Page 13 of Wild Stars

“Mateo, what—” Penny stammers as I brush past her to press the com button.

“Do you not know the definition of the word,soundproof,Dare?”

Dare curses as he looks up, stopping his playing while the rest of the band ceases as well.

On the other side of the studio room, I can see the back door is cracked open by a quarter.

“Excuse me?”he says, cocking his head to the side.

I press the button again.“I can hear your dying cat all the way down the fucking hall.Some of us are trying to work here.”

Hailee’s footsteps enter the room as Dare all but throws down his guitar, heading for the door that separates the engineering room from the studio.

His cheeks are pink and his dark eyes are full of fire, his jaw tense.

He runs a hand through his shiny, jet black hair as he comes up to my chest, staring up at me like I’m the school bully who has just taken his lunch money.

My entire body heats and the overwhelming desire to put him in his place is like a compulsion I don’twantto deny, but I know I have to.

“I have been rehearsing in this studio for over a week and no one has complained I’m too fucking loud.”

“Clearly Felix and Geo are deaf,” I bite.

Dare huffs, and the sight reminds me of an angry kitten.

It’s almostcuteor endearing.

Almost.

“You have a lot of nerve coming intomystudio and interruptingmyrehearsal,” he argues.

Richie is beside him in a flash and I feel Hailee’s nails on my side, squeezing.

Telling me to back down.

Dare brushes his chest against me, challenging my gaze.We’re both nearly the same height, except for the fact I’ve got at least four inches on the man, which is saying something considering I’m six foot four, but despite his softer shape, he’s got a bit of force behind his build.Though I’d garner a wager that Dare doesn’t use his body—or treat it—the way he should.

Not like I would.

Where the fuck did that thought come from?

Angered by Dare’sdistraction, I push back against his chest.

“Perhaps I shall whine and whimper at high pitched frequencies and thenyouwill understand true interruption.”

Dare stares me down.

“Music too loud for you, old man?”he snickers.“Maybe you should find a drum circle instead and complain to them.Now, if you’re done, I have a show to rehearse for.”

My palm twitches and my fingersitchto wrap themselves around his throat.

How dare he!

I’m still under fucking forty for another month at least!

“Okay, come on, big guy...”Howler pulls me back, just as Richie attempts to grab Dare.

Dare shrugs him off, snapping away from me as he heads through the open door, slamming it.

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