Part 8 (2/2)
I stop at the sound of Jax's voice and turn as he approaches. His face s.h.i.+nes, and the salty scent of his damp skin digs further into the primal part of me aroused by this guy. We're nowhere near as close as in the elevator earlier, but my nerve-endings tingle as if we were touching. Jax wipes his damp hair from his face and turns the smile to me he's used so many time before. This time it works, ramping my heartbeat.
”Thanks for watching us,” he says.
”You were good.”
He grins. ”I know.”
”Conceited!”
”Yeah, but it's true. If I don't believe in myself and the band to that degree, we won't be as good as we are.”
”Now I believe what you've been telling me. You're definitely a rock star, Jaxon.”
He purses his lips. ”Jaxon isn't a rock star, Jax is.”
”Who's Jaxon then?”
”A wannabe kid who's not around any more.”
”I think I'd like him.”
Jax tugs his bottom lip between his teeth and looks at my mouth. ”Do you like me, Tegan Hughes?”
A couple of guys head down the hallway toward us, talking into radios and I move to one side. Jax matches, blocking my way. Instead, I rest against the wall and put my feet out so he can't move closer. Any nearer and I won't be responsible for my actions.
”Big after-party tonight, huh?” I ask.
”Yeah. You didn't answer my question.” His sapphire blue eyes search mine and I concentrate on hiding the reaction I'm having to him. I can't blame my pink cheeks and breathlessness on dancing to Ruby Riot anymore.
”Do I get an invite?” I ask.
”To me or the party?”
I give a small smile. ”The party. Why? What are you inviting me to do?”
”Anything you want.” His voice is low and despite my attempt at distance, his face is close to mine. Yesterday, I'd have scorned him for a comment like that, rolled my eyes at his moves; but in a short s.p.a.ce of time, he's flipped my brain to standby.
I don't know how long we stand with faces centimetres apart, challenging each other to be the first to make a move in this power play. Each second that pa.s.ses with Jax's warm breath touching my mouth, darkened eyes holding me in place, and I'm a step closer to surrender.
”Five minutes!” yells a voice and I twist my head away from Jax, breaking the pull to him. The stage manager glances at us as he pa.s.ses.
Jax touches my lip with his thumb and I jerk, caught off-guard. ”I think you answered my question.”
I dig my hands into the back pockets of my jeans in case he sees them shaking. ”Don't be so sure of yourself,” I reply.
The intensity in his eyes doesn't drop and I match his look. Jax may have enchanted me with his brand of rock star, but I won't make this easy for him. As soon as I walk away from the heated evening, I'll regain some of my senses. Hopefully.
”This morning, in the elevator, I forgot to tell you something,” he says.
”What?”
”Don't play games with me, Tegan, because you'll lose.”
Before I get a chance to respond, Jax moves away and I watch his swagger as he heads back to the noisy dressing room.
Oh, yeah? Game on.
9.
JAX.
The chaos of the walk through the airport two days ago is nothing compared to what faces us when walking out of the venue after the performance. We choose to leave with Blue Phoenix, taking the back exit toward waiting cars in an attempt to keep a low profile. But what else would people expect us to do? A crowd rushes forward, screaming names and pus.h.i.+ng at each other to move closer. Flanked by security, we forge ahead; and for once, I don't stop and talk. The Phoenix boys lead, consummate professionals, heads down, refusing to make eye contact. Usually, I stop and chat or sign autographs, but when they surge closer, grabbing at clothes, I'm f.u.c.king terrified.
”Holy s.h.i.+t!” yells Nate in my ear as the security guy is jostled into us, knocking me into Will. ”Is this about us?”
Jem strides past with Ruby and the look on his face would keep any fan away from him. He has his arm tightly around her despite the cage-like presence of burly guys either side. She ducks her head too. I know she hates attention like this, but Ruby's acceptance of Jem's increasingly possessive att.i.tude around her confuses me. Ruby broke away from a controlling guy who beat and tried to rape her. Why is she falling back into another relations.h.i.+p with another f.u.c.ked up guy?
Our names are screamed; and as I reach the waiting black sedan, Will stops at the open door and blows the crowd a kiss. I grab his arm. ”Get into the f.u.c.king car!”
He grins and ducks in. I push him across the leather seats and sit.
When Nate slides in too, Will leans around to look at his brother. ”They shouted for me more than you! Ha!”
”Like f.u.c.k they did!” he retorts.
Will sn.i.g.g.e.rs. ”Little drummer boy...”
”Screw you!”
”Guys, give it a rest,” I snap.
The car pushes slowly through the crowd, their hands slamming against the windows and cameras flas.h.i.+ng. I expected excitement, a few chicks wanting backstage pa.s.ses, but not this. Not for us.
”This is insane,” I mutter.
”I found some girls for the party.” Nate grins.
”Yeah. Nate picked up a few who were hanging around the stage doors after we played. No idea why he went for the ones wearing Blue Phoenix tees though. Not like they want us, dude,” says Will.
”You talking about the blonde? 'Cause she had a couple of hot friends. Besides, when they see most of Phoenix is taken, my charms will work.” Nate settles back for the ride.
Earlier, I returned to the Green Room and had a couple of beers before taking a seat in the VIP box to watch Blue Phoenix play. I looked down on the writhing throng, partly p.i.s.sed off there're twice as many in the crowd as when Ruby Riot played, and partly annoyed that I can't be down there. Last concert of theirs, I was at the front. I laugh at myself. What's better? Opening for Blue Phoenix or squashed in the sweaty ma.s.ses.
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