Passionate Addiction (18 page)

At the moment, he could convince himself that things would work out. He could give her whatever money she needed—he’d never had an attachment to the stuff anyway—and in return he would demand to have every image of him she possessed. Easy enough, right?

A middle-aged couple walked into his periphery, taking a seat by the windows.
Shit.
He bowed his head and sunk further into his chair. He was running out of time. The last forty-five minutes hadn’t been mentally productive. There’d been a shitload of wallowing in self-loathing while he fought the basic instinct to run and hide. Now he had no choice. He had to do this.

With a deep breath he connected the call and tried to ignore the way his chest tightened with each ring.

“Blake?” Michelle’s voice was rough, from sleep or drugs he didn’t know and didn’t care.

“How much do you want?” He didn’t have the stomach for pleasantries.

“It’s not just about the money—”

“How much, Michelle?”

“F-forty grand.” Her tone held a hint of remorse that he chose to ignore.

“Done.” Forty thousand dollars wouldn’t hurt his bank account. If that was what it took to rid him of the past, he would hand it over without reluctance. “I want all the photos. Everything you have on me. I don’t care what it is, I want it. CD’s, clothes, everything. Once I pay you the money, that’s it Michelle. I want you out of my life.”

She cleared her throat. “The money isn’t all I need, Blake.”

He clenched his teeth. He’d been on a roll, making demands and growing confident while she remained quiet. “What else?”

“I need…I need to pull my life together. I need you to help me.”

“How the fuck do I do that?” He pushed to his feet and ignored the stares from staff and entering guests. He was about to lose his shit. His shoes were too tight, the formal suit and tie weighing him down, choking him, making him yank at the collar.

“I want to get my career back on track so I can look after myself in the future. I need to be in the public eye so producers will be willing to hire me again.”

“No.” He didn’t need to hear anymore. The direction of the conversation was becoming too dangerous.

“That’s the deal, Blake—the money as well as your help. You’d only need to pretend we were dating for a little while. A few months max, just until people start taking notice of me again.”

No. Hell-to-the-fucking-no. “I can’t do it.” There was no way.

“Then I have no choice but to sell the photos. The gossip magazines will give me what I need. Both money and a temporary spotlight.”

Blake clenched the phone, squeezing so hard his knuckles hurt. “Don’t do this to me, Michelle. I’ve got a good thing going here. My life’s on track.”
After you helped me fuck it up.
“I can’t help you like that. I’ll give you more money. Eighty grand, a hundred. I don’t care. Just don’t blackball me with having to be around you again. I can’t do it.”

She gave a derisive laugh. “You can’t be around me? As if you didn’t enjoy yourself when we were? I didn’t force you to do anything, Blake. In fact, I seem to remember you being more than eager to please me back then.”

“Things change,” he grated, raking his fingers through his hair.

“Well things are going to go back to the way they were. For the sake of the public, anyway. You’ll take me to social events and help me build a new name for myself. Once I’m back on my feet, you can have your stupid photos.”

This was worse than money. Worse than having his bank accounts wiped clean. This would hurt Gabi, and the thought of doing that made a little piece of his soul die. “I can’t do it,” he whispered to himself.

This couldn’t be happening. He’d been so close to heaven. His love for Gabi had cemented itself in his soul. She mentioned moving to the US to be with him, which was more than he deserved, yet he’d been excited. Now all of his hopes for the future were crumpling. His life was nose-diving with no way to pull up.

“Fine. Good luck with the backlash—”

“Wait!” What choice did he have? Maybe, he could make a few calls and get her a job before he finished the Australian tour. Then he wouldn’t have to see her at all. Yes. That’s what he could do. He’d call in some favors. Make sure she had an acting position, then things would be over and done with. For good.

“I’ll help you get a job, Michelle, and I’ll give you the money. But you’ll have to wait until I get back in the US and speak to an attorney. I won’t let you blackmail me again after this.”

His phone released a muted beep, announcing an incoming message. Gabi must be looking for him.

“Whatever. Just be aware that I know when your tour finishes, and I expect to see you a few days later. I need that money.”

Yeah. He bet she did.

