Better than Sexy (The Sexy 3)

She blew out a breath. “About that–”

“You have no idea how excited my partners are that you said yes,” he said before she could continue. “We’re already planning a huge advertising campaign around you, we’ve hired a PR firm, and since we have three weeks for you to get ready, we’re giving you access during the day for rehearsals.”

They’d already heavily invested in her summer residency, she thought, her heart thudding hard. These men and their business were counting on her, leaving her unable to bail on them because of her personal guilt. All she could do was perform her heart out and hope they never found out who she really was.

“Here I am rambling about my excitement. So what did you want to tell me?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Nothing. It wasn’t important. I’m feeling better, so how about that grand tour?”

He winked and wrapped his big, warm hand around hers and pulled her to her feet. “Come on. The bar is obvious but come check out the stage.” They walked toward the large area. “There’s an expansive dance floor and a stage that will hold you and your band. And the baby grand is yours to use.”

She glanced at him curiously. “Do you use it?” She walked over and ran her fingers over the keyboard. “I mean, you mentioned that you used to play.” She glanced at his hands and long fingers made for playing and other seductive pleasures.

He immediately curled them into fists at his sides, dispelling that erotic notion. “I don’t play anymore. Haven’t in years. Let’s go to the apartment,” he said roughly.

Taking that as forbidden territory, which she respected given how many secrets she had of her own, she nodded. “I’d love to see.”

He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to the elevator Amber had taken earlier. Even through the fabric of her dress, his palm felt like a brand against her skin.

They stepped out into a small hallway, and he pulled a set of keys from his pocket, opened the door, and let them inside.

She took in the gorgeous chrome, black, and white décor and her eyes opened wide. There was a wall unit with a built-in bar, comfortable-looking leather sofas, and reclining chairs across from a large-screen television hanging on the wall. The walls were painted a soft white without a chip or crack to be seen.

The kitchen wasn’t large but she didn’t need it to be. There was adequate counter space with a gorgeous granite top in a mixed swirl of white and black, and a microwave for easy prep, which was all she did, considering until now she hadn’t had the money for gourmet meals. Pasta, soup and sandwich, and finished. But the granite gleamed as did the shiny silver hardware on the white cabinets.

A place like this was heaven to a girl like her. “Oh my God, this is beautiful.” Knowing she was gawking, she turned to face him. “You’re sure you don’t need this for someone else?” She couldn’t believe they were offering her such a luxurious place to stay as part of her contract. Sure, she’d heard of such a thing, but she’d never expected it for herself.

He rolled his broad shoulders. “We don’t need it. We all took turns staying here when we had late nights back when the guys were single. Jason is married and would much rather go home to his wife, and Tanner is engaged. End result is the same.”

“And you?” She eyed him curiously. “You don’t want an easy place to crash?” Or a place to bring women? she wondered. It would be very convenient for single men to have an apartment upstairs.

He leaned against the bar, looking at ease and sexy. She loved his casual look, a pair of dark jeans and a light blue faded tee shirt, accentuating those blue eyes.

“I have a three-bedroom nearby. It’s a renovated warehouse that’s now an oversized apartment. I can be home in five minutes, no problem.”

“Okay then.”

“We moved our things out and had the place professionally cleaned. It’s all yours,” he assured her. “Want to check out the bedroom?”

The word dropped between them like a bomb ready to go off, because despite her having drawn an invisible line she knew better than to cross, she wanted to get to know him better. To let her sexual attraction for him show. Unfortunately, she couldn’t do it.

He, however, had other ideas, because he extended his hand, and unable to resist despite the lectures she’d given herself thus far, she placed her palm inside his, and he led her to the bedroom in the far corner of the apartment.

* * *

The minute Landon led Vivi into the small room, which was taken up mostly by the bed, he knew he was in trouble. Dirty thoughts immediately filled his mind of himself and Vivi tangled together on the mattress. His hands wrapped in her long hair, his cock deep inside her body. At the thought, the anatomy in question threatened to make itself known. He cleared his throat and turned away until he had himself under control. Then he spun back around.