Best Friend's Ex Box Set

I chuckled. “Yeah, I know that place. It's the one that’s decorated like what I imagine a vampire bar would look like.”

She laughed. “No way, that's what you think about it? Seriously?”

I shrugged. “I don't know what it is about the place. Maybe it’s all the red and black velvet. It just always gave me that kind of Dracula vibe.”

“You know, I thought exactly the same thing the first time Grace took me there. Grace said I was crazy. I never thought I'd hear anyone else say that about Le Venin!”

We both laughed. It was cool to talk to someone who seemed to see things in a similar way. And between the surfing, running, and dancing, I wasn’t surprised she had the amazing and sensual body she did. She took great care of herself; that had been obvious even before I managed to get her clothes off.

I took another bite of ice cream, pondering over what else I wanted to ask her. For the first time in longer than I could remember, I wanted to know everything about a woman. I wanted to know what made Nalia tick. It wasn’t just because she was sexy as hell; it was because she was interesting, beautiful, and funny.

One thing was for sure: she had my attention. And I was pretty sure it wasn't going to be on anyone else for as long as she was around. As much as I didn’t want to admit it to myself, the only woman in my head was the one in front of me.

“So what was your childhood like growing up? Were your parents very encouraging about your music?” I asked.

She froze, an odd, unreadable expression grew over her face, then she shrugged.

“I have an older brother, Jackson. He was always very supportive of my playing. Between him and Grace, I’ve got a lot of support,” she smiled, a bit hesitantly.

I smiled. “Is he super protective of you like I am with Talon?”

“Oh no. He’s wayyyyyy worse,” Nalia laughed, then pointed her spoon at me. “And he hates Bleeding Heart. Not the music, but the band itself. When I told him about the job, he told me I couldn’t take it. To put it bluntly, he pretty much said you guys were a bunch of douchebags.”

I laughed. “Wow, well, I’m glad you didn’t listen to him. Maybe I’ll send him front row tickets to all our shows. Ya know, bribery. Maybe that will get him to like us, see that we're down to earth guys, that we don't have shitty attitudes and rock star egos.”

Nalia narrowed her eyes, grinning. “That’s not the reason he hates you guys. It’s more regarding your reputation with women. He was worried about... Well, you know, with your reputation, about me getting hurt.”

I raised an eyebrow. It was true, I’d had some flings here and there over the years, but if anyone was known for getting around, it was my younger brother. He had a tremendous talent for sleeping with girls then pissing them off. Although, I guessed that with the internet and gossip mags and tabloids, there were probably all sorts of false stories about me floating around. The paparazzi would say anything to sell their stupid magazines.

“My reputation? Me, personally? I didn’t know I had one,” I laughed.

“Oh, according to Jackson, all of you definitely do,” Nalia nodded, taking another spoonful of ice cream. “And, as far as my brother is concerned, you’re nothing but a womanizer who might break my heart. He’s just worried I’m going to end up falling for you and then getting hurt,” she added, her eyes meeting mine.

I smiled, holding her gaze with a challenging look. “And are you?”

She stared back, her smile widening, then shook her head. “Nope. I knew there was a chance this might be difficult, but I’m good. I’m here, first and foremost, to do

a job for you, and that’s exactly what I plan to do. I'm not going to let anything get in the way of that.”

“And the sex?” I cocked an eyebrow.

Her eyes beamed with mischief as she laughed. “Just a wicked hot bonus.”

I grinned and leaned across the counter to kiss her. The ice cream tasted sweeter on her mouth than my spoon. She giggled, wiping ice cream off her chin as I pulled away.

“Mmm, you taste good.” I winked at her. “Incredibly good. I think it’s possible I could eat you all day.”

“So do you,” she winked back at me, then took her spoon, rubbing some melted ice cream on her chest. “Still hungry, Owen? Has your appetite been satisfied yet, or are you still hungry for more?

“Ohhh, you really are a tease, aren't you?” I laughed as I put down my spoon, coming around the island with my eyes locked on hers all the while.

“It’s only teasing if you don’t back it up.” Her perfect lips curved into a smile as she tilted her head back, waiting for me to move in. I leaned down, licking the ice cream off her silky, soft skin and felt my desire stiffening below with an almost painful desperation. It was going to be a long, hot night.

Chapter Twenty

Nalia

“Come on, guys, let’s get your stuff loaded on the bus!” I shouted over the commotion the guys were making with their hooting and hollering. To say they were pumped about going on tour was an understatement. As each one of them arrived, there were more chest bumps, high fives, laughs, and cheers—and what seemed like way more testosterone than I could deal with. And to top it all off, not one of them was listening to me.