London Calling: BWWM New Adult Romance (Chase Brothers Book 2) (13 page)

"Nah, I'm good. No reason for both of us to risk our lives in these ridiculous shoes." Through the throngs of people she wound her way to the bar.

The bartender smiled at her, coming to serve her over the six guys already waiting in line. "What can I get you, love?"

He was cute in that scruffy hipster kind of way with thick lashes to rival her own. She laughed. "Isn’t there a queue?"

He cocked his head and grinned at her. "For starters, you're better looking than they are. Secondly, you’re the star of
Carmen
, and finally, Xander made it pretty clear that I’m not to keep you waiting for anything."

She blinked at him. "He did what?"

"He says his fiancée doesn’t pay for drinks either. So go ahead, what’s your order?"

She understood that they had a show to put on, but this was getting a little out of hand. She wasn't going to stay his wife. This was temporary, so why was he going out of his way to make sure that everyone knew? "Uh, gin. Gin Mule. Do you know how to make it?"

He smirked and rolled his eyes. "Is the pretty Yank doubting me?"

She threw up her hands with a laugh. "Hey, nine times out of ten I have to tell someone what it even is."

"I'm a professional, I'll have you know."

"Okay, okay."

Behind her someone tsked and moved in close. "Flirting with bartenders now, Imani? I thought you would aim higher."

I
mani stiffened even
as she willed herself to take a deep breath. Slowly, she turned to face Ryan. "What, are you following me now?"

His smile morphed quickly into annoyance. “To Rooftop Gardens? I'm here all the time. You think they let just anybody in to VIP? Didn't seem particularly your speed, Brooks."

She hated that just seeing him could ruin her mood. Just when she'd shaken off rehearsal today, too. "I'm here with friends."

He leaned in a little closer to her and leered. "Maybe I should meet these friends of yours. Are any of them fit?"

A deep voice rumbled behind Ryan. "I dunno. I'm probably the fittest of the bunch. Though those model boys would give me a run for my money. What do you say, Imani, am I the fittest of them all?" Xander slid right up next to her and slung a casual arm over her shoulder, tucking her in to his side.

She'd never been so relieved to see him. "Xander, you remember Ryan."

"Of course," he said, but he didn't reach a hand out. "I didn’t know you liked blokes though, mate. Have to say, I'm taken. But you might try your luck with one of the boys. Though, I must say, your fan base will be gutted to find out.”

Ryan narrowed his eyes. "I'm not queer."

Xander put a hand on his chest. "Oh, sorry. Thought you were. In that case. All the girls are called for, then. Especially my fiancée."

Ryan's jaw unhinged and he looked like Xander had just said he was pregnant. "F-fiancée?”

Xander kissed her temple. "Darling, you didn’t tell him?"

"I, uh, it didn't come up." The look on Ryan's face was well worth having to see him again.

"Well, now it has." He turned his attention back to Ryan. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I need to go and grope my girl on the dance floor. See if I can convince her to leave early for some alone time.”

She pressed her lips together to suppress the giggle. Reaching into his leather blazer, she stroked his chest. "It won’t take much convincing."

Murderous. If she had to think of a word for describing Ryan’s expression. That was the word she would use. He visibly vibrated, looking like he might want to punch Xander.

Ignoring him, she took Xander's hand and dragged him to the dance floor.

Jasper changed the music from fast and upbeat to something groovier and far more sensual with a stronger bass beat.

He pulled her into his arms and she went easily. "I'm not a fan of his," he muttered as he slid his hands around her waist.

She resolutely refused to glance in Ryan's direction. "That makes two of us."

He pressed her flush against his body and she was forced to place her hands on his chest for support. “You still don’t feel like telling me what the deal is with you two?"

She shook her head. "Not particularly.” Then, because she was dying to know, she asked, "Why do you keep telling everyone I’m your fiancée?"

"Because it's true. Or at least LeClerc needs to think it’s true.”

"Not for long, though. In a couple of days, I’m just this girl you met that one time."

"That prat doesn’t know that.” He shrugged. "You just seem like you don’t like being around him." He dropped his voice, but leaned in closer so she could hear him. "If our fake engagement buys you a buffer with him, then great."

“Thank you for that.”

“I saw you talking to Abbie. Care to tell me what you guys were talking about?”

