“Barely,” she whispered.
He didn’t care. He wanted to be all over her. Under her, too. Tomorrow things would change. Maybe for the better. The loss of anxiety might make their connection stronger. Then again, he wasn’t excited about dancing with another woman, and he was sure Red was close to nausea at the thought of Sasha taking over the routine. He could see it in her eyes, feel it in her touch whenever they discussed the other dancer.
“I am really sorry it didn’t work out tonight.” He noted the hint of sadness in her eyes before she could mask it. “Let me make it up to you.”
“Like the time you made up for spilling champagne on my pants?” She chuckled.
He grinned and leaned closer, brushing his lips against her ear. “I’m pretty sure you liked the way I made it up to you.”
“I did.” Her hand cupped his cheek, shifting his attention to her face. “Honestly, it’s OK. We danced in the park for over an hour. I think that’s special enough.”
“No, it’s not.” He shook his head, staring into those deep brown eyes, trying to convey his sincerity even though his cock pulsed hard between them. “I called Leah and gave her a piece of my mind. She did apologize, but like always, she fell back on the excuse that it’s her job.”
“It is her job.” Her hands move to his hair, her delicate fingers gliding through the strands. “It’s your job, too. I just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.”
“I’ve got more news.” His throat tightened. “There’s going to be a camera crew at the dress rehearsal tomorrow. They’re going to want to do interviews and capture some bloopers from my first session with Sasha.”
There was a pause, only slight, but long enough for him to hone in on her tone and notice the disappointment in her inflection. “No problem.”
“You know, it’s not too late to do the dance yourself.” He pulled back, looked her in the eye and noticed the fake smile she continuously tried to fool him with. “Being there with you would mean a hell of a lot more to me than some woman I don’t even know.”
“You’ll partner perfectly with Sasha. I promise.” The red splotches disappeared from her face, but sorrow still lingered. “You’re nervous. That’s all. Tomorrow, you’ll hit it off. I know you will.”
He smothered his disappointment with a grin, not wanting to push a conversation he’d already struggled to discuss more times than he cared to remember. “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.” He ran his hand along her waist, then lower still, pushing his index finger underneath her waistband to trail a line back and forth over the skin of her abdomen. Teasing. Tormenting. “We’ve still got one little problem.”
“Hmm?”
He slid his hand lower, into her silk panties, brushing his fingertips over the trimmed curls at her mound. She sucked in a breath, clung tighter to the short strands of his hair and parted her lips on a gasp. “Apparently, I haven’t found that G-spot of yours.”
“Sean.” His name was a question. Maybe even a plea.
He swept his mouth over hers, smothered her soft whimper as he slowly sank his fingers inside her. He was lost, consumed with the temptation of having her. He no longer cared where they were, or if they were caught. His lips had to taste. His hands had to touch. There was no way he could stop until he got his fill.
“Sean.” She spoke into his mouth, kissed him back, worked her hips back and forth as she clamped on his fingers.
There was no one else in the world when he was with her. He didn’t have to compete with anyone for attention, or fade into anyone’s shadow. When he was with Red, his soul was at peace. He was happy. The only part of him currently left unsatisfied was his cock, which ground against her thigh as she undulated back and forth against his digits.
A gruff throat was cleared from the next room.
Red groaned and broke the kiss, her panted breaths hitting his lips.
“You’re both quiet,” Blair called from the next room. “I just wanted to make sure you weren’t getting grabby in my hall. I really don’t feel like sterilizing my walls tonight.”
Sean chuckled, unable to stop the unfamiliar tightening in his chest from taking over as Red grinned at him. He should’ve gone after her this afternoon, taking their rehearsal to another park. But staying to face the crowd had been better. He realized there was nothing else he needed in his life. What he’d been searching for was happiness. It didn’t need to come from his career, or an increased amount of fame. It wasn’t meant to come from Sidney. He’d found what he needed in Red. She’d filled the missing part in his life.
