Page 25 of Soul Food

Jayne dealt with the charity and wrote up some checks for each one that would be at the event tomorrow. She also contacted a lawyer for me about setting up my will. I spent a couple of hours at the studio each day and even got to hear the new band play. The boys were amazing. I didn’t sing rock, but that didn’t mean I didn’t listen to it. I happened to like the genre a lot.

That’s where I was Friday evening when Jayne stomped into the recording room and dropped my Chinese takeout on the table in front of me. “Ruth, you’re worrying me,” was the first thing she said.

I stopped watching The Oppressors record some songs and looked up at her. Their buzz was giving me the same fidgety energy I felt when I was onto something new. “What is it, Jayne?” I asked.

“Normally, you take a break when you get home from a tour, but you’ve barely stayed home this time. Instead, I find you here watching other people play music when you’re not the one doing it.”

“Is that bad?” I raised an eyebrow at her, causing my forehead to wrinkle.

“I thought you wanted a break?” She mimicked my gesture.

“I meant from being a celebrity, not from music,” I told her. “Never music.”

She looked to the ceiling, shook her head as if conversing with Heaven about me, then sighed. “If you say so.” She sat down beside me as I took my food out of the bag. “These guys are good, aren’t they?” She looked at them singing through the glass.

I gauged her reaction to them, then beamed. “They are.” I tapped my index finger against my knee and watched them a moment through the window. “I wonder if they’d let me write them a song?” I pondered as I started eating.

Jayne sniggered, nearly dropping the takeout on the floor. “You’re cute.”

I stopped chewing. “Excuse me?” Never in all my years had someone called me cute. I was the very opposite of cute. Jayne? She was cute and adorable. Me? As my fans would say I was edgy and sexy.

She shrugged unimpressed. “I mean, your passion for music always makes me cheerful. I think it’s sweet.”

“Whatever…” I flicked my hair off my shoulder. “But I think I should write something and offer it to them. See what they think. I like their style.” I nodded as I spoke, still peering at them through the soundproof glass.

“It’s rock…” She rubbed her lips together, contemplating it. “If it was anyone else, I wouldn’t think it’d work but with you I’m willing to bet you can flow with any genre.” I bumped her shoulder with mine, then winked at her. She knew I liked when she complimented me. “Oh, I got you scheduled with a lawyer Monday. Are you going to tell me what it’s for?”

I purposely glanced down at my food, flicking some rice with my chopsticks. “Nothing important.”

“It’s not anything illegal, is it?” she asked, and I burst out into a loud snorting fit.

“I haven’t killed anyone…”Although people have died because of me.

“I was only going to say that I’d help you hide the body. All you had to do was ask.” I took in her tight expression, the firm line in her lips and the crease in her forehead.

I clutched my stomach and leaned over. My stomach was beginning to hurt she had me wheezing so hard. “Somehow, I don’t think you’re lying.” I was surprised I could still speak with all the gasping and tears from chortling.

“Well, if you ever find yourself in the situation,” she tugged at her blouse mischievously with a lift of her right eyebrow. “You know where to find me.” Then her eyes widened. “Is it about your will?”

Before I could respond the door to the recording room opened, and I dropped my chopsticks in my General Tso’s chicken, suddenly forgetting about my hunger as Amit Kingston strode in the room like he owned it. Well, hedidown it. Like I could eat now anyway with all the nervous energy inside me with his entrance. Butterflies swarmed inside my stomach. Alex—our music director—quickly stood and placed his headphones down on the equipment. “Amit,” he said nervously. Studying Alex’s panicky behavior as he knocked his headphones into the floor with his elbow, it seemed Amit, a man reeking of silent authority, had everyone by the balls and tits around here.

My right foot started tapping on its own accord, and my eyes bounced around the room to find anything other than Amit to stare at. I saw the single grain of rice on the floor and decidedthatwas what I would focus on. I was completely unfazed and uninterested—at least that’s what I told myself. Why did my pulse hammer in my ear? Why did I have that nervous, tingling sensation slipping between my thighs?

What was with my body and this man?

When Amit ignored Alex and two huge black leather shoes stopped in front of me, I had a suspicion that he wasn’t here for the new band or the music director.

I waited to see if Amit was going to say something, but he stood there towering over me in impressive stillness that only he could master. Well, I couldn’t keep staring at the floor and his shoes so I gave in and glanced up. “Mr. Kingston.” I acknowledged him politely, clenching my thighs together as my pussy throbbed. Those eyes… so intense and possessive, unraveled me.

Why was he so big and so fucking irresistible? It was like he never did anything to his hair but run his fingers through it. Hadn’t he heard of a comb? Could he possibly,pleasestop tugging and gripping his fucking hair? It was distracting—so damned distracting. Picturing that silky, soft hair grazing my thighs as his head dipped between my legs while his hands…Ohhhh…

“Amit,” he corrected. This time I was focused enough to see that his mesmerizing eyes were such a light blue that they appeared silvery and gray. Maybe they really were gray—a color so close to metallic it was scary. There went that insistent throb again as my body amped up at the sight of him. It was a natural response for someone asgiantas him but I still hated it.

Stupid hair. Stupid eyes. Stupid,massiveman.

Stupid demon for not letting me sex anyone up and forcing me to lust after this asshole.

“Amit,” I said, interrupting my own thoughts. “Can I help you?”

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