Page 65 of Beautiful Noise

“Are you working on anything new?”

The woman standing before me was beautiful but she didn’t hold my attention. I was almost amused because she was my type. Sexy, eager, and willing to be whatever I wanted. Unfortunately,for her, my type had recently changed.

My eyes flicked over her left shoulder and landed briefly on the brown skinned beauty who had my attention before I focused on the task at hand—share a few words, take a couple pictures, and move to the next person.

“Yeah, I’m in the lab,” I responded casually, knowing that on the surface her question was simple. One posed to almost every artist at one point or another but because of my history with writing and women, she wanted to know who was I fucking and if she could be next.

Her smile deepened into a salacious grin and she adjusted her stance to further define her curvy physique, subtly inching closer to me. “If you need some inspiration…”

I smiled charmingly, as to not offend. “I’m good, sweetheart. We can get that picture now, if you want.”

Her eyes flickered with disappointment and her smile dropped briefly but it was back in a matter of seconds. She removed a phone from her purse, eased next to me, and began a series of shots followed by a quick video. She promised to tag me and I offered a nod, knowing I would never see the tag and focused on the next woman in line. Half an hour later I had been propositioned four times, posed for countless pictures, and exceeded my limit for dealing with fans.

The one woman I craved had kept her distance since we’d arrived at the VIP meet and greet. I understood her reluctance to remain in my proximity but I was being fucking selfish and wanted her close.

All night I watched her giving smiles that belonged to me to others in the room. The only thing that saved her from me showing my ass was that those smiles were mostly focused on Leijah. The two had been engaged in a deep exchange between fans who wanted conversation and pictures from the rising star.

I wasn’t surprised that her crowd mirrored mine. Tonight, she impressed me. Leijah had talent, which I was already aware of, but the difference between those who possessed talent and those whose talents would propel them into a stratosphere of success was thatthingwhich couldn’t always be described but was well understood. A stage presence, an energy that transcended beyond voices and lyrics. Leijah was the total package and if she trusted Clay with her career, she would be as successful as she craved.

“I see it now.”

“See what?” I turned to find Clay standing next to me, drink in hand, watching the two women who had my attention.

“The reason you’re breaking all your rules.”

My rules…

No attachments.

My career is my priority

Under no circumstances whatsoever will I blur the lines between my personal life and professional career.

Kori had demolished each and every one of those by simply existing.

I smirked and shrugged nonchalantly. “I could say the same for you.”

“I don’t have rules and I’m damn sure not sleeping with Leijah.” He cut a narrowed stare my way and I smirked again.

“You have rules, Clay, even if they’re unspoken. I’ve known you since I was eighteen and you’ve never once taken a personal investment in anyone’s career.”

“I was personally invested in yours.”

“Okay, aside from mine.”

He shrugged the same way I had. “She’s good and no one will touch her. The industry is changing for the worse, not better.”

“Not changing,changed.”

“You get my point. Talent is overshadowed by image and marketability. I refuse to watch her fail. She deserves this.”

“She does.” I nodded to agree.

“Does that mean you changed your mind about writing for her?”

“No, that’s not my thing.”

“You believe she deserves this but you refuse to help?” His tone was tinged with frustration which came from his belief in wanting Leijah to make it. Clay was one of the best producers in the business. He cared about the process, the artist, about ensuring that they had the right sound. Most producers only cared about the check clearing. There was no check when it came to Leijah, and if there was, it would barely cover his weekly food budget. He was personally invested.