Simon’s on stage introducing us to the crowd out front while we’re in the sidelines waiting to take up position, but all I can think about is Callie. Wondering what the hell she finds so damn attractive about him.
“Oomph.” I rub my ribs giving Phoenix the finger. Shit that hurt, but I’ll be damned before I let him know it’s still hurting like a fucker. “What the hell’s wrong with you?”
“What’s wrong with me? The first time you’re in the same room as Callie, and what do you go and do? Fuck, a fucking groupie whore. Open your goddamn eyes.” He turns back to look at me, but not before I catch his eyes straying behind me. I will not turn around. I will not turn around.
Fuck! I turn around. Luke’s got his hand on Callie’s hair. One of her curls, wrapping around his finger. No way.
Phoenix smirks before walking on stage.
Just as I’m about to blow the gig and drag Callie somewhere away from that bastard, Donovan wraps his arm around my neck, practically dragging me onto the stage.
“She’s fine. Leave it for now.” Donovan releases me and starts his round of the stage getting everyone worked up.
Usually, that’s me, but I can’t stop looking at Callie. I didn’t fuck the chick. I couldn’t do it knowing Callie was outside the room. Yeah, didn’t stop you from having her suck you off though, did it?
Chapter 5
Callie
“Your hair’s so soft.” Luke laughs. “I bet a gorgeous girl like you gets that a lot.” He continues to play with the loose strands of my hair, letting them wrap around his fingers.
I look up, meeting his eyes, and then gulp with nerves. He’s a gorgeous guy. About my height, full of colorful tattoos…and muscle. Licking my lips, I glance at Thalia who’s watching us closely. She winks when I catch her eye, giving me the thumbs up.
“Only once before,” I whisper, trying to fight my way through my emotions. While I’m here with Luke, flirting with him, I’m feeling shy, and can’t quite get the bad girl act going. Why now? Well, I’ll tell you why now. The why is about thirty feet in front of me wearing the meanest looking scowl I’ve ever seen anyone wear. In fact, I’m feeling more nervous than shy and it’s because of the looks Reece keeps throwing at me.
Taking a deep breath, I turn back to Luke and give him a sweet smile. Laying on the Texas charm, I reach out and run a finger along his arm. He breaks out in goose bumps. Inwardly smiling, I ask, “So tell me Luke…are you really known as the panty stealer?” I lick my lips again, flicking my hair over my shoulder while waiting for his answer.
When he gets over his initial shock at my question, he laughs. Maybe embarrassed. Hmm. I cock an eyebrow, waiting for him to reply. Is he blushing? I grin. There is nothing for it. A huge grin splits my face at the big bad ass standing in front of me – blushing.
He moves a tad closer, and whispers, “That’s actually Taron or was, but tell me, are you going to let me steal yours?”
I should have known that, but he has my brain befuddled.
With one hand still attached to my hair, he slides his other hand along my arm. Tickling along my skin and leaving a trail of heat. Why the hell do I have to get turned on by him? When my intention was to make Reece hot and bothered knowing what he’s given up?
I glance to the stage and Reece looks ready to come over to us and kick some ass. Well, if he can go off with a skank in front of me then why the hell can’t I have some fun? It’s only fair.
Leaning in, I whisper in his ear, “To steal mine, I’d have to be wearing them.” Pulling back, I snicker seeing the heat in his eyes. I’m wearing them, but he doesn’t need to know that, and realistically he’s not going to be finding out.
Before I can move back out of his space, his hands land on my hips, keeping me close. Meeting his eyes again, I see lust, clear as day. Shit. A trill of apprehension runs through me and my smile falters for a half second. I’m not sure I’m ready for this. I shouldn’t have said what I did. I’ve always hated girls who tease guys. Not their guy in a playful way, but to get a random guy to pay attention to them, only to back out at the last minute, which is what I’m about to do. This isn’t me.
“Luke, get your ass over here.”
His hands tighten against me before he releases the hold he has on my hips and shouts over his shoulder, “Taron, cut the shit. I’ll be there in a minute.” He rubs along his lips with one of his hands, and his eyes are filled with a lot of questions that I’m not sure I want to answer. “You staying around? We can get some drinks later. Here at the club.”
What will it hurt? We’re planning on sticking around until later anyway. “Okay.” I offer him a shy smile. “I’d like that.”
He grins, backing away from me. “I’ll be back real soon.” He trips backwards over some cable on the floor, only just catching himself before he ends up on his ass.
“Come on lover boy.” Talon, who is Taron’s twin, hits him on the back, laughing, but not before Luke looks back toward me, with an embarrassed grin.
“Ohmygod. Callie, are you crazy? Reece is going to flip. I’m surprised he stayed on the stage with you flirting like crazy with Luke.” Thalia grabs hold of my arm to get my attention.
I sigh. “Look…Reece isn’t interested in me anymore. He went off with that skank.” I inhale and exhale, slowly to try and prevent my tears from falling. “You told me I had to move on, which is what I’m trying to do.” I hold my hand up to stop her interrupting me. “I know all Luke is after is a good time. That’s all I want. I’m not sure if I’m ready to be with someone else. I was only with Reece for an afternoon of delight,” I grin, “and the evening, but…we connected. Or at least I thought we did and I’m just not ready to connect in that way with someone else.”
“You know what we need?” She grins. I know that she heard everything I said, but in true Thalia form, she knows I need her to change the subject.
I shake my head. “Do I want to know what we need?”