“Mm.” He kissed my neck slowly, turning my bones to Jello. “Speaking of bedrooms, shouldn’t you be sleeping? You have a big day tomorrow. You’re going to astound and amaze all the simple, brutish folk with your culture and charisma.”
I pulled away at the idea of sleeping with people who could hear me scream. “I don’t like sleeping around people. I think I’ll drive over to Jezebel’s and?—”
He spun me around in his arms so that he was looking down at me. “This house has six impeccably grotesque bedrooms with tolerable beds and high-quality sheets. Choose one. Lock the door. I promise that not even the ninjas will come knocking, no matter how much you scream.”
I stared into those warm eyes and wanted to stay exactly where I was, so I did. I was supposed to do what I wanted for the sake of long-term villainy. “What about your bed?”
He raised an eyebrow. “It’s tolerable, although it does have more wear and tear than the others.”
“You tear your beds?”
“Tear-stained from loneliness.”
“The beds or you?”
“Either.” He bumped my forehead with his. “You should go to bed before I kiss you.”
“I don’t kiss men in beds.”
His searing gaze dropped to my mouth. “Then you should go to bed after I kiss you?” He moved slowly, giving me the chance to turn away or say no.
I wrapped my hands around his neck and studied him until his lips met mine, soft, sweet, his eyes as soft and sweet as his lips. I sank into that kiss, letting my eyes drift closed while his hands held me strong and safe.
Too soon, he pulled back, shaking his head. “My room is soundproof. It locks. You’re going straight to bed, and locking the door so your precious sleep isn’t interrupted. If you need me, call. I’ll be in the guest room next to it.” He brushed my lips once more with his and then turned and strode off, leaving me staring after him with burning lips and even stronger burning in my heart.
I slept in his bed. Knowing that it was soundproof was almost as relaxing as the scent of him on his pillow. It wasn’t quite chocolate and cherries, more musk and masculinity, but it wrapped me in a cocoon that chased away every doubt and fear, leaving me with nothing but a distant ache to have him beside me.
The next morning’s rehearsal left me feeling almost hopeful. Dirk must have ordered breakfast for the band, but he wasn’t around to let the people in who brought it. The guest room next to his was empty when I woke up. I was wired all day, trying to be cheerful and encouraging, like Maestro, because some people couldn’t handle the pressure. Hawkins seemed good at showing up and doing his best, letting Janice’s diatribes roll right off his back, but he did better with calm direction. Most people probably did.
We tried on the costumes, and they were a white gossamer dress for me and white suits for the rest of the band members.
Ziggy nodded her approval, and then they had to take the costumes away for final adjustments. Jordan was a very solidman with a large beard, who gave off a biker vibe way more than designer, but the way he pinned was a work of art. The guy knew how to mold fabric to a woman’s body. Or a man’s body as far as that went. He had tattoos around his wrists and gave me a flirty wink from beneath his baseball cap.
His smile turned sly when he came to examine me in the pale dress. “Thanks for calling me. I always appreciate a challenge.”
I smiled back. “Thank you for doing this last minute. I hope that it didn’t mess up your schedule.”
“I always plan for chaos, because the people I like to dress aren’t the most structured. The dragon, for example. Do you know her personally?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Was he questioning her delicate feminine appeal? “I’m working on Death-Hammer’s team. I wouldn’t say that I know her personally.”
“Because she called a favor in for you, so you must be something special. I just want my favorite beauty to be happy.” And he’d be more than willing to help, very personally.
“Most people have to make their own happiness; in fact, everyone has to make their own happiness. Other people can’t do that for you. I’d like Trixie to be happy, but I can’t make her, and neither can anyone else.”
He nodded. “Deep. I like it. It’s just that you were hugging her in public, in the morning, so I wanted you to know that you have my support. I’m not judgmental about whatever you guys want to do together.”
I stared at him. “Thanks?”
He nodded again. “And if you wanted someone else to hang out with you two, I have a very flexible schedule, and several motorbikes.”
Could I just punch him in the face? No. I wanted to look good, but this is why clothing designers should be women. “I’ll keep that in mind if we’re looking for extra bikes.”
“You’d look amazing in leather.” Could he shut up now?
“She already does,” Ziggy interrupted, frowning at him. “Why are you hitting so hard?”
He blinked at her. “I’m not hitting anything. I’m offering a deeper friendship to a woman I deeply admire. Dragon is my ideal.”
