“You’re okay.” My palm tightens on her lower back as I push up on my feet and use the other hand to dig in my pocket. It would be nice if Ravvi and Damian would pay attention to their phones.
I finally give up, texting the group chat that includes Riot, Creed, and Bellamy.
Cove is in there too, and I hear her phone vibrate from her pocket, but no other signs to indicate anyone else responds.
“How am I going to perform tomorrow night if this doesn’t stop?” She groans, her hot breath puffing out against my skin.
“You just need to snuggle up between your alphas and soak up their pheromones. I’m sure your system will regulate by morning.” I drop my phone onto the cushion next to me.
“I can’t even worry about that right now. Everything hurts.” Cove jerks around, and it only takes a second to determine that she’s trying to get out of her leather jacket. I’m sure that thing isn’t helping her cool off, so I grab the sleeve, tugging it off. I chuck it onto the other cushion, waiting to see what’s next. She’s in a sexy little white tank top, and it’s see-through enough to fully make out her black bra underneath. “Sorry to be all up in your business when you don’t even like me.” Her nose once again lands on my throat.
“I like you just fine.” My nostrils flare with her orange creamy scent, and my balls ache.
Fuck, I more thanlikeher.
I’m physically attracted to Cove, but that doesn’t make a more than ten-year age gap appropriate.
“Yeah, okay,” she mutters. “Your misery at being assigned to work with me has shown daily for this entire tour.”
“I’m here to do a job. That job requires focus. I’m here to keep you safe.”
“I can appreciate that,” she says, pulling a hand between us to rub over her stomach. “I guess I’m on my apology tour. I haven’t been the easiest person to be around, and I’m sorry for that.”
“You shouldn’t feel obligated to apologize just because you’re a woman. If you were a man, no one would expect an apology foracting like a rock star.” I run my hand up and down her spine to hopefully help settle her system. “I had a chip on my shoulder from the moment I found out what my assignment would be. I never toured with Dexter and Issac when I was a teenager, and there was a reason for that. When I moved in with them, it was the first time I had a real home. Traveling constantly didn’t appeal to me in the least.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Cove whispers. “If you were that unhappy, why didn’t you ask for a transfer or decline the job when it was first offered?”
I laugh. “First of all, Griffin is terrifying as a boss. Second of all, they specifically asked me to come along to keep an eye on all of you. They know you’re adults, but they wanted someone they could trust to watch out for the family. I wasn’t about to disappoint them.”
“I get that,” she says softly. “I think we all put a fair amount of pressure on ourselves, even if no one else would expect us to endure something if they knew how miserable we were. But somehow, we hold ourselves to this impossible standard.”
“Are you having second thoughts about this whole music career?” I ask, tilting my face down to hers. With the way she’s buried in my throat, I can’t gauge the look on her face, but I can feel her mouth twist into a frown.
Her shoulders bounce. “I love making music. I even enjoy performing, but nine months is a long time to be on the road. I understand why Ruined Records switched to a more condensed tour for all their seasoned bands. It’s hard to commit to such a grueling tour schedule.”
“You can find balance. You just have to ask for it.”
Cove pushes up on her knees, pulling her face from my throat. “You don’t think that would make me an even worse human being for taking advantage of my connections?”
My forehead wrinkles. “You’re not a terrible human being. I’ve met plenty of those.”
My mother was one of the worst offenders. There wasn’t a caring bone in that woman’s body. I’m still confused why she procreated not once but twice. She had no maternal instincts. She couldn’t be bothered with even feeding and bathing me once I turned four or five. I’m shocked CPS never came calling. At least, not until she actually died. By then, I was old enough to mostly take care of myself.
“You can be a little self-centered at times, but not any more than the rest of us. When I was in my early twenties…” I chuckle, shaking my head. “I was a fucking nightmare. But again, don’t apologize for shit just because you’re a woman. A man in your position would never feel obligated to.”
Her head tilts. “So, you don’t hate me?”
“I don’t hate you, princess.” My fingers dig into her spine as her face softens.
Her lashes flutter, and she leans closer.
Jesus Christ.
I’m not strong enough for this shit.
She smells so good, and those plush pink lips are aching for my kiss. I like seeing a more vulnerable side of her, but I’m also attracted to the badass lead singer who commands the crowd every night.
That still doesn’t make it appropriate for me to kiss her breathless. And fuck, I’m not sure I would stop there. Well, as long as she was open to more.
