Relentless (Relentless Soul Book 1) Read online

  "That's very kind of you Mr…Jeremy." Once again she holds out her hand and I'm confused. Does she want to shake my hand again? I look down…Oh, the folder. Placing the folder in her hand I stroll over to the chair across from the desk and make myself comfortable. She watches me with a bemused expression and then makes her way back to her desk chair. I watch her slowly take a seat and lean forward, her elbows resting on the desk. "So, Ava, how are you settling in? Are you enjoying the City of Angels?"

  She responds with a slight smile and I can see her eyes light up.

  "Yeah, I am. I haven't been able to explore it as much as I'd hoped yet. I've been busy with work and looking for my own apartment."

  "Hmmm, so I hear. Found anything you like?"

  "Not yet. I am quite particular, though." She glances down at the folder on the desk and changes the subject. "Are you looking forward to the start of the tour? I imagine it must be very exciting for you?"

  Once again I offer my biggest smile. "Yeah, I am very excited. Especially now that I know you'll be there."

  She laughs softly and looks me straight in the eyes. "Mr. Stone. I will be coming along strictly for work purposes only. I am not some little groupie that will be waiting backstage for you to bang after the show!" I can't help but throw my head back and laugh at her words. She sure is a feisty one. That may be just what I'm attracted to. She doesn't hold back. I wonder if she's like that in bed. A vision quickly enters my mind of her in my bed. Hair wild and skin flushed from a night of………Shit! I feel my jeans tighten in the front and slowly lean forward resting my elbows on her desk.

  "Ava. That's the last thing I would see you as. I'm just looking forward to spending some time with you and getting to know you a little better."

  She asks in a soft voice. "Why are you so eager to spend time with me, Mr. Stone?"

  As I rise out of my chair I place my hands on the edge of her desk and lean forward to look down at her pretty face. "I can feel this chemistry between me and you, Dundee. I told you I'm relentless when I see something I want. When you stop fighting it, I promise you it will be more than just a 'bang'." Her jaw drops as I make my way to the door. At the last second I turn and see her sitting back in her chair, sexy mouth opened in surprise and reddening cheeks. "I'll be seeing you soon, gorgeous!"

  Chapter 4

  Brody

  Straining to open my eyes, my head pounding, I glance down at the clock on my bedside table. Fuck! Two o'clock in the afternoon. I move to sit up and the pounding in my head gets worse. I can't believe I slept so long. As I lay back down on my pillow, memories flood through my mind about the events of the night before. The drinking, the conversation… Shit! Jeremy knows I've been hanging out with Ava, and from what I can hazily recall, he didn't seem too happy about it. Why the hell did I blurt all that shit out to him last night?

  Shaking my head, I rise from the bed and head straight to the shower, stripping my sweat pants off as I go. While I'm standing under the hot spray of water I can't help but wonder about Jeremy's feelings towards Ava. Maybe he's serious about this one? For him to go as far as making sure she's spending the next eight weeks with us he must be pretty serious. As I scrub my body with the sandalwood scented body wash, I think about the time I've spent with Ava over the last couple of days. She really seems like a great girl and there seems to be a real connection between the two of us. I'm sure she feels it too based on her reaction when we touch and that cute little blush. What am I thinking? It would never work. She doesn't deserve someone as messed up as me. My fucked up problems would just drag her down. She's better off with someone that's secure, someone like Jeremy. I need to just take a step back and try not to go after this one. It's gonna be so hard being around her for the next eight weeks, but for her own sake, we can only be friends.

  Ava

  Chemistry between us! What was that? Was he just saying he wants more than just a sexual relationship? I have no idea what to think. I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover but that doesn't sound anything like the lead singer of a band. Yes he's extremely good looking and he makes my body tighten and warm. So yes there's some chemistry between us, but is it just physical? I guess I'll find out more about him in two weeks.

