Текст книги "Rock Me Two Times"

Автор книги: Dawn Ryder

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Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

“I don’t want to do anything except seduce you.” His voice was a whisper next to her ear. “We’ve fucked, but we haven’t made love…”

She shuddered.

“Like the sound of that?”

He moved her farther out the door. There was a private Jacuzzi on the balcony. Several candles were set up around it, their lit wicks the only source of light, giving off a soft golden hue that heightened the sense of intimacy.

Syon kissed her neck, nuzzling against her sensitive skin. She leaned her head to the side as he gathered up her hair and pressed a row of tender kisses against her throat.

The candles had a soft jasmine scent, but she enjoyed the scent of Syon’s skin more, his own personal musk. She turned and buried her nose in his shoulder, inhaling deeply as she stroked his chest.

“Fingertips are amazing things…aren’t they?” he said. Syon leaned back and laid his fingers against her collarbone. “So sensitive…so simple…”

He traced her collarbone, and then down across the bare skin exposed by her neckline. He reached the fabric and slowly dove beneath it.

She was holding her breath, poised on the edge of sensation as she waited for him to touch her breast. He’d done it before, but tonight, anticipation was driving her slowly mad. He finally succeeded, his warm fingers cupping the tender mound, and she let out a contented little sigh.

“I want to stroke you,” he said.

“Alright.” Kate took a step back. It was a sweet torment, feeling his fingers slipping away from her flesh. But there was a reward in the look glittering in his eyes. In that moment, he was hers, devoted to her, fixated on her as she released the buttons holding her dress closed. The fabric sagged, and he reached out to ease it over her shoulders. It slithered down her body to puddle at her feet, leaving her in her underwear.

She reached behind her and unhooked her bra. With it undone, her breasts lowered.

“Perfect.” Syon moved forward, cupping them, smoothing his thumbs over her nipples until they began to pull tight.

She worked the buttons on his shirt, opening it so she could touch him and flatten her hands on his chest. He made a soft sound of male enjoyment. His eyes slipped closed as she ran her fingertips through the crisp hair on his chest. He satisfied every type of sensation: touch, scent, and even those she hadn’t really realized she had.

Like the need to have her desire for intimacy fulfilled.

He stepped back and stripped. The sound of his jeans and shirt being shucked drifted to her ears. He stepped forward again and caught the edges of her panties where they hugged her hips, slowly kneeling as he pulled them down. He left them at her ankles and buried his nose in her curls.

She fought the urge to step back, trying to find the courage to stand steady. He rose back up until he towered over her. Her insides were tightening, excitement prickling along her skin. He slid a hand into her hair and held her steady before sealing his lips over hers.

He took his time with the kiss, teasing her with soft compressions before deepening the touch. All the while, he kept her head prisoner to his whim.

She wanted more.

Kate rose onto her toes, seeking out a deeper kiss. Syon didn’t disappoint her. He opened his mouth, pressing her lips apart and teasing her tongue with his.

She made a sound that was purely sensual. A moan, possibly a growl.

All she knew was he tasted good.

His arm came around her, securing her against his hard frame as they continued to kiss. His cock was pressed between them, feeling out of place. She wanted it inside her. She lifted her leg, leaving her panties on the floor. She hooked it around his hip, clearing a path to her throbbing center.

“Not yet,” Syon warned her. He climbed up the steps to the spa, down into the bubbling water, and offered her his hand.

She took it and smiled as she stepped into the water. It wasn’t too hot, making it easy to follow Syon down into it.

Her lover…

The term fit the moment. Syon pulled her gently into his lap, easing her onto his length. As she sank lower, the water bubbled up around her waist, teasing her skin, his cock satisfying the ache inside her.

“That’s right where I want you, Kate.”

His tone was full of demand. He cupped her hips, controlling their pace. She let him lead, let him take her through a pace that was slow and easy. Need was blistering her insides, but the tempo built the pleasure until it was glowing red-hot. Controlling it intensified it. Syon’s jaw was tight, the muscles along his neck corded, but he didn’t start hammering her.

She leaned forward and kissed his neck, continuing with the pace, slowly riding the rising wave. Their breathing accelerated, their gazes meeting as they neared the point of breaking. It broke with a rolling motion that churned through her. Not in a hard snap, but in a tumbling motion that lasted. She cried out, arching back to press herself against him. His grip tightened, his cock bursting as he pushed upward into her with sharp little thrusts.

