Settling the Score: Backstage Pass, #2

By Dani Wade

This rock star can have any woman … except one.

Daniel Korvello, rock star front man, can have any woman—except the one he really wants. Becca Buchanan, the band's publicist, has been burned before by rocker romance. But when Daniel exposes the molten heat beneath her Ice Maiden exterior, Becca may never be able to freeze him out again. Can he keep her safe long enough to prove that together they'll sizzle only in the sweetest way?

Daniel Korvello isn't your average Joe with a case of unrequited lust. He's a world-famous rocker who wonders if his publicist will ever see him as anything other than a job. Then they team up to hunt down a threat to Daniel's family ... and he seizes the chance to show her he's up for more than just a one-night stand.

Becca Buchanan already lived through one rock-star scandal with her reputation barely intact. She's determined never to put herself, or her family, through that again. But she can't deny the desire she feels for Daniel. 

But when their amateur investigation takes a dangerous turn that threatens the lives of those they love, can their newfound trust extend past the bedroom? And can Daniel let go of old guilt enough to embrace a future with Becca?

Caution: Contains volcanic sexual tension, hiding from paparazzi, and judicious use of a blindfold in the bedroom--get your copy of Settling the Score today! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dani Wade
• Release date: Apr 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781386063438

Dani Wade

Author Dani Wade started her writing journey in a childhood spent in the rural south where her favorite form of entertainment was imagining herself in the roles of romantic heroines. She now juggles her writing obsession with a patient hubby, two lively kids, and a day job. Life is crazy, but she attempts to navigate the potholes with her trusty To Do List and half a brain. Her contemporary category books are published through Harlequin Desire, and her Independently published sexy romantic suspense can be found at various online retailers. Dani Wade loves to hear from her readers! She can be contacted via e-mail ([e-mail]) or through her website. She also enjoys blogging weekly on her Dani Wade blog. A sign up for her occasional author newsletter can be found on her website. She is active on Facebook and loves for readers to friend both her author page for official news, and her profile page just to chat. She’s also on Twitter as @daniwade1.

Book preview

SETTLING THE SCORE

BACKSTAGE PASS

BOOK 2

DANI WADE

Copyright

© 2014 Katherine Worsham

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Cover Art Design by Jay Aheer at Simply Defined Art

Editing by Lea Schafer

Also Available from Dani Wade

Backstage Pass Series

Finding Her Rhythm

Settling the Score

Striking a Chord

Goin’ Out Solo

Small Town Secrets Series

Beneath the Surface

Behind the Scars

Snow Bound

Covington Corner Series

Shadow Manor

Haunted Heritage

Dark Destiny

Holiday Storm

Louisiana Legacies Series

Entangled with the Heiress

Reclaiming His Legacy

Savannah Sisters Series

A Family for the Billionaire

Taming the Billionaire

Son of Scandal

Mill Town Millionaires Series

A Bride’s Tangled Vows

The Blackstone Heir

The Renegade Returns

Expecting His Secret Heir

Other

Reining in the Billionaire

Unbridled Billionaire

His By Design

For more information, join Dani’s

newsletter list.

Dedication

This book is dedicated with love and gratitude to the two people who made it possible. My husband, for endless nights of putting the children to bed, cooking dinner, and even staying up late with me to keep me on track. Your support has been invaluable.

And to my sister, who encouraged me to continue with my crazy idea and never told me no. Your daily checkins and accountability kept me going when I wanted to give up. Your critiques gave me hope.

Without the two of you in my life, I wouldn’t be able to write and this book would never have happened. With everything in me, thank you.

Chapter One

"I put your fears first…

Let them push me away…

But my need is too strong…

You won’t stand in my way…

Tonight, you’re mine…"

Daniel Korvello, lead singer for Solar Uprising, let the music fill him until his heart pounded with the same rhythm. The words rose from deep inside, pushing against the barriers he’d held in place for what seemed like forever. His mind filled with the image of the woman he ached for, the red-haired beauty who’d kept him at arm’s length from the moment they met. As the crowd swayed to the beat with him, years of restraint fell away.

"My desire isn’t abating…

On the edge for so long…

Watching, waiting…

Tell me your need’s just as strong…

Tonight, you’re mine…"

His hips kept time, heat filling him as the audience sang along. The pounding bass, screaming fans, and flashing lights coalesced into a thirst he could no longer deny. As if some internal clock that had been ticking since he first penned these words finally hit the inevitable ground zero.

"It’s time, this time…

Tonight, you’re mine…"

A crowd of thousands rocked before him, the music reverberating deep in his soul. But he couldn’t ignore the punch of truth in his gut. The final chord struck, slicing through the mental bonds he’d let control him for so long.

Tonight, he would taste what he wanted.

