The guys watched the ad I’d created then restarted it without a word.
As comfortable as Derek was, I was honestly getting a little nervous. I didn’t sit in guys’ laps ever and I was worried about how they’d react, they were so quiet. I was trying to be calm, but my nerves got the best of me. I fidgeted against him, which was probably a mistake because his hand tightened at my hip. “I did it really quickly.” I rushed out. “The video will be better.”
“Are you kidding,” a guy I assumed was Seth gushed. “It’s awesome. Can you make another one with me in it?”
“Sure.” I cleared my throat and glanced over my shoulder at Derek. His eyes met and held mine.
“What was the coupon thing?” His voice rumbled through his chest. I could actually feel it in my back.
“Gus, the manager agreed. They get a free drink, non-alcoholic, with the coupon. But I tracked the IP and it’s had seven-hundred and fifty downloads.”
“What?” Evan practically yelled. “That rocks!” He stood, pumping his fist. “Seven-hundred and fifty people could show up here tonight?”
“I also printed up flyers. To advertise your next couple of shows.” I pulled a stack out of my bag. “Millie, Chloe, and I will pass them out at intermission. And they’ll be posted on the door and all over the club.”
I handed them over to the guys to look at. I’d used the library printer so they weren’t as sharp as I’d like them but the design looked tight. It was professional and cool with all the information clearly visible.
Derek’s hand squeezed my hip again and I swear, his nose was in my hair. “These flyers look unbelievable,” he whispered close to my ear. “And you look off-the-charts stunning.”
I dipped my head as a smile of satisfaction pulled at the corner of my lips. “Thank you.” Then I turned my head to look at him. When I did, our faces were so close, it was almost like we were going to kiss. “You’re right. If you want to sell a band, you have to look the part.”
“You were right.” He gave me a small smile. “Your marketing will make a huge difference.” His grin grew wider. “Thank you.”
I caught my breath. Mostly because when Derek smiled, it was devastating. But his compliment meant so much. Maybe because he’d been so surly before, it made his praise so genuine. The heat in my cheeks burned even hotter, as I looked at him. “I’ll do my best for you guys.” I meant it.
His hard, piercing eyes softened in a way I’d never imagined. “I’m sure you will, Mel.”
Mel. I liked it. It was kind of hip and it sounded like a power name. Strong and confident.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Seth called.
An older guy walked into the room. “Ready to do the final sound check?”
“Sure.” Seth jumped up and the other guys followed him.
Derek was the last to rise and carefully lifted me with him, somehow keeping contact with me even as we stood. Part of me wondered if I should put some distance between us but I didn’t want to give up the contact. It was exhilarating and comforting all at the same time.
“I’m hoping you guys will book some more dates,” the manager said as he came to shake Seth’s hand. “Do you know when you’re available?”
Seth looked over at me and gave me a small wink. “I’ll talk with our marketing manager and get back to you.” I had to be honest. He did a great job of sounding casual, but this was a big moment. Instead of begging for gigs like they had been, they were about to start coming to Echo Stream. I pressed my lips together to keep from grinning like an idiot.
I guess I had officially been hired. Which was awesome. But it also meant a lot of time with Derek. I was still cradled against him and, don’t get me wrong, it was unbelievable. But he was all wrong for me, in addition to being Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. And what had happened with his last girlfriend that she was so angry? I couldn’t help but think that a guy like Derek was probably trouble and I’d do best to stick with my plan.
Chapter Five
Derek
I should put some distance between us. I wasn’t dating and even if I was, Melissa was not my type.
Which only made that little voice in my head start. What is your type then? Your type kind of stinks. You need to change your type and Mel might be just the change you need.
Pencil skirt? I said back. I should be dating a girl who wears pencil skirts to concerts? But she didn’t have one on today. The tank top and jeans looked hot. And her hair. It looked so beautiful and it had smelled even better.
