Lost in the Beat

by Gracen Miller

  She clasped his wrist and placed it between her breasts. With her hand over his, she navigated his palm down her belly and between her thighs. His fingers touched the lace and he ditched her guidance in favor of his own direction.

  He thrust his palm between her thighs. “God have mercy you’re wet.”

  “Only for you, Jase.” She licked his bottom lip, his long hair cocooning her in his web of desire.

  Placing his thumb over her clit, he flicked the pad up and down. She jerked at the sudden, unexpected friction and latched onto his sides with her hands for support as she squealed his name.

  “Shh…easy, darlin’. Sing just once for me so I’ll have something to get me through the hellish evening.”

  He cupped her throat, holding her steady as he held her gaze and rubbed her just right. The man was talented. She’d give him that. He already had her panting and nearing climax. When her breath began to hitch, he said, “That’s what I want right there. Let go and come for me, darlin’.”

  That slow southern drawl of his was so sexy it catapulted her right to the edge.

  Someone cleared their throat behind them. She would’ve scrambled back but was bracketed against the wall. Humiliated at being caught, she buried her face in his chest with an abbreviated screech.

  “Go the fuck away, Fang.” Jase’s dark voice vibrated against her ear.

  “It’s either me or Sam in here getting an eyeful.” Fang’s twang sounded thicker, like maybe he was amused. “We can wait it out and see how long it takes her to hunt us down. I don’t mind waiting…and watching. Sam’s ready to leave, and I doubt she’s gonna wanna wait for the little darlin’ to sing for you, unless you can make her come before Sam gets curious and joins us.”

  He heard almost all of it from the beginning!

  Heat scalded her cheeks. Fallon wanted the earth to open up and consume her.

  “Fang, shut the hell up!” Jase spun around to face his band mate, but she managed to stay hidden from Fang’s view fanning her cheeks with her hands. “She ain’t like us, man. She’ll barely be able to look you in the eye after all that bullshit.”

  “Payback’s a bitch, huh?”

  What’d that mean? She didn’t much care as long as she remained hidden behind Jase. The party would be hell knowing Fang knew what they’d been doing.

  Just her luck, Fang reached around Jase, snagged her by the arm, and tugged her into view. He kissed her cheek, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and guided her away from Jase. “No need to be embarrassed, although that is a lovely shade of red on you, and I ain’t talking about the dress.”

  “I’m gonna kick your ass,” Jase said from behind them.

  Fang responded with a deep chuckle.

  That red dress looked amazing on her. He’d never have guessed the color would complement her hair. Skin tight, the garment stopped mid-thigh, but the last four inches were a sheer lace or netting beaded with faux diamonds. The waistline was done in the same see-through lace and diamond combo as the wide hemline. Couple that with her black stilettos and he’d suffered an instantaneous Fallon-hard-on.

  What’d he been thinking when he requested she wear something sexy when he agreed to join her at this shindig? This was a fuck-me get up, and he was expected to keep his hands off. His control would definitely be tested tonight.

  He swiped his fingers through his hair and caught himself gawking at her legs. Again.

  Keep your eyes on the road, Jase Collins, before you wreck the damned car.

  He navigated as Fallon twisted in her seat to chat with his sister in the backseat. The shadows were too heavy to gauge the color of those lacy panties his fingers had been on. Tonight he’d discover their shade. Were they red like her dress? Black to contrast wickedly against her skin and the fabric…he could imagine so much.

  Finally he pulled into Omega’s U-shaped drive and put the Range Rover into gear. A valet opened his door and before he could head for Fallon, Fang grasped his arm. He looked at his buddy. “You keep fucking her with your eyes and you’ll embarrass her worse than I did.”

  Jase laughed. “Fang, every man in there will be eye-fucking one of our women. Male nature.”

  Fang frowned and glanced over at Sam.

  Jase shook his head. “Like women aren’t gonna be eye-fucking us. It’s okay, Fang, we know who goes home with who tonight and that’s all that matters.”

  “Yeah,” his front man said but seemed less than convinced.

