Rise: A Second Chance Rockstar Romance (Rock God Book 1) Read online

  “Does he?” he demands.

  “No.”

  “No?” His eyes narrow. I hear goddammit and fuck coming from behind him, but who cares now.

  “Gia.” Nuke comes into my view as he stands next to Rhys. “You told me that this was a scholarship opportunity… that Axel was the one who suggested you get in touch with me. Please tell me that wasn’t a lie?” He looks so hurt that I almost come clean. But let’s be honest—I’m too far gone for that.

  Only the fearless one wins now.

  I hold up my hands, trying to calm him since he’s starting to look agitated, and the last thing I want to do is hurt Nuke.

  “I am here for a scholarship.” I assure him, opening my mouth to say more, but decide maybe less is more right now.

  “Gia, Gia, Gia.” Rhys’s voice is like a caress. He’s not buying it. Whatever, I’m not backing down.

  “What?” I glare up at him. “I had an opportunity and I took it.”

  The room is quiet, almost eerily so. Only Rafe’s phone seems to not understand what’s happening.

  “You want to take pictures of us?” Rhys’s voice drips sarcasm.

  “Yep,” I snap. “I’m studying to be a professional photographer.”

  “And you expect me to believe that the university is going to give you a scholarship if we let you take these… photos?” He’s trying to intimidate me, staring me down, causing me to rethink whether Rafe is, indeed, the scariest.

  What has happened to Rhys?

  Breathe, Gia. I swear I’m gonna pass out, but I’d rather die than look away from him right now.

  “Yes.” It comes out husky, and for a split second I think I see admiration in his eyes. It’s gone too fast. Perhaps I’m just being hopeful.

  “Okay.” Rhys smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. I think I might puke again.

  “Ammo, Rafe, Gia’s here to further her love for photography and education,” he says. “She forgot to mention any of this before I fucked her.”

  I jump up and almost twist an ankle in my heels, but who cares. I could probably get hit by a car and not feel it right now.

  I’m done.

  He doesn’t get to be an ass to me, not now or ever. He wants to make me look like the bad guy? Fine. I’ll be the bad guy.

  “I’d be careful, Rhys. I’d hate to tell my brother you took my virginity and called me a liar.”

  A loud Jesus explodes from behind us, I’m sure from Nuke, although at this point who knows.

  He stands inches from me, so close I can smell the vodka on him. So close I can hear his teeth grind. So, I deal my last card.

  “I want my pictures. And interviews with all the Muffins. In return, my brother, along with the Disciples, will never know anything.” I place my hands on my hips if only to open my rib cage to allow air in.

  One.

  Two.

  Three.

  We’re in a dead heat, both of us not blinking.

  “You really want to play it like this, Brat?” he grits out each word.

  “You leave me no choice,” I fire right back.

  “You think I’m scared of Axel?” His eye twitches.

  “You should be.” I spit it out in his face. As soon as it’s out of my mouth I want to take it back. Because the look he gives me makes me want to run and hide.

  How did this get so ugly?

  “Wait, Rhys.” I reach for him.

  He looks at my hand, then up at my face, and for the first time in my life I’m actually afraid of someone.

  “I’d take your hands off me, Brat. And stay away.” He laughs, moving away, as if being close to me sickens him.

  I think I call his name but can’t be sure. All I hear is the slamming of his door.

  Holy fuck.

  “Are you out of your mind, Ms. Fontaine?” Rafe’s voice makes me look over at him, rather shell-shocked, and for a second I almost say yes.

  Instead, I straighten my shoulders back. “I need to talk to Rhys.”

  “I think you have done enough.” Grabbing his phone, Rafe stands. “You can take the photos. I’ll have contracts and numerous things for you to sign.”

  My eyes blink up at him. I wish he would leave. I wish they all would leave because I need to tell Rhys I didn’t mean what I said.

  “I’ll get you a room. After all, we wouldn’t want Axel Fontaine’s sister to be uncomfortable.” He laughs and I hate him.

  Ammo walks over to stand in front of me. “Don’t ever threaten my brother. I don’t care who your brother is.” He turns and leaves with Rafe, my eyes following them until the door shuts. I almost burst into tears.

