At least Cori was having fun.
“Want another round?”
He nodded at Allen before his friend held up two fingers toward the bartender. Giving them a thumbs-up, the man went to the center of the bar, where row upon row of liquor bottles sat on shelves. He grabbed one of the odd-shaped ones and poured its contents into the glasses.
Allen observed him, not saying a word until the guy came back with their shots. He slid one toward Jesse then raised his. “To a New Year, hopefully one with less drama.”
“Cheers to that shit, man.”
Their glasses clinked, and another burst of warmth traveled down Jesse’s throat. It was only their third round. He could take several more before he cut himself off and stuck to beer. After years of partying, he knew his limits and how much he needed to drink to calm his nerves before a performance. He liked being in control when he played, not shitfaced like other guitarists he knew.
Once they returned their glasses to the bar, Allen turned on his barstool. “So, Theo and Cassie stopped and apologized before you came upstairs?”
“Yeah. I think this one was more sincere. Cori is in better spirits, so that tells me it meant something to her. She hasn’t talked much about what happened since we left.”
“Trust me, dude. I got just as much shit as you did, but it happened on the way to the cabin.”
“About Nora?”
Nodding, Allen motioned for the bartender to bring another round, then he tapped his fingers against the bar like he was playing his set. When he stopped, he shook his head.
“I love when people misjudge me. For fuck’s sake, I have a younger sister. I wouldn’t disrespect a woman any more than I’d want someone to disrespect Aliyah.”
“Same here. I’d beat the hell out of someone if they hurt Jamie. I don’t know why Theo thought I’d fuck over Cori. Yeah, I’ve partied with my share of girls, but never have I disrespected one.”
Allen shrugged. He thanked the bartender for bringing the shots and ordered a round of beers. As he handed Jesse his glass, he shook his head.
“I’m glad things are better for you and Cori. I wish I could say the same for Nora and me. She’s been distant. After everything that’s happened, I don’t know if I can convince her that I like her—truly like her.”
Jesse glanced at the group of women again. Nora stood between Cassie and Ally. She faced Cori and Jamie but positioned her back toward the bar. He hadn’t noticed her talking to Allen since they’d arrived.
“So she’s still buying the whole fake girlfriend bullshit that Joel started?”
His friend’s nostrils flared as he gritted his teeth. “Looks that way, and unless I can convince her otherwise, she’s never going to speak to me again.”
“Don’t stress, man. Nora just needs some time. Who knows? Maybe Cassie will tell her that she and Theo misjudged the situation.”
“Is it insane that I’m this crazy about her already? We’ve only known each other a few months.”
Cori came back into Jesse’s view as he shook his head at Allen. “No, it’s not insane. Sometimes people’s paths cross, sometimes they collide. If it isn’t easy to walk away, maybe you shouldn’t.”
Allen snorted. “Nora and I did more than collide. We crashed into each other.”
Raising his shot glass toward Allen, Jesse nodded. “To the women who knocked our worlds out of orbit.”
One quick gulp of the liquor heated Jesse from head to toe. Or maybe it was thoughts of Cori. He couldn’t get the images out of his mind of them together at the cabin, as well as the moment they shared in the suite.
He needed to feel her body next to his.
After Allen collected his shot glass, he passed him a beer. “So . . . you gonna tell Cori about the fake girlfriend rumor?”
Jesse cringed. He took a sip of his beer, dreading the thought of bringing up the conversation to Cori. After everything they’d been through, surely she wouldn’t believe he hired her to be his girlfriend. It was a nasty rumor that sprung to life from a joke. Once she knew, there would be no secrets between them.
“I plan to bring it up before the night is over.”
“At least you have history with Cori. You have a better shot at convincing her it’s a rumor. Either way, good luck, bro.”
Jesse swallowed his drink and stared at the bar. He couldn’t allow anything to come between him and Cori. Not when he was this close to getting what he wanted. Not when he was prepared to bare his soul to her.
Before this night was over, he’d make sure Cori knew how he felt about her.
Chapter 19
Cori stood amongst the crowd of people who’d arrived at the nightclub at the top of the hotel where they were staying. The New Year’s Eve celebration had a nice kickoff with a few rounds of drinks. Now that the music had begun, Jamie was stealing the show.
She was only supposed to do one song but was on her second. Cori knew it was a good sign. Jamie was going to make it in this industry.
Perhaps it was years of watching her big brother perform, but she knew how to work the crowd, getting everyone into the music and out on the dance floor. She had spunk, she looked at people when she sang, and her voice was still as mesmerizing as it was in high school.
Shifting her attention to Jesse, Cori noticed the enormous grin he was sporting. No one could deny how proud he was of his sister. He supported her through everything. It made Cori wish for the same with her family.
Cassie said she supported her, but would her sister be there for her when she opened up her studio? Would their mother? She already knew her father wouldn’t.
Ignoring the twinge in her heart, she focused on the music. It would be a long night if she let her problems plague her mind. She was there to have fun and support Jamie as much as Jesse. This night was about them.
As Jamie lowered her mic and the guitar soloist came to the front of the stage, Jesse glanced at Cori. He leaned closer and spoke in her ear. “She’s killing it.”
