Kate shook her head, smiling as the glitter of tears finally faded and she could see clearly. “That’s just it, Gage Stevens. We never stood a chance to begin with.”
She’d walked away that day and didn’t regret it. Because she told herself that from the start, Kate Preston and Gage Stevens should never have happened. They were too different. People say that opposites attract, but in their case, Kate couldn’t keep blinding herself to the truth. If they stayed together, they’d end up hating each other. So it was best to break up before discontent on either side poisoned them both.
It had been a few months later that she heard he’d got a record deal. Before the end of the year, Gage Stevens was a name on everyone’s lips. His first album turned him into an overnight success. Suddenly she turned on the TV and there he was on some fancy talk show or someone was talking about him on the news. Gage Stevens the new rock sensation. Suddenly, everyone wanted to work with him. His singles were the fastest selling on any platform. His songs were playing all over the airwaves and Kate couldn’t flip the damn radio on without hearing one of his chart-topping hits.
* * *
And now, years after, he’d lost none of his allure – or gifts. He’d released his latest album just a month ago and already it was top of the charts both home and internationally. Somehow, he managed to keep his music relevant, worked with the right industry people, and kept himself in the limelight as much as he could.
This meant his management must have a lot on their hands ensuring that his face got on every major endorsement deal. Also, every little thing in his personal life certainly drew attention from the Press. There was always something in the tabloids about his involvements with some supermodel or the newest young female A-lister. Gage Stevens had turned into some kind of sex symbol and he was always ranking high in all those “sexiest men” lists.
So now here he was; a rich, famous, sought after and successful rock star. How did all this happen in a space of about four years?
That’s what Kate’s magazine wanted to find out.
It’s just a job, Kate, she told herself as she exhaled deeply. All she had to do was focus and get it done. She smiled slightly as the security operative turned to her once they stopped in front of a door.
“Here you go. Gage’s dressing room. You have a camera on you? He doesn’t really like pictures after he’s done with a major concert,” the brawny bodyguard said, his eyes regarding Kate’s frame admiringly. She tried not to squirm as she wondered if he actually wanted to do a body search to make sure.
“No cameras,” she assured him, her smile still in place. “Any pictures we need for the interview will be taken in a few days once Gage can spare the time. Right now, I just need a little time with him. Just me and my trusty tape recorder,” she assured, tapping the satchel she had over her shoulder.
The guard nodded briskly. “Well, he’s ready for you. You’d better go in.” He knocked briefly on the door in front of them.
For a moment, Kate couldn’t help but wonder about the man who was on the other side of that door.
Gage Stevens. He had always been the unconventional kind of heartthrob. Not that he was overly fond of tattoos or piercings and he certainly didn’t have that many. Which would have been strange, right? And he wasn’t the type to be into wild haircuts or clothes. Sure, she knew he did like to sport a lot of black and some jewelry but from what she’d seen in pictures and on TV, he always kept things at a minimum.
Overall, it could be said that Gage Stevens was a pretty laid-back, un-diva type rock star god who didn’t get too caught up in the lifestyle. The only excess that he seemed to enjoy, it seemed, was women.
Oh, Kate knew all about those. His trysts with groupies as well as his cocky attitude, which came across even on the screen, had warned Kate that Gage was not the same guy she once loved.
So just how much had he changed? Kate saw the guard twist the knob and then push the door open and then she knew she was just moments from finding out…
* * *
Playing solo had its challenges.
In many ways, Gage had found this to be true. Breaking away from his former rock group to start a solo career may have been the best decision he’d ever made – but he still missed the camaraderie. The after-show party that would go on through the night wasn’t the same without his old guys.
Now he had his own backing band but it never really got close to when he and his three other band mates had been part of one group known as No Extreme. Gage had been lead vocalist and also played guitar. Now that he was a solo act, he still played during vocals. He really did try to give it his all when live and he felt he’d done that tonight.
The crowd had been wild. And though some people would expect him to be out on his feet after a four-hour long highly charged performance – on the contrary, Gage felt his most energized after a show.
His blood was pumping faster, and his senses were on edge. Nothing to do with drugs but his own personal adrenalin, gained from doing what he loved to do best. Every day he thanked his stars for giving him the chance to do what he enjoyed and still get paid stupendously for it.
He heard the knock on his door and suddenly remembered why he was still lingering in his dressing room. The interview with the reporter from that fancy New York magazine. Gage liked listening to his PR people so when they told him this was a great opportunity to boost sales of his new album further, he decided against his better judgment and finally agreed to go for it. The thing about having a new album out was that any publicity was good publicity and you had to get it where you could.
Which meant he had a few minutes or so to spare with this columnist person he was supposed to meet. A moment after the knock, one of his security personnel whom he recognized as Nick pushed his clean-shaven head and broad shoulders through.
