Her dark denim hugged her curves, as did the hunter-green silk top that brought out the jade coloring in her eyes. She’d tucked the front into her waistband while the back hung midway down her ass, and a pair of sexy-as-fuck heels completed the outfit.
Realizing he was ogling her, he turned his head but not before he saw her grin. “See something you like?” she asked.
“Everything,” he replied in a husky voice, pulling her against him. “I missed you last night.” He’d spent so many nights in her bed, he’d had a hard time sleeping without her wrapped around him.
“I should have asked you to come over,” she admitted.
“Why didn’t you?”
She tipped her head back to meet his gaze. “Truth? I wanted to prove to myself I could sleep without you and be fine.”
She didn’t say it, but he heard the words just in case at the end of that sentence. Just in case he got freaked and ended things? In case he hooked up with someone else? In case … He could go on and on.
And ouch.
That bit of honesty stung. “How’d that work for you?” he asked.
She raised and lowered her shoulders. “Not so well. I missed you.”
He released the breath he’d been holding. He wound her hair around his hand and tugged so her neck bent back and her gaze locked with his. “Next time, you talk to me instead of trying to prove a goddamned point that tortured us both.”
“Hey! Let’s go, lovebirds,” Jagger yelled out. “We’ve got places to go and people to see.”
Dash glanced over to see Axel rolling his eyes and hear Mac laughing out loud.
Dash tugged on Cassidy’s hair. “We’re not finished discussing this.” He released his grip on the long strands. “Coming!” he called back.
He grabbed her hand and started toward the guys.
She attempted to tug out of his grasp. “I’m working. It doesn’t look professional if we walk in like a couple.”
“Us kissing just now wasn’t professional and you’re my girlfriend.” He sulked and she laughed.
Besides, he had a point. “Don’t pout. Come on.” She tugged him toward the front entrance, dropping his hand at the same time he caught sight of Dean standing by the doors.
Sunglasses on, his shirt unbuttoned on top, sleeves rolled, as he tapped something on his phone, he looked like the important man he was. He just wasn’t needed here.
“Who the fuck told him where we’d be?” Dash asked.
“Not me,” Cassidy said. “You said you didn’t want anyone to know.”
Jagger and Mac answered at the same time. “Not me.”
Axel groaned. “Sorry, man. Dean called me and asked when the annual meet and greet was scheduled. Nobody told me not to say anything.”
Of course Dean had gone around the original guys who already knew the drill and understood this was personal to Dash, while Dean would try and weasel publicity out of it.
“Not your fault,” Dash said to Axel. He had forgotten the new band member needed a warning and should have known Dean would be underhanded.
Dean pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against and walked over. “Hey, guys. Good to see you,” he said, shaking everyone’s hand. And ignoring Cassidy.
Dash gritted his teeth as he took his turn, his gaze narrowed until Dean got the message and turned to her. “Hello, Ms. Forrester.”
“Mr. Jerome.” She acknowledged him just as coldly, with a curt nod.
Dean glanced at Dash. “I thought you preferred this be a private event. No need for a fake girlfriend here.” He lifted his eyebrows, his gaze on Cassidy. “It’s unnecessary if you ask me.”
“I didn’t ask your opinion or invite you here. I thought I made myself clear about pushing your own agenda?”
Before Dean could reply, Cassidy cleared her throat. “I need to go inside and check in with the supervisor. Nate said he’d send guys out for the equipment once we arrived.”
Dash squeezed her shoulder.
Turning, she walked through the doors into the center.
Axel stepped up to Dean. “What the fuck is going on with you and my sister? You have a problem with her?”
Dash had been waiting for her to disappear inside before he had it out with Dean. Her brother beat him to it.
Dean slipped his cell into his pocket. “What makes you say that?”
“Don’t treat me like I’m stupid. But assuming you are, I’ll lay it out for you. The chill in the air, the last names, you asking why she’s here, and the disgusted look on your face. Need more?” Axel stepped farther into the man’s personal space. “She’s the band’s P.A. She belongs here.”
Not wanting a scene at this place in particular, Dash put a hand on Axel’s shoulder, hoping to calm him down.
“As an assistant, I understand. But I saw them making out in the parking lot. And I just happen to think a celebrity girlfriend would do more to push Dash’s status as reformed playboy and keep him in the news. Which means the band is in the news and you boys get more play.”