Rock Star Returns: Carlie's Story (Access All Areas 2)

All he had were pretty words. Well, maybe something more. But it was just sex. I could keep it at that level.

Before I could race out the door, he grabbed me and pulled me back onto the bed, kissing me with all the passion that should've been burnt to ashes from the sex we'd had. Even after all that, he had reserves?

It took all my will to push him off me and walk out the door.

"See you tonight," he said as I left.

Chapter 19

IT WAS A GREAT DAY to be going to work. I'd skipped my morning workout because my workout with Holden had been more than enough. Now that my freak out had finished, the post-sex bliss kicked in.

The sun-kissed my skin, the day had a magical quality and the world contained more happiness than I'd ever thought possible.

When I got to the bar, I whistled a little song as I went about setting up. Then I stopped myself. Was I being too happy? My entire self bubbled over with the joy of being alive. That was so not me. I wasn't a bubbling-with-happiness person. I simmered with anger. That was my thing.

It wasn't like spending one night with Holden was any cause for celebration, anyway. It was just sex. I needed sex and he'd been conveniently available. The extent of our involvement ended at my girlie bits. No attachment, no commitment, just furious humping and orgasmic bliss.

I whistled again. Not just any song but that bloody “Rock Princess”. It had a damn catchy chorus, that was facts. But I had to turn the dimmer switch way down on my shining light or everyone would know my business.

The trouble with Trouble was that people cared way too much about other people's business and, if anyone found out, they'd make much more of this sleeping with Holden thing than it really was. I didn't want them talking about it. I sure as hell didn't want them interfering.

I just needed to distract them. I tried to act like my fee

t were hitting the ground when I walked and my body didn't glow. The light beaming out of my eyes could be hidden if I didn't look directly at anyone. And I wouldn't, under any circumstances, sing.

Jackson was, as always, the first through the door. Not long after, Alex swanned in, full of self-congratulations about the success of the reopening.

"Did you see the crowd? Everyone was there. Every single person who has influence in this town."

"Razer wasn't there. He has influence." Jackson tried to hide his grin.

"What did you think, Carlie?"

"It was fantastic. You've worked so hard to make a success of things and it's really paying off. Want me to get you a drink?"

Jackson peered at me over his beer glass. "You are Carlie, right? The same Carlie who works here every day?"

"What are you talking about? Hey, have you done something with your hair? It looks great!"

Jackson harrumphed.

Shit, had I really said that? Jackson was right. I wasn't the regular Carlie. It was hormones or some shit. The image of Holden's arm around me as we'd snuggled in bed that morning floated into my mind and I bend down to check the fridges so I could hide my smile.

"Maybe I should extend the place," Alex said. “The office next door doesn't seem like it's doing too well. Maybe they'd consider selling. Or maybe it'd be better to move up. A rooftop bar in the summer. That would make money..."

"Not a chance in hell of that,” Jackson said. “Neighbours bitch enough about the noise. Damn middle-class wankers, move into the area because they want to be close to the action but bitch like hell about the noise.”

Alex sighed.

"Anyway, don't you have enough to be going on with? Running a club is a serious business and you have your band as well. There's going to come a time when you are going to have to make a decision about which you want to do."

"See, the plan is that with competent staff like Carlie, I won't need to focus too hard on the club"

I flashed him a huge grin. "Thanks, Alex."

"God, all this niceness today is making my beer taste sour."

Jackson was just an old grump who didn't understand what a wonderful place the world could be. Just because other people were happy didn't hurt him any way. And it was really nice of Alex to call me competent.