Page 85 of Tangled Kisses
His words tie me in knots. Do I kiss him? Hold him? Console him? My body screams yes, my brain screams caution, and sarcasm swoops in like it always does—my default defense.
“Do you want to help me plot the bitch’s demise, or should I handle it on my own?”
He laughs, muffled against me, and blows a quick raspberry against my stomach that makes me squeal. The tension cracks just enough, and he tugs my shirt back down before resting his chin on my stomach to look up at me.
“I’ll leave you to it. Whatever you dream up will be worse than anything I could come up with.” His voice drops. “But I do have one favor.”
“Anything.”
For one wild second, my pulse quickens—half expecting him to toss me over his shoulder, carry me into the bedroom, and finally shatter this careful line we’re toeing.
Instead, he clears his throat, gaze steady. “Will you be there tonight? When my band plays?”
Oh. Right. Notthatkind of favor. My heart dips as I force a smile. Back in the safe zone. The friend zone.
God, I hate it here.
And the worst part? I should be grateful. Most women would kill to be in my shoes. But I can’t stop wanting more.
I force that ungrateful thought away and nod. “Ah yes, fulfilling the fantasies of countless women with your soulful voice and devastating good looks.”
That earns me his low, unguarded laugh that scrapes like gravel. “Laying it on thick.”
“Not thick,” I whisper. “The truth.”
His eyes stay locked on mine. “I need to know you’re going to be there. I need to look out and see you tonight. I might have another special song planned for you.”
“If you want me there, I’ll be there.”
His grip locks on my hips. “I want you with me everywhere.”
Chapter Nineteen
Reese
I’m already feeling the buzz. Here’s hoping it’s the start of a great night.
Piper and I down the shots, banging the glasses on the bar. Okay, so it’s a buttery nipple instead of tequila, but it still has a good burn going down.
“Now,” I wag a finger at her, “no dancing on bars tonight. I refuse to sit in the ED until dawn.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she says with a mock salute, already grinning as she grabs Jimmy for another round. “By the way, you look gorgeous.”
“You think?”
Actually, I’m thrilled Piper notices, since I opted to zhuzh it up a little tonight—extra mascara, a touch of shimmer, even curled the ends of my hair so they brushed my jawline. A nod to that old Hollywood glamour I’ve always admired but never dared to channel.
The dark blue sundress doesn’t hurt, hugging just enough curve to hint at what’s underneath. Mainly, the lingerie Griffin bought me. My secret weapon.
Or it will be, if he ever decides to claim me.
Piper nudges me and waves to Griffin. “Looks like our boy got his mojo back.”
“Get real. He never lost it,” I mutter, though the words taste sour.
“Damn, he looks fucking fine like that.”
Tell me about it.
