Page 30 of Rock Star

I heaved out a heavy sigh.

Movement by the DJ’s booth caught my attention. Zach and Rhys were already pressed up against their movie star partners. No doubt they wouldn’t be sleeping alone tonight.

My gaze snapped back to Phoenix and that fucking actor. They’d also started dancing and Miguel was snapping pictures of them like a demented pap.

Without warning, Firebird wriggled out of her partner’s hold and strode away, leaving him standing in the middle of the dance floor looking like a prize wanker.

I leapt to my feet and was by her side in an instant. “What happened?”

Her eyes glistened. “Nothing.”

But I could see she was upset.

My hand balled as I raged to sucker punch the fucker, and it took every ounce of willpower to abstain from the pleasure of feeling his cheekbones crack under my fist.

I put my arm around Firebird. “Let’s split.”

Her shoulders trembled. “There’s nothing I’d like better.”

I led her over to Jake. “Phoenix and I are off to get some fresh air. Expect us when you see us.”

His mouth opened and closed like a goldfish in a glass bowl. “Where are you going?”

“I need some inspiration,” I said through gritted teeth. “Barcelona is one of my favourite cities. Phoenix has never been here before, so I thought I’d show her some of the sights.”

“Take Mike with you. And keep a low profile.”

“Of course.”

I bent my head and said to Phoenix, “Would you like to do some sightseeing?”

“I’d love that,” she said.We rode the elevator up to our separate rooms to change into jeans and t-shirts while Mike ordered a car and driver from the hotel reception desk.

Shades over my eyes and a ball cap pulled down on my head, I met Firebird down in the lobby twenty minutes later. I noticed as she came up to me that she’d removed her makeup while changing. God, she was beautiful; I loved her sexy glammed-up look, but I also loved her fresh-faced and natural.

“Let’s go,” I said, taking her hand.

We needed to get out of here before I was recognized and ended up having to sign autographs, etcetera.

Mike was standing next to a chauffeur-driven black SEAT SUV parked out the front of the hotel. “Where to, boss?”

“Montjuic Hill,” I said, opening the door for Phoenix. We could have gone there by cable car, but I’d have rather sold a kidney than do that.

“I feel like a schoolkid playing hooky,” Firebird giggled. “Thanks for rescuing me from that douchebag.”

“He wanted to tap your ass?” I came right out with it.

“Yeah… can’t believe Jake set me up like that.” She paused, shot me a wide-eyed glance. “Did he do that to Ella?”

“She’d sit with him, mostly, when we went out as a band. He was protective of her, treated her like his little sis. All the guys did…” I scratched my chin. “I don’t think he deliberately set you up, baby. It was a publicity stunt, that’s all...”

I felt my face harden… I didn’t want Phoenix involved in such crap in the future and I fucking hoped Jake didn’t have any more tricks like that up his sleeve.

She fell silent, gazing out the window as the chauffeur drove up the steep, wooded hillside overlooking Barcelona. A full moon had turned the night almost as bright as day. I pointed out the Olympic stadium, where we’d be performing two sold-out concerts tomorrow and the day after. Speaking in Catalan, which I’d picked up during our family summers on the island of Ibiza, I asked the driver to make a stop at the fountain from where we could admire the panoramic view.

The SUV rolled to a halt. Mike got out, did his habitual risk assessment, then opened our doors.

“Wow. Just… wow,” Firebird exclaimed, standing next to me, my arm around her. “It’s so beautiful.”

I pointed out the major landmarks, the Sagrada Familia Church lit up like a fairytale castle, the long straight boulevard of Las Ramblas and the old buildings in the Gothic Quarter. “Shame we’re on such a whirlwind tour of Europe, sweetheart,” I said, holding her close. “You deserve to see everything properly.”

She turned in my arms, placed her hand on the side of my face, her eyes gazing deep into mine. “If I wasn’t touring with you, I wouldn’t have gotten to see it at all.”

I kissed the tip of her nose and she gave me a smile so genuine and powerful it could outshine the moon.

“Let’s go back to the hotel,” she whispered. “I think I’m gonna let you win that bet.”

“I called the bet off, don’t you remember?”

“You might have, but I didn’t.” She threaded her fingers through my beard. “I want you to fuck me, Axel.”

“I’m not going to fuck you, Firebird,” I said, lowering my mouth to hers. “I’m going to make love to you.”I knew Mike would be discreet—he was my personal security guard, had been through a lot with me whereas Joe stuck with the guys—and, as I expected, Mike kept his eyes on the road in front as we headed back to the hotel. He always stayed in the room next to me, or in the second bedroom if I was staying in a suite.

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