Rock God (Hearts of Metal Book 3) (16 page)

Dante was too shocked to respond. It wasn’t like Collette to perform for free. She had only done so for a few charities that she really believed in; they’d had countless arguments over which were worth it. A wedding was not a charity, so what was her motive?

The Escalade pulled into the driveway of the antique white mansion, and Dante froze as a thought occurred. What if she really did want to get back together? That was the last thing he needed to deal with right now.

As Dante got out of the Escalade, a rental Mercedes pulled up behind them and a pair of long, tanned legs swung out of the driver’s seat. He used to love those legs.

Collette walked toward him, her expression unreadable beneath mirrored sunglasses. Her golden hair sparkled in the dappling light through the trees, a goddess come down to Earth. Some people in the restaurant parking lot across the street had noticed her. A few pointed, recognition lighting their gazes. Cell phones emerged from pockets to take pictures.

“Dante,” Collette said in that sultry voice that used to give him chills. Now he felt nothing but exhaustion and a touch of suspicion.

“Collette. Thank you for doing this with me.”

“Of course.” She inclined her head toward the house. “It’s a beautiful venue. Shall we go in and see where we’ll set up?”

He nodded and looked to Quinn to lead the way. The sooner they were out of range of those cameras, the better. Though it was probably too late. The only time he ended up in the tabloids was when he was with Collette. Now that they were divorced, the coverage would be even more sensational.

The owner of the venue greeted them and led them into a cozy yet opulent manor with antique furnishings, hardwood floors, and damask wallpaper. A small raised platform was set up by the wide picture window, already loaded with amps and microphones.

Dante, Klement, and Collette examined the equipment on the platform. The microphones were tolerable, but both he and Collette winced at the quality of the PA system.

Klement looked at them with a grin. “Don’t worry, I’ve got the PAs and amps covered. We’ll also get an additional one for Dom’s keyboard.”

The owner gave them a wary frown. “It won’t be too loud, will it?”

“We won’t violate the noise ordinance,” Klement said simply, a tiny impish spark visible in his blue-green eyes. Dante bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. They’d certainly push it to the limit.

The woman nodded. “Good. Now I must speak with the planner about the catering.”

As soon as the set list was recounted and the equipment inspected, Dante practically jogged out of the mansion with the rest of the guys. He didn’t want to spend any more time with his ex than necessary. He wanted Shayna again.

Just when he thought he was home free, Collette placed a hand on his arm. “Dante, may I speak with you a moment?”

He wanted to refuse. Instead, he gave her a brisk nod and allowed her to lead him to the gazebo in the center of the manicured lawn. If she thought for a second that she could waltz back into his life she had another thing—

“I’m ready to get back into music,” she said.

His jaw dropped. “
What
?” This was almost as insane. Admittedly, he still felt relieved she didn’t want to get back together.

Collette nodded, blue eyes wide and pleading. “Yes, I miss singing, the stage lights, the creation. I need—”

Date cut her off. “Do you really think it’ll be that easy to get back on stage after you abandoned your fans? Not to mention your agent and the producers and record company you bailed on? Are you even done paying off the lawsuit for all of those concerts people paid for?” Fury at the betrayal of her fans and colleagues rose anew. He’d never expected her to pull the same stunt that his childhood hero had. Just like he’d never expected it from Rage of Angels.

She shook her head, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “No, I don’t. That’s why I want you to help me.”

He glared at her. “What the hell do you think
I
can do?”

Her lower lip quivered, but she held his gaze. “You’re one of the most respected and influential people in the industry. You
know
people. And those people listen to you.”

She had a point. Still… “They’ll stop listening to me if I recommend they take back an unreliable artist. Especially if you bail again.”

“I won’t, I promise.” Collette reached for him. “Please, Dante?”

The desperation in her gaze held him captive. He sighed, remembering how he’d freaked out on Shayna when he found out she was an author and how her writer’s block had stemmed from grief. Maybe Shayna was right and something had happened to Collette as well. And she didn’t
really
owe him an explanation.

“I’ll think about it.”

“What’d she want?” Klement asked when Dante climbed back into the Escalade.

