Lane to Fame Read online

  Copyright © 2021 by Andie Fenichel

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  Edited by Penny Barber

  Proofreading by Violet Rae

  Cover Design by Love the Cover. Images from Depositphotos.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination. Locales are fictitious, and/or, are used fictitiously.

  CONTENTS

  Lane to Fame

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Epilogue

  Also by Andie Fenichel

  About the Author

  Mathew

  * * *

  Sadie Baker is the most beautiful, kind, talented, and out-of-reach woman I’ll ever know. Rockstars don’t date small-town photographers. Rockstars date other celebrities and live miserably ever after. I know it, but I can’t get her out of my head. So, when she needs a little time away from the roar of the crowds, I’m all in. I’ll take her to my beach house to write her next album. Forever might be out of reach, but a few stolen moments in heaven is worth the risk.

  * * *

  Sadie

  * * *

  Mathew Lane is the best medicine for my busted-up heart. With my label looking for the next big album, and my band counting on me to feed their families, I’m torn in a million directions. Songwriting used to be my greatest pleasure, but now I’m in an artistic death spiral. A few days at the beach with a hunk is just what the doctor ordered. It can never last. Nothing ever does.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Mathew

  The wedding of my cousin, Emma, to Lucas Mayfair at the Roseville Country Club is in full swing. I'm playing wedding photographer as a favor, but I'm also a guest.

  I've done all the posed pictures and even made my way around during dinner to get pictures of every table. I'm snapping some candid shots of the dancing when I spot Sadie Baker sitting alone at her table. The empty chairs belong to other musicians represented by Lucas, but they’re all partying on the dancefloor.

  As a talent agent, Lucas knows famous people. Roseville has been super excited to have so many stars in town for the wedding.

  Sadie doesn't look excited. She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, with long brown hair that shines under the light of the chandelier and eyes so blue they look purple. Smudges under those stunning eyes reveal her exhaustion.

  I make my way around the dancers and snap a few more pictures.

  "Hi, Miss Baker." I don't take her picture. I'm sure she's had enough of that, and I’ve already taken what I need.

  She forces a smile. "Mathew, we've met at least ten times, and I've asked you to call me Sadie every time. I think we're beyond the Miss Baker stage. Unless you want me to start calling you Mr. Lane."

  I bark out a laugh. "My grandfather is Mr. Lane. Mathew will do."

  Her smile is easier, and that just makes her more beautiful. My body responds to her every single time I see her. I never call her Sadie because if I start thinking she's on my level, I might do something stupid.

  Who am I kidding? I'm already crushing like a school kid.

  To hide my visceral response to her, I sit. "You don't look like this is where you want to be."

  "I wouldn't miss Lucas's wedding. I'm just tired, Mathew. I've been writing for weeks." She lets out a long sigh.

  "It doesn't sound like it's going that well." I put my camera on the table and focus on her. It's not hard, but I sure am. Over the last five months, she's spent a lot of time in Roseville. Not reacting to her like a horny teen hasn't gotten any easier.

  "Emma told me you take beautiful pictures, and that headshots and weddings are a side job." She studies her champagne then runs a crimson nail along the flute’s rim.

  Does she know how fucking sexy every move she makes is?

  "I have a graphic design business with my cousin Jackson, and I take pictures. Occasionally I sell a picture, but it's not a living." No point pumping up my resume. This woman is not in the same stratosphere, let alone league, as me.

  She nods and stares across the ballroom at all the partying guests. "Have you ever felt uninspired and lost when it comes to your art?"

  My chest aches from the pain in her eyes. "I have."

  "What do you do?" She dashes a tear from her eye.

  "I have a house at the shore. I go there for a few weeks when I can't shake myself out of it. Even knowing it's not real, it's hard to ignore it when my focus is out of whack." It's weird to talk about these feelings.

  She turns and focuses on me. "You really do understand."

  Shrugging, I say, "I think most artists do. Don't you have musician friends who you can talk to and work through it with?"

  "I've jammed with everyone in New York trying to find my passion for writing again." Another tear, but this one escapes. She smiles, but it doesn't touch her eyes. "Sorry to dump this on you. I'll work it out."

  "If you want a break, you can use my beach house, Sadie." I want to wrap her in my arms and take care of her.

  Her eyes are watery, but she holds on. "I can't ask that of you."

  The idea of Sadie in my house renews my crazy attraction, but I push it aside. "You didn't ask. I offered. It's empty, but I've got it ready for summer. There won't be too many people down there before Memorial Day, and it's been cool so far this spring. With a baseball cap and some sunglasses, you could hide down there."

  Her eyes flash with something that could be passion, but it's gone as quickly as it appeared. Sliding into the chair separating us, she whispers, "Are you coming with me to your beach house, Mathew?"

  I have to close my eyes against the wave of desire that washes over me. Swallowing down every emotion besides wanting to take care of her, I look her in the eye. "I'm not trying to get you into bed, if that's what you think. I just want to help. My offer is just for you to go to the shore."

