by Tania Joyce
He pulled her to a halt in the center of the rink. Mischievousness flashed in his smile. “Race you. Two laps. On the count of three.”
Oh, it was on.
She flicked her scarf behind her shoulders, dug the edge of her blade into the ice and bent down, ready to take off.
He pulled his beanie on tighter, clapped his gloves together. “Ready? One . . . two . . . three. Go.”
She pushed off, but he caught the back of her coat and swung her round. “Ha-hah.” He whooped and took off through the crowd.
“You cheat.” She raced after him. Zipping around people, she caught up to him. “That was mean.” She pushed him on the shoulder hard and sent him wobbling on his feet.
“Whoa. Shit.” He swung his arms wide. His feet backpedaled and scraped the ice. As he regained his balance, his laughter filled the rink. Revenge flared in his eyes.
Oh no. Shrieking, she took off. He sped after her, but she was too quick.
After a full lap at top speed, Lexi skidded to a halt in front of the golden Prometheus statue and tried to catch her breath. Seconds later, Hayden crashed into her, his arms wrapping around her, and spun her in a circle. Her head swirled with a dizzy high. She grabbed onto the lapels of his duffel coat and gave him a shake. “You didn’t play fair.”
His hands clutched her hips and pulled her closer. Her skates slipped on the ice, and she smacked into his chest. His narrowed eyes glimmered with cheekiness. “Me? What about you? You pushed me in front of some kid.”
“My bad.” She ran her fingers up to his collar and tugged on the edge. Hmm. “I’m the winner.”
“No. You’re a troublemaker.”
“Yeah?” Her voice hinted at sauciness. “What are you going to do about it?”
His gaze fell to her lips and drifted slowly back up. The chill disappeared from the air and warmth enveloped her, making it hard to breathe.
It took her a second to realize they were close, really close. Skates, knees, thighs and chests pressed together. Her heart no longer raced from the exertion of skating but from the way he looked at her. His eyes had darkened to molten steel. His lips curled at one corner. His warm, misting breath collided with hers.
“Lex?” He swallowed hard. “You make it so hard for me not to break the rules.”
Her heart skidded toward uncharted territory. The boundaries of their friendship blurred. She weaved her fingers around his neck and tugged on his scarf. “You don’t have to. I will.”
She pressed her lips to his and time stopped. Shit. Afraid to breathe, she stood there, his mouth hot against hers. Holy crap. Her pulse rumbled like a jumbo jet through her eardrums. Shivers raced up her spine. Sucking in a deep breath, he dug his fingers into her hips, tilted his head and parted his lips. His warm, delicious tongue flicked out to meet hers. Sparks shot through her veins as she deepened their kiss. Sweet, slow, savory.
Clutching onto the back of his head, she drew him closer. His hands curled up her back and crushed her body to his. Her heartbeat hit the Top of the Rock. Wow.
His mouth melded to hers. Each nip, lick and taste melted her insides, surged heat to the tips of her toes, swirled inside her belly and rushed through her bloodstream.
“Ew gross. Kissing.” Some bratty girl zooming past shrieked at them.
The world around Lexi returned. Music boomed through the rink’s speakers, people skated past and the clock chimed the top of the hour. But her head still lingered in the clouds.
Hayden’s hands fell to her waist and he pressed his forehead against hers. A sexy grin curled across his lips. “Was that on your bucket list too?”
“No. Just a bonus.”
“Come on. Let’s go home.” Taking her hand in his, he glided with her to the edge of the rink.
Neither one of them could stop giggling, nudging each other or grinning on the subway ride home. There were no nerves or awkwardness or shit-I-shouldn’t-have-done-that unease in the air.
As she’d stood on the rink with him, the most incredible pull toward him had come over her. That kiss had uncovered something new. It hadn’t been like their other kisses. There was no drunken foolery to blame. It had been pure want and surrender. She’d let down her guard for the first time in years and it scared her. Was this a step toward seeing if there was something between them?
