Adorned in a simple white henley tee paired with gray jeans and black combat boots, his attire hugged his body, accentuating his well sculpted physique. There was a hint of color marking his skin above the collar of his shirt and up the side ofhis neck, and I suspected that wasn’t the only tattoo on him. With each step he took, light glinted off the chain draped from the front pocket of his jeans to the back. His deep red hair was tousled effortlessly atop his head, perfectly outlining the striking features of his scruffy, but handsome face.
Transfixed, I remained motionless as he made his way to the table of guys Jade and I had just left. As he circled behind it and greeted the members of Rebel Rebellion, a wave of realization washed over me.
Then, he lifted his head, and his gaze met mine. His eyes were a piercing shade of icy blue, and they ensnared me in an unbreakable hold.
I inhaled sharply, my cheeks warming. He totally just busted me for ogling him from across the room, and now there was no escaping the intensity of his gaze. A gaze that seemed to see right through me.
“Perfect timing!” Jade said, snapping me out of the spell. “I just saw Damien. Come on.”
I allowed Jade to lead me once more, fully aware of our destination and the person she intended to introduce me to.
But little did she know, we’d already had our own introduction.
Chapter Two
Cadence
Icouldn’t explain the simmering heat that grazed my body from Damien’s stare as we approached. He took me in from head to toe, an intense look as he assessed me. Walking around the table to greet us, he smirked.
“Hey, Jade. It’s good to see you again.” He pulled her into a quick hug before turning back to me. “And you are?”
I lifted my chin, pulling my shoulders back and standing tall. “Cadence.” I stuck out my hand. “Jade’s sister. Nice to meet you…” I purposely left my sentence hanging, trying to pretend Jade hadn’t already told me his name and everything else she knew about him.
“Damien Walker.”
The moment his fingers clasped mine, I sensed it.
A jolt.
A bond.
An electric attraction.
His warm hand in mine sent a wave of goosebumps through my body. I was acutely aware of him, and in that instance, itwas as if everyone around us disappeared. Leaving only him and I, his soft skin pressed to mine.
I pulled away, frowning.
Damien recovered quickly, stepping closer and acting as if he’d felt nothing. “This is your first show, isn’t it? I’d remember if I’d met you before.”
He smiled at me, but something shone more profound behind those cool blue eyes. Something fierce. I could tell he was intrigued by our little exchange as he analyzed every tiny detail.
“Ha. Yeah. Cadence’s boyfriend doesn’t let her out much.”
My head snapped toward Jade. “Gee, thanks.”
“Boyfriend, huh?” Damien paused. “He sounds like a real winner.”
I looked at Damien, but the heat in his eyes had disappeared, replaced with a note of indifference as he moved away from us.
“Are you excited about tonight’s show?” Jade asked, not picking up on the change in his attitude as he turned to face her again.
“Of course. I love what I do. Meeting new people and being on stage. I have the best job in the world.” He crossed his arms, and without his piercing gaze on me, I noticed all the pieces of jewelry that decorated his body: small gauges set in his ears, a stud in his bottom lip, and another in his nose. His accessories matched, with beaded and leather bands wrapped around his wrists, and a string of beads around his neck. I could see colorful ink on his wrist, peeking out from under his sleeve.
“I can only imagine.” Jade smiled wistfully.
As children, Jade and I thought we’d become famous singers when we made it to adulthood. In those days, we’d been positive we would find our big break and sing the songs we wrote withour choreographed dances. We even came up with stage names and picked which cities to tour as the amazing duet of Kodi and Rhyan. But as we grew up, we stopped planning for our big gigs and stopped writing those songs. Eventually, those dreams became nothing more than part of a child’s vivid imagination.
“Speaking of which,” Damien said, his face expressionless. “I should get back to the bus. I need to get ready. Warms ups and all that.” He turned toward his bandmates. “You know where to find me.”
