Page 22 of Hard Rock Fling
And now Ian had invited me to a house party with him and his bandmates.
The thought gave me shivers, fear and excitement both taking hold. I didn't want to bethatgirl. The one who threw herself at rock stars. I didn't want Ian to think I was some sort of groupie. I didn't want him to think I was only interested in him because he was famous.
There was something about Ian that intrigued me. Even if he wasn't a rock star, I would have been interested in him.
The question was, was Ian interested in me for real, or did he see me as another plaything?
And if he did… would that really be so bad? Wasn't that what I wanted?
There was a chasm within me and it felt like I was teetering on the edge.
I didn't want to be just another girl in Ian's long line of conquests.
I didn't want to risk opening my heart only for him to throw it away.
Those thoughts kept running through my head during the taxi ride to Cameron's place. I came to a stop in front of a mansion in one of the wealthier parts of town. Star athletes and other celebrities also lived on this street. Cameron owned a househere? How much money did rock stars make?
A crowd of dozens milled around the front steps. Taking a deep breath, I opened the car door. As nervous as I was, I didn't want to show it. I was going to play it cool. I was going to be classy and sophisticated like my sister.
I wasn't going to act like the complete wreck I felt inside.
Lights flashed bright and hot, burning my retinas. The clicking sound of camera shutters assaulted my ears. People called out questions, but there were so many voices I couldn't make out a word. I squeezed my eyes shut to protect them.
Paparazzi.
Ian hadn't said anything about the media being here. I supposed it made sense. Rock star parties would provide a lot of fodder for those trashy magazines.
A gentle hand took me by the arm and led me up the steps to the entryway.
"Your name, miss?"
I opened my eyes. A tall, sturdy brunette at my side held a clipboard and an ear piece. She was clearly the gatekeeper and bodyguard to keep out uninvited guests.
"Thanks for saving me. I'm Hope Briars. I should be on the guest list."
"Who extended the invitation?"
I remembered what Ian had told me.
I doubt they'll know who you mean.
Had he been telling the truth? Was theDamianimage so powerful no one knew who Ian was?
"Ian invited me."
"Who?"
My heart clenched, an ache of sympathy shooting through me.
"I mean,Damianinvited me."
The bodyguard made a checkmark on her clipboard and stood aside to let me through.
The front door opened onto a vast foyer with marble flooring. Stylish modern furniture had been tucked away in the corners, leaving an empty space in the middle of the room for mingling. Waitstaff with platters of appetizers in their hands maneuvered deftly among the party guests, who barely paid them any attention. It was much more upscale than I'd been expecting.
There were so many people. I didn't recognize a single face. Not personally, at least. A few might have been celebrities I'd seen on TV, but they were different enough in real life I couldn't be sure it wasn't a lookalike.
I was suddenly glad Faith convinced me to wear her dress. Even in this outfit, I felt only moderately fashionable in comparison to the women scattered about the party. I would have been monstrously out of place with my usual leggings.