  “Gia.” Nuke pulls me into his arms for a tight hug. “Come on, let’s get your suitcase and a drink.” He kisses the top of my head.

  “What did I just do?” I mumble into his chest. His shirt smells like Downy. My adrenaline rush has vanished and I cling to him for support.

  “You just made an enemy out of Rafe. And seriously pissed off Granger.”

  “I never meant for this… oh my God.”

  “Yep.” He sighs, holding me tight, resting his chin on the top of my head.

  “I have to talk to Rhys.” My voice sounds far away.

  “Not now.” My eyes snap up to his as he shakes his head. “Trust me.”

  “He needs to know tha—”

  “That you lied to me and Axel to get to him?”

  My face instantly heats up. “Nuke—”

  “It’s true. Gia, he needs time to cool down. Threatening to tell Axel wasn’t your best move.” He sighs.

  “Are you kidding me?” I pull back. “He told everyone that we fucked.” I whisper the fucked part.

  Nuke frowns. “You don’t think, Gia. You just go after what you want.” He rubs the back of his neck as if I’m giving him a headache.

  “Jesus.” He laughs, then shakes his head, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. “Am I gonna have to defend your honor? Because you poked the beast, and I don’t mean Rafe.” He motions his head toward Rhys’s door. “Granger is the fucking beast, babe. He’s everything you should have stayed away from.” He lights up and inhales.

  I take the cigarette from him. I try not to smoke much since I quit a couple months ago, but I need one right now.

  “No, you already defended my honor earlier.” I grin up at him and allow myself to look at the room. The suite is impressive, bigger than most houses. All white walls with dark native wood. Gorgeous purple orchids surrounded by succulents sit on the tables.

  “What the hell?” I look up at the tall ceilings. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.” I shake my head, suddenly tired, as I close my stinging eyes against the morning sun.

  “I’m sure it wasn’t.”

  I sigh and cock my head looking at him. “You’re a good friend, Nuke.”

  “Yeah, I am.” He smirks, taking a deep drag of his cigarette and putting it out in his half-empty bottle of Jack Daniel’s.

  “So…” He leans against the back of the couch and looks at me. “What are you gonna do, Gia Fontaine?”

  I inhale and drop my cigarette in the bottle, then look at him as I twist my wet hair back in a low bun. “I’m gonna win.”

  GIA

  Past – Eighteen years old

  Scottsdale, Arizona

  “Gia, meet me in half an hour at my room,” Nuke yells across the lobby. I roll my eyes at him as I pass. He bursts out laughing. A long line of women has formed in front of him, all of them waiting to be in his arms. He pulls a random one and holds her close.

  I’m hungover, depressed, and so tired I can barely wave at him. Instead, I push the elevator button.

  “Rookie. Come on.” He laughs at the face I give him. “If you change your mind, you know where—”

  “I won’t,” I grumble. Sighing, I close my eyes and wait for the elevator. I’m not even fazed anymore by all the excited squeals and screams that follow the band everywhere.

  I need a quick shower and sleep. After the aw
ful events with Rhys two days ago, I’ve either been drunk or traveling. This morning I had to get up at 5:00 a.m. to shoot Cash working out. Rafe seems determined to make my life hell, and Rhys… I bite my lower lip, trying not to think about him. The doors to the elevator slide open and I wait for the five screaming women to get out of my way, pretending I didn’t hear one of them talking about Rhys’s pierced penis.

  After I glance down at my keycard to check the room number, I push the button and watch the doors glide shut, snorting in disgust.

  Two days.

  For some stupid reason I allowed Nuke to get me drunk, and to be honest, I haven’t been sober since.

  Until now, and I feel like shit. But if I’m ever going to make this right with Rhys, I need to be at least somewhat on my game. The elevator dings, and I feel like I’m ninety as I drag my ass off the wall and pull my bag to the room.

  I seriously don’t know how everybody functions on tour. I’ve been here less than seventy-two hours and I’m about to collapse.

