Unexpected Entanglement (Echo #3)

Excerpt - Dangerous Rhythm

“ If you want to invite her in, I’ll give you space,” Lina said, surprising Curtis. She gestured with her chin to where Marie had gone. “But you better make your decision quick. She’s almost at the gate.”

Curtis’ brows rose at her words, a little peeved at her innuendo. “Is that what you think of me? That I want to bang every pretty face?”

“You banged that one already,” Lina said as a matter-of-factly.

He didn’t deny it. “We had fun. We’re just friends now.”

“Like the woman running out of your apartment yesterday?”

This time his brows jammed together at the bridge of his nose, thinking back to yesterday and who was she talking about? It flooded back to him.

Jill.

“Shit, was that only yesterday?” He rubbed his hands over his face in disbelief.

“A lot happened since,” Lina said, sounding shockingly understanding instead of judgmental of him for forgetting whom he slept with just twenty-four hours ago. Or was it thirty?

“Jill and I scratch each other’s back—so to speak—when we need to. No strings attached.” Curtis wasn’t sure why he felt the need to explain himself.

Lina just shrugged. “This way?” She gestured to the lit path toward the other side of the property.

Curtis started following her when he stumbled over his own feet. “Whoa.” He grabbed her shoulder.

Lina deftly steadied him by putting an arm around his waist. “Not drunk, huh?”

“I’m not that drunk,” he insisted and threw an arm around her shoulders. “Maybe I just like having you around to catch me when I fall.”

She finally laughed at his cheesy line. “Where’s this studio you’re sleeping in, anyway?”

He grinned. “Why Lina, can’t wait to get me to bed, can you?”

“You got that right.” Her amused response was an improvement in their dynamic.

After months of trying to get her break out of her security-team-leader persona during the last tour, he’d gotten a few smiles out of her. But she hadn’t made it easy on him. She had the hardest will to break. She was the Untouchable, after all.

They reached the studio and climbed the short stairs to the door.

“The key’s in here somewhere.” Curtis started patting his pockets, then he had a bad idea he probably shouldn’t try with Lina. But his buzzed brain made him bold. “Try my left front pocket. I can’t reach it.” It was the side pressed against her.

Lina eyed him with suspicion, but Curtis just looked at her innocently. She dipped a hand into his pocket and stopped at the midpoint just around his pelvis.

“I didn’t realize guy’s pockets go so deep,” she murmured as she dove lower. “What do you do with all this room?”

Curtis sucked in a breath as her palm pressed against his crotch, almost brushing his boys as her fingers searched for the key. But in a flash, the pressure left him.

“Found it.” She brandished the single key and stuck it into the lock.

Curtis bit his lower lip to quell the stirring in his nether region from her touch.

You ’ re playing with fire, you dumb fuck.

He was very aware Lina could break his arm if he made a move she didn’t like. And though every outer sign said otherwise, every fiber in his body sensed she wouldn’t mind his touch.

They walked into the spacious studio. Brandon’s unfinished projects had been pushed aside, providing a space for a wall bed that was usually cleverly hidden in the shelves when it wasn’t needed. Lina walked him to the bed, untangled herself from him, and was about to sit him down on the mattress.

“I’m fine, you know.” Curtis faced her, refusing to sit.

Lina gave him an indulgent smile. “Sure.”

“I’m buzzed, not drunk,” he argued.

She had to crank her neck up to look him in the eyes since he’d closed the distance between them. “You don’t have to prove anything, Curtis.”

“By the way, what did Popo say to you?” he asked.

“You don’t speak Mandarin?” Lina questioned.

“Not really. Mom wouldn’t speak it at home, so Callie and I only knew the little Popo would teach us when she visited. It never stuck.”

“I see.”

“So, what did she say?” he asked again.

“That’s between your grandmother and me.”

“Seriously?”

“She just asked me to keep you safe.” Lina gave him a tiny smile. “You should rest.”

“What are you gonna do?”

“I’m going to walk the property, check in with Pierre, and make sure everything is quiet and secure,” she said.

“Aren’t you gonna sleep?” he asked.

“I slept.”

“You’re really gonna stay up?”

“That’s my job.”

Curtis studied her face. It looked so calm and capable. But he’d seen more in it when she’d thought no one had been paying attention. Miss Lina Cheung was very good at keeping her feelings under this unruffled surface.

He so wanted to ruffle her.

“Don’t kick my ass, please,” he whispered a warning.

“For what?” she frowned.

“For kissing you.”