Page 86 of Snared

“No one gives a shit about your ex, Charlie. No one.” I took her hands in mine and waited for her to look up at me. I hated seeing her dejected; the only word to describe the look she’d had since she’d read the article.

Thank fuck she hadn’t seen it before she went on stage. Yeah, I knew it was a dick move, but I’d done it regardless.

“But they do. They want the dirt. They want to make me look bad,” she whispered, looking away again.

I tugged on a strand of hair that had slipped free from her messy bun. Even in her frustration at everything, I didn’t miss her slight shiver. And neither did my cock.

Now was not the right time, but when it came to Charlie, my body never got the message. I always wanted her.

“Look at me, Charlie,” I said, shoving my lust aside and focusing on the task at hand. I had to make her understand that she had nothing to worry about.

Her eyes met mine, pain swirling in their brown depths.

“What?” she asked.

“It doesn’t matter what they think. You’re living your dream and the guys are behind you one hundred percent. I’m behind you one hundred percent.” I hoped she heard the sincerity in my tone. This bullshit with her ex would fade away and, in the end, she was the winner. She was living out her dream. The nonsense always faded.

And I would do everything in my power to keep it that way. I couldn’t have said that at the start of this. Back then, I wanted what was best for the band, but now I wanted what was best for her. She deserved that. My chest had actually ached at her expression on the bus. I was in deep and trying not to panic about what that meant. For the band. For my future.

For us.

If there really was an us when all of this was done.

Fuck.

“It matters if I cause stupid drama for the band. If I become a headache because the media is relentless with their gossip and bullshit.” Her voice quivered in agitation. “And frankly, it pisses me off that I’m in this position at all.”

“That is never going to happen. I promise,” I said.

“But you can’t promise, and I’m so done with today. Let it go, Josh.” She shrugged out of my hold and headed toward the bathroom, her shoulders slumped.

I followed behind, knowing I could help take her mind off of the nonsense and help her relax. Or get kneed in the balls trying.

She needed a distraction. I could give her a distraction.

“Go away, Josh,” she said, stepping into the bathroom.

“Is that what you really want?” I wondered if I should shield my balls.

She spun around and her gaze traveled down my body. “You can’t be serious.”

“I just want to help you relax.” I winced at how cheesy that sounded. “That was not a line, I swear.”

The hint of a smile graced her lips.

“Sure you do. And it has nothing to do with you getting your rocks off since we’re finally back in a hotel room,” she deadpanned.

But there was a flush in her cheeks.

“You need a distraction. Something—or someone—to take out your frustration on. I humbly volunteer as tribute,” I said, piling on the cheese.

She shook her head, but I caught her smirk.

“You’ve never been humble a day in your life, have you?” she said.

“I’m sure it happened at some point,” I fired back, twining the fingers of one of my hands with hers. The other, I sunk into her hair, pulling her close to me. Her indrawn breath washed over my lips and I bit back a groan.

“You can use me for whatever you want, Charlie,” I murmured, closing the distance.

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