Page 40 of Hold Still

“Oh. I’ve heard good things about it.” When the Jade was built a few years ago, they put in one of these attractions.

“I have passes.”

I’m not the type of girl who hangs on Ozzy’s arm in public. Besides, I don’t want to be.Keep telling yourself that, McKenna. “As much fun as that sounds—” I stop myself.Fun. That’s what he needs in order to create. It worked yesterday, after all. I guess I have to suck it up if he’s going to write more songs. And I’m going to finish the Project. This is for work. “On second thought, sure. Why not?”

“Great. I’ll go put in a call and be back in a sec.”

While he’s making arrangements, I putter around his music room. Funny, it’s both lived in yet impersonal. It doesn’t have any personal touches. No photos, no knickknacks. I look over the sheet music, featuring scribbles and cross-outs. It’s a good song. A really good song. I can already hear it on the radio. See him performing it onstage to screaming fans. Tossing bras.

“Ready?”

Ozzy pops his head into the room, now in low-slung jeans and a Jade T-shirt straining over his broad chest and arms. His nipple rings protrude. Man, he’s too hot for his own good. And mine.

“Yup.”

We head to the garage and he backs his motorcycle out. I point to my car. “I’ll drive myself and meet you at the Jade. That way, you can stay there for your concert tonight. I have to prep for Thanksgiving, so I can’t make it.”

His jaw tightens, but he acquiesces and hops on his bike. Trailing Shirley, my eyes roam over him. He’s sexy as fuck. And creative to boot. My hands tighten on the steering wheel. Remember your priorities, girl.

Soon, we arrive at the Jade. We go into a side entrance, through the bell captain’s office. “Hey, Bobby,” Ozzy greets one of the workers.

“You’re here early,” he replies.

“Going to enjoy some of what the Jade has to offer before the show.”

Bobby nods and opens a door leading to another back hallway. At the end, we turn right and Ozzy knocks at a door marked “Concierge.” So this is how Shelia pops out of nowhere.

As if my thoughts conjured her up, Shelia opens the door. “Ozzy, come on in.” Her eyes seek out his guest. “Oh. McKenna!”

I give my friend a hug and whisper, “I’m working with him on the Artist Adventure Avenue Project.” Can’t have her thinking I’m his latest bedwarmer. Because I’m not. My eyes travel to his fine backside.Definitely not. I follow Ozzy into the office.

Shelia explains that we have to walk through the casino to get to the elevator bank, which will take us to the “Skydiving Extravaganza.” She says she’ll take us, but he’ll be exposed, so we need to move quickly. The skydiving people will call her when we’re through and she’ll return to escort us back down to the lobby.

Seems like a lot of cloak and dagger stuff to me, but then again, Ozzy is the resident star of the Jade, so he needs to be protected.

“Thanks, Shelia,” I say, earning a swift look from Ozzy. To him, I explain, “We’ve known each other forever.”

He nods. “I’m ready when you are.” He puts on his dune buddy baseball cap.

Soon, we’re crossing through the casino, the familiar bells and rings and dings of gamblers on the machines providing our playlist. We move at a good clip—not too fast so as to garner attention, yet by no means are we strolling. Actually, I need to do a jog every fifth step or so just to keep up with their longer strides. A group of people head our way and Ozzy keeps his head down. His arm extends toward mine and he entwines our fingers, pulling me close. I land at his side on a half jump.

My head knows he’s using me as a human shield. After all, no one would thinktheOzzy Martinez would be out and about with a short, curvy girl like me. His ruse works as we pass by them without incident.

I try to release my hand, but his tightens around mine. Like he wants to hold it. I focus on maintaining my pace to keep up with theirs.

Finally, we arrive at the elevators. Ozzy’s hand goes from holding mine to wrapped around my shoulders. The bill of his cap hits the top of my head. He’s got this hiding in plain sight thing down really well.

The elevator cab arrives and the three of us hop on. Shelia presses some keys and the doors close before anyone else can get on with us. I step out of Ozzy’s one-armed embrace and try to hide my labored breathing over such a quick race through the casino. Of course, neither he nor Shelia are breathing heavy.

“You did great, Ozzy,” Shelia says. “When the doors open, turn left and we’ll be at the registration desk for the Skydive Extravaganza. You’re already checked in, and Kacey will take you from there.”

“Thanks so much, Shelia,” Ozzy says. He reaches for my hand again. I’m too focused on my breathing to register what he just did. “We appreciate it.”

We?

The elevator doors ping open and we turn left. A beautiful, tall, thin blonde—of course, why is everyone tall, thin and blonde in this town?—greets us. Not wanting to give Shelia the wrong impression, I catch her before she pops back onto the elevator.

“Seriously, Shelia. This is business-related.”

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