Page 44 of Follow the Rhythm
“Thank god, I need a bath. Bring the bags up,” Bea said and snatched our keys from him. She passed me one before fleeing.
“I don’t get one?” Jess asked, empty-handed.
“Oh, I told him we would share a room!” Grace said brightly, splaying the room keys like playing cards.
Jess looked at him like he’d completely betrayed her. Charlie grinned that infectious grin.
“Don’t worry, it’s a suite.”
“Thanks, I guess,” Jess grumbled. Grace seemed completely oblivious and skipped off the bus after Kieran.
As I grabbed my jacket from the closet in the main area, I overheard Charlie murmur, “Of course, if you wanted to have a break from Grace, my door is open.”
My heart pounded. Were they fucking? The thought of them together was more than intriguing. Desire pulsed through me, sudden and impossible to ignore.
“You asshole. Did she even ask for us to share a room?”
Charlie laughed. “Yes, but I could’ve told her no. I’m in room 1506. Maybe I’ll see you later, beautiful.”
Jess was standing stock still, her hands clenched at her sides. We were the only ones left on the bus, and she seemed unaware I was still there. I cleared my throat, and she jumped.
“So you and the tour manager, huh?”
Jess flushed; whether from anger or embarrassment, I couldn’t tell. “That’s none of your business.”
I raised my hands. “You’ve made that abundantly clear, darling. But inquiring minds want to know… is he as good in bed as he looks? He seems like he’d be verygenerous.”
Her cheeks blazed as she scowled at me. She crossed her arms defensively, but that just pressed her breasts together. I couldn’t help but look.
“He’s a very good listener. Very obedient. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.”
My cock was responding inconveniently to the image of Jess bossing Charlie around. I cleared my throat again. “Maybe I’ll just go up to his room and find out for myself.”
Jess’s jaw dropped even as her pupils dilated. Her scent grew almost imperceptibly stronger. I felt a stab of satisfaction, right alongside the surge of dangerous lust.
“You can’t,” she said after a moment.
“And why not?”
Her brow furrowed, but she didn’t say anything. I recognized that face. She was thinking too much.
“Relax, darling. I’m only joking. He’s too sweet for my taste.” I knew my fluid sexuality hadn’t shocked her; we’d spent plenty of time discussing our celebrity crushes, men and women. “He’s not your usual type either.”
Jess scoffed. “As if you know anything about ‘my type.’”
“If I recall correctly, your preferences ran more towards sparkling vampires,” I teased.
Jess gave an outraged yelp and pushed my shoulder with both hands. I barely moved, which made her even angrier. “You promised we would never speak about my Twilight phase again!”
“Do you still have the DVD box set?” I asked innocently.
Jess groaned, then cracked a reluctant smile. “I actually do. It’s okay, though. I like themironicallynow.”
“Oh good, as long as it’sironic, you’re safe.” I smiled down at her. Something in my heart eased, just being with her, talking like we used to. I wanted to spin the moment out as long as I could.
Grace poked her head in the door. “Hey, you. Get out here, I want to check out the room.”
“Coming,” Jess said, breaking our eye contact, and turned to follow her.
