King of Rock (Lions of Pride Island Book 1) Read online

  But would she be resistant to his allure, knowing what she did about him? Knowing her whole life, she’d been running from anything to do with him or the island?

  Her heart started beating hard as she realized she’d be answering that question for herself in just a few hours.

  “That’s what you’re wearing?” Lisa asked, glaring disapprovingly at Stacy’s outfit as they walked up to the venue for the concert. It was in an outdoor stadium, and their tickets were for the VIP standing room area near the front of the stage.

  Stacy just mumbled something unintelligible and pulled her sweater tighter around her. Underneath, she was wearing one of her typical soft, ruffled blouses that buttoned low, showing some cleavage, and had a fun floral print. She wore a tank top underneath for modesty and soft, stone-washed skinny jeans that enhanced her curves paired with comfortable flats. “I think I look fine.”

  “Sure,” Lisa said, perfect pink lips falling in a frown. “You look fine. You’re going to meet Beau Hunt. You should want to look hot.”

  “How I look doesn’t matter. I’m just here to ask him about the charity.”

  “Are you going to ask him how you got the tickets?”

  Stacy was stumped on that one. “I don’t know. I guess I should just take the chance to help the charity, but I wonder if the tickets were a mistake. Even though they were addressed to me.” The thought made her uncomfortable for some reason, but she pushed it aside as she walked ahead and handed her tickets to the doorman.

  He looked bored until he looked down at them and then raised an eyebrow and called over a woman. “VIP. Beau’s personal passes. Get them their lanyards,” he said, eyeing them curiously.

  Another employee came over, looking harried, and gave them a skeptical look before handing them lanyards with VIP cards on them to put over their necks. “After the show, you can take the private exit to the right of the stage, and a security guard will take you to meet Beau.”

  Stacy just blinked up at her, and Lisa nodded at the woman. “Thanks.” Then she pulled Stacy toward the entrance to the arena.

  It was huge.

  So many seats, and they had to walk by many, many of them to get down to the standing room spot right in front of the stage. She had to endure jealous yells and stares from the women around her, all of whom were dressed in their best while she was only in her typical office wear.

  She’d just never been impressed with celebs; that was all. She didn’t think any one person should be thought of as better than anyone else or more worthy of attention. People like Beau Hunt expected the world to revolve around them, but more importantly, it did.

  Stacy blamed the world. She tapped her feet as she felt herself jostled forward in the crowd with Lisa, who was desperate to get up front.

  “I can almost smell him,” Lisa squealed, and Stacy rolled her eyes.

  But then the lights went down in the arena, and a hush went over the audience. When the lights came back, shining all around on the audience, lighting up the stage, which was covered in instruments, she saw the band.

  She let out a relieved breath. Just the openers. For some reason, she wasn’t ready for Beau Hunt to appear.

  She easily got into the fun, upbeat music his openers played. She jumped in the air with Lisa and the other girls (and even some guys) around them who were having a blast and lost herself in the pounding music and the sheer adrenaline of it.

  But all too soon, the band was taking their bows, soaking in the cheers, and then leaving the stage.

  And then everything went dark again. Then spotlights came on, circling around the audience rumbling in anticipation. Stacy felt her heart drop out of her chest.

  A light shined at the top of the set, over a pedestal that was slowing lowering, a lone figure standing atop it with legs spread and a guitar slung casually over his side.

  There was no mistaking the glint of that golden, shaggy hair, cut to look edgy and compliment his beautiful face. No mistaking the screams of the crowd as she could literally feel them heat electrically around her.

  Beau kept his eyes down, staying perfectly still as his pedestal lowered. When it was a few feet from the ground, he raised his guitar and flashed his handsome face at the crowd, jumping down and strumming the first booming note as he stepped forward into a kneeling position that had all the girls screaming.

  Next to her, someone fainted. She looked down as the girl was scooped up by her boyfriend and then at the women around her and wondered if she was in a parallel universe.

