Chapter 5
Andrea, I need you to breathe.
I kept my voice level, hoping to soothe her, but it was no use. Andreas face was a storm of emotions, her eyes wide and blue with fear as she stared at the cell phone in her trembling hand.
How did you get this? She hands me back the cell phone, which I put in my jacket.
I own the club.
Vince the head of security was doing a random check of the footage. Thankfully, he saw the intruder slip in and out of Andreas dressing room. Weve been on full alert with trying to find the hooded intruder. The last thing we need is word getting around about the lack of security at Club Allure. But it wouldnt be the first time weve had issues.
The more the club grows in popularity, the more we have to watch our backs. So, Ethan and his team are digging to find out if this is connected to us or Andrea. But judging by her response, its Andrea.
The thought of someone intentionally targeting her never crossed my mind until I see the look of fear in her eyes.
I move slowly, trying not to scare her more than necessary. My movements are measured as I approach her cautiously around the granite island in the middle of the kitchen.
Her eyes focus on me, but she seems dissociated. My hands reach out and slowly brush against her fingers.
Electricity crackles between us the moment our fingers touch, startling her. I havent even moved, just brushed my fingertips against her left hand, but its as if Ive set off a chain reaction.
Her breathing quickens, her chest rising and falling in short, rapid bursts.
Her cheeks redden as she glances up, and Im trapped in her blue irises once more. A primal urge surges through me, a fierce need to protect her from any harm that may come her way.
I take a steadying breath, fighting to maintain my composure in the face of Andreas raw vulnerability. Her eyes are wide, shimmering with unshed tears as she trembles before me. The sight of her fear cuts through me like a jagged knife, stirring a primal urge to shield her from harm.
I want to gather her in my arms, to let her know that shes safe with me. But I cant act on that impulse, not yet. First, I need answers.
Tell me everything, I say, my voice a low rumble. Who is this person? How long has this been going on?
Andrea worries her bottom lip, her gaze flitting away from mine. I can see the internal struggle playing out across her delicate features as she debates how much to reveal.
Andrea. I reach out, my fingers grazing her chin, gently coaxing her to meet my eyes again. You can trust me.
A shuddering breath escapes her lips, and she nods almost imperceptibly. It started a few months ago. Little things at first – flowers arriving with no card, gifts left in my dressing room. I thought it was just an overzealous fan.
Her hands twist in the fabric of her shirt, betraying her agitation. But then the notes came. Creepy, obsessive ramblings about how we were meant to be together. How I belonged to him.
A muscle ticks in my jaw as white-hot fury courses through me. The thought of someone tormenting her, violating her sense of safety, is like gasoline on the flames of my protective instinct.
Did you report it? I ask, struggling to keep my tone even.
Andrea shakes her head, her gaze dropping once more. Brandon said it would only encourage the guy. That we should ignore it and it would blow over.
Of course, that snake would try to downplay this. Cant risk anything jeopardizing his cash cow.
I curl my fingers into fists, my nails biting into my palms as I fight back the urge to hunt Brandon down and make him pay for his negligence.
Hey. Andreas hand covers mine, her touch like a balm against the roiling storm inside me. Its not your fault.
Our eyes lock, and in that moment, its as if she can see straight into the depths of my soul. Im captivated, utterly disarmed by the raw compassion in her gaze.
You dont have to protect me, she murmurs, her thumb brushing over my knuckles. Not from this.
But I do, Andrea. God help me, I do.
The realization crashes over me like a tidal wave, stealing my breath. These fierce, consuming feelings Ive been grappling with for days – theyre more than just attraction or fleeting infatuation.
Im falling for her, this remarkable woman who has awakened parts of me I thought were long dead. And the very idea of anyone threatening her, of that light being extinguished, is viscerally abhorrent to me.
I turn my hand over, entwining our fingers as I hold her gaze with an intensity that leaves no room for doubt.
I will find this son of a bitch, I vow, my voice a low rumble. And I will make damn sure he never comes near you again.
Andreas eyes widen, and for a heartbeat, I think Ive overstepped. But then her lips quirk into the faintest of smiles, and she gives my hand a gentle squeeze.
Thank you, she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.
In that moment, a profound sense of connection washes over me. Its more than just gratitude or relief in her eyes – its trust.
A fragile, tentative thing, but real nonetheless.
