Protected by the rocksta.., p.1
Protected By The Rockstar: Off-Limits Friends to Lovers Romance, page 1
Protected By The Rockstar
Off-Limits Friend to Lover Romance
T.S. Fox
T.S. Fox
Copyright © [2024] by T.S. Fox
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Contents
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
26. Epilogue
27. ALSO, BY
Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
RORY
Music filled the air as I walked through the dimly lit corners of Ember's, my nightclub in the heart of New York City. It was a Friday night, and the energy was electric. My regular patrons greeted me with smiles and nods as I passed by.
"Hey, Rory!" Jake's voice called out from the bar, accompanied by a mischievous grin. "What you say you and I head back to my place after for some fun? I'll show you what a real man feels like."
I rolled my eyes in mock exasperation at my bartender. "Jake, if you spent half as much time flirting with customers as you do with me, maybe you'd actually make some tips."
Laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd as Jake feigned offense, pressing his palm to his chest. "You wound me, Rory"
I flashed him a grin before continuing on my rounds. The thumping bass reverberated through the walls, mingling with laughter and conversation. Everything was running smoothly.
Good.
As I reached the main dance floor, a hulking figure appeared at my side, his expression serious as he nodded to the entrance. It was Marcus, one of our bouncers. My brow furrowed in concern as I followed him through the crowd.
"You have a visitor," he said in a gruff voice. We walked out of the club where a familiar figure stood, his presence casting a shadow over the neon-lit street outside. My heart sank as I recognize him: Rylan.
My ex-boyfriend.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation ahead. Rylan’s eyes widened slightly when he saw me. "Rory."
I sighed deeply. "What the hell do you want, Rylan?"
His gaze softened. "I wanted to see you."
"You're banned from my club and my life. So take your sorry ass elsewhere," I said coldly.
"Listen," he said. "I'm sorry. Okay? Can we just talk?"
I turned to walk back into the club but he grabbed my wrist, spinning me around to face him. "Let go," I said.
"Not until you listen," he replied.
Marcus took two quick strides toward us but I held my hand up to stop him, shaking my head. "Fine."
Rylan took a deep breath as he led me away from the entrance, toward the parking lot. "I know you don't want to see me but Raphael's back home. You know how bad it is for me when he's there."
"I don't really care about the insecurities you have when it comes to your brother, Rylan."
He grimaced like it hurt for me to say those words, like I hadn't caught him cheating months ago, like he hadn't admitted to it happening multiple times over the course of our relationship. For years, I thought I was in love with someone who loved me back, but I was wrong. I'd wasted so much time.
I pulled my hand free. "Go home, Rylan."
Behind me, the loud sound of an engine roaring echoed off the concrete walls. The rumble vibrated in my chest as the sound grew closer, coming to a stop nearby. I didn’t bother turning around. It was probably some customer pulling into the parking lot.
Instead, I said to Rylan, "I don't want you coming around here again."
His expression quickly changed into a sneer. "You think you're too good for me, Rory? You're nothing. Your family's nothing. This place will never be anything more than it is now," he said. "I'm Rylan Barlowe. My family fucking owns this city."
I gritted my teeth. "Fuck off."
As I turned to walk away, he reached out, grabbing me by the back of my neck. His fingers dug painfully into my skin. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"
"Let me go!" I yelled, trying to yank myself out of his grasp.
He tightened his hold, pulling me toward him. "No."
I struggled against him, but he didn’t loosen his grip. Anger burned inside of me, fueled by fear. My heart raced, pounding wildly in my chest. I was trapped.
"Say cheese!" a voice said, followed by the sound of a camera clicking.
Rylan froze, letting me go. I turned to see a man I hadn't seen in years, a man I knew so little yet so much about. His lips curved into a playful grin that could deceive anyone who didn't know him. But I knew better.
Raphael Barlowe had the smile of a devil.
"Hey there, Ry," Raphael said. "Fancy meeting you here."
Rylan glared at his younger brother who just stood there, his grin never faltering. "What are you doing here, Raph?"
"Just came to one of the best clubs in the city with my band mates," Raphael said, gesturing to the car parked behind him. A small group of men stood around it, watching the exchange between the brothers.
Rylan rolled his eyes. "Rory and I are having a conversation. Please leave us alone."
"It doesn't look like she wants to have that conversation," Raphael said, looking from me to his brother and then back to me again. "Do you, Rory?"
The way my name rolled off his tongue sent shivers down my spine.
"Leave me alone," I said to Rylan. "The next time I see you at my fucking club, I'll call the cops."
His grip loosened enough for me to pull away. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me," I narrowed my eyes at him.
Raphael laughed, the sound echoing through the empty parking lot. That aggravated Rylan. Everything about his brother upset him, even though they had grown up together and had the same parents. They never got along. For years, I had listened to Rylan spew hate for his brother, the golden child of the Barlowes, the famous rockstar.
