Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 267(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Now, I stand backstage, keeping an eye out for anything amiss as Summer talks to The Morning Show host, holding her own, joking and enjoying herself on stage. By virtue of her real personality, she is more natural and likeable than Tawny. Just as I assured her, the minute she steps into the limelight, she shines. She brings people into her warmth—even me, and I know remaining detached will be damned difficult.
She takes her place on stage as the band begins to play. I can’t tear my gaze from the outline of her curvy body in that sexy outfit she wears, the tank top that accentuates her full breasts, and skintight black leggings that encase her toned calves and thighs. And I’ve felt those legs wrapped around my waist, ankles crossed at my back as she urged me to fuck her harder. Okay, maybe she didn’t use that word, but the impact of her sexy groans and the clasp of her body as she pulled me tighter had the same impact. I shift my position, glad I am hidden in the shadows to do my job.
She begins to sing, and I am transported back to the first time I heard her sultry voice. I was impacted then, and she is even better now. It is difficult for me to maintain the focus I need on the people around her when all I want to do is get lost in the beautiful strains of her voice.
Suddenly her eyes open wide, a panic-stricken look on her face. I scan both the crowd and the stage, but on my end, everything is fine. One hand on my holstered weapon … just in case, I hold myself in place despite the overwhelming urge to pull her off the stage and find out what is wrong.
She taps the earpiece and frowns as the crowd begins to boo.
* * *
Summer
My earpiece is dead. One minute, I am beginning my performance, my band’s music in my ear, clear and on time, and out of the blue, I hear nothing but the roar of the crowd around me, the muffled sound of the instruments coming in with echoes and distortion from the speakers. And then my audience begins to react, and they aren’t happy. They aren’t interested in technological glitches, and neither am I. I know opportunity when I see it, and I am not about to lose this one.
I turn to the band and make a motion with my hand, indicating they should stop playing. Then I toss the earpiece out of my ear, position the microphone in front of me, and begin to sing. A capella. Without instrumental accompaniment.
The crowd quiets down and listens, and I continue, picking up the beat until the audience is clapping and singing along with me. My adrenaline, which was born of fear and panic, turns to a rush of excitement and joy. I work my way through the song, bending down in order to touch hands with the people in the front row enjoying the show. I’ve won them over, and the relief coursing through me is huge.
I finish the song to a rousing round of applause, which I graciously accept before heading to the right side of the stage, where Ben waits. My heart is pounding hard in my chest, the thunderous live applause still echoing around me, and the rush of success and pride in overcoming what could have been a disaster has me soaring.
“Did you see that?” I ask Ben. “My earpiece went dead, and I nailed it anyway!”
“You totally did,” he says, a huge grin on his face that lets me know he understands what a big moment this is.
I squeal in excitement and throw my arms around his neck, needing to share my exhilaration. Our gazes meet and lock, the air around us suddenly crackling with tension and sexual need even Ben can’t deny.
I know what I want, know there is no better time to go about it. My gaze falls to his mouth, and I press my lips against his. He jerks in surprise, then groans, thrusts his hand beneath my hair, holding me against him as he slides his tongue past the seam of my lips and kisses me back.
He might think he wants to keep his distance, but his body is demanding we get close, his mouth gliding back and forth over mine, razor stubble bristling my cheeks in a sweet burn, and his tongue delves deep. Against my stomach, I feel the hard press of his erection, causing desire to sweep over me in waves.
No wonder I haven’t found a guy I want to keep in my life. No one can live up to Ben.
He kisses like he wants to possess me.
Own me.
Keep me.
“Summer! Summer, what happened?” My agent’s voice penetrates the delicious fog that envelops Ben and me. I ignore her for a few more blissful seconds, taking in the feel of Ben’s lips, his tongue tangled with mine.