Page 24 of Dark Notes

Jagger chuckles. “Definitely not. She can’t carry a tune to save her life, but when I was a kid she was always cleaning with loud music, and singing at the top of her lungs. When I was twelve, I told her she shouldn’t sing so loud since she was bad at it. She told me I was talking out my ass, because my head knows better.”

He laughs again as if he’s in the memory. “She always told me everything is better with music. And when I told her I wanted to front a band, she was supportive. My dad thought it was a waste, but my mom said music makes people feel. And if you can make one person feel something, or get through a difficult time, it’s a respectable profession.”

I smile at him. “She sounds wonderful, Jagger.”

He nods. “She is. Your turn, tell me about your family.”

A bell rings, causing me to jump, and he says, “I’ll be right back. That’s your chicken.”

I begin to panic when he comes back, terrified he’ll ask about my family again, which I don’t want to talk about. If he’s upset about everything with Erik, which he only knows half of, the topic of my family will probably have him ending things in a flash.

He comes back and places the chicken in front of me. “Chicken as requested.”

I take a bite of my chicken and he smirks. “Good girl.”

Jagger points to my wine. “Drink.”

Rolling my eyes at him, I pick it up and take a drink. Oh, it’s good. Fruity but not too sweet.

After we finish eating, he says, “The music choice tonight is yours. What’s your favorite band?”

I blush quickly. “The Dark Notes.”

He chuckles. “Okay, second favorite band. And I swear to God if you say The Glass Monkeys I’m not going to be happy.”

I snort laugh, because I’m totally lady-like.

“Well, I like eighties rock, too. And the nineties. There isn’t much I don’t like if it’s rock.”

He pulls out his phone again. “How about a mix then?”

The music filters overhead after he presses a button. The first song that plays is some rock version ofWicked GamebyChris Isaak.

He gets up and holds his hand out. “Dance with me, McKinley.”

I rise from my chair, and he takes my hand and walks me out to the large living room, before pulling me into his arms. We sway to the music, until he stops and kisses me, while grabbing my ass.

“I want you.”

“Just let me take a shower. I didn’t know we’d-”

I’m freaking out, and I hope he doesn’t notice.God damn it, McKinley.This guy is decent, and if he finds out about your little meltdown in the bathroom earlier, he’s gone.And who could blame him?

He smiles at me. “Go take a shower, baby. I can wait another ten minutes. Follow me.”

We walk down the hallway to his massive bedroom. It’s all dark furniture. A king sized bed and an armoire, a few dressers, and lilac colored walls. The room is complete with a vase of light purple flowers that match the paint. He points to the bathroom. “Help yourself to anything.”

I go into the bathroom and close the door behind me. Turning the shower on, I give it a minute to heat up while I get undressed. I’m standing in my bra and panties when the door opens. “I have an extra tooth-”

Jagger stands staring at my body, with a pained expression I won’t soon forget. I try to cover myself, but it’s too late. He knows.

I grab my clothes from the floor. “I’ll go.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

JAGGER

I’ve seen a lot in my life. Drugs tend to create negative environments, but this is something I’ve never seen. Never imagined. I have heard of cutters. I know people hurt themselves, even if I don’t personally understand it. This? I’m fucking lost.

---