and mighty dripping with sweat after a show, would I? There’s showers backstage and everything. I like to be…fresh.’

He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me towards him as he said, ‘fresh’, and a delicious thrill tingled down my spine.

‘Oh. Right. Of course. So, the high and mighty, right? I thought everybody had left.’ I steered the conversation back to my original question.

‘They had. These are new guests arrived for the purposes of showing off. Record execs, press, some TV folks…the usual. This is the bit where I work the room and schmooze.’

‘Schmooze, ah. Right. Well, I can’t help you with that,’ I backtracked, feeling way out of my depth.

‘On the contrary. You’re perfect. Walk with me.’

His arm still around my waist, he propelled me forwards, and we began making our way through the thronged room. After only a few steps, Mike held out his free hand to a passing waiter and equipped us both with a glass of champagne.

‘Cheers.’ Mischief danced in his eyes, and I giggled.

‘Cheers.’

‘Mikey! Great show!’ A booming voice came from behind me, and its owner slapped ‘Mikey’ heartily on the shoulder, narrowly avoiding giving me a black eye with his elbow.

‘Dexter. Good to see you.’ Mike returned the slap and swung me around to face the man. I caught the merest glimpse of distaste on Mike’s face before he mustered a wide smile and offered introductions. ‘Emily, this is Dexter Gartier of the London Morning Read. Dexter, this is Emily Trenden, my most cherished VIP of the night.’

I smiled a polite ‘how do you do’ at Dexter, who leered back suggestively.

‘Most cherished VIP, I see, I see.’

‘Indeed,’ I replied sweetly. ‘And what is it you do at the Morning Read, Fletcher?

‘It’s Dexter,’ Dexter corrected, looking somewhat rattled. ‘And I’m the Chief Editor.’

I pretended to be surprised. ‘
You’re
Dexter? As in,
the
Dexter Gartier?’ Of course, I had no idea who he was, but I could certainly play the game.

Mike stifled a laugh. I could hear him snort into his drink.

Dexter drew up that little bit straighter and puffed out his chest. ‘I am indeed.’

‘I see. Nice to meet you, Dexter.’

Mike’s arm was shaking around my waist.

‘Darling,’ I addressed Mike in my sweetest voice. ‘I’m feeling a little faint. I absolutely must find a bite to eat. Will you excuse me?’

‘Of course, of course,’ Mike crooned. ‘I’ll catch you shortly, okay?’

‘Okay.’

Damn.
I had rather hoped he would play along and join me, but I supposed he had a job to do. I disentangled myself from Mike’s arm and gave an insouciant little wave of the hand. ‘See you later, babe. Dexter.’

I flounced off before either man could respond. Now what?

Sam was what. I had barely negotiated my way amongst three groups of people in the rough direction of where I assumed the midnight buffet would be set up when the Rock Radio DJ appeared by my side.

‘Emily!’ He greeted me like a long-lost friend.

‘Sam!’ My response was equally effusive, if intended to be slightly ironic. Sam was too inebriated to notice.

‘How did you enjoy the show?’

‘It was fab. Really, it rocked. Thank you so much again for the tickets.’

‘No problem.’ Sam swayed back and forth slightly. ‘You were looking pretty cosy with Mike out there.’

First Tara, now Sam. What business was it of anybody’s?

‘Really? We were only talking.’

‘Ah. Yeah, Mike is a great talker.’

There was that knowing undertone again. Was Mike the serial womaniser, or what?

‘Do you listen to the show often?’

Sam’s question caught me off guard. ‘Show? What show?’

‘My show. You know. On Rock Radio.’

‘Oh! Right.’

‘And? Do you?

‘Er. No. Sorry. My ex-boyfriend is the big fan. You know. He who isn’t here.’

‘Oh. So this gig wasn’t your thing at all, really?’

‘No, no! I mean, yes! I loved every minute of it. I’m thrilled I came. It was…it was a real experience. I’ll never forget this night.’

Sam looked slightly mollified at this assurance, but I wasn’t done with the gushing.

‘I’ll be listening to your show from now on, too. I’m a total convert, you see. I really enjoyed the concert, and I can’t wait to hear more rock. Rock
on
!’