He pressed her against his chest, still buried inside her as the rapture encased them. Slowly stroking her, petting her, cherishing her. If there was another person alive on the globe, she wasn’t aware of them. In fact, she wasn’t sure where Syon ended and she began. It felt like their heartbeats had fused. Just like their bodies.

It was by far the most intimate moment of her life.

* * *

“Stay in tonight.”

Kate looked over at Syon, feeling like the breath had just left her lungs. He was watching her from beneath narrowed eyes.

“I thought you liked having me at the show.”

Something crossed his face. “That was before you ended up getting hurt. I’ll be fine.”

It felt like he was cutting her from his life, and she didn’t like it.

“It’s not like I can’t handle it. Someone slipped me a roofie.”

He let out a sigh. “I know, and I’m not any closer to finding out who did it, so…”

“So what?” Kate came closer. “The vibe coming off you is curling my toes, and not in a good way.”

“Don’t be pissed, Kate. I can’t back down when it comes to your safety.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m going to be hurt if you tell me you don’t want me to come tonight. Not pissed. This is personal, between us. Because you want me there, I know you do, and I don’t want to see you cutting me from your life because we had some bad luck. That’s the difference between hooking up and being in a relationship. Boyfriend.”

He reached out and stroked her jaw, a hint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes. “Fine. We’ll do it your way.”

Suspicion tingled on her nape. The feeling that she’d just stepped into a trap came over her.

He moved to the door and opened it. Standing in the hallway was a lean-looking Asian man. He was dressed in a dark suit, with only a half inch of spiky hair on his head, and was at least six feet tall.

“Meet Yoon. Your bodyguard.”

Syon offered the guy a nod before he shut the door. Satisfaction was definitely glowing in his eyes now.

“Don’t be so pigheaded,” Kate argued. “I told you, I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“And we all agreed that making sure you’re taken care of is a better way to go than the lot of us getting thrown in jail.”

Well, she had to concede that point. “That’s a tad unfair.”

“So is the way we react to each other. I lose my head; you lose your head.”

“I just won’t drink,” she offered, “until the show is over.”

“That won’t solve the problem with the press.”

“I’m a little new to this lifestyle. I’ll get better at it,” she said. “It should be my choice.”

Syon shook his head. “No, it’s not. It’s mine, and the rest of the guys agree.”

He was halfway out of the door when she realized he had every intention of leaving her with her escort.

“You can’t just find me glorified pet sitters.”

Syon flipped around and stepped up so they were nose to nose when she raised her chin.

“I have to concentrate, Kate, and I can’t do that when I’m worried about you being in danger.” He caught her shoulders. “Don’t be difficult, or I swear I will promise him a fat bonus if he doesn’t lose you the entire night. He’ll stand outside the bathroom door.”

“That is insane,” she stated. “You’re insane.”

“Yeah, like I said, you make me insane.”

He pressed a hard kiss against her mouth, absorbing her protest and working his lips against hers until she melted and kissed him back.

Damn him.

She couldn’t think.

She never could when he touched her. The current was flowing between them, burning off everything else. Reality was just a puff of smoke.

He finished up with a last breath-stealing motion of his mouth before he was gone. Kate opened the door to go after him but ended up facing Yoon. He gave her a short, stiff bow. She slammed the door shut, feeling like she had just locked herself in a cage.

She cussed and went into the bedroom to get dressed.

* * *

Yoon stuck to her like a shadow. It was both eerie and impressive the way the guy was unshakable. He had one of the sharpest gazes she’d ever seen, and also had one of those pigtailed radio ear pieces. Kate gave a huff as she looked at her hair in the bathroom mirror.

You’re hiding.

Yeah, so what?

You’re hiding in the ladies’ room.

Pathetic, but still, so what?

Back in the performers’ room, Cid’s team of makeup artists and sound techs were busy. The band members were warming up. Ramsey stopped fingering his guitar when she showed up and offered her a drink. He poured it from a bottle sitting on a table behind him with a rather burly security guy standing over the makeshift bar. The security guy looked bored off his rocker, but he stood there in front of the bottles without moving.

“I think I’m going on the wagon for a bit.”

He nodded. “More for me.” He took a swig from the drink before setting it down and starting in on his guitar again.

A soft hand landed on her nape. She didn’t have to turn around to know it was Syon.

She knew his touch. Recognized it on a cellular level. He leaned close, setting off a ripple of awareness. “I’m glad you’re here.” It was a whisper, but one that eased some of the tension balled up inside her.

Her phone vibrated, and she looked at it out of habit. Seeing Percy’s number made her swipe the screen and take the call.

