Fame (37 page)

Harper gave him a pointed look. “Don’t bullshit me, Kaid. You couldn’t get off the phone fast enough after I told you I didn’t date musicians.”

“My hair was set on fire. I just didn’t want to admit it on the phone because it was kind of embarrassing.”

“You’re such a liar,” Harper smirked.
 

He shrugged his shoulders. “I guess you’ll never know.”

Leaning forward, she moved her hand to his head and started running it through his hair. The feel of her fingers combing his scalp had him wanting and begging for more, but just as he was getting accustomed to her touch, she pulled away and crossed her arms over her chest.
 

“Just what I thought; you’re a liar. Your hair is not burnt.”

“Would you believe that I got transplants?”

“No,” she shook her head.

Conceding, he ran his hands over his face and spoke from the heart. If anything, she would appreciate honesty, even if she didn’t want to hear it.
 

“Fine, yes, it was awkward the other day, because I thought that maybe we could get to know each other a little better, but I get it, that’s not what you want. No need to come over here and hash it out. We’re cool, Harper.”

He tried for a blasé type attitude, but knew by the slight quiver in his voice that he wasn’t doing a very good job.
 

She studied him for a second as she tilted her head to the side, taking him all in.
 

“That’s very bold of you, Kinkaid,” she replied in her English accent. “Very honest, I like it. But, you’re right, I don’t go for musicians. I’ve been burned in the past, and I don’t plan on getting burned again.”

“Which is fine,” Kaid said, wondering why she came to his place to repeat herself. Getting told no the first time was plenty, he didn’t need to be denied twice, that was just chipping away at his man card.
 

“Aren’t you curious what happened to me?”

“No,” he shook his head. “And I don’t mean that in a dickhead way, I just think the less we know about each other the better. I know you said I could talk to you if I ever needed to, and I appreciate that, but I think you’re right; we need to keep this professional. I don’t need you falling in love with me or anything,” he said with a grin, making her guffaw.
 

“Oh, okay, I see how it is. You’re going to act like I’m the one crushing.”

“Well, I can see by your body language and the fact that you came all the way out here just to see if I was okay that you’re already hot for me and want to take me up against the pool house.”

Laughing, Harper shook her head. “I thought differently of you, Kinkaid. I thought you weren’t like the other self-centered guys you room with.”

“I don’t have a choice. I have to float their way on occasion or else they’ll eat me alive. We can’t have that now, can we?”

“I guess not,” Harper said with a smirk. “Well, since you’re not crying in your pillow, I guess I’m good to go.”

They both stood up as Kaid replied, “Wow, you think awfully highly of yourself if you think I’m crying away in my pillow over a phone conversation with you.”

“Don’t deny it,” she teased.
 

“I will! Not because I’m ashamed, but because it was my shirt I cried into, not my pillow.”

Laughing some more, they both walked to the door. Even though Kaid was mildly upset about the fact that Harper wasn’t interested in taking their friendship any further, he was happy that they were able to be cool about it. The last thing he wanted was to be awkward around her.
 

Once they reached the entryway, she turned toward him and said, “So, I will see you in the studio soon? We have some things to work on.”

“Yup, sounds good,” Kaid said, while shifting on his heels and trying to act as casual as possible, even though he still felt a little awkward.

“Alright, see you then,” she winked at him and left the house.
 

Kaid closed the door behind her and sighed once she was out of sight. He didn’t go after girls very much, but when he found someone he liked, he went after her. It was a shame Harper wanted nothing to do with him, because he was pretty sure they would be amazing together.
 

The thought of trying to convince her he was good for her was in the forefront of his mind, but he pushed it back because she was quite clear about what she wanted, and it sure as hell wasn’t him. He would just be friends with her. He could do that. Just friends.
 

“Oooh, Harper and Kaid,” Cruz cooed from the living room, making kissing noises and being overly obnoxious.
 

With a flip of the bird, Kaid went back to work on fan mail.
 

**Cruz**

The false alarm of Harper stopping by instead of Maelani showing up had Cruz on edge. He was pacing his room, ready to just see Maelani.
 

After talking to Grey, he wasn’t quite sure what he was going to say to Maelani. When he was with her, he felt her, he felt her soul, he didn’t think she was playing with him, at least he didn’t until fucking Grey opened his fat mouth.
 

His night was completely ruined. When Maelani confirmed that she was coming over, Cruz actually felt like giving his dick a high five in celebration, but refrained from abusing his prized body part because he would be using it to maximum capacity a little later. Now that he felt like he had to talk to Maelani, all the plans of taking her up against his wall, in his shower, and pressed against his window vanished, and in their place, he had to have an awkward conversation.
 

A small knock sounded at his door, dragging his attention to the present.
 

“Come in,” he said.
 

His door opened slightly and Maelani walked through. She was wearing a sundress that clung to her bust and then fell loosely off her body. The pink of the dress played off her tan skin and dark hair, making her look even more beautiful than normal.
 

“Hey,” she said shyly, as she shut his door and walked toward him.
 

He was mesmerized by the sway of her hips and the look in her deep brown eyes. She wanted him; it was obvious.
 

Placing her hands on his chest, she looked up into his eyes and smiled.
 

“I missed you.”

Biting on his lip, he cringed at her admission. If he was honest, he’d missed her too, but he wouldn’t say that, not with doubts of her intentions running through his head.
 

