How could he say no? But he could damn well control himself. The last thing he needed was to make a fool of himself getting all hot and needy over a guy in the middle of a party and having those photos plastered all over social media. He looked around. Not that anyone looked like they were taking photos, too busy dancing.
“Okay.” But he was somewhat grateful when the song transitioned back into something faster and he could put a bit of space between them. Rafe winked, holding on to his hand for a moment and giving it a squeeze before letting go and getting into the music.
By the time they arrived back at the table where the other guys sat, Rafe tugging him along again, they were hot and sweaty and laughing.
“Drink.” Rafe panted. “I need water.” He flung himself into his seat, cracked open a water bottle, and chugged back the contents. “Man, that was awesome.”
“I saw you guys getting your groove on,” RG said. He waggled his brows. “Anything I should know about?”
“I—” Parker started.
“Nope,” Rafe said at the same time and grinned.
How was it that Rafe could handle any situation when he got so flustered?
Parker sipped from his own bottle of water, glad that drinking gave him something else to do other than open his big mouth, and say… and say what? What he and Rafe had wasn’t important. It wasn’t a relationship; it was a holiday fling. Fuck buddies. And not something the other guys needed to know about. Not that there was anything to tell, because they were just dancing. But they had fucked.And you want to do it again.Parker shook his head and willed his rambling, chaotic thoughts away.
“What have you been doing while we were out on the dance floor?” Rafe asked, relaxing back into his seat and dragging one hand through his hair while the other gripped the now mostly empty bottle. “Did we miss anything?”
“We met the lead singer of Sikorski. Van. Sheila brought him over earlier. It’s shame you weren’t here, because he was disappointed not to meet you. And I’ll tell you, that man is one tall drink of water. Sex on a stick—”
Rafe laughed. “I get it. He’s gorgeous, huh?”
There was no way anyone could be as gorgeous as Rafe, but Parker listened avidly. He’d been a fan of Sikorsky since he’d first come across their music.
“The magazine pics don’t do him justice. He looks good in the photos, but in the flesh…” RG waved a coaster in front of his face, miming fanning himself. “Hot damn, I’m on fire, mate.”
“It doesn’t take much to light your wick,” Rafe said.
Parker chuckled. RG’s escapades, usually of the sexual kind, had even reached his ears. From what he gathered, the guy wasn’t happy unless he was screwing around.
“Pot. Kettle,” Gibbo said, gaze flicking between Rafe and RG, laughter in his voice.
“Hey! What happens on tour, stays on tour,” Rafe said with a wink. He grinned and lifted the water bottle to his mouth.
Parker’s stomach soured as an unwarranted jolt of jealousy flared. He didn’t want to hear any more of what Rafe got up to.
“I’m going to get another drink from the bar.” There were wait staff milling around, but he wanted the chance to stretch his legs.Don’t lie to yourself. You want to put a bit of space between you and Rafe. You’re getting too caught up.
Rafe pushed back from the table. “I’ll join you.”
Parker should have sat back down and asked Rafe to bring him a drink since he was heading that way, but his head lost that argument. He hated his weakness, his inability to keep away, the way his heart sang when Rafe directed that smile at him. “Awesome.”
A beer later, and some of the tension had fled. Rafe was fun to hang around, the two of them shooting the breeze as they sipped their drinks. Parker had had just enough alcohol to take the edge off. He was feeling mellow and slightly fuzzy around the edges. He was sure he looked like an adoring puppy as he raked his eyes over Rafe, with his fine form leaning against the bar. Rafe had his back against the bar, propped on his elbows, one ankle crossed over the other, the very picture of cool and relaxed. And when he threw his head back in laughter at something Parker said, Parker got all warm and fuzzy from the thought of being the cause of that amusement. It had been a long time since he felt comfortable enough to let down his guard, and he was sober enough to know that was what he was doing. Somehow Rafe was breaking down Parker’s self-imposed barriers and wiggling into his heart. Maybe, after all this was over, they’d come out of it as friends. He pushed aside the thought of wanting more.Friends is good.
“Do you want another beer, or have you had enough?” Rafe asked, cutting through Parker’s pondering. He straightened and leaned in closer. Rafe was near enough for Parker to get lost in his scent for a moment, that now familiar heady combination causing him to close his eyes and inhale deeply. Rafe chuckled, low and deep, then spoke on a whisper. “Or are you ready to head on out of here? I know I am.”
Parker opened his eyes and met Rafe’s gaze. They were only inches apart. The black of Rafe’s pupils nearly drowned out that beautiful tawny gold in his eyes. Parker’s breath caught. He reached for Rafe’s hand.
“Ah, there you are.”
Parker stalled his movement, instead turning to face the newcomer. Tall and blond, with broad shoulders, he cut an imposing figure. He oozed confidence, as evidenced by the broad smile with its flash of perfect white teeth. He thrust a hand towards Parker. “I’m Van Cole from Sikorski. You’re the new guy with HyperOctane?”
“Ah, yeah. I’m Parker.” Parker’s hand was enveloped in a firm grip.
“Nice to meet you.” Van appeared genuine in his greeting, his handshake strong and that smile never leaving his face. “I’m looking forward to hearing you guys play.” He turned to Rafe and gave him the same enthusiastic greeting he’d given Parker.
“Rafe Moreno. It’s an honour to play on the same stage as you guys.”