“Let’s get out of here.” He kissed her again, hard, giving her the promise of what was to come once they found a quiet place alone.
“I heard that,” Blair grumbled. “I thought we were ordering pizza.”
“Sorry, sis.” Red licked her lips, her hips still working against the fingers still inside her. “I think we’ll have to take a rain check.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Melody straightened in her seat as Sean drove into the Hennabrook hotel parking lot. Uncomfortable silence had accompanied their trip. She had nothing to say. No kind words. No sweet endearments or encouragement for the day ahead.
“Hopefully, they won’t spot us until we start walking for the doors.” He pulled into a space a few rows back from the front doors and hid them from the view of the small gathering of fans. “You OK?”
She nodded, remaining quiet to keep the butterflies in her belly under control. Sean had kept her up late, exhausting her with his affection, yet once he fell asleep her mind remained hyper-alert. She was nervous about introducing him to Sasha. The professional dancer, and long-forgotten friend, was gorgeous. Of the drop-dead variety. Unlike Melody, she had all the typical attributes men associated with beauty—long blonde hair, generous breasts, flawless legs.
Sean would like her. As far as she knew, Sean liked everyone. He was the type of guy to learn a maître d's name and sign autographs for bar staff. The type to apologize for his mistakes and make up for them, not only in words, but in actions.
The thought of Sasha and Sean dancing, arm in arm, chest to chest, in the same intimate way she had danced with him, made her wish she didn’t have a heart to feel all this pain. She could no longer compete with women of Sasha’s caliber. And knowing they would be dancing to Melody’s choreography only made it worse, like she would be the instigator of their attraction.
“We’re early.” Sean cut the engine and shuffled in his chair, making the leather seats squeak.
She didn’t glance his way. She could already see him staring at her through her periphery. If she made eye contact, he’d see right through her pathetic lack of confidence and start asking questions. Nagging at her to explain how she felt so he could try to make her feel better.
There was no feeling better. This morning she realized all she’d been doing was masking the truth. Only she couldn’t enlighten Sean now. Exposing her flaws minutes before she handed him over to a gorgeous seductress was not her idea of perfect timing. The day of reckoning was approaching. That day just wasn’t today.
She’d wait it out. Bite her tongue. Agonize through the next two days until filming was over. Then she would tell him the truth.
“The rest of the guys should be here by the end of the day. I think Ryan, Mason, and Sidney are turning up around lunchtime, and Blake and Mitch were flying in from New York this morning so they could watch, too. We might even go out for dinner after, so you can get to know them better.” Sean rambled, no doubt trying to fill the silence that was becoming thick and heavy. “I guess they’ll want to celebrate tomorrow night, too. Once the clip is done, I mean. Typical musicians, any excuse to drink, right?”
“Uh huh.” She nodded, still focused out the window, hoping to strengthen her defenses as much as possible before walking inside. As if the scrutiny from the crowd wouldn’t be hard enough as they entered the building. There was also going to be a photographer and videographer to tape the day’s p
roceedings. And now the whole band would be here to watch.
Melody didn’t know what hurt most—knowing Sasha, as the dance partner, would receive more recognition for her contribution to Fighting Against Attraction than she would as the choreographer, or that she couldn’t step up and demand the acknowledgement in the first place because people might dig deeper and realize why she was a washed up performer to begin with.
The silence became thick and heavy. She didn’t know how to fill the void. Idle chit chat wasn’t in her nature. Neither was the anger ramping her heart, especially when she had no reason to be irritable other than jealousy, an emotion she’d recently learned to despise.
“Are you sure you’re feeling OK? You’ve been quiet since you woke up.” He placed his hand on hers. The familiar way he entwined their fingers only increased the uncomfortable beat in her chest.
“Yeah, fine.” She cleared her throat and met his gaze. He took her breath away. With a gentle smile and loving eyes, he made her melt. Every day. Every hour. With every heartbeat.
