by Jess Dee
She batted his arm away. “There’s no need for such formalities. I know who you are.” Her laughter filled the air, a soft tinkle like a stream trickling over rocks. “The whole world knows who you are.”
Perhaps the whole world knew who Jonah Speed was, but Zachary Pace was another deal altogether. And right now Zachary Pace had an overwhelming need to get to know this woman better.
He narrowed his eyes. “That’s the second time you’ve evaded my introduction. I’m beginning to think you’re determined to never tell me your name.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Fifty long-stemmed red roses mysteriously made their way into my hotel room at midnight. I have more than a sneaking suspicion that you already know my name.”
Zachary bit back his grin and drew his features into an embarrassed expression. “So you heard me, then, after the concert?”
“Heard you…?”
“Asking, yelling really, for someone, anyone, to please tell me your name when you walked away from me.”
“Er, no.”
“I begged who’d ever listen. Maybe even tried to bribe a couple of the lights guys.”
The edges of her mouth twitched. “You did not.”
“Did too. Even groveled at the feet of a complete stranger.”
“Did she answer you?”
“He. And no. But he did look at me as though I were a pitiful mutt.”
Her eyes danced with amusement. “So how did you find out?”
“What makes you think I did?”
She looked pointedly at the rose.
“Okay, guilty. I know it.”
“How?”
“Delilah. She took pity on me.” He frowned. “And by took pity, I mean she kicked me, hard, when I wrapped myself around her leg and refused to let go until I knew your name. She poked me in the eye and demanded I stop humiliating myself in public.”
She laughed in delight. “Well, now I know for sure you’re talking nonsense. Both Delilah and Devine were already in their change room when I got there.”
He winked and finally shared the truth. “Luke told me.”
She looked surprised. “Luke knows my name?”
“Luke probably knows your date of birth, address and social security number too. He’s that organized.”
“I’m Australian. I don’t have a social security number.”
“Your phone number then,” he amended.
“That I have.”
“May I have it?”
“What?”
“Your phone number.”
She looked baffled. “Why would you need it?”
“Oh, I don’t know. To phone you, maybe?”
“But I’m touring with you. There’s no need to phone me. Now that you know it, you can just call my name, and I’ll respond.”
“Eve.” He liked the way it sounded, rolling over his lips.
“That’s me.”
“You’re the first person I’ve given flowers to in a very long time.”
Again she looked surprised. “Well, in that case, Jonah, I’m honored.”
He smiled. He liked the way she said Jonah, but couldn’t help wondering how Zachary would sound coming from those cherry-red lips. “Would you like a drink?”
“No, thank you.”
“Something to eat?”
“I’m good.”
She looked good. Good enough to eat.
“Would you come with me then, to get some food?”
Eve gnawed on her lower lip. Her eyes filled with trepidation. “Why me, Jonah?”
“Why would I like you to come and get food with me?”
“No. Why did you choose to send flowers to me, of all people?”
“You don’t like flowers?”
“I love them. Especially fresh ones meant for me.” She smiled shyly. “But that doesn’t answer my question. Why did you choose to give me flowers when you haven’t given them to anyone else in ages?”
“You really need to ask?”
“Mate, you’re Jonah Speed. I’m…well, I’m just me. A scarred girl living in Sydney. It makes no sense.”
Did she say scarred or scared? It was tough to tell with her accent. And why would she be either? “You’re…scarred?”
She waved his question away. “Uh-uh. No getting sidetracked. You’re evading the issue. Why me?”
“Why do you think a man would give a beautiful woman flowers?”
She huffed out a breath. “Do you answer all questions with more questions, or just mine?”
For the second time since meeting her, Jonah found himself apologizing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was. Do I really do that?”
She glared at him for asking another question, and he grinned in response.
“So?” she pushed. “Why me?”
Apparently she really did need to ask. “Because once I laid eyes on you, it was difficult to look away. But when you caught me staring, I couldn’t just keep ogling you. That would have been creepy. So I gave you the flowers.” He snorted with humor. “Thought it would be a good idea at the time.”
“The roses in my room were a good idea. A really good idea.”
Zachary’s stomach chose that moment to growl. “Are roses edible?”
“Uh…” She wrinkled her nose. “I have no idea. Why?”
“Because if you don’t come with me to find some food now, I may have to eat this damn flower.”
She grabbed it back from him. “No way, mate. If you’re hungry, go get food. Leave my rose alone.”
“Come with me?”
“You can’t find the buffet table alone?”
“It’s not that I can’t find it. It’s that I’ll never reach it alone.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“There’s a woman on your right, about ten feet away, who’s eyeing me like I’m breakfast, a reporter behind me who wants to get me alone for an exclusive Jonah Speed interview, a sex-starved cameraman by the bar, and three women who’ve been giving you the evil eye ever since I walked over here.”
“You picked up on all this while talking to me?”
Zachary shrugged. “I’ve learned to become aware of the people around me.”
“And my accompanying you to the buffet table will help you how?”
“People tend to give me more space if I’m not alone.”
“Ah. So you want me for security.”
