Sneak Peek of Hard Rock Candy
CREW
A n alert popped up on my phone, letting me know my next artist had arrived at the studio. Over the past five years, I’d worked with all kinds of artists, but this person was special. Not only was she best friends with my brother’s Omega, Lyra, but she was also one of the biggest rock goddesses of our day.
Smiling, I threw open the door. “Hello, ladies.”
“Crew, it’s good to see you,” Lyra greeted, giving me a quick hug.
“Hey, man,” Elora said, offering her hand. “I hope you don’t mind that my sister is going to join us. She flew in a couple of days ago to spend some time with Bailey-Rose, but she’s gonna meet me here. Plans changed, and I have to fly out as soon as we’re done recording.”
I shrugged, not at all bothered. “Works for me. I’ll leave the door unlocked so she can let herself in. I might not hear her knocking once my headphones are on.”
“Perfect, I’ll text her and let her know,” Elora said, pulling out her phone. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to work with you. All your suggestions on the song I gave you were spot on.”
“I aim to please,” I said with a dramatic bow. “Come on, let me show you around, and then we can get started. I finished the music track last night, so I can’t wait for you to give it a listen.”
My studio space wasn’t huge, but it didn’t need to be. There was a simple waiting area for managers or other groupies to chill, a small kitchenette, my office, and the recording studio. Together, the three of us listened to what I’d come up with and adjusted a few things before Elora and Lyra stepped into the artist’s side of the booth. I placed my headphones on wanting to block everything out but Elora’s voice and the music.
“All right, Elora, I’m gonna have you run through it once to get comfortable, then we’ll get down to work,” I instructed.
She gave me a thumbs up, and I hit play.
After the fifth run-through of the song, I called for a time-out. “You’re killing it, Elora. Why don’t you take five? Then we’ll listen to where we’re at. Going out through the side door will bring you right to the kitchen. The fridge is full of all kinds of drinks so help yourself.” Elora waved and exited the room.
I slipped off my headphones and slumped in my chair, letting out a heavy sigh.
“You know you wouldn't feel so stressed out if you used a giant yoga ball for a chair. It allows you to have more movement,” a woman commented.
Jerking upright, I nearly fell out of my chair as one of the wheels got stuck so it didn’t move with me. Growling, I shoved to my feet and turned to face whoever had the balls to sneak into my studio. The last thing I was prepared to see was a woman sitting upside down on the couch reading a magazine. Her hair was like a cotton candy waterfall of waves as it hung off the cushion. She tilted her head back to look at me with stunning tawny brown eyes.
“Sup,” she greeted as if nothing she was doing was unusual.
“Uh…” I said, not really sure how to answer. “Who are you exactly, and why are you sitting like that?”
The woman grinned and proceeded to do a backward somersault off the couch onto her feet. Twirling to face me, she offered her hand. “I’m Zelly, Elora’s little sister.”
“Oh, right, she mentioned you were gonna show up,” I muttered, shaking her hand. “Sorry, I get tunnel vision when I’m working. A bomb could go off and I wouldn’t notice.”
Zelly’s smile widened, and instead of letting go of my hand, she gripped it tighter and dragged me forward. For someone who was petite, she was stronger than I expected, and I stumbled forward. She closed the small gap between us so her face was level with my shoulder. Before I could ask her what she was doing, Zelly took a deep breath. My brows shot up, utterly surprised, until her scent hit me, fresh, zesty raspberry followed by the seductive notes of jasmine.
“You smell like a sexy summer night on the beach,” I shared, my nose brushing against her oh-so-soft hair.
Her laugh was pure magic to my ears. “Lucky for you, my sister wasn’t here when you said that. Otherwise, she’d have gone all overprotective Alpha on your ass.”
That had me snapping out of my daze and jerking back, but I didn’t get far since she still held my hand.
“Don’t worry, it will be our little secret since you smell like my favorite dessert, carrot cake,” Zelly assured me. “Hey, any chance you’re free Saturday night in two weeks?”
“I-I don’t know, I can look,” I stammered. “Why?”
“Because I have two tickets to a concert and no one to take the second ticket,” Zelly answered, mischief shining in her gaze. “Oh, did I mention dinner and backstage access is included with this offer?”
“Hold on,” I blurted, holding up my tattooed hands, utterly confused at everything that was happening. “Are you asking me out or something?”
Zelly smiled, leaned closer, and winked. “Yup.”
What to see how the date goes for Crew and Zelly?
Well, you’re in luck. Their duet will be coming this year!