Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
And not one of them makes my heart race the way Jesse Pike does.
I never cared that he was a struggling musician. I’m a Steel heiress. I don’t have to marry for money. Not that I would, anyway. I’ve watched both my brothers, my cousin Ava, and my cousin Brock—the biggest womanizer on the planet—fall in love in the last year. They’ve all found something truly special. Something way more important than money. And two of them, Donny and Brock, are marrying into the Pike family.
I aim to be the third.
“It’s our privilege to introduce to you, for a special engagement… Emerald Phoenix!”
Wowza.
If the crowd was excited about Dragonlock, they’re about to wet their pants over Emerald Phoenix. They’re going batshit crazy with their screams and hoots and stomping.
The members of Dragonlock exit the stage, and Jett Draconis and his band take their places.
“Thank you,” Jett says into the mic. “We’re thrilled to be here tonight as a favor to Jesse, Rory, and the band. We’re excited to have Dragonlock come on tour with us. We know they’re going to be a smash. Now…let’s rock!”
“Your arias were wonderful,” Angie says to Rory during the after-party at my parents’ sprawling ranch house.
Mom and Dad offered up their house as a favor to the band since it’s way bigger than the Pikes’. They have a small ranch adjacent to ours and unfortunately lost most of their vineyards in a brush fire earlier this year. Jesse and Rory are excited about the opportunity the tour gives them to make some money to help. Our family has offered, but the Pikes turned us down.
“Thank you.” Rory smiles, fidgeting with the red star sapphire ring on her left hand that once belonged to my aunt Melanie’s grandmother. “I’ll miss singing opera, but that was my swan song. I’m devoting myself to rock and roll now.”
“Good call,” I say. “You’re fabulous at both, but you and Jesse together… Just wow.”
Rory squeezes my hand. “Thanks, Bree.”
Rory’s a classic beauty, and she’s always been considered the most beautiful woman in Snow Creek. Jesse looks just like her in male form. He’s a freaking god.
I’ve got to get him to give me a look before we go on tour. Once all the Emerald Phoenix fans in the UK and the rest of Europe lay their eyes on him, he’ll have his pick of women.
“I wish I were going with you on the tour,” Angie says. “You’re going to have a blast.”
“I wish you were too,” I reply.
I didn’t plan to graduate early. I had enough credits, but I figured I’d sail through my last semester with some easy electives and have my last hurrah with sorority and fraternity parties.
Then I found out about the tour, and I chalked it up to fate. Early graduation was a possibility, and it would free me up to go on the tour. Since Callie is engaged to Donny, I talked the two of them into going along for the first couple of weeks, which gave me an excuse to go since my brother will be there.
Yeah, it’s farfetched, but it got me there. Then, when Donny and Callie fly home, I’ll make some excuse to stay on.
Now…I just have to tell Mom and Dad.
That’s what tomorrow’s for.
Tonight, I’m partying.
With Jesse Pike, I hope.
Chapter Two
Jesse
Amazing. Most of the women here at Talon and Jade Steel’s house for the after-party—even the married ones—are flocking around Jett Draconis and the rest of Emerald Phoenix.
Groupies.
The only groupies Dragonlock has ever had are the awesome foursome, as my little sister Maddie calls them. The four youngest Steel women—Brianna Steel, Gina Steel, and Angie and Sage Simpson. All gorgeous, of course—all the Steels are—but way too young for me.
The awesome foursome isn’t giving us a look tonight. They’re more interested in Emerald Phoenix—Zane Michaels, Bernie Zopes, and Tony Walker. Everyone knows Jett is happily married. In fact, his wife is here tonight. She’s a real sweet thing. Her name’s Heather.
Now that two of my sisters are engaged to Steel men, I don’t feel quite as out of place at the main Steel house. I’ve been here many times. I’ve played at many Steel parties. But tonight, I don’t feel like an outsider.
My cousin Cage Ramsey brings me a beer.
“Thanks.” I take a long sip, letting it cool my throat. Nothing like an ice-cold brew after I’ve been singing all night.
“Where’s our harem?” Cage asks.
“What do you mean?”
“The awesome foursome. They’re usually flocked around us.” He narrows his gaze. “You in particular.”
I let out a laughing scoff. “More like Dragon. And you and Jake.”
Cage chuckles and then glances around. “All of us, then. Where is Dragon, by the way?”
“Probably off smoking a joint. You know he always has to have a little weed after a concert since we won’t let him get high before.”