Page 87 of Cadence
Maddox lifts his hand, running his thumb along my lower lip. “You make it so easy.”
It’s Pavlovian, him and me. Our fighting? The push and pull? It’s a delicious form of foreplay that only fuels the fire burning between us more.
Opening my mouth, I nip at his thumb, his eyes darkening as he presses closer…
“Giiiiiiiiirl!”
I whirl at the high-pitched screaming just in time to see Olive running through the small crowd backstage, her VIP badge swinging in front of her, purse held high as she navigates toward me.
“Look at you!” She throws herself at me, arms clinging to my neck. “I am so proud of you, babe. You were amazing.”
“You’re meant to still be out there watching the show.” I chuckle, hugging her tightly.
“Pfft,”she says, waving me off. “I got to see the real star of the night. I don’t care about anyone else.”
“Who’s your friend?” Eli asks, appearing by my side, arm extended. “Eli James.”
She drags her gaze over his body, lips pursed in approval, head tilted seductively as she slides her hand in his.
“Mmm, your photos don’t do you justice. I’m Olive, best friend of this one.” She thumbs toward me, hardly acknowledging me as Beau wanders over too. “Hello, handsome.”
I could laugh at Beau’s face as he falters mid-step, clearly not used to being looked at like prey.
“Damn,” she purrs, eyeing him from head to toe in the same way she did Eli, eyes cataloging his tattoo-covered arms. “You’retall.I like that.”
“I…uh…thanks?” he manages, rubbing the back of his neck.
She steps closer, totally unfazed, leaning in. “So, you’re the one with the fast fingers?” She pauses purposely, letting her question hang. “On the guitar.”
“I finger my bass pretty hard, too,” Eli pipes up, shoving his shoulder into Beau’s.
Olive smiles, and I realize with growing horror that my best friend’s just getting started. “Oh, honey, I know. I love a man who knows what to do with his…hands.”
“That’s enough,” I say as I tug her arm and pull her back.
She sticks out her lower lip in a pout before turning to the last man in the group, stepping around the others until she’s so close she’s practically in his face. “And you must be Maddox.”
Maddox’s gaze cuts to me, and I can feel my cheeks warm. Olive doesn’t miss it, her grin mischievous as she barrels on, not letting him answer.
“Oh, heisthe one.”
“Okay,” I say too loud, clapping my hands and stepping between them. “Can we not?”
But Olive winks, eyes bouncing between us with clear amusement. “Paige has told me so many things about you.”
“Liv,” I hiss through my teeth.
“You're so right about his lips, too. They are suckable,” she whispers, but like Eli, she doesn't have an inside voice, and Maddox hears everything.
“Hey, you’re not as quiet as you think you are,” I say, shoving her lightly toward Eli. “Go and watch Reign.”
Eli springs into action and holds his arm out. “I can give you a tour backstage too, if you like.”
“Of course you could,” Beau mutters, a little flustered from Olive’s energy.
“Stay out of trouble,” I remind my best friend, because wherever Olive is, that’s exactly what seems to happen.
“But how can I when I have two sexy musicians as my chaperones?” When I don’t laugh, she rolls her eyes. “Fine, Paige, I’ll behave.” She links her arms into Beau’s and Eli’s, tossing a wink over her shoulder. “Come on, boys, show me what it’s like to be one of your groupies.”
