Page 61 of Filthy Rock Stars

“I guess so.”

Shadow draws his hand down the front of my chest, stealing my breath.

“So, we should probably just stay in this hotel the entire time. Talk things out. Distract ourselves.”

I laugh. “I didn’t bring anything with me. Not even a toothbrush.”

“I’ll send an assistant to your place.” Shadow pulls his hand to my face, surprising me by cupping my cheek. “Hell, I’ll buy you anything you need.”

I hesitate. I want this so bad, but should I walk out and tell him that we can’t spend any more time together until I tell the band? Am I betraying them by even considering this? Am I risking my dreams?

“I suppose, considering there are people staking out my apartment, and since I’m already in this room, the hotel might be the safest place I could crash. Like you said, it would give us plenty of time to discuss our next moves forward.”

“Plenty of time,” Shadow agrees. He drags his lips across my neck as his hands drop to my hips. A thrill shoots up my spine, and I let out a surprise laugh as his stubble scrapes my sensitive skin.

“Like right now,” he says into my neck, then starts unbuttoning my shirt. “I want to undress you and take my time looking at you.”

I start panting. Why is that so fucking hot?

“Okay,” I agree as I press my hands to his hard chest, my heart pounding. “But we have a lot to discuss! We can’t spend the whole week in bed.”

Shadow pulls my shirt off. “You’re right. I’m sure there’s a hotel roof or supply closet we could visit if you get bored.”

I laugh. “That’s not what I mean.”

Shadow removes my T-shirt, too. “Trust me. There’s plenty I intend to do this week that doesn’t involve giving you orgasms.” He huffs. “I just need you naked first.”

I’ve never known anyone who could drag me from anxious to giddy so easily. It’s a useful quality, actually.

He starts on my pants, hands all over me, and I lean my weight against him, chin on his shoulder as I tremble.

“What else do you want to do this week?” I ask weakly.

“While you’re naked? Talk. Eat. Ask you questions I wasn’t allowed to ask you before.” My pants fall, and Shadow caresses the back of my head as he brushes a soft kiss across my lips. “Mainly, I just want to hear you play your keyboard.”

“Oh.” I’ve been able to listen to countless Forbidden Destiny songs, losing myself in the brilliance of his heavy guitar solos, but my music isn’t widely available, so he hasn’t had the same luxury. “I think I’m switching to the keytar, actually.”

Shadow grins. “Even better.”

I swallow. “I, um, I’m writing a space opera,” I tell him. “That’s my secret project. Like aliens and galactic battles, but it’s an album of electronic music.”

Shadow freezes, eyeing me hard.

I’m in my little gray boxer briefs, my erection twitching, and he’s fully dressed in front of me. The exposure ignites my nerves, his gaze like physical touch as he admires my slim body.

“Holy fuck,” he finally says. “Are you serious? I love that, Nico. You have to let me hear it. All of it. As soon as possible.”

I laugh, pleased because I knew he would ask. “I’ll play for you. But you have to answer my questions, too. I want to know literally everything about you. Or at least as much as I can learn in a week.”

“Deal,” he agrees and tilts his eyes down to my crotch. Shadow drags his tongue across his bottom lip, then bites down on his ring.

My body throbs as an idea burns through me. I turn slowly and drag my hands along the curve of my butt, teasing him and showing off. “Okay,” I agree in the sweetest voice I can manage, then slide my underwear down. “Call for my stuff. I’ll stay here.”

Shadow growls. He slaps to my ass, and when he squeezes my cheek hard, I let out a surprised laugh.

“Anything you need, sexy,” he says in my ear. “Just ask.”

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