Chapter Fourteen

They arrived downtown, an empty bottle of champagne bottle and forty minutes later.

“Good job stud, that was good champagne.” She reached into her purse for her lipstick to quickly reapply before they came to a standstill. As she smacked her lips his dick hardened.

Would he ever be able to look at her and not relate to sex? He highly doubt it at this rate.

Fuck.

The door popped open behind him as Darryl the driver stood waiting. He stepped out onto the sidewalk as the cool night breeze whipped around him and held his hand out to her. They linked hands the click of heels followed them into the convention centre where the dinner was being held.

The usual mass of press was stationed in the lobby, cut throat to get that money shot.

“Just smile and keep walking… and as hard as it is for you…” he chuckled against her ear, “just don’t talk or answer any questions.” She nodded and followed him in. Bulbs popped and cameras whirred as they found the ballroom ignoring the catcalls of “who is she? Is this why your marriage broke up?”

“Jesus, nosy bastards aren’t they?” she muttered when the double doors swung behind them.

“You got it – scandal sells baby. And guess what? You’re my scandal.” He winked.
She laughed when his eyebrow arched. “Well it’s so boring being just the wife, or the girlfriend. But the slutty mistress, well now there’s something I could live up to.” She straightened the top of her dress and took a glass of wine off the waiter’s tray that swept past them.

Why he was even worried how she would handle the press, he'd never know. This was Colby. She'd eat them for breakfast given the opportunity.

“More wine? My champagne wasn’t good enough? That was French you know,” he teased as he led her across the room to where some of the executives were muddled around.

She ran her tongue across the bottom of her teeth. “There’s something else I like that’s French as well.”

He groaned and tightened his arm around hers, “ménage a trois?”

She snorted through her champagne and laughed, “You really want to go there with me Jersey?”

Christ, she wouldn’t? Oh fuck, yeah she would. Damn how did he keep walking right into those conversations with her, his rock hard cock wasn’t thanking him one bit.

“You are a very bad girl Colby Henderson.” He kissed the side of her temple and led her closer to the sea of men in their penguin suits.

She linked her fingers through his and smiled. “You wouldn’t like me if I was boring.”

This was so true, she just wouldn’t be Colby without it. She was like a rubix cube – so many different colors and combination's. And near impossible to solve.

Time to plaster that fake, oh so happy to see you smile on and get to work. He sighed and tightened his grip around her hand and forced a smile on his face.

“Ok, what the hell is that? You look like you’re at high school having your picture taken.”

He tucked his hand around her waist. “Oh believe me, you’ll perfect one of these and a fake laugh by the end of the night. You’ll need it.”

“I liked normal Jon better, business Jon looks scary,” she whispered as they got closer to the men at the end of the room.

“Yeah well, I like normal Jon better too. His face doesn't ache at the end of the night."

She stopped him before they reached the men and faced him.

“Your champagne was perfect, I think when we get home it’s time to share some of my work with you.” She winked and ran her tongue across her teeth.

“Empty promises, you already said I was getting a preview and here I am still waiting.” He folded his arms and stood there.

“Do you want me to tell these people what I make if they ask me?” she dared inching in closer to him.

He cupped the back of her neck and sipped from her gently. “Do that, and I’ll have very angry Jon come out when we get home.” He nipped at her bottom lip.

Her eyes sparkled as she laughed, “oh now angry Jon is my favorite.”
“He is?”

She nodded, “uh huh, because I know exactly how to lure angry Jon back to normal Jon.”

He scooped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, she laughed into the kiss he pressed against her mouth. “You do huh? And how exactly is that?” he asked curiously, searching the sparkle in her eyes.

She leaned over and placed her wine glass on a table, and sank back into his grasp. “You’re too easy Jon, when you’re angry all I need to do is…” her hand left his chest and she slowly dragged her palm down his belly but he quickly caught it in his own before she could go any further.

“You use sex as a weapon, and that is very dangerous because one day…” he laced his hand through hers and hovered close to her mouth. “One day Miss Henderson, karma will come back and bite you hard in the ass.” He brushed against her lips and pulled back.

