Much like I like the way he’s looking at me now.
His gaze locks with mine. “I hope you’re ready to work because, while the rest of these ladies are in here with the vocal coach, you’ll be working with me.”
I swallow hard. “Alone?”
He nods. “Just you and me. I already know you can sing, so I’m not worried about you missing time on that, but your dancing needs work. We both know that.”
I can’t argue with him there. Dancing has never been my strong suit, so Laz calling me out on not being able to do it doesn’t surprise me. I expected it.
Instead, I straighten my shoulders, ready to accept his help. “When can we start?”
His lips pull into a sly smile. “How about right now?”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to miss vocal coaching? All these girls are amazing singers.”
“They are, but you’re better.”
A smile etches across my face, and I can’t remember the last time I wore a smile this big. “Thank you. That means a lot, coming from you.”
“Well, it’s the truth, and this group needs you. I want to make sure you make it, which is why I’m willing to work with you on the dancing aspect of things. Dancing can be learned, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work on your part to make it happen.”
I know he was hesitant about me, to begin with. Laz wanted to cut me, so I need to prove to him that I’m worth keeping around.
“I’ve never shied away from hard work before, and I’m not about to start now.” Confidence rings through my voice.
That answer seems to satisfy him because he takes a step back and crooks his fingers, motioning me toward him. “All right then, come with me.”
I take a deep breath and step toward him, trying to block out the thundering of my heart. The very thought of being alone with Laz is both exciting and nerve-racking. This is going to be a true test of my willpower as I try to resist the sexy-as-sin man who is now my boss.
11
Booty Work
Drea
Laz flips the switch, and the lights illuminate a small dance studio. Mirrors line the walls while a light-colored hardwood floor completes the space.
This house has everything you can possibly think of in it. I can’t imagine what it’s like to live like this. It must be nice to have money.
“Go ahead and stretch,” he orders as he lays the folder he’s been holding on the floor.
I follow suit and lay my folder down next to his. Then I begin doing basic stretches.
We both prepare in silence. I sit down on the floor and then spread my legs open wide before touching my toes. I glance up and notice Laz staring at me with an amused expression. He opens his mouth to say something, but I shake my head.
“Don’t even start.”
“What?” he questions with a chuckle. “I was only going to offer to help you stretch. My thoughts were totally innocent.”
I glare up at him. “Sure, they were.”
I hope he’s quick enough to pick up on the heavy sarcasm in my voice.
After we’re done, Laz hops onto his feet. “All right, let’s get started with some basics.”
I stare at him with a blank expression. “What do you have in mind?”
“A quick routine.”
I blow out a big puff of air and my newly found self-confidence wavering because I know dancing is my ultimate weakness. “I’m not very good at this stuff.”
“I know, which is why we’re here. In order for you to make the cut and stick around, you have to learn this.”
I sigh. “I’ll give it my best shot.”
He nods and then fishes his phone from the back pocket of his jeans. He fiddles with it, and soon, bass thumps through the room. He sets the phone down next to our folders and then turns toward me. “Maybe we should get loosened up first and just freestyle. Pretend like I’m not here, and dance like you do when you’re alone in your bedroom.”
I grimace, and he laughs.
“Come on. It can’t be that bad. You can keep the beat or else you wouldn’t be able to sing. You just have to learn to let loose, like you do when you sing, and allow the music to take over your body.” He stands back as he crosses his arms and waits.
My stomach flutters, and I swear, a cage full of butterflies have just been released inside it. My hands tremble as the nerves begin to really take hold of me, so I clench them tight at my sides.
Laz tilts his head. “Why are you so scared? No one’s here but us.”
My eyes widen. I could lie to him and tell him I don’t know, but I might as well come out with the truth. I’ve never been very good at lying anyhow. “You intimidate me.”
His eyes search my face and then quickly drop down to my lips for the briefest of seconds before returning to meet my gaze. “You shouldn’t let anyone make you feel that way. In this business, you’re going to come up against a lot tougher critics than me. You need to figure out how to be fearless and face what scares you most head-on, or you’ll never make it.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
He slowly licks his bottom lip and then extends his hand to me. “Dance with me, get close until you’re comfortable around me.”
I swallow hard. The thought of pressing my body against his sends a shiver all through me.
“It’s not going to bite, angel.” He wiggles his fingers.
I swallow hard and then finally place my hand in his.
His grip is firm and warm, and before I have time to focus on the little shiver of excitement his touch elicits, he pulls me in tight against his hard chest.
My chest heaves as he leans down and whispers in my ear, “Trust me.”
A tingle zips down my spine, and goose bumps erupt all over my body as the warmth of his breath caresses the sensitive flesh beneath my ear. This man is so damn sexy, and his nearness is driving my body crazy. I close my eyes in an attempt to settle down, but it seems to only heighten my other senses. The smell of his spicy cologne envelops me, and it makes my pulse quicken.
We stand there for a moment, locked in one another’s arms, unmoving. Each of us waiting for the other to make the first move.