Dante shook his head. “Nothing, just asking about a few colleagues she lost touch with.” He knew how Klement would react to the news that Collette wanted to make a comeback. The bassist did not look kindly on unreliability of any kind.

To his relief, Quinn changed the subject. “I’m glad that’s over. After tomorrow I’ll never have to deal with that coordinator again. I knew I should have taken Chrissy up on the offer to handle her.” He fired up the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot. “But now we have a bachelorette party to crash.”

Klement stroked his chin. “Although I’m delighted at the prospect, are we sure this is a good idea?”

“Of course,” Quinn said. “Kinley thinks segregating parties is sexist.”

The bassist smirked. “Or maybe she’s worried we’ll go to a tittie bar.”

Quinn chuckled. “That too.”

“But what if
they
got a stripper?” Worry crept into the bassist’s voice.

Quinn grinned. “Then we’ll pay him for his troubles and send him out the door.”

Klement rubbed his hands together. “I like this plan.”

Dante did too. He called Dom to see if he wanted to come, but the keyboard player declined, sounding genuinely terrified at the idea of attending a bachelorette party. He was almost as bashful as Shayna, who was so shy that he was curious to see how she was handling tough, energetic women like Kinley and Kat. Tanya and Chrissy also looked like they had wild streaks of their own.

Any worries he might have had fled the moment they entered his suite and heard giddy, feminine laughter and beheld Shayna’s sparkling grin as she handed something to a blindfolded Kinley. His eyebrow rose. Was that a poster of a naked man on the wall? And what was that in Shayna’s hand? It looked like a…

Kat’s voice made him turn. “I’m so glad you guys made it! Do you want to play ‘Pin the cock on the—?”

“No!” Dante, Quinn, Tony, and Klement chorused.

Shayna laughed. “How about some of this?” She held up a platter with a giant pink-frosted phallus cake.

“
No!
” they repeated firmly.

Kinley laughed before lifting her blindfold. “You guys are no fun.” She turned back to the poster that was covered with multiple dicks. “Damn, I missed again! This time I got him in the eye! Your turn, Shayna. I need another beer.”

Dante couldn’t stop smiling as he watched her laughing and enjoying herself with the others. Shayna had been able to handle his band’s crudeness, and she seemed to be getting along with Kat and Kinley. And he toured with Bleeding Vengeance and Viciöus fairly often. Maybe he’d been worried for no good reason about…

Quinn passed him a beer, and he bit back a startled laugh. Only a month ago Shayna had been a homeless, unconscious woman in his arms. Now he was pondering a serious relationship? It was ridiculous. Flat out insane.

And yet he liked the idea more and more every day.

As the celebration continued, Dante barely paid attention to the conversations around him. He was far too occupied watching Shayna. She’d changed into that tantalizing blue bikini she was wearing in the pool when he first asked her out to dinner, and sat with the other women in the hot tub, sipping a glass of wine and occasionally peeking at him with one of her sexy shy smiles.

Tony and Tanya made excuses and left for their room. As they did, Quinn followed Dante’s gaze to the hot tub. He said, “It’s not fair. We all can’t fit in there with the ladies.”

“Dude,” Klement laughed. “We have the same hot tub in our suite, and you and Kinley have a pool.”

Dante gave them both a pointed glance. “That’s right.”

Quinn paused for a moment then nodded. “Right. And”—he winked—“we shouldn’t stay here too late. I don’t want to be hung over for my own wedding.”

Klement toasted him with his coffee. “Then don’t drink.”

Quinn gave him the finger, went out to the balcony and got Kinley out of the hot tub. He bundled her into one of the resort’s terrycloth robes, and the pair gave quick high-fives goodbye before heading out the door. Chrissy, Quinn’s little sister, climbed out of the hot tub with a disappointed frown, clearly not wanting the party to be over.

Klement laughed as she headed for the door. “He has his hands full with that girl. She wants to do her master’s thesis on band dynamics, and she keeps asking bands is she can tag along on the road with them so she can study them. Quinn keeps asking them to tell her no. I’m really half tempted to let her come with us. It’d piss her brother off, but at least I could keep an eye on her. Unless she’s already asked you?”

Dante shook his head. “She’s scared of me.”