  She frowns and her neck pinkens. "Then you wouldn't want to join me there?"

  "Jesus, Sadie." I have to look away. "As much as I've tried to conceal it, I'm sure my desire for you has been obvious every time we've been in a room together. So, if you're teasing me, you should say so."

  In the barest whisper, she says, "I wasn't teasing."

  Grabbing my camera, I take her hand. "Dance with me?"

  She stands and follows me to my seat, where I put my camera in the bag. I could have come across the room and done this without her, but I'm afraid this is a dream, and I don't want to wake up.

  Once my camera is secure, we walk to the dance floor in time for the first notes of Always On My Mind.

  Holding Sadie in my arms and swaying with the music seems more fantasy than reality. "When would you like to go?"

  She toys with the longer hairs at my neck and presses her cheek to mine. In five-inch heels, she's only an inch shorter than me. "Can you go tomorrow?"

  Her black silk dress fails to contain her body heat. If spontaneous combustion is real, I'm in trouble. "I have a few things to take care of, but I can take you tomorrow afternoon. Are you staying in town tonight?"

  If the way her pulse is thrumming under my fingers is any indication, she is not unaffected by our closeness. "That depends, Mathew."

  "On what?"

  Pulling back a few inches, she looks me in the eyes. "On whether or not you invite me to go home with you."

  I lift her hand and kiss the inside of her wrist. I just want to make sure this is real. "I would be honored if you would come home with me tonight."

  Passion returns to her eyes, and she's breathing hard. "Can we leave now, or do you need to stay?"

  "There are so many Lanes in this room, no one will notice one less."

  CHAPTER TWO

  Sadie

  I've wanted to get close to Mathew Lane since the first time I saw him. Slim and muscular like a runner, with light blue eyes, and dark hair, everything about him draws me in. Wearing a dark gray suit, with his wide shoulders stretching the fabric, he makes my mouth water.

  It should be easy for a rock-and-roll musician to make a pass at a man she's attracted to, but it's usually a nightmare. Either the guy takes it as an opportunity to trend on social media, or he's too terrified to follow through.

  "How did you get here?" Mathew's hand is warm and sure. He's not a guy who would use a woman for fame or anything else. He's down to earth and so nice it makes my heart ache.

  "I have a limo. Tony will come back when I'm ready to return to New York. He's probably close by." I scan the parking lot.

  "My car is over there." He points to an SUV. It looks more like a family car, but when he opens the door for me, I see the back is full of photography equipment.

  In the car, I pull my phone out and dial Tony. "Hey. I'm going to stay with a friend tonight.

  "Alright," Tony says warily.

  "You can go home, or I can see about a room at the inn for tonight."

  There's a long pause. "I'll head home. Need me to come and get you in the morning?"

  "Maybe my friend can drive me into the city." I look over at Mathew, and he nods.

  "Let me know if anything changes." Tony sounds nervous.


  "Okay, but I'm fine." I'm actually better than I've been in a while. I thank Tony and end the call. "He can come back for me. You don't have to drive me to the city. I'll just need to pack a few things." I click my seatbelt into place.

  "If you don't mind waiting for me to get my work sorted in the morning, I'm happy to bring you home to pack." His voice seems ragged, not the assured man he usually is.

  "Do I make you nervous?" It's the last thing I want.

  That makes him smile. "Hell, yes, you do."

  A knot forms in my gut. "Tony can't have gotten far. I'll call him." I reach for my purse.

  Mathew stops me with his big hand. "I'm not saying I don't want you to come home with me, Sadie. It's just that when a woman you desire lets you know that she wants you, too, there's bound to be some nerves. Especially when the woman is famous."

  “It’s just an illusion. The fame, I mean.” I might be more nervous than him. My pulse is pounding in my ears.

  He pulls into a small parking lot behind a store. "I live above the cafe. It's not fancy."

  "They make great coffee." I open my door and step out.

  After taking bags from the back, he locks the car and leads me to his door. A set of steep stairs, the flick of a light switch, and it's like we're in another world.

  White walls with light gray trim showcase photographs and artwork on every wall. A small kitchen looks sophisticated with gray cabinets and black countertops. Lights and backgrounds for his photography studio occupy a corner of the living room near a large computer setup. A white lacquered table with cushioned cane-back chairs, a dark gray couch, rust chairs, and a glass coffee table keep the place minimalist.

  A black-and-white photograph of a woman's hands playing the piano is a stunning esthetic. "This is beautiful."

  "My cousin's girl is a concert pianist." He puts his equipment down on the studio side of the room. He points to the painting of the same subject. “My cousin Jackson is the painter.”

  I met so many people at the wedding, I couldn't say if one of them was the cousin who painted the gorgeous art hanging in the apartment. "You and your cousin are both very talented."

  Standing in the middle of the living room, he watches me, but makes no move. "Thanks."

  I face him. "Are you going to come over here?"

  "When you invite me." His eyes are like a spring sky. I could get lost in this man.