“This isn’t going to work.” His voice is strained, and it causes me to open my eyes to look up at him.
Panic hits me. “Wait, please don’t cut me. I’ll—”
His index finger slides under my chin, and he tilts my head up just enough so that our eyes make contact. It’s such an intimate gesture that my stomach flips. “Relax. I only meant that we needed to try another approach.”
He releases me and then takes a couple of steps back. Instantly, I miss the warmth of his body.
Laz strolls over to the wall and flips the light switch. It’s completely dark for a moment, and it takes my eyes a minute to adjust to the trace amount of light streaming in from the one tiny window in the room. I stand perfectly still, not wanting to make an idiot of myself by falling on my face because I can’t see where I’m going until I can gain my bearings.
“I know this seems crazy, but humor me.” Laz’s voice cuts through the darkness. “This is more about feeling the music and less about how you look while dancing.”
I gasp when he touches my hand, and then his fingers trail slowly up the bare skin of my arm.
He steps behind me and presses his chest into my back again. I resist the urge to let my head to drift back and rest on his shoulder.
I must admit, being in the dark with him like this is far less intimidating. Hopefully with the lights off, he won’t be able to tell I’m losing my ever-loving mind right now.
He leans forward, and I can feel his warm breath against my ear. “Allow the music to flow through your body, feel the bass in your bones, and just move.” He uses his hands on my hips to guide them from one side to the next. “Move.”
I take a deep breath and then begin to do as he asked, moving at a slow pace.
“Faster,” he commands before he pulls my hips harder again
st him. “Like this.”
We move in sync, picking up speed to keep in time with the music. Laz grinds into me, and my mouth drifts open as I find myself enjoying his close proximity.
I continue to rotate my hips, grinding my ass against him, and my panties start to get wet. In this position, it’s easy to imagine what having sex with Laz might be like. I’m completely turned on, and I can tell he is too because it’s hard not to notice the swelling erection he’s developed beneath his jeans.
I give in and lay my head back against his chest. My heart thunders in my chest as Laz traces a line across my face with the tip of his nose. If I turn my head just a smidgen, our lips would be close enough to touch.
I know I promised Candace that I would not act on my attraction to our boss, but he’s pretty hard to resist, especially when he’s touching me like this. This feels like more than just dancing. It feels like foreplay, leading us down a path to something bigger and better.
“Drea.” The way he whispers my name causes my toes to curl.
The unmistakable feel of his chest heaving against my back tells me he’s fighting to hold back too. He senses it, too—this connection.
But I know, based on the conversation I overheard between Laz and Cam, getting physical is forbidden. Anything happening between us is wrong on so many levels, but damn if I don’t want to see where this could lead.
12
Hungry Eyes
Lazarus
The feel of Drea’s hips in my hands is almost more than I can bear. The fruity scent of her shampoo mixed with the soft smell of her perfume causes my mouth to water. She smells so sweet, and more than anything, I want a little taste.
She leans back and presses against me as we move in time with the music. It’s not difficult for me to imagine what it would be like if we were alone in my bedroom instead of this dance studio.
I brush her hair aside, and the tips of my fingers trail along the bare skin of her neck. The distinct sound of her sighing in the way of pure pleasure causes my dick to jerk and stand at full attention. Combine that with the fact that she’s rubbing her ass against my crotch, and I’m sure she feels my raging hard-on.
“Drea.” Her name rolls off my tongue.
She slightly turns her head, and I’m tempted to do the one thing I’ve wanted to do since I laid eyes on her—taste her lips. All I have to do is move in a few inches.
I lean in a bit closer and run my nose along the smooth skin of her jaw. I want this. I want her so damn bad, it hurts, but she’s off-limits to me for so many reasons. No matter how much my body craves her, I have to resist.
She stares up at me with her big brown eyes. “Am I … doing it wrong?”
I swallow hard and do my best to regulate my breathing, so she won’t be able to tell how worked up I am. She can’t know how much I want her. If she knew and gave me the green light to act on my desire for her, I’d give in and take her. Fuck the consequences.
But I can’t do that.
Acting on impulse in the past is what got me into so much trouble. Living a life on the edge nearly cost me everything I’d worked for.
I refuse to be some spoiled rich kid who lives off his inheritance. I never wanted to live in the shadow of my father’s success. Making a way for myself in life has always been a top priority for me, and I was making a name for myself in the music business until I screwed it up.
I won’t repeat my past mistakes.
I have to keep my head in the game and my dick in my pants. I can’t fuck this up.
My fingers dig into her hips. “I think that’s enough for today.”
Neither of us moves. It’s like she’s just as reluctant to pull away as I am.
“Laz?” Drea says my name in a strained whisper, and my heart nearly jumps out of my chest.
With the way she’s looking up at me, the desire in her eyes is clear. I was told women in my group were off-limits, but I’ve never been good at following the rules.