“Wanna make out in the back seat?” He waggled his brows. “It’ll help wash away the anxiety.”
She should’ve laughed, that was his intent after all. But she couldn’t bring herself to shake the melancholy. “No. You’ll mess up your suit.” His gorgeous, black tailored suit with matching tie and white silk shirt. The same mouth-watering outfit Sasha would be draping her body over all damn day.
“Come on.” He squeezed her fingers. “I can do a helluva lot in a few minutes.”
She knew he could. Only it wasn’t an option in the daylight, when he’d be able to see who she really was. She’d been lucky so far, and hopefully that luck would hold out a little longer.
“Red?”
The delicate sweetness of his deep voice pushed her over the edge. She didn’t want him to soften her when she was trying damn hard to be strong. “I said no. Would you drop it?” She shot him a glare, immediately regretting the caustic snarl of her voice when he released her fingers and slid his hand away.
“Why?” His tone was flat. His nostrils flared. “Because your rules state we can’t have sex before the sun goes down?”
Shit. She shouldn’t have opened her mouth. “Don’t do this, Sean.” Not now. Not when she was so close to breaking. She grabbed her handbag from beside her feet, knowing the faster she climbed out of his truck, the quicker this conversation would be over.
“Right.” He gave a derisive chuckle. “I guess I’ll just sit and wait for you to finally trust me and pretend it’s not a kick in the balls every time you hide yourself from me.”
He pulled the keys from the ignition and held them out for her. “I’ll meet you inside. Lock up when you’re done.”
She was withdrawing from him. Distancing herself because she was scared to lose him to Sasha, or the world in general. But she didn’t want to fight. He’d never been angry with her before. It made her stomach ache. He opened his truck door and slid out, breaking her heart with every movement.
“Sean.”
He paused in the motion of shutting the door and leaned in to meet her gaze.
“I’m sorry. The next two days are going to be hard for me.”
“I know.” He didn’t smile. Didn’t try and reassure her with the sweetness she’d seen so often in his rugged features. “But until you realize I can’t help you unless you let me, you’re on your own.”
* * *
Sean pasted a smile over the anger he was trying hard to hide, and stalked through the squealing women banked at the hotel doors. He wanted to wring Red’s tiny little neck for the bullshit she was pulling, and in the same pained breath, he wanted to yank her into his arms and tell her it would all work out.
She was scared. Angry, too. Her apprehension had built overnight, and he was helpless to stop it. He felt for her. His chest ached for the need to support her, yet Blair’s words kept echoing in his mind.
She needs to be pushed.
But how far? And when? He was fucking clueless.
“Morning, ladies. I hope you’re getting excited about the music clip.”
The squeals increased as the fans huddled, squeezing tighter in an effort to stop him fleeing inside. “Excuse me.” He clasped his hands together to lead the way, not stopping his progression as he parted the tawdry sea.
“Can we watch?”
“Where’s Mason?”
“Are you sleeping with your dance partner?”
He ignored them, and jutted his chin at the hotel security guard who held the door wide, escorting him into the sanctuary of the air-conditioned building.
“I have a friend who shouldn’t be too far behind me. A redhead, short, cute, with brown eyes and probably a scowl on her gorgeous face.” He spoke to the guard whose eyes were alight with excitement. “Can you make sure she has no trouble getting inside?”
The guy nodded, double time. “Sure thing.”
“Thanks.” He clapped the guy’s shoulder and strode forward, scoping out the signs leading to numerous function rooms opposite the reception desk.
“Sean?”
The unfamiliar feminine voice drifted from the far side of the lobby and stopped him in his tracks. He pivoted to address the stranger and came face to face with a pretty blonde sauntering toward him.
Her footsteps slowed. “You’re Sean Taiden, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.” He frowned, unsure if the woman before him was the same one Red had shown him pictures of. “Sasha, right?”
Her lips curved, no teeth, all seduction. “Right.”
He held out his hand, and she grasped his offering.
