Rock Star's Ballad (White Mist Series Book 3) (28 page)

Trey and Gwen’s manager, Angie, rushed forward in blinding white heels. Paul wasn’t far behind her. Both of them looked furious.
 

“Did you
talk
to the paparazzi?” Angie hissed.
 

“Yup,” Demi said and snatched a can of ginger ale off a table to settle her rocking stomach.
 

“
You
don’t talk to the media,
we
do,” Paul snapped.
 

“Just setting some things straight,” Demi said and they looked like they wanted to strangle her. “Where’s Johnny?”

“Not here yet,” Paul said through bleached teeth. “You and I need to talk.”

“I don’t think so,” Demi said firmly. “You’re Johnny’s manager, not mine.”
 

Demi didn’t get pissed until she heard what the paparazzi were saying to Gwen. They had no conscience and would tear a healthy marriage apart to make money. She didn’t care if defending herself wasn’t politically correct. If she had something to say, she would. She didn’t live in this world anymore, a world where she had to be polite for business sake or because her parents raised her to be courteous and polite. Spending time in White Mist taught her to let it all hang out and be herself. The polite mask she’d always worn was gone and she was the Demi she was meant to be—direct, affectionate and future wife to a rock god who loved the shit out of her. The only way to live in this world with Johnny was to be herself. Johnny would return to this world at some point and she wouldn’t pretend.

Angie didn’t look happy with her attitude and glanced at Paul. “Good luck.”

Paul’s phone began to ring. He didn’t even let it finish the first ring before he picked it up. He gave Demi a threatening look and paced away, speaking rapidly.
 

“That was… refreshing and unexpected,” Gwen said.
 

“I think Regan’s rubbing off on me,” Demi admitted.
 

“Usually Trey handles the paparazzi. Most of the time they sound like squawking birds to me, but,” Gwen gave her a little hug, “that was really sweet.”

“Yo, Gwen!”

Demi turned and saw Oliver Crum, a huge breakout star that was fighting Justin Bieber for the crown for the tween/twenty-something market. Despite being in a casino restaurant with blacked out windows, he had on Ray Bans and low jeans that showed his Ralph Lauren underwear.
 

“Oliver!” Gwen gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek. “This is Demi, Johnny’s fiancé.”

Oliver lowered the Ray Ban’s and gave her a very thorough examination. She would have found this offensive coming from such a young guy, but if Gwen liked him, he couldn’t be that bad, right?
 

“I can see why Johnny picked you. You’re hot and tall and the ring he got you is super fly. I’m invited to the wedding, yes?” Oliver asked.
 

Demi’s eyes got big and she looked at Gwen. Why hadn’t she realized these people would be asking her this question?

“Of course,” Gwen said quickly and then to Demi, “Oliver and Johnny are close.”

“Of course,” Demi echoed politely.
 

“I’ll perform if you want,” Oliver offered as if this was a huge deal and Demi guessed it was.
 

“I’ll talk to Johnny about it,” Demi said.
 

She was surprised when Oliver gripped her hips, leaned in close and kissed her on the cheek. He looked into her eyes and she glared at him when he didn’t release her.
 

He smiled at her. “You’re feisty.”

“If you don’t step back I’ll show you how hard I can slap,” she said sweetly.
 

Oliver laughed and pulled back. “Where can I get one?” he asked Gwen.
 

“You’re not ready, honey,” Gwen said patronizingly and pushed him away. “Go mingle.”

Before Oliver took more than three steps away, another man came up to Gwen and this time, Demi’s temperature went up for different reasons. Gabriel Heely had a
 
buff figure like Mark Wahlberg and a strong, masculine face like Channing Tatum. He was dressed casually in jeans and a polo shirt which bulged around his biceps. He kissed Gwen on the cheek and turned to Demi.
 

“Been hearing a lot about you from Gwen, Trey and now Johnny. He won’t shut up about the love of his life.” Gabriel shook his head in mock regret. “There’s something about White Mist. Its like a magnet for people to settle down and get married.” He gave an exaggerated shudder and Gwen elbowed him in the ribs. “I’m scared to go to your wedding. I might get shot by Cupid’s bow.”
 