“Sweetie…”

“Don’t sweetie me, Percy.” The instruments slowly died away as the band members looked at her. “I don’t like ambushes.”

“I don’t like getting calls about you being taken to the emergency room,” her partner informed her.

“So you help get me a bodyguard?”

Percy made a soft sound. “You need one, honey. It’s not my fault you and those hunks were slow on the uptake. There are crazy people out there.”

“You’re helping make me one of them,” she groused.

“How much do you suffer with that man animal in your bed, darling?”

“Good night, Percy.”

Her partner laughed before she hung up. But that left her facing the smug looks of four band members. They’d won the round and knew it.

“Percy sends lots of kisses to you all,” she said sweetly.

Drake shuddered and took shelter behind his drums. Ramsey put his lips together and made kissing sounds.

“Does that mean you’re not too pissed at me?” Taz asked. “’Cause I’m getting a craving for sushi again.”

“We can do sushi,” Kate decided. “But I think Yoon is coming.”

Taz flashed her a smile.

Now two seats had reserved signs on them. Yoon parted the crowd easily and sat down next to her. It was an awkward moment, sitting there with the guy but not knowing him at all. They avoided each other’s gazes for a bit before she decided to try and break the ice.

“How’d Taz get you involved in this?”

Yoon offered her a hesitant smile. “I was born in Korea. Good jobs are hard to come by, because everyone has a nephew or cousin they can hire. This was a good opportunity. I get to see the world.” Anticipation edged his tone and shone in his eyes. “But don’t worry. I won’t let my guard down.”

“You’re likely going to do better than me,” she said. “I’ve never had a bodyguard before. So sorry in advance for anything.”

“You don’t look like that much trouble.” He eyed her. “I spent most of the plane flight over envisioning a Kardashian-type socialite.”

He reached up and drew his hand across his forehead and gave her a look of relief. Kate laughed softly.

“Um…you might want to think about losing the suit.”

He considered her for a moment. “My grandmother was proud I landed a job where I could wear a suit.”

“Maybe Taz can help you with that.”

“She was hoping I could talk some sense into him.”

“Well, this is an opportunity.”

Yoon grinned, looking ready to take on the world.

The stage lights started flashing, and the crowd roared. Over ten thousand people were screaming, but the members of the band still had the same problems as the rest of the world—pleasing their families.

It made her laugh.

But she also ached a little.

* * *

“You still mad at me?”

Kate forced her eyes open. “Depends.”

Syon chuckled from where he was sprawled on his back next to her. The bed was in shambles, the sheets and pillows half on the floor. She was pretty sure she couldn’t move. Her toes were still curled.

“On what?” Syon was merciless.

“I’m going to flat-out lie if you decide to prove anything else to me tonight.”

He laughed and rolled over. At least he gave her the courtesy of groaning just a tiny bit before he propped himself on his elbow next to her. “I like proving things to you. Especially when it requires fucking the hell out of you.”

He teased one of her nipples, stretching out his neck and catching it between his lips. “In fact, I think you should be mad at me at least twice a week.”

“It’s not funny, Syon. I think you’re overreacting with Yoon.”

He drew in a stiff breath. “I don’t want to think about you having to deal with pricks who ask you if I use you as a sex slave. Everyone knows you’re my girlfriend now. It’s only going to get worse. You’ll see. I’m going to have to get Yoon a partner, so there is a twenty-four-hour watch.”

She groaned, feeling her privacy being shredded. What made it worse was the logical nature of Syon’s demands.

Shit.

“Can I win this argument?” she asked at last.

He shrugged and sat up. “Only if you want me to not worry about you.”

“Ouch.” She rolled over. “Kill the guilt trip. I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.”

He kissed her bare shoulder. “Thank you.”

It was a whisper, but she heard how important it was to him. She turned her head and found him watching her. For a moment, it felt like they were connected, in that soul-deep way only he was able to touch her. It scared her, but at the same time, she craved it. Wanted to just sink down and roll around in it until it coated her.

“You should tell Yoon to lose the suit on show night.”

Surprise flashed across Syon’s face before he laughed. “Bet that was interesting to see.”

There was a squeal of a guitar from outside the patio door. The hotel faced a private pool area again.

“I promised the guys a look at what I’ve been writing.”

Syon stood up and pulled on some jeans. He walked through the suite and opened the sliding door. The evening air came in as he greeted his bandmates. Kate pulled on a dress so she could move closer. The four members of Toxsin had their laptops out and were reading the music. They were every bit as raw playing for no one but themselves, pushing the music out of their souls and sending a ripple of awareness across her skin.

