by Nashoda Rose
“Me too,” Tanya said and batted her eyelashes.
Dana snorted. “Don’t be obvious at all. God, guys like a little challenge, not pussy thrown in their faces.”
“Debatable,” Dillon said laughing. “If it was Angelina—”
“Oh, shut up. You’re a pig and don’t count,” Dana retorted.
Dillon laughed and kissed Dana on the cheek.
“Sure. Why not? Music. I’m in.” Crisis cupped the back of my neck and leaned into me whispering in a low gravelled voice, “I can’t wait to hear you sing, Ice.”
What the hell was going on? Crisis was purposely trying to turn me on. He was flirting with me, not subtly like he did sometimes. This was bold, in-your-face flirting, and I liked it. No, I loved it and despite my hard limits to stay clear of attention—and Crisis was attention—I was faltering and I think Crisis was, too.
“I won’t be singing.” I’d never get up and sing. Not because I was scared of what others thought, because I didn’t care; I just hated being watched.
Dillon asked about the band and what they were working on and the conversation stirred around Tear Asunder. Any personal questions, Crisis deflected but he was casual about it and easily handled the attention. He also never let go of the casual hold on my neck.
“Babe, I gotta go. Kite’s waiting for me in the car.”
“All this time?”
He shrugged, smiling. “He was talking to some chick and her friends. He’s fine.” Crisis climbed out of the bench seat. He nodded to everyone and I noticed his eyes avoided Becky and Tanya, who had yet to take their eyes off him. And that made the tightening in my chest disappear. It was hard not turning to watch Crisis walk away, because no matter what we were, he had a sexy-as-hell ass that deserved to be looked at as often as possible.
“See you tonight, Haven.” Lac got up from the table. “Guys, we have practice in a half-hour.”
As soon as he was out of earshot, Dana said, “Lac likes you. Like really likes you and Dillon said he talks about you all the time.”
“He doesn’t know me.” I glanced over my shoulder at Lac and the boys as they left the cafeteria. Lac was tall, lean, and his arms were cut. Lac was a good guy and I liked him, but I couldn’t imagine kissing him. I couldn’t imagine kissing any guy except Crisis.
Dana nudged me. “That’s what dating is for. Unless, of course, you’re saving yourself for the playboy?”
I grabbed my water. “Crisis likes to flirt. He isn’t into me like that.”
“Bullshit. And you’re hot for him.”
My gaze darted to hers. Could she see it, too?
“You eating the rest of those?” Dana asked, letting it go.
I pushed my plate of fries toward her and then she asked me about my new job at Georgie’s coffee shop, Perk Avenue, and the conversation steered away from Crisis.
My phone vibrated an hour later as I walked across campus to my last class.
So who’s the guy?
What guy?
LOL. Cute. You know exactly who I’m talking about. He had his hand on your back.
He noticed that?
Shouldn’t you be playing guitar or something?
Logan and Kite are arguing over lyrics. You going to date him?
No, I was considering casual sex.
I was kidding around because he’d really thrown me off today and deserved it. But the truth was, I was considering Crisis for casual sex. My phone started playing, “I’m too sexy,” Crisis’ idea of funny.
I hadn’t even said hello when he said, “You serious? Or fucking with me?”
I was a little caught off-guard by his sudden phone call and the rough tone in his voice.
“You going to fuck that guy? Date him? What?”
“Crisis, I don’t ask you about the girls who leave the condo in the morning.”
“Then ask me,” he shouted. He never shouted. “I want you to ask me because I’d tell you they aren’t mine.” I heard him take a deep breath. “I’m responsible for you and—”
I cut him off. “I don’t want or need anyone being responsible for me.” He felt responsible for me? God, that just stomped on any lingering desire I had. “I’ve had no one give a shit about me since I was sixteen. I don’t need anyone now.”
The phone muffled as if he was walking. “That’s complete bullshit, Haven. We all need someone and whether you want it or not, you’re part of the band, the family and we’re responsible for one another. You know why? Because we care about one another.”
