Page 82 of Snared

Or ever?

Fuck. This was a disaster, but I couldn’t stop wanting her.

I shoved that thought aside and focused on Bill’s voice. “The album will be on time, I swear,” I reassured him.

“Fine. Fine. Keep them happy and we look forward to the new material in two months,” Bill said.

“Yep. No problem on that front. Talk again soon,” I said, then ended the call.

I swiped through the notifications on my phone to see how many outlets had reposted the interview. It was a handful, none of them reputable. Of course, it was only a matter of time before it was everywhere.

I glanced over at Charlie again. She was in her element. Laughing with a fan, her cheeks pink with excitement.

And her cell phone was nowhere near her.

I hoped Charlie didn’t see the comments from her ex. I’d have to keep her too distracted to look at her phone anytime soon.

Now, that was something I was definitely on board with.

“Everything good, CH?” Tristan asked as they wrapped up the meet and greet a short while later.

“Yeah. Why do you ask?” I asked. If any of the guys had seen the article already, I would have heard about it.

“Looked a little tense on the phone,” Tristan said.

The man missed nothing.

“The label called. Everything’s good.” I brushed him off. I didn’t want to bring up the article before the show. None of them needed that, especially Charlie. There’d been constant articles, rumors, and pictures since our night in Vegas, but this was different. They’d quoted Charlie’s actual ex, the jerk that had been there. That was personal. And she didn’t need that in her head when she climbed behind her kit.

“What are we talking about?” Jax asked as he slung his arm over my shoulder.

“Nothing. Just wondering if you were ready to get your ass on stage,” I said.

“When am I not?” he boasted, his hand smacking his chest.

“Come on, Tarzan, let’s get this started,” Charlie said.

Jax paused. “You didn’t call me that name we shall not say. Does this mean I’m growing on you?”

“Like a wart that needs to be lanced off,” she deadpanned. “Ellie,” she whispered.

He grinned. “That really hurts, Spidey.”

“Go get your asses ready.” I shoved Jax off me.

I linked my fingers with Charlie, relishing in her faint tremble.

“You look hot as fuck,” I murmured in her ear as the rest of the band walked in front of us.

She turned her head slightly toward me, and I wanted to nibble along her jaw.

Fuck it.

I ducked my head down, grazing my lips across her jaw to that spot behind her ear.

“You have to stop,” she said, her voice low and husky.

My cock hardened against my zipper.

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