It was who they were. She was fascinated by it. Even if she was slightly intimidated too.

Tomorrow, it would be on to a new city. It was almost like they were too much to contain in one city for very long. She fell asleep listening to them.

* * *

“Sushi!”

Taz landed on the ground outside the music coach when they pulled into Memphis, and cupped his hands around his mouth.

“You promised, Kate!”

“I’m pretty sure we’re having sushi tonight,” Kate said to Yoon.

He flashed her a grin and reached up to button the top button of his dress shirt. Undoing that button was as far as he’d gone in “loosening up” his wardrobe.

Syon caught her up against him. “Are you making dates with my band bro?”

“Taz has needs,” she explained.

Syon growled and nuzzled at her neck. “So do I.”

“Hey, Mr. Lead Singer”—Taz was suddenly there, pulling Syon away from her—“you have an interview. You know, the one that only wants the Marquis? Give me my sushi date. You’re busy.” He captured Kate’s wrist and started pulling her toward a waiting SUV. “Bye-bye, Mr. Lead Singer.”

Syon flipped him a double bird, one on each hand. But Cid was closing in on him. The road manager had his customary happy-go-lucky smile on his face. A makeup girl was there, with her box slung over her shoulder. Another polo-shirted team member had several pairs of Syon’s pants and leather vests on hangers. Syon gave in and walked toward another waiting SUV as the semitruck backed into the loading dock to begin prepping for the next concert.

Taz was fired up. He said a couple of things to Yoon in Korean as their driver took them through the business area of town. They ended up in Korea town, their SUV pulling up in front of a large restaurant.

There was only a single story to the place, but it was humming. There were tables with large burners set into them so you could cook your own Korean BBQ, with huge vents overhead to pull off the steam and smoke. But there was also a counter with sushi chefs behind it. Taz called out a greeting to them as they entered. Kate did her best impression of a bow before a pretty waitress guided them through the mass of people to one of the back tables.

Taz launched into a list of what he wanted.

And it was long. The waitress laughed at him before he finished, but she wrote it all down and bowed before leaving with a little wink for him. She was back within moments with the first tray sent over from the chefs.

“Syon hates it when he does solo interviews.”

“Really?” Kate looked up from her plate. “Then why does he do them?”

Taz was chewing and had to finish before answering. “You know, Cid is new to us. He’s got what he calls ‘fresh ideas.’ We’re all trying to give his marketing a chance. But it’s not good to split us up. Makes for friction. That could lead to trouble. I’m glad we went to the pub the other night. We need to be more than just party animals. I’m a serious musician.”

“Cid seems to steamroll right over that point. I’ve mentioned it to Syon. The fans love you guys for more than your image.”

Yoon nodded.

“You guys are tight,” Kate said. “It’s pretty awesome to see.”

Taz stopped before putting something in his mouth. It was clutched between his chopsticks. “You think so?”

“I do.”

“See, that’s why you and Syon work. You get it.” Taz looked at his plate and selected another piece of sushi. “So many chicks don’t understand. They get jealous. Don’t realize the…” He was searching for the right word.

“They don’t realize that being in a relationship means accepting each other for who they are,” she said. “Not trying to gain personal self-worth through getting you guys to split off from one another.”

Taz’s eyes widened. “Exactly. But that’s a lot easier said than done for most people.”

That was a solid truth. It was a balancing act, and it meant being flexible enough to deal with things like Ramsey walking through their bedroom from time to time.

It was all a part of Syon, and she’d be a liar if she said she wasn’t fascinated by him. That meant all of him.

An hour later, Kate stared at Taz and Yoon in awe. “Where are you two putting it?”

They laughed at her and tried to feed her. She blew her cheeks out and shook her head. The restaurant was fuller now than it had been when they’d arrived, with parties of people waiting outside for a table to open up. Waiters were carrying food around while waitresses brought out the beverages and condiments. The tables were so close, anytime someone got up, the chairs bumped together. English was the odd language. Most everyone around them was chattering away in some Asian tongue. The table behind them finished, and within moments, it had been cleaned and reset.

Taz raised his hand to call the waiter over but suddenly stiffened. His good nature evaporated in a flash. Kate turned to see a woman standing in the walkway. She’d been on her way to sit at the table behind them. Her face was white, her mouth open in a little expression of astonishment.