But during their pizza dinner, he sat as far away from her as possible on the sofa. He grew quieter and quieter. Her blood had grown thicker and thicker with wary. He didn’t touch her or attempted to kiss her again. He cleaned up, did the dishes, took out the trash. He was acting as if nothing had happened. It was driving her crazy, made her insides burn. Was that his game plan? To taunt her? Hayden’s reaction wasn’t what she’d expected.
Shit.
Oh no.
Had kissing him been a mistake?
Surely not.
“Can we talk?” She wanted to discuss what had happened, make sense of it all, find out what was going on in his head.
He held up his finger, shook his hair. “Nope. Later.”
Stuffing her leftover pizza crust into his mouth, he took to his drums. He put on his headphones and switched on his playlist. The heavy drum mute pads muffled the thuds, thumps and clangs as he played.
The silent treatment hurt. The show was more important than she was. Music was more important. He didn’t give her a second thought. She wasn’t a priority. Splinters shot through her heart. Their kiss mustn’t have meant anything to him.
She watched him out of the corner of her eye. He was lost in the music, focused on the songs. Didn’t even glance her way.
Fine. I can handle this. Yep. Absolutely.
Stretching out on their old leather sofa to read her Kindle, Lexi stuffed in her earbuds and turned on Spotify. But she couldn’t concentrate. She couldn’t get their kiss out of her mind. The taste of his lips on hers was still fresh. The heat swirling low and deep in her belly wouldn’t dissipate. She tugged the blanket high under her chin. They had to talk. Maybe it was best to wait until after the show. By then, she might be clearer on what to do about these unlocked feelings. With the ache growing between her legs, she knew exactly where she wanted to take it. But judging by his reaction, maybe he didn’t feel the same way anymore. Didn’t want her anymore. After she’d rejected him, he’d given up and was distancing himself in preparation for his big move to Boston. He’d reset their boundaries back to the friendship zone.
Shit.
She shouldn’t ponder what-ifs with Hayden when life was about to pull them apart. This was why she didn’t do relationships; they caused nothing but emotional torture. And she wasn’t even in one. She’d wanted to sort out her feeling for Hayden, not make them worse. She should put the lid back on them, forget this had ever happened.
She needed to protect her heart and his from further heartache. No matter what. This was just a hiccup. Another mistake. Their friendship was more important than analyzing a kiss.
Forget his lips.
Forget his touch.
Forget the want.
There was simply nothing else to contemplate.
Chapter 15
Lexi’s hands quivered like a bow’s strings as she checked her camera and accessories for the thousandth time backstage in the dressing room at Washington D.C.’s Capital One Arena. Three spare batteries, five spare flash cards, two spare lenses, chargers, and her old SLR in case her new DSLR failed. Everything was in order, but she checked her bag again just to be sure. Everything was working. Except her brain. She needed to focus on taking good shots of Everhide, not worry about Hayden. He’d taken off after breakfast to travel with the band and crew. She’d never seen him this nervous about a show, but that was no reason for him to shut her down.
I’m such a fool.
Kissing him had been a mistake.
Glancing across the bustling room, past Everhide getting ready and their entourage helping them dress and talking to the production crew, Lexi caught sight of Hayden. While the rest of the
backup band sat on a sofa drinking beer, looking relaxed and ready to go, Hayden paced the floor. Dressed in skinny black jeans, a black T-shirt and combat boots, and with his hair styled back perfectly, he exuded sleek sexiness, but his cheeks were pale and his eyes distant. He was mumbling under his breath, tapping his favorite drumsticks against his hand, no doubt running through the set list and sequences. The entire show would be on repeat in his head. Wiping his brow on his shirtsleeve, he looked like he was about to throw up.
He needed some reassurance. Dismissing her worries about their kiss, she drew her shoulders back and walked over to him and adjusted the focus on her camera to take a picture, but he covered the lens with his hand. “Please don’t.”
As she lowered the camera, her chest ached. Regardless of what had happened, she was here to support him. “Hayds, you’ll be fine.” Touching his arm, she leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, but her lips lingered on his skin. Her heart took a dip and a dance. He smelled so good, all woodsy and sweet. Hmm, so nice.
Tearing herself away, she painted on an encouraging smile, but he lowered his head, turned and resumed pacing.
