Page 14 of Taming His Rockstar

“I don’t think you’d say yes.” He rests his chin on one hand as he stares at me. “I also know it’s not the end of the world if you say no. If anything, it just means one more attempt at hooking up that ended in a denial.”

“So, you do this regularly then?”

He chuckles at that. “Funny enough, up to this moment, I’ve made it a point to never date anyone I meet at this bar.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “You seem so . . . good at it.”

“Good at flirting? Yeah, I’m a bartender. I need to make rent, and I’ve found out women tip better when I smile at them. Some men too.”

I don’t doubt that for a second. “So why now, and why me?” I ask, wondering if somehow he figured out who I am and is just playing along, trying to score with a famous rock star. I mean, I don’t mind that. It just . . . hurt a little.

“Honestly, I don’t know.” He leans toward me, his face so close I see flecks of grey in the green of his eyes. So close, my breath makes the hair on his face ripple, and I fight to control it. “Something tells me you’d probably be more trouble than you’re worth, and yet I still can’t seem to convince myself why that’s a bad thing.”

“I could say the same about you,” I reply in a breathy tone.

I start to feel it again. That itch at my back. Right in the middle of my collarbones. And again, it takes Jane to save me. This time, she tugs at my hand rather insistently.

“We’ve got to go now.”

I snap out of the spell Jake’s gaze has casted on me and turn to her. “What?”

“Travis is going to call back in five minutes, and I plan to be in bed with my vibrator in my hand when he does,” she replies with a suggestive wiggle of her brows. “Come on.”

But I don’t want to leave. Not yet. Still, I’m not sure I want to explore this thing with Jake. Like him, something tells me he is probably more trouble than he is worth, yet I can’t seem to convince myself that it’s a bad thing. And when I seem to be stalling forever, he gets to his feet and turns to Jane.

“Actually, Katie and I were just about to head to my place.”

Jane pauses and takes a step back, blinking several times in shock. Then her lips curve in a grin so wide I’m surprised she doesn’t crack her face.

“The two of you are . . .” She stops and stares at him.

I could end it right there. I haven’t agreed to go back with him to his place, and all I need to do is say just that, and it will be the end of it. I’ll be back at home, in my empty bed with my new vibrator for company, and God knows he’s the one I will be thinking of when I get off. Why settle for the fantasy when the real thing is in front of me?

“Yep,” I say, getting to my feet. “I’m going home with Jake.”

And my back stops itching.

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