  I step closer to him. "I invited myself back to your apartment, Mathew. Do you think I'm the kind of girl who would do that and not want more?"

  Pulling his hands from his pockets reveals the bulge of his cock straining against the fly of his trousers. He tilts his head. "I think you are entitled to change your mind at any time, Sadie."

  Exquisite actors and rock stars never turned me on the way Mathew Lane does. Besides his obvious good looks, with him, there's no agenda beyond the moment. "Will you take me to your bedroom and make love to me?"

  "Jesus," he breathes and runs his hand through his dark hair. Stepping to me, he threads his fingers through mine. The heat between us is combustible. "I've wanted that since the first time Lucas brought you to Billy's Mill Taproom."

  Pressing my hips forward, I grind my center against his rigid shaft. "I'll tell you a secret." I nip his earlobe. "I wanted you, too."

  Those mesmerizing eyes close, and he draws a long breath. Opening them again, he presses his lips to mine in a sweet, soft kiss. He loves on my bottom lip and then the top.

  Unable to resist tasting him, I slide my tongue inside his mouth.

  Electricity flies between us. I pull my hands free and grip his back and neck.

  He backs me against the wall near the kitchen and makes love to my mouth until we're both breathless. Nibbling his way from my ear, down my neck to my bare shoulder, he pushes my dress strap aside.

  My pussy is so wet for him. With a leg wrapped around him, I thrust my hips forward for some relief. I growl. "I need you, Mathew."

  Cupping my cheek, he looks into my eyes as his fingers slide up my leg. He moans when he feels my juices on my inner thighs. "Is this just for me, Sadie?"

  "Yes." It's hard to breathe. His fingers are so close, and my body reaches for more of his touch.

  He presses one finger along my slit. "No underwear?"

  It's too hard to respond. I shake my head. Needing more, I suck the side of his neck, kiss along his jaw, and devour his beautiful mouth.

  Rubbing my clit in soft circles has me crying out against his lips. My hips jerk, and I grind against his hand as he dips those big fingers inside me. "Mathew!"

  I reach between us and rub his hard cock through his trousers. It's as if I'm a randy teen all over again, tugging at his belt, then his fly. I can't get enough of this man. I finally hold his big cock in my hand. Coupled with the wicked things he's doing with his fingers, I scream as my orgasm shatters around me.

  Mathew pulls me into a hug and kisses my cheek. "That was wonderful.”

  I laugh. I don't think any man has ever told me an orgasm that didn't include his pleasure was wonderful. "I think that's my line."

  Pressing kisses to my forehead, temple, and nose, he caresses my back and along my thigh to my hip. "I want to give you more, Sadie, but only if that's what you want."

  "Is your bedroom down that hall?" I point to the only hall.

  He nods. "On the left."

  I take two steps and then reach my hand back for him to take. "Come show me how much more."

  CHAPTER THREE

  Mathew

  It's hard to wrap my head around Sadie Baker, naked, in my bed.

  Taking a condom from the nightstand, I watch her pull her sleek dress over her head. One thin piece of silk was all that was between the world and the most beautiful feminine body.

  She puts her palm over a small scar on her belly.

  After removing all my clothes in record time, I ease onto the bed beside her. Moving her hand aside, I kiss the scar. "What was this from?"

  "Appendix." She blushes.

  I kiss my way up to one perfect nipple, suck until she arches and grabs my hair. When I reach her lips, I kiss until it's hard to breathe. I'm so hard and needy. "We all have scars, Sadie. You don't have to hide anything from me."

  She palms my cheek. "Are you always this good?"

  "I'm not all good. I just don't have an agenda, and I suspect that's something new for you."

  She snatches the condom from my hand and unwraps it. Her hands are magic as she works it down then caresses me to distraction.

  "Sadie, I've been hard for you for almost five months. If you keep doing that, this will be over before I'm inside you." I squeeze my hand around hers, stopping the best hand job of my life.

  Letting go, she swings her leg over my hip and adjusts me at the apex of her thighs. Moaning, she eases down an inch. "I'll have to tell you about how many times I've given myself an orgasm thinking about you in those same five months."

  Gripping her hips, I thrust inside her and push away visions of her pleasuring herself before I embarrass myself.

  We hold still on guttural moans.

  She rides me with her head thrown back and her hair wild around her.

  I'm not going to last long with all of that going on. With my thumb, I circle her clit over and over.

  Her rhythm increases. "Fuck!" She presses her palms against my chest. "I'm gonna come."

  "Don't hold back, baby. Come for me." I stroke her harder and faster.

  She pounds onto me, lifting her ass and jerking it down so that flesh slaps against flesh. On a scream, her pussy clenches around me, pulling me into a shattering orgasm.

  My hips and legs jerk and quiver with my release. Every time I move, her body squeezes me harder.

  Collapsed on my chest, she relaxes under a curtain of her beautiful hair.

  Catching my breath, I run my hand over her soft skin from shoulder to ass. This is my perfect moment, and it's a shame to move. "Are you okay?"