This was ridiculous. He’d never shunned her before. “Hayds?” She caught his arm. “Are you okay?”
His nod was quick and shaky. “I’m just nervous.”
Liar. There was more on his mind than the show. She couldn’t handle seeing him upset. She couldn’t hold her tongue any longer. “Hayds, about last night, our kiss—"
He placed his finger over her lips. His eyes burned with anguish. “Shh. Later. I need to focus.”
She opened her mouth to protest but he shook his head.
“Okay.” She tugged at the camera strap around her neck, trying to get her head back onto work. She glanced around the room full of people, ignoring the dread dwelling in her gut and absorbed the heightening pre-performance energy. “We’ve been to so many shows before, but it’s different working behind the scenes. This is so cool.”
“Yeah, but I’m onstage.” He waved toward the exit of the dressing room where security stood guard. “I’m about to play in front of twelve thousand people. My biggest gig ever.” He brushed his hand down his blanched face.
“You got this.” Slipping her arms around his waist, she hugged him, but he didn’t return the gesture. She shuffled back a step. Her heart constricted. He’d put up a wall after their kiss last night. He wasn’t just nervous . . . he was pissed . . . at her.
Nice one, Lex. You idiot.
Torment swirled like a tornado in his eyes. This wasn’t part of the plan. Not that she had one. But she hadn’t meant to upset him. Crap. Pasting on a sweet smile, she injected enthusiasm into her voice. “Go break a leg.”
Turning, she couldn’t get away from him fast enough. She dug her fingernails into her palms, hurt and frustrated. Rushing toward the restrooms on the far side, she needed a moment to clear her head . . . and to pee.
Her own nerves bubbled beneath the surface of her skin. She was here to take shots of Gemma, Hunter and Kyle. She’d spent the afternoon taking photos of them as they arrived at the hotel, at sound check and at the meet and greet with fans this evening. The images she’d taken so far had turned out amazing. But she’d never taken many photos of them onstage, under flashing lights, washes and lasers, not to mention the huge, bright projector screens playing behind them. She prayed they’d come out great.
Fifteen minutes ’til show time.
After drying her hands, she hooked her camera over her shoulder and headed out of the restroom. As she walked down the passageway toward the dressing room, Hayden cornered her.
“What?” She jammed her hands onto her hips.
He grabbed her around the waist, pulled her against his chest and kissed her. Hard. Deep. Full-on tongue.
Stars swirled behind her eyelids. Air drained from her lungs. She clung onto his shoulders to keep upright because she’d lost the use of her knees.
“Mmm,” she groaned, pulling back from him. Her gaze darted toward the crowded room. She didn’t want her friends to have seen. Didn’t need Gemma or Kara to hound her about what had just happened when she didn’t have an inkling herself. As she struggled to find her breath, her heart rocked and rolled in her chest. “What was that for?”
“Luck.” He winked at her, turned and walked off.
What the fuck?
She fell against the wall. Fidgeting with the neckline of her top, she took a couple of deep breaths. Hayden was doing her head in. Whatever was going on, his kiss had left a warm fuzziness inside her chest.
“Ten minutes,” Sophie’s voice hollered from the center of the room.
Crap. Photo time.
She raced over to Everhide who were standing by the makeup tables and clicked some shots. Carla was hot-ironing last-minute curls into Gemma’s long hair and teasing them out. Kara was threading Hunter’s ear-monitor cords through his silky button-down shirt and Sophie helped Kyle with his transmitter, clipping it onto his belt. The second they saw Lexi point the lens at them, they jumped together, pulled a pose and made peace signs in the air. They all rocked black leather pants. Gemma wore a sexy, snug leather vest, and the guys wore black patterned button-downs. They screamed, “Rock on.”
Gemma stepped toward her and gave her a big hug. “You having fun?”
“Yeah.” Lexi bobbed her head; her adrenaline stepped up a rung. “This is awesome.”
Kyle untangled his ear-monitor cords and hung them over his shoulders. “Did you see Hayds? Is he doing okay?”
