Page 74 of Hard Rock Tease

"We can't. Someone might try to walk in."

I blanched in horror.

After our clothes were back on and we were presentable, Noah took my hand in his. He rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Hm?"

"You look lost in thought." He gave me a careful once over. "Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I? I know I can get rough sometimes."

"No. I mean, yeah, it was rough, but I liked it. I like it when you lose control. Like you can't help yourself."

"You're the only one who's ever made me lose control like that."

Although I didn't like thinking about all the various other women Noah had slept with before me, I did like knowing I had that sort of power over him.

"You didn't answer my question, though." He placed a kiss on the center of my palm. My heart fluttered with a delightful ache. He looked into my eyes, serious for once, not being his usual guarded self. "Is something wrong?"

I hesitated, not knowing how this conversation was going to go.

"I'm worried about our song."

"Worried how?"

"We just tossed out everything we've been working on. We're starting from scratch. We barely have anything to show for our weeks of work." I hesitated before continuing. "I think we should bring in the other guys."

"No."

His answer was curt.

"I know you don't want anyone to know you're having trouble, but asking the band for help doesn't make you weak or less capable, or whatever else it is you're worried about."

"Always psychoanalyzing me."

"You trust the other guys in the band, right?" I persisted. "Just like you trust me?"

"We can do it by ourselves."

"You need to learn to rely on other people. I know you think you can't. Because of how you grew up. Because of what happened with Lily. But I'm sure if you just told the guys how much trouble you're having, I'm sure they'd be happy to work with you."

"Are you saying you want to quit on me?"

I heard the unspoken words.

Are you saying you want to leave me?

"No. I just don't know how the two of us are going to be able to finish on time by ourselves. I've been working as hard as I can, but I'm not some genius like you or August. We might have to consider bringing someone else in."

"Doubting yourself again?"

"It's not doubt, it's me being realistic."

"I'll think about it."

I threw my arms around his neck. "Don't get all grumpy on me. I like the nice, sweet Noah Hart you were just showing me. Bring that guy back."

"You want nice?" His fingers crept up my inner thigh. "I'll gladly give you something nice. I can't guarantee it'll be sweet, though."