Star Struck(BBW Rocker Romance)(3)

Mandy could remember growing up in a sheltered household with her siblings surrounded by the love and attention of her stay-at-home mother, whose idea of a treat was to cook for a house full of guests. Her mother, Georgia, was a beautiful, petite brunette who’d enjoyed the status of having a millionaire husband without letting it shape her into anything pretentious or over-entitled. And she instilled that sensible nature in her three daughters.

Mandy was the eldest and she’d always prided herself in being the least impulsive, reckless, or unpredictable in the family. Ever since she’d been creating new hand-made outfits for her dolls as a child, she’d known what she wanted to do. She’d studied all the right courses, stuck to her dream, and waited for the opportunity to shine in her chosen career.

She’d been touched and thankful when her father, Kirk, told her he’d fixed an internship with Jessica Charles, who’d been married to one of her father’s business clients. Mandy had felt like she was living in a dream the first time she’d walked into this very office on her first day.

“I’ve seen your portfolio,” Jessica had said in the way of a greeting as Mandy had sat in a chair in the all-white, minimalist designed office. “You’ve got talent. Most importantly, you have potential. I can tell. So even if this is just a favor to a friend, if you step out of line just once, you’re out. Do you understand?”

Mandy had stared unwaveringly into Jessica’s kohl eyes. “Yes, Ms. Charles.”

“Jessica. Just Jessica,” the woman had snapped, then flashed a slanted grin. “Call me Ms. Anything again and I’ll fucking kick you out on your ass myself.”

Every day as an intern to the topmost fashion stylist in L.A. had brought its share of sweat, tears, and other challenges. There was so much to learn and yet more to give back. Jessica believed firmly in making sure you did your share. She wanted to hear your ideas; she was always interested to see if you could bring it. Whether it was for some new-kid-on-the-block rap star or the latest Hollywood leading male, Jessica saw to it that Mandy had a feel of what it took to make your impact, no matter how little.

So far everything had been one rollercoaster ride of delights, of learning something new and meeting one more mega celebrity. And yet so far Mandy had never given herself the chance to feel star-struck or overly awed by anyone.

But then here was Ethan Tyler, unlike any man she’d ever met, celebrity or not. The way he looked at her was enough to twist her insides into delicious knots. He was a couple of years older but there was much of the worldly-wise aura about him. He had ‘danger’ written in caps lock all over his hard-planed, lean-hipped body. Mandy knew about his reputation with women, which was no surprise. After all, he was a rock star - young, rich, and famous. Not to mention sexy as the devil. His careless good looks appealed in ways Mandy wouldn’t have imagined because she’d never have thought of dating a man like Ethan in the first place. Until now.

Although there was just one problem – Mandy already had a boyfriend and she was no cheater. Her own boyfriend was very much like her father; a business-savvy financial exec that was as success-driven and practical as Mandy was. His name was Marcus Quay and he was one solid factor in her life that Mandy felt grateful for. He was dependable, good looking, and charming. And now their one-year relationship was going strong even if he was a good seven years older than she was. At thirty, dark haired and sleek-bodied in his designer suits, Marcus was Mandy’s idea of what a boyfriend should be: mature and reliable, always there to give the needed reality check if things got too surreal.

Well, surreal and dreamlike were the sensations Mandy felt when she looked at Ethan. He brought in energy and an awareness that paled everything around him. Even Jessica’s outlandish personality took backstage to Ethan’s.

He had the looks, no doubt about that. And he had the personality – loads of it. The room felt like it thrummed with his masculine life force. Now, in person, Mandy began to understand why around the country and even the world, right-thinking women turned into horny tigresses for Ethan Tyler. Mandy was uncomfortable just thinking about how attracted she was to him and she knew, if she wasn’t careful, that it could easily get out of hand and spiral out of control.

But she wouldn’t do that to Marcus. She just couldn’t. Not when he had been there for her, first as a friend and then as a lover, when she needed him most.

Still, despite herself, she couldn’t stop watching the way he moved, catching her breath at the sound of his deep voice rumbling as he flicked through the personal wardrobe portfolio she had created for him.