Page 19 of Hard Rock Fling

August nodded. Noah didn't even acknowledge I was alive. Cameron, on the other hand, gave me a smirk so wide it was alarming. And Damon…

Damon was trying to set me on fire with his eyes alone.

Chapter Eight

Alarmedat the look Damon gave me, I quickly glanced away and scurried out with a mumbled excuse.

I didn't want a coffee. I wanted to find Ian by myself. I was worried about him. He'd been upset when he left, and I didn't think anyone else had noticed.

Ian wasn't waiting in line at the coffee shop on the first floor of the building. I didn't think he'd have enough time to go across the street to the cafe. I gave up and made my way back up to the practice studio, feeling dejected.

I was relieved to step out of the elevator and run into him on his way back.

"Hey! I was looking for you."

I expected him to crack a joke, insinuating I was looking for him for naughty reasons. Instead he appeared startled, eyes wide and glassy.

"H-hey," he stammered. He clutched at his wrist cuff, playing with the buckles again. There was a small patch of white sticking out from underneath. Like gauze. I was immediately concerned. I reached for his wrist.

"Did you hurt yourself?"

He pulled back with a jolt. I blinked, confused.

"No, I—" he paused for a moment, gathering himself together. "Just a scratch. The maintenance guys should fix those hand dryers in the men's washroom. They're all sharp edges."

I glanced back down as he continued fiddling with his wrist. "You sure it's just a scratch?"

"Nothing to worry about." He eyed me up and down slowly. "Did I tell you, you look absolutely delicious today?"

My heart sped up at the hunger in his eyes, all thoughts of injuries forgotten. "You might have mentioned it once or twice in front of everyone."

"Only once or twice? I'll have to do better next time."

"I'm sure your horde of fangirls will just love that."

"You seem to have a problem with jealousy."

“No, I don't!"

"You do. It's cute."

"Whatever. It's not like I care. Go ahead and flirt with whomever you like."

He gave me a teasing smile. "Maybe I'll leave the flirting up to Damon from now on, if it makes you so jealous."

"And let down all your fans? You would never."

"It's not like girls care which twin is doing the flirting."

"Why do you think that?"

He gave a rueful laugh. "Didn't you hear? One person, two bodies. We're the exact same. No difference between us."

"There is, though. I know everyone thinks you and Damon are identical, but you're not."

"And what exactly makes me different from my brother?" He leaned into me, encroaching on my personal space, inches away from me.

"I think—" I could smell him. Something strong and hot, like smoke and spice. It sent my head spinning. That was the only reason I answered the way I did.