Page 63 of Ravaged By Lust

But it all seems to have impressed Chloe. That makes me smile.

“I just have so much money to throw away,” I reply. “I’ve got so much I don’t know what to do with it, and I needed a place to base myself. So this is where I live.”

Chloe wanders up to the grand piano in the corner of the living room. Now, that is an expensive piece of equipment, even for me. I had it personally made and shipped from Europe. Some Austrian company that’s been making pianos for hundreds of years did it for me.

“Holy shit,” Chloe says as she plays a few chords and admires the sound it makes. “You really do have a lot to throw away.”

She turns her attention to the kitchen, marveling at it.

“I don’t cook,” I say. “I usually just get delivery.”

“But you could cater for an entire restaurant in here.”

“It came with the house. On tour, we have our own private chef.”

Chloe scoffs at me. “You’re crazy. Ravaged’s success has gone to your head.”

“Has it, really?” I ask her, dead seriously. “I’m still pining for the same girl I knew in high school.”

She rolls her eyes at that and continues through outside where my pool is. It’s a long one that lights up at night.

“What are you doing with such a massive pool?” Chloe asks me, dipping her toe in the warm water.

“I like to swim in it,” I reply, deadpan.

She laughs and wanders back inside. I follow her to the couch.

“But do you miss Crystal River?” she asks as we sit opposite each other. I’m glad she’s starting to open up and is no longer swearing at me to leave. Who knew that my house would be such an ice-breaker?

I shrug at her question. “Yeah, I do. I’ve actually been thinking of moving back. I don’t need Los Angeles anymore. I’m in the biggest band on the planet, so I can live anywhere I want and just get a private jet to wherever I need to be.”

“Are you serious?”

“I’m not much of a city boy.”

“No, I was talking about the private jet.”

“Oh, yeah. Well, of course we have a private jet. I am a rockstar, Chloe.”

“This is a whole other world,” she says, eyes wide. I think she’s finally coming to terms with how crazy my life has become since we last met.

But, despite all the money and success, some things never change. Your feelings for someone. Your heart.

Fucking hell, listen to me. I’ve gone soft.

Maybe some of my band’s love lyrics have gone to my head. I’ve been completely blindsided since seeing this girl again. It’s like my whole world’s gone upside down. I’ve finally woken up to how much I need her back again in my life.

Yeah, some things really never do change.

“Alright, I guess it’s time for you to show me some songs,” I say.

“What?”

“I know you’ve written a lot of songs, Chloe.”

“I don’t show people my works in progress.”

“Good thing I’m not like other people, then,” I reply. “Plus, this is important. It’ll be a smart move at this performance to do original songs. Those executives will like that.”