  Leaning forward I study the itinerary. We are leaving at 10am on Thursday 10th of April. The first show is in San Francisco on the Friday night and the final show of the tour will be in LA. Finally I will get the opportunity to see some of the US as they are doing a lot of shows over the east coast. I guess the more shows they have, the more publicity they get. Dallas is in the tour as well, I wonder if I'll have time to pop over to Georgetown and visit my Grandparents. Standing up from the desk I walk out of my office. Jennifer needs to see these so she will know when I leave and where I'll be. I hope this is all Jennifer needs I've done all my work today and need to get ready for this trip. Knocking on Jennifer's door I wait.

  "Come in"

  "Hey Jennifer, Jeremy Stone just brought the itinerary around…"

  Jennifer cuts in "Hang on a minute, why is Jeremy Stone personally bringing you the itinerary?"

  "I honestly have no idea."

  She holds out her hand and I pass her the folder. "Interesting. Sit down and we will go through it."

  Sitting in the chair across from her, I look over her desk. Just then Jennifer speaks up "So it looks like a big tour. I think this will be great for the magazine. I think some one on one interviews, back stage photos, what the bus life is like, photos and even videos that we can post online would be great. Some photos from the shows. Maybe get down in the crowd on one show to get the feeling. Dig deep we want to know what these guys are really like."

  Smiling I respond to her, "That sounds great; I'll get what we need."

  "I know you'll do great."

  "If that's all for today I'm going to head off and pack, buy some linen for my apartment."

  "Yes, that fine. Go sort it out before you leave."

  "Okay thanks see you later."

  ***

  Looking at my suite case I realize I may as well just pack everything I have. Eight weeks is a long time and I don't have much after all I don't even have a place yet. This is going to be a long two weeks between work, getting ready for the trip and moving. I hope Brody's manager can find me a place. Picking my phone up I decided to message Brody and find out what is going on.

  Hey Brody, How are you? Just wondering if your manager has found me a place yet?

  Ava.

  The reply message is almost instant.

  I was just going to call you; Travis has found one about 5 blocks from my place. I can take you to see it on Thursday afternoon and you can decide if you want it.

  Brody.

  Jumping up and down I smile. I may finally have somewhere to call home.

  That would be fantastic. What time?

  I don't know what else to type I'm just so excited.

  Thursday at 4pm. Where shall I pick you up?

  I ask him to pick me up from work. Hopefully, this place will be better than the others and I can finally make my home in L.A.

  Chapter 5

  Brody

  By the time Thursday rolls around, I am so nervous about seeing Ava again. All I have thought about for the last five days is what I am going to say to her and how I am going to convince myself that it is best for us to remain friends. Yesterday afternoon I called into Travis' office to pick up the address and keys of the apartment I'll be showing Ava. Jeremy had been there going over some last minute plans with Travis and it had been a little awkward to say the least. Apart from a couple of nighttime rehearsals I haven't seen a lot of Jeremy since my drunken secret spilling episode last week and the times that we have been in the same room together it has been quite tense. Even Luke questioned me about what was happening between us as he could sense the tension at rehearsals. I told him everything was fine and that we're probably both just nervous about the upcoming tour. Luke seemed satisfied with that response and didn't say anymore more
about it. This needs to stop, it is already affecting the band, which really just confirms the fact that I need to take a step back from Ava, mainly for her sake, but also for the sake of the band and my friendship with Jeremy. We can only be friends and nothing more. I figure the more I tell myself that the more I will start believing it.

  ***

  "Wow. I love it!" Ava exclaims as she strolls around the small one bedroom apartment. I can't help but admire how classy she looks in her work outfit of black wide leg pants, black high heels and a charcoal grey button down sweater as she looks through the stylish apartment.

  "This is just my kind of style. Even the furniture is perfect. But are you sure it's in the price range I gave you?"

  I smile reassuringly "Of course it is. I wouldn't be showing it to you if it wasn't." She doesn't need to know that Travis is a good friend of the landlord and I had him call in a favor to have the rent reduced by almost a third.

