Page 53 of Hard Rock Love

Seth pulled back, settling back in his chair. He picked up his own fork and took a mouthful, as if he hadn’t just turned me into a quivering mess.

“You’ve barely touched your eggs,” he noted. “You better eat up. Don’t want you fading into nothing.”

I took a calming breath and turned back to my plate.

“You like turning me onto a puddle of goo, don’t you?” I asked him, my body still buzzing with a rush of endorphins.

“I love it.”

“You’re evil.”

“You’re just figuring this out now?”

I snorted a laugh. If nothing else, life was never going to be boring with Seth around.

We finished our breakfast without any more flirting or touching. I took a quick shower and changed out of my pjs while Seth did the dishes. He had insisted, even though I’d said I wanted to help.

He really was aiming for that award.

When I came out of my bedroom, fresh-faced and clean, I saw Seth had put on his clothes from the day before. He’d have to go home to get cleaned up and changed himself.

Disappointment hit me with full force. I had somehow been expecting we’d spend the day together, but I realized he probably had stuff to do. He was a busy guy — in two rock bands and promoting a new album, on top of his studies.

I felt guilty for taking up so much of his time. But Seth was a grown man. He could pick and choose his priorities. And it turned out one of those priorities was me. I hugged my arms to myself because I didn’t have a pillow. But at least I didn’t squeal this time.

I came up to where Seth was putting the plates away in the cupboard. I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him from behind. He covered my hands with his. I rested my head on his broad back, firm and warm against my cheek.

“Thank you,” I said.

“For the breakfast?” he asked. “You’re very welcome.”

“For everything,” I said. “For taking care of me when I was upset and listening to me, and staying the night and just… everything.”

Seth turned in my arms and cupped my cheek. His green eyes were soft as they stared down at me. My heart flipped over in my chest.

“What do you say we—”

Seth never got to finish his sentence, because the front door opened and Julian came striding in.

We jumped apart like an electric current had zapped the space between us. Blood roared in my ears as a spike of anxiety went through me. Had Julian seen us?

His back was turned as he rummaged in the front closet.

“Hey, Abby, you home?” he called out. “I’m looking for Ev’s purple—”

Julian turned around. He stilled when he saw Seth standing in the kitchen with his hands in his pockets, taking a casual stance, while I twisted my hands together behind my back.

“Hey, Seth…” he said slowly, carefully. “What are you doing here?”

“Seth was just—” I blurted out.

“Early morning planning session,” Seth said easily. “We’re both doing that volunteering thing. We thought we could plan some kind of fun event for the kids.”

“Right,” I said quickly. “We were just going over some ideas.”

Julian stared at the two of us. Sweat beaded my brow. He turned his eyes to Seth.

“Pretty early for you, isn’t it?” he asked.