My hand shook and tremors volleyed through me. “I don’t want a family. I didn’t sign up for a family.” My only family had ever been Ream and he’d been torn away from me. Was that how Crisis saw me, just family? Like Kat or Emily? Had he been flirting with me today because of Lac? Because he felt responsible for me?
“Too fuckin’ bad. You got one,” he shot back then the line went dead.
I stared at my phone. What the hell just happened? Crisis was laid back and playful. I’d never heard him yell except when he stubbed his toe or something stupid like that. But, Crisis had been furious.
Well, at least he wouldn’t go to karaoke.
BY THE TIME we finished at the studio in Logan’s house, it was after nine. Kite delayed us leaving with the bullshit over the lyrics not sounding right and despite the final decision he and Logan made, neither of them were happy with the outcome of the song. It was supposed to be a bit of a ballad, and they were right, it was missing something.
I hadn’t talked to Haven since I hung up on her. Fuck, I hung up on her. What was I thinking? When I went to call her back five minutes after I’d cooled down, Logan and Kite had agreed and we were back to work.
It took forty-five minutes to drive back to the city. I jumped in the shower, changed and was ready to go in ten minutes.
Kite on the other hand dragged his ass. He wasn’t impressed with going and wanted to go to Avalanche, Kat’s brother’s bar where we used to jam all the time. I made him a deal though, next time he wanted to go out, to wherever, I was there. No bitching.
Kite called down to Roman, one of Luke’s guys telling him what we were doing and he brought a car around and took us to the bar.
Kite grabbed my arm before I opened the door to the private room the group was in upstairs. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
I shrugged his hand away. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Haven. Don’t screw it up for her. Maybe she likes this guy. And yeah, I heard you on the phone in the studio. You’re lucky Ream didn’t.” I made a gruff sound in the back of my throat and Kite’s brows rose. “You want to go there? I live with you. Known you since you were sixteen, lived on a tour bus with you. You can play it any way you like, but you like her more than you should.”
My hand tightened on the doorknob. “What? There’s a limit? Fuckin’ news to me.”
Kite hit me in the chest lightly. “That girl has some serious demons and the last thing she needs is your cock anywhere near her.”
I slammed both my hands into Kite and he fell back a step. “I’d never do that. She’s not some pussy. Jesus, Kite. She’s my friend. Ream’s sister and, yeah, she has fuckin’ serious demons and no way in hell am I letting some lacrosse captain fuck with her.”
Kite shook his head back and forth, grinning. “I knew it.”
“What?”
He started laughing.
“What, asshole?”
“You have it bad for her. She’s the one.” What the hell was he talking about? And did he seriously just play me? “I’m so going to enjoy this.” He shoved me out of the way and opened the door.
I trailed in after him, my eyes landing on Haven sitting on the L-shaped couch next to Mr. Lacrosse who had his arm across the back of it. He was leaning into her whispering something and the left corner of her mouth twitched upward in a smile. Well, as much as a smile as Haven gave. Except with me.
I could get a laugh, Mr. fuckin’ Lacrosse.
/> Tanya and the guy, Kevin, sang and bobbed up and down when we entered. It was kind of funny and not half bad. I walked over to Haven and kissed the top of her head.
Fuck, she looked hot. Her cheeks had a slight pink hue and there was a sweetness to her tonight. As if she had let some of her guard down, or maybe it was due to the alcoholic fruity drink she was holding.
Kite and I were handed beers and we chatted, or rather I did. Kite went and sat on the couch, looking completely untouchable and I was betting that was his intent. I waited only twenty minutes before I was up scrolling through the songs until I found the one I wanted.
I was a stage junky; loved the thrill of being up in front of people when the music started. This was my thing. I craved it. Needed it. Didn’t much care where it was or who was around me, if there was music, my body thrummed.
There was some risk in what I was about to do, but fuck it. Life was about risk and she was worth it. I stood when the guy, Jacob, finished singing a George Ezra song, and I tagged a spare microphone then strolled up front.
