Page 102 of For Wrath and Redemption
“That makes sense.” Levi grins. “Though, your work does seem to be influencing more than just the media.”
“How so?”
He flicks his eyes to Red, then back to me.
“I’m used to Jonah being a lot more...isolated, I guess. Reserved. I’m not used to seeing him smile, let alone laugh. He’s been doing that a lot recently.”
I nod and ignore the conflicting emotions swirling in my head and chest. I try not to think about thestability of the brandor what comes after I’vefinished up. I try not to question if this change in him is because of the actual work I’ve done or the other things.
“Mabel and Sav have said something similar.”
“I obviously don’t know him as well as they do. I only came into this world a few years ago, and by then, Jonah had already...”
Levi pauses, brows furrowed, and then shakes his head. Whatever he was going to say, he’s decided against it. But I know. Jonah had already succumbed to his demons. The thought hits a little harderright now. I wish I’d stop relating to him in these ways. Thesepainfulways.
“Anyway, I did meet him once a long time ago. Right when the band was starting out. And... I don’t know. He seems...a little more like that guy, and a little less like the guy I’ve come to know.”
“Well...” I nod and force cheeriness into my tone. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Just then, the door swings wide, revealing Sav and Mabel. Soundcheck is over. The show will be starting soon.
“Well, I’m going to head out to the floor,” I say to everyone. “I want to get some fan photos before the opener.”
I leave before Sav or Mabel can try to convince me to stay. I didn’t lie. I do want to get fan photos. It’s something I’ve been doing since night one in Edinburgh. Admittedly, it started because I had to watch the show from farther back, so Jonah wouldn’t see me, but it’s gone over well with fans.
I take pictures of the crowd until the opening band takes the stage, and then I snap a few of them, too. I get into a groove. All of my thoughts are focused on work. No images of Jonah naked and tied to the bed. No thoughts of Lennon and Macon’s new baby. No guilt. No embarrassment. Just work.
Until The Hometown Heartless takes the stage, of course. Then I’m hit with a wave of images and memories from earlier.
When Jonah takes his place by his guitar, my cheeks heat. My pulse picks up speed. I have to fold my lips between my teeth to keep from smiling. I’m torn between wanting to sink into the crowd to hide and wanting to wave my arms until I finally have his eyes on me. He makes the decision for me, though. The moment he glances up from his guitar, he finds me. He doesn’t even have to look. Our eyes lock, he gives me a subtle smirk, and he...takes off his shirt?
Everyone around me starts to scream. This move is very out of character for him. His on-stage outfit is the same as his off-stage outfit. Jeans and a band tee. As far as I know, Jonah Hendrix has never played a show shirtless.
For a moment, I’m confused, and then I see it. The ASSHOLE I’d written on his chest with bright red lipstick is still there. It’s a little faded and smudged, and it blends a bit with his tattoos, but it’s there. Ibark out a laugh before my jaw drops. If the ASSHOLE is still on his chest, then that means he hasn’t showered. And if he hasn’t showered...
His grin grows sinful. He knows exactly what I’m thinking. When he licks his lips slowly, it’s confirmed. He’s still covered in me. His stomach. His face. His dick. I’m all over him.
And from the look on his face, he wants to keep it that way.
28
CLAIRE
“You think you’re funny.”
I look up from my laptop and arch a brow. “I assure you; I take myself quite seriously.”
Jonah walks toward me. I work to keep my expression bored, but my chest rises and falls with my quickening breaths. His attention drops to the movement, and his jaw pops. When he looks back at my face, his eyes are heated. It sends a shiver through me.
“Are you proud of yourself, Trouble? Tying me up. Using me to come. Then leaving me hard and horny?”
I smirk. “I am, actually.”
“Hm.” He kneels in front of me, and my excitement spikes. He taps on my laptop screen. “Is your work saved?”
I narrow my eyes. “Yes.”
“Good.”
