Page 24 of Lost Lyrebird

She’s a little disheveled.Her hair is pinned up in a messy bun, a few loose strands blow in the breeze across her face.There’s a light sheen of sweat on her skin and the sight has my hand twitching with the urge to reach out, touch her, and calm her nerves.To feel that rapid beating pulse beneath my fingers.

Bodie bumps my shoulder.“Dude, she asked you a question.”

I blink and meet her stare.“What?”

Her eyebrows are drawn together.“Can I still audition?”There’s a touch of desperation in her question.She adjusts the bag on her shoulder, eyes flicking between me and Bodie.“Look, I promise I won’t ever be late again.I’m a good dancer—a good employee.If you give me a shot, you won’t regret it.”She’s still out of breath.Something about the way she’s looking at me makes me think this isn’t just nerves.She needs this, which has me wondering and worrying about why.Like, is she low on cash, desperate, and behind on bills?

Fuck.I care about the people I hire, but the degree at which I care about this chick, in like a day, is bordering on levels that sound crazy even to me.

I tuck my hair, which has fallen forward, behind my ear.Her gaze follows the movement, roaming over my tattoos.A spark of something flitters across her eyes, and for a second, I think it’s lust.But it’s there one second and gone the next, leaving me questioning if I saw it.

“Have you danced anywhere before?”Bodie asks, granting mercy on my dumb ass.

“Yeah, I uh—danced at the Pink Melon in Vegas for a little over a year and at a small joint in Fresno for a year and a half.But to be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve been on stage.My brother got into some trouble… with drugs… and well, he needed me.So I’ve spent the last few months making sure he stayed clean and out of prison.”

I feel an instant kinship with her.I know what it’s like to put your life on hold to take care of a family member.

“And what brings you to Albuquerque?”I ask.It’s one of the million questions I have for her queued up in my head.

Bodie throws his hands up.“Finally!He speaks!”

I stifle the urge to knock him on his ass.

“The city that never sleeps isn’t the best place for my brother to stay clean, if you know what I mean.I thought moving somewhere a little slower-paced and getting him away from his friends would be what he needed to start over.There’s also a great outpatient rehab center here that his mentor referred him to.”She shrugs.“So here I am.”

“And your brother?”I ask.

Lily smiles warmly, and her eyes light up.“Doing better.Thanks for asking.He’s staying with family for a while until I find my feet, but once I get set up here, he’ll follow me down.Maybe get a job and a place of his own.Or at least, that’s the plan.”

I nod as respect for her ignites in my chest.What she’s had to live through couldn’t have been easy, and yet she still stood by her brother.She’s got her shit together and is raising up those around her, something I believe in wholeheartedly.

“No, you didn’t miss your chance.The audition’s still on if you feel up to it.”I head toward the back door and hold it open for her.

Relief floods her face.She smiles full wattage, andoh fuck, the sight sends a ripple of chills down my spine.

I eye her layered silver jewelry and the many rings on her fingers.Her shirt is white, thin, and dips low enough that it gives me a mouthwatering view of her cleavage, her ample tits barely contained in a white lace bra that’s visible underneath.The shirt itself reads, “Wild Beauty,” which suits her to a T—a little wild, a whole lot beautiful, and I love that she’s confident enough to flaunt it.

For a moment, she meets my stare head-on.Her brow lifts as if calling me out on my ogling.Her expression pulls a smirk from me, something I haven’t done in ages.

I don’t understand it, but she seems as fascinated with me as I am with her.

Bodie clears his throat, ruining the moment.

I gesture toward the door.“Come on.I’ll show you around.”

She walks ahead, and I can’t help but watch the figure-eight sway of her hips.

She might not be Elle, but my curiosity to know more about her is definitely piqued.

The frightened teen I’ve seen in my dreams is miles apart from this strong, independent woman who is hell on wheels.Linking them in any way is just wishful thinking.People change, but do they change this much?No, not in my opinion.

My gaze falls to her ass in those faded jean cutoffs.They’re tight and hug her bubble butt.It’s all too easy to imagine the biteable ass I’d find underneath.But would it be covered in lace or cotton?What color?

Fuck.Where the fuck is my mind today?

On sex.Yes, that’s fucking obvious.My libido, like a separate entity, is suddenly awake and demanding I sate myself with every inch of her, like a starved fucker.

Bodie and I almost collide as we try to enter the door.We jockey for position behind her like two kids.He reaches out, faking a grab.I shove his hand away and slam him against the doorframe, my forearm across his chest.