Chapter 16 #2
She knew she did. Darcy’s voice had reached her through the crowd, just as Juliet had been about to walk through the entrance.
An innocent smile played on Darcy’s full lips. Well, as innocent as Darcy could look, which wasn’t very. “Just letting Serena know my favorite album of yours is Echoes.”
Surprise slid through her first, quickly followed by delight. “You actually did it?”
She’d really expected Darcy to forget about the offhanded remark that night. Honestly, Juliet wouldn’t have held it against her if she had. That was the business; it wasn’t like Darcy had signed some binding contract to sign up as Juliet’s worst album’s biggest fan.
Darcy frowned at her, reeling back. Which Juliet liked, as it pushed Darcy farther into the dark little alcove behind her.
It allowed her to step forward, ensuring Darcy stayed there, out of view of anyone either from the stage or passing by backstage.
That awareness inside of her notched up even higher, making her stomach dance.
“I told you that if you worked on ‘Porchlight’ with me and kept an open mind, I’d go public as being an Echoes defender.
If I say I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it.
” Darcy shrugged, her gaze intent and focused on Juliet’s.
“Besides, I’m not embarrassed by liking it.
You shouldn’t be embarrassed by the album, either. ”
Juliet rolled her eyes but wasn’t going to get into it with Darcy here and now. Ms. Creative Integrity, stand-by-your-choices would learn her own lessons when it came to this sort of thing.
“Out of all of the people you said it to, you had to tell Serena Fisher?” She pursed her lips at the name.
Darcy let out a baffled laugh. “Don’t take it out on Serena because she was the one who got you to open up about how much you couldn’t stand me.”
Juliet looked around to ensure no one was here, even with the poor visibility, before leaning in closer.
Close enough to get a hint of Darcy’s perfume, and she shivered with it.
“You’re giving Serena too much credit. She didn’t get me to do anything.
It was seeing you walk out of the award show looking all… ”
“Hot?” Darcy supplied, her eyes glinting at Juliet.
And she could see it. She could see how Darcy felt this same awareness coursing through her.
“Celebratory,” Juliet acerbically corrected… before she shrugged. “And yes, hot.”
Yeah, there was the fucking look in Darcy’s eyes, and the way she sharply inhaled at Juliet’s confirmation. “Well, you shouldn’t be mad at Serena. The reason we’ve reached this détente is, apparently, because Shelby liked our sound together. And we only ended up doing that because…”
Darcy trailed off, giving Juliet a knowing stare.
Juliet frowned. “What?”
“Shelby, herself, wanted us to do ‘Porchlight,’” Darcy informed her in a tone like she was a high schooler sharing some hush-hush gossip. That excitement propelled her forward, swaying in closer toward Juliet. “Did you know that?”
“I… didn’t,” she admitted, softly, running her eyes over Darcy’s face. She supposed it made sense, though, the late addition.
Even though it still smarted, having been excluded from it originally, it did make her feel satisfied knowing that she and Darcy had been personally requested by Shelby.
Maybe she wouldn’t hold a grudge, then, against Serena, she mused.
She felt Darcy’s warm breath fan over her mouth with their proximity, and that snapped her away from any thoughts on Serena – on anything or anyone else.
They weren’t close enough to be touching, but certainly close enough to breathe one another in.
And Juliet, in her heels, was standing right at Darcy’s same height, their eyes inches away from one another.
“Shocked you haven’t pulled away yet. There’s not a door to lock,” Darcy teased in a whisper.
“And I’ll be pushing you away in about five seconds,” she breathed back, before she found herself asking, “Why were you wearing my shirt at the airport?”
“I wanted to know if you’d take notice,” Darcy answered, candidly.
God, she was not good at playing cards close to her chest. And yet, Juliet’s stomach dipped at the insinuation in her voice.
A slow, satisfied smirk worked over Darcy’s mouth. “And… you did.”
The heat simmering in her stomach shot up to the next dial. “Yeah? And what were you hoping I’d do if I noticed?”
“I think it’s pretty clear.”
When Juliet innocently widened her eyes and lifted her shoulders in a small shrug, Darcy leaned even closer to her, bringing her lips right next to Juliet’s ear.
“I was thinking we could go back to your house, and I could fuck you until you can’t take it for another second.” Darcy’s lips just brushed against Juliet’s earlobe as she spoke.
Juliet’s eyes snapped shut as she shuddered.
“You’re not the only person who knows what they want,” Darcy continued, her voice like silk. “Besides… I think it’ll make things a little easier after my incoming win for country song of the year.”
With that, Juliet slammed back into reality. Not enough to slow the blood thrumming through her. In fact, the challenge in Darcy’s tone might have made Juliet burn even brighter.
She folded her arms over her chest. They were both nominated for that award, so, “Really confident in that, aren’t you?”
Darcy shook her head. “Nope, just wanted to see this look on your face. All fired up.”
She was fired up, in more ways than one.
Glancing around once more, she noted the empty darkness surrounding them, even as thunderous applause erupted from the main theater.
Thrumming with energy, she leaned in again. Closer this time. Deliberately close, so she could sigh into Darcy’s ear and then feel her responsive shudder. “You know where to find me tonight.”
With that, she released a warm stream of breath over her earlobe and felt the tension snap through Darcy’s body.
She’d never wanted an award show to go by faster than this.