Whatever happened at the club, Im going to find out. I have my men working to find out who this man is and what his intentions are with you.
Its obvious what he wants from me, she replies in a slightly husky voice. Its not the first time Ive had a stalker.
Her eyes wander around the kitchen, then she breaks away from me.
She goes straight to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of wine. She pours two glasses. She drinks hers in one gulp.
A sour pout comes over her face, and she shakes her head. I dont even like wine, she says with glassy eyes.
“What do you like then?” I ask, trying to distract her a little.
She falls silent, thinking about it.
Dr. Pepper, she decides.
Really? I raise my eyebrow, almost indignant.
You dont like it?
I hate it, I say.
For a moment, I think I catch a glimpse of a smile on her face. Its working, I think.
Why I feel the need to cheer her up is unknown, even to me, but I know I cant leave her in this state.
So why do you drink wine, then?
Because its the only unhealthy thing Brandon allows in my apartment, she states, rolling her eyes.
She opens the fridge and shows me the contents. Everything inside is green, fresh, and organic.
Dont get me wrong, says Andrea. I like the healthy stuff, but sometimes I just want a hamburger.
And who wouldnt?
Her gaze softens, and this time, Im sure I’ve distracted her. When she looks up at me, her lips show me a smile.
Slowly, she moves back closer to me. I feel the magnetism pulling me to her once more, but I hold myself back.
Tell me why you showed me that video.
With her arms crossed, standing in front of the counter, Andrea watches me with those deep blue eyes that are riveted on me. Again, I can see those flames at the back of her eyes.
I can’t underestimate her. Shes a woman with claws, I think.
Because I thought you should know that someones after you.
A grimace draws her lips, but she quickly gets herself under control. Most people would have just contacted my team. Theyll take care of it.
Ive already told you. Im not most people.
Andrea flashes me a smile. I know. I like that.
A hunch tells me she doesnt just like me. But that she feels this growing chemistry between us.
Feeling as though I could lose control at any moment, I straighten up and clear my throat.
My teams on it, I assure her, my jaw clenching. Well get to the bottom of this and handle it.
Fine. But just dont forget to let me know what you find out.
I will.
A tense silence hangs between us, and for a moment, I think that might be a signal to leave, so I take a step toward the door.
But then her voice stops me.
Arent you staying for dinner? she asks me.
I turn and look at her as she raises a fork in my direction. In her opposite hand she holds another fork that she points toward the pasta.
Her eyes almost seem to tell me exactly what I’ve sensed. Although she’s brave, she also doesnt want to be alone right now.
So I turn around and remove my jacket, tossing it across a nearby chair. Sure.
Andrea gives me a beautiful, radiant smile. I take the fork, and she opens one of the containers.
The kitchen is soon filled with the delicious aroma of alfredo sauce. She lets out a sigh of satisfaction and sprinkles Parmesan on the pasta before she begins to eat.
This is better than an orgasm… she moans before shoving a forkful into her mouth.
Her sweet moan shoots straight to my cock. I stare like a perv as she withdraws the clean fork from between her plump lips, and for a second, I imagine those lips wrapped around my?—
Whats wrong? I thought you had a taste for pasta.
I have to shift my train of thought, or pasta wont be the only thing on the menu tonight.
Chewing slowly, I look at her, noticing how her chocolate hair takes on a coppery sheen in the sunlight.
Tell me why your manager wont let you eat pasta?
I change the conversation to a safe subject that will give me more information on Brandon Staton.
The guy has two strikes in my book, and the next one will have me on his ass for his failure to protect Andrea.
Brandons just trying to take care of my image, she says in a vehement tone.
Hearing her voice, I sense something lingering underneath. Maybe Im imagining it, but I sense theres more to this conversation. It’s as if she’s trying to convince herself that this guy is only looking for her safety.
It’s possible that no one has ever taken care of her before, so she tells herself that this is what taking care of her is supposed to be.
But hes not your father.
Hes my manager. Its almost the same thing.
She doesnt seem interested in the subject, talking about it as if it’s normal for her, but it bothers me.
Youre a grown woman. You should be able to choose what you do with your life.
That I do, she states with a fake smile. I dont expect you to understand. But this is the life I chose, and from the beginning, I knew I would have to make some sacrifices to get it.
Maybe, but your freedom shouldnt be one of them.
