C-Flat to C-Sharp (PR Girls & Instalove 3)

“I love how you’ve barely changed,” I said, watching her expression as she looked up at me. “You’re still sweet, and driven. But you seem a bit less timid.”

Her head shook automatically. “I don’t think so. We just learn to hide things better as we age.” Then she looked at me carefully. “You’ve changed completely.”

“Not really. I got bigger, sure. And I finally figured out how to cut this mop.” I ran a hand through my hair as she laughed. “But I’m still just a music nerd.”

“And I’m still a bookworm nerd.” She shot me a look. “I’m glad we’re reclaiming that word, for the record.”

“You’re gorgeous,” I said softly, reaching over to take her hand from her lap. “You’re still th

e most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. Just with longer hair, and an interesting job.” I didn’t mention that her full curves were now irresistible, or her pouty bottom lip drove me wild.

Her cheeks tinted with a faint blush, highlighting how pale and delicate she was. As I leaned closer, I was relieved that she didn’t back away, as her face tilted up to mine. I knew that it wasn’t quite appropriate, since we were working together, but I’d waited years for this moment.

“Corina, have you ever kissed a music nerd?”

3

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Corina

At first I hadn’t known if he was just flirting, or trying to rekindle our old friendship. But the hungry look in his eyes, the way he squeezed my hand gently, and the way he kept moving us closer together was giving me every sign, even before he said that.

He was a client now, and I shouldn’t get involved.

He was a bit older than me, and likely far more experienced.

My mind spun with excuses and fear, yet my body leaned in, my mouth an inch from his. “Not yet,” I whispered.

Ethan’s soft kiss took my breath away, leaving me feeling floaty and strange. His arm slipped around my shoulders, pulling me against him as my lips parted, deepening our connection.

My hand slipped up his arm and around his shoulder, feeling along every muscle. His hand slipped up my neck and into my hair, caressing me gently as I held back a moan.

I would have thought that a moment like this would terrify me, or paralyze me with awkwardness. Instead, everything was perfect, my body taking over and shutting my mind out.

The clink of plates at my elbow as our food arrived broke our trance.

“Sorry,” Ethan said to the waiter who had been carefully looking only at the table.

I stifled a giggle as he gave my hand another squeeze. As soon as the waiter was gone, Ethan leaned in to nuzzle my ear. “You’re so delicious, Corina. I can’t wait to eat every inch of you.”

My startled gasp clearly amused him, as he chuckled, topping up our wine glasses. My thighs quivered from the thought of him...I couldn’t even think it through.

Over the most incredible spicy chicken noodles, we chatted lightly, getting caught up on our lives since high school.

I told him about my best friends from university, and how lucky I was to find a great job immediately out of school. He told me about taking one semester of music, then touring with a few different bands to learn the ropes and hone his stage presence. Since going solo last year, he’d developed quite the following already.

“So it’s just you?” I asked.

“It was, for about a year, then I wanted a bigger sound. Now I have a band – a drummer, bassist, and lead guitarist. But I sing and play rhythm guitar, and write all of the songs.”

“What’s the band called?” I asked.

He shrugged. “There’s no name, really.”

“Ethan Cooper and his band?” I laughed.

“Pretty much,” he shrugged. Pushing his plate away, he moved closer, slipping an arm around me to kiss my cheek. Tucking my head against him, I realized that this was the sort of thing that paparazzi were always trying to snap with famous people, to be the first to report new couples.