Rockin' the Heart (Hot Wired)

by Miller, Gracen

  Hope bloomed in her chest. Could Heath have noticed her and she hadn’t realized it?

  “I heard that! You sick pervert.”

  Heath laughed and winked at her. He teased to egg her sibling. Just that fast her optimism died a painful death.

  Neither of them spoke as they walked to his black Bugatti Veyron. He’d paid over a million for the sports car. A bit eccentric in Sam’s estimation, but he could afford it.

  Gripping the passenger door, he waited to open it until she met his gaze. “You wear that to irritate Jase or me?”

  What about the intensity of his look made her stomach flip-flop? “Are you irritated?”

  A slight tilt of his lips as he opened the door. He waited until she sat to say, “For me then.”

  After he slid into the driver’s seat, they reverted to silence once more as he wound through the streets to their destination. Not until they reached the ritzy neighborhood did she think to ask, “Whose A-lister party is this anyway?”

  “Aaron Blue.”

  “Seriously?” He tossed her a questioning glance and nodded. “He is sinfully hot.”

  “So I hear.” His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he turned into the horseshoe shaped drive.

  They were ushered from the vehicle by a valet, and Heath passed him his key. She shivered when he palmed her lower back, his thumb connecting with flesh. He halted and brushed her hair aside. She thought he cursed when he got a good view of her exposed back. The material barely covered the crack of her ass.

  “Your brother’s right.” For the first time since seeing her garbed, Heath sounded peeved. “Every pervert in attendance is going to be lusting after you.”

  “Aaron Blue hang out with a lot of pervs?” She had a difficult time picturing Hollywood’s leading man buddying up to the pervy type. He had a name to protect.

  He released her hair and cupped her chin. “They’re called men, brat. Men. We’re all perverts.”

  Heath’s seriousness kept the grin off her face. She could deal with the average male. Over the years she’d had lots of practice.

  Instead of greeting anyone, Heath demonstrated an unnatural bent for social awkwardness and progressed straight to the bar. After a shot of whiskey, he examined her, a slow, hot perusal that ran the gamut of her lines.

  Not accustomed to being the focus of his attention like this before, she rimmed her lips just in case some of the red lipstick had smeared and then did the same beneath her eyes. She glanced around the room, hoping no one noticed anything out of place. “Something wrong?”

  “Yeah.” His ogle lingered on her breasts, and she glanced down. Yep, the girls remained perky. “You’re dressed like every man’s wet dream. Another shot.” He rapped his knuckles on the bar.

  “I’m not a virgin, ya know.”

  With the glass halfway to his mouth, his arm arrested midair, he hesitated, his nostrils flaring. “I remember.”

  A blush warmed her cheeks. Yeah… he’d discovered her in the pool with Omega Starr. That had been one of the most embarrassing moments of her life.

  “Then you know I don’t require a defender of my non-existent virtue.” She turned her head aside as he downed his liquor, and she met the attention of none other than Aaron Blue, their host for the evening.

  “Who’s your sexy side-kick, Fang?” The blond Adonis ogled her like a kid in a toy store.

  “She’s not for your entertainment.” Heath tossed back his liquor and caught her nape in a show of possession.

  Men!

  They both ignored Heath. “Samantha Collins.”

  “Ah….” Aaron Blue accepted her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed her knuckles, his gaze never leaving hers. That old-fashioned action might fly with the more elite society, but she came from the hilly-billy sticks. Unimpressed she withdrew from his grasp. “The sister of Hot Wired’s drummer.”

  “Heard of me?” Shameless to beg for attention but she could feel Heath’s escalating tension in the grip on her neck, and the devil in her couldn’t help but prod him. Didn’t matter that he would never grieve the same way she did, wanting what she couldn’t have. Any misery she dished out was better than none.

  “Indeed. Also means you’re not his.” Hollywood’s leading actor nodded in Heath’s direction, but he continued to hold her gaze.

  The actor deserved credit for knowing how to make a woman feel like his sole focus. “I belong to no one, Mr. Blue.”

  “Call me Aaron.”