  Jase placed his palm on Fallon’s lower back and led her up the steps to the home’s entrance. He smiled at her wide-eyed gawk over Omega’s stately home. It was massive, doubling their home, and had every luxury a person could conjure. Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis court, basketball court, sauna, Jacuzzi, even a golf course, as well as a greenhouse and a guesthouse.

  He leaned in and whispered against her ear. “Did I mention you look gorgeous tonight?”

  She peeked at him through her lashes. “Ditto.”

  He grinned and would’ve said more, but Omega interrupted. “Hail Mary and praise all the saints. I’ve contracted scarlet fever just by looking at you, Fallon.”

  Fire bled up his spine and into his head. Jase took a step in Omega’s direction.

  Fang saved the other man from a set down by catching his shoulder and jerking him back. In a low voice, he said, “Chill, man. He’s only flirting, the same way Keys does.” With one big difference…Keys was family, and Jase liked him. He disliked this motherfucker with a vengeance. “And aren’t you the one that moments ago said it was okay for others to eye-fuck her?”

  Damn Fang for the reminder. He looked at his friend and mouthed, “Fuck you”, at the same time Fallon tsked their host and scolded. “Save the cheesy lines for someone else because you sound ridiculous, Omega.”

  Laughter tore from Jase. Omega frowned at him, clearly not appreciating his Fallon-set down.

  “Amen to that,” Sam agreed as she sashayed to Omega and gave him a kiss on the mouth. “Happy Birthday, beastie.”

  Fang yanked Sam away and demanded, “Y’all have got to stop doing that. It sends the wrong message.”

  Deadpan Omega replied, “I’ll get right to work on that, lover boy.”

  “Your house is gorgeous.” Fallon gaped at the inside of his home.

  “You are gorgeous,” Omega countered eyeing Jase’s woman so hard, Jase bit back his retort.

  Sam poked Omega in the gut. “Give it a rest. She’s not interested in you.”

  “Yeah, she’d rather have the darling of rock-n-roll.”

  Jase snorted at the other man’s ridiculous comment.

  “Come on, Fallon, I want you to meet someone.”

  Without a welcome or hello to Fang or Jase, Omega draped his arm around Fallon’s shoulders and led her away, leaving Jase to either follow or mingle.

  “I’m cool,” he said when he noted Fang and Sam’s fretful expressions. He wasn’t such a control freak he must spend every second with her. They were at a party for God’s sake, by the very definition that meant mingling with others. And as much as he didn’t trust Omega, he did trust Fallon.

  With a shrug at Fang and Sam’s unconvinced expressions, he ditched them and strolled into the room, noting the guests, many of which were namedroppers in the acting community. Most he’d met before.

  Keeping one eye on Fallon, he watched as she and Omega stopped before an older male in a crisp suit. They shook hands, and she sat across from him.

  He surveyed the room as she conversed with whomever it was Omega had introduced her to. With abstract attention, he noted the giant custom cake in the center of the room of a couple getting it on. That was some funny shit. Points to Omega for that one.

  To the right was another custom craps cake positioned beside a craps table and a few guests played the game. On his left was a blackjack table and of course a blackjack cake. A dance floor was set up in another room, at least he assumed by all the bright lights and heavy thumping he felt in his fee
t. Black and white balloons covered the ceiling.

  A few minutes later, Fang and Sam joined him. His pal knew him well and offered him a glass of liquor.

  I need this. “Thanks.”

  “Omega is throwing his own birthday party.” Fang gave a little chuckle as he shook his head.

  “Pretentious fucker.”

  “Hear, hear.” His front man elevated his glass to toast Jase’s statement.

  “Hey!” Sam nudged Jase’s shoulder with hers and jabbed Fang in the chest. “He’s my best friend. Y’all behave. Besides, he’s got big plans for Fallon if she’ll take him up on the offer.”

  That got both his and Fang’s attention. He glared down at his little sister. “Spill all, sis.”

  “Brat…” Fang curled his fingers around the back of her neck and gave her a little shake. “If you don’t start talking and fast, I’m gonna spank your ass red.”

  “Mmm…kinky,” she drawled throatily.

