Page 97 of Rockstar Next Door Neighbor

Luke makes a sound—somewhere between a groan and a curse—before his hands pull me against him.

The air crackles between us.

His lips hover just above mine, his breath hot, his fingers digging into myhips like he’s battling himself.

“Lila,” he murmurs, his voice like gravel and sin, “we should stay in tonight.”

My breath stutters, my entire body thrumming with anticipation.

“Luke,” I whisper, sliding my hands up his chest, feeling the tension coiled beneath his muscles. “We can’t. The band is up for an award.”

He grits his teeth, closing his eyes for a moment before pressing his forehead against mine. “Screw the award.”

“Luke...” I melt into him, forgetting about my hair and makeup. “We have to go...”

“Do we?” His hands slide higher finding bare skin through the open back of the dress. “Because I can think of much better ways to spend the evening.”

I gasp as his teeth graze my pulse point. “The band... the award...”

“Don’t care.” His fingers caress the curve of my back. “I want you.”

It would be so easy to give in. To let him peel this dress off me, to forget about red carpets and cameras and...

“The limo’s waiting!” Emily’s voice carries from the hotel suite’s main room, making us both groan.

Luke rests his forehead against mine, breathing hard. “To be continued?”

“Definitely.”

Luke growls, his grip tightening before he steps back abruptly, putting space between us.

I blink at him, dazed, breathless.

He exhales hard, raking a hand through his perfectly tousled hair. “If I don’t stop now, we won’t make it to the damn limo.”

My lips curve into a slow, knowing smile. “Then I guess you better control yourself, rockstar.”

His blue eyes darken, his jaw tight.

He steps back, adjusting his tie with a rueful smile. “You’re going to kill me in that dress, you know that?”

“Good.” I smooth my hands down the silk, enjoying the way his eyes follow the movement. “Consider it payback for all those shirtless rehearsal sessions.”

His laugh is low and promising. “Careful. The night’s just beginning.”

And as we head out of the bedroom, his hand possessive on my lower back, I realize I’m not nervous anymore. Let them stare. Let them whisper. I know who I am, and more importantly, so does Luke.

Besides, I think with a secret smile, watching him sneak another heated glance my way, I dressed for Luke—and I love driving him wild.

The limo’s interior is all soft leather with ambient lighting, and a bottle of champagne is already chilling in the built-in bar. Across from us, Emily and Sam are in their own world, murmuring to each other as Emily fusses with the collar of Sam’s tux.

Luke’s hand finds mine, his thumb stroking lazy circles over my knuckles. “Relax, baby,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my temple. “You’re going to steal the damn show tonight.”

I swallow hard, forcing a small smile. “I think your definition ofstealing the showis different from mine.”

Sam snickers. “He’s right, you know. The second you step onto that carpet, every photographer is gonna be fighting for your picture.” Sam pours the champagne and hands each of us a glass.

I groan. “That’s what I’mafraid of.”

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