Rylan growled and stalked toward his brother angrily. Then he raised his fist and threw a punch, connecting with Raphael's jaw. I gasped, covering my mouth with my hands.
Raphael didn't react. He didn't even flinch. Instead, he smiled. Then he lunged forward, tackling his older brother to the ground. Rylan yelled and pushed at him. Raphael wrapped his hands around his brother's throat, his smile still plastered on his face.
I watched in horror as the two fought.
"Stop!" I yelled but they didn't. They kept fighting, rolling around in the parking lot, each trying to get the upper hand on the other. "Someone help!"
Suddenly, a man stepped out from behind Raphael's car. His dark eyes scanned the scene before landing on me. He shook his head before walking up to the two me on the floor. Then he reached for Raphael's hair and pulled him off of his brother.
"Not the hair, not the hair, not the hair," Raphael chanted as the stranger dragged him away. He didn’t let go until they were a distance away from Rylan.
"Raph, don't kill your brother," the stranger said.
"I wasn't going to," Raphael said, pouting.
The stranger raised an eyebrow, giving him a pointed look.
"Fine," Raphael sighed, looking back at Rylan who stood up and straightened his clothes.
Rylan stared at him, his jaw clenched tightly. "This isn't over," he said. He took one last glance at me before walking away, his posture rigid.
When he was gone, I turned to Raphael. A wide grin made its way to his face as he looked at me. "Well, hello, Rory. Long time no see."
I didn't return his smile. Instead, I turned around and headed back to the club. Men pissed me off sometimes. They didn't leave you alone when you asked them too and they fought like animals when they felt threatened.
I didn't stop until I was inside the club. Then I headed to the bar and sat on one of the stools. Jake glanced at me and immediately came over, worry in his eyes. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm fine. Just a bit shaken. Pour me a glass of whiskey."
He nodded, grabbing a bottle and pouring the liquid into a glass. He set it down in front of me and then walked away, giving me the space I needed.
I picked up the glass and drank, letting the alcohol burn my throat as it slid down. I took another sip before putting the glass back on the bar top. Then I ran a hand through my hair, pushing the strands out of my face.
This was supposed to be a night like any other. A good night but somehow Rylan managed to ruin it.
He always managed to ruin things.
The past month had been a blur. When Rylan and I broke up, I hadn't thought twice about the things he said, about his words. I'd brushed them off and told myself I didn't need him anymore. I had chosen to remain strong
But the truth was that I'd always held a tiny candle in my heart for Rylan Barlowe. We'd been friends first, before the relationship began. We'd known each other for a long time, and I couldn't help but remember the good times.
When did the cheating start? Was there ever a moment when he thought about how I would feel if I found out? Did he even care if I did?
All of these questions were constantly swirling around in my mind.
I sighed deeply, staring at the drink in front of me. Quiet murmurs echoed through the crowd. I turned around to see Raphael and his band mates entering the club, whispers and longing gazes following them. He was now wearing a leather jacket over his shirt and a pair of black slacks that hugged his muscular legs.
Raphael Barlowe looked like an angel.
His light blonde hair fell over his forehead, and his eyes shone brightly beneath his thick lashes. He flashed me a smile, making his dimples show. I rolled my eyes and turned back around.
I could tell the energy in the club had changed. Of course it had, Raphael and his band mates were famous in the U.S. Their rock band, ‘No Limit,’ had toured across the country many times, bringing their fans with them. Everyone loved them.
Raphael was charismatic and charming. It was easy to understand why he'd become such a popular frontman. I had stayed loyal to Rylan and his hatred for his brother. Still, my sister was a fan. I'd seen a few videos.
"Hey," Raphael's voice was low, right next to my ear.
I didn't even hear him come over. "What do you want?"
"Oh, come on, don't be like that. I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he said, sitting down on the stool beside me. "After the shitshow my brother started."
"I'm fine," I said, glancing at him. "And maybe if you had minded your business, it wouldn't have happened."
Raphael gave me a small smile. "But I had to save the day, didn't I? My knight in shining armor moment," he said. "You're supposed to be thanking me, Rory, not doing whatever this is."
"Oh, fuck off," I groaned.
He laughed at that. "I always knew you were a firecracker," he said.
I took a sip of my drink, ignoring him. He didn't know me, not really. I had loved and dated his brother. Raphael was always that one person I heard about, saw pictures of but never interacted with. I glanced at him and saw him watching me.
"Why are you staring at me?"
"You've always been beautiful, you know that?" he said, leaning closer. "Even when we were kids. You had the most stunning smile. And those eyes. They pull me in every time."
"Stop talking," I said, taking another sip of my drink. "You suck at flirting."
