MARRYING THE ROCKSTAR (#3 ROCKSTAR SERIES)

♪ three ♪

Get used to this.

I wasn't sure I'd ever get used to any of it. The catcalls on the Parisian streets as we exited our car for dinner. The blinding flashes of cameras as we tried to tour a private garden and chat with its owner. The hassle of getting into the back-lot of the airport without being spotted by paparazzi who were craving a picture of us getting into Leo's jet.

We were already harassed on a regular basis. So I knew that the second we declared ourselves engaged, the second that ring became post-worthy, the stakes would grow higher. The popularity would be more intense.

And that would be a lot more to swallow.

When we arrived at the townhouse, Leo claimed he had to bury himself in work again. Preparations for the album, special recordings, bonus tracks, and the like.

"Go, talk to your friends, inform who you need to inform. We're meeting with Petra tomorrow," he said, placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

Since our wicked evening of hard fucking, he'd calmed down a little, was no longer as upset about keeping the news to ourselves for now. He understood that I was happy about this and not hiding on purpose.

Or so, he thought.

Deep down, I was afraid to tell the world about us. That made it real, made it official. That made me publicly engaged to Leo Lee. And I didn't know if I was ready for that.

"Did you advise her what it was about?" I set my bag on the bed and began to unzip my suitcase.

He tapped my shoulder, shaking his head. "Don't," he gestured at the suitcase, "leave that. Someone can unpack it for you. You have to get used to being attended to, babe." He took my chin between his thumb and forefinger. "And no, she has no idea. It's a standard meeting, something we'd set up for when I got back, anyway."

He kissed my cheek, smacked my ass, and disappeared out of the bedroom.

I'd texted Daphne when we'd landed, asking her if she wanted to get coffee so I could tell her all about my dreamy Paris trip. She'd obviously agreed immediately, and then I'd extended the invitation to Sapphire, too, unsure if she'd accept.

Sapphire: I'd love to, doll. Tell me when and where.

It was a bit shocking that a big-name celeb like her could drop whatever she was doing and come meet with me, a brand-new friend, without a care in the world, but I wouldn't question it. With everything Sapphire had done for me lately, all the advice she'd given me, I thought it was necessary that she hear the truth from me before it was blasted elsewhere.

Also, I wouldn't mind a tad more advice from her on how to handle being engaged to a celebrity.

As I left, I heard faint sounds of music coming up from the basement; Leo was at work in the studio, preparing for his heavily anticipated solo album. Despite the expensive soundproofing, he sometimes liked to leave the door open while recording, to let the room breathe.

I didn't mind it. His music was a melody I'd never tire of.

He'd shared a few ideas with me on the plane ride home and had details to fine-tune now that we were home. Which meant he'd be busy most of the day, and I likely wouldn't see him until bedtime.

Which gave me ample time to pour out my feelings with the girls.

Daphne was waiting for me at the agreed-upon coffee shop—a little frequented local hang-out that Leo's staff knew well and where I'd be safe from paparazzi. I'd taken the velvet box with me, to show my friends, but I couldn't wear the ring in public yet.