I have the presence of mind to help her to her feet and pull her into my chest, drawing her scent into my lungs like it’s all I need to breathe.
“Maybe someday you can knot my mouth.”
That seals it. I think I might actually be dead, but if it feels like this with Sin pressed up against me, I’m all right with that.
“So, we’re in agreement then?” she says lightly. “We’ll use me as bait.”
“Mmmph.” It’s all I can manage to say, but Sin seems to take it as acquiescence.
“Great.” She presses a gentle kiss over my heart.
What the hell did I just agree to?
Chapter 37
Sin
Iguess Jules must feel guilty about what happened on our girl’s day out. The next morning, she’s at our suite horrifically early with her laptop in hand and a plan.
“There are photographs of you with each of the band members published online. Pictured in a way that makes it clear you are involved in separate relationships with each of them. And everyone knows they’re due to perform here in a couple of days. Plus, after yesterday, they know you’re also here in Meridian City,” she says.
Pulling my hair up into a messy bun, I eye her overly bright eyes and the way she’s talking too fast as she pours a cup of coffee from the carafe Iri sets in front of us. Dorian and Cal haven’t emerged yet. But Micah is here, looking gloriously rumpled and confused as he takes in the impromptu meeting while I’m dressed only in one of Iri’s t-shirts and my underwear.
“Right,” I reply.
“So it’s pretty obvious that you’re here with them. People are driving themselves crazy speculating about it, about whether the band realizes that you’re with them all or if you’re sneaking around behind their backs.”
Yeah, I’ve seen enough comments calling me a whore to know people assume I’m some groupie moving from bed to bed.
“They think I’m some femme fatale, cuckolding the guys.”
She nods, glugging more coffee with a shaking hand, and I frown at her in concern.
“Exactly. I think we need to get out there and make a statement. Make it clear that you’re in a committed relationship with all four members of the band and they’re all aware of that. The label might not like it, but it’s better than their alternative, which is to pay you off and send you on your way.”
“Why wouldn’t the label like it?” Micah asks sleepily, frowning down at me. He then pulls me to my feet and takes my place on the sofa, immediately reseating me in his lap with his arms wrapped tightly around me.
Jules waves her hand dismissively. “They like to act like you’re all young, free and single. Stallions just looking for the right fan to break the lock on your hearts or whatever. It’s a marketing gimmick.”
“Well, I don’t think any of us give a shit about that,” he mutters. “Do they not understand we’re done after this tour? We’re settling down to raise chickens and farm the land, or something.”
She nods. “Even when you’re done touring, they’ll want people to still be buying your back catalog. You’re not just going to fade into the ether, you know.”
“Shame,” he murmurs against my neck and I squeeze his hand.
“The band has interviews lined up already today. My thinking is that we should have you join them, control the narrative that way. Most of the interviews are for online channels and maybe a couple of podcasts. The content should be out there by tomorrow and within the week, it should mean that the frenzy surrounding your relationships will calm down.”
I cock my head to one side, leaning into Micah’s hard chest. “Huh. How come you didn’t mention any of this yesterday?”
It’s not like we didn’t spend most of the day together. Jules’ cheeks actually pinken, and she takes another swig of coffee.
People have been spreading toxic shit about me for over forty-eight hours at this point and I don’t know what the initial plan was—to ignore it all and hope I don’t receive too many death threats?
“Yeah, I’m a dick,” Jules replies with a sigh. “I know it. You know it. I had other things I was focused on and that meant this slipped by the wayside. Still, Sin, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do the interviews. I really think this would be the best option for everyone.”
Iri drops onto the sofa beside me, squeezing my thigh with one massive, dusky red hand. I rest my own, much smaller hand, on top of his and he shoots me a crooked grin.
“If you do this and put yourself out there, it’ll be your name and face out in the open forever.” He meets my eyes and I know he’s thinking about our conversation from last night.
