Stroke It - Brooke Page Page 0,15

guitar, my hands would have betrayed me and reached out to touch her, bring her closer to me while we sang our hearts out.

The song wasn’t meant to describe the craving for a woman, but I was feeling exactly that.

I wanted Raina Skye as badly as I hated her.

Chapter Six

Jet, past

What a crazy chick.

I never understood famous women. I’d hooked up with a few, very casual experiences, mainly actresses, but I’d never been with another musician, if you could even call her that.

“She probably lip syncs all of her live performances,” I huffed under my breath.

Finding the bar where the guys were, I slid in on the end and waved for the bartender to come over. “Can I get a beer, please?”

“Whoa, that tone doesn’t sound like a drinking tune,” Gunner said, turning to face me. He refocused his attention on me verses the pretty brunette we’d been eyeing before I went to the restroom.

I waved him off, “No, I’m fine, you do you, man.”

Gunner sat down next to me. “For real, either you just took one hell of a shit and are in pain, or something else happened.”

The brunette’s arms linked around his neck, her eyes widening when she saw me. She was beautiful. They always were. They had to be to get past security, especially at as high end of a club as this one. I remembered her from before, even planned on approaching her when I got back, but Gunner had grabbed her first. It was okay, I guess. All I could think of was a little blonde chick with makeup all over her face anyway.

Gunner tapped her hand. “Sweetie, could you give us a minute? I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

She glanced between us, her face flushing, unable to hide the flirty grin spreading across her face.

“He’ll make it worth your while,” I said firmly.

Both Gunner and the brunette were taken aback by my comment.

“Okay, I’ll be over there,” she squeaked, her high pitched tone adding to my irritation.

“Since when do you pass up a hot brunette?”

The bartender brought my drink and I took a big swig before answering. “Since I ran into someone interesting on my way out of the bathroom. Besides, you got her attention before me. She’s all yours.”

Gunner raised a brow, watching me drink. He knew alcohol was a bad gateway to my addiction, and didn’t trust me after I’d had a few.

“It was nothing,” I shrugged.

“Then why are you so flustered?”

I scowled, and he laughed.

“Eh-hem,” a tiny voice cleared from over my shoulder. I held my blink for a long second, not in the mood to deal with someone new.

The voice deepened, the sultry sound I’d heard earlier speaking to the bartender. “Can I please get an apple martini?”

Gunner leaned forward at the sound of the young voice, his brow raising slightly. I didn’t need to follow his gaze to know who was sitting there.

I kept my eyes on my beer. “Change your mind about my offer for eyeliner?”

“No,” she muttered. “I came to get a drink. This is the bar.”

“Here you are, Ms. Skye. Can I offer you anything else?” The bartender asked.

“Keep them coming, will you?” She pleaded, the glass looking massive in her tiny hand.

“Are you even old enough to drink?” I teased, taking another swig.

“Excuse my friend, he has a habit of being a bastard to people he’s just met.” Gunner interrupted.

“Thanks, Gunner,” Raina smiled, offering her hand to shake his in front of me.

“So you’re not going to pretend you don’t know him?” I chided.

Her eyes narrowed. “I learn from my mistakes. I see you just become bitter.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Gunner and his obnoxiously polite-self responded.

“Same to you,” Raina smiled sweetly.

I huffed under my breath, then took another swig of my beer.

“You had a great rehearsal today,” Gunner complimented.

“We didn’t watch it,” I groaned, unable to contain my irritability.

Gunner nudged me. “We could hear it, though. While we were waiting backstage.”

I kept my lips pressed together. He was right. I remember thinking she had a great range.

“Thank you, Gunner. I’m looking forward to your performance tomorrow. I didn’t get to hear or see your rehearsal tonight.”

“It happens.” Gunner craned his head to look over his shoulder. The girl from earlier was fidgeting a few feet away with her friends. She was most likely worried Gunner was ditching her for Raina Skye. Lucky for her, Gunner wasn’t that type of guy. None of us headhunted for the famous. They tended to be more