“And you still like watching.” She trailed her hands across her breasts, down to her hips, and gripped them. “You know we have to put on a show tomorrow.”
“How so?”
“Ally thinks we’re meeting up for the first time since last weekend.” She turned her back to him, pressed closer, and dipped low. She rose again, keeping her body against his. Then she peeked over her shoulder. “But we both know that isn’t true. Don’t we?”
He couldn’t answer. Once she winked, she rolled her hips and slid down his body. He grit his teeth harder, resisting the urge to growl. She brought out the animal in him. The more she rubbed her ass over his crotch, the harder it was to fight off an erection. She was making this impossible.
“So what are you doing tonight, getting me out of your system?”
Her lips neared his as she whispered, “Maybe.”
“What’s the matter, sugar? Are you afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands off me?”
She spun around. Her fingers curled around his shoulder, then she rolled her hips. His restraint snapped. He jerked her closer then mimicked her movements.
It’s what she wanted. Her soft laughter proved as much. So did the smug look on her face. “Maybe I’m afraid you won’t keep your hands off me.”
Holy fuck. He couldn’t take much more. What little resolve he had was thinning. They needed to stop. Now. Before he lost control.
The buzz from the alcohol was getting to him. His face burned. Sweat rolled over his back, dampening his shirt. The more he sweat, the more it stuck to him. Everything was stuck to him, including her…
His cock throbbed the more they worked their hips together. She would be amazing in bed. He had no doubts. She may even be his match. If so, she would be the first woman who could keep up with him. At least he’d enjoy the challenge of finding out.
He pressed his fingers into her skin and jerked her closer. Her lips parted, but she didn’t resist. She rocked into him and breathed harder. There were so many people on the dance floor that they blended with the crowd. No one paid them a bit of attention, even when he cupped her ass and rolled his hips into hers.
Soft moaning escaped her lips. The sound was lost to the crowd, to the music, to everything but him. If their faces weren’t so close, he would have missed it, should have missed it, because it did nothing to ease the way he ached for her.
As her arms rose higher, they wrapped around his neck. One hand shot into his hair and fisted it. This time he growled. The sound appeased her. The corners of her mouth lifted and she stared at him, even when he lowered his head to hers.
“You’re such a liar, Theo. You do know how to dance.”
“Well, you said it was like fucking. You were right.”
She gyrated her hips again, making him moan this time. “Does that mean you’re thinking about fucking me, Mr. McCabe?”
“Maybe I am.” He brushed his lips over hers. “I can still taste your pussy on my lips.”
“Is that so?” Her brow arched. “Then just imagine what it would feel like if you were deep inside me.”
Fuck… The thought was too much. He needed a release, needed to be in his hotel, between her thighs, driving his cock deep and fast.
“You’ll be the death of me, Cassie Clarke.”
“Why is that?” Her voice grew strained as she kept up with their movements. “Is something wrong? Do you want me to stop?”
Her body tensed under his grip, but he shook his head and squeezed her tighter. “No. I don’t want you to stop. I just…” His voice grew raspy. “I just wanna tell you something.”
She slid back down his body. Her tits brushed his crotch this time, and his dick twitched. Pressure built within it. No matter how hard he fought to keep it from happening, he was getting a hard-on.
When she rose this time, she kept her breasts pressed to him and leaned closer. “What’s on your mind, Theo?”
“I, uh…wanted to tell you the real reason why I…why I can’t focus on my music.”
She had him all but stuttering when she swept her finger across his lips. “Oh? I thought you said it was the lyrics?”
He nodded. The lump in his throat grew, even after he swallowed. He hoped his voice wouldn’t crack when he spoke again.
“The lyrics…they’re only a fraction of my problem.”
“Then why can’t you concentrate on your music?”
“Because of you.” He lowered his head, desperate to kiss her, but her finger went back to his lips.
“Me…?” When he nodded again, her mouth gaped. “Why?”
Rubbing his lips together, he debated on how to respond. He hadn’t intended on saying anything. Between the shots of tequila and the way she was teasing him with her body, he’d lost his senses. Now he had to choose what was more important, lying through his teeth and sticking with his plan or forgetting the plan and taking her back to his room.
The longer he debated, the more he leaned toward dissolving his plan.
“I can’t concentrate because you’ve been on my mind, and the reason you’ve been on my mind is because…” His voice fell short when their eyes met. “The truth is, you’ve always been—”
All thoughts rushed out of his mind when a firm grip greeted his shoulder. It spun him around and knocked Cassie back. Before he could gauge his surroundings, a fist tightened his shirt and jerked him forward as a man shouted in his face.
“Who the fuck do you think you are?”
Confusion built in Theo. His head spun as much as his thoughts. When he recognized the man as the obnoxious drunk from the bar, he shoved him backwards. A sense of satisfaction filled him in watching the man stumble. By the time he was able to regain his stance, Theo was in his face.
“Keep your hands off me. Go sober up somewhere. I have no problem with you.”
Drawing his shoulders back, the stranger shoved Theo again. “Oh, we definitely have a problem, dude. We can settle it here or outside. Doesn’t matter much to me. Either way, I’m gonna whoop your ass.”