Really? Tell me, who in show business is free?” Andrea stabs at the shrimp as if its wronged her.
They may be restricted, but you have a choice. They choose how they want to look, what they want to do, and what music they want to sing.
My arrow seems to have hit the bullseye. She looks at me with a pained expression.
Brandon...
Dont tell me hes just trying to take care of you.
I stare at Andrea, her words echoing in my mind. Brandon... The name leaves a bitter taste on my tongue.
My jaw clenches as realization dawns. That controlling bastard has his claws sunk deep into every aspect of her life. From her diet to her career choices, hes the puppet master pulling all the strings.
Anger simmers in my veins as I recall the way he dismissed her stalker situation, more concerned about protecting his investment than ensuring her safety. The thought of someone threatening her, of that light being extinguished, is viscerally abhorrent to me.
I curl my fingers into fists. A part of me wants to hunt Brandon down and make him pay for his negligence, for the way hes stifled and manipulated Andrea.
But a deeper, more primal part of me recognizes that my protective instincts go beyond professional obligation. Theres a fierce, possessive need burning within me, a desire to shield her from harm that has nothing to do with business and everything to do with the way she makes me feel alive.
Andreas gaze meets mine, those aquamarine depths holding a world of sadness and longing. In that moment, I ache to take her in my arms, to chase away the ghosts that haunt her.
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. These feelings are dangerous, a slippery slope I cant afford to tread. Our contract is done, our professional ties severed. I have no claim over her, no right to insert myself into the twisted dynamic between her and Brandon.
And yet...
My eyes drift to her hands, delicate fingers twisting nervously in the fabric of her shirt. A fierce need to soothe her, to smooth away her fears with my touch, nearly overwhelms me.
I take a steadying breath, forcing my gaze back to hers.
Ive never been known for keeping my opinions to myself, and this wont be the first time I cause a scene. He doesnt care for you. If he silences your voice, he’s trying to make you a copy of his expectations, not a unique artist.
The words tumble out, raw and unfiltered, before I can rein them in. Her eyes widen, lips parting in a silent gasp as the weight of my declaration hangs between us.
Shit. Ive overstepped, let my emotions bleed through the cracks in my armor.
Andrea is silent.
I reach out my hand to her. “You deserve to be heard,” I tell her.
The air thickens with tension, charged with unspoken yearnings and the promise of something more. My pulse thunders in my ears as I drink in the sight of her – hair tousled, cheeks flushed, lips slightly parted in invitation.
Desire coils low in my belly, a smoldering ember threatening to ignite into an inferno. I can almost taste the sweetness of her skin.
Fuck, I want her. More than Ive wanted anything in my life.
My feet move of their own accord, carrying me around the island separating us. Andreas breath hitches as I close the distance between us, her eyes darkening with a mixture of fear and need.
One step, two, and then Im there, looming over her as the scent of her shampoo and the warmth of her body envelop me. Her chest rises and falls in rapid bursts, lips slightly parted as if in invitation.
I cant resist.
She’s like Eve, wondering whether to accept the apple the snake is holding out to her. I am that snake, slithering closer to her with every passing moment.
What do you want from me? she inquires.
To listen to you.
With a tremble in her fingertips, Andrea reaches out her hand and takes mine. Small, slender, light-skinned fingers decorate her blue-veined pulse. The contrast is obvious against the more tanned skin of my knuckles, above which, at wrist level, tattoos begin to spill over my skin.
Andrea follows me as I guide her to the huge and imposing piano that decorates the main room. I noticed it as soon as I entered this luxurious apartment. It makes all kinds of memories come back to me.
Only then do I sit down in front of the instrument. My fingers don’t touch the keys, but I can feel the way the air pulses around us, as if in expectation.
Do you know how to play? she asks me.
I know how to do much more than that.
A twinkle in her eye tells me that she’s caught the double meaning of my words. After a moments pause, she sits next to me. After another moment, she begins to sing.
Andreas sweet, slow, and broken voice matches the tragic notes that begin to flow through my fingers.
And instantly, Im lost.
I promised myself years ago that this wouldn’t happen again, that Id never let a woman get close enough to crush my heart.
But as I listen to Andrea sing Broken I feel the first signs of my misfortune.
Im falling, and falling hard. And like an idiot, Im the one playing the tune to my own demise…