Page 47 of Final Serenade

I heard the sirens approach. The limo swerved to the curb and halted. The red and blue flashed behind the tinted glass. One of the biggest cities in the world, L.A. never ceased to be on high alert. Someone somewhere always made trouble.

We parted under the siege of the outside noise and illumination, our hands still on each other.

“I could really use that drink right now,” I said, my throat catching. My voice was shot from the numerous interviews.

Frank slid over to the mini bar, filled two glasses with ice, and poured champagne in one and water in the other.

The sirens had passed and the midnight calm took back the street.

Frank handed me the glass with the bubbly.

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” I motioned at his water.

“No.” He reclined against the leather cushion, his body relaxed. “Doctor’s orders.”

“Oh.” A meek smile stretched across my lips.

“Have you ever had an affair with a rock star?” Frank asked. His voice, dark and salty, hummed in my head.

I sucked in a loud breath through my teeth. My gaze shifted to his chest and drew a path along the firm outline of his stomach and groin, evaluating. He was well equipped from what I could tell. I’d seen him a thousand times before—in music videos, photos, on stage, but he wasn’t hot and bothered in any of those instances. He was now. With me. And it looked promising. “No.” My mouth went dry, my thighs clenched.

“Really?” Frank seemed surprised.

I brought the glass to my lips and took a sip of my drink.A very big sip.“Really.”

“Well, you know what they say, Cassy.” A cocky smirk touched his cheek. “There’s always a first time for everything.”

The limo was moving again. Frank motioned for me to scoot closer. I obliged. He reached for my hair and ran his fingers through the messy flock of black. His eyes roamed my face. “You’re attracted to me.”

I took another swallow from my glass. “Frankie Blade always gets the girl, right?”

“He does.”

“Even if the girl is high risk?”

“Life is a risk, Cassy.”

For someone whose motto used to beall’s fair in the world of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll,he was quite the philosopher.

“Are you taking me somewhere where the paparazzi won’t find us again?” I teased.

“No, I’m taking you home. But we can go anyplace you want. Just say the word.”

The offer was tempting, but I had too much work to do. I couldn’t afford to lose an entire day and I knew I would if I chose to spend the rest of the night driving around town in a limo and doing God knows what with Frank.

“I’d love that, but I have a deadline.”

“Screw the deadline.” Frank laughed.

“I wish.”

“You’re too responsible.”

“Says the hottest man on the planet, who’s drinking water because the doctor told him so.”

“You got me there.”

He leaned in for a kiss. Our lips brushed.

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