His songs were better when he had a broken heart. That sentence would change my life after my dream job was dished to me on a shiny, silver platter. All I had to do? Hurt Nash Pierce enough to get him writing good music again. The pop icon’s songs were no longer the phenomena they used to be. His team needed another breakthrough album—like the first he’d penned, using his heartbreak as fuel. The plan was simple: I’d go on tour with him as a backup dancer…and make him fall in love with me. I was hired to inspire—to become embedded into every lyric he wrote. Then, I was to set fire to it all—to destroy every feeling we hoped he’d develop for me. It seemed simple enough. Easy, even. I didn’t expect to be consumed myself—to see so much in the man displayed in the tabloids. I didn’t foresee falling for him. It didn’t occur to me that, while attempting to break his heart, I might just shatter my own. Most of all, I never thought I’d fight so hard to hold on to a relationship that had always been founded on goodbye.

This means nothing. That sentence would become the biggest lie I've ever told myself after spending an unforgettable night with Sebastian Compton. Because he has rules—one night, no strings attached. It's easier that way. He travels the world as a bodyguard for his best friend and one of the most famous pop icons alive. I'm merely a glorified coffee-runner, still trying to get noticed by my boss. It would never work between us. It should have meant nothing. After all, my best friend schemed to hurt the very man Sebastian was hired to protect—and I knew about it. He shouldn't want to be near me. We shouldn't be sneaking around, hiding our feelings from those closest to us. I shouldn't want him. He's arrogant, jealous, and possessive—breaking his rules and my boundaries, claiming me for another night only to leave again. But now, it means everything. I never expected more than a single night with him. I didn't foresee being thrust back together by the product of our lust. It didn't occur to me that while fighting our feelings, we may have built something worth fighting for. Most of all, I never thought something so perfect could grow from a relationship that had always been founded on temptation.

I did what I had to do to protect someone I care about. That sentence almost ruined my career–my life–and painted me as the villain in a story I was trying so desperately to save. But that story wasn’t finished, and I am not someone you want to piss off. As the manager for global pop sensation Nash Pierce, I’ve had to make some tough decisions. But when both Nash’s career and passion were threatened by his corrupt record label, the decision was easy–burn the label to the ground. And do it before Nash’s annoying younger brother Aiden Pierce ruined everything. No one despised me more than Aiden for what I did, and no one was able to push my buttons like he could. He was cocky, selfish, and had a temper that could blow up my entire plan. Now, not only did I have to take down a billion-dollar corporation, but I had to do it alongside someone that hated me. And then things got complicated. I didn’t expect to let Aiden in–to relinquish control to him so easily. I didn’t foresee being consumed by desire for a man that I held so much animosity toward. It didn’t occur to me that while fighting a common enemy, we might just find our own common ground. Most of all, I never thought that love and trust could stem from a relationship that had always been founded on deception.

I'll only disappoint you. That sentence should’ve deterred me from Poe Hanson—it should’ve at least kept me from falling in love with him. The problem was, by the time he uttered those words it was already too late. He already had my heart, whether he wanted it or not. From the moment I first saw his sad eyes and guitar-worn hands, I knew I wanted him. His darkness spoke to my darkness. His hurt danced with my hurt. We seemed like a perfect fit. Except for one small detail—the only thing he will ever love is music. When he came to me offering a way I could finally have some part of him—to be friends with benefits—I knew it was dangerous, destined to fail. I'd always need more. But it didn’t matter. I took him in any way I could have him, knowing one day my heart would pay the price. I didn’t expect to be anything more than friends. I didn’t foresee our damaged puzzle pieces fitting perfectly together. It didn’t occur to me that while I was handing my heart over to him; he was unknowingly doing the same. Most of all, I never thought the scars of my past could be mended by a love that had always been founded on rejection. Founded on Rejection is an angsty age gap romance and the fourth interconnected standalone in The Mixtape Series. Read less