“What’s wrong?” she asked, being able to read the stiffness of his body and the icy exterior that took over him.
 

“We need to talk,” he said, trying to stay strong, even though her beautiful face was wearing him down.
 

“Okay,” she said, a little confused. “What are we talking about?”

Not missing a beat, Cruz led her to the seating area in his room and sat down with her. Her hands twisted in her lap as she searched him for what he wanted to talk about.
 

Not wanting to beat around the bush, he asked, “Did you know who I was before you met me for the first time?”

She cocked her head to the side and said, “What are you talking about?”

Growing a little frustrated with the situation he was in, he pinched his nose and said, “Are you using me, Maelani? Are you with me because you want something from me?”

Pure and utter shock crossed her face as her body tensed and she retreated away from him in her seat, as if he’d just slapped her. He instantly regretted his question, because from the look in her eyes, he was way off base. Silently, he was cursing Grey out for getting inside his head.
 

“Are you serious?” she asked, her voice full of insult.
 

Wanting to diffuse the situation, Cruz positioned himself toward her and tried to grab her hand, but she didn’t let him, so he spoke softly. “I’m sorry, Maelani, but I was talking to Grey about our relationship, and he was worried about me. He wanted to make sure I wasn’t being used.”

“You really think I would use you?”

“No…I don’t know,” Cruz said, while running his hands through his hair. “It’s not uncommon. We’re used all the time, and your work situation is so weird. I don’t really know what you do, and I can only see you occasionally at night. It seems so fucked up to me. I don’t know what to think.”

“Well, clearly, you don’t think the best of me.” She started to get up, but Cruz pulled down on her arm and made her sit down.
 

“Please, don’t leave,” a peek of desperation showed through his voice, making him cringe. “Please, just talk to me. I’m so damn confused. Help me understand, Maelani. What’s going on?”

Eyeing Cruz up and down, he could tell she was trying to gauge whether or not he was worth talking to about her life.
 

After some silence, she settled back in her chair, crossed her arms over her chest, and her legs over one another.
 

“You really want to know?”

“Yes, I want to fucking know.”

“Fine,” she said casually. “I’m a high class escort for a man who pays me two grand for every outing. I see him about three to five times a week. He pays for all my clothes and required outfits for events we attend.”

An escort? Cruz felt his jaw hit the ground as he tried to calculate in his head how much she possibly made in a week. If he was calculating correctly, she was sitting pretty, but for some reason, she didn’t flash any of her money.
 

“Oh,” was all he said, as he tried to process everything. In the back of his head, he thought, at least she wasn’t a hooker. Well…

“Do you sleep with him?” Cruz asked, not being able to hold back what he was thinking.
 

She looked at her nails and then looked back up at him, her demeanor completely different than when she first walked in. She was all business now, the once soft and affectionate girl who’d walked into his room was gone.
 

“No, not that it’s any of your business. I don’t sell my body for money, only my image.”

“Why?” Cruz asked confused.
 

Growing a little frustrated, Maelani switched her crossed legs and gave Cruz a pointed look.
 

“Not all of us are as lucky and as talented as you, Cruz. We have to fight for a way of life. I grew up in a shitty foster care home, where I was treated poorly. The only person who I thought could save me was my boyfriend at the time. I left when I was seventeen, not even completing my education. After years of lying and manipulation, I was able to free myself from his wrath, and the only thing I had on my resume was a pretty face and a thin body, so, I used it. Am I pleased with how my life has turned out? No, but I’m saving every last penny I have so I can go to school and finally get an education.”

Feeling like a dick, Cruz scooted closer to her, hanging off the edge of his chair, and rested his arms on his legs while he spoke honestly to her.
 

“I’m sorry, Maelani. I didn’t know. I just, fuck, I like you, and I hated that you had this second life I didn’t know about.”

“There was a reason,” she said, interrupting him.
 

“Well, I’m glad I know now.”

“I’m not,” she answered back quickly. “I didn’t want you to know about that aspect of my life, because now you’re going to treat me differently.”

“How so?” he asked, already knowing that he wanted to give her some money, give her the education she needed, even though he barely knew her. He wanted to give her the world; she deserved it.
 

“Because, you’re going to think you can save me, but I want to save myself. I don’t need your help, your sympathy, or your support.”

The vehemence in her voice was a bit startling. She was serious when it came to her personal life. When he first met Maelani, he just thought she was easygoing and fun; he never thought she had this other side of her, this strong willed, respectable side of her that only made Cruz want to get to know her more, escort or not.

“What if I don’t offer it?” he asked.
 

“It doesn’t matter,” she said, while gathering her purse. “We’re done here.”

She was able to slip his grasp and walk to his door, but before she opened it, he pressed his hand against it and kept it closed. He hovered over her tiny body, and he couldn’t help but be sucked into the light flowery scent that was floating off of her.
 

“We’re not done,” he said, matter-of-factly. “We’re not even close to being done.”

“We are,” she looked him dead in the eyes.
 

“Why?”

“Because you clearly don’t trust me. You thought I was using you, Cruz.”

Feeling flustered, he stuttered, and said, “Can you blame me?”

Fury crossed her eyes, and he knew it was the wrong thing to say. His asshole ways were not going to get him out of this one.
 

“I didn’t mean that,” he tried to recover.