Long minutes later he left Michael to sing the break piece, a debut song written for his brand-spanking-new fiancée. Belted out with the enthusiasm of a man happily getting married later that year, the song crawled beneath Daniel’s skin. Probably because it signified Michael finding everything he’d ever wanted, and Daniel left with nothing once again.

So many differences in their heart songs. Michael’s, the ballad of a man in love. Daniel’s, the lament of a man judged and found wanting by one very specific woman. Becca Buchanan had come into their lives after a bad breakup with another rock star. After the way that idiot had massacred her heart and her reputation, Daniel hadn’t stood a chance.

No more waiting.

Unable to stop himself, Daniel exited the stage. His long-legged, easy stride carried him past the backstage visitors, groupies screaming his name and pushing at the security personnel, and various stagehands. Away from the crowds and noise, he sought out her hideaway, where she could watch but not be seen. He knew her ways, and he found her with the accuracy of a missile. There she stood in a hidden, shadowed corner, silently watching his approach.

He didn’t give her a second to raise her defenses; instead he crowded her in close to the unfinished wall, letting his heat seek hers.

Becca stiffened. He didn’t care if he’d surprised her, didn’t care if she rejected him. For once, he simply didn’t care.

His body was of a different mind. It cared very much. The erection that had surged the minute he saw her nestled into the soft cradle of her hips. His arms rose, palms flattening between the studs creating the wall. Caging her in until all that remained was the glow of her brilliant turquoise eyes and her light floral scent lurking beneath the coating of dust. The press of her full breasts only awakened an all new urge to touch.

Get off me, Becca protested. I’m not one of your backstage bimbos, Daniel.

But the slight press of her body in return told him she wouldn’t resist. Deep inside he’d felt her fascination through the glances thrown his way and the speculation in her eyes. She didn’t like the unwarranted attraction, but she wasn’t fighting it with anything but words.

Struggling to find his brain again, he tried to lighten the mood with one of his usual quips. What’s the matter? Won’t you save a helpless man from those savage clothes grabbers down the hall?

For once he couldn’t maintain the carefree attitude. For too long he’d kept what he felt hidden from view and tonight the emotions demanded to break free. Becca’s touch-me-not airs be damned. He’d had five years of it, and he was done. He leaned in, breathing that subtle scent with a long, deep breath. The protests he knew would be running through her mind didn’t matter a damn bit. Hell, he’d heard the warnings her dad gave her often enough that they repeated themselves in his sleep.

Rockers just use women. Rock stars are self-centered. They’ll just hit it and walk away, ignoring the devastation they leave behind. Remember what happened before… All stereotypical garbage he wanted to deny, but she’d learned those lessons before he’d even registered on her radar.

Tonight he had no control. His body pressed closer, then closer still.

Daniel, what are you doing? she whispered, her voice trembling along with her body. Her plump mouth protested, but her nostrils flared as if drawing in the hot male scent of sweat and satisfaction. Her pupils dilated in the dim light, sending his aggression into overdrive as the brilliant blue was crowded out by black.

Going after what I want for a change.

Her auburn head nodded at the screaming crowd behind him. Her voice turned husky as she said, I thought that’s what you wanted.

Then you don’t know me very well. He searched through the hair hiding her delicate ear until he spoke against her skin. After all these years, Becca, why didn’t you ever pull the curtain back and take a peek of the real me?

She twisted in his direction to study him in the gloom, deciphering the puzzle, before she asked, Are you high?

Only on you…

Don’t you know by now that I don’t need drugs or booze to get high? What I need is you—he brushed his mouth along her temple—me—then down to her jawline—and this. Finally he crossed to the luscious lips she’d never let him taste—before now.

Smooth, like velvet. Sweet, like raspberry candy. And hot as a tamale. The electricity of being onstage was nothing compared to the jolt of kissing Becca Buchanan. Her fingers dug into his ribs through his thin T-shirt. Her lips parted for him, and… Fuuuck meee. Daniel drowned in the sensations without a hope of air, because he wasn’t about to retreat.

Flash.

He slid his tongue along the seam, anxious to taste more. When her tongue peeked out in a shy greeting, he went weak in the knees.

Flash. Flash.

So tantalized was he by the sweetness of her response, it took more than a minute for Daniel to realize those weren’t stars exploding behind his eyelids. Instead of pulling him closer, Becca now pushed him away, her body retreating against the wall as if she could hide behind the slight jut of the two-by-fours. Cracking his heavy eyelids, Daniel could see the Ice Maiden appear as Becca withdrew behind the strict professional mask she wore for the public. Just his luck—

Flash.

Damn it. Glancing over his shoulder, Daniel spotted a cameraman a few feet away. Standing tall as if he belonged backstage, camera busy recording Daniel and Becca’s very intimate moment. Then everything turned red. If Daniel’d had full-blown protective gear, his woman would have been covered in it. Though Becca was Solar Uprising’s publicist, she hated being in the spotlight herself.

