3
The three of us sit at the small kitchenette table in the middle of the trailer. Me on one side, Court on the bench across from me, and Rye leaning over the counter behind him.
Both men stare me down like I’m a rattler ready to strike, as I nonchalantly pick at my nails. As if I haven’t a care in the world.
“Are you going to fire me? Because I did nothing wrong.”
I’d just handed over my phone to Court, who peruses through my photo album and videos to find nothing but a shitload of memes. He raises his head, thick eyebrows narrowed, and slides the phone back to me.
“What?” Rye asks, seriously shocked by my question.
Court is less emphatic, but clear in his decision. “No, of course not.”
I exhale a breath that I’d been holding since stepping back inside with them, relief coursing through me now that I know I can keep my job.
Rye rounds the corner of the counter and kneels down beside the table, placing his hands down and elbows stretched out.
“We love having you work with us, Shae. You must know that.”
I shrug my shoulder, pinching my lips together with a huff. “I guess. But assistants come a dime a dozen. You could replace me without any problem.”
Rye raises his hand and places it on my arm. An electric shock I’ve only heard described in books, catches me off guard and I jerk. From the look on his face, Rye felt it too.
“We love you,” he confirms, turning to gain Court’s input, who nods. I know he doesn’t mean the definition of romantic love, but the other kind. The gratitude kind of love. “You’ve been a godsend for us, and we trust you empathically.”
I snort, shooting my gaze toward Court, who sits there impassively. “It certainly didn’t seem like you did just now.”
Rye’s hand glides down my exposed arm, goosebumps building in his wake, until he reaches my hand. He wraps his palm around my knuckles, his thumb playing me like a six-string, strumming over the ridges and skin.
“We’re so sorry about that, darlin. It’s just that we have, shall we say, certain proclivities in our personal life. And if word got out, well, it would cause some serious damage to my recording career. Not to mention reputation.”
His blue eyes stare wide at me, as if he’s trying to make sure I understand his meaning.
“I would never say anything. Ever. And I didn’t mean to barge in like that or breach your trust or privacy. It was an accident and not on purpose. If I could take it back…”
Or not because damn, that was too hot for words.
Court assesses me, his deep brown gaze cutting over me sharply, as if trying to open my head to find the truth.
“But you can’t,” Court says, rubbing his temples, elbows on the table. “And that puts us in a difficult position.”
Rye suddenly jumps into the booth seat next to me, scooting me over with a bump of his hips against mine, his arm draped over my shoulders. Just the heat from his body is enough to do crazy things to my girly parts, but the scent of him. Good gravy, he is all spice, all man, and just, fuck all delicious.
He leans in close, his lips hovering just at my ear, warm breath fanning out over my skin.
Rye’s words are deliberately sensual, creating an eruption of lust between my legs, my nipples turning into tight buds, poking indiscreetly through my white blouse.
“You know what I think, Shae?” he whispers, his fingers stroking over my exposed neck, creating ripples of shivers at the contact. I remain still. “I think you enjoyed watching us together. I think it turned you on, didn’t it, darlin? I’d bet my career that your panties flooded with excitement when she had my cock in her mouth. Or when Court jerked himself off?”
Court growls. “Knock it off, Rye. Shae is our assistant. Not our lover.”
Rye whips his head toward his manager and stepbrother, lifting a shoulder. “Who says she can’t be both? Why not have both business and pleasure in this arrangement?”
Court doesn’t say anything else, but watches me with a careful glower, as Rye caresses my neck, ever so softly, and I have to close my eyes and drop my head to rest against him, feeling too good from the intoxicating trance he’s putting me under.
The idea he’s proposed certainly has merit.
I mean, we’re living in the same quarters, but only through the end of the tour. Both men are equally beautiful and ooze sex appeal. It’s not like I’m immune to them just because I work for them. Since the tour began, I’ve watched Rye’s performances from the side stage and have lusted over his incredible stage persona. And the way they interact with each other, as brothers and business partners, it’s just easy to see how good they are.
