Room Mated: Standalone Reverse Harem Romance

I put my hand on his jeans-covered thigh and squeezed. “I was serious about that. It’s over and done with. No more beating yourself up, okay?”

“Okay.” He placed his hand over mine. “Want to play something else?”

“That’s all I know.”

He smiled, and I was pleased to see that it actually reached his eyes. “Ah, but you forget, I’m a music teacher. I can help you.”

I was half intrigued and half terrified. “You’re going to give me a music lesson?”

“That’s too slow. Let’s fast-track you to the advanced class. Stand up.”

I did as he asked, and he turned the piano bench ninety degrees so it was perpendicular to the piano. There was barely room to do so, and the back of the bench touched the wall behind us. “Okay, sit back down.”

“Like this?” I perched on the short edge of the bench, my stomach quite close to the keys since there wasn’t a lot of room.

“Exactly.” He swung his leg over the piano bench and settled in behind me, his legs on either side of mine. Holy crap, I already liked the advanced class, especially when he reached around me to put his hands on the keyboard. It was like being hugged from behind.

“You’re in charge of these three notes.” His touch was light as he positioned my fingers over the right keys. “You’ll press all three at the same time when I tell you to.”

“Like a chord?”

“Exactly. You get an A+. Are you ready?”

Not for the music, but I was super into the way he was pressed against me, so I said, “Yes.”

He began playing, arms on either side of me. I still didn’t recognize the song, but this time, it was upbeat and lively. “Now,” Jude said in my ear.

I pressed my three keys, only a little late, and they sounded good. Grinning, I hit them again, but they didn’t sound as good this time.

“Wait for my signal,” Jude scolded. He continued playing and jaunty music filled the room. I got better at hitting my keys when he told me to. I didn’t know if it was conscious or not, but he squeezed his legs around mine when it was time for me to play my notes. I certainly wasn’t going to complain about that… not when it felt so damn good.

As we kept going, my admiration for Jude grew. He was so skillful, making it look easy. “How are you doing this?” I tilted my head back to ask. “Can you even see the keyboard with my head in the way?”

Warmth breath flowed over my neck when he chuckled. “First, you’re a short, little thing. Second, I don’t need to see to play.”

“Really?” I abandoned my keys, which I’d probably never locate again, to reach up and put my hand over his eyes.

“Ouch,” he said, the music coming to an abrupt halt. “No eye poking is allowed in the practice room.”

“Sorry. I just wanted to see if you could still play with your eyes covered.”

“A blindfold is less painful and more fun,” he said with a teasing tone in his voice. It was so nice that he was back to his normal self.

“I’ve got a better idea.” I smacked his thigh lightly. “Move your leg.”

There wasn’t much room, but he swung his leg to the side so I could wiggle out.

“Okay, now put your legs together.”

He gave me a mock-hurt look. “I’d never say something like that to you.”

I laughed. Once his knees were together, I climbed onto his lap, straddling him, holding onto his shoulders with our faces inches apart. “Now, play with your eyes closed and I’ll watch to make sure you don’t cheat.”

He grinned. “I can do that.” He peered around me to position his hands.

“You’re looking!”

“I have to get my hands in the right position to start. I’m sitting at least eight inches further back on the bench than usual.”

“Mm… eight inches. I like the sound of that.” I couldn’t help grinding my hips against his.

Jude grinned. “Be good.” He kissed the tip of my nose, closed his eyes, and started playing.

Damn, he was good. Even though his eyes were firmly shut, the music sounded just as good as before, even without my chord. Not being able to see the keyboard probably wasn’t even a challenge for him.

Hmm… maybe I should do something else to make it more difficult for him. I leaned forward and spoke in his ear. “Can you play while distracted?”

“Yes,” he said smugly.

I’d be the judge of that. I snaked my tongue out, flicking it across his earlobe. I felt his body flinch in surprise, but he didn’t miss a beat. So I tried again. This time, I captured his lobe between my teeth and tugged lightly.

“You’ll have to do better than that.”

I’d intended to. I flipped my hair over my shoulder to get it out of the way, angling my head to get at his neck. I planted several light kisses, nibbling along his smooth skin. He still didn’t make a mistake as far as I could tell, but the deep groan erupting from his chest sent shivers down my spine.