Cori nodded. She enjoyed the fact that he was standing close to her and that he hadn’t pulled away. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. They fell to her lips, but the moment was brief. As soon as Jamie belted out the chorus, Jesse turned back to the stage.
The moment the song ended, applause and whistling erupted from the crowd. Jamie was about to walk off stage, but the event host motioned her to stop. He asked the crowd if they’d like one more song. The shouting and clapping increased.
A moment later, the drums kicked in. Guitar chords followed. Unlike the fast pace songs that Jamie performed first, this song had a slower tempo. One by one, couples closed the space between them and swayed to the music. When Jamie began the first verse, Jesse turned to Cori and opened his hand.
“Will you dance with me?”
“Of course.”
He didn’t waste any time pulling her body close to his or wrapping his arms around her. His hands met at the small of her back just as her arms encircled his neck. Being this close to him increased the ache he’d instilled in her days ago at the cabin. Add in the way he was looking at her, and she thought she’d combust.
“You okay?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?
He shrugged. “You’ve been quiet this evening. I don’t like it when you’re quiet. It means you’re deep in thought.”
“Trust me. It’s nothing bad.”
His brow rose. “That’s good to know, but now I’m even more curious. What are you thinking about, Cori?”
When the guitar chords dropped lower and shifted to the chorus, her heart hit a faster pace. “I’m not sure this is the time or place to talk about—”
The instant he pushed her hips closer to his, her voice failed. She couldn’t think, could only feel her nerve endings tingling. The crisp scent of his cologne put her in a haze.
“You’ve got my mind spinning, girl. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Cori tried to form her thoughts into words, but her mouth wouldn’t cooperate. A
ll she could do was stare at him. Her mind was full of images of their time together at the cabin. She remembered how hard he’d kissed her, how eager he’d been to please her, and how close they’d come to having sex.
Damn, she wanted him. Every inch of her burned with a need no one but him could satisfy. But she didn’t dare tell him now. He had to perform in a few hours, not to mention the fact that he’d want to talk to Jamie when she was finished.
It wouldn’t be long before the song was over. The last note Jamie belted fell away to a piano solo. She was playing her heart out while countless couples swayed on the dance floor, just like Cori and Jesse.
Did any of them feel the way she did whenever she looked at him? Did they get the same flutter she did when she caught him looking first? Did every fiber of their being pulse with need?
“Jesse, I—”
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
A feminine voice sounded behind her. As soon as Jesse glanced the woman’s way, his nostrils flared. Cori turned around just before he spoke. “Is there a problem, Maggie?”
Standing a foot behind her was a tall, slender woman. Cori guessed her to be close in age to her, as well as Jesse. She twisted one of her blonde locks then placed her hands on her hips. Not once since Cori faced her had she acknowledged her presence. Every ounce of her concentration was bestowed upon Jesse.
“It’s nice to know you’re alive, considering you haven’t returned my calls or texts. I thought you were dead or something.”
Jesse’s hands gripped Cori’s hips as he pulled her back to his chest. “Maggie, I am not doing this with you tonight. Please, leave me alone.”
“The least you could have done is let me know you’re alive. I was worried.” Her eyes finally landed on Cori’s face. They lingered a moment then moved back to Jesse. “Still playing the same game, aren’t you?”
“You’re delusional, Maggie.”
With every word they spoke, Cori grew more confused. Tension clung to the air, and the seconds that passed only increased the intensity. It didn’t help that Jesse was holding on to her with a tight grip. Whoever this Maggie person was, he wasn’t pleased to see her.
Glaring at Cori this time, she studied her appearance, snorted, and walked away while shaking her head. Each step she took matched the rhythm of Cori’s heart. It pounded in her ears and pulsed through her body. Was Maggie trying to insult her?
“Hey.” The softness of Jesse’s voice broke through her thoughts. Her body spun as he released her hips and used them to guide her back around. “Sorry about that.”
“Who the hell is she?”
His chin lowered toward his chest. “She’s my ex.”
“Oh . . .”
Cori’s chest tightened. The thought of someone else wanting him now that she was in the picture made every bone in her body ache. Maggie wasn’t just some woman. She was his ex, and she was gorgeous.
“We weren’t together long. I’m the one who ended it when she got crazy jealous of everyone and everything. Honestly, I was never really into her. We had nothing in common, and nothing about her spoke to my senses, unlike you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.” He leaned his head against hers. “Every part of you speaks to every part of me. Whenever we’re together . . . It’s like we’re spinning and colliding in an endless dance of want and need. You have to feel it too. If I’m wrong, tell me now.”
She couldn’t. Nothing he said was untrue. The chemistry between them had been evident from day one.
As the music came to an end, both she and Jesse joined the rest of the crowd and applauded Jamie’s performance. This time, he wasn’t looking at the stage, smiling at his baby sister. He was fixated on Cori.
Once Jamie disappeared into the crowd, Jesse escorted Cori off the dance floor. Part of her hoped he was taking her back to their suite to satisfy the ache throbbing in her core. Instead, he swept her toward the row of windows overlooking Nashville.
