"Gee, thanks," murmured Mandy, unable to hold back a smile. "So all I had to do to gain some points around here was date a rock star."
"Not just a rock star. You're dating the Ethan Tyler," Melanie said with deep awe. "The Strum is more than a band whose audience consists of students who like listening to loud music while they get wasted. They're really good and Ethan is mega talented. Definitely more than a pretty face and totally cool as a person. Still can't believe he's seated at our dining table."
"Well, I'd better go save him from dad's shop talk or they'll be at it all night," Mandy said ruefully, leaving the kitchen to find Ethan in the living room nursing an after-dinner drink and talking easily with her parents.
"Mandy hasn't been to London before, though we've taken her and the girls on holiday to France and Spain," Georgia said. "I'm glad you'll be there to watch out for her."
Mandy rolled her eyes inwardly, hearing Ethan's ready reply that Mandy would love it in London and that he'd definitely not let her out of his sight. He sneaked a glance her way at that point and Mandy's stomach flipped. All evening she'd been secretly on edge; watching him and fantasizing about how hot and thrilling he would look like once all those clothes were off, with his sexy tattoos in full view. She could just imagine what it would entail to have his full attention on her during their London trip. On the surface, she'd have a lot of work to do when it came to handling his wardrobe and changes for the live shows, but when all that was over and they were alone, she was thrilled deep inside just thinking about what was in store for them.
It was very late before she was able to see him off. His sleek car was parked outside their front door. Once again he'd come alone and she questioned the safety of that. He assured her he was very careful about keeping a low profile when he wasn't with his handlers and bodyguards. "Besides, sometimes I need to feel like I'm living a normal life, just like everybody else. Having two or three bodyguards in tow each time I go out isn't going to give me that. I really want your family to like me," he said seriously, cupping her face.
Mandy's eyes were downcast. "Why? Does it really matter? I mean we haven't exactly defined to ourselves what it is we have now. Are we an item? A real couple? Or are we just two people having a good time?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "You're my woman. The only one I want to keep around. I haven't been in a relationship of any kind in a long time, Mandy. All I had were one-night stands or booty calls. What I feel for you is real. That's all that matters to me right now."
Mandy nodded. She didn't need promises and was glad he wasn't making any undying declarations. She wasn't a kid. She just wanted to make sure she wasn't being played; that she wouldn't have to worry about competing with his crowd of female admirers.
"Thank you for the flowers. They were lovely – all of the bouquets," Mandy said with a wry smile.
"Glad you liked them," said Ethan, grinning. "I had no clue which ones you liked so I bought one of everything they had in the shop." He bent to pluck at her readily parted lips. "I wish I could whisk you away with me somewhere – but the band will be rehearsing for our last concert before we leave for London. You'll be at the show, of course. It's tomorrow night and I want you to be there."
Mandy hesitated. She'd never been to a rock concert before. It would be a good idea to go as it would prepare her for the upcoming gig. She still needed to make some last-minute preparations to the outfits Ethan was going to use for the three-hour a night performances.
"You need to know what it's like," Ethan said quietly, staring deep into her eyes. "The partying, the groupies – the paparazzi. The wild crowd. You'll get to see what it means to be in my world. The best part of it all is that I actually want you to be there."
"Yes. Okay," she said softly, her gaze shy as she lifted her eyes to his face again.
"Damn, you're so lovely," he breathed, lips skimming over hers. "Everything about you drives me crazy. It might seem hard to believe right now, but I do know what I'm doing when it comes to us. I just need you to trust me, babe. I've got you."
Once again Mandy could only nod and succumb to the drugging taste of his mouth molding to hers. She heard his breathing grow harsh as her tongue flicked out to massage his. He held her securely against his strong, hard body for a few moments. Then he drew back with a ragged sigh.
"What's the latest with Marcus?" he asked gruffly, as if to distract them both from the raging need swirling like a mist around them.