They were both frozen, staring at each other. Someone behind the woman suddenly noticed. An older woman came up beside the young one, grabbing her shoulders and hissing at her in Korean.

Kate didn’t have to understand the language to know when someone was cussing, or at the least being insulting.

Taz’s expression tightened. But he watched the girl, waiting to see what she was going to do. The older woman was chattering away and even pointed at Kate.

The younger girl suddenly broke out of her trance, turning her back on Taz.

“Time to go,” Taz said.

Taz pulled his wallet from the inside of his leather jacket pocket. He carelessly dropped three crisp one-hundred-dollar bills on the table and got up.

He was ten feet away before he turned, his face a tightly controlled mask of fury. He went up to the owner and passed the man several more hundred dollar bills. The owner looked back at the table where the girl was sitting with her family. She was looking at the tabletop as everyone seemed to be taking digs at her. She looked up, feeling Taz watching her. It seemed to be what he was waiting for. He raised his hand toward her, offering his open palm to her in a gesture that was overly gallant. He jerked his head toward the door when she only stared at his hand like she was really contemplating the offer.

She looked like she really wanted to take his hand. Taz hadn’t moved; if anything, he looked like he was leaning toward her.

Her family noticed, and one of them stood up to block her view of Taz. His expression hardened. He looked back at the manager.

“Don’t tell them until after they’ve eaten that I paid for their meal.” He tossed another hundred dollar bill onto the counter and started for the street.

He was lost in thought on the way to the hotel. He pulled out of his thoughts only long enough to look at Kate.

“Thanks for dinner,” he said.

He was gone a moment later, grabbing a key card from Cid’s second in command and making his way to the elevators.

It sucked.

Ramsey had his family, and Taz seemed to have a girl who wouldn’t cross her family to be with him.

Seriously sucked.

Kate made her way to her suite, realizing she was relieved to discover Syon’s stuff set up inside it.

How long was it going to last?

Don’t.

She needed to answer that question, but she couldn’t. Doubt was a cruel little bitch, chewing on everything she thought she knew and twisting it. Time crept by. She checked her cell phone, but there was no text message from Syon.

She’d told Taz she got it. The lifestyle. The demands.

So she couldn’t bug him when he was working. Instead, she slid into bed and told herself to let it go.

Which was another bit of good advice she completely ignored.

* * *

“The Marquis!”

Kate sat up. The space in the bed beside her was empty.

“You’re so hot!”

“Come party with us!”

A round of giggles came from outside the suite door. Kate tripped as she fumbled to get some clothing on. By the time she opened the door, Syon was at the end of the hallway, surrounded by fangirls. Music was blaring, shaking the hallway. He plowed through the door, obviously eager to get inside the suite. It felt like the floor fell out from under her feet.

Members of Cid’s team were still moving around. The early hours of the morning were just normal work time for them. A door suddenly opened, and Yoon popped into view, still shrugging into his suit jacket.

She retreated to the suite she shared with Syon, feeling like the bodyguard was a leash to keep her in her place.

Inside, it was dark, the candles unlit tonight. Her composure was crumbling, and there was no amount of willpower that could stop it. Her confidence was a puddle at her feet, even as she tried to go back to sleep.

You’re overreacting.

Maybe.

A round of loud laughter made it through her closed door. She cringed, unable to fend off the feeling of loneliness.

Well, you can just go down there.

No. She wasn’t going to chase him.

No matter how much she wanted to.

It was the final blow to her pride. The wound that left her without a plan of action, because she knew she’d defeated herself.

* * *

Someone was pounding on doors.

Kate rubbed her eyes. They burned as she blinked and realized she’d slept on the sofa. She stumbled into the bathroom but knew she was alone in the suite. It was well after two, and Cid’s team was getting everyone off to the show. What had been exciting madness in the first few weeks was now a recognizable pattern.

Syon hadn’t come back.

It crushed her. But she wiped her face and opened the suite door. She needed to be sure of her facts, not jump to conclusions.

“Okay, ladies…I need him back now.” Cid was ushering a trio of half-dressed girls out of the suite at the end of the hallway. Their hair was mussed, their lipstick smeared, and one was still topless. Two of Cid’s team members took over, herding them toward the elevators while enjoying the exhibition. No one gave her anything to cover up with.

Just a little more publicity.

It was nauseating.

“See you at the show!” one called before the doors slid shut and she was gone.

Kate’s temper sizzled. Syon appeared in the suite doorway, drowsy, looking like he’d just crawled out of bed.

“What was that all about?” she demanded.

