Free Faded (Rock Star Trilogy) by Mercy Amare

second. I have never been so turned on in my life, but I won’t tell him that.
    “ You will break one day ,” he says confidently.
    “Maybe, but maybe not. I’m a pretty strong-willed person. I could make you wait until our wedding night.”
    Stephan smiles. “Wedding night?”
    Crap. Did I just say that out loud ? Now would be a really great time for the floor to open up and swallow me whole. I turn away from him and try to think of something to say. I can feel the heat in my cheeks. Why, oh why, did I just say that?
    “I’m sorry,” I finally speak. “I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean to imply that we were going to get married.”
    “Scarlett, turn around,” he demands.
    I turn around to see him standing directly in front of me. He puts his hands on the sides of my face, and tilts my head up so that I am looking at him.
    “You’re really beautiful when you blush.”
    My embarrassment is overpowered by happiness.
    He kisses my cheek. “That’s better. Let’s just forget you said that.”
    As always, Stephan knows exactly what to say to make me feel better. “Thank you.”
    “Scarlett Montgomery.” He nods approvingly. “I like it.”
    “I thought we were forgetting I ever said anything,” I remind him.
    “I was just testing it out, you know, for future reference.”
    I shake my head. “Let’s just play.”
    Stephan takes me home just after midnight, and he is a complete gentleman. He walks to me to my door, and gives me a goodnight kiss… The kiss isn’t forceful. It is a sweet, take my breath away kind of kiss. Then he tells me goodnight, and he goes home.
    I swear, every day I fall a little more in love with him.

 
     
    Monday, October 27
    5:43 AM
    So not fair.
     
    On Monday morning, it is business as usual. Part of me is excited to get back to school and into the studio, but the other part of me isn’t ready for the weekend to be over. I need more lazy days with Stephan.
    On Sunday, Stephan came over and made me pancakes. He attempted to teach me how to cook them, but after nearly catching the kitchen on fire, he declared me a lost cause and took over. I was relieved. My culinary skills tend to stop at anything that can’t be put into the microwave.
    After breakfast, Stephan found out that I had “never watched Harry Potter”. At that time, he went to his house, got all eight movies, and brought them over. We got through the fifth one before falling asleep on the couch. He promised that next weekend we would finish. I have to admit, the movies aren’t that bad.
    Bridgett and Alec got back after midnight, yet the late night doesn’t seem to affect Alec at all. He is in my room before six AM. He pokes me, and says, “Are you awake?”
    I roll over and look at him… Well, more like glare at him. “I am now.”
    “Good,” he grins, satisfied that he woke me. “So you need to get up. Barry Stevens is coming to the studio Wednesday, and we have work to do before he gets there.”
    This causes me to sit up. “Barry Stevens, as in the CEO of my record company?”
    Alec nods. “The one and only. He was impressed with the three songs we recorded this week, but he wants to hear a ballad. If he likes it, I think that you are going to get the go ahead for this CD.”
    “We have until Wednesday,” I groan. “Just let me sleep like two more hours, and then I’ll record the best damn ballad ever.”
    “Do you have any good ballads?” Alec asks. He already knows the answer to the question.
    “You know I suck at ballads.”
    “Exactly. Now get your ass out of bed. You have ten minutes to get ready and be downstairs!” Alec smacks my butt and leaves the room. On his way out, he flips the light switch on, and my eyes shut in protest.
    Ugh, why must he be such a morning person? Nobody should be that cheerful before noon.
    I brush my hair and teeth in record time. Then I throw on a pair of jeans and a hoodie and am downstairs with exactly one minute to spare. When I get there,