While everyone cheered, I leaned into Jacob and said, “Give your microphone to Haven.”
His brows raised and he glanced in Haven’s direction. I didn’t. We were going to see how brave my chick was. I knew she hated being the center of attention, but it had nothing to do with her being shy or a lack of confidence. There was another reason she stayed out of the limelight. I just didn’t know what that reason was—yet. Well, this wasn’t limelight and she was among friends. I hoped she wouldn’t back away from a challenge because that was what this was.
Fuck, it was more than that. I wanted her away from Lac and with me. I craved her attention. It was my drug. She was my drug and I wanted her to share with me the one thing I loved more than anything—music, and I didn’t give a shit if she sang like a duck quacking. Okay, maybe I did a little, but I was pretty sure she wasn’t completely tone deaf as her twin brother had a good voice.
I started the song and everyone laughed when they recognized it, “You’re the One That I Want.” Sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
I kept my eyes on Haven as I sang my part, the music drumming through me as I belted out the words. Haven squirmed uncomfortably, the microphone Jacob handed her laying in her lap. She glared. I smiled as I sang in a raspy shout the last word to my part.
I swear I didn’t think she’d do it. She sat there like stone until it was her turn and fuck if my cock didn’t twitch when I heard the first words from her mouth.
My fingers curled around the microphone, watching her slowly glide to her feet, the words like honey from her throat. A slow stroll toward me, no smile but a slight sway to her hips that put my excitement for the stage to shame.
I was so stunned and completely taken that I nearly fucked up and forgot to sing my part, which was the tandem chorus. Our voices instantly entwined in perfect harmony and from the subtle eyes widening, I knew she was just as surprised as me.
The group faded into the background as we became the music, Haven completely playing the part as she sang over her shoulder to me while walking away. I trailed after until she swung around and came toward me, her hand on my chest and her voice a sexy melody. She edged in close and slid around me so her back was against my chest.
I played it up and trailed my hand across her abdomen then grinned when she spun and shoved me away like they’d done in the movie. When she wiggled her butt as she sauntered away, I fell to my knees.
Her body turned and our eyes locked as we sang the chorus together.
As the song neared the end, I jumped to my feet, snatched her around the waist, swung her around then dipped her. Girl didn’t miss a beat.
Everyone stood and cheered. I didn’t pay attention to them, my arm around Haven, my fingers grazing her bare skin between her blouse and jeans. My body refused to move as we stared at one another, her hand with the microphone on my chest. My heart raced, a combination of the exhilaration and having Haven so close.
Two favorite things.
No matter what we pretended to be, this was more. She had to feel it. There was no denying the spark that connected us. It was an inferno today in the cafeteria. But the chemistry wasn’t enough. I wanted it all yet Haven didn’t trust me. If she did, she’d have told me something. Fuckin’ anything. Just a piece of why she had to protect herself all the time. That was all I needed to push this further.
I knew she was closing up before she moved. I saw the tiniest flicker of uncertainty in her eyes before she reacted and it was all over.
She moved away, but I snagged her hand before she could escape. “That voice . . . baby, that is something special. You sing before?”
I let her hand slide from mine when she pulled back. “Yeah. Some. By myself.”
I was getting nothing more as that wall of ice slammed back into place and she walked back to the couch. I was at least thankful she chose to sit beside Dana instead of Lac, who was pissed judging by the scowl on his face.
Too fuckin’ bad, buddy. She isn’t going to ever be yours.
I played it cool for the next hour, chatted with everyone, had a few beers and even sang a couple more songs. Kite refused to get up and sing, but Dana did several times and she sounded like a cat in pain. She knew it too and laughed more than she sang.
Haven was actually looking like she was having a good time by the ease in her shoulders. What concerned me was the amount of alcohol she was consuming as Dana passed her another fruity drink.
Kite slapped me on the back. “She’s fine.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Then stop watching her.”