  He was… cheesy.

  He started his first song, his gorgeous, husky voice ringing out across the arena as his fans screamed in pleasure.

  She scowled at his outfit. Typical rocker. Leather pants tight over incredibly muscular thighs. His face was model gorgeous, but his body was more pro wrestler. Tall and built, typical lion shifter.

  In fact, that’s probably why she was the only one who saw through him.

  But even she had to admit not all lion shifters were built like that. There was something hypnotic about his face as he looked out at the crowd with a cocky grin just before starting a difficult guitar rift. His bassist came up beside him, leaning in suggestively as they played together, and the women went crazy. Apparently, just seeing anyone next to him was orgasm worthy.

  Another woman fainted.

  Stacy rolled her eyes and grabbed Lisa by the arm. Lisa turned to her with flushed excitement. “What? He’s amazing, right?”

  “He’s something else,” Stacy said. She pointed to the other girl being picked up by her friends. “But are these girls serious?”

  “You think you’re so above it all. But I dare you to just look at him. For ten seconds. Okay? Go.”

  Stacy rolled her eyes and looked up at Beau, as if it’d be easy to prove her friend wrong.

  But she looked at exactly the wrong moment and saw him looking down at her, his bright blue eyes glowing as a smile spread over his face.

  But he didn’t smile like any normal guy.

  This smile wasn’t merely friendly. It was seductive. It was naughty. It promised all sorts of wicked things, and then he strummed again on his guitar, looking at her meaningfully, as if she were what he wanted to be strumming, before winking and moving on to another part of the crowd.

  Now she understood why women fainted. She fanned her face, hoping Lisa wouldn’t notice, but no such luck. Lisa guffawed and then locked her eyes onto Beau again.

  As much as Stacy hated him, from that moment on, she couldn’t look away. She was part of the crowd now, in the thrall of his performance, his husky voice and haunting melodies piercing straight to her soul.

  She could have been imagining it, but it seemed as if his eyes kept returning to her. Was it real, or was that just part of his magic appeal, his ability to make every woman feel like the only one in the room?

  But there was the letter he’d sent, addressed to her, and the tickets she’d used, and the lanyard around her neck that told the world she was his special guest.

  Beau’s personal passes, the guy at the front had said.

  She put a hand over her rapidly beating heart as Beau started his next song, a haunting ballad about being in love. His winking eyes turned serious as he sang his heart out, and she let herself sink into the music and try not to think about the person creating it.

  Or the fact that she’d be seeing him in person soon. In just a couple hours. In a room with that face, that body.

  How would she be able to remember what a monster he and his family were with those golden eyes locked on her alone?

  She pulled her sweater around herself and resisted the urge to run. Or faint. She was on a mission here.

  She told herself to stay for the children, for the profit Beau would bring if he agreed to the auction.

  But she had to admit she didn’t think she could run if she wanted to. As much as she hated it, she was locked in his magnetic tractor beam, and she couldn’t escape any easier than he could fly off the stage.


  Beau felt sweaty and exhilarated as his manager came in with one of the assistants to congratulate him on the concert. He took a wet cloth from the assistant and thanked her, pressing it over his face to cool off from the bright spotlights that’d been on him for the past two hours.

  But even that heat couldn’t compare to the warmth that had sizzled when he locked eyes with his mate. He was glad he’d sent her those tickets. Being up close like that, he’d recognized her immediately. Felt that spark he’d always hoped he’d feel when he met the woman meant to be his mate.

  He’d seen her reaction to him, though it hadn’t been exactly what he’d expected. Shock. Wariness, somehow. Maybe she didn’t know how she’d gotten so lucky as to be there? Did she remember who he was at all? Maybe she was just shy. She was dressed different than any of the other women, but he liked that, too. Liked that she was keeping it under cover, like she was saving it all for him.

