Traitorous Heart: #7 (The Traitorous Heart Series) Read online

  Jasper came over. “We’re going to start with you on the bed.” He glanced at my body, his eyes not nearly as admiring as the assistants had been. “You might want to do a hundred sit ups or so, first.”

  “Right now?” I was shocked. “Really?”

  “Look Griff, you’re obviously a great looking guy, but the camera takes every flaw and enunciates it.” He indicated my stomach. “Women want the fantasy. A six-pack is normal, but that’s not good enough anymore. They want to see a twenty pack. I can have my people CG them in, but it would make my job a whole hell of a lot easier if you’d do some sit-ups… and maybe avoided carbs while we’re shooting. Okay?”

  CHAPTER 4

  Griffin

  “Uh, sure.” I sat on the floor and lay back. The concrete was cold and my skin puckered with goose bumps. I got into position and began counting silently.

  One.

  Two.

  A young woman dressed in a thick white robe appeared on set and walked over to Jasper. Her assistant continued to work on her hair as the young woman moved.

  “Heather,” Jasper said. “Let me introduce you to Griffin Maxwell, the man you’re going to be in love with while we’re on this shoot.” He snorted at his joke.

  Heather gave me a friendly smile.

  I’d hit fifty sit ups and decided that was good enough. I jumped up and stuck out my hand. “Hi. I’m Griffin.”

  She shook it. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Perhaps the two of you should go into a corner and make out. Get comfortable with each other.” Jasper patted me on the back.

  I cringed at the touch of his clammy hands against my skin.

  “You have two minutes.” Jasper walked away, talking to one of the camera guys.

  “Have you heard the song?” I asked Heather, enjoying the scent of vanilla radiating off her.

  “I have. It’s really good.” Her brown eyes met mine. “It’s sad, poetic,” she continued.

  “Thanks,” I responded, wondering if she thought I was fishing for a compliment.

  She turned and walked over to the bed.

  I followed.

  “So we’re supposed to start out in love, correct?”

  “Yes. I guess Jasper is going to have us in bed together.” I winked.

  Heather smiled wider. “But you can’t keep it in your pants, can you? You’re going to break my heart because of another woman.”

  “Pretty much.” I’d written the song based on Katie and I. Meeting her had inspired a lot of excellent songwriting.

  Heather laughed and I joined in.

  “Can you hand me my notes?” Heather asked her assistant. I watched her take them and noticed her small hands and perfectly manicured fingernails.

  She glanced up and I quickly moved my gaze elsewhere.

  “So it’s you and me in the bed and then—”

  “Let’s go,” Jasper shouted, walking over. “Heather, time to get naked.”

  The actress nodded.

  I felt embarrassed for her. There were a lot of men in the room. “Should we ask some of the set and crew to leave?”

  Jasper gave me a condescending look, not bothering to answer.

  Heather removed her robe. I was relieved to see she had on a skin colored bra type thing as well as matching panties. They were nearly invisible, but at least the important parts were covered.

  “See?” Heather glanced down at her body, adjusting her panties so it totally covered her pussy. “Nothing to worry about.” She handed the robe and her notes to her assistant. The woman stepped off set.

  “Pull back the covers,” Jasper demanded.

  The guy who’d given Jasper his coffee moved the covers. Heather lay down. Jasper came over and placed her so that she was just the way he wanted her. One of the cameramen had brought his camera in closer. Jasper put his black horn-rimmed glasses on top of his head. They disappeared within his black curls.

  Over the next ten minuets they got Heather into position and then fixed her hair and touched up her makeup until she was perfect. “All right, Griffin. Climb on. Put your knee between Heather’s legs and try not to move anything.”

  I placed my knee between her legs. She and I were so close I could see through the nude-colored pasties. Heather’s body was smoking hot. She was long and lean, a little too skinny. But her breasts were perky and the patch between her legs seemed to call to me. I wanted to bury my cock inside her pussy. Fuck her thoroughly. At the thought of spreading her lips and entering her wet pussy, I started to get hard.

