Love Rock'ollection: The Brutal Strength Rock Star Trilogy, books 1-3 (38 page)

“Chris would never make another move unless he knew for sure it would be reciprocated,” Keith agreed, running a fingertip over his eyebrow ring. “Especially after what she said to him at Soho’s. Man that was harsh.” He shifted his long legs and the plastic chair squeaked against the linoleum flooring. “She’s got a real sharp tongue, that sister of yours.”

“You don’t have to do this.” JR put his hand over Sam’s. “But really what’s the harm? I think we’re just bumping up the time table on something that is inevitable anyway. Giving them a little friendly nudge in the direction they’re already headed.” He sure didn’t have any reservations considering Sara’s interference in his own love life. Turnabout was fair play in his estimation.

Remembering the combustible kiss, Sam conceded that JR was probably right. Sara and Chris had some volatile chemistry. She’d never seen her sister at such a disadvantage. She was always the one in charge and held back from any real emotional connection with men. Chris appeared to have the ability to rattle the bars of Sara’s protective cage, though. Hopefully, he would persevere in his pursuit and allow her to finally escape those confines.

“Ok, I’m in,” Sam told them. After all, what harm could it really do? If they all had misread the situation, and Sara wasn’t interested in Chris, she just wouldn’t take the bait.

Keith’s cell phone pinged. He glanced down, silently reading the message. “Get ready,” he said with a grin. “Danny says she’s coming this way.”

“Ok.” JR wiggled his eyebrows in a way that made Sam giggle. “Operation Cupid’s Arrow commencing in three, two, one…” He whispered in Sam’s ear, “Remember. With feeling.”

“Are you sure?” Sam cleared her throat dramatically. “I find it really hard to believe that Chris Alex is in love with my sister,” she exclaimed, delivering her lines with gusto.

Sara stopped in the doorway with her mouth hanging wide open.
Chris in love with her?
She couldn’t have been more shocked if they’d just announced that he was really a girl in drag.

“He told me himself,” JR lied.

“Yeah, I believe it,” Keith chimed in. “Every time I see that dude he brings her name up. Poor bastard. It’s obvious she hates his guts.”

“Oh, I don’t know that she hates him,” Sam said and then covered her mouth, pretending she hadn’t noticed Sara standing outside the room before that moment. “Oh, Sara, hey, what’s up?”

“Oh, nothing much,” she replied, her thoughts spinning.
This was a very interesting development that certainly explained a lot. Now she understood why Chris had been acting so weird. “I just wanted to see if you wanted to do a little shopping after work.”

“Did you really need to ask? Shoes first?”

“Yeah. I’ll meet you at John Fleuvog on Water Street. I’ll bring coffee.”

CHRIS STOOD IN front of the mirror in his apartment in a daze. He’d never felt this twisted up about any woman. With his ex, he’d been so young and naïve, mistaking infatuation for love. The intense feelings he already had for Sara went way beyond a childhood crush. Even now, he wondered whether he had enough experience to know exactly what he was getting into with her. Sara Daniels was no blushing debutante. Her reputation was a little intimidating. Knowing his feelings were reciprocated was reassuring, though. He was sure of one thing. That she was the sexiest woman he’d ever met. Full of spunk, she gave as good as she got. Yeah, he knew enough to know he was in deep shit.

His usual confidence was still a bit shaky since the thing with Avery. Even though he had no shortage of young things to decorate his arm, the fact that Sara was twelve years younger than him was another thing that gave him pause. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror. A couple of more lines around the eyes than he’d had when he was thirty, but no grey. Still, maybe he could use a little makeover. He was like a vintage automobile. Even a classic could do with a fresh coat of paint. He slid his cell phone out of his pocket, knowing just the brand whore to consult.

SARA PACED IMPATIENTLY on the sidewalk in front of the shoe store. Her suede jacket did little to keep out the cold wind blowing in from the harbor. She glanced down at her watch again. Sam was twenty minutes late now. Her coffee was getting cold.

Just then a cab pulled up to the curb, Sara smiled in relief as Sam climbed out.

“Sorry sis. Beth found a dozen last minute things for me to do before I could leave.”

“No worries,” Sara said, handing her a cup of coffee from Café Artigiano. She held the door open for Sam. Fleuvog was a mandatory stop for any celebrity visiting Vancouver. The prices were famous as well, starting at three hundred dollars a pair. They gazed in awed silence at the display racks of handmade one of a kind temptations. They both shared a weakness for footwear. Jennifer Lopez had nothing on either of them.

“What are you planning to wear tomorrow?” Sara asked as she sat down to try on a pair of black sandals that had brass buckles and wooden heels.

