Rise (Rock God 1)

Loud pounding on the door makes me drop my cigarette on the floor. Thankfully, the joint is in my mouth. I try not to scream and drop it also. What the fuck?

“God, Sebastian.” I pick up the cigarette and use my foot to rub the carpet as the black soot turns gray.

The pounding continues as I march over to the door, joint in one hand, cigarette in the other.

“Sebastian. What now? I’m trying to meditate all my negativity awa—” I swing the door open dramatically.

Only it isn’t Sebastian.

Holy fuck, it’s Rhys.

RHYS

Present – Thirty-five years old

Paris, France

Why I’m standing outside her door pounding on it instead of making an appearance at the runway show is beyond me. I can’t even remember the designer, but Paulette is in it.

I said I’d show up. I should. I owe her that, I guess… even if it is only for show.

It’s been time to break it off with Paulette for a while. And since I just spent ten minutes flirting with a receptionist, taking selfies with her and fans, all so she’d give me Gia’s room number, I’d say Paulette needs to go.

I almost get my phone to text it to her, but that’s a dick move, and I don’t do dick moves anymore.

So here I stand outside room 696.

Needing to break up with Paulette, but so obsessed that I have to see her. Call it unhealthy. I don’t care. I just want to be near her, even if it’s for two minutes.

I pound on the door more forcefully than I need to. Adrenaline pumps through my veins.

Christ, I didn’t think this through. I want her, so here I am. Unfortunately, if Sebastian is with her in her room, I might lose it again. Which would be unfortunate since I’ve made him the DP.

I take a breath and wait to pound again, not trusting myself, though at least I’m acknowledging it. The other day filters through my mind. I should have been fine. It’s not like I haven’t run into plenty of women I used to fuck yet didn’t look twice.

But none of those women were Gia.

She’s mine.

I knew she was in that restaurant the moment I set foot in it. Because I can feel her. What I didn’t factor in was Sebastian. Seeing her with him set me off. For a split second, all the rage and pain brewing inside me for almost seven years came out.

All I heard in my head was he’s been inside her. I wanted to kill him for being able to touch what’s mine. I take a breath. If he’s in there with her… I pound again and hear a squeal.

“Sebastian. What now? I’m trying to meditate all my negativity awa—” The door swings open.

Gia Fucking Fontaine in all her glory.

I almost reach to rub my chest because just looking at her hurts. She thought I was Sebastian.

I want to wrap my hands around her beautiful neck. Bring her ripe lips to mine and fuck the thought of any man out of her head. Go all caveman and shit and keep her with me twenty-four seven. That’s the thing about obsessions. They grow and snake their way inside your head until you’re consumed.

She stands in a white hotel robe, her naturally tan skin glowing with health. My eyes trail to the V of the robe, which is open enough to allow my eyes a glimpse of her full breasts.

She’s fucking magnificent.

My cock bulges at the thought of her hard nipples.

She’s also holding a joint in one hand, and a cigarette in the other. My mouth twitches, this ought to be interesting.

“Rhys,” she states. Her eyes narrow, and for a split second, I see her pain. It’s gone as fast as she tries to slam the door on me. I stop it easily with my hand and walk in.

“Excuse me? Get the fuck out. Granger.” She sashays by me as I catch a whiff of her scent. Vanilla beans, coffee, and whatever shit she’s smoking.

Jesus Christ, she’s high as a kite.

“You’ve got some nerve. I knew you were an egomaniac, but using Sebastian to get me to do your movie is fucking—”

“Watch it, Brat. I’m giving your boyfriend a career and you know it,” I snarl, my blood pumping. I haven’t felt this good, this interested, in years.

For a second, she blinks at me as if she’s trying to come up with something to say but can’t.

I grin at her. She frowns and walks over to the phone. “Do I need to call security?”

I sit down on her couch and prop my hands behind my head. “Why would you do that? I’m not gonna bite… yet.” She slams the phone down.

“Look, I don’t want to fight. I agreed to do the movie so get—”

“You gonna share that or just wave it around?” I interrupt her as I motion to the joint with my head.