Page 62 of Conquest

“Are you guys ready—hey!” Jesse yelled from the live room, waving wildly at Evan.

Evan smiled and waved back. “He asked me to come here.”

Greg’s brow furrowed, his mouth set in a frown.

Evan sat down beside Julian and grabbed the P.A. mic. “Well, are you going to sing, or just sit in there like a little boy with stage fright all day?”

Jesse threw him a playful glare and turned back to the piano. He sounded the first notes of “Shattered,” took a breath, and lifted his tenor in harmony with the instrument.

“I knew he had a voice from the demo,” Trish said, “but it’s nothing like hearing him in person. He’s so clear and pitch perfect.”

“He’s a sound engineer’s wet dream,” Jeremy said.

“His style of playing is very classical, too. Very Mozartesque,” Julian added.

“He’s gifted,” Evan said simply, resting his chin in his hand with his elbow propped up on the control desk, gazing at Jesse as if entranced.

Greg glanced at him out the corner of his eye, then turned back to Jesse. “This song is a destined top single, but I’m thinking I’ll have it released as either the second or third single from the album and come out with ‘Euphoria’ as the first. ‘Euphoria’ has such a good beat and guitar, and I want to set the precedent that Conquest is a rock band who can jam hard as well as put out works like this. Though, the lyrics are weaker in ‘Euphoria.’” He looked at Evan. “He’s not as much of a lyricist as you are, but then, he hasn’t lived as much, either.”

Evan glared at him. “You’re underestimating him.”

Jesse coaxed the last soft note from the piano and looked up at everyone. “How was that?”

“Not bad for a rookie,” Evan answered.

“Hmm, is that jealousy I hear?” Jesse quipped.

“Alright, let’s break for lunch,” Greg said, already walking toward the door. “When we get back, we’ll get you guys out there so they can hear you play, then hopefully we’ll have everyone jamming before the day is over.”

Evan rose to greet Jesse when he walked into the control room, a knowing smile on his lips.

Jesse’s gaze moved slowly over him. Evan wore black leather pants pulled over a pair of black snakeskin boots. His dark blue shirt clung tight to his torso, the front cut open from the collar to mid-chest to resemble a cross. Small blue mesh crosses hinting at his skin beneath patterned the shirt. Silver and thin black leather bracelets dangled from his wrists, and each finger was adorned with silver rings, some set with blue gemstones. He had changed out the two gold hoops he wore in his left ear for two large diamond studs, and in addition, up on the cartilage of his right he had a silver cuff with a cross hanging from it and a blue sapphire in the center. Resting on top of his head was a pair of silver-rimmed, blue lens sunglasses.

Jesse stepped close to him and wrapped his arms around his neck. The instant their bodies met in the embrace, heat rolled through his groin. “Did you get all rock-starred out just for me?”

“Yeah. I remember you telling me how hot you always thought I was done up and how fine my ass looked in leather pants. Do I still look good dressed like this?”

Jesse pushed his hips toward him. “Everyone’s left us for a moment. Let’s lock the door and I’ll show you how good I think you look.”

Evan grazed his lips over Jesse’s. “Your first day in the studio and you already want to do naughty things here. How about we drive to lunch separate from the others and I make sure we hit all the red lights so we can play a little bit along the way?”

Jesse looked at him with a pouting expression. “I guess that will tide me over.”

Evan laughed softly. “Horny little brat.” He slipped his fingertips under the black leather chords of the sun choker around Jesse’s neck, gently touching his throat. “You sounded incredible.”

“Would you expect anything less?” Jesse snickered.

Evan tousled Jesse’s hair and handed him the bottle of water, then slipped his arm around his waist and led him toward the chill-out room. They walked in to a discussion of what to have for lunch. Jesse tensed when he saw Tim, knowing his and Evan’s relationship was now fully revealed, but Tim kept his back to them and his mouth shut.

Kenny left the group to stand by them and rolled his eyes. “I suggested Uno’s, but apparently no one wants to listen to the Chicago native on restaurant ideas.”

“Maybe tonight the three of us can go,” Jesse said. “Oh, and Carrie, if you want to invite her.”

Kenny shook his head. “We can go, but since I broke up with her two days ago, I doubt she’d want to come.”

“That’s awesome!” Jesse blurted out, then quickly softened his voice and forced some sympathy into it. “I’m sorry, man.”

Kenny laughed and shoved him. “No you’re not! You couldn’t stand her.”