“Those are cute,” Sam commented as Sara took a couple of steps around the shop in them. “I had planned to just wear something in a basic black, but…” She trailed off as a blush stained her cheeks. “John likes me in purple. So, I found a dress I think I might get at Mantique. Mary recommended the place… Did you see all those pictures of Avery Jones the night Marcus proposed?”

Sara nodded. Who hadn’t?

“That silver beaded dress she was wearing was one of theirs. Want to go take a look with me after this? I’d like your opinion.”

“Sure thing.” Sara smiled, always up for shopping therapy. “So Sam,” she strove for a casual tone, “what all do you know about Chris, anyway?”

It was Sam’s turn to smile. This was the second time this week Sara had pimped her about him. JR was definitely onto something. “I’ve told you before that I like him. I know you and he seem to clash, but that was some kiss the two of you shared the other night.”

Sara looked away and deflected, “Oh, it was alright.” If the definition of alright meant turn your world upside down and spin it backward on its axis, then yeah, that’s what it had been.

“Whatevs. Ok. I’ll play along.” Sam sat down on the velvet tufted bench and tried on a pair of violet and lime Mary- Jane flats. “What kind of information are you looking for?”

“Oh I don’t know. Nevermind. I’m sure he’s involved, anyway.”

“Not that I know.” Sam bit down on her lip so she wouldn’t laugh. “Why all this interest in Chris’ love life?”

“I’m not interested,” Sara denied. Though actually, yes, she was very interested. Take a look at what he’s got under the hood interested. The man made her feel things, made her want things. “I just was curious since we’ve been working together and all.”

When Sara turned away, Sam’ eyes narrowed. Sara was running her hand down the back of her neck. She always did that when she fretted. There was no doubt. Her sister was in deep.

SARA STOOD IN the lobby of the Rickshaw admiring the black and red Hong Kong inspired detailing. What a wonderful choice for a concert venue. The theatre had a reputation for having excellent acoustics and sight lines. The movie style seating would comfortably fit all the media and industry moguls currently mingling around in their after five finery waiting for the inner doors to open.

“Holy hell!” Sara exclaimed eyes wide as Chris made his entrance and approached her. “I mean… hmmm… you look…interesting,” She fumbled for neutral words, trying not to laugh. Chris was a hottie, but… His thick brown hair was heavily spiked with gel which was a tragedy all by itself. She wouldn’t even think of running her fingers through it in its present state. He sported a black snap down, rhinestone encrusted shirt and Wrangler jeans tucked into black boots embossed with rhinestone lassos embroidered on the tops. He looked ridiculous, like Woody from Toy Story crossed with a bedazzled Elton John.

Tonight was a rock n roll event. She’d dressed accordingly in a sixties inspired black shift dress with a crochet over-layer and black patent leather boots. Obviously, this get up was for her sake. She no longer doubted that what she’d overheard in the break room was true. He must have it really bad to risk the ridicule of his peers and the media. She felt sorry for the poor guy. She needed to get him out of there fast before someone got a picture. Who the hell had put him up to this? Warily, she glanced up and noticed JR and Keith staring in their direction with goofy grins on their faces.

“Chris,” she said in an urgent tone, placing her hand on his arm. “I… forgot my… cell phone and I really need it. Could you take me back to Sutton Place to get it before the concert starts?”

“Sure thing, darling.’” He looked down at her hand on his arm for a moment before raising his gaze. There was that cocky grin. “I reckon I’d be glad to take you to your apartment.”

Sara sent a quick text:
Gotta go. Fashion emergency with Alex. B right back
.

Feeling her phone buzz, Sam pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and read the message. She cocked her head to the side, showing it to JR. “Do you have any idea what this means?”

He burst out laughing.

“Tell me.” She scowled at him.

“Well, Keith and I might have given Chris a couple of wardrobe suggestions.”

Sam scanned the front entrance, trying to catch a glimpse of Chris and her sister. All she saw was the backs of their heads as they left together. She turned back to JR and poked him in the chest. “Spill it, mister.”

“Listen, Sam.” He tipped her chin back and his green eyes sparkled as he smiled. “I knew Sara would never let him stay in public dressed like Howdy Doody. She’s not heartless.” He tapped the side of his temple. “It’s all part of my master plan. Have a little faith in me, huh?”

She smiled, so trustingly, so lovingly that it made his throat tighten. What had he done to deserve her? He leaned down. “Give me a kiss for good luck, Beautiful.”

“You don’t need it, but ok,” she shrugged. “I wouldn’t want Beth to think I didn’t take my job seriously.”

SARA WOULDN’T HAVE thought there was anything on the planet that could have one upped Chris’ outfit. But she was wrong. When the valet pulled up with Chris’ car, her eyes practically rolled back in her head. She purred with pleasure. “You have a ’66 Fastback?”