“Why, worried we were talking about you?”

“Not particularly. She’s pretty honest, so she’d say I’m a bit of a tyrant and work her too hard.”

“No, actually. She said it just takes time to get to know you.”

“She was in the mood to be kind then.” His hands flexed on her hips momentarily. “I see you and Abbie are getting on.”

Imani nodded. “Yeah, she’s cool. I’m glad we’ve started hanging out. Fe’s always on me to make more friends and stuff. He says I’m too isolated.”

He cocked his head and studied her. “Do you think it’s true?”

Just what she wanted, deep probative conversation on the dance floor. What she was after was sweaty bodies pressed together so she wouldn’t have to be in her own head and think too much. “Uh, maybe a little. I don’t get too close or attached to people. Too easy to get disappointed. But I have Fe.”

“You should have invited Felix and Adam to join us.”

“I would have, but even they need a break from me. I like to give them some space so I don’t outwear my welcome as bestie.”

“Pretty lonely that way, don’t you think?” His voice was a soft whisper in her ear.

“You’re one to talk.” The last thing she needed was him probing too deep. “Did you want to dance or did you want to pour your heart out to me now?”

His gaze searched her for a moment, then he smirked, deftly turning her so they were more into the shrouded darkness on the edges of the dance floor. They moved together well, as if they'd had a lifetime to dance together instead of one night learning how each other's bodies moved.

She was stiff for about a moment, but then she melted into him with a sigh. The moment her body acquiesced, he sighed and splayed his hand on her lower back, just over her tailbone, pressing gently. The one move made sure her hips arched into his. She shivered and he pulled her even tighter against him, sliding a leg between hers, leaving no imagination as to what he was thinking about.

As his cock nudged her belly, she threaded her fingers through his hair at the nape and a shudder rolled though him. She trusted him even though she barely knew him. More than that. What she'd felt that night in Notting Hill wasn’t a fluke, he could make her feel that way. Her world didn’t need to be tinted through her Ryan lens.

In his arms, it was easy to lose track of how long they danced together. At some point, she just drowned out all the outside sounds and they were the only two in the club as far as she was concerned. His hands suggestive but respectful. While the nudge of his erection told her he wanted to be anything but respectable.

In the darkness of the club, completely alone, even though they were surrounded by hundreds of people, she let go just a little. When she lifted her gaze to meet his, his eyes were heavy-lidded and he bit his bottom lip.

But when she parted her lips to beg him to kiss her, the music stopped. Still looking at her lips, he released her slowly. "I took you away from that drink. Let’s get you back to the table and I’ll order you another one."

The spell might be broken, but she'd seen it. He wanted her. Just as much as she wanted him. They’d been skirting around their mutual attraction for over a week. The only question was what he was going to do about it.

T
he scent of tomatoes
, garlic and thyme assailed Imani as she walked into the flat. She stopped short when she saw Xander in the kitchen wearing an apron and dancing as he stirred something on the stove.

His ass shook back and forth in his dark-wash jeans and she couldn't help but admire the view. He had earphones in and was clearly in his own world as he danced. For a moment, she considered making some noise to alert him that she was there, but who was she to spoil such a magnificent show?

He really was beautiful to look at. The last week had been torture. Every time they walked by each other or brushed up against each other, it strung her out tight, like a string made taut to produce a very specific sound.

The sound she'd make right now: horny, very horny. Almost desperate... More than once she'd caught him staring at her with this hungry intensity, but then he'd abruptly stalked off and locked himself in his room. And she hadn’t seen him the rest of the night.

Her imagination went wild with possibilities. Of course her favorite fantasy involved him, in the shower, wet and unable to contain his need for her, stroking himself for relief.

But yeah, that was her lust-crazed mind talking. It was his fault, really. How could he touch her like that then pretend as if nothing had happened?

What she needed was Fe to shed some light. He and Adam would be back tomorrow and they were long overdue for a chat session.

Xander stopped his show abruptly and called out, "Do you see something you like?"

Heat flushed her body and she dropped her bags in the foyer. He turned with a wicked grin and tugged the ear buds out of his ears… She had a sudden urge to kiss the smug smirk off his beautiful face. But that wasn't going to happen. Because if she did that and he pulled away again, she'd be even more strung out than she was now.

