Lovestruck (Rock Goddess Reverse Harem Book 1) Read online

  I can feel his heartbeat when he captures my hand in his and keeps it there, before moving my fingers to kiss them. “That sounds like fun.”

  “I assume you’re off work?”

  “Two days off,” he tells me. “If that’s okay?”

  “Of course.”

  I would need to call Nick. I hadn’t seen him since the night before last and I didn’t want him to think that had been a one-time thing. I hesitated to do it, but I’d sent him a message already, asking when he’d be back in town. He’d had to head back to L.A. for a few days. I was glad he wouldn’t be around to attract Diana’s attention. It was probably better if I kept him at a distance until I figured out what to do about the bitch who was determined to destroy me. It would be better if she didn’t know about him. One less person for her to hurt.

  “Two days and I’ve got you all to myself,” he says, pulling me closer to him. “I wonder what we’ll do.”

  “I can feel something we can do, for starters,” I tell him, shifting the sheets to get my fingers around it.

  He crushed his lips to mine, running a hand through my hair, as he moved to be on top of me.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  * * *

  ASHER

  Something happened last night that I don’t totally understand. Course, it would help if I could actually remember it. Logan had been waiting in Eden’s bedroom when we got home from our date. He’d gone mad and we’d gotten into a fight. I’d taken a bump to the head. He’d fucked off after that, apparently. I’d shaken my head when she told me about it. Couldn’t remember a damn thing.

  Waking up naked with no memory of the night before didn’t seem so bad when I was waking up next to Eden. She was gazing at the balcony doors. Didn’t look like she’d slept. First thing she’d said was, “Do you think it would be easy to brick those doors over?”

  The conversation quickly turned to what we’d be doing together for my days off work. I hadn’t been sure she’d have time for me, with the other guy she’d need to actually spend time with if she was with him the way she was with me.

  I haul my clothes on after our long shower together. I’ll need more if I’m staying.

  “I can’t find my shirt,” I call out to her.

  “You got blood on it from your nosebleed,” she calls back from inside her walk-in. “I couldn’t get it out.”

  She throws me a T-shirt. It’s on the small side, so at least I know it’s hers. “Biggest one I have.”

  I haul it on. It’s a tight fit, kind of like a muscle shirt, I suppose. Doesn’t look bad, exactly, but I put my suit jacket on over it all the same. “I’ll be back in an hour or something. If Sasha isn’t still there being a pain in my ass.”

  She comes out of the closet in a one piece cat suit that makes my eyebrows jump upwards. “Are we going out, or…?”

  She shakes her head. “This thing just comes off super easy. Thought that might be convenient.”

  Why am I going home for clothes again? I shake that thought off. I’ll need something to wear when I go back to work, and something in case we actually leave the house. If it wasn’t for knowing Sasha was at my place I might be able to just relax and not worry about clothes. She’s probably been pawing through my stuff. The thought makes me groan.

  I kiss her and move past. “I’ll see you soon.”

  I head down the stairs and the doorbell rings. If it’s the locksmith, he’s early.

  Opening the door, I find myself looking at a guy in jeans and T-Shirt with heavily tattooed arms. Almost looks like one of Eden’s old band members, but I know he’s not.

  “Hi,” I say, wondering if asking him who he is would be impolite.

  “Oh, hey,” he says, looking me over and grinning in an overly familiar way.

  “Do I know you?” I can’t place him, but I feel like I should be able to.

  “You’re the guy who wrote Eden’s autobiography.”

  “And who are you exactly?” I raise an eyebrow, wondering why he’s acting so strangely. He doesn’t seem like a stalker-fan type, but what would I know about stuff like that? That was Logan’s area of expertise.

  “Oh, right. You don’t know me. I’m Nick,” he says, holding out a hand. “I own the new night club in town.”

  I shake his hand, shock hitting me. This is the other guy. I suddenly wonder if leaving is such a good idea. I shake the paranoia off quickly. This isn’t a competition. Eden’s not looking to choose one of us. She chose both. “Were you looking for Eden?”

  “I just wanted to give her something.”

  I take a breath and let him in, walking back to the staircase to call on her. “Eden! You have a visitor.”

  She comes down the stairs and her face pales slightly. I wonder if letting him in was a bad idea.

  “Nick. I was going to call you.”

  “Well, now you don’t have to.”

  I take her hand and kiss it before I leave. “I’ll be back in an hour at most.”

  She nods, shock still in her gaze. The room feels tense, like none of us know how to act. Besides Nick, maybe. He almost seems comfortable. He smiles at Eden, and I know he loves her. Instinctively, I want to punch him for looking at her the same way I do. I have to go. I leave without rushing out, not wanting Eden to see me freak out. I take a few deep breaths when I’m outside the house.

  I need someone to speak to about this. It’s too weird to deal with on my own. There are too many pitfalls. I don’t want to fuck things up. I walk quickly to my house, hoping Sasha hasn’t gotten bored and left yet. Do I really want to tell her? My stomach squirms at the thought. I’m not used to going to her for help. I usually never need it. Desperate times call for desperate measures, I suppose.

