Page 107 of Follow the Rhythm
“Well, yes, I suppose. Charlie told me the nest at your apartment isquaint, and as much as I love Kieran, I don’t think it would accommodate his bulk in addition to our more compact physiques,” Ellis said, blushing slightly.
“Have you ever noticed that the more nervous he gets, the thicker his accent is?” Charlie asked me.
“Oh my god, yes. He did that back in high school, too,” I said.
Ellis blushed, his eyes wide.“What?! That’s not true! Is it?” He sounded horrified.
Charlie and I locked eyes. His grin was infectious, and I envisioned the fun we would have teasing Ellis for taking himself too seriously.
“Only a little,” Charlie said, and kissed his cheek softly. “And it’s very charming.”
I couldn’t resist another poke at his ego. “Bold of you to assume you’re invited, though,” I said, taking a sip of my drink to cover my evil grin.
Ellis blanched. “Oh no, Jess, I didn’t mean -”
I laughed, taking pity on him. “I’m joking. I want you there. Both of you. If that’s what you want, too.”
“I think you already know my answer, but fuck yes,” Charlie said, his eyes hot.
Ellis cleared his throat. “I agree. Wholeheartedly.”
All this talk about my heat had me a little agitated. I tried to ignore the insistent thrum of heat between my legs. “Let’s change the subject before they kick us out of this very nice restaurant,” I said, my voice higher than normal.
“Great idea,” Charlie said. “Tell me about this piercing Ellis tried to give himself.”
Ellis groaned, hiding his face.
I grinned again, delighted, and was about to launch into the epic tale of the time Ellis tried to pierce his dick with an eyebrow ring when someone dropped abruptly into the chair next to me.
“Isn’t this cozy?” Bea said. Her eyes were glittering with anger. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
Chapter 33 - Jess
No one reacted. Ellis froze, Charlie looked alarmed, and I was mostly confused and pissed. How the hell did she know where we were?
Bea fake-pouted. “I must admit, I was hoping for a warmer welcome.”
“What are you doing?” Ellis asked, his voice strained.
“Aren’t you glad to see me?” she asked.
“Is anyone glad to see the grim reaper?” I said sharply.
Bea laughed. “You always were delightful, little Jess. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your new beau owes me quite a bit of money.”
Ellis looked sick.
“So, should we do this here? Or would you like to go somewhere more private?” Bea asked.
“He’s not going anywhere with you,” I said. Over my dead body was that happening.
Bea raised her eyebrows. On the surface, she looked as put together as always in her scarlet dress, but there was something a little disheveled about her. Her eyeliner had smudged around her left eye, and she was tapping her fingers a little too fast on the tabletop. I saw that one of her nails had broken off.
“Fine by me,” she said crisply. “But don’t blame me when I’ve shattered your illusions about Ellis here.”
I rolled my eyes. “Couldn’t you just leave instead? I’m bored.”
Bea turned to Ellis. “Last chance. I feel I’ve already made it clear I’m willing to ruin things for you. I’ll leak something worse than an album next time.” She had leaned forward in her chair to get in his face. “Of course, the price has gone up now. I’ll leave you and your new little pack in peace for a hundred grand,” she said, gesturing to me like I was an afterthought.
