Blake

The concert had ended and Mild Savagery descended the stage.

"What's going on?" Cathryn asked, scanning the crowd.

Lights flashed as Cathryn heard people shouting and staring up ahead as they gathered around the group. They crammed together and she found herself fighting for space just to get closer to Alexander.

It was a fact that this bastard was popular as fuck and she had taken her for granted.

"I don't know," Edward said, standing on tippy-toe, getting excited by all the commotion.

"Must be the paparazzi," Edward commented.

The band members were mentioned over and over, mixed into a barrage of endless questions all of which merged into chaos she could barely comprehend. Cathryn listened to everyone else talk about how great they were.

Goddamn, paparazzi. It would have been surreal if it wasn't so frantic and in her face.

She almost got trampled and groped in the riot that she could barely feel her feet from getting crushed through the whole show. She didn't care as she shook back her sweaty hair considering the thousands of people jam-packed together.

She didn't notice that someone had grabbed her hand and dragged her through the mob.

Was it Alexander?

The world became a blur as the paparazzi closed behind and they ignored them. Lauren's mouth pursed in surprise when she saw the person who helped her escape the riot turned to look over his shoulders.

"Cathryn, I have been looking for you." A voice said, male, deep, and nice that made her body stir in the strangest of places. A shiver went through her.

His blurry face loomed closer and she saw those distinct sleepy ocean eyes.

It was Blake.

"Where are we going?" She asked as she trailed after him.

"Quiet down and follow me," Blake whispered as he shoved the black cap she wore on top of her head.

"Go! Hurry up and get inside." Blake had pushed her to the door entering the backstage. Cathryn scrambled across then slumped down, doing her absolute best to be invisible just to hide from the paparazzi.

Because Blake had taken her the backstage she had full access to it like she had the VVIP concert tickets. There was a dressing room and a wardrobe room. Roadies were moving the equipment around while the pyrotechnic crew was busy taking out the stage's special effects. The room smelled of cigarette smoke, body sprays, sweat, and beer.

"God, I'm so thirsty." She said the internal monologue out loud. Slapping a hand over her mouth, she realized it was too late since Blake had already heard it.

Cathryn grabbed the water Blake had handed her and guzzled it down. She can't help but spill a little water on her chest since her mouth was so dry from all the shouting.

Still, she took a quick peek down the front of her dress.

Oh shit.

Now her bra was showing for real underneath. Blake noticed them and now the man can't stop looking at her breasts.

"Thank you, Blake." She cleared her throat loudly that it brought his attention back to her face. This time, Cathryn bit her lip as she stared at the food and drinks that were set out on the tables.

"That's for the musicians." Blake chuckled at the way she stared at the chocolate fountain. It was heartbreaking not to taste one and take a bite from it. "But if you want one I could give you."

"Really?" Cathryn swallowed as noisy rumbles rose from her belly. Nice, very ladylike.

"It depends on what you can do for me." Blake then sat back on a nearby chair to watch her with his intense blue eyes.

"Never mind, just take that chocolate back." Cathryn stepped backward and she turned away from him, away from that sweet temptation in his hand.

"I was joking." He said.

After a long moment, it dawned on her that he expected her to respond.

"No, it's fine." Cathryn didn't know what she had done to deserve such kindness without anything in exchange. Under normal conditions, he was light years out of her league and worlds away from her type. Bad boys were highly overrated. "I have some things I needed to do actually."

"What is it?"

"I need your help." Cathryn pushed her hand through her hair, getting it out of her eyes. "I came here to the concert as a ransom."

"Ransom?" Blake reached out and carefully disentangled her messy hair from whatever was causing the trouble. Cathryn blocked his hand away to stop him and he dropped his hand.

Please don't, hot guy. Her hair was a sweaty mess.

Cathryn motioned him to come closer and she whispered in his ear. "Alexander had taken my book I borrowed from the library and if I can't return that, I would pay the penalty."

"Just pay the penalty," Blake said as his dark brows drew down in confusion.

Ugh. No!

"I'm not rich like you, asshole."

"Then I'll pay for it for you."

Cathryn shook his head in frustration. "Ugh, you don't get the point."

"And the point is--?"

Cathryn asked. "Have you seen Alexander carrying a book?"

Blake's voice dropped to a whisper. "What book?"

She was starting to get vaguely embarrassed as heat crept into her neck. She didn't want to answer that. "I can't tell you."

For a long moment, Blake just stared at her as he narrowed his eyes.

"If it's Erotica I think I have seen him reading them when we were resting in our Hotel Room."

"That book, Blake! Please help me get them."

"It was surely your lucky day tonight that it was me who helped you out of the crowd because—"

"Because what?" Cathryn was so frustrated he wanted to scream at him. "Blake, can you just tell me because I don't have enough time to play with you. Quick before Alexander comes."

Blake shrugged. "We are roommates in the Hotel."

"Oh God, great. Thank you." She said excitedly as she beamed at him. "Now can you help me get inside and get the book?"

"Last time I remember, I think he placed it on his bed." Blake gave her an obvious look-over and she steadfastly resisted the urge to shrink back. Not happening. When he met her eyes, his gaze seemed curious. "But what can you do for me if I help you, Cathryn?"