Dedicated to ani-baby . From being the greatest cheerleader and becoming quite the bestie to us. Krayylor (Kate) and I love you babes🖤

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  ✘ She hated him.

Even now, her anger was a steel-coiled spring of nerves, ready to snap—professionalism be damned. Her pencil bore the mark of her frustration, a deep notch from one sharp incisor. From the moment she'd started this tour, it was as if he'd made it his mission to make her life a living hell. It had only been one month, out of an entirety of eight left.

243 days to be exact.

Kill me now.

Ray Kenobi, fresh college graduate and aspiring journalist, stood backstage, engulfed by a palpable, high-octane energy. The air thrummed with excitement, roadies straining against the bouncers' restraints, while technicians darted around in a frenzy. The intensity of the atmosphere seeped into her bones, amplifying her own tensed nerves.

Her fingers gripped her clipboard like a lifeline. The air buzzed with an energy that could be felt beneath her skin. She had promised herself she wouldn't resent her father, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. Being a mogul of the industry himself, he'd promised her the world on this tour—if she could hack it. From inception, a Kenobi paved their own way in life. Obi Records was no exception.

One had to play the game when it came to the industry. For certain doors to open, sacrifices had to be made.

But dealing with Anakin Skywalker, the cocky lead guitarist of The Outlanders, was testing the very limits of her patience. He was every cliché she despised wrapped in an infuriatingly attractive package. Medium-length, wavy blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and a gold hoop in one ear. Tattoos adorned his arms, and he moved with a predatory grace that made it hard to look away. The epitome of a womanizer, he thrived on the attention, driving the fans wild with just a sultry, dark smile.

The final chords of the song rang out, and the crowd erupted in applause. Anakin took a deep bow, his eyes scanning the audience before landing on her. His gaze narrowed, a disdainful glare that burrowed under her skin. Ray turned away, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd gotten to her.

Again.

The backstage area was a frenzied whirlwind that assaulted the senses as Ray navigated through the throng. Her breath involuntarily hitched just as Anakin strode off the stage ahead of his band mates, sweat-drenched and exuding raw energy.

The cold grin cut through the mayhem like a blade, sending a disconcertingly electric shiver down her spine. "Ah, my favorite manager," he called out, his voice laced with a cold arrogance that nearly rivaled his usual sarcasm.

Ray's jaw clenched with an audible crack. "We need to talk, now." Her voice barely masked the simmering tension beneath.

He raised an eyebrow. A smirk devoid of warmth stretched across those lips. "Sure thing, Razor. Lead the way."

Every nerve in her body wanted to snap at the name he'd graciously bestowed upon her at the beginning of the tour. She led him through a long hallway to the green room where the band typically relaxed after a show.

  The steel door muffled the outside noise as she nudged it shut with the toe of worn Doc Martens. She placed one hand pointedly on her hip leveling him with a stern gaze. "Look, Skywalker, we need to get a few things straight. You can't keep blowing off responsibilities, inviting back every woman that salivates at the sight of you, or be treating this tour like your personal playground."

Anakin's eyes glinted with amusement, crossing his arms across a broad chest slick with sweat, a few buttons undone on his linen shirt. He cocked his head leaning against the wall, one boot rutted to the floor. "Relax, boss," he drawled, "everything's going smoothly. The fans love us, our performances have rave reviews from our critics. Why so serious?"

Her grip on the clipboard tightened while against her hip, the bone-white of her knuckles visible. "Because it's my job to keep everything running smoothly. Your antics make it a hell of a lot harder when I'm left to deal with the fall out."

He leaned over, a glimmer in those dark, cobalt eyes as he watched her with an unsettling intensity. Slowly, he took a step forward his 6"4 height towering over her. His breath, hot against her skin, carried a hint of cinnamon from the candy he rolled under his tongue. "Maybe you just need to loosen up a bit. Get laid," His voice dropped to a distinct lowered baritone. "Perhaps then you wouldn't be such a tight ass."

Ray took a step back, her heart pounding as the anger seared through her veins and heated her blood. "Sex isn't in my job description, Skywalker," she snapped, her voice edged with fury and an underlying determination. "Ensuring this tour's success, is."

Anakin shrugged, a lazy smile playing on his lips. "Suit yourself. Your loss, Razor."

His dismissive tone and indifferent gaze made her blood boil as he walked away. Ray exhaled sharply, her frustration at its peak. The next eight months loomed before her with a foreboding sense of dread. However, she refused to let this deter her.

She'd be damned if she let Anakin Skywalker ruin her chance to prove herself. She'd weather this storm, no matter how infuriating the tempest at its core.

And we are green lit to go! Let me know what you think so far. Chapter One should be up soon.