Page 154 of Hard Rock Tease

I froze. I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I still felt like I’d been caught doing something bad, like a naughty child.

“We were just talking. Catching up. Nothing happened between us.”

“I know.”

“Then what?”

Jayce rubbed at his jaw. I could hear the stubbled bristles scratching against his skin.

“I can’t help but see the way the two of you look at each other. The way he looks at you.”

I glanced away, not wanting to meet his eyes. Even Jayce had noticed Neil was always staring at me.

“Do you like him?”

“Of course I like him. He’s a good guy.”

Jayce turned and quirked a small smile. “You know that’s not what I’m asking.”

I shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

“You’re always looking down at your phone as if you’re waiting for a message from him. Sometimes we’ll be together and your mind will wander off like you’re not paying attention. I can’t help but wonder if you’re thinking of him when you’re with me.”

“Whoa. Wait. That is absolutely not true. I’ve just got a lot of my mind, what with the job and everything…” Now I sounded like Neil, making excuses.

“I’m not saying it to make you feel bad. I understand. You two have known each other for months. Almost a year. You told me yourself. And then you just happen to end up on the same tour?” Jayce shook his head and stuck his hands in his pants pockets. “Of course you’d want to see if there’s any chemistry.”

“Where is this coming from?”

“I want you to be happy. I’d prefer if I was the only one who could make you that way.” His eyes flicked to me, an unreadable expression on his face. “But if you and this Neil guy have something, maybe you should explore it.”

I gaped at Jayce, not believing the words coming out of his mouth. Was he telling me to go be with Neil?

“I want to be with you,” I insisted.

“And I want to be with you. I’m not saying we have to break up.”

I gaped, completely lost. “Then what are you saying?”

The corner of Jayce’s lip twitched, almost as if he was holding back a smirk, the beginnings of that familiar smoldering look crossing his face.

“Sometimes I forget you’re only twenty-one.”

“I’m almost twenty-two.” I frowned. I didn’t understand why he was bringing up my age. I didn’t understand the conversation we were having at all.

Jayce gave me a soft smile and kissed my forehead. “It’s nothing. Really. Forget I said anything.” He took my hand and led me away from the window and toward the bed. I was still confused, but was willing to let him take the lead.

“You know what I’ve been thinking about all night?”

“What?”

His eyes flashed with heat and a thrill ran through me. “Ripping off that dress and fucking you till you scream.”

Chapter Twenty

“What’s gotyou so distracted lately?” Kell asked in a worried tone.

The rest of the guys had piled out of the tour bus, but I’d stayed behind pretending to be posting stuff online. Mostly I just wanted to give myself some distance from Jayce.