Cid was trying to cut her off, but she ducked around him.

“What?” Syon shrugged.

“Don’t say ‘what.’” Kate pointed at the elevator doors. “One of them was topless.”

Syon’s eyes narrowed. “We’ve been over this ground. You either trust me or you don’t.”

“Oh, like you had such complete faith in me when you pulled up to see me with Conan?”

“That’s different.”

She scoffed at him. “Different because it’s you versus me.”

“Boys and girls, we’ve got a concert to do.” Cid shouldered his way in front of her. “You know, that thing we’re all here to do? To bring in the money? You’re already running behind because of your late night.”

Syon cussed but turned around and stormed toward the elevators. Cid turned on her, blocking her path. “You’ve been here long enough to know how it goes. He’s not going to play by the same rules as everyone else. Take it or leave. As you see, there are plenty who will take it.”

There was more than a little pleasure in his tone and a glitter of victory in his eyes. She wanted to not see it. Wanted to tell herself she was jumping to conclusions.

Kate turned away, unable to watch anymore. Tears stung her eyes, completing the moment.

She shut herself behind the door of the suite and curled into a ball, trying to contain the hurt.

It was impossible. It felt like she was being ripped in two, the agony increasing as the hotel quieted down, telling her that everyone was gone.

Yoon was waiting on her.

But that wasn’t enough to make her get up. Honestly, she didn’t think she could manage to see Syon. Not on stage with the hordes of fans willing to do anything he wanted.

She wanted to think of him as being deeper.

Having more character.

Yeah, right. He doesn’t have to hold himself to those standards.

Your standards.

No, he didn’t. And it hurt like hell to see him abandoning their relationship. Maybe he’d just been checking it out. Seeing what a good girl was like. Enjoying all the offerings the buffet of life had for him.

She leaned her head back against the wall and felt the heat from the crash and burn.

She was pretty sure she could feel her skin blistering.

As well as her heart breaking.

* * *

Syon warned off his makeup girl with a finger. She stood poised with a blending sponge in her hand as she debated whether or not to heed him. Cid turned and gave her a sharp look. She flinched and started toward him again. Syon brushed her hand aside, irritated by the way Cid ran the crew. It was what he expected, but at the same time, there was something irritating about it tonight. Like he was a show monkey.

“Give me my phone, Cid,” he demanded.

The road manager dropped the cell phone into his pocket. “You know how I feel, mate. It’s concert time. All focus on the show. Toys later.”

“I’m making an exception,” Syon said.

Ramsey looked over at him from where he was warming up. There was already a thin film of perspiration on his chest, his features slightly tight as he let himself flow with the beat. Syon could feel the pull, but the way he’d left Kate was getting in the way. He couldn’t drop it.

“I just need to touch base with Kate.”

“Kiss-and-make-up time will have to wait,” Cid said.

“Yeah,” Ramsey added. “Kiss and make up when you have time to fuck out all the wrinkles.”

“Watch your mouth, Rams.”

Ramsey turned, still working his guitar, but his eyes were open now, his gaze keen as he tried to read Syon.

“Kate’s not a fuck,” Syon clarified.

Ramsey’s lips slowly curved into a sensual smile. “That’s what I’d be doing with her.” But Ramsey shrugged, his gaze sharpening for a moment of seriousness. “I hear you.”

At last, a tiny measure of satisfaction went through Syon.

It wasn’t enough though. He turned back to Cid.

“You’re not even dressed.” Cid took a pair of pants from one of his girls and held them out. “Ramsey’s got a point. You might need a little more time with your girlfriend than a quick check-in.”

It made sense.

Syon took the pants, still not happy with the circumstances. “One text. Then I’m all yours.”

Cid handed over the phone. Syon flipped it open and typed in a line of text.

* * *

Kate stared at her phone, blinking as she read the message.

I was a dick. Explain after the show.

You’re in love.

Shit.

She was.

There was no other way to explain the rush of happiness, pure giddiness that went through her. Her fingers were trembling, for Christ’s sake. She read the message once more and stood up.

Yeah, she might be in love, but there was no way she was going to let Syon steamroll over her. She marched into the bathroom and prepared for war.

Yoon was waiting for her. He checked his watch but didn’t say anything about her late arrival. She was used to arriving with the band. Now, she was stuck in the traffic that was slowly being guided into the massive parking lots that surrounded the FedEx Forum. It was a line of brake lights following the hand signals of parking lot attendants. Traffic signals were turned off, blinking red because of the surge of cars trying to make it to the concert on time.