He eyed her petite form. “Yeah, Tiny. One ominous glare from you, and you’ll send the crowds packing.”
“Tiny?”
He shrugged. “Hey, if the name fits…”
“That’s the best you could come up with?”
“Well, short-shit came to mind, but I figured you’d like that as much as you like secondhand roses.”
“Uh, yeah. You figured right.”
“So Tiny it is.”
She pointed a thumb at her chest. “I might be short, but I bet I could eat you under the table.”
“I thought the expression was ‘drink you under the table’?”
“I don’t drink.”
“You don’t?”
“I don’t. Now let’s get you some food before you pass out. Or worse, attack my flower.”
Zachary didn’t budge, but he did give her his best smile. “I’d like to see you eat me under the table.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Am I picking up on hidden innuendo, Mr. Speed?”
Bam.
There it was again. The jolt of lust that smacked him in the chest.
“No, Tiny. When you eat me, we won’t be anywhere near a table.”
“When?” This time she snorted, as if the idea were hilarious.
“Hey, a man can always hope.” Damn, knocked back again. Eve Andrews was not good for his ego. Not good at all. Yet Zachary couldn’t deny he was enjoying her company immensely.
“Hope for a dessert table then,” Eve said. “I need sugar. Do you think there’s chocolate mousse?”
Zachary curled his upper lip. “God, I hope not.”
He placed his hand on her shoulder and urged her towards the other side of the room, where the food had been set out.
“You don’t like chocolate mousse?” She looked horrified.
He let his hand drift down until it rested on her lower back. He left it there, liking how she felt, liking how the rise of her ass pressed against his palm. He’d like to press his lips to it too. And his cock. “I don’t like chocolate, period.”
“What? How can anyone not like chocolate?”
“It’s too sweet and too rich. Plus it gets stuck on the roof of your mouth, and the only way to wash it away is with a good swallow of beer.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “At least now I understand why you think I’m beautiful. Your taste sucks great big dingo balls.”
His jaw dropped. “My taste what?”
“Sucks. You have poor taste in food and drink. It’s obvious.”
“Dingo balls?”
“It’s an expression.”
“Strange expression.”
“Strange taste.”
“Good taste,” he amended. “And you are beautiful.”
“Chocolate’s beautiful. Here, I’ll prove it.” They’d reached the table, and Eve made a beeline for the assortment of desserts. She scanned the plates and helped herself to a saucer, which she loaded with chocolate truffles. “No mousse,” she said, regret evident in her tone. “But open up and try one of these.” She held a chocolate truffle to his mouth.
“Tempted as I am…no thanks.” The temptation had nothing to do with the candy, and everything to do with the hand it rested in.
“You’re not even going to try it?”
“Not even.”
“But…but it’s delicious.”
“So you eat it.”
“You won’t have even a bite?”
“Not even a nibble.” Unless it had all melted on her fingers, and then he doubted he’d stop at a nibble.
“You’re nuts.”
“I eat nuts, just not chocolate.”
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “I suspect you may not be fully human.”
He half suspected she was right, especially considering the animalistic way his body responded to her presence. She had him starved for a taste…of Eve. The chocolate may not appeal, but he could tuck into her with zest. “I suspect that chocolate is about to disappear into your mouth.”
“I suspect you’re right.” Her eyes twinkled and she popped the chocolate between her lips.
She didn’t chew it. Not immediately. Rather she left it in her mouth. To melt?
Zachary had no idea. All he knew was now that the candy was in her mouth, he couldn’t avert his gaze.
Again he stared at her, bewitched.
Her eyes closed and she let out a soft moan of pleasure.
“Good?”
Eve’s “Mmmmm” reverberated down his spine and echoed in his groin.
How the fuck could eating chocolate turn into the most erotic encounter on earth? Eve made it look like she was lost in the throes of spectacular sex. The woman had a chocolate in her mouth, that was all. Yet the bliss on her face and satisfaction in her soft moan had Zachary hardening to the point of pain.
Christ, he hoped no one noticed.
She chewed, her red lips a beacon to his gaze.
He wanted to kiss her, wanted to mold his mouth to hers and taste the pleasure on her breath.
Yeah. Not going to happen. Not here, in a room packed full of curious eyes and cameras.
“If you carry on chewing like that—” Zachary’s voice was a low growl, “—like you’re about to have an orgasm, I am going to throw you under the table and eat every last bit of you.”
Eve’s eyes popped open, and she swallowed quickly. “You know it would be way simpler if you just ate the truffle?”
“Maybe. But it wouldn’t taste half as good.”
“You know what you are, Jonah Speed?”
Aroused? Frustrated? Horny? “What am I, Eve Andrews?”
“A first-rate, grade-A flirt.” She lifted a second truffle to her mouth and licked it. Those cherry-red lips of hers framed the milk chocolate, and her tongue was just visible, dabbing at the treat.
The roomful of curious eyes and cameras faded to insignificance. Sound faded too. The chocolate and Eve’s lips were his sole focus. His sole desire.