Fuck, I was so screwed. I chugged back the rest of my beer and Becky plopped down beside me. “Want to sing with me?”
She was cute and I was pretty damn sure if I wanted to, I could fuck her tonight. And that was what was screwing with me. I hadn’t fucked another chick in six months.
“No thanks, sugar. Vocal cords are on hiatus for the rest of the night.”
She pouted and normally I’d take advantage and kiss a chick, maybe even drag her into the washroom and get her to suck me off. Fuck, that sounded so bad. Never thought that before—now I did.
Becky’s hand came down on my thigh and squeezed. I should take her up on what she offered, but there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that I was taken. I’d been taken for six months and nothing was going to change that any time soon.
“Not interested.” I removed her hand from my leg. She stood, walked over to Kevin, and sat on his lap, to which he loudly slurred something unintelligible, and wrapped his arms around her.
Haven had a slight glow to her cheeks and her eyes filled with laughter as she watched Dillon sing the last verse to a Maroon 5 song.
The moment Haven came to her feet, my heart thumped and my eyes locked on her. She swayed a bit to the right and Lac jumped to his feet and reached over to steady her with his hands on her hips. There was a flicker of her brows lowering for a second then she took a deep breath as if she was shoving whatever she was thinking aside.
I was like my guitar strings, strung up too tight, as my gaze followed her every step of the way up to the front of the room in front of the big screen. She leaned into Dillon who had just finished singing and he smiled as he handed her the microphone.
“Woot, Haven,” Dana screamed.
This so didn’t seem like something she would do. I knew her. At least I thought I did. I’d pushed her to get up and sing before. This was on her own. She was reserved. Not in a soft, fearful sort of way, but definitely not a person who cared about standing up and singing in front of friends.
When the music began, I tensed because I knew . . . I fuckin’ knew with that first stroke of the guitar on the speakers that it was one of our songs. No, it was my song. I wrote it, not that she’d know that.
Holy fuck. All the blood went straight from my head down to my cock and it hurt. I was so turned on that she’d sing one of our songs, it took everything in me to keep f
rom jumping to my feet and slamming her against the wall and kissing her.
Shit, I wanted to kiss her so badly. I wanted her beneath me, to feel her writhe and hear her moan. I wanted to taste every inch of her skin, touch every part and then I wanted to sink inside her and make her come so hard she screamed. Because Haven screaming in ecstasy would be one kick-ass fantasy come true.
Kite was right; I liked Haven more than I should. We were friends, but it was a hell of a lot more than that. She’d quivered under my touch earlier and I’d heard her sharp inhale. I’d decided to take a chance and push her a little, and what I’d gotten was heat radiating from her. The reality was, I wanted Haven and no other chick would do it for me. Known it for a long time.
The moment she started singing, her glassy grey eyes found mine and she half-smiled. Yeah, she was drunk and was probably going to regret getting up in front of her friends and singing, but the girl had a voice.
One fuck of a beautiful voice. Her brother did, too. It was a slower song and I was accustomed to hearing Logan’s gravelled voice that made the chicks go gaga, but if anyone heard Haven sing this version of it, we’d have a whole new crowd of fans—guy fans.
She moved easily to the beat, hips swaying side to side. She turned her back to us during the crescendo of Ream and my guitars, her slow sway erotic and sexy as hell.
“Jesus,” I mumbled as I stared.
“She can sing,” Kite said.
“Yeah.” I couldn’t take my eyes off her and I wanted to go up and join her, but I couldn’t move. I was frozen. Mesmerized by her as her body moved to the beat, eyes closed, head tilted slightly to the side so her hair covered half her face like a silk curtain.
When the song ended, everyone clapped and complimented her. I didn’t. I stared while my heart pounded wildly, hands shook, and with an overwhelming-as-fuck need to drag her out of here, take her home with me, kiss her until she melted in my arms and moaned my name with that sexy voice.
That image was sucked out of me like a high powered vacuum the moment Lac got up and strode over to her, his grin like a monkey getting handed a banana.