  “Never doubt she is mine.” Heath’s stony features said so much, and she didn’t doubt Aaron understood the silent vow. He’d protect her because that’s what he did and had done for a long time.

  That claim, no matter his platonic intentions, softened her heart and saddened her. They held too much history for Heath to love her as a woman. His brotherly-type of affection would have to suffice.

  Aaron flashed him a wicked grin that hinted of challenges accepted. Heath must’ve interpreted it the same because he tensed against her side.

  “Allow the lady to decide.” Aaron offered Sam his arm. “May I introduce you around?”

  Sam glanced at Heath. Jaw clenched, his hooded gaze met hers. Knowing him as well as she did, it was clear he wanted her to decline the invitation, but he gave her zero reason to refuse Aaron’s hospitality.

  “It’d be my pleasure, Mr.—”

  “Aaron. I insist.”

  “Aaron.” She caught Heath’s gaze. “You’ll be okay without me?”

  “If I said no?”

  What was wrong with him? “I’d call you a liar.”

  Heath offered her a tight grin that failed to reach his eyes.

  “I promise not to do anything you wouldn’t do.”

  It was a clear goad from Aaron, because there wasn’t much Fang hadn’t done. Heath’s gaze went steely. Hands fisting, he took a step toward them. She punched him on the arm like she would Jase.

  “Chill, Fang. I’m not the damsel in distress. We’re surrounded by security, what’s the worst that could happen?” Jaw locked tight, he said nothing. “If I break a nail, I’ll call for help.”

  His features softened. “Don’t be cheeky, brat.”

  Heath watched Sam from the sidelines. He tried to play his interest cool, but fretted others noticed his obsession. When he’d invited her to the party, he’d hoped to introduce her to women her age with similar interests. He hadn’t counted on Hollywood’s most eligible actor showing interest in her.

  Aaron did his job as host with efficiency. From what Heath could determine Aaron introduced her to most everyone there. Sam seemed to be enjoying herself. She smiled often, conversed with others, and he heard her laughter more than once.

  “Jase know you’re interested in his sister?”

  Irritated by the question, he turned to the woman beside him ready to shred her, but grinned when he spied Elle Pierce. Smoking hot, redheaded actress in a committed relationship with a female.

  “Jase would kill me.” He glanced at his watch. Too soon to leave. “More important… is it that obvious?”

  She shrugged. “Most probably think you’re just protecting her like a big brother. Only the perceptive would notice. Lucky for you this isn’t a discerning crowd.”

  His secret affections could not be revealed.

  “You either have to do something about your feelings or let her go, Fang.”

  “How’s the adoption going?”

  She smiled. “Hint taken. She’s not a topic you wish to discuss?”

  Heath inclined his head.

  “Fair enough.”

  Elle updated him on the adoption that had been put off while they considered artificial insemination. As he listened to Elle, he scanned the room for Sam, but failed to locate her.

  Where could she have gone? Who could she be with? What activity did she engage in? And with whom?

  Half-dressed with all her attributes hanging out, every man there probably thought she was an easy lay. And he couldn’t say she
wouldn’t be with the reckless actions she brokered lately.

  “She went through those doors”—Elle pointed across the way—“with Aaron about fifteen minutes ago. Knowing Aaron the way I do, he is probably taking her to his bedroom. He likes beautiful women. Come on, and I’ll lead the way.”

  “You’re a godsend, Elle.”

  She grinned. “Not really. I can’t wait to see his expression when you put a kink in his kinky plans.”

  If Aaron touched her—he’d what? He honestly didn’t know. And that worried him.

  The sounds of the party waned as they moved further into the house. Elle motioned to the door they came to a halt in front of.

  “How do you know this is where they went?”

  “My partner’s bisexual. We’ve played with Aaron once or twice.”

  Way too much information shared, but he’d asked. Seizing the doorknob with the intent to burst unannounced into the room, he considered for a moment that a person should be entitled to some privacy in his bedroom.

  Not when Sam might be in there.