With most of the guests near the stage or seated at the bar, no one paid them much attention. There were too many other sights and sounds to focus on. Still, she surveyed the room, making sure no prying eyes were aimed in their direction.
She didn’t have long to scan the crowd before Jesse cupped her cheeks and pulled her face closer to his. “This isn’t the time or place to get into this, but before the night is over, you and I have to talk.”
“About?”
“We need to discuss what happened at the cabin, as well as what’s happening between us now.”
His words made her tremble. He must have noticed too because his hands warmed her arms a second later.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what to think right now.”
“Then don’t.”
He didn’t leave her a chance to respond. Instead, he leaned back in and pressed his lips to hers. A soft moan escaped her throat when he nipped her bottom one then pulled away. Thank goodness the club was noisy enough that no one could have heard her, at least no one but him.
He’d definitely heard the sound. The way his eyes twinkled in the light said as much. So did the curve of his lips.
She wanted to say more to him, but the opportunity slipped away the second she noticed Jamie walking toward them. By the time she made it to the corner where they were standing, she was hugging both of them and squealing with excitement.
“This is the best night of my life!”
“Congratulations, Jamie. You were amazing.”
She couldn’t say anything else as Jamie hugged her again. “I’m ready to celebrate. Let’s head to the bar and get some drinks. The rest of the group is already there.”
“Lead the way.”
She barely got the words out before Jamie grabbed her hand and led her toward the bar. As fast as they were moving, she worried Jesse wouldn’t be able to keep up. The throng of bodies on the dance floor was hard to navigate.
One glimpse eased her mind. They hadn’t left Jesse behind. If he were any closer, they’d be touching.
Before the night was over, she hoped they were.
Cori adjusted her dress as she walked out of the ladies’ room and made her way across the nightclub. Her steps matched the beat of the drums coming from the stage. The final band had begun their performance not long after Southern Scandal had finished. It wouldn’t be long before the New Year arrived.
Cassie, Ally, Nora, and Jamie were seated at the bar. She didn’t doubt they were still raving about Southern Scandal’s performance. It wasn’t that she disagreed with what they were saying. The band had been incredible. She loved every second of their performance, but now that it was over, she wanted to see Jesse.
After the last few hours of being close to him, catching him staring at her, even the subtle glances he gave her during their set, he had her in meltdown mode. They needed to go to the suite and have whatever discussion he brought up earlier. She had no idea he’d be bombarded with interviews, fans, and other industry professionals as soon as he stepped off stage. At the rate it was going, she’d be lucky to see him at midnight.
Working her way through the packed club, she was midway to the bar when someone tapped her on the shoulder. The face she found wasn’t one she was expecting. If it weren’t for her curiosity, she would have walked away.
“Maggie, isn’t it?”
“It is. And you’re Cori, right?”
“Yes.”
“How cute.”
She flashed a smile Cori knew was forced. Everything about this woman was cold and callous. Being near her caused the hairs on Cori’s neck to stand. She couldn’t wait to get away from her.
“Do you need something?”
“No. I just want to settle my curiosity and see who Jesse duped into being his girlfriend.”
“Beg your pardon?”
Cori regretted taking the bait, but she wanted to end this conversation. What better way to do it than by getting to the point? She didn’t have time for word wars. When Jesse fi
nished, she wanted to be at the bar, waiting.
Maggie glanced at her nails then met Cori’s gaze. “It’s no secret why Jesse hired you. Word gets around in this industry.”
Cori snickered. “If you say so.”
As she turned to walk away, Maggie grabbed her arm. “Don’t be in such a hurry to dismiss me. You’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
“I doubt it, but go on.”
Maggie huffed. “Jesse’s manager told him to hire someone to pretend to be his girlfriend. The dumbass thinks it will help deter the hoards of female fans blocking the exits of every building they go into. I guess you were the prettiest girl he could find to fill the role.”
Cori folded her arms over her chest. A chill ran up her spine, but she wasn’t about to let Maggie know that what she said upset her. “You’re lying.”
“If you don’t believe me, ask Jesse. Better yet, ask his manager or agent. Both know the—”
Maggie’s voice trailed off as someone else walked up. Whatever she’d planned to say was forgotten, and she tightened her lips in another fake smile. Relief cascaded through Cori when she saw Cassie standing beside her.
“Hey, sis. What’s taking you so long?”
“Nothing. I was just heading back.”
“Good. I thought maybe there was a problem.” This time, Cassie glared in Maggie’s direction. All it did was make the woman chuckle.
“Excuse me, ladies. I have things to do. Cori, best of luck to you.”
Maggie gave her one more look-over, smiled slyly, then took off through the crowd. Once the sea of people seemed to swallow her, Cori turned to her sister.
“Please tell me you ordered my drink. I need it and about ten more.”
Cassie’s face scrunched in confusion. “What’s going on? Did Maggie Dubois say something to you?”
Cori didn’t miss the unusual last name. It sounded French or maybe Creole. Did that mean she was someone Jesse met while he was in New Orleans? He never told her how long ago he and Maggie dated.
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Cori, stop.” Cassie grabbed her arm when she tried to walk away. “Answer my question. What happened?”
Colliding With You Page 19
