Dare Me (Rock Gods #2) Read online

  "Okay doc, what's your diagnosis."

  "Just some bumps and bruises. Possible mild concussion."

  "Concussion?!? That's serious, isn't it?"

  "Well, the only thing they would do at the hospital is keep me from going to sleep over night. I can do that on my own. It's no biggie, really."

  He stared at her, her gorgeous blue eyes peeking up at him. And then he said something incredibly stupid.

  "I'll make sure you stay up."

  She raised her eyebrows at him incredulously. He raked his hand through his hair distractedly.

  "No- I mean- Jesus. I'm not a child molester! I just meant it's my fault you got hit in the head, so I will keep an eye on you. It's the least I can do. We can watch movies or something."

  She folded her arms over her chest.

  "I am not a child."

  Belatedly he noticed her bosoms. Oh my god, did he notice them. He'd been so focused on her startlingly blue eyes and doll like face that he hadn't realized… Good lord.

  They were perfect. He swallowed, realizing that Jessica might be a teenager, but she had the body of a woman. A really, really womanly woman. She had an exceptionally good body. Tiny, but not in, um, certain places.

  Jesus.

  "Of course, you're not. I just meant. Oh hell, come in. We can talk about this later."

  She gave him a look and shrugged, following him into the amphitheatre.

  **********

  Jess followed Kendall down a long hallway to another door. He stopped at the security gate and asked the guard to get her a backstage pass. He grinned at her as he lowered it over her head.

  She followed him down another hallway to a large dressing room with several couches. The rest of In Tempo were sitting around, Gerald and Tom were playing with their phones. Davie was stretching.

  All of this was seen through a blur. Hardly anything registered in Jessica's shellshocked brain.

  She'd been hit by a car.

  She was backstage at an In Tempo concert.

  But most importantly: Kendall Jackson just asked her to watch movies with him all night.

  "Have a seat. I just need to change into my- uh- costume."

  He grimaced, making her laugh.

  "What's wrong? You don't like to rock the track suit anymore?"

  He gave her a look which was half annoyance and half shrewd assessment.

  "You're pretty smart for someone who just got conked on the head."

  "So I've been told."

  "I bet. Listen, drink something. You should hydrate right?"

  "Okay. Where's the beer?"

  He let out an exasperated laugh.

  "No beer for you Miss."

  He tousled the hair on her head and walked off to a separate dressing room. She looked around and found a seat on one of the couches. The other guys looked at her curiously but didn't say anything.

  She was reaching for a bottle of water when she felt it.

  Her phone was buzzing.

  Oh god, she'd completely forgotten about her friends!

  She pulled it out and quickly texted them both what had happened. Her phone buzzed back immediately as they texted in simultaneously.

  What?

  No you didn't!

  You guys. Yes. I am backstage because Kendall Jackson ran me over with his car.

  OMG are you okay?

  Is he hot for you?

  No! God, he's just being nice.

  I'm fine.

  Okay good.

  He's hotttt for yoooouuuu!

  Shut up. He thinks I'm twelve. I have to go.

  Okay girl we will SEE OURSELVES HOME.

  Don't do anything we wouldn't do ;)

  TAKE PIX

  Ttyl

  Jessica shut her phone with an exasperated sigh. She looked up to see Kendall watching her with a funny look on his face. He was back already.

  That was fast.

  "Everything alright?"

  "Yeah. My friends are just being stupid."

  She paused, suddenly noticing his outfit. He was wearing a white satin track suit. With rhinestones.

  "Is that-"

  He nodded.

  "Yeah. Ye olde track suit. It's just for the opening number."

  She tried to fight it but she couldn't. A startled laugh burst out of her mouth. He gave her a mock offended look but she could tell he was smiling.

  "I know, it's ridiculous. But we rip them off after two seconds."

  She was still giggling. The long suffering look on his face was making it impossible to stop.

  "I'm sorry- I just-"

  "Go ahead, get it out of your system. Hey- drink your damn water!"

  **********

  She was laughing at him.

  The little minx was laughing at him.

  He couldn't blame her really. He was wearing an exact replica of the suit they all wore back a million years ago, in the late 90's. It was a bit humiliating to be honest.

  Thankfully they tore them off after the first song started. And the second half of the show was done in suits. He's insisted on that.

  He watched as the adorable woman child laughed at him. He rolled his eyes and threw her a bottle of water.

  "Drink up little miss hilarity."

  "You look great- I muh- mean it-"

  She dissolved into laughter again.

  "Hey, are you okay? Maybe you got hit on the head harder than we thought."

  She shook her head and finally stopped giggling.

  "I'm fine. You look great."

  He scowled at her.

  "Yeah well, you should see what we have on under these."

  Davie came over to stand next to him.

  "Yeah, it's skin freaking tight."

  Gerry piped up, still playing with his phone.

  "I feel like a piece of meat!"

  The girl looked around at all of them, shaking her head.

  "I'm sure that everyone appreciates you all for your musical abilities and - your minds-"

  She started laughing again.

