Page 25 of Hard Rock Fling
"I don't want you under the influence." He placed both hands on the countertop, one on either side of me. I was trapped. The look he gave me was wicked, hungry. "You're going to remember everything that happens tonight." He leaned forward until our noses were touching. He tilted his head, as if angling for a kiss. "Everything."
My breath hitched. Half an inch closer and—
Ian pulled away. I nearly sagged to the floor. My heartbeat raced madly as I remembered how to breathe.
"You should finish your drink." Ian smirked. "You'll need your energy for later."
I'd been right about rock stars and their smooth moves. I took a long, silent breath to gather myself.
"You think you can feed me a line and I'll fall into bed with you?" I was proud I kept my voice steady. I wasn't going to let him shake me.
Ian threw back his head and laughed. "Apparently not." He took my hand and pressed a kiss to the back. "Does the princess need more wooing from her prince?"
"Prince? I was thinking more of the evil huntsman."
His lips twitched. "You think I'm planning to cut out your heart?"
"Isn't that what you do? Make all the girls fall in love with you then crush their hopes and dreams?"
He gave a casual shrug, but the corner of his lips turned down slightly. "That's more my brother's thing."
"I've heard the rumors, you know." I met his eyes and held them. "They say Damian plays with women the way a cat plays with the mouse. Is that what you're planning on doing with me?"
I expected him to retort with a joke about eating me, but he pulled back.
"Right.Damian."He fidgeted with the leather wrist cuff on left arm. He played with the decorative silver buckles until the nail polish on his right hand came off in chips. "I'm sure you've heard a lot about The Twins."
"I'm sorry." I was beginning to get this was a touchy subject. "I didn't mean—"
"No, it's fine," he interrupted. "I'm just being—" he cut himself off with a wry grin. "Never mind. Let's go back to the party. I'll introduce you to some cool people."
I chided myself for touching on a sore spot, but I wanted to know. Sometimes, with the way he looked at me, I wondered if maybe Ian felt something more than passing lust. But I knew that was exactly what every other girl Ian had gotten into bed probably thought about themselves.
Besides, it didn't matter. If his interest was fleeting, it was all the better. No risk of getting attached.
I allowed Ian to drag me around the party. I thought hiscool peoplewould be an endless parade of movie stars, musicians, and other celebrities. To my surprise, Ian took me around to meet sound engineers, publicity coordinators, and other behind the scenes people. They all gave him high fives and slaps on the back.
He was genuinely friendly with these people. Maybe I had been wrong. Ian did pay attention to all the little cogs in his entertainment machine. Maybe that's why a lowly intern wasn't too far beneath his notice.
"They all like you," I said as we moved from group to group.
"I'm a likable guy."
"No, but—" I wanted to put it the right way. "I didn't expect you to introduce me to ordinary people. I thought you'd be hanging around your famous friends. You're not…"
"Not a stuck up asshole celebrity?"
"I was going to say, untouchable."
Ian let out a chuckle. "You sure that's the word you want to use around me?" he murmured in my ear.
My heart fluttered again. I hadn't had a steady heartbeat since stepping out of that taxi.
"Yo, Damian, stop monopolizing the fresh meat." Cameron came up from behind and threw his arms around us, sticking his head between ours. He still had three bras hanging around his neck. "Is this asshole annoying you?" he asked me.
"You're the only annoying one around here, Cam." Ian retorted.
"Fuck off." Cameron's grin was still firmly in place. He grabbed my cup and downed the rest of it. "Your girl needs another drink." He gave Ian a pointed stare.
