Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 47381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“If you’re not feeling up to doing this—”
“I am.”
“Little girl, if I decide you need to rest, then that’s what you’ll do,” he grumbled at her.
They both froze at his words.
Fuck. Inappropriate, much?
“I, uh, um . . .”
“Can you please let me get up?” There was a strange note in her voice.
As though she was near tears… was it something he’d done?
He didn’t like the idea that he might have hurt her. Scrambling to his feet, he held out a hand for her to take. She hesitated for a moment, then let him pull her up.
She barely weighed a thing, and he tugged too hard, accidentally pulling her into his chest. She let out a sharp breath, tensing against him. His body reacted to her closeness, and he wanted to tug her up against his body. To take her mouth with his. To run his hands over her and learn every curve.
“You need to eat more.” That was not what he’d intended to say.
Shit.
What was wrong with him?
“I’m fine. Thanks for your concern.” Her voice was stiff.
“It’s just if you don’t take care of yourself, you can burn out. Get tired. Sick.”
“I’m fine. I’m ready to go,” she replied coldly. “I can do this.”
Great.
Now, he’d really pissed her off.
Perhaps he’d be better off not talking.
“I didn’t mean to sound like a dick. I just… I’m worried about you. If you’re not up to doing this—”
“I am.”
She slid past him. He should have gotten out of her way. Should have darted ahead to open the door like a gentleman.
But he’d liked her body pressing against him just a bit too much. And it took him a few moments to get his damn dick to settle down.
Then he realized that she was gone.
Shit!
Heading out of the cupboard, he caught sight of her down the long corridor. He raced after her.
“Jolie! Wait!”
The brat didn’t even slow down.
“Bumblebee!”
Oh, that had her turning back toward him, her cheeks red. “Don’t call me that.”
“You didn’t protest before,” he pointed out. And he rather liked that nickname.
She was cute like a bumblebee. But she definitely had a bite.
“Yes, but… that was before.”
“It was like three minutes ago.”
“Exactly. Before.”
Before what?
Maybe before you were a jerk to her?
They headed to the back of the stage, where Mikey gave them a relieved look. That quickly morphed into anger.
“Where the hell have you been?” Mikey demanded as he stormed toward Jolie. “The guys are out there on their own, trying to keep things going. You knew what time you were going on, so what the fuck have you been doing?”
“Hey!” Brand stepped between them. “Do not speak to her like that.”
Mikey stared up at him in shock, his mouth opening and closing.
Okay, yeah. Brand wasn’t known for his diplomacy. And he’d said far worse to people for far less.
But this was Jolie. And Mikey didn’t get to talk to her that way.
“You do not swear at her. Get me?” Brand growled.
“Brand,” she whispered. “Don’t.”
“Do you get me?” he repeated, glaring down at Mikey.
“Yeah, uh. I get you.” Mikey adjusted his suit jacket sleeves. A nervous tic. “But she needs to get out there.”
“She’s going.” Brand turned to Jolie, who was gaping at him as if he’d grown another head. “Are you ready?”
She took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Why did she look like she was going to vomit?
“You don’t have to go out there,” he told her gently.
“Actually, she does,” Mikey said.
Brand spun to him. “No, she doesn’t.”
“Right… yeah… sure.”
Brand was a big guy. Tall and muscular. Intimidating. And he wasn’t scared to use any of that to his advantage when needed.
“I’m going on,” Jolie said. “Just… I’m fine. Thanks for all your help.”
Well, that was a dismissal if ever he’d heard one.
She took several steps toward the stage, then hesitated. Andy, one of their crew, moved up to her with her guitar. She stepped back, looking ill.
Fuck.
He strode over, unable to hold himself back.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, placing his hand on her lower back.
“I just… I can’t play. I can’t.”
“Then don’t,” he said simply. If it made her this shaky and pale to even think about playing, then she wouldn’t do it.
End of story.
“But they need me to play.”
“No, they don’t,” he replied. “They have this. And I can always come on and play if I’m needed.”
“You… you will?” she asked.
“Yep.” He’d do anything to help her right now.
“Okay… okay, then. I have this,” she said in a stronger voice.
“You have this. And, Bumblebee?”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll be right here watching. Give me a sign if you need me. All right?”
She stared up at him and he swore that her normally blue eyes were glassy with tears. But then she closed them, breathing in deep and turned away. Disappointment filled him until she reached out and squeezed his hand.