Mandy exhaled deeply. "I haven't contacted him yet. I'll have to see him sometime. Maybe tomorrow. I'll meet him for lunch and I'll tell him. I'm just dreading the confrontation. This will hit him out of nowhere."
"I just want to have you all to myself," Ethan said firmly, fingers holding her chin. "He needs to know he has no claim over you anymore. And I won't rest until he does."
"I'll tell him tomorrow," Mandy said with more assurance. She got another warm, tingling kiss. He drove away minutes later and she was still dazed by it all. His possessive power, his deliciously hungry passion, his strength of purpose. Whatever it was they had, he really wanted it to work. And that made her happy for now. Everything was about getting through the next minute, the next hour. She wouldn't let herself ever think beyond that.
Chapter Nine
The fans were clamoring to get backstage now that the show was over. There had to be around twenty-five women bunched together around the rope and screaming like their lungs would burst. The numerous male fans seemed far outnumbered by the screeching females hoping to get passes backstage. But the hefty bodyguards, five in total, looked unbendable as they ignored pleas and offers while guarding the doors, looking ready to take on any eventuality of getting rushed by the desperate gaggle of females.
Mandy rubbed her hands down her short dress, managing to avoid being nudged in the side by the elbow of an over-enthusiastic, horny female fan. It had been like that all night. Pumped-up women screaming at anything The Strum said or did during the show. Once the opening act was done and Ethan came on stage with Jaime and Henson, the fans had come alive. Mandy had been center stage, taking it all in with awe. Seeing Ethan perform live with his band mates had been incredible. The atmosphere had pulsed with electricity that had nothing to do with all the lights, the rising flames, and all the other crazy props used in the backdrop of the massive stage. Ethan had looked freaking hot in his leather pants and ripped T-shirt, a bandana tied around his forehead and his long hair flowing over his shoulders bared by the sleeveless tee. From her vantage point, she'd been able to view each sinew of his sexy muscles, the ink glowing in the spotlight he stood in as he shredded tunes on his guitar. The crowd was going nuts all around her and Mandy almost didn't even hear the noise. Just a few feet away was Ethan, staying mostly to the side while Jaime took the lead for one of their more popular songs. There was loads of screaming vocals and haunting instrumentals. It felt like being inside a trash can being banged around by a hundred baseball bats. The crowd was never still, never silent. They went crazy for any of the band members who took the spotlight, whether it was Jaime singing and playing, or Henson banging on the drums, or Ethan tearing through riff after riff. Tonight he was using one of his well-known custom guitars. It was onyx black with silver studs on the surface. She'd seen it in many of his photos on different fan sites. All around them, people were wearing apparel with The Strum's logo emblazoned in front. There was no mistaking who had the crowd's love that night.
He was looking at her.
She felt his gaze like a laser beam pointed straight through her heart. Mandy felt a thrill of excitement when she lifted her gaze and met Ethan's. The last song had ended and she watched Ethan reach for his microphone. Her breath caught along with the rest of the crowd.
Some women were already screaming his name before he said anything, and one woman yelled, "Love you, Ethan!"
He beamed and nodded. "Love you too. All of you. And there's someone special who needs to know how I feel about her. I hope the next song gives her a clue." He nodded to Jaime and Henson, who nodded back with matching grins. "Let's do this, guys. For my girl … for Mandy."
Oh. Shit. Mandy was staring at them, frozen as a statue as she swallowed drily. Her heart was beating impossibly fast. She thought she might faint.
The song was beautiful. Mandy couldn't remember the words if anyone asked the next day. But it was something about dreams coming true and finding a light in the darkness. Peace in a lifetime of struggle. Facing your demons with your angel by your side. Ethan was looking at her the whole time while Jaime belted out the song and Henson thrashed the drums. When it came to Ethan's solo, the fans freaked out. He strode forward to one of the platforms that projected into the crowd. Now he was so close Mandy could reach out and touch one of his boots. The fans closest to that part of the stage stretched forward, eager for a piece of him. Like her, they were spellbound.