Page 60 of Forbidden Heart

I barely pay attention to where I’m going until I find myself on the barstool next to JJ. I glance at my Knight in Shining Armor, and my pulse spikes when I find him watching me. He’s never once initiated a kiss before, and it doesn’t look like he plans to do so now.

Not that JJ doesn’t want to kiss me. The desire in his gaze is plain for all to see, and he’s gripping the counter like he’s physically trying to restrain himself. His eyes lock on my lips, his pupils dilate, and my entire body ignites in response.

My pulse accelerates, and I swallow nervously as my gaze drifts to his lips. I want to kiss him—need to kiss him—and I fight back the wave of nerves. It’s gotten easier, more manageable, each time I’ve kissed JJ since that fateful afternoon on the living room floor.

When I finally work up the courage to lean in, JJ groans in approval and kisses me right back. He doesn’t deepen the kiss, waiting for me to be the one to take control, but I know that if I take things further, he’ll be right there with me. He isn’t teasing me the way Tate is. He’s not trying to drive me insane. He’s giving me time and letting me set the pace so I can do this my way.

His lips dance against mine in perfect harmony. Our mouths are singing a song without music and lyrics, melding together and expressing themselves through the soft caress of lips.

When I deepen the kiss, JJ does too. When I slide my tongue out and tentatively lick his lips, he growls and opens for me. I test the waters by touching my tongue against his, and he instantly reciprocates.

A part of me is aware that Charles and Tate are having breakfast or drinking coffee while JJ and I make out. Yet I don’t jump back, or pull away, or flush with embarrassment. I embrace the wave of arousal that courses through me, knowing that they’re also here, watching.

The first time I kissed JJ in front of them—sitting astride Charles on the living room floor—I’d been terrified. Not of any of the guys, but of what would happen if it all blew up in my face. I kept waiting for them to tell me I broke some rule and did something wrong, but they each kissed me in turn, letting me know it was okay.

After that, it’s like some unspoken rule in the apartment had shifted. Suddenly, making out with all three of my roommates became okay. They each kissed me while we watched a musical that night and again all day yesterday on at least a dozen separate occasions.

A few days ago, I would have thought it was impossible. Now, this has somehow become our new normal.

I pour all the passion I feel into kissing JJ, and he groans in approval. That groan turns into one of frustration as his phone alarm goes off.

“Time for rehearsal?” Charles asks gruffly.

JJ nods, pulling away from me.

It takes me a second to process what the Beast is saying. Rehearsal!

My disappointment is quickly replaced by a mix of nerves and anticipation. I finally get to hear my princes sing my song. The only downside is that they’ll be singing with Silas.

The Dark Prince is meeting us in the practice room, and after the soda can incident from earlier this week, I don’t think he’s going to be too happy to see me.

For a split second, I consider staying back, but that’s absurd. I’m not going to avoid him, especially not when the guys are about to sing my song.

I wonder if I should wear JJ’s bracelet as a blatant reminder of what happened—an in your face to Silas—but the magnetic gift is a hazard. Before I finally stopped wearing it, my wrist got stuck to half the objects in the apartment, including Charles’s keys while they were still in his dress pants’ pocket. I definitely don’t want to risk that happening with Silas.

I put on my prettiest silk dress—pink with lace trim and perfectly suited for a princess. It makes me feel confident as we head to the rehearsal room—so confident I barely think to look around for Marcus the RA—but the feeling starts to wane as we make our way across campus.

By the time we enter Becket Hall, I’m so nervous I feel like my heart is going to explode. The refreshing breeze outside is replaced by the chilling indoor air, and I shiver. Yet the air conditioning does nothing for my sweaty palms or damp armpits.

“You should lead our rehearsal, Roonie,” Tate suddenly announces, his voice echoing through the empty building. And just when I don’t think I could possibly get any more nervous, I suddenly think I might actually throw up.

“I can’t.” I shake my head vehemently as I fight the growing nausea. “Remember what happened last time?”

“Last time, you got us through our audition,” Charles points out.

“I mean last time I led a rehearsal,” I clarify. When I completely fell apart and then ran back home, all because of Silas.

“It was your first time,” JJ winks at me, the innuendo clear and obviously intentional. “You were just nervous, Roon.”

And he does have a point. I was also nervous the first time I kissed him. And I was freaking out the first time I kissed him in front of Charles and Tate. But it’s gotten easier and has felt more natural each time... so maybe that’ll be the case for leading rehearsals, too. Maybe I just need practice.

As I follow the guys down the familiar hallway, I try to focus on the positives. I get to hear all three guys sing a song I wrote. I get to choreograph their competition song until it sounds perfect. I get to make a song I’ve only ever imagined come to life!

Chapter 24

"You're late!" Silas snaps when we enter the practice room.

The empty walls and hard floors send his voice bouncing in every direction. I never realized how perfect the acoustics are in here. It's almost like the Dark Prince is talking into a giant microphone, amplifying his beautiful voice and petulant words.