I turned the keys in the ignition. “Thanks, Ade. I think I know what I need to do.”
* * *
They were playing in the basement when I returned home. Quietly, I sat down at the top of the staircase and listened for a while. They sounded so good it felt like a crime I was the only one in the audience. I smiled to myself. Soon, they’d be playing concert halls and outdoor festivals, and I’d remember this moment fondly.
I waited until they ended the song before making my way down.
Mason sat behind the drums in a loose tank top and sweatpants, while Kaz wore a pair of low-slung jeans and nothing else. Heat bloomed across my skin. It was insane how one look at them could send me spinning.
Kaz was the first to sense my presence. He turned to me, his hand gripping the neck of his guitar. “You’re back.”
Our eyes locked, and the wild thing caressed the inside of my chest, as if to say,I’ve waited long enough. It’s time to let me out.
“I need you to make a promise,” I said, flicking my gaze to Mason.
He put his drumsticks on the floor and stood up. “Anything.”
“You too, Kaz.”
The singer nodded. “What is it?”
“You won’t let this distract you from what’s most important. Last Rites.” On the drive over, it occurred to me that the worst-case scenario here had nothing to do with me and my job. The absolute worst thing that could happen was Mase and Kaz losing sight of their dream. A part of me insisted I was flattering myself for even considering that possibility. Of course, their career would take precedence over me, as it should. But I needed to hear them say it while we were still thinking clearly, before we got involved.
Kaz ran a hand over his chin. “You’re not a distraction, baby girl.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Then it should be an easy promise to make.”
“Molly, you don’t need to worry about that.” Mason emerged from behind the drum set. “Last Rites is always going to be important. We’re not going to drop the ball, especially with you by our side.”
Some of the remaining tension inside of me eased at his words, and when Kaz nodded his agreement, I finally exhaled in relief.
“Does that mean your answer is yes?” Kaz asked. His eyes glimmered with anticipation.
“Yes.” The cage inside of me opened with a soft creak. The wild thing stepped out, tentatively at first, and then with more confidence when she realized nothing would stop her this time.
Kaz walked up to me and cradled my face with his hands. “The best things in life exist on the other side of fear,” he said, brushing his lips against mine.
The heat of Mason’s body enveloped me from behind. “He’s right.” Mason’s voice was hoarse. “The fucker is always right.”
Kaz swallowed the laughter that burst out of me with his mouth. I groaned into his kiss when I felt Mason’s hand slipping under my shirt. It was almost overwhelming. I broke the kiss and turned to the drummer, who didn’t waste a moment before kissing me himself.
By the time I pulled away, the three of us were panting. “Can we take it a bit slow?” My hands were clammy, and my nerves were frayed. The wild thing whined angrily.How much slower can this get?
Mase bit on his bottom lip before releasing it. “Of course.”
I could feel impatience radiating off Kaz, but he kept it in check as he moved my hair away from my neck and placed a soft kiss on my skin.
We spent the rest of the evening watching a movie that I was pretty sure no one paid any attention to. How could I give a crap about who James Bond was trying to outsmart when I had Kaz’s bare arm slung around my shoulders and one of my legs splayed over Mason’s thigh? The wild thing growled impatiently and paced inside my gut.
“Sleep together with us tonight,” Kaz whispered into my ear just as something exploded on screen.
“Okay.” Hot anticipation curled inside my belly. “Just sleep.”
“Whatever you want,” Mason said.
When the movie ended, I padded my way into the bathroom, washed off the little makeup I had on, and removed the elastic holding back my hair. I changed into my pajamas. They were only a short pair of cotton shorts and a loose tank top, but it was better than sleeping in my underwear sandwiched between the two men. The thought of it sent a shiver down my spine.
In Kaz’s room, the lights have been turned off save for the small bedside lamp, and both Kaz and Mason were already under the blankets, with a very obvious space for me between them. Their attention moved to me as soon as I came out of the bathroom.
