Page 629 of Rock Me All Night
My heart risesup in my throat. Pete's not nearly as good a singer as Miles is, but there's a certain rawness to it. His feelings pour in through my ears and fill me everywhere.
The words are in my soul.
His voice is in my soul.
He's hurt. I replay the words again.
baby, I know this hurts
but it could hurt worse
fallin' head over heels
baby, that's a curse
Finally, I have some insight into his heart. It's not enough. I need more.
I turn around, peeking my head over the back of the couch, and I watch them play.
Miles takes his turn singing the chorus. He embellishes the pitch, sells the ache in the words, but it's not the same.
"Will you sing it again?" I ask.
Pete's eyes meet mine. "Thought you were studying."
Miles swats him. "Damn. It's like you don't want to get laid."
"Don't need your help with that."
Miles shakes his head. "Your girl wants to hear you sing. You know what happens after you sing?"
"Something about how she'll be convinced I'm great with my mouth." Pete makes eye contact and raises a brow. "Do I need to convince you of that, Jess?"
"Yes. Convince me." I press my fingers into the soft leather couch.
"Not gonna do it by singing." Pete smiles.
"Singing first," I say.
"You've got no game, Steele," Miles says. "I expect better."
"Don't need game." He cocks a brow. "If I ask, Jess will slide her panties to her feet right now."
"With me here?" Miles asks.
Pete nods. "I'd put a hundred bucks on it."
"Make it worth my while. Make it a thousand."
"You guys know I can hear you," I say.
"What do you say, baby?" Pete locks eyes with me. "Want to split the winnings?"
Baby. He called me baby. My heart thuds against my chest. My body refuses to contemplate whether or not this is pretend.
This isn't fair. If he's going to tease me, I'm going to tease back.
I smile back at him. "Why stop with panties? I'll take off everything. Except my glasses. You did want me to keep them on next time."
