Just One Spark (The Kingston Family 4)

She was attractive in a take-no-prisoners way, which the band needed. Her dark brown bob was cut severely at her chin, and those equally brown eyes missed nothing that went on around her.

“Let’s start with the obvious,” she began. “You don’t walk out on an interview.” She clicked her long black polished nails against the car trim.

“That wasn’t an interview, it was an ambush.” Dash raised his voice, and to his shock, Cassidy, who somehow ended up sitting beside him, put a hand on his thigh to calm him.

As a distraction, it worked. He relaxed his muscles and eased back against the seat, and she immediately removed her hand. He missed the warm sensation of her touch.

“I would have called things off except the interview was live. You don’t want listeners thinking you can’t handle yourself.” Naomi’s narrowed gaze held his until he blinked first.

“Fine. I get it. But I had every right to walk out,” Dash said. “Nobody’s going to treat me like shit just because his no-talent ass is holding a grudge.”

Before anyone could ask, he gave a brief explanation of his history with Lester Jones.

Naomi frowned. “Next time inform me of any potential issues before they surface. It would help me to do my job. On to the next point on my agenda. Dash mentioned wanting to change public focus from his personal life to that of the band and I agree,” Naomi said.

“It’s what we all want,” Axel said.

Dash was glad to hear him speak up. He liked his friends and especially his band members to speak their minds on any subject.

“So how do we manage that feat?” Jagger asked, tapping his foot on the carpeted floor.

“Lucky for you guys, I have a plan.” A smile appeared on Naomi’s face that scared the crap out of Dash, and he didn’t frighten easily. “You,” she said, pointing to Dash, “Need a steady, serious girlfriend.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” He felt like he was about to eject out of his seat.

Jagger and Mac snickered, making their feelings on Naomi’s idea known.

Axel appeared amused, while Cassidy’s eyes were wide, those pouty lips parted in shock.

“No,” Dash said, in case anyone misinterpreted his earlier outburst.

“Not even with the right person?” Naomi asked, her calculating gaze sliding from Dash to the woman beside him.

“No way,” Axel said, having caught Naomi glancing at Cassidy. He folded his arms across his chest. “Leave my sister out of this.”

Cassidy blinked. “I’m not saying I want to do this, but it’s my decision, Ax. Not yours.” She spoke up for the first time, her tone determined.

“She’s perfect,” Naomi said, obviously sensing an opening to explain. “Cassidy is already a part of the band’s inner circle, she’s been around you guys for the last couple of weeks officially and for some time before that as Sasha’s PA. That’s more than enough time for a relationship to have developed while you were waiting for paternity news.”

Naomi drew a deep breath and continued, waving her hand through the air as she spoke. “Cassidy comforted you. Was there for you. And you just happened to fall in love. And bonus, she’s not a skank like those groupies who are always all over you.”

“Gee, thanks,” Cassidy muttered beside him.

“You’re just getting over that asshole Adam. You don’t need to get involved with anyone, let alone a musician.”

Axel scowled because he knew what their lives were all about. But he had Dash wondering who this Adam guy was and what he meant to her.

“Hey! How about not airing my personal life to your friends,” Cassidy yelled at her brother.

“Just think about it. Cassidy is a nice, wholesome girl. Exactly the type to settle the man-whore bachelor down. Sure, at first you’d both be news. Dash Kingston settles on one woman. A woman who looks, acts, and is different than any female who came before her.” Naomi grinned, obviously pleased with her idea. “Eventually you’ll become boring. It will take you out of the news for your antics and get people to focus on what’s important. The music.”

Ignoring Naomi’s unflattering description of him and sensing it was Cassidy who needed a subtle hug, this time Dash put a comforting hand on her thigh, ignoring the heat emanating from her skin beneath and the way he was beginning to think his crazy publicist might just be on to something with this idea of hers.

* * *

With Cassidy’s brother growling in the seat across from her, Naomi gleefully happy, and Dash in shock, at least based on his silence, Cassidy’s stomach churned as the idea of being his fake girlfriend bounced around inside her head.

“All in favor?” Naomi asked.

“This isn’t a group decision.” Dash shot his publicist a warning look. “It’s between me and Cassidy, if we decide it’s a smart way to go.”

Mac and Jagger muttered their agreement, and though her brother glared, Axel remained silent.