Owned: An Alpha Anthology Part 4

Disappointment washes through me but I say, "Okay."

I mustn't do a very good job at hiding what I'm feeling because he says, "I don't want to go, trust me. But I've got an early morning tomorrow and I really think you just need some sleep without me distracting you. If I stay, you're not gonna get much sleep."

"You're right. I do need sleep."

His eyes search mine, almost like he's making sure I'm being honest. Then he brushes his lips across mine before pus.h.i.+ng up off the bed. As he dresses, I also leave the bed to dress so I can walk him out.

At the front door, he snakes his arm around my waist and kisses me. "I'll call you," he promises before turning and leaving.

I trudge back to bed trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach. He says he'll call, but will he? And do I really want him to? I have such warring emotions where Jett is concerned, and I fall asleep with the thought that it'd be best if he didn't because then the decision will be taken away from me. And I won't be able to f.u.c.k another thing up in my life.

ALL YOUR REASONS BY NINA LEVINE.

4 - Presley.

I sink down into the chair at the cafe and look at my best friend, Erin, sitting across from me. "What?" I ask as she grins at me.

"You've totally been laid."

"I have."

"Tell me more," she throws out as she opens her menu and glances down at it.

"First, tell me if you've heard of a band called Crave."

"f.u.c.k yeah, everyone's heard of Crave."

"s.h.i.+t." Am I the only person on the planet who hasn't heard of them?

"Oh my G.o.d, did you f.u.c.k one of the Crave men?"

I answer her only with a smile.

"Holy f.u.c.k, Presley!" She's momentarily impressed but then she remembers who she's talking to. "Wait, I thought you were done with rockers."

My chest heaves, and I blow out a long breath. "I was.... I am..." My voice trails off as I struggle with this answer.

"Oh G.o.d, you're not."

I take in her concern. Erin watched me fall apart while Lennon treated our marriage as if it meant nothing to him. "Jett seems different."

Her eyes widen. "Jett Vaughn... b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l, you attract them, don't you?"

"What does that mean?"

"Jett's the ultimate rock star, sister. He f.u.c.ks 'em and leaves 'em. Don't do this to yourself."

I bite my lip. "I think I'm past the point of no return," I admit.

"f.u.c.k," she mutters. "You do remember you met, fell for, and married Lennon in a matter of four weeks, don't you? And that it wasn't the best decision you ever made."

"Yes, and I'll never do that again. And trust me, I don't want to fall for another rock star, and I've told him that, but there's just something about him I can't say no to."

"c.r.a.p," she says, and then she reminds me why she's my best friend. "Well, I guess we're taking a ride on the rock star train again."

I grin at her, relieved she's not giving me a hard time over this. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

"No, you haven't told me that. You've been so d.a.m.n busy with your work. And on that, how did your shoot go?"

The waiter interrupts us to take our orders and then I open up to her. "I'm in a rut with my work. It's gotten to the point I don't even want to get up in the morning if I've got a shoot on. Those models are slowly killing my soul, and I don't think I want to take on any more fas.h.i.+on jobs."

"I've been waiting for you to tell me this."

"Really?"

"Yeah, the writing's been on the wall for awhile now. Sounds like you need a timeout."

"Well, I've got my three months off, so I'm going to spend some time really thinking about it."

She nods. "Good. I can't wait to see what you come up with. What's Darla going to do?"

"She's travelling Europe for a couple of months, and then I guess we'll see where we're at. She hurt her ankle while we were away, so she's decided to stay with her family in Sydney for a week or so because she's struggling to walk on it."

"s.h.i.+t. I hope it gets better before she leaves for Europe."

"You and me both. Now, tell me what you've been up to," I say.

Erin's an accountant and she fills me in on her work and also updates me as to which guys she's currently dating. She always dates more than one guy at a time and is so d.a.m.n fussy I'm worried she'll grow old alone.

Our food arrives and we laugh about her s.e.xcapades while we eat. Hanging out with Erin is like coming home, and by the end of our lunch date, my soul feels happier. As we're walking out of the cafe saying our goodbyes, my phone rings.

"It's Michael," I say. "I'd better get it or he'll just keep calling." Michael's my agent and has a tendency to forget people have lives outside of work.

She gives me a hug goodbye. "Keep me updated about Jett," she orders, and I nod.

As she walks away, I answer my phone. "What's up, Michael?"

"Presley, I've got a job for you tonight."

"No, I told you no more jobs for three months, and I meant it."

"I know, but this isn't a fas.h.i.+on job, so I thought it might be a foot in the door to something new."

My interest is piqued. "What is it?"

"Concert photography."

"Michael, I know nothing about concert f.u.c.king photography."

"You underestimate yourself, darlin'. And besides, they've asked for you in particular."

"What the h.e.l.l?"

