I was so intent on getting closer, feeling more, that I barely noticed it when he pulled me onto his lap. “You taste like watermelon.” His voice was husky and thick.
“I’m pretty sure this lip gloss is toxic,” I managed breathlessly.
“Don’t care,” he growled and kissed harder.
Pulling back slightly I murmured, “So the trashy tween look does it for you?”
Running his hand up and down my back he murmured, “You are not a tween, and you are certainly not trashy.”
“So why am I fighting the urge to rip off your clothes?” I whispered.
“Good question. Why are you fighting the urge?”
Just then a boot toe nudged Jack in the thigh. “Dude, I thought the show was over.”
Coming out of a haze of want, need, and sensation, I realized belatedly that we were not alone. I felt my face flush with embarrassment as a large hand was thrust towards me. I looked up and saw the towering redhead who was offering me his hand.
“Morgan. Drummer. You must be Jack’s latest groupie.”
I stiffened as a wave of horror crashed over me as I shook his hand. Was I just the latest in an endless parade of desperate females? Had I misread the situation so badly?
Jack aimed a kick at the giant and growled, “Morgan, don’t be a dick!”
A soft hand patted me on the back and a sweet voice said, “Don’t pay attention to Morgan. He’s a jerk. You should know that he also hassles Jack about never having a date and calls him Blue Nun.”
Relief made me relax and smile and the beautiful, black-haired woman with fire-engine red lips held out her hand. “Hi. I’m Kimi. Bass.”
“Oh, you’re the Palmer girl!” I said, shaking her hand.
“Palmer girl?” she asked with a tilt of her head.
“Sorry. Obscure reference. An 80’s music video that my almost-grandfather loved. It had very sexy women swaying to a song and they couldn’t play their instruments.”
“Right, except I can actually play.”
“Oh, I’m sorry! That sounded so, so rude, but I didn’t mean it that way! I just meant that you looked super sexy playing the bass up there.”
“Well, seeing as how you’re on Jack’s lap, stuck to him with super glue, I’ll assume that was just a compliment and you’re not hitting on me.” She rose and with a wink, walked over to get a bottle of water.
Jack’s arms tightened around me, and I could feel him shaking with laughter. I twisted to look him full in the face. “What?” I demanded.
“I wanted you to meet the band, but I didn’t imagine it would go like this.” he chuckled.
“Is Kimi serious?” I asked.
He laughed again. “Naw, she’s just messing with you. She’s with Animal, aka Morgan.” He brushed a strand of hair off my face.
“What do they know about me?”
“I told them I met someone amazing.”
“You did not say that to them.” I felt the blush rising in my cheeks again.
“I did because I don’t lie, Eve. You are amazing.”
Emboldened by his obvious attraction, I did what I’d been longing to do. I ran my fingers through his curls. They were as soft as they looked. Irresistible, even when sweaty as he was right now. The corners of his lips turned up, letting me know he was enjoying the touch. There was hunger in his eyes, telling me he wanted more. But I was feeling exposed, now that I was aware of the other people in the room. I attempted to get off his lap, but his arms held me firmly in place.
I turned to ask to be released, but my lips met his and held. And held. It was a kiss that went outside of time and just existed as the perfect blending of two mouths. I could no more have stopped that kiss than to stop my heart from beating.