“The journalist from Stardom Magazine is here, Gage,” Nick said with a nod, before turning back to someone just behind him. “Alright, Ms. Preston. You have twenty minutes.”
Gage smirked as he thought to himself that there was no way he would spend the next twenty minutes talking about himself. He could tell the reporter all that was needed to know in a quarter of that time. Spinning on his heel, he faced the open doorway with a bored expression that turned slack when a tall, shapely redhead strode into the room.
God. Kate. Preston. What the f**k was she doing here?
“You have got to f**king kidding me.”
* * *
Gage Stevens barking out those words at her came as no surprise.
And yet Kate had expected better. Had expected if not a friendly welcome, then perhaps, a formal yet polite greeting. It had been five years after all. Five years of having to look at him only through the pages of a magazine or on the TV screen. And now that they were seeing eye to eye so to speak, Kate could see that he hadn’t changed much.
Except that now he looked hotter, tougher and downright too sexy to be legal. Like, jump-into-bed-with-him-at-first-sight sexy.
A pair of designer ripped jeans clung to his lean rocker’s hips. He had a startling white dress shirt on, unbuttoned low on his ripped chest, showing a glint of gold chain.
The sleeves were rolled up to display his masculine arms, lightly dusted with hair. His dark mane was flopping over his handsome forehead and the tips brushed the collar of his shirt, giving him a boyish, ruffled air. Gorgeous.
Oh no, thought Kate. Her worst fears were confirmed. She still considered him the most desirable man she’d ever met. That certainly hadn’t changed one bit.
This was going to be one hell of an assignment.
* * *
Suddenly it felt too hot, like he was burning up even though he’d showered and was dressed in an open-necked white dress shirt.
Something pumped in Gage’s ears and for a second, his mind when black. It took several seconds for his pulse to stop throbbing like he’d just been shot through with electricity.
Kate couldn’t be standing there in his dressing room, looking hardly any different from that sunny morning when she’d walked away from him for good. She wore a pair of what looked like tailored blue jeans, a white t-shirt and a cropped leather jacket. Everything she wore, she filled out nicely. Her red hair was just a mass of waves upon waves, swept over one side of her face. She looked like something from his wildest dream. And his worst nightmare.
“It’s good to see you too, Gage,” she said lightly with a wry smile in reply to his blurted words. “And I’m from the Stardom magazine.”
“You’re the reporter?” he asked, shoving his fingers through his slightly long hair.
“Shit!”
“Trust me, I was as surprised as you when I got the project. And I wanted to contact you prior to the interview but you’re a hard man to get hold of on the phone.” She sighed when he just stood there looking at her. “Look, it’s okay if you don’t want to do this. I totally understand. I’ll just have to tell my bosses to send someone else – “
She’d already whirled angrily and was heading for the door again when he recollected himself enough to surge forward and grasp her arm. “Hey. No, wait. I apologize for being so abrupt. I was just so…Damn, Kate. Never in a million years did I ever dream I’d see you again.”
“I can imagine,” she said, her tone mild as she turned to face him warily.
“Please, take a seat.” He indicated one of the chairs lining the front of the mirrored walls. For now they were the only ones there but Gage knew some of his band and management team would be coming round any minute. He smiled encouragingly at the woman sitting stiffly in the chair across from him. He folded his arms.
“So how’ve you been? Or aren’t we allowed to go there?” he asked casually.
Kate shrugged. “I guess we can spend a few minutes catching up. I’m a journalist with Stardom, like I said. I’ve been there for a year now. Before that, I worked with an online feature magazine. I’ve been good. But no need to ask how you’ve been doing.”
“Looks like we both reached our goals, huh?” he smirked.
“Was that your goal? To be a megastar rock god?” she asked, tilting her head.
Gage’s eyes narrowed. “Has the interview started?”
She looked quizzical for a moment. “It starts when you want it to, Gage. It can start right now, if you like.”
“On the contrary; right now I’d like to party,” he murmured, fluffing his fingers through his hair again. “Are you coming?”
“What? I…”
“The after-party. At the hotel. Everyone’s going to be there. My band members, some fans and guests. We can talk, you’ll ask me anything. I’m too wired up after a gig to stay still for long. Come on, Kate.”
He grinned, taking her arm and pulling her up. He knew he’d caught her unawares by the way she stumbled. The next thing, she was in his arms, clutching at his shoulders for balance.
“Still can’t keep your hands off me, huh?” he growled, a feral grin breaking over his face as he wrapped an arm instantly around her waist, pinning her to him. Damn, she felt even better than he remembered. She’d grown some dangerous curves, noted Gage. He just wanted to grope her up and find out how juicy her luscious flesh would feel in his hands.