Tempting (Inked Hearts 1)

My thoughts evaporate as he presses his lips to mine.

When the kiss breaks, he looks into my eyes. "Stick around. I have a surprise for you after the show."

"Oh yeah?"

He nods. "You'll love it." He kisses me again. It's hungrier this time. "It will be a while."

"That's okay." I brush a strand of dark hair from his gorgeous blue eyes. "Go tend to your fans."

"You can come with."

I shake my head. "I don't need to incite the rage of the jealous fangirls who want you to themselves."

He cocks a brow. "You wouldn't defend my honor?"

"What honor?"

He laughs. "Vi, I…" His eyes go to the floor, then they're on mine. "I'm glad you're here." He pulls me into another tight embrace. "Now stay here. Or at least stay around."

"I will."

I kiss him goodbye then watch as a dozen people stop to offer congrats or support. Sinful Serenade is halfway through their set when Ethan finally clears backstage.

After their show—they're as amazing as always—I hang out with Joel, then Kit, then Mal. They take turns chatting with fans, entertaining me, and avoiding each other.

It's well past midnight when Ethan scoops me into his arms. "Come on." He nods goodbye to Mal and leads me out to the stage.

The room is cleared out except for staff. The stage is empty except for the mic stand, a few amps, and a guitar. Not just any guitar but Ethan's guitar.

His blue eyes light up. "You want to be a rock star?"

I shake my head, but my feet have other ideas. I walk straight to the mic stand and look out at the empty auditorium. The place looked massive from backstage but this goes beyond massive.

This is insane.

How does he play when the room is packed? I can barely manage to stare at the empty seats without trembling.

Ethan slings his guitar over his shoulder. He motions to someone in the sound booth. His lips curl into a smile. "I know you know this one."

The lights go on. They're shades of blue and purple and there's a spotlight on me.

Familiar notes fill the room as Ethan strums his guitar. He's playing the intro to my favorite song, I'm Only Happy When it Rains, by Garbage.

His eyes meet mine as he starts the first verse.

Oh God, he wants me to sing it.

I shake my head. I can't sing on stage. I don't care that the venue is almost empty. The mic is still hooked up to the amp. Someone is going to hear me.

Ethan laughs as he starts the song over. He moves up to the backing vocals mic. "Vi, I've got all night."

"Doesn't New York City have quiet hours?"

"Volume is turned down low enough nobody outside can hear." His eyes light up as he smiles. "If you don't play rock star now, I'm gonna have to drag you on stage at our next show."

That sounds mortifying.

He raises a brow as he restarts the intro. All the joy in his expression flows into me.