He brings me to the brink again. This time, he can't hold back. I dig my nails into Steele's back. He looks into my eyes. My flesh tightens around his cock as he holds my gaze and erupts inside of me, and I over him.

The feeling is intense. We stay like that, our bodies rocking slowly in unison. The pace slowing with every circle of our hips. Steele hasn't taken his eyes off of me. He has the sweetest look on his face - one I have never seen before - and I love it.

"You're incredible, baby." Steele runs the back of his hand down my arm, "everything about you."

I blush, "thanks. You're not so bad yourself."

He chuckles.

We continue to rock together, like a slow, sexy dance to music only the tow of us can hear.

"How about we clean up and get into bed?" he asks, "you might have heard, I have a big show tomorrow. I should get some rest," he quips.

"So I heard."

Steele kisses me softly on the lips. He takes my hand and leads me to the bedwqroom. I don't hesitate. I just follow along. He promised it would be just the two of us tonight - that I would forget about everything else - and I did.

Chapter 9.

Steele and I awoke together tangled in his bedsheets. We didn't get out of bed until room service knocked on the door. I put on one of his tee shirts while he answered the door. We met at the dining table which was set in front of the window in his suite.

He poured us each a cup of coffee and we sipped in comfortable silence. My phone vibrates on the table. I pick it up and see it's a text message from Jayne: 'You need to call me - ASAP.'

Uh-oh. That doesn't sound good. There's nothing remotely friendly about her message. She's all business, which is never a good sign. My head fills with thoughts of what she could have to say to me. Only one thing truly concerns me - and he's sitting right across from me. The troubled look on my face must give me away.

"Everything okay?"

"Probably. Just work."

I can't look him in the eye when I reply. I'm a little uneasy and I won't be able to relax until I know what it is that's waiting for me. I drink the rest of my coffee and put the mug down.

"I think I'm going to go back to my own room. I have to return this call," I announce as I stand up.

"You can call from here. This suite gets pretty good reception," Steele jokes.

I roll my eyes, "I need privacy - no offense."

"None taken."

Steele stands and pulls me into his arms. He kisses me on the forehead, "take care of your business. I have to get my shit together and head over to The Garden anyway."

"Okay."

"Come and find me when you get there, okay?" he asks.

"I will." I smile up at him, but I'm not convinced I will be doing that.

I walk into the bedroom and collect my things. Steele doesn't follow. I'm sure he can sense that I need some space right now. I put my jeans back on, but don't bother changing my top. I like having Steele's tee shirt on.

I emerge back into the main area of the suite and Steele walks me to the door.

"Thank you," he says.

"For what?" I laugh.

"For forgetting about the drama. For letting it all go. For giving me the chance to show you how I feel. For giving yourself to me."

I blush. Steele has such a way with words. No wonder women everywhere want a piece of him. He speaks to their deepest desires in every verse of his songs.

"Sure. Any time," I reply.

"You better mean that." The familiar crooked smile appears on his face. It's so sexy - and it's just for me.

I reply with my own half smile, returning his mischievous look. Steele presses his lips to mine. This time he slips his tongue between my lips. We engage in a short, deep kiss.

"Good luck tonight," I say before the elevator comes.

"I'll see you before the show, but thanks," he reminds me.

The doors open. He squeezes my hand and I walk into the elevator car. Steele looks at me like I'm the only woman in the world he will ever need. He watches me as the doors close.

It's strange - this is not what I expected at all when I agreed to take this assignment. Come to think of it, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it definitely was not this.

I take the elevator to my floor and make it to my room without being seen. It shouldn't matter anyway, everyone already knows about me and Steele. It still feels better not having to deal with it though. Especially not today. I'm not going to feel relaxed until I speak to Jayne.

I wash my face and take a seat at the desk in my hotel room. Taking a deep breath, I dial Jayne's number. She answers on the second ring, although I hear her speaking to someone in the background. I wait for her to address me.

"Hi, Annika."

"Hey, Jayne. What's up?" I ask, trying to sound casual.

"You tell me," she says.

Her tone is serious. This doesn't sound good.

"Well, I broke the news to Jesse last night," I begin.

"Yes, I know."

She knows?

"I got a call this morning from Steve."

I swallow so hard that I'm positive she can hear me on the other end of the line.

"Jesse didn't take it too well," I reply.

"No. Not well at all. Steve said Jesse came to his room last night extremely pissed off - and that's putting it mildly."

"Yeah, I was expecting something like that."