Sam didn’t seem to notice anything weird about my vociferous enthusiasm. ‘Great,’ he boomed. ‘I’m glad to hear it. Always great to meet a fan. I’m sure we’ll bump into each other again.’

‘That would be nice,’ I concurred, although I doubted that very much. Sam disappeared in the crowd, evidently having forgotten his threat to interview me. I sighed with relief and fled to the ladies’ room for a moment. I needed to cool down and freshen up. And I wanted to check my text messages. Just in case…well, just in case.

Chapter Eighteen

Just in case
didn’t happen. There wasn’t a single message on my phone. Then again, I hadn’t really expected any. I turned my phone off altogether and stuffed it in the bottom of my little handbag. A final critical look at myself in the mirror confirmed that my essential repair works had done the job. My hair was brushed out of my face and untangled, my mascara was fresh and even, and my lips were once again a-sparkle with a subtle coat of lip gloss. I looked a little tired, but it was past midnight, and I was doing okay, all things considered.

Thus reassured, I launched myself into the party with renewed energy. The music was loud and the lights were low. I couldn’t see Mike or anyone else I knew—but of course, I wouldn’t really know anyone here—so I danced by myself for a while and gave myself up to the moment. My thoughts were freewheeling, and I was astounded by how much fun I was having. Why, oh why, had I missed out on all of this when I was a student? Where had I been, I wondered?

‘There you are.’ Mike’s voice was gentle in my ears as once again he wrapped his arms around me from behind. The gesture felt strangely familiar, as if we were going out; as if we had been going out for a while. My body fit snugly against his as if they were two halves of a whole.

The notion was disturbing, so I stepped out of Mike’s embrace and turned to face him. ‘Here I am.’

Immediately, Mike pulled me close again into a slow, measured dance, even though the beat of the music was fast and pounding. I resisted at first, but then I thought, why not? What was the harm in having a dance with this man? Besides, I was tired, and it was lovely to put my head on his shoulders while we swayed gently.

‘Well done you for putting Dexter in his place.’

I snorted. ‘Hardly. But his attitude bothered me.’

‘As well it should. He’s a nasty piece of work. I’m sorry I couldn’t follow you straight away.’ He shrugged. The movement pushed my face closer to his, and he planted a quick kiss on the side of my cheek.

‘I understand,’ I whispered. ‘Things to do, places to see…’

‘Bottoms to kiss, and all that. You got it. But I’m done with that now. Hey—’

He ground to a halt and pulled back a little to look me in the eyes. ‘Let’s get out of here. Come with me.’

I swallowed. This was the point where I should make my excuses. This was the point where I should end the evening. I knew exactly what he meant by going somewhere quiet. It was obvious. It was so clichéd, it was untrue. In fact, I couldn’t quite believe he had actually said it. My pulse thrummed in my ears, and my throat had all but dried up. I swallowed again so I could speak.

‘Sure. Sounds great.’

What?

‘Excellent.’ Mike traced a finger down the side of my face and dropped his hand to grasp mine. ‘Follow me.’

I let myself be led across the dance floor in a steady, undulating half dance which seemed to make it a little less obvious that we were leaving. Every few seconds we stopped as Mike exchanged perfunctory pleasantries, and people laughed and cheered and clapped him on the back.

Me, I smiled and ignored the voices in my head. I wanted to be reckless, just this once. I was walking into this with my eyes wide open, and if I didn’t go for it now, I would forever regret it. I
would
. I wanted a one-night stand with this man, this rock star, with Mike. The very thrill of the idea was breathtaking, the sensation was heady and lusty, and the whole thing was totally inevitable. I was up for it. I
wanted
Mike, for whatever reason, right or wrong, good or bad, I
wanted
.

‘You okay?’ Mike cut into my convoluted train of thought. We had arrived at a door marked with a star and a plaque bearing Mike’s name.

‘Of course.’ My voice emerged raspy and breathy from lack of saliva, but the effect was sensuous and suggestive. Mike smiled widely.

‘Welcome to my humble abode,’ he joked as he touched a pass to the electronic lock. The door unlocked with a soft click, and Mike pushed it wide open. ‘Milady.’

I inclined my head ever so slightly and stepped into his dressing room.