Page 38 of For Eva

He laughed and tickled my side, causing me to writhe as I attempted to pry his hands from my waist. “Stop! I’m just…a fan.”

He leaned into me, his lips brushing my ear. “Then, strictly as a fan, of course, I’m sure you’ll be excited to know he’s coming over here now.”

“Wait, what?” I brought my gaze up to see Jesse approaching us, holding a glass of wine the color of my lips in one hand and a flute full of bubbly gold in the other.

“What are we talking about over here, and who is this vision?” He offered me the champagne, which I took, shoving my empty glass at Danny.

“Oh my God,” I squeaked.

Matt threw his hand over his mouth, a series of sputtering noises escaping as he attempted to excuse himself before spewing his beer all over Jesse.

“I’m, uh…I’m…”

Oh my God, I can’t remember my name. What is my fucking name?

Danny cleared his throat. “This is my girlfriend, Eva.”

Jesse reached for my free hand, placing a gentle kiss on top.

“Yes. Right. I’m Eva. Sorry, I think I must have had too much champagne.” I raised the glass he’d given me and took a long swallow. “Oops, there I go again.”

Jesse laughed, and I joined in much too loudly, but he kept smiling, so I assumed he found my display at least somewhat charming.

“And it’s Danny, right?” Jesse tipped his wine glass, and Danny nodded. “Your band is really good. Thanks for getting the crowd ready for us every night.”

I didn’t know if Jesse was being intentionally aloof or if he really wasn’t sure of Danny’s name. What Ididknow was his Texas drawl made me feel like I was back in Illinois, squealing in front of the television as he chatted with Dick Clark onAmerican Bandstandin 1978.

Danny grinned. “Oh, man, thankyoufor having us here. It’s such an honor, really.” He paused and acknowledged Bryan, who waved him over to where he stood with Will and a guy in a gray suit who looked like he’d just stepped out of a boardroom. “I think our manager needs me. But thank you. Again.”

Jesse smiled and nodded as I searched my brain for something to say to him that wasn’t ridiculous. My teenagefantasies about losing my virginity to him hadn’t exactly included any conversational elements.

He swirled his wine, and I watched as burgundy droplets formed on the inside of the glass. “So, gorgeous girl, what’s the deal with you and the guitarist? Is it serious, or can you have a little fun?”

I coughed as Jesse’s words caused my last sip of champagne to catch in my throat. A server offered me another glass, but I shook my head and handed her the empty flute. “Sorry. I, uh…What?”

“I’m asking if you’re fucking him because he’s in a band, and if he’s fucking you because he can.”

“I…” My eyes widened as I shifted them to the floor. Surely, I was just starstruck, and words weren’t making sense. “I, uh…Well, yeah, it’s a serious thing. Is that what you asked?”

“I did. Not that it really matters, I suppose.”

I managed an uncomfortable laugh, and Jesse tilted his head and looked at me in a way that made me feel like my dress had fallen off, and I was standing stark-fucking-naked in front of him. A pit formed in my stomach, and I instinctively crossed my arms over my chest. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. I was supposed to act like a bashful fan and tell him how much I loved Black Widow Rising. Then he was supposed to tell me how grateful he was for the support and offer to introduce me to the rest of the band. Not treat me like I was just some disposable girl to fuck.

He slid his arm around my waist and pulled me into him, moving his hand down my ass to the top of my thigh. I gasped and pressed my hand against his chest, scanning the room for Danny, whose back was to me while he was deep in conversation. “Danny and I are actually very serious, so I should—”

“What the fuck is going on over here?” I whipped my head to the right to find Eric standing beside us. His blue eyes had darkened to an angry gray, wild and streaked with lighting, like a storm was raging inside them.

The thunder in his voice caused Jesse to pull back, and a few people close by lowered their voices and glanced in our direction. I wriggled out of Jesse’s grip, smoothing my hand over my dress. “Nothing. Just meeting Jesse. That’s all.”

“Really?” Eric cocked his head to the side, studying my face. “’Cause it looked like he had his fucking hand on your ass.”

“It’s fine, Eric.” My voice shook, and my eyes burned into Danny, desperately willing him to turn around.

Eric shoved his finger in Jesse’s face. “Don’t fucking touch her again.”

“I thought she was your guitarist’s girl,” Jesse drawled. “Certainly are protective of her, aren’t you?”

Eric drew in a deep breath. “Do it again and I’ll kick your fucking ass, I swear to God.”

---