  “Sis!” If he let her continue to traverse the kinky idea, he’d never get the details of Omega’s plans.

  Jase waited a good ten minutes before he joined Fallon and the older gent, who Sam identified as Thomas Starr—Omega’s father and all-around god of movie-dom. Pleased that the other man recognized Fallon’s big-screen potential, he also resented the other male for the ability to give her this opportunity.

  “Sir,” he nodded at the elder Starr as he squeezed Fallon’s shoulder to let her know he’d joined them.

  She smiled up at him and placed her palm over the back of his hand.

  Thomas Starr made to rise and Jase halted him. “No need for formalities. Jase Collins.”

  Jase extended his hand and without leaving his chair, the elder male shook it and said, “Omega’s dad. Call me Thomas.”

  “My condolences, sir.”

  Thomas chuckled, but seemed less than insulted. “Fallon your girl?”

  “As long as she’ll have me.”

  The older man contemplated him a moment. Caving beneath his regard would be a bad mistake, so he returned his stare.

  “This one is more than a pretty face,” Omega’s dad finally said.

  A few minutes of chatter with her, and Thomas had already figured that out? Jase was reluctantly impressed.

  “She’s a man’s wet-dream, sir.” He slid his hand off her shoulder and filtered his fingers through her hair. “Beauty, brains”—innocent, he added silently—“and kindhearted. She’s too good for me.” The cold, hard truth. But I’ll fight to keep her. “What do you want with her?”

  Thanks to Sam he knew the basics, but he wanted to see how much the other male would acknowledge.

  “You always this straightforward?”

  “Yep. At least I try. It keeps things straight-up.”

  Thomas sipped his beer from the longneck bottle. “There’s a role Omega thinks she’d be perfect for.”

  Jase nodded and glanced at Fallon when she spoke up. “I tried telling them both I’ve never acted in my life, and I don’t even know if I could pull it off.”

  “What do you think about my offer to her, Jase?” He noted the other male used his name without asking permission.

  He kneaded Fallon’s neck and peered at her, so she could see he supported her either way. “I think one look at her on the big screen and fans wouldn’t care if she couldn’t act.” He engaged Thomas in a pointed stare. “If you’re asking if I’d permit her to do it, then I’d tell you that’s her choice and one I’ll support regardless of the decision she makes. I would caution her to hire representation to protect her best interest.”

  “Wise answer.” Thomas rose to his feet. Standing a good two inches shorter than Jase, his demeanor was large, making Jase feel like the shorter man. “I understand you decked my son.”

  “He deserved it at the time. I’ve since learned it was a misunderstanding, but that doesn’t mean I approve of the way he gallivants around with my sister.”

  “They’ve had their wild moments.” Thomas could say that again. “Did you apologize for the misunderstanding?”

  “No. I figured he could consider that fair warning for what’ll happen if he fucks with her again.”

  Thomas clapped Jase on the shoulder. “I like you, Jase. You’re not what the press makes you out to be.”

  “I disagree.” Jase grinned. “I’m every bit they claim, done everything they accused me of. They don’t deserve my respect, so I feed them as much bullshit as they’ll eat.”

  The other man laughed. “You two go enjoy yourself. Fallon, don’t forget to think about it, and get back with me on Monday. If you don’t, I’ll have to send Omega to harass you, and I don’t think your fella’ here will like that.”

  “Not in the least, sir.”

  An hour later Fallon eyed the cards fanned out in her hand. A full house just as she knew the cards would be dealt. Faced-off against a key grip—she had no idea what that particular job detailed—a supermodel, and two well-known actors, beating her competition was easier than taking candy from a baby. Both of the actors were touted as heartthrobs if the paparazzi were to be believed. Neither compared to Jase’s hunkiness in her estimation. She could peer at their good looks without her heart trying to beat its way out of her chest. She couldn’t say the same when it came to Jase.

  Thinking of the devil, she felt his lips against her ear. A puff of breath before he whispered, “Let’s dance, darlin’, before someone decides you’ve been way too lucky with one too many aces.”