“And I expect you to stop hounding me until then,” he snarled. “No more calling or messaging. Leave me the fuck alone until I get back to New York.”

“Deal.”

His chest hollowed at the word. Caving in under her threats only endeavored to increase his self-loathing. He was so weak it made bile rise in his throat. Without a goodbye, he ended the call and strode from the VIP lounge.

Now he had to figure out how he was going to live with himself once he told another lie to the woman he loved.

***

Gabi touched up her eye shadow and ran her hands down the cream material of her dress to stop herself from hovering over her phone. Blake had been gone for almost an hour, without a word. He hadn’t even replied to her text message.

A knock sounded at the door and her stomach flipped, hoping it was him. She padded across the tile in bare feet, making it half way down the hall before she realized he had his own key and didn’t need to knock. Curious, she peered through the peep hole to find Mason, Sean and Ryan.

Where was Blake?

She opened the door and tried not to ogle. They were gorgeous. All immaculately dressed in black suit and tie, their hair done and faces clean shaven. Even Ryan.

“Hawt dayum, woman. You’re smokin’.” Mason jerked back in shock. “How the hell did you end up with Blake instead of me?”

She smiled and raised her brows. “Because Blake has a subtle way of complimenting a woman that makes her feel beautiful. Whereas your approach leaves a skanky aftertaste.”

Mason’s eyes gleamed with laughter and Sean sniggered, resting his shoulder against the wall beside the door.

“You look stunning, Gabi.” Ryan inclined his head with a soft smile. “Are you guys good to go? The others are downstairs making sure the limo’s ready.”

“Ah.” Gabi swallowed down the anxiety that started to bubble. “I thought Blake would be with you. He left about an hour ago and said he had things to organize.”

The men frowned and glanced at one another.

“I sent him a message over five minutes ago, but he hasn’t replied to that either,” she added.

Sean pushed from the wall and grabbed his cell out of his pants pocket. “I’ll call him.”

“You might want to get your shoes,” Ryan spoke softly. “We’re going to be late if we don’t find him soon.”

She nodded and let Mason hold the door open as she rushed to the bedroom. She grabbed her purse and her cobalt-blue high-heels by the ankle strap and strode back to sit on the couch.

“He’s not answering,” Sean mumbled. “What are we gonna do?”

The ding of the hotel elevator echoed into the suite. Gabi tilted her head to listen as she reached for her purse and stood.

“Where the fuck have you been?” Mason barked.

“Bangin’ your mom,” Blake replied.

Gabi let out a relieved breath and walked from the living room toward the front door. She entered the tile hallway, her heels clicking with each step as Blake strode into the suite and came to an abrupt halt.

He took her breath away.

He was transformed, all his bad-assness covered under the formal attire, yet nothing could hide the hungry gleam in his eyes. The suits made the other men look suave and confident. With Blake it was the opposite. He owned the outfit, working it with easy sophistication.

The mere sight dried her mouth. He blinked at her, his gaze roaming from the strappy blue high-heels, over her dress, to her face and all the way back down again.

“Wow.” He stepped forward, his eyes wide with admiration. “Just… Wow.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. “You’re stunning.”

“You’re looking mighty dapper yourself.” And his scent was divine, taunting her to lick the hollow at the base of his neck.

He placed a gentle kiss on her lips, then pulled back to run a finger along the top of her bodice, rustling the charms on her necklace. “You’re dressed in white.”

“Cream,” she clarified and narrowed her gaze on his face. He seemed different, and it had nothing to do with what he wore. His skin was pale, his eyes skittish, and his jaw tense.

“You look like…” He glanced down at his suit. “
We
look like…” He shook his head in dismissal.

“We’ve gotta go, buddy,” Ryan spoke from the door.

Blake kept staring at her. “Just give us a minute. We’ll meet you in the lobby.”

His lips thinned into a tight line, the seriousness in his expression making her heart stutter.

“I know you’re quick, Emo,” Mason called down the hall, “But we still don’t have time for your thirty second marathon. We’re gonna be late.”

Gabi pressed her lips together, struggling not to smile.

“Fine, pretty-boy, go get the elevator and we’ll be there in a sec,” Blake muttered.

