Ballad (Rockstar #5) Read Free Page A

secrets, darlin’, and as much as we don’t want them to, secrets have a way of finding their way back to you and being revealed.”
    “Yeah,” I whisper. That’s the truth of it. It’s going to circle around sooner or later. I hope it’s been enough years that they don’t recognize me as the Blush Baby.
    “I’ll help keep your secrets safe,” he whispers.
    I can’t hide the shock. “You don’t even know me. For all you know I killed someone.”
    He shrugs. “You’re good people, baby. I can tell. Whatever you need, I’ve got your back.”
    I study him—really study him and see the sincerity in his words. It’s not every day someone like Lucian offers to help keep you safe. Because that’s what he’s really offering. And like him, I can tell he’s good people too.
    I nod. “Thanks.”
    He leans in, I hadn’t noticed the fingers still holding my chin lowered to brush against my cheek, and then he does it. He presses his lips to mine. Soft, so soft I barely feel it, then again a little firmer, and again. Holy Hannah.
    He pulls back and looks at my mouth, brushing his thumb across my lower lip. His gaze raises to mine and I can’t read what I’m seeing. All I know is it’s intense.
    “Oh hell,” Spenser exclaims. “No, no, no. Lucian, I told you—”
    Lucian cuts him a look, his thumb still resting on my lip.
    “Well,” Spenser announces in surprise. Well what? “Who would have thought.” Huh? I must have missed something with this nonverbal man-speak.
    Lucian’s eyes meet mine and he smiles. “Pretty baby, you’re a breath of fresh air.”
    “I’m not your ‘baby’,” I blurt out. I have no idea why I said that and I wish I could take it back as I feel heat rise into my cheeks. A blushing redhead isn’t a pretty sight.
    He chuckles. “No, not baby. Baby.”
    “What’s the difference?”
    He smirks. “Not b-a-b-y. B-B.”
    “Huh?”
    “B-B for Blush Baby. Jesus, Coley, you’d think you’ve never been kissed before,” Spenser snickers. Silence. “Oh shit. Please tell me Lucian Cordero was not your first kiss. Shit. If that’s the case, we’re all doomed. You’re going to marry him and have his babies for sure. Christ. And I let this happen. Lucy and Ben are going to kill me. Make sure they have a closed casket no matter what. I don’t want people staring at a dead, lifeless corpse that looks nothing like this awesomeness,” he prattles on.
    Lucian smirks at me and I smirk back.
    “You’re safe, Spense. Lucian wasn’t my first kiss,” I tell him.
    “Well, damn. I was kind of hoping I was,” Lucian replies.
    “What. The. Fuck?!” explodes from the doorway. We turn, Lucian’s hand still resting against my cheek and mouth, and we’re met with a red-faced Ben Kingston, hands fisted at his sides.
    “What ‘what the fuck’?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.
    He looks away from me to Lucian, who’s grinning.
    “What’s up Ben?”
    “Did you fucking kiss her?” Ben bites out.
    Lucian chuckles. “Sure did. Just a few minutes ago. Sweetest kiss I’ve ever had, no lie.”
    “You motherfucker,” Ben curses, making his way across the room in quick strides but stops halfway.
    “What’s the problem?” Lucian asks, still grinning.
    “Get your fucking hand off her. You don’t touch her and you sure as fuck don’t kiss her!” he yells.
    “Hey! What the hell is wrong with you?” I yell back. “He didn’t do anything I didn’t welcome.”
    “The hell you say,” Ben says, hands on hips.
    “Who are you to say who can or can’t kiss me or touch me?” I ask the manwhore of the BFD tour. It’s no secret he fucks random chicks all the damn time.
    “What?” he asks, confused.
    “I asked who the hell you are to say who can or can’t touch or kiss me? If I want Lucian to kiss me, he will kiss me and it’s none of your damn business, Ben Kingston. Go find one of your whores and let her keep you busy. This,” I say, pointing a finger between me and Lucian, “is