Page 27 of Dangerous Rhythm

She sent the text but stayed where she sat in the courtyard. It was a pleasant crisp winter evening, and she felt perfectly comfortable outside. She’d always had a fast metabolism, which was great for her energy levels, but it also made her run hotter than most.

Maybe that was the reason she melted so easily when Curtis had kissed her last night, she reasoned. After all the rest and good food, her body had just needed to release all that energy, for sure.

God, Lina. You’re smarter than that.

Rolling her eyes at herself, Lina pushed off the bench and headed to the studio where Paul had informed her Curtis was. She’d left this morning before Curtis had gotten up from hisbeauty sleep so she could get to her own bed. But there was no avoiding him anymore.

He probably has no recollection of what happened.

Remembering how he’d plopped down after the kiss and started snoring, she was pretty sure he couldn’t possibly realize he’d given her one of the best fucking kisses she’d ever experienced.

The man had skills. If he could melt her brain and control her body with a kiss when he was drunk, she wondered how he’d do while sober. If he were the enemy, she was doomed. But it didn’t matter because it wouldn’t happen again.

Stay professional, Lina, she reminded herself as she was about to knock on the studio door. Music streamed out of the space, and her knock went unanswered. She heard laughter along with the sound of guitars playing.

“That’s it, buddy,” she heard Curtis’ encouragement as the music continued.

Lina pushed the door open and peeked in. Curtis sat on the blue chaise where she’d spent some of the night last night, meditating and keeping watch. He was playing his guitar in unison with Luc, the eleven-year-old son of Madeleine and Julien.

The concentration on Luc’s face was adorable as he kept up with Curtis’ well-trained fingers. But it was the proud smile on Curtis’ face that triggered Lina’s own smile. She entered and stood by the door, watching the musicians, not wanting to disturb their flow.

She recognized the melody as one of Canis Major’s songs, but Curtis must’ve made it simpler for Luc because she remembered that song, “Untouchable,” started out slow but picked up to a pretty complicated guitar solo. Watching Curtis perform that solo on tour had been pretty epic.

Wait. Untouchable?

Hadn’t he said some people had called her that?

“Lina!” Luc waved at her. “Did you hear me play?”

Lina quickly smiled at the thrilled, very proud boy. “I did! You sounded great, Luc.”

“He did, didn’t he?” Curtis echoed her sentiment. “If you keep practicing every day, you’ll master the solo in no time.”

“You think so?” The boy beamed.

“Absolutely,” Curtis said.

“Thanks, Curtis. I’m so glad you’re Callie’s brother, so you get to come here all the time!”

Curtis laughed. “Me too, bud.”

“I have to do my homework before dinner, but maybe we can do this again tomorrow?” Luc asked.

“Sure.” Curtis nodded and offered the boy a fist bump before he ran out with his guitar.

Lina noted how the French boy was so fluent in English and American customs. Pretty sure having access to American rock stars had something to do with it. And seeing how handsome Luc was at eleven, Lina thought he’d probably break some hearts in a few years as easily as his idol did.

“Were you that excited about music at his age?” Lina asked.

“Pretty much,” Curtis answered with a half-smile. He replaced his acoustic guitar—the one he’d insisted on bringing—into its case.

“You were great with him,” she said. “I think you made his day, teaching him that song.”

“It was a pleasure teaching it to him. Though I’m not sure how appropriate it is.” Curtis chuckled as he sat back and spread his arms on the chaise’s back, looking like the laid-back rock star he was, as if he was untouchable. Which reminded Lina of her earlier line of thought.

“That song,” she started. “Does it have anything to do with—”

“You?” Curtis grinned. “You just figured it out?”

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