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Me
I’m getting ready for the after-party here. Stand in the hallway and make sure my girl doesn’t escape while I’m in the shower.
Hired Gun
And what do you want me to do if she tries to leave?
Me
Remind her she promised to wait for me.
Hired Gun
And if that doesn’t work?
Me
Figure that shit out.
Hired Gun
It’s so goddamn funny to watch you assholes drop like flies.
I send him back a middle finger emoji, realizing he’s lumping me into the group with his boss, Giant Carmichael, and all the other happily attached men of Silver Spoon Falls. Before we signed on with Inked Knight Records, we had Raven meet us at a sex club we’d heard about in Silver Spoon Falls.
It only took about ten minutes for us to get the lowdown on the small, extremely wealthy Texas city. Evidently, drinking the town’s water is a guaranteed way to find your one and only soulmate.
At the time, I thought it was a load of malarkey, but I still made sure to drink only bottled water the entire time we were in town. Evidently, the town’s matchmaking power extends well beyond its borders.
I hear the water running in the bathroom and realize Riley August is standing naked right behind the white metal door. I blow out my breath and fan my face, trying to get myself under control.
Needing something to do to take my mind off the hot lead singer in the next room, I stand and pace the small room. As I’m doing my third circle of the room, I realize I’m actually dying of thirst, so I decide to run out to the hallway to grab a soda from the machine at the end of the hall.
I open the door and find a freaking mountain standing right outside. “Going somewhere?” He stares down at me with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh.” I swallow and give him a bright, fake smile. “I didn’t know anyone was out here.” Before I’m able to stop myself, I explain, “I wanted to get a soda from the machine.” I point at the end of the hall.
“Go back inside. I’ll get one for you.” His condescending tone causes my hackles to rise.
“I can get my own drink.” I glare at the jolly green giant and attempt to step around him, but he blocks my way.
“Look,” he growls and runs his hand down the front of his face. “The boss wants me to make sure you stay put.” He points back into the dressing room. “So, sit your ass on the sofa and I’ll get you a drink.”
He might be a jerk, but my grandmother would roll over in her grave if forgot my manners. “Thank you. I’d like a Diet Coke, please.” I leave the door open and walk back over to sit on the sofa.
He returns a few minutes later with two cans of Diet Coke. After placing them on the side table, he turns to me. “I’ll be right outside the door. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Thank you.” I give him a genuine smile this time.
Once he closes the door, I pull out my phone and play a game to pass the time.
The bathroom door opens, and I glance up to watch Riley step out. I almost self-combust on the spot as my eyes eat him up. He’s changed out of the black leather pants into black dress pants and a fitted gray button-up shirt. His slightly damp blond hair is styled, and he even shaved. The black square-framed glasses sitting on his handsome face really throw me for a loop, and I’m not sure which Riley I like better, the devil-may-care bad boy or the respectable, smoking-hot businessman look he has going on right now.
I search my mind for something to say and come up with, “That was fast.” I almost smack my forehead at the silly words.
“I didn’t want to keep you waiting.” He walks over and reaches for my hand. “The party should be starting soon.”
“Great,” I breathe out.
He opens the door, and the guy who got my soda walks over. “The limo is waiting.”
Riley lifts his chin to him and turns to take my hand. “Dream Girl, this is Ryan Blade, my bodyguard.”
“I met him a few minutes ago.” Well, I sort of met him.
“Really?” Riley stops and glares at the other man, waiting for my explanation.
“Don’t turn all caveman on me,” I huff. “I was looking for something to drink and he went to get me a soda.”
“I’m glad he took care of you.” Riley kisses my nose before leading me out the rear of the arena.
We find a limousine waiting for us in the underground parking lot. Riley waves off the driver and helps me into the back before sliding in next to me. Ryan hops in the front passenger seat as Riley hits a button that raises the black privacy partition. As the vehicle takes a sharp turn, he pulls me close, and his warm muscular thigh brushes against the side of my leg causing my blood pressure to skyrocket. I’m trying to decide how to approach this situation when he reaches over and runs his finger across the vein pounding at the base of my neck. I draw in a deep breath, and his woodsy, masculine scent wraps around me.
