Rumor Has It (Limelight) (29 page)

“Jasmine, this is Ellie. Ellie, Jas.” She walked over and shook my hand a little timidly. She was a pretty girl with straight light brown hair and almond-colored eyes. A few freckles dotted her nose, giving her a fresh-faced look. I wondered if she’d ever been with Mason. He’d made it clear he’d pretty much banged anyone willing his first few years of fame. She could well have been collateral damage. “Jas does makeup.”

“Nice to meet you, Jasmine.”

“Same, but sorry I barged in. I’m not used to Mason having company in his trailer these days…I didn’t even think to knock.”

I could tell she felt bad and then I felt bad that she felt bad. “It’s not your fault. If we were looking for privacy we should have locked the door.”

“Let’s forget it ever happened,” she said.

“Deal.”

“Down to business then. Mason you know the drill. Park it so I can get to work. I have a bunch of dancers to do after this and you know how they get if there isn’t enough time to get everything perfect.”

“Aye, aye, captain.” Mason gave a mock salute and made his way over to the makeup chair.

“Shirt off, buddy,” Jasmine said.

“You have to get makeup on your chest?” I asked a little confused.

“Sure does. If pretty boy here could manage to keep his shirt on his whole set he wouldn’t have to, but it seems to be a particular problem of his.”

Mason and I both laughed at her quip while she got her makeup ready. It seemed there really wasn’t much to putting makeup on a guy. Pretty much just powder for the most part.

The three of us chatted while Jasmine was hard at work on Mason. She was a nice girl who seemed to be very genuine.

“Okay, pretty boy. Stand up so I can do your chest.” Mason did as he was told and she started brush powder over his abs.

“Tough gig, eh?” I joked.

“It’s certainly not the toughest job in the world, that’s for sure,” Jasmine replied.

“I hear you’ll be gracing us with your presence for the rest of my tour. Can I expect more of the same torment from you two when you’re together?” Mason asked jokingly.

“That’s right. It was either take your tour or get stuck on the road with the latest pop princess and even I’m not patient or tolerant enough to work for her.”

“You’re going on Mason’s tour?” I asked.

“Sure am.”

I was glad to know that I’d at least have one other girl around when I was with Mason. And a girl I liked at that.

“Okay, you’re done. You two try to keep your hands off each other so I don’t have to come back here and touch him up, okay?”

“Yes, Mom,” Mason said.

“Ellie, it was great to meet you. I’m glad to see Mason finally found himself a normal girl.”

“Thanks, I think.”

“It’s a compliment. Believe me,” Jas said.

“In that case it was nice to meet you, too. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

Jasmine grabbed her case and made her way to the trailer door. “I hope so. I could use some more estrogen on the tour. See you later, Mason.”

“Later, Jas.”

I laughed after her. I imagine it would be difficult being stuck traveling with all these men all the time.

“We should probably head backstage now,” Mason said.

“Let’s do it.”

“Before we do there’s something I wanted to ask you. You mentioned you had some holidays to use up. What do you think of taking a week and joining me on tour?”

“I think there’s no other way I’d rather spend my time off.” Excitement zipped through me.

He leaned in to kiss me but cut it short before it could escalate further. “I was hoping you’d say that. Come on, let’s go.”

I stood just off stage with Mason and Troy, waiting for Mason’s intro so he could take the stage. This was the first view I’d gotten of the festival grounds and I was a little awestruck. There was a sea of people as far as the eye could see. We were in the bottom of a bowl and the parkland spread up a hill that surrounded the stage area. Fans closest to the stage jockeyed for position in front of metal railings. Some held signs, others had girls up on their shoulders and, oh yep, those were breasts. I guess tops were optional. With the heat and the crushing crowds I didn’t much blame them.

The atmosphere was electrifying, the anticipation of the crowd palpable. A steady hum rose from the crowd as they waited for Mason to take the stage.

“I’m so excited to see you perform,” I yelled over the noise.

Mason placed an arm over my shoulders. “I’m glad you’re here, babe.”

We stood there while the concert promoter pumped up the crowd and sang Mason’s praises. When it was evident Mason would be taking the stage any second he started bouncing up and down in place. He reminded me of a boxer before a fight.

After his name was announced he leaned in to give me a quick peck on the cheek and ran out on stage to the roar of the crowd. They went crazy waving their hands, screaming and jumping up and down. It was like a wall of energy had been released from them and was hurling toward the stage. I swear I could feel it coursing through my veins. To be the target of all that adoration must be addicting on some level. I’d always assumed performers must have nerves of steel to get up in front of tens of thousands of people. I was starting to think they probably just ran on the adrenaline rush the crowd gave them.

Music started up and a few seconds later Mason started in with lyrics about how it was time to get the party started and it would last all weekend long. This was one of my favorite songs of his. He thought I didn’t know anything about hip-hop and while that was still true I’d downloaded all his albums to check them out shortly after we started dating. I didn’t let him know that, though, didn’t want it going to his head.

The audience’s hands were up in the air moving to the beat. It was an awesome sight. They sung back during certain sections of the song when Mason would turn the microphone in their direction. He had them eating out of the palm of his hand. I snapped a picture of Mason on-stage with my phone thinking it’d be a great pic for him to post on social media afterward.

A few songs into Mason’s set and Troy turned to me as I was bopping away. “Mason told me about the little video you made,” he said loudly into my ear.

Why was he bugging me about this stuff now? I wanted to watch Mason perform and besides, I didn’t feel comfortable engaging him in conversation anyway. Maybe it was rude but I just nodded, hoping he’d take the hint.

No such luck.