Even weirder, I liked the pencil skirt. I kind of missed it today. Somehow, her more wholesome approach to life was part of what made her interesting and, frankly, exciting.
We followed the manager out and started performing the sound check. I could hear noises outside and I’d tried to figure out what it was. Was there something going on out there? A car accident or traffic jam or something? I could hear yelling and jostling.
The other guys could hear it too. I could see Evan craning his neck trying to see out the high windows. Jay wasn’t even attempting to tune his bass, his fingers completely stilled.
Seth finally left the stage to check outside. “It’s a crowd!” he shouted. “Waiting to get in the club.”
I shook my head as I glanced over at the bar where Mel sat. Her iPad was back in front of her, but her fingers weren’t flying across the screen. Instead, she looked at me and grinned. She should be. The girl was crazy-talented in a way I had never even considered. And this kind of insanity was awesome.
I wanted to hop off the stage and kiss her again. Not just the little peck I’d given her yesterday, though it had been crazy-good. I wanted to full-on hold her close with that little streak of purple hair, the one that complimented her chocolate-colored eyes, and then press her close in that lacy little tank top.
Instead, I winked at her. Mel returned a soft smile, the kind that made her cheeks just a tiny bit pink and highlighted her classic cheekbones. She had an old-Hollywood kind of beauty.
No wonder I liked her in pencil skirts. She had the sort of body that should be in Marilyn Monroe dresses. They were classic.
We finished the sound check and headed back to the dressing room. The girls didn’t return. They knew we were prepping for what was now a big performance. I appreciated their consideration, but I honestly wanted Mel pressed against me again. She fit so nicely, like she was meant to be there.
When the manager announced us a half hour later, it was to a packed room. I mean packed. I could barely catch Mel at the bar, just that glossy brown hair with its streak of purple.
Was she over there thinking up new marketing strategies right now? We played the set and the energy from the crowd was amazing.
But the second we finished our last song before intermission, I was off the stage. I’d let Seth handle the crowd. I was charging toward the bar. The advantage of being tall and broad was I could see over the crowd and easily push my way through. And I was a man on a mission.
It was still kind of slow with so many people stopping me to say congratulations and good job. A few even asked for autographs. I tried not to be annoyed. This is what I had wanted, but right then I just wanted to make it to the bar.
When I finally got to the bar, there she sat, iPad in hand as she furiously worked, her head down, oblivious to the crowd around her.
Next to her was a tall, bubbly drink with a lime in it. I didn’t drink, it was a personal thing and I knew it didn’t go with my whole tattooed-bad-guy image. It had been a point of contention in more than one relationship. It wasn’t so much that I cared that the girls I was dating did drink—though I did a little but I mostly kept that hidden. But it was more that they seemed irritated that I didn’t. Like I was spoiling their fun by not participating.
Mel’s head lifted and she gave me a smile. That soft one I was starting to live for.
“Hey,” she called over the crowd.
I didn’t mean to but I slid my hand onto the s
mall of her back. I needed to touch her. “Hi.” I wanted to kiss her cheek but I knew we weren’t there. “What are you doing?”
“I took some pictures of Seth to work into your ad. It’s turning out super hot. I’ll have to tweak it on my Mac when I get back to my room but…”
“You have a Mac?” No wonder she had such classic looks. She was probably old-money rich.
She shrugged. “A few people have paid for my services. I put the money back into the business.”
I quirked one corner of my lips. My mom and I hadn’t had much while I was growing up. Pretty lean. Most people had more than me but somehow I was relieved that she wasn’t uber-wealthy. “Good plan.” I wondered if that was what we should be doing. We’d mostly taken the money we’d made and bought fun things with it. I’d talk with the guys about it later.
For now, I needed something to drink. I tried to catch the bartender’s eye, but he was busy with a group of co-eds at the other end of the bar.
“Thirsty?” Mel asked.
“Yeah,” I knew I shouldn’t but I wrapped my arm tighter around her waist. “But I think it will be a while.”
