Page 16 of Kneeling for Them

“I went to the Kitty Cat, but there were too many fans.”

That’s right.I’m dating a rock star.If him being hot as fuck wasn’t bad enough, the rock star status also makes him a magnet for women—and men—to hit on.

“We need to talk,” he says.

Someone over his shoulder catches my attention.Natasha.She’s mouthing something at me.When I mouthwhat?back at her, Sebastian turns around to see who I’m talking to.

Natasha quickly looks away and marches toward the coffee maker.

Sebastian faces me again.“Is there somewhere private we can have a word?”

“Um…sure.”Natasha was trying to tell me something, but she didn’t want Sebastian to know.Feeling off-center, I move down the bar to where Kevin’s pouring beer from the taps.

“Hey, Ella,” he says.“You’re here for your check?It’s in the office.”

“Yeah,” I say.“Hey, can I borrow the office for a few minutes to talk to my friend?”

Friend?Boyfriend?What do I call Sebastian and Kingston?Can I borrow the office to talk to my daddydoesn’t have quite the right tone for my workplace.

“Sure.”Kevin waves me away and gets back to work.

I grab Sebastian’s hand and lead him through the swinging door of the kitchen.I say hi to Francine and Mikey, who are cooking tonight.At the back of the kitchen, next to the large, walk-in refrigerator, is Kevin’s office.It isn’t any bigger than a walk-in closet, but Kevin somehow squished a desk and office chair into the space.

I pull Sebastian in after me and close the door, then face him.He seems a lot closer now than he did a moment ago, even when I was hugging him.I tilt my head back to see him better.“What’s up?”

“You haven’t been honest with King and me,” he says, those hazel eyes fastening on me and getting darker.

Crap.This is what Natasha was trying to warn me about.

“I—” I don’t know what to say.What, exactly, does he know?

“Where are you living right now?”he asks.

“Natasha’s couch.Well, tonight, I’m not sure.It’s complicated.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” he says.“Between King and me, we have two large apartments.”

“We haven’t even gone on a single date,” I say.“I’m not moving in with you guys.I can figure things out on my own.”

“It’s almost ten p.m.Where are you planning to sleep tonight?Here at the pub?”

“I’m waiting to see if Mrs.Dali is home and I can sleep on her couch.Or maybe Kevin would let me sleep on his couch tonight…”

“Or you could come to mine,” Sebastian says.“Or Kingston’s.You’re killing me, princess.It doesn’t have to be this difficult.”

I look to the ceiling, searching for more patience.I don’t find any.“You’re not listening.I can’t move in with you.We’re maybe doing this relationship thing—”

“Maybe?”he asks, incredulous.

“Um, wearedoing this relationship thing.”

He takes my hands in his and his eyes are searching, intense on mine.“Ella.We’re going to King’s right the fuck now.And the three of us are going to have a nice, long chat about your disobedience.”

“My—disobedience—”

“You lied to your daddies,” he says simply.“You’re going to face the consequences.But first, I need to do this.”

He holds my wrists in one of his hands, then uses the other to grip the back of my neck and bring my face toward his.