Page 79 of Heartbeat Girl

Chapter Twenty-Five

LIAM

In a world of gray, suddenly my life became more vibrant than technicolor. Besides killing Marilyn, nothing else had mattered. Until Jayne. And finally, the one person I desired gave herself to me. Legs spread, arms welcoming, Jayne let me in. She let me in her life, in her bed, and in her body. Soon, I would have her heart, like she claimed my beatless one. She was the beacon to my damned life. I only had to convince her I was enough, because my eternal life was the only thing I could give to a living person.

Fierce pain snagged my chest as I gazed down at her sleeping form curled next to mine. I looked away from her quickly. I might turn to ash at the idea of losing her. Having her opened the door to all my fears. I woulddiewithout her, but her life was in danger because of those feelings. My jaw tightened. I didn’t wait this long for her welcoming body to stress for the future the minute I finally held her in my arms. I never wondered what would happen if I finally got the girl. Until I had her.

As I lay in the darkness that night, holding her close, worry took control of me. What if she wanted kids? How could I watch her grow old one day? Before I even thought about stopping the beat of her heart, I must get rid of Marilyn. Then I’d have to convince Jayne that I was worth living eternally for. Just me. Well, Steve and Pete, because that was all I had.

For hours, I watched her sleep, letting the darkness play with my fear of her rejection.She’s finally mine.But I wanted her forever. My soulless body wanted no one else. All I had was my eternal life, and I planned to work myself so deeply into Jayne’s system that she never dreamed another dream without me in it.

Steve called me out of her room before she woke, so I missed the shy, heated encounter I thought about for hours while she slept. Ihadplanned to coax her awake by playing her clit like an instrument until she was singing for me. Steve kept tapping on the door even after I came out glaring.

A vein in Steve’s neck flexed as he looked me down. “I smell Jayne all over you.”

When he tried to open her door after I just shut it, I slapped a palm over it. Jayne lay naked on the other side. I’d kill him before I’d let him see her that way. Through the wall, I heard the rustling of the covers as she woke. His insistent knocking disturbed her sleep.

“Wake up. Yes, we listened to your moans all night, so no point in hiding,” Steve called out, and I pushed him out of the hallway for it. All I saw was her wild hair sticking up everywhere as she dashed into the bathroom.

Chris knocked on the door and let us know we arrived at a hotel. We could shower and freshen up before the concert. And because of Steve’s unrelenting teasing, Jayne rushed out of the bus to book our rooms without a look my way.

I didn’t see her again until that evening when we rode to the concert. But I listened to the sounds she made all day long. Her heartbeat and the pep in her step. The happy sigh that continued escaping from her lips. The cheer in her voice as she phoned businesses and handled shit I loathed doing. Knowing thatIcontributed to her happiness made me smug.

I eyed her tight bun as she stepped on the bus, and my cock pulsed in my jeans. I had a lot of months to obsess over that hairstyle of hers. Since her hair was already down as she slept last night, I didn’t get to play out one of my fantasies, but after the concert, I would. Strumming my guitar one last time, I set it on the couch beside me as her gaze caught mine. I ogled her tight, fitted skirt and blouse. I hoped my actions conveyed the promise of undressing her again soon.

Her face and neck flushed as she smiled. But Steve ruined the moment. “Liam could have taken you all night. It’s a shame he only went one round. You missed all that vampire stamina.”

My throat burned as anger hit me like a runaway freight train. Steve was messing with Jayne. His words infuriated me. He made it sound as if I had no intention of repeating the act. Steve wouldn’t know the meaning of savoring something if it smacked it in the mouth. I would indulge myself with Jaynealways.He was a fool if he thought I’d hold back with Jayne. I wanted to spoil her slowly.

“Steve,” I said, rising to my feet.

Jayne's heels clicked as she rushed to me. “I was tired and don’t have your endurance, but I—”

“Don’t say another word.” I placed my finger at her warm, soft lips. Steve spoke without caring how she’d interpret it. I didn’t need her explanations. My fangs protruded as I glowered at him. “Apologize, Steve.”

“What did I do?” Steve asked.

“You disrespected Jayne,” I snarled.

“You disrespected her by fucking her with us close by.” Steve’s words came out teasing with his slight smile. But I didn’t miss the tension in his shoulders and the way his fists tightened. He cared more than he should about Jayne. That was his second bad choice. His first mistake was embarrassing her to relieve his frustration.

“Guys.” Jayne touched my chest when I stepped forward. I had every intention of snapping Steve’s neck again, but then she added, “I’m sorry. I didn’t really think when I should have.” She blushed as her eyes raked over my body. “You guys can hear extremely well and had to listen to us—how embarrassing. I won’t let Liam sneak into my bed on the bus anymore.”

I hoped that was a lie. Besides, I didn’t sneak.I’d waltz in on her sleeping like I did the night before. Steve and Pete could watch. I didn’t care.

At my girl’s sweetness, Steve stiffened. With a sigh, his head dropped. “Don’t apologize, Jayne. I shouldn’t have said anything. It was a private moment, even if we could hear it.” He smirked, and she rolled her eyes.

“You’re right. You shouldn’t have, but it was rude of us. I mean, who wants to hear that?” Her cheeks were blood red as she spoke.

“Forgive me?” Steve asked Jayne.

“Of course,” she said.

“Did you lose one of my puzzle pieces, Jayne?” Pete glanced up from the table. He was missing one piece, and it appeared he wanted to blame someone.

She beamed, and her face lit up. She flounced into the bedroom and returned with the last piece tucked between her fingers. Jayne held the fragment in the air. Pete narrowed his eyes and chuckled as she put it in.

“Whew.” She wiped her forehead dramatically. “I finally finished the puzzle.”