Page 39 of Get Even

The first chord sounded and my eyes burned as I blinked back tears. It was like this sometimes, like an emotional unplugging as the last few days hit me or whatever I’d been trying to work through mentally finally eased until I could justfeelinstead of think. This song in particular was deceptively hard, it needed a lot of control and breath work to get from the husky low tones to the sharp high crescendos and I smiled, I loved a challenge.

I sang the opening line, no thoughts ghosting through my mind, just pure exhilaration and joy. I spotted Liv and Kat and grinned, my eyes flicked to the back of the room and I almost choked as I saw a pair of familiar blue eyes locked onto me. Ryan.

My skin felt alive as I sang for him, this song that I knew I’d latched onto because my subconscious wanted me to know I was ready.

My voice turned husky as I sang the pre-chorus bridge ofLove Me Landand a dark smile unfurled on his face. He licked his lips and I wanted to taste them with my tongue, wanted to taste every inch of him, and Ry leaned forward in his booth as he watched me, like he wanted the exact same.

I shivered beneath the hot lights, remembering how his tongue felt against my wetness as I tried to keep focused. How I hadn’t missed a note yet was a miracle. Ryan bit his lip, holding back a grin, clearly seeing my struggle even when nobody else could.

I swayed my hips to the piano, running one hand up the side of my body and reaching it for the ceiling, looking up as I sang the high note. My clothes felt too tight, my underwear was uncomfortably slippery as I finished the song, remembering Ryan’s hands bracing against the door above my head while he’d fucked me. It had been brutal, raw and savage, just an explosion of need. I had to wonder if next time he might go a little slower, taunt and tease me with that clever tongue just a little more. The intent expression on his face as I dropped my head and the piano came to a stop suggested that might be the case.

Applause broke out and Liv and Kat hollered for me, I laughed as I placed the microphone back in its stand and headed down the steps. Deja vu hit me as I almost collided with a solid, warm chest and looked up to see Button Down –Max, again.

“Hey,” he smiled and I smiled back.

“Hi, sorry I didn’t get the chance to thank you the other week for helping my friend. But we appreciated it, really.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as his cheeks colored a soft pink. “I actually was hoping to see you again.” I raised an eyebrow and he practically choked. “Not because – I mean, not that you’re not–” he sighed, rubbing his hand across his brows. “Sorry, let me try this again. I like your voice. I want you to call me so we can discuss getting you in the studio.” He held out a white business card that simply said his name andAZ Recordsand I took it numbly. Somehow amidst all the crazy shit that had gone down recently, I’d forgotten one of the most important things Xander had told me – Max was a record producer.

“Wow, I’m so flattered but singing is really something I only do for fun,” I felt dizzy and absolutely unsure of what to say.

Max gave me an easy smile, “It’d still be fun, you’d just be getting paid for it.” I laughed and he nodded towards the card. “You don’t have to decide right now, just think about it and give me a call.”

I nodded, “I–sure, thank you.”

A shadow fell over us and Ryan’s eyes flicked between me and Max as I slipped the business card out of sight. Ry’s jaw ticked but he smiled, “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s all good thanks. This is Max, he helped Liv and me a few weeks ago.”

Recognition dawned in Ryan’s eyes and he relaxed slightly, “Oh, right, of course. Thanks again for helping the girls out, man.”

“Of course,” Max said easily before giving us one more nod and smile before leaving.

“So this is what you do on Wednesday nights,” Ryan mused, slipping a hand around my elbow and steering me in the direction of his booth where I could see Liv, Kat, the boys and a familiar blonde waiting.

I shrugged, “It wasn’t a secret.” Even though it kind of had been.

“But you didn’t mention it either.”

“I was just…” I sighed and squared my shoulders, “I was worried you might think it was lame.”

He stopped just before the booth and cupped my jaw in his hand, “I’ve never seen anything fucking hotter than you standing on that stage, singing for me.” I shivered at his words and he smiled knowingly as he leaned in to whisper, “You’re wet for me right now, aren’t you?” and my pussy clenched around air.

“Ass,” I said faintly and he chuckled as we finally reached the booth. “Hi guys,” I said to the group and Liv squealed, jumping up to wrap her arms around me and Ry yielded a step to her. The group called their hellos and I stopped short at the slim, blonde guy who was sitting next to Kit. “I don’t think we’ve met,” I said and the guy gave me a polite smile.

“I’m Leo,” he said and reached across for a handshake which I accepted with a quick look at Ryan who just grinned. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Oh no,” I said drily and Kit cackled. Leo’s smile became a fraction warmer as he watched Kit laugh. Interesting.

“What did Max want?” Xander asked from the middle of the booth where he sat wedged between Kit and Liv.

“He was just saying he liked my performance,” I mentally cursed Xander, he of the big fucking mouth. “Nice to see you again, Bryn,” I quickly changed the subject and sent a smile her way. Kit slung an arm around her shoulders and pressed a smacking kiss to her cheek that made Xander wince. Ryan sat down next to Leo and Kat slid further down the booth on his other side so I could fit on the end.

“Likewise,” Bryn said with a sly smile, like she knew exactly why I’d changed topics. “It’s so nice to meet you guys, hanging out with the boys all the time gets a little…”

“Annoying?” Kat suggested.

“Tempting?” Kit teased.

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