He chuckled.
"Alright, I'll try again. Hey, gorgeous, would you like to dance with me?"
A small laugh escaped my lips.
"Is that a yes?" he asked.
I stared at my drink. Did it matter now if I talked to Raphael or not? Rylan and I were over. And whether or not Raphael was his brother, he was attractive. Maybe a dance would take my mind off things.
"Fine."
Raphael stood and held his hand out. I took it and allowed him to lead me onto the dance floor. He spun me around and wrapped his arm around my waist. I placed mine around his neck. His eyes never left mine as we danced.
"Are you really okay?" he asked softly. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
I snickered. "Don't act like you care about me, Raphael Barlowe."
He chuckled. "You're right. I don't. But I'm a nice guy. And I don't like seeing women get hurt."
"You're not that nice," I said.
"I could show you just how nice I can be," he whispered suggestively.
I raised a brow. "I'm your brother's ex."
"Keyword: Ex," he grinned. "I don’t care. I'm a man who goes after what he wants."
"And what is it that you want, Raphael?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear. "I want to kiss you."
I felt heat rising in my cheeks, goosebumps erupting on my skin. I had heard the stories. Raphael Barlowe was a man whore, I knew that much. I knew he didn't care that I was his brother's ex, that this was nothing more than a potential fun little fling for him.
Yet, if there was one way I knew I could hurt Rylan back for everything, It would be by messing around with his little brother.
Raphael twirled me around. Then he pulled me closer, so that our bodies were pressed together. My heart pounded against my ribcage, my breathing shallow. I gazed into his blue eyes and found myself drowning in them.
"So can I?" he whispered, his voice husky.
I didn't say anything. Instead, I twirled my fingers in his blonde locks and pressed my lips to his.
Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
RORY
Spite was a dangerous thing. It was spite that made seven-year-old me hide out in the basement when my mom refused to give me cookies, just so she would think I was missing and panic. It was spite that made me push a boy named Benny into a swimming pool at the age of 12, because he'd called my sister fat.
Now it was spite that made me kiss my ex-boyfriend's younger brother.
Raphael's lips were soft against mine, tasting faintly of smoke. His arms tightened around my waist, pulling me closer. The kiss was deep and passionate, filled with heat and desire.
He groaned against my mouth, sending shivers down my spine. His hand moved to cup my face, his thumb stroking my cheek gently. I closed my eyes and let myself melt into his touch, losing myself in the moment.
When we broke apart, his blue eyes were dark with lust. "Rory..."
"You want more?" I teased.
His brows furrowed as he studied me briefly before smiling. "Let's get out of here," he whispered.
I glanced around, noting the curious looks a few people were giving us. I licked my lips and took Raphael's hand in mine. He led me to the bar, where he paid the tab and then led me outside.
"Come on," he said, pulling me along behind him.
We exited the building and walked toward his car, a shiny, black, sporty convertible. "What about your friends?" I asked. "Didn't you come with them?"
"They'll find their way home," he said.
He opened the door for me, helping me inside. Then he got in on his side, starting the engine and taking off. The wind blew through my hair, causing it to whip around wildly.
I sat quietly beside him, trying not to think about what I was doing. I should be angry at myself for agreeing to come home with him. For allowing this to happen. But I wasn't.
I glanced over at Raphael. His blond hair blew back from his face, revealing the strong lines of his jaw and cheekbones. He looked unbothered, completely focused on the road ahead of him.
We drove through the city streets, passing tall buildings and bright lights. After a while, the buildings became less frequent and the skyline grew smaller. Finally, he turned onto a private driveway and stopped in front of a large mansion.
He climbed out, coming over to open the door for me. I stepped out and looked up at the house. It was massive, easily four stories high. The walls were white brick with large windows overlooking the grounds. A stone pathway led up to the front door.
Raphael took my hand, leading me up to the front steps. "I would give you a tour," he said. "But I'm afraid that's going to have to wait."
"So this is where you stay when you're not in your parents' house?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
He nodded, pulling me into the house. The interior was just as grand as the exterior. Marble floors and walls lined with paintings and expensive furniture decorated the entrance hall. It was quiet. Did he stay here alone?
Raphael helped me take off my jacket in the living room, tossing it on the couch. Then he let me up the stairs and down a long corridor until we reached a bedroom. He opened the door and motioned for me to enter.
Inside, the room was spacious, with a king-sized bed and matching nightstands on either side. There was a walk-in closet and bathroom, both large enough to fit an entire apartment inside.
"Wow," I breathed, taking in the view. I walked over to the edge where a large window overlooked the front yard and the driveway. "It's beautiful."
"Thank you," Raphael said. He came up behind me, placing his hands on my hips. His lips brushed against my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. "Let's take off these clothes," he murmured.
