“Twenty.”
Thank fuck for that. She had me worried for a second.
After switching out her beer for a soda, we find an unoccupied table and take a seat. The only way to describe the way she picks up her taco and eats it is dainty.
Me, I just shovel the food in.
A few bites later, she sighs. “These are amazing. I can’t believe I’ve never had them before.”
“Only a few places get it right. I’ve never managed to replicate it at home.”
She raises an eyebrow. “You cook?”
“Yes, sweetheart. I know how to feed myself.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m not used to—never mind.”
“How long you been in L.A.?”
She scrunches up her nose in a way that makes me want to lean over and kiss her. “A month.”
“And you already landed a job? That’s pretty cool.” Makes me wonder what she did to get it. This innocent act of hers has to be exactly that, an act.
“Yeah, I was pretty shocked, too. But then, I don’t know if some unknown band is really something to get all excited about.”
Well, isn’t that a knee to the groin? I almost choke on a piece of fish.
“I’m sorry.” Her big blue eyes widen, and she presses her delicate little fingers against her lips. “That was sort of rude, wasn’t it?”
“Nope. Honesty, I like it.” And I’m not lying. Back home, as the next in line to take over my father’s motorcycle club, I’ve got girls telling me anything they think I want to hear in the hope I’ll patch ‘em as my old lady one day. It hasn’t been much different out here in L.A. Chicks drop their panties as soon as you even hint you’re in a band. That this girl doesn’t give a fuck is refreshing.
Frustrating but refreshing.
Too bad, outside of those two things, I don’t have much to offer anyone. Definitely not a sweet, soft woman like her. I shouldn’t pursue her. We have nothing in common. Yet, I feel so comfortable and relaxed around her, I’m not ready to give up.
Hmm…maybe there’s a lyric or two in there.
“Chaser?”
Her soft voice pulls me out of my thoughts and back to her pretty face. “Where did you go there?”
Embarrassed that she caught me daydreaming, I lift my shoulders. “Thinking of some lyrics.”
She chuckles softly. “So you’re a real musician then. Do you find me inspiring?”
Even though I don’t have to think about the answer, I study her for a few seconds before replying. This girl’s almost out of my league, and I’ve never felt that way about any woman. Her soft, pouty lips remind me of a rosebud, and I’m dying to kiss her again. “Yeah, I do.”
Chapter Four
Mallory
Is this real life? Can this rough, scary rocker actually be as sweet as he seems? He takes the long way back to my apartment, driving much slower than before. Like he’s hesitant to end our time together.
On the surface, he seems calm and respectful. But underneath, I detect tightly coiled violence. It’s as if his centered quietness could change at any moment. It’s reminiscent of the men I grew up around. The kind of men who could strike when least expected.
Which makes the intricate snake and skull tattoos twining up his forearms even more interesting.
Sometimes, I swear I’m not right in the head.
When he pulls up in front of my apartment building, I realize I don’t want the night to end. Asking him up will give him the wrong idea though, won’t it?
He walks me to my door.
“Nice digs for someone who just had her first modeling job today.” His words are light and teasing, but there’s an undercurrent of curiosity in them.
I’m not sure what to say. My cheeks heat up. I’m afraid if he stares at me for too long, he’ll figure out my crime. I don’t want him to think I’m a horrible person. But what kind of daughter takes off for the opposite side of the country when her father’s incarcerated?
“I, uh, had some money saved up. Hopefully, I’ll be offered more parts, so I’ll be able to afford it long term.” The nervous laughter that follows my lie grates my own ears.
I have enough money to see me through a few years in Hollywood, even if I don’t make it big. One day, my father might kill me for stealing from him. Hopefully, five years from now, I’ll be untouchable or able to convince him it had been the right thing to do for my safety.
“Can I walk you up?” Chaser asks.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Then I’m going to kiss you right here and pray like fuck there’s no seagulls around.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
His fingers settle under my chin, tipping my head back, before brushing his mouth against mine. That’s it. A soft whisper of a kiss. I want so much more than that, but I don’t know how to ask for it.
My eyes open, and I find him staring at me. “What?”
“Nothing.” His expression hardens as he studies my face. “I think I really like you.”
“I think I really like you, too.”
That seems to cheer him up and I think he’s about to ask to come upstairs again. If he does, I’m afraid I’ll relent this time.
“You want to come to our show tomorrow night?”
Not the question I’d been expecting. “What?”
“My band? Kickstart? Want to come see a live show?”
“Uh, sure.” Even though their music held no interest for me, the idea of seeing him in his element holds infinite appeal.
“Cool.” He digs around in his pocket and pulls out a rumpled flyer. The picture of the band is so blackened and blurry I can barely make out Chaser’s face, which is a shame. He has a face made for billboards, magazine covers, and big, glossy posters teenage girls hang on their bedroom walls. “Here. The address is at the bottom. I’d pick you up, but I have to be there early for sound check. We go on stage around nine.”
“Can I bring someone with me?”
He narrows his eyes. The assumption that I’m planning to bring a guy written all over his face. “Who?”
The corners of my mouth twitch, but I don’t laugh because I like the thought of him a little territorial over me. “If you can spare an extra ticket, I’d like to bring my friend Audrey. She lives across the hall from me.”
He drops his head forward, a small smile of relief playing over his lips. “Sure thing. The more chicks the better.”
Now, it’s my turn to make a narrow-eyed annoyed face. “Really?”
“Don’t worry, the only chick I’m interested in seeing tomorrow night is you.”
Tomorrow night. He makes it sounds so fleeting.
This time he gives me no warning before pulling me against him and taking my mouth in a rough, possessive kiss. I push forward, kissing him back full force, something I’ve never done before. Never wanted to do so much. His mouth travels down my neck, finding all the sensitive spots I didn’t even know I had. My hands tease underneath his T-shirt, stroking his back. He seems to enjoy my touch, because he groans and tightens his arms around me.