Page 14 of Extended Bridge (Passionate Beats #2)

I nod. “I saw your cheek twitch, which is one of your tells that you’re hiding pain. I know this isn’t the best solution, but it should get your point across without involving any twisting motions below the waist.”

From his perch above us, Río addresses us. “What’s going on below the waist?”

“Nothing, asshole,” Bennett shakes his head, although his smile betrays him. For my ears only, he adds, “The night’s still young.”

Once Río resumes his conversation with the rest of the band, after dropping a “that’s what she said” on us, I mutter, “It was an idea I had. We can put more meat on the bones during your PT session tomorrow, if you’d like.”

“I appreciate the fact you were thinking about me while I was performing.”

“Correction. I was thinking about your rehab and ways not to set it back.” Not telling him I was enjoying his show. Professional .

“You say tomato, I say tomaaato. Yeah, let’s go over this in therapy tomorrow. Which won’t happen before noon.” He stares at me, his green eyes daring me to object.

I don’t. “Sounds good.”

Following honking, random switching of lanes, and innumerable stops and starts, we pull up in front of a club with a line around the block. “We’re here,” Río announces. “Let’s go par-tay!”

I don’t think I ever had his energy.

The vehicle’s doors open and we pour out.

Bennett offers me his hand to exit, which I gladly take due to the spikey-heeled boots Nese gave me.

As soon as I’m on the sidewalk, though, I pull my hand free.

Gentleman that he is, Bennett helps the stylist out as well. I will my heart to stop thundering.

Luke leads us, plus the people from the other SUVs, toward the front doors of the club, much to the shouted delight of the people in line. After all, it’s not every day they get to see their favorite band up close and personal. Río and Coop assess the crowd with more than a little interest.

“Guys, c’mon,” Luke waves us on. “Let’s get you inside.”

Elias, head of security, ushers us past bouncers, who appear unfazed by UC coming into their space, despite the raucous cheers from those in line.

We’re escorted up the stairs into what I believe to be the VIP area, given my past experiences with Darren.

Sofas and club chairs are set up around the periphery, allowing for a dance floor in the middle.

The room is already three-quarters full, which should give me the ability to slip out in short order.

“Drink?” Bennett mimes holding a glass .

Not one for drinking, I shake my head. At his insistence, I relent, “Pinot.”

He nods and disappears behind me, to the bar we passed near the front. Nese wraps her arm around my middle and pulls me over to the group I was introduced to earlier today. It’s so loud in here, we can’t hear ourselves talk, which suits me fine. I don’t have the energy to people right now.

An alcove area, filled with comfy chairs, beckons. “I’m going to grab a seat,” I tell Nese, motioning with my chin.

“I’ll join you once I get my drink.”

With strides as long as the boots will allow, I make my way over to a chair and sink into it.

Now comes the fun part—observing people.

Those on the VIP dance floor capture my attention first, grooving to the music played by the DJ.

As usual, I don’t know the artist, but they have a good rhythm and the crowd here seems to like it.

My gaze scans the rest of the room, where some people are hooking up either right out in the open—like Río—while others are in more discreet corners. From my experience, UC has always enjoyed this type of scene. Get drunk, dance, hook up. Rinse and repeat.

Not me. Give me a nice, quiet club where you can carry on a conversation despite the music any day.

The rare times Darren took me to a jazz or blues club were my favorites.

I sigh. Better prepare myself for these types of places for the next three months.

The idea of any of these people going to a blues club is farcical.

Or I could choose to stay on the bus. Wiser option.

“There you are.” Bennett cuts a path toward me, a glass of pinot noir in one hand and a tumbler with something amber in the other. He passes me the wine.

“Thank you. I just needed to get out of the melee for a bit.” I get to my booted feet. “Ready to mix and mingle?” Tonight’s for him, and I know this is what he wants to do. Besides, I’m outta here in forty-five.

“No. Let’s sit.”

To my surprise, Bennett sinks into the chair I was occupying.

To my utter distaste, at least three women plop down on the sofa next to him.

Not wanting to fight off the women vying to warm his bed tonight, while he knows it’s against his doctor’s orders, I move to the side. Women fawn all over him.

Needing a break, I tell him, “I need to use the restroom.”

“Hurry back.”

As if. I skirt a couple of high-top tables as I zigzag toward the back of the club.

“Hey there, baby. Are you here alone? I could fix that for you.” A nice-looking guy stands in my path. He has visible tats on his neck and fingers and a killer smile. Too bad he doesn’t have tattooed sleeves like Bennett, or his cheekbones or his wicked green eyes.

What am I doing? No comparing my patient to club patrons!

“I’m actually with the band.” I wave my hand toward where they are. “Gotta use the restroom.”

“Oh.” His eyes widen. “Lucky girl.” He backs away to let me pass. I guess chivalry isn’t totally dead.

My pleasant thought is interrupted when I hear Bennett’s voice boom over the music, “Smart move.”

I do a quick turn and see Bennett standing next to the nice guy.