"Well, in the midst of his tirade, he accused you of sleeping with Steele."

I let her words sink in, unable to respond.

"I'm sure he's just trying to get you fired, but I thought you should know."

Jayne's tone leaves me wondering whether she really thinks he was spinning tales or that maybe there's something more to what he said.

"Sounds like he got pretty vicious," I answer, avoiding the chance to confirm or deny the accusation. It may be wise to come clean, but the words are escaping me.

"Yes. Steve was pretty upset to say the least. He knew someone was going to have to go, he just wasn't expecting it to be Jesse. We spoke for a while and he seems to feel better. I'm just not sure where Jesse went or what he's going to do. He told Steve he was leaving last night, but I don't know if he did."

"Well, at least I got it over with. I don't think we'll have any issues. Everyone is going to be really busy with the show tonight. There are enough people to pick up the slack in his absence."

"Everything will be fine, Annika. As they say, 'the show must go on.'"

"Of course."

I know the show will go on, but I'm not feeling too positive about me and Steele right now. Jayne already caught wind but doesn't believe I'm dumb enough to do something like that. I need to end things before it becomes an issue.

I sigh, "well, I should get going. I have to get to the arena and do some damage control."

"Great. I'll see you back here in a few days."

My heart sinks. I've been avoiding the thought of leaving.

"Yes. We'll catch up when you get back into town."

"Sure, Jayne. You know where to find me if you need me."

We end our call. Although everything is good on the business side for the moment, my personal life is still pretty fucked.

If I let things between Steele and I get any more serious, I could easily lose my job. How would I make that work anyway? Live a life on the road? Follow him around the country - or the world - like some heartsick groupie? I swore I would never be that girl.

If I end what we have though... there is no easy answer. I want him. I need him. I know that now. There's just no way to make that happen.

Right now, I have a job to do, above and beyond anything else. I have to swallow my own feelings and get to The Garden. Time to put on my big girl panties and take care of business.

Crushed, I shower, get dressed, and have the front desk call me a cab. Whatever happens tonight, I'll just have to handle it and hope for the best. ______ Madison Square Garden is bustling with activity. This is something I've always loved getting to be a part of. The roadies are setting up the stage with equipment and people are darting around here and there. Everyone has a job and they know exactly what to do. It's like organized chaos, and I thrive on it.

I see a couple of familiar faces, but everyone is too busy to stop and talk. I don't mind. I'm sure they've all heard about Jesse, which makes me public enemy number one. I have no reason to approach anyone for conversation, so if they're not coming to me, I just steer clear of any interaction.

I had texted Steve on my way over and he let me know where he set up his 'office'. I make my way to a room up on the top floor. Luckily, he's in there alone.

"Hi, Annika," he says, barely looking up from a stack of papers.

"Hey, Steve."

I remain silent and let him finish what he's doing.

He rolls up his papers and looks up at me, "so, Jesse..." he trails off.

"Yeah," I reply, "sorry. It had to be done."

"I know. He was pretty upset."

"I heard."

"Actually, that's an understatement," he sighs, "let's just say, it wasn't pretty. If I didn't know him so well, I would have been afraid." Steve twists his hands, "fuck, no. I was afraid," he laughs nervously.

"Well, at least it's over now."

"I hope so. Him and Jasmine were pretty tight. I'm expecting her to seek her own vengeance. She's already accused you of sleeping with Steele, you know."

I swallow hard, "yes, Jayne already told me."

"I told her not to start trouble, but she's a firecracker, that one."

"I'm not scared of her, Steve," I laugh.

I'm lying though. I am scared. Not necessarily of Jasmine, but of the damage she can do to my career. I should have never let things go so far with Steele.

"I know. Just giving you a friendly warning."

"Thanks. How's everything going today? Are you all set for tonight?" I ask, changing the subject.

"I think so. The usual bullshit and whatnot. Something always goes wrong, but I'm used to it. That's my job."

I smile, "I'm glad you have it all under control. Do you know where I can find Steele? I need to check in with him."

"Sure. He's just down the hall. They're going over a new set list. He wants to open with a different song tonight. I don't agree, but why would he listen to me?" Steve shrugs and rolls his eyes.

"Rock stars," I comment in agreement.

Steve walks me to the door and shows me where Steele is, "I'll see you for the sound check, okay?"

"Sure."

I walk down the hall to find Steele. Talking to him now may not be the best idea, but I have to nip things in the bud before Jasmine has the chance to make things worse.