Page 12 of Edge

Damian nodded as hecleaned his glasses then put them back on. “I understand. Sometimesyou need your privacy.” He was dying with curiosity to ask whichgroup Jory was with. He might know them, and it would be quite acoup to say he’d met their famous lead singer, or drummer, orwhatever the hell Jory was.

Jory nodded absently.“Something like that.” He lapsed into a brooding silence as Damianwondered what to say next.

“So, what filmdid you come to see today?” he asked brightly. “I know we had agreat turnout for the MarvellousMoo film, but I’m guessing it wasn’tanything you’d fancy seeing.” He laughed awkwardly.

Way to go,dufus. Marvellous Moo? A guy this cool wouldn’t be watching a kids’film.

Jory’s eyes narrowed.“Why would you think that? I happen to think Moo was a gem ofmasterpiece theatre, bringing childish whims and adult insecuritiesto life while sending out the message sometimes all you need to dois be in the right place at the right time to savesomeone.”

Damian’s jaw dropped.Wow, his companion had sounded really…deep. “Oh, I didn’t meananything by it,” he stammered. “It’s only that it’s a kids’ movieand I didn’t think it was your cup of tea. Sorry if I presumed toomuch.”

Jory leaned forward, hisgaze assessing, and Damian swallowed beneath the focused scrutiny.Then Jory exploded in loud laughter and thumped the table over andover with his hand. People turned to look, and one elderly womansniffed as she threw a dirty look at them.

“Jesus, I waskidding, handsome. I’ve never seen Marvellous fucking Moo, and Isure as shit don’t know what the hell it’s about. Your expressionwas too precious.” Jory’s shoulders shook with mirth. “I stopped into get a ticket for the horror film tonight.”

Damian scowled. “Can youperhaps stop with the swearing? There are kids around.”

Jory laughed louder.“Sure. I’ll try. Sorry, kids.” He made a pout of apology at theyoungsters gathered around the next table. Damian didn’t want to beattracted to the man, but his pout was absolutely cute. Jory hadsuch lovely, luscious lips.

“Hey, Earth toDamian. Where’d you go?” Jory reached out a hand and tappedDamian’s. “Did you see something you like?” His tone wassuggestive, his mouth creased in yet another smirk. God, the manshould patent them, they were like WMDs. His long fingers werecaressing Damian’s, causing spikes of arousal to reach his groin.Jory smelt of cigarette smoke, spearmint, and somethingcitrusy.

“Maybe weshould go back into the bathroom and make your boss’s suspicionsfounded. Or we could go back to your place?” Jory’s pink tonguecaressed his lips as he did the whole porno lip roll thing, makingDamian’s heart stutter. He pulled his hand away and stood, pushinghis glasses up his nose as he did.

“Excuse me?You’re coming onto me at my workplace?” he spluttered. “What if Iwasn’t—lucky for you I am—gay, and decided to plant your face intothe wall instead?”

Jory shrugged. “Wouldn’tbe the first time. But I’ve seen how you look at me. I thought mychances of not being face-planted were pretty good.” Hisunapologetic grin lit up the room despite Damian’s consternation.He wasn’t so sure what to do with this infuriating rockstar.

And I stilldon’t know which group he plays in, damn it.

“Well, Iappreciate the compliment, Jory, but I’ll need to decline.” Damianlooked over at the ticket booth, spotting Tracy serving a customer.“I think I’m being summoned to help out. Let me say thanks for theboost again, and I hope you enjoyed your time here at TheAnimus.”

Jory cocked an eyebrow.“She doesn’t need any help. She’s a wiz at this.” He stood and onceagain Damian was struck by his long legs and broad shoulders,thought he was a little on the slim side.

He certainlyrocks tight black jeans and tight t-shirts. But no doubt, this man would look good in anything hewore.

“Yeah, well,it’s not always about customers,” he muttered. “Sometimes the staffneeds me to sign off on stuff.”

Jory nodded. “I get it.Stuff needs signing and you’re the man for it. Go get ’em,tiger.”

Damian knew he was beingplayed by Jory’s tone and the mischievous glint in his eyes, but heignored it.

Bastard. Hehas no right to make me feel this way.

He strode off haughtilytowards Tracy, who didn’t need his help with anything, the womanwas an expert at customer service, and popped behind thecounter.

She looked up insurprise. “Damian. Lovely to see you behind here. What can I helpyou with?”

He began to ready thesecond cash machine to enable him to help customers. Or rather, theone customer standing in line. “I feel like I’ve been neglectingyou,” he teased. “Need to keep my hand in with what goes on in thehub of the business. Do you want to take a tea break?”

Tracy beamed. “I would.I’ve been bursting for the loo, but wanted to serve these twocustomers first.” She handed her waiting patron his change andclosed her till. “Thanks, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

Damian smiled at thewoman and two kids waiting in line and beckoned them to comeforward. Two double salty popcorns, two Cokes, and a packet of winegums later, they were happily scooting towards Screen 2, suitablysupplied with goodies for the show. He was busy re-stocking theshelves when there was a rap on the counter.

“Excuse me.Could I get some service, please?”

Damian shot up and glaredat Jory, who stood before the counter, his face creased in asmile.

“Are youkidding me?” Damian hissed. “What are you doing, stalkingme?”