Page 55 of Worth the Trouble

Fucktheband.

I don’t care if we’ve had these plans for a week. Or that I was the one who offered up my house when we decided on them. With Lili’s petite body pressed against mine, her ass in my hands, and my tongue in her mouth, I really couldn’t give two shits about any other obligation.

Her lips on mine made every other care vaporize.

She’s a high and I’m intent on chasing her to the end of it.

Whatever sparked from her kiss was more than what I’m used to feeling. It wasn’t just a means to an end. It was her lips on mine, her teeth dragging my lower lip, her moans vibrating in my mouth, and her soul shaking my bones.

I needed every bit of her kiss.

Every bit of her.

And I had her in my arms. Lightning in a bottle. The other side of purgatory right there in front of me.

Until the doorbell rang and tore my intentions to shit.

I knew asking the band to leave would just make them suspicious, so I was forced to go with my only other option and ask her to stay.

Knowing the band is going to ask questions. Knowing they’ll think I’m treating Lili like my girlfriend when she isn’t. Knowing I don’t let women hang around the band for those exact reasons.

Except…

I don’t fucking care.

“Our boy is growing up.” Merry laughs as her and Eloise follow me into the kitchen to grab beers while Noah sets up to tattoo Adrian’s arm.

“Boy? Try grown ass man,” I shoot back.

Eloise knocks me in the shoulder. “Sure.”

I need a drink if I’m going to be subjected to this crap when I’m still coming down from last night’s high.

“Nice try, Rome.” Merry laughs. “But I’m not buying whatever this shit is you’re spewing. Last I saw you some blonde chick popped a pill in your mouth. But now here you are with a fancy dancer walking around in your clothes like this isherhouse…”

“Not just any fancy dancer,” Eloise points out. “The one rentingmyhouse. The one you were supposed to stay far away from.”

“Fuck off.” I shake my head and take a drink of my beer. “We’re hanging out, that’s all.”

“Mm-hmm,” Merry hums. “Hanging out, Rome’s favorite pastime.”

“It’s not like that.”

I regret the words as soon as they’re out because if they think I’m just fucking Lili, they won’t dig too far into it.

Eloise’s eyes widen, and she freezes with her water an inch from her mouth. “Wait, you aren’t sleeping with her? Like seriously?”

“Like seriously,” I mock, a little pissed off because if they hadn’t shown up, I’d probably be in bed railing her right now.

Lili looked so good standing in my room in her itty-bitty black lace bra and panties. But she looked even better swimming inmyclothes. Looking like she belonged in them. My restraint snapped, and even if I’d just dressed her, I was ready to strip her down again.

“Holy shit.” Merry smiles, holding her beer out to Eloise. “Never thought I’d actually see the day.”

Eloise taps her water glass against Merry’s drink.

“Don’t get any ideas. You’re seeing nothing.”

“Uh huh.” Eloise shakes her head, grinning. “It’s all over your face, Rome, whether you like it or not. First Sebastian, then Noah, then Adrian. The last bachelor standing is about to fall. I’m calling it.”

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