He pulled her down to the couch so they sat side by side. Their fingers entwined, their thighs touched while the happiness faded from his features.

“What’s wrong?”

He peered over his shoulder and waited for the suite door to click shut. “I need you to trust me.”

Her chest filled with butterflies, their movements pounding like falcons’ wings in her lungs. There was nothing playful about his statement. Something had happened. Something important. “About what?”

He glanced at their hands and his Adam’s apple bobbed. Now they were close and the surprise at seeing him had faded, she noticed the fine sheen of sweat on his forehead.

“Something’s happened, and I need you to trust me to do the right thing.”

She frowned and shook her head in confusion. “I’ve always trusted you.”

“I know. But this time I want to handle things on my own. I can’t involve you.”

A shiver ran down her spine and spread through her limbs. “Blake, you’re scaring me.”

“Christ, Gabi, I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention. I just couldn’t keep this from you. I also can’t drag you into it.” He made eye contact, and the dark brown of his eyes pierced her with apology.

“Why? I don’t understand. Is it drugs? Is that why you don’t want to tell me?” She was rambling, her mouth voicing all the random thoughts that shot into her head.

“No. God, no.” He squeezed her hands. “My stance on drugs will never change. You’re the only high I need, Gabi. But this is something I want to do for myself, without the help of you or the band.”

The front door thundered from someone’s fist. “Hurry the hell up.”

Blake growled, his eyebrows closing together in a tight frown. “I promise that you have nothing to worry about. I’ll sort it out. I just don’t want to feel like I’m hiding anything from you.”

“Right…because telling me you’re withholding secrets is entirely different than hiding things from me,” she whispered and turned her attention to her shiny shoes.

“Gabi.” Blake’s hand came to her chin, dragging her gaze back to him. “I always want to be honest with you.” He let out a defeated sigh. “I just…
damn it!
I shouldn’t have said anything.” He closed his eyes and massaged his forehead.

Gabi was beginning to wish the same thing.

“Blake!” Mason shouted.

Christ. She knew from experience that new relationships were often filled with turmoil, however, this was ridiculous. “We better go.” She stood on numb feet, wanting to distance herself from whatever the hell that evasive conversation was about.

Blake followed her to her feet and tugged on her hand, bringing her body into his. “You mean the world to me, angel, you know that don’t you?”

She nodded, half-heartedly. She knew it, or had known it until a few moments ago.

“Thank you.” His low voice was rough.

“What for?”

“For not pushing.”

Gabi moved closer, placing a chaste kiss on his lips. “I never want you to keep things from me, and I hope one day soon you’ll tell me what all this is about. But for now, I just want you to know I’m here if you need me.”

What else could she say? She could tell he was hurting, had noticed something wasn’t right when she came back from shopping. She would never push him to tell his secrets, though. Their lips met, and his hand came to rest at the top of her neck, possessively holding her close. He kissed her with intensity, like the world was crumpling around them, and she clung to him, needing the reassurance of his passion.

“You two better not be fucking!” Mason yelled.

Blake’s chest rumbled, and Gabi broke away with a laugh. “Come on. We better hurry.” She grabbed her purse off the couch, and they rushed from the suite.

“Nice of you to join us,” Mason muttered, striding forward to the elevator that Sean held open.

The suite door shut with a bang as Gabi and Blake walked hand in hand into the elevator. Blake leaned against the side wall, pulling her into his side, while Ryan and Sean rested against the back wall and Mason stood poised at the buttons.

“Everything OK?” Ryan asked.

“Apart from Blake being unable to keep his dick in his pants when we’re in a hurry?” Mason growled.

Blake squeezed her fingers gently as he glanced down at her. There was a storm of emotion erupting in the dark brown depths. The hurt emanating from him sank under her skin, gnawing at her from the inside out. She wanted to beg him to let her in, but she wouldn’t. He didn’t owe her a free pass to all his troubles. He was entitled to his secrets.

“Angel, have I ever told you about the time Mason took a walk on the bi-side?”

“Oh, fuck off.” Mason snapped and whacked his hand across the lobby button.