Klement laughed. “Man, we’re all a little scared of you. You’re a goddamned legend. The first time we opened for you, I was so awestruck I don’t think I said more than two words to you.”

Dante shrugged. “I’d let her tag along on my next tour, except there’s a few things I want to see work out first.”

Klement followed his gaze to Shayna then nodded. “I think Kat and I will take off, too. We’ll see ya back at the venue for sound check and rehearsal tomorrow. Oh, and don’t forget to tell Shayna to do what she can to make sure Kat catches the bouquet. Even if she has to swat it at her like a volleyball.”

Moments later, everyone was gone and Dante finally had Shayna to himself. Just how he wanted her.

He strode out onto the balcony, stripping off his clothes with every step. He’d forgotten swim trunks, so his boxer briefs would have to do. From the hot tub, Shayna’s gaze roved over his body in undisguised fascination, and the open, guileless admiration in those wide blue eyes made his breath catch. Sinking into the blissfully hot water, he pulled her into his arms, savoring the feel of her wet flesh pressed against him.

“Mmmm,” she moaned as he kissed her neck.

Hot jets bubbled around them as Dante caressed her breasts through the scant material of her bathing suit. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and her hot center melded to his aching hardness, only thin layers of fabric separating them.

He had the animalistic urge to tear off her bikini bottom and plunge inside of her right then and there. Only the fact that he didn’t want someone with binoculars in one of the many boats on the lake to watch stopped him. At least this town was so secluded that he didn’t have to worry about paparazzi.

Instead, he kissed and caressed Shayna until she panted and moaned with raw need. No music sounded sweeter. Carefully, Dante lifted her out of the hot tub and carried her back into the suite. She shivered as the cool air whispered over her water-beaded skin, and Dante kissed every inch of exposed flesh as he peeled off her suit.

Shayna’s trembling fingers slid into the waistband of his soaked boxer briefs and pulled them down. Dante sucked in a breath at the unrepentant hunger in her gaze. His erection sprang free, and he gasped as her delicate fingers curled around his throbbing shaft. With tentative shyness she explored his body like she’d never touched a man before.

Suddenly, the moment felt sacred. The observation made his chest tighten.

As if sensing his scrutiny, Shayna peered up at him through her lashes, cheeks delightfully rosy. “I’ve never done it with so many lights on. And you’re just, well, beautiful.”

Her fingertips caressed the sensitive tip with a feather-light touch, and his cock hardened further. She’d make him come if she kept it up.

With a low growl, Dante scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He rolled over so that she was on top, straddling his hips and purred, “I
like
having the lights on. That way I can watch your face when you come.”

Her blush intensified until her entire body was encompassed with a rosy glow. For a moment, Dante froze in awe at the sight of her glorious body, those high, taut breasts, her slim waist, those exquisite legs, the faint silver scars on her hips that she’d borne to bring life into the world, and that little treasure between her thighs. She was a banquet for his eyes and he was starved for her.

Gripping her hip with one hand to make sure she didn’t move, he reached into the bedside table drawer where he’d already stashed the condoms. He grabbed one, but before he put it on, he rubbed the tip of his cock along her clit, reveling in her wetness, which intensified as she gasped and squirmed.

Finally, when he thought he’d die if he didn’t get inside her, Dante rolled on the condom, lifted her hips, and lowered her onto his shaft. He watched her face as he slid inside her inch by inch: the way her breath hitched, her pupils dilating, those lush lips parted with a sigh of pleasure…

Shayna arched back, her tightness gripping him with blissful completion.

“Yes, ride me,” Dante hissed through his teeth.

She moved in a rolling rhythm that made them both shudder. Dante gazed up at her, drinking in the sight of her dark silken hair sweeping her shoulders. He couldn’t refrain from reaching out to touch her. One hand caressed those small, perfect breasts, the other gripped her firm little ass, guiding himself even deeper.

He watched her blushes and bit back a growl, her heavy-lidded gaze filled with an entrancing combination of shyness and heat, her lips parting with sighs and moans of pleasure. Electric ecstasy filled him at the sight of her open passion, completely without pretense, and as the tempo of their mating quickened, Shayna threw back her head and closed her eyes.