Page 17 of Her Beastly Billionaire Rock Star
Holding her hand up, she said, “Your secret is safe with me.” Her gaze flicked to Malakai. “I will never tell anyone.”
Right. Octavia would know before the game was over. Hopefully, she’d keep Chris’s secret. The band knew, and their fans speculated, but none of them had ever come out and told anyone that Chris was a prince. His freedom and ability to stay in the band counted on it.
As they walked to the game room, Charlotte followed behind them. It was the first time he felt like she was his minder. Like she’d be taking notes or something. Granted, that was really how it was supposed to be, but now that she was doing it, it made his skin crawl a little.
When they reached the room, Chris walked straight to the wall where he’d left his cue the last time they played. He kissed it and smiled at Charlotte. “This is my lucky pool cue.”
Charlotte tilted her head and laughed. “Didn’t you say you lost money the last time?”
“True.” He walked to her and held it out. “Maybe you’d have better luck.”
“Or you’ve tainted it, and it’s now cursed forevermore.” She smiled.
Malakai grunted a laugh. He liked how quick-witted and clever she was. The kind of woman to keep a man from doing stupid things like picking up a drunk woman and losing control of the car. At the thought, he sobered. He deserved everything that had happened to him. It was the world’s way of making him pay for the way he’d shown up at his grandma’s funeral.
Chris pulled his hand back. “I was hoping my animal magnetism made you forget that.”
Her cheeks bloomed pink, and she lowered her gaze to the floor. “Turns out, I like my rockers with dark hair, arms full of tattoos, and a bad attitude.” She lifted her head a fraction and caught Malakai’s gaze.
Wow. He’d had plenty of women flirt with him, but his pulse had never raced fast enough to make him light-headed like it was just then.
Turning to Malakai, Chris raised an eyebrow. “I think I must have missed something.”
Malakai shook his head as he rolled his eyes. “No, she’s just messing with you.”
Chris returned his attention to Charlotte. “Are you messing with me?”
She laughed. “Maybe a little.”
“Not nice at all.”
“I doubt you’ll miss my adoration. What with all the fans you have back home and as a rock star. I think you get plenty of it.” She took the pool cue from him. “I really don’t care if I win or not.”
Chris took the cue back. “No way am I leaving the cute girl with the cursed cue. I’m a gentleman, if nothing else.”
Malakai groaned and pulled a cue from the holder on the wall. “Would you stop flirting with her?” He crossed the small distance between them and handed it to Charlotte. “This is the lightest one. I think it’ll work for you.”
Lifting her gaze to his, she said, “Are you trying to say I’m a wimp?”
“What if I am?” Not the response he’d planned to say, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself from flirting with her.
“I guess it’s a good thing you’re here, then, huh?” She punctuated the sentence by grabbing her bottom lip with her teeth.
“Stop flirting with me.”
“You first.” She chuckled.
Chris groaned. “Really? Do you always have to get the girl?”
Clearing his throat, Malakai waved him off. “I’m not getting the girl. She’s here to make sure I stay clean; that’s all. May as well make the best of it.”
“Right. He’s not getting the girl,” Charlotte replied softly.
He didn’t miss the downturn of her lips or the hurt look on her face. As much as he hated it, it was for the best. Well, best for her. He didn’t know her very well, but he knew enough to know she deserved better than being tainted by him.
Chapter 8
Standing outside Malakai’s bedroom door, Charlotte started to knock and hesitated. Since the night they’d played pool, the situation felt a little less tense. They’d had a few short conversations here and there, but nothing deep. It had been over a month now, and it was still mostly small talk. Something an introvert would do in a ride with someone in an elevator.