  “Okay, lay across her slightly and lean down like you’re going to kiss her,” Jasper said.

  Heather watched me closely, her gaze focused on me.

  “This is awkward,” I said, trying to keep a straight face.

  She didn’t move, didn’t say a word. It was weird. She was like a beautiful statue. But I understood. Jasper had told her to hold still.

  “Great, now gently put your lips on hers,” Jasper said.

  I cleared my throat, leaned down so that Heather and I were nose to nose. My cock pressed against her stomach. I watched her eyes get big as I touched my lips to hers.”

  “Stay like that. Don’t move,” Jasper ordered. “We need to get a few shots.”

  I froze, waiting for more direction.

  “Excellent. Good. Now make it a real kiss.”

  I studied Heather, wondering if she would move for our kiss. My lips pressed down on hers more firmly.

  She responded, moving her lips slightly, pressing her body toward mine.

  I pushed open her mouth with my tongue. She let out a little noise and I felt her body relax and open. I tucked my hand under her neck, pulling her closer. She opened her mouth, allowing me full access.

  I was nearly prepared to forget about the cameras and give Heather the kiss of her life, but there was a pop, like the cork coming off a bottle of champagne. Immediately after that my vision became blurry. Then my body got heavy, and I couldn’t keep myself hovering above Heather any longer. My arms gave out. I tried to speak, but couldn’t remember how to say the words.

  Heather ran her fingers through my hair. I guessed she thought I was getting into our moment. But then I heard a catch in her throat. She pulled her hand away and looked at her fingers. I did too and was surprised to see they were covered in a red substance.

  Blood, my mind thought.

  Heather screamed.

  CHAPTER 5

  Katie

  “Why don’t you come home with me?” Cage asked as I filled out the paperwork for my release from the hospital.

  My first thought was to say no to him. Cage and I had become close but we were nowhere near the moving in together stage. But when I thought about going back to my apartment I got sick. The idea of being alone in the place where Chloe had nearly killed me… it terrified me. Still all my stuff was there. My life. At some point I’d have to face it.

  Cage sat on the bed. “I want to be able to take care of you. What if you need help?”

  It was true. I couldn’t pull up my underwear after going to the bathroom. My parents had asked me to come stay with them, but I couldn’t. I needed to be here when Birdy got out of jail.

  Otherwise everything I’d been through would’ve been for nothing. I had to see her face as a free woman. “I don’t want to be a bother,” I finally said.

  Cage patted my hand. “You won’t be.”

  “Maybe for a day or two,” I said, grateful for his offer.

  “Good.” He pulled out his phone and called to have his driver meet us at the front entrance.

  At that moment the doctor came in along with his nurse. She took my paperwork.

  “You need to wear this sling until you go see your regular doctor in a couple of weeks. The less you move it, the better.” The doctor carefully cuffed it over my arm and then secured it around my neck. “Here’s a prescription for pain medication. You don’t have any allergies, correct?” His gray eyes peeked over the top of his brown reading glass
es.

  “That’s right,” I said with a nod.

  “Good.” He ripped the paper from the pad and handed me the prescription. “You’ll need to change the bandage on your neck daily. Try not to get the area wet.” As he spoke, he pulled back the bandage, grunted, and then resealed it over my wound. “Everything looks good there.”

  The nurse handed be a package filled with white gauze, bandages, and tape.

  “Any questions?” the doctor asked.

  I tried to think of something, but he’d been thorough. “No, I’ve got it.”

  The doctor’s face softened. “You’re going to be fine.” I sensed he wanted to say more, but professional courtesy prevented him from doing so.

  I swallowed back the sudden rush of emotion that’d welled up in my chest. “Thank you.”

  He went to the door. “You’re welcome.” He pulled it open and the nurse went out. “We’ll take you to the entrance.”

  The nurse returned in with a wheel chair.