  Kendall looked at Davie.

  "Should we?"

  He nodded.

  "Come on guys. Let's give her a preview."

  They lined up in front of the couch where Jessica was sitting.

  "One, two, three."

  They pulled their track suits in unison and stood there in skin tight t shirts and jeans that were designed to hug their bodies like a second skin.

  Jessica wasn't laughing anymore. She wasn't looking at the other guys either. She was looking at him.

  After all the bells and whistles he had finally gotten a reaction out of her. The girl looked awestruck. She definitely found him attractive, even if she wasn't impressed by his celebrity status.

  That was gratifying.

  Really gratifying.

  He grinned and starting pulling his track suit back on.

  "The opening act just finished. Come on, guys. We are on in five."

  They scattered and started primping in front of the mirror.

  He leaned forward and tousled her hair again.

  "Keep drinking that. You can come up and watch from the side." She opened the water and dutifully took a sip. He smiled at her.

  "At least I know how to get you to stop laughing now."

  Her eyes widened as he leaned in and whispered.

  "All I have to do is take my clothes off."

  Her mouth was open as he waved and headed up to the stage. He'd had to stop himself from kissing the look of surprise off her face. He knew he shouldn't have said that but he was enjoying messing with her, just for the reaction. It was more than that though. He was dangerously attracted to her too.

  Get a grip Kendall! She's just a kid. A very precocious and appealing kid, but a kid. She's too young for you.

  He wondered how old she was. If she was sixteen like he thought he might look her up in two years. He made a mental note to get her phone number. He could text with her or something. Keep in touch. Wait for her to grow up.


  That wasn't really his style, but he had a feeling she'd be worth the wait.

  He turned to look at the rest of the group. They were bouncing on their feet, revved up and ready to perform.

  He closed his eyes to focus.

  Then he ran out on stage and got into position.

  The lights came on and the crowd lurched forward en masse.

  They waited a minute for the screaming to stop.

  He counted down from five with his hand behind his back so they could see.

  Then they started.

  3

  Jessica stood in the wings, watching them perform. They were even better than they'd been as teenage boys. Now, they were even more precise, their voices stronger. And their bodies… Jeez.

  Forget the guys behind him, it was Kendall who held her attention. Not to mention the rest of the women in a ten mile radius. He was tall, but not too tall. He was lean, but not too lean. He was muscular, but not too muscular.

  He was fucking perfect.

  Even from this distance she could see his gorgeous eyes, those smiling lips, that face with the high cheekbones and perfectly symmetrical features.

  And that hair. Just messed up enough to make you want to run your fingers through it.

  God, he was gorgeous.

  It should be illegal to look like that.

  She sighed. Oh well, she might as well enjoy herself. She pulled out her phone and took a few pictures, dancing around a little bit. She thought about posting them on her Facebook page but decided not to.

  Yes, it was cool that she was backstage. But it was also not cool if she looked like a groupie. Besides Kendall might not like it. She would just take a few pics for prosperity.

  Before she knew it the show was half over and he was grabbing her hand, pulling her back to the dressing room. He collapsed on the couch and chugged a bottle of water. The guys were all fist bumping each other and wiping themselves down with towels.

  Jess grabbed one from the stack and threw it at Kendall. He grabbed it and grinned at her, wiping himself down.

  "So? What did you think?"

  "You guys still got it."

  They all laughed. Kendall was watching her while he drank.

  "Did you hydrate?"

  Oops. She'd kind of forgotten to do that actually. She grabbed a water bottle and started chugging it obediently. She peeked to see if he was mad at her and froze when she saw the look on his face.

  He was staring at her throat. No, lower. At her chest.

  He looked like he wanted to kiss her there.

  Or bite her.

  Oh my god.

  He raised his eyes and smiled at her as if he hadn't just given her a visual fondling. He toasted her with his bottle. Then he got up to change. Before he left he came and stood over her, close enough that she could feel the heat coming off him.

  "You're feeling alright? Not dizzy or anything?"

  She nodded dazedly. He had a strange effect on her. She did feel dizzy, but that was because of him. Not that she was going to tell him that.

  Jessica wasn't that dumb.

  In just a few minutes they were all changed into matching suits and fedoras. They looked gorgeous. She swallowed nervously when Kendall grabbed her hand and pulled her up the sloping hallway towards the stage again. Then he let go and ran back onstage.

  She held her hand against her chest, wishing there was a way to preserve the feeling of his palm against hers. Tingles didn't begin to cover it. It felt like tiny earthquakes up and down her arms. And the butterflies he was giving her felt like little tornados in her stomach.

  Jessica realized she was out of her element. Way out of her element. She had to decide whether to enjoy it a little while longer or to run for the hills. Part of her really felt like getting out of there was the safest bet.

  That way she wouldn't get hurt.

  Then again, what was the harm in enjoying the show?

  Or flirting a little bit with the best looking man she'd ever laid eyes on?

