Page 1 of Double or Nothing

Chapter 1

Kat

My body moves to the music. The sound of his voice washing over and electrifying every piece of me.

Sutton Cole is a rock star.

He is to me, at least. And one day, he’ll be a real rock star. Just as soon as one of these recording companies gives him a chance.

For now, I cheer loudly from the side of the stage in the very seedy bar that we should most certainly not be in. Mac is at my side, watching and critiquing every move that Sutton makes.

“Jesus, Kat, I swear, you’re louder than the damn music,” Mac says as he covers his ears.

Damn right, I am.

Sutton deserves to be cheered for. Loud and proud. He’s had enough people in his life that disappointed him – a mother that left him all alone, and an abusive asshole for a father. He deserves the recognition that no one else has ever given him.

I roll my eyes at Mac Thomas, Sutton’s manager. Or, more accurately, his best friend. One that is extremely loyal and willing to take on the very non-paying role to help Sutton land the career he deserves.

I couldn’t be more grateful to Mac for all that he does for Sutton. If he thinks he’s going to get me to be quiet though, he has another thing coming.

“Yeah, baby,” I shout again.

I can see Mac shake his head out of the corner of my eye, but there is also a smile on his face. It’s there because he knows that I’m Sutton’s biggest fan. No one loves him more than I do. No one ever will.

Sutton Cole walked into my life three years ago. He won over this shy girl with nothing more than a smile. A sexy as hell smile, but a smile, nonetheless.

That’s it. That’s all it took. He smiled, I melted, and the rest is history.

Sutton glances back at me, and for a second, I wonder if he could hear me yelling, if maybe I really was that loud after all. He’s smiling, so even if I am, who cares?

All that matters is that his mind is on me and not the dozens of women that are standing at the front of the stage, fawning over him.

Dark hair, soulful eyes, and a voice that could melt the panties right off you.

He’s perfection. Every woman wants him, and yet he’s all mine. I’m it for him. It’s the craziest and most wonderful feeling in the world. I don’t know how or why, but I sure as hell am not going to complain about it.

The final chord of the song pulls my attention back to the stage and the man commanding it.

He thanks the patrons who are all clapping and hollering, taking just a moment to revel in the fact that they love him. More importantly, that he’s good. That he’s not worthless like his father always tells him he is.

I’ve only met his dad twice. Neither time went well and since then, Sutton has done everything in his power to keep me away from him. He didn’t want him to tarnish what we have. And I respect his wishes, even though I know without a doubt there is nothing that could ever tear us apart.

Sutton exits the stage. Excitement and fear radiating off of him. His eyes dart between Mac and me. “So?”

“You were amazing,” I cry out as I jump into his arms and kiss him.

There’s no holding me back now. Not that there ever really was and certainly not when Sutton is near.

“You are never missing a gig if this is the kind of treatment I get afterward,” he replies.

“This was by far the best set I’ve ever seen you do, baby.”

“Thanks, Kitty Kat.” Sutton nuzzles my neck.

“And I promise, you can’t half the treatment I plan on giving you tonight.”

Sutton lets out a growl, his hand gripping the flesh on my ass. When once something like that would have made my cheeks blush or my eyes divert to the floor, now I revel in it. I accept affection and take it any way he gives it.

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