Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

I pull the t-shirt on.

Miles claps. "That's my boy."

I nod a thanks as I step into the hallway. It's crowded with crew and hangers-on. But I can see Violet in the corner, chatting with Joel. God knows what the drummer is telling her.

People offer congrats and good jobs as I cut through the crowd. Any other day, I'd stop to soak in the admiration. Right now, I need to be near Violet.

Fuck, I need to be inside Violet.

"Excuse me for cutting in." I slide between her and Joel.

"Hey! Don't be rude. We were just gossiping about you," he says.

I keep my eyes on Violet's. "Is that right?"

She nods. "Debating whether or not your ego will get too big to fit through the door. My money's on yes." Her voice is light. She's teasing and she's having fun doing it.

"Mine too. Not a good debate really." Joel laughs. He leans in to whisper in my ear. "I can keep Kit and Mal distracted for an hour tops if you want the bus to yourself."

Fuck, when did Joel become such a genius? "Sounds good."

Violet arches a brow. "Have I become the subject of gossip?"

Joel shrugs. "Sorry, Valentine. No one is immune. You're still my favorite." He blows her a kiss as he walks away.

She laughs. "He hasn't changed at all." Her fingers graze my bicep. Then she's tracing the lettering on my t-shirt. "I like your taste. Hot pink is a bold choice for a man."

"Thanks."

"Suits your complexion too." She looks up at me. "You know, I heard what Joel said, about us being alone in the bus."

"Just Joel, being Joel."

"Oh." She presses her lips together with disappointment.

"Vi, every inch of me wants to fuck you." I lean close enough to press my forehead to hers. "But I'm not in a rush. I want you to be sure you want it too."

She looks up at me. "I… I don't want to lead you on, Ethan. It will just be sex."

She's wrong about that. But we can start with it just being sex. "Okay." I press my palm into her lower back and pull her body into mine.

She sighs with pleasure as she arches her back. "Fuck." She presses her cheek against mine. "You're making it hard to think."

I rock my hips so she can feel my erection. "You have no fucking idea how badly I want to pin you to that wall and fuck you until you're screaming my name."

"Why aren't you?"

"Don't want an audience." I run my fingers through her hair.

She leans into the gesture. "I don't want either of us to get hurt. How about some ground rules?"

"Sounds reasonable."

"Good." She slides her hand under my t-shirt and drags her fingers over my side and back. "This is just while I'm on tour with you. When I step off the bus in New York, the two of us being friends with benefits is over."

Gives me eight days to convince her she wants to be mine again. I can do that. "Okay."

"We'll be exclusive." She looks up at me with uncertainty.