With one hand, he plucked the saucer from her hand and set it on the table. With the other he plucked her hand from her mouth and tossed the half-eaten chocolate over his shoulder.
Before she had a chance to object—and by the look in her eyes she intended to object, vehemently—he yanked her against him, bent his head and kissed her.
Just claimed her mouth with his, taking advantage of her surprised gasp to slip his tongue between those cherry-red lips and sample the chocolate she’d just licked.
Jesus, fuck. She was right. The chocolate wasn’t just good. It was delectable. Mouthwatering. It blew his mind. And he hated chocolate.
Eve sagged in his arms, as though she’d turned boneless. He hauled her closer, molding her to his body, squashing the rose between them. Her soft curves pressed tight against his firmer bulk. She clutched at him with one hand, grabbing his arm, squeezing it, then slowly letting her hand skim up over his shoulder until she buried it in his hair.
Her tongue drifted over his, toyed with it. Tasted him like he tasted her. And damned if it wasn’t the sweetest, hottest kiss Zachary had ever shared.
He kissed her harder, lost himself to the creamy, rich flavor of Eve and chocolate.
The chocolate had nothing on the woman. Couldn’t compete with her.
Lights flared against his eyes. Once, twice, a million times. Fireworks? From a kiss? That was a first. Not surprising though, not with the way his body reacted to the kiss, but a first.
Fu-uck.
Sanity returned like a sharp slap.
Those bursts of light weren’t fireworks at all. Not even close. They were flashes. Camera flashes. Tons of them.
Zachary broke the kiss with a silent, foul curse and stepped back, holding Eve’s arms to steady her.
Jesus, how stupid could he have been?
She blinked once, then again, scrunching her eyes against the flares of light, looking bewildered at first and then just a little terrified.
“Hell! I’m sorry.” He whispered the apology as he scanned the room. Luke would sort this out instantly, leaving Zachary free to slip away with Eve. “I wasn’t thinking.”
No, he definitely wasn’t. All rational thought had fled his mind as she’d devoured those chocolates.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
The band manager was nowhere to be seen, which meant it was up to Zachary to initiate damage control. Problem was, hundreds of people had caught him and Eve lip-locked on camera. There was very little he could do about it.
Even now flashes continued, and mobile phones were more visible than faces. Every Tom, Dick and photographer had caught Zachary’s impulsive behavior on film.
It was just a matter of time before those photos appeared on the net, in newspapers, on TV and in every gossip rag around the world.
The only good thing about this whole mess was that Zachary’s erection had died a hasty death beneath the flashes of light.
Fuck. How stupid was he? How careless?
In the three years since Speed had soared to fame, he’d never acted so impulsively, so thoughtlessly. But then he’d never had cause. Never met anyone like Eve before. Never wanted to kiss a woman at the expense of his reputation and hers.
Zachary might be used to the lights and fame. He might be used to the paparazzi dogging his every move, but he doubted Eve was. And he was furious at himself for putting her in this position. He knew exactly what the pap was capable of, and he hated them for it.
Knowing there was no alternative but to acknowledge the attention, Zachary lifted his arm in a silent salute and waved.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. You got me.” He smiled, shamef
aced, at the crowd around him. He should be shamefaced, putting the two of them in this position.
Then he tucked a shell-shocked Eve under his arm and led her through the room, winding around the thicket of bodies pressing toward them and shaking his head at requests for more photos.
“You didn’t get enough already?” he joked with a grin he in no way felt.
“Is she your girlfriend, Jonah?”
“Another one-night stand, or the real thing?”
“What’s her name?”
“Forget her, Jonah. Take me.”
“Take us both.”
The questions and comments kept flying, and Eve gulped noisily at his side.
“Almost to the door,” he murmured, urging her to keep walking.
“If you ever kiss me again,” Eve griped, “I will poke you in the eye, never mind Delilah.”
“Ouch,” was his first whispered response, and “It’ll be worth it,” his next.
“Both eyes then.”
They reached the door, and Zachary hurried her out. He shot a meaningful look at one of the bodyguards Luke had organized for the tour.
The man needed no further instruction. As Zachary grabbed Eve’s hand and raced down the hall, two guards placed themselves in the doorway, effectively stopping anyone from following.
They’d barely slipped around the first corner when Eve came to a dead halt.
A soft groan escaped her throat, and her eyes flickered closed.
Chapter Three
“Eve? Tiny? Can you hear me?”
She could. His voice echoed in the periphery of her mind, but she couldn’t focus on it, couldn’t respond. Her vision darkened and spots danced before her eyes.
Darts of heat ran up her arm, originating from the sharp tingles in her hand.
“Christ, you’re pale as a ghost.”
“Sing it, Grandmother, sing it again.”
There were two voices now. One she recognized, one she didn’t. The first was Jonah’s, the second a child’s.
Someone laughed. A woman. “Okay then, Zachary, but this is the last time and then you need to go to sleep. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
Eve tried to gain perspective, tried to force herself back into the present. But it was too late. Jonah held her hand. And the tingles had increased so now it felt like electricity pulsing through her arm.
