Nathan stepped back, held her hand, and untangled the wig from her fingers. Fuck! He never let anyone outside of the band and family get close enough to stumble upon his secret. Now this redhead would ruin everything; his band and identity would be destroyed.
Dammit. Why did he have to get so close? Test or no test, she was one hot firecracker and he couldn’t help himself. Now, after a moment of stupidity, years of keeping his identity a secret was flying out the window.
Turning his back on her, he threw the wig on the lounge, clenched his fists, and took a deep breath. “Forget what you saw here.”
“But…why—”
“If you breathe a word to anyone, I’ll sue your arse off.” He swung around, his muscles quivering. “Understood?”
She quickly nodded.
At her startled expression, he deflated. “Get out,” he said as he turned his back on her again.
The sound of the door closing echoed through the room.
Chapter 2
“What the hell just happened?” Jade mumbled as she scuttled down the corridor.
The long-haired, lead singer of Harvey’s Territory with the silver nose ring, black studs up his left ear, and black, messy hair wasn’t the grungy rock star the world saw. Underneath the black wig was dark, sandy-colored hair, which even though flattened, looked neatly cut, short around the sides with a little longer tussle on top. Without the long locks covering his face, and even with his angry expression, he was hot. Why would he want to hide such good looks?
Rounding the end of the corridor, Jade bumped into a tall, solid wall and stumbled a couple of steps back. A hand reached out, stopping her from falling. The security guard that led them backstage scowled at her.
“Why the hell are you wandering around?” he demanded as he searched the corridor behind her.
“Sorry, I got lost.”
He lifted a skeptical eyebrow and grumbled, “Lost…that’s what they all say. Anyway, your friend’s been looking for you.”
Jade huffed and slammed her hands on her hips. She was getting tired of people around here not believing her. “I did get lost. This place is like a freaking maze, and your instructions were stupid.”
The guard’s frown deepened, and he pointed a stumpy finger at her face. “Listen, lady, if I had a dollar for every skanky groupie that chased after Nathan and his boys, I’d be a rich fucking man. You’re not the first chick to get lost, and you won’t be the last. Now go find your friend or I’ll kick your arse outta here.”
Jade gasped, but before she could come up with a scathing comeback, a deep voice shot out behind her. “Trent, get the fuck out of here.”
Turning around, Jade almost bumped into the lead singer, he was standing so close. The wig was back, and a black leather jacket with chains hanging from it covered the tattoos.
“Just as soon as I get rid of this skank for you,” the security guard said.
Jade huffed at the insult.
“No need. You’re fired,” the singer said with deadly calm.
The guard’s eyes bugged out of his head. “Come on, Nathan, you don’t mean that. You told me you wanted no one sneaking around here, and she’s some bimbo trying to get into your pants.”
The singer, who she now knew was named Nathan, spoke with a tone more like a growl. “And you didn’t do a great job of that either, did you? Now get the fuck out.”
“But—”
“Now!”
The guard jumped. Even Jade flinched at the harshness of his voice. She watched as Trent hurried away.
“I’m sorry he spoke to you like that.” Nathan’s dark brown eyes looked at her with a gentle expression, and Jade was a little taken aback. Only moments ago he’d threatened to sue her, and now he’d defended her against a big, muscly security guard he’d nearly brought to tears. Could tonight get any weirder?
“It’s okay. I could’ve taken him on. Mr. Gym-Junkie wasn’t so scary. But did you have to fire him? Maybe he’s got a family to provide for, or pets to feed. I bet he has rabbits. He looks like a rabbit kind of guy.”
Nathan’s lips twitched, then he flashed a white smile so hot it shot into her chest like a lightning bolt. The term killer smile was created for one like that, because for a second, she could have sworn her heart stopped beating.
