Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

"One of you has to break the silence."

"I'll think about it."

"For whatever it's worth, I trust you, Kit. I wouldn't be able to step on stage with you every night if I didn't."

Kit chuckles. "You're a sweet kid."

"You're only two years older than I am."

He shrugs. "And you're a romantic about music."

"You aren't?"

"Haven't been a romantic about anything in a long time."

"Violet's talking to Joel. I'm not sure what she's saying, but I can tell she feels awful."

Kit nods. "He likes her."

I raise a brow.

"Not like that." Kit chuckles. "Like a sister."

"Yeah."

"I know Joel acts like he doesn't give a fuck about anyone but himself, but he's been pulling for you two. You should have heard the shit he said when you let her walk away the first time."

"Yeah?"

Kit nods. "Wasn't the most complimentary." He pushes his hair out of his eyes. "Don't worry about shit with me and Mal. Fix you and Violet. The way that girl looks at you—nobody's ever looked at me like that."

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ethan

At this time of night, the hotel lobby is mostly empty.

Violet is sitting on one of the plush couches. Her legs are crossed. She's playing with the zipper of her boots. Not the heeled fuck-me boots, but a more sensible pair of black riding boots.

She's not by herself. She's sitting across from the Sinful Serenade guitarist Drew and his fiancée Kara. The happy couple is pressed together on the couch. He has his arm around her and he's whispering in her ear.

Violet's eyes catch mine. She waves me over.

"Hey." She smiles and pats her seat.

Kara's dark eyes light up. "Ethan, hey. Hold on."

She starts to push herself up. Immediately, Drew is out of his chair to help her.

"I'm not that pregnant, Denton. I can handle this." She places her hand on her belly. "At five months people are still looking at me like they aren't sure if I'm knocked up or if it's all the grilled cheese."

Violet laughs. "You have that glow."

Kara smiles. "Mostly, I have heartburn." She looks up at Drew. "Alexandra is almost as difficult as you are."

Drew smiles. "Not possible."

"She's a girl?" Violet asks.