The Rocker's Muse

“You claimed you weren’t interested in groupies as of late. Apparently, that changed.” I blew a breath up into my hair. “Are you gonna move this elevator or what?”

“I needed a distraction tonight. That’s why I let her in.”

“A distraction from what?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips.

“I’ve been preoccupied with my shitty performances. I’m not feeling as motivated as I should for the show tomorrow night.”

“So you figured you’d invite someone over to fuck the worry out of you?”

“Don’t say things like that.”

Is he serious? “Why? Because you think I’m too innocent?”

“No. Because it makes me want you to say it again, and I’m trying not to sexualize you, even if that’s a losing game.”

My heart beat faster. He’s attracted to me? I felt my cheeks heat.

“You’re all red. You’re getting very worked up,” he said.

“Yeah, well, I don’t appreciate you insinuating that I was watching for fun like some kind of perv. You’ve made me a bit testy.”

Even if I am a little perv.

“I’m just teasing you, Emily. And I kind of like you testy. It’s a fun side to you. Incidentally, there’d be nothing wrong with that, you know—watching from the sidelines. We’re all pervs in one way or another.” His smile grew wider.

He seemed to be enjoying this situation a little too much. And that made me wonder… Not sure why it hadn’t hit me before. My eyes narrowed. “Did you call me there so I’d walk in on that?”

“Why would I do that?” His face still showed a hint of amusement.

“So I’d catch you with her?”

“Yeah. I got what you were insinuating. But why would I do that?”

I shook my head. “I’m not entirely sure, but I find it suspect that the door was open when I got there, and you don’t seem to have red eyes or a runny nose that would warrant allergy medication.”

“I didn’t leave the door open. She did.”

“You could’ve closed it. You knew I was coming to your room to deliver something.”

“Actually, I didn’t. I texted Stephen. I had no reason to believe he was going to send you. I thought you were out with Kieran, remember? Figured you weren’t even around.” His eyes pierced mine. “But to entertain your theory, let’s say I did leave the door open so you could watch. What would that make me?”

“A prick who gets off on using his sexuality to shock people.”

“And if you intentionally watched me about to have sex with someone, what would that make you?”

“There was nothing intentional about it…”

“A little voyeur is what it would make you.” He grinned mischievously. “If there’s no truth to it, why is your neck turning redder by the second, Emily?”

God. I hated that I always turned so damn red when I was flustered. Damn Irish skin.

“Are you attracted to me?” he asked.

A rush of adrenaline sliced through me. I felt exposed. And worse, I didn’t know how to deny my attraction without turning into a freaking lobster. “Why are you asking me that?”

“Because you seem flustered.” His voice was low, seductive. “It seems like maybe I have an effect on you. Do I?”

“Only an egotistical person would assume that.”