Page 23 of Sustain

“No wild parties raging in our absence, then? That’s a surprise.” I try for wry humor.

His lips quirk. “Fortunately nothing major. Just some expected hotel bar rowdiness. The bands seem to be faring alright together despite the close quarters. No clashing of egos. Yet. Though, I’m sure they wish their fearless leaders were on site.”

“Fearless leaders, I like the sound of that.” I sip my cooling coffee, puzzled to feel a pang of guilt that chaotic forces beyond my control have me waylaid here instead. I’m not feeling very leader-ish at the moment. Ian said things were fine, but still...

“I’m sure your crew has everything running smoothly even if we’re holed up here,” Ian offers gently, reading the turn of my thoughts easily now. “Try not to worry unless word comes otherwise.”

He pauses, picks up his phone, and briefly reads something. Frowning, he nervously avoids my gaze. But suddenly he looks bemused.

I brace myself. “What? Do you know something I don’t?”

“Well...fuck,” Ian rubs his jaw. “I guess the hotel manager didn’t tell me everything. I may have just learned of some emerging chaos.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? Do tell.”

“Don’t panic. It’s not about your flock. It’s a message from the festival director about my guys in Chaos Fuel.”

He rotates his phone screen to me, showing a brief text chain. My eyes widen, taking in vague reports of alcohol-fueled disputes early this morning between band members now threatening to derail their spot in the upcoming concert.

Figures.

“Shit,” I breathe out. “Didn’t you just have some personnel changes too? Is the new guy not meshing?”

Ian visibly winces. “That’s part of it.” He scrolls some more, “Our rookie bassist is apparently rubbing certain bandmates the wrong way. And our drummer has discovered the minibar... They are their band name personified. Bloody chuckleheads.”

I press two fingers to my temple as scenarios play out in my mind. At least with my guys happily domesticated, the drama lies solely with Ian’s motley crew. Though, it’s making me feel bad for him.

“Is there anything you need to do?” I can tell he’s not happy with the situation. I don’t blame him.

He tosses his phone back onto the counter, defeated. I hate to see it. “There’s nothing Icando even if I wanted to. Just lost service again.” Raising his arms to rub the back of his neck, his t-shirt lifts, exposing a mighty fine set of abs I didn’t know he was hiding.

My body seems to react of its own volition at the sight of his bare skin, and I have to shift in my seat. The pain meds may be dulling the pain in my leg, but they are certainly not muting everything my body feels.

I know the responsible thing would be for him to convene an emergency band meeting of some kind, and stop the mayhem in its tracks. If he could even get cell service. But the glow in Ian’s eyes kicks up long-dormant mischievousness in me.

Besides, we’re cut off from that right now. A distraction for both of us might be exactly what we both need. Wouldn’t it be bliss to pretend just a bit longer that we’re the only people in the world?

After years of being hyper-focused on my career, and the accident yesterday, I think I’m due an indulgence for once. And isolating here with Ian already feels like stolen magic outside of real life’s demands.

Fuck it.

“Well, it looks like we’re stranded here for a while. So how about we play hooky from management duty to focus on more...” I trail a suggestive glance down his toned body, feeling bold, “...pressing matters?”

I relish his sudden flush. Outside chaos be damned, I’m rather enjoying this forced hibernation with my handsome English rescuer.

His flush turns into a smolder as the ember ignites in him, too, and he leans over the counter, coming face to face with me. Those emerald eyes of his are intense. “It sounds as if you have something in mind. Dare I ask what it might be?”

I mirror him and lean forward, a breath away from a kiss. Glancing between his lips and his eyes enticingly, I scrape a fingernail lightly along the stubble on his jawline. “Oh, I don’t know...I thought maybe we could pick up where we left off on our literary adventure from last night.” A devilish smile plays onmy lips as I watch his pupils dilate, knowing that I’m getting to him as much as he is getting to me. “If you’re up for it, that is.”

He returns the favor and rubs the pad of his thumb gently across my bottom lip, sending shivers straight down my spine. “Oh, I’m up for it,” he says, his voice smooth.

I reluctantly pull away from his touch, missing it the instant we part.

This is going to be fun.

“Then, let the games begin.”

fourteen

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