Page 25 of The Beat Match

She replayed the kiss, how he’d been the one to pull back first, put on the brakes. It had been her who’d taken charge afterward, deepened their kiss. He hadn’t been pushy or overly aggressive, and being alone with him was the best way to talk music. “I trust him.”

He studied her, then deflated slightly. “Can’t say I’m pleased, but I get it. We’ll just have to do this again sometime.”

He smiled his player smile, and her stomach clenched. Turning a person down was never easy. “As nice as this has been, I’ll have to decline. I think we work better as friends.”

“That’s because I was out of my element. Let me take you out next week.”

So much for blunt honesty.

Out of options, Annie crooked her finger and jabbed at her nose. Duncan squinted at her. She looked like a nutcase, but she wasn’t the one hitting on an uninterested party.

Vivian spotted the signal and hurried over. “Annie, darling, didn’t you say you had to get up early tomorrow?”

“Nope. You must have me confused with Sarah’s sister. I’m actually meeting Falcon in…” She pulled her phone from the top of her thigh-high boot and cringed at the time. “In one minute, so I need to run. Maybe you can hang with Duncan?”

“At least let me walk you.” Duncan was gunning for Clueless Man of the Year award.

“I’m good, thanks.”

“We were actually just talking about you.” Vivian took hold of Duncan’s elbow. “You’ve got to tell me what dentist you use. I was thinking of having my teeth whitened. Or maybe getting fang implants.” She led a confused Duncan away, but glanced back at Annie and mouthed ohmygod Falcon.

There would be questions later.

Already a minute late, Annie rushed to the back exit, a slick of guilt coating her stomach as she hurried. Meeting Falcon had been a success, but she’d pawned off Wes’s favor to make it work, she’d used and ditched Duncan, and she’d kissed Falcon while on a date. Becoming a DJ was important to her, but this selfishness wasn’t cool. She’d have to apologize to Duncan again. Find a way to balance this growing music obsession so it didn’t turn her into a monster. For now, she had a mysterious DJ to meet.

She leaned into the door’s release bar and shoved it open, inhaling the warm night air. An overflowing garbage bin made her regret that deep inhale. People were lined up at a club across the way. Freed by the Falcon groupies smoked in cliques, chatting about tonight’s show. They weren’t griping about Falcon’s lackluster performance. They were talking about the video screens, the visual images, and her being dragged on stage.

The bouncer she’d chatted up earlier stood nearby, towering over the scene. He saw her and ambled over while cracking his knuckles. Gold rings glinted on his fingers. “Falcon told me to tell you he had to split.”

Her shoulders fell. “Seriously?”

“He also got you a cab. It’s out front. Paid for.” The man’s dark eyes roved over her outfit. “He don’t talk to fans. Or anybody, really. You must have made an impression.”

Not much of one if he’d stood her up. “Thanks, but I’ll get my own ride.”

The giant didn’t budge. “Sorry, no can do.”

“Excuse me?”

“I gotta get you in that cab. Falcon made that very clear.”

What was it with men wanting to control her? She’d rather march away and hoof it home, use the long walk to clear her mind, but this Goliath wasn’t having it. “Fine,” she said. “But only because my feet hurt.”

He shrugged and fanned a hand for her to go ahead.

Once in the cab, she brooded. Falcon had been the one to call her on stage. He’d kissed her, after grinding against her body. She still felt the imprint of his fingers digging into her hips and spine. Not the behavior of a guy who’d ghost her. Maybe his face was disfigured and he was shy about it. Or he had a girlfriend and had freaked out. Or he was in witness protection for saving puppies from a crazed drug lord who used them for smuggling, and seeing her would put her and those sweet puppies in harm’s way.

Her phone buzzed. She rolled her eyes at Duncan’s name, but the message put her at ease.

Duncan: Thanks for tonight, and don’t feel bad about the Falcon thing. I’m cool with us just being friends.

Finally, the guy took the hint.

Annie: Friends sounds good.

Duncan: And if you ever want to add benefits to that title, call me. I’m not into anything serious.

He certainly got points for being candid.