“Dude, you’re drunk. I told you at the bar that we don’t know each other. Whatever you think I did, you’re wrong.”
“The hell I am, motherfucker. You’re the one touching my girl.”
The man pointed behind Theo to the same spot where Cassie stood. Apparently, this idiot was so drunk that he was confusing her for his girlfriend. He turned to tell him as much, until Cassie moved beside him.
She flashed him an empathetic look then glared at the man. He couldn’t wait for her to set this asshole straight. Better her than him. Yet when she finally responded, she spoke words he wasn’t expecting.
“Enough of this bullshit. What the hell is your problem, Mike?”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The music continued in the background as most of the crowd remained oblivious to the confrontation occurring. The people standing nearby were definitely gawking. Cassie ignored their curious stares and attempted to diffuse the situation.
It wasn’t working. The moment Theo tried wrapping his arm around her, Mike advanced in his direction. They went chest to chest, allowing her little space to wedge between them. She pried them apart after some effort.
When Mike came at Theo again, she shoved him back. As if the jealousy he displayed last weekend hadn’t been bad enough, he’d taken it to a whole new level. Who the hell did he think he was calling her his girl?
Theo wasn’t making things easier. He came close to knocking her down as he did his best to get around her. She didn’t doubt Mike would put up a good fight, but she knew he was underestimating Theo. He may not be as broad as Mike, but he could pack a hell of a punch. She’d witnessed him take down Parker in high school at half the size he was now.
“Get out of the way, Cassie.” Mike fisted his hands and drew them higher. “You’re only delaying the inevitable.”
“You’re a real class act, dude,” Theo scoffed from behind.
“Says the guy who’d fuck anything with tits. You le
ft here last weekend with two chicks on your arms. Now you’re coming after my girl?”
Cassie tried objecting, but Theo darted around her and got back in Mike’s face. “Your girl? What the fuck makes you think she belongs to you?”
“Because she went home with me last weekend, just like she does every weekend.”
“Bullshit, dude. She was with me on Saturday.”
Mike faced her. He looked her up and down as if he were undressing her with his eyes. It made her cringe, especially when he smirked at Theo. “She was fucking me on Friday.”
“That’s enough.” She struggled to separate them again. By the time she forced their shoulders apart, Jimmy rushed over.
“Dude, come on. What the hell are you doing?” He gripped Mike’s shoulders and tugged him backwards. “When Evan hears about this, you’re going to be in a shit ton of trouble. You fight him, you can kiss your job good-bye.”
Still struggling against Jimmy’s grip, Mike glowered at Theo. He was hell-bent on defending his imaginary relationship with her. That’s exactly what it was. Make-believe.
It was Theo who finally relaxed his body and eased away. He sized up Mike once more, then snorted. “You’re not worth the trouble. Neither of you.”
He glared in her direction then brushed past her, avoiding her hand when she reached for him. His stride was quick, and before she realized he was heading for the door, he disappeared into the crowd.
She refaced Mike as Jimmy released his shoulders. He didn’t do so until Mike assured his friend he was okay. He glanced her way and raised his brows, but she waved him onward.
Once Jimmy returned to the bar, the simple fact of knowing she was alone with Mike made her squirm. When the heat of his hands warmed her arm, she recoiled.
“Cass…”
She pointed her finger in his face. “Don’t you dare speak to me.”
He clamped his mouth shut, but his gaze burned through her. He could stare at her all he wanted. She wouldn’t change her mind. This conversation was over.
As she lowered her hand and pivoted toward the door, she didn’t bother apologizing to the onlookers she brushed past. She had to find Theo, make sure he was okay, and apologize for Mike’s behavior.
There was no excuse for the scene he made. What the hell was he even doing here? It was his night off. Was he stalking the bar to see if she would show up? He knew her routine well enough.
Son of a bitch…
She should have convinced Theo to go elsewhere, but he was so insistent on hearing tonight’s band. Turns out he wanted to show JP his support while hanging out with her. They’d been accomplishing both until Mike’s jealousy got the best of him.
Hell, they’d been doing more than hanging out. They’d practically made out on the dance floor. The way they worked their bodies together had her ready to go back to her house or his hotel. Getting him to either one was the reason she suggested they go out in the first place.
Once she found the edge of the dance floor, she rushed out the door, past people waiting to go inside. She searched both sides of the street before spotting Theo at the end of the block, waiting for the light to change.
Sprinting in his direction, her heels clicked against the concrete. She was a couple of yards away when the pedestrian signal flashed the word WALK.
Theo was off again. His legs were way longer than hers. For every step he made, she took two. She’d never catch him unless he stopped.
“Theo,” she shouted. “Theo, wait.”
A car horn blew in the distance, drowning out the last of her plea. At least there was another intersection ahead. As fast as they were approaching, they would have to stop when they reached it. The light changed and the cars awaiting it were blocking the crosswalk.
Of course, nothing ever went the way she wanted. As Theo passed the last building on the block, he didn’t slow his stride. He made a right, and continued down the other street.