I spin her around so she’s facing me, and I wrap my arms around her waist. Her tits press into my chest as I snake my arms up her back.
Our dance turns slow and deliberate. She wants me. I can see it in her eyes, and that’s one hell of a turn-on.
Drea nibbles on her bottom lip as her fingers find their way into the hair on the nape of my neck.
I hold my breath and begin to lean into her a bit more, ready to taste those luscious lips of hers, when the lights in the room flip on, causing me to squint.
“Oh, shit,” Cam says as he stands there, wide-eyed.
Instantly, I release Drea, realizing how close I was to fucking up everything I’d been working for since day one.
I step away from her and lift my chin, doing my best to pretend like Cam just walked into an innocent situation. “What’s up, man?”
“Maybe I should be asking you that question.” His eyes slide between me and Drea before he quirks an eyebrow.
By the expression on his face—the one that says “don’t fuck this up”, I can tell he’s not buying my act.
I roll my eyes. “Cut the shit. What’s up?”
He’s not exactly satisfied with my brush-off, and I’m sure, as soon as we’re alone, he’s going to be all over my ass about Drea. But I know Cam, and he’s not one for scenes, so he’ll let this go … for now.
“There’s an issue in the studio. Mickey needs you in the booth.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “An issue?”
He nods. “The girls have already begun fighting.”
I sigh heavily. “Shit. It’s only day one, and the fucking claws are coming out. What in the hell made me think a girl group was a good idea?”
“Because hot chicks singing sell a shit ton of records,” Cam retorts. “We just have to get in there and put a halt to this shit now before it gets out of control.”
“Who’s fighting?” Drea questions. “Is it Candace?”
He nods. “But, in all fairness, she didn’t exactly start it. She’s more defending herself against another girl who wants to take control and establish herself as the leader of the group.”
Drea’s gaze flicks in my direction. “My sister is used to being in control—not in a bitchy kind of way, though. She’s a perfectionist and prides herself on making sure things go smoothly.”
“That’s a excellent trait to have, but working in a group means compromise, listening to others, and taking their opinions into consideration. One person can’t get their way all the time. They have to learn to look at the big picture and see what’s the best thing for the good of the group.”
“She’s capable of all that. I promise you. Give her a chance. Don’t cut her.”
I stare into her brown eyes and see worry clouding them. The urge to ease her mind surges through me, so I feel like a little honesty will go a long way with her.
“You don’t have to worry about me cutting your sister.”
Relief floods her face. “I don’t?”
I shake my head. “Next to you, Candace is the best singer in the group. We need her … and you. The two of you are the stars of this group when it comes to vocals. Dancing is your downfall, and that’s the only edge your sister has over you. Once you figure that part of it out, you’ll be unstoppable. The entire world will fall in love with you.”
The smooth skin on her cheeks turns pink as a bashful smile fills her face. “Thank you. That means a lot, coming from you.”
I lock eyes with her. “Well, it’s the truth. From the moment I saw you, I knew there was something special about you. It’s what made me notice you. We just need to get you confident in the dancing department.”
“Guys”—Cam’s voice cuts between us—“I’m all for the pep talks, but there’s a war going on in the studio, remember? I need you down there to defuse things.”
I nod. “You’re right. Let’s go.”
As I follow Cam down the hallway, Drea is in front of me. Now that I have a little distance between us, I can see what a mistake k
issing Drea would’ve been. I know, once I’ve tasted her lips, a simple kiss won’t be enough. I will want more. I will want all of her. I’m not a man who’s used to denying myself pleasure, so I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep resisting her.
13
Calm Your Tits
Drea
The unmistakable tone my sister gets when she’s pissed off echoes down the hall as we make our way to the studio. “It’s never going to work. Your voice isn’t meant to go that high.”
“Don’t act like you know me or what I can do. If the lead in this song needs to sing that key, then I’m going to do it,” another female voice argues.
When I step into the room behind Cam, it’s clear who the other voice belongs to. Annamea is standing opposite of my sister, across the piano, with her arms folded across her chest, making it known that she’s not open for any type of persuasion when it comes to who the leader of this group is.
Annamea’s eyes remain locked with Candace’s, neither of them even acknowledging that we’ve entered the space.
“In case you haven’t noticed, it’s apparent I’m the leader of this group. I’m the best. So that part is meant for me,” Annamea says.
“I’ll decide who will take the lead.” Laz steps around me.
The scent of his spicy cologne causes my mouth to water. His large body fills the room, and it’s evident he’s taking control of the situation. All eyes in the place land on him.
“When it comes to the dynamics of this group, my opinion is the only one that matters.” He nods toward a man sitting at the piano. “Mickey, play the song again. Annamea, you go first, and then Candace will follow.”
The crisp sound of the piano flows through the air, and once the intro is finished, Annamea opens her mouth and begins to sing. Her voice is beautiful; there’s no denying that. But Candace’s is better, and I don’t just think that because she’s my sister.
Love Sex Music Page 7