  She studied her competitors and noted what Jase pointed out. They each looked at her with varying levels of irritation. Yeah, they were supposed to be playing for fun, but none of them looked as if they were having any. She could guess why the key grip and one of the actors hadn’t vacated the game…both of them kept looking at her breasts.

  With a shrug, she placed her cards facedown. “I fold.”

  She popped one of the look-alike poker chips in her mouth. Mmm…tongue-gasms in the form of chocolate covered caramel. These things were brilliant. And each one different so it was a surprise each time she ate a chip.

  The model and one actor breathed a sigh of relief. The key grip sent a longing look to her large pile of chips…or maybe her boobs. She couldn’t be certain.

  The actor who’d introduced himself as Aaron Blue considered her a long moment before flicking a quick glance in Jase’s direction, his voice emerged smooth and cultured. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Morgan. Hope to see you again in the future.”

  “Likewise.” She popped another chip into her mouth and motioned to them with her hand. “You all are welcome to divvy up my chips.”

  “Couldn’t help yourself from counting the cards, huh?”

  “Habit.” She grinned up at Jase as he chuckled and guided her to the dance room.

  Before they hit the dance floor with Sam and Fang, she watched them. They both had some serious moves, but were sexing it up by rubbing all over one another and her cheeks burned for them.

  As she contemplated how badly she’d embarrass herself compared to them, Omega grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the dance floor. “Give me some of that scarlet fever, darlin’,” he clearly mocked Jase, even sent her date an eye waggle so he wouldn’t miss the taunt.

  She glanced over her shoulder in time to catch Jase’s scowl before someone moved in front of her line of sight. Settling her focus on Omega, she elbowed him in the ribs. “Lay off the scarlet fever crap. It’s kind of insulting to compare me to a disease.”

  “You know I don’t mean it that way.” Omega was already moving his body to the quick beat. Was everyone skilled in dancing? “You’re hot, and scarlet fever gives the affected a high fever.”

  Against her better judgment and awkwardness, she let the beat guide her and prayed she didn’t look like an epileptic patient. “I’m not interested in you.”

  “I know you’re off limits. Sam gave me the long-winded lecture already. I felt like I was in grade school all over again.” He gave her
a dramatic sigh, and she had a hunch Omega Starr was either homeschooled or rarely to never given a scolding by any teacher. “But he doesn’t know that.” Omega nodded in the direction they’d left Jase standing. “Nice, sensual moves, by the way.”

  “Really?” Not caring if he complimented her simply because he was being gentlemanly, the praise still made her feel a little less self-conscious.

  Before he could assure her, Fang moved in beside them gyrating like a maniac or a sex idol. Sam stepped up beside Omega and practically humped his leg. Fang didn’t even blink an eye at Sam’s antics.

  “Try adding this move into your dance step.” Fang demonstrated a hip-roll-pump-duo.

  The man could dance. Despite anticipating she’d look stupid executing the move, she attempted to repeat his steps. “Like that?”

  “You got it, babe.” Hot Wired’s singer danced with her for a while as Sam squared off against Omega. Although she suspected they intervened to prevent a brawl from starting between Jase and Omega, she enjoyed herself. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d let go like this and had so much fun. Had she ever? She certainly hadn’t let go like this in high school or college. She’d been too busy studying and worrying about her future.

  How crazy the world was! It’d been unpredictable with the most bizarre outcomes. She’d never have predicted she’d be hanging with the Hot Wired crew when she went to their concert last year. She wouldn’t even have dreamed of this outcome. What had been her worst-case scenario had turned into the best moments of her life.

  A little while later Jase joined them, throwing out some zany steps. He even did a crazy little spin number and shot her a wink. “You’re a genius, can count cards, dance, and create gorgeous babies…what can’t you do?”

  She giggled at his silliness, a new side of him and she liked it. “Can’t sing, play the drums, guitar, piano, or any instrument.”

  The song went from a fast beat to a slow one. Jase pulled her into his arms, snuggling her close. He nuzzled her neck with his face. “Tell me I shouldn’t be jealous of Omega’s interest in you.”