“Have mine,” she said, then grabbed her glass and handed it to me.
I didn’t take it. I’d only known her a day. How did I explain my aversion to alcohol? “What is it?”
“Seltzer water.” She wrinkled her nose. “Watch the bubbles, they might make your nose itch.”
I raised my brow, but relief washed through me. “Nothing else is in here besides the lime?”
She shook her head. “I know it isn’t the coolest, doesn’t go with the outfit, but I’m not much of a drinker.”
An adorable shade of pink spread across her cheeks, and then I wanted to kiss her. I mean even more than before, though I didn’t know how that could be possible. But every new thing I learned about her made me like her more. “I’m not either.” And just like that it was out. It normally took me a while to say that to a girl. I couldn’t believe how easy that had just been.
She gave a nod and I took the glass, downing half the drink. It was refreshingly simple, exactly like Mel.
It took everything I had not to plant my lips on hers before I headed back over to the stage. Even more than wanting to kiss her, I actually wanted to stay next to her by the bar. This was our big night. Playing in front of a giant crowd and yet, what I really wanted to do was watch her work.
When the set ended at the club, I was completely wired. We loaded the van and then hung out backstage for a while, but Drew quickly peeled off with Chloe. I got it, he was in love and I couldn’t blame him for wanting some alone time with his girl. My eyes strayed to Melissa.
Chloe turned to Mel. “Need us to drop you at your dorm on the way?”
I stood. “I can take you back.” Everyone turned to me. Drew’s eyebrows were up while Chloe’s mouth just hung open. Jay winked. I cleared my throat. “I wanted to talk marketing anyway.”
“It’s after midnight.” Melissa’s hand rested on her hips as she raised her eyebrows.
Damn, she was sexy. “Yeah, but you’ve been working all night.”
A tiny laugh escaped her lips. “Fine, you’ve got me there.” Then she turned back to Chloe. “You guys have fun. Thanks again for the shopping trip.”
“Call me tomorrow.” Chloe gave Mel a quick hug before linking her arm with Drew’s. Then she turned to the rest of us. “Great job tonight.”
I was still standing and now that I knew I was driving Mel home, I didn’t want to hang around anymore. Not when I could be alone with her.
“Oh.” She shifted her head to look at my hand as I grabbed her waist. “We’re leaving now?”
“Night.” I waved to the guys by way of answer.
We headed down the hall and out the door and I unlocked the van to help her into the passenger’s seat. It was high and the view as she climbed in wasn’t to be missed.
Once she was in, I climbed in the driver’s seat as she gave me directions. “So,” she started as I pulled out of the parking lot, “what’s it like to share the lead singer duties?”
I peered at her. “Nice. I actually prefer to be a floater. I play guitar for the band a lot and drums on occasion. I fill in where I’m needed.”
“Really?” Her eyebrows reached her hairline. “I know Drew is new. If you play guitar a lot why not just take his role?”
I shrugged. “I don’t like being on guitar and singing. And Seth is out a lot. He’s a classical pianist as well. So this works for both of us.” I paused as I collected my next thoughts. “I enjoy the band. I know I’ve got the ink of a rock star, but I’m not sure that being in a band is my forever gig. There’s a lot more I’d like to accomplish. Is marketing your future?”
“Yes,” she said without a moment’s hesitation. “I love it more than anything else. Putting together a successful campaign is so…” She looked up at the ceiling. “Exciting and satisfying.” Then she gazed at me. Those big brown eyes searching me for a long time before she spoke again. “You have such a powerful presence on stage, you own it. I can’t believe that isn’t your calling.”
We’d reached her dorm and I found a nearby parking spot. Pulling in, I turned to her. “Music is my escape. I love it but my calling might be something different.” I didn’t know if I was ready to share my past with her. I hadn’t shared it with anyone for a long time. But I could tell her what I did when I wasn’t jamming. “I actually work with inner city kids through the Big Brother program. More and more, I wonder if that’s what I should be doing with my life.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You spend your free time working with kids?”