Who does he think he is? Staking a claim where none is needed because I’m not hooking up with anyone until my physical therapy gig is over and I’m away from UC!

I give Bennett my evil eye to confirm the guys won’t come to fisticuffs, spin on the too-high heel of my boot, and clomp into the bathroom.

When I’m washing my hands, Nese enters. “There you are. Are you having a good time? I saw you speaking with a hottie a minute ago.”

This is how rumors begin. “We were like two ships. He let me pass to go to the restroom. Nothing more.”

“Then why was big, bad Bennett going all Thor on him?”

I lean against the sink. “Please tell me you’re exaggerating. ”

“Maybe a little.” She lets out one of her laughs. “He did go up to the guy, though.”

My eyelids close for a second. “You’re crazy, you know that Nese?”

“So I’ve been told.” She pulls out her lipstick and grabs a paper towel to blot. “Want to join me in a game of air hockey?”

“I didn’t notice a table.”

“It’s in the back, around the right corner.” At my frown, she adds, “Across from here.”

“Ah.” My feet scream to be relieved of the boots. “Nah, I think I’m going to head back. It’s been a long day.”

She tosses the paper with a perfect lipstick kiss into the garbage. “We just got here.”

“Maybe another time. When I didn’t start working for UC that same afternoon.”

Her face falls. “Fine. I’ll hold you to it.”

“Don’t worry, our agreement to leaving the club after making a one-hour appearance is void.” We bump fists. Guess UC is rubbing off.

At the bathroom door, we separate. Phone in hand, I pull up a rideshare app, but Bennett steals it from my hand. “Hey! Give that back. I was ordering a car.”

“Which is why I’m not giving it back to you until I’ve had my dance.”

I squeak. “Dance? What about the ladies on the sofa?”

Without an ounce of recognition, he shrugs. “I only want one dance with my physical therapist. I promise no touching.”

“Excuse me?”

“Not wasting my one and only hug in a cramped room filled with too many people. When I call my card, it’s going to be you and me. Alone.”

My knees almost buckle. What have I started? “I’m not a challenge. ”

“Never said you were, Sweet Pea. I’m simply telling you the truth.”

Damn. “I guess my feet can stand one dance. But no more.”

“Understood.”

The classic “Love Rules” by Hunte starts to play. The sultry beat, combined with lyrics about how the band’s lead singer got together with his wife, plays over the dance floor. In front of me, Bennett sings the words directly in my ear.

It’s as if we’re the only two people out here. Bennett’s gaze caresses me with a hunger I’ve only experienced in his arms. He doesn’t make any quick movements or do anything to hurt his muscle pull. No. He’s taking it slow and steady.

Not touching my face, his palms skim the air in front of my cheek. Breaking the barrier, he pushes some of my hair behind my ear, then lets his hand fall down my back. The only way I know this is because I can feel his body heat. He’s back to avoiding actually touching me.

Deciding to test his willpower—more out of curiosity than anything else—I raise my hands above my head and move my hips in time with the sexy beat.

In front of me, Bennett growls and takes a step back.

I twirl around, giving him a good view of my backside, unleashing my inner bad girl.

The one who let this man play me with his fingers not once, but twice.

The woman who sucked him off in the shower. For one more moment, I want to be her.

Only with this man.

I twist my head around, taking in the gorgeous rocker behind me. Long and lithe with muscles begging to be licked. I turn to the other side, still keeping my back to him.

“No, no, no,” he admonishes. “You’re not going to trick me into wasting my one and done.”

Standing in front of him now, I chide, “You know how good it could be.”

“Which is why I’m not wasting it in a room filled with strangers.”

“You know Luke. And Río. And Coop, Tristan, even Pierce. ”

“Not gonna happen.” He closes all but one inch of the gap between us. In my ear, he whispers, “I will, however, take this opportunity to kiss and bite and nip down your body with these.” He wiggles his fingers. “Only they won’t touch you.”

He demonstrates what he means, running his hands up and down my body—half a finger distance away. In response, my breathing picks up. I jut my chest toward his hands, in a blind offering. One he traces from a millimeter away.

My core clenches. It doesn’t care we’re in the middle of a dance floor in New York City. If it could, my core would tackle Bennett to the floor right here and now. I bite my lip to keep from inviting him.

The song comes to a climax as Bennett’s hands drift lower, almost giving my weeping core what she wants. But not quite. My entire body pulses with need at the spell he’s created around me.

Hunte belts out the final note as Bennett’s face approaches mine. My mouth drops open, waiting for his kiss to destroy me. It never comes.

“Next time,” he husks. “When we’re alone, I’ll give you a proper embrace.” He waits a beat. “Maybe.”

I can’t compute his words, too caught up in the air he blew into my ear. How his teeth clamp down on my lobe.

Oh wait. That’s not him—it’s my own fingers tugging on my borrowed earring. My face radiates heat. Little pants beg for more.

“Crap, guys. I need a shower after that display.”

Luke’s taunting words refocus me. I take one look at the man in front of me and bolt out of the club.