Page 18 of Starstruck
Before I’ve even come down from my high, Baxter roars my name, stilling inside of me. He drops me onto the bed before hovering over me, still buried to the hilt as I lie there limbless and satiated.
Once he’s had a moment to catch his breath, he pulls out and moves to dispose of the condom. I climb further onto the bed and roll onto my back, absolutely numb from how intense that orgasm was.
Baxter returns a moment later with a warm washcloth and begins cleaning me up. I shudder when the cloth grazes the most sensitive parts of me but relish in the way someone so intense and rough around the edges can be so gentle and caring at the same time.
“Thanks,” I breathe, sitting up against the headboard.
He smirks, placing the washcloth back in the bathroom as I take a moment to examine the room we’re in. It’s massive, decorated the same way as the rest of the house. A huge floor-to-ceiling window stands to my left, but I can’t see much of the view since it’s getting dark outside now. That’s January in Toronto for you—nearly pitch-black by five p.m.
Based on the ensuite bathroom and king-size bed, I know he brought me up to his room.
Something about that, about this literal rock star trusting me enough to let me into his space, makes my heart flutter. I get thesense he doesn’t do this with just any woman.
He returns, pulling his boxers back on before hopping onto the bed. He turns to face me, resting on an elbow. I’ve tangled myself in the throw blanket he had on the bed, not ready to get dressed yet, but also not wanting to be completely nude. I glance up at him, his flushed face and glassy eyes. I can’t even begin to describe the look he gives me, but it nearly splits my heart in two.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“'Cause you’re gorgeous, and we said only one night. I wanna memorize you.”
My stomach flutters as his words register. I swear, this man had no idea the effect his words have on me until right this moment, when my face tells it all. I blush, and the smile that forms is one of a giddy teenager. I move to cover my face with my hands, but he stops me.
“Don’t hide, Lennon. I get the sense you haven’t smiled in a while. I like seeing it.”
I pull my arms away from my face, holding eye contact with him. “You sure do have a way with words.”
He huffs a laugh. “Well, I do write my own music, you know.”
Sitting up further so I’m eye level with him, I confess, “I did know that, but if I’m being honest, I’ve never really followed you…so all I know are the radio singles, and those usually aren’t the most poetic songs.”
He rears back, placing his hand to his heart. “Oh, hit me where it hurts, why don’t you?”
I roll my eyes, shaking my head and laughing. “Sorry, Lover Boy. It just never caught my ear.”
He looks at me as if what I’ve just said is completely absurd, which reminds me exactly who I’m in bed with. No matter how sweet or gentlemanly he may act, he’s still playboy Baxter James who is at least a little bit obsessed with himself.
Not that I blame him.
“Can I ask why? I mean, I know my music’s not for everyone,but you’re the daughter of rock stars… You telling me you don’t listen to rock music?”
I cock an eyebrow at him. “You know there’s more rock music than just you, right?” I laugh. “I listen to rock music, Baxter. I just don’t listen toyours.”
“I’m gonna need you to change that, please,” he begs as if whether or not I like his music will make or break his decade-long career.
“Okay, Bax.” I laugh, moving off the bed to get dressed. “I’ll get right on it.”
I pull my underwear back on and can feel his eyes tracking me the entire time.
“Leaving so soon?”
“I have to work in the morning.” I swing around to face him as I clasp my bra. Swallowing, I add, “First day back.”
My face falls as I say the words. It’s been almost three months since I stepped foot in Revolution Records. Knowing I’ll be back tomorrow is a bittersweet feeling, honestly. I love my job so much, but it also hurts, because the label belonged to my parents.
They started it just under a decade ago, shortly after I went into remission. It was a good project for the two of them once I was better and they were able to begin working again but didn’t want to jump full speed ahead back into the lives of rock stars, so they created Revolution Records Incorporated.
It’s not as big as some of the other labels out there, but it’s a label createdbyartistsforartists, and that’s what makes it special. Unlike at the bigger labels, there isn’t a soul who works or plays in that building that isn’t at least a little bit musical. It’s a label that truly is more about protecting its artists than making money, which definitely sounds made up, but it’s the biggest reason why I love it there.
I started working there pretty much as soon as I graduated high school. It was practically guaranteed from the time I could walk that I’d end up in the music industry one way or another. Iwas one of those kids who knew the lyrics toeverysong on the radio and was always head-bobbing along. Of my siblings and me, I’m the one who inherited both my parents’ love for musicandtheir talent. Neither of my siblings can hold a tune to save their life, and while Paige and Dylan both appreciate a good song, music doesn’t impact them the way it does me.
