Mandy knew Ethan had a history with the beautiful Zuriel, who was a solo pop rock act – who didn't? But there weren't a lot of details reported about the relationship, only that they'd been together since Ethan was eighteen and she was twenty-one. Their relationship had lasted two years while both their careers soared at the same time. Suddenly, it ended and now at twenty-seven, Zuriel still looked like the epitome of beauty and cool. How could Ethan have left her? Mandy wondered in a daze.
Instantly intimidated, Mandy squirmed away slightly as Ethan and Zuriel shared a warm embrace. Moments later, Ethan was tugging Mandy to his side again. "Mandy, this is Zuriel. And Zuriel, meet … "
"No introductions necessary," drawled the darkly beautiful Zuriel, whose gray eyes twinkled. "I was right in the crowd, Ethan. I saw you virtually making love to that girl from the stage. That was a surprise, seeing you play the romantic."
Ethan shrugged and Mandy could sense the tension in him even as Ethan's lips slanted in a smile. Jaime spoke up with a raucous laugh. "Well, now that the clan's all here, let's go fucking party before the night ends. And if the tour bus can't hold us, we'll take things to the hotel – there's more booze there anyway. Come on, guys!"
Jaime led the way and his faithful groupies followed, with Henson not far behind with his own set of groupies. The ever-present bodyguards stayed within sight but out of the way. Mandy shifted uncomfortably when Zuriel lingered. It felt weird standing so close to the star, knowing she was worth just as much as Ethan's band due to her many endorsements, signature perfumes, and the modeling she did outside of her music. She had fans cutting across the male and female populace. So apart from being tall, slim, and beautiful, she was also a flipping superstar with talent and loads of cash who used to be a part of Ethan's life. Was it a wonder Mandy felt a tad inadequate? She'd aimed for laid-back chic with her outfit and chosen a clingy short leather dress and matching lace-up thigh boots. She suddenly thought she looked dull and uninspired next to the eye-catching Zuriel.
"I didn't know you'll be at the show tonight," Ethan said mildly to her. Mandy took comfort in the arm that was still around her shoulders, keeping her by his side. "From what I heard, you've been touring in Australia."
Zuriel nodded with a playful grimace. "Eighteen venues. But an emergency came up here that I really had to fix. I'll be flying back tomorrow. I heard you had one more concert tonight and decided to show up. I hope you don't mind."
"Nah. It's always great to see you. You know that," Ethan said easily.
"Do I?" Zuriel asked, looking straight at Ethan for a few moments in a way that made Mandy feel like she was the intruder. She squirmed again, feeling more uncomfortable by the second. But before Ethan could word a reply, Zuriel went on, "I'm glad I came out tonight, though. The audience was pumped and of course you guys killed it on stage. I'm hoping you'd like to do a duet remix with me on that last song. I loved it. What's the title?"
Mandy wanted to scream. No! Don't fucking touch it. That's my song!
But she managed to stay mute as Ethan chuckled. "Never did get the time to name the song. I'll do that once the band gets to work on the upcoming album. We will definitely let you know."
Zuriel nodded, smiling teasingly. "Don't keep me waiting too long, buster. Patience was never my strong point, especially when it comes to something I really, really want."
Mandy bristled as Ethan laughed, as if they shared an intimate joke. She knew she was simply feeling jealous about whatever Ethan had shared with the gorgeous rocker. Zuriel was exactly the type of woman Mandy felt would suit Ethan; someone who would fit right along with his fun-loving crowd.
Zuriel leaned in to kiss Ethan's cheek. "I have to go now. Hope we see each other again soon," she said quietly before turning to Mandy. "It was nice to meet you, Mandy."
"Thanks. Same here," Mandy said, smiling somewhat stiltedly.
As Zuriel turned and walked away, Mandy caught a faint scent following the rock star beauty; a scent that was strangely familiar. She realized it was the same perfume that she normally wore: Heaven Scent. So this was the woman the perfume had reminded Ethan of, Mandy realized, her heart sinking further. She'd never forgotten the first time she'd met Ethan and how he'd been drawn by her perfume. Now Mandy knew the smell had reminded Ethan of Zuriel and not his adoptive mother, as he had originally claimed. The tormented strain in his voice that day when he'd identified the perfume made Mandy feel like he had more than memories going for both him and Zuriel.
