Page 8 of Her Dark Angel

“Then what are your thoughts on it?”

He shrugs as smoke billows out of his nostrils and slightly parted lips. “I don’t care either way. If your pretty little ass can help clean up my image like James told me you can, then who am I to say no?”

I can tell by the tone in his voice he doesn’t care about anything in his life unless it’s making music, touring the world, and fucking an endless line of women. He doesn’t care about his public image at all, and it shows through the way he acts and talks. It’s his manager who cares about his image, not him.

I want to remind him that his image is everything, but who am I to tell this grown man what to do? He’s been in the music industry long enough to make a name for himself. I don’t think he cares either way if people like him or not if it means he can continue to live a rockstar lifestyle.

I huff. “Well, I care what will happen to my career if this deal blows up in my face, so I’m proposing some ground rules.”

Nash purses his lips as his features tighten. “Ground rules? It’s bold of you to assume I’m going to listen to you when I don’t know a damn thing about you.”

“If you want me to help stop your career from tanking, you’ll listen to these ground rules.”

The corner of his mouth lifts into a smirk. “You’re a feisty little thing. I like it.” He takes another puff of the cancer stick and waves his hand in the air. “Okay. Fine. What are your ground rules?”

Shit. I didn’t think he would agree to listen to them. A few ideas come to mind but only a couple stick out to me as being deal breakers if he can’t agree to them. I need to have some measures in place so this doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.

“Okay,” I say slowly as I sit in the chair across from him. His eyes watch me intently, never leaving my face as I make myself comfortable. “First, you can’t be seen out in public with other women. It’ll shatter the illusion our agencies are trying to create.”

He nods but doesn’t say anything, so I continue.

“Second, besides having to attend scheduled events, we need to have a dinner date once a week and make sure we’re spotted by the paps. It’ll help build the narrative that we are a real couple and make it seem more believable and not a publicity stunt.”

“I don’t take women out on dates,” Nash comments dryly. “Why should you be the exception?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. It’s like I’m going in circles with this man. “Don’t make me repeat myself, Nash. You’ll do it, whether you like it or not. It’s only for six months and then you’re free to continue fucking bitches and not taking them on dates like you are now.”

His lip quirks at my remark, but I don’t wait for a response before I state my final condition for the deal. “And lastly, we need a public break up when the time comes.”

Nash frowns as he stubs his cigarette out in the dirty ashtray beside him. “Why?”

“Again, it needs to be believable,” I remind him. “If you agree to these ground rules, I might consider signing the contract.”

He folds his arms over his chest, making the muscles in his biceps and forearms pop. I can’t help but look at the swirling black dragon that curls up the left side of his torso and down his bicep. The muscles constricting make it seem like the creature is moving on his skin, coming alive. I clear my throat, hoping he didn’t catch me staring, and meet his eyes.

“Only if you promise not to fall in love with me.”

I snort out a laugh, unable to hold it in. Tears brim the corners of my eyes as I fight back the laughter. Nash doesn’t seem fazed by my outburst in the slightest.

“Look, I’m sure you’re not used to hearing a woman say this, but there is no way in hell I’m ever going to fall for you.”

“If you say so,” he says with a shrug. His tongue pokes the side of his mouth as he regards me for a moment, his stare intense. “You have yourself a deal, little devil.”

My eyes bulge at the nickname. “Wh-what did you?—”

A knock at the door interrupts me, and I glance over my shoulder just in time to see a woman with brown permed hair and blonde highlights walk into the room wearing the skimpiest hot pink lingerie set I’ve ever seen. It’s so see-through her nipples are visible through the thin material.

She struts into the room with her eyes locked on Nash, not even acknowledging me in the slightest.

I roll my eyes. Fucking hell, does this man ever sleep alone? I’m not even surprised this is a different woman from the one I walked in on earlier. He’s going to have a hard time keeping his extracurricular activities out of the spotlight once we sign the contract.

“Nashie, baby,” the woman drawls as she rounds the desk. She lifts her leg over his lap and straddles him, making sure to grind her ass into his crotch. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Nash licks his lips as he takes in the sight of the woman’s large breasts right in front of his face. His hands snake around her waist to rest on her ass, palming the skin roughly as he leans around her to look at me.

“You’re welcome to stay for another show if you want, little devil. I’m not opposed to an audience.”

Of course he’s a exhibitionist.

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