  He’d never claimed to be a gentleman, and he wouldn’t dissect his reasoning for needing to get Sam out of Aaron’s sexual clutches. All he knew was he wouldn’t allow her to sleep with the actor. Not while on his watch.

  Without announcement, Heath barged into the bedroom.

  Sam looked a little mussed, her hair a tad disheveled, and her lipstick smeared. Aaron embraced her around the waist, and her palms were flattened on his chest. For a moment, he thought he caught the gleam of relief in her blue eyes but decided she knew better than to go to a man’s room alone. That meant he’d read the expression all-wrong.

  “Listen here, Fang, you can’t just—”

  Heath slammed his knuckles into Aaron’s nose, and the playboy actor went down. Elle’s shriek of surprise turned into a laugh as the bastard’s nose gushed blood.

  Sam gaped at him like he’d sprouted dragonheads. Okay, so he wasn’t the violent type, but the fucker had messed with his woman.

  Fingers curling around her upper arm, he drew her near and shook out the pain in his left hand. His knuckles throbbed like he’d punched concrete. “No one plays with what’s mine!”

  Heath dragged Sam out of the room and down the hall.

  “Jesus, Heath, and y’all say I don’t think.”

  He ground his teeth. Maybe his actions were foolish, but all he’d seen was someone else touching Sam, and he’d lost his focus. “If you know what’s good for you right now, you’ll shut up.”

  “Slow down. I can’t walk this fast in stilettos.”

  Noticing her stumbling gait, he decelerated his stride as he weaved them through the throng of guests. The valet took one look at him and took off at a run to retrieve his vehicle. In silence, he and Sam waited for the car. It felt like a slight eternity had passed when his vehicle finally pulled to a stop in front of them. Why hadn’t Aaron sent security after him?

  With her shoulders squared, and head held high, she strode around his automobile. “I believe we can chalk this intervention up to disastrous.”

  Anger lanced through his system. Their gazes collided, and she notched her chin higher in a defiant manner. Cool as ice, she elevated her eyebrows at him and slid into the vehicle. Since when did she provoke him so openly?

  Thank God the car separated them, otherwise he wouldn’t have been responsible for his actions. He caught the key the valet tossed him and fisted it, relishing the way the hard plastic bit into his palm and gave him something else to focus on if but for just a moment.

  Struggling to govern his temper, he conceded Sam couldn’t help she was a walking wet dream. Call that the luck of genetics. But engaging in tonsil hockey with Aaron Blue could have been avoided.

  He counted to ten, three times. The act futile at alleviating either his anger or ardor.

  Sam isn’t mine. At least not in the way he desired.

  She’s like my sister. If he reminded himself enough times maybe he’d eventually believe it.

  She could sleep with whomever she chose. His approval wasn’t required. But she could pick a better man, someone less experienced, and most of all, someone that fucking cared about her. She deserved a special kind of treatment, and Aaron Blue couldn’t provide that.

  Neither can I.

  And she wouldn’t get that adoration from anyone on the road with them. Heath pinched the bridge of his nose. Looking at Sam’s situation in that aspect… maybe he should talk with Jase about her future. Being as tied to their band as they were, wasn’t fair.

  He yanked the door open and got in. Clenching the steering wheel, he threw the vehicle into gear, and punched the pedal. The wheels spun for a couple of seconds before the car shot off, and he swerved to keep it on the driveway.

  Ten miles down the road she broke the tense silence. “Get off here.”

  “Why?”

  “I need to buy something. But… I left my wallet at home. Didn’t think I’d need it tonight. Can you loan me some cash?”

  He grunted. Paying him back would never be necessary. After he took the exit, she navigated him through a series of turns until they came to the businesses she indicated.

  “You need feminine products or liquor?” Visions of her snuggled in Aaron Blue’s arms bullied him as he contemplated the line-up at the strip mall she’d directed him to. A liquor store, twenty-four hour grocery, and—he groaned—Kinky Seductions.

  Please don’t let her be going into the sex-toy store.

  She turned in her seat to face him. He tried hard not to look at her legs or ogle the shadowy territory beneath the short hem of her dress.

