“I could tell you, but I’d rather just showed you guys,” Ethan was saying to the reporters, a smirk teasing his full, sexy lips, which he suddenly pressed down on Mandy’s as he bent her over his arm.
Gasping with shock, Mandy felt her head spin from the touch of Ethan’s lips as the flashes from the cameras blinded her. She closed her eyes tightly to the magic of Ethan’s heated, possessive kiss.
* * *
Mandy wasn’t sure what was happening till many minutes had passed. Ethan’s mouth on hers always had the effect of shutting out the world for as long as it lasted. By the time she straightened in his arms and his lips pulled away, she found the area deserted and could see several security personnel ushering the press people out.
Ethan had eyes only for Mandy as she gripped his shoulders, steadying herself on her booted feet. “Looks like you’re stuck with me now,” Ethan said with more than a little smugness in his tone.
“What do you mean?” Mandy asked as her eyes ran over his face, with the gorgeous stubble and the sea-blue eyes.
“That kiss. The press. We’re going to be all over the tabloids tomorrow.” He cupped her face as a look of dismay came over her features. “Relax, babe. I told you I’ve got you. My people have a lot of weight with the paparazzi and gossip pages. They’ll circulate some kind of release with a few details about us both. Enough to keep the curious wolves at bay – and enough to make sure everyone knows you’re mine. I told you I don’t share.”
Ethan’s gruff tone made her shiver. He knew she still hadn’t got the chance to tell Marcus about them. Mandy figured Marcus would definitely see or hear something after tonight. He would add things up and realize Mandy had dumped him for her new rock star client, whom she had barely known for a week. Imagining how that would look, Mandy drew in a deep sigh.
Ethan’s eyes sharpened. It was as if he could read her mind and was about to speak again when they heard sounds from behind them.
Mandy turned in Ethan’s embrace and saw Jaime appear with a bevy of groupies, three of them latched to his lean black-clad frame, all of them managing to walk without tripping over each other. Behind them she could see Henson with his shaggy red hair and his clothes showing layers of rock-style stylishness. He wasn’t short of female attention himself, with a few half-dressed beauties hanging onto his arms with more coming up behind them. Jaime held a large expensive-looking gold bottle in one hand, which he took a swig from before passing it to the nearest girl joined to his hip.
With his free hand, he fist-bumped Ethan. “Hey bro, party’s started without you,” Jaime announced, nodding to Mandy in greeting. She smiled tentatively, and Jaime added, “Why don’t you bring your girlfriend along, huh? We’re taking things to the tour bus. More champagne waiting, plus everything a good hard party needs. Enough to get us good and set for our next stop: London.”
“You guys go on; Mandy and I’ve got other plans,” Ethan said with a smile. Jaime made a face while Henson came forward and wrapped an arm around Mandy’s neck, whispering something into her ear that made her blush. Ethan shoved him off good-naturedly and the red-haired drummer chuckled.
“Don’t worry, mate. All I told her was she’s officially the hottest girl who’s ever agreed to hook up with your sorry ass,” Henson joked.
“Hey!” Ethan was mock-scowling, though he tugged Mandy closer to his side with a sly smile that made her blush deepen. “Well, he’s right though. You’re definitely the most beautiful girl I’ve ever wanted.”
“Aw…and I wonder what that makes me, then,” said an unfamiliar female voice from behind the group. Mandy had to crane her neck as everyone turned and drew apart to let someone through. Her eyebrows climbed at the sight of the woman who appeared.
Mandy recognized her from photos and videos.
It was Zuriel – just Zuriel. She was one of those very famous music stars who only needed to go by a single name. Her presence spoke for itself. She had the body of a supermodel and a face that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover. High, defined cheekbones, a sensuously formed mouth, and eyes such a beautiful pale gray they looked almost transparent. Her hair was inky black and bone-straight, falling past her shoulders. Her makeup was all for effect; dark and mysterious to match her edgy outfit, which was an eclectic mix of rocker chic and movie star glam. Patterned tights slashed from hip to ankle revealed lusciously fair skin at the sides. A cropped clingy top in metallic gray and an even shorter leather jacket with the sleeves pushed up finished her look. Even without her ankle boots, she’d have been a very tall woman, easily six feet. Mandy felt Ethan stiffen beside her as the renowned rock goddess made her way to where Ethan stood with Mandy.