Page 59 of Follow the Rhythm
“Thanks.” I seemed incapable of saying more than one word at a time.
My inner Alpha was, in fact, trying to “get all Alpha,” but I shut it down. Jess wasn’t mine. We’d agreed that we didn’t want anything serious. I couldn’t hold that against her now.
Whyhadwe agreed on that? I was having a hard time remembering as I looked into her deep brown eyes with those golden flecks that always caught the light.
“Are we good?” she asked.
“Of course. We’re always good, beautiful.”
She nodded, but didn’t look entirely convinced.
“I have to go.” I left the room without eating, but that wasn’t important.
I walked blindly through the corridors backstage. This venue was nicer than normal; it had carpeted floors that looked like they were regularly cleaned, and non-fluorescent lighting. Showbills in ornate frames lined the walls.
I ended up outside the greenroom. This was stupid. I knew it was stupid, but that didn’t stop me from entering.
Grace and Kieran were there, as I’d suspected. Grace was sitting on the plush velvet couch, and Kieran was standing closer to the door. There were still a couple of hours til the show, and I almost felt bad interrupting their downtime.
“Hey, man, can I talk to you for a second?” I asked, looking at Kieran. It struck me again how tall he was, and I suppressed the instinctive rush of adrenaline that marked him out as a rival. He’d pulled his hair into the bun he usually wore when he performed.
“Sure, mate,” he said, his eyebrows raised.
Grace looked between us, smirking.
“Can you give us a second?” I asked her.
“Ooh, yeah, I’m gonna go find Jess,” she said. My heart sank. No doubt Jess would know immediately what was going on.
I was silent for a moment after Grace slammed the door behind her. I cleared my throat.
“So, you and Jess?” I asked a bit too aggressively. I took a deep breath.
He inclined his head but said nothing.
“I just want to say…” I trailed off. What the helldidI want to say? I racked my brain and tried to sort out my thoughts. “What are your intentions?”
Kieran barked a surprised laugh. “My intentions?”
“Yes. Your intentions.” I stood up a little straighter.
“I intend to court her,” he said simply. I balked at the old-fashioned term.
“It’s not just a casual thing?”
“No, it’s not, but I’m starting to understand where Jess got the idea she wanted something ‘casual.’ What areyourintentions with Jess?” He took a step closer.
“Excuse me?” I retreated instinctively.
“Are you serious about her?”
“We… I…” I spluttered.
“Jess needs a pack. You seem like a solid bloke. And based on how you make her perfume, I figure something is going on there. But if you’re going to mess her about, I’m afraid I’ll have to step in.”
“Wait a second. I’m supposed to be warningyou,” I said, shaking my head.
“Funny how that happens, isn’t it?” He crossed his arms and smiled. A predator’s smile.