I reached out my hand and gave her chin a little tap. “Yeah, so what?”
“That’s cool.” She turned forward and collected her purse from the floor. “Thanks for the ride. I really appreciate it.”
“Wait a minute.” I reached for her hand. “First, we haven’t talked marketing at all. And second, we’re a block from your actual dorm. I’d never let you walk home alone.”
She cleared her throat. “Did you want to just sit in the van and talk?”
I crinkled my brow. “Or you could invite me in?”
Her cheeks turned pink, even in the semi-darkness I could see it, which likely meant they were really brightly colored. I resisted the chuckle that rose in my chest “I’m not so sure. I mean I don’t usually invite guys in and after yesterday I’m…”
“Yesterday?” I knew what she meant. The kiss. I’d been doing my best to ignore the fact that it had been amazing. I wasn’t dating. And, as I’d never been with a girl remotely like Mel, I honestly wasn’t sure it would work. But I couldn’t deny I was drawn to her.
Her cheeks got even darker in color. “I mean, I’m sure you kissed me to make that girl jealous, but I just…” She looked at me, her eyes even bigger than normal.
“I only want to talk marketing. And to apologize. I was trying to make Nicole jealous, but that was a lousy thing to do.” I gave her what I hoped was a comforting look. I didn’t do them very often so I hoped it didn’t come off completely creepy.
Chapter Six
Melissa
Who was this guy sitting next to me? Because he wasn’t the same dude I’d met last night. Yes, he had the same hot body and smoldering eyes. But this guy worked with children and insisted on walking me to my dorm door. The Derek from last night glared at me and then kissed me in front of everyone without warning. It made my head spin.
“Just to talk marketing?” I found myself saying. Why didn’t I just say no? I knew the answer. Whether grumpy or sweet, he was always exciting. Consuming. Sexy. I forced myself to stop.
He gave me a grin that left my brain spinning, even as he climbed out of the driver’s seat and came around to help me. It was high and so before I knew it, his hands were at my waist. I looked down and they were so large, that I swear they circled the entire thing. Or maybe I was small?
He set me lightly on the ground and then slid
one hand to the small of my back. We stopped at the back of the van, and he opened the door, then withdrew a guitar.
“I don’t usually use one of those for making web ads.” My eyebrows went up.
He grinned again and my breath caught. I mean, I couldn’t breathe. “I thought you might like a little mood music while you work.”
I swallowed the lump clogging my throat. “There isn’t much to do. Tomorrow night I’ll start filming the video. Then I’ll have a bunch of editing.” We’d started walking, his hand at my back again. I gotta be honest, I felt much safer going down the dark streets with Derek. “But I can show you how I put the finishing touches on tonight’s ad.”
“Awesome.”
We reached the door and I used my key card to enter. Crossing the lobby, I hit the up button on the elevator. Boston University was enormous and our dorms were high-rises.
“So how did you know to make a video? And do a giveaway?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” We moved into the elevator. The space was pretty small and I swear, I the proximity made me more aware of Derek as we stood close together. “I guess you have to know people. What do they like, what do they want.”
I pivoted to face him, my excitement about my work overriding my jitters about being so close to him. “Like you. I featured you in the ad because I knew you’d interest both men and women.”
He angled his head toward me. “Is that so?”
I nodded. “You’re cool and rugged enough that guys will look up to you but you have this sexy edge that—” I stopped, heat infusing my cheeks. What had I just said?
“Go on.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Tell me more about me.”
I took a deep breath trying to stay on topic. “You’re marketable. You have appeal.” Gloriously, the elevator dinged and we stepped into the hall. My room was only a few doors down. It was a Friday night and, thankfully, my roommate was out. Probably at her boyfriend’s where she spent a ton of her time. The only annoying part about the arrangement was he followed her to our room whenever she did make an appearance.
Love Notes (Accidental Kisses #3) Page 3