Page 16 of Rocked By the Alpha
“We need to keep on these people’s right side. That perfume deal paid for me to redecorate my parent’s house.”
“Where shall I put these? You want them sent to your house? The suite’s beginning to look like a flower shop out here.”
Natasha snatches Misty’s hand away from her hair. “Can you donate them somewhere? To a hospital?”
“Or the women’s shelter?” Ruby suggests.
“I’ll look into it. Looking amazing by the way, ladies. You’re going to knock them dead.” He blows a little kiss and shuts the door.
“But anyway,” Tanya continues, “the prize money would come in handy. I’ve got my eye on a new Mercedes.” She creaks open a lid. “What you going to spend your money on, Nat?”
“We’ve been working our asses off. I think we all deserve to splurge. I’m going to take my mom to Hawaii.”
“Hmm,” Ruby closes her own eyes, causing the make-up artist to huff and jerk up her chin. Her gaze slides to the window instead. The blinds are closed so the make-up artists, stylists and hairdressers can see what they’re doing. Hairspray and perfume hang thick in the air giving everything a fuzzy appearance and tickling her sensitive nose. “You know what I’ve always wanted …”
“One of those top of the range knotted dildos that feel like the real thing?” Tanya says, flatly.
“NO!! Jeez Tanya, one track mind.” If only her friend knew! What she really wants right now is the real deal — a very substantial Alpha cock with the best knot she’s ever taken.
“I can’t help it. I haven’t seen Jason for two weeks. I’m horny as hell.” Tanya waves her hand through the air. “But you were saying, what do you want, do you really, really want?”
“A grand piano.” The makeup artist holds up a mirror and Ruby stares at her reflection for a moment before nodding. “I once got to play on a Bosendorfer. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen and it sounded divine. If I had one of those in my house, I’d never want to leave.”
“Same as if you owned a decent vibrator.” Tanya grins.
“That sounds amazing,” Natasha says, standing up and tightening the tie of her robe. “I can imagine that making a really neat media story with some great photos. The piano maker might even give you a discount.”
Ruby shakes her head, the curls the hairdresser made earlier coming loose. Natasha may be an amazing singer and songwriter but she also has a business brain that she can’t switch off.
“Yeah maybe,” Ruby says. She has other things in mind for that piano. Things she’d like to do with her Alpha on it.
Shit! Her Alpha. These pre-heat hormones are fucking with her mind. This thing between them is just a bit of fun, just a game.
Natasha glances at her watch. “I’m going to put my dress on. Action stations in 30 minutes, bitches.”
* * *
When Ruby’d been a little girl and had imagined herself in the future, as an adult, the picture that entered her mind was of a stage lit with one bright spotlight and a woman in a black ball gown perched in front of a piano, her eyes closed and fingers dancing across the keys. It had never occurred to her back then that her ambitions would change so dramatically and she’d be the keyboardist in a rising girl band.
The future she’d imagined had involved serious sombre affairs, the type of concerts her parents dragged her to. Not anything like this awards ceremony, full of sparkle and exuberance and glamour. Scores of photographers and reporters calling her name, light bulbs flashing as she strolls down the red carpet in a slinky black dress she knows her mom will hate. And West will love.
When she reaches the door to the theatre with her band mates, an assistant ushers them inside. All sorts of scents swirl through the hall, masculine, feminine, light and dark, sweet and sour. But not his. She tries not to look for him as the assistant leads her through to the VIP section close to the stage. Her heels sink into plush carpet as she walks and her legs feel weak. Her palms are damp and her gland throbs.
What is she doing? How has she allowed herself to get so wound up? If they are lucky enough to win, she’ll be in his presence for a minute at most. A fleeting encounter. It’ll all be fine. She needs to get a grip.
The man is delicious and he makes her feel things she never has before. But then she remembers Nat’s words. Remembers this is all a game to him. One she can’t afford to play if she wants to keep her band together.
A bag of goodies waits for her on her assigned seat. Tanya plonks herself down and starts rummaging through the bag immediately. She fishes out a little black box, popping open the lid. “Oh my god, do you think these are real diamonds?” she asks, flashing a pair of earrings in Ruby’s direction.
“Probably,” says a voice behind them, and Ruby twists to see Alison and Ryan making their way down the seats. “How was the entrance?” Alison asks.
“Amazing,” Ruby admits.
“You all look fucking incredible. These dresses. You’ll be on every website in a matter of hours.”
“They’re already all over social media,” Ryan says, holding up the screen of his phone.
“That’s what we hoped for,” Alison says. “Make the most of this nomination. Show you’re playing with the big boys and girls now.” She takes the seat alongside Natasha and they immediately fall into conversation. Ryan continues along the row, finding the seat next to Ruby’s.
