As Dust Dances (Play On 2)

Autumn stared at me as if she were having a lightbulb moment. “Get away to find myself. That . . . I think you’re right.” She grinned suddenly. “My friend Catie invited me to this ski resort in Montana next January. I said no because the thought of skiing again after I broke my leg last time scares the crap out of me. But maybe that’s what I need. To face my fears. And Montana is supposed to be beautiful.”

A wave of nostalgia hit me. “It is. I’m from Montana.”

Concern crossed her expression at whatever she saw in mine. “I forgot. Do you . . . do you miss it?”

I shook my head. “It’s a total cliché but I guess there really are truths in clichés: home is where the heart is. There’s nothing left of my heart there. Only memories. So . . . where in Montana?”

“Um, I can’t remember. Some mountain ski resort. Whiterock . . . or White-something. I’ll find out.”

“It sounds like a plan.”

She beamed at me. “I feel better already. Thank you.”

I grinned and then immediately grimaced. “Just don’t tell your brother it was my idea.”

WE STOOD IN THE OPEN-PLAN office section of Skyscraper Records, me nervously watching Micah and Brandon as they looked around, taking everything in. Mirroring my complicated, stormy feelings, rain lashed against the windows, the dark clouds outside making the aluminum lighting in the office a glaring, harsher yellow.

I wanted the guys to be okay with what I was doing here.

Which was hilarious because I still wasn’t one hundred percent sure I was okay with what we were doing here. Not the album. I was proud of the album.

Annoyed that we’d been waiting ten minutes and Killian still hadn’t deigned to show up, I shot Justin at reception an impatient look. He grimaced. “Eve said he’s on a conference call. He’ll be out as soon as he’s done.”

I nodded and turned to Brandon. “What are you thinking?”

“Not a lot to think about right now.” He glanced at the framed posters by the elevator. “They’ve signed some pretty fucking great artists lately though.”

“Agreed.” Micah’s reluctance to admit that was obvious in the way he tucked in the corner of his mouth.

“Skylar.”

Killian’s voice made my skin tingle and I whirled to watch him stride past reception. He wore black suit trousers and a dark red cashmere sweater that molded to his body perfectly. After I’d told him red suited him, I noticed he wore it more often. God, it was awful not being able to walk up to him and put my arms around him. And I really needed that right then. I needed a hug from the one I loved most.

Eve followed behind him and I pasted on a professional smile. “Killian, Eve, hi. Thanks for taking time to meet Micah and Brandon.”

“Not a problem.” Killian nodded, giving me a thin-lipped smile before he turned to Brandon. “Brandon, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Killian O’Dea.”

Brandon shook his hand, eyeing him speculatively. “You too.”

Sensing that was all he was going to get out of my ex-bandmate for now, Killian let go and offered the same hand to Micah. “Micah.”

Micah stared at it for a second and for an awful moment, I thought he wasn’t going to accept it. Finally, however, to my great relief, he reached out and took my boyfriend’s hand. “I’m here to make sure no one is messing with my girl.”

Killian’s expression hardened and I didn’t know if it was the insinuation that he would “mess” with me or Micah referring to me as his girl. I had a feeling it was both. “I’m taking good care of Skylar.”

Not “we.” “I’m.”

Shit. He needed to watch that. “Yes, the team here has been wonderful,” I interjected. “For instance, Eve has been very helpful.”

Eve blushed and gave an adorable little wave. “Hi. I’m Eve, Killian’s assistant. I’m also a huge fan of Tellurian.”

Micah and Brandon grinned at her. “Nice to meet you.” Brandon stuck out a hand and her eyes widened as she tentatively reached out to take it.

“I’m shaking Brandon Kline’s hand,” she whispered audibly.

Killian rubbed a hand over his mouth to cover a smile and I thought how changed he was from the first time I stepped into this building. Eve’s fangirling used to bother him. Now it amused him.

Brandon chuckled and let go of Eve’s hand.

“Do you want to shake mine?” Micah offered with laughter in his voice.

“Uh-huh.” Eve nodded and her expression clearly stated, “I’ve died and gone to heaven” as Micah shook her hand, clasping it in both of his for good measure. He gave her his flirty eyes and I swear, I thought she was going to melt in a puddle at his feet.

“You’re so pretty,” she blurted out, and then flushed even redder. “I mean, you’re all so pretty. It’s a little overwhelming.” She gulped and stepped back, shooting Killian a worried look as she realized how much she’d fangirled.

Killian was too busy staring at me. I almost blushed at the intensity of his gaze and gave him a quick warning look before I turned away.

“So, what first?” Brandon asked.

I opened my mouth to suggest a tour but Killian cut me off. “Skylar needs to lay down vocals for a final track on the album. I think you should both sit in so you can hear for yourselves how special this album is going to be.”

Before I could respond that I didn’t know how comfortable I was recording solo material in front of the guys, Micah said, “Perfect. Let’s do that. Eve, lead the way.”

She giggled and nodded. I couldn’t help but grin as Brandon and Micah fell into step on either side of her as she led them past reception. They were too charming for their own good and someone as adorable as Eve only brought out the devil in them.

When they disappeared around the corner, Killian said, “Shall we?”

I nodded and fell into step beside him. “You need to not look at me like that,” I said under my breath.

His hand rested on my lower back but he maintained a professional distance. “Like what?”

“Like you want to throw me to the floor and have your way with me.”

“I thought you liked that look.”

“I do,” I admitted. “Very much. But not when we’re trying to keep our relationship a secret from people, including my ex-bandmates.”

We turned the corner and saw Micah and Brandon up ahead with Eve. Micah shot us a look over his shoulder and I gave him a reassuring smile.

Once he’d turned back around, Killian replied, “It’s hard to hide how I feel when your ex insists on calling you ‘his girl.’”

I stopped, letting my friends disappear out of sight again. I looked up into Killian’s dark eyes. “Then remind yourself that I’m not his. I’m yours.”

He glanced down either end of the hall and determining we were alone, he slid his hand from my back to my ass and stepped into me. Bending his head, his lips almost touched mine and my mouth tingled in response. My breath mingled with his as a flush of arousal moved through me. “I wish we were alone,” he murmured, squeezing my ass. “I had only my hand for company last night.”

I smirked to cover the desire heating up between my legs. “And what did you fantasize about?”

“I didn’t fantasize. I remembered.” Lust gleamed in his eyes. “I replayed every touch, every lick, every bite, every fuck. Your tits in my hands as you rode me. Your ass in my hands as I rode you.”

My breathing faltered. “If you don’t stop talking, it’ll be obvious what we were up to when we walk into that studio.”

“We’re not up to anything. I’ve barely touched you.”

“And yet,” I stood on tiptoe to brush my mouth against his and whisper, “I’m wet and flushed.” I glanced down at his crotch. “And you, Mr. O’Dea, are sporting wood.”

The haze seemed to clear from his eyes and he cursed, letting me go. Throwing me an aggravated look, he gestured down the hall. “You go. I’ll catch up.”