Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Pearl shook her head. “Doesn’t work like that, babe. The label says jump and we ask ‘directly into the flames?’”
Beth smiled. “It’s not all bad, you know? We love the guys. We love touring. But,” she admitted tentatively, “it would be nice to lead for once.”
Something inside me felt what I said with such a fierce passion that it was less an opinion and more a foretelling. “Big things are coming your way. I just know it.”
Santa Fe rocked.
It was the most fun I’d had in any one place and once the show was over, we headed back to the hotel. I knew the guys likely had some obligation to attend, a club or after party as they almost always did, so I said goodnight and went straight up to my room.
The next morning, I entered the penthouse suite quietly and did my morning rounds. I poured the juice, opened the door and brought in breakfast then collected the dirty clothes each guy had left by their doors and put them in the wash.
Left Turn didn’t have a show tonight but the schedule told me they had a radio interview, so when they arose and told me they were visiting someone in Magdalena and were spending the night, I blinked at them in disbelief. “You’re abandoning me?”
Hell sipped his juice. “Abandoning is such a strong word.” I didn’t miss the way he avoided my sharp look.
From the sofa, Lee ate his breakfast and spoke around his mouthful. “Oh, c’mon, Emmy. Don’t be like that. We’ll be back by noon tomorrow.”
I stood, staring at them a long moment before placing my hands on my hips and muttering, “It’s like I don’t even know you guys.”
Noah came over. “Emmy, honey, it’s just for the night. I’m sure I mentioned it.”
Lies. I’d remember if it were mentioned.
My pout was strong. “And what am I supposed to do?”
“Enjoy a day off.” Noah simulated a smile but it wasn’t quite right.
I folded my arms across my chest. “I don’t want a day off.” Then I sulked. “I want to be with you.”
At that shy statement, three alpha males turned and smiled warmly in my direction. But I rolled my eyes. “You know what? I am going to enjoy my freedom.” Just as I moved to leave, the buzzer for the washing machine went off. “Someone better take care of that.” I threw them a cold look. “It’s my day off.” The door lightly slammed behind me.
Just as I took a step into the elevator, Connor walked out, looking sweaty from his morning workout. At my vicious scowl, his brow furrowed. “What’s up, baby?”
I hit the button and watched Connor’s confused expression fade out of sight as the doors closed.
They knew. They knew and they didn’t even tell me.
My lip curled. “Cowards.”
But they were my cowards and I didn’t want to be alone for a whole day.
A day off?
Ugh.
I could think of nothing worse.
An hour later, as I lay on my bed and wallowed in my own self-pity, a knock at the door broke through the silence.
I didn’t even check who it was. I opened the door with a cool-sounding “What?”
Connor stood there, fighting a smile. “Aw, baby. Don’t be mad.”
I folded my arms across my chest. My brows rose as I blatantly lied, “I’m not mad.”
He stepped into my room, gently closing the door behind him, and I hated how ridiculously hot he looked, freshly showered, in his black tee, black fitted jeans and black high-top Vans. I was irritated. “Why are you here?” I threw myself on my bed, lying on my stomach, and focused on the television. “Aren’t you guys leaving soon?”
The bed depressed when he sat on it. “Not for a while.”
His hands slid up the backs of my jean-covered legs, slowly, thoroughly, until they rested on the globes of my ass. Those deft hands squeezed and my heart stuttered. I asked quietly, “What are you doing?”
He took in a deep breath, leisurely caressing my butt, then spoke on an exhale, “Wanna play?”
Yes. “No.”
Lies.
I’d wanted to play for days now.
But I was grumpy and he knew it. His low chuckle ran over every curve of my body. “Liar.” He lifted the back of my shirt an inch then pressed his full, warm lips to my lower back. “Let me make you feel good.”
I was uncertain but gave in long before my head could argue why this was a bad idea. I craned my neck to look back at him. His eyes were on me and those lips… they smiled before he licked a line across my hypersensitive flesh.
My back arched and his breath warmed my skin. “Take your pants off.” Before I had a chance to respond, Connor stood and closed the open curtains, leaving the room dimly lit. He came to stand at the foot of the bed and then his shirt was gone.