“As long as it promises not to leave a mark there – I’m good with biting. She tugged his lip into his mouth and sucked hard on it.

Dear god, what was he doing with this woman? She was almost too much to handle. And that was a statement, he’d had his fair share of strong women in his life, but none. None compared to her.

He didn’t even have time to answer when Bob Lyons called him over, and the endless introductions with every person and their mother in the record company, and so it began.

An hour later he returned from the men’s room, straightening his cuffs. Again, he had no idea what he’d been worried about when it came to Colby and this side of his life. She was charming, witty and polite and she nailed it with all the business contacts he’d put her through. She was smarter than he gave her credit for, with each question on how they met and how long she’d been dating Jon – she’d managed to steer the conversation right off herself and onto them.

That really shouldn’t have surprised him considering that that’s exactly what she did to him. Often.

He laughed as he watched the woman dripping with ruby red beads worked the floor, without him. He’d had comments from various people that she was a delight, fresh and good for him. Not quite the feedback he expected for a “mistress” he’d brought to a party.

He lifted two fresh glasses of wine and weaved into the crowd to her.

Pressing his mouth on her ear, he grinned. “Are you sure you don’t want to switch jobs. I could use PR girl like you.”

She excused herself from the Beadley’s – another set of record executives Jon was looking to do business with and faced him. Her eyes dilated with alcohol as she smiled back at him.

“Oh my god, get me out of here,” she hissed.

Jon snorted and handed her the glass. “More alcohol makes them much more bearable. Trust me.”

She tipped back the glass and took a gulp. “I’m going to just this once Jersey.”

“You’re quite the socialite aren’t you?”

She snorted, “I just like people and they like me.”

He brushed his lips across her jaw. “You seem sure of yourself there?”

She raised her brow as she took the next sip of her wine. “Never hurts one, to be a little cocky Jon. You should know that.”

He blinked when she flicked his nose and grabbed for her fingers again, twisting his around hers.

“Stop flicking my nose little girl.” He leaned in closer, so their lips were just millimeters apart.

“Or what?” her eyes grew wide and bright.

“Just wait till we get home.” He released her fingers as more people drifted around them pulling them apart.

When Jon returned from his next cigarette break, he checked his watch. He’d had enough two hours ago. Thank god it was almost time to play, and then they could get the hell out of here. He moved towards the stage, he should have told Colby where he was going but she’d soon find out soon enough.

~

“Another one?” Colby looked over at Bob Scott, she smiled and shook her head.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to get me drunk Robert.” She‘d been talking to Robert for the last twenty minutes and had thought Jon would of come and rescued her by now, but no. Robert was the dashing son of the record exec Jon talked about working for once he got back to New York. And he clearly had a little thing for Colby.

He nodded towards the exit and locked his deep brown eyes back onto her. “So how long have you been with Jon?” he asked curiously taking a sip from his beer. He coughed and straightened up his suit jacket.

“Well…” she wasn’t really Jon so to speak. “If you mean how long we’ve been playing around… a few weeks. Since he arrived over here.”

Robert’s brow raised, “oh – so nothing serious.”

Colby laughed, Jesus this guy was trying it on. He was nice enough, but he was one of those rich types that wanted anything that they looked at and liked. She could see it a mile away.

“No nothing serious Robert.” She took a sip from her wine and looked around, where the hell was he? She’d kick his ass for leaving her with this guy.

“Bob, Colby you can call me Bob,” he placed his hand on her arm briefly before pulling it back away when she didn’t reciprocate.

“So Jon tells me you’re a glass blower? That’s an interesting profession. Do you have your own public gallery?”

“No, I just have my brand, Liberty Glass. One day I hope that I do though, maybe here… maybe New York…” she caught sight of Jon finally who was setting up on stage with his acoustic guitar.

Well, well now it’s my turn to watch.

“New York huh? Well you know the right people are always out there just waiting to invest in the right opportunity.” He nodded towards Jon.

Ah, the mistress card.

She laughed, so typical of the type of people in this room. Assuming the only reason she was with Jon was for his power and money. She felt sorry for people like Bob.
She took a sip of her wine and smiled wryly. “So let me guess, I’m Julia Roberts and that’s Richard Gere?” For starters Jon was a hell of a lot better looking than Richard Gere.