  Perfect. With those gorgeous eyes and that soft, dark hair and those rounded curves, she’d make a perfect mate. Thank heavens he didn’t have to settle just to please the oracle. He didn’t think he could have picked better himself.

  “I heard you have someone coming backstage,” Lou said. “Nice of you to tell me.”

  Beau frowned. Had he forgotten that? Maybe. “I am. I’m going to meet with her in the back tent.”

  “You need to be supervised,” Lou said. “I’m coming.”

  “Suit yourself.” Beau shrugged, pulling off his shirt and pants and changing into a dry tee and soft jeans with sandals. It felt great to cool down in the night air. He could still hear the excitement of the fans as they were leaving the stadium. He’d played all the encores he could. He truly loved seeing their happy faces, though he had to admit it had been extra special tonight, performing in front of his mate.

  He’d known ever since he was little that he would have an arranged mating, and he’d been trying not to worry about it because there wasn’t anything he could do. But now, knowing everything was going to be fine, he was at peace with it.

  It would be nice to have a mate. Someone to hang around who would understand him as a person, not just a celebrity. Someone regular. Down to earth. And curvy and pretty, with fiery eyes.

  Lou picked up his radio and walked away a few steps to talk into it. Then he turned back to Beau. “Your guest is here with her friend. They’re waiting outside the talent tent out back.”

  Beau swallowed. This was it. His first meeting. Well, he’d met her once as a kid, but he knew she wouldn’t remember, if she even knew that was him, since he’d been in lion form.

  But she had to remember his name, as he and his brothers were rulers on the island where she’d lived much of her younger life.

  Was it conceited of him to hope she did know who he was? Maybe.

  He rolled back his shoulders, checked himself in the mirror, tucking his hair back out of the way, and felt just a little self-conscious for a second.

  Then he laughed at the absurdity of it and walked out into the night, hands in his jean pockets. He hadn’t met a woman who didn’t like him yet. He didn’t think he would now.

  He walked across the darkened grounds to the small, lit tent toward the back of the rented area. He saw two small figures standing in front of it. One was taller, slimmer, and then the other he recognized as the perfect, curvy shape of his mate. His fingers itched to pull her in and trace over every part of her, exploring her.

  But he supposed he had a lifetime for that.

  She was gaping at him, her dark eyes wide, before she shut her lips stubbornly and crossed her arms over her chest. Her friend ran forward and grabbed him with both arms, making him choke as she squeezed. He met his mate’s eyes and saw them narrow, and he gently extricated himself from the fan.

  “Thanks,” he said, putting out a hand for her to shake to keep a distance.

  “I’m Lisa,” she said breathlessly, staring at him like she’d like to eat him. A stare he was used to. “Thanks for inviting my friend.”

  “My pleasure,” he said, turning his eyes to Stacy, who was glowering at him with a look that was completely unfamiliar. “And you’re Stacy?”

  She nodded.

  A tiny niggle of doubt invaded his usually impervious ego, troubling him. Why was she holding back? Maybe she was feeling insecure or like he was teasing her.

  He stepped forward to see if she would move back, but she held her ground, looking up at him flatly even though he was so much taller. He studied her slowly, giving her a hot, head-to-toe glare he knew women loved. Mainly because he wanted to look her over, already wanted to know everything about her.

  Her eyes flashed up at him, and he felt the air heat from her response. Good, she was attracted.

  “Can I talk to your friend alone?” he asked Lisa.

  Lisa, agape, nodded and moved out of the way, ignoring Stacy’s obvious pleading stare for to stay. He grinned. His mate was shy. He liked that. He could bring her out of her shell.

  Lou stood to the side with Lisa while Beau pulled Stacy closer to the tent. She had nothing to fear. He’d be an absolute gentleman, but he had words for only her to hear.

  “Did you enjoy the show?” he asked, still catching his breath from all the singing and from the excitement of seeing his mate.

