Page 34 of Undeniable Temptation

Chapter Nine

Ryan watchedHannah and Felicity joke around in his hotel kitchen. Since the secret of their relationship had come to light, the women hadn’t taken their hands off each other. They were always kissing or stroking or shirt-pulling. They were an extended version of puppy love he admired the shit out of. And every minute he spent with them was another minute where his loathing for Grander increased. He didn’t know how anyone could begrudge their connection. It was archaic, and yet another reason why he was glad Reckless was cutting ties with them after this tour.

Accepting homosexuality wasn’t enough, not when gay artists were judged for their sexual preference before being praised for their talent. But change wouldn’t happen in Ryan’s lifetime. Not when companies like Grander were controlling the industry.

“What’s wrong?” Felicity sauntered from the kitchen, eying him with concern.

“Nothin’, why?”

“You were staring into space with a disappointed look on your face.”

“I was wondering how I didn’t pick up on the gay vibe. It should’ve been a clear sign when you weren’t interested in all this.” He indicated his lazy sprawl on the floor with a wave of his hand.

“Come on.” Hannah laughed. “The name of her band is S…licker, as in, slit licker.”

“Oh.” He exaggerated the epiphany with an eye-roll. “Now it all makes sense.”

“And her nickname is Flick, like flicking the bean…or mine, to be more precise.”

“Nice visual.”

Felicity waggled her brows. “Feel free to watch any time.”

“I’m good.” He chuckled. “And what about your drummer and lead guitarist? Do Carl and Trent know?”

“Yeah, they know, and they’re supportive. But our relationship is like a noose around their neck. Which is another reason not to rock the boat with the powers that be.”

Both women adopted a somber expression, the weight of guilt clearly visible in their eyes. Ryan didn’t know the men of Slicker. He’d barely spoken more than a few words with them, and still he didn’t envy their shitty situation. Getting a big break in the music industry while also being at the mercy of a homophobic record label wasn’t the best start to a career. “How did the two of you meet?”

Hannah came to stand in front of the sofa, peering down at him. “In a candy store on the outskirts of Dallas—”

“Han was reaching for the last packet of Pixie Stix—”

“A nasty fight ensued—”

“Really?” He wondered if they knew how cute it was to listen to them finish each other’s sentences.

“No. Not really.” Hannah winked. “I wasn’t looking as I grabbed for the packet and our hands brushed.”

“I told her to take it because it was only for my brother, but she insisted it was mine, even though I later found out she has a stubborn addiction to the stuff.”

“An addiction to Pixie Stix?” He raised his brows. “That’s hardcore.”

“You better believe it.” Hannah reached for her pants pocket and pulled out a straw-like, cylindrical tube. “I can’t afford to pay the rent some weeks, but I’ve always got one of these with me.”

Felicity placed a smacking kiss on her girlfriend’s cheek. “She’d snort the stuff if she could.”

Ryan reached up, took the straw from her hand and inspected the candy he hadn’t seen since his childhood. “I’m surprised you haven’t already.”

Hannah smirked. “I’m game if you are.”

“You want me to snort this?”

“Why not?” She grabbed it from his hand, ripped open the top, and maintained a mischievous grin as she tipped the contents onto the table. “How can I cut it?”

These women were crazy, and the best relief he could possibly have from all the fucked up shit he was trying to ignore. “Allow me.” He grabbed his wallet out of his back pocket and pulled out a credit card.

As he cut the powder into lines she shuffled around the table and descended, making herself at home in his lap. There was nothing sexual about it. He didn’t have the right appendages to make her happy. He knew, because she hadn’t been shy in mentioning it over and over and over again.

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