Fuck, she looked hot. Her cheeks had a slight pink hue and there was a sweetness to her tonight. As if she had let some of her guard down, or maybe it was due to the alcoholic fruity drink she was holding.
Kite and I were handed beers and we chatted, or rather I did. Kite went and sat on the couch, looking completely untouchable and I was betting that was his intent. I waited only twenty minutes before I was up scrolling through the songs until I found the one I wanted.
I was a stage junky; loved the thrill of being up in front of people when the music started. This was my thing. I craved it. Needed it. Didn’t much care where it was or who was around me, if there was music, my body thrummed.
There was some risk in what I was about to do, but fuck it. Life was about risk and she was worth it. I stood when the guy, Jacob, finished singing a George Ezra song, and I tagged a spare microphone then strolled up front.
While everyone cheered, I leaned into Jacob and said, “Give your microphone to Haven.”
His brows raised and he glanced in Haven’s direction. I didn’t. We were going to see how brave my chick was. I knew she hated being the center of attention, but it had nothing to do with her being shy or a lack of confidence. There was another reason she stayed out of the limelight. I just didn’t know what that reason was—yet. Well, this wasn’t limelight and she was among friends. I hoped she wouldn’t back away from a challenge because that was what this was.
Fuck, it was more than that. I wanted her away from Lac and with me. I craved her attention. It was my drug. She was my drug and I wanted her to share with me the one thing I loved more than anything—music, and I didn’t give a shit if she sang like a duck quacking. Okay, maybe I did a little, but I was pretty sure she wasn’t completely tone deaf as her twin brother had a good voice.
I started the song and everyone laughed when they recognized it, “You’re the One That I Want.” Sung by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
I kept my eyes on Haven as I sang my part, the music drumming through me as I belted out the words. Haven squirmed uncomfortably, the microphone Jacob handed her laying in her lap. She glared. I smiled as I sang in a raspy shout the last word to my part.
I swear I didn’t think she’d do it. She sat there like stone until it was her turn and fuck if my cock didn’t twitch when I heard the first words from her mouth.
My fingers curled around the microphone, watching her slowly glide to her feet, the words like honey from her throat. A slow stroll toward me, no smile but a slight sway to her hips that put my excitement for the stage to shame.
I was so stunned and completely taken that I nearly fucked up and forgot to sing my part, which was the tandem chorus. Our voices instantly entwined in perfect harmony and from the subtle eyes widening, I knew she was just as surprised as me.
The group faded into the background as we became the music, Haven completely playing the part as she sang over her shoulder to me while walking away. I trailed after until she swung around and came toward me, her hand on my chest and her voice a sexy melody. She edged in close and slid around me so her back was against my chest.
I played it up and trailed my hand across her abdomen then grinned when she spun and shoved me away like they’d done in the movie. When she wiggled her butt as she sauntered away, I fell to my knees.
Her body turned and our eyes locked as we sang the chorus together.
As the song neared the end, I jumped to my feet, snatched her around the waist, swung her around then dipped her. Girl didn’t miss a beat.
Everyone stood and cheered. I didn’t pay attention to them, my arm around Haven, my fingers grazing her bare skin between her blouse and jeans. My body refused to move as we stared at one another, her hand with the microphone on my chest. My heart raced, a combination of the exhilaration and having Haven so close.
Two favorite things.
No matter what we pretended to be, this was more. She had to feel it. There was no denying the spark that connected us. It was an inferno today in the cafeteria. But the chemistry wasn’t enough. I wanted it all yet Haven didn’t trust me. If she did, she’d have told me something. Fuckin’ anything. Just a piece of why she had to protect herself all the time. That was all I needed to push this further.
I knew she was closing up before she moved. I saw the tiniest flicker of uncertainty in her eyes before she reacted and it was all over.
She moved away, but I snagged her hand before she could escape. “That voice . . . baby, that is something special. You sing before?”
I let her hand slide from mine when she pulled back. “Yeah. Some. By myself.”
I was getting nothing more as that wall of ice slammed back into place and she walked back to the couch. I was at least thankful she chose to sit beside Dana instead of Lac, who was pissed judging by the scowl on his face.
Too fuckin’ bad, buddy. She isn’t going to ever be yours.
I played it cool for the next hour, chatted with everyone, had a few beers and even sang a couple more songs. Kite refused to get up and sing, but Dana did several times and she sounded like a cat in pain. She knew it too and laughed more than she sang.
Haven was actually looking like she was having a good time by the ease in her shoulders. What concerned me was the amount of alcohol she was consuming as Dana passed her another fruity drink.