  She walks slowly around the open plan living space and then disappears into the bedroom. After looking quickly through the adjoining bathroom she walks back into the kitchen with a huge grin on her face.

  "When can I move in?"

  ***

  "Well, that's the last one." I say to Ava as I place a large shopping bag full of linen up against the wall of the spacious bedroom. After looking through the apartment yesterday, I asked Travis to let his friend know that Ava was ready to sign the lease and move in. Twenty four hours later and she is unpacking her small amount of belongings. "Do you need some help unpacking?"

  "No, that's okay. There isn't a lot to do. I still have to go shopping and pick up some more things, but at the moment it's just clothes and some basic linen."

  I nod my head and offer a small smile. "Okay then, I'd better get going. Call me if you need anything else." I head toward the door but her voice halts my steps.

  "Brody, let me take you out for dinner." She blushes slightly and looks down at the floor. "You know…to thank you for everything you've done for me." Our eyes meet for a few seconds before I force myself to look away. "I can't. I still have a lot of packing to do myself. Anyway, you don't need to thank me. I'm happy to help you. That's what friends are for." I give her a fake smile as I walk out the door.

  Ava

  Watching Brody walk out the door I flop down on the couch. "That's what friends are for" I don't understand, what's the harm in dinner? I just wanted to thank him after all the trouble he's gone through to help me and get to know him some more. I'm sure he feels this connection as well. My heart skipped a beat when I first saw him. It's crazy that I feel this way. It is not normal. I have seen the sly glances when he thinks I'm not looking. He found me an apartment because I didn't like the ones I saw. He didn't want Mr. creepy knowing where I lived. I must have misunderstood him. He probably just felt sorry for me.

  Getting up I walk into my bedroom I grab the handle of my suitcase and I lift it up on the bed. Opening it up I pull out my clothes and start putting them away. Mindlessly repeating the same steps I still can't forget about the last couple of days with Brody, he has been so polite and wonderful. Then there's Jeremy. He affects my body in a crazy way but then he is so aggravating at times. How do I feel so strongly about two people that I have just met? I'm losing my mind.

  ***

  Four days later I am in my bedroom packing the same clothes that I just unpacked. I'm thrilled that I am getting this opportunity but I can't wait to just come back home and make this place feel like home. I throw in a variety of work and casual clothes, zip up the bag and leave the room.

  Eight weeks with Brody and Jeremy, this is ridiculous. I'm there for work purposes I need to stop thinking about them. They are just a band that I'm touring with to expose them more. I'm not tagging along as a groupie. After all I'm sure that I'm not their type anyway. Really I'm not that much fun. No more thinking about these two. I need to think about my career.

  Chapter 6

  Jeremy

  I shove the last of my bags on the small bunk I have claimed on the tour bus and take another quick look around. There are four small beds - parallel to each other, bunk style, with a small wardrobe on either side. Below the bottom beds on each side there are two more large drawers for clothes and personal items. Thin blue curtains offer a small amount of privacy for each bed. Travis told us not to bring a lot of clothes as Tori, our stylist, will be carrying our stage outfits on her bus. At the back of the bus is a small bedroom with a double bed and a door. We each decided that to be fair we would sleep on the bunks and only use the bedroom if one of us got lucky and needed some more privacy and a larger bed. Beside the bedroom is a small bathroom with basic toilet, shower and vanity. My favorite part of the bus is up the front, with a small kitchenette, 2 booth tables and seating, and a small entertainment area complete with large flat screen T.V and gaming set up surrounded by large black leather sofas. I smile to myself, this is gonna be awesome.

  I make my way off the bus just as Luke and Hunter arrive and climb aboard. Glancing to the back of our bus I see two more, the same color and style, but both slightly smaller than ours. I walk past the first one, which is for the roadies, a crew of four men and all of our instruments, amps and other equipment. The roadies will also take turns driving the buses. As I head toward the third bus I see Ava standing just outside the door chatting to Tori and our hair and make-up stylist, Emma. I smile as I make my way toward them and Ava glances up at me. My smile falters a little as I see hers completely disappear, did she just role her eyes at me?

