Beautiful Strangers (The Masquerade Series) Read online

  I would know his touch anywhere that was Evan. Shit I had hoped he bought my lie. Now he was going to get me fired. Why can’t he leave well enough alone fucker! Aaron the clubs head of security spoke with me backstage, as far as they were concerned Evan was just another rowdy customer who had too much to drink. Thank God for small favors.

  What am I going to do about this shit? I was so damn mad, I could rip him a new one. My phone started vibrating like crazy with texts and voice mails. I didn’t need to look at them to know who they were from. I turned my phone off and went back to work. The rest of my shift went pretty good considering. I was itching to text Jax and invite him over but was afraid of what was waiting when I turned my phone back on.

  Chapter Seven

  Seriously?

  Fifteen missed text messages and three voice mails, really Evan, come on now. He wasn’t this concerned about me the whole time we were together. That’s men for you, always wanting what they can’t have. I ignored thirteen texts from Evan and then I smiled, two texts were from Jax.

  Jax: can’t make it out paparazzi staking out my gate. There’s a service road located at the back of my property that the paparazzi hasn’t found yet come spring me!

  Me: send me directions on my way now.

  After driving around for an extra twenty minutes, I finally found the road behind his house. You would never know it was there unless you were told.

  I texted Jax to tell him I was finally here.

  Jax: Turn your lights off I’ll be out soon.

  His text instructed. Curiosity got the best of me while I waited and I found myself skimming through all the text from Evan.

  Evan: I’m so sorry Gracie!

  Accounted for ninety percent of them, but the last one took me by surprise.

  Evan: when were you going to tell me you were fucking Jaxson Hayes? I need to talk to you its very important angel!

  Oh hell! I did not need this shit and Jaxson definitely doesn’t need it either. I wasn’t ready to bare it all to Jaxson just yet. I wasn’t even sure what was happening between us. If he still is interested after the video wraps I will come clean with him about everything. I almost forgot what I was doing out here by the time he showed his face. He scared me out of my skin when he slid into my passenger seat.

  “I knew you’d come through for me lover,” leaning over for a brief kiss.

  “Why exactly am I sneaking you out of your house?” I snickered at him.

  “Sadie showed up about three hours ago with an army of photogs after her; guess she’s trying to squash the rumors about my new mystery lady.

  “Did you skip out on your girlfriend?” Stressing the word girlfriend, I asked.

  “My not girlfriend is probably looking for me as we speak. She was trying to get me to let the paparazzi snap pictures of us in front of any window she thought they could get a shot of. I know she is trying to protect her image, but you have no idea how sick I am of pretending for her,” he sounded defeated.

  “Let’s get out of here, before we’re discovered by Sadie’s hounds,” he barked.

  We drove in silence until we made it to my place. I didn’t want to pressure him into details about the arrangement he had with Sadie. I had a feeling he would tell me more when he was ready.

  “Jax, are you hungry? I’m no Betty Crocker but I have some left over pizza and a couple buds if you want to join me.”

  “Cold pizza and beer, Gracie you really know the way to my heart,” he almost smiled. I don’t know exactly what Sadie did to put him in such an off mood, but I don’t like it one bit.

  “Being with you babe is so damn easy,” he sighed. “I don’t have to pretend or put on an act, you’re the only person I can just be myself around.”

  “Is that a polite way of telling me I’m easy?” I teased him trying to lighten his mood. That cracked a smile from him.

  Where’s the fire?

  “I’m dead on my feet, let’s lie in bed and watch a movie.” I had every intention on lying in Jax arms and falling asleep to “St. Elmo’s Fire,” but his hard member pressing against my back let me know he had other ideas. I awoke the next day fully naked and to the smell of something burning.

  What in the hell is that smell? I thought picking up Jaxson’s t-shirt from my floor and sliding it over my head just as my smoke detector started to sound. I tried so hard not to laugh when I discovered the source of the smell and the smoke coming from my kitchen.

  Jax was attempting to open my kitchen window and was cursing under his breath. He also just happened to be buck naked. What a sight, his ass is perfection. He was trying to fry bacon and had caught my stove on fire because he thought he was supposed to add grease to keep it from sticking to the pan.

  The best part of the whole incident occurred when the fire department burst through my front door. I don’t know who was more surprised. Jax standing there in the buff seeing a man with an axe charging through the door right towards him, or the fireman’s surprise when he caught sight of Jaxson trying to cover his naked self with a dish towel.

  My side was sore from laughing so hard and the stink eye I got from Jax while he was autographing the firemen’s axe told me I may get punished for enjoying the scene before me so much.

  The fire department left after lecturing us about the dangers of grease fires. They also agreed to keep his name out of their report in exchange for the autographs.

  “Wow babe you really know how to wake a girl up,” I giggled.

  “Gracie you are just begging for me to punish you,” he growled.

  “I’ll call Ray and have him fix your door and figure out if I owe you a new stove when he picks me up. This may be a while. I am going to catch hell for skipping out on Sadie.” He almost looked like he was afraid of her.

  “So if you’ll have me a little longer. I am going to take a shower to get this stink of smoke off me and think of ways to punish you.” He swatted at my rear menacingly.

