Bad For Me (My Forbidden Rockstar) by Dara Bowman Read Free Book Online

am flattered by Ben’s compliment, but I also feel a little
self-conscious. The way he just checked me out definitely felt more than
friendly, and this is supposed to be strictly business.
    “Thanks, Ben. You’ve been really helpful,” I say, hoping he
doesn’t read into my words.
    “Same time, same place tomorrow?”
    I nod. We have one more day before I head over to rehearsals
with the band and the other two backup singers. It’s more than nerve-wracking,
so I try not to think about it.
    “Let me walk you out,” Ben says.
    I quickly cut him off, “Not necessary! I can manage. See you
tomorrow!” I hurry out of the room before he tries to follow me.
    The elevator moves swiftly down to the lobby and I make my
way out of the building and back to my car. The weather is much more tolerable
today, and I’m glad that the heat wave is behind us. As I get into my car, I
decide that I should call my mother to share my good news and to gently tell
her that I won’t be moving to New York any time soon.
    As I pull onto the freeway, I adjust my earpiece and hit the
speed dial for my mom. She answers on the first ring.
    “Annie, sweetheart! I’m so happy to hear from you again so
soon!”
    Yikes. She sounds way too ecstatic to hear from me. I’m
going to have to get this over with right away.
    “Hi, Mom. I wanted to call you because I have some really
big news.”
    “You do?” Her voice raises three octaves. “Did you book a
flight?”
    I wince. “No, actually, I got offered a job last night.”
    I can literally hear my mother deflate.
    “Oh. Wow. That’s great, Annie. Really great.” She’s trying
hard to be happy for me, but I can hear the sadness behind her words. I know she
was desperately looking forward to seeing me.
    “But,” I say cheerfully, “It’s a really great gig, a huge
job, and a wonderful career opportunity. I’m going to be on tour with Diesel,
and they are like, the biggest rock band in the world right now!” I rush on.
“And we are going to play two nights at Madison Square Garden and I want to
spend as much time with you and Sheldon as I can while we’re in town.”
    “Two nights? Well, that certainly will be nice.” She sounds
a little happier, but not completely convinced.
    I let out a loud breath. “Look, I’m really sorry, Mom. I
know that I haven’t been the best daughter lately, and I know I have done a
really crappy job of keeping in touch with you. I really was looking forward to
coming out there to visit you, and I know you were excited too.”
    “Annie, it’s okay-”
    “Let me finish, Mom. This tour is a really big deal and I
need the work. Once the tour is over, I want to come out and spend a couple of
weeks with you and Sheldon.”
    I wait, hoping that I have made my mother feel better. I
meant what I said; I would like to visit her once the tour with Diesel ends.
    “Annie, I would love that. And I’m happy for you, honey. You
deserve this tour, and I can’t wait to see you when you come through town.”
    “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
    “I love you, too. Call me again soon and let me know before
you go on the road.”
    “I will, Mom.”
    “Love you, Annie.”
    I hang up the phone and spend the rest of the drive humming
Diesel’s music to myself.
    I pull up to my apartment building and it’s not until I get
out of the car that I notice the figure leaning against the wall.
    I already know that tall, muscular body and dark hair. The
dark sunglasses don’t do much to hide his handsome face. I feel my heart
sputter and I swallow hard.
    Holy crap, Dom Dresden is at my apartment.
    I stumble along my sidewalk in disbelief and make my way
toward him.
    He pulls his aviator shades down his nose just enough to
reveal his smoldering green eyes. This man is too damn sexy for his own good.
    “Look at you,” he drawls, “You look a little more like a
rocker today.”
    I’m not sure how to respond so I shoot back.
    “What are you doing here?” I demand.
    He waves the