Page 17 of King of Rhythm
Flustered, I lick at my lips, which doesn’t help because I taste him upon them.
Accepting my silence, he takes my hand and leads me into the house. It takes everything in me to keep my mouth from dropping open. I looked up his band over lunch today so I know he has money. Still, this is a nice place. My entire apartment could probably fit in the foyer area alone. Gleaming hardwood floors, a warm honey brown, stretch down a long, wide hallway. Muted blue walls above white wainscotting guide our way to a bright kitchen that gleams. His housekeeper must polish the copper pots that hang over the massive center island weekly because I don’t see a single cobweb or speck of dust.
“Mrs. Davis left us pot roast. She’s big on beef. Hopefully, you’re a fan.”
“Any meal I don’t have to cook is a good one,” I say, my eyes whirling as I try to take everything in at once and not be distracted by the backyard, which I can see through the windows above the sink. “This is a huge kitchen for someone who doesn’t like to cook.”
His fingers tighten on mine. “It is. And I’ve always meant to learn, but priorities.”
“I thought your priorities had changed.”
His dark eyebrows rise and his crooked grin spreads wider. “Good point. Maybe we should take cooking lessons together.”
“That’s what YouTube is for,” I counter, feeling daring and wholly unlike myself as I lean closer, silently urging him to kiss me.
There’s just something about this man and his firm lips that makes me feel all needy inside. And when his chin tips up and his mouth is on mine, I can’t help thinking that perhaps I make him a little needy too.
During dinner, I notice the strain around Bryce’s eyes and how he’s not as talkative.
“Are you okay?”
“Slight headache. It was drum day today.”
That’s pretty meaningless to me so I give him a bland smile.
He chuckles and then winces. “Sixth grade is when we start the band program in our district. And every kid wants to play the drums. I currently have thirty sixth graders playing..” His lips twist up in a grimace, “Learning,” he amends, “to play the drums.”
“And yet, you signed up for this,” I say, unable to prevent the shudder of horror that goes through me.
“I did,” he agrees, his grin back in place. “How about your day?”
“Tamer than yours and mostly without any headaches.”
“Mostly?”
Taking a sip of water, I gauge how much I want to share, then reflect on my need to be more open. “My job is very low stress and undemanding, which I love. It’s a small company and most of my coworkers are great.”
Bryce nods, obviously waiting to see where I’m going with this.
“I just have this one annoying coworker.”
Grabbing my fork, I take another mouthful, feeling better for having said something.
“Wait? That’s it. You have an annoying coworker. You’re not going to elaborate? And I don’t know, maybe tell me why they’re annoying?”
I really don’t want to get into all the particulars so sum it up.“He gets on my nerves by existing.”
“Does he now?” Bryce’s already deep voice lowered.
That catches my attention and I squint at him.Is he? No, it can’t be.My eyes widen in stunned disbelief.Is he jealous?
Warmth explodes within me. I’ve never had anyone be jealous over me before. But there’s no need for it.
“I call him jerk face in my head,” I say, carefully watching Bryce as the tension around his mouth eases.
His chuckle has my fingernails digging into my palms, the warmth settling lower, making me aware of how wet I am. The idea of him being jealous shouldn’t turn me on. Somehow it does.
Not only that, but something within me also breaks loose and I find myself telling Bryce more about Trevor. About how much I can’t stand the jerk and how he got the promotion I wanted and now got yet another one while I’m still in the same position.