Great… If she didn’t hurry, she’d lose track of him. This conversation couldn’t wait until tomorrow. She owed it to Ally and Jonah to make things right. She owed it to Theo too. If he’d just let her explain things…
A wave of relief filled her when she rounded the corner. He came into view once more, but only for a second. He made another right under a large canopy and entered a building.
It wasn’t until she was halfway down the street when she noticed a hotel sign above the canopy. It had to be the one where he was staying. He’d mentioned his hotel being close by when they walked from the studio to Midnight Blues. If she wanted to catch him before he went to his room, she had to keep moving.
A burst of cold air soothed her clammy skin when she entered the building. The lobby caught the overflow of people from the lounge, but she swept past them and pursued Theo.
She finally caught a glimpse of him near the elevators. He was waiting for a couple to exit so he could enter. As soon as they passed him, he darted inside.
But so did she.
He was so preoccupied with pressing the button for his floor that he didn’t glance her way. When he did, his nostrils flared. He moved toward the doors just as they closed.
“Shit,” he grumbled.
“Theo, look at me.”
He ignored her. His back straightened and he gazed toward the top of the door where the floor numbers lit up. His shoulders rose and fell as he breathed hard. She was just as breathless, if not more. Her feet ached so much that she slipped off her heels and held them. Then she crept closer.
“Theo, please look at me.”
Still nothing. He didn’t budge a muscle until the elevator slowed to the seventh floor and the doors opened. Then he shot into the hallway. His gait didn’t slow. Neither did hers.
She passed the door to the vending area when he stopped a few doors down and pulled out his key card. As he waved it above the handle, the distinct clicking signaled the lock disengaging. He pushed the door open as she passed another room, desperate to reach him before he went inside.
No such luck. She was less than a foot away when he slammed the door in her face.
Staring at the varnished wood, she debated on whether to knock. The seconds ticked by as she did her best to process what just happened. He was angry, probably even embarrassed after the confrontation with Mike. She wasn’t denying him the right to be, but didn’t she have a right to speak her mind?
The least he could do is yell at her. She hated being ignored. Hated it as much as feeling like a fool. She’d chased him over two city blocks…in heels. The least he could do was talk to her. But if he wouldn’t, she refused to beg.
The elevators came back into view as she turned from the door. Two steps into her departure, the knob clicked. She peered in the same direction, but the door was open. Theo stood in front of it, glaring at her.
“Why the fuck are you following me to my room? You don’t know how dangerous it is for you to be here right now.”
“I’m not afraid of you, Theo. I know you’re angry, but you’d never hurt a woman. What other danger could there be?”
He growled under his breath before returning to the room, but left the door ajar. Cassie wasted no time following in pursuit. It might be her only chance to diffuse the situation, and it wouldn’t be easy, not with his current mood.
Once she closed the door and dropped her heels on the floor, she watched him grab several bottles of liquor from the mini fridge. He opened one and poured it into a nearby glass then downed half before walking to the window. As he faced it, he finished the rest of his drink.
She crept further into the room, keeping him in her view. Regardless of whether he wanted to, they were going to discuss what happened. Now that she was inside his room, there was no way in hell she was leaving until he heard her out. She grabbed the extra glass and then another bottle before pouring herself a drink.
A few sips later, she’d had enough of his silence. “You can ignore me all you want. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ve not
iced.” He left the spot near the window and trudged across the floor toward the mini bar. When he stopped a foot away from where she stood, he grabbed another bottle and poured a second drink.
The fact that he spoke was enough to keep her frozen in place. Maybe he was calming down, thanks to the tequila. She remained quiet and surveyed the room to see who might be staying with him. Nothing else was visible except his guitar, some clothes, and the furniture. Considering the room had a king size bed, she doubted he had a roommate.
“Did you get a private room?”
“Yeah. Jesse is staying with his parents.” He took another swig of tequila then placed the glass down. “They invited Allen to stay too. Jeff’s girlfriend is here, so they’re sharing a room. That leaves me.”
“Good. Now no one will see me kick your ass. What the hell is wrong with you? Why won’t you talk to me?”
Theo gripped the counter. His muscles rippled underneath his shirt and he grumbled something she couldn’t discern. Then he turned to face her. “I specifically asked if you had a boyfriend.”
“Mike’s not my boyfriend.”
“Then what is he, your fuck buddy?”
She winced at his sarcasm but lifted her head higher and stood her ground, even when he grew closer. His callous words stung, but not because she was ashamed of the truth. It was the disgust she saw on his face, disgust that he’d misplaced. He’d left with two girls last weekend. Why was it okay for him and not her?
“That’s as blunt as you can put it, but yeah. We have sex on occasion. Nothing more. At no point did I enter into a relationship with him.”
“He said you’re his girl.”
Hearing Mike say those words made her stomach knot. Hearing Theo repeat them made it roll. “I’m not his anything.”
“And what about me? What am I to you?”
It felt like a trick question, but in reality, it was two. What he’d always been to her, and what she wanted him to be. She had an answer for the former.
“You’re my friend, Theo. We are friends, aren’t we?”
He nodded then lowered his head. “But you were my everything.”