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Her voice was cold and distant. “Did you do that for my benefit?”
“For my own benefit,” I answered honestly, trying to gauge her reaction. “But if you got off watching, I’m fine with that.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Remi snapped, clearly hurt by my actions. “I want to know who you really are, not the shallow playboy image you project.”
“This is exactly who I am,” I challenged. “Take it or leave it.”
She chewed on her lip, studying me as if I were some exotic new specimen of bug.“I don’t believe that. This is just an act you put on.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, sweetheart.” I chuckled cruelly. “I’m a shallow bastard and this is my playground.”
She glanced around the room, taking in the rowdy party that had descended into a chaotic whirlwind with people dancing, grinding, drinking, and getting high while music blared from the speakers. A good number of the women were now topless and sexual activities were happening in plain sight. It was still a few steps away from a full-blown drunken orgy, but I could see how she might call it hedonistic.
I grabbed her hand to distract her. “Come on, Remi, let’s grab a drink and talk,” I suggested, leading her toward the makeshift bar at the back of the room.
Bash called out to me as we passed by. He stumbled over to us, his arm slung around the waist of a petite blonde. “You’ve gotta try this. It’s a peanut butter and jelly shot.”
“Maybe later, Bash,” I replied, trying to keep my focus on Remi. Her dark eyes were wide, taking in the debauchery surrounding us, as though she’d never seen anything like it before. At that moment, she looked so innocent and vulnerable, and I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming desire to protect her.
“Suit yourself, bro.” Bash’s eyes shrewdly swept over Remi and then laughed to himself before disappearing back into the crowd with the blonde girl.
Still clutching her blue journal in her hand, she accepted the drink I handed her, but I noticed that she didn’t take a sip. I studied her while I swallowed a large mouthful of my own drink. She was fidgeting slightly, clearly uncomfortable, whether it was the party or my company I didn’t know.
I leaned in close to her ear. “Relax, this is a party.”
She glanced up at me and then took a small sip of her drink before putting it down on the makeshift bar.
“I’m here to work,” she said matter-of-factly. “Not party.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Are you always working? Or do you let yourself have fun once in a while? That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? To get the full experience of the band and our lifestyle?”
The bright lighting of the room bathed the party that was in full swing behind us in a gritty reality that showcased the ugliness of overindulgence and excess. My gaze remained fixed on Remi, her face a picture of determination amidst the chaos. It was amusing to see her trying so hard to maintain her professional composure.
“I’m just here to do my job,” she replied firmly, though her cheeks betrayed her by flushing a deep shade of pink.
“Tell me, Remi,” I said, leaning in closer, “what is it that you really want to know about me?” I watched her eyes flicker with uncertainty, sensing her struggle to balance her curiosity with her duty as a reporter.
She looked down at the notebook clutched in her hands, a look of concentration on her face. “I’m curious about the music you make,” she said, her voice barely audible over the noise surrounding us. “Where do you think your music fits in relation to other classics in rock history?
“Is that all you’re interested in? The art, not the artist?” I grinned wickedly, taking a step closer, allowing the chaos of the room to wrap around us like a shroud.
She hesitated for a moment, her professionalism wavering. “Well, I suppose ... I mean, yes, of course.”
“Ah, but I think there’s more to it than that.” My hand brushed against hers, causing her to flinch slightly. She was intriguing, and I wanted to peel back the layers of her polished exterior to find the woman beneath. I could sense the vulnerability she tried so hard to hide.
“Ghost, I—“ she stammered, clearly affected by my presence. Knocking her off her game and keeping her off-balance was amusing, a distraction from the emptiness that haunted me. It was a dangerous dance we were both participating in, willingly or not.”My readers want to know about the man behind the music, too. Not the partying rockstar, but the real man.”
She gazed up at me so earnestly, I hated to disappoint her, but she needed to know she was playing with fire.
“I’m afraid that’s something you’ll never know,” I said, my voice low and husky.
I leaned in, running my fingers lightly across her jawline before brushing my lips against hers — just a whisper of a kiss. She let out a soft gasp at the contact.
“Relax, Remi,” I whispered, my breath hot against her ear. “I don’t bite ... unless you ask me to.” Her quick intake of breath was all the answer I needed.
She reached for her drink and took a long sip. “I’m just trying to do my job.”
“Very well,” I relented, stepping back and allowing her some space to breathe. Her eyes searched mine, a mix of relief and disappointment clouding her expression. “But remember, Remi, you’re the one who wanted to know more about me. You might not like what you find out.”
