Page 42 of Snared

“Can’t imagine why,” Tristan deadpanned.

“Settle, children, settle. We don’t want our fans to see what torture we have planned for our dear, sweet manager, do we?” Jax said.

As the fans started to filter through, mostly commenting on my drumming and how much they loved the concert with a few congratulating me on getting married, I started to relax. Yes, more than one fan had a raised brow or questions in their eyes when they mentioned my nuptials, but none of them had been rude.

Maybe Jax’s antics had done the trick.

I took a sip of my water, very aware of Josh standing at the edge of the table next to Tristan. At least he wasn’t still standing behind me.

Which is a good thing. Because I wasn’t sure I could keep ignoring him if he had.

Chapter 9

CHARLIE

Thebackofmyneck tingled. Josh was standing way too close for comfort behind me. He’d freaking moved again. Yes, he’d casually walked behind us as we greeted fans, and I got the whole united front thing, but my nerves were fucking frazzled and he wasn’t helping.

I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Oh my god, you guys are so amazing. And Charlie, how lucky to be able to play with them, and now married to the manager. So perfect. I mean, I probably would’ve gone for Jax, but Josh is hot, too,” a woman about my age said as she stopped in front of me.

“Yes. Definitely lucky. I hope you enjoyed the show tonight,” I said, pasting a smile on my face. Bitch. Like I’d picked one of the guys, didn’t matter which one. I never picked any of them, lady, I wanted to yell, but I kept my smile in place.

“Lucky or maybe it’s all a game. I mean, you’re decent, but you’re no Jamie Steel. It’s a nice gimmick having a girl in the band though, and the marriage on top if it? Even better,” said a man standing next to the woman.

“Sorry, but I’m not a gimmick,” I bit out.

Bash pushed his chair back. Tonight he was sitting next to me because we liked to flip around our seating order at these events. “Excuse you, but Charlie is a member of this band for good reason. She kicks ass behind her kit. Jamie would be fucking proud.”

I put my hand on his arm and shook my head. I didn’t need my bandmates punching fans.

“Maybe she’s fucking the entire band and the manager,” the guy continued, his beady eyes boring into me.

And there was the other shoe. I pushed back my chair and started to rise.

“That’s enough,” I heard Josh say as I felt his heat at my back, his hand on my shoulder. Nerves of a completely different kind took flight in my body. “I will not have you talk about my wife that way.”

“Oh, come on. Seems like a Vegas joke to me,” the man said. The woman who’d started this nodded as she stood next to the man.

“Not that it matters what bullshit you decide to believe, but I happen to be in love with my wife,” Josh said, sounding sincere.

Before I could utter a noise, he pulled me up from my chair and spun me into his arms.

“She’s mine and has never been a joke,” he said softly. I wasn’t even sure if the asshat fan behind me heard him. But I did.

Fucking hell. I very much heard him.

And then, before I could attempt to process what his words meant, his lips were on mine.

I sank into him, my body taking over my brain. His soft lips pressed against mine, and he pulled me against his hard body. He cupped my jaw with one hand, his other settling on my hip as he kissed me, and all I could do was fist my hands into his shirt, trying to get my balance and hold him to me while I gave in, my mouth opening to his questing tongue.

He swallowed my soft gasp as he tasted me.

Fuck, he could kiss.

His tongue tangled with mine, and a groan vibrated through his body, making heat pulse low in my belly.

I wanted him more than my next breath, a breath that he was currently stealing with his all-consuming kiss.

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