  Sam looked him dead in the eye. “I need a new vibrator.”

  “Hell no.” That’s a hard limit for me.

  “You took my boy-toy away.”

  He refused to apologize. Thinking of all the sordid things that bastard would’ve done to her…I won’t think of it!

  Because I want to do all those sordid things to her.

  “I think we caught a tail.” The truth, even if it sounded lame as an excuse not to purchase a sex toy.

  “You owe me an orgasm, Heath.”

  Fuck. Me.

  Heath had to be dreaming because no way he heard her right. He wanted to give her what she sought, just not the way she requested.

  In one reckless breath he almost volunteered himself as tribute to the cause. Didn’t help that the challenge in her eyes warred with his good intentions. Before he could respond, she threw open her door and walked into the sex-toy shop, strutting her stuff like a prostitute on Hollywood Boulevard. Rag reporters would malign this innocent shopping spree in the most sordid possible way.

  Please God let me have been wrong about the tail.

  Against his better judgment, Heath exited the vehicle and followed Sam inside.

  He froze the moment he stepped into the exotic store. A prude by no one’s standards, his ideas and experience would mortify his momma and others. The concept of purchasing Sam a toy she’d use for her sexual gratification turned him on and discombobulated him at the same time.

  Jase would not approve of how tonight is ending. Neither was the intervention going quite as he’d planned.

  Sam waved her hand in a ‘come here’ motion.

  God help me.

  He was really doing this. Aiding and abetting the woman of his fantasies in the purchase of a sex-toy because he’d stopped her from getting laid. Might’ve been easier to let her get lucky!

  He shot a fast glance at the clerk as he walked past her into the store. An older lady with graying hair. She smiled at him, but he didn’t detect any recognition on her features. Thank goodness for that small favor. Maybe nothing disastrous would befall them, and his suspicions of a tail would be unfounded.

  Sam held up two packages. One box displayed a ginormous dick. The other a purple one with ridges and bumps all over it. “Which one you think I’ll like better?”

  Heath almost swallowed his tongue, his sudden e
rection prodding his zipper.

  “You’re asking me?” At her nod he sent up prayers for aid, in what manner he had no idea. Her expectant expression prodded him to say, “I’m… um… told”—he cleared his throat and glanced about—“size is… um… important.”

  “You’re not uncomfortable, are you?”

  “You’re shitting me, right, Sam?” He dragged his nails across his scruffy jaw. “You’re making a purchase for your… um… pleasure, and you’re asking for my opinion?”

  “Yeah.” She sounded a touch breathless. Replacing the toys back on the hooks, she walked backward away from him. “You’re every woman’s fantasy. I thought you could give some advice.” As her gaze slid down his body, she licked her lips. “Guess you’re like all packaging, promising illicit talents but a disappointment once unwrapped.”

  Sam turned left at the end of the aisle, and Heath chuckled at her well-worded criticism. She provoked him with subtle doubts of his ability to please and his lack of knowledge. He’d seen more pussy than the Hoover Dam hosted tourists.

  Zero thought behind his actions, he went after her. He located her in the section with dildos that vibrated. Appearing engrossed, she read the back of a box. “I don’t recommend the cheap ones.”

  “Huh? This isn’t cheap. A hundred bucks, that’s ridiculous when my fingers can do the same trick.”

  Visions of her getting herself off came close to exceeding the limit of his zipper’s ability to restrain his erection. He would watch her and enjoy every moment of the forbidden act.

  She pointed at the container, shaking her head. “This one rotates. You think that’s important?”

  Cupping her chin, he forced her to meet his gaze. He took the toy from her grasp and set it back on the shelf.

  “In my experience, Sam”—he couldn’t believe he was having this conversation with her… his fantasy and best friend’s baby sister—“women prefer the more expensive variety of toys.”

  She shivered beneath his touch, her eyes widening. Her pupils dilated, and he got the impression she hadn’t expected him to play along. By her expression, he suspected she wouldn’t stop him from further engaging the topic either. Heath backed her against the rack of pornos behind her and leaned against her just enough to provide her with a taste of his weight.