Page 46 of Reverb
“Yeah,somethinglike that.” She shrugged. “Being serious for a moment, sometimes I do feel weird being the only one not paired up. Maybe I’m jumping on Davidbecauseof that.”
Ray’s smile vanished. “Okay, that worry is valid. And maybe that’s a catalyst, but I’m not sure it matters in this case. I mean, I’ve pretty much wanted to jump Zav’s bones since high school. Turns out there was something beyond lust there.”
“Quite a bit more, in the case of you and Zav.” She’d heard them. Seen the toys. Been to their house. Yes, Zavier was aromantic, but that man wanted Ray like the ocean wants the shore. There was an inexpressible pull between them.
Ray’s sly smile was back. “You’ll know if there’s more there than a need to bone, but there’s nothing wrong with blowing off steam with him, if that’s what you both want. I mean, dudeishot and smart. He keeps up with your mouth, too.”
“Your eyes straying, Ray?” She had to get in alittleteasing.
He held up the hand with his wedding ring. “I’m Zav’s. Happily. Entirely. I’m a little too monogamous and he’s a little too possessive. But we both appreciate the appearances of others, you know. You, though, can gotouch.”
“If he wants that.” God, she hoped he did. There was flirting and then there was actual fucking.
Ray’s expression leveled off. “Honey, when that man looks at you, there might as well be a sign saying ‘lay me out and fuck me’ above his head.”
That made her cheeks heat. “It’s not that obvious, is it?” Good god, the press would be all over David, and she was damn sure he didn’t want that.
“Well, tousit’s obvious. Plus, not like you two have been subtle with the flirting.” He scrunched up his face. “But maybe not to others? You guys are pretty pro in public.”
She tried to be. David did, too.
Mish leaned back against the leather of the couch. “So basically, jump his bones?”
Ray patted her on the knee. “Yeah. He’s a good guy. You like each other. And...” He trailed off.
Mish leveled her gaze at him. “Andwhat, kiddo?”
He matched her stare, his golden eyes steady and true. “He fits in. With you. With us. Like Adrian did.”
Oh. That was the thing that made her insides tighten in both joy and fear. Ray saw that, too. Maybe Zavier and Dom did as well. “I—Okay.”
“I’ve rendered you speechless,” Ray murmured. “That’s a first.”
She punched him in the arm and he laughed, then rose. “I’m gonna head back up. You always tell me not to think too hard. Works both ways.” He vanished through the privacy curtain.
Mish watched it sway in the chaos of Ray’s passing, then settle into a rhythmic pattern similar to the motion of the bus. Yeah, Ray’d grown up alotrecently, and she did feel better. Calmer.
She still wanted to fall into bed with David Altet. Maybe more than that, too. Time would tell. But whatever happened, Ray and the band had her back.
Chapter Ten
No one on the crew bus had racked out in their berths to sleep, which was fine by David. Joking around and laughing with everyone covered his agitation and need to be at the hotel in New Hampshire right fuckingnow. God. Here he was, at forty-three, acting like a horny teenager. Even when he’d started on T and went through all that had entailed, including having a teenaged libido again, he hadn’t beenthisneedy.
Then again, it wasn’t entirely about sex. He’d gladly lie in Mish’s arms or sit near her and talk for hours. Whatever she wanted. Unusual for him, but also freeing. He’d been the pursuer in every single one of his relationships back to high school. Whether butch, masc, or male, he’d been expected to fill a role.
Mish didn’t want a role. She wantedhim. And the reverse was true. He’d caught glimpses of the woman behind the bass guitar, and wanted to see and hear more from her.
On his knees? Sure. Inside her? Yes,please.
The rumble and vibration of the road didn’t help at all, and he nearly groaned in frustration. They had several hours before they’d arrive. The next day would be free from activities—a time for the band to rest and the crew to relax. The following day, they’d pile back on the bus and head to the nearby venue.
Hours andhoursto get to know Mish in whatever way she wanted. Also hours and hours he should beworking. There was information they needed to share with Mish and the rest of the band. They had to figure out how to stop this clown. Nothing had happened atthisconcert, but David had expected a lull in activity—that was normal. A way for the harasser to gaslight the victim withSee, I’m gone, you’re safebefore striking again.
How could David claim to be working to protect Mish while getting too damn close to be able to do his job properly? He needed distance to be objective and observant. To not be fuckingdistracted.
He knew better, knew what happened when someone looked away from their objective. Peopledied.
The creeping taste of sand edged up his throat. He hadn’t screwed up on deployment, thank god, but he’d seen that outcome too many times and had the mental scars to prove it.