  Opening the door, I relish the cool air in the room. Arizona weather is pretty much like California, so it’s sunny even though it’s December. Dumping all my stuff on the queen bed, I make my way straight to the shower. I can barely keep my eyes open as I scrub myself with the delicious-smelling coconut and vanilla gel. The shampoo is so good, I make a mental note to grab as many of them as possible.

  Stepping out, I wrap a towel around me. I’m thinking room service. Can I order dinner this early? I’d love a hamburger with fries.

  I’m about to pick up the phone when a knock on the door makes my heart leap to my throat.

  “Shit.” I look down at myself. Having tossed the towel seconds ago, I’m naked. And my suitcase is still shut. Maybe if I don’t respond, they’ll go away.

  A louder pound on the door is my answer. “Damn it.” I spin around and throw open the closet for a robe.

  “What?” I snap as I peek out the door, my eyes narrowing on a tall, skinny woman dressed in expensive clothes.

  “Granger wants to see you now,” she snips. Heat floods me for numerous reasons. One, she said the magic word, Granger. And two, how dare he send a fucking whore to get me, like he’s some kind of… king, god, rock star. Whatever, I refuse to participate.

  “Who are you?” I open the door so she can get my full bitch energy.

  “Sara.” She straightens, and again I want to scream. Another fucking model?

  “Well, Sara, please tell Granger I’m tired. If he wants to talk to me, he can come to my room.”

  She blinks at me then smiles. “Great, I will.” Turning, she slithers back to the elevator.

  I almost call to her, but what am I going to say? You’d better not be fucking Rhys? Clearly, she is. I slam the door shut, all my exhaustion gone. Now I’m pissed.

  Asshole.

  I’ve been feeling shitty about how it went down the other day and he goes and does something like this? He can’t be that delusional, right? I mean he didn’t think I’d simply jump at the chance to talk to him. Run to his room like what—a groupie? He has to know I’m special. I’m me.

  Dropping down on the edge of my bed, I toss my suitcase off with a thud. I need my phone. Julianna will listen to me rant. As I stand, trying to remember where I left it, a loud pounding makes me scream. I cover my mouth, freeze, and stare at the door like it’s going to magically open.

  “Open the fucking door, Gia.” His raspy voice goes straight to my core. I shake my head but realize he can’t see me.

  Actually, all of this is absurd. I told that dumb groupie to tell him. How did he get here so fast? Taking a glance in the full-length mirror, I almost laugh at how crappy I look. My face is fine only because I’m flushed, but I have black circles and haven’t had a chance to brush my hair yet. It’s a long, tangled mess. Since I don’t have my usual elastic band, I grab a pen from the desk and pin my hair up with it.

  Before opening the door, I stop to take a deep breath. I’m sober, thank God. Hungover, but that can work in my favor since I seem to always make an idiot of myself when I’m alone with him anyway.

  Trying to get ahold of my racing heart and the butterflies in my stomach, I take one more breath. “Be bold. Only the strong win, Gia,” I chant as I swing the door open.

  RHYS

  Past –Twenty-seven years old

  Scottsdale, Arizona

  “She said what?” I snap at Sara, who can’t even try to hide that she’s thrilled she gets to tell me this.

  “She’s tired.” She shrugs. “I have zero idea why she’s such a bitch.” She reaches for a bottle of vodka only to stop when I glare at her.

  I took a private plane with Ammo, using the excuse I needed time to write. In reality, it was to decide what the fuck I’m doing.

  I shouldn’t go near her. But the bro code went out the window the moment my cock discovered her tight pussy. I’m not gonna broadcast that I’m fucking my friend’s sister or anything, but I’m also not denying that I want her.

  Is it wrong? Maybe, but fuck it, no one’s perfect. Having Sara go get her was a dick move, but it’s not like she’s an angel. She wants to play dirty, then I’m the right man.

  “What?” She licks her lips and stares at me. Doing one last pushup, I stand, ending my workout. I have an elliptical and a rowing machine that travel with me. In the old days, I’d box and work out with a trainer. Now I like a more traditional workout: heavy cardio and basic pushups and sit-ups, along with squats.

  I open my door. This shit stops now. Gia’s not in charge. I crack my neck as I walk down the hall. I had Rafe put her on the band’s floor. He wasn’t happy about it, not that I give two shits. I want her close.

