Page 21 of Stolen Voices

Did he change his mind about driving me?“Care to elaborate on why Mike rushed out of here?”

“Nope.”

I cross my arms over my chest, waiting for him to give me a proper answer. He matches my stance, his eyes on mine, and waits. When he doesn’t crack, I ask, “Anyone ever tell you you’re annoyingly frustrating?”

“All the time. I have three brothers,” he says, revealing new information about himself.

“There are three more of you?” I blurt. I cover my mouth with my hands, and my cheeks heat.

Shut up, Callie. That was so freaking rude.

To my surprise, Eli throws his head back and laughs. I’ve seen him chuckle and smile, talking to people at parties and red-carpet events, but this is the first time I have ever heard him laugh—like, a genuine laugh—and it’s … sexy.

My clit does that little pulse thing between my legs.I am so screwed.

“Not exactly. I mean, we all look the same, but our personalities are very different.” Eli reaches for my bag. “Here. Let me?”

“Umm, sure.”

Before I can hand him my purse, he reaches for the strap. His fingers graze my shoulder, and the heat from his touch sears my skin the same way it did two years ago. I inhale a sharp breath and bite my lip, holding back the moan his illicit touch evokes.

Eli clears his throat. “We better hurry.”

“Yeah, of course.”

Without touching, Eli and I make our way through the concert hall side by side. Like a gentleman, he holds the door open for me. I exit the building to find an oversized SUV, which I assume is his, running at the curb. Again, Eli opens the door for me to climb inside.

His car smells new and like him—all rich and masculine. He walks around the front of the car with a scowl on his face. His eyes search for something, so I follow his gaze. Idling behind his car is my driver.

Eli opens the back door first, and places our bags and his jacket on the seat before climbing into the front seat. He glances my way and reaches over me, taking me by surprise. His masculine cologne floods my nose, and the delicious scent makes me dizzy.

In a protective move I never thought I’d experience, Eli takes the seat belt in his hand and pulls it across my chest, buckling me in.

What in the …

“I could have done that myself.” I try my damnedest to sound indignant, but my words come out low and breathless. My heart is rioting in my chest at Eli’s closeness and his weird yet sweet behavior.

Get a hold of yourself, woman.

Eli must see my clashing thoughts in my expression. “Hey, are you okay?” He sounds concerned.

Who is this man?This is not the Eli I know. This guy is chivalrous and respectful … and it’s giving me emotional whiplash.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “Yeah, why?”

“You have this weird look I can’t decipher on your face.”

I glance over to find him staring at me as his penetrating gaze searches my face for answers. His mismatched eyes see too much. They are too close to decoding all my secrets.

I look away. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”

“If you say so.” Eli puts the car in drive and exits the parking lot.

We sit in silence as he weaves through the LA traffic, north, towards Hollywood, where the recording studio is located. There’s plenty of traffic at this time of day—any day, really, in Los Angeles—and I can’t help but notice how quiet his car is.

“Is this car a hybrid?”

“No, electric. Why?”