Page 34 of Midnight Dissonance

Gah!

Mascara had smeared itself around her eyes and onto her cheeks. Her hair stuck up at odd angles. And she breathed into her hand. She had dragon morning breath.

Lexi brushed her teeth with the toothbrush he’d given her to use last night, eyeing the shower while she brushed. It was one of the enclosed standup deals with a bench inside and multiple showerheads.

She had to shower. After she finished brushing her teeth, she checked through his supplies and located some face cleanser. Yeah, it was a guy’s version and might not do anything for makeup. But she had to do something because she looked a fright and would never be able to leave his house looking like this.

Talk about the walk of shame.

Especially since she did the deed with him.

Stepping into the shower, she started the water, turning up the heat until it was just below boiling. She spied shampoo, body wash, and he had conditioner. Hallelujah! Again, all the male versions, but she would take what she could get. She brought the facial cleanser into the shower with her and took care of her face first.

She scrubbed and rinsed her face twice to ensure she’d removed all the makeup. And then washed her hair and body.

But then she stood beneath the hot spray, enjoying the way the water massaged her muscles. She couldn’t believe she slept with Josh. Both the actual sleeping, which she never did with anyone, and the way he commanded her body. And she had enjoyed every minute.

Maybe she should have just scened with him at the club. Then she wouldn’t have gotten suspended.

But what they had done this morning—and last night, if she were being honest—was a whole lot more intimate than engaging in a scene at the club. Far more intimate. Lexi didn’t really know what to make of it.

He’d gone all possessive. She was sure it was just an act. Something he said during a scene that made it really hot.

But there was a part of her that wanted to belong to him. Which was dumb. She had her music and her job. Although the job at the Java Hut, while affording her a place to sleep each night and to pay her bills, wasn’t what she wanted for her life.

Lexi jumped as huge male hands slid around her waist.

“Easy. It’s just me.”

Those hands trailed up and cupped her breasts. He pressed kisses against her neck. While his hands kneaded her tits, tugging and plucking at the nipples. He pressed his body against hers. And she felt the hard press of his erection against her butt.

“I thought for a minute that you left.”

She was going to as soon as she finished the shower. Or at least that was what she told herself.

“I do have a life to get to.”

“Today?”

“Well, no.” Today was one of her few days off. And the band wasn’t meeting to practice either.

“Spend the day with me.”

“What? I couldn’t possibly. I . . . oh god,” she moaned, her head fell back against his powerful chest.

He cupped her pussy, owning her. Telling her without words that she belonged to him. And god, just for a day, she wanted the freedom to explore his body. She knew it would all end. She understood with perfect clarity that the likelihood he would break her heart was criminally high.

“I don’t have a change of clothes. And I have to be at the Java Hut early tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll buy you clothes.”

She stiffened. “I’m not looking for a sugar daddy. Why can’t we run by my house and pick up some clothes?” She didn’t want him spending money on her. It’s not why she was with him.

“Because it’s best if your sister does not find out about us.”

She tried to push out of his arms. “Because I’m just a dirty little secret. And because all you wanted was to score since I turned you down, is that it?”

He spun her around and trapped her against the tile wall. And he looked too gorgeous for her sensibilities. “It has nothing to do with that. You are not my dirty little secret. Nor am I seeking revenge because of the incident at the club.”

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