Page 27 of Hold Still

Ozzy

I STUMBLE DOWNSTAIRSand pour myself a cup of coffee. The clock on the stove says eight forty-five, so I have fifteen minutes before McKenna will be here.

At least I got to bed at a relatively decent hour last night, much to Jenna and her friends’ dismay. I stayed at the party until midnight and then told them I had to leave. For some reason, getting up early for McKenna was more appealing than rolling around in the penthouse with those three. Not that it wouldn’t have been a good time. Just wasn’t into it.

I sip my coffee and walk outside, Bans at my heels. I toss her ball as I make my way to the chair and place my steaming mug on the table. Bans brings the ball back and I toss it again. We continue this way until I hear a car door slam shut. With one last throw of the ball, I rush through the house to greet McKenna, ignoring the tightness in my chest. Why am I rushing?

Opening the door, I look down at the woman standing there. The only woman who knows where I really live, versus my fuckpad at the Jade. Still don’t know how she found me, though. I place my arm on the doorjamb. “Hey.”

She looks me up and down. “Good, you’re ready. Thought I’d have to go to the Jade and pry you out of bed from your playmates.”

My eyebrow quirks up. Hell hath no fury, as they say. “Youarejealous?”

“Ha. You wish.” She pushes past me and I detect melon, peach, apple and another scent I can’t place. It’s spicy, though, like her current attitude. I follow her through the foyer and into the kitchen, where she pours herself a cup of Joe.

“Help yourself.”

She doesn’t hesitate. “Sugar?”

I point to the cabinet. She retrieves the sugar bowl, then opens the silverware drawer and grabs a spoon before fixing up her coffee with both sugar and milk. “We have to leave in ten.”

“Where are we going?”

“You haven’t earned the right to ask questions.”

I smile as I crowd her against the counter. Lowering my voice, I reply, “Oh, it’s a surprise. I like surprises. Especially when they’re accompanied by a beautiful woman. More often in bed.” I run my fingers over her now-purple streak of hair. “Purple?”

“Yeah. Thought it was appropriate for today,” she says, dipping her face deeper into her mug.

“Because you’re with rock royalty?”

She nearly spits out her coffee. “Think what you want.”

She tries to move away. I have the urge to grab her by the hips and keep in her place but, instead, I step back. Something about her demands more from me. She finishes her coffee and says, “Ready?”

“Sure. Let me get Bans.”

Her eyes grow wide and she says, “I’ll meet you outside.” She turns on her heel and disappears toward the front door.

I’m going to have to do something about her fear of Bans—what kind of woman doesn’t love dogs?—if she’s going to be sticking around. Whoa. Not going to happen. I don’t needanywoman in my life outside my bed. Thank you, Teresa.

After making sure Bans has everything she’ll need for the day, I meet McKenna by her car, her keys in her hand. A little Honda Civic. No way in hell can I fit half my frame in there. I shake my head. “Sorry there, McKenna. I’m driving.” I walk over to the garage and plug in the numbers on the keypad. The door slowly opens to reveal my motorcycle.

“Don’t you own a car?”

I chuckle. “Afraid?”

She snorts. “You wish. I thought you’d have your choice of vehicles since you have a three-car garage.”

“Yeah, well the Jade provides transportation for me to and from my performances if I ask, so I don’t really need anything else.” I walk to the side and grab my extra helmet. Instead of handing it to her, I plunk it down on her head and pull the strap tight. Knocking on its top, I put my helmet on, visor up, and swing my leg over Shirley.

“Hop on behind me.”

The helmet shakes and she hands me her purse. A quirky contraption in a patchwork of colors. Sort of like her. I put it in the storage compartment and look at her. She hasn’t moved. “Are you a motorcycle virgin?”

Her mouth purses but she doesn’t say anything.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.”

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