Page 14 of Beyond the Bright Lights

Bruno is leaning against the hallway wall and jerks his head up, clearly hearing my words. His eyes widen, either at what I said or the look on Lana’s face, which I can’t see because her back is to me.

I stop walking the moment she whips around and stalks toward me. She's a snake ready to strike, and I'm the helpless prey. I’m the willing prey. I'm the smirking man trying to rile the beast.

She pokes her finger in my chest again—the same spot as earlier. It's going to bruise, and I'm not even mad about it. I want to be marked by her.

“Stop. Flirting. With. Me. You’re about to portray my dead fiancé, remember?” She pauses and glimpses down at my dick straining against my jeans. I’m so fucking hard right now. She trails her eyes back up to mine. “You're going to find a lot of willing cunts in this small town, but I’m warning you, Mylan Andrews. Keep. It. In. Your. Pants.”

I can’t help myself. “Why? So you can have me all to yourself?”

Her hazel gaze intensifies with a mix of heat and disgust.

“No, you asshole,” she seethes. “I just don't want you going around fucking and forgetting and breaking the hearts of these women who will be infatuated with you because you’re some stupid celebrity.”

I smile wider if possible. “You still didn’t answer me. You liked our kiss, didn’t you?”

“There’s something seriously wrong with you,” she says and turns back around, tossing up both middle fingers as she leaves me in the hallway.

Bruno stands there, laughing at me. “Fremdschämen.”

“And that means, what, in English?”

“Exterior shame.”

“Try again.”

“I am embarrassed for you.” He shakes his head and slaps my back. “Dummkopf.”

That word I know. Bruno’s called me it many times.

I snort. “I’m no idiot. She likes me. I can tell.”

He barks out another hearty laugh. “She is out of your league.”

“You're right.” I smile wide. “But I do like a challenge.”

Chapter 4 – Lana

What the actual fuck am I doing?

I brush my fingertips over my lips. The kiss happened so fast. He was eager, appreciative. I kissed him back, I wanted to kiss him back, but I only allowed myself a taste because if I let his tongue worship me like it was begging to do . . .

That quick kiss, the way his hands held my face like they were carved just for me, made me feel things I hadn’t felt since, well, since Tyler.

That scares me.

That excites me.

I walk back into Lilies and Ginger immediately spots my red nose and bloodshot eyes.

She points a finger up. “Go.”

I purse my lips. “It’s too busy. I’m fine.”

“You’re not. Home, now.”

Rude.

I’m too drained of energy to argue with my best friend, and legit guardian angel, as she sends me home for the rest of the night. I retreat upstairs to my apartment above the bar where I collapse into bed and stare at the ceiling while listening to the booming sounds of the band playing below.

---