Page 63 of Hard Rock Deceit

Nothing, I replied, suppressing asmile.

It looked like Damon had taken my words to heart. He was trying, for Ian's sake, to be pleasant around his brother'sgirlfriend.

"We were thinking of hitting a club," Cameron told Hope. "Get a few drinks to celebrate yourarrival."

"You don't need to celebrate just because I'm here,"Hopesaid.

"Shh," Cameron said in a fake whisper. "We're just using you as an excuse to gethammered."

Hopelaughed.

"Do you really need an excuseforthat?"

"We haven't gone out on this tour yet," Cameron said. "We've been too busy. But I know a guy who owns a club in this town. I can get us the VIPtreatment."

Ian turned questioning eyestoHope.

"I know we were planning on spending some alone timetogether…"

"No, it's fine. Besides—" Hope leaned up to whisper in Ian's ear. His grin turned wicked. I was pretty sure I didn't want to know what she was telling him. Probably somethingdirty.

Normally I would have been uncomfortable at the thought. Now that August and I had been together, I couldn't help but wonder what sort of dirty, naughty things we could get up to in the dark, secluded corners of abusyclub.

The thoughts made meflush.

"What are you thinking right now?" August asked me in a hushed, teasing tone. "Your faceisred."

I let my fingers wander, brieflybrushinghis.

"Maybe instead of telling you, I can show youlater?"

I was amazed at my own audacity, but the fiery look that flared up in August's gaze made me glad I'dsaidit.

I turned back to Ian and his girlfriend, only to find Hope staring at me and August, a small smiling playing onherlips.

I quickly brought my hands back tomylap.

August and I hadn't discussed whether we would tell anyone about us. I was perfectly content with the two of us keeping it quiet for now. I didn't know how the other guys would react. It could have been judgment, disapproval, or teasing. Either way, I didn't want to deal with that while I was still navigating this newrelationship.

But from the way Hope's eyes were shining as she looked at the two of us sitting together on the sofa, I had a feeling at least one person had figureditout.

"If we're going out, let me get dressed up into something appropriate,"Hopesaid.

She was wearing a blue cotton dress with tights. Did that mean I should change, too? I hadn't packed anything I would imagine girls wore to clubs; no short skirts ortinytops.

"Cassie, let's get ready together," Hopechirped.

Iblinked.

"What?Why?"

"'Cause it's fun. We can do each other's hair and makeup.Comeon."

I was still flummoxed as Hope grabbedmyhand.

"Great," Cameron moaned. "This is going to takehours."

"Give me thirty minutes," Hopepromised.