“You need to be shot with something,” Gwen retorted with a smile and explained to Demi. “Trey’s a saint compared to Gabriel and Johnny. Johnny’s nearly pure rock, but if there’s a country artist with a hint of grit, it’s Gabriel.”

“I love your music,” Demi said and hoped she didn’t sound breathy.
 

“Never gets old hearing that,” Gabriel said and looked her over. “You’re not Johnny’s type, but I guess that’s a good thing. The other women he’s been with—hot but needy and brainless.”

“Uh, thanks?”

A touch on her arm made her turn. She met Daniel Martin’s eyes with surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m dating Cassidy.”

“The singer?” Demi had a vague impression of a fierce half black, half white woman shaking her hips on stage with intense eyes looking straight into the camera. “She’s a handful, isn’t she?”

Daniel examined her more keenly. “You’ve changed.”

“Losing everything will do that to you,” Demi said honestly. “Now I don’t have to pretend. I have what I want.”

Daniel shook his head. “There’s something about that town. I find it to be a very odd, dramatic place.”

“Yet you’re building a resort nearby.”

“I saw a business opportunity.”

“Why would you travel to White Mist in the first place?” she fished.
 

“Regan,” Daniel said without hesitation. “Whatever challenge I put in front of her, she didn’t just achieve the goal, she demolished it. She inhaled information and we worked well together. I couldn’t believe she’d leave me.” He gave her a sharp look. “I’m sure she or others in town told you what happened between us.” He shrugged. “I care for her in my own way. I can see that she’s settled and I’m intrigued by it.”

Demi cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean?”

“Men like me die young and rich. I’ve been advised to slow down and I don’t know how to do that. I was hoping I’d learn through observation. Even Johnny’s taken the plunge.” He looked down at her ring with a mixture of consternation and fascination. “Johnny visited Regan often. He’s as much of a workaholic as myself.” He refocused. “I’m honored that you’ll use my resort for the wedding.”

“I’m glad you’re allowing us in before you open,” she said and narrowed her eyes. “You know about Barry.”
 

He gave a curt nod. “I found out after the fact. I’m not doing any further business with him.”

She was startled by this news and let it show on her face. “What? Why?”

“He has no honor.”

Daniel cheated on Regan. Almost as if he knew what she was thinking, a muscle ticked in his cheek.
 

“I don’t take advantage of women, Demi.”

“I didn’t say you did.”

“You didn’t have to.”

Before she could respond to that terse comment, Cassidy appeared at Daniel’s side. She wore a leather leotard and see through lace skirt. Her beautiful face was clearly hostile and possessive as she eyed Demi.
 

“Honey, who are you talking to?” Cassidy demanded.
 

“Demi!”

Before she could turn she was whirled around and hauled into Johnny’s arms. His mouth slanted over hers and she was a goner. She was dimly aware of Cassidy’s shocked gasp, Gabriel’s chuckle and Daniel’s grunt of disgust before their lips parted. She cupped Johnny’s face and grinned.
 

“Hey, baby,” she said.
 

“So, I’m yours, huh?” he asked, eyes sparkling and she grimaced.
 

“Those paparazzi are a menace!”
 

“I liked hearing the news as I walked up,” Johnny said and brushed soft kisses over her forehead, nose and corner of her lip. “Made me feel claimed by a demanding lady. I like it.”

Demi laughed. “I’m sure you’re used to it.”

“Being claimed by you is completely different.” He led her away from the crowd and paused when he recognized Daniel. “What’s he doing here?”

“Dating Cassidy.”

“She’s wild,” Johnny said as he made a plate of food.
 

“So was Regan.”

Johnny snorted. “The Regan who worked for Daniel and wore his ring on her finger was a robot. The Regan you see today is the
real
Regan. The best thing she ever did was catch Daniel cheating on her. She broke out of jail and came home.”

“What did she do when she caught him?” Demi asked and glanced at Daniel who was being fawned over by Cassidy.
 

“She walked away.”

Demi turned her attention back to him.
“What?”
 

“They didn’t love one another. It was a convenient relationship. Regan didn’t even care when she caught him in the act.”

