The Stage (Phoenix Rising #1) Read Online Free

missing piece of his heart. I’m pretty sure that’s the cheesiest thing anyone has ever, ever said, since the beginning of time. And he’s a man whore, who’ll probably try to get in my panties, which is the last thing I need. Oh, and he makes me uncomfortable, and nervous, and vulnerable.
    But, he says he wants to earn my trust—which is such an unexpected need for someone to have and then speak out loud, to be honest. It shows vulnerability on his part, as if he’s not a persona glorified on screen. It touches me—and I don’t think that’s why he said it either. It seems like he’s completely honest; I want to know the reason why.
    And, from a business perspective, he does have his own label and, if I prove myself, maybe he’ll sign me – regardless if I win. It’s like a slow motion car wreck when I open my mouth and say, “Kolton,” and I feel my top lip twitch.
    I hear the crowd, see the other coaches conceding and clapping for him, but as soon as he pushes his chair back, I have nothing but Kolton vision.
    He’s standing up and walking toward me, doing that smolder thing where he smiles and bites his bottom lip. My knees are weak. I purposely wiggle my legs to keep them working, keep me upright.
    He’s going to hug me. He’s so freaking tall, I have to get on my tiptoes to put my arms around his neck. Ohmygod! He smells so good, like musk and spice.
    He puts his arms around my lower back, pulls back slightly, and puts his hands around the curve of my hips. I move my hands down to the muscles in his arms. A chill runs down my spine and directly into my naughty parts.
    He leans down to my ear, and whispers, “Sorry you don’t know me very well. But I’d like to change that. I promise you this, you’ll learn to trust me,” he says, before turning and walking away.
    Little nineteen-year-olds like me, we just aren’t prepared for rock gods whispering in our ears. I’m breathless. Everything in my body is screaming to have his hands on me again. My hormones are like a raging fire inside me.
    I run off the stage where Riley is strategically placed for me to hug her—in front of the cameras, of course. All for ratings, but, right now, I don’t give a shit. I hug her so tight.
    “You did it, Mia!” she says, her words are my undoing. My baby sister is proud of me, and all is right with the world. It’s like I’m high, although I’ve never done drugs. But if I had, this must be what it would feel like. My blood rushes through my veins so quickly I’m light headed. Giggly. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
    As I grab Riley’s hand and walk away from the cameras and the noise, I’m running over the exchange between me and the coaches. All of that banter will surely get me some air time. We all know, the more they show your story during the competition, the better your chances for getting the audience’s votes when they count.
    “Riley, oh my gosh!” I squeal, holding her a little too tightly. I’m happy I made it and that counts for something. I think I made the right choice in choosing Kolton. At least, I hope I did.
    I need to calm my hormones, though, or I’m going to be in trouble.
    Trust him? I really hope I can.

CHAPTER THREE
    Team Kolton

    I ’m told to wait, and I do. According to my schedule, tomorrow is my after-interview and photos with the coach and team, so I thought I could leave but there must be something else they need from me.
    There’s food laid out for contestants and their families, so I make a plate for Riley and me. I’ve been a vegetarian for about a year now, something about eating burnt flesh after the fire—okay, I can’t go there right now, but Riley still loves her some chicken nuggets with barbecue sauce.
    “Are you going to be famous or something?” she asks, her little face covered in sauce. I wipe it before taking a bite of my spinach salad.
    “A little, I guess,” I say, seeing someone walking toward us in my peripheral vision. My eyes dart