  “Granger?” Sara yells. “Should I wait for you?”

  “No.” I don’t even bother looking back at her as I pound on the door.

  “Open the fucking door, Gia,” bracing my hands on either side of the doorframe.

  She swings it open and I almost start laughing. Her green eyes, glistening with anger, widen as she greedily dips her gaze to my sweaty bare chest and basketball shorts.

  “Oh.” She reaches for her hair as if to make sure it’s okay, then drops her hands and straightens her shoulders back. “What, Rhys?” Her voice cracks. She looks tired, almost fragile in the large white robe.

  Pushing past her, I enter her room. Her unique smell of vanilla and whatever shampoo she’s used makes me grit my teeth.

  Christ, what is it about her that makes it impossible to get her out of my mind? Her smile, eyes, the way she moves and smells? Maybe it’s just Gia. She ensnares you with her very being. It’s a unique situation I’m in, because I can’t stay away even knowing we’re going to end badly.

  I don’t believe in destiny. But I do know the second I saw her something happened to me.

  It’s like I knew that she belonged to me. That’s as much as I’m willing to examine right now.

  I pull out one of the chairs and drop into it. She remains standing in the doorway, her eyes darting around, looking as though her mind’s going a mile a minute. She’s clearly at war with herself, but patience is not my strong suit.

  “Shut the door, Gia.”

  Her eyes narrow, but she does and sashays over to the end of the bed. She sits, cross-legged, a hand on each knee.

  Sitting up, I adjust my cock. Christ, I get hard just thinking of her, much less looking at those goddamn legs. I need a cigarette. Even though I try not to smoke after I work out, I need to get myself under control. The way I’m letting my dick rule me, I’m like a fucking teen.

  “So.” My voice makes her jump. Her eyes, which moments ago were staring at my chest, dart to mine. “Are you on birth control?” I demand, not caring that she looks like I slapped her. This is something I should never have let happen, but it did, so I need to clean up my mess.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me?” She jumps up and goes to the mini fridge, grabbing a water. With a laugh, she points the bottle at me. “I should lie a
nd say no because you deserve to fucking worry.” She shakes her head. “But quite frankly, I’m the one worried. Clearly you don’t care if you get a disease or give a disease.” She jerks open the top of the water bottle.

  “Gia, I always wear protection. I don’t even fuck people without them signing shit. You were the exception.”

  She snorts. “I’m not seven, Rhys. Don’t forget, I know all your secrets.”

  I take a breath before I lose my shit on her. “Careful, Gia.” My pulse pounds in my temples.

  “Why? Because you’re the Rock God?” She waves her hands. “I’m not impressed.”

  I stand and laugh. “You think you can handle all this? Me? I mean, let’s be honest, that’s what you’re here for, right?” I start to walk toward her. Now most women or men would back up. It’s a commonsense reaction that ninety-nine percent of us have when someone invades our space. Not her though. She lifts her head, her green eyes full of battle.

  “You want to play? I don’t think you understand the game.” I smirk, because as fucked up as all this is, I’m fucking turned on.

  “I’m an expert at all games.” She sticks her nose in the air. In an instant, all rational thought is gone. My fingers grab hold of the belt on her robe, and a small hiss escapes her as I pull her close.

  “Listen carefully so you’re not confused. I don’t give a fuck about the past or who you are. My cock wants this tight pussy of yours, and rules don’t apply to me,” I grunt into her mouth as I guide her hand to my hard erection. She shivers but says nothing.

  Fuck, if she’s not magnificent. “On your knees,” I demand.

  Her eyes narrow but she drops down. Her hands jerk my shorts off, releasing my dick, which stands straight past my belly button—hard and hot, waiting for her.

  She looks up, the anger in her eyes replaced by need. I get it. It’s eating me up too. Reaching out, she grabs my hard shaft.

  Then she smiles.

  Our eyes lock as she glides her tongue to the top of my leaking tip, flicking my piercing up and down before she takes my cock and fucking owns me.

  “Gia,” I say, breathing hard. I’m ready to jet off already in her warm mouth, shoot my seed down her throat. My hands grasp her hair to guide her head.