Page 13 of Hard Rock Fling
He was playing me just like he played with all his fans.
I looked him dead in the eyes. "I'm not going to speculate on our hypothetical sex life in public, so you might as well give up."
Ian's eyes grew wide and stunned for a brief moment. He sat back in his chair, chuckling. "You're something else, sweetheart."
My heart was still pumping madly. "Gee, thanks."
"That's a good thing," he clarified. "Besides, I get it. I had to work my way up, too. I didn't get any special treatment. Damon and I went through hell to get where we are." Ian's eyes widened, looking almost startled with himself. He cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair, a deceptively casual gesture. Maybe he hadn't meant to say that. "I just mean, I understand where you're coming from," he continued, recovering smoothly.
I wanted to ask him about it. What kind of hell had he gone through? Maybe we had more in common than I thought.
I snorted inwardly at myself. What could I possibly have in common with a famous rock star playboy like Ian?
Still, talking to him about this kind of stuff was… nice. It was different. He wasn't just teasing me. We were talking to each other like two regular people. "I know a lot about how Darkest Days was formed, but there's not much info online about you guys before the band." I left the question unspoken.
He looked uncomfortable, shifting in his chair. He was silent for long moments before chugging down the rest of his coffee, avoiding my eyes. "Sorry sweetness, gotta go."
I tried not to look disappointed. "I guess I should be getting back, too. I've got work to do."
"And a rock star's work is never done."
"I suppose you've got fans to seduce and hotel rooms to trash."
"Something like that." Ian gave me one last unreadable look. He leaned forward slowly. I froze. He angled his head, as if aiming for a kiss. My eyelids fluttered closed unconsciously as I held my breath.
Soft lips touched skin.
My eyes flew open in surprise as Ian kissed me on the tip of my nose. He laughed as I jolted back and rubbed at my nose with the back of my hand. "What the hell was that?"
"You're too cute." His gaze held a sort of predatory glimmer. "I think I'm going to have fun with you."
My stomach fluttered. I ducked my head, trying to hide the flush on my face. There was something about Ian that knocked me off balance. I didn't know if I liked it, but I couldn't deny my attraction.
He flipped his shades back down over his eyes. "See you around, sweetheart. Let's do another coffee date again sometime."
I was still reeling from the almost-kiss when the cafe door jingled, signaling his exit.
My hands trembled as I gripped my coffee cup. How was it possible a kiss on the nose could affect me so much?
It wasn't just that brief touch of his lips, though. It was Ian. Just Ian.
He's a flirt, I reminded myself.He has this effect on everyone. It doesn't mean anything.
My body disagreed. It was telling me this meanteverything.
My heart, on the other hand, was sending warning signals.
Don't even start, it screeched.You know what guys like him are like.
I did. I knew exactly how Ian's type operated. They said whatever they needed to ensnare you. They used all their charm, all their tricks. Then once they had you, they threw it all away.
I didn't want to let myself get played for a fool again.
But I couldn't stop remembering the look in Ian's eyes every time I called him by name.
Chapter Six
After my lunch break— after my surprisecoffee datewith Ian — I went back to work.