  CHAPTER 6

  Katie

  We stopped by my apartment on the way to his. Cage went up along and collected some clothes. Then we stopped at a pharmacy and he had my prescription filled. After that he stopped at a local café and picked up some soup and croissants. By the time we entered his apartment I was exhausted.

  “Want to lie down?” Cage asked.

  “Sure.” The truth was I felt like I could close my eyes where I stood and sleep there for a year.

  “Come on. I’m going to run a bath first.”

  The idea of cleaning my body seemed like it take too much effort. I didn’t have it in me to do anything but sleep.

  “I’m so tired,” I said, grabbing hold of the railing for effect.

  Cage wrapped an arm around my waist and helped me walk to his bedroom and then into his bathroom. I glanced in the mirror and realized why he wanted me to take a bath. Even from the other side of the room I could see flecks of dried blood on my face and arms.

  I realized I did want to get cleaned up.

  “You won’t have to do a thing. I’ll do all the work.” His jaw clenched and I realized it was hard for him to see me still covered in blood.

  “Okay.” I sighed. Cage helped me over to a chair. I sat and watched while he turned on the water, tested it for temperature, and then poured a vial of something in it.

  After several moments I realized he’d put lavender oil in the tub. The aroma was immediately soothing. “How are you such a good guy?” I asked when he came over and began undressing me.

  “You bring out the best in me, I think.” He smiled sweetly.

  I reached out with my good arm and touched his face. “I’m glad.”

  He pulled off my shoes, helped me out of my sling, then my clothes. He folded them and set them on the counter near the sink.

  His eyes appraised my naked body and I wondered what he saw. Was I gross? I hadn’t really eaten in a few days. Did the lack of sustenance show on my form?

  Cage took my hand and helped me step into the large tub. The water was warm and I sank within happily. “Careful of your stitches,” Cage said.

  I stopped when the water reached my armpits. There was a bandage over the place where I’d been shot, just above my breast. I could feel I had an identical bandage on my back as well. The bullet had gone through my back first and come out the front. A memory of the bullet ripping through my skin hit me and I sucked in a breath.

  “Mind if I get in with you?” Cage whispered the question softly against my ear. He was a distraction and I was grateful.

  “Are you trying to get freaky with the wounded girl?” I asked, teasing, even as my body shivered with anticipation.

  He touched the skin along the back of my neck. “It’ll make it easier to wash you if I can get close.”

  I shivered again. “Then by all means, get in here.”

  I heard him unbutton his shirt, unzip his pants and slide off his shoes. Then he stepped in. I watched, admiring his cut abs and well-defined arms and chest as well as his finely toned thighs and glorious cock. It wasn’t fully hardened, but it was getting there.

  I smiled. “You’re hot.”

  “So are you,” he said, coming over to me. “Close your eyes. Let me make you feel good.”

  I did as he said, listening as he squeezed some body wash on a corral loofah. He started with my right arm, working the soap into a thick lather. Then he moved to my chest, carefully cleaning around my neck and the bullet wound on my shoulder. He was so tender I couldn’t help but relax. When he finished with my chest, he squirted some more body wash and his hands were suddenly on my breasts. I lifted up, pressing into his hands. His thumbs rubbed the tips of my nipples.

  I shuddered with pleasure.

  He moved down to my stomach and lower. I was sure the soap was gone but he pushed my thighs apart and ran his fingers along the slit of my pussy, his thumb finding my clit and massaging.

  I opened my eyes. His gaze was on me. “You feeling relaxed?”

  I bit my lip and let out a ragged breath. “Not really.”

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  I shook my head. “No fucking way.”

  He smiled as his thumb continued to massage my clit. His other hand went under the water and he stuck a finger in my pussy.

  I pushed against him. He moved in and out slowly. I kept my eyes locked on his as my orgasm built. “You want me come?” I asked.

  “Yes, Dandelion. It’ll help you relax even further. Then you can sleep.”