Should I be worried? Mandy wondered,
Ethan's fingers cupped her chin and pulled her gaze from the departing Zuriel, who was followed by two heavy-looking handlers in dark suits, complete with the FBI-type earpieces. Mandy turned to Ethan and was suddenly bathed in the sweltering heat of his gaze.
"We need to be alone," he said simply. Mandy's eyes darted around, aware that though they were in the now deserted backstage, people still waited by the exits for their beloved star to appear.
Mandy felt that instant pull just by looking into his captivating eyes. For one moment in time she was adrift on the clouds, her body tingling from the almost tangible feel of their mutual attraction. It hadn't waned in the slightest. In fact, it seemed even stronger. Their two days apart had taken its toll and she shivered against him, fighting back the pulsing in between her thighs for him.
"My sisters – I somehow lost them in the crowd." Mandy said, suddenly remembering. But Ethan smoothed away her frown of worry when he assured her that his chauffeur was already seeing them home in his personal limo, as he'd promised her parents he'd get them home well before their curfew.
Mandy heaved a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Ethan, for giving them a chance to come tonight. I know they had great fun."
"I'm happy they enjoyed the performance. And what about you? Was the show a hit with you, too?" he asked, his eyes darkening as Mandy stared up into his face. Was it her imagination, or was there really a shadow of vulnerability crossing his handsome features?
"I loved it," Mandy said simply. "It's so different from watching you on screen. The live crowd, feeling the music, feeling you … "
Ethan pulled her even closer, his hands settling possessively on her rump as he rocked slightly into her so she had an inkling of what her nearness was doing to him. "And I can make you feel me even more," Ethan said huskily.
Mandy's stomach did that familiar back flip she got when Ethan went all sexy on her. She blushed and tried to hide her face in his shoulder, but he gripped the sides of her face and stared deep into her eyes. "Usually after a show I'm so amped up and all I can think of is getting high, drunk, and laid – in no particular order. But right now all I can think of is the excitement of spending time with you. How does that make you feel?"
Mandy had to smile. "Pretty darn special," she murmured, eyes twinkling. Any lingering feeling of doubt was cleared from her mind. She knew that right now Ethan could be partying with his friends and their groupies or even catching up on old times with the sexy Zuriel. Oh, Mandy had definitely caught some vibes coming off the rocker chick. Zuriel would fall into Ethan's bed in a heartbeat if he offered, Mandy figured.
But right then, she pushed all those thoughts aside. Ethan chose her; wanted to be with only her. She wasn't going to be nitpicky about that and would just feel glad because she couldn't lie: she wanted to be with him, too. Like crazy. Seeing him on stage, watching him perform in front of all those crazed fans had done freaky things to her hormonal balance. Now she couldn't wait to get him alone either.
"Uh, Ethan? We've got to move. A fight's broken out in front of one of the entrances," said the deep, reassuringly capable voice of Vernon, Ethan's driver slash handler. "We'll take one of the service exits to avoid the crowds still waiting. Luckily, there's a huge delivery truck blocking most of the view, so no one will see you leave till we're way out of range."
"Great thinking, Vernon. Let's do this," Ethan said before grinning at Mandy. "Ready?"
Mandy nodded, letting her hand slip into the warmth of his. His smile did things to her heart rate. Oh crap. I'm in deep, she thought as they began to make their way through the makeshift corridors leading to the wide metal doors of a side exit. Mandy had never really been in love or in lust for that matter. And she was beginning to realize she felt all that and more for Ethan. With his hand wrapped securely around hers, just one smile from him sent an arrow straight through her. She could barely breathe. The sensible, even strait-laced Mandy was forgotten when she was next to Ethan. He made her see the world in a different light and as they dashed into the waiting limo, she was laughing right along with him. Vernon sped them down the deserted back street and once they turned into the main road, they looked back to see several fans who'd noticed them start to point and scream. But it was too late. Vernon expertly maneuvered the white limo into the adjoining street and they were well on their way before even the paparazzi could make a dash for their cars and follow them.