Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 67644 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67644 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
After less than a minute’s worth of conversation, the guy was handing an envelope over to Drew. The smug grin he flashed at me told me he’d managed to accomplish the impossible. Wow. He really hadn’t been kidding about those connections.
5
Drew
As I strode over to the concierge desk, I realized that I was already at a point where there wasn’t much I wouldn’t do to make Autumn happy. Even if that meant introducing her to a good-looking (panty-melting, according to Knox’s sister, Belle) rockstar. I’d contracted Griffith Thorne for a month-long gig tacked onto the end of his latest world tour. We’d become good friends, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t kick his ass if he tried anything with Autumn.
I escorted her to the large concert arena attached to the back of the hotel and took the back way up to the seats reserved for me and my guests. Autumn looked a little shell-shocked as she took in everything around her. Her dark, expressive eyes held admiration but were also full of questions.
I opened my mouth to explain about being the owner of the hotel, but was cut off when the lights suddenly went out and an electric guitar started to play a low intro.
Autumn shrieked and clapped with everyone else, her attention riveted on the stage. The band entered, and I sat back to enjoy the show, though I watched Autumn more than anything else. Damn, she was fucking incredible. Gorgeous, smart, funny, energetic…I could go on and on.
The concert ended, and I stood next to Autumn as she clapped loudly before putting two fingers in her mouth and letting out an ear-splitting whistle. My mouth split into a grin. This girl was fucking awesome.
After the crowd calmed and started to disperse, Autumn spun around and threw her arms around me and planted a kiss squarely on my lips. My hands fisted in her shirt at her lower back and my head tilted to the side, changing the angle and deepening the kiss.
A few catcalls from the seats around us broke the spell, and I reluctantly tore my lips from hers. “Come on, sunshine,” I encouraged as I grabbed her hand. We made our way down to the backstage entrance and I nodded to security as they stepped aside to let us through.
“Wow. You didn’t even have to flash a badge or anything?” Autumn observed with muted curiosity. I shrugged without comment and continued to lead her through the hallway, down to the green room. When we walked through the door, Autumn came to a dead stop and I laughed at the frozen expression of disbelief on her face. “Holy shit,” she gasped. “I’m in the same room as Rising Phoenix.”
“Drew!” My head swiveled at the sound of my name, and I gave Griffith a chin lift as he strode towards us. My hand impulsively tightened around Autumn’s and I pulled her possessively into my side. I heard, but chose to ignore, her muted chuckle. This was a side of myself that I didn’t recognize but apparently, Autumn brought it out in me.
“Great show tonight, man,” I told the rocker as we shook hands.
“Thanks,” he accepted with a grin. His smile widened as his eyes landed on Autumn, and I fought the instinct to take her and run away as fast as possible. “And who is this stunning, woman?” he asked with a wink. I couldn’t help the growl that escaped my lips and both Autumn and Griffith looked at me with surprise. To my disbelief, I felt my cheeks heat. It quickly morphed into annoyance when my friend’s smile turned mischievous.
“Autumn meet Griffith Thorne,” I introduced grudgingly. “Aptly named as he is constantly a pain in the ass.”
He grinned widely and lifted Autumn’s free hand so he could kiss the back. “Great to meet you, Autumn. I hope you enjoyed the show.”
She nodded enthusiastically. “You guys were awesome! I’ve heard you put on a great show, but this was better than I imagined.”
“Want an autograph?” he offered, his eyes laughing as they darted to my face and he clocked my hard expression. “I’m happy to sign anything, body parts included.”
“Watch it,” I barked, making him throw his head back with laughter.
After a minute, he caught his breath and said, “How about a T-shirt?”
“That would be great!” Autumn beamed, then bit her lip a little nervously. I was suddenly incredibly jealous of her teeth. I couldn’t wait to nibble on those plump lips. “Could I possibly get two?” she asked hesitantly. “My best friend would flay me alive if I didn’t ask for one for her as well.”
I was about to insist that Griffith agree, but I should have known better because he winked at her and answered, “Of course! Anything you want. Besides, Drew basically owns my ass right now, so I should keep him happy.”