Page 72 of Fire

“You said I should tell you what I want, right?”

He holds my gaze. His voice is raspy and deep when he answers. “Yes.”

I rise from the table and hold out my hand. “Tonight, I just want you.”

Chapter Twenty-One

HENDRIX

“I just want you.”

I’ll give you anything. Everything. I’m yours,I wanted to tell her.

But I didn’t. Because not even a week ago, she told me she wasn’t ready for something serious. And words like that?

Definitely serious.

Fuck, I am so in over my head.

When did this change happen? When did this stop being a casual hookup with an old flame and turn into something I’m scared of losing?

But then I know my answer. Zara’s not just some old flame. She’s a raging fire. She’s a goddamn inferno, and I’ve been holding a torch for her since I was twenty-two. She’s the reason I’ve never been able to date. She’s why I’ve never been able to settle down with anyone else.

Because that’s exactly what it would be. Settling.

Zara will always be my first choice.

Fucking hell.

My gaze drifts to the closed door that separates us. I left her in the main part of the suite to finish her ice cream, while Icame in here to set up the bath. I grew up in a house with three women, so I’ve been around enough girly shit to know what goes into a proper bubble bath.

Plus, this isn’t exactly rocket science.

Any man who claims otherwise is just fucking lazy.

I check the water temperature before reaching for the fancy basket of bath stuff the hotel provided. There’s high-end bubble bath, skincare, and who knows what else in here. I reach for the bubble bath and go to put the basket back on the counter.

I turn around and unscrew the cap. I flex my right hand, noticing a stiffness that’s become all too familiar. Musicians are known for getting tendonitis and shit, but damn. I’m only thirty-two. It’s too soon for that, right?

It’s probably just stiff from playing too much. Honestly, I welcome the ache. It means I’m finally doing what I love. And fuck, do I love it.

The other night, in between concerts, the four of us hung out in Asher’s room. The girls joined us, and we hung out and ate pizza. Zander, Ash, and I pulled out our guitars, and everyone else sang along.

It was the most fun I’ve had with a band…ever.

Now, I know why Zander signed with these guys, despite never wanting to be in the limelight. They’re easy to love, and it’s going to make it hard to say goodbye when the tour ends.

After a quick sniff test to ensure I’m not about to make the whole bathroom smell like my grandmother’s linen drawer, I pour a small amount of the bubble bath into the water. It begins to suds immediately.

The good stuff doesn’t require a lot. Hints of lavender and vanilla begin to fill the room, and when the tub is about halfway, I dim the lights and head out to fetch…

“Jesus,” I blurt out, my voice cracking a little like it did in middle school at the sight of Zara half naked. Well, almost half naked.

She looks up in alarm, trying to figure out what caused me to curse, but then sees me staring at her in nothing but an oversized T-shirt and gives a shy smile. “I didn’t want to drag all those clothes in there.”

“Very pragmatic of you, doctor.” She rolls her eyes and begins to fiddle with the hem of her shirt. It raises the hem slightly, revealing more of her smooth skin. It’s distracting, but not enough for me to notice that she’s a bit nervous.

It’s a stark contrast to the woman who so pointedly told me exactly what she wanted less than twenty minutes ago.