Rock Star Ex

By Jewel Quinlan

Social media consultant, Eve Everett, is less than thrilled when her business partner hooks them up with a job covering celebrity rock band Arsenal. Their new lead singer, Devon Quinn, is the man who broke her heart five years ago. But there's no way Eve can turn down the assignment. It's the big break their fledgling company needs.

 

To boost Arsenal's social media presence the band's manager wants intimate coverage, especially of Devon, which means traveling with the band in their tour bus while they promote their new album. It's not long before Devon tries to rehash the past but Eve would rather leave it buried where it is.

When Eve is asked to be part of a music video, she decides it's a great opportunity to reap some revenge by showing Devon what he's missing. But soon she's the one losing control. Will Devon once again claim her heart as well as her body?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jewel Quinlan
• Release date: Apr 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223585749

Jewel Quinlan

Restless by nature, Jewel Quinlan is an avid traveler and has visited 16 countries so far. Lover of ice cream, beer and red wine she tries to stay fit when she’s not typing madly on her computer concocting another tale. In her spare time she likes to do yoga, hike, learn German and play with her spoiled Chihuahua; Penny. It is Penny’s mission in life to keep Jewel from the keyboard. But, with the help of dog-chew-making-companies, Jewel has been able to distract her canine companion and continues to get thousands of words on the page for your enjoyment.

Book preview

DEDICATION

For my father, who has always believed in me.

And for all the role models whose coaching brought me

back to my true path in life.

ROCK STAR EX

Jewel Quinlan Copyright © 2013

Chapter One

His voice was a combination of sex and sandpaper. He wore nothing but a pair of distressed black jeans that showed off every curve of muscle and a pair of biker boots. A black leather cuff encircled his wrist. A flowing red and black bandanna was tied around his head, and long dark hair streamed down over his shoulders. The crowd howled and cheered as he gyrated on stage, the light reflecting perfectly off every cut of his abs as the guitars squealed and the drums crashed. He belted lyrics into the microphone clenched in his hand as his eyes made contact with the crowd, pulling them in.

The energy in the Staples Center was outrageous. It was a living, pulsating field that responded to the band’s every sound. But for Eve, it felt as though she were suspended in time. Everything slowed down in the split-second the lights flashed over his face, and she recognized him.

She continued to move and sway in a semi-dance with Kate in the front row, but she was no longer amped about their floor tickets right next to the stage. The urge to hide struck her. Which was silly, she thought, because he would never notice her there with the lights shining in his eyes, while she stood among the crush of bodies.

His voice was mesmerizing. It had taken on a deeper, sexier quality since she’d seen him last. He ran down the catwalk that jutted out into the crowd and slid on his knees as he belted out the last, strong note of the song. He came to a stop just before the end of the stage, his head thrown back, all the muscles of his throat straining as he pulled the final notes from the depths of his soul. All hands reached towards him, women screamed, and the sight of him in his full, unadulterated glory hit her in the gut like a mallet.

She sighed. God help her, she had to. He was breathtaking, and it was impossible not to be moved by his talent as the music washed over her. Eve lifted her hands to cheer and scream along with the others. The house lights went dark and, for a minute, nothing but the hoots and whistles of the crowd could be heard. Several people lifted their cell phones, the screen lights shining through the darkness in appreciation, as they waited for the next song.

A spotlight snapped on to reveal Devon sitting on a stool in the center of the stage, a guitar in his hands. He lazily plucked three notes on it and the crowd went wild. Everyone knew the ballad––it had been a hit for the longest time. More cell phones appeared and their lights started to sway as he began to strum. The background illumination came up, revealing the rest of the band.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him and was glad she could take in her fill of his mesmerizing form without him knowing. She and Kate stood off to the right, below him, catching a great view of his profile as he played. The muscles of his bicep and forearm twitched elegantly as he picked and strummed.

Never in a million years would she have ever suspected that Devon Quinn would become the new lead singer for Arsenal. When Kate had invited her to the concert, she’d been more than happy to accept. It had been rumored that Arsenal would make a surprise appearance with their new lead singer, but no one had been sure. His identity had been kept top secret and speculation had been rampant.

