Sing for Me: A Rock Star Romance
Page 5
He's hard.
Heat spreads through me like wildfire. I need to do this. Now.
Miles breaks the kiss and takes a half-step backwards. It gives me room to think, to breathe. But I don't want to think. I want his body against mine again.
I exhale slowly. "I want to do this, but not if I'm going to be some girl who's name you can't remember."
He stares back at me. "I don't do relationships."
"Me either. But... I don't want to be another notch in your bedpost."
His expression softens. "We're friends, right?"
"Something like that."
"Sinful Serenade is gonna be in Los Angeles for the rest of the year. We're recording our new album. It might be nice having something consistent."
"So I'm convenient?"
"No. You're sexy. And different." His eyes pass over me slowly. "Most girls trip over themselves trying to impress me. You don't."
"That's all it takes to win you over?"
He shrugs. "We could be fuck buddies."
"Monogamous?"
He nods.
"But you sleep with a different girl every night."
"Only most nights." He shifts, pressing his hips against me again. "I don't play games, Meg. If you're not interested, tell me."
"No, I am. But I..." My eyes go to the floor. "I haven't ever done it before."
He runs his fingers through my hair. "We can take it slow."
"No. I want to do it."
He chuckles. "You're eager."
"You're hard."
"Accurate." He cups my hip with his palm. "Let me lead. I'll walk you through this."
"Okay." I suck in a deep breath.
It seems impossible, but I'm about to have sex with Miles.
This is happening.
I unlock the door and push it open. "Come in."
Miles locks the door and presses his back against it. His eyes pass over me, undressing me.
Heat collects between my legs. I need to cool down. I need to make sure we're on the same page about this friends-with-benefits thing.
I go to the sink and pour two glasses of water.
Miles is standing next to the bed. Not that there's anywhere else to stand. I hand one glass to him and sip the other.
The lukewarm beverage does nothing to temper the heat racing through me.
Deep breath. I can do this. "I have terms. I'm sure you do too."
He nods. "Shoot."
"I want total honesty. No secrets. No lies. No deception at all."
He takes a long sip. "I don't want you getting the wrong idea here. This isn't going to turn into some boyfriend/girlfriend relationship."
"Good. I don't want a boyfriend. During the week, I barely have time to study. And..." I'm not telling him about Rosie. Not right now. "I don't want that kind of connection to someone." I don't want to trust anyone enough they lead me astray.
He sets his glass of water down and moves closer. His fingertips skim my shoulders. "You seem like a nice girl."
"No, I don't."
He laughs. "Okay. You're a little defensive, and it's awfully rude that you assumed I never hurt." He drags his fingertips over my chin. "I like you. But you're never going to be my confidant. You're never going to be the shoulder I cry on."
"Do you cry?"
His lips curl into a smile. He presses his palm into my lower back. "Honesty, right?"
"From both of us."
"Haven't cried in a while. You?"
"Can't say the same."
His voice softens. He pulls me closer. "I'm not a monster. I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't. Not if you're honest."
Doubt creeps onto his face. He takes a step backwards, pulling his hand to his side. "See, these conditions, they worry me. Make me think you're after more than just a good time."
I press my fingers into my glass. "Now you're the one being presumptuous."
"Fair point." His eyes meet mine. "Okay, I'll agree to total honesty. But I have my own condition. The second you develop feelings for me, this is over."
"What if you develop feelings for me? What if you fall in love with me?" I tug at my skirt. "Isn't that possible?"
His voice is even and calm. "No."
"Whatever." My temper flares. Where does he get the nerve? How can he be so sure he'll never feel anything? "I'll tell you if I develop feelings for you."
"You're cute when you're flustered."
"Fuck off. You're not cute when you're acting like nothing has ever mattered to you."
"It's a compliment."
"Not to me."
He nods. "This, us being on the same page, matters to me."
"Me too."
"We're fuck buddies and we don't lie to each other." He takes my glass from my hands and sets it on the counter. "And you'll tell me if you develop feelings for me."
He offers his hand to shake.
Despite my sweaty palm, I take his hand with a firm grip.
We shake.
And it's done.
Miles is my friend with benefits.
Miles, rock star sex god, is my friend with benefits.
Get Sing Your Heart Out Now
Acknowledgments
Athena Wright, yes, you are the first person I am naming in my acknowledgements! Not only are you the best critique partner of all time, you’re also the best chat buddy ever. I can’t believe my luck that I have a good friend who laughs at my jokes, appreciates my song-title puns, and takes debates about whether or not she’d sleep with famous musicians seriously. Thank you so much for your notes.
Kevin, thank you not only for your love and support, but also for picking up my slack when I get lost in book-land. You will always be the Hawkeye to my Mustang.
Thanks to: Skyla and Aria, my awesome cover designers, my editor Tonya, Giselle at Xpresso for organizing many Sinful Serenade blog tours, my beta reading team for their amazing insights and encouragements, my ARC team for their many timely and glowing reviews, and to all the writer friends who encourage me, laugh with me, cry with me, especially Kathryn, Molle, and Eitan.
Of course, my biggest thanks goes to the readers! Thank you for joining me on this Sinful Serenade journey. You can get Sing Your Heart Out now.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
SING FOR ME
First edition. January 23, 2017.
Copyright © 2017 Crystal Kaswell.
Written by Crystal Kaswell.