So she wouldn’t be.

Two steps away had her squealing and tugging him back. Becca knew him too well not to notice his anger. Daniel, don’t.

Don’t what? Take that camera and break it?

Daniel, he’s a guest back here, she said, her hands urging him in her direction once more. But not in a good way. Not in the desperate to have him way he wanted. He has permission to take pictures.

Of you?

Her eyes narrowed, her mind blowing away the last of her daze and channeling her irritation all in his direction. He got to watch the show like her eyes were a screen. Since I’m not usually the object of interest, this normally isn’t an issue.

So this is all my fault. Belated caution filtered through his arousal. One moment of impulsiveness, and Becca would be the one to pay by losing her privacy. Times didn’t change for him, did they? Daniel lived life to the fullest, spontaneously jumping into shit that only turned out bad, usually for those he loved.

Out of his peripheral vision he caught the reporter’s slight movement and turned an evil eye in the guy’s direction. I better not see another flash from that camera, or its mine.

The guy’s eyes widened; then he scampered back in the direction of the groupies.

Daniel, please, Becca pleaded. Just let me take care of this.

He stared at her for long moments, shutting out the noise, the people, the pressure to perform. Just once, couldn’t he be the hero? But that wasn’t his role in life. He was the comic relief, the sexy stud. Never the guy who gave the girl her happily ever after.

Fine. Take care of it.

Then he strode back down the dim hallway, determined to keep his focus on the things he did best: losing himself in the music and whatever willing body presented itself for the night.

* * *

I don’t know what he wants, but he must want it damn bad to demand a phone call ASAP.

Michael Korvello was right. Stephen had been the brothers’ lawyer long enough to know when to give ’em a shout and when to wait. But knowing he’d been dealing with the prosecution of the man who’d stalked Taylor, Michael’s fiancée, sent worry spiking through Daniel’s exhaustion.

After a concert it took hours for him to come down from the adrenaline, but when he did, he hit bottom hard. Tonight the rampant exhaustion mixed with the aching need for a stiff drink, which was a dangerous combination. Better to hang out for the phone call rather than risk heading back to the tour bus alone. He might find himself venturing into the city for some liquid stimulus instead, which would be a very bad idea.

Especially after his screwup with Becca.

Everyone else’s anxiety pushed Daniel’s nerves even higher. Taylor sat close to Michael, hand intertwined with his. He could see her knuckles turn white when she squeezed every so often, prompting Michael to rub his other palm along her hand. That silent I’m here signal melted the tension in her body but didn’t make it disappear from her face.

Becca, on the other hand, had separated herself from the group. She stood on the far side of the room, leaning against the bar. Several times her phone had buzzed, and she texted whoever it was back, a worried frown marring her creamy beauty. Was she trying to convince that reporter not to publicize the pictures he’d taken?

Though he knew he shouldn’t, he could just imagine how it would taste to kiss away her worry. He’d dreamed about her lips, her body for years. But now he had the reality to flesh out the fantasy. One more hot, sweet meeting of mouths to hold him over when she thrust him back out into the cold once more.

Finally Michael dialed in, then switched the lawyer to speakerphone. What’s up, Stephen? he asked, his deep breath seeming to brace them all for his news.

Anxiety mixing into his temperamental cocktail, Daniel leaned forward in his seat.

Who all’s there? the lawyer asked, his disembodied voice crystal clear in the room.

Just us, Taylor, and Becca, Daniel replied. Knowledge of the sexy redhead standing silent, as far away from him as possible, sent his gut churning. Her phone now rested in her pocket, but he almost wished she’d take it back out. It let him think she was focused on something else, rather than thinking about what an ass he’d been. Nothing like embarrassing a woman to make being in the same room with her uncomfortable as hell. He just wished he could get away from those accusing eyes. She might say everything was all right, but he knew her well enough to recognize the signs.

Good. Listen, I know this is a bad time, but we have a problem.

Get to it, Stephen, Michael said with his trademark growl. The squeeze he gave Taylor’s hand conveyed the source of his impatience.

How much of a wuss was Daniel to wish for a hand to hold himself?

The prosecuting attorney notified me tonight that Bradley was not the one who sent those photos to Becca.

If it wasn’t for the banging and hollering outside the door as the roadies took down the stage, absolute silence would have reigned. Daniel thought he might even have stopped breathing.

Bradley, Taylor’s stalker, had instigated a series of incriminating events in an attempt to smoke her out of Michael’s estate. They’d all assumed the pictures, perfect blackmail fodder, had been sent by him to try to get Michael to fire her.

Vivid images of the pictures in question flashed through his brain. Still shots of him splayed out on a bed with Taylor leaning over him. Trapping her body between his and the car. Her hands helping him dress, although she appeared to be undressing him in the photo. All carefully shot to exclude the third person in the room, the hotel manager.

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