Page 17 of Heartbeat Girl
But damn, that stupid pulse in my clit claimed otherwise.
Liam’s nostrils flared, and the blood ran hot in my veins. I squeezed my legs together and burst out, “Thanks! I’ll hold you to that if one of your fans comes at me when they see me entering the bus.”
Wow. That totally wasn’t awkward at all.Not!Did I sound winded?
“Machine of Death!” Steve yelled, correcting me. Now I really knew a person could hear everything on the bus, no matter the distance. Liam and I hadn’t been talking loudly.
Liam cocked his head at me slowly. “Want me to kill him?”
“Don’t let him fool you, Jayne, because I’m already dead.”
I laughed at Steve’s silly words.
Chapter Seven
LIAM
The musical clicks of her heels filled my ears. Not so clumsy today. I tried hard not to listen and follow Jayne’s footsteps. Ignoring her, though, was something I’d never been able to do. Her steps were quicker, more certain of where she was going. I stopped playing with my guitar to listen even after I told myself not to. The clicking grew louder, moving closer. I straightened up on the stool and sat taller when she rounded the edge of the stage. From the corner of my eye, I saw the tight black skirt that hugged her slight hips and the white loose blouse. I had a feeling if she bent over, a person might see a little of Heaven.
Fucking great.
I glanced around, wondering how many others would see Heaven if Jayne bent over. Two workers plus Steve and Pete. My left eye twitched as I refocused on Jayne.
“This place isn’t big at all.”
As Jayne studied the stage, I looked at the place as she might see it. The stage wasn’t huge. This stadium was more of a gig than a concert. It wasn’t our usual venue. Especially for Jayne, who was used to Ruth’s huge concerts.
“We’re not picky.” Steve twirled his drumsticks as he watched Jayne turning in a circle, scoping everything out. I wished she’d stop doing that. It made everyone halt and stare.
“We want to give everyone the chance to hear us. Besides, we don’t care how small the gigs are. We simply want to play,” I added, letting my stare roam down to her heels, then slowly rove back up her legs. After I finished my ogling, our gazes clashed. Her lips parted, and then her eyes widened before she recovered and stiffened. I looked away for her sake. Jayne feared me and didn’t want my focus. My fingers twitched, then I pulled at my nose ring. Ah, shit. I couldn’t resist the temptation of looking again. She might not want my attention, but she had it.
I was such a sick dude. I sensed and tasted her fear, and still couldn’t be good.
“What?” I was baiting her. Wanting her to tell me to stop.
Jayne’s chest rose, hands tightening into fists at her sides. With a deep breath, she exhaled. Instead of saying what angered her, she bottled it all in and said, “They’ll be back here shortly to check your mikes and things. Do you need anything? Water?”
I could use some blood. “No, I’m good.” Which reminded me… Steve, Pete, and I were going to have to feed before we got on the bus, and Jayne hovered when it came to her work. Any other time, I’d enjoy her company, but not when there was blood and three sets of fangs involved.
“What about you guys?” She glanced at Pete and Steve, who shook their heads. “All right. Going to make some phone calls, but I’ll be back in a bit to check on you all.”
As she sashayed away, I had no choice but to watch her exit until Steve broke the trance by opening his mouth. “Back here, I couldn’t see your face, but you need to chill. Her fear still lingers in the air.”
“She can’t stay afraid all summer,” I said as I adjusted my guitar strap.
There was a moment of silence before Steve asked, “What were you doing?”
I turned and waved my hand in the air. “Nothing. You’re right next to me and should know that.”
Steve rubbed his chin while Pete spoke. “Why do you bother responding to Steve? He knows her scent lingers around us.”
“I’m hungry,” Steve stated as he stretched and watched the workers leave the room. “Oh, wise one, what are we going to do about that?”
I shrugged. “How hard is it to find an opportunity to drink? Relax. There are plenty of bodies here.”
“How about we coerce Jayne into not being there?” Pete suggested. And by that, he meant using our power of persuasion on her. Compulsion was easy and a little dangerous because it gave a vampire the power to do whatever he or she wanted to someone.
“No,” I barked. “We’re not messing with her head.” We took her memories once with persuasion. I wasn’t about to use our ability on her again.