Page 2 of Hard Rock Heat
"You're always helping me with my job. I'm more than happy to do thesame."
"I think you're getting the short end of the stick. At least your job involves working with rock stars, not stuffy, sour-facedsuits."
"Did someone say rockstars?"
A tall man with vivid green eyes appeared behind my sister. He wrapped his arms around her, swinging heraround.
"Ian!" Hope's face lit up with so much joy I was embarrassed for her. "What are you doinghere?"
He set her down on two feet with a lingering squeeze, keeping his arms around herwaist.
"When you cancelled our date, I figured I'd bring the date toyou."
Hope melted against her boyfriend's chest, eyes turning shiny and bright. He smiled down at her and placed a kiss on her lips, his own eyes soft andtender.
I averted mygaze.
"Faith, always good to see you," Ian said once he finished locking lips with my sister. "How's the event comingalong?"
"Nice to see you, too," I said. "It's going well. But how'd you get in? You're not on the guestlist."
"I'm a rock star." His eyes twinkled with mischief. "Crashing parties is what wedo."
I folded my arms across mychest.
"The girl at the door recognized us," he said. "She's a fan so she let usin."
"And that's my fourth intern fired. Great." I paused. "Wait. You saidus."
"Damon's around heresomewhere."
I stiffened. The last thing I needed was that arrogant jerk showing up and ruiningeverything.
I'd had a few encounters with Ian's twin brother before, all of which left my gut reeling with rage. Damon was a hot-headed, womanizing narcissist. I had enough guests with inflated egos to deal with for onenight.
And yes, I wasn't unaware of the hypocrisy of calling someone else hot-headed. At least I was able to control myimpulses.
Usually.
"I told him to be on his best behavior," Iansaid.
"That's so reassuring," I said. "Really."
"Damon's been a lot better recently," Hope said. "He's actually nice to menow."
I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think Mr. God's-Gift-To-Women knew how to benice."
"He said he'd behave himself if we let him come," Hope said. "I'm sure he won't actout."
My dear sister, ever theoptimist.
"This isn't like one of his rock star parties," I said. "It's a corporate event for the medical device research industry. Why did he want to come? Even I don't want to behere."
"So I could see your lovely face again, that'swhy."
Slowly, I turned around to greet the voice that spoke up from behindme.
The man could have been a clone of my sister's boyfriend. Same brown hair tufted into soft spikes, same brilliant greeneyes.