He ignores me as he usually does. "So, you up for it? Can I tell them yes?"

He's right; a foot in the door is what I need. And besides, doing this job will tell me if this might be something I'm interested in. "Sure, book me in."

"Thank f.u.c.k 'cause I already told them yes. They're sending a car for you at five."

"Jesus, why so early? Is this a kid's concert?"

"No, not a kid's concert. Not sure why they want you there so early, but they're paying you good money for this, so just run with it."

"Okay," I say absentmindedly because I'm still wondering why the h.e.l.l someone would request me for this job.

"Gotta go, babe. Talk to you tomorrow." He hangs up and I realise I never asked him who the band was. Guess I'll have to wait to find out.

Five o'clock rolls around and I'm waiting patiently to be picked up. Jett hasn't called, and I hate to admit I'm disappointed. But perhaps when he said he'd call, he meant within the next few days. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, even though Erin told me he's a player. I've spent the afternoon trying not to think about him, but I can't get him out of my mind. And it's put me in a bad mood. Not the fact he didn't call, but rather, the fact he's gotten under my skin.

My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on my door. Time to get this show on the road.

As we drive to the venue, b.u.t.terflies form in my stomach. I've been trying to avoid thinking about how nervous I am, but now that we're nearly there, I can't ignore it any longer. f.u.c.k, I hope I don't let them down. That would definitely not be a foot in the door.

Turns out the concert is at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre which only intensifies my nervousness. They must be a successful band to be performing here.

Why the f.u.c.k did they request me?

The driver pulls into a closed off carpark and lets me out where I'm greeted by a security guard. I tell him my name, and he radios the information to someone else. A moment later he lets me in, giving me directions as to where to go.

There are people everywhere, all hurrying around me as I head off in the direction he indicated. My phone buzzes with a message, and I pull it out of my bag to check it.

Michael: Kick a.s.s babe xx Me: Thanks. Will do, otherwise I'm kicking your a.s.s for getting me into this s.h.i.+t.

Michael: I'm leaving town. Didn't I tell you?

Me: All good. I can hunt you down.

I shove my phone back in my bag and am still thinking about Michael a couple of minutes later when I spot a familiar face at the end of the corridor I'm in.

What the h.e.l.l?

Jett?

I do a double take and realise it really is him. He's watching me with an intensity that sends desire through me. I want him, there's no denying it.

I walk to where he is. "You requested me?"

His intense stare doesn't waver as he answers me. "I had to be sure I'd see you again."

I've never had a man look at me the way he does. It's want, need, and hunger all wrapped up in appreciation, and I want to bask in it forever. I never want him to stop looking at me like that. And I sure as h.e.l.l don't want him to ever look at any other woman like that. s.h.i.+t, jealousy has reared its ugly head, and I don't even have a reason to be jealous. I'm f.u.c.ked if I ever do, and if I date him, I'm sure I'll have plenty of reasons.

"Did you think I'd not make good on my promise of a date?"

"Wasn't taking any chances," he murmurs as his eyes s.h.i.+ft to look behind me.

"Hey, Presley," a voice behind me says and I turn my head to find Hunter looking at me.

"Hi, Hunter."

"So, you're gonna photograph us tonight, huh?" he says.

"It would seem so," I answer him but move my gaze back to Jett. He's watching me again with that intense look. His body is tense, and he seems to be on edge a little. I'm not sure why.

"Can't wait to see what you come up with." He gives me a warm smile and lifts his chin at Jett before leaving us.

"Do you really want me to take photos?" I ask Jett, unsure of his intentions.

"h.e.l.l, yes. I asked around about you and have heard amazing things about your photography."

"Who'd you ask?" I'm keen to know who recommended me.

"I asked a photographer we've worked with before. Shane Nichols. You heard of him?"

"Holy s.h.i.+t! Shane recommended me? He's one of my inspirations. I love his work." Jett would have no idea what this information means to me. I'm blown away Shane would recommend me, let alone even know who I am.

"Yeah, he did. He said he's been following your career for awhile now and loves your work. Also said you have a very unique style to your photography."

"You do realise I haven't done concert photography, don't you?"

His intense stare finally gives way to that grin of his I'm beginning to love. "Yeah, but seriously, with what I've heard about your skills, I'm sure you'll come up with some amazing photos."

His belief in me is unexpected but appreciated. h.e.l.l, when your own husband didn't have unwavering belief in everything you did, it's almost mind blowing for someone you've just met to show it.

"Thank you," I say softly.

He grabs my hand and begins walking us down the corridor. "Come on, let's get you set up," he says, and my initiation into his world begins.

Jett watches me as I survey the stage. We're standing to the side of it where roadies are busy with the finis.h.i.+ng touches to get it ready for tonight. "You're nervous about this, aren't you?"

I turn to him. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't."