Page 10 of Rock Star

I needed inspiration from someone, someone ‘normal’ like Phoenix. I could take what was inside her head and put it in my notebook.

Maybe.

I didn’t know if it would work, but it was worth finding out.

The sound of gravel crunching in the driveway outside alerted me to Mike’s arrival in the Audi. I switched on my alarm, grabbed my keys, and headed out the door.5Joe took me up into the Hills, the iconic Hollywood sign towering on the crest above us as we turned into a gated community. He parked up, and I waited obediently for him to open the car door.

Axel was standing on the front step—he must have heard us come through the gate—and the sight of him took my breath. His jeans were slung low, drawing my eyes to the area of bare skin below his t-shirt. I stared at the V of his abs and my gaze lingered on his flat stomach displaying the start of a treasure trail of gold-brown hair. I was in danger of puddling to the ground, so I forced myself to look at his face, but his mussed-up hair, chocolate brown eyes and sexy grin made me feel even more flustered.

“Come on in,” he said, “I’ll show you around before we make a start.”

I waved to Joe as Axel ushered me inside for what turned out to be a guided tour. Clearly, he was immensely proud of his place and with good reason… houses in this neighborhood cost tens of millions. Upstairs, there were five bedrooms, complete with ensuite bathrooms. In the basement there was a wine cellar, a gym, a games room and a laundry. Back on the ground floor, he showed me the biggest kitchen I’d ever seen, an open plan living and dining room with views to die for, and finally the music room.

Throughout the inspection I’d been surprised. Instead of a stereotypical rock star pad—I’d imagined evidence of wild parties and groupies jumping out at us around every corner—this was a really nice home… warm and inviting, with soft furnishings, colorful landscape paintings, plush cream carpets and dark hardwood floors.

We stepped into the music room, which overlooked the flower-filled back yard. An array of guitars lined the far wall and, taking pride of place in the center of the floor, stood a grand piano. I let out a gasp and ran up to it. “Is this a Bösendorfer Imperial?” I gushed.

“Yeah. Do you play?”

A flood of emotion scurried through me as I thought about the Yamaha I’d practiced on for years, the piano my folks had sold when we’d moved from Pasadena.

“Yeah, I play,” I admitted. “But I’m a little outta practice.”

He caught his lip with his teeth as he smiled, making my lower belly flutter. “Play something for me.”

“Only if you do the same for me,” I risked asking.

His laugh was genuine. “Okay, but you start.”

I sat on the stool, and he sat next to me, his warm thigh pressing against mine.

Oh, God.

I took in a deep breath and placed my hands on the keys, then started playing. I sang the first verse of ‘London lovers’ in a low breathy voice, with an open larynx to let the air through until I’d warmed up.

I waited for her to take the train

Mind the gap came the refrain

She was leaving now and I started to plead

You’re the one that I needMy fingers stumbled on the keys and I stopped. But Axel carried on where I’d left off, playing and singing:

London lovers, in a hurry

Time stood still and I crushed her to me.

The bridge fell down, but I carried on

Underground where I belonged.I joined in with him and when we arrived at the end of the song, he said, “You sing beautifully, Phoenix. Your voice is really evocative.”

“Thanks, but I should have warmed up properly,” I felt myself blush. “My teacher would have a fit…”

“Let’s do it now.”

He started a scale and we sang the notes together, a cappella. His deep baritone voice made my insides quiver.

I tried to focus on the task at hand, and mostly I did just that as we ran through the entire set that we’d practiced yesterday, stopping occasionally to repeat sections until we’d gotten them right. He was a perfectionist, I realized, and I was lost in the music. It swirled around me, nearly melting my heart. The heart I swore would never melt for any man ever again. And it wouldn’t; I’d do everything in my power to prevent that happening.

“Time for a break,” Axel announced eventually. “Remember I said lunch was on me?”

We hummed until our throats had cooled down, then he pulled me to my feet and dragged me into the kitchen. “What do you fancy? I can grill us a couple hamburgers…”

Axel Wainwright cooks for himself?!

I leaned against the counter and watched him. “Can I do anything to help?”

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