  “Can I sit on your lap?” I moved toward him as I spoke.

  His seemed to think about it. “I don’t want you to strain yourself.”

  “I won’t. You’ll take care of me.” I said the words and meant them.

  He growled and pulled me onto his lap, adjusting so that my pussy sheathed his now completely hardened cock.

  “God,” I sighed as his cock filled me up. I used my good arm to wrap my hand around his neck. Then I moved slightly, riding him, pressing myself deeper and deeper so that his cock felt like it was in my womb.

  “Fuck, you feel good,” I said, watching his eyes.

  Cage put his hands on my ass, spreading my cheeks, touching my ass hole, massaging gently.

  The small movement sent my building orgasm cresting over the top and my pussy shuddered around him.

  He smiled. “That’s my girl.” He started to lift me off, but I held fast.

  “I want you to come, Cage.” I pressed a kiss to his lips, moving my pussy back and forth over his cock.

  “It’s okay, Dandelion. I’m fine.”

  I shook my head. He’d done so much for me I wouldn’t be deterred. I began to move faster and I could feel the tip of his cock rubbing the opening to my uterus.

  Cage groaned. “You make it hard to say no, tiger.”

  I smiled.

  He placed one hand on my waist and helped me rock against his cock. His fingers twined with mine. He groaned again and I felt him orgasm. “Dandelion, I love you,” he whispered.

  CHAPTER 7

  Katie

  After our bath, Cage helped me dress and tucked me into his bed. I think I was asleep before he turned off the light.

  During the night I woke a couple of times looking for Cage and each time I realized I was alone in his bed.

  From what I’d learned of Cage I realized he was probably trying to give me space, allow me to take up as much of the bed as I wanted, but I was used to sleeping in a single, and I was worried about him.

  “Cage,” I called at six in the morning, climbing out of bed. My shoulder throbbed. I needed another dose of painkiller.

  I heard him run up the few short stairs. “You all right?” He nearly ran into me.

  “Yes. Are you?”

  A quick appraisal of him showed he’d changed into sweatpants and a tee shirt at some point during the night.

  “I’m fine. Why are you out of bed? What do you need? I can get it for you.” His face was scruffy and his short
hair seemed ruffled.

  I smiled at him appreciatively. “I need another pain pill and some water.” There was a glass on the nightstand next to my side of the bed and I picked it up, showing him it was empty.

  “Let me get it,” he said, taking the glass from my hand. He left the bedroom and I debated, but finally decided to follow him. I wasn’t an invalid after all.

  Cage crossed the living room. I noticed the news was on, but the volume was down. I glanced over just as a picture of Griffin flashed on the screen. A remote sat on the coffee table and I used it to turn up the sound.

  “… the lead singer of the hot new band Crushed Velvet was shot in the head yesterday during the filming of their first music video…”

  I felt myself sinking to the floor and I couldn’t make myself stop. “Oh my god,” I whispered over and over. “Griffin.” I heard myself moaning. Not him too.

  The news anchor went on. “The rocker was rushed to Good Samaritan hospital in critical condition. We’ll keep you updated on his condition.” The blond news woman paused and smiled before going on. “Is Kim Kardashing pregnant again? Find out after the break.”

  “He’s alive,” I said, wiping my face. Relief flooded through my body. He wasn’t dead. She’d said he was in critical condition. That wasn’t good, but it meant he wasn’t dead.

  “Griffin.” An irresistible need to go to him overtook me. I couldn’t explain why. Sure he’d saved me, in more ways than one. He’d prevented Chloe from killing me, but he’d also protected me from my doomed relationship with Reid.

  I wasn’t naïve. I knew Griffin was an asshole prone to fuck every girl he came in contact with, but at the moment none of that mattered. I had no intention of marrying him or even having a romantic relationship with him again. “I need to see him.” I used the coffee table to help myself stand, forgetting about my shoulder. When the weight of my body pressed against my wound I cried out.