  "Ladies. Are we all set?"

  "Yep. All packed up and ready to go." Tori flashes a charming grin as she nods her head.

  "Good, we're just waiting on Brody and then we can head off." I glance at Ava to see her studying me with a slight frown on her face. "So, Ava, how are you enjoying your new apartment?"

  This makes her smile. "It's perfect; it just needs a few more personal touches to make it feel like home." She is just gorgeous. I could just stand here all day and listen to her talk.

  A few minutes later we are still standing there chatting about Ava's apartment as Brody strolls toward the main bus. He glances our way as he raises his hand in a small wave, then climbs onto the bus. I look over to Ava and see her watching Brody intently with a strange look on her face.

  "Well, girls! Let's get this show on the road." Tori and Emma climb onto the bus but I grab Ava's hand before she can make a move.

  "Ava, let me know if you need anything at all."

  She glances down at our joined hands and a small sigh escapes her pretty little mouth.

  "Actually, when we arrive at San Francisco, I was hoping to get some one on one interviews with the band. To… you know…put together some profiles… That kind of thing." She seems nervous as she licks her bottom lip and I can't take my eyes off her mouth. My grip tightens on her delicate hand and I lean in close to her ear as I reply in a soft voice "Dundee, it would be my pleasure to spend some one on one time with you"

  Ava

  Pulling my hand from Jeremy's I look deeper into his eyes and can't think clearly. I'm clearly not hiding it too well after all, his smirk is huge now. "Great Jeremy it will be really good for the band to let the public know a bit about you all as individuals. Anyway I don't want to keep anyone waiting; I'll see you at San Francisco." Smiling I turn and walk up the steps up the bus. This is so surreal; I have never been on a tour bus. There is a black leather couch on one side of the bus with tinted windows behind it. On the other side there is booth seat with a small table. In the corner near the door there is a flat screen TV, across from the booth there is a medium sized fridge. Walking further down the bus to where Tori and Emma are I see they have already claimed a bed each. Tori has claimed the top bunk on the left and Emma has claimed the bottom bunk on the left side as well. So I'm left with the right side top or bottom. Easy, I'm a restless sleeper, so I'm going the bottom bunk, closer to the ground. Pulling back the curtain I place my bag on the bed. I look towards two doors,
one at the end of the bus and the other one on the right hand side at the end of my bunk. "Which one is the bathroom?"

  Tori looks at me "The one behind your bunk is the bathroom. Its tiny so if we keep our stuff in our draws there will be more room in there."

  "The other door leads to a small bedroom with a double bed. Unfortunately it has the bands stage clothes on small portable racks in there along with Emma's makeup. If you need more room for your clothes it has a bigger cupboard we can share it."

  "Thanks, I don't have a lot of stuff. I moved countries so I packed light." I giggled at the girls and went to unpack.

  "Where are our cupboards?" Tori points down to the bottom of my bunk where there are two draws side by side. "Wow not much room."

  "Tell me about it, I'm a stylist I have so many clothes."

  Emma is in the bedroom with five dresses or hers, peeking her head around the doorframe.

  "Tori you have taken up one of the wardrobes."

  "I'm sorry I have needs. I'm sure you and Ava can share."

  Emma laughs "Of course we can, Ava hand me those dresses and I'll hang them up for you."

  Looking at the dresses in my hands I smile "Thanks."

  Finally we have all unpacked. Rubbing my head I try and ease the headache beginning in my temples.

  "Are you ok Ava?"

  Looking at Emma I smile.

  "Yeah I think the movement of the bus is messing with me. I have a small headache."

  "Do you want something for it?"

  "N…" just then Tori cuts me off with a huge smile on her face.

  "What she need is to be distracted. What was that with you and Jeremy before we got on the bus?"