Page 42 of Hard Rock Heat
I'd been to one of Hope's rock star shindigs before so I recognized a few faces here and there, but none were familiar enough to go up and start chatting. I certainly didn't know anybody byname.
I didn't have to stand awkwardly in the corner for long. August, the drummer of Darkest Days, and his girlfriend soon arrived to a chorus of welcoming cheers. Hope said he had been in the hospital, but I didn't know the details. He looked well enough, so I had to assume he'd fully recovered from whatever ailment he'd beensuffering.
Sipping my drink, I surveyed the room, trying to identify someone who looked normal enough for me to go up and introduce myself to. I received a few odd stares. I had to assume it was because I was identical to Hope. Gazes would lock on mine, then drift over to where my sister was snuggled up to her boyfriend's side, then wander back to me with a look ofconfusion.
Sure enough, the young woman who'd been at August's side, Cassie, came up to me, mistaking me for Hope. After correcting her, that same confused look appeared on herface.
"You're Hope's twin?" she asked, head tilting to the side. "And Hope is dating Ian. Who is also atwin."
"Don't remind me." I tried to keep my face from twisting into a frown. I don't know if I succeeded. "I'd prefer to think of Ian as an only child and forget about that brother ofhis."
The look of confusion only deepened, but she didn't comment on it. We chatted a bit about her photos — she'd been the official photographer for Darkest Days' last tour. Hope had saved every single shot of Ian she'd taken. When I mentioned it, Cassie looked startled, before her lips curved into a soft smile. She liked the idea that her photos helped keep Hope and Ian close, even when they wereapart.
"He's so good to her," I said, flicking my eyes over to where the two of them talked quietly to each other, hand in hand. "I always worried my sister would end up with some…" I shook my head, not wanting to get into it. Hope's less than fortunate dating history wasn't something I liked to bring up. "Anyway," I deflected. "Ian's a great guy. I couldn't ask for a better future brother-in-law."
If only that brother-in-law didn't come attached with an egotistical, womanizingtwin.
When August came to whisk Cassie away, I noticed the adoring look in his eyes when he smiled down at her. A flicker of envy hit me. Both Hope and Cassie had loving, caring men in their lives who clearly doted on them. As envious as I was, I couldn't help the tilt of my lips as I thought about it. They were luckygirls.
"There's that cute smile," a voicesaid.
Suppressing the urge to sigh heavily, I turned my head to find Damonapproaching.
My belly immediately tightened. Damon was dressed in heavily ripped skinny jeans and a black and white Pantera t-shirt. His tattoos were on display. Without realizing it, I found my gaze scanning the rolling hills of those firm muscles. They flexed with every movement of his arms. And his chest… his t-shirt was so tight, his toned stomach muscles were clearly visible. My fingers begged me to reach out andtouch.
"My eyes are up here," Damonsaid.
I snapped my head up, refusing to let a flush flood mycheeks.
"If you've had your fill of ogling me…" That knowing smirk on his face was as sexy as it was infuriating. I gritted my teeth. "I was wondering if I could talk toyou."
I was about to shoot back, it's a free country, but stopped myself. I'd agreed to talk with Damon and try to clear the air between us. If nothing else, I promised mysister.
"Talk away," I said with a wave of myhand.
A look on consternation crossed his face. "Are you going to listen to what I have to say or have you already decided you're angry with me and nothing will change yourmind?"
"I'm not angry with you," I repliedautomatically.
"Is that why your smile immediately turned into a glare the moment you heard myvoice?"
"I'm not glaring," I said. "I'm waiting for you to tell me whatever it is you have to tellme."
Damon lifted his eyes to the heavens as if praying for patience. "I'm sorry,okay?"
I blinked, startled. "Did you justapologize?"
"Yeah." His hands hung at hissides.
"I didn't think you knew how to do that," Isaid.
"I don't make a habit of it." Damon looked vaguely disgruntled, but oddly sincere. "I don't mean to be disrespectful," he continued. "I just say things without thinking aboutthem."
"That's an understatement," Isaid.
His eyes snapped to mine. "Are you going to let mefinish?"
"Is there more?" I raised an eyebrow. "I'm impressed. Two apologies in arow."