“It seems to be getting quite a bit of attention from what I’ve heard.”

All right. Let’s get this over with. “That was kind of the point.” I turned to look at him. He was nodding his head slowly, deep in thought.

“You made a lot of changes to Mason’s website…you’ve come up with some interesting ideas.”

I wish this guy would come out and say whatever it was he wanted to say already so I could get back to the show. “You’re welcome. The changes were needed.”

“I can’t believe you managed to get him on social media. I’ve been trying for years…he’s been very resistant to the idea.”

I shrugged. I was over this conversation if he wasn’t going to get to the point. Normally I’d just ask him what his problem was but it was clear Mason respected the man. I didn’t think Mason would appreciate me getting into it with him so I kept my thoughts to myself. We watched the rest of the show in silence. I tried to put Troy out of my mind so I could enjoy the show but couldn’t. I felt like prey around the guy for some reason.

Mason ran off stage when his set was finished. His muscled chest and abdomen were on display, his tattoos covered with a sheen of sweat. He’d taken off his shirt during the middle of his performance just as Jasmine had predicted. His hat was on backward and his shorts hung low on his hips. If we weren’t in public I’d be pushing him down on the ground and having my way with him.

“So what’d you think?” he asked loudly when he got close to Troy and me.

“You were phenomenal. So talented.” I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him, not caring that he was hot and sweaty. He kissed me back with just as much enthusiasm. From the look on his face, our display of affection hadn’t impressed Troy.

“Great job,” Troy said.

“Thanks, man. All right we’re going to the trailer. I need a shower and I’m thinking Ellie might need one now, too.” He pointed at my shirt, which was now damp with his sweat.

I grinned, my cheeks flaming a little but took his hand and began to lead him off stage. I was looking forward to the shower Mason had mentioned but my biggest impetus was to get away from Troy.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

The next week away from Mason was a long one. Much to my displeasure it seemed that my happiness was increasingly tied to him. Whenever that fact would dawn on me I’d push it to the back of my mind, not wanting to examine it too much.

Surprisingly Jeff had agreed to give me the following week off. I had a hunch it had more to do with my latest video. Although he hadn’t fired me he’d made it clear that if any attention I got from it affected my duties at the brokerage I’d be on the unemployment line. He was probably glad to have me out of there in case any press came knocking.

I was in flight to meet Mason in New York City where he had two shows that weekend. I’d get to spend an entire nine days straight with him and I couldn’t have been more excited.

The only thing I might have been more thrilled about was that I had to fly to L.A. on Wednesday for an interview I’d landed at
Session Magazine
the following morning. I’d be flying back east to meet-up with Mason after my interview. Someone at
Session Magazine
had come across my video and looked up my résumé on Monster before they’d contacted me. Landing a job at a place like
Session
would be more than I’d hoped for. It was a well-respected magazine focusing on the music and entertainment industry and they had a huge online presence. I felt good about the interview since they were already aware of the media attention I’d gotten in the past.

Mason didn’t perform until Saturday night so I met him at the hotel instead of at the venue. He’d texted me to say he’d instructed the driver to take me around to the back entrance because there were a number of fans lolling around the lobby hoping to sneak a peek at him. Somehow they’d figured out what hotel he was staying at.

The car pulled down a narrow alley. Mason stood beside an open door waiting. When the car stopped he slid into the car and kissed me hello. I really liked his new custom.

“How was your flight?” he asked.

“Uneventful.”

“Glad to hear it. Come on. Let’s get you up to the room and then I have to talk to you about something.”

I nodded. His words gave me an ominous feeling. When people said you “had to talk” it wasn’t usually followed by good news. I scolded myself mentally for always jumping to the worst conclusion.

Mason asked the driver to be sure my bags got up to the room and led me in the open door, which turned out to be the kitchen. Cooks and other kitchen staff worked to plate meals, barking orders at one another. It looked like complete chaos to my untrained eye but they all appeared unflustered, although they were clearly busy. They’d paid no attention to us as we walked through, trying to stay out of the way.

When we reached Mason’s hotel suite he led me directly to the bathroom. “I thought you might want to relax in the tub when you got here.”

An enormous bathtub sat in the middle of the room with steam rising out of it. Bubbles almost reached the top but weren’t quite falling over the sides. He’d placed candles sporadically around the room. They emitted a light vanilla scent.

“I didn’t know you were such a romantic.” Warmth spread throughout my chest. This was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me.

“It wasn’t entirely unselfish. I
do
get to see you naked and if I’m lucky I’ll get an invite into the tub, too.”

I laughed. “Of course you’re invited. I would never dream of denying a man access to a hot bubble bath.”

Mason nuzzled into my neck from behind. “Mmm…perfect.”

“Last one in has to wash the other one’s back!” I said and grabbed the hem of my sundress and lifted it over my head. My sandals were next, followed by my bra and underwear. Less than a minute later I was easing myself down into the warm water while Mason had only gotten so far as removing his shirt and shoes.

“That was hardly fair,” he complained. “But since washing your back isn’t that much of a hardship, I’ll let it go.” Once he’d removed the rest of his clothes I tried not to gawk at what a piece of male perfection he was as he made his way to the tub. He slid himself in behind me and I settled myself between his legs. The mixture of his hard chest behind me and the warm water and soft bubbles was heaven.

“So…what did you want to talk to me about?” Mason’s muscles stiffened beneath me, which further added to the feeling that I wasn’t going to like what he had to say.

“Troy got a call from the producers of the reality show today. They want to shoot a week’s worth of footage. They’ll edit it together and show it to some test audiences to get some reactions.”