Rise (Rock God 1)

Stretching my hands toward the ceiling, I take another deep breath and feel remarkably better as I admire my surroundings. The bathroom is gorgeous. It’s huge, probably the size of my dorm room. The white orchids and marble floors remind me how lavish he lives now. Rhys has come a long way from our little neighborhood.

My fingers drift over the numerous fluffy white towels rolled and placed perfectly in a wooden cubby. Too bad this morning is crap. I’d kill to soak in that large tub, let the hot water erase the truth that my heart hurts. I push all those negative thoughts aside, open the glass shower door, and blast the hot water.

What’s my next move?

Lifting my face to the water, I close my eyes. It’s pretty simple—I can grab my bags and run back to California.

Or I can stay and fight for him.

Now that I’m somewhat sober, I need to decide if Rhys Granger is worth the fight. This morning was not good. If that’s a foreshadowing of the future, it won’t be as easy as I thought.

Rhys is different. Maybe it’s all the fame, being constantly surrounded by yes people, I don’t know. But he’s not the same Rhys Granger who lived down the street and slept in our garage.

It’s like he has, in fact, become the Rock God. I came here to make Rhys fall in love with me, not realizing that ten years might have changed a few things.

Like, Rock God is fucking hot.

And used to getting his way. Case in point, grabbing me off the dance floor, not even bothering to find out my name. Butterflies flutter in my stomach at how exciting that was. He takes what he wants.

And he wanted me.

I turn my back to the pelting water and sigh. In hindsight, I probably should have told him who I was. I kind of understand his anger this morning. If I were in his shoes, I’d be pissed too.

And poor Nuke. The look of horror and guilt on his face as he stormed into the room trying to be my protector.

“God, I’m totally screwing this up,” I groan into my hands, mortified. It’s like I’m stuck in some endless film loop in my head showing the same clip of Nuke’s face over and over as he lunges at Rhys.

“And I jumped out of bed naked.” My words echo around the shower as I grab some shampoo. This is almost cringeworthy. I need to call Julianna and tell her everything, but she’ll be mortified for me.

Lathering up I close my eyes as the soap drips down my sensitized body. I breathe in some of the coconut-scented shampoo and decide to go with my gut.

And my gut says he wants me.

I’ll let him calm down. Maybe everyone will be gone and I can distract him with my body. My nipples harden at that thought. I wish I hadn’t been so drunk last night. It would have been nice to have a less fuzzy memory of my first time.

Yeah, I’m not leaving. I’ve come too far to give up now.

Turning off the water I breathe out. “Bold. Be bold, Gia.” Then I almost laugh at how ironic it is. Rhys was always the one thinking my fearless attitude was great. Guess not so much now. I reach for a fluffy towel and crack the door open.

The room is empty, but I hear a loud voice. “Apparently, they have actual footage of Granger and Gia last night.”

“Fuck.” I shut the door and lean against it, my hand going to my chest since my heart feels like it just skipped a beat.

This is bad.

Beyond bad.

I drop the towel and spin around for something to wear. Of course, I have only the T-shirt he shoved into my hands, so I throw it on. Instantly I smell him, and for a second that calms me.

I love the way he smells: fresh, clean, with a hint of spice. Maybe it’s smoke. I take a breath before I lose it. This is stupid. He’s a freaking rock star, for fuck’s sake. He must have people who specialize in dealing with things like this.

Rhys isn’t stupid. He’s not gonna let this get out. Because, if my mom sees it…or worse, my brother.

“Holy shit.” I’m starting to panic as memories of last night return… memories of Rhys’s fingers thrusting inside me, making me come over and over.

Axel can’t see that.

He’ll kill me. He’ll kill Rhys. I throw open the door and glance around for my pumps. Freakin’ fantastic. They’re under an ornate chair, meaning I have to lean over and pray I don’t puke again. I grab them, trying not to topple over as I slip them on, then march in only to falter at Nuke’s voice.

“She’s here to get a scholarship. I thought you knew.”