The Farther I Fall by Lisa Nicholas Read Free Book Online Page A

she’d met at Sam’s office, and thought about the US Marines she’d known in Afghanistan. “I can imagine. Which also explains why you don’t want me to say anything. Lucas has already made some cracks about how his brother will want me to report to him.” Sam was quiet for a moment too long. “Bloody hell, Sam. Will he?”
    â€œYou’re not required to,” said Sam. “You’re our employee, not his. But he may ask.”
    Something about this was sanding at Gwen’s skin. “And you’re all right with this?”
    â€œI’ve said too much as it is, Gwen.”
    â€œSam, I have never heard you sound afraid of anyone before.” Who
was
this family? What sort of influence did Lee Wheeler have, anyway?
    â€œNot afraid, Gwen. Just respectful. I told you. They’re a powerful family. They only want to make sure their youngest child is well-looked-after. I thought I could do worse than to send along my big sister.” She changed the subject. “Now, if we can move on? You’re going to have company once you get to Washington, D.C. Maggie Creighton is confirmed to join the tour for a few dates as a special guest.”
    â€œCreighton . . .” Gwen tried to remember what little celebrity gossip she’d read. “Lucas’s ex-girlfriend?”
    â€œSort of,” Sam said. “They’ve worked together several times, and are still on good terms. We’ll try to keep her appearance a surprise, of course, but once she appears at one show, it’ll be all over the Internet.”
    Gwen leaned back across the bed to grab her notebook. “Okay, details?”
    â€œIn the email I sent. So you’ll have an idea who you’re dealing with,” Sam said.
    â€œOh God. She’s not going to expect me to kiss up to her too, is she?”
    Sam laughed. “Just you wait. You’ll like her.”
    â€œTell me one thing: is she as much of a pain in the arse as he is?”
    â€œGwen, keep telling yourself, ‘Samantha is my sister and she loves me.’”
    â€œChrist.”
    ***
    Lucas woke in the late morning, cold and gritty-eyed. He’d hoped that by morning some of the dull wanting ache Gwen had aroused would be gone, but if anything, it was worse. Maybe she had more control over him than he wanted to admit. He climbed out of bed long enough to go to the bathroom and find his robe, wrapping it around himself before heading back to bed, ready to give in and ease some of his desire. On the way, he spotted a piece of paper tucked under the door of the suite. He plucked it from under the doorjamb and unfolded it as he was crawling under the covers. The handwriting was spiky, unfamiliar:
    Tomorrow night in D.C., wear the black leather duster with the blue lining. It’s my favorite. I’ll be watching you.
    Lucas smiled, thinking of Gwen. He’d worn that particular coat the first night of the tour, and he hadn’t missed the way her eyes had followed him around the entire night. This wouldn’t be the first time someone had shouted no as loud as they could only to slip a note to him later. He settled back into the bed and started making a mental list of ways to tease her, his cock starting to stir.
    I’ll be watching you.
    Why would she say that? Of course she’d be watching—she spent every show in the sound booth with Craig and Cathy. Lucas reached for the note on the nightstand, taking another look.
Idiot.
Any thoughts of sex fled.
    Lucas wasn’t nearly famous enough to require major security measures, but from time to time, there had been the random creepy fan. Usually, Emma and the tour manager took care of the whole thing without him, sometimes only telling him after the fact. This one was dedicated enough to have found his hotel room, but too shy to try to come in. Lucas set the note aside and laid back against the pillows. He’d have to tell Craig.
    He’d