Imani tilted her chin up. "It's not bad." She shrugged. "You seem to forget, I'm an actor and have seen better."

His gaze narrowed and he stalked toward her. She had a sudden urge to turn and flee. Not out of fear, but because her body went on red alert every time he took a step closer.

“Not this again. You need to stop dicking with me, Xander. Stop acting like you want me. It's not fair and it's a shitty game. If you can’t play fair, I'm going back home to Fe's."

His slate-gray eyes scanned her face she sighed. "You're right. I'm not being fair. I'm being an ass and I honestly have no idea why."

"Well, that's easy enough. Stop being an ass."

"I'm trying."

"Try harder." Imani inclined her head as her stomach grumbled. "What's all that?"

Xander's grin was impish. "I have a date tonight."

The bottom fell out of her stomach and her body was poised to pitch forward, but she somehow managed to keep herself upright. "Oh. Uh, okay. I'll just grab a shower and I’ll be out of your hair. I'll stay at Fe's."

He took her hand and shook his head. "That came out wrong. Fuck, I'm out of practice. What I meant to say is I have a date with my fiancée if she'll have me."

"You want to have dinner with me?"

He nodded slowly. "Yes, please."

"But why?" She shook her head in confusion.

"Because I'm tired of trying to stay away from you. I'm tired of it being tense all the time." He held up his trembling hands. "It's been quite the effort trying to stay the hell away from you…" He tugged her close enough so their noses touched.

He smelled like mint and spicy aftershave and him. Xander angled his head and softly slid his lips over hers in the lightest of brushes. Even the brief contact had her body swaying into him.

Xander leaned back and blinked several times. Imani dragged in a steadying breath, then another. In front of her she watched as his control snapped.

With a growl, he dragged her closer and crushed his mouth to hers. Imani parted her lips on a shocked gasp and he took full advantage, sliding his tongue against hers.

She moaned and slid her hands into his hair as he tucked her body against his. The thick ridge of his erection pressed into her and need tugged low in her center.

But as suddenly as he'd kissed her, he released her again. He took a very deliberate step back from her and shoved his hands into the pocket of his apron. "Go on. Dinner will be ready in thirty."

She was honestly expected to be able to move after a kiss like that? Finally her brain kicked in. "Yeah, okay." A little unsteady on her feet, she could have sworn she heard Xander chuckle when she stumbled by.

So it was like that now? He wanted to tease her now when she was so strung out? This called for a little payback, and she knew just the outfit to wear. "I'll be ready in twenty."

Xander’s hands shook. He had never wanted anyone so bad. If he screwed this up, she'd be gone and he'd never see her again after this deal was over. Just the thought of her made his head spin and his heart thunder against his breastplate. After last night he knew that staying away from her was a futile effort. But he’d somehow convinced himself he could still protect himself. If they kept it casual, it didn’t have to be some big thing. He could hold back a little. It was like Lex had said last night. He didn't need to go all in all the time.

When she came out of her room, he nearly swallowed his tongue. She wore a scarlet jumpsuit. It looked soft and comfortable; the material moved with her and cascaded past her bare feet. She’d left her hair slightly damp and her curls had started to plump and fly out in different directions. His fingers itched to touch them and tug on them…especially while fucking her.

He squeezed his eyes shut.
Easy, boy.
He needed to take his time. He wasn't going to lose control tonight. He was going to be nice and not an asshole for once. This wasn’t just about him. He cared about her. He wanted her to stay.

"Are you hungry?"

She nodded, sending her curls into crazy bouncing springs around her shoulders and down her back. "Starved. I didn’t get a chance to eat between work and rehearsal."

He dished out the gnocchi and sauce then placed them on the table. "You should eat better."

She popped a cherry tomato into her mouth and grinned. "Yes, I know. I swear you worry more about my eating than my dad does."

He had a sinking suspicion that was because he cared about her more than her father did.

"Dinner is served. Wine?"

She smiled sheepishly. "This is the part of the date where I tell you that I don’t actually really like wine. I'll only drink it if it's really sweet."

Xander cocked his head. "What? You take me for some kind of amateur?"

He pulled out red Moscato from the fridge. "I noticed in Paris when you were asking the bartender for anything sweeter than the cabernet that went with dinner. I called and asked for the vintage."

Imani paused halfway into her seat. "You called them for me?"