  She nodded hesitantly, her dark eyes glittering as her long eyelashes lowered and then raised so she could look at him.

  “Good,” he said, starting to feel more awkward by the moment. “Have you been to one before?”

  She shook her head.

  Crap. This girl was unexpected. He should probably get to the point so she could realize how lucky she was.

  He reached out and touched her arm lightly, stepping in closer and looking down at her. She glanced up at him, lips parting slightly in shock.

  He liked he had this effect on her. No other effect on any other woman in the world mattered right now. Just her. Just his mate.

  He touched her hair, slicked into a tight ponytail but soft all the same, and traced a finger over her ear, making her shudder as he leaned in against to whisper. “You win,” he said.

  She looked up at him. “What?”

  He snaked an arm around her, enjoying the feel of her body, the sparks already between them. “Me,” he said, lowering his lips to hers, anticipating the soft, silky feel of them as he closed his eyes.

  Instead, he felt the cold sting of a slap that rang out in the night and stood back in shock, looking into the flashing eyes of a very angry Stacy Anderson.

  He put a hand to his cheek and stared down at her in shock. Of all the things he’d expected when he went to kiss his mate for the first time, that was the last one.

  3

  “Who do you think you are?” she spat, hands clenching into fists. “I don’t know why you invited me to this stupid concert, but I’m not one of your fans, Beau.” She folded her arms over her chest, glaring up at him. “So keep your hands off and tell me what you want from me. And if you put your mouth near me again, I’m going to send you back to your fans way less handsome.”

  Her heart was pounding way too hard. Beau Hunt had been about to kiss her. Beau Hunt. She took another step back, her legs feeling shaky.

  His striking face was shocked, still slightly sweaty from the performance, and his perfect lips twisted into a confused scowl as he stared down at her.

  She put her hands on her hips. So he thought he could just take liberties? So what if her body had been responding to him and his pheromones. Who cares that she wanted the kiss he was offering way too bad.

  She had only one reason for being here, and she would stick to that. She wouldn’t forget who Beau Hunt was, who his family was, no matter how many sexy songs he sang or how many times he gave her a sultry once-over.

  “Less handsome?” he asked drily. “How’s that?”

  “See how they think you look with a split lip.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “When I bite you,” she said.<
br />
  He laughed then, leaning forward and putting his hands on his knees to support himself. He really was larger than life off stage. Much taller than she’d even expected, though without the glow of the lights, he did look more human, more down to earth and less god-like.

  “I don’t think you have to worry about that.” He stood and folded his arms. “I misread the situation, but I have no interested in forcing myself on females.”

  She gritted her teeth. Females.

  “No need to look so offended,” he said, raising his hands. “It’s what we are. Males and females.” He took a step forward, lowering his voice so her friend, who was standing some ways away and looking concerned, couldn’t hear him. “Lions, that is.”

  She shoved him away again, because having him near made her body heat too much, and she couldn’t think. “Why did you send me those tickets?”

  He cocked his head and his hair fell sexily to one side, glinting in the dim overhead light. “Why did you accept them if you don’t like my music?”

  She glared at him. “Your music is fine. It’s you I’m not a fan of.”

  His eyes narrowed at that, as if she’d finally gotten under that relaxed, cocky shell and was bothering him. “You didn’t need to slap me, though.”

  “You didn’t seem like you were getting the message.”

  He gave her a long, slow look, perhaps scenting the air. “Oh, I was getting a message all right. Problem is you’re all mixed up, and I just picked up the wrong one.”

  She snorted. “Fine. So apologize and we’re good.”

  He bit his full lower lip, working it over, and she realized how many women would kill to be where she was right now. Verbally sparring with Beau Hunt. Worldwide heartthrob. Too bad she knew more about him than they did.

  “What do you want with me?” she asked, tightening her arms around herself as if she could somehow keep him from seeing her. Keep him from looking at her in that sexy way that glistened with expectation.