Always Rayne (The ALWAYS SOMETIMES NEVER Rock Star Romance Series) by Sierra Avalon

would have told them they were absolutely insane.
    “I don’t date, Harper,” Nic says as he chops up some celery and a carrot. There’s a note of sadness to his voice.
    “Why not?”
    He gnaws on his bottom lip. “It’s just too hard. Always being under constant scrutiny by the media. Most people who aren’t in the business don’t want to deal with that crap. And anyone who does want to be in the spotlight, I have to question her motives. Does she actually want to get to know me or does she just want some publicity to further her own career as a model, actress, singer…fill in the blank?”
    For the first time since I met him I actually feel a little sad for Nic. I guess there are a few dark and down sides to being a superstar.
    “So is this a date?”
    He glances up at me and when our eyes meet, there’s an exchange of energy between us. And I can’t believe I’m actually thinking about what it would be like to kiss Nic Rayne. Like a million other women don’t have that same thought on an hourly basis.
    But it’s not a thought I’m used to having. 
    “Is that what you want it to be?” Nic actually sounds sincere. There’s no hint of his smug smile anywhere. “A date?”
    “Honestly, I’m not sure.”
    He gives me a quick nod. “Fair enough.”
    He places the chicken in a sauté pan and begins to brown the half breasts. After a few minutes he adds the sliced mushrooms and other seasonings. My mouth begins to water as I take in the aroma of the chicken. 
    “Would you like some wine? It’ll be a few more minutes until it’s ready.”
    “What have you got?”
    He smiles. “What do you want?”
    I’m not much of a drinker so I try to think back to the times that Jackson took me out to a fancy restaurant for our anniversary or my birthday. What did he order?
    “I like Merlot,” Nic suggests. “It’s fruity. Or I have Cabernet Sauvignon.”
    “You know a lot about wine?”
    “I’ve read enough to learn a few things.”
    “What about school?” 
    “We’ll save the interview for after dinner.” He grabs a bottle of Merlot out of the small wine cabinet on his countertop. He opens it and pours me a glass. Then he hands it to me.
    “Aren’t you going to have some?” I notice he hasn’t poured himself any.
    “I want to see if you like it first.”
    “And if I don’t?”
    “I’ll open something else.”
    I take a sip of the wine. He’s right. It’s sweet and a bit fruity. “It’s great.”
    He nods and pours himself a glass. “Let’s toast.”
    I laugh. “To what exactly?”
    He puts his glass up and waits for me to do the same. We clink glas ses.
    “Wine is bottled poetry.”
    “Robert Louis Stevenson.”
    He smiles. “I haven’t been able to stump you yet.”
    I shake my head. “You’re not going to.”
    He raises an eyebrow. “Is that a challenge?”
    “It’s not a challenge if the task is impossible.”
    When he looks at me, his gaze is steely, resolute. “There’s nothing I can’t do, Harper. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”
    I stop with my wine glass in midair.
    “I always get what I want.” His eyes are now blazing right through me.
    I can feel my chest tighten when I accept the realization that what Nic wants just might be me.

     
    Eight
    If I would have thought ahead of myself for three seconds I wouldn’t have stuffed myself with Nic’s absolutely delicious meal. I’m now staring down at the bikini that Nic had Brad buy for me wondering how in the world I’m going to fit into the thing after eating such a big meal.
    There’s a light knock on the bathroom door. “Are you okay in there?”
    Nic’s not impatient. He sounds more concerned.
    “Fine,” I mutter even though I’m anything but. I know I’m going to absolutely humiliate myself wearing this bikini.
    I hold up the stringy thing. There’s barely anything there at all. My only saving grace is that Nic is the only one who is ever going to see me wear it.
    I put on the bikini and look