"This is a date, right? And I want to impress you. And"—he cocked his head as he poured her a glass—"I have a lot to make up for."

She shook her head. "No you don’t. I'm too nosy and too stubborn and really impetuous. It gets me in a lot of trouble sometimes. I shouldn’t have pried into your life."

He sighed and joined her at the table. If he wanted to actually have a chance with her, then he'd have to talk to her. If he told her and she ran, then she wasn't going to stay anyway. But to expose himself like that.
She's done it for you.

He watched with interest as she popped some gnocchi into her mouth and moaned. The sexy groaning sound she made at the back of her throat made him instantly hard. The way she closed her eyes and licked her lips made his skin hum. And then she met his gaze and, words dripping with sex, she whispered, “I could marry you. Why haven’t you been cooking for me this whole time?" She forked in another mouthful and proceeded to dance happily in her seat.

He couldn’t help but watch her, fascinated.

After several mouthfuls she looked up with a sheepish smile. "What?"

"I love watching you eat." He laughed. "Such gusto. Where do you put it all?"

She shrugged. "On my ass, but I don't care."

"Your arse looks just fine to me."

She turned red and did her best to swallow a smile as she turned back to her food. "I didn't think you noticed."

Xander's laugh bubbled out of him before he could control it. "Oh, you know I noticed. You've been running around here in those short shorts for days driving me bloody insane."

She clamped a hand to her chest and gave him her best shocked impression. "I had no idea my shorts were bothering you. I'm so sorry. I'll cover up next time." She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

"You’re playing with fire, Imani."

She laughed. "What, are you gonna spank me?"

Xander's cock throbbed in his jeans at the thought of his hand on her bare ass again. "Depends on if you’re asking me to?"

Imani leaned back in her seat and studied him over the rim of her wine glass. "Is that what you’re into? Spanking?"

He swallowed hard. Would she let him spank her? He’d never been into it. Handcuffs were the most BDSM-y he'd ever gotten, but if would turn her on, he'd be willing to try.
Tread lightly.
He didn't answer her question. "Why don’t you go into the sitting room. The movie's already cued up."

She narrowed her gaze, letting him know she realized he’d evaded her question again. "Okay. What are we watching?"

He smiled to himself as he cleared the table. "You'll see." He'd called in a ridiculous amount of favors to get the screener for
Mine
. The book had been a huge sensation all over the globe. And they'd made it into a movie that didn’t come out for another month. The heroine was supposed to be some badass bounty hunter who they send in to catch an uncatchable thief. True to form, she falls in love with the hero who's really a bad boy trying to turn good. And they embark on a sexual exploration. He didn’t see what all the fuss was about, but women everywhere were losing their minds over it.

He didn’t know if she'd like it, but Lex had said go for romance, so he could do that.

He joined her on the couch and patted his lap.

Imani’s brows went up. "You want me on your lap?"

Yes. Fuck me, yes
. "No. We can get to that if you want, but for now I was going to give you a foot rub."

"You don't have to." She shook her head vehemently. And tucked her feet underneath her.

"What’s the matter are you ticklish?"

She laughed and covered her feet with a pillow. "Yes. So ticklish."

"Oh, come on. Don’t you trust me?"

"Not by a mile."

He grinned. "You probably shouldn't. But I'm really good at this. I know how bad your feet hurt after your last rehearsal. Let me help."

"No, no, no, no."

He patted his lap again and waited patiently. "C’mon. I won't tickle you. I promise."

Slowly she pulled her feet out from under her and placed them in his lap. Carefully, he took one foot and she flinched at first, but he didn’t release her, just ran his thumbs over her arch in a deep roll. She moaned and arched her foot into him.

"Yeah, okay, don’t stop."

Xander smiled to himself. She'd be asleep in no time at this rate. Just his luck. "Go ahead. Start the movie."

When the opening credits rolled, her mouth dropped open. "How did you get this?"

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you, but not before having my way with you first." He winked at her.

Imani laughed and groaned at the same time as he rolled his thumb knuckles over her heel. "I loved this book." Judging by the look on her face, though, she wouldn't last past the beginning.

The moment the movie started, he knew he'd made a huge mistake. On the screen a couple were engaged in an extremely intimate love scene. Imani tensed and he gritted his teeth. This was going to be a long night.