Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
"Hmm. Kind of tall and cranky looking," I tease, circling around his chair. "But I suppose you'll do."
"You're asking for a spanking, Sparrow," he murmurs beneath his breath, allowing me to drag him from his seat.
The crowd hoots and hollers as I drag him toward the stage. He pretends he's reluctant, but we both know there's not a chance in hell of him letting anyone else go up there with me.
My bassist plops a chair down in the middle of the stage.
Gideon eyes me from beneath hooded lids as he settles into it, stretching out like a cat at rest. But there's nothing tame or gentle about him. He's all wild and he knows it.
I sashay back to the band and whisper the song I want to sing. My bassist, Petey, nearly chokes on his tongue. They all know who Gideon is…sort of. I introduced him to the band as my boyfriend yesterday. So they know he isn't just some guy from the crowd.
The band counts it off and starts to play. It's a new song, one the crowd hasn't heard before. But from the first note, there's no denying it's a slow, sensual song. There's a sexy twang to it that's unmistakable. The whole crowd hears those first notes and goes wild. Even Kane cracks up. I kind of expected him to throw a fit.
Gideon gives me a look that says he knows I'm up to something.
I sashay toward him, smirking, and run my hand down the side of his face.
"You're asking for trouble, Sparrow."
"You leave traces of desire on my skin as your hands explore every curve and line," I croon into the microphone. "Lost in the rhythm, our bodies entwined."
"Son of a bitch," he groans, going rigid in his chair. His eyes narrow on me, a sinful threat lurking in their depths. I'm going to pay for this. Dearly.
"The taste of whiskey on your lips, burning slow. You trail kisses down my throat, crooning for me to let it go."
I glance from him to the crowd. There are a few couples on the dance floor, swaying back and forth. But most everyone is watching us, fascinated. Can they tell that he isn't just someone from the crowd? Do they know that he scares and excites me at the same time? Can they see that I'm falling for him already?
John's watching us just as intently as before. But he doesn't look happy. In fact, he looks angry. His gaze meets mine, and I see the anger banked in his eyes. And for the first time ever, I realize that Kane was right all along.
He does want to sleep with me. He holds my gaze for a moment and then gets up, and storms toward the door to the bar.
A chill rips through me, but I keep singing.
As soon as the last note dies, Gideon rises from the chair. "You're taking a break. Call it," he growls so only I hear him.
I meet his gaze, see how dark his eyes are, and quickly nod. "I'm going to take a short breather while the band has a little fun with you guys. I'll be back in five," I promise the crowd.
They all catcall and whistle as if they know exactly why I'm stepping away for a minute. My cheeks burn as Gideon and I hurry backstage.
As soon as we're out of sight, I'm in his arms. His lips come down on mine, his kiss hard and wild. He steals my breath and pieces of my soul, branding them with his name.
"Goddamn, Sparrow," he growls against my lips. "You damn near got yourself fucked right there on stage singing that shit to me like you wrote it for me."
"I did. I just didn't know it at the time."
He groans, kissing me again. "I need two minutes alone with you."
"My dressing room is empty."
I don't have to tell him twice. He boosts me up into his arms with his hands on my ass. I wrap my legs around his waist, clinging to him. I don't care who sees us. We're past that at this point. I just freaking sang the sexiest song I've ever written to him in front of dozens of people, including my brother and his wife.
He carries me into the small dressing room, nuzzling my neck.
My blood runs cold, my body going rigid in his arms. Everywhere I look, pictures of me stare back. They're everywhere…taped to the walls. Tossed across the top of the vanity. There are dozens of them. And none of them were taken with my permission. They're all shot from a distance, as if someone was watching me from the bushes.
"Gideon," I whisper, my voice strangled.
He lifts his head and sees the same thing I do.
"Fuck," he roars, dragging me back out into the hall. His arms tighten around me as if he can physically protect me from what I just saw. But it's too late for that. There's no question anymore.