Kate smiled at her with glee. Isn’t he hot?

Eve smiled back and nodded, hoping the dark would shield her friend from the fact that it was forced. Kate had no idea. Hot did not even begin to describe it...

He stood up, continuing to play, as he approached the edge of the stage and then turned to stroll slowly down the right side. Fans reached up to touch and grab whatever they could as he crooned the words of the song. And then, finally, he was right in front of where they stood. Kate went wild with the rest of them, straining her hands out to touch him.

It was too late to move. Eve was now pinned against the stage as people surged forward. Packed in among the warm bodies, her head mere inches from Devon’s feet, she hoped the crowd would be sufficient camouflage. No such luck. His piercing, khol-lined blue eyes honed right in on her. The instant their eyes met a knowing passed between them, and that strange suspended feeling came back to her. It felt as though he was singing directly to her now.

Eve stood paralyzed, not knowing what to do. There was no escape at the moment. Her hands were pressed against the wall of the stage, feeling the vibrations. Her eyes were glued to his and she didn’t think there was any force on earth that could’ve made her look away from where he stood above her, his hands skillfully moving along the neck of the guitar. Illuminated by the multiple spotlights aimed on him, Devon looked like a god.

The song came to an end and the final notes rang out, and still they didn’t break eye contact. The muscles of his chest rose and fell with his breath, a thin layer of sweat giving them a dewy sheen. She wasn’t sure what the expression on his face meant, but recognition was in his eyes.

The deafening noise of the crowd filled the slight pause before the band started up again. As the beginning notes to the next song rang out, he seemed to snap back into himself. His eyes tore abruptly from hers and he walked away to his next mark, where he began singing again. She was relieved...and bereft. Her inner Eve, the naive Eve, wanted to go to him, to be with him, to shout out his name and make sure he knew it was her. But she fought against its pull. Her rational mind, and her emotional heart, called forth all the facts and remembered the pain he had inflicted on her five years ago, forcing her to relive the despair. Suddenly, she had to get away.

I’m going to the bathroom! Meet me out front if I don’t make it back! she screamed in Kate’s ear. Her friend nodded, continuing to sing along with the crowd, her smile brilliant with excitement. Eve wasn’t sure Kate heard her, but at that moment she didn’t really care. She just had to put some distance between herself and the stage.

Once out in the hallway, Eve felt better. Breathing a sigh of relief, she headed for the bathroom. Arsenal was the finale in the lineup of the many bands that had played that evening, so their set wouldn’t be too long. Her feet ached from the hours they’d already been there. It was now one-thirty in the morning.

Washing her hands, she inspected her reflection in the mirror. Her eye makeup was still in place and her lips were still glossy with red lipstick. She was glad now that she had gone all out and worn the short, black strapless leather dress. Combined with her fishnets and spiked heels, it was an outfit that made her feel extra confident. And it never hurt to look your best when confronted with an ex. It wasn’t something Eve normally wore, but she and Kate liked to dress up occasionally. Last month they’d gone to an 80s concert and she’d worn the best imitation Madonna outfit she could find.

She smoothed down her long, dark hair and listened as the concert went on. Even in the bathroom it was loud, penetrating...sexy. Eve hated to admit it, but Devon put Arsenal’s last lead singer to shame. The rich depths of his tones grabbed at her even in here.

Devon.

Why had she ever allowed herself to fall for a musician? It was really no surprise that he’d broken her heart. Such a cliché.

She supposed he’d gone through many women after her. The last time she saw him was five years ago, when he’d boarded a rickety bus with his last band.

I already miss you, she said. Her arms wrapped around his lean waist and she didn’t ever want to let go. She rested her head on his chest in the spot that felt like it had been created just for her.

His arms held her tighter. He leaned his face into her hair. I’ll miss you too, he whispered. I’ll be back soon, though. He pulled her so that their bodies pressed even closer together, making her feel that spark again deep inside her. She was glad they’d at least had the chance to explore that before he left. It had been absolutely the best night of her life.

You’d better be. Tears were beginning