Page 9 of SnowFyer
Once they were at the airport, the limo rolled up to the streamlined jet.The band didn’t use it often, but when they did, it was only for the band.The crew either rode on one of the buses or flew in a separate aircraft, generally one they’d chartered for crew and equipment.This was a time for the band alone.
Scarlett stepped out of the limo behind Titan, pulling the robe a little tighter around her.She hated hiding her outfit but, outside of performing, no way she was wearing this getup where anyone could see.Unfortunately, before they could get to the safety of the jet, a line of photographers and reporters -- from both reputable entertainment magazines and paparazzi -- filed out of their cars, hustling toward the band, all of them yelling at once to get the band’s attention.Not wanting to be photographed in a robe, Scarlett shrugged out of it and put her shoulders back.The material fell to the ground at her feet as she continued on with the rest of the band toward the waiting plane.
“Seth!Seth!”One woman, a blonde in a short skirt made to accent her long legs and a blouse showing plenty of cleavage waved frantically to him.Scarlett had seen the woman with Seth on more than one occasion but had had no idea she was a reporter.“Why did you add a new member to the band right before the tour finale?And why a woman?”
“Are the two of you in a relationship?”another reporter asked, this one with a well-known tabloid.
“Does this mean you’re off the market?”Yet another woman.
Scarlett was about to tell them all to go to hell when Seth slid them all his famous cocky grin.“When has Seth Snow ever been off the market?And Scarlett’s just filling in for Arsen while he heals from a wrist injury.”Just like that, Seth had reduced her to temporary in all respects.
Before she could think better of it, she giggled.She let her hand cover her mouth like it had been an accident the sound had escaped.All eyes were suddenly on her, just like she’d hoped.So she laughed outright, leaning against Seth as if she needed his support to stand she was so amused.
“I’m sorry,” she said in a tone that said she was about to confess a little secret to them all but only because they’d caught her.“It’s just that your questioniskind of funny.”She grinned merrily at the female reporter she’d recognized, who was currently trying to stick a microphone in Seth’s face.Along with her tits.
Immediately the microphone and several cameras shifted to Scarlett.“Really.How so?”The woman looked like a predator.One intent on capturing Seth.“He’s the leader of the band, is he not?”
“Seth?”She waved a negligent hand.“Not in that he runs the band or makes decisions on his own with regard to the band.As you should know, Seth and Arsen founded the band together, but everyone here has an equal stake.”
“I don’t recall you being with them before,” the woman said with a snide grin.“Surely you don’t think you can lump yourself in with the other members of the band.”
Again, Scarlett let out a little giggle, as if it were all a big joke.In reality, she was more than a little miffed.She made sure to stand straight, allowing the high heels to give her the height she needed to look down her nose at the woman.She could only imagine what her chest looked like so fully exposed in that top with nothing in front of her to hide behind.
“You should really do your homework before interviewing a band like SnowFyer.If you check the song credits on the last album, you’ll find more than half of them, including ‘Devil’s Heart,’ were written by Scarlett Fyer.”Scarlett cocked one hip, resting her hand on it.“I’mScarlett Fyer.Arsen Fyer’s sister.I’ve been working with the band in one capacity or another -- including songwriting -- since I was sixteen.Also, if you try to book the band or request a press packet, you’ll find you have to go through me.I’m officially the manager and promotions manager.”Her gaze bored into the other woman’s, the censure clear.“Seth’s correct that I only agreed to working this one show, and only because they were in a bind and I was the only one who could help them out on such short notice.I did it because my brother asked me to, and I’d do anything for my brother.”
She threaded her arm through Arsen’s, stretching up to kiss his cheek.Arsen grinned at her, obviously amused.Seth had a look that said he was waiting for the other shoe to drop.“As to Seth being off the market…” She grinned up at him.“Honey, he was never on the market to begin with.Do you honestly see Seth Snow settling down with one woman?Hell, not him.He’s a fuck ‘em and leave ‘em kinda guy, aren’t you, sweetie.”Before he could stop her, Scarlett kissed him full on the lips, darting her tongue inside his mouth and sucking his bottom lip before letting him go and turning her back on the whole lot of them to walk to the plane.She didn’t even try to contain the natural sway of her ass in those skin-tight leather pants as she strode away.