“Well no – I’m”

“And if that is the arrangement what business is it of yours?” he raised his eyebrow.

“Well I’m just saying – if Jon doesn’t get you where you want to be – I can always—“
Her hand shook and tightened around her flute. She had a right mind to throw his pretentious champagne back into his face. But she swallowed and flicked her hair back out of her face.

“Well I am about half way; I’ve got one hundred and fifty blow jobs to go will I get my studio.” Her mouth twisted as she watched Robert choke of his beer.

“Oh, yeah its three hundred blow jobs and fifty fucks… added bonus for anal.”

Robert furiously tried to mop up the split beer around his shirt.

“Nice try Bob.” She said as she turned on her heel and made her way to the side of the stage where Jon was sitting on a stool tuning a shiny black acoustic guitar.

“Was Robert hitting on you?” Jon asked nodding in his direction.

She couldn’t tell him, she didn’t want him to worry about what people like him thought of her. She didn’t really care in the end. She was happy with who she was, and what was happening with her and Jon. Screw what anyone else thought.

“He’s harmless. I’m used to it.” She winked.

“Oh so now we’re cocky that every guy wants to hit on you in the room as well?”

She giggled, “Of course. I’m hot and quite the catch. No strings.”

“There’s a lot more to you than just that though you know,” he held her gaze before looking back to his guitar.

So he knew her now huh? She leaned against the side of the stage. “And that is?” she was curious. What did he really think of her?

“Jon we’re ready.” The sound stage guy jogged up onto the small make shift stage.

Colby nodded at him, “Go on then.” That was going to have to wait, but he’d planted a little seed now. Just what did he see in her?

“Thanks Brad,” he looked back down at her and grinned, “now go and prepare yourself for greatness.”

“We’ll see about that.” She walked slowly back into the crowd and found a seat at one of the tables up the front. She was looking forward to seeing him in his zone.

“This seat taken?” she looked up to a younger guy in a suit, wavy blond hair and beach blue eyes was standing there.

“Sure, no problems.” She smiled as he sat down, now he was a little delicious.

“I don’t think we’ve met – I’m Daniel. I’ve been working with Jon on some of his ideas for his next album. I’m a producer.”

“Nice to meet you Daniel, you can sit down if you get me a lemon and soda.” She held out her hand. “I’m Colby… I’m – a friend of Jon’s.”

He shook her hand and with his spare one called the waiter over. “A friend, that’s not what’s going around the room.”

She laughed, “Well people do love a good scandal,” her gaze fell back to Robert but moved back to Daniel who’d ordered her requested drink. She leaned back crossing her legs.

“So is it’s true then you’re a foxy mistress of a rock star then?” he teased tucking a strand of sun bleached hair behind his ear.

“What do you think?” she asked him with a smirk.

He leaned forward and clasped his hands together. “The jury is still out on that one, on one hand the sexy long black dress paints class,” she felt his eyes trail down her body. “And on the other hand, “I’m thinking that the small peek of red lace there means, not is all is how it seems.”

Oh this guy was good, he was a lot more genuine though. She’d read in his eyes. She straightened the top of her dress. “Surprises are best kept wrapped, Daniel.” She leaned back as the waiter placed down their drinks.

She chased her ice cubes with her straw before looking back up at him. “So how long have you known Jon?”

“Around three years, last time he was over on tour my wife and I did some touring around with him and –Dot.”

Ah Dot. She raised her eyebrow. “I see, and where is Mrs Daniel tonight?” she hadn’t noticed a wedding ring on his finger. But in all honesty she hadn’t bothered to look.

“Mrs Daniel, is at home with her new husband and baby.” Daniel said, with a hint of regret.

She sipped her drink, “Ohh I see –well in that case.” She looked over at the small dance floor which had a few couples scattered around it. She looked back at him. “Let’s dance shall we, I feel like dancing.

“Ah sure--?” Daniel stood as Colby took his hand and led him to the dance floor. She was getting bored, and Jon was about to play so she may as well have the best seat in the house for it. Right in front of him on the dance floor.