  “How about I go grab us breakfast while you contemplate what you plan on doing to me.” I gave him my come get me smile.

  In the privacy of my car, I took half a hit of speed. This morning was a little better no cold sweats but the nausea was here full force. Jaxson Hayes may be just what I needed to beat this.

  Against better judgment I listened to my voicemail. First one played:

  Grace you don’t want to push me away, no one knows you better than me, and I love you angel.

  The next one was just the sound of him breathing. The last one played Evan in an exasperated voice pleading:

  Gracie please call me, we can work this out. Please!

  I sighed and called him, and thankfully I was sent straight to voice mail.

  Me: Evan I don’t know what you want me to say, I need time to think and maybe if you can give me some space we can talk when and if I’m ready.

  Back home I found a pouting Jaxson waiting for me.

  “I am so embarrassed Grace, and I’m really sorry about your stove.”

  “Jax I am just glad you didn’t burn your dick. I kinda like it. I brought you some biscuits and gravy,” I grinned.

  “You are so wicked, babe! Mind if I use your phone? I didn’t bring mine when I snuck out last night.” He kissed my cheek and took his breakfast from my hands.

  I got out of the shower and was very pleased to see Jax lying in wait on my bed.

  “Now for your punishment lover,” with a sinful smile. His eyes were bright blue with promise.

  I dropped my towel and let him appreciate the view. I’m not conceited but with a dancer’s body, I know he liked what he was viewing. His full salute was ready for me. Climbing into bed I lay on my stomach and turned my face towards him, desire coursing through every cell in me. I could feel my heat radiating below.

  I batted my eyelashes at him as he traced the length of my angel wings tattoo down my back.

  “Please punish me Jax.” I moaned.

  “Have patience my anxious lover,” he mummers as he begi
ns kissing me lightly on each wing.

  “I want to take my time with you. I’m not sure when I’ll have you alone again.”

  He moved down towards my feet and began to massage me from the tips of my toes to the tops of my shoulders. I know this game he is going to drive me mad with anticipation. With each brushing of his lips against my skin I stifled a moan.

  “Turn over lover I want to taste you,” he whispered. “Your eyes are so pale and clear I think I can see straight through them to your soul Grace.”

  Oh my, this man is shaking my world upside down and setting my soul on fire. Pushing his knee between my legs he lowered himself over top of me, I could feel the chemistry radiating between us. He began his assault. First taking turns with each of my breast suckling one while tweaking the other.

  His cock was stretching and he was trying so hard not to enter me. Just when I thought he would take me, he shifted down further flicking his tongue over my aching clit. Raising my hips to meet every kiss he began fucking me with his tongue.

  I grabbed the top of his head with one hand and grasped the sheets with the other, “I don’t know how much longer I can hold on Jax!” I let out his name in a cry.

  “Let yourself go lover,” he moans into my moist sex.

  He covers my mouth with his own as our bodies become one and the taste of me on his lips was all it took. Waves of ecstasy rippled through my body as he began to take me hard and fast. I rolled back over to my stomach letting him take me from behind and with each thrust he smacked my ass harder and harder until he found his own release.

  “Damn, that was fucking wonderful” he growled.

  “I have no words Jax,” I hoarsely whisper back.

  We lay in bed for at least an hour talking about everything and nothing in each others arms.

  Ray showed up a little later informing us that he would have someone come over to repair my door and he ordered me a new stove online and made arrangements for my old one to be removed. We said our goodbyes and Ray had to practically drag him to the car.

  “Come on lover boy you will see her tomorrow,” Ray scolded him almost like a father would do. I had to fight back my giggle as I closed my broken door. I think my body was still shuddering from the orgasm Jaxson gifted me the next day.

  Chapter Eight

  Appearances….

  Ray picked me up at six am the next morning; we were shooting the first scenes out in the country somewhere. We arrived at an old farmhouse with a beautiful wrap around porch. There were people milling about everywhere with clipboards and equipment. Ray led me to a small trailer where there was a whole team of people ready to make me gorgeous.

  I was dressed in a white cotton sundress, paired with a light denim jacket, a killer pair of brown riding boots and a sexy pair of knit boot socks trimmed in lace that peaked out the top of my boots. They left my hair down in romantic waves and lightly swept my cheeks and tinted my lips with a light peach color.

  I couldn’t help but grin as they had me position myself on a porch swing leaning myself against Jaxson’s chest. The director said they wanted a shot of me telling Jaxson I loved him. Wow no pressure Gracie, I scolded myself. It’s for the video, not like he thinks you mean it.

  Maybe one day I could mean it and that scared the hell out of me. They took a few more shots of us driving around the farm in his truck and rolling around in the field. It was almost like a perfect date until princess Sadie showed up with her loyal photogs. My happy thoughts flew out the window when they called for lunch and she flung herself into Jax’s arms.

  “Baby I have missed you,” she squealed. “I am so proud of you.” Hugging his neck and blushing.

  Oh God, I already felt my claws coming out. No way could I share this beautiful man with her for the next six months, their contract just may be a deal breaker for me. I tried to push my jealousy aside; I was here for a job after all. Reining in my daggered glare I sat down on the porch swing picking at a donut when I felt the swing shift.