Chapter Five
Seth ground his teeth as he tried to get rid of the press.It took a while.After Scarlett’s little show they were all over the rest of the band.The others -- fuckers -- deferred all questions concerning Scarlett to him.Naturally, she was all the press wanted to know about.By the time he got away, the other guys were practically rolling they were laughing so hard -- in the plane, away from the press, so no one knew the press was as much of the butt of the joke as Seth was.
“Ha, ha.Very funny, guys,” Seth groused as he boarded the plane and threw himself into a seat.“Way to throw a man to the wolves.”
“It wasn’t our idea to handle Scarlett’s presence with those vultures the way you did,” Ferris said, waving Seth’s protest away like it was nothing.“You did that all on your own.”
“Well, what the hell else was I supposed to do?They were acting like Scarlett was not only a permanent part of the band but my lover as well!”
“Much as I’d love to beat the shit out of you, the chemistry on stage between the two of you was rife with sexual tension,” Arsen said.“Made for a great show.What did you expect people to think?”
“Not that we were an actual couple!”The thought should have given him hives, but Seth was finding it didn’t.At all.Not that he would ever admit that to anyone.
“What, exactly, would be so bad about people thinking you and my sister were together?And I caution you to be careful how you answer that question.”Arsen looked like he was just hoping to get to beat the shit of him, as he’d stated earlier.He couldn’t, but Seth could tell he wanted to.
“Why would you even ask me that, Arsen?She’s your sister, for Christ’s sake!You know my lifestyle.It’s not like you don’t live it, too.Do you really want her a part of that?”
“Who said she would be?Besides, I imagine if you strike up a relationship with Scarlett, you’ll finally be through with the rock-and-roll lifestyle.The women.Drugs.The only thing you’ll stay for is the music.Well, that and the adrenaline rush we get when a show’s going as great as it did tonight.”Arsen nodded toward the back of the plane and the bedroom where Scarlett had likely retired.“Scarlett was a huge part of the success tonight.Instead of thanking her, you pretty much summed up her position with the band as a fortuitous accident that’s extremely temporary.As was any relationship with you.”
“Sweet Jesus,” Seth muttered.“There is no ‘us.’” He made air quotes.“She’s notwithme, and I’m certainly not with her.What the fuck, man?”
Titan straightened, taking several steps toward Seth, a menacing look on his face.Seth was certain Arsen didn’t have the strength or skill to beat the shit out of him, but Titan did.In spades.Instead of throwing Seth a beating, however, the man looked over his shoulder and pushed past him to go to the rear of the plane.His seat was next to the door to Scarlett’s room.He sat there, his arms crossed, like a sentinel.There was definitely no getting past him.
“I’ll tell you one thing,” Ra said, taking his seat and stretching his legs out to cross them at the ankles.“The girl can flat-ass play that guitar.She’s a huge asset we’ve been under utilizing.”He nodded to Arsen.“Thanks for volunteering her for tonight.She’d never have agreed unless you bullied her into it.Most guitarists I know would have rather suffered through a mediocre performance than admit to needing someone fill in.You did it on your own without one of us having to.We owe you as much as we owe her.”
Arsen raised a fist to Ra, who hit it with his own.He glanced at Seth, then made his way to his own seat.
Seth had never felt so much like an ass as he did at that moment.And what was Scarlett doing?Why wasn’t she out here with the rest of them?She never hid or segregated herself from them.She liked the comradery.
Once they were in the air, Seth made his way to the back of the plane.Titan’s gaze never left him.It was more than a little unnerving.Before he could talk himself out of it -- or Titan could forcefully talk him out of it -- Seth knocked softly on Scarlett’s door.