  I get to the house and find the door unlocked. “Sasha,” I call out, checking the time as I walk in.

  I hear a noise upstairs and head up there. She stumbles out of my spare room, her hair sticking up all over the place, pulling her robe shut tight. Clearing her throat, she stares at me.

  “What? I only had a few glasses of wine last night. No big deal.”

  I smile. “Do you want some coffee?”

  “I want painkillers and a long island iced-tea.”

  “Done.”

  She stares at me. “Seriously?”

  “I’ll take some advice as payment.”

  Her eyes actually brighten. “Advice?”

  I sigh. This is either going to be a mistake or a…

  The spare room door opens and a guy stumbles out wiping his eyes. I glance from him to Sasha and she shakes her head at me vehemently.

  “That’s not Alan…”

  She pulls me down the hall. “Ssh! Come on.”

  “There really is trouble in paradise, then?” I feel bad for joking about it now.

  The stranger disappears into the bathroom. I don’t recognize him, but that doesn’t mean anything. There are plenty of people in town I’ve never met. More so now that the nightclub was on the go, I’d suspect.

  “Alan hasn’t touched me in like six months. We were supposed to be trying for a baby, remember? How’s that supposed to happen when we don’t…”

  “I don’t need to hear the words.”

  She blows out a breath and I grimace.

  “You had tequila last night.”

  “Don’t blame the tequila.”

  Okay, I actually feel better without even speaking to her about Eden. My perfect sister’s life is more of a mess than mine is right now.

  “Anyway, I think Alan’s fucking one of his secretaries at work.”

  “What?” That just seems wrong. I never spent a lot of time with the guy but I know he’s besotted with Sasha. I’ve seen the way he looks at her, the way he treats her.

  “He lost all interest in sex like two weeks after the company employed her.” She pats down her hair as I start making her drink.

  “Oh.” That does sound kind of suspect, I suppose.

  “She’s one of those dolly-bird types with
big fake tits and plastered on make-up.” She pulls a face. “So how’s it going with Eden?”

  I sigh. “It’s been great.”

  “But?” She crosses her arms and stares at me. “I can hear the but in your voice, Asher. Spill it.”

  I hesitate because I know she won’t understand. I don’t want her telling me to break things off or compete to show Eden I’m the better man. None of that is helpful. I need to know how to cope with the base instinct bullshit that’s going to threaten things. That’s all.

  “I’ll be staying at her place for a couple of days. Don’t leave the door unlocked, okay? Diana came into the library the other day and she was pissed that I told her to get lost. So I wouldn’t be surprised if she snuck in here to set the place on fire or something. Promise, you’ll lock the door.”

  “Ew, Diana.” She screws up her nose. “Fine, I’ll lock the door.”

  “Are you kicking the new guy out?”

  She shrugs. “He came for the nightclub opening. He’s from L.A. I think his flight is tomorrow.”

  I pass her the drink and then I head upstairs to grab some things. I try to take my time, but I keep wondering what Eden might be doing at home with Nick. Get a grip, Asher. He said he was just dropping something off.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  * * *

  EDEN

  I can’t believe Nick just showed up like that. Did Asher know who he was? I wince. If he didn’t, my face must have told him. “Shit,” I whisper as Nick moves towards me.

  “I’m headed to the airport,” Nick says. “I just wanted to give you this.”

  He takes a bottle of lube out of his pocket. I have to smile.

  “I know we don’t have time for it now,” he tells me, putting it into my hands. “I’ll be back in a few days. You can invite me over then.” He pulls me into a kiss and I relax, enjoying the feel of his hard body against mine. I almost wish he didn’t need to go.

  I break away. “It’s a date.”

  His gaze drifts over me. “Nice cat-suit.”

  He leaves before I can say goodbye. I’m left standing with the bottle of lube, feeling totally out of sorts. I realize I’m going to have to make some ground rules to stop things from getting complicated. I can’t have Asher and Nick running into each other every other day. That’s bound to get awkward.

  I open one of the kitchen drawers and stuff the bottle inside. I have no idea what Asher would think if he saw it, and I didn’t think it would be right to use it with him if he was into that besides. Considering it was a gift from Nick. I could feel the heat rising to my face over this whole thing. It was going to get complicated, messy.

  Sky comes downstairs and I glance at her. “Where have you been hiding?”

  “Not Cain’s bed, that’s for sure,” she grumbles, heading for the fridge.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  I suppose it’s as good an opening as any. “Is something going on with you and Cain?”

  She groans as she takes a bottle of water from the fridge. “No.”

  “Was there something going on before?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Guys like sex, right?” She takes a sip of water and puts the bottle down. “They’re not supposed to turn it down.”

  “He turned you down?” I can hardly believe it.

  “I know, right? How dare he?” She downs another gulp. “Dickhead.”

