Page 121 of Connectio

“Sweetheart, what are you doing to me?”

I laugh. “I’m kidding. You don’t need it. You’re all really great without the gimmick. I loved it.”

“It’s a great song,” Bryce says.

“Agreed.” Will nibbles my earlobe. “One of the best drum fills of all time.”

I squirm at the ticklish feathering of his lips. “What’s a drum fill?”

“It’s a short passage, a riff, which is used to ‘fill’ the transition between parts of a song. Like a guitar solo.”

“Oh!”

“I’ll show you.” Will lets me go, sits behind the drums again, and nods toward Bryce, saying “‘Wipeout’” before drumming a beat. Bryce joins in with the guitar, and I instantly recognise the infamous beach song.

After a few more seconds, Will holds the snare still and says, “Another good fill is in ‘Africa’ by Toto.” He plays that too, and again, I recognise it, which is interesting given I’ve never paid much attention to drumbeats before. I’ve never had reason to. Now, though, I’m enjoying relating to something he is so passionate about.

“And ‘Be Somebody’ by Kings of Leon,” he adds. “Fucking great beats.”

Alexis practically moans. “I lovvve Kings.”

“We know,” Derek says.

She moans again and locks eyes with Bryce. “That night when I saw them live at the Tel V Awards….”

“Honey.” He clicks his neck from side to side, voice low, almost predatory.

She sucks in a breath and shakes her head, as if to compose herself.

“So they were that good?” I ask, eyes wide.

She doesn’t look at me, instead keeping her eyes fixed on Bryce. “They were. But he”—she gestures toward him—“was much better.” She plays with her bottom lip. “Best night of my life.”

“And mine,” he says.

The room grows silent as they both take each other in. I’ve heard it said many times that two people can create electricity, and I’ve always thought that saying to be stupid. But oh my God, sparks are flying between these two. I’m almost tempted to duck in fear of being electrocuted.

“I think they’re going to fuck,” Carly says.

“I think we are too.” Alexis teases Bryce with a smile, and he growls.

“Right.” Will taps his sticks together. “How ‘bout a bit of Grohl and Nirvana? ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’ Haven’t played that one in a while.”

Derek and Bryce both strum their guitars after Will counts them in, and they play the Nirvana song. Now I’ve never been one of those girls to go gaga over rock stars; I’ve always found them sweaty and gross. But Will, behind a drum set? Someone hold my beer, wine, whatever the hell I’m drinking.

Biting my thumbnail, warmth spreads across my body, settling at my core as I take in the way his muscles tense with every hit, tap, and smash, his pecs firm while the rest of his body bounces to his beat.

Sweat forms on his brow, concentration etching his face as he loses himself in the song, and there’s absolutely nothing gross about it. Quite the opposite—erotic and incredibly sexy.

“They’re incredibly sexy when they play, aren’t they?” Alexis nudges, eyes on Bryce.

Shit! Did I say that bit out loud?

I exhale. “So it’s not just me then?”

“No!” Carly and Alexis both say. They give each other a knowing look then glance at me and smile, and I’m beginning to understand what that look means.

“I’m screwed.”