“I’ve been excited about this for weeks.” She batted her long lashes. “But I’m still exhausted from travel. I’m sure I look terrible.”
She was fishing for compliments, knowing full well she could inspire a wet dream. Unfortunately, he wasn’t willing to bait her hook. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. I know Red has faith in you.”
The swoosh of the door preceded a mass of squeals as Sean kept his focus on Sasha, not wanting to encourage any fans inside.
“Red? You mean Mel?” Her smile brightened. “Where is she?”
“Right here.”
Red’s voice drifted over his shoulder. He didn’t turn and look at her. For the sake of his sanity, he needed to remain annoyed for a while longer. If he became entrapped by those beautiful big eyes, he’d let her get away with being a jackass.
“Sorry,” Red added, “I got caught up.”
Sean dropped Sasha’s hand and watched as the women embraced.
“Whoa. You look good, Mel.” Sasha’s voice held a hint of surprise that put Sean on edge. Of course she looked good. She was fucking mesmerizing. She was his wet dream.
“Yeah… Thanks.” Red broke eye contact and tilted her head toward a sign leading to the ballroom. “I think we should get started right away. The two of you don’t have much time to rehearse before tomorrow.”
“Of course.”
Sasha’s flirtatious tone grated on his nerves. But he’d suck it up, tilt his chin, and bear it, not wanting to make today any harder for Red, no matter how shitty her mood.
“I can’t wait to make some moves on this big guy.” Sasha waggled her brows and nudged Red with her elbow. “I bet you two have been having loads of fun.”
Red’s lashes flickered his way, her cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink. He didn’t break the connection. He stared at her, willing her to answer with something that might show her confidence in their relationship.
Nothing came. His defeated little pixie lowered her gaze to her handbag and began scrounging through it.
“I’ll get the music organized while the two of you warm up. Sean will need to practice a few lifts first to get used to the weight difference.”
“Yeah.” Sasha chuckled and stalked into the ballroom before him. “I’ve got a bit more boom boom than little ol’ Melly.”
She turned, fixing him with the sparkle in her eyes as she stro
de backward, moving her hands down her body, over the side of her breasts, her waist, and then her hips.
How the fuck was he meant to respond? “I see that.”
Another big smile and waggle of her brows. Jesus Christ. This woman oozed sexuality, permeating the air with her confidence.
“Am I embarrassing you?” She chuckled, pausing in place to lightly punch his arm as he passed.
“Not at all, sweetheart.” He strode to the middle of the dance floor, needing space, and began rolling his shoulders.
The aggravating flirtation didn’t end. Not through the warm-up exercises. Not while he practiced lifting her to get used to her slightly heavier build. And certainly not while they went through the first rehearsal of the song.
She was all over him like Greenpeace on an oil slick.
“I don’t think the label will want a video clip that needs an age restriction,” he’d drawled, referring to the way she rubbed her ass against his cock at every opportunity.
Sasha shrugged. “I just wanted to see how sexual we could make the routine.”
Red cleared her throat from the side of the dance floor. “There’s a difference between seductive sexuality and being a whore. Let’s not confuse the two.”
She hadn’t said much all morning. Apart from a suggestion here or there, she kept to herself, providing encouragement and not much else as she followed them back and forth through the room. But, in this moment, all his annoyance evaporated. She still had bite left in her, and that’s what he was banking on getting them through the next two days.
Unfortunately, the truth was lost on Sasha. Her response was to giggle in her grating, overly girlie tone that made the hair on the back of his neck rise in discomfort.
He despised every minute of the first three hours of practice. Not because he wasn’t perfecting the moves, but because there was no connection with the woman he was dancing with. There was no buzz. No thrill. No threat of his dick hardening to the point of pain as he tried to remember the choreography.
The only partner he wanted in his arms was trying hard not to meet his attention every time he glanced her way. Caught between the need to push and the need to let her be, he wasn’t sure what desire would win.
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