“And she still talks to him.” Demi shook her head. “Weird.”
 

She could see what Regan found attractive in Daniel. His French accent was to die for. He was intense and had a commanding presence. On top of that, he was hot.

“They respect one another,” Johnny said as he ate a kabob. “Daniel sees the real Regan now and wishes he had that. He probably wouldn’t have cheated if he knew what was beneath the surface, but he didn’t care back then. He does now.”

“And he’s building the resort nearby?”

“Yup.”

“There’s a lot of money coming into White Mist,” she observed.
 

“Its good for the locals.” Johnny was hailed by an incoming entourage and swallowed his food. “Hey!”

They circulated. Johnny was constantly touching and kissing her and she knew it was just his way. He was like this with those he loved. Most notably, Regan and Gwen and she liked it. She met nearly every artist in the room. Some were super nice, others were aloof and there were those who smiled at her, but it didn’t reach their eyes. She knew as soon as they walked away that they were talking shit. She let it roll off her shoulders.
 

“Baby, if this was a test, I’d say you got a perfect score,” Johnny said.
 

Chapter Fourteen

Demi stared at herself in the mirror. Courtesy of Barbie and Cassie, Gwen’s hair and makeup artists, she looked red carpet ready. Her hair cascaded around her in a dramatic veil, framing her eyes which were lined and dramatic. The color of her lips matched the dress and strappy Manolo Blahnik’s completed the look.
 

She was still staring at herself in the mirror when the door opened and Johnny stopped dead. He had on a black tux with a red silk tie that matched her dress. His eyes moved over her with such heat that she shivered. She turned to face him and struck a pose. His eyes went to the slit high on her thigh and he stalked forward.
 

She held her hands up and walked backwards. “Johnny, no.”

“You can’t expect me to share you with the rest of the world without claiming you first,” he said in a raspy voice.
 

She held up her left hand to show him the ring. “You have claimed me.”

“Need to claim you another way,” he said and grabbed her.
 

“You’re going to ruin my makeup!” she yelped.

He obviously didn’t care about that because he cupped her chin and kissed her hard. It didn’t take more than five seconds for her to respond. She tugged on his tux. Damn, he looked lickable. His hands smoothed beneath her dress and he groaned in her mouth when he realized she wasn’t wearing underwear.
 

“Are you trying to kill me?” he growled.
 

“I didn’t do it on purpose. This isn’t the kind of dress that you—”

Johnny gathered the dress above her hips and placed her bare bottom on the cold vanity. She let out a startled squeak as Johnny knelt in front of her and put his mouth between her legs. Seeing him in front of her in his tux, looking so proper yet doing something so scandalous made her hot. Her moan echoed in the bathroom and his lips glistened as he got to his feet. He pulled his cock out of his pants and slid inside of her. It was fast and hot and left them both shaky and giddy.
 

“After this is over, we’re gonna spend a week in bed,” Johnny promised.
 

Demi was careful with her dress as she jumped off the vanity and cleaned up. Johnny was a little too helpful and she had to shove him out of the bathroom so she could repair her makeup without getting sidetracked. As they headed to the theater, again surrounded by security, she was glad Johnny took the time to make her come. When the fans appeared, screaming and crying and even cursing at her, Demi was too sated to care. Johnny took this personally and Demi wrapped her arm around his waist to reassure him that she was fine. By the time they reached the red carpet, Johnny was on edge. She was the one that talked to most of the reporters and eventually he relaxed and took over. The red carpet wasn’t as bad as she thought although she hated posing and for minutes afterward, she couldn’t see because of the blinding flashes.
 

“Who are you wearing?” an eager reporter asked, holding the mic up.

“This is a Bethany London,” Demi said loud and clear and Johnny squeezed her around the waist. “She’s making my wedding gown as well.”

Demi lost track of how many times she said Bethany’s name, but she was sure she did her job by the time they reached the stadium. Demi was relieved to find that they were seated next to Gwen and Trey. Gabriel sat nearby with Cassidy and Daniel. People that hadn’t come to the lunch stopped by to give congratulations and examine her and she was polite, but very much ready for the show to start by the time the lights dimmed.