Page 1 of Wonderland

Chapter One

“How would you like this as an office space?” Alex asked, following me around the room. I was still trying to take it all in. The recording studio downstairs had taken my breath away, but knowing this would be the area I’d be in charge of once Harbour Records was up and running…it all still felt like a dream. “I was thinking you’d fit your entire team in here. How many positions did you say we should have at first?”

“At least five. We’ll need a few administrators, some talent scouts, and an artist relations specialist. As the team expands, I’ll probably need to take on an office manager, too. What are we doing about accountants?”

“Oliver has given me some contacts. We’ll hire an accounts manager, and they can build their own team. I’m the talent scout at the moment, so we won’t need to worry about that for a while.” Alex pulled me into his arms and ran his hands down my back. The simple touch sent tremors of pleasure down my body. “Central Demons are already on board. Lance can’t wait. I have a few meetings with some other up-and-coming bands next week, as well.” Alex was born for this. Bands were flocking to join his label, knowing they'd have a rock icon guiding them.

“I couldn’t do this with anyone but you, Straight Lace. You know that, right?” He placed both his hands on my face, and kissed me softly. “You keep me balanced.” I answered him by deepening the kiss. Together, we were unstoppable; we both knew that.

It was hard to imagine that I’d been engaged to a rock star for three months already! Memories from the night he proposed flashed in my mind. I had felt a change in the crowd the moment he got down on one knee. The cheering had been so loud, it was deafening. Alex’s fans knew I was good for him. Our love had healed so many parts of my broken rock star, and had made my confidence soar. Was I even the same person anymore? I honestly wasn’t sure; I had grown so much because of his love for me.

The one thing I was sure of was the way Alex commanded the stage that night. It had been a bewildering experience. Watching the main spotlight stream down on him as he held the entire venue in the palm of his hand with his gravelly voice, I’d never seen him so alive. The last time I’d seen a performance like that, I had been twelve. Alex had transported me back to my youth, where my inner schoolgirl had been beaming all night. There was no doubt that Alex Harbour, the Rock God, was back. It didn’t matter that Rock Records were no longer behind him. Harbour Records was going to become everything Alex had ever dreamed of and more. That’s how much faith I had in him.

“I can’t wait to take Harbour Records right to the top with you,” I breathed against his mouth. “It must be all you’ve ever wanted. To control your own career.”

“I’ve already got all I ever wanted.” Running his hands through my hair, he gave me that panty-dropping smirk that had been making my legs weak since I was a schoolgirl. “You. You’re all I’ll ever need. With you by my side, I can get through anything. Even if Harbour Records only breaks even, it won’t bother me. We can live off my Steel Roses and Solo career money. That will see us through a good twenty years, I’d say. Probably longer.” I didn’t even want to think about how much money Alex had. Twenty years? That had to be millions! “Come on, let’s go home.”

“That does sound like a good idea,” I sighed as he rubbed my shoulders. We had been out for most of the day, so I was looking forward to relaxing at the Hollywood mansion. Shane and Liv had gone away for a few weeks, and Diego was in Paris with a mystery man. We would have had the place to ourselves if all of the security team weren’t around. Shane had left strict instructions with his new deputy, Ben. Since Alex and I had become public, I had a few haters. Mostly fangirls that were obsessed with Alex, and believed they were going to marry him one day. I’d ruined that dream for them. I hadn’t had any death threats yet, though, which was something I was beyond thankful for.

Mary had put on a delicious spread for us when we got back. Cured meats, different cheeses, fruits, and warm, freshly baked bread. It made my mouth water just looking at it all.

“You spoil us, Mary!” I thanked her as she walked away to give us some privacy. Alex went to grab a few grapes, but I slapped his hand away playfully. “You could use a plate?”

“I could use you as a plate. You taste sweeter than grapes, anyway. I’d end up eating you instead!” Shit! He had an answer for everything!

“I…um…I…” Yep, he had rendered me speechless!

“Lost for words, baby? That’s unlike you.” He winked, picking a grape and eating it.

“You don’t play fair,” I chuckled, passing him a plate as we both sat down to eat.

“You know I never have.” That was true! “Did you want to join me on my trip to New York Thursday? It’s mostly going to be producer talk with Kingsley Womack. We’re meeting with some producers he’s lined up for me. Cody might fly up to meet us, too. He’s working on a few projects at the moment, so he’s trying to figure out timings.” I loved how the Steel Roses World Tour had propelled Cody and Mason back into the limelight. Even Matt was releasing new material. It was rubbish—Alex had always been the lyricist of the band—but it was being played on some radio stations.

“Well, if there’s going to be a mini Steel Roses reunion, I’ll have to go,” I teased, reaching over Alex to get some cheese.

“Always the groupie,” he stated, cupping my breasts when I leaned across. “Did you want me to sign these?”

“No,” I snorted as he began to fondle my chest. “I prefer your fingers doing other things to my breasts, if I’m being honest.”

“Whatever could you mean?” Alex mused, slipping his hand into my bra through my top. Shit, I hope Mary went home and wasn’t coming back to clear up! She’d caught Alex and I in various positions several times in the last few months. Trying to hold back a groan, I closed my eyes, feeling his fingers play with my nipple. “Is it just my fingers you like on them?” His voice was a soft whisper as he swallowed, gazing down at me.

“No,” I breathed, arching toward him. This man could play me so well. “Fuck, Alex!”

“Is that a request?” He smirked, capturing my lips with his. In one swift motion, he lifted me off the stool. I pulled back, giving him a questioning look as he carried me through the kitchen. “I’m taking us to the pool house. I don’t think we need an audience.” Alex motioned toward Mary, who was coming back to clear up.

“Thanks, Mary. That honey glaze on the goat's cheese was amazing!” I called over Alex’s shoulder.

“Save some in the fridge for us, Mary. I have a feeling Nat and I are going to work up an appetite, “Alex requested smugly. Cocky Bastard! I slapped his butt, making Mary chuckle at us just before she went out of view.

Once we were in the pool house, Alex pinned me against the wall, rocking his hips against mine. Our tongues were tangled together and desperate. When I bit his bottom lip, he groaned into my mouth. Pulling my dress up over my body, our lips only parted for a second. He made quick work of my bra, his lips descending upon my nipples before it had even hit the ground. There was something so primal about the way Alex fucked me. It was always as if he couldn’t get enough. I cried out as he softly bit down on one stiff peak and pulled it slightly with his teeth.

“Do you want more of that, baby?” he cooed into the crook of my neck. “I could fucking worship these all day!”

“Shit! Yes, I need you to touch me, too!” I pleaded, needing some friction in my overheated centre.

“I am touching you,” he teased, allowing me to slide down his body so I could stand. As he cupped my breasts, he watched me intently. “What do you want, Straight Lace?”

“I need your fingers in my panties!” I moaned as his hands began to wander down my chest toward my belly button.

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