  Just a little while longer… she would wait and see what he said after the show. It was insane, but she had the crazy feeling that he wanted to kiss her. Even if she did look like she was sixteen years old.

  He liked her, at least a little bit. That much was obvious.

  The weird thing was that she could tell it wasn't in a perverted way, like some of the guys who asked her out. It seemed like he was battling himself. Like he knew he shouldn't kiss her, shouldn't even want to.

  He thought she was twelve after all.

  But he did want her. A little bit at least. Kendall Jackson, international rock star and serial model dater, wanted to kiss little Jessica Sheckler.

  And by God, she wanted it too.

  **********

  Kendall shrugged out of his sweat drenched jacket and took a swig of water. He was staring at the girl he'd almost run over. Again. He couldn't seem to stop staring at her. He definitely did not want to send her home, even though that's what he knew he should do.

  He wanted to go to bed with her. He had a vision of him peeling her clothes off and licking each tender looking bit of her as it came into view. And then he'd- well let's just say he wouldn't have trouble keeping her up all night, that was for sure.

  Jesus, what was wrong with him? He could have his pick of women. For some mysterious reason he had a case of the hots for this spunky little girl with the huge eyes and huge- well, she was amply endowed. He's leave it at that.

  She looked a little nervous, sitting there on the couch of the green room.

  If she knew what he was thinking, she'd be more than nervous.

  She'd probably be terrified.

  "We should call your parents. Tell them to come get you."

  "I don't have-"

  "What?"

  "Never mind. I should get out of here anyway. I just need to call a taxi. My friends took off already."

  She stood up, grabbing her bag. She was all business all the sudden.

  "Hey- don't go. I'm making sure you don't fall asleep, remember?"

  She sighed as if he were a very slow person she was trying to get through to. He could see her resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

  "You don't need to do that. I'm sure you have other things to do. Groupies to bang."

  "I don't do that kind of thing."

  She blinked at him.

  "Sorry. I'm just hungry. I get cranky when I'm hungry."

  "We could get something to eat. Unless your parents are going to ground you or something?"

  "I told you- oh forget it. It was really nice meeting you."

  She held out her hand. He stared at it. Her hands were delicate and clean. She had an expensive waterproof watch on. Something was bothering him about her. He just couldn't put his finger on it.

  What he really wanted to put his finger on was her.

  "Thank you for a really great evening. Other than, you know."

  He shook her hand, still staring at her. He had this crazy thought all the sudden. Maybe she was older than she looked...

  "How old are you anyway?

  She lifted her chin.

  "Twenty six."

  "Seriously? You're older than me!"

  She gave him a look that could cut glass. He felt immediate relief. He wasn't a pervert for wanting to kiss her- or, do other things with that hot little body. She was the right age for him after all. Now there was no way he was letting her get away that easy.

  "Yes, seriously. Do you want to see my ID?"

  He grinned, contemplating all the things he could do with her.

  "Yes."

  "Shut up."

  He laughed. She wouldn't bore him, that was for sure.

  "Well, alright then."

  "Alright what?"

  "Now I'm definitely keeping you up all night."

  "Excuse me?"

  "I just meant- look, we're going to Vegas for the weekend. You should come with."

  "To Vegas?"

  "Yeah. That was I ca
n make sure you don't fall into a coma or whatever happens with a concussion."

  She rolled her eyes at him.

  "Actually, that's exactly what happens."

  "Okay so, let's go."

  "I don't know..."

  He leaned in and smiled at her. He knew he was playing with fire with this girl. She wasn't his usual fare of vapid but experienced women in the industry. But suddenly he didn't care.

  "Come on. I dare you."

  4

  Jessica looked around the tour bus in awe. She was actually doing it. She was going to Vegas with fucking Kendall Jackson. She debated about pinching herself but decided she didn't particularly want to wake up from this dream.

  It was so out of her normal range of experience that it felt like a dream. And they weren't even at the airport yet.

  The In Tempo tour bus was tricked out, with couches, a bar, an enormous flat screen tv suspended from the ceiling and a gaming system that the rest of the band was currently gathered around. She was sitting at the kitchenette area table, watching Kendall flip through a deck of cards. She was trying not to stare at him. He was so insanely good looking it almost hurt to look at him. He was sending little shivers of desire through her body and he hadn't even touched her.

  He seemed to think she was easy on the eyes too, judging from the glances he'd been casting her way.

  There was just one little problem.

  Kendall probably expected her to sleep with him.

  Tonight.

  It wasn't that she wasn't attracted to him. That was a given. It's just the idea of rushing into bed with him wasn't that appealing. Even if he was a gorgeous rock star. Besides, she hadn't been with any one in a long time. And she'd never been the sort to just fall into the sack with someone. There was something gross about that, even if the guy was a really nice, really hunky, really talented celebrity.

  In fact, him being famous was the biggest problem she had at the moment. She didn't particularly want to be just another groupie. Even if she kind of was. Or had been, a decade ago.

  She chewed her lip, wondering what the hell she was doing.

  Or how she'd turn down sex with the man of her dreams.