“He’s nervous as hell.” She caught sight of Hayden standing by the door with the backup band, ready to head to the stage. With a deep breath, she sent him all the good luck vibes she possessed.
“Hayds will be great. Remember to take lots of photos. Especially of me.” Hunter flashed his pearly whites at Lexi as he swatted Kara’s hand away from his shirt. He kissed Kara on the cheek and undid the top buttons to show off his smooth chest. “I like it open. It gets too hot . . . and it makes the girls scream.”
“You’re such a showoff.” Kara cupped his chin and kissed him.
Lexi raised her camera and snapped a photo of them. Too cute. It was going to be ugly when he broke her heart.
“We better warm up.” Kyle hooked his arm around Gemma and headed off to the side of the room to run through their vocal exercises with Hunter.
Lexi jumped up on a chair beside them and took some incredible shots.
***
Everhide were the last of the artists to perform at the Jingle Ball. The stage was reset. Time for them to play.
Standing offstage, Lexi’s heartbeat thundered as loudly as the people screamed and hollered in the auditorium, ‘Everhide! Everhide!’ Holding her camera ready, her palms sweated. The lights dimmed. The crowd shrieked. Hayden’s bass drum filled the air. Shivers darted across her skin. A lone stage light hit Hayden, and her heart careened toward exploding. With his black T-shirt stretching tightly across his biceps, his steel-gray eyes shimmering in the light and his sticks pummeling the drums, he stole her breath. She’d seen his talent soar over the years, but she’d never fully appreciated his deep drive, ambition and dedication to honing his craft. He’d worked hard, made something of himself and deserved every success. He was a true inspiration and owned this magical night. She was so proud.
Struck by her admiration, she took dozens of photos of him before the rest of the backup band joined in the overture. His bass drum thudded through her chest. More lights blazed to life. Then Everhide ran on stage and she reluctantly turned the lens toward them.
***
Taking a seat at the Jingle Ball after-party bar, Lexi ordered a champagne while she waited for Everhide to arrive. They’d been whisked away by security from the concert venue, along with the band, and hadn’t turned up yet. Lexi’s night was far from over; she still had photos to take, but one drink wouldn’t hurt. Jiggling her foot on top of the footrest, she kept her eyes on the door. Her stomach flipped like a flapja
ck tossed in the air. It wasn’t Everhide she wanted to see—it was Hayden. He’d nailed the performance. She wanted to congratulate him. Celebrate. Party the night away after she finished work. But his pre-show kiss hummed through her mind. She wanted to drag him aside and sort out what was going on between them before her head exploded. This wasn’t the place to talk though; she’d have to wait until after the party. This was his night and he deserved his moment to shine.
Wiping her clammy palms on her dress pants, she glanced around the crowded room to make sure she hadn’t missed him. Sophie mingled with the other artists; Kara chatted to celebrity guests who were downing the free-flowing alcohol and hors d'oeuvres; Bec and Kate talked to radio station crew and media representatives.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Lexi twitched her booted toe against the kickboard and glanced at the door again. Chill. Hayden would be here soon.
“Mind if I join you?”
Lexi spun around on her stool to see a bald man in his forties with thick-rimmed glasses slip onto the seat beside her. The hairs on her arms spiked like a porcupine caught in a trap. She knew him. Gerard Rivers from Entertainment On-Show, one of the biggest entertainment TV and Internet news sites in the country. Gerard had caused her rock star friends nothing but grief.
“Whatever.” Lexi gulped down the remains of her glass, swiveled on her chair and went to leave, but he held out his hand, stopping her escape.
“I’m Gerard Rivers.”
“I know who you are.” She picked up her camera bag, refusing to shake his excessively manicured claw. “I’m getting security. You’re not supposed to be anywhere near Everhide.”
“I won’t take more than two minutes of your time.” A slimy grin slid across his face. “I know who you are too. I want to talk business.”
Lexi blinked several times. “With me?” She was a nobody. Why was she on his radar?
“Yes. Alexandra Mitchell. But your friends call you Lexi. You work at The Gourmet Reviewer. Live with Hayden Moore. Best friends with Kara Knight and Gemma Lonsdale.”
