Dangerous Crush (Dangerous Noise 2)

I nod. It's a lot better than the alternative. And it means she trusts me. Nobody fucking trusts me. Not after all the shit I pulled last year.

"I'll let you get to bed." If I don't leave now, I'm going to invite myself to join her.

She looks up into my eyes as she slides her arms around my neck. Her lids flutter together as she rises to her tip toes to kiss me.

She tastes like citrus and cheap booze, but under that is Piper.

Her lips part. She arches her back, pressing her body against mine, inviting me to take her.

My entire body is humming with the kind of energy I only feel on stage.

I want to take her to her room and make her come.

Which means I need to leave. Now.

I pull back.

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with desire.

I take a step backwards and reach for the door. "Goodnight."

Her voice gets low, seductive. "Goodnight, Kit."

It takes every bit of self-control I have to convince myself to head home.

Chapter 10

Piper

It's bright in here. And loud.

What is that horrible noise downstairs? I brush my teeth and wash my face in the bathroom, but the splashes of cool water aren't doing anything to ease my pounding headache.

Drinking sucks. You feel dizzy and out of sorts when you're tipsy then you feel like shit the next day.

The lowered inhibitions are a perk. As much as I hate that Rory and I aren't friends anymore, I'm glad I got everything off my chest.

After I get dressed, I make my way downstairs.

Ethan is fixing coffee in the much-too-bright kitchen. His spoon smacks into his ceramic mug at an ear-bursting volume.

He pours me a cup of coffee then gets out the half and half and sugar. "Still don't know how you drink it as sweet and creamy as you do."

It's too bright for banter. "Thanks." I fix my drink normally but it tastes too creamy.

"You slept late." He nods to the time on the microwave—almost noon. "When did you get in?"

"Before you, obviously." Fuck, is it really noon? Auditions ended an hour ago.

"You look like shit."

"Thank you." I top off my cup and take another sip. Better. "What was she this time— blond, brunette, redhead? Did you even notice?"

He cocks a brow. "You really want to know?"

"UCI is on spring break."

"And?"