  “Is he seeing someone else?”

  “No,” she murmurs. “That’s the really insulting part.”

  “Maybe he’s just not into casual stuff.”

  “He was for the last three years.”

  My eyes widen. “You’ve been sleeping with him for how long?”

  “It’s not a big deal, okay? He’s an asshole anyway. Just deciding it’s over like that.”

  “He didn’t give you a reason?”

  She sucks in a breath and blows it back out dramatically. “He wanted me to swear he’s the only man I’m going to see. I can’t make that kind of commitment. Please.”

  “You’re seeing other guys?”

  “Not for a while. Who has the time?” She picks up the bottle.

  I can see she’s headed back to the stairs. I bite on my lip. One little touch would be enough to see what was bothering her. I blink as I realize my powers are kicking in on instinct again. I can help Sky. I reach out and squeeze her shoulder as she passes. I know she’s in love with Cain the second I do. She’s just afraid to lean on him, to be vulnerable. There’s a darkness there, a source that’s causing her fears. I can’t reach it.

  “He’s a good guy, Skyler. He’d never let you down.” I don’t know that, I barely know him, but those are the words she needs to hear. I know that, and I know they’re true the moment they leave my lips.

  She frowns at me. “You, if anyone, should understand what it’s like.”

  “What it’s like?”

  “To need more than one man to keep you satisfied.”

  I feel my skin burn. “It’s not like that.”

  She raises an eyebrow. “Then what is it like?”

  No, Eden. Don’t let her turn this back on you. I touch her shoulder again, and I feel the light pulse into her. She blinks.

  “You love them both?” Her frown deepens. “How is that possible?”

  I’d been asking myself that same question, and apparently I’m not allowed to answer it with I’m a Goddess of Love. I shake my head. “It’s not that hard to let someone love you, Sky. You just have to open up a little.”

  She doesn’t say another word. I’m not sure if I helped her or made things worse. I’m still wondering when Asher comes back. I move towards him.

  “You came back,” I say, with a smile. I’m so glad to see him.

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “I don’t know. The awkward moment before you left.”

  He laughs. “It was just unexpected, Eden. It hasn’t changed anything.”

  I relax, knowing he’s being honest. I look him over. The dark T-shirt and jeans he’s changed into look good on him, though not quite as well as the suits he likes to wear to work.“So this is what casual Asher looks like.”

  He steps back and spins around. “You like? It’s just easier to get out of.”

  “Is that so?” I smile.

  “Has the locksmith been yet?”

  I grimace. “Sadly, no. I wedged a loveseat in front of the doors. Hopefully they’ll be here soon.”

  “Well, I don’t want us to get interrupted so why don’t we put on a movie or something?”

  “Good idea. You pick the movie. I’ll find the popcorn.”

  He pulls me into his arms and kisses me long and deep.

  I couldn’t be any happier right now. The song I’d been getting flashes of is suddenly pouring through me. I break away from Asher, gasping.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I shake my head as I pull away and open the door to my studio. “Hang on. I need to write this down.”

  He comes and stands in the doorway as I feverishly scrawl the whole thing out. Words first, melody after. I pick up my guitar.

  “What am I seeing right now?” he sounds bemused.

  “You’re seeing a woman get her muse back, Asher. Now, shut up and listen.”

  I start to play the song and every fiber of my being rejoices at the power of it coursing through me. It doesn’t always happen this easily, but it’s flowing right through me and every word, every note, just feels so right. I feel every emotion it pulls through me vibrantly. When I’m done, I’m breathless and Asher is clapping. I put the guitar down and run into his arms. He spins me around before he puts me down.

  “I’m back,” I whisper, hugging him close. None of this would have happened without him.

  “That was amazing,” he tells me. “You just came up with that whole thing on the spot? That’s awesome, Eden.”

  “Thank you, Asher.” I couldn’t have done it without you.

  Author’s Note


  Lovestruck is only the start of Eden’s journey as a Goddess of Love. Books two and three are coming very soon! The rest of the books in the series will be released roughly one month apart after that. So if you love this book and can’t wait for more, make sure you do at least one of the following:

  Stalk me on Facebook

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  If you have any questions about the books, you can ask me on Goodreads, message me through my Facebook page, or send me an email at:

  [email protected]

  Special thanks to my awesome beta-reader Jennifer, and to fellow author Amanda Carney who completely transformed my blurb. You ladies rock.

  Copyright

  All rights reserved. Thank you for buying an authorized edition and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning or distributing any part of this novel in any form without permission of the author.

  Romy Lockhart is a pen name of S.S. Martin, who writes fantasy novels under her maiden name.

  Copyright © S.S. Martin writing as Romy Lockhart 2018

  This book is a work of fiction and includes the creation of fictional towns. Any resemblance to real persons or places is purely coincidental.

  Cover art by Mayhem Cover Creations

  http://mayhemcovercreations.com

  Formatting by Polgarus Studio

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