  “Hello Grace, as I’m sure you already know I’m Sadie.” Her sun kissed face was plastered with a fake smile.

  “Nice to meet you,” I lied, trying my best to throw her fake smile right back in her face.

  When she was satisfied with the pictures that made appear like two girlfriends shooting the shit her demeanor changed.

  “You must be the new flavor of the month,” she sneered tucking her blonde curls behind her ear.

  “And you must be the soured milk on the shelf,” I snapped back.

  “Feisty aren’t we? Well honey, do not look so smug Jaxson and I go way back. He may play with you for now, but when we leave together for our tour in a few months he will be mine again.” She laughs mockingly.

  “You’re not the first or last girl he’s taken an interest in and just like every other time once he is bored with you we will pick back up where we left off.”

  She looked over at me with a toothy fake smile and cocked an eyebrow. “Don’t look so shocked, I’m in no hurry to settle down yet, but Jaxson knows when I am ready it will be just the two of us like before. It’s what we do!”

  Before I could gather my thoughts and reply to her nasty remarks lunch was over and Sadie was gone. The bitch has balls I will give her that. A few more takes of us holding hands and whispering into one another’s ears and we were done for the day.

  Jaxson and I didn’t get a chance to speak other than him telling me I was doing great. The director said our chemistry looked natural giving Jax a sideway glance. When Ray opened the door to the Mercedes I was surprised to find him waiting for me.

  “Let me take you out for dinner lover,” his tongue caressing the word lover. I may melt in my seat right now.

  “I’d really like to but I’ve got to get home. I have to work tonight, and my new stove is being delivered. I have to be there to accept it, and besides that some guy Ray hired is coming to fix my door. What about tomorrow?” I was hopeful.

  “Tomorrows no good, I have a radio interview as soon as we finish the shoot,” he sounded disappointed.

  Jaxson dropped me off at my place and left me with a kiss that made me wish I hadn’t turned him down for dinner. He let me know the next few weeks were going to be very hectic for him with the new video coming out and the rehearsals for his tour with Sadie. They have a lot of interviews and appearances together booked until Halloween. They also leave for Los Angeles right after New Years Day.

  Feeling sorry for myself, I sunk into my couch to indulge in some peanut butter cups. I decided for the first time ever I would call in to work. I lied and told Reggie that shooting lasted longer than I expected and I was too tired to come in. She assured me it was fine and said that Ritchie suggested giving me until Thursday off.

  I was okay with that, the extra money I was making from the billboards and the music video would more than cover a few days of missed work. Reggie and I made plans to meet up for lunch one day and get started on the costumes for our Halloween Bash. We have a little less than five weeks to size and dress twenty five girls. Looks like I will be very busy as well. I was feeling bitchy and antsy so I gave in and took another half hit of speed. I had a text message.

  Evan: hope you are enjoying your new life but one day soon you will need me and I’ll be waiting long as it takes. You will be my girl always.

  That’s where you’re wrong Evan; at least that’s what I told myself. He could wait an eternity but I will never allow myself to need him or any man again.

  My first mistake today was turning down Jaxson and my second was turning the TV on. There were our faces plastered on The Nashville Gawker again, photos of Sadie and me smiling together on the porch swing and then photos of her in Jaxson’s arms. The reporter says:

  “Well Steve, guess we can put the rumors of a straying Jaxson Hayes to rest. Everyone appears to be getting along great on the set of Jaxson’s new video set to be released next week for his debut solo single titled Lie to Me.”

  I turned my TV off and flun
g my remote at the wall. I was pissed and I don’t know why. Not really, Jaxson has explained his side of things to me when it comes to Sadie. But after her bitchy comments and the pictures of them, I don’t know if I am cut out for this. I have never been a jealous person and here I am ready to claw girls’ eyes out over a man that I have no claim on. What a great start to what I thought was going to be an amazing week.

  I got a text later that night from Jaxson and it only stated that they needed me to be at Masquerade around nine am the next morning. No sexy remarks, nothing, just down to business. So I simply texted back k. See how he likes that. I was being immature but I couldn’t help myself.

  He took the bait and called me, my inner kitten was oh so happy to hear that rough voice of his.

  “Working hard or hardly working lover?”

  “Not working at all, Ritchie gave me until Thursday off.”

  “Maybe we can get together tomorrow after my interview then, its going to be hard enough having you all over me and trying not to sport a hard one on camera,” he sighed.

  The call perked my mood so I started looking online for costumes for the girls for the big Halloween party. Somewhere between fairy wings and devil horns, I found myself reading self help blogs for recovering addicts.

  Reading what I was going to face the next few weeks scared the hell out of me. I read stories of people being hospitalized or even dying from withdraw symptoms, but I am in too deep and there is no turning back. I plan to have myself clean in two weeks.

  The next morning I awoke to horrible cramps in my stomach. I was dope sick and if I wanted to get through the day I needed my speed. This will pass I told myself in another week or two this will all be over. I will be free of Evan and the hold the drugs have had on me.