Reckless (Thoughtless, #3)

After the meet-and-greet was over, Kellan pulled aside Underwear Fan and her friend. They both looked ready to pee their pants. Tory looked upset by the interruption to the flow in her scheduling, but then again, the statuesque blonde always seemed a little upset. Flashing her an I-don’t-care-if-you’re-mad smile, Kellan ignored Tory’s displeasure and treated the pair of fans to a private backstage tour.

Since I was Mr. Kyle’s “personal assistant” and had arranged this little tour, it would seem odd if I didn’t tag along, so I followed behind the fans. They were amusing to watch. As Kellan walked in front of them, highlighting different areas, instruments, and people, the pair of fans clutched at each other like life preservers. And every limb on them was shaking. I nearly expected one or both to drop to the ground in an overload of endorphins. Whenever Kellan looked at them directly, tiny squeaks escaped their lips, followed by a burst of uncontrollable giggles. Was I ever that nervous around Kellan? I didn’t think so.

Kellan ended the tour by hopping up onto the stage from the front of it. He extended his hand down to help the fans up and they both turned a sickly shade of white. I tensed, preparing to catch one if she fainted. Good Lord, he was just a man—an incredibly attractive and talented man, but a man nonetheless.

Laughing at their reaction, Kellan pulled them onto the stage and then reached down for me. Lower than they could hear, he asked, “Need a hand, Mrs. Kyle?” His eyes sparkled with mischief.

Shaking my head, I hopped up on the stage by myself. “I got it, Mr. Kyle.” Standing beside him, I added, “Besides, I think you need to keep both hands free in case one of those girls passes out and falls off the stage. I wouldn’t want you to get sued.”

I pointed behind him at where the girls were giggling, hands over their mouths, as they openly ogled Kellan’s backside. He looked back at them, and two harmonious high-pitched squeals filled the stage as they started hopping around like jumping beans.

Kellan looked back at me, cocky amusement infused into his lopsided grin. “I’m glad you don’t squeal when I look at you.” He leaned in, his arm brushing mine. “I like having to earn it,” he whispered.

He turned his attention back to the fans as my lips parted and my cheeks flamed. I had to fan myself to cool my heated skin. Written or spoken, Kellan sure had a way with words.

Just when the private tour was wrapping up, Sienna popped onto the stage. I noticed her bodyguards nearby, watching her from a respectful distance. The two fans went into a swirl of excitement as the megastar approached them. Sienna was already dressed for the show, wearing the skintight jumpsuit that exposed most of her tan back. Her hair was slicked back into a sleek ponytail, highlighting her slim neck and perfect cheekbones. She seemed like a Greek goddess as she stepped near my Adonis—a pair of beautiful, mythical creatures brought to life.

The fans whipped out cameras from their pockets as the golden couple came close enough to each other that they were in the same frame. Sienna flashed them an Oscar-worthy smile as she motioned over to a couple of the arena’s security team that were waiting nearby. “It’s time, love.” Her accent, warm and husky, hinted at all sorts of things that it could be time for.

As Kellan opened his mouth to respond to her, the fans finally found some courage. Babbling, they gushed, “We adore you so much, Sienna. You’re amazing. And we think it’s so awesome that you and Kellan fell in love while recording a song together. They should make a movie about you two.”

Sienna beamed and immediately replied, “I would love that! I could even play myself!” Flashing Kellan a mischievous grin, she giggled with the girls like they were all at a sleepover together.

As Kellan was politely informing the fans that he was not in a relationship with Sienna, the security team arrived and ushered the girls off of the stage. They pouted like preteens as they were escorted away from the superstars. I thought I even saw tears in the eyes of one of them. And it was clear by the fans’ faces that they hadn’t believed Kellan’s oft-repeated denial. Two more victims of the Kell-Sex publicity machine.

Rolling my eyes, I followed Kellan down the back of the stage as he left it. Members of the crew were milling about with final preparations for the show in a couple of hours, but no one paid us any attention. The thrill of being amongst rock stars was lost on these professionals. I found their presence grounding.

Kellan rounded on Sienna. “We need to talk,” he snarled, his face stony.

Looking unaffected, Sienna responded with, “Sure thing, love.” She motioned with her finger for us to follow her. Then she started heading toward her dressing room without even bothering to see if we were. Definitely a woman used to people obeying her.

Still not looking at us, she disappeared into her assigned room. I put a hand on Kellan’s chest when we got to her door. His jaw was tight when he looked down at me as I told him, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with her alone, woman to woman.”

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