Chapter Seven #2
“I’m serious.”
“I know you think you are, Mama.”
“No, I know I am.” I point at his chest with my glass. “It was physical. That’s it. We got it out of our systems, and now we move on.”
“Sure.”
“And nobody can know.”
“Fine.”
His answer comes way too easy.
I narrow my eyes. “Fine?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs like this is the simplest thing in the world. “Private. Physical. Nobody’s business.”
I study him, suspicious as hell. “Why are you agreeing so easily?”
“Because I’m realistic.”
I blink. “You?”
His mouth curves as he leans a little closer. “You can keep calling it a one-time thing if that helps you sleep, but that look in your eye says you don’t believe a word of it.”
My grip tightens around the glass, and he notices.
His grin gets slower. “See?”
“Ay, cállate.”
“You’re the one trying to convince yourself, not me.”
I take another drink and look away before my face sells me out.
Cocky bastard.
The worst part is, he’s right.
I pull back enough to glare at him. “You don’t believe me.”
He takes his water from the bartender and drinks without breaking eye contact.
“Nope.”
The honesty catches me off guard.
“You are so fucking arrogant.”
“And you’re making rules three hours after climbing into my bed.” He lowers the bottle. “Feels a little early to call the game, Mama.”
“It is not a game.”
“Good.”
Something about the way he says it kills the next insult sitting on my tongue.
He’s still amused, but there’s something else in his eyes now. Something a little too serious for a conversation about this meaning nothing.
I look away first.
Bad idea.
Because my eyes land right on his mouth, and my body remembers exactly what it can do.
I wanted him before, but at least then I could pretend it was just curiosity.
Now I know better.
I know what he sounds like when the jokes stop. I know what his hands feel like when he’s done teasing. I know what it feels like when all that restless energy is focused completely on me.
Ay, cono.
The want is so much worse now.
One time was supposed to get him out of my system.
Instead, it gave my body proof how good he could make it feel.
“Amazing set.”
The new voice cuts through the moment.
I turn and find James standing beside me, smiling wide like he’s been waiting for a chance to get over here. He opens one arm, and before I can decide whether we’re hugging now, he pulls me in.
“Seriously,” he says near my ear. “You killed it.”
“Thank you.” I laugh, hugging him back quickly before stepping away. “The crowd was good tonight.”
“The crowd was good because you knew exactly what to do with them.” His hand lingers at my waist for half a second too long. “That second half especially. The Latin transition into the darker house track was fucking clean.”
A little spark of pride lights in my chest.
“Thank you. I rebuilt that transition about twenty times.”
“Worth every second.” His eyes move over me, not subtle enough to miss. “You looked good doing it too.”
Oh.
Okay.
Before I can answer, Revel shifts beside me.
I glance over, and—ay, no.
His face is calm. Too calm. The smile is gone, his jaw tight, and the look he gives James says he has already killed the man in his head and is now deciding where to hide the body.
James finally seems to notice him. “Hey, man.”
Revel steps closer and slides an arm around my waist like it belongs there.
“Revel,” he says, flashing a smile that is all teeth. “I’m the boyfriend. Nice to meet you.”
I choke on my drink.
Actually choke.
Tequila burns the back of my throat while Revel rubs my side like he didn’t just lie straight through that pretty mouth.
James looks between us. “Boyfriend?”
“Yep.” Revel pulls me tighter against him. “And her biggest fan, obviously.”
I stare up at him.
He does not look at me.
Cocky, jealous bastard.
James’s smile slips for half a second before he recovers. “Right. Lucky guy.”
“The fuckin’ luckiest.”
His thumb moves slowly over my hip, possessive as hell, while he keeps smiling at James like this is a normal introduction and not some weird little territorial battle beside the bar.
James clears his throat and turns his attention back to me. “Anyway, that second build was probably my favorite part of the whole set.”
“Thanks, James,”
“Shit, I knew she’d kick ass,” Revel cuts in. “That build is fucking epic. Perfect song to fuck to, if you know what I mean.”
His hand tightens and pulls me flush against his side, making it painfully obvious he is not speaking hypothetically.
James’s eyes flick between us. “Right.”
“Yeah.” Revel’s grin turns smug as hell. “Holds up real good on repeat too.”
I nearly choke again.
“Revel,” I warn under my breath.
He finally looks down at me, the filthy curve of his mouth making it clear he knows exactly what he’s doing.
“What?” he asks. “I’m complimenting your work.”
I should correct him.
I should shove his arm off and tell James the truth.
Instead, I smile sweetly and lean into Revel’s side, because, apparently, I am just as bad.
James clears his throat and looks back at me. “Anyway, I actually came over because I wanted to offer you something.”
My stomach flips. “Okay…”
“I’m helping organize Sol Fuego next weekend. One of our higher-lineup DJs pulled out, and after tonight, I want you in the slot. I think you’d be perfect for it.”
For a second, I just stare at him.
“In Miami?”
“That’s where Sol Fuego is.”
“Ay, sorry.” I press my fingers to my forehead. “You’re offering me a spot at Sol Fuego?”
“A head-line slot,” he says. “Saturday night. Big stage, packed crowd, real exposure. You’d be going on after nine.”
My mouth drops open. “You’re serious?”
“Completely. I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t.
I liked what you did tonight, and I think your sound fits the festival.
” James pulls out his phone. “There are logistics, though. You would be responsible for bringing your own setup people. We provide the booth, main system, lighting, and stage crew, but anything personal, equipment management, transport, and people handling your setup comes from your side.”
“Hell yes, I’ll do it!”
He smiles. “I haven’t sent you the details yet.”
“I don’t care. Yes.”
“Awesome.” James types something into his phone. “I’ll email everything tonight. Look it over tomorrow and call me before five. I need confirmation fast.”
“You’ll have it.”
He offers his hand, and I take it, trying to act like my heart isn’t attempting to punch out of my chest.